Effectiveness of Switch to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA) Biosimilars versus Maintenance of ESA Originators in the Real-Life Setting: Matched-Control Study in Hemodialysis Patients.

PubMed

Minutolo, Roberto; Bolasco, Piergiorgio; Chiodini, Paolo; Sposini, Stefano; Borzumati, Maurizio; Abaterusso, Cataldo; Mele, Alessandra A; Santoro, Domenico; Canale, Valeria; Santoboni, Alberto; Filiberti, Oliviero; Fiorini, Fulvio; Mura, Carlo; Imperiali, Patrizio; Borrelli, Silvio; Russo, Luigi; De Nicola, Luca; Russo, Domenico

2017-10-01

In hemodialysis (HD), switching from erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) originators to biosimilars is associated with the need for doses approximately 10% higher, according to industry-driven studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy on anemia control of switching from ESA originators to biosimilars in daily clinical practice. We retrospectively selected consecutive HD patients receiving stable intravenous ESA doses, and who had not been transfused in the previous 6 months, from 12 non-profit Italian centers. Patients switched from originators to biosimilars (n = 163) were matched with those maintained on ESA originators (n = 163) using a propensity score approach. The study duration was 24 weeks, and the primary endpoint was the mean dose difference (MDD), defined as the difference between the switch and control groups of ESA dose changes during the study (time-weighted average ESA dose minus baseline ESA dose). Age (70 ± 13 years), male sex (63%), diabetes (29%), history of cardiovascular disease (40%), body weight (68 ± 14 kg), vascular access (86% arteriovenous fistula), hemoglobin [Hb] (11.2 ± 0.9 g/dL) and ESA dose (8504 ± 6370 IU/week) were similar in the two groups. Hb remained unchanged during the study in both groups. Conversely, ESA dose remained unchanged in the control group and progressively increased in the switch group from week 8 to 24. The time-weighted average of the ESA dose was higher in the switch group than in the control group (10,503 ± 7389 vs. 7981 ± 5858 IU/week; p = 0.001), leading to a significant MDD of 2423 IU/week (95% confidence interval [CI] 1615-3321), corresponding to a 39.6% (95% CI 24.7-54.6) higher dose of biosimilars compared with originators. The time-weighted average of Hb was 0.2 g/dL lower in the switch group, with a more frequent ESA hyporesponsiveness (14.7 vs. 2.5%). Iron parameters and other resistance factors remained unchanged. In stable dialysis patients, switching from ESA originators to biosimilars requires 40% higher doses to maintain anemia control.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent use among non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients before and after the trial to Reduce Cardiovascular Events With Aranesp Therapy (TREAT) using a large US health plan database.

PubMed

Thamer, Mae; Zhang, Yi; Kshirsagar, Onkar; Cotter, Dennis J; Kaufman, James S

2014-11-01

In a landmark study, TREAT (Trial to Reduce Cardiovascular Events With Aranesp Therapy) examined the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy to treat anemia among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and found no benefit compared to placebo. A retrospective observational design was used to determine the impact of TREAT on clinical practice. A large US health plan database with more than 1.2 million claims for patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD stages 3 and 4. ESA prescribing 2 years before and after publication of TREAT. Rate of ESA prescribing for ESA-naive and -prevalent cohorts. (1) Monthly ESA prescribing in the 2 years before and after publication of TREAT (ordinary least squares regression), (2) adjusted likelihood of prescribing ESA after TREAT (clustered logistic regression), and (3) probability of receiving ESA therapy based on anemia status (χ(2) test). For patients with CKD stage 3, the proportion prescribed ESA therapy declined from 17% pre-TREAT to 11% post-TREAT (a 38% decline), and for those with CKD stage 4, from 34% to 27% (a 22% decline). Prescribing of ESA therapy was declining even before TREAT, but the decline accelerated in the post-TREAT period (stage 3: change of slope, -0.08 [P<0.001]; stage 4: change of slope, -0.16 [P<0.001]). ESA prescribing declined after TREAT regardless of anemia status; among patients with hemoglobin levels <10g/dL, only 25% of patients with CKD stage 3 and 33% of patients with stage 4 were prescribed ESAs 2 years after TREAT, a notable 50% decline. After adjusting for all covariates, the probability of prescribing ESAs was 35% lower during the 2-year period after versus before publication of TREAT (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.63-0.67). The cumulative effect of adverse safety concerns in the period before TREAT also influenced physician prescribing of ESA therapy and could not be separated from the influence of TREAT. TREAT appears to be a watershed study that was followed by a marked decline in ESA prescribing for patients with CKD. Copyright © 2014 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.

Venus within ESA probe reach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2006-03-01

Venus Express mission controllers at the ESA Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany are making intensive preparations for orbit insertion. This comprises a series of telecommands, engine burns and manoeuvres designed to slow the spacecraft down from a velocity of 29000 km per hour relative to Venus, just before the first burn, to an entry velocity some 15% slower, allowing the probe to be captured into orbit around the planet. The spacecraft will have to ignite its main engine for 50 minutes in order to achieve deceleration and place itself into a highly elliptical orbit around the planet. Most of its 570 kg of onboard propellant will be used for this manoeuvre. The spacecraft’s solar arrays will be positioned so as to reduce the possibility of excessive mechanical load during engine ignition. Over the subsequent days, a series of additional burns will be done to lower the orbit apocentre and to control the pericentre. The aim is to end up in a 24-hour orbit around Venus early in May. The Venus orbit injection operations can be followed live at ESA establishments, with ESOC acting as focal point of interest (see attached programme). In all establishments, ESA specialists will be on hand for interviews. ESA TV will cover this event live from ESOC in Darmstadt. The live transmission will be carried free-to-air. For broadcasters, complete details of the various satellite feeds are listed at http://television.esa.int. The event will be covered on the web at venus.esa.int. The website will feature regular updates, including video coverage of the press conference and podcast from the control room at ESA’s Operations Centre. Media representatives wishing to follow the event at one of the ESA establishments listed below are requested to fill in the attached registration form and fax it back to the place of their choice. For further information, please contact: ESA Media Relations Division Tel : +33(0)1.53.69.7155 Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690 Venus Express Orbit Insertion - Tuesday 11 April 2006 ESA/ESOC, Robert Bosch Strasse, 5 - Darmstadt (Germany) PROGRAMME 07:30 - Doors open 08:45 - Start of local event, welcome addresses 09:10 - ESA TV live from Mission Control Room (MCR) starts 09:17 - Engine burn sequence starts 09:45 - Occultation of spacecraft by Venus starts 09:55 - Occultation ends 10:07 - Main engine burn ends 10:20 - Address by Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA’s Director General, and other officials Break and buffet Interview opportunities 11:30-12:15 - Press Conference Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General, ESA Prof. David Southwood, Director of Science, ESA Gaele Winters, Director of Operations and Infrastructure, ESA Manfred Warhaut, Flight Operations Director, ESA Håkan Svedhem, Venus Express Project Scientist, ESA Don McCoy, Venus Express Project Manager, ESA 13:15 - End of event at ESOC ACCREDITATION REQUEST FORM Venus Express Orbit Insertion - ESA/ESOC Darmstadt - 11 April 2006 First name:___________________ Surname:_____________________ Media:______________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Tel:_______________________ Fax: ___________________________ Mobile :___________________ E-mail: ________________________ I will be attending the Venus Express Orbit Insertion event at the following site: [ ] Germany Location: ESA/ESOC Address: Robert Bosch Strasse 5, Darmstadt, Germany Opening hours: 07:30 - 13:00 Contact: Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin, Tel: +49.6151.902.696 - Fax: +49.6151.902.961 [ ] France Location: ESA HQ Address: 8/10, rue Mario Nikis - Paris 15, France Opening hours: 08:00 - 13:00 Contact: Anne-Marie Remondin - Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155 - fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690 [ ] The Netherlands Location: Newton Room, ESA/ESTEC Address: Keplerlaan 1, Noordwijk, The Netherlands Opening hours: 08:30 - 12:30 Contact: Michel van Baal, tel. + 31 71 565 3006, fax + 31 71 565 5728 [ ] Italy Location: ESA/ESRIN Address: Via Galileo Galilei, Frascati (Rome), Italy Opening hours: 07:00 - 14:00 Contact: Franca Morgia - Tel: +39.06.9418.0951 - Fax: +39.06.9418.0952 [ ] Spain Location: ESA/ESAC Address: Urbanización Villafranca del Castillo, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain Opening hours: 8:30 - 13:30 Contact: Monica Oerke, Tel + 34 91 813 13 27/59 - Fax: + 34 91 813 12 19

Second space Christmas for ESA: Huygens to begin its final journey to Titan/ Media activities.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2004-12-01

At 1.25 billion km from Earth, after a 7-year journey through the Solar system, ESA’s Huygens probe is about to separate from the Cassini orbiter to enter a ballistic trajectory toward Titan, the largest and most mysterious moon of Saturn, in order to dive into its atmosphere on 14 January. This will be the first man-made object to explore in-situ this unique environment, whose chemistry is assumed to be very similar to that of the early Earth just before life began, 3.8 billion years ago. The Cassini-Huygens pair, a joint mission conducted by NASA, ESA and the Italian space agency (ASI), was launched into space on 15 October 1997. With the help of several gravity assist manoeuvres during flybys of Venus, Earth and Jupiter, it took almost 7 years for the spacecraft to reach Saturn. The Cassini orbiter, carrying Huygens on its flank, entered an orbit around Saturn on 1 July 2004, and began to investigate the ringed planet and its moons for a mission that will last at least four years. The first distant flyby of Titan took place on 2-3 July 2004. It provided data on Titan's atmosphere which were confirmed by the data obtained during the first close flyby on 26 October 2004 at an altitude of 1174 km. These data were used to validate the entry conditions of the Huygens probe. A second close flyby of Titan by Cassini-Huygens at an altitude of 1200 km is scheduled on 13 December and will provide additional data to further validate the entry conditions of the Huygens probe. On 17 December the orbiter will be placed on a controlled collision course with Titan in order to release Huygens on the proper trajectory, and on 21 December (some dates and times are subject to minor adjustment for operational reasons, except the entry time on 14 January which is know to within an accuracy of under 2 minutes) all systems will be set up for separation and the Huygens timers will be set to wake the probe a few hours before its arrival at Titan. The Huygens probe is due to separate on the morning of 25 December at about 05:08 CET. Since the Cassini orbiter will have to achieve precise pointing for the release, there will be no real-time telemetry available until it turns back its main antenna toward Earth and beams the recorded data of the release. It will take over an hour (67 min) for the signals to reach us on Earth. The final data confirming the separation will be available later on Christmas Day. After release, Huygens will move away from Cassini at a speed of about 35 cm per second and, to keep on track, will spin on its axis, making about 7 revolutions a minute. Huygens will not communicate with Cassini for the whole period until after deployment of the main parachute following entry into Titan’s atmosphere. On 28 December Cassini will then manoeuvre off collision course to resume its mission and prepare itself to receive Huygens data, which it will record for later playback to Earth. Huygens will remain dormant until a few hours before its arrival at Titan on 14 January. The entry into the atmosphere is set for 11:15 CET. Huygens is planned to complete its descent in about two hours and 15 minutes, beaming back its science data to the Cassini orbiter for replay to Earth later in the afternoon. If Huygens, which is designed as an atmospheric probe rather than a lander, survives touchdown on the surface, it could deliver up to 2 hours of bonus data before the link with Cassini is lost. Direct radio signals from Huygens will reach Earth after 67 minutes of interplanetary travel at the speed of light. An experiment has been set up by radio scientists that will use an array of radio telescopes around the Pacific to attempt to detect a faint tone from Huygens. If successful, early detection is not expected before around 11:30 CET. The European Space Agency owns and manages the Huygens probe and is in charge of operations of the probe from its control centre in Darmstadt, Germany. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, designed, developed and assembled the Cassini orbiter. NASA's Deep Space Network, also managed by JPL, will be providing communications support via the Cassini orbiter and relaying it to ESA’s control centre in Darmstadt for processing. The Italian Space Agency provided the high-gain antenna on the Cassini orbiter, much of the radio system and elements of several of Cassini's science instruments. The Huygens payload has been provided by teams including from CNES, DLR, ASI and PPARC, and outside Europe, from NASA. Practical arrangements for the Media wishing to cover the event These dramatic events marking the first attempt ever to unveil the mysteries of Titan in-situ, a distant world bigger than Mercury and Pluto which may hold clues to the early days of our own planet, will be marked by several media activities not to be missed. Pencil them into your diary. Saturday 25 December Spacecraft operations will be run at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. The ESA Media Relations Office in Paris will be operational from 04:00 hrs to 12:00 CET. ESA specialists can be reached for interviews and comments via the ESA News Desk on +33(0)1.53.69.71.55. Contacts: Franco Bonacina, Anne-Marie Rémondin, Roberto Lo Verde. Interviews from JPL can also be arranged by calling the JPL media relations office at + 1. 818-354-5011. ESA specialists at JPL: Jean-Pierre Lebreton, Claudio Sollazzo. 05:08 CET - Expected separation of the Huygens probe from the Cassini orbiter ~07:00 CET - Status report upon successful separation from NASA/JPL 10:00 CET at the latest : ESA press release assessing the separation of the Huygens probe ~10:00 CET - ESA TV Video News Release produced at JPL during separation (contact for TVs: Claus Habfast: + 31(0)6.51.18.14.96, claus.habfast@esa.int) Transmission details will be on http://television.esa.int 12:00 CET - Replay of ESA TV Video News Release on separation Thursday 13 January ESA’s ESOC establishment in Darmstadt, Germany, will act as the main European press centre. The Huygens Principal Investigators, the ESA Huygens Mission Manager and Project Scientist will be at ESA/ESOC and available for interviews. If you wish to attend the media activities at ESOC, please return the attached accreditation form. Press Contacts: Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin jocelyne.landeau-constantin@esa.int (+49(0)6151.90.2696) Bernhard von Weyhe Bernhard.von.Weyhe@esa.int (+49(0)6151.90.2516). 17:00-17:30 CET - Press briefing at ESA/ESOC Control Centre. Televised on ESA TV - This event can also be followed remotely by phone : +49(0)69.4035.9681. Friday 14 January Media briefings originated at ESA/ESOC will also be retransmitted to several ESA establishments and across Europe: Cité des Sciences/ La Villette in Paris (F), (event hosted in coordination with ESA and CNES), ESA/ESTEC in Noordwijk (NL), ESA/ESRIN Frascati (I), ESA/ESAC in Villafranca (E), Central London (event hosted by PPARC). ESA specialists will be on hand at the various locations for interviews. If you wish to attend the briefings at one of these venues, please contact the local Communication services directly. ESA for Cité des Sciences, Paris (F): Anne-Marie Rémondin (Anne-Marie.Remondin@esa.int), + 33(0)1.5369.7155 or Brigitte Kolmsee (Brigitte.Kolmsee@esa.int), + 33(0)1.5369.7299 ESA/ESTEC,Noorwijk Space Expo (NL): + 31(0)71.565.3006- Wil Spangenberg (Wil.Spangenberg@esa.int) ESA/ESRIN, Frascati (I): + 39 06 9418 0951- Franca Morgia (Franca.Morgia@esa.int) ESA/ESAC, Villafranca (E): + 34 91 813 11 00- Monica Oerke (Monica.Oerke@esa.int) PPARC, London (UK) : Peter Barratt + 44 (0)1793 44 20 25 (Peter.Barratt@pparc.ac.uk) ESA TV Broadcast schedule for 14 January 2005 09:00-09:30 CET - ESA TV broadcast - Cassini turns to Huygens - Feeds from ESA/ESOC main Control Room 11:00-12:15 CET - ESA TV Broadcast - Probe activation to parachute deployment and status of tracking by radio-telescope 13:30-14:00 CET - Press briefing at ESA/ESOC: Huygens descent update (possible results from ground radio telescope observations - televised on ESA TV 14:30-15:00 CET - ESA TV broadcast: mission update 16:00-16:30 CET - ESA TV broadcast: mission update As of 17:15 CET - Press briefing: arrival of first data - televised on ESA TV 23:00-24:00 CET - Press briefing: presentation of first image if available) - Televised on ESA TV All events can also be followed (audio only) by calling + 49(0)69.4035.9681 and highlights of ESA TV can be watched on the Web at http://saturn.esa.int Saturday 15 January 11:00-12:00 CET - Press conference at ESA/ESOC: presentation of the first image, sounds, etc. - not broadcast live on ESA TV. This event can also be followed (audio only) by calling + 49(0)69.4035.9681. A video news release with the highlights will be available on ESA TV for broadcasters immediately at the end of the press conference. Satellite details for ESA TV broadcast reception: The ESA TV Service provides live broadcasts of ESA’s most important events on the Astra 2-C satellite, using a digital transponder that enables everyone in the satellite’s footprint, with a digital receiver and a parabolic pointing at 19.2 degrees East, to follow these events. For more information and updates, please check the ESA TV Website: http://television.esa.int . And on the Web You can follow all main Cassini/Huygens mission events on the ESA web at: http://saturn.esa.int Here you will find information on Cassini-Huygens and its status, a rich selection of multimedia material, news on the separation of Huygens from the Cassini orbiter and the latest updates on January 13. There will be continuous coverage during the last exciting hours of the descent on 14 January, with the first image expected late on 14 January or on 15 January. Bookmark now http://saturn.esa.int ! And if you have not already done so, subscribe to the ESA portal news at http://www.esa.int/esaCP/subscribers.html , you will get the latest news on this fascinating mission directly into your mail box! Messages from earthlings and pop music heading to Titan Before the mission was launched, ESA offered Europeans a unique opportunity to send a message to the unknown. Over 80 000 people wanted to share the excitement of this mission and wrote or drew a message that was engraved on a CD-ROM put on board the Huygens probe. The messages can be seen on http://television.esa.int/Huygens/index.cfm The same CD ROM carries four pop songs, composed by French musicians Julien Civange and Louis Haéri. More about this project at http://www.music2titan.com Specific information for media representatives going to ESA/ESOC Getting there: The nearest airport is Frankfurt-am-Main and it takes about 20 minutes by taxi to get to ESA/ESOC. A shuttle bus is also available from the airport approximately every 30 minutes. There are also frequent trains (approx. every 40 minutes) from the airport to Darmstadt (one change). http://www.heag.de/verkehr/02_02.html http://www.bahn.de/pv/view/index.shtml Accommodation: Darmstadt has many hotels, ranging in price from € 68 to € 230 (the closest to ESA/ESOC is a 4-star Maritim Konferenz Hotel, in walking distance from the Control Centre). For further information about Darmstadt hotels go to http://www.proregio-darmstadt.de/uebernachten/hotel.asp. If you need help with accommodation, do not hesitate to contact the ESA/ESOC travel office on +49(0)6151.902.885. Laptops/ Internet/ Cell Phones: Power supply rating: 220-240 volts (adaptor plug available in most hardware stores or at most international airport shops). Most North American cell phones will not work in Europe unless they are tri-band phones. Internet via LAN: Standard network connector RJ45 required in laptop. Internet via analogue modem: Standard RJ11 connector in laptop, special German Telekom TAE connection to the socket. Internet via ISDN: PCMCIA Card inside Laptop, RJ45 in the wall. The ESA/ESOC Press Rooms are equipped with ISDN and standard network with RJ45 cable. No wireless LAN is available for the media. Analog lines can be provided if needed.

The European Astronaut Centre prepares for International Space Station operations.

PubMed

Messerschmid, E; Haignere, J P; Damian, K; Damann, V

2004-04-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) contribution to the International Space Station (ISS) goes much beyond the delivery of hardware like the Columbus Laboratory, its payloads and the Automated Transfer Vehicles. ESA Astronauts will be members of the ISS crew. ESA, according to its commitments as ISS international partner, will be responsible to provide training on its elements and payloads to all ISS crewmembers and medical support for ESA astronauts. The European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne has developed over more than a decade into the centre of expertise for manned space activities within ESA by contributing to a number of important co-operative spaceflight missions. This role will be significantly extended for ISS manned operations. Apart from its support to ESA astronauts and their onboard operations, EAC will have a key role in training all ISS astronauts on ESA elements and payloads. The medical support of ISS crew, in particular of ESA astronauts has already started. This paper provides an overview on status and further plans in building up this homebase function for ESA astronauts and on the preparation towards Training Readiness for ISS crew training at EAC, Cologne. Copyright 2001 by the European Space Agency. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. Released to IAF/IAA/AIAA to publish in all forms. c2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agents (ESA) in Patients With End-Stage Renal Failure Decided to Forego Dialysis: Palliative Perspective.

PubMed

Cheng, Hon Wai Benjamin; Chan, Kwok Ying; Lau, Hoi To; Man, Ching Wah; Cheng, Suk Ching; Lam, Carman

2017-05-01

Normochromic normocytic anemia is a common complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with many adverse clinical consequences. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) act to replace endogenous erythropoietin for patients with end-stage renal disease having anemia. Today, ESAs remain the main tool for treating anemia associated with CKD. In current practice, the use of ESA is not limited to the patients on renal replacement therapy but has extended to nondialysis patients under palliative care (PC). Current evidence on ESA usage in patients with CKD decided to forego dialysis often have to take reference from studies conducted in other groups of patients with CKD, including pre-dialysis patients and those on renal replacement therapy. There is paucity of studies targeting use of ESAs in renal PC patients. Small-scale retrospective study in renal PC patients had suggested clinical advantage of ESAs in terms of hemoglobin improvement, reduction in fatigue, and hospitalization rate. With the expected growth in elderly patients with CKD decided to forego dialysis and manage conservatively, there remains an urgent need to call for large-scale prospective trial in exploring efficacy of ESAs in this population, targeting on quality of life and symptoms improvement outcome. This article also reviews the mechanism of action, pharmacology, adverse effects, and clinical trial evidence for ESA in patients with CKD under renal PC.

Bundled-rate legislation for Medicare reimbursement for dialysis services: implications for anemia management with ESAs.

PubMed

Charytan, Chaim

2010-12-01

With the incidence of ESRD on the rise, there is a continuing need to control anemia-related treatment costs in dialysis patients receiving reimbursement through Medicare. Currently, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are billed separately from dialysis services, potentially creating little financial incentive for more efficient use. The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in July 2008, includes provisions intended to address this concern. Under this act, dialysis services will be reimbursed using a fully bundled, comprehensive payment system that includes all services currently covered in the basic composite rate, as well as certain separately billable items, including ESAs. A base rate of $229.63 per treatment has been assigned, to be individualized using case-mix adjusters. The implications of this new system for anemia management with ESAs continue to be elucidated. With fixed compensation for ESAs, management strategies that maximize efficiencies and, thereby, optimize cost savings will be favored. Select strategies may include switching from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous routes, lowering Hb targets and ESA doses in hyporesponsive patients, increasing administration of IV iron, increasing use of home dialysis, and optimizing ESA dosing intervals. Once-monthly ESA therapy has potential advantages under this new system as an alternative to more frequently administered ESAs and may help achieve quality metrics in a cost-efficient manner.

ESA Science Archives, VO tools and remote Scientific Data reduction in Grid Architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arviset, C.; Barbarisi, I.; de La Calle, I.; Fajersztejn, N.; Freschi, M.; Gabriel, C.; Gomez, P.; Guainazzi, M.; Ibarra, A.; Laruelo, A.; Leon, I.; Micol, A.; Parrilla, E.; Ortiz, I.; Osuna, P.; Salgado, J.; Stebe, A.; Tapiador, D.

2008-08-01

This paper presents the latest functionalities of the ESA Science Archives located at ESAC, Spain, in particular, the following archives : the ISO Data Archive (IDA {http://iso.esac.esa.int/ida}), the XMM-Newton Science Archive (XSA {http://xmm.esac.esa.int/xsa}), the Integral SOC Science Data Archive (ISDA {http://integral.esac.esa.int/isda}) and the Planetary Science Archive (PSA {http://www.rssd.esa.int/psa}), both the classical and the map-based Mars Express interfaces. Furthermore, the ESA VOSpec {http://esavo.esac.esa.int/vospecapp} spectra analysis tool is described, which allows to access and display spectral information from VO resources (both real observational and theoretical spectra), including access to Lines database and recent analysis functionalities. In addition, we detail the first implementation of RISA (Remote Interface for Science Analysis), a web service providing remote users the ability to create fully configurable XMM-Newton data analysis workflows, and to deploy and run them on the ESAC Grid. RISA makes fully use of the inter-operability provided by the SIAP (Simple Image Access Protocol) services as data input, and at the same time its VO-compatible output can directly be used by general VO-tools.

Econo-ESA in semantic text similarity.

PubMed

Rahutomo, Faisal; Aritsugi, Masayoshi

2014-01-01

Explicit semantic analysis (ESA) utilizes an immense Wikipedia index matrix in its interpreter part. This part of the analysis multiplies a large matrix by a term vector to produce a high-dimensional concept vector. A similarity measurement between two texts is performed between two concept vectors with numerous dimensions. The cost is expensive in both interpretation and similarity measurement steps. This paper proposes an economic scheme of ESA, named econo-ESA. We investigate two aspects of this proposal: dimensional reduction and experiments with various data. We use eight recycling test collections in semantic text similarity. The experimental results show that both the dimensional reduction and test collection characteristics can influence the results. They also show that an appropriate concept reduction of econo-ESA can decrease the cost with minor differences in the results from the original ESA.

Examining Emotional Support Animals and Role Conflicts in Professional Psychology

PubMed Central

Younggren, Jeffrey N.; Boisvert, Jennifer A.; Boness, Cassandra L.

2016-01-01

This article examines the role conflicts that psychologists may face in their practices related to the evaluation and certification of emotional support animals (ESAs). It reviews the legal differences between ESAs and service animals (SAs), outlines ethical guidelines and legal policies/regulations regarding the use of ESAs, and examines the potential role conflicts that exist when a treating psychologist is certifying the need for an ESA. Finally, it makes recommendations to assist psychologists in staying within the standards of practice in order to avoid the ethical and legal risks associated with certifying an ESA. PMID:27909384

Examining Emotional Support Animals and Role Conflicts in Professional Psychology.

PubMed

Younggren, Jeffrey N; Boisvert, Jennifer A; Boness, Cassandra L

2016-08-01

This article examines the role conflicts that psychologists may face in their practices related to the evaluation and certification of emotional support animals (ESAs). It reviews the legal differences between ESAs and service animals (SAs), outlines ethical guidelines and legal policies/regulations regarding the use of ESAs, and examines the potential role conflicts that exist when a treating psychologist is certifying the need for an ESA. Finally, it makes recommendations to assist psychologists in staying within the standards of practice in order to avoid the ethical and legal risks associated with certifying an ESA.

Reflections of ions in electrostatic analyzers: A case study with New Horizons/Solar Wind Around Pluto

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Randol, B. M.; Ebert, R. W.; Allegrini, F.; McComas, D. J.; Schwadron, N. A.

2010-11-01

Electrostatic analyzers (ESAs), in various forms, are used to measure plasma in a range of applications. In this article, we describe how ions reflect from the interior surfaces of an ESA, the detection of which constitutes a fundamentally nonideal response of ESAs. We demonstrate this effect by comparing laboratory data from a real ESA-based space instrument, the Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument, aboard the NASA New Horizons spacecraft, to results from a model based on quantum mechanical simulations of particles reflected from the instrument's surfaces combined with simulations of particle trajectories through the instrument's applied electrostatic fields. Thus, we show, for the first time, how reflected ions in ESAs lead to nonideal effects that have important implications for understanding the data returned by these instruments, as well as for designing new low-background ESA-based instruments. Specifically, we show that the response of SWAP widens considerably below a level of 10-3 of the peak response. Thus, a direct measurement of a plasma distribution with SWAP will have an energy-dependent background on the order of <=10-3 of the peak of the signal due to that distribution. We predict that this order of magnitude estimate for the background applies to a large number of ESA-based instruments because ESAs operate using a common principle. However, the exact shape of the energy-dependent response will be different for different instruments. The principle of operation is that ions outside the ideal range of energy-per-charge are deflected into the walls of the ESA. Therefore, we propose that a new design paradigm is necessary to mitigate the effect of ion reflections and thus accurately and directly measure the energy spectrum of a plasma using ESAs. In this article, we build a framework for minimizing the effect of ion reflections in the design of new ESAs. Through the use of existing computer simulation software, a design team can use our method to quantify the amount of reflections in their instrument and iteratively change design parameters before fabrication, conserving resources. A possible direction for the new design paradigm is having nonsolid walls of the ESA, already used in some applications.

Elements of ESA's policy on space and security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giannopapa, Christina; Adriaensen, Maarten; Antoni, Ntorina; Schrogl, Kai-Uwe

2018-06-01

In the past decade Europe has been facing rising security threats, ranging from climate change, migrations, nearby conflicts and crises, to terrorism. The demand to tackle these critical challenges is increasing in Member States. Space is already contributing, and could further contribute with already existing systems and future ones. The increasing need for security in Europe and for safety and security of Europe's space activities has led to a growing number of activities in ESA in various domains. It has also driven new and strengthened partnerships with security stakeholders in Europe. At the European level, ESA is collaborating closely with the main European institutions dealing with space security. In addition, as an organisation ESA has evolved to conduct security-related projects and programmes and to address the threats to its own activities, thereby securing the investments of the Member States. Over the past years the Agency has set up a comprehensive regulatory framework in order to be able to cope with security related requirements. Over the past years, ESA has increased its exchanges with its Member States. The paper presents main elements of the ESA's policy on space and security. It introduces the current European context for space and security, the European goals in this domain and the specific objectives to which the Agency intends to contribute. Space and security in the ESA context is set out under two components: a) security from space and b) security in space, including the security of ESA's own activities (corporate security and the security of ESA's space missions). Subsequently, ESA's activities are elaborated around these two pillars, composed of different activities conducted in the most appropriate frameworks and in coordination with the relevant stakeholders and shareholders.

Rasch analysis of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and research implications.

PubMed

Cheifetz, O; Packham, T L; Macdermid, J C

2014-04-01

Reliable and valid assessment of the disease burden across all forms of cancer is critical to the evaluation of treatment effectiveness and patient progress. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (esas) is used for routine evaluation of people attending for cancer care. In the present study, we used Rasch analysis to explore the measurement properties of the esas and to determine the effect of using Rasch-proposed interval-level esas scoring compared with traditional scoring when evaluating the effects of an exercise program for cancer survivors. Polytomous Rasch analysis (Andrich's rating-scale model) was applied to data from 26,645 esas questionnaires completed at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. The fit of the esas to the polytomous Rasch model was investigated, including evaluations of differential item functioning for sex, age, and disease group. The research implication was investigated by comparing the results of an observational research study previously analysed using a traditional approach with the results obtained by Rasch-proposed interval-level esas scoring. The Rasch reliability index was 0.73, falling short of the desired 0.80-0.90 level. However, the esas was found to fit the Rasch model, including the criteria for uni-dimensional data. The analysis suggests that the current esas scoring system of 0-10 could be collapsed to a 6-point scale. Use of the Rasch-proposed interval-level scoring yielded results that were different from those calculated using summarized ordinal-level esas scores. Differential item functioning was not found for sex, age, or diagnosis groups. The esas is a moderately reliable uni-dimensional measure of cancer disease burden and can provide interval-level scaling with Rasch-based scoring. Further, our study indicates that, compared with the traditional scoring metric, Rasch-based scoring could result in substantive changes to conclusions.

Follow the Mars Express launch from one of ESA's establishments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2003-05-01

Europe’s first mission to the Red Planet will reach its target in December, after a six-month journey. Mars Express will help scientists answer questions about the Martian landscape, atmosphere and the origin of life that remain open, although a wealth of information is already available. Media representatives in Europe can follow the launch and initial orbital operations at ESA/Darmstadt (ESOC) in Germany, which will be acting as the main European press centre, or ESA/Noordwijk (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. ESA/Frascati (ESRIN) in Italy and the Italian Space Agency, ASI, are organising a joint event at the University of Rome. ESA/Villafranca (VILSPA) and the CDTI, the Spanish institution in charge of space issues, are organising a joint event in Spain at the Museo Principe Felipe de la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia. At each site ESA specialists will be available for interviews. Media representatives wishing to attend are requested to complete the attached reply form and fax it to the Communication Office at the establishment of their choice. The ESA TV Service will provide live televised coverage of the launch and initial orbital operations with English commentary, between 19:15 and 22:00 CEST. Satellite: Astra 2C at 19 degrees East Reception frequency: 10832 MHz Polarisation: Horizontal Symbol rate: 22 Msymb/s FEC: 5/6 Service ID: 61950 Service name: ESA TXT: none Details of the transmission schedule and satellite details for the various pre-launch Video News Releases can be found on http://television.esa.int. The launch can also be followed live on the internet at www.esa.int/marsexpresslaunch starting at 19:15 hrs. Here you can also find the launch diary, news, press releases, videos, images and more.

Determination of alachlor and its sulfonic acid metabolite in water by solid-phase extraction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

USGS Publications Warehouse

Aga, D.S.; Thurman, E.M.; Pomes, M.L.

1994-01-01

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were combined for the trace analysis of the herbicide alachlor and its major soil metabolite, ethanesulfonic acid (ESA). The anti-alachlor antibody cross-reacted with ESA, which produced false-positive detections of alachlor in water samples by immunoassay screens. Alachlor and ESA were isolated from water by SPE on a C18 resin and eluted sequentially with ethyl acetate and methanol. Alachlor is soluble in ethyl acetate while the anionic ESA is not. Thus ESA remained adsorbed on the C18 resin and was eluted later with methanol. The combination of SPE with ELISA effectivety separated and quantified both alachlor and ESA using the same antibody for two ELISA methods. The general method may have applicability for the separation of other herbicides and their ionic metabolites. The SPE-ELISA method has a, detection limit of 0.01 ??g/L for alachlor and 0.05 ??g/L for ESA, with a precision of ?? 10%. Analyses of surface and ground water samples were confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection. Results showed widespread occurrence of ESA in surface and ground water of the midwestern United States, with concentrations ranging from 10 ??g/L.

NASA and ESA Partnership on the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Service Module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schubert, Kathleen E.; Grantier, Julie A.

2012-01-01

(1) ESA decided in its Council Meeting in March 2011 to partially offset the European ISS obligations after 2015 with different means than ATVs; (2) The envisioned approach is based on a barter element(s) that would generate cost avoidance on the NASA side; (3) NASA and ESA considered a number of Barter options, NASA concluded that the provision by ESA of the Service Module for the NASA Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) was the barter with the most interest;. (4) A joint ESA - NASA working group was established in May 2011 to assess the feasibility of Europe developing this Module based on ATV heritage; (5)The working group was supported by European and US industry namely Astrium, TAS-I and Lockheed-Martin; and (6) The project is currently in phase B1 with the objective to prepare a technical and programmatic proposal for an ESA MPCV-SM development. This proposal will be one element of the package that ESA plans submit to go forward for approval by European Ministers in November 2012.

Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessment along Nankai Trough (2) a comprehensive assessment including a variety of earthquake source areas other than those that the Earthquake Research Committee, Japanese government (2013) showed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirata, K.; Fujiwara, H.; Nakamura, H.; Osada, M.; Morikawa, N.; Kawai, S.; Ohsumi, T.; Aoi, S.; Yamamoto, N.; Matsuyama, H.; Toyama, N.; Kito, T.; Murashima, Y.; Murata, Y.; Inoue, T.; Saito, R.; Takayama, J.; Akiyama, S.; Korenaga, M.; Abe, Y.; Hashimoto, N.

2016-12-01

For the forthcoming Nankai earthquake with M8 to M9 class, the Earthquake Research Committee(ERC)/Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion, Japanese government (2013) showed 15 examples of earthquake source areas (ESAs) as possible combinations of 18 sub-regions (6 segments along trough and 3 segments normal to trough) and assessed the occurrence probability within the next 30 years (from Jan. 1, 2013) was 60% to 70%. Hirata et al.(2015, AGU) presented Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessment (PTHA) along Nankai Trough in the case where diversity of the next event's ESA is modeled by only the 15 ESAs. In this study, we newly set 70 ESAs in addition of the previous 15 ESAs so that total of 85 ESAs are considered. By producing tens of faults models, with various slip distribution patterns, for each of 85 ESAs, we obtain 2500 fault models in addition of previous 1400 fault models so that total of 3900 fault models are considered to model the diversity of the next Nankai earthquake rupture (Toyama et al.,2015, JpGU). For PTHA, the occurrence probability of the next Nankai earthquake is distributed to possible 3900 fault models in the viewpoint of similarity to the 15 ESAs' extents (Abe et al.,2015, JpGU). A major concept of the occurrence probability distribution is; (i) earthquakes rupturing on any of 15 ESAs that ERC(2013) showed most likely occur, (ii) earthquakes rupturing on any of ESAs whose along-trench extent is the same as any of 15 ESAs but trough-normal extent differs from it second likely occur, (iii) earthquakes rupturing on any of ESAs whose both of along-trough and trough-normal extents differ from any of 15 ESAs rarely occur. Procedures for tsunami simulation and probabilistic tsunami hazard synthesis are the same as Hirata et al (2015). A tsunami hazard map, synthesized under an assumption that the Nankai earthquakes can be modeled as a renewal process based on BPT distribution with a mean recurrence interval of 88.2 years (ERC, 2013) and an aperiodicity of 0.22, as the median of the values (0.20 to 0.24)that ERC (2013) recommended, suggests that several coastal segments along the southwest coast of Shikoku Island, the southeast coast of Kii Peninsula, and the west coast of Izu Peninsula show over 26 % in exceedance probability that maximum water rise exceeds 10 meters at any coastal point within the next 30 years.

Risks of Venous Thromboembolism, Stroke, Heart Disease, and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Associated With Hematopoietic Growth Factors in a Large Population-Based Cohort of Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

PubMed

Du, Xianglin L; Zhang, Yefei

2015-12-01

To determine the relationship between the receipt of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), stroke, heart disease, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in patients with colorectal cancer. We studied 80,925 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age ≥ 65 years in 1992-2009 from the nationwide 16 areas of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked data. Cumulative incidence and the time to events Cox hazard regressions were used to explore the risks of outcomes in association with the receipt of CSFs and ESAs. Patients who received chemotherapy (CT) with both CSF and ESA were 58% more likely to develop VTE than those who received CT without CSF and ESA (hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.43-1.76). The risk of stroke appeared to be not associated with the use of CSF and ESA, whereas the risk of heart disease was only significantly elevated in those patients who did not receive CT but received ESA. The risk of acute myeloid leukemia or MDS was significantly increased 4- to 9-fold in patients who received ESA, regardless of receipt of CT or CSF. The use of ESAs was significantly associated with a substantially increased risk of MDS in patients with colorectal cancer. The use of CSFs and ESAs was also significantly associated with a moderately increased risk of VTE and a slightly elevated risk of heart disease. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Predictors of Hyporesponsiveness to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in Hemodialysis Patients

PubMed Central

Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar; Lee, Grace H; Miller, Jessica E.; Streja, Elani; Jing, Jennie; Robertson, John A; Kovesdy, Csaba P.

2009-01-01

Background Identification of predictors of hyporesponsiveness to erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESA) in hemodialysis (HD) patients may help improve anemia management and reduce hemoglobin variability. Study Design We conducted repeated measure and logistic regression analyses in a retrospective cohort of long-term HD patients to examine the association of iron markers and measures of renal osteodystrophy with ESA-responsiveness. The ESA-response coefficient at the individual level, i.e., the least-confounded dose-response association, was separated from the population level, assumed to represent confounding by medical indication. Setting/Participants The national database of a large dialysis organization (DaVita) with 38,328 surviving prevalent HD patients over 12 months, who received ESA for at least 3 consecutive calendar quarters, was examined. Predictors Serum levels of ferritin, iron saturation ratio (ISAT), intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and alkaline phosphatase levels. Outcomes/Other Measurements The main outcome was case-mix adjusted hemoglobin response to quarterly averaged ESA dose at individual level. The odds ratio (OR) of the greatest vs. poorest ESA-response quartile at patient level was calculated. OR<1.0 indicated ESA hyporesponsiveness and OR>1.0 enhanced responsiveness. Results The mean (±SD) ESA-response coefficients of the least to most responsive quartiles were 0.301±0.033, 0.344±0.004, 0.357±0.004, and 0.389±0.026 g/dL higher hemoglobin per 1,000 units/week higher ESA dose in each quarter, respectively. The ORs of the greatest vs. poorest ESA-responsiveness at patient level were the following: Serum ferritin<200 ng/ml: 0.77 [95% confidence interval: 0.70–0.86] (reference: 200–500 ng/ml), ISAT<20%: 0.54 [0.49–0.59] (reference: 20–30%), intact PTH≥600 pg/ml: 0.54 [0.49–0.60] (reference: 150–300 pg/ml), and alkaline phosphatase ≥160 IU/L: 0.64 [0.58–0.70] (reference: 80–120 IU/L). Lower estimated dietary protein intake and serum levels of nutritional markers were also associated with higher risk of ESA-hyporesponsiveness. Limitations Our results may incorporate uncontrolled confounding. Achieved hemoglobin may have different associations than targeted hemoglobin. Conclusions In long-term HD patients, low iron stores, hyperparathyroidism and high turnover bone disease are associated with significant ESA-hyporesponsiveness. Prospective studies are needed to verify these associations. PMID:19339087

Reflections of ions in electrostatic analyzers: a case study with New Horizons/Solar Wind Around Pluto.

PubMed

Randol, B M; Ebert, R W; Allegrini, F; McComas, D J; Schwadron, N A

2010-11-01

Electrostatic analyzers (ESAs), in various forms, are used to measure plasma in a range of applications. In this article, we describe how ions reflect from the interior surfaces of an ESA, the detection of which constitutes a fundamentally nonideal response of ESAs. We demonstrate this effect by comparing laboratory data from a real ESA-based space instrument, the Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument, aboard the NASA New Horizons spacecraft, to results from a model based on quantum mechanical simulations of particles reflected from the instrument's surfaces combined with simulations of particle trajectories through the instrument's applied electrostatic fields. Thus, we show, for the first time, how reflected ions in ESAs lead to nonideal effects that have important implications for understanding the data returned by these instruments, as well as for designing new low-background ESA-based instruments. Specifically, we show that the response of SWAP widens considerably below a level of 10(-3) of the peak response. Thus, a direct measurement of a plasma distribution with SWAP will have an energy-dependent background on the order of ≤10(-3) of the peak of the signal due to that distribution. We predict that this order of magnitude estimate for the background applies to a large number of ESA-based instruments because ESAs operate using a common principle. However, the exact shape of the energy-dependent response will be different for different instruments. The principle of operation is that ions outside the ideal range of energy-per-charge are deflected into the walls of the ESA. Therefore, we propose that a new design paradigm is necessary to mitigate the effect of ion reflections and thus accurately and directly measure the energy spectrum of a plasma using ESAs. In this article, we build a framework for minimizing the effect of ion reflections in the design of new ESAs. Through the use of existing computer simulation software, a design team can use our method to quantify the amount of reflections in their instrument and iteratively change design parameters before fabrication, conserving resources. A possible direction for the new design paradigm is having nonsolid walls of the ESA, already used in some applications.

Reflections of ions in electrostatic analyzers: A case study with New Horizons/Solar Wind Around Pluto

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Randol, B. M.; Ebert, R. W.; Space Science and Engineering Division, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas 78228

Electrostatic analyzers (ESAs), in various forms, are used to measure plasma in a range of applications. In this article, we describe how ions reflect from the interior surfaces of an ESA, the detection of which constitutes a fundamentally nonideal response of ESAs. We demonstrate this effect by comparing laboratory data from a real ESA-based space instrument, the Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument, aboard the NASA New Horizons spacecraft, to results from a model based on quantum mechanical simulations of particles reflected from the instrument's surfaces combined with simulations of particle trajectories through the instrument's applied electrostatic fields. Thus, wemore » show, for the first time, how reflected ions in ESAs lead to nonideal effects that have important implications for understanding the data returned by these instruments, as well as for designing new low-background ESA-based instruments. Specifically, we show that the response of SWAP widens considerably below a level of 10{sup -3} of the peak response. Thus, a direct measurement of a plasma distribution with SWAP will have an energy-dependent background on the order of {<=}10{sup -3} of the peak of the signal due to that distribution. We predict that this order of magnitude estimate for the background applies to a large number of ESA-based instruments because ESAs operate using a common principle. However, the exact shape of the energy-dependent response will be different for different instruments. The principle of operation is that ions outside the ideal range of energy-per-charge are deflected into the walls of the ESA. Therefore, we propose that a new design paradigm is necessary to mitigate the effect of ion reflections and thus accurately and directly measure the energy spectrum of a plasma using ESAs. In this article, we build a framework for minimizing the effect of ion reflections in the design of new ESAs. Through the use of existing computer simulation software, a design team can use our method to quantify the amount of reflections in their instrument and iteratively change design parameters before fabrication, conserving resources. A possible direction for the new design paradigm is having nonsolid walls of the ESA, already used in some applications.« less

Budget impact analysis on erythropoiesis-stimulating agents use for the management of chemotherapy-induced anaemia in Greece.

PubMed

Nikolaidi, Eleftheria; Hatzikou, Magdalini; Geitona, Mary

2013-07-16

Chemotherapy-induced anaemia is a common and significant complication of chemotherapy treatment. Blood transfusion and administration of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) either alone or in combination with iron are the most widely used therapeutic options. In Greece, ESAs are among the top ten therapeutic groups with the highest pharmaceutical expenditure, since they are fully reimbursed by social security funds. The objective of the study is to determine potential cost savings related with the use of biosimilar over originator ESAs for the management of the newly diagnosed chemotherapy-induced anemic patients. A budget impact analysis has been carried through the elaboration of national epidemiological, clinical and economic data. Epidemiological data derived from WHO (GLOBOCAN) and the European Cancer Anaemia Survey. Clinical data reflect oncology patients' disease management. ESAs consumption was based on data from the biggest social security fund (IKA). The administration of ESAs under different dosing schemes and time periods has been estimated by separating them in originators and biosimilars as well as by classifying anaemic patients in responders and non-responders. Cost analysis is based on newly diagnosed patients' alternative treatment scenarios. Treatment costs and prices are used in 2012 values. The Social Security Funds's perspective was undertaken. Based on the annual incidence rates, 2.551 newly diagnosed chemotherapy-induced anemic patients are expected to be treated with ESAs. Average cost of treatment on originators ESAs for responders is €2.887 for the 15-week ESAs treatment and €5.019 for non-responders, while on biosimilars €2.623 and €4.009 respectively. Treatment cost on biosimilars is 10.1% lower than originators for responders and 25.2% for non-responders. Budget impact estimates show that treating anemic patients with originator ESAs was estimated at €10.084.800 compared to €8.460.119 when biosimilar ESAs were used, leading to an overall 19,20% cost reduction favoring biosimilars. In Greece, the treatment on biosimilar ESAs seems to be a cost saving option over originators for the newly diagnosed chemotherapy-induced anemic patients, since it corresponds to 5% of the annual overall consumption and expands patients' access to ESAs treatment. Health care decision making should rely on evidence based treatments in order to achieve social funds' sustainability in an era of economic recession.

SPICE for ESA Planetary Missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costa, M.

2017-09-01

SPICE is an information system that provides the geometry needed to plan scientific observations and to analyze the obtained. The ESA SPICE Service generates the SPICE Kernel datasets for missions in all the active ESA Missions. This contribution describes the current status of the datasets, the extended services and the SPICE support provided to the ESA Planetary Missions (Mars-Express, ExoMars2016, BepiColombo, JUICE, Rosetta, Venus-Express and SMART-1) for the benefit of the science community.

Stability and Repeatability of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised (ESAS-r) with Parents of Childhood Cancer Survivors.

PubMed

Leclair, Tatsiana; Carret, Anne-Sophie; Samson, Yvan; Sultan, Serge

2016-01-01

Parents report psychological distress in association with their child's cancer. Reliable tools are needed to screen parental distress over the cancer trajectory. This study aimed to estimate the stability and repeatability of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Depression and Anxiety items of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-revised (ESAS-r-D; -A) in parents of children diagnosed with cancer. Fifty parents (28 mothers, median age = 44) of clinically stable survivors of childhood solid and brain tumours completed questionnaires about their own distress (DT, ESAS-r-D; -A, Brief Symptom Inventory-18: BSI-18, Patient Health Questionnaire-9: PHQ-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7: GAD-7) and their children's quality of life (QoL; Peds Quality of Life: PedsQL) twice, with a month interval between the two assessments. At retest, parents also evaluated life events that occurred between the two time points. Hierarchical regressions explored moderators for the temporal stability of test measures. Stability estimates were ICC = .78 for the DT, .55 for the ESAS-r-D, and .47 for the ESAS-r-A. Caseness agreement between test and retest was substantial for the DT, fair for the ESAS-r-D, and slight for the ESAS-r-A. Repeatability analyses indicated that the error range for the DT was more than 2 pts below/above actual measurement, whereas it was more than 3 pts for the ESAS-r-A, and 2.5 for the ESAS-r-D. Instability of the DT could be explained by changes in children's physical QoL, but not by other components of QoL or life events. No moderators of stability could be identified for the ESAS-r items. The DT appears to be a fairly stable measure when the respondent's condition is stable yet with a relatively wide error range. Fluctuations in distress-related constructs may affect the temporal stability of the DT. The lower stability of ESAS-r items may result from shorter time-lapse instructions resulting in a greater sensitivity to change. Findings support future research on the DT as a reliable instrument in caregivers.

Stability and Repeatability of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised (ESAS-r) with Parents of Childhood Cancer Survivors

PubMed Central

Carret, Anne-Sophie; Samson, Yvan; Sultan, Serge

2016-01-01

Objective Parents report psychological distress in association with their child's cancer. Reliable tools are needed to screen parental distress over the cancer trajectory. This study aimed to estimate the stability and repeatability of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Depression and Anxiety items of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-revised (ESAS-r-D; -A) in parents of children diagnosed with cancer. Methods Fifty parents (28 mothers, median age = 44) of clinically stable survivors of childhood solid and brain tumours completed questionnaires about their own distress (DT, ESAS-r-D; -A, Brief Symptom Inventory-18: BSI-18, Patient Health Questionnaire-9: PHQ-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7: GAD-7) and their children’s quality of life (QoL; Peds Quality of Life: PedsQL) twice, with a month interval between the two assessments. At retest, parents also evaluated life events that occurred between the two time points. Hierarchical regressions explored moderators for the temporal stability of test measures. Results Stability estimates were ICC = .78 for the DT, .55 for the ESAS-r-D, and .47 for the ESAS-r-A. Caseness agreement between test and retest was substantial for the DT, fair for the ESAS-r-D, and slight for the ESAS-r-A. Repeatability analyses indicated that the error range for the DT was more than 2 pts below/above actual measurement, whereas it was more than 3 pts for the ESAS-r-A, and 2.5 for the ESAS-r-D. Instability of the DT could be explained by changes in children’s physical QoL, but not by other components of QoL or life events. No moderators of stability could be identified for the ESAS-r items. Conclusions The DT appears to be a fairly stable measure when the respondent's condition is stable yet with a relatively wide error range. Fluctuations in distress-related constructs may affect the temporal stability of the DT. The lower stability of ESAS-r items may result from shorter time-lapse instructions resulting in a greater sensitivity to change. Findings support future research on the DT as a reliable instrument in caregivers. PMID:27454432

Rasch analysis of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and research implications

PubMed Central

Cheifetz, O.; Packham, T.L.; MacDermid, J.C.

2014-01-01

Background Reliable and valid assessment of the disease burden across all forms of cancer is critical to the evaluation of treatment effectiveness and patient progress. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (esas) is used for routine evaluation of people attending for cancer care. In the present study, we used Rasch analysis to explore the measurement properties of the esas and to determine the effect of using Rasch-proposed interval-level esas scoring compared with traditional scoring when evaluating the effects of an exercise program for cancer survivors. Methods Polytomous Rasch analysis (Andrich’s rating-scale model) was applied to data from 26,645 esas questionnaires completed at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. The fit of the esas to the polytomous Rasch model was investigated, including evaluations of differential item functioning for sex, age, and disease group. The research implication was investigated by comparing the results of an observational research study previously analysed using a traditional approach with the results obtained by Rasch-proposed interval-level esas scoring. Results The Rasch reliability index was 0.73, falling short of the desired 0.80–0.90 level. However, the esas was found to fit the Rasch model, including the criteria for uni-dimensional data. The analysis suggests that the current esas scoring system of 0–10 could be collapsed to a 6-point scale. Use of the Rasch-proposed interval-level scoring yielded results that were different from those calculated using summarized ordinal-level esas scores. Differential item functioning was not found for sex, age, or diagnosis groups. Conclusions The esas is a moderately reliable uni-dimensional measure of cancer disease burden and can provide interval-level scaling with Rasch-based scoring. Further, our study indicates that, compared with the traditional scoring metric, Rasch-based scoring could result in substantive changes to conclusions. PMID:24764703

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for anaemia in adults with chronic kidney disease: a network meta-analysis.

PubMed

Palmer, Suetonia C; Saglimbene, Valeria; Mavridis, Dimitris; Salanti, Georgia; Craig, Jonathan C; Tonelli, Marcello; Wiebe, Natasha; Strippoli, Giovanni F M

2014-12-08

Several erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are available for treating anaemia in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Their relative efficacy (preventing blood transfusions and reducing fatigue and breathlessness) and safety (mortality and cardiovascular events) are unclear due to the limited power of head-to-head studies. To compare the efficacy and safety of ESAs (epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, darbepoetin alfa, or methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, and biosimilar ESAs, against each other, placebo, or no treatment) to treat anaemia in adults with CKD. We searched the Cochrane Renal Group's Specialised Register to 11 February 2014 through contact with the Trials' Search Co-ordinator using search terms relevant to this review. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that included a comparison of an ESA (epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, darbepoetin alfa, methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, or biosimilar ESA) with another ESA, placebo or no treatment in adults with CKD and that reported prespecified patient-relevant outcomes were considered for inclusion. Two independent authors screened the search results and extracted data. Data synthesis was performed by random-effects pairwise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. We assessed for heterogeneity and inconsistency within meta-analyses using standard techniques and planned subgroup and meta-regression to explore for sources of heterogeneity or inconsistency. We assessed our confidence in treatment estimates for the primary outcomes within network meta-analysis (preventing blood transfusions and all-cause mortality) according to adapted GRADE methodology as very low, low, moderate, or high. We identified 56 eligible studies involving 15,596 adults with CKD. Risks of bias in the included studies was generally high or unclear for more than half of studies in all of the risk of bias domains we assessed; no study was low risk for allocation concealment, blinding of outcome assessment and attrition from follow-up. In network analyses, there was moderate to low confidence that epoetin alfa (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.59), epoetin beta (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.38), darbepoetin alfa (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.57), and methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.70) prevented blood transfusions compared to placebo. In very low quality evidence, biosimilar ESA therapy was possibly no better than placebo for preventing blood transfusions (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.05 to 1.47) with considerable imprecision in estimated effects. We could not discern whether all ESAs were similar or different in their effects on preventing blood transfusions and our confidence in the comparative effectiveness of different ESAs was generally very low. Similarly, the comparative effects of ESAs compared with another ESA, placebo or no treatment on all-cause mortality were imprecise.All proprietary ESAs increased the odds of hypertension compared to placebo (epoetin alfa OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.23; epoetin beta OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.23 to 5.39; darbepoetin alfa OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.21; methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta OR 1.96, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.92), while the effect of biosimilar ESAs on developing hypertension was less certain (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.47 to 2.99). Our confidence in the comparative effects of ESAs on hypertension was low due to considerable imprecision in treatment estimates. The comparative effects of all ESAs on cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and vascular access thrombosis were uncertain and network analyses for major cardiovascular events, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), fatigue and breathlessness were not possible. Effects of ESAs on fatigue were described heterogeneously in the available studies in ways that were not useable for analyses. In the CKD setting, there is currently insufficient evidence to suggest the superiority of any ESA formulation based on available safety and efficacy data. Directly comparative data for the effectiveness of different ESA formulations based on patient-centred outcomes (such as quality of life, fatigue, and functional status) are sparse and poorly reported and current research studies are unable to inform care. All proprietary ESAs (epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, darbepoetin alfa, and methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta) prevent blood transfusions but information for biosimilar ESAs is less conclusive. Comparative treatment effects of different ESA formulations on other patient-important outcomes such as survival, MI, stroke, breathlessness and fatigue are very uncertain.For consumers, clinicians and funders, considerations such as drug cost and availability and preferences for dosing frequency might be considered as the basis for individualising anaemia care due to lack of data for comparative differences in clinical benefits and harms.

Use of epoetin and darbepoetin in patients with cancer: 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society of Hematology clinical practice guideline update.

PubMed

Rizzo, J Douglas; Somerfield, Mark R; Hagerty, Karen L; Seidenfeld, Jerome; Bohlius, Julia; Bennett, Charles L; Cella, David F; Djulbegovic, Benjamin; Goode, Matthew J; Jakubowski, Ann A; Rarick, Mark U; Regan, David H; Lichtin, Alan E

2008-01-01

To update the American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society of Hematology (ASCO/ASH) recommendations for the use of epoetin. The guideline was expanded to address use of darbepoetin and thromboembolic risk associated with these agents. An Update Committee ("Committee") reviewed and analyzed data published since 2002 through July 2007. MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library databases were searched. For patients with chemotherapy-associated anemia, the Committee continues to recommend initiating an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) as hemoglobin (Hb) approaches, or falls below, 10 g/dL, to increase Hb and decrease transfusions. ESA treatment continues to be recommended for patients with low-risk myelodysplasia for similar reasons. There is no evidence showing increased survival as a result of ESA treatment. Conclusive evidence is lacking that, absent clinical circumstances necessitating earlier treatment, initiating ESAs at Hb levels greater than 10 g/dL either spares more patients from transfusion or substantially improves their quality of life. Starting doses and dose modifications based on response or lack thereof should follow the package insert. Continuing ESAs beyond 6 to 8 weeks in the absence of response, assuming appropriate dose increase has been attempted in nonresponders as per US Food and Drug Administration-approved labeling, does not seem to be beneficial, and ESA therapy should be discontinued. The Committee recommends monitoring iron stores and supplementing iron intake for ESA-treated patients. ESAs should be used cautiously with chemotherapy, or in clinical states, associated with elevated risk for thromboembolic complications. The Committee also cautions against ESA use for patients with cancer who are not receiving chemotherapy, since recent trials report increased thromboembolic risks and decreased survival under these circumstances.

Use of epoetin and darbepoetin in patients with cancer: 2007 American Society of Hematology/American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update.

PubMed

Rizzo, J Douglas; Somerfield, Mark R; Hagerty, Karen L; Seidenfeld, Jerome; Bohlius, Julia; Bennett, Charles L; Cella, David F; Djulbegovic, Benjamin; Goode, Matthew J; Jakubowski, Ann A; Rarick, Mark U; Regan, David H; Lichtin, Alan E

2008-01-01

To update the American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society of Hematology (ASCO/ASH) recommendations for the use of epoetin. The guideline was expanded to address use of darbepoetin and thromboembolic risk associated with these agents. An Update Committee ("Committee") reviewed and analyzed data published since 2002 through July 2007. MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library databases were searched. For patients with chemotherapy-associated anemia, the Committee continues to recommend initiating an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) as hemoglobin (Hb) approaches, or falls below, 10 g/dL, to increase Hb and decrease transfusions. ESA treatment continues to be recommended for patients with low-risk myelodysplasia for similar reasons. There is no evidence showing increased survival as a result of ESA treatment. Conclusive evidence is lacking that, absent clinical circumstances necessitating earlier treatment, initiating ESAs at Hb levels greater than 10 g/dL either spares more patients from transfusion or substantially improves their quality of life. Starting doses and dose modifications based on response or lack thereof should follow the package insert. Continuing ESAs beyond 6 to 8 weeks in the absence of response, assuming appropriate dose increase has been attempted in nonresponders as per US Food and Drug Administration-approved label, does not seem to be beneficial, and ESA therapy should be discontinued. The Committee recommends monitoring iron stores and supplementing iron intake for ESA-treated patients. ESAs should be used cautiously with chemotherapy, or in clinical states, associated with elevated risk for thromo-embolic complications. The Committee also cautions against ESA use for patients with cancer who are not receiving chemotherapy, since recent trials report increased thromboembolic risks and decreased survival under these circumstances.

[Gone with the wind or... Fate of scientific articles presented at large anesthesia congresses--an update].

PubMed

Meininger, D; Bück, M; Bohlmann, S; Weber, C F; Strouhal, U; Ihlow, K; Zacharowski, K; Byhahn, C

2011-02-01

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the publication rate of abstracts presented during the German Anesthesia Congress (Deutscher Anästhesiecongress, DAC) and the meeting of the European Society of Anesthesiologists (ESA) in the years 2000 and 2005 in Medline listed journals (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). In addition, the respective impact factors of the journals in which the articles were published were evaluated (http://www.isiknowledge.com). All abstracts of free papers and posters presented at the DAC and ESA from the years 2000 and 2005 were included into the study. The presence of authors and the topics of abstracts in the literature were analyzed by a Medline based inquiry over a time period of 5 years. The search was based on the last name and initials of authors and when these could not be identified in Medline the search was extended by keywords of relevant topics of the abstract. Umlauts "ä/ö/ü" were replaced by "ae/oe/ue" and "ß" was replaced by "ss". Only original papers were included in this analysis. Once an original paper was found the impact factor of the journal in that year was identified. A total of 465 abstracts from the DAC 2000, 378 abstracts from the DAC 2005, 644 abstracts from the ESA 2000 and 720 abstracts from the ESA 2005 were included. Of the abstracts from the DAC 2000, 183 (39%) were published in Medline listed journals, 179 (47%) from DAC 2005, 218 (34%) from ESA 2000 and 233 (32%) from ESA 2005. The ESA abstracts were published in English more often than the DAC abstracts (ESA 2000: 95%; ESA 2005: 95%; DAC 2000: 78%; DAC 2005: 86%). While the publication rate after the ESA remained nearly unchanged between 2000 and 2005, the publication rate after the DAC increased by about 7%. The average impact factors of the publications were 1.777 (DAC 2000), 2.836 (DAC 2005), 1.825 (ESA 2000) and 2.36 (ESA 2005). Independent of the congress (DAC or ESA) where the abstract was presented, most articles were published in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. In the year 2005 more abstracts of the DAC were published in Medline listed papers than in 2000. When comparing the number of abstracts published in Medline listed journals, more abstracts of the DAC were published compared to abstracts of the ESA. The increase in papers written in English after abstract presentation on the DAC is mostly due to the wider readership which can be reached with manuscripts in the English language. Besides a larger readership, English journals often also have a higher ranked impact factor. This analysis does not claim to be a complete registration of all published abstracts due to the limitation on Medline listed journals and publications in other journals were not rated. Medline was selected because of the widespread and international use of this database.

NASA and ESA Collaboration on Hexavalent Chrome Alternatives Pretreatments Only Interim Test Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kessel, Kurt R.

2015-01-01

NASA and ESA continue to search for an alternative to hexavalent chromium in coatings applications that meet their performance requirements in corrosion protection, cost, operability, and health and safety, while typically specifying that performance must be equal to or greater than existing systems. The overall objective of the collaborative effort between NASA TEERM and ESA is to test and evaluate coating systems (pretreatments, pretreatments with primer, and pretreatments with primer and topcoat) as replacements for hexavalent chrome coatings in aerospace applications. This objective will be accomplished by testing promising coatings identified from previous NASA, ESA, Department of Defense (DOD), and other project experience. Additionally, several new materials will be analyzed according to ESA-identified specifications.

Building Transatlantic Partnerships in Space Exploration The MPCV-SM Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilde Detlef; Schubert, Kathy; Grantier, Julie; Deloo, Philippe; Price, Larry; Fenoglio, Franco; Chavy, Siegfrid

2012-01-01

Following the approval of the ESA ISS Exploitation Declaration for the ISS lifetime at the ESA Council Meeting in March 2011, ESA decided to partially offset the European obligations deriving from the extension of the ISS Programme until end 2020 with different means than ATVs, following the ATV-5 mission foreseen in mid 2014. The envisioned approach is based on a barter element(s) that would generate cost avoidance on the NASA side. NASA and ESA considered a number of Barter options, and concluded that the provision by ESA of the Service Module for the NASA Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) was the barter with the most interest. A joint ESA - NASA working group was established to assess the feasibility of Europe developing this Module based on ATV heritage. The working group was supported by European and US industry namely Astrium, TAS-I and Lockheed-Martin. This paper gives an overview of the results of the on-going study as well as its perspective utilisation for the global space exploration endeavour.

Packet utilisation definitions for the ESA XMM mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nye, H. R.

1994-01-01

XMM, ESA's X-Ray Multi-Mirror satellite, due for launch at the end of 1999 will be the first ESA scientific spacecraft to implement the ESA packet telecommand and telemetry standards and will be the first ESOC-controlled science mission to take advantage of the new flight control system infrastructure development (based on object-oriented design and distributed-system architecture) due for deployment in 1995. The implementation of the packet standards is well defined at packet transport level. However, the standard relevant to the application level (the ESA Packet Utilization Standard) covers a wide range of on-board 'services' applicable in varying degrees to the needs of XMM. In defining which parts of the ESA PUS to implement, the XMM project first considered the mission objectives and the derived operations concept and went on to identify a minimum set of packet definitions compatible with these aspects. This paper sets the scene as above and then describes the services needed for XMM and the telecommand and telemetry packet types necessary to support each service.

Cross-cultural issues in space operations: A survey study among ground personnel of the European Space Agency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandal, Gro Mjeldheim; Manzey, Dietrich

2009-12-01

Today's space operations involve co-working of people with different ethnical, professional and organisational backgrounds. The aim of this study was to examine the implications of cultural diversity for efficient collaboration within the European Space Agency (ESA), and between ESA employees and representatives from other agencies. ESA employees from European countries ( N=576) answered to the CULT Ground Survey. The results showed that differences in relation to leadership and decision making were the most important issues thought to interfere with efficient co-working within ESA, and between ESA employees and colleagues from other agencies. Employees who collaborated with more than three nationalities within ESA indicated most challenges in co-working due to differences in compliance, behavioural norms and competitiveness. Challenges in co-working differed between agencies, and these differences were consistent with value differences in the national populations. The results may have applied value for training of European employees working in international space program teams.

Trends in the treatment of chronic kidney disease-associated anaemia in a cohort of haemodialysis patients: the Irish experience.

PubMed

Gardiner, Roisin; Roshan, Davood; Brennan, Ann; Connolly, Denise; Murray, Susan; Reddan, Donal

2018-04-27

Anaemia among haemodialysis patients is treated with iron and erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs). ESAs reduce requirements for blood transfusions but are also expensive and overzealous use may be associated with adverse outcomes. Recent international trends have been characterised by reduced ESA doses and a greater reliance on intravenous (IV) iron. We determined trends in prescribing patterns of ESAs and IV iron for the treatment of anaemia in two representative Irish dialysis centres and correlated with current guidelines and international trends. Patient data was accessed from the Kidney Disease Clinical Patient Management System (KDCPMS) for the period 2012 to 2014. We generated reports on ESA and iron doses, lab data (haemoglobin (Hb), transferrin saturation (TSAT) and ferritin) and patient population characteristics. We mapped the trends in ESA, iron dosing and lab parameters achieved. A linear mixed model determined the significance of these trends over time. ESA dosing became lower in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2014. Dosing of iron increased throughout but a large increase was seen in the third and fourth quarters of 2014. Ferritin levels decreased and TSAT and haemoglobin levels increased. Changes in iron dosing were significant with p value of < 0.05. Our findings are consistent with recent global trends toward increasing iron use. Such trends may have economic implications given the high cost of ESAs and the relative affordability of iron. In addition, the potential harm of excessive iron dosing may need to be considered.

Pharmacovigilance in practice: erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.

PubMed

Hedenus, Michael; Ludwig, Heinz; Henry, David H; Gasal, Eduard

2014-10-01

Pharmacovigilance (PV) is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or other problems related to medical products after they have been licensed for marketing. The purpose of PV is to advance the safe use of marketed medical products. Regulatory agencies and license holders collaborate to collect data reported by health care providers, patients, and the public as well as data from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and individual clinical and nonclinical studies. They validate and analyze the data to determine whether safety signals exist, and if warranted, develop an action plan to mitigate the identified risk. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) provide an example of how PV is applied in reality. Among other approved indications, ESAs may be used to treat anemia in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia. ESAs increase hemoglobin levels and reduce the need for transfusions; they are also associated with a known increased risk of thromboembolic events. Starting in 2003, emerging data suggested that ESAs might reduce survival. As a result of PV activities by regulatory agencies and license holders, labeling for ESAs addresses these risks. Meta-analyses and individual clinical studies have confirmed that ESAs increase the risk of thromboembolic events, but when used as indicated, ESAs have not been shown to have a significant effect on survival or disease progression. Ongoing safety studies will provide additional data in the coming years to further clarify the risks and benefits of ESAs. © 2014 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

29 CFR 42.20 - Regional Farm Labor Coordinated Enforcement Committee.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... representatives of ESA, OSHA, ETA (the Regional MSFW Monitor Advocate), and the Office of the Regional Solicitor... is reviewed by the National Committee and appropriately revised, the regional offices of ESA, ETA... level working group in each region consisting of regional staff representatives from ESA, ETA, OSHA, the...

From SPICE to Map-Projection, the Planetary Science Archive Approach to Enhance Visibility and Usability of ESA's Space Science Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Besse, S.; Vallat, C.; Geiger, B.; Grieger, B.; Costa, M.; Barbarisi, I.

2017-06-01

The Planetary Science Archive (PSA) is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) repository of science data from all planetary science and exploration missions. The PSA provides access to scientific datasets through various interfaces at http://psa.esa.int.

Flight Model Discharge System

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-09-01

Itterconnection wiring diagram for the ESA ............................... 34 3-13 Typical gain versus total count curve for CEM...42 3-16 Calibration curve for energy bin 12 of the ion ESA ....................... 43 3-17 Flight ESA S/N001...Calibration curves for SPM S/N001 ......................................... 67 4-11 Calibration curves for SPM S/N002

NASA and ESA Collaboration on Hexavalent Chrome Free Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greene, Brian

2017-01-01

Presentation on the NASA and ESA Collaboration on Hexavalent Chrome Free Coatings project. Project is in response to a Memorandum of Understanding between NASA and ESA Concerning Cooperation in the Field of Space Transportation - signed September 11, 2009. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have expressed mutual interest in pursuing cooperation in the areas of evaluating hexavalent chrome-free coatings, environmentally-preferable coatings for maintenance of launch facilities and ground support equipment, citric acid as an alternative to nitric acid for passivation of stainless steel alloys.

Report from the Gravitational Observatory Advisory Team

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, Guido; Gravitational Observatory Advisory Team

2016-03-01

As a response to the selection of the Gravitational Universe as the science theme for ESA's L3 mission, ESA formed the Gravitational-Wave Observatory Advisory Team (GOAT) to advise ESA on the scientific and technological approach for a gravitational wave observatory. NASA is participating with three US scientists and one NASA observer; JAXA was also invited and participates with one observer. The GOAT looked at a range of mission technologies and designs, discussed their technical readiness with respect to the ESA schedule, recommended technology development activities for selected technologies, and worked with the wider gravitational-wave community to analyze the impact on the science of the various mission designs. The final report is expected to be submitted to ESA early March and I plan to summarize its content.

Reduction in new-onset diabetes mellitus after renal transplant with erythropoietin-stimulating agents: a retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Montada-Atin, Tess; Choi, Diana; Woo, Minna; Retnakaran, Ravi; Huang, Michael; Prasad, G V Ramesh; Zaltzman, Jeffrey S

2016-01-01

Studies have shown that erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) protect mice against the development of diabetes through direct effects on pancreatic ß cells. However, the effect of ESAs on the incidence of diabetes in humans has not been well studied. It is unknown whether exposure to ESAs is associated with a reduced incidence of new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT). The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between ESA exposure post-renal transplant and the development of NODAT. We performed a single center, retrospective cohort analysis. We compared patients who received a first live or deceased donor renal allograft, with any exposure to an ESA vs. those without such exposure and who developed NODAT and who did not. Patients with a prior history of diabetes mellitus or multi-organ transplant, including a second renal transplant were excluded. NODAT was defined based on the 2008 Canadian Diabetes Association criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with NODAT. One hundred thirty-two (29 %) patients were exposed to an ESA, four of which developed NODAT compared to 128 who did not develop NODAT (p < 0.0001). Of those not exposed to an ESA, 15 % (48/319) developed NODAT. By Fisher's exact test, exposure to an ESA at any time post-transplant reduced the risk of developing NODAT; odds ratio (OR) = 0.08, 95 % confidence interval (CI) (0.018-0.352), p = 0.0008. Older age; OR = 1.41, 95 % CI (1.036-1.933), p < 0.02, higher random blood sugar at discharge; OR = 1.30, 95 % CI (1.077-1.57), p < 0.006 and deceased donor; OR 2.18 CI (1.009-4.729), p = 0.04 were associated with an increased risk of NODAT. The limitations of this study include its retrospective nature, single center, and homogenous population; thus, generalizability of the results must be approached with caution. ESA exposure may be associated with a reduced incidence of NODAT in the post-renal transplant population. The role of ESA in preventing NODAT requires further investigation.

Isolation, immortalization, and characterization of a human breast epithelial cell line with stem cell properties

PubMed Central

Gudjonsson, Thorarinn; Villadsen, René; Nielsen, Helga Lind; Rønnov-Jessen, Lone; Bissell, Mina J.; Petersen, Ole William

2002-01-01

The epithelial compartment of the human breast comprises two distinct lineages: the luminal epithelial and the myoepithelial lineage. We have shown previously that a subset of the luminal epithelial cells could convert to myoepithelial cells in culture signifying the possible existence of a progenitor cell. We therefore set out to identify and isolate the putative precursor in the luminal epithelial compartment. Using cell surface markers and immunomagnetic sorting, we isolated two luminal epithelial cell populations from primary cultures of reduction mammoplasties. The major population coexpresses sialomucin (MUC+) and epithelial-specific antigen (ESA+) whereas the minor population has a suprabasal position and expresses epithelial specific antigen but no sialomucin (MUC−/ESA+). Two cell lines were further established by transduction of the E6/E7 genes from human papilloma virus type 16. Both cell lines maintained a luminal epithelial phenotype as evidenced by expression of the tight junction proteins, claudin-1 and occludin, and by generation of a high transepithelial electrical resistance on semipermeable filters. Whereas in clonal cultures, the MUC+/ESA+ epithelial cell line was luminal epithelial restricted in its differentiation repertoire, the suprabasal-derived MUC−/ESA+ epithelial cell line was able to generate itself as well as MUC+/ESA+ epithelial cells and Thy-1+/α-smooth muscle actin+ (ASMA+) myoepithelial cells. The MUC−/ESA+ epithelial cell line further differed from the MUC+/ESA+ epithelial cell line by the expression of keratin K19, a feature of a subpopulation of epithelial cells in terminal duct lobular units in vivo. Within a reconstituted basement membrane, the MUC+/ESA+ epithelial cell line formed acinus-like spheres. In contrast, the MUC−/ESA+ epithelial cell line formed elaborate branching structures resembling uncultured terminal duct lobular units both by morphology and marker expression. Similar structures were obtained by inoculating the extracellular matrix-embedded cells subcutaneously in nude mice. Thus, MUC−/ESA+ epithelial cells within the luminal epithelial lineage may function as precursor cells of terminal duct lobular units in the human breast. PMID:11914275

50 CFR 23.35 - What are the requirements for an import permit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS (CONTINUED) CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD... Elephant, and Namibian Southern White Rhinoceros Sport-hunted Trophies Appendix-I Plants Appendix-I... CITES:ESA Plants ESA Sport-hunted Trophies ESA Wildlife 3-200-36 3-200-20 3-200-37 (3) Marine Mammal...

50 CFR 23.35 - What are the requirements for an import permit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS (CONTINUED) CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD... Elephant, and Namibian Southern White Rhinoceros Sport-hunted Trophies Appendix-I Plants Appendix-I... CITES:ESA Plants ESA Sport-hunted Trophies ESA Wildlife 3-200-36 3-200-20 3-200-37 (3) Marine Mammal...

50 CFR 23.35 - What are the requirements for an import permit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS (CONTINUED) CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD... Elephant, and Namibian Southern White Rhinoceros Sport-hunted Trophies Appendix-I Plants Appendix-I... CITES:ESA Plants ESA Sport-hunted Trophies ESA Wildlife 3-200-36 3-200-20 3-200-37 (3) Marine Mammal...

50 CFR 23.35 - What are the requirements for an import permit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS (CONTINUED) CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD... Elephant, and Namibian Southern White Rhinoceros Sport-hunted Trophies Appendix-I Plants Appendix-I... CITES:ESA Plants ESA Sport-hunted Trophies ESA Wildlife 3-200-36 3-200-20 3-200-37 (3) Marine Mammal...

50 CFR 23.35 - What are the requirements for an import permit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS (CONTINUED) CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD... Elephant, and Namibian Southern White Rhinoceros Sport-hunted Trophies Appendix-I Plants Appendix-I... CITES:ESA Plants ESA Sport-hunted Trophies ESA Wildlife 3-200-36 3-200-20 3-200-37 (3) Marine Mammal...

Should Reformers Support Education Savings Accounts?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ladner, Matthew; Smith, Nelson

2016-01-01

In this article, "Education Next" talks with Matthew Ladner and Nelson Smith on the topic of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). ESAs apply the logic of school choice to the ever-expanding realm of education offerings. Rather than simply empowering families to select the school of their choice, ESAs provide families with most or all of…

The challenges and opportunities of a commercial human spaceflight mission to the ISS.

PubMed

Belingheri, M; Mirra, C

2003-01-01

ESA astronauts' ISS flight opportunities are considered as a vital source to meet the utilisation, operation and political objectives that Europe has established for participating in the International Space Station programme. Recent internal ESA assessments have demonstrated that a rate of three flights per year for European Astronauts should be maintained as a minimum objective. The current flight rate is lower than this. In order to improve this situation, in the context of the activation of the ESA ISS Commercialisation programme, ESA is developing the conditions for the establishment of commercially based human spaceflights with the financial support of both ESA and the private sector or, in the future, only the latter. ESA is working in a Partnership with the space industry to facilitate the implementation of such projects and support customers with a range of end-to-end commercial services. The opportunities and challenges of a "commercial human spaceflight", involving a member of the European Astronaut Corps, or a privately employed flight participant, are discussed here. c2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The European space exploration programme: current status of ESA's plans for Moon and Mars exploration.

PubMed

Messina, Piero; Vennemann, Dietrich

2005-01-01

After a large consultation with the scientific and industrial communities in Europe, the Aurora Space Exploration Programme was unanimously approved at the European Space Agency (ESA) Council at ministerial level in Edinburgh in 2001. This marked the start of the programme's preparation phase that was due to finish by the end of 2004. Aurora features technology development robotic and crewed rehearsal missions aimed at preparing a human mission to Mars by 2033. Due to the evolving context, both international and European, ESA has undertaken a review of the goals and approach of its exploration programme. While maintaining the main robotic missions that had been conceived during Aurora, the European Space Exploration Programme that is currently being proposed to the Aurora participating states and other ESA Member States has a reviewed approach and will feature a greater synergy with other ESA programmes. The paper will present the process that led to the revision of ESA's plans in the field of exploration and will give the current status of the programme. c2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Safety issues related to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents used to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Del Vecchio, Lucia; Locatelli, Francesco

2012-11-01

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been the main therapy for anemia in CKD patients since the late eighties. Since then, treatment indications have progressively changed, together with a progressive increase in therapeutic targets, in terms of hemoglobin levels. This paper discusses possible concerns about ESA use and increased cardiovascular risk (in particular stroke), hypertension, cancer progression and the development of pure red cell aplasia. A literature search was done on PubMed to obtain studies about the adverse effects of ESA in the CKD population. The publication of the TREAT study has largely contributed to the concerns about ESA use, indicating that complete anemia correction may not be safe in the CKD population. This may be particularly true in high-risk patients, especially if hyporesponsive to ESA treatment. However, there is a gray area of no evidence either way for intermediate levels (11.5 - 13 g/dl), in comparison with higher or lower levels. New recommendations about ESA use in the CKD population by the Food and Drug Administration seem to move toward treatment individualization.

The ESA Planetary Science Archive User Group (PSA-UG)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pio Rossi, Angelo; Cecconi, Baptiste; Fraenz, Markus; Hagermann, Axel; Heather, David; Rosenblatt, Pascal; Svedhem, Hakan; Widemann, Thomas

2014-05-01

ESA has established a Planetary Science Archive User Group (PSA-UG), with the task of offering independent advice to ESA's Planetary Science Archive (e.g. Heather et al., 2013). The PSA-UG is an official and independent body that continuously evaluates services and tools provided by the PSA to the community of planetary data scientific users. The group has been tasked with the following top level objectives: a) Advise ESA on future development of the PSA. b) Act as a focus for the interests of the scientific community. c) Act as an advocate for the PSA. d) Monitor the PSA activities. Based on this, the PSA-UG will report through the official ESA channels. Disciplines and subjects represented by PSA-UG members include: Remote Sensing of both Atmosphere and Solid Surfaces, Magnetospheres, Plasmas, Radio Science and Auxilliary data. The composition of the group covers ESA missions populating the PSA both now and in the near future. The first members of the PSA-UG were selected in 2013 and will serve for 3 years, until 2016. The PSA-UG will address the community through workshops, conferences and the internet. Written recommendations will be made to the PSA coordinator, and an annual report on PSA and the PSA-UG activities will be sent to the Solar System Exploration Working Group (SSEWG). Any member of the community and planetary data user can get in touch with individual members of the PSA-UG or with the group as a whole via the contacts provided on the official PSA-UG web-page: http://archives.esac.esa.int/psa/psa-ug. The PSA is accessible via: http://archives.esac.esa.int/psa References: Heather, D., Barthelemy, M., Manaud, N., Martinez, S., Szumlas, M., Vazquez, J. L., Osuna, P. and the PSA Development Team (2013) ESA's Planetary Science Archive: Status, Activities and Plans. EuroPlanet Sci. Congr. #EPSC2013-626

The ESA Initiatives towards European Technical Universities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Messina, P.

2002-01-01

Education is one of the ESA mandatory activities and a renewed commitment has been shown by the reinforcement of the ESA Education Office and by the launching new initiatives in addition to those already in place. The new structure of the Office includes, next to units dealing with primary and secondary schools and with other Educational projects, a service dedicated to, among other things, foster the relations with European Universities and their students. In line with the overall objectives and strategy of Education policy at ESA, the fostering of co- operation between ESA and European Universities is aimed at creating a coherent and effective framework for the two parties to mutually benefit from an enhanced collaboration. ESA has a long and successful tradition of working together Academia, especially in the field of research and development. This new initiative wants to leverage on the past and present collaboration and reinforce the links from an educational point of view. The paper will give on overview how these links are being created, the impact on the ESA offer in terms of traineeship and opportunities for young people and will draw the first conclusions from the initial experiences gathered. Also it will address the impact of the on-going europeanisation process of higher education on the relations with European Universities and on the ESA programmes offered to them. Examples of on-going co-operation will be given (e.g. Aurora Programme) with an analysis of the lesson learned. The wider European context and how ESA's efforts contribute to the creation of a European Research Area (ERA) and to the achievement of the objectives set forth by the Lisbon summit will also be touched upon. The conclusions will address the next steps in this initiative and the feedback from the various partners and how this is being taken into account to steer the it to respond to the real needs of higher education.

The ESA Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions element

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desnos, Yves-Louis; Regner, Peter; Zehner, Claus; Engdahl, Marcus; Benveniste, Jerome; Delwart, Steven; Gascon, Ferran; Mathieu, Pierre-Philippe; Bojkov, Bojan; Koetz, Benjamin; Arino, Olivier; Donlon, Craig; Davidson, Malcolm; Goryl, Philippe; Foumelis, Michael

2014-05-01

The objectives of the ESA Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions (SEOM) programme element are • to federate, support and expand the research community • to strengthen the leadership of European EO research community • to enable the science community to address new scientific research As a preparation for the SEOM element a series of international science users consultation has been organized by ESA in 2012 and 2013 In particular the ESA Living Planet Symposium was successfully organized in Edinburgh September 2013 and involving 1700 participants from 60 countries. The science users recommendations have been gathered and form the basis for the 2014 SEOM work plan approved by ESA member states. The SEOM element is organized along the following action lines: 1. Developing open-source, multi-mission, scientific toolboxes : the new toolboxes for Sentinel 1/2/3 and 5P will be introduced 2. Research and development studies: the first SEOM studies are being launched such as the INSARAP studies for Sentinel 1 interferometry in orbit demonstration , the IAS study to generate an improved spectroscopic database of the trace gas species CH4, H2O, and CO in the 2.3 μm region and SO2 in the UV region for Sentinel 5 P. In addition larger Sentinels for science call will be tendered in 2014 covering grouped studies for Sentinel 1 Land , Sentinel 1 Ocean , Sentinel 2 Land, Sentinel 3 SAR Altimetry ,Sentinel 3 Ocean color, Sentinel 3 Land and Sentinels Synergy . 3. Science users consultation : the Sentinel 2 for Science workshop is planned from 20 to 22 may 2014 at ESRIN to prepare for scientific exploitation of the Sentinel-2 mission (http://seom.esa.int/S2forScience2014 ) . In addition the FRINGE workshop focusing on scientific explotation of Sentinel1 using SAR interferometry is planned to be held at ESA ESRIN in Q2 2015 4. Training the next generation of European EO scientists on the scientific exploitation of Sentinels data: the Advanced Training course Land Remote sensing will be held in University of Valencia , Valencia, Spain from 8 to 12 September 2014 (see http://seom.esa.int/landtraining2014/index.php ). The bi-annual ESA EO summer school on "Earth System Monitoring & Modelling" will be held in ESRIN next summer (4-14 Aug 2014). (See: http://earth.eo.esa.int/trainingcourses/EOSummerSchool2012/index.php ) 5. Promoting Science data use and results : A web site has been prepared for the SEOM element and is available at: http://seom.esa.int/. Proceedings of the ESA Living Planet Symposium are in preparation to be published Q1-2014. The SEOM element plans for 2014 will be further detailed and the first results will be presented.

34 CFR 300.2 - Applicability of this part to State and local agencies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... educational agencies (LEAs), educational service agencies (ESAs), and public charter schools that are not otherwise included as LEAs or ESAs and are not a school of an LEA or ESA. (iii) Other State agencies and schools (such as Departments of Mental Health and Welfare and State schools for children with deafness or...

The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (epoetin and darbepoetin) for treating cancer treatment-induced anaemia (including review of technology appraisal no. 142): a systematic review and economic model.

PubMed

Crathorne, Louise; Huxley, Nicola; Haasova, Marcela; Snowsill, Tristan; Jones-Hughes, Tracey; Hoyle, Martin; Briscoe, Simon; Coelho, Helen; Long, Linda; Medina-Lara, Antonieta; Mujica-Mota, Ruben; Napier, Mark; Hyde, Chris

2016-02-01

Anaemia is a common side effect of cancer treatments and can lead to a reduction in quality of life. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are licensed for use in conjunction with red blood cell transfusions to improve cancer treatment-induced anaemia (CIA). To investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ESAs in anaemia associated with cancer treatment (specifically chemotherapy). The following databases were searched from 2004 to 2013: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, British Nursing Index, Health Management Information Consortium, Current Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov. The US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency websites were also searched. Bibliographies of included papers were scrutinised for further potentially includable studies. The clinical effectiveness review followed principles published by the NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), or systematic reviews of RCTs, of ESAs (epoetin or darbepoetin) for treating people with CIA were eligible for inclusion in the review. Comparators were best supportive care, placebo or other ESAs. Anaemia- and malignancy-related outcomes, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. When appropriate, data were pooled using meta-analysis. An empirical health economic model was developed comparing ESA treatment with no ESA treatment. The model comprised two components: one evaluating short-term costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (while patients are anaemic) and one evaluating long-term QALYs. Costs and benefits were discounted at 3.5% per annum. Probabilistic and univariate deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed. Of 1457 titles and abstracts screened, 23 studies assessing ESAs within their licensed indication (based on start dose administered) were included in the review. None of the RCTs were completely aligned with current European Union licenses. The results suggest a clinical benefit from ESAs for anaemia-related outcomes and an improvement in HRQoL scores. The impact of ESAs on AEs and survival remains highly uncertain, although point estimates are lower, confidence intervals are wide and not statistically significant. Base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for ESA treatment compared with no ESA treatment ranged from £ 19,429 to £ 35,018 per QALY gained, but sensitivity and scenario analyses demonstrate considerable uncertainty in these ICERs, including the possibility of overall health disbenefit. All ICERs were sensitive to survival and cost. The relative effectiveness of ESAs was not addressed; all ESAs were assumed to have equivalent efficacy. No studies were completely aligned with their European labelling beyond the starting dose evaluated. There is questionable generalisability given that the included trials were published >20 years ago and there have been many changes to chemotherapy as well as to the quality of supportive treatment. Trial quality was moderate or poor and there was considerable unexplained heterogeneity for a number of outcomes, particularly survival, and evidence of publication bias. Adjustments were not made to account for multiple testing. ESAs could be cost-effective when used closer to licence, but there is considerable uncertainty, mainly because of unknown impacts on overall survival. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42013005812. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Indole 3-acetic acid, indoxyl sulfate and paracresyl-sulfate do not influence anemia parameters in hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Bataille, Stanislas; Pelletier, Marion; Sallée, Marion; Berland, Yvon; McKay, Nathalie; Duval, Ariane; Gentile, Stéphanie; Mouelhi, Yosra; Brunet, Philippe; Burtey, Stéphane

2017-07-26

The main reason for anemia in renal failure patients is the insufficient erythropoietin production by the kidneys. Beside erythropoietin deficiency, in vitro studies have incriminated uremic toxins in the pathophysiology of anemia but clinical data are sparse. In order to assess if indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), indoxyl sulfate (IS), and paracresyl sulfate (PCS) -three protein bound uremic toxins- are clinically implicated in end-stage renal disease anemia we studied the correlation between IAA, IS and PCS plasmatic concentrations with hemoglobin and Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESA) use in hemodialysis patients. Between June and July 2014, we conducted an observational cross sectional study in two hemodialysis center. Three statistical approaches were conducted. First, we compared patients treated with ESA and those not treated. Second, we performed linear regression models between IAA, IS, and PCS plasma concentrations and hemoglobin, the ESA dose over hemoglobin ratio (ESA/Hemoglobin) or the ESA resistance index (ERI). Third, we used a polytomous logistic regression model to compare groups of patients with no/low/high ESA dose and low/high hemoglobin statuses. Overall, 240 patients were included in the study. Mean age ± SD was 67.6 ± 16.0 years, 55.4% were men and 42.5% had diabetes mellitus. When compared with ESA treated patients, patients with no ESA had higher hemoglobin (mean 11.4 ± 1.1 versus 10.6 ± 1.2 g/dL; p <0.001), higher transferrin saturation (TSAT, 31.1 ± 16.3% versus 23.1 ± 11.5%; p < 0.001), less frequently an IV iron prescription (52.1 versus 65.7%, p = 0.04) and were more frequently treated with hemodiafiltration (53.5 versus 36.7%). In univariate analysis, IAA, IS or PCS plasma concentrations did not differ between the two groups. In the linear model, IAA plasma concentration was not associated with hemoglobin, but was negatively associated with ESA/Hb (p = 0.02; R = 0.18) and with the ERI (p = 0.03; R = 0.17). IS was associated with none of the three anemia parameters. PCS was positively associated with hemoglobin (p = 0.03; R = 0.14), but negatively with ESA/Hb (p = 0.03; R = 0.17) and the ERI (p = 0.02; R = 0.19). In multivariate analysis, the association of IAA concentration with ESA/Hb or ERI was not statistically significant, neither was the association of PCS with ESA/Hb or ERI. Identically, in the subgroup of 76 patients with no inflammation (CRP <5 mg/L) and no iron deficiency (TSAT >20%) linear regression between IAA, IS or PCS and any anemia parameter did not reach significance. In the third model, univariate analysis showed no intergroup significant differences for IAA and IS. Regarding PCS, the Low Hb/High ESA group had lower concentrations. However, when we compared PCS with the other significant characteristics of the five groups to the Low Hb/high ESA (our reference group), the polytomous logistic regression model didn't show any significant difference for PCS. In our study, using three different statistical models, we were unable to show any correlation between IAA, IS and PCS plasmatic concentrations and any anemia parameter in hemodialysis patients. Indolic uremic toxins and PCS have no or a very low effect on anemia parameters.

The ESA Planetary Science Archive User Group (PSA-UG)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, A. P.; Cecconi, B.; Fraenz, M.; Hagermann, A.; Heather, D.; Rosenblatt, P.; Svedhem, H.; Widemann, T.

2014-04-01

ESA has established a Planetary Science Archive User Group (PSA-UG), with the task of offering independent advice to ESA's Planetary Science Archive (e.g. Heather et al., 2013). The PSA-UG is an official and independent body that continuously evaluates services and tools provided by the PSA to the community of planetary data scientific users. The group has been tasked with the following top level objectives: a) Advise ESA on future development of the PSA. b) Act as a focus for the interests of the scientific community. c) Act as an advocate for the PSA. d) Monitor the PSA activities. Based on this, the PSA-UG will report through the official ESA channels. Disciplines and subjects represented by PSA-UG members include: Remote Sensing of both Atmosphere and Solid Surfaces, Magnetospheres, Plasmas, Radio Science and Auxilliary data. The composition of the group covers ESA missions populating the PSA both now and in the near future. The first members of the PSA-UG were selected in 2013 and will serve for 3 years, until 2016. The PSA-UG will address the community through workshops, conferences and the internet. Written recommendations will be made to the PSA coordinator, and an annual report on PSA and the PSA-UG activities will be sent to the Solar System Exploration Working Group (SSEWG). Any member of the community and planetary data user can get in touch with individual members of the PSA-UG or with the group as a whole via the contacts provided on the official PSA-UG web-page: http://archives.esac.esa.int/psa/psa-ug The PSA is accessible via: http://archives.esac.esa.int/psa

Activities on space debris in Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flury, W.

2001-10-01

Activities on space debris in Europe are carried out by ESA, by national space agencies such as ASI (Italy), BNSC (United Kingdom), CNES (France) and DLR (Germany) and by various research groups. The objectives of ESA's activities in the field of space debris have been defined by the Council of ESA in 1989, and were updated in 2000 with the adoption of the Resolution for a European policy on the protection of the space environment from debris. ESA's debris-related activities comprise research, application of debris mitigation measures and international cooperation. The research activities address the knowledge of the terrestrial particulate environment, risk assessment, hypervelocity impacts and protection, and preventative measures. In all these areas substantial progress has been achieved. Examples are the MASTER 99 model, the DISCOS database, beam-park experiments with the FGAN radar, the discovery of a small-size debris population in GEO with the Space Debris telescope at the Teide observatory, and the GORID dust detector in the geostationary orbit. The ESA Space Debris Mitigation Handbook was issued, and in a joint effort of ESA and the national agencies ASI, BNSC, CNES and DLR the European Space Debris Safety and Mitigation Standard (draft) was established. This standard will be harmonized with standards of other agencies through the deliberations in the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC). In order to strengthen the European cooperation, the pilot network of centers - Working Group on Space Debris was created in 2000. The members are ESA, ASI, BNSC, CNES and DLR. An integrated work plan has been established for the period 2001-2003. Global cooperation among the space-faring nations is achieved through the IADC. ESA and its Member States strongly support the deliberations on space debris within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS).

American Society of Hematology/American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update on the use of epoetin and darbepoetin in adult patients with cancer.

PubMed

Rizzo, J Douglas; Brouwers, Melissa; Hurley, Patricia; Seidenfeld, Jerome; Arcasoy, Murat O; Spivak, Jerry L; Bennett, Charles L; Bohlius, Julia; Evanchuk, Darren; Goode, Matthew J; Jakubowski, Ann A; Regan, David H; Somerfield, Mark R

2010-11-18

To update American Society of Hematology/American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations for use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in patients with cancer. An Update Committee reviewed data published between January 2007 and January 2010. MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library were searched. The literature search yielded one new individual patient data analysis and four literature-based meta-analyses, two systematic reviews, and 13 publications reporting new results from randomized controlled trials not included in prior or new reviews. For patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy who have a hemoglobin (Hb) level less than 10 g/dL, the Update Committee recommends that clinicians discuss potential harms (eg, thromboembolism, shorter survival) and benefits (eg, decreased transfusions) of ESAs and compare these with potential harms (eg, serious infections, immune-mediated adverse reactions) and benefits (eg, rapid Hb improvement) of RBC transfusions. Individual preferences for assumed risk should contribute to shared decisions on managing chemotherapy-induced anemia. The Committee cautions against ESA use under other circumstances. If used, ESAs should be administered at the lowest dose possible and should increase Hb to the lowest concentration possible to avoid transfusions. Available evidence does not identify Hb levels ≥ 10 g/dL either as thresholds for initiating treatment or as targets for ESA therapy. Starting doses and dose modifications after response or nonresponse should follow US Food and Drug Administration-approved labeling. ESAs should be discontinued after 6 to 8 weeks in nonresponders. ESAs should be avoided in patients with cancer not receiving concurrent chemotherapy, except for those with lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Caution should be exercised when using ESAs with chemotherapeutic agents in diseases associated with increased risk of thromboembolic complications. Table 1 lists detailed recommendations.

American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society of Hematology clinical practice guideline update on the use of epoetin and darbepoetin in adult patients with cancer.

PubMed

Rizzo, J Douglas; Brouwers, Melissa; Hurley, Patricia; Seidenfeld, Jerome; Arcasoy, Murat O; Spivak, Jerry L; Bennett, Charles L; Bohlius, Julia; Evanchuk, Darren; Goode, Matthew J; Jakubowski, Ann A; Regan, David H; Somerfield, Mark R

2010-11-20

To update American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society of Hematology recommendations for use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in patients with cancer. An Update Committee reviewed data published between January 2007 and January 2010. MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library were searched. The literature search yielded one new individual patient data analysis and four literature-based meta-analyses, two systematic reviews, and 13 publications reporting new results from randomized controlled trials not included in prior or new reviews. For patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy who have a hemoglobin (Hb) level less than 10 g/dL, the Update Committee recommends that clinicians discuss potential harms (eg, thromboembolism, shorter survival) and benefits (eg, decreased transfusions) of ESAs and compare these with potential harms (eg, serious infections, immune-mediated adverse reactions) and benefits (eg, rapid Hb improvement) of RBC transfusions. Individual preferences for assumed risk should contribute to shared decisions on managing chemotherapy-induced anemia. The Committee cautions against ESA use under other circumstances. If used, ESAs should be administered at the lowest dose possible and should increase Hb to the lowest concentration possible to avoid transfusions. Available evidence does not identify Hb levels ≥ 10 g/dL either as thresholds for initiating treatment or as targets for ESA therapy. Starting doses and dose modifications after response or nonresponse should follow US Food and Drug Administration-approved labeling. ESAs should be discontinued after 6 to 8 weeks in nonresponders. ESAs should be avoided in patients with cancer not receiving concurrent chemotherapy, except for those with lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Caution should be exercised when using ESAs with chemotherapeutic agents in diseases associated with increased risk of thromboembolic complications. Table 1 lists detailed recommendations.

NASA AND ESA Partnership on the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Service Module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Free, James M.; Schubert, Kathleen; Grantier, Julie

2012-01-01

In March 2011, NASA and ESA made a decision to partially offset the European obligations deriving from the extension of the ISS Program until the end of 2020 with different means than ATVs, following the ATV-5 mission foreseen in mid-2014. NASA and ESA considered a number of barter options, and concluded that the provision by ESA of the Service Module and Spacecraft Adaptor for the NASA Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) was the barter element with the most interest. A joint ESA - NASA working group was established to assess the feasibility of Europe developing this Module based on ATV heritage. The working group was supported by European and US industry namely Astrium, TAS-I and Lockheed-Martin. This paper gives an overview of the results of the on-going study as well as its projected utilization for the global space exploration endeavour.

Bioeconomic analysis supports the endangered species act.

PubMed

Salau, Kehinde R; Fenichel, Eli P

2015-10-01

The United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted to protect and restore declining fish, wildlife, and plant populations. The ESA mandates endangered species protection irrespective of costs. This translates to the restriction of activities that harm endangered populations. We discuss criticisms of the ESA in the context of public land management and examine under what circumstance banning non-conservation activity on multiple use federal lands can be socially optimal. We develop a bioeconomic model to frame the species management problem under the ESA and identify scenarios where ESA-imposed regulations emerge as optimal strategies. Results suggest that banning harmful activities is a preferred strategy when valued endangered species are in decline or exposed to poor habitat quality. However, it is not optimal to sustain such a strategy in perpetuity. An optimal plan involves a switch to land-use practices characteristic of habitat conservation plans.

The role of the pharmacist in optimizing the use of erythropoietin stimulating agents.

PubMed

Gebara, Shereen Nabhani; Moubayed, Hiba

2010-03-01

With the emerging new warnings surrounding the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), the pharmacist's role as health educator and risk communicator expands further to include patient scrutiny to check for eligibility and patient monitoring to check for response or toxicity. This review explores the benefits and risks linked to ESAs use, and the proposed role. ESAs have been increasingly used for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia because of its documented effect on decreasing transfusion dependency. However, their use has been associated with thromboembolic complications, tumor progression, and decreased overall survival. This review covers current recommendations and guidelines that surround ESAs use in the supportive care of cancer patients. To minimize or prevent the complications associated with ESAs use, cancer patients should be adequately monitored and counseled. This highlights the importance of the pharmacist's involvement to optimize patient care.

Topographic evolution of a continental indenter: The eastern Southern Alps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robl, Jörg; Heberer, Bianca; Prasicek, Günther; Neubauer, Franz; Hergarten, Stefan

2017-04-01

The topographic evolution of the eastern Southern Alps (ESA) is controlled by the Late Oligocene - Early Miocene indentation of the Adriatic microplate into an overthickened orogenic wedge emplaced on top of the European plate. Rivers follow topographic gradients that evolve during continental collision and in turn incise into bedrock counteracting the formation of topography. In principle, erosional surface processes tend to establish a topographic steady state so that an interpretation of topographic metrics in terms of the latest tectonic history should be straightforward. However, a series of complications impede deciphering the topographic record of the ESA. The Pleistocene glaciations locally excavated alpine valleys and perturbed fluvial drainages. The Late Miocene desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea and the uplift of the northern Molasse Basin led to significant base level changes in the far field of the ESA and the Eastern Alps (EA), respectively. Among this multitude of mechanisms, the processes that dominate the current topographic evolution of the ESA and the ESA-EA drainage divide have not been identified and a number of questions regarding the interaction of crustal deformation, erosion and climate in shaping the present-day topography remain. We demonstrate the expected topographic effects of each mechanism in a 1-dimensional model and compare them with observed channel metrics. Modern uplift rates are largely consistent with long-term exhumation in the ESA and with variations in the normalized steepness index (ksn) indicating a stable uplift and erosion pattern since Miocene times. We find that ksn increases with uplift rate and declines from the indenter tip in the northwest to the foreland basin in the southeast. The number and magnitude of knickpoints and the distortion in longitudinal channel profiles similarly decrease towards the east. Most knickpoints probably evolved during Pleistocene glaciation cycles, but may represent the incrementally reactivated, buried incision signal triggered by the Messinian desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea. Changes in slope of χ-transformed channel profiles coincide spatially with the Valsugana - Fella fault linking crustal stacking and uplift induced by indenter tectonics with topographic evolution. Gradients in χ across the ESA-EA drainage divide imply an ongoing, north-directed shift of the Danube-ESA watershed. This implies that ESA streams spread to the domain of the EA by drainage divide migration and river capture events. As already observed in the Adige catchment, the Periadriatic fault system loses its significance for the morphological evolution of the EA-ESA. The observed northward migration of the ESA-EA drainage divide is most likely driven by a base level rise in the northern Molasse basin, which leads to a growth of the ESA and Rhine catchments at the expense of the Danube drainage area. We conclude that the regional uplift pattern controls the geometry of ESA-EA channels, while base level changes in the far field control the overall architecture of the orogen by drainage divide migration (Robl et al., 2016). Robl, J., B. Heberer, G. Prasicek, F. Neubauer, and S. Hergarten (2016), The topography of a continental indenter: The interplay between crustal deformation, erosion and base level changes in the eastern Southern Alps, J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 121, doi:10.1002/2016JF003884.

Challenges for Children and Women in the 1990s: Eastern and Southern Africa in Profile.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations Children's Fund, Nairobi (Kenya). Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office.

This report profiles conditions in the lives of children and women in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), and attempts to identify and analyze trends and issues which are emerging in ESA and which have particular significance for UNICEF activities. During the 1980s, ESA experienced unprecedented economic decline due to falling commodity prices and…

Sentinel-1 - the radar mission for GMES operational land and sea services

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Attema, Evert; Bargellini, Pierre; Edwards, Peter; Levrini, Guido; Lokas, Svein; Moeller, Ludwig; Rosich-Tell, Betlem; Secchi, Patrizia; Torres, Ramon; Davidson, Malcolm; Snoeij, Paul

2007-08-01

The ESA Sentinels will be the first series of operational satellites to meet the Earth observation needs of the European Union - ESA Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme. Existing and planned space assets will be complemented by new developments from ESA. The first is Sentinel-1, a pair of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellites.

Technology developments under consideration for future ground systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drewes, G. W. J.

A review is conducted of those areas of ground-system related technology which require for their appropriate development funding provided by ESA. ESA will, in this connection, financially support the development of a coaxial S and X band feed horn for use with its 15-m antenna for Villafranca and Carnarvon. With respect to RF techology, it is found that the required RF components and subsystems will be available, and, consequently, ESA will not provide any funds for developments in this area. Other sectors examined with respect to possible developments requiring ESA funding are related to modulation/demodulation, spacecraft position, data handling, timing, and development and standardization.

Dextran-5-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenylazo)salicylic acid ester, a polymeric colon-specific prodrug releasing 5-aminosalicylic acid and benzocaine, ameliorates TNBS-induced rat colitis.

PubMed

Nam, Joon; Kim, Wooseong; Lee, Sunyoung; Jeong, Seongkeun; Yoo, Jin-Wook; Kim, Min-Soo; Jung, Yunjin

2016-01-01

Local anesthetics have beneficial effects on colitis. Dextran-5-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenylazo)salicylic acid ester (Dex-5-ESA), designed as a polymeric colon-specific prodrug liberating 5-ASA and benzocaine in the large intestine, was prepared and its therapeutic activity against colitis was evaluated using a TNBS-induced rat colitis model. Dex-5-ESA liberated 5-ASA and benzocaine in the cecal contents while (bio)chemically stable in the small intestinal contents and mucosa. Oral administration of Dex-5-ESA (equivalent to 10 mg 5-ASA/kg, twice a day) alleviated colonic injury and reduced MPO activity in the inflamed colon. In parallel, pro-inflammatory mediators, COX-2, iNOS and CINC-3, elevated by TNBS-induced colitis, were substantially diminished in the inflamed colon. Dex-5-ESA was much more effective for the treatment of colitis than 5-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenylazo)salicylic acid (5-ESA) that may not deliver benzocaine to the large intestine. Our data suggest that Dex-5-ESA is a polymeric colon-specific prodrug, liberating 5-ASA and benzocaine in the target site (large intestine), probably exerting anti-colitic effects by combined action of 5-ASA and benzocaine.

Effect of Fasciola gigantica excretory secretory antigen on rat hematological indices

PubMed Central

Ganga, G.; Sharma, R. L.

2006-01-01

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Fasciola gigantica excretory secretory antigen (Fg-ESA) on rat hematological indices. Fg-ESA was prepared by keeping thoroughly washed 40 F. gigantica flukes in 100 ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS) for 2 h at 37℃, and centrifuging the supernatant at 12,000 g at 4℃ for 30 min. The protein content of Fg-ESA was adjusted to 1.8 mg/ml. The rats were randomly divided into two groups of six rats each. Rats in group A received 0.5 ml of Fg-ESA intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 7 days, whereas control rats in group B received 0.5 ml of PBS i.p. for 7 days. Hemograms of both groups were studied initially and on days 0, 2, 4, 14 and 21 after the final injection of Fg-ESA or PBS. Progressive and significant (p < 0.01) declines in the values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and total erythrocyte count were observed without significant (p > 0.05) changes in the values of mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, or mean corpuscular volume in group A. Thus, we conclude that Fg-ESA induces normocytic normochromic anemia in rats. PMID:16645335

Performance of external and internal coil configurations for prostate investigations at 7 Tesla

PubMed Central

Metzger, Gregory J.; van de Moortele, Pierre-Francois; Akgun, Can; Snyder, Carl J.; Moeller, Steen; Strupp, John; Andersen, Peter; Shrivastava, Devashish; Vaughan, Tommy; Ugurbil, Kamil; Adriany, Gregor

2010-01-01

Three different coil configurations were evaluated through simulation and experimentally to determine safe operating limits and evaluate subject size dependent performance for prostate imaging at 7 Tesla. The coils included a transceiver endorectal coil (trERC), a 16 channel transceiver external surface array (trESA) and a trESA combined with a receive-only ERC (trESA+roERC). While the transmit B1 (B1+) homogeneity was far superior for the trESA, the maximum achievable B1+ is subject size dependent and limited by transmit chain losses and amplifier performance. For the trERC, limitations in transmit homogeneity greatly compromised image quality and limited coverage of the prostate. Despite these challenges, the high peak B1+ close to the trERC and subject size independent performance provides potential advantages especially for spectroscopic localization where high bandwidth RF pulses are required. On the receive side, the combined trESA+roERC provided the highest SNR and improved homogeneity over the trERC resulting in better visualization of the prostate and surrounding anatomy. In addition, the parallel imaging performance of the trESA+roERC holds strong promise for diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI. PMID:20740657

ESA is now a major player in global space science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1997-07-01

* Results from the star-fixing satellite Hipparcos, released this summer to the world's astronomers, give the positions and motions of 118,000 stars a hundred times more accurately than ever before. * Every day the Infrared Space Observatory, ISO, examines 45 cosmic objects on average at many different wavelengths never observable before, giving fresh insights into cosmic history and chemistry. * Invaluable new knowledge of the Sun comes from SOHO, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, which is the first spacecraft able to observe the Sun's deep interior as well as its stormy surface and atmosphere. Besides these missions making present headlines, several other spacecraft are helping to fulfil ESA's scientific objectives. * 2 - * The launch in October 1997 of ESA's probe Huygens, aboard the Cassini spacecraft bound for Saturn, foreshadows a breakthrough in planetary science in 2004. That is when Huygens will carry its scientific instruments into the unique and puzzling atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan. * Ulysses, also built in Europe, is exploring hitherto unknown regions of space, after making the first-ever visit to the Sun's polar regions in 1994-95. It will return to the Sun in 2000-2001, to observe the effects of the climax of solar activity due at that time. * The Cluster 2 mission, announced in April 1997 and to be launched in 2000, will explore the Earth's space environment far more throughly than ever before. ESA's decision to replace the four Cluster satellites lost in a launch accident in 1996 ensures that Europe will continue as the leader in solar-terrestrial research in space. * An example of the three unique 58-mirror X-ray telescopes for the XMM mission was unveiled for the press in May 1997. When it goes into orbit in 1999 XMM will make, in seconds, observations of cosmic objects that took hours with previous X-ray astronomy missions. * The Hubble Space Telescope, in which ESA is a partner, continues to deliver the sharpest pictures of the cosmos after its February 1997 refurbishment. Europe's astronomers make outstanding use of their right to make observations with Hubble, guaranteed by ESA's participation. ESA's table d'h^te for space scientists To provide world-class opportunities in space for Europe's scientific community is one of ESA's primary duties. The successes summarized here are not a matter of luck, but of decades of sustained planning and effort. Although ESA's science budget is small as compared with NASA=s equivalent programme, and is even being squeezed, yet every one of ESA's missions is first in its class. * 3- The scientists of ESA's member states draw up the table d'h^te, with a balanced menu of research opportunities in Solar System exploration and in astronomy. ESA coordinates the technological and scientific efforts across Europe needed to accomplish the missions, after many years of preparation and sometimes adversity. One of ESA's strengths is that it sticks to its promises, and maintains a balance with several small missions, remaining alert to new tasks for short-term projects. Besides the spacecraft mentioned earlier, ESA is actively working on: * Rosetta. As the successor to the very successful comet mission Giotto, which intercepted Halley's Comet in 1986 and Comet Grigg-Skjellerup in 1992, Rosetta will confirm ESA's role as the world leader in comet science. To be launched in 2003, Rosetta will rendezvous with Comet Wirtanen, and fly in close orbit around it as it makes its closest approach to the Sun ten years later. * Integral. Adapted from the XMM spacecraft to save money, Integral will go into orbit in 2001 and renew ESA's role in gamma-ray astronomy, pioneered in its COS-B mission some twenty years ago. Gamma-rays reveal the most violent events in the Universe, including the gamma-ray bursts that are exciting astronomers greatly at present. * FIRST and Planck Surveyor. FIRST is a long-standing major project to extend the scope of infrared space astronomy to wavelengths longer than ISO's. Planck Surveyor was recently selected as a medium-scale project, to chart the cosmic microwave background carefully enough to trace the origin of the galaxies. ESA is now examining the option of combining these two missions in a single spacecraft, for launching in 2005. Prominent among other enticing possibilities is Mars Express, a high-level, low-cost mission that could set off for the Red Planet in 2003. It would give Europe an important stake in the exploration of Mars, by remote sensing from an orbiter and by experiments in landers. The latter can exploit ESA=s experience in preparing for the Huygens mission to Titan. Some of the Mars experiments should be readily adaptable from instruments prepared for other missions. -4- ESA is also considering SMART missions, using small satellites to test key technologies. Solar-electric propulsion, long seen as a much-needed advance in spacecraft engines, could take a small spacecraft to the Moon and then onwards to an asteroid. A second candidate for a SMART mission would develop Adrag free@ technologies for testing Einstein=s theory of gravity. Other possibilities under review include participation in a replacement for the Hubble Space Telescope, and opportunities for science associated with the International Space Station. In addition, three major projects have been selected by Europe=s space scientists as long-term goals. A spacecraft to orbit the hot planet Mercury, barely explored till now, will shed new light on the history of the Solar System. An astronomical interferometric mission using two or more telescopes in combination will observe the stars and galaxies more accurately by visible or infrared light. And a novel kind of astronomy is promised by an ambitious gravitational-wave mission to detect radiation predicted by Einstein's theory of gravity, which supposedly stretches and squeezes space itself. In short, ESA is delivering superb space science and, if future funding allows, has exciting ideas for the new millennium. Note to Editors : A picture is available of a huge cloud of hydrogen gas around Comet Hale-Bopp. This image illustrates two areas of space science where ESA leads : comet research and solar research. The image is from SOHO=s SWAN instrument, the primary task of which is to chart the solar wind. Note : To learn more about ESA, visit the ESA homepage on the World Wide Web at the new address : http://www.esa.int

Comparative real-time study of cellular uptake of a formulated conjugated linolenic acid rich nano and conventional macro emulsions and their bioactivity in ex vivo models for parenteral applications.

PubMed

Paul, Debjyoti; Mukherjee, Sayani; Chakraborty, Rajarshi; Mallick, Sanjaya K; Dhar, Pubali

2015-02-01

The objective of the present study was to fabricate and monitor real-time, impact of a stable conjugated linolenic acid, α-eleostearic acid (ESA) rich nanoemulsion (NE) formulation (d < 200 nm) vis-à-vis ESA conventional emulsion (CE) system in ex vivo systems against both endogenous and exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accordingly, stable nanoemulsion formulation of ESA was engineered with the aid of bitter melon seed oil and non-toxic excipients. Morphology and particle size of the emulsion formulations were studied to validate stability. The real-time rapid uptake of the ESA NE and its increased prophylactic efficacy against induced endogenous and exogenous ROS in terms of cell viability and membrane integrity was evaluated flow-cytometrically and with fluorescence microscopic analysis of different primary cells. It was found that the fabricated non-toxic ESA NE had stable parameters (hydrodynamic mean diameter, particle size distribution and zeta potential) for over 12 weeks. Further, ESA NE at a concentration of ∼ 70 μM exhibited maximum efficacy in protecting cells from oxidative damage against both endogenous and exogenous ROS in lymphocytes and hepatocytes as compared to its corresponding presence in the CE formulation. This study provides a real-time empirical evidence on the influence of nano formulation in enhancing bioavailability and antioxidative properties of ESA. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interstellar Neutral Helium in the Heliosphere from IBEX Observations. V. Observations in IBEX-Lo ESA Steps 1, 2, and 3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swaczyna, Paweł; Bzowski, Maciej; Kubiak, Marzena A.; Sokół, Justyna M.; Fuselier, Stephen A.; Galli, André; Heirtzler, David; Kucharek, Harald; McComas, David J.; Möbius, Eberhard; Schwadron, Nathan A.; Wurz, P.

2018-02-01

Direct-sampling observations of interstellar neutral (ISN) He by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) provide valuable insight into the physical state of and processes operating in the interstellar medium ahead of the heliosphere. The ISN He atom signals are observed at the four lowest ESA steps of the IBEX-Lo sensor. The observed signal is a mixture of the primary and secondary components of ISN He and H. Previously, only data from one of the ESA steps have been used. Here, we extend the analysis to data collected in the three lowest ESA steps with the strongest ISN He signal, for the observation seasons 2009–2015. The instrument sensitivity is modeled as a linear function of the atom impact speed onto the sensor’s conversion surface separately for each ESA step of the instrument. We find that the sensitivity increases from lower to higher ESA steps, but within each of the ESA steps it is a decreasing function of the atom impact speed. This result may be influenced by the hydrogen contribution, which was not included in the adopted model, but seems to exist in the signal. We conclude that the currently accepted temperature of ISN He and velocity of the Sun through the interstellar medium do not need a revision, and we sketch a plan of further data analysis aiming at investigating ISN H and a better understanding of the population of ISN He originating in the outer heliosheath.

Are you ready for Mars? - Main media events surrounding the arrival of ESA's Mars Express at Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2003-11-01

Launched on 2 June 2003 from Baikonur (Kazakhstan) on board a Russian Soyuz launcher operated by Starsem, the European probe -built for ESA by a European team of industrial companies led by Astrium - carries seven scientific instruments that will perform a series of remote-sensing experiments designed to shed new light on the Martian atmosphere, the planet’s structure and its geology. In particular, the British-made Beagle 2 lander, named after the ship on which Charles Darwin explored uncharted areas of the Earth in 1830, will contribute to the search for traces of life on Mars through exobiology experiments and geochemistry research. On Christmas Eve the Mars Express orbiter will be steered on a course taking it into an elliptical orbit, where it will safely circle the planet for a minimum of almost 2 Earth years. The Beagle 2 lander - which will have been released from the mother craft a few days earlier (on 19 December) - instead will stay on a collision course with the planet. It too should also be safe, being designed for atmospheric entry and geared for a final soft landing due to a sophisticated system of parachutes and airbags. On arrival, the Mars Express mission control team will report on the outcome of the spacecraft's delicate orbital insertion manoeuvre. It will take some time for Mars Express to manouvre into position to pick communications from Beagle 2. Hence, initially, other means will be used to check that Beagle 2 has landed: first signals from the Beagle 2 landing are expected to be available throughout Christmas Day, either through pick-up and relay of Beagle 2 radio signals by NASA’s Mars Odyssey, or by direct pick-up by the Jodrell Bank radio telescope in the UK. Mars Express will then pass over Beagle 2 in early January 2004, relaying data and images back to Earth. The first images from the cameras of Beagle 2 and Mars Express are expected to be available between the end of the year and the beginning of January 2004. The key dates relating to the arrival of Mars Express at its destination will be marked by several media events not to be missed. Pencil them into your diaries so as not to miss one of the most exciting events of the year. Tuesday 11 November Mars Express/Beagle 2 Media briefing Royal Society- 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London 10:00 - 13:00 -Status report on the mission -Technical details on forthcoming Mars Express/Beagle 2 operations -News handling arrangements around Christmas Speakers: Prof. David Southwood, ESA Director of Science; Prof. Colin Pillinger, Beagle 2 Lander Lead Scientist; John Reddy, ESA Mars Express Principal Electrical Systems Engineer. Contact: Peter Barratt, PPARC Tel. + 44 (0) 1793 44 20 25 e-mail: Beagle2@pparc.ac.uk Wednesday 3 December ESA Media briefing ESA/ ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany 10:30 - 12:30 -Scientific outlook and expected results -Status report on the mission -Presentation of upcoming events Speakers: Rudolf Schmidt, ESA Mars Express Project Manager; Augustin Chicarro, ESA Mars Express Project Scientist. In addition, Mars Express scientists and Mission Control Managers will highlight their contribution to the Mars Express mission. In videoconference with ESA/Headquarters, Paris (F); ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk (NL), ESA/ESRIN, Frascati (I). Contact: Jocelyne Landeau Constantin, ESA/ESOC Tel. + 49 6151 90 26 96 e-mail: Jocelyne.Landeau-Constantin@esa.int Friday 19 December Mars Express Orbiter/ Beagle 2 separation Mission Control Managers announce results of Beagle 2 separation from the mother craft. a.Event at ESA/ESOC, Darmstadt , Germany 08:30 - 14:00 Speakers: Prof. David Southwood, ESA Director of Science; Rudolf Schmidt, ESA Mars Express Project Manager Contact: Jocelyne Landeau Constantin, ESA/ESOC Tel. + 49 6151 90 26 96 e-mail: Jocelyne.Landeau-Constantin@esa.int b.Event in London -location and time t.b.c. Speaker: Prof. Colin Pillinger, Beagle 2 Lander Lead Scientist. Contact: Peter Barratt, PPARC Tel. + 44 (0) 1793 44 20 25 e-mail: Beagle2@pparc.ac.uk Thursday 25 December Christmas on Mars a.Media event at ESA/ ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany 03:00 - 07:00 Mars Express orbit insertion follow-up and Beagle 2 landing- Experience the accomplishment of one of the most exciting phases of the Mars Express mission in real time in the presence of Mission Control Managers and Scientists. 08:30 - 10:00 Christmas media brunch- Announcement of Mars orbit insertion results and Beagle 2 landing, with the participation of Prof. David Sourthwood, ESA Director of Science. Contact: Jocelyne Landeau Constantin, ESA/ESOC Tel. + 49 6151 90 26 96 e-mail: Jocelyne.Landeau-Constantin@esa.int b.Event in central London - location and time t.b.c. Contact: Peter Barratt, PPARC Tel. + 44 (0) 1793 44 20 25 e-mail: Beagle2@pparc.ac.uk Note to Editors: Timeline of expected main mission events 16 December All day Fine targeting of Mars Express to point at landing site - ranging 19 December 06:51 GMT/07:51 CET Decision to release Beagle 2 08:41 GMT/09:41 CET Eject command sent to Mars Express 10:15 GMT/11:15 CET First results of release available 20 December Re-targeting of Mars Express on an orbital insertion course 23 December Update on Mars Express Orbital Insertion Sequence 24 December Night Final decision to steer Mars Express into a Martian orbit 25 December 02:45 GMT/03:45 CET Beagle 2 landing on Mars 03:00 GMT/04:00 CET Mars Express Orbital Insertion 05:15 GMT/06:15 CET Mars Odyssey orbiter flight over Beagle 2 07:00 GMT/08:00 CET First evaluation of Mars Express orbital insertion 22:45 GMT/23:45 CET Possible direct capture of Beagle 2 signals at Jodrell Bank (UK)

ESA and Television - bringing space to Europe's television viewers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habfast, Claus

2007-05-01

Getting ESA into the TV news of its Member States is an important element of the Agency's communication strategy. TV news ingages the public in space activities, leading to political support and, ultimately, funding for future programmes. "ESA TV" is a trusted source of space images and stories for Europe's broadcasters. Space is too good a story not to be part of the news.

Starting a European Space Agency Sample Analogue Collection (ESA2C) and Curation Facility for Exploration Missions.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, C. L.; Rumsey, M. S.; Manick, K.; Gill, S.-J.; Mavris, C.; Schroeven-Deceuninck, H.; Duvet, L.

2017-09-01

The ESA2C will support current and future technology development activities that are required for human and robotic exploration of Mars, Phobos, Deimos, C-Type Asteroids and the Moon.The long-term goal of this work is to produce a useful, useable and sustainable resource for engineers and scientists developing technologies for ESA space exploration missions.

Oncology Nurses' Attitudes Toward the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System: Results From a Large Cancer Care Ontario Study.

PubMed

Green, Esther; Yuen, Dora; Chasen, Martin; Amernic, Heidi; Shabestari, Omid; Brundage, Michael; Krzyzanowska, Monika K; Klinger, Christopher; Ismail, Zahra; Pereira, José

2017-01-01

To examine oncology nurses' attitudes toward and reported use of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and to determine whether the length of work experience and presence of oncology certification are associated with their attitudes and reported usage.
. Exploratory, mixed-methods study employing a questionnaire approach.
. 14 regional cancer centers (RCCs) in Ontario, Canada.
. Oncology nurses who took part in a larger province-wide study that surveyed 960 interdisciplinary providers in oncology care settings at all of Ontario's 14 RCCs.
. Oncology nurses' attitudes and use of ESAS were measured using a 21-item investigator-developed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Kendall's tau-b or tau-c test were used for data analyses. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis.
. Attitudes toward and self-reported use of standardized symptom screening and ESAS.
. More than half of the participants agreed that ESAS improves symptom screening, most said they would encourage their patients to complete ESAS, and most felt that managing symptoms is within their scope of practice and clinical responsibilities. Qualitative comments provided additional information elucidating the quantitative responses. Statistical analyses revealed that oncology nurses who have 10 years or less of work experience were more likely to agree that the use of standardized, valid instruments to screen for and assess symptoms should be considered best practice, ESAS improves symptom screening, and ESAS enables them to better manage patients' symptoms. No statistically significant difference was found between oncology-certified RNs and noncertified RNs on attitudes or reported use of ESAS.
. Implementing a population-based symptom screening approach is a major undertaking. The current study found that oncology nurses recognize the value of standardized screening, as demonstrated by their attitudes toward ESAS.
. Oncology nurses are integral to providing high-quality person-centered care. Using standardized approaches that enable patients to self-report symptoms and understanding barriers and enablers to optimal use of patient-reported outcome tools can improve the quality of patient care.

Latest processing status and quality assessment of the GOMOS, MIPAS and SCIAMACHY ESA dataset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niro, F.; Brizzi, G.; Saavedra de Miguel, L.; Scarpino, G.; Dehn, A.; Fehr, T.; von Kuhlmann, R.

2011-12-01

GOMOS, MIPAS and SCIAMACHY instruments are successfully observing the changing Earth's atmosphere since the launch of the ENVISAT-ESA platform on March 2002. The measurements recorded by these instruments are relevant for the Atmospheric-Chemistry community both in terms of time extent and variety of observing geometry and techniques. In order to fully exploit these measurements, it is crucial to maintain a good reliability in the data processing and distribution and to continuously improving the scientific output. The goal is to meet the evolving needs of both the near-real-time and research applications. Within this frame, the ESA operational processor remains the reference code, although many scientific algorithms are nowadays available to the users. In fact, the ESA algorithm has a well-established calibration and validation scheme, a certified quality assessment process and the possibility to reach a wide users' community. Moreover, the ESA algorithm upgrade procedures and the re-processing performances have much improved during last two years, thanks to the recent updates of the Ground Segment infrastructure and overall organization. The aim of this paper is to promote the usage and stress the quality of the ESA operational dataset for the GOMOS, MIPAS and SCIAMACHY missions. The recent upgrades in the ESA processor (GOMOS V6, MIPAS V5 and SCIAMACHY V5) will be presented, with detailed information on improvements in the scientific output and preliminary validation results. The planned algorithm evolution and on-going re-processing campaigns will be mentioned that involves the adoption of advanced set-up, such as the MIPAS V6 re-processing on a clouds-computing system. Finally, the quality control process will be illustrated that allows to guarantee a standard of quality to the users. In fact, the operational ESA algorithm is carefully tested before switching into operations and the near-real time and off-line production is thoughtfully verified via the implementation of automatic quality control procedures. The scientific validity of the ESA dataset will be additionally illustrated with examples of applications that can be supported, such as ozone-hole monitoring, volcanic ash detection and analysis of atmospheric composition changes during the past years.

Objectivity in subjectivity: do students' self and peer assessments correlate with examiners' subjective and objective assessment in clinical skills? A prospective study.

PubMed

Inayah, A'man Talal; Anwer, Lucman A; Shareef, Mohammad Abrar; Nurhussen, Akram; Alkabbani, Haifa Mazen; Alzahrani, Alhanouf A; Obad, Adam Subait; Zafar, Muhammad; Afsar, Nasir Ali

2017-05-09

The qualitative subjective assessment has been exercised either by self-reflection (self-assessment (SA)) or by an observer (peer assessment (PA)) and is considered to play an important role in students' development. The objectivity of PA and SA by students as well as those by faculty examiners has remained debated. This matters most when it comes to a high-stakes examination. We explored the degree of objectivity in PA, SA, as well as the global rating by examiners being Examiners' Subjective Assessment (ESA) compared with Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE). Prospective cohort study. Undergraduate medical students at Alfaisal University, Riyadh. All second-year medical students (n=164) of genders, taking a course to learn clinical history taking and general physical examination. A Likert scale questionnaire was distributed among the participants during selected clinical skills sessions. Each student was evaluated randomly by peers (PA) as well as by himself/herself (SA). Two OSCEs were conducted where students were assessed by an examiner objectively as well as subjectively (ESA) for a global rating of confidence and well-preparedness. OSCE-1 had fewer topics and stations, whereas OSCE-2 was terminal and full scale. OSCE-1 (B=0.10) and ESA (B=8.16) predicted OSCE-2 scores. 'No nervousness' in PA (r=0.185, p=0.018) and 'confidence' in SA (r=0.207, p=0.008) correlated with 'confidence' in ESA. In 'well-preparedness', SA correlated with ESA (r=0.234, p=0.003). OSCE-1 and ESA predicted students' performance in the OSCE-2, a high-stakes evaluation, indicating practical 'objectivity' in ESA, whereas SA and PA had minimal predictive role. Certain components of SA and PA correlated with ESA, suggesting partial objectivity given the limited objectiveness of ESA. Such difference in 'qualitative' objectivity probably reflects experience. Thus, subjective assessment can be used with some degree of objectivity for continuous assessment. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

BepiColombo mission to be presented to the media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2008-01-01

After a competitive phase started in 2001, ESA has awarded Astrium the prime contract to build BepiColombo. The contract signature ceremony will take place in presence of the Prime Minister of Baden Württemberg (Germany), Dr. Guenther Oettinger, and will mark the kick-off of the industrial development of the spacecraft. BepiColombo will be launched in 2013. It consists of two spacecraft - an orbiter for planetary investigation, led by ESA, and one for magnetospheric studies, led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The satellite duo will reach Mercury in 2019 after a six-year journey towards the inner Solar System, to make the most extensive and detailed study of Mercury ever attempted. The press event will feature a thorough presentation of the mission and its objectives, as well as the technical challenges that Astrium will have to address. Such challenges derive from the difficulty of reaching, surviving and operating in the harsh environment of a planet so close to Sun, making of BepiColombo one of the most complex long-term planetary projects undertaken by ESA so far. Media interested to attend are invited to register by the reply form attached below. Visit of Prime Minister Guenther Oettinger and BepiColombo Contract Signature Event programme 18 January 2008, h 10:30 Astrium Friedrichshafen, Germany Claude-Dornier-Straße, 88090 Immenstaad Building 8, Room "Meersburg" 10:30 Check-in 11:00 Welcome and introduction, Uwe Minne, Astrium, Director of Earth Observation and Science, Head of Friedrichshafen Site 11:05 BepiColombo in the context of the ESA Science Programme, Jacques Louet, ESA Head of Science Projects Departments 11:10 BepiColombo's scientific objectives, Johannes Benkhoff, ESA, BepiColombo Project Scientist 11:20 The BepiColombo mission, Jan van Casteren, ESA, BepiColombo Project Manager 11:30 BepiColombo's technical challenges, Rainer Best, Astrium, BepiColombo Project Manager 11:40 Q&A 12:00 Buffet lunch 13:00 Arrival of Prime Minister Guenther Oettinger, welcomed by Evert Dudok, CEO Astrium Satellites, Uwe Minne and Dr. Johannes v. Thadden, Astrium, Head of Political Affairs 13:05 Astrium at Friedrichshafen and its experience and heritage in scientific satellites, Uwe Minne, Head of Friedrichshafen Site 13:15 Astrium in Baden-Württemberg, and the importance of satellite Manufacturing, Evert Dudok, CEO Astrium Satellites 13:25 The ESA Science Programme and Germany’s involvement,David Southwood, ESA Director of Science 13:35 Contract Signature of BepiColombo, D. Southwood, ESA / E. Dudok,Astrium - J. Louet, ESA / U. Minne, Astrium 13:45 Speech of Guenther Oettinger, Prime Minister of Federal State of Baden-Württemberg: “Baden-Württemberg: a high-tech Country” 14:05 Transfer to Satellite Cleanroom 14:10 Visit Satellite Manufacturing 14:30 End of event

In Brief: European Earth science network for postdocs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2008-12-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a new initiative called the Changing Earth Science Network, to support young scientists undertaking leading-edge research activities aimed at advancing the understanding of the Earth system. The initiative will enable up to 10 young postdoctoral researchers from the agency's member states to address major scientific challenges by using Earth observation (EO) satellite data from ESA and its third-party missions. The initiative aims to foster the development of a network of young scientists in Europe with a good knowledge of the agency and its EO programs. Selected candidates will have the option to carry out part of their research in an ESA center as a visiting scientist. The deadline to submit proposals is 16 January 2009. Selections will be announced in early 2009. The Changing Earth Science Network was developed as one of the main programmatic components of ESA's Support to Science Element, launched in 2008. For more information, visit http://www.esa.int/stse.

Occurrence of alachlor and its sulfonated metabolite in rivers and reservoirs of the midwestern United States: The importance of sulfonation in the transport of chloroacetanilide herbicides

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thurman, E.M.; Goolsby, D.A.; Aga, D.S.; Pomes, M.L.; Meyer, M.T.

1996-01-01

Alachlor and its metabolite, 2-[(2',6'-diethylphenyl)- (methoxymethyl)amino]-2-oxoethanesulfonate (ESA), were identified in 76 reservoirs in the midwestern United States using immunoassay, liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The median concentration of ESA (0.48 ??g/L) exceeded the median concentration of alachlor (<0.05 ??g/L), with highest values in the upper Midwest. ESA also was detected in the Mississippi River from the mouth to the headwaters at concentrations of 0.2-1.5 ??g/L, exceeding the concentration of alachlor. In a field runoff study, alachlor rapidly formed ESA. It is hypothesized that a glutathione conjugate forms, which later oxidizes in soil to ESA. The removal of the chlorine atom lessens the toxicity of the parent compound and increases runoff potential. It is hypothesized further that sulfonic acid metabolites of other chloroacetanilides, including acetochlor, butachlor, metolachlor, and propachlor, also occur in surface water.

Excretory-secretory antigens: a suitable candidate for immunization against ocular toxoplasmosis in a murine model.

PubMed

Norouzpour Deilami, Kiumars; Daryani, Ahmad; Ahmadpour, Ehsan; Sharif, Mehdi; Dadimoghaddam, Yousef; Sarvi, Shahabeddin; Alizadeh, Ahad

2014-12-01

Toxoplasmosis, responsible for ocular impairment, is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. We investigated the effect of Toxoplasma excretory-secretory antigens (ESA) on parasite load and distribution in the eye tissue of a murine model. Case and control groups were immunized with ESA and PBS, respectively. Two weeks after the second immunization, the mice were challenged intraperitoneally with virulent RH strain of Toxoplasma; eye tissue samples of both groups were collected daily (days 1, 2, 3, and the last day before death). Parasite load was determined using real-time quantitative PCR targeted at the B1 gene. Compared to the control group, infected mice that received ESA vaccine presented a considerable decrease in parasite load in the eye tissue, demonstrating the effect of ESA on parasite load and distribution. Diminution of parasite load in mouse eye tissue indicated that ESA might help control disease-related complications and could be a valuable immunization candidate against ocular toxoplasmosis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Overview of ESA life support activities in preparation of future exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lasseur, Christophe; Paille, Christel

2016-07-01

Since 1987, the European Space Agency has been active in the field of Life Support development. When compare to its international colleagues, it is clear that ESA started activities in the field with a "delay of around 25 years. Due to this situation and to avoid duplication, ESA decided to focus more on long term manned missions and to consider more intensively regenerative technologies as well as the associated risks management ( e.g. physical, chemical and contaminants). Fortunately or not, during the same period, no clear plan of exploration and consequently not specific requirements materialized. This force ESA to keep a broader and generic approach of all technologies. Today with this important catalogue of technologies and know-how, ESA is contemplating the different scenario of manned exploration beyond LEO. In this presentation we review the key scenario of future exploration, and identify the key technologies who loo the more relevant. An more detailed status is presented on the key technologies and their development plan for the future.

The ESA contribution to the European Satellite Navigation Programme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucas, R.; Lo Galbo, P.; de Mateo, M. L.; Steciw, A.; Ashford, E.

1996-02-01

This paper describes the ESA ARTES-9 programme on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This programme will be the ESA contribution to the wider European Satellite Navigation Programme which is to be implemented as a joint effort of the European Union, Eurocontrol and ESA with the support of other European bodies such as telecommunication operators, national civil aviation authorities, national space agencies, industry, universities and R&D institutes in general. In fact, in view of the geographical area concerned, the large number of parties interested, the experience required and the global nature of GNSS, the proposed initiative can only be successful if based on a strong cooperation at a European and international scale. The ESA ARTES-9 programme will consist on one side, of the design, development and validation of the European complement to the GPS and GLONASS systems (GNSS1), and on the other side of the study, design and pre-development of the European contribution to follow-on systems: GNSS2.

European agreement on James Webb Space Telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) signed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2004-06-01

Artist's impression of the JWST hi-res Size hi-res: 1601 kb Credits: ESA Artist's impression of the JWST An artist's impression of the selected design for the JWST spacecraft. Northrop Grumman and Ball Aerospace are the prime contractors for JWST. Artist's impression of the JWST Credits: ESA Artist's impression of the JWST An artist's impression of the selected design for the JWST spacecraft. Northrop Grumman and Ball Aerospace are the prime contractors for JWST. Observing the first light, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will help to solve outstanding questions about our place in the evolving Universe. MIRI, the Mid-Infrared Instrument, is one of the four instruments on board the JWST, the mission scheduled to follow on the heritage of Hubble in 2011. MIRI will be built in cooperation between Europe and the United States (NASA), both equally contributing to its funding. MIRI’s optics, core of the instrument, will be provided by a consortium of European institutes. According to this formal agreement, ESA will manage and co-ordinate the whole development of the European part of MIRI and act as the sole interface with NASA, which is leading the JWST project. This marks a difference with respect to the previous ESA scientific missions. In the past the funding and the development of the scientific instruments was agreed by the participating ESA Member States on the basis of purely informal arrangements with ESA. In this case, the Member States involved in MIRI have agreed on formally guaranteeing the required level of funding on the basis of a multi-lateral international agreement, which still keeps scientists in key roles. Over the past years, missions have become more complex and demanding, and more costly within an ever tighter budget. They also require a more and more specific expertise which is spread throughout the vast European scientific community. As a result, a new management procedure for co-ordination of payload development has become a necessity to secure the successful and timely completion of scientific space projects. ESA’s co-ordination of the MIRI European consortium represents the first time such an approach has been used, which will be applied to the future missions of the ESA long-term Science Programme - the ‘Cosmic Vision’. The technology package for LISA (LTP), an ESA/NASA mission to detect gravitational waves, is already being prepared under the same scheme. Sergio Volonte, ESA Co-ordinator for Astrophysics and Fundamental Physics Missions, comments: “I’m delighted for such an achievement between ESA and its Member States. With MIRI we will start an even more effective co-ordination on developing our scientific instruments, setting a new framework to further enhance their excellence.” Note to Editors The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), is a partnership between ESA, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. Formerly known as the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST), it is due to be launched in August 2011, and it is considered the successor of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. It is three times larger and more powerful than its predecessor and it is expected to shed light on the 'Dark Ages of the Universe' by studying the very distant Universe, observing infrared light from the first stars and galaxies that ever emerged. MIRI (Mid-Infrared Camera-Spectrograph) is essential for the study of the old and distant stellar population; regions of obscured star formation; hydrogen emission from previously unthinkable distances; the physics of protostars; and the sizes of ‘Kuiper belt’ objects and faint comets. Further to the contribution to MIRI, Europe through ESA is contributing to JWST with the NIRSPEC (Near-Infrared multi-object Spectrograph) instrument (fully funded and managed by ESA) and, as agreed in principle with NASA, with the Ariane 5 launcher. The ESA financial contribution to JWST will be about 300 million Euros, including the launcher. The European institutions involved in MIRI will contribute about 70 million Euros overall. The European institutions who signed the MIRI agreement with ESA are: the Centre Nationale des Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the Danish Space Research Institute (DSRI), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC), the Nederlandse Onderzoekschool voor Astronomie (NOVA), the UK Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) and the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB). Four European countries, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland and Switzerland contribute to MIRI through their participation into ESA’s Scientific Experiment Development programme (PRODEX). This is an optional programme, mainly used by smaller countries, by which they delegate to ESA the management of funding to develop scientific instruments. The delivery to NASA of the MIRI instrument is due for March 2009.

Posttest analysis of LOFT LOCE L2-3 using the ESA RELAP4 blowdown model. [PWR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Perryman, J.L.; Samuels, T.K.; Cooper, C.H.

A posttest analysis of the blowdown portion of Loss-of-Coolant Experiment (LOCE) L2-3, which was conducted in the Loss-of-Fluid Test (LOFT) facility, was performed using the experiment safety analysis (ESA) RELAP4/MOD5 computer model. Measured experimental parameters were compared with the calculations in order to assess the conservatisms in the ESA RELAP4/MOD5 model.

Portrait view of ESA Spacelab Specialists

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Portrait view of European Space Agency (ESA) Spacelab Specialist Byron K. Lichtenberg in civilian clothes standing in front of a display case. The photo was taken at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, Alabama (31779); portrait view of ESA Spacelab Specialist Michael L. Lampton, also in civilian clothes in front of display at MSFC (31780); portrait view of Wubbo Ockels, also in civilian clothes in front of display at MSFC (31781).

EOforge: Generic Open Framework for Earth Observation Data Processing Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

Allow the use of existing interfaces, i.e. MUIS: ESA multimission catalogue for EO products. • Support last EO systems technologies, i.e. MASS ...5. Extensibility and configurability to allow customisation and the inclusion of new functionality. 6. Multi-instrument and multi-mission processing...such as: • MUIS: ESA multimission catalogue for EO products. • MASS (Multi-Application Support Service System): ESA web services technology standard

The definition of ESA's scientific programme for the 1980's.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russo, A.

1997-09-01

The following topics were dealt with: discussing a long-term strategy for ESA's scientific activities; the SAC's (Science Advisory Committee) vision of European space science in the 1980s; the role of Spacelab (and Ariane); more money for science?; studying future scientific projects (the comets and the Moon); the selection of ESA's next scientific mission (the comet and the stars, the SPC decision, Giotto and Hipparcos adopted).

Physicochemical interactions among α-eleostearic acid-loaded liposomes applied to the development of drug delivery systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nogueira, Alessandro Oliveira de Moraes; de Sousa, Robson Simplício; Pereira, Luiza Silveira; Mallmann, Christian; da Silva Ferreira, Ailton; Clementin, Rosilene Maria; de Lima, Vânia Rodrigues

2018-02-01

In this study, α-eleostearic acid-loaded (α-ESA-loaded) dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes had their physicochemical properties characterized by horizontal attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (HATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assays were performed to obtain preliminary information on the oxidative potential of the system. An α-ESA-promoted ordering effect in the lipid phosphate region was observed. It was associated with a rotation restriction due to an increase in the amount of lipid group hydrogen bonds. The fatty acid was responsible for the reduction in the degree of hydration of carbonyl groups located in the interfacial region of lipids. α-ESA disordered the DMPC methylene acyl chains by trans-gauche isomerization and increased its rotation rate. TBARS results showed pro-oxidant behavior on liposomes, induced by α-ESA. The discussion about the responses considered the degree of saturation of phosphatidylcholines and suggested that the α-ESA oxidative effects may be modulated by the liposome lipid composition. The versatility of liposomal carriers may be promising for the development of efficacious α-ESA-based drug delivery systems. Results described in this study contribute to the selection of adequate material to produce them.

Ecological approach to resource survey and planning for environmentally significant Areas: The ABC method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bastedo, Jamie D.; Nelson, J. Gordon; Theberge, John B.

1984-03-01

A resource survey and planning method for parks, reserves, and other environmentally significant areas (ESAs) is presented in the context of a holistic balanced approach to land use and environmental management. This method provides a framework for the acquisition, analysis, presentation, and application of diverse ecological data pertinent to land use planning and resource management within ESAs. Through the independent analysis and subsequent integration of abiotic, biotic, and cultural or ABC information, land areas within an ESA are identified in terms of their relative environmental significance and environmental constraints. The former term encompasses wildlife, historic, and other resource values, while the latter term reflects biophysical hazards and sensitivities, and land use conflicts. The method thus calls for a matching of an ESA's distinctive attributes with appropriate land use and institutional arrancements through an analysis of available acts, regulations, agencies, and other conservation and land use management mechanisms. The method culminates with a management proposal showing proposed park or reserve allocations, buffer areas, or other land use controls aimed at preserving an ESA's special ecological qualities, while providing for resource development. The authors suggest that all resource management decisions affecting ESA's should be governed by a philosophical stance that recognizes a spectrum of broad land use types, ranging from preservation to extractive use and rehabilitation.

ESA's Earth Observation Programmes in the Changing Anthropocene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liebig, Volker

2016-07-01

The intervention will present ESA's Earth Observation programmes and their relevance to studying the anthropocene. ESA's Earth observation missions are mainly grouped into three categories: The Sentinel satellites in the context of the European Copernicus Programme, the scientific Earth Explorers and the meteorological missions. Developments, applications and scientific results for the different mission types will be addressed, along with overall trends and strategies. The Earth Explorers, who form the science and research element of ESA's Living Planet Programme, focus on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and Earth's interior. The Earth Explorers also aim at learning more about the interactions between these components and the impact that human activity is having on natural Earth processes. The Sentinel missions provide accurate, timely, long term and uninterrupted data to provide key information services, improving the way the environment is managed, and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. The operational Sentinel satellites can also be exploited for scientific studies of the anthropocene. In the anthropocene human activities affect the whole planet and space is a very efficient means to measure their impact, but for relevant endeavours to be successful they can only be carried out in international cooperation. ESA maintains long-standing partnerships with other space agencies and institutions worldwide. In running its Earth observation programmes, ESA responds to societal needs and challenges and to requirements resulting from political priorities set by decision makers. Activities related to Climate Change are a prime example. Within ESA's Climate Change Initiative, 13 Essential Climate Variables are constantly monitored to create a long-term record of key geophysical parameters.

The ESA scientific exploitation element results and outlook

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desnos, Yves-louis; Regner, Peter; Delwart, Steven; Benveniste, Jerome; Engdahl, Marcus; Donlon, Craig; Mathieu, Pierre-Philippe; Fernandez, Diego; Gascon, Ferran; Zehner, Claus; Davidson, Malcolm; Goryl, Philippe; Koetz, Benjamin; Pinnock, Simon

2017-04-01

The Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions (SEOM) element of ESA's fourth Earth Observation Envelope Programme (EOEP4) prime objective is to federate, support and expand the international research community built up over the last 25 years exploiting ESA's EO missions. SEOM enables the science community to address new scientific research areas that are opened by the free and open access to data from operational EO missions. Based on community-wide recommendations, gathered through a series of international thematic workshops and scientific user consultation meetings, key research studies have been launched over the last years to further exploit data from the Sentinels (http://seom.esa.int/). During 2016 several Science users consultation workshops have been organized, new results from scientific studies have been published and open-source multi-mission scientific toolboxes have been distributed (SNAP 80000 users from 190 countries). In addition the first ESA Massive Open Online Courses on Climate from space have been deployed (20000 participants) and the second EO Open Science conference was organized at ESA in September 2016 bringing together young EO scientists and data scientists. The new EOEP5 Exploitation element approved in 2016 and starting in 2017 is taking stock of all precursor activities in EO Open Science and Innovation and in particular a workplan for ESA scientific exploitation activities has been presented to Member States taking full benefit of the latest information and communication technology. The results and highlights from current scientific exploitation activities will be presented and an outlook on the upcoming activities under the new EOEP5 exploitation element will be given.

The topography of a continental indenter: The interplay between crustal deformation, erosion, and base level changes in the eastern Southern Alps.

PubMed

Robl, J; Heberer, B; Prasicek, G; Neubauer, F; Hergarten, S

2017-01-01

The topography of the eastern Southern Alps (ESA) reflects indenter tectonics causing crustal shortening, surface uplift, and erosional response. Fluvial drainages were perturbed by Pleistocene glaciations that locally excavated alpine valleys. The Late Miocene desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea and the uplift of the northern Molasse Basin led to significant base level changes in the far field of the ESA and the Eastern Alps (EA), respectively. Among this multitude of mechanisms, the processes that dominate the current topographic evolution of the ESA and the ESA-EA drainage divide have not been identified. We demonstrate the expected topographic effects of each mechanism in a one-dimensional model and compare them with observed channel metrics. We find that the normalized steepness index increases with uplift rate and declines from the indenter tip in the northwest to the foreland basin in the southeast. The number and amplitude of knickpoints and the distortion in longitudinal channel profiles similarly decrease toward the east. Changes in slope of χ -transformed channel profiles coincide spatially with the Valsugana-Fella fault linking crustal stacking and uplift induced by indenter tectonics with topographic evolution. Gradients in χ across the ESA-EA drainage divide imply an ongoing, north directed shift of the Danube-ESA watershed that is most likely driven by a base level rise in the northern Molasse basin. We conclude that the regional uplift pattern controls the geometry of ESA-EA channels, while base level changes in the far field control the overall architecture of the orogen by drainage divide migration.

Herbicide concentrations in the Mississippi River Basin - The importance of chloroacetanilide herbicide degradates

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rebich, R.A.; Coupe, R.H.; Thurman, E.M.

2004-01-01

The proportion of chloroacetanilide herbicide degradates, specifically the ethane sulfonic (ESA) and oxanilic (OA) acids, averaged 70% of the total herbicide concentration in samples from the Upper Mississippi River. In samples from the Missouri River and the Ohio River, the proportion of chloroacetanilide degradates in the total herbicide concentration was much less, 24% and 41%, respectively. The amount of tile drainage throughout the Mississippi River Basin appeared to be related to the occurrence and distribution of chloroacetanilide degradates in water samples. Pesticide concentrations in streams of the Mississippi River Basin have been well characterized. However, recent research demonstrates that in order to more fully understand the fate and transport of pesticides, the major pesticide degradates need to be included in the analysis. From March 1999 through May 2001, water samples from four major junctures of the Mississippi River Basin were collected and analyzed for a suite of herbicides and their degradate compounds. Each sampling site was selected to represent a major part of the Mississippi River: upper and lower Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio Rivers. Each basin has unique landscape variables, geology, hydrology, precipitation, and land use, which is reflected in the pesticide content at the most downstream sample site near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Atrazine was the most frequently detected herbicide (detected in 97% of the samples), followed by metolachlor (60%), and acetochlor (31%). The most frequently detected degradates were metolachlor ESA (69%), followed by deethylatrazine (62%), metolachlor OA (37%), and alachlor ESA (37%). Metolachlor ESA was detected more frequently than its parent compound (69 vs. 60%), as was alachlor ESA (37 vs. 9%). After an improvement was made in the analytical method, metolachlor ESA was detected in every sample, metolachlor OA in 89% of the samples, alachlor ESA in 84%, acetochlor ESA in 71%, and acetochlor OA in 66%. ?? 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimating effects of tidal power projects and climate change on threatened and endangered marine species and their food web.

PubMed

Busch, D Shallin; Greene, Correigh M; Good, Thomas P

2013-12-01

Marine hydrokinetic power projects will operate as marine environments change in response to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. We considered how tidal power development and stressors resulting from climate change may affect Puget Sound species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and their food web. We used risk tables to assess the singular and combined effects of tidal power development and climate change. Tidal power development and climate change posed risks to ESA-listed species, and risk increased with incorporation of the effects of these stressors on predators and prey of ESA-listed species. In contrast, results of a model of strikes on ESA-listed species from turbine blades suggested that few ESA-listed species are likely to be killed by a commercial-scale tidal turbine array. We applied scenarios to a food web model of Puget Sound to explore the effects of tidal power and climate change on ESA-listed species using more quantitative analytical techniques. To simulate development of tidal power, we applied results of the blade strike model. To simulate environmental changes over the next 50 years, we applied scenarios of change in primary production, plankton community structure, dissolved oxygen, ocean acidification, and freshwater flooding events. No effects of tidal power development on ESA-listed species were detected from the food web model output, but the effects of climate change on them and other members of the food web were large. Our analyses exemplify how natural resource managers might assess environmental effects of marine technologies in ways that explicitly incorporate climate change and consider multiple ESA-listed species in the context of their ecological community. Estimación de los Efectos de Proyectos de Energía de las Mareas y el Cambio Climático sobre Especies Marinas Amenazadas y en Peligro y su Red Alimentaria. © 2013 Society for Conservation Biology No claim to original US government works.

Outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis receiving extended dosing regimens of darbepoetin alfa: long-term results of the EXTEND observational cohort study

PubMed Central

Galle, Jan-Christoph; Addison, Janet; Suranyi, Michael G.; Claes, Kathleen; Di Giulio, Salvatore; Guerin, Alain; Herlitz, Hans; Kiss, István; Farouk, Mourad; Manamley, Nick; Wirnsberger, Gerhard; Winearls, Christopher

2016-01-01

Background Extended dosing of the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) darbepoetin alfa (DA) once biweekly or monthly reduces anaemia treatment burden. This observational study assessed outcomes and dosing patterns in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis (CKD-NoD) commencing extended dosing of DA. Methods Adult CKD-NoD patients starting extended dosing of DA in Europe or Australia in June 2006 or later were followed up until December 2012. Outcomes included haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, ESA dosing, mortality rates and receipt of dialysis and renal transplantation. Subgroup analyses were conducted for selected outcomes. Results Of 6035 enrolled subjects, 5723 (94.8%) met analysis criteria; 1795 (29.7%) received dialysis and 238 (3.9%) underwent renal transplantation. Mean (standard deviation) Hb concentration at commencement of extended dosing was 11.0 (1.5) g/dL. Mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] Hb 12 months after commencement of extended dosing (primary outcome) was 11.6 g/dL (11.5, 11.6) overall and was similar across countries, with no differences between subjects previously treated with an ESA versus ESA-naïve subjects, subjects with versus without prior renal transplant or diabetics versus non-diabetics. Weekly ESA dose gradually decreased following commencement of extended DA dosing and was similar across subgroups. The decrease in weekly DA dose was accompanied by an increase in the proportion of patients receiving iron therapy. Hb concentrations declined following changes in ESA labels and treatment guidelines. The mortality rate (95% CI) was 7.06 (6.68, 7.46) deaths per 100 years of follow-up. Subjects alive at study end had stable Hb concentrations in the preceding year, while those who died had lower and declining Hb concentrations in their last year. Conclusions Long-term, extended dosing of DA maintained Hb concentrations in patients already treated with an ESA and corrected and maintained Hb in ESA-naïve patients. PMID:27190334

Metolachlor and its metabolites in tile drain and stream runoff in the canajoharie creek watershed

USGS Publications Warehouse

Phillips, P.J.; Wall, G.R.; Thurman, E.M.; Eckhardt, D.A.; Vanhoesen, J.

1999-01-01

Water samples collected during April-November 1997 from tile drains beneath cultivated fields in central New York indicate that two metabolites of the herbicide metolachlor-metolachlor ESA (ethanesulfonic acid) and OA (oxanilic acid) can persist in agricultural soils for 4 or more years after application and that fine-grained soils favor the transport of metolachlor ESA over metolachlor and metolachlor OA. Concentrations of metolachlor ESA from the tile drains ranged from 3.27 to 23.4 ??g/L (200 1800 times higher than those of metolachlor), metolachlor OA concentrations ranged from 1.14 to 13.5 ??g/L, and metolachlor concentrations ranged from less than 0.01 to 0.1 ??g/L. In the receiving stream, concentrations of metolachlor ESA were always below 0.6 ??g/L except during a November storm, when concentrations reached 0.85 ??g/L. Concentrations of metolachlor ESA in the stream were 2 45 times higher than those of metolachlor, reflecting the greater relative concentrations of metolachlor in surface water runoff than in tile drain runoff. These results are consistent with findings in other studies that acetanilide herbicide degredates are found in much higher concentrations than parent compounds in both surface water and groundwater.Water samples collected during April-November 1997 from tile drains beneath cultivated fields in central New York indicate that two metabolites of the herbicide metolachlor-metolachlor ESA (ethanesulfonic acid) and OA (oxanilic acid)-can persist in agricultural soils for 4 or more years after application and that fine-grained soils favor the transport of metolachlor ESA over metolachlor and metolachlor OA. Concentrations of metolachlor ESA from the tile drains ranged from 3.27 to 23.4 ??g/L (200-1800 times higher than those of metolachlor), metolachlor OA concentrations ranged from 1.14 to 13.5 ??g/L, and metolachlor concentrations ranged from less than 0.01 to 0.1 ??g/L. In the receiving stream, concentrations of metolachlor ESA were always below 0.6 ??g/L except during a November storm, when concentrations reached 0.85 ??g/L. Concentrations of metolachlor ESA in the stream were 2-45 times higher than those of metolachlor, reflecting the greater relative concentrations of metolachlor in surface water runoff than in tile drain runoff. These results are consistent with findings in other studies that acetanilide herbicide degredates are found in much higher concentrations than parent compounds in both surface water and groundwater.

EPA Region 1 Environmentally Sensitive Areas

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This coverage represents polygon equivalents of environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) in EPA Region I. ESAs were developed as part of an EPA headquarters initiative based on reviews of various regulatory and guidance documents, as well as phone interviews with federal/state/local government agencies and private organizations. ESAs include, but are not limited to, wetlands, biological resources, habitats, national parks, archaeological/historic sites, natural heritage areas, tribal lands, drinking water intakes, marinas/boat ramps, wildlife areas, etc.

Excited state absorption spectra of dissolved and aggregated distyrylbenzene: A TD-DFT state and vibronic analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliveira, Eliezer Fernando; Shi, Junqing; Lavarda, Francisco Carlos; Lüer, Larry; Milián-Medina, Begoña; Gierschner, Johannes

2017-07-01

A time-dependent density functional theory study is performed to reveal the excited state absorption (ESA) features of distyrylbenzene (DSB), a prototype π-conjugated organic oligomer. Starting with a didactic insight to ESA based on simple molecular orbital and configuration considerations, the performance of various density functional theory functionals is tested to reveal the full vibronic ESA features of DSB at short and long probe delay times.

ESA personal communications and digital audio broadcasting systems based on non-geostationary satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Logalbo, P.; Benedicto, J.; Viola, R.

1993-01-01

Personal Communications and Digital Audio Broadcasting are two new services that the European Space Agency (ESA) is investigating for future European and Global Mobile Satellite systems. ESA is active in promoting these services in their various mission options including non-geostationary and geostationary satellite systems. A Medium Altitude Global Satellite System (MAGSS) for global personal communications at L and S-band, and a Multiregional Highly inclined Elliptical Orbit (M-HEO) system for multiregional digital audio broadcasting at L-band are described. Both systems are being investigated by ESA in the context of future programs, such as Archimedes, which are intended to demonstrate the new services and to develop the technology for future non-geostationary mobile communication and broadcasting satellites.

Ulysses - An ESA/NASA cooperative programme

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meeks, W.; Eaton, D.

1990-01-01

Cooperation between ESA and NASA is discussed, noting that the Memorandum of Understanding lays the framework for this relationship, defining the responsibilities of ESA and NASA and providing for appointment of leadership and managers for the project. Members of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and ESA's ESTEC staff have been appointed to leadership positions within the project and ultimate control of the project rests with the Joint Working Group consisting of two project managers and two project scientists, equally representing both organizations. Coordination of time scales and overall mission design is discussed, including launch cooperation, public relations, and funding of scientific investigations such as Ulysses. Practical difficulties of managing an international project are discussed such as differing documentation requirements and communication techniques, and assurance of equality on projects.

ESA's space science programme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volonte, S.

2018-04-01

The Space Science Programme of ESA encompasses three broad areas of investigation, namely solar system science (the Sun, the planets and space plasmas), fundamental physics and space astronomy and astrophysics.

ESA Earth Observation missions at the service of geoscience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aschbacher, Josef

2017-04-01

The intervention will present ESA's Earth Observation programmes and their relevance to geoscience. ESA's Earth observation missions are mainly grouped into three categories: The Sentinel satellites in the context of the European Copernicus Programme, the scientific Earth Explorers and the meteorological missions. Developments, applications and scientific results for the different mission types will be addressed, along with overall trends and boundary conditions. The Earth Explorers, who form the science and research element of ESA's Living Planet Programme, focus on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and Earth's interior. The Earth Explorers also aim at learning more about the interactions between these components and the impact that human activity is having on natural Earth processes. The Sentinel missions provide accurate, timely, long term and uninterrupted data to provide key information services, improving the way the environment is managed, and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. The operational Sentinel satellites can also be exploited for scientific endeavours. Meteorological satellites help to predict the weather and feature the most mature application of Earth observation. Over the last four decades satellites have been radically improving the accuracy of weather forecasts by providing unique and indispensable input data to numerical computation models. In addition, Essential Climate Variables (ECV) are constantly monitored within ESA's Climate Change Initiative in order to create a long-term record of key geophysical parameters. All of these activities can only be carried out in international cooperation. Accordingly, ESA maintains long-standing partnerships with other space agencies and relevant institutions worldwide. In running its Earth observation programmes, ESA responds to societal needs and challenges as well as to requirements resulting from political priorities, such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Ulysses, the end of an extraordinary mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2008-06-01

Ulysses, a pioneering ESA/NASA mission, was launched in October 1990 to explore uncharted territories - the regions above and below the Sun’s poles - and study our star’s sphere of influence, or heliosphere, in the four dimensions of space and time. Originally designed for a lifetime of five years, the mission has surpassed all expectations. The reams of data Ulysses has returned have forever changed the way scientists view the Sun and its effect on the space surrounding it. Media representatives interested in attending the press conference are invited to register using the attached form. Those not able to attend will have the opportunity to follow the press conference using the following phone number: +33 1 56785733 (listening-mode only). The programme of the event is as follows: The Ulysses Legacy Press Conference 12 June 2008, 15:30, Room 137, ESA Headquarters, 8-10 rue Mario-Nikis, Paris Event programme 15:30 Welcome, by David Southwood, ESA Director of Science and Robotic Exploration (with a joint ESA/NASA statement) 15:40 Ulysses: a modern-day Odyssey, by Richard Marsden, ESA Ulysses Project Scientist and Mission Manager 15:50 The Ulysses scientific legacy: Inside the heliosphere, by Richard Marsden,ESA Ulysses Project Scientist and Mission Manager 16:00 The Ulysses scientific legacy: Outside the heliosphere, by Ed Smith, NASA Ulysses Project Scientist 16:10 Ulysses, the over-achiever: challenges and successes of a 17-year-old mission, by Nigel Angold, ESA Ulysses Mission Operations Manager 16:20 Questions and Answers, Panelists: David Southwood, Richard Marsden, Ed Smith, Nigel Angold and Ed Massey (NASA Ulysses Project Manager) 16:40 Interview opportunities 17:30 End of event

ESA on RAINEWS24: A Case Study of Television Communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandrelli, S.

2005-12-01

In May 2000, ESRIN, the Italian establishment of the European Space Agency (ESA), started a collaboration with the television channel Rainews24. Rainews24 is the "allnews" channel of Italian public television (RAI) and is now about 10 years old. It transmits 24 hours a day and is the most watched all-news satellite channel in Italy. Each Thursday an ESA representative (Stefano Sandrelli) is interviewed by a professional RAI journalist in a 5-6 minute long slot that follows the 5 pm news bulletin. The broadcast is repeated late at night or in the early hours of Thursday and Friday. Interviews are strictly linked to the weekly news and are prepared on the morning of the same day by the ESA representative in collaboration with a RAI journalist. The subject is chosen from the most topical news items of the week: video, images and animations are provided by the ESA television service and by press agencies (Reuters etc.). The interviews are largely informal and resemble a dialogue rather than an academic discussion "from space". Even though they focus on ESA activities, they are not advertisements: space science and research is dealt with as a human activity, so both the positive and negative aspects of space exploration and exploitation may emerge. Although this outreach activity began as an experiment, the ESA interviews have become a fixed feature. As a result of five years of uninterrupted collaboration, over 200 interviews have been recorded, with about 30% of the interviews dedicated to pure astronomy. A welcome positive feature is that the interviews are seen by Rainews24 as an open source of daily news.

Exomars 2018 Rover Pasteur Payload

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Debus, Andre; Bacher, M.; Ball, A.; Barcos, O.; Bethge, B.; Gaubert, F.; Haldemann, A.; Lindner, R.; Pacros, A.; Trautner, R.; Vag, J.

ars programme is a joint ESA-NASA program having exobiology as one of the key science objectives. It is divided into 2 missions: the first mission is ESA-led with an ESA orbiter and an ESA Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) demonstrator, launched in 2016 by NASA, and the second mission is NASA-led, launched in 2018 by NASA carrying an ESA rover and a NASA rover both deployed by a single NASA EDL system. For ESA, the ExoMars programme will demonstrate key flight and in situ enabling technologies in support of the European ambitions for future exploration missions, as outlined in the Aurora Declaration. While the ExoMars 2016 mission will accomplish a technological objective (Entry, Descent and Landing of a payload on the surface) and a Scientific objective (investigation of Martian atmospheric trace gases and their sources, focussing particularly on methane), the ExoMars 2018 ESA Rover will carry a comprehensive and coherent suite of analytical instruments dedicated to exobiology and geology research: the Pasteur Payload (PPL). This payload includes a selection of complementary instruments, having the following goals: to search for signs of past and present life on Mars and to investigate the water/geochemical environment as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface. The ExoMars Rover includes a drill for accessing underground materials, and a Sample Preparation and Distribution System. The Rover will travel several kilometres looking for sites warranting further investigation, where it will collect and analyse samples from within outcrops and from the subsurface for traces of complex organic molecules. In addition to further details on this Exomars 2018 rover mission, this presentation will focus on the scientific objectives and the instruments needed to achieve them, including details of how the Pasteur Payload as a whole addresses Mars research objectives.

Epoxy Stearic Acid, an Oxidative Product Derived from Oleic Acid, Induces Cytotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in HepG2 Cells.

PubMed

Liu, Ying; Cheng, Yajun; Li, Jinwei; Wang, Yuanpeng; Liu, Yuanfa

2018-05-23

In the present study, effects of cis-9,10-epoxy stearic acid (ESA) generated by the thermal oxidation of oleic acid on HepG2 cells, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and oxidative stress, were investigated. Our results revealed that ESA decreased the cell viability and induced cell death. Cell cycle analysis with propidium iodide staining showed that ESA induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in HepG2 cells. Cell apoptosis analysis with annexin V and propidium iodide staining demonstrated that ESA induced HepG2 cell apoptotic events in a dose- and time-dependent manner; the apoptosis of cells after treated with 500 μM ESA for 12, 24, and 48 h was 32.16, 38.70, and 65.80%, respectively. Furthermore, ESA treatment to HepG2 cells resulted in an increase in reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde (from 0.84 ± 0.02 to 8.90 ± 0.50 nmol/mg of protein) levels and a reduction in antioxidant enzyme activity, including superoxide dismutase (from 1.34 ± 0.27 to 0.10 ± 0.007 units/mg of protein), catalase (from 100.04 ± 5.05 to 20.09 ± 3.00 units/mg of protein), and glutathione peroxidase (from 120.44 ± 7.62 to 35.84 ± 5.99 milliunits/mg of protein). These findings provide critical information on the effects of ESA on HepG2 cells, particularly cytotoxicity and oxidative stress, which is important for the evaluation of the biosafety of the oxidative product of oleic acid.

Can Bradyrhizobium strains inoculation reduce water deficit effects on peanuts?

PubMed

Barbosa, D D; Brito, S L; Fernandes, P D; Fernandes-Júnior, P I; Lima, L M

2018-06-09

Drought is one of the environmental factors that most affects peanut cultivation in semi-arid regions, resulting in economic losses to growers. However, growth promoting bacteria are able to reduce water deficit damage in some plant species. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the interaction of Bradyrhizobium strains reducing water stress effects on peanut genotypes by antioxidant enzymes activities, leaf gas exchanges and vegetative growth, as well as to determine the taxonomic positioning of strain ESA 123. The 16S rRNA gene of ESA 123 was amplified by PCR and sequenced by dideoxy Sanger sequencing method. An experiment was performed in greenhouse with three peanut genotypes (BRS Havana, CNPA 76 AM and 2012-4), two Bradyrhizobium strains (SEMIA 6144 and ESA 123), a mineral source of N and an absolute control (without N) under two water regimes (with and without irrigation). Seeds of peanut were sown and the plants were grown until 30 days after emergence. On the 20th day, the water deficit plants group had their irrigation suspended for 10 days. At in silico analyzes, ESA 123 presented 98.97% similarity with the type strain of B. kavangense. Leaf gas exchange was affected by water deficit; as well as alteration of antioxidant activities and reduction of vegetative growth variables. However, some plants inoculated with SEMIA 6144 and ESA 123 strains presented lower reductions and increment of some evaluated variables, mainly the ones inoculated with the ESA 123 strain, Bradyrhizobium sp. from the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. This data suggests beneficial effects of the peanut-Bradyrhizobium interaction in a water stress condition, specially with the ESA 123 strain.

The side-to-side fashion for individual distal coronary anastomosis using venous conduit.

PubMed

Kato, Takayoshi; Tsunekawa, Tomohiro; Motoji, Yusuke; Hirakawa, Akihiro; Okawa, Yasuhide; Tomita, Shinji

2017-04-01

Regarding to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the end-to-side anastomosis (ESA) has been performed as a gold standard. Recently, the effectiveness of the distal side-to-side anastomosis (SSA) in CABG using internal mammary artery has been reported. The benefit of SSA comparing to ESA also has been disclosed by computing simulation. However, use of SSA by venous conduit for individual CABG has not been reported. In this study, we investigated feasibility of SSA. From January 2013 to October 2014, we conducted 114 CABGs. There were 92 venous distal anastomoses without sequential anastomotic site (61 SSA and 31 ESA). The anastomosis was evaluated before discharge and at 1 year after the procedure by angiography or multi-detector row computed tomographic coronary angiography. The median values for time to anastomosis were 13 min in the two group (p = 0.89). There was no revision of anastomosis in both groups. Additional stitches for hemostasis were required significantly less in SSA than ESA (18.0 vs 45.2 %, respectively, p < 0.05). Early angiographic patency; 96.6 % for SSA vs 93.5 % for ESA (p = 0.50), and percentage of good anastomotic figure; 91.2 % for SSA vs 87.1 % for ESA (p = 0.54) were similar in both groups. The angiographic patency at 1 year were 92.9 % for SSA and 81.0 % for ESA (p = 0.16). There was no predictive factor for early and late graft failure. Our study showed feasibility of SSA using venous conduit in individual CABG based on early and mid-term angiographic results. This anastomotic fashion is easy to perform and maybe beneficial in blood flow pattern.

The Challenges and Opportunities of a Commercial Astronaut Mission to the ISS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirra, C.; Carl, S.

2002-01-01

ISS flight opportunities for ESA astronauts are considered as a vital source to meet the objectives (utilisation, operation and political), which Europe has established in participating to the International Space Station programme. Recent internal ESA assessments have demonstrated that, in order to satisfy the objectives drawn in the ESA ISS Exploitation programme, a rate of three flights per year for European Astronauts should be maintained as minimum objective. Since the establishment of a single European Astronaut Corps and having regard of the ISS flight opportunities provided through national space agencies, the current European astronauts flight rate is rather lower than the above three flights per year. In order to improve this situation, in the context of the activation of the ESA ISS Commercialisation programme, the Agency contracted Intospace to develop the conditions for the establishment of ESA astronaut missions with the financial support of both ESA and the private sector or, in future, the latter only. The study led to the definition of a "commercial astronaut", as a member of the European Astronaut Corp that will be assigned the responsibility to perform research and commercial space projects in a given ISS mission scenario. This paper will present the recent outcomes of a detailed study phase, including highlights on possible implementation of a private sector-supported astronaut mission to the ISS.

International cooperation in the field of space life sciences: European Space Agency's (ESA) perspectives.

PubMed

Oser, H

1989-08-01

International cooperation in life sciences, as in any other of the space research fields, takes place at two distinct levels: scientist to scientist, or agency to agency. This article is more concerned with the agency to agency level, which involves the arrangements made between two partners for the flying of experiments and/or hardware on space missions. International cooperation is inherent to the European Space Agency (ESA), since it consists of 13 member states (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and West Germany) and one associated member, Finland. ESA also has special cooperative arrangements with Canada. Life sciences research in ESA is carried out within the Microgravity Research Program, an optional program to which member states (in this case all but Austria and Ireland) contribute "a la carte," and receive their "share" accordingly. Therefore, many of the activities are naturally linked to international arrangements within the member states, and also to arrangements between the agencies, with life sciences being the dominant activity between NASA and ESA.

Short duration microgravity experiments in physical and life sciences during parabolic flights: the first 30 ESA campaigns.

PubMed

Pletser, Vladimir

2004-11-01

Aircraft parabolic flights provide repetitively up to 20 s of reduced gravity during ballistic flight manoeuvres. Parabolic flights are used to conduct short microgravity investigations in Physical and Life Sciences, to test instrumentation and to train astronauts before a space flight. The European Space Agency (ESA) has organized since 1984 thirty parabolic flight campaigns for microgravity research experiments utilizing six different airplanes. More than 360 experiments were successfully conducted during more than 2800 parabolas, representing a cumulated weightlessness time of 15 h 30 m. This paper presents the short duration microgravity research programme of ESA. The experiments conducted during these campaigns are summarized, and the different airplanes used by ESA are shortly presented. The technical capabilities of the Airbus A300 'Zero-G' are addressed. Some Physical Science, Technology and Life Science experiments performed during the last ESA campaigns with the Airbus A300 are presented to show the interest of this unique microgravity research tool to complement, support and prepare orbital microgravity investigations. c2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Binder-free carbon nanotube electrode for electrochemical removal of chromium.

PubMed

Wang, Haitao; Na, Chongzheng

2014-11-26

Electrochemical treatment of chromium-containing wastewater has the advantage of simultaneously reducing hexavalent chromium (CrVI) and reversibly adsorbing the trivalent product (CrIII), thereby minimizing the generation of waste for disposal and providing an opportunity for resource reuse. The application of electrochemical treatment of chromium is often limited by the available electrochemical surface area (ESA) of conventional electrodes with flat surfaces. Here, we report the preparation and evaluation of carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes consisting of vertically aligned CNT arrays directly grown on stainless steel mesh (SSM). We show that the 3-D organization of CNT arrays increases ESA up to 13 times compared to SSM. The increase of ESA is correlated with the length of CNTs, consistent with a mechanism of roughness-induced ESA enhancement. The increase of ESA directly benefits CrVI reduction by proportionally accelerating reduction without compromising the electrode's ability to adsorb CrIII. Our results suggest that the rational design of electrodes with hierarchical structures represents a feasible approach to improve the performance of electrochemical treatment of contaminated water.

Countdown for the Cluster quartet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2000-07-01

Following the successful completion of the Cluster II Flight Readiness Review on 23 June, final launch preparations are progressing smoothly and combined operations with the Soyuz-Fregat launch vehicle are now under way. The dual launches, each involving two Cluster spacecraft built under the prime contractorship of Astrium (former Dornier Satellitensysteme GmbH, Germany), are currently scheduled for 15 July with a launch window opening at 14:40 CEST, 12:40 GMT and lasting 6 minutes, and 9 August from Baikonur Space Centre in Kazakhstan. A number of press events have been organised in various countries to coincide with both launches. The main press centre for the first launch will be located at ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) at Darmstadt in Germany. Local press centres are also being set up in the other ESA establishments: ESRIN (Italy), ESTEC (The Netherlands), and VILSPA (Spain). See attachment for more detailed information and reply form to register at the various sites. Details of the second launch press event, which will be held in London (UK), will be available at a later date. Cluster II Competition Attracts Record Entries. A highlight of the first launch event at ESOC will be the announcement of the overall winner of ESA's "Name the Cluster quartet" competition and the chosen names of the four Cluster II satellites. Last February, members of the public in all of ESA's 15 member states were asked to suggest the most suitable names for the Cluster II spacecraft. The satellites are currently known as flight models (FM) 5, 6, 7 and 8. Competitors were asked to propose a set of four names (places, people, or things from history, mythology, or fiction, but not living persons) and explain in a few sentences the reasons for their choice. After sifting through more than 5,000 entries from all over Europe and debating at length the merits of the various suggestions, the multinational jury eventually produced a list of 15 national prize winners - one from each ESA member state. These finalists and their families have all won a 3-day trip to attend a special Cluster II launch event in one of these ESA establishments: * ESRIN (near Rome, Italy): winners from France, Ireland, Belgium. * VILSPA (near Madrid, Spain): winners from The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland. * ESTEC (near Amsterdam, The Netherlands): winners from Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria. * ESOC (in the Rhine Valley, Germany): winners from Italy, Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom. The Lucky 15. The lucky national winners are: Austria: VENTO, NUBO, FULMO, PLUVO entered by Andreas Rosenstingl (Vienna, A). Belgium: ALBATROS, EAGLE, FALCON, HAWK entered by André Borremans (Lembeek, B). Denmark: ORIENTÁLIS, OCCIDENTÁLIS, AQUILÓNIUS, AUSTRÁLIS entered by Mia Stampe (Copenhagen, DK). Finland: UKKO, ILMATAR, KOKKO, LOUHI entered by Ismo Hirvonen (Tampere, FI) France: ADAGIO, ALLEGRO, LARGO, VIVACE entered by Daniel Lellouch (c/o Rehovot, Israel) Germany: TRISTAN & ISOLDE, ROMEO & JULIA entered by Manuela Saal (Köln, D) Ireland: IMBOLC, BELTAINE, LUGHNASA, SAMHAIN entered by Grainne Duncan (Dublin, IR). Italy: GEA, URANO, TETI, CRONO entered by Paola Benna (Avigliana-To, I). Netherlands: KIN, UINAL, TUN, KATUN entered by Ben Jasper Fayer (Hoogeven, NL). Norway: CHLOROS, ERYTHROS, AUREUS, LUTEUS entered by Joar Vatnaland (c/o Leeds, UK). Portugal: IXCHELL, ITZAMNA, MAUINA, RAINBOW entered by Carlos Fernando Carvalhido Oliveira (Porto, P). Spain: DIVEE, BEEDY, EEROT, BROT entered by Sergi Porter (Barcelona, E). Sweden: FLUTE, VIOLIN, CELLO, PIANO entered by Ola Carlström (Huddige, SW). Switzerland: SOLÉA, LUNÉA, EOLIA, ONDÉA entered by Luciana Favre (Riddes, CH). United Kingdom: TANGO, RUMBA, SALSA, SAMBA entered by Raymond Cotton (Bristol, UK). One of these lucky finalists will go on to gain a special grand prize when the winning names for the four spacecraft are announced at the ESOC event to mark the first Cluster II launch. These names will then become the official designations of the satellites. Where to witness the first launch in Europe. On 15 July media representatives are invited to cover the launch from various sites in Europe. ESA will broadcast the launch live, with images from Baikonur and ESA's Operations Centre ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. ESA programme officials and spokespersons will be on hand at each site for interviews. European Press Centre, Germany: Location: ESA/ ESOC Address: Robert-Bosch Strasse 5, Darmstadt, Germany Opening hours: 13:30 -17:30 Contact point: Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin Tel. + 49 6151 90 2696/ 2459 Fax. + 49 6151 90 2961 France Location: ESA Headquarters Address: 8-10 rue Mario Nikis, 75015 Paris, France Opening hours: 13:30- 17:30 Contact point: Anne-Marie Rémondin Tel. + 33 1 5369 7155 Fax. + 33 1 5369 7690 The Netherlands Location: Noordwijk Space Expo Address: Keplerlaan 3, Noordwijk, The Netherlands Opening hours: 13:30 - 17:30 Contact point: Heidi Graf Tel. (till 14/07): + 31 71 565 3006 on launch date at Noordwijk Space Expo, tel.: + 31 71 364 6446 Fax.: + 31 71 565 5728 Italy Location: ESA/ESRIN Address: Via G. Galilei, Frascati (Rome), Italy Opening hours: 13:30- 17:30 Contact point: Franca Morgia Tel. + 39 06 9418 0951 Fax. +39 06 9418 0952 Spain: Location ESA/VILSPA Satellite Station Address: Villafranca del Castillo, Madrid Opening hours: 13:30-17:30 Contact point: Fany Peña Tel + 34 91 813 1211 Fax. +34 91 813 1212 Media representatives wishing to attend the launch event from any of the sites, are kindly requested to fill out the attached reply form and fax it back to the contact point at the site they have chosen. The live launch video transmission will be available in analogue (PAL) and digital (MPEG-2) format, via satellite. There will be different language versions plus clean, international audio. The exact times of the transmission and the satellite parameters will be posted as from 10 July on the Internet at http://television.esa.int. The launch of the first pair of Clusters on 15 July will be covered live also on the Internet by ESA at http://clusterlaunch.esa.int and also by Spaceflight Now at http://spaceflightnow.com Note for editors. ESA's Cluster II mission will study the complex interaction between the Sun and Earth in unprecedented detail. For the first time, four satellites will fly in close formation above the Earth's poles, studying the magnetic field around our planet and its continual battle with the energetic particles of the solar wind. This groundbreaking mission to explore the magnetosphere and provide the first small-scale, three-dimensional 'map' of near-Earth space is one of the key Cornerstones in ESA's Horizons 2000 long term science programme. For more information on the winning entries, visit the ESA Science Website at: http://sci.esa.int/cluster/competition For interviews with the winners up to 10 July, 2000, please contact: Martine Caparros, tel:+31 71 565 3183, fax: +31 71 565 4101, E-mail: mcaparro@estec.esa.nl Further information on the Cluster II mission - including regular updates from Baikonur - can be found on the Internet at: http://sci.esa.int/cluster/ ESA Communication Department, Media Relations Office Tel: +33(0)1. 53.69.7155 Fax: +33(0)1.53.69 7690 Further information on ESA at http://www.esa.int

Accurate mass analysis of ethanesulfonic acid degradates of acetochlor and alachlor using high-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thurman, E.M.; Ferrer, I.; Parry, R.

2002-01-01

Degradates of acetochlor and alachlor (ethanesulfonic acids, ESAs) were analyzed in both standards and in a groundwater sample using high-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. The negative pseudomolecular ion of the secondary amide of acetochlor ESA and alachlor ESA gave average masses of 256.0750??0.0049 amu and 270.0786??0.0064 amu respectively. Acetochlor and alachlor ESA gave similar masses of 314.1098??0.0061 amu and 314.1153??0.0048 amu; however, they could not be distinguished by accurate mass because they have the same empirical formula. On the other hand, they may be distinguished using positive-ion electrospray because of different fragmentation spectra, which did not occur using negative-ion electrospray.

Accurate mass analysis of ethanesulfonic acid degradates of acetochlor and alachlor using high-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thurman, E.M.; Ferrer, Imma; Parry, R.

2002-01-01

Degradates of acetochlor and alachlor (ethanesulfonic acids, ESAs) were analyzed in both standards and in a groundwater sample using high-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. The negative pseudomolecular ion of the secondary amide of acetochlor ESA and alachlor ESA gave average masses of 256.0750+/-0.0049 amu and 270.0786+/-0.0064 amu respectively. Acetochlor and alachlor ESA gave similar masses of 314.1098+/-0.0061 amu and 314.1153+/-0.0048 amu; however, they could not be distinguished by accurate mass because they have the same empirical formula. On the other hand, they may be distinguished using positive-ion electrospray because of different fragmentation spectra, which did not occur using negative-ion electrospray.

Cloud property datasets retrieved from AVHRR, MODIS, AATSR and MERIS in the framework of the Cloud_cci project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stengel, Martin; Stapelberg, Stefan; Sus, Oliver; Schlundt, Cornelia; Poulsen, Caroline; Thomas, Gareth; Christensen, Matthew; Carbajal Henken, Cintia; Preusker, Rene; Fischer, Jürgen; Devasthale, Abhay; Willén, Ulrika; Karlsson, Karl-Göran; McGarragh, Gregory R.; Proud, Simon; Povey, Adam C.; Grainger, Roy G.; Fokke Meirink, Jan; Feofilov, Artem; Bennartz, Ralf; Bojanowski, Jedrzej S.; Hollmann, Rainer

2017-11-01

New cloud property datasets based on measurements from the passive imaging satellite sensors AVHRR, MODIS, ATSR2, AATSR and MERIS are presented. Two retrieval systems were developed that include components for cloud detection and cloud typing followed by cloud property retrievals based on the optimal estimation (OE) technique. The OE-based retrievals are applied to simultaneously retrieve cloud-top pressure, cloud particle effective radius and cloud optical thickness using measurements at visible, near-infrared and thermal infrared wavelengths, which ensures spectral consistency. The retrieved cloud properties are further processed to derive cloud-top height, cloud-top temperature, cloud liquid water path, cloud ice water path and spectral cloud albedo. The Cloud_cci products are pixel-based retrievals, daily composites of those on a global equal-angle latitude-longitude grid, and monthly cloud properties such as averages, standard deviations and histograms, also on a global grid. All products include rigorous propagation of the retrieval and sampling uncertainties. Grouping the orbital properties of the sensor families, six datasets have been defined, which are named AVHRR-AM, AVHRR-PM, MODIS-Terra, MODIS-Aqua, ATSR2-AATSR and MERIS+AATSR, each comprising a specific subset of all available sensors. The individual characteristics of the datasets are presented together with a summary of the retrieval systems and measurement records on which the dataset generation were based. Example validation results are given, based on comparisons to well-established reference observations, which demonstrate the good quality of the data. In particular the ensured spectral consistency and the rigorous uncertainty propagation through all processing levels can be considered as new features of the Cloud_cci datasets compared to existing datasets. In addition, the consistency among the individual datasets allows for a potential combination of them as well as facilitates studies on the impact of temporal sampling and spatial resolution on cloud climatologies.

For each dataset a digital object identifier has been issued:

Cloud_cci AVHRR-AM: https://doi.org/10.5676/DWD/ESA_Cloud_cci/AVHRR-AM/V002

Cloud_cci AVHRR-PM: https://doi.org/10.5676/DWD/ESA_Cloud_cci/AVHRR-PM/V002

Cloud_cci MODIS-Terra: https://doi.org/10.5676/DWD/ESA_Cloud_cci/MODIS-Terra/V002

Cloud_cci MODIS-Aqua: https://doi.org/10.5676/DWD/ESA_Cloud_cci/MODIS-Aqua/V002

Cloud_cci ATSR2-AATSR: https://doi.org/10.5676/DWD/ESA_Cloud_cci/ATSR2-AATSR/V002

Cloud_cci MERIS+AATSR: https://doi.org/10.5676/DWD/ESA_Cloud_cci/MERIS+AATSR/V002

Galileo: Power, Pride, and Profit. The Relative Influence of Realist, Ideational, and Liberal Factors on the Galileo Satellite Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-31

was the DG from 1997 until 2003. Jean - Jacque Dordain became the DG in July 2003 and was reappointed in 2007.10 The official Galileo program...July 2003) ESA Director General Jean - Jacque Dordain produced an internal position paper which explicitly stated that ESA now interpreted “peaceful...countries outside Europe. 121 This section relies heavily on reporting of a January 17, 2007 press conference by ESA Director General Jean - Jacques

ARTES: the future of satellite telecommunication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González-Blázquez, Angel; Detain, Dominique

2005-08-01

Throughout its 30-year existence, ESA has played a key role by providing telecommunications infrastructures that have allowed the in-orbit validation, qualification and demonstration of equipment, technology and services. In the past, this has been achieved through the provision of dedicated satellites like OTS, Marecs, Olympus and Artemis, as well as by the implementation of piggy-back payloads on other ESA or commercial satellites. Today, due to the importance of satellite telecommunications, ESA continues to support this sector mainly through its ARTES - Advanced Research in Telecommunications - Programme.

Understanding the Recent Increase in Ferritin Levels in United States Dialysis Patients: Potential Impact of Changes in Intravenous Iron and Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Dosing.

PubMed

Karaboyas, Angelo; Zee, Jarcy; Morgenstern, Hal; Nolen, Jacqueline G; Hakim, Raymond; Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar; Zager, Philip; Pisoni, Ronald L; Port, Friedrich K; Robinson, Bruce M

2015-10-07

Anemia management changed substantially among dialysis patients in the United States around the time of implementation of the new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services bundled payment system and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) label change in 2011. Among these, average ferritin levels increased dramatically and have remained high since; this study sought to gain understanding of this sustained rise in ferritin levels. Trends in mean ferritin, hemoglobin, IV iron dose, and ESA dose from 2009 to 2013 were examined in 9735 patients from 91 United States Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study facilities. Linear mixed models were used to assess the extent to which intravenous (IV) iron and ESA dose accounted for patients' changes in ferritin over time. Mean ESA dose and hemoglobin levels declined throughout the study. Mean IV iron dose increased from 210 mg/mo in 2009-2010 to a peak of 280 mg/mo in 2011, then declined back to 200 mg/mo and remained stable from 2012 to 2013. Mean ferritin increased from 601 ng/ml in the third quarter of 2009 to 887 ng/ml in the first quarter of 2012; models suggest that higher IV iron dosing was a primary determinant during 2011, but lower ESA doses contributed to the sustained high ferritin levels thereafter. In a subset of 17 facilities that decreased IV iron dose in 2011, mean ferritin rose by 120 ng/ml to 764 ng/ml, which appeared to be primarily due to ESA reduction. Together, changes in IV iron and ESA doses accounted for 46% of the increase in ferritin over the study period. In contrast to expectations, the rise in average IV iron dose did not persist beyond 2011. The sustained rise in ferritin levels in United States dialysis patients after policy changes in 2011, to average levels well in excess of 800 ng/ml, appeared to be partly due to reductions in ESA dosing and not solely IV iron dosing practices. The effect of these changes in ferritin on health outcomes requires further investigation. Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Understanding the Recent Increase in Ferritin Levels in United States Dialysis Patients: Potential Impact of Changes in Intravenous Iron and Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Dosing

PubMed Central

Zee, Jarcy; Morgenstern, Hal; Nolen, Jacqueline G.; Hakim, Raymond; Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar; Zager, Philip; Pisoni, Ronald L.; Port, Friedrich K.; Robinson, Bruce M.

2015-01-01

Background and objectives Anemia management changed substantially among dialysis patients in the United States around the time of implementation of the new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services bundled payment system and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) label change in 2011. Among these, average ferritin levels increased dramatically and have remained high since; this study sought to gain understanding of this sustained rise in ferritin levels. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Trends in mean ferritin, hemoglobin, IV iron dose, and ESA dose from 2009 to 2013 were examined in 9735 patients from 91 United States Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study facilities. Linear mixed models were used to assess the extent to which intravenous (IV) iron and ESA dose accounted for patients’ changes in ferritin over time. Results Mean ESA dose and hemoglobin levels declined throughout the study. Mean IV iron dose increased from 210 mg/mo in 2009–2010 to a peak of 280 mg/mo in 2011, then declined back to 200 mg/mo and remained stable from 2012 to 2013. Mean ferritin increased from 601 ng/ml in the third quarter of 2009 to 887 ng/ml in the first quarter of 2012; models suggest that higher IV iron dosing was a primary determinant during 2011, but lower ESA doses contributed to the sustained high ferritin levels thereafter. In a subset of 17 facilities that decreased IV iron dose in 2011, mean ferritin rose by 120 ng/ml to 764 ng/ml, which appeared to be primarily due to ESA reduction. Together, changes in IV iron and ESA doses accounted for 46% of the increase in ferritin over the study period. Conclusions In contrast to expectations, the rise in average IV iron dose did not persist beyond 2011. The sustained rise in ferritin levels in United States dialysis patients after policy changes in 2011, to average levels well in excess of 800 ng/ml, appeared to be partly due to reductions in ESA dosing and not solely IV iron dosing practices. The effect of these changes in ferritin on health outcomes requires further investigation. PMID:26286925

Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 media briefing - 19 April 2005

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2005-04-01

On 19 April over 150 scientists from all ESA member states will convene at the European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, for a three-day symposium entitled "Trends in Space Science and Cosmic Vision 2015-2025". The conference will include a number of invited talks giving an overview of the scientific themes that will form the basis of future ESA missions. Topics to be addressed now will keep space scientists busy over the next 15-20 years. Amongst them are: the nature of planets beyond our solar system; a possible mission to Jupiter and its moon Europa, or perhaps back to Titan; spotting the first black holes; an interstellar probe powered by a solar sail; and many others. Open questions include the priority ESA should give to near-Earth objects and the threat they pose, or whether and when we should return to a comet after Rosetta. Members of the media are invited to a press conference at 10.00 CET on 19 April, at ESA's Visitor Centre (Space Expo) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The press briefing will provide an overview of the current ideas for new missions, the expected results and their implications for the advancement of science and human knowledge. Programme 09.30 - Arrival/Registration/Coffee in the Mars Corner at Space Expo 10.00 - Welcome 10.00 - Present and future of ESA's Science Programme - Prof. David Southwood (ESA Director of Science) 10.15 - Hubble: Fifteen years of discovery - Dr Duccio Macchetto (Head of ESA Space Telescope Division) 10.30 - Europe's space science in fifteen years’ time - Prof. Giovanni Bignami (Chairman of ESA Space Science Advisory Committee) 10.45 - Question and answer time 11.00 - End Members of the media interested in attending the briefing or listening to it via telephone should complete the form below and return it as soon as possible by fax as indicated. Instructions on how to listen in via the telephone line will be given to those that register. The presentation material will be made available to registered participants via the worldwide web shortly before the briefing.

In vitro chronotropic effects of Erythrina senegalensis DC (Fabaceae) aqueous extract on mouse heart slice and pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Nembo, Erastus Nembu; Atsamo, Albert Donatien; Nguelefack, Télesphore Benoît; Kamanyi, Albert; Hescheler, Jürgen; Nguemo, Filomain

2015-05-13

Erythrina senegalensis DC (Fabaceae) bark is commonly used in sub-Saharan traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases including gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Erythrina senegalensis on the contractile properties of mouse ventricular slices and human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cell-derived cardiomyocytes. We also investigated the cytotoxic effect of the extract on mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiating into cardiomyocytes (CMs). We used well-established electrophysiological technologies to assess the effect of Erythrina senegalensis aqueous extract (ESAE) on the beating activity of mouse ventricular slices, mouse ES and hiPS cell-derived CMs. To study the cytotoxic effect of our extract, differentiating mouse ES cells were exposed to different concentrations of ESAE. EB morphology was assessed by microscopy at different stages of differentiation whereas cell viability was measured by flow cytometry, fluorometry and immunocytochemistry. The electrical activity of CMs and heart slices were respectively captured by the patch clamp technique and microelectrode array (MEA) method following ESAE acute exposure. Our findings revealed that ESAE exhibits a biphasic chronotropic activity on mouse ventricular slices with an initial low dose (0.001 and 0.01 µg/mL) decrease in beating activity followed by a corresponding significant increase in chronotropic activity at higher doses above 10 µg/mL. The muscarinic receptor blocker, atropine abolished the negative chronotropic activity of ESAE, while propranolol successfully blocked its positive chronotropic activity. ESAE showed a significant dose-dependent positive chronotropic activity on hiPS cell-derived CMs. Also, though not significantly, ESAE decreased cell viability and increased total caspase-3/7 activity of mouse ES cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Erythrina senegalensis aqueous extract exhibits a biphasic chronotropic effect on mouse heart and a positive chronotropic activity on hiPS cell-derived CMs, suggesting a possible mechanism through muscarinic and β-adrenergic receptor pathways. Also, ESAE is not cytotoxic on mouse ES cells at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis receiving extended dosing regimens of darbepoetin alfa: long-term results of the EXTEND observational cohort study.

PubMed

Galle, Jan-Christoph; Addison, Janet; Suranyi, Michael G; Claes, Kathleen; Di Giulio, Salvatore; Guerin, Alain; Herlitz, Hans; Kiss, István; Farouk, Mourad; Manamley, Nick; Wirnsberger, Gerhard; Winearls, Christopher

2016-12-01

Extended dosing of the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) darbepoetin alfa (DA) once biweekly or monthly reduces anaemia treatment burden. This observational study assessed outcomes and dosing patterns in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis (CKD-NoD) commencing extended dosing of DA. Adult CKD-NoD patients starting extended dosing of DA in Europe or Australia in June 2006 or later were followed up until December 2012. Outcomes included haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, ESA dosing, mortality rates and receipt of dialysis and renal transplantation. Subgroup analyses were conducted for selected outcomes. Of 6035 enrolled subjects, 5723 (94.8%) met analysis criteria; 1795 (29.7%) received dialysis and 238 (3.9%) underwent renal transplantation. Mean (standard deviation) Hb concentration at commencement of extended dosing was 11.0 (1.5) g/dL. Mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] Hb 12 months after commencement of extended dosing (primary outcome) was 11.6 g/dL (11.5, 11.6) overall and was similar across countries, with no differences between subjects previously treated with an ESA versus ESA-naïve subjects, subjects with versus without prior renal transplant or diabetics versus non-diabetics. Weekly ESA dose gradually decreased following commencement of extended DA dosing and was similar across subgroups. The decrease in weekly DA dose was accompanied by an increase in the proportion of patients receiving iron therapy. Hb concentrations declined following changes in ESA labels and treatment guidelines. The mortality rate (95% CI) was 7.06 (6.68, 7.46) deaths per 100 years of follow-up. Subjects alive at study end had stable Hb concentrations in the preceding year, while those who died had lower and declining Hb concentrations in their last year. Long-term, extended dosing of DA maintained Hb concentrations in patients already treated with an ESA and corrected and maintained Hb in ESA-naïve patients. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA.

78 FR 77430 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-23

... Plan identifies substantive recovery actions needed to achieve recovery by addressing the systemic... consistent approach to section 7 consultations under the ESA and to other ESA decisions. For example, the...

Image processing for flight crew enhanced situation awareness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Barry

1993-01-01

This presentation describes the image processing work that is being performed for the Enhanced Situational Awareness System (ESAS) application. Specifically, the presented work supports the Enhanced Vision System (EVS) component of ESAS.

Portrait view of ESA Spacelab Specialists

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Portrait view of European Space Agency (ESA) Spacelab Specialist Ulf Merbold in civilian clothes standing in front of a display case. The photo was taken at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, Alabama.

jsc2014e079941

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-09-08

PHOTO DATE: 09-08-14 LOCATION: Building 16N/1040 - SES Alpha-Cupola SUBJECT: ESA Astronaut Timothy Peake on behalf of ESA prior to FF RNDZ ADV 3 training with Kopra and Wilmore. PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

jsc2014e079942

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-09-08

PHOTO DATE: 09-08-14 LOCATION: Building 16N/1040 - SES Alpha-Cupola SUBJECT: ESA Astronaut Timothy Peake on behalf of ESA prior to FF RNDZ ADV 3 training with Kopra and Wilmore. PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

Kuipers in ATV3

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-15

ISS031-E-157790 (15 May 2012) --- European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 31 flight engineer, floats freely in ESA?s "Edoardo Amaldi" Automated Transfer Vehicle-3 (ATV-3) currently docked with the International Space Station.

KSC-2013-2880

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-06-20

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Representatives from the European Space Agency, or ESA, toured the Operations and Checkout Building high bay at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From the left, are Nico Dettman, ESA Space Transportation Department director Bernardo Patti, ESA manager of International Space Station Operations Philippe Deloo, ESA European Service Module study manager and Mark Geyer, Orion Production Operations manager. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. Orion’s first unpiloted test flight is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket. A second uncrewed flight test is scheduled for 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2013-2884

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-06-20

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Representatives from the European Space Agency, or ESA, toured the Operations and Checkout Building high bay and viewed the Orion crew module at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Among the group were Nico Dettman, ESA Space Transportation Department director Bernardo Patti, ESA International Space Station Operations manager and Philippe Deloo, ESA European Service Module Study manager. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. Orion’s first unpiloted test flight is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket. A second uncrewed flight test is scheduled for 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Cost considerations in database selection - A comparison of DIALOG and ESA/IRS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jack, R. F.

1984-01-01

It is pointed out that there are many factors which affect the decision-making process in determining which databases should be selected for conducting the online search on a given topic. In many cases, however, the major consideration will be related to cost. The present investigation is concerned with a comparison of the costs involved in making use of DIALOG and the European Space Agency's Information Retrieval Service (ESA/IRS). The two services are very comparable in many respects. Attention is given to pricing structure, telecommunications, the number of databases, prints, time requirements, a table listing online costs for DIALOG and ESA/IRS, and differences in mounting databases. It is found that ESA/IRS is competitively priced when compared to DIALOG, and, despite occasionally higher telecommunications costs, may be even more economical to use in some cases.

Identification of a new sulfonic acid metabolite of metolachlor in soil

USGS Publications Warehouse

Aga, D.S.; Thurman, E.M.; Yockel, M.E.; Zimmerman, L.R.; Williams, T.D.

1996-01-01

An ethanesulfonic acid metabolite of metolachlor (metolachlor ESA) was identified in soil-sample extracts by negative-ion, fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) and FAB tandem mass spectrometry (FAB-MS/MS). Production fragments from MS/MS analysis of the deprotonated molecular ion of metolachlor ESA in the soil extract can be reconciled with the structure of the synthesized standard. The elemental compositions of the (M - H)- ions of the metolachlor ESA standard and the soil-sample extracts were confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. A dissipation study revealed that metolachlor ESA is formed in soil under field conditions corresponding to a decrease in the concentration of the parent herbicide, metolachlor. The identification of the sulfonated metabolite of metolachlor suggests that the glutathione conjugation pathway is a common detoxification pathway shared by chloroacetanilide herbicides.

Space strategy and governance of ESA small member states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagath, Daniel; Papadimitriou, Angeliki; Adriaensen, Maarten; Giannopapa, Christina

2018-01-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) has twenty-two Member States with a variety of governance structures and strategic priorities regarding their space activities. The objective of this paper is to provide an up-to date overview and a holistic assessment of the national space governance structures and strategic priorities of the eleven smaller Member States (based on annual ESA contributions). A link is made between the governance structure and the main strategic objectives. The specific needs and interests of small and new Member States in the frame of European Space Integration are addressed. The first part of the paper focuses on the national space governance structures in the eleven smaller ESA Member States. The governance models of these Member States are identified including the responsible ministries and the entities entrusted with the implementation of space strategy/policy and programmes of the country. The second part of this paper focuses on the content and analysis of the national space strategies and indicates the main priorities and trends in the eleven smaller ESA Member States. The priorities are categorised with regards to technology domains, the role of space in the areas of sustainability and the motivators for space investments. In a third and final part, attention is given to the specific needs and interests of the smaller Member States in the frame of European space integration. ESA instruments are tailored to facilitate the needs and interests of the eleven smaller and/or new Member States.

Anemia in conventional hemodialysis: Finding the optimal treatment balance.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Takeshi; Koiwa, Fumihiko; Akizawa, Tadao

2018-06-17

Renal anemia is a serious and common complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The introduction of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) has dramatically improved hemoglobin levels and outcomes. Several interventional studies reported that excessive correction of anemia and the massive use of ESA can trigger cardiovascular disease (CVD), and consequently may worsen the prognosis of patients undergoing HD. Therefore, it has been widely recognized that large doses of ESA should be used with caution. An effective use of iron preparations is required to yield the optimal effect of ESA. It is well-known that iron utilization is inhibited under pathological conditions, such as chronic inflammation, resulting in ESA resistance. It is postulated that a new class of therapeutic agents for renal anemia, hypoxia inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitors, will have beneficial treatment effects in patients on HD. HIF is induced by hypoxia and promotes erythropoietin production. In the absence of a hypoxic state, HIF is decomposed by the HIF catabolic enzyme. HIF-PH inhibitors inhibit this degrading enzyme and stimulate endogenous erythropoietin production via HIF induction. Additionally, HIF-PH inhibitors promote effective utilization of iron and raise erythropoietin to physiological concentrations. Accordingly, HIF-PH inhibitors improve anemia and iron metabolism. It appears that this effect persists irrespective of chronic inflammatory conditions. HIF-PH inhibitors do not overshoot erythropoietin above physiological concentrations like ESAs. Therefore, it is hypothesized that HIF-PH inhibitors would not increase the risk of CVD in patients undergoing HD. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The europa initiative for esa's cosmic vision: a potential european contribution to nasa's Europa mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blanc, Michel; Jones, Geraint H.; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Sterken, Veerle J.

2016-04-01

The assessment of the habitability of Jupiter's icy moons is considered of high priority in the roadmaps of the main space agencies, including the decadal survey and esa's cosmic vision plan. the voyager and galileo missions indicated that europa and ganymede may meet the requirements of habitability, including deep liquid aqueous reservoirs in their interiors. indeed, they constitute different end-terms of ocean worlds, which deserve further characterization in the next decade. esa and nasa are now both planning to explore these ice moons through exciting and ambitious missions. esa selected in 2012 the juice mission mainly focused on ganymede and the jupiter system, while nasa is currently studying and implementing the europa mission. in 2015, nasa invited esa to provide a junior spacecraft to be carried on board its europa mission, opening a collaboration scheme similar to the very successful cassini-huygens approach. in order to define the best contribution that can be made to nasa's europa mission, a europa initiative has emerged in europe. its objective is to elaborate a community-based strategy for the proposition of the best possible esa contribution(s) to nasa's europa mission, as a candidate for the upcoming selection of esa's 5th medium-class mission . the science returns of the different potential contributions are analysed by six international working groups covering complementary science themes: a) magnetospheric interactions; b) exosphere, including neutrals, dust and plumes; c) geochemistry; d) geology, including expressions of exchanges between layers; e) geophysics, including characterization of liquid water distribution; f) astrobiology. each group is considering different spacecraft options in the contexts of their main scientific merits and limitations, their technical feasibility, and of their interest for the development of esa-nasa collaborations. there are five options under consideration: (1) an augmented payload to the europa mission main spacecraft itself. (2) a free-flyer released from the main craft and staying on a jupiter orbit. (3) a small autonomous satellite injected into europan orbit. (4) a penetrator of europa's surface (including instrumentation on the descent module). (5) contributions to a soft lander, if developed by nasa in an increased europa mission scenario. in this talk we will report on the conclusions of the crossed analysis between science themes and spacecraft options performed during a dedicated project workshop held in madrid on feb. 29 and march 1st, which will be the scientific and technical base for any relevant europa-related response to the upcoming esa call.

Patient preference to use a questionnaire varies according to attributes.

PubMed

Kim, Na Yae; Richardson, Lyndsay; He, Weilin; Jones, Glenn

2011-08-01

Health care professionals may assume questionnaires are burdensome to patients, and this limits their use in clinical settings and promotes simplification. However, patient adherence may improve by optimizing questionnaire attributes and contexts. This cross-sectional survey used Contingent Valuation methods to directly elicit patient preference for conventional monitoring of symptoms, versus adding a tool to monitoring. Under explicit consideration was the 10-question Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). In the questionnaire, attributes of ESAS were sequentially altered to try and force preference reversal. A separate group of participants completed both questionnaire and interviews to explore questionnaire reliability, and extend validity. Overall, 24 of 43 participants preferred using ESAS. Most important attributes to preference were frequency, specificity, and complexity. Where preference is initially against ESAS, it may reverse by simplifying the tool and its administrative processes. Interviews in 10 additional participants supported reproducibility and validity of the questionnaire method. Preference for using tools increases when tools are made relevant and used more appropriately. Questionnaires completed by patients as screening tools or aids to communication may be under-utilized. Optimization of ESAS and similar tools may be guided by empirical findings, including those obtained from Contingent Valuation methodologies. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

An overview on safety issues related to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for the treatment of anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Del Vecchio, Lucia; Locatelli, Francesco

2016-08-01

Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) are effective drugs, which have been used for decades in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with few side effects. More recently, concern has been raised around their safety, from higher cardiovascular and thrombosis risk to cancer progression and increased mortality. We made a literature search on PubMed looking for adverse effects of ESA in CKD patients. The topics covered are cardiovascular adverse events, thrombosis, increased mortality, hypertension, cancer progression, diabetic retinopathy, pure red cell aplasia and anaphylactic reactions. Concerns around ESA therapy have questioned treatment indications in high-risk CKD patients (those with cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular comorbidities). A more cautious approach has then prevailed. In our opinion, intermediate Hb values (Hb 10-12 g/dl) should be aimed with ESA therapy, being more cautious in high-risk patients. As a consequence, IV iron is administered more frequently. However, excessive iron use may cause iron overload and in rare cases severe anaphylactic reactions. There are expectations of new erythropoietic agents, such as those manipulating the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) system. Differing from ESAs, they stimulate the production of endogenous EPO, avoiding over-physiological plasmatic levels.

Excited-state absorption in Er: BaY2F8 and Cs3Er2Br9 and comparison with Er: LiYF4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pollnau, M.; Lüthy, W.; Weber, H. P.; Krämer, K.; Güdel, H. U.; McFarlane, R. A.

1996-04-01

The influence of Excited-State Absorption (ESA) on the green laser transition and the overlap of Ground-State Absorption (GSA) and ESA for 970 nm upconversion pumping in erbium is investigated in Er3+ : BaY2F8 and Cs3Er2Br9. Results are compared to Er3+ : LiYF4. In Er3+: BaY2F8, a good overlap between GSA and ESA is found at 969 nm in one polarization direction. The emission cross section at 550 nm is a factor of two smaller than in LiYF4. In Cs3Er2Br9, the smaller Stark splitting of the levels shifts the wavelengths of the green emission and ESA from4 I 1 3/2 off resonance. It enhances, however, ground-state reabsorption. The emission cross section at 550 nm is comparable to LiYF4. Upconversion leads to significant green fluorescence from2 H 9/2. A significant population of the4 I 11/2 level and ESA at 970 nm are not present under 800 nm pumping.

Ethanesulfonic acid-based esterification of industrial acidic crude palm oil for biodiesel production.

PubMed

Hayyan, Adeeb; Mjalli, Farouq S; Hashim, Mohd Ali; Hayyan, Maan; AlNashef, Inas M; Al-Zahrani, Saeed M; Al-Saadi, Mohammed A

2011-10-01

An industrial grade acidic crude palm oil (ACPO) pre-treatment process was carried out using ethanesulfonic acid (ESA) as a catalyst in the esterification reaction. ESA was used in different dosages to reduce free fatty acid (FFA) to a minimum level for the second stage of biodiesel production via alkaline transesterification reaction. Different process operating conditions were optimized such as ESA dosage (0.25-3.5% wt/wt), methanol to ACPO molar ratio (1:1-20:1), reaction temperature (40-70 °C), and reaction time (3-150 min). This study revealed the potential use of abundant quantities of ACPO from oil palm mills for biodiesel production. The lab scale results showed the effectiveness of the pre-treatment process using ESA catalyst. Three consecutive catalyst recycling runs were achieved without significant degradation in its performance. Second and third reuse runs needed more reaction time to achieve the target level of FFA content. Esterification and transesterification using ESA and KOH respectively is proposed for biodiesel industrial scale production. The produced biodiesel meets the international standards specifications for biodiesel fuel (EN 14214 and ASTM D6751). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

ESA seeks gravitational-wave proposals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banks, Michael

2016-12-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) has put out a call for European scientists to submit proposals for the first space mission to observe gravitational waves - ripples in the fabric of space-time created by accelerating massive objects.

Performance of the rebuilt SUERC single-stage accelerator mass spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanks, Richard P.; Ascough, Philippa L.; Dougans, Andrew; Gallacher, Paul; Gulliver, Pauline; Rood, Dylan H.; Xu, Sheng; Freeman, Stewart P. H. T.

2015-10-01

The SUERC bipolar single-stage accelerator mass spectrometer (SSAMS) has been dismantled and rebuilt to accommodate an additional rotatable pre-accelerator electrostatic spherical analyser (ESA) and a second ion source injector. This is for the attachment of an experimental positive-ion electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source in addition to a Cs-sputter source. The ESA significantly suppresses oxygen interference to radiocarbon detection, and remaining measurement interference is now thought to be from 13C injected as 13CH molecule scattering off the plates of a second original pre-detector ESA.

Darbepoetin Administration in Term and Preterm Neonates.

PubMed

Patel, Shrena; Ohls, Robin K

2015-09-01

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) such as erythropoietin have been studied as red cell growth factors in preterm and term infants for more than 20 years. Recent studies have evaluated darbepoetin (Darbe, a long-acting ESA) for both erythropoietic effects and potential neuroprotection. We review clinical trials of Darbe in term and preterm infants, which have reported significant erythropoietic uses and neuroprotective effects. ESAs show great promise in decreasing or eliminating transfusions, and in preventing and treating brain injury in term and preterm infants. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DISCOS- Current Status and Future Developments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flohrer, T.; Lemmens, S.; Bastida Virgili, B.; Krag, H.; Klinkrad, H.; Parrilla, E.; Sanchez, N.; Oliveira, J.; Pina, F.

2013-08-01

We present ESA's Database and Information System Characterizing Objects in Space (DISCOS). DISCOS not only plays an essential role in the collision avoidance and re-entry prediction services provided by ESA's Space Debris Office, it is also providing input to numerous and very differently scoped engineering activities, within ESA and throughout industry. We introduce the central functionalities of DISCOS, present the available reporting capabilities, and describe selected data modelling features. Finally, we revisit the developments of the recent years and take a sneak preview of the on-going replacement of DISCOS web front-end.

ATV2 launch views

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-16

JSC2011-E-017489 (16 Feb. 2011) --- The Ariane 5 rocket is pictured just after lift off from Europe?s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. ESA?s second Automated Transfer Vehicle, Johannes Kepler, was just a short time earlier (21:50 GMT or 18:50 Kourou time on Feb. 16, 2011) launched toward its targeted low orbit and eventual link-up with the ISS. The unmanned supply ship is planned to deliver critical supplies and reboost the space station during its almost four-month mission. Photo courtesy of ESA/Stephane Corvaja and P. Baudon

Capacity building in Developing Countries: a challenge ahead for the European Space Agency to continue its successful experience to date

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fea, M.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has built a long tradition and a large experience in the domain of education, training and capacity building throughout its space programmes. As an example, the ESA Science Programme dedicates 1% of its budget to these activities. One of the key reasons for it is the need of closing the loop along the chain from the provider to the user, that is to say between the space and the users elements. In fact, besides the obvious need for technology development, there is actually not very much justification in the long term for a space programme if the user communities are not able to make good use of programme outputs and provide feedback and proper requirements to space agencies. The case of ESA Earth Observation programmes is described to illustrate these considerations, as a way to also implement the European Space Policy and UNISPACE III recommendations. Since its foundation in 1975 and the implementation of its EO programme with the launch of Meteosat-1 in 1977 and the birth of the Earthnet Programme Office in 1978, the European Space Agency is very active in the field of capacity building in developing countries. That is performed through both ESA's specific projects and international co-operation activities. In the latter domain, ESA enjoys a long-standing collaboration with many entities, such as the Committee of Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), and organisations, such as WMO, UN and its specialised agencies (FAO, UNESCO, UNEP, and so on). In that respect, the Agency is an active member of the CEOS Working Group on Education (WGEdu) and of the World Summit for Sustainable Development Follow-Up (WSSD) Module 1 group dedicated to education, training and capacity building. The overall ESA strategy targets various citizen communities and takes into account the fact that today's young generations will become tomorrow's professionals and decision makers. ESA's activities in this domain are in particular based on an end-to-end concept that includes a) the "train the trainer" approach, b) the prerequisite of a project proposal prepared by the trainee of a target institution on an issue of, possibly, national interest and focused towards establishing an operational autonomy and a routine practice in the integration and use of EO satellite data, c) the firm commitment of the institution to support the project and the trainee, d) the involvement of final users since the very beginning, and e) the exposure of trainees to public for presenting their results. In order to demonstrate how the Agency implements all the above, besides the typical training of external satellite ground station operators, and the way ahead strategy considered within the CEOS WGEdu and WSSD Mod.1 framework, three ESA endeavours are presented, namely the multi-language EDUSPACE web portal (www.eduspace.esa.int), the hosting of UN trainees, and the UN/ESA Course Follow-up Programme.

Historical clinical and economic consequences of anemia management in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis using erythropoietin stimulating agents versus routine blood transfusions: a retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis.

PubMed

Naci, Huseyin; de Lissovoy, Gregory; Hollenbeak, Christopher; Custer, Brian; Hofmann, Axel; McClellan, William; Gitlin, Matthew

2012-01-01

To determine whether Medicare's decision to cover routine administration of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) to treat anemia of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been a cost-effective policy relative to standard of care at the time. The authors used summary statistics from the actual cohort of ESRD patients receiving ESAs between 1995 and 2004 to create a simulated patient cohort, which was compared with a comparable simulated cohort assumed to rely solely on blood transfusions. Outcomes modeled from the Medicare perspective included estimated treatment costs, life-years gained, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated relative to the hypothetical reference case of no ESA use in the transfusion cohort. Sensitivity of the results to model assumptions was tested using one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Estimated total costs incurred by the ESRD population were $155.47B for the cohort receiving ESAs and $155.22B for the cohort receiving routine blood transfusions. Estimated QALYs were 2.56M and 2.29M, respectively, for the two groups. The ICER of ESAs compared to routine blood transfusions was estimated as $873 per QALY gained. The model was sensitive to a number of parameters according to one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. This model was counter-factual as the actual comparison group, whose anemia was managed via transfusion and iron supplements, rapidly disappeared following introduction of ESAs. In addition, a large number of model parameters were obtained from observational studies due to the lack of randomized trial evidence in the literature. This study indicates that Medicare's coverage of ESAs appears to have been cost effective based on commonly accepted levels of willingness-to-pay. The ESRD population achieved substantial clinical benefit at a reasonable cost to society.

Simplifying anemia management in hemodialysis patients: ESAs administered at longer dosing intervals can enhance opportunities to provide patient-focused care.

PubMed

Schiller, Brigitte; Besarab, Anatole

2011-08-01

To review issues and challenges in caring for hemodialysis patients with anemia of chronic kidney disease, specifically focusing on the effects of longer erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) dosing intervals on processes of care. PubMed searches were performed limited to the last 10 years to February 2011, focusing on articles in English that were 'clinical trials,' assessed processes of care, measured associations of hemoglobin (Hb) with outcomes, and explored/analyzed extended dosing intervals of ESAs in hemodialysis patients and recommendations for increasing the quality of care of these patients. Some limitations included the fact that a meta-analysis was not conducted; many studies were associative and therefore unable to prove causality; and none of the clinical trials directly compared the impact of more frequent or less frequent ESA dosing strategies on patient care and outcomes. Progress over the past several decades has been substantial; however, unmet needs remain and there is room for improvement in efficiencies of care. Many patients fail to meet Hb targets, and nephrology professionals' time is consumed with preparing, administering, and monitoring therapy. Direct interaction between patients and care providers has been lost as attention has shifted to 'cost-effective' (not necessarily patient-centered) ways to deliver care. Use of ESAs at longer dosage intervals represents one opportunity to improve efficiency of care. Newer ESAs have been developed for less frequent dosing. Once-monthly dosing decreases time spent administering/monitoring therapy and allows nephrology professionals to provide comprehensive renal care, wherein the patient rather than task-oriented processes becomes the primary focus. A fragmented, uncoordinated care-delivery model heightens the urgency to systematically address issues related to delivery of care and improve efficiencies in anemia management as part of the patient-centered approach. ESAs designed for administration at longer intervals may effectively and reliably achieve Hb targets with once-monthly dosing, thereby decreasing time spent administering/monitoring therapy.

Exomars 2018 Rover Pasteur Payload Sample Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Debus, Andre; Bacher, M.; Ball, A.; Barcos, O.; Bethge, B.; Gaubert, F.; Haldemann, A.; Kminek, G.; Lindner, R.; Pacros, A.; Rohr, T.; Trautner, R.; Vago, J.

The ExoMars programme is a joint ESA-NASA program having exobiology as one of the key science objectives. It is divided into 2 missions: the first mission is ESA-led with an ESA orbiter and an ESA Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) demonstrator, launched in 2016 by NASA, and the second mission is NASA-led, launched in 2018 by NASA including an ESA rover and a NASA rover both deployed by a single NASA EDL system. For ESA, the ExoMars programme will demonstrate key flight and in situ enabling technologies in support of the European ambitions for future exploration missions, as outlined in the Aurora Declaration. The ExoMars 2018 ESA Rover will carry a comprehensive and coherent suite of analytical instruments dedicated to exobiology and geology research: the Pasteur Payload (PPL). This payload includes a selection of complementary instruments, having the following goals: to search for signs of past and present life on Mars and to investigate the water/geochemical environment as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface. The ExoMars Rover will travel several kilometres searching for sites warranting further investigation. The Rover includes a drill and a Sample Preparation and Distribution System which will be used to collect and analyse samples from within outcrops and from the subsurface. The Rover systems and instruments, in particular those located inside the Analytical Laboratory Drawer must meet many stringent requirements to be compatible with exobiologic investigations: the samples must be maintained in a cold and uncontaminated environment, requiring sterile and ultraclean preparation of the instruments, to preserve volatile materials and to avoid false positive results. The value of the coordinated observations suggests that a significant return on investment is to be expected from this complex development. We will present the challenges facing the ExoMars PPL, and the plans for sending a robust exobiology laboratory to Mars in 2018.

Development of a French Version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised: A Pilot Study of Palliative Care Patients' Perspectives.

PubMed

Nekolaichuk, Cheryl; Huot, Ann; Gratton, Valérie; Bush, Shirley H; Tarumi, Yoko; Watanabe, Sharon M

2017-09-01

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-revised (ESAS-r) is a nine-item self-report symptom intensity tool developed for palliative care patients, with the option of adding a 10th patient-specific symptom. Due to growing international uptake, the ESAS-r has been translated into different languages. There has not been agreement, however, regarding a standard process for translation into multiple languages, which also includes patients' perspectives. The purpose of this study was to develop a French version of the ESAS-r, using a standardized translation protocol, and to obtain palliative care patients' perspectives regarding this translated tool. We developed a French version of the ESAS-r, using a standard translation method, involving both professional translators (n = 2) and bilingual palliative care experts (n = 3). Fifteen Francophone participants recruited from palliative care sites in two urban centers in Canada completed the ESAS-r and provided feedback on the translation, in the presence of a trained interviewer. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Fifteen Francophone participants were recruited from palliative care sites in two urban centers in Canada. Participants completed the ESAS-r and provided feedback on the translation in the presence of a trained interviewer. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Based on participants' concerns, translations for four of the nine symptoms were revised: drowsiness, nausea, lack of appetite, and shortness of breath. Concerns expressed for three additional symptoms (depression, anxiety, and well-being) were related to overall difficulty rating these symptoms, not specific to the translation. The French version of the ESAS-r is a credible tool for symptom assessment in Francophone patients. The study findings provide a vital step in the development of a standardized translation protocol, including patients' perspectives, which can be applied to other languages.

Energy Savings Performance Contract Energy Sales Agreement Toolkit

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

FEMP developed the Energy Savings Performance Contracting Energy Sales Agreement (ESPC ESA) Toolkit to provide federal agency contracting officers and other acquisition team members with information that will facilitate the timely execution of ESPC ESA projects.

77 FR 1669 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plan for the Southern California Steelhead Distinct...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-11

... Plan identifies substantive recovery actions needed to achieve recovery by addressing the systemic... consistent approach to section 7 consultations under the ESA and to other ESA decisions. For example, the...

ESA study of XEUS, a potential follow-on to XMM-Newton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rando, N.; Lyngvi, A.; Gondoin, P.; Lumb, D.; Bavdaz, M.; Verhoeve, P.; de Wilde, D.; Parmar, A.; Peacock, A.

2017-11-01

In October 2005, based on a massive response by the Science Community to ESA's call for themes in space science, a large aperture X-ray Observatory (XRO) was identified as a candidate project for Europe within the frame of the 2015-2025 Cosmic Vision program. Such a mission would represent the natural follow-on to XMM Newton, providing a large aperture X-ray telescope combined with high spectral and time resolution instruments, capable of investigating matter under extreme conditions and the evolution of the early universe. The paper summarises the results of the most recent ESA internal study activities, leading to an updated mission configuration, with a mirror and a detector spacecraft flying in formation around L2 and a consolidated scientific payload design. The paper also describes the ongoing technology development activities for the payload and for the spacecraft that will play a crucial role in case ESA would decide to develop such a mission.

Large format array controller (aLFA-C): tests and characterisation at ESA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemmel, Frédéric; ter Haar, Jörg; van der Biezen, John; Duvet, Ludovic; Nelms, Nick; Blommaert, Sander; Butler, Bart; van der Luijt, Cornelis; Heijnen, Jerko; Smit, Hans; Visser, Ivo

2016-08-01

For future near infrared astronomy missions, ESA is developing a complete detection and conversion chain (photon to SpaceWire chain system): Large Format Array (aLFA-N) based on MCT type detectors. aLFA-C (Astronomy Large Format Array Controller): a versatile cryogenic detector controller. An aLFA-C prototype was developed by Caeleste (Belgium) under ESA contract (400106260400). To validate independently the performances of the aLFA-C prototype and consolidate the definition of the follow-on activity, a dedicated test bench has been designed and developed in ESTEC/ESA within the Payload Technology Validation group. This paper presents the test setup and the performance validation of the first prototype of this controller at room and cryogenic temperature. Test setup and software needed to test the HAWAII-2RG and aLFA-N detectors with the aLFA-C prototype at cryogenic temperature will be also presented.

Understanding the features in the ultrafast transient absorption spectra of CdSe quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Cheng; Do, Thanh Nhut; Ong, Xuanwei; Chan, Yinthai; Tan, Howe-Siang

2016-12-01

We describe a model to explain the features of the ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectra of CdSe core type quantum dots (QDs). The measured TA spectrum consists of contributions by the ground state bleach (GSB), stimulated emission (SE) and excited state absorption (ESA) processes associated with the three lowest energy transition of the QDs. We model the shapes of the GSB, SE and ESA spectral components after fits to the linear absorption. The spectral positions of the ESA components take into account the biexcitonic binding energy. In order to obtain the correct weightage of the GSB, SE and ESA components to the TA spectrum, we enumerate the set of coherence transfer pathways associated with these processes. From our fits of the experimental TA spectra of 65 Å diameter QDs, biexcitonic binding energies for the three lowest energy transitions are obtained.

Space transportation systems within ESA programmes: Current status and perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delahais, Maurice

1993-03-01

An overview of the space transportation aspects of the ESA (European Space Agency) programs as they result from history, present status, and decisions taken at the ministerial level conference in Granada, Spain is presented. The new factors taken into consideration for the long term plan proposed in Munich, Germany, the three strategic options for the reorientation of the ESA long term plan, and the essential elements of space transportation in the Granada long term plan in three areas of space activities, scientific, and commercial launches with expendable launch vehicles, manned flight and in-orbit infrastructure, and future transportation systems are outlined. The new ESA long term plan, in the field of space transportation systems, constitutes a reorientation of the initial program contemplated in previous councils at ministerial level. It aims at balancing the new economic situation with the new avenues of cooperation, and the outcome will be a new implementation of the space transportation systems policy.

Validation of the Daily Passive Microwave Snow Depth Products Over Northern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, D.; Li, Z.; Wang, N.; Zhou, J.; Zhang, P.; Gao, S.

2018-04-01

Passive microwave sensors have the capability to provide information on snow depth (SD), which is critically important for hydrological modeling and water resource management. However, the different algorithms used to produce SD products lead to discrepancies in the data. To determine which products might be most suitable for Northern China, this paper assesses the accuracy of the existing snow depth products in the period of 2002-2011. By comparing three daily snow depth products, including NSIDC, WESTDC and ESA Globsnow, with snow cover product and meteorological stations data, the accuracies of the different SD products are analyzed for different snow class and forest cover fraction. The results show that comparison between snow cover derived from snow depth of NSIDC, ESA GlobSnow and WESTDC with snow cover product shows that accuracy of WESTDC and ESA GlobSnow in snow cover detecting can reach 0.70. Compared to meteorological stations data below 20 cm, NSIDC consistently overestimate, WESTDC and ESA Globsnow underestimate, furthermore the product from WESTDC is superior to the others. The three products have the same tendency of significant undervaluation over 20 cm. The WESTDC is superior to the ESA Globsnow and NSIDC in non-forest regions, whereas the ESA GlobSnow estimate is superior to the WESTDC and NSIDC in forest regions. As for the prairie and alpine snow, WESTDC has smaller bias and RMSE, meanwhile Globsnow has advantages in the snow depth retrieval in tundra and taiga snow. Therefore, we should choose the more suitable snow depth products according to different needs.

Hemodynamic monitoring and management in patients undergoing high risk surgery: a survey among North American and European anesthesiologists.

PubMed

Cannesson, Maxime; Pestel, Gunther; Ricks, Cameron; Hoeft, Andreas; Perel, Azriel

2011-08-15

Several studies have demonstrated that perioperative hemodynamic optimization has the ability to improve postoperative outcome in high-risk surgical patients. All of these studies aimed at optimizing cardiac output and/or oxygen delivery in the perioperative period. We conducted a survey with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) to assess current hemodynamic management practices in patients undergoing high-risk surgery in Europe and in the United States. A survey including 33 specific questions was emailed to 2,500 randomly selected active members of the ASA and to active ESA members. Overall, 368 questionnaires were completed, 57.1% from ASA and 42.9% from ESA members. Cardiac output is monitored by only 34% of ASA and ESA respondents (P = 0.49) while central venous pressure is monitored by 73% of ASA respondents and 84% of ESA respondents (P < 0.01). Specifically, the pulmonary artery catheter is being used much more frequently in the US than in Europe in the setup of high-risk surgery (85.1% vs. 55.3% respectively, P < 0.001). Clinical experience, blood pressure, central venous pressure, and urine output are the most widely indicators of volume expansion. Finally, 86.5% of ASA respondents and 98.1% of ESA respondents believe that their current hemodynamic management could be improved. In conclusion, these results point to a considerable gap between the accumulating evidence about the benefits of perioperative hemodynamic optimization and the available technologies that may facilitate its clinical implementation, and clinical practices in both Europe and the United States.

The scientific programme between ESRO and ESA: Choosing new projects (1973-1977)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russo, Arturo

1995-02-01

The ESA History Study Reports are preliminary reports of studies carried out within the framework of an ESA (European Space Agency) contract. They will form the basis of a comprehensive study of European Space activities covering the period 1959-1987. The transformation of ESRO (European Space Research Organization) into ESA found the Organization's bodies involved in a new round of the decision-making process to select future scientific satellite projects. In this report, the three main phases of the decision-making process are discussed. The first, from June 1973 to April 1974, the European scientific community and their representatives in ESA's advisory committee structure were invited to agree on a set of space missions for which a definition study was recommended. At the end of this phase, thirteen missions were selected for such a definition study by ESRO's Scientific Program Board (SPB). The second phase covers the period from that decision up to March 1975, when a much more important decision was required, namely to select a restricted number of missions for which a feasibility study was to be performed. The aims of such feasibility studies were to establish the technical and financial feasibility of each project, to propose a well-defined project concept, to identify the research and technology effort required to support it, and to state a preliminary cost estimate to completion. The third phase covers the first two years of the new Agency's life, and concludes with the selection of the projects to be adopted in ESA's scientific program.

Quorum-sensing regulation governs bacterial adhesion, biofilm development, and host colonization in Pantoea stewartii subspecies stewartii.

PubMed

Koutsoudis, Maria D; Tsaltas, Dimitrios; Minogue, Timothy D; von Bodman, Susanne B

2006-04-11

The phytopathogenic bacterium Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii synthesizes stewartan exo/capsular polysaccharide (EPS) in a cell density-dependent manner governed by the EsaI/EsaR quorum-sensing (QS) system. This study analyzes biofilm development and host colonization of the WT and QS regulatory mutant strains of P. stewartii. First, we show that the cell density-dependent synthesis of stewartan EPS, governed by the EsaI/EsaR QS system, is required for proper bacterial adhesion and development of spatially defined, 3D biofilms. Second, a nonvirulent mutant lacking the esaI gene adheres strongly to surfaces and develops densely packed, less structurally defined biofilms in vitro. This strain appears to be arrested in a low cell density developmental mode. Exposure of this strain to exogenous N-acyl-homoserine lactone counteracts this adhesion phenotype. Third, QS mutants lacking the EsaR repressor attach poorly to surfaces and form amorphous biofilms heavily enmeshed in excess EPS. Fourth, the WT strain disseminates efficiently within the xylem, primarily in a basipetal direction. In contrast, the two QS mutant strains remain largely localized at the site of infection. Fifth, and most significantly, epifluorescence microscopic imaging of infected leaf tissue and excised xylem vessels reveals that the bacteria colonize the xylem with unexpected specificity, particularly toward the annular rings and spiral secondary wall thickenings of protoxylem, as opposed to indiscriminate growth to fill the xylem lumen. These observations are significant to bacterial plant pathogenesis in general and may reveal targets for disease control.

Quorum-sensing regulation governs bacterial adhesion, biofilm development, and host colonization in Pantoea stewartii subspecies stewartii

PubMed Central

Koutsoudis, Maria D.; Tsaltas, Dimitrios; Minogue, Timothy D.; von Bodman, Susanne B.

2006-01-01

The phytopathogenic bacterium Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii synthesizes stewartan exo/capsular polysaccharide (EPS) in a cell density-dependent manner governed by the EsaI/EsaR quorum-sensing (QS) system. This study analyzes biofilm development and host colonization of the WT and QS regulatory mutant strains of P. stewartii. First, we show that the cell density-dependent synthesis of stewartan EPS, governed by the EsaI/EsaR QS system, is required for proper bacterial adhesion and development of spatially defined, 3D biofilms. Second, a nonvirulent mutant lacking the esaI gene adheres strongly to surfaces and develops densely packed, less structurally defined biofilms in vitro. This strain appears to be arrested in a low cell density developmental mode. Exposure of this strain to exogenous N-acyl-homoserine lactone counteracts this adhesion phenotype. Third, QS mutants lacking the EsaR repressor attach poorly to surfaces and form amorphous biofilms heavily enmeshed in excess EPS. Fourth, the WT strain disseminates efficiently within the xylem, primarily in a basipetal direction. In contrast, the two QS mutant strains remain largely localized at the site of infection. Fifth, and most significantly, epifluorescence microscopic imaging of infected leaf tissue and excised xylem vessels reveals that the bacteria colonize the xylem with unexpected specificity, particularly toward the annular rings and spiral secondary wall thickenings of protoxylem, as opposed to indiscriminate growth to fill the xylem lumen. These observations are significant to bacterial plant pathogenesis in general and may reveal targets for disease control. PMID:16585516

75 FR 24744 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Announcement of the Office of Management and Budget...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-05

... (ESA) (OMB Account Number 1215) was dissolved and its functions were assigned among its four former sub... Control Numbers for OWCP's collections of information formerly inventoried under the dissolved ESA account...

Mars Sample Return Orbiter Architecture Options — Results of the ESA Mars Sample Return Architecture Assessment Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Derz, U.; Joffre, E.; Perkinson, M.-C.; Huesing, J.; Beyer, F.; Sanchez Perez, J. M.

2018-04-01

This paper presents the identified most promising chemical and electric propulsion architecture options of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) orbiter identified during the recent ESA MSR Architecture Assessment Study.

Development of the flight models for the Sentinel-4/UVN NIR-grating unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeitner, U. D.; Kamm, A.; Benkenstein, T.; Flügel-Paul, T.; Leibeling, G.

2017-09-01

In the frame of ESA`s earth-observation program "Copernicus", the Fraunhofer IOF develops for the Sentinel-4/UVN spectrometer, the optical gratings for the near-infrared spectral channel together with its isostatic mounts.

Kuipers works with Stowage in ATV3

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-15

ISS031-E-084591 (15 May 2012) --- European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 31 flight engineer, is pictured during cargo operations in ESA?s "Edoardo Amaldi" Automated Transfer Vehicle-3 (ATV-3) currently docked with the International Space Station.

EAC trains its first international astronaut class.

PubMed

Bolender, Hans; Bessone, Loredana; Schoen, Andreas; Stevenin, Herve

2002-11-01

After several years of planning and preparation, ESA's ISS training programme has become operational. Between 26 August and 6 September, the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne gave the first ESA advanced training course for an international ISS astronaut class. The ten astronauts who took part--two from NASA, four from Japan and four from ESA--had begun their advanced training programme back in 2001 with sessions at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston and at the Japanese Training Centre in Tsukuba. During their stay in Cologne, the ten astronauts participated in a total of 33 classroom lessons and hands-on training sessions, which gave them a detailed overview of the systems and subsystems of the Columbus module, the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), and the related crew operations tasks. They were also introduced to the four ESA experiment facilities to be operated inside the Columbus module. After their first week of training at EAC, the astronauts were given the opportunity to see the flight model of the Columbus module being integrated at the site of ESA's ISS prime contractor, Astrium in Bremen. The second week of training at EAC included hands-on instruction on the Columbus Data Management System (DMS) using the recently installed Columbus Crew Training Facility. In preparation for the first advanced crew training session at EAC, two Training Readiness Reviews (TRR) were conducted there in June and August. These reviews were supported by training experts and astronauts from NASA, NASDA and CSA (Canada), who were introduced to ESA's advanced training concept and the development process, and then analysed and evaluated the training flow, content and instructional soundness of lessons and courses, as well as the fidelity of the training facilities and the skills of the ESA training instructors. The International Training Control Board (ITCB), made up of representatives from all of the ISS International Partners and mandated to control and coordinate all multilateral training for ISS crew and ground-support personnel, testified to ESA's readiness to provide Advanced Training by declaring the EAC TRR successful. The completion of this first training course was therefore a good opportunity for the Astronaut Training Division to assess the status of its training programme. The comments and recommendations of the training experts and the astronauts who took part have been carefully evaluated and the results are being fed back into the ongoing training development process.

ESA activities on satellite laser ranging to non-cooperative objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flohrer, Tim; Krag, Holger; Funke, Quirin; Jilete, Beatriz; Mancas, Alexandru

2016-07-01

Satellite laser ranging (SLR) to non-cooperative objects is an emerging technology that can contribute significantly to operational, modelling and mitigation needs set by the space debris population. ESA is conducting various research and development activities in SLR to non-cooperative objects. ESA's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) program supports specific activities in the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) segment. Research and development activities with operational aspects are run by ESA's Space Debris Office. At ESA SSA/SST comprises detecting, cataloguing and predicting the objects orbiting the Earth, and the derived applications. SST aims at facilitating research and development of sensor and data processing technologies and of related common components while staying complementary with, and in support of, national and multi-national European initiatives. SST promotes standardisation and interoperability of the technology developments. For SLR these goals are implemented through researching, developing, and deploying an expert centre. This centre shall coordinate the contribution of system-external loosely connected SLR sensors, and shall provide back calibration and expert evaluation support to the sensors. The Space Debris Office at ESA is responsible for all aspects related to space debris in the Agency. It is in charge of providing operational support to ESA and third party missions. Currently, the office studies the potential benefits of laser ranging to space debris objects to resolve close approaches to active satellites, to improve re-entry predictions of time and locations, and the more general SLR support during contingency situations. The office studies the determination of attitude and attitude motion of uncooperative objects with special focus on the combination of SLR, light-curve, and radar imaging data. Generating sufficiently precise information to allow for the acquisition of debris objects by a SLR sensor in a stare-and-chase scenario, or from externally provided orbital information, is also investigated. In our paper we will outline the motivation and objectives, as well as detail the current status of the various and parallel SLR-related SST and Space Debris Office activities at ESA. We will provide an overview on plans for SLR activities in research and development and in operational support. Current gaps in the standardisation of data exchange and sensor interfaces will be addressed, reflecting the need of coordinating multiple stations in all tasks.

Association between serum alkaline phosphatase and primary resistance to erythropoiesis stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease: a secondary analysis of the HERO trial.

PubMed

Badve, Sunil V; Zhang, Lei; Coombes, Jeff S; Pascoe, Elaine M; Cass, Alan; Clarke, Philip; Ferrari, Paolo; McDonald, Stephen P; Morrish, Alicia T; Pedagogos, Eugenie; Perkovic, Vlado; Reidlinger, Donna; Scaria, Anish; Walker, Rowan; Vergara, Liza A; Hawley, Carmel M; Johnson, David W

2015-01-01

Erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)-resistant anemia is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD). To evaluate the determinants of severity of ESA resistance in patients with CKD and primary ESA-resistance. Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (the Handling Erythropoietin Resistance with Oxpentifylline, HERO). 53 adult patients with CKD stage 4 or 5 and primary ESA-resistant anemia (hemoglobin ≤120 g/L, ESA resistance index [ERI] ≥1.0 IU/kg/week/gHb for erythropoietin or ≥0.005 μg/kg/week/gHb for darbepoeitin, no cause for ESA-resistance identified). Iron studies, parathyroid hormone, albumin, liver enzymes, phosphate or markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Participants were divided into tertiles of ERI. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse the determinants of ERI tertiles. All patients, except one, were receiving dialysis for end-stage kidney disease. The mean ± SD ERI values in the low (n = 18), medium (n = 18) and high (n = 17) ERI tertiles were 1.4 ± 0.3, 2.3 ± 0.2 and 3.5 ± 0.8 IU/kg/week/gHb, respectively (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences observed in age, gender, ethnicity, cause of kidney disease, diabetes, iron studies, parathyroid hormone, albumin, liver enzymes, phosphate or markers of oxidative stress and inflammation between the ERI tertiles. The median [inter-quartile range] serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations in the low, medium and high ERI tertiles were 89 [64,121], 99 [76,134 and 148 [87,175] U/L, respectively (P = 0.054). There was a weak but statistically significant association between ERI and serum alkaline phosphatase (R(2) = 0.06, P = 0.03). Using multinomial logistic regression, the risk of being in the high ERI tertile relative to the low ERI tertile increased with increasing serum alkaline phosphatase levels (P = 0.02). No other variables were significantly associated with ERI. Small sample size; bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, other markers of bone turnover and bone biopsies not evaluated. Serum alkaline phosphatase was associated with severity of ESA resistance in ESA-resistant patients with CKD. Large prospective studies are required to confirm this association. ( Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 12608000199314).

NASA and ESA Collaboration on Hexavalent Chrome Alternatives - Pretreatments with Primers Screening Final Test Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rothgeb, Matthew J.; Kessel, Kurt R.

2015-01-01

Hexavalent chromium (hex chrome or Cr(VI)) is a widely used element within applied coating systems because of its self-healing and corrosion-resistant properties. The replacement of hex chrome in the processing of aluminum for aviation and aerospace applications remains a goal of great significance. Aluminum is the major manufacturing material of structures and components in the space flight arena. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are engaged in a collaborative effort to test and evaluate alternatives to hexavalent chromium containing corrosion coating systems. NASA and ESA share common risks related to material obsolescence associated with hexavalent chromium used in corrosion-resistant coatings. In the United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) studies have concluded that hexavalent chromium is carcinogenic and poses significant risk to human health. On May 5, 2011, amendments to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) were issued in the Federal Register. Subpart 223.73 prohibits contracts from requiring hexavalent chromium in deliverables unless certain exceptions apply. Subpart 252.223-7008 provides the contract clause prohibiting contractors and subcontractors from using or delivering hexavalent chromium in a concentration greater than 0.1 percent by weight for all new contracts associated with supplies, maintenance and repair services, and construction materials. ESA faces its own increasingly stringent regulations within European directives such as Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical (REACH) substances and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) which have set a mid-2017 sunset date for hexavalent chromium. NASA and ESA continue to search for an alternative to hexavalent chromium in coatings applications that meet their performance requirements in corrosion protection, cost, operability, and health and safety, while typically specifying that performance must be equal to or greater than existing systems. The overall objective of the collaborative effort between NASA TEERM and ESA is to test and evaluate coating systems (pretreatments, pretreatments with primer, and pretreatments with primer and topcoat) as replacements for hexavalent chrome coatings in aerospace applications. This objective will be accomplished by testing promising coatings identified from previous NASA, ESA, Department of Defense (DOD), and other project experience. Additionally, several new materials will be analyzed according to ESA-identified specifications.

The results of the thin x-ray mirror module production for the ESA XMM spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Chambure, Daniel; Laine, Robert; Grisoni, Gabriele; Kampf, Dirck

2018-04-01

This paper, "The results of the thin x-ray mirror module production for the ESA XMM spacecraft," was presented as part of International Conference on Space Optics—ICSO 1997, held in Toulouse, France.

ESA Astronaut Andreas Mogensen and NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik during NEEMO 19 communications training with instructors

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-08-21

Date: 08-21-14 Location: Bldg 36, 131 Subject: ESA Astronaut Andreas Mogensen and NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik during NEEMO 19 communications training with instructors Marcum Reagan and Barbara Janoiko Photographer: James Blair

Description of European Space Agency (ESA) Concept Development for a Mars Sample Receiving Facility (MSRF)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vrublevskis, J.; Berthoud, L.; Guest, M.; Smith, C.; Bennett, A.; Gaubert, F.; Schroeven-Deceuninck, H.; Duvet, L.; van Winnendael, M.

2018-04-01

This presentation gives an overview of the several studies conducted for the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2007, which progressively developed layouts for a potential implementation of a Mars Sample Receiving Facility (MSRF).

MSR ESA Earth Return Orbiter Mission Design Trades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanchez Perez, J. M.; Varga, G. I.; Huesing, J.; Beyer, F.

2018-04-01

The paper describes the work performed at ESOC in support of the Mars Sample Return ESA Earth Return Orbiter definition studies by exploring the trajectory optimization and mission design trade spaces of Mars return missions using electric and chemical propulsion.

Volkov prepares for the undocking of the ESA Jules Verne ATV during Expedition 17

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-05

ISS017-E-015230 (5 Sept. 2008) --- Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, Expedition 17 commander, makes preparations in the International Space Station's Zvezda Service Module for the undocking of the European Space Agency's (ESA) "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). The ATV departed from the aft port of Zvezda at 4:29 p.m. (CDT) on Sept. 5, 2008 and was placed in a parking orbit for three weeks, scheduled to be deorbited on Sept. 29 when lighting conditions are correct for an ESA imagery experiment of reentry.

ESA's CCD test bench for the PLATO mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beaufort, Thierry; Duvet, Ludovic; Bloemmaert, Sander; Lemmel, Frederic; Prod'homme, Thibaut; Verhoeve, Peter; Smit, Hans; Butler, Bart; van der Luijt, Cornelis; Heijnen, Jerko; Visser, Ivo

2016-08-01

PLATO { PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars { is the third medium-class mission to be selected in the European Space Agency (ESA) Science and Robotic Exploration Cosmic Vision programme. Due for launch in 2025, the payload makes use of a large format (8 cm x 8 cm) Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs), the e2v CCD270 operated at 4 MHz and at -70 C. To de-risk the PLATO CCD qualification programme initiated in 2014 and support the mission definition process, ESA's Payload Technology Validation section from the Future Missions Office has developed a dedicated test bench.

The Planetary Science Archive (PSA): Exploration and discovery of scientific datasets from ESA's planetary missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vallat, C.; Besse, S.; Barbarisi, I.; Arviset, C.; De Marchi, G.; Barthelemy, M.; Coia, D.; Costa, M.; Docasal, R.; Fraga, D.; Heather, D. J.; Lim, T.; Macfarlane, A.; Martinez, S.; Rios, C.; Vallejo, F.; Said, J.

2017-09-01

The Planetary Science Archive (PSA) is the European Space Agency's (ESA) repository of science data from all planetary science and exploration missions. The PSA provides access to scientific datasets through various interfaces at http://psa.esa.int. All datasets are scientifically peer-reviewed by independent scientists, and are compliant with the Planetary Data System (PDS) standards. The PSA has started to implement a number of significant improvements, mostly driven by the evolution of the PDS standards, and the growing need for better interfaces and advanced applications to support science exploitation.

New generation of telemetry systems using CCSDS packetisation - A prototype implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotta, J. P.; Held, K.

1988-07-01

The system described herein was developed under ESA contract to support the introduction of new telemetry standards based on the packetized telemetry data concept. These standards were derived from recommendations in the frame of work of CCSDS, an inter-Agency committee that counts among its members most European National Agencies, ESA, NASA as well as Japanese NASDA, Indian ISRO and Brazilian INPE and having as objective to facilitate cross-support for space missions. The development is based on the present generation of ESA on-board equipment (OBDH) subsystem and is fully compatible with OBDH bus interfaces and transfer protocol.

Naturally nonanemic dialysis patients: Who are they?

PubMed

Yilmaz, Murvet; Kircelli, Fatih; Artan, Ayse Serra; Oto, Ozgur; Asci, Gulay; Gunestepe, Kutay; Basci, Ali; Ok, Ercan; Sever, Mehmet Sukru

2016-10-01

Introduction Not only anemia, but also erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)s for treating anemia may adversely affect prognosis of chronic hemodialysis patients. Various features of naturally (with no ESA usage) nonanemic patients may be useful for defining several factors in the pathogenesis of anemia. Methods Data, retrieved from the European Clinical Database (EuCliD)-Turkey on naturally nonanemic prevalent chronic hemodialysis patients (n: 201) were compared with their anemic (those who required ESA treatment) counterparts (n: 3948). Findings Mean hemoglobin values were 13.5 ± 0.8 and 11.5 ± 0.9 g/dL in nonanemic and anemic patients, respectively (P < 0.001). Nonanemia status was associated with younger age, male gender, longer dialysis vintage, nondiabetic status, more frequent hepatitis-C virus seropositivity and more frequent arteriovenous fistula usage. Serum ferritin and CRP levels and urea reduction ratio were higher in ESA-requiring patients. One (99%) and two (95.3%) years survival rates of the "naturally nonanemic" patients were superior as compared to anemics (91.0% and 82.6%, respectively), (P < 0.001). Discussion "Naturally nonanemic" status is associated with better survival in prevalent chronic hemodialysis patients; underlying mechanisms in this favorable outcome should be investigated by randomized controlled trials including large number of patients. © 2016 International Society for Hemodialysis.

The technology management process at the European space agency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guglielmi, M.; Williams, E.; Groepper, P.; Lascar, S.

2010-03-01

Technology is developed at the European Space Agency (ESA) under several programmes: corporate and domain specific, mandatory and optional, with different time horizons and covering different levels of the TRL scale. To improve the transparency and efficiency of the complete process, it was felt necessary to establish an agreed end to end process for the management of all technology R&D activity that could: Include all ESA programmes and consider the requirements of European users Lead to coordinated multi-year work plan and yearly procurement plans Prepare and enable future European space programmes Be harmonized with national initiatives in Europe Thereby establishing the basis for a product policy to reduce risks to technology users, reduce costs and delays, and enhance industrial competitiveness and non-dependence. In response to the above needs, ESA has developed a technology management process called the ESA End-to-End process (E2E), from establishment of the strategy to the monitoring and evaluation of R&D results. In this paper, the complete process will be described in detail including a discussion on its strengths and limitations, and its links to the wider European Harmonization process. The paper will be concluded with the introduction of the ESA Technology Tree: a basic tool to structure and facilitate communication about technology issues.

Simultaneous quantification of acetanilide herbicides and their oxanilic and sulfonic acid metabolites in natural waters.

PubMed

Heberle, S A; Aga, D S; Hany, R; Müller, S R

2000-02-15

This paper describes a procedure for simultaneous enrichment, separation, and quantification of acetanilide herbicides and their major ionic oxanilic acid (OXA) and ethanesulfonic acid (ESA) metabolites in groundwater and surface water using Carbopack B as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) material. The analytes adsorbed on Carbopack B were eluted selectively from the solid phase in three fractions containing the parent compounds (PCs), their OXA metabolites, and their ESA metabolites, respectively. The complete separation of the three compound classes allowed the analysis of the neutral PCs (acetochlor, alachlor, and metolachlor) and their methylated OXA metabolites by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The ESA compounds were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The use of Carbopack B resulted in good recoveries of the polar metabolites even from large sample volumes (1 L). Absolute recoveries from spiked surface and groundwater samples ranged between 76 and 100% for the PCs, between 41 and 91% for the OXAs, and between 47 and 96% for the ESAs. The maximum standard deviation of the absolute recoveries was 12%. The method detection limits are between 1 and 8 ng/L for the PCs, between 1 and 7 ng/L for the OXAs, and between 10 and 90 ng/L for the ESAs.

Solar Flare Prediction Science-to-Operations: the ESA/SSA SWE A-EFFort Service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georgoulis, Manolis K.; Tziotziou, Konstantinos; Themelis, Konstantinos; Magiati, Margarita; Angelopoulou, Georgia

2016-07-01

We attempt a synoptical overview of the scientific origins of the Athens Effective Solar Flare Forecasting (A-EFFort) utility and the actions taken toward transitioning it into a pre-operational service of ESA's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Programme. The preferred method for solar flare prediction, as well as key efforts to make it function in a fully automated environment by coupling calculations with near-realtime data-downloading protocols (from the Solar Dynamics Observatory [SDO] mission), pattern recognition (solar active-region identification) and optimization (magnetic connectivity by simulated annealing) will be highlighted. In addition, the entire validation process of the service will be described, with its results presented. We will conclude by stressing the need for across-the-board efforts and synergistic work in order to bring science of potentially limited/restricted interest into realizing a much broader impact and serving the best public interests. The above presentation was partially supported by the ESA/SSA SWE A-EFFort project, ESA Contract No. 4000111994/14/D/MRP. Special thanks go to the ESA Project Officers R. Keil, A. Glover, and J.-P. Luntama (ESOC), M. Bobra and C. Balmer of the SDO/HMI team at Stanford University, and M. Zoulias at the RCAAM of the Academy of Athens for valuable technical help.

ESA Press Event: See Mars Express before its departure to the Red Planet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2002-09-01

Media representatives are invited to INTESPACE on Wednesday 18 September to learn about the mission and attend a ceremony at which a container filled with Ferrari's distinctive 'Rosso Corsa' red paint will be integrated with the spacecraft. Mr Antonio Rodotà (ESA Director General), Professor David Southwood (ESA Director of Science), senior representatives of the space industry and a representative from Ferrari will be giving presentations. Together with the ESA Mars Express project manager and project scientist, they will be available for interviews. Representatives of the media wishing to attend this media day at INTESPACE on Wednesday 18 September are kindly requested to complete the accreditation form and fax it to: Franco Bonacina, Head of Media Relations ESA/HQ, Paris, France Tel. +33 (0) 1 53697155 Fax. +33 (0) 1 53697690 Notes for Editors: 1. On 18 September at INTESPACE, Toulouse, ESA will integrate a sample of Ferrari's 'Rosso Corsa' red paint with the Mars Express spacecraft. This event is part of a new ESA communication policy aimed mainly at the general public. Ferrari have much to celebrate: the outstanding success of the Scuderia Ferrari, winning their fourth consecutive Formula One constructors' championship and Michael Schumacher his fifth Formula One drivers' championship. Responding to an ESA proposal, Ferrari have agreed to send the symbol of their winning formula on the ESA mission to the Red Planet. When Mars Express blasts into orbit next summer at 10 800 kilometres per hour, it will be the fastest that Ferrari's distinctive red paint has ever travelled. Following successful completion of a series of rigorous tests, the Ferrari red paint sample will be officially certified 'space qualified' at a ceremony at INTESPACE. Housed in a specially constructed glass globe known as FRED, it will then be formally integrated with the Mars Express craft. 2. The main objective of the Mars Express mission is to detect the presence of water below the surface of Mars. This could be in the form of underground rivers, pools, permafrost, or aquifers (subsurface rock formations concealing water). During its one Martian year (687 Earth days) of operations, Mars Express will view the entire surface of the Red Planet with a range of instruments. Before it goes into orbit around Mars, the spacecraft's first task is to eject the Beagle 2 lander onto the surface, where it will carry out detailed rock and soil analysis. In addition to Beagle 2, Mars Express will carry seven scientific instruments, designed specifically to gather new information on the Martian atmosphere, the planet's structure and its geology. Mars Express will set off from the Baikonur launch pad in Kazakhstan, on a Russian Soyuz-Fregat launcher, arriving at Mars by Christmas 2003.

Joint NASA-ESA Outer Planet Mission study overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebreton, J.-P.; Niebur, C.; Cutts, J.; Falkner, P.; Greeley, R.; Lunine, J.; Blanc, M.; Coustenis, A.; Pappalardo, R.; Matson, D.; Clark, K.; Reh, K.; Stankov, A.; Erd, C.; Beauchamp, P.

2009-04-01

In 2008, ESA and NASA performed joint studies of two highly capable scientific missions to the outer planets: the Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) and the Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM). Joint Science Definition Teams (JSDTs) were formed with U.S. and European membership to guide study activities that were conducted collaboratively by engineering teams working on both sides of the Atlantic. EJSM comprises the Jupiter Europa Orbiter (JEO) that would be provided by NASA and the Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter (JGO) that would be provided by ESA. Both spacecraft would be launched independently in 2020, and arrive 6 years later for a 3-4 year mission within the Jupiter System. Both orbiters would explore Jupiter's system on trajectories that include flybys of Io (JEO only), Europa (JEO only), Ganymede and Callisto. The operation of JEO would culminate in orbit around Europa while that of JGO would culminate in orbit around Ganymede. Synergistic and coordinated observations would be planned. The Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM) comprises a Titan Orbiter provided by NASA that would carry two Titan in situ elements provided by ESA: the montgolfière and the lake lander. The mission would launch in 2020 and arrive 9 years later for a 4-year duration in the Saturn system. Following delivery of the ESA in situ elements to Titan, the Titan Orbiter would explore the Saturn system via a 2-year tour that includes Enceladus and Titan flybys. The montgolfière would last at least 6-12 months at Titan and the lake lander 8-10 hours. Following the Saturn system tour, the Titan Orbiter would culminate in a ~2-year orbit around Titan. Synergistic and coordinated observations would be planned between the orbiter and in situ elements. The ESA contribution to this joint endeavor will be implemented as the first Cosmic Vision Large-class (L1) mission; the NASA contribution will be implemented as the Outer Planet Flagship Mission. The contribution to each mission is being reviewed and evaluated by each agency between November 2008 and January 2009, and a joint decision as to which destination has been selected is expected to be announced in February 2009. The ESA Cosmic Vision selection process includes two additional competitive steps (that include two competing astronomy missions) before its contribution to the selected Outer Planet Mission is confirmed in 2012. NASA expects to proceed with the initial implementation of the mission in FY2009, while full implementation will start in FY2013, in line with ESA Cosmic Vision schedule. Should ESA select an astronomy mission instead, NASA would proceed in 2013 with the implementation of a NASA-only mission concept. This presentation will provide an overview of the selected Outer Planet Mission and outline the next steps towards its implementation.

Priorities in national space strategies and governance of the member states of the European Space Agency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adriaensen, Maarten; Giannopapa, Christina; Sagath, Daniel; Papastefanou, Anastasia

2015-12-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) has twenty Member States with a variety of strategic priorities and governance structures regarding their space activities. A number of countries engage in space activities exclusively though ESA, while others have also their own national space programme. Some consider ESA as their prime space agency and others have additionally their own national agency with respective programmes. The main objective of this paper is to provide an up-to date overview and a holistic assessment of strategic priorities and the national space governance structures in 20 ESA Member States. This analysis and assessment has been conducted by analysing the Member States public documents, information provided at ESA workshop on this topic and though unstructured interviews. The paper is structured to include two main elements: priorities and trends in national space strategies and space governance in ESA Member States. The first part of this paper focuses on the content and analysis of the national space strategies and indicates the main priorities and trends in Member States. The priorities are categorised with regards to technology domains, the role of space in the areas of sustainability and the motivators that boost engagement in space. These vary from one Member State to another and include with different levels of engagement in technology domains amongst others: science and exploration, navigation, Earth observation, human space flight, launchers, telecommunications, and integrated applications. Member States allocate a different role of space as enabling tool adding to the advancement of sustainability areas including: security, resources, environment and climate change, transport and communication, energy, and knowledge and education. The motivators motivating reasoning which enhances or hinders space engagement also differs. The motivators identified are industrial competitiveness, job creation, technology development and transfer, social benefits, international cooperation, and European non-dependence. The second part of the paper provides a categorisation of national space governance structures in ESA Member States. Different governance models are identified depending on the responsible ministries for space for a number of space related organisations and ESA. In the case of ESA, these can typically vary from the more traditional ministry of science and/or education, the ministry of industry and/or innovation to the more recent ones being the ministry of economy and the ministry of transport. Recognising the transverse nature of space and its potential as a tool for a number of policies like agriculture, environment, maritime, disaster management, etc., other ministries are more and more getting involved in space activities. The development and implementation of the space strategy and policy of a Member State is realised though the engagement of an implementing entity. The type, role and activity vary from Member State to Member State.

Self-monitoring Using Mobile Phones in the Early Stages of Adolescent Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Reid, Sophie Caroline; Crooke, Alexander Hew Dale; Khor, Angela; Hearps, Stephen John Charles; Jorm, Anthony Francis; Sanci, Lena; Patton, George

2012-01-01

Background The stepped-care approach, where people with early symptoms of depression are stepped up from low-intensity interventions to higher-level interventions as needed, has the potential to assist many people with mild depressive symptoms. Self-monitoring techniques assist people to understand their mental health symptoms by increasing their emotional self-awareness (ESA) and can be easily distributed on mobile phones at low cost. Increasing ESA is an important first step in psychotherapy and has the potential to intervene before mild depressive symptoms progress to major depressive disorder. In this secondary analysis we examined a mobile phone self-monitoring tool used by young people experiencing mild or more depressive symptoms to investigate the relationships between self-monitoring, ESA, and depression. Objectives We tested two main hypotheses: (1) people who monitored their mood, stress, and coping strategies would have increased ESA from pretest to 6-week follow-up compared with an attention comparison group, and (2) an increase in ESA would predict a decrease in depressive symptoms. Methods We recruited patients aged 14 to 24 years from rural and metropolitan general practices. Eligible participants were identified as having mild or more mental health concerns by their general practitioner. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (where mood, stress, and daily activities were monitored) or the attention comparison group (where only daily activities were monitored), and both groups self-monitored for 2 to 4 weeks. Randomization was carried out electronically via random seed generation, by an in-house computer programmer; therefore, general practitioners, participants, and researchers were blinded to group allocation at randomization. Participants completed pretest, posttest, and 6-week follow-up measures of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and the ESA Scale. We estimated a parallel process latent growth curve model (LGCM) using Mplus to test the indirect effect of the intervention on depressive symptoms via the mediator ESA, and calculated 95% bias-corrected bootstrapping confidence intervals (CIs). Results Of the 163 participants assessed for eligibility, 118 were randomly assigned and 114 were included in analyses (68 in the intervention group and 46 in the comparison group). A parallel process LGCM estimated the indirect effect of the intervention on depressive symptoms via ESA and was shown to be statistically significant based on the 95% bias-corrected bootstrapping CIs not containing zero (–6.366 to –0.029). The proportion of the maximum possible indirect effect estimated was κ2 =.54 (95% CI .426–.640). Conclusions This study supported the hypothesis that self-monitoring increases ESA, which in turn decreases depressive symptoms for young people with mild or more depressive symptoms. Mobile phone self-monitoring programs are ideally suited to first-step intervention programs for depression in the stepped-care approach, particularly when ESA is targeted as a mediating factor. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00794222; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00794222 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/65lldW34k) PMID:22732135

Earth Sensor Assembly for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prince, Steven S.; Hoover, James M.

1995-01-01

EDO Corporation/Barnes Engineering Division (BED) has provided the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) Earth Sensor Assembly (ESA), a key element in the TRMM spacecraft's attitude control system. This report documents the history, design, fabrication, assembly, and test of the ESA.

Hemodynamic monitoring and management in patients undergoing high risk surgery: a survey among North American and European anesthesiologists

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Introduction Several studies have demonstrated that perioperative hemodynamic optimization has the ability to improve postoperative outcome in high-risk surgical patients. All of these studies aimed at optimizing cardiac output and/or oxygen delivery in the perioperative period. We conducted a survey with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) to assess current hemodynamic management practices in patients undergoing high-risk surgery in Europe and in the United States. Methods A survey including 33 specific questions was emailed to 2,500 randomly selected active members of the ASA and to active ESA members. Results Overall, 368 questionnaires were completed, 57.1% from ASA and 42.9% from ESA members. Cardiac output is monitored by only 34% of ASA and ESA respondents (P = 0.49) while central venous pressure is monitored by 73% of ASA respondents and 84% of ESA respondents (P < 0.01). Specifically, the pulmonary artery catheter is being used much more frequently in the US than in Europe in the setup of high-risk surgery (85.1% vs. 55.3% respectively, P < 0.001). Clinical experience, blood pressure, central venous pressure, and urine output are the most widely indicators of volume expansion. Finally, 86.5% of ASA respondents and 98.1% of ESA respondents believe that their current hemodynamic management could be improved. Conclusions In conclusion, these results point to a considerable gap between the accumulating evidence about the benefits of perioperative hemodynamic optimization and the available technologies that may facilitate its clinical implementation, and clinical practices in both Europe and the United States. PMID:21843353

Chemotherapy-induced anemia and oncologist perception on treatment: results of a web-based survey.

PubMed

Cortinovis, Diego; Beretta, Giordano; Piazza, Elena; Luchena, Giovanna; Aglione, Stefania; Bertolini, Alessandro; Buzzoni, Roberto; Cabiddu, Mary; Carnaghi, Carlo; Danova, Marco; Farina, Gabriella; Ferrari, Vittorio; Frascaroli, Mara; Reni, Michele; Tansini, Giuseppe

2013-01-01

Anemia prevalence and incidence in chemotherapy-treated patients is high. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are frequently employed in the management of chemotherapy-induced anemia. However, other treatments such as red blood transfusion or iron supplementation are normally used. Recent international guidelines raised some concern about ESAs employment with a possible impact in chemotherapy-induced anemia management and changes in clinical practice behavior. To evaluate opinions about chemotherapy-induced anemia clinical management preference, the Associazione Italiana Oncologia Medica (AIOM) Lombardy section coordinators sent via email a 12-item questionnaire about their knowledge on CIA and usual therapeutic strategies to manage this adverse event to AIOM Lombardy onco-hematologist members. From January 2011 to March 2011, 81 questionnaires were collected with an approximated share of 30%. The survey was completed mainly by oncologists (91%) aged 35-50 years (50%). Chemotherapy-induced anemia was considered to have clinical impact in changing cancer therapeutic strategy by nearly 60% of the respondents. ESAs were administered largely (80%) with concomitant iron supplementation in 52%; 38% jointly used blood transfusion as part of the therapy. Nearly 20% of those who replied correctly employed transferrin saturation levels as a marker to guide iron supplementation. Physician prescribers strictly followed the guidelines to start and stop ESAs even if 14% were negatively influenced by new ASCO recommendations. ESA biosimilars were considered future substitutes of originators in 45% of the cases. Chemotherapy-induced anemia was perceived as an adverse event with a mild impact on clinical practice. ESAs were largely employed, however the number of transfusions and lack of employment of markers of iron depletion suggested that adherence to guidelines could be theoretically met but with some discordances regarding the most appropriate strategies in daily clinical practice.

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the erythropoiesis stimulating agent sparing potential of a vitamin E-bonded polysulfone dialysis membrane

PubMed Central

Lines, Simon W.; Carter, Angela M.; Dunn, Emma J.; Lindley, Elizabeth J.; Tattersall, James E.; Wright, Mark J.

2014-01-01

Background Vitamin E (VE) bonded polysulfone dialysis membranes have putative erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)-sparing and anti-inflammatory properties based on data from a small number of studies. We sought to investigate this in a large, prospective 12-month randomized controlled trial. Methods Two-hundred and sixty prevalent haemodialysis (HD) patients were randomized to dialysis with VE-bonded polysulfone membranes or non-VE-bonded equivalents. All ESA-dosing was performed by means of a computer-based anaemia management decision support system. Monthly data were used to calculate the ESA resistance index (ERI) and blood tests were performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months for measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Results Of the 260 patients, 123 were randomized to dialysis with the VE-membrane and 12-month data was available for 220 patients. At the study population level, no beneficial effect of the VE membranes on the ERI or CRP levels was observed. Post hoc analyses indicated that there was a significant fall in ERI for patients with the highest baseline ESA resistance dialysed with the VE (9.28 [7.70–12.5] versus 7.70 [5.34–12.7] IU/week/kg/g/dL Hb, P = 0.01) but not the control membranes (9.45 [7.62–12.3] versus 8.14 [4.44–15.6] IU/week/kg/g/dL Hb, P = 0.41); this was not attributable to changes in CRP levels. Conclusions Wholesale switching of all chronic HD patients to dialysis with VE-bonded polysulfone membranes appears not to be associated with improvements in ESA-responsiveness or CRP. These membranes may have utility in patients with heightened ESA resistance. PMID:24293660

Sickle Trait in African-American Hemodialysis Patients and Higher Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Dose

PubMed Central

Lacson, Eduardo K.; Kshirsagar, Abhijit V.; Key, Nigel S.; Hogan, Susan L.; Hakim, Raymond M.; Mooney, Ann; Jani, Chinu M.; Johnson, Curtis; Hu, Yichun; Falk, Ronald J.; Lazarus, J. Michael

2014-01-01

African Americans require higher doses of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) during dialysis to manage anemia, but the influence of sickle cell trait and other hemoglobinopathy traits on anemia in dialysis patients has not been adequately evaluated. We performed a cross-sectional study of a large cohort of adult African-American hemodialysis patients in the United States to determine the prevalence of hemoglobinopathy traits and quantify their influence on ESA dosing. Laboratory and clinical data were obtained over 6 months in 2011. Among 5319 African-American patients, 542 (10.2%) patients had sickle cell trait, and 129 (2.4%) patients had hemoglobin C trait; no other hemoglobinopathy traits were present. Sickle cell trait was more common in this cohort than the general African-American population (10.2% versus 6.5%–8.7%, respectively, P<0.05). Among 5002 patients (10.3% sickle cell trait and 2.4% hemoglobin C trait) receiving ESAs, demographic and clinical variables were similar across groups, with achieved hemoglobin levels being nearly identical. Patients with hemoglobinopathy traits received higher median doses of ESA than patients with normal hemoglobin (4737.4 versus 4364.1 units/treatment, respectively, P=0.02). In multivariable analyses, hemoglobinopathy traits associated with 13.2% more ESA per treatment (P=0.001). Within subgroups, sickle cell trait patients received 13.2% (P=0.003) higher dose and hemoglobin C trait patients exhibited a similar difference (12.9%, P=0.12). Sensitivity analyses using weight-based dosing definitions and separate logistic regression models showed comparable associations. Our findings suggest that the presence of sickle cell trait and hemoglobin C trait may explain, at least in part, prior observations of greater ESA doses administered to African-American dialysis patients relative to Caucasian patients. PMID:24459231

Effects of OXPHOS complex deficiencies and ESA dysfunction in working intact skeletal muscle: implications for mitochondrial myopathies.

PubMed

Korzeniewski, Bernard

2015-10-01

The effects of inborn oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex deficiencies or possible each-step activation (ESA) dysfunction on the bioenergetic system in working intact skeletal muscle are studied using a computer model of OXPHOS published previously. The curves representing the dependencies of V˙O2 and metabolite concentrations on single complex activity, entire OXPHOS activity or ESA intensity exhibit a characteristic threshold at some OXPHOS complex activity/ESA intensity. This threshold for V˙O2 of single complex activities is significantly lower in intact muscle during moderate and heavy work, than in isolated mitochondria in state 3. Metabolite concentrations and pH in working muscle start to change significantly at much higher OXPHOS complex activities/ESA intensities than V˙O2. The effect of entire OXPHOS deficiency or ESA dysfunction is potentially much stronger than the effect of a single complex deficiency. Implications of these findings for the genesis of mitochondrial myopathies are discussed. It is concluded that V˙O2 in state 3 and its dependence on complex activity in isolated mitochondria is not a universal quantitative determinant of the effect of mitochondrial dysfunctions in vivo. Moderate and severe mitochondria dysfunctions are defined: the former affect significantly only metabolite concentrations and pH, while the latter also decrease significantly V˙O2 in intact skeletal muscle during work. The dysfunction-caused decrease in V˙O2/oxidative ATP synthesis flux, disturbance of metabolite homeostasis, elevated ROS production and anaerobic glycolysis recruitment can account for such mitochondrial myopathy symptoms as muscle weakness, exercise intolerance (exertional fatigue) and lactic acidosis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spain: Success story in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longdon, Norman

From the early 1960's, European governments were aware that they had to take part in the exploration, and potential exploitation, of space, or be left behind in a field of high-technology that had far-reaching possibilities. It was also realized that financial and manpower constraints would limit the extent to which individual nations could carry out their own national programs. They, therefor, joined forces in two organizations: the European Space Research Organization (ESRO) and the European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO). By 1975, when the potential of space development had been more fully appreciated, the two organizations were merged into the Europeans Space Agency (ESA) of which Spain was a founding member. ESA looks after the interest of 13 member states, one associated member state (Finland), and one cooperating state (Canada) in the peaceful uses of space. Its programs center around a mandatory core of technological research and space science to which member states contribute on the basis of their Gross National Product. Spain in 1992 contributes 6.46% to this mandatory program budget. The member states then have the chance to join optional programs that include telecommunications, observation of the earth and its environment, space transportation systems, microgravity research, and participation in the European contribution to the International Space Station Freedom. Each government decides whether it is in its interest to join a particular optional program, and the percentage that it wishes to contribute to the budget. Although in the early days of ESA, Spain participated in only a few optional programs, today Spain makes a significant contribution to nearly all of ESA's optional programs. This document presents Spain's contributions to particular ESA Programs and discusses Spain's future involvement in ESA.

Sentinel 2A: the image quality performances at the beginning of its mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trémas, T.; Lonjou, V.; Lachérade, S.; Languille, F.; Gaudel-Vacaresse, A.,

2016-09-01

Launched on June 23rd, 2015 from Kourou, Sentinel 2A has been providing images for more than 1 year now. The satellite behavior is very satisfactory and the quality of data fulfills the requirements with comfortable margins. The realization and implementation of the satellite has been realized under the responsibility of ESA, for the European Commission. The In Orbit Commissioning phase lasted 4 months, concluded by a review on October 16th, 2015. At this date, the S2A space segment handover took place from the Project Manager (ESA/ESTEC) to the Mission Manager (ESA/ESRIN). The subset of Image Quality commissioning was delegated by ESA to CNES, referring to the experience of the French Space Agency on previous imagers. This phase lasted 7 months after the launch, extending beyond the IOCR. Actually, some parameters required several months before converging to a stable state. This paper presents the status of the satellite, from an IQ prospective, just before it entered its operational phase. The radiometric and geometric performances are listed, including: the absolute radiometric calibration, the equalization, the SNR, the absolute and the multi-temporal location accuracy. The accomplishment of a part of the Global Reference Image over Europe is evoked as well. The IQ commissioning phase ended on January 28th, 2016. From this date, the monitoring of IQ parameters is under the responsibility of ESA/ESRIN. Nevertheless, CNES continues to support ESA to survey the accuracy of S2A performances. The article ends by dealing with the future of S2A that will work together with S2B by the end of 2016.

Participant Adherence Indicators Predict Changes in Blood Pressure, Anthropometric Measures, and Self-Reported Physical Activity in a Lifestyle Intervention: HUB City Steps

PubMed Central

Thomson, Jessica L.; Landry, Alicia S.; Zoellner, Jamie M.; Connell, Carol; Madson, Michael B.; Molaison, Elaine Fontenot; Yadrick, Kathy

2014-01-01

The objective of this secondary analysis was to evaluate the utility of several participant adherence indicators for predicting changes in clinical, anthropometric, dietary, fitness, and physical activity (PA) outcomes in a lifestyle intervention, HUB City Steps, conducted in a southern, African American cohort in 2010. HUB City Steps was a 6 month, community engaged, multi component, non controlled, intervention targeting hypertension risk factors. Descriptive indicators were constructed using 2 participant adherence measures, education session attendance (ESA) and weekly steps/day pedometer diary submission (PDS), separately and in combination. Analyses, based on data from 269 primarily African American adult participants, included bivariate tests of association and multivariable linear regression to determine significant relationships between 7 adherence indicators and health outcome changes, including clinical, anthropometric, dietary, fitness, and PA measures. ESA indicators were significantly correlated with 4 health outcomes, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and PA ( .29≤ r ≤ .23; P<.05). PDS indicators were significantly correlated with PA (r=.27; P<.001). Combination ESA/PDS indicators were significantly correlated with 5 health outcomes, BMI, % body fat (%BF), fat mass, LDL, and PA (r= .26 to .29; P<.05). Results from the multivariate models indicated that the combination ESA/PDS indicators were the most significant predictors of changes for 5 outcomes, %BF, fat mass, LDL diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and PA, while ESA performed best for BMI only. For DBP, a 1 unit increase in the continuous categorical ESA/PDS indicator resulted in .3 mm Hg decrease. Implications for assessing participant adherence in community based, multi component lifestyle intervention research are discussed. PMID:24986913

SCOS2: ESA's new generation of mission control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufeler, J. F.; Head, N. C.

1993-01-01

The paper describes the next generation Spacecraft Control System infrastructure (SCOSII) which is being developed at the Operations Centre (ESOC) of the European Space Agency (ESA). The objectives of the new system and selected areas of the proposed hardware and software approach are described.

14 CFR 1214.201 - Definition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Definition. 1214.201 Section 1214.201 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION SPACE FLIGHT Reimbursement for Shuttle... have made substantial investment in the STS program, i.e., European Space Agency (ESA), ESA member or...

14 CFR 1214.201 - Definition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Definition. 1214.201 Section 1214.201 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION SPACE FLIGHT Reimbursement for Shuttle... have made substantial investment in the STS program, i.e., European Space Agency (ESA), ESA member or...

29 CFR 502.20 - Debarment and revocation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS FOR TEMPORARY ALIEN AGRICULTURAL WORKERS ADMITTED UNDER SECTION 218 OF THE..., this subpart, or 29 CFR part 501 (ESA enforcement of contractual obligations); or (3) A significant... CFR part 501 (ESA enforcement of contractual obligations); or (4) A single heinous act showing such...

The ESA/ESO/NASA Photoshop FITS Liberator 3: Have your say on new features

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nielsen, L. H.; Christensen, L. L.; Hurt, R. L.; Nielsen, K.; Johansen, T.

2008-06-01

The popular, free ESA/ESO/NASA Photoshop FITS Liberator image processing software (a plugin for Adobe Photoshop) is about to get simpler, faster and more user-friendly! Here we would like to solicit inputs from the community of users.

iss051e034021

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-02

iss051e034021 (May 2, 2017) --- Astronaut Thomas Pesquet, of the European Space Agency (ESA), participates in the Fluidics experiment inside the Columbus laboratory module developed by ESA. Fluidics is exploring how liquids behave in spacecraft tanks and wave turbulence phenomena that occurs at the surface of liquids.

ANALYTICAL METHOD DEVELOPMENT FOR ALACHLOR ESA AND OTHER ACETANILIDE HERBICIDE DEGRADATION PRODUCTS

EPA Science Inventory

In 1998, USEPA published a Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) of 50 chemicals and 10 microorganisms. "Alachlor ESA and other acetanilide herbicide degradation products" is listed on the the 1998 CCL. Acetanilide degradation products are generally more water soluble...

ATV docking ops

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-08-12

ISS040-E-091688 (12 Aug. 2014) --- In the Zvezda Service Module, European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst (left) and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov, both Expedition 40 flight engineers, monitor the approach and docking of ESA?s "Georges Lemaitre" Automated Transfer Vehicle-5 (ATV-5) to the International Space Station.

A Potential Role for smallsats and Cubesats in Lunar Exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpenter, James; Fisackerly, Richard; Houdou, Bérengère; De Rosa, Diego; Schiemann, Jens D.; Walker, Roger; Zeppenfeldt, Frank

2015-04-01

The Moon is an important exploration destination for ESA, which is currently engaged in activities to access and exploit the Moon through developments in future human exploration systems and precursor robotic surface missions. However, recent major advancements in Smallsat and Cubesat technologies, and their application to fields such as Earth imaging and atmospheric science, has opened the possibility of utilising these smaller, lower cost platforms beyond LEO and potentially at the Moon. ESA is interested in understanding how emerging Smallsat & Cubesat instrument and platform technology could be applied to Lunar Exploration, particularly in the fields of technology demonstration and investigations which can be precursors to longer term l exploration activies. Lunar Cubesats can offer an means of access to the Moon, which complements larger ESA-led opportunities on international surface missions and via future human exploration systems. In this talk ESA will outline its current objectives in Lunar Exploration and highlight potential future opportunities for Smallsat and Cubesat platforms to play a role.

Iron dosing in kidney disease: inconsistency of evidence and clinical practice

PubMed Central

Gaweda, Adam E.; Ginzburg, Yelena Z.; Chait, Yossi; Germain, Michael J.; Aronoff, George R.; Rachmilewitz, Eliezer

2015-01-01

The management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is difficult. The availability of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) has increased treatment options for previously transfusion-requiring patients, but the recent evidence of ESA side effects has prompted the search for complementary or alternative approaches. Next to ESA, parenteral iron supplementation is the second main form of anemia treatment. However, as of now, no systematic approach has been proposed to balance the concurrent administration of both agents according to individual patient's needs. Furthermore, the potential risks of excessive iron dosing remain a topic of controversy. How, when and whether to monitor CKD patients for potential iron overload remain to be elucidated. This review addresses the question of risk and benefit of iron administration in CKD, highlights the evidence supporting current practice, provides an overview of standard and potential new markers of iron status and outlines a new pharmacometric approach to physiologically compatible individualized dosing of ESA and iron in CKD patients. PMID:24821751

Sampled control stability of the ESA instrument pointing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thieme, G.; Rogers, P.; Sciacovelli, D.

Stability analysis and simulation results are presented for the ESA Instrument Pointing System (IPS) that is to be used in Spacelab's second launch. Of the two IPS plant dynamic models used in the ESA and NASA activities, one is based on six interconnected rigid bodies that represent the IPS and plant dynamic models used in the ESA and NASA activities, one is based on six interconnected rigid bodies that represent the IPS and its payload, while the other follows the NASA practice of defining an IPS-Spacelab 2 plant configuration through a structural finite element model, which is then used to generate modal data for various pointing directions. In both cases, the IPS dynamic plant model is truncated, then discretized at the sampling frequency and interfaces to a PID-based control law. A stability analysis has been carried out in discrete domain for various instrument pointing directions, taking into account suitable parameter variation ranges. A number of time simulations are presented.

The NASA data systems standardization program - Radio frequency and modulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, W. L.

1983-01-01

The modifications being considered by the NASA-ESA Working Group (NEWG) for space-data-systems standardization to maximize the commonality of the NASA and ESA RF and modulation systems linking spaceborne scientific experiments with ground stations are summarized. The first phase of the NEWG project shows that the NASA MK-IVA Deep Space Network and Shuttle Interrogator (SI) systems in place or planned for 1985 are generally compatible with the ESA Network, but that communications involving the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) are incompatible due to its use of spread-spectrum modulation, pseudonoise ranging, multiple-access channels, and Mbit/s data rates. Topics under study for the post-1985 period include low-bit-rate capability for the ESA Network, an optional 8-kHz command subcarrier for the SI, fixing the spacecraft-transponder frequency-multiplication ratios for possible X-band uplinks or X-band nondeep-space downlinks, review of incompatible TDRS features, and development of the 32-GHz band.

Overview of NASA's Microgravity Materials Science Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Downey, James Patton

2012-01-01

The microgravity materials program was nearly eliminated in the middle of the aughts due to budget constraints. Hardware developments were eliminated. Some investigators with experiments that could be performed using ISS partner hardware received continued funding. Partnerships were established between US investigators and ESA science teams for several investigations. ESA conducted peer reviews on the proposals of various science teams as part of an ESA AO process. Assuming he or she was part of a science team that was selected by the ESA process, a US investigator would submit a proposal to NASA for grant funding to support their part of the science team effort. In a similar manner, a US materials investigator (Dr. Rohit Trivedi) is working as a part of a CNES selected science team. As funding began to increase another seven materials investigators were selected in 2010 through an NRA mechanism to perform research related to development of Materials Science Research Rack investigations. One of these has since been converted to a Glovebox investigation.

NASA's experience in the international exchange of scientific and technical information in the aerospace field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thibideau, Philip A.

1989-01-01

The early NASA international scientific and technical information (STI) exchange arrangements were usually detailed in correspondence with the librarians of the institutions involved. While this type of exchange, which involved only hardcopy (paper) products, grew to include some 220 organization in 43 countries, NASA's main focus shifted substantially to the STI relationship with the European Space Agency (ESA) which began in 1964. The NASA/ESA Tripartite Exchange Program, which now has more than 500 participants, provides more than 4,000 highly-relevant technical reports, fully processed, for the NASA produced 'Aerospace Database'. In turn, NASA provides an updated copy of this Database, known in Europe as the 'NASA File', for access, through ESA's Information Retrieval Service, by participating European organizations. Our experience in the evolving cooperation with ESA has established the 'model' for our more recent exchange agreements with Israel, Australia, Canada, and one under negotiation with Japan. The results of these agreements are made available to participating European organizations through the NASA File.

Development and evaluation of a multichannel endorectal RF coil for prostate MRI at 7T in combination with an external surface array.

PubMed

Ertürk, M Arcan; Tian, Jinfeng; Van de Moortele, Pierre-François; Adriany, Gregor; Metzger, Gregory J

2016-06-01

To develop and evaluate a sterilizable multichannel endorectal coil (ERC) for use in combination with an external surface array (ESA) for high-resolution anatomical and functional studies of the prostate at 7T. A two-loop ERC (ERC-2L) and a microstrip-loop ERC (ERC-ML) were compared at 7T in terms of transmit and receive performance. The best-performing ERC was evaluated alone and in combination with the ESA through 1) simulations on both phantom and an anatomically correct numerical human model to assess B1+ transmit and specific absorption rate (SAR) efficiencies, and 2) phantom experiments to calculate B1+ transmit efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Phantom studies were also performed to look at heating when using the ERC as a transmitter and for comparing the new coil against a single-channel balloon-type ERC (ERC-b). High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisitions were performed on a single healthy subject using the two-channel ERC combined with the ESA. Compared to the ERC-ML, the ERC-2L demonstrated 20% higher SAR efficiency and higher SNR 3 cm from the coil. The presence of a tuned and detuned ERC-2L did not alter the peak local SAR of the ESA alone; however, the detuned ERC-2L had 45% less peak local SAR around the rectum compared to the tuned ERC-2L. The receive-only version of the ERC-2L improved the SNR 4.7-fold and 1.3-fold compared to the ESA and ERC-b, respectively. In combination with the ESA, the ERC-2L supported in-plane voxel-size of 0.36 × 0.36 mm(2) in T2 -weighted anatomic imaging. The reusable ERC-2L combined with an ESA offers a high SNR imaging platform for translational studies of the prostate at 7T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1279-1287. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lunar plasma measurement by MAP-PACE onboard KAGUYA (SELENE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Yoshifumi

Low energy charged particles around the Moon were vigorously observed by Moon orbiting satellites and plasma instrumentation placed on the lunar surface in 1960s and 1970s. Though there were some satellites that explored the Moon afterwards, most of them were dedicated to the global mapping of the lunar surface. KAGUYA(SELENE) is a Japanese lunar orbiter that studies the origin and evolution of the Moon by means of global mapping of element abundances, mineralogical composition, and surface geographical mapping from 100km altitude. KAGUYA was successfully launched on 14 September 2007 by HIIA launch vehicle from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. KAGUYA was inserted into a circular lunar polar orbit of 100km altitude and started continuous observation in mid-December 2007. One of the fourteen science instruments MAP-PACE (MAgnetic field and Plasma experiment - Plasma energy Angle and Composition Experiment) was developed for the comprehensive three-dimensional plasma measurement around the Moon. MAP-PACE consists of 4 sensors: ESA (Electron Spectrum Analyzer)-S1, ESA-S2, IMA (Ion Mass Analyzer), and IEA (Ion Energy Analyzer). ESA-S1 and S2 measure the distribution function of low energy electrons below 15keV. IMA and IEA measure the distribution function of low energy ions below 28keV/q. IMA has an ability to discriminate the ion mass with high mass resolution. PACE sensors have been measuring solar wind, plasmas in the wake region of the Moon and plasmas in the Earth's magnetosphere. ESA sensors have discovered electron heating over magnetic anomalies on the lunar surface. ESA sensors have also observed electrons accelerated from the lunar surface in the wake region. PACE ion sensors have discovered new features of low energy ions around the Moon. IMA has discovered the existence of alkali ions that are originated from the lunar surface or lunar atmosphere and are picked up by the solar wind. IEA and IMA sensors discovered solar wind reflection by the Moon. PACE ion sensors also discovered that ions are rarefied over the magnetic anomaly on the lunar surface while electrons are heated. MAP-PACE has been revealing unexpectedly active plasma environment around the Moon.

ESA Press Event: See Mars Express before its departure to the Red Planet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2002-08-01

There will be ten participants: four ESA astronauts (Pedro Duque, Leopold Eyharts, Paolo Nespoli and Thomas Reiter), four Japanese astronauts from NASDA (Takao Doi, Koichi Wakata, Satoshi Furukawa and Aikihido Hoshide) and two NASA astronauts (Nicole Passonno Stott and Stephanie D. Wilson). The main objective of this training session is to prepare the astronauts for the tasks they will have to perform when the Japanese experiment module (JEM) and ESA's Columbus laboratory are docked with the core of the International Space Station over the years ahead. After completing their training and certification, the astronauts will be assigned to long-duration missions to the ISS. The advanced training at the EAC will focus on the Columbus systems and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). It will consist of 24 classroom lectures on the Columbus and ATV systems and 4 on payloads, and 2 sessions in the Columbus Trainer. Instructors are being provided by Astrium for the Columbus systems and Alenia Spazio for the ATV, with ESA/EAC staff as mentors for the Columbus payloads. The astronauts are scheduled to visit Astrium in Bremen on 30 August to get acquainted with the flight unit of the Columbus laboratory module currently undergoing integration. This group of astronauts started their advanced training in April 2001 at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, where they attended a first course on the US segment of the International Space Station. This was followed by training on the JEM system at NASDA's Tsukuba Space Center, Japan, in December 2001 - January 2002 and additional training at the JSC in May 2002. At the beginning of next year the group will be returning to Tsukuba for training on Japanese payloads. Hands-on sessions on Columbus Payload Training Models are scheduled for the second half of 2003, again at ESA's European Astronaut Centre. On Thursday 5 September, between 16:30 and 18:30 hrs, the astronauts and other ESA specialists will be available for interviews. Media representatives interested in meeting them are requested to complete the attached reply form and to fax it by Tuesday 3 September to Maren Stock at ESA/EAC.

tESA: a distributional measure for calculating semantic relatedness.

PubMed

Rybinski, Maciej; Aldana-Montes, José Francisco

2016-12-28

Semantic relatedness is a measure that quantifies the strength of a semantic link between two concepts. Often, it can be efficiently approximated with methods that operate on words, which represent these concepts. Approximating semantic relatedness between texts and concepts represented by these texts is an important part of many text and knowledge processing tasks of crucial importance in the ever growing domain of biomedical informatics. The problem of most state-of-the-art methods for calculating semantic relatedness is their dependence on highly specialized, structured knowledge resources, which makes these methods poorly adaptable for many usage scenarios. On the other hand, the domain knowledge in the Life Sciences has become more and more accessible, but mostly in its unstructured form - as texts in large document collections, which makes its use more challenging for automated processing. In this paper we present tESA, an extension to a well known Explicit Semantic Relatedness (ESA) method. In our extension we use two separate sets of vectors, corresponding to different sections of the articles from the underlying corpus of documents, as opposed to the original method, which only uses a single vector space. We present an evaluation of Life Sciences domain-focused applicability of both tESA and domain-adapted Explicit Semantic Analysis. The methods are tested against a set of standard benchmarks established for the evaluation of biomedical semantic relatedness quality. Our experiments show that the propsed method achieves results comparable with or superior to the current state-of-the-art methods. Additionally, a comparative discussion of the results obtained with tESA and ESA is presented, together with a study of the adaptability of the methods to different corpora and their performance with different input parameters. Our findings suggest that combined use of the semantics from different sections (i.e. extending the original ESA methodology with the use of title vectors) of the documents of scientific corpora may be used to enhance the performance of a distributional semantic relatedness measures, which can be observed in the largest reference datasets. We also present the impact of the proposed extension on the size of distributional representations.

Volkov and Kononenko prepare for the undocking of the ESA Jules Verne ATV during Expedition 17

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-05

ISS017-E-015234 (5 Sept. 2008) --- Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonauts Sergei Volkov (left) and Oleg Kononenko, Expedition 17 commander and flight engineer, respectively, make preparations in the International Space Station's Zvezda Service Module for the undocking of the European Space Agency's (ESA) "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). The ATV departed from the aft port of Zvezda at 4:29 p.m. (CDT) on Sept. 5, 2008 and was placed in a parking orbit for three weeks, scheduled to be deorbited on Sept. 29 when lighting conditions are correct for an ESA imagery experiment of reentry.

Volkov and Kononenko prepare for the undocking of the ESA Jules Verne ATV during Expedition 17

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-05

ISS017-E-015229 (5 Sept. 2008) --- Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonauts Sergei Volkov (left) and Oleg Kononenko, Expedition 17 commander and flight engineer, respectively, make preparations in the International Space Station's Zvezda Service Module for the undocking of the European Space Agency's (ESA) "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). The ATV departed from the aft port of Zvezda at 4:29 p.m. (CDT) on Sept. 5, 2008 and was placed in a parking orbit for three weeks, scheduled to be deorbited on Sept. 29 when lighting conditions are correct for an ESA imagery experiment of reentry.

Upgrade of DRAMA-ESA's Space Debris Mitigation Analysis Tool Suite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelhaus, Johannes; Sanchez-Ortiz, Noelia; Braun, Vitali; Kebschull, Christopher; de Oliveira, Joaquim Correia; Dominguez-Gonzalez, Raul; Wiedemann, Carsten; Krag, Holger; Vorsmann, Peter

2013-08-01

One decade ago ESA started the dev elopment of the first version of the software tool called DRAMA (Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis) to enable ESA space programs to assess their compliance with the recommendations in the European Code of Conduct for Space Debris Mitigation. This tool was maintained, upgraded and extended during the last year and is now a combination of five individual tools, each addressing a different aspect of debris mitigation. This paper gives an overview of the new DRAMA software in general. Both, the main tools ARES, OSCAR, MIDAS, CROC and SARA will be discussed and the environment used by DRAMA will be explained shortly.

77 FR 21751 - Endangered Species; File No. 16645

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-11

... Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permit application is for the incidental take of ESA... appointment in the following office: Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315.... Mail: Submit written comments to Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315...

Radiation induced charge transfer inefficiencies in the Sentinel 4 instrument: modeling, performance, and correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irizar, J.; Gulde, S.; Skegg, M.; Levillain, Y.; Weber, H.

2017-09-01

Sentinel 4 is an imaging UVN (UV-VIS-NIR) dispersive spectrometer, developed by Airbus DS under an ESA contract in the frame of the joint EU/ESA COPERNICUS program. The instrument is introduced in a dedicated presentation in this conference.

14 CFR 1214.204 - Patent and data rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2011-01-01 2010-01-01 true Patent and data rights. 1214.204 Section 1214.204 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION SPACE FLIGHT Reimbursement... under this subpart, i.e., experimental science or experimental applications missions for ESA, ESA member...

Semiochemical based management of biting fly management in the US

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

To present a brief summary of recent advances of theories and applied technologies in entomological sciences, which includes selected members of ESA-OCEA’s research and development to students and other professionals in entomological society of America. This also include organizing a meeting of ESA-...

Machine Learning Approach to Deconvolution of Thermal Infrared (TIR) Spectrum of Mercury Supporting MERTIS Onboard ESA/JAXA BepiColombo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varatharajan, I.; D'Amore, M.; Maturilli, A.; Helbert, J.; Hiesinger, H.

2018-04-01

Machine learning approach to spectral unmixing of emissivity spectra of Mercury is carried out using endmember spectral library measured at simulated daytime surface conditions of Mercury. Study supports MERTIS payload onboard ESA/JAXA BepiColombo.

Expedition 44 backup crew ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Timothy Peake (left), Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (ROSCOSMOS) (center), and NASA astronaut Timothy L. Kopra

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-02-19

JSC2015E053686 (04/30/2015) --- Expedition 44 backup crew ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Timothy Peake (left), Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (ROSCOSMOS) (center), and NASA astronaut Timothy L. Kopra .

Implementing the European Neutron Monitor Service for the ESA SSA Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mavromichalaki, H.; Papaioannou, A.; Souvatzoglou, G.; Dimitroulakos, J.; Paschalis, P.; Gerontidou, M.; Sarlanis, Ch.

2013-09-01

Ground level enhancements (GLEs) are observed as significant intensity increases at neutron monitor measurements, followed by an intense solar flare and/or a very energetic coronal mass ejection. Due to their space weather impact it is crucial to establish a real-time operational system that would be in place to issue reliable and timely GLE Alerts. Such a Neutron Monitor Service that will be made available via the Space Weather Portal operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), under the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Program, is currently under development. The ESA Neutron Monitor Service will provide two products: a web interface providing data from multiple Neutron Monitor stations as well as an upgraded GLE Alert. Both services are now under testing and validation and will probably enter to an operational phase next year. The core of this Neutron Monitor Service is the GLE Alert software, and therefore, the main goal of this research effort is to upgrade the existing GLE Alert software and to minimize the probability of false alarms. The ESA Neutron Monitor Service is building upon the infrastructure made available with the implementation of the High-Resolution Neutron Monitor Database (NMDB). In this work the structure of the ESA Neutron Monitor Service, the core of the novel GLE Alert Service and its validation results will be presented and further discussed.

Starting a European Space Agency Sample Analogue Collection for Robotic Exploration Missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, C. L.; Mavris, C.; Michalski, J. R.; Rumsey, M. S.; Russell, S. S.; Jones, C.; Schroeven-Deceuninck, H.

2015-12-01

The Natural History Museum is working closely with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency to develop a European collection of analogue materials with appropriate physical/mechanical and chemical (mineralogical) properties which can support the development and verification of both spacecraft and scientific systems for potential science and exploration missions to Phobos/Deimos, Mars, C-type asteroids and the Moon. As an ESA Collection it will be housed at the ESA Centre based at Harwell, UK. The "ESA Sample Analogues Collection" will be composed of both natural and artificial materials chosen to (as closely as possible) replicate the surfaces and near-surfaces of different Solar System target bodies of exploration interest. The analogue samples will be fully characterised in terms of both their physical/mechanical properties (compressive strength, bulk density, grain shape, grain size, cohesion and angle of internal friction) and their chemical/mineralogical properties (texture, modal mineralogy, bulk chemical composition - major, minor and trace elements and individual mineralogical compositions). The Collection will be fully curated to international standards including implementation of a user-friendly database and will be available for use by engineers and scientists across the UK and Europe. Enhancement of the initial Collection will be possible through collaborations with other ESA and UK Space Agency supported activities, such as the acquisition of new samples during field trials.

Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agents and Survival in End-Stage Renal Disease: Comparison of Payment Policy Analysis, Instrumental Variables, and Multiple Imputation of Potential Outcomes

PubMed Central

Dore, David D.; Swaminathan, Shailender; Gutman, Roee; Trivedi, Amal N.; Mor, Vincent

2013-01-01

Objective To compare the assumptions and estimands across three approaches to estimating the effect of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) on mortality. Study Design and Setting Using data from the Renal Management Information System, we conducted two analyses utilizing a change to bundled payment that we hypothesized mimicked random assignment to ESA (pre-post, difference-in-difference, and instrumental variable analyses). A third analysis was based on multiply imputing potential outcomes using propensity scores. Results There were 311,087 recipients of ESAs and 13,095 non-recipients. In the pre-post comparison, we identified no clear relationship between bundled payment (measured by calendar time) and the incidence of death within six months (risk difference -1.5%; 95% CI - 7.0% to 4.0%). In the instrumental variable analysis, the risk of mortality was similar among ESA recipients (risk difference -0.9%; 95% CI -2.1 to 0.3). In the multiple imputation analysis, we observed a 4.2% (95% CI 3.4% to 4.9%) absolute reduction in mortality risk with use of ESAs, but closer to the null for patients with baseline hematocrit >36%. Conclusion Methods emanating from different disciplines often rely on different assumptions, but can be informative about a similar causal contrast. The implications of these distinct approaches are discussed. PMID:23849152

Rasch Analysis of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System.

PubMed

Sprague, Emma; Siegert, Richard J; Medvedev, Oleg; Roberts, Margaret H

2018-05-01

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) is a widely used multisymptom assessment tool in cancer and palliative care settings, but its psychometric properties have not been widely tested using modern psychometric methods such as Rasch analysis. To apply Rasch analysis to the ESAS in a community palliative care setting and determine its suitability for assessing symptom burden in this group. ESAS data collected from 229 patients enrolled in a community hospice service were evaluated using a partial credit Rasch model with RUMM2030 software (RUMM Laboratory Pty, Ltd., Duncraig, WA). Where disordered thresholds were discovered, item rescoring was undertaken. Rasch model fit and differential item functioning were evaluated after each iterative phase. Uniform rescoring was necessary for all 12 items to display ordered thresholds. The best model fit was achieved after item rescoring and combining three pairs of locally dependent items into three superitems (χ 2  = 29.56 [27]; P = 0.33) that permitted ordinal-to-interval conversion. The ESAS satisfied unidimensional Rasch model expectations in a 12-item format after minor modifications. This included uniform rescoring of the disordered response categories and creating superitems to improve model fit and clinical utility. The accuracy of the ESAS scores can be improved by using ordinal-to-interval conversion tables published in the article. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Predictive factors for anemia response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in myelofibrosis.

PubMed

Hernández-Boluda, Juan-Carlos; Correa, Juan-Gonzalo; García-Delgado, Regina; Martínez-López, Joaquín; Alvarez-Larrán, Alberto; Fox, María-Laura; García-Gutiérrez, Valentín; Pérez-Encinas, Manuel; Ferrer-Marín, Francisca; Mata-Vázquez, María-Isabel; Raya, José-María; Estrada, Natalia; García, Silvia; Kerguelen, Ana; Durán, María-Antonia; Albors, Manuel; Cervantes, Francisco

2017-04-01

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are commonly used to treat the anemia of myelofibrosis (MF), but information on the predictors of response is limited. Results of ESA therapy were analyzed in 163 MF patients with severe anemia, most of whom had inadequate erythropoietin (EPO) levels (<125 U/L) at treatment start. According to the revised criteria of the International Working Group for Myelofibrosis Treatment and Research, anemia response was achieved in 86 patients (53%). Median response duration was 19.3 months. In multivariate analysis, baseline factors associated with a higher response rate were female sex (P=.007), leukocyte count ≥10×10 9 /L (P=.033), and serum ferritin <200 ng/mL (P=.002). Patients with 2 or 3 of the above features had a significantly higher response rate than the remainder (73% vs 28%, respectively; P<.001). Over the 373 patient-years of follow-up on ESA treatment, nine patients developed thrombotic complications (six arterial, three venous), accounting for 2.41 events per 100 patient-years. Survival time from ESA start was longer in anemia responders than in non-responders (P=.011). Besides the already established predictive value of EPO levels, these data can help to identify which MF patients are more likely to benefit from ESA treatment. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Endangered Species Act: Interfacing with Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides protective measures and a framework for establishing compliance criteria for actions that may affect species (and their habitat) listed under the Act. In many cases, the ESA can be effectively used under Section & of the Act, which provides procedures for c...

75 FR 69701 - Endangered Species; Receipt of Applications for Permit

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-15

... endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits activities with listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. The ESA laws require that we invite...] Endangered Species; Receipt of Applications for Permit AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION...

14 CFR § 1214.201 - Definition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Definition. § 1214.201 Section § 1214.201 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION SPACE FLIGHT Reimbursement for Shuttle... have made substantial investment in the STS program, i.e., European Space Agency (ESA), ESA member or...

Ice-shelf Dynamics Near the Front of Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica, Revealed by SAR Interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rignot, E.; MacAyeal, D. R.

1998-01-01

Fifteen synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images of the Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica, obtained by the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Earth Remote Sensing satellites (ERS) 1 & 2 are used to study ice-shelf dynamics near two ends of the iceberg-calving front.

Evaluating soil moisture retrievals from ESA's SMOS and NASA's SMAP brightness temperature datasets

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Two satellites are currently monitoring surface soil moisture (SM) from L-band observations: SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity), a European Space Agency (ESA) satellite that was launched on November 2, 2009 and SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive), a National Aeronautics and Space Administration...

DeWinne of ESA works with experiments housed in the MSG in the U.S. Laboratory

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-11-01

ISS005-E-19073 (1 November 2002) --- Belgian Soyuz 5 Flight Engineer Frank DeWinne, of the European Space Agency (ESA), works with experiments housed in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS).

14 CFR 1214.204 - Patent and data rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Patent and data rights. 1214.204 Section... Substantial Investment in the STS Program § 1214.204 Patent and data rights. (a) When accommodating missions under this subpart, i.e., experimental science or experimental applications missions for ESA, ESA member...

14 CFR 1214.204 - Patent and data rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Patent and data rights. 1214.204 Section... Substantial Investment in the STS Program § 1214.204 Patent and data rights. (a) When accommodating missions under this subpart, i.e., experimental science or experimental applications missions for ESA, ESA member...

Education Savings Accounts: Key Provisions and State Variations. Education Trends

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Railey, Hunter

2016-01-01

In 2011, the Arizona State Legislature adopted a law creating the first education savings account (ESA) in the United States. Following Arizona's lead, several other states, including Florida Tennessee,Mississippi and Nevada, have implemented ESA policies. Typical eligibility requirements include conditions such as a pupil's diagnosed disability,…

76 FR 61344 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-04

... and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS... to the ESA and NMFS regulations (50 CFR parts 222-226) governing listed fish and wildlife permits... fish captured. Permit 15824 does not authorize any non- lethal or lethal take of adult ESA-listed...

Creative Work: The Case of Charles Darwin.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gruber, Howard E.; Wallace, Doris B.

2001-01-01

Describes the evolving systems approach (ESA) to creative work, which emerged from a case study of Charles Darwin. Explains how the ESA differs from other approaches and describes various facets of creative work (networks of enterprise, uniqueness, insight, pluralism, and evolving belief systems and ensembles of metaphor). Emphasizes the…

NOVEL CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEPARATION AND CARBON SOLID PHASE EXTRACTION OF ACETANILIDE HERBICIDE DEGRADATION PRODUCTS

EPA Science Inventory

Six acetanilide herbicides are currently registered for use in the U.S. Over the past several years, ethanesufonic acid (ESA) and oxanilic acid (OA) degradatoin products of these acetanilide herbicides have been found in U.S. ground waters and surface waters. "Alachlor ESA and ...

14 CFR 1214.204 - Patent and data rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Patent and data rights. 1214.204 Section... Substantial Investment in the STS Program § 1214.204 Patent and data rights. (a) When accommodating missions under this subpart, i.e., experimental science or experimental applications missions for ESA, ESA member...

ESA airborne campaigns in support of Earth Explorers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casal, Tania; Davidson, Malcolm; Schuettemeyer, Dirk; Perrera, Andrea; Bianchi, Remo

2013-04-01

In the framework of its Earth Observation Programmes the European Space Agency (ESA) carries out ground based and airborne campaigns to support geophysical algorithm development, calibration/validation, simulation of future spaceborne earth observation missions, and applications development related to land, oceans and atmosphere. ESA has been conducting airborne and ground measurements campaigns since 1981 by deploying a broad range of active and passive instrumentation in both the optical and microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum such as lidars, limb/nadir sounding interferometers/spectrometers, high-resolution spectral imagers, advanced synthetic aperture radars, altimeters and radiometers. These campaigns take place inside and outside Europe in collaboration with national research organisations in the ESA member states as well as with international organisations harmonising European campaign activities. ESA campaigns address all phases of a spaceborne missions, from the very beginning of the design phase during which exploratory or proof-of-concept campaigns are carried out to the post-launch exploitation phase for calibration and validation. We present four recent campaigns illustrating the objectives and implementation of such campaigns. Wavemill Proof Of Concept, an exploratory campaign to demonstrate feasibility of a future Earth Explorer (EE) mission, took place in October 2011 in the Liverpool Bay area in the UK. The main objectives, successfully achieved, were to test Astrium UKs new airborne X-band SAR instrument capability to obtain high resolution ocean current and topology retrievals. Results showed that new airborne instrument is able to retrieve ocean currents to an accuracy of ± 10 cms-1. The IceSAR2012 campaign was set up to support of ESA's EE Candidate 7,BIOMASS. Its main objective was to document P-band radiometric signatures over ice-sheets, by upgrading ESA's airborne POLARIS P-band radar ice sounder with SAR capability. Campaign comprised three airborne campaigns in Greenland from April to June 2012 separated by roughly one month and preliminary results showed the instrument capability to detect ice motion. CryoVEx 2012 was a large collaborative effort to help ensure the accuracy of ESA's ice mission CryoSat. The aim of this large-scale Arctic campaign was to record sea-ice thickness and conditions of the ice exactly below the CryoSat-2 path. A range of sensors installed on different aircraft included simple cameras to get a visual record of the sea ice, laser scanners to clearly map the height of the ice, an ice-thickness sensor (EM-Bird), ESA's radar altimeter (ASIRAS) and NASA's snow and Ku-band radars, which mimic CryoSat's measurements but at a higher resolution. Preliminary results reveal the ability to detect centimetre differences between sea-ice and thin ice/water which in turn allow for the estimation of actual sea ice thickness. In support of two currently operating EE Missions: SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) and GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer), DOMECair airborne campaign will take place in Antarctica, in the Dome C region during the middle of January 2013. The two main objectives are to quantify and document the spatial variability in the DOME C area, important to establish long-term cross-calibrated multi-mission L-band measurement time-series (SMOS) and fill in the gap in the high-quality gravity anomaly maps in Antarctica since airborne gravity measurements are sparse (GOCE). Key airborne instruments in the campaign are EMIRAD-2 L-band radiometer, designed and operated by DTU and a gravimeter from AWI. ESA campaigns have been fundamental and an essential part in the preparation of new Earth Observation missions, as well as in the independent validation of their measurements and quantification of error sources. For the different activities a rich variety of datasets has been recorded, are archived and users can access campaign data through the EOPI web portal [http://eopi.esa.int].

A Unique test for Hubble's new Solar Arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2000-10-01

In mid-October, a team from the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA will perform a difficult, never-before-done test on one of the Hubble Space Telescope's new solar array panels. Two of these panels, or arrays, will be installed by astronauts in November 2001, when the Space Shuttle Columbia visits Hubble on a routine service mission. The test will ensure that the new arrays are solid and vibration free before they are installed on orbit. The test will be conducted at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Because of the array's size, the facility's special features, and ESA's longstanding experience with Hubble's solar arrays, ESTEC is the only place in the world the test can be performed. This test is the latest chapter in a longstanding partnership between ESA and NASA on the Hubble Space Telescope. The Large Space Simulator at ESTEC, ESA's world-class test facility, features a huge vacuum chamber containing a bank of extremely bright lights that simulate the Sun's intensity - including sunrise and sunset. By exposing the solar wing to the light and temperature extremes of Hubble's orbit, engineers can verify how the new set of arrays will act in space. Hubble orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes. During each orbit, the telescope experiences 45 minutes of searing sunlight and 45 minutes of frigid darkness. This test will detect any tiny vibrations, or jitters, caused by these dramatic, repeated changes. Even a small amount of jitter can affect Hubble's sensitive instruments and interfere with observations. Hubble's first set of solar arrays experienced mild jitter and was replaced in 1993 with a much more stable pair. Since that time, advances in solar cell technology have led to the development of even more efficient arrays. In 2001, NASA will take advantage of these improvements, by fitting Hubble with a third-generation set of arrays. Though smaller, this new set generates more power than the previous pairs. The arrays use high efficiency solar cells and an advanced structural system to support the solar panels. Unlike the earlier sets, which roll up like window shades, the new arrays are rigid. ESA provided Hubble's first two sets of solar arrays, and built and tested the motors and electronics of the new set provided by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Now, this NASA/ESA test has benefits that extend beyond Hubble to the world-wide aerospace community. It will greatly expand basic knowledge of the jitter phenomenon. Engineers across the globe can apply these findings to other spacecraft that are subjected to regular, dramatic changes in sunlight and temperature. Note to editors The Hubble Project The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international co-operation between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The partnership agreement between ESA and NASA was signed on 7 October 1977. ESA has provided two pairs of solar panels and one of Hubble's scientific instruments (the Faint Object Camera), as well as a number of other components and supports NASA during routine Servicing Missions to the telescope. In addition, 15 European scientists are working at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore (STScI), which is responsible for the scientific operation of the Hubble Observatory and is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) for NASA. In return, European astronomers have guaranteed access to 15% of Hubble's observing time. The Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility (ST-ECF) hosted at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Garching bei München, Germany, supports European Hubble users. ESA and ESO jointly operate the ST-ECF.

Hubble gets revitalised in new Servicing Mission for more and better science!

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2002-02-01

As a unique collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA, Hubble has had a phenomenal scientific impact. The unsurpassed sharp images from this space observatory have penetrated into the hidden depths of space and revealed breathtaking phenomena. But Hubble's important contributions to science have only been possible through a carefully planned strategy to service and upgrade Hubble every two or three years. ESA, the European Space Agency has a particular role to play in this Servicing Mission. One of the most exciting events of this mission will come when the ESA-built solar panels are replaced by newer and more powerful ones. The new panels, developed in the US, are equipped with ESA developed drive mechanisms and were tested at the facilities at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. This facility is the only place in the world where such tests can be performed. According to Ton Linssen, HST Project Manager at ESA, who supervised all ESA involvement in the new solar panels development including the test campaign at Estec - "a particularly tense moment occurs when the present solar panels have to be rolled up to fit into the Shuttle's cargo bay. The hard environment of space has taken its toll on the panels and it will be a very delicate operation to roll them up. Our team will be waiting and watching with bated breath. If the panels can't be rolled up they will possibly have to be left in space." "With this Servicing Mission Hubble is once again going to be brought back to the frontline of scientific technology", says Piero Benvenuti, Hubble Project Scientist at ESA. "New super-advanced instrumentation will revitalise the observatory. For example, Hubble's new digital camera - The new Advanced Camera for Surveys, or ACS - can take images of twice the area of the sky and with five times the sensitivity of Hubble's previous instruments, therefore increasing by ten times Hubble's discovery capability! The European astronomers look forward to use the new camera and perform new science building on the great breakthroughs they have already achieved." ACS is going to replace the Faint Object Camera, or FOC, built by ESA. The FOC, which has functioned perfectly since the beginning, has been a key instrument to get the best out of the unprecedented imaging capability of Hubble. The FOC was a "state-of-the art" instrument in the 80s, but the field of digital imaging has progressed so much in the past 20 years that, having fulfilled its scientific goals, this ESA flagship on Hubble is chivalrously giving way to newer technology. However, the story of FOC is not over yet: experts will still learn from it, as it will be brought back to Earth and inspected, to study the effects on the hardware of the long duration exposure in space. Hubble is expected to continue to explore the sky during the next decade, after which its work will be taken over by its successor, the powerful ESA/NASA/CSA(*) Next Generation Space Telescope. NGST's main focus will be observations of the faint infrared light from the first stars and galaxies in the Universe. Notes for editors The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international co-operation between ESA and NASA. It was launched in 1990. The partnership agreement between ESA and NASA was signed on 7 October 1977; as a result of this agreement European astronomers have guaranteed access to more than 20% of Hubble's observing time. Astronauts have already paid visits to Hubble in 1993, '97, '99 and now, in the spring of 2002, it is time for the fourth Servicing Mission (named Servicing Mission 3B), planned for launch on 28th February. Originally planned as one mission, the third Servicing Mission was split into two parts (Servicing Mission 3A and 3B) because of the sheer number of tasks to be carried out and the urgency with which Hubble's gyroscopes had to be replaced in late '99. In addition to the new solar panels and the ACS camera, astronauts will install a very high-tech cooling system for Hubble's infrared camera, NICMOS. NICMOS has been dormant since 1999 when it ran out of coolant. The new cooling system is a mechanical cooler, and works like an advanced refrigerator. Servicing Mission 3B will also include other maintenance tasks. Altogether five extensive space walks are planned.

Sub-millimetre-wave and far infrared ESA missions with a focus on antenna technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Maagt, Peter; Polegre, Arturo; Crone, Gerry

2017-11-01

The are of (sub)millimetre wave and far-infrared antenna technology is a very dynamic sector in electromagnetics. Several future ESA missions have been planned and their requirements are pushing the limits of existing technologies. Feasibility studies have provided baseline concepts, which have helped to grasp the main features of these instruments and to identify their critical aspects. A number of scientific and technical activities have then followed, dedicated to specific topics. The paper discusses (sub)millimetre wave and far-infrared Earth observation and astronomical instruments. Furthermore, generic technology work carried out in the frame of ESA contracts, applicable to this frequency range, is reported on.

NASA's experience in the international exchange of scientific and technical information in the aerospace field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thibideau, Philip A.

1990-01-01

The early NASA international scientific and technical information exchange arrangements were usually detailed in correspondence with the librarians of the institutions involved. While this type of exchange grew to include some 200 organizations in 43 countries, NASA's main focus shifted to the relationship with the European Space Agency (ESA), which began in 1964. The NASA/ESA Tripartite Exchange Program provides more than 4000 technical reports from the NASA-produced Aerospace Database. The experience in the evolving cooperation between NASA and ESA has established the model for more recent exchange agreements with Israel, Australia, and Canada. The results of these agreements are made available to participating European organizations through the NASA File.

Evolution of ESA's SSA Conjunction Prediction Service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escobar, D.; Sancho, A. Tirado, J.; Agueda, A.; Martin, L.; Luque, F.; Fletcher, E.; Navarro, V.

2013-08-01

This paper presents the recent evolution of ESA's SSA Conjunction Prediction Service (CPS) as a result of an on-going activity in the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Segment of ESA's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Programme. The CPS is one of a number of precursor services being developed as part of the SST segment. It has been implemented as a service to provide external users with web-based access to conjunction information and designed with a service-oriented architecture. The paper encompasses the following topics: service functionality enhancements, integration with a live objects catalogue, all vs. all analyses supporting an operational concept based on low and high fidelity screenings, and finally conjunction detection and probability algorithms.

The ESA Hubble 15th Anniversary Campaign: A Trans-European collaboration project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zoulias, Manolis; Christensen, Lars Lindberg; Kornmesser, Martin

2006-08-01

On April 24th 2005, NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope had been in orbit for 15 years. The anniversary was celebrated by ESA with the production of an 83 min. scientific movie and a 120 pages book, both titled ``Hubble, 15 years of discovery''. In order to cross language and distribution barriers a network of 16 translators and 22 partners from more than 10 countries was established. The DVD was distributed in approximately 700,000 copies throughout Europe. The project was amongst the largest of its kind with respect to collaboration, distribution and audience impact. It clearly demonstrated how international collaboration can produce effective cross-cultural educational and outreach products for astronomy.

International aerospaceplane efforts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindley, Charles A.

1992-01-01

Although the U.S. began the first reusable space booster effort in the late 1950's, it is no longer an exclusive field. All of the technologically advanced nations, and several groups of nations, have one or more reusable booster efforts in progress. A listing of the entries in the field is presented. The list is somewhat misleading, because it includes both fully reusable and partially reusable boosters, both manned and unmanned, and both flight test and operational proposals. Additionally, not all of the projects are funded, and only a few of the projects will survive. The most likely candidates are the following: France/ESA, Germany/ESA, Great Britain/ESA/(USSR), USSR(past), and Japan. A discussion of the preceding projects is provided.

NASA and ESA Collaboration on Hexavalent Chrome Alternatives: Pretreatments Only Final Test Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kessel, Kurt R.

2015-01-01

Hexavalent chromium (hex chrome or CR(VI)) is a widely used element within applied coating systems because of its self-healing and corrosion-resistant properties. The replacement of hex chrome in the processing of aluminum for aviation and aerospace applications remains a goal of great significance. Aluminum is the major manufacturing material of structures and components in the space flight arena. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are engaged in a collaborative effort to test and evaluate alternatives to hexavalent chromium containing corrosion coating systems. NASA and ESA share common risks related to material obsolescence associated with hexavalent chromium used in corrosion-resistant coatings.

78 FR 4836 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-23

...NMFS has evaluated the Tribal Resource Management Plan (Plan) submitted by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Tribes) to NMFS pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions conducted under the Tribal Rule of section 4(d) for salmon and steelhead promulgated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The plan specifies fishery management activities in the Salmon River sub basin of Idaho. This document serves to notify the public that NMFS, by delegated authority from the Secretary of Commerce, has determined pursuant to the ESA Tribal 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead that implementing and enforcing the Plan will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of ESA-listed salmon and steelhead.

77 FR 9896 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Application and Reports for Scientific Research...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-21

... the Endangered Species Act AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce... extension of a currently approved information collection. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) imposed prohibitions against the taking of endangered species. Section 10 of the ESA...

Employability Skills Assessment: Measuring Work Ethic for Research and Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, HwaChoon; Hill, Roger B.

2016-01-01

The Employability Skills Assessment (ESA) was developed by Hill (1995) to provide an alternative measure of work ethic needed for success in employment. This study tested goodness-of-fit for a model used to interpret ESA results. The model had three factors: interpersonal skills, initiative, and dependability. Confirmatory factor analysis results…

75 FR 60721 - Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Implementing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-01

... Impact Statement (PEIS) to analyze the environmental impacts of implementing specific management actions... responsible for management of Hawaiian monk seals, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et... to levels at which ESA protection is no longer needed. Research, enhancement, and management...

76 FR 14883 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Proposed Threatened Status for Distinct Population Segments of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-18

... the Bearded Seal AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric... bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA... bearded seal as threatened under the ESA. Based on the status of these DPSs, we also proposed protective...

Distributed Energy Implementation Options

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shah, Chandralata N

2017-09-13

This presentation covers the options for implementing distributed energy projects. It distinguishes between options available for distributed energy that is government owned versus privately owned, with a focus on the privately owned options including Energy Savings Performance Contract Energy Sales Agreements (ESPC ESAs). The presentation covers the new ESPC ESA Toolkit and other Federal Energy Management Program resources.

iss047e038968

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-04-05

ISS047e038968 (04/05/2016) --- ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tim Peake operates the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES) equipment inside the Columbus module. MARES is an ESA system that will be used for research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular human physiology to better understand the effects of microgravity on the muscular system.

48 CFR 522.805 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... OFCCP regional office. A list of these offices can be found at http://www.dol.gov/esa/contacts/ofccp/ofcpkeyp.htm. (c) The EEO poster required by FAR 22.805(b) can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs... contracting officer shall advise contractors to complete the Employer Information Report (EEO-1) at http://www...

14 CFR § 1214.204 - Patent and data rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Patent and data rights. § 1214.204 Section... Substantial Investment in the STS Program § 1214.204 Patent and data rights. (a) When accommodating missions under this subpart, i.e., experimental science or experimental applications missions for ESA, ESA member...

STS-9 and Spacelab 1. NASA Educational Briefs for the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC.

Designed for classroom use, this publication provides an overview of the first Space Shuttle/Spacelab mission, a cooperative venture between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The main purpose of ESA's Spacelab, which will be carried aboard NASA's Space Shuttle (technically called the…

ESASky: a new Astronomy Multi-Mission Interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baines, D.; Merin, B.; Salgado, J.; Giordano, F.; Sarmiento, M.; Lopez Marti, B.; Racero, E.; Gutierrez, R.; De Teodoro, P.; Nieto, S.

2016-06-01

ESA is working on a science-driven discovery portal for all its astronomy missions at ESAC called ESASky. The first public release of this service will be shown, featuring interfaces for sky exploration and for single and multiple targets. It requires no operational knowledge of any of the missions involved. A first public beta release took place in October 2015 and gives users world-wide simplified access to high-level science-ready data products from ESA Astronomy missions plus a number of ESA-produced source catalogues. XMM-Newton data, metadata and products were some of the first to be accessible through ESASky. In the next decade, ESASky aims to include not only ESA missions but also access to data from other space and ground-based astronomy missions and observatories. From a technical point of view, ESASky is a web application that offers all-sky projections of full mission datasets using a new-generation HEALPix projection called HiPS; detailed geometrical footprints to connect all-sky mosaics to individual observations; direct access to the underlying mission-specific science archives and catalogues. The poster will be accompanied by a demo booth at the conference.

Benefits of ESA Gravity-Related Hands-on Programmes for University Students' Careers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Callens, Natacha; Ha, Lily; Galeone, Piero

2016-10-01

The Education Office of the European Space Agency (ESA) offers university students, from ESA Member and Cooperating States, the opportunity to perform investigations in physical sciences, life sciences, and technology, under different gravity conditions through three educational programmes. The "Fly Your Thesis!" (FYT) programme makes use of parabolic flights and the "Drop Your Thesis!" (DYT) programme utilizes a drop tower as microgravity carriers, while the "Spin Your Thesis!" (SYT) programme uses a large centrifuge to create hypergravity. To date, more than hundred university students had the chance to participate in the design, development, and performance of one or more experiments during dedicated campaigns. In the following paper, we examine demographics of past participants of the ESA Education Office gravity-related opportunities over the past seven years and evaluate the benefits of these educational programmes for the participants' studies and careers. Student teams that participated in one of the programmes between 2009 and 2013 were contacted to fill in a questionnaire. The feedback from the students demonstrate significant benefits extending far beyond the primary educational objectives of these programmes.

ESA and the arts: A programme in the making

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raitt, David

2007-01-01

Space exploration is arguably the greatest voyage of discovery ever undertaken and just as artists have traditionally accompanied the great ocean and land voyages of the past, so artists have been and are at the forefront of space voyages of the future. Increasingly, the European Space Agency (ESA) is being asked to support or participate in artistic and cultural events, largely as a result of its study into science fiction literature and artwork. The paper first gives an overview of the relationship between space and art by discussing art that has been sent into space, orbital sculptures, art on Earth seen from space, and performance art and dance in zero gravity. The paper then provides an update on ESA's involvement in some activities in this domain including the organization of science fiction and space art exhibitions, workshops and competitions, and a recently launched study into how ESA might use the European components of the International Space Station for artistic and cultural events to enable the public to better share the human experience of space missions and interact with the sights and sounds of space.

Extreme natural acidification in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf: Effects of permafrost thawing and seawater freshening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semiletov, I. P.; Pipko, I.; Gustafsson, O.; Anderson, L. G.; Sergienko, V.; Pugach, S.; Dudarev, O.; Charkin, A. N.; Gukov, A.; Bröder, L.; Andersson, A.; Shakhova, N. E.

2015-12-01

Ocean acidification (OA) is a direct, fast, and strong effect of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2), which is challenging marine ecosystems and carbon cycling. The Arctic Ocean is particularly sensitive and exhibits the highest levels of OA (lowest pH) because more CO2 can dissolve in cold water. We here use decadal data to show that extreme and extensive OA in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) is caused not by direct uptake of atmospheric CO2 but rather by naturally-driven processes: carbon mobilization from thawing coastal permafrost/coastal ice complexes, and freshening due to growing Arctic river runoff and ice melt, which transport carbon along with freshwater to the ESAS. These processes compose a unique acidifying phenomenon that causes persistent, and potentially increasing, aragonite under-saturation of the entire water column. Extreme aragonite under-saturation in the western near-shore ESAS is associated with >80% depression of the total calcifying benthic biomass. Massive OA on the ESAS, the largest sea shelf system of the World Ocean, illustrates the complexity of the Earth system interacting with increasing anthropogenic pressure.

The Changing Earth Science Network- Projects and Results from the First Call

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dransfeld, Steffen; Fernandez, Diego; Doron, Maeva; Martinez, Elodie; Shutler, Jamie; Papandrea, Enzo; Biggs, Juliet; Dagestad, Knut-Frode; Palazzi, Elisa; Garcia-Comas, Maya; de Graaf, Martin; Schneising, Oliver; Pavon, Patricia Oliva

2010-12-01

To better understand the different processes and interactions that govern the earth system and to determine whether recent human-induced changes could ultimately de-stabilise its dynamics, both natural system variability and the consequences of human activities have to be observed and quantified. In this context, the European Space Agency published in 2006 "The Changing Earth: New Scientific Challenges for ESA's living Planet Programme" as the main driver of ESA's new EO science strategy. The document outlines 25 major scientific challenges covering all the different aspects of the Earth system, where EO technology and ESA missions may provide a key contribution. In this context, and responding to a request from ESAC (Earth Science Advisory Committee) to enhance the ESA scientific support towards the achievement of "The Challenges", the Agency has launched the Changing Earth Science Network as an important programmatic component of the new Support To Science Element (STSE) of the Earth Observation Envelope Programme (EOEP). In this paper we summarize the objectives of this initive and provide a review of the first projects that were selected in 2009 and are now generating their first results.

The Oxford Questionnaire on the Emotional Side-effects of Antidepressants (OQuESA): development, validity, reliability and sensitivity to change.

PubMed

Price, Jonathan; Cole, Victoria; Doll, Helen; Goodwin, Guy M

2012-09-01

Some patients with major depression report a restricted range of emotions that may appear to arise as a side-effect of treatment with antidepressants. It is uncertain whether this phenomenon, sometimes called emotional blunting, represents residual symptoms of depression or side-effects of antidepressant treatment. There is currently no adequate instrument to measure this phenomenon. A draft questionnaire was developed from patient-derived qualitative data, refined using cognitive interviewing, and administered on three occasions to patients taking antidepressants. Statistical methods including factor analysis were used to reduce the size of the draft questionnaire, and to assess the performance of the resulting Oxford Questionnaire on the Emotional Side-effects of Antidepressants (OQuESA). 207 patients completed the OQuESA on at least one occasion. Their BDI-II scores and self-reported emotional blunting were spread across the possible range. The factor analysis resulted in four dimensions: 'not caring', 'emotional detachment', 'reduction in positive emotions', and 'general reduction in emotions'. The OQuESA appears to be acceptable, valid, and reliable, with sensitivity to change. The OQuESA offers promise as an effective self-report measure of the symptoms of emotional blunting in patients with depression. It can be used as a clinical tool, to facilitate the identification of patients with the syndrome of emotional blunting. It should also be used in research studies, to advance our understanding of the nature, causes and treatment of this phenomenon. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Threatened and endangered species: at what cost? The corps of engineers looks at expenditures and priorities.

PubMed

Henderson, Jim E; Smith, Jennifer M

2007-01-01

Current political conditions, primarily budgetary uncertainty, and the related reluctance to make funding commitments for future generations, have raised questions about the costs of conservation and environmental protection that have not previously been asked. As Federal investments are scrutinized and budgets become ever more constrained, the costs associated with environmental requirements could begin to be of greater importance and to influence decisions on Federal projects. In response to concerns about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) spending under the Endangered Species Act (P.L. 93-205) (ESA), a limited investigation was performed to determine the accuracy of reported Corps expenditures. The investigation showed that, for particular groups of species, actual conservation costs for threatened and endangered species may be twice the amounts previously reported in the annual ESA expenditure reporting to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In light of this finding, the Corps has sought a means to provide more accurate and consistent reporting of expenditures for addressing threatened and endangered species. A Species Costs Template (template) has been developed to identify the types and magnitude of costs related to the ESA and to counteract the impediments (legal, institutional, and practical) to underreporting costs. The template will be used by the Corps for reporting ESA costs beginning with Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05) (reported in January 2006). Five broad categories of expenditures (effects determination costs, ESA protection and conservation costs, equipment costs, opportunity costs, and other species costs) are identified by the template.

Lunar Exploration and Science in ESA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpenter, James; Houdou, Bérengère; Fisackerly, Richard; De Rosa, Diego; Patti, Bernardo; Schiemann, Jens; Hufenbach, Bernhard; Foing, Bernard

2015-04-01

ESA seeks to provide Europe with access to the lunar surface, and allow Europeans to benefit from the opening up of this new frontier, as part of a global endeavor. This will be best achieved through an exploration programme which combines the strengths and capabilities of both robotic and human explorers. ESA is preparing for future participation in lunar exploration through a combination of human and robotic activities, in cooperation with international partners. Future planned activities include the contribution of key technological capabilities to the Russian led robotic missions, Luna-Glob, Luna-Resurs orbiter and Luna-Resurs lander. For the Luna-Resurs lander ESA will provide analytical capabilities to compliment the Russian led science payload, focusing on developing an characterising the resource opportunities offered at the lunar surface. This should be followed by the contributions at the level of mission elements to a Lunar Polar Sample Return mission. These robotic activities are being performed with a view to enabling a future more comprehensive programme in which robotic and human activities are integrated to provide the maximum benefits from lunar surface access. Activities on the ISS and ESA participation to the US led Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, which is planned for a first unmanned lunar flight in 2017, are also important steps towards achieving this. In the frame of a broader future international programme under discussion through the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) future missions are under investigation that would provide access to the lunar surface through international cooperation and human-robotic partnerships.

Effects of Erythropoiesis-stimulating Agents on Intestinal Flora in Peritoneal Fibrosis.

PubMed

Bilici, Muammer; Oz, Ibrahim Ilker; Uygun Ilikhan, Sevil; Borazan, Ali

2017-05-01

This study aimed to investigate the effects of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) on intestinal flora in peritoneal fibrosis. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups as the control group, which received 0.9% saline (3 mL/d) intraperitoneally; the chlorhexidine gluconate (CH) group, which received 3 mL/d injections of 0.1% CH intraperitoneally, and the ESA group, which received 3 mL/d injections of 0.1% CH intraperitoneally and epoetin beta (3 doses of 20 IU/kg/wk) subcutaneously. On the 21st day, the rats were sacrificed and the visceral peritoneum samples were obtained from left liver bowel. Blood samples were obtained from abdominal aorta and intestinal flora samples were obtained from transverse colon. Histopathologically, the CH, ESA, and control groups had peritoneal thickness of 135.4 ± 22.2 µm, 48.6 ± 12.8 µm, and 6.0 ± 2.3 µm, respectively. Escherichia coli was the predominant bacterium in the intestinal flora in the control group. Significant changes in microbial composition of intestinal flora towards Proteus species and Enterobacter species was seen among the groups (P < .001). There was no significant difference between the ESA and CH groups regarding the isolates from blood cultures. However, the bacterial isolates from cultures of intestinal flora among these groups were significantly different (P < .05). Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents change intestinal flora by a clinically significant amount in experimental peritoneal fibrosis. We consider that ESAs achieve this via regulating intestinal peristaltism.

EnviroAtlas - NatureServe Analysis of Imperiled or Federally Listed Species by HUC-12 for the Conterminous United States

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset includes analysis by NatureServe of species that are Imperiled (G1/G2) or Listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) by 12-digit Hydrologic Units (HUCs). The analysis results are for use and publication by both the LandScope America website and by the EnviroAtlas. Results are provided for the total number of Aquatic Associated G1-G2/ESA species, the total number of Wetland Associated G1-G2/ESA species, the total number of Terrestrial Associated G1-G2/ESA species, and the total number of Unknown Habitat Association G1-G2/ESA species in each HUC12. NatureServe is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and providing information about the world's plants, animals, and ecological communities. NatureServe works in partnership with 82 independent Natural Heritage programs and Conservation Data Centers that gather scientific information on rare species and ecosystems in the United States, Latin America, and Canada (the Natural Heritage Network). NatureServe is a leading source for biodiversity information that is essential for effective conservation action. This dataset was produced by NatureServe to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data

On-orbit demonstration of automated closure and capture using ESA-developed proximity operations technologies and an existing, serviceable NASA Explorer Platform spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hohwiesner, Bill; Claudinon, Bernard

1991-01-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) has been working to develop an autonomous rendezvous and docking capability since 1984 to enable Hermes to automatically dock with Columbus. As a result, ESA with Matra, MBB, and other space companies have developed technologies that are also directly supportive of the current NASA initiative for Automated Rendezvous and Capture. Fairchild and Matra would like to discuss the results of the applicable ESA/Matra rendezvous and capture developments, and suggest how these capabilities could be used, together with an existing NASA Explorer Platform satellite, to minimize new development and accomplish a cost effective automatic closure and capture demonstration program. Several RV sensors have been developed at breadboard level for the Hermes/Columbus program by Matra, MBB, and SAAB. Detailed algorithms for automatic rendezvous, closure, and capture have been developed by ESA and CNES for application with Hermes to Columbus rendezvous and docking, and they currently are being verified with closed-loop software simulation. The algorithms have multiple closed-loop control modes and phases starting at long range using GPS navigation. Differential navigation is used for coast/continuous thrust homing, holdpoint acquisition, V-bar hopping, and station point acquisition. The proximity operation sensor is used for final closure and capture. A subset of these algorithms, comprising the proximity operations algorithms, could easily be extracted and tailored to a limited objective closure and capture flight demonstration.

U.S. Geological Survey distribution of European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pieschke, Renee L.

2017-03-31

A partnership established between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) allows for USGS storage and redistribution of images acquired by the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) on the European Union's Sentinel-2 satellite mission. The MSI data are acquired from a pair of satellites, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B, which are part of a larger set of ESA missions focusing on different aspects of Earth observation. The primary purpose of the Sentinel-2 series is to collect multispectral imagery over the Earth’s land surfaces, large islands, and inland and coastal waters. Sentinel-2A was launched in 2015 and Sentinel-2B launched in 2017.The collaborative effort between ESA and USGS provides for public access and redistribution of global acquisitions of Sentinel-2 data at no cost, which allows users to download the MSI imagery from USGS access systems such as Earth- Explorer, in addition to the ESA Sentinels Scientific Data Hub. The MSI sensor acquires 13 spectral bands that are highly complementary to data acquired by the USGS Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+). The product options from USGS include a Full-Resolution Browse (FRB) image product generated by USGS, along with a 100-kilometer (km) by 100-km tile-based Level-1C top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance product that is very similar (but not identical) to the currently (2017) distributed ESA Level 1C product.

The Nature and Variability of Ensemble Sensitivity Fields that Diagnose Severe Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ancell, B. C.

2017-12-01

Ensemble sensitivity analysis (ESA) is a statistical technique that uses information from an ensemble of forecasts to reveal relationships between chosen forecast metrics and the larger atmospheric state at various forecast times. A number of studies have employed ESA from the perspectives of dynamical interpretation, observation targeting, and ensemble subsetting toward improved probabilistic prediction of high-impact events, mostly at synoptic scales. We tested ESA using convective forecast metrics at the 2016 HWT Spring Forecast Experiment to understand the utility of convective ensemble sensitivity fields in improving forecasts of severe convection and its individual hazards. The main purpose of this evaluation was to understand the temporal coherence and general characteristics of convective sensitivity fields toward future use in improving ensemble predictability within an operational framework.The magnitude and coverage of simulated reflectivity, updraft helicity, and surface wind speed were used as response functions, and the sensitivity of these functions to winds, temperatures, geopotential heights, and dew points at different atmospheric levels and at different forecast times were evaluated on a daily basis throughout the HWT Spring Forecast experiment. These sensitivities were calculated within the Texas Tech real-time ensemble system, which possesses 42 members that run twice daily to 48-hr forecast time. Here we summarize both the findings regarding the nature of the sensitivity fields and the evaluation of the participants that reflects their opinions of the utility of operational ESA. The future direction of ESA for operational use will also be discussed.

Improving accessibility and discovery of ESA planetary data through the new planetary science archive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macfarlane, A. J.; Docasal, R.; Rios, C.; Barbarisi, I.; Saiz, J.; Vallejo, F.; Besse, S.; Arviset, C.; Barthelemy, M.; De Marchi, G.; Fraga, D.; Grotheer, E.; Heather, D.; Lim, T.; Martinez, S.; Vallat, C.

2018-01-01

The Planetary Science Archive (PSA) is the European Space Agency's (ESA) repository of science data from all planetary science and exploration missions. The PSA provides access to scientific data sets through various interfaces at http://psa.esa.int. Mostly driven by the evolution of the PDS standards which all new ESA planetary missions shall follow and the need to update the interfaces to the archive, the PSA has undergone an important re-engineering. In order to maximise the scientific exploitation of ESA's planetary data holdings, significant improvements have been made by utilising the latest technologies and implementing widely recognised open standards. To facilitate users in handling and visualising the many products stored in the archive which have spatial data associated, the new PSA supports Geographical Information Systems (GIS) by implementing the standards approved by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). The modernised PSA also attempts to increase interoperability with the international community by implementing recognised planetary science specific protocols such as the PDAP (Planetary Data Access Protocol) and EPN-TAP (EuroPlanet-Table Access Protocol). In this paper we describe some of the methods by which the archive may be accessed and present the challenges that are being faced in consolidating data sets of the older PDS3 version of the standards with the new PDS4 deliveries into a single data model mapping to ensure transparent access to the data for users and services whilst maintaining a high performance.

Clinical Comparison of Conventional and Mobile Endockscope Videocystoscopy Using an Air or Fluid Medium.

PubMed

Dutta, Rahul; Yoon, Renai; Patel, Roshan M; Spradling, Kyle; Okhunov, Zhamshid; Sohn, William; Lee, Hak J; Landman, Jaime; Clayman, Ralph V

2017-06-01

To compare conventional videocystoscopy (CVC) with a novel and affordable (approximately $45) mobile cystoscopy system, the Endockscope (ES). We evaluated the ES system using both fluid (Endockscope-Fluid [ES-F]) and air (Endockscope-Air [ES-A]) to fill the bladder in an effort to expand the global range of flexible cystoscopy. The ES system comprised a portable 1000 lumen LED self-contained cordless light source and a three-dimensional printed adaptor that connects a mobile phone to a flexible fiber-optic cystoscope. Patients undergoing in-office cystoscopic evaluation for either stent removal or bladder cancer surveillance received three examinations: conventional, ES-F, and ES-A cystoscopy. Videos of each examination were recorded and analyzed by expert endoscopists for image quality/resolution, brightness, color quality, sharpness, overall quality, and whether or not they were acceptable for diagnostic purposes. Six of the 10 patients for whom the conventional videos were 100% acceptable for diagnostic purposes were included in our analysis. The conventional videos scored higher on every metric relative to both the ES-F and ES-A videos (p < 0.05). There was no difference between ES-F and ES-A videos on any metric. Fifty-two percent and 44% of the ES-F and ES-A videos, respectively, were considered acceptable for diagnostic purposes (p = 0.384). The ES mobile cystoscopy system may be a reasonable option in settings where electricity, sterile fluid irrigant, or access to CVC equipment is unavailable.

A bioeconomic perspective on the Endangered Species Act

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salau, K. R.; Fenichel, E. P.

2012-12-01

Habitat destruction threatens species existence and has recently accelerated due to population growth, urban sprawl, agricultural development and other profitable land conversions on public and private lands. To exacerbate this issue, the public good nature of species existence creates strong incentives for landowners to engage in free-riding behavior and forego conservation on managed lands. To reverse these negative effects, the United States Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973 to create a set of rules for planning government intervention to protect dwindling fish, wildlife, and plant populations and create a platform for recovery and conservation. The ESA is quite explicit about how to make tradeoffs when listing a species as threatened or endangered - only evaluation of biological risks faced are considered. But the act is unclear about what information can or should be used when determining delisting criteria for endangered species. The ESA mandates federal participation in conservation and, in many cases, agencies must curtail socially beneficial activities (e.g. grazing, renewable energy development, mining, military training) in order to meet species recovery objectives. As funding for conservation on federal lands is limited, this creates an implicit tradeoff between recovering species - to gain post-delisting managerial flexibility - and preventing extinction - to minimize management costs. In this respect, reconciliation of biological recovery goals amidst budget constraints and alternate land-use benefits should be supplemented by economic analysis. Economic tradeoffs are inherent in species recovery under the ESA, but the act does not discuss how agencies should structure a recovery plan in light of such factors. This study outlines a bioeconomic approach to framing the recovery problem under the ESA and provides a framework for simultaneously establishing measurable delisting criteria and a least-cost path to recovery. This approach is also a helpful conceptual tool for evaluating instruments like the ESA on their ability to provide conservation at a socially desired level, absent strong market incentive.

Soil moisture variations in remotely sensed and reanalysis datasets during weak monsoon conditions over central India and central Myanmar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrivastava, Sourabh; Kar, Sarat C.; Sharma, Anu Rani

2017-07-01

Variation of soil moisture during active and weak phases of summer monsoon JJAS (June, July, August, and September) is very important for sustenance of the crop and subsequent crop yield. As in situ observations of soil moisture are few or not available, researchers use data derived from remote sensing satellites or global reanalysis. This study documents the intercomparison of soil moisture from remotely sensed and reanalyses during dry spells within monsoon seasons in central India and central Myanmar. Soil moisture data from the European Space Agency (ESA)—Climate Change Initiative (CCI) has been treated as observed data and was compared against soil moisture data from the ECMWF reanalysis-Interim (ERA-I) and the climate forecast system reanalysis (CFSR) for the period of 2002-2011. The ESA soil moisture correlates rather well with observed gridded rainfall. The ESA data indicates that soil moisture increases over India from west to east and from north to south during monsoon season. The ERA-I overestimates the soil moisture over India, while the CFSR soil moisture agrees well with the remotely sensed observation (ESA). Over Myanmar, both the reanalysis overestimate soil moisture values and the ERA-I soil moisture does not show much variability from year to year. Day-to-day variations of soil moisture in central India and central Myanmar during weak monsoon conditions indicate that, because of the rainfall deficiency, the observed (ESA) and the CFSR soil moisture values are reduced up to 0.1 m3/m3 compared to climatological values of more than 0.35 m3/m3. This reduction is not seen in the ERA-I data. Therefore, soil moisture from the CFSR is closer to the ESA observed soil moisture than that from the ERA-I during weak phases of monsoon in the study region.

Climate change, marine environments, and the US Endangered species act.

PubMed

Seney, Erin E; Rowland, Melanie J; Lowery, Ruth Ann; Griffis, Roger B; McClure, Michelle M

2013-12-01

Climate change is expected to be a top driver of global biodiversity loss in the 21st century. It poses new challenges to conserving and managing imperiled species, particularly in marine and estuarine ecosystems. The use of climate-related science in statutorily driven species management, such as under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), is in its early stages. This article provides an overview of ESA processes, with emphasis on the mandate to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to manage listed marine, estuarine, and anadromous species. Although the ESA is specific to the United States, its requirements are broadly relevant to conservation planning. Under the ESA, species, subspecies, and "distinct population segments" may be listed as either endangered or threatened, and taking of most listed species (harassing, harming, pursuing, wounding, killing, or capturing) is prohibited unless specifically authorized via a case-by-case permit process. Government agencies, in addition to avoiding take, must ensure that actions they fund, authorize, or conduct are not likely to jeopardize a listed species' continued existence or adversely affect designated critical habitat. Decisions for which climate change is likely to be a key factor include: determining whether a species should be listed under the ESA, designating critical habitat areas, developing species recovery plans, and predicting whether effects of proposed human activities will be compatible with ESA-listed species' survival and recovery. Scientific analyses that underlie these critical conservation decisions include risk assessment, long-term recovery planning, defining environmental baselines, predicting distribution, and defining appropriate temporal and spatial scales. Although specific guidance is still evolving, it is clear that the unprecedented changes in global ecosystems brought about by climate change necessitate new information and approaches to conservation of imperiled species. El Cambio Climático, los Ecosistemas Marinos y el Acta Estadunidense de Especies en Peligro. © 2013 Society for Conservation Biology.

Impact of orbit design choices on the gravity field retrieval of Next Generation Gravity Missions - Insights on the ESA-ADDCON project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daras, Ilias; Visser, Pieter; Sneeuw, Nico; van Dam, Tonie; Pail, Roland; Gruber, Thomas; Tabibi, Sajad; Chen, Qiang; Liu, Wei; Tourian, Mohammad; Engels, Johannes; Saemian, Peyman; Siemes, Christian; Haagmans, Roger

2017-04-01

Next Generation Gravity Missions (NGGMs) expected to be launched in the mid-term future have set high anticipations for an enhanced monitoring of mass transport in the Earth system, establishing their products applicable to new scientific fields and serving societal needs. The European Space Agency (ESA) has issued several studies on concepts of NGGMs. Following this tradition, the project "Additional Constellations & Scientific Analysis Studies of the Next Generation Gravity Mission" picks up where the previous study ESA-SC4MGV left off. One of the ESA-ADDCON project objectives is to investigate the impact of different orbit configurations and parameters on the gravity field retrieval. Given a two-pair Bender-type constellation, consisting of a polar and an inclined pair, choices for orbit design such as the altitude profile during mission lifetime, the length of retrieval period, the value of sub-cycles and the choice of a prograde over a retrograde orbit are investigated. Moreover, the problem of aliasing due to ocean tide model inaccuracies, as well as methods for mitigating their effect on gravity field solutions are investigated in the context of NGGMs. The performed simulations make use of the gravity field processing approach where low-resolution gravity field solutions are co-parameterized in short-term periods (e.g. daily) together with the long-term solutions (e.g. 11-day solution). This method proved to be beneficial for NGGMs (ESA-SC4MGV project) since the enhanced spatio-temporal sampling enables a self-de-aliasing of high-frequency atmospheric and oceanic signals, which may now be a part of the retrieved signal. The potential added value of having such signals for the first time in near real-time is assessed within the project. This paper demonstrates the preliminary results of the ESA-ADDCON project focusing on aspects of orbit design choices for NGGMs.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Alan Thirkettle (center), International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, European Space Agency (ESA); and NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik (right), deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, sign documents officially transferring ownership of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA. At left, also part of the signing, is Andrea Lorenzoni (left), International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency. NASA's Node 2, built by ESA in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Alan Thirkettle (center), International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, European Space Agency (ESA); and NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik (right), deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, sign documents officially transferring ownership of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA. At left, also part of the signing, is Andrea Lorenzoni (left), International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency. NASA's Node 2, built by ESA in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

Trends in anemia management practices in patients receiving hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: a retrospective cohort analysis.

PubMed

Wetmore, James B; Peng, Yi; Monda, Keri L; Kats, Allyson M; Kim, Deborah H; Bradbury, Brian D; Collins, Allan J; Gilbertson, David T

2015-01-01

Recent changes in clinical practice guidelines and reimbursement policies may have affected the use of anemia-related medications and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. We sought to compare patterns of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and intravenous (IV) iron use, achieved hemoglobin levels, and RBC transfusion use in PD and HD patients. In quarterly cohorts of prevalent dialysis patients receiving persistent therapy (>3 months), 2007-2011, with Medicare Parts A and B coverage, we assessed ESA and IV iron use and dose, RBC transfusions, and hemoglobin levels. Quarterly transfusion rates were calculated. Observable PD and HD patients numbered 14,958 and 221,866 in Q1/2007 and 17,842 and 256,942 in Q4/2011. Adjusted ESA use was lower in PD (71.4-80.1%) than in HD (86.9-92.0%) patients, decreasing from 80.1% (Q1/2010) to 71.4% (Q4/2011) in PD patients, and from 92.0 to 86.9% in HD patients. The mean adjusted ESA dose decreased by 67.5% in PD and 58.4% in HD patients. IV iron use tended to increase, peaking at 39.3% for PD (Q3/2011) and 80.5% for HD (Q2/2011) patients. Adjusted mean hemoglobin levels fell from 11.7 to 10.6 mg/dl in PD and from 12.0 to 10.7 mg/dl in HD ESA users; adjusted transfusion rates increased from 2.4 to 3.0 per 100 patient-months in PD and from 2.6 to 3.3 in HD patients. In patients receiving persistent dialysis, dose and frequency of ESA administrations decreased during the period 2007-2011. Mean hemoglobin levels decreased by more than 1 g/dl, while transfusion rates increased by approximately 25%. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Associations of race and ethnicity with anemia management among patients initiating renal replacement therapy.

PubMed Central

Weisbord, Steven D.; Fried, Linda F.; Mor, Maria K.; Resnick, Abby L.; Kimmel, Paul L.; Palevsky, Paul M.; Fine, Michael J.

2007-01-01

BACKGROUND: Many patients initiate renal replacement therapy with suboptimal anemia management. The factors contributing to this remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of race and ethnicity with anemia care prior to the initiation of renal replacement therapy. METHODS: Using data from the medical evidence form filed for patients who initiated renal replacement therapy between 1995-2003, we assessed racial and ethnic differences in pre-end-stage renal disease hematocrit levels, the use of erythropoiesis stimulation agents (ESAs), the proportion of patients with hematocrit levels > or = 33% and the proportion of patients with hematocrit levels < 33% that did not receive ESA. We also examined secular trends in racial and ethnic differences in these parameters. RESULTS: In multivariable analyses, non-Hispanic blacks had lower hematocrit levels (delta hematocrit = -0.97%, 95% CI: -1.00-0.94%), and were less likely to receive ESA (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.81-0.84), to initiate renal replacement therapy with hematocrit > or = 33% (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.77-0.79) or to receive ESA if the hematocrit was < 33% (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.77-0.80) than non-Hispanic whites. White Hispanics also had lower hematocrit levels (delta hematocrit = -0.42%, 95% CI:-0.47% to -0.37%), and were less likely to receive ESA (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.85-0.88), to have hematocrit levels > or = 33% (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.89-0.93) or to receive ESA if the hematocrit was < 33% (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.83-0.87) than non-Hispanic whites. These disparities persisted over the eight-year study period. CONCLUSIONS: African-American race and Hispanic ethnicity are associated with suboptimal pre-end-stage renal disease anemia management. Efforts to improve anemia care should incorporate targeted interventions to decrease these disparities. PMID:18020096

Intravenous Vitamin B6 Increases Resistance to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Obi, Yoshitsugu; Mikami, Satoshi; Hamano, Takayuki; Obi, Yasue; Tanaka, Hirotaka; Shimomura, Akihiro; Rakugi, Hiromi; Inoue, Toru; Isaka, Yoshitaka

2016-11-01

Vitamin B6 deficiency is common in hemodialysis patients and may contribute to anemia and abnormal bone metabolism in this population. 6-month, open-label, randomized controlled parallel-group study in hemodialysis centers. Fifty-six maintenance hemodialysis patients with relatively high resistance to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA). Intravenous vitamin B6 (60 mg of intravenous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate after each thrice-weekly hemodialysis session). The primary and secondary outcomes were changes over time in ESA resistance index and bone turnover markers, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin B6 deficiency was 40% overall. Compared with the control group, the B6 group showed an upward change in ESA resistance index over time (P interaction  = .038). At week 13 (a priori-defined time point), pyridoxal 5'-phosphate administration was associated with higher ESA resistance index by 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.02-1.92) ×10 -2  μg ⋅darbepoetin-α/kg per g/dL⋅hemoglobin after baseline adjustment, which was not modified by baseline vitamin B6 status. There was a trend toward increase in serum erythropoietin concentrations in the B6 group after adjustment for baseline values, hemoglobin, and weekly ESA dose (P interaction  = .06). The downward changes of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b in the B6 group relative to the control group were pronounced in patients without vitamin B6 deficiency (P interaction < .001 and .017, respectively), despite nonsignificant between-group difference in 1-84 parathyroid hormone. Thrice-weekly intravenous vitamin B6 (60 mg pyridoxal 5'-phosphate hydrate) worsens the response to ESA and may blunt the response of bone to parathyroid hormone in hemodialysis patients. Copyright © 2016 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Software Architecture of the Upgraded ESA DRAMA Software Suite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kebschull, Christopher; Flegel, Sven; Gelhaus, Johannes; Mockel, Marek; Braun, Vitali; Radtke, Jonas; Wiedemann, Carsten; Vorsmann, Peter; Sanchez-Ortiz, Noelia; Krag, Holger

2013-08-01

In the beginnings of man's space flight activities there was the belief that space is so big that everybody could use it without any repercussions. However during the last six decades the increasing use of Earth's orbits has lead to a rapid growth in the space debris environment, which has a big influence on current and future space missions. For this reason ESA issued the "Requirements on Space Debris Mitigation for ESA Projects" [1] in 2008, which apply to all ESA missions henceforth. The DRAMA (Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis) software suite had been developed to support the planning of space missions to comply with these requirements. During the last year the DRAMA software suite has been upgraded under ESA contract by TUBS and DEIMOS to include additional tools and increase the performance of existing ones. This paper describes the overall software architecture of the ESA DRAMA software suite. Specifically the new graphical user interface, which manages the five main tools ARES (Assessment of Risk Event Statistics), MIDAS (MASTER-based Impact Flux and Damage Assessment Software), OSCAR (Orbital Spacecraft Active Removal), CROC (Cross Section of Complex Bodies) and SARA (Re-entry Survival and Risk Analysis) is being discussed. The advancements are highlighted as well as the challenges that arise from the integration of the five tool interfaces. A framework had been developed at the ILR and was used for MASTER-2009 and PROOF-2009. The Java based GUI framework, enables the cross-platform deployment, and its underlying model-view-presenter (MVP) software pattern, meet strict design requirements necessary to ensure a robust and reliable method of operation in an environment where the GUI is separated from the processing back-end. While the GUI framework evolved with each project, allowing an increasing degree of integration of services like validators for input fields, it has also increased in complexity. The paper will conclude with an outlook on the future development of the GUI framework, where the potential for advancements will be shown.

The Swarm Archiving Payload Data Facility, an Instance Configuration of the ESA Multi-Mission Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pruin, B.; Martini, A.; Shanmugam, P.; Lopes, C.

2015-04-01

The Swarm mission consists of 3 satellites, each carrying an identical set of instruments. The scientific algorithms for processing are organized in 11 separate processing steps including automated product quality control. In total, the mission data consists of data products of several hundred distinct types from raw to level 2 product types and auxiliary data. The systematic production for Swarm within the ESA Archiving and Payload Data Facility (APDF) is performed up to level 2. The production up to L2 (CAT2-mature algorithm) is performed completely within the APDF. A separate systematic production chain from L1B to L2 (CAT1-evolving algorithm) is performed by an external facility (L2PS) with output files archived within the APDF as well. The APDF also performs re-processing exercises. Re-processing may start directly from the acquired data or from any other intermediate level resulting in the need for a refined product version and baseline management. Storage, dissemination and circulation functionality is configurable in the ESA generic multi-mission elements and does not require any software coding. The control of the production is more involved. While the interface towards the algorithmic entities is standardized due to the introduction of a generic IPF interface by ESA, the orchestration of the individual IPFs into the overall workflows is distinctly mission-specific and not as amenable to standardization. The ESA MMFI production management system provides extension points to integrate additional logical elements for the build-up of complex orchestrated workflows. These extension points have been used to inject the Swarm-specific production logic into the system. A noteworthy fact about the APDF is that the dissemination elements are hosted in a high bandwidth infrastructure procured as a managed service, thus affording users a considerable access bandwidth. This paper gives an overview of the Swarm APDF data flows. It describes the elements of the solution with particular focus on how the available generic multi-mission functionality of the ESA MMFI was utilized and where there was a need to implement missionspecific extensions and plug-ins. The paper concludes with some statistics on the system output during commissioning and early operational phases as well as some general considerations on the utilization of a framework like the ESA MMFI, discussing benefits and pitfalls of the approach.

MSG RAO Presentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oriol-Pibernat, E.; Govaerts, Y.

2004-11-01

BACKGROUND The Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) Research Announcement of Opportunity (RAO) was released by ESA and EUMETSAT in 1999, after a first warning issued in September 1998. The RAO main objective is to promote the scientific use of the new MSG satellites outside the operational meteorological user community, also in synergy with ERS and Envisat data. The variety and quality of the selected proposals proved the usefulness of such joint initiative. 2. STATUS OF THE RAO A total of 43 proposals were selected in 1999. Following the delay in the MSG-1 launch (which operational name is Meteosat-8), the PIs were contacted in early 2003 in order to confirm the interest to continue with the project. There were 5 withdrawals due to various reasons. The PIs have been receiving news through a dedicated WEB site or by emails. Each PI has been assigned a correspondent from ESA or EUMETSAT to follow up the project through the site: http://eopi.esa.int/esa/esa where the papers presented at this Workshop will be included as the first report. 3. THE MSG RAO WORKSHOPS In the framework of the MSG RAO, a series of workshops are organised which goal is to establish a structured dialogue and interactions among the MSG Principal Investigators (PIs) and ESA/EUMETSAT, respectively. Each of these workshops is focusing on a specific aspect, in addition to the necessary exchange of information. 4. OBJECTIVES OF THE BOLOGNA WORKSHOP The focus of the first workshop (17-19 May 2000) was on the presentation of MSG features and of all selected RAO projects. It was a starting point for continued interaction within the MSG RAO community (selected PIs and their co-Investigators, Co-Is). The first MSG RAO workshop provided a forum for discussion among scientists, and ESA and EUMETSAT, leading to a continuous scientific co-operation. Requirements and possibilities with regard to data delivery were formulated and discussed at this workshop. In particular, PIs were asked to specify the minimal and nominal data requirements for the first year after the end of the MSG commissioning. PI's recommendations formulated at this first workshop resulted in an increase of delivery capability of SEVIRI data from the archive and the development of a simple IDL interface to handle SEVIRI data.

Fly me to the Sun! ESA inaugurates the European Project on the Sun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2000-11-01

In an initiative mounted by ECSITE (European Collaborative for Science, Industry and Technology Exhibitions) with funding from the European Commission and under the supervision, coordination and co-sponsorship of ESA, five teams of youngsters (16-18 years old) from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands were selected and coordinated by European science museums from each of their countries (Musée des Sciences et des Techniques - Parentville, B; Cité de l'Espace - Toulouse, F; Deutsches Museum - Munich, D; Fondazione IDIS - Naples, I; Foundation Noordwijk Space Expo - Noordwijk, NL). The teams each focused on a theme related to solar research: "How does the Sun work?" (I), "The Sun as a star" (F), "Solar activity" (NL), "Observing the Sun" (D), "Humans and the Sun" (B), and built exhibition "modules" that they will present at the inauguration, in the context of European Science and Technology Week 2000 (6-10 November), promoted by the European Commission. During the two-day event, a jury of representatives of other European science and technology museums, ESA scientists, a science journalist, and two ESA astronauts (Frank de Winne and Andre Kuipers) will judge the youngsters' exhibition modules on the basis of their scientific correctness, their museological value and the commitment shown by the young "communication experts". The winning team will be officially announced on 9 November. The prize is a weekend at the Space Camp in Redu, Belgium. The objective of the European Project on the Sun is educational. It aims, through the direct and "fresh" involvement of youngsters, to heighten European citizens' awareness of space research in general and the Sun's influence on our daily lives in particular. The role of the European Space Agency as reference point in Europe for solar research has been fundamental to the project. From ESA's perspective, EPOS is part of this autumn's wider communication initiative called the Solar Season, which is highlighting ESA's Ulysses, SOHO and Cluster solar missions and their results. These missions are also being presented by ESA at the EPOS exhibition, giving an overview of current European solar science. After its inauguration, the travelling exhibition will move through Europe for the next year, hosted in turn by the five museums that have participated in the project.

Dissolved organic matter and its optical characteristics in the Laptev and East Siberian seas: spatial distribution and interannual variability (2003-2011)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pugach, Svetlana P.; Pipko, Irina I.; Shakhova, Natalia E.; Shirshin, Evgeny A.; Perminova, Irina V.; Gustafsson, Örjan; Bondur, Valery G.; Ruban, Alexey S.; Semiletov, Igor P.

2018-02-01

The East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) is the broadest and shallowest continental shelf in the world. It is characterized by both the highest rate of coastal erosion in the world and a large riverine input of terrigenous dissolved organic matter (DOM). DOM plays a significant role in marine aquatic ecosystems. The chromophoric fraction of DOM (CDOM) directly affects the quantity and spectral quality of available light, thereby impacting both primary production and ultraviolet (UV) exposure in aquatic ecosystems. A multiyear study of CDOM absorption, fluorescence, and spectral characteristics was carried out over the vast ESAS in the summer-fall seasons. The paper describes observations accomplished at 286 stations and 1766 in situ high-resolution optical measurements distributed along the nearshore zone. Spatial and interannual CDOM dynamics over the ESAS were investigated, and driving factors were identified. It was shown that the atmospheric circulation regime is the dominant factor controlling CDOM distribution on the ESAS. This paper explores the possibility of using CDOM and its spectral parameters to identify the different biogeochemical regimes in the surveyed area. The analysis of CDOM spectral characteristics showed that the major part of the Laptev and East Siberian seas shelf is influenced by terrigenous DOM carried in riverine discharge. Western and eastern provinces of the ESAS with distinctly different DOM optical properties were also identified; a transition between the two provinces at around 165-170° E, also consistent with hydrological and hydrochemical data, is shown. In the western ESAS, a region of substantial river impact, the content of aromatic carbon within DOM remains almost constant. In the eastern ESAS, a gradual decrease in aromaticity percentage was observed, indicating contribution of Pacific-origin waters, where allochthonous DOM with predominantly aliphatic character and much smaller absorption capacity predominates. In addition, we found a stable tendency towards reduced concentrations of CDOM and dissolved lignin and an increase in spectral slope and slope ratio values eastward from the Lena River delta; the Lena is the main supplier of DOM to the eastern Arctic shelf. The strong positive correlation (r = 0.97) between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and CDOM values in the surface shelf waters influenced by terrigenous discharge indicates that it is feasible to estimate DOC content from CDOM fluorescence assessed in situ using a WETStar fluorometer. This approach is reliable over the salinity range of 3 to 24.5. The fact that there is little difference between predicted and observed parameters indicates that the approach is justified. The direct estimation of DOM optical characteristics in the surface ESAS waters provided by this multiyear study will also be useful for validating and calibrating remote sensing data.

Gross and net land cover changes in the main plant functional types derived from the annual ESA CCI land cover maps (1992-2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wei; MacBean, Natasha; Ciais, Philippe; Defourny, Pierre; Lamarche, Céline; Bontemps, Sophie; Houghton, Richard A.; Peng, Shushi

2018-01-01

Land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) impacts local energy and water balance and contributes on global scale to a net carbon emission to the atmosphere. The newly released annual ESA CCI (climate change initiative) land cover maps provide continuous land cover changes at 300 m resolution from 1992 to 2015, and can be used in land surface models (LSMs) to simulate LULCC effects on carbon stocks and on surface energy budgets. Here we investigate the absolute areas and gross and net changes in different plant functional types (PFTs) derived from ESA CCI products. The results are compared with other datasets. Global areas of forest, cropland and grassland PFTs from ESA are 30.4, 19.3 and 35.7 million km2 in the year 2000. The global forest area is lower than that from LUH2v2h (Hurtt et al., 2011), Hansen et al. (2013) or Houghton and Nassikas (2017) while cropland area is higher than LUH2v2h (Hurtt et al., 2011), in which cropland area is from HYDE 3.2 (Klein Goldewijk et al., 2016). Gross forest loss and gain during 1992-2015 are 1.5 and 0.9 million km2 respectively, resulting in a net forest loss of 0.6 million km2, mainly occurring in South and Central America. The magnitudes of gross changes in forest, cropland and grassland PFTs in the ESA CCI are smaller than those in other datasets. The magnitude of global net cropland gain for the whole period is consistent with HYDE 3.2 (Klein Goldewijk et al., 2016), but most of the increases happened before 2004 in ESA and after 2007 in HYDE 3.2. Brazil, Bolivia and Indonesia are the countries with the largest net forest loss from 1992 to 2015, and the decreased areas are generally consistent with those from Hansen et al. (2013) based on Landsat 30 m resolution images. Despite discrepancies compared to other datasets, and uncertainties in converting into PFTs, the new ESA CCI products provide the first detailed long-term time series of land-cover change and can be implemented in LSMs to characterize recent carbon dynamics, and in climate models to simulate land-cover change feedbacks on climate. The annual ESA CCI land cover products can be downloaded from http://maps.elie.ucl.ac.be/CCI/viewer/download.php (Land Cover Maps - v2.0.7; see details in Sect. 5). The PFT map translation protocol and an example in 2000 can be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.834229. The annual ESA CCI PFT maps from 1992 to 2015 at 0.5° × 0.5° resolution can also be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1048163.

Species recovery in the United States: Increasing the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act

Treesearch

Daniel M. Evans; Judy P. Che-Castaldo; Deborah Crouse; Frank W. Davis; Rebecca Epanchin-Niell; Curtis H. Flather; R. Kipp Frohlich; Dale D. Goble; Ya-Wei Li; Timothy D. Male; Lawrence L. Master; Matthew P. Moskwik; Maile C. Neel; Barry R. Noon; Camille Parmesan; Mark W. Schwartz; J. Michael Scott; Byron K. Williams

2016-01-01

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has succeeded in shielding hundreds of species from extinction and improving species recovery over time. However, recovery for most species officially protected by the ESA - i.e., listed species - has been harder to achieve than initially envisioned. Threats to species are persistent and pervasive, funding has been insufficient...

75 FR 41436 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Notice of 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Revise Critical...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-16

... Revise Critical Habitat for the Endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA... Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition does not present substantial scientific information... Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service in Joint Administration of the Endangered Species Act of...

76 FR 62375 - Endangered and Threatened Species; 90-Day Finding on Petitions To Delist Coho Salmon Under the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-07

... Salmon Under the Endangered Species Act AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National... kisutch) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petitions do not present substantial... California Endangered Species Act, which we have no authority to do, and removing the proposed Federal ESA...

78 FR 12702 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Proposed Rule To List 66 Reef-Building Coral Species; Proposed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-25

... Endangered Species Act (ESA); Extension of Public Comment Period and Notice of Public Hearing AGENCY... RIN 0648-XT12 Endangered and Threatened Species; Proposed Rule To List 66 Reef- Building Coral Species... species as threatened or endangered under the ESA. We concluded that 12 of the petitioned coral species...

76 FR 14299 - Listing Endangered and Threatened Species: Correction To Codify in the Code of Federal...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-16

... segment (DPS) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). DATES: Effective.... 110223163-1180-01] RIN 0648-XA231 Listing Endangered and Threatened Species: Correction To Codify in the... the Southern Resident killer whale DPS as an endangered species under the ESA on November 18, 2005 (70...

77 FR 22760 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Intent To Update a Recovery Plan for the Blue Whale...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-17

... Recovery Plan for the North Pacific Right Whale AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National... recovery plans; request for information. SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is... ESA. The recovery planning process is guided by the statutory language of Section 4(f) of the ESA and...

GRIP Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-06-11

iss056e009784 (June 11, 2018) --- Expedition 56 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) is seated in the Columbus laboratory module participating in the Grip study. Grip is an ESA-sponsored experiment that is researching how the nervous system adapts to microgravity. Observations may improve the design of safer space habitats and help patients on Earth with neurological diseases.

GRIP Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-06-11

iss056e009783 (June 11, 2018) --- Expedition 56 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) is seated in the Columbus laboratory module participating in the Grip study. Grip is an ESA-sponsored experiment that is researching how the nervous system adapts to microgravity. Observations may improve the design of safer space habitats and help patients on Earth with neurological diseases.

Astronauts Jeffrey A. Hoffman (left) and Maurizio Cheli, representing European Space Agency (ESA),

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

STS-75 ONBOARD VIEW --- Astronauts Jeffrey A. Hoffman (left) and Maurizio Cheli, representing European Space Agency (ESA), set up an experiment at the glovebox on the Space Shuttle Columbias mid-deck. The two mission specialists joined three other astronauts and an international payload specialist for more than 16 days of research aboard Columbia.

Using SMOS observations in the development of the SMAP level 4 surface and root-zone soil moisture project

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS; [1]) mission was launched by ESA in November 2009 and has since been observing L-band (1.4 GHz) upwelling passive microwaves. Along with these brightness temperature observations, ESA also disseminates retrievals of surface soil moisture that are derived ...

Does Father Absence Place Daughters at Special Risk for Early Sexual Activity and Teenage Pregnancy?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellis, Bruce J.; Bates, John E.; Dodge, Kenneth A.; Fergusson, David M.; Horwood, L. John; Pettit, Gregory S.; Woodward, Lianne

2003-01-01

Longitudinal studies in two countries investigated impact of father absence on girls' early sexual activity (ESA) and teenage pregnancy. Findings indicated that greater exposure to father absence strongly related to elevated ESA and adolescent pregnancy risk. Elevated risk was not explained (U.S. sample) or only partly explained (New Zealand…

FITS Liberator: Image processing software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindberg Christensen, Lars; Nielsen, Lars Holm; Nielsen, Kaspar K.; Johansen, Teis; Hurt, Robert; de Martin, David

2012-06-01

The ESA/ESO/NASA FITS Liberator makes it possible to process and edit astronomical science data in the FITS format to produce stunning images of the universe. Formerly a plugin for Adobe Photoshop, the current version of FITS Liberator is a stand-alone application and no longer requires Photoshop. This image processing software makes it possible to create color images using raw observations from a range of telescopes; the FITS Liberator continues to support the FITS and PDS formats, preferred by astronomers and planetary scientists respectively, which enables data to be processed from a wide range of telescopes and planetary probes, including ESO's Very Large Telescope, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, ESA's XMM-Newton Telescope and Cassini-Huygens or Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Establishment and implementation of common product assurance and safety requirements for the contractors of the Columbus programme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wessels, H.; Stephan, H. J.

1991-08-01

When establishing the Columbus Product Assurance (PA)/safety requirements, the international environment of the Space Station Freedom program has to be taken into account. Considerations given to multiple ways of requirement definition and stages within the European Space Agency (ESA) Procedures, Specifications, and Standards (PSS-01) series of documents and the NASA Space Station requirements are discussed. A series of adaptations introduced by way of tailoring the basic ESA and NASA requirement sets to the Columbus program's needs are described. For the implementation of these tailored requirements, a scheme is developed, which recognizes the PA/safety approach within the European industries by way of various company handbooks and manuals. The changes introduced in the PSS-01 series and the applicable NASA Space Station requirements in recent years, has coincided with the establishment of Columbus PA/safety requirements. To achieve the necessary level of cooperation between ESA and the Columbus industries, a PA Working Group (PAWG) is established. The PAWG supervises the establishement of the Common PA/Safety Plan and the Standards to be used. Due to the high number of European industries participating in the Columbus program, a positive influence on the evolution of the industrial approaches in PA/safety can be expected. Cooperation in the PAWG has brought issues to light which are related to the ESA PSS-01 series and its requirements. Due to the rapid changes of recent years, basic company documentation has not followed the development, specifically as various recent ESA projects use different project specifc issues of the evolving PSS-01 documents.

Immunization with excreted-secreted antigens reduces tissue cyst formation in pigs.

PubMed

Wang, Yanhua; Zhang, Delin; Wang, Guangxiang; Yin, Hong; Wang, Meng

2013-11-01

It has been demonstrated that tachyzoite-pooled excreted-secreted antigens (ESAs) of Toxoplasma gondii are highly immunogenic and can be used in vaccine development. However, most of the information regarding protective immunity induced by immunization with ESAs is derived from studies using mouse model systems. These results cannot be extrapolated to pigs due to important differences in the susceptibility and immune response mechanisms between pigs and mice. We show that the immunization of pigs with ESAs emulsified in Freund's adjuvant induced not only a humoral immune response but also a cellular response. The cellular immune response was associated with the production of IFN-γ and IL-4. The humoral immune response was mainly directed against the antigens with molecular masses between 34 and 116 kDa. After intraperitoneal challenge with 10(7) T. gondii of the Gansu Jingtai strain (GJS) of tachyzoites, the immunized pigs remained clinically normal except for a brief low-grade fever (≤40.5 °C), while the control pigs developed clinical signs of toxoplasmosis (cough, anorexia, prostration, and high fever). At necropsy, visible lesions were found at multiple locations (enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, an enlarged spleen with focal necrosis, and enlarged lungs with miliary or focal necrosis and off-white lesions) in all of the control pigs but not in the pigs that had been immunized. We also found that immunization with ESAs reduced tissue cyst formation in the muscle (P < 0.01). Our data demonstrate that immunization with ESAs can trigger a strong immune response against T. gondii infection in pigs.

Cumulative iron dose and resistance to erythropoietin.

PubMed

Rosati, A; Tetta, C; Merello, J I; Palomares, I; Perez-Garcia, R; Maduell, F; Canaud, B; Aljama Garcia, P

2015-10-01

Optimizing anemia treatment in hemodialysis (HD) patients remains a priority worldwide as it has significant health and financial implications. Our aim was to evaluate in a large cohort of chronic HD patients in Fresenius Medical Care centers in Spain the value of cumulative iron (Fe) dose monitoring for the management of iron therapy in erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA)-treated patients, and the relationship between cumulative iron dose and risk of hospitalization. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters from EuCliD(®) (European Clinical Dialysis Database) on 3,591 patients were recorded including ESA dose (UI/kg/week), erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) [U.I weekly/kg/gr hemoglobin (Hb)] and hospitalizations. Moreover the cumulative Fe dose (mg/kg of bodyweight) administered over the last 2 years was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the main predictors of ESA resistance and risk of hospitalization. Patients belonging to the 4th quartile of ERI were defined as hypo-responders. The 2-year iron cumulative dose was significantly higher in the 4th quartile of ERI. In hypo-responders, 2-year cumulative iron dose was the only iron marker associated with ESA resistance. At case-mix adjusted multivariate analysis, 2-year iron cumulative dose was an independent predictor of hospitalization risk. In ESA-treated patients cumulative Fe dose could be a useful tool to monitor the appropriateness of Fe therapy and to prevent iron overload. To establish whether the associations between cumulative iron dose, ERI and hospitalization risk are causal or attributable to selection bias by indication, clinical trials are necessary.

Projecting environmental suitable areas for malaria transmission in China under climate change scenarios.

PubMed

Hundessa, Samuel; Li, Shanshan; Liu, De Li; Guo, Jinpeng; Guo, Yuming; Zhang, Wenyi; Williams, Gail

2018-04-01

The proportion of imported malaria cases in China has increased over recent years, and has presented challenges for the malaria elimination program in China. However, little is known about the geographic distribution and environmental suitability for malaria transmission under projected climate change scenarios. Using the MaxEnt model based on malaria presence-only records, we produced environmental suitability maps and examined the relative contribution of topographic, demographic, and environmental risk factors for P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria in China. The MaxEnt model estimated that environmental suitability areas (ESAs) for malaria cover the central, south, southwest, east and northern regions, with a slightly wider range of ESAs extending to the northeast region for P. falciparum. There was spatial agreement between the location of imported cases and area environmentally suitable for malaria transmission. The ESAs of P. vivax and P. falciparum are projected to increase in some parts of southwest, south, central, north and northeast regions in the 2030s, 2050s, and 2080s, by a greater amount for P. falciparum under the RCP8.5 scenario. Temperature and NDVI values were the most influential in defining the ESAs for P. vivax, and temperature and precipitation the most influential for P. falciparum malaria. This study estimated that the ESA for malaria transmission in China will increase with climate change and highlights the potential establishment of further local transmission. This model should be used to support malaria control by targeting areas where interventions on malaria transmission need to be enhanced. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Methods of Analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group-Update and Additions to the Determination of Chloroacetanilide Herbicide Degradation Compounds in Water Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, E.A.; Kish, J.L.; Zimmerman, L.R.; Thurman, E.

2001-01-01

An analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1999 for the analysis of selected chloroacetanilide herbicide degradation compounds in water. These compounds were acetochlor ethane sulfonic acid (ESA), acetochlor oxanilic acid (OXA), alachlor ESA, alachlor OXA, metolachlor ESA, and metolachlor OXA. The HPLC/MS method was updated in 2000, and the method detection limits were modified accordingly. Four other degradation compounds also were added to the list of compounds that can be analyzed using HPLC/MS; these compounds were dimethenamid ESA, dimethenamid OXA, flufenacet ESA, and flufenacet OXA. Except for flufenacet OXA, good precision and accuracy were demonstrated for the updated HPLC/MS method in buffered reagent water, surface water, and ground water. The mean HPLC/MS recoveries of the degradation compounds from water samples spiked at 0.20 and 1.0 ?g/L (microgram per liter) ranged from 75 to 114 percent, with relative standard deviations of 15.8 percent or less for all compounds except flufenacet OXA, which had relative standard deviations ranging from 11.3 to 48.9 percent. Method detection levels (MDL's) using the updated HPLC/MS method varied from 0.009 to 0.045 ?g/L, with the flufenacet OXA MDL at 0.072 ?g/L. The updated HPLC/MS method is valuable for acquiring information about the fate and transport of the parent chloroacetanilide herbicides in water.

Hemoglobin levels triggering erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy in patients with cancer: the shift after United States Food and Drug Administration policy changes.

PubMed

Stroupe, Kevin T; Tarlov, Elizabeth; Lee, Todd A; Weichle, Thomas W; Zhang, Qiuying L; Michaelis, Laura C; Ozer, Howard; Durazo-Arvizu, Ramon; Browning, Margaret M; Hynes, Denise M

2012-11-01

To determine whether the hemoglobin level at which health care providers prescribed erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy (trigger hemoglobin level) for their patients receiving chemotherapy was lower after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated a black-box warning in March 2007. Retrospective analysis. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA) national databases. A total of 7450 patients who were diagnosed with cancer between 2002 and 2009, were undergoing chemotherapy, and who received an ESA within 12 months after their cancer diagnosis. Data were collected on patients' demographic, clinical, environmental, and treatment-related factors. After controlling for these factors, multivariable regression analyses were used to compare the trigger hemoglobin level before and after the FDA-mandated labeling change. The average trigger hemoglobin level was 0.73 g/dl lower after the labeling change (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.84 to -0.63). Moreover, the decline in trigger hemoglobin levels began in mid-2006, when the average trigger hemoglobin level fell from 10.50 g/dl in early 2006 (95% CI 10.36-10.63) to 9.30 g/dl by late 2009 (95% CI 9.10-9.49). Even before the 2007 FDA-mandated changes in ESA product labeling, hemoglobin levels that triggered ESA treatment began declining for patients receiving cancer care within the VA. This highlights the critical importance of dissemination of postmarketing safety data to impact shifts in ESA use for anemia management. © 2012 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.

Sentinel 2B: the image quality performances at the beginning of the mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trémas, T.; Lonjou, V.; Dick, A.; Languille, F.; Gaudel-Vacaresse, A.; Vidal, B.; Revel, C.

2017-09-01

Launched on March 6th, 2017 from Kourou, Sentinel 2B has passed the phase of commissioning. Sentinel 2B will work together with Sentinel 2A launched in June 2015. The building and implementation of the satellite has been made under the responsibility of ESA, for the European Commission. The subset of Image Quality commissioning was delegated by ESA to CNES, referring to the experience of the French Space Agency on previous imagers. This phase lasted 4 months after the launch, a little longer than the formal In Orbit Calibration period conducted by ESA, some Image Quality parameters requiring several months before converging to a stable state. This paper presents the status of the satellite, from an IQ prospective, just before it entered its operational phase. The radiometric and geometric performances are listed, including: the absolute radiometric calibration, the equalization, the SNR, the absolute and the multi-temporal location accuracy. The performances of both satellites Sentinel and Sentinel 2B working together, will be addressed. A particular focus will be done on multi-temporal location performances, homogeneity of radiometric inter calibrations. The accomplishment of the Global Reference Image over Europe is evoked as well. The IQ commissioning phase ended on June 2017. From this date, the monitoring of IQ parameters is under the responsibility of ESA/ESRIN. Nevertheless, CNES continues to support ESA to survey the accuracy of S2A and S2B performances. The article ends by dealing with the prospective offered by the couple Sentinel 2A + Sentinel 2B.

77 FR 66799 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-07

... protect the species. We have followed a four-step approach in making this listing determination for... ESA, a group of organisms must constitute a ``species,'' which is defined in section 3 of the ESA to...). Species Description The bumphead parrotfish is a member of a conspicuous group of shallow-water fishes...

Assessing ESA on What It Is Designed For: A Reply to Cooper and Glaesser

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schneider, Carsten Q.; Wagemann, Claudius

2016-01-01

We appreciate Barry Cooper and Judith Glaesser's (henceforth CG) energy and effort put into reflecting on parts of our proposals laid out in "Set-theoretic Methods for the Social Sciences" (2012). We use our response to explain what enhanced standard analysis (ESA) is meant to achieve and what not, an issue about which CG hold erroneous…

Influence of the Exomars 2016 lander elements in the uncertainty of irradiance measurements for the dreams-SIS instrument.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvarez-Ríos, F. J.; Jiménez, J. J.; Apestigue, V.; Arruego, I.; Martin, I.; Sanchez-Brea, L. M.

2017-09-01

DREAMS SIS is an optical radiometer that will provide measurement of the sun irradiance on the Mars surface [1],[2],[3]. The instrument will be on board as payload of the EDM, (Entry and Descend module) of EXOMARS 2016 ESA [4] mission showed in Fig. 1a. (Courtesy of ESA).

iss056e009782

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-06-11

iss056e009782 (June 11, 2018) --- Expedition 56 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) is seated in the Columbus laboratory module participating in the Grip study. Grip is an ESA-sponsored experiment that is researching how the nervous system adapts to microgravity. Observations may improve the design of safer space habitats and help patients on Earth with neurological diseases.

Expedition 50 Qualification Exams

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-10-25

ESA Flight Surgeon Dr. Brigitte Godard, seated left, NASA Flight ‎Surgeon Jennifer Law, center, talk with Expedition 50 NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson ahead of the final qualification exams with Whitson and her fellow crew mates Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Knowing what we breathe: Sentinel 4: a geostationary imaging UVN spectrometer for air quality monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bazalgette Courrèges-Lacoste, G.; Sallusti, M.; Bulsa, G.; Bagnasco, G.; Gulde, S.; Kolm, M. G.; Smith, D. J.; Maurer, R.

2017-09-01

Sentinel-4 is an imaging UVN (UV-VIS-NIR) spectrometer, developed by Airbus DS under ESA contract in the frame of the joint EU/ESA COPERNICUS program. The mission objective is the operational monitoring of trace gas concentrations for atmospheric chemistry and climate applications - hence the motto of Sentinel-4 "Knowing what we breathe".

Becoming Global Elites through Transnational Language Learning?: The Case of Korean Early Study Abroad in Singapore

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bae, Sohee; Park, Joseph Sung-Yul

2016-01-01

Since the late 1990s, early study abroad (ESA) in English-speaking countries has been a popular educational strategy for pre-university Korean students to acquire important language skills such as global English, which is imagined to help them prepare for the competition in global educational and occupational market. However, as ESA, commonly…

STS-46 ESA MS Nicollier in life raft during water egress training at JSC WETF

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

STS-46 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, European Space Agency (ESA) Mission Specialist (MS) Claude Nicollier, wearing launch and entry suit (LES) and launch and entry helmet (LEH), floats in a one-person life raft during a launch emergency egress (bailout) simulation conducted in JSC's Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) Bldg 29 pool.

A radarsat-2 quad-polarized time series for monitoring crop and soil conditions in Barrax, Spain

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The European Space Agency (ESA) along with multiple university and agency investigators joined to conduct the AgriSAR Campaign in 2009. The main objective was to analyze a dense time series of RADARSAT-2 quad-pol data to define and quantify the performance of Sentinel-1 and other future ESA C-Band ...

Korean Diaspora in the Age of Globalization: Early Study Abroad (ESA) College Students in the Midwest

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choi, Hee Young

2012-01-01

This study examines the unique experiences of international Korean college students in the Midwest who have gone through the early study abroad (ESA) period in the US during their formative secondary school education and the influence of the experiences into their college lives in the mega campus. Two overarching research questions are: 1) how do…

Study on Miniaturized UHF Antennas for Partial Discharge Detection in High-Voltage Electrical Equipment.

PubMed

Liu, Jingcun; Zhang, Guogang; Dong, Jinlong; Wang, Jianhua

2015-11-20

Detecting partial discharge (PD) is an effective way to evaluate the condition of high-voltage electrical equipment insulation. The UHF detection method has attracted attention due to its high sensitivity, strong interference resistance, and ability to locate PDs. In this paper, a miniaturized equiangular spiral antenna (ESA) for UHF detection that uses a printed circuit board is proposed. I-shaped, L-shaped, and C-shaped microstrip baluns were designed to match the impedance between the ESA and coaxial cable and were verified by a vector network analyzer. For comparison, three other types of UHF antenna were also designed: A microstrip patch antenna, a microstrip slot antenna, and a printed dipole antenna. Their antenna factors were calibrated in a uniform electric field of different frequencies modulated in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic cell. We performed comparison experiments on PD signal detection using an artificial defect model based on the international IEC 60270 standard. We also conducted time-delay test experiments on the ESA sensor to locate a PD source. It was found that the proposed ESA sensor meets PD signal detection requirements. The sensor's compact size makes it suitable for internal installation in high-voltage electrical equipment.

Study on Miniaturized UHF Antennas for Partial Discharge Detection in High-Voltage Electrical Equipment

PubMed Central

Liu, Jingcun; Zhang, Guogang; Dong, Jinlong; Wang, Jianhua

2015-01-01

Detecting partial discharge (PD) is an effective way to evaluate the condition of high-voltage electrical equipment insulation. The UHF detection method has attracted attention due to its high sensitivity, strong interference resistance, and ability to locate PDs. In this paper, a miniaturized equiangular spiral antenna (ESA) for UHF detection that uses a printed circuit board is proposed. I-shaped, L-shaped, and C-shaped microstrip baluns were designed to match the impedance between the ESA and coaxial cable and were verified by a vector network analyzer. For comparison, three other types of UHF antenna were also designed: A microstrip patch antenna, a microstrip slot antenna, and a printed dipole antenna. Their antenna factors were calibrated in a uniform electric field of different frequencies modulated in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic cell. We performed comparison experiments on PD signal detection using an artificial defect model based on the international IEC 60270 standard. We also conducted time-delay test experiments on the ESA sensor to locate a PD source. It was found that the proposed ESA sensor meets PD signal detection requirements. The sensor’s compact size makes it suitable for internal installation in high-voltage electrical equipment. PMID:26610506

Revised ESC/ESA Guidelines on non-cardiac surgery: cardiovascular assessment and management. Implications for preoperative clinical evaluation.

PubMed

Guarracino, F; Baldassarri, R; Priebe, H J

2015-02-01

Each year, an increasing number of elderly patients with cardiovascular disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery require careful perioperative management to minimize the perioperative risk. Perioperative cardiovascular complications are the strongest predictors of morbidity and mortality after major non-cardiac surgery. A Joint Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) has recently published revised Guidelines on the perioperative cardiovascular management of patients scheduled to undergo non-cardiac surgery, which represent the official position of the ESC and ESA on various aspects of perioperative cardiac care. According to the Guidelines effective perioperative cardiac management includes preoperative risk stratification based on preoperative assessment of functional capacity, type of surgery, cardiac risk factors, and cardiovascular function. The ESC/ESA Guidelines discourage indiscriminate routine preoperative cardiac testing, because it is time- and cost-consuming, resource-limiting, and does not improve perioperative outcome. They rather emphasize the importance of individualized preoperative cardiac evaluation and the cooperation between anesthesiologists and cardiologists. We summarize the relevant changes of the 2014 Guidelines as compared to the previous ones, with particular emphasis on preoperative cardiac testing.

ESA Human rating Requirements:Status

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trujillo, M.; Sgobba, T.

2012-01-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) human rating safety requirements are based on heritage requirements of the International Space Station as well as the knowledge and experience derived from European participation on international partnerships. This expertise in conjunction with recommendations derived from past accidents (i.e.: Columbia) and lessons learned have led to the identification of m inimum core safety tech nical requirements for hum an rated space syst ems. These requirements apply to th e crewed space vehicle, integrated space system (i.e.: cre wed vehicle on its launcher) and its interfaces with control centres, la unch pad, etc. In 2009, a first draft was issued. Then, in the summer of 2010, ESA established a working group comprised of more than twenty experts (from disciplines including propulsion, pyrotechnics, structures, avionics, human factors and life support among others) across the Agency to review this draft. This paper provides an overview of ESA "Safety technical re quirements for human rated s pace systems" document, its scope a nd structure, as well as the planned steps for verification of these requirements in term s of achieving the identified safety objectives for crew safety in t erms of a quantitative risk evaluation.

A Study of TRMM Static Earth Sensor Performance Using On-Orbit Sensor Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Natanson, Gregory; Glickman, Jonathan

2000-01-01

This paper presents the results of a study of the Barnes static Earth sensor assembly (ESA) using on-orbit data collected from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft. It is shown that there exist strong correlations between the large penetration angle residuals and the voltages produced by the Offset Radiation Source (ORS). It is conjectured that at certain times in the TRMM orbit the ORS is operating out of its calibrated range, and consequently corrupts the penetration angle information observed and processed by the ESA. The observed yaw drift between Digital Sun Sensor (DSS) observations is shown to be consistent with predictions by a simple roll-yaw coupling computation. This would explain the large drifts seen on TRMM, where the propagation of the yaw angle between DSS updates does not take into account the possibility of a non-zero roll angle error. Finally, the accuracy of the onboard algorithm used when only three of the four quadrants supply valid penetration angles is assessed. In terms of procedures used to perform this study, the analysis of ESA penetration angle residuals is discovered to be a very useful and insightful tool for assessing, the health and functionality of the ESA.

Risk of pure red cell aplasia in patients with hepatitis C receiving antiviral therapy and an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent.

PubMed

Rossert, Jerome; Yue, Susan; Smirnakis, Karen; Mytych, Daniel T; Johnson, Larry; Kouchakji, Elias; Casadevall, Nicole

2014-02-01

Antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) has been primarily observed in patients with chronic kidney disease treated with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA); only a few anecdotal cases have been reported in other patient populations. We searched the Amgen Global Safety Adverse Event Database and identified 14 patients with hepatitis C who developed severe anemia, anti-erythropoietin antibodies, and bone marrow biopsy-proven PRCA, while receiving interferon therapy (with or without ribavirin) and an ESA. During the follow-up period and after ESA treatment stopped, 11 patients no longer required transfusions and 3 did. Analysis of antibody isotypes showed that, contrary to reports of patients with chronic kidney disease, immunoglobulin G1 was the predominant isotype rather than immunoglobulin G4 (immunoglobulin G4 was detected in only 1 of 6 patients). Epitope mapping showed the anti-erythropoietin antibodies bound domains required for receptor binding. Therefore, the potential benefits of ESA therapy must be weighed against the risk for PRCA in patients with hepatitis C who are receiving treatment with interferon and ribavirin. Copyright © 2014 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Overview on grating developments at ESA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guldimann, B.; Deep, A.; Vink, R.; Harnisch, B.; Kraft, S.; Sierk, B.; Bazalgette, G.; Bézy, J.-L.

2017-11-01

In the frame of recent studies and missions, ESA has been performing various pre-developments of optical gratings for instruments operating at wavelengths from the UV up to the SWIR. The instrument requirements of Sentinel-4, Sentinel-5, CarbonSat and FLEX are driving the need for advanced designs and technologies leading to gratings with high efficiency, high spectral resolution, low stray light and low polarization sensitivities. Typical ESA instruments (e.g. Sciamachy, GOME, MERIS, OLCI, NIRSpec) were and are based on ruled gratings or gratings manufactured with one holographic photoresist mask layer which is transferred to an optical substrate (e.g. glass, glass ceramic) with dry etching methods and subsequently either coated with a reflective coating or used as a mold for replication. These manufacturing methods lead to blazed grating profiles with a metallic reflective surface. The vast majority of spectrometers on ground are still based on such gratings. In general, gratings based on grooved metallic surfaces tend for instance to polarize the incoming light significantly and are therefore not always suitable for ESA's needs of today. Gratings made for space therefore evolved to many other designs and concepts which will be reported in this paper.

ESA innovation rescues Ultraviolet Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1995-10-01

Astrophysicist Freeman J. Dyson from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Princeton characterizes IUE as "A little half-meter mirror sitting in the sky, unnoticed by the public, pouring out results". By use of the IUE satellite, astronomers obtain access to the ultraviolet radiation of celestial bodies in unique ways not available by any other means, neither from the ground nor by any other spacecraft currently in orbit. IUE serves a wide community of astronomers all over Europe, the United States and many other parts of the world. It allows the acquisition of critical data for fundamental studies of comets and their evaporation when they approach the Sun, of the mechanisms driving the stellar winds which make many stars lose a significant fraction of their mass (before they die slowly as White Dwarfs or in sudden Supernova explosions), as well as in the search to understand the ways in which black holes possibly power the violent nuclei of Active galaxies. One year ago the project was threatened with termination and serious concern was expressed by astronomers about the potential loss of IUE's capabilities, as a result of NASA not continuing to operate the spacecraft. Under the leadership of ESA, the three Agencies involved in the operations of IUE (ESA, NASA and the United Kingdom's Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, PPARC), reviewed the operations agreements of the Project. A minor investment allowing the implementation of modern management and engineering techniques as well as a complete revision of the communication infrastructure of the project and continuous improvements in efficiency in the ESA management, also taking advantage of today's technologies, both in computing and communications, have made it possible to continue IUE operations within the financial means available, with ESA taking up most of NASA's share in the operations. According to Dr. Willem Wamsteker, ESA's Dutch IUE Project Scientist, "it was a extremely interesting experience to have the opportunity to do an in-depth review of operational procedures established in 1978 and be given the chance to streamline these through the application of the tools available to engineers and scientists in 1995." The innovative arrangements were designed and developed at the ESA IUE Observatory, which is located in Spain at ESA's Villafranca Satellite Tracking Station in Villanueva de la Canada near Madrid. As a result, ESA is now performing all of WE's science observations (16 hours per day) from the Villafranca station. All the processing of the observations transmitted by the satellite and the subsequent rapid data distribution to the research scientists world-wide is now done from Villafranca. NASA does maintain its role in the programme in the area of operational spacecraft maintenance support, satellite communications and data re-processing for IUE's Final Archive. Thus the IUE Project could be extended and the final IUE observing program can now be implemented. In particular, this will involve critical studies on comets (e,g. on Comet Hale-Bopp), on stellar wind structures, on the enigmatic mini-quasars (which are thought to power the nuclei of Active Galaxies), as well as performing pre- studies which will optimize the utilization of the Hubble Space Telescope. Prof. R.M. Bonnet, Director of the ESA Science Programme comments "I am quite pleased that we have been able to secure the extension of our support for the scientists in Europe and the world to this highly effective mission. Also the scientists can be proud of the utilization of IUE, with more than 3000 learned publications and 200 Doctoral dissertations based on data from IUE. Through this they demonstrate in turn to be very appreciative of our efforts in the Science Programme".

Ariane: NASA's European rival

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

The successful test launch of two three-quarter ton satellites in the European Space Agency's (ESA) Ariane rocket last June firmly placed ESA in competition with NASA for the lucrative and growing satellite launching market. Under the auspices of the private (but largely French-government financed) Arianespace company, ESA is already attracting customers to its three-stage rocket by offering low costs.According to recent reports [Nature, 292, pp. 785 and 788, 1981], Arianespace has been able to win several U.S. customers away from NASA, including Southern Pacific Communications, Western Union, RCA, Satellite Television Corporation, and GTE. Nature [292, 1981] magazine in an article entitled ‘More Trouble for the Hapless Shuttle’ suggests that it will be possible for Ariane to charge lower prices for a launch than NASA, even with the space shuttle.

Spectroscopic and laser characterization of emerald. Final report, April 1983-April 1986

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lai, S.T.; Chai, B.H.

1986-08-01

The spectroscopic characteristics and laser properties of emerald were investigated. The laser measurements showed that the emerald-laser tuning range was 720-842 nm and exhibited a high gain and high efficiency in the 760-790 nm range. Under a crystal growth development program, the laser loss was reduced from 11%/cm to 0.4%/cm. The limiting factor in the laser efficiency is the excited-state absorption (ESA). The ESA was measured by two methods: a laser-pumped single-pass gain method, which is generally applicable to all tunable laser materials, and a laser-pumped laser method. A 76% laser quantum yield was obtained in high-optical-quality emerald. The maximummore » yield is estimated to be 83%, based on the ESA measurements.« less

ESA'S Biomass Mission System And Payload Overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arcioni, M.; Bensi, P.; Fois, F.; Gabriele, A.; Heliere, F.; Lin, C. C.; Massotti, L.; Scipal, K.

2013-12-01

Earth Explorers are the backbone of the science and research element of ESA's Living Planet Programme, providing an important contribution to the understanding of the Earth system. Following the User Consultation Meeting held in Graz, Austria on 5-6 March 2013, the Earth Science Advisory Committee (ESAC) has recommended implementing Biomass as the 7th Earth Explorer Mission within the frame of the ESA Earth Observation Envelope Programme. This paper will give an overview of the satellite system and its payload. The system technical description presented here is based on the results of the work performed during parallel Phase A system studies by two industrial consortia led by EADS Astrium Ltd. and Thales Alenia Space Italy. Two implementation concepts (respectively A and B) are described and provide viable options capable of meeting the mission requirements.

Deployment of the MARSIS Radar Antennas On-Board Mars Express

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Denis, Michel; Moorhouse, A.; Smith, A.; McKay, Mike; Fischer, J.; Jayaraman, P.; Mounzer, Z.; Schmidt, R.; Reddy, J.; Ecale, E.;

European space programme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luton, J.-M.

1992-02-01

Successful European Space Agency (ESA) programs include the Ariane launcher development, the Meteosat meteorological satellites and the Intelsat 6, ECS (European Communications Satellite) series of communications satellites. The ESA's policy of placing contracts with industrial companies in its 13 member countries has contributed to the strategic development of European high technology in the world market. The ESA's long-term programs, in addition to the Ariane launcher and Columbus/Hermes space-station/spaceplane programs, include participation in the International Space Station program, the Data Relay Satellite system and a variety of space applications programs. Two high-performance satellites to be placed in polar orbits will contribute to European environmental and climate variation studies and, together with the Polar Platform sector of the Columbus program, will drive the establishment and development of new institutions, industrial structures and infrastructure.

ESA's X-ray space observatory XMM takes first pictures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2000-02-01

Under the aegis of Prof. Roger Bonnet, ESA Director of Science, the mission's Principal Investigators will be presenting these spectacular first images at a press conference to be held on 9 February at the ESA Vilspa facility at Villafranca/Madrid in Spain, where the XMM Science Operations Centre is located. The event will also be the occasion for several major announcements concerning the XMM mission. In particular Professor Bonnet will launch the third XMM competition "Stargazing" - previously announced in September 1999. This will address European youngsters, 16 to 18 years old, who will be offered the unique opportunity of winning observing time using the X-ray telescope. Commissioning phase starts After a successful launch from Kourou on Ariane 504 on 10 December 1999, XMM was brought to its final operational orbit in the following week. The telescope doors on the X-ray Mirror Modules and on the Optical Monitor telescope were opened on 17/18 December. The Radiation Monitor was activated on 19 December and the spacecraft was put into a quiet mode over the Christmas and New Year period. The mission's scientific data is being received, processed and dispatched to astronomers by the XMM Science Operations Centre in Villafranca. Operations with the spacecraft restarted there on 4 January when, as part of the commissioning phase, all the science payloads were switched on one after the other for initial verifications. By the week of 17 January functional tests had begun on the Optical Monitor, the EPIC pn, the two EPIC MOS and the two RGS instruments. The internal doors of the EPIC cameras were opened whilst keeping the camera filter wheels closed. Astounding first images After a series of engineering exposures, all three EPIC cameras were used in turn, between 19-24 January, to take several views of two different extragalactic regions of the Universe. These views, featuring a variety of extended and X-ray point sources, were chosen to demonstrate the full functioning of the observatory. The Optical Monitor also simultaneously viewed the same regions. One RGS spectrometer obtained its first spectra on 25 January; the other will be commissioned at the start of February. This initial series of short and long duration exposures have delighted the Project management team and the scientists even more. First analyses confirm that the spacecraft is extremely stable, the XMM telescopes are focusing perfectly, and the EPIC cameras, Optical Monitor and RGS spectrometers are working exactly as expected. The Science Operations Centre infrastructure, processing and archiving the science data telemetry from the spacecraft, is also performing well. Initial inspection of the first commissioning images immediately showed some unique X-ray views of several celestial objects, to be presented on 9 February. The occasion will give Principal Investigators and Project management the opportunity to comment on the pictures and the excellent start of the XMM mission. The Calibration and Performance Verification phase for XMM's science instruments is to begin on 3 March, with routine science operations starting in June. Press is invited to attend to the press conference that will be held at the Villafranca/ Madrid- Vilspa facility (ESA's Satellite Tracking Station) Apartado 50727, E-2 080 MADRID, Spain. The press event will be broadcast to the other ESA establishments: ESA Headquarters, Paris; ESA/ ESTEC (Space Expo), Noordwijk, the Netherlands; ESA/ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany and ESA/ESRIN, Frascati, Italy. Media representatives wishing to attend the event are kindly requested to fill out the attached reply from and fax it back to the establishment of their choice.

The ESA's Space Trajectory Analysis software suite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortega, Guillermo

The European Space Agency (ESA) initiated in 2005 an internal activity to develop an open source software suite involving university science departments and research institutions all over the world. This project is called the "Space Trajectory Analysis" or STA. This article describes the birth of STA and its present configuration. One of the STA aims is to promote the exchange of technical ideas, and raise knowledge and competence in the areas of applied mathematics, space engineering, and informatics at University level. Conceived as a research and education tool to support the analysis phase of a space mission, STA is able to visualize a wide range of space trajectories. These include among others ascent, re-entry, descent and landing trajectories, orbits around planets and moons, interplanetary trajectories, rendezvous trajectories, etc. The article explains that STA project is an original idea of the Technical Directorate of ESA. It was born in August 2005 to provide a framework in astrodynamics research at University level. As research and education software applicable to Academia, a number of Universities support this development by joining ESA in leading the development. ESA and Universities partnership are expressed in the STA Steering Board. Together with ESA, each University has a chair in the board whose tasks are develop, control, promote, maintain, and expand the software suite. The article describes that STA provides calculations in the fields of spacecraft tracking, attitude analysis, coverage and visibility analysis, orbit determination, position and velocity of solar system bodies, etc. STA implements the concept of "space scenario" composed of Solar system bodies, spacecraft, ground stations, pads, etc. It is able to propagate the orbit of a spacecraft where orbital propagators are included. STA is able to compute communication links between objects of a scenario (coverage, line of sight), and to represent the trajectory computations and relationship between objects in 2D and 3D formats, etc. Further, the article explains that the STA development is open source and it is based on the state of the art astrodynamics routines that are grouped into modules. The modules are programmed using the C++ language. The different STA modules are designed, developed, tested and verified by the different Universities. Software integration and overall validation is performed by ESA. Students are chosen to work in STA modules as part of their Master or PhD thesis programs. As part of their growing experience, the students learn how to write documentation for a space project using European Coorperation on Space Standardization (ECSS) standards, how to test and verify the software modules they write and, how to interact with ESA and each other in this process. Finally, the article concludes about the benefits of the STA initiative. The STA project allows a strong link among applied mathematics, space engineering, and informatics disciplines by reinforcing the academic community with requirements and needs coming from space agencies and industry real needs and missions.

Hydrogeology and water quality of the Pepacton Reservoir Watershed in southeastern New York. Part 1. Concentrations of pesticides and their degradates in stream baseflow, 2000-2001

USGS Publications Warehouse

Phillips, Patrick J.; Heisig, Paul M.

2004-01-01

Baseflow samples were collected from 20 small streams in the Pepacton Reservoir watershed in Delaware County, N.Y., from December 2000 through November 2001 as part of an investigation to define the occurrence of pesticides in shallow ground water in watersheds containing either a recent (2001) corn crop, a previous (1993-94) corn crop, or no history of row-crop cultivation. Baseflow water quality was assumed to represent the chemical quality of shallow ground water within the drainage area above each sampling site.Baseflow samples were analyzed for 57 pesticides and pesticide degradates. Three herbicides (atrazine, metolachlor and simazine) and three herbicide degradates (alachlor ESA [ethanesulfonic acid], deethylatrazine, and metolachlor ESA) were detected, but no concentrations exceeded any Federal or State water-quality criteria, and the maximum concentrations of all compounds except metolachlor ESA were less than 0.10 microgram per liter. The most frequently detected compounds (atrazine, metolachlor, deethylatrazine and metolachlor ESA) are either those typically used on corn crops, or those whose parent compounds are commonly used on corn crops and have been detected in streams that drain row-crop settings elsewhere in New York State. The pesticide and pesticide-degradate concentrations in baseflow samples collected in December 2000 and July 2001 samples generally corresponded to the amount of cornfield acreage in each watershed in 2001.The types of pesticides detected, and their median concentrations, were similar to those noted in two previous ground-water studies in row-crop areas elsewhere in upstate New York. Also the SAM ratios (ratio of metolachlor ESA concentration to metolachlor concentration) for the Pepacton samples were similar to those for ground-water samples from other agricultural settings in upstate New York, but were significantly higher than that for stormflow and baseflow samples collected in 1997-98 from Canajoharie Creek, an upstate stream that drains row-crop farmland. These comparisons confirm that the baseflow samples were derived from, and were representative of, ground water in their respective watersheds. Late-summer decreases in atrazine and deethylatrazine concentrations at a site where corn was grown in 2001 may have resulted from the seasonally dry conditions and the accompanying decrease in ground-water discharge from the upper-most part of the surficial aquifer system to streams. The lack of a similar decrease in metolachlor ESA concentrations during this period may reflect the transport of metolachlor ESA to deeper parts of the surficial aquifer that continued to discharge to streams during the dry period.

Author contributions to ecological publications: What does it mean to be an author in modern ecological research?

PubMed

Logan, John M; Bean, Sarah B; Myers, Andrew E

2017-01-01

Authorship is a central element of scientific research carrying a variety of rewards and responsibilities, and while various guidelines exist, actual author contributions are often ambiguous. Inconsistent or limited contributions threaten to devalue authorship as intellectual currency and diminish authors' responsibility for published content. Researchers have assessed author contributions in the medical literature and other research fields, but similar data for the field of ecological research are lacking. Authorship practices in ecological research are broadly representative of a variety of fields due to the cross-disciplinary nature of collaborations in ecological studies. To better understand author contributions to current research, we distributed a survey regarding co-author contributions to a random selection of 996 lead authors of manuscripts published in ecological journals in 2010. We obtained useable responses from 45% of surveyed authors. Reported lead author contributions in ecological research studies consistently included conception of the project idea, data collection, analysis, and writing. Middle and last author contributions instead showed a high level of individual variability. Lead authorship in ecology is well defined while secondary authorship is more ambiguous. Nearly half (48%) of all studies included in our survey had some level of non-compliance with Ecological Society of America (ESA) authorship guidelines and the majority of studies (78%) contained at least one co-author that did not meet International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) requirements. Incidence of non-compliance varied with lead author occupation and author position. The probability of a study including an author that was non-compliant with ESA guidelines was lowest for professor-led studies and highest for graduate student and post doctoral researcher-led studies. Among studies with > two co-authors, all lead authors met ESA guidelines and only 2% failed to meet ICMJE requirements. Middle (24% ESA, 63% ICMJE) and last (37% ESA, 60% ICMJE) authors had higher rates of non-compliance. The probability of a study containing a co-author that did not meet ESA or ICMJE requirements increased significantly with the number of co-authors per study although even studies with only two co-authors had a high probability of non-compliance of approximately 60% (ICMJE) and 15 to 40% (ESA). Given the variable and often limited contributions of authors in our survey and past studies of other research disciplines, institutions, journals, and scientific societies need to implement new approaches to instill meaning in authorship status. A byline approach may not alter author contributions but would better define individual contributions and reduce existing ambiguity regarding the meaning of authorship in modern ecological research.

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-003

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-008

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-009

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-001

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-010

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-005

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-012

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-006

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-007

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-004

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-011

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

ARC-2008-ACD08-0218-002

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-30

European Space Agency's 'Jules Verne' Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-1 re-entry in Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean. The breakup ad fragmentation of the ESA's ATV-1 was captured in dramatic fashion by scientists aboard NASA's DC-8 airborne laboratory and a Gulfstream V aircraft as it re-entered the atmosphere early Monday morning over the South Pacific. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/ESA/Jesse Carpenter/Bill Moede

Exploring NASA and ESA Atmospheric Data Using GIOVANNI, the Online Visualization and Analysis Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leptoukh, Gregory

2007-01-01

Giovanni, the NASA Goddard online visualization and analysis tool (http://giovanni.gsfc.nasa.gov) allows users explore various atmospheric phenomena without learning remote sensing data formats and downloading voluminous data. Using NASA MODIS (Terra and Aqua) and ESA MERIS (ENVISAT) aerosol data as an example, we demonstrate Giovanni usage for online multi-sensor remote sensing data comparison and analysis.

Exercise in space: the European Space Agency approach to in-flight exercise countermeasures for long-duration missions on ISS.

PubMed

Petersen, Nora; Jaekel, Patrick; Rosenberger, Andre; Weber, Tobias; Scott, Jonathan; Castrucci, Filippo; Lambrecht, Gunda; Ploutz-Snyder, Lori; Damann, Volker; Kozlovskaya, Inessa; Mester, Joachim

2016-01-01

To counteract microgravity (µG)-induced adaptation, European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts on long-duration missions (LDMs) to the International Space Station (ISS) perform a daily physical exercise countermeasure program. Since the first ESA crewmember completed an LDM in 2006, the ESA countermeasure program has strived to provide efficient protection against decreases in body mass, muscle strength, bone mass, and aerobic capacity within the operational constraints of the ISS environment and the changing availability of on-board exercise devices. The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of ESA's individualised approach to in-flight exercise countermeasures and an up-to-date picture of how exercise is used to counteract physiological changes resulting from µG-induced adaptation. Changes in the absolute workload for resistive exercise, treadmill running and cycle ergometry throughout ESA's eight LDMs are also presented, and aspects of pre-flight physical preparation and post-flight reconditioning outlined. With the introduction of the advanced resistive exercise device (ARED) in 2009, the relative contribution of resistance exercise to total in-flight exercise increased (33-46 %), whilst treadmill running (42-33 %) and cycle ergometry (26-20 %) decreased. All eight ESA crewmembers increased their in-flight absolute workload during their LDMs for resistance exercise and treadmill running (running speed and vertical loading through the harness), while cycle ergometer workload was unchanged across missions. Increased or unchanged absolute exercise workloads in-flight would appear contradictory to typical post-flight reductions in muscle mass and strength, and cardiovascular capacity following LDMs. However, increased absolute in-flight workloads are not directly linked to changes in exercise capacity as they likely also reflect the planned, conservative loading early in the mission to allow adaption to µG exercise, including personal comfort issues with novel exercise hardware (e.g. the treadmill harness). Inconsistency in hardware and individualised support concepts across time limit the comparability of results from different crewmembers, and questions regarding the difference between cycling and running in µG versus identical exercise here on Earth, and other factors that might influence in-flight exercise performance, still require further investigation.

Elevated expression of neuropeptide signaling genes in the eyestalk ganglia and Y-organ of Gecarcinus lateralis individuals that are refractory to molt induction.

PubMed

Pitts, Natalie L; Schulz, Hanna M; Oatman, Stephanie R; Mykles, Donald L

2017-12-01

Molting is induced in decapod crustaceans via multiple leg autotomy (MLA) or eyestalk ablation (ESA). MLA removes five or more walking legs, which are regenerated and become functional appendages at ecdysis. ESA eliminates the primary source of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), which suppress the production of molting hormones (ecdysteroids) from the molting gland or Y-organ (YO). Both MLA and ESA are effective methods for molt induction in Gecarcinus lateralis. However, some G. lateralis individuals are refractory to MLA, as they fail to complete ecdysis by 12weeks post-MLA; these animals are in the "blocked" condition. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify mRNA levels of neuropeptide and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling genes in YO, eyestalk ganglia (ESG), thoracic ganglion (TG), and brain of intact and blocked animals. Six of the seven neuropeptide signaling genes, three of four mTOR signaling genes, and Gl-elongation factor 2 (EF2) mRNA levels were significantly higher in the ESG of blocked animals. Gl-MIH and Gl-CHH mRNA levels were higher in the TG and brain of blocked animals and levels increased in both control and blocked animals in response to ESA. By contrast, mRNA levels of Gl-EF2 and five of the 10 MIH signaling pathway genes in the YO were two to four orders of magnitude higher in blocked animals compared to controls. These data suggest that increased MIH and CHH synthesis in the ESG contributes to the prevention of molt induction by MLA in blocked animals. The up-regulation of MIH signaling genes in the YO of blocked animals suggests that the YO is more sensitive to MIH produced in the ESG, as well as MIH produced in brain and TG of ESA animals. Both the up-regulation of MIH signaling genes in the YO and of Gl-MIH and Gl-CHH in the ESG, TG, and brain appear to contribute to some G. lateralis individuals being refractory to MLA and ESA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, emcees a ceremony in the Space Station Processing Facility to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Speakers at the ceremony included KSC Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, emcees a ceremony in the Space Station Processing Facility to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Speakers at the ceremony included KSC Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, European Space Agency (ESA); and NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, sign documents officially transferring ownership of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA. The signing was part of a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module (above right) of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, European Space Agency (ESA); and NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, sign documents officially transferring ownership of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA. The signing was part of a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module (above right) of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

Cross-Cultural Issues of Intra- and Inter-Organisational Cooperation in Space Operations: A Survey Study with Ground Personnel of the European Space Agency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mjeldheim Sandal, Gro; Mjeldheim Sandal, Gro; Manzey, Dietrich

Today's space operations often involve close co-working of people with different ethnical, professional and organizational backgrounds. The aim of the study was to examine the implications of cultural diversity for efficient collaboration within the European Space Agency (ESA), and between ESA employees and representatives from other agencies. Methods: A web-based survey was answered by 905 employees at the European Astronaut Centre and at the European Space Technology Centre. An adapted version of the Flight Management Attitude Questionnaire by Helmreich and Merrit was used. Personnel were also asked about interpersonal and operational issues that interfered with efficient co-working within ESA and in relation to other space agencies. Results: Collaboration within ESA: A descriptive analysis was conducted of the rank orders of challenges perceived by members of different nationalities (the Netherlands (N=68), German (N=138), Italian (N=135), French (N=124), British (N=84) and Scandinavian (27).Rank orders show a surprisingly uniformity across nationalities. Most respondents perceived differences in the preferred leadership style as the main challenge for co-working in multi-national groups followed by differences in dealing with conflicts and misunderstandings. In contrast communication problems due different languages and differences in non-verbal behaviour, as well as differences in gender stereotypes were among the lowest rated issues. However, Scandinavian respondents showed a different pattern from other nationalities. Collaboration between agencies: The most significant issues reported to interfere with the efficiency of inter-agency collaboration varied. Most difficulties were reported in relation to clarity of communication, insufficient sharing of task related information, understanding the process of decision making in partner organization, and authoritarian leadership style in the partner organization Conclusion: Cultural differences in leadership and decision making processes are salient challenges in cooperation both within ESA and between ESA employees and representatives from other agencies. The importance given to these factors is consistent with results from the broader area of work and organizational psychology. Potential implications for safety operations are discussed

Operational support to collision avoidance activities by ESA's space debris office

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braun, V.; Flohrer, T.; Krag, H.; Merz, K.; Lemmens, S.; Bastida Virgili, B.; Funke, Q.

2016-09-01

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Space Debris Office provides a service to support operational collision avoidance activities. This support currently covers ESA's missions Cryosat-2, Sentinel-1A and -2A, the constellation of Swarm-A/B/C in low-Earth orbit (LEO), as well as missions of third-party customers. In this work, we describe the current collision avoidance process for ESA and third-party missions in LEO. We give an overview on the upgrades developed and implemented since the advent of conjunction summary messages (CSM)/conjunction data messages (CDM), addressing conjunction event detection, collision risk assessment, orbit determination, orbit and covariance propagation, process control, and data handling. We pay special attention to the effect of warning thresholds on the risk reduction and manoeuvre rates, as they are established through risk mitigation and analysis tools, such as ESA's Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis (DRAMA) software suite. To handle the large number of CDMs and the associated risk analyses, a database-centric approach has been developed. All CDMs and risk analysis results are stored in a database. In this way, a temporary local "mini-catalogue" of objects close to our target spacecraft is obtained, which can be used, e.g., for manoeuvre screening and to update the risk analysis whenever a new ephemeris becomes available from the flight dynamics team. The database is also used as the backbone for a Web-based tool, which consists of the visualization component and a collaboration tool that facilitates the status monitoring and task allocation within the support team as well as communication with the control team. The visualization component further supports the information sharing by displaying target and chaser motion over time along with the involved uncertainties. The Web-based solution optimally meets the needs for a concise and easy-to-use way to obtain a situation picture in a very short time, and the support for third-party missions not operated from the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). Finally, we provide statistics on the identified conjunction events, taking into account the known significant changes in the LEO orbital environment and share ESA's experience along with recent examples.

Homogeneity testing of the global ESA CCI multi-satellite soil moisture climate data record

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preimesberger, Wolfgang; Su, Chun-Hsu; Gruber, Alexander; Dorigo, Wouter

2017-04-01

ESA's Climate Change Initiative (CCI) creates a global, long-term data record by merging multiple available earth observation products with the goal to provide a product for climate studies, trend analysis, and risk assessments. The blending of soil moisture (SM) time series derived from different active and passive remote sensing instruments with varying sensor characteristics, such as microwave frequency, signal polarization or radiometric accuracy, could potentially lead to inhomogeneities in the merged long-term data series, undercutting the usefulness of the product. To detect the spatio-temporal extent of contiguous periods without inhomogeneities as well as subsequently minimizing their negative impact on the data records, different relative homogeneity tests (namely Fligner-Killeen test of homogeneity of variances and Wilcoxon rank-sums test) are implemented and tested on the combined active-passive ESA CCI SM data set. Inhomogeneities are detected by comparing the data against reference data from in-situ data from ISMN, and model-based estimates from GLDAS-Noah and MERRA-Land. Inhomogeneity testing is performed over the ESA CCI SM data time frame of 38 years (from 1978 to 2015), on a global quarter-degree grid and with regard to six alterations in the combination of observation systems used in the data blending process. This study describes and explains observed variations in the spatial and temporal patterns of inhomogeneities in the combined products. Besides we proposes methodologies for measuring and reducing the impact of inhomogeneities on trends derived from the ESA CCI SM data set, and suggest the use of inhomogeneity-corrected data for future trend studies. This study is supported by the European Union's FP7 EartH2Observe "Global Earth Observation for Integrated Water Resource Assessment" project (grant agreement number 331 603608).

Moon and Mars gravity environment during parabolic flights: a new European approach to prepare for planetary exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pletser, Vladimir; Clervoy, Jean-Fran; Gharib, Thierry; Gai, Frederic; Mora, Christophe; Rosier, Patrice

Aircraft parabolic flights provide repetitively up to 20 seconds of reduced gravity during ballis-tic flight manoeuvres. Parabolic flights are used to conduct short microgravity investigations in Physical and Life Sciences and in Technology, to test instrumentation prior to space flights and to train astronauts before a space mission. The European Space Agency (ESA) has organized since 1984 more than fifty parabolic flight campaigns for microgravity research experiments utilizing six different airplanes. More than 600 experiments were conducted spanning several fields in Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, namely Fluid Physics, Combustion Physics, Ma-terial Sciences, fundamental Physics and Technology tests, Human Physiology, cell and animal Biology, and technical tests of Life Sciences instrumentation. Since 1997, ESA uses the Airbus A300 'Zero G', the largest airplane in the world used for this type of experimental research flight and managed by the French company Novespace, a subsidiary of the French space agency CNES. From 2010 onwards, ESA and Novespace will offer the possibility of flying Martian and Moon parabolas during which reduced gravity levels equivalent to those on the Moon and Mars will be achieved repetitively for periods of more than 20 seconds. Scientists are invited to submit experiment proposals to be conducted at these partial gravity levels. This paper presents the technical capabilities of the Airbus A300 Zero-G aircraft used by ESA to support and conduct investigations at Moon-, Mars-and micro-gravity levels to prepare research and exploration during space flights and future planetary exploration missions. Some Physiology and Technology experiments performed during past ESA campaigns at 0, 1/6 an 1/3 g are presented to show the interest of this unique research tool for microgravity and partial gravity investigations.

Competitive Growth Enhances Conditional Growth Mutant Sensitivity to Antibiotics and Exposes a Two-Component System as an Emerging Antibacterial Target in Burkholderia cenocepacia.

PubMed

Gislason, April S; Choy, Matthew; Bloodworth, Ruhi A M; Qu, Wubin; Stietz, Maria S; Li, Xuan; Zhang, Chenggang; Cardona, Silvia T

2017-01-01

Chemogenetic approaches to profile an antibiotic mode of action are based on detecting differential sensitivities of engineered bacterial strains in which the antibacterial target (usually encoded by an essential gene) or an associated process is regulated. We previously developed an essential-gene knockdown mutant library in the multidrug-resistant Burkholderia cenocepacia by transposon delivery of a rhamnose-inducible promoter. In this work, we used Illumina sequencing of multiplex-PCR-amplified transposon junctions to track individual mutants during pooled growth in the presence of antibiotics. We found that competition from nontarget mutants magnified the hypersensitivity of a clone underexpressing gyrB to novobiocin by 8-fold compared with hypersensitivity measured during clonal growth. Additional profiling of various antibiotics against a pilot library representing most categories of essential genes revealed a two-component system with unknown function, which, upon depletion of the response regulator, sensitized B. cenocepacia to novobiocin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, meropenem, and carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone, but not to colistin, hydrogen peroxide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. We named the gene cluster esaSR for enhanced sensitivity to antibiotics sensor and response regulator. Mutational analysis and efflux activity assays revealed that while esaS is not essential and is involved in antibiotic-induced efflux, esaR is an essential gene and regulates efflux independently of antibiotic-mediated induction. Furthermore, microscopic analysis of cells stained with propidium iodide provided evidence that depletion of EsaR has a profound effect on the integrity of cell membranes. In summary, we unraveled a previously uncharacterized two-component system that can be targeted to reduce antibiotic resistance in B. cenocepacia. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Microbiology.

Space Environment Forecasting with Neutron Monitors: Establishing a novel service for the ESA SSA Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papaioannou, Athanasios; Mavromichalaki, Helen; Souvatzoglou, George; Paschalis, Pavlos; Sarlanis, Christos; Dimitroulakos, John; Gerontidou, Maria

2013-04-01

High-energy particles released at the Sun during a solar flare or a very energetic coronal mass ejection, result to a significant intensity increase at neutron monitor measurements known as Ground Level Enhancements (GLEs). Due to their space weather impact (i.e. risks and failures at communication and navigation systems, spacecraft electronics and operations, space power systems, manned space missions, and commercial aircraft operations) it is crucial to establish a real-time operational system that would be in place to issue reliable and timely GLE Alerts. Currently, the Cosmic Ray group of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is working towards the establishment of a Neutron Monitor Service that will be made available via the Space Weather Portal operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), under the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Program. To this end, a web interface providing data from multiple Neutron Monitor stations as well as an upgraded GLE Alert will be provided. Both services are now under testing and validation and they will probably enter to an operational phase next year. The core of this Neutron Monitor Service is the GLE Alert software, and therefore, the main goal of this research effort is to upgrade the existing GLE Alert software, to minimize the probability of a false alarm and to enhance the usability of the corresponding results. The ESA Neutron Monitor Service is building upon the infrastructure made available with the implementation of the High-Resolution Neutron Monitor Database (NMDB). In this work the structure of the Neutron Monitor Service for ESA SSA Program and the impact of the novel GLE Alert Service that will be made available to future users via ESA SSA web portal will be presented and further discussed.

Evaluation of a Petition Requesting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to List the Smooth Hammerhead Shark (Sphryna zygaena) as a Threatened or Endangered Species Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sturm, A. B.

2016-12-01

The wildlife conservation organization, Defenders of Wildlife, petitioned NMFS to list the smooth hammerhead shark, Sphryna zygaena, as endangered or threatened throughout its range under the ESA. The petition was critically evaluated to determine if the petitioners presented substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the smooth hammerhead shark may warrant listing under the ESA. The petition and the cited scientific literature (as well as scientific literature readily available in NMFS files) were evaluated to determine if the smooth hammerhead shark may be threatened or endangered because of any one or a combination of the following five ESA section 4(a)(1) factors: (1) present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) over utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; (5) or other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. The available scientific literature indicates that the smooth hammerhead shark populations have declined in multiple regions. Smooth hammerhead sharks may warrant listing due to ongoing threats of over utilization for commercial purposes by global fisheries that target and retain incidental catch of these species to obtain their high-value fins, possible inadequacies in global regulatory mechanisms to control this level of exploitation, and natural factors (such as inherent biological vulnerabilities) that may be exacerbating these threats. Based on these findings, the smooth hammerhead shark may warrant listing as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA and a status review of the species is currently being conducted.

Evaluation of a Petition Requesting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to List the Smooth Hammerhead Shark (Sphryna zygaena) as a Threatened or Endangered Species Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sturm, A. B.

2016-02-01

The wildlife conservation organization, Defenders of Wildlife, petitioned NMFS to list the smooth hammerhead shark, Sphryna zygaena, as endangered or threatened throughout its range under the ESA. The petition was critically evaluated to determine if the petitioners presented substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the smooth hammerhead shark may warrant listing under the ESA. The petition and the cited scientific literature (as well as scientific literature readily available in NMFS files) were evaluated to determine if the smooth hammerhead shark may be threatened or endangered because of any one or a combination of the following five ESA section 4(a)(1) factors: (1) present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) over utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; (5) or other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. The available scientific literature indicates that the smooth hammerhead shark populations have declined in multiple regions. Smooth hammerhead sharks may warrant listing due to ongoing threats of over utilization for commercial purposes by global fisheries that target and retain incidental catch of these species to obtain their high-value fins, possible inadequacies in global regulatory mechanisms to control this level of exploitation, and natural factors (such as inherent biological vulnerabilities) that may be exacerbating these threats. Based on these findings, the smooth hammerhead shark may warrant listing as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA and a status review of the species is currently being conducted.

TSAT is a better predictor than ferritin of hemoglobin response to Epoetin alfa in US dialysis patients

PubMed Central

Gaweda, Adam E; Bhat, Premila; Maglinte, Gregory A; Chang, Chun-Lan; Hill, Jerrold; Park, Grace S; Ashfaq, Akhtar; Gitlin, Matthew

2014-01-01

Clinical guidelines recommend concurrent treatment of anemia in end-stage renal disease with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and iron. However, there are mixed data about optimal iron supplementation. To help address this gap, the relationship between iron markers and hemoglobin (Hb) response to ESA (Epoetin alfa) dose was examined. Electronic medical records of 1902 US chronic hemodialysis patients were analyzed over a 12-month period between June 2009 and June 2010. The analysis included patients who had at least one Hb value during each 4-week interval for four consecutive intervals (k − 2, k − 1, k, and k + 1; k is the index interval), received at least one ESA dose during intervals k − 1 or k, had at least one transferrin saturation (TSAT) value at interval k, and at least one ferritin value during intervals k − 2, k − 1, or k. Effect modification by TSAT and ferritin on Hb response was evaluated using the generalized estimating equations approach. Patients had a mean (standard deviation) age of 62 (15) years; 41% were Caucasian, 34% African American, 65% had hypertension, and 39% diabetes. Transferrin saturation, but not ferritin, had a statistically significant (P < 0.05) modifying effect on Hb response. Maximum Hb response was achieved when TSAT was 34%, with minimal incremental effect beyond these levels. Of the two standard clinical iron markers, TSAT should be used as the primary marker of the modifying effect of iron on Hb response to ESA. Long-term safety of iron use to improve Hb response to ESA warrants further study. PMID:23968235

Point shear wave ultrasound elastography with Esaote compared to real-time 2D shear wave elastography with supersonic imagine for the quantification of liver stiffness.

PubMed

Mulazzani, L; Salvatore, V; Ravaioli, F; Allegretti, G; Matassoni, F; Granata, R; Ferrarini, A; Stefanescu, H; Piscaglia, Fabio

2017-09-01

Different shear wave elastography (SWE) machines able to quantify liver stiffness (LS) have been recently introduced by various companies. The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between point SWE with Esaote MyLab Twice (pSWE.ESA) and 2D SWE with Aixplorer SuperSonic (2D SWE.SSI). Moreover, we assessed the correlation of these machines with Fibroscan in a subgroup of patients. A total of 81 liver disease patients and 27 subjects without liver disease accessing the ultrasound lab were considered. Exclusion criteria were liver nodules, BMI >35, and severe comorbidities. LS was sampled from the same intercostal space with both pSWE.ESA and 2D SWE.SSI and values were tested with Lin's analysis and Bland-Altman analysis (B&A). Agreement between each SWE machine and Fibroscan was assessed in 26 liver disease patients with Spearman correlation. Precision and accuracy between pSWE.ESA and 2D SWE.SSI were, respectively, 0.839 and 0.999. B&A showed a mean of only -0.2 kPa, with no systematic deviation between the techniques and limits of agreement at -11.6 and 11.3 kPa. Spearman's rho correlation versus Fibroscan was 0.849 for pSWE.ESA and 0.878 for 2D SWE.SSI. The relationship became less strict in the higher range of LS (≥15.2 kPa), corresponding to cirrhosis. The overall degree of concordance of pSWE.ESA and 2D SWE.SSI in measuring LS resulted remarkable, also when compared with Fibroscan. The less strict correlation for patients with LS in the higher range would not affect the staging of disease as such patients are anyhow classified as cirrhotic.

Impacts of phylogenetic nomenclature on the efficacy of the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

PubMed

Leslie, Matthew S

2015-02-01

Cataloging biodiversity is critical to conservation efforts because accurate taxonomy is often a precondition for protection under laws designed for species conservation, such as the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Traditional nomenclatural codes governing the taxonomic process have recently come under scrutiny because taxon names are more closely linked to hierarchical ranks than to the taxa themselves. A new approach to naming biological groups, called phylogenetic nomenclature (PN), explicitly names taxa by defining their names in terms of ancestry and descent. PN has the potential to increase nomenclatural stability and decrease confusion induced by the rank-based codes. But proponents of PN have struggled with whether species and infraspecific taxa should be governed by the same rules as other taxa or should have special rules. Some proponents advocate the wholesale abandonment of rank labels (including species); this could have consequences for the implementation of taxon-based conservation legislation. I examined the principles of PN as embodied in the PhyloCode (an alternative to traditional rank-based nomenclature that names biological groups based on the results of phylogenetic analyses and does not associate taxa with ranks) and assessed how this novel approach to naming taxa might affect the implementation of species-based legislation by providing a case study of the ESA. The latest version of the PhyloCode relies on the traditional rank-based codes to name species and infraspecific taxa; thus, little will change regarding the main targets of the ESA because they will retain rank labels. For this reason, and because knowledge of evolutionary relationships is of greater importance than nomenclatural procedures for initial protection of endangered taxa under the ESA, I conclude that PN under the PhyloCode will have little impact on implementation of the ESA. © 2014 Society for Conservation Biology.

Reducing Isozyme Competition Increases Target Fatty Acid Accumulation in Seed Triacylglycerols of Transgenic Arabidopsis1[OPEN

PubMed Central

van Erp, Harrie; Shockey, Jay; Zhang, Meng; Adhikari, Neil D.; Browse, John

2015-01-01

One goal of green chemistry is the production of industrially useful fatty acids (FAs) in crop plants. We focus on hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) and conjugated polyenoic FAs (α-eleostearic acids [ESAs]) using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) as a model. These FAs are found naturally in seed oils of castor (Ricinus communis) and tung tree (Vernicia fordii), respectively, and used for the production of lubricants, nylon, and paints. Transgenic oils typically contain less target FA than that produced in the source species. We hypothesized that competition between endogenous and transgenic isozymes for substrates limits accumulation of unique FAs in Arabidopsis seeds. This hypothesis was tested by introducing a mutation in Arabidopsis diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (AtDGAT1) in a line expressing castor FA hydroxylase and acyl-Coenzyme A:RcDGAT2 in its seeds. This led to a 17% increase in the proportion of HFA in seed oil. Expression of castor phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1A in this line increased the proportion of HFA by an additional 12%. To determine if our observations are more widely applicable, we investigated if isozyme competition influenced production of ESA. Expression of tung tree FA conjugase/desaturase in Arabidopsis produced approximately 7.5% ESA in seed lipids. Coexpression of VfDGAT2 increased ESA levels to approximately 11%. Overexpression of VfDGAT2 combined with suppression of AtDGAT1 increased ESA accumulation to 14% to 15%. Our results indicate that isozyme competition is a limiting factor in the engineering of unusual FAs in heterologous plant systems and that reduction of competition through mutation and RNA suppression may be a useful component of seed metabolic engineering strategies. PMID:25739701

Comparative Analysis of Daytime Fire Detection Algorithms, Using AVHRR Data for the 1995 Fire Season in Canda: Perspective for MODIS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ichoku, Charles; Kaufman, Y. J.; Fraser, R. H.; Jin, J.-Z.; Park, W. M.; Lau, William K. M. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Two fixed-threshold Canada Centre for Remote Sensing and European Space Agency (CCRS and ESA) and three contextual GIGLIO, International Geosphere and Biosphere Project, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (GIGLIO, IGBP, and MODIS) algorithms were used for fire detection with Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data acquired over Canada during the 1995 fire season. The CCRS algorithm was developed for the boreal ecosystem, while the other four are for global application. The MODIS algorithm, although developed specifically for use with the MODIS sensor data, was applied to AVHRR in this study for comparative purposes. Fire detection accuracy assessment for the algorithms was based on comparisons with available 1995 burned area ground survey maps covering five Canadian provinces. Overall accuracy estimations in terms of omission (CCRS=46%, ESA=81%, GIGLIO=75%, IGBP=51%, MODIS=81%) and commission (CCRS=0.35%, ESA=0.08%, GIGLIO=0.56%, IGBP=0.75%, MODIS=0.08%) errors over forested areas revealed large differences in performance between the algorithms, with no relevance to type (fixed-threshold or contextual). CCRS performed best in detecting real forest fires, with the least omission error, while ESA and MODIS produced the highest omission error, probably because of their relatively high threshold values designed for global application. The commission error values appear small because the area of pixels falsely identified by each algorithm was expressed as a ratio of the vast unburned forest area. More detailed study shows that most commission errors in all the algorithms were incurred in nonforest agricultural areas, especially on days with very high surface temperatures. The advantage of the high thresholds in ESA and MODIS was that they incurred the least commission errors.

Assimilation of the ESA CCI Soil Moisture ACTIVE and PASSIVE Product into the SURFEX Land Surface Model using the Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blyverket, J.; Hamer, P.; Bertino, L.; Lahoz, W. A.

2017-12-01

The European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative for soil moisture (ESA CCI SM) was initiated in 2012 for a period of six years, the objective for this period was to produce the most complete and consistent global soil moisture data record based on both active and passive sensors. The ESA CCI SM products consist of three surface soil moisture datasets: The ACTIVE product and the PASSIVE product were created by fusing scatterometer and radiometer soil moisture data, respectively. The COMBINED product is a blended product based on the former two datasets. In this study we assimilate globally both the ACTIVE and PASSIVE product at a 25 km spatial resolution. The different satellite platforms have different overpass times, an observation is mapped to the hours 00.00, 06.00, 12.00 or 18.00 if it falls within a 3 hour window centred at these times. We use the SURFEX land surface model with the ISBA diffusion scheme for the soil hydrology. For the assimilation routine we apply the Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (ETKF). The land surface model is driven by perturbed MERRA-2 atmospheric forcing data, which has a temporal resolution of one hour and is mapped to the SURFEX model grid. Bias between the land surface model and the ESA CCI product is removed by cumulative distribution function (CDF) matching. This work is a step towards creating a global root zone soil moisture product from the most comprehensive satellite surface soil moisture product available. As a first step we consider the period from 2010 - 2016. This allows for comparison against other global root zone soil moisture products (SMAP Level 4, which is independent of the ESA CCI SM product).

Exploiting Orbital Data and Observation Campaigns to Improve Space Debris Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braun, V.; Horstmann, A.; Reihs, B.; Lemmens, S.; Merz, K.; Krag, H.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has been developing the Meteoroid and Space Debris Terrestrial Environment Reference (MASTER) software as the European reference model for space debris for more than 25 years. It is an event-based simulation of all known individual debris-generating events since 1957, including breakups, solid rocket motor firings and nuclear reactor core ejections. In 2014, the upgraded Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis (DRAMA) tool suite was released. In the same year an ESA instruction made the standard ISO 24113:2011 on space debris mitigation requirements, adopted via the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS), applicable to all ESA missions. In order to verify the compliance of a space mission with those requirements, the DRAMA software is used to assess collision avoidance statistics, estimate the remaining orbital lifetime and evaluate the on-ground risk for controlled and uncontrolled reentries. In this paper, the approach to validate the MASTER and DRAMA tools is outlined. For objects larger than 1 cm, thus potentially being observable from ground, the MASTER model has been validated through dedicated observation campaigns. Recent campaign results shall be discussed. Moreover, catalogue data from the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) has been used to correlate the larger objects. In DRAMA, the assessment of collision avoidance statistics is based on orbit uncertainty information derived from Conjunction Data Messages (CDM) provided by the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC). They were collected for more than 20 ESA spacecraft in the recent years. The way this information is going to be used in a future DRAMA version is outlined and the comparison of estimated manoeuvre rates with real manoeuvres from the operations of ESA spacecraft is shown.

Bulk processing of the Landsat MSS/TM/ETM+ archive of the European Space Agency: an insight into the level 1 MSS processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunier, Sébastien; Northrop, Amy; Lavender, Samantha; Galli, Luca; Ferrara, Riccardo; Mica, Stefano; Biasutti, Roberto; Goryl, Philippe; Gascon, Ferran; Meloni, Marco

2017-10-01

Whilst recent years have witnessed the development and exploitation of operational Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation data, the valorisation of historical archives has been a challenge. The European Space Agency (ESA) Landsat Multi Spectral Scanner (MSS) products cover Greenland, Iceland, Continental Europe and North Africa represent an archive of over 600,000 processed Level 1 (L1) scenes that will accompany around 1 million ESA Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) products already available. ESA began acquiring MSS data in 1975 and it is well known that this dataset can be degraded due to missing data and a loss in accuracy. For these reasons, the content of the product format has been reviewed and the ESA Landsat processing baseline significantly updated to ensure products are fit for user purposes. This paper presents the new MSS product format including the updated metadata parameters for error traceability, and the specification of the Quality Assurance Band (BQA) engineered to allow the best pixel selection and also the application of image restoration techniques. This paper also discusses major improvements applied to the radiometric and geometric processing. For the benefits of the community, ESA is now able to maximize the number of L1 MSS products that can potentially be generated from the raw Level 0 (L0) data and ensure the highest possible data quality is reached. Also, by improving product format, processing and adding a pixel based quality band, the MSS archive becomes interoperable with recently reprocessed Landsat data and that from live missions by way of assuring product quality on a pixel basis.

Cognitive outcomes of preterm infants randomized to darbepoetin, erythropoietin, or placebo.

PubMed

Ohls, Robin K; Kamath-Rayne, Beena D; Christensen, Robert D; Wiedmeier, Susan E; Rosenberg, Adam; Fuller, Janell; Lacy, Conra Backstrom; Roohi, Mahshid; Lambert, Diane K; Burnett, Jill J; Pruckler, Barbara; Peceny, Hannah; Cannon, Daniel C; Lowe, Jean R

2014-06-01

We previously reported decreased transfusions and donor exposures in preterm infants randomized to Darbepoetin (Darbe) or erythropoietin (Epo) compared with placebo. As these erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have shown promise as neuroprotective agents, we hypothesized improved neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 to 22 months among infants randomized to receive ESAs. We performed a randomized, masked, multicenter study comparing Darbe (10 μg/kg, 1×/week subcutaneously), Epo (400 U/kg, 3×/week subcutaneously), and placebo (sham dosing 3×/week) given through 35 weeks' postconceptual age, with transfusions administered according to a standardized protocol. Surviving infants were evaluated at 18 to 22 months' corrected age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III. The primary outcome was composite cognitive score. Assessments of object permanence, anthropometrics, cerebral palsy, vision, and hearing were performed. Of the original 102 infants (946 ± 196 g, 27.7 ± 1.8 weeks' gestation), 80 (29 Epo, 27 Darbe, 24 placebo) returned for follow-up. The 3 groups were comparable for age at testing, birth weight, and gestational age. After adjustment for gender, analysis of covariance revealed significantly higher cognitive scores among Darbe (96.2 ± 7.3; mean ± SD) and Epo recipients (97.9 ± 14.3) compared with placebo recipients (88.7 ± 13.5; P = .01 vs ESA recipients) as was object permanence (P = .05). No ESA recipients had cerebral palsy, compared with 5 in the placebo group (P < .001). No differences among groups were found in visual or hearing impairment. Infants randomized to receive ESAs had better cognitive outcomes, compared with placebo recipients, at 18 to 22 months. Darbe and Epo may prove beneficial in improving long-term cognitive outcomes of preterm infants. Copyright © 2014 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

ESA space spin-offs benefits for the health sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szalai, Bianca; Detsis, Emmanouil; Peeters, Walter

2012-11-01

Humanity will be faced with an important number of future challenges, including an expansion of the lifespan, a considerable increase of the population (estimated 9 billion by 2050) and a depletion of resources. These factors could trigger an increase of chronic diseases and various other health concerns that would bear a heavy weight on finances worldwide. Scientific advances can play an important role in solving a number of these problems, space technology; in general, can propose a panoply of possible solutions and applications that can make life on Earth easier and better for everyone. Satellites, Earth Observation, the International Space Station (ISS) and the European Space Agency (ESA) may not be the first tools that come to mind when thinking of improving health, yet there are many ways in which ESA and its programmes contribute to the health care arena. The research focuses on quantifying two ESA spin-offs to provide an initial view on how space can contribute to worldwide health. This quantification is part of the present strategy not only to show macroeconomic return factors for space in general, but also to identify and describe samples of 'best practice' type of examples close to the general public's interest. For each of the 'best practices' the methodology takes into account the cost of the space hardware/software, a number of tangible and intangible benefits, as well as some logical assumptions in order to determine the potential overall returns. Some of the hindering factors for a precise quantification are also highlighted. In conclusion, the study recommends a way in which ESA's spin-offs can be taken into account early on in the development process of space programmes in order to generate higher awareness with the general public and also to provide measurable returns.

ESTRACK Support for CCSDS Space Communication Cross Support Service Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dreihahn, H.; Unal, M.; Hoffmann, A.

2011-08-01

The CCSDS Recommended Standard for Space Communication Cross Support Service Management (SCCS SM) published as Blue Book in August 2009 is intended to provide standardised interfaces to negotiate, schedule, and manage the support of space missions by ground station network operators. ESA as a member of CCSDS has actively supported the development of the SCCS SM standard and is obviously interested in adopting it. Support of SCCS SM conforming interfaces and procedures includes:• Provision of SCCS SM conforming interfaces to non ESA missions;• Use of SCCS SM interfaces provided by other ground station operators to manage cross support of ESA missions;• In longer terms potentially use of SCCS SM interfaces and procedures also internally for support of ESA missions by ESTRACK.In the recent years ESOC has automated management and scheduling of ESA Tracking Network (ESTRACK) services by the specification, development, and deployment of the ESTRACK Management System (EMS), more specifically its planning and scheduling components ESTRACK Planning System and ESTRACK Scheduling System. While full support of the SCCS SM standard will involve also other elements of the ground segment operated by ESOC such as the Flight Dynamic System, EMS is at the core of service management and it is therefore appropriate to initially focus on the question to what extent EMS can support SCCS SM. This paper presents results of the initial analysis phase. After briefly presenting the SCCS SM standard and the relevant components of the ESTRACK management system, we will discuss the initial deployment options, open issues and a tentative roadmap for the way to proceed. Obviously the adoption of a cross support standard requires and discussion and coordination of the involved parties and agencies, especially in the light of the fact that the SCCS SM standard has many optional parts.

Perceived not actual overweight is associated with excessive school absenteeism among U.S. adolescents.

PubMed

Duncan, Dustin T; Hansen, Andrew R; Woo Baidal, Jennifer; Lyn, Rodney; Hill, Ashley; Zhang, Jian

Excess body weight has been reported to be associated with excessive school absenteeism (ESA), but less is known about the association with perceived body weight. The study objective was to weigh the relative influence of perceived and measured weight status on school attendance. We used the data from 3113 adolescents age 12-19 years who were interviewed as a part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 2003-2008. Body weight and height were measured during the physical examination, while self-perceived body weight and the number of school days missed was assessed using questionnaires. Missing one or more days per school month (nine days per school year) was defined as, and indicative of, experiencing ESA. ESA was reported from 12.31 (SE=0.89) % of adolescents. The highest prevalence occurred among healthy weight adolescents who erroneously self-perceived as overweight [21.6 (4.77) %], two times higher than adolescents with obesity who self-perceived as "just right weight" [10.3 (2.87) %]. The adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) of ESA for healthy weight adolescents who erroneously self-perceived as "overweight" was 1.91 (95%CI=1.10-3.32) compared to healthy weight peers who correctly self-perceived as "just right" (reference group). The PRs were 0.99 (0.48-2.06) and 1.41 (0.86-2.32) respectively for adolescents with obesity who believed that their body weight was "just right" or "overweight". No significant differences were observed between boys and girls, young (12-15 years) and older adolescents (16-19 years). Perceived overweight rather than actual overweight is significantly associated ESA among adolescents. Copyright © 2016 Asia Oceania Association for the Study of Obesity. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Right ventricular end-systolic area as a simple first-line marker predicting right ventricular enlargement and decreased systolic function in children referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Barczuk-Falęcka, M; Małek, Ł A; Roik, D; Werys, K; Werner, B; Brzewski, M

2018-06-01

To assess the accuracy of simple cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) parameters for first-line analysis of right ventricle (RV) dysfunction in children to identify those who require in-depth analysis and those in whom simple assessment is sufficient. Sixty paediatric CMR studies were analysed. The following CMR parameters were measured: RV end-diastolic and end-systolic area (4CH EDA and 4CH ESA), fractional area change (FAC), RV diameter in end-diastole (RVD1), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and RV outflow tract diameter in end-diastole (RVOT prox). They were correlated with RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDVI) and RV ejection fraction (RVEF). RVEDVI correlated best with 4CH ESA (r=0.85, <0.001) and EDA (r=0.82, <0.001). For RVEF only a moderate reverse correlation was found for 4CH ESA (-0.56, <0.001), 4CH EDA (-0.49, 0.001) and positive correlation for FAC (0.49, <0.001). There was no correlation between TAPSE and RVEF and only weak between RVD1 and RVEDVI. A 4CH ESA cut-off value of 8.5 cm 2 /m 2 had a very high diagnostic accuracy for predicting an enlarged RV (AUC=0.912, p<0.001, sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 79%) and a cut-off value of 10.5 cm 2 /m 2 was also a good predictor of depressed RV systolic function (AUC=0.873, p<0.001, sensitivity 83%, specificity 89%). For routine screening in clinical practice, 4CH ESA seems a reliable and easy method to identify patients with RV dysfunction. Copyright © 2018 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lunar Exploration and Science in ESA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpenter, James; Houdou, Bérengère; Fisackerly, Richard; De Rosa, Diego; Patti, Bernardo; Schiemann, Jens; Hufenbach, Bernhard; Foing, Bernard

2014-05-01

ESA seeks to provide Europe with access to the lunar surface, and allow Europeans to benefit from the opening up of this new frontier, as part of a global endeavor. This will be best achieved through an exploration programme which combines the strengths and capabilities of both robotic and human explorers. ESA is preparing for future participation in lunar exploration through a combination of human and robotic activities, in cooperation with international partners. Future planned activities include the contribution of key technological capabilities to the Russian led robotic missions, Luna-Glob, Luna-Resurs orbiter and Luna-Resurs lander. For the Luna-Resurs lander ESA will provide analytical capabilities to compliment the already selected Russian led payload, focusing on the composition and isotopic abundances of lunar volatiles in polar regions. This should be followed by the contributions at the level of mission elements to a Lunar Polar Sample Return mission. This partnership will provide access for European investigators to the opportunities offered by the Russian led instruments on the missions, as well as providing Europe with a unique opportunity to characterize and utilize polar volatile populations. Ultimately samples of high scientific value, from as of yet unexplored and unsampled locations shall be made available to the scientific community. These robotic activities are being performed with a view to enabling a future more comprehensive programme in which robotic and human activities are integrated to provide the maximum benefits from lunar surface access. Activities on the ISS and ESA participation to the US led Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, which is planned for a first unmanned lunar flight in 2017, are also important steps towards achieving this. All of these activities are performed with a view to generating the technologies, capabilities, knowledge and heritage that will make Europe an indispensable partner in the exploration missions of the future.

Broadband active electrically small superconductor antennas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kornev, V. K.; Kolotinskiy, N. V.; Sharafiev, A. V.; Soloviev, I. I.; Mukhanov, O. A.

2017-10-01

A new type of broadband active electrically small antenna (ESA) based on superconducting quantum arrays (SQAs) has been proposed and developed. These antennas are capable of providing both sensing and amplification of broadband electromagnetic signals with a very high spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR)—up to 100 dB (and even more)—with high sensitivity. The frequency band can range up to tens of gigahertz, depending on Josephson junction characteristic frequency, set by fabrication. In this paper we review theoretical and experimental studies of SQAs and SQA-based antenna prototypes of both transformer and transformer-less types. The ESA prototypes evaluated were fabricated using a standard Nb process with critical current density 4.5 kA cm-2. Measured device characteristics, design issues and comparative analysis of various ESA types, as well as requirements for interfaces, are reviewed and discussed.

Initial flight results of the TRMM Kalman filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, Stephen F.; Morgenstern, Wendy M.

1998-01-01

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft is a nadir pointing spacecraft that nominally controls attitude based on the Earth Sensor Assembly (ESA) output. After a potential single point failure in the ESA was identified, the contingency attitude determination method chosen to backup the ESA-based system was a sixth-order extended Kalman filter that uses magnetometer and digital sun sensor measurements. A brief description of the TRMM Kalman filter will be given, including some implementation issues and algorithm heritage. Operational aspects of the Kalman filter and some failure detection and correction will be described. The Kalman filter was tested in a sun pointing attitude and in a nadir pointing attitude during the in-orbit checkout period, and results from those tests will be presented. This paper will describe some lessons learned from the experience of the TRMM team.

Initial Flight Results of the TRMM Kalman Filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, Stephen F.; Morgenstern, Wendy M.

1998-01-01

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft is a nadir pointing spacecraft that nominally controls attitude based on the Earth Sensor Assembly (ESA) output. After a potential single point failure in the ESA was identified, the contingency attitude determination method chosen to backup the ESA-based system was a sixth-order extended Kalman filter that uses magnetometer and digital sun sensor measurements. A brief description of the TRMM Kalman filter will be given, including some implementation issues and algorithm heritage. Operational aspects of the Kalman filter and some failure detection and correction will be described. The Kalman filter was tested in a sun pointing attitude and in a nadir pointing attitude during the in-orbit checkout period, and results from those tests will be presented. This paper will describe some lessons learned from the experience of the TRMM team.

Results of the ESA study on psychological selection of astronaut candidates for Columbus missions II: Personality assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goeters, Klaus-Martin; Fassbender, Christoph

A unique composition of personality assessment methods was applied to a group of 97 ESA scientists and engineers. This group is highly comparable to real astronaut candidates with respect to age and education. The list of used tests includes personality questionnaires, problem solving in groups as well as a projective technique. The study goals were: 1. Verification of psychometric qualities and applicability of tests to the target group; 2. Search for culture-fair tests by which multi-national European groups can be examined; 3. Identification of test methods by which the adaptability of the candidates to the psycho-social stress of long-duration space flights can be assessed. Based on the empirical findings, a test battery was defined which can be used in the selection of ESA space personnel.

Economic effects and spin-offs in a small space economy: the case of Canada.

PubMed

Amesse, Fernand; Cohendet, Patrick; Poirier, Alain; Chouinard, Jean-Marc

2002-12-01

Canada, through a well-focused space program (telecommunications, earth observation, robotics), has succeeded in developing a space industry largely based on SMEs. The result has been significant economic benefits and technological spin-offs. In this article, the results of two programs, the ESA (European Space Agency) and the STEAR (Strategic Technologies in Automation and Robotics), are compared. The ESA program has generated significant indirect effects and spin-offs for Canadian exports. ESA's reputation and network have enabled SMEs to increase export sales of both space products and other commercial products derived from space technologies. The STEAR program has been highly successful in promoting a new generation of SMEs for space robotics, encouraging both spin-in and spin-offs of technologies. The analysis highlights the complementarity of mission- and diffusion-oriented programs in the technology transfer process.

ExoMars Raman laser spectrometer breadboard overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Díaz, E.; Moral, A. G.; Canora, C. P.; Ramos, G.; Barcos, O.; Prieto, J. A. R.; Hutchinson, I. B.; Ingley, R.; Colombo, M.; Canchal, R.; Dávila, B.; Manfredi, J. A. R.; Jiménez, A.; Gallego, P.; Pla, J.; Margoillés, R.; Rull, F.; Sansano, A.; López, G.; Catalá, A.; Tato, C.

2011-10-01

The Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) is one of the Pasteur Payload instruments, within the ESA's Aurora Exploration Programme, ExoMars mission. The RLS Instrument will perform Raman spectroscopy on crushed powdered samples deposited on a small container after crushing the cores obtained by the Rover's drill system. In response to ESA requirements for delta-PDR to be held in mid 2012, an instrument BB programme has been developed, by RLS Assembly Integration and Verification (AIV) Team to achieve the Technology Readiness level 5 (TRL5), during last 2010 and whole 2011. Currently RLS instrument is being developed pending its CoDR (Conceptual Design Revision) with ESA, in October 2011. It is planned to have a fully operative breadboard, conformed from different unit and sub-units breadboards that would demonstrate the end-to-end performance of the flight representative units by 2011 Q4.

Content relatedness in the social web based on social explicit semantic analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ntalianis, Klimis; Otterbacher, Jahna; Mastorakis, Nikolaos

2017-06-01

In this paper a novel content relatedness algorithm for social media content is proposed, based on the Explicit Semantic Analysis (ESA) technique. The proposed scheme takes into consideration social interactions. In particular starting from the vector space representation model, similarity is expressed by a summation of term weight products. In this paper, term weights are estimated by a social computing method, where the strength of each term is calculated by the attention the terms receives. For this reason each post is split into two parts, title and comments area, while attention is defined by the number of social interactions such as likes and shares. The overall approach is named Social Explicit Semantic Analysis. Experimental results on real data show the advantages and limitations of the proposed approach, while an initial comparison between ESA and S-ESA is very promising.

SCATHA-Analysis System

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-31

geometric factor. For the low energy FSA detectors, the background counts must be subtracted from the measured (actual) counts before the geometric factor...and high energy) each provide a background measure - ment. The background counts for the low energy ESA (LE ESA) were subtracted from the other four LE...perpendicular to the spacecraft +X reference spin axis and 189.660 around from the +Z axis (with this angle measured from the +Z axis in the direction

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-07-01

The STS-103 crew portrait includes (from left) C. Michael Foale, mission specialist; Claude Nicollier, mission specialist representing the European Space Agency (ESA) ; Scott J. Kelly, pilot; Curtis L. Brown, commander; and mission specialists Jean-Francois Clervoy (ESA), John M. Grunsfeld, and Steven L. Smith. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on December 19, 1999 at 6:50 p.m. (CST), the STS-103 mission served as the third Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing mission.

Mission Design for NASA's Inner Heliospheric Sentinels and ESA's Solar Orbiter Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Downing, John; Folta, David; Marr, Greg; Rodriquez-Canabal, Jose; Conde, Rich; Guo, Yanping; Kelley, Jeff; Kirby, Karen

2007-01-01

This paper will document the mission design and mission analysis performed for NASA's Inner Heliospheric Sentinels (IHS) and ESA's Solar Orbiter (SolO) missions, which were conceived to be launched on separate expendable launch vehicles. This paper will also document recent efforts to analyze the possibility of launching the Inner Heliospheric Sentinels and Solar Orbiter missions using a single expendable launch vehicle, nominally an Atlas V 551.

iss056e014352

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-06-18

iss056e014352 (June 18, 2018) --- Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) is in quasi-free-floating configuration for the GRASP study taking place inside Europe's Columbus laboratory module. The ESA-sponsored research is studying how the body adapts to the microgravity environment. GRASP uses virtual reality headsets as a way to understand how important gravity is, compared to the other senses, when reaching for an object.

The rcsA Promoter of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii Features a Low-Level Constitutive Promoter and an EsaR Quorum-Sensing-Regulated Promoter

PubMed Central

Carlier, Aurelien L.; von Bodman, S. B.

2006-01-01

The upstream region of the Pantoea stewartii rcsA gene features two promoters, one for constitutive basal-level expression and a second autoregulated promoter for induced expression. The EsaR quorum-sensing repressor binds to a site centered between the two promoters, blocking transcription elongation from the regulated promoter under noninducing conditions. PMID:16740966

KSC-2009-6515

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-11-20

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Bernardo Patti, head of International Space Station, Program Department, European Space Agency, or ESA, is photographed with invited guests of ESA in front of node 3 for the International Space Station following a ceremony transferring the ownership of the node from ESA to NASA. Node 3 is named "Tranquility" after the Sea of Tranquility, the lunar landing site of Apollo 11. The payload for the STS-130 mission, Tranquility is a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the International Space Station's life support systems. The module was built for ESA by Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work station with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. Just under 10 feet in diameter, the module will accommodate two crew members and portable workstations that can control station and robotic activities. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 mission is targeted to launch Feb. 4, 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Interoperability at ESA Heliophysics Science Archives: IVOA, HAPI and other implementations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez-Garcia, B.; Cook, J. P.; Perez, H.; Fernandez, M.; De Teodoro, P.; Osuna, P.; Arnaud, M.; Arviset, C.

2017-12-01

The data of ESA heliophysics science missions are preserved at the ESAC Science Data Centre (ESDC). The ESDC aims for the long term preservation of those data, which includes missions such as Ulysses, Soho, Proba-2, Cluster, Double Star, and in the future, Solar Orbiter. Scientists have access to these data through web services, command line and graphical user interfaces for each of the corresponding science mission archives. The International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) provides technical standards that allow interoperability among different systems that implement them. By adopting some IVOA standards, the ESA heliophysics archives are able to share their data with those tools and services that are VO-compatible. Implementation of those standards can be found in the existing archives: Ulysses Final Archive (UFA) and Soho Science Archive (SSA). They already make use of VOTable format definition and Simple Application Messaging Protocol (SAMP). For re-engineered or new archives, the implementation of services through Table Access Protocol (TAP) or Universal Worker Service (UWS) will leverage this interoperability. This will be the case for the Proba-2 Science Archive (P2SA) and the Solar Orbiter Archive (SOAR). We present here which IVOA standards were already used by the ESA Heliophysics archives in the past and the work on-going.

ESA's Planetary Science Archive: Preserve and present reliable scientific data sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Besse, S.; Vallat, C.; Barthelemy, M.; Coia, D.; Costa, M.; De Marchi, G.; Fraga, D.; Grotheer, E.; Heather, D.; Lim, T.; Martinez, S.; Arviset, C.; Barbarisi, I.; Docasal, R.; Macfarlane, A.; Rios, C.; Saiz, J.; Vallejo, F.

2018-01-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) Planetary Science Archive (PSA) is undergoing a significant refactoring of all its components to improve the services provided to the scientific community and the public. The PSA supports ESA's missions exploring the Solar System by archiving scientific peer-reviewed observations as well as engineering data sets. This includes the Giotto, SMART-1, Huygens, Venus Express, Mars Express, Rosetta, Exomars 2016, Exomars RSP, BepiColombo, and JUICE missions. The PSA is offering a newly designed graphical user interface which is simultaneously meant to maximize the interaction with scientific observations and also minimise the efforts needed to download these scientific observations. The PSA still offers the same services as before (i.e., FTP, documentation, helpdesk, etc.). In addition, it will support the two formats of the Planetary Data System (i.e., PDS3 and PDS4), as well as providing new ways for searching the data products with specific metadata and geometrical parameters. As well as enhanced services, the PSA will also provide new services to improve the visualisation of data products and scientific content (e.g., spectra, etc.). Together with improved access to the spacecraft engineering data sets, the PSA will provide easier access to scientific data products that will help to maximize the science return of ESA's space missions.

Chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites in Wisconsin groundwater: 2001 survey results.

PubMed

Postle, Jeffrey K; Rheineck, Bruce D; Allen, Paula E; Baldock, Jon O; Cook, Cody J; Zogbaum, Randy; Vandenbrook, James P

2004-10-15

A survey of agricultural chemicals in Wisconsin groundwater was conducted between October 2000 and April 2001 to obtain a current picture of agricultural chemicals in groundwater used for private drinking water. A stratified, random sampling procedure was used to select 336 sampling locations. Water from private drinking water wells randomly selected from within the 336 sampling locations was analyzed for 18 compounds including herbicides, herbicide metabolites, and nitrate. This report focuses on the frequency and concentration of chloroacetanilide herbicides and their metabolites. Analysis of data resulted in an estimated proportion of 38+/-5.0% of wells that contained detectable levels of a herbicide or herbicide metabolite. The most commonly detected compound was alachlor ESA with a proportion estimate of 28+/-4.6%. Other detected compounds in order of prevalence were metolachlor ESA, metolachlor OA, alachlor OA, acetochlor ESA, and parent alachlor. Estimates of the mean concentration for the detects ranged from 0.15+/-0.082 microg/L for acetochlor ESA to 1.8+/-0.60 microg/L for alachlor OA. Water quality standards have not been developed for these chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites. The results of this survey emphasize the need for toxicological assessments of herbicide metabolite compounds and establishment of water quality standards at the state and federal levels.

Hypoxia-inducible factor stabilizers and other small-molecule erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in current and preventive doping analysis.

PubMed

Beuck, Simon; Schänzer, Wilhelm; Thevis, Mario

2012-11-01

Increasing the blood's capacity for oxygen transport by erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) constitutes a prohibited procedure of performance enhancement according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The advent of orally bio-available small-molecule ESAs such as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) stabilizers in the development of novel anti-anaemia therapies expands the list of potential ESA doping techniques. Here, the erythropoiesis-stimulating properties and doping relevance of experimental HIF-stabilizers, such as cobaltous chloride, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid or GSK360A, amongst others, are discussed. The stage of clinical trials is reviewed for the anti-anaemia drug candidates FG-2216, FG-4592, GSK1278863, AKB-6548, and BAY85-3934. Currently available methods and strategies for the determination of selected HIF stabilizers in sports drug testing are based on liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). For the support of further analytical assay development, patents claiming distinct compounds for the use in HIF-mediated therapies are evaluated and exemplary molecular structures of HIF stabilizers presented. Moreover, data concerning the erythropoiesis-enhancing effects of the GATA inhibitors K7174 and K11706 as well as the lipidic small-molecule ESA PBI-1402 are elucidated the context of doping analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Healthcare resource utilization for anemia management: current practice with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and the impact of converting to once-monthly C.E.R.A.

PubMed

Saueressig, Ulrich; Kwan, Jonathan T C; De Cock, Erwin; Sapède, Claudine

2008-01-01

Background andMethods: A prospective, observational study in 12 German and UK dialysis centers which quantified personnel time for anemia treatment using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Tasks directly observable were measured through the time-and-motion method; time for non-observable tasks was estimated by healthcare staff. Using activity-based costing methods, time was converted into monetary units. Modeling was used to estimate potential time and cost savings using once-monthly C.E.R.A., a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator. For current ESAs in Germany and the UK, respectively: mean observed time was 1.67 and 2.67 min/patient/administration, corresponding to 31 and 42 days/year/center/100 patients; mean total time/center/100 patients/year was estimated at 79 and 95 days, equivalent to EUR 17,031 and GBP 18,739. Assuming 100% once-monthly C.E.R.A. uptake, the observed time/patient/year may decrease by 79 and 84% in Germany and the UK, respectively, compared with traditional ESAs. Conversion to once-monthly C.E.R.A. may offer the potential to reduce time spent on ESA administration in hemodialysis centers. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Simulation of dissipative-soliton-resonance generation in a passively mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Wenxiong; Li, Heping; Liu, Cong; Shen, Shengnan; Zhang, Shangjian; Liu, Yong

2017-10-01

We present a numerical investigation of dissipative-soliton-resonance (DSR) generation in an all-normal-dispersion Ybdoped fiber laser mode-locked by a real saturable absorber (SA). In the simulation model, the SA includes both the saturable absorption and excited-state absorption (ESA) effects. The intra-cavity pulse evolution is numerically simulated with different transmission functions of SA. When omitting the ESA effect, the transmissivity of SA increases monotonically with the input pulse power. The noise-like pulse (NLP) operation in the cavity is obtained at high pump power, which is attributed to the spectral filtering effect. When the ESA effect is activated, higher instantaneous power part of pulse encounters larger loss induced by SA, causing that the pulse peak power is clamped at a certain fixed value. With increasing pump, the pulse starts to extend in the time domain while the pulse spectrum is considerably narrowed. In this case, the NLP operation state induced by the spectral filtering effect is avoided and the DSR is generated. Our simulation results indicate that the ESA effect in the SA plays a dominant role in generating the DSR pulses, which will be conducive to comprehending the mechanism of DSR generation in passively mode-locked fiber lasers.

European Space Agency (ESA) Mission Specialist Nicollier trains in JSC's WETF

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

European Space Agency (ESA) Mission Specialist (MS) Claude Nicollier (left) is briefed by Randall S. McDaniel on Space Shuttle extravehicular activity (EVA) tools and equipment prior to donning an extravehicular mobility unit and participating in an underwater EVA simulation in JSC's Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) Bldg 29 pool. Nicollier is holding the EMU mini workstation. Other equipment on the table includes EVA tool caddies and EVA crewmember safety tethers.

EVAL system concept definition. Partial spacelab payload

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

The preliminary design of an earth-viewing spacelab payload, with accommodations shared by both NASA and ESA is addressed. Mission parameters for this flight include a launch date of September 1981, an inclination of 57 deg, and an orbital altitude of 325 km. A seven-day mission is planned. The NASA portion of this payload is assigned to the EVAL (Earth Viewing Applications Laboratory) program. The ESA complement is designed as a multiuser payload.

NASA/ESA CV-990 Spacelab Simulation (ASSESS 2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mulholland, D. R.; Androes, G. M.; Reeves, J. F.

1978-01-01

To test the validity of the ARC approach to Spacelab, several missions simulating aspects of Spacelab operations have been conducted as part of the ASSESS Program. Each mission was designed to evaluate potential Shuttle/Spacelab concepts in increasing detail. For this mission, emphasis was placed on development and exercise of management techniques planned for Spacelab using management participants from NASA and ESA who have responsibilities for Spacelab 1 which will be launched in 1980.

Transatlantic Relations: The Role of Nationalism in Multinational Space Cooperation

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-01

Global Positioning System (GPS) and Russia’s Global’naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS), is another program that has seen its...ESA official Web pages, as well as public documents, such as Reports to Congress (CRS) and European Policy Papers written by authors such as Carl...Global’naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS). It is the first large program jointly funded by the EU and ESA and is also the first major

NASA/First Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR-1) Module Inserts Development for the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crouch, Myscha; Carswell, Bill; Farmer, Jeff; Rose, Fred; Tidwell, Paul

1999-01-01

The Material Science Research Rack 1 (MSRR-1) of the Material Science Research Facility (MSRF) contains an Experiment Module (EM) being developed collaboratively by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). This NASA/ESA EM will accommodate several different removable and replaceable Module Inserts (MIs) which are installed on orbit. Two of the NASA MIs being developed for specific material science investigations are described herein.

Orion European Service Module (ESM) Development, Integration and Qualification Status

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berthe, Philippe; Over, Ann P.; Picardo, Michelle; Byers, Anthony W.

2017-01-01

ESA and the European Industry are supplying the European Service Module for Orion. An overview of the system and subsystem configuration of the Orion European Service Module (ESM) as designed and built for the EM-1 mission is provided as well as an outline of its development, assembly, integration and verification process performed by ESA and NASA in coordination with their respective Industrial prime contractors, Airbus Defence and Space and Lockheed Martin.

Views of the mission control center during STS-9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Busy moment in the customer management room (CMR) of JSC's mission control center during Spacelab 1 day 2. Three personnel from the European Space Agency (ESA) huddle around a console along with Ralph Hoodless (seated at left), of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. Others pictured are Lars Tedeman and Hildegard Binck (standing); and Frank Longhurst (seated right). Tedeman is with ESA's quality control division and Longhurst is Spacelab operations manager.

The Mars Express/NASA Project at JPL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, T. W.; Horttor, R. L.; Acton, C. H., Jr.; Zamani, P.; Johnson, W. T. K.; Plaut, J. J.; Holmes, D. P.; No, S.; Asmar, S.; Goltz, G.

2005-01-01

ESA s Mars Express Mission involves international collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European space agencies with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a junior partner. The primary objective of this mission is to search for hydrologic resources on the surface of Mars. Mars Express was launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan on June 2, 2003 and arrived at Mars on December 25, 2003. Orbital science observations started in January 2004.

A numerical model for the Serpens radio jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raga, A. C.; Curiel, S.; Rodríguez, L. F.; Cantó, J.

2000-12-01

The Serpens (``triple source'') radio continuum jet shows a series of aligned knots with ~ 1-2'' angular separations, forming a curved structure circumscribed within a cone of ~ 10o full opening angle. We present a high resolution, 3D numerical simulation of a jet with variable ejection direction and velocity with parameters appropriate for the Serpens jet, from which we obtain predictions of 3.6 cm radio continuum maps. We find that the general morphology of the radio emission, and the time evolution of the successive knots, qualitatively agree with 3.6 cm VLA observations of the Serpens radio jet. Based on observations with ISO, an ESA project with instruments funded by ESA Member States (especially the PI countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) and with the participation of ISAS and NASA. Members of the Consortium on the ISOPHOT Serendipity Survey (CISS) are MPIA Heidelberg, ESA ISO SOC Villafranca, AIP Potsdam, IPAC Pasadena, Imperial College London.

Chamaeleon's Cold Cloud Cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hotzel, Stephan; Lemke, Dietrich; Krause, Oliver; Stickel, Manfred; Toth, L. Viktor

ISOPHOT Serendipity Survey (ISOSS) observations of the nearby interstellar medium towards Chamaeleon have revealed a number of cold cloud cores. Far-infrared colours have been studied using ISOSS and IRAS data. 10 very cold cores with colour temperatures Tdust 13 K have been found in an 11° × 8° sized region. Comparing the FIR data with radio measurements, all of the very cold cores have high gas column densities, N(H2) > 1021 cm-2, and 7 out of 10 have low gas temperatures as indicated by Tex(C18O) ~~ 8 K.Based on observations with ISO, an ESA project with instruments funded by ESA Member States (especially the PI countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) and with the participation of ISAS and NASA. Members of the Consortium on the ISOPHOT Serendipity Survey (CISS) are MPIA Heidelberg, ESA ISO SOC Villafranca, AIP Potsdam, IPAC Pasadena, Imperial College London.

Recent Flight Results of the TRMM Kalman Filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, Stephen F.; Bilanow, Stephen; Bauer, Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft is a nadir pointing spacecraft that nominally controls the roll and pitch attitude based on the Earth Sensor Assembly (ESA) output. TRMM's nominal orbit altitude was 350 km, until raised to 402 km to prolong mission life. During the boost, the ESA experienced a decreasing signal to noise ratio, until sun interference at 393 km altitude made the ESA data unreliable for attitude determination. At that point, the backup attitude determination algorithm, an extended Kalman filter, was enabled. After the boost finished, TRMM reacquired its nadir-pointing attitude, and continued its mission. This paper will briefly discuss the boost and the decision to turn on the backup attitude determination algorithm. A description of the extended Kalman filter algorithm will be given. In addition, flight results from analyzing attitude data and the results of software changes made onboard TRMM will be discussed. Some lessons learned are presented.

Assess 2: Spacelab simulation. Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

An Airborne Science/Spacelab Experiments System Simulation (ASSESS II) mission, was conducted with the CV-990 airborne laboratory in May 1977. The project studied the full range of Spacelab-type activities including management interactions, experiment selection and funding, hardware development, payload integration and checkout, mission specialist and payload specialist selection and training, mission control center payload operations control center arrangements and interactions, real time interaction during flight between principal investigators and the flight crew, and retrieval of scientific flight data. ESA established an integration and coordination center for the ESA portion of the payload as planned for Spacelab. A strongly realistic Spacelab mission was conducted on the CV-990 aircraft. U.S. and ESA scientific experiments were integrated into a payload and flown over a 10 day period, with the payload flight crew fully-confined to represent a Spacelab mission. Specific conclusions for Spacelab planning are presented along with a brief explanation of each.

KSC-2013-2882

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-06-20

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Representatives from the European Space Agency, or ESA, toured the Operations and Checkout Building high bay at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pointing at thermal protection system tiles is Jules Schneider, Lockheed Martin senior manager. At right, in the blue suit, is Bernardo Patti, ESA manager of International Space Station Operations. Standing next to Patti is Nico Dettman, ESA Space Transportation Department director. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. Orion’s first unpiloted test flight is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket. A second uncrewed flight test is scheduled for 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

The STEP mission - Satellite test of the equivalence principle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Atzei, A.; Swanson, P.; Anselmi, A.

1992-01-01

The STEP experiment is a joint ESA/NASA mission candidate for selection as the next medium science project in the ESA scientific program. ESA and NASA have undertaken a joint feasibility study of STEP. The principles of STEP and details of the mission are presented and the mission and spacecraft are described. The primary objective of STEP is to measure differences in the rate of fall of test masses of different compositions to one part in 10 exp 17 of the total gravitational acceleration, a factor of 10 exp 8 improvement in sensitivity over previous experiments. STEP constitutes a comparison of gravitational and inertial mass or a test of the weak equivalence principle (WEP). A test of WEP that is six orders of magnitude more accurate than previous tests will reveal whether the underlying structure of the universe is filled with undiscovered small forces, necessitating a fundamental change in our theories of matter on all scales.

Laser technology developments in support of ESA's earth observation missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durand, Y.; Bézy, J.-L.; Meynart, R.

2008-02-01

Within the context of ESA's Living Planet Programme, the European Space Agency has selected three missions embarking lidar instruments: ADM-Aeolus (Atmospheric Dynamics Mission) planed for launch in 2009 with a Doppler Wind Lidar, ALADIN, as unique payload; EarthCARE (Earth Clouds, Aerosols, and Radiation Explorer) planed for launch in 2013 including an ATmospheric backscatter LIDar (ATLID); at last, A-SCOPE (Advanced Space Carbon and Climate Observation of Planet Earth), candidate for the 7 th Earth Explorer, relying on a CO II Total Column Differential Absorption Lidar. To mitigate the technical risks for selected missions associated with the different sorts of lidar, ESA has undertaken critical technology developments, from the transmitter to the receiver and covering both components and sub-systems development and characterization. The purpose of this paper is to present the latest results obtained in the area of laser technology that are currently ongoing in support to EarthCARE, A-SCOPE and ADM-Aeolus.

Which benefits and limits derive from ESA membership for European Countries owning ;medium-sized; space agencies?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petroni, Giorgio; Bigliardi, Barbara; Galati, Francesco; Petroni, Alberto

2018-01-01

This study investigates the benefits and limits deriving from membership with ESA of six medium-sized space agencies in terms of strengthening and development (or not) of space technologies, as well as their contribution to the growth of productive activities and to the increase of services for citizens. This research contributes to the more general issue of the usefulness of space activities, not only for scientific or military-political purposes but also for economic and social development. Results show that, on the one hand, the membership with ESA has allowed smaller Countries to access space programs, to develop advanced technologies and to support the growth of their firms in some significant markets, but, on the other hand, the membership has also limited the access to space to few companies, without encouraging the broad dissemination of technological knowledge.

Evaluation and qualification of commercial opto-electronic components for the MOHA subsystem in ESA's SMOS mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutierrez, Francisco; Cordero, Enrique; Sánchez, Carolina; Barbero, Juan; Mosberger, Martin; Boehle, Peter; Tornell, Manuel; Lundmark, Karin

2017-11-01

A dedicated evaluation and qualification campaign has been performed on several optical COTS components in order to use them on ESA's SMOS mission. The evaluation phase consisted of a set of critical tests and analyses and led to the selection of the flight lot component. After selection of the components, one lot of each component has been qualified for the SMOS mission. The overall approach is presented together with a summary of all activities performed. The whole task has been handled in a joint effort between ESA, EADS CASA Espacio (prime contractor), Contraves Space AG (MOHA subsystem), TECNOLOGICA SA (component qualification experts) and the respective manufacturers, each party providing their specific know-how. Test results are presented and the issues discovered and lessons learned are addressed. Special emphasis is given to particular tests for which dedicated setups had to be designed due to the unavailability of standard equipment.

Asteroid Impact Mission (aim) & Deflection Assessment: AN Opportunity to Understand Impact Dynamics and Modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galvez, A.; Carnelli, I.; Fontaine, M.; Corral Van Damme, C.

2012-09-01

ESA's Future Preparation and Strategic Studies Office has carried out the Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM) study with the objective of defining an affordable and fully independent mission element that ESA could contribute to an Asteroid Impact Deflection Assessment campaign (AIDA), a joint effort of ESA, JHU/APL, NASA, OCA and DLR. The mission design foresees two independent spacecraft, one impactor (DART) and one rendezvous probe (AIM). The target of this mission is the binary asteroid system (65803) Didymos (1996 GT): one spacecraft, DART, would impact the secondary of the Didymos binary system while AIM would observe and measure any the change in the relative orbit. For this joint project, the timing of the experiment is set (maximum proximity of the target to Earth allowing for ground-based characterisation of the experiment) but the spacecraft are still able to pursue their missions fully independently. This paper describes in particular the AIM rendezvous mission concept.

System concepts and enabling technologies for an ESA low-cost mission to Jupiter / Europa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renard, P.; Koeck, C.; Kemble, Steve; Atzei, Alessandro; Falkner, Peter

2004-11-01

The European Space Agency is currently studying the Jovian Minisat Explorer (JME), as part of its Technology Reference Studies (TRS), used for its development plan of technologies enabling future scientific missions. The JME focuses on the exploration of the Jovian system and particularly of Europa. The Jupiter Minisat Orbiter (JMO) study concerns the first mission phase of JME that counts up to three missions using pairs of minisats. The scientific objectives are the investigation of Europa's global topography, the composition of its (sub)surface and the demonstration of existence of a subsurface ocean below its icy crust. The present paper describes the candidate JMO system concept, based on a Europa Orbiter (JEO) supported by a communications relay satellite (JRS), and its associated technology development plan. It summarizes an analysis performed in 2004 jointly by ESA and the EADS-Astrium Company in the frame of an industrial technical assistance to ESA.

NEO follow-up, recovery and precovery campaigns at the ESA NEO Coordination Centre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Micheli, Marco; Koschny, Detlef; Drolshagen, Gerhard; Perozzi, Ettore; Borgia, Barbara

2016-01-01

The NEO Coordination Centre (NEOCC) has been established within the framework of the ESA Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Programme. Among its tasks are the coordination of observational activities and the distribution of up-to-date information on NEOs through its web portal. The Centre is directly involved in observational campaigns with various telescopes, including ESO's VLT and ESA's OGS telescope. We are also developing a network of collaborating observatories, with a variety of capabilities, which are alerted when an important observational opportunity arises. From a service perspective, the system hosted at the NEOCC collects information on NEOs produced by European services and makes it available to users, with a focus on objects with possible collisions with the Earth. Among the tools provided via our portal are the Risk List of all known NEOs with impact solutions, and the Priority List, which allows observers to identify NEOs in most urgent need of observations.

Space/ground systems as cooperating agents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, T. J.

1994-01-01

Within NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) it is agreed that autonomy is an important goal for the design of future spacecraft and that this requires on-board artificial intelligence. NASA emphasizes deep space and planetary rover missions, while ESA considers on-board autonomy as an enabling technology for missions that must cope with imperfect communications. ESA's attention is on the space/ground system. A major issue is the optimal distribution of intelligent functions within the space/ground system. This paper describes the multi-agent architecture for space/ground systems (MAASGS) which would enable this issue to be investigated. A MAASGS agent may model a complete spacecraft, a spacecraft subsystem or payload, a ground segment, a spacecraft control system, a human operator, or an environment. The MAASGS architecture has evolved through a series of prototypes. The paper recommends that the MAASGS architecture should be implemented in the operational Dutch Utilization Center.

ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) Science Ground Segment (SGS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Metcalfe, L.; Aberasturi, M.; Alonso, E.; Álvarez, R.; Ashman, M.; Barbarisi, I.; Brumfitt, J.; Cardesín, A.; Coia, D.; Costa, M.; Fernández, R.; Frew, D.; Gallegos, J.; García Beteta, J. J.; Geiger, B.; Heather, D.; Lim, T.; Martin, P.; Muñoz Crego, C.; Muñoz Fernandez, M.; Villacorta, A.; Svedhem, H.

2018-06-01

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) Science Ground Segment (SGS), comprised of payload Instrument Team, ESA and Russian operational centres, is responsible for planning the science operations of the TGO mission and for the generation and archiving of the scientific data products to levels meeting the scientific aims and criteria specified by the ESA Project Scientist as advised by the Science Working Team (SWT). The ExoMars SGS builds extensively upon tools and experience acquired through earlier ESA planetary missions like Mars and Venus Express, and Rosetta, but also is breaking ground in various respects toward the science operations of future missions like BepiColombo or JUICE. A productive interaction with the Russian partners in the mission facilitates broad and effective collaboration. This paper describes the global organisation and operation of the SGS, with reference to its principal systems, interfaces and operational processes.

Space Station Freedom avionics technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, A.

1990-01-01

The Space Station Freedom Program (SSFP) encompasses the design, development, test, evaluation, verification, launch, assembly, and operation and utilization of a set of spacecraft in low earth orbit (LEO) and their supporting facilities. The spacecraft set includes: the Space Station Manned Base (SSMB), a European Space Agency (ESA) provided Man-Tended Free Flyer (MTFF) at an inclination of 28.5 degrees and nominal attitude of 410 km, a USA provided Polar Orbiting Platform (POP), and an ESA provided POP in sun-synchronous, near polar orbits at a nominal altitude of 822 km. The SSMB will be assembled using the National Space Transportation System (NSTS). The POPs and the MTFF will be launched by Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs): a Titan 4 for the US POP and an Ariane for the ESA POP and MTFF. The US POP will for the most part use derivatives of systems flown on unmanned LEO spacecraft. The SSMB portion of the overall program is presented.

A biological framework for evaluating whether a species is threatened or endangered in a significant portion of its range.

PubMed

Waples, Robin S; Adams, Peter B; Bohnsack, James; Taylor, Barbara L

2007-08-01

Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), a species can be listed if it is at risk "in all or a significant portion of its range," but the ESA provides no guidance on how to interpret this key phrase. We propose a simple test to determine whether the areas of a species' range in which it is currently at risk amount to a significant portion: If the species were to become extirpated from these areas, at that point would the entire species be at risk? If so, then these areas represent a significant portion of the species' range. By establishing the species itself as the point of reference for determining significance, this test directs attention to biological risk factors and avoids difficulties inherent in subjective evaluations of importance to humans. For broadly distributed species this framework could provide ESA protection due to cumulative risks before the entire species met the criteria to be considered threatened or endangered. This framework also allows a somewhat broader concept of range to include major components of diversity necessary for long-term persistence. The concept of a historical template (i.e., conditions under which the species was known to be viable) is important in providing a fixed reference point for evaluating viability. Empirical examples illustrate how these concepts have been applied in recent ESA listing determinations. Most ESA-listed units of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) can be divided into multiple strata that differ in terms of ecology, geology, or life-history traits of the component populations. The goal of ESA recovery planning is to restore viable populations in enough strata that the listed unit as a whole is no longer threatened or endangered in all or a significant portion of its range. In a recent review of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) in Puget Sound, current status (some populations increasing and others declining) was evaluated in the context of the historical template, and it was concluded that current patterns of distribution and abundance do not depart substantially from what would be expected at any point in time under natural conditions in a large metapopulation. The Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) is ESA listed in the contiguous United States, where it occurs in four geographic areas. Populations in one region, the Northern Rockies/Cascades, have always been the most important for long-term persistence of the species in the United States. Because the other regions never contained more than limited amounts of good-quality lynx habitat, those areas are not considered to represent a significant portion of the species' range.

Ulysses(*) reaches the South Pole of the Sun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1994-08-01

One of the many investigations being carried out is a search for the Sun's south magnetic pole. As in the case of the Earth, the magnetic pole is offset from the rotation axis, and at some time in September it should sweep directly into line with Ulysses. Just as the polar regions of the Earth were the last to be explored, so it is with the Sun. For more than thirty years spacecraft have investigated the stream of electric particles know as the solar wind. Ulysses, developed by ESA, built by European Industry and flown in collaboration with NASA, is the first to fly through the solar wind coming from the poles. As Ulysses reaches its highest solar latitude of 80.2 degrees on 13 September, European and American researchers will gather at the ESA/ESTEC, the European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, for a scientific workshop at which they will assess the results from the nine experiments carried by the spacecraft. For the week of the workshop, the ESA/ESTEC conference centre will be transformed into a busy scientific laboratory. The large meeting rooms will be divided into 24 working areas, where the Ulysses experiment teams will take up temporary residence. Bringing a variety of computing equipment with them, the scientists will be able to retrieve the latest data from the spacecraft and perform detailed analyses. The emphasis will be on informality, with exchange of scientific ideas - and data - the key ingredient, leading ultimately to a better understanding of the fascinating information being gathered by Ulysses on its unique exploratory journey. Presentations to the media at ESA/ESTEC will start at 10h00 on 16 September. Media representatives wishing to attend are kindly requested to fill out the attached form and return it - preferably by fax (+33.1.42.73.76.90) - to : ESA Public Relations Division, 8/10, rue Mario Nikis - 75015-PARIS. Note to Television Editors : A video index, containing extensive background material on the Ulysses voyage (including specially created 3-D animation), is available on Betacam SP together with a VHS time-coded copy and printed information. This package is available on request. On Thursday 15 and Friday 16 September video news releases explaining this memorable event will be distributed by Reuters London via satellite to all European broadcasters. (*) Ulysses is a joint ESA/NASA mission. ESA developed the probe and is contributing an estimated ECU 170 million up to 1995 to its in-flight operation. European research laboratories provided half of the scientific instruments. NASA provided the other half of the experiments flown, a radio-isotopic power generator and the launch; it is also maintaining day-to-day communications with the probe via its dedicated antennas.

Author contributions to ecological publications: What does it mean to be an author in modern ecological research?

PubMed Central

Logan, John M.; Bean, Sarah B.; Myers, Andrew E.

2017-01-01

Authorship is a central element of scientific research carrying a variety of rewards and responsibilities, and while various guidelines exist, actual author contributions are often ambiguous. Inconsistent or limited contributions threaten to devalue authorship as intellectual currency and diminish authors’ responsibility for published content. Researchers have assessed author contributions in the medical literature and other research fields, but similar data for the field of ecological research are lacking. Authorship practices in ecological research are broadly representative of a variety of fields due to the cross-disciplinary nature of collaborations in ecological studies. To better understand author contributions to current research, we distributed a survey regarding co-author contributions to a random selection of 996 lead authors of manuscripts published in ecological journals in 2010. We obtained useable responses from 45% of surveyed authors. Reported lead author contributions in ecological research studies consistently included conception of the project idea, data collection, analysis, and writing. Middle and last author contributions instead showed a high level of individual variability. Lead authorship in ecology is well defined while secondary authorship is more ambiguous. Nearly half (48%) of all studies included in our survey had some level of non-compliance with Ecological Society of America (ESA) authorship guidelines and the majority of studies (78%) contained at least one co-author that did not meet International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) requirements. Incidence of non-compliance varied with lead author occupation and author position. The probability of a study including an author that was non-compliant with ESA guidelines was lowest for professor-led studies and highest for graduate student and post doctoral researcher-led studies. Among studies with > two co-authors, all lead authors met ESA guidelines and only 2% failed to meet ICMJE requirements. Middle (24% ESA, 63% ICMJE) and last (37% ESA, 60% ICMJE) authors had higher rates of non-compliance. The probability of a study containing a co-author that did not meet ESA or ICMJE requirements increased significantly with the number of co-authors per study although even studies with only two co-authors had a high probability of non-compliance of approximately 60% (ICMJE) and 15 to 40% (ESA). Given the variable and often limited contributions of authors in our survey and past studies of other research disciplines, institutions, journals, and scientific societies need to implement new approaches to instill meaning in authorship status. A byline approach may not alter author contributions but would better define individual contributions and reduce existing ambiguity regarding the meaning of authorship in modern ecological research. PMID:28650967

The ESA Cloud CCI project: Generation of Multi Sensor consistent Cloud Properties with an Optimal Estimation Based Retrieval Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jerg, M.; Stengel, M.; Hollmann, R.; Poulsen, C.

2012-04-01

The ultimate objective of the ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) Cloud project is to provide long-term coherent cloud property data sets exploiting and improving on the synergetic capabilities of past, existing, and upcoming European and American satellite missions. The synergetic approach allows not only for improved accuracy and extended temporal and spatial sampling of retrieved cloud properties better than those provided by single instruments alone but potentially also for improved (inter-)calibration and enhanced homogeneity and stability of the derived time series. Such advances are required by the scientific community to facilitate further progress in satellite-based climate monitoring, which leads to a better understanding of climate. Some of the primary objectives of ESA Cloud CCI Cloud are (1) the development of inter-calibrated radiance data sets, so called Fundamental Climate Data Records - for ESA and non ESA instruments through an international collaboration, (2) the development of an optimal estimation based retrieval framework for cloud related essential climate variables like cloud cover, cloud top height and temperature, liquid and ice water path, and (3) the development of two multi-annual global data sets for the mentioned cloud properties including uncertainty estimates. These two data sets are characterized by different combinations of satellite systems: the AVHRR heritage product comprising (A)ATSR, AVHRR and MODIS and the novel (A)ATSR - MERIS product which is based on a synergetic retrieval using both instruments. Both datasets cover the years 2007-2009 in the first project phase. ESA Cloud CCI will also carry out a comprehensive validation of the cloud property products and provide a common data base as in the framework of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX). The presentation will give an overview of the ESA Cloud CCI project and its goals and approaches and then continue with results from the Round Robin algorithm comparison exercise carried out at the beginning of the project which included three algorithms. The purpose of the exercise was to assess and compare existing cloud retrieval algorithms in order to chose one of them as backbone of the retrieval system and also identify areas of potential improvement and general strengths and weaknesses of the algorithm. Furthermore the presentation will elaborate on the optimal estimation algorithm subsequently chosen to derive the heritage product and which is presently further developed and will be employed for the AVHRR heritage product. The algorithm's capabilities to coherently and simultaneously process all radiative input and yield retrieval parameters together with associated uncertainty estimates will be presented together with first results for the heritage product. In the course of the project the algorithm is being developed into a freely and publicly available community retrieval system for interested scientists.

Protecting the Moon for research: ILEWG report

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foing, Bernard H.

We give a report on recommendations with emphasis on environment protection, and since last COSPAR from ILEWG International conferences Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon on held at Cape Canaveral in 2008 (ICEUM10), and in Beijing in May 2010 with IAF (GLUC -ICEUM11). We discuss the different rationale for Moon exploration, as debated at ILEWG. ILEWG Science task group has listed priorities for scientific investigations: clues on the formation and evolution of rocky planets, accretion and bombardment in the inner solar system, comparative planetology processes (tectonic, volcanic, impact cratering, volatile delivery), records astrobiology, survival of organics; past, present and future life; sciences from a biology lunar laboratory. We discuss how to preserve Moon research potential in these areas while operating with instruments, landers, rover during a cooperative robotic village, and during the transition form lunar human outpost to permanent sustainable human base. We discuss how Moon-Mars Exploration can inspire solutions to global Earth sustained development with the trade-off of In-Situ Utilisation of resources; Establishment of permanent robotic infrastructures, Environmental and planetary protection aspects and lessons for Mars; Life sciences laboratories, and support to human exploration. Co-authors: ILEWG Task Groups on Science, Technology and Human Lunar Bases ILEWG Reference documents: http://sci.esa.int/ilewg -10th ILEWG Conference on Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon, NASA Lunar Ex-ploration Analysis Group-PSace Resources Roundtable, Cape Canaveral October 2008, pro-gramme online at http://sci.esa.int/ilewg/ -9th ILEWG Conference on Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon, ICEUM9 Sorrento 2007, programme online at http://sci.esa.int/ilewg/ -8th ILEWG Conference on Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon, Beijing July 2006, programme online at http://sci.esa.int/ilewg/ -The Moon and Near Earth Objects (P. Ehrenfreund , B.H. Foing, A. Cellino Editors), Ad-vances in Space Research, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp 1-192, 2006 -7th ILEWG Conference on Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon, Toronto Sept 2005, Programme and Proceedings on line at www.ilewg.org, R. Richards et al Editors -6th ILEWG Conference on Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon, Udaipur Nov. 2004, Proceedings ( N. Bhandari Editor), Journal Earth System Science, India, 114, No6, Dec 2005, pp. 573-841 -5th ILEWG Conference on Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon, Hawaii Nov 2003, Pro-ceedings ILC2005/ICEUM5 (S.M. Durst et al Editors), Vol 108, 1-576 pp, Science and Tech-nology Series, American Astronautical Society, 2004 -'The next steps in exploring deep space -A cosmic study by the IAA', W. Huntress, D. Stetson, R. Farquhar, J. Zimmerman, B. Clark, W. O'Neil, R. Bourke and B. Foing, Acta Astronautica, Vol 58, Issues 6-7, March-April 2006, p302-377 -IAA/ESA workshop on "Next Steps in Exploring Deep Space", ESTEC 22-23 sept. 2003 (B.H. Foing W. Huntress, conveners) Lunar Exploration, Planetary and Space Science, Vol 50, issue 14-15, Dec 2002 (B.H. Foing al) -ESLAB36 symposium on "Earth-like Planets and Moons", 2002, ESA-SP514, pp. 1-356, (B.H.Foing B. Battrick, editors) -'Lunar Exploration 2000', (B.H. Foing, D. Heather, Editors), Adv. Space Research Vol 30, Nr 8, 2002 -'Earth-Moon Relationships', Proceedings of the Conference held in Padova, Italy at the Ac-cademia Galileiana di Scienze Lettere ed Arti, Nov. 2000, (C. Barbieri and F. Rampazzi, Editors), in Earth, Moon , Planets Vol. 85-86, Nos 1-3, pp 1-575, 2001 -4th International Conference on Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon, ESTEC, 2000, ESA SP-462 (B.H. Foing M. Perry, editors) -Investing in Space: The Challenge for Europe. Long-Term Space Policy Committee, Second Report, May 1999. ESA-SP-2000 -2nd International Lunar Workshop, held at Kyoto in October 1996, Proceedings, H. Mizutani, editor, Japan Space Forum Publisher, 1997 International Lunar Workshop, 1994 May 31-June 3, Beatenberg, Switzerland. Proceedings. Ed. Balsiger, H. et al. European Space Agency, 1994. ESA-SP-1170 -Astronomy and Space Science from the Moon', Proceedings of COSPAR/IAF session at World Congress, Washington, (B.H. Foing et al editors), Advances in Space Research, Volume 14, Issue 6, 1994 -Mission to the Moon, Europe's Priorities for Scientific Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon', R.M. Bonnet et al, European Space Agency, ESA SP-1150, June 1992

Huygens space probe ready to leave Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1997-03-01

Over the past year, the Huygens probe has been integrated and extensively tested at the facilities of Daimler Benz Aerospace Dornier Satellitensysteme in Ottobrunn near Munich. It was designed and developed for ESA by a European industrial consortium led by Aerospatiale (F) as prime contractor. The European activities have been successfully completed and this is to be formalised by the Flight Acceptance Review which will release the probe for shipment to the USA. To mark this important milestone a press briefing is scheduled for Wednesday, 26 March at 10.00 hours at Daimler-Benz Aerospace Dornier Satellitensysteme in Ottobrunn. The detailed programme of the press briefing is attached. If you wish to attend the press briefing, please complete the attached accreditation form and return it, preferably by fax, to : Daimler Benz Aerospace Dornier Satellitensysteme Mr. Mathias Pikelj, Fax. + 49 7545 8 5589, Tel. + 49 7545 8 9123 NOTE FOR THE EDITORS: Background facts about the Cassini Huygens mission Huygens is a medium-sized mission of ESA's Horizons 2000 programme for space science, and a contribution to the joint NASA ESA Cassini mission. Christiaan Huygens discovered Saturn s moon Titan in 1655, and the mission named after him aims to land a 343 kilogram probe on Titan carrying a package of scientific instruments through the atmosphere. Six sets of instruments will analyse the chemical composition of the atmosphere, observe the weather and topography of Titan, and examine the nature of its surface. Titan is larger than the planet Mercury, and its unique atmosphere, rich in nitrogen and hydrocarbons, may resemble the atmosphere of the primitive Earth, before life began. Nominal dates for the Huygens mission are as follows: * launch, 6 October 1997 * arrival at Saturn, 1 July 2004 * release of Huygens, 6 November 2004 * entry into Titan's atmosphere, 27 November 2004. The Saturn Orbiter, the other element in the Cassini mission, will relay the signals from Huygens to the Earth, before settling down to prolonged observations of Saturn and its rings and moons. European and American scientists are partners in all the experiments, both in the Orbiter and in the Huygens Probe. Farthest out for Europe Huygens will travel to a greater distance from the Sun than any previous ESA mission, out to the orbit of Saturn at 1400 million kilometres, or nearly ten times the Sun Earth distance. For comparison, the farthest ranging mission at present is Ulysses, orbiting over the poles of the Sun and out to the orbit of Jupiter, 800 million kilometres from the Sun. As no other mission planned or contemplated by ESA at present will go as far as Saturn, Huygens is likely to hold the European record for many years. HUYGENS READY TO LEAVE EUROPE PRESS BRIEFING Wednesday 26 March, 10:00 hrs. Location : Daimler-Benz Aerospace/ Dornier Satellitensysteme Gate 2, Building 5.1 Ludwig-B>lkow-Allee Ottobrunn (Munich) Programme: 10h00 Registration of press 10h15 Huygens video introduction 10h20 Welcoming addresses: Klaus Ensslin, President, Dornier Satellitensysteme Roger Bonnet, Director of Science, ESA Michel Delaye, President, Aerospatiale Espace & Defense 10h30 NASA News and Cassini status Wesly T. Huntress, Associate Administrator of Space Science, NASA Richard Spehalski, Head of Cassini Project, NASA/JPL 10h40 The Huygens Project: Hamid Hassan, Head of the Huygens Project, ESA/ESTEC Hans-Joachim Hoffman, Head of the Huygens Project, Dornier Satellitensysteme Gerard Huttin, Head of the Huygens Project, Aerospatiale 11h00 The Huygens Scientific Programme: Jean-Pierre Lebreton, Huygens Project Scientist, ESA supported by European and American scientists. 11h15 The ESA Science programme, current and future missions Roger Bonnet, Director of Science, ESA 11h25 Question and Answer session 11h55 Visit to the Huygens spacecraft (access inside the clean room limited to photographers and TV teams only). 12h45 Buffet lunch 14h00 End of activties HUYGENS READY TO LEAVE EUROPE PRESS BRIEFING Wednesday 26 March, 10:00 hrs. Location : Daimler-Benz Aerospace/ Dornier Satellitensysteme Gate 2, Building 5.1 Ludwig-B>lkow-Allee Ottobrunn (Munich)

The ESA Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions element, first results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desnos, Yves-Louis; Regner, Peter; Delwart, Steven; Benveniste, Jerome; Engdahl, Marcus; Mathieu, Pierre-Philippe; Gascon, Ferran; Donlon, Craig; Davidson, Malcolm; Pinnock, Simon; Foumelis, Michael; Ramoino, Fabrizio

2016-04-01

SEOM is a program element within the fourth period (2013-2017) of ESA's Earth Observation Envelope Programme (http://seom.esa.int/). The prime objective is to federate, support and expand the international research community that the ERS, ENVISAT and the Envelope programmes have built up over the last 25 years. It aims to further strengthen the leadership of the European Earth Observation research community by enabling them to extensively exploit future European operational EO missions. SEOM will enable the science community to address new scientific research that are opened by free and open access to data from operational EO missions. Based on community-wide recommendations for actions on key research issues, gathered through a series of international thematic workshops and scientific user consultation meetings, a work plan is established and is approved every year by ESA Members States. During 2015 SEOM, Science users consultation workshops have been organized for Sentinel1/3/5P ( Fringe, S3 Symposium and Atmospheric science respectively) , new R&D studies for scientific exploitation of the Sentinels have been launched ( S3 for Science SAR Altimetry and Ocean Color , S2 for Science,) , open-source multi-mission scientific toolboxes have been launched (in particular the SNAP/S1-2-3 Toolbox). In addition two advanced international training courses have been organized in Europe to exploit the new S1-A and S2-A data for Land and Ocean remote sensing (over 120 participants from 25 countries) as well as activities for promoting the first scientific results ( e.g. Chili Earthquake) . In addition the First EO Open Science 2.0 was organised at ESA in October 2015 with 225 participants from 31 countries bringing together young EO scientists and data scientists. During the conference precursor activities in EO Open Science and Innovation were presented, while developing a Roadmap preparing for future ESA scientific exploitation activities. Within the conference, the first EO Hackathon event took place bringing together volunteered programmers with the developers of SNAP. An interactive "Jam" session was also held that discussed and scoped challenging scientific and societal issues (e.g. climate change, quality of life and air quality). The status and first results from these SEOM projects will be presented and an outlook for upcoming SEOM studies and events in 2016 will be given.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. speaks to the media and guests gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. speaks to the media and guests gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, European Space Agency (ESA), speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by ESA in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, European Space Agency (ESA), speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by ESA in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. (second from left); NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. (second from left); NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station, Node 2 and the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), ownership of Node 2 was officially transferred between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. Shaking hands after the signing are Alan Thirkettle (center), International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik (right), deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs. At left, also part of the signing, is Andrea Lorenzoni (left), International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency. NASA's Node 2, built by ESA in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station, Node 2 and the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), ownership of Node 2 was officially transferred between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. Shaking hands after the signing are Alan Thirkettle (center), International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik (right), deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs. At left, also part of the signing, is Andrea Lorenzoni (left), International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency. NASA's Node 2, built by ESA in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager ; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager ; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. (second from left); William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. (second from left); William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module (above right) of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. (second from left); NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager ; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module (above right) of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (far left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. (second from left); NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager ; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, media and guests listen intently to remarks during a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony included these speakers: KSC Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, media and guests listen intently to remarks during a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony included these speakers: KSC Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. speaks to the media and guests gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (left) , deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. speaks to the media and guests gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (left) , deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. speaks to the media and guests gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. speaks to the media and guests gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope) arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone (left), deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: NASA's Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs, and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager ; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan, speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager ; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; and Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, European Space Agency (ESA), speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, European Space Agency (ESA), speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility at a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs and William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station, William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager, points to one of the components as he speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-06-18

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At a ceremony highlighting the arrival of two major components of the International Space Station, William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Program manager, points to one of the components as he speaks to guests and the media gathered in the Space Station Processing Facility. NASA's Node 2, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Italy, arrived at KSC on June 1. It will be the next pressurized module installed on the Station. The pressurized module of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named "Kibo" (Hope), arrived at KSC on June 4. It is Japan's primary contribution to the Station. The ceremony held today included the official transfer of ownership signing of Node 2 between the ESA and NASA.. Emceed by Lisa Malone, deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the ceremony also included these speakers: Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; NASA’s Michael C. Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Shuttle Programs; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, ESA; Andrea Lorenzoni, International Space Station Program manager for Node 2, Italian Space Agency; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

Approach to technology prioritization in support of moon initiatives in the framework of ESA exploration technology roadmaps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aleina, Sara Cresto; Viola, Nicole; Fusaro, Roberta; Saccoccia, Giorgio

2017-10-01

Exploration technology roadmaps have been developed by ESA in the past few years and the latest edition has been released in 2015. Scope of these technology roadmaps, elaborated in consultation with the different ESA stakeholders (e.g. European Industries and Research Entities), is to provide a powerful tool for strategic, programmatic and technical decisions in support of the European role within an International Space Exploration context. In the context of preparation for possible future European Moon exploration initiatives, the technology roadmaps have been used to highlight the role of technology within Missions, Building Blocks and Operational Capabilities of relevance. In particular, as part of reference missions to the Moon that would fit in the time frame 2020 to 2030, ESA has addressed the definition of lunar surface exploration missions in line with its space exploration strategy, with the common mission goals of returning samples from the Moon and Mars and expanding human presence to these destinations in a step-wise approach. The roadmaps for the procurement of technologies required for the first mission elements of the above strategy have been elaborated through their main building blocks, i.e. Visual navigation, Hazard detection and avoidance; Sample acquisition, processing and containment system; Surface mobility elements; Tele-robotic and autonomous control systems; and Storable propulsion modules and equipment. Technology prioritization methodologies have been developed in support of the ESA Exploration Technology Roadmaps, in order to provide logical and quantitative instruments to verify choices of prioritization that can be carried out based on important, but non-quantitative factors. These methodologies, which are thoroughly described in the first part of the paper, proceed through subsequent steps. First, technology prioritization's criteria are selected; then decision trees are developed to highlight all feasible paths of combination of technology prioritization's criteria and to assess the final achievement of each path, i.e. the cost-effectiveness. The risk associated to each path is also evaluated. In the second part of the paper, these prioritization methodologies have been applied to some of the building blocks of relevance for the mission concepts under evaluation at ESA (such as Tele-robotic and autonomous control systems; Storable propulsion modules and equipment) and the results are presented to highlight the approach for an effective TRL increase. Eventually main conclusions are drawn.

STS-103 crew perform virtual reality training in building 9N

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-05-24

S99-05679 (24 May 1999) --- Astronauts Claude Nicollier (seated), representing the European Space Agency (ESA), and John M. Grunsfeld use virtual reality hardware to rehearse some of their duties for the upcoming STS-103 mission, NASA's third servicing visit to the Earth-orbiting Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The two mission specialists will be joined by five other astronauts, including a second ESA representative, for the STS-103 mission, scheduled for autumn of this year.

STS-75 Flight Day 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

On this tenth day of the STS-75 mission, the flight crew, Cmdr. Andrew Allen, Pilot Scott Horowitz, Payload Cmdr. Franklin Chang-Diaz, Payload Specialist Umberto Guidoni (Italy), and Missions Specialists Jeffrey Hoffman, Maurizio Cheli (ESA), and Claude Nicollier (ESA), are shown performing middeck and Microgravity lab experiments, including the Material pour l'Etude des Phenomenes Interessant la Solidification sur Terre et en Orbite (MEPHISTO) experiment, as well as some material burn tests. Earth views include cloud cover and horizon shots.

Disability and HIV: What drives this relationship in Eastern and Southern Africa?

PubMed Central

Regondi, Ilaria; Naidoo, Kerisha

2013-01-01

The Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region is the epicentre of the global HIV epidemic and also home to a large number of people with disabilities. Both HIV and Disability are significant public health issues. While they are generally viewed as distinct and unrelated phenomena data seems to suggest that they are particularly closely intertwined in ESA. For the first time in history, by using the same disability indicator consistently, the publication of the World Report on Disability in 2011 has allowed for the comparison of disability data between countries, and across regions. This has the potential to shed some light on the relationship between disability and socio-economic markers and other health conditions in a way that was not possible previously. In the absence of disability and HIV-specific population-based surveys, this paper uses global socio-economic and HIV datasets and compares them to data contained in the most recent World Report on Disability. The analysis suggests that disability prevalence may be related to HIV-prevalence in ESA (Pearson 0.87). It identifies research and policy gaps and seeks to shed light on the relationship between the two phenomena. It concludes that, more than any other region in the world, ESA needs to ensure better data collection on disability and the inclusion of disability throughout its HIV programmes in order to provide a comprehensive and appropriate response to the epidemic. PMID:28729983

ESA Technologies for Space Debris Remediation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wormnes, K.; Le Letty, R.; Summerer, L.; Schonenborg, R.; Dubois-Matra, O.; Luraschi, E.; Cropp, A.; Krag, H.; Delaval, J.

2013-08-01

Space debris is an existing and growing problem for space operations. Studies show that for a continued use of LEO, 5 - 10 large and strategically chosen debris need to be removed every year. The European Space Agency (ESA) is actively pursuing technologies and systems for space debris removal under its Clean Space initiative. This overview paper describes the activities that are currently ongoing at ESA and that have already been completed. Additionally it outlines the plan for the near future. The technologies under study fall in two main categories corresponding to whether a pushing or a pulling manoeuvre is required for the de-orbitation. ESA is studying the option of using a tethered capture system for controlled de-orbitation through pulling where the capture is performed using throw-nets or alternatively a harpoon. The Agency is also studying rigid capture systems with a particular emphasis on tentacles (potentially combined with a robotic arm). Here the de-orbitation is achieved through a push-manoeuvre. Additionally, a number of activities will be discussed that are ongoing to develop supporting technologies for these scenarios, or to develop systems for de-orbiting debris that can be allowed to re-enter in an uncontrolled manner. The short term goal and main driver for the current technology developments is to achieve sufficient TRL on required technologies to support a potential de-orbitation mission to remove a large and strategically chosen piece of debris.

Anemia management in cancer patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Deak, Andras T; Troppan, Katharina; Rosenkranz, Alexander R

2016-12-01

Anemia is a common complication of cancer and chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with decreased physical performance as well as poor prognosis for life expectancy. Renal and cancer-induced anemia share common features regarding pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. It is typically treated with iron substitution, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and in refractory cases with red blood cell transfusions. However, studies of the past few years unveiled numerous setbacks in the use of ESAs. These included a higher risk of cerebrovascular events and increased mortality without the improvement of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD. Moreover, particularly negative results were observed in patients with previous cancer history under ESA therapy. These unfavorable findings have forced the clinicians to reevaluate the management of renal anemia. This led to decrease of ESA usage, while iron substitution and alternative therapeutic options gained more significance. Iron supplementation is also accompanied with certain risks ranging from gastrointestinal complications to severe allergic reactions and increased rate of infections. Furthermore, the evaluation of the long-term safety of excessive iron therapy is still lacking, especially in CKD patients with cancer. In the absence of these clinical studies, this review aims to summarize the currently available therapeutic strategies in anemia management of CKD patients with concomitant cancer. Copyright © 2016 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Taxonomic considerations in listing subspecies under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

PubMed

Haig, Susan M; Beever, Erik A; Chambers, Steven M; Draheim, Hope M; Dugger, Bruce D; Dunham, Susie; Elliott-Smith, Elise; Fontaine, Joseph B; Kesler, Dylan C; Knaus, Brian J; Lopes, Iara F; Loschl, Pete; Mullins, Thomas D; Sheffield, Lisa M

2006-12-01

The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) allows listing of subspecies and other groupings below the rank of species. This provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service with a means to target the most critical unit in need of conservation. Although roughly one-quarter of listed taxa are subspecies, these management agencies are hindered by uncertainties about taxonomic standards during listing or delisting activities. In a review of taxonomic publications and societies, we found few subspecies lists and none that stated standardized criteria for determining subspecific taxa. Lack of criteria is attributed to a centuries-old debate over species and subspecies concepts. Nevertheless, the critical need to resolve this debate for ESA listings led us to propose that minimal biological criteria to define disjunct subspecies (legally or taxonomically) should include the discreteness and significance criteria of distinct population segments (as defined under the ESA). Our subspecies criteria are in stark contrast to that proposed by supporters of the phylogenetic species concept and provide a clear distinction between species and subspecies. Efforts to eliminate or reduce ambiguity associated with subspecies-level classifications will assist with ESA listing decisions. Thus, we urge professional taxonomic societies to publish and periodically update peer-reviewed species and subspecies lists. This effort must be paralleled throughout the world for efficient taxonomic conservation to take place.

Ultrafast electrical spectrum analyzer based on all-optical Fourier transform and temporal magnification.

PubMed

Duan, Yuhua; Chen, Liao; Zhou, Haidong; Zhou, Xi; Zhang, Chi; Zhang, Xinliang

2017-04-03

Real-time electrical spectrum analysis is of great significance for applications involving radio astronomy and electronic warfare, e.g. the dynamic spectrum monitoring of outer space signal, and the instantaneous capture of frequency from other electronic systems. However, conventional electrical spectrum analyzer (ESA) has limited operation speed and observation bandwidth due to the electronic bottleneck. Therefore, a variety of photonics-assisted methods have been extensively explored due to the bandwidth advantage of the optical domain. Alternatively, we proposed and experimentally demonstrated an ultrafast ESA based on all-optical Fourier transform and temporal magnification in this paper. The radio-frequency (RF) signal under test is temporally multiplexed to the spectrum of an ultrashort pulse, thus the frequency information is converted to the time axis. Moreover, since the bandwidth of this ultrashort pulse is far beyond that of the state-of-the-art photo-detector, a temporal magnification system is applied to stretch the time axis, and capture the RF spectrum with 1-GHz resolution. The observation bandwidth of this ultrafast ESA is over 20 GHz, limited by that of the electro-optic modulator. Since all the signal processing is in the optical domain, the acquisition frame rate can be as high as 50 MHz. This ultrafast ESA scheme can be further improved with better dispersive engineering, and is promising for some ultrafast spectral information acquisition applications.

Enantiomeric separation of metolachlor and its metabolites using LC-MS and CZE

USGS Publications Warehouse

Klein, C. John; Schneider, R.J.; Meyer, M.T.; Aga, D.S.

2006-01-01

The stereoisomers of metolachlor and its two polar metabolites [ethane sulfonic acid (ESA) and oxanilic acid (OXA)] were separated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), respectively. The separation of metolachlor enantiomers was achieved using a LC-MS equipped with a chiral stationary phase based on cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) and an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source operated under positive ion mode. The enantiomers of ESA and OXA were separated using CZE with gamma-cyclodextrin (??-CD) as chiral selector. Various CZE conditions were investigated to achieve the best resolution of the ESA and OXA enantiomers. The optimum background CZE electrolyte was found to consist of borate buffer (pH = 9) containing 20% methanol (v/v) and 2.5% ??-CD (w/v). Maximum resolution of ESA and OXA enantiomers was achieved using a capillary temperature of 15??C and applied voltage of 30 kV. The applicability of the LC-MS and CZE methods was demonstrated successfully on the enantiomeric analysis of metolachlor and its metabolites in samples from a soil and water degradation study that was set up to probe the stereoselectivity of metolachlor biodegradation. These techniques allow the enantiomeric ratios of the target analytes to be followed over time during the degradation process and thus will prove useful in determining the role of chirality in pesticide degradation and metabolite formation. ?? 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inclusion of disability within national strategic responses to HIV and AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa.

PubMed

Hanass-Hancock, Jill; Strode, Ann; Grant, Catherine

2011-01-01

National strategic plans (NSPs) provide a framework for a comprehensive response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) including strategies such as prevention, treatment, care and support for all affected. Research indicates limited recognition of the interrelationship between disability and HIV in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA). This paper analyses the extent to which NSPs in ESA address disability, and identify good practice. Using a tool based on relevant rights in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UNAIDS International Guidelines on HIV and Human Rights, a review of 18 NSPs in ESA was conducted to determine the extent to which they included disability. Although many NSPs fail to integrate disability issues, there are examples of good practice from which much can be learned, particularly with respect to disability and HIV-prevention efforts. There is limited provision for treatment, care and support for disability in the context of HIV and AIDS. Many NSPs in ESA are due for review, providing ample opportunities for the development of disability-inclusive responses. Future NSPs need to integrate the needs of people with disabilities within structures, programmes and monitoring and evaluation, and make provision for increased rehabilitation needs caused by HIV. A rights-based approach and specific financial allocation of resources are crucial for this process.

ESA GlobPermafrost - mapping the extent and thermal state of permafrost with satellite data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westermann, Sebastian; Obu, Jaroslav; Aalstad, Kristoffer; Bartsch, Annett; Kääb, Andreas

2017-04-01

The ESA GlobPermafrost initiative (2016-2019) aims at developing, validating and implementing information products based on remote sensing data to support permafrost research. Mapping of permafrost extent and ground temperatures is conducted at 1 km scale using remotely sensed land surface temperatures (MODIS), snow water equivalent (ESA GlobSnow) and land cover (ESA CCI landcover) in conjunction with a simple ground thermal model (CryoGrid 1). The spatial variability of the ground thermal regime at scales smaller than the model resolution is explicitly taken into account by considering an ensemble of realizations with different model properties. The approach has been tested for the unglacierized land areas in the North Atlantic region, an area of more than 5 million km2. The results have been compared to in-situ temperature measurements in more than 100 boreholes, indicating an accuracy of approximately 2.5°C. Within GlobPermafrost, the scheme will be extended to cover the entire the circum-polar permafrost area. Here, we provide an evaluation of the first prototype covering "lowland" permafrost areas north of 40° latitude (available on www.globpermafrost.info in early 2017). We give a feasibility assessment for extending the scheme to global scale, including both mountain and Antarctic permafrost. Finally, we discuss the potential and limitations for estimating changes of permafrost extent on decadal timescales.

Taxonomic considerations in listing subspecies under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

USGS Publications Warehouse

Beever, E.A.; Haig, S.M.; Chambers, Steven M.; Draheim, Hope M.; Dugger, Bruce D.; Dunham, Susie; Elliott-Smith, Elise; Fontaine, Joseph B.; Kesler, Dylan C.; Knaus, Brian J.; Lopes, Iara F.; Loschl, Peter J.; Mullins, Thomas D.; Sheffield, Lisa M.

2006-01-01

The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) allows listing of subspecies and other groupings below the rank of species. This provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service with a means to target the most critical unit in need of conservation. Although roughly one-quarter of listed taxa are subspecies, these management agencies are hindered by uncertainties about taxonomic standards during listing or delisting activities. In a review of taxonomic publications and societies, we found few subspecies lists and none that stated standardized criteria for determining subspecific taxa. Lack of criteria is attributed to a centuries-old debate over species and subspecies concepts. Nevertheless, the critical need to resolve this debate for ESA listings led us to propose that minimal biological criteria to define disjunct subspecies (legally or taxonomically) should include the discreteness and significance criteria of distinct population segments (as defined under the ESA). Our subspecies criteria are in stark contrast to that proposed by supporters of the phylogenetic species concept and provide a clear distinction between species and subspecies. Efforts to eliminate or reduce ambiguity associated with subspecies-level classifications will assist with ESA listing decisions. Thus, we urge professional taxonomic societies to publish and periodically update peer-reviewed species and subspecies lists. This effort must be paralleled throughout the world for efficient taxonomic conservation to take place.

Laser spectroscopy of highly doped NV- centers in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subedi, Shova D.; Fedorov, Vladimir V.; Peppers, Jeremy; Martyshkin, Dmitry V.; Mirov, Sergey B.; Shao, Linbo; Loncar, Marko

2018-02-01

In this paper, prospects of using diamond with NV- centers as a gain medium have been studied. Spectroscopic characterization of NV- centers in diamond as well as absorption saturation and pump-probe experiments have been carried out. Absorption and emission cross-sections were estimated to be 2.8 × 10-17 cm2 and 4.3 × 10-17 cm2 at the maximum of absorption and emission bands, respectively. It was observed from emission spectra under pulse excitation that some NV- are photoionized to NV0 centers with ZPL at 575 nm. Room temperature luminescence lifetime of NV- centers was measured to be 12ns, which is close to the previously reported lifetime in bulk diamond ( 13ns). Saturated transmission was only about 11% of calculated values even at energy fluence much higher than the saturation flux. Two excited state absorptions (ESAs) with different relaxation times ("fast-decay" and "slow-decay with relaxation times of 500 ns and several tens of microseconds, respectively) were revealed in transmission decay kinetics at 632 nm. Kinetics of transmission at 670 nm was dominated by "slow-decay" ESA process. Kinetics of dk/k0 in shorter wavelength were strongly dominated by "fast-decay" ESA process. These results definitively indicate that stimulated emission of NV- centers is suppressed by photoionization and ESAs and the possibility of diamond lasers based on NV- centers is low.

Towards A Moon Village: Vision and Opportunities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foing, Bernard

2016-04-01

The new DG of ESA, Jan Wörner, has expressed from the very beginning of his duty a clear ambition towards a Moon Village, where Europe could have a lead role. The concept of Moon Village is basically to start with a robotic lunar village and then develop a permanent station on the Moon with different countries and partners that can participate and contribute with different elements, experiments, technologies, and overall support. ESA's DG has communicated about this programme and invited inputs from all the potential stakeholders, especially member states, engineers, industry, scientists, innovators and diverse representatives from the society. In order to fulfill this task, a series of Moon Village workshops have been organized first internally at ESA and then at international community events, and are also planned for the coming months, to gather stakeholders to present their ideas, their developments and their recommendations on how to put Moon Village into the minds of Europeans, international partners and prepare relevant actions for upcoming International Lunar Decade. Moon Village Workshop: The Moon Village Workshop in ESTEC on the 14th December was organized by ILEWG & ESTEC Staff Association in conjunction with the Moon 2020-2030 Symposium. It gathered people coming from all around the world, with many young professionals involved, as well as senior experts and representatives, with a very well gender balanced and multidisciplinary group. Engineers, business experts, managers, scientists, architects, artists, students presented their views and work done in the field of Lunar Exploration. Participants included colleagues from ESA, SGAC Space Generation Advisory Council, NASA, and industries such as OHB SE, TAS, Airbus DS, CGI, etc… and researchers or students from various Universities in Europe, America, and Asia. Working groups include: Moon Habitat Design, Science and Technology potentials on the Moon Village, and Engaging Stakeholders. The Moon Habitat Design group discussed principles and concepts for a minimum base that would start with 4-10 crew, allowing a later evolution to 50 crew and elements contributed by Moon Village partners at large. Various aspects were assessed including habitats, laboratories, EVAs, pressurized vehicles, core modules, inflatable extensions, power systems, life support systems and bioreactors, ISRU using regolith, emergency, services, medical, escape, shelters. The Science and Technology group analyzed the importance and readiness level of technologies needed for lunar robotic landers and for the Moon Village. The current ESA lunar exploration activities focus on the contribution within ISS operations barter of the ESA service module to bring Orion capsule to the Moon starting with an automatic demonstration in 2018. It is encouraged to consolidate this path for using the ser-vice module for crewed missions EM2 and EM3 giving also the possibility of an ESA astronaut, together with advanced technology, operations and science utilization. They noted the interesting contribution of instruments, drill, communications, and landing in support to Russian lunar polar lander missions Luna 27. The Engaging Stakeholders working group started by identifying the main stakeholders and groups that play a role or that could play a role towards the Moon Village project. These stakeholders were classified on their influence towards the programme, and their attitude towards it. One clear conclusion was that most of the stakeholders showed a positive view towards the Moon Village programme, and that the most important step within a short term strategy should focus on the actions to be taken to engage stakeholders for the next ESA Ministerial to support the programme. Finally the group came up with some recommendations on which should be the actions to be taken by the ESA DG to engage the most direct stakeholders: ESA delegations, media, national governments, citizens, taxpayers, and to invite partners. Building on previous studies (EuroMoon, lunar polar lander) ESA should develop a mid-class lunar lander (affordable in cost 300 Meu class), demonstrating the expertise at system level for a platform, that could carry innovative competitive robotic payload contributed and already with advance development from member states and international or commercial partners. With teleoperations from Earth and cis-lunar orbit, this will advance progress towards the next steps of Moon Village and beyond. Recommendations: The participants encourage the design and operations of a Moon base simulation at EAC with facility and activities in the context of SpaceShip EAC, with the support of EAC, DLR, ESTEC, ISU and other partners, and collaborations with other Lunar Research Parks worldwide. It was also proposed to have an "ESTEC Moon Village pilot project" where 20 young professional in-terns could be hosted to work concurrently on various aspects (technology, science, instruments platforms, Moon base design, human factors, programmatics, outreach, community events) with links and support activities from ESTEC senior experts, and interactions with colleagues in member states, academia and industries . The workshop finalized with some hands-on experiments, organized with some students demonstrating their work on a lunar lander with tele-operated instruments and systems, and on the measuring spectra of Moon-Mars analogue minerals. The day ended with a refreshing lunar music session, and a networking event on ESTEC ESCAPE where the last informal conversations marked a great wrap up of such exciting day. Follow up Moon Village events are planned in 2016 at ESTEC, EAC and at international community venues. New means of outreach, communications and social media must be developed. You can follow Moon Village tweets, using #MoonVillage, and contribute to the virtual discussions. ESA is really looking forward to engage all stakeholders into the discussion, no matter of their background, nationality or interest. Just let us know your views! Highlights and recommendations can be found on https://ildwg.wordpress.com/ *Moon Village Workshops Organisers Team: Bernard Foing (ESA/ESTEC & ILEWG), Aidan Cowley, Guillermo Ortega, Linda van Hilten (ESA), Vid Beldavs, David Dunlop, Jim Crisafulli (International Lunar Decade), ESTEC Moon Village workshop 2015 WGs co-conveners: Peter Batenburg, Andrea Jaime, Abigail Calzada, Angeliki Kapoglou, Chris Welch, Susanne Pieterse, Daniel Esser, Audrey Berquand, Daniel Winter, Dmitri Ivanov, Simone Paternostro, Matias Hazadi, Oscar Kamps, Marloes Offringa

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zack, J; Natenberg, E J; Knowe, G V

The overall goal of this multi-phased research project known as WindSENSE is to develop an observation system deployment strategy that would improve wind power generation forecasts. The objective of the deployment strategy is to produce the maximum benefit for 1- to 6-hour ahead forecasts of wind speed at hub-height ({approx}80 m). In this phase of the project the focus is on the Mid-Columbia Basin region which encompasses the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) wind generation area shown in Figure 1 that includes Klondike, Stateline, and Hopkins Ridge wind plants. The Ensemble Sensitivity Analysis (ESA) approach uses data generated by a setmore » (ensemble) of perturbed numerical weather prediction (NWP) simulations for a sample time period to statistically diagnose the sensitivity of a specified forecast variable (metric) for a target location to parameters at other locations and prior times referred to as the initial condition (IC) or state variables. The ESA approach was tested on the large-scale atmospheric prediction problem by Ancell and Hakim 2007 and Torn and Hakim 2008. ESA was adapted and applied at the mesoscale by Zack et al. (2010a, b, and c) to the Tehachapi Pass, CA (warm and cools seasons) and Mid-Colombia Basin (warm season only) wind generation regions. In order to apply the ESA approach at the resolution needed at the mesoscale, Zack et al. (2010a, b, and c) developed the Multiple Observation Optimization Algorithm (MOOA). MOOA uses a multivariate regression on a few select IC parameters at one location to determine the incremental improvement of measuring multiple variables (representative of the IC parameters) at various locations. MOOA also determines how much information from each IC parameter contributes to the change in the metric variable at the target location. The Zack et al. studies (2010a, b, and c), demonstrated that forecast sensitivity can be characterized by well-defined, localized patterns for a number of IC variables such as 80-m wind speed and vertical temperature difference. Ideally, the data assimilation scheme used in the experiments would have been based upon an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) that was similar to the ESA method used to diagnose the Mid-Colombia Basin sensitivity patterns in the previous studies. However, the use of an EnKF system at high resolution is impractical because of the very high computational cost. Thus, it was decided to use the three-dimensional variational analysis data assimilation that is less computationally intensive and more economically practical for generating operational forecasts. There are two tasks in the current project effort designed to validate the ESA observational system deployment approach in order to move closer to the overall goal: (1) Perform an Observing System Experiment (OSE) using a data denial approach which is the focus of this task and report; and (2) Conduct a set of Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSE) for the Mid-Colombia basin region. The results of this task are presented in a separate report. The objective of the OSE task involves validating the ESA-MOOA results from the previous sensitivity studies for the Mid-Columbia Basin by testing the impact of existing meteorological tower measurements on the 0- to 6-hour ahead 80-m wind forecasts at the target locations. The testing of the ESA-MOOA method used a combination of data assimilation techniques and data denial experiments to accomplish the task objective.« less

Sentinel-3 For Land Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goryl, Philippe; Gobron, Nadine; Mecklenburg, Susanne; Donlon, Craig; Bouvet, Marc; Buongiorno, Alessandra; Wilson, Hilary

2016-07-01

The Copernicus Programme, being Europe's Earth Observation and Monitoring Programme led by the European Union, aims to provide, on a sustainable basis, reliable and timely services related to environmental and security issues. The Sentinel-3 mission forms part of the Copernicus Space Component. Its main objectives, building on the heritage and experience of the European Space Agency's (ESA) ERS and ENVISAT missions, are to measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature and ocean- and land-surface colour in support of ocean forecasting systems, and for environmental and climate monitoring. The series of Sentinel-3 satellites will ensure global, frequent and near-real time ocean, ice and land monitoring, with the provision of observation data in a routine, long-term (up to 20 years of operations) and continuous fashion, with a consistent quality and a high level of reliability and availability. The launch of Sentinel-3 was successful last February 2016. The Sentinel-3 missions are jointly operated by ESA and EUMETSAT. ESA will be responsible for the operations, maintenance and evolution of the Sentinel-3 ground segment on land related products and EUMETSAT on the marine products and the satellite monitoring and control. All facilities supporting the Sentinel-3 operations are in place. The Sentinel-3 ground segment systematically acquires, processes and distributes a set of pre-defined core data products to the users. For a detailed description of the core data products please see https://earth.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-3/data-products. On request from the European Commission, ESA and EUMETSAT are presently assessing the possibility to include further core data products, in particular on aerosol optical depth, fire monitoring and synergistic products over land. This paper will provide an update on the status of the mission operations after the initial months in orbit and provide in particular an overview on the status of the Sentinel-3 core land products and their provision in the mission's ramp-up phase.

Swarm Utilisation Analysis: LEO satellite observations for the ESA's SSA Space Weather network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kervalishvili, Guram; Stolle, Claudia; Rauberg, Jan; Olsen, Nils; Vennerstrøm, Susanne; Gullikstad Johnsen, Magnar; Hall, Chris

2017-04-01

ESA's (European Space Agency) constellation mission Swarm was successfully launched on 22 November 2013. The three satellites achieved their final constellation on 17 April 2014 and since then Swarm-A and Swarm-C orbiting the Earth at about 470 km (flying side-by-side) and Swarm-B at about 520 km altitude. Each of Swarm satellite carries instruments with high precision to measure magnetic and electric fields, neutral and plasma densities, and TEC (Total Electron Content) for which a dual frequency GPS receiver is used. SUA (Swarm Utilisation Analysis) is a project of the ESA's SSA (Space Situational Awareness) SWE (Space Weather) program. Within this framework GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany) and DTU (National Space Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark) have developed two new Swarm products ROT (Rate Of change of TEC) and PEJ (Location and intensity level of Polar Electrojets), respectively. ROT is derived as the first time derivative from the Swarm measurements of TEC at 1 Hz sampling. ROT is highly relevant for users in navigation and communications: strong plasma gradients cause GPS signal degradation or even loss of GPS signal. Also, ROT is a relevant space weather asset irrespective of geomagnetic activity, e.g., high amplitude values of ROT occur during all geomagnetic conditions. PEJ is derived from the Swarm measurements of the magnetic field strength at 1 Hz sampling. PEJ has a high-level importance for power grid companies since the polar electrojet is a major cause for ground-induced currents. ROT and PEJ together with five existing Swarm products TEC, electron density, IBI (Ionospheric Bubble Index), FAC (Field-Aligned Current), and vector magnetic field build the SUA service prototype. This prototype will be integrated into ESA's SSA Space Weather network as a federated service and will be available soon from ESA's SSA SWE Ionospheric Weather and Geomagnetic Conditions Expert Service Centres (ESCs).

Lunar Exploration and Science in ESA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpenter, James; Foing, Bernard H.; Fisackerly, Richard; Houdou, Berengere; De Rosa, Diego; Patti, Bernado; Schiemann, Jens

ESA seeks to provide Europe with access to the lunar surface, and allow Europeans to benefit from the opening up of this new frontier, as part of a global endeavor. This will be best achieved through an exploration programme which combines the strengths and capabilities of both robotic and human explorers. ESA is preparing for future participation in lunar exploration through a combination of human and robotic activities, in cooperation with international partners. Future planned activities include the contribution of key technological capabilities to the Russian led robotic missions, Luna-Glob, Luna-Resurs orbiter and Luna-Resurs lander. For the Luna-Resurs lander ESA will provide analytical capabilities to compliment the already selected Russian led payload, focusing on the abundance, composition and isotopes of lunar volatiles in polar regions, and their associated chemistry. This should be followed by the contributions at the level of mission elements to a Lunar Polar Sample Return mission. This partnership will provide access for European investigators to the opportunities offered by the Russian led instruments on the missions, as well as providing Europe with a unique opportunity to characterise and utilise polar volatile populations. Ultimately samples of high scientific value, from as of yet unexplored and unsampled locations shall be made available to the scientific community. These robotic activities are being performed with a view to enabling a future more comprehensive programme in which robotic and human activities are integrated to provide the maximum benefits from lunar surface access. Activities on the ISS and ESA participation to the US Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, which is planned for a first unmanned lunar flight in 2017, are also important steps towards achieving this. All of these activities are performed with a view to generating the technologies, capabilities, knowledge and heritage that will make Europe an indispensable partner in the exploration missions of the future.

Macromolecular composition of terrestrial and marine organic matter in sediments across the East Siberian Arctic Shelf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sparkes, Robert B.; Doğrul Selver, Ayça; Gustafsson, Örjan; Semiletov, Igor P.; Haghipour, Negar; Wacker, Lukas; Eglinton, Timothy I.; Talbot, Helen M.; van Dongen, Bart E.

2016-10-01

Mobilisation of terrestrial organic carbon (terrOC) from permafrost environments in eastern Siberia has the potential to deliver significant amounts of carbon to the Arctic Ocean, via both fluvial and coastal erosion. Eroded terrOC can be degraded during offshore transport or deposited across the wide East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS). Most studies of terrOC on the ESAS have concentrated on solvent-extractable organic matter, but this represents only a small proportion of the total terrOC load. In this study we have used pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GCMS) to study all major groups of macromolecular components of the terrOC; this is the first time that this technique has been applied to the ESAS. This has shown that there is a strong offshore trend from terrestrial phenols, aromatics and cyclopentenones to marine pyridines. There is good agreement between proportion phenols measured using py-GCMS and independent quantification of lignin phenol concentrations (r2 = 0.67, p < 0.01, n = 24). Furfurals, thought to represent carbohydrates, show no offshore trend and are likely found in both marine and terrestrial organic matter. We have also collected new radiocarbon data for bulk OC (14COC) which, when coupled with previous measurements, allows us to produce the most comprehensive 14COC map of the ESAS to date. Combining the 14COC and py-GCMS data suggests that the aromatics group of compounds is likely sourced from old, aged terrOC, in contrast to the phenols group, which is likely sourced from modern woody material. We propose that an index of the relative proportions of phenols and pyridines can be used as a novel terrestrial vs. marine proxy measurement for macromolecular organic matter. Principal component analysis found that various terrestrial vs. marine proxies show different patterns across the ESAS, and it shows that multiple river-ocean transects of surface sediments transition from river-dominated to coastal-erosion-dominated to marine-dominated signatures.

The Role of ESA TEC-QTE in the ISS Safety Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlandi, M.; Rohr, T.; Stienstra, M. H.; Semprimoschnig, C.

2013-09-01

On the 17th of July 2000, the Materials and Processes Reciprocal Agreement was signed between NASA and ESA to define the process for selection and certification of materials used in the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Consecutively, on the 20th of June 2003 this agreement was extended to the Automated Transport Vehicle (ATV). It is therefore the responsibility of ESA TEC-QTE, the Materials Space Evaluation and Radiation Effects section, part of the Product Assurance and Safety Department, to ensure that all materials, parts and processes of each of the ISS payloads not only function as required but also do not pose a risk to the safety of the crew members. In this context, TEC-QTE provides qualified expertise to support the ESA Flight Safety Review and assesses safety aspects related to manned projects (materials properties, fluid system compatibility, fungus resistance). This is supported by the Materials Space Evaluation and Radiation Effects section's Materials and Electrical Components laboratory having at its disposition a range of facilities designed to perform environmental effects testing of which off-gassing tests according to ECSS-Q-ST-70-29C (equivalent to NASA STD 6001 test 7) and outgassing tests according to ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C (equivalent to ASTM-E-595). The ESA facility to perform flammability tests according to ECSS-Q-ST-70-21A (equivalent to NASA STD 6001 test1) was moved to Astrium Bremen.TEC-QTE is in charge of reviewing and approving, via RFA or MUA , all materials that do not meet safety requirements as well as COTS or CAM (black boxes) equipment.The safety process ends with the issue of the Materials Certification of the reviewed payload hardware that shows compliance with the relevant materials and processes requirements and standards.In addition to the safety related activities for the ISS, specialised TEC-QTE personnel provide measurements of the air quality inside the ATV and assess whether the toxicity index is within requirements.

ESA technology flies on Italian mini-satellite launched from Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2000-07-01

Owned by the Italian space agency (ASI) and developed by Carlo Gavazzi with contributions from many other Italian companies, MITA has two tasks to perform: in a circular orbit at 450 km altitude, the mini satellite will carry a cosmic particle detector, while its platform will be tested for the first time as a vehicle for future scientific missions. MITA also carries the MTS-AOMS payload (MicroTechSensor for Attitude and Orbit Measurement System), developed by Astrium in the framework of ESA's Technology Flight Opportunity trial programme. With the Technology Flight Opportunity scheme, funded by its General Studies Programme, ESA intends to provide access to space for European industry's technology products needing in-orbit demonstration to enhance their competitiveness on the space market. This new form of support to the European space industry ties in with ESA's strategy for fostering the competitiveness of European-made technology for eventual commercialisation. In-orbit demonstration is essential if new technologies are to compete on level terms on non-European markets. It thus consolidates strategic investments made by the space industry. The MTS-AOMS is a highly integrated sensor for autonomous attitude and orbit control systems. It combines three functions in one unit: Earth sensing, star sensing and magnetic field sensing. The equipment incorporates an active pixel array sensor and a 2-D fluxgate magnetometer. The aims of the flight are to verify in situ the payload's inherent functions and performance, which cannot be done on the ground, and to assess the behaviour of this type of technology when exposed to the space environment. The Technology Flight Opportunity rule is that ESA funds the launch and integration costs, industry the development and operating costs. According to present planning, two further in-orbit demonstrations funded by this scheme will be carried out between now and January 2001.

The Hera Saturn Entry Probe Mission: a Proposal in Response to the ESA M5 Call

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mousis, Olivier; Atkinson, David; Amato, Michael; Aslam, Shahid; Atreya, Sushil; Blanc, Michel; Bolton, Scott; Brugger, Bastien; Calcutt, Simon; Cavalié, Thibault; Charnoz, Sébastien; Coustenis, Athena; Deleuil, Magali; Dobrijevic, Michel; Ferri, Francesca; Fletcher, Leigh; Gautier, Daniel; Guillot, Tristan; Hartogh, Paul; Holland, Andrew

2017-04-01

The Hera Saturn entry probe mission is proposed as an ESA M-class mission to be piggybacked on a NASA spacecraft sent to or past the Saturn system. Hera consists of an atmospheric probe built by ESA and released into the atmosphere of Saturn by its NASA companion Saturn Carrier-Relay spacecraft. Hera will perform in situ measurements of the chemical and isotopic composition as well as the structure and dynamics of Saturn's atmosphere using a single probe, with the goal of improving our understanding of the origin, formation, and evolution of Saturn, the giant planets and their satellite systems, with extrapolation to extrasolar planets. Hera will probe well into and possibly beneath the cloud-forming region of the troposphere, below the region accessible to remote sensing, to locations where certain cosmogenically abundant species are expected to be well mixed. The Hera probe will be designed from ESA elements with possible contributions from NASA, and the Saturn/Carrier-Relay Spacecraft will be supplied by NASA through its selection via the New Frontier 2016 call or in the form of a flagship mission selected by the NASA "Roadmaps to Ocean Worlds" (ROW) program. The Hera probe will be powered by batteries, and we therefore anticipate only one major subsystems to be possibly supplied by the United States, either by direct procurement by ESA or by contribution from NASA: the thermal protection system of the probe. Following the highly successful example of the Cassini-Huygens mission, Hera will carry European and American instruments, with scientists and engineers from both agencies and many affiliates participating in all aspects of mission development and implementation. A Saturn probe is one of the six identified desired themes by the Planetary Science Decadal Survey committee on the NASA New Frontier's list, providing additional indication that a Saturn probe is of extremely high interest and a very high priority for the international community.

Early development of Science Opportunity Analysis tools for the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardesin Moinelo, Alejandro; Vallat, Claire; Altobelli, Nicolas; Frew, David; Llorente, Rosario; Costa, Marc; Almeida, Miguel; Witasse, Olivier

2016-10-01

JUICE is the first large mission in the framework of ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 program. JUICE will survey the Jovian system with a special focus on three of the Galilean Moons: Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.The mission has recently been adopted and big efforts are being made by the Science Operations Center (SOC) at the European Space and Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Madrid for the development of tools to provide the necessary support to the Science Working Team (SWT) for science opportunity analysis and early assessment of science operation scenarios. This contribution will outline some of the tools being developed within ESA and in collaboration with the Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) at JPL.The Mission Analysis and Payload Planning Support (MAPPS) is developed by ESA and has been used by most of ESA's planetary missions to generate and validate science observation timelines for the simulation of payload and spacecraft operations. MAPPS has the capability to compute and display all the necessary geometrical information such as the distances, illumination angles and projected field-of-view of an imaging instrument on the surface of the given body and a preliminary setup is already in place for the early assessment of JUICE science operations.NAIF provides valuable SPICE support to the JUICE mission and several tools are being developed to compute and visualize science opportunities. In particular the WebGeoCalc and Cosmographia systems are provided by NAIF to compute time windows and create animations of the observation geometry available via traditional SPICE data files, such as planet orbits, spacecraft trajectory, spacecraft orientation, instrument field-of-view "cones" and instrument footprints. Other software tools are being developed by ESA and other collaborating partners to support the science opportunity analysis for all missions, like the SOLab (Science Operations Laboratory) or new interfaces for observation definitions and opportunity window databases.

GEO Supersites Data Exploitation Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lengert, W.; Popp, H.-J.; Gleyzes, J.-P.

2012-04-01

In the framework of the GEO Geohazard Supersite initiative, an international partnership of organizations and scientists involved in the monitoring and assessment of geohazards has been established. The mission is to advance the scientific understanding of geohazards by improving geohazard monitoring through the combination of in-situ and space-based data, and by facilitating the access to data relevant for geohazard research. The stakeholders are: (1) governmental organizations or research institutions responsible for the ground-based monitoring of earthquake and volcanic areas, (2) space agencies and satellite operators providing satellite data, (3) the global geohazard scientific community. The 10.000's of ESA's SAR products are accessible, since beginning 2008, using ESA's "Virtual Archive", a Cloud Computing assets, allowing the global community an utmost downloading performance of these high volume data sets for mass-market costs. In the GEO collaborative context, the management of ESA's "Virtual Archive" and the ordering of these large data sets is being performed by UNAVCO, who is also coordinating the data demand for the several hundreds of co-PIs. ESA is envisaging to provide scientists and developers access to a highly elastic operational e-infrastructure, providing interdisciplinary data on a large scale as well as tools ensuring innovation and a permanent evolution of the products. Consequently, this science environment will help in defining and testing new applications and technologies fostering innovation and new science findings. In Europe, the collaboration between EPOS, "European Plate Observatory System" lead by INGV, and ESA with support of DLR, ASI, and CNES are the main institutional stakeholders for the GEO Supersites contributing also to a unifying e-infrastructure. The overarching objective of the Geohazard Supersites is: "To implement a sustainable Global Earthquake Observation System and a Global Volcano Observation System as part of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)." This presentation will outline the overall concept, objectives, and examples of the e-infrastructure, which is currently being set up for the GEO Supersite initiative helping to advance science.

A phosphoethanolamine transferase specific for the 4'-phosphate residue of Cronobacter sakazakii lipid A.

PubMed

Liu, L; Li, Y; Wang, X; Guo, W

2016-11-01

Investigate how Cronobacter sakazakii modify their lipid A structure to avoid recognition by the host immune cells. Lipid A modification was observed in C. sakazakii BAA894 grown at pH 5·0 but not pH 7·0. Overexpression of C. sakazakii gene ESA_RS09200 in Escherichia coli W3110 caused a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) modification of lipid A; when ESA_RS09200 was deleted in C. sakazakii BAA894, this lipid A modification disappeared. Lipid A modification was observed in BAA894 grown at pH 5·0 when the 1- phosphate residue of lipid A was removed, but disappeared when the 4'- phosphate residue of lipid A was removed. When ESA_RS16430, the orthologous gene of E. coli pmrA, was deleted in C. sakazakii BAA894, this PEA modification of lipid A was still observed, suggesting that this modification was not regulated by the PmrA-PmrB system. Compared to the wild-type BAA894, ESA_RS09200 deletion mutant showed decreased resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMP), increased recognition by TLR4/MD2, decreased ability to invade and persist in mammalian cells. ESA_RS09200 in C. sakazakii BAA894 encodes a PEA transferase that specifically adds a PEA to the 4'-phosphate residue of lipid A, but not regulated by the PmrA-PmrB system. PEA modification of lipid A reduces recognition and killing by the host innate immune system. This study showed that modification of the lipid A moiety of C. sakazakii with PEA increased resistance to CAMP and recognition of the immune response although signalling of TLR4/MD2 cascade, suggesting that the organism could not successfully evade the host innate immune system without the transference of PEA to its lipid A moiety. © 2016 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

International migration and sustainable human development in eastern and southern Africa.

PubMed

Oucho, J O

1995-01-01

International migration in eastern and southern Africa (ESA) is rarely addressed in population and development policies or regional organizations, and regional organizations must in the articulation of sustainable shared development identify the role of international migration. Poor quality data on international migration hampers analysis. Sustainable, shared, and human development within the region are subregional issues. Permanent migration is characterized among ESA countries as increasing demographic ethnic pluralism that may result in redrawing of territorial boundaries and further population movement. Portuguese and Arab settlement and integration in eastern areas resulted in coexistence, while European immigration to South Africa resulted in racial segregation. Modern colonial settlement and the aftermath of political conflict resulted in independent countries after the 1960s and outmigration of nonAfrican groups. Much of the labor migration in ESA is unskilled workers moving to South African mining regions. Labor migration to Zimbabwe and Zambia declined after the 1960s. The formation of the Common Market for ESA and the potential merger with the Preferential Trade Area and South African Development Community is a key approach to integration of migration into regional cooperation and shared development. Refugee movements create the most problems. Prior to 1992 ESA countries accounted for 83.4% of refugees, particularly in Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Some countries blame poor economic performance on the deluge of refugees. Illegal migration is currently detected because of the required work permits, but the adoption of the Common Market would obscure this phenomenon. Human development is affected most by migrations related to drought, labor migration to strong economic areas, and return migration. The Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development needs to become more active and establish better policies on nomadic and refugee movements and displaced populations. Movement of educated populations to countries lacking in trained and skilled human resources is a future challenge. Strategies of immigration should facilitate economic development.

Reduction of costs for anemia-management drugs associated with the use of ferric citrate

PubMed Central

Thomas, Anila; Peterson, Leif E

2014-01-01

Background Ferric citrate is a novel phosphate binder which has the potential to reduce usage of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) and intravenous (IV) iron used for anemia management during hemodialysis (HD) among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Currently, the potential health care cost savings on a national scale due to the use of ferric citrate in ESRD are undetermined. Methods Per-patient-per-year costs of ESAs (Epogen® and Aranesp® [Amgen Inc., CA, USA]) and IV iron (Venofer® [American Regent, Inc., NY, USA] and Ferrlecit® [Sanofi US, Bridgewater, NJ, USA]) were based on RED BOOK™ (Truven Health Analytics New York, NY, USA) costs combined with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) base rate and actual usage in 2011 for the four drugs. The annual number of outpatients undergoing HD in the US was based on frequencies reported by the USRDS (United States Renal Data System). Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis was performed to determine total annual costs and cost reduction based on ferric citrate usage. Results Total annual cost of ESAs and IV iron for anemia management in ESRD determined by Monte Carlo analysis assuming CMS base rate value was 5.127 (3.664–6.260) billion USD. For actual utilization in 2011, total annual cost of ESAs and IV iron was 3.981 (2.780–4.930) billion USD. If ferric citrate usage reduced ESA utilization by 20% and IV iron by 40%, then total cost would be reduced by 21.2% to 4.038 (2.868–4.914) billion USD for the CMS base rate, and by 21.8% to 3.111 (2.148–3.845) billion USD, based on 2011 actual utilization. Conclusion It is likely that US health care costs for anemia-management drugs associated with ESRD among HD patients can be reduced by using ferric citrate as a phosphate binder. PMID:24899820

De novo weekly and biweekly darbepoetin alfa dosing in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Warady, Bradley A; Barcia, John; Benador, Nadine; Jankauskiene, Augustina; Olson, Kurt; Podracka, Ludmila; Shavkin, Aleksey; Srivaths, Poyyapakkam; Wong, Cynthia J; Petersen, Jeffrey

2018-01-01

Darbepoetin alfa is a commonly prescribed erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) for correcting anemia in pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, little information exists on its use in ESA-naïve patients. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa in pediatric patients initiating ESA therapy. One-hundred sixteen pediatric ESA-naïve subjects (aged 1-18 years) with CKD stages 3-5D and hemoglobin (Hb) <10 g/dl from 43 centers in the US, Europe, and Mexico were randomized by age (three groups) and dialysis status (yes vs. no) to receive darbepoetin alfa once weekly (QW) or every 2 weeks (Q2W) subcutaneously (not on dialysis and peritoneal dialysis subjects) and intravenously (hemodialysis subjects). The drug was titrated to achieve Hb levels of 10.0-12.0 g/dl over 25 weeks. Patient- and parent-reported health-related outcomes were measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) in children ≥2 years. In both groups, mean Hb concentrations increased to ≥11.0 g/dl over the first 3 months of treatment and remained stable within the 10.0-12.0 g/dl target range. The median time to achieve hemoglobin ≥10 g/dl was slightly longer for subjects <12 years (QW and Q2W, both 28 days) vs. those ≥12 years (23 and 22 days, respectively). Adverse event profiles were similar between groups, with QW, four (7%) and Q2W, five (9%). PedsQL™ scores showed modest increases. Darbepoetin alfa can be safely administered either QW or Q2W to ESA-naïve pediatric patients with CKD-related anemia to achieve Hb targets of 10.0-12.0 g/dl.

ESA Venus Entry Probe Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

vandenBerg, M. L.; Falkner, P.; Phipps, A.; Underwood, J. C.; Lingard, J. S.; Moorhouse, J.; Kraft, S.; Peacock, A.

2005-01-01

The Venus Entry Probe is one of ESA s Technology Reference Studies (TRS). The purpose of the Technology Reference Studies is to provide a focus for the development of strategically important technologies that are of likely relevance for future scientific missions. The aim of the Venus Entry Probe TRS is to study approaches for low cost in-situ exploration of Venus and other planetary bodies with a significant atmosphere. In this paper, the mission objectives and an outline of the mission concept of the Venus Entry Probe TRS are presented.

Features and technologies of ERS-1 (ESA) and X-SAR antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schuessler, R.; Wagner, R.

1986-01-01

Features and technologies of planar waveguide array antennas developed for spaceborne microwave sensors are described. Such antennas are made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) employing special manufacturing and metallization techniques to achieve satisfactory electrical properties. Mechanical design enables deployable antenna structures necessary for satellite applications (e.g., ESA ERS-1). The slotted waveguide concept provides high aperture efficiency, good beamshaping capabilities, and low losses. These CFRP waveguide antennas feature low mass, high accuracy and stiffness, and can be operated within wide temperature ranges.

Sentinel 4: a geostationary imaging UVN spectrometer for air quality monitoring: status of design, performance and development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gulde, S. T.; Kolm, M. G.; Smith, D. J.; Maurer, R.; Bazalgette Courrèges-Lacoste, G.; Sallusti, M.; Bagnasco, G.

2017-11-01

SENTINEL 4 is an imaging UVN (UV-VIS-NIR) spectrometer, developed by Airbus Defence and Space under ESA contract in the frame of the joint European Union (EU)/ESA COPERNICUS program. The mission objective is the operational monitoring of trace gas concentrations for atmospheric chemistry and climate applications. To this end SENTINEL 4 will provide accurate measurements of key atmospheric constituents such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, as well as aerosol and cloud properties.

Expedition 17 Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Undocking

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-05

ISS017-E-015468 (5 Sept. 2008) --- Backdropped by the blackness of space, European Space Agency's (ESA) "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) begins its relative separation from the International Space Station. The ATV undocked from the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module at 4:29 p.m. (CDT) on Sept. 5, 2008 and was placed in a parking orbit for three weeks, scheduled to be deorbited on Sept. 29 when lighting conditions are correct for an ESA imagery experiment of reentry.

Expedition 17 Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Undocking

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-05

ISS017-E-015496 (5 Sept. 2008) --- Backdropped by a blanket of clouds, European Space Agency's (ESA) "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) continues its relative separation from the International Space Station. The ATV undocked from the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module at 4:29 p.m. (CDT) on Sept. 5, 2008 and was placed in a parking orbit for three weeks, scheduled to be deorbited on Sept. 29 when lighting conditions are correct for an ESA imagery experiment of reentry.

Expedition 17 Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Undocking

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-05

ISS017-E-015451 (5 Sept. 2008) --- Backdropped by Earth's horizon and the blackness of space, European Space Agency's (ESA) "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) begins its relative separation from the International Space Station. The ATV undocked from the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module at 4:29 p.m. (CDT) on Sept. 5, 2008 and was placed in a parking orbit for three weeks, scheduled to be deorbited on Sept. 29 when lighting conditions are correct for an ESA imagery experiment of reentry.

Expedition 17 Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Undocking

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-09-05

ISS017-E-015446 (5 Sept. 2008) --- Backdropped by the blackness of space, European Space Agency's (ESA) "Jules Verne" Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) begins its relative separation from the International Space Station. The ATV undocked from the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module at 4:29 p.m. (CDT) on Sept. 5, 2008 and was placed in a parking orbit for three weeks, scheduled to be deorbited on Sept. 29 when lighting conditions are correct for an ESA imagery experiment of reentry.

Alert Exchange Process Protocol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Groen, Frank

2015-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America (NASA), and the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), acknowledging that NASA, ESA and JAXA have a mutual interest in exchanging Alerts and Alert Status Lists to enhance the information base for each system participant while fortifying the general level of cooperation between the policy agreement subscribers, and each Party will exchange Alert listings on regular basis and detailed Alert information on a need to know basis to the extent permitted by law.

Worldwide Emerging Environmental Issues Affecting the U.S. Military. March 2008 Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

Shelf of western Antarctica, a chunk of ice with an area of about 400 sq km broke up into icebergs . This might trigger the disintegration of a larger...allafrica.com/stories/200803041273.html Earth from Space: Further break-up of Antarctic ice shelf http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMMX4R03EF_index_0.html...200803041273.html Antarctic Ice Shelf Disintegration Underscores a Warming World http://nsidc.org/news/press/20080325_Wilkins.html Antarctic ice shelf

Transitions Towards Operational Space-Based Ocean Observations: From Single Research Missions into Series and Constellations

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-16

Meleorol. Soc... 88 (8). 1197-121.1. 2007 . (DOI: 10.1175/ BAMS-88-8-1197) 4. GCOS Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate...21-25 September 2009, Hall, J.. Harrison 1) 1 and Stammer . D., Eds., ESA Publication WPP-306, 2010. 6. Le Traon, P.-Y.. and Co-Authors (2010...Information for Society" Conference (Vol. 2), Venice, Italy, 21-25 September 2009, Hall, J., Harrison D.E. and Stammer , D., Eds., ESA Publication WPP