Accessing Earth science data from the EOS data and information system

An overview of the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is presented, concentrating on the users' interactions with the system and highlighting those features that are driven by the unique requirements of the Global Change Research Program and the supported science community. However, a basic premise of the EOSDIS is that the system must evolve to meet changes in user needs and to incorporate advances in data system technology. Therefore, the development process which is being used to accommodate these changes and some of the potential areas of change are also addressed

Gene Expression and Phenotype Response of \u3cem\u3eDrosophila melanogaster\u3c/em\u3e to Selection.

The evolution of phenotypic plasticity is currently a topic of paramount interest in a diverse field of sub-disciplines. Salience is placed by all fields in describing the interaction of selection and phenotypic plasticity and the consequence of this interaction more broadly on evolution. Lacking in the discussion is substantial empirical description of genotype/phenotype interactions that by definition constitute the plastic response to novel and stressful environments. Here, I present empirical observations that bring the interaction of genotype and phenotype into focus. Drosophila melanogaster populations subjected to selection for tolerance to low food or high alcohol conditions each exhibited an enhancement of adaptive plasticity consistent with predictions associated broadly with the Baldwin Effect. Furthermore, each appears to have followed different courses of regulatory modification to achieve these ends. Broadly implicit in the results is the observation that previous exposure of the population to the conditions of induction may dictate the course of subsequent evolution of the phenotype

Attribute Importance Research in Travel and Tourism: Are We Following Accepted Guidelines?

The purpose of this study is to examine the reporting practices and potential challenges in the measurement of attribute importance in travel and tourism research. The results indicate that a majority of studies evaluated in this study utilized Likert scaling which has a tendency to produce end-piling or upward bias. As such, it becomes more difficult to identify meaningful differences among attributes. Recommendations for addressing this potential limitation and for better reporting of results are provide

Brief Note: The Status of Ermine (Mustela erminea) in Ohio

Author Institution: Ohio Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Ohio State University and Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of WildlifeThe status of ermine as regular inhabitants of Ohio has been unclear. Previously, only three records were known from the state. In this study, size 0 leghold traps and 8 x 8 x 25 cm Sherman traps were used to capture five ermine in Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties during summer 1987 and two in Trumbull County in 1988. Ermine are permanent residents in at least Trumbull County

Did intelligence matter in the Cold War?

For forty years the superpower conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union dominated the world stage. In popular culture the conflict produced a plethora of “spy” books and films about the daring exploits of intelligence agents. In contrast, the scholarly investigation of the role of intelligence in the Cold War had to await the gradual opening, since 1990, of “Top Secret” archives. It is now time to make a first attempt at assessing the role that intelligence played in the overall development of the conflict. Did intelligence help to avoid the Cold War becoming “hot”? We have invited three prominent intelligence scholars to give their views

Corrosion Evaluation of a Navy MK50 Weapon Station Friction Brake Assembly

The presence of corrosion on or within structures is of major concern as corrosion reduces the integrity of the materials which could potentially result in large-scale failures of structures and equipment. The United States Navy is an organization that actively works to prevent large equipment failure due to corrosion. One such problem is the corrosion of the friction brake assembly on the MK50 Weapon Station, which has recently been experiencing corrosion between the friction brake and its set screw preventing it from operating correctly. The friction brake was known to be stainless steel; however, the set screw was of unknown composition. Through elemental analysis it was determined that the MK50 Weapons Station friction brake set screw was similar in composition to commonly available black oxide coated steel screws. Electrochemical polarization measurements of the friction brake assembly components revealed that the set screw and the friction brake were electrochemically dissimilar metals which resulted in the galvanic corrosion of the assembly when out at sea. The electrochemical polarization measurements of a stainless steel screw showed a corrosion potential similar to that of the friction brake; therefore, replacing the current set screw with a stainless steel screw would decrease the galvanic potential difference between the set screw and the friction brake. This proposed solution is expected to slow or prevent further corrosion of the MK50 Weapon Station ensuring the combat readiness of the equipment

RESKO: Repositioning drugs by using side effects and knowledge from ontologies

The objective of drug repositioning is to apply existing drugs to different diseases or medical conditions than the original target, and thus alleviate to a certain extent the time and cost expended in drug development. Our system RESKO, REpositioning drugs using Side Effects and Knowledge from Ontologies, identifies drugs with similar side-effects which are potential candidates for use elsewhere, the supposition is that similar side-effects may be caused by drugs targeting similar proteins and pathways. RESKO, integrates drug chemical data, protein interaction and ontological knowledge. The novel aspects of our system include a high level of biological knowledge through the use of pathway and biological ontology integration. This provides a explanation facility lacking in most of the existing methods and improves the repositioning process. We evaluate the shared side effects from the eight conventional Alzheimer drugs, from which sixty-seven candidate drugs based on a side-effect commonality were identified. The top 25 drugs on the list were further investigated in depth for their suitability to be repositioned, the literature revealed that many of the candidate drugs appear to have been trialed for Alzheimer's disease. Thus verifying the accuracy of our system, we also compare our technique with several competing systems found in the literature

Developing Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping Techniques for Consequence Analysis of Second and Third Order Effects

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is the Department of Defense’s (DOD) official Combat Support Agency for countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). DTRA focuses on WMD and mitigating the consequences of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosive threat (CBRNE). The initial direct effects of a CBRNE incident are well defined and documented; however, the second and third order effect’s are complex and not thoroughly understood or documented.  Consequence analysis is the practice of analyzing the effects of major events such as a CBRNE event and can assist in predicting the second and third order effects.  Currently there is no method to predict or analyze the second and third order effects of CBRNE events. This research focused on identifying the entities associated with a CBRNE event initially.  The use of experts and surveys developed an exhaustive list of entities and associated realtionships.  The follow-on research focused on the type and strength of the entity relationships.  Next, Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) techniques identify and evaluate the complex relationships of the second and third order effects.   Using a mind mapping computer program, FCM techniques produced second and third order effect relationships.  The final product provided a solid first attempt at analyzing a CBRNE event and the associated second and third order effects.  Subsequent research will require greater effort to employ system dynamics techniques to enhance the product and develop a more thorough model

The STEM Faculty Experience at West Point

At conferences or meetings, West Point faculty are often asked, “What’s it like to teach at West Point?” Previously, we reported on this question within the context of the cadet’s West Point experience and how STEM courses and opportunities are integrated. Now we turn our focus to the West Point faculty and their unique position of both educating cadets in a traditional sense and helping with the cadets’ character development. In this article, we discuss who the West Point faculty are; what is expected of each faculty member; and how faculty members within chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering educate and develop future leaders of character for the U.S. Army