Search

Natural systems-inspired design (NID) is the transfer of design solutions from biology and other natural sciences to the creation of human-engineered products. Despite the promise of improvements in cost, performance, and reliability, there has been little application of NID to spacecraft engineering. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Robotic Spacecraft Technical Discipline Team is investigating NID solutions for the systems engineering and technology development processes. NID falls into two broad categories: 1) structural- and 2) process-inspired solutions. For structural NID, fiber composites resembling wood and bone micro-architecture have had a major impact on aerospace materials development. However for such products there is no formal, organized standard under which to comprehensively survey the published knowledge base in life sciences and other disciplines for NID solutions, extract those concepts, and insert them methodically into the design cycle of engineered products. Some progress has been made employing genetic algorithms, which are process-oriented biological NID solutions employing simulations of mutation, reproduction, and natural selection to produce engineered products. This approach has produced one of the few solid examples of spaceflight-proven NID hardware, the Ames Evolved Antenna, flown on board the ST-5 and LADEE missions. The lack of a systematic process for incorporating NID solutions into the systems engineering cycle is standing in the way of broadly applying this new approach for achieving innovative improvements for spacecraft, for example for Mars surface operations. The NASA Mars program presents a compelling frontier for NID solutions, particularly for aerial and surface systems where low mass and power consumption, high reliability and survivability, and flexibility of function in a hostile environment are critical. NID concepts for robotic Mars exploration platforms carrying in-situ instruments for the exploration of the atmosphere and the surface and sub-surface of Mars described herein represent only the beginning of what can be possible with NID. Success in NID design for space engineering will require moving beyond simply copying nature to produce a paradigm-shifting change of focus, which will require including NID in the system engineering process and the technology strategies that support it. We recommend three major thrusts to enable this to happen: (1) Ready access by engineering teams to the those knowledgeable about natural systems and technology development, (2) Intelligent search tools to tap natural sciences databases, and (3) Incremental organizational change that encourages the consideration of natural systems from operations concept through the entire mission life-cycle.

Though a segment of feminists have questioned the combative, logical, objective nature of academic writing and presentation, their critique has seldom extended to the most widely used model in composition and communication, Stephen Toulmin’s Informal Model of argument (1958), which terminologically relates to combative, logical and legal terminologies (staking or possessing legal and ‘warranted’ ‘claims’ on ‘data’). Toulmin’s model, however, adapted to a visual rather than legal metaphor, fits well with the less confrontational, more personal and contextual approach espoused by some feminists and many argument theorists. This essay offers an adaptation of Toulmin’s six-part model based in a visual metaphor, adding three more parts: ‘Interrelated Perceptions’ (to partially account for argument complexities; ‘Field Specific Horizons’ (similar to Toulmin’s ‘fields,’ context of evaluation); and ‘Historical/Cultural Horizon,’ (using Gadamer’s, 1989, hermeneutical historical concept to further contextualize arguments. The model then responds to two key feminist and argumentation theorist concerns, replacing the argument-as-war metaphorical mapping of argument relations, and personalizing and contextualizing arguments as to historical, social, and cultural situation.

In Canada, the audio-visual and print industries are referred to as the cultural industries, whereas the United States calls them the entertainment industries. These language distinctions are accompanied by different domestic policies and political discourses. The United States has relatively open policies toward these activities, while Canada has adopted an inward-looking approach. Failure to integrate cultural industries into NAFTA and WTO has led to trade disputes between Canada and the United States over copyrights, television licensing, violence in media, and discriminatory magazine policy, indicating the need for an agreed-upon process for settling cultural trade disputes."Much Ado about Culture" explores the differing sets of policies--cultural nationalism versus the open option--and the resulting conflicts in the context of technological developments as well as international agreements dealing with trade, investment, copyright, and labor movements. The Canadian cultural industries are examined, from film and television production and distribution to broadcasting, publishing, and sound recording. Several areas of recent conflict, such as "Sports Illustrated," Country Music Television, and Borders Books, highlight the types of policies disputed, the process followed, and the conclusions reached. Finally, the authors propose an alternative approach to constraining national cultural policies by international agreement that would allow the gains from openness to be realized while serving legitimate cultural concerns.Authored by the acknowledged experts on trade disputes in the cultural arena, this book will be essential reading for international economists, policymakers, and lawyers interested in the cultural industries.Keith Acheson and Christopher Maule are Professors of Economics, Carleton University, Ontario.

Depression and Anxiety Read Codes V2 used in algorithms. (DOCX 16Â kb)

Drug treatment Read Codes V2 used in algorithms. (DOCX 16Â kb)

Drug treatment Read Codes V2 used in algorithms. (DOCX 16Â kb)