A study of the spatial scales of discrete polar auroral arcs

Recent theoretical works have dealt with the identification and evaluation of the physical processes that determine the characteristic scale sizes of discrete auroral arcs. It is broadly acknowledged that a characteristic spatial width of approximately 100 km (at ionospheric heights) results naturally from the ionospheric mapping of the high-altitude magnetospheric convection electric field. However, recent analysis of the spatial power spectral distributions of electric and magnetic field variations has revealed structure at much smaller spatial scales. In this analysis, precipitating auroral electron data from the J-package sensor on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite is used to study the spatial scale sizes and size distributions of polar auroral arcs. A monotonically decreasing inverse-wavelength spectrum with a slope near unity is common, with no strictly preferred scale sizes, although the scale spectrum does flatten at scales larger than approximately 100 to 200 km. Typical observed widths of the auroral arcs tend to be much smaller than the resistive scale length, and the observed widths do not have a strong dependence on local ionospheric parameters

Eddy intrustion of hot plasma into the polar cap and formation of polar-cap arcs

Under the simple postulate that multiple large scale detachable magnetospheric convection eddies can exist in the vicinity of the convection reversal boundary and in the polar cap, by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability or otherwise, it is shown that a number of seemingly disconnected plasma and electric field observations in the polar cap can be organized into a theory of magnetosheath and plasmasheet plasma intrusion into the polar cap. Current theory of inverted V structures then predicts existence of similar, but weaker, structures at the eddy convection reversal boundaries in the polar cap. A possible consequence is that the polar cap auroras are natural offshoots from discrete oval arcs and evidently are formed by similar processes. The two arc systems can occassionally produce an optical image in the form of the theta aurora

The Language of Texting: Altering English or a Language of its Own?

In lieu of an abstract, below is the first paragraph of the paper. Because language is so intangible, changes over time are not only unavoidable, they also are common and expected. Language is not the same today as it was when it originated; it is not the same today as it was last week. Phrases become so yesterday and expressions from a hundred years ago have been entirely eliminated from our language. There are many reasons for changeculture, technology, events in history- but the most influential catalyst for change in today\u27s era is technology. Things like email, texting, and Facebook have led to new words forming, new grammatical changes, and other modifications that are both subtle and noticeable. Technology could eventually help the language become easier to follow, growing similar to other languages, and stray away from the numerous irregularities that we all struggle to master. Language, though. Is constantly evolving with culture, and as technology becomes a larger and more influential part of our culture, it also becomes a larger and more influential part of the English language

A Structured Writing Program To Improve Fluency And Attitudes Of Seventh Grade Students In A Basic English Program

The intent of this practicum was to increase writing fluency and improve writing attitudes exhibited by a group of seventh grade students with Yaqui and Hispanic backgrounds. During a period of 16 weeks, a writing unit was implemented consisting of twenty structured activities to guide students in presenting their ideas and to increase their chances for success. As students\u27 fluency increased, the patterns and models given became less structured so that students used more of their own ideas. Evaluation was conducted through the use of Quality Writing Guidelines as well as student and parent follow-up surveys. Results indicated increased levels of writing fluency, improved capitalization and punctuation, improved sentence structure, and a wider variety of vocabulary. The methodology was found to be extremely effective in improving writing skills of students having difficulty supplement to regular education language arts teachers

The Business of News: A Challenge for Journalism's Next Generation

Summarizes discussions among journalists, publishers, news executives, and academics at a June 2002 conference on the challenges of reporting complex global news in an Internet environment while newsrooms face staff and budget cuts. Proposes next steps

Truly An Awesome Spectacle: Gender Performativity And The Alienation Effect In Angels In America

Tony Kushner\u27s two-part play Angels in America uses stereotypical depictions of gay men to deconstruct traditional gender dichotomies. In this thesis, I argue that Kushner has created a continuum of gender performativity to deconstruct these traditional gender dichotomies, thereby empowering the effeminate and disempowering the masculine. I closely examine Kushner\u27s use of Brechtian and Aristotelian tenets in the first Broadway production of the play to demonstrate that Kushner sought to induce social awareness of gay male oppression, contingent on the audience\u27s perception of Kushner\u27s deconstruction of the traditional gender dichotomy. I also scrutinize the role of the closet and its implications in the play, primarily analyzed with Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick\u27s theoretical framework, suggesting Kushner\u27s partiality to openly gay men who can actively participate in the cessation of gay male oppression

Building a Better Understanding of Equine Anatomy Through Integrated Learning

Most people tend to have horses as their first contact with livestock animals. They are usually more common to see or interact with than cows, sheep, or other farm animals. This makes them a good starting animal for students learning about livestock, as well as the fact that they can be used for show, for work, or as a pet, making the equine industry a big one. While models have been used to teach students in topics such as architecture, cycles, and human muscles, little published research was found on the topic of having students build models of equine anatomy and physiology. Using hands-on methods of teaching can lead to a better understanding of a topic, as well as increasing levels of other skills important to students, like teamwork or problem-solving. To understand how students learn when constructing a model, we had two groups of two high school students with some previous knowledge of horses take a pre-test, build a model of a horse’s leg out of PVC pipe, and take a post-test, then answer metacognitive questions about the process. All of the students increased their scores and understanding of equine anatomy, and most of the students enjoyed learning in this manner. The kits we made for the students to put together could easily be made and used as a lesson in a classroom, or in a club, such as 4H. However, more research is needed to measure the model’s effectiveness as a learning tool across a wider variety of students of different ages, genders, and levels of knowledge. The workshop and tests can be made easier or more challenging, and other parts of the body or other animals can be used as the basis for the model. With a better understanding of anatomy and physiology, equine owners, veterinarians, racing trainers, and others involved in the industry can prevent injuries and increase the quality of life for horses

An expert system for diagnosing environmentally induced spacecraft anomalies

A new rule-based, machine independent analytical tool was designed for diagnosing spacecraft anomalies using an expert system. Expert systems provide an effective method for saving knowledge, allow computers to sift through large amounts of data pinpointing significant parts, and most importantly, use heuristics in addition to algorithms, which allow approximate reasoning and inference and the ability to attack problems not rigidly defined. The knowledge base consists of over two-hundred (200) rules and provides links to historical and environmental databases. The environmental causes considered are bulk charging, single event upsets (SEU), surface charging, and total radiation dose. The system's driver translates forward chaining rules into a backward chaining sequence, prompting the user for information pertinent to the causes considered. The use of heuristics frees the user from searching through large amounts of irrelevant information and allows the user to input partial information (varying degrees of confidence in an answer) or 'unknown' to any question. The modularity of the expert system allows for easy updates and modifications. It not only provides scientists with needed risk analysis and confidence not found in algorithmic programs, but is also an effective learning tool, and the window implementation makes it very easy to use. The system currently runs on a Micro VAX II at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The inference engine used is NASA's C Language Integrated Production System (CLIPS)

The effect of participation in a sport and recreation program on job and community satisfaction

The implementation of employee recreation programs has declined, giving away to programs which put more emphasis on health and fitness. Shinew & Crossley (1989) suggested that employee recreation programs may contain benefits comparable to those of employee health promotion programs. Research that has examined employee recreation programs and their benefits have been limited. The present study investigated employee participation (N = 122) in a community-sponsored employee recreation program named the Corporate Challenge. This study examined the effects of employee participation in the Corporate Challenge on employee job satisfaction, overall community satisfaction, and an employee\u27s overall feelings of community life importance. A pre and post survey on job satisfaction and community life was given to four different levels of employee participants in the Corporate Challenge. Approximately 30 subjects were examined from each participant level. The four levels of participants were: (1) new participants; (2) 2-3 year participants; (3) {dollar}\u3e{dollar}3 year participants; (4) control group (non-participants); The results of a paired sample t-test indicated that a significant relationship was found between employee participation in the Corporate Challenge and overall job satisfaction. A one-way between subjects analysis of variance was computed between overall feelings of community life importance and Corporate Challenge panicipant levels. The results indicated a significant difference between the mean community life importance scores of the four participant level groups. No significant findings were reported between employee participation in the Corporate Challenge and an employer\u27s overall satisfaction with community life. Also, the results of a one-way analysis of variance found no significant differences in the subjects\u27 years worked at their company by participation level