Gregory S. Parnell Interview (MORS)

Interviewer: Sheldon, Robert S. Interview location(s): Mahan Hall, West Point, New Yor

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Operations Research (OR), and Decision Support Systems (DSS): A conceptual framework

In recent years there has been increasing interest in applying the computer based problem solving techniques of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Operations Research (OR), and Decision Support Systems (DSS) to analyze extremely complex problems. A conceptual framework is developed for successfully integrating these three techniques. First, the fields of AI, OR, and DSS are defined and the relationships among the three fields are explored. Next, a comprehensive adaptive design methodology for AI and OR modeling within the context of a DSS is described. These observations are made: (1) the solution of extremely complex knowledge problems with ill-defined, changing requirements can benefit greatly from the use of the adaptive design process, (2) the field of DSS provides the focus on the decision making process essential for tailoring solutions to these complex problems, (3) the characteristics of AI, OR, and DSS tools appears to be converging rapidly, and (4) there is a growing need for an interdisciplinary AI/OR/DSS education

LRS-II: A Specialized Knowledge System For Launch Resource Scheduling

This research used the Level 5 expert system software to develop a specialized knowledge system called the Launch Resource Scheduling system (LRS-II). LRS-II will be used as a decision aid by USSPACECOM to determine if there is sufficient launch capability to meet future satellite requirements and to quickly assess the impact of contingencies such as launch or on-orbit failures. LRS-II uses multiple knowledge bases to match satellite launch requirements to available launch vehicles, launch pads, and upper stages. Specialized knowledge about resources are stored in dBase III files, specific fields of the satellite record records to schedule the earliest launch requirement. During manifesting, the constraints of satellite and resource availability, site processing time, shuttle mission duration, and satellite on-orbit checkout time are used to insure the selected launch date is accurate

NAVARES: A Prototype Expert System For NAVASTAR Anomoly Resolution

The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the applicability of expert systems to the domain of satellite command and control, specifically, NAVSTAR Global Positioning System anomaly resolution. A prototype expert system was developed which successfully diagnoses many Attitude, Velocity and Control Subsystem and Electrical Power Subsystem anomalies. The project was sponsored by Air Force Space Command\u27s 2nd Space Wing and was developed at the Air Force Institute of Technology

A Multiple-Objective Decision Analysis of Stakeholder Values to Identify Watershed Improvement Needs

The paper describes the use of multiple objective decision analysis to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the quality of an endangered watershed and guide future efforts to improve the quality of the watershed. The Upham Brook watershed is an urban watershed that lies at the interface of declining inner city Richmond, Virginia and growth-oriented Henrico County. A section of stream within the watershed has been identified as so dangerously polluted that it threatens the health of the residents who live within the watershed boundaries. With funding provided by the National Science Foundation, the Upham Brook watershed project committee was formed to address the quality of the Upham Brook watershed; it consisted of experts from multiple disciplines: stream ecology, environmental policy, water policy, ground and surface water hydrology and quality, aquatic biology, political science, sociology, citizen participation, community interaction, psychology, and decision and risk analysis. Each members\u27 values and goals were brought together using a watershed management framework to meet the overall objective of the committee: to maximize the quality of the Upham Brook watershed. The resulting model was used to identify the largest value gaps and to identify future programs needed to improve the quality of the watershed

Smart Cities-A Structured Literature Review

Smart cities are rapidly evolving concept-transforming urban developments in the 21st century. Smart cities use advanced technologies and data analytics to improve the quality of life for their citizens, increase the efficiency of infrastructure and services, and promote sustainable economic growth. Smart cities integrate multiple domains, including transportation, energy, health, education, and governance, to create an interconnected and intelligent urban environment. Our research study methodology was a structured literature review using Web of Science and Google Scholar and ten smart city research questions. The research questions included smart city definitions, advantages, disadvantages, implementation challenges, funding, types of applications, quantitative techniques for analysis, and prioritization metrics. In addition, our study analyzes the implementation of smart city solutions in international contexts and proposes strategies to overcome implementation challenges. The integration of technology and data-driven solutions in smart cities has the potential to revolutionize urban living by providing citizens with personalized and accessible services. However, the implementation also presents challenges, including data privacy concerns, unequal access to technology, and the need for collaboration across private, public, and government sectors. This study provides insights into the current state and future prospects of smart cities and presents an analysis of the challenges and opportunities they present. In addition, we propose a concise definition for smart cities: “Smart cities use digital technologies, communication technologies, and data analytics to create an efficient and effective service environment that improves urban quality of life and promotes sustainability”. Smart cities represent a promising avenue for urban development. As cities continue to grow and face increasingly complex challenges, the integration of advanced technologies and data-driven solutions can help to create more sustainable communities

Rotating ellipsoidal catalytic micro-swimmers via glancing angle evaporation

The ability to generate rotation in ellipsoidal catalytic micro swimming devices by catalyst deposition at glancing angles allows reliable access to circling trajectories. This behaviour could enable propulsive ellipsoids to gather cargo and enhance mixing at small scales. Catalytically propelled colloidal rotation has been previously achieved in spherical swimming devices by means of neighbour shadowing during catalyst deposition leading to non-symmetrical coatings. However in this work shadowing effects arise due to the ellipsoid's inherent anisotropy, removing the requirement for a closely packed colloidal crystal monolayer. We use geometric analysis of the catalyst deposition process, and mechanistic understanding to propose a link between the observed trajectories and the catalyst distribution and suggest further routes to improve control of rotation rates

Chromosome 10q26-driven age-related macular degeneration is associated with reduced levels of HTRA1 in human retinal pigment epithelium

Genome-wide association studies have identified the chromosome 10q26 (Chr10) locus, which contains the age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) and high temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 (HTRA1) genes, as the strongest genetic risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [L.G. Fritsche et al., Annu. Rev. Genomics Hum. Genet. 15, 151–171, (2014)]. To date, it has been difficult to assign causality to any specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), haplotype, or gene within this region because of high linkage disequilibrium among the disease-associated variants [J. Jakobsdottir et al. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 77, 389–407 (2005); A. Rivera et al. Hum. Mol. Genet. 14, 3227–3236 (2005)]. Here, we show that HTRA1 messenger RNA (mRNA) is reduced in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) but not in neural retina or choroid tissues derived from human donors with homozygous risk at the 10q26 locus. This tissue-specific decrease is mediated by the presence of a noncoding, cis-regulatory element overlapping the ARMS2 intron, which contains a potential Lhx2 transcription factor binding site that is disrupted by risk variant rs36212733. HtrA1 protein increases with age in the RPE–Bruch’s membrane (BM) interface in Chr10 nonrisk donors but fails to increase in donors with homozygous risk at the 10q26 locus. We propose that HtrA1, an extracellular chaperone and serine protease, functions to maintain the optimal integrity of the RPE–BM interface during the aging process and that reduced expression of HTRA1 mRNA and protein in Chr10 risk donors impairs this protective function, leading to increased risk of AMD pathogenesis. HtrA1 augmentation, not inhibition, in high-risk patients should be considered as a potential therapy for AMD