New Titles from the National Academies Press | Conflict and Security Issueshttp://www.nap.edu/rss?topic=2802013-05-25T02:27:29-04:00Science books from the publishers for the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research CouncilFuture of Battlespace Situational Awareness: A Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18353#final2013-05-21T18:47:55-04:002013-05-21T18:47:55-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p><em>Future Battlespace Situational Awareness</em> is the third workshop in an ongoing series of workshops conducted by the National Research Council's Committee for Science and Technology Challenges to U.S. National Security Interests. The first two workshops looked at individual technologies related to "big" data and future antennas and provided context for the topic addressed in the third workshop—the planning of a future warfare scenario. The objectives for the third workshop were to review technologies that enable battlespace situational awareness 10-20 years into the future for red and blue forces; and emphasize the capabilities within air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace.</p> <p>The workshop was held on May 30-31, 2012, in Suffolk, Virginia, at the Lockheed Martin Center for Innovation. The sessions were not open to the public because they involved discussions of classified material, including data addressing vulnerabilities, indicators, and observables. This series of workshops address U.S. and foreign research, why S&T applications of technologies in development are important in the context of military capabilities, and what critical scientific breakthroughs are needed to achieve advances in the fields of interest— focusing detailed attention on specific developments in the foregoing fields that might have national security implications for the United States. These workshops also consider methodology to track the relevant technology landscape for the future.</p> <p>The three workshops feature invited presentations and panelists and include discussions on a selected topic including themes relating to defense warning and surprise. <em>Future of Battlespace Situational Awareness</em> summarizes the third workshop.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18353">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/Zyx-GdzXFfc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18353Directed Evolution for Development and Production of Bioactive Agents: A Meeting Summarytag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18354#final2013-05-15T09:48:49-04:002013-05-15T09:48:49-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>In 2012, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) approached the National Research Council and asked that a committee be formed to develop a list of workshop topics to explore the impact of emerging science and technology. One topic that came out of that list was directed evolution for development and production of bioactive agents. This workshop was held on February 21-22, 2013.</p> <p><em>Directed Evolution for Development and Production of Bioactive Agents</em> explains the objectives of the workshop, which were to explore the potential use of directed evolution1 for military science and technology. Understanding the current research in this area, and the potential opportunities for U.S. adversaries to use this research, might allow the DIA to advise U.S. policy makers in an appropriate and timely manner. The workshop featured invited presentations and discussions that aimed to: <br /> -Inform the U.S. intelligence community of the current status of directed evolution technology and related research, and<br /> -Discuss possible approaches involving directed evolution that might be used by an adversary to develop toxic biological agents that could pose a threat to the United States or its allies, and how they could be identified.</p> <p>Members of the Committee on Science and Technology for Defense Warning planned the agenda for the workshop, selected the presenters, and helped moderate discussions in which meeting participants probed issues of national security related to directed evolution in an effort to gain an understanding of potential vulnerabilities. Experts were invited from the areas of directed evolution, biosynthesis, detection, and biological agents.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18354">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/YSzcV0n9yu8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18354Making the Soldier Decisive on Future Battlefieldstag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18321#final2013-05-10T11:58:28-04:002013-05-10T11:58:28-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>The U.S. military does not believe its soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines should be engaged in combat with adversaries on a "level playing field." Our combat individuals enter engagements to win. To that end, the United States has used its technical prowess and industrial capability to develop decisive weapons that overmatch those of potential enemies. In its current engagement—what has been identified as an "era of persistent conflict"— the nation's most important weapon is the dismounted soldier operating in small units. Today's soldier must be prepared to contend with both regular and irregular adversaries. Results in Iraq and Afghanistan show that, while the U.S. soldier is a formidable fighter, the contemporary suite of equipment and support does not afford the same high degree of overmatch capability exhibited by large weapons platforms—yet it is the soldier who ultimately will play the decisive role in restoring stability.</p> <p><em>Making the Soldier Decisive on Future Battlefields</em> establishes the technical requirements for overmatch capability for dismounted soldiers operating individually or in small units. It prescribes technological and organizational capabilities needed to make the dismounted soldier a decisive weapon in a changing, uncertain, and complex future environment and provides the Army with 15 recommendations on how to focus its efforts to enable the soldier and tactical small unit (TSU) to achieve overmatch.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18321">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=360'>Applications of Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/1WUZg0uJeRo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18321Zero-Sustainment Aircraft for the U.S. Air Force: A Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18295#final2013-05-08T02:45:59-04:002013-05-08T02:45:59-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>Overall Air Force weapon system sustainment (WSS) costs are growing at more than 4 percent per year, while budgets have remained essentially flat. The cost growth is due partly to aging of the aircraft fleet, and partly to the cost of supporting higher-performance aircraft and new capabilities provided by more complex and sophisticated systems, such as the latest intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms. Furthermore, the expectation for the foreseeable future is that sustainment budgets are likely to decrease, so that the gap between budgets and sustainment needs will likely continue to grow wider. Most observers accept that the Air Force will have to adopt new approaches to WSS if it is going to address this problem and remain capable of carrying out its missions.</p> <p>In this context, the original intent of this 3-day workshop was to focus on ways that science and technology (S&T) could help the Air Force reduce sustainment costs. However, as the workshop evolved, the discussions focused more and more on Air Force leadership, management authority, and culture as the more critical factors that need to change in order to solve sustainment problems. Many participants felt that while S&T investments could certainly help--particularly if applied in the early stages ("to the left") of the product life cycle--adopting a transformational management approach that defines the user-driven goals of the enterprise, empowers people to achieve them, and holds them accountable, down to the shop level. Several workshop participants urged Air Force leaders to start the process now, even though it will take years to percolate down through the entire organization. These sustainment concerns are not new and have been studied extensively, including recent reports from the National Research Council's Air Force Studies Board and the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18295">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=293'>Space and Aeronautics</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=416'>Aircraft and Flight</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/x32qCr6IDL4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18295U.S. Air Force Strategic Deterrence Capabilities in the 21st Century Security Environment: A Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18337#final2013-05-03T15:25:27-04:002013-05-03T15:25:27-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>Changes in the 21st century security environment require new analytic approaches to support strategic deterrence. Because current adversaries may be deterred from the use of nuclear weapons differently than were Cold War adversaries, the Air Force needs an analytic process and tools that can help determine those Air Force capabilities that will successfully deter or defeat these new nuclear-armed adversaries and assure U.S. allies. While some analytic tools are available, a coherent approach for their use in developing strategy and policy appears to be lacking. Without a coherent analytic approach that addresses the nuances of today's security environment, Air Force views of its strategic deterrence needs may not be understood or accepted by the appropriate decision makers.</p> <p>A coherent approach will support Air Force decisions about its strategic force priorities and needs, deter actual or potential adversaries, and assure U.S. allies. In this context, the Air Force in 2012 requested that the Air Force Studies Board of the National Research Council undertake a workshop to bring together national experts to discuss current challenges relating strategic deterrence and potential new tools and methods that the Air Force might leverage in its strategic deterrence mission.</p> <p>The workshop consisted of two 3-day sessions held in Washington, DC on September 26-28, 2012 and January 29-31, 2013 and was attended by a very diverse set of participants with expertise in strategic deterrence and a range of analytic tools of potential interest to the Air Force. <em>U.S. Air Force Strategic Deterrence Capabilities in the 21st Century Security Environment</em> summarizes this workshop.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18337">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/umIz6QDOL8A" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=183372011-2012 Assessment of the Army Research Laboratorytag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18269#final2013-04-09T00:00:00-04:002013-04-12T02:32:25-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>The charge of the Army Research Laboratory Technical Assessment Board (ARLTAB) is to provide biennial assessments of the scientific and technical quality of the research, development, and analysis programs at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). The ARLTAB is assisted by six panels, each of which focuses on the portion of the ARL program conducted by one of ARL's six directorates1. When requested to do so by ARL, the ARLTAB also examines work that cuts across the directorates. For example, during 2011-2012, ARL requested that the ARLTAB examine crosscutting work in the areas of autonomous systems and network science.</p> <p>The overall quality of ARL's technical staff and their work continues to be impressive. Staff continue to demonstrate clear, passionate mindfulness of the importance of transitioning technology to support immediate and longer-term Army needs. Their involvement with the wider scientific and engineering community continues to expand. Such continued involvement and collaboration are fundamentally important for ARL's scientific and technical activities and need to include the essential elements of peer review and interaction through publications and travel to attend professional meetings, including international professional meetings. In general, ARL is working very well within an appropriate research and development niche and has been demonstrating significant accomplishments, as exemplified in the following discussion, which also addresses opportunities and challenges.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18269">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/vwGwD3gzdUQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18269Materials and Manufacturing Capabilities for Sustaining Defense Systems: Summary of a Workshoptag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18252#final2013-03-29T00:00:00-04:002013-05-01T12:11:14-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>The Standing Committee on Defense Materials Manufacturing and Infrastructure (DMMI) conducted a workshop on July 23-24, 2012, to share information and gather perspectives on issues concerning Materials and Manufacturing Capabilities for Sustaining Defense Systems. This workshop, held at the headquarters building of the National Academies, 2101 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington D.C., was conducted according to the procedures of the National Research Council (NRC) for a convening activity. That is, all workshop participants—including presenters, members of the DMMI standing committee, Reliance 21, invited guests, and visitors—spoke as individuals, and no overall findings, conclusions, or recommendations were developed during or as a result of the workshop. All statements and views summarized in this publication are attributable only to those individuals who expressed them. It is worth noting that the sponsor, Reliance 21, is a Department of Defense group of professionals that was established to enable the DOD science and technology (S&T) community to work together to enhance Defense S&T programs, eliminate unwarranted duplication, and strengthen cooperation among the military services and other DOD agencies.</p> <p>The DMMI standing committee named a workshop planning group to develop the workshop agenda and decide on invited guests and presenters, in accordance with the statement of task approved by the Governing Board of the NRC. The planning group also consulted with the Reliance 21 materials and processing community of interest.</p> <p>The presentations and discussions during the workshop are summarized sequentially in the main part of this report. As an aid to readers, nine themes have been identified by the author that recurred in multiple presentations and discussions. <em>Materials and Manufacturing Capabilities for Sustaining Defense Systems: Summary of a Workshop </em>explains these nine themes and summarizes the two day workshop.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18252">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/XNGRSfvh34w" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18252Future U.S. Workforce for Geospatial Intelligencetag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18265#final2013-03-28T00:00:00-04:002013-04-02T08:49:27-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>We live in a changing world with multiple and evolving threats to national security, including terrorism, asymmetrical warfare (conflicts between agents with different military powers or tactics), and social unrest. Visually depicting and assessing these threats using imagery and other geographically-referenced information is the mission of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). As the nature of the threat evolves, so do the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to respond. The challenge for NGA is to maintain a workforce that can deal with evolving threats to national security, ongoing scientific and technological advances, and changing skills and expectations of workers.</p> <p><em>Future U.S. Workforce for Geospatial Intelligence</em> assesses the supply of expertise in 10 geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) fields, including 5 traditional areas (geodesy and geophysics, photogrammetry, remote sensing, cartographic science, and geographic information systems and geospatial analysis) and 5 emerging areas that could improve geospatial intelligence (GEOINT fusion, crowdsourcing, human geography, visual analytics, and forecasting). The report also identifies gaps in expertise relative to NGA's needs and suggests ways to ensure an adequate supply of geospatial intelligence expertise over the next 20 years.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18265">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=335'>Geography and Mapping</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/LnPQoJRnzNQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18265Safety and Security of Commercial Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage: Public Reporttag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11263#final2013-03-22T11:48:03-04:002013-03-22T11:48:37-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
In response to a request from Congress, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Homeland Security sponsored a National Academies study to assess the safety and security risks of spent nuclear fuel stored in cooling pools and dry casks at commercial nuclear power plants. The information provided in this book examines the risks of terrorist attacks using these materials for a radiological dispersal device. <i>Safety and Security of Commercial Spent Nuclear Fuel</i> is an unclassified public summary of a more detailed classified book. The book finds that successful terrorist attacks on spent fuel pools, though difficult, are possible. A propagating fire in a pool could release large amounts of radioactive material, but rearranging spent fuel in the pool during storage and providing emergency water spray systems would reduce the likelihood of a propagating fire even under severe damage conditions. The book suggests that additional studies are needed to better understand these risks. Although dry casks have advantages over cooling pools, pools are necessary at all operating nuclear power plants to store at least the recently discharged fuel. The book explains it would be difficult for terrorists to steal enough spent fuel to construct a significant radiological dispersal device. <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11263">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=376'>Waste Disposal and Clean Up</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/onHu4Wcy7fc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11263Potential Health Risks to DOD Firing-Range Personnel from Recurrent Lead Exposuretag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18249#final2013-03-20T00:00:00-04:002013-03-22T15:33:21-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>Lead is a ubiquitous metal in the environment, and its adverse effects on human health are well documented. Lead interacts at multiple cellular sites and can alter protein function in part through binding to amino acid sulfhydryl and carboxyl groups on a wide variety of structural and functional proteins. In addition, lead mimics calcium and other divalent cations, and it induces the increased production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species. Adverse effects associated with lead exposure can be observed in multiple body systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, renal, hematologic, immunologic, and reproductive systems. Lead exposure is also known to induce adverse developmental effects in utero and in the developing neonate.</p> <p>Lead poses an occupational health hazard, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed a lead standard for general industry that regulates many workplace exposures to this metal. The standard was promulgated in 1978 and encompasses several approaches for reducing exposure to lead, including the establishment of a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 μg/m3 in air (an 8-hour time-weighted average [TWA]), exposure guidelines for instituting medical surveillance, guidelines for removal from and return to work, and other risk-management strategies. An action level of 30 μg/m3 (an 8-hour TWA) for lead was established to trigger medical surveillance in employees exposed above that level for more than 30 days per year. Another provision is that any employee who has a blood lead level (BLL) of 60 μg/dL or higher or three consecutive BLLs averaging 50 μg/dL or higher must be removed from work involving lead exposure. An employee may resume work associated with lead exposure only after two BLLs are lower than 40 μg/dL. Thus, maintaining BLLs lower than 40 μg/dL was judged by OSHA to protect workers from adverse health effects. The OSHA standard also includes a recommendation that BLLs of workers who are planning a pregnancy be under 30μg/dL.</p> <p>In light of knowledge about the hazards posed by occupational lead exposure, the Department of Defense (DOD) asked the National Research Council to evaluate potential health risks from recurrent lead exposure of firing-range personnel. Specifically, DOD asked the National Research Council to determine whether current exposure standards for lead on DOD firing ranges protect its workers adequately.The committee also considered measures of cumulative lead dose. Potential Health Risks to DOD Firing-Range Personnel from Recurrent Lead Exposure will help to inform decisions about setting new air exposure limits for lead on firing ranges, about whether to implement limits for surface contamination, and about how to design lead-surveillance programs for range personnel appropriately.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18249">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=396'>Military and Veterans</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/R9lzxgmA4Kg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18249Adaptive Materials and Structures: A Workshop Reporttag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18296#final2013-02-27T09:45:01-05:002013-02-27T09:45:06-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>In 2012, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) approached the National Research Council's TIGER standing committee and asked it to develop a list of workshop topics to explore the impact of emerging science and technology. One topic that came out of that list was adaptive structural materials. This workshop was held on July 11-12, 2012. </p> <p>The objectives for the workshop were to explore the potential use of adaptive structural materials science and technology for military application. Understanding the current research in this area, and the potential opportunities to use this research by U.S. adversaries, allows the Defense Warning Office to advise U.S. policy makers in an appropriate and timely manner to take action on those areas deemed a national security risk. The workshop featured invited presentations and discussions that aimed to:<br /> 1. Review the latest advances and applications both nationally and internationally related to adaptive structural materials scientific research and technology development.<br /> 2. Review adaptive materials related to shape memory, magnetostrictive materials, magnetic shape memory alloys, phase change materials, and other metal and non-metallic materials research that may be uncovered during the course of workshop preparation and execution, to include all soft or nanoscale materials such as those used in human bone or tissue.<br /> 3. Review modeling, processing and fabrication related to defining designs or design requirements for future military or dual-use air, space, land, sea or human systems.<br /> 4. Review dual-use applications of commercial adaptive structural materials research and development, and the potential impacts on U.S. national security interests.<br /> 5. The workshop then focused on the application of adaptive structural materials technology and the national security implications for the United States, discussing U.S. and foreign researchers' current research, why the state or non-state actor application of a technology is important in the context of technological and military capabilities, and what critical breakthroughs are needed to advance the field.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18296">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/RWjbjfW1Vxg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18296Substance Use Disorders in the U.S. Armed Forcestag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13441#final2013-02-21T00:00:00-05:002013-02-21T13:58:28-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Problems stemming from the misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs are by no means a new phenomenon, although the face of the issues has changed in recent years. National trends indicate substantial increases in the abuse of prescription medications. These increases are particularly prominent within the military, a population that also continues to experience long-standing issues with alcohol abuse. The problem of substance abuse within the military has come under new scrutiny in the context of the two concurrent wars in which the United States has been engaged during the past decade--in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn). Increasing rates of alcohol and other drug misuse adversely affect military readiness, family readiness, and safety, thereby posing a significant public health problem for the Department of Defense (DoD).</p> <p>To better understand this problem, DoD requested that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) assess the adequacy of current protocols in place across DoD and the different branches of the military pertaining to the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs).<em> Substance Use Disorders in the U.S. Armed Forces </em>reviews the IOM's task of assessing access to SUD care for service members, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military dependents, as well as the education and credentialing of SUD care providers, and offers specific recommendations to DoD on where and how improvements in these areas could be made.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13441">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=396'>Military and Veterans</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=395'>Mental Health and Behavior</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/cM4rfpVilYE" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13441Energy-Efficiency Standards and Green Building Certification Systems Used by the Department of Defense for Military Construction and Major Renovationstag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18282#prepub2013-02-15T10:45:01-05:002013-02-15T10:45:28-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Prepublication Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Congress has an ongoing interest in ensuring that the 500,000 buildings and other structures owned and operated by the Department of Defense (DOD) are operated effectively in terms of cost and resource use. Section 2830 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional defense committees on the energy-efficiency and sustainability standards used by DOD for military construction and major renovations of buildings.</p> <p>DOD's report must include a cost-benefit analysis, return on investment, and long-term payback for the building standards and green building certification systems, including:<br /> (A) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 189.1-2011 for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential.<br /> (B) ASHRAE Energy Standard 90.1-2010 for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential.<br /> (C) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver, Gold, and Platinum certification for green buildings, as well as the LEED Volume certification.<br /> (D) Other American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standards.<br /> <br /> DOD's report to the congressional defense committees must also include a copy of DOD policy prescribing a comprehensive strategy for the pursuit of design and building standards across the department that include specific energy-efficiency standards and sustainable design attributes for military construction based on the cost-benefit analysis, return on investment, and demonstrated payback required for the aforementioned building standards and green building certification systems. <em>Energy-Efficiency Standards and Green Building Certification Systems Used by the Department of Defense for Military Construction and Major Renovations</em> summarizes the recommendations for energy efficiency.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18282">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=361'>Construction: Design, Research, Planning</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/DjYlXYcY9LI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18282Energy Reduction at U.S. Air Force Facilities Using Industrial Processes: A Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18281#final2013-02-04T11:38:54-05:002013-02-21T14:00:49-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Department of Defense (DoD) is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government. In turn, the U.S. Air Force is the largest consumer of energy in the DoD, with a total annual energy expenditure of around $10 billion. Approximately 84 percent of Air Force energy use involves liquid fuel consumed in aviation whereas approximately 12 percent is energy (primarily electricity) used in facilities on the ground. This workshop was concerned primarily with opportunities to reduce energy consumption within Air Force facilities that employ energy intensive industrial processes—for example, assembly/disassembly, painting, metal working, and operation of radar facilities—such as those that occur in the maintenance depots and testing facilities. Air Force efforts to reduce energy consumption are driven largely by external goals and mandates derived from Congressional legislation and executive orders. To date, these goals and mandates have targeted the energy used at the building or facility level rather than in specific industrial processes.</p> <p><br /> In response to a request from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology, and Engineering, the National Research Council, under the auspices of the Air Force Studies Board, formed the Committee on <em>Energy Reduction at U.S. Air Force Facilities Using Industrial Processes: A Workshop</em>. The terms of reference called for a committee to plan and convene one 3 day public workshop to discuss: (1) what are the current industrial processes that are least efficient and most cost ineffective? (2) what are best practices in comparable facilities for comparable processes to achieve energy efficiency? (3) what are the potential applications for the best practices to be found in comparable facilities for comparable processes to achieve energy efficiency? (4) what are constraints and considerations that might limit applicability to Air Force facilities and processes over the next ten year implementation time frame? (5) what are the costs and paybacks from implementation of the best practices? (6) what will be a proposed resulting scheme of priorities for study and implementation of the identified best practices? (7) what does a holistic representation of energy and water consumption look like within operations and maintenance?</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18281">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=283'>Energy and Energy Conservation</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=358'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/ZFpdhpikdS0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18281Capability Surprise for U.S. Naval Forces: Initial Observations and Insights: Interim Reporttag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18270#prepub2013-01-29T16:28:23-05:002013-01-29T16:28:30-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Prepublication Now Available</strong></p>
<p>A letter dated December 21, 2011, to National Academy of Sciences President Dr. Ralph Cicerone from the Chief of Naval Operations, ADM Jonathan W. Greenert, U.S. Navy, requested that the National Research Council's (NRC's) Naval Studies Board (NSB) conduct a study to examine the issues surrounding capability surprise—both operationally and technically related—facing the U.S. naval services. Accordingly, in February 2012, the NRC, under the auspices of its NSB, established the Committee on Capability Surprise for U.S. Naval Forces. The study's terms of reference, provided in Enclosure A of this interim report, were formulated by the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in consultation with the NSB chair and director. The terms of reference charge the committee to produce two reports over a 15-month period. The present report is the first of these, an interim report issued, as requested, following the third full committee meeting.</p> <p>The terms of reference direct that the committee in its two reports do the following: (1) Select a few potential capability surprises across the continuum from disruptive technologies, to intelligence inferred capability developments, through operational deployments and assess what U.S. Naval Forces are doing (and could do) about these surprises while mindful of future budgetary declines; (2) Review and assess the adequacy of current U.S. Naval Forces' policies, strategies, and operational and technical approaches for addressing these and other surprises; and (3) Recommend any changes, including budgetary and organizational changes, as well as identify any barriers and/or leadership issues that must be addressed for responding to or anticipating such surprises including developing some of our own surprises to mitigate against unanticipated surprises.</p> <p><em>Capability Surprise for U.S. Naval Forces: Initial Observations and Insights: Interim Report </em>highlights issues brought to the committee's attention during its first three meetings and provides initial observations and insights in response to each of the three tasks above. It is very much an interim report that neither addresses in its entirety any one element of the terms of reference nor reaches final conclusions on any aspect of capability surprise for naval forces. The committee will continue its study during the coming months and expects to complete by early summer 2013 its final report, which will address all of the elements in the study's terms of reference and explore many potential issues of capability surprise for U.S. naval forces not covered in this interim report.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18270">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/ELRiH7dbhCU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18270Climate and Social Stress: Implications for Security Analysistag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=14682#final2013-01-14T00:00:00-05:002013-01-16T13:44:08-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Climate change can reasonably be expected to increase the frequency and intensity of a variety of potentially disruptive environmental events--slowly at first, but then more quickly. It is prudent to expect to be surprised by the way in which these events may cascade, or have far-reaching effects. During the coming decade, certain climate-related events will produce consequences that exceed the capacity of the affected societies or global systems to manage; these may have global security implications. Although focused on events outside the United States, <em>Climate and Social Stress: Implications for Security Analysis</em> recommends a range of research and policy actions to create a whole-of-government approach to increasing understanding of complex and contingent connections between climate and security, and to inform choices about adapting to and reducing vulnerability to climate change.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=14682">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=367'>Climate Change</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=305'>Human Dimensions of Global Change</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=424'>Defense and Security</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=331'>Climate, Weather and Meteorology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/BVdv3ZofceQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=14682Public Response to Alerts and Warnings Using Social Media: Report of a Workshop on Current Knowledge and Research Gapstag:nap.edu,2013:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=15853#final2013-01-07T16:22:08-05:002013-01-16T10:01:20-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p> Following an earlier NRC workshop on public response to alerts and warnings delivered to mobile devices, a related workshop was held on February 28 and 29, 2012 to look at the role of social media in disaster response. This was one of the first workshops convened to look systematically at the use of social media for alerts and warnings—an event that brought together social science researchers, technologists, emergency management professionals, and other experts on how the public and emergency managers use social media in disasters.In addition to exploring how officials monitor social media, as well as the resulting privacy considerations, the workshop focused on such topics as: what is known about how the public responds to alerts and warnings; the implications of what is known about such public responses for the use of social media to provide alerts and warnings to the public; and approaches to enhancing the situational awareness of emergency managers. </p> <div><em>Public Response to Alerts and Warnings Using Social Media: Report of a Workshop on Current Knowledge and Research Gaps</em> summarizes presentations made by invited speakers, other remarks by workshop participants, and discussions during parallel breakout sessions. It also points to potential topics for future research, as well as possible areas for future research investment, and it describes some of the challenges facing disaster managers who are seeking to incorporate social media into regular practice. </div> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=15853">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=322'>Internet and Networking</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/qenj6GXd6IU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=15853Making Sense of Ballistic Missile Defense: An Assessment of Concepts and Systems for U.S. Boost-Phase Missile Defense in Comparison to Other Alternativestag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13189#final2012-12-28T00:00:00-05:002012-12-28T16:11:49-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Committee on an Assessment of Concepts and Systems for U.S. Boost-Phase Missile Defense in Comparison to Other Alternatives set forth to provide an assessment of the feasibility, practicality, and affordability of U.S. boost-phase missile defense compared with that of the U.S. non-boost missile defense when countering short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats from rogue states to deployed forces of the United States and its allies and defending the territory of the United States against limited ballistic missile attack.</p> <p>To provide a context for this analysis of present and proposed U.S. boost-phase and non-boost missile defense concepts and systems, the committee considered the following to be the missions for ballistic missile defense (BMD): protecting of the U.S. homeland against nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD); or conventional ballistic missile attacks; protection of U.S. forces, including military bases, logistics, command and control facilities, and deployed forces, including military bases, logistics, and command and control facilities. They also considered deployed forces themselves in theaters of operation against ballistic missile attacks armed with WMD or conventional munitions, and protection of U.S. allies, partners, and host nations against ballistic-missile-delivered WMD and conventional weapons.</p> <p>Consistent with U.S. policy and the congressional tasking, the committee conducted its analysis on the basis that it is not a mission of U.S. BMD systems to defend against large-scale deliberate nuclear attacks by Russia or China. <em>Making Sense of Ballistic Missile Defense: An Assessment of Concepts and Systems for U.S. Boost-Phase Missile Defense in Comparison to Other Alternatives</em> suggests that great care should be taken by the U.S. in ensuring that negotiations on space agreements not adversely impact missile defense effectiveness. This report also explains in further detail the findings of the committee, makes recommendations, and sets guidelines for the future of ballistic missile defense research.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13189">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/liMRj_cExSs" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13189Determining Core Capabilities in Chemical and Biological Defense Science and Technologytag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13516#final2012-12-13T00:00:00-05:002012-12-15T12:36:13-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The goal of the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD's) Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) is to provide support and world-class capabilities enabling he U.S. Armed Forces to fight and win decisively in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) environments. To accomplish this objective, the CBDP must maintain robust science and technology capabilities to support the research, development, testing, and evaluation required for the creation and validation of the products the program supplies.</p> <p>The threat from chemical and biological attack evolves due to the changing nature of conflict and rapid advances in science and technology (S&T), so the core S&T capabilities that must be maintained by the CBDP must also continue to evolve. In order to address the challenges facing the DoD, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) asked the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct a study to identify the core capabilities in S&T that must be supported by the program.</p> <p>The NRC Committee on Determining Core Capabilities in Chemical and Biological Defense Research and Development examined the capabilities necessary for the chemical and biological defense S&T program in the context of the threat and of the program's stated mission and priorities.<em> Determining Core Capabilities in Chemical and Biological Defense Science and Technology </em>contains the committee's findings and recommendations. It is intended to assist the DASD CBD in determining the best strategy for acquiring, developing, and/or maintaining the needed capabilities.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13516">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/expj8BV5uMk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13516Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessmenttag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13534#final2012-12-10T00:00:00-05:002012-12-12T16:55:16-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>On June 15, 2011, the Air Force Space Command established a new vision, mission, and set of goals to ensure continued U.S. dominance in space and cyberspace mission areas. Subsequently, and in coordination with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Space and Missile Systems Center, and the 14th and 24th Air Forces, the Air Force Space Command identified four long-term science and technology (S&T) challenges critical to meeting these goals. One of these challenges is to provide full-spectrum launch capability at dramatically lower cost, and a reusable booster system (RBS) has been proposed as an approach to meet this challenge.</p> <p><br /> The Air Force Space Command asked the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Research Council to conduct an independent review and assessment of the RBS concept prior to considering a continuation of RBS-related activities within the Air Force Research Laboratory portfolio and before initiating a more extensive RBS development program. The committee for the Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessment was formed in response to that request and charged with reviewing and assessing the criteria and assumptions used in the current RBS plans, the cost model methodologies used to fame [frame?] the RBS business case, and the technical maturity and development plans of key elements critical to RBS implementation. </p> <p><br /> The committee consisted of experts not connected with current RBS activities who have significant expertise in launch vehicle design and operation, research and technology development and implementation, space system operations, and cost analysis. The committee solicited and received input on the Air Force launch requirements, the baseline RBS concept, cost models and assessment, and technology readiness. The committee also received input from industry associated with RBS concept, industry independent of the RBS concept, and propulsion system providers which is summarized in <em>Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessment.</em></p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13534">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=293'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=420'>Space Systems and Hardware</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/4pOW_s98B9g" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13534Himalayan Glaciers: Climate Change, Water Resources, and Water Securitytag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13449#final2012-11-29T00:00:00-05:002012-11-29T13:02:31-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Scientific evidence shows that most glaciers in South Asia's Hindu Kush Himalayan region are retreating, but the consequences for the region's water supply are unclear, this report finds. The Hindu Kush Himalayan region is the location of several of Asia's great river systems, which provide water for drinking, irrigation, and other uses for about 1.5 billion people. Recent studies show that at lower elevations, glacial retreat is unlikely to cause significant changes in water availability over the next several decades, but other factors, including groundwater depletion and increasing human water use, could have a greater impact. Higher elevation areas could experience altered water flow in some river basins if current rates of glacial retreat continue, but shifts in the location, intensity, and variability of rain and snow due to climate change will likely have a greater impact on regional water supplies. </p> <p><em>Himalayan Glaciers: Climate Change, Water Resources, and Water Security</em> makes recommendations and sets guidelines for the future of climate change and water security in the Himalayan Region. This report emphasizes that social changes, such as changing patterns of water use and water management decisions, are likely to have at least as much of an impact on water demand as environmental factors do on water supply. Water scarcity will likely affect the rural and urban poor most severely, as these groups have the least capacity to move to new locations as needed. It is predicted that the region will become increasingly urbanized as cities expand to absorb migrants in search of economic opportunities. As living standards and populations rise, water use will likely increase-for example, as more people have diets rich in meat, more water will be needed for agricultural use. The effects of future climate change could further exacerbate water stress.</p> <p><em>Himalayan Glaciers: Climate Change, Water Resources, and Water Security </em>explains that changes in the availability of water resources could play an increasing role in political tensions, especially if existing water management institutions do not better account for the social, economic, and ecological complexities of the region. To effectively respond to the effects of climate change, water management systems will need to take into account the social, economic, and ecological complexities of the region. This means it will be important to expand research and monitoring programs to gather more detailed, consistent, and accurate data on demographics, water supply, demand, and scarcity.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13449">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=367'>Climate Change</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=331'>Climate, Weather and Meteorology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/OyPJWTy6hpc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13449Disaster Resilience: A National Imperativetag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13457#final2012-11-29T00:00:00-05:002012-11-29T11:04:14-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>No person or place is immune from disasters or disaster-related losses. Infectious disease outbreaks, acts of terrorism, social unrest, or financial disasters in addition to natural hazards can all lead to large-scale consequences for the nation and its communities. Communities and the nation thus face difficult fiscal, social, cultural, and environmental choices about the best ways to ensure basic security and quality of life against hazards, deliberate attacks, and disasters. Beyond the unquantifiable costs of injury and loss of life from disasters, statistics for 2011 alone indicate economic damages from natural disasters in the United States exceeded $55 billion, with 14 events costing more than a billion dollars in damages each.</p> <p>One way to reduce the impacts of disasters on the nation and its communities is to invest in enhancing resilience--the ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from and more successfully adapt to adverse events. <i>Disaster Resilience: A National Imperative</i> addresses the broad issue of increasing the nation's resilience to disasters. This book defines "national resilience", describes the state of knowledge about resilience to hazards and disasters, and frames the main issues related to increasing resilience in the United States. It also provide goals, baseline conditions, or performance metrics for national resilience and outlines additional information, data, gaps, and/or obstacles that need to be addressed to increase the nation's resilience to disasters. Additionally, the book's authoring committee makes recommendations about the necessary approaches to elevate national resilience to disasters in the United States.</p> <p>Enhanced resilience allows better anticipation of disasters and better planning to reduce disaster losses-rather than waiting for an event to occur and paying for it afterward. <i>Disaster Resilience</i> confronts the topic of how to increase the nation's resilience to disasters through a vision of the characteristics of a resilient nation in the year 2030. Increasing disaster resilience is an imperative that requires the collective will of the nation and its communities. Although disasters will continue to occur, actions that move the nation from reactive approaches to disasters to a proactive stance where communities actively engage in enhancing resilience will reduce many of the broad societal and economic burdens that disasters can cause.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13457">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=332'>Earthquakes, Floods and Natural Disasters</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/RRIZmAg4vKU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13457Human Performance Modification: Review of Worldwide Research with a View to the Futuretag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13480#final2012-11-19T13:45:01-05:002013-01-08T11:18:15-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The development of technologies to modify natural human physical and cognitive performance is one of increasing interest and concern, especially among military services that may be called on to defeat foreign powers with enhanced warfighter capabilities. Human performance modification (HPM) is a general term that can encompass actions ranging from the use of "natural" materials, such as caffeine or khat as a stimulant, to the application of nanotechnology as a drug delivery mechanism or in an invasive brain implant. Although the literature on HPM typically addresses methods that enhance performance, another possible focus is methods that degrade performance or negatively affect a military force's ability to fight.<br /> </p> <p>Advances in medicine, biology, electronics, and computation have enabled an increasingly sophisticated ability to modify the human body, and such innovations will undoubtedly be adopted by military forces, with potential consequences for both sides of the battle lines. Although some innovations may be developed for purely military applications, they are increasingly unlikely to remain exclusively in that sphere because of the globalization and internationalization of the commercial research base.</p> <p><br /> Based on its review of the literature, the presentations it received and on its own expertise, the Committee on Assessing Foreign Technology Development in Human Performance Modification chose to focus on three general areas of HPM: human cognitive modification as a computational problem, human performance modification as a biological problem, and human performance modification as a function of the brain-computer interface. <em>Human Performance Modification: Review of Worldwide Research with a View to the Future </em>summarizes these findings.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13480">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=424'>Defense and Security</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/0TT1H9DgVhU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13480Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery Systemtag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12050#final2012-11-14T13:45:01-05:002012-11-14T13:45:20-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The electric power delivery system that carries electricity from large central generators to customers could be severely damaged by a small number of well-informed attackers. The system is inherently vulnerable because transmission lines may span hundreds of miles, and many key facilities are unguarded. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that the power grid, most of which was originally designed to meet the needs of individual vertically integrated utilities, is being used to move power between regions to support the needs of competitive markets for power generation. Primarily because of ambiguities introduced as a result of recent restricting the of the industry and cost pressures from consumers and regulators, investment to strengthen and upgrade the grid has lagged, with the result that many parts of the bulk high-voltage system are heavily stressed.</p> <p>Electric systems are not designed to withstand or quickly recover from damage inflicted simultaneously on multiple components. Such an attack could be carried out by knowledgeable attackers with little risk of detection or interdiction. Further well-planned and coordinated attacks by terrorists could leave the electric power system in a large region of the country at least partially disabled for a very long time. Although there are many examples of terrorist and military attacks on power systems elsewhere in the world, at the time of this study international terrorists have shown limited interest in attacking the U.S. power grid. However, that should not be a basis for complacency. Because all parts of the economy, as well as human health and welfare, depend on electricity, the results could be devastating.</p> <p><em>Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System</em> focuses on measures that could make the power delivery system less vulnerable to attacks, restore power faster after an attack, and make critical services less vulnerable while the delivery of conventional electric power has been disrupted.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12050">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=283'>Energy and Energy Conservation</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=357'>Energy Use, Supply, Demand</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/xhWvyUvYgcc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12050Capability Planning and Analysis to Optimize Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Investmentstag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13421#final2012-11-07T00:00:00-05:002012-11-09T11:07:03-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities have expanded situation awareness for U.S. forces, provided for more precise combat effects, and enabled better decision making both during conflicts and in peacetime, and reliance on ISR capabilities is expected to increase in the future. ISR capabilities are critical to 3 of the 12 Service Core Functions of the U.S. Air Force: namely, Global Integrated ISR (GIISR) and the ISR components of Cyberspace Superiority and Space Superiority, and contribute to all others.</p> <p>In response to a request from the Air Force for ISR and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology, and Engineering, the National Research Council formed the Committee on Examination of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Capability Planning and Analysis (CP&A) Process. In this report, the committee reviews the current approach to the Air Force corporate planning and programming process for ISR capability generation; examines carious analytical methods, processes, and models for large-scale, complex domains like ISR; and identifies the best practices for the Air Force.</p> <p>In <em>Capability Planning and Analysis to Optimize Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Investments</em>, the current approach is analyzed and the best practices for the Air Force corporate planning and programming processed for ISR are recommended. This report also recommends improvements and changes to existing analytical tools, methods, roles and responsibilities, and organization and management that would be required to ensure the Air Force corporate planning and programming process for ISR is successful in addressing all Joint, National, and Coalition partner's needs.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13421">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/p7OfBHjJ9iw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13421Assuring the U.S. Department of Defense a Strong Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforcetag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13467#final2012-10-31T00:00:00-04:002012-11-12T14:28:18-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>The ability of the nation's military to prevail during future conflicts, and to fulfill its humanitarian and other missions, depends on continued advances in the nation's technology base. A workforce with robust Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) capabilities is critical to sustaining U.S. preeminence. Today, however, the STEM activities of the Department of Defense (DOD) are a small and diminishing part of the nation's overall science and engineering enterprise.</p> <p><em>Assuring the U.S. Department of Defense a Strong Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce</em> presents five principal recommendations for attracting, retaining, and managing highly qualified STEM talent within the department based on an examination of the current STEM workforce of DOD and the defense industrial base. As outlined in the report, DOD should focus its investments to ensure that STEM competencies in all potentially critical, emerging topical areas are maintained at least at a basic level within the department and its industrial and university bases.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13467">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=282'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=350'>Math and Science Education</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=289'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=407'>Workforce and Labor Issues</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/IELp1TWMsAE" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13467Disposal Options for the Rocket Motors From Nerve Agent Rockets Stored at Blue Grass Army Depottag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13439#final2012-10-18T10:45:01-04:002012-11-13T23:06:37-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) is under construction near Richmond, Kentucky, two dispose of one of the two remaining stockpiles of chemical munitions in the United States. The stockpile that BGCAPP will dispose of is stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD). BGCAPP is a tenant activity on BGAD.</p> <p><br /> The stockpile stored at BGAD consists of mustard agent loaded in projectiles, and the nerve agents GB and VX loaded into projectiles and M55 rockets. BGCAPP will process the rockets by cutting them, still in their shipping and firing tube (SFT), between the warhead and motor sections of the rocket. The warhead will be processed through BGCAPP. The separated rocket motors that have been monitored for chemical agent and cleared for transportation outside of BGCAPP, the subject of this report, will be disposed of outside of BGCAPP. Any motors found to be contaminated with chemical agent will be processed through BGCAPP and are not addressed in this report.</p> <p><br /> <em>Disposal Options for the Rocket Motors From Nerve Agent Rockets Stored at Blue Grass Army Depot</em> addresses safety in handling the separated rocket motors with special attention to the electrical ignition system, the need for adequate storage space for the motors in order to maintain the planned disposal rate at BGCAPP, thermal and chemical disposal technologies, and on-site and off-site disposal options. On-site is defined as disposal on BGAD, and off-site is defined as disposal by a commercial or government facility outside of BGAD.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13439">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=376'>Waste Disposal and Clean Up</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/I7DWdBuhmVw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13439Remediation of Buried Chemical Warfare Materieltag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13419#final2012-08-21T00:00:00-04:002012-08-22T12:00:37-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>As the result of disposal practices from the early to mid-twentieth century, approximately 250 sites in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and 3 territories are known or suspected to have buried chemical warfare materiel (CWM). Much of this CWM is likely to occur in the form of small finds that necessitate the continuation of the Army's capability to transport treatment systems to disposal locations for destruction. Of greatest concern for the future are sites in residential areas and large sites on legacy military installations.</p> <p>The Army mission regarding the remediation of recovered chemical warfare materiel (RCWM) is turning into a program much larger than the existing munition and hazardous substance cleanup programs. The Army asked the Nation Research Council (NRC) to examine this evolving mission in part because this change is significant and becoming even more prominent as the stockpile destruction is nearing completion. One focus in this report is the current and future status of the Non-Stockpile Chemical Material Project (NSCMP), which now plays a central role in the remediation of recovered chemical warfare materiel and which reports to the Chemical Materials Agency.</p> <p><em>Remediation of Buried Chemical Warfare Materiel </em>also reviews current supporting technologies for cleanup of CWM sites and surveys organizations involved with remediation of suspected CWM disposal sites to determine current practices and coordination. In this report, potential deficiencies in operational areas based on the review of current supporting technologies for cleanup of CWM sites and develop options for targeted research and development efforts to mitigate potential problem areas are identified.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13419">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=376'>Waste Disposal and Clean Up</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/vTSZTaBRnxQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13419Crisis Standards of Care: A Systems Framework for Catastrophic Disaster Responsetag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13351#final2012-07-26T00:00:00-04:002012-08-01T17:15:13-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Catastrophic disasters occurring in 2011 in the United States and worldwide--from the tornado in Joplin, Missouri, to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, to the earthquake in New Zealand--have demonstrated that even prepared communities can be overwhelmed. In 2009, at the height of the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene a committee of experts to develop national guidance for use by state and local public health officials and health-sector agencies and institutions in establishing and implementing standards of care that should apply in disaster situations-both naturally occurring and man-made-under conditions of scarce resources.</p> <p>Building on the work of phase one (which is described in IOM's 2009 letter report, Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations), the committee developed detailed templates enumerating the functions and tasks of the key stakeholder groups involved in crisis standards of care (CSC) planning, implementation, and public engagement-state and local governments, emergency medical services (EMS), hospitals and acute care facilities, and out-of-hospital and alternate care systems. Crisis Standards of Care provides a framework for a systems approach to the development and implementation of CSC plans, and addresses the legal issues and the ethical, palliative care, and mental health issues that agencies and organizations at each level of a disaster response should address. Please note: this report is not intended to be a detailed guide to emergency preparedness or disaster response. What is described in this report is an extrapolation of existing incident management practices and principles.</p> <p>Crisis Standards of Care is a seven-volume set: Volume 1 provides an overview; Volume 2 pertains to state and local governments; Volume 3 pertains to emergency medical services; Volume 4 pertains to hospitals and acute care facilities; Volume 5 pertains to out-of-hospital care and alternate care systems; Volume 6 contains a public engagement toolkit; and Volume 7 contains appendixes with additional resources.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13351">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=399'>Public Health and Prevention</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=400'>Public Policy</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=398'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/kcsXoVfEmrI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13351Improving the Decision Making Abilities of Small Unit Leaderstag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13188#final2012-07-06T00:00:00-04:002012-07-10T11:28:55-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>For the past decade, the U.S. Marine Corps and its sister services have been engaged in what has been termed "hybrid warfare," which ranges from active combat to civilian support. Hybrid warfare typically occurs in environments where all modes of war are employed, such as conventional weapons, irregular tactics, terrorism, disruptive technologies, and criminality to destabilize an existing order.</p> <p><br /> In August 2010, the National Research Council established the Committee on Improving the Decision Making Abilities of Small Unit Leaders to produce Improving the Decision Making Abilities of Small Unit Leaders. This report examines the operational environment, existing abilities, and gap to include data, technology, skill sets, training, and measures of effectiveness for small unit leaders in conducting enhanced company operations (ECOs) in hybrid engagement, complex environments. <em>Improving the Decision Making Abilities of Small Unit Leaders </em>also determines how to understand the decision making calculus and indicators of adversaries.</p> <p><br /> <em>Improving the Decision Making Abilities of Small Unit Leaders</em> recommends operational and technical approaches for improving the decision making abilities of small unit leaders, including any acquisition and experimentation efforts that can be undertaken by the Marine Corps and/or by other stakeholders aimed specifically at improving the decision making of small unit leaders. This report recommends ways to ease the burden on small unit leaders and to better prepare the small unit leader for success. <em>Improving the Decision Making Abilities of Small Unit Leaders</em> also indentifies a responsible organization to ensure that training and education programs are properly developed, staffed, operated, evaluated, and expanded.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13188">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=424'>Defense and Security</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/Ly4CuxOrXpo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13188Testing of Body Armor Materials: Phase IIItag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13390#final2012-06-21T00:00:00-04:002012-09-17T10:09:53-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>In 2009, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the report Warfighter Support: Independent Expert Assessment of Army Body Armor Test Results and Procedures Needed Before Fielding, which commented on the conduct of the test procedures governing acceptance of body armor vest-plate inserts worn by military service members. This GAO report, as well as other observations, led the Department of Defense Director, Operational Test & Evaluation, to request that the National Research Council (NRC) Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences conduct a three-phase study to investigate issues related to the testing of body armor materials for use by the U.S. Army and other military departments. Phase I and II resulted in two NRC letter reports: one in 2009 and one in 2010. This report is Phase III in the study.</p> <p><em>Testing of Body Armor Materials: Phase III</em> provides a roadmap to reduce the variability of clay processes and shows how to migrate from clay to future solutions, as well as considers the use of statistics to permit a more scientific determination of sample sizes to be used in body armor testing. This report also develops ideas for revising or replacing the Prather study methodology, as well as reviews comments on methodologies and technical approaches to military helmet testing. <em>Testing of Body Armor Materials: Phase III</em> also considers the possibility of combining various national body armor testing standards.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13390">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=364'>Materials</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=360'>Applications of Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/lGZRdi35N1Y" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13390Building a Resilient Workforce: Opportunities for the Department of Homeland Security: Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13380#final2012-06-18T00:00:00-04:002012-06-20T13:11:54-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p>Every job can lead to stress. How people cope with that stress can be influenced by many factors. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employs a diverse staff that includes emergency responders, border patrol agents, federal air marshals, and policy analysts. These employees may be exposed to traumatic situations and disturbing information as part of their jobs. DHS is concerned that long-term exposure to stressors may reduce individual resilience, negatively affect employees' well-being, and deteriorate the department's level of operation readiness.</p> <p>To explore DHS workforce resilience, the Institute of Medicine hosted two workshops in September and November 2011. The September workshop focused on DHS's operational and law enforcement personnel, while the November workshop concentrated on DHS policy and program personnel with top secret security clearances. The workshop brought together an array of experts from various fields including resilience research, occupation health psychology, and emergency response. <em>Building a Resilient Workforce: Opportunities for the Department of Homeland Security: Workshop Summary</em>:</p> <ol> <li>Defines workforce resilience and its benefits such as increased operational readiness and long-term cost savings for the specified population;</li> <li>Identifies work-related stressors faced by DHS workers, and gaps in current services and programs;</li> <li>Prioritizes key areas of concern; and</li> <li>Identifies innovative and effective worker resilience programs that could potentially serve as models for relevant components of the DHS workforce.</li> </ol> <p>The report presents highlights from more than 20 hours of presentations and discussions from the two workshops, as well as the agendas and a complete listing of the speakers, panelists, and planning committee members.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13380">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/7cqcfr_N72o" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13380Export Control Challenges Associated with Homeland Securitytag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13369#final2012-06-15T12:45:01-04:002012-06-15T12:45:19-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The "homeland" security mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is paradoxical: Its mission space is uniquely focused on the domestic consequences of security threats, but these threats may be international in origin, organization, and implementation. The DHS is responsible for the domestic security implications of threats to the United States posed, in part, through the global networks of which the United States is a part. While the security of the U.S. air transportation network could be increased if it were isolated from connections to the larger international network, doing so would be a highly destructive step for the entire fabric of global commerce and the free movement of people.</p> <p><br /> Instead, the U.S. government, led by DHS, is taking a leadership role in the process of protecting the global networks in which the United States participates. These numerous networks are both real (e.g., civil air transport, international ocean shipping, postal services, international air freight) and virtual (the Internet, international financial payments system), and they have become vital elements of the U.S. economy and civil society.</p> <p><br /> <em>Export Control Challenges Associated with Securing the Homeland </em>found that outdated regulations are not uniquely responsible for the problems that export controls post to DHS, although they are certainly an integral part of the picture. This report also explains that the source of these problems lies within a policy process that has yet to take into account the unique mission of DHS relative to export controls. <em>Export Control Challenges Associated with Securing the Homeland </em>explains the need by the Department of Defense and State to recognize the international nature of DHS's vital statutory mission, the need to further develop internal processes at DHS to meet export control requirements and implement export control policies, as well as the need to reform the export control interagency process in ways that enable DHS to work through the U.S. export control process to cooperate with its foreign counterparts.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13369">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/9NoY1BDwTUE" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13369Barriers to Integrating Crisis Standards of Care Principles into International Disaster Response Plans: Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13279#final2012-04-10T00:00:00-04:002012-04-10T15:29:22-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>When a nation or region prepares for public health emergencies such as a pandemic influenza, a large-scale earthquake, or any major disaster scenario in which the health system may be destroyed or stressed to its limits, it is important to describe how standards of care would change due to shortages of critical resources. At the 17th World Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine, the IOM Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness sponsored a session that focused on the promise of and challenges to integrating crisis standards of care principles into international disaster response plans.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13279">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=399'>Public Health and Prevention</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=398'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=392'>Healthcare and Quality</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/y7w0ZC8-E6g" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13279The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United Statestag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12849#final2012-03-30T13:15:02-04:002012-04-12T14:32:04-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>This report reviews and updates the 2002 National Research Council report, <em>Technical Issues Related to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)</em>. This report also assesses various topics, including:</p> <ul> <li>the plans to maintain the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile without nuclear-explosion testing;</li> <li>the U.S. capability to detect, locate, and identify nuclear explosions;</li> <li>commitments necessary to sustain the stockpile and the U.S. and international monitoring systems; and</li> <li>potential technical advances countries could achieve through evasive testing and unconstrained testing.</li> </ul> <p>Sustaining these technical capabilities will require action by the National Nuclear Security Administration, with the support of others, on a strong scientific and engineering base maintained through a continuing dynamic of experiments linked with analysis, a vigorous surveillance program, adequate ratio of performance margins to uncertainties. This report also emphasizes the use of modernized production facilities and a competent and capable workforce with a broad base of nuclear security expertise.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12849">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/TJfGkgswj14" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12849Application of Lightweighting Technology to Military Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircrafttag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13277#final2012-03-27T00:00:00-04:002012-03-28T14:18:35-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Lightweighting is a concept well known to structural designers and engineers in all applications areas, from laptops to bicycles to automobiles to buildings and airplanes. Reducing the weight of structures can provide many advantages, including increased energy efficiency, better design, improved usability, and better coupling with new, multifunctional features. While lightweighting is a challenge in commercial structures, the special demands of military vehicles for survivability, maneuverability and transportability significantly stress the already complex process.</p> <p><em>Application of Lightweighting Technology to Military Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft</em> assesses the current state of lightweighting implementation in land, sea, and air vehicles and recommends ways to improve the use of lightweight materials and solutions. This book considers both lightweight materials and lightweight design; the availability of lightweight materials from domestic manufacturers; and the performance of lightweight materials and their manufacturing technologies. It also considers the "trade space"--that is, the effect that use of lightweight materials or technologies can have on the performance and function of all vehicle systems and components. This book also discusses manufacturing capabilities and affordable manufacturing technology to facilitate lightweighting.</p> <p><em>Application of Lightweighting Technology to Military Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft</em> will be of interest to the military, manufacturers and designers of military equipment, and decision makers.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13277">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=360'>Applications of Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=364'>Materials</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/9l7q2ISzask" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13277Letter Report: The Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant's Water Recovery Systemtag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13372#final2012-03-07T10:45:01-05:002012-03-07T11:04:08-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) is under construction and will destroy the chemical weapons stockpile currently stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky. The Committee to Review the Water Recovery System at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant was assembled to review the water recovery system (WRS) that will be used to recycle the combined supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) system, cooling tower blowdown, and steam blowdown effluents for reuse as quench water in the SCWO process.</p> <br /> <br /> <p><em>The Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant's Water Recovery System </em>discusses various aspects of the WRS design and the committee's findings and recommendations. This report specifically reviews the anticipated operability of the current WRS design and the materials of construction selected for the WRS. This report reflects the reservations and recommendations of committee experts and will assist the BGCAPP program staff in operating the plant in as trouble-free a manner as possible.</p> <br /> <br /> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13372">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=376'>Waste Disposal and Clean Up</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=290'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=409'>Chemistry</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/whZw4PiM93w" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13372Biosecurity Challenges of the Global Expansion of High-Containment Biological Laboratoriestag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13315#final2012-03-02T00:00:00-05:002012-03-14T18:15:03-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>During July 10-13, 2011, 68 participants from 32 countries gathered in Istanbul, Turkey for a workshop organized by the United States National Research Council on Anticipating Biosecurity Challenges of the Global Expansion of High-containment Biological Laboratories. The United States Department of State's Biosecurity Engagement Program sponsored the workshop, which was held in partnership with the Turkish Academy of Sciences. The international workshop examined biosafety and biosecurity issues related to the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of high-containment biological laboratories- equivalent to United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention biological safety level 3 or 4 labs. Although these laboratories are needed to characterize highly dangerous human and animal pathogens, assist in disease surveillance, and produce vaccines, they are complex systems with inherent risks.</p> <p><em>Biosecurity Challenges of the Global Expansion of High-Containment Biological Laboratories</em> summarizes the workshop discussion, which included the following topics:</p> <ul> <li>Technological options to meet diagnostic, research, and other goals;</li> <li>Laboratory construction and commissioning;</li> <li>Operational maintenance to provide sustainable capabilities, safety, and security; and</li> <li>Measures for encouraging a culture of responsible conduct.</li> </ul> <p>Workshop attendees described the history and current challenges they face in their individual laboratories. Speakers recounted steps they were taking to improve safety and security, from running training programs to implementing a variety of personnel reliability measures. Many also spoke about physical security, access controls, and monitoring pathogen inventories. Workshop participants also identified tensions in the field and suggested possible areas for action.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13315">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=278'>Biology and Life Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=314'>Biotechnology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/_NFAZtBzesc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13315Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities for Converting U.S. and Russian Research Reactors: A Workshoptag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13346#final2012-02-28T09:45:01-05:002012-02-28T10:07:52-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Highly enriched uranium (HEU) is used for two major civilian purposes: as fuel for research reactors and as targets for medical isotope production. This material can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Stolen or diverted HEU can be used-in conjunction with some knowledge of physics-to build nuclear explosive devices. Thus, the continued civilian use of HEU is of concern particularly because this material may not be uniformly well-protected. To address these concerns, the National Research Council (NRC) of the U.S. National Academies and the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) held a joint symposium on June 8-10, 2011.<br /> <br /> <em>Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities for Converting U.S. and Russian Research Reactors</em> summarizes the proceedings of this joint symposium. This report addresses: (1) recent progress on conversion of research reactors, with a focus on U.S.- and R.F.-origin reactors; (2) lessons learned for overcoming conversion challenges, increasing the effectiveness of research reactor use, and enabling new reactor missions; (3) future research reactor conversion plans, challenges, and opportunities; and (4) actions that could be taken by U.S. and Russian organizations to promote conversion. The agenda for the symposium is provided in Appendix A, biographical sketches of the committee members are provided in Appendix B, and the report concludes with the statement of task in Appendix C.<br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13346">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=283'>Energy and Energy Conservation</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=358'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=374'>Radiation</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/3DGQaHuE3yU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13346Managing for High-Quality Science and Engineering at the NNSA National Security Laboratoriestag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13367#prepub2012-02-15T10:45:37-05:002012-02-15T10:45:54-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Prepublication Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The three National Security Laboratories--Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)--are managed by private-sector entities under contract to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The FY2010 Defense Authorization Act mandated that NNSA task the National Research Council (NRC) to study the quality and management of Science and Engineering (S&E) at these Laboratories. <br /> <br /> This study (addressing a total of 5 tasks) is being conducted in two phases. This report covers the first phase, which addresses the relationship between the quality of the science and engineering at the Laboratory and the contract for managing and operating the Laboratory (task 4), and also addresses the management of work conducted by the Laboratory for entities other than the Department of Energy (task 5). The study's second phase will evaluate the actual quality of S&E in key subject areas.<br /> <br /> <em>Managing for High-Quality Science and Engineering at the NNSA National Security Laboratories</em> presents assessments of the evolution of the mission of the NNSA Labs and the management and performance of research in support of the missions, and the relationship between the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program and the ability of the Labs to fulfill their mission. The report examines the framework for managing science and engineering research at the Labs and provides an analysis of the relationships among the several players in the management of the Labs--the NNSA, the site offices, the contractors, and the Lab managers--and the effect of that relationship on the Laboratories' ability to carry out science and engineering research.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13367">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/zt78znWIEXU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13367Frontiers of Engineering 2011: Reports on Leading-Edge Engineering from the 2011 Symposiumtag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13274#final2012-02-06T09:35:00-05:002012-02-06T09:35:29-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The practice of engineering is continually changing. Engineers today must be able not only to thrive in an environment of rapid technological change and globalization, but also to work on interdisciplinary teams. Cutting-edge research is being done at the intersections of engineering disciplines, and successful researchers and practitioners must be aware of developments and challenges in areas that may not be familiar to them. <br /> <br /> At the U.S. Frontiers of Engineer Symposium, engineers have the opportunity to learn from their peers about pioneering work being done in many areas of engineering. <i>Frontiers of Engineering 2011: Reports on Leading-Edge Engineering from the 2011 Symposium</i> highlights the papers presented at the event. This book covers four general topics from the 2011 symposium: additive manufacturing, semantic processing, engineering sustainable buildings, and neuro-prosthetics. The papers from these presentations provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities of these fields of inquiry, and communicate the excitement of discovery.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13274">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=361'>Construction: Design, Research, Planning</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/GiqWDk2fPow" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13274Industrial Methods for the Effective Development and Testing of Defense Systemstag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13291#final2012-01-27T00:00:00-05:002012-01-30T11:42:32-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>During the past decade and a half, the National Research Council, through its Committee on National Statistics, has carried out a number of studies on the application of statistical methods to improve the testing and development of defense systems. These studies were intended to provide advice to the Department of Defense (DOD), which sponsored these studies. The previous studies have been concerned with the role of statistical methods in testing and evaluation, reliability practices, software methods, combining information, and evolutionary acquisition.</p> <p><i>Industrial Methods for the Effective Testing and Development of Defense Systems</i> is the latest in a series of studies, and unlike earlier studies, this report identifies current engineering practices that have proved successful in industrial applications for system development and testing. This report explores how developmental and operational testing, modeling and simulation, and related techniques can improve the development and performance of defense systems, particularly techniques that have been shown to be effective in industrial applications and are likely to be useful in defense system development. In addition to the broad issues, the report identifies three specific topics for its focus: finding failure modes earlier, technology maturity, and use of all relevant information for operational assessments.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13291">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=361'>Construction: Design, Research, Planning</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/fJZjQNHuxGg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13291Prepositioning Antibiotics for Anthraxtag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13218#final2012-01-26T00:00:00-05:002012-01-26T15:19:25-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>If terrorists released Bacillus anthracis over a large city, hundreds of thousands of people could be at risk of the deadly disease anthrax-caused by the B. anthracis spores-unless they had rapid access to antibiotic medical countermeasures (MCM). Although plans for rapidly delivering MCM to a large number of people following an anthrax attack have been greatly enhanced during the last decade, many public health authorities and policy experts fear that the nation's current systems and plans are insufficient to respond to the most challenging scenarios, such as a very large-scale anthrax attack. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response commissioned the Institute of Medicine to examine the potential uses, benefits, and disadvantages of strategies for repositioning antibiotics. This involves storing antibiotics close to or in the possession of the people who would need rapid access to them should an attack occur.</p> <p><em>Prepositioning Antibiotics for Anthrax </em>reviews the scientific evidence on the time window in which antibiotics successfully prevent anthrax and the implications for decision making about prepositioning, describes potential prepositioning strategies, and develops a framework to assist state, local, and tribal public health authorities in determining whether prepositioning strategies would be beneficial for their communities. However, based on an analysis of the likely health benefits, health risks, and relative costs of the different prepositioning strategies, the book also develops findings and recommendations to provide jurisdictions with some practical insights as to the circumstances in which different prepositioning strategies may be beneficial. Finally, the book identifies federal- and national-level actions that would facilitate the evaluation and development of prepositioning strategies.</p> <p>Recognizing that communities across the nation have differing needs and capabilities, the findings presented in this report are intended to assist public health officials in considering the benefits, costs, and trade-offs involved in developing alternative prepositioning strategies appropriate to their particular communities.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13218">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=399'>Public Health and Prevention</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/HBo2giMAZBM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13218Improving Metrics for the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Programtag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13289#final2012-01-25T10:45:01-05:002012-01-25T10:45:20-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program was created in 1991 as a set of support activities assisting the Former Soviet Union states in securing and eliminating strategic nuclear weapons and the materials used to create them. The Program evolved as needs and opportunities changed: Efforts to address biological and chemical threats were added, as was a program aimed at preventing cross-border smuggling of weapons of mass destruction. CTR has traveled through uncharted territory since its inception, and both the United States and its partners have taken bold steps resulting in progress unimagined in initial years. Over the years, much of the debate about CTR on Capitol Hill has concerned the effective use of funds, when the partners would take full responsibility for the efforts, and how progress, impact, and effectiveness should be measured.<br /> <br /> Directed by Congress, the Secretary of Defense completed a report describing DoD's metrics for the CTR Program (here called the DoD Metrics Report) in September 2010 and, as required in the same law, contracted with the National Academy of Sciences to review the metrics DoD developed and identify possible additional or alternative metrics, if necessary. <em>Improving Metrics for the DoD Cooperative Threat Reduction Program</em> provides that review and advice.</p> <p><em>Improving Metrics for the DoD Cooperative Threat Reduction Program</em> identifies shortcomings in the DoD Metrics Report and provides recommendations to enhance DoD's development and use of metrics for the CTR Program. The committee wrote this report with two main audiences in mind: Those who are mostly concerned with the overall assessment and advice, and those readers directly involved in the CTR Program, who need the details of the DoD report assessment and of how to implement the approach that the committee recommends.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13289">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/ig6ik9Y4yIg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13289Proliferation Risk in Nuclear Fuel Cycles: Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2012:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13259#final2012-01-11T09:45:01-05:002012-03-05T16:46:12-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The worldwide expansion of nuclear energy has been accompanied by concerns about nuclear weapons proliferation. If sited in states that do not possess nuclear weapons technology, some civilian nuclear technologies could provide a route for states or other organizations to acquire nuclear weapons. Metrics for assessing the resistance of a nuclear technology to diversion for non-peaceful uses-proliferation resistance-have been developed, but at present there is no clear consensus on whether and how these metrics are useful to policy decision makers. <br /> <br /> In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy asked the National Academies to convene a public workshop addressing the capability of current and potential methodologies for assessing host state proliferation risk and resistance to meet the needs of decision makers. <em>Proliferation Risk in Nuclear Fuel Cycles</em> is a summary of presentations and discussions that transpired at the workshop-held on August 1-2, 2011-prepared by a designated rapporteur following the workshop. It does not provide findings and recommendations or represent a consensus reached by the symposium participants or the workshop planning committee. However, several themes emerged through the workshop: nonproliferation and new technologies, separate policy and technical cultures, value of proliferation resistance analysis, usefulness of social science approaches. <br /> <br /> The workshop was organized as part of a larger project undertaken by the NRC, the next phase of which (following the workshop) will be a consensus study on improving the assessment of proliferation risks associated with nuclear fuel cycles. This study will culminate in a report prepared by a committee of experts with expertise in risk assessment and communication, proliferation metrics and research, nuclear fuel cycle facility design and engineering, international nuclear nonproliferation and national security policy, and nuclear weapons design. This report is planned for completion in the spring of 2013.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13259">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id='></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'></a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/agvGIdyvjBo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13259Life Sciences and Related Fields: Trends Relevant to the Biological Weapons Conventiontag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13130#final2011-12-02T00:00:00-05:002011-12-05T11:27:17-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>During the last decade, national and international scientific organizations have become increasingly engaged in considering how to respond to the biosecurity implications of developments in the life sciences and in assessing trends in science and technology (S&T) relevant to biological and chemical weapons nonproliferation. The latest example is an international workshop, <i>Trends in Science and Technology Relevant to the Biological Weapons Convention,</i> held October 31 - November 3, 2010 at the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.</p> <p><i>Life Sciences and Related Fields</i> summarizes the workshop, plenary, and breakout discussion sessions held during this convention. Given the immense diversity of current research and development, the report is only able to provide an overview of the areas of science and technology the committee believes are potentially relevant to the future of the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention (BWC), although there is an effort to identify areas that seemed particularly ripe for further exploration and analysis. The report offers findings and conclusions organized around three fundamental and frequently cited trends in S&T that affect the scope and operation of the convention:</p> <ul> <li>The rapid pace of change in the life sciences and related fields;</li> <li>The increasing diffusion of life sciences research capacity and its applications, both internationally and beyond traditional research institutions; and</li> <li>The extent to which additional scientific and technical disciplines beyond biology are increasingly involved in life sciences research.</li> </ul> <p>The report does not make recommendations about policy options to respond to the implications of the identified trends. The choice of such responses rests with the 164 States Parties to the Convention, who must take into account multiple factors beyond the project's focus on the state of the science.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13130">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=278'>Biology and Life Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=314'>Biotechnology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/kkCLIufzyQo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13130Examination of the U.S. Air Force's Aircraft Sustainment Needs in the Future and Its Strategy to Meet Those Needstag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13177#final2011-10-17T00:00:00-04:002011-10-21T11:39:34-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The ability of the United States Air Force (USAF) to keep its aircraft operating at an acceptable operational tempo, in wartime and in peacetime, has been important to the Air Force since its inception. This is a much larger issue for the Air Force today, having effectively been at war for 20 years, with its aircraft becoming increasingly more expensive to operate and maintain and with military budgets certain to further decrease. The enormously complex Air Force weapon system sustainment enterprise is currently constrained on many sides by laws, policies, regulations and procedures, relationships, and organizational issues emanating from Congress, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Air Force itself.</p> <p>Against the back-drop of these stark realities, the Air Force requested the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies, under the auspices of the Air Force Studies Board to conduct and in-depth assessment of current and future Air Force weapon system sustainment initiatives and recommended future courses of action for consideration by the Air Force.</p> <p><i>Examination of the U.S. Air Force's Aircraft Sustainment Needs in the Future and Its Strategy to Meet Those Needs</i> addresses the following topics:</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Assess current sustainment investments, infrastructure, and processes for adequacy in sustaining aging legacy systems and their support equipment.</li> <li>Determine if any modifications in policy are required and, if so, identify them and make recommendations for changes in Air Force regulations, policies, and strategies to accomplish the sustainment goals of the Air Force.</li> <li>Determine if any modifications in technology efforts are required and, if so, identify them and make recommendations regarding the technology efforts that should be pursued because they could make positive impacts on the sustainment of the current and future systems and equipment of the Air Force.</li> <li>Determine if the Air Logistics Centers have the necessary resources (funding, manpower, skill sets, and technologies) and are equipped and organized to sustain legacy systems and equipment and the Air Force of tomorrow.</li> <li>Identify and make recommendations regarding incorporating sustainability into future aircraft designs.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13177">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=293'>Space and Aeronautics</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=416'>Aircraft and Flight</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/a-EkftKfwC8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13177National Earthquake Resilience: Research, Implementation, and Outreachtag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13092#final2011-08-09T00:00:00-04:002011-08-10T15:08:11-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The United States will certainly be subject to damaging earthquakes in the future. Some of these earthquakes will occur in highly populated and vulnerable areas. Coping with moderate earthquakes is not a reliable indicator of preparedness for a major earthquake in a populated area. The recent, disastrous, magnitude-9 earthquake that struck northern Japan demonstrates the threat that earthquakes pose. Moreover, the cascading nature of impacts-the earthquake causing a tsunami, cutting electrical power supplies, and stopping the pumps needed to cool nuclear reactors-demonstrates the potential complexity of an earthquake disaster. Such compound disasters can strike any earthquake-prone populated area. <em>National Earthquake Resilience</em> presents a roadmap for increasing our national resilience to earthquakes.</p> <p>The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) is the multi-agency program mandated by Congress to undertake activities to reduce the effects of future earthquakes in the United States. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-the lead NEHRP agency-commissioned the National Research Council (NRC) to develop a roadmap for earthquake hazard and risk reduction in the United States that would be based on the goals and objectives for achieving national earthquake resilience described in the 2008 NEHRP Strategic Plan. National Earthquake Resilience does this by assessing the activities and costs that would be required for the nation to achieve earthquake resilience in 20 years.</p> <p><em>National Earthquake Resilience</em> interprets resilience broadly to incorporate engineering/science (physical), social/economic (behavioral), and institutional (governing) dimensions. Resilience encompasses both pre-disaster preparedness activities and post-disaster response. In combination, these will enhance the robustness of communities in all earthquake-vulnerable regions of our nation so that they can function adequately following damaging earthquakes. While <em>National Earthquake Resilience</em> is written primarily for the NEHRP, it also speaks to a broader audience of policy makers, earth scientists, and emergency managers.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13092">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=332'>Earthquakes, Floods and Natural Disasters</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=340'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/rDWR0JZmC48" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13092Advancing Regulatory Science for Medical Countermeasure Development: Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13173#final2011-07-27T00:00:00-04:002011-07-28T15:39:49-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Whether or not the United States has safe and effective medical countermeasures--such as vaccines, drugs, and diagnostic tools--available for use during a disaster can mean the difference between life and death for many Americans. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the scientific community at large could benefit from improved scientific tools and analytic techniques to undertake the complex scientific evaluation and decision making needed to make essential medical countermeasures available. At the request of FDA, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) held a workshop to examine methods to improve the development, evaluation, approval, and regulation of medical countermeasures.</p> <p>During public health emergencies such as influenza or chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear (CBRN) attacks, safe and effective vaccines, treatments, and other medical countermeasures are essential to protecting national security and the well being of the public. <em>Advancing Regulatory Science for Medical Countermeasure Development</em> examines current medical countermeasures, and investigates the future of research and development in this area. Convened on March 29-30, 2011, this workshop identified regulatory science tools and methods that are available or under development, as well as major gaps in currently available regulatory science tools.</p> <p><em>Advancing Regulatory Science for Medical Countermeasure Development</em> is a valuable resource for federal agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Defense (DoD), as well as health professionals, and public and private health organizations.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13173">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=398'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/sCd7U19wzX8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13173Opportunities in Protection Materials Science and Technology for Future Army Applicationstag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13157#final2011-07-27T00:00:00-04:002011-08-01T12:58:43-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Armor plays a significant role in the protection of warriors. During the course of history, the introduction of new materials and improvements in the materials already used to construct armor has led to better protection and a reduction in the weight of the armor. But even with such advances in materials, the weight of the armor required to manage threats of ever-increasing destructive capability presents a huge challenge.<br /> <br /> <em>Opportunities in Protection Materials Science and Technology for Future Army Applications</em> explores the current theoretical and experimental understanding of the key issues surrounding protection materials, identifies the major challenges and technical gaps for developing the future generation of lightweight protection materials, and recommends a path forward for their development. It examines multiscale shockwave energy transfer mechanisms and experimental approaches for their characterization over short timescales, as well as multiscale modeling techniques to predict mechanisms for dissipating energy. The report also considers exemplary threats and design philosophy for the three key applications of armor systems: (1) personnel protection, including body armor and helmets, (2) vehicle armor, and (3) transparent armor. <br /> <br /> <em>Opportunities in Protection Materials Science and Technology for Future Army Applications </em>recommends that the Department of Defense (DoD) establish a defense initiative for protection materials by design (PMD), with associated funding lines for basic and applied research. The PMD initiative should include a combination of computational, experimental, and materials testing, characterization, and processing research conducted by government, industry, and academia.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13157">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=360'>Applications of Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/hC3JV1LhPTw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13157Protecting the Frontline in Biodefense Research: The Special Immunizations Programtag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13112#final2011-06-23T00:00:00-04:002011-06-24T09:48:48-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. Army's Special Immunizations Program is an important component of an overall biosafety program for laboratory workers at risk of exposure to hazardous pathogens. The program provides immunizations to scientists, laboratory technicians and other support staff who work with certain hazardous pathogens and toxins. Although first established to serve military personnel, the program was expanded through a cost-sharing agreement in 2004 to include other government and civilian workers, reflecting the expansion in biodefense research in recent years. <em>Protecting the Frontline in Biodefense Research </em>examines issues related to the expansion of the Special Immunizations Program, considering the regulatory frameworks under which the vaccines are administered, how additional vaccines might be considered for inclusion in the Program, and factors that might influence the development and manufacturing of vaccines for the Special Immunizations Program.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13112">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/jXzxylCYQu4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13112Review of the Scientific Approaches Used During the FBI's Investigation of the 2001 Anthrax Letterstag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13098#final2011-06-01T00:00:00-04:002011-10-11T16:38:41-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Less than a month after the September 11, 2001 attacks, letters containing spores of anthrax bacteria (Bacillus anthracis, or B. anthracis) were sent through the U.S. mail. Between October 4 and November 20, 2001, 22 individuals developed anthrax; 5 of the cases were fatal.</p> <p>During its investigation of the anthrax mailings, the FBI worked with other federal agencies to coordinate and conduct scientific analyses of the anthrax letter spore powders, environmental samples, clinical samples, and samples collected from laboratories that might have been the source of the letter-associated spores. The agency relied on external experts, including some who had developed tests to differentiate among strains of B. anthracis. In 2008, seven years into the investigation, the FBI asked the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct an independent review of the scientific approaches used during the investigation of the 2001 B. anthracis mailings. <br /> <br /> <em>Review of the Scientific Approaches Used During the FBI's Investigation of the Anthrax Letters </em>evaluates the scientific foundation for the techniques used by the FBI to determine whether these techniques met appropriate standards for scientific reliability and for use in forensic validation, and whether the FBI reached appropriate scientific conclusions from its use of these techniques. This report reviews and assesses scientific evidence considered in connection with the 2001 Bacillus anthracis mailings.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13098">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=278'>Biology and Life Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=317'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=290'>Math, Chemistry and Physics</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=409'>Chemistry</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/bDPMKudrX34" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13098National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forcestag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12914#final2011-05-26T00:00:00-04:002011-05-27T16:32:18-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>In response to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), the National Research Council appointed a committee operating under the auspices of the Naval Studies Board to study the national security implications of climate change for U.S. naval forces. In conducting this study, the committee found that even the most moderate current trends in climate, if continued, will present new national security challenges for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. While the timing, degree, and consequences of future climate change impacts remain uncertain, many changes are already underway in regions around the world, such as in the Arctic, and call for action by U.S. naval leadership in response.</p> <p>The terms of reference (TOR) directed that the study be based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios and other peer-reviewed assessment. Therefore, the committee did not address the science of climate change or challenge the scenarios on which the committee's findings and recommendations are based. <em>National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces</em> addresses both the near- and long-term implications for U.S. naval forces in each of the four areas of the TOR, and provides corresponding findings and recommendations. This report and its conclusions are organized around six discussion areas--all presented within the context of a changing climate.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12914">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=294'>Transportation</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=422'>Policy</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/kzRur5yB-W4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12914Assessment of Approaches for Using Process Safety Metrics at the Blue Grass and Pueblo Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plantstag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13041#final2011-05-11T10:45:01-04:002011-07-26T14:08:55-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Department of Defense, through the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, is currently in the process of constructing two full-scale pilot plants at the Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado and the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky to destroy the last two remaining inventories of chemical weapons in the U.S. stockpile. These two storage sites together account for about 10 percent of the original U.S. chemical agent stockpile that is in the process of being destroyed in accordance with the international Chemical Weapons Convention treaty. Unlike their predecessors, these facilities will use neutralization technologies to destroy agents contained within rockets, projectiles, and mortar rounds, requiring the use of specially designed equipment. <br /> <br /> As part of its focus on safe operation of the planned facilities, the Program Manager for Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives asked the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct a study to offer guidance on the application of process safety metrics at the Pueblo Chemical Depot and Blue Grass Army Depot. Process safety is a disciplined framework for managing the integrity of operating systems, processes and personnel handling hazardous substances, and operations by applying good design principles, engineering, and operating practices. <em>Process Safety Metrics at the Blue Grass and Pueblo Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plants</em> discusses the use of leading and lagging process safety metrics that could provide feedback on the effectiveness of controls to mitigate risks and minimize consequences of potential incidents. <br /> <br /> The book makes several recommendations that will facilitate the development and application of process safety metrics at both sites.<br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13041">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=376'>Waste Disposal and Clean Up</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/KBNTOO4YptM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=130412009-2010 Assessment of the Army Research Laboratorytag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13137#final2011-04-21T00:00:00-04:002011-04-22T12:28:12-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The charge of the Army Research Laboratory Technical Assessment Board (ARLTAB) is to provide biannual assessments of the scientific and technical quality of the research, development, and analysis programs at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). The advice provided in this report focuses on technical rather than programmatic considerations.</p> <p>The Board is assisted by six National Research Council (NRC) panels, each of which focuses on the portion of the ARL program conducted by one of ARL's six directorates. When requested to do so by ARL, the Board also examines work that cuts across the directorates. The Board has been performing assessments of ARL since 1996. The current report summarizes its finding for the 2009-2010 period, during which 96 volunteer experts in fields of science and engineering participated in the following activities: visiting ARL annually, receiving formal presentations of technical work, examining facilities, engaging in technical discussions with ARL staff, and reviewing ARL technical materials.</p> <p>The Board continues to be impressed by the overall quality of ARL's technical staff and their work and applauds ARL for its clear, passionate concern for the end user of its technology--the soldier in the field--and for ARL's demonstrated mindfulness of the importance of transitioning technology to support immediate and longer-term Army needs. ARL staff also continue to expand their involvement with the wider scientific and engineering community. In general, ARL is working very well within an appropriate research and development (R&D) niche and has been demonstrating significant accomplishments.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13137">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/p3gjgg0Uqdk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13137Trends in Science and Technology Relevant to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention: Summary of an International Workshop: October 31 to November 3, 2010, Beijing, Chinatag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13113#final2011-04-07T09:45:01-04:002011-04-08T13:47:50-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>This report offers a summary of the substantive presentations during an international workshop, <i>Trends in Science and Technology Relevant to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention,</i> held October 31 - November 3, 2010 at the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is meant to provide scientists and other technical experts with factual information about the range and variety of topics discussed at the workshop, which may be of interest to national governments and non-governmental organizations as they begin to prepare for the 7th Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) in 2011.</p> <p>The Beijing workshop reflected the continuing engagement by national academies international scientific organizations, and individual scientists and engineers in considering the biosecurity implications of developments in the life sciences and assessing trends in science and technology (S&T) relevant to nonproliferation. The workshop provided an opportunity for the scientific community to discuss the implications of relevant developments in S&T for multiple aspects of the BWC.</p> <p><i>Trends in Science and Technology Relevant to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention</i> follows the structure of the plenary sessions at the workshop. It begins with introductory material about the BWC and current examples of the types and modes of science advice available to the BWC and other international nonproliferation and disarmament agreements, in particular the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). This report includes only a very brief description of the some of the post-presentation discussions held during the plenary sessions - and does not include an account of the small breakout groups - since these were intended to inform the committee's finding and conclusions and will be reflected in the final report.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13113">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/DAwBloR0gNc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13113Understanding and Managing Risk in Security Systems for the DOE Nuclear Weapons Complextag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13108#final2011-04-07T00:00:00-04:002011-04-11T16:46:59-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>A nuclear weapon or a significant quantity of special nuclear material (SNM) would be of great value to a terrorist or other adversary. It might have particular value if acquired from a U.S. facility--in addition to acquiring a highly destructive tool, the adversary would demonstrate an inability of the United States to protect its nuclear assets. The United States expends considerable resources toward maintaining effective security at facilities that house its nuclear assets. However, particularly in a budget-constrained environment, it is essential that these assets are also secured efficiently, meaning at reasonable cost and imposing minimal burdens on the primary missions of the organizations that operate U.S. nuclear facilities.</p> <p>It is in this context that the U.S. Congress directed the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)--a semi-autonomous agency in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) responsible for securing nuclear weapons and significant quantities of SNM--asked the National Academies for advice on augmenting its security approach, particularly on the applicability of quantitative and other risk-based approaches for securing its facilities. In carrying out its charge, the committee has focused on what actions NNSA could take to make its security approach more effective and efficient.</p> <p>The committee concluded that the solution to balancing cost, security, and operations at facilities in the nuclear weapons complex is not to assess security risks more quantitatively or more precisely. This is primarily because there is no comprehensive analytical basis for defining the attack strategies that a malicious, creative, and deliberate adversary might employ or the probabilities associated with them. However, using structured thinking processes and techniques to characterize security risk could improve NNSA's understanding of security vulnerabilities and guide more effective resource allocation.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13108">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/hFpdA6uD-BU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13108Public Response to Alerts and Warnings on Mobile Devices: Summary of a Workshop on Current Knowledge and Research Gapstag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13076#final2011-03-18T00:00:00-04:002011-03-23T12:13:17-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>This book presents a summary of the Workshop on Public Response to Alerts and Warnings on Mobile Devices: Current Knowledge and Research Gaps, held April 13 and 14, 2010, in Washington, D.C., under the auspices of the National Research Council's Committee on Public Response to Alerts and Warnings on Mobile Devices: Current Knowledge and Research Needs. <br /> <br /> The workshop was structured to gather inputs and insights from social science researchers, technologists, emergency management professionals, and other experts knowledgeable about how the public responds to alerts and warnings, focusing specifically on how the public responds to mobile alerting.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13076">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=321'>Information Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=322'>Internet and Networking</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/9LbX8RXK7Ek" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13076Intelligence Analysis: Behavioral and Social Scientific Foundationstag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13062#final2011-03-16T10:45:13-04:002011-03-16T10:45:37-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. intelligence community (IC) is a complex human enterprise whose success depends on how well the people in it perform their work. Although often aided by sophisticated technologies, these people ultimately rely on their own intellect to identify, synthesize, and communicate the information on which the nation's security depends. The IC's success depends on having trained, motivated, and thoughtful people working within organizations able to understand, value, and coordinate their capabilities.<br /> <br /> <em>Intelligence Analysis</em> provides up-to-date scientific guidance for the intelligence community (IC) so that it might improve individual and group judgments, communication between analysts, and analytic processes. The papers in this volume provide the detailed evidentiary base for the National Research Council's report, <em>Intelligence Analysis for Tomorrow: Advances from the Behavioral and Social Sciences</em>. The opening chapter focuses on the structure, missions, operations, and characteristics of the IC while the following 12 papers provide in-depth reviews of key topics in three areas: analytic methods, analysts, and organizations.<br /> <br /> Informed by the IC's unique missions and constraints, each paper documents the latest advancements of the relevant science and is a stand-alone resource for the IC's leadership and workforce. The collection allows readers to focus on one area of interest (analytic methods, analysts, or organizations) or even one particular aspect of a category. As a collection, the volume provides a broad perspective of the issues involved in making difficult decisions, which is at the heart of intelligence analysis.<br /> <br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13062">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=424'>Defense and Security</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/q7iua5WyP6c" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13062Intelligence Analysis for Tomorrow: Advances from the Behavioral and Social Sciencestag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13040#final2011-03-16T10:45:01-04:002011-03-16T10:45:13-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The intelligence community (IC) plays an essential role in the national security of the United States. Decision makers rely on IC analyses and predictions to reduce uncertainty and to provide warnings about everything from international diplomatic relations to overseas conflicts. In today's complex and rapidly changing world, it is more important than ever that analytic products be accurate and timely. Recognizing that need, the IC has been actively seeking ways to improve its performance and expand its capabilities.<br /> <br /> In 2008, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) asked the National Research Council (NRC) to establish a committee to synthesize and assess evidence from the behavioral and social sciences relevant to analytic methods and their potential application for the U.S. intelligence community. In <em>Intelligence Analysis for Tomorrow: Advances from the Behavioral and Social Sciences</em>, the NRC offers the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) recommendations to address many of the IC's challenges.<br /> <em><br /> Intelligence Analysis for Tomorrow</em> asserts that one of the most important things that the IC can learn from the behavioral and social sciences is how to characterize and evaluate its analytic assumptions, methods, technologies, and management practices. Behavioral and social scientific knowledge can help the IC to understand and improve all phases of the analytic cycle: how to recruit, select, train, and motivate analysts; how to master and deploy the most suitable analytic methods; how to organize the day-to-day work of analysts, as individuals and teams; and how to communicate with its customers. <br /> <br /> The report makes five broad recommendations which offer practical ways to apply the behavioral and social sciences, which will bring the IC substantial immediate and longer-term benefits with modest costs and minimal disruption.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13040">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=424'>Defense and Security</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/lsp7jzo4FIs" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13040Tsunami Warning and Preparedness: An Assessment of the U.S. Tsunami Program and the Nation's Preparedness Effortstag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12628#final2011-03-01T00:00:00-05:002011-04-01T14:00:28-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Many coastal areas of the United States are at risk for tsunamis. After the catastrophic 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, legislation was passed to expand U.S. tsunami warning capabilities. Since then, the nation has made progress in several related areas on both the federal and state levels. At the federal level, NOAA has improved the ability to detect and forecast tsunamis by expanding the sensor network. Other federal and state activities to increase tsunami safety include: improvements to tsunami hazard and evacuation maps for many coastal communities; vulnerability assessments of some coastal populations in several states; and new efforts to increase public awareness of the hazard and how to respond.</p> <p><em>Tsunami Warning and Preparedness </em>explores the advances made in tsunami detection and preparedness, and identifies the challenges that still remain. The book describes areas of research and development that would improve tsunami education, preparation, and detection, especially with tsunamis that arrive less than an hour after the triggering event. It asserts that seamless coordination between the two Tsunami Warning Centers and clear communications to local officials and the public could create a timely and effective response to coastal communities facing a pending tsuanami.</p> <p>According to <em>Tsunami Warning and Preparedness</em>, minimizing future losses to the nation from tsunamis requires persistent progress across the broad spectrum of efforts including: risk assessment, public education, government coordination, detection and forecasting, and warning-center operations. The book also suggests designing effective interagency exercises, using professional emergency-management standards to prepare communities, and prioritizing funding based on tsunami risk.<br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12628">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=332'>Earthquakes, Floods and Natural Disasters</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=336'>Geology and Landforms</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/2JhETA_aEjM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12628Evaluation of U.S. Air Force Preacquisition Technology Developmenttag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13030#final2011-03-01T00:00:00-05:002011-03-01T11:10:37-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>From the days of biplanes and open cockpits, the air forces of the United States have relied on the mastery of technology. From design to operation, a project can stretch to 20 years and more, with continuous increases in cost. Much of the delay and cost growth afflicting modern United States Air Force (USAF) programs is rooted in the incorporation of advanced technology into major systems acquisition. <br /> <br /> Leaders in the Air Force responsible for science and technology and acquisition are trying to determine the optimal way to utilize existing policies, processes, and resources to properly document and execute pre-program of record technology development efforts, including opportunities to facilitate the rapid acquisition of revolutionary capabilities and the more deliberate acquisition of evolutionary capabilities. <br /> <br /> <i>Evaluation of U.S. Air Force Preacquisition Technology Development</i> responds to this need with an examination of the current state of Air Force technology development and the environment in which technology is acquired. The book considers best practices from both government and industry to distill appropriate recommendations that can be implemented within the USAF.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13030">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/8L6PQNV8078" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13030Building Community Disaster Resilience Through Private-Public Collaborationtag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13028#final2011-02-17T00:00:00-05:002011-02-18T13:44:02-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Natural disasters--including hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods--caused more than 220,000 deaths worldwide in the first half of 2010 and wreaked havoc on homes, buildings, and the environment. To withstand and recover from natural and human-caused disasters, it is essential that citizens and communities work together to anticipate threats, limit their effects, and rapidly restore functionality after a crisis. <br /> <br /> Increasing evidence indicates that collaboration between the private and public sectors could improve the ability of a community to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Several previous National Research Council reports have identified specific examples of the private and public sectors working cooperatively to reduce the effects of a disaster by implementing building codes, retrofitting buildings, improving community education, or issuing extreme-weather warnings. State and federal governments have acknowledged the importance of collaboration between private and public organizations to develop planning for disaster preparedness and response. Despite growing ad hoc experience across the country, there is currently no comprehensive framework to guide private-public collaboration focused on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. <br /> <br /> <em>Building Community Disaster Resilience through Private-Public Collaboration</em> assesses the current state of private-public sector collaboration dedicated to strengthening community resilience, identifies gaps in knowledge and practice, and recommends research that could be targeted for investment. Specifically, the book finds that local-level private-public collaboration is essential to the development of community resilience. Sustainable and effective resilience-focused private-public collaboration is dependent on several basic principles that increase communication among all sectors of the community, incorporate flexibility into collaborative networks, and encourage regular reassessment of collaborative missions, goals, and practices.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13028">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=332'>Earthquakes, Floods and Natural Disasters</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/B8tz4mueeZQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13028Sociocultural Data to Accomplish Department of Defense Missions: Toward a Unified Social Framework: Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13077#final2011-02-09T10:45:01-05:002011-02-09T10:45:14-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p><em>Sociocultural Data to Accomplish Department of Defense Missions: Toward a Unified Social Framework</em> summarizes presentations and discussions that took place on August 16-17, 2010, at a National Research Council public workshop sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. The workshop addressed the variables and complex interaction of social and cultural factors that influence human behavior, focusing on potential applications to the full spectrum of military operations. <br /> <br /> The workshop's keynote address by Major General Michael T. Flynn, U.S. Army, provided critical context about the cultural situation and needs of the military operating in Afghanistan. Additional presentations were divided into four panels to address the diverse missions encountered by the U.S. military worldwide. The workshop concluded with a final panel to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different methods of acquiring and using relevant data and knowledge to accomplish these missions. The panel topics and presenters are listed below:</p> <ol> <li>Conflict Is Local: Mapping the Sociocultural Terrain David Kennedy, Hsinchun Chen, and Kerry Patton</li> <li>Bridging Sociocultural Gaps in Cooperative Relationships Robert Rubinstein, Alan Fiske, and Donal Carbaugh</li> <li>Building Partner Capacity with Sociocultural Awareness Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks and Shinobu Kitayama</li> <li>The Art of Sociocultural Persuasion Jeanne Brett, James Dillard, and Brant R. Burleson</li> <li>Tools, Methods, Frameworks, and Models Mark Bevir, Laura A. McNamara, Robert G. Sargent, and Jessica Glicken Turnley</li> </ol> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13077">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=424'>Defense and Security</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=404'>Human Factors</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/h6FVMpPH9Ko" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13077Evaluating Testing, Costs, and Benefits of Advanced Spectroscopic Portals: Final Report (Abbreviated Version)tag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13082#final2011-01-25T00:00:00-05:002011-01-25T17:19:49-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>This letter is the abbreviated version of an update of the interim report on testing, evaluation, costs, and benefits of advanced spectroscopic portals (ASPs), issued by the National Academies' Committee on Advanced Spectroscopic Portals in June 2009 (NRC 2009). This letter incorporates findings of the committee since that report was written, and it sharpens and clarifies the messages of the interim report based on subsequent committee investigations of more recent work by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The key messages in this letter, which is the final report from the committee, are stated briefly in the synopsis on the next page and described more fully in the sections that follow. The committee provides the context for this letter, and then gives advice on: testing, evaluation, assessing costs and benefits, and deployment of advanced spectroscopic portals. The letter closes with a reiteration of the key points. </p> <p>The letter is abbreviated in that a small amount of information that may not be released publicly for security or law-enforcement reasons has been redacted from the version delivered to you in October 2010, but the findings and recommendations remain intact.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13082">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=360'>Applications of Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/Rr1RMUgtTnw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13082BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance: Evaluating Systems for the Early Detection of Biological Threats: Abbreviated Versiontag:nap.edu,2011:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12688#final2011-01-25T00:00:00-05:002011-01-25T17:16:26-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Following the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the anthrax letters, the ability to detect biological threats as quickly as possible became a top priority. In 2003 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced the BioWatch program--a federal monitoring system intended to speed detection of specific biological agents that could be released in aerosolized form during a biological attack. <br /> <br /> The present volume evaluates the costs and merits of both the current BioWatch program and the plans for a new generation of BioWatch devices. <i>BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance</i> also examines infectious disease surveillance through hospitals and public health agencies in the United States, and considers whether BioWatch and traditional infectious disease surveillance are redundant or complementary.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12688">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/HprXBMwTf3s" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12688Avoiding Technology Surprise for Tomorrow's Warfighter--Symposium 2010tag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12919#final2010-12-30T00:00:00-05:002010-12-30T16:27:52-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Symposium on Avoiding Technology Surprise for Tomorrow's Warfighter is a forum for consumers and producers of scientific and technical intelligence to exchange perspectives on the potential sources of emerging or disruptive technologies and behaviors, with the goal of improving the Department of Defense's technological warning capability. This volume summarizes the key themes identified in the second and most recent symposium, a two-day event held in Suffolk, Virginia, on April 28 and 29, 2010. The symposium combined presentations highlighting cutting-edge technology topics with facilitated discourse among all participants. Three categories of surprise were identified: breakthroughs in product and process technology, new uses of existing technology, and the unexpectedly rapid progression of a technology to operational use. The incorporation of an adversary's own culture, history, beliefs, and value systems into analyses also emerged in discussions as an important factor in reducing surprise.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12919">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/GU9ch9kcycA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12919Evaluating Testing, Costs, and Benefits of Advanced Spectroscopic Portals for Screening Cargo at Ports of Entry: Interim Report (Abbreviated Version)tag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12699#final2010-12-28T00:00:00-05:002011-04-27T15:14:24-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>To improve screening of containerized cargo for nuclear and radiological material that might be entering the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking to deploy new radiation detectors, called advanced spectroscopic portals (ASPs). The ASPs are intended to replace some or all of the current system of radiation portal monitors (called PVT RPMs) used in conjunction with handheld radioisotope identifiers (RIIDs) to detect and identify radioactive material in cargo. The U.S. Congress required the Secretary of Homeland Security to certify that ASPs will provide a 'significant increase in operational effectiveness' over continued use of the existing screening devices before DHS can proceed with full-scale procurement of ASPs for deployment. Congress also directed DHS to request this National Research Council study to advise the Secretary of Homeland Security about testing, analysis, costs, and benefits of the ASPs prior to the certification decision. <br /> <br /> This interim report is based on testing done before 2008; on plans for, observations of, and preliminary results from tests done in 2008; and on the agency's draft cost-benefit analysis as of October 2008. The book provides advice on how DHS' Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) can complete and make more rigorous its ASP evaluation for the Secretary and the nation.<br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12699">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=294'>Transportation</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=422'>Policy</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/K6jaXovTMRY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12699Medical Countermeasures Dispensing: Emergency Use Authorization and the Postal Model: Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12952#final2010-12-16T00:00:00-05:002010-12-20T10:21:45-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>During public health emergencies such as terrorist attacks or influenza outbreaks, the public health system's ability to save lives could depend on dispensing medical countermeasures such as antibiotics, antiviral medications, and vaccines to a large number of people in a short amount of time. The IOM's Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events held a workshop on November 18, 2009, to provide an overview of current threats, recent progress made in the public health system for distributing and dispensing countermeasures, and remaining vulnerabilities.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12952">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=399'>Public Health and Prevention</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/HfdFK_7S3j4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12952Biometric Recognition: Challenges and Opportunitiestag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12720#final2010-11-12T00:00:00-05:002010-11-15T14:24:30-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Biometric recognition--the automated recognition of individuals based on their behavioral and biological characteristic--is promoted as a way to help identify terrorists, provide better control of access to physical facilities and financial accounts, and increase the efficiency of access to services and their utilization. Biometric recognition has been applied to identification of criminals, patient tracking in medical informatics, and the personalization of social services, among other things. In spite of substantial effort, however, there remain unresolved questions about the effectiveness and management of systems for biometric recognition, as well as the appropriateness and societal impact of their use. Moreover, the general public has been exposed to biometrics largely as high-technology gadgets in spy thrillers or as fear-instilling instruments of state or corporate surveillance in speculative fiction. <br /> <br /> Now, as biometric technologies appear poised for broader use, increased concerns about national security and the tracking of individuals as they cross borders have caused passports, visas, and border-crossing records to be linked to biometric data. A focus on fighting insurgencies and terrorism has led to the military deployment of biometric tools to enable recognition of individuals as friend or foe. Commercially, finger-imaging sensors, whose cost and physical size have been reduced, now appear on many laptop personal computers, handheld devices, mobile phones, and other consumer devices. <br /> <br /> <i>Biometric Recognition: Challenges and Opportunities</i> addresses the issues surrounding broader implementation of this technology, making two main points: first, biometric recognition systems are incredibly complex, and need to be addressed as such. Second, biometric recognition is an inherently probabilistic endeavor. Consequently, even when the technology and the system in which it is embedded are behaving as designed, there is inevitable uncertainty and risk of error. This book elaborates on these themes in detail to provide policy makers, developers, and researchers a comprehensive assessment of biometric recognition that examines current capabilities, future possibilities, and the role of government in technology and system development.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12720">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=320'>Information Security and Privacy</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=360'>Applications of Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/B_tgjofnax0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12720Examination of the U.S. Air Force's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce Needs in the Future and Its Strategy to Meet Those Needstag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12718#final2010-11-09T00:00:00-05:002010-11-12T14:25:21-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Air Force requires technical skills and expertise across the entire range of activities and processes associated with the development, fielding, and employment of air, space, and cyber operational capabilities. The growing complexity of both traditional and emerging missions is placing new demands on education, training, career development, system acquisition, platform sustainment, and development of operational systems. While in the past the Air Force's technologically intensive mission has been highly attractive to individuals educated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, force reductions, ongoing military operations, and budget pressures are creating new challenges for attracting and managing personnel with the needed technical skills. Assessments of recent development and acquisition process failures have identified a loss of technical competence within the Air Force (that is, in house or organic competence, as opposed to contractor support) as an underlying problem. These challenges come at a time of increased competition for technical graduates who are U.S. citizens, an aging industry and government workforce, and consolidations of the industrial base that supports military systems. <br /> <br /> In response to a request from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology, and Engineering, the National Research Council conducted five fact-finding meetings at which senior Air Force commanders in the science and engineering, acquisition, test, operations, and logistics domains provided assessments of the adequacy of the current workforce in terms of quality and quantity.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12718">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=282'>Education</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=350'>Math and Science Education</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=289'>Industry and Labor</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=407'>Workforce and Labor Issues</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/tJq624IpbMg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12718Critical Code: Software Producibility for Defensetag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12979#final2010-10-27T00:00:00-04:002010-10-28T11:45:39-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
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<p><i>Critical Code</i> contemplates Department of Defense (DoD) needs and priorities for software research and suggests a research agenda and related actions. Building on two prior books--<i>Summary of a Workshop on Software Intensive Systems</i> and <i>Uncertainty at Scale and Preliminary Observations on DoD Software Research Needs and Priorities</i>--the present volume assesses the nature of the national investment in software research and, in particular, considers ways to revitalize the knowledge base needed to design, produce, and employ software-intensive systems for tomorrow's defense needs. <br /> <br /> Critical Code discusses four sets of questions:</p> <ul> <li>To what extent is software capability significant for the DoD? Is it becoming more or less significant and strategic in systems development?</li> <li>Will the advances in software producibility needed by the DoD emerge unaided from industry at a pace sufficient to meet evolving defense requirements?</li> <li>What are the opportunities for the DoD to make more effective use of emerging technology to improve software capability and software producibility?</li> <li>In which technology areas should the DoD invest in research to advance defense software capability and producibility?</li> </ul> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12979">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=319'>Computers</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=320'>Information Security and Privacy</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/APXL_fHH_74" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12979Protecting Buildings from Bomb Damage: Transfer of Blast-Effects Mitigation Technologies from Military to Civilian Applicationstag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=5021#final2010-10-04T10:58:51-04:001969-12-31T19:00:00-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
This report examines design methodologies and construction techniques developed for the protection of military facilities, and specifically whether or not such practices could be beneficially applied to civilian architecture. Three main tasks are addressed: (1) review the existing knowledge on blast-effects mitigation technology, (2) assess the applicability of this technology to civilian buildings and identify gaps in knowledge and needs for research and development, and (3) provide recommendations recommend courses of action to implement technology transfer. <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=5021">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=361'>Construction: Design, Research, Planning</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/kVNPhHxRHwI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=5021Proceedings of a Workshop on Deterring Cyberattacks: Informing Strategies and Developing Options for U.S. Policytag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12997#final2010-09-30T00:00:00-04:002010-10-05T09:27:34-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>In a world of increasing dependence on information technology, the prevention of cyberattacks on a nation's important computer and communications systems and networks is a problem that looms large. Given the demonstrated limitations of passive cybersecurity defense measures, it is natural to consider the possibility that deterrence might play a useful role in preventing cyberattacks against the United States and its vital interests. At the request of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the National Research Council undertook a two-phase project aimed to foster a broad, multidisciplinary examination of strategies for deterring cyberattacks on the United States and of the possible utility of these strategies for the U.S. government. <br /> <br /> The first phase produced a letter report providing basic information needed to understand the nature of the problem and to articulate important questions that can drive research regarding ways of more effectively preventing, discouraging, and inhibiting hostile activity against important U.S. information systems and networks. <br /> <br /> The second phase of the project entailed selecting appropriate experts to write papers on questions raised in the letter report. A number of experts, identified by the committee, were commissioned to write these papers under contract with the National Academy of Sciences. Commissioned papers were discussed at a public workshop held June 10-11, 2010, in Washington, D.C., and authors revised their papers after the workshop. <br /> <br /> Although the authors were selected and the papers reviewed and discussed by the committee, the individually authored papers do not reflect consensus views of the committee, and the reader should view these papers as offering points of departure that can stimulate further work on the topics discussed. The papers presented in this volume are published essentially as received from the authors, with some proofreading corrections made as limited time allowed.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12997">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=320'>Information Security and Privacy</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/JXmxL5lVxIs" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12997Seeing Photons: Progress and Limits of Visible and Infrared Sensor Arraystag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12896#final2010-09-28T00:00:00-04:002010-09-29T10:11:08-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Department of Defense recently highlighted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities as a top priority for U.S. warfighters. Contributions provided by ISR assets in the operational theaters in Iraq and Afghanistan have been widely documented in press reporting. While the United States continues to increase investments in ISR capabilities, other nations not friendly to the United States will continue to seek countermeasures to U.S. capabilities.<br /> <br /> The Technology Warning Division of the Defense Intelligence Agency's (DIA) Defense Warning Office (DWO) has the critical responsibility, in collaborations with other components of the intelligence community (IC), for providing U.S. policymakers insight into technological developments that may impact future U.S. warfighting capabilities. <br /> <br /> To this end, the IC requested that the National Research Council (NRC) investigate and report on key visible and infrared detector technologies, with potential military utility, that are likely to be developed in the next 10-15 years. This study is the eighth in a series sponsored by the DWO and executed under the auspices of the NRC TIGER (Technology Insight-Gauge, Evaluate, and Review) Standing Committee.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12896">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=360'>Applications of Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/u1BhAEY9L2A" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12896Review of the Department of Homeland Security's Approach to Risk Analysistag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12972#final2010-09-16T10:45:14-04:002010-09-17T08:39:16-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The events of September 11, 2001 changed perceptions, rearranged national priorities, and produced significant new government entities, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created in 2003. While the principal mission of DHS is to lead efforts to secure the nation against those forces that wish to do harm, the department also has responsibilities in regard to preparation for and response to other hazards and disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and other "natural" disasters. Whether in the context of preparedness, response or recovery from terrorism, illegal entry to the country, or natural disasters, DHS is committed to processes and methods that feature risk assessment as a critical component for making better-informed decisions.</p> <p><em>Review of the Department of Homeland Security's Approach to Risk Analysis</em> explores how DHS is building its capabilities in risk analysis to inform decision making. The department uses risk analysis to inform decisions ranging from high-level policy choices to fine-scale protocols that guide the minute-by-minute actions of DHS employees. Although DHS is responsible for mitigating a range of threats, natural disasters, and pandemics, its risk analysis efforts are weighted heavily toward terrorism. In addition to assessing the capability of DHS risk analysis methods to support decision-making, the book evaluates the quality of the current approach to estimating risk and discusses how to improve current risk analysis procedures.</p> <p><em>Review of the Department of Homeland Security's Approach to Risk Analysis</em> recommends that DHS continue to build its integrated risk management framework. It also suggests that the department improve the way models are developed and used and follow time-tested scientific practices, among other recommendations.<br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12972">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/zlnLkYgT64k" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12972Review of the Design of the Dynasafe Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) System for the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility: Letter Reporttag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12971#final2010-08-25T10:45:13-04:002010-08-25T10:45:18-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Army is in the process of destroying projectiles and mortars that contain the chemical agent mustard at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (ANCDF) located on the Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) in Anniston, Alabama. Were the faulty devices to eventually be processed through the ANCDF, it would require that they be disassembled manually by workers wearing personnel protective equipment known as demilitarization protective ensemble suits. This operation nonetheless would expose the operators to a high safety risk. <br /> <br /> Rather than exposing the workers to this additional risk, the Army will use an explosive detonation technology (EDT) to destroy the munitions without disassembling them. The particular EDT system that the Army plans to use is a static detonation chamber (SDC) system manufactured by the Swedish company, Dynasafe AB. <br /> <br /> In response to a request from the Army, the present report reviews the design of the Dynasafe Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) system for the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12971">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=372'>Pollutants and Toxics</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=376'>Waste Disposal and Clean Up</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/ZtqfDQyS_ls" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12971New Research Directions for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencytag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12964#final2010-08-18T09:45:02-04:002010-09-02T14:17:01-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) within the Department of Defense has the primary mission of providing timely, relevant, and accurate imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information--collectively known as geospatial intelligence (GEOINT)--in support of national security. In support of its mission, NGA sponsors research that builds the scientific foundation for geospatial intelligence and that reinforces the academic base, thus training the next generation of NGA analysts while developing new approaches to analytical problems. Historically, NGA has supported research in five core areas: (1) photogrammetry and geomatics, (2) remote sensing and imagery science, (3) geodesy and geophysics, (4) cartographic science, and (5) geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial analysis. <br /> <br /> Positioning NGA for the future is the responsibility of the InnoVision Directorate, which analyzes intelligence trends, technological advances, and emerging customer and partner concepts to provide cutting-edge technology and process solutions. At the request of InnoVision, the National Research Council (NRC) held a 3-day workshop to explore the evolution of the five core research areas and to identify emerging disciplines that may improve the quality of geospatial intelligence over the next 15 years. This workshop report offers a potential research agenda that would expand NGA's capabilities and improve its effectiveness in providing geospatial intelligence.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12964">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/UF8vAeMeEfs" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12964Nuclear Forensics: A Capability at Risk (Abbreviated Version)tag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12966#final2010-07-29T10:45:01-04:002010-07-29T10:45:07-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Nuclear forensics is important to our national security. Actions, including provision of appropriate funding, are needed now to sustain and improve the nation's nuclear forensics capabilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), working with cooperating agencies and national laboratories, should plan and implement a sustainable, effective nuclear forensics program.<br /> <br /> Nuclear forensics is the examination and evaluation of discovered or seized nuclear materials and devices or, in cases of nuclear explosions or radiological dispersals, of detonation signals and post-detonation debris. Nuclear forensic evidence helps law enforcement and intelligence agencies work toward preventing, mitigating, and attributing a nuclear or radiological incident. This report, requested by DHS, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Department of Defense, makes recommendations on how to sustain and improve U.S. nuclear forensics capabilities.<br /> <br /> The United States has developed a nuclear forensics capability that has been demonstrated in real-world incidents of interdicted materials and in exercises of actions required after a nuclear detonation. The committee, however, has concerns about the program and finds that without strong leadership, careful planning, and additional funds, these capabilities will decline.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12966">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/1R1Nakoauf0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12966Assessment of Department of Defense Basic Researchtag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11177#final2010-07-27T11:29:07-04:002010-07-27T11:29:09-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The Department of Defense (DOD) supports basic research to advance fundamental knowledge in fields important to national defense. Over the past six years, however, several groups have raised concern about whether the nature of DOD-funded basic research is changing. The concerns include these: Funds are being spent for research that does not fall under DOD's definition of basic research; reporting requirements have become cumbersome and onerous; and basic research is handled differently by the three services. To explore these concerns, the Congress directed DOD to request a study from the National Research Council (NRC) about the nature of basic research now being funded by the Department. Specifically the NRC was to determine if the programs in the DOD basic research portfolio are consistent with the DOD definition of basic research and with the characteristics associated with fundamental research.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11177">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=320'>Information Security and Privacy</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/IUagJDZGkD0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11177Achieving Effective Acquisition of Information Technology in the Department of Defensetag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12823#final2010-06-30T13:38:24-04:002010-06-30T13:38:24-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>In the military, information technology (IT) has enabled profound advances in weapons systems and the management and operation of the defense enterprise. A significant portion of the Department of Defense (DOD) budget is spent on capabilities acquired as commercial IT commodities, developmental IT systems that support a broad range of warfighting and functional applications, and IT components embedded in weapons systems. The ability of the DOD and its industrial partners to harness and apply IT for warfighting, command and control and communications, logistics, and transportation has contributed enormously to fielding the world's best defense force. <br /> <br /> However, despite the DOD's decades of success in leveraging IT across the defense enterprise, the acquisition of IT systems continues to be burdened with serious problems. To address these issues, the National Research Council assembled a group of IT systems acquisition and T&E experts, commercial software developers, software engineers, computer scientists and other academic researchers. The group evaluated applicable legislative requirements, examined the processes and capabilities of the commercial IT sector, analyzed DOD's concepts for systems engineering and testing in virtual environments, and examined the DOD acquisition environment. The present volume summarizes this analysis and also includes recommendations on how to improve the acquisition, systems engineering, and T&E processes to achieve the DOD's network-centric goals.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12823">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=284'>Engineering and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=361'>Construction: Design, Research, Planning</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/oAMj67dRL9s" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12823Gulf War and Health: Volume 8: Update of Health Effects of Serving in the Gulf Wartag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12835#final2010-06-25T00:00:00-04:002010-07-22T07:43:16-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>For the United States, the 1991 Persian Gulf War was a brief and successful military operation with few injuries and deaths. However, soon after returning from duty, a large number of veterans began reporting health problems they believed were associated with their service in the Gulf. At the request of Congress, the IOM is conducting an ongoing review of the evidence to determine veterans' long-term health problems and what might be causing those problems. The fourth volume in the series, released in 2006, summarizes the long-term health problems seen in Gulf War veterans. In 2008, the IOM began an update to look at existing health problems and identify possible new ones, considering evidence collected since the initial summary.<br /> <br /> In this report, the IOM determines that Gulf War service causes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that service is associated with multisymptom illness; gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome; alcohol and other substance abuse; and anxiety disorders and other psychiatric disorders. To ensure that our veterans receive the best possible care, now and in the future, the government should continue to monitor their health and conduct research to identify the best treatments to assist Gulf War veterans still suffering from persistent, unexplained illnesses.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12835">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=396'>Military and Veterans</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/n06x76FIEfE" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12835The Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise: Innovative Strategies to Enhance Products from Discovery Through Approval: Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12856#final2010-06-01T00:00:00-04:002010-04-08T08:45:01-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>During public health emergencies such as pandemic influenza outbreaks or terrorist attacks, effective vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures are essential to protecting national security and the public's well-being. The Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE)--a partnership among federal, state, and local governments; industry; and academia--is at the forefront of the effort to develop and manufacture these countermeasures. However, despite the PHEMCE's many successes, there are still serious challenges to overcome. Government-funded medical research is not always focused on countermeasures for the most serious potential threats, and it is difficult to engage pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to develop and manufacture medical countermeasures that have a limited commercial market. <br /> <br /> At the request of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the IOM held a workshop February 22-24, 2010, to address challenges facing the PHEMCE. Workshop participants discussed federal policies and procedures affecting the research, development, and approval of medical countermeasures and explored opportunities to improve the process and protect Americans' safety and health.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12856">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=399'>Public Health and Prevention</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/Fmx1Bu8fEqE" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12856Evaluation of the Health and Safety Risks of the New USAMRIID High Containment Facilities at Fort Detrick, Marylandtag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12871#final2010-05-12T00:00:00-04:002010-03-04T11:45:01-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Frederick, Maryland, is designed to handle pathogens that cause serious or potentially lethal diseases, which require the research performed on them be contained to specialized laboratories. In 2007 a decision was made to expand those facilities causing concern among area residents that public health and safety risks, and strategies to mitigate those concerns were not adequately considered in the decision to go forward with the expansion. In <em>Evaluation of the Health and Safety Risks of the New USAMRIID High Containment Facilities at Fort Detrick, Maryland </em>a group of experts in areas including biosafety, infectious diseases, industrial hygiene, environmental engineering, risk assessment and epidemiology, explored whether measures were being taken to ensure prevention and mitigation of risk to the health and safety of workers and the public. They also assessed whether the procedures and regulations employed meet accepted standards of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.</p> <p><br /> <em>Evaluation of the Health and Safety Risks of the New USAMRIID High Containment Facilities at Fort Detrick, Maryland </em>evaluates the health and safety aspects of the environmental impact statement developed to support the construction of the new laboratories and explores the institute's operating requirements, medical and emergency management response plans and communication and cooperation with the public. The book recommends that USAMRIID continue to set high standards for advancing security, operational, and biosurety measures, and that additional measures be taken to provide assurance that experienced medical professionals are readily available to consult on unusual infectious diseases. It also suggests that USAMRIID expand its two-way communications with the public.</p> <p><br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12871">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/SgWcX2iNC_0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12871Testing of Body Armor Materials for Use by the U.S. Army--Phase II: Letter Reporttag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12885#final2010-05-03T09:45:02-04:002010-05-03T09:45:02-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>This report assesses the methodologies used for body armor testing. This Phase II report considers in greater detail [than in Phase I] the validity of using the column drop performance test described by the Army for assessing the part-to-part consistency of a clay body within the level of precision that is identified by the Army test procedures. More detailed evaluations of the array of issues surrounding body armor testing, both present and future, will be presented in the final Phase III report.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12885">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/ywOnvk5rx-Y" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12885National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces: Letter Reporttag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12897#final2010-04-26T17:23:44-04:002010-04-26T17:23:44-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The leaders of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps have recognized the potential impact of climate change on naval forces' missions and have positioned their organizations to make adaptive changes. This report is the first component of a study to assess the implications of climate change for the U.S. Naval Services. Specifically, this report highlights issues that could have potential near-term impacts, impose a need for near-term awareness, or require near-term planning to ensure that longer-term naval capabilities are protected. The final report of this study will address all of the elements in the study's terms of reference and explore many potential implications of climate change not covered in this letter report.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12897">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=367'>Climate Change</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/z_nQNaQUktA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12897Field Evaluation in the Intelligence and Counterintelligence Context: Workshop Summarytag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12854#final2010-03-25T10:45:02-04:002010-03-25T10:45:02-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>On September 22-23, 2009, the National Research Council held a workshop on the field evaluation of behavioral and cognitive sciences--based methods and tools for use in the areas of intelligence and counterintelligence. Broadly speaking, the purpose of the workshop was to discuss the best ways to take methods and tools from behavioral science and apply them to work in intelligence operations. More specifically, the workshop focused on the issue of field evaluation--the testing of these methods and tools in the context in which they will be used in order to determine if they are effective in real-world settings. <br /> <br /> This book is a summary and synthesis of the two days of presentations and discussions that took place during the workshop. The workshop participants included invited speakers and experts from a number of areas related to the behavioral sciences and the intelligence community. The discussions covered such ground as the obstacles to field evaluation of behavioral science tools and methods, the importance of field evaluation, and various lessons learned from experience with field evaluation in other areas.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12854">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=277'>Behavioral and Social Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=424'>Defense and Security</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/t5VAXZzrKVs" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12854Information Assurance for Network-Centric Naval Forcestag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12609#final2010-03-11T00:00:00-05:002010-01-08T10:45:02-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Owing to the expansion of network-centric operating concepts across the Department of Defense (DOD) and the growing threat to information and cybersecurity from lone actors, groups of like-minded actors, nation-states, and malicious insiders, information assurance is an area of significant and growing importance and concern. Because of the forward positioning of both the Navy's afloat and the Marine Corps expeditionary forces, IA issues for naval forces are exacerbated, and are tightly linked to operational success. Broad-based IA success is viewed by the NRC's Committee on Information Assurance for Network-Centric Naval Forces as providing a central underpinning to the DOD's network-centric operational concept and the Department of the Navy's (DON's) FORCEnet operational vision. Accordingly, this report provides a view and analysis of information assurance in the context of naval 'mission assurance'.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12609">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=293'>Space and Aeronautics</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=418'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/sObeiOJ_LVA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12609Private-Public Sector Collaboration to Enhance Community Disaster Resilience: A Workshop Reporttag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12864#final2010-02-23T00:00:00-05:002010-02-22T09:45:01-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11) on the United States prompted a rethinking of how the United States prepares for disasters. Federal policy documents written since 9/11 have stressed that the private and public sectors share equal responsibility for the security of the nation's critical infrastructure and key assets. Private sector entities have a role in the safety, security, and resilience of the communities in which they operate. Incentivizing the private sector to expend resources on community efforts remains challenging. Disasters in the United States since 9/11 (e.g., Hurricane Katrina in 2005) indicate that the nation has not yet been successful in making its communities resilient to disaster.<br /> <br /> In this book, the National Research Council assesses the current states of the art and practice in private-public sector collaboration dedicated to strengthening community disaster resilience.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12864">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=281'>Earth Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=332'>Earthquakes, Floods and Natural Disasters</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/lZo8BSB5qvo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12864Responsible Research with Biological Select Agents and Toxinstag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12774#final2010-01-12T00:00:00-05:002009-09-30T13:15:01-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The effort to understand and combat infectious diseases has, during the centuries, produced many key advances in science and medicine--including the development of vaccines, drugs, and other treatments. A subset of this research is conducted with agents that, like anthrax, not only pose a severe threat to the health of humans, plants, and animals but can also be used for ill-intended purposes. Such agents have been listed by the government as biological select agents and toxins. The 2001 anthrax letter attacks prompted the creation of new regulations aimed at increasing security for research with dangerous pathogens. The outcome of the anthrax letter investigation has raised concern about whether these measures are adequate.<br /> <br /> <i>Responsible Research with Biological Select Agents and Toxins</i> evaluates both the physical security of select agent laboratories and personnel reliability measures designed to ensure the trustworthiness of those with access to biological select agents and toxins. The book offers a set of guiding principles and recommended changes to minimize security risk and facilitate the productivity of research. The book recommends fostering a culture of trust and responsibility in the laboratory, engaging the community in oversight of the Select Agent Program, and enhancing the operation of the Select Agent Program.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12774">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=278'>Biology and Life Sciences</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=317'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/vuyd155RZj0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12774Phase I Report on Review of the Testing of Body Armor Materials for Use by the U.S. Army: Letter Reporttag:nap.edu,2010:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12837#final2010-01-08T12:45:02-05:002010-01-08T12:45:02-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The National Research Council of the National Academies established a study to assess the methodologies used by the U.S. Army for the testing of body armor. This Phase I report is focused primarily on the validity of laser-profiling techniques for body armor test measurements. More comprehensive and detailed evaluations of an array of issues surrounding body armor testing will be presented in the forthcoming Phase II and Phase III reports.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12837">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/btZd_2dOrxM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12837Experimentation and Rapid Prototyping in Support of Counterterrorismtag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12612#final2009-11-17T00:00:00-05:002009-10-08T10:45:45-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. military forces currently face a nontraditional threat from insurgents and terrorists who primarily employ improvised explosive devices, and have shown a cycle of adaptation of less than 12 months to responses by U.S. forces to counter these attacks. This constantly evolving threat requires U.S. military forces to adapt and respond more rapidly with modified tactics, technologies, and/or equipment. <br /> <br /> In response to this need for new technologies, the Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO) was established in 2006 to develop technologies that can mature in 6 to 18 months for purposes of counterterrorism. Although RRTO appears to be successfully fulfilling its mission, the agency seeks to understand and address barriers to and opportunities for meeting future counterterrorism needs--including the need to accelerate the transition of technologies for counterterrorism with an eye to countering emerging and anticipated threats. This book reviews RRTO approaches and provides a set of recommendations for potential improvements to help meet these needs for rapid technology development.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12612">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/kZqKwoRlAQM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=126122007-2008 Assessment of the Army Research Laboratorytag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12742#final2009-11-13T10:45:01-05:002009-11-13T10:45:01-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>This volume is the latest in a series of biennial assessments of the scientific and technical quality of the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). The current report summarizes findings for the 2007-2008 period, during which 95 volunteer experts in fields of science and engineering participated in the following activities: visiting ARL annually, receiving formal presentations of technical work, examining facilities, engaging in technical discussions with ARL staff, and reviewing ARL technical materials. <br /> <br /> The overall quality of ARL's technical staff and their work continues to be impressive, as well as the relevance of their work to Army needs. ARL continues to exhibit a clear, passionate concern for the end user of its technology--the soldier in the field. While two directorates have large program-support missions, there is considerable customer-support work across the directorates, which universally demonstrate mindfulness of the importance of transitioning technology to support immediate and near-term Army needs. ARL staff also continue to expand their involvement with the wider scientific and engineering community. <br /> <br /> This involvement includes monitoring relevant developments elsewhere, engaging in significant collaborative work (including the Collaborative Technology Alliances), and sharing work through peer reviews. In general, ARL is working very well within an appropriate research and development niche and has been demonstrating significant accomplishments.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12742">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=423'>Policy for Science and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/KHJQ3Vopkpo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12742Technology, Policy, Law, and Ethics Regarding U.S. Acquisition and Use of Cyberattack Capabilitiestag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12651#final2009-10-27T00:00:00-04:002009-04-29T12:45:01-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The United States is increasingly dependent on information and information technology for both civilian and military purposes, as are many other nations. Although there is a substantial literature on the potential impact of a cyberattack on the societal infrastructure of the United States, little has been written about the use of cyberattack as an instrument of U.S. policy. </p> <p><br /> Cyberattacks--actions intended to damage adversary computer systems or networks--can be used for a variety of military purposes. But they also have application to certain missions of the intelligence community, such as covert action. They may be useful for certain domestic law enforcement purposes, and some analysts believe that they might be useful for certain private sector entities who are themselves under cyberattack. This report considers all of these applications from an integrated perspective that ties together technology, policy, legal, and ethical issues.</p> <p><br /> Focusing on the use of cyberattack as an instrument of U.S. national policy, <em>Technology, Policy, Law and Ethics Regarding U.S. Acquisition and Use of Cyberattack Capabilities</em> explores important characteristics of cyberattack. It describes the current international and domestic legal structure as it might apply to cyberattack, and considers analogies to other domains of conflict to develop relevant insights. Of special interest to the military, intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security communities, this report is also an essential point of departure for nongovernmental researchers interested in this rarely discussed topic.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12651">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=279'>Computers and Information Technology</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=320'>Information Security and Privacy</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=327'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/4IIW95LjeT0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12651Live Variola Virus: Considerations for Continuing Researchtag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12616#final2009-10-14T00:00:00-04:002009-07-10T10:46:01-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Smallpox was a devastating disease that decimated human populations for centuries, and its eradication in 1980 was a monumental achievement for the global health community. Since then the remaining known strains of its causative agent, variola virus, have been contained in two World Health Organization (WHO)-approved repositories.<br /> <br /> In 1999, the World Health Assembly (WHA) debated the issue of destroying these remaining strains. Arguments were presented on the need to retain the live virus for use in additional important research, and the decision to destroy the virus was deferred until this research could be completed. In that same year, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened a consensus committee to explore scientific needs for the live virus. <br /> <br /> In the ten years since the first IOM report, the scientific, political, and regulatory environments have changed. In this new climate, the IOM was once again tasked to consider scientific needs for live variola virus. The committee evaluated the scientific need for live variola virus in four areas: development of therapeutics, development of vaccines, genomic analysis, and discovery research. <br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12616">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=398'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/DTe4PCnnJy8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12616Sensing and Supporting Communications Capabilities for Special Operations Forcestag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12630#final2009-10-06T12:45:15-04:002009-10-06T12:45:15-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>Among its key responsibilities, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) plans and synchronizes operations against terrorist networks. At any given moment, SOF are likely to be engaged in some state of the planning or execution of special operations in many countries around the world, spanning a wide range of environments and mission. SOF therefore must be capable of operating in environments ranging from tropical jungle to arctic, maritime to desert, subterranean to mountainous, and rural to urban. Within this vast range additional factors may influence technical and operational requirements including weather, topography, bathymetry, geology, flora, fauna, and human population density. All of these factors must be weighed in terms of the challenges they pose to supporting communications and operational security. In short, SOF must maintain the capability to operate globally, in any environment, angainst any threats that can be countered by its unique capabilities.</p> <p><em>Sensing and Supporting Communications Capabilities for Special Operations Forces</em> focuses primarily on the key core SOF task of special reconnaissance, to determine SOF-specific sensing and supporting communications needs and mapping them to existing and emerging technologies. The book discusses preliminary observations, issuees, and challenges, and identifies additional capabilities and technology areas that should be addressed.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12630">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=285'>Environment and Environmental Studies</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=369'>Environmental Health and Safety</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/9vg6m4KWgwY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12630Toward a Universal Radio Frequency System for Special Operations Forcestag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12605#final2009-10-06T12:45:01-04:002009-10-06T12:45:01-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) was formed in response to the failed rescue attempt in 1980 of American hostages held by Iran. Among its key responsibilities, SOCOM plans and synchronizes operations against terrorist networks. Special operations forces (SOF) often operate alone in austere environments with only the items they can carry, which makes equipment size, weight, and power needs especially important. Specialized radios and supporting equipment must be carried by the teams for their radio-frequency (RF) operations. As warfighting demands on SOCOM have intensified, SOCOM's needs for significantly improved radio-frequency (RF) systems have increased. <br /> <br /> <i>Toward a Universal Radio Frequency System for Special Operations Forces</i> examines the current state of the art for both handheld and manpackable platform-mounted RF systems, and determines which frequencies could be provided by handheld systems. The book also explores whether or not a system that fulfills SOF's unique requirements could be deployed in a reasonable time period. Several recommendations are included to address these and other issues.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12605">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/-oYpY_-do4M" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12605Avoiding Technology Surprise for Tomorrow's Warfighter: A Symposium Reporttag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12735#final2009-09-28T00:00:00-04:002009-09-08T09:45:01-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>On April 29, 2009 the National Research Council held a 1-day symposium titled, 'Avoiding Technology Surprise for Tomorrow's Warfighter.' This volume, a report of the symposium, highlights key challenges confronting the scientific and technical intelligence (S & TI) community and explores potential solutions that might enable the S & TI community to overcome those challenges. <br /> <br /> The symposium captured comments and observations from representatives from combatant commands and supporting governmental organizations, together with those of symposium participants, in order to elucidate concepts and trends, knowledge of which could be used to improve the Department of Defense's technology warning capability. Topics addressed included issues stemming from globalization of science and technology, challenges to U.S. warfighters that could result from technology surprise, examples of past technological surprise, and the strengths and weaknesses of current S & TI analysis.</p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12735">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=329'>Weapons and Technology</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=326'>Military and Defense Studies</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/r0lofSxuyMw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12735Assessing Medical Preparedness to Respond to a Terrorist Nuclear Event: Workshop Reporttag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12578#final2009-08-19T00:00:00-04:002009-06-15T09:45:01-04:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p>A nuclear attack on a large U.S. city by terrorists--even with a low-yield improvised nuclear device (IND) of 10 kilotons or less--would cause a large number of deaths and severe injuries. The large number of injured from the detonation and radioactive fallout that would follow would be overwhelming for local emergency response and health care systems to rescue and treat, even assuming that these systems and their personnel were not themselves incapacitated by the event.<br /> <br /> The United States has been struggling for some time to address and plan for the threat of nuclear terrorism and other weapons of mass destruction that terrorists might obtain and use. The Department of Homeland Security recently contracted with the Institute of Medicine to hold a workshop, summarized in this volume, to assess medical preparedness for a nuclear detonation of up to 10 kilotons.<br /> <br /> This book provides a candid and sobering look at our current state of preparedness for an IND, and identifies several key areas in which we might begin to focus our national efforts in a way that will improve the overall level of preparedness.<br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12578">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=399'>Public Health and Prevention</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=288'>Health and Medicine</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=398'>Policy, Reviews and Evaluations</a> | <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/_2_sbm6tsFs" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12578Global Security Engagement: A New Model for Cooperative Threat Reductiontag:nap.edu,2009:http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12583#final2009-07-29T00:00:00-04:002009-03-06T10:45:01-05:00The National Academies Presshttp://www.nap.edu
<p><strong>Final Book Now Available</strong></p>
<p> The government's first Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) programs were created in 1991 to eliminate the former Soviet Union's nuclear, chemical, and other weapons and prevent their proliferation. The programs have accomplished a great deal: deactivating thousands of nuclear warheads, neutralizing chemical weapons, converting weapons facilities for peaceful use, and redirecting the work of former weapons scientists and engineers, among other efforts. Originally designed to deal with immediate post-Cold War challenges, the programs must be expanded to other regions and fundamentally redesigned as an active tool of foreign policy that can address contemporary threats from groups that are that are agile, networked, and adaptable. As requested by Congress, <em>Global Security Engagement</em> proposes how this goal can best be achieved.<br /> <br /> To meet the magnitude of new security challenges, particularly at the nexus of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, <em>Global Security Engagement </em>recommends a new, more flexible, and responsive model that will draw on a broader range of partners than current programs have. The White House, working across the Executive Branch and with Congress, must lead this effort.<br /> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12583">Read the full report</a>]</p> <p><strong>Topics:</strong> <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=280'>Conflict and Security Issues</a> » <a href='http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?id=328'>Prevention, Security and Response</a></p><br />
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/nap/new/topic/280/~4/4OIxrNdKGaM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12583