The style files: prefer active writing to passive

[Summary]: Avoid passive phrases such as most “was” or “is” verbs. How? Attribute action to people or methods

The style files: write what you mean

'The only proper attitude is to look upon a successful interpretation, a correct understanding, as a triumph against the odds. We must cease to regard a misinterpretation as a mere unlucky accident. We must treat it as the normal and probable event.' [Practical Criticism, I.A. Richards (1929)

Business Aviation: Utilization, Benefits, and Value

In this study, I compare the performance of U.S. companies that use their own aviation transportation for business purposes (users) and those that use commercial transportation (non-users). I conduct qualitative analysis by interviewing CEOs and CFOs of various companies that are both users and non-users. Interviews of CEO’s and CFO’s coupled with numerical evidence are considered to determine advantages or disadvantages of business aviation. Data from the S&P 500 is used to calculate and provide explanation of how using business aviation affects the firms value, profitability, and asset utilization. Using both CAPM and Fama-French Three Factor model, I assess the expected returns of firms who are users compared to those who are not. Findings suggest that users have a competitive edge relative to non-users. I am able to conclude that business aviation is a tool and asset in assisting firms to run more efficient and maintain better relationships with clients. Firms who utilize business aviation receive many benefits while providing value to shareholders

Predicting off-site deposition of spray drift from horticultural spraying through porous barriers on soil and plant surfaces

New Zealand is a recognised leader in horticultural practices which include the use of boundary shelterbelts around orchards. These shelterbelts were primarily established to provide protection to the crop but are also an effective means of ameliorating agrichemical spray drift that may arise from the crop production area. Shelterbelt structure ranges from large trees (ranging from broad leaf to needle in structure) to hedgerows and artificial netting. The efficiency of the shelterbelt in capturing spray drift is known to depend on factors such as spray drift droplet size, wind velocity and the vegetation structure. However more specific information and models are required to define the capture efficiency to form part of a comprehensive spray drift management system

Accurate macroscale modelling of spatial dynamics in multiple dimensions

Developments in dynamical systems theory provides new support for the macroscale modelling of pdes and other microscale systems such as Lattice Boltzmann, Monte Carlo or Molecular Dynamics simulators. By systematically resolving subgrid microscale dynamics the dynamical systems approach constructs accurate closures of macroscale discretisations of the microscale system. Here we specifically explore reaction-diffusion problems in two spatial dimensions as a prototype of generic systems in multiple dimensions. Our approach unifies into one the modelling of systems by a type of finite elements, and the `equation free' macroscale modelling of microscale simulators efficiently executing only on small patches of the spatial domain. Centre manifold theory ensures that a closed model exist on the macroscale grid, is emergent, and is systematically approximated. Dividing space either into overlapping finite elements or into spatially separated small patches, the specially crafted inter-element/patch coupling also ensures that the constructed discretisations are consistent with the microscale system/PDE to as high an order as desired. Computer algebra handles the considerable algebraic details as seen in the specific application to the Ginzburg--Landau PDE. However, higher order models in multiple dimensions require a mixed numerical and algebraic approach that is also developed. The modelling here may be straightforwardly adapted to a wide class of reaction-diffusion PDEs and lattice equations in multiple space dimensions. When applied to patches of microscopic simulations our coupling conditions promise efficient macroscale simulation.Comment: some figures with 3D interaction when viewed in Acrobat Reader. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:0904.085

High-Fidelity Down-Conversion Source for Secure Communications Using On-Demand Single Photons

AdvR, Inc., has built an efficient, fully integrated, waveguide-based source of spectrally uncorrelated photon pairs that will accelerate research and development (R&D) in the emerging field of quantum information science. Key to the innovation is the use of submicron periodically poled waveguides to produce counter propagating photon pairs, which is enabled by AdvR's patented segmented microelectrode poling technique. This novel device will provide a high brightness source of down-conversion pairs with enhanced spectral properties and low attenuation, and it will operate in the visible to the mid-infrared spectral region. A waveguide-based source of spectrally and spatially pure heralded photons will contribute to a wide range of NASA's advanced technology development efforts, including on-demand single photon sources for high-rate spaced-based secure communications

Perceptions of the Achievement Gap as Experienced Among Academically Proficient to High-achieving African American Adolescents in the Rural Southeastern United States: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe how the achievement gap is perceived as a lived experience by African American adolescents in a southeastern United States school district. The perception of the achievement gap as a lived experience among African American adolescents is generally defined as the meaning this group ascribes to their lived experience in the academic achievement gap. The theory guiding this study was Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory. Vygotsky theorized that sociocultural learning precedes cognitive development; therefore, African American adolescents’ sociocultural awareness of the gap, or the meaning or lack of definition in perceptions of the academic achievement gap, would then precede their abilities to make developmental strides to close the achievement gap. Following a purposeful sample, data collection consisted of a 1-hour individual interview with each adolescent participant encompassing questions designed to probe their academic experiences. The second interview was also 1 hour, conducted collectively as a focus group interview. Both the individual interviews and the focus group interview were recorded and subsequently transcribed verbatim. Participants journaled their thoughts throughout the data collection phase. Data were then analyzed by describing as well as coding to organize and classify information. This process served to identify categories and themes from the research. Interviews were coded to highlight significant statements and identify themes. Trustworthiness was confirmed by lucid descriptions as well as clarification of subjects’ statements