Paper Session III-D - Post Mission Utilization of Satellites for College and Secondary Education

NASA is in a unique position to promote utilization of post mission satellites to provide college and secondary school educational opportunities in the mechanics and intricacies of space satellite operation. Many of NASA’s communication and scientific satellites are decommissioned after completion of their mission for various reasons, such as budgetary constraints, end of life expectancy, fulfillment of scientific mission or operational constraints. Therefore, it seems sensible to assess the feasibility of developing alternative applications for these satellite resources. In particular, there may be an opportunity to garner additional, long-term educational benefits from the utilization of such satellites. NASA is studying its options in this area by identifying its satellites which may be candidates for decommissioning. NASA then plans to assess the possible extended life capabilities of satellites identified in this conceptual process. Using the information from these studies, NASA would then assess the feasibility of establishing a process whereby colleges and secondary schools could participate in utilization of the decommissioned satellites. Success in such a program may enable NASA to: 1) create new partnerships with the college and secondary education communities; 2) provide students direct experience with space science data collection and spacecraft operations; 3) provide students an opportunity to directly operate high technology equipment and to conduct original analysis of scientific satellite data. Invaluable “hands-on” experience could thus be provided to future generations of space scientists and spacecraft engineers

Measuring degree-degree association in networks

The Pearson correlation coefficient is commonly used for quantifying the global level of degree-degree association in complex networks. Here, we use a probabilistic representation of the underlying network structure for assessing the applicability of different association measures to heavy-tailed degree distributions. Theoretical arguments together with our numerical study indicate that Pearson's coefficient often depends on the size of networks with equal association structure, impeding a systematic comparison of real-world networks. In contrast, Kendall-Gibbons' $\tau_{b}$ is a considerably more robust measure of the degree-degree association

DES Y3 + KIDS-1000: Consistent cosmology combining cosmic shear surveys

We present a joint cosmic shear analysis of the Dark Energy Survey (DES Y3) and the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS-1000) in a collaborative effort between the two survey teams

Generating random networks with given degree-degree correlations and degree-dependent clustering

Random networks are widely used to model complex networks and research their properties. In order to get a good approximation of complex networks encountered in various disciplines of science, the ability to tune various statistical properties of random networks is very important. In this manuscript we present an algorithm which is able to construct arbitrarily degree-degree correlated networks with adjustable degree-dependent clustering. We verify the algorithm by using empirical networks as input and describe additionally a simple way to fix a degree-dependent clustering function if degree-degree correlations are given.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

On degree-degree correlations in multilayer networks

We propose a generalization of the concept of assortativity based on the tensorial representation of multilayer networks, covering the definitions given in terms of Pearson and Spearman coefficients. Our approach can also be applied to weighted networks and provides information about correlations considering pairs of layers. By analyzing the multilayer representation of the airport transportation network, we show that contrasting results are obtained when the layers are analyzed independently or as an interconnected system. Finally, we study the impact of the level of assortativity and heterogeneity between layers on the spreading of diseases. Our results highlight the need of studying degree-degree correlations on multilayer systems, instead of on aggregated networks.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

China\u27s Relations with Brazil and Argentina and Implications for U.S. Security Concerns [Student\u27s Paper Series]

This study on China’s relations with Brazil and Argentina, as well as its implications for U.S. concerns examines two main questions: Why China’s increasing influence on Brazil and Argentina may be considered a cause for U.S. security concerns? And if this is the case, how do China’s strategic alliances with the two countries has impacted U.S. leadership? In an effort to look at China’s influence from multidimensional angles and beyond China’s visible economic influence in these two countries, this paper argues that China’s interest in the Latin American region, with a focus on brazil and Argentina, responds to a more crafted, pragmatic and tailored vision with long-term strategic and political goals. The results of this study reveal that China – avoiding intra-regional competition through a strategic diversification of sectors – has been able to secure critical resources for its population as well as promote enduring alliances in the region that could represent a plausible cause of concern for U.S. interests. In this regard, China’s avoidance of a direct challenge to traditional partners’ influence has responded to the gaps left by a gradual, but steady lack of U.S. involvement