Utilizing the Structure and Content Information for XML Document Clustering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, Tien; Kutty, Sangeetha; Nayak, Richi

This paper reports on the experiments and results of a clustering approach used in the INEX 2008 document mining challenge. The clustering approach utilizes both the structure and content information of the Wikipedia XML document collection. A latent semantic kernel (LSK) is used to measure the semantic similarity between XML documents based on their content features. The construction of a latent semantic kernel involves the computing of singular vector decomposition (SVD). On a large feature space matrix, the computation of SVD is very expensive in terms of time and memory requirements. Thus in this clustering approach, the dimension of the document space of a term-document matrix is reduced before performing SVD. The document space reduction is based on the common structural information of the Wikipedia XML document collection. The proposed clustering approach has shown to be effective on the Wikipedia collection in the INEX 2008 document mining challenge.

Smoothness within ruggedness: the role of neutrality in adaptation.

PubMed Central

Huynen, M A; Stadler, P F; Fontana, W

1996-01-01

RNA secondary structure folding algorithms predict the existence of connected networks of RNA sequences with identical structure. On such networks, evolving populations split into subpopulations, which diffuse independently in sequence space. This demands a distinction between two mutation thresholds: one at which genotypic information is lost and one at which phenotypic information is lost. In between, diffusion enables the search of vast areas in genotype space while still preserving the dominant phenotype. By this dynamic the success of phenotypic adaptation becomes much less sensitive to the initial conditions in genotype space. Images Fig. 2 PMID:8552647

Information-theoretic measures of hydrogen-like ions in weakly coupled Debye plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zan, Li Rong; Jiao, Li Guang; Ma, Jia; Ho, Yew Kam

2017-12-01

Recent development of information theory provides researchers an alternative and useful tool to quantitatively investigate the variation of the electronic structure when atoms interact with the external environment. In this work, we make systematic studies on the information-theoretic measures for hydrogen-like ions immersed in weakly coupled plasmas modeled by Debye-Hückel potential. Shannon entropy, Fisher information, and Fisher-Shannon complexity in both position and momentum spaces are quantified in high accuracy for the hydrogen atom in a large number of stationary states. The plasma screening effect on embedded atoms can significantly affect the electronic density distributions, in both conjugate spaces, and it is quantified by the variation of information quantities. It is shown that the composite quantities (the Shannon entropy sum and the Fisher information product in combined spaces and Fisher-Shannon complexity in individual space) give a more comprehensive description of the atomic structure information than single ones. The nodes of wave functions play a significant role in the changes of composite information quantities caused by plasmas. With the continuously increasing screening strength, all composite quantities in circular states increase monotonously, while in higher-lying excited states where nodal structures exist, they first decrease to a minimum and then increase rapidly before the bound state approaches the continuum limit. The minimum represents the most reduction of uncertainty properties of the atom in plasmas. The lower bounds for the uncertainty product of the system based on composite information quantities are discussed. Our research presents a comprehensive survey in the investigation of information-theoretic measures for simple atoms embedded in Debye model plasmas.

Study on solidification of immisible alloys (M-10)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kamio, Akihiko

1993-01-01

Alloying of immiscible alloys under microgravity is of interest in metallurgical processes. Several experiments investigating the alloying of immiscible alloys, such as Al-In, Al-Bi, Zn-Bi, and Zn-Pb, were done in space. Homogeneous distribution of small L2 particles in the matrix, such as an emulsion structure, was expected in the space-solidifed alloys. However, the alloys demonstrated an extremely segregated structure. To date insufficient information was obtained to explain these unexpected results. Our experiment was proposed to clarify the solidification manner of immiscible alloys and to obtain fundamental information concerning structural control of the alloys. In space, density differences between the two liquids separated in immiscible regions can be neglected, so that no sedimentation of L(sub 2) phase will take place. When the growth of the alloys is interrupted and this status is frozen by an adequate rapid cooling procedure, it will provide much information concerning decomposing homogeneous liquid and the interaction between the monotectic growth front morphology and the distribution of L(sub 2) phase. It is anticipated that the results will be useful for elucidating the monotectic solidification manner and it will be instructive to explain the segregated structures obtained in the past space experiments.

Characterising RNA secondary structure space using information entropy

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Comparative methods for RNA secondary structure prediction use evolutionary information from RNA alignments to increase prediction accuracy. The model is often described in terms of stochastic context-free grammars (SCFGs), which generate a probability distribution over secondary structures. It is, however, unclear how this probability distribution changes as a function of the input alignment. As prediction programs typically only return a single secondary structure, better characterisation of the underlying probability space of RNA secondary structures is of great interest. In this work, we show how to efficiently compute the information entropy of the probability distribution over RNA secondary structures produced for RNA alignments by a phylo-SCFG, and implement it for the PPfold model. We also discuss interpretations and applications of this quantity, including how it can clarify reasons for low prediction reliability scores. PPfold and its source code are available from http://birc.au.dk/software/ppfold/. PMID:23368905

Guiding exploration in conformational feature space with Lipschitz underestimation for ab-initio protein structure prediction.

PubMed

Hao, Xiaohu; Zhang, Guijun; Zhou, Xiaogen

2018-04-01

Computing conformations which are essential to associate structural and functional information with gene sequences, is challenging due to the high dimensionality and rugged energy surface of the protein conformational space. Consequently, the dimension of the protein conformational space should be reduced to a proper level, and an effective exploring algorithm should be proposed. In this paper, a plug-in method for guiding exploration in conformational feature space with Lipschitz underestimation (LUE) for ab-initio protein structure prediction is proposed. The conformational space is converted into ultrafast shape recognition (USR) feature space firstly. Based on the USR feature space, the conformational space can be further converted into Underestimation space according to Lipschitz estimation theory for guiding exploration. As a consequence of the use of underestimation model, the tight lower bound estimate information can be used for exploration guidance, the invalid sampling areas can be eliminated in advance, and the number of energy function evaluations can be reduced. The proposed method provides a novel technique to solve the exploring problem of protein conformational space. LUE is applied to differential evolution (DE) algorithm, and metropolis Monte Carlo(MMC) algorithm which is available in the Rosetta; When LUE is applied to DE and MMC, it will be screened by the underestimation method prior to energy calculation and selection. Further, LUE is compared with DE and MMC by testing on 15 small-to-medium structurally diverse proteins. Test results show that near-native protein structures with higher accuracy can be obtained more rapidly and efficiently with the use of LUE. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

System for plotting subsoil structure and method therefor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Narasimhan, K. Y.; Nathan, R.; Parthasarathy, S. P. (Inventor)

1980-01-01

Data for use in producing a tomograph of subsoil structure between boreholes is derived by pacing spaced geophones in one borehole, on the Earth surface if desired, and by producing a sequence of shots at spaced apart locations in the other borehole. The signals, detected by each of the geophones from the various shots, are processed either on a time of arrival basis, or on the basis of signal amplitude, to provide information of the characteristics of a large number of incremental areas between the boreholes. Such information is useable to produce a tomograph of the subsoil structure between the boreholes. By processing signals of relatively high frequencies, e.g., up to 100 Hz, and by closely spacing the geophones, a high resolution tomograph can be produced.

Factors shaping the evolution of electronic documentation systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dede, Christopher J.; Sullivan, Tim R.; Scace, Jacque R.

1990-01-01

The main goal is to prepare the space station technical and managerial structure for likely changes in the creation, capture, transfer, and utilization of knowledge. By anticipating advances, the design of Space Station Project (SSP) information systems can be tailored to facilitate a progression of increasingly sophisticated strategies as the space station evolves. Future generations of advanced information systems will use increases in power to deliver environmentally meaningful, contextually targeted, interconnected data (knowledge). The concept of a Knowledge Base Management System is emerging when the problem is focused on how information systems can perform such a conversion of raw data. Such a system would include traditional management functions for large space databases. Added artificial intelligence features might encompass co-existing knowledge representation schemes; effective control structures for deductive, plausible, and inductive reasoning; means for knowledge acquisition, refinement, and validation; explanation facilities; and dynamic human intervention. The major areas covered include: alternative knowledge representation approaches; advanced user interface capabilities; computer-supported cooperative work; the evolution of information system hardware; standardization, compatibility, and connectivity; and organizational impacts of information intensive environments.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 08)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

This bibliography lists 414 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system. It provides helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of Large Space System Technology. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 09)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

This bibliography lists 414 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1983 and June 30, 1983. Information on technology development and mission design in the area of Large Space System Technology is provided. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics. advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 22)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

This bibliography lists 1077 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System between July 1, 1989 and December 31, 1989. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher or manager engaged in the development of technologies related to large space systems. Subject areas include mission and program definition, design techniques, structural and thermal analysis, structural dynamics and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, and propulsion.

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 04)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1992-10-01

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1211 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between 1 Jul. and 30 Dec. 1991. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 04)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1211 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between 1 Jul. and 30 Dec. 1991. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 10)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The bibliography lists 408 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of large space system technology. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Self-aggregation in scaled principal component space

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

Ding, Chris H.Q.; He, Xiaofeng; Zha, Hongyuan

2001-10-05

Automatic grouping of voluminous data into meaningful structures is a challenging task frequently encountered in broad areas of science, engineering and information processing. These data clustering tasks are frequently performed in Euclidean space or a subspace chosen from principal component analysis (PCA). Here we describe a space obtained by a nonlinear scaling of PCA in which data objects self-aggregate automatically into clusters. Projection into this space gives sharp distinctions among clusters. Gene expression profiles of cancer tissue subtypes, Web hyperlink structure and Internet newsgroups are analyzed to illustrate interesting properties of the space.

The optical antenna system design research on earth integrative network laser link in the future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xianzhu; Fu, Qiang; He, Jingyi

2014-11-01

Earth integrated information network can be real-time acquisition, transmission and processing the spatial information with the carrier based on space platforms, such as geostationary satellites or in low-orbit satellites, stratospheric balloons or unmanned and manned aircraft, etc. It is an essential infrastructure for China to constructed earth integrated information network. Earth integrated information network can not only support the highly dynamic and the real-time transmission of broadband down to earth observation, but the reliable transmission of the ultra remote and the large delay up to the deep space exploration, as well as provide services for the significant application of the ocean voyage, emergency rescue, navigation and positioning, air transportation, aerospace measurement or control and other fields.Thus the earth integrated information network can expand the human science, culture and productive activities to the space, ocean and even deep space, so it is the global research focus. The network of the laser communication link is an important component and the mean of communication in the earth integrated information network. Optimize the structure and design the system of the optical antenna is considered one of the difficulty key technologies for the space laser communication link network. Therefore, this paper presents an optical antenna system that it can be used in space laser communication link network.The antenna system was consisted by the plurality mirrors stitched with the rotational paraboloid as a substrate. The optical system structure of the multi-mirror stitched was simulated and emulated by the light tools software. Cassegrain form to be used in a relay optical system. The structural parameters of the relay optical system was optimized and designed by the optical design software of zemax. The results of the optimal design and simulation or emulation indicated that the antenna system had a good optical performance and a certain reference value in engineering. It can provide effective technical support to realize interconnection of earth integrated laser link information network in the future.

Study of liquid crystal space groups using controlled tilting with cryogenic transmission electron microscopy.

PubMed

Sagalowicz, Laurent; Acquistapace, Simone; Watzke, Heribert J; Michel, Martin

2007-11-20

We developed a method that enables differentiation between liquid crystalline-phase particles corresponding to different space groups. It consists of controlled tilting of the specimen to observe different orientations of the same particle using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. This leads to the visualization of lattice planes (or reflections) that are present for a given structure and absent for the other one(s) and that give information on liquid crystalline structures and their space groups. In particular, we show that we can unambiguously distinguish among particles having the inverted micellar cubic (space group Fd(3)m, 227), the inverted bicontinuous gyroid (space group Ia(3)d, 230), the inverted bicontinuous diamond (space group Pn(3)m, 224), and the inverted bicontinuous primitive cubic structure (space group Im(3)m, 229).

Information management in an integrated space telerobot

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dipippo, S.; Pasquariello, G.; Labini, G. Sylos

1989-01-01

The in-orbit operations, like space structures inspection, servicing and repairing, is expected to be one of the most significant technological area for application and development of Robotics and Automation in Space Station environment. The Italian National Space Plan (PSN) has started up its strategic programme SPIDER (Space Inspection Device for Extravehicular Repairs), which is scheduled in three phases, with the final goal of performing docking and precision repairing in the Space Station environment. SPIDER system is an autonomous integrated space robot, using mature Artificial Intelligence tools and technics for its operational control. The preliminary results of a study on the information architecture of the spacecraft are described.

Clustering of neural code words revealed by a first-order phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Haiping; Toyoizumi, Taro

2016-06-01

A network of neurons in the central nervous system collectively represents information by its spiking activity states. Typically observed states, i.e., code words, occupy only a limited portion of the state space due to constraints imposed by network interactions. Geometrical organization of code words in the state space, critical for neural information processing, is poorly understood due to its high dimensionality. Here, we explore the organization of neural code words using retinal data by computing the entropy of code words as a function of Hamming distance from a particular reference codeword. Specifically, we report that the retinal code words in the state space are divided into multiple distinct clusters separated by entropy-gaps, and that this structure is shared with well-known associative memory networks in a recallable phase. Our analysis also elucidates a special nature of the all-silent state. The all-silent state is surrounded by the densest cluster of code words and located within a reachable distance from most code words. This code-word space structure quantitatively predicts typical deviation of a state-trajectory from its initial state. Altogether, our findings reveal a non-trivial heterogeneous structure of the code-word space that shapes information representation in a biological network.

Marks, Spaces and Boundaries: Punctuation (and Other Effects) in the Typography of Dictionaries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luna, Paul

2011-01-01

Dictionary compilers and designers use punctuation to structure and clarify entries and to encode information. Dictionaries with a relatively simple structure can have simple typography and simple punctuation; as dictionaries grew more complex, and encountered the space constraints of the printed page, complex encoding systems were developed,…

Developing Visualization Techniques for Semantics-based Information Networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keller, Richard M.; Hall, David R.

2003-01-01

Information systems incorporating complex network structured information spaces with a semantic underpinning - such as hypermedia networks, semantic networks, topic maps, and concept maps - are being deployed to solve some of NASA s critical information management problems. This paper describes some of the human interaction and navigation problems associated with complex semantic information spaces and describes a set of new visual interface approaches to address these problems. A key strategy is to leverage semantic knowledge represented within these information spaces to construct abstractions and views that will be meaningful to the human user. Human-computer interaction methodologies will guide the development and evaluation of these approaches, which will benefit deployed NASA systems and also apply to information systems based on the emerging Semantic Web.

Macroinformational analysis of conditions for controllability of space-vehicle orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glazov, B. I.

2011-12-01

The general axiomatics of information measures for the macro analysis of relations of an information-cybernetic system in the control is introduced. The general structure of a semantically marked graph of open and closed relations of an information-cybernetic system between the participants in the environment, as well as thenecessary axiomatic and technological information-cybernetic system conditions of controllability and observability of objects, for the case of a space vehicle in orbit, are justified.

Identification challenges for large space structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pappa, Richard S.

1990-01-01

The paper examines the on-orbit modal identification of large space structures, stressing the importance of planning and experience, in preparation for the Space Station Structural Characterization Experiment (SSSCE) for the Space Station Freedom. The necessary information to foresee and overcome practical difficulties is considered in connection with seven key factors, including test objectives, dynamic complexity of the structure, data quality, extent of exploratory studies, availability and understanding of software tools, experience with similar problems, and pretest analytical conditions. These factors affect identification success in ground tests. Comparisons with similar ground tests of assembled systems are discussed, showing that the constraints of space tests make these factors more significant. The absence of data and experiences relating to on-orbit modal identification testing is shown to make identification a uniquely mathematical problem, although all spacecraft are constructed and verified by proven engineering methods.

Space and Atmospheric Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barth, Janet L.; Day, John H. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

This viewgraph presentation provides information on space environments and the protection of materials and structures from their harsh conditions. Space environments are complex, and the complexity of spacecraft systems is increasing. Design accommodation must be realistic. Environmental problems can be limited at low cost relative to spacecraft cost.

Building on Florida's strength in space : a plan for action

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-12-01

The report is structured as follows: : 1) Section II provides background information on the role of the space sector : in Florida. It is presented to help the reader understand: : 2) Why space is important to the current and future economy of Florida...

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 12)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

A bibliography listing 516 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1984 and December 31, 1984 is presented. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of Large Space System Technology. Subject matter is grouped according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Summary of LaRC 2-inch Erectable Joint Hardware Heritage Test Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dorsey, John T.; Watson, Judith J.

2016-01-01

As the National Space Transportation System (STS, also known as the Space Shuttle) went into service during the early 1980's, NASA envisioned many missions of exploration and discovery that could take advantage of the STS capabilities. These missions included: large orbiting space stations, large space science telescopes and large spacecraft for manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The missions required structures that were significantly larger than the payload volume available on the STS. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) conducted studies to design and develop the technology needed to assemble the large space structures in orbit. LaRC focused on technology for erectable truss structures, in particular, the joint that connects the truss struts at the truss nodes. When the NASA research in large erectable space structures ended in the early 1990's, a significant amount of structural testing had been performed on the LaRC 2-inch erectable joint that was never published. An extensive set of historical information and data has been reviewed and the joint structural testing results from this historical data are compiled and summarized in this report.

Phase space interrogation of the empirical response modes for seismically excited structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Bibhas; George, Riya C.; Mishra, Sudib K.

2017-07-01

Conventional Phase Space Interrogation (PSI) for structural damage assessment relies on exciting the structure with low dimensional chaotic waveform, thereby, significantly limiting their applicability to large structures. The PSI technique is presently extended for structure subjected to seismic excitations. The high dimensionality of the phase space for seismic response(s) are overcome by the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), decomposing the responses to a number of intrinsic low dimensional oscillatory modes, referred as Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). Along with their low dimensionality, a few IMFs, retain sufficient information of the system dynamics to reflect the damage induced changes. The mutually conflicting nature of low-dimensionality and the sufficiency of dynamic information are taken care by the optimal choice of the IMF(s), which is shown to be the third/fourth IMFs. The optimal IMF(s) are employed for the reconstruction of the Phase space attractor following Taken's embedding theorem. The widely referred Changes in Phase Space Topology (CPST) feature is then employed on these Phase portrait(s) to derive the damage sensitive feature, referred as the CPST of the IMFs (CPST-IMF). The legitimacy of the CPST-IMF is established as a damage sensitive feature by assessing its variation with a number of damage scenarios benchmarked in the IASC-ASCE building. The damage localization capability, remarkable tolerance to noise contamination and the robustness under different seismic excitations of the feature are demonstrated.

JWST ISIM test platform

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-03-17

A view inside the NASA Goddard clean room where the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is being built. This images shows Goddard technicians lifting the ISIM (Integrated Science Instrument Module) onto the ITS (ISIM Test Structure). ISIM will sit atop this platform during space environmental testing. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Chris Gunn For more information on JWST go to: www.jwst.nasa.gov/ For more information on Goddard Space Flight Center go to: www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html

Compound Structure-Independent Activity Prediction in High-Dimensional Target Space.

PubMed

Balfer, Jenny; Hu, Ye; Bajorath, Jürgen

2014-08-01

Profiling of compound libraries against arrays of targets has become an important approach in pharmaceutical research. The prediction of multi-target compound activities also represents an attractive task for machine learning with potential for drug discovery applications. Herein, we have explored activity prediction in high-dimensional target space. Different types of models were derived to predict multi-target activities. The models included naïve Bayesian (NB) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers based upon compound structure information and NB models derived on the basis of activity profiles, without considering compound structure. Because the latter approach can be applied to incomplete training data and principally depends on the feature independence assumption, SVM modeling was not applicable in this case. Furthermore, iterative hybrid NB models making use of both activity profiles and compound structure information were built. In high-dimensional target space, NB models utilizing activity profile data were found to yield more accurate activity predictions than structure-based NB and SVM models or hybrid models. An in-depth analysis of activity profile-based models revealed the presence of correlation effects across different targets and rationalized prediction accuracy. Taken together, the results indicate that activity profile information can be effectively used to predict the activity of test compounds against novel targets. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 05)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1363 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1991 and July 31, 1992. Topics covered include technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion and solar power satellite systems.

Conceptual study of the damping of large space structures using large-stroke adaptive stiffness cables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thorwald, Gregory; Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.

1992-01-01

The concept of a large-stroke adaptive stiffness cable-device for damping control of space structures with large mass is introduced. The cable is used to provide damping in several examples, and its performance is shown through numerical simulation results. Displacement and velocity information of how the structure moves is used to determine when to modify the cable's stiffness in order to provide a damping force.

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 05)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1993-03-01

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1363 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1991 and July 31, 1992. Topics covered include technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion and solar power satellite systems.

Cathodic Protection Deployment on Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zook, Lee M.

1998-01-01

Corrosion protection of the space shuttle solid rocket boosters incorporates the use of cathodic protection(anodes) in concert with several coatings systems. The SRB design has large carbon/carbon composites(motor nozzle) electrically connected to an aluminum alloy structure. Early in the STS program, the aluminum structures incurred tremendous corrosive attack due primarily to the galvanic couple to the carbon/carbon nozzle at coating damage locations. Also contributing to the galvanic corrosion problem were stainless steel and titanium alloy components housed within the aluminum structures and electrically connected to the aluminum structures. This paper will highlight the evolution in the protection of the aluminum structures, providing historical information and summary data from the operation of the corrosion protection systems. Also, data and information will be included regarding the evaluation and deployment of inorganic zinc rich primers as anode area on the aluminum structures.

Assembly considerations for large reflectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bush, H.

1988-01-01

The technologies developed at LaRC in the area of erectable instructures are discussed. The information is of direct value to the Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) because an option for the LDR backup structure is to assemble it in space. The efforts in this area, which include development of joints, underwater assembly simulation tests, flight assembly/disassembly tests, and fabrication of 5-meter trusses, led to the use of the LaRC concept as the baseline configuration for the Space Station Structure. The Space Station joint is linear in the load and displacement range of interest to Space Station; the ability to manually assemble and disassemble a 45-foot truss structure was demonstrated by astronauts in space as part of the ACCESS Shuttle Flight Experiment. The structure was built in 26 minutes 46 seconds, and involved a total of 500 manipulations of untethered hardware. Also, the correlation of the space experience with the neutral buoyancy simulation was very good. Sections of the proposed 5-meter bay Space Station truss have been built on the ground. Activities at LaRC have included the development of mobile remote manipulator systems (which can traverse the Space Station 5-meter structure), preliminary LDR sun shield concepts, LDR construction scenarios, and activities in robotic assembly of truss-type structures.

Using novel descriptor accounting for ligand-receptor interactions to define and visually explore biologically relevant chemical space.

PubMed

Rabal, Obdulia; Oyarzabal, Julen

2012-05-25

The definition and pragmatic implementation of biologically relevant chemical space is critical in addressing navigation strategies in the overlapping regions where chemistry and therapeutically relevant targets reside and, therefore, also key to performing an efficient drug discovery project. Here, we describe the development and implementation of a simple and robust method for representing biologically relevant chemical space as a general reference according to current knowledge, independently of any reference space, and analyzing chemical structures accordingly. Underlying our method is the generation of a novel descriptor (LiRIf) that converts structural information into a one-dimensional string accounting for the plausible ligand-receptor interactions as well as for topological information. Capitalizing on ligand-receptor interactions as a descriptor enables the clustering, profiling, and comparison of libraries of compounds from a chemical biology and medicinal chemistry perspective. In addition, as a case study, R-groups analysis is performed to identify the most populated ligand-receptor interactions according to different target families (GPCR, kinases, etc.), as well as to evaluate the coverage of biologically relevant chemical space by structures annotated in different databases (ChEMBL, Glida, etc.).

Space station systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 6)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This bibliography lists 1,133 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1987 and December 31, 1987. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems. The coverage includes documents that define major systems and subsystems, servicing and support requirements, procedures and operations, and missions for the current and future Space Station.

Space station systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 3)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

This bibliography lists 780 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1986 and June 30, 1986. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite system. The coverage includes documents that define major systems and subsystems, servicing and support requirements, procedures and operations, and missions for the current and future space station.

Space station systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

This bibliography lists 904 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1985 and December 31, 1985. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems. The coverage includes documents that define major systems and subsystems, servicing and support requirements, procedures and operations, and missions for the current and future space station.

Space station systems: A bibliography with indexes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

This bibliography lists 967 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1987 and June 30, 1987. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems. The coverage includes documents that define major systems and subsystems, servicing and support requirements, procedures and operations, and missions for the current and future space station.

Innovation: Key to the future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Annual Report is presented. A description of research and development projects is included. Topics covered include: space science; space systems; transportation systems; astronomy and astrophysics; earth sciences; solar terrestrial physics; microgravity science; diagnostic and inspection system; information, electronic, and optical systems; materials and manufacturing; propulsion; and structures and dynamics.

14 CFR 183.29 - Designated engineering representatives.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Designated engineering representatives. 183... § 183.29 Designated engineering representatives. (a) A structural engineering representative may approve structural engineering information and other structural considerations within limits prescribed by and under...

14 CFR 183.29 - Designated engineering representatives.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Designated engineering representatives. 183... § 183.29 Designated engineering representatives. (a) A structural engineering representative may approve structural engineering information and other structural considerations within limits prescribed by and under...

14 CFR 183.29 - Designated engineering representatives.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Designated engineering representatives. 183... § 183.29 Designated engineering representatives. (a) A structural engineering representative may approve structural engineering information and other structural considerations within limits prescribed by and under...

14 CFR 183.29 - Designated engineering representatives.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Designated engineering representatives. 183... § 183.29 Designated engineering representatives. (a) A structural engineering representative may approve structural engineering information and other structural considerations within limits prescribed by and under...

14 CFR 183.29 - Designated engineering representatives.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Designated engineering representatives. 183... § 183.29 Designated engineering representatives. (a) A structural engineering representative may approve structural engineering information and other structural considerations within limits prescribed by and under...

(abstract) Oblique Insonification Ultrasonic NDE of Composite Materials for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Cohen, Y.; Lih, S. S.; Mal, A. K.

1997-01-01

In recent years, a great deal of research has been exerted to developing NDE methods for the characterization of the material properties of composites as well as other space structural materials. The need for information about such parameters as the elastic properties, density, and thickness are critical to the safe design and operation of such structural materials. Ultrasonics using immersion methods has played an important role in these efforts due to its capability, cost effectiveness, and ease of use. The authors designed a series of ultrasonic oblique insonification experiments in order to develop a practical field applicable NDE method for space structures.

Graduating to Postdoc: Information-Sharing in Support of Organizational Structures and Needs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keller, Richard M.; Lucas, Paul J.; Compton, Michael M.; Stewart, Helen J.; Baya, Vinod; DelAlto, Martha

1999-01-01

The deployment of information-sharing systems in large organizations can significantly impact existing policies and procedures with regard to authority and control over information. Unless information-sharing systems explicitly support organizational structures and needs, these systems will be rejected summarily. The Postdoc system is a deployed Web-based information-sharing system created specifically to address organizational needs. Postdoc contains various organizational support features including a shared, globally navigable document space, as well as specialized access control, distributed administration, and mailing list features built around the key notion of hierarchical group structures. We review successes and difficulties in supporting organizational needs with Postdoc

78 FR 61342 - Meeting of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-03

... availability of space, the meeting is open to the public. The building is fully handicap accessible. There is parking at the Westover Metropolitan Airport. More information about the hearing space can be found at...

Space station systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 7)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This bibliography lists 1,158 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1988 and June 30, 1988. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to researchers, designers and managers engaged in Space Station technology development and mission design. Coverage includes documents that define major systems and subsystems related to structures and dynamic control, electronics and power supplies, propulsion, and payload integration. In addition, orbital construction methods, servicing and support requirements, procedures and operations, and missions for the current and future Space Station are included.

Space station systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 10)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

This bibliography lists 1,422 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1989 and December 31, 1989. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to researchers, designers and managers engaged in Space Station technology development and mission design. Coverage includes documents that define major systems and subsystems related to structures and dynamic control, electronics and power supplies, propulsion, and payload integration. In addition, orbital construction methods, servicing and support requirements, procedures and operations, and missions for the current and future Space Station are included.

Space Station Systems: a Bibliography with Indexes (Supplement 8)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This bibliography lists 950 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1989 and December 31, 1989. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to researchers, designers and managers engaged in Space Station technology development and mission design. Coverage includes documents that define major systems and subsystems related to structures and dynamic control, electronics and power supplies, propulsion, and payload integration. In addition, orbital construction methods, servicing and support requirements, procedures and operations, and missions for the current and future Space Station are included.

Space station systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 9)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

This bibliography lists 1,313 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1989 and June 30, 1989. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to researchers, designers and managers engaged in Space Station technology development and mission design. Coverage includes documents that define major systems and subsystems related to structures and dynamic control, electronics and power supplies, propulsion, and payload integration. In addition, orbital construction methods, servicing and support requirements, procedures and operations, and missions for the current and future Space Station are included.

Self-organization of globally continuous and locally distributed information representation.

PubMed

Wada, Koji; Kurata, Koji; Okada, Masato

2004-01-01

A number of findings suggest that the preferences of neighboring neurons in the inferior temporal (IT) cortex of macaque monkeys tend to be similar. However, a recent study reports convincingly that the preferences of neighboring neurons actually differ. These findings seem contradictory. To explain this conflict, we propose a new view of information representation in the IT cortex. This view takes into account sparse and local neuronal excitation. Since the excitation is sparse, information regarding visual objects seems to be encoded in a distributed manner. The local excitation of neurons coincides with the classical notion of a column structure. Our model consists of input layer and output layer. The main difference from conventional models is that the output layer has local and random intra-layer connections. In this paper, we adopt two rings embedded in three-dimensional space as an input signal space, and examine how resultant information representation depends on the distance between two rings that is denoted as D. We show that there exists critical value for the distance Dc. When D > Dc the output layer becomes able to form the column structure, this model can obtain the distributed representation within the column. While the output layer acquires the conventional information representation observed in the V1 cortex when D < Dc. Moreover, we consider the origin of the difference between information representation of the V1 cortex and that of the IT cortex. Our finding suggests that the difference in the information representations between the V1 and the IT cortices could be caused by difference between the input space structures.

A proposal to conduct a Caribbean plate project involving the application of space technology to the study of Caribbean geology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wadge, G. (Editor)

1981-01-01

The Caribbean plate project is designed to improve current understanding of geological resources and geological hazards within the Caribbean region. Models of mineral occurrence and genesis (including energy resources) on a regional scale, which contribute to nonrenewable resource investigations. Models of lithospheric stress and strain on a regional scale, which contribute to forecasting geological hazards such as earthquakes and major volcanic eruptions are developed. Geological information is synthesize, and research tools provided by space technology the study of the Earth's crust are used. The project was organized in a thematic fashion, to focus on specific geological aspects of the Caribbean plate which are considered to be key factors in developing the types of models described. The project adopts a synoptic perspective in seeking to characterize the three dimensional structure, composition, state of stress, and evolution of the entire Caribbean plate. Geological information derived from analysis of space acquired data is combined with information provided by conventional methods to obtain insight into the structure, composition, and evolution of the Earth's crust. In addition, very long baseline interferometry and laser ranging techniques, which are also based upon the use of space technology, obtain information concerning crustal motion that, in turn, provides insight into the distribution and localization of crustal stress.

No firewalls in quantum gravity: the role of discreteness of quantum geometry in resolving the information loss paradox

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez, Alejandro

2015-04-01

In an approach to quantum gravity where space-time arises from coarse graining of fundamentally discrete structures, black hole formation and subsequent evaporation can be described by a unitary evolution without the problems encountered by the standard remnant scenario or the schemes where information is assumed to come out with the radiation during evaporation (firewalls and complementarity). The final state is purified by correlations with the fundamental pre-geometric structures (in the sense of Wheeler), which are available in such approaches, and, like defects in the underlying space-time weave, can carry zero energy.

The photo-colorimetric space as a medium for the representation of spatial data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kraiss, K. Friedrich; Widdel, Heino

1989-01-01

Spatial displays and instruments are usually used in the context of vehicle guidance, but it is hard to find applicable spatial formats in information retrieval and interaction systems. Human interaction with spatial data structures and the applicability of the CIE color space to improve dialogue transparency is discussed. A proposal is made to use the color space to code spatially represented data. The semantic distances of the categories of dialogue structures or, more general, of database structures, are determined empirically. Subsequently the distances are transformed and depicted into the color space. The concept is demonstrated for a car diagnosis system, where the category cooling system could, e.g., be coded in blue, the category ignition system in red. Hereby a correspondence between color and semantic distances is achieved. Subcategories can be coded as luminance differences within the color space.

Chemodiversity and molecular plasticity: recognition processes as explored by property spaces.

PubMed

Vistoli, Giulio; Pedretti, Alessandro; Testa, Bernard

2011-06-01

In the last few years, a need to account for molecular flexibility in drug-design methodologies has emerged, even if the dynamic behavior of molecular properties is seldom made explicit. For a flexible molecule, it is indeed possible to compute different values for a given conformation-dependent property and the ensemble of such values defines a property space that can be used to describe its molecular variability; a most representative case is the lipophilicity space. In this review, a number of applications of lipophilicity space and other property spaces are presented, showing that this concept can be fruitfully exploited: to investigate the constraints exerted by media of different levels of structural organization, to examine processes of molecular recognition and binding at an atomic level, to derive informative descriptors to be included in quantitative structure--activity relationships and to analyze protein simulations extracting the relevant information. Much molecular information is neglected in the descriptors used by medicinal chemists, while the concept of property space can fill this gap by accounting for the often-disregarded dynamic behavior of both small ligands and biomacromolecules. Property space also introduces some innovative concepts such as molecular sensitivity and plasticity, which appear best suited to explore the ability of a molecule to adapt itself to the environment variously modulating its property and conformational profiles. Globally, such concepts can enhance our understanding of biological phenomena providing fruitful descriptors in drug-design and pharmaceutical sciences.

A Concept of Constructing a Common Information Space for High Tech Programs Using Information Analytical Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakharova, Alexandra A.; Kolegova, Olga A.; Nekrasova, Maria E.

2016-04-01

The paper deals with the issues in program management used for engineering innovative products. The existing project management tools were analyzed. The aim is to develop a decision support system that takes into account the features of program management used for high-tech products: research intensity, a high level of technical risks, unpredictable results due to the impact of various external factors, availability of several implementing agencies. The need for involving experts and using intelligent techniques for information processing is demonstrated. A conceptual model of common information space to support communication between members of the collaboration on high-tech programs has been developed. The structure and objectives of the information analysis system “Geokhod” were formulated with the purpose to implement the conceptual model of common information space in the program “Development and production of new class mining equipment - “Geokhod”.

Face-space architectures: evidence for the use of independent color-based features.

PubMed

Nestor, Adrian; Plaut, David C; Behrmann, Marlene

2013-07-01

The concept of psychological face space lies at the core of many theories of face recognition and representation. To date, much of the understanding of face space has been based on principal component analysis (PCA); the structure of the psychological space is thought to reflect some important aspects of a physical face space characterized by PCA applications to face images. In the present experiments, we investigated alternative accounts of face space and found that independent component analysis provided the best fit to human judgments of face similarity and identification. Thus, our results challenge an influential approach to the study of human face space and provide evidence for the role of statistically independent features in face encoding. In addition, our findings support the use of color information in the representation of facial identity, and we thus argue for the inclusion of such information in theoretical and computational constructs of face space.

Querying and Ranking XML Documents.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schlieder, Torsten; Meuss, Holger

2002-01-01

Discussion of XML, information retrieval, precision, and recall focuses on a retrieval technique that adopts the similarity measure of the vector space model, incorporates the document structure, and supports structured queries. Topics include a query model based on tree matching; structured queries and term-based ranking; and term frequency and…

Characterization of steel rebar spacing using synthetic aperture radar imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jie; Tang, Qixiang; Twumasi, Jones Owusu; Yu, Tzuyang

2018-03-01

Steel rebars is a vital component in reinforced concrete (RC) and prestressed concrete structures since they provide mechanical functions to those structures. Damages occurred to steel rebars can lead to the premature failure of concrete structures. Characterization of steel rebars using nondestructive evaluation (NDE) offers engineers and decision makers important information for effective/good repair of aging concrete structures. Among existing NDE techniques, microwave/radar NDE has been proven to be a promising technique for surface and subsurface sensing of concrete structures. The objective of this paper is to use microwave/radar NDE to characterize steel rebar grids in free space, as a basis for the subsurface sensing of steel rebars inside RC structures. A portable 10-GHz radar system based on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging was used in this paper. Effect of rebar grid spacing was considered and used to define subsurface steel rebar grids. Five rebar grid spacings were used; 12.7 cm (5 in.), 17.78 cm (7 in.), 22.86 cm (9 in.), 27.94 cm (11 in.), and 33.02 cm (13 in.) # 3 rebars were used in all grid specimens. All SAR images were collected inside an anechoic chamber. It was found that SAR images can successfully capture the change of rebar grid spacing and used for quantifying the spacing of rebar grids. Empirical models were proposed to estimate actual rebar spacing and contour area using SAR images.

Semi-Supervised Tensor-Based Graph Embedding Learning and Its Application to Visual Discriminant Tracking.

PubMed

Hu, Weiming; Gao, Jin; Xing, Junliang; Zhang, Chao; Maybank, Stephen

2017-01-01

An appearance model adaptable to changes in object appearance is critical in visual object tracking. In this paper, we treat an image patch as a two-order tensor which preserves the original image structure. We design two graphs for characterizing the intrinsic local geometrical structure of the tensor samples of the object and the background. Graph embedding is used to reduce the dimensions of the tensors while preserving the structure of the graphs. Then, a discriminant embedding space is constructed. We prove two propositions for finding the transformation matrices which are used to map the original tensor samples to the tensor-based graph embedding space. In order to encode more discriminant information in the embedding space, we propose a transfer-learning- based semi-supervised strategy to iteratively adjust the embedding space into which discriminative information obtained from earlier times is transferred. We apply the proposed semi-supervised tensor-based graph embedding learning algorithm to visual tracking. The new tracking algorithm captures an object's appearance characteristics during tracking and uses a particle filter to estimate the optimal object state. Experimental results on the CVPR 2013 benchmark dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tracking algorithm.

Space Materials Handbook. 3rd; ed.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rittenhouse, John B.; Singletary, John B.

1969-01-01

This edition is the result of an extensive revision and reworking of the second edition of the Space Materials Handbook along with the incorporation of entirely new subject matter coverage and new materials data. All of the most significant material, phenomena, properties, and principles covered in the original Handbook are presented and expanded in this revised and updated version. However, treatment of theoretical aspects has been condensed in order that more emphasis could be placed on the extensive new materials knowledge and data obtained from the design and successful launching of a wide variety of space systems. The handbook is organized into four parts, namely: space environment, effect of space environment on materials, materials in space, and biological interaction with spacecraft materials. Information on mechanical, physical, and chemical properties and characteristics is given for a wide variety of metallic and nonmetallic materials. The effects of natural and induced environments on materials are appraised. Materials categories include coverage of thermal control materials, optical materials, adhesives, organic structural materials, inorganic structural materials, electronic components and materials, materials for sealing applications, and lubrication materials. In addition, a comprehensive multiple citation index is incorporated which gives ready access to information on specific subject areas with regard to their locations within the Handbook.

Action detection by double hierarchical multi-structure space-time statistical matching model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jing; Zhu, Junwei; Cui, Yiyin; Bai, Lianfa; Yue, Jiang

2018-03-01

Aimed at the complex information in videos and low detection efficiency, an actions detection model based on neighboring Gaussian structure and 3D LARK features is put forward. We exploit a double hierarchical multi-structure space-time statistical matching model (DMSM) in temporal action localization. First, a neighboring Gaussian structure is presented to describe the multi-scale structural relationship. Then, a space-time statistical matching method is proposed to achieve two similarity matrices on both large and small scales, which combines double hierarchical structural constraints in model by both the neighboring Gaussian structure and the 3D LARK local structure. Finally, the double hierarchical similarity is fused and analyzed to detect actions. Besides, the multi-scale composite template extends the model application into multi-view. Experimental results of DMSM on the complex visual tracker benchmark data sets and THUMOS 2014 data sets show the promising performance. Compared with other state-of-the-art algorithm, DMSM achieves superior performances.

DTFM Modeling and Analysis Method for Gossamer Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fang, Hou-Fei; Lou, Michael; Broduer, Steve (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Gossamer systems are mostly composed of support structures formed by highly flexible, long tubular elements and pre-tensioned thin-film membranes. These systems offer order-of-magnitude reductions in mass and launch volume and will revolutionize the architecture and design of space flight systems that require large in-orbit configurations and apertures. A great interest has been generated in recent years to fly gossamer systems on near-term and future space missions. Modeling and analysis requirements for gossamer structures are unique. Simulation of in-space performance issues of gossamer structures, such as inflation deployment of flexible booms, formation and effects of wrinkle in tensioned membranes, synthesis of tubular and membrane elements into a complete structural system, usually cannot be accomplished by using the general-purpose finite-element structural analysis codes. This has led to the need of structural modeling and analysis capabilities specifically suitable for gossamer structures. The Distributed Transfer Function Method (DTFM) can potentially meet this urgent need. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Reference earth orbital research and applications investigations (blue book). Volume 1: Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

The criteria, guidelines, and an organized approach for use in the space station and space shuttle program definition phase are presented. Subjects discussed are: (1) background information and evolution of the studies, (2) definition of terms used, (3) concepts of the space shuttle, space station, experiment modules, shuttle-sortie operations and modular space station, and (4) summary of functional program element (FPE) requirements. Diagrams of the various configurations and the experimental equipment to be installed in the structures are included.

The Design Log: A New Informational Tool

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spivak, Mayer

1978-01-01

The design log is a record of observations, diagnoses, prescriptions, and performance specifications for each space in a structure. It is a systematic approach to design that integrates information about user needs with traditional architectural programming and design. (Author/MLF)

Bone and muscle - The structural system in long duration space missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buchanan, Paul

1987-01-01

Losses of bone mineral and muscle mass have been observed, and in varying degrees measured, following all long duration missions in space. These observations portend an unacceptable threat to the crews' ability to return to earth, without protracted rehabilitation, following periods of a year or more in microgravity. The impact to crew capabilities and productivity in space is not well understood. Past research has dealt with bone loss and muscle atrophy as two separate problems with little discernible relationship. This paper reviews the available information on both and suggests a combined structural approach for future research.

Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods for select space propulsion system components (PSAM). Volume 2: Literature surveys of critical Space Shuttle main engine components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rajagopal, K. R.

1992-01-01

The technical effort and computer code development is summarized. Several formulations for Probabilistic Finite Element Analysis (PFEA) are described with emphasis on the selected formulation. The strategies being implemented in the first-version computer code to perform linear, elastic PFEA is described. The results of a series of select Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) component surveys are presented. These results identify the critical components and provide the information necessary for probabilistic structural analysis. Volume 2 is a summary of critical SSME components.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-04-21

University of Alabama engineer Stacey Giles briefs NASA astronaut Dr. Bornie Dunbar about the design and capabilities of the X-ray Crystallography Facility under development at the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, April 21, 1999. The X-ray Crystallography Facility is designed to speed the collection of protein structure information from crystals grown aboard the International Space Station. By measuring and mapping the protein crystal structure in space, researchers will avoid exposing the delicate crystals to the rigors of space travel and make important research data available to scientists much faster. The X-ray Crystallography facility is being designed and developed by the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a NASA Commercial Space Center.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-04-21

University of Alabama engineer Lance Weiss briefs NASA astronaut Dr. Bornie Dunbar about the design and capabilities of the X-ray Crystallography Facility under development at the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, April 21, 1999. The X-ray Crystallography Facility is designed to speed the collection of protein structure information from crystals grown aboard the International Space Station. By measuring and mapping the protein crystal structure in space, researchers will avoid exposing the delicate crystals to the rigors of space travel and make important research data available to scientists much faster. The X-ray Crystallography facility is being designed and developed by the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a NASA Commercial Space Center.

Space Station Technology, 1983

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, R. L. (Editor); Mays, C. R. (Editor)

1984-01-01

This publication is a compilation of the panel summaries presented in the following areas: systems/operations technology; crew and life support; EVA; crew and life support: ECLSS; attitude, control, and stabilization; human capabilities; auxillary propulsion; fluid management; communications; structures and mechanisms; data management; power; and thermal control. The objective of the workshop was to aid the Space Station Technology Steering Committee in defining and implementing a technology development program to support the establishment of a permanent human presence in space. This compilation will provide the participants and their organizations with the information presented at this workshop in a referenceable format. This information will establish a stepping stone for users of space station technology to develop new technology and plan future tasks.

Structure solution of network materials by solid-state NMR without knowledge of the crystallographic space group.

PubMed

Brouwer, Darren H

2013-01-01

An algorithm is presented for solving the structures of silicate network materials such as zeolites or layered silicates from solid-state (29)Si double-quantum NMR data for situations in which the crystallographic space group is not known. The algorithm is explained and illustrated in detail using a hypothetical two-dimensional network structure as a working example. The algorithm involves an atom-by-atom structure building process in which candidate partial structures are evaluated according to their agreement with Si-O-Si connectivity information, symmetry restraints, and fits to (29)Si double quantum NMR curves followed by minimization of a cost function that incorporates connectivity, symmetry, and quality of fit to the double quantum curves. The two-dimensional network material is successfully reconstructed from hypothetical NMR data that can be reasonably expected to be obtained for real samples. This advance in "NMR crystallography" is expected to be important for structure determination of partially ordered silicate materials for which diffraction provides very limited structural information. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Structural Analysis Methods for Structural Health Management of Future Aerospace Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tessler, Alexander

2007-01-01

Two finite element based computational methods, Smoothing Element Analysis (SEA) and the inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM), are reviewed, and examples of their use for structural health monitoring are discussed. Due to their versatility, robustness, and computational efficiency, the methods are well suited for real-time structural health monitoring of future space vehicles, large space structures, and habitats. The methods may be effectively employed to enable real-time processing of sensing information, specifically for identifying three-dimensional deformed structural shapes as well as the internal loads. In addition, they may be used in conjunction with evolutionary algorithms to design optimally distributed sensors. These computational tools have demonstrated substantial promise for utilization in future Structural Health Management (SHM) systems.

Attitude control of the space construction base: A modular approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oconnor, D. A.

1982-01-01

A planar model of a space base and one module is considered. For this simplified system, a feedback controller which is compatible with the modular construction method is described. The systems dynamics are decomposed into two parts corresponding to base and module. The information structure of the problem is non-classical in that not all system information is supplied to each controller. The base controller is designed to accommodate structural changes that occur as the module is added and the module controller is designed to regulate its own states and follow commands from the base. Overall stability of the system is checked by Liapunov analysis and controller effectiveness is verified by computer simulation.

Insectivorous bats respond to vegetation complexity in urban green spaces.

PubMed

Suarez-Rubio, Marcela; Ille, Christina; Bruckner, Alexander

2018-03-01

Structural complexity is known to determine habitat quality for insectivorous bats, but how bats respond to habitat complexity in highly modified areas such as urban green spaces has been little explored. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether a recently developed measure of structural complexity is as effective as field-based surveys when applied to urban environments. We assessed whether image-derived structural complexity (MIG) was as/more effective than field-based descriptors in this environment and evaluated the response of insectivorous bats to structural complexity in urban green spaces. Bat activity and species richness were assessed with ultrasonic devices at 180 locations within green spaces in Vienna, Austria. Vegetation complexity was assessed using 17 field-based descriptors and by calculating the mean information gain (MIG) using digital images. Total bat activity and species richness decreased with increasing structural complexity of canopy cover, suggesting maneuverability and echolocation (sensorial) challenges for bat species using the canopy for flight and foraging. The negative response of functional groups to increased complexity was stronger for open-space foragers than for edge-space foragers. Nyctalus noctula , a species foraging in open space, showed a negative response to structural complexity, whereas Pipistrellus pygmaeus , an edge-space forager, was positively influenced by the number of trees. Our results show that MIG is a useful, time- and cost-effective tool to measure habitat complexity that complemented field-based descriptors. Response of insectivorous bats to structural complexity was group- and species-specific, which highlights the need for manifold management strategies (e.g., increasing or reinstating the extent of ground vegetation cover) to fulfill different species' requirements and to conserve insectivorous bats in urban green spaces.

Earth-Affecting Solar Causes Observatory (EASCO): A Potential International Living with a Star Mission from Sun-Earth L5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gopalswamy, N.; Davila, J. M.; St Cyr, O. C.; Sittler, E. C.; Auchere, F.; Duvall, Jr. T. L.; Hoeksema, J. T.; Maksimovic, M.; MacDowall, R. J.; Szabo, A.;

Repeatability and uncertainty analyses of light gas gun test data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schonberg, William P.; Cooper, David

1994-01-01

All large spacecraft are susceptible to high-speed impacts by meteoroids and pieces of orbiting space debris which can damage flight-critical systems and in turn lead to catastrophic failure. One way to obtain information on the response of a structure to a meteoroid impact or an orbital debris impact is to simulate the impact conditions of interest in the laboratory and analyze the resulting damage to a target structure. As part of the Phase B and C/D development activities for the Space Station Freedom, 950 impact tests were performed using the NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) light gas gun from 1985-1991. This paper presents the results of impact phenomena repeatability and data uncertainty studies performed using the information obtained from those tests. The results of these studies can be used to assess the utility of individual current and future NASA/MSFC impact test results in the design of long-duration spacecraft.

Advanced Structures: 2000-2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

This custom bibliography from the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Program lists a sampling of records found in the NASA Aeronautics and Space Database. The scope of this topic includes technologies for extremely lightweight, multi-function structures with modular interfaces - the building-block technology for advanced spacecraft. This area of focus is one of the enabling technologies as defined by NASA s Report of the President s Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy, published in June 2004.

Beyond information and utility: Transforming public spaces with media facades.

PubMed

Fischer, Patrick Tobias; Zöllner, Christian; Hoffmann, Thilo; Piatza, Sebastian; Hornecker, Eva

2013-01-01

Media facades (often characterized as a building's digital skin) are public displays that substitute dynamic details and information for usually static structures. SMSlingshot is a media facade system at the confluence of art, architecture, and technology design in the context of urban human-computer interaction. It represents a participative approach to public displays that enlivens public spaces and fosters civic and social dialogue as an alternative to advertising and service-oriented information displays. Observations from SMSlingshot's implementation at festival exhibitions provide insight into the roles of scale, distance, and the spatial situation of media facade contexts. The lessons learned apply to most public-display situations and will be useful for designers and developers of this new medium in urban spaces.

Studies and analyses of the space shuttle main engine. Failure information propagation model data base and software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tischer, A. E.

1987-01-01

The failure information propagation model (FIPM) data base was developed to store and manipulate the large amount of information anticipated for the various Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) FIPMs. The organization and structure of the FIPM data base is described, including a summary of the data fields and key attributes associated with each FIPM data file. The menu-driven software developed to facilitate and control the entry, modification, and listing of data base records is also discussed. The transfer of the FIPM data base and software to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is described. Complete listings of all of the data base definition commands and software procedures are included in the appendixes.

77 FR 37784 - Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-25

... source in the tank vapor space, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the...., Washington, DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM... structure could, under certain conditions, result in an ignition source in the tank vapour space. This...

Constructing financial network based on PMFG and threshold method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Chun-Xiao; Song, Fu-Tie

2018-04-01

Based on planar maximally filtered graph (PMFG) and threshold method, we introduced a correlation-based network named PMFG-based threshold network (PTN). We studied the community structure of PTN and applied ISOMAP algorithm to represent PTN in low-dimensional Euclidean space. The results show that the community corresponds well to the cluster in the Euclidean space. Further, we studied the dynamics of the community structure and constructed the normalized mutual information (NMI) matrix. Based on the real data in the market, we found that the volatility of the market can lead to dramatic changes in the community structure, and the structure is more stable during the financial crisis.

Exploring space-time structure of human mobility in urban space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, J. B.; Yuan, J.; Wang, Y.; Si, H. B.; Shan, X. M.

2011-03-01

Understanding of human mobility in urban space benefits the planning and provision of municipal facilities and services. Due to the high penetration of cell phones, mobile cellular networks provide information for urban dynamics with a large spatial extent and continuous temporal coverage in comparison with traditional approaches. The original data investigated in this paper were collected by cellular networks in a southern city of China, recording the population distribution by dividing the city into thousands of pixels. The space-time structure of urban dynamics is explored by applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to the original data, from temporal and spatial perspectives between which there is a dual relation. Based on the results of the analysis, we have discovered four underlying rules of urban dynamics: low intrinsic dimensionality, three categories of common patterns, dominance of periodic trends, and temporal stability. It implies that the space-time structure can be captured well by remarkably few temporal or spatial predictable periodic patterns, and the structure unearthed by PCA evolves stably over time. All these features play a critical role in the applications of forecasting and anomaly detection.

Use of Crystal Structure Informatics for Defining the Conformational Space Needed for Predicting Crystal Structures of Pharmaceutical Molecules.

PubMed

Iuzzolino, Luca; Reilly, Anthony M; McCabe, Patrick; Price, Sarah L

2017-10-10

Determining the range of conformations that a flexible pharmaceutical-like molecule could plausibly adopt in a crystal structure is a key to successful crystal structure prediction (CSP) studies. We aim to use conformational information from the crystal structures in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) to facilitate this task. The conformations produced by the CSD Conformer Generator are reduced in number by considering the underlying rotamer distributions, an analysis of changes in molecular shape, and a minimal number of molecular ab initio calculations. This method is tested for five pharmaceutical-like molecules where an extensive CSP study has already been performed. The CSD informatics-derived set of crystal structure searches generates almost all the low-energy crystal structures previously found, including all experimental structures. The workflow effectively combines information on individual torsion angles and then eliminates the combinations that are too high in energy to be found in the solid state, reducing the resources needed to cover the solid-state conformational space of a molecule. This provides insights into how the low-energy solid-state and isolated-molecule conformations are related to the properties of the individual flexible torsion angles.

The phase-space structure of nearby dark matter as constrained by the SDSS

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

Leclercq, Florent; Percival, Will; Jasche, Jens

Previous studies using numerical simulations have demonstrated that the shape of the cosmic web can be described by studying the Lagrangian displacement field. We extend these analyses, showing that it is now possible to perform a Lagrangian description of cosmic structure in the nearby Universe based on large-scale structure observations. Building upon recent Bayesian large-scale inference of initial conditions, we present a cosmographic analysis of the dark matter distribution and its evolution, referred to as the dark matter phase-space sheet, in the nearby universe as probed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey main galaxy sample. We consider its stretchings andmore » foldings using a tetrahedral tessellation of the Lagrangian lattice. The method provides extremely accurate estimates of nearby density and velocity fields, even in regions of low galaxy density. It also measures the number of matter streams, and the deformation and parity reversals of fluid elements, which were previously thought inaccessible using observations. We illustrate the approach by showing the phase-space structure of known objects of the nearby Universe such as the Sloan Great Wall, the Coma cluster and the Boötes void. We dissect cosmic structures into four distinct components (voids, sheets, filaments, and clusters), using the Lagrangian classifiers DIVA, ORIGAMI, and a new scheme which we introduce and call LICH. Because these classifiers use information other than the sheer local density, identified structures explicitly carry physical information about their formation history. Accessing the phase-space structure of dark matter in galaxy surveys opens the way for new confrontations of observational data and theoretical models. We have made our data products publicly available.« less

The phase-space structure of nearby dark matter as constrained by the SDSS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leclercq, Florent; Jasche, Jens; Lavaux, Guilhem; Wandelt, Benjamin; Percival, Will

2017-06-01

Previous studies using numerical simulations have demonstrated that the shape of the cosmic web can be described by studying the Lagrangian displacement field. We extend these analyses, showing that it is now possible to perform a Lagrangian description of cosmic structure in the nearby Universe based on large-scale structure observations. Building upon recent Bayesian large-scale inference of initial conditions, we present a cosmographic analysis of the dark matter distribution and its evolution, referred to as the dark matter phase-space sheet, in the nearby universe as probed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey main galaxy sample. We consider its stretchings and foldings using a tetrahedral tessellation of the Lagrangian lattice. The method provides extremely accurate estimates of nearby density and velocity fields, even in regions of low galaxy density. It also measures the number of matter streams, and the deformation and parity reversals of fluid elements, which were previously thought inaccessible using observations. We illustrate the approach by showing the phase-space structure of known objects of the nearby Universe such as the Sloan Great Wall, the Coma cluster and the Boötes void. We dissect cosmic structures into four distinct components (voids, sheets, filaments, and clusters), using the Lagrangian classifiers DIVA, ORIGAMI, and a new scheme which we introduce and call LICH. Because these classifiers use information other than the sheer local density, identified structures explicitly carry physical information about their formation history. Accessing the phase-space structure of dark matter in galaxy surveys opens the way for new confrontations of observational data and theoretical models. We have made our data products publicly available.

QUANTIFYING OBSERVATIONAL PROJECTION EFFECTS USING MOLECULAR CLOUD SIMULATIONS

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

Beaumont, Christopher N.; Offner, Stella S.R.; Shetty, Rahul

2013-11-10

The physical properties of molecular clouds are often measured using spectral-line observations, which provide the only probes of the clouds' velocity structure. It is hard, though, to assess whether and to what extent intensity features in position-position-velocity (PPV) space correspond to 'real' density structures in position-position-position (PPP) space. In this paper, we create synthetic molecular cloud spectral-line maps of simulated molecular clouds, and present a new technique for measuring the reality of individual PPV structures. Using a dendrogram algorithm, we identify hierarchical structures in both PPP and PPV space. Our procedure projects density structures identified in PPP space into correspondingmore » intensity structures in PPV space and then measures the geometric overlap of the projected structures with structures identified from the synthetic observation. The fractional overlap between a PPP and PPV structure quantifies how well the synthetic observation recovers information about the three-dimensional structure. Applying this machinery to a set of synthetic observations of CO isotopes, we measure how well spectral-line measurements recover mass, size, velocity dispersion, and virial parameter for a simulated star-forming region. By disabling various steps of our analysis, we investigate how much opacity, chemistry, and gravity affect measurements of physical properties extracted from PPV cubes. For the simulations used here, which offer a decent, but not perfect, match to the properties of a star-forming region like Perseus, our results suggest that superposition induces a ∼40% uncertainty in masses, sizes, and velocity dispersions derived from {sup 13}CO (J = 1-0). As would be expected, superposition and confusion is worst in regions where the filling factor of emitting material is large. The virial parameter is most affected by superposition, such that estimates of the virial parameter derived from PPV and PPP information typically disagree by a factor of ∼2. This uncertainty makes it particularly difficult to judge whether gravitational or kinetic energy dominate a given region, since the majority of virial parameter measurements fall within a factor of two of the equipartition level α ∼ 2.« less

The geometrical structure of quantum theory as a natural generalization of information geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reginatto, Marcel

2015-01-01

Quantum mechanics has a rich geometrical structure which allows for a geometrical formulation of the theory. This formalism was introduced by Kibble and later developed by a number of other authors. The usual approach has been to start from the standard description of quantum mechanics and identify the relevant geometrical features that can be used for the reformulation of the theory. Here this procedure is inverted: the geometrical structure of quantum theory is derived from information geometry, a geometrical structure that may be considered more fundamental, and the Hilbert space of the standard formulation of quantum mechanics is constructed using geometrical quantities. This suggests that quantum theory has its roots in information geometry.

An Empirical Comparison of Visualization Tools To Assist Information Retrieval on the Web.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heo, Misook; Hirtle, Stephen C.

2001-01-01

Discusses problems with navigation in hypertext systems, including cognitive overload, and describes a study that tested information visualization techniques to see which best represented the underlying structure of Web space. Considers the effects of visualization techniques on user performance on information searching tasks and the effects of…

Long Duration Space Materials Exposure (LDSE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, David; Schmidt, Robert

1992-01-01

The Center on Materials for Space Structures (CMSS) at Case Western Reserve University is one of seventeen Commercial Centers for the Development of Space. It was founded to: (1) produce and evaluate materials for space structures; (2) develop passive and active facilities for materials exposure and analysis in space; and (3) develop improved material systems for space structures. A major active facility for materials exposure is proposed to be mounted on the exterior truss of the Space Station Freedom (SSF). This Long Duration Space Materials Exposure (LDSE) experiment will be an approximately 6 1/2 ft. x 4 ft. panel facing into the velocity vector (RAM) to provide long term exposure (up to 30 years) to atomic oxygen, UV, micro meteorites, and other low earth orbit effects. It can expose large or small active (instrumented) or passive samples. These samples may be mounted in a removable Materials Flight Experiment (MFLEX) carrier which may be periodically brought into the SSF for examination by CMSS's other SSF facility, the Space Materials Evaluation Facility (SMEF), which will contain a Scanning Electron Microscope, a Variable Angle & Scanning Ellipsometer, a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, and other analysis equipment. These facilities will allow commercial firms to test their materials in space and promptly obtain information on their materials survivability in the LEO environment.

KSC-2010-4635

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, construction crews lay sand, reinforcing steel and large wooden mats under the rotating service structure (RSS) of Launch Pad 39B to protect the structure's concrete from falling debris during deconstruction. Starting in 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2010-4636

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, construction crews lay sand, reinforcing steel and large wooden mats under the rotating service structure (RSS) of Launch Pad 39B to protect the structure's concrete from falling debris during deconstruction. Starting in 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2010-4634

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, construction crews lay sand, reinforcing steel and large wooden mats under the rotating service structure (RSS) of Launch Pad 39B to protect the structure's concrete from falling debris during deconstruction. Starting in 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

The GEDI Strategy for Improved Mapping of Forest Biomass and Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubayah, R.

2017-12-01

In 2014 the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) published a comprehensive report on approaches to meet future requirements for space-based observations of carbon. Entitled the CEOS Strategy for Carbon Observations from Space and endorsed by its member space agencies, the report outlines carbon information needs for climate and other policy, and how these needs may be met through existing and planned satellite missions. The CEOS Strategymakes recommendations for new, high-priority measurements. Among these is that space-based measurements using lidar should have priority to provide information on height, structure and biomass, complementing the existing and planned suite of SAR missions, such as the NASA NISAR and ESA BIOMASS missions. NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) directly meets this challenge. Scheduled for launch in late 2018 for deployment on the International Space Station, GEDI will provide more than 12 billion observations of canopy height, vertical structure and topography using a 10-beam lidar optimized for ecosystem measurements. Central to the success of GEDI is the development of calibration equations that relate observed forest structure to biomass at a variety of spatial scales. GEDI creates these calibrations by combining a large data base of field plot measurements with coincident airborne lidar observations that are used to simulate GEDI lidar waveforms. GEDI uses these relatively sparse footprint estimates of structure and biomass to create lower resolution, but spatially continuous grids of structure and biomass. GEDI is also developing radar/lidar fusion algorithms to produce higher-resolution, spatially continuous estimates of canopy height and biomass in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In this talk we present the current status of the GEDI calibration and validation program, and its approach for fusing its observations with the next generation of SAR sensors for improved mapping of forest structure from space. As stressed by the CEOS Strategy, the success of these efforts will critically depend on enhanced intra- and inter-mission calibration and validation activities, underpinned by an expanding network of in situ field observations, such as being implemented by GEDI.

Discrete Haar transform and protein structure.

PubMed

Morosetti, S

1997-12-01

The discrete Haar transform of the sequence of the backbone dihedral angles (phi and psi) was performed over a set of X-ray protein structures of high resolution from the Brookhaven Protein Data Bank. Afterwards, the new dihedral angles were calculated by the inverse transform, using a growing number of Haar functions, from the lower to the higher degree. New structures were obtained using these dihedral angles, with standard values for bond lengths and angles, and with omega = 0 degree. The reconstructed structures were compared with the experimental ones, and analyzed by visual inspection and statistical analysis. When half of the Haar coefficients were used, all the reconstructed structures were not yet collapsed to a tertiary folding, but they showed yet realized most of the secondary motifs. These results indicate a substantial separation of structural information in the space of Haar transform, with the secondary structural information mainly present in the Haar coefficients of lower degrees, and the tertiary one present in the higher degree coefficients. Because of this separation, the representation of the folded structures in the space of Haar transform seems a promising candidate to encompass the problem of premature convergence in genetic algorithms.

Space Assembly of Large Structural System Architectures (SALSSA)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dorsey, John T.; Watson, Judith J.

2016-01-01

Developing a robust capability for Space Assembly of Large Spacecraft Structural System Architectures (SALSSA) has the potential to drastically increase the capabilities and performance of future space missions and spacecraft while significantly reducing their cost. Currently, NASA architecture studies and space science decadal surveys identify new missions that would benefit from SALSSA capabilities, and the technologies that support SALSSA are interspersed throughout the fourteen NASA Technology Roadmaps. However, a major impediment to the strategic development of cross-cutting SALSSA technologies is the lack of an integrated and comprehensive compilation of the necessary information. This paper summarizes the results of a small study that used an integrated approach to formulate a SALSSA roadmap and associated plan for developing key SALSSA technologies.

X-ray Crystallography Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

University of Alabama engineer Lance Weiss briefs NASA astronaut Dr. Bornie Dunbar about the design and capabilities of the X-ray Crystallography Facility under development at the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, April 21, 1999. The X-ray Crystallography Facility is designed to speed the collection of protein structure information from crystals grown aboard the International Space Station. By measuring and mapping the protein crystal structure in space, researchers will avoid exposing the delicate crystals to the rigors of space travel and make important research data available to scientists much faster. The X-ray Crystallography facility is being designed and developed by the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a NASA Commercial Space Center.

X-ray Crystallography Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

University of Alabama engineer Stacey Giles briefs NASA astronaut Dr. Bornie Dunbar about the design and capabilities of the X-ray Crystallography Facility under development at the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, April 21, 1999. The X-ray Crystallography Facility is designed to speed the collection of protein structure information from crystals grown aboard the International Space Station. By measuring and mapping the protein crystal structure in space, researchers will avoid exposing the delicate crystals to the rigors of space travel and make important research data available to scientists much faster. The X-ray Crystallography facility is being designed and developed by the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a NASA Commercial Space Center.

KSC-2010-4758

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-21

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, construction crews lay large wooden mats on top of sand and reinforcing steel to protect the concrete under the rotating service structure (RSS) of Launch Pad 39B during deconstruction. In the background, space shuttle Discovery stands tall on Launch Pad 39A, awaiting its STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. Starting in 2009, the structure at Pad B was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods for select space propulsion system components (PSAM). Volume 3: Literature surveys and technical reports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

The technical effort and computer code developed during the first year are summarized. Several formulations for Probabilistic Finite Element Analysis (PFEA) are described with emphasis on the selected formulation. The strategies being implemented in the first-version computer code to perform linear, elastic PFEA is described. The results of a series of select Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) component surveys are presented. These results identify the critical components and provide the information necessary for probabilistic structural analysis.

Technology for large space systems: A special bibliography with indexes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

This bibliography lists 460 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1968 and December 31, 1978. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of the Large Space Systems Technology (LSST) Program. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design, structural concepts, control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and flight experiments.

Technology for large space systems: A special bibliography with indexes (supplement 01)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

This bibliography lists 180 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1979 and June 30, 1979. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of the Large Space Systems Technology (LSST) Program. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design, structural concepts, control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and flight experiments.

Technology for large space systems: A special bibliography with indexes (supplement 04)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

This bibliography lists 259 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1980 and December 31, 1980. Its purpose is to provide information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of the Large Space Systems Technology Program. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design. Structural concepts, control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, solar power satellite systems, and flight experiments.

Vibrations and structureborne noise in space station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vaicaitis, R.; Lyrintzis, C. S.; Bofilios, D. A.

1987-01-01

Analytical models were developed to predict vibrations and structureborne noise generation of cylindrical and rectangular acoustic enclosures. These models are then used to determine structural vibration levels and interior noise to random point input forces. The guidelines developed could provide preliminary information on acoustical and vibrational environments in space station habitability modules under orbital operations. The structural models include single wall monocoque shell, double wall shell, stiffened orthotropic shell, descretely stiffened flat panels, and a coupled system composed of a cantilever beam structure and a stiffened sidewall. Aluminum and fiber reinforced composite materials are considered for single and double wall shells. The end caps of the cylindrical enclosures are modeled either as single or double wall circular plates. Sound generation in the interior space is calculated by coupling the structural vibrations to the acoustic field in the enclosure. Modal methods and transfer matrix techniques are used to obtain structural vibrations. Parametric studies are performed to determine the sensitivity of interior noise environment to changes in input, geometric and structural conditions.

The Vehicular Information Space Framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prinz, Vivian; Schlichter, Johann; Schweiger, Benno

Vehicular networks are distributed, self-organizing and highly mobile ad hoc networks. They allow for providing drivers with up-to-the-minute information about their environment. Therefore, they are expected to be a decisive future enabler for enhancing driving comfort and safety. This article introduces the Vehicular Information Space framework (VIS). Vehicles running the VIS form a kind of distributed database. It enables them to provide information like existing hazards, parking spaces or traffic densities in a location aware and fully distributed manner. In addition, vehicles can retrieve, modify and delete these information items. The underlying algorithm is based on features derived from existing structured Peer-to-Peer algorithms and extended to suit the specific characteristics of highly mobile ad hoc networks. We present, implement and simulate the VIS using a motorway and an urban traffic environment. Simulation studies on VIS message occurrence show that the VIS implies reasonable traffic overhead. Also, overall VIS message traffic is independent from the number of information items provided.

Technology for the Future: In-Space Technology Experiments Program, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breckenridge, Roger A. (Compiler); Clark, Lenwood G. (Compiler); Willshire, Kelli F. (Compiler); Beck, Sherwin M. (Compiler); Collier, Lisa D. (Compiler)

1991-01-01

The purpose of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) In-Space Technology Experiment Program (In-STEP) 1988 Workshop was to identify and prioritize technologies that are critical for future national space programs and require validation in the space environment, and review current NASA (In-Reach) and industry/university (Out-Reach) experiments. A prioritized list of the critical technology needs was developed for the following eight disciplines: structures; environmental effects; power systems and thermal management; fluid management and propulsion systems; automation and robotics; sensors and information systems; in-space systems; and humans in space. This is part one of two parts and is the executive summary and experiment description. The executive summary portion contains keynote addresses, strategic planning information, and the critical technology needs summaries for each theme. The experiment description portion contains brief overviews of the objectives, technology needs and backgrounds, descriptions, and development schedules for current industry, university, and NASA space flight technology experiments.

Definition of ground test for Large Space Structure (LSS) control verification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waites, H. B.; Doane, G. B., III; Tollison, D. K.

1984-01-01

An overview for the definition of a ground test for the verification of Large Space Structure (LSS) control is given. The definition contains information on the description of the LSS ground verification experiment, the project management scheme, the design, development, fabrication and checkout of the subsystems, the systems engineering and integration, the hardware subsystems, the software, and a summary which includes future LSS ground test plans. Upon completion of these items, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center will have an LSS ground test facility which will provide sufficient data on dynamics and control verification of LSS so that LSS flight system operations can be reasonably ensured.

Fast metabolite identification with Input Output Kernel Regression

PubMed Central

Brouard, Céline; Shen, Huibin; Dührkop, Kai; d'Alché-Buc, Florence; Böcker, Sebastian; Rousu, Juho

2016-01-01

Motivation: An important problematic of metabolomics is to identify metabolites using tandem mass spectrometry data. Machine learning methods have been proposed recently to solve this problem by predicting molecular fingerprint vectors and matching these fingerprints against existing molecular structure databases. In this work we propose to address the metabolite identification problem using a structured output prediction approach. This type of approach is not limited to vector output space and can handle structured output space such as the molecule space. Results: We use the Input Output Kernel Regression method to learn the mapping between tandem mass spectra and molecular structures. The principle of this method is to encode the similarities in the input (spectra) space and the similarities in the output (molecule) space using two kernel functions. This method approximates the spectra-molecule mapping in two phases. The first phase corresponds to a regression problem from the input space to the feature space associated to the output kernel. The second phase is a preimage problem, consisting in mapping back the predicted output feature vectors to the molecule space. We show that our approach achieves state-of-the-art accuracy in metabolite identification. Moreover, our method has the advantage of decreasing the running times for the training step and the test step by several orders of magnitude over the preceding methods. Availability and implementation: Contact: celine.brouard@aalto.fi Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:27307628

A Carbon Nanotube Cable for a Space Elevator

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bochnícek, Zdenek

2013-01-01

In this paper the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes are discussed in connection with the possibility to use them for the construction of a space elevator. From the fundamental information about the structure of a carbon nanotube and the chemical bond between carbon atoms, Young's modulus and the ultimate tensile strength are…

mvMapper: statistical and geographical data exploration and visualization of multivariate analysis of population structure

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Characterizing population genetic structure across geographic space is a fundamental challenge in population genetics. Multivariate statistical analyses are powerful tools for summarizing genetic variability, but geographic information and accompanying metadata is not always easily integrated into t...

Space flight risk data collection and analysis project: Risk and reliability database

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

The focus of the NASA 'Space Flight Risk Data Collection and Analysis' project was to acquire and evaluate space flight data with the express purpose of establishing a database containing measurements of specific risk assessment - reliability - availability - maintainability - supportability (RRAMS) parameters. The developed comprehensive RRAMS database will support the performance of future NASA and aerospace industry risk and reliability studies. One of the primary goals has been to acquire unprocessed information relating to the reliability and availability of launch vehicles and the subsystems and components thereof from the 45th Space Wing (formerly Eastern Space and Missile Command -ESMC) at Patrick Air Force Base. After evaluating and analyzing this information, it was encoded in terms of parameters pertinent to ascertaining reliability and availability statistics, and then assembled into an appropriate database structure.

Expedite random structure searching using objects from Wyckoff positions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shu-Wei; Hsing, Cheng-Rong; Wei, Ching-Ming

2018-02-01

Random structure searching has been proved to be a powerful approach to search and find the global minimum and the metastable structures. A true random sampling is in principle needed yet it would be highly time-consuming and/or practically impossible to find the global minimum for the complicated systems in their high-dimensional configuration space. Thus the implementations of reasonable constraints, such as adopting system symmetries to reduce the independent dimension in structural space and/or imposing chemical information to reach and relax into low-energy regions, are the most essential issues in the approach. In this paper, we propose the concept of "object" which is either an atom or composed of a set of atoms (such as molecules or carbonates) carrying a symmetry defined by one of the Wyckoff positions of space group and through this process it allows the searching of global minimum for a complicated system to be confined in a greatly reduced structural space and becomes accessible in practice. We examined several representative materials, including Cd3As2 crystal, solid methanol, high-pressure carbonates (FeCO3), and Si(111)-7 × 7 reconstructed surface, to demonstrate the power and the advantages of using "object" concept in random structure searching.

The Johnson Space Center management information systems: User's guide to JSCMIS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bishop, Peter C.; Erickson, Lloyd

1990-01-01

The Johnson Space Center Management Information System (JSCMIS) is an interface to computer data bases at the NASA Johnson Space Center which allows an authorized user to browse and retrieve information from a variety of sources with minimum effort. The User's Guide to JSCMIS is the supplement to the JSCMIS Research Report which details the objectives, the architecture, and implementation of the interface. It is a tutorial on how to use the interface and a reference for details about it. The guide is structured like an extended JSCMIS session, describing all of the interface features and how to use them. It also contains an appendix with each of the standard FORMATs currently included in the interface. Users may review them to decide which FORMAT most suits their needs.

Probabilistic load simulation: Code development status

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newell, J. F.; Ho, H.

1991-05-01

The objective of the Composite Load Spectra (CLS) project is to develop generic load models to simulate the composite load spectra that are included in space propulsion system components. The probabilistic loads thus generated are part of the probabilistic design analysis (PDA) of a space propulsion system that also includes probabilistic structural analyses, reliability, and risk evaluations. Probabilistic load simulation for space propulsion systems demands sophisticated probabilistic methodology and requires large amounts of load information and engineering data. The CLS approach is to implement a knowledge based system coupled with a probabilistic load simulation module. The knowledge base manages and furnishes load information and expertise and sets up the simulation runs. The load simulation module performs the numerical computation to generate the probabilistic loads with load information supplied from the CLS knowledge base.

Chemical space visualization: transforming multidimensional chemical spaces into similarity-based molecular networks.

PubMed

de la Vega de León, Antonio; Bajorath, Jürgen

2016-09-01

The concept of chemical space is of fundamental relevance for medicinal chemistry and chemical informatics. Multidimensional chemical space representations are coordinate-based. Chemical space networks (CSNs) have been introduced as a coordinate-free representation. A computational approach is presented for the transformation of multidimensional chemical space into CSNs. The design of transformation CSNs (TRANS-CSNs) is based upon a similarity function that directly reflects distance relationships in original multidimensional space. TRANS-CSNs provide an immediate visualization of coordinate-based chemical space and do not require the use of dimensionality reduction techniques. At low network density, TRANS-CSNs are readily interpretable and make it possible to evaluate structure-activity relationship information originating from multidimensional chemical space.

Technical and management information system: The tool for professional productivity on the space station program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Montoya, G.; Boldon, P.

1985-01-01

The Space Station Program is highly complex not only in its technological goals and requirements but also in its organizational structure. Eight Contractor teams supporting four NASA centers plus Headquarters must depend on effective exchange of information--the lifeblood of the program. The Technical and Management Information System (TMIS) is the means by which this exchange can take place. Value of the TMIS in increasing productivity comes primarily from its ability to make the right information available to whomever needs it when it is needed. Productivity of the aerospace professional and how it can be enhanced by the use of specifically recommended techniques and procedures for information management using the TMIS are discussed.

Clustering Tree-structured Data on Manifold

PubMed Central

Lu, Na; Miao, Hongyu

2016-01-01

Tree-structured data usually contain both topological and geometrical information, and are necessarily considered on manifold instead of Euclidean space for appropriate data parameterization and analysis. In this study, we propose a novel tree-structured data parameterization, called Topology-Attribute matrix (T-A matrix), so the data clustering task can be conducted on matrix manifold. We incorporate the structure constraints embedded in data into the non-negative matrix factorization method to determine meta-trees from the T-A matrix, and the signature vector of each single tree can then be extracted by meta-tree decomposition. The meta-tree space turns out to be a cone space, in which we explore the distance metric and implement the clustering algorithm based on the concepts like Fréchet mean. Finally, the T-A matrix based clustering (TAMBAC) framework is evaluated and compared using both simulated data and real retinal images to illus trate its efficiency and accuracy. PMID:26660696

Langley's CSI evolutionary model: Phase 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horta, Lucas G.; Reaves, Mercedes C.; Elliott, Kenny B.; Belvin, W. Keith; Teter, John E.

1995-01-01

Phase 2 testbed is part of a sequence of laboratory models, developed at NASA Langley Research Center, to enhance our understanding on how to model, control, and design structures for space applications. A key problem with structures that must perform in space is the appearance of unwanted vibrations during operations. Instruments, design independently by different scientists, must share the same vehicle causing them to interact with each other. Once in space, these problems are difficult to correct and therefore, prediction via analysis design, and experiments is very important. Phase 2 laboratory model and its predecessors are designed to fill a gap between theory and practice and to aid in understanding important aspects in modeling, sensor and actuator technology, ground testing techniques, and control design issues. This document provides detailed information on the truss structure and its main components, control computer architecture, and structural models generated along with corresponding experimental results.

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Allison Caron, a QinetiQ mechanical engineer, checks out part of the Biotube experiment which will be launched to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Effects of Link Annotations on Search Performance in Layered and Unlayered Hierarchically Organized Information Spaces.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fraser, Landon; Locatis, Craig

2001-01-01

Investigated the effects of link annotations on high school user search performance in Web hypertext environments having deep (layered) and shallow link structures. Results confirmed previous research that shallow link structures are better than deep (layered) link structures, and also showed that annotations had virtually no effect on search…

Mashup of Geo and Space Science Data Provided via Relational Databases in the Semantic Web

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritschel, B.; Seelus, C.; Neher, G.; Iyemori, T.; Koyama, Y.; Yatagai, A. I.; Murayama, Y.; King, T. A.; Hughes, J. S.; Fung, S. F.; Galkin, I. A.; Hapgood, M. A.; Belehaki, A.

2014-12-01

The use of RDBMS for the storage and management of geo and space science data and/or metadata is very common. Although the information stored in tables is based on a data model and therefore well organized and structured, a direct mashup with RDF based data stored in triple stores is not possible. One solution of the problem consists in the transformation of the whole content into RDF structures and storage in triple stores. Another interesting way is the use of a specific system/service, such as e.g. D2RQ, for the access to relational database content as virtual, read only RDF graphs. The Semantic Web based -proof of concept- GFZ ISDC uses the triple store Virtuoso for the storage of general context information/metadata to geo and space science satellite and ground station data. There is information about projects, platforms, instruments, persons, product types, etc. available but no detailed metadata about the data granuals itself. Such important information, as e.g. start or end time or the detailed spatial coverage of a single measurement is stored in RDBMS tables of the ISDC catalog system only. In order to provide a seamless access to all available information about the granuals/data products a mashup of the different data resources (triple store and RDBMS) is necessary. This paper describes the use of D2RQ for a Semantic Web/SPARQL based mashup of relational databases used for ISDC data server but also for the access to IUGONET and/or ESPAS and further geo and space science data resources. RDBMS Relational Database Management System RDF Resource Description Framework SPARQL SPARQL Protocol And RDF Query Language D2RQ Accessing Relational Databases as Virtual RDF Graphs GFZ ISDC German Research Centre for Geosciences Information System and Data Center IUGONET Inter-university Upper Atmosphere Global Observation Network (Japanese project) ESPAS Near earth space data infrastructure for e-science (European Union funded project)

The spatial study of unplanned settlements on the coastal of Belawan Medan fishermen village

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marpaung, B. O. Y.; Winny Silaban, Nadia

2018-03-01

One of the determining factors that formed informal settlements is the high demand for homes that are not comparable with the homes that were provided by the government. The settlement of Fisherman Village in Belawan Medan was built without a plan by settlers and was not involve government interference so that the spatial pattern formed uncontrollable. The shape of space that stretches represents the distribution of unplanned space. The purpose of this study is to find the structure of settlement and the relationship between the space structures with the spatial pattern in Belawan Medan Fishermen Village. In the process of collecting data, the researcher makes the maps of the observation area, the structure of the space, and the relationship between one space function with the other space functions. Also, the researchers identify the spacing pattern and the effect of one spatial element against the other. This study found a similar spatial pattern between one unplanned settlement and another unplanned settlement and there are also some tendencies of Belawan Medan Fishermen Village settlers when building the built environment in the relationship between building masses and the road network.

An evaluation of space time cube representation of spatiotemporal patterns.

PubMed

Kristensson, Per Ola; Dahlbäck, Nils; Anundi, Daniel; Björnstad, Marius; Gillberg, Hanna; Haraldsson, Jonas; Mårtensson, Ingrid; Nordvall, Mathias; Ståhl, Josefine

2009-01-01

Space time cube representation is an information visualization technique where spatiotemporal data points are mapped into a cube. Information visualization researchers have previously argued that space time cube representation is beneficial in revealing complex spatiotemporal patterns in a data set to users. The argument is based on the fact that both time and spatial information are displayed simultaneously to users, an effect difficult to achieve in other representations. However, to our knowledge the actual usefulness of space time cube representation in conveying complex spatiotemporal patterns to users has not been empirically validated. To fill this gap, we report on a between-subjects experiment comparing novice users' error rates and response times when answering a set of questions using either space time cube or a baseline 2D representation. For some simple questions, the error rates were lower when using the baseline representation. For complex questions where the participants needed an overall understanding of the spatiotemporal structure of the data set, the space time cube representation resulted in on average twice as fast response times with no difference in error rates compared to the baseline. These results provide an empirical foundation for the hypothesis that space time cube representation benefits users analyzing complex spatiotemporal patterns.

"You're Really Gonna Kick Us All Out?" Sustaining Safe Spaces for Community-Based HIV Prevention and Control among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men.

PubMed

Garcia, Jonathan; Parker, Caroline; Parker, Richard G; Wilson, Patrick A; Philbin, Morgan M; Hirsch, Jennifer S

2015-01-01

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) experience among the highest rates of HIV infection in the United States. We conducted a community-based ethnography in New York City to identify the structural and environmental factors that influence BMSMs vulnerability to HIV and their engagement with HIV prevention services. Methods included participant observation at community-based organizations (CBOs) in New York City, in-depth interviews with 31 BMSM, and 17 key informant interviews. Our conceptual framework shows how creating and sustaining safe spaces could be a critical environmental approach to reduce vulnerability to HIV among BMSM. Participant observation, in-depth and key informant interviews revealed that fear and mistrust characterized men's relation to social and public institutions, such as churches, schools, and the police. This fear and mistrust created HIV vulnerability among the BMSM in our sample by challenging engagement with services. Our findings suggest that to be successful, HIV prevention efforts must address these structural and environmental vulnerabilities. Among the CBOs that we studied, "safe spaces" emerged as an important tool for addressing these environmental vulnerabilities. CBOs used safe spaces to provide social support, to address stigma, to prepare men for the workforce, and to foster a sense of community among BMSM. In addition, safe spaces were used for HIV and STI testing and treatment campaigns. Our ethnographic findings suggest that safe spaces represent a promising but so far under-utilized part of HIV prevention infrastructure. Safe spaces seem integral to high impact comprehensive HIV prevention efforts, and may be considered more appropriately as part of HIV capacity-building rather than being nested within program-specific funding structures.

Near-space airships against terrorist activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesenek, Ceylan

2014-06-01

Near-space is a region surrounding the earth which is too dense for a satellite to fly and also too thin for air breathing vehicles to fly. The near-space region which is located between 65,000 and 325,000 feet is really underutilized despite its unique potential. Near-Space airships can be used to exploit the potential of near space. Such a system can supply not only a great deal of information using ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) sensors on board but also serve as a communication/data relay. Airships used in near space can cover a very wide footprint area for surveillance missions. Free of orbital mechanics these near-space assets can continue its mission for long period of time with a persistence of days and months. These assets can provide persistent intelligence for fight against terrorist activities. Terrorism is a non-state threat and doesn't have a static hierarchical structure. To fight against such an adversary an overwhelming intelligence activity must be applied. Therefore, intelligence collection and surveillance missions play a vital role in counter terrorism. Terrorists use asymmetric means of threat that require information superiority. In this study exploitation of near space by airships is analyzed for fight against terrorism. Near-space airships are analyzed according to the operational effectiveness, logistic structure and cost. Advantages and disadvantages of airships are argued in comparison with satellites and airplanes. As a result, by bridging the gap between the air and space, nearspace airships are considered to be the most important asset of warfighter especially with its operational effectiveness.

Dominance, Information, and Hierarchical Scaling of Variance Space.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ceurvorst, Robert W.; Krus, David J.

1979-01-01

A method for computation of dominance relations and for construction of their corresponding hierarchical structures is presented. The link between dominance and variance allows integration of the mathematical theory of information with least squares statistical procedures without recourse to logarithmic transformations of the data. (Author/CTM)

The geometrical structure of quantum theory as a natural generalization of information geometry

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

Reginatto, Marcel

2015-01-13

Quantum mechanics has a rich geometrical structure which allows for a geometrical formulation of the theory. This formalism was introduced by Kibble and later developed by a number of other authors. The usual approach has been to start from the standard description of quantum mechanics and identify the relevant geometrical features that can be used for the reformulation of the theory. Here this procedure is inverted: the geometrical structure of quantum theory is derived from information geometry, a geometrical structure that may be considered more fundamental, and the Hilbert space of the standard formulation of quantum mechanics is constructed usingmore » geometrical quantities. This suggests that quantum theory has its roots in information geometry.« less

Sampling and Visualizing Creases with Scale-Space Particles

PubMed Central

Kindlmann, Gordon L.; Estépar, Raúl San José; Smith, Stephen M.; Westin, Carl-Fredrik

2010-01-01

Particle systems have gained importance as a methodology for sampling implicit surfaces and segmented objects to improve mesh generation and shape analysis. We propose that particle systems have a significantly more general role in sampling structure from unsegmented data. We describe a particle system that computes samplings of crease features (i.e. ridges and valleys, as lines or surfaces) that effectively represent many anatomical structures in scanned medical data. Because structure naturally exists at a range of sizes relative to the image resolution, computer vision has developed the theory of scale-space, which considers an n-D image as an (n + 1)-D stack of images at different blurring levels. Our scale-space particles move through continuous four-dimensional scale-space according to spatial constraints imposed by the crease features, a particle-image energy that draws particles towards scales of maximal feature strength, and an inter-particle energy that controls sampling density in space and scale. To make scale-space practical for large three-dimensional data, we present a spline-based interpolation across scale from a small number of pre-computed blurrings at optimally selected scales. The configuration of the particle system is visualized with tensor glyphs that display information about the local Hessian of the image, and the scale of the particle. We use scale-space particles to sample the complex three-dimensional branching structure of airways in lung CT, and the major white matter structures in brain DTI. PMID:19834216

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

Kim, Sang Beom; Dsilva, Carmeline J.; Debenedetti, Pablo G., E-mail: pdebene@princeton.edu

Understanding the mechanisms by which proteins fold from disordered amino-acid chains to spatially ordered structures remains an area of active inquiry. Molecular simulations can provide atomistic details of the folding dynamics which complement experimental findings. Conventional order parameters, such as root-mean-square deviation and radius of gyration, provide structural information but fail to capture the underlying dynamics of the protein folding process. It is therefore advantageous to adopt a method that can systematically analyze simulation data to extract relevant structural as well as dynamical information. The nonlinear dimensionality reduction technique known as diffusion maps automatically embeds the high-dimensional folding trajectories inmore » a lower-dimensional space from which one can more easily visualize folding pathways, assuming the data lie approximately on a lower-dimensional manifold. The eigenvectors that parametrize the low-dimensional space, furthermore, are determined systematically, rather than chosen heuristically, as is done with phenomenological order parameters. We demonstrate that diffusion maps can effectively characterize the folding process of a Trp-cage miniprotein. By embedding molecular dynamics simulation trajectories of Trp-cage folding in diffusion maps space, we identify two folding pathways and intermediate structures that are consistent with the previous studies, demonstrating that this technique can be employed as an effective way of analyzing and constructing protein folding pathways from molecular simulations.« less

Big Data of the Cosmic Web

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitaura, Francisco-Shu

2016-10-01

One of the main goals in cosmology is to understand how the Universe evolves, how it forms structures, why it expands, and what is the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Next decade large and expensive observational projects will bring information on the structure and the distribution of many millions of galaxies at different redshifts enabling us to make great progress in answering these questions. However, these data require a very special and complex set of analysis tools to extract the maximum valuable information. Statistical inference techniques are being developed, bridging the gaps between theory, simulations, and observations. In particular, we discuss the efforts to address the question: What is the underlying nonlinear matter distribution and dynamics at any cosmic time corresponding to a set of observed galaxies in redshift space? An accurate reconstruction of the initial conditions encodes the full phase-space information at any later cosmic time (given a particular structure formation model and a set of cosmological parameters). We present advances to solve this problem in a self-consistent way with Big Data techniques of the Cosmic Web.

Structural Bridges through Fold Space.

PubMed

Edwards, Hannah; Deane, Charlotte M

2015-09-01

Several protein structure classification schemes exist that partition the protein universe into structural units called folds. Yet these schemes do not discuss how these units sit relative to each other in a global structure space. In this paper we construct networks that describe such global relationships between folds in the form of structural bridges. We generate these networks using four different structural alignment methods across multiple score thresholds. The networks constructed using the different methods remain a similar distance apart regardless of the probability threshold defining a structural bridge. This suggests that at least some structural bridges are method specific and that any attempt to build a picture of structural space should not be reliant on a single structural superposition method. Despite these differences all representations agree on an organisation of fold space into five principal community structures: all-α, all-β sandwiches, all-β barrels, α/β and α + β. We project estimated fold ages onto the networks and find that not only are the pairings of unconnected folds associated with higher age differences than bridged folds, but this difference increases with the number of networks displaying an edge. We also examine different centrality measures for folds within the networks and how these relate to fold age. While these measures interpret the central core of fold space in varied ways they all identify the disposition of ancestral folds to fall within this core and that of the more recently evolved structures to provide the peripheral landscape. These findings suggest that evolutionary information is encoded along these structural bridges. Finally, we identify four highly central pivotal folds representing dominant topological features which act as key attractors within our landscapes.

Extending CATH: increasing coverage of the protein structure universe and linking structure with function

PubMed Central

Cuff, Alison L.; Sillitoe, Ian; Lewis, Tony; Clegg, Andrew B.; Rentzsch, Robert; Furnham, Nicholas; Pellegrini-Calace, Marialuisa; Jones, David; Thornton, Janet; Orengo, Christine A.

2011-01-01

CATH version 3.3 (class, architecture, topology, homology) contains 128 688 domains, 2386 homologous superfamilies and 1233 fold groups, and reflects a major focus on classifying structural genomics (SG) structures and transmembrane proteins, both of which are likely to add structural novelty to the database and therefore increase the coverage of protein fold space within CATH. For CATH version 3.4 we have significantly improved the presentation of sequence information and associated functional information for CATH superfamilies. The CATH superfamily pages now reflect both the functional and structural diversity within the superfamily and include structural alignments of close and distant relatives within the superfamily, annotated with functional information and details of conserved residues. A significantly more efficient search function for CATH has been established by implementing the search server Solr (http://lucene.apache.org/solr/). The CATH v3.4 webpages have been built using the Catalyst web framework. PMID:21097779

CIF2Cell: Generating geometries for electronic structure programs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Björkman, Torbjörn

2011-05-01

The CIF2Cell program generates the geometrical setup for a number of electronic structure programs based on the crystallographic information in a Crystallographic Information Framework (CIF) file. The program will retrieve the space group number, Wyckoff positions and crystallographic parameters, make a sensible choice for Bravais lattice vectors (primitive or principal cell) and generate all atomic positions. Supercells can be generated and alloys are handled gracefully. The code currently has output interfaces to the electronic structure programs ABINIT, CASTEP, CPMD, Crystal, Elk, Exciting, EMTO, Fleur, RSPt, Siesta and VASP. Program summaryProgram title: CIF2Cell Catalogue identifier: AEIM_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEIM_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: GNU GPL version 3 No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 12 691 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 74 933 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Python (versions 2.4-2.7) Computer: Any computer that can run Python (versions 2.4-2.7) Operating system: Any operating system that can run Python (versions 2.4-2.7) Classification: 7.3, 7.8, 8 External routines: PyCIFRW [1] Nature of problem: Generate the geometrical setup of a crystallographic cell for a variety of electronic structure programs from data contained in a CIF file. Solution method: The CIF file is parsed using routines contained in the library PyCIFRW [1], and crystallographic as well as bibliographic information is extracted. The program then generates the principal cell from symmetry information, crystal parameters, space group number and Wyckoff sites. Reduction to a primitive cell is then performed, and the resulting cell is output to suitably named files along with documentation of the information source generated from any bibliographic information contained in the CIF file. If the space group symmetries is not present in the CIF file the program will fall back on internal tables, so only the minimal input of space group, crystal parameters and Wyckoff positions are required. Additional key features are handling of alloys and supercell generation. Additional comments: Currently implements support for the following general purpose electronic structure programs: ABINIT [2,3], CASTEP [4], CPMD [5], Crystal [6], Elk [7], exciting [8], EMTO [9], Fleur [10], RSPt [11], Siesta [12] and VASP [13-16]. Running time: The examples provided in the distribution take only seconds to run.

Multimodal registration via spatial-context mutual information.

PubMed

Yi, Zhao; Soatto, Stefano

2011-01-01

We propose a method to efficiently compute mutual information between high-dimensional distributions of image patches. This in turn is used to perform accurate registration of images captured under different modalities, while exploiting their local structure otherwise missed in traditional mutual information definition. We achieve this by organizing the space of image patches into orbits under the action of Euclidean transformations of the image plane, and estimating the modes of a distribution in such an orbit space using affinity propagation. This way, large collections of patches that are equivalent up to translations and rotations are mapped to the same representative, or "dictionary element". We then show analytically that computing mutual information for a joint distribution in this space reduces to computing mutual information between the (scalar) label maps, and between the transformations mapping each patch into its closest dictionary element. We show that our approach improves registration performance compared with the state of the art in multimodal registration, using both synthetic and real images with quantitative ground truth.

Sensorimotor coordination and the structure of space.

PubMed

McCollum, Gin

2003-01-01

Embedded in neural and behavioral organization is a structure of sensorimotor space. Both this embedded spatial structure and the structure of physical space inform sensorimotor control. This paper reviews studies in which the gravitational vertical and horizontal are crucial. The mathematical expressions of spatial geometry in these studies indicate methods for investigating sensorimotor control in freefall. In freefall, the spatial structure introduced by gravitation - the distinction between vertical and horizontal - does not exist. However, an astronaut arriving in space carries the physiologically-embedded distinction between horizontal and vertical learned on earth. The physiological organization based on this distinction collapses when the strong otolith activity and other gravitational cues for sensorimotor behavior become unavailable. The mathematical methods in this review are applicable in understanding the changes in physiological organization as an astronaut adapts to sensorimotor control in freefall. Many mathematical languages are available for characterizing the logical structures in physiological organization. Here, group theory is used to characterize basic structure of physical and physiological spaces. Dynamics and topology allow the grouping of trajectory ranges according to the outcomes or attractors. The mathematics of ordered structures express complex orderings, such as in multiphase movements in which different parts of the body are moving in different phase sequences. Conditional dynamics, which combines dynamics with the mathematics of ordered structures, accommodates the parsing of movement sequences into trajectories and transitions. Studies reviewed include those of the sit-to-stand movement and early locomotion, because of the salience of gravitation in those behaviors. Sensorimotor transitions and the conditions leading to them are characterized in conditional dynamic control structures that do not require thinking of an organism as an input-output device. Conditions leading to sensorimotor transitions on earth assume the presence of a gravitational vertical which is lacking in space. Thus, conditions used on earth for sensorimotor transitions may become ambiguous in space. A platform study in which sensorimotor transition conditions are ambiguous and are related to motion sickness is reviewed.

Space Shuttle Corrosion Protection Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curtis, Cris E.

2007-01-01

The reusable Manned Space Shuttle has been flying into Space and returning to earth for more than 25 years. The launch pad environment can be corrosive to metallic substrates and the Space Shuttles are exposed to this environment when preparing for launch. The Orbiter has been in service well past its design life of 10 years or 100 missions. As part of the aging vehicle assessment one question under evaluation is how the thermal protection system and aging protective coatings are performing to insure structural integrity. The assessment of this cost resources and time. The information is invaluable when minimizing risk to the safety of Astronauts and Vehicle. This paper will outline a strategic sampling plan and some operational improvements made by the Orbiter Structures team and Corrosion Control Review Board.

The New Space Network: the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Froehlich, W.

1986-01-01

When the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS)is completed, the system, together with its various NASA support elements will be known simply as the Space Networks. It will substantially increase information exchanges between low-orbiting spacecraft and the ground. The structural design, functions, earth-based links, and present and future use are discussed.

Spillover stabilization and decentralized modal control of large space structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Czajkowski, Eva A.; Preumont, Andre

1987-01-01

The stabilization of the neglected dynamics of the higher modes of vibration in large space structures is studied, and the influence of the structure of the plant noise intensity matrix of the Kalman-Bucy filter on the stability margin of the residual modes is shown. An optimization procedure uses information on the residual modes to minimize spillover of known residual modes while preserving robustness with respect to the unknown dynamics, and the optimum plant noise intensity matrix is selected to maximize the stability margins of the residual modes and to properly place the observer poles. Examples for both centralized and decentralized control are considered.

Imaging nanoscale lattice variations by machine learning of x-ray diffraction microscopy data

DOE PAGES

Laanait, Nouamane; Zhang, Zhan; Schlepütz, Christian M.

2016-08-09

In this paper, we present a novel methodology based on machine learning to extract lattice variations in crystalline materials, at the nanoscale, from an x-ray Bragg diffraction-based imaging technique. By employing a full-field microscopy setup, we capture real space images of materials, with imaging contrast determined solely by the x-ray diffracted signal. The data sets that emanate from this imaging technique are a hybrid of real space information (image spatial support) and reciprocal lattice space information (image contrast), and are intrinsically multidimensional (5D). By a judicious application of established unsupervised machine learning techniques and multivariate analysis to this multidimensional datamore » cube, we show how to extract features that can be ascribed physical interpretations in terms of common structural distortions, such as lattice tilts and dislocation arrays. Finally, we demonstrate this 'big data' approach to x-ray diffraction microscopy by identifying structural defects present in an epitaxial ferroelectric thin-film of lead zirconate titanate.« less

Imaging nanoscale lattice variations by machine learning of x-ray diffraction microscopy data

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

Laanait, Nouamane; Zhang, Zhan; Schlepütz, Christian M.

In this paper, we present a novel methodology based on machine learning to extract lattice variations in crystalline materials, at the nanoscale, from an x-ray Bragg diffraction-based imaging technique. By employing a full-field microscopy setup, we capture real space images of materials, with imaging contrast determined solely by the x-ray diffracted signal. The data sets that emanate from this imaging technique are a hybrid of real space information (image spatial support) and reciprocal lattice space information (image contrast), and are intrinsically multidimensional (5D). By a judicious application of established unsupervised machine learning techniques and multivariate analysis to this multidimensional datamore » cube, we show how to extract features that can be ascribed physical interpretations in terms of common structural distortions, such as lattice tilts and dislocation arrays. Finally, we demonstrate this 'big data' approach to x-ray diffraction microscopy by identifying structural defects present in an epitaxial ferroelectric thin-film of lead zirconate titanate.« less

X-Ray Imaging Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

OBrien, Susan K.; Workman, Gary L.

1996-01-01

The space environment in which the Space Station Freedom and other space platforms will orbit is truly a hostile environment. For example, the currently estimated integral fluence for electrons above 1 Mev at 2000 nautical miles is above 2 x 1O(exp 10) electrons/sq cm/day and the proton integral fluence is above 1 x 10(exp 9) protons/sq cm/day. At the 200 - 400 nautical miles, which is more representative of the altitude which will provide the environment for the Space Station, each of these fluences will be proportionally less; however, the data indicates that the radiation environment will obviously have an effect on structural materials exposed to the environment for long durations. The effects of this combined environment is the issue which needs to be understood for the long term exposure of structures in space. At the same time, there will be substantial potential for collisions between the space platforms and space debris. The current NASA catalogue contains over 4500 objects floating in space which are not considered payloads. This debris can have significant effects on collision with orbiting spacecraft. In order to better understand the effect of these hostile phenomena on spacecraft, several types of studies are being performed to simulate at some level the effect of the environment. In particular the study of debris clouds produced by hypervelocity impact on the various surfaces anticipated on the Space Station is very important at this point in time. The need to assess the threat of such debris clouds on space structures is an on-going activity. The Space Debris Impact facility in Building 4612 provides a test facility to monitor the types of damage produced with hypervelocity impact. These facilities are used to simulate space environmental effects from energetic particles. Flash radiography or x-ray imaging has traditionally provided such information and as such has been an important tool for recording damage in situ with the event. The proper operation of the system can provide much useful information with respect to parametric analysis of the hypervelocity experiment. The following report outlines the procedures developed to optimize the operation of the x-ray imaging system and its operational characteristics.

Topology of Document Retrieval Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Everett, Daniel M.; Cater, Steven C.

1992-01-01

Explains the use of a topological structure to examine the closeness between documents in retrieval systems and analyzes the topological structure of a vector-space model, a fuzzy-set model, an extended Boolean model, a probabilistic model, and a TIRS (Topological Information Retrieval System) model. Proofs for the results are appended. (17…

Typography, Color, and Information Structure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keyes, Elizabeth

1993-01-01

Focuses on how typography and color complement and differ from each other in signaling an underlying content structure; the synergism between typography, color, and page layout (use of white space) that aids audience understanding and use; and the characteristics of typography and of color that are most important in these contexts. (SR)

Low Cost Large Core Vehicle Structures Assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahn, Steven E.

1998-01-01

Boeing Information, Space, and Defense Systems executed a Low Cost Large Core Vehicle Structures Assessment (LCLCVSA) under contract to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) between November 1997 and March 1998. NASA is interested in a low-cost launch vehicle, code named Magnum, to place heavy payloads into low earth orbit for missions such as a manned mission to Mars, a Next Generation Space Telescope, a lunar-based telescope, the Air Force's proposed space based laser, and large commercial satellites. In this study, structural concepts with the potential to reduce fabrication costs were evaluated in application to the Magnum Launch Vehicle (MLV) and the Liquid Fly Back Booster (LFBB) shuttle upgrade program. Seventeen concepts were qualitatively evaluated to select four concepts for more in-depth study. The four structural concepts selected were: an aluminum-lithium monocoque structure, an aluminum-lithium machined isogrid structure, a unitized composite sandwich structure, and a unitized composite grid structure. These were compared against a baseline concept based on the Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) construction. It was found that unitized composite structures offer significant cost and weight benefits to MLV structures. The limited study of application to LFBB structures indicated lower, but still significant benefits. Technology and facilities development roadmaps to prepare the approaches studied for application to MLV and LFBB were constructed. It was found that the cost and schedule to develop these approaches were in line with both MLV and LFBB development schedules. Current Government and Boeing programs which address elements of the development of the technologies identified are underway. It is recommended that NASA devote resources in a timely fashion to address the specific elements related to MLV and LFBB structures.

Using latent semantic analysis and the predication algorithm to improve extraction of meanings from a diagnostic corpus.

PubMed

Jorge-Botana, Guillermo; Olmos, Ricardo; León, José Antonio

2009-11-01

There is currently a widespread interest in indexing and extracting taxonomic information from large text collections. An example is the automatic categorization of informally written medical or psychological diagnoses, followed by the extraction of epidemiological information or even terms and structures needed to formulate guiding questions as an heuristic tool for helping doctors. Vector space models have been successfully used to this end (Lee, Cimino, Zhu, Sable, Shanker, Ely & Yu, 2006; Pakhomov, Buntrock & Chute, 2006). In this study we use a computational model known as Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) on a diagnostic corpus with the aim of retrieving definitions (in the form of lists of semantic neighbors) of common structures it contains (e.g. "storm phobia", "dog phobia") or less common structures that might be formed by logical combinations of categories and diagnostic symptoms (e.g. "gun personality" or "germ personality"). In the quest to bring definitions into line with the meaning of structures and make them in some way representative, various problems commonly arise while recovering content using vector space models. We propose some approaches which bypass these problems, such as Kintsch's (2001) predication algorithm and some corrections to the way lists of neighbors are obtained, which have already been tested on semantic spaces in a non-specific domain (Jorge-Botana, León, Olmos & Hassan-Montero, under review). The results support the idea that the predication algorithm may also be useful for extracting more precise meanings of certain structures from scientific corpora, and that the introduction of some corrections based on vector length may increases its efficiency on non-representative terms.

Evaluation of beryllium for space shuttle components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trapp, A. E.

1972-01-01

Application of beryllium to specific full-scale space shuttle structural components and assemblies was studied. Material evaluations were conducted to check the mechanical properties of as-received material to gain design information on characteristics needed for the material in the space shuttle environment, and to obtain data needed for evaluating component and panel tests. Four beryllium structural assemblies were analyzed and designed. Selected components of these assemblies, representing areas of critical loading or design/process uncertainty, were designed and tested, and two panel assemblies were fabricated. Trends in cost and weight factors were determined by progressive estimation at key points of preliminary design, final design, and fabrication to aid in a cost/weight evaluation of the use of beryllium.

KSC-2014-3264

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-07-23

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Steel structures surround High Bay 3 inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In view, high above, is the 175-ton crane. Banners note the heights of the Saturn V, Space Launch System, or SLS, and shuttle on the steel structure. Modifications are underway in the VAB to prepare High Bay 3 for a new platform system. The modifications are part of a centerwide refurbishment initiative under the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program. High bay 3 is being refurbished to accommodate NASA’s Space Launch System and a variety of other spacecraft. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

Optical information processing at NASA Ames Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reid, Max B.; Bualat, Maria G.; Cho, Young C.; Downie, John D.; Gary, Charles K.; Ma, Paul W.; Ozcan, Meric; Pryor, Anna H.; Spirkovska, Lilly

1993-01-01

The combination of analog optical processors with digital electronic systems offers the potential of tera-OPS computational performance, while often requiring less power and weight relative to all-digital systems. NASA is working to develop and demonstrate optical processing techniques for on-board, real time science and mission applications. Current research areas and applications under investigation include optical matrix processing for space structure vibration control and the analysis of Space Shuttle Main Engine plume spectra, optical correlation-based autonomous vision for robotic vehicles, analog computation for robotic path planning, free-space optical interconnections for information transfer within digital electronic computers, and multiplexed arrays of fiber optic interferometric sensors for acoustic and vibration measurements.

Using leap motion to investigate the emergence of structure in speech and language.

PubMed

Eryilmaz, Kerem; Little, Hannah

2017-10-01

 In evolutionary linguistics, experiments using artificial signal spaces are being used to investigate the emergenceof speech structure. These signal spaces need to be continuous, non-discretized spaces from which discrete unitsand patterns can emerge. They need to be dissimilar from-but comparable with-the vocal tract, in order tominimize interference from pre-existing linguistic knowledge, while informing us about language. This is a hardbalance to strike. This article outlines a new approach that uses the Leap Motion, an infrared controller that canconvert manual movement in 3d space into sound. The signal space using this approach is more flexible than signalspaces in previous attempts. Further, output data using this approach is simpler to arrange and analyze. Theexperimental interface was built using free, and mostly open- source libraries in Python. We provide our sourcecode for other researchers as open source.

KSC-2010-5488

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-11-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, xenon lights illuminate space shuttle Discovery on Launch Pad 39A following the retraction of the rotating service structure. The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits lift off on the pad. Launch of Discovery on the STS-133 mission to the International Space Station is set for 3:29 p.m. on Nov. 4. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

Interactive information processing for NASA's mesoscale analysis and space sensor program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, K. G.; Maclean, L.; Reavis, N.; Wilson, G.; Hickey, J. S.; Dickerson, M.; Karitani, S.; Keller, D.

1985-01-01

The Atmospheric Sciences Division (ASD) of the Systems Dynamics Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is currently involved in interactive information processing for the Mesoscale Analysis and Space Sensor (MASS) program. Specifically, the ASD is engaged in the development and implementation of new space-borne remote sensing technology to observe and measure mesoscale atmospheric processes. These space measurements and conventional observational data are being processed together to gain an improved understanding of the mesoscale structure and the dynamical evolution of the atmosphere relative to cloud development and precipitation processes. To satisfy its vast data processing requirements, the ASD has developed a Researcher Computer System consiting of three primary computer systems which provides over 20 scientists with a wide range of capabilities for processing and displaying a large volumes of remote sensing data. Each of the computers performs a specific function according to its unique capabilities.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 19)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This bibliography lists 526 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1988 and June 30, 1988. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 14)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

This bibliography lists 645 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1985 and December 31, 1985. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 17)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

This bibliography lists 512 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1987 and June 30, 1987. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 13)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

This bibliography lists 399 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1985 and June 30, 1985. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 18)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This bibliography lists 569 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1,1987 and December 31, 1987. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 16)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

This bibliography lists 673 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1986 and December 31, 1986. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for Large Space Systems: a Bibliography with Indexes (Supplement 21)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This bibliography lists 745 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1989 and June 30, 1989. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 15)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

This bibliography lists 594 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1986 and June 30, 1986. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems.

From genomics to chemical genomics: new developments in KEGG

PubMed Central

Kanehisa, Minoru; Goto, Susumu; Hattori, Masahiro; Aoki-Kinoshita, Kiyoko F.; Itoh, Masumi; Kawashima, Shuichi; Katayama, Toshiaki; Araki, Michihiro; Hirakawa, Mika

2006-01-01

The increasing amount of genomic and molecular information is the basis for understanding higher-order biological systems, such as the cell and the organism, and their interactions with the environment, as well as for medical, industrial and other practical applications. The KEGG resource () provides a reference knowledge base for linking genomes to biological systems, categorized as building blocks in the genomic space (KEGG GENES) and the chemical space (KEGG LIGAND), and wiring diagrams of interaction networks and reaction networks (KEGG PATHWAY). A fourth component, KEGG BRITE, has been formally added to the KEGG suite of databases. This reflects our attempt to computerize functional interpretations as part of the pathway reconstruction process based on the hierarchically structured knowledge about the genomic, chemical and network spaces. In accordance with the new chemical genomics initiatives, the scope of KEGG LIGAND has been significantly expanded to cover both endogenous and exogenous molecules. Specifically, RPAIR contains curated chemical structure transformation patterns extracted from known enzymatic reactions, which would enable analysis of genome-environment interactions, such as the prediction of new reactions and new enzyme genes that would degrade new environmental compounds. Additionally, drug information is now stored separately and linked to new KEGG DRUG structure maps. PMID:16381885

Flight test of a synthetic aperture radar antenna using STEP

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimcik, D. G.; Vigeron, F. R.; Ahmed, S.

1984-01-01

To establish confidence in its overall performance, credible information on the synthetic aperture radar antenna's mechanical properties in orbit must be obtained. However, the antenna's size, design, and operating environment make it difficult to simulate operating conditions under 1-g Earth conditions. The Space Technology Experiments Platform (STEP) offers a timely opportunity to mechanically qualify and characterize the antenna design in a representative environment. The proposed experimental configuration would employ a half-system of the full-scale RADARSAT antenna which would be mounted on the STEP platform in the orbiter cargo bay such that it could be deployed and retracted in orbit (as shown in this figure). The antenna would be subjected to typical environmental exposures while an array of targets and sensors on the antenna support structure and reflecting surface are observed and monitored. In particular, the typical environments would include deployment and retraction, dynamic response to vehicle thruster or base exciter inputs, and thermal soak and transient effects upon entering or exiting Earth eclipse. The proposed experiment would also provide generic information on the properties of large space structures in space and on techniques to obtain the desired information.

Maps on statistical manifolds exactly reduced from the Perron-Frobenius equations for solvable chaotic maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goto, Shin-itiro; Umeno, Ken

2018-03-01

Maps on a parameter space for expressing distribution functions are exactly derived from the Perron-Frobenius equations for a generalized Boole transform family. Here the generalized Boole transform family is a one-parameter family of maps, where it is defined on a subset of the real line and its probability distribution function is the Cauchy distribution with some parameters. With this reduction, some relations between the statistical picture and the orbital one are shown. From the viewpoint of information geometry, the parameter space can be identified with a statistical manifold, and then it is shown that the derived maps can be characterized. Also, with an induced symplectic structure from a statistical structure, symplectic and information geometric aspects of the derived maps are discussed.

Distributed control using linear momentum exchange devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharkey, J. P.; Waites, Henry; Doane, G. B., III

1987-01-01

MSFC has successfully employed the use of the Vibrational Control of Space Structures (VCOSS) Linear Momentum Exchange Devices (LMEDs), which was an outgrowth of the Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratory (AFWAL) program, in a distributed control experiment. The control experiment was conducted in MSFC's Ground Facility for Large Space Structures Control Verification (GF/LSSCV). The GF/LSSCV's test article was well suited for this experiment in that the LMED could be judiciously placed on the ASTROMAST. The LMED placements were such that vibrational mode information could be extracted from the accelerometers on the LMED. The LMED accelerometer information was processed by the control algorithms so that the LMED masses could be accelerated to produce forces which would dampen the vibrational modes of interest. Experimental results are presented showing the LMED's capabilities.

Technology for Large Space Systems: A Special Bibliography with Indexes (Supplement 2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

This bibliography lists 258 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1979 and December 31, 1979. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of the Large Space Systems Technology (LSST) Program. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design, structural concepts, control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, solar power satellite systems, and flight experiments.

Technology for large space systems: A special bibliography with indexes (supplement 05)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

This bibliography lists 298 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1981 and June 30, 1981. Its purpose is to provide helpful, information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of the Large Space Systems Technology (LSST) Program. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design, structural concepts, control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, solar power satellite systems, and flight experiments.

Technology for large space systems: A special bibliography with indexes (supplement 06)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

This bibliography lists 220 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1981 and December 31, 1981. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design in the area of the Large Space Systems Technology (LSST) Program. Subject matter is grouped according to systems, interactive analysis and design, structural concepts, control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, solar power satellite systems, and flight experiments.

In Brief: NASA Advisory Council structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2009-11-01

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has added four new committees to the NASA Advisory Council in the areas of commercial space, education and public outreach, information technology infrastructure, and technology and innovation, the agency announced on 2 November. Other committees are in the areas of aeronautics; audit, finance, and analysis; exploration; science; and space operations. The council, which provides advice and makes recommendations to the administrator about agency programs, policies, plans, financial controls, and other matters, holds its next meeting on 18-19 February 2010. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/offices/nac/home/index.html.

The Potential of Spaceborne Remote Sensing for Deriving Canopy Structure Metrics and Informing Biodiversity and Habitat Mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goetz, S. J.; Dubayah, R.

2016-12-01

Research on characterization of canopy structure with remote sensing has exploded as airborne data sets have become more widely available to the biodiversity science and habitat management communities. While these advances are important in the context of increasing pressure on both habitat and wildlife, airborne data acquisitions are necessarily limited in geographic scope and thus in their general applicability to biome-scale biodiversity research initiatives, including international programs striving to implement the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the associated Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The lack of systematic metrics of canopy structure across large geographic domains also makes it difficult to implement the CBD Strategic Plan systematically across nations, as outlined in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. The Group on Earth Observations, Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) has proposed a set of Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) that could be used as a global-scale basis for biodiversity monitoring, but several of those EBVs are still limited by the availability of data on habitat 3D structure. Those limitations will be overcome in the near future with a suite of satellite missions that will provide an unprecedented level of active remote sensing measurements useful for deriving structure information, including Tandem-X, ICESat-2, BIOMASS and the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI). We will provide a brief overview of the rapid advance of measurements of canopy structure and the applications that have evolved in recent years in terms of 3D habitat characterization, species-specific habitat utilization, and the potential of these new space-based measurements. In this talk we will focus primarily on GEDI, a lidar mission to be installed on the International Space Station that is optimized for retrieving 3D canopy structure. GEDI and the other new missions will provide long-desired consistent and systematic information on EBVs from space, and thereby facilitate the implementation of international biodiversity policy objectives.

Perceiving environmental structure from optical motion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lappin, Joseph S.

1991-01-01

Generally speaking, one of the most important sources of optical information about environmental structure is known to be the deforming optical patterns produced by the movements of the observer (pilot) or environmental objects. As an observer moves through a rigid environment, the projected optical patterns of environmental objects are systematically transformed according to their orientations and positions in 3D space relative to those of the observer. The detailed characteristics of these deforming optical patterns carry information about the 3D structure of the objects and about their locations and orientations relative to those of the observer. The specific geometrical properties of moving images that may constitute visually detected information about the shapes and locations of environmental objects is examined.

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, John Carver, a project manager with Jacobs Technology checks the Advanced Plant Experiment, or APEX, experiment as it is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Terry Tullis, a QinetiQ North America mechanical engineer, places the Biological Research In Canisters, or BRIC, 18-1 and 18-2 experiments with others to be launched to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, QinetiQ North America Project Manager Carole Miller, left, works with Allison Caron, a QinetiQ mechanical engineer in preparing the Biotube experiment which will be launched to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Terry Tullis, a QinetiQ North America mechanical engineer, prepares the Biological Research In Canisters, or BRIC, 18-1 and 18-2 experiments which will be launched to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Donald Houzer, a QinetiQ North America mechanical technician checks out the Advanced Plant Experiment, or APEX, experiment as it is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1669

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1665

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1663

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1661

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1662

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1667

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1668

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1666

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1664

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2013-1660

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers prepare experiments for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule for launch to the International Space Station. Once the packaging is complete, the samples will be transported to Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they will be loaded aboard the Dragon. Scheduled for launch March 1 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be making its third trip to the space station. The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/spacex2-feature.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2012-2965

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-22

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Workers secure the high-fidelity space shuttle model to the structure that will cradle the model on its journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Johnson Space Center's visitor center in Houston atop a barge. The model was built in Apopka, Fla., by Guard-Lee and installed at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1993.The model has been parked at the turn basin the past five months to allow the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to begin building a new facility next year to display space shuttle Atlantis in 2013. For more information about Johnson’s visitor center, called Space Center Houston, visit http://www.spacecenter.org. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

KSC-2012-2962

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-22

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Workers secure the high-fidelity space shuttle model to the structure that will cradle the model on its journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Johnson Space Center's visitor center in Houston atop a barge. The model was built in Apopka, Fla., by Guard-Lee and installed at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1993.The model has been parked at the turn basin the past five months to allow the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to begin building a new facility next year to display space shuttle Atlantis in 2013. For more information about Johnson’s visitor center, called Space Center Houston, visit http://www.spacecenter.org. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

KSC-2012-2961

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-22

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Workers secure the high-fidelity space shuttle model to the structure that will cradle the model on its journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Johnson Space Center's visitor center in Houston atop a barge. The model was built in Apopka, Fla., by Guard-Lee and installed at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1993.The model has been parked at the turn basin the past five months to allow the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to begin building a new facility next year to display space shuttle Atlantis in 2013. For more information about Johnson’s visitor center, called Space Center Houston, visit http://www.spacecenter.org. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

KSC-2012-2964

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-22

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Workers secure the high-fidelity space shuttle model to the structure that will cradle the model on its journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Johnson Space Center's visitor center in Houston atop a barge. The model was built in Apopka, Fla., by Guard-Lee and installed at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1993.The model has been parked at the turn basin the past five months to allow the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to begin building a new facility next year to display space shuttle Atlantis in 2013. For more information about Johnson’s visitor center, called Space Center Houston, visit http://www.spacecenter.org. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

KSC-2012-2963

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-22

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Workers secure the high-fidelity space shuttle model to the structure that will cradle the model on its journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Johnson Space Center's visitor center in Houston atop a barge. The model was built in Apopka, Fla., by Guard-Lee and installed at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1993.The model has been parked at the turn basin the past five months to allow the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to begin building a new facility next year to display space shuttle Atlantis in 2013. For more information about Johnson’s visitor center, called Space Center Houston, visit http://www.spacecenter.org. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

KSC-2012-2960

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-22

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Workers secure the high-fidelity space shuttle model to the structure that will cradle the model on its journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Johnson Space Center's visitor center in Houston atop a barge. The model was built in Apopka, Fla., by Guard-Lee and installed at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1993.The model has been parked at the turn basin the past five months to allow the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to begin building a new facility next year to display space shuttle Atlantis in 2013. For more information about Johnson’s visitor center, called Space Center Houston, visit http://www.spacecenter.org. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

KSC-2012-2966

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-22

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Workers secure the high-fidelity space shuttle model to the structure that will cradle the model on its journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Johnson Space Center's visitor center in Houston atop a barge. The model was built in Apopka, Fla., by Guard-Lee and installed at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1993.The model has been parked at the turn basin the past five months to allow the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to begin building a new facility next year to display space shuttle Atlantis in 2013. For more information about Johnson’s visitor center, called Space Center Houston, visit http://www.spacecenter.org. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

Knowledge structure representation and automated updates in intelligent information management systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corey, Stephen; Carnahan, Richard S., Jr.

1990-01-01

A continuing effort to apply rapid prototyping and Artificial Intelligence techniques to problems associated with projected Space Station-era information management systems is examined. In particular, timely updating of the various databases and knowledge structures within the proposed intelligent information management system (IIMS) is critical to support decision making processes. Because of the significantly large amounts of data entering the IIMS on a daily basis, information updates will need to be automatically performed with some systems requiring that data be incorporated and made available to users within a few hours. Meeting these demands depends first, on the design and implementation of information structures that are easily modified and expanded, and second, on the incorporation of intelligent automated update techniques that will allow meaningful information relationships to be established. Potential techniques are studied for developing such an automated update capability and IIMS update requirements are examined in light of results obtained from the IIMS prototyping effort.

The Influence of Urbanism and Information Consumption on Political Dimensions of Social Capital: Exploratory Study of the Localities Adjacent to the Core City from Brașov Metropolitan Area, Romania.

PubMed

Rezeanu, Cătălina-Ionela; Briciu, Arabela; Briciu, Victor; Repanovici, Angela; Coman, Claudiu

2016-01-01

The last two decades have seen a growing trend towards the research of voting behavior in post-communist countries. Urban sociology theorists state that not only space structures influence political participation, but also space structures are changing under the influence of global, local, and individual factors. The growing role played by information in the globalised world has accelerated the paradigm shift in urban sociology: from central place model (based on urban-rural distinction and on monocentric metropolitan areas) to network society (based on space of flows and polycentric metropolitan areas). However, recent studies have mainly focused on countries with solid democracies, rather than on former communist countries. The present study aims to analyze the extent to which a new emerging spatial structure can be envisaged within a metropolitan area of Romania and its consequences for the political dimensions of social capital. The Transilvania University Ethics Commission approved this study (S1 Aprouval). The research is based upon individual and aggregate empirical data, collected from the areas adjacent to the core city in Brașov metropolitan area. Individual data has been collected during October 2012, using the oral survey technique (S1 Survey), based on a standardized questionnaire (stratified simple random sample, N = 600). The National Institute of Statistics and the Electoral Register provided the aggregate data per locality. Unvaried and multivariate analyses (hierarchical regression method) were conducted based on these data. Some dimensions of urbanism, identified as predictors of the political dimensions of social capital, suggest that the area under analysis has a predominantly monocentric character, where the rural-urban distinction continues to remain relevant. There are also arguments favoring the dissolution of the rural-urban distinction and the emergence of polycentric spatial structures. The presence of some influences related to the information consumption on all six indicators of the political dimensions of social capital under analysis suggests the occurrence of emerging forms of a space of flows. The identified effects of social problems associated with transport infrastructure and of migration experience on the political dimensions of social capital, also support the emergence of space of flows. We recommend that, in the urban studies in former communist countries, conceptualization of urbanism as predictor of the political dimensions of social capital should consider both the material dimensions of space, as well as the dimensions of information consumption and migration experience.

The Influence of Urbanism and Information Consumption on Political Dimensions of Social Capital: Exploratory Study of the Localities Adjacent to the Core City from Brașov Metropolitan Area, Romania

PubMed Central

Rezeanu, Cătălina-Ionela; Briciu, Arabela; Briciu, Victor; Repanovici, Angela; Coman, Claudiu

2016-01-01

Background The last two decades have seen a growing trend towards the research of voting behavior in post-communist countries. Urban sociology theorists state that not only space structures influence political participation, but also space structures are changing under the influence of global, local, and individual factors. The growing role played by information in the globalised world has accelerated the paradigm shift in urban sociology: from central place model (based on urban-rural distinction and on monocentric metropolitan areas) to network society (based on space of flows and polycentric metropolitan areas). However, recent studies have mainly focused on countries with solid democracies, rather than on former communist countries. The present study aims to analyze the extent to which a new emerging spatial structure can be envisaged within a metropolitan area of Romania and its consequences for the political dimensions of social capital. Methods The Transilvania University Ethics Commission approved this study (S1 Aprouval). The research is based upon individual and aggregate empirical data, collected from the areas adjacent to the core city in Brașov metropolitan area. Individual data has been collected during October 2012, using the oral survey technique (S1 Survey), based on a standardized questionnaire (stratified simple random sample, N = 600). The National Institute of Statistics and the Electoral Register provided the aggregate data per locality. Unvaried and multivariate analyses (hierarchical regression method) were conducted based on these data. Results Some dimensions of urbanism, identified as predictors of the political dimensions of social capital, suggest that the area under analysis has a predominantly monocentric character, where the rural-urban distinction continues to remain relevant. There are also arguments favoring the dissolution of the rural-urban distinction and the emergence of polycentric spatial structures. The presence of some influences related to the information consumption on all six indicators of the political dimensions of social capital under analysis suggests the occurrence of emerging forms of a space of flows. The identified effects of social problems associated with transport infrastructure and of migration experience on the political dimensions of social capital, also support the emergence of space of flows. Conclusions We recommend that, in the urban studies in former communist countries, conceptualization of urbanism as predictor of the political dimensions of social capital should consider both the material dimensions of space, as well as the dimensions of information consumption and migration experience. PMID:26807882

Smart tunnel: Docking mechanism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schliesing, John A. (Inventor); Edenborough, Kevin L. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

A docking mechanism is presented for the docking of a space vehicle to a space station comprising a flexible tunnel frame structure which is deployable from the space station. The tunnel structure comprises a plurality of series connected frame sections, one end section of which is attached to the space station and the other end attached to a docking module of a configuration adapted for docking in the payload bay of the space vehicle. The docking module is provided with trunnions, adapted for latching engagement with latches installed in the vehicle payload bay and with hatch means connectable to a hatch of the crew cabin of the space vehicle. Each frame section comprises a pair of spaced ring members, interconnected by actuator-attenuator devices which are individually controllable by an automatic control means to impart relative movement of one ring member to the other in six degrees of freedom of motion. The control means includes computer logic responsive to sensor signals of range and attitude information, capture latch condition, structural loads, and actuator stroke for generating commands to the onboard flight control system and the individual actuator-attenuators to deploy the tunnel to effect a coupling with the space vehicle and space station after coupling. A tubular fluid-impervious liner, preferably fabric, is disposed through the frame sections of a size sufficient to accommodate the passage of personnel and cargo.

Neutral Buoyancy Test NB-14 Large Space Structure Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. And construction methods had to be efficient due to limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built.Pictured is an experiment where the astronaut is required to move a large object which weighed 19,000 pounds. It was moved with realitive ease once the astronaut became familiar with his environment and his near weightless condition. Experiments of this nature provided scientists with the information needed regarding weight and mass allowances astronauts could manage in preparation for building a permanent space station in the future.

Large space telescope, phase A. Volume 3: Optical telescope assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The development and characteristics of the optical telescope assembly for the Large Space Telescope are discussed. The systems considerations are based on mission-related parameters and optical equipment requirements. Information is included on: (1) structural design and analysis, (2) thermal design, (3) stabilization and control, (4) alignment, focus, and figure control, (5) electronic subsystem, and (6) scientific instrument design.

Discriminative graph embedding for label propagation.

PubMed

Nguyen, Canh Hao; Mamitsuka, Hiroshi

2011-09-01

In many applications, the available information is encoded in graph structures. This is a common problem in biological networks, social networks, web communities and document citations. We investigate the problem of classifying nodes' labels on a similarity graph given only a graph structure on the nodes. Conventional machine learning methods usually require data to reside in some Euclidean spaces or to have a kernel representation. Applying these methods to nodes on graphs would require embedding the graphs into these spaces. By embedding and then learning the nodes on graphs, most methods are either flexible with different learning objectives or efficient enough for large scale applications. We propose a method to embed a graph into a feature space for a discriminative purpose. Our idea is to include label information into the embedding process, making the space representation tailored to the task. We design embedding objective functions that the following learning formulations become spectral transforms. We then reformulate these spectral transforms into multiple kernel learning problems. Our method, while being tailored to the discriminative tasks, is efficient and can scale to massive data sets. We show the need of discriminative embedding on some simulations. Applying to biological network problems, our method is shown to outperform baselines.

A novel approach to internal crown characterization for coniferous tree species classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harikumar, A.; Bovolo, F.; Bruzzone, L.

2016-10-01

The knowledge about individual trees in forest is highly beneficial in forest management. High density small foot- print multi-return airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data can provide a very accurate information about the structural properties of individual trees in forests. Every tree species has a unique set of crown structural characteristics that can be used for tree species classification. In this paper, we use both the internal and external crown structural information of a conifer tree crown, derived from a high density small foot-print multi-return LiDAR data acquisition for species classification. Considering the fact that branches are the major building blocks of a conifer tree crown, we obtain the internal crown structural information using a branch level analysis. The structure of each conifer branch is represented using clusters in the LiDAR point cloud. We propose the joint use of the k-means clustering and geometric shape fitting, on the LiDAR data projected onto a novel 3-dimensional space, to identify branch clusters. After mapping the identified clusters back to the original space, six internal geometric features are estimated using a branch-level analysis. The external crown characteristics are modeled by using six least correlated features based on cone fitting and convex hull. Species classification is performed using a sparse Support Vector Machines (sparse SVM) classifier.

KSC-2014-4444

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-11-12

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The Orion spacecraft and its transporter stand at the base of the service structure at Space Launch Complex 37. A crane inside the structure will lift Orion off its transporter to hoist it into place atop the Delta IV Heavy rocket that is already assembled at the pad. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans, including an asteroid and Mars. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted flight test of Orion is scheduled to launch Dec. 4, 2014, atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, and in 2018 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Ground facility for information reception, processing, dissemination and scientific instruments management setup in the CORONAS-PHOTON space project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buslov, A. S.; Kotov, Yu. D.; Yurov, V. N.; Bessonov, M. V.; Kalmykov, P. A.; Oreshnikov, E. M.; Alimov, A. M.; Tumanov, A. V.; Zhuchkova, E. A.

2011-06-01

This paper deals with the organizational structure of ground-based receiving, processing, and dissemination of scientific information created by the Astrophysics Institute of the Scientific Research Nuclear University, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute. Hardware structure and software features are described. The principles are given for forming sets of control commands for scientific equipment (SE) devices, and statistics data are presented on the operation of facility during flight tests of the spacecraft (SC) in the course of one year.

Neutral Buoyancy Simulator: MSFC-Langley joint test of large space structures component assembly:

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. And construction methods had to be efficient due to limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. With the help of the NBS, building a space station became more of a reality. In a joint venture between NASA/Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA and MSFC, the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS) was developed and demonstrated at MSFC's NBS. The primary objective of this experiment was to test the ACCESS structural assembly concept for suitability as the framework for larger space structures and to identify ways to improve the productivity of space construction. Pictured is a demonstration of ACCESS.

Neutral Buoyancy Test - Large Space Structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. Construction methods had to be efficient due to the limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. With the help of the NBS, building a space station became more of a reality. In a joint venture between NASA/Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia and the MSFC, the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS) was developed and demonstrated at MSFC's NBS. The primary objective of this experiment was to test the ACCESS structural assembly concept for suitability as the framework for larger space structures and to identify ways to improve the productivity of space construction. Pictured is a demonstration of ACCESS.

Neutral Buoyancy Test - NB-18 - Large Space Structure Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. Construction methods had to be efficient due to the limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. With the help of the NBS, building a space station became more of a reality. In a joint venture between NASA/Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia and the MSFC, the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS) was developed and demonstrated at MSFC's NBS. The primary objective of this experiment was to test the ACCESS structural assembly concept for suitability as the framework for larger space structures and to identify ways to improve the productivity of space construction. Pictured is a demonstration of ACCESS.

The Impact of Stereoscopic Imagery and Motion on Anatomical Structure Recognition and Visual Attention Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Remmele, Martin; Schmidt, Elena; Lingenfelder, Melissa; Martens, Andreas

2018-01-01

Gross anatomy is located in a three-dimensional space. Visualizing aspects of structures in gross anatomy education should aim to provide information that best resembles their original spatial proportions. Stereoscopic three-dimensional imagery might offer possibilities to implement this aim, though some research has revealed potential impairments…

ROMPS critical design review. Volume 2: Robot module design documentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobbs, M. E.

1992-01-01

The robot module design documentation for the Remote Operated Materials Processing in Space (ROMPS) experiment is compiled. This volume presents the following information: robot module modifications; Easylab commands definitions and flowcharts; Easylab program definitions and flowcharts; robot module fault conditions and structure charts; and C-DOC flow structure and cross references.

Information Retrieval System Design Issues in a Microcomputer-Based Relational DBMS Environment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolfram, Dietmar

1992-01-01

Outlines the file structure requirements for a microcomputer-based information retrieval system using FoxPro, a relational database management system (DBMS). Issues relating to the design and implementation of such systems are discussed, and two possible designs are examined in terms of space economy and practicality of implementation. (15…

Technical Data Interoperability (TDI) Pathfinder Via Emerging Standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conroy, Mike; Gill, Paul; Hill, Bradley; Ibach, Brandon; Jones, Corey; Ungar, David; Barch, Jeffrey; Ingalls, John; Jacoby, Joseph; Manning, Josh;

The Information Is In the Maps: Representations & Algorithms for Mapping among Geometric Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

space of all maps is a huge space and an important part of the project has addressed the problem of finding compact representations and encodings...understanding the relationships among its parts, or its connections to other data sets that may share the same or similar structure. Towards this end, we have...for the much smaller spaces of interesting maps within a specific application. The machinery developed here has proven of use across a broad spectrum

Infiltration of CdTe nano crystals into a ZnO wire vertical matrix by using the isothermal closed space technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larramendi, S.; Vaillant Roca, Lidice; Saint-Gregoire, Pierre; Ferraz Dias, Johnny; Behar, Moni

2017-10-01

A ZnO nanorod structure was grown by the hydrothermal method and interpenetrated with CdTe using the isothermal closed space sublimation technique. The obtained structure was studied by using the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique confirmed the presence of CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) of very small size formed on the surface and in the interspaces between the ZnO nanorods. The RBS observations together with the SEM observations give information on the obtained structure. Finally the photoluminescence studies show a strong energy confinement effect on the grown CdTe NCs.

Querying databases of trajectories of differential equations: Data structures for trajectories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grossman, Robert

1989-01-01

One approach to qualitative reasoning about dynamical systems is to extract qualitative information by searching or making queries on databases containing very large numbers of trajectories. The efficiency of such queries depends crucially upon finding an appropriate data structure for trajectories of dynamical systems. Suppose that a large number of parameterized trajectories gamma of a dynamical system evolving in R sup N are stored in a database. Let Eta is contained in set R sup N denote a parameterized path in Euclidean Space, and let the Euclidean Norm denote a norm on the space of paths. A data structure is defined to represent trajectories of dynamical systems, and an algorithm is sketched which answers queries.

Image classification using multiscale information fusion based on saliency driven nonlinear diffusion filtering.

PubMed

Hu, Weiming; Hu, Ruiguang; Xie, Nianhua; Ling, Haibin; Maybank, Stephen

2014-04-01

In this paper, we propose saliency driven image multiscale nonlinear diffusion filtering. The resulting scale space in general preserves or even enhances semantically important structures such as edges, lines, or flow-like structures in the foreground, and inhibits and smoothes clutter in the background. The image is classified using multiscale information fusion based on the original image, the image at the final scale at which the diffusion process converges, and the image at a midscale. Our algorithm emphasizes the foreground features, which are important for image classification. The background image regions, whether considered as contexts of the foreground or noise to the foreground, can be globally handled by fusing information from different scales. Experimental tests of the effectiveness of the multiscale space for the image classification are conducted on the following publicly available datasets: 1) the PASCAL 2005 dataset; 2) the Oxford 102 flowers dataset; and 3) the Oxford 17 flowers dataset, with high classification rates.

Segmentation of brain structures in presence of a space-occupying lesion.

PubMed

Pollo, Claudio; Cuadra, Meritxell Bach; Cuisenaire, Olivier; Villemure, Jean-Guy; Thiran, Jean-Philippe

2005-02-15

Brain deformations induced by space-occupying lesions may result in unpredictable position and shape of functionally important brain structures. The aim of this study is to propose a method for segmentation of brain structures by deformation of a segmented brain atlas in presence of a space-occupying lesion. Our approach is based on an a priori model of lesion growth (MLG) that assumes radial expansion from a seeding point and involves three steps: first, an affine registration bringing the atlas and the patient into global correspondence; then, the seeding of a synthetic tumor into the brain atlas providing a template for the lesion; finally, the deformation of the seeded atlas, combining a method derived from optical flow principles and a model of lesion growth. The method was applied on two meningiomas inducing a pure displacement of the underlying brain structures, and segmentation accuracy of ventricles and basal ganglia was assessed. Results show that the segmented structures were consistent with the patient's anatomy and that the deformation accuracy of surrounding brain structures was highly dependent on the accurate placement of the tumor seeding point. Further improvements of the method will optimize the segmentation accuracy. Visualization of brain structures provides useful information for therapeutic consideration of space-occupying lesions, including surgical, radiosurgical, and radiotherapeutic planning, in order to increase treatment efficiency and prevent neurological damage.

KSC-2011-8094

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-11-30

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mobile launcher, or ML, negotiates the 4.2-mile stretch of crawlerway between Launch Pad 39B and the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Data on the ML collected from structural and functional engineering tests during its two-week stay on the pad will be used in the next phases of construction. The 355-foot-tall ML structure, which took about two years to construct, will be modified by NASA’s 21st Century Ground Systems Program to support NASA’s Space Launch System, the heavy-lift rocket that will launch astronauts into deep space on future exploration missions. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

[Population dynamics, urban structure, and production of living space in the metropolitan zone of Mexico City].

PubMed

Schteingart, M

1989-01-01

"In this article, an attempt is made to account for certain trends in the growth and distribution of the population, and in the structuring of living space in the metropolitan zone of Mexico City.... Among the important conclusions of this essay are those having to do with the huge growth of some political-administrative units and the relation of this phenomenon to the practices followed by private realtors, often articulated with the policies and programs set by the State's housing agencies, as well as those that associate urban growth and expansion with the development of habitational spaces within the so-called 'formal' and 'informal' housing sectors." Data are from Mexican censuses and other official sources. (SUMMARY IN ENG) excerpt

Stress Measurements on Blair High School Gymnasium: A Demonstration of Space Technology Transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kastel, Dean

1966-01-01

This Report describes an actual demonstration of transfer to non-space use of technologies developed for space programs applications. Techniques used in assessing static and dynamic characteristics of the Blair High School gymnasium involved data acquisition by continuous scanning of strain gauge data acquired over a time of wide-temperature range, and analysis by a computer routine developed by Jet Propulsion Laboratory five years ago. The advantage of this method over conventional structural testing of uniquely designed structures was proved. More importantly, the process of demonstration was shown to be of great assistance to, and extension of, normal methods of disseminating information of new technologies. It is felt that significant benefit will derive from this improved mode oi concept transfer.

Formation metrology and control for large separated optics space telescopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mettler, E.; Quadrelli, M.; Breckenridge, W.

2002-01-01

In this paper we present formation flying performance analysis initial results for a representative large space telescope composed of separated optical elements [Mett 02]. A virtual-structure construct (an equivalent rigid body) is created by unique metrology and control that combines both centralized and decentralized methods. The formation may be in orbit at GEO for super-resolution Earth observation, as in the case of Figure 1, or it may be in an Earth-trailing orbit for astrophysics, Figure 2. Extended applications are envisioned for exo-solar planet interferometric imaging by a formation of very large separated optics telescopes, Figure 3. Space telescopes, with such large apertures and f/10 to f/100 optics, are not feasible if connected by massive metering structures. Instead, the new virtual-structure paradigm of information and control connectivity between the formation elements provides the necessary spatial rigidity and alignment precision for the telescope.

A Bayesian state-space approach for damage detection and classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dzunic, Zoran; Chen, Justin G.; Mobahi, Hossein; Büyüköztürk, Oral; Fisher, John W.

2017-11-01

The problem of automatic damage detection in civil structures is complex and requires a system that can interpret collected sensor data into meaningful information. We apply our recently developed switching Bayesian model for dependency analysis to the problems of damage detection and classification. The model relies on a state-space approach that accounts for noisy measurement processes and missing data, which also infers the statistical temporal dependency between measurement locations signifying the potential flow of information within the structure. A Gibbs sampling algorithm is used to simultaneously infer the latent states, parameters of the state dynamics, the dependence graph, and any changes in behavior. By employing a fully Bayesian approach, we are able to characterize uncertainty in these variables via their posterior distribution and provide probabilistic estimates of the occurrence of damage or a specific damage scenario. We also implement a single class classification method which is more realistic for most real world situations where training data for a damaged structure is not available. We demonstrate the methodology with experimental test data from a laboratory model structure and accelerometer data from a real world structure during different environmental and excitation conditions.

Critical Career Transitions: A Model for Designing Career Services.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leibowitz, Zandy B.; Schlossberg, Nancy K.

1982-01-01

Examines the three components which form the basis for designing and offering career transition workshops for employees at Goddard Space Flight Center: structuring support systems, providing cognitive information, and planning. (CT)

Experimental correlation of melt structures, nucleation rates, and thermal histories of silicate melts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boynton, W. V.; DRAKE; HILDEBRAND; JONES; LEWIS; TREIMAN; WARK

1987-01-01

The theory and measurement of the structure of liquids is an important aspect of modern metallurgy and igneous petrology. Liquid structure exerts strong controls on both the types of crystals that may precipitate from melts and on the chemical composition of those crystals. An interesting aspect of melt structure studies is the problem of melt memories; that is, a melt can retain a memory of previous thermal history. This memory can influence both nucleation behavior and crystal composition. This melt memory may be characterized quantitatively with techniques such as Raman, infrared and NMR spectroscopy to provide information on short-range structure. Melt structure studies at high temperature will take advantage of the microgravity conditions of the Space Station to perform containerless experiments. Melt structure determinations at high temperature (experiments that are greatly facilitated by containerless technology) will provide invaluable information for materials science, glass technology, and geochemistry. In conjunction with studies of nucleation behavior and nucleation rates, information relevant to nucleation in magma chambers in terrestrial planets will be acquired.

What LDEF means for development and testing of materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitaker, Ann F.; Stuckey, Wayne K.; Stein, Bland A.

1993-01-01

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) served as the ultimate laboratory to provide combined space environmental effects on materials. The LDEF structure and its 57 experiments contained an estimated 12,000 to 14,000 specimens of materials and materials processes. It not only provided information about the resistance of these materials to the space environment but gives us direction into future needs for spacecraft materials development and testing. This paper provides an overview of the materials effects observed on the satellite and suggests recommendations for the future work in space-qualified materials development and space environmental simulation.

Apollo 4 launch

NASA Image and Video Library

1967-09-11

S67-50903 (9 Nov. 1967) --- The Apollo 4 (Spacecraft 017/Saturn 501) space mission was launched from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The liftoff of the huge 363-feet tall Apollo/Saturn V space vehicle was at 7:00:01 a.m. (EST), Nov. 9, 1967. The successful objectives of the Apollo 4 Earth-orbital unmanned space mission obtained included (1) flight information on launch vehicle and spacecraft structural integrity and compatibility, flight loads, stage separation, subsystem operation, emergency detection subsystem, and (2) evaluation of the Apollo Command Module heat shield under conditions encountered on return from a moon mission.

KSC-2011-6978

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deconstruction of Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is complete. Still remaining are remnants of the fixed service structure and the water tower used for sound suppression. In 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Graph-theoretic analysis of discrete-phase-space states for condition change detection and quantification of information

DOEpatents

Hively, Lee M.

2014-09-16

Data collected from devices and human condition may be used to forewarn of critical events such as machine/structural failure or events from brain/heart wave data stroke. By monitoring the data, and determining what values are indicative of a failure forewarning, one can provide adequate notice of the impending failure in order to take preventive measures. This disclosure teaches a computer-based method to convert dynamical numeric data representing physical objects (unstructured data) into discrete-phase-space states, and hence into a graph (structured data) for extraction of condition change.

KSC-2010-4759

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-21

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, construction crews lay large wooden mats on top of sand and reinforcing steel to protect the concrete under the rotating service structure (RSS) of Launch Pad 39B during deconstruction. Starting in 2009, the structure at Pad B was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

NASA Space Mechanisms Handbook and Reference Guide Expanded Into CD-ROM Set

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fusaro, Robert L.

2002-01-01

Several NASA missions suffered failures and anomalies due to problems in applying space mechanisms technology to specific projects. Research shows that engineers often lack either adequate knowledge of mechanism design or sufficient understanding of how mechanisms affect sensitive systems. The Space Mechanisms Project conducted a Lessons Learned study and published a Space Mechanisms Handbook to help space industry engineers avoid recurring design, qualification, and application problems. The Space Mechanisms Handbook written at the NASA Glenn Research Center details the state-of-the-art in space mechanisms design as of 1998. NASA's objective in developing this Space Mechanisms Handbook was to provide readily accessible information on such areas as space mechanisms design, mechanical component availability and use, testing and qualification of mechanical systems, and a listing of worldwide space mechanisms experts and testing facilities in the United States. This handbook has been expanded into a two-volume CD-ROM set in an Adobe Acrobat format. In addition to the handbook, the CD's include (1) the two volume Space Mechanisms Lessons Learned Study, (2) proceedings from all the NASA hosted Aerospace Mechanisms Symposia held through the year 2000, (3) the Space Materials Handbook, (4) the Lubrication Handbook for the Space Industry, (5) the Structural & Mechanical Systems Long-Life Assurance Design Guidelines, (6) the Space Environments and Effects Source-Book, (7) the Spacecraft Deployable Appendages manual, (8) the Fastener Design Manual, (9) A Manual for Pyrotechnic Design, Development and Qualification, (10) the Report on Alternative Devices to Pyrotechnics on Spacecraft, and (11) Gearing (a manual). In addition, numerous other papers on tribology and lubrication are included.This technical summary of the project provides information on how to obtain the handbook and related information.

Accessing new understandings of trauma-informed care with queer birthing women in a rural context.

PubMed

Searle, Jennifer; Goldberg, Lisa; Aston, Megan; Burrow, Sylvia

2017-11-01

Participant narratives from a feminist and queer phenomenological study aim to broaden current understandings of trauma. Examining structural marginalisation within perinatal care relationships provides insights into the impact of dominant models of care on queer birthing women. More specifically, validation of queer experience as a key finding from the study offers trauma-informed strategies that reconstruct formerly disempowering perinatal relationships. Heteronormativity governs birthing spaces and presents considerable challenges for queer birthing women who may also have an increased risk of trauma due to structurally marginalising processes that create and maintain socially constructed differences. Analysis of the qualitative data was guided by feminist and queer phenomenology. This was well suited to understanding queer women's storied narratives of trauma, including disempowering processes of structural marginalisation. Semistructured and conversational interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of thirteen queer-identified women who had experiences of birthing in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. Validation was identified as meaningful for queer women in the context of perinatal care in rural Nova Scotia. Offering new perspectives on traditional models of assessment provide strategies to create a context of care that reconstructs the birthing space insofar as women at risk do not have to come out as queer in opposition to the expectation of heterosexuality. Normative practices were found to further the effects of structural marginalisation suggesting that perinatal care providers, including nurses, can challenge dominant models of care and reconstruct the relationality between queer women and formerly disempowering expectations of heteronormativity that govern birthing spaces. New trauma-informed assessment strategies reconstruct the relationality within historically disempowering perinatal relationships through potentiating difference which avoids retraumatising women with re-experiencing the process of coming out as queer in opposition to the expectation of heterosexuality. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-04-19

Dr. Marc Pusey (seated) and Dr. Craig Kundrot use computers to analyze x-ray maps and generate three-dimensional models of protein structures. With this information, scientists at Marshall Space Flight Center can learn how proteins are made and how they work. The computer screen depicts a proten structure as a ball-and-stick model. Other models depict the actual volume occupied by the atoms, or the ribbon-like structures that are crucial to a protein's function.

Technology for the Future: In-Space Technology Experiments Program, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breckenridge, Roger A. (Compiler); Clark, Lenwood G. (Compiler); Willshire, Kelli F. (Compiler); Beck, Sherwin M. (Compiler); Collier, Lisa D. (Compiler)

1991-01-01

The purpose of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) In-Space Technology Experiments Program In-STEP 1988 Workshop was to identify and prioritize technologies that are critical for future national space programs and require validation in the space environment, and review current NASA (In-Reach) and industry/ university (Out-Reach) experiments. A prioritized list of the critical technology needs was developed for the following eight disciplines: structures; environmental effects; power systems and thermal management; fluid management and propulsion systems; automation and robotics; sensors and information systems; in-space systems; and humans in space. This is part two of two parts and contains the critical technology presentations for the eight theme elements and a summary listing of critical space technology needs for each theme.

The design of free structure granular mappings: the use of the principle of justifiable granularity.

PubMed

Pedrycz, Witold; Al-Hmouz, Rami; Morfeq, Ali; Balamash, Abdullah

2013-12-01

The study introduces a concept of mappings realized in presence of information granules and offers a design framework supporting the formation of such mappings. Information granules are conceptually meaningful entities formed on a basis of a large number of experimental input–output numeric data available for the construction of the model. We develop a conceptually and algorithmically sound way of forming information granules. Considering the directional nature of the mapping to be formed, this directionality aspect needs to be taken into account when developing information granules. The property of directionality implies that while the information granules in the input space could be constructed with a great deal of flexibility, the information granules formed in the output space have to inherently relate to those built in the input space. The input space is granulated by running a clustering algorithm; for illustrative purposes, the focus here is on fuzzy clustering realized with the aid of the fuzzy C-means algorithm. The information granules in the output space are constructed with the aid of the principle of justifiable granularity (being one of the underlying fundamental conceptual pursuits of Granular Computing). The construct exhibits two important features. First, the constructed information granules are formed in the presence of information granules already constructed in the input space (and this realization is reflective of the direction of the mapping from the input to the output space). Second, the principle of justifiable granularity does not confine the realization of information granules to a single formalism such as fuzzy sets but helps form the granules expressed any required formalism of information granulation. The quality of the granular mapping (viz. the mapping realized for the information granules formed in the input and output spaces) is expressed in terms of the coverage criterion (articulating how well the experimental data are “covered” by information granules produced by the granular mapping for any input experimental data). Some parametric studies are reported by quantifying the performance of the granular mapping (expressed in terms of the coverage and specificity criteria) versus the values of a certain parameters utilized in the construction of output information granules through the principle of justifiable granularity. The plots of coverage–specificity dependency help determine a knee point and reach a sound compromise between these two conflicting requirements imposed on the quality of the granular mapping. Furthermore, quantified is the quality of the mapping with regard to the number of information granules (implying a certain granularity of the mapping). A series of experiments is reported as well.

Diffraction in neutron imaging-A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woracek, Robin; Santisteban, Javier; Fedrigo, Anna; Strobl, Markus

2018-01-01

Neutron imaging is a highly successful experimental technique ever since adequate neutron sources were available. In general, neutron imaging is performed with a wide wavelength spectrum for best flux conditions in transmission geometry. Neutrons provide outstanding features in the penetration of many structural materials, which often makes them more suited for bulk sample studies than other forms of radiation, often in particular as they are also highly sensitive to some light elements, especially Hydrogen. In contrast to neutron scattering applications, imaging resolves macroscopic structures, nowadays down to, in the best case, below 10 micrometre, directly in real space. However, since more than a decade there is a growing number of techniques and applications in neutron imaging that - supported by powerful neutron sources - are taking advantage of wavelength resolved measurements. In this review we summarize and discuss this outstanding development and how wavelength resolved transmission neutron imaging is successfully exploiting diffraction mechanisms to access crystal structure information in the Angstrom regime, which conventionally is probed in reciprocal space by diffraction techniques. In particular the combination of information gained in real space and on crystallographic length scales makes this neutron imaging technique a valuable tool for a wide range of new applications, while it also qualifies neutron imaging to fully profit from the new generation of powerful pulsed neutron sources.

Spatial organization and correlation properties quantify structural changes on mesoscale of parenchymatous plant tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valous, N. A.; Delgado, A.; Drakakis, K.; Sun, D.-W.

2014-02-01

The study of plant tissue parenchyma's intercellular air spaces contributes to the understanding of anatomy and physiology. This is challenging due to difficulty in making direct measurements of the pore space and the complex mosaic of parenchymatous tissue. The architectural complexity of pore space has shown that single geometrical measurements are not sufficient for characterization. The inhomogeneity of distribution depends not only on the percentage content of phase, but also on how the phase fills the space. The lacunarity morphometric, as multiscale measure, provides information about the distribution of gaps that correspond to degree of spatial organization in parenchyma. Additionally, modern theories have suggested strategies, where the focus has shifted from the study of averages and histograms to the study of patterns in data fluctuations. Detrended fluctuation analysis provides information on the correlation properties of the parenchyma at different spatial scales. The aim is to quantify (with the aid of the aforementioned metrics), the mesostructural changes—that occur from one cycle of freezing and thawing—in the void phase of pome fruit parenchymatous tissue, acquired with X-ray microcomputed tomography. Complex systems methods provide numerical indices and detailed insights regarding the freezing-induced modifications upon the arrangement of cells and voids. These structural changes have the potential to lead to physiological disorders. The work can further stimulate interest for the analysis of internal plant tissue structures coupled with other physico-chemical processes or phenomena.

Real-space refinement in PHENIX for cryo-EM and crystallography

DOE PAGES

Afonine, Pavel V.; Poon, Billy K.; Read, Randy J.; ...

2018-06-01

This work describes the implementation of real-space refinement in the phenix.real_space_refine program from the PHENIX suite. The use of a simplified refinement target function enables very fast calculation, which in turn makes it possible to identify optimal data-restraint weights as part of routine refinements with little runtime cost. Refinement of atomic models against low-resolution data benefits from the inclusion of as much additional information as is available. In addition to standard restraints on covalent geometry, phenix.real_space_refine makes use of extra information such as secondary-structure and rotamer-specific restraints, as well as restraints or constraints on internal molecular symmetry. The re-refinement ofmore » 385 cryo-EM-derived models available in the Protein Data Bank at resolutions of 6 Å or better shows significant improvement of the models and of the fit of these models to the target maps.« less

Real-space refinement in PHENIX for cryo-EM and crystallography

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

Afonine, Pavel V.; Poon, Billy K.; Read, Randy J.

This work describes the implementation of real-space refinement in the phenix.real_space_refine program from the PHENIX suite. The use of a simplified refinement target function enables very fast calculation, which in turn makes it possible to identify optimal data-restraint weights as part of routine refinements with little runtime cost. Refinement of atomic models against low-resolution data benefits from the inclusion of as much additional information as is available. In addition to standard restraints on covalent geometry, phenix.real_space_refine makes use of extra information such as secondary-structure and rotamer-specific restraints, as well as restraints or constraints on internal molecular symmetry. The re-refinement ofmore » 385 cryo-EM-derived models available in the Protein Data Bank at resolutions of 6 Å or better shows significant improvement of the models and of the fit of these models to the target maps.« less

Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bank, Bruce A.; de Groh, Kim K.; Backus, Jane A.

2008-01-01

A predictive tool was developed to estimate the low Earth orbit (LEO) atomic oxygen erosion yield of polymers based on the results of the Polymer Erosion and Contamination Experiment (PEACE) Polymers experiment flown as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment 2 (MISSE 2). The MISSE 2 PEACE experiment accurately measured the erosion yield of a wide variety of polymers and pyrolytic graphite. The 40 different materials tested were selected specifically to represent a variety of polymers used in space as well as a wide variety of polymer chemical structures. The resulting erosion yield data was used to develop a predictive tool which utilizes chemical structure and physical properties of polymers that can be measured in ground laboratory testing to predict the in-space atomic oxygen erosion yield of a polymer. The properties include chemical structure, bonding information, density and ash content. The resulting predictive tool has a correlation coefficient of 0.914 when compared with actual MISSE 2 space data for 38 polymers and pyrolytic graphite. The intent of the predictive tool is to be able to make estimates of atomic oxygen erosion yields for new polymers without requiring expensive and time consumptive in-space testing.

Action detection by double hierarchical multi-structure space–time statistical matching model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jing; Zhu, Junwei; Cui, Yiyin; Bai, Lianfa; Yue, Jiang

2018-06-01

Aimed at the complex information in videos and low detection efficiency, an actions detection model based on neighboring Gaussian structure and 3D LARK features is put forward. We exploit a double hierarchical multi-structure space-time statistical matching model (DMSM) in temporal action localization. First, a neighboring Gaussian structure is presented to describe the multi-scale structural relationship. Then, a space-time statistical matching method is proposed to achieve two similarity matrices on both large and small scales, which combines double hierarchical structural constraints in model by both the neighboring Gaussian structure and the 3D LARK local structure. Finally, the double hierarchical similarity is fused and analyzed to detect actions. Besides, the multi-scale composite template extends the model application into multi-view. Experimental results of DMSM on the complex visual tracker benchmark data sets and THUMOS 2014 data sets show the promising performance. Compared with other state-of-the-art algorithm, DMSM achieves superior performances.

Analysis of the effects of simulated synergistic LEO environment on solar panels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allegri, G.; Corradi, S.; Marchetti, M.; Scaglione, S.

2007-02-01

The effects due to the LEO environment exposure of a solar array primary structure are here presented and discussed in detail. The synergistic damaging components featuring LEO environment are high vacuum, thermal cycling, neutral gas, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and cold plasma. The synergistic effects due to these environmental elements are simulated by "on ground" tests, performed in the Space Environment Simulator (SAS) at the University of Rome "La Sapienza"; numerical simulations are performed by the Space Environment Information System (SPENVIS), developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). A "safe life" design for a solar array primary structure is developed, taking into consideration the combined damaging action of the LEO environment components; therefore results from both numerical and experimental simulations are coupled within the framework of a standard finite element method (FEM) based design. The expected durability of the solar array primary structure, made of laminated sandwich composite, is evaluated assuming that the loads exerted on the structure itself are essentially dependent on thermo-elastic stresses. The optical degradation of surface materials and the stiffness and strength degradation of structural elements are taken into account to assess the global structural durability of the solar array under characteristic operative conditions in LEO environment.

Space Science Network Northwest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lutz, J.

2002-12-01

Space Science Network Northwest (S2N2) is a new NASA Office of Space Science Education Broker/Facilitator that serves the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The headquarters of S2N2 is at the University of Washington in Seattle and the Director is Julie Lutz (206-543-0214; nasaerc@u.washington.edu). Each state has an S2N2 representative. Their contact information can be found on the Web site (www.s2n2.org) or by contacting Julie Lutz. The purpose of S2N2 is to form and nurture partnerships between space scientists and others (K-12 teachers, schools and districts, museums, planetariums, libraries, organizations such as Girl Scouts, amateur astronomy clubs, etc.). S2N2 can help space scientists come up with appropriate activities and partners for education and public outreach proposals and projects. S2N2 also provides information and advice about education materials and programs that are available from all of the Office of Space Science missions and scientific forums (Solar System Exploration, Structure and Evolution of the Universe, Sun-Earth Connection, Astronomical Search for Origins).

Space-based Scintillation Nowcasting with the Communications/Navigation Outage Forecast System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groves, K.; Starks, M.; Beach, T.; Basu, S.

2008-12-01

The Air Force Research Laboratory's Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast System (C/NOFS) fuses ground- and space-based data in a near real-time physics-based model aimed at forecasting and nowcasting equatorial scintillations and their impacts on satellite communications and navigation. A key component of the system is the C/NOFS satellite that was launched into a low-inclination (13°) elliptical orbit (400 km x 850 km) in April 2008. The satellite contains six sensors to measure space environment parameters including electron density and temperature, ion density and drift, electric and magnetic fields and neutral wind, as well as a tri-band radio beacon transmitting at 150 MHz, 400 MHz and 1067 MHz. Scintillation nowcasts are derived from measuring the one-dimensional in situ electron density fluctuations and subsequently modeling the propagation environment for satellite-to-ground radio links. The modeling process requires a number of simplifying assumptions regarding the three-dimensional structure of the ionosphere and the results are readily validated by comparisons with ground-based measurements of the satellite's tri-band beacon signals. In mid-September 2008 a campaign to perform detailed analyses of space-based scintillation nowcasts with numerous ground observations was conducted in the vicinity of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. To maximize the collection of ground-truth data, the ALTAIR radar was employed to obtain detailed information on the spatial structure of the ionosphere during the campaign and to aid the improvement of space-based nowcasting algorithms. A comparison of these results will be presented; it appears that detailed information on the electron density structure is a limiting factor in modeling the scintillation environment from in situ observations.

Visual space under free viewing conditions.

PubMed

Doumen, Michelle J A; Kappers, Astrid M L; Koenderink, Jan J

2005-10-01

Most research on visual space has been done under restricted viewing conditions and in reduced environments. In our experiments, observers performed an exocentric pointing task, a collinearity task, and a parallelity task in a entirely visible room. We varied the relative distances between the objects and the observer and the separation angle between the two objects. We were able to compare our data directly with data from experiments in an environment with less monocular depth information present. We expected that in a richer environment and under less restrictive viewing conditions, the settings would deviate less from the veridical settings. However, large systematic deviations from veridical settings were found for all three tasks. The structure of these deviations was task dependent, and the structure and the deviations themselves were comparable to those obtained under more restricted circumstances. Thus, the additional information was not used effectively by the observers.

GPACC program cost work breakdown structure-dictionary. General purpose aft cargo carrier study, volume 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

The results of detailed cost estimates and economic analysis performed on the updated Model 101 configuration of the general purpose Aft Cargo Carrier (ACC) are given. The objective of this economic analysis is to provide the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with information on the economics of using the ACC on the Space Transportation System (STS). The detailed cost estimates for the ACC are presented by a work breakdown structure (WBS) to ensure that all elements of cost are considered in the economic analysis and related subsystem trades. Costs reported by WBS provide NASA with a basis for comparing competing designs and provide detailed cost information that can be used to forecast phase C/D planning for new projects or programs derived from preliminary conceptual design studies. The scope covers all STS and STS/ACC launch vehicle cost impacts for delivering payloads to a 160 NM low Earth orbit (LEO).

DACC program cost and work breakdown structure-dictionary. General purpose aft cargo carrier study, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

Results of detailed cost estimates and economic analysis performed on the updated 201 configuration of the dedicated Aft Cargo Carrier (DACC) are given. The objective of this economic analysis is to provide the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with information on the economics of using the DACC on the Space Transportation System (STS). The detailed cost estimates for the DACC are presented by a work breakdown structure (WBS) to ensure that all elements of cost are considered in the economic analysis and related subsystem trades. Costs reported by WBS provide NASA with a basis for comparing competing designs and provide detailed cost information that can be used to forecast phase C/D planning for new projects or programs derived from preliminary conceptual design studies. The scope covers all STS and STS/DACC launch vehicle cost impacts for delivering an orbital transfer vehicle to a 120 NM low Earth orbit (LEO).

Hydrazine Gas Generator Program. [space shuttles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kusak, L.; Marcy, R. D.

1975-01-01

The design and fabrication of a flight gas generator for the space shuttle were investigated. Critical performance parameters and stability criteria were evaluated as well as a scaling laws that could be applied in designing the flight gas generator. A test program to provide the necessary design information was included. A structural design, including thermal and stress analysis, and two gas generators were fabricated based on the results. Conclusions are presented.

How the cerebellum may monitor sensory information for spatial representation

PubMed Central

Rondi-Reig, Laure; Paradis, Anne-Lise; Lefort, Julie M.; Babayan, Benedicte M.; Tobin, Christine

2014-01-01

The cerebellum has already been shown to participate in the navigation function. We propose here that this structure is involved in maintaining a sense of direction and location during self-motion by monitoring sensory information and interacting with navigation circuits to update the mental representation of space. To better understand the processing performed by the cerebellum in the navigation function, we have reviewed: the anatomical pathways that convey self-motion information to the cerebellum; the computational algorithm(s) thought to be performed by the cerebellum from these multi-source inputs; the cerebellar outputs directed toward navigation circuits and the influence of self-motion information on space-modulated cells receiving cerebellar outputs. This review highlights that the cerebellum is adequately wired to combine the diversity of sensory signals to be monitored during self-motion and fuel the navigation circuits. The direct anatomical projections of the cerebellum toward the head-direction cell system and the parietal cortex make those structures possible relays of the cerebellum influence on the hippocampal spatial map. We describe computational models of the cerebellar function showing that the cerebellum can filter out the components of the sensory signals that are predictable, and provides a novelty output. We finally speculate that this novelty output is taken into account by the navigation structures, which implement an update over time of position and stabilize perception during navigation. PMID:25408638

Resolution of structural heterogeneity in dynamic crystallography

PubMed Central

Ren, Zhong; Chan, Peter W. Y.; Moffat, Keith; Pai, Emil F.; Royer, William E.; Šrajer, Vukica; Yang, Xiaojing

2013-01-01

Dynamic behavior of proteins is critical to their function. X-­ray crystallography, a powerful yet mostly static technique, faces inherent challenges in acquiring dynamic information despite decades of effort. Dynamic ‘structural changes’ are often indirectly inferred from ‘structural differences’ by comparing related static structures. In contrast, the direct observation of dynamic structural changes requires the initiation of a biochemical reaction or process in a crystal. Both the direct and the indirect approaches share a common challenge in analysis: how to interpret the structural heterogeneity intrinsic to all dynamic processes. This paper presents a real-space approach to this challenge, in which a suite of analytical methods and tools to identify and refine the mixed structural species present in multiple crystallographic data sets have been developed. These methods have been applied to representative scenarios in dynamic crystallography, and reveal structural information that is otherwise difficult to interpret or inaccessible using conventional methods. PMID:23695239

Resolution of structural heterogeneity in dynamic crystallography.

PubMed

Ren, Zhong; Chan, Peter W Y; Moffat, Keith; Pai, Emil F; Royer, William E; Šrajer, Vukica; Yang, Xiaojing

2013-06-01

Dynamic behavior of proteins is critical to their function. X-ray crystallography, a powerful yet mostly static technique, faces inherent challenges in acquiring dynamic information despite decades of effort. Dynamic `structural changes' are often indirectly inferred from `structural differences' by comparing related static structures. In contrast, the direct observation of dynamic structural changes requires the initiation of a biochemical reaction or process in a crystal. Both the direct and the indirect approaches share a common challenge in analysis: how to interpret the structural heterogeneity intrinsic to all dynamic processes. This paper presents a real-space approach to this challenge, in which a suite of analytical methods and tools to identify and refine the mixed structural species present in multiple crystallographic data sets have been developed. These methods have been applied to representative scenarios in dynamic crystallography, and reveal structural information that is otherwise difficult to interpret or inaccessible using conventional methods.

Distinct Correlation Structure Supporting a Rate-Code for Sound Localization in the Owl’s Auditory Forebrain

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Abstract While a topographic map of auditory space exists in the vertebrate midbrain, it is absent in the forebrain. Yet, both brain regions are implicated in sound localization. The heterogeneous spatial tuning of adjacent sites in the forebrain compared to the midbrain reflects different underlying circuitries, which is expected to affect the correlation structure, i.e., signal (similarity of tuning) and noise (trial-by-trial variability) correlations. Recent studies have drawn attention to the impact of response correlations on the information readout from a neural population. We thus analyzed the correlation structure in midbrain and forebrain regions of the barn owl’s auditory system. Tetrodes were used to record in the midbrain and two forebrain regions, Field L and the downstream auditory arcopallium (AAr), in anesthetized owls. Nearby neurons in the midbrain showed high signal and noise correlations (RNCs), consistent with shared inputs. As previously reported, Field L was arranged in random clusters of similarly tuned neurons. Interestingly, AAr neurons displayed homogeneous monotonic azimuth tuning, while response variability of nearby neurons was significantly less correlated than the midbrain. Using a decoding approach, we demonstrate that low RNC in AAr restricts the potentially detrimental effect it can have on information, assuming a rate code proposed for mammalian sound localization. This study harnesses the power of correlation structure analysis to investigate the coding of auditory space. Our findings demonstrate distinct correlation structures in the auditory midbrain and forebrain, which would be beneficial for a rate-code framework for sound localization in the nontopographic forebrain representation of auditory space. PMID:28674698

KSC-2011-6159

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-08-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the water tower (right) which supported the space shuttle's water deluge system still stands on Launch Pad 39B after the pad's deconstruction. In 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Space station: The role of software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, D.

1985-01-01

Software will play a critical role throughout the Space Station Program. This presentation sets the stage and prompts participant interaction at the Software Issues Forum. The presentation is structured into three major topics: (1) an overview of the concept and status of the Space Station Program; (2) several charts designed to lay out the scope and role of software; and (3) information addressing the four specific areas selected for focus at the forum, specifically: software management, the software development environment, languages, and standards. NASA's current thinking is highlighted and some of the relevant critical issues are raised.

Research reports: 1990 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freeman, L. Michael (Editor); Chappell, Charles R. (Editor); Six, Frank (Editor); Karr, Gerald R. (Editor)

1990-01-01

Reports on the research projects performed under the NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program are presented. The program was conducted by The University of Alabama and MSFC during the period from June 4, 1990 through August 10, 1990. Some of the topics covered include: (1) Space Shuttles; (2) Space Station Freedom; (3) information systems; (4) materials and processes; (4) Space Shuttle main engine; (5) aerospace sciences; (6) mathematical models; (7) mission operations; (8) systems analysis and integration; (9) systems control; (10) structures and dynamics; (11) aerospace safety; and (12) remote sensing

Advanced materials for space nuclear power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Titran, Robert H.; Grobstein, Toni L.; Ellis, David L.

1991-01-01

The overall philosophy of the research was to develop and characterize new high temperature power conversion and radiator materials and to provide spacecraft designers with material selection options and design information. Research on three candidate materials (carbide strengthened niobium alloy PWC-11 for fuel cladding, graphite fiber reinforced copper matrix composites for heat rejection fins, and tungsten fiber reinforced niobium matrix composites for fuel containment and structural supports considered for space power system applications is discussed. Each of these types of materials offers unique advantages for space power applications.

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, equipment supporting the Advanced Plant Experiment, or APEX, experiment is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The APEX investigation examines white spruce, picea glauca, to understand the influence of gravity on plant physiology, growth, and on the genetics of wood formation. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Deep and Structured Robust Information Theoretic Learning for Image Analysis.

PubMed

Deng, Yue; Bao, Feng; Deng, Xuesong; Wang, Ruiping; Kong, Youyong; Dai, Qionghai

2016-07-07

This paper presents a robust information theoretic (RIT) model to reduce the uncertainties, i.e. missing and noisy labels, in general discriminative data representation tasks. The fundamental pursuit of our model is to simultaneously learn a transformation function and a discriminative classifier that maximize the mutual information of data and their labels in the latent space. In this general paradigm, we respectively discuss three types of the RIT implementations with linear subspace embedding, deep transformation and structured sparse learning. In practice, the RIT and deep RIT are exploited to solve the image categorization task whose performances will be verified on various benchmark datasets. The structured sparse RIT is further applied to a medical image analysis task for brain MRI segmentation that allows group-level feature selections on the brain tissues.

Computer Models of Proteins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Dr. Marc Pusey (seated) and Dr. Craig Kundrot use computers to analyze x-ray maps and generate three-dimensional models of protein structures. With this information, scientists at Marshall Space Flight Center can learn how proteins are made and how they work. The computer screen depicts a proten structure as a ball-and-stick model. Other models depict the actual volume occupied by the atoms, or the ribbon-like structures that are crucial to a protein's function.

Automated RTOP Management System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayes, P.

1984-01-01

The structure of NASA's Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology electronic information system network from 1983 to 1985 is illustrated. The RTOP automated system takes advantage of existing hardware, software, and expertise, and provides: (1) computerized cover sheet and resources forms; (2) electronic signature and transmission; (3) a data-based information system; (4) graphics; (5) intercenter communications; (6) management information; and (7) text editing. The system is coordinated with Headquarters efforts in codes R,E, and T.

Structure-From-Motion in 3D Space Using 2D Lidars

PubMed Central

Choi, Dong-Geol; Bok, Yunsu; Kim, Jun-Sik; Shim, Inwook; Kweon, In So

2017-01-01

This paper presents a novel structure-from-motion methodology using 2D lidars (Light Detection And Ranging). In 3D space, 2D lidars do not provide sufficient information for pose estimation. For this reason, additional sensors have been used along with the lidar measurement. In this paper, we use a sensor system that consists of only 2D lidars, without any additional sensors. We propose a new method of estimating both the 6D pose of the system and the surrounding 3D structures. We compute the pose of the system using line segments of scan data and their corresponding planes. After discarding the outliers, both the pose and the 3D structures are refined via nonlinear optimization. Experiments with both synthetic and real data show the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method. PMID:28165372

A proposed model for small-world structural organization of mission teams and tasks in order to optimize efficiency and minimize costs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ribeiro, André S.; Almeida, Miguel

2003-11-01

We propose a model of structural organization and intercommunication between all elements of every team involved in the development of a space probe to improve efficiency. Such structure is built to minimize path between any two elements, allowing fast information flow in the structure. Structures are usually very clustered inside each task team but only the heads of departments, or occasional meetings, usually assure the links between team elements. This is responsible for a lack of information exchange between staff members of each team. We propose the establishment of permanent small working groups of staff elements from different teams, in a random but permanent basis. The elements chosen for such connections establishment can be chosen in a temporary basis, but the connections must exist permanently because only with permanent connections can information flow when needed. A few of such random connections between staff members will diminish the average path length, between any two elements of any team, for information exchange. A small world structure will emerge with low internal energy costs, which is the structure used by biological neuronal systems.

A proposed model for small-world structural organization of mission teams and tasks in order to optimize efficiency and minimize costs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ribeiro, André S.; Almeida, Miguel

2006-10-01

We propose a model of structural organization and intercommunication between all elements of every team involved in the development of a space probe to improve efficiency. Such structure is built to minimize path between any two elements, allowing fast information flow in the structure. Structures are usually very clustered inside each task team but only the heads of departments, or occasional meetings, usually assure the links between team elements. This is responsible for a lack of information exchange between staff members of each team. We propose the establishment of permanent small working groups of staff elements from different teams, in a random but permanent basis. The elements chosen for such connections establishment can be chosen on a temporary basis, but the connections must exist permanently because only with permanent connections can information flow when needed. A few of such random connections between staff members will diminish the average path length, between any two elements of any team, for information exchange. A small world structure will emerge with low internal energy costs, which is the structure used by biological neuronal systems.

Growing a hypercubical output space in a self-organizing feature map.

PubMed

Bauer, H U; Villmann, T

1997-01-01

Neural maps project data from an input space onto a neuron position in a (often lower dimensional) output space grid in a neighborhood preserving way, with neighboring neurons in the output space responding to neighboring data points in the input space. A map-learning algorithm can achieve an optimal neighborhood preservation only, if the output space topology roughly matches the effective structure of the data in the input space. We here present a growth algorithm, called the GSOM or growing self-organizing map, which enhances a widespread map self-organization process, Kohonen's self-organizing feature map (SOFM), by an adaptation of the output space grid during learning. The GSOM restricts the output space structure to the shape of a general hypercubical shape, with the overall dimensionality of the grid and its extensions along the different directions being subject of the adaptation. This constraint meets the demands of many larger information processing systems, of which the neural map can be a part. We apply our GSOM-algorithm to three examples, two of which involve real world data. Using recently developed methods for measuring the degree of neighborhood preservation in neural maps, we find the GSOM-algorithm to produce maps which preserve neighborhoods in a nearly optimal fashion.

Health sciences library building projects: 1995 survey.

PubMed Central

Ludwig, L

1996-01-01

The Medical Library Association's fifth annual survey of recent health sciences library building projects identified twenty-five libraries planning, expanding, or constructing new library facilities. None of the fifteen new library projects are free standing structures; however, several occupy a major portion of the project space. Ten projects involve renovation of or addition to existing space. Information regarding size, cost of project, type of construction, completion date, and other factual data was provided for twelve projects. The remaining identified projects are in pre-design or early-design stages, or are awaiting funding approval. Library building projects for three hospital libraries, three academic medical libraries, and an association library are described. Each illustrates how considerations of economics and technology are changing the traditional library model from a centrally stored information depository housing a wide range of information under one roof where users come to the information, into an electronic model gradually shifting from investment in the physical presence of resources to investment in creating work space for creditible information specialists who help in-house and distanced users to obtain information electronically from any place and at any time. This new model includes a highly skilled library team to manage, filter, and package the information to users trained by these resident experts. Images PMID:8883981

Health sciences library building projects: 1995 survey.

PubMed

Ludwig, L

1996-07-01

The Medical Library Association's fifth annual survey of recent health sciences library building projects identified twenty-five libraries planning, expanding, or constructing new library facilities. None of the fifteen new library projects are free standing structures; however, several occupy a major portion of the project space. Ten projects involve renovation of or addition to existing space. Information regarding size, cost of project, type of construction, completion date, and other factual data was provided for twelve projects. The remaining identified projects are in pre-design or early-design stages, or are awaiting funding approval. Library building projects for three hospital libraries, three academic medical libraries, and an association library are described. Each illustrates how considerations of economics and technology are changing the traditional library model from a centrally stored information depository housing a wide range of information under one roof where users come to the information, into an electronic model gradually shifting from investment in the physical presence of resources to investment in creating work space for creditible information specialists who help in-house and distanced users to obtain information electronically from any place and at any time. This new model includes a highly skilled library team to manage, filter, and package the information to users trained by these resident experts.

KSC-2011-6973

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deconstruction of Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is complete. Still remaining and standing over the remnants of the fixed service structure are the 600-foot-tall lightning protection towers and the water tower used for sound suppression. In 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-6971

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deconstruction of Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is complete. Still remaining and standing over the remnants of the fixed service structure are the 600-foot-tall lightning protection towers and the water tower used for sound suppression. In 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-6977

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deconstruction of Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is complete. Still remaining and standing over the remnants of the fixed service structure are the three 600-foot-tall lightning protection towers and the water tower used for sound suppression. In 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-6975

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deconstruction of Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is complete. Still remaining and standing over the remnants of the fixed service structure are the 600-foot-tall lightning protection towers and the water tower used for sound suppression. In 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2010-4437

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-08-20

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The interior of NASA's new mobile launcher, or ML, support structure is outfitted with solid steel flooring, lights, air conditioning, electrical boxes and sprinkler piping at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 355-foot-tall structure will support NASA's future human spaceflight program. The base of the launcher is lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the heavier load of the tower and a taller rocket. The next step will be to add ground support equipment, such as umbilicals and access arms, for future rocket launches. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2010-4436

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-08-20

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The interior of NASA's new mobile launcher, or ML, support structure is outfitted with solid steel flooring, lights, air conditioning, electrical boxes and sprinkler piping at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 355-foot-tall structure will support NASA's future human spaceflight program. The base of the launcher is lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the heavier load of the tower and a taller rocket. The next step will be to add ground support equipment, such as umbilicals and access arms, for future rocket launches. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

The Architectural and Interior Design Planning Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cohen, Elaine

1994-01-01

Explains the planning process in designing effective library facilities and discusses library building requirements that result from electronic information technologies. Highlights include historical structures; Americans with Disabilities Act; resource allocation; electrical power; interior spaces; lighting; design development; the roles of…

User-Centered Indexing for Adaptive Information Access

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, James R.; Mathe, Nathalie

1996-01-01

We are focusing on information access tasks characterized by large volume of hypermedia connected technical documents, a need for rapid and effective access to familiar information, and long-term interaction with evolving information. The problem for technical users is to build and maintain a personalized task-oriented model of the information to quickly access relevant information. We propose a solution which provides user-centered adaptive information retrieval and navigation. This solution supports users in customizing information access over time. It is complementary to information discovery methods which provide access to new information, since it lets users customize future access to previously found information. It relies on a technique, called Adaptive Relevance Network, which creates and maintains a complex indexing structure to represent personal user's information access maps organized by concepts. This technique is integrated within the Adaptive HyperMan system, which helps NASA Space Shuttle flight controllers organize and access large amount of information. It allows users to select and mark any part of a document as interesting, and to index that part with user-defined concepts. Users can then do subsequent retrieval of marked portions of documents. This functionality allows users to define and access personal collections of information, which are dynamically computed. The system also supports collaborative review by letting users share group access maps. The adaptive relevance network provides long-term adaptation based both on usage and on explicit user input. The indexing structure is dynamic and evolves over time. Leading and generalization support flexible retrieval of information under similar concepts. The network is geared towards more recent information access, and automatically manages its size in order to maintain rapid access when scaling up to large hypermedia space. We present results of simulated learning experiments.

Alkamid database: Chemistry, occurrence and functionality of plant N-alkylamides.

PubMed

Boonen, Jente; Bronselaer, Antoon; Nielandt, Joachim; Veryser, Lieselotte; De Tré, Guy; De Spiegeleer, Bart

2012-08-01

N-Alkylamides (NAAs) are a promising group of bioactive compounds, which are anticipated to act as important lead compounds for plant protection and biocidal products, functional food, cosmeceuticals and drugs in the next decennia. These molecules, currently found in more than 25 plant families and with a wide structural diversity, exert a variety of biological-pharmacological effects and are of high ethnopharmacological importance. However, information is scattered in literature, with different, often unstandardized, pharmacological methodologies being used. Therefore, a comprehensive NAA database (acronym: Alkamid) was constructed to collect the available structural and functional NAA data, linked to their occurrence in plants (family, tribe, species, genus). For loading information in the database, literature data was gathered over the period 1950-2010, by using several search engines. In order to represent the collected information about NAAs, the plants in which they occur and the functionalities for which they have been examined, a relational database is constructed and implemented on a MySQL back-end. The database is supported by describing the NAA plant-, functional- and chemical-space. The chemical space includes a NAA classification, according to their fatty acid and amine structures. The Alkamid database (publicly available on the website http://alkamid.ugent.be/) is not only a central information point, but can also function as a useful tool to prioritize the NAA choice in the evaluation of their functionality, to perform data mining leading to quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPRs), functionality comparisons, clustering, plant biochemistry and taxonomic evaluations. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Around Marshall

NASA Image and Video Library

1979-03-22

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. And construction methods had to be efficient due to limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. With the help of the NBS, building a space station became more of a reality. In a joint venture between NASA/Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA and MSFC, the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS) was developed and demonstrated at MSFC's NBS. The primary objective of this experiment was to test the ACCESS structural assembly concept for suitability as the framework for larger space structures and to identify ways to improve the productivity of space construction. Pictured is a demonstration of ACCESS.

Around Marshall

NASA Image and Video Library

1977-07-13

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. And construction methods had to be efficient due to limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. With the help of the NBS, building a space station became more of a reality. In a joint venture between NASA/Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA and MSFC, the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS) was developed and demonstrated at MSFC's NBS. The primary objective of this experiment was to test the ACCESS structural assembly concept for suitability as the framework for larger space structures and to identify ways to improve the productivity of space construction. Pictured is a demonstration of ACCESS.

Around Marshall

NASA Image and Video Library

1979-04-16

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. Construction methods had to be efficient due to the limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. With the help of the NBS, building a space station became more of a reality. In a joint venture between NASA/Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia and the MSFC, the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS) was developed and demonstrated at MSFC's NBS. The primary objective of this experiment was to test the ACCESS structural assembly concept for suitability as the framework for larger space structures and to identify ways to improve the productivity of space construction. Pictured is a demonstration of ACCESS.

University Research-1 Payload for SpaceX Launch

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-12

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the University Research-1 payload developed by Texas Southern University in Houston is being prepared for loading aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for launch to the International Space Station. The experiment involves an investigation of countermeasures involving research into the efficacy of benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid derivatives as pharmacological countermeasures in mitigating the adverse effects of space flight and the International Space Station radiation environment on the immune system. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Informing disease models with temporal and spatial contact structure among GPS-collared individuals in wild populations.

PubMed

Williams, David M; Dechen Quinn, Amy C; Porter, William F

2014-01-01

Contacts between hosts are essential for transmission of many infectious agents. Understanding how contacts, and thus transmission rates, occur in space and time is critical to effectively responding to disease outbreaks in free-ranging animal populations. Contacts between animals in the wild are often difficult to observe or measure directly. Instead, one must infer contacts from metrics such as proximity in space and time. Our objective was to examine how contacts between white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) vary in space and among seasons. We used GPS movement data from 71 deer in central New York State to quantify potential direct contacts between deer and indirect overlap in space use across time and space. Daily probabilities of direct contact decreased from winter (0.05-0.14), to low levels post-parturition through summer (0.00-0.02), and increased during the rut to winter levels. The cumulative distribution for the spatial structure of direct and indirect contact probabilities around a hypothetical point of occurrence increased rapidly with distance for deer pairs separated by 1,000 m-7,000 m. Ninety-five percent of the probabilities of direct contact occurred among deer pairs within 8,500 m of one another, and 99% within 10,900 m. Probabilities of indirect contact accumulated across greater spatial extents: 95% at 11,900 m and 99% at 49,000 m. Contacts were spatially consistent across seasons, indicating that although contact rates differ seasonally, they occur proportionally across similar landscape extents. Distributions of contact probabilities across space can inform management decisions for assessing risk and allocating resources in response.

Identification and Simulation of Subsurface Soil patterns using hidden Markov random fields and remote sensing and geophysical EMI data sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hui; Wellmann, Florian; Verweij, Elizabeth; von Hebel, Christian; van der Kruk, Jan

2017-04-01

Lateral and vertical spatial heterogeneity of subsurface properties such as soil texture and structure influences the available water and resource supply for crop growth. High-resolution mapping of subsurface structures using non-invasive geo-referenced geophysical measurements, like electromagnetic induction (EMI), enables a characterization of 3D soil structures, which have shown correlations to remote sensing information of the crop states. The benefit of EMI is that it can return 3D subsurface information, however the spatial dimensions are limited due to the labor intensive measurement procedure. Although active and passive sensors mounted on air- or space-borne platforms return 2D images, they have much larger spatial dimensions. Combining both approaches provides us with a potential pathway to extend the detailed 3D geophysical information to a larger area by using remote sensing information. In this study, we aim at extracting and providing insights into the spatial and statistical correlation of the geophysical and remote sensing observations of the soil/vegetation continuum system. To this end, two key points need to be addressed: 1) how to detect and recognize the geometric patterns (i.e., spatial heterogeneity) from multiple data sets, and 2) how to quantitatively describe the statistical correlation between remote sensing information and geophysical measurements. In the current study, the spatial domain is restricted to shallow depths up to 3 meters, and the geostatistical database contains normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from RapidEye satellite images and apparent electrical conductivities (ECa) measured from multi-receiver EMI sensors for nine depths of exploration ranging from 0-2.7 m. The integrated data sets are mapped into both the physical space (i.e. the spatial domain) and feature space (i.e. a two-dimensional space framed by the NDVI and the ECa data). Hidden Markov Random Fields (HMRF) are employed to model the underlying heterogeneities in spatial domain and finite Gaussian mixture models are adopted to quantitatively describe the statistical patterns in terms of center vectors and covariance matrices in feature space. A recently developed parallel stochastic clustering algorithm is adopted to implement the HMRF models and the Markov chain Monte Carlo based Bayesian inference. Certain spatial patterns such as buried paleo-river channels covered by shallow sediments are investigated as typical examples. The results indicate that the geometric patterns of the subsurface heterogeneity can be represented and quantitatively characterized by HMRF. Furthermore, the statistical patterns of the NDVI and the EMI data from the soil/vegetation-continuum system can be inferred and analyzed in a quantitative manner.

A Methodology to Seperate and Analyze a Seismic Wide Angle Profile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weinzierl, Wolfgang; Kopp, Heidrun

2010-05-01

General solutions of inverse problems can often be obtained through the introduction of probability distributions to sample the model space. We present a simple approach of defining an a priori space in a tomographic study and retrieve the velocity-depth posterior distribution by a Monte Carlo method. Utilizing a fitting routine designed for very low statistics to setup and analyze the obtained tomography results, it is possible to statistically separate the velocity-depth model space derived from the inversion of seismic refraction data. An example of a profile acquired in the Lesser Antilles subduction zone reveals the effectiveness of this approach. The resolution analysis of the structural heterogeneity includes a divergence analysis which proves to be capable of dissecting long wide-angle profiles for deep crust and upper mantle studies. The complete information of any parameterised physical system is contained in the a posteriori distribution. Methods for analyzing and displaying key properties of the a posteriori distributions of highly nonlinear inverse problems are therefore essential in the scope of any interpretation. From this study we infer several conclusions concerning the interpretation of the tomographic approach. By calculating a global as well as singular misfits of velocities we are able to map different geological units along a profile. Comparing velocity distributions with the result of a tomographic inversion along the profile we can mimic the subsurface structures in their extent and composition. The possibility of gaining a priori information for seismic refraction analysis by a simple solution to an inverse problem and subsequent resolution of structural heterogeneities through a divergence analysis is a new and simple way of defining a priori space and estimating the a posteriori mean and covariance in singular and general form. The major advantage of a Monte Carlo based approach in our case study is the obtained knowledge of velocity depth distributions. Certainly the decision of where to extract velocity information on the profile for setting up a Monte Carlo ensemble is limiting the a priori space. However, the general conclusion of analyzing the velocity field according to distinct reference distributions gives us the possibility to define the covariance according to any geological unit if we have a priori information on the velocity depth distributions. Using the wide angle data recorded across the Lesser Antilles arc, we are able to resolve a shallow feature like the backstop by a robust and simple divergence analysis. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the new methodology to extract some key features and properties from the inversion results by including information concerning the confidence level of results.

Spatial networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barthélemy, Marc

2011-02-01

Complex systems are very often organized under the form of networks where nodes and edges are embedded in space. Transportation and mobility networks, Internet, mobile phone networks, power grids, social and contact networks, and neural networks, are all examples where space is relevant and where topology alone does not contain all the information. Characterizing and understanding the structure and the evolution of spatial networks is thus crucial for many different fields, ranging from urbanism to epidemiology. An important consequence of space on networks is that there is a cost associated with the length of edges which in turn has dramatic effects on the topological structure of these networks. We will thoroughly explain the current state of our understanding of how the spatial constraints affect the structure and properties of these networks. We will review the most recent empirical observations and the most important models of spatial networks. We will also discuss various processes which take place on these spatial networks, such as phase transitions, random walks, synchronization, navigation, resilience, and disease spread.

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

Ferré, Grégoire; Maillet, Jean-Bernard; Stoltz, Gabriel

We present a permutation-invariant distance between atomic configurations, defined through a functional representation of atomic positions. This distance enables us to directly compare different atomic environments with an arbitrary number of particles, without going through a space of reduced dimensionality (i.e., fingerprints) as an intermediate step. Moreover, this distance is naturally invariant through permutations of atoms, avoiding the time consuming associated minimization required by other common criteria (like the root mean square distance). Finally, the invariance through global rotations is accounted for by a minimization procedure in the space of rotations solved by Monte Carlo simulated annealing. A formal frameworkmore » is also introduced, showing that the distance we propose verifies the property of a metric on the space of atomic configurations. Two examples of applications are proposed. The first one consists in evaluating faithfulness of some fingerprints (or descriptors), i.e., their capacity to represent the structural information of a configuration. The second application concerns structural analysis, where our distance proves to be efficient in discriminating different local structures and even classifying their degree of similarity.« less

Preloaded joint analysis methodology for space flight systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chambers, Jeffrey A.

1995-01-01

This report contains a compilation of some of the most basic equations governing simple preloaded joint systems and discusses the more common modes of failure associated with such hardware. It is intended to provide the mechanical designer with the tools necessary for designing a basic bolted joint. Although the information presented is intended to aid in the engineering of space flight structures, the fundamentals are equally applicable to other forms of mechanical design.

Information retrieval for a document writing assistance program

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

Corral, M.L.; Simon, A.; Julien, C.

This paper presents an Information Retrieval mechanism to facilitate the writing of technical documents in the space domain. To address the need for document exchange between partners in a given project, documents are standardized. The writing of a new document requires the re-use of existing documents or parts thereof. These parts can be identified by {open_quotes}tagging{close_quotes} the logical structure of documents and restored by means of a purpose-built Information Retrieval System (I.R.S.). The I.R.S. implemented in our writing assistance tool uses natural language queries and is based on a statistical linguistic approach which is enhanced by the use of documentmore » structure module.« less

Elucidation of kinematical and dynamical structure of the Galactic bulge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yano, T.; Gouda, N.; Ueda, H.; Koyama, H.; Kan-ya, Y.; Taruya, A.

2008-07-01

Future space mission of astrometric satellite, GAIA and JASMINE (Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for Infrared Exploration), will produce astrometric parameter, such as positions, parallaxes, and proper motions of stars in the Galactic bulge. Then kinematical information will be obtained in the future. Accordingly it is expected that our understanding of the dynamical structure will be greatly improved. Therefore it is important to make a method to construct a kinematical and dynamical structure of the Galactic bulge immediately.

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 11)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

This bibliography contains 539 abstracts of reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 1984. Abstracts are arranged in the following categories: systems; analysis and design techniques; structural concepts; structural and thermal analysis; structural dynamics and control; electronics; advanced materials; assembly concepts; propulsion; and miscellaneous. Subject, personal author, corporate source, contract number, report number, and accession number indexes are listed.

KSC-2014-2065

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – During a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, agency and contractor officials discussed science and technology experiment payloads being transported to the International Space Station by the SpaceX-3 Commercial Resupply Services mission. Participating in the briefing is Michael Roberts, senior research pathway manager with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space CASIS. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, the Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2063

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – During a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, agency and contractor officials discussed science and technology experiment payloads being transported to the International Space Station by the SpaceX-3 Commercial Resupply Services mission. Andy Petro of the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate participated in the briefing by telephone from NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, the Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Kim Shiflett

Research Reports: 1983 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karr, G. R.; Dozier, J. B.; Osborn, L.; Freeman, M.

1983-01-01

Thirty-five technical reports contain results of investigations in information and electronic systems; materials and processing; systems dynamics; structures and propulsion; and space sciences. Ecology at KSC, satellite de-spin, and the X-ray source monitor were also studied.

Cosmogony as an extrapolation of magnetospheric research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alfven, H.

1984-01-01

A theory of the origin and evolution of the Solar System which considered electromagnetic forces and plasma effects is revised in light of information supplied by space research. In situ measurements in the magnetospheres and solar wind can be extrapolated outwards in space, to interstellar clouds, and backwards in time, to the formation of the solar system. The first extrapolation leads to a revision of cloud properties essential for the early phases in the formation of stars and solar nebulae. The latter extrapolation facilitates analysis of the cosmogonic processes by extrapolation of magnetospheric phenomena. Pioneer-Voyager observations of the Saturnian rings indicate that essential parts of their structure are fossils from cosmogonic times. By using detailed information from these space missions, it is possible to reconstruct events 4 to 5 billion years ago with an accuracy of a few percent.

Assurance Technology Challenges of Advanced Space Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chern, E. James

2004-01-01

The initiative to explore space and extend a human presence across our solar system to revisit the moon and Mars post enormous technological challenges to the nation's space agency and aerospace industry. Key areas of technology development needs to enable the endeavor include advanced materials, structures and mechanisms; micro/nano sensors and detectors; power generation, storage and management; advanced thermal and cryogenic control; guidance, navigation and control; command and data handling; advanced propulsion; advanced communication; on-board processing; advanced information technology systems; modular and reconfigurable systems; precision formation flying; solar sails; distributed observing systems; space robotics; and etc. Quality assurance concerns such as functional performance, structural integrity, radiation tolerance, health monitoring, diagnosis, maintenance, calibration, and initialization can affect the performance of systems and subsystems. It is thus imperative to employ innovative nondestructive evaluation methodologies to ensure quality and integrity of advanced space systems. Advancements in integrated multi-functional sensor systems, autonomous inspection approaches, distributed embedded sensors, roaming inspectors, and shape adaptive sensors are sought. Concepts in computational models for signal processing and data interpretation to establish quantitative characterization and event determination are also of interest. Prospective evaluation technologies include ultrasonics, laser ultrasonics, optics and fiber optics, shearography, video optics and metrology, thermography, electromagnetics, acoustic emission, x-ray, data management, biomimetics, and nano-scale sensing approaches for structural health monitoring.

Around Marshall

NASA Image and Video Library

1978-07-21

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. And construction methods had to be efficient due to limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. Included in the plans for the space station was a space telescope. This telescope would be attached to the space station and directed towards outerspace. Astronomers hoped that the space telescope would provide a look at space that is impossible to see from Earth because of Earth's atmosphere and other man made influences. Pictured is a large structure that is being used as the antenna base for the space telescope.

Silver and Gold

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

Inside NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center's giant clean room in Greenbelt, Md., JWST Optical Engineer Larkin Carey from Ball Aerospace, examines two test mirror segments recently placed on a black composite structure. This black composite structure is called the James Webb Space Telescope's “Pathfinder” and acts as a spine supporting the telescope's primary mirror segments. The Pathfinder is a non-flight prototype. The mirrors were placed on Pathfinder using a robotic arm move that involved highly trained engineers and technicians from Exelis, Northrop Grumman and NASA. "Getting this right is critical to proving we are ready to start assembling the flight mirrors onto the flight structure next summer," said Lee Feinberg, NASA's Optical Telescope Element Manager at NASA Goddard. "This is the first space telescope that has ever been built with a light-weighted segmented primary mirror, so learning how to do this is a groundbreaking capability for not only the Webb telescope but for potential future space telescopes." The James Webb Space Telescope is the successor to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. It will be the most powerful space telescope ever built. Webb is an international project led by NASA with its partners, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. For more information about the Webb telescope, visit: www.jwst.nasa.gov or www.nasa.gov/webb Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Phase-space topography characterization of nonlinear ultrasound waveforms.

PubMed

Dehghan-Niri, Ehsan; Al-Beer, Helem

2018-03-01

Fundamental understanding of ultrasound interaction with material discontinuities having closed interfaces has many engineering applications such as nondestructive evaluation of defects like kissing bonds and cracks in critical structural and mechanical components. In this paper, to analyze the acoustic field nonlinearities due to defects with closed interfaces, the use of a common technique in nonlinear physics, based on a phase-space topography construction of ultrasound waveform, is proposed. The central idea is to complement the "time" and "frequency" domain analyses with the "phase-space" domain analysis of nonlinear ultrasound waveforms. A nonlinear time series method known as pseudo phase-space topography construction is used to construct equivalent phase-space portrait of measured ultrasound waveforms. Several nonlinear models are considered to numerically simulate nonlinear ultrasound waveforms. The phase-space response of the simulated waveforms is shown to provide different topographic information, while the frequency domain shows similar spectral behavior. Thus, model classification can be substantially enhanced in the phase-space domain. Experimental results on high strength aluminum samples show that the phase-space transformation provides a unique detection and classification capabilities. The Poincaré map of the phase-space domain is also used to better understand the nonlinear behavior of ultrasound waveforms. It is shown that the analysis of ultrasound nonlinearities is more convenient and informative in the phase-space domain than in the frequency domain. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Architectural Design Drives the Biogeography of Indoor Bacterial Communities

PubMed Central

O’Connor, Timothy K.; Mhuireach, Gwynne; Northcutt, Dale; Kline, Jeff; Moriyama, Maxwell; Brown, G. Z.; Bohannan, Brendan J. M.; Green, Jessica L.

2014-01-01

Background Architectural design has the potential to influence the microbiology of the built environment, with implications for human health and well-being, but the impact of design on the microbial biogeography of buildings remains poorly understood. In this study we combined microbiological data with information on the function, form, and organization of spaces from a classroom and office building to understand how design choices influence the biogeography of the built environment microbiome. Results Sequencing of the bacterial 16S gene from dust samples revealed that indoor bacterial communities were extremely diverse, containing more than 32,750 OTUs (operational taxonomic units, 97% sequence similarity cutoff), but most communities were dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Deinococci. Architectural design characteristics related to space type, building arrangement, human use and movement, and ventilation source had a large influence on the structure of bacterial communities. Restrooms contained bacterial communities that were highly distinct from all other rooms, and spaces with high human occupant diversity and a high degree of connectedness to other spaces via ventilation or human movement contained a distinct set of bacterial taxa when compared to spaces with low occupant diversity and low connectedness. Within offices, the source of ventilation air had the greatest effect on bacterial community structure. Conclusions Our study indicates that humans have a guiding impact on the microbial biodiversity in buildings, both indirectly through the effects of architectural design on microbial community structure, and more directly through the effects of human occupancy and use patterns on the microbes found in different spaces and space types. The impact of design decisions in structuring the indoor microbiome offers the possibility to use ecological knowledge to shape our buildings in a way that will select for an indoor microbiome that promotes our health and well-being. PMID:24489843

2007 Research and Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riddlebaugh, Stephen M. (Editor)

2008-01-01

The NASA Glenn Research Center is pushing the envelope of research and technology in aeronautics, space exploration, science, and space operations. Our research in aeropropulsion, structures and materials, and instrumentation and controls is enabling next-generation transportation systems that are faster, more environmentally friendly, more fuel efficient, and safer. Our research and development of space flight systems is enabling advanced power, propulsion, communications, and human health systems that will advance the exploration of our solar system. This report selectively summarizes NASA Glenn Research Center s research and technology accomplishments for fiscal year 2007. Comprising 104 short articles submitted by the staff scientists and engineers, the report is organized into six major sections: Aeropropulsion, Power and Space Propulsion, Communications, Space Processes and Experiments, Instrumentation and Controls, and Structures and Materials. It is not intended to be a comprehensive summary of all the research and technology work done over the past fiscal year; most of the work is reported in Glenn-published technical reports, journal articles, and presentations. For each article in this report, a Glenn contact person has been identified, and where possible, a reference document is listed so that additional information can be easily obtained.

Construction of CASCI-type wave functions for very large active spaces.

PubMed

Boguslawski, Katharina; Marti, Konrad H; Reiher, Markus

2011-06-14

We present a procedure to construct a configuration-interaction expansion containing arbitrary excitations from an underlying full-configuration-interaction-type wave function defined for a very large active space. Our procedure is based on the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm that provides the necessary information in terms of the eigenstates of the reduced density matrices to calculate the coefficient of any basis state in the many-particle Hilbert space. Since the dimension of the Hilbert space scales binomially with the size of the active space, a sophisticated Monte Carlo sampling routine is employed. This sampling algorithm can also construct such configuration-interaction-type wave functions from any other type of tensor network states. The configuration-interaction information obtained serves several purposes. It yields a qualitatively correct description of the molecule's electronic structure, it allows us to analyze DMRG wave functions converged for the same molecular system but with different parameter sets (e.g., different numbers of active-system (block) states), and it can be considered a balanced reference for the application of a subsequent standard multi-reference configuration-interaction method.

The Space Shuttle focused-technology program - Lessons learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fitzgerald, P. E., Jr.; Gabris, E. A.

1983-01-01

The results of a focused technology program (FTP), its management structure, the development of the Space Shuttle, and lessons applicable to future space programs such as a space station are discussed. A committee was formed by NASA in 1969 to define the technologies necessary for a reusable spacecraft. Basic and applied research assessments were featured at the beginning of the process. Working groups were established to cover all necessary areas, e.g., Operations, Structures and Materials, Aerothermodynamics, etc., and tasks were distributed to appropriate NASA centers. Funding was drawn from existing budgets. The FTP proceeded successfully because of an understanding of the respective roles of industry and government, the willingness of industry to invest early in a new technology, and the unclassified status of information generated by the program. The in-house design and technology transfer methods that brought the project to a technology demonstration phase are explored, noting the necessity for users to take part in the development within their field.

Mathematical model for the dc-ac inverter for the Space Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berry, Frederick C.

1987-01-01

The reader is informed of what was done for the mathematical modeling of the dc-ac inverter for the Space Shuttle. The mathematical modeling of the dc-ac inverter is an essential element in the modeling of the electrical power distribution system of the Space Shuttle. The electrical power distribution system which is present on the Space Shuttle is made up to 3 strings each having a fuel cell which provides dc to those systems which require dc, and the inverters which convert the dc to ac for those elements which require ac. The inverters are units which are 2 wire structures for the main dc inputs and 2 wire structures for the ac output. When 3 are connected together a 4 wire wye connection results on the ac side. The method of modeling is performed by using a Least Squares curve fitting method. A computer program is presented for implementation of the model along with graphs and tables to demonstrate the accuracy of the model.

Use of designed sequences in protein structure recognition.

PubMed

Kumar, Gayatri; Mudgal, Richa; Srinivasan, Narayanaswamy; Sandhya, Sankaran

2018-05-09

Knowledge of the protein structure is a pre-requisite for improved understanding of molecular function. The gap in the sequence-structure space has increased in the post-genomic era. Grouping related protein sequences into families can aid in narrowing the gap. In the Pfam database, structure description is provided for part or full-length proteins of 7726 families. For the remaining 52% of the families, information on 3-D structure is not yet available. We use the computationally designed sequences that are intermediately related to two protein domain families, which are already known to share the same fold. These strategically designed sequences enable detection of distant relationships and here, we have employed them for the purpose of structure recognition of protein families of yet unknown structure. We first measured the success rate of our approach using a dataset of protein families of known fold and achieved a success rate of 88%. Next, for 1392 families of yet unknown structure, we made structural assignments for part/full length of the proteins. Fold association for 423 domains of unknown function (DUFs) are provided as a step towards functional annotation. The results indicate that knowledge-based filling of gaps in protein sequence space is a lucrative approach for structure recognition. Such sequences assist in traversal through protein sequence space and effectively function as 'linkers', where natural linkers between distant proteins are unavailable. This article was reviewed by Oliviero Carugo, Christine Orengo and Srikrishna Subramanian.

The newly expanded KSC Visitors Complex features a new ticket plaza, information center, exhibits an

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

The KSC Visitor Complex welcomes more than 2.75 million visitors each year. Featured are bus tours of the space center with up- close views of Space Shuttle launch facilities and International Space Station processing. The Visitor Complex has recently undergone a $13 million expansion, with new exhibits, films, and an International Space Station-themed ticket plaza, featuring a structure of overhanging solar panels and astronauts performing assembly tasks. The KSC Visitor Complex was inaugurated three decades ago and is now one of the top five tourist attractions in Florida. It is located on S.R. 407, east of I-95, within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Post-launch analysis of the deployment dynamics of a space web sounding rocket experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Huina; Sinn, Thomas; Vasile, Massimiliano; Tibert, Gunnar

2016-10-01

Lightweight deployable space webs have been proposed as platforms or frames for a construction of structures in space where centrifugal forces enable deployment and stabilization. The Suaineadh project was aimed to deploy a 2 × 2m2 space web by centrifugal forces in milli-gravity conditions and act as a test bed for the space web technology. Data from former sounding rocket experiments, ground tests and simulations were used to design the structure, the folding pattern and control parameters. A developed control law and a reaction wheel were used to control the deployment. After ejection from the rocket, the web was deployed but entanglements occurred since the web did not start to deploy at the specified angular velocity. The deployment dynamics was reconstructed from the information recorded in inertial measurement units and cameras. The nonlinear torque of the motor used to drive the reaction wheel was calculated from the results. Simulations show that if the Suaineadh started to deploy at the specified angular velocity, the web would most likely have been deployed and stabilized in space by the motor, reaction wheel and controller used in the experiment.

Adaptive removal of background and white space from document images using seam categorization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fillion, Claude; Fan, Zhigang; Monga, Vishal

2011-03-01

Document images are obtained regularly by rasterization of document content and as scans of printed documents. Resizing via background and white space removal is often desired for better consumption of these images, whether on displays or in print. While white space and background are easy to identify in images, existing methods such as naïve removal and content aware resizing (seam carving) each have limitations that can lead to undesirable artifacts, such as uneven spacing between lines of text or poor arrangement of content. An adaptive method based on image content is hence needed. In this paper we propose an adaptive method to intelligently remove white space and background content from document images. Document images are different from pictorial images in structure. They typically contain objects (text letters, pictures and graphics) separated by uniform background, which include both white paper space and other uniform color background. Pixels in uniform background regions are excellent candidates for deletion if resizing is required, as they introduce less change in document content and style, compared with deletion of object pixels. We propose a background deletion method that exploits both local and global context. The method aims to retain the document structural information and image quality.

Manned space programs accident/incident summaries (1963 - 1969)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1970-01-01

This summary is a compilation of 508 mishaps assembled from company and NASA records which cover several years of manned space flight activity. The purpose is to provide information to be applied towards accident prevention. The accident/incident summaries are categorized by the following ten systems: cryogenic; electrical; facility/GSE; fuel and propellant; life support; ordnance; pressure; propulsion; structural; and transport/handling. Each accident/incident summary has been summarized by description, cause and recommended preventive action.

Structures of Astromaterials Revealed by EBSD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zolensky, M.

2018-01-01

Groups at the Johnson Space Center and the University of Tokyo have been using electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) to reveal the crystal structures of extraterrestrial minerals for many years. Even though we also routinely use transmission electron microscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), and conventional electron diffraction, we find that EBSD is the most powerful technique for crystal structure elucidation in many instances. In this talk I describe a few of the cases where we have found EBSD to provide crucial, unique information. See attachment.

Hidden Entanglement and Unitarity at the Planck Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arzano, Michele; Hamma, Alioscia; Severini, Simone

Attempts to go beyond the framework of local quantum field theory include scenarios in which the action of external symmetries on the quantum fields Hilbert space is deformed. We show how the Fock spaces of such theories exhibit a richer structure in their multi-particle sectors. When the deformation scale is proportional to the Planck energy, such new structure leads to the emergence of a "planckian" mode-entanglement, invisible to an observer that cannot probe the Planck scale. To the same observer, certain unitary processes would appear non-unitary. We show how entanglement transfer to the additional degrees of freedom can provide a potential way out of the black hole information paradox.

Analyzing an Aging ISS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scharf, R.

2014-01-01

The ISS External Survey integrates the requirements for photographic and video imagery of the International Space Station (ISS) for the engineering, operations, and science communities. An extensive photographic survey was performed on all Space Shuttle flights to the ISS and continues to be performed daily, though on a level much reduced by the limited available imagery. The acquired video and photo imagery is used for both qualitative and quantitative assessments of external deposition and contamination, surface degradation, dynamic events, and MMOD strikes. Many of these assessments provide important information about ISS surfaces and structural integrity as the ISS ages. The imagery is also used to assess and verify the physical configuration of ISS structure, appendages, and components.

KSC-2011-6982

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deconstruction of Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is complete. With a view from the two-track crawlerway, the three 600-foot-tall lightning protection towers and the water tower used for sound suppression stand over the remnants of the fixed service structure. In 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-6981

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The deconstruction of Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is complete. With a view from the two-track crawlerway, the three 600-foot-tall lightning protection towers and the water tower used for sound suppression stand over the remnants of the fixed service structure. In 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. For information on NASA's future plans, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Composites for Advanced Space Transportation Systems (CASTS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, J. G., Jr. (Compiler)

1979-01-01

A summary is given of the in-house and contract work accomplished under the CASTS Project. In July 1975 the CASTS Project was initiated to develop graphite fiber/polyimide matrix (GR/PI) composite structures with 589K (600 F) operational capability for application to aerospace vehicles. Major tasks include: (1) screening composites and adhesives, (2) developing fabrication procedures and specifications, (3) developing design allowables test methods and data, and (4) design and test of structural elements and construction of an aft body flap for the Space Shuttle Orbiter Vehicle which will be ground tested. Portions of the information are from ongoing research and must be considered preliminary. The CASTS Project is scheduled to be completed in September 1983.

On the Development and Use of Large Chemical Similarity Networks, Informatics Best Practices and Novel Chemical Descriptors Towards Materials Quantitative Structure Property Relationships

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krein, Michael

After decades of development and use in a variety of application areas, Quantitative Structure Property Relationships (QSPRs) and related descriptor-based statistical learning methods have achieved a level of infamy due to their misuse. The field is rife with past examples of overtrained models, overoptimistic performance assessment, and outright cheating in the form of explicitly removing data to fit models. These actions do not serve the community well, nor are they beneficial to future predictions based on established models. In practice, in order to select combinations of descriptors and machine learning methods that might work best, one must consider the nature and size of the training and test datasets, be aware of existing hypotheses about the data, and resist the temptation to bias structure representation and modeling to explicitly fit the hypotheses. The definition and application of these best practices is important for obtaining actionable modeling outcomes, and for setting user expectations of modeling accuracy when predicting the endpoint values of unknowns. A wide variety of statistical learning approaches, descriptor types, and model validation strategies are explored herein, with the goals of helping end users understand the factors involved in creating and using QSPR models effectively, and to better understand relationships within the data, especially by looking at the problem space from multiple perspectives. Molecular relationships are commonly envisioned in a continuous high-dimensional space of numerical descriptors, referred to as chemistry space. Descriptor and similarity metric choice influence the partitioning of this space into regions corresponding to local structural similarity. These regions, known as domains of applicability, are most likely to be successfully modeled by a QSPR. In Chapter 2, the network topology and scaling relationships of several chemistry spaces are thoroughly investigated. Chemistry spaces studied include the ZINC data set, a qHTS PubChem bioassay, as well as the protein binding sites from the PDB. The characteristics of these networks are compared and contrasted with those of the bioassay Structure Activity Landscape Index (SALI) subnetwork, which maps discontinuities or cliffs in the structure activity landscape. Mapping this newly generated information over underlying chemistry space networks generated using different descriptors demonstrates local modeling capacity and can guide the choice of better local representations of chemistry space. Chapter 2 introduces and demonstrates this novel concept, which also enables future work in visualization and interpretation of chemical spaces. Initially, it was discovered that there were no community-available tools to leverage best-practice ideas to comprehensively build, compare, and interpret QSPRs. The Yet Another Modeling System (YAMS) tool performs a series of balanced, rational decisions in dataset preprocessing and parameter/feature selection over a choice of modeling methods. To date, YAMS is the only community-available informatics tool that performs such decisions consistently between methods while also providing multiple model performance comparisons and detailed descriptor importance information. The focus of the tool is thus to convey rich information about model quality and predictions that help to "close the loop" between modeling and experimental efforts, for example, in tailoring nanocomposite properties. Polymer nanocomposites (PNC) are complex material systems encompassing many potential structures, chemistries, and self assembled morphologies that could significantly impact commercial and military applications. There is a strong desire to characterize and understand the tradespace of nanocomposites, to identify the important factors relating nanostructure to materials properties and determine an effective way to control materials properties at the manufacturing scale. Due to the complexity of the systems, existing design approaches rely heavily on trial-and-error learning. By leveraging existing experimental data, Materials Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships (MQSPRs) relate molecular structures to the polar and dispersive components of corresponding surface tensions. In turn, existing theories relate polymer and nanofiller polar and dispersive surface tension components to the dispersion state and interfacial polymer relaxation times. These quantities may, in the future, be used as input to continuum mechanics approaches shown able to predict the thermomechanical response of nanocomposites. For a polymer dataset and a particle dataset, multiple structural representations and descriptor sets are benchmarked, including a set of high performance surface-property descriptors developed as part of this work. The systematic variation of structural representations as part of the informatics approach reveals important insight in modeling polymers, and should become common practice when defining new problem spaces.

Super resolution reconstruction of μ-CT image of rock sample using neighbour embedding algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yuzhu; Rahman, Sheik S.; Arns, Christoph H.

2018-03-01

X-ray computed tomography (μ-CT) is considered to be the most effective way to obtain the inner structure of rock sample without destructions. However, its limited resolution hampers its ability to probe sub-micro structures which is critical for flow transportation of rock sample. In this study, we propose an innovative methodology to improve the resolution of μ-CT image using neighbour embedding algorithm where low frequency information is provided by μ-CT image itself while high frequency information is supplemented by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image. In order to obtain prior for reconstruction, a large number of image patch pairs contain high- and low- image patches are extracted from the Gaussian image pyramid generated by SEM image. These image patch pairs contain abundant information about tomographic evolution of local porous structures under different resolution spaces. Relying on the assumption of self-similarity of porous structure, this prior information can be used to supervise the reconstruction of high resolution μ-CT image effectively. The experimental results show that the proposed method is able to achieve the state-of-the-art performance.

Structural Health Management for Future Aerospace Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prosser, W. H.; Allison, S. G.; Woodard, S. E.; Wincheski, R. A.; Cooper, E. G.; Price, D. C.; Hedley, M.; Prokopenko, M.; Scott, D. A.; Tessler, A.

2004-01-01

Structural Health Management (SHM) will be of critical importance to provide the safety, reliability and affordability necessary for the future long duration space missions described in America's Vision for Space Exploration. Long duration missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond cannot be accomplished with the current paradigm of periodic, ground based structural integrity inspections. As evidenced by the Columbia tragedy, this approach is also inadequate for the current Shuttle fleet, thus leading to its initial implementation of on-board SHM sensing for impact detection as part of the return to flight effort. However, future space systems, to include both vehicles as well as structures such as habitation modules, will require an integrated array of onboard in-situ sensing systems. In addition, advanced data systems architectures will be necessary to communicate, store and process massive amounts of SHM data from large numbers of diverse sensors. Further, improved structural analysis and design algorithms will be necessary to incorporate SHM sensing into the design and construction of aerospace structures, as well as to fully utilize these sensing systems to provide both diagnosis and prognosis of structural integrity. Ultimately, structural integrity information will feed into an Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) system that will provide real-time knowledge of structural, propulsion, thermal protection and other critical systems for optimal vehicle management and mission control. This paper will provide an overview of NASA research and development in the area of SHM as well as to highlight areas of technology improvement necessary to meet these future mission requirements.

KSC-2014-2050

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – During a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, agency and contractor officials discussed preparations for the launch of the SpaceX-3 Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station. Participating in the briefing, from the left, are Mike Curie of NASA Public Affairs, Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX vice president of Mission Assurance, and Mike McAleenan, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2184

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - An image of SpaceX CEO and chief designer Elon Musk is displayed in the NASA Press Site news auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a SpaceX-3 post-launch news conference. Musk participated in the conference by telephone. SpaceX-3 launched at 3:25 p.m. EDT aboard a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule from Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Dragon is making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights through a $1.6 billion NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract. Dragon's cargo will support more than 150 experiments that will be conducted during the station's Expeditions 39 and 40. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Exploring context and content links in social media: a latent space method.

PubMed

Qi, Guo-Jun; Aggarwal, Charu; Tian, Qi; Ji, Heng; Huang, Thomas S

2012-05-01

Social media networks contain both content and context-specific information. Most existing methods work with either of the two for the purpose of multimedia mining and retrieval. In reality, both content and context information are rich sources of information for mining, and the full power of mining and processing algorithms can be realized only with the use of a combination of the two. This paper proposes a new algorithm which mines both context and content links in social media networks to discover the underlying latent semantic space. This mapping of the multimedia objects into latent feature vectors enables the use of any off-the-shelf multimedia retrieval algorithms. Compared to the state-of-the-art latent methods in multimedia analysis, this algorithm effectively solves the problem of sparse context links by mining the geometric structure underlying the content links between multimedia objects. Specifically for multimedia annotation, we show that an effective algorithm can be developed to directly construct annotation models by simultaneously leveraging both context and content information based on latent structure between correlated semantic concepts. We conduct experiments on the Flickr data set, which contains user tags linked with images. We illustrate the advantages of our approach over the state-of-the-art multimedia retrieval techniques.

Structural alphabets derived from attractors in conformational space

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background The hierarchical and partially redundant nature of protein structures justifies the definition of frequently occurring conformations of short fragments as 'states'. Collections of selected representatives for these states define Structural Alphabets, describing the most typical local conformations within protein structures. These alphabets form a bridge between the string-oriented methods of sequence analysis and the coordinate-oriented methods of protein structure analysis. Results A Structural Alphabet has been derived by clustering all four-residue fragments of a high-resolution subset of the protein data bank and extracting the high-density states as representative conformational states. Each fragment is uniquely defined by a set of three independent angles corresponding to its degrees of freedom, capturing in simple and intuitive terms the properties of the conformational space. The fragments of the Structural Alphabet are equivalent to the conformational attractors and therefore yield a most informative encoding of proteins. Proteins can be reconstructed within the experimental uncertainty in structure determination and ensembles of structures can be encoded with accuracy and robustness. Conclusions The density-based Structural Alphabet provides a novel tool to describe local conformations and it is specifically suitable for application in studies of protein dynamics. PMID:20170534

Informing Disease Models with Temporal and Spatial Contact Structure among GPS-Collared Individuals in Wild Populations

PubMed Central

Williams, David M.; Dechen Quinn, Amy C.; Porter, William F.

2014-01-01

Contacts between hosts are essential for transmission of many infectious agents. Understanding how contacts, and thus transmission rates, occur in space and time is critical to effectively responding to disease outbreaks in free-ranging animal populations. Contacts between animals in the wild are often difficult to observe or measure directly. Instead, one must infer contacts from metrics such as proximity in space and time. Our objective was to examine how contacts between white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) vary in space and among seasons. We used GPS movement data from 71 deer in central New York State to quantify potential direct contacts between deer and indirect overlap in space use across time and space. Daily probabilities of direct contact decreased from winter (0.05–0.14), to low levels post-parturition through summer (0.00–0.02), and increased during the rut to winter levels. The cumulative distribution for the spatial structure of direct and indirect contact probabilities around a hypothetical point of occurrence increased rapidly with distance for deer pairs separated by 1,000 m – 7,000 m. Ninety-five percent of the probabilities of direct contact occurred among deer pairs within 8,500 m of one another, and 99% within 10,900 m. Probabilities of indirect contact accumulated across greater spatial extents: 95% at 11,900 m and 99% at 49,000 m. Contacts were spatially consistent across seasons, indicating that although contact rates differ seasonally, they occur proportionally across similar landscape extents. Distributions of contact probabilities across space can inform management decisions for assessing risk and allocating resources in response. PMID:24409293

Meta-structure correlation in protein space unveils different selection rules for folded and intrinsically disordered proteins.

PubMed

Naranjo, Yandi; Pons, Miquel; Konrat, Robert

2012-01-01

The number of existing protein sequences spans a very small fraction of sequence space. Natural proteins have overcome a strong negative selective pressure to avoid the formation of insoluble aggregates. Stably folded globular proteins and intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) use alternative solutions to the aggregation problem. While in globular proteins folding minimizes the access to aggregation prone regions, IDPs on average display large exposed contact areas. Here, we introduce the concept of average meta-structure correlation maps to analyze sequence space. Using this novel conceptual view we show that representative ensembles of folded and ID proteins show distinct characteristics and respond differently to sequence randomization. By studying the way evolutionary constraints act on IDPs to disable a negative function (aggregation) we might gain insight into the mechanisms by which function-enabling information is encoded in IDPs.

Using Analog Field Tests To Link and Prepare Science and In-Situ Resource Utilization for Future Space Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanders, Gerald B.

2010-01-01

A major goal of NASA s human exploration program is to learn how to use the resources of space, known as In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), to lower the cost and risk of human space exploration. Successful implementation of ISRU requires detailed knowledge of surface and subsurface materials, minerals, and volatiles that may be present. This same information is required to better understand the physical and geologic composition, structure, origin, and evolution of the Moon, Mars, and other extraterrestrial bodies of interest. It is also important to recognize that while ISRU and science objectives may be similar, the desired method or hardware to achieve the information desired may be drastically different. One method to promote understanding, coordination, and joint development of instruments and operations between Science and ISRU is the use of analog field demonstrations.

Using the small alignment index chaos indicator to characterize the vibrational dynamics of a molecular system: LiNC-LiCN.

PubMed

Benitez, P; Losada, J C; Benito, R M; Borondo, F

2015-10-01

A study of the dynamical characteristics of the phase space corresponding to the vibrations of the LiNC-LiCN molecule using an analysis based on the small alignment index (SALI) is presented. SALI is a good indicator of chaos that can easily determine whether a given trajectory is regular or chaotic regardless of the dimensionality of the system, and can also provide a wealth of dynamical information when conveniently implemented. In two-dimensional (2D) systems SALI maps are computed as 2D phase space representations, where the SALI asymptotic values are represented in color scale. We show here how these maps provide full information on the dynamical phase space structure of the LiNC-LiCN system, even quantifying numerically the volume of the different zones of chaos and regularity as a function of the molecule excitation energy.

Integrated System of Structural Health Monitoring and Intelligent Management for a Cable-Stayed Bridge

PubMed Central

Chen, Bin; Wang, Xu; Sun, Dezhang; Xie, Xu

2014-01-01

It is essential to construct structural health monitoring systems for large important bridges. Zhijiang Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that was built recently over the Hangzhou Qiantang River (the largest river in Zhejiang Province). The length of Zhijiang Bridge is 478 m, which comprises an arched twin-tower space and a twin-cable plane structure. As an example, the present study describes the integrated system of structural health monitoring and intelligent management for Zhijiang Bridge, which comprises an information acquisition system, data management system, evaluation and decision-making system, and application service system. The monitoring components include the working environment of the bridge and various factors that affect bridge safety, such as the stress and strain of the main bridge structure, vibration, cable force, temperature, and wind speed. In addition, the integrated system includes a forecasting and decision-making module for real-time online evaluation, which provides warnings and makes decisions based on the monitoring information. From this, the monitoring information, evaluation results, maintenance decisions, and warning information can be input simultaneously into the bridge monitoring center and traffic emergency center to share the monitoring data, thereby facilitating evaluations and decision making using the system. PMID:25140342

Integrated system of structural health monitoring and intelligent management for a cable-stayed bridge.

PubMed

Chen, Bin; Wang, Xu; Sun, Dezhang; Xie, Xu

2014-01-01

It is essential to construct structural health monitoring systems for large important bridges. Zhijiang Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that was built recently over the Hangzhou Qiantang River (the largest river in Zhejiang Province). The length of Zhijiang Bridge is 478 m, which comprises an arched twin-tower space and a twin-cable plane structure. As an example, the present study describes the integrated system of structural health monitoring and intelligent management for Zhijiang Bridge, which comprises an information acquisition system, data management system, evaluation and decision-making system, and application service system. The monitoring components include the working environment of the bridge and various factors that affect bridge safety, such as the stress and strain of the main bridge structure, vibration, cable force, temperature, and wind speed. In addition, the integrated system includes a forecasting and decision-making module for real-time online evaluation, which provides warnings and makes decisions based on the monitoring information. From this, the monitoring information, evaluation results, maintenance decisions, and warning information can be input simultaneously into the bridge monitoring center and traffic emergency center to share the monitoring data, thereby facilitating evaluations and decision making using the system.

KSC-2010-4358

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-08-12

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Constellation Program Manager Dale Thomas talks to employees at a completion ceremony for NASA's new mobile launcher, or ML, support structure. The ceremony was held underneath the structure's launch mount opening. It took about two years to construct the launcher in the Mobile Launcher Park site, north of the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB. The 355-foot-tall structure will support NASA's future human spaceflight program. The base of the launcher is lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the heavier load of the tower and a taller rocket. The next step will be to add ground support equipment, such as umbilicals and access arms, for future rocket launches. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2010-4359

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-08-12

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Constellation Senior Project Manager Larry Schultz talks to employees at a completion ceremony for NASA's new mobile launcher, or ML, support structure. The ceremony was held underneath the structure's launch mount opening. It took about two years to construct the launcher in the Mobile Launcher Park site, north of the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB. The 355-foot-tall structure will support NASA's future human spaceflight program. The base of the launcher is lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the heavier load of the tower and a taller rocket. The next step will be to add ground support equipment, such as umbilicals and access arms, for future rocket launches. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Design of a reusable kinetic energy absorber for an astronaut safety tether to be used during extravehicular activities on the Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borthwick, Dawn E.; Cronch, Daniel F.; Nixon, Glen R.

1991-01-01

The goal of this project is to design a reusable safety device for a waist tether which will absorb the kinetic energy of an astronaut drifting away from the Space Station. The safety device must limit the tension of the tether line in order to prevent damage to the astronaut's space suit or to the structure of the spacecraft. The tether currently used on shuttle missions must be replaced after the safety feature has been developed. A reusable tether for the Space Station would eliminate the need for replacement tethers, conserving space and mass. This report presents background information, scope and limitations, methods of research and development, alternative designs, a final design solution and its evaluation, and recommendations for further work.

KSC-2014-2064

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – During a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, agency and contractor officials discussed science and technology experiment payloads being transported to the International Space Station by the SpaceX-3 Commercial Resupply Services mission. Participating in the briefing is Camille Alleyne, assistant program scientist in the NASA ISS Program Science Office. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, the Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Kim Shiflett

KSC-2012-6105

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 crew module is undergoing proof pressure testing at the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The test incrementally pressurizes the spacecraft with breathing air and is designed to demonstrate weld strength capability and structural performance at maximum flight operating pressures. 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. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2012-6103

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 crew module is undergoing proof pressure testing at the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The test incrementally pressurizes the spacecraft with breathing air and is designed to demonstrate weld strength capability and structural performance at maximum flight operating pressures. 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. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2012-6104

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 crew module is undergoing proof pressure testing at the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The test incrementally pressurizes the spacecraft with breathing air and is designed to demonstrate weld strength capability and structural performance at maximum flight operating pressures. 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. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Path-space variational inference for non-equilibrium coarse-grained systems

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

Harmandaris, Vagelis, E-mail: harman@uoc.gr; Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics; Kalligiannaki, Evangelia, E-mail: ekalligian@tem.uoc.gr

In this paper we discuss information-theoretic tools for obtaining optimized coarse-grained molecular models for both equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular simulations. The latter are ubiquitous in physicochemical and biological applications, where they are typically associated with coupling mechanisms, multi-physics and/or boundary conditions. In general the non-equilibrium steady states are not known explicitly as they do not necessarily have a Gibbs structure. The presented approach can compare microscopic behavior of molecular systems to parametric and non-parametric coarse-grained models using the relative entropy between distributions on the path space and setting up a corresponding path-space variational inference problem. The methods can become entirelymore » data-driven when the microscopic dynamics are replaced with corresponding correlated data in the form of time series. Furthermore, we present connections and generalizations of force matching methods in coarse-graining with path-space information methods. We demonstrate the enhanced transferability of information-based parameterizations to different observables, at a specific thermodynamic point, due to information inequalities. We discuss methodological connections between information-based coarse-graining of molecular systems and variational inference methods primarily developed in the machine learning community. However, we note that the work presented here addresses variational inference for correlated time series due to the focus on dynamics. The applicability of the proposed methods is demonstrated on high-dimensional stochastic processes given by overdamped and driven Langevin dynamics of interacting particles.« less

Quantum Search in Hilbert Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zak, Michail

2003-01-01

A proposed quantum-computing algorithm would perform a search for an item of information in a database stored in a Hilbert-space memory structure. The algorithm is intended to make it possible to search relatively quickly through a large database under conditions in which available computing resources would otherwise be considered inadequate to perform such a task. The algorithm would apply, more specifically, to a relational database in which information would be stored in a set of N complex orthonormal vectors, each of N dimensions (where N can be exponentially large). Each vector would constitute one row of a unitary matrix, from which one would derive the Hamiltonian operator (and hence the evolutionary operator) of a quantum system. In other words, all the stored information would be mapped onto a unitary operator acting on a quantum state that would represent the item of information to be retrieved. Then one could exploit quantum parallelism: one could pose all search queries simultaneously by performing a quantum measurement on the system. In so doing, one would effectively solve the search problem in one computational step. One could exploit the direct- and inner-product decomposability of the unitary matrix to make the dimensionality of the memory space exponentially large by use of only linear resources. However, inasmuch as the necessary preprocessing (the mapping of the stored information into a Hilbert space) could be exponentially expensive, the proposed algorithm would likely be most beneficial in applications in which the resources available for preprocessing were much greater than those available for searching.

Scale-space for empty catheter segmentation in PCI fluoroscopic images.

PubMed

Bacchuwar, Ketan; Cousty, Jean; Vaillant, Régis; Najman, Laurent

2017-07-01

In this article, we present a method for empty guiding catheter segmentation in fluoroscopic X-ray images. The guiding catheter, being a commonly visible landmark, its segmentation is an important and a difficult brick for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) procedure modeling. In number of clinical situations, the catheter is empty and appears as a low contrasted structure with two parallel and partially disconnected edges. To segment it, we work on the level-set scale-space of image, the min tree, to extract curve blobs. We then propose a novel structural scale-space, a hierarchy built on these curve blobs. The deep connected component, i.e. the cluster of curve blobs on this hierarchy, that maximizes the likelihood to be an empty catheter is retained as final segmentation. We evaluate the performance of the algorithm on a database of 1250 fluoroscopic images from 6 patients. As a result, we obtain very good qualitative and quantitative segmentation performance, with mean precision and recall of 80.48 and 63.04% respectively. We develop a novel structural scale-space to segment a structured object, the empty catheter, in challenging situations where the information content is very sparse in the images. Fully-automatic empty catheter segmentation in X-ray fluoroscopic images is an important and preliminary step in PCI procedure modeling, as it aids in tagging the arrival and removal location of other interventional tools.

Regional input to joint European space weather service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stanislawska, I.; Belehaki, A.; Jansen, F.; Heynderickx, D.; Lilensten, J.; Candidi, M.

The basis for elaborating within COST 724 Action Developing the scientific basis for monitoring modeling and predicting Space Weather European space weather service is rich by many national and international activities which provide instruments and tools for global as well as regional monitoring and modeling COST 724 stimulates coordinates and supports Europe s goals of development and global cooperation by providing standards for timely and high quality information and knowledge in space weather Existing local capabilities are taken into account to develop synergies and avoid duplication The enhancement of environment monitoring networks and associated instruments technology yields mutual advantages for European service and regional services specialized for local users needs It structurally increases the integration of limited-area services generates a platform employing the same approach to each task differing mostly in input and output data In doing so it also provides complementary description of the environmental state within issued information A general scheme of regional services concept within COST 724 activity can be the processing chain from measurements trough algorithms to operational knowledge It provides the platform for interaction among the local end users who define what kind of information they need system providers who elaborate tools necessary to obtain required information and local service providers who do the actual processing of data and tailor it to specific user s needs Such initiative creates a unique possibility for small

Evolutionary profiles derived from the QR factorization of multiple structural alignments gives an economy of information.

PubMed

O'Donoghue, Patrick; Luthey-Schulten, Zaida

2005-02-25

We present a new algorithm, based on the multidimensional QR factorization, to remove redundancy from a multiple structural alignment by choosing representative protein structures that best preserve the phylogenetic tree topology of the homologous group. The classical QR factorization with pivoting, developed as a fast numerical solution to eigenvalue and linear least-squares problems of the form Ax=b, was designed to re-order the columns of A by increasing linear dependence. Removing the most linear dependent columns from A leads to the formation of a minimal basis set which well spans the phase space of the problem at hand. By recasting the problem of redundancy in multiple structural alignments into this framework, in which the matrix A now describes the multiple alignment, we adapted the QR factorization to produce a minimal basis set of protein structures which best spans the evolutionary (phase) space. The non-redundant and representative profiles obtained from this procedure, termed evolutionary profiles, are shown in initial results to outperform well-tested profiles in homology detection searches over a large sequence database. A measure of structural similarity between homologous proteins, Q(H), is presented. By properly accounting for the effect and presence of gaps, a phylogenetic tree computed using this metric is shown to be congruent with the maximum-likelihood sequence-based phylogeny. The results indicate that evolutionary information is indeed recoverable from the comparative analysis of protein structure alone. Applications of the QR ordering and this structural similarity metric to analyze the evolution of structure among key, universally distributed proteins involved in translation, and to the selection of representatives from an ensemble of NMR structures are also discussed.

Enhanced ICBM Diffusion Tensor Template of the Human Brain

PubMed Central

Zhang, Shengwei; Peng, Huiling; Dawe, Robert J.; Arfanakis, Konstantinos

2010-01-01

Development of a diffusion tensor (DT) template that is representative of the micro-architecture of the human brain is crucial for comparisons of neuronal structural integrity and brain connectivity across populations, as well as for the generation of a detailed white matter atlas. Furthermore, a DT template in ICBM space may simplify consolidation of information from DT, anatomical and functional MRI studies. The previously developed “IIT DT brain template” was produced in ICBM-152 space, based on a large number of subjects from a limited age-range, using data with minimal image artifacts, and non-linear registration. That template was characterized by higher image sharpness, provided the ability to distinguish smaller white matter fiber structures, and contained fewer image artifacts, than several previously published DT templates. However, low-dimensional registration was used in the development of that template, which led to a mismatch of DT information across subjects, eventually manifested as loss of local diffusion information and errors in the final tensors. Also, low-dimensional registration led to a mismatch of the anatomy in the IIT and ICBM-152 templates. In this work, a significantly improved DT brain template in ICBM-152 space was developed, using high-dimensional non-linear registration and the raw data collected for the purposes of the IIT template. The accuracy of inter-subject DT matching was significantly increased compared to that achieved for the development of the IIT template. Consequently, the new template contained DT information that was more representative of single-subject human brain data, and was characterized by higher image sharpness than the IIT template. Furthermore, a bootstrap approach demonstrated that the variance of tensor characteristics was lower in the new template. Additionally, compared to the IIT template, brain anatomy in the new template more accurately matched ICBM-152 space. Finally, spatial normalization of a number of DT datasets through registration to the new and existing IIT templates was improved when using the new template. PMID:20851772

Reconstruction from limited single-particle diffraction data via simultaneous determination of state, orientation, intensity, and phase

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

Donatelli, Jeffrey J.; Sethian, James A.; Zwart, Peter H.

Free-electron lasers now have the ability to collect X-ray diffraction patterns from individual molecules; however, each sample is delivered at unknown orientation and may be in one of several conformational states, each with a different molecular structure. Hit rates are often low, typically around 0.1%, limiting the number of useful images that can be collected. Determining accurate structural information requires classifying and orienting each image, accurately assembling them into a 3D diffraction intensity function, and determining missing phase information. Additionally, single particles typically scatter very few photons, leading to high image noise levels. We develop a multitiered iterative phasing algorithmmore » to reconstruct structural information from singleparticle diffraction data by simultaneously determining the states, orientations, intensities, phases, and underlying structure in a single iterative procedure. We leverage real-space constraints on the structure to help guide optimization and reconstruct underlying structure from very few images with excellent global convergence properties. We show that this approach can determine structural resolution beyond what is suggested by standard Shannon sampling arguments for ideal images and is also robust to noise.« less

Reconstruction from limited single-particle diffraction data via simultaneous determination of state, orientation, intensity, and phase

DOE PAGES

Donatelli, Jeffrey J.; Sethian, James A.; Zwart, Peter H.

2017-06-26

Free-electron lasers now have the ability to collect X-ray diffraction patterns from individual molecules; however, each sample is delivered at unknown orientation and may be in one of several conformational states, each with a different molecular structure. Hit rates are often low, typically around 0.1%, limiting the number of useful images that can be collected. Determining accurate structural information requires classifying and orienting each image, accurately assembling them into a 3D diffraction intensity function, and determining missing phase information. Additionally, single particles typically scatter very few photons, leading to high image noise levels. We develop a multitiered iterative phasing algorithmmore » to reconstruct structural information from singleparticle diffraction data by simultaneously determining the states, orientations, intensities, phases, and underlying structure in a single iterative procedure. We leverage real-space constraints on the structure to help guide optimization and reconstruct underlying structure from very few images with excellent global convergence properties. We show that this approach can determine structural resolution beyond what is suggested by standard Shannon sampling arguments for ideal images and is also robust to noise.« less

[Influence of "prehistory" of sequential movements of the right and the left hand on reproduction: coding of positions, movements and sequence structure].

PubMed

Bobrova, E V; Liakhovetskiĭ, V A; Borshchevskaia, E R

2011-01-01

The dependence of errors during reproduction of a sequence of hand movements without visual feedback on the previous right- and left-hand performance ("prehistory") and on positions in space of sequence elements (random or ordered by the explicit rule) was analyzed. It was shown that the preceding information about the ordered positions of the sequence elements was used during right-hand movements, whereas left-hand movements were performed with involvement of the information about the random sequence. The data testify to a central mechanism of the analysis of spatial structure of sequence elements. This mechanism activates movement coding specific for the left hemisphere (vector coding) in case of an ordered sequence structure and positional coding specific for the right hemisphere in case of a random sequence structure.

Topological properties of flat electroencephalography's state space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ken, Tan Lit; Ahmad, Tahir bin; Mohd, Mohd Sham bin; Ngien, Su Kong; Suwa, Tohru; Meng, Ong Sie

2016-02-01

Neuroinverse problem are often associated with complex neuronal activity. It involves locating problematic cell which is highly challenging. While epileptic foci localization is possible with the aid of EEG signals, it relies greatly on the ability to extract hidden information or pattern within EEG signals. Flat EEG being an enhancement of EEG is a way of viewing electroencephalograph on the real plane. In the perspective of dynamical systems, Flat EEG is equivalent to epileptic seizure hence, making it a great platform to study epileptic seizure. Throughout the years, various mathematical tools have been applied on Flat EEG to extract hidden information that is hardly noticeable by traditional visual inspection. While these tools have given worthy results, the journey towards understanding seizure process completely is yet to be succeeded. Since the underlying structure of Flat EEG is dynamic and is deemed to contain wealthy information regarding brainstorm, it would certainly be appealing to explore in depth its structures. To better understand the complex seizure process, this paper studies the event of epileptic seizure via Flat EEG in a more general framework by means of topology, particularly, on the state space where the event of Flat EEG lies.

A theory for the retrieval of virtual temperature from winds, radiances and the equations of fluid dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tzvi, G. C.

1986-01-01

A technique to deduce the virtual temperature from the combined use of the equations of fluid dynamics, observed wind and observed radiances is described. The wind information could come from ground-based sensitivity very high frequency (VHF) Doppler radars and/or from space-borne Doppler lidars. The radiometers are also assumed to be either space-borne and/or ground-based. From traditional radiometric techniques the vertical structure of the temperature can be estimated only crudely. While it has been known for quite some time that the virtual temperature could be deduced from wind information only, such techniques had to assume the infallibility of certain diagnostic relations. The proposed technique is an extension of the Gal-Chen technique. It is assumed that due to modeling uncertainties the equations of fluid dynamics are satisfied only in the least square sense. The retrieved temperature, however, is constrained to reproduce the observed radiances. It is shown that the combined use of the three sources of information (wind, radiances and fluid dynamical equations) can result in a unique determination of the vertical temperature structure with spatial and temporal resolution comparable to that of the observed wind.

Neutral Buoyancy Simulator-NB32-Assembly of Large Space Structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, theprospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. Construction methods had to be efficient due to the limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. Pictured is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student working in a spacesuit on the Experimental Assembly of Structures in Extravehicular Activity (EASE) project which was developed as a joint effort between MFSC and MIT. The EASE experiment required that crew members assemble small components to form larger components, working from the payload bay of the space shuttle. The MIT student in this photo is assembling two six-beam tetrahedrons.

INFORMATION-THEORETIC INEQUALITIES ON UNIMODULAR LIE GROUPS

PubMed Central

Chirikjian, Gregory S.

2010-01-01

Classical inequalities used in information theory such as those of de Bruijn, Fisher, Cramér, Rao, and Kullback carry over in a natural way from Euclidean space to unimodular Lie groups. These are groups that possess an integration measure that is simultaneously invariant under left and right shifts. All commutative groups are unimodular. And even in noncommutative cases unimodular Lie groups share many of the useful features of Euclidean space. The rotation and Euclidean motion groups, which are perhaps the most relevant Lie groups to problems in geometric mechanics, are unimodular, as are the unitary groups that play important roles in quantum computing. The extension of core information theoretic inequalities defined in the setting of Euclidean space to this broad class of Lie groups is potentially relevant to a number of problems relating to information gathering in mobile robotics, satellite attitude control, tomographic image reconstruction, biomolecular structure determination, and quantum information theory. In this paper, several definitions are extended from the Euclidean setting to that of Lie groups (including entropy and the Fisher information matrix), and inequalities analogous to those in classical information theory are derived and stated in the form of fifteen small theorems. In all such inequalities, addition of random variables is replaced with the group product, and the appropriate generalization of convolution of probability densities is employed. An example from the field of robotics demonstrates how several of these results can be applied to quantify the amount of information gained by pooling different sensory inputs. PMID:21113416

Analysis of genetic population structure in Acacia caven (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae), comparing one exploratory and two Bayesian-model-based methods.

PubMed

Pometti, Carolina L; Bessega, Cecilia F; Saidman, Beatriz O; Vilardi, Juan C

2014-03-01

Bayesian clustering as implemented in STRUCTURE or GENELAND software is widely used to form genetic groups of populations or individuals. On the other hand, in order to satisfy the need for less computer-intensive approaches, multivariate analyses are specifically devoted to extracting information from large datasets. In this paper, we report the use of a dataset of AFLP markers belonging to 15 sampling sites of Acacia caven for studying the genetic structure and comparing the consistency of three methods: STRUCTURE, GENELAND and DAPC. Of these methods, DAPC was the fastest one and showed accuracy in inferring the K number of populations (K = 12 using the find.clusters option and K = 15 with a priori information of populations). GENELAND in turn, provides information on the area of membership probabilities for individuals or populations in the space, when coordinates are specified (K = 12). STRUCTURE also inferred the number of K populations and the membership probabilities of individuals based on ancestry, presenting the result K = 11 without prior information of populations and K = 15 using the LOCPRIOR option. Finally, in this work all three methods showed high consistency in estimating the population structure, inferring similar numbers of populations and the membership probabilities of individuals to each group, with a high correlation between each other.

Calendar of Selected Aeronautical and Space Meetings (Calendrier des Manifestations Aeronautiques et Spatiales (Selection)).

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-01

Structures, Matiriaux et Micanique appliquie 51 08 - Physique de l’Atmosphire et Environnement terrestre 70 09 - Information, Documentation et...78712 US VDE Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker: Zentralstelle Tagungen, Stresemannallee 21, D-6000 Frankfurt am Main 70 GE WEC World Energy Conference

Molecular similarity measures.

PubMed

Maggiora, Gerald M; Shanmugasundaram, Veerabahu

2011-01-01

Molecular similarity is a pervasive concept in chemistry. It is essential to many aspects of chemical reasoning and analysis and is perhaps the fundamental assumption underlying medicinal chemistry. Dissimilarity, the complement of similarity, also plays a major role in a growing number of applications of molecular diversity in combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening, and related fields. How molecular information is represented, called the representation problem, is important to the type of molecular similarity analysis (MSA) that can be carried out in any given situation. In this work, four types of mathematical structure are used to represent molecular information: sets, graphs, vectors, and functions. Molecular similarity is a pairwise relationship that induces structure into sets of molecules, giving rise to the concept of chemical space. Although all three concepts - molecular similarity, molecular representation, and chemical space - are treated in this chapter, the emphasis is on molecular similarity measures. Similarity measures, also called similarity coefficients or indices, are functions that map pairs of compatible molecular representations that are of the same mathematical form into real numbers usually, but not always, lying on the unit interval. This chapter presents a somewhat pedagogical discussion of many types of molecular similarity measures, their strengths and limitations, and their relationship to one another. An expanded account of the material on chemical spaces presented in the first edition of this book is also provided. It includes a discussion of the topography of activity landscapes and the role that activity cliffs in these landscapes play in structure-activity studies.

Omnidirectional structured light in a flexible configuration.

PubMed

Paniagua, Carmen; Puig, Luis; Guerrero, José J

2013-10-14

Structured light is a perception method that allows us to obtain 3D information from images of the scene by projecting synthetic features with a light emitter. Traditionally, this method considers a rigid configuration, where the position and orientation of the light emitter with respect to the camera are known and calibrated beforehand. In this paper we propose a new omnidirectional structured light system in flexible configuration, which overcomes the rigidness of the traditional structured light systems. We propose the use of an omnidirectional camera combined with a conic pattern light emitter. Since the light emitter is visible in the omnidirectional image, the computation of its location is possible. With this information and the projected conic in the omnidirectional image, we are able to compute the conic reconstruction, i.e., the 3D information of the conic in the space. This reconstruction considers the recovery of the depth and orientation of the scene surface where the conic pattern is projected. One application of our proposed structured light system in flexible configuration consists of a wearable omnicamera with a low-cost laser in hand for visual impaired personal assistance.

Permutation-invariant distance between atomic configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferré, Grégoire; Maillet, Jean-Bernard; Stoltz, Gabriel

2015-09-01

We present a permutation-invariant distance between atomic configurations, defined through a functional representation of atomic positions. This distance enables us to directly compare different atomic environments with an arbitrary number of particles, without going through a space of reduced dimensionality (i.e., fingerprints) as an intermediate step. Moreover, this distance is naturally invariant through permutations of atoms, avoiding the time consuming associated minimization required by other common criteria (like the root mean square distance). Finally, the invariance through global rotations is accounted for by a minimization procedure in the space of rotations solved by Monte Carlo simulated annealing. A formal framework is also introduced, showing that the distance we propose verifies the property of a metric on the space of atomic configurations. Two examples of applications are proposed. The first one consists in evaluating faithfulness of some fingerprints (or descriptors), i.e., their capacity to represent the structural information of a configuration. The second application concerns structural analysis, where our distance proves to be efficient in discriminating different local structures and even classifying their degree of similarity.

a Clustering-Based Approach for Evaluation of EO Image Indexing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahmanyar, R.; Rigoll, G.; Datcu, M.

2013-09-01

The volume of Earth Observation data is increasing immensely in order of several Terabytes a day. Therefore, to explore and investigate the content of this huge amount of data, developing more sophisticated Content-Based Information Retrieval (CBIR) systems are highly demanded. These systems should be able to not only discover unknown structures behind the data, but also provide relevant results to the users' queries. Since in any retrieval system the images are processed based on a discrete set of their features (i.e., feature descriptors), study and assessment of the structure of feature space, build by different feature descriptors, is of high importance. In this paper, we introduce a clustering-based approach to study the content of image collections. In our approach, we claim that using both internal and external evaluation of clusters for different feature descriptors, helps to understand the structure of feature space. Moreover, the semantic understanding of users about the images also can be assessed. To validate the performance of our approach, we used an annotated Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image collection. Quantitative results besides the visualization of feature space demonstrate the applicability of our approach.

How human resource organization can enhance space information acquisition and processing: the experience of the VENESAT-1 ground segment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acevedo, Romina; Orihuela, Nuris; Blanco, Rafael; Varela, Francisco; Camacho, Enrique; Urbina, Marianela; Aponte, Luis Gabriel; Vallenilla, Leopoldo; Acuña, Liana; Becerra, Roberto; Tabare, Terepaima; Recaredo, Erica

2009-12-01

Built in cooperation with the P.R of China, in October 29th of 2008, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela launched its first Telecommunication Satellite, the so called VENESAT-1 (Simón Bolívar Satellite), which operates in C (covering Center America, The Caribbean Region and most of South America), Ku (Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela) and Ka bands (Venezuela). The launch of VENESAT-1 represents the starting point for Venezuela as an active player in the field of space science and technology. In order to fulfill mission requirements and to guarantee the satellite's health, local professionals must provide continuous monitoring, orbit calculation, maneuvers preparation and execution, data preparation and processing, as well as data base management at the VENESAT-1 Ground Segment, which includes both a primary and backup site. In summary, data processing and real time data management are part of the daily activities performed by the personnel at the ground segment. Using published and unpublished information, this paper presents how human resource organization can enhance space information acquisition and processing, by analyzing the proposed organizational structure for the VENESAT-1 Ground Segment. We have found that the proposed units within the organizational structure reflect 3 key issues for mission management: Satellite Operations, Ground Operations, and Site Maintenance. The proposed organization is simple (3 hierarchical levels and 7 units), and communication channels seem efficient in terms of facilitating information acquisition, processing, storage, flow and exchange. Furthermore, the proposal includes a manual containing the full description of personnel responsibilities and profile, which efficiently allocates the management and operation of key software for satellite operation such as the Real-time Data Transaction Software (RDTS), Data Management Software (DMS), and Carrier Spectrum Monitoring Software (CSM) within the different organizational units. In all this process, the international cooperation has played a key role for the consolidation of its space capabilities, especially through the continuous and arduous exchange of information, documentation and expertise between Chinese and Venezuelan personnel at the ground stations. Based on the principles of technology transfer and human training, since 1999 the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has shown an increasing interest in developing local space capabilities for peaceful purposes. According to the analysis we have performed, the proposed organizational structure of the VENESAT-1 ground segment will allow the country to face the challenges imposed by the operation of complex technologies. By enhancing human resource organization, this proposal will help to fulfill mission requirements, and to facilitate the safe access, processing and storage of satellite data across the organization, during both nominal and potential contingency situations.

Communications among data and science centers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, James L.

1990-01-01

The ability to electronically access and query the contents of remote computer archives is of singular importance in space and earth sciences; the present evaluation of such on-line information networks' development status foresees swift expansion of their data capabilities and complexity, in view of the volumes of data that will continue to be generated by NASA missions. The U.S.'s National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) manages NASA's largest science computer network, the Space Physics Analysis Network; a comprehensive account is given of the structure of NSSDC international access through BITNET, and of connections to the NSSDC available in the Americas via the International X.25 network.

Habitability issues in long duration undersea and space missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, J. F., Jr.; Every, M. G.

1972-01-01

The report reviews a number of studies in the area of habitability. Emphasis was placed on extracting from these studies that information most relevant to any long-term mission in confinement. It is concluded that, whereas the basic laws of habitability are known, there is much yet to be learned concerning development of social structures in small groups in relative isolation, planning for necessary hygiene needs, development of proper work spaces, and construction of internal and external communications systems. With respect to testing for habitability and the documentation of habitability principles, the space program was found to be considerably more advanced than was the program for undersea missions.

The newly expanded KSC Visitors Complex features a new ticket plaza, information center, exhibits an

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

A host robot, Starquester 2000, helps describe for visitors the accomplishments of unsung space heroes - space probes - and their role in space exploration. The walk-through Robot Scouts exhibit is part of the $13 million expansion to KSC's Visitor Complex. Other additions include a walk-through Robot Scouts exhibit, a wildlife exhibit, and the film Quest for Life in a new 300-seat theater, plus an International Space Station-themed ticket plaza, featuring a structure of overhanging solar panels and astronauts performing assembly tasks. Inaugurated three decades ago, the Visitor Complex is now one of the top five tourist attractions in Florida. It is located on S.R. 407, east of I-95, within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods (PSAM) for select space propulsion system structural components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cruse, T. A.

1987-01-01

The objective is the development of several modular structural analysis packages capable of predicting the probabilistic response distribution for key structural variables such as maximum stress, natural frequencies, transient response, etc. The structural analysis packages are to include stochastic modeling of loads, material properties, geometry (tolerances), and boundary conditions. The solution is to be in terms of the cumulative probability of exceedance distribution (CDF) and confidence bounds. Two methods of probability modeling are to be included as well as three types of structural models - probabilistic finite-element method (PFEM); probabilistic approximate analysis methods (PAAM); and probabilistic boundary element methods (PBEM). The purpose in doing probabilistic structural analysis is to provide the designer with a more realistic ability to assess the importance of uncertainty in the response of a high performance structure. Probabilistic Structural Analysis Method (PSAM) tools will estimate structural safety and reliability, while providing the engineer with information on the confidence that should be given to the predicted behavior. Perhaps most critically, the PSAM results will directly provide information on the sensitivity of the design response to those variables which are seen to be uncertain.

Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods for select space propulsion system structural components (PSAM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cruse, T. A.; Burnside, O. H.; Wu, Y.-T.; Polch, E. Z.; Dias, J. B.

1988-01-01

The objective is the development of several modular structural analysis packages capable of predicting the probabilistic response distribution for key structural variables such as maximum stress, natural frequencies, transient response, etc. The structural analysis packages are to include stochastic modeling of loads, material properties, geometry (tolerances), and boundary conditions. The solution is to be in terms of the cumulative probability of exceedance distribution (CDF) and confidence bounds. Two methods of probability modeling are to be included as well as three types of structural models - probabilistic finite-element method (PFEM); probabilistic approximate analysis methods (PAAM); and probabilistic boundary element methods (PBEM). The purpose in doing probabilistic structural analysis is to provide the designer with a more realistic ability to assess the importance of uncertainty in the response of a high performance structure. Probabilistic Structural Analysis Method (PSAM) tools will estimate structural safety and reliability, while providing the engineer with information on the confidence that should be given to the predicted behavior. Perhaps most critically, the PSAM results will directly provide information on the sensitivity of the design response to those variables which are seen to be uncertain.

Thin family: a new barcode concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allais, David C.

1991-02-01

This paper describes a new space-efficient family of thin bar code symbologies which are appropriate for representing small amounts of information. The proposed structure is 30 to 50 percent more compact than the narrowest existing bar code when 12 or fewer bits of information are to be encoded in each symbol. Potential applications for these symbologies include menus catalogs automated test and survey scoring and biological research such as the tracking of honey bees.

KSC-2014-2062

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – During a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, agency and contractor officials discussed science and technology experiment payloads being transported to the International Space Station by the SpaceX-3 Commercial Resupply Services mission. Participating in the briefing, from the left, are Mike Curie of NASA Public Affairs, Camille Alleyne, assistant program scientist in the NASA ISS Program Science Office, and Michael Roberts, senior research pathway manager with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space CASIS. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, the Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2066

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – During a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, agency and contractor officials discussed science and technology experiment payloads being transported to the International Space Station by the SpaceX-3 Commercial Resupply Services mission. Participating in the briefing, from the left, are Camille Alleyne, assistant program scientist in the NASA ISS Program Science Office, and Michael Roberts, senior research pathway manager with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space CASIS. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, the Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/ Kim Shiflett

Enhanced low-rank representation via sparse manifold adaption for semi-supervised learning.

PubMed

Peng, Yong; Lu, Bao-Liang; Wang, Suhang

2015-05-01

Constructing an informative and discriminative graph plays an important role in various pattern recognition tasks such as clustering and classification. Among the existing graph-based learning models, low-rank representation (LRR) is a very competitive one, which has been extensively employed in spectral clustering and semi-supervised learning (SSL). In SSL, the graph is composed of both labeled and unlabeled samples, where the edge weights are calculated based on the LRR coefficients. However, most of existing LRR related approaches fail to consider the geometrical structure of data, which has been shown beneficial for discriminative tasks. In this paper, we propose an enhanced LRR via sparse manifold adaption, termed manifold low-rank representation (MLRR), to learn low-rank data representation. MLRR can explicitly take the data local manifold structure into consideration, which can be identified by the geometric sparsity idea; specifically, the local tangent space of each data point was sought by solving a sparse representation objective. Therefore, the graph to depict the relationship of data points can be built once the manifold information is obtained. We incorporate a regularizer into LRR to make the learned coefficients preserve the geometric constraints revealed in the data space. As a result, MLRR combines both the global information emphasized by low-rank property and the local information emphasized by the identified manifold structure. Extensive experimental results on semi-supervised classification tasks demonstrate that MLRR is an excellent method in comparison with several state-of-the-art graph construction approaches. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mass estimating techniques for earth-to-orbit transports with various configuration factors and technologies applied

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klich, P. J.; Macconochie, I. O.

1979-01-01

A study of an array of advanced earth-to-orbit space transportation systems with a focus on mass properties and technology requirements is presented. Methods of estimating weights of these vehicles differ from those used for commercial and military aircraft; the new techniques emphasizing winged horizontal and vertical takeoff advanced systems are described utilizing the space shuttle subsystem data base for the weight estimating equations. The weight equations require information on mission profile, the structural materials, the thermal protection system, and the ascent propulsion system, allowing for the type of construction and various propellant tank shapes. The overall system weights are calculated using this information and incorporated into the Systems Engineering Mass Properties Computer Program.

Data dictionaries in information systems - Standards, usage , and application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Margaret

1990-01-01

An overview of data dictionary systems and the role of standardization in the interchange of data dictionaries is presented. The development of the data dictionary for the Planetary Data System is cited as an example. The data element dictionary (DED), which is the repository of the definitions of the vocabulary utilized in an information system, is an important part of this service. A DED provides the definitions of the fields of the data set as well as the data elements of the catalog system. Finally, international efforts such as the Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems and other committees set up to provide standard recommendations on the usage and structure of data dictionaries in the international space science community are discussed.

The network and transmission of based on the principle of laser multipoint communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Qiang; Liu, Xianzhu; Jiang, Huilin; Hu, Yuan; Jiang, Lun

2014-11-01

Space laser communication is the perfectly choose to the earth integrated information backbone network in the future. This paper introduces the structure of the earth integrated information network that is a large capacity integrated high-speed broadband information network, a variety of communications platforms were densely interconnected together, such as the land, sea, air and deep air users or aircraft, the technologies of the intelligent high-speed processing, switching and routing were adopt. According to the principle of maximum effective comprehensive utilization of information resources, get accurately information, fast processing and efficient transmission through inter-satellite, satellite earth, sky and ground station and other links. Namely it will be a space-based, air-based and ground-based integrated information network. It will be started from the trends of laser communication. The current situation of laser multi-point communications were expounded, the transmission scheme of the dynamic multi-point between wireless laser communication n network has been carefully studied, a variety of laser communication network transmission schemes the corresponding characteristics and scope described in detail , described the optical multiplexer machine that based on the multiport form of communication is applied to relay backbone link; the optical multiplexer-based on the form of the segmentation receiver field of view is applied to small angle link, the optical multiplexer-based form of three concentric spheres structure is applied to short distances, motorized occasions, and the multi-point stitching structure based on the rotation paraboloid is applied to inter-satellite communications in detail. The multi-point laser communication terminal apparatus consist of the transmitting and receiving antenna, a relay optical system, the spectroscopic system, communication system and communication receiver transmitter system. The communication forms of optical multiplexer more than four goals or more, the ratio of received power and volume weight will be Obvious advantages, and can track multiple moving targets in flexible.It would to provide reference for the construction of earth integrated information networks.

Three-Dimensional Quantification of Pore Space in Flocculated Sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawrence, Tom; Spencer, Kate; Bushby, Andy; Manning, Andrew

2017-04-01

Flocculated sediment structure plays a vital role in determining sediment dynamics within the water column in fresh and saline water bodies. The porosity of flocs contributes to their specific density and therefore their settling characteristics, and can also affect settling characteristics via through-flow. The process of settling and resuspension of flocculated material causes the formation of larger and more complex individual flocs, about which little is known quantitatively of the internal micro-structure and therefore porosity. Hydrological and sedimentological modelling software currently uses estimations of porosity, because it is difficult to capture and analyse flocs. To combat this, we use a novel microscopy method usually performed on biological material to scan the flocs, the output of which can be used to quantify the dimensions and arrangement of pores. This involves capturing flocculated sediment, staining the sample with heavy metal elements to highlight organic content in the Scanning Electron Microscope later, and finally setting the sample in resin. The overall research aim is to quantitatively characterise the dimensions and distribution of pore space in flocs in three dimensions. In order to gather data, Scanning Electron Microscopy and micro-Computed Tomography have been utilised to produce the necessary images to identify and quantify the pore space. The first objective is to determine the dimensional limits of pores in the structure (i.e. what area do they encapsulate? Are they interconnected or discreet?). This requires a repeatable definition to be established, so that all floc pore spaces can be quantified using the same parameters. The LabSFLOC settling column and dyes will be used as one possible method of determining the outer limits of the discreet pore space. LabSFLOC is a sediment settling column that uses a camera to record the flocs, enabling analysis of settling characteristics. The second objective is to develop a reliable method for quantifying the dimensions of the pores. The dimensions to be quantified are the long- and short-axis lengths, measured using ImageJ. The third objective will be to quantify the distribution of the pore space within the structure, utilising point-to-point measurements and distance from centre of the floc, again utilising software capable of providing accurate measurements between the centres of each pore within the structure. Preliminary data demonstrating pore dimensional limits and quantification will be presented. This will establish a definition of pore space based on limits of interaction between pore water and the water column, including experimental data from LabSFLOC, and visual representations of pore outer limits. Further to this, I will include some investigational data from ImageJ relating to the dimensions being measured for sub-aim 2. This information is vital in providing accurate and reliable information for hydrological and sedimentological model input, ultimately increasing the value of the outputs.

KSC-2011-5181

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-07-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida space shuttle Atlantis is reflected in a pond near the pad after the retraction of the rotating service structure (RSS). The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits liftoff on the pad. RSS retract marks a major milestone in Atlantis' STS-135 mission countdown. Atlantis and its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim will lift off at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 is the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-5182

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-07-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida space shuttle Atlantis is reflected in a pond near the pad after the retraction of the rotating service structure (RSS). The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits liftoff on the pad. RSS retract marks a major milestone in Atlantis' STS-135 mission countdown. Atlantis and its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim will lift off at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 is the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: Jim Grossmann

The structure of the parietal pleura and its relationship to pleural liquid dynamics in sheep.

PubMed

Albertine, K H; Wiener-Kronish, J P; Staub, N C

1984-03-01

We studied the parietal pleura of six sheep to obtain information on pleural structure, blood supply, and lymphatic drainage. In the strict sense, the parietal pleura is composed of a single layer of mesothelial cells and a uniform layer of loose, irregular connective tissue (about 23 micron in width) subjacent to the mesothelial cells. The parietal pleural blood vessels are 10-15 micron from the pleural space. Tracer substances put in the pleural space are removed at specific locations. Colloidal carbon and chick red blood cells are cleared by the parietal pleural lymphatics located over the intercostal spaces at the caudal end of the thoracic wall and over the lateral sides of the pericardial sac. In these areas the mesothelial cells have specialized openings, the stomata, that directly communicate with the underlying lymphatic lacunae. Cells and particulate matter in the pleural space are cleared only by the parietal pleural lymphatics. Compared to the visceral pleura, we believe the thinness of the parietal pleura, the closeness of its blood vessels to the pleural space, and its specialized lymphatic clearance pathways, together indicate that the parietal pleura plays a major role in pleural liquid and protein dynamics in sheep.

KSC-2014-2182

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Participating in a SpaceX-3 post-launch news conference in the NASA Press Site television auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida are, from left, William Gersteinmeier, NASA associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, and Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX vice president of Mission Assurance. SpaceX CEO and chief designer Elon Musk participated in the conference by telephone. SpaceX-3 launched at 3:25 p.m. EDT aboard a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule from Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Dragon is making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights through a $1.6 billion NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract. Dragon's cargo will support more than 150 experiments that will be conducted during the station's Expeditions 39 and 40. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2179

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Participating in a SpaceX-3 post-launch news conference in the NASA Press Site television auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida are, from left, Michael Curie, NASA Public Affairs, William Gersteinmeier, NASA associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, and Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX vice president of Mission Assurance. SpaceX CEO and chief designer Elon Musk participated in the conference by telephone. SpaceX-3 launched at 3:25 p.m. EDT aboard a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule from Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Dragon is making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights through a $1.6 billion NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract. Dragon's cargo will support more than 150 experiments that will be conducted during the station's Expeditions 39 and 40. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Constructing Spatial Meaning: Spatial Affordances in Museum Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wineman, Jean D.; Peponis, John

2010-01-01

Informal education in museums is structured through movement in space. This article summarizes a range of research that examines the role of spatial layout in shaping the ways in which visitors explore, engage, and understand museums and museum exhibitions. It is demonstrated that behavior patterns are systematically linked to spatial…

Impact Damage to Composite Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-02-01

Sections Through the Gasbubble A sudden incompre causes i pedo sho So loadi has to e Eulerian me t r i c b pressure mot ssib mmed t th ng a...KINGDOM Defence Research Information Centre Kentigern House 65 Brown Street Glasgow G2 SEX UNITED STATES National Aeronautics and Space

COMPLEX HOST-PARASITE SYSTEMS IN MARTES: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY OF ENDEMIC FAUNAS.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Complex assemblages of hosts and parasites reveal insights about biogeography and ecology and inform us about processes which serve to structure faunal diversity and the biosphere in space and time. Exploring aspects of parasite diversity among martens (species of Martes) and other mustelids reveal...

Propagation of Innovations in Networked Groups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mason, Winter A.; Jones, Andy; Goldstone, Robert L.

2008-01-01

A novel paradigm was developed to study the behavior of groups of networked people searching a problem space. The authors examined how different network structures affect the propagation of information in laboratory-created groups. Participants made numerical guesses and received scores that were also made available to their neighbors in the…

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.

Critical Need for Radiation Damage Tools for Space Missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathi, Ram

2005-04-01

NASA has a new vision for space exploration in the 21st Century encompassing a broad range of human and robotic missions including missions to Moon, Mars and beyond. As a result, there is a focus on long duration space missions. NASA, as much as ever, is committed to the safety of the missions and the crew. Exposure from the hazards of severe space radiation in deep space long duration missions is `the show stopper.' Thus, protection from the hazards of severe space radiation is of paramount importance for the new vision. There is an overwhelming emphasis on the reliability issues for the mission and the habitat. Accurate risk assessments critically depend on the accuracy of the input information about the interaction of ions with materials, electronics and tissues. A huge amount of essential experimental information for all the ions in space, across the periodic table, for a wide range of energies of several (up to a Trillion) orders of magnitude are needed for the radiation protection engineering for space missions that is simply not available (due to the high costs) and probably never will be. Therefore, there is a compelling need to develop reliable accurate models of nuclear reactions and structures that form the basic input ingredients. State-of-the-art nuclear cross sections models have been developed at the NASA Langley Research Center, however a considerable number of tools need to be developed to alleviate the situation. The vital role and importance of nuclear physics for space missions will be discussed.

Solid-state NMR and computational studies of 4-methyl-2-nitroacetanilide.

PubMed

Harris, Robin K; Ghi, Phuong Y; Hammond, Robert B; Ma, Cai Yun; Roberts, Kevin J; Yates, Jonathan R; Pickard, Chris J

2006-03-01

Studies on the solid-state structure of two polymorphs of 4-methyl-2-nitroacetanilide (MNA) were conducted using magic-angle spinning (13)C, (15)N and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, together with first-principles computations of NMR shielding (including use of a program that takes explicit account of the translational symmetry inherent in crystalline structures). The effects on (13)C chemical shifts of side-chain rotations have been explored. Information derived from these studies was then incorporated within a systematic space-search methodology for elucidation of trial crystallographic structures from powder XRD.

PSOFuzzySVM-TMH: identification of transmembrane helix segments using ensemble feature space by incorporated fuzzy support vector machine.

PubMed

Hayat, Maqsood; Tahir, Muhammad

2015-08-01

Membrane protein is a central component of the cell that manages intra and extracellular processes. Membrane proteins execute a diversity of functions that are vital for the survival of organisms. The topology of transmembrane proteins describes the number of transmembrane (TM) helix segments and its orientation. However, owing to the lack of its recognized structures, the identification of TM helix and its topology through experimental methods is laborious with low throughput. In order to identify TM helix segments reliably, accurately, and effectively from topogenic sequences, we propose the PSOFuzzySVM-TMH model. In this model, evolutionary based information position specific scoring matrix and discrete based information 6-letter exchange group are used to formulate transmembrane protein sequences. The noisy and extraneous attributes are eradicated using an optimization selection technique, particle swarm optimization, from both feature spaces. Finally, the selected feature spaces are combined in order to form ensemble feature space. Fuzzy-support vector Machine is utilized as a classification algorithm. Two benchmark datasets, including low and high resolution datasets, are used. At various levels, the performance of the PSOFuzzySVM-TMH model is assessed through 10-fold cross validation test. The empirical results reveal that the proposed framework PSOFuzzySVM-TMH outperforms in terms of classification performance in the examined datasets. It is ascertained that the proposed model might be a useful and high throughput tool for academia and research community for further structure and functional studies on transmembrane proteins.

International Space Station (ISS) 3D Printer Performance and Material Characterization Methodology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bean, Q. A.; Cooper, K. G.; Edmunson, J. E.; Johnston, M. M.; Werkheiser, M. J.

2015-01-01

In order for human exploration of the Solar System to be sustainable, manufacturing of necessary items on-demand in space or on planetary surfaces will be a requirement. As a first step towards this goal, the 3D Printing In Zero-G (3D Print) technology demonstration made the first items fabricated in space on the International Space Station. From those items, and comparable prints made on the ground, information about the microgravity effects on the printing process can be determined. Lessons learned from this technology demonstration will be applicable to other in-space manufacturing technologies, and may affect the terrestrial manufacturing industry as well. The flight samples were received at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center on 6 April 2015. These samples will undergo a series of tests designed to not only thoroughly characterize the samples, but to identify microgravity effects manifested during printing by comparing their results to those of samples printed on the ground. Samples will be visually inspected, photographed, scanned with structured light, and analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. Selected samples will be analyzed with computed tomography; some will be assessed using ASTM standard tests. These tests will provide the information required to determine the effects of microgravity on 3D printing in microgravity.

Integrated scheduling and resource management. [for Space Station Information System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ward, M. T.

1987-01-01

This paper examines the problem of integrated scheduling during the Space Station era. Scheduling for Space Station entails coordinating the support of many distributed users who are sharing common resources and pursuing individual and sometimes conflicting objectives. This paper compares the scheduling integration problems of current missions with those anticipated for the Space Station era. It examines the facilities and the proposed operations environment for Space Station. It concludes that the pattern of interdependecies among the users and facilities, which are the source of the integration problem is well structured, allowing a dividing of the larger problem into smaller problems. It proposes an architecture to support integrated scheduling by scheduling efficiently at local facilities as a function of dependencies with other facilities of the program. A prototype is described that is being developed to demonstrate this integration concept.

KSC-2014-2206

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A blinding flash of light under the Falcon 9 rocket signals engine ignition and liftoff of the SpaceX-3 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, sending the Dragon resupply spacecraft on its way to the International Space Station. Launch was during an instantaneous window at 3:25 p.m. EDT. Dragon is making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights through a $1.6 billion NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract. Dragon's cargo will support more than 150 experiments that will be conducted during the station's Expeditions 39 and 40. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray

KSC-2010-5406

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-11-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, media learn about the transformation of Launch Pad 39B from Jose Perez-Morales, NASA's Launch Pad 39B senior manager. Starting in 2009, the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA's Space Shuttle Program, so it is being restructured for future use. The new design will feature a "clean pad" for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number of vehicles. The transformation includes the removal of the rotating service structure (RSS) and fixed service structure (FSS), refurbishment of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks, and the upgrade of about 1.3 million feet of cable. The new lightning protection system, which was in place for the October 2009 launch of Ares I-X, will remain. For information on NASA's future plans, visit www.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

An expert system executive for automated assembly of large space truss structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Cheryl L.

1993-01-01

Langley Research Center developed a unique test bed for investigating the practical problems associated with the assembly of large space truss structures using robotic manipulators. The test bed is the result of an interdisciplinary effort that encompasses the full spectrum of assembly problems - from the design of mechanisms to the development of software. The automated structures assembly test bed and its operation are described, the expert system executive and its development are detailed, and the planned system evolution is discussed. Emphasis is on the expert system implementation of the program executive. The executive program must direct and reliably perform complex assembly tasks with the flexibility to recover from realistic system errors. The employment of an expert system permits information that pertains to the operation of the system to be encapsulated concisely within a knowledge base. This consolidation substantially reduced code, increased flexibility, eased software upgrades, and realized a savings in software maintenance costs.

Active black holes: Relevant plasma structures, regimes and processes involving all phase space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coppi, Bruno

2011-03-01

The presented theory is motivated by the growing body of experimental information on the characteristics, connected with relevant spectral, time, and space resolutions, of the radiation emission from objects considered as rotating black holes. In the immediate surroundings of these objects, three plasma regions are identified: an innermost Buffer Region, an intermediate Three-regime Region, and a Structured Peripheral Region. In the last region, a Composite Disk Structure made of a sequence of plasma rings corresponding to the formation of closed magnetic surfaces is considered to be present and to allow intermittent accretion flows along the relevant separatrices. The nonlinear ``Master Equation'' describing composite disk structures is derived and solved in appropriate asymptotic limits. A ring configuration, depending on the state of the plasma at the microscopic level: (i) can be excluded from forming given the strongly nonthermal nature of the electron distribution (in momentum space) within the Three-regime Region allowing the onset of a spiral structure; the observed High Frequency Quasi Periodic Oscillations are associated with these tridimensional structures; (ii) may be allowed to propagate to the outer edge of the Buffer Region where successive rings carrying currents in opposite directions are ejected vertically (in opposite directions) and originate the observed jets; or (iii) penetrates in the Three-regime Region and is dissipated before reaching the outer edge of the Buffer Region. The absence of a coherent composite disk structure guiding accretion in the presence of a significant magnetic field background is suggested to characterize quiescent black holes.

Optoelectronic interconnects for 3D wafer stacks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, David E.; Carson, John C.; Lome, Louis S.

1996-01-01

Wafer and chip stacking are envisioned as a means of providing increased processing power within the small confines of a three-dimensional structure. Optoelectronic devices can play an important role in these dense 3-D processing electronic packages in two ways. In pure electronic processing, optoelectronics can provide a method for increasing the number of input/output communication channels within the layers of the 3-D chip stack. Non-free space communication links allow the density of highly parallel input/output ports to increase dramatically over typical edge bus connections. In hybrid processors, where electronics and optics play a role in defining the computational algorithm, free space communication links are typically utilized for, among other reasons, the increased network link complexity which can be achieved. Free space optical interconnections provide bandwidths and interconnection complexity unobtainable in pure electrical interconnections. Stacked 3-D architectures can provide the electronics real estate and structure to deal with the increased bandwidth and global information provided by free space optical communications. This paper provides definitions and examples of 3-D stacked architectures in optoelectronics processors. The benefits and issues of these technologies are discussed.

Optoelectronic interconnects for 3D wafer stacks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, David; Carson, John C.; Lome, Louis S.

1996-01-01

Wafer and chip stacking are envisioned as means of providing increased processing power within the small confines of a three-dimensional structure. Optoelectronic devices can play an important role in these dense 3-D processing electronic packages in two ways. In pure electronic processing, optoelectronics can provide a method for increasing the number of input/output communication channels within the layers of the 3-D chip stack. Non-free space communication links allow the density of highly parallel input/output ports to increase dramatically over typical edge bus connections. In hybrid processors, where electronics and optics play a role in defining the computational algorithm, free space communication links are typically utilized for, among other reasons, the increased network link complexity which can be achieved. Free space optical interconnections provide bandwidths and interconnection complexity unobtainable in pure electrical interconnections. Stacked 3-D architectures can provide the electronics real estate and structure to deal with the increased bandwidth and global information provided by free space optical communications. This paper will provide definitions and examples of 3-D stacked architectures in optoelectronics processors. The benefits and issues of these technologies will be discussed.

Nanoscale Structure of Type I Collagen Fibrils: Quantitative Measurement of D-spacing

PubMed Central

Erickson, Blake; Fang, Ming; Wallace, Joseph M.; Orr, Bradford G.; Les, Clifford M.; Holl, Mark M. Banaszak

2012-01-01

This paper details a quantitative method to measure the D-periodic spacing of Type I collagen fibrils using Atomic Force Microscopy coupled with analysis using a 2D Fast Fourier Transform approach. Instrument calibration, data sampling and data analysis are all discussed and comparisons of the data to the complementary methods of electron microscopy and X-ray scattering are made. Examples of the application of this new approach to the analysis of Type I collagen morphology in disease models of estrogen depletion and Osteogenesis Imperfecta are provided. We demonstrate that it is the D-spacing distribution, not the D-spacing mean, that showed statistically significant differences in estrogen depletion associated with early stage Osteoporosis and Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The ability to quantitatively characterize nanoscale morphological features of Type I collagen fibrils will provide important structural information regarding Type I collagen in many research areas, including tissue aging and disease, tissue engineering, and gene knock out studies. Furthermore, we also envision potential clinical applications including evaluation of tissue collagen integrity under the impact of diseases or drug treatments. PMID:23027700

Reflector control technology in space laser communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Meilin; Ma, Caiwen; Yao, Cheng; Huang, Wei; Lian, Xuezheng; Feng, Xubin; Jing, Feng

2017-11-01

The optical frequencies band is used as information carrier to realize laser communication between two low-orbit micro-satellites in space which equipped with inter-satellite laser communication terminals, optical switches, space routers and other payload. The laser communication terminal adopts a two-dimensional turntable with a single mirror structure. In this paper, the perturbation model of satellite platform is established in this paper. The relationship between the coupling and coordinate transformation of satellite disturbance is analyzed and the laser pointing vector is deduced. Using the tracking differentiator to speed up the circular grating angle information constitute speed loop feedback, which avoids the problem of error amplification caused by the high frequency of the conventional difference algorithm. Finally, the suppression ability of the satellite platform disturbance and the tracking accuracy of the tracking system are simulated and analyzed. The results show that the tracking accuracy of the whole system is 10μrad in the case of satellite vibration, which provides the basis for the optimization of the performance of the space-borne laser communication control system.

Simultaneous parameter optimization of x-ray and neutron reflectivity data using genetic algorithms

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

Singh, Surendra, E-mail: surendra@barc.gov.in; Basu, Saibal

2016-05-23

X-ray and neutron reflectivity are two non destructive techniques which provide a wealth of information on thickness, structure and interracial properties in nanometer length scale. Combination of X-ray and neutron reflectivity is well suited for obtaining physical parameters of nanostructured thin films and superlattices. Neutrons provide a different contrast between the elements than X-rays and are also sensitive to the magnetization depth profile in thin films and superlattices. The real space information is extracted by fitting a model for the structure of the thin film sample in reflectometry experiments. We have applied a Genetic Algorithms technique to extract depth dependentmore » structure and magnetic in thin film and multilayer systems by simultaneously fitting X-ray and neutron reflectivity data.« less

Interplay between efficiency and device architecture for small molecule organic solar cells.

PubMed

Williams, Graeme; Sutty, Sibi; Aziz, Hany

2014-06-21

Small molecule organic solar cells (OSCs) have experienced a resurgence of interest over their polymer solar cell counterparts, owing to their improved batch-to-batch (thus, cell-to-cell) reliability. In this systematic study on OSC device architecture, we investigate five different small molecule OSC structures, including the simple planar heterojunction (PHJ) and bulk heterojunction (BHJ), as well as several planar-mixed structures. The different OSC structures are studied over a wide range of donor:acceptor mixing concentrations to gain a comprehensive understanding of their charge transport behavior. Transient photocurrent decay measurements provide crucial information regarding the interplay between charge sweep-out and charge recombination, and ultimately hint toward space charge effects in planar-mixed structures. Results show that the BHJ/acceptor architecture, comprising a BHJ layer with high C60 acceptor content, generates OSCs with the highest performance by balancing charge generation with charge collection. The performance of other device architectures is largely limited by hole transport, with associated hole accumulation and space charge effects.

Training Informal Educators Provides Leverage for Space Science Education and Public Outreach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, J. S.; Tobola, K. W.; Betrue, R.

2004-01-01

How do we reach the public with the exciting story of Solar System Exploration? How do we encourage girls to think about careers in science, math, engineering and technology? Why should NASA scientists make an effort to reach the public and informal education settings to tell the Solar System Exploration story? These are questions that the Solar System Exploration Forum, a part of the NASA Office of Space Science Education (SSE) and Public Outreach network, has tackled over the past few years. The SSE Forum is a group of education teams and scientists who work to share the excitement of solar system exploration with colleagues, formal educators, and informal educators like museums and youth groups. One major area of the SSE Forum outreach supports the training of Girl Scouts of the USA (GS) leaders and trainers in a suite of activities that reflect NASA missions and science research. Youth groups like Girl Scouts structure their activities as informal education.

CNES Strategic Plan 2001-2005

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janichewski, S.; Ben Aı̈m, H.

2004-04-01

CNES's latest strategic plan defines the French space agency's strategic focus and charts its course for the 2001-2005 timeframe. Based on a vision of how the space sector will evolve over the period up to 2010, the Strategic Plan sets out the agency's ambition for 2005: " CNES—space technology serving society". This ambition is structured around four challenges: Focusing actions on society's needs in three areas where space technology can make a major difference—environment, science and the information society and mobility. Building the foundation for success by ensuring competitive access to space and boosting basic research and technological innovation. Strengthening national and European synergies to ensure complementarity between: the ESA European framework, which is well adapted for major projects and the development of a European Space Strategy (ESS); and the national framework to support activities of national responsibility such as defence, science and technology development, and to improve competitiveness through direct international cooperation with other space agencies. Forging effective partnerships with its research and industry partners in Europe and France to enhance performance by: developing a service culture; building partnerships; concentrating on core competencies where it can most add value; improving skills and responsiveness in line with its strategic position; ensuring transparent and rigorous management of public funds. This Strategic Plan will be implemented in the 2001-2005 timeframe at all management levels. Implementation will be eased by the fact that the plan has been drawn up through a specific process designed to make internal management aware of the analysis underlying it. This will ensure that all stakeholders understand and appropriate the plan's orientations and thus play an active role in CNES' development. This process involved five successive steps: shared assessment of the space sector's evolution, providing a common baseline from which to build on CNES's vision; shared ambition, defining the agency's objectives and strategic focus; applying lines of action at each of the agency's four space centres through specifically targeted action plans at centre and process level; setting up of a monitoring and oversight structure; definition of a communication strategy to support management of change, designed to keep all CNES personnel informed about the plan and the process behind it.

On the multi-reference nature of plutonium oxides: PuO22+, PuO2, PuO3 and PuO2(OH)2.

PubMed

Boguslawski, Katharina; Réal, Florent; Tecmer, Paweł; Duperrouzel, Corinne; Gomes, André Severo Pereira; Legeza, Örs; Ayers, Paul W; Vallet, Valérie

2017-02-08

Actinide-containing complexes present formidable challenges for electronic structure methods due to the large number of degenerate or quasi-degenerate electronic states arising from partially occupied 5f and 6d shells. Conventional multi-reference methods can treat active spaces that are often at the upper limit of what is required for a proper treatment of species with complex electronic structures, leaving no room for verifying their suitability. In this work we address the issue of properly defining the active spaces in such calculations, and introduce a protocol to determine optimal active spaces based on the use of the Density Matrix Renormalization Group algorithm and concepts of quantum information theory. We apply the protocol to elucidate the electronic structure and bonding mechanism of volatile plutonium oxides (PuO 3 and PuO 2 (OH) 2 ), species associated with nuclear safety issues for which little is known about the electronic structure and energetics. We show how, within a scalar relativistic framework, orbital-pair correlations can be used to guide the definition of optimal active spaces which provide an accurate description of static/non-dynamic electron correlation, as well as to analyse the chemical bonding beyond a simple orbital model. From this bonding analysis we are able to show that the addition of oxo- or hydroxo-groups to the plutonium dioxide species considerably changes the π-bonding mechanism with respect to the bare triatomics, resulting in bent structures with a considerable multi-reference character.

An improved stochastic fractal search algorithm for 3D protein structure prediction.

PubMed

Zhou, Changjun; Sun, Chuan; Wang, Bin; Wang, Xiaojun

2018-05-03

Protein structure prediction (PSP) is a significant area for biological information research, disease treatment, and drug development and so on. In this paper, three-dimensional structures of proteins are predicted based on the known amino acid sequences, and the structure prediction problem is transformed into a typical NP problem by an AB off-lattice model. This work applies a novel improved Stochastic Fractal Search algorithm (ISFS) to solve the problem. The Stochastic Fractal Search algorithm (SFS) is an effective evolutionary algorithm that performs well in exploring the search space but falls into local minimums sometimes. In order to avoid the weakness, Lvy flight and internal feedback information are introduced in ISFS. In the experimental process, simulations are conducted by ISFS algorithm on Fibonacci sequences and real peptide sequences. Experimental results prove that the ISFS performs more efficiently and robust in terms of finding the global minimum and avoiding getting stuck in local minimums.

Inhibition of Monometalated Methionine Aminopeptidase: Inhibitor Discovery and Crystallographic Analysis†

PubMed Central

Huang, Min; Xie, Sheng-Xue; Ma, Ze-Qiang; Huang, Qing-Qing; Nan, Fa-Jun; Ye, Qi-Zhuang

2008-01-01

Two divalent metal ions are commonly seen in the active site cavity of methionine aminopeptidase, and at least one of the metal ions is directly involved in catalysis. Although ample structural and functional information is available for dimetalated enzyme, methionine aminopeptidase likely functions as a monometalated enzyme under physiological conditions. Information on structure, as well as catalysis and inhibition, of the monometalated enzyme is lacking. By improving conditions of high throughput screening, we identified a unique inhibitor with specificity toward the monometalated enzyme. Kinetic characterization indicates a mutual exclusivity in binding between the inhibitor and the second metal ion at the active site. This is confirmed by X-ray structure, and this inhibitor coordinates with the first metal ion and occupies the space normally occupied by the second metal ion. Kinetic and structural analyses of the inhibition by this and other inhibitors provide insight in designing effective inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase. PMID:17948983

KSC-2014-2076

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Social media representatives photograph the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon Capsule on Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Social participants are given the same access as news media in an effort to align the experience of social media representatives with those of traditional media, including the opportunity to view a launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, tour NASA facilities at Kennedy Space Center, speak with representatives from both NASA and SpaceX, view and take photographs of the SpaceX launch pad, meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media and meet members of SpaceX and NASA's social media teams. Scheduled for launch at about 4:58 p.m. EDT April 14, Dragon will be making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

KSC-2014-2074

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Social media representatives photograph the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon Capsule on Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Social participants are given the same access as news media in an effort to align the experience of social media representatives with those of traditional media, including the opportunity to view a launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, tour NASA facilities at Kennedy Space Center, speak with representatives from both NASA and SpaceX, view and take photographs of the SpaceX launch pad, meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media and meet members of SpaceX and NASA's social media teams. Scheduled for launch at about 4:58 p.m. EDT April 14, Dragon will be making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

KSC-2014-2073

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Social media representatives photograph the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon Capsule on Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Social participants are given the same access as news media in an effort to align the experience of social media representatives with those of traditional media, including the opportunity to view a launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, tour NASA facilities at Kennedy Space Center, speak with representatives from both NASA and SpaceX, view and take photographs of the SpaceX launch pad, meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media and meet members of SpaceX and NASA's social media teams. Scheduled for launch at about 4:58 p.m. EDT April 14, Dragon will be making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

Subatomic and atomic crystallographic studies of aldose reductase: implications for inhibitor binding.

PubMed

Podjarny, A; Cachau, R E; Schneider, T; Van Zandt, M; Joachimiak, A

2004-04-01

The determination of several of aldose reductase-inhibitor complexes at subatomic resolution has revealed new structural details, including the specific interatomic contacts involved in inhibitor binding. In this article, we review the structures of the complexes of ALR2 with IDD 594 (resolution: 0.66 angstrom, IC50 (concentration of the inhibitor that produced half-maximal effect): 30 nM, space group: P2(1)), IDD 393 (resolution: 0.90 angstrom, IC50: 6 nM, space group: P1), fidarestat (resolution: 0.92 angstrom, IC50: 9 nM, space group: P2(1)) and minalrestat (resolution: 1.10 angstrom, IC50: 73 nM, space group: P1). The structures are compared and found to be highly reproductible within the same space group (root mean square (RMS) deviations: 0.15 approximately 0.3 angstrom). The mode of binding of the carboxylate inhibitors IDD 594 and IDD 393 is analysed. The binding of the carboxylate head can be accurately determined by the subatomic resolution structures, since both the protonation states and the positions of the atoms are very precisely known. The differences appear in the binding in the specificity pocket. The high-resolution structures explain the differences in IC50, which are confirmed both experimentally by mass spectrometry measures of VC50 and theoretically by free energy perturbation calculations. The binding of the cyclic imide inhibitors fidarestat and minalrestat is also described, focusing on the observation of a Cl(-) ion which binds simultaneously with fidarestat. The presence of this anion, binding also to the active site residue His110, leads to a mechanism in which the inhibitor can bind in a neutral state and then become charged inside the active site pocket. This mechanism can explain the excellent in vivo properties of cyclic imide inhibitors. In summary, the complete and detailed information supplied by the subatomic resolution structures can explain the differences in binding energy of the different inhibitors.

Joint spatial-spectral hyperspectral image clustering using block-diagonal amplified affinity matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Lei; Messinger, David W.

2018-03-01

The large number of spectral channels in a hyperspectral image (HSI) produces a fine spectral resolution to differentiate between materials in a scene. However, difficult classes that have similar spectral signatures are often confused while merely exploiting information in the spectral domain. Therefore, in addition to spectral characteristics, the spatial relationships inherent in HSIs should also be considered for incorporation into classifiers. The growing availability of high spectral and spatial resolution of remote sensors provides rich information for image clustering. Besides the discriminating power in the rich spectrum, contextual information can be extracted from the spatial domain, such as the size and the shape of the structure to which one pixel belongs. In recent years, spectral clustering has gained popularity compared to other clustering methods due to the difficulty of accurate statistical modeling of data in high dimensional space. The joint spatial-spectral information could be effectively incorporated into the proximity graph for spectral clustering approach, which provides a better data representation by discovering the inherent lower dimensionality from the input space. We embedded both spectral and spatial information into our proposed local density adaptive affinity matrix, which is able to handle multiscale data by automatically selecting the scale of analysis for every pixel according to its neighborhood of the correlated pixels. Furthermore, we explored the "conductivity method," which aims at amplifying the block diagonal structure of the affinity matrix to further improve the performance of spectral clustering on HSI datasets.

De novo protein structure prediction by dynamic fragment assembly and conformational space annealing.

PubMed

Lee, Juyong; Lee, Jinhyuk; Sasaki, Takeshi N; Sasai, Masaki; Seok, Chaok; Lee, Jooyoung

2011-08-01

Ab initio protein structure prediction is a challenging problem that requires both an accurate energetic representation of a protein structure and an efficient conformational sampling method for successful protein modeling. In this article, we present an ab initio structure prediction method which combines a recently suggested novel way of fragment assembly, dynamic fragment assembly (DFA) and conformational space annealing (CSA) algorithm. In DFA, model structures are scored by continuous functions constructed based on short- and long-range structural restraint information from a fragment library. Here, DFA is represented by the full-atom model by CHARMM with the addition of the empirical potential of DFIRE. The relative contributions between various energy terms are optimized using linear programming. The conformational sampling was carried out with CSA algorithm, which can find low energy conformations more efficiently than simulated annealing used in the existing DFA study. The newly introduced DFA energy function and CSA sampling algorithm are implemented into CHARMM. Test results on 30 small single-domain proteins and 13 template-free modeling targets of the 8th Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction show that the current method provides comparable and complementary prediction results to existing top methods. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

In Situ Three-Dimensional Reciprocal-Space Mapping of Diffuse Scattering Intensity Distribution and Data Analysis for Precursor Phenomenon in Shape-Memory Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Tian-Le; Ma, Fengde D.; Zhou, Jie E.; Jennings, Guy; Ren, Yang; Jin, Yongmei M.; Wang, Yu U.

2012-01-01

Diffuse scattering contains rich information on various structural disorders, thus providing a useful means to study the nanoscale structural deviations from the average crystal structures determined by Bragg peak analysis. Extraction of maximal information from diffuse scattering requires concerted efforts in high-quality three-dimensional (3D) data measurement, quantitative data analysis and visualization, theoretical interpretation, and computer simulations. Such an endeavor is undertaken to study the correlated dynamic atomic position fluctuations caused by thermal vibrations (phonons) in precursor state of shape-memory alloys. High-quality 3D diffuse scattering intensity data around representative Bragg peaks are collected by using in situ high-energy synchrotron x-ray diffraction and two-dimensional digital x-ray detector (image plate). Computational algorithms and codes are developed to construct the 3D reciprocal-space map of diffuse scattering intensity distribution from the measured data, which are further visualized and quantitatively analyzed to reveal in situ physical behaviors. Diffuse scattering intensity distribution is explicitly formulated in terms of atomic position fluctuations to interpret the experimental observations and identify the most relevant physical mechanisms, which help set up reduced structural models with minimal parameters to be efficiently determined by computer simulations. Such combined procedures are demonstrated by a study of phonon softening phenomenon in precursor state and premartensitic transformation of Ni-Mn-Ga shape-memory alloy.

A Webb in a Golden Cage

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-03-07

This photograph shows support structures wrapped in gold thermal blankets that look like a golden cage. The structure is housed within the vacuum chamber called the Space Environment Simulator, or SES. The SES is located at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., where components of the James Webb Space Telescope are being tested to withstand the extreme temperatures of space. The entire structure is a system of supports and thermal control devices for the series of thermal tests. Visible in the photo is the lower GESHA (Ground Environmental SES Hardware Assembly).The box in the center photo is a group of four LN2 (liquid nitrogen) panels that are designed to keep it at around 100 kelvins. The panels surround the primary mirror of the OTE (Optical Telescope Element) Simulator or OSIM. When NASA's Webb telescope launches in 2018, it will fly a million miles from Earth and enable scientists on Earth to see the most detailed pictures of the universe. For another photo of the SES, visit: www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/webb_osim.html For more information about NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, visit: www.jwst.nasa.gov Photo: NASA/Chris Gunn Text: NASA/Rob Gutro NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Clinical Practice Related to the Treatment of Pain. Influence on the Professional Activity and the Doctor-Patient Relationship.

PubMed

Fernandez, Jorge Muriel; Cenador, Maria Begoña García; Manuel López Millan, J; Méndez, Juan Antonio Juanes; Ledesma, María José Sánchez

2017-05-01

The increasing relevance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in medical care is indisputable. This evidence makes it necessary to start studies that analyse the scope these new forms of access to information and understanding of medicine have on the professional activity of the physician, on the attitude and on the knowledge of patients or, on the doctor-patient relationship. The purpose of this study is to explore some of these aspects in a group of physicians whose clinical activity is related to one of the greatest social impact health problems which is the treatment of chronic pain. Starting with the completion of a questionnaire, in the study group it is observed that the interaction between social structure, increase of information flows and ICTs generate transformations in social practices and behaviour of the actors of the health system. Internet is confirmed as an information space on the subject, but is shown as an underutilized space of interaction between the doctor and his patient.

Around Marshall

NASA Image and Video Library

1977-04-12

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. And construction methods had to be efficient due to limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built.Pictured is an experiment where the astronaut is required to move a large object which weighed 19,000 pounds. It was moved with realitive ease once the astronaut became familiar with his environment and his near weightless condition. Experiments of this nature provided scientists with the information needed regarding weight and mass allowances astronauts could manage in preparation for building a permanent space station in the future.

KSC-2011-7779

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-11-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mobile launcher (ML) is being prepared for its move aboard a crawler-transporter from next to Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B, a distance of 4.2 miles. Data on the ML will be collected from structural and functional engineering tests and used for the next phases of construction. The 355-foot-tall ML, which took about two years to construct, is being modified to support NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the heavy-lift rocket that will launch astronauts farther into space than ever before. SLS will also create high-quality jobs here at home, and provide the cornerstone for America's future human space exploration efforts. For more information on SLS, visit http://www.nasa.gov/sls. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-7777

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-11-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mobile launcher (ML) is being prepared for its move aboard a crawler-transporter from next to Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B, a distance of 4.2 miles. Data on the ML will be collected from structural and functional engineering tests and used for the next phases of construction. The 355-foot-tall ML, which took about two years to construct, is being modified to support NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the heavy-lift rocket that will launch astronauts farther into space than ever before. SLS will also create high-quality jobs here at home, and provide the cornerstone for America's future human space exploration efforts. For more information on SLS, visit http://www.nasa.gov/sls. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-7778

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-11-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mobile launcher (ML) is being prepared for its move aboard a crawler-transporter from next to Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B, a distance of 4.2 miles. Data on the ML will be collected from structural and functional engineering tests and used for the next phases of construction. The 355-foot-tall ML, which took about two years to construct, is being modified to support NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the heavy-lift rocket that will launch astronauts farther into space than ever before. SLS will also create high-quality jobs here at home, and provide the cornerstone for America's future human space exploration efforts. For more information on SLS, visit http://www.nasa.gov/sls. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-7780

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-11-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mobile launcher (ML) is being prepared for its move aboard a crawler-transporter from next to Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B, a distance of 4.2 miles. Data on the ML will be collected from structural and functional engineering tests and used for the next phases of construction. The 355-foot-tall ML, which took about two years to construct, is being modified to support NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the heavy-lift rocket that will launch astronauts farther into space than ever before. SLS will also create high-quality jobs here at home, and provide the cornerstone for America's future human space exploration efforts. For more information on SLS, visit http://www.nasa.gov/sls. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Effects of model complexity and priors on estimation using sequential importance sampling/resampling for species conservation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dunham, Kylee; Grand, James B.

2016-01-01

We examined the effects of complexity and priors on the accuracy of models used to estimate ecological and observational processes, and to make predictions regarding population size and structure. State-space models are useful for estimating complex, unobservable population processes and making predictions about future populations based on limited data. To better understand the utility of state space models in evaluating population dynamics, we used them in a Bayesian framework and compared the accuracy of models with differing complexity, with and without informative priors using sequential importance sampling/resampling (SISR). Count data were simulated for 25 years using known parameters and observation process for each model. We used kernel smoothing to reduce the effect of particle depletion, which is common when estimating both states and parameters with SISR. Models using informative priors estimated parameter values and population size with greater accuracy than their non-informative counterparts. While the estimates of population size and trend did not suffer greatly in models using non-informative priors, the algorithm was unable to accurately estimate demographic parameters. This model framework provides reasonable estimates of population size when little to no information is available; however, when information on some vital rates is available, SISR can be used to obtain more precise estimates of population size and process. Incorporating model complexity such as that required by structured populations with stage-specific vital rates affects precision and accuracy when estimating latent population variables and predicting population dynamics. These results are important to consider when designing monitoring programs and conservation efforts requiring management of specific population segments.

KSC-99pp0404

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-04-08

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the grand opening of the newly expanded KSC Visitor Complex, Center Director Roy Bridges addresses guests and the media. The $13 million addition to the Visitor Complex includes an International Space Station-themed ticket plaza, featuring a structure of overhanging solar panels and astronauts performing assembly tasks, a new information center, films, and exhibits. The KSC Visitor Complex was inaugurated three decades ago and is now one of the top five tourist attractions in Florida. It is located on S.R. 407, east of I-95, within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pressure loads and aerodynamic force information for the -89A space shuttle orbiter configuration, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mennell, R. C.

1973-01-01

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted in a low speed wind tunnel on an 0.0405 scale representation of the 89A light weight Space Shuttle Orbiter to obtain pressure loads data in the presence of the ground for orbiter structural strength analysis. The model and the facility are described, and data reduction is outlined. Tables are included for data set/run number collation, data set/component collation, model component description, and pressure tap locations by series number. Tabulated force and pressure source data are presented.

KSC-2011-6318

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-08-05

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Reflected in water surrounding Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, fire lights up a crystal-clear blue sky as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lofts NASA's Juno planetary probe into space. Liftoff was at 12:25 p.m. EDT Aug. 5. The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: Courtesy Scott Andrews

KSC-2011-6313

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-08-05

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Fire lights up a crystal-clear blue sky on Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lofts NASA's Juno planetary probe into space. Liftoff was at 12:25 p.m. EDT Aug. 5. The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Don Kight

KSC-2011-6311

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-08-05

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Fire lights up a crystal-clear blue sky on Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lofts NASA's Juno planetary probe into space. Liftoff was at 12:25 p.m. EDT Aug. 5. The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Don Kight

KSC-2011-6317

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-08-05

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Fire lights up a crystal-clear blue sky on Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lofts NASA's Juno planetary probe into space. Liftoff was at 12:25 p.m. EDT Aug. 5. The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: Courtesy Scott Andrews

KSC-2011-6312

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-08-05

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Fire lights up a crystal-clear blue sky on Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lofts NASA's Juno planetary probe into space. Liftoff was at 12:25 p.m. EDT Aug. 5. The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/juno. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Don Kight

Using image mapping towards biomedical and biological data sharing

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Image-based data integration in eHealth and life sciences is typically concerned with the method used for anatomical space mapping, needed to retrieve, compare and analyse large volumes of biomedical data. In mapping one image onto another image, a mechanism is used to match and find the corresponding spatial regions which have the same meaning between the source and the matching image. Image-based data integration is useful for integrating data of various information structures. Here we discuss a broad range of issues related to data integration of various information structures, review exemplary work on image representation and mapping, and discuss the challenges that these techniques may bring. PMID:24059352

PAREMD: A parallel program for the evaluation of momentum space properties of atoms and molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meena, Deep Raj; Gadre, Shridhar R.; Balanarayan, P.

2018-03-01

The present work describes a code for evaluating the electron momentum density (EMD), its moments and the associated Shannon information entropy for a multi-electron molecular system. The code works specifically for electronic wave functions obtained from traditional electronic structure packages such as GAMESS and GAUSSIAN. For the momentum space orbitals, the general expression for Gaussian basis sets in position space is analytically Fourier transformed to momentum space Gaussian basis functions. The molecular orbital coefficients of the wave function are taken as an input from the output file of the electronic structure calculation. The analytic expressions of EMD are evaluated over a fine grid and the accuracy of the code is verified by a normalization check and a numerical kinetic energy evaluation which is compared with the analytic kinetic energy given by the electronic structure package. Apart from electron momentum density, electron density in position space has also been integrated into this package. The program is written in C++ and is executed through a Shell script. It is also tuned for multicore machines with shared memory through OpenMP. The program has been tested for a variety of molecules and correlated methods such as CISD, Møller-Plesset second order (MP2) theory and density functional methods. For correlated methods, the PAREMD program uses natural spin orbitals as an input. The program has been benchmarked for a variety of Gaussian basis sets for different molecules showing a linear speedup on a parallel architecture.

A systems engineering approach to automated failure cause diagnosis in space power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dolce, James L.; Faymon, Karl A.

1987-01-01

Automatic failure-cause diagnosis is a key element in autonomous operation of space power systems such as Space Station's. A rule-based diagnostic system has been developed for determining the cause of degraded performance. The knowledge required for such diagnosis is elicited from the system engineering process by using traditional failure analysis techniques. Symptoms, failures, causes, and detector information are represented with structured data; and diagnostic procedural knowledge is represented with rules. Detected symptoms instantiate failure modes and possible causes consistent with currently held beliefs about the likelihood of the cause. A diagnosis concludes with an explanation of the observed symptoms in terms of a chain of possible causes and subcauses.

KSC-06pd2355

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-10-13

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During a Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) in the Orbiter Processing Facility, STS-116 crew members get information about the external air lock they are looking at. At left is Mission Specialist Christer Fugelsang and at right is Mission Specialist Robert Curbeam. Fugelsang represents the European Space Agency. A CEIT allows astronauts to become familiar with equipment and hardware they will use on the mission. STS-116 will be mission No. 20 to the International Space Station and construction flight 12A.1. The mission payload is the SPACEHAB module, the P5 integrated truss structure and other key components. Launch is scheduled for no earlier than Dec. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-3262

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-07-23

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A view looking down from one of the higher levels in the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, reveals High Bay 3 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Banners note the heights of the Saturn V, Space Launch System, or SLS, and shuttle on the steel structure. Modifications are underway to prepare High Bay 3 for a new platform system. The modifications are part of a centerwide refurbishment initiative under the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program. High bay 3 is being refurbished to accommodate NASA’s Space Launch System and a variety of other spacecraft. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

Linear and Non-linear Information Flows In Rainfall Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molini, A.; La Barbera, P.; Lanza, L. G.

The rainfall process is the result of a complex framework of non-linear dynamical in- teractions between the different components of the atmosphere. It preserves the com- plexity and the intermittent features of the generating system in space and time as well as the strong dependence of these properties on the scale of observations. The understanding and quantification of how the non-linearity of the generating process comes to influence the single rain events constitute relevant research issues in the field of hydro-meteorology, especially in those applications where a timely and effective forecasting of heavy rain events is able to reduce the risk of failure. This work focuses on the characterization of the non-linear properties of the observed rain process and on the influence of these features on hydrological models. Among the goals of such a survey is the research of regular structures of the rainfall phenomenon and the study of the information flows within the rain field. The research focuses on three basic evo- lution directions for the system: in time, in space and between the different scales. In fact, the information flows that force the system to evolve represent in general a connection between the different locations in space, the different instants in time and, unless assuming the hypothesis of scale invariance is verified "a priori", the different characteristic scales. A first phase of the analysis is carried out by means of classic statistical methods, then a survey of the information flows within the field is devel- oped by means of techniques borrowed from the Information Theory, and finally an analysis of the rain signal in the time and frequency domains is performed, with par- ticular reference to its intermittent structure. The methods adopted in this last part of the work are both the classic techniques of statistical inference and a few procedures for the detection of non-linear and non-stationary features within the process starting from measured data.

Analysis of genetic population structure in Acacia caven (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae), comparing one exploratory and two Bayesian-model-based methods

PubMed Central

Pometti, Carolina L.; Bessega, Cecilia F.; Saidman, Beatriz O.; Vilardi, Juan C.

2014-01-01

Bayesian clustering as implemented in STRUCTURE or GENELAND software is widely used to form genetic groups of populations or individuals. On the other hand, in order to satisfy the need for less computer-intensive approaches, multivariate analyses are specifically devoted to extracting information from large datasets. In this paper, we report the use of a dataset of AFLP markers belonging to 15 sampling sites of Acacia caven for studying the genetic structure and comparing the consistency of three methods: STRUCTURE, GENELAND and DAPC. Of these methods, DAPC was the fastest one and showed accuracy in inferring the K number of populations (K = 12 using the find.clusters option and K = 15 with a priori information of populations). GENELAND in turn, provides information on the area of membership probabilities for individuals or populations in the space, when coordinates are specified (K = 12). STRUCTURE also inferred the number of K populations and the membership probabilities of individuals based on ancestry, presenting the result K = 11 without prior information of populations and K = 15 using the LOCPRIOR option. Finally, in this work all three methods showed high consistency in estimating the population structure, inferring similar numbers of populations and the membership probabilities of individuals to each group, with a high correlation between each other. PMID:24688293

Estimation of Forest Structure from SRTM correlation data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chapman, B. D.; Hensley, S.; Siqueira, P.; Simard, M.; Treuhaft, R. N.

2012-12-01

In the year 2000, NASA flew a C-band interferometric SAR mission on the Space Shuttle Endeavour called the NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). The objective of this 10 day mission was to measure the topography of the Earth between latitudes of ±60 degrees. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) obtained by processing the collected interferometric SAR data has been made freely available by NASA for many uses. During SRTM InSAR processing, the interferometric correlation was determined as well. One component of the observed SRTM interferometric correlation is the volumetric correlation. The volumetric correlation contains desired vertical structure information. Therefore, if the other components of the correlation can be determined and removed, the remaining correlation should be related to the along-sight distribution of objects within each image pixel. In the presence of vegetation, where we postulate the radiation is scattering in varying amounts from the top of the vegetation to the ground surface, the decorrelation should be related to thickness of the vegetation layer. If successfully demonstrated, the SRTM data set could be used to derive estimates of year 2000 vegetation structure for a large part of the Earth's land surface. Unfortunately, not all the SRTM data are equally sensitive to vertical structure information. Beam 1, the sub-swath in the near range of the SRTM ScanSAR swath, has the greatest sensitivity. Therefore, this presentation will concentrate on the analysis of data from that sub-swath. First, we will describe the corrections necessary to extract the volumetric correlation from the observed correlation. Second, we will examine methods to model the vegetation structure. Last, vegetation-modeling results based on the SRTM correlation data will be compared with results from other measurements of vegetation structural information. Results for a variety of vegetation types will be examined. This paper was partially written at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Structure and application of an interface program between a geographic-information system and a ground-water flow model

USGS Publications Warehouse

Van Metre, P.C.

1990-01-01

A computer-program interface between a geographic-information system and a groundwater flow model links two unrelated software systems for use in developing the flow models. The interface program allows the modeler to compile and manage geographic components of a groundwater model within the geographic information system. A significant savings of time and effort is realized in developing, calibrating, and displaying the groundwater flow model. Four major guidelines were followed in developing the interface program: (1) no changes to the groundwater flow model code were to be made; (2) a data structure was to be designed within the geographic information system that follows the same basic data structure as the groundwater flow model; (3) the interface program was to be flexible enough to support all basic data options available within the model; and (4) the interface program was to be as efficient as possible in terms of computer time used and online-storage space needed. Because some programs in the interface are written in control-program language, the interface will run only on a computer with the PRIMOS operating system. (USGS)

Small business innovation research. Abstracts of 1988 phase 1 awards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Non-proprietary proposal abstracts of Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects supported by NASA are presented. Projects in the fields of aeronautical propulsion, aerodynamics, acoustics, aircraft systems, materials and structures, teleoperators and robots, computer sciences, information systems, data processing, spacecraft propulsion, bioastronautics, satellite communication, and space processing are covered.

The Dawn of Development: A Guide for Educating Visually Impaired Young Children. Volume I: Assessment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Umansky, Warren; And Others

The guide offers a means for evaluating specific learning characteristics of visually impaired children at three levels: prereadiness (prekindergarten), readiness (kindergarten), and academic (primary grades). Items are designed to be administered by informal observation and structured testing. Score sheets contain space for reporting two testing…

Growth and demography of Pinaleno high elevation forests

Treesearch

Christopher O' Connor; Donald A. Falk; Ann M. Lynch; Craig P. Wilcox; Thomas W. Swetnam; Tyson L. Swetnam

2010-01-01

The project goal is to understand how multiple disturbance events including fire, insect outbreaks, and climate variability interact in space and time, and how they combine to influence forest species composition, spatial structure, and tree population dynamics in high elevation forests of the Pinaleno Mountains. Information from each of these components is needed in...

The Geology of Comet 19/P Borrelly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Britt, D. T.; Boice, D. C; Buratti, B. J.; Hicks, M. D.; Nelson, R. M.; Oberst, J.; Sandel, B. R.; Soderblom, L. A.; Stern, S. A.; Thomas, N.

2002-01-01

The Deep Space One spacecraft flew by Comet 19P/Borrelly on September 22, 2001 and returned a rich array of imagery with resolutions of up to 48 m/pixel. These images provide a window into the surface structure, processes, and geological history of a comet. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Calendar of Selected Aeronautical and Space Meetings (Calendrier des Manifestations Aeronautiques et Spatiales (Selection). Juillet-July 1984.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-06-01

Structures, Mat~riaux et M~canique appliquce 47 08 - Physique de l’Atmnosph~re et Environnement terrestre 62 09 - Information, Documentation et...University Institute of Technology: Box 534,75121 Uppsala SW UW University of Wisconsin: Madison, WI 53706 US VDE Verbend Deutacher Elektroteclker

Text Mining for Protein Docking

PubMed Central

Badal, Varsha D.; Kundrotas, Petras J.; Vakser, Ilya A.

2015-01-01

The rapidly growing amount of publicly available information from biomedical research is readily accessible on the Internet, providing a powerful resource for predictive biomolecular modeling. The accumulated data on experimentally determined structures transformed structure prediction of proteins and protein complexes. Instead of exploring the enormous search space, predictive tools can simply proceed to the solution based on similarity to the existing, previously determined structures. A similar major paradigm shift is emerging due to the rapidly expanding amount of information, other than experimentally determined structures, which still can be used as constraints in biomolecular structure prediction. Automated text mining has been widely used in recreating protein interaction networks, as well as in detecting small ligand binding sites on protein structures. Combining and expanding these two well-developed areas of research, we applied the text mining to structural modeling of protein-protein complexes (protein docking). Protein docking can be significantly improved when constraints on the docking mode are available. We developed a procedure that retrieves published abstracts on a specific protein-protein interaction and extracts information relevant to docking. The procedure was assessed on protein complexes from Dockground (http://dockground.compbio.ku.edu). The results show that correct information on binding residues can be extracted for about half of the complexes. The amount of irrelevant information was reduced by conceptual analysis of a subset of the retrieved abstracts, based on the bag-of-words (features) approach. Support Vector Machine models were trained and validated on the subset. The remaining abstracts were filtered by the best-performing models, which decreased the irrelevant information for ~ 25% complexes in the dataset. The extracted constraints were incorporated in the docking protocol and tested on the Dockground unbound benchmark set, significantly increasing the docking success rate. PMID:26650466

Spatio-temporal statistical models for river monitoring networks.

PubMed

Clement, L; Thas, O; Vanrolleghem, P A; Ottoy, J P

2006-01-01

When introducing new wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), investors and policy makers often want to know if there indeed is a beneficial effect of the installation of a WWTP on the river water quality. Such an effect can be established in time as well as in space. Since both temporal and spatial components affect the output of a monitoring network, their dependence structure has to be modelled. River water quality data typically come from a river monitoring network for which the spatial dependence structure is unidirectional. Thus the traditional spatio-temporal models are not appropriate, as they cannot take advantage of this directional information. In this paper, a state-space model is presented in which the spatial dependence of the state variable is represented by a directed acyclic graph, and the temporal dependence by a first-order autoregressive process. The state-space model is extended with a linear model for the mean to estimate the effect of the activation of a WWTP on the dissolved oxygen concentration downstream.

Exploration of Habitability Factors Influencing Short Duration Spaceflight: Structured Postflight Interviews of Shuttle Crewmembers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Locke, James; Leveton, Lauren; Keeton, Kathryn; Whitmire, Alexandra

2009-01-01

Astronauts report significant difficulties with sleep during Space missions. Psychological, physiological, and habitability factors are all thought to play a role in spaceflight insomnia. Crewmembers gain experience with the spaceflight sleep environment as their missions progress, but this knowledge is not formally collected and communicated to subsequent crews. This lack of information transfer prevents crews from optimizing their capability to sleep during mission, which leads to fatigue and its potentially deleterious effects. The goal of this project is astronauts with recent spaceflight experience to gather their knowledge of and insights into sleep in Space. Structured interviews consisting of standardized closed and open-ended questionnaires are administered to astronauts who have flown on the Space Shuttle since the Columbia disaster. It is hoped that review and analysis of the pooled responses to the interview questions will lead to greater understanding of the sleep environment during short duration spaceflight, with attention placed on problem aspects and their potential solutions.

Security aspects of space operations data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmitz, Stefan

1993-01-01

This paper deals with data security. It identifies security threats to European Space Agency's (ESA) In Orbit Infrastructure Ground Segment (IOI GS) and proposes a method of dealing with its complex data structures from the security point of view. It is part of the 'Analysis of Failure Modes, Effects Hazards and Risks of the IOI GS for Operations, including Backup Facilities and Functions' carried out on behalf of the European Space Operations Center (ESOC). The security part of this analysis has been prepared with the following aspects in mind: ESA's large decentralized ground facilities for operations, the multiple organizations/users involved in the operations and the developments of ground data systems, and the large heterogeneous network structure enabling access to (sensitive) data which does involve crossing organizational boundaries. An IOI GS data objects classification is introduced to determine the extent of the necessary protection mechanisms. The proposal of security countermeasures is oriented towards the European 'Information Technology Security Evaluation Criteria (ITSEC)' whose hierarchically organized requirements can be directly mapped to the security sensitivity classification.

Bim-Based Indoor Path Planning Considering Obstacles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, M.; Wei, S.; Zlatanova, S.; Zhang, R.

2017-09-01

At present, 87 % of people's activities are in indoor environment; indoor navigation has become a research issue. As the building structures for people's daily life are more and more complex, many obstacles influence humans' moving. Therefore it is essential to provide an accurate and efficient indoor path planning. Nowadays there are many challenges and problems in indoor navigation. Most existing path planning approaches are based on 2D plans, pay more attention to the geometric configuration of indoor space, often ignore rich semantic information of building components, and mostly consider simple indoor layout without taking into account the furniture. Addressing the above shortcomings, this paper uses BIM (IFC) as the input data and concentrates on indoor navigation considering obstacles in the multi-floor buildings. After geometric and semantic information are extracted, 2D and 3D space subdivision methods are adopted to build the indoor navigation network and to realize a path planning that avoids obstacles. The 3D space subdivision is based on triangular prism. The two approaches are verified by the experiments.

Current Space Station Experiments Investigating Component Level Electronics Repair

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Easton, John W.; Struk, Peter M.

2010-01-01

The Soldering in a Reduced Gravity Experiment (SoRGE) and Component Repair Experiment (CRE)-1 are tests performed on the International Space Station to determine the techniques, tools, and training necessary to allow future crews to perform manual electronics repairs at the component level. SoRGE provides information on the formation and internal structure of through-hole solder joints, illustrating the challenges and implications of soldering in reduced gravity. SoRGE showed a significant increase in internal void defects for joints formed in low gravity compared to normal gravity. Methods for mitigating these void defects were evaluated using a modified soldering process. CRE-1 demonstrated the removal, cleaning, and replacement of electronics components by manual means on functional circuit boards. The majority of components successful passed a post-repair functional test demonstrating the feasibility of component-level repair within the confines of a spacecraft. Together, these tasks provide information to recommend material and tool improvements, training improvements, and future work to help enable electronics repairs in future space missions.

Quantum Cause of Gravity Waves and Dark Matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goradia, Shantilal; Goradia Team

2016-09-01

Per Einstein's theory mass tells space how to curve and space tells mass how to move. How do they tell''? The question boils down to information created by quantum particles blinking ON and OFF analogous to `Ying and Yang' or some more complex ways that may include dark matter. If not, what creates curvature of space-time? Consciousness, dark matter, quantum physics, uncertainty principle, constants of nature like strong coupling, fine structure constant, cosmological constant introduced by Einstein, information, gravitation etc. are fundamentally consequences of that ONE TOE. Vedic philosophers, who impressed Schrodinger so much, called it ATMA split in the categories of AnuAtma (particle soul), JivAtma (life soul) and ParamAtma (Omnipresent soul) which we relate to quantum physics, biology and cosmology. There is no separate TOE for any one thing. The long range relativistic propagations of the strong and weak couplings of the microscopic black holes in are just gravity waves. What else could they be?

Aerothermodynamic testing requirements for future space transportation systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paulson, John W., Jr.; Miller, Charles G., III

1995-01-01

Aerothermodynamics, encompassing aerodynamics, aeroheating, and fluid dynamic and physical processes, is the genesis for the design and development of advanced space transportation vehicles. It provides crucial information to other disciplines involved in the development process such as structures, materials, propulsion, and avionics. Sources of aerothermodynamic information include ground-based facilities, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and engineering computer codes, and flight experiments. Utilization of this triad is required to provide the optimum requirements while reducing undue design conservatism, risk, and cost. This paper discusses the role of ground-based facilities in the design of future space transportation system concepts. Testing methodology is addressed, including the iterative approach often required for the assessment and optimization of configurations from an aerothermodynamic perspective. The influence of vehicle shape and the transition from parametric studies for optimization to benchmark studies for final design and establishment of the flight data book is discussed. Future aerothermodynamic testing requirements including the need for new facilities are also presented.

Assessment of and standardization for quantitative nondestructive test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neuschaefer, R. W.; Beal, J. B.

1972-01-01

Present capabilities and limitations of nondestructive testing (NDT) as applied to aerospace structures during design, development, production, and operational phases are assessed. It will help determine what useful structural quantitative and qualitative data may be provided from raw materials to vehicle refurbishment. This assessment considers metal alloys systems and bonded composites presently applied in active NASA programs or strong contenders for future use. Quantitative and qualitative data has been summarized from recent literature, and in-house information, and presented along with a description of those structures or standards where the information was obtained. Examples, in tabular form, of NDT technique capabilities and limitations have been provided. NDT techniques discussed and assessed were radiography, ultrasonics, penetrants, thermal, acoustic, and electromagnetic. Quantitative data is sparse; therefore, obtaining statistically reliable flaw detection data must be strongly emphasized. The new requirements for reusable space vehicles have resulted in highly efficient design concepts operating in severe environments. This increases the need for quantitative NDT evaluation of selected structural components, the end item structure, and during refurbishment operations.

AGN STORM: A Leap Forward In Reverberation Mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dalla Bontà, Elena; AGN STORM Team

2016-10-01

Reverberation mapping is a tomographic technique that can be used to determine the structure and kinematics of the broad- line emitting region at the center of active galactic nuclei. By-products of these investigations are the masses of the central black holes and information about the structure of the accretion disk. I will show some of the most recent results from the AGN Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping (AGN STORM) project, which was built around 180 daily observations of the bright Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on Hubble Space Telescope. AGN STORM included observations made with Swift, XMM, and several ground-based telescopes, including the 1.22-m telescope at Asiago Observatory. Elena Dalla Bonta` on behalf of the AGN STORM Team.

Structure of N-(5-ethyl-[1,3,4]-thiadiazole-2-yl)toluenesulfonamide by combined X-ray powder diffraction, 13C solid-state NMR and molecular modelling.

PubMed

Hangan, Adriana; Borodi, Gheorghe; Filip, Xenia; Tripon, Carmen; Morari, Cristian; Oprean, Luminita; Filip, Claudiu

2010-12-01

The crystal structure solution of the title compound is determined from microcrystalline powder using a multi-technique approach that combines X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) data analysis based on direct-space methods with information from (13)C solid-state NMR (SSNMR), and molecular modelling using the GIPAW (gauge including projector augmented-wave) method. The space group is Pbca with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The proposed methodology proves very useful for unambiguously characterizing the supramolecular arrangement adopted by the N-(5-ethyl-[1,3,4]-thiadiazole-2-yl)toluenesulfonamide molecules in the crystal, which consists of extended double strands held together by C-H···π non-covalent interactions.

Quantum Consciousness - The Road to Reality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goradia, Shantilal

Per Einstein's theory mass tells space how to curve and space tells mass how to move. How do they tell\\x9D? The question boils down to information created by quantum particles blinking ON and OFF analogous to 'Ying and Yang' or some more complex ways that may include dark matter. Consciousness, dark matter, quantum physics, uncertainty principle, constants of nature like strong coupling, fine structure constant, cosmological constant introduced by Einstein, information, gravitation etc. are fundamentally consequences of that ONE TOE. Vedic philosophers, who impressed Schrodinger so much, called it ATMA split in the categories of AnuAtma (particle soul), JivAtma (life soul) and ParamAtma (Omnipresent soul) which we relate to quantum physics, biology and cosmology. There is no separate TOE (Theory of Everything) for any one thing.

Modal parameter identification based on combining transmissibility functions and blind source separation techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araújo, Iván Gómez; Sánchez, Jesús Antonio García; Andersen, Palle

2018-05-01

Transmissibility-based operational modal analysis is a recent and alternative approach used to identify the modal parameters of structures under operational conditions. This approach is advantageous compared with traditional operational modal analysis because it does not make any assumptions about the excitation spectrum (i.e., white noise with a flat spectrum). However, common methodologies do not include a procedure to extract closely spaced modes with low signal-to-noise ratios. This issue is relevant when considering that engineering structures generally have closely spaced modes and that their measured responses present high levels of noise. Therefore, to overcome these problems, a new combined method for modal parameter identification is proposed in this work. The proposed method combines blind source separation (BSS) techniques and transmissibility-based methods. Here, BSS techniques were used to recover source signals, and transmissibility-based methods were applied to estimate modal information from the recovered source signals. To achieve this combination, a new method to define a transmissibility function was proposed. The suggested transmissibility function is based on the relationship between the power spectral density (PSD) of mixed signals and the PSD of signals from a single source. The numerical responses of a truss structure with high levels of added noise and very closely spaced modes were processed using the proposed combined method to evaluate its ability to identify modal parameters in these conditions. Colored and white noise excitations were used for the numerical example. The proposed combined method was also used to evaluate the modal parameters of an experimental test on a structure containing closely spaced modes. The results showed that the proposed combined method is capable of identifying very closely spaced modes in the presence of noise and, thus, may be potentially applied to improve the identification of damping ratios.

Engineering in the 21st century

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccarthy, J. F., Jr.

1978-01-01

Reasonable evolutionary trends in federal outlays for aerospace research and development predict a continuing decline in real resources (1970 dollars) until the mid eighties, and a growth thereafter to the 1970 level by 2000, still well below the 1966 peak. Employment levels will parallel this trend with no shortage of available personnel foreseen. These trends characterize a maturing industry. Shifts in outlook toward the economic use of resources, rather than minimum risk at any cost, and toward missions aligned with societal needs and broad national goals will accompany these trends. These shifts in outlook will arise in part in academia, and will, in turn, influence engineering education. By 2000, space technology will have achieved major advances in the management of information, in space transportation, in space structures, and in energy. The economics of space systems must be the primary consideration if the space program foreseen for the 21st century is to become an actuality.

KSC-2014-2032

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the News Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Trent Smith of the agency's International Space Station Research and Utilization Office, discusses the Vegetable Production System "VEGGIE" experiment being launched to the ISS. This investigation will focus on the growth and development of "Outredgeous" Lettuce seedlings in the microgravity environment of space and its effects on composition of microbial flora in the Veggie facility. Plans call for lettuce plants to be harvested in-orbit, frozen and returned to the ground for post-flight evaluation. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2035

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The International Space Station's Vegetable Production System "VEGGIE" experiment is on display in the News Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This investigation will focus on the growth and development of "Outredgeous" Lettuce seedlings in the microgravity environment of space and its effects on composition of microbial flora in the VEGGIE facility. Plans call for lettuce plants to be harvested in-orbit, frozen and returned to the ground for post-flight evaluation. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2033

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the News Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Trent Smith of the agency's International Space Station Research and Utilization Office, discusses the Vegetable Production System "VEGGIE" experiment being launched to the ISS. This investigation will focus on the growth and development of "Outredgeous" Lettuce seedlings in the microgravity environment of space and its effects on composition of microbial flora in the Veggie facility. Plans call for lettuce plants to be harvested in-orbit, frozen and returned to the ground for post-flight evaluation. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2030

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The International Space Station's Vegetable Production System "VEGGIE" experiment is on display in the News Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This investigation will focus on the growth and development of "Outredgeous" Lettuce seedlings in the microgravity environment of space and its effects on composition of microbial flora in the VEGGIE facility. Plans call for lettuce plants to be harvested in-orbit, frozen and returned to the ground for post-flight evaluation. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2031

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the News Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Trent Smith of the agency's International Space Station Research and Utilization Office, discusses the Vegetable Production System "VEGGIE" experiment being launched to the ISS. This investigation will focus on the growth and development of "Outredgeous" Lettuce seedlings in the microgravity environment of space and its effects on composition of microbial flora in the Veggie facility. Plans call for lettuce plants to be harvested in-orbit, frozen and returned to the ground for post-flight evaluation. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2034

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-13

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the News Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Trent Smith of the agency's International Space Station Research and Utilization Office, discusses the Vegetable Production System "VEGGIE" experiment being launched to the ISS. This investigation will focus on the growth and development of "Outredgeous" Lettuce seedlings in the microgravity environment of space and its effects on composition of microbial flora in the Veggie facility. Plans call for lettuce plants to be harvested in-orbit, frozen and returned to the ground for post-flight evaluation. Scheduled for launch on April 14, 2014 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecraft will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-2202

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Remote-controlled and sound-activated cameras placed around the perimeter of the pad by media organizations capture images of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as it rises off Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, sending the Dragon resupply spacecraft on its way to the International Space Station. Liftoff was during an instantaneous window at 3:25 p.m. EDT. Dragon is making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights through a $1.6 billion NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract. Dragon's cargo will support more than 150 experiments that will be conducted during the station's Expeditions 39 and 40. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Tim Terry

KSC-2014-2196

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Muddy water standing on the pad surface contributes to the formation of a dark exhaust cloud around the Falcon 9 rocket at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as the SpaceX-3 mission lifts off, sendng the Dragon resupply spacecraft on its way to the International Space Station. Launch was during an instantaneous window at 3:25 p.m. EDT. Dragon is making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights through a $1.6 billion NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract. Dragon's cargo will support more than 150 experiments that will be conducted during the station's Expeditions 39 and 40. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Tim Terry

Lessons Learned and Technical Standards: A Logical Marriage for Future Space Systems Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gill, Paul S.; Garcia, Danny; Vaughan, William W.; Parker, Nelson C. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

A comprehensive database of engineering lessons learned that corresponds with relevant technical standards will be a valuable asset to those engaged in studies on future space vehicle developments, especially for structures, materials, propulsion, control, operations and associated elements. In addition, this will enable the capturing of technology developments applicable to the design, development, and operation of future space vehicles as planned in the Space Launch Initiative. Using the time-honored tradition of passing on lessons learned while utilizing the newest information technology, NASA has launched an intensive effort to link lessons learned acquired through various Internet databases with applicable technical standards. This paper will discuss the importance of lessons learned, the difficulty in finding relevant lessons learned while engaged in a space vehicle development, and the new NASA effort to relate them to technical standards that can help alleviate this difficulty.

Spatiotemporal modelling and mapping of the bubonic plague epidemic in India.

PubMed

Yu, Hwa-Lung; Christakos, George

2006-03-17

This work studies the spatiotemporal evolution of bubonic plague in India during 1896-1906 using stochastic concepts and geographical information science techniques. In the past, most investigations focused on selected cities to conduct different kinds of studies, such as the ecology of rats. No detailed maps existed incorporating the space-time dependence structure and uncertainty sources of the epidemic system and providing a composite space-time picture of the disease propagation characteristics. Informative spatiotemporal maps were generated that represented mortality rates and geographical spread of the disease, and epidemic indicator plots were derived that offered meaningful characterizations of the spatiotemporal disease distribution. The bubonic plague in India exhibited strong seasonal and geographical features. During its entire duration, the plague continued to invade new geographical areas, while it followed a re-emergence pattern at many localities; its rate changed significantly during each year and the mortality distribution exhibited space-time heterogeneous patterns; prevalence usually occurred in the autumn and spring, whereas the plague stopped moving towards new locations during the summers. Modern stochastic modelling and geographical information science provide powerful means to study the spatiotemporal distribution of the bubonic plague epidemic under conditions of uncertainty and multi-sourced databases; to account for various forms of interdisciplinary knowledge; and to generate informative space-time maps of mortality rates and propagation patterns. To the best of our knowledge, this kind of plague maps and plots become available for the first time, thus providing novel perspectives concerning the distribution and space-time propagation of the deadly epidemic. Furthermore, systematic maps and indicator plots make possible the comparison of the spatial-temporal propagation patterns of different diseases.

Spatiotemporal modelling and mapping of the bubonic plague epidemic in India

PubMed Central

Yu, Hwa-Lung; Christakos, George

2006-01-01

Background This work studies the spatiotemporal evolution of bubonic plague in India during 1896–1906 using stochastic concepts and geographical information science techniques. In the past, most investigations focused on selected cities to conduct different kinds of studies, such as the ecology of rats. No detailed maps existed incorporating the space-time dependence structure and uncertainty sources of the epidemic system and providing a composite space-time picture of the disease propagation characteristics. Results Informative spatiotemporal maps were generated that represented mortality rates and geographical spread of the disease, and epidemic indicator plots were derived that offered meaningful characterizations of the spatiotemporal disease distribution. The bubonic plague in India exhibited strong seasonal and geographical features. During its entire duration, the plague continued to invade new geographical areas, while it followed a re-emergence pattern at many localities; its rate changed significantly during each year and the mortality distribution exhibited space-time heterogeneous patterns; prevalence usually occurred in the autumn and spring, whereas the plague stopped moving towards new locations during the summers. Conclusion Modern stochastic modelling and geographical information science provide powerful means to study the spatiotemporal distribution of the bubonic plague epidemic under conditions of uncertainty and multi-sourced databases; to account for various forms of interdisciplinary knowledge; and to generate informative space-time maps of mortality rates and propagation patterns. To the best of our knowledge, this kind of plague maps and plots become available for the first time, thus providing novel perspectives concerning the distribution and space-time propagation of the deadly epidemic. Furthermore, systematic maps and indicator plots make possible the comparison of the spatial-temporal propagation patterns of different diseases. PMID:16545128

A case study for a digital seabed database: Bohai Sea engineering geology database

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tianyun, Su; Shikui, Zhai; Baohua, Liu; Ruicai, Liang; Yanpeng, Zheng; Yong, Wang

2006-07-01

This paper discusses the designing plan of ORACLE-based Bohai Sea engineering geology database structure from requisition analysis, conceptual structure analysis, logical structure analysis, physical structure analysis and security designing. In the study, we used the object-oriented Unified Modeling Language (UML) to model the conceptual structure of the database and used the powerful function of data management which the object-oriented and relational database ORACLE provides to organize and manage the storage space and improve its security performance. By this means, the database can provide rapid and highly effective performance in data storage, maintenance and query to satisfy the application requisition of the Bohai Sea Oilfield Paradigm Area Information System.

A Stochastic Evolutionary Model for Protein Structure Alignment and Phylogeny

PubMed Central

Challis, Christopher J.; Schmidler, Scott C.

2012-01-01

We present a stochastic process model for the joint evolution of protein primary and tertiary structure, suitable for use in alignment and estimation of phylogeny. Indels arise from a classic Links model, and mutations follow a standard substitution matrix, whereas backbone atoms diffuse in three-dimensional space according to an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process. The model allows for simultaneous estimation of evolutionary distances, indel rates, structural drift rates, and alignments, while fully accounting for uncertainty. The inclusion of structural information enables phylogenetic inference on time scales not previously attainable with sequence evolution models. The model also provides a tool for testing evolutionary hypotheses and improving our understanding of protein structural evolution. PMID:22723302

a Comparative Case Study of Reflection Seismic Imaging Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alamooti, M.; Aydin, A.

2017-12-01

Seismic imaging is the most common means of gathering information about subsurface structural features. The accuracy of seismic images may be highly variable depending on the complexity of the subsurface and on how seismic data is processed. One of the crucial steps in this process, especially in layered sequences with complicated structure, is the time and/or depth migration of seismic data.The primary purpose of the migration is to increase the spatial resolution of seismic images by repositioning the recorded seismic signal back to its original point of reflection in time/space, which enhances information about complex structure. In this study, our objective is to process a seismic data set (courtesy of the University of South Carolina) to generate an image on which the Magruder fault near Allendale SC can be clearly distinguished and its attitude can be accurately depicted. The data was gathered by common mid-point method with 60 geophones equally spaced along an about 550 m long traverse over a nearly flat ground. The results obtained from the application of different migration algorithms (including finite-difference and Kirchhoff) are compared in time and depth domains to investigate the efficiency of each algorithm in reducing the processing time and improving the accuracy of seismic images in reflecting the correct position of the Magruder fault.

[Gradient-index (GRIN) endoscopic examinations from the inner structures of the optic nerve meninges].

PubMed

Sens, Frank Michael; Killer, Hanspeter Esriel; Meyer, Peter

2003-03-01

Due to the excellent image quality and the small outer diameter of the GRIN-(gradient index) endoscope tips we were able to examine the subdural and the subarachnoidal space of the optic nerve meninges by endoscopy. This examination was performed to obtain more information about the inner structure of the optic nerve meninges. In this post-mortem study 7 optic nerves were examined from the chiasm to the globe by GRIN endoscopy (Volpi, Schlieren, Switzerland), with an outer diameter of 0.89 mm, integrated optic of 0.5 mm diameter and an integrated fluid channel of 0.2 mm diameter. In all cases the endoscopic examination of the optic nerve meninges was technically easy to perform. It was possible to study the inner surface of the nerve sheaths and the nerve sheath spaces in close-up. We found horizontal and vertical cords on the inner surface of the dura mater, which could tighten by movements of the optic nerve. With a gradient-index (GRIN) endoscope we obtained new information about the inner structure of the optic nerve meninges. New theories about the changes of the optic nerve meninges during movements of the optic nerve may evolve from this study. Further studies with this new method should be encouraged.

Optimal Learning Paths in Information Networks

PubMed Central

Rodi, G. C.; Loreto, V.; Servedio, V. D. P.; Tria, F.

2015-01-01

Each sphere of knowledge and information could be depicted as a complex mesh of correlated items. By properly exploiting these connections, innovative and more efficient navigation strategies could be defined, possibly leading to a faster learning process and an enduring retention of information. In this work we investigate how the topological structure embedding the items to be learned can affect the efficiency of the learning dynamics. To this end we introduce a general class of algorithms that simulate the exploration of knowledge/information networks standing on well-established findings on educational scheduling, namely the spacing and lag effects. While constructing their learning schedules, individuals move along connections, periodically revisiting some concepts, and sometimes jumping on very distant ones. In order to investigate the effect of networked information structures on the proposed learning dynamics we focused both on synthetic and real-world graphs such as subsections of Wikipedia and word-association graphs. We highlight the existence of optimal topological structures for the simulated learning dynamics whose efficiency is affected by the balance between hubs and the least connected items. Interestingly, the real-world graphs we considered lead naturally to almost optimal learning performances. PMID:26030508

Integrated Space Asset Management Database and Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

MacLeod, Todd; Gagliano, Larry; Percy, Thomas; Mason, Shane

2015-01-01

Effective Space Asset Management is one key to addressing the ever-growing issue of space congestion. It is imperative that agencies around the world have access to data regarding the numerous active assets and pieces of space junk currently tracked in orbit around the Earth. At the center of this issues is the effective management of data of many types related to orbiting objects. As the population of tracked objects grows, so too should the data management structure used to catalog technical specifications, orbital information, and metadata related to those populations. Marshall Space Flight Center's Space Asset Management Database (SAM-D) was implemented in order to effectively catalog a broad set of data related to known objects in space by ingesting information from a variety of database and processing that data into useful technical information. Using the universal NORAD number as a unique identifier, the SAM-D processes two-line element data into orbital characteristics and cross-references this technical data with metadata related to functional status, country of ownership, and application category. The SAM-D began as an Excel spreadsheet and was later upgraded to an Access database. While SAM-D performs its task very well, it is limited by its current platform and is not available outside of the local user base. Further, while modeling and simulation can be powerful tools to exploit the information contained in SAM-D, the current system does not allow proper integration options for combining the data with both legacy and new M&S tools. This paper provides a summary of SAM-D development efforts to date and outlines a proposed data management infrastructure that extends SAM-D to support the larger data sets to be generated. A service-oriented architecture model using an information sharing platform named SIMON will allow it to easily expand to incorporate new capabilities, including advanced analytics, M&S tools, fusion techniques and user interface for visualizations. In addition, tight control of information sharing policy will increase confidence in the system, which would encourage industry partners to provide commercial data. Combined with the integration of new and legacy M&S tools, a SIMON-based architecture will provide a robust environment that can be extended and expanded indefinitely.

SimRNA: a coarse-grained method for RNA folding simulations and 3D structure prediction.

PubMed

Boniecki, Michal J; Lach, Grzegorz; Dawson, Wayne K; Tomala, Konrad; Lukasz, Pawel; Soltysinski, Tomasz; Rother, Kristian M; Bujnicki, Janusz M

2016-04-20

RNA molecules play fundamental roles in cellular processes. Their function and interactions with other biomolecules are dependent on the ability to form complex three-dimensional (3D) structures. However, experimental determination of RNA 3D structures is laborious and challenging, and therefore, the majority of known RNAs remain structurally uncharacterized. Here, we present SimRNA: a new method for computational RNA 3D structure prediction, which uses a coarse-grained representation, relies on the Monte Carlo method for sampling the conformational space, and employs a statistical potential to approximate the energy and identify conformations that correspond to biologically relevant structures. SimRNA can fold RNA molecules using only sequence information, and, on established test sequences, it recapitulates secondary structure with high accuracy, including correct prediction of pseudoknots. For modeling of complex 3D structures, it can use additional restraints, derived from experimental or computational analyses, including information about secondary structure and/or long-range contacts. SimRNA also can be used to analyze conformational landscapes and identify potential alternative structures. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Probing the triplet correlation function in liquid water by experiments and molecular simulations.

PubMed

Dhabal, Debdas; Wikfeldt, Kjartan Thor; Skinner, Lawrie B; Chakravarty, Charusita; Kashyap, Hemant K

2017-01-25

Despite very significant developments in scattering experiments like X-ray and neutron diffraction, it has been challenging to elucidate the nature of tetrahedral molecular configurations in liquid water. A key question is whether the pair correlation functions, which can be obtained from scattering experiments, are sufficient to describe the tetrahedral ordering of water molecules. In our previous study (Dhabal et al., J. Chem. Phys., 2014, 141, 174504), using data-sets generated from reverse Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, we showed that the triplet correlation functions contain important information on the tetrahedrality of water in the liquid state. In the present study, X-ray scattering experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to link the isothermal pressure derivative of the structure factor with the triplet correlation functions for water. Triplet functions are determined for water up to 3.3 kbar at 298 K to display the effect of pressure on the water structure. The results suggest that triplet functions (H[combining tilde](q)) obtained using a rigid-body TIP4P/2005 water model are consistent with the experimental results. The triplet functions obtained in experiment as well as in simulations evince that in the case of tetrahedral liquids, exertion of higher pressure leads to a better agreement with the Kirkwood superposition approximation (KSA). We further validate this observation using the triplet correlation functions (g (3) (r,s,t)) calculated directly from simulation trajectory, revealing that both H[combining tilde](q) in q-space and g (3) (r,s,t) in real-space contain similar information on the tetrahedrality of liquids. This study demonstrates that the structure factor, even though it has only pair correlation information of the liquid structure, can shed light on three-body correlations in liquid water through its isothermal pressure derivative term.

Analysis and design of nonlinear resonances via singularity theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cirillo, G. I.; Habib, G.; Kerschen, G.; Sepulchre, R.

2017-03-01

Bifurcation theory and continuation methods are well-established tools for the analysis of nonlinear mechanical systems subject to periodic forcing. We illustrate the added value and the complementary information provided by singularity theory with one distinguished parameter. While tracking bifurcations reveals the qualitative changes in the behaviour, tracking singularities reveals how structural changes are themselves organised in parameter space. The complementarity of that information is demonstrated in the analysis of detached resonance curves in a two-degree-of-freedom system.

Low-thrust chemical rocket engine study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mellish, J. A.

1981-01-01

Engine data and information are presented to perform system studies on cargo orbit-transfer vehicles which would deliver large space structures to geosynchronous equatorial orbit. Low-thrust engine performance, weight, and envelope parametric data were established, preliminary design information was generated, and technologies for liquid rocket engines were identified. Two major engine design drivers were considered in the study: cooling and engine cycle options. Both film-cooled and regeneratively cooled engines were evaluated. The propellant combinations studied were hydrogen/oxygen, methane/oxygen, and kerosene/oxygen.

Evolution of an Intelligent Information Fusion System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, William J.; Cromp, Robert F.

1990-01-01

Consideration is given to the hardware and software needed to manage the enormous amount and complexity of data that the next generation of space-borne sensors will provide. An anthology is presented illustrating the evolution of artificial intelligence, science data processing, and management from the 1960s to the near future. Problems and limitations of technologies, data structures, data standards, and conceptual thinking are addressed. The development of an end-to-end Intelligent Information Fusion System that embodies knowledge of the user's domain-specific goals is proposed.

Optimizing Coverage of Three-Dimensional Wireless Sensor Networks by Means of Photon Mapping

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-01

information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE DEC 2013 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2013 to 00-00...information about the monitored space is sensed?” Solving this formulation of the AGP relies upon the creation of a model describing how a set of...simulated photons will propagate in a 3D virtual environment. Furthermore, the photon model requires an efficient data structure with small memory

(CICT) Computing, Information, and Communications Technology Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanDalsem, William R.

2003-01-01

The goal of the Computing, Information, and Communications Technology (CICT) program is to enable NASA's Scientific Research, Space Exploration, and Aerospace Technology Missions with greater mission assurance, for less cost, with increased science return through the development and use of advanced computing, information and communications technologies. This viewgraph presentation includes diagrams of how the political guidance behind CICT is structured. The presentation profiles each part of the NASA Mission in detail, and relates the Mission to the activities of CICT. CICT's Integrated Capability Goal is illustrated, and hypothetical missions which could be enabled by CICT are profiled. CICT technology development is profiled.

Key Science Instrument Installed into Webb Structure

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-03

A technician is installing the bolts that will hold the MIRI, or Mid-Infrared Instrument, to the composite Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) structure, or the black frame. The MIRI is attached to a balance beam, called the Horizontal Integration Tool (HIT), hanging from a precision overhead crane. That's the same tool that Hubble engineers used to prepare hardware for its servicing missions. Photo Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn; Text Credit: NASA/Laura Betz ---- Engineers worked meticulously to implant the James Webb Space Telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument into the ISIM, or Integrated Science Instrument Module, in the cleanroom at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. As the successor to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, the Webb telescope will be the most powerful space telescope ever built. It will observe the most distant objects in the universe, provide images of the first galaxies formed and see unexplored planets around distant stars. For more information, visit: www.jwst.nasa.gov NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Key Science Instrument Installed into Webb Structure

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

Engineers Tom Huber (behind MIRI) and Mick Wilks (inside black ISIM Structure) check that MIRI is integrated precisely. The engineers have to make sure that MIRI, the only instrument on the Webb telescope that 'sees' mid-infrared light, is precisely positioned so that it and the other instruments can glimpse the formation of galaxies and see deeper into the universe than ever before. Photo Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn; Text Credit: NASA/Laura Betz ---- Engineers worked meticulously to implant the James Webb Space Telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument into the ISIM, or Integrated Science Instrument Module, in the cleanroom at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. As the successor to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, the Webb telescope will be the most powerful space telescope ever built. It will observe the most distant objects in the universe, provide images of the first galaxies formed and see unexplored planets around distant stars. For more information, visit: www.jwst.nasa.gov NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Integration Of Space Weather Into Space Situational Awareness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reeves, G.

2010-09-01

Rapid assessment of space weather effects on satellites is a critical step in anomaly resolution and satellite threat assessment. That step, however, is often hindered by a number of factors including timely collection and delivery of space weather data and the inherent complexity of space weather information. As part of a larger, integrated space situational awareness program, Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed prototype operational space weather tools that run in real time and present operators with customized, user-specific information. The Dynamic Radiation Environment Assimilation Model (DREAM) focuses on the penetrating radiation environment from natural or nuclear-produced radiation belts. The penetrating radiation environment is highly dynamic and highly orbitdependent. Operators often must rely only on line plots of 2 MeV electron flux from the NOAA geosynchronous GOES satellites which is then assumed to be representative of the environment at the satellite of interest. DREAM uses data assimilation to produce a global, real-time, energy dependent specification. User tools are built around a distributed service oriented architecture (SOA) which allows operators to select any satellite from the space catalog and examine the environment for that specific satellite and time of interest. Depending on the application operators may need to examine instantaneous dose rates and/or dose accumulated over various lengths of time. Further, different energy thresholds can be selected depending on the shielding on the satellite or instrument of interest. In order to rapidly assess the probability that space weather effects, the current conditions can be compared against the historical distribution of radiation levels for that orbit. In the simplest operation a user would select a satellite and time of interest and immediately see if the environmental conditions were typical, elevated, or extreme based on how often those conditions occur in that orbit. This allows users to rapidly rule in or out environmental causes of anomalies. The same user interface can also allow users to drill down for more detailed quantitative information. DREAM can be run either from a distributed web-based user interface or as a stand-alone application for secure operations. We will discuss the underlying structure of the DREAM model and demonstrate the user interface that we have developed. We will also discuss future development plans for DREAM and how the same paradigm can be applied to integrating other space environment information into operational SSA systems.

KSC-2014-2183

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Media representatives participate in a post-launch news conference in the NASA Press Site news auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the SpaceX-3 launch. On the dais are, from left, Michael Curie, NASA Public Affairs, William Gersteinmeier, NASA associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, and Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX vice president of Mission Assurance. SpaceX CEO and chief designer Elon Musk participated in the conference by telephone. SpaceX-3 launched at 3:25 p.m. EDT aboard a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule from Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Dragon is making its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission, carrying almost 2.5 tons of supplies, technology and science experiments, is the third of 12 flights through a $1.6 billion NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract. Dragon's cargo will support more than 150 experiments that will be conducted during the station's Expeditions 39 and 40. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Fast flexible modeling of RNA structure using internal coordinates.

PubMed

Flores, Samuel Coulbourn; Sherman, Michael A; Bruns, Christopher M; Eastman, Peter; Altman, Russ Biagio

2011-01-01

Modeling the structure and dynamics of large macromolecules remains a critical challenge. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are expensive because they model every atom independently, and are difficult to combine with experimentally derived knowledge. Assembly of molecules using fragments from libraries relies on the database of known structures and thus may not work for novel motifs. Coarse-grained modeling methods have yielded good results on large molecules but can suffer from difficulties in creating more detailed full atomic realizations. There is therefore a need for molecular modeling algorithms that remain chemically accurate and economical for large molecules, do not rely on fragment libraries, and can incorporate experimental information. RNABuilder works in the internal coordinate space of dihedral angles and thus has time requirements proportional to the number of moving parts rather than the number of atoms. It provides accurate physics-based response to applied forces, but also allows user-specified forces for incorporating experimental information. A particular strength of RNABuilder is that all Leontis-Westhof basepairs can be specified as primitives by the user to be satisfied during model construction. We apply RNABuilder to predict the structure of an RNA molecule with 160 bases from its secondary structure, as well as experimental information. Our model matches the known structure to 10.2 Angstroms RMSD and has low computational expense.

Innovative Embedded Fiber Sensor System for Spacecraft's Health in Situ Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haddad, E.; Kruzelecky, R.; Zou, J.; Wong, B.; Mohammad, N.; Thatte, G.; Jamroz, W.; Riendeau, S.

2009-01-01

Monitoring of various parameters in satellites is desirable to provide the necessary information on the condition and status of the spacecraft and its various subsystems (AOCS, thermal, propulsion, power, mechanisms etc.) throughout its lifecycle. Fiber-Optic Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors represent an alternative to current technological approaches, enabling in situ distributed dynamic health monitoring, to provide a mapping of the spacecraft strain and temperature distributions, for varying operating and orbital conditions. In addition, these sensors may be implemented in the very early spacecraft fabrication stages, as built-in testing and diagnostic tools, and then used continuously through the mission phases until the end of the spacecraft mission. This can substantially reduce the cost of ground qualification and facilitate improved spacecraft design. MPBC has developed and ground qualified a demonstrator fiber sensor network, the Fiber Sensor Demonstrator (FSD) that has been successfully integrated with ESA's Proba-2. This is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2008, and will be the first complete fiber-optic sensing system in space. The advantages of the MPBC approach include a central interrogation system that can be used to control a multi-parameter sensing incorporating various types of sensors. Using a combination of both parallel signal distribution and serial wavelength division sensor multiplexing along single strands of optical fiber enables a high sensor capacity. In a continuous effort, MPB Communications (MPBC) is developing an innovative Embedded Distributed Fiber Sensor (EDFOS) within space composite structures. It addresses the challenges of embedding very thin fiber sensors within a selected material matrix, the decoupling of the strain and temperature effects on the fiber, and the sensor distribution. The embedded sensor approach allows the sensor system to follow the status of the space structure through its entire life cycle; from fabrication and assembly, to ground testing, to the space mission itself. By providing a history of the structure, any changes are more readily discernable, and the in situ sensor information can be used to further improve the design and reliability of the structure.

User and Task Analysis of the Flight Surgeon Console at the Mission Control Center of the NASA Johnson Space Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Kathy A.; Shek, Molly

2003-01-01

Astronauts in a space station are to some extent like patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). Medical support of a mission crew will require acquisition, transmission, distribution, integration, and archiving of significant amounts of data. These data are acquired by disparate systems and will require timely, reliable, and secure distribution to different communities for the execution of various tasks of space missions. The goal of the Comprehensive Medical Information System (CMIS) Project at Johnson Space Center Flight Medical Clinic is to integrate data from all Medical Operations sources, including the reference information sources and the electronic medical records of astronauts. A first step toward the full CMIS implementation is to integrate and organize the reference information sources and the electronic medical record with the Flight Surgeons console. In order to investigate this integration, we need to understand the usability problems of the Flight Surgeon's console in particular and medical information systems in general. One way to achieve this understanding is through the use of user and task analyses whose general purpose is to ensure that only the necessary and sufficient task features that match users capacities will be included in system implementations. The goal of this summer project was to conduct user and task analyses employing cognitive engineering techniques to analyze the task of the Flight Surgeons and Biomedical Engineers (BMEs) while they worked on Console. The techniques employed were user interviews, observations and a questionnaire to collect data for which a hierarchical task analysis and an information resource assessment were performed. They are described in more detail below. Finally, based on our analyses, we make recommendations for improvements to the support structure.

Neutral Buoyancy Simulator-NB32-Large Space Structure Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. Construction methods had to be efficient due to the limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. As part of this experimentation, the Experimental Assembly of Structures in Extravehicular Activity (EASE) project was developed as a joint effort between MFSC and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The EASE experiment required that crew members assemble small components to form larger components, working from the payload bay of the space shuttle. Pictured is an entire unit that has been constructed and is sitting in the bottom of a mock-up shuttle cargo bay pallet.

Advanced technology for America's future in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

In response to Recommendation 8 of the Augustine Committee Report, NASA's Office of Aeronautics, Exploration and Technology (OAET) developed a proposed 'Integrated Technology Plan for the Civil Space Program' that entails substantial changes in the processes, structure and the content of NASA's space research and technology program. The Space Systems and Technology Advisory Committee (SSTAC, a subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Committee) and several other senior, expert, informed advisory groups conducted a review of NASA's proposed Integrated Technology Plan (ITP). This review was in response to the specific request in Recommendation 8 that 'NASA utilize an expert, outside review process, managed from headquarters, to assist in the allocation of technology funds'. This document, the final report from that review, addresses: (1) summary recommendations; (2) mission needs; (3) the integrated technology plan; (4) summary reports of the technical panels; and (5) conclusions and observations.

Neutral Buoyancy Simulator: MSFC-Langley joint test of large space structures component assembly:

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Once the United States' space program had progressed from Earth's orbit into outerspace, the prospect of building and maintaining a permanent presence in space was realized. To accomplish this feat, NASA launched a temporary workstation, Skylab, to discover the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the human body, and also to develop tools and equipment that would be needed in the future to build and maintain a more permanent space station. The structures, techniques, and work schedules had to be carefully designed to fit this unique construction site. The components had to be lightweight for transport into orbit, yet durable. The station also had to be made with removable parts for easy servicing and repairs by astronauts. All of the tools necessary for service and repairs had to be designed for easy manipulation by a suited astronaut. And construction methods had to be efficient due to limited time the astronauts could remain outside their controlled environment. In lieu of all the specific needs for this project, an environment on Earth had to be developed that could simulate a low gravity atmosphere. A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) was constructed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1968. Since then, NASA scientists have used this facility to understand how humans work best in low gravity and also provide information about the different kinds of structures that can be built. Another facet of the space station would be electrical cornectors which would be used for powering tools the astronauts would need for construction, maintenance and repairs. Shown is an astronaut training during an underwater electrical connector test in the NBS.

The prediction of crystal structure by merging knowledge methods with first principles quantum mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ceder, Gerbrand

2007-03-01

The prediction of structure is a key problem in computational materials science that forms the platform on which rational materials design can be performed. Finding structure by traditional optimization methods on quantum mechanical energy models is not possible due to the complexity and high dimensionality of the coordinate space. An unusual, but efficient solution to this problem can be obtained by merging ideas from heuristic and ab initio methods: In the same way that scientist build empirical rules by observation of experimental trends, we have developed machine learning approaches that extract knowledge from a large set of experimental information and a database of over 15,000 first principles computations, and used these to rapidly direct accurate quantum mechanical techniques to the lowest energy crystal structure of a material. Knowledge is captured in a Bayesian probability network that relates the probability to find a particular crystal structure at a given composition to structure and energy information at other compositions. We show that this approach is highly efficient in finding the ground states of binary metallic alloys and can be easily generalized to more complex systems.

The structure of liquid water by polarized neutron diffraction and reverse Monte Carlo modelling.

PubMed

Temleitner, László; Pusztai, László; Schweika, Werner

2007-08-22

The coherent static structure factor of water has been investigated by polarized neutron diffraction. Polarization analysis allows us to separate the huge incoherent scattering background from hydrogen and to obtain high quality data of the coherent scattering from four different mixtures of liquid H(2)O and D(2)O. The information obtained by the variation of the scattering contrast confines the configurational space of water and is used by the reverse Monte Carlo technique to model the total structure factors. Structural characteristics have been calculated directly from the resulting sets of particle coordinates. Consistency with existing partial pair correlation functions, derived without the application of polarized neutrons, was checked by incorporating them into our reverse Monte Carlo calculations. We also performed Monte Carlo simulations of a hard sphere system, which provides an accurate estimate of the information content of the measured data. It is shown that the present combination of polarized neutron scattering and reverse Monte Carlo structural modelling is a promising approach towards a detailed understanding of the microscopic structure of water.

KSC-2009-6299

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-11-15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure has been retracted from space shuttle Atlantis as the countdown progresses toward launch on Nov. 16 at 2:28 p.m. EST of the STS-129 mission. The movable structure, which provides weather protection and access for technicians to work on the shuttle, began being retracted at 5:20 p.m. EST and was in the park position by 5:56 p.m. STS-129 crew members are Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr. On the STS-129 mission to the International Space Station, the crew will deliver two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm. Atlantis will return to Earth a station crew member, Nicole Stott, who has spent more than two months aboard the orbiting laboratory. STS-129 is slated to be the final space shuttle Expedition crew rotation flight. For information on the STS-129 mission and crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

High-dimensional structured light coding/decoding for free-space optical communications free of obstructions.

PubMed

Du, Jing; Wang, Jian

2015-11-01

Bessel beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) with helical phase fronts exp(ilφ)(l=0;±1;±2;…), where φ is the azimuthal angle and l corresponds to the topological number, are orthogonal with each other. This feature of Bessel beams provides a new dimension to code/decode data information on the OAM state of light, and the theoretical infinity of topological number enables possible high-dimensional structured light coding/decoding for free-space optical communications. Moreover, Bessel beams are nondiffracting beams having the ability to recover by themselves in the face of obstructions, which is important for free-space optical communications relying on line-of-sight operation. By utilizing the OAM and nondiffracting characteristics of Bessel beams, we experimentally demonstrate 12 m distance obstruction-free optical m-ary coding/decoding using visible Bessel beams in a free-space optical communication system. We also study the bit error rate (BER) performance of hexadecimal and 32-ary coding/decoding based on Bessel beams with different topological numbers. After receiving 500 symbols at the receiver side, a zero BER of hexadecimal coding/decoding is observed when the obstruction is placed along the propagation path of light.