ITC/USA 2007 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Third Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2007 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / The Western Aeronautical Test Range (WATR) at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) employs the WATR Integrated Next Generation System (WINGS) for the processing and display of aeronautical flight data. This report discusses the post-mission segment of the WINGS architecture. A team designed and implemented a system for the near- and long-term storage and distribution of mission data for flight projects at DFRC, providing the user with intelligent access to data. Discussed are the legacy system, an industry survey, system operational concept, high-level system features, and initial design efforts.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Over the past few decades, discussions around youth identity crisis and missio Dei have become one of the most challenging issues of our time. Given that staying true to self and God is complicated. We seldom come to terms with what our identity should look like in relation to the character and image of God. Just like any experience, a self-discovery experience with the ‘self’ and an attachment relationship with God, is like a rollercoaster ride. The researcher engages the reader in an empirical study that zooms in on the identity crisis of Stellenbosch Christian Millennials in relation to the subcultures of self and God images. Hence, attempting the all-important question: How can a Christian life, lived within the restorative and prophetic context of imago Dei become the milieu in which the youth-in-mission finds an enduring and satisfying identity in a time of crisis? The research is an exhaustive study that draws from the theories of attachment to God, authenticity, and theological anthropology in its exploratory navigations to bring to bear the identity crisis of Christian Millennials who participated in the study. Using a qualitative case study design, the researcher exhaustively gave account to the experiences of the respondents in the study by providing the reader with a robust narrative that explains the identity crisis of Christian Millennials in relation to their self and God images. The hallmark of the study was the observation of a common coping mechanism by way of splitting or self-fragmentation, used by the respondents to deal with their identity crisis as they struggled to remain authentic to self and maintain a positive God image. They dealt with their identity crisis by self-creating a prophetic future within the structural qualities of the self to engage in a relationship between its divine given purpose in an eschatological future and the mission of God. It was this identity crisis that led to an opportunity that enabled the youth-in-mission to interpret their experience in God’s terms. The researcher introduced this opportunity as a coping missional hermeneutic, which is a theological model that allows us to change the frame of our identity crisis to the pattern of the imago Dei in order to tell our stories from the perspective of missio Dei. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tydens afgelope paar dekades het die bespreking rondom die identiteitskrisis van jongmense en missio Dei een van die mees uitdagende aspekte in die hedendaagse lewe geword. Om voortdurend opreg te wees aan die self en God is ingewikkeld. Mense kom nie altyd tot ‘n vergelyk oor die identiteit wat behoort te wees wanneer verwys word na die verhouding tussen die karakter en beeld van God. Soos dit die geval is met enige ander ervaring, kan die ontdekking van die ‘self’ en ‘n persoonlike verhouding met God vergelyk word met ‘n mallemeule. Die navorser betrek die leser by ‘n empiriese studie. Hierdie studie fokus op die identiteitskrisis van Christen jongemense in verhouding tot die subkultuur van die self- en Godsbeelde. Hiermee saam poog die studie om lig te werp op die volgende aspek: Hoe kan die Christen lewe binne die konteks van die imago Dei, ’n kanaal wees vir ‘n voortdurende en genotvolle identiteit tydens ‘n identiteitskrisis? Die studie is komprehensief en is gebasseer op die teorieë van “attachment to God”, “authenticity” en teologiese antropologie. Die teorieë was gebruik deur die navorser om die identitietskrisis van Christen jongmense (Millennials), wie deelgeneem het aan hierdie studie, te beskryf. Die navorser maak gebruik van ‘n kwalitatiewe gevalle studie om te rapporteer oor die ervaringe van die deelnemers aan die studie, deur die leser te voorsien van betroubare stories oor die identiteitskrisis van jong christene in verhouding met die subkultuur van die self- en Godsbeelde. ‘n Uitstaande kenmerk van die studie is die waarneming van die algemene hanterings meganisme van verdeling (splitting) en godsdienstige taal waartydens deelnemers hul identiteitskrisis hanteer en sodoende die ware self te wees en ‘n positiewe Godsbeeld te hê. ‘n Identiteitskrisis het die geleentheid geskep vir jongmense om hul ervaringe van God in Gods terme te interpreteer. Die navorser het deur middel van die geleentheid die coping missional hermeneutic bekendgestel. Dié teologiese model stel ons in staat om die raamwerk waarbinne ons, ons identiteitskrisis beskou, na ‘n imago Dei te verander. Hierdie verandering sal ons help om ons stories uit die perspektief van missio Dei te vertel.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1987 / Town and Country Hotel, San Diego, California / During early manned spacecraft operations, the primary role of ground telemetry systems was data display to flight controllers. As manned spaceflights have increased in complexity, greater demands have been placed on flight controllers to simultaneously monitor systems and replan systems operations. This has led to interest in automated telemetry monitoring systems to decrease the workload on flight controllers. The Mission Operations Directorate at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center has developed a five layer model to integrate various monitoring and analysis technologies such as digital filtering, fault detection algorithms, and expert systems. The paper describes the five layer model and explains how it has been used to guide prototyping efforts at Mission Control. Results from some initial expert systems are presented. The paper also describes the integrated prototype currently under development which implements a real time expert system to assist flight controllers in the Mission Control Center in monitoring Space Shuttle communications systems.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mission and vision statements are concepts that are often discussed at meetings where companies discuss and debate whether or not to implement them to ensure sustained profitability or increase the motivation of employees. This, however, is a misconception in the business world since mission and vision statements do not lead to instantaneous success. Mission and vision statements are strategic tools to help organisations to focus on what they are good at and what they stand for. Mission statements help an organisation to identify which current direction the organisation should be taking, whereas a vision statement helps an organisation to identify where it wants to be in the future. A mission and vision statement provides a goal towards which the people of the company can work so that it can be profitable and endure lasting success. This goal binds the workers of an organisation, resulting in people that are happy since they know what the organisation's core purpose is. They key importance of these statements is that they provide guidance of strategic and day-ta-day operational decision-making. Companies that enjoy enduring success have core values and a core purpose that remain fixed, while their business strategies and practices endlessly adapt to a changing world. The dynamics of preserving the core while stimulating progress is the reason that companies such as Hewlett Packard, 3M, Merck, Sony and Nordstrom became elite institutions able to renew themselves. It is important to realise is that there is no documented proof that organisations that do not have these mission and vision statements are less successful than those that do have them. The dynamic of the concepts developed in Built to Last, i.e. preserving the core/stimulate the progress should be kept in mind. Neither vision nor mission statements are the primary engines of enduring great companies, and bear in mind that visions simply provide the guiding context for bringing the this dynamic to life. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Missie en visie stellings word dikwels by maatskappy vergaderings bespreek. Die implementering hiervan word beredeneer ten einde voortgesette maatskappy winsgewendheid te verseker en verhoogde werknemer motivering te bewerkstellig. Die sakewêreld het egter 'n wanbegrip van missie en visie stellings aangesien dit nie opsigself lei tot onmiddellike sukses nie. Dit is bloot strategiese middele wat 'n organisasie help fokus op dit waarin hulle goed is en waarna hulle streef. Missie stellings help 'n organisasie om onmiddelik rigting te kry terwyl visie stellings help om toekomstige posisie te identifiseer. Die missie en visie stellings stel 'n doelwit waarna die mense in 'n maatskappy kan werk sodat winsgewendheid en volhoubare sukses behaal kan word. Werknemers in 'n maatskappy word verbind tot hierdie doelwit en dit het werkstevredenheid tot gevolg omdat die kern doel van die organisasie verstaan word. Die belangrikste aspek van hierdie stellings is dat dit 'n riglyn stel vir strategiese en daaglikse operasionele besluitneming. Maatskappye wat volhoubare sukses bewerkstellig, het 'n vaste doel en kern waardes terwyl hul sakestrategie en praktyk gedurig aanpas tot die veranderende wêreld. Die dinamiek van kernbehouding en die stimulasie van vooruitgang is die rede tot maatskappye soos Hewlett Packard, 3M, Merck, Sony en Nordstrom se posisie as elite instansies wat hulself kan hernu. Dit is belangrik om kennis te neem dat geen gedokumenteerde bewys bestaan dat maatskappye wat nie 'n missie en visie stelling het nie, minder suksesvol is as dié wat wel 'n missie en visie stelling het nie. Die dinamiek van die konsep ontwikkel in "Built to Last", naamlik behoud van die kern en stimulasie van vooruitgang, moet in gedagte gehou word. Visie en missie stellings is nie die primêre dryfkrag van blywende maatskappye nie, maar skep bloot die rigtinggewende konteks om hierdie dinamika lewe te gee.

ITC/USA 2011 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Seventh Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2011 / Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada / In geometrically complex indoor industrial environments, such as factories, health care facilities, or offices, it can be challenging to determine where each telemetry receiver needs to be located to collect data from one or more mobile transmitters. Accurately estimating the areas that each transmitter frequently travels, rarely travels, and quickly travels through, helps to simplify the telemetry system planning problem and establishes which areas may be acceptable to provide marginal coverage. This paper discusses how using A* (A-Star) for transmitter path planning can assist in the telemetry system planning problem.

Understanding the physical properties as well as the potential for organic material in the Martian near-surface environment can give us a glimpse into the history of the site with regards to water, soil formation processes, as well as the conditions necessary for life. This work is done to support the interpretation of data from the Phoenix Mars Lander as well as other past and future landed missions. The Antarctic Dry Valleys are a hyper-arid cold polar desert that is the most Mars-like place on Earth. Soils from two different soil and climate regimes are analyzed to determine their physical properties such as mineralogy, particle size, shape, color, and specific surface area. These data are used to describe the sample locations in Antarctica and infer properties of Martian soils by comparison to Antarctic sites. I find that the particle size distribution can be used to determine the water history of the site and that the behavior of soluble species in the soil can also be used to trace the movement of water through the soil and could be instructive in understanding how soil organic material is processed by the environment. Continuing with the theme of soil organic matter, we revisit the Viking conclusions with regards to organics on Mars and look at the Phoenix data on the same subject. First, we assume that Mars receives organic material from meteoritic infall. These organics will be processed by chemical oxidants as well as UV light down to 200 nm. Chemical oxidation is predicted to produce molecules such as mellitic acid, which could preserve up to 10% of the original organic mass. Using mellitic acid and other similar organic molecules, we irradiate these molecules with Mars-like ultraviolet light, analyzing the gases that come off as irradiation takes place. We find that organic molecules can survive Mars-like UV conditions as layers of UV-resistant organics build up, shielding the remaining organic material. Additionally, the gas products of irradiation depend on the composition of the original organic molecule, implying that even irradiated molecules will carry some information about the composition of the original molecule. Finally, we take this irradiated organic/soil stimulant mixture and analyze it via pyrolysis, similar to the Viking GC/MS and TEGA instruments that are the only instruments operated on Mars capable of detecting organics. We find that the pyrolysis of mellitic acid (and other similar) molecules primarily produces inorganic fragments but that the reduced carbon fragments released depend on the composition of the original organic. However, the introduction of perchlorate, discovered on Mars by the Phoenix Lander, complicates the issue by creating the conditions for molecular oxidation. The high-oxygen content and high pyrolysis temperatures lead to organic combustion during thermal analysis, meaning that, regardless of the initial composition, most soil organics will be oxidized to CO₂ during the detection process. By assuming that organic material was oxidized to CO₂ in the Phoenix and Viking samples. We show that this assumption gives organic concentrations consistent with meteoritic accumulation rates. This finding reopens the possibility for organic molecules in the near-surface environment at the Viking and Phoenix landing sites.

The discovery of Ni-, Cu-, and Zn-bearing Fe-sulfides from comet 81P/Wild 2 represents the strongest evidence, in the Stardust collection, of grains that formed in an aqueous environment. Crystalline sulfide assemblages from Wild 2 and the hydrothermally altered CI chondrite Orgueil were investigated. Structural and compositional characterizations of the sulfide grains from both collections reveal similarities. The Stardust samples include a cubanite (CuFe₂S₃) grain, a pyrrhotite [(Fe,Ni)₁₋ₓS]/pentlandite [(Fe,Ni)₉S₈] assemblage, and a pyrrhotite/sphalerite [(Fe,Zn)S] assemblage. Similarly, the CI-chondrite sulfides include individual cubanite and pyrrhotite grains, cubanite/pyrrhotite assemblages, pyrrhotite/pentlandite assemblages, as well as possible sphalerite inclusions within pyrrhotite grains. The cubanite is the low temperature orthorhombic form, which constrains temperature to a maximum of 210°C. The Stardust and Orgueil pyrrhotites are the 4C monoclinic polytype, which is not stable above ~250°C. The combinations of cubanite and pyrrhotite, as well as pyrrhotite and pentlandite, signify even lower temperatures. The crystal structures, compositions, and petrographic relationships of these sulfides constrain formation and alteration conditions. Taken together, these constraints attest to low-temperature hydrothermal processing. The hydrothermal conditions under which cubanite forms were investigated through thermodynamic modeling and experimental synthesis. A thermodynamic model for cubanite was developed to constrain its formation environment. Cubanite was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions consistent with those predicted for the CI-chondrite parent body. The similarity between Stardust and CI-chondrite sulfides suggest similar fluid conditions may have existed on the comet at some point in its history. The presence of cubanite in the Stardust collection has implications for large scale issues such as: heat sources in the comet-forming region; aqueous activity on cometary bodies; and the extent and mechanisms of radial mixing of material in the early nebula. The Wild 2 sulfides are most likely the products of low-temperature aqueous alteration and provide evidence of radial mixing of material from the inner solar system to the comet-forming region and possible secondary aqueous processing on the cometary body.

Foreign aid has become more and more popular after World War II; aiming to support undeveloped countries to accomplish economic growth. It is common for countries that once achieved a development stage to support other countries that haven’t; but aid as an instrument for promoting economic growth has had its difficulties to be effective and efficient. Many types of aid are used to maximize its impact and support among their recipient’s countries, nevertheless intentions from donors or surrounding conditions from recipients has not been the best to do so. Taiwan, who previously was a recipient of aid, has become a donor; it has aimed its support to those countries that not only support Taiwan’s international status but also need to achieve economic growth. Nicaragua is one of the countries who are supported by the ROC government. The main problem when supporting other countries development is evaluating the impact or efficiency with which aid is handed; therefore it is crucial for the donor country, in this case the ROC to estimate the effectiveness and efficiency of their aid. The purpose of this study is to evaluate Taiwan’s ICDF aid to the Nicaraguan society by SWOT analysis. This evaluation is important in order to establish if Taiwan’s aid has been effective or efficient; and for Nicaraguan society to acknowledge if economic growth is being achieved and how. Taiwan’s ICDF has cooperated in the country by promoting not only funding for Nicaraguan government projects but also throughout technical assistance to locals; which aim to improve their productions, auto sustainability and technical skills. This research will prove that indeed Taiwan ICDF has helped Nicaraguan society to accomplish economic growth throughout their projects, and will also provide some suggestions to maximize even more their impact among Nicaraguans. Keywords: Aid, Taiwan ICDF, Projects, Taiwan, ROC, Nicaragua, Bilateral Relations, Economic growth, SWOT analysis.

Retirement is an unavoidable and necessary phase in a person’s life. It is also one of the biggest transitions in the life cycle of a human being. Emeritus of the Apostolic Faith Mission of S.A. (AFM) have positive and negative feelings regarding their retirement. In the light of this fact the research question was posed: How can the AFM, from a pastoral perspective, understand the situation of, prepare and assist its emeritus in coping effectively with retirement - in the process addressing their holistic needs - maintaining a meaningful life in the service of God as integral members of His community? With reference to the abovementioned question it is the overall aim of this study to research the holistic needs of the pastors of the AFM, with the objective to create a pastoral model for retirement preparation. In so doing they can remain integral members of God`s community whose holistic needs are taken care of, in a Christian way. The study was done by using the practical-theological model of Osmer as starting point which comprises the following: * the normative task, where Scriptural perspectives on the topic have been researched; * the interpretative task, according to which material from other disciplines are studied; * an empirical research by way of interviews with emeritus; * and a practice theory to design a model for pre-retirement planning for pastors of the AFM. The normative task part of the research indicates that although the Bible does not say much regarding emeritus, definite direction is found regarding old age. God speaks through, and gives direction in his Word concerning the elderly. In the interpretative task part of the study very little literature is found regarding the retirement of clergy. Information exists, however, on the subject of the elderly. Numerous guidelines are also found in Scripture a propos the pastors as a holistic person in connection with body, soul and spirit. Research indicated that preparation for retirement is of cardinal importance. The results which surfaced from the empirical study, confirmed the normative and interpretative theoretical research. Subsequently the practice theory has been formulated from the hermeneutical interaction of the different elements of the research in the format of a model for pre-retirement planning. A model where the strategy for planning has been explained has been compiled finally. Matters related to the problems and fears of emeritus were addressed in creating a model. The intention of the pre-retirement education is to reduce the effect of negative stereotypes of retirement. It will further assist pastors to develop realistic goals for their retirement. With reference to the research question, central theoretical argument and the research reflected in chapters 2 to 5, the final conclusion states that pre-retirement planning for pastors of the AFM is very important. / PhD (Pastoral studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This thesis examines the relationship between denominational affiliation, class and gender in the city of Edinburgh between 1850 and 1905. The period was chosen because socially it was a time of transition from a semi-rural economy to one of rapid population growth, urbanisation and economic diversification. Account has also been taken of the political context, as ministers and elders, especially from dissenting congregations, played a leading role in the movements for social and political reform, both locally and nationally. In ecclesiastical terms, the Established Church of Scotland was recovering from the effects of the Disruption of 1843, which had broken up the unity of the Church and led to intense inter-denominational strife. Towards the end of the period, the first steps leading to Presbyterian reunion were under way, culminating in the union of the United Presbyterian and Free Churches in 1900. This was also a time of religious revivals, first from 1858-60, then with Moody and Sankey, especially their first campaign in 1873-74. The so-called ‘Welsh’ revival of 1905 also impacted on some Edinburgh churches. The thesis also brings out the close links between these revival movements and social welfare concern among church members. Although Presbyterianism was the dominant form of church government in Scotland, other denominations also played their part in the religious life of the city. In the social analysis of congregations, special attention is given to a comparison of contrasting pairs of churches. St. Stephen’s Church of Scotland in the northern New Town is compared with Free St. George’s at the West End. Two Congregational churches, Augustine and Brighton Street, while near neighbours, had a different ethos, with the latter being more aggressively evangelical. Finally, two Baptist churches are examined. Bristo Place, the original Scotch Baptist church, had a plurality of elders or lay pastors, while Charlotte Chapel was founded on ‘English’ lines with one full-time minister. The memberships of these six churches are analysed to ascertain whether particular denominations appealed to different social groups. An important part of my thesis is the position of the poor, who have often been regarded as lacking interest in religion. I will show that, contrary to this perception, many indeed were Christian but preferred to worship in their own environment, attending mission halls rather than the fashionable city churches. These missions were usually operated as evangelical outreach from large charges, with some later becoming independent from the mother church, and calling their own minister. However, they remained firmly based in their own localities. In this way class divisions, which were such a hallmark of Edinburgh, were preserved. Two missions operated on a non-denominational basis, drawing practical and financial support from many different churches. Carrubber’s Close Mission in the High Street worked in the poorest district, while the Edinburgh City Mission operated across the city. These missions were examples of Christianity in action as they sought to improve the social and moral conditions of the poor.