Opportunities for ceramics in the ERDA/NASA continuous combustion propulsion systems program

An overview on engine development projects for potential use of ceramics is reported. A major ceramics materials technology effort is described to meet anticipated engine system requirements in terms of the automotive application, some of the more pressing technology needs, and some indications of how to conduct this technology program with industry-engine development projects focus on both gas turbine and Stirling engines

Caregiver-Child Experiences, Education, and Perceptions of Children’s Play

From early on in their lives, children use play as a way to explore their environment and as a catalyst to begin the process of learning. Children play in a variety of forms-dramatic play, playing with blocks, rough and tumble play, playing with dolls, etc.-that play is involved in nearly every aspect of their lives. It is important to study children’s play, as well as the perceptions of play by important adults in their lives, because it is so deeply entrenched in their development. A survey was created to understand the perceptions of teachers on young children’s play, as well as based on gender. Surveys were distributed to 9 teachers in a child-care facility in a large city in the southern U.S. The results of the study reflect that length of time as a caregiver, as well as highest level of education completed, had no impact on the caregiver’s views of children’s play based on gender, and did not play a significant role in how egalitarian their views are within the sample collected. Further research that includes larger sample sizes and more diverse caregiving centers is warranted

Leveraging the Power of Course Redesign For Student Success

Colleges and universities have a commitment to improve the student experience, increase persistence, and provide paths to degree completion. Course redesign, focused on student success, is a promising strategy for realizing that commitment. This article examines some of the particulars when course redesign is explicitly linked to student success. These particulars include the types of redesign outcomes, why courses should be the locus of student success initiatives, identifying which courses to redesign, and the characteristics and scope of impact of redesigned courses. The article concludes with suggestions for next steps for student success course redesign

Experimental Overlay of Glazon over Two Bridge Decks

In accordance with a Personal Service Agreement entered into with the Glazon Industries, Inc., on July 2, 1971, the two subject decks were patched and overlayed with Glazon. On July 27, 1971, work started on RP 106-286-HG3, KY 395 bridge over I 64 in Shelby County. Work consisted of routing old concrete and sandblasting the surface (Figures 1 and 2). State personnel and equipment were used for all cleaning operations. The same procedures were followed to clean HM 99-1324A-MB3 in Powell County near Clay City. On July 28, 1971, Glazon personnel and equipment arrived at the work site in Shelby County. Glazon representatives judged the cleaning adequate and proceeded with patching the southbound lane (Figure 3). No accurate information is available as to the exact formulation of the Glazon used or proportions in the mix. Glazon Industries declined disclosure of such information since their material was not patented. Before patching, the holes were thoroughly dried. Shrinkage and cracking were noticed in the patches shortly after drying (Figure 4). Later, on other lanes, patch holes were primed with a Glazon liquid before patching (Figures 5 and 6). After a short drying period, the deck was sprayed with a Glazon mix similar to that for patching but more fluid (Figures 7 and 8). Some problems were encountered due to weak air supply, but were shortly overcome. The sprayed deck looked satisfactory to Glazon personnel who did most of the work in patching and overlaying the deck. The operation was moved to the Clay City bridge and the same procedures were followed in working the northbound lane. Two wingwalls on the Shelby County bridge were sprayed with a Glazon mix made with white cement. On August 3, 1971, both bridges were completed though work was interrupted by rain several times. On August 5, 1971, both bridges were reopened to two-lane traffic. This Division closely observed these operations from the beginning. It was later learned from the Division of Maintenance that the northbound lane of the Shelby County deck, which was badly deteriorating, had been repaired on September 15, 1971

Benchmarking calculations of excitonic couplings between bacteriochlorophylls

Excitonic couplings between (bacterio)chlorophyll molecules are necessary for simulating energy transport in photosynthetic complexes. Many techniques for calculating the couplings are in use, from the simple (but inaccurate) point-dipole approximation to fully quantum-chemical methods. We compared several approximations to determine their range of applicability, noting that the propagation of experimental uncertainties poses a fundamental limit on the achievable accuracy. In particular, the uncertainty in crystallographic coordinates yields an uncertainty of about 20% in the calculated couplings. Because quantum-chemical corrections are smaller than 20% in most biologically relevant cases, their considerable computational cost is rarely justified. We therefore recommend the electrostatic TrEsp method across the entire range of molecular separations and orientations because its cost is minimal and it generally agrees with quantum-chemical calculations to better than the geometric uncertainty. We also caution against computationally optimizing a crystal structure before calculating couplings, as it can lead to large, uncontrollable errors. Understanding the unavoidable uncertainties can guard against striving for unrealistic precision; at the same time, detailed benchmarks can allow important qualitative questions--which do not depend on the precise values of the simulation parameters--to be addressed with greater confidence about the conclusions

Regime-based TRMM and GV Microphysical Studies at MSFC and UAH

Differences in rain rate between TMI and PR vary systematically with PR Z-profile statistics, whose frequency of occurrence is modified to create seasonal biases in the sub-tropical Southeastern U.S. (and almost certainly elsewhere). Tropical (non-tropical) DSDs in N. Alabama exhibit larger (smaller) D(sub 0), and larger (smaller) N(sub 0) and mu. The formulation process for empirical retrievals of DSD using dual-pol radar is sensitive to D(sub max) assumptions used in the scattering model stage. 4. DSD retrievals from Parsivel disdrometers compare favorably to those of the 2DVD unless rain rates exceed 25 mm/hr and D(sub m) exceeds 2 mm (at which point the Parsivels overestimate D(sub m) and rain rate)

Colorectal Cancer Screening Education in Faith-Based Communities

The principal intent for colorectal cancer screening is early detection and primary prevention of colorectal cancer. In spite of these intentions, there is a reluctance of the general population to participate in screening. Colorectal cancer is preventable. However, screening non-adherence contributes to both cancer mortality and incidence rates and results in expensive, unnecessary health care costs. A faith-based community nurse-driven educational session, using an American Cancer Society PowerPoint, was developed to address barriers of screening non-adherence. The educational session was offered to adults who participate in multiple faith-based organizations. The session provided education regarding colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening and was delivered by an experienced faith community nurse. A pre-test/post-test design was utilized to evaluate if the educational session would increase the knowledge regarding colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening and decrease colorectal cancer screening perceived barriers. This research design also evaluated if intent to be screened increased with the educational session. Results indicated knowledge and intent to be screened increased and perceptions regarding embarrassment, pain, messiness and inconvenience of screenings decreased after the delivery of the educational session

GPM Rainfall-Based Streamflow Analyses for East Africa

SERVIR is a joint project of NASA and US Agency for International Development (USAID). Mission is to use satellite data and geospatial technology to help developing countries manage resources, land use, and climate risks. Means to serve, in Spanish

Assimilation of SMOS Retrieved Soil Moisture into the Land Information System

Soil moisture is a crucial variable for weather prediction because of its influence on evaporation and surface heat fluxes. It is also of critical importance for drought and flood monitoring and prediction and for public health applications such as monitoring vector-borne diseases. Land surface modeling benefits greatly from regular updates with soil moisture observations via data assimilation. Satellite remote sensing is the only practical observation type for this purpose in most areas due to its worldwide coverage. The newest operational satellite sensor for soil moisture is the Microwave Imaging Radiometer using Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS) instrument aboard the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite. The NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) has implemented the assimilation of SMOS soil moisture observations into the NASA Land Information System (LIS), an integrated modeling and data assimilation software platform. We present results from assimilating SMOS observations into the Noah 3.2 land surface model within LIS. The SMOS MIRAS is an L-band radiometer launched by the European Space Agency in 2009, from which we assimilate Level 2 retrievals [1] into LIS-Noah. The measurements are sensitive to soil moisture concentration in roughly the top 2.5 cm of soil. The retrievals have a target volumetric accuracy of 4% at a resolution of 35-50 km. Sensitivity is reduced where precipitation, snowcover, frozen soil, or dense vegetation is present. Due to the satellite's polar orbit, the instrument achieves global coverage twice daily at most mid- and low-latitude locations, with only small gaps between swaths