Parametric Paraglider Modeling

Dynamic simulations are invaluable for studying system behavior, developing control models, and running statistical analyses. For example, paraglider flight simulations could be used to analyze how a wing behaves when it encounters wind shear, or to reconstruct the wind field that was present during a flight. Unfortunately, creating dynamics models for commercial paraglider wings is difficult: not only are detailed specifications unavailable, but even if they were, a detailed model would be laborious to create. To address that difficulty, this project develops a paraglider flight dynamics model that uses parametric components to model commercial paraglider wings given only limited technical specifications and knowledge of typical wing design. To validate the model design and implementation, an aerodynamic simulation of a reference paraglider canopy is compared to wind tunnel measurements, and a dynamic simulation of a commercial paraglider system is compared to basic flight test data. The entirety of the models and example wings are available as an open source library built on the Python scientific computing stack

Renegotiating the Heroine: Postfeminism on the Speculative Screen

This thesis examines postfeminism as a multi-faceted cultural phenomenon and considers its lasting impact on understandings of girlhood. Its particular focus is a discussion of speculative fiction texts (literature, television series and films) oriented towards young adults, pursuing the idea that, in the postfeminist context, girl heroes are ideally placed to imagine both the future and the past. Considering the striking popularity of speculative fiction centrally featuring girls, and often addressed to them, this thesis considers the central concerns of postfeminism as it has been conceived in feminist criticism since the 1990s from a contemporary perspective. This thesis offers three key hypotheses: first, that speculative fiction offers a privileged space in which gender identity is interrogated, most often with a central focus on girls; second, that postfeminism marks a cultural shift in which some key elements of feminism are integrated with the culture industry and thus available to be consumed in forms that especially appeal to girls in a complex and at times problematic way; and third, that our contemporary understanding of girlhood as a concept and girls as a category also crucially changed during this period, heavily influenced by media representations of postfeminism. Built on these hypotheses is a thesis that discourse surrounding postfeminism is currently shifting, and issues traditionally associated with postfeminism are being reconsidered within contemporary media. The thesis examines recent popular films such as the Twilight films and The Hunger Games and popular science fiction and fantasy television series, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Orphan Black, and Once Upon a Time. It also pays particular attention to current adaptations of texts key to girl culture, such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Disney princess films, to reflect on differences in the way these texts understand both contemporary girlhood and the impact of feminism. It understands these texts as responding to, and producing a contemporary commentary on, crucial feminist issues that themselves centre on ideas about girlhood, including risk, sexuality and desire, and the ‘postfeminist masquerade’. Discussion of contemporary popular culture enables this thesis to historicise feminist representation of girls relative to these issues during the 1980s and 90s. The primary objective of the thesis is to contextualize the popularity of speculative fiction within a changing popular discourse of girlhood and, more specifically, feminist girlhood

Comprehensive Directory of Mental Health Services 2010: A tool for collaboration in providing services

The purpose of this project was to update the 2007 edition of the Comprehensive Directory of Mental Health Services and to expand the geographical areas covered. The directory was first published in 1990 and, with regular updating, has continued to provide helping professionals with resources for making referrals and for working in a collaborative framework to meet the mental health needs of our communities. All information included in the 2007 edition was verified and updated and new listings were added. The directory is available in printed form and online at http://www.psyc.jmu.edu/counseling/servicesdirectory.html

Low Cost Star Tracker for Suborbital Platforms Design and Flight

Disussion of the work being done for the suborbital programs at Wallops Flight Facility on star tracker technology. Mainly the development and flight of a low cost system that uses commerical off the shelf products. The rough design is explained along with a presentation of some flight results from recent flights

A Writer\u27s Odyssey

Follow an author on her journey from oil industry geologist to award-winning novelist

Mycophenolate mofetil for myasthenia gravis: a clear and present controversy

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been used to treat myasthenia gravis (MG) for over 10 years. MMF’s use in the MG population stems from its theoretical mechanism of action and the medical literature that supports its benefit in MG patients. Recently, two large, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials were initiated to study the effectiveness of MMF for MG. One of these studies found no benefit in taking MMF with 20 mg of prednisone as compared to taking prednisone alone, while the other study demonstrated no advantage in taking MMF against placebo during a 36-week prednisone taper. This article critically reviews the medical literature on MMF’s use in MG and suggests further research avenues on this topic