NASA Sounding Rocket Program Educational Outreach

Educational and public outreach is a major focus area for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The NASA Sounding Rocket Program (NSRP) shares in the belief that NASA plays a unique and vital role in inspiring future generations to pursue careers in science, mathematics, and technology. To fulfill this vision, the NSRP engages in a variety of educator training workshops and student flight projects that provide unique and exciting hands-on rocketry and space flight experiences. Specifically, the Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students (WRATS) is a one-week tutorial laboratory experience for high school teachers to learn the basics of rocketry, as well as build an instrumented model rocket for launch and data processing. The teachers are thus armed with the knowledge and experience to subsequently inspire the students at their home institution. Additionally, the NSRP has partnered with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium (COSGC) to provide a "pipeline" of space flight opportunities to university students and professors. Participants begin by enrolling in the RockOn! Workshop, which guides fledgling rocketeers through the construction and functional testing of an instrumentation kit. This is then integrated into a sealed canister and flown on a sounding rocket payload, which is recovered for the students to retrieve and process their data post flight. The next step in the "pipeline" involves unique, user-defined RockSat-C experiments in a sealed canister that allow participants more independence in developing, constructing, and testing spaceflight hardware. These experiments are flown and recovered on the same payload as the RockOn! Workshop kits. Ultimately, the "pipeline" culminates in the development of an advanced, user-defined RockSat-X experiment that is flown on a payload which provides full exposure to the space environment (not in a sealed canister), and includes telemetry and attitude control capability. The RockOn! and RockSat-C elements of the "pipeline" have been successfully demonstrated by five annual flights thus far from Wallops Flight Facility. RockSat-X has successfully flown twice, also from Wallops. The NSRP utilizes launch vehicles comprised of military surplus rocket motors (Terrier-Improved Orion and Terrier-Improved Malemute) to execute these missions. The NASA Sounding Rocket Program is proud of its role in inspiring the "next generation of explorers" and is working to expand its reach to all regions of the United States and the international community as well

Modelling the evolution of transcription factor binding preferences in complex eukaryotes

Transcription factors (TFs) exert their regulatory action by binding to DNA with specific sequence preferences. However, different TFs can partially share their binding sequences due to their common evolutionary origin. This `redundancy' of binding defines a way of organizing TFs in `motif families' by grouping TFs with similar binding preferences. Since these ultimately define the TF target genes, the motif family organization entails information about the structure of transcriptional regulation as it has been shaped by evolution. Focusing on the human TF repertoire, we show that a one-parameter evolutionary model of the Birth-Death-Innovation type can explain the TF empirical ripartition in motif families, and allows to highlight the relevant evolutionary forces at the origin of this organization. Moreover, the model allows to pinpoint few deviations from the neutral scenario it assumes: three over-expanded families (including HOX and FOX genes), a set of `singleton' TFs for which duplication seems to be selected against, and a higher-than-average rate of diversification of the binding preferences of TFs with a Zinc Finger DNA binding domain. Finally, a comparison of the TF motif family organization in different eukaryotic species suggests an increase of redundancy of binding with organism complexity.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures. Minor changes. Final version, accepted for publicatio

Small Satellite Solar Array Substrate

The SMall EXplorer (SMEX) Fast Auroral SnapshoT (FAST) Spacecraft (S/C) was developed to investigate plasma physics of auroral phenomena at high orbital altitude. The FAST Satellite is comprised of a variety of deployable booms with sensors on the ends, and instruments that protrude from the main body of the spacecraft to obtain the plasma and electromagnetic fields data. This required that the plasma disturbance around the satellite be kept to a minimum. Therefore a non-deployable, body mounted Solar Array (SA) had to be implemented. This led to the design of a light weight SA substrate with a high degree of structural integrity. This SA substrate will be the topic of this paper

The role of neuronavigation in TMS-EEG studies : Current applications and future perspectives

Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) allows measuring noninvasively the electrical response of the human cerebral cortex to a direct perturbation. Complementing TMSEEG with a structural neuronavigation tool (nTMS-EEG) is key for accurately selecting cortical areas, targeting them, and adjusting the stimulation parameters based on some relevant anatomical priors. This step, together with the employment of visualization tools designed to perform a quality check of TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) in real-time during TMS-EEG data acquisition, is pivotal for maximizing the impact of the TMS pulse on the cortex and in ensuring highly reproducible measurements within sessions and across subjects. Moreover, storing stimulation parameters in the neumnavigation system can help in replicating the stimulation parameters within and across experimental sessions and sharing them across research centers. Finally, the systematic employment of neumnavigation in TMS-EEG studies is also critical to standardize measurements in clinical populations in search for reliable diagnostic and prognostic TMS-EEG-based biomarkers for neurological and psychiatric disorders.Peer reviewe

Thermal Testing and Integration: Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) Observatories with Digital 1-Wire Sensors

Thermocouples require two thin wires to be routed out of the spacecraft to connect to the ground support equipment used to monitor and record the temperature data. This large number of wires that exit the observatory complicates integration and creates an undesirable heat path during testing. These wires exiting the spacecraft need to be characterized as a thermal short that will not exist during flight. To minimize complexity and reduce thermal variables from these ground support equipment (GSE) wires, MMS pursued a hybrid path for temperature monitoring, utilizing thermocouples and digital 1-wire temperature sensors. Digital 1-wire sensors can greatly reduce harness mass, length and complexity as they can be spliced together. For MMS, 350 digital 1-wire sensors were installed on the spacecraft with only 18 wires exiting as opposed to a potential 700 thermocouple wires. Digital 1-wire sensors had not been used in such a large scale at NASAGSFC prior to the MMS mission. During the MMS thermal vacuum testing a lessons learned matrix was formulated that will assist future integration of 1-wires into thermal testing and one day into flight

Thermal Integration and Testing Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) Observatories Using Digital 1-wire Sensors

No abstract availabl

Análise da implantação do Parque Aquícola da UHE do Lajeado através de métodos multicritérios de decisão – Uma abordagem socioambiental e dos fatores de risco

This study is derived from the policy of the Brazilian government to increase fish production through the promotion of fish farming in network ponds in aquaculture parks. This project aims to explore the implementation and operation of the Sucupira Aquaculture Park (PAS) of the Lajeado Hydroelectric Power Plant (Palmas / TO) through the use of multicriteria decision methods, aiming at a socioenvironmental approach of the risk factors of the implementation of this project through the proposition of sustainability indicators. Scientometry has demonstrated that the production of knowledge related to fish culture in net tanks and artisanal fishing in reservoirs is indexed and has a multidisciplinary character. The articles are technicist and productivist, with little regard for environmental and socioeconomic factors, nor the public policies for the development and promotion of fishery and fishery activities, which in a way explains the dissatisfaction with the activity by the fish farmers of the Bom Peixe Association , as well as the inefficiency of the public policy of transforming the artisanal fisherman into an entrepreneur. The Social Network Analysis (ARS) makes clear that there is interconnection among all actors, but the protagonism of this network is dominated by public institutions and the process of communication between the various institutional actors is two-way, while between fish farmers and fishermen is of a unidirectional character, making them only subjects of actions. The Trophic State Index (EIT) was used as a monitoring tool for aquaculture activities in PAS. Limnological variables, with the exception of total phosphorus, despite small variations of oxygen and total solids, are in accordance with the recommendations of CONAMA Resolution 357/05. The data allow us to conclude that the aquaculture area presented a predominance of supereutrophic trophic state and that the trophic state of the reservoir in the vicinity of the tanks is strongly influenced by anthropic activities, mainly in the rainy season. In the dry season, there is an increase in the phosphorus concentration in the water, leading to a hypereutrophic state. It is not possible to say that aquaculture is an impactful activity and its effects are difficult to predict in the long term, as well as the behavior of the reservoir through increased production in the parks, however, if there is no monitoring and efficient control over water quality , fish farming may promote degradation of the aquatic ecosystem. The analysis of the technical, economic and financial feasibility of investment in aquaculture projects of tambaqui production in network tanks used the economic indicators Effective Operational Cost (COE), Total Operating Cost (COT), Total Gross Income (RBT), Gross Margin (MB), Net Margin (ML), Profit (L) and Return Rate of Capital (TRC). The analysis of TRC presented negative results and the system of production in excavated nurseries proved to be more efficient. The system of production in network tanks is an alternative of lower cost and time of implantation, but with uncertain return. The socioeconomic profile of the producers is considered to be incompatible with the business and technological activity of aquaculture in network tanks. In the producers' view, the activity is still a future promise and the public policy of turning fishermen into fish farmers proved ineffective. According to TRC, the activity is unsustainable and has been showing negative results, which indicates its low competitiveness. Sustainability and governance indicators were developed for the development of fish farming in the PAS, which, through social, economic and environmental subindices, generated a Sustainability Index (ISUS) of the enterprise. The data allowed to conclude that the ISUS was classified as not very sustainable (0.37), mainly in the economic and social dimensions. The analysis of governance was identified in interviews with the main agents of the productive chain, making it clear that the lack of governance structures was noticeable in all segments analyzed, which portrays the real stage of disorganization and inefficiency of the productive chain of fish farming in PAS.Este estudo deriva da política do governo brasileiro para incremento da produção de pescado por meio do fomento à piscicultura em tanques rede nos parques aquícolas. Este projeto visa explorar a implantação e operação do Parque Aquícola Sucupira (PAS) da UHE Lajeado (Palmas/TO) através do uso de métodos multicritérios de decisão, com objetivo de realizar uma abordagem socioambiental dos fatores de risco da implantação deste empreendimento através da proposição de indicadores de sustentabilidade. A cienciometria, demonstrou que a produção de conhecimento relacionado ao cultivo de peixes em tanques rede e a pesca artesanal em reservatórios está indexada e é de caráter multidisciplinar. Os artigos possuem caráter tecnicista e produtivista, pouco considerando os fatores ambientais e sócio econômicos, nem tampouco as políticas públicas de desenvolvimento e fomento às atividades piscícolas e ou pesqueiras, o que de certa forma explica a insatisfação com a atividade pelos piscicultores da Associação Bom Peixe, bem como a ineficiência da política pública de transformar o pescador artesanal em empreendedor. A Análise de Redes Sociais (ARS) deixa claro que há interligação entre todos os atores, porém o protagonismo dessa rede está dominado por instituições públicas e o processo de comunicação entre os diversos atores institucionais é de caráter bidirecional, enquanto que entre os piscicultores e pescadores é de caráter unidirecional, tornando-os apenas sujeitos das ações. O Índice de Estado Trófico (IET) foi utilizado como ferramenta de monitoramento de atividades aquícolas no PAS. As variáveis limnológicas, com exceção do fósforo total, apesar das pequenas variações de oxigênio e sólidos totais, estão de acordo com as recomendações da Resolução CONAMA 357/05. Os dados permitem concluir que a área aquícola apresentou predominância de estado trófico supereutrófico e que o estado trófico do reservatório nas proximidades dos tanques rede sofre forte influência externa de atividades antrópicas, principalmente no período chuvoso. No período da seca, ocorre aumento na concentração de fósforo na água, levando a um estado hipereutrófico. Não é possível afirmar que a aquicultura seja uma atividade impactante e seus efeitos são difíceis de serem previstos em longo prazo, bem como o comportamento do reservatório mediante aumento de produção nos parques, porém, caso não haja monitoramento e controle eficiente sobre a qualidade da água, a piscicultura pode vir a promover degradação do ecossistema aquático. A análise da viabilidade técnica, econômica e financeira de investimento em projetos aquícolas de produção de tambaqui em tanques rede utilizou os indicadores econômicos Custo Operacional Efetivo (COE), Custo Operacional Total (COT), Renda Bruta Total (RBT), Margem Bruta (MB), Margem Líquida (ML), Lucro (L) e Taxa de Retorno do Capital (TRC). A análise da TRC apresentou resultados negativos e o sistema de produção em viveiros escavados se mostrou mais eficiente. O sistema de produção em tanques rede é uma alternativa de menor custo e tempo de implantação, porém com retorno incerto. O perfil socioeconômico dos produtores é considerado incompatível com a atividade empresarial e tecnificada de aquicultura em tanques rede. Na visão dos produtores a atividade ainda é uma promessa futura e a política pública de transformar pescadores em piscicultores se mostrou ineficaz. De acordo com a TRC, a atividade é insustentável e vem apresentando resultados negativos, o que denota sua baixa competitividade. Foram elaborados indicadores de sustentabilidade e governança para o desenvolvimento da piscicultura no PAS, que através de subíndices sociais, econômicos e ambientais geraram um Índice de Sustentabilidade (ISUS) do empreendimento. Os dados permitiram concluir que o ISUS foi classificado como pouco sustentável (0,37), principalmente nas dimensões econômicas e sociais. A análise de governança foi identificada em entrevistas aos principais agentes da cadeia produtiva, ficando claro que a falta de estruturas de governança foi perceptível em todos os segmentos analisados, o que retrata o real estagio de desorganização e ineficiência da cadeia produtiva da piscicultura no PAS

Ordem e disciplina na sociedade do café: práticas punitivas no Vale do Paraíba, século XIX

Este artículo presenta un análisis del castigo y el control en la sociedad esclavista brasileña del siglo XIX inspirado en las categorías de Michel Foucault, adaptadas por Andrei Koerner. Al dialogar con este autor y Rafael Marquese, se presentará una hipótesis sobre la lógica diferente pero complementaria del castigo en espacios como la Casa Correccional de Río de Janeiro, las plantaciones ubicadas en el Valle de Paraíba (interior de la provincia de Río de Janeiro), y las cárceles de pueblos y ciudades de esta misma región. Como entendemos, las prerrogativas e intereses de los dominios privados y la práctica de las instituciones públicas convergieron en un arreglo que promovió una relativa estabilidad dentro del orden esclavista a lo largo del siglo.This paper presents an analysis of punishment and control in nineteenth century Brazilian slave society inspired by Michel Foucault’s categories, adapted by Andrei Koerner. By dialoguing with this author and Rafael Marquese, a hypothesis will be presented concerning the different and yet complementary logic of punishment in spaces such as Rio de Janeiro’s House of Correction, the plantations located in the Parahyba Valley (hinterland of Rio de Janeiro Province), and the jails of villages and cities in this same region. As we understand, the prerogatives and interests of private domains and the practice of public institutions converged into an arrangement that promoted relative stability within the slaveholding order throughout the century.O presente artigo propõe uma análise das práticas de controle e punição na sociedade escravista brasileira do século XIX à luz de categorias de Michel Foucault, e de sua apropriação nos estudos de Andrei Koerner. A partir do diálogo com esse autor e com Rafael Marquese, sugere-se uma hipótese sobre a existência de diferentes lógicas punitivas, contudo complementares, entre espaços como a Casa de Correção da Corte no Rio de Janeiro, as grandes plantations escravistas do Vale do Paraíba, e as Casas de Câmara e Cadeia dos núcleos urbanos dessa mesma região. Entre prerrogativas e interesses de domínios senhoriais e instituições públicas forjou-se um arranjo que assegurou relativa estabilidade à ordem escravista ao longo do século.peerReviewe

Tracking dynamic interactions between structural and functional connectivity : a TMS/EEG-dMRI study

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in combination with neuroimaging techniques allows to measure the effects of a direct perturbation of the brain. When coupled with high-density electroencephalography (TMS/hd-EEG), TMS pulses revealed electrophysiological signatures of different cortical modules in health and disease. However, the neural underpinnings of these signatures remain unclear. Here, by applying multimodal analyses of cortical response to TMS recordings and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) tractography, we investigated the relationship between functional and structural features of different cortical modules in a cohort of awake healthy volunteers. For each subject, we computed directed functional connectivity interactions between cortical areas from the source-reconstructed TMS/hd-EEG recordings and correlated them with the correspondent structural connectivity matrix extracted from dMRI tractography, in three different frequency bands (alpha, beta, gamma) and two sites of stimulation (left precuneus and left premotor). Each stimulated area appeared to mainly respond to TMS by being functionally elicited in specific frequency bands, that is, beta for precuneus and gamma for premotor. We also observed a temporary decrease in the whole-brain correlation between directed functional connectivity and structural connectivity after TMS in all frequency bands. Notably, when focusing on the stimulated areas only, we found that the structure-function correlation significantly increases over time in the premotor area controlateral to TMS. Our study points out the importance of taking into account the major role played by different cortical oscillations when investigating the mechanisms for integration and segregation of information in the human brain