Educational planning for utilization of space shuttle (ED-PLUSS). Executive summary: Identification and evaluation of educational uses and users for the STS

The development and application of educational programs to improve public awareness of the space shuttle/space lab capabilities are reported. Special efforts were made to: identify the potential user, identify and analyze space education programs, plan methods for user involvement, develop techniques and programs to encourage new users, and compile follow-on ideas

Identification and evaluation of educational uses and users for the STS. Educational planning for utilization of space shuttle ED-PLUSS

A planning and feasibility study to identify and document a methodology needed to incorporate educational programs into future missions and operations of the space transportation system was conducted. Six tasks were identified and accomplished during the study. The task statements are as follows: (1) potential user identification, (2) a review of space education programs, (3) development of methodology for user involvement, (4) methods to encourage user awareness, (5) compilation of follow-on ideas, and (6) response to NASA questions. Specific recommendations for improving the educational coverage of space activities are provided

Renal handling of beta-2-microglobulin in the human neonate

Renal handling of beta-2-microglobulin in the human neonate. Glomerulotubular balance for beta-2-microglobulin (β2M) in the human kidney has been reported to occur after 34 weeks conceptional age (CA), and fractional tubular reabsorption of β2M (Tβ2M) has been suggested as a useful index of renal tubular maturation. To confirm and extend these observations to include still less mature infants, renal handling of β2M was investigated during timed-urine collections with corresponding blood samples obtained from 57 infants with CA of 26 to 43 weeks and postnatal ages (PNA) 0.2 to 12 days (study 1); 18 infants were studied a second time 5 to 17 days later (study 2). GFR was measured by endogenous creatinine clearance (CCr). Tβ2M and fractional reabsorption of sodium (TNa) were calculated. Results indicated that while both increased with CA, Tβ2M (r = -0.69, P < 0.0001) and TNa (r = -0.79, P < 0.0001) varied inversely with fractional urine flow rate (V/CCr). Moreover, an inverse relationship between changes in Tβ2M and V/Ccr was observed in the same infant between study 1 and study 2 (r = -0.47, P < 0.05). These data suggest that the renal handling of β2M in the human neonate is influenced by physiologic variables that are independent of CA, and thus Tβ2M may not be a reliable predictor of renal tubular maturation in the human neonate.Elimination rénale de la béta-2-microglobuline chez le nouveau-né humain. Il a été rapporté que la balance glomérulo-tubulaire pour la béta-2-microglobuline (β2M) dans le rein humain apparait au bout de 34 semaines d'âge conceptionnel (CA), et il a été suggéré que la réabsorption tubulaire fractionnelle de la β2M (Tβ2M) est un index utile de maturation tubulaire rénale. Afin de confirmer et d'étendre ces observations en incluant des nouveau-nés encore moins matures, l'élimination rénale de β2M a été étudiée pendant des recueils d'urines minutés, avec les échantillons sanguins correspondants chez 57 nouveau-nés avec un CA de 26 à 43 semaines et des âges postnataux (PNA) de 0.2 à 12 jours (étude 1); 18 nouveau-nés ont été étudiés dans un second temps, 5 à 17 jours plus tard (étude 2). Le débit de filtration glomérulaire a été mesuré par la clearance de la créatinine endogène (CCr). Tβ2M et la réabsorption fractionnelle du sodium (TNa) ont été calculées. Les résultats ont montré que tout en augmentant avec CA, Tβ2M (r = -0.69, P < 0.0001) et TNa (r = -0.79, P < 0.0001) variaient inversement avec le débit fractionnel urinaire (V/CCr). En outre, une relation inverse entre les modifications de Tβ2M et les modifications de V/CCr a été observée chez le même nouveau-né entre l'étude 1 et l'étude 2 (r = -0.47, P < 0.05). Ces données suggèrent que l'élimination rénale de la β2M chez le nouveau-né humain est influencée par des variables physiologiques qui sont indépendantes de CA, et donc Tβ2M pourrait ne pas être un index prédictif fiable de la maturation tubulaire rénale chez le nouveau-né humain

Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis of a Decoy State Enabled Quantum Key Distribution System

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an emerging technology which uses the principles of quantum mechanics to provide unconditionally secure key distribution. QKD systems are unique in their ability to detect an eavesdropper\u27s presence and are being marketed for applications where high levels of secrecy are required such as banking, government, and military environments. QKD systems are composed of electrical, optical, and electrooptical components. Their design requires expertise across multiple disciplines including computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, information theory, optical physics, and quantum physics. This multidisciplinary nature makes QKD an ideal candidate for study using Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Processes, Methods, and Tools (PMTs). The primary research goal is to gain understanding of the operation and performance of the QKD decoy state protocol through the use of MBSE PMTs. The main research contributions include development of a decoy state model, validation of the this protocol in a QKD system model implementation, and confirmation that application of MBSE PMTs are critical to the understanding and analysis of complex systems. This work presents the first known application of MBSE PMTs to analyze a QKD system and provides utility to system developers, designers and analysts who seek to quantify performance and security

A Methodology for Evaluating Relational and NoSQL Databases for Small-Scale Storage and Retrieval

Modern systems record large quantities of electronic data capturing time-ordered events, system state information, and behavior. Subsequent analysis enables historic and current system status reporting, supports fault investigations, and may provide insight for emerging system trends. Unfortunately, the management of log data requires ever more efficient and complex storage tools to access, manipulate, and retrieve these records. Truly effective solutions also require a well-planned architecture supporting the needs of multiple stakeholders. Historically, database requirements were well-served by relational data models, however modern, non-relational databases, i.e. NoSQL, solutions, initially intended for “big data” distributed system may also provide value for smaller-scale problems such as those required by log data. However, no evaluation method currently exists to adequately compare the capabilities of traditional (relational database) and modern NoSQL solutions for small-scale problems. This research proposes a methodology to evaluate modern data storage and retrieval systems. While the methodology is intended to be generalizable to many data sources, a commercially-produced unmanned aircraft system served as a representative use case to test the methodology for aircraft log data. The research first defined the key characteristics of database technologies and used those characteristics to inform laboratory simulations emulating representative examples of modern database technologies (relational, key-value, columnar, document, and graph). Based on those results, twelve evaluation criteria were proposed to compare the relational and NoSQL database types. The Analytical Hierarchy Process was then used to combine literature findings, laboratory simulations, and user inputs to determine the most suitable database type for the log data use case. The study results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology

An Experimental Study of the Production of Metallic Impregnations and Coatings -- a Vacuum Process

The purpose of this study undertaken was threefold, (1) to design and construct an experimental vacuum apparatus to produce a metal impregnated or coated material; (2) to study some of the variables which affect the process; then (3) to examine the physical characteristics of the resultant materials. Described herein is the development and operation of a vacuum system capable of producing conditions to permit the evaporation of metals to impregnate and coat various materials. The fundamental principle involved in this process is that a rarified atmosphere reduces the temperature required for metal evaporation and protects the metal vapor from reacting with the contaminants as it is transferred to and deposited on a receiving material