SWEET-HOME ICT technologies for the assessment of elderly subjects

International audienceFunctional assessments are designed to ascertain a person's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and provide valuable diagnostic as well as care-planning information. Currently, the gold-standard for the assessment of functional ability involves clinical rating scales however scales are often limited in their ability to provide objective and sensitive information. In contrast, information and communication technologies (ICT) may overcome these limitations by capturing more fully the functional, well as behavioural and cognitive disturbances associated with Alzheimer disease (AD)

Preliminary Assessment of Thrust Augmentation of NEP Based Missions

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), with support from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, has conducted a preliminary study to compare options for augmenting the thrust of a conventional nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) system. These options include a novel nuclear propulsion system concept known as Hybrid Indirect Nuclear Propulsion (HINP) and conventional chemical propulsion. The utility and technical feasibility of the HINP concept are assessed, and features and potential of this new in-space propulsion system concept are identified. As part of the study, SAIC developed top-level design tools to model the size and performance of an HINP system, as well as for several chemical propulsion options, including liquid and gelled propellants. A mission trade study was performed to compare a representative HINP system with chemical propulsion options for thrust augmentation of NEP systems for a mission to Saturn's moon Titan. Details pertaining to the approach, features, initial demonstration results for HINP model development, and the mission trade study are presented. Key technology and design issues associated with the HINP concept and future work recommendations are also identified