A comparative assessment of R. M. Young and tipping bucket rain gauges

Rain rates as derived from standard tipping bucket rain gauges have variable integration times corresponding to the interval between bucket tips. For example, the integration time for the Weathertronics rain gauge is given by delta(T) = 15.24/R (min), where R is the rain rate expressed in mm/h and delta(T) is the time between tips expressed in minutes. It is apparent that a rain rate of 1 mm/h has an integration time in excess of 15 minutes. Rain rates larger than 15.24 mm/h will have integration times smaller than 1 minute. The integration time is dictated by the time it takes to fill a small tipping bucket where each tip gives rise to 0.254 mm of rainfall. Hence, a uniform rain rate of 1 mm/h over a 15 minute period will give rise to the same rain rate as 0 mm/h rainfall over the first 14 minutes and 15 mm/h between 14 to 15 minutes from the reference tip. Hence, the rain intensity fluctuations may not be captured with the tipping bucket rain gauge for highly variable rates encompassing lower and higher values over a given integration time. The objective of this effort is to provide an assessment of the features of the R. M. Young capacitive gauge and to compare these features with those of the standard tipping bucket rain gauge. A number of rain rate-time series derived from measurements with approximately co-located gauges are examined

Results of APL rain gauge network measurements in mid-Atlantic coast region and comparisons of distributions with CCIR models

In this effort are described cumulative rain rate distributions for a network of nine tipping bucket rain gauge systems located in the mid-Atlantic coast region in the vicinity of the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia. The rain gauges are situated within a gridded region of dimensions of 47 km east-west by 70 km north-south. Distributions are presented for the individual site measurements and the network average for the year period June 1, 1986 through May 31, 1987. A previous six year average distribution derived from measurements at one of the site locations is also presented. Comparisons are given of the network average, the CCIR (International Radio Consultative Committee) climatic zone, and the CCIR functional model distributions, the latter of which approximates a log normal at the lower rain rate and a gamma function at the higher rates

Rain rate and modeled fade distributions at 20 GHz and 30 GHz derived from five years of network rain gauge measurements

Five years of rain rate and modeled slant path attenuation distributions at 20 GHz and 30 GHz derived from a network of 10 tipping bucket rain gages was examined. The rain gage network is located within a grid 70 km north-south and 47 km east-west in the Mid-Atlantic coast of the United States in the vicinity of Wallops Island, Virginia. Distributions were derived from the variable integration time data and from one minute averages. It was demonstrated that for realistic fade margins, the variable integration time results are adequate to estimate slant path attenuations at frequencies above 20 GHz using models which require one minute averages. An accurate empirical formula was developed to convert the variable integration time rain rates to one minute averages. Fade distributions at 20 GHz and 30 GHz were derived employing Crane's Global model because it was demonstrated to exhibit excellent accuracy with measured COMSTAR fades at 28.56 GHz

Juvenile justice reform: A tale of two systems

This study examines two juvenile justice reform efforts in one state. The first initiative, a detention risk assessment tool, is embedded within the second initiative, a family court pilot project. Detention screening tools have been developed primarily to alleviate detention center overcrowding and to reduce disproportionate minority confinement in those centers. The instrument under analysis limits discretion by judges in the detention decision making process. The second reform effort, family court, is premised on the rehabilitative ideal. In these courts, judges are presumably given wide latitude in deciding cases in order to meet the individual needs of each offender. These two seemingly disparate reform initiatives are examined through two theoretical traditions, borrowing concepts from organizational theory and penal theory. Family courts are organized much more bureaucratically than the traditional court system, yet their goals are explicitly rehabilitative. Bureaucratic tenets of consistency and predictability are in conflict with rehabilitative tenets of holism and individualism. Analysis of the risk assessment instrument as well as other case processing outcomes is conducted to understand dynamics of family court in relation to dynamics of the traditional court system in this state. The study population consists of all detainees in four counties in one state over a one-year period (n = 174). Ordinary least squares regression and logistic regression were used to test hypotheses about case processing. Results show that family court is meeting its expressed purpose of rehabilitation on a number of different measures. Consistent with what would be expected from a rehabilitative approach, family court tends to resist the risk assessment instrument more so than the traditional court. Family court also is more likely to order assessments for youth, hold youth in detention for longer periods of time, and less likely to accept plea bargains. In the end, however, there are no differences with regard to sentencing between family court and the traditional court system. This research demonstrates the need to take court structure into account in case processing studies. While family court systems are advocated as the most appropriate structure to address delinquency, this study suggests further investigation of their outputs is needed

Pulse-Width-Modulation Control for Second Order Plants Via a Quadratic Criterion

This paper presents a mathematical study of the control of a second order plant having real distinct roots by use of pulse -width-modulation. An integrator connected between the pulse-width-modulator and the plant is a fixed element of the control loop. The integral-square error is used as the Index of performance. The ISE is minimized with the constraint that the pulse modulator is limited to a maximum of one output reversal for a step change in input. Derivation of the equation which will predict the exact switching time of the modulator output to minimize the performance index for any step amplitude is presented. An example problem is worked to illustrate the use of the switching equation in determining switching time. The example is concluded with graphs showing the optimal plant response for various step input amplitudes, variation of switching time as a function of step amplitude, and variation of integral-square error as a function of switching time

A Comparison of the Lifecycle Cost and Environmental Impact of Military Barracks Huts in Deployed Environments Constructed from Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) versus Traditional Techniques

For many years, housing for US Military personnel at forward operating bases has consisted of poor quality, shed-like buildings constructed of dimensional lumber and plywood. These buildings are commonly referred to as Barracks Huts or B-Huts. B-Huts have a number of shortcomings, including complicated construction operations, poor durability, and poor insulative properties. These characteristics lead to slow base camp commissioning, poor lifespan, and high fuel consumption rates. To address these shortcomings, the US Army is currently investigating a different housing system based on structural insulated panels (SIPs); it is referred to as the SIP-Hut. Initial findings suggest that the SIP-Hut offers improved performance with respect to construction, durability, and insulation. To ensure proper use of the SIP-Hut, the lifecycle costs and environmental implications should be understood and compared with those of the B-Hut. This study set out to make this comparison. The results of the study show that the use of SIP-Huts will result in lower operating greenhouse gas emissions (32% - 51% less across the scenarios considered), lower operating costs (as much as $14,505 less per year, per hut), and lower risk of casualties. Although the upfront costs and emissions associated with the SIP-Hut are greater than those of the B-Hut, they are paid back within a reasonable timeframe (1 month to 5 years, depending on the scenario considered). The SIP-Hut also shows potential for use in non-military applications, such as disaster relief operations

Current Distribution and Status of the Selected Species of Low Density Small Game Furbearers and Predators in the Adirondacks

(1) To determine the distribution of the cottontail rabbit, cougar, gray squirrel, gray fox, fisher, marten, opossum and striped skunk in the Adirondacks (2) To examine the distribution of the marten in relation to selected environmental variables with special reference to elevation and to forest type. (3) To assess the status of the marten with regard to future management potentials and problems