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Numerous doctoral degree holders were trained in African archaeometallurgy in the Global North as well as on the African continent. African archaeometallurgy continues to attract a significant number of researchers from Europe and North America. This paper is based on our lived experiences as resident African archaeometallurgists. We argue that out of frustration because of unequal power relations and lack of access to archaeological science laboratories and funding, most African archaeometallurgists are now pursuing other research areas and careers altogether. We propose some solutions to ensure sustainability in the training and practice of archaeological scientists on the African continent. We conclude that African scholars need to develop home-grown and long-term research capacities and strategies.

Research infrastructures (RIs) offer researchers a multitude of research opportunities and services and play a key role in the performance, innovative strength, and international competitiveness of science. As an important part of the generation and use of new knowledge and technologies, they are essential for research policies. Because of their strategic importance and their need for significant funding, there is a growing demand for the assessment of their scientific output and impact. Current research information systems (CRIS) have contributed for many years now to the evaluation of universities and research organizations. Based on studies on the application of CRIS to infrastructures and on a recent French report on the scientometric assessment of RI, this paper analyzes the potential of CRIS and their data models and standards (in particular the international CERIF format and the German RDC model) for the monitoring and evaluation of RIs. The interaction between functional specificities of RI and standards for their assessment is outlined, with reference to their own potential to stimulate and share innovation in the networks located inside and outside RIs. This societal challenge, more than an academic issue, is on the way to further harmonization and consolidation of shared and common RI metrics.

Research infrastructures (RIs) offer researchers a multitude of research opportunities and services and play a key role in the performance, innovative strength, and international competitiveness of science. As an important part of the generation and use of new knowledge and technologies, they are essential for research policies. Because of their strategic importance and their need for significant funding, there is a growing demand for the assessment of their scientific output and impact. Current research information systems (CRIS) have contributed for many years now to the evaluation of universities and research organizations. Based on studies on the application of CRIS to infrastructures and on a recent French report on the scientometric assessment of RI, this paper analyzes the potential of CRIS and their data models and standards (in particular the international CERIF format and the German RDC model) for the monitoring and evaluation of RIs. The interaction between functional specificities of RI and standards for their assessment is outlined, with reference to their own potential to stimulate and share innovation in the networks located inside and outside RIs. This societal challenge, more than an academic issue, is on the way to further harmonization and consolidation of shared and common RI metrics.

This paper explores the relevance of certain semiformal communication (we call 'Conceptual Reasoning') in the controls and computing systems development at particle accelerator research facilities, and promotes its facilitation in the domain. The chosen research methodology approach is based on participatory research and intervention in a real engineering environment. An introduction to the concept of viewpoints in Systems Engineering literature is given. The idea of Conceptual Reasoning, which constitutes a practical mean of integrating different viewpoints, is explained. The relevance of Conceptual Reasoning in the development of particle accelerator based research facilities is outlined based on the characteristic properties of this type of engineering environment. A case study on Conceptual Reasoning in the domain is described, exemplified in more detail for the controls of a novel, advanced neutron spallation system. Initial case study results are presented, indicating benefits of introducing certain diagram types and their tailoring to domain-Typical concerns. A discussion and evaluation of the case study results and the applied research methodology conclude the paper., QC 20161123

Free to read at publisher We used a recent ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methodology, early-time amplitude analysis, with the goal of monitoring changes in soil water content (SWC) in response to irrigation in clayey soils. We hypothesized that early-time analysis could be used to monitor changes in SWC in clay-rich soil where ground wave and reflection-based GPR methods traditionally fail. An overnight irrigation experiment was performed in a 20- by 14-m section of natural grassland at the Samford Ecological Research Facility in southeastern Queensland, Australia. Both GPR reflection surveys and ground wave velocity analysis were ineffective at the site due to the signal attenuation associated with the clay-rich soil. We collected daily GPR and time-domain reflectometry (TDR) data sets during a 5-d period in August 2014, with soil samples collected for gravimetric analysis at the conclusion of data collection. The GPR data display a clear response of the early-time signal amplitude to changes in SWC. The GPR data sets exhibit a strong correlation with SWC, as measured by TDR and gravimetric analysis of soil cores, which is consistent with the dependence of GPR early-time amplitude on relative permittivity. The results suggest that the early-time method can be used to obtain spatially distributed information on subsurface moisture content in clay-rich soils.

The objective of the current research is to assess the effects of electrostatic injector designs and charge energy on the spray break-up process of JP-8 fuel. Electrostatic injectors improve the liquid fuel spray atomization at low fuel pressures through the introduction of additional columbic forces on the spray particles. While charge injection introduces the columbic forces on the fuel before the nozzle exit, electrostatic injection applies the electric potential to the spray immediately after the fuel exits the nozzle. The application areas include carbureted and port fuel injections in small engines to improve fuel-air mixing. In this study, two different electrostatic injector designs were tested in an ambient chamber with four optical windows. The separate designs consist of basic slot nozzle geometries with varying nozzle dimensions as well as different electrode setups. Shadowgraphy and Mie scattering techniques were used to assess the spray characteristics such as spray patterns, onset of break-up, and atomization. Shadowgraphy with a micro zoom lens was used to measure droplet distributions and droplet velocities. The tests, which were conducted at the ARL Spray Combustion Research Laboratory in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, consist of a constant JP-8 spray and a single 7 ms electric potential pulse of up to 3 kV. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the results is presented to characterize the behavior of electrostatic injector designs. Both of the electrostatic injectors analyzed in this study were able to produce break-up in the fuel spray at various Reynolds numbers and applied electrostatic charges., The original document contains color images. Presented at the AIAA ILASS Americas 26th Annual Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray System Held May 2014 in Portland, OR.

An experimental study has been conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory(AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base to explore the coupling between a coaxial jet flame and transverse acoustic perturbations. A new experimental facility at AFRL was used to expose a single H2/O2 shear coaxial diffusion flame to controlled acoustic resonances. A variety of chamber conditions including acoustic resonance properties were considered. The acoustic frequency and amplitude were selected relative to the characteristic frequency and dynamic pressure of the reacting injector flow. Placing the flame within the pressure node and antinode was also considered. Diagnostics employed high-speed imaging including backlit visualization and OH* chemiluminescence. The images were analyzed using proper orthogonal decomposition to identify the natural frequencies and organized structure of the unforced jet flame. These techniques were used to elucidate the effects of forcing, including the structure and relative importance of forced modes relative to the natural flame behavior., The original document contains color images. Briefing Charts presented at AIAA SciTech Held in Kissimmee, Fl on; 8 Jan 15.

The Prostate Cancer Pathology Resource Network (which has since been renamed the Prostate CancerBiorepository Network or PCBN) is a collaboration between the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (JHU) and the New York University School of Medicine (NYU). The PCBN has developed a biorepository with high quality, well annotated specimens that can be used by prostate cancer researchers. Specimens include prostatectomy tissues (frozen, paraffin embedded, and tissue microarrays (TMAs), serum, plasma, buffy coat, prostatic fluid, and derived specimens (DNA and RNA); these specimens are linked to clinical and outcome data and supported by an informatics infrastructure. The PCBN is currently made accessible to outside researchers through a website. The PCBN has been open to researchers since July 1 2011. Because release of the Program Announcement for competitive renewal of the PCBN was delayed, the DOD awarded the PCBN a 4th year of bridge funding beyond the original 3 years to permit continued operation while applying for the competitive renewal. In this 4th year of operation the PCBN has continued to accrue new specimens, increase the number of TMAs available, increased usage from prostate cancer researchers around the world, and continued to conduct biospecimen science research. Accrual of specimens from men with advanced or metastatic disease is an increasing focus of the PCBN. A highlight of this year was the successful competitive renewal of the PCBN award for 3 more years, with expansion of the participating Network Sites to 4: Johns Hopkins, New York University, University of Washington, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center., The original document contains color images.

The evaluation of wear resistant treatments on the leading edges of helicopter rotor blades was not a standard procedure at the time of the award for the first phase of specimen testing from which this program evolved. Mil Spec 3033 was produced for the evaluation of helicopter rotor blades after the earlier ONR BAA Program had been concluded and while this specific program was active. This program was one of the drivers behind the need to establish a standard testing method. The understanding developed during the earlier testing program allowed some testing formalism to be established and incorporated into the new Mil Spec.

This project is part of a larger program conducted at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine's (USAFSAM) Operational Based Vision Assessment (OBVA) laboratory to determine whether an individual?s motion sensitivity is predictive of their operational performance. The Air Force does not currently have a standard method to measure an individual?s motion sensitivity and a first step was to research the feasibility of using such an approach. Previous research with the University of Birmingham used perceptual tests to estimate the distribution of motion thresholds, found a significant range of thresholds in the normally-sighted population and demonstrated that scores on these tests are predictive of driving performance. In the effort described here, USAFSAM defined project objectives and funded NASA's Ames Research Center (ARC) to investigate an alternative method that uses eye movement measurements (oculometrics), which were developed at ARC, to estimate an individual's motion sensing capability. This final report describes their work. NASA-ARC conducted experiments in their laboratory and delivered oculometric data for a normally-sighted cohort of 40 subjects.

We are evaluating, in two nested case-control studies, intraprostatic inflammation and focal atrophy, a prostate lesion that is often inflamed, as tissue markers for risk of future diagnosis of high-grade prostate cancer, and for prognosis at the time of surgery for clinically localized prostate cancer. For prostate cancer incidence, in Year 2, we completed the pathology review of inflammation and focal atrophy the H&E stained biopsy core images for the linked PCPT-SELECT data (incident prostate cancer). We worked with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (subcontractor) to identify and generate needed covariates for the statistical analysis. We performed a preliminary analysis of the overall prevalence of inflammation and atrophy. To make the work more efficient, we have optimized a higher-throughput method for image analysis of the immunohistochemical stained slides than we had originally proposed. We documented the comparability of the counts from the image analysis method and manual (visual) counting for one of the markers. Our work is progressing slower than as proposed in the Statement of Work, but results are being produced, and with state-of-the art technology., The original document contains color images.

The National Science Foundation s United States Antarctic Program (USAP) is constantly striving to introduce materials and methods that will increase efficiency and reduce costs of their logistics and operations activities. Heating and cooling air in the polar regions consumes a high percentage of available energy resources. Polar firn contains a large natural repository of cold air, and accessing this cooling capacity could save fuel and reduce logistics costs at remote field camps where it is critical to maintain proper temperatures to preserve sensitive deep ice cores. We assessed the feasibility of using firn air for cooling at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide ice core drilling site as a means to adequately and efficiently refrigerate ice cores during storage and processing. We used estimates of mean annual temperature, temperature variations, and firn permeability measured at adjacent sites in West Antarctica to predict firn air cooling efficiencies. With a coefficient of performance (COP) of 5.9, the most conservative scenarios indicated cooling with firn air at the WAIS Divide site is almost twice as efficient as with conventional systems (COP 2.5). This report recommends conducting tests at the WAIS Divide site to verify our estimates of physical properties and cooling efficiency to properly design a full-scale cooling system., The original document contains color images.

The primary purpose of PME is to develop military personnel, throughout their careers, for the intellectual demands of complex contingencies and major conflicts. The military services provide PME at their respective staff and war colleges. Each service educates service members in their core competencies according to service needs. Air Force colleges, for example, primarily teach air and space warfare. Similarly, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps colleges focus on land, maritime, and expeditionary warfare, respectively. DOD depends on the services PME institutions to develop personnel with these service-specific skills. However, the JPME program places emphasis on preparing leaders to conduct operations as a coherently joint force in complex operating environments. Following the passage of the Goldwater-Nichols Act16 (the Act) in 1986, DOD developed JPME as a subset of learning within the PME program, to comply with the joint requirements outlined in the Act and subsequent legislation.17 16Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99- 433. Currently, JPME is provided at multiple sites across the country, including the services staff and war colleges and NDU. Together, PME and JPME, prepare service members in successive stages throughout their careers to engage intellectual challenges appropriate to increases in their ranks and responsibilities. See figure 1 for a map of service and joint colleges and universities where JPME is provided.

Early efforts in physiological research in the United States were produced by lone investigators working in laboratories funded by their own medical practices. In Europe, however, Claude Bernard and Carl Ludwig produced a new model of scientific research laboratories funded by the state that sought to develop the pursuit of biomedical research as an occupation. American physicians such as Henry Pickering Bowditch and S. Weir Mitchell were exposed to this new research ethic during their international studies and brought this new perspective home to America. Along with H. Newell Martin, these men began training professional physiologists who would assume new research positions in academic institutions. In 1887, Bowditch, Mitchell, and H. Newell Martin proposed the formation of a new society for these professional physiologists, the American Physiological Society (APS). Seventeen of the original twenty-eight members met on December 30, 1887, in New York City, NY, to establish APS. From these humble beginnings, APS evolved to become a force for change in American biomedical science., Published in Advanced Physioogyl Education, v37 p10-14, 2013.

Lacritin is a naturally occurring tear protein with antimicrobial activity that is capable of stimulating mitogenesis in human corneal epithelial cells and promoting production of tears in lacrimal gland acinar cells. Heparanase (HPSE) acts as a regulator for lacritin by cleaving heparan sulfate chains and allowing lacritin to bind. We aim to measure both tear lacritin and HPSE pre- and post-operatively to elucidate lacritin and HPSE s response in patients undergoing PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) with the possibility of the development of recombinant lacritin as a novel therapeutic agent for wound healing. Up to 196 patients eligible to undergo PRK or LASIK at the Warfighter Refractive Surgery and Research Center at Fort Belvoir will be consecutively recruited: 98 PRK (49male;49female) and 98 LASIK (49male;49 female). Tears will be collected using a safe and established method at the pre-operative visit and at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months post-operatively to quantify tear lacritin and HPSE. Study design will allow for within subject comparison of lacritin and HPSE before and after surgery as well as comparison of responses between procedures (PRK vs. LASIK). The primary outcome measure is tear lacritin levels pre- and post-surgery. The secondary outcome is tear HPSE levels pre-and post-surgery. Preliminary data in PRK participants shows there is a significant difference in lacritin levels within in the early postoperative period and between surgical procedures. It is unknown whether such differences would have a meaningful impact on visual outcomes or optical quality. Based on the PRK study results to date, there is no correlation. Ongoing testing in this study will help determine if there is a difference in lacritin levels in participants undergoing LASIK as well as if lacritin concentrations affect early and long-term optical quality and visual outcomes in PRK and LASIK participants., The original document contains color images.

A key aspect of our project is obtaining new ErAs:GaAs epitaxial layers for the development of useful THz extrinsic-photoconductive (PC) devices. To accomplish this a CRADA and purchase order were established with Dr. Rich Mirin at NIST in Boulder, CO. Dr. Mirin did his Ph.D. in the same molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) group at UC Santa Barbara that developed the useful ErAs:GaAs epitaxial layers in the late 1990s. During the reporting period, Dr. Mirin delivered to Dr. Brown s group at Wright State four ErAs:GaAs epitaxial layers on 3-inch SI-GaAs substrates. The first two were morphologically rough and not amenable to optical testing. The second two were much better and are described in the associated Technical Report. Wright State carried out three important characterizations of these two samples: (1) sheet resistance measurements by the four-point-probe method, (2) VIS-IR measurements of the transmittance around the GaAs band-gap, and (3) ultrafast pump-probe phototransmission measurements with a 1550-nm (EDFA) mode-locked laser. All three provided interesting results, especially the ultrafast pump-probe characterizations which demonstrated approximately 0.33 ps FWHM for each of the two promising samples. The near-term plan is to start fabricating PC switches and photomixers with these samples during October 2013 in the new WSU cleanroom., The original document contains color images.

Advances in laser/pulsed power drivers and related simulation, diagnostic, and other capabilities enable exciting new opportunities for scientific discovery., See also ADM002371. Presented at the 2013 IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, Digest of Technical Papers 1976-2013, and Abstracts of the 2013 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science. IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference (19th). Held in San Francisco, CA on 16-21 June 2013., The original document contains color images. Contains briefing charts only.

The U.S. Army TARDEC Fuels & Lubricants Technology Team has developed a Single Common Powertrain Lubricant (SCPL). After its initial development in high fleet density military engine applications, the SCPL was tested in other lower fleet density engines to confirm performance over the wide range of vehicles that make up the military fleet. As a result, the SCPL was evaluated by the U.S. Army TARDEC in the Cummins VTA-903, as used in the M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The engine was tested following procedures outlined in the 400 hour NATO hardware endurance test cycle. After testing, the engine was shipped to the U.S. Army TARDEC Fuels and Lubricants Research Facility (FLRF) for a full tear down and internal inspection. Upon teardown, the engine was found to be in acceptable overall condition. Detailed inspection, metrology, and component ratings were completed to document and quantify the engines condition. The candidate SCPL evaluated showed acceptable overall deposit control, consistent with results seen during the initial SCPL development. In addition, post test engine measurements verified that all components apart from four second ring end gaps were found to comply with the recommended rebuild ranges for the VTA-903 engine. This suggest acceptable performance and wear protection of the SCPL tested. It is the opinion of TFLRF staff that all results gathered from the Cummins VTA-903 teardown support the use of the tested SCPL in this family of engines.

We are conducting a five-year population-based case-control breast cancer study to identify how various breast cancer risk factors differ in their relationships to different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and to further characterize molecular differences between these subtypes. To address the existing research gaps regarding the etiologies of different molecular subtypes of breast cancer we will employ state of the art multidisciplinary approaches to advance our understanding of the epidemiology and mutational landscapes of basal-like, luminal A, and luminal B tumors. Our goal is to recruit about 2,700 women in Western Washington who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to compare to 900 women who have never been diagnosed with breast cancer. Participation in this research includes a detailed telephone interview, collection of breast tissue and oral samples and medical record abstraction. Breast tissue samples will be reviewed and tested at Fred Hutchinson Research Center and special tissue analyses will also be performed at the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology. This research may eventually be of help in developing clinically important insights and treatment protocols for future breast cancer patients. There are no major findings from this study yet as data collection is currently in progress., The original document contains color images.

We are conducting a five-year population-based case-control breast cancer study to identify how various breast cancer risk factors differ in their relationships to different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and to further characterize molecular differences between these subtypes. To address the existing research gaps regarding the etiologies of different molecular subtypes of breast cancer we will employ state of the art multidisciplinary approaches to advance our understanding of the epidemiology and mutational landscapes of basal-like, luminal A, and luminal B tumors. Our goal is to recruit about 2,700 women in Western Washington who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to compare to 900 women who have never been diagnosed with breast cancer. Participation in this research includes a detailed telephone interview, collection of breast tissue and oral samples and medical record abstraction. Breast tissue samples will be reviewed and tested at Fred Hutchinson Research Center and special tissue analyses will also be performed at the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology. This research may eventually be of help in developing clinically important insights and treatment protocols for future breast cancer patients. There are no major findings from this study yet as data collection is currently in progress., The original document contains color images.

This final report describes the research activities of the Center for Cephalopod-INspired Adaptive Photonic SystEms (CINAPSE). CINAPSE comprises a distinctive group of researchers with broad expertise in cephalopod coloration and behavior, the physics, mechanics and applications of elastomeric materials, the use of tissue engineering to form engineered devices, the synthesis, characterization and utilization of inorganic materials into optical devices, as well as experts in the optical characterization of materials. Advances made through the course of the program included new insights into the structure and mechanism of cephalopod coloration, exceptional elastomeric behavior, new insights into the microstructure and optical performance of cephalopod coloration, and new means of coloration display in gels and polymeric materials.

Currently, there is interest in scaling electric propulsion devices to higher power from 30 kW to 300 kW. An effective method of meeting this call is investment in extending the power range of mature technology. Both the Air Force and NASA have determined nested-channel Hall-effect thrusters (NHTs) are a promising path forward1. The X3 NHT, a 100-kW class laboratory model thruster, has been designed and fabricated leveraging past high-power HETs as well as proof-of-concept work by Liang2 in order to provide a benchmark NHT device Developed jointly by the University of Michigan Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL), Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA Glenn Research Center and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the X3 NHT is a three-channel NHT with a nominal power throttling range from 1 kW to 200 kW. Based on conventional thruster scaling, to the X3 may achieve 15 N of thrust and 4,600 sec of Isp with xenon and krypton propellant, respectively. In this paper we preview the initial operation of the 100-kW class NHT., The original document contains color images. Conference paper for the 33rd International Electric Propulsion Conference, The George Washington University, District of Columbia, USA; 6-10 October 2013.

In August 2011, personnel from the Naval Health Research Center's Deployment Health Research Department participated in the Operation TOMODACHI Registry (OTR) Workshop. The OTR is a registry for the entire Department of Defense (DoD)-affiliated population on or near the mainland of Japan following the radiation released from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on March 11, 2011. As a result of our participation in the workshop and our expertise with surveillance of pregnancy and infant health outcomes among DoD beneficiaries, the DoD Birth and Infant Health Registry (based at the Naval Health Research Center) was asked by the OTR Medical and Claims Users Working Group to describe outcomes among an identified population of women captured in the OTR who were thought to be pregnant around the time of the radiation incident.

The Mission Impact through Neuro-Inspired Design (MIND) Laboratory is an all-inclusive environment for neuroscience research designed for studying Soldier-system interactions in support of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's (ARL's) neuroscience research. It provides three acoustically treated and electrically shielded chambers and a control room for conducting multiple simultaneous human research studies in an environment that enables flexible environmental control. The laboratory enables collaborative work among research personnel and facilitates the efficient use of research space and resources while providing a comfortable environment for researchers and research participants. In the long term, the versatility afforded by the MIND Laboratory provides increased flexibility for adapting to the changing research requirements that are driven by rapid advances in neurotechnology.

The ultimate goal of the Programming on Encrypted Data (PROCEED) program is to advance the study and design of flexible and efficient techniques for processing encrypted data, outsourcing computation and adding robustness to cryptographic computations. The IBM portion of PROCEED, Advanced Homomorphic Encryption its Applications and Derivatives (AHEAD) is documented in this report. The AHEAD team has developed and implemented new and improved protocols for computing on encrypted data, and a deepened understanding of the foundations of secure computation. This report describes the work performed by IBM Watson Research Center and the subcontractors on this effort, Stanford University and the University of California, San Diego from February 2011 through March 2013., Prepared in cooperation with Stanford University, CA. The original document contains color images.

The National Science Foundation is moving forward with plans to convert Summit Station, Greenland, into a clean air/clean snow research facility. Plans include reducing the size of the station and minimizing both research and operations activities. To continue support of scientific research that does not require a clean air/snow environment, an alternate site needs to be identified and assessed for feasibility of operations, scientific viability (at or easily reachable from the new site), and traversability between there and the existing Summit Station. Additionally, the 109th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard is seeking a new training site in Greenland; increased melt along the margin of the ice sheet is encroaching upon their current site, Raven. Here we present the results of our site selection analysis to identify target locations for a new operations base serving science research and support and 109th training facilities. Recently, NSF has shifted focus to a new site, Isi, located about 3 miles north of Summit, closer to the actual peak elevation of the ice sheet, to house a proposed telescope. This site assessment and the geographic information system (GIS) we built will be used primarily to identify an alternate training location for the 109th. Once specific target sites are identified, we recommend satellite imagery analysis and further consideration of ice stability factors (i.e., velocity and crevassing) that may affect construction viability, as well as weather station installation and monitoring to assess local climatic factors. A site visit for in-depth physical inspection should follow., The original document contains color images.

This research is a continuation of research initiated in August 2011. The goal of the research was to continue the investigation of graphical 3D gaming environments in the construction of a shared mental model during concept development. A result of the research is an artifact that is a proof of concept prototype, the CONOPS Navigator. The Navigator is intended to provide a 3D virtual guide through the development of a CONOPS, and also to integrate various tools and applications currently in use. This integration is a widely-sought capability, one which will enable current CONOPS developers and users the flexibility to import and export analysis parameters and results to and from various familiar and well-used tools. Legacy systems are a fact of life in operational concerns; this prototype is intended to demonstrate interconnectivity on a limited scale between specific simulation and mathematical modeling software packages, via a main operational environment. This environment was built using a game development environment. This task was always envisioned as part of a larger CONOPS research agenda. As research progressed, the potential synergies from merging RT 31 with RT 23, and then combining development architecture and strategies with RT 30, became apparent. Some already-developed external interfaces were seen as adjuncts to the activities performed in RT 30 and these interfaces would certainly be useful in the future. By far, the greater synergies in the development effort were in architecture and operational issues--such issues are transparent to the user but vital to successful delivery. Further exploration led to an integrated data-set and application.

The research program described in this report is part of the AFRL Capstone efforts for undergraduate engineering students and is focused on studying the impact of using a plasma discharge system to enhance the combustion process in a small-scale internal combustion engine. The effects of two plasma systems were demonstrated using a small-scale engine (.1-100kW/USAF Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Groups 1-3). The project was integrated into the Capstone undergraduate design program at Michigan State University as well as providing part support for graduate level research. In total, the project included the participation of eight undergraduate mechanical engineering students and the final research was exhibited by several of the students at the University Capstone Project Demonstration Day in the Small Engine Research Laboratory (SERL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in June, 2012., The original document contains color images.

The U.S. military is providing amputees with state-of-the-art prosthetic devices. In addition to walking and changing direction, amputees must be able to manage uneven terrain, crowded environments, stairs, ramps, and hills. The largest problem for a lower extremity amputee is falls. Falling history and balance confidence are associated with reduced mobility capability and social activity. The goal of this research effort is to rehabilitate individuals with lower extremity amputations to reduce falls using a novel training method. The training program utilizes a microprocessor-controlled treadmill designed to deliver task-specific training perturbations. The training consists of six, 30 minute sessions delivered over a 2-week period. Trunk motion and velocity was assessed using a perturbation test in an immersive virtual environment, since trunk kinematics has been shown to determine fall likelihood. We have enrolled 14 research subjects at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Mean trunk flexion angle and velocity significantly improved after participating in the training program. The improved performance was maintained up to 6 months. Subjects reported decreased uncontrolled and semi-controlled falls in their free-living environment outside of the research laboratory. These results indicate that task-specific training is an effective rehabilitation method to reduce falls in persons with lower limb amputations., The original document contains color images.

This report summarizes an assessment of the Strategic Direction for Army Science and Technology (S&T), conducted by the Army Science Board (ASB) between October 2011 and July 2012. The study focuses on two principal motivating factors: (1) S&T mission effectiveness; and (2) anticipated Department of Defense (DOD) budget reductions. To conduct the study, the team interviewed personnel at a large number of relevant Army organizations, including the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology (DASA(R&T)), U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), RDECOM Headquarters, all of the subordinate organizations within RDECOM, the Program Executive Officers (PEOs)/ Program Managers (PMs) and Life Cycle Management Commands (LCMCs). The purpose of these visits was to gather information on the Army S&T strategy, on Army S&T portfolio and funding allocations, on the Army approach for portfolio management and technology transition, and on Army organization, personnel and facilities for conducting S&T. The study team also visited many equivalent organizations within the Navy and Air Force, as well as relevant Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) offices. The purpose of these visits was to understand how the Army's approach to S&T aligns with OSD, and how it may differ from the other Services. These visits, along with reviews of prior studies and other pertinent sources of information, provided baseline data for the study assessment., Fiscal Year 2012 Study. The original document contains color images.

This article provides a general overview of some of the plant research being conducted by a number of researchers at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane. Details about student projects and research facilities have been limited to those of relevance to plant structure and systematics. Academics, technicians and research students involved in plant research are in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, mainly in the School of Earth, Environment and Biological Sciences (EEBS), with a few exceptions. Our offices and laboratories are housed in a number of different buildings at the Gardens Point campus (e.g., P, Q, R, S, M Blocks) and we have strong collaborative links with Queensland Herbarium (BRI) and Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

CIVINS (Civilian Institutions) Thesis document, The purpose of this paper was to conduct an in-depth analysis of total cost, quality, and response times using in-house (government civil service) or contracted (private) work forces to complete facilities maintenance work and recommend the best method of performance of these functions at a Navy Public Works Center. Actual work force structure, total cost, quality and response time data was analyzed for Navy Public Works Center Pensacola, which uses in-house work forces, and Navy Public Works Center Jacksonville, which uses contracted work forces, to determine the value received by their customers. The data was analyzed on a macro- level to compare total revenue to direct and direct plus overhead personnel to determine the amount of direct work produced per employee at both locations. A more in-depth analysis was then conducted on the types of maintenance work the Public Works Centers provide, Emergency Service work, Recurring work, and Minority Specific work orders, to determine which location provides the best value to their customers. The results of the analysis showed that for all types of maintenance work in- house work forces provided comparable if not better value to their customers than contracted work forces. This service was delivered with roughly the same response time and usually at the same or lower cost. Additionally, because of the projected rate increases at PWC Jacksonville the value PWC Pensacola's customers receive will be even greater for the next several years, http://archive.org/details/inhousevscontrac109458533, CIVINS

Lacritin is a naturally occurring tear protein with antimicrobial activity that is capable of stimulating mitogenesis in human corneal epithelial cells and promoting production of tears in lacrimal gland acinar cells. Heparanase (HPSE) acts as a regulator for lacritin by cleaving heparan sulfate chains and allowing lacritin to bind. We aim to measure both tear lacritin and HPSE pre- and post-operatively to elucidate lacritin and HPSE s response in patients undergoing PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) with the possibility of the development of recombinant lacritin as a novel therapeutic agent for wound healing. Up to 196 patients eligible to undergo PRK or LASIK at the U.S. Army Warfighter Refractive Surgery Research Center at Fort Belvoir will be consecutively recruited: 98 PRK (49 male and 49 female) and 98 LASIK (49 male and 49 female). The purpose of this study is to measure tear lacritin and HPSE levels following surgery using a minimal risk procedure to collect tears from patients undergoing PRK or LASIK. Tears will be collected using a safe and established method that employs the use of a polyester fiber rod (Transorb Wick, Filtrona, Richmond, VA). The wicks will soak up tears from the inferior cul-de-sac of the left eye of each subject at the pre-operative visit and at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months post-operatively to quantify tear lacritin and HPSE. Study design will allow for within subject comparison of lacritin and HPSE before and after surgery as well as comparison of responses between procedures (PRK vs. LASIK). The primary outcome measure is tear lacritin levels pre- and post-surgery. The secondary outcome is tear HPSE levels pre-and post-surgery., The original document contains color images.

During this quarter, NumerEx and its associated research institutions worked on 1. Consideration of the EMPIC numerical grid heating problem from the point of view of renormalization group analysis. This work included a literature survey and presentations at conferences at the University of Wisconsin and Stanford (Caflisch, UCLA). 2. An analysis of the effect of the Coulombic collision operator on a bump on the tail of a Maxwellian distribution and its application to stabilization of cathode flicker. This work included a draft manuscript on the 1-d evolution of bump, and another on non-adiabatic evolution via extremal statistics of stochastic ODEs (Promislow, MSU). 3. Formulation of a geometric optics approach to the perturbation analysis of the Child-Langmuir-Jaffe virtual cathode problem. A manuscript was begun on this approach, and another on the stable and unstable modes of this problem (Caflisch, UCLA)., The original document contains color images. Prepared in cooperation with University of California, Los Angeles.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is a Department of Defense (DoD) federally funded research and development center working on problems critical to national security. The Laboratory s core competencies are in sensors, information extraction (signal processing and embedded computing), communications, cyber security, integrated sensing, and decision support. Technology development is geared to the Laboratory s primary mission areas space control; air and missile defense; communication systems; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems; advanced electronics; tactical systems; homeland protection; cyber security; and air traffic control. Two of the Laboratory s principal technical objectives are (1) the development of components and systems for experiments, engineering measurements, and tests under field operating conditions and (2) the dissemination of information to the government, academia, and industry. Program activities extend from fundamental investigations through the design process and finally to field demonstrations of prototype systems. Emphasis is placed on transitioning systems and technology to industry. As a DoD Research and Development Laboratory, Lincoln Laboratory focuses on developing and prototyping innovative technologies and enhanced capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the DoD.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory employs some of the nation s best technical talent to support system and technology development for national security needs. Principal core competencies are sensors, information extraction (signal processing and embedded computing), communications, integrated sensing, and decision support. Nearly all of the Lincoln Laboratory efforts are housed at its campus on Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. MIT Lincoln Laboratory is designated a Department of Defense (DoD) Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) and a DoD Research and Development Laboratory. The Laboratory conducts research and development pertinent to national security on behalf of the military Services, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the intelligence community, and other government agencies. Projects undertaken by Lincoln Laboratory focus on the development and prototyping of new technologies and capabilities to meet government needs that cannot be met as effectively by the government s existing in-house or contractor resources. Program activities extend from fundamental investigations through design and field testing of prototype systems using new technologies. A strong emphasis is placed on the transition of systems and technology to the private sector. Lincoln Laboratory has been in existence for 60 years. On its 25th and 50th anniversaries, the Laboratory received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service in recognition of its distinguished technical innovation and scientific discoveries.

Combustion instabilities have been observed in nearly every major liquid rocket engine development effort, including the most recent development programs. They are caused by the coupling of the natural acoustic modes of the combustion chamber with the dynamics of the heat release, which can in turn lead to catastrophic damage of the internal components of the rocket engine. Rayleigh's criterion states that combustion instabilities are driven when the pressure waves and the heat release are in phase and that the instabilities are damped when they are out of phase. Despite the simplicity of this relationship, the prediction of the occurrence of combustion instabilities has proven to be an enduring challenge because of the inherent complexities in the physics of multiphase turbulent flames. The Air Force Research Lab (AFRL)'s Advanced Liquid Rocket Engine Stability Technology (ALREST) program is a coordinated effort that involves both modeling and experimental components at various universities, small business, industry and in-house. The overall approach is to conduct data-centric, multi-fidelity combustion stability model development. Data-centric means that all model development is directed at experimental data sets. Multi-fidelity model development means that the most effective way to advance modeling capability is to do it simultaneously at multiple levels of fidelity. The talk will focus particularly on the modeling efforts of two experimental datasets obtained at Purdue University, which involve self-excited high-amplitude acoustic instabilities in longitudinal-mode and transverse-mode rocket chambers. In both cases, Detached Eddy Simulations of the turbulent reacting flowfield are shown to be effective in predicting the instability phenomena and the associated trends. In addition, the talk will also provide a general overview of rocket propulsion activities at AFRL., The original document contains color images. This is a presentation to be given as an invited talk at NASA Ames Research Center. Prepared in cooperation with Purdue Univ, Lafayette, IN.

The Photonics Research Center has achieved its 25th year of service at the United States Military Academy. It was established at West Point in May of 1987 through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. An excerpt from this memorandum provides some insight into the charter of the Center: As the Army modernizes in an increasingly complex technological environment, it is essential that Army officers understand the advanced technologies which form critical elements of our evolving weapons systems. One technology field which is already exerting a major influence on force planning, and whose impact is certain to grow over the next two decades, is the physics and engineering of lasers, and the technologies associated with their development and applications. The Army needs a strong base of research and development in laser-related fields. It also needs an officer corps generally familiar with laser technologies and a subset of that officer corps whose members are experts in developing and applying those technologies. The PRC is formally staffed by faculty from the Departments of Chemistry & Life Science, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Physics & Nuclear Engineering. Additionally, other faculty from both inside and outside these three departments participate in the PRC conducting research in laser and photonics technology areas. The PRC s three mission essential tasks are to educate both cadets and officers, conduct basic and applied research, and provide support to the Army in the area of laser and photonics technologies. Sustaining funding support for the PRC is provided through the Physics Division of the Army Research Office.

Our world is overflowing with technology that constantly advances in complexity and interconnections. Global Positioning System (GPS), financial markets, mobile internet, air traffic control, social networking, credit/debit cards, and anti-lock brakes are only a few functions enabled by complex systems of systems. We depend on these systems with little or no conscious concern about their correct behavior. More important, the problems we face on a global scale will require the understanding of systems and solutions that are possibly more complex than we have ever imagined. Systems engineering is a multi-disciplinary practice that uses a holistic, systems approach to make sense of and manage the complexity of problems and solutions. Systems Engineering ensures that systems under development meet the needs of the stakeholders and that associated risks do not outweigh their benefits. Building Systems Engineering Education and Workforce Capacity, a research study sponsored by the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), a University Affiliated Research Center of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), explores responses to a set of current realities within the U.S. education pipeline and labor pool: There is evidence that the U.S. is lagging in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and training. (See, for example, a recent article by Andrew Rotherham in Time magazine published May 26, 2011: The Next Great Resource Shortage: U.S. Scientists). An article about the 50 best jobs in America by Rosato, Braverman, and Jeffries in the November 2009 Money magazine reports an expected 45% increase in systems engineering (SE) jobs in the next decade. The original research was conceptualized and designed to pilot and evaluate approaches to effectively ameliorate these shortages through the development and delivery of university-level capstone courses.

Systems 2020 is the research effort to answer a major portion of the challenge embodied in the DoD's science and technology priority for Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS). As a follow-on to the SERC's work in defining technical approaches for Systems 2020, DASD(SE) requested the SERC to work on two tasks. Task 1 involved working with Government research and engineering centers, and laboratories to characterize the design and systems engineering (SE) tools available to DoD projects, along with their potential for using these tools in integrated demonstrations of their capability to support representative future DoD systems acquisitions with respect to purpose, affordability, and interoperability. Task 2 involved identifying several design challenge problems to characterize the integrated environment capabilities being identified in Task 1. Task 1 included visits to several DoD centers and laboratories; participation in several working group meetings for Systems 2020 and its extension to the Engineering Resilient Systems (ERS) initiative; and review of previous SERC and other tool assessments. It concluded that the purpose, affordability, and interoperability, as well as scalability of the computer-aided design (CAD) and SE tools available to DoD were weak with respect to the complexities of future DoD missions and net-centric systems of systems. Based on discussion of the Task 1 analysis results with the sponsors, the original Task 2 statement was reinterpreted to involve the SERC Research Council in defining one or more representative future design challenge problems, and in determining key research ideas and directions that would enable DoD to cope with the challenges. This report includes the resulting two Grand Challenge scenarios of particularly difficult threat complexes beyond the reach of current tool support capabilities, with indications of the type of next-generation tools that would enable successful DoD responses.

The 2011 Summer Student Research Campaign (SSRC) was conducted at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) Research Station in Gakona, Alaska during the period 18 27 July 2011. The SSRC included 26 students and mentors representing 11 universities and federal research laboratories. The program included daily meetings to provide a forum for reporting results and discussion of individual experiments and included a daily scientific presentation or tutorial. Scientific topics addressed experimentally included studies of Stimulated Electromagnetic Emission, F-region Artificial Field-Aligned Irregularities, effects of scintillation on GPS signals, studies of the Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) generation region and of methods for improving conversion efficiency, and the incorporation of sophisticated modulation techniques to improve the quality of ionospherically generated ELF communication signals using QPSK and error correction., The original document contains color images.

The US Army has a desire to consolidate multiple MIL specification fluids into a single specification, or Single Common Powertrain Lubricant (SCPL). The application of this fluid would include engine lubrication, power shift transmission operation, and limited use in hydraulic systems, and must be designed to operate in ambients ranging from low temperature arctic, to high temperature desert type conditions. The U.S. Army TARDEC Fuels and Lubricants Research Facility (TFLRF) located at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has aided TARDEC in the initial development of the SCPL. A request for experimental products was issued to industry, and 4 potential SCPL candidates were received and tested in military applications. Testing included high temperate endurance in the General Engine Products 6.5L(T) diesel engine to asses engine protection and oil performance at elevated temperatures, multiple industry standardized transmission tests (Allison C4, Caterpillar TO-4, John Deere JDQ) to asses frictional performance and driveline durability, and quantification of fuel consumption improvement over standard military oils through viscosity reduction in the SCPL. Two strong candidate lubricants were identified during testing, and have been jointly selected by TARDEC and SwRI for further revisions and testing.

Project Themis is an in-house program within the Liquid Engines Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). It focuses on investigation of liquid oxygen (LOX)/hydrocarbon high pressure combustion devices through subscale experimentation in combustion and inert conditions, theory development, and modeling and simulation (M&S). The Themis program has two goals: to minimize component risk and to mature new technologies that can be transitioned to future engine systems. The first helps AFRL technology demonstrators reduce risk by improving the fundamental understanding of these systems. The second focuses on the future by identifying new configurations, technologies, and materials for transition into future systems. As part of a set of Themis experiments, a facility is being activated to test the effect of supercritical conditions on the mixing of fluids in a jet-in-crossflow (JICF) configuration. This research serves as risk reduction for AFRL programs. The experiment will simulate the geometry and high pressure conditions of a liquid rocket engine (LRE) component in a non-combustion environment using inert fluids. The experiment is designed to be modular and can accommodate various injection concepts. In the current experiment, radial jets of liquid nitrogen (LN2) will be introduced into a freestream flow mixture of argon and helium at supercritical pressure. These fluids will simulate dense LOX injected into a flow of low density combusted gases. The simulant fluids have been selected to achieve large density and momentum ratios. This configuration is designed to mature the understanding of the mixing process of variable density jets in a supercritical state. This paper will describe the facility configuration, modeling of the facility using Sinda-Fluint and the challenges of activating a mothballed facility. It will also describe the experimental set-up, instrumentation and test matrix for the experiment., The original document contains color images. Presented at the AIAA Ground Test Conference, New Orleans, LA, 12 June 2012.

This report explores planning, prioritization, and assessment of facilities and infrastructure (F&I) at a set of Federal laboratories from the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Department of Homeland Security that conduct national security research and development. As the average age of Federal laboratory buildings increases, topping 34 and 57 years at Sandia National Laboratories and the Naval Research Laboratory, respectively, there is concern over the future health and sufficiency of the U.S. national security research enterprise. The study team reviewed relevant government documents; had discussions with F&I staff from laboratories, Federal agencies, and architecture and engineering firms; and convened a workshop with national security and F&I experts. This report identifies a number of barriers, such as the difficulty in capturing the impact of facilities and infrastructure on mission, and strategies, such as engaging in benchmarking or other data sharing activities.

The Proposed Action involves the installation of a new 35,000 square feet JETC facility with 15,000 square feet storage barn at Edwards AFB. The new facility would be located on the Main Base near the existing maintenance facility (Building 3810). The new JETC facility would include a total of three test cells, with one cell capable of testing 150,000 pound thrust class engines, another cell capable of testing 100,000 pound multi-vectoring thrust class engines and a third cell capable of running 100,000 pound thrust class engines. In addition to the new JETC facility, Edwards AFB is also proposing to construct a 15,000 square foot storage barn. The existing JETC at Building 3804 would remain operational for testing of small jet engines., The original document contains color images.

In 2010, a National Defense University (NDU) research project called TIDES (Transformative Innovation for Development and Emergency Support) was invited to partner with a company to produce a tradeshow about humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions and related capabilities. Despite senior-level Department of Defense (DoD) guidance to pursue public-private partnerships, DoD attorneys told TIDES managers to reject the agreement. Differing legal interpretations of the word partner generated concern that the proposed partnership could create an impermissible perception of government endorsement of a private company. Even though it would have advanced the government's mission and promoted efficiency, a variety of obstacles scuttled the proposed cooperation. Such limitations on public-private engagement are often reported at combatant commands and raise questions about what policies and activities are appropriate. The examples cited in this paper collectively represent a broad landscape of situations in which well-intentioned people pursued cooperation between a DoD organization and private entities yet encountered serious obstacles. These examples generated provocative and interesting questions about how best to conduct public-private cooperation (PPC), and led to a diverse array of insights into the nature of PPC and to recommendations. The paper is intended to promote PPC in DoD. The opening section articulates the imperative for PPC. It then proposes an analytical framework that features four broad categories along a continuum of formality: contractual arrangements, well-defined standards and protocols, broad frameworks for interaction, and emergent or undefined situations. The next section presents examples from each of the four categories, including how the collaborators overcame the challenges they faced and practical implications for future PPC efforts. The paper ends with key observations and recommended next steps for further research and reform., The original document contains color images.

The United States Antarctic Program's McMurdo Station in Antarctica is currently served by three airfields. Combined, these airfields are used for all passenger service and are a key element of the cargo supply system. The farthest of the sites lies approximately 16 miles from the main base on Ross Island, requiring travel across a glacial ice shelf. Travel time to this distant airfield currently takes 1 hour or more for passengers. The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of reducing this travel time by improving efficiencies in the McMurdo airfield passenger transportation system. With the sponsor's help, requirements for the system were identified, defined, and quantitatively scored for use in evaluating future alternatives. Safety, reliability, and travel time were the highest priorities. A site visit to observe current practices and interview key staff concentrated on three facets of passenger transport: roads, vehicles, and passenger management. Current routes, vehicle needs, and data recording practices were assessed. Recommendations are provided for action and further study., The original document contains color images.

The use of unmanned systems in the military has been growing. Although the technologies and associated capabilities of unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) continue to progress rapidly, comparatively little has been considered about how these systems will impact a future operating environment. This thesis used scenario planning, specifically a slice-of-time scenario planning, to explore the future operating environment and examined integrating UAS into the current manned environment. This thesis highlighted a few technologies which will shape the future of unmanned systems. The thesis also explored a case study based on STARFISH Project by the Acoustic Research Laboratory (ARL), a laboratory within the Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) of the National University of Singapore (NUS), and derived a proposed roadmap for integrating unmanned systems into the manned environment.

Findings from DOE's Office of the Inspector General and GAO reports identified that reductions in DOE auditing of analytical laboratory services were needed. Purpose of the Department of Energy's Consolidated Audit Program (DOECAP) is to 1) Eliminate/minimize audit redundancies; 2) Standardize audit methodology, policies and procedures; 3) Communicate Lessons Learned; and 4) Reduce overall Department risks/liabilities., Presented at the 9th Annual DoD Environmental Monitoring and Data Quality (EDMQ) Workshop Held 26-29 March 2012 in La Jolla, CA.

This paper deals with model validation of dynamic systems (with vehicle systems being of particular interest) that have multiple time-dependent output. First, we review several validation methodologies that have been reported in the literature: graphical comparison, feature-based techniques, PDF/CDF based techniques, Bayesian posterior estimation, classical hypothesis testing and Bayesian hypothesis testing. We discuss their advantages and disadvantages in terms of several attributes: applicability to different types of models, need for assumptions computational cost, subjectivity, propensity to type-I or II errors, and others. We then proceed with the most important attribute: can the validation method provide a quantitative measure of the goodness of the model? We conclude that Bayesian-based model validation frameworks answer this question positively. A bootstrap method is presented that obviates the need to assume a statistical distribution model. The features of the Bayesian validation framework are illustrated using a thermal benchmark problem developed by Sandia National Laboratories and a battery model developed in the Automotive Research Center, a US Army Center of Excellence for modeling and simulation of ground vehicle systems., Submitted to 2012 NDIA Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium August 14-16 Troy, Michigan.