Lightning discharge identification system

A system for differentiating between cloud to cloud and cloud to ground lightning discharges is described which includes an electric field antenna that senses the rate of charge of an electric field produced by a lightning discharge. When the signal produced by the electric field exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is fed to a coincidence detector. A VHF antenna is also provided and generates a video signal responsive to a cloud to cloud lightning discharge, and this signal is fed through a level sensor, an inverter, to the coincidence detector simultaneously with the signal from the field detector. When signals from the electric field antenna and the VHF antenna appear at the coincidence detector simultaneously, such indicates that there is a cloud to cloud lightning discharge; whereas, when there is not a signal produced on the VHF antenna simultaneously with a signal produced by the field sensor, then a strike indicator connected to the coincidence detector indicates a cloud to ground lightning discharge

Time-of-arrival lightning activity location system

System fixes location of charge buildup in clouds. It provides range, azimuth, and elevation in real-time so that warning of charge buildup can be implemented

Lightning mapping system

A Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) System is being implemented at KSC in Florida. The first operational use is expected in the late summer of 1991. The system is designed to map the location of in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning based on the time of arrival (TOA) of electromagnetic radiation. The system detects very high frequency (VHF) radiation and designed to map the volumetric extent of lightning. The system implements two independent antenna arrays to provide a fast data quality check, as necessary for a real-time warning system. The system performance goals and a comparison with a similar system implemented in the mid-1970's is made

Remote lightning monitor system

An apparatus for monitoring, analyzing and accurately determining the value of peak current, the peak rate of change in current with respect to time and the rise time of the electrical currents generated in an electrical conductive mast that is located in the vicinity where lightning is to be monitored is described. The apparatus includes an electrical coil for sensing the change in current flowing through the mast and generating a voltage responsive. An on-site recorder and a recorder control system records the voltages produced responsive to lightning strikes and converts the voltage to digital signals for being transmitted back to the remote command station responsive to command signals. The recorder and the recorder control system are carried within an RFI proof environmental housing into which the command signals are fed by means of a fiber optic cable so as to minimize electrical interference

Lightning Detection and Ranging system LDAR system description and performance objectives

The instruments used at the six remote stations to measure both the time-of-arrival of the envelope of the pulsed 60 MHz to 80 MHz portion of the RF signal emitted by lightning, and the electric field waveforms are described as well as the two methods of transmitting the signal to the central station. Other topics discussed include data processing, recording, and reduction techniques and the software used for the 2100S, 2114, and 2116 computers

The VLT-FLAMES Survey of Massive Stars: Observations centered on the Magellanic Cloud clusters NGC 330, NGC 346, NGC 2004, and the N11 region

We present new observations of 470 stars using the Fibre Large Array Multi-Element Spectrograph (FLAMES) instrument in fields centered on the clusters NGC 330 and NGC 346 in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), and NGC 2004 and the N11 region in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). A further 14 stars were observed in the N11 and NGC 330 fields using the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) for a separate programme. Spectral classifications and stellar radial velocities are given for each target, with careful attention to checks for binarity. In particular we have investigated previously unexplored regions around the central LH9/LH10 complex of N11, finding ~25 new O-type stars from our spectroscopy. We have observed a relatively large number of Be-type stars that display permitted Fe II emission lines. These are primarily not in the cluster cores and appear to be associated with classical Be-type stars, rather than pre main-sequence objects. The presence of the Fe II emission, as compared to the equivalent width of H$\alpha$, is not obviously dependent on metallicity. We have also explored the relative fraction of Be- to normal B-type stars in the field-regions near to NGC 330 and NGC 2004, finding no strong evidence of a trend with metallicity when compared to Galactic results. A consequence of service observations is that we have reasonable time-sampling in three of our FLAMES fields. We find lower limits to the binary fraction of O- and early B-type stars of 23 to 36%. One of our targets (NGC346-013) is especially interesting with a massive, apparently hotter, less luminous secondary component.Comment: 35 pages, 17 figures (some reduced in size). Replacement copy, includes an erratum on the final page. A copy with full res. & embedded figures is at http://www.roe.ac.uk/~cje/flamesMC.ps.g

A QUALITITATIVE CASE STUDY EXPLORING THE EXPERIENCES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES IN THE “CALL ME MISTER” PROGRAM

This case study is a phenomenology to explore the experiences of African American men in the Call Me MISTER program at one university. The purpose of the study is to understand the program components and experiences of these men in the program to identify the neutral, positive, and negative phenomena. These are categorized into the program design, deciding to become a MISTER, experiences within the program, and reactions to the program design. Qualitative interviews were conducted individually with eight men currently enrolled in the Call Me MISTER program. A qualitative focus group interview was then held for seven of the eight interviewees. The emergent themes from these interviews were that 1) the admissions design provides motivation for men to join the program 2) the program’s financial aid offerings are an incentive to join/stay in the program 3) the cohesion of the group is a dynamic that attracts and retains MISTERs 4) the faculty support contributes to the MISTERs’ program satisfaction 5) the coursework design contributes to the MISTERs’ program success and 6) the MISTERs credit the Call Me MISTER program with their career path choice. The mission of the Call Me MISTER program is to increase the number of minority men entering the field of education. This goal is accomplished with each Call Me MISTER graduate that enters the field of education

Socio-Economic and Political Implications of the Termination of General Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Victims of Torture in Minnesota

The Minnesota State Legislature amended the General Assistance benefits statutes, effective October 1, 1993, to exclude undocumented persons. This research project attempts to define the socio-economic and political issues as they impact victims of political torture who reside in Minnesota without legal status. The history of public assistance, its underlying social problem, and its judicial context reveals the controversy over entitlements versus rights. Social program and policy systems analysis highlights the linkage between the goals and objectives of the legislation and the message that is inherent in the delivery of services. An examination of the files of four clients of The Treatment Center who received General Assistance prior to October 1, 1993, reveals intensive intervention by social work professionals and severe strain upon the individual clients