Abundances and Kinematics of Field Halo and Disk Stars I: Observational Data and Abundance Analysis

We describe observations and abundance analysis of a high-resolution, high-S/N survey of 168 stars, most of which are metal-poor dwarfs. We follow a self-consistent LTE analysis technique to determine the stellar parameters and abundances, and estimate the effects of random and systematic uncertainties on the resulting abundances. Element-to-iron ratios are derived for key alpha, odd, Fe-peak, r- and s-process elements. Effects of Non-LTE on the analysis of Fe I lines are shown to be very small on the average. Spectroscopically determined surface gravities are derived that are generally close to those obtained from Hipparcos parallaxes.Comment: 41 pages, 7 Postscript figures. Accepted for publication in the A

Staff development and quality enhancement in higher education.

My work seeks to address the contribution of SD to enhancement of quality in HE. I have sought to explore a cluster of research questions in this area, the focus varying slightly over time as my roles have changed and developed, opening and closing opportunities for investigative work. The primary research questions have been: how may SD contribute to enhancing HE and what are the implications of those contributions for HE staff, HEIs, and the SD community itself? How are HE organisations and management changing and how may staff and SD professionals engage with and influence such changes? At the next level down, I have developed associated, more particular questions, for specific projects. Examples include: What are the prospects for successful re-alignment of enhancement bodies, including the main one for SD? What strategies have been developed to enhance the contribution of PTT? Are they well founded and influential? How far do they meet the needs of stakeholders, including PTT themselves

Abundances of Baade's Window Giants from Keck/HIRES Spectra: I. Stellar Parameters and [Fe/H] Values

We present the first results of a new abundance survey of the Milky Way bulge based on Keck/HIRES spectra of 27 K-giants in the Baade's Window ($l = 1$, $b = -4$) field. The spectral data used in this study are of much higher resolution and signal-to-noise than previous optical studies of Galactic bulge stars. The [Fe/H] values of our stars, which range between -1.29 and $+0.51$, were used to recalibrate large low resolution surveys of bulge stars. Our best value for the mean [Fe/H] of the bulge is $-0.10 \pm 0.04$. This mean value is similar to the mean metallicity of the local disk and indicates that there cannot be a strong metallicity gradient inside the solar circle. The metallicity distribution of stars confirms that the bulge does not suffer from the so-called ``G-dwarf'' problem. This paper also details the new abundance techniques necessary to analyze very metal-rich K-giants, including a new Fe line list and regions of low blanketing for continuum identification.Comment: Accepted for publication in January 2006 Astrophysical Journal. Long tables 3--6 withheld to save space (electronic tables in journal paper). 53 pages, 10 figures, 9 table

Space Shuttle booster thrust imbalance analysis

An analysis of the Shuttle SRM thrust imbalance during the steady-state and tailoff portions of the boost phase of flight are presented. Results from flights STS-1 through STS-13 are included. A statistical analysis of the observed thrust imbalance data is presented. A 3 sigma thrust imbalance history versus time was generated from the observed data and is compared to the vehicle design requirements. The effect on Shuttle thrust imbalance from the use of replacement SRM segments is predicted. Comparisons of observed thrust imbalances with respect to predicted imbalances are presented for the two space shuttle flights which used replacement aft segments (STS-9 and STS-13)

Automated Firearms Identification System (AFIDS), phase 1

Items critical to the future development of an automated firearms identification system (AFIDS) have been examined, with the following specific results: (1) Types of objective data, that can be utilized to help establish a more factual basis for determining identity and nonidentity between pairs of fired bullets, have been identified. (2) A simulation study has indicated that randomly produced lines, similar in nature to the individual striations on a fired bullet, can be modeled and that random sequences, when compared to each other, have predictable relationships. (3) A schematic diagram of the general concept for AFIDS has been developed and individual elements of this system have been briefly tested for feasibility. Future implementation of such a proposed system will depend on such factors as speed, utility, projected total cost and user requirements for growth. The success of the proposed system, when operational, would depend heavily on existing firearms examiners

Abundances in Stars from the Red Giant Branch Tip to the Near Main Sequence in M71: II. Iron Abundance

We present [Ffe/H] abundance results that involve a sample of stars with a wide range in luminosity from luminous giants to stars near the turnoff in a globular cluster. Our sample of 25 stars in M71 includes 10 giant stars more luminous than the RHB, 3 horizontal branch stars, 9 giant stars less luminous than the RHB, and 3 stars near the turnoff. We analyzed both Fe I and Fe II lines in high dispersion spectra observed with HIRES at the W. M. Keck Observatory. We find that the [Fe/H] abundances from both Fe I and Fe II lines agree with each other and with earlier determinations. Also the [Fe/H] obtained from Fe I and Fe II lines is constant within the rather small uncertainties for this group of stars over the full range in Teff and luminosity, suggesting that NLTE effects are negligible in our iron abundance determination. In this globular cluster, there is no difference among the mean [Fe/H] of giant stars located at or above the RHB, RHB stars, giant stars located below the RHB and stars near the turnoff.Comment: Minor changes to conform to version accepted for publication, with several new figures (Paper 2 of a pair

Trophic classification of selected Colorado lakes

Multispectral scanner data, acquired over several Colorado lakes using LANDSAT-1 and aircraft, were used in conjunction with contact-sensed water quality data to determine the feasibility of assessing lacustrine trophic levels. A trophic state index was developed using contact-sensed data for several trophic indicators. Relationships between the digitally processed multispectral scanner data, several trophic indicators, and the trophic index were examined using a supervised multispectral classification technique and regression techniques. Statistically significant correlations exist between spectral bands, several of the trophic indicators and the trophic state index. Color-coded photomaps were generated which depict the spectral aspects of trophic state

Elemental Abundance Ratios in Stars of the Outer Galactic Disk. II. Field Red Giants

We summarize a selection process to identify red giants in the direction of the southern warp of the Galactic disk, employing VI_C photometry and multi-object spectroscopy. We also present results from follow-up high-resolution, high-S/N echelle spectroscopy of three field red giants, finding [Fe/H] values of about -0.5. The field stars, with Galactocentric distances estimated at 10 to 15 kpc, support the conclusion of Yong, Carney, & de Almeida (2005) that the Galactic metallicity gradient disappears beyond R_GC values of 10 to 12 kpc for the older stars and clusters of the outer disk. The field and cluster stars at such large distances show very similar abundance patterns, and, in particular, all show enhancements of the "alpha" elements O, Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti and the r-process element Eu. These results suggest that Type II supernovae have been significant contributors to star formation in the outer disk relative to Type Ia supernovae within the past few Gyrs. We also compare our results with those available for much younger objects. The limited results for the H II regions and B stars in the outer disk also suggest that the radial metallicity gradient in the outer disk is shallow or absent. The much more extensive results for Cepheids confirm these trends, and that the change in slope of the metallicity gradient may occur at a larger Galactocentric distance than for the older stars and clusters. However, the younger stars also show rising alpha element enhancements with increasing R_GC, at least beyond 12 kpc. These trends are consistent with the idea of a progressive growth in the size of the Galactic disk with time, and episodic enrichment by Type II supernovae as part of the disk's growth. [Abridged]Comment: Accepted for publication in A