Utilization of NASA Lewis mobile terminals for the Hermes satellite

The high power of the Hermes satellite enables two-way television and voice communication with small ground terminals. The Portable Earth Terminal (PET) and the Transportable Earth Terminal (TET) were developed and built by NASA-Lewis to provide communications capability to short-term users. The NASA-Lewis mobile terminals are described in terms of vehicles and onboard equipment, as well as operation aspects, including use in the field. The section on demonstrations divides the uses into categories of medicine, education, technology and government. Applications of special interest within each category are briefly described

Estimation of carbon storage of forest biomass for voluntary carbon markets: preliminary results

Estimating the carbon storage of forests is essential to support climate change mitigation and promote the transition into a low-carbon emission economy. To achieve this goal, voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) are essential. VCMs are promoted by a spontaneous demand, not imposed by binding targets, as the regulated ones. In Italy, only in Veneto and Piedmont Regions (Northern Italy), VCMs through forestry activities were carried out. Valle Camonica District (Northern Italy, Lombardy Region) is ready for a local VCM, but carbon storage of its forests was never estimated. The aim of this work was to estimate the total carbon storage (TCS; t C ha 121) of forest biomass of Valle Camonica District, at the stand level, taking into account: (1) aboveground biomass, (2) belowground biomass, (3) deadwood, and (4) litter. We developed a user-friendly model, based on site-specifc primary (measured) data, and we applied it to a dataset of 2019 stands extracted from 45 Forest Management Plans. Preliminary results showed that, in 2016, the TCS achieved 76.02 t C ha 121. The aboveground biomass was the most relevant carbon pool (48.86 t C ha 121; 64.27% of TCS). From 2017 to 2029, through multifunctional forest management, the TCS could increase of 2.48 t C ha 121 (+3.26%). In the same period, assuming to convert coppices stands to high forests, an additional TCS of 0.78 t C ha 121 (equal to 2.85 t CO2 ha 121) in the aboveground biomass could be achieved without increasing forest areas. The additional carbon could be certifed and exchanged on a VCM, contributing to climate change mitigation at a local level

Performance characteristics of the 12 GHz, 200 watt transmitter experiment package for CTS

The experiment package consists of a 200 W output stage tube (OST) powered by a power processing system (PPS). Descriptions of both the PPS and OST are given. The PPS provides the necessary voltages with a measured dc/dc conversion efficiency of 89 percent. The OST, a traveling wave tube with multiple collectors, has a saturated rf output power of 224 W and operates at an overall efficiency exceeding 40 percent over an 85 MHz bandwidth at 12 GHz. OST performance given includes frequency response, saturation characteristics, group delay, AM to PM conversion, inter-modulation distortion, and two channel gain suppression. Single and dual channel FM video performance is presented. It was determined that for 12 MHz peak to peak frequency deviation on each channel, dual channel FM television signals can be transmitted through the TEP at 60 W, each channel, with 40 MHz channel spacing (center to center)

High Accuracy Site-Specific Secondary Data for Mechanical Field Operations to Support LCA Studies

The aim of the study was to quantify site-specific secondary data of mechanical field operations for EU barley cropping. By the model ENVIAM v2, each operation was subdivided into 13 working times and, for each of them, the amount of total consuming inputs (fuel, lubricant and AdBlue\uae) and emissions of exhaust gases into the atmosphere were calculated. The amount of partial consuming inputs (machinery mass) and emissions of heavy metals into the soil were also quantified. Three scenarios (S) were identified: S1\u2009=\u200950 ha, S2\u2009=\u2009100 ha, S3\u2009=\u2009200 ha, with the same: agronomic conditions, operations sequence, type of machines used and cropping inputs. For each scenario, two barley ideotypes were analyzed: (i) currently in use (BarNow, 2018) and (ii) future (BarPlus, 2030). BarPlus is characterized by: (i) higher grain and straw yield, Nitrogen fertilization rate and machinery Effective Field Capacity, (ii) use of TIER 5 fuel engines, (iii) lower specific minimum fuel consumption. BarNow inputs (kg\ub7ha 121) were: fuel\u2009=\u200967 \uf7 74, lubricant\u2009=\u20090.56 \uf7 0.73, mass\u2009=\u20097.9 \uf7 8.8. BarPlus inputs (kg\ub7ha 121) were: fuel\u2009=\u200955 \uf7 60, lubricant\u2009=\u20090.53 \uf7 0.69, AdBlue\uae\u2009=\u20092.8 \uf7 3.0, mass\u2009=\u20097.2 \uf7 8.0. The highest fuel and mass consumptions were in both cases related to tillage operations

Soldier pile walls – 3D numerical analysis of soldier pile embedment

The paper is focused to a determination of spatial passive earth pressure (soil resistance) in the embedded part of the soldier pile. The analysis of 3D passive earth pressure is done numerically in software Plaxis 3D Tunnel v 2.2. The analysis of 3D passive earth pressure (soil resistance) is done for cantilever soldier pile walls in sand. The parameters for constitutive models were calibrated based on laboratory tests (triaxial – CD and oedometric tests). Hardening soil model is used in analysis. Outputs of the numerical analysis present a comparison for the resulting passive earth force in case of different b/d ratios and different angles of internal friction, parameter ωR which is used in approach by Weissenbach and finally the magnitude of 3D passive earth pressure coefficients (KP,3D) for different soldier pile distance (L), embedment depth (d) and angles of internal friction (ϕ´). Numerical analysis showed that the 3D passive earth pressure is higher than currently presented approach by Weissenbach. The other present theories don’t take to account the behaviour for higher slenderness ratio and influence adjacent soldier pile no way

Genetic Diversity of Serine Protease Inhibitors in Myxozoan (Cnidaria, Myxozoa) Fish Parasites

We studied the genetic variability of serine protease inhibitors (serpins) of Myxozoa, microscopic endoparasites of fish. Myxozoans affect the health of both farmed and wild fish populations, causing diseases and mortalities. Despite their global impact, no effective protection exists against these parasites. Serpins were reported as important factors for host invasion and immune evasion, and as promising targets for the development of antiparasitic therapies. For the first time, we identified and aligned serpin sequences from high throughput sequencing datasets of ten myxozoan species, and analyzed 146 serpins from this parasite group together with those of other taxa phylogenetically, to explore their relationship and origins. High intra- and interspecific variability was detected among the examined serpins. The average sequence identity was 25-30% only. The conserved domains (i.e. motif and signature) showed taxon-level differences. Serpins clustered according to taxonomy rather than to serpin types, and myxozoan serpins seemed to be highly divergent from that of other taxa. None of them clustered with their closest relative free-living cnidarians. The genetic distinction of myxozoan serpins further strengthens the idea of an independent origin of Myxozoa, and may indicate novel protein functions potentially related to parasitism in this animal group

Biomass and biofuels

Biomass includes all materials that contain organic carbon bound in the chemical structure of molecules, resulting from the chlorophylline photosynthesis, carried out by autotrophies organisms. Lots of biomass from agricultural, agri-food and forestry sectors can be used for energy purposes, representing an essential renewable energy source that, if appropriately managed, can help to reduce the negative environmental impacts arising from the exploitation of fossil fuels. The possibility of using biomass for a specific production process mainly depends on its physical and chemical properties. This paper is organized in two sections: in the first one, the most important biomass used worldwide for energy generation (thermal energy and/or electric energy), as well as its properties, are described. In the second one, the main biomass-to-energy processes (thermochemical and biochemical conversions) are shortly explained. Finally, some emerging techniques (such as bio-methane and bio-hydrogen production) are discussed in more detail

Nurture through nature: a comparative study between standard and nature-based play in outdoor preschool environments

Master of Landscape ArchitectureDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional & Community PlanningHyung Jin KimNature-based play is gaining attention in early childhood education because of the social, physical, and cognitive benefits from interacting with nature at a young age (International Play Association 2014). Some studies provide strong evidence to suggest that nature-based unstructured play can have a positive benefit on early childhood development and improve the socialization, problem solving, confidence, creativity, autonomy, and self-awareness in children as well as their physical health (Fjortoft 2004, Louv 2005). The purpose of this study is to identify differences in play behavior among preschoolers that may influence early childhood development between standard or traditional playgrounds and playgrounds designed with interaction with nature, or access to nature, and, thus, to suggest design solutions for play environment, which responds to the issues this research identifies. This is a comparative observational study on play behavior between two study settings, including nature-based and standard/traditional-play environments with nature-access . Comparative observations were conducted at the Center for Child Development (nature-based) and Hoeflin Stone House Early Childhood Center (standard) at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Preschoolers’ play behaviors and behavior-environment interactions in both settings were compared using behavioral mapping and time-lapse observation (20 minutes per subject) techniques in which their location, activities, and interactions were recorded. Findings suggest that children in nature-based playgrounds are more likely to be physically active and creative with their play. Also, movable and manipulative play elements (“loose parts”) allow children to engage in more social activities than standard anchored playground element vs. standard playgrounds, however, allow children to explore games with rules and provide valuable development for motor and social skills. Therefore, this study suggests a design approach that is a hybrid between designed nature and standard play in a way that utilizes the positive aspects of both types of play. These findings will lead to a call for research and design into the direction of creating outdoor play environments that infuse standard play structures with natural environments