Compensated Current Injection circuit, theory and applications

This paper presents a detailed description, analysis and example of practical application of a wide frequency band voltage-to-current converter. The converter is characterized by a combination of positive and negative feedback loops. This feature allows compensation for parasitic impedance connected in parallel with the useful load, which in turn keeps an excitation current flowing through the useful load independent of its impedance. The simplicity of the circuit and its good electrical properties are additional advantages of the scheme.Comment: 9 pages and 7 figures in one PDF fil

Nature is to nurture: a post occupancy evaluation of the St. Michael Health Care Center, Texarkana, TX

This thesis explores therapeutic garden design and its role in landscape architecture. It also conducts a post occupancy evaluation (POE) for an existing therapeutic landscape. The St. Michael Health Care Center campus, Texarkana, Texas, is a Sisters of Charity institution and was designed and built in 1994 as a healing environment for patients, staff, and visitors. In this thesis, A POE was conducted to determine (1) user-perceptions and utilization of the campus, (2) whether the campus reduces stress and fosters restoration, and (3) any barriers or constraints to use of the campus. Results from visual analysis, behavioral observations, and survey questionnaires indicated a number of benefits of the campus. The campus was perceived as a place of stress reduction and restoration. However, there was a lack of knowledge of the history behind the design and the healing benefits of the campus, and some areas were not utilized as often or as effectively as intended. Interviewees recommended changes for the campus, such as the inclusion of more flowers and greenery, and more raised beds for outdoor therapy. In addition, certain areas required more maintenance. Based on the findings, recommendations for improvement were made. These findings can subsequently be used to inform guidelines for the design of future Sisters of Charity institutions, as well as other exterior hospital environments. By adding to a body of research, this evaluation provides a service to all of those involved in the design of healthcare facilities such as owners, users, medical planners, architects, interior designers, artists, and landscape architects

Hanté par la machine

International audienceLa fictionosphère regorge d'histoire de machines hantées par des esprits, mais les êtres humains ne peuvent-ils pas à leur tour être hantés par des machines

Gérer les risques avec les jeunes : État, cultures jeunes et (in)civilité

Si les jeunes se retrouvent sur le banc des accusés lors des débats sur l’insécurité, leurs pratiques culturelles sont également incriminées : c’est le cas, en France, de la culture hip-hop et des rave parties. Pourtant, il existe des formes de civilité « spontanée » à l’oeuvre dans ces pratiques, que l’État reconnaît et soutient progressivement. Le paradoxe est saisissant : d’un côté, l’État contribue à produire une demande de sécurité en investissant le domaine culturel et participe de la stigmatisation de la jeunesse ; de l’autre, l’État encourage certaines de ces pratiques dans l’optique d’une gestion des risques : risque d’exclusion sociale et territoriale, risque sanitaire, risque environnemental.Youth often stand accused in debates about insecurity, and their cultural practices are also incriminated. This is the case for hip-hop culture and raves in France. Nonetheless, there are forms of “spontaneous” civility in these practices, ones that the state recognises and increasingly supports. There is a striking paradox. On the one hand the state contributes to demands for security, by investing in the cultural field and stigmatising youth. On the other the state encourages certain practices, in order to manage risks such as the risk of social exclusion, health risks, and environmental risk

The Perspectives of Male Inmates Regarding Their K-12 Educational Experiences

All school systems throughout the country serve students referred to as at risk. Research documents that these students are at a greater risk of dropping out of school due to characteristics that contribute to school disengagement. By exploring the perspectives of male inmates aged 18-30 regarding their educational experiences, this study\u27s data illuminated how school personnel and the schooling process may theoretically contribute to negative outcomes such as incarceration. The focus of the study was to identify commonalities and phenomena in relation to educational experiences, school engagement levels, deviant behavior, and school staff-student interactions as related to the at-risk student population. Interviews of a sample group of prisoners were utilized to gather rich data from their experiences. A qualitative/phenomenological research method was employed. This study introduced a revised and expanded term to replace the at-risk term when describing students who are at risk of school failure. This new term is COPE (Children Of Promise in Education). The acronym COPEr will be used when referring to the individual student who is at promise for academic success. COPErs will be used when referring to multiple students of promise for academic success. Six themes emerged from the data analysis. The six themes were as follows: characteristics of the respondents as k-12 students, student-staff interaction, engagement, disengagement, negative outcomes, and reflection and advice. An analysis of the themes is represented by quotes from the study\u27s participants. This analysis allowed for the emergence of data that substantively contributes to the gap in the literature pertaining to a continued need for qualitative research examining the schooling experiences of at-risk youth, juvenile delinquents, high school dropouts, and, as in this study, inmates. Few studies have examined the perspectives of inmates regarding their schooling experiences. Most research regarding inmates has examined correctional education within the prison system. After the findings of the study are revealed, the implications of the study are presented. Implications for school staff and student development through communication and positive interaction are addressed. Suggestions for future research related to positive academic and social development of COPErs in the educational system are suggested