Resource potential and planning for exploration of the Hebrus Valles, Mars

Mars is the only extraterrestrial body which could host primitive lifeforms and also has the potential to host a human base in the near future. Towards fulfilling these objectives, several remote sensing missions and rover based missions have been sent to Mars. Still, confirmation of existing or extinct life on this planet in any form has not been achieved and possibly human missions at selected sites in the future are the key to addressing this problem. Here, we have used remote sensing data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter(MRO;NASA), Mars Global Surveyor(MGS;NASA), Mars Odyssey(NASA) and Mars Express(MEX;ESA) to devise an exploration strategy for one such area known as Hebrus Valles, which is a potential site for human exploration of the surface of Mars. A geological context map of the Hebrus Valles and Hephaestus Fossae region has been prepared and a candidate landing site has been proposed in the Hebrus Valles region. Suitable rover paths have been worked out from the proposed landing site for harnessing the science and resource potential of the region. The proposed landing site is located in the equatorial region at(20?40′N, 126?23′E) and due to its proximity to the Potential Subsurface Access Candidates(PSACs) in the region, such as sinkholes and skylights and also other resources such as crater ejecta, silicate material and fluvial channels, the site is appropriate for exploration of the region.

A Simplified Approach for Interpreting Principal Component Images

Principal component transformation is a standard technique for multi-dimensional data analysis. The purpose of the present article is to elucidate the procedure for interpreting PC images. The discussion focuses on logically explaining how the negative/positive PC eigenvectors (loadings) in combination with strong reflection/absorption spectral behavior at different pixels affect the DN values in the output PC images. It is an explanatory article so that fuller potential of the PCT applications can be realized.

Detection and Classification of Potential Caves on the Flank of Elysium Mons,Mars

Martian caves have revived interest in the field of subsurface exploration because they are the potential destinations for future human habitats and astrobiological research.There are many pits on Mars,but some of them look like collapsed cave roofs.These special pits are formed by the collapse of surface materials into the subsurface void spaces.The signature of life is probable in a subsurface cave on Mars as the subsurface environment can protect life from the harsh and dangerous radiation environment of the surface.In a cave,there may be an abundance of minerals,fluids,and other key resources.Therefore,locating the access point of the subsurface cave is essential and crucial for formulating plans for robotic/human explorations of the Red Planet,Mars.We have used remote sensing data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter(MRO;NASA),Mars Global Surveyor(MGS;NASA),and Mars Odyssey(NASA)for identifying,mapping,and classifying selected special pit candidates on the flank of Elysium Mons,Mars.A total of 32 special pit candidates has been identified and classified based upon morphology and geological context.Out of these,26 are newly discovered ones.The thermal behavior of 23 special pit candidates confirms that the special pits are radiating heat energy at nighttime,similar to potential caves.Also,cave entrances have been detected in nine candidates using data from the Hi RISE camera onboard MRO.These sites could be important destinations for future robotic/human exploration and the search for life on Mars.

Pediatric interfacility transport effects on mortality and length of stay

Background We aimed to evaluate the effects of interfacility pediatric critical care transport response time,physician presence during transport,and mode of transport on mortality and length of stay(LOS)among pediatric patients.We hypothesized that a shorter response time and helicopter transports,but not physician presence,are associated with lower mortality and a shorter LOS.Methods Retrospective,single-center,cohort study of 841 patients(<19 years)transported to a quaternary pediatric intensive care unit and cardiovascular intensive care unit between 2014 and 2018 utilizing patient charts and transport records.Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses adjusted for age,diagnosis,mode of transport,response time,stabilization time,return duration,mortality risk(pediatric index of mortality-2 and pediatric risk of mortality-3),and inotrope,vasopressor,or mechanical ventilation presence on admission.Results Four hundred and twenty-eight(50.9%)patients were transported by helicopter,and 413(49.1%)were transported by ambulance.Physicians accompanied 239(28.4%)transports.The median response time was 2.0(interquartile range 1.4–2.9)hours.Although physician presence increased the median response time by 0.26 hours(P=0.020),neither physician presence nor response time significantly affected mortality,ICU length of stay(ILOS)or hospital length of stay(HLOS).Helicopter transports were not significantly associated with mortality or ILOS,but were associated with a longer HLOS(3.24 days,95%confidence interval 0.59–5.90)than ambulance transports(P=0.017).Conclusions These results suggest response time and physician presence do not significantly affect mortality or LOS.This may reflect the quality of pre-transport care and medical control communication.Helicopter transports were only associated with a longer HLOS.Our analysis provides a framework for examining transport workforce needs and associated costs.