- Table View
- List View
Review of Department of Defense Test Protocols for Combat Helmets
by Committee on Review of Test Protocols Used by the DoD to Test Combat HelmetsCombat helmets have evolved considerably over the years from those used in World War I to today's Advanced Combat Helmet. One of the key advances was the development of aramid fibers in the 1960s, which led to today's Kevlar-based helmets. The Department of Defense is continuing to invest in research to improve helmet performance, through better design and materials as well as better manufacturing processes. Review of the Department of Defense Test Protocols for Combat Helmets considers the technical issues relating to test protocols for military combat helmets. At the request of the DOD Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, this report evaluates the adequacy of the Advanced Combat Helmet test protocol for both first article testing and lot acceptance testing, including its use of the metrics of probability of no penetration and the upper tolerance limit (used to evaluate backface deformation). The report evaluates appropriate use of statistical techniques in gathering data; adequacy of current helmet testing procedures; procedures for the conduct of additional analysis of penetration and backface deformation data; and scope of characterization testing relative to the benefit of the information obtained.
Review of EPA Homeland Security Efforts: Safe Buildings Program Research Implementation Plan
by Committee on Safe Buildings ProgramThe report examines the Environmental Protection Agency’s three-year plan for a comprehensive response to a chemical or biological attack on a civilian or public sector facility. The report states that EPA has correctly identified the essential major research areas (detection, containment, decontamination, and disposal) but calls for an initial focus on decontamination and disposal efforts and a longer term research program.
Review of Goals and Plans for NASA's Space and Earth Sciences
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesBoth the President’s commission on how to implement the President’s space exploration initiative and Congress asked the NRC undertake an assessment and review of the science proposed to be carried out under the initiative. An initial response to that request was the NRC February 2005 report, Science in NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration. While that report’s preparation, NASA created capabilities and strategy roadmapping efforts which became the object of the next phase of the NRC review. The new NASA administrator modified that NASA activity resulting in changes in the NRC review effort. This report provides a review of six science strategy roadmaps: robotic and human exploration of Mars; solar system exploration; universe exploration; search for earth-like planets; earth science and applications from space; and sun-earth system connection. In addition, an assessment of cross-cutting and integration issues is presented.
Review of Invertebrate Biological Control Agents Introduced into Europe
by Esther Gerber Urs SchaffnerThis book provides an overview of all documented releases of exotic (non-European) invertebrate biological control agents into the environment in Europe and summarizes key information on the target species as well as on the biological control agent released. It covers the period from 1897 to the end of 2009 and is largely based on the BIOCAT database, which contains records of the introduction of insect natural enemies, namely parasitoids and predators, for the control of insect pests worldwide. The content is covered in four sections: Introduction and Summary; European Insect Biocontrol Agents Released in Europe; Weed Control; and Discussion. Providing a representative picture of the history of releases of exotic biological control agents into the environment in Europe, this book is a key resource for researchers and practitioners operating in the areas of biological control and pest management, and those involved in the regulation of the deliberate release of exotic organisms.
Review of Invertebrate Biological Control Agents Introduced into Europe
by Esther Gerber Urs SchaffnerAn overview of all documented releases of exotic invertebrate biological control agents (IBCAs) into Europe, the book summarizes key information on 176 IBCAs released against 58 target pests, and includes a summary chapter on releases in Europe over the past 110 years. The information is largely based on the BIOCAT database, originally developed by the late D. J. Greathead (former director of the International Institute of Biological Control, now part of CABI) and updated by CABI scientists.
Review of Medical Dosimetry
by William AmestoyThis study guide will be a reliable support and easy-to-use source of information for students in the fields of dosimetry, physics, radiation oncology, and therapy as they progress through the educational levels in preparation for board examinations. The theoretical and practical knowledge gained by students on previous courses or in clinical settings is reinforced by means of almost 1200 questions and accompanying detailed analytical answers. In order to cater for the needs of all students, the questions are arranged according to three levels of difficulty. The level 1 questions are mainly intended for those hoping to pass the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) exam but will also be beneficial for Medical Physics candidates taking written exams and for Radiation Oncology residents. The level II questions are in general clinically related and will be relevant for any student, while the level III questions are advanced and are especially suitable for American Board of Radiology candidates or those taking equivalent exams elsewhere in the world. The study guide is broken down into different subject areas, with provision of multiple questions and answers on each subject. In addition, the mathematical and physics questions include brief explanations of how the student can solve each problem. At the end of the guide, three practice tests are included with the same number of questions as are found in the MDCB exam. These tests will help students to test their knowledge and improve their test-taking speed.
Review of NASA Plans for the International Space Station
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesIn January 2004, President Bush announced a new space policy directed at human and robotic exploration of space. In June 2004, the President’s Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy issued a report recommending among other things that NASA ask the National Research Council (NRC) to reevaluate space science priorities to take advantage of the exploration vision. Congress also directed the NRC to conduct a thorough review of the science NASA is proposing to undertake within the initiative. In February 2005, the NRC released Science in NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration, the first report of the two studies undertaken to carry out these requests. The second report focuses on NASA’s plan for the ISS. This report provides broad advice on programmatic issues that NASA is likely to face as it attempts to develop an updated ISS utilization plan. It also presents an assessment of potentially important research and testbed activities that may have to be performed on the ISS to help ensure success of some exploration objectives.
Review of NASA's AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE: An Assessment of NASA's Pioneering Revolutionary Technology Program
by Committee for the Review of NASA's Pioneering Revolutionary Technology (PRT) ProgramThe National Academies Press (NAP)--publisher for the National Academies--publishes more than 200 books a year offering the most authoritative views, definitive information, and groundbreaking recommendations on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and health. Our books are unique in that they are authored by the nation's leading experts in every scientific field.
Review of NASA's Biomedical Research Program
by Committee on Space Biology MedicineA Review of NASA's Biomedical Research Program
Review of NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program: An Interim Report
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesTo meet the objectives of the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE), NASA must develop a wide array of enabling technologies. For this purpose, NASA established the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP). Currently, ETDP has 22 projects underway. In the report accompanying the House-passed version of the FY2007 appropriations bill, the agency was directed to request from the NRC an independent assessment of the ETDP. This interim report provides an assessment of each of the 22 projects including a quality rating, an analysis of how effectively the research is being carried out, and the degree to which the research is aligned with the VSE. To the extent possible, the identification and discussion of various cross-cutting issues are also presented. Those issues will be explored and discussed in more detail in the final report.
Review of NASA's Human Research Program Evidence Books: A Letter Report
by Board on Health Sciences PolicyAt the request of NASA, an IOM committee reviewed NASA Human Research Program's (HRP's) Scientific Merit Assessment Processes for directed research. Directed research is commissioned or noncompetitively awarded research that is not competitively solicited because of specific reasons, such as time limitations or highly focused or constrained research topics. The scientific merit assessment processes have been developed by NASA to evaluate individual directed research tasks in order to ensure the scientific integrity of the HRP's directed research portfolio. The committee examined the HRP's current scientific merit assessment processes and conducted a public workshop to identify best practices among other federal agencies that use various assessment processes for similar types of directed research. Review of NASA Human Research Program's Scientific Merit Processes: Letter Report finds that the scientific merit assessment process used by the HRP for directed research is scientifically rigorous and is similar to the processes and merit criteria used by many other federal agencies and organizations - including the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and the United States Department of Agriculture - for comparable types of research. This report also makes recommendations on ways to streamline and bolster the accountability and transparency of NASA's current processes.
Review of NASA's Solid-Earth Science Strategy
by Committee to Review NASA's Solid-Earth Science StrategyThe report reviews NASA's solid-earth science strategy, placing particular emphasis on observational strategies for measuring surface deformation, high-resolution topography, surface properties, and the variability of the earth's magnetic and gravity fields. The report found that NASA is uniquely positioned to implement these observational strategies and that a number of agency programs would benefit from the resulting data. In particular, the report strongly endorses the near-term launch of a satellite dedicated to L-band InSAR measurements of the land surface, which is a key component of the U. S. Geological Survey's hazards mitigation program and the multi-agency EarthScope program.
Review of NOAA Working Group: Report on Long-Term Satellite Total Solar Irradiance Observation
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesSolar irradiance provides the only significant source of energy input to the climate system and its variability has the potential to either mitigate or exacerbate anthropogenic change. Maintaining an unbroken record of Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) is critical in resolving ongoing debates regarding the potential role of solar variability in influencing Earth’s climate. <P> Space-borne instruments have acquired TSI data since 1978. Currently, the best calibrated and lowest noise source of TSI measurements is the Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM) onboard NASA’s Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE). These TIM-era data are of higher quality than the older data in the full record. Thus, the TSI climate data record (CDR) has two components. There is the shorter, but more accurate record of the TIM era and the full (33+ year) space-based TSI measurement record. Both are important and require preservation. <P><P> SORCE is well past its design life and is encountering significant battery degradation. The Total Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS), a dual-instrument package that will be flown on the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Free Flyer 1 (FF-1) mission to continue the TSI record, is not scheduled to launch until late 2016 or early 2017, creating the potential for a data gap. Unfortunately, NASA’s Glory spacecraft, which carried a TIM that would have provided a gap filler, failed to reach orbit on March 4, 2011. Without a mitigation plan, the continuity of both data records (the TIM-era and full record) is threatened.
Review of ONR's Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicles Program
by Committee for the Review of ONR's Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicles ProgramThe National Academies Press (NAP)--publisher for the National Academies--publishes more than 200 books a year offering the most authoritative views, definitive information, and groundbreaking recommendations on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and health. Our books are unique in that they are authored by the nation's leading experts in every scientific field.
Review of the Department of Defense Research Program on Low-Level Exposures to Chemical Warfare Agents
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesResearch related to chemical warfare agents (CWAs) has historically focused on life threatening battlefield effects caused by high level exposures to the agents, not effects associated with exposures to low concentrations of them. In this report, low level concentrations refers to exposures that may not have any immediate observed health effects, but may produce delayed health effects months or years later. Recently, there has been increased concern about the potential health effects of exposures to CWAs at low concentrations. This report reviews the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Research Plan for obtaining toxicologic and other relevant data to assess risk to military personnel. The CWAs of concern include the following nerve and vesicant agents: tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin, VX, and sulfur mustard. The report discusses the health effects of exposure to low levels of these agents and provides guidance to DOD on appropriate risk assessment methods for assessing toxicologic risk to military personnel from low-level exposures to CWAs. The report concludes that DOD’s Research Plan is well planned and many of the proposed research tasks are likely to provide valuable information to DOD in protecting military personnel.
Review of the Department of Energy's Genomics: GTL Program
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) promotes scientific and technological innovation to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. Recognizing the potential of microorganisms to offer new energy alternatives and remediate environmental contamination, DOE initiated the Genomes to Life program, now called Genomics: GTL, in 2000. The program aims to develop a predictive understanding of microbial systems that can be used to engineer systems for bioenergy production and environmental remediation, and to understand carbon cycling and sequestration. This report provides an evaluation of the program and its infrastructure plan. Overall, the report finds that GTL’s research has resulted in and promises to deliver many more scientific advancements that contribute to the achievement of DOE’s goals. However, the DOE’s current plan for building four independent facilities for protein production, molecular imaging, proteome analysis, and systems biology sequentially may not be the most cost-effective, efficient, and scientifically optimal way to provide this infrastructure. As an alternative, the report suggests constructing up to four institute-like facilities, each of which integrates the capabilities of all four of the originally planned facility types and focuses on one or two of DOE’s mission goals. The alternative infrastructure plan could have an especially high ratio of scientific benefit to cost because the need for technology will be directly tied to the biology goals of the program.
Review of the Department of Labor's Site Exposure Matrix Database
by Institute of Medicine Committee on the Review of the Department of Labor's Site Exposure Matrix (SEM) Database Board on the Health of Select PopulationsBeginning with the development of the atomic bomb during World War II, the United States continued to build nuclear weapons throughout the Cold War. Thousands of people mined and milled uranium, conducted research on nuclear warfare, or worked in nuclear munitions factories around the country from the 1940s through the 1980s. Such work continues today, albeit to a smaller extent. The Department of Energy (DOE) is now responsible for overseeing those sites and facilities, many of which were, and continue to be, run by government contractors. The materials used at those sites were varied and ranged from the benign to the toxic and highly radioactive. Workers at DOE facilities often did not know the identity of the materials with which they worked and often were unaware of health risks related to their use. In many instances, the work was considered top secret, and employees were cautioned not to reveal any work-related information to family or others. Workers could be exposed to both radioactive and nonradioactive toxic substances for weeks or even years. Consequently, some of the workers have developed health problems and continue to have concerns about potential health effects of their exposures to occupational hazards during their employment in the nuclear weapons industry. In response to the concerns expressed by workers and their representatives, DOL asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to review the SEM database and its use of a particular database, Haz-Map, as the source of its toxic substance-occupational disease links. Accordingly, this IOM consensus report reflects careful consideration of its charge by the committee, and describes the strengths and shortcomings of both. To complete its task, IOM formed an ad hoc committee of experts in occupational medicine, toxicology, epidemiology, industrial hygiene, public health, and biostatistics to conduct an 18-month study to review the scientific rigor of the SEM database. The committee held two public meetings at which it heard from DOL Division of Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) representatives, the DOL contractor that developed the SEM database, the developer of the Haz-Map database, DOE worker advocacy groups, and several individual workers. The committee also submitted written questions to DOL to seek clarification of specific issues and received written responses from DEEOIC. The committee's report considers both the strengths and weaknesses of the SEM and the Haz-Map databases, recognizing that the latter was developed first and for a different purpose. The committee then discusses its findings and recommends improvements that could be made in both databases with a focus on enhancing the usability of SEM for both DOL claims examiners and for former DOE workers and their representatives. Review of the Department of Labor's Site Exposure Matrix Database summarizes the committee's findings.
Review of the Draft 2014 Science Mission Directorate Science Plan
by National Research Council Space Studies Board Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences Committee on the Assessment of the NASA Science Mission Directorate 2014 Science PlanNASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is engaged in the final stages of a comprehensive, agency-wide effort to develop a new strategic plan at a time when its budget is under considerable stress. SMD's Science Plan serves to provide more detail on its four traditional science disciplines - astronomy and astrophysics, solar and space physics (also called heliophysics), planetary science, and Earth remote sensing and related activities - than is possible in the agency-wide Strategic Plan. Review of the Draft 2014 Science Mission Directorate Science Plan comments on the responsiveness of SMD's Science Plan to the National Research Council's guidance on key science issues and opportunities in recent NRC decadal reports. This study focuses on attention to interdisciplinary aspects and overall scientific balance; identification and exposition of important opportunities for partnerships as well as education and public outreach; and integration of technology development with the science program. The report provides detailed findings and recommendations relating to the draft Science Plan.
Review of the Draft Interagency Report on the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States
by Engineering Medicine National Academies of ScienceThe U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA; Melillo et al., 2014) identified a number of ways in which climate change is affecting or is likely to affect, people, infrastructure, natural resources, and ecosystems. Those impacts in turn have the potential for important current and future consequences for human health. Research on these impacts is active, with strong evidence to support some aspects and research still in progress for others. Therefore, there is a need to assess our understanding of how the impacts of climate change on the environment can create stressors that can affect human health in a number of dimensions both now and in the future. <P> In response to this need, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has initiated an interagency Assessment on the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States. The Assessment is intended to inform public health authorities, other planning and policy entities, and the general public. It extends the work begun under the 2008 Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 (USGCRP, 2008) Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems and the third NCA released in 2014.
Review of the Environmental Protection Agency's Draft IRIS Assessment of Formaldehyde
by The National Academy of SciencesFormaldehyde is ubiquitous in indoor and outdoor air, and everyone is exposed to formaldehyde at some concentration daily. Formaldehyde is used to produce a wide array of products, particularly building materials; it is emitted from many sources, including power plants, cars, gas and wood stoves, and cigarettes; it is a natural product in come foods; and it is naturally present in the human body as a metabolic intermediate. Much research has been conducted on the health effects of exposure to formaldehyde, including effects on the upper airway, where formaldehyde is deposited when inhaled, and effects on tissues distant from the site of initial contact. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released noncancer and cancer assessments of formaldehyde for its Intergated Risk Information System (IRIS) in 1990 and 1991, respectively. The agency began reassessing formaldehyde in 1998 and released a draft IRIS assessment in June 2010. Given the complexity of the issues and the knowledge that the assessment will be used as the basis of regulatory decisions, EPA asked the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct an independent scientific review of the draft IRIS assessment. In this report, the Committee to Review EPA's Draft IRIS Assessment of Formaldehyde first addresses some general issues associated with the draft IRIS assessment. The committee next focuses on questions concerning specific aspects of the draft assessment, including derivation of the reference concentrations and the cancer unit risk estimates for formaldehyde. The committee closes with recommendations for improving the IRIS assessment of formaldehyde and provides some general comments on the IRIS development process.
Review of the MEPAG Report on Mars Special Regions
by Committee to Review the MEPAG Report on Mars Special RegionsPlanetary protection is a guiding principle in the design of an interplanetary mission, aiming to prevent biological contamination of both the target celestial body and the Earth. The protection of high-priority science goals, the search for life and the understanding of the Martian organic environment may be compromised if Earth microbes carried by spacecraft are grown and spread on Mars. This has led to the definition of Special Regions on Mars where strict planetary protection measures have to be applied before a spacecraft can enter these areas. At NASA's request, the community-based Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) established the Special Regions Science Analysis Group (SR-SAG2) in October 2013 to examine the quantitative definition of a Special Region and proposed modifications to it, as necessary, based upon the latest scientific results. Review of the MEPAG Report on Mars Special Regions reviews the conclusions and recommendations contained in MEPAG's SR-SAG2 report and assesses their consistency with current understanding of both the Martian environment and the physical and chemical limits for the survival and propagation of microbial and other life on Earth. This report provides recommendations for an update of the planetary protection requirements for Mars Special Regions.
Review of the National Defense Intelligence College's Master's Degree in Science and Technology Intelligence
by Committee for the Review of the Master's Degree Program for Science Technology Intelligence ProfessionalsThe National Research Council (NRC) was asked by the National Defense Intelligence College (NDIC) to convene a committee to review the curriculum and syllabi for their proposed master of science degree in science and technology intelligence. The NRC was asked to review the material provided by the NDIC and offer advice and recommendations regarding the program's structure and goals of the Master of Science and Technology Intelligence (MS&TI) program. The Committee for the Review of the Master's Degree Program for Science and Technology Professionals convened in May 2011, received extensive briefings and material from the NDIC faculty and administrators, and commenced a detailed review of the material. This letter report contains the findings and recommendations of the committee. "Review of the National Defense Intelligence College's Master's Degree in Science and Technology Intelligence" centers on two general areas. First, the committee found that the biological sciences and systems engineering were underrepresented in the existing program structure. Secondly, the committee recommends that the NDIC faculty restructure the program and course learning objectives to focus more specifically on science and technology, with particular emphasis on the empirical measurement of student achievement. Given the dynamic and ever-changing nature of science and technology, the syllabi should continue to evolve as change occurs.
Review of the Research Program of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership: Second Report (2008)
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesThe FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership is a collaborative effort among the Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), and five major energy companies to manage research that will enable the vision of a clean and sustainable transportation energy future. It envisions a transition from more efficient internal combustion engines (ICEs), to advanced ICE hybrid electric vehicles, and to enabling a private-sector decision by 2015 on hydrogen-fueled vehicle development. At the request of DOE, the NRC has undertaken an effort to provide biennial reviews of the progress of the research program. Phase I of that review was described in a book issued in 2005. This second book presents an assessment of the progress in the research program management areas as well as the responses of program management to recommendations provided in the Phase I report. Covered in this second book are major crosscutting issues; vehicle subsystems; hydrogen production, delivery, and dispensing; and an overall assessment of the program.
Review of the Research Program of the U.S. DRIVE Partnership
by Committee on Review of the U.S. DRIVE Research Program Phase 4Review of the Research Program of the U. S. DRIVE Partnership: Fourth Report follows on three previous NRC reviews of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, which was the predecessor of the U. S. DRIVE Partnership (NRC, 2005, 2008a, 2010). The U. S. DRIVE (Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle Efficiency and Energy Sustainability) vision, according to the charter of the Partnership, is this: American consumers have a broad range of affordable personal transportation choices that reduce petroleum consumption and significantly reduce harmful emissions from the transportation sector. Its mission is as follows: accelerate the development of pre-competitive and innovative technologies to enable a full range of efficient and clean advanced light-duty vehicles (LDVs), as well as related energy infrastructure. The Partnership focuses on precompetitive research and development (R&D) that can help to accelerate the emergence of advanced technologies to be commercialization-feasible. The guidance for the work of the U. S. DRIVE Partnership as well as the priority setting and targets for needed research are provided by joint industry/government technical teams. This structure has been demonstrated to be an effective means of identifying high-priority, long-term precompetitive research needs for each technology with which the Partnership is involved. Technical areas in which research and development as well as technology validation programs have been pursued include the following: internal combustion engines (ICEs) potentially operating on conventional and various alternative fuels, automotive fuel cell power systems, hydrogen storage systems (especially onboard vehicles), batteries and other forms of electrochemical energy storage, electric propulsion systems, hydrogen production and delivery, and materials leading to vehicle weight reductions.
Review of the Research Strategy for Biomass-Derived Transportation Fuels
by National Research CouncilA Review of the Research Strategy for Biomass-Derived Transportation Fuels