Numerical simulation of the hypersonic flow around lifting vehicles

A method for solving the viscous hypersonic flow field around realistic configurations is presented. The numerical procedure for generating the required finite difference grid and the two-factored implicit flow solver are described. Results are presented for the shuttle orbiter and a generic wing-body configuration at hypersonic Mach numbers

Dynamics of the fungus Beauveria bassiana

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin is an entomopathogenic fungus virulent towards a variety of insects and is capable of forming an endophytic relationship with corn plants (Zea mays). Studies were performed to determine, the role of rainfall and level of crop residue in fungal transfer, level of infection by naturally occurring B. bassiana in Diabrotica spp. at emergence, and the efficacy of whorl and pollen-shed stage applications of a granular formulation of B. bassiana for control of adult western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Crop residue levels in a raindrop tower study were 0.53, 34, 59, and 84 percent. Simulated rainfall at an intensity of 73 min per hour caused a significant increase in the mean number of B. bassiana colony forming units (CFU) on surface of corn. Plants receiving rain had a mean (+/-SEM) of 8.8 +/- 2.8 CFU per plant; those that did not had an mean of 0.03 +/- 0.01 CFU per plant. The milligrams of soil collected from the surface of plants also was significantly influenced by rainfall. Plants receiving rain had a mean of 15.7 +/- 1.7 mg of soil per plant while those that did not had an mean of 3.4 +/- 0.4 mg of soil per plant. Linear regression showed a highly significant negative relationship between the mean milligrams of soil and CFU per plant on the four levels of crop residue. Field results were similar to those found in the raindrop tower. The number of CFU and milligrams of soil per plant were both higher in conservation-till plots than in no-till plots. The effects of a B. bassiana application at different plant growth stages (whorl stage, pollen shed) and plant surface exposed (leaves and leaf collars; silks; leaves, leaf collars, silks) on levels of infection in D. virgifera virgifera were investigated. In addition, the amount of B. bassiana present in leaf collars was quantified. In the 3 yrs (1998--2000) of the study, application of B. bassiala during whorl stage did not significantly increase the level of infection in corn rootworm beetles. Beauveria bassiana applied at pollen shed in 1998 resulted in 43% beetle infection. Applications at pollen shed in 1999 and 2000 did not result in increased levels of infection. The plant surface to which beetles were exposed did not influence the level of beetle infection. Quantification of B. bassiana in leaf collars showed that fungal application at whorl or pollen-shed stage significantly increased the number of CFU per leaf collar. Diabrotica spp. had low (0%--3.2%) infection with B. bassiana from the soil. Beetles from five of the seven fields surveyed were infected, indicating that natural inocula of B. bassiana active against Diabrotica spp. are widely spread

Lessons From the Trenches: Meeting Evaluation Challenges in School Health Education

BACKGROUND: Those involved in school health education programs generally believe that health education programs can play an important role in helping young people make positive health decisions. Thus, it is to document the effects of such programs through rigorous evaluations published in peer‐reviewed journals. METHODS: This paper helps the reader understand the context of school health program evaluation, examines several problems and challenges, shows how problems can often be fixed, or prevented, and demonstrates ways in which challenges can be met. A number of topics are addressed, including distinguishing between curricula evaluation and evaluation of outcomes, types of evaluation, identifying stakeholders in school health evaluation, selection of a program evaluator, recruiting participants, design issues, staff training, parental consent, instrumentation, program implementation and treatment fidelity, participant retention, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, presentation of results, and manuscript preparation and submission. RESULTS: Although there is a lack of health‐education program evaluation, rigorous evaluations that have been conducted have, at least in some cases, led to wider dissemination of effective programs. CONCLUSIONS: These suggestions will help those interested in school health education understand the importance of evaluation and will provide important guidelines for those conducting evaluations of school health education programs

Area Specific Self-Esteem, Values, and Adolescent Sexual Behavior

This study examined area-specific self-esteem scores by sexual behavior relative to adolescents\u27 values concerning participation in sexual intercourse as an unmarried teenager. The sample consisted of 332 students in grades 7–12 from a Southern rural school district. Students were asked if they had ever had sexual intercourse (yes/no) and if they had participated in sexual intercourse in the last month (yes/no). Respondents also indicated on a 4-point scale their response to the statement “It is against my values to have sex as an unmarried teenager.” Data were analyzed using a 2 × 4 (behavior x values) analysis of variance for each of the three area-specific self-esteem scores (peer, school, and home). Results indicated that students who had participated in sexual intercourse had significantly lower scores in school and home self-esteem than those who had not participated. In addition, those who “strongly agreed” with the values statement and indicated they had not had intercourse had the highest school and home self-esteem scores. Those who strongly agreed with the values statement but indicated they had participated in sexual intercourse had the lowest school and home self-esteem scores. This behavior x values interaction was significant for sexual intercourse–ever, and for school self-esteem and sexual intercourse in the last month. No difference was seen in peer self-esteem scores by behavior nor were there behavior x values interactions