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The effects of both system additive and multiplicative noise on the X-, C-, and L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data covering oil slicks are examined. Prior studies have attempted to characterize such oil slicks, primarily through analysis of polarimetric SAR data. In this article, we factor in system noise that is added to the backscattered signal, introducing artifacts that can easily be confused with random and volume scattering. This confusion occurs when additive and/or multiplicative system noise dominates the measured backscattered signal. Polarimetric features used in this article are shown to be affected by both additive and multiplicative system noise, some more than others. This article highlights the importance of considering specifically multiplicative noise in the estimation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The SNR based on additive noise should at least be above 10 dB and the SNR involving both additive and multiplicative noise should at least be above 0 dB. The SNR from TerraSAR-X (TS-X) and Radarsat-2 (RS-2) is below 0 dB for the majority of the oil slick pixels when considering both the additive and multiplicative noise, rendering these data unsuitable for any analysis of the scattering properties and characterization. These results are in contrast to the reduced impact of noise on oil slicks detected by the L-band UAVSAR system. In particular, we find that there is no need to invoke exotic scattering mechanisms to explain the characteristics of the data. We also recommend a noise subtraction for any polarimetric scattering analysis.

A technology revolution in Earth observation sensor design is occurring. This revolution in part is associated with the emergence of CubeSat platforms that have forced a de facto standardization on the volume and power into which sensors have to fit. The extent that small sensors can indeed provide similar or replacement capabilities compared to larger and more expensive counterparts has barely been demonstrated and any loss of capability of smaller systems weighed against the gains in costs and new potential capabilities offered by implementing them with a more distributed observing strategy also has not yet been embraced. This paper provides four examples of observations made with prototype miniaturized observing systems, including from CubeSats, that offer a glimpse of this emerging sensor revolution and a hint at future observing system design.

We are on the threshold of a new era in robotic exploration of our solar system, one in which CubeSats and SmallSats will play an important role. As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s lead center for robotic solar system exploration, JPL has a strategic interest in these new capabilities that enable planetary scientists to expand our knowledge of how our solar system formed, how it works, and even how life originated. In November 2018, JPL’s two Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft, launched with the InSight Discovery mission, made history as they flew past Mars. This first pair of interplanetary CubeSats navigated their way independently to Mars to provide a relay capability for the InSight lander back to Earth. Lunar Flashlight and Near-Earth Asteroid Scout, two CubeSats that are currently under development, will form part of the ‘swarm’ of CubeSats escorted onto a lunar trajectory by NASA’s Artemis-1 mission—the first launch of its new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This paper provides an overview of these and other CubeSat and SmallSat mission developments at JPL from the author’s perspective. It is intended to inspire others to follow the trail blazed by these pioneering missions.

Bulletin of the AAS, 53 (4)

International audience; Many advancements in planetary science are achieved by seizing upon the opportunity created by rare natural events (e.g. comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Jupiter impact; 1994) and by planned physical interactions (e.g. Deep Impact into comet Tempel 1; 2005). A forthcoming opportunity to seize upon a natural physical “experiment” occurs on April 13, 2029 with the unprecedentedly close Earth encounter by the large 340m asteroid (99942) Apophis. On that date, nature is performing the “experiment” of subjecting the physical body of Apophis to Earth’s tidal torques as it approaches to within 31,000 km of Earth’s surface, a distance that is closer than orbiting geosynchronous satellites.A potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) as large as Apophis encountering Earth this closely (within 0.1 lunar distances) is, on average, a once-per-thousand year event. (In context, Apophis is 7 times larger and 350 times more massive than the Tunguska 1908 impactor; 5000 times more massive than Chelyabinsk 2013.) Because of this event’s incredible rarity, knowledge gained through measurements and outcomes of the Apophis 2029 “natural experiment” are clearly a decadal, if not millennial, opportunity for planetary science. Most specifically, this knowledge opportunity is for the science supporting planetary defense. Further, on April 13, 2029 all of Earth will be watching: Apophis will be visible to the naked eye speeding across the evening sky for an estimated 2 billion people spanning western Europe and northern Africa.In this White Paper we outline our current best understanding, and uncertainties, for scientific advances in the physical study of potentially hazardous asteroids that may be achievable by measuring physical changes of Apophis’ spin, surface structure, and/or shape configuration inresponse to Earth’s tidal torques. If tidal torques themselves, or surface configuration changes induce any measurable seismic vibration signal inside Apophis, a new field of asteroid seismology has the potential to be born. Over six decades of planetary science, seismology has been achieved beyond Earth for only two planetary worlds: Moon and Mars.With this White Paper, we take no position on how to implement specific investigations capable of achieving the science advances offered by the Apophis 2029 opportunity. Instead we advocate that competitive selection of investigations, be they theoretical or observational (ground-based, space-based, or in situ), be executed under the direction of NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office, with a projected and perhaps necessarily augmented budget capable of supporting them. International collaboration is strongly encouraged.Thus, summarizing in four specific points, we urge the framers of the Decadal Survey to:• Recognize the decadal, if not millennial, opportunity for the science of planetary defense presented by the Apophis 2029 once-per-thousand-year “natural experiment.”• Prioritize as a top-level planetary defense science goal modeling and measuring the physical outcome on Apophis exerted by Earth’s tidal torques so as to achieve the greatest possible new insights into the physical nature, including the internal structure, of PHAs.• Recognize that time is of the essence for defining and implementing investigations of physical effects on Apophis, particularly if in situ measurements are to be considered. An Apophis 2029 Science Definition Team may be prescribed.• Recognize that the achievable knowledge of PHAs presented by the Apophis 2029 opportunity could have immeasurable benefits to the future of humanity, in the highly unlikely, but not impossible necessity to mitigate a future impact threat

Venus Corona and Tessera Explorer (VeCaTEx) would use an aerobot to descend repeatedly beneath the dense clouds for imaging targeted area of the surface in the near infrared to address six of the prime investigations prioritized by VEXAG. The technologies needed could be matured during the next decade.

This article seeks to explore factors responsible for the adoption of online marketing by second hand (used) car dealers to sellers in Ghana. A conceptual framework was adopted from the extant literature using the Technology Acceptance Model as a theoretical base. This article adopts a quantitative research approach. Data for the study was obtained from 60 second hand car sellers through a self-administered questionnaire. Findings from this study revealed that factors responsible for online marketing adoption by second hand car dealers in Ghana are: perceived usefulness (marketing online, customer demand and increase productivity; ease of use (ability to upload pictures, interaction with clients, and online vehicles sales) of the platform. The study however, found no significant relationship between IT knowledge of the owner/manager, age of business and adoption of the online technology. This article highlights the importance of technology adoption in business among SMEs from technologically disadvantaged market.

Charles D. Edwards (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology). Co-Authors: 1. Vlada Stamenkovic Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; 2. Penelope Boston NASA Ames; 3. Kennda Lynch LPI/USRA … et al.

Miniaturized and highly capable science instruments are being developed for CubeSats at an increasing rate. These instruments have enabled significant, if niche, science to be performed by CubeSats in the areas of Earth remote sensing, astrophysics, space physics, and soon to include planetary science. CubeSat instruments now available and proven include infrared spectrometers, a variety of radiometers, magnetometers, radar for bistatic radar studies (relatively) high-resolution optical imagers, highly sensitive photometers, Lidar, field and particle sensors, and neutron spectrometers. Development of these instruments has been facilitated by a variety of evolving technologies leading to miniaturization, lower mass, low power consumption, and excellent capabilities. These capable new CubeSat instruments are starting to support applications and missions that were once the realm of large, extremely expensive spacecraft systems. A survey and overview of these instruments is provided along with an assessment of their impact and a brief projection of a vision for future development and related science missions.

The launch and successful operation of the Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats in May of 2018 ushered in a new era of solar system exploration. The 13 interplanetary CubeSats slated to fly on Artemis 1 in 2020 along with MarCO represent the beginning of a new paradigm of planetary exploration—one that utilizes the CubeSat form factor as both primary and supporting exploration platforms. Enabling technologies required by interplanetary CubeSats including relatively high Δv propulsion systems, capable high-frequency transponders, radiation-tolerant components, and extremely capable miniaturized science instruments are now becoming commercially available making these missions possible. Interplanetary CubeSats require different and more sophisticated spacecraft systems architectures and must utilize different and more sophisticated ground station systems than LEO missions. These differences are discussed in this chapter in detail, using specific examples from current and planned missions.

Remote sensing data are most useful if they are available with sufficient precision, accuracy, spatiotemporal and spectral sampling, as well as continuity across decades. The Landsat and Sentinel series, as well other satellites are currently covering significant parts of this observational trade space. It can be expected that growing demands and budget constraints will require new capabilities in orbit that can address as many observables as possible with a single instrument. Recent optical performance improvements of imaging spectrometers make them true alternatives to traditional multispectral imagers. However, they are much more adaptable to a wide range of Earth observation needs due to the combination of continuous high spectral sampling with spatial sampling consistent with previous sensors (e.g., Landsat). Unfortunately, there is a knowledge gap in demonstrating that imaging spectroscopy data can substitute for multi-spectral data while sustaining the long-term record. Thus, the objective of this analysis is to test the hypothesis that imaging spectroscopy data compare radiometrically with multi-spectral data to within 5%. Using a coincident Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) flight with over-passing Operational Land Imager (OLI) data on Landsat 8, we document a procedure for simulating OLI multi-spectral bands from AVIRIS data, evaluate influencing factors on the observed radiance, and assess the difference in top-of-atmosphere radiance as compared to OLI. The procedure for simulating OLI data include spectral convolution, accounting for the minimal atmospheric effects between the two sensors, and spatial resampling. The remaining differences between the simulated and the real OLI data result mainly from differences in sensor calibration, surface bi-directional reflectance, and spatial sampling. The median relative radiometric difference for each band ranges from −8.3% to 0.6%. After bias-correction to minimize potential calibration discrepancies, we find no more than a 1.2% relative difference. This analysis therefore successfully demonstrates that imaging spectrometer data can contribute to Landsat-type or other multi-spectral data records. It also shows that cross-calibration from a spectrometer to a radiometer can be easily performed as a result of the imaging spectrometer high spectral sampling and its ability to recreate multi-spectral response functions.

This article seeks to explore factors responsible for the adoption of online marketing by second hand (used) car dealers to sellers in Ghana. A conceptual framework was adopted from the extant literature using the Technology Acceptance Model as a theoretical base. This article adopts a quantitative research approach. Data for the study was obtained from 60 second hand car sellers through a self-administered questionnaire. Findings from this study revealed that factors responsible for online marketing adoption by second hand car dealers in Ghana are: perceived usefulness (marketing online, customer demand and increase productivity; ease of use (ability to upload pictures, interaction with clients, and online vehicles sales) of the platform. The study however, found no significant relationship between IT knowledge of the owner/manager, age of business and adoption of the online technology. This article highlights the importance of technology adoption in business among SMEs from technologically disadvantaged market.

NASA is a dynamic and living organization. Looking at it through the optics of cybernetics, we can describe it as an autopoietic system. It has to sustain itself, and compete successfully to be viable. Its organizational elements have to interact with the broader environment by maintaining and improving its processes that generate the means for future sustainability. It also needs to bring up follow-on generations who are not simply aligning with the status quo, but also improve the system's viability. For government-run programs, organizational, programmatic and project management practices are often rigidly linear. They can be characterized as observed first-order cybernetic systems, where the paradigm is bound by well-established requirements. At the implementation level this does not readily accommodate flexibility and change. To address this, broadening the system's worldview is needed from the strategic level. This corresponds to an observing second-order cybernetic system, where strategic leadership can overwrite the rules of a first-order system. Changing the worldview of an organization can be complex and face much resistance. Still, with the appropriate strategic-level support, it can be achieved by introducing novel languages, new perspectives, and adding new disciplines to existing ones. In effect, this helps to broaden the organizational paradigm, and subsequently influence its mission, impact the culture, and open up its core processes. These changes can be effectively introduced through design conversations in the early formulation stages, when new ideas are conceived. Within NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, early-stage concept developments are performed at a specially formulated environment, called the Innovation Foundry. Within this office, a continuous effort is being made on designing the design processes, which helps to broaden the variety of the option trades. It is achieved by an added focus on conversations and the inclusion of non-engineering disciplines, such as industrial and graphic design, human centered design, and even art. Communicating the information more effectively through conversations and symbolic means benefits from the skills of human centered designers and artists. In this paper we will discuss how design is being designed at JPL's Innovation Foundry, by focusing on novel languages, storytelling, conversations, boundary objects in support of improved communications both externally to stakeholders and sponsors, and internally within the design teams. We will also highlight how these new design driven approaches provide a strategic strength for the organization when competing for funding in a resource-constrained environment.

Introduction In 2016, providers within an Academic Medical Center's Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) program recognized preventable readmissions related to missed opportunities in the hospital discharge process. In an effort to address discharge deficiencies and reduce readmissions, Transitional Care Management (TCM) was developed and implemented by BMT Transplant Coordinators in 2017. Methods Hospital discharge reports are generated in the electronic medical record (EMR). Communication within the EMR is sent to the clinical teams the business day following discharge with instruction to initiate a telephone encounter. The clinical team completes a telephone encounter in the EMR and documents review of discharge summary, medications, follow-up appointments, pertinent clinical trial review (if applicable), and symptoms following discharge. Results Retrospective analysis of readmission rates for patients with hematologic malignancies for the period of January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2018, show a decline in readmission rates since implementation of TCM. (30 day- 2016 25.11% vs 2018 23.89%, 14 day 18.14% vs 2018 16.39%, 7 day 2016-13.5% vs 2018 9.6%) Retrospective analysis of TCM completion by BMT coordinators for the period of January 1, 2017 through August 31, 2019, reveal a drastic improvement. Compliance of TCM documentation and completion averaged 88% in 2017, and 85% in 2018. Since utilization of EMR generated telephone encounter notification, 98% completion of the TCM process has been documented. Conclusion TCM has improved quality of care for patients with hematologic malignancies. BMT 30-day, 14-day and 7-day readmission rates have improved since TCM. Utilization of the transplant center's upgraded EMR improved functionality and increased compliance of the TCM documentation process.

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale A Blood & Marrow Transplant [BMT] program incorporated Medical Assistants [MA's] onto the core clinical teams to perform essential functions. Their role augments interdisciplinary care coordination of ancillary and support services. Methods, Intervention, & Analysis MA were assigned onto interdisciplinary teams, typically consisting of a Medical Oncologist, Advanced Practice Providers, and Transplant Nurse Coordinators. Our MA's also work in conjunction with and as an extension of our Social Work team. Under the guidance of this team, the MA carries out functions including but not limited to: scheduling patients, appointments for visits, testing, referrals, telephone calls, and medications. Findings & Interpretation The addition of MAs onto the clinical teams alleviates workloads for the Transplant Coordinators, allowing their focus to shift to a more patient-centered care model. With the further development of oral chemo and targeted therapies, MAs can spend time working on initiating these therapies and addressing barriers. These therapies typically require insurance prior authorization or applications for patient assistance programs for unaffordable out-of-pocket. Often, MAs help provide these services for patients that are also admitted. This frees up nurses to focus on direct patient issues. Discussion & Implications The complexity of the BMT environment necessitates innovation. Utilizing MAs in this environment streamlines processes to provide comprehensive healthcare to our patients. Development of the MAs in this program leans on the full scope of their practice, while requiring more focused, specialized professional development. With the success of their integration in the outpatient environment, their unique skillset may present an opportunity to help with inpatient care coordination.

The biodiversity and high productivity of coastal terrestrial and aquatic habitats are the foundation for important benefits to human societies around the world. These globally distributed habitats need frequent and broad systematic assessments, but field surveys only cover a small fraction of these areas. Satellite-based sensors can repeatedly record the visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra that contain the absorption, scattering, and fluorescence signatures of functional phytoplankton groups, colored dissolved matter, and particulate matter near the surface ocean, and of biologically structured habitats (floating and emergent vegetation, benthic habitats like coral, seagrass, and algae). These measures can be incorporated into Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), including the distribution, abundance, and traits of groups of species populations, and used to evaluate habitat fragmentation. However, current and planned satellites are not designed to observe the EBVs that change rapidly with extreme tides, salinity, temperatures, storms, pollution, or physical habitat destruction over scales relevant to human activity. Making these observations requires a new generation of satellite sensors able to sample with these combined characteristics: (1) spatial resolution on the order of 30 to 100-m pixels or smaller; (2) spectral resolution on the order of 5 nm in the visible and 10 nm in the short-wave infrared spectrum (or at least two or more bands at 1,030, 1,240, 1,630, 2,125, and/or 2,260 nm) for atmospheric correction and aquatic and vegetation assessments; (3) radiometric quality with signal to noise ratios (SNR) above 800 (relative to signal levels typical of the open ocean), 14-bit digitization, absolute radiometric calibration temporal resolution of hours to days. We refer to these combined specifications as H4 imaging. Enabling H4 imaging is vital for the conservation and management of global biodiversity and ecosystem services, including food provisioning and water security. An agile satellite in a 3-d repeat low-Earth orbit could sample 30-km swath images of several hundred coastal habitats daily. Nine H4 satellites would provide weekly coverage of global coastal zones. Such satellite constellations are now feasible and are used in various applications.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is NASA’s lead center for robotic exploration of our solar system. We are known for our large, flagship missions, such as Voyager, which gave humanity its first close look at Jupiter and Saturn; and the Mars Rovers, which have excited millions worldwide with their daring landing exploits. Less familiar to those outside NASA may be our role in developing the Kepler mission, which has discovered more than 2000 planets around other stars; or the recently launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission, one of many JPL Earth Science missions. A recent JPL initiative has emphasized low cost missions that use rapidly evolving technology developed for cubesats and nanosats to explore our solar system. Costs are significantly lower (by one or two orders of magnitude) than for conventional JPL missions, and development time is also significantly shorter. At present 21 such cubesat flight projects are under way at the laboratory with various partners: some in flight, some in development, some in advanced formulation. Four are planned as deep space missions. To succeed in exploring deep space cubesat/nanosat missions have to address several challenges: the more severe radiation environment, communications and navigation at a distance, propulsion, and packaging of instruments that can return valuable science into a compact volume/mass envelope. Instrument technologies, including cameras, magnetometers, spectrometers, radiometers, and even radars are undergoing miniaturization to fit on these smaller platforms. Other key technologies are being matured for smallsats and nanosats in deep space, including micro-electric propulsion, compact radio (and optical) communications, and onboard data reduction. This paper will describe missions that utilize these developments including the first two deep space cubesats (INSPIRE), planned for launch in 2017; the first pair of cubesats to be sent to another planet (MARCO), manifested with the InSight Mars lander launch in March of 2016; a helicopter “drone” on Mars to extend the reach of future rovers; plans for a Lunar Flashlight mission to shine a light on the permanently shadowed craters of the Moon’s poles; a Near Earth Asteroid cubesat mission; and a cubesat constellation to demonstrate time series measurements of storm systems on Earth. From these beginnings, the potential for cubesats and nanosats to add to our knowledge of the solar system could easily grow exponentially. Imagine if every deep space mission carried one or more cubesats that could operate independently (even for a brief period) on arrival at their target body. At only incremental additional cost, such spacecraft could go closer, probe deeper, and provide science measurements that we would not risk with the host spacecraft. This paper will describe examples including a nanosat to probe the composition of Venus’ atmosphere, impactors and close flybys of Europa, lunar probes, and soft landers for the moons of Mars. Low cost access to deep space also offers the potential for independent cubesat/nanosat missions – allowing us to characterize the population of near Earth asteroids for example, deploy a constellation around Venus, or take closer looks at the asteroid belt.

Surface deformation studies using repeat-pass interferometric SAR have evolved into a powerful tool for geophysicists studying earthquake fault zones, volcanoes, ice sheet motion, and subterranean aquifers. Longer wavelengths (S-Band and L-Band) are preferred because they do not decorrelate as quickly as shorter wavelengths. Rapid revisit (1–3 days) is preferred because it allows the study of these phenomena at the timescales at which they commonly occur. Global access on such timescales is also required. Vector surface deformation measurements, taken from more than one direction, are a desired feature.

International audience; he presence of water in arid regions is correlated to large evaporitic deposits, with high concentration of salts. Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observations over such areas show high variations for both the amplitude and phase of the backscattered copolarized signal. This is due to a large dynamic range for both surface roughness and dielectric constant parameters, between the wet and dry seasons: crystallized salt is rough and presents a low dielectric constant, whereas saline water corresponds to smooth and conductive surfaces. We observed a complete seasonal cycle over the chott El Djerid playa, in southern Tunisia, using the 5.6-GHz C-band polarimetric SAR on-board RADARSAT-2. One SAR image acquisition was performed every 24 days, from February to September 2009. In addition to expected variations in the radar backscattered power, we observed significant changes in the phase difference between horizontally and vertically polarized channels. In order to explain such a phase effect, we first considered the arguments of the Fresnel reflectivity coefficient when approaching the Brewster angle, for materials presenting a high loss tangent. A more complete analytical modeling derived from the integral equation model approach confirmed this hypothesis.