A Qualitative Study of Spatial Strategies in Blind and Low Vision Individuals

Spatial ability is an intelligence that has been strongly correlated with success in engineering, science, math, and technology fields. Studies have shown that individuals demonstrating high spatial ability perform at a higher level than their peers in academia as well as in STEM careers. Past studies have demonstrated that spatial ability can be learned and maintained through spatial interventions. The creation of effective spatial interventions depends on a clear understanding of spatial strategies. One group that has been largely underrepresented in STEM fields is the blind and low vision (BLV) community, likely due to the lack of spatial interventions and accessible instruments for measuring spatial thinking. This research team has previously adapted a spatial ability assessment and developed the tactile mental cutting test (T-MCT). The T-MCT allows researchers to reliably assess spatial ability in BLV populations. This study seeks to qualitatively identify spatial strategies used by blind and low vision high school students in a case study conducted at a National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Engineering Quotient program. An understanding of spatial strategies employed by BLV populations will not only aid in creating more effective non-visual spatial interventions, but will also identify non-visual cognitive elements of spatial ability that may enhance spatial ability interventions for sighted populations.Presentation Time: Wednesday, 3-4 p.m

Microsatellites and Improved Acquisition of Space Systems

Traditional Department of Defense (DoD) practices in the acquisition of space systems have focused on advanced versions of proven technology, meaning large satellites. This paradigm contributes to dependence on a handful of satellites, program schedules measured in decades, and the expensive oversight and program management functions which must be applied to systems which, since there are so few assets, cannot countenance failures. The escape from this paradigm is offered by Microsatellites (Microsats). Microsats are not only useful technology, but technology which enables a different approach to acquisition. What the authors call the Microsat Acquisition Paradigm (MAP) is partly modeled on NASA’s “Faster, Better, Cheaper” approach and takes lessons from NASA’s successes and failures. Now that some space functions can be undertaken by low-cost Microsats, the advantages of mass production, reduced government oversight, and acceptance of a reasonable failure rate can be applied to space system acquisition. This paper explores the three pillars of the MAP approach: requirements, technology, and acquisition, which together support the Holy Grail of space system affordability. Understanding the military’s space requirements is the first pillar of this approach. The second pillar is the ability to correlate the requirements to the current and projected state of Microsat technology and explain what space functions can be accomplished with Microsats. Finally, historical examples, as well as recent studies. demonstrate that streamlined, cost-effective acquisition is a reality for Microsats, enabling savings in time and money compared to the acquisition system used for traditional space systems

Elementary analysis of the special relativistic combination of velocities, Wigner rotation, and Thomas precession

The purpose of this paper is to provide an elementary introduction to the qualitative and quantitative results of velocity combination in special relativity, including the Wigner rotation and Thomas precession. We utilize only the most familiar tools of special relativity, in arguments presented at three differing levels: (1) utterly elementary, which will suit a first course in relativity; (2) intermediate, to suit a second course; and (3) advanced, to suit higher level students. We then give a summary of useful results, and suggest further reading in this often obscure field.Comment: V1: 25 pages, 6 figures; V2: 22 pages, 5 figures. The revised version is shortened and the arguments streamlined. Minor changes in notation and figures. This version matches the published versio

Auto-adaptive statistical signal processing systems for magnetic sensors

Issued as final reportBrainlike Surveillance Inc

Sustainable Options for Division Street

To reflect the Division Vision Coalition\u27s (DVC) desire to promote neighborhood livability through sustainable development, Team Urbanics offered a series of community workshops in May 2004 that explored the concepts of sustainable development. The goals of the Sustainable Options for Division Street workshops were to: Provide DVC with an educational tool that enhances the public’s awareness of sustainable development options Encourage public participation in upcoming redevelopment planning efforts Promote sustainable practices, including environmental protection, economic development, and social equity, and Create a forum for civil discourse, for neighbors to meet neighbors, and for people to learn new things about their community. This project was conducted under the supervision of Deborah Howe, Barry Messer, and Ethan Seltzer

A Microsatellite Space Guard Force

The microsatellites now under development will be capable of a variety of inspection, surveillance, servicing, and propulsion services. As the military and commercial importance of space increases, a practical near-term use of this technology will be to provide the kind of services in space that the U.S. Coast Guard provides on Earth. The Coast Guard provides the U.S. coastal waters with law enforcement, search and rescue, safety inspection, and a myriad of other services. All these services are needed in the near-Earth region as well, and will become more critical as thousands of additional satellites are launched. A Space Guard constellation of micro satellites would use the technology being developed under the XSS-10, Mightysat, and other programs to provide similar services, beginning with low Earth orbit (LEO). Space Guard satellites could evaluate damaged satellites, enforce treaties by inspection, monitor traffic in key orbits, and report collision hazards, If needed, microsats could attach thrusters or tether packages to move or deorbit a disabled satellite. While an independent agency or international consortium could eventually operate the Guard, its initial deployment would most likely be under U.S. Space Command. This paper assesses the requirements and technology involved in the Space Guard proposal, along with possible operational structures and initial cost estimates. The Space Guard concept is a vital one. Microsatellites are the most affordable and effective way to put it into practice

Effects of Local Weather Variation on Water-column Stratification and Hypoxia in the Western, Sandusky, and Central Basins of Lake Erie

Hypoxia, low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations (<2 mg/L), has been a major issue in Lake Erie for decades. While much emphasis has been placed on biological factors, particularly algal blooms, contributing to hypolimnetic oxygen depletion, there has been little focus on the role of weather. For this study, we monitored water temperature and DO concentrations at sites in the western, central, and Sandusky basins in Lake Erie during June and July 2010–2012. We then compared trends in stratification and DO concentrations to weather patterns during that period. We found that during those three years, there was significant variation in weather patterns, particularly decreased ice coverage and increased storm events in 2012. These weather patterns corresponded to 2012 having the warmest water temperatures, some of the lowest DO concentrations, and a deeper and thinner hypolimnion (especially in the central basin) than the previous years. We found a relationship between weather and hypoxia, providing further evidence for why these basins are susceptible to low DO conditions during summer months. The role of weather in hypoxia is another indication that the lake is vulnerable to effects of climate change and should be considered in management strategies

The Grizzly, February 19, 1988

Presidents View Pledging • Rutgers Tragedy Twofold • Village Recognized • Patterns Campaign Nears Completion • Christians Observe Lenten Season • Letters: Alumna Voices Dismay with Greeks; Where Were the Concerned Faculty? • Hats Off to the Men • Kane Announces Regulations • Air Band Explodes! • Priceless Art Displayed • Coach Angelos: We are Hungry!! • Women Vie for MAC Berth • Wrestlers Seesaw in Matches • Track all Set for the MAC\u27s • Women Runners Get Psyched for the MAC Championships • Aquabears Discover Their Match in Last Week\u27s Meet • Myrin Works to Modernize • Ward to Perform • Theater Group Presents the Zanyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1205/thumbnail.jp

Bim as an enabler for digital transformation

Organisations all over the world are increasingly becoming digitally enabled, including infrastructure providers and are looking to use this new found a digital way of working to transform the organisation into a more lean, efficient and productive organisation. Digital transformation is not exclusively about digital technology but the fact that technology, which is digital, will enable the organisation to create greater informed decisions around there current and future challenges, objectives and strategy. While many organisations are currently going through a digital transformation process, there are challenges in demonstrating the value of such a transformation process to the broader organisation. This is partly due to the fact that for digital transformation to be successful it must encompass all of the organisation, including traditional business processes and functions that are not prone to change. Furthermore, it can be witnessed that digital transformation is not purely a technical solution but is also an organisational cultural change, one that allows for an agile approach to working and one that acknowledges failure in a positive perspective. A framework is proposed in this paper that utilises the BIM information management processes and adopts them into a digital transformation process. The framework aims to not look at BIM within individual lifecycle stages, but the full adoption of BIM between all the lifecycles stages. Furthermore, it will support the full organisational adoption of BIM within all organisational functions such as risk management, customer reengagement, fiscal management, resource management, ETC. finally, the framework will enable the culture to change requirements by providing a collaborative and transparent environment to digital transformation

SelfPub 2.0

The self-publishing revolution has created a drastic increase in the number or works being published in the social sciences and humanities. This windfall of content has created an abundance that can be overwhelming, but it ultimately presents an opportunity for libraries to develop deeper and more unique collections. The preconference at the 2013 Charleston Conference focused on several interrelated topics in the self-publishing world: navigating the abundance of self-published material, libraries’ adoption of the role of publisher, vendor perspectives on self-published content and plans for the future, issues in humanities and social science acquisitions of self-published works, and an agent’s perspective on how self-publishing fits into the traditional publishing world. Speakers include librarians, publishers, vendors, and academics involved with a number of projects and efforts to pioneer this emerging field