LED instrument approach instruction display

A display employing light emitting diodes (LED's) was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of such displays for presenting landing and navigation information to reduce the workload of general aviation pilots during IFR flight. The display consists of a paper tape reader, digital memory, control electronics, digital latches, and LED alphanumeric displays. A presentable digital countdown clock-timer is included as part of the system to provide a convenient means of monitoring time intervals for precise flight navigation. The system is a limited capability prototype assembled to test pilot reaction to such a device under simulated IFR operation. Pilot opinion indicates that the display is helpful in reducing the IFR pilots workload when used with a runway approach plate. However, the development of a compact, low power second generation display was recommended which could present several instructions simultaneously and provide information update capability. A microprocessor-based display could fulfill these requirements

A feasibility study for advanced technology integration for general aviation

An investigation was conducted to identify candidate technologies and specific developments which offer greatest promise for improving safety, fuel efficiency, performance, and utility of general aviation airplanes. Interviews were conducted with general aviation airframe and systems manufacturers and NASA research centers. The following technologies were evaluated for use in airplane design tradeoff studies conducted during the study: avionics, aerodynamics, configurations, structures, flight controls, and propulsion. Based on industry interviews and design tradeoff studies, several recommendations were made for further high payoff research. The most attractive technologies for use by the general aviation industry appear to be advanced engines, composite materials, natural laminar flow airfoils, and advanced integrated avionics systems. The integration of these technologies in airplane design can yield significant increases in speeds, ranges, and payloads over present aircraft with 40 percent to 50 percent reductions in fuel used

A New Method to Describe Image Theory for an Imperfect Conductor

Problem statement: Modify the equations associated with image theory in order to account for perfect and imperfect conductors. Approach: A novel approach for describing the application of image theory for an imperfect conductive surface was presented. The method presented here purposely downplays the physics of how image theory was employed to account for a charge which is in the presence of an imperfect conductive surface. In turn, it adopted an approach which focused on the geometry that existed between the charged particle and surface ground. In doing so, the proposed method formulated a solution that had minimized the complexity of the original problem while providing an approximation founded upon a geometric relationship. Results: The equations derived had elicited the concept of using plane geometry to augment image theory. Conclusion: A method for evaluating image theory for the imperfect conductor had been presented. As the results had shown, the equations derived had provided an augmented approach to account for surfaces which were both perfect and imperfect

The Horizontal Electric Field Induced by a Lightning Return Stroke

Problem statement: Develop a new formula which describes the horizontal electric field induced by a lightning return stroke in contact with an imperfect conductive surface. Approach: A new method for describing the horizontal electric field induced by a lightning return stroke will be presented. The method presented here had utilized an approach which purposely downplayed the physics of how image theory was employed in the presence of an imperfect conductive surface. It did so by adopting a technique which had focused on the geometry that existed between the lightning channel and surface ground. In doing so, new expressions for surface currents had been derived. This study presented the derivation of these currents along with the horizontal electric field which transpired as a result of their usage. Results: The equation derived had elicited the concept that the channel\u27s image varies with surface conductivity. Conclusion: A method for deriving the horizontal electric field induced by a lightning return stroke had been presented. As the results had shown, once the surface conductivity began to decrease, the horizontal electric field played an increasingly more significant role

RPA approach to rotational symmetry restoration in a three-level Lipkin model

We study an extended Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model that permits a transition to a deformed phase with a broken continuous symmetry. Unlike simpler models, one sees a persistent zero-frequency Goldstone mode past the transition point into the deformed phase. We found that the RPA formula for the correlation energy provides a useful correction to the Hartree-Fock energy when the number of particle N satisfies N > 3, and becomes accurate for large N. We conclude that the RPA correlation energy formula offers a promising way to improve the Hartree-Fock energy in a systematic theory of nuclear binding energies.Comment: RevTex, 11 pages, 3 postscript figure

Solid-state turn coordinator display

A solid state turn coordinator display which employs light emitting diodes (LED's) as the display medium was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of such displays for aircraft applications. The input to the display is supplied by a fluidic inertial rate sensor used in an aircraft wing leveler system. The display is composed of the LED radial display face and the electronics necessary to address and drive the individual lines of LED's. Three levels of brightness are provided to compensate for the different amounts of ambient light present in the cockpit

The Magnetic Field Induced by a Lightning Strikes Indirect Effect Double Exponential Current Waveform

Problem statement: Develop a new formula which describes the magnetic field induced by a lightning strike\u27s indirect effect double exponential current waveform. Approach: A novel approach for developing a closed-form solution for the magnetic field from the indirect effect double exponential current waveform will be presented. In the literature, models typically employ the pulse waveform to derive the corresponding electromagnetic fields. However, given the Department of Defense (DoD) has incorporated the double exponential current waveform as part of their Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements For Systems , we felt it important to develop a solution for the magnetic field which utilized this waveform. In order to facilitate the integration required for deriving the field, Taylor series expansion was used for all variable dependent exponential terms. In many publications, the dipole and monopole techniques have been used when solving for the magnetic field. However, for this study the dipole technique was deemed the preferred method for evaluating the field. A derivation of the magnetic field will be presented along with a graphical illustration of the field\u27s distribution over time. Results: The equation presented utilized Taylor series to augment the integration required to solve for the magnetic field. Conclusion: A new method for deriving the magnetic field induced by a lightning strike\u27s indirect effect double exponential has been presented. By approximating the variable dependent exponential terms, we were able to minimize the complexity of the mathematics required to solve for the magnetic field in closed-form

Better than nothing? Patient-delivered partner therapy and partner notification for chlamydia: the views of Australian general practitioners

BACKGROUND Genital chlamydia is the most commonly notified sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia and worldwide and can have serious reproductive health outcomes. Partner notification, testing and treatment are important facets of chlamydia control. Traditional methods of partner notification are not reaching enough partners to effectively control transmission of chlamydia. Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) has been shown to improve the treatment of sexual partners. In Australia, General Practitioners (GPs) are responsible for the bulk of chlamydia testing, diagnosis, treatment and follow up. This study aimed to determine the views and practices of Australian general practitioners (GPs) in relation to partner notification and PDPT for chlamydia and explored GPs' perceptions of their patients' barriers to notifying partners of a chlamydia diagnosis. METHODS In-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 40 general practitioners (GPs) from rural, regional and urban Australia from November 2006 to March 2007. Topics covered: GPs' current practice and views about partner notification, perceived barriers and useful supports, previous use of and views regarding PDPT.Transcripts were imported into NVivo7 and subjected to thematic analysis. Data saturation was reached after 32 interviews had been completed. RESULTS Perceived barriers to patients telling partners (patient referral) included: stigma; age and cultural background; casual or long-term relationship, ongoing relationship or not. Barriers to GPs undertaking partner notification (provider referral) included: lack of time and staff; lack of contact details; uncertainty about the legality of contacting partners and whether this constitutes breach of patient confidentiality; and feeling both personally uncomfortable and inadequately trained to contact someone who is not their patient. GPs were divided on the use of PDPT--many felt concerned that it is not best clinical practice but many also felt that it is better than nothing.GPs identified the following factors which they considered would facilitate partner notification: clear clinical guidelines; a legal framework around partner notification; a formal chlamydia screening program; financial incentives; education and practical support for health professionals, and raising awareness of chlamydia in the community, in particular amongst young people. CONCLUSIONS GPs reported some partners do not seek medical treatment even after they are notified of being a sexual contact of a patient with chlamydia. More routine use of PDPT may help address this issue however GPs in this study had negative attitudes to the use of PDPT. Appropriate guidelines and legislation may make the use of PDPT more acceptable to Australian GPs.The Australian Federal Government Department of Health and Ageing Chlamydia Pilot Program of Targeted Grants funded the study

Telling partners about chlamydia: how acceptable are the new technologies?

BACKGROUND Partner notification is accepted as a vital component in the control of chlamydia. However, in reality, many sexual partners of individuals diagnosed with chlamydia are never informed of their risk. The newer technologies of email and SMS have been used as a means of improving partner notification rates. This study explored the use and acceptability of different partner notification methods to help inform the development of strategies and resources to increase the number of partners notified. METHODS Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 40 people who were recently diagnosed with chlamydia from three sexual health centres and two general practices across three Australian jurisdictions. RESULTS Most participants chose to contact their partners either in person (56%) or by phone (44%). Only 17% chose email or SMS. Participants viewed face-to-face as the "gold standard" in partner notification because it demonstrated caring, respect and courage. Telephone contact, while considered insensitive by some, was often valued because it was quick, convenient and less confronting. Email was often seen as less personal while SMS was generally considered the least acceptable method for telling partners. There was also concern that emails and SMS could be misunderstood, not taken seriously or shown to others. Despite these, email and SMS were seen to be appropriate and useful in some circumstances. Letters, both from the patients or from their doctor, were viewed more favourably but were seldom used. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that many people diagnosed with chlamydia are reluctant to use the new technologies for partner notification, except in specific circumstances, and our efforts in developing partner notification resources may best be focused on giving patients the skills and confidence for personal interaction.The study was funded by the Australian Federal Government Department of Health and Ageing Chlamydia Pilot Program of Targeted Grants