Fundamental concepts of structural loading and load relief techniques for the space shuttle

The prediction of flight loads and their potential reduction, using various control system logics for the space shuttle vehicles, is discussed. Some factors not found on previous launch vehicles that increase the complexity are large lifting surfaces, unsymmetrical structure, unsymmetrical aerodynamics, trajectory control system coupling, and large aeroelastic effects. These load-producing factors and load-reducing techniques are analyzed

Generalized Philosophy of Alerting with Applications for Parallel Approach Collision Prevention

An alerting system is automation designed to reduce the likelihood of undesirable outcomes that are due to rare failures in a human-controlled system. It accomplishes this by monitoring the system, and issuing warning messages to the human operators when thought necessary to head off a problem. On examination of existing and recently proposed logics for alerting it appears that few commonly accepted principles guide the design process. Different logics intended to address the same hazards may take disparate forms and emphasize different aspects of performance, because each reflects the intuitive priorities of a different designer. Because performance must be satisfactory to all users of an alerting system (implying a universal meaning of acceptable performance) and not just one designer, a proposed logic often undergoes significant piecemeal modification before gaining general acceptance. This report is an initial attempt to clarify the common performance goals by which an alerting system is ultimately judged. A better understanding of these goals will hopefully allow designers to reach the final logic in a quicker, more direct and repeatable manner. As a case study, this report compares three alerting logics for collision prevention during independent approaches to parallel runways, and outlines a fourth alternative incorporating elements of the first three, but satisfying stated requirements.NASA grant NAG1-218

Hazard Avoidance Alerting With Markov Decision Processes

This thesis describes an approach to designing hazard avoidance alerting systems based on a Markov decision process (MDP) model of the alerting process, and shows its benefits over standard design methods. One benefit of the MDP method is that it accounts for future decision opportunities when choosing whether or not to alert, or in determining resolution guidance. Another benefit is that it provides a means of modeling uncertain state information, such as knowledge about unmeasurable mode variables, so that decisions are more informed. A mode variable is an index for distinct types of behavior that a system exhibits at different times. For example, in many situations normal system behavior is safe, but rare deviations from the normal increase the likelihood of a harmful incident. Accurate modeling of mode information is needed to minimize alerting system errors such as unnecessary or late alerts. The benefits of the method are illustrated with two alerting scenarios where a pair of aircraft must avoid collisions when passing one another. The first scenario has a fully observable state and the second includes an uncertain mode describing whether an intruder aircraft levels off safely above the evader or is in a hazardous blunder mode. In MDP theory, outcome preferences are described in terms of utilities of different state trajectories. In keeping with this, alerting system requirements are stated in the form of a reward function. This is then used with probabilistic dynamic and sensor models to compute an alerting logic (policy) that maximizes expected utility. Performance comparisons are made between the MDP-based logics and alternate logics generated with current methods. It is found that in terms of traditional performance measures (incident rate and unnecessary alert rate), the MDP-based logic can meet or exceed that of alternate logics

'Better as a Buddhist': an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the reflections on the religious beliefs of Buddhist men serving a prison sentence for a sexual offence

This paper presents a qualitative analysis of the accounts offered by individuals (n=7) convicted of a sexual offence who describe themselves as Buddhists. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews within a custodial environment and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). This paper presents the two superordinate themes that emerged from the data: (i) Better as a Buddhist and (ii) Ebb and Flow. Reflections and analysis from the Buddhist prison chaplain are integrated within the analysis of prisoner-participant data. Implications of the analysis are discussed with reference to interventions that use Buddhist principles, factors that underpin factors that help reduce reoffending and those that fit with the formation of a desistance narrative for religious individuals who have committed sexual offences

Structural control interaction

The basic guidance and control concepts that lead to structural control interaction and structural dynamic loads are identified. Space vehicle ascent flight load sources and the load relieving mechanism are discussed, along with the the characteristics and special problems of both present and future space vehicles including launch vehicles, orbiting vehicles, and the Space Shuttle flyback vehicle. The special dynamics and control analyses and test problems apparent at this time are summarized

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Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156149/2/lt25763.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156149/1/lt25763_am.pd

"You want to catch the biggest thing going in the ocean": a qualitative analysis of intimate partner stalking

This study employs a qualitative phenomenological exploration of the “lived” experiences of male intimate partner stalking (IPS) perpetrators serving a custodial sentence in the United Kingdom for an offense related to intimate partner violence (IPV). The purpose of this study is to capture the nature and complexity of the experiences of the pathway to IPS from the perspective of the perpetrator. The study seeks to provide a unique understanding of how IPS perpetrators attribute meaning to their behavior, illuminating the underpinning cognitive characteristics and emotions that play a role in their behavior. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven men with a history of IPS behavior. The resultant transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Five superordinate themes reflecting participants’ experiences were identified: (a) “The quest for attention and affection creating connection,”(b) “Conflicted identity and extremes of self,” (c) “My life, a film set,” (d) “Gameplaying: One step ahead,” and (e) “Severed connections, changing the Gameplay.” The findings are presented in relation to the existing literature and theoretical frameworks which seek to explain stalking perpetration. The analysis provides a greater understanding of men who have engaged in IPS behavior, demonstrating how hearing the perspective of the perpetrator has value in informing theory and intervention. The study has provided valuable insight into the cognitive characteristics of this population and a rich understanding of the profiles of men who have engaged in IPS behavior. Implications for forensic practice, policy, and research are outlined, and recommendations for future research and overall limitations are discussed

Implementation of a patient satisfaction survey in the Pacific University Family Vision Center

Patient satisfaction surveys are a key outcome indicator of quality healthcare delivery. One of the goals in optometric educational systems is to teach interns to provide quality healthcare. The purpose of this study was to design, implement and evaluate a patient satisfaction survey in the Pacific University Family Vision Center. The survey would specifically benefit the intern by measuring and providing valuable feedback in regards to the individual intern\u27s efficiency, professionalism, courtesy and communication skills. The card was also designed to be short, straightforward, and easy to fill out. The results showed a 46% return rate, with a majority of the responses indicating a high level of patient satisfaction. Future implementation of the patient satisfaction survey is recommended in the clinics

Impacts of alternative grassland management regimes on the population ecology of grassland birds

We investigated the impacts of rangeland management practices on the diversity, density, and nest survival of grassland songbirds and on the demography, habitat selection, and population viability of Greater Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido). Our study site was located in eastcentral Kansas and included portions of Chase, Greenwood, Lyon, and Morris Counties. We had access to ~1,100 km2 of private and public lands. Over 95% of the land was privately owned (~1040 km2), and the remaining ~5% was the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Our final project report is based on data collected during a 3-year period from Feb. 2011 through Feb. 2014. Our study focused on grassland songbirds and Greater Prairie-Chickens as indicators of ecosystem response. Our analyses are based on direct comparisons between monitoring efforts in pastures managed with patch-burn grazing (PBG) and pastures managed with traditional intensive early stocking and annual burning (IESB).Citation: Sandercock, B.K., V.L. Winder, A.E. Erickson, and L.B. McNew. 2014. Impacts of alternative grassland management regimes on the population ecology of grassland birds. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Final Project Report for Award No. KDWP-W-67-R. (technical report)