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Panel #25: Unlocking the Value of Acquisition Data, Naval Postgraduate School, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Panel #25: Unlocking the Value of Acquisition Data, Naval Postgraduate School, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Panel #25: Unlocking the Value of Acquisition Data, Naval Postgraduate School, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

The olfactory system processes complex and varied information in its detection, recognition, and memory of odors. The exact functions that the olfactory bulb plays in this processing is still largely unknown. Studies were performed to help reveal bulb functionality in the olfactory system while contributing to the set of computer methods available for the study of neural systems.One interesting property of bulbar neurons is an increase in primary cell firing thresholds with depth. Since increased odor concentrations generally result in higher frequency inputs to the bulb and thus higher summation levels of primary cell membrane potentials, this threshold gradation transforms the frequency-encoded concentration data into a spatial representation in the number of primary cells responding in a single olfactory bulb glomerular region.Since this transformation relies on temporal summation of post-synaptic potentials (PSPs) to reflect concentration levels, direct physiological modeling of the transformation was possible while providing the added efficiency to permit the simulation of large numbers of cells and synaptic interactions. A novel physiological modeling methodology was developed for these tests that extends the extant physiological models to include time-constant and driving-force interactive effects between post-synaptic inputs. This novel method is derived using linear superposition of inputs to a lumped-circuit cell representation, resulting in a difference-of-exponentials PSP function that is more realistic and flexible than the common empirically-chosen alpha function.Also, the effects that interneuronal dendritic spines have on bulbar inhibitions were tested using biophysical computer simulations of primary-to-granule dendrodendritic reciprocal interactions. The graded strength properties of these synapses showed that reciprocal inhibitions to primary mitral cells are facilitated by the spine structures without the need of a high gain gradation while reduc

The olfactory system processes complex and varied information in its detection, recognition, and memory of odors. The exact functions that the olfactory bulb plays in this processing is still largely unknown. Studies were performed to help reveal bulb functionality in the olfactory system while contributing to the set of computer methods available for the study of neural systems.One interesting property of bulbar neurons is an increase in primary cell firing thresholds with depth. Since increased odor concentrations generally result in higher frequency inputs to the bulb and thus higher summation levels of primary cell membrane potentials, this threshold gradation transforms the frequency-encoded concentration data into a spatial representation in the number of primary cells responding in a single olfactory bulb glomerular region.Since this transformation relies on temporal summation of post-synaptic potentials (PSPs) to reflect concentration levels, direct physiological modeling of the transformation was possible while providing the added efficiency to permit the simulation of large numbers of cells and synaptic interactions. A novel physiological modeling methodology was developed for these tests that extends the extant physiological models to include time-constant and driving-force interactive effects between post-synaptic inputs. This novel method is derived using linear superposition of inputs to a lumped-circuit cell representation, resulting in a difference-of-exponentials PSP function that is more realistic and flexible than the common empirically-chosen alpha function.Also, the effects that interneuronal dendritic spines have on bulbar inhibitions were tested using biophysical computer simulations of primary-to-granule dendrodendritic reciprocal interactions. The graded strength properties of these synapses showed that reciprocal inhibitions to primary mitral cells are facilitated by the spine structures without the need of a high gain gradation while reduc

Publicly funded research has long played a role in the development of aeronautics, ranging from foundational research on airfoils to development of the air-traffic control system. Yet more than a century after the research and development of successful controlled, sustained, heavier-than-air flight vehicles, there are questions over the future of aeronautics research. The field of aeronautics is relatively mature, technological developments within it have become more evolutionary, and funding decisions are sometimes motivated by the continued pursuit of these evolutionary research tracks rather than by larger factors. These developments raise questions over whether public funding of aeronautics research continues to be appropriate or necessary and at what levels. Tightened federal budgets and increasing calls to address other public demands make these questions sharper still. To help it address the questions of appropriate directions for publicly funded aeronautics research, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) asked the RAND Corporation to assess the elements required to develop a strategic view of aeronautics research opportunities; identify candidate aeronautic grand challenges, paradigms, and concepts; outline a framework for evaluating them; and exercise the framework as an example of how to use it. Accordingly, this research seeks to address these questions: What aeronautics research should be supported by the U.S. government? What compelling and desirable benefits drive government-supported research? How should the government--especially NASA--make decisions about which research to support? Advancing aeronautics involves broad policy and decisionmaking challenges. Decisions involve tradeoffs among competing perspectives, uncertainties, and informed judgment.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) major wind tunnel (WT), propulsion test (PT), and simulation facilities exist to serve NASA's and the nation's aeronautics needs. RAND Corporation researchers conducted a prior study of these facilities from 2002 to 2003, identifying (1) NASA's continuing ability to serve national needs, (2) which facilities appear strategically important from an engineering perspective given the vehicle classes the nation investigates and produces, and (3) management challenges and issues. This documented briefing (DB) is the final report from a new, one-year study (conducted from September 2006 through January 2008), partially updating the prior assessment. The study focuses on updating the list of facilities in the prior study that were deemed to be strategically important (again, from an engineering perspective) in serving those needs. This update also adds a new assessment of national needs for six major aeronautics simulators at NASA and lists those deemed strategically important.

[Abstract] A large number of olfactometric measurements of odour removal efficiency of municipal waste organic fraction and green waste composting installations were compiled and analysed graphically. The number of measurements and installations is >50 for treated gas characteristics and >15 for filter media characteristics. All installations concerned were located in the Netherlands and Belgium. All untreated and treated gas odour concentrations were measured in duplicate or triplicate, according to olfactometry standard EN13725 or its predecessor NVN2820. The data were then analysed using graphical methods to identify trends and relation between effectiveness of performance and a large number of operational parameters and characteristics, including: • Area flow loading (m3·m-2 filter area·hour-1) • Contact time • Temperature of untreated flow • Odour concentration of untreated flow • Ammonia concentration of untreated flow • Dry matter content of filter media • pH of filter media

This report presents the results from a set of foresights into global technology trends and their implications for the world in the year 2020. Areas of particular importance include biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials technology, and information technology. A sample of 29 countries across the spectrum of scientific advancement (low to high) was assessed with respect to the countries' ability to acquire and implement 16 key technology applications (e.g., cheap solar energy, rural wireless communications, genetically modified crops). The study's major conclusions include the following: Scientifically advanced countries, such as the United States, Germany, and Japan, will be able to implement all key technologies assessed; Countries that are not scientifically advanced will have to develop significant capacity and motivation before barriers to technology implementation can be overcome; and Public policy issues in certain areas will engender public debate and strongly influence technology implementation. Many technology trends and applications have substantial momentum behind them and will be the focus of continued research and development, consideration, market forces, and debate. These technologies will be applied in some guise or other, and the effects could be dramatic, including significant improvements in human life span, reshuffling of wealth, cultural amalgamation or innovation, and reduced privacy., ISBN 0-8330-3910-5

This monograph reveals and discusses the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) wind tunnel and propulsion test facility management issues that are creating real risks to the United States' competitive aeronautics advantage., Sponsored in part by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). ISBN-0-8330-3590-8.

Life in 2015 will be revolutionized by the growing effect of multidisciplinary technology across all dimensions of life: social, economic, political, and personal. Biotechnology will enable us to identify, understand, manipulate, improve, and control living organisms (including ourselves). The revolution of information availability and utility will continue to profoundly affect the world in all these dimensions. Smart materials, agile manufacturing, and nanotechnology will change the way we produce devices while expanding their capabilities. These technologies may also be joined by "wild cards" in 2015 if barriers to their development are resolved in time. The results could be astonishing. Effects may include significant improvements in human quality of life and life span, high rates of industrial turnover, lifetime worker training, continued globalization, reshuffling of wealth, cultural amalgamation or invasion with potential for increased tension and conflict, shifts in power from nation states to non-governmental organizations and individuals, mixed environmental effects, improvements in quality of life with accompanying prosperity and reduced tension, and the possibility of human eugenics and cloning. The actual realization of these possibilities will depend on a number of factors, including local acceptance of technological change, levels of technology and infrastructure investments, market drivers and limitations, and technology breakthroughs and advancements. Since these factors vary across the globe, the implementation and effects of technology will also vary, especially in developing countries. Nevertheless, the overall revolution and trends will continue through much of the developed world. The fast pace of technological development and breakthroughs makes foresight difficult, but the technology revolution seems globally significant and quite likely.

RAND has undertaken a three-year effort, sponsored by the National Intelligence Council, to study some of the key changes expected worldwide as a result of the continuing information revolution. A first conference in a series was held November 16-18, 1999 in Washington, DC, concentrating on potential political, economic, and social consequences of this revolution, with special attention focused on differential impacts possible in differing countries, regions, and cultures of the world. A second conference in this series, reported on here, was held May 10-12, 2000, in Pittsburgh PA. It concentrated on technical trends in the information revolution, focusing in particular on the resulting new artifacts and services that might become widespread during the next 20 years, thereby affecting individuals, organizations, nations, and cultures worldwide. This conference attempted to get beyond Moore's Law (an expected doubling of the density of integrated circuits on a silicon chip every 18 months or so), to ask about specific artifacts, devices, and services that might be developed, with attention to those likely to have differential impacts on various countries, regions, and cultures of the world. The conference was designed to illuminate the assumptions underlying various predictions and estimates, so that these could be examined for mutual consistency and likelihood.