Aviation Education Impacts on Cockpit Culture of Chinese Student Pilots

The safety of the aviation industry heavily depends on the performance of pilots. A pilot with a good cockpit culture improves safety performance. However, a lack of understanding of how a well-established aviation program impacts student pilots’ cockpit culture regarding power distance, masculinity, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance. This study aimed to investigate the training effect on Chinese student perceptions regarding power distance, masculinity, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance, and its related variables. The study collected 726 Chinese student pilots and analyzed their cockpit culture based on the survey data. The study examined the academic tenure influences on cockpit culture variables within student pilots. The profile analysis indicated that first-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors had different profiles regarding the cockpit culture variables. Outcomes show that there is a positive influence on Chinese student pilots’ perception of power distance and individualism. The perception of masculinity increases with their academic tenures and uncertainty avoidance has a periodical pattern

Complete genome sequences of Betanodavirus from Australian barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

The complete RNA-1 and RNA-2 genome sequences of Betanodavirus were obtained from Australian barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the sequences have closest homology to the red spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) species and share between 91 and 98% homology with the other two published complete/near-complete sequences of isolates from Australian fish

Power, Proximity, and Physiology: Does Income Inequality and Racial Composition Amplify the Impacts of Air Pollution on Life Expectancy in the United States?

This study advances research at the intersection of environmental degradation, social stratification, and population health in the United States. Expanding the theoretical principles of power, proximity, and physiology, we hypothesize that the harmful effect of fine particulate matter on life expectancy is greater in states with higher levels of income inequality and larger black populations. To test our hypothesis, we use two-way fixed effects regression analysis to estimate the effect of a three-way interaction between fine particulate matter, income share of the top ten percent, and the percent of the population that is black on state-level average life expectancy for all US states and the District of Columbia (2000–2014). The findings support our hypothesis: the estimated effect of the three-way interaction on average life expectancy is negative and statistically significant, net of various socioeconomic and demographic controls. Using post-estimation techniques, we visually illustrate that the harmful effect of fine particulate matter on life expectancy is especially pronounced in states with both very high levels of income inequality and very large black populations. We conclude by summarizing the theoretical and substantive implications of our findings, the limitations of the study, and potential next steps in this evolving area of interdisciplinary research

A Microfabricated Segmented-Involute-Foil Regenerator for Enhancing Reliability and Performance of Stirling Engines: Phase II Final Report for the Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology NRA Contract NAS3-03124

An actual-size microfabricated regenerator comprised of a stack of 42 disks, 19 mm diameter and 0.25 mm thick, with layers of microscopic, segmented, involute-shaped flow channels was fabricated and tested. The geometry resembles layers of uniformly-spaced segmented-parallel-plates, except the plates are curved. Each disk was made from electro-plated nickel using the LiGA process. This regenerator had feature sizes close to those required for an actual Stirling engine but the overall regenerator dimensions were sized for the NASA/Sunpower oscillating-flow regenerator test rig. Testing in the oscillating-flow test rig showed the regenerator performed extremely well, significantly better than currently used random-fiber material, producing the highest figures of merit ever recorded for any regenerator tested in that rig over its ~20 years of use

Microfabricated Segmented-Involute-Foil Regenerator for Stirling Engines

An involute-foil regenerator was designed, microfabricated, and tested in an oscillating-flow test rig. The concept consists of stacked involute-foil nickel disks (see figure) microfabricated via a lithographic process. Test results yielded a performance of about twice that of the 90-percent random-fiber currently used in small Stirling converters. The segmented nature of the involute- foil in both the axial and radial directions increases the strength of the structure relative to wrapped foils. In addition, relative to random-fiber regenerators, the involute-foil has a reduced pressure drop, and is expected to be less susceptible to the release of metal fragments into the working space, thus increasing reliability. The prototype nickel involute-foil regenerator was adequate for testing in an engine with a 650 C hot-end temperature. This is lower than that required by larger engines, and high-temperature alloys are not suited for the lithographic microfabrication approach