Airborne Radar for sUAS Sense and Avoid

A primary challenge for the safe integration of small UAS operations into the National Airspace System (NAS) is traffic deconfliction, both from manned and unmanned aircraft. The UAS Traffic Management (UTM) project being conducted at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) considers a layered approach to separation provision, ranging from segregation of operations through airspace volumes (geofences) to autonomous sense and avoid (SAA) technologies for higher risk, densely occupied airspace. Cooperative SAA systems, such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and/or vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems provide significant additional risk mitigation but they fail to adequately mitigate collision risks for non-cooperative (non-transponder equipped) airborne aircraft. The RAAVIN (Radar on Autonomous Aircraft to Verify ICAROUS Navigation) flight test being conducted by NASA and the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) was designed to investigate the applicability and performance of a prototype, commercially available sUAS radar to detect and track non-cooperative airborne traffic, both manned and unmanned. The radar selected for this research was a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar with 120 degree azimuth and 80 degree elevation field of view operating at 24.55GHz center frequency with a 200 MHz bandwidth. The radar transmits 2 watts of power thru a Metamaterial Electronically Scanning Array antenna in horizontal polarization. When the radar is transmitting, personnel must be at least 1 meter away from the active array to limit nonionizing radiation exposure. The radar physical dimensions are 18.7cm by 12.1cm by 4.1cm and it weighs less than 820 grams making it well suited for installation on small UASs. The onboard, SAA capability, known as ICAROUS, (Independent Configurable Architecture for Reliable Operations of Unmanned Systems), developed by NASA to support sUAS operations, will provide autonomous guidance using the traffic radar tracks from the onboard radar. The RAAVIN set of studies will be conducted in three phases. The first phase included outdoor, ground-based radar evaluations performed at the Virginia Techs Kentland Farm testing range in Blacksburg, VA. The test was designed to measure how well the radar could detect and track a small UAS flying in the radars field of view. The radar was used to monitor 5 test flights consisting of outbound, inbound and crossing routes at different ranges and altitudes. The UAS flown during the ground test was the Inspire 2, a quad copter weighing less than 4250 grams (10 pounds) at maximum payload. The radar was set up to scan and track targets over its full azimuthal field of view from 0 to 40 degrees in elevation. The radar was configured to eliminate tracks generated from any targets located beyond 2000 meters from the radar and moving at velocities under 1.45 meters per second. For subsequent phases of the study the radar will be integrated with a sUAS platform to evaluate its performance in flight for SAA applications ranging from sUAS to manned GA aircraft detections and tracking. Preliminary data analysis from the first outdoor ground tests showed the radar performed well at tracking the vehicle as it flew outbound and repeatedly maintained a track out to 1000 meters (maximum 1387 meters) until the vehicle slowed to a stop to reverse direction to fly inbound. As the Inspire flew inbound tracks from beyond 800 meters, a reacquisition time delay was consistently observed between when the Inspire exceeds a speed of 1.45 meters per second and when the radar indicated an inbound target was present and maintained its track. The time delay varied between 6 seconds to over 37 seconds for the inbound flights examined, and typically resulted in about a 200 meter closure distance before the Inspire track was maintained. The radar performed well at both acquiring and tracking the vehicle as it flew crossing routes out past 400 meters across the azimuthal field of view. The radar and ICAROUS software will be integrated and flown on a BFD-1400-SE8-E UAS during the next phase of the RAAVIN project. The main goal at the conclusion of this effort is to determine if this radar technology can reliably support minimum requirements for SAA applications of sUAS. In particular, the study will measure the range of vehicle detections, lateral and vertical angular errors, false and missed/late detections, and estimated distance at closest point of approach after an avoidance maneuver is executed. This last metric is directly impacted by sensor performance and indicates its suitability for the task

Forest structure of long-term conserved areas utilizing different strategies on a continental, glacial moraine formed island

Understanding patterns of forest succession can help advise management plans within New England nature preserves. This study took place on Block Island, 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. The island has greater than 200+ years of farming practices. After 1960, conservation groups began reforesting the island using different strategies, such as actively planting with native and exotic tree species, mowing, and preventing further development. In 2018, woody vegetation was inventoried along transects within four reforested sites. Sites were characterized as the following: actively planted with exotic and native tree species and mowed (AP-M), actively planted with exotic and native species with no mowing (AP-NM), passively managed (no planting or mowing) (NP-NM), and never deforested (F). Trees (\u3e5 cm DBH) were measured and identified within 10m of four 20m transects at each site. Saplings or shrubs (\u3c 5cm DBH, \u3e 1 m in height) were counted and identified within 5m of each transect. Tree seedlings (10 cm to 1 m in height) were counted and identified within 1m of each transect. Soil samples were taken every 20m along each transect and analyzed in a soil particle analyzer to determine soil texture. Reforestation strategy had a significant effect on adult tree basal area and diversity (p-value \u3c 0.001). AP-NM had a significantly greater basal area (38.06 m2/ha) compared to “NP-NM” (13.14 m2/ha). The greatest richness of tree species was also found at “NP-NM” (5 species) while the lowest diversity was at “AP-M”, which was represented by one species (Prunus serotina). Overall, seedlings were rarely encountered, but the greatest number of seedlings (660 individuals per ha) was found at “NP-NM”, most of which were shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis). Soil texture was found to have no significant effect upon canopy but showed trends toward increased basal area and stem density with increased sand content. In conclusion, “AP-NM” significantly increased the diversity and basal area but had no effect on seedling recruitment in the understory. This is most likely due to the overpopulation of deer on the island

Lidar In Coastal Storm Surge Modeling: Modeling Linear Raised Features

A method for extracting linear raised features from laser scanned altimetry (LiDAR) datasets is presented. The objective is to automate the method so that elements in a coastal storm surge simulation finite element mesh might have their edges aligned along vertical terrain features. Terrain features of interest are those that are high and long enough to form a hydrodynamic impediment while being narrow enough that the features might be straddled and not modeled if element edges are not purposely aligned. These features are commonly raised roadbeds but may occur due to other manmade alterations to the terrain or natural terrain. The implementation uses the TauDEM watershed delineation software included in the MapWindow open source Geographic Information System to initially extract watershed boundaries. The watershed boundaries are then examined computationally to determine which sections warrant inclusion in the storm surge mesh. Introductory work towards applying image analysis techniques as an alternate means of vertical feature extraction is presented as well. Vertical feature lines extracted from a LiDAR dataset for Manatee County, Florida are included in a limited storm surge finite element mesh for the county and Tampa Bay. Storm surge simulations using the ADCIRC-2DDI model with two meshes, one which includes linear raised features as element edges and one which does not, verify the usefulness of the method

Evaluation of Delivery Methods of Chemical Dependency and Wellness Education

Anesthesia practice is learned in a stressful environment, and these stressors may lead to the students’ development of maladaptive coping mechanisms. Despite significant improvements in our understanding of addiction and our approaches to combat this problem, the risk of substance misuse remains high in nurse anesthesia students. Education and intervention are imperative when taking preventative measures. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to determine whether delivery method of chemical dependency/wellness educational program effects the level of understanding of anesthesia providers and substance misuse and the development of healthy coping mechanisms. In determining whether the delivery method of chemical dependency/wellness educational program influences the level of understanding regarding substance misuse and healthy coping mechanisms, a systemic review of literature was conducted. Following the analyzation of the evidence from the review of literature, the goal was to develop, implement, and evaluate an effective classroom setting chemical dependency/wellness educational program at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Nurse Anesthesia Program. To evaluate this chemical dependency/wellness program, a pre and posttest was administered before and after the program to students entering the nurse anesthesia program in January of 2017. A retrospective posttest was also administered to the students who began the program in January of 2015 and January of 2016 after completing the previously established online chemical dependency/wellness program. The results of these tests were compared to the results of the students who began the program in January of 2017 using. The results indicated that there was a significant improvement in perceived knowledge following chemical dependency and wellness education. However, the results were inconclusive as to whether one method is more effective than another. This project’s results indicated only a significance between the first and second year students. Chemical dependency and wellness education is a necessary component of the nurse anesthesia curriculum; however, the results did not conclude that one delivery method was significantly more effective than another

Experience, Perception, and Purpose for the Chapel Program at Taylor University

Research concerning student experience and perception of chapel programs at Christian colleges is severely lacking (Morrison, 2014). However, relevant literature on secularization and the rising impact of spirituality on today’s students reveals chapel programs to be a critical intersection for the spiritual life of a Christian institution and its students. This study sought to explore and describe student perceptions and experience of the chapel program at Taylor University for the 2016-2017 academic year. The study implemented an embedded mixed methods design consisting of two surveys administered to the entire campus community; one survey administered at regular intervals to a group of students; and three focus groups. The results tell of the impact specific elements such as worship, speakers, and scripture have on students and an overall positive perception of the program. Chapel administrators at Taylor can utilize this study as they consider implementing changes in both the practice and vision of the chapel program. In addition, the information regarding student perceptions and experience in this study can serve chapel administrators around the country as they seek to improve and enhance the spiritual lives of their students

Segments

Segments is fictionalized memoir structured as eight short stories, or segments of the central character\u27s life. These autobiographical incidents begin in Redding, California, in 1947, when the central character leaves the family farm on her first day of school only to return to face the loss of her innocence. I find it ironic that boys and girls sexually abused by a parent or other family member are not considered incest victims, but incest survivors. Even if one survives the effects of incest, all subsequent perspectives and decisions are colored by loss of trust. Praise Raleigh is told by a third person narrator for several reasons. First, the experiences of early childhood can be too painful to remember first-hand, necessitating assignation to another person, in this case Sarah Cunningham. Second, the voice of a six year old needs a narrator with some degree of maturity and perspective, but without the emotional charge of reflection and authorial voice. The ·technique of magical realism in the incest scene was chosen for the same reason I think the German and South American originators chose it -because some things, like war, are too painful to look at straight on. The death of Sarah’s innocence is a result of an unjust war between father and daughter. \u27\u27New Kid, set in San Francisco in 1957, shows the same character, now sixteen years old, trying to figure out how to fit in with her peers at a new high school. The first person narrator tells the story from a very close, immediate perspective, in present tense. She is insecure, calculating, manipulative, but somewhat successful in what she considers to be important - to make friends as quickly as possible in order to fit in and feel normal. Dear Mark is in epistolary form as an amends to a child the mother gave up for adoption at birth. Here the main character addresses the now young man directly, showing a progression in maturity from the previous two stories. Although the action of this story takes place in San Francisco and Los Angeles from 1959 to 1961, when the narrator is still immature, it is written forty years later and shows some reflection. In A Respectable Married Woman, the narrator relates the story of another woman who was sexually abused by her father, but throughout her adult life has tried to do what she thought society expected of her- to be successfully married. Through nine marriages, Andrea tries to escape the destiny her father laid out for her, but when menopause occurs, she looses the battle. In both A Respectable Married Woman and Eight in the Side, Clean, both set in the \u2770s, the narrator voyeuristically watches other women in an attempt to learn how to be a woman other than the one who raised her, who did not protect her from her father and who took abuse from her husband and then abused her daughter. Free Bird depicts Carol\u27s diminishing control of her life. She looks for heroes as an adolescent might, and even though she is both literally and figuratively hooked to the plumbing, she still fights for her freedom. She is handed a stack of cocktail napkins and told to \u27\u27write about it, which she ultimately does in this collection. Finally, at the funeral of the abusive father, the narrator\u27s young son is handed a symbol of authority, patriotism and duty- the American Flag from the casket. Mother and child are left with the task of surviving the effects of her father\u27s misconduct. It remains uncertain if they will succeed

Self-Regulated Learning Instruction’s Relationships with Teacher Subject Area, Teacher Beliefs, and Teacher Efficacy

Self-regulated learning (SRL) instruction develops essential competencies required in the classroom and the workplace (Johnson, 2002; Yan, 2017). SRL instruction helps learners develop the proficiency required for successful self-directed, life-long learning. Furthermore, SRL instruction produces the skills needed to plan, monitor, and achieve learning goals. However, SRL instructional techniques are difficult to implement in the classroom or workplace because educators must transfer learning responsibilities and outcomes to the learner. This study examined the relationships of teacher subject area, teacher beliefs, and teacher efficacy on the use of SRL instruction. The participants included PK-12 teachers from a public-school district in Alabama. The majority of participants were female teachers (81%) between 31 to 50 years old. This study collected data using a hard copy questionnaire. Data analysis employed quantitative techniques such as descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, simple, and multiple regression analysis. This study did not find statistically significant relationships between teacher subject area, teacher beliefs, and the use of SRL instruction. However, this research project did discover a relationship between teacher efficacy and the use of SRL instruction. Findings suggest that participants in this population believe self-regulated learning is important; however, lack of teacher efficacy limits implementation of SRL instruction

Excavating the Catacomb of Santa Lucia

In 733 B.C., Archias (a Corinthian) founded the city of Syracuse in Sicily. This began Syracuse’ history as a Greek colony, and also a history of cultural influences and changes produced by different occupations. The catacomb of St. Lucy is located in Syracuse, and contains evidence for the Greek, Roman Christian and Byzantine cultures. Excavations have been occurring here since 1916, beginning with Paolo Orsi, and most recently occurring in 2015 with Dr. Davide Tanasi. St. Lucy is an excellent case study for examining how different cultures have used this site as a burial location for centuries. The research done here identifies some of the changes that took place at St. Lucy through an examination of frescoes, artifacts, and tombs as well as a spatial analysis of these datasets

The Effects of Reading Comprehension Intervention for Dyslexia

A quantitative study was performed to determine if Lindamood-Bell Reading Intervention had an effect on the self-concept, anxiety levels, and depression levels of individuals diagnosed with dyslexia. This quantitative study was also conducted to determine if a person’s age had an effect on the ability to learn coping mechanisms for dyslexia. Thirty-three participants, ranging in age from 7 to17 years-old were selected to participate in the study. All participants had a formal diagnosis of dyslexia and had not obtained the Lindamood-Bell Reading Intervention prior to participating in the study. The participants were divided into three age groups. Each participant completed questions from the Beck Youth Inventory to determine their levels of anxiety, depression, and self-concept. This was completed before intervention began and again after the six weeks of intervention. The Lindamood-Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing Progress Chart was used to determine each participant’s reading comprehension level before and after the intervention. Once the intervention was complete, a Repeated Measures ANOVA was computed to examine whether a person’s age had an effect on learning the reading intervention. The results demonstrated a significant difference between Group 1 (7-10) and Group 3 (15-17). Group 1 responded better to the intervention than Group 3. Additionally, an ANOVA test was performed to determine if coping mechanisms had an effect on the self-concept, anxiety levels, and/or depression levels in individuals with a diagnosis of dyslexia. The findings failed to reject the hypothesis. Overall, this study indicates that individuals diagnosed with dyslexia are able to learn coping mechanisms better when they are younger, suggesting the need for early intervention for individuals with dyslexia