Legacies in Black and White: The Racial Composition of the Legacy Pool

Selective universities regularly employ policies that favor children of alumni (known as legacies') in undergraduate admissions. Since alumni from selective colleges and universities have, historically, been disproportionately white, admissions policies that favor legacies have disproportionately benefited white students. For this reason, legacy policies lead to additional costs in terms of reductions in racial diversity. As larger numbers of minority students graduate from colleges and universities and have children, however, the potential pool of legacy applicants will change markedly in racial composition. This analysis begins with a review of the history and objectives of the preference for children of alumni in undergraduate admissions. We then consider the specific case of the University of Virginia and employ demographic techniques to predict the racial composition of the pool of potential legacy applicants to the University. Significant changes in the racial composition of classes that graduated from the University of Virginia from the late 1960s through the 1970s foreshadow similar changes in the characteristics of alumni children maturing through the next two decades.

Using Information from Others: The Evolution and Cognition of Animal-to-Animal Information Use

This thesis analyses the circumstances under which selection will favour animals using information from others. From detecting threats to acquiring foraging techniques, effectively using information is often crucial for survival. Consequently, animals have adaptations to their psychology for using information to learn and deploy behaviours. Other animals can be mates, competitors or face similar challenges, and so others are likely to be sources of valuable information. However, cognitive systems are metabolically expensive, and attempts to use information can lead to costly errors, so disregarding information is sometimes favourable. Using information from others carries further challenges. Others may have different interests so cues are only sometimes relevant; others may also make efforts to hinder information use. Employing mathematical models, I collate conditions that select for information use from any environmental source, as well as those that relate to the special case of using information from others (both conspecifics and heterospecifics). My approach explicitly examines how traits of the animal respond to the quality of information present in the environment. Further, I highlight the role that both the sender (who produces information) and receiver (who uses information) play in animal-to-animal information use. I implement concepts from signal detection theory (statistical decision theory) to clarify the role of informational noise, reliability, errors, and trade-offs in the evolution of information use. After a General Introduction (Chapter 1), I provide three core chapters (2-4) examining animal-to-animal information use, followed by a General Discussion (Chapter 5). My core chapters are designed to stand alone and deal with distinct issues, including social learning, the philosophy of evolutionary psychology, and eavesdropping between heterospecifics. Chapter 2 provides a model that examines the coevolution of traits of the sender and receiver for social learning. I find that when sender and receiver have aligned interests, senders are selected to support receiver social learning by teaching. However, if interests are opposed, senders mask while receivers attempt to parasitise information. Chapter 3 examines the philosophical issue of how to apply evolutionary theory to psychology. I highlight the fact that evolution may often adaptively prepare learning, so cognitive abilities exist on a continuum from highly contingent on learning to innate. I argue that evolutionary conditions can help us to place cognitive abilities on this continuum, and demonstrate this for the case of imitation. Chapter 4 provides a model that examines when eavesdropping on heterospecific alarm calls is selected. Animals often get useful information from heterospecifics, including using alarm calls that warn of the presence of predators. I find that for eavesdropping to be favoured, species must be ecologically similar, and informational noise must be sufficiently low. The General Discussion (Chapter 5) collates conditions for information use (clarified by a summary model), and unifies concepts that are found to be important across the thesis. I conclude that investigating the evolution of capacities for gathering versus responding to information provides a good opportunity for future research. Further, incorporating realistic details of social dynamics remains an important task for modelling

The challenges of joint working: lessons from the Supporting People Health Pilot evaluation

Purpose: This paper reports the findings of the evaluation of the Supporting People Health Pilots programme which was established to demonstrate the policy links between housing support services and health and social care services by encouraging the development of integrated services. The paper highlights the challenges of working across housing, health and social care boundaries. <br><br> Method: The evaluation of the 6 health pilots rested on two main sources of data collection: Quarterly Project Evaluation Reports collected process data as well as reporting progress against aims and objectives. Semi-structured interviews - conducted across all key professional stakeholder groups and agencies and with people who used services - explored their experiences of these new services. <br><br> Results: The ability of pilots to work across organisational boundaries to achieve their aims and objectives was associated not only with agencies sharing an understanding of the purpose of the joint venture, a history of joint working and clear and efficient governance arrangements but on two other characteristics: the extent and nature of statutory sector participation and, whether or not the service is defined by a history of voluntary sector involvement. In particular the pilots demonstrated how voluntary sector agencies appeared to be less constrained by organisational priorities and professional agenda and more able to respond flexibly to meet the complex needs of individuals. <br><br> Conclusion and discussion: The pilots demonstrate that integrating services to support people with complex needs works best when the service is determined by the characteristics of those who use the service rather than pre-existing organisational structures

3D CFD modelling of performance of a vertical axis turbine.

Recently, wind turbine research has switched focus to vertical axis wind turbines due to the extensive research that has been performed on horizontal axis wind turbines and the potential of vertical axis wind turbines in built-up areas. This study aims to analyse the performance of a small-scale hybrid vertical axis wind turbine that can switch from functioning as a Darrieus (lift) turbine to a Savonius (drag) turbine by rotating the blades. The turbine was analysed using 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in ANSYS Fluent as the primary method, and the findings were verified using wind tunnel experiments. During the analysis, design parameters such as the blade length, diameter, and number of blades were varied to determine if the design had room for improvement. It was found that the current design of the turbine has an optimal efficiency of 12.5% in the Darrieus configuration, which was found to increase when the diameter or blade length was increased. The Savonius configuration was found to be more efficient at low tip-speed ratios (<0.14), and its efficiency could be increased by adding more blades. The experiments found similar trends to the simulations; however, the efficiencies obtained were on average a tenfold increase from the simulation. Implementing the changes that increased efficiency leads to an increased wake recovery distance, making it less suitable for use in a wind farm

Biomass burning and pollution aerosol over North America: Organic components and their influence on spectral optical properties and humidification response

Thermal analysis of aerosol size distributions provided size resolved volatility up to temperatures of 400°C during extensive flights over North America (NA) for the INTEX/ICARTT experiment in summer 2004. Biomass burning and pollution plumes identified from trace gas measurements were evaluated for their aerosol physiochemical and optical signatures. Measurements of soluble ionic mass and refractory black carbon (BC) mass, inferred from light absorption, were combined with volatility to identify organic carbon at 400°C (VolatileOC) and the residual or refractory organic carbon, RefractoryOC. This approach characterized distinct constituent mass fractions present in biomass burning and pollution plumes every 5–10 min. Biomass burning, pollution and dust aerosol could be stratified by their combined spectral scattering and absorption properties. The “nonplume” regional aerosol exhibited properties dominated by pollution characteristics near the surface and biomass burning aloft. VolatileOC included most water-soluble organic carbon. RefractoryOC dominated enhanced shortwave absorption in plumes from Alaskan and Canadian forest fires. The mass absorption efficiency of this RefractoryOC was about 0.63 m2 g−1 at 470 nm and 0.09 m2 g−1 at 530 nm. Concurrent measurements of the humidity dependence of scattering, γ, revealed the OC component to be only weakly hygroscopic resulting in a general decrease in γ with increasing OC mass fractions. Under ambient humidity conditions, the systematic relations between physiochemical properties and γ lead to a well-constrained dependency on the absorption per unit dry mass for these plume types that may be used to challenge remotely sensed and modeled optical properties

Analysing a design and technology development framework through the implementation of a prototype composite vehicle suspension system

Abstract: A uniquely configured vehicle suspension system, manufactured primarily of lightweight composite materials, is required for the University of Johannesburg’s Solar Powered race vehicle. For this design to reach successful completion, an assessment framework is needed that would scrutinise and analyse every phase of the development. Therefore, the focus is on the design and development of a prototype composite vehicle suspension system and the framework implemented to control the research and development process. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as well as Departments of Defence and Energy in the United States of America, have established a technology assessment model known as a “Technology Readiness Assessment” (TRA). The purpose of this assessment model is to identify those elements and processes of technology development that are considered critical to ensuring the intended operation of the system is reached, and ultimately that the project is a success. The Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) can be viewed as an expansion on the scientific method, with an hypothesis tested and communicated results then taken further to be implemented on a demonstration platform and final system [10]. The TRA assessment comprises of various technology readiness levels (TRL), which are an indication of the progress level or maturity of a technology element, with the TRL scale ranging from 1 (basic principles observed) through to 9 (the total system has been used successfully in project operations). Beginning with the lowest level of technology readiness (TRL 1), the problem background will be summarised, and design requirements as well as parameters formulated based on both design goals and competitive platform safety regulations for a new vehicle suspension design. This is followed by a literature review focusing on suspension, steering and braking design theory as well as advanced composites. Once the relevant theory and summarised design requirements are in place, the design concepts can be generated and finalised based on these requirements, which will allow for the eventual complete computer aided design (CAD) model of the system to be created. This constitutes a TRL 2 level assessment, with the primary deliverable being a complete CAD model and the identification of critical technology elements or “at risk” design elements that require further investigation and validation prior to their respective inclusion in the final system. These “at risk” elements will then form the basis of the experimental programme. For the various composite components required in the lightweight suspension system, the TRL 3 assessment has been modified to incorporate the development of manufacturing processes. In primarily making use of a resin infusion composite processing technique, an accurate and repeatable procedure is needed for component development and in order to create samples required for laboratory scale and relevant environmental testing. Laboratory scale testing (TRL 4) comprises of three experiments based on known ISO and ASTM standards, while relevant environmental (inservice application) experiments (TRL 5) comprises of four designed static load tests for component validation. Once the “at risk” components have been validated, they are integrated into the final assembly, in preparation for static system evaluation (TRL 6). Low speed (TRL 7) and high speed (TRL 8) testing of the vehicle as a systemcommissioning phase. For final system operation, the suspension assembly will be assessed when implemented into a solar powered vehicle, to compete in the 2014 Sasol Solar Challenge. This is an international crosscountry competitive endurance event spanning the length and breadth of South Africa (over 2000 km). Additionally the vehicle will be the main showpiece in the 2015 African Solar Drive. A 4000 km event spanning parts of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Finally, the Technology Readiness Assessment framework will be analysed and reformulated as needed to better suit future technology development requirements for a composite suspension system

Synthesis and Properties of Bio-based 3D Printable Resins

A photopolymer resin is a monomer that, when introduced to light of a certain wavelength, starts to polymerize into a solid. This has become a growing part of the 3D printing industry. There have been many advancements in the field of 3D printing, however, a lot of these resins are not environmentally friendly and even harmful if not handled in the correct manner. Plant based resins are becoming more and more popular because of their biodegradability and for the possibility of using renewable resources. Glycerol is a plant-based compound that is produced in excess in industry. Glycerol obtained from bioethanol production as waste and can be used for value-added chemicals. Also, changing the wavelength of light required to polymerize means that researchers are trying to move away from using UV light because it is very harmful to human skin and can even damage a person’s vision. Also, UV light creates ozone as a by-product which can be harmful to the environment. This combination can have multiple real-world applications, not limited to 3D printing. It can possibly be used for gas separation and even polymer batteries. In this presentation, we converted glycerol based secondary alcohol into photopolymerizable resins. For preliminary studies, we varied the alkyl groups of the secondary alcohol containing ether and photopolymerized with different amounts of crosslinkers. We also used plant-based resin to get 3D printed polymers to see their properties. Finally, our synthesized resins mixed with commercial plant-based resins will be used to get 3D printed structures. Synthesis and characterization of these resins will be shown in the presentation