Optimization of thermal systems with sensitive optics, electronics, and structures

A strategy was investigated by which thermal designers for spacecraft could devise an optimal thermal control system to maintain the required temperatures, temperature differences, changes in temperature, and changes in temperature differences for specified equipment and elements of the spacecraft's structure. Thermal control is to be maintained by the coating pattern chosen for the external surfaces and heaters chosen to supplement the coatings. The approach is to minimize the thermal control power, thereby minimizing the weight of the thermal control system. Because there are so many complex computations involved in determining the optimal coating design a computerized approach was contemplated. An optimization strategy including all the elements considered by the thermal designer for use in the early stages of design, where impact on the mission is greatest, and a plan for implementing the strategy were successfully developed. How the optimization process may be used to optimize the design of the Space Telescope as a test case is demonstrated

Functional Morphology and Fluid Interactions During Early Development of the Scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita

Scyphomedusae undergo a predictable ontogenetic transition from a conserved, universal larval form to a diverse array of adult morphologies. This transition entails a change in bell morphology from a highly discontinuous ephyral form, with deep clefts separating eight discrete lappets, to a continuous solid umbrella-like adult form. We used a combination of kinematic, modeling, and flow visualization techniques to examine the function of the medusan bell throughout the developmental changes of the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita. We found that flow around swimming ephyrae and their lappets was relatively viscous (1 < Re < 10) and, as a result, ephyral lappets were surrounded by thick, overlapping boundary layers that occluded flow through the gaps between lappets. As medusae grew, their fluid environment became increasingly influenced by inertial forces (10 < Re < 10,000) and, simultaneously, clefts between the lappets were replaced by organic tissue. Hence, although the bell undergoes a structural transition from discontinuous (lappets with gaps) to continuous (solid bell) surfaces during development, all developmental stages maintain functionally continuous paddling surfaces. This developmental pattern enables ephyrae to efficiently allocate tissue to bell diameter increase via lappet growth, while minimizing tissue allocation to inter-lappet spaces that maintain paddle function due to boundary layer overlap

Leveraging a New Building to Overcome First and Second-Order Barriers to Faculty Technology Integration

This study uses the context of a School of Education’s transition from an old adapted building to a new dedicated structure to explore ways in which that occasion created an opportunity address first and second-order barriers to faculty technology integration and pedagogical innovation.  Barriers were addressed through the convergence of a purposeful application of an adult learner model to technology support and planning, and the opportunities provided by the move to a new building.  Findings from pre- and post-move faculty and administrator interviews highlight intended and unintended strategic, symbolic, and functional outcomes. 

Coating selection program - Theory

Heat balance equations for optimizing optical coating patterns for spacecraft temperature control syste

Absolute photoionization cross section measurements of the Kr I-isoelectronic sequence

Photoionization spectra have been recorded in the 4s, 4p and 3d resonance regions for the Kr Iisoelectronic sequence using both the dual laser produced plasma technique (at DCU) to produce photoabsorption spectra, and the merged ion beam and synchrotron radiation technique (at ASTRID) to measure absolute photoionization cross sections. Profile parameters are compared for the 4s − np resonances of Rb+ and Sr2+. Many new 4p " ns, md transitions are identified with the aid of Hartree-Fock calculations, and consistent quantum defects are observed for the various ns and md Rydberg series. Absolute single and double photoionization cross sections recorded in the 3d region for Rb+ and Sr2+ ions show preferential decay via double photoionization. This is only the second report where both the DLP technique and the merged beam technique have been used simultaneously to record photoionization spectra, and the advantages of both techniques (i.e. better resolution in the case of DLP and values for absolute photoionization cross sections in the case of the merged beam technique) are highlighted

Two-photon excitation and relaxation of the 3d-4d resonance in atomic Kr

Two-photon excitation of a single-photon forbidden Auger resonance has been observed and investigated using the intense extreme ultraviolet radiation from the free electron laser in Hamburg. At the wavelength 26.9 nm (46 eV) two photons promoted a 3d core electron to the outer 4d shell. The subsequent Auger decay, as well as several nonlinear above threshold ionization processes, were studied by electron spectroscopy. The experimental data are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions and analysis of the underlying multiphoton processes

Knowledge and perceptions of quality of obstetric and newborn care of local health providers: A cross-sectional study in three districts in Malawi

AimQuality of service delivery for maternal and newborn health in Malawi isinfluenced by human resource shortages and knowledge and care practicesof the existing service providers. We assessed Malawian healthcareproviders’ knowledge of management of routine labour, emergencyobstetric care and emergency newborn care; correlated knowledgewith reported confidence and previous study or training; and measuredperception of the care they provided.MethodsThis study formed part of a large-scale quality of care assessment inthree districts (Kasungu, Lilongwe and Salima) of Malawi. Subjects wereselected purposively by their role as providers of obstetric and newborncare during routine visits to health facilities by a research assistant. Researchassistants introduced and supervised the self-completed questionnaire bythe service providers. Respondents included 42 nurse midwives, 1 clinicalofficer, 4 medical assistants and 5 other staff. Of these, 37 were staffworking in facilities providing Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEMoC)and 15 were from staff working in facilities providing ComprehensiveEmergency Obstetric Care (CEMoC).ResultsKnowledge regarding management of routine labour was good (80%correct responses), but knowledge of correct monitoring during routinelabour (35% correct) was not in keeping with internationally recognizedgood practice. Questions regarding emergency obstetric care were  answered correctly by 70% of respondents with significant variation depending on clinicians’ place of work. Knowledge of emergency newborn care was poor across all groups surveyed with 58% correct responses and high rates of potentially life-threatening responses from BEmOC facilities. Reported confidence and training had little impact on levels of knowledge. Staff in general reported perception of poor quality of care.ConclusionSerious deficiencies in providers’ knowledge regarding monitoring duringroutine labour and management of emergency newborn care weredocumented. These may contribute to maternal and neonatal deaths inMalawi. The knowledge gap cannot be overcome by simply providingmore training