Considerations for lunar colony communications systems

This paper addresses system aspects of communications for a lunar colony. Human factors are particularly noted. The practical aspects of communications infrastructure are emphasized rather than specific technologies. Communications needs for mission support and morale are discussed along with potential means of satisfying them. Problem areas are identified and some possible solutions are considered

Father Joseph Timothy O\u27Callahan

This reflection provides a biological sketch of Rev. Joseph T. O\u27Callahan, S.J., a Jesuit priest who taught mathematics and physics at the College of the Holy Cross. During World War II, Fr. O\u27Callahan was commissioned as a chaplain in the United States Navy and was serving aboard the USS Franklin when the ship was attacked. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts following the attack, distinguishing him as the first military chaplain to receive such recognition. Dowling\u27s thoughtful essay briefly recounts the vocational and military career, as well as the character of this devout and highly admired priest. The text of the official citation, issued by the President of the United States when he bestowed on Father O\u27Callahan the Medal of Honor, is included at the end of the article

Neural Organization of the Median Ocellus of the Dragonfly : II. Synaptic structure

Two types of presumed synaptic contacts have been recognized by electron microscopy in the synaptic plexus of the median ocellus of the dragonfly. The first type is characterized by an electron-opaque, button-like organelle in the presynaptic cytoplasm, surrounded by a cluster of synaptic vesicles. Two postsynaptic elements are associated with these junctions, which we have termed button synapses. The second synaptic type is characterized by a dense cluster of synaptic vesicles adjacent to the presumed presynaptic membrane. One postsynaptic element is observed at these junctions. The overwhelming majority of synapses seen in the plexus are button synapses. They are found most commonly in the receptor cell axons where they synaptically contact ocellar nerve dendrites and adjacent receptor cell axons. Button synapses are also seen in the ocellar nerve dendrites where they appear to make synapses back onto receptor axon terminals as well as onto adjacent ocellar nerve dendrites. Reciprocal and serial synaptic arrangements between receptor cell axon terminals, and between receptor cell axon terminals and ocellar nerve dendrites are occasionally seen. It is suggested that the lateral and feedback synapses in the median ocellus of the dragonfly play a role in enhancing transients in the postsynaptic responses

Methodology to Evaluate Active Transportation and Demand Management Strategies

AbstractThis paper describes a methodology for predicting the impacts of active transportation and demand management (ATDM) measures on highway performance that can be applied using either microsimulation or Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) analysis techniques.Active transportation and demand management (ATDM) is a comprehensive approach to facility management and operation that seeks to increase facility productivity by proactively balancing supply and demand to avoid or delay facility breakdown. Examples of ATDM measures include: adaptive ramp metering, congestion pricing, speed harmonization, traveler information systems, and adaptive traffic signal control systems. Incident management and work zone management programs may employ one or more of these ATDM measures.The proposed ATDM analysis methodology is employed as a “wrapper” to a “core” analysis tool, such as the HCM or microsimulation. The core analysis tool is applied several times to a set of demand/capacity scenarios. The demand/capacity scenarios are developed based on observations of annual fluctuations in weekday peak period demands and capacities for the facility. The scenario results are then combined according to their probability of occurrence in order to predict the full-year peak period performance of the street, highway, or freeway facility.The application of the methodology is illustrated on a real-world freeway facility. The Highway Capacity Manual FREEVAL procedure, the selected “core” analysis tool, was adapted to test ramp metering, HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes, and HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes within the ATDM evaluation methodology. FREEVAL was applied to each of several demand/capacity scenarios and the results combined into an estimate of average performance improvements for each ATDM measure. The predicted facility performance improvements were compared to a before/after field studies reported in the literature. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Achieving quality in the Navy Field Contracting System

The Navy Field Contracting System (NFCS) recently began a program of funding its activities based upon the productive units completed. Due to this emphasis on quantity of output, there was concern that the quality of the product would suffer. This research studies the effect of Productive Unit Resourcing (PUR) on the quality of contracts produced by the Navy Field Contracting System. In doing so it examines the current quality practices in the NFCS as well as some past and present practices within the Air Force. These findings are presented along with some of the current ideas found in the commercial sector concerning achieving quality. A program for achieving quality in the NFCS is also proposed.http://archive.org/details/achievingquality00dowlLieutenant Commander, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Quantum Clock Synchronization Based on Shared Prior Entanglement

We demonstrate that two spatially separated parties (Alice and Bob) can utilize shared prior quantum entanglement, and classical communications, to establish a synchronized pair of atomic clocks. In contrast to classical synchronization schemes, the accuracy of our protocol is independent of Alice or Bob's knowledge of their relative locations or of the properties of the intervening medium.Comment: 4 page

Burden of disease resulting from lead exposure at toxic waste sites in Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay

Background: Though lead contaminated waste sites have been widely researched in many high-income countries, their prevalence and associated health outcomes have not been well documented in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Using the well-established health metric disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and an exposure assessment method developed by Chatham-Stephens et al., we estimated the burden of disease resulting from exposure to lead at toxic waste sites in three Latin American countries in 2012: Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay. Toxic waste sites identified through Pure Earth’s Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP) were screened for lead in both biological and environmental sample media. Estimates of cardiovascular disease incidence and other outcomes resulting from exposure to lead were utilized to estimate DALYs for each population at risk. Results: Approximately 316,703 persons in three countries were at risk of exposure to pollutants at 129 unique sites identified through the TSIP database. Exposure to lead was estimated to result in between 51,432 and 115,042 DALYs, depending on the weighting factor used. The estimated burden of disease caused by exposure to lead in this analysis is comparable to that estimated for Parkinson’s disease and bladder cancer in these countries. Conclusions: Lead continues to pose a significant public health risk in Argentina, Mexico, and Uruguay. The burden of disease in these three countries is comparable with other widely recognized public health challenges. Knowledge of the relatively high number of DALYs associated with lead exposure may be used to generate support and funding for the remediation of toxic waste sites in these countries and others