NASA Lidar system support and MOPA technology demonstration

A series of lidar design and technology demonstration tasks in support of a CO2 lidar program is discussed. The first of these tasks is discussed in Section VI of this report under the heading of NASA Optical Lidar Design and it consists of detailed recommendations for the layout of a CO2 Doppler lidar incorporating then existing NASA optical components and mounts. The second phase of this work consisted of the design, development, and delivery to NASA of a novel acousto-optic laser frequency stabilization system for use with the existing NASA ring laser transmitter. The second major task in this program encompasses the design and experimental demonstration of a master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA) laser transmitter utilizing a commercially available laser as the amplifier. The MOPA design including the low chirp master oscillator is discussed in detail. Experimental results are given for one, two and three pass amplification. The report includes operating procedures for the MOPA system

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND JOB SATISFACTION ON DAIRY FARMS IN THE NORTHEAST

Economies of size have translated into much larger herd sizes and, therefore, employee bases on dairy farms throughout the Northeast. These non-family employees present managerial issues many farm managers are not accustomed to. This research quantifies and illustrates the internal pay structure and enumerates that current employee satisfaction levels present on the farms of members of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA).Human Resource Management, Compensation, Satisfaction, Labor and Human Capital,

Second Order Corrections to Weak Lensing by Large-Scale Structure

We calculate corrections to the power spectrum predictions of weak lensing by large scale structure due to higher order effects in the gravitational potential. Using a perturbative approach to third order in transverse displacements, we calculate a second order correction to the angular power spectra of E and B mode shear and convergence resulting from dropping the so-called Born approximation, where one integrates along the unperturbed photon path. We also consider a correction to the power spectra from the coupling between lenses at different redshifts. Both effects generate B-mode shear and the latter also causes a net rotation of the background galaxy images. We show all these corrections are at least two orders of magnitude below the convergence or E-mode power and hence relevant only to future ultra high precision measurements. These analytical calculations are consistent with previous numerical estimates and validate the use of current large scale structure weak lensing predictions for cosmological studies and future use of B-modes as a monitor of systematic effects.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, submitted to ApJ

Pediatric Dental Health Care: Recommended Practices for Helping Children and Parents

This brief contains recommendations focused on early childhood education practices that can strengthen pediatric dental care. It included recommendations for educating both parents and children in dental practices.HHS Child Care Bureau and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundatio

Overall Quality Among Licensed and License-Exempt Early Childhood Centers

This brief will discuss several important aspects of early childhood centers. The findings presented are those that show statistically significant differences between licensed and license-exempt centers. Each program was observed for two- to three-hours using the Caregiver Interaction Scale (CIS) and either the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale or the Infant-Toddler Environmental Rating Scale depending on the age of the children.Funded by: HHS Child Care Bureau and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundatio

Missouri Early Childhood Programs: Subsidy and Workforce Issues

Includes bibliographical references.Economic data indicate investments in early childhood education provide substantial, long term dividends among adults who attended high quality programs during their preschool years. Research suggests a significant contributor to these positive outcomes is the workforce: a highly qualified workforce in the field of early childhood education has a positive lasting impact on children

Seasonality in the Surface Energy Balance of Tundra in the Lower Mackenzie River Basin

This study details seasonal characteristics in the annual surface energy balance of upland and lowland tundra during the 1998–99 water year (Y2). It contrasts the results with the 1997–98 water year (Y1) and relates the findings to the climatic normals for the lower Mackenzie River basin region. Both years were much warmer than the long-term average, with Y1 being both warmer and wetter than Y2. Six seasons are defined as early winter, midwinter, late winter, spring, summer, and fall. The most rapid changes in the surface energy balance occur in spring, fall, and late winter. Of these, spring is the most dynamic, and there is distinct asymmetry between rates of change in spring and those in fall. Rates of change of potential insolation (extraterrestrial solar radiation) in late winter, spring, and fall are within 10% of one another, being highest in late winter and smallest in spring. Rates of change in air temperature and ground temperature are twice as large in spring as in fall and late winter, when they are about the same. Rates of change in components of the energy balance in spring are twice and 4 times as large as in fall and late winter, respectively. The timing of snowpack ripening and snowmelt is the major agent determining the magnitude of asymmetry between fall and spring. This timing is a result of interaction between the solar cycle, air temperature, and snowpack longevity. Based on evidence from this study, potential surface responses to a 18C increase in air temperature are small to moderate in most seasons, but are large in spring when increases range from 7% to 10% of average surface energy fluxes

Teacher Education and High Quality Early Education

Includes bibliographical references.The MCCRC's study on levels of teacher education is presented. The education level of early childhood teachers in Missouri is quite low. Approximately 31% of the teachers had a high school degree or less and another 30% had some type of education/training beyond high school but the education/training did not matriculate to a degree or certificate. A small percentage of teachers (22%) reported having a one- or two-year certificate/degree in child development. The last group, 16% of the sample, were teachers with at least a bachelor's degree. Several findings, related to teacher education, were associated to the licensing status of the program or the type of early childhood program.Funded by: HHS Child Care Bureau and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Teacher Education and Benefits in Subsidized Child Care Programs

Findings from a study of 2,022 indicate subsidized programs tend to be less likely to offer teacher benefits in the area of health insurance, paid sick leave, and retirement benefits. However, they are more likely to offer a reduction in tuition, for the children of staff. Additionally, teachers in subsidized programs tend to have less formal education. Findings were somewhat different for programs in urban and rural communities.Funded by HHS Child Care Bureau and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundatio

Children's Early Learning: What the state of Missouri can do

Includes bibliographical references.Findings from the Midwest Child Care Research Consortium indicate early childhood education settings are of low quality in three areas that are key to early learning: Learning Activities, Language and Reasoning and Social InteractionsHHS Child Care Bureau and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundatio