Analytical treatment of ice sublimation and test of sublimation parameterisations in two–moment ice microphysics models

We derive an analytic solution to the spectral growth/sublimation equation for ice crystals and apply it to idealised cases. The results are used to test parameterisations of the ice sublimation process in two–moment bulk microphysics models. Although it turns out that the relation between number loss fraction and mass loss fraction is not a function since it is not unique, it seems that a functional parameterisation is the best that one can do in a bulk model. Testing a more realistic case with humidity oscillations shows that artificial crystal loss can occur in simulations of mature cirrus clouds with relative humidity fluctuating about ice saturation

Sonic Boom Pressure Signature Uncertainty Calculation and Propagation to Ground Noise

The objective of this study was to outline an approach for the quantification of uncertainty in sonic boom measurements and to investigate the effect of various near-field uncertainty representation approaches on ground noise predictions. These approaches included a symmetric versus asymmetric uncertainty band representation and a dispersion technique based on a partial sum Fourier series that allows for the inclusion of random error sources in the uncertainty. The near-field uncertainty was propagated to the ground level, along with additional uncertainty in the propagation modeling. Estimates of perceived loudness were obtained for the various types of uncertainty representation in the near-field. Analyses were performed on three configurations of interest to the sonic boom community: the SEEB-ALR, the 69o DeltaWing, and the LM 1021-01. Results showed that representation of the near-field uncertainty plays a key role in ground noise predictions. Using a Fourier series based dispersion approach can double the amount of uncertainty in the ground noise compared to a pure bias representation. Compared to previous computational fluid dynamics results, uncertainty in ground noise predictions were greater when considering the near-field experimental uncertainty

Confusing Clarity: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act After \u3cem\u3eYoung v. UPS, Inc.\u3c/em\u3e

On March 25, 2015, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in Young v. UPS, Inc.—the most recent case in the Court’s pregnancy discrimination jurisprudence. Young focused on an interpretation of one clause of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and how that interpretation would shape claims of employment discrimination by pregnant employees seeking work accommodations. This Comment argues that the majority opinion in Young did not clarify, but only muddied the waters: the Young framework presents challenges for the lower courts tasked with applying the framework and creates uncertainty for future pregnancy discrimination litigation. Part I of this Comment provides background on the PDA and describes the Court’s approach to pregnancy discrimination prior to Young. Part II summarizes the facts and procedural history of the case, and Part III explains the majority opinion by Justice Breyer. Part IV analyzes three main weaknesses in the majority’s argument: (i) the uncertainty and problems resulting from the Court’s new framework, (ii) the uncertainty surrounding how to handle Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, and (iii) the confusion that will result from the Court’s failure to address new statutory changes. Part IV then concedes the major strengths of the Court’s argument: (i) consistency with respect to “most-favored-nation” status for employee accommodations, and (ii) the Court’s clear application of rules of statutory interpretation

Shifting Sands: The Art of Ecological Place-Based Education

Ecological place-based education is defined by the inextricable overlap of the places where society, politics, culture, and the environment meet in intricate and interdependent ways. It encompasses the development of the skills, knowledge, understanding, and characteristics that we need to live well on this earth and with one another. This research observed and evaluated the experiences, expectations, and practices of three traditionally minded teachers and the participant-researcher as they encountered and implemented ecological place-based education for the first time, in a new school. I used the methodology of educational criticism and connoisseurship, and I applied an ecological aesthetic framework to the analysis and interpretation. This study explored the experience of creating an ecological school and focused on the art and craft of the educators through an ecological aesthetic lens and Eisner’s school ecology. Of particular interest were the participants’ intentions and expectations in their roles, as well as how they were or were not realized within their teaching practice. Participants’ intentions illuminated themes of hopeful vision, holistic learning, and responsive action; imaginative diligence, open-hearted connection, and deliberate spontaneity emerged as expressions of teaching artistry in action. The import of using magical realism within educational criticism was also examined with a focus on improving education. The implication could influence teacher preparation and professional development programs. In particular, the findings suggest a need to meet teachers where they are with regards to developing educators’ knowledge of place, ecological mindedness and understanding, and celebrating their personal professional growth, no matter how small. Additionally, recommendations are offered with regards to institutional and educational design to support ecological place-based education across the curriculum

Confusing Clarity: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act After \u3cem\u3eYoung v. UPS, Inc.\u3c/em\u3e

On March 25, 2015, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in Young v. UPS, Inc.—the most recent case in the Court’s pregnancy discrimination jurisprudence. Young focused on an interpretation of one clause of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and how that interpretation would shape claims of employment discrimination by pregnant employees seeking work accommodations. This Comment argues that the majority opinion in Young did not clarify, but only muddied the waters: the Young framework presents challenges for the lower courts tasked with applying the framework and creates uncertainty for future pregnancy discrimination litigation. Part I of this Comment provides background on the PDA and describes the Court’s approach to pregnancy discrimination prior to Young. Part II summarizes the facts and procedural history of the case, and Part III explains the majority opinion by Justice Breyer. Part IV analyzes three main weaknesses in the majority’s argument: (i) the uncertainty and problems resulting from the Court’s new framework, (ii) the uncertainty surrounding how to handle Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, and (iii) the confusion that will result from the Court’s failure to address new statutory changes. Part IV then concedes the major strengths of the Court’s argument: (i) consistency with respect to “most-favored-nation” status for employee accommodations, and (ii) the Court’s clear application of rules of statutory interpretation

Generalization of Social Skills Learned via Video-Modeling in Children with ASD

Impairments in reciprocal pretend play are well documented in children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The effectiveness of many different behavioral teaching techniques has been examined in order to teach play skills to children with autism. Central to our purpose is the application of video-modeling to the training of new skills in children with ASD. Research has provided ample support for the notion that new skills may be acquired by observation of video-modeled behavior. Our study will examine the cooperative social behavior of children with ASD and the probability of generalization of social skills learned from video modeling. Further, we hope to discern whether video-modeling alone is sufficient or whether video-modeling must be paired with other techniques, such as prompting, to be effective in training social response in children. This project aims to reveal the level of effectiveness of video-modeling in training new social interaction skills to children with ASD. This information will be of significant benefit to therapists, parents, and caregivers as they strive to identify the most effective treatments for their children

The Use of Multi-Scale Fiducial Markers To Aid Takeoff and Landing Navigation by Rotorcraft

This paper quantifies the impact of adverse environmental conditions on the detection of fiducial markers (i.e., artificial landmarks) by color cameras mounted on rotorcraft. We restrict our attention to square markers with a black-and-white pattern of grid cells that can be nested to allow detection at multiple scales. These markers have the potential to enhance the reliability of precision takeoff and landing at vertiports by flying vehicles in urban settings. Prior work has shown, in particular, that these markers can be detected with high precision (i.e., few false positives) and high recall (i.e., few false negatives). However, most of this prior work has been based on image sequences collected indoors with hand-held cameras. Our work is based on image sequences collected outdoors with cameras mounted on a quadrotor during semi-autonomous takeoff and landing operations under adverse environmental conditions that include variations in temperature, illumination, wind speed, humidity, visibility, and precipitation. In addition to precision and recall, performance measures include continuity, availability, robustness, resiliency, and coverage volume. We release both our dataset and the code we used for analysis to the public as open source.Comment: Extended abstract accepted at the 2024 AIAA SciTec

Age- and sex-based differences in the moral intuitions of American early adolescents

This study sought to explore the validity of a latent-factor model of moral intuition development during early adolescence. The 3-Factor Character Foundations Survey (CFS-3) was used to assess the moral intuitions of early adolescents (n = 850, mean = 12.4 years old, SD = 0.96) under a moral foundations theory framework. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the psychometric validity of the three latent factor constructs (autonomy, loyalty and empathy), and partial metric invariance was established to allow for the comparison of latent factor means between four age- and sex-based groups coinciding with averages for pubertal onset. Results support prior findings of greater latent factor means for females in all three factors when compared with males in the 11–12-year-old age group. Additionally, 13–14-year-old females exhibited lower latent factor means in autonomy and loyalty factors when compared with 11–12-year-old females. This resulted in 13–14-year-old females remaining higher in empathy and autonomy but showing no difference in loyalty when compared with 13–14-year-old males. The results are interpreted through the lens of attachment theory, socio-cultural influence and certain limitations of the survey instrument itself. Suggestions for future studies are proposed

Multi-robot grasp planning for sequential assembly operations

This paper addresses the problem of finding robot configurations to grasp assembly parts during a sequence of collaborative assembly operations. We formulate the search for such configurations as a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP).Collision constraints in an operation and transfer constraints between operations determine the sets of feasible robot configurations. We show that solving the connected constraint graph with off-the-shelf CSP algorithms can quickly become infeasible even fora few sequential assembly operations. We present an algorithm which, through the assumption of feasible regrasps, divides the CSP into independent smaller problems that can be solved exponentially faster. The algorithm then uses local search techniques to improve this solution by removing a gradually increasing number of regrasps from the plan. The algorithm enables the user to stop the planner anytime and use the current best plan if the cost of removing regrasps from the plan exceeds the cost of executing those regrasps. We present simulation experiments to compare our algorithm’s performance toa naive algorithm which directly solves the connected constraint graph. We also present a physical robot system which uses the output of our planner to grasp and bring parts together in assembly configurations