Frost as an insulator

Insulating qualities of frost and mechanisms for using frost in specific applications in controlled experiments are discussed. With available supply of moist air, frost possesses inherent advantage of easy insulation of cryogenic lines and improvement of overall system efficiency

The low-cost cryostat

Inexpensive method of fabricating cryostats uses polyurethane, super insulation, fiber glass, and cardboard/plywood. Cryostat weighs 1/10 of Dewar, occupies about same volume, is easy to handle, requires no metal parts, and can be formed into virtually any configuration

Active Duty Military Deployments: a Respite from Job Stressors and Burnout for Air Force Acquisition Support Personnel

To explore the possible respite effects of deployments, active duty Air Force acquisition support personnel who were either scheduled to deploy (n=74), or recently returned from deployment (n=34) were surveyed. Analysis of variance compared the pre- and post-deployment group\u27s perceived levels of burnout, emotional exhaustion, role ambiguity, role conflict, self-efficacy, organizational commitment, contingent rewards, operating conditions, co-worker satisfaction, and overall job satisfaction. Although the results indicated the differences were not large enough to be significant, many of the variables behaved as hypothesized. Specifically, burnout, emotional exhaustion, role conflict, contingent rewards, and co-worker satisfaction were all higher in the post- deployment group. Implications of the findings are discussed

Environmental Assessment in a Time of Rapid Change and High Uncertainty: The Addition of Resilience Assessment to NEPA

This Article turns to ecological resilience theory to understand the behavior of SES [socioecological system] undergoing change. Informed by the emergent and surprising behavior of these complex systems, this Article argues for the option of resilience assessment under NEPA [National Environmental Policy Act] for use in application to climate adaptation measures in the United States. The amendment also provides an alternative approach to pre-project judicial review to ensure legitimacy within a more flexible process. To this end, Part I addresses why an alternative approach to environmental assessment is needed in the context of climate adaptation by providing an overview of the dynamics of complex SES understood through the lens of resilience theory. Part II addresses what type of assessment is needed in situations of high uncertainty and ongoing change by introducing resilience assessment as a means to understand change in complex SES and to identify, measure, and ultimately enhance the adaptive capacity of rising and future generations. Part III addresses how resilience assessment can be used in agency programs and decisionmaking under NEPA, including model amendments. Climate mitigation is essential, but many aspects are technology-related and lend themselves to traditional NEPA review, whether expedited or not. In contrast, climate adaptation requires management of complex SES facing change that includes sea level rise, changing wildfire regimes, greater extremes in flood and drought, changes in water supply and timing, and increasing temperature extremes. System response will be contextual, potentially nonlinear, with high levels of uncertainty. As a result, climate adaptation must focus on measures that build long-term adaptive capacity rather than short-term results. This Article addresses the why, what, and how this may be facilitated through NEPA. This abstract has been taken from the authors\u27 introduction

Towards improved psychological outcomes for survivors of burn injuries

Editoria

Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Effects on Seed Yield and Oil in Camelina

Interest is growing in camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) as a biofuel feedstock. However, there has been little camelina research in irrigated arid systems. A 2-yr field study in Maricopa, AZ, under an overhead sprinkler irrigation system determined the effects of 10 water levels (irrigation fraction 0.5–1.1) and five N fertilizer rates (38–150 kg N ha–1) on seed yield, seed oil content, and N use efficiency. Cultivar Robinson was planted in December 2012 and 2013. Nitrogen fertilizer (urea ammonium nitrate) was applied in three split applications. Irrigation amounts were from 125 to 380 mm, and in-season rain was 70 and 50 mm, in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Camelina seed yields were maximum at water level 7 (irrigation fraction 0.93) in 2013 at 1800 kg ha–1. Maximum seed yields were 1600 kg ha–1 at water level 6 (irrigation fraction 0.83) in 2014. These highest seed yields were achieved with 150 kg N ha–1 in both years. Oil content (maximum 41%) decreased with N rate but increased with water level. Seed N increased with N rate but decreased with irrigation level. Recovery efficiency of N fertilizer by camelina ranged from 12 to 72%. The results indicate that good high-oil camelina yields can be produced in the southwestern United States with 320 to 380 mm irrigation plus rain and N fertilizer rates of 150 kg N ha–1

Multibody aircraft study, volume 2

The potential benefits of a multibody aircraft when compared to a single body aircraft are presented. The analyses consist principally of a detailed point design analysis of three multibody and one single body aircraft, based on a selected payload of 350,000 kg (771,618 lb), for final aircraft definitions; sensitivity studies to evaluate the effects of variations in payload, wing semispan body locations, and fuel price; recommendations as to the research and technology requirements needed to validate the multibody concept. Two, two body, one, three body, and one single body aircraft were finalized for the selected payload, with DOC being the prime figure of merit. When compared to the single body, the multibody aircraft showed a reduction in DOC by as much as 11.3 percent. Operating weight was reduced up to 14 percent, and fly away cost reductions ranged from 8.6 to 13.4 percent. Weight reduction, hence cost, of the multibody aircraft resulted primarily from the wing bending relief afforded by the bodies being located outboard on the wing