Sources, paths, and concepts for reduction of noise in the test section of the NASA Langley 4x7m wind tunnel

NASA is investigating the feasibility of modifying the 4x7m Wind Tunnel at the Langley Research Center to make it suitable for a variety of aeroacoustic testing applications, most notably model helicopter rotors. The amount of noise reduction required to meet NASA's goal for test section background noise was determined, the predominant sources and paths causing the background noise were quantified, and trade-off studies between schemes to reduce fan noise at the source and those to attenuate the sound generated in the circuit between the sources and the test section were carried out. An extensive data base is also presented on circuit sources and paths

Compression and R-wave detection of ECG/VCG data

Application of information theory to eliminate redundant part of electrocardiogram or vectorcardiogram is described. Operation of medical equipment to obtain three dimensional study of patient is discussed. Use of fast Fourier transform to accomplish data compression is explained

An Assessment Dependent upon Technology

Technology and Economic Dependency: An Institutional Assessment, \u27 by Thomas De Gregori, deserves serious consideration because it reaches to the heart of a conflict in holistic economic systems analysis and planning. The major issue in the article revolves around divergent views regarding technology. One is that technology should dominate society by being made the primary determinant of policy evaluation criteria. Another view is that technology should be treated as a system entity, albeit a powerful one, which must be evaluated along with others. De Gregori\u27s conclusions are based on the first view. This comment will consider five aspects of De Gregori\u27s article. First, there are statements unsubstantiated by evidence. This will be demonstrated by offering contrary evidence regarding his remarks on urbanization, nutrition delivery systems, and big dams. Second, the views of appropriate technology proponents are misrepresented. Third, many of the terms used beg for definitions. These will be indicated below by the insertion of bracketed statements. Fourth, De Gregori\u27s conclusions are based on a teleological tautology. Finally, Clarence Ayres\u27s institutional theory is misrepresented

Wetlands Provisions in the 1985 and 1990 Farm Bills

In 1984, my national agricultural policy article surprised some readers because its first concern was with policy regarding the natural environment [Hayden 1984]. Others thought it contained the policy agenda that agricultural policymakers could expect in the future. The future came more quickly than most expected when the 1985 Farm Bill (Food Security Act) included provisions to limit harmful impacts of the agriculture industry on the environment. The purpose of this article is to explore the importance, success, and future of the Swampbuster provision that was intended to protect wetlands in the United States from further agricultural destruction

An Assessment Dependent upon Technology

Technology and Economic Dependency: An Institutional Assessment, \u27 by Thomas De Gregori, deserves serious consideration because it reaches to the heart of a conflict in holistic economic systems analysis and planning. The major issue in the article revolves around divergent views regarding technology. One is that technology should dominate society by being made the primary determinant of policy evaluation criteria. Another view is that technology should be treated as a system entity, albeit a powerful one, which must be evaluated along with others. De Gregori\u27s conclusions are based on the first view. This comment will consider five aspects of De Gregori\u27s article. First, there are statements unsubstantiated by evidence. This will be demonstrated by offering contrary evidence regarding his remarks on urbanization, nutrition delivery systems, and big dams. Second, the views of appropriate technology proponents are misrepresented. Third, many of the terms used beg for definitions. These will be indicated below by the insertion of bracketed statements. Fourth, De Gregori\u27s conclusions are based on a teleological tautology. Finally, Clarence Ayres\u27s institutional theory is misrepresented

An Assessment Dependent upon Technology

Technology and Economic Dependency: An Institutional Assessment, \u27 by Thomas De Gregori, deserves serious consideration because it reaches to the heart of a conflict in holistic economic systems analysis and planning. The major issue in the article revolves around divergent views regarding technology. One is that technology should dominate society by being made the primary determinant of policy evaluation criteria. Another view is that technology should be treated as a system entity, albeit a powerful one, which must be evaluated along with others. De Gregori\u27s conclusions are based on the first view. This comment will consider five aspects of De Gregori\u27s article. First, there are statements unsubstantiated by evidence. This will be demonstrated by offering contrary evidence regarding his remarks on urbanization, nutrition delivery systems, and big dams. Second, the views of appropriate technology proponents are misrepresented. Third, many of the terms used beg for definitions. These will be indicated below by the insertion of bracketed statements. Fourth, De Gregori\u27s conclusions are based on a teleological tautology. Finally, Clarence Ayres\u27s institutional theory is misrepresented

Policymaking Network of the Iron-Triangle Subgovernment for Licensing Hazardous Waste Facilities

The purposes here are to explain the linkage of (1) economic methodology, (2) corporate networks, and (3) federal court decisions in the licensing of hazardous waste facilities and to recognize the opportunity the combination of the three provides for institutional economists. The United States has the best and most comprehensive set of laws we might expect from a legislative process in order to prevent human disease, loss of property, and ecological system destruction from hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste. Yet the licensing process and assessment that has grown out of that legislation has not produced the protection expected. The waste disposal problem continues to grow. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is another achievement of the “Greatest Generation.” It was the world’s first environmental policy of such proportion, and it became a model for environmental policies and legislation in nations around the globe for protecting the environment (see Colombo 1992). Consistent with institutionalism, NEPA has been called “an organic act for environmental protection” (Ringquist 1999, 88). The approximately 50,000 NEPA environmental assessments prepared annually are an indication that the influence NEPA is to have on comprehensive planning is intended to be pervasive. The principal tools of NEPA for assessing impacts and planning actions are the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the environmental impact statement (EIS). The purpose of the EIA is to ensure that appropriate attention is given to environmental issues. It is to provide adequate information on projects such as waste disposal projects that affect the environment. “All environmentally relevant impacts of such activities should be identified, analyzed and evaluated before consent is given” (Colombo 1992, 1). In addition to analytical information, the EIA includes scoping, consultation of other authorities, and public participation. An EIS is prepared to investigate environmental consequences of alternatives for pursuing a proposed project and must be used by decision makers in reaching a final decision. The EIS is to include the environmental impact of the proposed action, any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided, and any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which might be involved in the proposed action (Eccleston 2001, 9)

Instrumental Valuation Indicators for Natural Resources and Ecosystems

Beldon Daniels, in the early draft of his latest book, which has a working title of Rediscovering America, 1992, has written that there have been four major eras in human history. The fourth, into which we are now evolving, according to Daniels, is the age of intelligence. Although the intelligence activity of the modern age both uses and directs the development of large quantities of data, information, and knowledge; a measurement concept, or unit for valuation has yet to be developed. The industrial age from which we are evolving, consistent with the technology of that era, has used industrial production (or a proxy for production such as money value) as the basic measurement unit for valuation. This article is intended as a step toward the realization of a measurement concept consistent with Daniels\u27s ideas. The purpose of this article is to present a general instrumental methodology for determining value indicators with an application to natural resources and ecosystems. The article is guided by the work of four instrumentalists; John Dewey, Fagg Foster, James Swaney, and Richard Mattessich, who reject the possibility of valuation via a market price criterion and who support transactional valuation. All four have offered overarching criteria and principles for valuation. In addition the article uses the knowledge base of the Social Fabric Matrix (SFM) and the principles of General System Analysis (GSA)

Analysis of U.S. EPA’s Green House Gas Equations C-8, Y-4, H-1, and C-1

EPA’s GREEN HOUSE GAS EQUATION (C-8) FOR METHANE Methane is a crucial greenhouse gas that substantially affects the environment. And that is why there are several mentions of methane under different subparts of 40 CFR Part 98. Even though there are several different formulas to calculate the methane emission, all of those somehow represent the same approach behind them. MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF EQUATION C-8 GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF EQUATION C-8 CRTICAL ANALYSIS OF EQUATION C-8 MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF EQUATION Y-4 GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF EQUATION Y-4 CALCULATING GHG EMISSION FROM CEMENT PRODUCTION MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF EQUATION H-1 GHG EMISSION FROM ETHANO