An improved technique for determining reflection from semi-infinite atmospheres with linearly anisotropic phase functions

A solution to the problem of reflection from a semi-infinite atmosphere is presented, based upon Chandrasekhar's H-function method for linearly anisotropic phase functions. A modification to the Gauss quadrature formula which gives about the same accuracy with 10 points as the conventional Gauss quadrature does with 100 points was developed. A computer program achieving this solution is described and results are presented for several illustrative cases

Barium cloud evolution and striation formation in the magnetospheric release on September 21, 1971

The joint NASA-Max Planck Institute Barium Ion Cloud (BIC) Experiment on September 21, 1971 involved the release of 1.7 kg of neutral barium at an altitude of 31,500 km at a latitude of 6.93 deg N. and a longitude of 74.40 deg W. A theoretical model describing the barium neutral cloud expansion and the ion cloud formation is developed. The mechanism of formation of the striational features observed in the release is also discussed. Two candidate instabilities, which may contribute to striation formation, are examined. The drift instability stemming from the outwardly directed drag force exerted on the ions by the outstreaming neutrals is rejected on the grounds that the ion density is too low during the collision-dominated phase of the cloud expansion to support this kind of instability. The joint action of Rayleigh-Taylor and flute instabilities plausibly accounts for the observed striational structure. This same mechanism may well be operative at times of sudden injection of plasma into the inner magnetosphere during geomagnetic storms and may thus contribute to the formation of field-alined inhomogeneities which serve as whistler ducts

Carson McCullers: The Tragedy of Spiritual Isolation

This passage, one of the most eloquent ever penned on the theme of spiritual isolation, is particularly applicable to the five novels of Carson McCullers. Her basic thesis is that love gives a meaning of life, but, paradoxically, love is doomed to failure because of a breakdown in communications resulting in spiritual isolation. Life then is a never-ending cycle; there is the struggle to achieve understanding and an identity, but the more man struggles the seemingly more complex becomes obstacles that he must surmount. Thus, the quest becomes all-important. The effort to attain identity gives substance to life, but if the effort is not made then man\u27s life becomes meaningless

Excitation of Na D-line radiation in collisions of sodium atoms with internally excited H2, D2, and N2

Excitation of D-line radiation in collisions of Na atoms with vibrationally excited N2, H2 and D2 was studied in two modulated crossed beam experiments. In both experiments, the vibrational excitation of the molecules was provided by heating the molecular beam source to temperatures in the range of 2000 to 3000 K, which was assumed to give populations according to the Boltzmann expression. In the first experiment, a total rate coefficient was measured as a function of molecular beam temperature, with absolute calibration of the photon detector being made using the black body radiation from the heated molecular beam source. Since heating affects both the internal energy and the collisional kinetic energy, the first experiment could not determine the relative contributions of internal energy transfer versus collisional excitation. The second experiment achieved partial separation of internal versus kinetic energy transfer effects by using a velocity-selected molecular beam. Using two simple models for the kinetic energy dependence of the transfer cross section for a given change in vibrational quantum number, the data from both experiments were used to determine parameters in the models

A Hands-On Nutritional Curriculum for Children Ages Five to Eleven

This thesis will focus on the development of a nutrition curriculum to be used as a continuing education program at the community college level for children from the ages of five to eleven years. Research indicates that American children are becoming physically unfit and overweight at an alarming rate . Because this condition seems to be the rule rather than the exception, it becomes important to the future health of our children that they be educated in proper selection of foods and eating habits. Research also indicates that the health curriculums of local public school districts touch on the nutritional aspects of health in a very limited manner with little or no hands-on experiences for the children. The purpose of this curriculum development is to provide an inexpensive, fun and educational alternative for parents who have concerns about the nutritional status of their children. The curriculum is planned to provide the children with the knowledge needed to make good, healthy decisions about what they select to eat in an environment that does not appear to be a school classroom setting. Two school district curriculums, one from St . Louis County and one from St. Charles County, were researched. Additional research was done through personal conversations with elementary classroom teachers to obtain information regarding areas of nutritional education that are lacking. One major preschool chain was contacted to ascertain if nutrition education was a part of activities planned for the children. Results of this research produced considerable evidence to suggest that a hands-on curriculum to be taught at the community college level for children ages five to eleven would be well received by parents and add a new approach to community health education