Meteoroid detector

A meteoroid detector is described which uses, a cold cathode discharge tube with a gas-pressurized cell in space for recording a meteoroid puncture of the cell and for determining the size of the puncture

Doing evolution in economic geography

Evolutionary approaches in economic geography face questions about the relationships between their concepts, theories, methods, politics, and policy implications. Amidst the growing but unsettled consensus that evolutionary approaches should employ plural methodologies, the aims here are, first, to identify some of the difficult issues confronting those working with different frameworks. The concerns comprise specifying and connecting research objects, subjects, and levels; handling agency and context; engaging and integrating the quantitative and the qualitative; comparing cases; and, considering politics, policy, and praxis. Second, the purpose is to articulate a distinctive geographical political economy approach, methods, and illustrative examples in addressing these issues. Bringing different views of evolution in economic geography into dialogue and disagreement renders methodological pluralism a means toward improved understanding and explanation rather than an end in itself. Confronting such thorny matters needs to be embedded in our research practices and supported by greater openness; more and better substantiation of our conceptual, theoretical, and empirical claims; enhanced critical reflection; and deeper engagement with politics, policy, and praxis

The Influence of K-12 Christian Education on Leadership Development

Problem. Christian schools are an environment that intentionally works to bring coherence to a student’s moral and ethical development, which is a critical component of leadership development. It is then important to understand how the effect of that educational experience has carried over into the later development of leadership. However, there is very little study on the influence of Christian Kindergarten through 12th-grade education, let alone the influence of Christian education on leadership. Therefore the purpose of this study is to explore the influence of Christian education on leadership development as perceived by people in leadership positions. Research Design. This qualitative study is an initial exploration and therefore was conducted by the selection of a small purposive sample. It was conducted through the use of in-depth interviews involving the selection of individuals who are in some position of leadership and who received a Christian elementary and secondary education. The sample involved 10 individuals who were interviewed regarding their educational experiences and their perceptions about those experiences specifically related to the development of their leadership. The responses were transcribed and organized into themes to best assist with an understanding of how the combination of stories provided research data. Findings. The responses of the participants indicated that those experiences which were part of their educational background did have an influence on leadership development. As their experiences were described, they revealed four predominant themes relevant to the purpose of the study: integration of Christian worldview, influence of teachers and coaches, academic experience, and activities. The theme of “integration of Christian worldview” revealed the importance of the overall spiritual environment within the Christian school experience, but was unique in that it was also woven throughout the other three themes. Participants indicated that the establishment of their biblical worldview was excellent preparation for leadership by providing a strong background belief system that developed confidence and strength of leadership. It also helped them to be prepared to answer ethical questions and dilemmas and to appropriately challenge and question, important to shaping their character in leadership and preparing them to address problems they face today. The theme of “teachers and coaches” indicated the influence of teachers and coaches, either as a group or individually, on the development of the interviewees. The participants indicated that they learned much by what was modeled from these influential individuals, particularly in their relational methods, learning to imitate the care and example they received. They pointed to critical events and experiences that happened with teachers and coaches as turning points, or as specific life lessons, and to the importance of relationship in leadership for components such as building trust, communicating effectively, resolving conflict, impacting perceptions, and effecting change. The theme of “academic experience” reflected the importance of a strong academic program and biblical integration within that program. The participants believe that a challenging academic experience was important for developing critical thinking skills that are important to leadership. Several also suggested that they learned lessons about leadership from the academic content of courses that provided examples of leadership from people in such subject areas as history or Bible. But with regard specifically to leadership development, they placed the highest value on their Bible classes. The theme of “activities” communicated the value of involvement in a variety of activities that delivered important growth experiences for their emerging leadership. Interviewees spoke most frequently about athletic opportunities and leadership opportunities, but they also spoke of other spiritual life activities and other extracurricular activities, primarily in the areas of fine arts. They believe that often their teachers were intentional about providing these types of leadership development opportunities, even if just in a classroom setting. The findings of this study also affirmed the importance of educational experience as a life experience, which is a process and component of leadership development. Additionally, Clinton’s Leadership Emergence Theory also suggests a connection between its components and a person’s educational experience, from a broad, introductory perspective, and in components of both Phase I and Phase II of the theory, and through the identification and application of patterns, principles, and process items. Recommendations. Two important recommendations emerge from this study for Christian schools, and for Christian school administrators, in order to more effectively influence the development of leadership in students through their educational experience. First, schools and administrators should intentionally pursue the fostering of a strong relational environment. Second, schools and administrators should intentionally pursue strong biblical integration and multiple means of biblical integration throughout the overall program

Fluid Dynamic and Stability Analysis of a Thin Liquid Sheet

Interest in thin sheet flows has recently been renewed due to their potential application in space radiators. Theoretical and experimental studies of the fluid dynamics and stability of thin liquid sheet flows have been carried out in this thesis. A computer program was developed to determine the cross-sectional shape of the edge cylinder given the cross-sectional area of the edge cylinder. A stability analysis was performed on a non-planer liquid sheet. A study was conducted to determine the effects of air resistance on the sheet

Spectral radiometry and tropospheric aerosols: Report of panel

The term aerosols, as used here, refers to the haze, smoke, and dust that appear in the troposphere. The term does not refer to the hydrometeors in cumulus and stratus clouds but does include the sulfuric acid-water droplets which are assumed to predominate in the stratospheric aerosol layer. The aerosol properties that were measured from satellites and those which can be made in the near term (up to 1992) will be reviewed. The capabilities that will exist in the years 1992 to 2000, with implementation of EOS, are then discussed. Finally, a few words will be said concerning the potential for aerosol measurements for the decade after 2000

A low cost cell calibration technique and its PC based control software

In this study, a technique will be presented to measure the absolute position of a robot and any other strategic positions within the workcell, and also its specially built control software. One of the most important factors affecting the absolute or world accuracy of robots is the variation in arm geometry from a perfect kinematics form. Since arm position is essentially controlled by means of joint angles, Cartesian co-ordinates of the tool centre point are derived from the forward kinematics transform equations assuming a perfect kinematics form. Any deviation from this perfect case will result in world positional errors and hence, for effective off-line programming it is important to calibrate the real robot hardware against the virtual model used by the robot simulation computer systems. This paper will report on work carried out in developing such low cost calibration technique, its PC Based control software and performance monitoring systems

Automation of beam straightness measurement

This work deals with the development of an image processing methodology to be employed in an inspection machine for measurement of straightness of moving steel beams. The method consists of developing specific software to perform three main tasks: reading the position of the beam at several locations; correlating the data monitored by the cameras; and reporting the quality of the beam straightness. Computer vision technology as a non contact measuring system is used by the inspection machine. From the production process the beams roll onto a conveyor therefore several video cameras are needed to log information about the lateral position and also the height of the steel beams. The number of cameras and the distance between them can be defined by the user. The technique is developed in such a way that if one camera fails or is switched off the measuring system is not affected as long as the system has a minimum of three cameras viewing acceptable points. The system outputs is the deviations from a perfectly straight beam; compensating factors for lateral or angular movements in the horizontal measuring plane of the beam and the beam profile. The output is displayed on a computer screen, and is based on both linear and least squares curve fitting routines

Cell calibration and robot tracking

When considering off-line programming of Industrial robots, it is important that the simulated model of the robot and its environment is calibrated against the real hardware. It is well known that industrial robots have relatively good position repeatability characteristics but suffer from a lack of precision in terms of absolute accuracy. When programmed on-line, this is not apparent since the programmer intuitively moves the robot to location points which are relative to the workpiece and other elements within the cell. However, when considering off-line programming using simulation software to represent the robot and its environment, the absolute accuracy of the system becomes a critical issue. The effectiveness of off-line programming is only apparent if there is a true correspondence between the “virtual” simulation system and the “real” hardware system. In order to provide cell calibration, it is important to be able to measure the absolute position of the robot and other strategic locations within the cell. This paper presents details of a measuring system for recording tool point absolute positions and path trajectories. It is intended that this data is then used to improve the correlation between the simulated and the real kinematics of the robot cell