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At least 1,765 records · Page 98

GPS

Geodetic networks support the TRF requirements of NASA ESE missions. Each of SLR, VLBI, GPS substantially and uniquely contributes to TRF determination. NASA's SLR, VLBI, and GPS groups collaborate toward wide-ranging improvements in the next 5 years. NASA leverages considerable resources through its significant activity in international services. NASA faces certain challenges in continuing and advancing these activities. The Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) is an accurate, stable set of positions and velocities. The TRF provides the stable coordinate system that allows us to link measurements over space and time. The geodetic networks provide data for determination of the TRF as well as direct science observations.

Global Positioning System (GPS)↗

Design and Construction of Detector and Data Acquisition Elements for Proton Computed Tomography

Proton computed tomography (pCT) offers an alternative to x-ray imaging with potential for three-dimensional imaging, reduced radiation exposure, and in-situ imaging. Northern Illinois University (NIU) is developing a second-generation proton computed tomography system with a goal of demonstrating the feasibility of three-dimensional imaging within clinically realistic imaging times. The second-generation pCT system is comprised of a tracking system, a calorimeter, data acquisition, a computing farm, and software algorithms. The proton beam encounters the upstream tracking detectors, the patient or phantom, the downstream tracking detectors, and a calorimeter. The schematic layout of the PCT system is shown. The data acquisition sends the proton scattering information to an offline computing farm. Major innovations of the second generation pCT project involve an increased data acquisition rate ( MHz range) and development of three-dimensional imaging algorithms. The Fermilab Particle Physics Division and Northern Illinois Center for Accelerator and Detector Development at Northern Illinois University worked together to design and construct the tracking detectors, calorimeter, readout electronics and detector mounting system.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A sub-arcsecond Pointing stability fine stage for a high altitude balloon platform

High-altitude balloons (HABs) are platforms for collecting astrophysical and planetary science data that offer a number of advantages compared to conventional groundbased or space-based systems. However, they also pose a set of new environmental challenges that must be addressed in order to offer a viable alternative to ground- or space- based assets. In particular, maintaining science-quality pointing stability is a critical challenge for HAB platforms. For these missions, dynamic errors must be limited to a fraction of the observation wavelength, so as the wavelength becomes smaller, it becomes more difficult to meet the needed performance. As a result, there are very few existing pointing stabilization solutions that use visible-spectrum guide stars, despite their relatively wide distribution across the sky. This paper describes the results achieved with the STABLE (Subarcsecond Telescope And BaLloon Experiment) project whose goal is to provide the fine pointing stage for a balloonborne platform observing in the visible wavelength.

Porter, Michael↗

Syntactic and Semantic Validation without a Metadata Management System

The ability to maintain quality information is essential to securing the confidence in any system for which the information serves as a data source. NASA's Global Change Master Directory (GCMD), an online Earth science data locator, holds over 9000 data set descriptions and is in a constant state of flux as metadata are created and updated on a daily basis. In such a system, the importance of maintaining the consistency and integrity of these-metadata is crucial. The GCMD has developed a metadata management system utilizing XML, controlled vocabulary, and Java technologies to ensure the metadata not only adhere to valid syntax, but also exhibit proper semantics.

Pollack, Janine↗

TESS Science Processing Operations Center Pipeline and Data Products

TESS launched 18-4-2018 to conduct a two-year, near all-sky survey for at least 50 nearby exoplanets for which masses can be. TESS just completed surveying the southern hemisphere, identifying hundreds of candidate exoplanet systems and unveiling a plethora of exciting non-exoplanet astrophysics results, such as asteroseismology, asteroids, and supernova. The TESS Science Processing Operations Center (SPOC) at NASA Ames Research Center processes the image data downlinked from TESS every two weeks to generate a variety of data products hosted at the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST). For each ~1 month sector, the SPOC calibrates the image data for both 30-min Full Frame Images (FFIs) and up to 20,000 pre-selected 2-min target star postage stamps. Simple aperture photometry and systematic error-corrected flux time series are generated for the 2-min data. The data products also include co-trending basis vectors (CBVs) and calibration files, such as the Pixel Response Functions (PRF). The archival files are modeled after Kepler's for ease of use, and include Target Pixel Files (TPFs) containing original and calibrated 2-min image data, Light Curve files (LCs) containing the photometric time series for each 2-min target, as well as the Data Validation products. New products derived from the FFIs include light curves for the 2-min targets and CBVs. The TESS Mission is funded by NASA's Science Mission Directorate as an Astrophysics Explorer Mission.

Jenkins, Jon M.↗

TU-FG-BRB-06: A Prompt Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy System for Clinical Studies of in Vivo Proton Range Verification

Purpose: We present a new system to perform prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy during proton pencil-beam scanning treatments, which enables in vivo verification of the proton range. This system will be used for the first clinical studies of this technology. Methods: After successful pre-clinical testing of prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy, a full scale system for clinical studies is now being assembled. Prompt gamma-rays will be detected during patient treatment using an array of 8 detector modules arranged behind a tungsten collimator. Each detector module consists of a lanthanum(III) bromide scintillator, a photomultiplier tube, and custom electronics for stable high voltage supply and signal amplification. A new real-time data acquisition and control system samples the signals from the detectors with analog-to-digital converters, analyses events of interest, and communicates with the beam delivery systems. The timing of the detected events was synchronized to the cyclotron radiofrequency and the pencil-beam delivery. Range verification is performed by matching measured energy- and timeresolved gamma-ray spectra to nuclear reaction models based on the clinical treatment plan. Experiments in phantoms were performed using clinical beams in order to assess the performance of the systems. Results: The experiments showed reliable real-time analysis of more than 10 million detector events per second. The individual detector modules acquired accurate energy- and time-resolved gamma-ray measurements at a rate of 1 million events per second, which is typical for beams delivered with a clinical dose rate. The data acquisition system successfully tracked the delivery of the scanned pencil-beams to determine the location of range deviations within the treatment field. Conclusion: A clinical system for proton range verification using prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy has been designed and is being prepared for use during patient treatments. We anticipate to start a first clinical study in the near future. This work was supported by the Federal Share of program income earned by Massachusetts; General Hospital on C06-CA059267, Proton Therapy Research and Treatment Center.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

STS-82 Flight Day 06 Highlights

The sixth day of the STS-82 mission begins with the crew, Commander Kenneth D. Bowersox, Pilot Scott J. Horowitz, Payload Commander Mark C. Lee, and Mission Specialists Gregory J. Harbaugh, Steven L. Smith, Joseph R. Tanner, and Steven A. Hawley conducting the third spacewalk of the mission. Lee and Smith are seen removing and replacing a Data Interface Unit which provides command and data interfaces between Hubble's data management system and other subsystems. They also replace an old reel-to-reel style Engineering and Science Tape Recorder with a new digital Solid State Recorder (SSR) that will allow simultaneous recording and playback of data. The final task for Lee and Smith is the change out of one of four Reaction Wheel Assembly units that use spin momentum to move the telescope toward a target and maintain it in a stable position.

Source record↗

Automated Advisors for Remote Science Experimentation

This paper details flight results from the PI-in-a-Box project. The project is an attempt to understand the issues involved in building automated real-time advisory systems to improve the conduct of science in remote laboratory settings. This is an important problem as examples of these situations can be found throughout aerospace. A knowledge-based approach is used to facilitate real-time reactions to experiment data as it is collected by a competent, but not expert, operator. The system was flown on the Space Shuttle in October, 1993. The PI-in-a-Box system was able to outperform humans in a variety of science-related tasks. These tasks include data integrity assurance, data analysis, and scientific model validation.

Frainier, Richard↗

Information management challenges of the EOS Data and Information System

An overview of the current information management concepts that are embodied in the plans for the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is presented, and some of the technology development and application areas that are envisioned to be particularly challenging are introduced. The Information Management System (IMS) is the EOSDIS element that provides the primary interface between the science users and the data products and services of EOSDIS. The goals of IMS are to define a clear and complete set of functional requirements and to apply innovative methods and technologies to satisfy them. The information management functions are described in detail, and some applicable technolgies are discussed. Some of the general issues affecting the successful development and operation of the information management element are addressed.

Mcdonald, Kenneth R.↗

The Payload Advisory Panel and the Data and Information System Advisory Panel of the Investigators Working Group of the Earth Observing System: A joint report

The Payload Advisory Panel of the Investigators Working Group (IWG) for the Earth Observing System (EOS) met 4 to 6 October 1993 in Herndon, Virginia. The Panel, originally composed of the Interdisciplinary Science Principal Investigators, was expanded to include all Principal Investigators and as such is now the IWG itself. The meeting also addressed directly a report from the EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Advisory Panel. The meeting focused on payload issues in the years 2000 to 2005; however, some subjects in the nearer-term, most significantly EOSDIS, were considered. The overarching theme of convergence in Earth observations set a backdrop for the entire meeting. Other themes included: atmospheric chemistry; remote sensing of the global cycles of energy, water, and carbon in EOS; ocean and land-ice altimetry; and the EOSDIS. The Totol Solar Irradiance Monitoring Report and results from the Accelerated Canopy Chemistry Program are included as appendices.

Moore, Berrien, III↗

Space Studies Board, 1994

This 1994 report of the Space Studies Board of the National Research Council summarizes the charter and organization of the board, activities and membership, major and short reports, and congressional testimony. A cumulative bibliography of the Space Studies (formerly Space Science) Board and its committees is provided. An appendix contains reports of the panel to review Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) plans. Major reports cover scientific opportunities in the human exploration of space, the dichotomy between funding and effectiveness in space physics, an integrated strategy for the planetary sciences for the years 1995-2010, and Office of Naval Research (ONR) research opportunities in upper atmospheric sciences. Short reports cover utilization of the space station, life and microgravity sciences and the space station program, Space Infrared Telescope Facility and the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, and the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility and Cassini Saturn Probe.

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The New Face of Data Accessibility

Management of medical and research data at NASA's Johnson Space Center has been addressed with two separate, independent systems: the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (formerly, The Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health) (LSAH) and the Life Sciences Data Archive (LSDA). Project management for these has been autonomous with little or no cross-over of goals, objectives or strategy. The result has been limited debate and discussion regarding how contents from one repository might impact or guide the direction of the other. It is decidedly more efficient to use existing data and information than to re-generate them. Ensuring that both clinical and research data / information are accessible for review is a central concept to the decision to unify these repositories. In the past, research data from flight and ground analogs has been held in the LSDA and medical data held in the Electronic Medical Record or in console flight surgeon logs and records. There was little cross-pollination between medical and research findings and, as a result, applicable research was not being fully incorporated into clinical, in-flight practice. Conversely, findings by the console surgeon were not being picked up by the research community. The desired life cycle for risk mitigation was not being fully realized. The goal of unifying these repositories and processes is to provide a closely knit approach to handling medical and research data, which will not only engender discussion and debate but will also ensure that both categories of data and information are used to enhance the use of medical and research data to reduce risk and promote the understanding of space physiology, countermeasures and other mitigation strategies

Fitts, Mary A.↗

Performance evaluation of the Engineering Analysis and Data Systems (EADS) 2

The Engineering Analysis and Data System (EADS)II (1) was installed in March 1993 to provide high performance computing for science and engineering at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). EADS II increased the computing capabilities over the existing EADS facility in the areas of throughput and mass storage. EADS II includes a Vector Processor Compute System (VPCS), a Virtual Memory Compute System (CFS), a Common Output System (COS), as well as Image Processing Station, Mini Super Computers, and Intelligent Workstations. These facilities are interconnected by a sophisticated network system. This work considers only the performance of the VPCS and the CFS. The VPCS is a Cray YMP. The CFS is implemented on an RS 6000 using the UniTree Mass Storage System. To better meet the science and engineering computing requirements, EADS II must be monitored, its performance analyzed, and appropriate modifications for performance improvement made. Implementing this approach requires tool(s) to assist in performance monitoring and analysis. In Spring 1994, PerfStat 2.0 was purchased to meet these needs for the VPCS and the CFS. PerfStat(2) is a set of tools that can be used to analyze both historical and real-time performance data. Its flexible design allows significant user customization. The user identifies what data is collected, how it is classified, and how it is displayed for evaluation. Both graphical and tabular displays are supported. The capability of the PerfStat tool was evaluated, appropriate modifications to EADS II to optimize throughput and enhance productivity were suggested and implemented, and the effects of these modifications on the systems performance were observed. In this paper, the PerfStat tool is described, then its use with EADS II is outlined briefly. Next, the evaluation of the VPCS, as well as the modifications made to the system are described. Finally, conclusions are drawn and recommendations for future worked are outlined.

Debrunner, Linda S.↗

CERES Clouds and Radiative Swath (CRS) data in HDF. (CER_CRS_Terra-FM2-MODIS_Edition2A

The Clouds and Radiative Swath (CRS) product contains one hour of instantaneous Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) data for a single scanner instrument. The CRS contains all of the CERES SSF product data. For each CERES footprint on the SSF the CRS also contains vertical flux profiles evaluated at four levels in the atmosphere: the surface, 500-, 70-, and 1-hPa. The CRS fluxes and cloud parameters are adjusted for consistency with a radiative transfer model and adjusted fluxes are evaluated at the four atmospheric levels for both clear-sky and total-sky. [Location=GLOBAL] [Temporal_Coverage: Start_Date=1998-01-01; Stop_Date=2001-10-31] [Spatial_Coverage: Southernmost_Latitude=-90; Northernmost_Latitude=90; Westernmost_Longitude=-180; Easternmost_Longitude=180] [Data_Resolution: Temporal_Resolution=1 hour; Temporal_Resolution_Range=Hourly - < Daily].

CLOUD LAYER AREA↗

AVIRIS and TIMS data processing and distribution at the land processes distributed active archive center

The U.S. Government has initiated the Global Change Research program, a systematic study of the Earth as a complete system. NASA's contribution of the Global Change Research Program is the Earth Observing System (EOS), a series of orbital sensor platforms and an associated data processing and distribution system. The EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is the archiving, production, and distribution system for data collected by the EOS space segment and uses a multilayer architecture for processing, archiving, and distributing EOS data. The first layer consists of the spacecraft ground stations and processing facilities that receive the raw data from the orbiting platforms and then separate the data by individual sensors. The second layer consists of Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC) that process, distribute, and archive the sensor data. The third layer consists of a user science processing network. The EOSDIS is being developed in a phased implementation. The initial phase, Version 0, is a prototype of the operational system. Version 0 activities are based upon existing systems and are designed to provide an EOSDIS-like capability for information management and distribution. An important science support task is the creation of simulated data sets for EOS instruments from precursor aircraft or satellite data. The Land Processes DAAC, at the EROS Data Center (EDC), is responsible for archiving and processing EOS precursor data from airborne instruments such as the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS), the Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS), and Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS). AVIRIS, TIMS, and TMS are flown by the NASA-Ames Research Center ARC) on an ER-2. The ER-2 flies at 65000 feet and can carry up to three sensors simultaneously. Most jointly collected data sets are somewhat boresighted and roughly registered. The instrument data are being used to construct data sets that simulate the spectral and spatial characteristics of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument scheduled to be flown on the first EOS-AM spacecraft. The ASTER is designed to acquire 14 channels of land science data in the visible and near-IR (VNIR), shortwave-IR (SWIR), and thermal-IR (TIR) regions from 0.52 micron to 11.65 micron at high spatial resolutions of 15 m to 90 m. Stereo data will also be acquired in the VNIR region in a single band. The AVIRIS and TMS cover the ASTER VNIR and SWIR bands, and the TIMS covers the TIR bands. Simulated ASTER data sets have been generated over Death Valley, California, Cuprite, Nevada, and the Drum Mountains, Utah using a combination of AVIRIS, TIMS, amd TMS data, and existing digital elevation models (DEM) for the topographic information.

Mah, G. R.↗

CERES Monthly Gridded Single Satellite TOA and Surfaces/Clouds(SFC) data in HDF (CER_SFC_Aqua-FM4-MODIS_Edition1B)

The Monthly Gridded TOA/Surface Fluxes and Clouds (SFC) product contains a month of space and time averaged Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) data for a single scanner instrument. The SFC is also produced for combinations of scanner instruments. All instantaneous shortwave, longwave, and window fluxes at the Top-of-the-Atmosphere (TOA) and surface from the CERES SSF product for a month are sorted by 1-degree spatial regions and by the local hour of observation. The mean of the instantaneous fluxes for a given region-hour bin is determined and recorded on the SFC along with other flux statistics and scene information. These average fluxes are given for both clear-sky and total-sky scenes. The regional cloud properties are column averaged and are included on the SFC. [Location=GLOBAL] [Temporal_Coverage: Start_Date=1998-01-01; Stop_Date=2005-03-31] [Spatial_Coverage: Southernmost_Latitude=-90; Northernmost_Latitude=90; Westernmost_Longitude=-180; Easternmost_Longitude=100] [Data_Resolution: Latitude_Resolution=1 degree; Longitude_Resolution=1 degree; Horizontal_Resolution_Range=100 km - < 250 km or approximately 1 degree - < 2.5 degrees; Temporal_Resolution=1 hour; Temporal_Resolution_Range=Hourly - < Daily].

CLEAR-SKY LONGWAVE FLUX↗

Reliability Assessment of Safety-Critical Network Communication in a Digitalized Nuclear Power Plant

In analog instrumentation and control (I and C) systems for nuclear power plants (NPPs), most connections are comprised of hardwired point-to-point types. Since they are based on analog technologies, they are fragile to noise and require analog-to-digital conversion time. Therefore, many NPPs have adopted communication network for the exchange of safety-critical data between programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in digital I and C systems to effectively accommodate a huge number of field controllers. However, the primary issue of digital network communication in a safety-critical system involves potential hazards, such as partial or total loss of communication between PLCs, which may result in a failure of safety critical signal generation when it is needed. Therefore, the probability that a safety-critical system in digitalized NPP becomes unsafe due to a network failure must be evaluated to quantify the risk of digital I and C system. In Korea, the Engineered Safety Feature-Component Control System (ESF-CCS) was developed as one of the digital safety-critical system in Advanced Power Reactor- 1400 (APR-1400). The function of a digital engineered safety feature (ESF) actuation system and field actuator controllers of conventional NPPs are performed by the ESF-CCS. In this system, safety-critical network, High Reliable- Safety Data Network (HR-SDN), was employed for the safety-critical data transmission from group controllers (GCs) to loop controllers (LCs). In this study, a framework for assessing the reliability of a HR-SDN network communication between GCs and LCs in the ESF-CCS in addition to a fault-tree model for ESF components considering network failure between GCs and LCs were developed to assess the plant risk effect of a newly developed digitalized ESF-CCS. Based on the case studies and cut set analysis, the risk effect of network failure on plant risk and the important risk contributors of network failure were quantitatively addressed. A framework for identifying the potential hazardous states of network communication in the ESFCCS was proposed. In addition, a fault-tree model for network communication failure was developed to estimate the risk effects of network failure between the GCs and LCs on ESF-CCS signal failure. The developed fault-tree model was then applied to several case studies. The fault-tree model of ESF-CCS signal failure for ESF components required for various mitigation actions regarding NPP DBAs was designed by considering the identified hazardous states of network failure that would result in a failure to provide input signals to the corresponding LC. As a sensitivity study, three case studies were performed based on the periodic test methods for hardware components in HR-SDN module and their test intervals in this study. The quantitative results for three case studies demonstrated that the probability of overall network communication failure, which was calculated as the sum of the failure probability associated with each failure cause, contributed up to 1.58% on the Small-LOCA CD frequency. The results also revealed the important basic events related to network failure in the case studies which included CCF of hardware and software in HR-SDN module. This study is expected to provide insight into the development of the fault-tree model for the network failure in digital I and C system and into the quantification of the risk effect of network failure for safety-critical data transmission in NPPs. As a further study, the risk effects of network failure in the ESF-CCS on the plant risk can be estimated in a more detailed manner by analyzing the failure modes and causes in a sub-component level and the fault detection coverage of the fault tolerance techniques for network failure implemented in ESF-CCS after the detailed configuration of ESF-CCS is decided. In terms of the failure of manual ESF actuation, the relationship among the human action failures must be investigated to consider multiple human error condition since ESF-CCS provides multiple manual actuation to assure the diversity of the system. Since the conventional HEP method cannot accommodate the multiple conditions in a fault tree, condition-based human reliability assessment (CBHRA) method or the dynamic human reliability modeling approach can be applied to include a complex relationship among the automated safety signal generation and the human operator's manual actuation, avoiding the optimistic estimation of HEP of the human action failure.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Editorial: Transplant Rejection and Tolerance—Advancing the Field through Integration of Computational and Experimental Investigation

Seventy years after the first proof of concept that the immune system can be trained to accept transplanted tissues via induction of immune tolerance, we are still waiting for a clinical approach that could be used routinely in transplant patients. Transplantation is a life-saving surgical procedure that is still only successful when paired with life-long administration of immunosuppressive drugs. However, the debilitating side effects of the long-term use of these drugs, together with their incomplete control of the immune system, compromise the quality of life and survival of transplant recipients. Thus, there is a strong push to find new therapeutic strategies that promote indefinite acceptance of a transplanted tissue without compromising the effectiveness of the patient’s immune system. Although many exciting ideas have been explored, none of the resulting strategies have been successfully converted into a widely applicable therapeutic approach.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗