Multiculturalism and Its Discontents

Catharine R. Stimpson is University Professor at Rutgers University and Director of the MacArthur Fellows Program. This talk was presented at Sacred Heart University on October 4, 1993. A version recently appeared in Impact: Journal of OPENMIND (Fall, 1993), 65-76

Fundamental Studies Relating to Systems Analysis of Solid Propellants

In this report the groundwork is laid for the proposed work scope which stressed the need for a greater understanding of the solid mechanics of grains. Particular emphasis will be directed toward the multi-axial behavior of thick walled configurations. The work falls naturally into three areas; (1) analysis procedures, (2) material properties, and (3) failure criteria. As a necessary preliminary to treating specific designs, certain material of general applicability must be developed, collected, and summarized. The following sections therefore deal with a general description of viscoelastic analysis and material representation, discussed by contrast with more conventional engineering analysis. By this means a background is established for the collection of elastic design formulas which are included in the second section of the report

Electrical resistivity tomography array comparisons to detect cleared-wall foundations in brownfield sites

Electrical resistivity surveys are commonly used to detect and characterise near-surface buried objects in commercial developments of brownfield sites. 2D ERT profiles arrays predominate in such surveys due to their relatively rapid deployment, good penetration depths and fast data collection rates. However, there is a need to test the optimum array types in such surveys. A scaled-model was used to simulate a large cleared-building wall foundation at a test facility, before multiple 2D ERT profiles were acquired using different array configurations. Results were used to generate 2D resistivity models using both least-square smoothness-constraint and robust inversion. 2D profile array comparisons showed that the Wenner and dipole-dipole arrays were the best in detecting the cleared-wall foundation, although dipole-dipole arrays better delineated the top of the wall foundation. This study suggests that both Wenner and dipole-dipole array configurations should be utilised to detect buried wall foundations for 2D resistivity surveys

Experience with fluorine and its safe use as a propellant

The industrial and the propulsion experience with fluorine and its derivatives is surveyed. The hazardous qualities of fluorine and safe handling procedures for the substance are emphasized. Procedures which fulfill the safety requirements during ground operations for handling fluorinated propulsion systems are discussed. Procedures to be implemented for use onboard the Space Transportation System are included

Writing It All down: An Overview of the Second NWSA Convention

Few conventions about education have either much cheer or tenderness. Those of the National Women\u27s Studies Association do. In this, too, NWSA is unusual. One of the many good events at the 1980 Convention at Indiana University in Bloomington was a workshop that Frances Doughty of the National Gay Task Force gave. She used letters, photographs, and other archival remnants to portray a lesbian friendship group, women who were either friends or lovers for thirty years. The audience touched its past with blissful curiosity. Then Doughty told a story about a famous member of the group: Janet Flanner, the writer. Shortly before her death, someone asked Flanner if she had any messages for the next generation. Write it all down, Flanner answered, Write it all down. Throughout the NWSA Convention, people were, if unknowingly, obeying Flanner\u27s command. Many of the approximately 1,500 participants were keeping notebooks, journals, diaries, or their technological equivalents: photographs and tapes. It rained consistently in Bloomington from May 16 to 20. People who walked or jogged around the campus returned to their rooms with shoes or sneakers squelching. Recording events, codifying time, was almost as common an experience as being wet

Fundamental Studies Relating to Systems Analysis of Solid Propellants

The earlier progress reports presented some essentials of model representation and a summary of some elastic solutions as preliminary material for viscoelastic analyses of solid propellants under various loading conditions. The present report is a continuation of the above with a brief section on Thermal Distributions, a section called Engineering Analysis, and one on Failure Criteria. The thermal distributions, obtained from heat transfer theory, are required for the thermoelastic formulations of section II. The Engineering Analysis section includes several varied examples to assist in understanding the analysis techniques presented in the other sections. The final section relates to mechanical failure of propellants and presents some preliminary thoughts as to how the study of this important problem area will be conducted

An interstellar precursor mission

A mission out of the planetary system, with launch about the year 2000, could provide valuable scientific data as well as test some of the technology for a later mission to another star. Primary scientific objectives for the precursor mission concern characteristics of the heliopause, the interstellar medium, stellar distances (by parallax measurements), low energy cosmic rays, interplanetary gas distribution, and mass of the solar system. Secondary objectives include investigation of Pluto. Candidate science instruments are suggested. Individual spacecraft systems for the mission were considered, technology requirements and problem areas noted, and a number of recommendations made for technology study and advanced development. The most critical technology needs include attainment of 50-yr spacecraft lifetime and development of a long-life NEP system

Fundamental Studies Relating to Systems Analysis of Solid Propellants

As in the previous progress reports, the contents in this report have been categorized so as to present a clear picture of their role in contributing to the problem of mechanical failure analysis. The subject of material representation by mechanical failure analysis. The subject of material representation by mechanical models is discussed in Section I, while Section II contains additions to the subject of Elastic Solutions for cylinders. The Engineering Analysis section includes an example of the strain response of an internal star grain to pressure. A damped sinusoid has been assumed for the pressure rise, and the use of stress concentration factors for a star grain is demonstrated. Section V on failure includes some preliminary test results which indicate the feasibility of the cumulative damage concept for composite (polyurethane) propellants, at least in the limited range tested. Recommendations are given which would expand this testing to show how damage accumulates under other conditions such as low temperatures, high strain-rates and with other types of propellant