Spectroscopic comparison of effects of electron radiation on mechanical properties of two polyimides

The differences in the radiation durabilities of two polyimide materials, Du Pont Kapton and General Electric Ultem, are compared. An explanation of the basic mechanisms which occur during exposure to electron radiation from analyses of infrared (IR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic data for each material is provided. The molecular model for Kapton was, in part, established from earlier modeling for Ultem (pp. 1293-1298 of IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, December 1984). Techniques for understanding the durability of one complex polymer based on the understanding of a different and equally complex polymer are demonstrated. The spectroscopic data showed that the primary radiation-generated change in the tensile properties of Ultem (a large reduction in tensile elongation) was due to crosslinking, which followed the capture by phenyl radicals of hydrogen atoms removed from gem-dimethyl groups. In contrast, the tensile properties of Kapton remained unchanged because radical-radical recombination, a self-mending process, took place

Studies of molecular properties of polymeric materials

Aerospace environment effects (high energy electrons, thermal cycling, atomic oxygen, and aircraft fluids) on polymeric and composite materials considered for structural use in spacecraft and advanced aircraft are examined. These materials include Mylar, Ultem, and Kapton. In addition to providing information on the behavior of the materials, attempts are made to relate the measurements to the molecular processes occurring in the material. A summary and overview of the technical aspects are given along with a list of the papers that resulted from the studies. The actual papers are included in the appendices and a glossary of technical terms and definitions is included in the front matter

Self-Determination Theory as a Pedagogical Foundation for Collegiate Physical Activity Courses

Inactivity, obesity and associated medical, social and economic problems are pervasive in contemporary society. Modern science is aware of the preventative role physical activity offers in deterrence of these problems and the benefits physical education offers. Traditionally, physical education has focused primarily on physiological variables; however, physical activity begins with a behavioral change. Motivation is the necessary factor to initiate physical activity and self-determination theory (SDT) can be used to explain learner motivation in the world of collegiate physical education. Institutionalized schooling is typically performed in a controlling nature, which creates a poor environment for learning and motivation. The purpose of this study was to examine college students’ self-determination to be physically active along with perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness using perspectives of self-determination theory. Variables of SDT were used to structure a motivational pedagogical environment to increase student motivation. The population for this study was limited to college students at a university in the Southeast. A total of 69 students participated in two six week HPR 101 weight training classes. Two primary instruments were used to determine levels of self-determination as based on SDT. The Learning Climate Questionnaire was used as a manipulation check. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, and standard deviations) and a multivariate analysis of variance were used to conduct the analysis. Results showed amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, intrinsic regulation, autonomy, competence and relatedness all increased with treatment but not significantly between control and experimental groups. SDT is an excellent means to use as a methodology to increase motivation in physical education pedagogy

EVOLUTION AND THE END OF A WORLD

This dissertation examines college student understanding and attitudes toward biological evolution. In ethnographic work, I followed a cohort of 31 students through their required introductory biology class. In interviews, students discuss their life history with the concept - in school, at home, at church, and in their communities. For some Creationist students, confronting evolution in class has meant confronting existential issues regarding both the basis of science and the basis of faith. For other Creationist students, claims of evolution\u27s theoretical strength are eschewed for its direct challenge to their worldview. For most students, science holds minimal interest against other values in their lives. Faculty and policy makers decry this as poor American science literacy which demands change. This work illustrates the gap between ideal science literacy , and the everyday practices which result in half of Americans rejecting evolution as sound science

Starting a War: Neoconservatism, Human Rights Rhetoric, and the Push to Democratize Iraq

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Social Studies of Bard College

Absorbed dose thresholds and absorbed dose rate limitations for studies of electron radiation effects on polyetherimides

The threshold values of total absorbed dose for causing changes in tensile properties of a polyetherimide film and the limitations of the absorbed dose rate for accelerated-exposure evaluation of the effects of electron radiation in geosynchronous orbit were studied. Total absorbed doses from 1 kGy to 100 MGy and absorbed dose rates from 0.01 MGy/hr to 100 MGy/hr were investigated, where 1 Gy equals 100 rads. Total doses less than 2.5 MGy did not significantly change the tensile properties of the film whereas doses higher than 2.5 MGy significantly reduced elongation-to-failure. There was no measurable effect of the dose rate on the tensile properties for accelerated electron exposures

A study of environmental education in Missouri : a survey of project wet facilitators' understandings of environmental education

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on November 29, 2007)Vita.Thesis (Ph. D.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2007.The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 served as a federal mandate to encourage states to develop environmental education (EE) plans. Missouri's governor authorized the creation of an EE task force in 1993. The recommendations of the state EE task force included the participation of both the formal and nonformal sectors of education at all levels. Unfortunately, a state level EE coordinating council was never established and participation by the formal education sector, state and higher education systems, was never realized. The lack of participation by the formal education system left the majority of the responsibility of creating an environmentally literate state to the nonformal sector. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is one of the state's nonformal, natural resource agencies involved with EE. The agency sponsors a national EE curriculum, Project WET (water education for teachers). The DNR state coordinator for Project WET is responsible for providing workshops for individuals interested in obtaining the WET curriculum and trains Project WET facilitators (PWF) to assist in this effort. More than 300 PWF have been trained in Missouri and have provided workshops for over 7,000 Missouri educators. However, there has not been a formal assessment of PWF understandings about EE. PWF come from both formal and nonformal sectors of EE. Research has shown these two groups to be different (Knapp, 2001, Magill, 2002, & Simmons, 2002) because of their preparation and practice as educators. Contrary to previous research on formal and nonformal educators, PWFs are a homogeneous group as evident by their mean scores on constructs of this study's survey.Includes bibliographical reference

An evaluation of earth banked tanks for slurry storage

End of project reportThis study examines the feasibility of using earth-banked tanks (EBT’s) as an alternative and economical means of winter storage for animal and other farmyard wastes. The study contains a detailed literature review on the subject, the results of a series of laboratory-scale experiments, field studies and a predictive model of the transport process through the soil liner of an earth-banked tank