Cluster Winds Blow along Supercluster Axes

Within Abell galaxy clusters containing wide-angle tailed radio sources, there is evidence of a ``prevailing wind'' which directs the WAT jets. We study the alignment of WAT jets and nearby clusters to test the idea that this wind may be a fossil of drainage along large-scale supercluster axes. We also test this idea with a study of the alignment of WAT jets and supercluster axes. Statistical test neighbours indicate no alignment of WAT jets towards nearest clusters, but do indicate approximately 98% confidence in alignment with the long axis of the supercluster in which the cluster lies. We find a preferred scale for such superclusters of order 25 Mpc $h^{-1}$.Comment: Latex, 5 pages, with 5 postscript figures. To be published in MNRAS. Slight revisions to coincide with journal text. Linked to color image at http://kusmos.phsx.ukans.edu/~melott/images/A2634SUW.jp

Psychosocial impact of involvement in the special olympics

Existing evidence suggests that people with intellectual disabilities are vulnerable to low self-esteem leading to additional psychosocial issues such as social exclusion and stress. Previous research into the involvement of Special Olympics (SO) of people with intellectual disabilities has indicted positive psychosocial outcomes. Involvement in sport is known generally to have psychological and social benefits. This study aimed to compare the psychosocial impact of involvement in sport through the SO to no or limited sports involvement, for a sample of people with intellectual disabilities. A cross sectional design was employed comparing three groups, SO, Mencap Sports, and Mencap No Sports on the variables: Self-esteem, quality of life, stress levels and social networks. One hundred and one participants were recruited either through the SO or Mencap. Data were collected through the completion of validated questionnaires by one to one interviews with the participants. Analysis revealed that self-esteem, quality of life, and stress were all significantly associated with SO involvement. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore whether scores on these variables were able to predict group membership. Self-esteem was found to be a significant predictor of group membership, those in the SO having the highest self-esteem. The findings provide further evidence of a positive association between sport involvement and increased psychological wellbeing, especially for those involved in the SO. The implications of these findings for practice and future research into the relationship between sport and psychological wellbeing within the learning disabled population are considered

Space station full-scale docking/berthing mechanisms development

One of the most critical operational functions for the space station is the orbital docking between the station and the STS orbiter. The program to design, fabricate, and test docking/berthing mechanisms for the space station is described. The design reflects space station overall requirements and consists of two mating docking mechanism halves. One half is designed for use on the shuttle orbiter and incorporates capture and energy attenuation systems using computer controlled electromechanical actuators and/or attenuators. The mating half incorporates a flexible feature to allow two degrees of freedom at the module-to-module interface of the space station pressurized habitat volumes. The design concepts developed for the prototype units may be used for the first space station flight hardware

On equivariant characteristic ideals of real classes

Let $p$ be an odd prime, $F/{\Bbb Q}$ an abelian totally real number field, $F_\infty/F$ its cyclotomic ${\Bbb Z}_p$-extension, $G_\infty = Gal (F_\infty / {\Bbb Q}),$ ${\Bbb A} = {\Bbb Z}_p [[G_\infty]].$ We give an explicit description of the equivariant characteristic ideal of $H^2_{Iw} (F_\infty, {\Bbb Z}_p(m))$ over ${\Bbb A}$ for all odd $m \in {\Bbb Z}$ by applying M. Witte's formulation of an equivariant main conjecture (or "limit theorem") due to Burns and Greither. This could shed some light on Greenberg's conjecture on the vanishing of the $\lambda$-invariant of $F_\infty/F.

How realistic is the mixed-criticality real-time system model?

23rd International Conference on Real-Time Networks and Systems (RTNS 2015). 4 to 6, Nov, 2015, Main Track. Lille, France. Best Paper Award NomineeWith the rapid evolution of commercial hardware platforms, in most application domains, the industry has shown a growing interest in integrating and running independently-developed applications of different “criticalities” in the same multicore platform. Such integrated systems are commonly referred to as mixed-criticality systems (MCS). Most of the MCS-related research published in the state-of-the-art cite the safety-related standards associated to each application domain (e.g. aeronautics, space, railway, automotive) to justify their methods and results. However, those standards are not, in most cases, freely available, and do not always clearly and explicitly specify the requirements for mixed-criticality systems. This paper addresses the important challenge of unveiling the relevant information available in some of the safety-related standards, such that the mixed-criticality concept is understood from an industrialist’s perspective. Moreover, the paper evaluates the state-of-the-art mixed-criticality real-time scheduling models and algorithms against the safety-related standards and clarifies some misconceptions that are commonly encountered

A study of the usefulness of Skylab EREP data for earth resources studies in Australia

The author has identified the following significant results. In subhumid, vegetated areas, S190B photography: (1) has a potentially operational role in detecting lineaments in 1:100,000 scale geological mapping and in major civil engineering surveys; (2) is of limited value for regional lithological mapping at 1:500,000 scale; and (3) provided much useful synoptic information and some detailed information of direct value to the mapping of nonmineral natural resources such as vegetation, land soil, and water. In arid, well exposed areas, S190B photography could be used: (1) with a limited amount of field traverses, to produce reliable 1:500,000 scale geological maps of sedimentary sequences; (2) to update superficial geology on 1:250,000 scale maps; and (3) together with the necessary field studies, to prepare landform, soil, and vegetation maps at 1:1,000,000 scale. Skylab photography was found to be more useful than LANDSAT images for small scale mapping of geology and land types, and for the revision of topographic maps at 1:100,000 scale, because of superior spatial resolution and stereoscopic coverage

Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap sought to improve the metacognition and academic attainment of pupils in Year 4. There were two aspects to the intervention. The first involved training teachers in how to embed metacognitive approaches in their work, and how to continue to effectively and strategically involve parents. This training took place over a day and was provided by a consultant. The second component focused on parental engagement and offered families the opportunity to participate in a series of facilitated workshops where children and parents work together to create an animated film. Sessions were coordinated by a practitioner who helped participants to think about how they are learning, create learning goals and reflect on their progress; to be metacognitive about the learning process they were engaged in together. The families were offered 2 hours of workshops per week for 5 weeks (10 hours in total). The project targeted schools in four areas of England: Birmingham, Devon, London and Manchester. It was delivered by the Campaign for Learning, with assessments carried out by Durham University. Delivery started in September 2012 and finished in October 2013. The project was evaluated using a randomised controlled trial, which compared the interventions to a ‘business-as-usual’ control group. It is important to note that it was eligibility for the animation course, not participation, that was randomised, so the results must be regarded as estimating the effect of being offered the animation course (alone or in combination with teacher training, as appropriate) rather than participating in it