Upper Atmosphere Data Program (UADP)

Rapid, effective access to the increasing volume of information on stratospheric trace gases, both from measurements and model calculations, is important in advancing our knowledge of the Earth's atmosphere. The data have their origins in a variety of sources, ranging from satellite experiments and 2-D model predictions to individual balloon measurements, and are found in a variety of locations and formats. This task focuses on development and operation of an electronic data base for such trace gas data. The objectives are to provide effective access to these diverse data sets; to foster electronic data access, manipulation, and display; and to support periodic assessment and intercomparison activities

Multiple Mobile Robots Controlled by Artificial Neural Networks

Multiple small mobile robots have been created that were controlled by individual artificial neural networks. Each mobile robot was self-contained and capable of independent actions, as determined by the on-board artificial neural network. Information about the environment was collected from sensors mounted on each individual mobile robot chassis. Different sensors were available that were capable of providing information about different aspects of the environment. Currently there were sensors for detecting and following a black line as well as short range distance sensors for detecting and interacting with objects and other mobile robots. The artificial neural networks on the individual mobile robots were all provided with the same training data and a standard back-propagation training algorithm was used. However the randomised component of training the artificial neural networks did mean that there could have been subtle differences in the responses of individual mobile robots to the same sensor data. This effect was eliminated when needed by using an off-line training process and programming all the mobile robots with the same trained ANN. The small group of mobile robots was used to investigate two simple aspects of swarm behaviour; that of flocking and also of follow-my-leader, which are examples where the swarm appeared to operate with more intelligence than the individual members

Modelling of M82 and NGC7714 star burst cores using x-ray emitting objects

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Physics, 1982.MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND SCIENCEBibliography: leaves 29-30.by Rupert LaWendell Seals.M.S

Introduction of Structural Health Monitoring to Civil Engineering Education

This paper describes the development of a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Education Unit; its initial implementation and assessment at Louisiana State University (LSU) and the University of Louisiana- Lafayette (UL-Lafayette) during the 2016-17 Academic Year; and its subsequent re- implementation and assessment during the 2017-18 Academic Year at these institutions plus its initial implementation at four partner institutions Case Western Reserve University, Tuskegee University, University of North Florida and Virginia Tech. The SHM Education Unit encompasses the Fundamentals Education Subunit and the Applications Education Subunit. The Fundamentals Education Subunit consists of an introductory and four content online modules whereas the Applications Education Subunit consists of two content online modules, a SHM system design/evaluation module and a SHM instrumentation model demonstration. Using a pedagogical model developed during the project, the former Subunit is implemented in two classes of a structural analysis course whereas the latter Subunit is implemented in two classes of a reinforced concrete design course. The results of readiness tests and student assessments demonstrate the effectiveness of the content and the pedagogical model to engage students and teach SHM fundamentals and practices.Cockrell School of Engineerin

Humanoid Robots: Useful or Useless?

The potential usefulness of a humanoid robot (Robothespian) was investigated by a group of six MSc students who chose to use this system for one of their oral assignments. A variety of methodologies were used by the student ranging from treating the Robothepsian mostly as a machine to an apparently fully interactive live conversation. The humanoid robot proved to be an interesting and stimulating approach but it did have problems with the user interface used (touch screen display) and that there was only one available

Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) study of atmospheric particles

The results of analyses by ESCA (Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis) on several Nuclepore filters which were exposed during air pollution studies are presented along with correlative measurements by Neutron Activation Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Samples were exposed during air pollution studies at Norfolk, Virginia and the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). It was demonstrated that with the ESCA technique it was possible to identify the chemical (bonding) state of elements contained in the atmospheric particulate matter collected on Nuclepore filters. Sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, chlorine, alkali, and alkaline earth metal species were identified in the Norfolk samples. ESCA binding energy data for aluminum indicated that three chemically different types of aluminum are present in the launch and background samples from NASA-KSC

The Effect of Joint-Child-Custody Legislation on the Child-Support Receipt of Single Mothers

Due to the preponderance of single mothers on public assistance, delinquent child support has been a contentious political issue in the U.S. for over 30 years. We examine whether joint-child-custody reform affects the child- support receipt of single mothers. We use variation in the timing of joint-custody reforms across states to identify the effect of joint custody on the child-support receipt of single mothers. Joint-custody enactment raises the probability of receiving child support for all single mothers by six percent. However, the effect on all single mothers is driven by the effect on divorced mothers since separated and never-married mothers are unaffected by joint-custody reform. We conclude joint-custody reform confers the most benefit on divorced mothers and their children, particularly those who do not receive public assistance.child support, joint custody, child-custody laws, child-support enforcement

Optical

In this paper the structure of a community art installation is described, based around an array of tri-colour LEDs, designed to inspire and excite Learners from a number of local schools

Two-Dimensional Intercomparison of Stratospheric Models

A detailed record is provided for the examination of fundamental differences in photochemistry and transport among atmospheric models. The results of 16 different modeling groups are presented for several model experiments