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In this research effort, a Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cantilever pressure sensor was designed, modeled, and fabricated to investigate the photoacoustic (PA) response of gases to terahertz (THz) radiation under low vacuum conditions. Previous efforts in this project were improved upon, to include lowering resting out-of-plane curvature to improve sensitivity of devices. Dimensional analysis is taken into consideration and altered dimensions also serve to boost sensitivity while improving fragility of devices. All devices were fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers and tested in a custom designed THz vacuum chamber. Fabricated devices have a minimum normalized noise equivalent absorption (NNEA) coefficient of 4.28x10(-10), an improvement of 69% on prior 10micro devices., The original document contains color images.

In support of a series of upcoming Hydrocarbon Boost (HCB) Tests, facility operation demonstrations were run to validate the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Test Stand 2A (TS2A) Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Gaseous Nitrogen (GN2) propellant systems were fully functional and able to meet HCB test requirements. While facility activation, blowdown, and system checkout tests were in progress, several anomalies were detected. First, it became apparent after a few tests, substantial audible leaks had developed in two control valves critical to tank pressurization. Second, anomalies in the data from the control system suggested that valve performance had changed in a manner suggesting leakage. These two issues caused TS2A to suspend operations until an investigation could be performed to determine the cause of the irregularities. The respective pressurization and vent systems were partially disassembled in order to borescope the valves. Subsequently, it was discovered there was significant damage to the valve plugs and seats. The valves were removed and replaced with valves from a different manufacturer that could meet the same performance characteristics. The replacement valves were previously operated in similar processes and had proved their capability to function under the required conditions. Test operations were restarted, and the replacement valves were closely monitored to verify there were no issues with their operations; there were none. This paper will describe the nature of the failure of the valves, and the impact on their capability to operate effectively. It will provide a failure analysis and lessons learned so that future procurements of high-pressure, high-performance control valves can avoid the mistakes made in the design and procurement of these kinds of valves., The original document contains color images. Presented at the International Electric Propulsion Conference 2013 held in Washington, DC on 6-10 October 2013.

Over the course of the award period, we implemented a variety of recruitment techniques to rapidly boost interest in the study, and were able to make excellent progress with enrolling recently returned Soldiers. As a result of our aggressive recruitment techniques, ongoing positive relationships with Ft. Drum personnel, and frequent travel to Ft. Drum for implementation of study groups, we have come very close to our target enrollment of 1,600 Soldiers (a total of 1,442 enrolled participants at the close of this Award Period). Preliminary quantitative data analyses on Phase 2 data for 1,197 participants has shown support for the RESET training, and all trainings continue to be well received by participants. We are pleased to have been granted a one year extension to complete data collection and data analyses. We are behind in meeting data related milestones as the project sample has doubled in size, and we are currently understaffed. We remain optimistic that there will be additional funding granted to support the hiring of personnel to support the completion of these milestones. In Year 4 we will continue recruitment and enrollment of Phase 2 participants until the sample is reasonably complete. We then anticipate beginning quantitative data analysis., The original document contains color images.

Recent advances in SiC power semiconductor technology and resulting availability of SiC Schottky rectifiers and controlled devices (BJTs, JFETs, and MOSFETs) make it possible to design and implement power converters capable of operating at 200oC. The design, prototype development, operation, and testing of a 74 kHz, 2 kW, 100 V/270 V inversely-coupled, interleaved, dc-dc boost converter over the 20oC to 200oC temperature range is presented in this paper. The advantages of coupled-inductor interleaved boost converters include increased efficiency, reduced size, reduced electromagnetic emission, faster transient response, and improved reliability. Optimization of a high temperature X-perm core based coupled inductor architecture, in terms of ac flux balancing and dc flux cancellation is discussed. DC characterization of SiC power devices used in the design (Schottky rectifier and JFET) over the 20oC to 200oC temperature range is presented as well. The power stage of the converter, including the power semiconductor devices, coupled inductor, and X7R ceramic input and output filter capacitors, was placed inside a temperature controlled chamber for testing. JFET gate drive circuit, input power source, and output load were external to the environmental chamber. Converter testing and performance evaluation was accomplished over a 20oC to 200oC ambient temperature range. As expected, JFET conduction loss increased and converter efficiency decreased with increasing temperatures. The drop in converter efficiency was in the range of 2-4% over the entire load (200W to 2 kW) and temperature (20oC to 200oC) ranges evaluated. At 200oC, output voltage ripple increased by 60% due to the rapid decline in X7R capacitance at the high temperature extreme. The results obtained during this study suggest that the realization of 200oC power converters is feasible through a judicious selection of power semiconductor devices, magnetic core materials, and capacitor dielectrics., PA Case Number 88ABW-2011-2516; Clearance Date 4 May 2011. This technical paper contains color.

Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells), through their ability to mature dendritic cells (DCs) and provide help for CD4 and CD8 T cell responses, can play a major role in regulation of the cellular adaptive immune response. Our major objective in this proposal is to identify an optimal agent and method of delivery for iNKT cell activation and enhancement of cytolytic T cell responses against prostate/PCa associated antigens. Our findings with respect to peptide based vaccines are not yet conclusive due largely to modest and inconsistent responses to peptides. It is well established that peptides (alone or pulsed onto DCs) are not optimal immunogens, and it is not yet clear whether or to what extent we can boost their efficacy using iNKT cell ligands. Over the next year we will assess some alternate approaches including the use of longer or modified peptides and other modes of administration, as the use of peptide or peptide pools still offers substantial advantages with respect to human clinical trials. In contrast to peptides, the data indicate that iNKT cell ligands can enhance responses to cellular vaccines. Therefore, in parallel with the peptide efforts, we will use this approach to assess alternative iNKT cell ligands and begin to assess efficacy in tumor bearing mice., The original document contains color images.

For much of the past century, the federal government has consistently sought to boost small businesses. These efforts have included, in recent years, a federal government-wide statutory goal for 23 percent of prime contract dollars on goods and services to be spent with small businesses. Recent federal policies have also set spending goals with more narrow categories of women-owned businesses and small disadvantaged businesses as certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Because the Department of Defense (DoD) accounts for most federal purchases, its spending practices draw considerable attention from small business advocates. This report reviews the origin of these small business policies, evidence of their effects, and what lessons best commercial practices may offer for their improvement. Efforts to support small business are long enduring and have been promoted by Congresses and presidential administrations of both parties. DoD has had mixed results in meeting some of its mandated small business goals, exceeding them in some industries while falling short in others. In Fiscal Year 2007, 20.4 percent of its prime contract dollars went to small businesses, although the nature of data available for analysis may mean that this figure is an underestimate of actual total purchases with small businesses. Part of DoD s challenge in meeting its small business goals may be in the nature of different industries and their conduciveness to small business. DoD exceeds the overall 23 percent goal for small business utilization in some categories of its expenditures. Some of the industries for which it does not meet this goal are those in which industry consolidation has concentrated business among larger firms.

A combination of MRI/MRSI is used to define the distribution of Dominant Intraprostatic Lesions (DIL) within the prostate. This information is used to perform dose escalation of the DIL without compromising the dose coverage of the prostate and the protection to the urethra, rectum, and bladder for prostate cancer patients treated with High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy. The multi-image fusion process has been presented at national meetings during this period. The steps and criteria involved in the series of image fusions and in the planning and verification of the dose delivery process are presented. Information from one image data set to another in the series of MRS ---> MRI ---> CT <--- CBCT can be accurately transferred and used for the planning and verification of the dose delivery during prostate HDR brachytherapy. Final CHR approval was obtained in 2008 and patient enrollment has begun. So far, 17 patients were screened and 10 patients were treated with HDR brachytherapy with a DIL boost level ranging from 0 to 30%, using the previously established class solution for the set of parameters used by the inverse planning in order to boost the dominant intra-prostatic lesion (DIL) defined by MRI/MRSI. The DIL dose was significantly increased without any violation of standard dosimetric index requirements. This year, an amendment was made to the protocol to facilitate recruitment., The original document contains color images.

On January 7, 2009, the existing energy relationship among Europe, Russia, and Ukraine broke down over a natural gas dispute, just as it had done 3 years earlier. Amid subzero temperatures in many parts of Europe, Russia turned off its gas supply to Ukraine, causing shortages in more than 20 European countries. Thousands across the continent were left in the dark, and government services were closed. While the flow of gas was eventually restored, Russian gas disputes with Ukraine continue, and the prospect of another Gazprom shutoff has become an annual event for European consumers. Despite earlier indications that another breakdown in negotiations would lead to blackouts in Europe early in 2010, the potential crisis was averted via a Russia-Ukraine deal that restructured earlier payment and pricing arrangements. However, it is doubtful that Ukraine can continue timely payments for its domestic gas consumption and maintain its own pipeline infrastructure. Fundamental changes to Russia-Ukraine energy transport agreements are coming. The annual game of gas brinkmanship played by Russia and Ukraine is of strategic significance for the United States and its allies for two main reasons. First, when talks break down, Europe suffers. If the current situation continues, at best, Europe must live with continuing energy insecurity; at worst, a total breakdown of negotiations between the supplier and transit country could leave many European countries without heat or electricity. Equally important, however, is that this problem's resolution will have important implications for power politics in the region. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has argued that Russian power in Eastern Europe depends on its role as Europen energy arbiter., Published in Strategic Forces, n264 p1-16, Feb 2011.

Interleaved power converters can be very beneficial for high performance electrical equipment applications. Reductions in size and electromagnetic emission along with an increase in efficiency, transient response, and reliability are among the many advantages to using such converters. Studies of interleaved DC-DC boost converters, which were performed by members of the Power, Energy, and Thermal Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Propulsion Directorate, included theoretical derivations and simulations, and experimental demonstrations. The experimental results showed that interleaved designs can provide significant benefit when utilized for high temperature and high power applications. In addition to the electrical performance benefits, it was also demonstrated that coupled inductor interleaved boost converters can be smaller and lighter compared to conventional converter topologies. These study results have been organized and published as several technical papers during the course of this project. In this technical report, the cumulative interleaved coupled inductor DC-DC converter studies are summarized.

Atmospheric oxygen absorption bands in observed spectra of boost phase missiles can be used to accurately estimate range from sensor to target. This work compares two oxygen absorption bands in the near-infrared (NIR) and visible (Vis) spectrum, centered at 762nm and 690 nm, to passively determine range. Spectra were observed from static tests of both surface-to-air missile simulators at 405m range and a full-scale solid rocket motor at 900m range. The NIR O2 band provided range estimates accurate to within 3% for both tests, while the Vis O2 band had range errors of 77% and 15 %, respectively. A Falcon 9 rocket launch at an initial range of 13km was also tracked and observed for 90 seconds after ignition. The Vis O2 band provided dynamic range estimates accurate to within 8% error for the rst 30 seconds of tracked observation. The NIR O2 band, however, overestimated dynamic range with an error no less than 20 %. Additionally, since response time is paramount for interception of boost phase missiles, methods for reducing dependence on line-by-line algorithms to speed calculations are also presented., The original document contains color images.

In today's network-centric world, aerospace vehicles interact with many objects. They navigate by overhead satellites, synchronize their flight paths with other vehicles, swarm over hostile territory and attack multiple targets. Studying these engagements with high-fidelity constructive simulations has become an important task of modeling and simulation (M&S). The simulation framework Computer Aided Design of Aerospace Concepts (CADAC) has its roots in FORTRAN code that dates back to the 1960s and was used by industry and the U.S. Air Force to simulate aerospace vehicles in all flight environments. To adapt CADAC to the new environment, a complete rewrite was carried out in C++, taking advantage of object-oriented programming techniques. The architecture of CADAC++ is based on the hierarchical structure of inherited classes. The vehicles (aircraft, missiles, satellites or ground targets), inherit the six-degree-of-freedom (6-DoF)equations of motion from the classes "Flat6" or "Round6," conveying either the flat or elliptical Earth model. In turn, these classes inherit the communication structure from the base class "Cadac." The components of the vehicle, e.g., aerodynamics, propulsion and autopilot, are represented by modules, which are member functions of the vehicle class. Communication among the modules occurs by protected module-variable arrays. Every instantiated vehicle object is encapsulated with its methods and data. To communicate between vehicles, data packets are loaded onto a global data bus for recall by other vehicles. Input occurs by ASCII file and output is compatible with CADAC Studio, a plotting and data processing package. CADAC++ is chiefly an engineering tool for refining the components of the primary vehicle and exploring its performance as it interacts (possibly repeatedly instantiated) with the multi-object environment. Its modular structure enables reuse of component models across simulations., Accepted for publication in The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation: Applications, Methodology, Technology, 9 February 2011. The original document contains color images.

Over the course of the last year, recruitment has continued at the three study recruitment sites--Savannah, Charleston/Goose Creek, and Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC). This time last year, we successfully instituted several strategies to boost study recruitment, and we have since seen an incrase in the rate of participant enrollment. In order to further maximize participant enrollment, we requested an extension of the study through March 2011. This extension will allow us to continue recruiting through September 2010, and then provide participants with enough time to complete the intervention and 18 weeks of follow-up prior to the new study end date. Thus far, we have consented 116 participants and randomized 67-30 at Savannah, 27 at WAMC, and 10 at Charleston VA/Goose Creek. Forty-four participants have completed the study through the 18-week follow-up., The original document contains color images.

Energy management in missile systems can provide substantial performance advantages, especially for modern missiles capable of all-aspect engagements. Energy management in upper stage propulsion systems allows for the same propulsion system to be used for a variety of payloads and orbits. The objectives of the study were to assess throttling capabilities and novel fuel concepts for hybrid motors. Experimental studies were conducted using 90% hydrogen peroxide (HP) with a variety of unique fuels in both direct injection and catalytic bed injection approaches. Performance efficiencies ranged from 91% to 100% and the combustion in all tests was smooth with the highest level of combustion roughness reaching only 0.6% of the steady state pressure. These hybrid motor tests also displayed the expected connection between the oxidizer flux level and the time required to ignite the fuel grain with higher flux levels resulting in lower ignition delays. Substantial throttling capabilities were demonstrated. Throttle-down tests analogous to a powered vertical landing exhibited a 10:1 throttling ratio with stable combustion across the entire range. Boost/Sustain/Boost thrust profiles representative of tactical solid rocket motors were tested with 75%, 50%, and lower sustain-toboost chamber pressure ratios with rapid throttle-up achieved following the sustain period.

Interleaved power converter topologies have received increasing attention in recent years for high power and high performance applications. The advantages of interleaved boost converters include increased efficiency, reduced size, reduced electromagnetic emission, faster transient response, and improved reliability. The front end inductors in an interleaved boost converter are magnetically coupled to improve electrical performance and reduce size and weight. Compared to a direct coupled configuration, inverse coupling provides the advantages of lower inductor ripple current and negligible dc flux levels in the core. In this paper, we explore the possible advantages of core geometry on core losses and converter efficiency. Analysis of FEA simulation and empirical characterization data indicates a potential superiority of a square core, with symmetric 45 energy storage corner gaps, for providing both ac flux balance and maximum dc flux cancellation when wound in an inverse coupled configuration., Published in IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, v45 n10 p4812-4815, October 2009. Performed in collaboration with UES, Inc., Dayton, OH; and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloombsburg, PA. In-house contract. The original document contains color images. All DTIC reproductions will be in black and white.

Partial contents: UN Treaty on Maritime Goods Transportation Opened for Signature,East Africa to Increase Environmental Security,Changes to Chemicals Regulatory Systems,Asian Countries to Adapt their Chemicals Regulatory Systems to EU REACH System,U.S. to Revise the Toxic Substances Control Act,EU to Introduce New Environmental Index,Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications,New Detection and Cleanup Techniques,Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies,Progress Announced in Methane-to-Liquid Process Development,Updates on Previously Identified Issues,Assessment and Potential Revision of Resolution 1540 on Preventing WMD Terrorism,First Simultaneous ExCOPs for Improving MEAs' Synergies and Coordination,Reducing GHG Emissions Using the Montreal Protocol and other Regulatory Systems, Belgian Senate to Consider Nuclear-Weapon Ban, EU Potential New Measures For Reducing CO2 Emissions, Russia to Boost Its Space Security Program, EPA Warnings on Various Potential Health Hazards,, Climate Change, Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters, Food and Water Security, Health, Melting Glaciers and Sea, Migration, Adaptation, Scenarios,Post-Kyoto Negotiations, Nanotechnology Safety Issues, Reports and Information Suggested for Review, Reconsidering the Rules for Space Security, U.S. Should Launch a New Biology Initiative, London Conference to Include Hazard Detection Technologies.

The objective of this study was to provide a direct comparison between the single angled injector and the aeroramp injector arrays in such a combustion environment. Ignition limits and pre-combustion shock position were used to define the operability differences while combustion efficiency and stream thrust were used for performance comparisons. These parameters were determined by operating a scramjet combustor in dual-mode operation over the range of Mach numbers expected during scramjet takeover from a boost vehicle. Performance and operability conclusions are based on raw data from static pressures, temperature measurements, and thrust stand loading. It was determined that the operability reduces significantly for the aeroramp injector for all conditions tested, but the performance is virtually identical to that of the round injectors. The aeroramp injector performance indicated improved nearfield combustion with the potential for better performance in higher Mach number flow to include full supersonic combustion mode for which it was designed., Published in the Proceedings of the 45th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, AIAA 2009-5227, held in Denver, CO, on 2-5 Aug 2009. Prepared in cooperation with Air Force Institute of Technology and with Taitech, Inc.

This paper describes the evolution of various aspects of the flowpath design as the payload system design has matured. Forebody design changes were required in order to reduce the overall payload system weight and to meet shroud design requirements. In response to the forebody design changes, modifications were made to the fuel injectors within the combustor as the captured air mass flow rate reduced. No additional changes were made to the isolator/combustor relative to the baseline flowpath. Forebody design changes allowed the nozzle design to be adjusted resulting in additional payload weight and length reductions. Finally, in an attempt to mitigate any adverse effects during the boost phase of the flight trajectory, stationary covers were designed to protect the scramjet nozzle exit regions. Each of these modifications will be described in this paper along with relevant analysis results to illustrate the effects on the overall payload system. The updated instrumentation plan for the current payload system will also be described., Presented at the JANNAF Joint Subcommittee Meeting, held on December 7-11, 2009 in San Diego, CA. This paper contains color. PA Case Number: 88ABW 2009-4771; Clearance Date: 18 Nov 2009.

In recent conflicts, ballistic missiles have been used to achieve military and psychological objectives. With the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the threat of ballistic missiles as delivery platform for WMD is of concern. Defense against such threats becomes important. There are different guidance laws, like pursuit and proportional navigation (PN), for the missile interception of aerial targets. A new guidance algorithm was developed by John A. Lukacs and Prof Yakimenko in 2006 to demonstrate the feasibility of intercepting a ballistic missile during the boost phase. This trajectory-shaping guidance algorithm uses the direct method of calculus of variations that maximizes the kinetic energy transfer from the interceptor to the target. A study was conducted by applying this guidance law and examining the trade-off between the various critical parameters, like intercept geometry, time, altitude and trajectory, in the optimized solution. It provides insights into the feasibility and limitations of this guidance. A literature review of the drag model and comparison with the compensated PN guidance was also conducted. A new induced drag model was developed for future studies. The results verified that the trajectory-shaping guidance is feasible for the interception of ballistic missiles in the boost phase for a wide range of interceptor launch locations with respect to a ballistic missile detection point., The original document contains color images.

Since the initiation of economic reforms and trade liberalization 30 years ago, China has been one of the world's fastest-growing economies and has emerged as a major economic and trade power. China's rapid economic growth has sharply improved Chinese living standards and helped raise hundreds of millions of people out of extreme poverty. Trade and foreign investment flows have been major factors in China's booming economy. In 2008 China, was the world's second largest merchandise exporter and third largest importer. Over half of China's trade is conducted by foreign-invested firms in China. In 2008, foreign direct investment (FDI) in China totaled $92 billion, making it the destination for FDI among developing economies. The combination of large trade surpluses, FDI flows, and large-scale purchases of foreign currency (especially dollars) has helped make China the world's largest holder of foreign exchange reserves at $2.3 trillion. The global economic crisis began to impact China's economy in late 2008. After growing by 13% in 2007, China? real GDP slowed to 9.0% in 2008 and to 7.1% in the first half of 2009 (year-on year basis). China's trade and inflows of FDI diminished sharply, and millions of workers reportedly lost their jobs. The Chinese government has sought to boost the economy by implementing a $586 billion economic stimulus package (largely aimed at infrastructure projects), establishing easy money policies to boost banking lending, and providing assistance to various industries. Such policies have helped stabilize China's economy; real GDP is expected to grow by over 8% in 2009 far higher than the expected growth of any other major economy., CRS Report for Congress

Over the past several years, China has enjoyed one of the worlds fastest growing economies and has been a major contributor to world economic growth. However, the current global financial crisis threatens to significantly slow China's economy. Several Chinese industries, particularly the export sector, have been hit hard by crisis, and millions of workers have reportedly been laid off. This situation is of great concern to the Chinese government, which views rapid economic growth as critical to maintaining social stability. China is a major economic power and holds huge amounts of foreign exchange reserves, and thus its policies could have a major impact on the global economy. For example, the Chinese government has recently announced plans to implement a $586 billion package to help stimulate the domestic economy. If successful, this plan could also boost Chinese demand for imports. In addition, in an effort to help stabilize the U.S. economy, China might boost its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities, which would help fund the Federal Government's borrowing needs to purchase troubled U.S. assets and to finance economic stimulus packages. However, some U.S. policymakers have expressed concerns over the potential political and economic implications of China's large and growing holdings of U.S. Government debt securities. This report will be updated as events warrant., CRS Report for Congress

The TREC Legal track was introduced in TREC 2006with the claimed purpose of to evaluate the efficacy of automated support for review and production of electronic records in the context of litigation, regulation and legislation. The TREC Legal track 2008 runs three tasks: (1) an automatic ad hoc task, (2) an automatic relevance feedback task, and (3) an interactive task. We have only taken part in the automatic ad hoc task of the TREC Legal track 2008, and focused on the following issues: 1. Indexing. The CDIP test collection is characterized by an large number of unique terms due to OCR mistakes. We have defined a term selection strategy to reduce the number of terms, as described in Section 2. 2. Querying. The analysis of the past TREC results for the Legal track showed that the best retrieval strategy basically returned a ranked list of the boolean retrieved documents. As a consequence,we have defined a strategy aimed to boost the score of documents satisfying the final negotiated boolean query. Furthermore, we defined a method for automatic construction of a weighted query from the request text, as reported in Section 3. 3. Estimation of the K value.We have used a query performance prediction approach to try to estimate K values. The query weighting model that we have adopted is described in Section 4., Seventeenth Text REtrieval Conference (TREC 2008) held in Gaithersburg, Maryland, November 18-21, 2008. The conference was co-sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Advanced Research and Development Activity (ARDA).

The power of today's computers is altering design methodologies at the system level. Instead of manually comparing and contrasting a dozen or so options for configuring a system, machine aids can now quantitatively evaluate thousands of candidate configuration on the time scale of minutes. We apply a machine aid to improve the design of an air-launched missile defense system that intercepts ballistic targets during both their boost and terminal phases. First, the specific problem statement and corresponding quantitative formulation are defined. The discussion then moves on to the overall procedure executed by the machine aid, followed by delving into the quantitative models employed., See also ADM202644. Presented at the AIAA Missile Sciences Conference, held in Monterey, California on November 18-20, 2008. Prepared in cooperation with Missile Defense Agency, Washington, DC. The original document contains color images.

The desire to use railguns in defense applications has elevated the level of concentration in all areas of the railgun system. Necessary in any railgun is a large amount of electric power to deliver the required force to the projectile. One popular source of power is high voltage capacitor banks. The NPS railgun Lab employs a fully functioning railgun with capacitor banks as power supplies. A reliable and safe charging supply for these capacitor banks is desirable and investigated in this paper. Construction and testing of a power supply charger is compared to simulation results. The power supply charger consists of a Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) connected to a high voltage boost transformer; the output of the transformer is connected to a voltage doubler rectifier; the output of the rectifier charges the high voltage capacitor to 9 kV in two minutes. The power supply controller is an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) with embedded control to ensure the safe operation of the power supply., The original document contains color images.

Boost-phase intercept of a threat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is the first layer of a multi-layer missile defense strategy. Space-based interceptors possess certain kinematic advantages over ground-based interceptors in defeating an ICBM threat during boost phase. This paper explores the performance of various guidance laws that might be used by an exo-atmospheric kill vehicle (EKV) launched from a space platform to defeat a hostile, ground-launched ICBM during boost phase. Proportional navigation guidance, bang-bang guidance and predictive guidance are investigated using simulated missile and EKV trajectories. Performance results are presented with respect to miss distance, intercept time, launch envelope, and total control effort. The total control effort is directly related to fuel consumption, and smaller values translate to less weight in fuel or longer potential intercept ranges. Large launch envelopes mean fewer required EKV carriers. In general, the predictive guidance algorithm performs the other guidance algorithms in these simulations, but it did prove to be sensitive to time-to-go errors., The original document contains color images.

Earlier studies established that vaccination of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) with F1-V fusion protein by subcutaneous (SC) injection protected animals against plague upon injection of the bacterium Yersinia pestis. This study demonstrates that the F1-V antigen can also protect ferrets against plague contracted via ingestion of a Y. pestis-infected mouse, a probable route for natural infection. Eight black-footed ferret kits were vaccinated with F1-V protein by SC injection at approximately 60 days-of-age. A booster vaccination was administered 3 mo later via SC injection. Four additional ferret kits received placebos. The animals were challenged 6 wk after the boost by feeding each one a Y. pestis-infected mouse. All eight vaccinates survived challenge, while the four controls succumbed to plague within 3 days after exposure. To determine the duration of antibody post-vaccination, 18 additional black-footed ferret kits were vaccinated and boosted with F1-V by SC injection at 60 and 120 days-of-age. High titers to both F1 and V (mean reciprocal titers of 18,552 and 99,862 respectively) were found in all vaccinates up to 2-yr post-vaccination, whereas seven control animals remained antibody negative throughout the same time period., Pub. in Journal of Wildlife Diseases, v44 n1, p1-7. 2008.

Directed energy continues to offer promise as a transformational "game changer" as the Department of Defense (DOD) encounters new asymmetric and disruptive threats, while facing increasingly sophisticated traditional challenges. Yet years of investment have not resulted in any current operational high-energy laser capability. In addition, the single high-energy laser program of record, the Airborne Laser (ABL) for boost phase missile defense, continues to experience delays and potential budget reductions. There is a strong belief in the directed energy community, and in segments of the warfighter and force-provider communities, that high- power microwave (HPM) offers capabilities in anti-sensor applications and as non-lethal weapons. Still, HPM advancement has been limited by uncertainty about its effects and effectiveness. Years of major investment in chemical lasers has produced megawatt-class systems that could have a wide range of applications. However, size, weight, and logistics issues limit them to integration on large platforms, such as the 747 used for the ABL program, or fixed ground applications such as the Ground-Based Laser for Space Control. As a consequence, interest in these systems and expectations of progress has significantly decreased. The current focus is on solid state lasers with the promise of providing for smaller, lighter systems with deep magazines. However, the current goal for solid state laser development would provide a power level more than an order of magnitude lower than current chemical lasers. While beam quality and other factors can compensate for some of the difference in power level, there is currently little investment in those aspects. Further, these cannot make up the delta in power of chemical vs. solid state lasers. The near-term projection for solid state lasers is a power level closer to two orders of magnitude below that of chemical lasers.

Directed energy continues to offer promise as a transformational game changer as the Department of Defense (DOD) encounters new asymmetric and disruptive threats, while facing increasingly sophisticated traditional challenges. Yet years of investment have not resulted in any currently operational high-energy laser capability. In addition, the single high-energy laser program of record, the Airborne Laser (ABL) for boost phase missile defense, continues to experience delays and potential budget reductions. There is a strong belief in the directed energy community, and in segments of the warfighter and force-provider communities, that highpower microwave (HPM) offers capabilities in anti-sensor applications and as non-lethal weapons. Still, HPM advancement has been limited by uncertainty about its effects and effectiveness. Years of major investment in chemical lasers has produced megawatt-class systems that could have a wide range of applications. However, size, weight, and logistics issues limit them to integration on large platforms, such as the 747 used for the ABL program, or fixed ground applications such as the Ground-Based Laser for Space Control. As a consequence, interest in these systems and expectations of progress has significantly decreased. The current focus is on solid state lasers with the promise of providing for smaller, lighter systems with deep magazines. However, the current goal for solid state laser development would provide a power level more than an order of magnitude lower than current chemical lasers. While beam quality and other factors can compensate for some of the difference in power level, there is currently little investment in those aspects. Further, these cannot make up the delta in power of chemical vs. solid state lasers. The near-term projection for solid state lasers is a power level closer to two orders of magnitude below that of chemical lasers.

In this thesis, a data fusion problem when a number of different types of sensors are deployed in the vicinity of a ballistic missile launch is studied. An objective of this thesis is to calculate a scoring function for each sensor track, and the track file with the best (optimum) track score can then be used for guiding an interceptor to the threat within the boost phase. Seven active groundbased radars, two space-based passive infrared sensors and two active light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors are used to track the ballistic missile in the boost phase. Each space-based platform carries one passive infrared sensor and one LIDAR. For the threat scenario, an IMPULSE intercontinental ballistic missile model is used to create the trajectory of a generic ballistic threat. The IMPULSE model is developed by the National Air and Space Intelligence Center to provide an accurate representation of ballistic missiles. Each sensor provides a track of the missile in the boost phase by using a multiple hypotheses tracking algorithm with an extended Kalman filter. The calculation of the track scoring function is to identify the sensor with the best track file. A track score is calculated for each sensor based on the kinematics of the missile flight parameters and the signal-to-noise ratio at the sensor. By using likelihood ratios, the optimum track file of the threat can then be determined and the corresponding track file can be transmitted to the battle manager control in order to lead the interceptor vehicle against the threat using the track file with the best score. Using the optimum track file scoring signal processing techniques developed in this thesis, the best track file can be sent to the interceptor to destroy the ballistic threat. This leads to a faster response management where the threat can be destroyed inside the territory of the country which launched the threat before any countermeasures are deployed., The original document contains color images.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has spent about $107 billion since the mid-1980s to develop a capability to destroy incoming ballistic missiles. DoD has set key decision points for deciding whether to further invest in capabilities to destroy missiles during the initial phases after launch. In March 2006, DoD issued a report on these capabilities in response to two mandates. To satisfy a direction from the House Appropriations Committee, GAO agreed to review the report. To assist Congress in evaluating DoD's report and preparing for future decisions, GAO studied the extent to which DoD did the following: (1) analyzed technical and operational issues, and (2) presented complete cost information. To do so, GAO assessed the report's methodology, explanation of assumptions and their effects on results, and whether DoD followed key principles for developing life-cycle costs. The report DoD's Missile Defense Agency submitted to Congress in March 2006 included some useful technical and operational information on boost and ascent phase capabilities by describing these elements, listing upcoming decision points, and discussing geographic areas where boost and ascent elements could intercept missiles shortly after launch. However, the information in the report has several limitations because the analysis did not involve key DoD stakeholders such as the services and combatant commands in preparing the report and did not clearly explain modeling assumptions and their effects on results as required by relevant research standards. To support future decisions, DoD should include key stakeholders in assessing operational issues, report on technical progress, and update and verify life-cycle cost estimates in accordance with key principles for developing life-cycle costs. In comments on a draft of this report, DoD agreed to include stakeholders and assess technical progress but did not agree to prepare or report life-cycle costs in accordance with key principles., Report to Congressional Committees.

Immunotherapy may provide an alternative treatment for cancer patients, especially when tumors over-expantigens that can be recognized by immune cells. The identification of markers and therapeutic targets that are up regulated in prostate cancer been important to design new potential treatments for prostate cancer. Among them, the recently identified six-transmembrane epithelial antigethe prostate (STEAP) is considered an attractive target, due to its over-expression in human prostate cancer tissues. Previously we selectprime/boost vaccination strategy (DNA/GFP-VRP) as the best scheme to induce a specific CD8 T cell response in C57BL/6 mice responsible tumor delay in complete absence of autoimmunity development but therapeutic vaccination with mSTEAP modestly controlled the growth of westablished tumors. In this report we demonstrated that CD4 T cells that produced IFNy, TNFalpha and IL-2 play the main role in tumor delay in model as demonstrated by using CD4-and CD8-deficient mice. Prime/boost vaccination was unable to control tumor progression in TRAMP with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, In a combined treatment of androgen ablation and STEAP vaccination was successful in prostate tubearing TRAMP mice., The original document contains color images.

Defending against theater and intercontinental ballistic missiles, potentially carrying nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, requires 100% effectiveness anything less continues to afford our enemies weapons of mass effect. If the U.S. is to be successful in answering this threat, a re-evaluation of boost phase intercept (BPI) options is in order. This paper highlights the ballistic missile threat and joint defense systems; provides an assessment of those systems; re-evaluates BPI merits; and proposes a kinetic boost phase solution (with concept of operations) to bridge the potential fielding of space-base weapons. Early engagement provides better, faster, cheaper and less destabilizing missile defense capability. Heads, not tails sounds a call to the Missile Defense Agency, Strategic Command and all Services to commit to producing BPI capability (first kinetic, then directed energy), ahead of other systems and upgrades.