Shield to Pin Coupling of Lightning-Like Transients on Payload Umbilical Cables on a Launch Pad

In this paper we describe in-situ testing of a long payload umbilical, on a launch site, injected with lightning- like transients and describe resulting pin-to-pin voltages. Injections and voltage measurements near the ground support equipment room, as well as at a location near the payload junction box, are made. The umbilical cables tested include an outer over-braid and the inner conductor coupling is examined for open circuit, short-circuit and various loads representative of spacecraft input impedances. This testing is important because the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) where the lightning occurrence is the highest in the United States, is the primary launch site for Launch Services Program spacecraft customers. Lightning planning is essential but developing a lightning plan is often overlooked or not adequately analyzed leaving the spacecraft vulnerable to time delays or even damage when lightning occurs. At other popular launch sites like Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) where lightning occurs less often, although at the same or greater intensity when it does occur, lightning planning is often completely ignored by the spacecraft. The two major questions to be addressed in the lightning plan are what retesting should be done to establish a goodness level and what is the trigger criteria for this testing? The spacecraft will typically use a standard spacecraft check-out procedure to address the necessary retesting, but determining the trigger criteria is often an issue. For instance, a spacecraft needs to understand what their immunity is to a certain lightning magnitude and location. Determining the amount of current that can be coupled onto a spacecraft umbilical can be calculated by using worst case assumptions or measured with current probes and current measurement devices. Spacecraft can also determine what pin-to-pin voltages they are sensitive to, however pin-to-pin voltage measurements are not typically taken during the strike due to the invasive nature of this measurement. In this paper, we present detailed data on the shield to pin voltage transfer functions to provide insight to the spacecraft developers for lightning retest criteria planning. The results from this unique testing opportunity provide essential details on specific coupling mechanisms affecting spacecraft hardware that interfaces with the ground support equipment. This missing link between cable shield currents and payload susceptibility voltages has been methodically tested and representative data presented

Retinol improves bovine embryonic development in vitro

Retinoids are recognized as important regulators of vertebrate development, cell differentiation, and tissue function. Previous studies, performed both in vivo and in vitro, indicate that retinoids influence several reproductive events, including follicular development, oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. The present study evaluated in vitro effects of retinol addition to media containing maturing bovine oocytes and developing embryos in both a low oxygen atmosphere (7%) and under atmospheric oxygen conditions (20%). In the first experiment, abbatoir collected bovine oocytes were matured in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of retinol. After a 22–24 hour maturation period the oocytes were fertilized, denuded 18 hours later and cultured in a modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF) in a humidified atmosphere at 38.5 degrees C, 5% CO2, 7% O2 and 88% N2. Cleavage rates did not differ among control and retinol-treated oocytes in all three experiments. Addition of 5 micromolar retinol to the maturation medium (IVM) tended (p < 0.07) to increase blastocyst formation (blastocyst/putative zygote; 26.1% +/- 2.2%) compared to the controls (21.9% +/- 1.9%). Further analysis revealed when blastocyst development rates fell below 20% in the control groups, 5 micromolar retinol treatment dramatically improved embryonic development, measured by blastocyst/putative zygote rate (14.4 +/- 2.1 vs 23.7 +/- 2.5; p < 0.02). The 5 micomolar retinol treatment also enhanced the blastocyst/cleaved rate by nearly 10% (23.7% vs 34.6%; p < 0.02). In the second and third experiments addition of 5 micromolar retinol to the embryo culture medium (IVC) under low oxygen conditions did not significantly improve cleavage or blastocyst rates, but 5 micromolar retinol significantly increased blastocyst development under 20% O2 conditions (p < 0.001). These studies demonstrate that supplementation of 5 micromolar retinol to the maturation medium may improve embryonic development of bovine oocytes indicated by their increased blastocyst rate. A significant improvement in the blastocyst development with the 5 micromolar retinol treatment under atmospheric conditions suggests a beneficial antioxidant effect during embryo culture

Evolution of library instruction: Discovering the Facilitator Within

Library technician positions have been changing in recent years, yet the literature focuses on staffing reference desks and cataloguing positions. While this is an important part of an academic library technician role, technicians are equally equipped to do “more” within their institutions. The Learning and Instructional Services Division at the WAC Bennett branch of SFU Library has three Library Assistant positions filled with library technician graduates. A major part of these roles is facilitating undergraduate workshops. In this session we will share personal experiences with both the logistics and teaching of these workshops, highlighting the collaborative relationship we have with our Teaching and Learning Librarian

Sand, psychoanalysis and visual methodologies: Exploring creative techniques to engage with subjective experiences of marginalised students in Higher Education

This paper focuses on a visual data production approach developed drawing on the world technique in which participants create three-dimensional scenes, pictures or abstract designs in a tray filled with sand and a range of miniature, realistic and fantasy, figures and everyday objects as part of a psychoanalytical therapy session. Although there have been objections to taking psychoanalysis outside of the clinical situation of the ‘consulting room’, the method proved useful in engaging participants at an affective level and the data production drew upon a psychoanalytical sensibility; which was psychoanalytically informed rather than psychoanalytical. Visual data production was facilitated on a one-to-one basis and participants were asked to talk through their visual sandbox scenes with the researcher. The elicitation process was characterised by a largely uninterrupted flow of talk with an attentive listener whose role it was to try and understand what is being said, so that the psychoanalytical paradigm became relevant and practical in the context of qualitative educational research. This paper argues that psychoanalytically informed techniques can be applied ethically and effectively as a research tool in qualitative inquiry; and open new windows to the subjectivities of marginalised students in Higher Education

Coffee, milk and a sprinkling of sand: an initiative to assist non-traditional, mature students form supportive networks in Higher Education

Non-traditional, mature students face a number of complex psychological and structural barriers to higher education and their journeys are often characterised by initial aspirations and later disappointments, when classed, gendered and relational positionings conflict with students’ identities and contribute to their withdrawal from academia. It is not enough to chart these difficulties; rather we need to seek opportunities to create a more inclusive environment so that we do not simply widen access at the point of entry but ensure that mature, non-traditional students complete their undergraduate study. In response to this challenge, the research project explored the student experience by asking non-traditional students to engage with innovative and reflexive process of sandboxing. This approach was developed drawing on the ‘world technique’ in which individuals create three-dimensional scenes, pictures or abstract designs in a tray filled with sand and a range of miniature, realistic and fantasy, figures and everyday objects. This presentation will discuss the usefulness of the sandboxing technique as a tool of qualitative research as well a reflecting on the associated difficulties with the method. There will also be a focus of the themes that arose from the data production process; and these will be explored in relation to the ways in which institutions can work meet the needs of non-traditional students. In particular the paper focuses on a Coffee Club initiative that was set up in response to the feelings of isolation reported by participants in the study; which offered an opportunity to build a supportive peer network. In this way, the research draws on the affective accounts of participants to influence policy and best practice; aiming to improve student experience for marginalised cohorts and to engender retention and success in their transfer to Higher Education