Structural zooming research and development of an interactive computer graphical interface for stress analysis of cracks

Engineering problems sometimes involve the numerical solution of boundary value problems over domains containing geometric feature with widely varying scales. Often, a detailed solution is required at one or more of these features. Small details in large structures may have profound effects upon global performance. Conversely, large-scale conditions may effect local performance. Many man-hours and CPU-hours are currently spent in modeling such problems. With the structural zooming technique, it is now possible to design an integrated program which allows the analyst to interactively focus upon a small region of interest, to modify the local geometry, and then to obtain highly accurate responses in that region which reflect both the properties of the overall structure and the local detail. A boundary integral equation analysis program, called BOAST, was recently developed for the stress analysis of cracks. This program can accurately analyze two-dimensional linear elastic fracture mechanics problems with far less computational effort than existing finite element codes. An interactive computer graphical interface to BOAST was written. The graphical interface would have several requirements: it would be menu-driven, with mouse input; all aspects of input would be entered graphically; the results of a BOAST analysis would be displayed pictorially but also the user would be able to probe interactively to get numerical values of displacement and stress at desired locations within the analysis domain; the entire procedure would be integrated into a single, easy to use package; and it would be written using calls to the graphic package called HOOPS. The program is nearing completion. All of the preprocessing features are working satisfactorily and were debugged. The postprocessing features are under development, and rudimentary postprocessing should be available by the end of the summer. The program was developed and run on a VAX workstation, and must be ported to the SUN workstation. This activity is currently underway

Analysis methods for Kevlar shield response to rotor fragments

Several empirical and analytical approaches to rotor burst shield sizing are compared and principal differences in metal and fabric dynamic behavior are discussed. The application of transient structural response computer programs to predict Kevlar containment limits is described. For preliminary shield sizing, present analytical methods are useful if insufficient test data for empirical modeling are available. To provide other information useful for engineering design, analytical methods require further developments in material characterization, failure criteria, loads definition, and post-impact fragment trajectory prediction

The Culture of Play: Kabuki and the Production of Texts

In this essay, I will make a case that performance in Japan has been a catalyst for the artistic production of physical objects, both visual and literary texts. Furthermore, I shall argue that it is more useful to consider such physical texts not simply as representations of performance. They, of course, may have been created directly in response to a performance (or in anticipation of a performance), but as physical objects they became something entirely distinct and of a different genre. Such objects (texts) existed on their own and usually served various functions, one of the most important of which was to stimulate new performances.Issue title: Performance Literature II

From Jersey Shore to AP Lit Teacher

As part of the National Collegiate Honors Council’s (2022) collection of essays about the value of honors to its graduates (1967–2019), the author reflects on the personal and professional impacts of the honors experience. My undergraduate experience was mundane, average, and boring. I excelled academically, a little too easily. I could skip the readings and ace my classes half asleep. It was a normal experience for me to write entire papers an hour before the due date and receive As. In one instance a professor publicly recognized me as having written the best paper in the entire class. I beamed with a shocked kind of pride, laughing on the inside because I knew at that moment that something seriously needed to change. I sought out the honors program because I wanted an increased academic challenge for personal fulfillment and to differentiate my résumé. I never dreamed I would find an experience so transformational and inspirational, shaping my interests and still affecting my choices years later

The Relationship of Job Satisfaction and Selected Demographic Characteristics of Public Health Employees

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine the level of job satisfaction of public health department nurses (PHNs) and employees, and (b) to identify relationships between job satisfaction and demographic characteristics. A descriptive correlational / design was used. A sample of 181 was taken from a metropolitan public health department population. Job Descriptive Index and Job in General instruments were used. Employees were satisfied with the overall job, supervision with work, not satisfied with promotional opportunities, and neutral regarding pay and co-workers. PHNs were satisfied with the overall job, supervision, work and pay, not satisfied with promotional opportunities and neutral regarding co-workers. There were several correlations between employee and PHN demographic and levels of job satisfaction

Foot and Ankle Kinematic and Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During Descent from Varying Step Heights

Ankle injuries are common during activities of daily living, particularly in negotiation of steps. Previous studies examining steps have generally focused on the ankle, knee, or hip and descent of multiple steps. Joint motion within the foot, utilizing a multi-segment foot model, during step descent has not been extensively studied. Although peroneal muscle activity differences have been identified between participants with healthy and unstable ankles during static activities, little is known about peroneal activity during activities of daily living. A better understanding of the foot kinematics and muscle activity in persons with uninjured ankles may help future studies elucidate the problems encountered by individuals with chronic ankle instability during step descent. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the foot and ankle kinematics and lower extremity muscle activity of uninjured individuals during descent from varying step heights. Twenty-two participants (12 female/ 10 male, 25.68 ± 5.5 years) walked on a level walkway, stepped down a single step of varying heights (5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm and 25 cm) and continued walking on level ground. Data acquisition included walking gait kinematics, utilizing a six-segment foot model, and peroneal muscle activity recorded with surface electromyography. Three-dimensional kinematics (initial contact angle, range of motion) across the five step heights from initial contact to the end of weight acceptance were analyzed via RM MANOVAs. Paired t-tests were used to compare muscle activity during the 200 ms prior to initial contact between each step height. Results demonstrated a greater percentage of participants preferred to switch initial contact from a heel strike to a forefoot strike as step height increased. The calcaneonavicular complex had significant differences in initial contact angle in the transverse plane between the 5-cm step and steps of 20 and 25 cm. Range of motion differences were not significantly different across any of the step heights. Integrated electromyography differences were significant between the 5-cm step and the 15, 20 and 25-cm step heights; between the 10-cm step height and the two highest steps; as well as between the 15-cm and 20-cm steps. These results indicate stability of the medial midfoot and medial longitudinal arch may become more dependent upon dynamic stabilizers as step-down height increases and/or landing strategy transitions from heel to forefoot

The culture of play : Kabuki and the production of texts

In this essay, I will make a case that performance in Japan has been a catalyst for the artistic production of physical objects, both visual and literary texts. Furthermore, I shall argue that it is more useful to consider such physical texts not simply as representations of performance. They, of course, may have been created directly in response to a performance (or in anticipation of a performance), but as physical objects they became something entirely distinct and of a different genre. Such objects (texts) existed on their own and usually served various functions, one of the most important of which was to stimulate new performances.Issue title: Performance Literature II