Improving Academic Performance Through the Enhancement of Teacher/Student Relationships: The Relationship Teaching Model

The authors present their case for the development of strong and appropriate relationships with students as a key for success in college teaching. The model of Relationship Teaching includes a wide and varied agenda of techniques and commitments with which to strengthen the interpersonal relationships present in the educational environment

Biology and Management of the American Shad and Status of the Fisheries, Atlantic Coast of the United States, 1960

This paper summarizes current information on the American shad, Alosa sapidissima, and describes the species and its fishery. Emphasis is placed on (1) life history of the fish, (2) condition of the fishery by State and water areas in 1960 compared to 1896 when the last comprehensive description was made, (3) factors responsible for decline in abundance, and (4) management measures. The shad fishery has changed little over the past three-quarters of a century, except in magnitude of yield. Types of shad-fishing gear have remained relatively unchanged, but many improvements have been made in fishing techniques, mostly to achieve economy. In 1896 the estimated catch was more than 50 million pounds. New Jersey ranked first in production with about 14 million pounds, and Virginia second with 11 million pounds. In 1960 the estimated catch was slightly more than 8 million pounds. Maryland ranked first in production with slightly more than 1.5 million pounds, Virginia second with slightly less than 1.4 million pounds, and North Carolina third with about 1.3 million pounds. Biological and economic factors blamed for the decline in shad abundance, such as physical changes in the environment, construction of dams, pollution, over-fishing, and natural cycles of abundance, are discussed. Also discussed are methods used for the rehabilitation and management of the fishery, such as artificial propagation, installation of fish-passage facilities at impoundments, and fishing regulations. With our present knowledge, we can manage individual shad populations; but, we probably cannot restore the shad to its former peak of abundance

Advanced Practices for Statistically Determining Flaw Detection Limits

For nondestructive examination (NDE) methods, the most common question asked is “What is the smallest flaw detectable?” While common, this has traditionally been of less importance than the largest flaw that might be missed. It is also important to ask “How often is the technique likely to detect a flaw that isn’t really there?” The rejection of sound parts results in needless investigations, rework and expense. Advances in manufacturing techniques and the ever present desire for lighter, higher performing structures have resulted in components that frequently test and occasionally exceed the detection limits of NDE methods. It is the job of engineers, chemists, and scientists to continuously push the boundaries materials and structural designs. It follows that inspectors and statisticians, whose work establishes NDE method detection limits, must also push the boundaries of existing and developing inspection systems, and take additional rigor in assuring the accuracy of their analyses. Because of this, NASA is reexamining Probability of Detection (POD) methodologies the Agency helped pioneer in the late 1970’s in a multi-Center project supported by the NDE Program, NASA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA). Methods in use within the Agency [1] and international community include the Full POD method described in MIL-HDBK-1823A [2] and Point Estimate methods [3]. The procedural recommendations of the handbook provide excellent guidance. However, result inconsistencies in the software developed to support Full POD methods has raised concerns regarding configuration control, the underlying proof property of analysis methods, and overall software validation [4]. An alternate method relying on the statistical confidence of flaw size regions has been developed by NASA under the guidance of the following key subject matter experts: Dr. Bill Vesely, Technical Discipline Manager for Technical Risk Assessment and Statistical Analysis Head Statistician; Floyd Spencer, NDT statistician with 37+ years in the industry recommended by NESC Statistician Ken Johnson; Bill Meeker, Professor of Statistics at Iowa State University; and Edward Generazio, Delegated Program Manager for the OSMA NDE Program. The analysis approach developed has been approved by one of the founders of POD, Ward Rummel. Over the life of this project, proof-property validated analysis methodology [5] and Excel algorithms (DOEPOD) [6], an updated analysis [7] of historic data [8] NASA uses to establish detection limits, new method demonstration samples, and volumes of NDE inspection data have been produced. Current efforts [9] focus on completing analyses of 800+ method demonstration samples, updating procedures, and developing a validated, secure, web-based, agency-wide analysis and archival tool for POD data. The resulting DOEPOD software produced by this effort is available from NASA by contacting Kathy A. Dezern (757.864.5704, [email protected])