Longitudinal waves through the Earth's core

Amplitudes, periods, and travel times of the longitudinal P′ or PKP core waves have been investigated. Results indicate that the epicentral distance of the main focal point and the travel time of P′ phases vary with the periods of the waves. This variation would seem reasonably explained in terms of dispersion. The point of reversal in the travel-time curve of the waves through the outer core is believed to lie near 157°. Data suggest a discontinuity between 120° and 125° rather than 110°. Anomalies existing in energy, period, and travel-time relationships of the P′ phases indicate that current concepts of velocity distribution and of propagation paths within the core are in need of modification

Building Rapport with Student-Athletes: A Survey of Counselor Strategies

The importance of rapport in counseling student-athletes is commonly accepted, but the process of developing rapport has received little attention. Members of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) completed a questionnaire about methods they believed were important and effective in building rapport with student-athletes. The Student-Athlete Rapport Survey (SARS) was developed to elicit responses from academic advisors and athletic counselors about the methods they use to build rapport. The survey was sent to 385 members of the N4A; 213 usable surveys were returned (55%). Respondents also descnbed the ways in which they enticed student-athletes to use the services offered. Results and implications for athletic counselors were discussed. The methods most frequently endorsed as "very effective" were those in which counselor/athlete contact was either encouraged or required. The most effective methods of developing rapport were inviting student-athletes into the counselor's office, requiring them to meet the counselor in the office, and the coaches' requiring student-athletes to meet with the counselor

Clinical Characterization of Alzheimer's Disease: Reliability of 'Age at Onset' and a New Descriptor, 'Age at Shift'

To determine the interrater reliability of clinical descriptors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), we assessed the degree of agree ment among four clinicians who rated 21 patients during a longitudinal study. Despite variability in response patterns, degree of agreement for determining age at onset of dementia was statistically significant (P < 0.005). We also found significant agreement (P < 0.0001) among three clinicians for the clinical descriptor, "age at shift" from questionable to probable AD, according to the National Institutes of Health Consensus Criteria. These data demonstrate that both retro spective and prospective descriptors can be reliably determined in the clinical assessment of AD. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1988;1:207-211).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68908/2/10.1177_089198878800100404.pd

Occupational Interest Patterns and Personality Styles of Freshman Student-Athletes

The existence and relationship of common personality styles and occupational orientations were explored. The study considered Holand's (1973) vocational theory and Strack's (1991) eight basic personality types. Student-athletes (n=36) and non-athletes (n=17) enrolled in a freshman seminar for physical education majors (males = 63%) completed the Personality Adjective Check List (Straclk, 1991) and the Strong Interest Inventory (Hansen & Campbell, 1985). The results suggest that student-athletes and non-athletes differ on several personality and occupacional variables and that personality sryle has an important relationship to occupational orientation and interests. A specific profile for athletes based on personality and vocational type did not emerge. Implications for athletic counseling professionals were discussed

Vice-Chancellor's Gender Equality Fund Final Report 2019: Redressing the Promotion Gap: Practices and Processes to Minimise Gender Disparities in Academic Advancement

Like many universities in Australia and internationally, women at Western Sydney University (WSU) remain under-represented in senior academic positions. In addition, there is a persistent gender pay gap for female academic staff across the institution. Despite the robust literature, researchers and higher education institutions have struggled to understand how vertical gender segregation might be alleviated in academia, and to establish effective gender equity programs which target gender differences in promotion. In addition, little research has evaluated the impact of existing programs beyond the individual level and in comparison to other institutional initiatives. The degree to which gender initiatives are effective in making change is one of the most important and challenging questions in striving for gender equity in contemporary universities, yet this has been inadequately addressed by researchers. There are two key research questions for this project: how does WSU’s promotion policy and process compare with other Australian institutions, and; how might WSU alter current policy and practice to reduce the gender promotion gap? Data was collected through interviews with women academics who had progressed to Professor or Associate Professor whilst at Western Sydney, and both internal and external members of the Western Sydney University Academic Promotions Committee. The research also included an assessment of the WSU promotions policy and relevant promotions and gender equality process documents, and a comparison was carried out between WSU and two other institutions. We find that women are at a disadvantage in achieving measures of excellence in academic competitions for promotion. What is more, gender bias also works around these measures, so that even when women do successfully compete in terms of the metrics, they are blocked by institutional gatekeepers or marginalized and stigmatized for attempting to play a game for which they are seen to be corporeally mismatched. These processes were recognized by the women who bid for promotion but also by several of the promotions committee members. Although there is some useful policy and processes in place in our institutions in relation to promotion, gender bias continues to work through cultural practices. There is also evidence of a reticence to see the metrics of excellence, that serve academic capitalism very well, as anything but neutral or to see gender inequities as systemic. In order to redress the promotion gap, we therefore need to challenge these perceptions and look to cultural and educative solutions. This project provides recommendations for increasing women’s promotion rates, which will also assist in reducing the gender pay gap

Investigation of International Space Station Major Constituent Analyzer Anomalous ORU 02 Performance

The Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) is a mass spectrometer-based instrument designed to provide critical monitoring of six major atmospheric constituents; nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor on-board the International Space Station. It is an integral part of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). The MCA system is comprised of seven orbit-replaceable units (ORUs) that provide flexibility in maintaining the MCA. Of these, ORU 02, the analyzer assembly requires replacement every 1 to 2 years due to the consumption of limited life components including the ion pump and ion source filaments. Typically, ORU 02s that reach end of life are swapped out of the MCA on orbit and replaced with the on-orbit spare. The replaced ORU 02 is then returned to the OEM for refurbishment and is then return to service. Recently, 2 refurbished ORU 02s, serial numbers F0001 and F0003, failed on orbit shortly after being installed into the MCA. Both ORU 02s have been returned to ground for TT&E, and a failure investigation is underway. The failure signatures have been reproduced on the ground and an initial investigation has determined that both ORU 02 failures involve either the ion source or the ion source control electronics. This paper discusses the results of the failure investigation, the steps required to refurbish the ORU 02s, and the risk mitigation steps that are being incorporated into the refurbishment process to preclude the reoccurrence of these failures in the futur