System design of the Pioneer Venus spacecraft. Volume 7: Communication subsystem studies

Communications subsystem tradeoffs were undertaken to establish a low cost and low weight design consistent with the mission requirements. Because of the weight constraint of the Thor/Delta launched configuration, minimum weight was emphasized in determining the Thor/Delta design. In contrast, because of the greatly relaxed weight constraint of the Atlas/Centaur launched configuration, minimum cost and off the shelf hardware were emphasized and the attendant weight penalities accepted. Communication subsystem hardware elements identified for study included probe and bus antennas (CM-6, CM-17), power amplifiers (CM-10), and the large probe transponder and small probe stable oscillator required for doppler tracking (CM-11, CM-16). In addition, particular hardware problems associated with the probe high temperature and high-g environment were investigated (CM-7)

Managing student expectations online

In contrast to other studies of students in online environments, which examine the skills and attitudes that students bring to an online university learning environment, we are interested in the expectations with which students come to online university study. Four expectational barriers, which arise from students&rsquo; background and cultural history, are identified as being: who is responsible for learning, who is responsible for student interaction with content, who is responsible for the use of appropriate learning strategies and who is responsible for required ancillary skills. There is a discussion of how these barriers arise and how one might attempt to manage the students&rsquo; expectations and ameliorate their effects.<br /

Issues and Problems in Conducting Sensitive Research: A Case of HIV/AIDS in Nepal

The main aim of this paper is to explore the issues and problems along with possible solutions to conduct sensitive research, specifically research related to HIV/AIDS in Nepal. This paper is based on observation, information and experience obtained during research entitled, “The Economic Burden of HIV/AIDS upon Households in Nepal’ and literature reviews. There are many issues and problems in conducting sensitive research. Major issues and problems are adherence to research ethics, use of research design and sampling, and recruitment of respondents in research. The paper concluded that research on sensitive topics like HIV/AIDS is very challenging and researchers need to strictly follow ethical procedures. Maintenance of anonymity and confidentiality are the key factors for encouraging participants to become involved in such sensitive research. Similarly, a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods help to understand the complex situations encountered during sensitive research. A non-probability sampling method is preferred over other methods of sampling in such research because there is often a problem of establishing a sampling frame in populations. Similarly, support from staff from government hospitals and NGOs is crucial if people living with HIV/AIDS are to be involved in the research. The issue of incentives is a highly discussed topic in sensitive research. But, it has been concluded that incentives especially in the monetary form should not be provided in order to avoid response bias and ethical conflicts

Economic Burden of HIV/AIDS upon Households in Nepal: A Critical Review

Thousands of people are infected with HIV/AIDS in Nepal and most of them are adults of working age. Therefore, HIV/AIDS is a big burden in Nepal. This review was conducted to find the existing knowledge gap about the economic burden of HIV/AIDS at the household level in Nepal, the extent of economic burden exerted by the disease, and to provide policy recommendations. It is concluded that there was a considerable knowledge gap about the issue, and the economic burden exerted by HIV/AIDS was big enough to push the affected households into poverty. It is suggested that more studies need to be conducted to fill the knowledge gap. Similarly, Government of Nepal and other organisations working in the field of HIV/AIDS need to provide economic supports (e.g.- support for travel costs) to the HIV positive people and need to increase the awareness level among general population for reducing stigma and discrimination, and reducing economic burden on them

Structured development of an asynchronous forth processor using trace theory

This thesis examines the use of a structured design methodology in the design of asynchronous circuits so that high level constructs can be specified purely in terms of signal exchanges and without the intrusion of lower level concepts. Trace theory is used to specify a multi-processor Forth machine at a high level then part of the design is further elaborated using trace theory operations to (insure that the behaviours of the lower level constructs will combine to give the high level specified behaviour without locking or other hazards. A novel form of threaded language to take advantage of the machine architecture is developed. At suitable points the design is tested by simulation. The stack element which is designed is reduced to an electric circuit which is itself tested by simulation to verify the design