Bøker av National Research Council

More than 7 million recipients of Social Security benefits have a representative payee - a person or an organization - to receive or manage their benefits. This title explains whether the representative payment policies are practical and appropriate; and, finds ways to reduce the risk of misuse of benefits and ways to better protect beneficiaries.

Thousands of satellites have been sent into space on missions to collect data about the Earth. This book describes how the ability to view the entire globe at once, uniquely available from satellite observations, has revolutionized Earth studies and ushered in an era of multidisciplinary Earth sciences.

The Agricultural Resource Management Survey is the federal government's primary source of information on the financial condition, production practices, and resource use on farms. This title addresses relevant concepts, applying the statistical methodology, and invested with necessary design, and analytical techniques to ensure a quality product.

Will the releasees see parole as an opportunity to be reintegrated into society, with jobs and homes and supportive families and friends? Or will they commit new crimes or violate the terms of their parole contracts? This title reviews the literature on desistance from crime, and the evaluation research on selected types of intervention.

The National Research Council convened a committee to review the draft and final versions of the Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy. This title contains the committee's review of the JSOST's draft plan and the review of the final plan.

Since the 1980s, the US military has used depleted uranium in munitions and in protective armor on tanks. Depleted uranium is a toxic heavy metal and is weakly radioactive. This book reviews the toxicologic, radiologic, epidemiologic, and toxicokinetic data on depleted uranium.

Land parcel data (also known as cadastral data) provide geographically referenced information about the rights, interests, and ownership of land and are an important part of the financial, legal, and real estate systems of society. This book looks at the status of land parcel data in the United States.

States that it is important that the United States extract its coal resources efficiently, safely, and in an environmentally responsible manner. This book focuses on the research and development needs and priorities in the areas of coal resource and reserve assessments, coal mining and processing, and transportation of coal and coal products.

Many regulations issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are based on the results of computer models. This book presents guidelines and principles for improving agency models and decision-making processes. It also suggests a life-cycle approach to model evaluation which includes peer review, and corroboration of results.

Part of the Physics 2010 decadal survey project, this work assesses the state of the field in the United States, examines possible directions for the 21st century, offers a set of scientific challenges for American researchers to tackle, and makes recommendations for effective spending of federal funds.

Offers a vision for developments in plasma science. This report provides an examination of the themes that frame plasma research: low-temperature plasma science and engineering; plasma physics at high energy density; plasma science of magnetic fusion; space and astrophysical science; and basic plasma science.

Presents a review of the understanding of the early earth and moon; the identification of science concepts and goals for moon exploration. This report offers an assessment of implementation options; and a set of prioritized lunar science concepts, goals, and recommendations.

Attacks in London, Madrid, Bali, Oklahoma City and other places indicate that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are among the weapons of choice of terrorists throughout the world. The book suggests identifying the important and vulnerable elements in the chain of events leading up to an IED attack.

Based on the 2007 book, "Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond", this book explores each of the seventeen recommended missions. It identifies launch dates, responsible agencies, estimated cost, and scientific and public benefits. It features photographs and illustrations, tables, and graphs.

Serves as a follow-up to the 2003 volume, "Cells and Surveys: Should Biological Measures Be Included in Social Science Research?" and asks these questions: What have the social sciences, especially demography, learned from those efforts and the greater interdisciplinary communication that has resulted from them?

Presents a review of knowledge about possible life on Mars; an astrobiological assessment of current Mars missions; a review of Mars-mission planetary protection; and findings and recommendations. This report notes that the increase in understanding of Mars will come from the collection and return to Earth of a suite of Martian surface materials.

The generation of electricity by wind energy has the potential to reduce environmental impacts caused by the use of fossil fuels. This work includes a case study of the mid-Atlantic highlands, a mountainous area that spans parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Focuses on the stress and distress which is experienced by animals when used in laboratory research. This book discusses the role of humane endpoints in situations of distress and principles for the minimization of distress in laboratory animals. It offers education on the ethical issues associated with stress and distress in laboratory animals.

The security of the US commercial aviation system has grown since the 1970's when the hijacking of aircraft became a serious problem. This book focuses on data fusion as a means to improve the ability of the suite of airport detection systems and access control systems to detect and prevent attacks.

To prevent both the individually annoying and nationally significant consequences, human capabilities and needs must be considered early and throughout system design and development. This collection of development activities has come to be called human-system integration (HSI). This work reviews in detail more than 20 categories of HSI methods.

Presents a review of the nanoscale phenomena underpinning nanophotonics, an assessment of enabling technologies for developing fresh applications, an examination of potential military applications, and an assessment of foreign investment capabilities.

Evaluates the African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. This title describes 24 indigenous African cultivated and wild fruits that have potential as food and cash-crops. It assesses the potential of each fruit to help overcome malnutrition, boost food security, and foster rural development.