Manufacturing processes

The following issues are covered: process development frequently lags behind material development, high fabrication costs, flex joints (bellows) - a continuing program, SRM fabrication-induced defects, and in-space assembly will require simplified design

NASA's Space Launch System: Artemis 1 Vehicle Nears Completion

No abstract availabl

Evidence On The Effectiveness Of On-Line Homework

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of on-line homework in principles of accounting classes.  We surveyed students to determine their degree of satisfaction with on-line homework and their perceptions about its effectiveness in enhancing their learning.   We also gathered data to determine the extent of online homework completed and its effect on class performance.  The results indicate that on-line homework increases student performance and that students believe that using on-line homework is an effective method of study

How culture affects innovation in an organization

Both technology and innovation are considered major contributors to the competitiveness of companies and in exploiting opportunities in the market; however, too often the people processes are not given enough attention in transformation efforts - they are viewed as "HR processes" and technical leaders may not see the value of examining these areas early on as accelerators for change. The innovation culture framework presented in this paper is based on three thematic elements of innovation culture in organizations: Transformational Leadership, Organizational Climate / Environment, and Organizational Practices & Processes. The project tested and refined the framework by conducting a set of interviews, focus groups and workshop-based trials with participating commercial organizations. By focusing on the culture within an organization and coupling with other technology and innovation management efforts, leaders will have a more systemic understanding of how to sustain and increase the innovation capabilities of their organizations

ELISA-Based Measurement of Antibody Responses and PCR-Based Detection Profiles Can Distinguish between Active Infection and Early Clearance of Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochetal bacterium that causes Lyme disease. These studies address whether current research methods using either ELISA to detect seroconversion to B. burgdorferi antigens or PCR quantification of bacterial DNA within tissues can accurately distinguish between a productive infection versus a B. burgdorferi exposure that is rapidly cleared by the innate responses. Mice receiving even minimal doses of live B. burgdorferi produced significantly more B. burgdorferi-specific IgM and IgG than groups receiving large inocula of heat-killed bacteria. Additionally, sera from mice injected with varied doses of killed B. burgdorferi recognized unique borrelial antigens compared to mice infected with live B. burgdorferi. Intradermal injection of killed B. burgdorferi resulted in rapid DNA clearance from skin, whereas DNA was consistently detected in skin inoculated with viable B. burgdorferi. These data indicate that both ELISA-based serological analyses and PCR-based methods of assessing B. burgdorferi infection clearly distinguish between an established infection with live bacteria and exposure to large numbers of bacteria that are promptly cleared by the innate responses

Identifying Effective Classroom Practices Using Student Achievement Data

Recent research has confirmed both the importance of teachers in producing student achievement growth and in the variability across teachers in the ability to do that. Such findings raise the stakes on our ability to identify effective teachers and teaching practices. This paper combines information from classroom-based observations and measures of teachers’ ability to improve student achievement as a step toward addressing these challenges. We find that classroom based measures of teaching effectiveness are related in substantial ways to student achievement growth. Our results point to the promise of teacher evaluation systems that would use information from both classroom observations and student test scores to identify effective teachers. Our results also offer information on the types of practices that are most effective at raising achievement.

The Efficacy of Equine Oral Joint Supplements

Few studies have examined the efficacy of glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate supplements in horses. The purpose of this study is to determine if the commercially available supplements are meeting the label guarantees, and to analyze any correlation between price point and efficacy of use. The supplemental ingredients of interest to this study are combinations of glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. Horses in the study were fed each supplement for a 14-day period with synovial fluid extracted through aseptic arthrocentesis at days 0 and 14. The 12 horses followed a 14-day feeding period accompanied by a 28-day dry out period. This protocol was repeated 3 times, each with a different supplement. During these trials and the dry-out periods, the horses were divided into groups of 4 and exercised at different levels depending on the group. Physical data was collected on days 0 and 14 of each of the 3 trials to determine any physical differences associated with the use of the supplements. The veterinarian scored the horses at a walk and trot before carrying out flexion tests on all 4 limbs. The pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, and body condition scores were also collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to quantify the amounts of chondroitin sulfate in each sample. The results for the glucosamine and hyaluronic acid are still pending

NASA Wrangler: Automated Cloud-Based Data Assembly in the RECOVER Wildfire Decision Support System

NASA Wrangler is a loosely-coupled, event driven, highly parallel data aggregation service designed to take advantageof the elastic resource capabilities of cloud computing. Wrangler automatically collects Earth observational data, climate model outputs, derived remote sensing data products, and historic biophysical data for pre-, active-, and post-wildfire decision making. It is a core service of the RECOVER decision support system, which is providing rapid-response GIS analytic capabilities to state and local government agencies. Wrangler reduces to minutes the time needed to assemble and deliver crucial wildfire-related data

The Kondo Dynamics of YbIn(1-x)AgxCu4

We present an infrared/optical study of the dynamics of the strongly correlated electron system YbIn(1-x)AgxCu4 as a function of doping and temperature for x ranging from 0 to 1, and T between 20 and 300 K. This study reveals information about the unusual phase transition as well as the phases themselves. Scaling relations emerge from the data and are investigated in detail using a periodic Anderson model based calculation. We also provide a picture in which to view both the low and high-energy x-dependent features of the infrared data, including identification of high energy, temperature dependent features.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures, submitted Phys. Rev.