Daily changes in global cloud cover and Earth transits of the heliospheric current sheet

Changes in cloud cover are found to occur for periods of a few days following Earth transits of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS), provided also that the transits occur in years of high stratospheric aerosol loading. Using global cloud products from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) D1 data series, epoch superposition analyses were made for various samples of HCS events. For the period August 1991 to June 1994 for the stratospheric aerosol loading due to the Pinatubo eruption, the analysis of the data in 30° geomagnetic latitude intervals revealed that cloud anomalies that were significant and negative were located in the Southern Hemisphere high and middle latitudes, and anomalies that were significant and positive were found in both hemispheres at low latitudes. When the key days in the superposed epoch analysis were determined by minima in the relativistic electron flux, rather than by the HCS crossings, the location of the significant negative anomalies was in the northern high latitudes, and the location of the significant positive anomalies was in middle latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. The spatial and temporal patterns of these cloud cover variations are in broad agreement with the expected opposite variations at high and low latitudes of the current density Jz in the global electric circuit caused by the relativistic electron flux variations, during periods when the aerosol loading has made a large increase in stratospheric resistivity

Global rainfall monitoring by SSM/I

Significant accomplishments in the last year of research are presented. During 1991, three main activities were undertaken: (1) development and testing of a preliminary global rainfall algorithm; (2) researching areas of strong surface scattering; and (3) formulation of a program of work for the WetNet PrecipWG. Focus of present research and plans for next year are briefly dismissed

The influences and motivations on which students base their choice of career

The aim of the study was to examine the influences and motivations, on which students base their choice of career. 348 young people aged 14-18 years, completed a questionnaire and took part in an interview concerning their choice of career. It was found the greatest influence on their choice of career was their parents, followed by that of their teachers. There was evidence of gender differences, with same sex parental influences. Although seeking further education was the most popular next step for most respondents, marriage was more important to females than to males. Overall motivation to work was found primarily to involve money, and liking for the job. Very low on the list were long term goals, such as personal development, career advancement, and pensions. Most noticeably, the students considered status was derived from possessions, rather than employment. It was suggested, a consequence of this was that employers options to motivate workers were very limited. It was hoped, the profile of career influences and motives, would be helpful for teachers with responsibility for careers guidance

Teaching interpersonal skills: convincing the student of the need for an extreme opening statement in negotiations

Training young people in work related interpersonal skills can be difficult. For them adopting ritualistic tactics such as using an extreme opening statement in a negotiation is a very different approach to communicating than the cryptic and concise technique they use when, for example, they send a text message. This study assesses whether it is today an appropriate interpersonal skill. The study examined the impact of an extreme opening statement on young people acting as both management and union representatives. It was found both responded more generously when they received a more extreme opening statement than a more moderate one. This occurred no matter how reasonable the statement was seen to be. Males and females reacted similarly to an extreme statement. It was suggested it may today be considered a sound negotiating strategy. The case study itself can be used in vocational courses, which include interpersonal skill training components, as a means of demonstrating the effectiveness of the strategy

Recruitment/selectors perceptions of male and female trainee managers?

Purpose: This study investigates whether those involved with recruitment/selection (RS) react differently towards male and female trainee managers. Methodology: Measures of the perceptions towards trainee managers were collected from 440 managers and professionals involved in recruitment/selection (RS). Findings: It was found males were seen to have more stereotype male management characteristics than females. Female (RS) perceived female management trainees as possessing more male management characteristics than did male (RS). Practical implications: The stereotype of the management trainee held by male (RS), with it’s emphasis on ‘male characteristics’, would suggest females do face an unequal struggle in their careers. It is argued that male management characteristics, whilst possibly appropriate for organisations with a hierarchical structure, may not be as appropriate for the participatory organisational structure which is becoming more common. Suggestions are made to help develop management skills for both male and female trainees

Managerial career anchors in a changing business environment

Trainers need to take into account changes in working practices, which it is argued, influence manager’s perceptions of their careers. 540 managers were interviewed, and a questionnaire used to measure the relative importance of individual career anchors. It was found younger managers were more orientated towards their own skills and what they could contribute, whereas older managers were more inclined to be aware of the limitations of their role in the organisation. It was stressed the difference between the perception of their careers of the younger and older managers is something the trainer needs to take into account. Also significant to the trainer was how similar male and female managers were in their perceptions of their career anchors

A study of perceptions 'significant others' hold, of the inclusion of 'children with difficulties' in mainstream classes

The perceptions of mainstream, teachers, parents of other children, and many other people, are crucial to the extent to which children with difficulties are accepted in mainstream classes. This study examined views of 507 ‘significant others’ towards the inclusion of children experiencing a variety of difficulties. They were asked to rank how they felt about children with certain types of ‘difficulty’, and given the opportunity to explain their decisions in a subsequent interview. Five main issues were examined, namely the most suitable age for inclusion, the problems faced by parents, the type of difficulty most suitable for inclusion into mainstream classes, the allocation of resources, and how resources should be allocated to children with different types of giftedness. Views towards these issues varied depending on the type of difficulty the child experienced. The findings of this study indicate, some children are more likely than others to be readily accepted by ‘significant others’ for inclusion into mainstream schooling. It was stressed, the perceptions of these ‘significant others’ impact upon how successful any attempt to include children in mainstream classes will be

How Can the Art Making Process Foster a Stronger Sense of Self?

This thesis considered how the art making process can help foster a stronger sense of self in an individual. This investigation was carried out as an action research study with high school students at a therapeutic boarding school. The purpose of this study was to explore ways to help the troubled teenager, who struggles in finding their identity, to foster a better sense of self. It is through the art making process, with a positive work environment, a medium of exploration, and introspective questions, that a student can begin to have insight on themselves and who/what they identity with in this world. In the future, I plan to carry out these methods of teaching to further help the struggling teen who is having a hard time finding their individuality. Art can be an expression of self and help shape one’s character. This study uncovered the sometimes-hidden truth of what is important to an individual, their experiences, fears, hopes, and desires, portrayed through visual and written language

Precipitation, cloud cover and Forbush decreases in galactic cosmic rays

The results of a study to explore variations in cloud cover, over regions that are minimally affected by rainfall and heavy rainfall, and that are coincident with variations in the galactic cosmic ray flux, are presented. Using an extensive record of global satellite derived cloud and rainfall products from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) D1 data series and Xie and Arkin (1996), epoch superposition analysis of a sample of events of short term decreases in the galactic cosmic ray flux, is conducted. Analysis of data that is largely free from the influence of rainfall and heavy rainfall, averaged over 10-degree geomagnetic latitude (ϕ) bands reveals that cloud cover is reduced at high latitudes, and at middle and lower (including equatorial) latitudes over regions of relatively higher cloud cover, over both land and ocean surfaces, while increasing over ocean surfaces at middle and lower latitudes in regions of thinner cloud