An RF Plasma Thruster for Use in Small Satellites

New England Space Works is developing an RF plasma thruster for use in small satellites. The RF plasma thruster is an excellent choice for small satellites because it is compact, low power, and does not require high voltages to operate. Specific impulse can be varied over a range of 1500- 3000 seconds. Electric propulsion is finally entering the spacecraft mainstream. Deep Space 1 was the first spacecraft to use an ion thruster as primary propulsion and electric propulsion is in use for north-south stationkeeping on many communications satellites. Research is active on electric propulsion for small satellites, although limited to date by the low power available. The RF plasma thruster avoids the cathode propellant losses (important at low power) of Hall and ion thrusters and is more efficient than the PPT. In addition, no voltages higher than 28 volts need be supplied to the thruster. A wide range of gas flow is acceptable, so a blowdown propellant feed is possible. A breadboard thruster has been operated over a power range of 5-50 watts

Binge eating, anxiety and depression: A study of typology and direction of prediction

The purpose of this project was to examine the relationship between binge eating, anxiety and depression

A Developmentally-Informed, Stage-Based Model of Music Therapy in Cancer Care

The physical needs of cancer patients have been documented and accounted for in various methods and theories. Some of the emotional needs of patients have been addressed as well. However, the purpose of this paper is to address the need for a music therapy model that relates developmental life stages to the needs of cancer patients. A brief literature review of physical and emotional needs of cancer patients will be presented, as well as a life-stage model of cancer in terms of Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome. Based on the existing literature, this study will develop a music therapy model targeting the various developmental life stages and examining the need for specific music therapy interventions for each stage as it relates to cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome. The results and implications of this model include a data-based method for assessment and session planning that can be adapted to individual music therapists and corresponding sessions based on existing models of development as well as patient need. In the future, further study and an expansion of this model would be beneficial to patients and music therapists alike, providing that more research is established in terms of both music therapy and cancer care

Poo-tee-weet?

Upon first reading Kurt Vonnegut\u27s Slaughterhouse-Five in a freshman literature course, I was intrigued by the little bird which chirps Poo-tee-weet? at the end. What does it mean? I wondered. What is it for? Since then I\u27ve grown up enough to know that concrete, sensible answers to questions like that are about as easy to come by as an answer to the question: What difference does it make? In attempting to provide a possible answer to these questions, this essay will explore not only the Poo-tee-weet? bird but also some of Vonnegut \u27s other birds

Experience of Dying: Concerns of Dying Patients and of Carers

Background: Terminally ill patients frequently express concerns about what dying will be like: how their bodies may change as disease progresses, how medication may alter the effect of these changes and whether and how their preferences will be respected as they become more ill.----- Methods: Thirty-six patients admitted to a hospice were interviewed and 18 carers of patients of the Palliative Care service,whohad died participated in focus groups. Thirty-three patients had advanced malignant disease, 13 were women; their mean age was 68 years (range 44–92 years).----- Results: The areas of concern consistently identified by patients were (i) privacy and autonomy, principally in regard to families, (ii) a lack of information about physical changes and medication use as death approached and (iii) the desire to shorten life, which was expressed by all patients. Carers recalled problems accessing services and support and had needed more help with practical issues such as medication timing and dose. They believed that not enough information about the patients’ illnesses had been given to them and they were insistent that carers should have information against the wishes of patients.----- Conclusion: Some of the patients’ and carers’ concerns can be readily addressed. Others, particularly access to confidential information, cannot be addressed without a realignment of professional ethical standards and community expectations. The patients’ discussions of their desire to shorten life may have implications for the debate on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide