Advanced mission planning and impact risk assessment of near-Earth asteroids in application to planetary defense

In this work, an integrated utilization of analytic keyhole theory, B-plane mapping, and planetary encounter geometry, augmented by direct numerical simulation, is shown to be useful in determining the impact risk of an asteroid with the Earth on a given encounter, as well as the potential for future encounters. The accurate estimation of the impact probability of hazardous asteroids is extremely important for planetary defense mission planning. Asteroids in Earth resonant orbits are particularly troublesome because of the continuous threat they pose in the future. Based on the trajectories of the asteroid and the Earth, feasible mission trajectories can be found to mitigate the impact threat of hazardous asteroids. In order to try to ensure mission success, trajectories are judged based on initial and final parameters that would make the mission easier to complete. Expanding upon the established theory, a computational method is developed to estimate the impact probability of the hazardous asteroid, in order to assess the likelihood of an event, and then investigate the fragmentation of the asteroid due to a disruption mission and analyze its effects on the current and future encounters of the fragments with Earth

SPATIO-TEMPORAL AND TIME DOMAIN KINETIC PARAMETER VARIABILITY CHANGES WITH AGE

Changes in kinematic parameters and variability in gait cycle duration with age have been associated with adaptations and/or degeneration of the human balance control system and the automated stepping mechanism. We postulated that the degeneration of the control system as related to age will be reflected in variability of selected parameters of the ground reaction force vector that are independent from the gait stride speed. To test this hypothesis we obtained quantitative measures of spatio-temporal parameters and ground reaction forces (GRF) of 45 healthy subjects 21-91 years of age. The variability in cadence and selected vertical and anteroposterior GRF parameters was found to increase significantly with age. These findings are discussed in terms of adaptations for safer gait in the elderly and/or degeneration due to aging

EXTENDED ACTIVITY EFFECT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ANKLE SUPPORT DEVICES AS REFLECTED BY RANGE OF MOTION. AND Ground Reaction Forces

Various techniques and devices are used to offer support to one of the most common injuries seen in sports, that of the ankle sprain, particularly the inversion type (Garrick & Requa,1988; and Lane 1990). Such techniques included the use of a cloth ankle wrap, elastic and/r non-elastic tape, and recently as an alternative commercially available ankle braces. The cumulative information on the effects of taped and various types of braced ankle support is inconclusive. This is mainly because most of the studies done have had data collected, soon after the support conditions were administered. Such injuries commonly occur during landing. The purpose of the present project was to study the changes on plantardorsiflexion and inversion-eversion ranges of motion as well as on selected vertical ground reaction force variables (using a standardized drop task) for different supporting devices at different points oftime over a sixty minute activity period. Thirty subjects were tested under conditions of unsupported, nonelastic adhesive taped, Swede-0, and Sub Talar Support braced ankles. Measurements were taken during unsupported pre-activity, and after 0,15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes of selected activity on a treadmill. The range of motion changes, at the above times, were recorded on a modified Inman Ankle machine. The standardized drop task was performed from a suspended position with the aid of an adjustable height apparatus, easily modified for each subject's height, positioning the lateral malleolus at a 60 cm height from the AMTI force plate before each drop. All support conditions compared to unsupported ankles significantly reduced preactivity range of motion in all directions. Plantarflexion range of motion increased significantly after 15 min of activity in taped and SubTalar supported ankles, and after 30 min for the Swede-0. All three support conditions significantly increased in inversion range of motion, from 0 to 15 min of activity. A double peak pattern of the vertical ground reaction force was evident across ankle support techniques and activity conditions. Changes to the peaks due to activity where consistent both in magnitude and timing across subjects for the taped and the Swede- 0 braced ankles. The peaks were higher and appeared earlier for the supported ankles before and after the activity, as compared to the unsupported conditions, These results indicate that both the tape and the Swede-0 brace alter the dynamic characteristics of the ankle joint

Διαμόρφωση συνεργατικής κουλτούρας σε σχολεία δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης: Ο καθοριστικός ρόλος της ηγεσίας

Το εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα των χωρών παγκοσμίως είναι ένα «δυναμικό» σύστημα ακολουθώντας τις αλλαγές και τις επιρροές του κοινωνικού συγκείμενου. Τα παραδοσιακά εκπαιδευτικά συστήματα υποχωρούν αφήνοντας τη θέση τους σε αντίστοιχα με μεγαλύτερο επίπεδο «αυτονομίας». Στην εξέλιξη αυτή των εκπαιδευτικών συστημάτων κυρίαρχο ρόλο έχει η κουλτούρα που δημιουργείται και αναπτύσσεται στη σχολική μονάδα η οποία έχει πλέον συνεργατικό χαρακτήρα. Στην καλλιέργεια της κουλτούρας αυτής καθοριστικό ρόλο διαδραματίζει η διεύθυνση του σχολείου. Οι διευθυντές μετασχηματίζονται σε ηγέτες, παροτρύνοντας τους εκπαιδευτικούς στη συμμετοχή τους στις αποφάσεις του σχολείου και μοιράζοντας μαζί τους την ηγεσία. Το ελληνικό εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα, παρόλο που κατά καιρούς γίνονται προσπάθειες, δεν ακολουθεί με τον ίδιο ρυθμό τις εξελίξεις εμφανίζοντας ακόμα έντονα τον γραφειοκρατικό/συγκεντρωτικό του χαρακτήρα. Ο διευθυντής δεν έχει τις ελευθερίες που απαιτούνται για την αλλαγή αυτή και το κυριότερο δεν έχει καλλιεργήσει και τις απαιτούμενες δεξιότητες. Η κουλτούρα που κυρίως επικρατεί στις σχολικές μονάδες έχει κυρίως χαρακτηριστικά απομόνωσης και λιγότερο συνεργασίας. Στην παρούσα ερευνητική εργασία αποτυπώνεται η υφιστάμενη κουλτούρα στις σχολικές μονάδες της Δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης στην Ελλάδα καθώς και τα χαρακτηριστικά/δεξιότητες των διευθυντών των σχολικών μονάδων. Επίσης διερευνάται η άποψη των εκπαιδευτικών σχετικά με τα οφέλη της συνεργατικής κουλτούρας και το ρόλο της ηγεσίας στην καλλιέργεια της στα σχολεία. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν χαμηλή βαθμό ανάπτυξης συνεργατικής κουλτούρας καθώς και έλλειψη χαρακτηριστικών ηγεσίας στους διευθυντές. Τα οφέλη της συνεργατικής κουλτούρας αναγνωρίζονται όπως επίσης ο καθοριστικός ρόλος της ηγεσίας στην επικράτηση της.The education system of countries worldwide is a "dynamic" system following changes and influences of the social context. Traditional education systems are shrinking, leaving their place in a correspondingly higher level of "autonomy". A key role in this evolution of educational systems is the culture created and developed in the school unit which is now collaborative. School management plays a key role in fostering this culture. Principals are transformed into leaders, encouraging teachers to participate in school decisions and sharing leadership with them. The Greek education system, despite efforts at times, does not keep pace with developments, while still displaying its bureaucratic / centralized character. The manager does not have the freedoms required for this change and, most importantly, has not cultivated the skills required. The culture that is predominantly found in school units is mainly characterized by isolation and less cooperation. This research paper reflects on the existing culture of secondary education in Greece as well as the characteristics / skills of school principals. It also explores teachers' perceptions of the benefits of collaborative culture and the role of leadership in collaboration. The results show a low degree of development of collaborative culture as well as a lack of leadership traits in managers. The benefits of collaborative culture are recognized as well as the key role of leadership in its dominance

Massage therapy for cardiac surgery patients—a randomized trial

ObjectivesTo determine whether massage significantly reduces anxiety, pain, and muscular tension and enhances relaxation compared with an equivalent period of rest time after cardiac surgery. The feasibility of delivering the treatment, effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, and patient satisfaction were also assessed.MethodsElective cardiac surgery patients were randomized to receive massage or rest time at 2 points after surgery. Visual analog scales were used to measure pain, anxiety, relaxation, muscular tension, and satisfaction. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were measured before and after treatment. Focus groups and feedback were used to collect qualitative data about clinical significance and feasibility.ResultsA total of 152 patients (99% response rate) participated. Massage therapy produced a significantly greater reduction in pain (P = .001), anxiety (P < .0001), and muscular tension (P = .002) and increases in relaxation (P < .0001) and satisfaction (P = .016) compared to the rest time. No significant differences were seen for heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Pain was significantly reduced after massage on day 3 or 4 (P < .0001) and day 5 or 6 (P = .003). The control group experienced no significant change at either time. Anxiety (P < .0001) and muscular tension (P < .0001) were also significantly reduced in the massage group at both points. Relaxation was significantly improved on day 3 or 4 for both groups (massage, P < .0001; rest time, P = .006), but only massage was effective on day 5 or 6 (P < .0001). Nurses and physiotherapists observed patient improvements and helped facilitate delivery of the treatment by the massage therapists on the ward.ConclusionsMassage therapy significantly reduced the pain, anxiety, and muscular tension and improves relaxation and satisfaction after cardiac surgery

An Innovative Solution to NASA's NEO Impact Threat Mitigation Grand Challenge and Flight Validation Mission Architecture Development

This final technical report describes the results of a NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) Phase 2 study entitled "An Innovative Solution to NASA's NEO Impact Threat Mitigation Grand Challenge and Flight Validation Mission Architecture Development." This NIAC Phase 2 study was conducted at the Asteroid Deflection Research Center (ADRC) of Iowa State University in 2012-2014. The study objective was to develop an innovative yet practically implementable solution to the most probable impact threat of an asteroid or comet with short warning time (less than 5 years). The technical materials contained in this final report are based on numerous technical papers, which have been previously published by the project team of the NIAC Phase 1 and 2 studies during the past three years. Those technical papers as well as a NIAC Phase 2 Executive Summary report can be downloaded from the ADRC website (www.adrc.iastate.edu)