Perceived Self-Efficacy of Licensed Counselors to Provide Substance Abuse Counseling

This nationwide, quantitative study documented licensed counselors\u27 perceived self-efficacy of adequately providing substance abuse services. Despite their lack of substance abuse training, counselors were highly confident in their ability to provide quality substance abuse services. Counselor training implications are discussed

Identification of generic study areas for the disposal of low level radioactive waste : western North Atlantic Ocean

There is a growing need to effectively dispose of the low level radioactive waste presently accumulating in the United States. It may be decided to "dump" radioactive contamination products onto the deep sea floor (within 200 miles of the U.S.) in accordance with present IAEA guidelines (see Appendix A) for ocean dumping of low level waste; in the event of such a decision suitable areas must be identified and carefully studied to determine the subsequent influence of the waste on the environment. Using the site suitability criteria mentioned above we have identified two areas of possible use for low level waste disposal, one north of Puerto Rico and one east of Cape Hatteras, as deserving further study. The following report describes the relevant physical and geological characteristics of these two areas that may be important in considering a dumping operation. We have also made some recommendations for confirmatory research. The Hatteras Abyssal Plain, lying close to the 200 mile limit, appears to be a viable region for the focus of future research efforts.Prepared for the Sandia Laboratories

Guidelines on the use of Structure from Motion Photogrammetry in Geomorphic Research

As a topographic modelling technique, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry combines the utility of digital photogrammetry with a flexibility and ease of use derived from multi-view computer vision methods. In conjunction with the rapidly increasing availability of imagery, particularly from unmanned aerial vehicles, SfM photogrammetry represents a powerful tool for geomorphological research. However, to fully realize this potential, its application must be carefully underpinned by photogrammetric considerations, surveys should be reported in sufficient detail to be repeatable (if practical) and results appropriately assessed to understand fully the potential errors involved. To deliver these goals, robust survey and reporting must be supported through (i) using appropriate survey design, (ii) applying suitable statistics to identify systematic error (bias) and to estimate precision within results, and (iii) propagating uncertainty estimates into the final data products

Guidelines on the use of Structure from Motion Photogrammetry in Geomorphic Research

As a topographic modelling technique, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry combines the utility of digital photogrammetry with a flexibility and ease of use derived from multi-view computer vision methods. In conjunction with the rapidly increasing availability of imagery, particularly from unmanned aerial vehicles, SfM photogrammetry represents a powerful tool for geomorphological research. However, to fully realize this potential, its application must be carefully underpinned by photogrammetric considerations, surveys should be reported in sufficient detail to be repeatable (if practical) and results appropriately assessed to understand fully the potential errors involved. To deliver these goals, robust survey and reporting must be supported through (i) using appropriate survey design, (ii) applying suitable statistics to identify systematic error (bias) and to estimate precision within results, and (iii) propagating uncertainty estimates into the final data products

New advancements in charge-coupled device technology: sub-electron noise and 4096x4096 pixel CCDs

This paper reports on two new advancements in CCD technology. The first area of development has produced a special purpose CCD designed for ultra low-signal level imaging and spectroscopy applications that require sub-electron read noise floors. A nondestructive output circuit operating near its 1/f noise regime is clocked in a special manner to read a single pixel multiple times. Off-chip electronics average the multiple values, reducing the random noise by the square-root of the number of samples taken. Noise floors below 0.5 electrons rms are reported. The second development involves the design and performance of a high resolution imager of 4096 x 4096 pixels, the largest CCD manufactured in terms of pixel count. The device utilizes a 7.5-micron pixel fabricated with three-level poly-silicon to achieve high yield

Towards an Improved High Resolution Global Long-Term Solar Resource Database

This paper presents an overview of an ongoing project to develop and deliver a solar mapping processing system to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) using the data sets that are planned for production at the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). NCDC will be producing a long-term radiance and cloud property data set covering the globe every three hours at an approximate resolution of 10 x 10 km. NASA, the originators of the Surface meteorology and Solar Energy web portal are collaborating with SUNY-Albany to develop the production system and solar algorithms. The initial result will be a global long-term solar resource data set spanning over 25 years. The ultimate goal of the project is to also deliver this data set and production system to NREL for continual production. The project will also assess the impact of providing these new data to several NREL solar decision support tools