RCA Satcom 3-Axis spacecraft experience at geosynchronous altitude

The RCA Satcom space segment presently consists of two three-axis stabilized communication satellites which have been in orbit at geosynchronous altitudes for 11 and 8 months respectively. Both satellites have experienced two eclipse seasons since the beginning of operations. Neither spacecraft has exhibited any anomalous behavior that can be attributed to the effects of spacecraft charging. A brief discussion of the history, spacecraft characteristics and design techniques is presented

Rocket instrumentation for the measurement of D-region electron density and collision frequencies Scientific report no. 244

Black Brant II sounding rocket instrumentation for measurement of D layer electron density and collision rat

Efficiency of managing the production capacity of service enterprises, taking into account customer motivation

This paper presents a methodology that has been developed for analyzing the production activities of posts, which allows to identify customers by their categories and territorial "affections", the emergence of which should be activated by a specific service enterprise. An algorithm has been developed for finding solutions for improving the quality of services and customer service conditions for a car service center. The practical implementation of the methodology was carried out on the basis of existing service enterprises for servicing trucks. Measures were found to increase the capacity of the production of service enterprises, which allows a particular enterprise to maintain its economic stability in a competitive environment. The criteria reflecting the production activities of the auto service enterprise are selected in accordance with justified principles. It is established that regular customers who apply for services more than three times, bring more revenue

Invariant imbedding theory of mode conversion in inhomogeneous plasmas. II. Mode conversion in cold, magnetized plasmas with perpendicular inhomogeneity

A new version of the invariant imbedding theory for the propagation of coupled waves in inhomogeneous media is applied to the mode conversion of high frequency electromagnetic waves into electrostatic modes in cold, magnetized and stratified plasmas. The cases where the external magnetic field is applied perpendicularly to the direction of inhomogeneity and the electron density profile is linear are considered. Extensive and numerically exact results for the mode conversion coefficients, the reflectances and the wave electric and magnetic field profiles inside the inhomogeneous plasma are obtained. The dependences of mode conversion phenomena on the magnitude of the external magnetic field, the incident angle and the wave frequency are explored in detail.Comment: 11 figures, to be published in Physics of Plasma

Teaching peace by using nonviolent communication for difficult conversations in the college classroom

Having empathy and respect for oneself and others when engaging in difficult dialogue is an essential part of peace education. Gandhi emphasized that involving emotions was more transformative than purely intellectual approaches to education. Nonviolent communication (NVC), as developed by Marshall Rosenberg, is a tool for fostering empathy and building connection across difference. Using NVC for difficult conversations in any college classroom is a way of mainstreaming peace education across the curriculum. Though there is literature on difficult conversations in the college classroom, and on the effectiveness of NVC in general and in K-12 classrooms, there is very little on NVC in college spaces, and none on NVC for difficult conversations. In this primarily qualitative study college students were asked to use NVC to discuss controversial nonviolent actions. We found that even when both professor and students were NVC beginners, students were able to use it to discuss polarizing protests in a class with a diversity of views and needs for respect were overwhelmingly met. NVC was also useful for deepening analysis of the effectiveness of nonviolent actions, and could serve as a tool of emotional regulation for nonviolent action, or a modern day sort of purification for satyagraha

Estimation of breeding value of blackcurrant genotypes for growth vigour, plant habit and their susceptibility to fungal diseases.

The study was conducted in 2012–2014 at the Experimental Orchard of the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice, central Poland. The aim of the research was to assess the breeding value, based on the general combining abilities (GCA), specific combining abilities (SCA) and reciprocal (RE) effects, of six dessert parental forms of blackcurrant for plant growth vigour, plant habit and resistance to fungal diseases: Podosphaera mors-uvae (causal agent of powdery mildew of currant), Drepanopeziza ribis (leaf anthracnose) and Cronartium ribicola (white pine blister rust). The plant material consisted of seedlings of F1 generation obtained by crossing of six blackcurrant genotypes: ‘Bona’, ‘Ceres’, clone D13B/11, ‘Sofiivska’, ‘Vernisazh’ and ‘Big Ben’ in a diallel design according to Griffing’s Method III.It was shown that the cultivars ‘Big Ben’, ‘Sofiivska’ and ‘Vernisazh’ had significantly positive GCA effects for growth vigour and resistance of plants to powdery mildew, whereas ‘Ceres’ – for plant habit, which indicated their high breeding value for these traits. The significantly positive SCA values were estimated for the hybrid family: ‘Big Ben’ × ‘Ceres’ for low susceptibility of plants to powdery mildew and anthracnose. Statistically significant effects for reciprocal crosses (RE) were obtained only for few hybrid families.The study was conducted in 2012–2014 at the Experimental Orchard of the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice, central Poland. The aim of the research was to assess the breeding value, based on the general combining abilities (GCA), specific combining abilities (SCA) and reciprocal (RE) effects, of six dessert parental forms of blackcurrant for plant growth vigour, plant habit and resistance to fungal diseases: Podosphaera mors-uvae (causal agent of powdery mildew of currant), Drepanopeziza ribis (leaf anthracnose) and Cronartium ribicola (white pine blister rust). The plant material consisted of seedlings of F1 generation obtained by crossing of six blackcurrant genotypes: ‘Bona’, ‘Ceres’, clone D13B/11, ‘Sofiivska’, ‘Vernisazh’ and ‘Big Ben’ in a diallel design according to Griffing’s Method III.It was shown that the cultivars ‘Big Ben’, ‘Sofiivska’ and ‘Vernisazh’ had significantly positive GCA effects for growth vigour and resistance of plants to powdery mildew, whereas ‘Ceres’ – for plant habit, which indicated their high breeding value for these traits. The significantly positive SCA values were estimated for the hybrid family: ‘Big Ben’ × ‘Ceres’ for low susceptibility of plants to powdery mildew and anthracnose. Statistically significant effects for reciprocal crosses (RE) were obtained only for few hybrid families

Higher education sector in Poland : analysis of consolidation processes

Background. Consolidation processes in the higher education sector, both public and private, are not very intensive. However, there is a large dispersion in the university sector. It can be argued that the number and intensity of consolidations will increase in the coming years. The reasons for the increase in the importance of consolidation can be seen in: progressive deprivatization of higher education in Poland, excessive institutional dispersion of the higher education system, demographic ‘tsunami’ and public policy, increasingly based on accountability. In the private sector, the merger reasons include in particular the increase in competitive pressure and demographic decline. Research aims. The aim of the article is to analyze the processes of mergers of Polish universities and to identify possible forms of mergers for various types of universities. Methodology. The methodology in the article below was based on qualitative research, analysis of the literature on the subject, internal materials of the studied entities. Key findings. In the public sector, the wave of mergers is in the initial phase, as manifested by the last two acquisitions of the State Higher Vocational Schools (in Sandomierz and Sulechów) by regional universities. Large and often networked universities can take over selected smaller private entities and sometimes also a selected part of their resources

Potential use of radar differential reflectivity measurements at orthogonal polarizations for measuring precipitation

Includes bibliographical references (pages 75-76).The potential use of differential reflectivity measurements at orthogonal polarizations to determine rainfall rate is examined. The method involves measurements of ZH and ZV, the radar reflectivity factors due to horizontally and vertically polarized incident waves respectively. The differential reflectivity, ZDR= 10 log (ZH/ZV), which should be precisely determinate, occurs as a result of the distortion of raindrops as they fall at terminal velocity. The approximate theory of Gans for electromagnetic scattering by spheroids is applied to the distorted raindrops. Assuming a general exponential form for the raindrop size distribution, equation sare derived relating the distribution parameters to the measurements. The determination of rainfall rate follows directly. Finally, the sensitivity of the distribution parameters to radar inaccuracies is examined, and several methods of implementing the measurements are suggested. It is concluded that good estimates of rainfall rate using a single non-attenuating wavelength radar are possible under ideal conditions