Contact stresses calculated for miniature slip rings

Using mathematical formulations to plot the graphs of the contact preload versus the Hertzian load, calculations of unit loading of the preloaded brushes on slip rings can be made. This optimizes the design of contact brushes and miniature slip rings

The application of remote sensing techniques to inter and intra urban analysis

This is an effort to assess the applicability of air and spaceborne photography toward providing data inputs to urban and regional planning, management, and research. Through evaluation of remote sensing inputs to urban change detection systems, analyzing an effort to replicate an existing urban land use data file using remotely sensed data, estimating population and dwelling units from imagery, and by identifying and evaluating a system of urban places ultilizing space photography, it was determined that remote sensing can provide data concerning land use, changes in commercial structure, data for transportation planning, housing quality, residential dynamics, and population density

Modus Vivendi Beyond the Social Contract: Peace, Justice, and Survival in Realist Political Theory

This essay examines the promise of the notion of modus vivendi for realist political theory. I interpret recent theories of modus vivendi as affirming the priority of peace over justice, and explore several ways of making sense of this idea. I proceed to identify two key problems for modus vivendi theory, so conceived. Normatively speaking, it remains unclear how this approach can sustain a realist critique of Rawlsian theorizing about justice while avoiding a Hobbesian endorsement of absolutism. And conceptually, the theory remains wedded to a key feature of social contract theory: political order is conceived as based on agreement. This construes the horizontal tensions among individual or group agents in society as prior to the vertical, authoritative relations between authorities and their subjects. Political authority thereby appears from the start as a solution to societal conflict, rather than a problem in itself. I argue that this way of framing the issue abstracts from political experience. Instead I attempt to rethink the notion of modus vivendi from within the lived experience of political conflict, as oriented not primarily toward peace, but political survival. With this shift of perspective, the idea of modus vivendi shows us, pace Bernard Williams, that the “first political question” is not how to achieve order and stability, but rather: what can I live with

"Almost stable" matchings in the Roommates problem

An instance of the classical Stable Roommates problem (SR) need not admit a stable matching. This motivates the problem of finding a matching that is “as stable as possible”, i.e. admits the fewest number of blocking pairs. In this paper we prove that, given an SR instance with n agents, in which all preference lists are complete, the problem of finding a matching with the fewest number of blocking pairs is NP-hard and not approximable within n^{\frac{1}{2}-\varepsilon}, for any \varepsilon>0, unless P=NP. If the preference lists contain ties, we improve this result to n^{1-\varepsilon}. Also, we show that, given an integer K and an SR instance I in which all preference lists are complete, the problem of deciding whether I admits a matching with exactly K blocking pairs is NP-complete. By contrast, if K is constant, we give a polynomial-time algorithm that finds a matching with at most (or exactly) K blocking pairs, or reports that no such matching exists. Finally, we give upper and lower bounds for the minimum number of blocking pairs over all matchings in terms of some properties of a stable partition, given an SR instance I

Curative Control of the Peachtree Borer Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes

The peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa (Say 1823), is a major pest of stone fruit trees in North America. Current management relies upon preventative control using broad-spectrum chemical insecticides, primarily chlorpyrifos, applied in the late summer or early fall. However, due to missed applications, poor application timing, or other factors, high levels of S. exitiosa infestation may still occur and persist through the following spring. Curative treatments applied in the spring to established infestations would limit damage to the tree and prevent the next generation of S. exitiosa from emerging within the orchard. However, such curative measures for control of S. exitiosa do not exist. Our objective was to measure the efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, as a curative control for existing infestations of S. exitiosa. In peach orchards, spring applications of S. carpocapsae (obtained from a commercial source) were made to infested trees and compared with chlorpyrifos and a water-only control in 2014 and 2015. Additionally, types of spray equipment were compared: nematodes were applied via boom sprayer, handgun, or trunk sprayer. To control for effects of application method or nematode source, in vivo laboratory-grown S. carpocapsae, applied using a watering can, was also included. Treatment effects were assessed 39 d (2014) or 19 d (2015) later by measuring percentage of trees still infested, and also number of surviving S. exitiosa larvae per tree. Results indicated that S. carpocapsae provided significant curative control (e.g., .80% corrected control for the handgun application). In contrast, chlorpyrifos failed to reduce S. exitiosa infestations or number of surviving larvae. In most comparisons, no effect of nematode application method was detected; in one assessment, only the handgun and watering can methods reduced infestation. In conclusion, our study indicates that S. carpocapsae may be used as an effective curative measure for S. exitiosa infestations

Reaching expert consensus on training different cadres in delivering early childhood development: technical report

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) signal a greater focus on inter-sectoral, collaborative approaches to ensuring that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality. This is reflected in the current global concern with promotion of holistic, community-based programmes to support early childhood development and wellbeing ? widely referred to as ?early childhood development? (ECD). Within this context, the study reported here sought to achieve consensus among 14 global experts on training needs for three groups of personnel (?cadres?) involved in delivery of early childhood development (ECD) programmes. The three cadre groups, identified via a comprehensive review of literature on current issues in the provision of ECD, comprise delivery of education, health and community-based early childhood interventions across a diverse range of low resource settings. The study responds to a gap in knowledge on training needs for ECD cadres, associated with a serious dearth of human resources to support provision of ECD services. Key challenges reported here, based on comprehensive review of available literature, include: 1. A long-running, severe global shortage in availability of cadres to support delivery of ECD programmes. 2. To date, delivery of key health and education interventions principally in siloes, with limited integration and practitioners/professionals/para-professionals widely employed in vertical programmes. 3. Low professional and social status of many ECD cadres, due to a lack of systematic recognition and support. This has resulted in large numbers of cadres with undefined career paths, and high rates of turnover / attrition2. In response, expert consensus points to the following potential strategies for enhancing provision of ECD cadres training and professional development: 1. Development of coherent systems to support ECD training and professional development. a. Findings indicate consensus around commonalities among and distinctions between essential skills and knowledge required for education professionals, health professionals and non-certified para-professional groups. These insights could provide a basis for establishing coherent, joined-up professional pathways and support systems for development of ECD cadres. b. Consensus around the respective roles of these three cadres is reflected in the distinct training needs outlined for each group. There is consensus that, while noncertified para-professionals require programme-specific training to facilitate delivery of particular tasks, certified education and health professionals require training in more advanced skills such as problem-solving and flexibility. Exposure to a range of different programmes and approaches is required for certified professionals, to facilitate informed decision making around programme development and adapting / responding to local contextual needs. These distinctions could provide a basis for establishing clarity in respective roles for ECD cadres with regard to programme delivery. c. Consensus around training needs across cadre groups is indicated, in particular the need for on-going mentoring and supervision. While there is acknowledgment among experts about complexities associated with provision of on-going support, consensus around this component of training was strongest among all aspects surveyed. This reflects widespread concern among participating experts, as well as within the literature, that short-term training for ECD cadres must be followed up with opportunities for continuing professional development and systematic support, to facilitate sustained effective practice. 2. Within systems for ECD cadres training, a strong focus on the importance of contextually grounded programmes, materials / resources and strategies for implementation. a. There is strong consensus that ECD cadres training should be contextually-grounded to ensure responsive, effective provision. Training should be based on and promote careful consideration of a range of factors that shape provision of ECD, including but not restricted to, policy, budgets, available resources, local values, beliefs and practices. 3. Adoption of the concept of nurturing care as an underpinning principle for provision of ECD cadres training. a. Delphi findings indicate consensus around essential dispositions, or attitudes, required to support caring, respectful, responsive and trustful interactions with children, caregivers and communities. They also indicate that all cadres require knowledge and skills in promoting early stimulation; child-centred learning and development; effective communication and collaboration; problem solving, and reflective practice. These strategies are outlined in the proposed framework provided below, which identifies unique roles / training needs for different cadre groups, as well as opportunities for enhancing integration across ECD cadres training systems. 3 Experts suggest that these ?dispositions?, which are essential for effective provision, should be viewed as malleable. Training should work / be designed to promote, model and strengthen these characteristics