Monitor for checking electric-field meters

Portable monitor can be used to check electric-field meters on location. Faulty communication line or faulty unit can be determined on the spot

Digital automatic gain amplifier

A circuit is described for adjusting the amplitude of a reference signal to a predetermined level so as to permit subsequent data signals to be interpreted correctly. The circuit includes an operational amplifier having a feedback circuit connected between an output terminal and an input terminal; a bank of relays operably connected to a plurality of resistors; and a comparator comparing an output voltage of the amplifier with a reference voltage and generating a compared signal responsive thereto. Means is provided for selectively energizing the relays according to the compared signal from the comparator until the output signal from the amplifier equals to the reference signal. A second comparator is provided for comparing the output of the amplifier with a second voltage source so as to illuminate a lamp when the output signal from the amplifier exceeds the second voltage

Microcomputerized electric field meter diagnostic and calibration system

A computerized field meter calibration system which includes an apparatus for testing the calibration of field meters normally utilized for measuring electromagnetic field potentials is described. A reference voltage is applied to the field meter for causing signals to be produced on the output terminals thereof. A bank of relays is provided for selectively connecting output terminals of the field meter to a multiplexer by means of a digital voltmeter and an oscilloscope. A frequency-shift-keyed receiver is also connected to one of the terminals of the field meter for transmitting and converting a frequency shift keyed signal to a digital signal which is, subsequently, applied to the multiplexer

Influencing interaction: Development of the design with intent method

Persuasive Technology has the potential to influence user behavior for social benefit, e.g. to reduce environmental impact, but designers are lacking guidance choosing among design techniques for influencing interaction. The Design with Intent Method, a ‘suggestion tool’ addressing this problem, is introduced in this paper, and applied to the briefs of reducing unnecessary household lighting use, and improving the efficiency of printing, primarily to evaluate the method’s usability and guide the direction of its development. The trial demonstrates that the DwI Method is quick to apply and leads to a range of relevant design concepts. With development, the DwI Method could be a useful tool for designers working on influencing user behavior

Help-Seeking Behaviors of African American Men

Given the prevalence of racism on African American men\u27s psychological well-being and their high level of cultural mistrust, understanding factors that may have influenced their help-seeking behaviors and attitudes can be an important area of inquiry. If counselors and other professionals highlight factors that influence African American men\u27s helping seeking behaviors they can develop outreach efforts to better serve this population and increase their counseling utilization rates. Existing literature has indicated that cultural mistrust, identity, and locus of control could play vital roles in the help-seeking behaviors and attitudes of African American men and has had implications for the counseling profession (Phelps et al., 2001). However, the interplay among these variables on African American men\u27s help-seeking behaviors needs further exploration. Therefore, this research wanted to explore to what extent cultural mistrust, African Self-Consciousness, and locus of control predict African AMerican men\u27s help-seeking behaviors, after controlling for the variables of age, education and close-knit community. The present study added to the emergent literature on help-seeking behaviors by exploring the quantitative experiences of a homogenous groups of African American men who have sought counseling services and their views on cultural mistrust, locus of control, and identity as it relates to past and present help-seeking behaviors. The study investigated the relationships between cultural mistrust as measured by the Cultural Mistrust Inventory (Terrell and Terrell, 1981), identity as measured by the African Self-Consciousness Scale (Baldwin and Bell, 1985), locus of control as measured by Rotter (1966), and help-seeking behaviors as measured by Fisher and Farina\u27s (1995) Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Help

Commuting, transitions and belonging: the experiences of students living at home in their first year at university

In this study, our cross-case analysis of students’ lives challenges the conventional home–university model of transition and highlights the importance of acknowledging the influence of this complex symbiotic relationship for students who attend university and live at home. We argue that as with stay-at-home holidays, or “staycations”, which are of such crucial importance to the tourism industry, so stay-at-home students or commuter students are vital to higher education and the term utilised here is “stayeducation”. Through the narratives of “stayeducation” students, we see how family and community aspects of students’ lives are far more significant than previously realised, and our study suggests that these heavily influence the development of a student sense of belonging. Drawing upon biographical narrative method, this paper introduces three first-year Business and Economics students enrolled at different universities in London and explores their journeys through their transition through home, school and early university life. Ways in which key themes play out in the transition stories of our students and the challenges and obstacles for the individual are drawn out through the cross-case analysis. Findings support the existing literature around gender, class and identity; however, new insights into the importance, for these students, of family, friendships and community are presented. Our work has implications for academic staff, those writing institutional policies, and argues for the creation of different spaces within which students can integrate into their new environment

An automatic lightning detection and photographic system

Conventional 35-mm camera is activated by an electronic signal every time lightning strikes in general vicinity. Electronic circuit detects lightning by means of antenna which picks up atmospheric radio disturbances. Camera is equipped with fish-eye lense, automatic shutter advance, and small 24-hour clock to indicate time when exposures are made

COSMOS 2044. Experiment K-7-19. Pineal physiology in microgravity: Relation to rat gonadal function

It is now known that the pineal organ can interact with many endocrine and nonendocrine tissues in a regulatory fashion. Given its key role in the regulation of melatonin synthesis, its high concentration, and that its levels may persist longer than the more rapidly changing melatonin, it was felt that serotonin might give a more accurate assessment of the effects of microgravity on pineal function following recovery of animals from flight. Five-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), a major metabolite of serotonin metabolism, was also measured. One of the most interesting concomitants to spaceflight and exposure to microgravity has been the disturbing alteration in calcium metabolism and resulting skeletal effects. Given the link between exposure to microgravity and perturbation of calcium metabolism and the fact that the pineal is apparently one of the only soft tissues to calcify, pineal calcium content was examined following spaceflight

SHELL Revisited: Cognitive Loading and Effects of Digitized Flight Deck Automation

Acknowledging the SHELL human factors model, authors examine interfaces among components and assess problems created when the model is aligned with modern digitized flight deck systems. Complacency and overreliance on automated systems are evaluated, and cognitive load and potential for degraded situational awareness are examined. Authors present a SHELL overlay demonstrating where particular digitized functions and operations present challenges to operators and markedly influence effective SHELL interactions in highly complex flight deck systems. Human factors contributing to the Asiana Flight 214 accident are examined and correlates identified with the SHELL analysis. Implications for advanced crew resource management are presented, and human centered system training applications are proposed for addressing the workload challenges. Implications for working and prospective memory functions are examined, along with accompanying biases. Potential for adaptive automation technology concludes the SHELL overlay analysis with potential for reducing cognitive overload in the digitized flight deck environment

Beyond 2020 NextGen Compliance: Human Factors and Cognitive Loading Issues for Commercial and General Aviation Pilots

As previously identified by the authors, digitized flight decks have realigned SHELL model components and introduced cognitive overload con­cerns. Considering changes from implementing Next Generation air traffic management requirements in 2020, the authors assess digitized interfaces associated with cockpit displays of information integral to performance based navigation and similar operations. Focus is placed on Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, digitized communications, and expanded electronic flight bags. The ADSB (In) cockpit display will enable pilots to have flight visual awareness on aircraft, terrain, weather and hazards to flight through live satellite updates every second. Increased optical demands and cognitive loading are anticipated for general aviation and commercial pilots, beyond operational levels for those currently using advanced technologies. With nearly continuous cognitive processing and embedded information in the enhanced SHELL model by the authors, potential overload and concerns of situational awareness become likely candidates for human factors problems. Addressing these concerns, areas of emphasis for transition to NextGen 2020 operations are delineated, potential risks among increased cognitive disparities identified, and suggested foci recommended