Testing procedures for carbon fiber reinforced plastic components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gosse, H. J.; Kaitatzidi, M.; Roth, S.

1977-01-01

Tests for studying the basic material are considered and quality control investigations involving preimpregnated materials (prepreg) are discussed. Attention is given to the prepreg area weight, the fiber area weight of prepregs, the resin content, volatile components, the effective thickness, resin flow, the resistance to bending strain, tensile strength, and shear strength. A description of tests conducted during the manufacturing process is also presented, taking into account X-ray methods, approaches of neutron radiography, ultrasonic procedures, resonance methods and impedance studies.

Test Plan Procedure for Experiment T-003

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1971-05-19

This document defines the type, sequence, and procedural details required to perform each test on the T-003 experiment aerosol analyzer, its subsystems and components. This plan utilizes the flexibility allowed for instruments in criticality category...

Classical Testing in Functional Linear Models.

PubMed

Kong, Dehan; Staicu, Ana-Maria; Maity, Arnab

2016-01-01

We extend four tests common in classical regression - Wald, score, likelihood ratio and F tests - to functional linear regression, for testing the null hypothesis, that there is no association between a scalar response and a functional covariate. Using functional principal component analysis, we re-express the functional linear model as a standard linear model, where the effect of the functional covariate can be approximated by a finite linear combination of the functional principal component scores. In this setting, we consider application of the four traditional tests. The proposed testing procedures are investigated theoretically for densely observed functional covariates when the number of principal components diverges. Using the theoretical distribution of the tests under the alternative hypothesis, we develop a procedure for sample size calculation in the context of functional linear regression. The four tests are further compared numerically for both densely and sparsely observed noisy functional data in simulation experiments and using two real data applications.

Classical Testing in Functional Linear Models

PubMed Central

Kong, Dehan; Staicu, Ana-Maria; Maity, Arnab

2016-01-01

We extend four tests common in classical regression - Wald, score, likelihood ratio and F tests - to functional linear regression, for testing the null hypothesis, that there is no association between a scalar response and a functional covariate. Using functional principal component analysis, we re-express the functional linear model as a standard linear model, where the effect of the functional covariate can be approximated by a finite linear combination of the functional principal component scores. In this setting, we consider application of the four traditional tests. The proposed testing procedures are investigated theoretically for densely observed functional covariates when the number of principal components diverges. Using the theoretical distribution of the tests under the alternative hypothesis, we develop a procedure for sample size calculation in the context of functional linear regression. The four tests are further compared numerically for both densely and sparsely observed noisy functional data in simulation experiments and using two real data applications. PMID:28955155

40 CFR 80.141 - Interim detergent gasoline program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... considered acceptable for demonstration of IVD control performance. Examples of acceptable test procedures... carburetor deposits. Examples of acceptable test procedures for demonstration of carburetor deposit control... ultimate consumer; (ii) All additized post-refinery component (PRC); and (iii) All detergent additives sold...

40 CFR 80.141 - Interim detergent gasoline program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... considered acceptable for demonstration of IVD control performance. Examples of acceptable test procedures... carburetor deposits. Examples of acceptable test procedures for demonstration of carburetor deposit control... ultimate consumer; (ii) All additized post-refinery component (PRC); and (iii) All detergent additives sold...

40 CFR 80.141 - Interim detergent gasoline program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... considered acceptable for demonstration of IVD control performance. Examples of acceptable test procedures... carburetor deposits. Examples of acceptable test procedures for demonstration of carburetor deposit control... ultimate consumer; (ii) All additized post-refinery component (PRC); and (iii) All detergent additives sold...

40 CFR 80.141 - Interim detergent gasoline program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... considered acceptable for demonstration of IVD control performance. Examples of acceptable test procedures... carburetor deposits. Examples of acceptable test procedures for demonstration of carburetor deposit control... ultimate consumer; (ii) All additized post-refinery component (PRC); and (iii) All detergent additives sold...

14 CFR 25.1045 - Cooling test procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... not one during which component and the engine fluid temperatures would stabilize (in which case... cooling test must be preceded by a period during which the powerplant component and engine fluid temperatures are stabilized with the engines at ground idle. (c) Cooling tests for each stage of flight must be...

40 CFR 89.411 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... and the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-analysis checks... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... Emission Test Procedures § 89.411 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 89.411 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... and the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-analysis checks... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... Emission Test Procedures § 89.411 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 90.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-checks is not.... (9) Neither the zero drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on... Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 90.413 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 90.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-checks is not.... (9) Neither the zero drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on... Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 90.413 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 90.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-checks is not.... (9) Neither the zero drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on... Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 90.413 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 90.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-checks is not.... (9) Neither the zero drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on... Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 90.413 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 89.411 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... and the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-analysis checks... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... Emission Test Procedures § 89.411 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 89.411 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... and the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-analysis checks... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... Emission Test Procedures § 89.411 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 89.411 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... and the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-analysis checks... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... Emission Test Procedures § 89.411 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

40 CFR 90.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... the values recorded. The number of events that may occur between the pre- and post-checks is not.... (9) Neither the zero drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on... Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 90.413 Exhaust sample procedure—gaseous components. (a) Automatic data...

Validating the Test Procedures Described in UL 1741 SA and IEEE P1547.1: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mahmud, Rasel; Hoke, Anderson F; Narang, David J

This paper investigates the test procedures specified in UL 1741 SA and the upcoming revision to IEEE P1547.1. A 550 kVA photovoltaic inverter was chosen for the tests. This research reveals some of key the components to consider while doing certification tests for UL 1741 SA and IEEE P1547.1. This paper also identifies some issues requiring consideration for future releases of the standard, i.e. IEEE P1547.1. This paper investigates the test procedures specified in UL 1741 SA and the upcoming revision to IEEE P1547.1. A 550 kVA photovoltaic inverter was chosen for the tests. This research reveals some of keymore » the components to consider while doing certification tests for UL 1741 SA and IEEE P1547.1. This paper also identifies some issues requiring consideration for future releases of the standard, i.e. IEEE P1547.1.« less

42 CFR 411.351 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... professional and technical components of any diagnostic test or procedure using x-rays, ultrasound...-ray, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound procedures that require the insertion of a needle, catheter, tube, or...

42 CFR 411.351 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... professional and technical components of any diagnostic test or procedure using x-rays, ultrasound...-ray, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound procedures that require the insertion of a needle, catheter, tube, or...

42 CFR 411.351 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... professional and technical components of any diagnostic test or procedure using x-rays, ultrasound...-ray, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound procedures that require the insertion of a needle, catheter, tube, or...

40 CFR 53.52 - Leak check test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... MONITORING REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENT METHODS Procedures for Testing Physical (Design) and Performance Characteristics of Reference Methods and Class I and Class II Equivalent Methods for PM 2.5 or PM 10-2.5 § 53.52... to include the facility, including components, instruments, operator controls, a written procedure...

Harmine treatment enhances short-term memory in old rats: Dissociation of cognition and the ability to perform the procedural requirements of maze testing.

PubMed

Mennenga, Sarah E; Gerson, Julia E; Dunckley, Travis; Bimonte-Nelson, Heather A

2015-01-01

Harmine is a naturally occurring monoamine oxidase inhibitor that has recently been shown to selectively inhibit the dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A). We investigated the cognitive effects of 1mg (low) Harmine and 5mg (high) Harmine using the delayed-match-to-sample (DMS) asymmetrical 3-choice water maze task to evaluate spatial working and recent memory, and the Morris water maze task (MM) to test spatial reference memory. Animals were also tested on the visible platform task, a water-escape task with the same motor, motivational, and reinforcement components as the other tasks used to evaluate cognition, but differing in its greater simplicity and that the platform was visible above the surface of the water. A subset of the Harmine-high treated animals showed clear motor impairments on all behavioral tasks, and the visible platform task confirmed a lack of competence to perform the procedural components of water maze testing. After excluding animals from the high dose group that could not perform the procedural components of a swim task, it was revealed that both high- and low-dose treatment with Harmine enhanced performance on the latter portion of DMS testing, but had no effect on MM performance. Thus, this study demonstrates the importance of confirming motor and visual competence when studying animal cognition, and verifies the one-day visible platform task as a reliable measure of ability to perform the procedural components necessary for completion of a swim task. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Inverse gas chromatographic determination of solubility parameters of excipients.

PubMed

Adamska, Katarzyna; Voelkel, Adam

2005-11-04

The principle aim of this work was an application of inverse gas chromatography (IGC) for the estimation of solubility parameter for pharmaceutical excipients. The retention data of number of test solutes were used to calculate Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (chi1,2infinity) and than solubility parameter (delta2), corrected solubility parameter (deltaT) and its components (deltad, deltap, deltah) by using different procedures. The influence of different values of test solutes solubility parameter (delta1) over calculated values was estimated. The solubility parameter values obtained for all excipients from the slope, from Guillet and co-workers' procedure are higher than that obtained from components according Voelkel and Janas procedure. It was found that solubility parameter's value of the test solutes influences, but not significantly, values of solubility parameter of excipients.

Development of a full-scale transmission testing procedure to evaluate advanced lubricants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewicki, David G.; Decker, Harry J.; Shimski, John T.

1992-01-01

Experimental tests were performed on the OH-58A helicopter main rotor transmission in the NASA Lewis 500-hp Helicopter Transmission Test Stand. The testing was part of a joint Navy/NASA/Army lubrication program. The objective of the program was to develop a separate lubricant for gearboxes and demonstrate an improved performance in life and load-carrying capacity. The goal of the experiments was to develop a testing procedure to fail certain transmission components using a MIL-L-23699 base reference oil, then run identical tests with improved lubricants and demonstrate performance. The tests were directed at failing components that the Navy has had problems with due to marginal lubrication. These failures included mast shaft bearing micropitting, sun gear and planet bearing fatigue, and spiral bevel gear scoring. A variety of tests were performed and over 900 hours of total run time accumulated for these tests. Some success was achieved in developing a testing procedure to produce sun gear and planet bearing fatigue failures. Only marginal success was achieved in producing mast shaft bearing micropitting and spiral bevel gear scoring.

Guidelines for testing and release procedures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Molari, R.; Conway, M.

1984-01-01

Guidelines and procedures are recommended for the testing and release of the types of computer software efforts commonly performed at NASA/Ames Research Center. All recommendations are based on the premise that testing and release activities must be specifically selected for the environment, size, and purpose of each individual software project. Guidelines are presented for building a Test Plan and using formal Test Plan and Test Care Inspections on it. Frequent references are made to NASA/Ames Guidelines for Software Inspections. Guidelines are presented for selecting an Overall Test Approach and for each of the four main phases of testing: (1) Unit Testing of Components, (2) Integration Testing of Components, (3) System Integration Testing, and (4) Acceptance Testing. Tools used for testing are listed, including those available from operating systems used at Ames, specialized tools which can be developed, unit test drivers, stub module generators, and the use of format test reporting schemes.

Magnetoencephalogram blind source separation and component selection procedure to improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease patients.

PubMed

Escudero, Javier; Hornero, Roberto; Abásolo, Daniel; Fernández, Alberto; Poza, Jesús

2007-01-01

The aim of this study was to improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients applying a blind source separation (BSS) and component selection procedure to their magnetoencephalogram (MEG) recordings. MEGs from 18 AD patients and 18 control subjects were decomposed with the algorithm for multiple unknown signals extraction. MEG channels and components were characterized by their mean frequency, spectral entropy, approximate entropy, and Lempel-Ziv complexity. Using Student's t-test, the components which accounted for the most significant differences between groups were selected. Then, these relevant components were used to partially reconstruct the MEG channels. By means of a linear discriminant analysis, we found that the BSS-preprocessed MEGs classified the subjects with an accuracy of 80.6%, whereas 72.2% accuracy was obtained without the BSS and component selection procedure.

40 CFR 53.52 - Leak check test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... MONITORING REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENT METHODS Procedures for Testing Physical (Design) and Performance Characteristics of Reference Methods and Class I and Class II Equivalent Methods for PM2.5 or PM10â2.5 § 53.52... to include the facility, including components, instruments, operator controls, a written procedure...

40 CFR 53.52 - Leak check test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... MONITORING REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENT METHODS Procedures for Testing Physical (Design) and Performance Characteristics of Reference Methods and Class I and Class II Equivalent Methods for PM2.5 or PM10â2.5 § 53.52... to include the facility, including components, instruments, operator controls, a written procedure...

40 CFR 53.52 - Leak check test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... MONITORING REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENT METHODS Procedures for Testing Physical (Design) and Performance Characteristics of Reference Methods and Class I and Class II Equivalent Methods for PM2.5 or PM10â2.5 § 53.52... to include the facility, including components, instruments, operator controls, a written procedure...

14 CFR 125.287 - Initial and recurrent pilot testing requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

..., instrument approach facilities and procedures; (5) Air traffic control procedures, including IFR procedures... certificate holder; (2) For each type of airplane to be flown by the pilot, the airplane powerplant, major components and systems, major appliances, performance and operating limitations, standard and emergency...

Fatigue qualification of high thickness composite rotor components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raggi, M.; Mariani, U.; Zaffaroni, G.

Fatigue qualification aspects of composite rotor components are presented according with the safe life procedure usually applied by helicopter manufacturers. Test activities are identified at three levels of specimen complexity: coupon, structural element and full scale component. Particular attention is given to high thickness laminates qualification as far as environmental exposure is concerned. A practical approach for an accelerated conditioning procedure is described. The application to a main rotor tension link is presented showing the negligible effect of the moisture absorption on its fatigue strength.

Hanford spent nuclear fuel hot conditioning system test procedure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cleveland, K.J.

1997-09-16

This document provides the test procedures for cold testing of the prototype Hot Conditioning System (HCS) at the 306E Facility. The primary objective of this testing is to confirm design choices and provide data for the detailed design package prior to procurement of the process equipment. The current scope of testing in this document includes a fabricability study of the HCS, equipment performance testing of the HCS components, heat-up and cool-down cycle simulation, and robotic arm testing.

Laser-Induced Damage Threshold and Certification Procedures for Optical Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

This document provides instructions for performing laser-induced-damage-threshold tests and pass-fail certification tests on optical materials used in pulsed-laser systems. The optical materials to which these procedures apply include coated and uncoated optical substrates, laser crystals, Q-switches, polarizers, and other optical components employed in pulsed-laser systems.

21 CFR 606.100 - Standard operating procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection when tested under § 610.40 of this chapter, or when a blood... viral clearance procedures; (iii) To notify consignees to quarantine in-date blood and blood components... are manufactured using validated viral clearance procedures; (iv) To determine the suitability for...

Characterization of exhaust emissions from diesel-powered passenger cars with particular reference to unregulated components

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lies, K.H.; Postulka, A.; Gring, H.

Besides regulated components VW's research program in the field of characterization of diesel emissions comprises a detailed analysis of the particulates and a comprehensive study of a number of unregulated gaseous compounds. The following chemical compounds and classes of compounds are measured: particulates, traces of metals, major elements, sulfates, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes, ammonia, phenols, individual hydrocarbons, and odor (DOAS). The test fleet of this investigation included a number of VW and Audi cars equipped with 4-, and 5-cylinder diesel engines (naturally aspirated and turbocharged). All measurements were performed on a chassis dynamometer in accordance with themore » specification of the known US-test-procedures: Federal Test Procedure, Sulfate Emission Test, Fuel Economy Test. For sampling , in principle, the dilution tunnel technique was used combined with an automatically working collection system. This micro-processor controlled system involves 13 individual sample lines, 8 for gaseous and 5 for particulate components.« less

Synthesis of Sine-on-Random vibration profiles for accelerated life tests based on fatigue damage spectrum equivalence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angeli, Andrea; Cornelis, Bram; Troncossi, Marco

2018-03-01

In many real life environments, mechanical and electronic systems are subjected to vibrations that may induce dynamic loads and potentially lead to an early failure due to fatigue damage. Thus, qualification tests by means of shakers are advisable for the most critical components in order to verify their durability throughout the entire life cycle. Nowadays the trend is to tailor the qualification tests according to the specific application of the tested component, considering the measured field data as reference to set up the experimental campaign, for example through the so called "Mission Synthesis" methodology. One of the main issues is to define the excitation profiles for the tests, that must have, besides the (potentially scaled) frequency content, also the same damage potential of the field data despite being applied for a limited duration. With this target, the current procedures generally provide the test profile as a stationary random vibration specified by a Power Spectral Density (PSD). In certain applications this output may prove inadequate to represent the nature of the reference signal, and the procedure could result in an unrealistic qualification test. For instance when a rotating part is present in the system the component under analysis may be subjected to Sine-on-Random (SoR) vibrations, namely excitations composed of sinusoidal contributions superimposed to random vibrations. In this case, the synthesized test profile should preserve not only the induced fatigue damage but also the deterministic components of the environmental vibration. In this work, the potential advantages of a novel procedure to synthesize SoR profiles instead of PSDs for qualification tests are presented and supported by the results of an experimental campaign.

Correlation of ground tests and analyses of a dynamically scaled Space Station model configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Javeed, Mehzad; Edighoffer, Harold H.; Mcgowan, Paul E.

1993-01-01

Verification of analytical models through correlation with ground test results of a complex space truss structure is demonstrated. A multi-component, dynamically scaled space station model configuration is the focus structure for this work. Previously established test/analysis correlation procedures are used to develop improved component analytical models. Integrated system analytical models, consisting of updated component analytical models, are compared with modal test results to establish the accuracy of system-level dynamic predictions. Design sensitivity model updating methods are shown to be effective for providing improved component analytical models. Also, the effects of component model accuracy and interface modeling fidelity on the accuracy of integrated model predictions is examined.

Characterization of DUT impedance in immunity test setups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassanpour Razavi, Seyyed Ali; Frei, Stephan

2016-09-01

Several immunity test procedures for narrowband radiated electromagnetic energy are available for automotive components. The ISO 11452 series describes the most commonly used test methods. The absorber line shielded enclosure (ALSE) is often considered as the most reliable method. However, testing with the bulk current injection (BCI) can be done with less efforts and is often preferred. As the test setup in both procedures is quite similar, there were several trials for finding appropriate modifications to the BCI in order to increase the matching to the ALSE. However, the lack of knowledge regarding the impedance of the tested component, makes it impossible to find the equivalent current to be injected by the BCI and a good match cannot be achieved. In this paper, three approaches are proposed to estimate the termination impedance indirectly by using different current probes.

Powertrain Test Procedure Development for EPA GHG Certification of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chambon, Paul H.; Deter, Dean D.

2016-07-01

xiii ABSTRACT The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate powertrain test procedures that can accurately simulate real-world operating conditions, and to determine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of advanced medium- and heavy-duty engine and vehicle technologies. ORNL used their Vehicle System Integration Laboratory to evaluate test procedures on a stand-alone engine as well as two powertrains. Those components where subjected to various drive cycles and vehicle conditions to evaluate the validity of the results over a broad range of test conditions. Overall, more than 1000 tests were performed. The data are compiled and analyzed in this report.

40 CFR 86.1806-05 - Onboard diagnostics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... certification test cycle as defined in paragraphs (a) and (d) of Appendix I of this part, or similar trip as... procedures defined as “Supplemental” test procedures in § 86.004-2 and codified in §§ 86.158, 86.159, and 86... infeasibility. Malfunctions are defined as a failure of the system or component to meet the electrical circuit...

A leading edge heating array and a flat surface heating array - operation, maintenance and repair manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

A general description of the leading edge/flat surface heating array is presented along with its components, assembly instructions, installation instructions, operation procedures, maintenance instructions, repair procedures, schematics, spare parts lists, engineering drawings of the array, and functional acceptance test log sheets. The proper replacement of components, correct torque values, step-by-step maintenance instructions, and pretest checkouts are described.

Test Operations Procedure (TOP) 4-2-013 Commodity Engineering Test Procedures, Recoilless Rifle Ammunition

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-22

test officer). At a minimum, the CIL will be conducted at the operator level (often referred to as “field strip and clean”). More detailed...is checked before each shot is fired. Use a boresight (optical or laser ) as necessary to check alignment to the target aiming point if the barrel is...for this test should be representative of production. All components must be present, including projectile paint and markings, fuzes, any tool

Electronic test and calibration circuits, a compilation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

A wide variety of simple test calibration circuits are compiled for the engineer and laboratory technician. The majority of circuits were found inexpensive to assemble. Testing electronic devices and components, instrument and system test, calibration and reference circuits, and simple test procedures are presented.

AgRISTARS: Foreign commodity production forecasting. The 1980 US corn and soybeans exploratory experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malin, J. T.; Carnes, J. G. (Principal Investigator)

1981-01-01

The U.S. corn and soybeans exploratory experiment is described which consisted of evaluations of two technology components of a production forecasting system: classification procedures (crop labeling and proportion estimation at the level of a sampling unit) and sampling and aggregation procedures. The results from the labeling evaluations indicate that the corn and soybeans labeling procedure works very well in the U.S. corn belt with full season (after tasseling) LANDSAT data. The procedure should be readily adaptable to corn and soybeans labeling required for subsequent exploratory experiments or pilot tests. The machine classification procedures evaluated in this experiment were not effective in improving the proportion estimates. The corn proportions produced by the machine procedures had a large bias when the bias correction was not performed. This bias was caused by the manner in which the machine procedures handled spectrally impure pixels. The simulation test indicated that the weighted aggregation procedure performed quite well. Although further work can be done to improve both the simulation tests and the aggregation procedure, the results of this test show that the procedure should serve as a useful baseline procedure in future exploratory experiments and pilot tests.

Reliability of hybrid microcircuit discrete components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, R. V.

1972-01-01

Data accumulated during 4 years of research and evaluation of ceramic chip capacitors, ceramic carrier mounted active devices, beam-lead transistors, and chip resistors are presented. Life and temperature coefficient test data, and optical and scanning electron microscope photographs of device failures are presented and the failure modes are described. Particular interest is given to discrete component qualification, power burn-in, and procedures for testing and screening discrete components. Burn-in requirements and test data will be given in support of 100 percent burn-in policy on all NASA flight programs.

Effect of microbiological testing on subsequent mid-infrared milk component analysis of the same milk sample.

PubMed

Wojciechowski, Karen L; Melilli, Caterina; Barbano, David M

2014-09-01

Our objectives were to determine if mixing and sampling of a raw milk sample at 4°C for determination of total bacteria count (TBC) and if incubation at 14°C for 18h and sampling for a preliminary incubation (PI) count influenced the accuracy of subsequent fat, protein, or lactose measurement by mid-infrared (IR) analysis of milk from the same sample container due to either nonrepresentative sampling or the presence of microbial metabolites produced by microbial growth in the milk from the incubation. Milks of 4 fat levels (2.2, 3, 4, and 5%) reflected the range of fat levels encountered in producer milks. If the portion of milk removed from a cold sample was not representative, then the effect on a milk component test would likely be larger as fat content increases. Within the milks at each fat level, 3 treatments were used: (1) 20 vials of the same milk sampled for testing TBC using a BactoScan FC and then used for a milk component test; (2) 20 vials for testing TBC plus PI count followed by component test; and (3) 20 vials to run for IR component test without a prior micro sampling and testing. This was repeated in 3 different weeks using a different batch of milk each week. No large effect on the accuracy of component milk testing [IR fat B (carbon hydrogen stretch) and fat A (carbonyl stretch)] due to the cold milk sample handling and mixing procedures used for TBC was detected, confirming the fact that the physical removal of milk from the vial by the BactoScan FC (Foss Electric, Hillerød, Denmark) was a representative portion of the milk. However, the representativeness of any other sampling procedure (manual or automated) of a cold milk sample before running milk component testing on the same container of milk should be demonstrated and verified periodically as a matter of routine laboratory quality assurance. Running TBC with a BactoScan FC first and then IR milk analysis after had a minimal effect on milk component tests by IR when milk bacteria counts were within pasteurized milk ordinance limits of <100,000 cfu/mL. Running raw milk PI counts (18h of incubation at 13-14°C) with the BactoScan FC before milk component testing by IR milk analysis had an effect on component tests. The effect was largest on fat test results and would decrease the accuracy of milk payment testing on individual producer milks. The effect was most likely due to the absorption of light by bacterial metabolites resulting from microbial growth or other chemical degradation processes occurring in the milk during the PI count incubation, not by the sampling procedure of the BactoScan. The direction of the effect on component test results will vary depending on the bacteria count and the type of bacteria that grew in the milk, and this could be different in every individual producer milk sample. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Integrated Advance Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). Performance Verification Report: EOS AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 Receivers Assemblies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This test report presents the test data of the EOS AMSU-A Flight Model No.1 (FM-1) receiver subsystem. The tests are performed per the Acceptance Test Procedure for the AMSU-A Reseiver Subsystem, AE-26002/6A. The functional performance tests are conducted either at the component or subsystem level. While the component-level tests are performed over the entire operating temperature range predicted by thermal analysis, the subsystem-level test are conducted at ambient temperature only.

Outcome of prosthesis matched and unmatched patella components in primary and revision total knee replacement.

PubMed

Lewis, Peter L; Gamboa, Ai E; Campbell, David G; Lorimer, Michelle

2017-10-01

Although knee replacements have specifically designed patella prostheses that correspond to the geometry of their femoral components, a patella prosthesis that is unmatched to the femoral component may occasionally be inserted. In revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), an originally resurfaced patella may be left, but the femoral component revised to one that does not match the patella. Few studies have compared the outcome of matched and unmatched patella components in TKA. This study compared the primary or revision TKA outcome of procedures where patella components matched to their femoral counterparts were inserted, with procedures using patella and femoral components that were unmatched. Data on all primary and revision TKA procedures without a patella component or a matched or an unmatched patella component were obtained from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). Revision surgery was the outcome measure. Cumulative percent revised (CPR) were calculated and Hazard ratios with p values were used to test statistical significance. In primary TKA, there were higher rates of revision where unmatched patella components were used, regardless of implant design. There was no difference in the second revision rates of unmatched versus matched patella component groups. This was evident where delayed resurfacing was carried out, and where the patella prosthesis was left alone but the femoral component was changed. All primary TKA procedures require a patella component corresponding to the femoral component if the patella is resurfaced. Conversely, revision knee arthroplasties are not affected by the use of dissimilar patella and femoral components. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Three state-of-the-art individual electric and hybrid vehicle test reports, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Procedures used in determining the energy efficiency and economy of a gasoline-electric hybrid taxi, an electric passenger car, and an electric van are described. Tabular and graphic data show results of driving cycle and constant speed tests, energy distribution to various components, efficiency of the components, and, for the hybrid vehicle, the emissions.

Instruction manual model 600F, data transmission test set

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Information necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Model 600F Data Transmission Test Set is presented. A description is contained of the physical and functional characteristics; pertinent installation data; instructions for operating the equipment; general and detailed principles of operation; preventive and corrective maintenance procedures; and block, logic, and component layout diagrams of the equipment and its major component assemblies.

Blood banking and transfusion medicine for the apheresis medicine practitioner.

PubMed

Jeffus, Susanne; Wehrli, Gay

2012-01-01

This article provides a concise overview of blood banking and transfusion medicine (BBTM) for the therapeutic apheresis medicine practitioner. It addresses the complete pathway from blood donor qualification to blood collection, to processing and storing blood components, to patient testing, to ordering blood components for therapeutic apheresis (TA) procedures, to preparing the component for transfusion, and finally to transfusion. The nurses, technologists, and physicians orchestrate these activities in concert to best serve patients undergoing TA procedures. Enhancing knowledge of these processes may improve the quality of patient care and the utilization of blood products. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Proportion of general factor variance in a hierarchical multiple-component measuring instrument: a note on a confidence interval estimation procedure.

PubMed

Raykov, Tenko; Zinbarg, Richard E

2011-05-01

A confidence interval construction procedure for the proportion of explained variance by a hierarchical, general factor in a multi-component measuring instrument is outlined. The method provides point and interval estimates for the proportion of total scale score variance that is accounted for by the general factor, which could be viewed as common to all components. The approach may also be used for testing composite (one-tailed) or simple hypotheses about this proportion, and is illustrated with a pair of examples. ©2010 The British Psychological Society.

Radar, target and ranging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1984-09-01

This Test Operations Procedure (TOP) provides conventional test methods employing conventional test instrumentation for testing conventional radars. Single tests and subtests designed to test radar components, transmitters, receivers, antennas, etc., and system performance are conducted with single item instruments such as meters, generators, attenuators, counters, oscillators, plotters, etc., and with adequate land areas for conducting field tests.

Advanced Turbine Technology Applications Project (ATTAP)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

ATTAP activities during the past year included test-bed engine design and development, ceramic component design, materials and component characterization, ceramic component process development and fabrication, ceramic component rig testing, and test-bed engine fabrication and testing. Significant technical challenges remain, but all areas exhibited progress. Test-bed engine design and development included engine mechanical design, combustion system design, alternate aerodynamic designs of gasifier scrolls, and engine system integration aimed at upgrading the AGT-5 from a 1038 C (1900 F) metal engine to a durable 1372 C (2500 F) structural ceramic component test-bed engine. ATTAP-defined ceramic and associated ceramic/metal component design activities completed include the ceramic gasifier turbine static structure, the ceramic gasifier turbine rotor, ceramic combustors, the ceramic regenerator disk, the ceramic power turbine rotors, and the ceramic/metal power turbine static structure. The material and component characterization efforts included the testing and evaluation of seven candidate materials and three development components. Ceramic component process development and fabrication proceeded for the gasifier turbine rotor, gasifier turbine scroll, gasifier turbine vanes and vane platform, extruded regenerator disks, and thermal insulation. Component rig activities included the development of both rigs and the necessary test procedures, and conduct of rig testing of the ceramic components and assemblies. Test-bed engine fabrication, testing, and development supported improvements in ceramic component technology that permit the achievement of both program performance and durability goals. Total test time in 1991 amounted to 847 hours, of which 128 hours were engine testing, and 719 were hot rig testing.

Project W-320 acceptance test report for AY-farm electrical distribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bevins, R.R.

1998-04-02

This Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) has been prepared to demonstrate that the AY-Farm Electrical Distribution System functions as required by the design criteria. This test is divided into three parts to support the planned construction schedule; Section 8 tests Mini-Power Pane AY102-PPI and the EES; Section 9 tests the SSS support systems; Section 10 tests the SSS and the Multi-Pak Group Control Panel. This test does not include the operation of end-use components (loads) supplied from the distribution system. Tests of the end-use components (loads) will be performed by other W-320 ATPs.

Track component property tests : property tests volume 1 : rail, tie, and fasteners.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-08-01

This report describes the test procedures and the results of tests on the physical properties of rail, tie and fastener. The properties obtained are the bending rigidity of the tie, bending rigidity of the rail in both the vertical and lateral planes...

Extension of similarity test procedures to cooled engine components with insulating ceramic coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gladden, H. J.

1980-01-01

Material thermal conductivity was analyzed for its effect on the thermal performance of air cooled gas turbine components, both with and without a ceramic thermal-barrier material, tested at reduced temperatures and pressures. The analysis shows that neglecting the material thermal conductivity can contribute significant errors when metal-wall-temperature test data taken on a turbine vane are extrapolated to engine conditions. This error in metal temperature for an uncoated vane is of opposite sign from that for a ceramic-coated vane. A correction technique is developed for both ceramic-coated and uncoated components.

Membrane oxygenator heat exchanger failure detected by unique blood gas findings.

PubMed

Hawkins, Justin L

2014-03-01

Failure of components integrated into the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, although rare, can bring about catastrophic results. One of these components is the heat exchanger of the membrane oxygenator. In this compartment, unsterile water from the heater cooler device is separated from the sterile blood by stainless steel, aluminum, or by polyurethane. These areas are glued or welded to keep the two compartments separate, maintaining sterility of the blood. Although quality control testing is performed by the manufacturer at the factory level, transport presents the real possibility for damage. Because of this, each manufacturer has included in the instructions for use a testing procedure for testing the integrity of the heat exchanger component. Water is circulated through the heat exchanger before priming and a visible check is made of the oxygenator bundle to check for leaks. If none are apparent, then priming of the oxygenator is performed. In this particular case, this procedure was not useful in detecting communication between the water and blood chambers of the oxygenator.

Characteristics of the Test Components of the IELTS Battery: Australian Trial Data.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffin, Patrick

Results of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) battery trials in Australia are reported. The IELTS tests of productive language skills use direct assessment strategies and subjective scoring according to detailed guidelines. The receptive skills tests use indirect assessment strategies and clerical scoring procedures.…

A solar energy estimation procedure using remote sensing techniques. [watershed hydrologic models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khorram, S.

1977-01-01

The objective of this investigation is to design a remote sensing-aided procedure for daily location-specific estimation of solar radiation components over the watershed(s) of interest. This technique has been tested on the Spanish Creek Watershed, Northern California, with successful results.

Preliminary vibration, acoustic, and shock design and test criteria for components on the Lightweight External Tank (LWT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

The Space Shuttle LWT is divided into zones and subzones. Zones are designated primarily to assist in determining the applicable specifications. A subzone (general Specification) is available for use when the location of the component is known but component design and weight are not well defined. When the location, weight, and mounting configuration of the component are known, specifications for appropriate subzone weight ranges are available. Along with the specifications are vibration, acoustic, shock, transportation, handling, and acceptance test requirements and procedures. A method of selecting applicable vibration, acoustic, and shock specifications is presented.

Guide for Oxygen Component Qualification Tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bamford, Larry J.; Rucker, Michelle A.; Dobbin, Douglas

1996-01-01

Although oxygen is a chemically stable element, it is not shock sensitive, will not decompose, and is not flammable. Oxygen use therefore carries a risk that should never be overlooked, because oxygen is a strong oxidizer that vigorously supports combustion. Safety is of primary concern in oxygen service. To promote safety in oxygen systems, the flammability of materials used in them should be analyzed. At the NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF), we have performed configurational tests of components specifically engineered for oxygen service. These tests follow a detailed WSTF oxygen hazards analysis. The stated objective of the tests was to provide performance test data for customer use as part of a qualification plan for a particular component in a particular configuration, and under worst-case conditions. In this document - the 'Guide for Oxygen Component Qualification Tests' - we outline recommended test systems, and cleaning, handling, and test procedures that address worst-case conditions. It should be noted that test results apply specifically to: manual valves, remotely operated valves, check valves, relief valves, filters, regulators, flexible hoses, and intensifiers. Component systems are not covered.

Refurbishment of SRB aluminum components by walnut hull blast removal of protective coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colberg, W. R.; Gordon, G. H.; Jackson, C. H.

1982-01-01

A test program was conducted to develop, optimize, and scale up an abrasive blasting procedure was developed for refurbishment of specific SRB components: aft skirt, forward skirt, frustrum, and painted piece parts. Test specimens utilizing 2219 T87 aluminum substrate of varying thicknesses were prepared and blasted at progressively increasing pressures with selected abrasives. Specimens were analyzed for material response. The optimum blasting parameters were determined on panel specimens and verified on a large cylindrical integrated test bed.

Development and testing of laser Doppler system components for wake vortex monitoring. Volume 2: Scanner operations manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, B. B.; Coffey, E. W.

1974-01-01

The theory and operation of the scanner portion of the laser Doppler system for detecting and monitoring aircraft trailing vortices in an airport environment are discussed. Schematics, wiring diagrams, component values, and operation and checkout procedures are included.

Test Operations Procedure (TOP) 02-2-546 Teleoperated Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Latency Measurements

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-11

discrete system components or measurements of latency in autonomous systems. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Basic Video Latency, End-to... discrete system components or measurements of latency in autonomous systems. 1.1 Basic Video Latency. Teleoperation latency, or lag, describes

Development tests for the 2.5 megawatt Mod-2 wind turbine generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, J. S.; Baskin, J. M.

1982-01-01

The 2.5 megawatt MOD-2 wind turbine generator test program is discussed. The development of the 2.5 megawatt MOD-2 wind turbine generator included an extensive program of testing which encompassed verification of analytical procedures, component development, and integrated system verification. The test program was to assure achievement of the thirty year design operational life of the wind turbine system as well as to minimize costly design modifications which would otherwise have been required during on site system testing. Computer codes were modified, fatigue life of structure and dynamic components were verified, mechanical and electrical component and subsystems were functionally checked and modified where necessary to meet system specifications, and measured dynamic responses of coupled systems confirmed analytical predictions.

Investigation on bending failure to characterize crashworthiness of 6xxx-series aluminium sheet alloys with bending-tension test procedure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henn, Philipp; Liewald, Mathias; Sindel, Manfred

2018-05-01

As lightweight design as well as crash performance are crucial to future car body design, exact material characterisation is important to use materials at their full potential and reach maximum efficiency. Within the scope of this paper, the potential of newly established bending-tension test procedure to characterise material crashworthiness is investigated. In this test setup for the determination of material failure, a buckling-bending test is coupled with a subsequent tensile test. If prior bending load is critical, tensile strength and elongation in the subsequent tensile test are dramatically reduced. The new test procedure therefore offers an applicable definition of failure as the incapacity of energy consumption in subsequent phases of the crash represents failure of a component. In addition to that, the correlation of loading condition with actual crash scenarios (buckling and free bending) is improved compared to three- point bending test. The potential of newly established bending-tension test procedure to characterise material crashworthiness is investigated in this experimental studys on two aluminium sheet alloys. Experimental results are validated with existing ductility characterisation from edge compression test.

Preliminary vibration, acoustic, and shock design and test criteria for components on the SRB, ET, and SSME

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Specifications for vibration, acoustic and shock design for components and subassemblies on the External Tank (ET), Solid Rocket Booster (SRB), and Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Included are vibration, acoustic, shock, transportation, handling, and acceptance test requirements and procedures. The space shuttle ET, SRB, and SSME have been divided into zones and subzones. Zones are designated primarily to assist in determining the applicable specifications. A subzone (General Specification) is available for use when the location of the component is known but component design and weight are not well defined. When the location, weight, and mounting configuration of the component are known, specifications for appropriate subzone weight ranges are available. Criteria for some specific components are also presented.

Configural and component processing in simultaneous and sequential lineup procedures.

PubMed

Flowe, Heather D; Smith, Harriet M J; Karoğlu, Nilda; Onwuegbusi, Tochukwu O; Rai, Lovedeep

2016-01-01

Configural processing supports accurate face recognition, yet it has never been examined within the context of criminal identification lineups. We tested, using the inversion paradigm, the role of configural processing in lineups. Recent research has found that face discrimination accuracy in lineups is better in a simultaneous compared to a sequential lineup procedure. Therefore, we compared configural processing in simultaneous and sequential lineups to examine whether there are differences. We had participants view a crime video, and then they attempted to identify the perpetrator from a simultaneous or sequential lineup. The test faces were presented either upright or inverted, as previous research has shown that inverting test faces disrupts configural processing. The size of the inversion effect for faces was the same across lineup procedures, indicating that configural processing underlies face recognition in both procedures. Discrimination accuracy was comparable across lineup procedures in both the upright and inversion condition. Theoretical implications of the results are discussed.

21 CFR 606.100 - Standard operating procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... components from a donor who later tests reactive for evidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection... establishment is made aware of other reliable test results or information indicating evidence of HIV or HCV... consignees of the results of the HIV or HCV testing performed on the donors of such blood and blood...

21 CFR 606.100 - Standard operating procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... components from a donor who later tests reactive for evidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection... establishment is made aware of other reliable test results or information indicating evidence of HIV or HCV... consignees of the results of the HIV or HCV testing performed on the donors of such blood and blood...

21 CFR 606.100 - Standard operating procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... components from a donor who later tests reactive for evidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection... establishment is made aware of other reliable test results or information indicating evidence of HIV or HCV... consignees of the results of the HIV or HCV testing performed on the donors of such blood and blood...

21 CFR 606.100 - Standard operating procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... components from a donor who later tests reactive for evidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection... establishment is made aware of other reliable test results or information indicating evidence of HIV or HCV... consignees of the results of the HIV or HCV testing performed on the donors of such blood and blood...

Training Manuals and Technical Publications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Army Test and Evaluation Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

The objective of the Materiel Test Procedure is to describe methods for determining the need for adequacy of comprehensiveness, and clarity of training manuals and technical publications (or other pertinent types of literature) relating to the ammunition or ammunition components being tested. (Author)

The development of pyro shock test requirements for Viking Lander Capsule components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barrett, S.

1975-01-01

The procedure used to derive component-level pyro shock specifications for the Viking Lander Capsule (VLC) is described. Effects of shock path distance and mechanical joints between the device and the point at which the environment is to be estimated are accounted for in the method. The validity of the prediction technique was verified by a series of shock tests on a full-scale structural model of the lander body.

Test Operations Procedure (TOP) 08-2-197 Chemical Protection Testing of Sorbent-Based Air Purification Components (APCs)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-24

APC’s ability to filter air in a chemically contaminated environment. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Air purification component; APC; filtration fabric...FF, filter media, collective protection; individual protection. 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT SAR 18...incoming air. The intent of this process is to produce traceable, quantifiable, and defensible data that can be used to analyze an APC’s ability to filter

Techniques for evaluating digestibility of energy, amino acids, phosphorus, and calcium in feed ingredients for pigs.

PubMed

Zhang, Fengrui; Adeola, Olayiwola

2017-12-01

Sound feed formulation is dependent upon precise evaluation of energy and nutrients values in feed ingredients. Hence the methodology to determine the digestibility of energy and nutrients in feedstuffs should be chosen carefully before conducting experiments. The direct and difference procedures are widely used to determine the digestibility of energy and nutrients in feedstuffs. The direct procedure is normally considered when the test feedstuff can be formulated as the sole source of the component of interest in the test diet. However, in some cases where test ingredients can only be formulated to replace a portion of the basal diet to provide the component of interest, the difference procedure can be applied to get equally robust values. Based on components of interest, ileal digesta or feces can be collected, and different sample collection processes can be used. For example, for amino acids (AA), to avoid the interference of fermentation in the hind gut, ileal digesta samples are collected to determine the ileal digestibility and simple T-cannula and index method are commonly used techniques for AA digestibility analysis. For energy, phosphorus, and calcium, normally fecal samples will be collected to determine the total tract digestibility, and therefore the total collection method is recommended to obtain more accurate estimates. Concerns with the use of apparent digestibility values include different estimated values from different inclusion level and non-additivity in mixtures of feed ingredients. These concerns can be overcome by using standardized digestibility, or true digestibility, by correcting endogenous losses of components from apparent digestibility values. In this review, methodologies used to determine energy and nutrients digestibility in pigs are discussed. It is suggested that the methodology should be carefully selected based on the component of interest, feed ingredients, and available experimental facilities.

Bayesian networks for satellite payload testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Przytula, Krzysztof W.; Hagen, Frank; Yung, Kar

1999-11-01

Satellite payloads are fast increasing in complexity, resulting in commensurate growth in cost of manufacturing and operation. A need exists for a software tool, which would assist engineers in production and operation of satellite systems. We have designed and implemented a software tool, which performs part of this task. The tool aids a test engineer in debugging satellite payloads during system testing. At this stage of satellite integration and testing both the tested payload and the testing equipment represent complicated systems consisting of a very large number of components and devices. When an error is detected during execution of a test procedure, the tool presents to the engineer a ranked list of potential sources of the error and a list of recommended further tests. The engineer decides this on this basis if to perform some of the recommended additional test or replace the suspect component. The tool has been installed in payload testing facility. The tool is based on Bayesian networks, a graphical method of representing uncertainty in terms of probabilistic influences. The Bayesian network was configured using detailed flow diagrams of testing procedures and block diagrams of the payload and testing hardware. The conditional and prior probability values were initially obtained from experts and refined in later stages of design. The Bayesian network provided a very informative model of the payload and testing equipment and inspired many new ideas regarding the future test procedures and testing equipment configurations. The tool is the first step in developing a family of tools for various phases of satellite integration and operation.

Shuttle filter study. Volume 2: Contaminant generation and sensitivity studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

Contaminant generation studies were conducted at the component level using two different methods, radioactive tracer technique and gravimetric analysis test procedure. Both of these were reduced to practice during this program. In the first of these methods, radioactively tagged components typical of those used in spacecraft were studied to determine their contaminant generation characteristics under simulated operating conditions. Because the purpose of the work was: (1) to determine the types and quantities of contaminants generated; and (2) to evaluate improved monitoring and detection schemes, no attempt was made to evaluate or qualify specific components. The components used in this test program were therefore not flight hardware items. Some of them had been used in previous tests; some were obsolete; one was an experimental device. In addition to the component tests, various materials of interest to contaminant and filtration studies were irradiated and evaluated for use as autotracer materials. These included test dusts, plastics, valve seat materials, and bearing cage materials.

NDT detection and quantification of induced defects on composite helicopter rotor blade and UAV wing sections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Findeis, Dirk; Gryzagoridis, Jasson; Musonda, Vincent

2008-09-01

Digital Shearography and Infrared Thermography (IRT) techniques were employed to test non-destructively samples from aircraft structures of composite material nature. Background information on the techniques is presented and it is noted that much of the inspection work reviewed in the literature has focused on qualitative evaluation of the defects rather than quantitative. There is however, need to quantify the defects if the threshold rejection criterion of whether the component inspected is fit for service has to be established. In this paper an attempt to quantify induced defects on a helicopter main rotor blade and Unmanned Aerospace Vehicle (UAV) composite material is presented. The fringe patterns exhibited by Digital Shearography were used to quantify the defects by relating the number of fringes created to the depth of the defect or flaw. Qualitative evaluation of defects with IRT was achieved through a hot spot temperature indication above the flaw on the surface of the material. The results of the work indicate that the Shearographic technique proved to be more sensitive than the IRT technique. It should be mentioned that there is "no set standard procedure" tailored for testing of composites. Each composite material tested is more likely to respond differently to defect detection and this depends generally on the component geometry and a suitable selection of the loading system to suit a particular test. The experimental procedure that is reported in this paper can be used as a basis for designing a testing or calibration procedure for defects detection on any particular composite material component or structure.

Concept of Draft International Standard for a Unified Approach to Space Program Quality Assurance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stryzhak, Y.; Vasilina, V.; Kurbatov, V.

2002-01-01

For want of the unified approach to guaranteed space project and product quality assurance, implementation of many international space programs has become a challenge. Globalization of aerospace industry and participation of various international ventures with diverse quality assurance requirements in big international space programs requires for urgent generation of unified international standards related to this field. To ensure successful fulfillment of space missions, aerospace companies should design and process reliable and safe products with properties complying or bettering User's (or Customer's) requirements. Quality of the products designed or processed by subcontractors (or other suppliers) should also be in compliance with the main user (customer)'s requirements. Implementation of this involved set of unified requirements will be made possible by creating and approving a system (series) of international standards under a generic title Space Product Quality Assurance based on a system consensus principle. Conceptual features of the baseline standard in this system (series) should comprise: - Procedures for ISO 9000, CEN and ECSS requirements adaptation and introduction into space product creation, design, manufacture, testing and operation; - Procedures for quality assurance at initial (design) phases of space programs, with a decision on the end product made based on the principle of independence; - Procedures to arrange incoming inspection of products delivered by subcontractors (including testing, audit of supplier's procedures, review of supplier's documentation), and space product certification; - Procedures to identify materials and primary products applied; - Procedures for quality system audit at the component part, primary product and materials supplier facilities; - Unified procedures to form a list of basic performances to be under configuration management; - Unified procedures to form a list of critical space product components, and unified procedures to define risks related to the specific component application and evaluate safety for the entire program implementation. In the eyes of the authors, those features together with a number of other conceptual proposals should constitute a unified standard-technical basis for implementing international space programs.

Project W-314 acceptance test report HNF-4643 for HNF-4642 241-AN-A valve pit manifold valves and position indication for project W-314

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

HAMMERS, J.S.

1999-09-22

The purpose of the test was to verify that the AN Tank Farm Manifold Valves can be manually manipulated to the required operating position and that the electrical and visual indications accurately reflect that position. Physical locking devices were also verified to function. The Acceptance Test Procedure HNF-4642, 241-AN-A Valve Pit Manifold Valves and Position Indication was conducted between 23 June and 10 August 1999 at the 200E AN Tank Farm. The test has no open test exceptions. The test was conducted prior to final engineering ''as built'' activities being completed, this had an impact on the procedure and testmore » results, ECN 653752 was written to correct the mismatch between the procedure and actual field conditions. P&ID H-14-100941 was changed via ECN-W-314-4C-120. All components, identified in the procedure, were not found to be labeled and identified as written in the procedure, temporary tags were used for operational identification. A retest of valve ANA-WT-V 318 was required because it was removed from its installed position and modified after testing was completed.« less

Problem-Solving Test: Submitochondrial Localization of Proteins

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Szeberenyi, Jozsef

2011-01-01

Mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes (outer and inner mitochondrial membrane) that separate two mitochondrial compartments (intermembrane space and matrix). Hundreds of proteins are distributed among these submitochondrial components. A simple biochemical/immunological procedure is described in this test to determine the localization of…

40 CFR 86.527-90 - Test procedures, overview.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Section 86.527-90 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS... constant volume (variable dilution) sampler. (d) Except in cases of component malfunction or failure, all... emissions measurements are made. For exhaust testing, this requires sampling and analysis of the dilution...

Equivalent electron fluence for space qualification of shallow junction heteroface GaAs solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, J. W.; Stock, L. V.

1984-01-01

It is desirable to perform qualification tests prior to deployment of solar cells in space power applications. Such test procedures are complicated by the complex mixture of differing radiation components in space which are difficult to simulate in ground test facilities. Although it has been shown that an equivalent electron fluence ratio cannot be uniquely defined for monoenergetic proton exposure of GaAs shallow junction cells, an equivalent electron fluence test can be defined for common spectral components of protons found in space. Equivalent electron fluence levels for the geosynchronous environment are presented.

The interval testing procedure: A general framework for inference in functional data analysis.

PubMed

Pini, Alessia; Vantini, Simone

2016-09-01

We introduce in this work the Interval Testing Procedure (ITP), a novel inferential technique for functional data. The procedure can be used to test different functional hypotheses, e.g., distributional equality between two or more functional populations, equality of mean function of a functional population to a reference. ITP involves three steps: (i) the representation of data on a (possibly high-dimensional) functional basis; (ii) the test of each possible set of consecutive basis coefficients; (iii) the computation of the adjusted p-values associated to each basis component, by means of a new strategy here proposed. We define a new type of error control, the interval-wise control of the family wise error rate, particularly suited for functional data. We show that ITP is provided with such a control. A simulation study comparing ITP with other testing procedures is reported. ITP is then applied to the analysis of hemodynamical features involved with cerebral aneurysm pathology. ITP is implemented in the fdatest R package. © 2016, The International Biometric Society.

Component improvement of free-piston Stirling engine key technology for space power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alger, Donald L.

1988-01-01

The successful performance of the 25 kW Space Power Demonstrator (SPD) engine during an extensive testing period has provided a baseline of free piston Stirling engine technology from which future space Stirling engines may evolve. Much of the success of the engine was due to the initial careful selection of engine materials, fabrication and joining processes, and inspection procedures. Resolution of the few SPD engine problem areas that did occur has resulted in the technological advancement of certain key free piston Stirling engine components. Derivation of two half-SPD, single piston engines from the axially opposed piston SPD engine, designated as Space Power Research (SPR) engines, has made possible the continued improvement of these engine components. The two SPR engines serve as test bed engines for testing of engine components. Some important fabrication and joining processes are reviewed. Also, some component deficiencies that were discovered during SPD engine testing are described and approaches that were taken to correct these deficiencies are discussed. Potential component design modifications, based upon the SPD and SPR engine testing, are also reported.

Heritability construction for provenance and family selection

Treesearch

Fan H. Kung; Calvin F. Bey

1977-01-01

Concepts and procedures for heritability estimations through the variance components and the unified F-statistics approach are described. The variance components approach is illustrated by five possible family selection schemes within a diallel mating test, while the unified F-statistics approach is demonstrated by a geographic variation study. In a balance design, the...

Analyses of the dynamic docking test system for advanced mission docking system test programs. [Apollo Soyuz Test Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gates, R. M.; Williams, J. E.

1974-01-01

Results are given of analytical studies performed in support of the design, implementation, checkout and use of NASA's dynamic docking test system (DDTS). Included are analyses of simulator components, a list of detailed operational test procedures, a summary of simulator performance, and an analysis and comparison of docking dynamics and loads obtained by test and analysis.

Job-Derived Selection: Follow Up Report. Technical Report No. 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCormick, Ernest J.; And Others

A study dealt with the use of the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) within a job component validity framework as the basis for estimating aptitude requirements of jobs represented by scores on commercially available tests as contrasted with scores on General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) tests. Procedures generally consisted of the use of job…

Analytical Bias Exceeding Desirable Quality Goal in 4 out of 5 Common Immunoassays: Results of a Native Single Serum Sample External Quality Assessment Program for Cobalamin, Folate, Ferritin, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, and Free T4 Analyses.

PubMed

Kristensen, Gunn B B; Rustad, Pål; Berg, Jens P; Aakre, Kristin M

2016-09-01

We undertook this study to evaluate method differences for 5 components analyzed by immunoassays, to explore whether the use of method-dependent reference intervals may compensate for method differences, and to investigate commutability of external quality assessment (EQA) materials. Twenty fresh native single serum samples, a fresh native serum pool, Nordic Federation of Clinical Chemistry Reference Serum X (serum X) (serum pool), and 2 EQA materials were sent to 38 laboratories for measurement of cobalamin, folate, ferritin, free T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by 5 different measurement procedures [Roche Cobas (n = 15), Roche Modular (n = 4), Abbott Architect (n = 8), Beckman Coulter Unicel (n = 2), and Siemens ADVIA Centaur (n = 9)]. The target value for each component was calculated based on the mean of method means or measured by a reference measurement procedure (free T4). Quality specifications were based on biological variation. Local reference intervals were reported from all laboratories. Method differences that exceeded acceptable bias were found for all components except folate. Free T4 differences from the uncommonly used reference measurement procedure were large. Reference intervals differed between measurement procedures but also within 1 measurement procedure. The serum X material was commutable for all components and measurement procedures, whereas the EQA materials were noncommutable in 13 of 50 occasions (5 components, 5 methods, 2 EQA materials). The bias between the measurement procedures was unacceptably large in 4/5 tested components. Traceability to reference materials as claimed by the manufacturers did not lead to acceptable harmonization. Adjustment of reference intervals in accordance with method differences and use of commutable EQA samples are not implemented commonly. © 2016 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

The mixed-mode bending method for delamination testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reeder, James R.; Crews, John H., Jr.

1989-01-01

A mixed-mode bending (MMB) test procedure is presented which combines double cantilever beam mode-I loading and end-notch flexure mode II loading on a split, unidirectional laminate. The MMB test has been analyzed by FEM and by beam theory in order to ascertain the mode I and mode II components' respective strain energy release rates, G(I) and G(II); these analyses indicate that a wide range of G(I)/G(II) ratios can be generated by varying the applied load's position on the loading lever. The MMB specimen analysis and test procedures are demonstrated for the case of AS4/PEEK unidirectional laminates.

Advanced Turbine Technology Applications Project (ATTAP)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Advanced Turbine Technology Application Project (ATTAP) activities during the past year were highlighted by test-bed engine design and development activities; ceramic component design; materials and component characterization; ceramic component process development and fabrication; component rig testing; and test-bed engine fabrication and testing. Although substantial technical challenges remain, all areas exhibited progress. Test-bed engine design and development activity included engine mechanical design, power turbine flow-path design and mechanical layout, and engine system integration aimed at upgrading the AGT-5 from a 1038 C metal engine to a durable 1371 C structural ceramic component test-bed engine. ATTAP-defined ceramic and associated ceramic/metal component design activities include: the ceramic combustor body, the ceramic gasifier turbine static structure, the ceramic gasifier turbine rotor, the ceramic/metal power turbine static structure, and the ceramic power turbine rotors. The materials and component characterization efforts included the testing and evaluation of several candidate ceramic materials and components being developed for use in the ATTAP. Ceramic component process development and fabrication activities are being conducted for the gasifier turbine rotor, gasifier turbine vanes, gasifier turbine scroll, extruded regenerator disks, and thermal insulation. Component rig testing activities include the development of the necessary test procedures and conduction of rig testing of the ceramic components and assemblies. Four-hundred hours of hot gasifier rig test time were accumulated with turbine inlet temperatures exceeding 1204 C at 100 percent design gasifier speed. A total of 348.6 test hours were achieved on a single ceramic rotor without failure and a second ceramic rotor was retired in engine-ready condition at 364.9 test hours. Test-bed engine fabrication, testing, and development supported improvements in ceramic component technology that will permit the achievement of program performance and durability goals. The designated durability engine accumulated 359.3 hour of test time, 226.9 of which were on the General Motors gas turbine durability schedule.

Gas electron multiplier (GEM) foil test, repair and effective gain calculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tahir, Muhammad; Zubair, Muhammad; Khan, Tufail A.; Khan, Ashfaq; Malook, Asad

2018-06-01

The focus of my research is based on the gas electron multiplier (GEM) foil test, repairing and effective gain calculation of GEM detector. During my research work define procedure of GEM foil testing short-circuit, detection short-circuits in the foil. Study different ways to remove the short circuits in the foils. Set and define the GEM foil testing procedures in the open air, and with nitrogen gas. Measure the leakage current of the foil and applying different voltages with specified step size. Define the Quality Control (QC) tests and different components of GEM detectors before assembly. Calculate the effective gain of GEM detectors using 109Cd and 55Fe radioactive source.

Direct Field Acoustic Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larkin, Paul; Goldstein, Bob

2008-01-01

This paper presents an update to the methods and procedures used in Direct Field Acoustic Testing (DFAT). The paper will discuss some of the recent techniques and developments that are currently being used and the future publication of a reference standard. Acoustic testing using commercial sound system components is becoming a popular and cost effective way of generating a required acoustic test environment both in and out of a reverberant chamber. This paper will present the DFAT test method, the usual setup and procedure and the development and use of a closed-loop, narrow-band control system. Narrow-band control of the acoustic PSD allows all standard techniques and procedures currently used in random control to be applied to acoustics and some examples are given. The paper will conclude with a summary of the development of a standard practice guideline that is hoped to be available in the first quarter of next year.

Mixture modeling of multi-component data sets with application to ion-probe zircon ages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sambridge, M. S.; Compston, W.

1994-12-01

A method is presented for detecting multiple components in a population of analytical observations for zircon and other ages. The procedure uses an approach known as mixture modeling, in order to estimate the most likely ages, proportions and number of distinct components in a given data set. Particular attention is paid to estimating errors in the estimated ages and proportions. At each stage of the procedure several alternative numerical approaches are suggested, each having their own advantages in terms of efficency and accuracy. The methodology is tested on synthetic data sets simulating two or more mixed populations of zircon ages. In this case true ages and proportions of each population are known and compare well with the results of the new procedure. Two examples are presented of its use with sets of SHRIMP U-238 - Pb-206 zircon ages from Palaeozoic rocks. A published data set for altered zircons from bentonite at Meishucun, South China, previously treated as a single-component population after screening for gross alteration effects, can be resolved into two components by the new procedure and their ages, proportions and standard errors estimated. The older component, at 530 +/- 5 Ma (2 sigma), is our best current estimate for the age of the bentonite. Mixture modeling of a data set for unaltered zircons from a tonalite elsewhere defines the magmatic U-238 - Pb-206 age at high precision (2 sigma +/- 1.5 Ma), but one-quarter of the 41 analyses detect hidden and significantly older cores.

Development of dry coal feeders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bonin, J. H.; Cantey, D. E.; Daniel, A. D., Jr.; Meyer, J. W.

1977-01-01

Design and fabrication of equipment of feed coal into pressurized environments were investigated. Concepts were selected based on feeder system performance and economic projections. These systems include: two approaches using rotating components, a gas or steam driven ejector, and a modified standpipe feeder concept. Results of development testing of critical components, design procedures, and performance prediction techniques are reviewed.

On the Extraction of Components and the Applicability of the Factor Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dziuban, Charles D.; Harris, Chester W.

A reanalysis of Shaycroft's matrix of intercorrelations of 10 test variables plus 4 random variables is discussed. Three different procedures were used in the reanalysis: (1) Image Component Analysis, (2) Uniqueness Rescaling Factor Analysis, and (3) Alpha Factor Analysis. The results of these analyses are presented in tables. It is concluded from…

Meteoroid/Orbital Debris Shield Engineering Development Practice and Procedure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zwitter, James G.; Adams, Marc A.

2011-01-01

A document describes a series of models created for the determination of the probability of survival of critical spacecraft components from particle strike damage caused by hypervelocity impact of meteoroids and/or orbital debris. These models were integrated with both shield design and hypervelocity impact testing to develop adequate protection of said components to meet mission survivability requirements.

A Manual for Teachers to Aid the Understanding and Implementation of Statewide Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New Mexico State Dept. of Education, Santa Fe.

A manual is presented to familiarize the teacher with the two major components of the New Mexico evaluation effort: (1) the objective-based procedure and the tests used to measure a school and district's progress toward those objectives, and (2) the statewide testing program which utilizes norm-referenced tests and provides both individual and…

Vehicle Test Procedure Driving Schedules

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1977-03-01

This report discusses the salient characteristics of driving schedules which are currently being used to determine automotive fuel economy, exhaust emissions, and component characteristics. The analyses discussed and the results reported highlight th...

40 CFR 60.564 - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... the Administrator. If the carrier component of the gas stream is nitrogen, then an average molecular... from materials balance by good engineering practice. (i) The owner or operator shall determine...

Mixed-Mode Bending Method for Delamination Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reeder, James R.; Crews, John R., Jr.

1990-01-01

A mixed mode delamination test procedure was developed combining double cantilever beam (DCB) mode I loading and end-notch fixture (ENF) mode II loading on a split unidirectional laminate. By loading with a lever, a single applied load simultaneously produces mode I and mode II bending loads on the specimen. This mixed-mode bending (MMB) test was analyzed using both finite-element procedures and beam theory to calculate the mode I and mode II components of strain-energy release rate G(sub I) and G(sub II), respectively. A wide range of G(sub I)/G(sub II) ratios can be produced by varying the load position on the lever. As the delamination extended, the G(sub I)/G(sub II) ratios varied by less than 5%. Beam theory equations agreed closely with the finite-element results and provide a basis for selection of G(sub I)/G(sub II) test ratios and a basis for computing the mode I and mode II components of measured delamination toughness. The MMB test was demonstrated using AS4/PEEK (APC2) unidirectional laminates. The MMB test introduced in this paper is rather simple and is believed to offer several advantages over most current mixed-mode test.

Retrieval Enhances Route Knowledge Acquisition, but Only When Movement Errors Are Prevented

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelly, Jonathan W.; Carpenter, Shana K.; Sjolund, Lori A.

2015-01-01

Studies of the "testing effect" have shown that retrieval significantly improves learning. However, most of these studies have been restricted to simple types of declarative verbal knowledge. Five experiments were designed to explore whether testing improves acquisition of route knowledge, which has a procedural component consisting of…

Mechanistic flexible pavement overlay design program.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-07-01

The current Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) overlay thickness design method follows the Component : Analysis procedure provided in the 1993 AASHTO pavement design guide. Since neither field nor laboratory tests a...

Clean Water Act Analytical Methods

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA publishes laboratory analytical methods (test procedures) that are used by industries and municipalities to analyze the chemical, physical and biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples required by the Clean Water Act.

Improved E-ELT subsystem and component specifications, thanks to M1 test facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimmler, M.; Marrero, J.; Leveque, S.; Barriga, Pablo; Sedghi, B.; Kornweibel, N.

2014-07-01

During the last 2 years ESO has operated the "M1 Test Facility", a test stand consisting of a representative section of the E-ELT primary mirror equipped with 4 complete prototype segment subunits including sensors, actuators and control system. The purpose of the test facility is twofold: it serves to study and get familiar with component and system aspects like calibration, alignment and handling procedures and suitable control strategies on real hardware long before the primary mirror (hereafter M1) components are commissioned. Secondly, and of major benefit to the project, it offered the possibility to evaluate component and subsystem performance and interface issues in a system context in such detail, that issues could be identified early enough to feed back into the subsystem and component specifications. This considerably reduces risk and cost of the production units and allows refocusing the project team on important issues for the follow-up of the production contracts. Experiences are presented in which areas the results of the M1 Test Facility particularly helped to improve subsystem specifications and areas, where additional tests were adopted independent of the main test facility. Presented are the key experiences of the M1 Test Facility which lead to improved specifications or identified the need for additional testing outside of the M1 Test Facility.

Environmental testing to prevent on-orbit TDRS failures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cutler, Robert M.

1994-01-01

Can improved environmental testing prevent on-orbit component failures such as those experienced in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) constellation? TDRS communications have been available to user spacecraft continuously for over 11 years, during which the five TDRS's placed in orbit have demonstrated their redundancies and robustness by surviving 26 component failures. Nevertheless, additional environmental testing prior to launch could prevent the occurrence of some types of failures, and could help to maintain communication services. Specific testing challenges involve traveling wave tube assemblies (TWTA's) whose lives may decrease with on-off cycling, and heaters that are subject to thermal cycles. The development of test conditions and procedures should account for known thermal variations. Testing may also have the potential to prevent failures in which components such as diplexers have had their lives dramatically shortened because of particle migration in a weightless environment. Reliability modeling could be used to select additional components that could benefit from special testing, but experience shows that this approach has serious limitations. Through knowledge of on-orbit experience, and with advances in testing, communication satellite programs might avoid the occurrence of some types of failures, and extend future spacecraft longevity beyond the current TDRS design life of ten years. However, determining which components to test, and how must testing to do, remain problematical.

NAC Aftermarket Brake Components Project (Secondary Items)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-06

2. Appendix B. Test Plans and Sample Assignments for Disc Brake Pads and (Foundation) Drum Brake Shoes. 3. Appendix C. Test Plans and Sample...Assignments for Disc Brake Rotors and Drum Brake Drums . 4. Appendix D. Off-vehicle Inertia Dynamometer Test Procedures. 5. Appendix E. “Crack & Fatigue...apples” comparison testing processes, and require project outputs documents to be proofed by actual independent testing; HMMWV-ECV ( disc ) and HEMTT

40 CFR 60.564 - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

.... If the carrier component of the gas stream is nitrogen, then an average molecular weight of 28 g/g... from materials balance by good engineering practice. (i) The owner or operator shall determine...

40 CFR 60.564 - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... If the carrier component of the gas stream is nitrogen, then an average molecular weight of 28 g/g... from materials balance by good engineering practice. (i) The owner or operator shall determine...

40 CFR 60.564 - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

.... If the carrier component of the gas stream is nitrogen, then an average molecular weight of 28 g/g... from materials balance by good engineering practice. (i) The owner or operator shall determine...

40 CFR 60.564 - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.... If the carrier component of the gas stream is nitrogen, then an average molecular weight of 28 g/g... from materials balance by good engineering practice. (i) The owner or operator shall determine...

Electrostatic discharge control for STDN stations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mckiernan, J.

1983-01-01

This manual defines the requirements and control methods necessary to control the effect of electrostatic discharges that damage or destroy electronic equipment components. Test procedures for measuring the effectiveness of the control are included.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marques, J.G.; Ramos, A.R.; Fernandes, A.C.

The behavior of electronic components and circuits under radiation is a concern shared by the nuclear industry, the space community and the high-energy physics community. Standard commercial components are used as much as possible instead of radiation hard components, since they are easier to obtain and allow a significant reduction of costs. However, these standard components need to be tested in order to determine their radiation tolerance. The Portuguese Research Reactor (RPI) is a 1 MW pool-type reactor, operating since 1961. The irradiation of electronic components and circuits is one area where a 1 MW reactor can be competitive, sincemore » the fast neutron fluences required for testing are in most cases well below 10{sup 16} n/cm{sup 2}. A program was started in 1999 to test electronics components and circuits for the LHC facility at CERN, initially using a dedicated in-pool irradiation device and later a beam line with tailored neutron and gamma filters. Neutron filters are essential to reduce the intensity of the thermal neutron flux, which does not produce significant defects in electronic components but produces unwanted radiation from activation of contacts and packages of integrated circuits and also of the printed circuit boards. In irradiations performed within the line-of-sight of the core of a fission reactor there is simultaneous gamma radiation which complicates testing in some cases. Filters can be used to reduce its importance and separate testing with a pure gamma radiation source can contribute to clarify some irradiation results. Practice has shown the need to introduce several improvements to the procedures and facilities over the years. We will review improvements done in the following areas: - Optimization of neutron and gamma filters; - Dosimetry procedures in mixed neutron / gamma fields; - Determination of hardness parameter and 1 MeV-equivalent neutron fluence; - Temperature measurement and control during irradiation; - Follow-up of reactor power operational fluctuations; - Study of gamma radiation effects only. The fission neutron spectrum can be limitative for some of the tests, as most neutrons are in the 1-2 MeV energy range. Significant progress has been made lately in compact neutron generators using D-D and D-T fusion reactions, achieving higher neutron fluxes and longer lifetime than previously available. The advantages of using compact neutron generators for testing of electronic components and circuits will be also discussed. (authors)« less

Emergent conditional relations in a Go/No-Go procedure: figure-ground and stimulus-position compound relations.

PubMed

Debert, Paula; Huziwara, Edson M; Faggiani, Robson Brino; De Mathis, Maria Eugênia Simões; McIlvane, William J

2009-09-01

Past research has demonstrated emergent conditional relations using a go/no-go procedure with pairs of figures displayed side-by-side on a computer screen. The present study sought to extend applications of this procedure. In Experiment 1, we evaluated whether emergent conditional relations could be demonstrated when two-component stimuli were displayed in figure-ground relationships-abstract figures displayed on backgrounds of different colors. Five normally capable adults participated. During training, each two-component stimulus was presented successively. Responses emitted in the presence of some stimulus pairs (A1B1, A2B2, A3B3, B1C1, B2C2 and B3C3) were reinforced, whereas responses emitted in the presence of other pairs (A1B2, A1B3, A2B1, A2B3, A3B1, A3B2, B1C2, B1C3, B2C1, B2C3, B3C1 and B3C2) were not. During tests, new configurations (AC and CA) were presented, thus emulating structurally the matching-to-sample tests employed in typical equivalence studies. All participants showed emergent relations consistent with stimulus equivalence during testing. In Experiment 2, we systematically replicated the procedures with stimulus compounds consisting of four figures (A1, A2, C1 and C2) and two locations (left - B1 and right - B2). All 6 normally capable adults exhibited emergent stimulus-stimulus relations. Together, these experiments show that the go/no-go procedure is a potentially useful alternative for studying emergent conditional relations when matching-to-sample is procedurally cumbersome or impossible to use.

RF Conditioning and Testing of Fundamental Power Couplers for SNS Superconducting Cavity Production

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

M. Stirbet; G.K. Davis; M. A. Drury

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) makes use of 33 medium beta (0.61) and 48 high beta (0.81) superconducting cavities. Each cavity is equipped with a fundamental power coupler, which should withstand the full klystron power of 550 kW in full reflection for the duration of an RF pulse of 1.3 msec at 60 Hz repetition rate. Before assembly to a superconducting cavity, the vacuum components of the coupler are submitted to acceptance procedures consisting of preliminary quality assessments, cleaning and clean room assembly, vacuum leak checks and baking under vacuum, followed by conditioning and RF high power testing. Similar acceptancemore » procedures (except clean room assembly and baking) were applied for the airside components of the coupler. All 81 fundamental power couplers for SNS superconducting cavity production have been RF power tested at JLAB Newport News and, beginning in April 2004 at SNS Oak Ridge. This paper gives details of coupler processing and RF high power-assessed performances.« less

Space shuttle: Static stability and control investigation of NR/GD delta wing booster (B-20) and delta wing orbiter (134D), volume 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, E. C., Jr.; Eder, F. W.

1972-01-01

Test results of booster and orbiter models of various component buildup configurations are reported. Dataset Collation Sheets, which give a complete summary of the configurations, are presented along with a description of the test facility. Data reduction procedures are described.

Application of Component Scoring to a Complicated Cognitive Domain.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tatsuoka, Kikumi K.; Yamamoto, Kentaro

This study used the Montague-Riley Test to introduce a new scoring procedure that revealed errors in cognitive processes occurring at subcomponents of an electricity problem. The test, consisting of four parts with 36 open-ended problems each, was administered to 250 high school students. A computer program, ELTEST, was written applying a…

Mechanical systems readiness assessment and performance monitoring study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The problem of mechanical devices which lack the real-time readiness assessment and performance monitoring capability required for future space missions is studied. The results of a test program to establish the feasibility of implementing structure borne acoustics, a nondestructive test technique, are described. The program included the monitoring of operational acoustic signatures of five separate mechanical components, each possessing distinct sound characteristics. Acoustic signatures were established for normal operation of each component. Critical failure modes were then inserted into the test components, and faulted acoustic signatures obtained. Predominant features of the sound signature were related back to operational events occurring within the components both for normal and failure mode operations. All of these steps can be automated. The structure borne acoustics technique lends itself to reducing checkout time, simplifying maintenance procedures, and reducing manual involvement in the checkout, operation, maintenance, and fault diagnosis of mechanical systems.

Results of low power deicer tests on a swept inlet component in the NASA Lewis icing research tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bond, Thomas H.; Shin, Jaiwon

1993-01-01

Tests were conducted under a USAF/NASA Low Power Deicer program on two expulsive technologies to examine system performance on hardware representative of a modern aircraft part. The BF Goodrich Electro-Expulsive Deicing System and Pneumatic Impulse Ice Protection System were installed on a swept, compound curve, engine inlet component with varying leading edge radius, and tested through a range of icing and system operating conditions in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel. A description of the experimental procedure and results, including residual ice thickness, shed ice particle size, and changes in system energy/pressure characteristics are presented.

Results of Low Power Deicer tests on a swept inlet component in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bond, Thomas H.; Shin, Jaiwon

1993-01-01

Tests were conducted under a USAF/NASA Low Power Deicer program on two expulsive technologies to examine system performance on hardware representative of a modern aircraft part. The BF Goodrich Electro-Expulsive Deicing System and Pneumatic Impulse Ice Protection system were installed on a swept, compound curve, engine inlet component with varying leading edge radius, and tested through a range of icing and system operating conditions in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel. A description of the experimental procedure and results, including residual ice thickness, shed ice particle size, and changes in system energy/pressure characteristics are presented.

Techniques for Liquid Rocket Combustion Spontaneous Stability and Rough Combustion Assessments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kenny, R. J.; Giacomoni, C.; Casiano, M. J.; Fischbach, S. R.

2016-01-01

This work presents techniques for liquid rocket engine combustion stability assessments with respect to spontaneous stability and rough combustion. Techniques covering empirical parameter extraction, which were established in prior works, are applied for three additional programs: the F-1 Gas Generator (F1GG) component test program, the RS-84 preburner component test program, and the Marshall Integrated Test Rig (MITR) program. Stability assessment parameters from these programs are compared against prior established spontaneous stability metrics and updates are identified. Also, a procedure for comparing measured with predicted mode shapes is presented, based on an extension of the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC).

Real-time detection of organic contamination events in water distribution systems by principal components analysis of ultraviolet spectral data.

PubMed

Zhang, Jian; Hou, Dibo; Wang, Ke; Huang, Pingjie; Zhang, Guangxin; Loáiciga, Hugo

2017-05-01

The detection of organic contaminants in water distribution systems is essential to protect public health from potential harmful compounds resulting from accidental spills or intentional releases. Existing methods for detecting organic contaminants are based on quantitative analyses such as chemical testing and gas/liquid chromatography, which are time- and reagent-consuming and involve costly maintenance. This study proposes a novel procedure based on discrete wavelet transform and principal component analysis for detecting organic contamination events from ultraviolet spectral data. Firstly, the spectrum of each observation is transformed using discrete wavelet with a coiflet mother wavelet to capture the abrupt change along the wavelength. Principal component analysis is then employed to approximate the spectra based on capture and fusion features. The significant value of Hotelling's T 2 statistics is calculated and used to detect outliers. An alarm of contamination event is triggered by sequential Bayesian analysis when the outliers appear continuously in several observations. The effectiveness of the proposed procedure is tested on-line using a pilot-scale setup and experimental data.

Surface cleanliness of fluid systems, specification for

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

This specification establishes surface cleanliness levels, test methods, cleaning and packaging requirements, and protection and inspection procedures for determining surface cleanliness. These surfaces pertain to aerospace parts, components, assemblies, subsystems, and systems in contact with any fluid medium.

SNL/SRNL Joint Project on degradation of mechanical properties in structural metals and welds for GTS reservoirs.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ronevich, Joseph Allen; Balch, Dorian K.; San Marchi, Christopher W.

2015-12-01

This project was intended to enable SNL-CA to produce appropriate specimens of relevant stainless steels for testing and perform baseline testing of weld heat-affected zone and weld fusion zone. One of the key deliverables in this project was to establish a procedure for fracture testing stainless steel weld fusion zone and heat affected zones that were pre-charged with hydrogen. Following the establishment of the procedure, a round robin was planned between SNL-CA and SRNL to ensure testing consistency between laboratories. SNL-CA and SRNL would then develop a comprehensive test plan, which would include tritium exposures of several years at SRNLmore » on samples delivered by SNL-CA. Testing would follow the procedures developed at SNL-CA. SRNL will also purchase tritium charging vessels to perform the tritium exposures. Although comprehensive understanding of isotope-induced fracture in GTS reservoir materials is a several year effort, the FY15 work would enabled us to jump-start the tests and initiate long-term tritium exposures to aid comprehensive future investigations. Development of a procedure and laboratory testing consistency between SNL-CA and SNRL ensures reliability in results as future evaluations are performed on aluminum alloys and potentially additively-manufactured components.« less

Implementation of Leak Test Methods for the International Space Station (ISS) Elements, Systems and Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Underwood, Steve; Lvovsky, Oleg

2007-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS has Qualification and Acceptance Environmental Test Requirements document, SSP 41172 that includes many environmental tests such as Thermal vacuum & Cycling, Depress/Repress, Sinusoidal, Random, and Acoustic Vibration, Pyro Shock, Acceleration, Humidity, Pressure, Electromatic Interference (EMI)/Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMCO), etc. This document also includes (13) leak test methods for Pressure Integrity Verification of the ISS Elements, Systems, and Components. These leak test methods are well known, however, the test procedure for specific leak test method shall be written and implemented paying attention to the important procedural steps/details that, if omitted or deviated, could impact the quality of the final product and affect the crew safety. Such procedural steps/details for different methods include, but not limited to: - Sequence of testing, f or example, pressurization and submersion steps for Method I (Immersion); - Stabilization of the mass spectrometer leak detector outputs fo r Method II (vacuum Chamber or Bell jar); - Proper data processing an d taking a conservative approach while making predictions for on-orbit leakage rate for Method III(Pressure Change); - Proper Calibration o f the mass spectrometer leak detector for all the tracer gas (mostly Helium) Methods such as Method V (Detector Probe), Method VI (Hood), Method VII (Tracer Probe), Method VIII(Accumulation); - Usage of visibl ility aides for Method I (Immersion), Method IV (Chemical Indicator), Method XII (Foam/Liquid Application), and Method XIII (Hydrostatic/Visual Inspection); While some methods could be used for the total leaka ge (either internal-to-external or external-to-internal) rate requirement verification (Vacuum Chamber, Pressure Decay, Hood, Accumulation), other methods shall be used only as a pass/fail test for individual joints (e.g., welds, fittings, and plugs) or for troubleshooting purposes (Chemical Indicator, Detector Probe, Tracer Probe, Local Vacuum Chamber, Foam/Liquid Application, and Hydrostatic/Visual Inspection). Any isolation of SSP 41172 requirements have led to either retesting of hardware or accepting a risk associated with the potential system or component pressure integrity problem during flight.

Multidisciplinary propulsion simulation using the numerical propulsion system simulator (NPSS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Claus, Russel W.

1994-01-01

Implementing new technology in aerospace propulsion systems is becoming prohibitively expensive. One of the major contributions to the high cost is the need to perform many large scale system tests. The traditional design analysis procedure decomposes the engine into isolated components and focuses attention on each single physical discipline (e.g., fluid for structural dynamics). Consequently, the interactions that naturally occur between components and disciplines can be masked by the limited interactions that occur between individuals or teams doing the design and must be uncovered during expensive engine testing. This overview will discuss a cooperative effort of NASA, industry, and universities to integrate disciplines, components, and high performance computing into a Numerical propulsion System Simulator (NPSS).

Infectivity of pre-seroconversion donations: an analysis of lookback exercises in The Netherlands, 2000-2006.

PubMed

Lieshout-Krikke, R W; van 't Ende, E A; Slot, E; Karomi, S; Kivit, R M H; Zaaijer, H L

2012-04-01

Blood can be infectious if it is donated shortly before infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) becomes detectable. Lookback exercises may detect infection in recipients of pre-seroconversion donations. This study provides an analysis of the Dutch lookback exercises in the years 2000 through 2006. All lookback procedures, triggered by 50 repeat donors seroconverting for HBV (n=32), HCV (n=3), HIV (n=14) and HBV + HIV (n=1), were analysed. Recipients and archived samples of the 96 implicated donations were tested. For 76 donations, a stored sample was available for HBV, HCV, or HIV PCR testing, revealing two HBV-DNA-positive pre-seroconversion donations. Ninety-three lookback procedures were initiated, to which 91 of 93 hospitals responded. In 87 of 91 cases, the implicated blood product had been administered. In 39 of 87 cases, the recipient was tested, revealing one HIV and two HBV infections. The HIV infection was considered pre-existent. The two HBV-positive patients received components from the donation of which the repository sample tested positive for HBV-DNA. Components of the second HBV-positive pre-seroconversion donation had not been administered. Among 39 recipients of pre-seroconversion donations, 2 (5%) were found HBV infected by transfusion. The labour-intensive lookback procedures did not reveal any conclusive transmissions additional to the infections detected by PCR testing of repository pre-seroconversion samples. © 2011 The Author(s). Vox Sanguinis © 2011 International Society of Blood Transfusion.

Reduced-gravity environment hardware demonstrations of a prototype miniaturized flow cytometer and companion microfluidic mixing technology.

PubMed

Phipps, William S; Yin, Zhizhong; Bae, Candice; Sharpe, Julia Z; Bishara, Andrew M; Nelson, Emily S; Weaver, Aaron S; Brown, Daniel; McKay, Terri L; Griffin, DeVon; Chan, Eugene Y

2014-11-13

Until recently, astronaut blood samples were collected in-flight, transported to earth on the Space Shuttle, and analyzed in terrestrial laboratories. If humans are to travel beyond low Earth orbit, a transition towards space-ready, point-of-care (POC) testing is required. Such testing needs to be comprehensive, easy to perform in a reduced-gravity environment, and unaffected by the stresses of launch and spaceflight. Countless POC devices have been developed to mimic laboratory scale counterparts, but most have narrow applications and few have demonstrable use in an in-flight, reduced-gravity environment. In fact, demonstrations of biomedical diagnostics in reduced gravity are limited altogether, making component choice and certain logistical challenges difficult to approach when seeking to test new technology. To help fill the void, we are presenting a modular method for the construction and operation of a prototype blood diagnostic device and its associated parabolic flight test rig that meet the standards for flight-testing onboard a parabolic flight, reduced-gravity aircraft. The method first focuses on rig assembly for in-flight, reduced-gravity testing of a flow cytometer and a companion microfluidic mixing chip. Components are adaptable to other designs and some custom components, such as a microvolume sample loader and the micromixer may be of particular interest. The method then shifts focus to flight preparation, by offering guidelines and suggestions to prepare for a successful flight test with regard to user training, development of a standard operating procedure (SOP), and other issues. Finally, in-flight experimental procedures specific to our demonstrations are described.

Reduced-gravity Environment Hardware Demonstrations of a Prototype Miniaturized Flow Cytometer and Companion Microfluidic Mixing Technology

PubMed Central

Bae, Candice; Sharpe, Julia Z.; Bishara, Andrew M.; Nelson, Emily S.; Weaver, Aaron S.; Brown, Daniel; McKay, Terri L.; Griffin, DeVon; Chan, Eugene Y.

2014-01-01

Until recently, astronaut blood samples were collected in-flight, transported to earth on the Space Shuttle, and analyzed in terrestrial laboratories. If humans are to travel beyond low Earth orbit, a transition towards space-ready, point-of-care (POC) testing is required. Such testing needs to be comprehensive, easy to perform in a reduced-gravity environment, and unaffected by the stresses of launch and spaceflight. Countless POC devices have been developed to mimic laboratory scale counterparts, but most have narrow applications and few have demonstrable use in an in-flight, reduced-gravity environment. In fact, demonstrations of biomedical diagnostics in reduced gravity are limited altogether, making component choice and certain logistical challenges difficult to approach when seeking to test new technology. To help fill the void, we are presenting a modular method for the construction and operation of a prototype blood diagnostic device and its associated parabolic flight test rig that meet the standards for flight-testing onboard a parabolic flight, reduced-gravity aircraft. The method first focuses on rig assembly for in-flight, reduced-gravity testing of a flow cytometer and a companion microfluidic mixing chip. Components are adaptable to other designs and some custom components, such as a microvolume sample loader and the micromixer may be of particular interest. The method then shifts focus to flight preparation, by offering guidelines and suggestions to prepare for a successful flight test with regard to user training, development of a standard operating procedure (SOP), and other issues. Finally, in-flight experimental procedures specific to our demonstrations are described. PMID:25490614

Hypothesis test of mediation effect in causal mediation model with high-dimensional continuous mediators.

PubMed

Huang, Yen-Tsung; Pan, Wen-Chi

2016-06-01

Causal mediation modeling has become a popular approach for studying the effect of an exposure on an outcome through a mediator. However, current methods are not applicable to the setting with a large number of mediators. We propose a testing procedure for mediation effects of high-dimensional continuous mediators. We characterize the marginal mediation effect, the multivariate component-wise mediation effects, and the L2 norm of the component-wise effects, and develop a Monte-Carlo procedure for evaluating their statistical significance. To accommodate the setting with a large number of mediators and a small sample size, we further propose a transformation model using the spectral decomposition. Under the transformation model, mediation effects can be estimated using a series of regression models with a univariate transformed mediator, and examined by our proposed testing procedure. Extensive simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of our methods for continuous and dichotomous outcomes. We apply the methods to analyze genomic data investigating the effect of microRNA miR-223 on a dichotomous survival status of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We identify nine gene ontology sets with expression values that significantly mediate the effect of miR-223 on GBM survival. © 2015, The International Biometric Society.

Application Of Interferometry To Optical Components And Systems Evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houston, Joseph B., Jr.

1982-05-01

Interferometry provides opticians and lens designers with the ability to evaluate optical components and systems quantitatively. A variety of interferometers and interferometric test procedures have evolved over the past several decades. This evolution has stimulated an ever-increasing amount of interest in using a new generation of instrumentation and computer software for solving cost and schedule problems both in the shop and at field test sites. Optical engineers and their customers continue to gain confidence in their abilities to perform several operations such as assure component quality, analyze and optimize lens assemblies, and accurately predict end-item performance. In this paper, a set of typical test situations are addressed and some standard instrumentation is described, as a means of illustrating the special advantages of interferometric testing. Emphasis will be placed on the proper application of currently available hardware and some of the latest proven techniques.

Ultrasonic interface level analyzer shop test procedure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

STAEHR, T.W.

1999-05-24

The Royce Instrument Corporation Model 2511 Interface Level Analyzer (URSILLA) system uses an ultrasonic ranging technique (SONAR) to measure sludge depths in holding tanks. Three URSILLA instrument assemblies provided by the W-151 project are planned to be used during mixer pump testing to provide data for determining sludge mobilization effectiveness of the mixer pumps and sludge settling rates. The purpose of this test is to provide a documented means of verifying that the functional components of the three URSILLA instruments operate properly. Successful completion of this Shop Test Procedure (STP) is a prerequisite for installation in the AZ-101 tank. Themore » objective of the test is to verify the operation of the URSILLA instruments and to verify data collection using a stand alone software program.« less

Retention and application of Skylab experiences to future programs. [a postflight review of technical programs.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gillespie, V. G.; Kelly, R. O.

1974-01-01

The problems encountered and special techniques and procedures developed on the Skylab program are described along with the experiences and practical benefits obtained for dissemination and use on future programs. Three major topics are discussed: electrical problems, mechanical problems, and special techniques. Special techniques and procedures are identified that were either developed or refined during the Skylab program. These techniques and procedures came from all manufacturing and test phases of the Skylab program and include both flight and GSE items from component level to sophisticated spaceflight systems.

Improving the performance of computer color matching procedures.

PubMed

Karbasi, A; Moradian, S; Asiaban, S

2008-09-01

A premise was set up entailing the possibility of a synergistical combination of advantages of spectrophotometric and colorimetric matching procedures. Attempts were therefore made to test the performances of fifteen matching procedures, all based on the Kubelka-Munk theory, including two procedures utilizing the fundamental color stimulus R(FCS) of the spectral decomposition theory. Color differences CIE DeltaE(00) as well as concentration differences DeltaC(AVE) were used to theoretically rank the fifteen color matching procedures. Results showed that procedures based on R(FCS) were superior in accurately predicting colors and concentrations. Additionally, the metameric black component R(MB) of the decomposition theory also showed promise in predicting degrees of metamerism. This preliminary study, therefore, provides evidence for the premise of this investigation.

Development of an ELISA for evaluation of swab recovery efficiencies of bovine serum albumin.

PubMed

Sparding, Nadja; Slotved, Hans-Christian; Nicolaisen, Gert M; Giese, Steen B; Elmlund, Jón; Steenhard, Nina R

2014-01-01

After a potential biological incident the sampling strategy and sample analysis are crucial for the outcome of the investigation and identification. In this study, we have developed a simple sandwich ELISA based on commercial components to quantify BSA (used as a surrogate for ricin) with a detection range of 1.32-80 ng/mL. We used the ELISA to evaluate different protein swabbing procedures (swabbing techniques and after-swabbing treatments) for two swab types: a cotton gauze swab and a flocked nylon swab. The optimal swabbing procedure for each swab type was used to obtain recovery efficiencies from different surface materials. The surface recoveries using the optimal swabbing procedure ranged from 0-60% and were significantly higher from nonporous surfaces compared to porous surfaces. In conclusion, this study presents a swabbing procedure evaluation and a simple BSA ELISA based on commercial components, which are easy to perform in a laboratory with basic facilities. The data indicate that different swabbing procedures were optimal for each of the tested swab types, and the particular swab preference depends on the surface material to be swabbed.

Remote Excavation System technology evaluation report: Buried Waste Robotics Program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1993-09-01

This document describes the results from the Remote Excavation System demonstration and testing conducted at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory during June and July 1993. The purpose of the demonstration was to ascertain the feasibility of the system for skimming soil and removing various types of buried waste in a safe manner and within all regulatory requirements, and to compare the performances of manual and remote operation of a backhoe. The procedures and goals of the demonstration were previously defined in The Remote Excavation System Test Plan, which served as a guideline for evaluating the various components of the systemmore » and discussed the procedures used to conduct the tests.« less

Comparison of batch and column tests for the elution of artificial turf system components.

PubMed

Krüger, O; Kalbe, U; Berger, W; Nordhauβ, K; Christoph, G; Walzel, H-P

2012-12-18

Synthetic athletic tracks and turf areas for outdoor sporting grounds may release contaminants due to the chemical composition of some components. A primary example is that of zinc from reused scrap tires (main constituent, styrene butadiene rubber, SBR), which might be harmful to the environment. Thus, methods for the risk assessment of those materials are required. Laboratory leaching methods like batch and column tests are widely used to examine the soil-groundwater pathway. We tested several components for artificial sporting grounds with batch tests at a liquid to solid (LS) ratio of 2 L/kg and column tests with an LS up to 26.5 L/kg. We found a higher zinc release in the batch test eluates for all granules, ranging from 15% higher to 687% higher versus data from column tests for SBR granules. Accompanying parameters, especially the very high turbidity of one ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) eluates, reflect the stronger mechanical stress of batch testing. This indicates that batch test procedures might not be suitable for the risk assessment of synthetic sporting ground components. Column tests, on the other hand, represent field conditions more closely and allow for determination of time-dependent contaminants release.

Automated Classification and Removal of EEG Artifacts With SVM and Wavelet-ICA.

PubMed

Sai, Chong Yeh; Mokhtar, Norrima; Arof, Hamzah; Cumming, Paul; Iwahashi, Masahiro

2018-05-01

Brain electrical activity recordings by electroencephalography (EEG) are often contaminated with signal artifacts. Procedures for automated removal of EEG artifacts are frequently sought for clinical diagnostics and brain-computer interface applications. In recent years, a combination of independent component analysis (ICA) and discrete wavelet transform has been introduced as standard technique for EEG artifact removal. However, in performing the wavelet-ICA procedure, visual inspection or arbitrary thresholding may be required for identifying artifactual components in the EEG signal. We now propose a novel approach for identifying artifactual components separated by wavelet-ICA using a pretrained support vector machine (SVM). Our method presents a robust and extendable system that enables fully automated identification and removal of artifacts from EEG signals, without applying any arbitrary thresholding. Using test data contaminated by eye blink artifacts, we show that our method performed better in identifying artifactual components than did existing thresholding methods. Furthermore, wavelet-ICA in conjunction with SVM successfully removed target artifacts, while largely retaining the EEG source signals of interest. We propose a set of features including kurtosis, variance, Shannon's entropy, and range of amplitude as training and test data of SVM to identify eye blink artifacts in EEG signals. This combinatorial method is also extendable to accommodate multiple types of artifacts present in multichannel EEG. We envision future research to explore other descriptive features corresponding to other types of artifactual components.

Monitoring the quality of total hip replacement in a tertiary care department using a cumulative summation statistical method (CUSUM).

PubMed

Biau, D J; Meziane, M; Bhumbra, R S; Dumaine, V; Babinet, A; Anract, P

2011-09-01

The purpose of this study was to define immediate post-operative 'quality' in total hip replacements and to study prospectively the occurrence of failure based on these definitions of quality. The evaluation and assessment of failure were based on ten radiological and clinical criteria. The cumulative summation (CUSUM) test was used to study 200 procedures over a one-year period. Technical criteria defined failure in 17 cases (8.5%), those related to the femoral component in nine (4.5%), the acetabular component in 32 (16%) and those relating to discharge from hospital in five (2.5%). Overall, the procedure was considered to have failed in 57 of the 200 total hip replacements (28.5%). The use of a new design of acetabular component was associated with more failures. For the CUSUM test, the level of adequate performance was set at a rate of failure of 20% and the level of inadequate performance set at a failure rate of 40%; no alarm was raised by the test, indicating that there was no evidence of inadequate performance. The use of a continuous monitoring statistical method is useful to ensure that the quality of total hip replacement is maintained, especially as newer implants are introduced.

On testing an unspecified function through a linear mixed effects model with multiple variance components

PubMed Central

Wang, Yuanjia; Chen, Huaihou

2012-01-01

Summary We examine a generalized F-test of a nonparametric function through penalized splines and a linear mixed effects model representation. With a mixed effects model representation of penalized splines, we imbed the test of an unspecified function into a test of some fixed effects and a variance component in a linear mixed effects model with nuisance variance components under the null. The procedure can be used to test a nonparametric function or varying-coefficient with clustered data, compare two spline functions, test the significance of an unspecified function in an additive model with multiple components, and test a row or a column effect in a two-way analysis of variance model. Through a spectral decomposition of the residual sum of squares, we provide a fast algorithm for computing the null distribution of the test, which significantly improves the computational efficiency over bootstrap. The spectral representation reveals a connection between the likelihood ratio test (LRT) in a multiple variance components model and a single component model. We examine our methods through simulations, where we show that the power of the generalized F-test may be higher than the LRT, depending on the hypothesis of interest and the true model under the alternative. We apply these methods to compute the genome-wide critical value and p-value of a genetic association test in a genome-wide association study (GWAS), where the usual bootstrap is computationally intensive (up to 108 simulations) and asymptotic approximation may be unreliable and conservative. PMID:23020801

On testing an unspecified function through a linear mixed effects model with multiple variance components.

PubMed

Wang, Yuanjia; Chen, Huaihou

2012-12-01

We examine a generalized F-test of a nonparametric function through penalized splines and a linear mixed effects model representation. With a mixed effects model representation of penalized splines, we imbed the test of an unspecified function into a test of some fixed effects and a variance component in a linear mixed effects model with nuisance variance components under the null. The procedure can be used to test a nonparametric function or varying-coefficient with clustered data, compare two spline functions, test the significance of an unspecified function in an additive model with multiple components, and test a row or a column effect in a two-way analysis of variance model. Through a spectral decomposition of the residual sum of squares, we provide a fast algorithm for computing the null distribution of the test, which significantly improves the computational efficiency over bootstrap. The spectral representation reveals a connection between the likelihood ratio test (LRT) in a multiple variance components model and a single component model. We examine our methods through simulations, where we show that the power of the generalized F-test may be higher than the LRT, depending on the hypothesis of interest and the true model under the alternative. We apply these methods to compute the genome-wide critical value and p-value of a genetic association test in a genome-wide association study (GWAS), where the usual bootstrap is computationally intensive (up to 10(8) simulations) and asymptotic approximation may be unreliable and conservative. © 2012, The International Biometric Society.

E-ELT M1 test facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimmler, M.; Marrero, J.; Leveque, S.; Barriga, P.; Sedghi, B.; Mueller, M.

2012-09-01

During the advanced design phase of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) several critical components have been prototyped. During the last year some of them have been tested in dedicated test stands. In particular, a representative section of the E-ELT primary mirror has been assembled with 2 active and 2 passive segments. This test stand is equipped with complete prototype segment subunits, i.e. including support mechanisms, glass segments, edge sensors, position actuators as well as additional metrology for monitoring. The purpose is to test various procedures such as calibration, alignment and handling and to study control strategies. In addition the achievable component and subsystem performances are evaluated, and interface issues are identified. In this paper an overview of the activities related to the E-ELT M1 Test Facility will be given. Experiences and test results are presented.

Application of differential similarity to finding nondimensional groups important in tests of cooled engine components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sucec, J.

1977-01-01

The method of differential similarity is applied to the partial differential equations and boundary conditions which govern the temperature, velocity, and pressure fields in the flowing gases and the solid stationary components in air-cooled engines. This procedure yields the nondimensional groups which must have the same value in both the test rig and the engine to produce similarity between the test results and the engine performance. These results guide the experimentalist in the design and selection of test equipment that properly scales quantities to actual engine conditions. They also provide a firm fundamental foundation for substantiation of previous similarity analyses which employed heuristic, physical reasoning arguments to arrive at the nondimensional groups.

Statistical analysis and digital processing of the Mössbauer spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prochazka, Roman; Tucek, Pavel; Tucek, Jiri; Marek, Jaroslav; Mashlan, Miroslav; Pechousek, Jiri

2010-02-01

This work is focused on using the statistical methods and development of the filtration procedures for signal processing in Mössbauer spectroscopy. Statistical tools for noise filtering in the measured spectra are used in many scientific areas. The use of a pure statistical approach in accumulated Mössbauer spectra filtration is described. In Mössbauer spectroscopy, the noise can be considered as a Poisson statistical process with a Gaussian distribution for high numbers of observations. This noise is a superposition of the non-resonant photons counting with electronic noise (from γ-ray detection and discrimination units), and the velocity system quality that can be characterized by the velocity nonlinearities. The possibility of a noise-reducing process using a new design of statistical filter procedure is described. This mathematical procedure improves the signal-to-noise ratio and thus makes it easier to determine the hyperfine parameters of the given Mössbauer spectra. The filter procedure is based on a periodogram method that makes it possible to assign the statistically important components in the spectral domain. The significance level for these components is then feedback-controlled using the correlation coefficient test results. The estimation of the theoretical correlation coefficient level which corresponds to the spectrum resolution is performed. Correlation coefficient test is based on comparison of the theoretical and the experimental correlation coefficients given by the Spearman method. The correctness of this solution was analyzed by a series of statistical tests and confirmed by many spectra measured with increasing statistical quality for a given sample (absorber). The effect of this filter procedure depends on the signal-to-noise ratio and the applicability of this method has binding conditions.

Survey to Identify Substandard and Falsified Tablets in Several Asian Countries with Pharmacopeial Quality Control Tests and Principal Component Analysis of Handheld Raman Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Kakio, Tomoko; Nagase, Hitomi; Takaoka, Takashi; Yoshida, Naoko; Hirakawa, Junichi; Macha, Susan; Hiroshima, Takashi; Ikeda, Yukihiro; Tsuboi, Hirohito; Kimura, Kazuko

2018-06-01

The World Health Organization has warned that substandard and falsified medical products (SFs) can harm patients and fail to treat the diseases for which they were intended, and they affect every region of the world, leading to loss of confidence in medicines, health-care providers, and health systems. Therefore, development of analytical procedures to detect SFs is extremely important. In this study, we investigated the quality of pharmaceutical tablets containing the antihypertensive candesartan cilexetil, collected in China, Indonesia, Japan, and Myanmar, using the Japanese pharmacopeial analytical procedures for quality control, together with principal component analysis (PCA) of Raman spectrum obtained with handheld Raman spectrometer. Some samples showed delayed dissolution and failed to meet the pharmacopeial specification, whereas others failed the assay test. These products appeared to be substandard. Principal component analysis showed that all Raman spectra could be explained in terms of two components: the amount of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and the kinds of excipients. Principal component analysis score plot indicated one substandard, and the falsified tablets have similar principal components in Raman spectra, in contrast to authentic products. The locations of samples within the PCA score plot varied according to the source country, suggesting that manufacturers in different countries use different excipients. Our results indicate that the handheld Raman device will be useful for detection of SFs in the field. Principal component analysis of that Raman data clarify the difference in chemical properties between good quality products and SFs that circulate in the Asian market.

Emergency reinforcement of cracked paracorporeal blood pumps.

PubMed

Schima, Heinrich; Reindl, Christian; Stoiber, Martin; Röthy, Wilfried; Wieselthaler, Georg

2004-01-01

In a patient with biventricular paracorporeal cardiac support, severe cracks in the outer pump housing occurred for unknown reasons (possibly because of the application of solvent). Pump replacement was considered but estimated to be a very high risk for this particular patient. Therefore, it was decided to glue the ventricles. Gluing was done after pilot tests in a two stage procedure: first, with a special glue that hardens under exposure to ultraviolet light and then with a two component low exothermic epoxy resin. The procedure resulted in very satisfying stability for the remainder of the bridging period, and the patient could be transplanted successfully 59 days after the event. It is concluded that a carefully selected gluing procedure (caveats: with previously tested glue, a validated procedure, and as a last resort only) may bring less risk in such rare cases of pump cracks than a pump exchange.

A Review of ETS Differential Item Functioning Assessment Procedures: Flagging Rules, Minimum Sample Size Requirements, and Criterion Refinement. Research Report. ETS RR-12-08

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zwick, Rebecca

2012-01-01

Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis is a key component in the evaluation of the fairness and validity of educational tests. The goal of this project was to review the status of ETS DIF analysis procedures, focusing on three aspects: (a) the nature and stringency of the statistical rules used to flag items, (b) the minimum sample size…

Making Ceramic Components For Advanced Aircraft Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Franklin, J. E.; Ezis, A.

1994-01-01

Lightweight, oxidation-resistant silicon nitride components containing intricate internal cooling and hydraulic passages and capable of withstanding high operating temperatures made by ceramic-platelet technology. Used to fabricate silicon nitride test articles of two types: components of methane-cooled regenerator for air turbo ramjet engine and components of bipropellant injector for rocket engine. Procedures for development of more complex and intricate components established. Technology has commercial utility in automotive, aircraft, and environmental industries for manufacture of high-temperature components for use in regeneration of fuels, treatment of emissions, high-temperature combustion devices, and application in which other high-temperature and/or lightweight components needed. Potential use in fabrication of combustors and high-temperature acoustic panels for suppression of noise in future high-speed aircraft.

A summary of the mechanical design, testing and performance of the IMP-H and J attitude control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Metzger, J. R.

1974-01-01

The main aspects of the attitude control system used on both the IMP-H and J spacecraft are presented. The mechanical configuration is described. Information on all the specific components comprising the flight system is provided. The acceptance and qualification testing of both individual components and the installed system are summarized. Functional information regarding the operation and performance in relation to the orbiting spacecraft and its mission is included. Related topics which are discussed are: (1) safety requirements, (2) servicing procedures, (3) anomalous behavior, and (4) pyrotechnic devices.

Chandra X-ray Center Science Data Systems Regression Testing of CIAO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, N. P.; Karovska, M.; Galle, E. C.; Bonaventura, N. R.

2011-07-01

The Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations (CIAO) is a software system developed for the analysis of Chandra X-ray Observatory observations. An important component of a successful CIAO release is the repeated testing of the tools across various platforms to ensure consistent and scientifically valid results. We describe the procedures of the scientific regression testing of CIAO and the enhancements made to the testing system to increase the efficiency of run time and result validation.

Recommendations for Evaluating Multiple Filters in Ballast Water Management Systems for US Type Approval

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-01

is extremely unlikely to be practicable . A second approach is to conduct a full suite of TA testing on a BWMS with a “base filter” configuration...that of full TA testing. Here, three land-based tests would be conducted, and O&M and component testing would also occur. If time or practicality ... Practical salinity units SAE Society of Automotive Engineers SDI Silt density index SOP Standard operating procedure STEP Shipboard Technology

The vulnerability of commercial aircraft avionics to carbon fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyers, J. A.; Salmirs, S.

1980-01-01

Avionics components commonly used in commercial aircraft were tested for vulnerability to failure when operated in an environment with a high density of graphite fibers. The components were subjected to a series of exposures to graphite fibers of different lengths. Lengths used for the tests were (in order) 1 mm, 3 mm, and 10 mm. The test procedure included subjecting the equipment to characteristic noise and shock environments. Most of the equipment was invulnerable or did not fail until extremely high average exposures were reached. The single exception was an air traffic control transponder produced in the early 1960's. It had the largest case open area through which fibers could enter and it had no coated boards.

3D navigated implantation of the glenoid component in reversed shoulder arthroplasty. Feasibility and results in an anatomic study.

PubMed

Stübig, Timo; Petri, Maximilian; Zeckey, Christian; Hawi, Nael; Krettek, Christian; Citak, Musa; Meller, Rupert

2013-12-01

Reversed shoulder arthroplasty is an alternative to total shoulder arthroplasty for various indications. The long-term results depend on stable bone fixation, and correct positioning of the glenoid component. The potential contribution of image guidance for reversed shoulder arthroplasty procedures was tested in vitro. 27 positioning procedures (15 navigated, 12 non-navigated) of the glenoid baseplate in reverse shoulder arthroplasty were performed by a single experienced orthopaedic surgeon. A Kirschner wire was placed freehand or with the use of a navigated drill guide. For the navigated procedures, a flat detector 3D C-arm with navigation system was used. The Kirschner wire was to be inserted 12 mm from the inferior glenoid, with an inferior tilt of 10° and centrally in the axial scapular axis. The insertion point in the glenoid as well as the position of the K-wire in the axial and sagittal planes were measured. For statistical analysis, t-tests were performed with a significance level of 0.05. The inferior glenoid drilling distance was 14.1 ± 3.4 mm for conventional placement and 15.1 ± 3.4 mm for the navigated procedure (P = 0.19). The inferior tilt showed no significant difference between the two methods (conventional 7.4 ± 5.2°, navigated 7.7 ± 4.9°, P = 0.63). The glenoid version in the axial plane showed significantly higher accuracy for the navigated procedure, with a mean deviation of 1.6 ±4.5° for the navigated procedure compared with 11.5 ± 6.5° for the conventional procedure(P = 0.004). Accurate positioning of the glenoidal baseplate in the axial scapular plane can be improved using 3D C-arm navigation for reversed shoulder arthroplasty. However, computer navigation may not improve the inferior tilt of the component or the position in the inferior glenoid to avoid scapular notching. Nevertheless, further studies are required to confirm these findings in the clinical setup. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sonar Transducer Reliability Improvement Program (STRIP).

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

CERAMICS. ... .......................... 31 10. STANDARDIZED TEST PROCEDURE ........ .................... ... 35 11. ACCELERATED LIFE TEST...components, and piece-parts that will meet specified requirements in the operational environment during the entire useful life of the transducer. Standards...C.I. Bohmaun F-3 Reliability & Life Prediction TRI R.I. Smith Specification ,F-4 TR-122 FM4 & Improvements NRL-USRD R.W. Timm 1-5 Metal Matrix

Do Two or More Multicomponent Instruments Measure the Same Construct? Testing Construct Congruence Using Latent Variable Modeling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raykov, Tenko; Marcoulides, George A.; Tong, Bing

2016-01-01

A latent variable modeling procedure is discussed that can be used to test if two or more homogeneous multicomponent instruments with distinct components are measuring the same underlying construct. The method is widely applicable in scale construction and development research and can also be of special interest in construct validation studies.…

EVA Training and Development Facilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cupples, Scott

2016-01-01

Overview: Vast majority of US EVA (ExtraVehicular Activity) training and EVA hardware development occurs at JSC; EVA training facilities used to develop and refine procedures and improve skills; EVA hardware development facilities test hardware to evaluate performance and certify requirement compliance; Environmental chambers enable testing of hardware from as large as suits to as small as individual components in thermal vacuum conditions.

A Survey of College Reading Programs in New York State: Diagnosis, Placement and Program Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malinowski, Patricia A.

In February 1988, a survey was conducted to examine placement procedures and developmental reading programs at two- and four-year colleges in New York State. Surveys were mailed to 30 two-year colleges and 28 four-year colleges, requesting information on the placement tests and cut-off scores used; types of additional diagnostic testing; course…

Enhanced Tobacco Control Initiative at Johns Hopkins Health System: Employee Fairness Perception.

PubMed

Durrani, Shabnum; Lucik, Meg; Safeer, Richard

2018-02-01

Organizations often fail to establish a clear awareness of what employees consider fair when implementing changes to employee benefits in the workplace. In 2016, the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) enhanced their tobacco control efforts. In addition to enhanced smoking cessation benefits, employees were offered an increased reduction in their insurance premiums if they were nonsmokers. To qualify for the reduction, employees participated in testing rather than relying on self-reporting as had been done in the past. The shift to testing prompted a concern by some senior management at JHHS who did not want employees to feel they were not trusted. As the program unfolded at JHHS, the four-component model of procedural justice was applied to provide a framework for reviewing the implementation of the new voluntary tobacco testing at JHHS from a fairness lens. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the application of the four-component procedural model of justice to the tobacco testing process at JHHS. As approximately 75% of employees participated in the program, the experience at JHHS can be instructive to other employers who are looking to implement changes in their workplaces and how to minimize unintended consequences with their employees.

Graded changes in enamel component volumes resulted from a short tooth bleaching procedure.

PubMed

Ferreira, Artemisa Fernanda Moura; Perez, Flávia Maria de Moraes Ramos; Limeira Júnior, Francisco de Assis; de Moura, Mirella de Fátima Liberato; de Sousa, Frederico Barbosa

2016-05-01

To test the hypothesis that changes in enamel component volumes (mineral, organic, and water volumes, and permeability) are graded from outer to inner enamel after a short bleaching procedure. Extracted unerupted human third molars had half of their crowns bleached (single bleaching session, 3 × 15 min), and tooth shade changes in bleached parts were analyzed with a spectrophotometer. Ground sections were prepared, component volumes and permeability were quantified at histological points located at varying distances from the enamel surface (n=10 points/location), representing conditions before and after bleaching. Tooth shade changes were significant (p<0.001; 95% CI=-1/-8; power=99%), and most of the enamel layer was unaffected after bleaching, except at the outer layers. Multiple analysis of covariances revealed that most of the variance of the change in enamel composition after bleaching was explained by the combination of the set of types of component volume (in decreasing order of relevance: mineral loss, organic gain, water gain, and decrease in permeability) with the set of distances from the enamel surface (graded from the enamel surface inward) (canonical R(2)=0.97; p<0.0001; power>99%). Changes in enamel composition after a short bleaching procedure followed a gradient within component volumes (mineral loss>organic gain>water gain>decrease in permeability) and decreased from the enamel surface inward. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diagnosis of food allergies: the impact of oral food challenge testing.

PubMed

Ito, Komei

2013-01-01

A diagnosis of food allergies should be made based on the observation of allergic symptoms following the intake of suspected foods and the presence of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. The oral food challenge (OFC) test is the most reliable clinical procedure for diagnosing food allergies. Specific IgE testing of allergen components as well as classical crude allergen extracts helps to make a more specific diagnosis of food allergies. The Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology issued the 'Japanese Pediatric Guideline for Food Allergy 2012' to provide information regarding the standardized diagnosis and management of food allergies. This review summarizes recent progress in the diagnosis of food allergies, focusing on the use of specific IgE tests and the OFC procedure in accordance with the Japanese guidelines.

Characterization of identification errors and uses in localization of poor modal correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Guillaume; Balmes, Etienne; Chancelier, Thierry

2017-05-01

While modal identification is a mature subject, very few studies address the characterization of errors associated with components of a mode shape. This is particularly important in test/analysis correlation procedures, where the Modal Assurance Criterion is used to pair modes and to localize at which sensors discrepancies occur. Poor correlation is usually attributed to modeling errors, but clearly identification errors also occur. In particular with 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer measurement, many transfer functions are measured. As a result individual validation of each measurement cannot be performed manually in a reasonable time frame and a notable fraction of measurements is expected to be fairly noisy leading to poor identification of the associated mode shape components. The paper first addresses measurements and introduces multiple criteria. The error measures the difference between test and synthesized transfer functions around each resonance and can be used to localize poorly identified modal components. For intermediate error values, diagnostic of the origin of the error is needed. The level evaluates the transfer function amplitude in the vicinity of a given mode and can be used to eliminate sensors with low responses. A Noise Over Signal indicator, product of error and level, is then shown to be relevant to detect poorly excited modes and errors due to modal property shifts between test batches. Finally, a contribution is introduced to evaluate the visibility of a mode in each transfer. Using tests on a drum brake component, these indicators are shown to provide relevant insight into the quality of measurements. In a second part, test/analysis correlation is addressed with a focus on the localization of sources of poor mode shape correlation. The MACCo algorithm, which sorts sensors by the impact of their removal on a MAC computation, is shown to be particularly relevant. Combined with the error it avoids keeping erroneous modal components. Applied after removal of poor modal components, it provides spatial maps of poor correlation, which help localizing mode shape correlation errors and thus prepare the selection of model changes in updating procedures.

Assessment of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ag leaching from electronics waste using four extraction methods.

PubMed

Keith, Ashley; Keesling, Kara; Fitzwater, Kendra K; Pichtel, John; Houy, Denise

2008-12-01

Heavy metals present in electronic components may leach upon disposal and therefore pose significant environmental hazards. The potential leaching of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ag from PC cathode ray tubes, printed circuit boards (PCBs), PC mice, TV remote controls, and mobile phones was assessed. After controlled crushing, each component was extracted using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), EPA Method 1312 (SPLP), NEN 7371 (Dutch Environmental Agency), and DIN S4 (Germany). The TCLP consistently leached the greatest amounts of Pb from all components. The SPLP, NEN 7371 and DIN S4 extracted relatively small amounts of metals compared with the TCLP and were not considered effective as leaching tests for e-waste. The smallest size fraction (< 2 mm) of CRT glass and PCBs leached significantly (p < 0.05) highest Pb via the TCLP. A modified TCLP removed 50.9% more extractable Pb compared with the conventional procedure.

[Establishment of MDCK-pHaMDR cell model and standard operation procedure for assessing blood-brain barrier permeability of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine].

PubMed

Yang, Yan-Fang; Wu, Ni; Yang, Xiu-Wei

2016-07-01

To establish MDCK-pHaMDR cell model and standard operation procedure for assessing the blood-brain barrier permeability of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine. MDCK-pHaMDR cell model was evaluated by determining the morphology features, transepithelial electrical resistance, bidirectional transport and intracellular accumulation of Rhodamine 123 and the apparent permeability of positive control drugs caffeine and atenolol. The MDCK-pHaMDR cell model had satisfactory integrity and tightness, and stable expression of P-gp. In addition, the transport results of the positive control drugs were consistent with the reported values in literature. All the parameters tested of the MDCK-pHaMDR cell model were consistent with the requirements, so the model can be used to study the blood-brain barrier permeability of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Optimum runway orientation relative to crosswinds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Falls, L. W.; Brown, S. C.

1972-01-01

Specific magnitudes of crosswinds may exist that could be constraints to the success of an aircraft mission such as the landing of the proposed space shuttle. A method is required to determine the orientation or azimuth of the proposed runway which will minimize the probability of certain critical crosswinds. Two procedures for obtaining the optimum runway orientation relative to minimizing a specified crosswind speed are described and illustrated with examples. The empirical procedure requires only hand calculations on an ordinary wind rose. The theoretical method utilizes wind statistics computed after the bivariate normal elliptical distribution is applied to a data sample of component winds. This method requires only the assumption that the wind components are bivariate normally distributed. This assumption seems to be reasonable. Studies are currently in progress for testing wind components for bivariate normality for various stations. The close agreement between the theoretical and empirical results for the example chosen substantiates the bivariate normal assumption.

40 CFR 63.1325 - Batch process vents-performance test methods and procedures to determine compliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... Cj=Average inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP component j of the gas stream...), where standard temperature is 20 °C. Cj=Inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP...

40 CFR 63.1325 - Batch process vents-performance test methods and procedures to determine compliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

.... Cj=Average inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP component j of the gas stream...), where standard temperature is 20 °C. Cj=Inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP...

40 CFR 63.1325 - Batch process vents-performance test methods and procedures to determine compliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

.... Cj=Average inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP component j of the gas stream...), where standard temperature is 20 °C. Cj=Inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP...

40 CFR 80.141 - Interim detergent gasoline program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) “Carburetor Cleanliness Test Procedure, State-of-the-Art Summary, Report: 1973-1981”, Coordinating Research... ultimate consumer; (ii) All additized post-refinery component (PRC); and (iii) All detergent additives sold... who manufacture, supply, or transfer detergent additives or detergent-additized post-refinery...

Field methods to measure surface displacement and strain with the Video Image Correlation method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maddux, Gary A.; Horton, Charles M.; Mcneill, Stephen R.; Lansing, Matthew D.

1994-01-01

The objective of this project was to develop methods and application procedures to measure displacement and strain fields during the structural testing of aerospace components using paint speckle in conjunction with the Video Image Correlation (VIC) system.

French consensus procedure for assessing cognitive function in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Dujardin, K; Auzou, N; Lhommée, E; Czernecki, V; Dubois, B; Fradet, A; Maltete, D; Meyer, M; Pineau, F; Schmitt, E; Sellal, F; Tison, F; Vidal, T; Azulay, J-P; Welter, M-L; Corvol, J-C; Durif, F; Rascol, O

2016-11-01

One of the objectives of the French expert centers for Parkinson's disease (NS-Park) network was to determine a consensus procedure for assessing cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's. This article presents this procedure and briefly describes the selected tests. A group of 13 experts used the Delphi method for consensus building to define the overall structure and components of the assessment procedure. For inclusion in the battery, tests had to be validated in the French language, require little motor participation, have normative data and be recognized by the international community. Experimental tasks and tests requiring specific devices were excluded. Two possibilities were identified, depending on whether an abbreviated or comprehensive assessment of cognitive function was necessary. For an abbreviated assessment, the experts recommended the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening test for cognitive impairment or dementia. For a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, the experts recommended assessing global efficiency plus the five main cognitive domains (attention and working memory, executive function, episodic memory, visuospatial function and language) that may be impaired in Parkinson's disease, using two tests for each domain. A common procedure for assessing cognitive function is now available across the French network dedicated to Parkinson's disease, and is recommended for both research and clinical practice. It will also help to promote standardization of the neuropsychological assessment of Parkinson's disease. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The Utility of Job Dimensions Based on Form B of the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) in a Job Component Validation Model. Report No. 5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marquardt, Lloyd D.; McCormick, Ernest J.

The study involved the use of a structured job analysis instrument called the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) as the direct basis for the establishment of the job component validity of aptitude tests (that is, a procedure for estimating the aptitude requirements for jobs strictly on the basis of job analysis data). The sample of jobs used…

Lunar Dust Simulant in Mechanical Component Testing - Paradigm and Practicality

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jett, T.; Street, K.; Abel, P.; Richmond, R.

2008-01-01

Due to the uniquely harsh lunar surface environment, terrestrial test activities may not adequately represent abrasive wear by lunar dust likely to be experienced in mechanical systems used in lunar exploration. Testing to identify potential moving mechanism problems has recently begun within the NASA Engineering and Safety Center Mechanical Systems Lunar Dust Assessment activity in coordination with the Exploration Technology and Development Program Dust Management Project, and these complimentary efforts will be described. Specific concerns about differences between simulant and lunar dust, and procedures for mechanical component testing with lunar simulant will be considered. In preparing for long term operations within a dusty lunar environment, the three fundamental approaches to keeping mechanical equipment functioning are dust avoidance, dust removal, and dust tolerance, with some combination of the three likely to be found in most engineering designs. Methods to exclude dust from contact with mechanical components would constitute mitigation by dust avoidance, so testing seals for dust exclusion efficacy as a function of particle size provides useful information for mechanism design. Dust of particle size less than a micron is not well documented for impact on lunar mechanical components. Therefore, creating a standardized lunar dust simulant in the particulate size range of ca. 0.1 to 1.0 micrometer is useful for testing effects on mechanical components such as bearings, gears, seals, bushings, and other moving mechanical assemblies. Approaching actual wear testing of mechanical components, it is beneficial to first establish relative wear rates caused by dust on commonly used mechanical component materials. The wear mode due to dust within mechanical components, such as abrasion caused by dust in grease(s), needs to be considered, as well as the effects of vacuum, lunar thermal cycle, and electrostatics on wear rate.

Synthesis study of nondestructive testing devices for use in overlay thickness design of flexible pavements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, R. E.; Lytton, R. L.

1984-04-01

A ready reference for highway engineers who are interested in purchasing nondestructive testing (NDT) equipment for use in designing overlays for flexible pavements was prepared. All commercially available equipment is described. Information includes basic descriptions plus current prices quoted by the manufacturers/distributors. To determine user comments, a questionnaire was sent to nine State agencies, and one Federal agency. The responses to these questionnaires are summarized. Overlay thickness design procedures for flexible pavements are reviewed. Important components related to the use of NDT deflection measuremnts in overlay design are identified and addressed. Summary tables of equipment characteristics and overlay design procedures are presented.

Cell module and fuel conditioner development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, D. Q., Jr.

1981-01-01

The results of pretesting and performance testing of Stack 564 are reported. The design features, progress in fabrication and plans for assembly of Stack 800 are given. The status of endurance testing of Stack 560 is reported. The design, fabrication, test procedures and preliminary tests of the 10 kW double counterflow reformer and the reformer test stand are described. Results of vendor contacts to define the performance and cost of fuel conditioning system components are reported. The results of burner tests and continuing development of the BOLTAR program are reported.

Full-scale transmission testing to evaluate advanced lubricants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewicki, David G.; Decker, Harry J.; Shimski, John T.

1992-01-01

Experimental tests were performed on the OH-58A helicopter main rotor transmission in the NASA Lewis 500 hp helicopter transmission test stand. The testing was part of a lubrication program. The objectives are to develop and show a separate lubricant for gearboxes with improved performance in life and load carrying capacity. The goal was to develop a testing procedure to fail certain transmission components using a MIL-L-23699 based reference oil and then to run identical tests with improved lubricants and show improved performance. The tests were directed at parts that failed due to marginal lubrication from Navy field experience. These failures included mast shaft bearing micropitting, sun gear and planet bearing fatigue, and spiral bevel gear scoring. A variety of tests were performed and over 900 hrs of total run time accumulated for these tests. Some success was achieved in developing a testing procedure to produce sun gear and planet bearing fatigue failures. Only marginal success was achieved in producing mast shaft bearing micropitting and spiral bevel gear scoring.

Test results of an organic Rankine-cycle power module for a small community solar thermal power experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, T. B.

1985-01-01

The organic Rankine-cycle (ORC) power conversion assembly was tested. Qualification testing of the electrical transport subsystem was also completed. Test objectives were to verify compatibility of all system elements with emphasis on control of the power conversion assembly, to evaluate the performance and efficiency of the components, and to validate operating procedures. After 34 hours of power generation under a wide range of conditions, the net module efficiency exceeded 18% after accounting for all parasitic losses.

Solar industrial process heat systems: An assessment of standards for materials and components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossiter, W. J.; Shipp, W. E.

1981-09-01

A study was conducted to obtain information on the performance of materials and components in operational solar industrial process heat (PH) systems, and to provide recommendations for the development of standards including evaluative test procedures for materials and components. An assessment of the needs for standards for evaluating the long-term performance of materials and components of IPH systems was made. The assessment was based on the availability of existing standards, and information obtained from a field survey of operational systems, the literature, and discussions with individuals in the industry. Field inspections of 10 operational IPH systems were performed.

Multishaker modal testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Craig, R. R., Jr.

1983-01-01

Procedures for improving the modal modeling of structures using test data and to determine appropriate analytical models based on substructure experimental data were explored. Two related research topics were considered in modal modeling: using several independently acquired columns of frequency response data, and modal modeling using simultaneous multi-point excitation. In component mode synthesis modeling, the emphasis is on determining the best way to employ complex modes and residuals.

Approximation of the breast height diameter distribution of two-cohort stands by mixture models II Goodness-of-fit tests

Treesearch

Rafal Podlaski; Francis .A. Roesch

2013-01-01

The goals of this study are (1) to analyse the accuracy of the approximation of empirical distributions of diameter at breast height (dbh) using two-component mixtures of either the Weibull distribution or the gamma distribution in two−cohort stands, and (2) to discuss the procedure of choosing goodness−of−fit tests. The study plots were...

Spatial contrast sensitivity - Effects of age, test-retest, and psychophysical method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Higgins, Kent E.; Jaffe, Myles J.; Caruso, Rafael C.; Demonasterio, Francisco M.

1988-01-01

Two different psychophysical methods were used to test the spatial contrast sensitivity in normal subjects from five age groups. The method of adjustment showed a decline in sensitivity with increasing age at all spatial frequencies, while the forced-choice procedure showed an age-related decline predominantly at high spatial frequencies. It is suggested that a neural component is responsible for this decline.

Self‐assessment of refractive errors using a simple optical approach

PubMed Central

Kraft, Caroline; Ohlendorf, Arne; Wahl, Siegfried

2018-01-01

Background This explorative study investigated procedures for the self‐assessment of spherocylindrical refractive errors. Methods Eighteen participants with a mean age of 34.0 ± 8.8 years were enrolled. Adjustable Alvarez lenses were mounted in a rotatable ring holder and two procedures were tested for the self‐adjustment: (1) rotation of the lens in three meridians: 0°, 60° and 120° and (2) rotation of the optotypes in the same meridians. Starting from maximum positive power, the participants were required to decrease the power of the Alvarez lens until the optotypes (0.0 logMAR) appeared to be clear the first time. Best‐corrected visual acuity (BVA) was measured using a psychophysical staircase procedure. Bland–Altmann analysis was carried out in order to calculate the limits of agreement between the self‐refraction method and the standard subjective refraction. Results Using procedure 1, 77 per cent of the subjects achieved a VA ≥ 0.1 logMAR (6/7.5) and the same was true for 88 per cent of the subjects using procedure 2. Using procedure 1, a significantly worse BVA was found, when compared to subjective refraction (ΔVA = −0.15 logMAR, F3,140 = 7.11, p = 0.046, median test). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis showed a significant influence of the refraction method on the oblique astigmatism component J45 but not for the spherical equivalent M and the straight astigmatism component J0 (M: F3,140 = 0.532, p = 0.661; J0: F3,140 = 0.056, p = 0.983; J45: F3,140 = 13.97, p < 0.001; ANOVA). The limits of agreement for the spherical equivalent error M were ± 1.10 D and ± 1.20 D and for the astigmatic components J0 ± 0.78 D and ± 0.59 D and for J45 ± 0.62 D and ± 0.54 D, for procedure 1 and procedure 2, respectively. Conclusions Fixed adjustable Alvarez lenses and rotatable stimuli can provide a fast and precise self‐assessment method to measure the spherocylindrical error of the eye. PMID:29356102

Constitutive modeling for isotropic materials (HOST)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, Kwai S.; Lindholm, Ulric S.; Bodner, S. R.; Hill, Jeff T.; Weber, R. M.; Meyer, T. G.

1986-01-01

The results of the third year of work on a program which is part of the NASA Hot Section Technology program (HOST) are presented. The goals of this program are: (1) the development of unified constitutive models for rate dependent isotropic materials; and (2) the demonstration of the use of unified models in structural analyses of hot section components of gas turbine engines. The unified models selected for development and evaluation are those of Bodner-Partom and of Walker. A test procedure was developed for assisting the generation of a data base for the Bodner-Partom model using a relatively small number of specimens. This test procedure involved performing a tensile test at a temperature of interest that involves a succession of strain-rate changes. The results for B1900+Hf indicate that material constants related to hardening and thermal recovery can be obtained on the basis of such a procedure. Strain aging, thermal recovery, and unexpected material variations, however, preluded an accurate determination of the strain-rate sensitivity parameter is this exercise. The effects of casting grain size on the constitutive behavior of B1900+Hf were studied and no particular grain size effect was observed. A systematic procedure was also developed for determining the material constants in the Bodner-Partom model. Both the new test procedure and the method for determining material constants were applied to the alternate material, Mar-M247 . Test data including tensile, creep, cyclic and nonproportional biaxial (tension/torsion) loading were collected. Good correlations were obtained between the Bodner-Partom model and experiments. A literature survey was conducted to assess the effects of thermal history on the constitutive behavior of metals. Thermal history effects are expected to be present at temperature regimes where strain aging and change of microstructure are important. Possible modifications to the Bodner-Partom model to account for these effects are outlined. The use of a unified constitutive model for hot section component analyses was demonstrated by applying the Walker model and the MARC finite-element code to a B1900+Hf airfoil problem.

Performance Evaluation of a Data Validation System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Edmond (Technical Monitor); Sowers, T. Shane; Santi, L. Michael; Bickford, Randall L.

2005-01-01

Online data validation is a performance-enhancing component of modern control and health management systems. It is essential that performance of the data validation system be verified prior to its use in a control and health management system. A new Data Qualification and Validation (DQV) Test-bed application was developed to provide a systematic test environment for this performance verification. The DQV Test-bed was used to evaluate a model-based data validation package known as the Data Quality Validation Studio (DQVS). DQVS was employed as the primary data validation component of a rocket engine health management (EHM) system developed under NASA's NGLT (Next Generation Launch Technology) program. In this paper, the DQVS and DQV Test-bed software applications are described, and the DQV Test-bed verification procedure for this EHM system application is presented. Test-bed results are summarized and implications for EHM system performance improvements are discussed.

Improved techniques for thermomechanical testing in support of deformation modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Castelli, Michael G.; Ellis, John R.

1992-01-01

The feasibility of generating precise thermomechanical deformation data to support constitutive model development was investigated. Here, the requirement is for experimental data that is free from anomalies caused by less than ideal equipment and procedures. A series of exploratory tests conducted on Hastelloy X showed that generally accepted techniques for strain controlled tests were lacking in at least three areas. Specifically, problems were encountered with specimen stability, thermal strain compensation, and temperature/mechanical strain phasing. The source of these difficulties was identified and improved thermomechanical testing techniques to correct them were developed. These goals were achieved by developing improved procedures for measuring and controlling thermal gradients and by designing a specimen specifically for thermomechanical testing. In addition, innovative control strategies were developed to correctly proportion and phase the thermal and mechanical components of strain. Subsequently, the improved techniques were used to generate deformation data for Hastelloy X over the temperature range, 200 to 1000 C.

NASA/FAA general aviation crash dynamics program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomson, R. G.; Hayduk, R. J.; Carden, H. D.

1981-01-01

The program involves controlled full scale crash testing, nonlinear structural analyses to predict large deflection elastoplastic response, and load attenuating concepts for use in improved seat and subfloor structure. Both analytical and experimental methods are used to develop expertise in these areas. Analyses include simplified procedures for estimating energy dissipating capabilities and comprehensive computerized procedures for predicting airframe response. These analyses are developed to provide designers with methods for predicting accelerations, loads, and displacements on collapsing structure. Tests on typical full scale aircraft and on full and subscale structural components are performed to verify the analyses and to demonstrate load attenuating concepts. A special apparatus was built to test emergency locator transmitters when attached to representative aircraft structure. The apparatus is shown to provide a good simulation of the longitudinal crash pulse observed in full scale aircraft crash tests.

Experimental assessment of advanced Stirling component concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ziph, B.

1985-01-01

The results of an experimental assessment of some advanced Stirling engine component concepts are presented. High performance piston rings, reciprocating oil scrapers and heat pipes with getters and with mechanical couplings were tested. The tests yielded the following results: (1) Bonded, split, pumping piston rings, in preliminary testing, proved a promising concept, exhibiting low leakage and friction losses. Solid piston rings proved impractical in view of their sensitivity to the operating temperature; (2) A babbit oil scraper in a compliant housing performed well in atmospheric endurance testing. In pressurized tests the scraper did not perform well as a containment seal. The latter tests suggest modifications which may adapt Ti successfully to that application; and (3) Heat pipe endurance tests indicated the adequacy of simple, inexpensive fabrication and filling procedures. Getters were provided to increase the tolerance of the heat pipes to the presence of air and commercially available couplings were demonstrated to be suitable for heat pipe application. In addition to the above tests, the program also included a design effort for a split shaft applicable to a swashplate driven engine with a pressurized crank-case. The design is aimed, and does accomplish, an increase in component life to more than 10,000 hours.

A Novel Technique to Follow Consequences of Exogenous Factors, Including Therapeutic Drugs, on Living Human Breast Epithelial Cells

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-07-01

and lipid vectors, are being tested. Concurrent with the development of procedures for live - cell imaging , we are examining the distribution of proteins...dimensional matrix. These studies have not yet begun. There are a number of procedures that must be developed and perfected in the live - cell imaging , as...components of the Wnt signaling pathway are too preliminary and require additional research prior to publication. (9) CONCLUSIONS Live cell imaging of

Symbolic dynamic filtering and language measure for behavior identification of mobile robots.

PubMed

Mallapragada, Goutham; Ray, Asok; Jin, Xin

2012-06-01

This paper presents a procedure for behavior identification of mobile robots, which requires limited or no domain knowledge of the underlying process. While the features of robot behavior are extracted by symbolic dynamic filtering of the observed time series, the behavior patterns are classified based on language measure theory. The behavior identification procedure has been experimentally validated on a networked robotic test bed by comparison with commonly used tools, namely, principal component analysis for feature extraction and Bayesian risk analysis for pattern classification.

Component variations and their effects on bipolar nickel-hydrogen cell performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manzo, Michelle A.; Gahn, Randall F.; Gonzalez-Sanabria, Olga D.; Cataldo, Robert L.; Gemeiner, Russel P.

1987-01-01

A 50 cell bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery was assembled to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a high voltage stack of cells. Various component combinations were tested in this battery. The battery had approximately 1 ampere-hour of capacity and was constructed from components with an active area of 2 x 2 inches. The components were parametrically varied to give a comparison of nickel electrodes, hydrogen electrodes, separators, fill procedures and electrolyte reservoir plate thicknesses. Groups of five cells were constructed using the same components; ten combinations were tested in all. The battery was thoroughly characterized at various change and discharge rates as well as with various pulse patterns and rates. Over a period of 1400 40-percent DOD LEO cycles some of the groups began to exhibit performance differences. In general, only separator variations had a significant effect on cell performance. It also appears that shunt currents may have been operating within the stack, resulting in electrolyte transfer from one cell to another, thus contributing to cell performance variations.

Component variations and their effects on bipolar nickel-hydrogen cell performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manzo, Michelle A.; Gahn, Randall F.; Gonzalez-Sanabria, Olga D.; Cataldo, Robert L.; Gemeiner, Russel P.

1987-01-01

A 50 cell bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery was assembled to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a high voltage stack of cells. Various component combinations were tested in this battery. The battery had approximately 1 ampere-hour of capacity and was constructed from components with an active area of 2" X 2". The components were parametrically varied to give a comparison of nickel electrodes, hydrogen electrodes, separators, fill procedures and electrolyte reservoir plate thicknesses. Groups of five cells were constructed using the same components; ten combinations were tested in all. The battery was thoroughly characterized at various change and discharge rates as well as with various pulse patterns and rates. Over a period of 1400 40% DOD LEO cycles some of the groups began to exhibit performance differences. In general, only separator variations had a significant effect on cell performance. It also appears that shunt currents may have been operating within the stack, resulting in electrolyte transfer from one cell to another, thus contributing to cell performance variations.

Thin film thermocouples for high temperature turbine application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Lisa C.

1991-01-01

The objective is to develop thin film thermocouples (TFTC) for Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) components such as the high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) blades and to test TFTC survivability and durability in the SSME environment. The purpose for developing TFTC's for SSME components is to obtain blade temperatures for computational models developed for fluid mechanics and structures. The TFTC must be able to withstand the presence of high temperature, high pressure hydrogen as well as a severe thermal transient due to a cryogenic to combustion temperature change. The TFTC's will eventually be installed and tested on SSME propulsion system components in the SSME test bed engine. The TFTC's were successfully fabricated on flat coupons of MAR-M 246 (Hf+), which is the superalloy material used for HPFTP turbine blades. The TFTC's fabricated on flat coupons survived thermal shock cycling as well as testing in a heat flux measurement facility which provided a rapid thermal transient. The same fabrication procedure was used to deposit TFTC's on HPFTP first stage rotor blades. Other results from the experiments are presented, and future testing plans are discussed.

Evaluating change in attitude towards mathematics using the 'then-now' procedure in a cooperative learning programme.

PubMed

Townsend, Michael; Wilton, Keri

2003-12-01

Tertiary students' attitudes to mathematics are frequently negative and resistant to change, reflecting low self-efficacy. Some educators believe that greater use should be made of small group, collaborative teaching. However, the results of such interventions should be subject to assessments of bias caused by a shift in the frame of reference used by students in reporting their attitudes. This study was designed to assess whether traditional pretest-post-test procedures would indicate positive changes in mathematics attitude during a programme of cooperative learning, and whether an examination of any attitudinal change using the 'then-now' procedure would indicate bias in the results due to a shift in the internal standards for expressing attitude. Participants were 141 undergraduate students enrolled in a 12-week statistics and research design component of a course in educational psychology. Using multivariate procedures, pretest, post-test, and then-test measures of mathematics self-concept and anxiety were examined in conjunction with a cooperative learning approach to teaching. Significant positive changes between pretest and post-test were found for both mathematics self-concept and mathematics anxiety. There were no significant differences between the actual pretest and retrospective pretest measures of attitude. The results were not moderated by prior level of mathematics study. Conclusions about the apparent effectiveness of a cooperative learning programme were strengthened by the use of the retrospective pretest procedure.

Characterization of structural connections using free and forced response test data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawrence, Charles; Huckelbridge, Arthur A.

1989-01-01

The accurate prediction of system dynamic response often has been limited by deficiencies in existing capabilities to characterize connections adequately. Connections between structural components often are complex mechanically, and difficult to accurately model analytically. Improved analytical models for connections are needed to improve system dynamic preditions. A procedure for identifying physical connection properties from free and forced response test data is developed, then verified utilizing a system having both a linear and nonlinear connection. Connection properties are computed in terms of physical parameters so that the physical characteristics of the connections can better be understood, in addition to providing improved input for the system model. The identification procedure is applicable to multi-degree of freedom systems, and does not require that the test data be measured directly at the connection locations.

Wavelet-based identification of rotor blades in passage-through-resonance tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carassale, Luigi; Marrè-Brunenghi, Michela; Patrone, Stefano

2018-01-01

Turbine blades are critical components in turbo engines and their design process usually includes experimental tests in order to validate and/or update numerical models. These tests are generally carried out on full-scale rotors having some blades instrumented with strain gauges and usually involve a run-up or a run-down phase. The quantification of damping in these conditions is rather challenging for several reasons. In this work, we show through numerical simulations that the usual identification procedures lead to a systematic overestimation of damping due both to the finite sweep velocity, as well as to the variation of the blade natural frequencies with the rotation speed. To overcome these problems, an identification procedure based on the continuous wavelet transform is proposed and validated through numerical simulation.

Assessment of a geochemical extraction procedure to determine the solid phase fractionation and bioaccessibility of potentially harmful elements in soils: a case study using the NIST 2710 reference soil.

PubMed

Wragg, Joanna; Cave, Mark

2012-04-13

Three mineral acid sequential extraction regimes (HNO(3) only, HNO(3) followed by HCl and aqua regia) were applied to the NIST 2710 contaminated reference soil. The major and trace element chemical analysis data from the extractions were subjected to a chemometric self-modelling mixture resolution procedure which identified that 12 distinct physico-chemical components were extracted. The fractionation of As, Cd, Ni and Pb between these components were determined. Tentative assignments of the mineralogical sources of the components were made. The human ingestion bioaccessible fraction of As, Cd and Pb were determined using the in vitro BARGE UBM bioaccessibility test and were found to be 51.6%, 68.0% and 68.4% respectively. The relationship between the lability of the physico-chemical components and the bioaccessible fraction of the soils was investigated and the bioaccessible fractions were assigned to specific components. The extraction scheme using aqua regia was found to be the most suitable as it was the only one which extracted the iron sulphide phase in the soil. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Checkout and Standard Use Procedures for the Mark III Space Suit Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Valish, Dana J.

2012-01-01

The operational pressure range is the range to which the suit can be nominally operated for manned testing. The top end of the nominal operational pressure range is equivalent to 1/2 the proof pressure. Structural pressure is 1.5 times the specified test pressure for any given test. Proof pressure is the maximum unmanned pressure to which the suit was tested by the vendor prior to delivery. The maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) is 90% of the proof pressure. The pressure systems RVs are set to keep components below their MAWPs. If the suit is pressurized over its MAWP, the suit will be taken out of service and an in-depth inspection/review of the suit will be performed before the suit is put back in service. The procedures outlined in this document should be followed as written. However, the suit test engineer (STE) may make redline changes real-time, provided those changes are recorded in the anomaly section of the test data sheet. If technicians supporting suit build-up, check-out, and/or test execution believe that a procedure can be improved, they should notify their lead. If procedures are incorrect to the point of potentially causing hardware damage or affecting safety, bring the problem to the technician lead and/or STE s attention and stop work until a solution (temporary or permanent) is authorized. Certain steps in the procedure are marked with a DV , for Designated Verifier. The Designated Verifier for this procedure is an Advanced Space Suit Technology Development Laboratory technician, not directly involved in performing the procedural steps, who will verify that the step was performed as stated. The steps to be verified by the DV were selected based on one or more of the following criteria: the step was deemed significant in ensuring the safe performance of the test, the data recorded in the step is of specific interest in monitoring the suit system operation, or the step has a strong influence on the successful completion of test objectives. Prior to all manned test activities, Advanced Suit Test Data Sheet (TDS) Parts A-E shall be completed to verify system and team are ready for test. Advanced Suit TDS Parts F-G shall be completed at the end of the suited activity. Appendix B identifies tha appropriate Mark III suit emergency event procedures.

Hot Swapping Protocol Implementations in the OPNET Modeler Development Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

components. Unfortunately, this style is not efficient or particularly human–readable. Even purely pedagogical scenarios consisting of a client and a...definition provided by the mock object. sion of this kernel procedure steers all packets sent with op pk deliver() to the unit testing’s specialized...forms of development. Moreover, batteries of unit tests could ship with the accompanying process models and serve as robust regression tests

Measurements by a Vector Network Analyzer at 325 to 508 GHz

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, King Man; Samoska, Lorene; Chattopadhyay, Goutam; Gaier, Todd; Kangaslahti, Pekka; Pukala, David; Lau, Yuenie; Oleson, Charles; Denning, Anthony

2008-01-01

Recent experiments were performed in which return loss and insertion loss of waveguide test assemblies in the frequency range from 325 to 508 GHz were measured by use of a swept-frequency two-port vector network analyzer (VNA) test set. The experiments were part of a continuing effort to develop means of characterizing passive and active electronic components and systems operating at ever increasing frequencies. The waveguide test assemblies comprised WR-2.2 end sections collinear with WR-3.3 middle sections. The test set, assembled from commercially available components, included a 50-GHz VNA scattering- parameter test set and external signal synthesizers, augmented with recently developed frequency extenders, and further augmented with attenuators and amplifiers as needed to adjust radiofrequency and intermediate-frequency power levels between the aforementioned components. The tests included line-reflect-line calibration procedures, using WR-2.2 waveguide shims as the "line" standards and waveguide flange short circuits as the "reflect" standards. Calibrated dynamic ranges somewhat greater than about 20 dB for return loss and 35 dB for insertion loss were achieved. The measurement data of the test assemblies were found to substantially agree with results of computational simulations.

Moving base Gravity Gradiometer Survey System (GGSS) program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfohl, Louis; Rusnak, Walter; Jircitano, Albert; Grierson, Andrew

1988-04-01

The GGSS program began in early 1983 with the objective of delivering a landmobile and airborne system capable of fast, accurate, and economical gravity gradient surveys of large areas anywhere in the world. The objective included the development and use of post-mission data reduction software to process the survey data into solutions for the gravity disturbance vector components (north, east and vertical). This document describes the GGSS equipment hardware and software, integration and lab test procedures and results, and airborne and land survey procedures and results. Included are discussions on test strategies, post-mission data reduction algorithms, and the data reduction processing experience. Perspectives and conclusions are drawn from the results.

30 CFR 74.6 - Quality control.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Quality control. 74.6 Section 74.6 Mineral... control. The applicant shall describe the way in which each lot of components will be sampled and tested... of the CMDPSU will be maintained in production through adequate quality control procedures, MSHA and...

14 CFR 29.1045 - Climb cooling test procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... engines and powerplant components. (c) Each operating engine must— (1) For helicopters for which the use... continuous power (or at full throttle when above the critical altitude); (2) For helicopters for which the... one engine operative; and (2) Sea level. (f) The climb or descent must be conducted at an airspeed...

14 CFR 29.1045 - Climb cooling test procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... engines and powerplant components. (c) Each operating engine must— (1) For helicopters for which the use... continuous power (or at full throttle when above the critical altitude); (2) For helicopters for which the... one engine operative; and (2) Sea level. (f) The climb or descent must be conducted at an airspeed...

14 CFR 29.1045 - Climb cooling test procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... engines and powerplant components. (c) Each operating engine must— (1) For helicopters for which the use... continuous power (or at full throttle when above the critical altitude); (2) For helicopters for which the... one engine operative; and (2) Sea level. (f) The climb or descent must be conducted at an airspeed...

Work Keys: Developing the Assessments.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLarty, Joyce R.

The American College Testing Program is developing a new program, Work Keys, a system to develop and assess employability skills. It consists of four components: (1) a systematic process for profiling job skill requirements; (2) assessments that measure learners' job skill levels; (3) procedures and formats for conveying assessment results so they…

49 CFR 232.611 - Periodic maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... wiring and brackets; (2) ECP brake system electrical connections; and (3) Car mounted ECP brake system components. (b) Single car air brake test procedures. Prior to placing a freight car equipped with an ECP... car equipped with an ECP brake system shall be inspected and repaired before being released from a...

49 CFR 232.611 - Periodic maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... wiring and brackets; (2) ECP brake system electrical connections; and (3) Car mounted ECP brake system components. (b) Single car air brake test procedures. Prior to placing a freight car equipped with an ECP... car equipped with an ECP brake system shall be inspected and repaired before being released from a...

49 CFR 232.611 - Periodic maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... wiring and brackets; (2) ECP brake system electrical connections; and (3) Car mounted ECP brake system components. (b) Single car air brake test procedures. Prior to placing a freight car equipped with an ECP... car equipped with an ECP brake system shall be inspected and repaired before being released from a...

40 CFR 63.490 - Batch front-end process vents-performance test methods and procedures to determine compliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... temperature is 20 °C. Cj = Average inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP component j of...) (kg/gm) (min/hr), where standard temperature is 20 °C. Cj = Inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or...

40 CFR 63.490 - Batch front-end process vents-performance test methods and procedures to determine compliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... temperature is 20 °C. Cj = Average inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP component j of...) (kg/gm) (min/hr), where standard temperature is 20 °C. Cj = Inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or...

40 CFR 63.490 - Batch front-end process vents-performance test methods and procedures to determine compliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... temperature is 20 °C. Cj = Average inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or sample organic HAP component j of...) (kg/gm) (min/hr), where standard temperature is 20 °C. Cj = Inlet or outlet concentration of TOC or...

49 CFR 232.611 - Periodic maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... wiring and brackets; (2) ECP brake system electrical connections; and (3) Car mounted ECP brake system components. (b) Single car air brake test procedures. Prior to placing a freight car equipped with an ECP... car equipped with an ECP brake system shall be inspected and repaired before being released from a...

49 CFR 232.611 - Periodic maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... wiring and brackets; (2) ECP brake system electrical connections; and (3) Car mounted ECP brake system components. (b) Single car air brake test procedures. Prior to placing a freight car equipped with an ECP... car equipped with an ECP brake system shall be inspected and repaired before being released from a...

30 CFR 74.6 - Quality control.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Quality control. 74.6 Section 74.6 Mineral... control. The applicant shall describe the way in which each lot of components will be sampled and tested... of the CMDPSU will be maintained in production through adequate quality control procedures, MSHA and...

30 CFR 74.6 - Quality control.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Quality control. 74.6 Section 74.6 Mineral... control. The applicant shall describe the way in which each lot of components will be sampled and tested... of the CMDPSU will be maintained in production through adequate quality control procedures, MSHA and...

Liquid rocket valve assemblies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

The design and operating characteristics of valve assemblies used in liquid propellant rocket engines are discussed. The subjects considered are as follows: (1) valve selection parameters, (2) major design aspects, (3) design integration of valve subassemblies, and (4) assembly of components and functional tests. Information is provided on engine, stage, and spacecraft checkout procedures.

Modification of Children's Racial Attitudes. Final Progress Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katz, Phyllis

This study investigated some of the attitudinal and behavioral components of racial prejudice in elementary school children. It also assessed the effectiveness of various modification procedures upon children's racial attitudes and inter-group behavior at different age levels. A four-stage research design was used. The pre-test stage involved…

Towards a national certification scheme for Rubus in the United States

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Guidelines for a National Certification Scheme for Rubus in the United States have been drafted and are being evaluated in states with a tradition of Rubus propagation. The major components of the guidelines describe the procedures for propagating, testing and maintaining plants at four successive s...

40 CFR 91.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... that may occur between the pre and post checks is not specified. However, the difference between pre... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM MARINE SPARK-IGNITION ENGINES Gaseous Exhaust Test...

40 CFR 91.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... that may occur between the pre and post checks is not specified. However, the difference between pre... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM MARINE SPARK-IGNITION ENGINES Gaseous Exhaust Test...

40 CFR 91.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... that may occur between the pre and post checks is not specified. However, the difference between pre... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM MARINE SPARK-IGNITION ENGINES Gaseous Exhaust Test...

40 CFR 91.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... that may occur between the pre and post checks is not specified. However, the difference between pre... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM MARINE SPARK-IGNITION ENGINES Gaseous Exhaust Test...

40 CFR 91.413 - Exhaust sample procedure-gaseous components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... that may occur between the pre and post checks is not specified. However, the difference between pre... drift nor the span drift between the pre-analysis and post-analysis checks on any range used may exceed... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM MARINE SPARK-IGNITION ENGINES Gaseous Exhaust Test...

Design, fabrication and test of graphite/epoxy metering truss structure components, phase 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The design, materials, tooling, manufacturing processes, quality control, test procedures, and results associated with the fabrication and test of graphite/epoxy metering truss structure components exhibiting a near zero coefficient of thermal expansion are described. Analytical methods were utilized, with the aid of a computer program, to define the most efficient laminate configurations in terms of thermal behavior and structural requirements. This was followed by an extensive material characterization and selection program, conducted for several graphite/graphite/hybrid laminate systems to obtain experimental data in support of the analytical predictions. Mechanical property tests as well as the coefficient of thermal expansion tests were run on each laminate under study, the results of which were used as the selection criteria for the single most promising laminate. Further coefficient of thermal expansion measurement was successfully performed on three subcomponent tubes utilizing the selected laminate.

Estimation of sample size and testing power (part 5).

PubMed

Hu, Liang-ping; Bao, Xiao-lei; Guan, Xue; Zhou, Shi-guo

2012-02-01

Estimation of sample size and testing power is an important component of research design. This article introduced methods for sample size and testing power estimation of difference test for quantitative and qualitative data with the single-group design, the paired design or the crossover design. To be specific, this article introduced formulas for sample size and testing power estimation of difference test for quantitative and qualitative data with the above three designs, the realization based on the formulas and the POWER procedure of SAS software and elaborated it with examples, which will benefit researchers for implementing the repetition principle.

A CAD Approach to Integrating NDE With Finite Element

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abdul-Aziz, Ali; Downey, James; Ghosn, Louis J.; Baaklini, George Y.

2004-01-01

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is one of several technologies applied at NASA Glenn Research Center to determine atypical deformities, cracks, and other anomalies experienced by structural components. NDE consists of applying high-quality imaging techniques (such as x-ray imaging and computed tomography (CT)) to discover hidden manufactured flaws in a structure. Efforts are in progress to integrate NDE with the finite element (FE) computational method to perform detailed structural analysis of a given component. This report presents the core outlines for an in-house technical procedure that incorporates this combined NDE-FE interrelation. An example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of this analytical procedure. FE analysis of a test specimen is performed, and the resulting von Mises stresses and the stress concentrations near the anomalies are observed, which indicates the fidelity of the procedure. Additional information elaborating on the steps needed to perform such an analysis is clearly presented in the form of mini step-by-step guidelines.

40 CFR 60.485a - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O at 68 °F). Standard reference texts or ASTM D2879-83, 96, or 97... concentration of the pure organic components having a vapor pressure greater than 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O... Hi = net heat of combustion of sample component “i” at 25 °C and 760 mm Hg (77 °F and 14.7 psi), kcal...

40 CFR 60.485a - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O at 68 °F). Standard reference texts or ASTM D2879-83, 96, or 97... concentration of the pure organic components having a vapor pressure greater than 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O...,” ppm Hi = net heat of combustion of sample component “i” at 25 °C and 760 mm Hg (77 °F and 14.7 psi...

40 CFR 60.485a - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O at 68 °F). Standard reference texts or ASTM D2879-83, 96, or 97... concentration of the pure organic components having a vapor pressure greater than 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O... Hi = net heat of combustion of sample component “i” at 25 °C and 760 mm Hg (77 °F and 14.7 psi), kcal...

40 CFR 60.485a - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O at 68 °F). Standard reference texts or ASTM D2879-83, 96, or 97... concentration of the pure organic components having a vapor pressure greater than 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O...,” ppm Hi = net heat of combustion of sample component “i” at 25 °C and 760 mm Hg (77 °F and 14.7 psi...

40 CFR 60.485a - Test methods and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O at 68 °F). Standard reference texts or ASTM D2879-83, 96, or 97... concentration of the pure organic components having a vapor pressure greater than 0.3 kPa at 20 °C (1.2 in. H2O...,” ppm Hi = net heat of combustion of sample component “i” at 25 °C and 760 mm Hg (77 °F and 14.7 psi...

Determination of photovoltaic concentrator optical design specifications using performance modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kerschen, Kevin A.; Levy, Sheldon L.

The strategy used to develop an optical design specification for a 500X concentration photovoltaic module to be used with a 28-percent-efficient concentrator photovoltaic cell is reported. The computer modeling code (PVOPTICS) developed for this purpose, a Fresnel lens design strategy, and optical component specification procedures are described. Comparisons are made between the predicted performance and the measured performance of components fabricated to those specifications. An acrylic lens and a reflective secondary optical element have been tested, showing efficiencies exceeding 88 percent.

Reliability and Maintainability Analysis of Fluidic Back-Up Flight Control System and Components.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

industry. 2 r ~~m~ NADC 80227- 60 Maintainability Review of FMEA worksheets indicates that the standard hydraulic components of the servoactuator will...achieved. Procedures for conducting the FMEA and evaluating the 6 & | I NADC 80227- 60 severity of each failure mode are included as Appendix A...KEYSER N62269-81-M-3047 UNCLASSIFIED NADC-80227- 60 NL 66 11111.5 .4 11 6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART N~ATIONAL BUR[AU Of STANDARDS 1%3A, REPORT

Fatigue Damage Spectrum calculation in a Mission Synthesis procedure for Sine-on-Random excitations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angeli, Andrea; Cornelis, Bram; Troncossi, Marco

2016-09-01

In many real-life environments, certain mechanical and electronic components may be subjected to Sine-on-Random vibrations, i.e. excitations composed of random vibrations superimposed on deterministic (sinusoidal) contributions, in particular sine tones due to some rotating parts of the system (e.g. helicopters, engine-mounted components,...). These components must be designed to withstand the fatigue damage induced by the “composed” vibration environment, and qualification tests are advisable for the most critical ones. In the case of an accelerated qualification test, a proper test tailoring which starts from the real environment (measured vibration signals) and which preserves not only the accumulated fatigue damage but also the “nature” of the excitation (i.e. sinusoidal components plus random process) is important to obtain reliable results. In this paper, the classic time domain approach is taken as a reference for the comparison of different methods for the Fatigue Damage Spectrum (FDS) calculation in case of Sine-on-Random vibration environments. Then, a methodology to compute a Sine-on-Random specification based on a mission FDS is proposed.

Detection of Damage in Hydraulic Components by Acoustic Emission Techniques.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-01

49 ".-4.- Vane Pumps 50 Piston Pumps 61 Gear Pumps 66 VI FIELD TESTS (GEAR PUMPS) 108 Pump Cavitation 108 Internal Mechanical Damage Test Procedure...with Bad Bearing 60 5.6 a Frequency Spectrum (0-100 KHz) of Piston Pump. Cavitation Test, Inlet Pressure =1.55 atm (Normal) 63 5.6 b Frequency Spectrum...0-100 KHz) of Piston Pump. Cavitation Test, Inlet Pressure =1.38 atm (Incipient) 64. vi i . .e 0" S.. j~ * .’ *"-.i’.-..N.?.. .. ° .,LIST OF FIGURES

Field analysis for explosives: TNT and RDX

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Elcoate, W.; Mapes, J.

The EPA has listed as hazardous many of the compounds used in the production of ammunitions and other explosive ordnance. The contamination of soil with TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), the major component of many munitions formulations and to a lesser degree RDX (hexhydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-trizine) is a significant problem at many ammunition manufacturing facilities, depots, and ordnance disposal sites. Field test kits for explosives TNT and RDX (hexhydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) were developed based on the methods of T.F. Jenkins and M.E. Walsh and T.F Jenkins. EnSys Environmental Products, Inc. with technical support from T.F. Jenkins took the original TNT procedure, modified it for easier field use,more » performed validation studies to ensure that it met or exceeded the method specifications for both the T.F. Jenkins and SW-846 methods, and developed an easy to use test format for the field testing of TNT. The RDX procedure has gone through the development cycle and is presently in the field validation phase. This paper describes the test protocol and performance characteristics of the TNT test procedure.« less

The DOE ETV-1 Electric Test Vehicle. Phase 3: Performance Testing and system evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kurtz, D.

1981-01-01

Engineering tests were conducted in order to characterize overall system performance and component efficiencies within the system environment. A dynamometer was used in order to minimize the ambient effects and large uncertainties present in track testing. Extensive test requirements were defined and procedures were carefully controlled in order to maintain a high degree of credibility. Limited track testing was performed in order to corroborate the dynamometer results. Test results include an energy flow analysis through the major subsystems and incorporate the aerodynamic and rolling losses under cyclic and various steady speed conditions. The major output from all relevant dynamometer and track tests is also included.

Modular Engine Noise Component Prediction System (MCP) Program Users' Guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golub, Robert A. (Technical Monitor); Herkes, William H.; Reed, David H.

2004-01-01

This is a user's manual for Modular Engine Noise Component Prediction System (MCP). This computer code allows the user to predict turbofan engine noise estimates. The program is based on an empirical procedure that has evolved over many years at The Boeing Company. The data used to develop the procedure include both full-scale engine data and small-scale model data, and include testing done by Boeing, by the engine manufacturers, and by NASA. In order to generate a noise estimate, the user specifies the appropriate engine properties (including both geometry and performance parameters), the microphone locations, the atmospheric conditions, and certain data processing options. The version of the program described here allows the user to predict three components: inlet-radiated fan noise, aft-radiated fan noise, and jet noise. MCP predicts one-third octave band noise levels over the frequency range of 50 to 10,000 Hertz. It also calculates overall sound pressure levels and certain subjective noise metrics (e.g., perceived noise levels).

General aviation crash safety program at Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomson, R. G.

1976-01-01

The purpose of the crash safety program is to support development of the technology to define and demonstrate new structural concepts for improved crash safety and occupant survivability in general aviation aircraft. The program involves three basic areas of research: full-scale crash simulation testing, nonlinear structural analyses necessary to predict failure modes and collapse mechanisms of the vehicle, and evaluation of energy absorption concepts for specific component design. Both analytical and experimental methods are being used to develop expertise in these areas. Analyses include both simplified procedures for estimating energy absorption capabilities and more complex computer programs for analysis of general airframe response. Full-scale tests of typical structures as well as tests on structural components are being used to verify the analyses and to demonstrate improved design concepts.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frame, E.A.

The objectives of this project were: (1) to determine the feasibility of adding a vapor-phase corrosion inhibitor (VCI) component to improve the preservation performance of MIL-L-21260 and (2) to evaluate a less complicated engine preservation procedure. A simultaneous two-phase approach was conducted. Phase 1 involved the formulation and evaluation of experimental VCI oils, while Phase 2 was the evaluation of a simplified engine preservation procedure. VCI oil formulation was conducted by Ronco Laboratory under subcontract. Compatibility of the experimental VCI oils with metal coupons, elastomers, and fuel filters was determined. Effectiveness of the experimental VCI oil was evaluated in amore » 3-year outdoor engine storage test. The engines were preserved using an experimental, simplified preservation procedure. The simplified engine preservation procedure proved to be acceptable as engines stored for 3 years in a very severe environment were judged to have been adequately preserved. Engine oil meeting specification MIL-L-21260 provided satisfactory protection during the 3-year storage test. The experimental VCI oil also provided satisfactory storage protection during this test; however, there was no observable advantage for the VCI oil. The VCI oil had acceptable compatibility with an elastomeric flex ring, metal coupons (except lead), and fuel filters.« less

Electrically evoked compound action potentials artefact rejection by independent component analysis: procedure automation.

PubMed

Akhoun, Idrick; McKay, Colette; El-Deredy, Wael

2015-01-15

Independent-components-analysis (ICA) successfully separated electrically-evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) from the stimulation artefact and noise (ECAP-ICA, Akhoun et al., 2013). This paper shows how to automate the ECAP-ICA artefact cancellation process. Raw-ECAPs without artefact rejection were consecutively recorded for each stimulation condition from at least 8 intra-cochlear electrodes. Firstly, amplifier-saturated recordings were discarded, and the data from different stimulus conditions (different current-levels) were concatenated temporally. The key aspect of the automation procedure was the sequential deductive source categorisation after ICA was applied with a restriction to 4 sources. The stereotypical aspect of the 4 sources enables their automatic classification as two artefact components, a noise and the sought ECAP based on theoretical and empirical considerations. The automatic procedure was tested using 8 cochlear implant (CI) users and one to four stimulus electrodes. The artefact and noise sources were successively identified and discarded, leaving the ECAP as the remaining source. The automated ECAP-ICA procedure successfully extracted the correct ECAPs compared to standard clinical forward masking paradigm in 22 out of 26 cases. ECAP-ICA does not require extracting the ECAP from a combination of distinct buffers as it is the case with regular methods. It is an alternative that does not have the possible bias of traditional artefact rejections such as alternate-polarity or forward-masking paradigms. The ECAP-ICA procedure bears clinical relevance, for example as the artefact rejection sub-module of automated ECAP-threshold detection techniques, which are common features of CI clinical fitting software. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Design and implementation of Ada programs to facilitate automated testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dean, Jack; Fox, Barry; Oropeza, Michael

1991-01-01

An automated method utilized to test the software components of COMPASS, an interactive computer aided scheduling system, is presented. Each package of this system introduces a private type, and works to construct instances of that type, along with read and write routines for that type. Generic procedures that can generate test drivers for these functions are given and show how the test drivers can read from a test data file the functions to call, the arguments for those functions, what the anticipated result should be, and whether an exception should be raised for the function given the arguments.

CRT image recording evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

Performance capabilities and limitations of a fiber optic coupled line scan CRT image recording system were investigated. The test program evaluated the following components: (1). P31 phosphor CRT with EMA faceplate; (2). P31 phosphor CRT with clear clad faceplate; (3). Type 7743 semi-gloss dry process positive print paper; (4). Type 777 flat finish dry process positive print paper; (5). Type 7842 dry process positive film; and (6). Type 1971 semi-gloss wet process positive print paper. Detailed test procedures used in each test are provided along with a description of each test, the test data, and an analysis of the results.

Rank estimation and the multivariate analysis of in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetric data

PubMed Central

Keithley, Richard B.; Carelli, Regina M.; Wightman, R. Mark

2010-01-01

Principal component regression has been used in the past to separate current contributions from different neuromodulators measured with in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Traditionally, a percent cumulative variance approach has been used to determine the rank of the training set voltammetric matrix during model development, however this approach suffers from several disadvantages including the use of arbitrary percentages and the requirement of extreme precision of training sets. Here we propose that Malinowski’s F-test, a method based on a statistical analysis of the variance contained within the training set, can be used to improve factor selection for the analysis of in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetric data. These two methods of rank estimation were compared at all steps in the calibration protocol including the number of principal components retained, overall noise levels, model validation as determined using a residual analysis procedure, and predicted concentration information. By analyzing 119 training sets from two different laboratories amassed over several years, we were able to gain insight into the heterogeneity of in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetric data and study how differences in factor selection propagate throughout the entire principal component regression analysis procedure. Visualizing cyclic voltammetric representations of the data contained in the retained and discarded principal components showed that using Malinowski’s F-test for rank estimation of in vivo training sets allowed for noise to be more accurately removed. Malinowski’s F-test also improved the robustness of our criterion for judging multivariate model validity, even though signal-to-noise ratios of the data varied. In addition, pH change was the majority noise carrier of in vivo training sets while dopamine prediction was more sensitive to noise. PMID:20527815

Avionics Integrity Program (AVIP). Volume 1. Procurement Phase Issues - Design, Manufacturing, and Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-03-01

Engineering initiative to develop an orderly plan and procedure to assure that USAF acquire reliable, high quality, supportable avionics with a higher avail...susceptibility te~t~ (radiated and conducted), and emission of radio frequency energy tests."l6) Other electrical stresses can include over/under voltage...jo ints, poor welds, and dielectric defects. Also, instruments with components unable to endu very high temperatures can be safely tested. 1-19

32 CFR 21.320 - Are there areas in which DoD Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... under awards, if the DoD Component makes any awards to institutions of higher education or to other... establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? 21.320 Section 21.320 National Defense... Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? Yes, Heads of DoD Components or...

32 CFR 21.320 - Are there areas in which DoD Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... under awards, if the DoD Component makes any awards to institutions of higher education or to other... establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? 21.320 Section 21.320 National Defense... Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? Yes, Heads of DoD Components or...

32 CFR 21.320 - Are there areas in which DoD Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... under awards, if the DoD Component makes any awards to institutions of higher education or to other... establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? 21.320 Section 21.320 National Defense... Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? Yes, Heads of DoD Components or...

32 CFR 21.320 - Are there areas in which DoD Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... under awards, if the DoD Component makes any awards to institutions of higher education or to other... establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? 21.320 Section 21.320 National Defense... Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? Yes, Heads of DoD Components or...

32 CFR 21.320 - Are there areas in which DoD Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... under awards, if the DoD Component makes any awards to institutions of higher education or to other... establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? 21.320 Section 21.320 National Defense... Components must establish policies and procedures to implement the DoDGARs? Yes, Heads of DoD Components or...

Time course based artifact identification for independent components of resting-state FMRI.

PubMed

Rummel, Christian; Verma, Rajeev Kumar; Schöpf, Veronika; Abela, Eugenio; Hauf, Martinus; Berruecos, José Fernando Zapata; Wiest, Roland

2013-01-01

In functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) coherent oscillations of the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal can be detected. These arise when brain regions respond to external stimuli or are activated by tasks. The same networks have been characterized during wakeful rest when functional connectivity of the human brain is organized in generic resting-state networks (RSN). Alterations of RSN emerge as neurobiological markers of pathological conditions such as altered mental state. In single-subject fMRI data the coherent components can be identified by blind source separation of the pre-processed BOLD data using spatial independent component analysis (ICA) and related approaches. The resulting maps may represent physiological RSNs or may be due to various artifacts. In this methodological study, we propose a conceptually simple and fully automatic time course based filtering procedure to detect obvious artifacts in the ICA output for resting-state fMRI. The filter is trained on six and tested on 29 healthy subjects, yielding mean filter accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 0.80, 0.82, and 0.75 in out-of-sample tests. To estimate the impact of clearly artifactual single-subject components on group resting-state studies we analyze unfiltered and filtered output with a second level ICA procedure. Although the automated filter does not reach performance values of visual analysis by human raters, we propose that resting-state compatible analysis of ICA time courses could be very useful to complement the existing map or task/event oriented artifact classification algorithms.

A procedure for the significance testing of unmodeled errors in GNSS observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Bofeng; Zhang, Zhetao; Shen, Yunzhong; Yang, Ling

2018-01-01

It is a crucial task to establish a precise mathematical model for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) observations in precise positioning. Due to the spatiotemporal complexity of, and limited knowledge on, systematic errors in GNSS observations, some residual systematic errors would inevitably remain even after corrected with empirical model and parameterization. These residual systematic errors are referred to as unmodeled errors. However, most of the existing studies mainly focus on handling the systematic errors that can be properly modeled and then simply ignore the unmodeled errors that may actually exist. To further improve the accuracy and reliability of GNSS applications, such unmodeled errors must be handled especially when they are significant. Therefore, a very first question is how to statistically validate the significance of unmodeled errors. In this research, we will propose a procedure to examine the significance of these unmodeled errors by the combined use of the hypothesis tests. With this testing procedure, three components of unmodeled errors, i.e., the nonstationary signal, stationary signal and white noise, are identified. The procedure is tested by using simulated data and real BeiDou datasets with varying error sources. The results show that the unmodeled errors can be discriminated by our procedure with approximately 90% confidence. The efficiency of the proposed procedure is further reassured by applying the time-domain Allan variance analysis and frequency-domain fast Fourier transform. In summary, the spatiotemporally correlated unmodeled errors are commonly existent in GNSS observations and mainly governed by the residual atmospheric biases and multipath. Their patterns may also be impacted by the receiver.

Energy efficient engine, high pressure turbine thermal barrier coating. Support technology report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duderstadt, E. C.; Agarwal, P.

1983-01-01

This report describes the work performed on a thermal barrier coating support technology task of the Energy Efficient Engine Component Development Program. A thermal barrier coating (TBC) system consisting of a Ni-Cr-Al-Y bond cost layer and ZrO2-Y2O3 ceramic layer was selected from eight candidate coating systems on the basis of laboratory tests. The selection was based on coating microstructure, crystallographic phase composition, tensile bond and bend test results, erosion and impact test results, furnace exposure, thermal cycle, and high velocity dynamic oxidation test results. Procedures were developed for applying the selected TBC to CF6-50, high pressure turbine blades and vanes. Coated HPT components were tested in three kinds of tests. Stage 1 blades were tested in a cascade cyclic test rig, Stage 2 blades were component high cycle fatigue tested to qualify thermal barrier coated blades for engine testing, and Stage 2 blades and Stage 1 and 2 vanes were run in factory engine tests. After completion of the 1000 cycle engine test, the TBC on the blades was in excellent condition over all of the platform and airfoil except at the leading edge above midspan on the suction side of the airfoil. The coating damage appeared to be caused by particle impingement; adjacent blades without TBC also showed evidence of particle impingement.

40 CFR 91.414 - Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and analytical system description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 20 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and... Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 91.414 Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and analytical system description... the component systems. (g) The following requirements must be incorporated in each system used for raw...

40 CFR 90.414 - Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and analytical system description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 20 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and... OR BELOW 19 KILOWATTS Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 90.414 Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and... between the muffler and the sample probe. The mixing chamber is an optional component of the raw gas...

40 CFR 91.414 - Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and analytical system description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 20 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and... Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 91.414 Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and analytical system description... the component systems. (g) The following requirements must be incorporated in each system used for raw...

40 CFR 90.414 - Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and analytical system description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 20 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and... OR BELOW 19 KILOWATTS Gaseous Exhaust Test Procedures § 90.414 Raw gaseous exhaust sampling and... between the muffler and the sample probe. The mixing chamber is an optional component of the raw gas...

Direct Instruction of Metacognition Benefits Adolescent Science Learning, Transfer, and Motivation: An In Vivo Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zepeda, Cristina D.; Richey, J. Elizabeth; Ronevich, Paul; Nokes-Malach, Timothy J.

2015-01-01

Prior studies have not tested whether an instructional intervention aimed at improving metacognitive skills results in changes to student metacognition, motivation, learning, and future learning in the classroom. We examined whether a 6-hr intervention designed to teach the declarative and procedural components of planning, monitoring, and…

Chemical Components of Cells at the Microscopic Level.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freeman, H. E.

1985-01-01

Thin slices of potato can be used to demonstrate the presence of protein, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids at the cellular level. Procedures and materials are provided for these simple tests. Also indicates that the presence of fat can be readily seen by staining avocado with Sudan red or Sudan black. (Author/DH)

14 CFR 25.1045 - Cooling test procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

...) Compliance with § 25.1041 must be shown for the takeoff, climb, en route, and landing stages of flight that... not one during which component and the engine fluid temperatures would stabilize (in which case... transition from the takeoff to the en route configuration is completed and a speed is reached at which...

14 CFR 25.1045 - Cooling test procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...) Compliance with § 25.1041 must be shown for the takeoff, climb, en route, and landing stages of flight that... not one during which component and the engine fluid temperatures would stabilize (in which case... transition from the takeoff to the en route configuration is completed and a speed is reached at which...

14 CFR 25.1045 - Cooling test procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...) Compliance with § 25.1041 must be shown for the takeoff, climb, en route, and landing stages of flight that... not one during which component and the engine fluid temperatures would stabilize (in which case... transition from the takeoff to the en route configuration is completed and a speed is reached at which...

46 CFR 164.007-9 - Procedure for approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... each component. (4) A sample of the material at least 1 foot square in the thickness and density proposed by the manufacturer to be tested. When more than one thickness of a material of the same density... and densities in which it is proposed to manufacture or use the material together with any information...

14 CFR 25.1045 - Cooling test procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... not one during which component and the engine fluid temperatures would stabilize (in which case... investigated in order to allow temperatures to reach their natural levels at the time of entry). The takeoff... reaches an altitude of 1,500 feet above the takeoff surface or reaches a point in the takeoff where the...

Performing a Content Validation Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spool, Mark D.

Content validity is concerned with three components: (1) the job content; (2) the test content, and (3) the strength of the relationship between the two. A content validation study, to be considered adequate and defensible should include at least the following four procedures: (1) A thorough and accurate job analysis (to define the job content);…

Hard ceramic coatings: an experimental study on a novel damping treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patsias, Sophoclis; Tassini, Nicola; Stanway, Roger

2004-07-01

This paper describes a novel damping treatment, namely hard ceramic coatings. These materials can be applied on almost any surface (internal or external) of a component. Their effect is the significant reduction of vibration levels and hence the extension of life expectancy of the component. The damping features of air-plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings (for example amplitude dependence, influence of initial amplitude) are discussed and the experimental procedure employed for testing and characterising such materials is also described. This test procedure is based around a custom-developed rig that allows one to measure the damping (internal friction) of specimens at controlled frequencies, strain amplitudes and, if required, various temperatures. A commonly used Thermal Barrier Coating, Yttria Stabilised Zirconia (8%), is used to demonstrate the above mentioned features. The damping effectiveness of this coating is then compared against two established damping treatments: polymer Free Layer Damping (FLD) and Constrained Layer Damping (CLD). The paper discusses the major issues in characterising ceramic damping coatings and their damping effectiveness when compared against the "traditional" approaches. Finally, the paper concludes with suggestions for further research.

Technical specification for vacuum systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khaw, J.

The vacuum systems at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) are primarily of all-metal construction and operate at pressures from 10/sup -5/ to 10/sup -11/ Torr. The primary gas loads during operation result from thermal desorption and beam-induced desorption from the vacuum chamber walls. These desorption rates can be extremely high in the case of hydrocarbons and other contaminants. These specifications place a major emphasis on eliminating contamination sources. The specifications and procedures have been written to insure the cleanliness and vacuum integrity of all SLAC vacuum systems, and to assist personnel involved with SLAC vacuum systems in choosing andmore » designing components that are compatible with existing systems and meet the quality and reliability of SLAC vacuum standards. The specification includes requirements on design, procurement, fabrication, chemical cleaning, clean room practices, welding and brazing, helium leak testing, residual gas analyzer testing, bakeout, venting, and pumpdown. Also appended are specifications regarding acceptable vendors, isopropyl alcohol, bakeable valve cleaning procedure, mechanical engineering safety inspection, notes on synchrotron radiation, and specifications of numerous individual components. (LEW)« less

Selective adsorption of flavor-active components on hydrophobic resins.

PubMed

Saffarionpour, Shima; Sevillano, David Mendez; Van der Wielen, Luuk A M; Noordman, T Reinoud; Brouwer, Eric; Ottens, Marcel

2016-12-09

This work aims to propose an optimum resin that can be used in industrial adsorption process for tuning flavor-active components or removal of ethanol for producing an alcohol-free beer. A procedure is reported for selective adsorption of volatile aroma components from water/ethanol mixtures on synthetic hydrophobic resins. High throughput 96-well microtiter-plates batch uptake experimentation is applied for screening resins for adsorption of esters (i.e. isoamyl acetate, and ethyl acetate), higher alcohols (i.e. isoamyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol), a diketone (diacetyl) and ethanol. The miniaturized batch uptake method is adapted for adsorption of volatile components, and validated with column breakthrough analysis. The results of single-component adsorption tests on Sepabeads SP20-SS are expressed in single-component Langmuir, Freundlich, and Sips isotherm models and multi-component versions of Langmuir and Sips models are applied for expressing multi-component adsorption results obtained on several tested resins. The adsorption parameters are regressed and the selectivity over ethanol is calculated for each tested component and tested resin. Resin scores for four different scenarios of selective adsorption of esters, higher alcohols, diacetyl, and ethanol are obtained. The optimal resin for adsorption of esters is Sepabeads SP20-SS with resin score of 87% and for selective removal of higher alcohols, XAD16N, and XAD4 from Amberlite resin series are proposed with scores of 80 and 74% respectively. For adsorption of diacetyl, XAD16N and XAD4 resins with score of 86% are the optimum choice and Sepabeads SP2MGS and XAD761 resins showed the highest affinity towards ethanol. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effects of predictor method factors on selection outcomes: A modular approach to personnel selection procedures.

PubMed

Lievens, Filip; Sackett, Paul R

2017-01-01

Past reviews and meta-analyses typically conceptualized and examined selection procedures as holistic entities. We draw on the product design literature to propose a modular approach as a complementary perspective to conceptualizing selection procedures. A modular approach means that a product is broken down into its key underlying components. Therefore, we start by presenting a modular framework that identifies the important measurement components of selection procedures. Next, we adopt this modular lens for reviewing the available evidence regarding each of these components in terms of affecting validity, subgroup differences, and applicant perceptions, as well as for identifying new research directions. As a complement to the historical focus on holistic selection procedures, we posit that the theoretical contributions of a modular approach include improved insight into the isolated workings of the different components underlying selection procedures and greater theoretical connectivity among different selection procedures and their literatures. We also outline how organizations can put a modular approach into operation to increase the variety in selection procedures and to enhance the flexibility in designing them. Overall, we believe that a modular perspective on selection procedures will provide the impetus for programmatic and theory-driven research on the different measurement components of selection procedures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

The construction of life prediction models for the design of Stirling engine heater components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Petrovich, A.; Bright, A.; Cronin, M.; Arnold, S.

1983-01-01

The service life of Stirling-engine heater structures of Fe-based high-temperature alloys is predicted using a numerical model based on a linear-damage approach and published test data (engine test data for a Co-based alloy and tensile-test results for both the Co-based and the Fe-based alloys). The operating principle of the automotive Stirling engine is reviewed; the economic and technical factors affecting the choice of heater material are surveyed; the test results are summarized in tables and graphs; the engine environment and automotive duty cycle are characterized; and the modeling procedure is explained. It is found that the statistical scatter of the fatigue properties of the heater components needs to be reduced (by decreasing the porosity of the cast material or employing wrought material in fatigue-prone locations) before the accuracy of life predictions can be improved.

Development of dynamic Bayesian models for web application test management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azarnova, T. V.; Polukhin, P. V.; Bondarenko, Yu V.; Kashirina, I. L.

2018-03-01

The mathematical apparatus of dynamic Bayesian networks is an effective and technically proven tool that can be used to model complex stochastic dynamic processes. According to the results of the research, mathematical models and methods of dynamic Bayesian networks provide a high coverage of stochastic tasks associated with error testing in multiuser software products operated in a dynamically changing environment. Formalized representation of the discrete test process as a dynamic Bayesian model allows us to organize the logical connection between individual test assets for multiple time slices. This approach gives an opportunity to present testing as a discrete process with set structural components responsible for the generation of test assets. Dynamic Bayesian network-based models allow us to combine in one management area individual units and testing components with different functionalities and a direct influence on each other in the process of comprehensive testing of various groups of computer bugs. The application of the proposed models provides an opportunity to use a consistent approach to formalize test principles and procedures, methods used to treat situational error signs, and methods used to produce analytical conclusions based on test results.

Status of research into lightning effects on aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plumer, J. A.

1976-01-01

Developments in aircraft lightning protection since 1938 are reviewed. Potential lightning problems resulting from present trends toward the use of electronic controls and composite structures are discussed, along with presently available lightning test procedures for problem assessment. The validity of some procedures is being questioned because of pessimistic results and design implications. An in-flight measurement program is needed to provide statistics on lightning severity at flight altitudes and to enable more realistic tests, and operators are urged to supply researchers with more details on electronic components damaged by lightning strikes. A need for review of certain aspects of fuel system vulnerability is indicated by several recent accidents, and specific areas for examination are identified. New educational materials and standardization activities are also noted.

10 CFR 490.706 - Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage... TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM Biodiesel Fuel Use Credit § 490.706 Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage. (a) DOE may, by rule, lower the 20 percent biodiesel volume requirement of this subpart for...

10 CFR 490.706 - Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage... TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM Biodiesel Fuel Use Credit § 490.706 Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage. (a) DOE may, by rule, lower the 20 percent biodiesel volume requirement of this subpart for...

10 CFR 490.706 - Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage... TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM Biodiesel Fuel Use Credit § 490.706 Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage. (a) DOE may, by rule, lower the 20 percent biodiesel volume requirement of this subpart for...

10 CFR 490.706 - Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage... TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM Biodiesel Fuel Use Credit § 490.706 Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage. (a) DOE may, by rule, lower the 20 percent biodiesel volume requirement of this subpart for...

10 CFR 490.706 - Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage... TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM Biodiesel Fuel Use Credit § 490.706 Procedure for modifying the biodiesel component percentage. (a) DOE may, by rule, lower the 20 percent biodiesel volume requirement of this subpart for...

Design Validation Methodology Development for an Aircraft Sensor Deployment System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wowczuk, Zenovy S.

The OCULUS 1.0 Sensor Deployment concept design, was developed in 2004 at West Virginia University (WVU), outlined the general concept of a deployment system to be used on a C-130 aircraft. As a sequel, a new system, OCULUS 1.1, has been developed and designed. The new system transfers the concept system design to a safety of flight design, and also enhanced to a pre-production system to be used as the test bed to gain full military certification approval. The OCULUS 1.1 system has an implemented standard deployment system/procedure to go along with a design suited for military certification and implementation. This design process included analysis of the system's critical components and the generation of a critical component holistic model to be used as an analysis tool for future payload modification made to the system. Following the completion of the OCULUS 1.1 design, preparations and procedures for obtaining military airworthiness certification are described. The airworthiness process includes working with the agency overseeing all modifications to the normal operating procedures made to military C-130 aircraft and preparing the system for an experimental flight test. The critical steps in his process include developing a complete documentation package that details the analysis performed on the OCULUS 1.1 system and also the design of experiment flight test plan to analyze the system. Following the approval of the documentation and design of experiment an experimental flight test of the OCULUS 1.1 system was performed to verify the safety and airworthiness of the system. This test proved successfully that the OCULUS 1.1 system design was airworthy and approved for military use. The OCULUS 1.1 deployment system offers an open architecture design that is ideal for use as a sensor testing platform for developmental airborne sensors. The system's patented deployment methodology presents a simplistic approach to reaching the systems final operating position which offers the most robust field of view area of rear ramp deployment systems.

Global Health Diplomacy, Monitoring & Evaluation, and the Importance of Quality Assurance & Control: Findings from NIMH Project Accept (HPTN 043): A Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial of Community Mobilization, Mobile Testing, Same-Day Results, and Post-Test Support for HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa and Thailand.

PubMed

Kevany, Sebastian; Khumalo-Sakutukwa, Gertrude; Singh, Basant; Chingono, Alfred; Morin, Stephen

2016-01-01

Provision and scale-up of high quality, evidence-based services is essential for successful international HIV prevention interventions in order to generate and maintain intervention uptake, study integrity and participant trust, from both health service delivery and diplomatic perspectives. We developed quality assurance (QAC) procedures to evaluate staff fidelity to a cluster-randomized trial of the NIMH Project Accept (HPTN 043) assessing the effectiveness of a community-based voluntary counseling and testing strategy. The intervention was comprised of three components-Mobile Voluntary Counseling and Testing (MVCT), Community Mobilization (CM) and Post-Test Support Services (PTSS). QAC procedures were based on standardized criteria, and were designed to assess both provider skills and adherence to the intervention protocol. Supervisors observed a random sample of 5% to 10% of sessions each month and evaluated staff against multiple criteria on scales of 1-5. A score of 5 indicated 100% adherence, 4 indicated 95% adherence, and 3 indicated 90% adherence. Scores below 3 were considered unsatisfactory, and protocol deviations were discussed with the respective staff. During the first year of the intervention, the mean scores of MVCT and CM staff across the 5 study sites were 4 (95% adherence) or greater and continued to improve over time. Mean QAC scores for the PTSS component were lower and displayed greater fluctuations. Challenges to PTSS staff were identified as coping with the wide range of activities in the PTSS component and the novelty of the PTSS process. QAC fluctuations for PTSS were also associated with new staff hires or changes in staff responsibilities. Through constant staff monitoring and support, by Year 2, QAC scores for PTSS activities had reached those of MVCT and CM. The implementation of a large-sale, evidence based HIV intervention requires extensive QAC to ensure implementation effectiveness. Ongoing appraisal of study staff across sites ensures consistent and high quality delivery of all intervention components, in keeping with the goals of the study protocol, while also providing a forum for corrective feedback, additional supervision and retraining of staff. QAC ensures staff fidelity to study procedures and is critical to the successful delivery of multi-site HIV prevention interventions, as well as the delivery of services scaled up in programmatic situations.

Test Operations Procedure (TOP) 01-2-603 Rotorcraft Laboratory Vibration Test Schedules

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-12

for all rotary wing aircraft platforms. Tonal amplitudes are tabular based solely on engine revolutions per minute (RPM) and blade count. (4...Power Spectral Density (PSD) format with superimposed sinusoidal components that are associated with the rotor speeds and blade count of each...harmonics are not limited to the 3rd harmonic of the blade passage as in MIL-STD- TOP 01-2-603 12 June 2017 5 810. In addition, attempts were

Males Have Greater "g": Sex Differences in General Mental Ability from 100,000 17- to 18-Year-Olds on the Scholastic Assessment Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Douglas N.; Rushton, J. Philippe

2006-01-01

In this study we found that 17- to 18-year old males averaged 3.63 IQ points higher than did their female counterparts on the 1991 Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). We analysed 145 item responses from 46,509 males and 56,007 females (total N = 102,516) using a principal components procedure. We found (1) the "g" factor underlies both the…

The RAILER System for Maintenance Management of U.S. Army Railroad Networks: RAILER 1 Description and Use

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-09-01

the report. Field Testing Specific aspects of field procedures have been tested at Fort Devens , MA, and at the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail...days of formalized training on the system, both field proce- dures and computer operations, were conducted by USA-CERL at Fort Devens , MA. Attendees...included representatives from TSC, Fort Devens , FORSCOM, and the T.K. Dyer Corp. Initial Track Segmenting and Component Identification The office work

Photovoltaic array space power plus diagnostics experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burger, D. R.

1990-01-01

The objective is to summarize the five years of hardware development and fabrication represented by the Photovoltaic Array Space Power Plus Diagnostics (PASP Plus) Instrument. The original PASP Experiment requirements and background is presented along with the modifications which were requested to transform the PASP Experiment into the PASP Plus Instrument. The PASP Plus hardware and software is described. Test results for components and subsystems are given as well as final system tests. Also included are appendices which describe the major subsystems and present supporting documentation such as block diagrams, schematics, circuit board artwork, drawings, test procedures and test reports.

Simultaneous real-time data collection methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klincsek, Thomas

1992-01-01

This paper describes the development of electronic test equipment which executes, supervises, and reports on various tests. This validation process uses computers to analyze test results and report conclusions. The test equipment consists of an electronics component and the data collection and reporting unit. The PC software, display screens, and real-time data-base are described. Pass-fail procedures and data replay are discussed. The OS2 operating system and Presentation Manager user interface system were used to create a highly interactive automated system. The system outputs are hardcopy printouts and MS DOS format files which may be used as input for other PC programs.

Frequency shifts in distortion-product otoacoustic emissions evoked by swept tones

PubMed Central

Shera, Christopher A.; Abdala, Carolina

2016-01-01

When distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) are evoked using stimuli whose instantaneous frequencies change rapidly and continuously with time (swept tones), the oscillatory interference pattern known as distortion-product fine structure shifts slightly along the frequency axis in the same direction as the sweep. By analogy with the temporal mechanisms thought to underlie the differing efficacies of up- and down-swept stimuli as perceptual maskers (e.g., Schroeder-phase complexes), fine-structure shifts have been ascribed to the phase distortion associated with dispersive wave propagation in the cochlea. This paper tests an alternative hypothesis and finds that the observed shifts arise predominantly as a methodological side effect of the analysis procedures commonly used to extract delayed emissions from the measured time waveform. Approximate expressions for the frequency shifts of DPOAE distortion and reflection components are derived, validated with computer simulations, and applied to account for DPOAE fine-structure shifts measured in human subjects. Component magnitudes are shown to shift twice as much as component phases. Procedures for compensating swept-tone measurements to obtain estimates of the total DPOAE and its components measured at other sweep rates or in the sinusoidal steady state are presented. PMID:27586726

A Procedural Electroencephalogram Simulator for Evaluation of Anesthesia Monitors.

PubMed

Petersen, Christian Leth; Görges, Matthias; Massey, Roslyn; Dumont, Guy Albert; Ansermino, J Mark

2016-11-01

Recent research and advances in the automation of anesthesia are driving the need to better understand electroencephalogram (EEG)-based anesthesia end points and to test the performance of anesthesia monitors. This effort is currently limited by the need to collect raw EEG data directly from patients. A procedural method to synthesize EEG signals was implemented in a mobile software application. The application is capable of sending the simulated signal to an anesthesia depth of hypnosis monitor. Systematic sweeps of the simulator generate functional monitor response profiles reminiscent of how network analyzers are used to test electronic components. Three commercial anesthesia monitors (Entropy, NeuroSENSE, and BIS) were compared with this new technology, and significant response and feature variations between the monitor models were observed; this includes reproducible, nonmonotonic apparent multistate behavior and significant hysteresis at light levels of anesthesia. Anesthesia monitor response to a procedural simulator can reveal significant differences in internal signal processing algorithms. The ability to synthesize EEG signals at different anesthetic depths potentially provides a new method for systematically testing EEG-based monitors and automated anesthesia systems with all sensor hardware fully operational before human trials.

Research on the Fatigue Flexural Performance of RC Beams Attacked by Salt Spray

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Jiang-hong; Xu, Fang-yuan; Jin, Wei-liang; Zhang, Jun; Wu, Xi-xi; Chen, Cai-sheng

2018-04-01

The fatigue flexural performance of RC beams attacked by salt spray was studied. A testing method involving electro osmosis, electrical accelerated corrosion and salt spray was proposed. This corrosion process method effectively simulates real-world salt spray and fatigue loading exerted by RC components on sea bridges. Four RC beams that have different stress amplitudes were tested. It is found that deterioration by corrosion and fatigue loading reduces the fatigue life of the RC and decreases the ability of deformation. The fatigue life and deflection ability could be reduced by increasing the stress amplitude and the corrosion duration time. The test result demonstrates that this experimental method can couple corrosion deterioration and fatigue loading reasonably. This procedure may be applied to evaluate the fatigue life and concrete durability of RC components located in a natural salt spray environment.

A probabilistic seismic risk assessment procedure for nuclear power plants: (I) Methodology

USGS Publications Warehouse

Huang, Y.-N.; Whittaker, A.S.; Luco, N.

2011-01-01

A new procedure for probabilistic seismic risk assessment of nuclear power plants (NPPs) is proposed. This procedure modifies the current procedures using tools developed recently for performance-based earthquake engineering of buildings. The proposed procedure uses (a) response-based fragility curves to represent the capacity of structural and nonstructural components of NPPs, (b) nonlinear response-history analysis to characterize the demands on those components, and (c) Monte Carlo simulations to determine the damage state of the components. The use of response-rather than ground-motion-based fragility curves enables the curves to be independent of seismic hazard and closely related to component capacity. The use of Monte Carlo procedure enables the correlation in the responses of components to be directly included in the risk assessment. An example of the methodology is presented in a companion paper to demonstrate its use and provide the technical basis for aspects of the methodology. ?? 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Structural dynamic analysis of the Space Shuttle Main Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scott, L. P.; Jamison, G. T.; Mccutcheon, W. A.; Price, J. M.

1981-01-01

This structural dynamic analysis supports development of the SSME by evaluating components subjected to critical dynamic loads, identifying significant parameters, and evaluating solution methods. Engine operating parameters at both rated and full power levels are considered. Detailed structural dynamic analyses of operationally critical and life limited components support the assessment of engine design modifications and environmental changes. Engine system test results are utilized to verify analytic model simulations. The SSME main chamber injector assembly is an assembly of 600 injector elements which are called LOX posts. The overall LOX post analysis procedure is shown.

Mobile Phones-An asset or a liability: A study based on characterization and assessment of metals in waste mobile phone components using leaching tests.

PubMed

Hira, Meenakshi; Yadav, Sudesh; Morthekai, P; Linda, Anurag; Kumar, Sushil; Sharma, Anupam

2018-01-15

The prolonged use of old fashioned gadgets, especially mobile phones, is declining readily with the advancement in technology which ultimately lead to generation of e-waste. The present study investigates the concentrations of nine metals (Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn) in various components of the mobile phones using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), Waste Extraction Test (WET) and Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP). The results were compared with the threshold limits for hazardous waste defined by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CDTSC) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The average concentrations of metals were found high in PWBs. WET was found relatively aggressive as compared to TCLP and SPLP. Redundancy analysis (RDA) suggests that part of mobile, extraction test, manufacturer, mobile model and year of manufacturing explain 34.66% of the variance. According to the present study, waste mobile phones must be considered as hazardous due to the potential adverse impact of toxic metals on human health and environment. However, mobile phones can be an asset as systematic extraction and recycling could reduce the demand of primary metals mining and conserve the natural resources. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sampling hazelnuts for aflatoxin: uncertainty associated with sampling, sample preparation, and analysis.

PubMed

Ozay, Guner; Seyhan, Ferda; Yilmaz, Aysun; Whitaker, Thomas B; Slate, Andrew B; Giesbrecht, Francis

2006-01-01

The variability associated with the aflatoxin test procedure used to estimate aflatoxin levels in bulk shipments of hazelnuts was investigated. Sixteen 10 kg samples of shelled hazelnuts were taken from each of 20 lots that were suspected of aflatoxin contamination. The total variance associated with testing shelled hazelnuts was estimated and partitioned into sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variance components. Each variance component increased as aflatoxin concentration (either B1 or total) increased. With the use of regression analysis, mathematical expressions were developed to model the relationship between aflatoxin concentration and the total, sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variances. The expressions for these relationships were used to estimate the variance for any sample size, subsample size, and number of analyses for a specific aflatoxin concentration. The sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variances associated with estimating aflatoxin in a hazelnut lot at a total aflatoxin level of 10 ng/g and using a 10 kg sample, a 50 g subsample, dry comminution with a Robot Coupe mill, and a high-performance liquid chromatographic analytical method are 174.40, 0.74, and 0.27, respectively. The sampling, sample preparation, and analytical steps of the aflatoxin test procedure accounted for 99.4, 0.4, and 0.2% of the total variability, respectively.

Degradation mechanisms and accelerated testing in PEM fuel cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Borup, Rodney L; Mukundan, Rangachary

2010-01-01

The durability of PEM fuel cells is a major barrier to the commercialization of these systems for stationary and transportation power applications. Although there has been recent progress in improving durability, further improvements are needed to meet the commercialization targets. Past improvements have largely been made possible because of the fundamental understanding of the underlying degradation mechanisms. By investigating component and cell degradation modes; defining the fundamental degradation mechanisms of components and component interactions new materials can be designed to improve durability. Various factors have been shown to affect the useful life of PEM fuel cells. Other issues arise frommore » component optimization. Operational conditions (such as impurities in either the fuel and oxidant stream), cell environment, temperature (including subfreezing exposure), pressure, current, voltage, etc.; or transient versus continuous operation, including start-up and shutdown procedures, represent other factors that can affect cell performance and durability. The need for Accelerated Stress Tests (ASTs) can be quickly understood given the target lives for fuel cell systems: 5000 hours ({approx} 7 months) for automotive, and 40,000 hrs ({approx} 4.6 years) for stationary systems. Thus testing methods that enable more rapid screening of individual components to determine their durability characteristics, such as off-line environmental testing, are needed for evaluating new component durability in a reasonable turn-around time. This allows proposed improvements in a component to be evaluated rapidly and independently, subsequently allowing rapid advancement in PEM fuel cell durability. These tests are also crucial to developers in order to make sure that they do not sacrifice durability while making improvements in costs (e.g. lower platinum group metal [PGM] loading) and performance (e.g. thinner membrane or a GDL with better water management properties). To achieve a deeper understanding and improve PEM fuel cell durability LANL is conducting research to better define fuel cell component degradation mechanisms and correlate AST measurements to component in 'real-world' situations.« less

Full versus divided attention and implicit memory performance.

PubMed

Wolters, G; Prinsen, A

1997-11-01

Effects of full and divided attention during study on explicit and implicit memory performance were investigated in two experiments. Study time was manipulated in a third experiment. Experiment 1 showed that both similar and dissociative effects can be found in the two kinds of memory test, depending on the difficulty of the concurrent tasks used in the divided-attention condition. In this experiment, however, standard implicit memory tests were used and contamination by explicit memory influences cannot be ruled out. Therefore, in Experiments 2 and 3 the process dissociation procedure was applied. Manipulations of attention during study and of study time clearly affected the controlled (explicit) memory component, but had no effect on the automatic (implicit) memory component. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

The classification of the patients with pulmonary diseases using breath air samples spectral analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kistenev, Yury V.; Borisov, Alexey V.; Kuzmin, Dmitry A.; Bulanova, Anna A.

2016-08-01

Technique of exhaled breath sampling is discussed. The procedure of wavelength auto-calibration is proposed and tested. Comparison of the experimental data with the model absorption spectra of 5% CO2 is conducted. The classification results of three study groups obtained by using support vector machine and principal component analysis methods are presented.

STATUS OF SEMI-CONTINUOUS MONITORING INSTRUMENTATION FOR GAS AND WATER SOLUBLE PARTICLE COMPONENTS NEEDED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF AMBIENT AIR QUALITY SIMULATION MODELS

EPA Science Inventory

This status report documents the effort by the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL), Office of Research and Development (ORD) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to provide methods of measurement, including calibration procedures, that meet the requir...

Curriculum Development, Refinement and Testing of Performance Indicators for Selected Vocational Programs. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stella, Carolyn Rose

Curriculum materials are provided for 15 vocational programs. Each course is divided into units, for which a lesson plan is provided. The lesson plans vary slightly by course but generally contain these components: unit title, goal and/or objective, content outline, rationale, procedures, a list of required materials, recommended form of…

Updated Procedures for Determining Gifted Eligibility for Underrepresented Students. Research Note. RN1201

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Froman, Terry

2012-01-01

There are a number of detailed requirements for gifted screening, referral and eligibility specified under State Board Rules and School Board Rules. In all of these areas, explicit mention is made of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) scores as being integral components. The FCAT scores used for these purposes prior to 2008 were…

Preparing and Testing a Magnetic Antimicrobial Silver Nanocomposite for Water Disinfection to Gain Experience at the Nanochemistry-Microbiology Interface

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Furlan, Ping Y.; Fisher, Adam J.; Melcer, Michael E.; Furlan, Alexander Y.; Warren, John B.

2017-01-01

We describe a 2 h introductory laboratory procedure that prepares a novel magnetic antimicrobial activated carbon nanocomposite in which nanoscale sized magnetite and silver particles are incorporated (MACAg). The MACAg nanocomposite has achieved the synergistic properties derived from its components and demonstrated its applicability as an…

New ASTM Standards for Nondestructive Testing of Aerospace Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waller, Jess M.; Saulsberry, Regor L.

2010-01-01

Problem: Lack of consensus standards containing procedural detail for NDE of polymer matrix composite materials: I. Flat panel composites. II. Composite components with more complex geometries a) Pressure vessels: 1) composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs). 2) composite pressure vessels (CPVs). III. Sandwich core constructions. Metal and brittle matrix composites are a possible subject of future effort.

The 1980 US/Canada wheat and barley exploratory experiment. Volume 2: Addenda

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bizzell, R. M.; Prior, H. L.; Payne, R. W.; Disler, J. M.

1983-01-01

Three study areas supporting the U.S./Canada Wheat and Barley Exploratory Experiment are discussed including an evaluation of the experiment shakedown test analyst labeling results, an evaluation of the crop proportion estimate procedure 1A component, and the evaluation of spring wheat and barley crop calendar models for the 1979 crop year.

Testing methods and techniques: Strength of materials and components. A compilation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

The methods, techniques, and devices used in testing the mechanical properties of various materials are presented. Although metals and metal alloys are featured prominently, some of the items describe tests on a variety of other materials, from concrete to plastics. Many of the tests described are modifications of standard testing procedures, intended either to adapt them to different materials and conditions, or to make them more rapid and accurate. In either case, the approaches presented can result in considerable cost savings and improved quality control. The compilation is presented in two sections. The first deals specifically with material strength testing; the second treats the special category of fracture and fatigue testing.

Halogen occultation experiment intergrated test plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mauldin, L. E., III; Butterfield, A. J.

1986-01-01

The test program plan is presented for the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) instrument, which is being developed in-house at the Langley Research Center for the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). This comprehensive test program was developed to demonstrate that the HALOE instrument meets its performance requirements and maintains integrity through UARS flight environments. Each component, subsystem, and system level test is described in sufficient detail to allow development of the necessary test setups and test procedures. Additionally, the management system for implementing this test program is given. The HALOE instrument is a gas correlation radiometer that measures vertical distribution of eight upper atmospheric constituents: O3, HC1, HF, NO, CH4, H2O, NO2, and CO2.

Principal component of explained variance: An efficient and optimal data dimension reduction framework for association studies.

PubMed

Turgeon, Maxime; Oualkacha, Karim; Ciampi, Antonio; Miftah, Hanane; Dehghan, Golsa; Zanke, Brent W; Benedet, Andréa L; Rosa-Neto, Pedro; Greenwood, Celia Mt; Labbe, Aurélie

2018-05-01

The genomics era has led to an increase in the dimensionality of data collected in the investigation of biological questions. In this context, dimension-reduction techniques can be used to summarise high-dimensional signals into low-dimensional ones, to further test for association with one or more covariates of interest. This paper revisits one such approach, previously known as principal component of heritability and renamed here as principal component of explained variance (PCEV). As its name suggests, the PCEV seeks a linear combination of outcomes in an optimal manner, by maximising the proportion of variance explained by one or several covariates of interest. By construction, this method optimises power; however, due to its computational complexity, it has unfortunately received little attention in the past. Here, we propose a general analytical PCEV framework that builds on the assets of the original method, i.e. conceptually simple and free of tuning parameters. Moreover, our framework extends the range of applications of the original procedure by providing a computationally simple strategy for high-dimensional outcomes, along with exact and asymptotic testing procedures that drastically reduce its computational cost. We investigate the merits of the PCEV using an extensive set of simulations. Furthermore, the use of the PCEV approach is illustrated using three examples taken from the fields of epigenetics and brain imaging.

Mapping wildfire vulnerability in Mediterranean Europe. Testing a stepwise approach for operational purposes.

PubMed

Oliveira, Sandra; Félix, Fernando; Nunes, Adélia; Lourenço, Luciano; Laneve, Giovanni; Sebastián-López, Ana

2018-01-15

Vulnerability assessment is a vital component of wildfire management. This research focused on the development of a framework to measure and map vulnerability levels in several areas within Mediterranean Europe, where wildfires are a major concern. The framework followed a stepwise approach to evaluate its main components, expressed by exposure, sensitivity and coping capacity. Data on population density, fuel types, protected areas location, roads infrastructure and surveillance activities, among others, were integrated to create composite indices, representing each component and articulated in multiple dimensions. Maps were created for several test areas, in northwest Portugal, southwest Sardinia in Italy and northeast Corsica in France, with the contribution of local participants from civil protection institutions and forest services. Results showed the influence of fuel sensitivity levels, population distribution and protected areas coverage for the overall vulnerability classes. Reasonable levels of accuracy were found on the maps provided through the validation procedure, with an overall match above 72% for the several sites. The systematic and flexible approach applied allowed for adjustments to local circumstances with regards to data availability and fire management procedures, without compromising its consistency and with substantial operational capabilities. The results obtained and the positive feedback of end-users encourage its further application, as a means to improve wildfire management strategies at multiple levels with the latest scientific outputs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SpaceHab 1 maintenance experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bohannon, Jackie W.

1994-01-01

The SpaceHab 1 flight on STS-57 served as a test platform for evaluation of two space station payloads. The first payload evaluated a space station maintenance concept using a sweep signal generator and a 48-channel logic analyzer to perform fault detection and isolation. Crew procedures files, test setup diagram files, and software to configure the test equipment were created on the ground and uplinked on the astronauts' voice communication circuit to perform tests in flight. In order to use these files, the portable computer was operated in a multi-window configuration. The test data transmitted to the ground allowing the ground staff to identify the cause of the fault and provide the crew with the repair procedures and diagrams. The crew successfully repaired the system under test. The second payload investigated hand soldering and de-soldering of standard components on printed circuit (PC) boards in zero gravity. It also used a new type of intra-vehicular foot restraints which uses the neutral body posture in zero-g to provide retention of the crew without their conscious attention.

Design Considerations for Human Rating of Liquid Rocket Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parkinson, Douglas

2010-01-01

I.Human-rating is specific to each engine; a. Context of program/project must be understood. b. Engine cannot be discussed independently from vehicle and mission. II. Utilize a logical combination of design, manufacturing, and test approaches a. Design 1) It is crucial to know the potential ways a system can fail, and how a failure can propagate; 2) Fault avoidance, fault tolerance, DFMR, caution and warning all have roles to play. b. Manufacturing and Assembly; 1) As-built vs. as-designed; 2) Review procedures for assembly and maintenance periodically; and 3) Keep personnel trained and certified. c. There is no substitute for test: 1) Analytical tools are constantly advancing, but still need test data for anchoring assumptions; 2) Demonstrate robustness and explore sensitivities; 3) Ideally, flight will be encompassed by ground test experience. III. Consistency and repeatability is key in production a. Maintain robust processes and procedures for inspection and quality control based upon development and qualification experience; b. Establish methods to "spot check" quality and consistency in parts: 1) Dedicated ground test engines; 2) Random components pulled from the line/lot to go through "enhanced" testing.

High-level neutron coincidence counter maintenance manual

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swansen, J.; Collinsworth, P.

1983-05-01

High-level neutron coincidence counter operational (field) calibration and usage is well known. This manual makes explicit basic (shop) check-out, calibration, and testing of new units and is a guide for repair of failed in-service units. Operational criteria for the major electronic functions are detailed, as are adjustments and calibration procedures, and recurrent mechanical/electromechanical problems are addressed. Some system tests are included for quality assurance. Data on nonstandard large-scale integrated (circuit) components and a schematic set are also included.

Test & Evaluation Management Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

The plan for conducting a TRA is provided to the ASD(R&E) by the PM upon approval by the Component Acquisition Executive ( CAE ). A TRA is required...from a UAV at high altitude but only a 5-km range from low altitude. A constraint to prevent tests that would fire a missile from low altitude at a...E. Procedurally, DASD(DT&E) produces an assessment memorandum prior to the IOT&Es OTRR, or for Space Systems, prior to consent to ship. The CAE

Hierarchical nonlinear behavior of hot composite structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murthy, P. L. N.; Chamis, C. C.; Singhal, S. N.

1993-01-01

Hierarchical computational procedures are described to simulate the multiple scale thermal/mechanical behavior of high temperature metal matrix composites (HT-MMC) in the following three broad areas: (1) behavior of HT-MMC's from micromechanics to laminate via METCAN (Metal Matrix Composite Analyzer), (2) tailoring of HT-MMC behavior for optimum specific performance via MMLT (Metal Matrix Laminate Tailoring), and (3) HT-MMC structural response for hot structural components via HITCAN (High Temperature Composite Analyzer). Representative results from each area are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of computational simulation procedures and accompanying computer codes. The sample case results show that METCAN can be used to simulate material behavior such as the entire creep span; MMLT can be used to concurrently tailor the fabrication process and the interphase layer for optimum performance such as minimum residual stresses; and HITCAN can be used to predict the structural behavior such as the deformed shape due to component fabrication. These codes constitute virtual portable desk-top test laboratories for characterizing HT-MMC laminates, tailoring the fabrication process, and qualifying structural components made from them.

Controlling Pica by Components of an Overcorrection Procedure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Singh, Nirbhay N.; Winton, Alan S. W.

1985-01-01

The study showed that one of the components of an overcorrection procedure, oral hygiene, could eliminate pica (ingestion of inedible objects) by two retarded subjects when used alone. Although oral hygiene was the most effective component, each of the other components, tidying and personal hygiene, did decrease behavior. The oral hygiene…

A quality management systems approach for CD4 testing in resource-poor settings.

PubMed

Westerman, Larry E; Kohatsu, Luciana; Ortiz, Astrid; McClain, Bernice; Kaplan, Jonathan; Spira, Thomas; Marston, Barbara; Jani, Ilesh V; Nkengasong, John; Parsons, Linda M

2010-10-01

Quality assurance (QA) is a systematic process to monitor and improve clinical laboratory practices. The fundamental components of a laboratory QA program include providing a functional and safe laboratory environment, trained and competent personnel, maintained equipment, adequate supplies and reagents, testing of appropriate specimens, internal monitoring of quality, accurate reporting, and external quality assessments. These components are necessary to provide accurate and precise CD4 T-cell counts, an essential test to evaluate start of and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected patients. In recent years, CD4 testing has expanded dramatically in resource-limited settings. Information on a CD4 QA program as described in this article will provide guidelines not only for clinical laboratory staff but also for managers of programs responsible for supporting CD4 testing. All agencies involved in implementing CD4 testing must understand the needs of the laboratory and provide advocacy, guidance, and financial support to established CD4 testing sites and programs. This article describes and explains the procedures that must be put in place to provide reliable CD4 determinations in a variety of settings.

Optical Closed-Loop Propulsion Control System Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poppel, Gary L.

1998-01-01

The overall objective of this program was to design and fabricate the components required for optical closed-loop control of a F404-400 turbofan engine, by building on the experience of the NASA Fiber Optic Control System Integration (FOCSI) program. Evaluating the performance of fiber optic technology at the component and system levels will result in helping to validate its use on aircraft engines. This report includes descriptions of three test plans. The EOI Acceptance Test is designed to demonstrate satisfactory functionality of the EOI, primarily fail-safe throughput of the F404 sensor signals in the normal mode, and validation, switching, and output of the five analog sensor signals as generated from validated optical sensor inputs, in the optical mode. The EOI System Test is designed to demonstrate acceptable F404 ECU functionality as interfaced with the EOI, making use of a production ECU test stand. The Optical Control Engine Test Request describes planned hardware installation, optical signal calibrations, data system coordination, test procedures, and data signal comparisons for an engine test demonstration of the optical closed-loop control.

Reduced incidence of stress ulcer in germ-free Sprague Dawley rats.

PubMed

Paré, W P; Burken, M I; Allen, E D; Kluczynski, J M

1993-01-01

Recent findings with respect to the role of spiral gram-negative bacteria in peptic ulcer disease have stimulated interest in discerning the role of these agents in stress ulcer disease. We tested the hypothesis that a standard restraint-cold ulcerogenic procedure would fail to produce ulcers in axenic rats. Axenic, as well as normal Sprague Dawley rats, were exposed to a cold-restraint procedure. The germ-free condition was maintained throughout the study in the axenic rats. Axenic rats had significantly fewer ulcers as compared to normal rats exposed to the standard cold-restraint procedure, as well as handling control rats. The data represent the first report suggesting a microbiologic component in the development of stress ulcer using the rat model.

Third Conference on Fibrous Composites in Flight Vehicle Design, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

The use of fibrous composite materials in the design of aircraft and space vehicle structures and their impact on future vehicle systems are discussed. The topics covered include: flight test work on composite components, design concepts and hardware, specialized applications, operational experience, certification and design criteria. Contributions to the design technology base include data concerning material properties, design procedures, environmental exposure effects, manufacturing procedures, and flight service reliability. By including composites as baseline design materials, significant payoffs are expected in terms of reduced structural weight fractions, longer structural life, reduced fuel consumption, reduced structural complexity, and reduced manufacturing cost.

Progress toward the determination of correct classification rates in fire debris analysis.

PubMed

Waddell, Erin E; Song, Emma T; Rinke, Caitlin N; Williams, Mary R; Sigman, Michael E

2013-07-01

Principal components analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) were used to develop a multistep classification procedure for determining the presence of ignitable liquid residue in fire debris and assigning any ignitable liquid residue present into the classes defined under the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E 1618-10 standard method. A multistep classification procedure was tested by cross-validation based on model data sets comprised of the time-averaged mass spectra (also referred to as total ion spectra) of commercial ignitable liquids and pyrolysis products from common building materials and household furnishings (referred to simply as substrates). Fire debris samples from laboratory-scale and field test burns were also used to test the model. The optimal model's true-positive rate was 81.3% for cross-validation samples and 70.9% for fire debris samples. The false-positive rate was 9.9% for cross-validation samples and 8.9% for fire debris samples. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

A componential view of children's difficulties in learning fractions.

PubMed

Gabriel, Florence; Coché, Frédéric; Szucs, Dénes; Carette, Vincent; Rey, Bernard; Content, Alain

2013-01-01

Fractions are well known to be difficult to learn. Various hypotheses have been proposed in order to explain those difficulties: fractions can denote different concepts; their understanding requires a conceptual reorganization with regard to natural numbers; and using fractions involves the articulation of conceptual knowledge with complex manipulation of procedures. In order to encompass the major aspects of knowledge about fractions, we propose to distinguish between conceptual and procedural knowledge. We designed a test aimed at assessing the main components of fraction knowledge. The test was carried out by fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders from the French Community of Belgium. The results showed large differences between categories. Pupils seemed to master the part-whole concept, whereas numbers and operations posed problems. Moreover, pupils seemed to apply procedures they do not fully understand. Our results offer further directions to explain why fractions are amongst the most difficult mathematical topics in primary education. This study offers a number of recommendations on how to teach fractions.

A componential view of children's difficulties in learning fractions

PubMed Central

Gabriel, Florence; Coché, Frédéric; Szucs, Dénes; Carette, Vincent; Rey, Bernard; Content, Alain

2013-01-01

Fractions are well known to be difficult to learn. Various hypotheses have been proposed in order to explain those difficulties: fractions can denote different concepts; their understanding requires a conceptual reorganization with regard to natural numbers; and using fractions involves the articulation of conceptual knowledge with complex manipulation of procedures. In order to encompass the major aspects of knowledge about fractions, we propose to distinguish between conceptual and procedural knowledge. We designed a test aimed at assessing the main components of fraction knowledge. The test was carried out by fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders from the French Community of Belgium. The results showed large differences between categories. Pupils seemed to master the part-whole concept, whereas numbers and operations posed problems. Moreover, pupils seemed to apply procedures they do not fully understand. Our results offer further directions to explain why fractions are amongst the most difficult mathematical topics in primary education. This study offers a number of recommendations on how to teach fractions. PMID:24133471

Clinical evaluation of the Novacor totally implantable ventricular assist system. Current status.

PubMed

Daniel, M A; Lee, J; LaForge, D H; Chen, H; Billich, J; Miller, P J; Ramasamy, N; Strauss, L R; Jassawalla, J S; Portner, P M

1991-01-01

The totally implantable Novacor left ventricular assist system (LVAS) is currently approaching clinical evaluation. In vivo testing and production are underway with National Institutes of Health (NIH) support. Activity over the past year has focused on manufacturing engineering, preproduction quality assurance, and in vivo experiment completion. Subsequent to successful completion of the NIH-sponsored, 2-year preclinical device readiness test (DRT), a number of refinements were identified and approved by the NIH technical/data review board. Most of these were necessitated by obsolescence or unavailability of electronic components and the decision to use only high reliability military (MIL) qualified electronic components and processes. A few additional refinements were identified to increase design margins, all of which were qualified by accelerated testing. The development of production processes, automated test programs, and MIL compliant environmental stress screening procedures was completed. Production of LVAS subsystems, including core electronic components (hybrids, application-specific integrated circuits, and surface mount boards), was initiated. Animal studies are underway. The clinical trial, at Presbyterian-University Hospital of Pittsburgh and St. Louis University Medical Center, awaits completion of in vivo experiments, protocol development, and Food and Drug Administration approval.

An evaluation of rational-emotive imagery as a component of rational-emotive therapy in the treatment of test anxiety.

PubMed

Hymen, S P; Warren, R

1978-06-01

This study evaluated the efficacy of rational-emotive imagery as a component of rational-emotive therapy in reduction of college students' test anxiety. 11 volunteers met for 6 1-hr. group treatment sessions over a 3-wk. period. After 2 initial treatment sessions subjects were randomly assigned to groups given either rational-emotive therapy with rational-emotive imagery or rational-emotive therapy without imagery. Contrary to predictions, improvement between groups on self-report and performance measures was nonsignificant. Failure to obtain differences was attributed to similarities in content of treatment sessions and short treatment time. Combined groups reported significant improvement on all dependent measures. Although the study did not yield the predicted benefits of the imagery, results lend further support to the efficacy of rational-emotive therapy procedures in the reduction of test anxiety.

Cell module and fuel conditioner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, D. Q., Jr.

1980-01-01

The computer code for the detailed analytical model of the MK-2 stacks is described. An ERC proprietary matrix is incorporated in the stacks. The mechanical behavior of the stack during thermal cycles under compression was determined. A 5 cell stack of the MK-2 design was fabricated and tested. Designs for the next three stacks were selected and component fabrication initiated. A 3 cell stack which verified the use of wet assembly and a new acid fill procedure were fabricated and tested. Components for the 2 kW test facility were received or fabricated and construction of the facility is underway. The definition of fuel and water is used in a study of the fuel conditioning subsystem. Kinetic data on several catalysts, both crushed and pellets, was obtained in the differential reactor. A preliminary definition of the equipment requirements for treating tap and recovered water was developed.

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) Over-The-Wing (OTW) propulsion systems test report. Volume 4: Acoustic performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stimpert, D. L.

1979-01-01

A series of acoustic tests were conducted on the over the wing engine. These tests evaluated the fully suppressed noise levels in forward and reverse thrust operation and provided insight into the component noise sources of the engine plus the suppression achieved by various components. System noise levels using the contract specified calculation procedure indicate that the in-flight noise level on a 152 m sideline at takeoff and approach are 97.2 and 94.6 EPNdB, respectively, compared to a goal of 95.0 EPNdB. In reverse thrust, the system noise level was 106.1 PNdB compared to a goal of 100 PNdB. Baseline source noise levels agreed very well with pretest predictions. Inlet-radiated noise suppression of 14 PNdB was demonstrated with the high throat Mach number inlet at 0.79 throat Mach number.

The Static and Dynamic Rotary Stability Derivatives at Subsonic Speeds of an Airplane Model Having Wing and Tail Surfaces Swept Back 45 degrees

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lopez, Armando E.; Buell, Donald A.; Tinling, Bruce E.

1959-01-01

Wind-tunnel measurements were made of the static and dynamic rotary stability derivatives of an airplane model having sweptback wing and tail surfaces. The Mach number range of the tests was from 0.23 to 0.94. The components of the model were tested in various combinations so that the separate contribution to the stability derivatives of the component parts and the interference effects could be determined. Estimates of the dynamic rotary derivatives based on some of the simpler existing procedures which utilize static force data were found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental results at low angles of attack. The results of the static and dynamic measurements were used to compute the short-period oscillatory characteristics of an airplane geometrically similar to the test model. The results of these calculations are compared with military flying qualities requirements.

Petition to request an exemption from 100 percent identity testing of dietary ingredients: Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements. Interim final rule.

PubMed

2007-06-25

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing an interim final rule (IFR) that sets forth a procedure for requesting an exemption from the requirement in the final rule "Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements," published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, that the manufacturer conduct at least one appropriate test or examination to verify the identity of any component that is a dietary ingredient. This IFR allows for submission to, and review by, FDA of an alternative to the required 100 percent identity testing of components that are dietary ingredients, provided certain conditions are met and establishes a requirement for retention of records relating to the FDA's response to an exemption request.

The Effect of Reworking Underfilled Components on Pad Strength

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feigel, Andrew

Reworkable underfills represent a significant step in electronic packaging technologies, however they are still relatively unstudied compared to traditional underfills. To help understand the properties of these underfills, four newly developed underfills were studied with the assistance of the companies which developed them. Of primary concern is how does the thermal cycling, and subsequent rework of larger BGA components effect pad strength on the substrate. To study this a detailed rework procedure was developed which worked well for all underfills studied. Within the development of the rework procedure a discovery was made effecting reworkability. After an initial breakdown of the underfill during reflow conditions, further rework was possible at lowered temperatures. This development was not listed in any of the company provided rework procedures. Pad strength was measured with hot bump pull testing. This showed that while the inherent variance is quite large, there are still measurable effects of thermal cycling on pad strength after rework. Trends for the number of cycles causing the overall strength of the pads to be relatively stronger or weaker, vary depending on the material. This research sets a solid groundwork for future research into reworkable underfills, with a detailed rework process. Future avenues of research include: effects of rework on component lifetimes in thermal cycling, mechanics behind lower temperature of rework after initial breakdown of underfill, and effects of reworked substrates on underfill flow rates and void formation.

Profile local linear estimation of generalized semiparametric regression model for longitudinal data.

PubMed

Sun, Yanqing; Sun, Liuquan; Zhou, Jie

2013-07-01

This paper studies the generalized semiparametric regression model for longitudinal data where the covariate effects are constant for some and time-varying for others. Different link functions can be used to allow more flexible modelling of longitudinal data. The nonparametric components of the model are estimated using a local linear estimating equation and the parametric components are estimated through a profile estimating function. The method automatically adjusts for heterogeneity of sampling times, allowing the sampling strategy to depend on the past sampling history as well as possibly time-dependent covariates without specifically model such dependence. A [Formula: see text]-fold cross-validation bandwidth selection is proposed as a working tool for locating an appropriate bandwidth. A criteria for selecting the link function is proposed to provide better fit of the data. Large sample properties of the proposed estimators are investigated. Large sample pointwise and simultaneous confidence intervals for the regression coefficients are constructed. Formal hypothesis testing procedures are proposed to check for the covariate effects and whether the effects are time-varying. A simulation study is conducted to examine the finite sample performances of the proposed estimation and hypothesis testing procedures. The methods are illustrated with a data example.

Three-Point Flexural Properties of Bonded Reinforcement Elements for Pleasure Craft Decks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Bella, G.; Galtieri, G.; Borsellino, C.

2018-02-01

The aim of this work was both to study the performances of pleasure craft reinforced components, bonded using a structural adhesive, and to compare them with those obtained using over-lamination as joining system, typically employed in the shipbuilding. With such aim, two different lots of components were prepared: in the first lot, the reinforcement structures were laminated directly on the investigated composite components and, in the second one; they were made separately in a mould and, then, bonded to the composite components. This last method allowed to evaluate the introduction of a product/process innovation in a field typically unwilling to innovation, still tied to craft, and non-standardized procedures. The results of bending tests, performed in order to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of the reinforced components, evidenced the goodness of this innovative design choice. Finally, a finite element analysis was performed. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

NASA electronic message experiment and study: Detailed test plans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

A methodology for evaluating the utility of high speed digital facsimile as a component of the projected NASA-wide electronic message network is presented. Equipment checkout, operator familiarization, pretest calibration, and the development of procedures are addressed. An experimental test program of the facsimile message service which will carry duplicates of the actual messages sent by other means is highlighted. Also, an operational test program during which messages will be sent on a regular basis in order to accumulate the information that will be used to evaluate system performance and project future growth is described.

Development of an experimental setup for testing the properties of γ/γ' superalloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christophe, Siret; Bernard, Viguier; Claude, Salabura Jean; Eric, Andrieu; Sandrine, Lesterlin

2010-07-01

Certification tests on turboshaft engines for helicopters can expose components as high pressure turbine blades to very high temperature during short time periods. To simulate these complex temperature and mechanical stress loadings and to study dimensional and microstructural stability under severe testing conditions, an experimental set-up has been recently developed. In this paper, we first present this new device and describe its performances. Then, the device is used to study the effect of heating procedure on creep results at 1200°C and rafting during primary creep on the single crystal nickel-based superalloy MC2.

Dimensionality reduction for the quantitative evaluation of a smartphone-based Timed Up and Go test.

PubMed

Palmerini, Luca; Mellone, Sabato; Rocchi, Laura; Chiari, Lorenzo

2011-01-01

The Timed Up and Go is a clinical test to assess mobility in the elderly and in Parkinson's disease. Lately instrumented versions of the test are being considered, where inertial sensors assess motion. To improve the pervasiveness, ease of use, and cost, we consider a smartphone's accelerometer as the measurement system. Several parameters (usually highly correlated) can be computed from the signals recorded during the test. To avoid redundancy and obtain the features that are most sensitive to the locomotor performance, a dimensionality reduction was performed through principal component analysis (PCA). Forty-nine healthy subjects of different ages were tested. PCA was performed to extract new features (principal components) which are not redundant combinations of the original parameters and account for most of the data variability. They can be useful for exploratory analysis and outlier detection. Then, a reduced set of the original parameters was selected through correlation analysis with the principal components. This set could be recommended for studies based on healthy adults. The proposed procedure could be used as a first-level feature selection in classification studies (i.e. healthy-Parkinson's disease, fallers-non fallers) and could allow, in the future, a complete system for movement analysis to be incorporated in a smartphone.

Phase noise measurements of the 400-kW, 2.115-GHz (S-band) transmitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boss, P.; Hoppe, D.; Bhanji, A.

1987-01-01

The measurement theory is described and a test method to perform phase noise verification using off-the-shelf components and instruments is presented. The measurement technique described consists of a double-balanced mixer used as phase detector, followed by a low noise amplifier. An FFT spectrum analyzer is then used to view the modulation components. A simple calibration procedure is outlined that ensures accurate measurements. A block diagram of the configuration is presented as well as actual phase noise data from the 400 kW, 2.115 GHz (S-band) klystron transmitter.

Assessment of average of normals (AON) procedure for outlier-free datasets including qualitative values below limit of detection (LoD): an application within tumor markers such as CA 15-3, CA 125, and CA 19-9.

PubMed

Usta, Murat; Aral, Hale; Mete Çilingirtürk, Ahmet; Kural, Alev; Topaç, Ibrahim; Semerci, Tuna; Hicri Köseoğlu, Mehmet

2016-11-01

Average of normals (AON) is a quality control procedure that is sensitive only to systematic errors that can occur in an analytical process in which patient test results are used. The aim of this study was to develop an alternative model in order to apply the AON quality control procedure to datasets that include qualitative values below limit of detection (LoD). The reported patient test results for tumor markers, such as CA 15-3, CA 125, and CA 19-9, analyzed by two instruments, were retrieved from the information system over a period of 5 months, using the calibrator and control materials with the same lot numbers. The median as a measure of central tendency and the median absolute deviation (MAD) as a measure of dispersion were used for the complementary model of AON quality control procedure. The u bias values, which were determined for the bias component of the measurement uncertainty, were partially linked to the percentages of the daily median values of the test results that fall within the control limits. The results for these tumor markers, in which lower limits of reference intervals are not medically important for clinical diagnosis and management, showed that the AON quality control procedure, using the MAD around the median, can be applied for datasets including qualitative values below LoD.

Effect of Surge Current Testing on Reliability of Solid Tantalum Capacitors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teverovsky, Alexander

2008-01-01

Tantalum capacitors manufactured per military specifications are established reliability components and have less than 0.001% of failures per 1000 hours for grades D or S, thus positioning these parts among electronic components with the highest reliability characteristics. Still, failures of tantalum capacitors do happen and when it occurs it might have catastrophic consequences for the system. To reduce this risk, further development of a screening and qualification system with special attention to the possible deficiencies in the existing procedures is necessary. The purpose of this work is evaluation of the effect of surge current stress testing on reliability of the parts at both steady-state and multiple surge current stress conditions. In order to reveal possible degradation and precipitate more failures, various part types were tested and stressed in the range of voltage and temperature conditions exceeding the specified limits. A model to estimate the probability of post-surge current testing-screening failures and measures to improve the effectiveness of the screening process has been suggested.

Forensic analysis of Salvia divinorum using multivariate statistical procedures. Part I: discrimination from related Salvia species.

PubMed

Willard, Melissa A Bodnar; McGuffin, Victoria L; Smith, Ruth Waddell

2012-01-01

Salvia divinorum is a hallucinogenic herb that is internationally regulated. In this study, salvinorin A, the active compound in S. divinorum, was extracted from S. divinorum plant leaves using a 5-min extraction with dichloromethane. Four additional Salvia species (Salvia officinalis, Salvia guaranitica, Salvia splendens, and Salvia nemorosa) were extracted using this procedure, and all extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Differentiation of S. divinorum from other Salvia species was successful based on visual assessment of the resulting chromatograms. To provide a more objective comparison, the total ion chromatograms (TICs) were subjected to principal components analysis (PCA). Prior to PCA, the TICs were subjected to a series of data pretreatment procedures to minimize non-chemical sources of variance in the data set. Successful discrimination of S. divinorum from the other four Salvia species was possible based on visual assessment of the PCA scores plot. To provide a numerical assessment of the discrimination, a series of statistical procedures such as Euclidean distance measurement, hierarchical cluster analysis, Student's t tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Pearson product moment correlation were also applied to the PCA scores. The statistical procedures were then compared to determine the advantages and disadvantages for forensic applications.

Advances in Thin Film Thermocouple Durability Under High Temperature and Pressure Testing Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Lisa C.; Fralick, Gustave C.; Taylor, Keith F.

1999-01-01

Thin film thermocouples for measuring material surface temperature have been previously demonstrated on several material systems and in various hostile test environments. A well-developed thin film fabrication procedure utilizing shadow masking for patterning the sensors elements had produced thin films with sufficient durability for applications in high temperature and pressure environments that exist in air-breathing and hydrogen-fueled burner rig and engine test facilities. However, while shadow masking had been a reliable method for specimens with flat and gently curved surfaces, it had not been consistently reliable for use on test components with sharp contours. This work reports on the feasibility of utilizing photolithography processing for patterning thin film thermocouples. Because this patterning process required changes in the thin film deposition process from that developed for shadow masking, the effect of these changes on thin film adherence during burner rig testing was evaluated. In addition to the results of changing the patterning method, the effects on thin film adherence of other processes used in the thin film fabrication procedure is also presented.

Electric analog of three-dimensional flow to wells and its application to unconfined aquifers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stallman, Robert W.

1963-01-01

Electric-analog design criteria are established from the differential equations of ground-water flow for analyzing pumping-test data. A convenient analog design was obtained by transforming the cylindrical equation of flow to a rectilinear form. The design criteria were applied in the construction of an electric analog, which was used for studying pumping-test data collected near Grand Island, Nebr. Data analysis indicated (1) vertical flow components near pumping wells in unconfined aquifers may be much more significant in the control of water-table decline than radial flow components for as much as a day of pumping; (2) the specific yield during the first few minutes of pumping appears to be a very small fraction of that observed after pumping for more than 1 day; and (3) estimates of specific yield made from model studies seem much more sensitive to variations in assumed flow conditions than are estimates of permeability. Analysis of pumping-test data where vertical flow components are important requires that the degree of anisotropy be known. A procedure for computing anisotropy directly from drawdowns observed at five points was developed. Results obtained in the analog study emphasize the futility of calculating unconfined aquifer properties from pumping tests of short duration by means of equations based on the assumptions that vertical flow components are negligible and specific yield is constant.

Variability in source sediment contributions by applying different statistic test for a Pyrenean catchment.

PubMed

Palazón, L; Navas, A

2017-06-01

Information on sediment contribution and transport dynamics from the contributing catchments is needed to develop management plans to tackle environmental problems related with effects of fine sediment as reservoir siltation. In this respect, the fingerprinting technique is an indirect technique known to be valuable and effective for sediment source identification in river catchments. Large variability in sediment delivery was found in previous studies in the Barasona catchment (1509 km 2 , Central Spanish Pyrenees). Simulation results with SWAT and fingerprinting approaches identified badlands and agricultural uses as the main contributors to sediment supply in the reservoir. In this study the <63 μm sediment fraction from the surface reservoir sediments (2 cm) are investigated following the fingerprinting procedure to assess how the use of different statistical procedures affects the amounts of source contributions. Three optimum composite fingerprints were selected to discriminate between source contributions based in land uses/land covers from the same dataset by the application of (1) discriminant function analysis; and its combination (as second step) with (2) Kruskal-Wallis H-test and (3) principal components analysis. Source contribution results were different between assessed options with the greatest differences observed for option using #3, including the two step process: principal components analysis and discriminant function analysis. The characteristics of the solutions by the applied mixing model and the conceptual understanding of the catchment showed that the most reliable solution was achieved using #2, the two step process of Kruskal-Wallis H-test and discriminant function analysis. The assessment showed the importance of the statistical procedure used to define the optimum composite fingerprint for sediment fingerprinting applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Emergency department patient perceptions and preferences on opt-in rapid HIV screening program components

PubMed Central

Merchant, Roland C.; Clark, Melissa A.; Seage, George R.; Mayer, Kenneth H.; DeGruttola, Victor G.; Becker, Bruce M.

2011-01-01

The aim of this investigation was to assess emergency department (ED) patients’ perceptions and preferences about an opt-in, universal, rapid HIV screening program and identify patient groups who expressed stronger beliefs about components of the testing program. From July 2005 to July 2006, ED patients in the opt-in, universal, rapid HIV screening program were interviewed in person. Multivariable regression models were used to compare participants on their beliefs about the program components. Of the 561 participants, 62.0% had previously been tested for HIV. The majority of participants (58.8%) believed the rapid and standard/conventional HIV tests to be equally accurate, 27.7% believed the rapid test to be less or much less accurate, and 8.7% believed the rapid test to be more or much more accurate. Almost two-thirds (65.1%) favored having a rapid instead of a standard/conventional HIV test, 94.6% wanted the test results within one hour, and 61.3% would be likely or very likely to undergo testing in the ED if it prolonged their ED visit. Almost all (92.5%) believed that their medical care was “not at all” delayed because of being tested, 94.1% believed that testing did “not at all” divert attention from the reason for their ED visit, and 80.9% thought that testing in the ED was “not at all” stressful. In multivariable logistic regression models, males and those with more than 12 years of formal education showed greater concerns about the rapid HIV test’s accuracy. Hispanic/Latinos, participants with governmental insurance, and those previously HIV tested were more apt to be screened for HIV even if testing delayed their ED departure. Overall, participants were highly accepting of the components of this opt-in rapid HIV screening program. However, concerns regarding the accuracy of the rapid HIV test might limit test acceptance and should be addressed during pre-test information procedures. PMID:19283644

On the Crack Bifurcation and Fanning of Crack Growth Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forman, Royce G.; Zanganeh, Mohammad

2015-01-01

Crack growth data obtained from ASTM load shedding method for different R values show some fanning especially for aluminum alloys. It is believed by the authors and it has been shown before that the observed fanning is due to the crack bifurcation occurs in the near threshold region which is a function of intrinsic properties of the alloy. Therefore, validity of the ASTM load shedding test procedure and results is confirmed. However, this position has been argued by some experimentalists who believe the fanning is an artifact of the test procedure and thus the obtained results are invalid. It has been shown that using a special test procedure such as using compressively pre-cracked specimens will eliminate the fanning effect. Since not using the fanned data fit can result in a significantly lower calculated cyclic life, design of a component, particularly for rotorcraft and propeller systems will considerably be impacted and therefore this study is of paramount importance. In this effort both test procedures i.e. ASTM load shedding and the proposed compressive pre-cracking have been used to study the fatigue crack growth behavior of compact tension specimens made of aluminum alloy 2524-T3. Fatigue crack growth paths have been closely observed using SEM machines to investigate the effects of compression pre-cracking on the crack bifurcation behavior. The results of this study will shed a light on resolving the existing argument by better understanding of near threshold fatigue crack growth behavior.

Combining multivariate statistics and the think-aloud protocol to assess Human-Computer Interaction barriers in symptom checkers.

PubMed

Marco-Ruiz, Luis; Bønes, Erlend; de la Asunción, Estela; Gabarron, Elia; Aviles-Solis, Juan Carlos; Lee, Eunji; Traver, Vicente; Sato, Keiichi; Bellika, Johan G

2017-10-01

Symptom checkers are software tools that allow users to submit a set of symptoms and receive advice related to them in the form of a diagnosis list, health information or triage. The heterogeneity of their potential users and the number of different components in their user interfaces can make testing with end-users unaffordable. We designed and executed a two-phase method to test the respiratory diseases module of the symptom checker Erdusyk. Phase I consisted of an online test with a large sample of users (n=53). In Phase I, users evaluated the system remotely and completed a questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model. Principal Component Analysis was used to correlate each section of the interface with the questionnaire responses, thus identifying which areas of the user interface presented significant contributions to the technology acceptance. In the second phase, the think-aloud procedure was executed with a small number of samples (n=15), focusing on the areas with significant contributions to analyze the reasons for such contributions. Our method was used effectively to optimize the testing of symptom checker user interfaces. The method allowed kept the cost of testing at reasonable levels by restricting the use of the think-aloud procedure while still assuring a high amount of coverage. The main barriers detected in Erdusyk were related to problems understanding time repetition patterns, the selection of levels in scales to record intensities, navigation, the quantification of some symptom attributes, and the characteristics of the symptoms. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Designing the microturbine engine for waste-derived fuels.

PubMed

Seljak, Tine; Katrašnik, Tomaž

2016-01-01

Presented paper deals with adaptation procedure of a microturbine (MGT) for exploitation of refuse derived fuels (RDF). RDF often possess significantly different properties than conventional fuels and usually require at least some adaptations of internal combustion systems to obtain full functionality. With the methodology, developed in the paper it is possible to evaluate the extent of required adaptations by performing a thorough analysis of fuel combustion properties in a dedicated experimental rig suitable for testing of wide-variety of waste and biomass derived fuels. In the first part key turbine components are analyzed followed by cause and effect analysis of interaction between different fuel properties and design parameters of the components. The data are then used to build a dedicated test system where two fuels with diametric physical and chemical properties are tested - liquefied biomass waste (LW) and waste tire pyrolysis oil (TPO). The analysis suggests that exploitation of LW requires higher complexity of target MGT system as stable combustion can be achieved only with regenerative thermodynamic cycle, high fuel preheat temperatures and optimized fuel injection nozzle. Contrary, TPO requires less complex MGT design and sufficient operational stability is achieved already with simple cycle MGT and conventional fuel system. The presented approach of testing can significantly reduce the extent and cost of required adaptations of commercial system as pre-selection procedure of suitable MGT is done in developed test system. The obtained data can at the same time serve as an input for fine-tuning the processes for RDF production. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Data collection and analysis software development for rotor dynamics testing in spin laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdul-Aziz, Ali; Arble, Daniel; Woike, Mark

2017-04-01

Gas turbine engine components undergo high rotational loading another complex environmental conditions. Such operating environment leads these components to experience damages and cracks that can cause catastrophic failure during flights. There are traditional crack detections and health monitoring methodologies currently being used which rely on periodic routine maintenances, nondestructive inspections that often times involve engine and components dis-assemblies. These methods do not also offer adequate information about the faults, especially, if these faults at subsurface or not clearly evident. At NASA Glenn research center, the rotor dynamics laboratory is presently involved in developing newer techniques that are highly dependent on sensor technology to enable health monitoring and prediction of damage and cracks in rotor disks. These approaches are noninvasive and relatively economical. Spin tests are performed using a subscale test article mimicking turbine rotor disk undergoing rotational load. Non-contact instruments such as capacitive and microwave sensors are used to measure the blade tip gap displacement and blade vibrations characteristics in an attempt develop a physics based model to assess/predict the faults in the rotor disk. Data collection is a major component in this experimental-analytical procedure and as a result, an upgrade to an older version of the data acquisition software which is based on LabVIEW program has been implemented to support efficiently running tests and analyze the results. Outcomes obtained from the tests data and related experimental and analytical rotor dynamics modeling including key features of the updated software are presented and discussed.

Decomposing the electromagnetic response of magnetic dipoles to determine the geometric parameters of a dipole conductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desmarais, Jacques K.; Smith, Richard S.

2016-03-01

A novel automatic data interpretation algorithm is presented for modelling airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data acquired over resistive environments, using a single-component (vertical) transmitter, where the position and orientation of a dipole conductor is allowed to vary in three dimensions. The algorithm assumes that the magnetic fields produced from compact vortex currents are expressed as a linear combinations of the fields arising from dipoles in the subsurface oriented parallel to the [1, 0, 0], [0, 1, 0], and [0, 0, 1], unit vectors. In this manner, AEM responses can be represented as 12 terms. The relative size of each term in the decomposition can be used to determine geometrical information about the orientation of the subsurface conductivity structure. The geometrical parameters of the dipole (location, depth, dip, strike) are estimated using a combination of a look-up table and a matrix inverted in a least-squares sense. Tests on 703 synthetic models show that the algorithm is capable of extracting most of the correct geometrical parameters of a dipole conductor when three-component receiver data is included in the interpretation procedure. The algorithm is unstable when the target is perfectly horizontal, as the strike is undefined. Ambiguities may occur in predicting the orientation of the dipole conductor if y-component data is excluded from the analysis. Application of our approach to an anomaly on line 15 of the Reid Mahaffy test site yields geometrical parameters in reasonable agreement with previous authors. However, our algorithm provides additional information on the strike and offset from the traverse line of the conductor. Disparities in the values of predicted dip and depth are within the range of numerical precision. The index of fit was better when strike and offset were included in the interpretation procedure. Tests on the data from line 15701 of the Chibougamau MEGATEM survey shows that the algorithm is applicable to situations where three-component AEM data is available.

Separation of pedogenic and lithogenic components of magnetic susceptibility in the Chinese loess/palaeosol sequence as determined by the CBD procedure and a mixing analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidic, Nataša. J.; TenPas, Jeff D.; Verosub, Kenneth L.; Singer, Michael J.

2000-08-01

Magnetic susceptibility variations in the Chinese loess/palaeosol sequences have been used extensively for palaeoclimatic interpretations. The magnetic signal of these sequences must be divided into lithogenic and pedogenic components because the palaeoclimatic record is primarily reflected in the pedogenic component. In this paper we compare two methods for separating the pedogenic and lithogenic components of the magnetic susceptibility signal: the citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite (CBD) extraction procedure, and a mixing analysis. Both methods yield good estimates of the pedogenic component, especially for the palaeosols. The CBD procedure underestimates the lithogenic component and overestimates the pedogenic component. The magnitude of this effect is moderately high in loess layers but almost negligible in palaeosols. The mixing model overestimates the lithogenic component and underestimates the pedogenic component. Both methods can be adjusted to yield better estimates of both components. The lithogenic susceptibility, as determined by either method, suggests that palaeoclimatic interpretations based only on total susceptibility will be in error and that a single estimate of the average lithogenic susceptibility is not an accurate basis for adjusting the total susceptibility. A long-term decline in lithogenic susceptibility with depth in the section suggests more intense or prolonged periods of weathering associated with the formation of the older palaeosols. The CBD procedure provides the most comprehensive information on the magnitude of the components and magnetic mineralogy of loess and palaeosols. However, the mixing analysis provides a sensitive, rapid, and easily applied alternative to the CBD procedure. A combination of the two approaches provides the most powerful and perhaps the most accurate way of separating the magnetic susceptibility components.

Incubation of ethanol reinstatement depends on test conditions and how ethanol consumption is reduced.

PubMed

Ginsburg, Brett C; Lamb, R J

2015-04-01

In reinstatement studies (a common preclinical procedure for studying relapse), incubation occurs (longer abstinence periods result in more responding). This finding is discordant with the clinical literature. Identifying determinants of incubation could aid in interpreting reinstatement and identifying processes involved in relapse. Reinstated responding was examined in rats trained to respond for ethanol and food under a multiple concurrent schedule (Component 1: ethanol FR5, food FR150; Component 2: ethanol FR5, food FR5-alternating across the 30-min session). Ethanol consumption was then reduced for 1 or 16 sessions either by suspending training (rats remained in home cage) or by providing alternative reinforcement (only Component 2 stimuli and contingencies were presented throughout the session). In the next session, stimuli associated with Component 1 were presented and responses recorded but ethanol and food were never delivered. Two test conditions were studied: fixed-ratio completion either produced ethanol- or food-associated stimuli (signaled) or had no programmed consequence (unsignaled). Incubation of ethanol responding was observed only after suspended training during signaled test sessions. Incubation of food responding was also observed after suspended training. These results are most consistent with incubation resulting from a degradation of feedback functions limiting extinction responding, rather than from increased motivation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A review of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis on degradation mechanisms and mitigation strategies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Qi; Yuan, Xiao-Zi; Liu, Gaoyang; Wei, Bing; Zhang, Zhen; Li, Hui; Wang, Haijiang

2017-10-01

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is an advanced and effective solution to the primary energy storage technologies. A better understanding of performance and durability of PEMWE is critical for the engineers and researchers to further advance this technology for its market penetration, and for the manufacturers of PEM water electrolyzers to implement quality control procedures for the production line or on-site process monitoring/diagnosis. This paper reviews the published works on performance degradations and mitigation strategies for PEMWE. Sources of degradation for individual components are introduced. With degradation causes discussed and degradation mechanisms examined, the review emphasizes on feasible strategies to mitigate the components degradation. To avoid lengthy real lifetime degradation tests and their high costs, the importance of accelerated stress tests and protocols is highlighted for various components. In the end, R&D directions are proposed to move the PEMWE technology forward to become a key element in future energy scenarios.

Developing Historic Building Information Modelling Guidelines and Procedures for Architectural Heritage in Ireland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, M.; Corns, A.; Cahill, J.; Eliashvili, K.; Chenau, A.; Pybus, C.; Shaw, R.; Devlin, G.; Deevy, A.; Truong-Hong, L.

2017-08-01

Cultural heritage researchers have recently begun applying Building Information Modelling (BIM) to historic buildings. The model is comprised of intelligent objects with semantic attributes which represent the elements of a building structure and are organised within a 3D virtual environment. Case studies in Ireland are used to test and develop the suitable systems for (a) data capture/digital surveying/processing (b) developing library of architectural components and (c) mapping these architectural components onto the laser scan or digital survey to relate the intelligent virtual representation of a historic structure (HBIM). While BIM platforms have the potential to create a virtual and intelligent representation of a building, its full exploitation and use is restricted to narrow set of expert users with access to costly hardware, software and skills. The testing of open BIM approaches in particular IFCs and the use of game engine platforms is a fundamental component for developing much wider dissemination. The semantically enriched model can be transferred into a WEB based game engine platform.

Development and Validation of a Portable Platform for Deploying Decision-Support Algorithms in Prehospital Settings

PubMed Central

Reisner, A. T.; Khitrov, M. Y.; Chen, L.; Blood, A.; Wilkins, K.; Doyle, W.; Wilcox, S.; Denison, T.; Reifman, J.

2013-01-01

Summary Background Advanced decision-support capabilities for prehospital trauma care may prove effective at improving patient care. Such functionality would be possible if an analysis platform were connected to a transport vital-signs monitor. In practice, there are technical challenges to implementing such a system. Not only must each individual component be reliable, but, in addition, the connectivity between components must be reliable. Objective We describe the development, validation, and deployment of the Automated Processing of Physiologic Registry for Assessment of Injury Severity (APPRAISE) platform, intended to serve as a test bed to help evaluate the performance of decision-support algorithms in a prehospital environment. Methods We describe the hardware selected and the software implemented, and the procedures used for laboratory and field testing. Results The APPRAISE platform met performance goals in both laboratory testing (using a vital-sign data simulator) and initial field testing. After its field testing, the platform has been in use on Boston MedFlight air ambulances since February of 2010. Conclusion These experiences may prove informative to other technology developers and to healthcare stakeholders seeking to invest in connected electronic systems for prehospital as well as in-hospital use. Our experiences illustrate two sets of important questions: are the individual components reliable (e.g., physical integrity, power, core functionality, and end-user interaction) and is the connectivity between components reliable (e.g., communication protocols and the metadata necessary for data interpretation)? While all potential operational issues cannot be fully anticipated and eliminated during development, thoughtful design and phased testing steps can reduce, if not eliminate, technical surprises. PMID:24155791

Experimental apparatus to test air trap valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemos De Lucca, Y. de F.; de Aquino, G. A.; Filho, J. G. D.

2010-08-01

It is known that the presence of trapped air within water distribution pipes can lead to irregular operation or even damage to the distribution systems and their components. The presence of trapped air may occur while the pipes are being filled with water, or while the pumping systems are in operation. The formation of large air pockets can produce the water hammer phenomenon, the instability and the loss of pressure in the water distribution networks. As a result, it can overload the pumps, increase the consumption of electricity, and damage the pumping system. In order to avoid its formation, all of the trapped air should be removed through "air trap valves". In Brazil, manufacturers frequently have unreliable sizing charts, which cause malfunctioning of the "air trap valves". The result of these malfunctions causes accidents of substantial damage. The construction of a test facility will provide a foundation of technical information that will be used to help make decisions when designing a system of pipelines where "air trap valves" are used. To achieve this, all of the valve characteristics (geometric, mechanic, hydraulic and dynamic) should be determined. This paper aims to describe and analyze the experimental apparatus and test procedure to be used to test "air trap valves". The experimental apparatus and test facility will be located at the University of Campinas, Brazil at the College of Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urbanism in the Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics laboratory. The experimental apparatus will be comprised of various components (pumps, steel pipes, butterfly valves to control the discharge, flow meter and reservoirs) and instrumentation (pressure transducers, anemometer and proximity sensor). It should be emphasized that all theoretical and experimental procedures should be defined while taking into consideration flow parameters and fluid properties that influence the tests.

Are electrostatic potentials between regions of different chemical composition measurable? The Gibbs-Guggenheim Principle reconsidered, extended and its consequences revisited.

PubMed

Pethica, Brian A

2007-12-21

As indicated by Gibbs and made explicit by Guggenheim, the electrical potential difference between two regions of different chemical composition cannot be measured. The Gibbs-Guggenheim Principle restricts the use of classical electrostatics in electrochemical theories as thermodynamically unsound with some few approximate exceptions, notably for dilute electrolyte solutions and concomitant low potentials where the linear limit for the exponential of the relevant Boltzmann distribution applies. The Principle invalidates the widespread use of forms of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation which do not include the non-electrostatic components of the chemical potentials of the ions. From a thermodynamic analysis of the parallel plate electrical condenser, employing only measurable electrical quantities and taking into account the chemical potentials of the components of the dielectric and their adsorption at the surfaces of the condenser plates, an experimental procedure to provide exceptions to the Principle has been proposed. This procedure is now reconsidered and rejected. No other related experimental procedures circumvent the Principle. Widely-used theoretical descriptions of electrolyte solutions, charged surfaces and colloid dispersions which neglect the Principle are briefly discussed. MD methods avoid the limitations of the Poisson-Bolzmann equation. Theoretical models which include the non-electrostatic components of the inter-ion and ion-surface interactions in solutions and colloid systems assume the additivity of dispersion and electrostatic forces. An experimental procedure to test this assumption is identified from the thermodynamics of condensers at microscopic plate separations. The available experimental data from Kelvin probe studies are preliminary, but tend against additivity. A corollary to the Gibbs-Guggenheim Principle is enunciated, and the Principle is restated that for any charged species, neither the difference in electrostatic potential nor the sum of the differences in the non-electrostatic components of the thermodynamic potential difference between regions of different chemical compositions can be measured.

Broad-band BOS (BBYB) development and calibration in Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, C. R.; Wang, C. C.; Kuo, B. Y.; Chen, P.; Jang, J. P.; Chang, H.; Laio, Y. C.; Chang, K. H.; Lin, F. S.

2016-12-01

Since 2009, combine with Academia Sinica, National Applied Research Laboratories and National Sun Yat-sen University formed ocean bottom seismograph (OBS) development team to develop sub-broadband OBS (called Yardbird OBS). Through a series deploy experiment at seafloor offshore Taiwan that got a lot of data can be used to study plate tectonics, seismic activity, source characteristics. Nowadays they have pretty good results already. Due to bandwidth limitations of the Yardbird OBS that inadequate to use for analyze global-scale earthquake. Therefor developing broadband ocean bottom seismograph is an important goal for the development team. Currently the broadband OBS (called BBYB) design and construction have completed the initial experiment phase. Due to underwater instruments always got high risk. Something accidentally making equipment sank in the sea cannot be recovery. Even recovery of equipment may also be causing poor performance because there is no data record. It cannot be to accomplish the experiment mission. In order to improve the OBS performance, avoid OBS dis-recovery or data collection is incomplete, must be sure all OBS's each component (such as seismic data recording device, balanced body, sonar dashboard, instruments and internal wiring ...) with well-done quality before assembly. Each component could go through very rigorous testing, strict and pick out the good components in the assembly process. Be sure all of produce the OBS under the water after a long deployment could successful recovery and got valuable data. In this presentation we will show a serial testing procedure and results for quality each BBYB component. Such as: Data logger: digitizer sensitivity, sampling rate, clock timing. Acoustic controller: function of Enable, Disable, Range, Release 1, Release 2, Option 1(Release disable). Air pressure gauge for glass ball: accuracy. A check lists of connector wiring check for assembling instrument. Design deploy and recovery procedure for operation on deck. We hope through repeated testing to ensure perfect performance of BBYB and apply the testing concept to another equipment for improve instruments performance. Keywords: ocean bottom seismograph (OBS); Data logger; Acoustic controller; Air pressure gauge.

Using Patient Demographics and Statistical Modeling to Predict Knee Tibia Component Sizing in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

PubMed

Ren, Anna N; Neher, Robert E; Bell, Tyler; Grimm, James

2018-06-01

Preoperative planning is important to achieve successful implantation in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, traditional TKA templating techniques are not accurate enough to predict the component size to a very close range. With the goal of developing a general predictive statistical model using patient demographic information, ordinal logistic regression was applied to build a proportional odds model to predict the tibia component size. The study retrospectively collected the data of 1992 primary Persona Knee System TKA procedures. Of them, 199 procedures were randomly selected as testing data and the rest of the data were randomly partitioned between model training data and model evaluation data with a ratio of 7:3. Different models were trained and evaluated on the training and validation data sets after data exploration. The final model had patient gender, age, weight, and height as independent variables and predicted the tibia size within 1 size difference 96% of the time on the validation data, 94% of the time on the testing data, and 92% on a prospective cadaver data set. The study results indicated the statistical model built by ordinal logistic regression can increase the accuracy of tibia sizing information for Persona Knee preoperative templating. This research shows statistical modeling may be used with radiographs to dramatically enhance the templating accuracy, efficiency, and quality. In general, this methodology can be applied to other TKA products when the data are applicable. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Survivorship of Total Hip Joint Replacements Following Isolated Liner Exchange for Wear.

PubMed

Vadei, Leone; Kieser, David C; Frampton, Chris; Hooper, Gary

2017-11-01

Liner exchange for articular component wear in total hip joint replacements (THJRs) is a common procedure, often thought to be benign with reliable outcomes. Recent studies, however, suggest high failure rates of liner exchange revisions with significant complications. The primary aim of this study was, therefore, to analyze the survivorship of isolated liner exchange for articular component wear, and secondarily to assess the influence of patient demographics (gender, age, and American Society of Anaesthesiologists [ASA] ratings) on rerevisions following isolated liner exchange for wear. A retrospective review of the 15-year New Zealand Joint Registry (1999-2014) was performed, analyzing the outcomes of isolated liner exchange for articular component wear. The survivorship as defined as rerevision with component exchange was determined and 10-year Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves were constructed. These revision rates were compared to age, gender, and ASA rating groups using a log-rank test. The 10-year survivorship of THJR following liner exchange revision for liner wear was 75.3%. If a rerevision was required, the median time to rerevision was 1.33 years with a rerevision rate of 3.33 per 100 component years (95% confidence interval 2.68-4.08/100 component years). The principle reasons for rerevision were dislocation (48.4%) and acetabular component loosening (20.9%). There was no statistically significant difference in rerevision rates based on gender, age categories, or ASA scores. THJR isolated liner exchange for liner wear is not a benign procedure with a survivorship of 75.3% at 10 years. Surgeons contemplating liner exchange revisions should be cognisant of this risk and should adequately assess component position and stability preoperatively. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A needle guidance system for biopsy and therapy using two-dimensional ultrasound

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bluvol, Nathan; Sheikh, Allison; Kornecki, Anat

2008-02-15

Image-guided needle biopsies are currently used to provide a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer; however, difficulties in tumor targeting exist as the ultrasound (United States) scan plane and biopsy needle must remain coplanar throughout the procedure to display the actual needle tip position. The additional time associated with aligning and maintaining this coplanar relationship results in increased patient discomfort. Biopsy procedural efficiency is further hindered since needle pathway interpretation is often difficult, especially for needle insertions at large depths that usually require multiple reinsertions. The authors developed a system that would increase the speed and accuracy of current breast biopsymore » procedures using readily available two-dimensional (2D) US technology. This system is composed of a passive articulated mechanical arm that attaches to a 2D US transducer. The arm is connected to a computer through custom electronics and software, which were developed as an interface for tracking the positioning of the mechanical components in real time. The arm couples to the biopsy needle and provides visual guidance for the physician performing the procedure in the form of a real-time projected needle pathway overlay on an US image of the breast. An agar test phantom, with stainless steel targets interspersed randomly throughout, was used to validate needle trajectory positioning accuracy. The biopsy needle was guided by both the software and hardware components to the targets. The phantom, with the needle inserted and device decoupled, was placed in an x-ray stereotactic mammography (SM) machine. The needle trajectory and bead target locations were determined in three dimensions from the SM images. Results indicated a mean needle trajectory accuracy error of 0.75{+-}0.42 mm. This is adequate to sample lesions that are <2 mm in diameter. Chicken tissue test phantoms were used to compare core needle biopsy procedure times between experienced radiologists and inexperienced resident radiologists using free-hand US and the needle guidance system. Cylindrical polyvinyl alcohol cryogel lesions, colored blue, were embedded in chicken tissue. Radiologists identified the lesions, visible as hypoechoic masses in the US images, and performed biopsy using a 14-gauge needle. Procedure times were compared based on experience and the technique performed. Using a pair-wise t test, lower biopsy procedure times were observed when using the guidance system versus the free-hand technique (t=12.59, p<0.001). The authors believe that with this improved biopsy guidance they will be able to reduce the ''false negative'' rate of biopsies, especially in the hands of less experienced physicians.« less

Quantitative assessment of the efficacy of spiral-wound membrane cleaning procedures to remove biofilms.

PubMed

Hijnen, W A M; Castillo, C; Brouwer-Hanzens, A H; Harmsen, D J H; Cornelissen, E R; van der Kooij, D

2012-12-01

Cleaning of high pressure RO/NF membranes is an important operational tool to control biofouling. Quantitative information on the efficacy of cleaning agents and protocols to remove biomass is scarce. Therefore, a laboratory cleaning test to assess the efficiency of cleaning procedures to remove attached biomass was developed. The major components of the test are (i) production of uniform biofilm samples, (ii) the quantification of the biomass concentrations with robust parameters and (iii) a simple test procedure with optimal exposure of the biofilm samples to the chemicals. The results showed that PVC-P is a suitable substratum for the production of uniform biofilm samples. ATP and carbohydrates (CH) as major components of the biofilm matrix for nucleotides (living bacterial cells) and extracellular polymeric substances EPS, respectively, were selected as robust biomass parameters. The removal of ATP and CH with the NaOH/Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) mixture, selected as a standard treatment at pH 12.0, was reproducible. The resistance of the EPS matrix against chemical cleaning was demonstrated by a low CH removal (32.8 ± 6.0%) compared to the ATP removal (70.5 ± 15.1%). The inverse relationship of biomass removal with the CH to ATP ratio (μg/ng) of the biofilms demonstrated the influence of the biomass characteristics on cleaning. None of the 27 chemicals tested (analytical-grade and commercial brands) in single step or in double-step treatments were significantly more effective than NaOH/SDS. Oxidizing agents NaOCl and H(2)O(2), the latter in combination with SDS, both tested as common agents in biofilm control, showed a significantly higher efficiency (70%) to remove biofilms. In the test, simultaneously, the efficiency of agents to remove precipitated minerals such as Fe can be assessed. Validation tests with Cleaning in Place (CIP) in 8 and 2.5-inch RO membrane pilot plant experiments showed similar ranking of the cleaning efficiency of cleaning protocols as determined in the laboratory tests. Further studies with the laboratory test are required to study the effect of cleaning conditions such as duration, temperature, shear forces as well as chemical conditions (concentrations, alternative agents or mixtures and sequence of application) on the efficiency to remove attached biomass. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

20 CFR 422.710 - Procedures SSA will follow.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 422.710 Employees' Benefits SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES Use of SSA Telephone Lines § 422.710 Procedures SSA will follow. SSA component(s) that plan to listen-in to or record... written certification of need to the Commissioner of Social Security or designee at least 30 days before...

20 CFR 422.710 - Procedures SSA will follow.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 422.710 Employees' Benefits SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES Use of SSA Telephone Lines § 422.710 Procedures SSA will follow. SSA component(s) that plan to listen-in to or record... written certification of need to the Commissioner of Social Security or designee at least 30 days before...

Verification System: First System-Wide Performance Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernobay, I.; Zerbo, L.

2006-05-01

System-wide performance tests are essential for the development, testing and evaluation of individual components of the verification system. In addition to evaluating global readiness it helps establishing the practical and financial requirements for eventual operations. The first system-wide performance test (SPT1) was conducted in three phases: - A preparatory phase in May-June 2004 - A performance testing phase in April-June 2005 - An evaluation phase in the last half of 2005. The preparatory phase was developmental in nature. The main objectives for the performance testing phase included establishment of performance baseline under current provisional mode of operation (CTBT/PC- 19/1/Annex II, CTBT/WGB-21/1), examination of established requirements and procedures for operation and maintenance. To establish a system-wide performance baseline the system configuration was fixed for April-May 2005. The third month (June 2005) was used for implementation of 21 test case scenarios to examine either particular operational procedures or the response of the system components to the failures simulated under controlled conditions. A total of 163 stations and 5 certified radionuclide laboratories of International Monitoring System (IMS) participated in the performance testing phase - about 50% of the eventual IMS network. 156 IMS facilities and 40 National Data Centres (NDCs) were connected to the International Data Centre (IDC) via Global Communication Infrastructure (GCI) communication links. In addition, 12 legacy stations in the auxiliary seismic network sent data to the IDC over the Internet. During the performance testing phase, the IDC produced all required products, analysed more than 6100 seismic events and 1700 radionuclide spectra. Performance of all system elements was documented and analysed. IDC products were compared with results of data processing at the NDCs. On the basis of statistics and information collected during the SPT1 a system-wide performance baseline under current guidelines for provisional Operation and Maintenance was established. The test provided feedback for further development of the draft IMS and IDC Operational Manuals and identified priority areas for further system development.

Equine IgE responses to non-viral vaccine components.

PubMed

Gershwin, Laurel J; Netherwood, Kristina A; Norris, Meredith Somerville; Behrens, Nicole E; Shao, Matt X

2012-12-14

Vaccination of horses is performed annually or semi-annually with multiple viral antigens, either in a combination vaccine or as separate injections. While this practice undoubtedly prevents infection from such diseases as rabies, equine influenza, West Nile virus, and equine herpes virus, the procedure is not without repercussions. Hypersensitivity reactions, including fatal anaphylactic shock, after vaccination, although uncommon, have increased in incidence in recent years. Studies reported herein document the development of IgE antibodies against non-target antigen components of equine viral vaccines. We hypothesize that viral vaccines can induce an IgE response to non-target antigens, which could elicit an adverse response after vaccination with another viral vaccine containing the same component. In one study IgE responses to components of West Nile virus vaccine were evaluated by ELISA before and after vaccination in 30 horses. In a second five-year study 77 horses were similarly tested for IgE antibodies against bovine serum albumin (BSA), a component of most viral vaccines. Mast cell sensitization was evaluated in horses with high, moderate, and negative serum BSA specific IgE using an intradermal skin test with BSA. Over the five-year period high IgE responder horses showed gradually increasing BSA specific serum IgE levels and positive skin test reactivity, yet none had an adverse event. Sera from horses that had developed adverse vaccine reactions were also tested for IgE antibodies. Several of these horses had extremely high levels of BSA-specific IgE. These data suggest that non-essential protein components of vaccines may sensitize horses for future adverse responses to vaccination. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Token Economy: A Systematic Review of Procedural Descriptions.

PubMed

Ivy, Jonathan W; Meindl, James N; Overley, Eric; Robson, Kristen M

2017-09-01

The token economy is a well-established and widely used behavioral intervention. A token economy is comprised of six procedural components: the target response(s), a token that functions as a conditioned reinforcer, backup reinforcers, and three interconnected schedules of reinforcement. Despite decades of applied research, the extent to which the procedures of a token economy are described in complete and replicable detail has not been evaluated. Given the inherent complexity of a token economy, an analysis of the procedural descriptions may benefit future token economy research and practice. Articles published between 2000 and 2015 that included implementation of a token economy within an applied setting were identified and reviewed with a focus on evaluating the thoroughness of procedural descriptions. The results show that token economy components are regularly omitted or described in vague terms. Of the articles included in this analysis, only 19% (18 of 96 articles reviewed) included replicable and complete descriptions of all primary components. Missing or vague component descriptions could negatively affect future research or applied practice. Recommendations are provided to improve component descriptions.

Improving Flight Software Module Validation Efforts : a Modular, Extendable Testbed Software Framework

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lange, R. Connor

2012-01-01

Ever since Explorer-1, the United States' first Earth satellite, was developed and launched in 1958, JPL has developed many more spacecraft, including landers and orbiters. While these spacecraft vary greatly in their missions, capabilities,and destination, they all have something in common. All of the components of these spacecraft had to be comprehensively tested. While thorough testing is important to mitigate risk, it is also a very expensive and time consuming process. Thankfully,since virtually all of the software testing procedures for SMAP are computer controlled, these procedures can be automated. Most people testing SMAP flight software (FSW) would only need to write tests that exercise specific requirements and then check the filtered results to verify everything occurred as planned. This gives developers the ability to automatically launch tests on the testbed, distill the resulting logs into only the important information, generate validation documentation, and then deliver the documentation to management. With many of the steps in FSW testing automated, developers can use their limited time more effectively and can validate SMAP FSW modules quicker and test them more rigorously. As a result of the various benefits of automating much of the testing process, management is considering this automated tools use in future FSW validation efforts.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paul Demkowicz; Lance Cole; Scott Ploger

The AGR-1 irradiation experiment ended on November 6, 2009, after 620 effective full power days in the Advanced Test Reactor, achieving a peak burnup of 19.6% FIMA. The test train was shipped to the Materials and Fuels Complex in March 2010 for post-irradiation examination. The first PIE activities included non-destructive examination of the test train, followed by disassembly of the test train and individual capsules and detailed inspection of the capsule contents, including the fuel compacts and the graphite fuel holders. Dimensional measurements of the compacts, graphite holders, and steel capsules shells were performed using a custom vision measurement systemmore » (for outer diameters and lengths) and conventional bore gauges (for inner diameters). Gamma spectrometry of the intact test train gave a preliminary look at the condition of the interior components. No evidence of damage to compacts or graphite components was evident from the isotopic and gross gamma scans. Neutron radiography of the intact Capsule 2 showed a high degree of detail of interior components and confirmed the observation that there was no major damage to the capsule. Disassembly of the capsules was initiated using procedures qualified during out-of-cell mockup testing. Difficulties were encountered during capsule disassembly due to irradiation-induced changes in some of the capsule components’ properties, including embrittled niobium and molybdenum parts that were susceptible to fracture and swelling of the graphite fuel holders that affected their removal from the capsule shells. This required various improvised modifications to the disassembly procedure to avoid damage to the fuel compacts. Ultimately the capsule disassembly was successful and only one compact from Capsule 4 (out of 72 total in the test train) sustained damage during the disassembly process, along with the associated graphite holder. The compacts were generally in very good condition upon removal. Only relatively minor damage or markings were visible using high resolution photographic inspection. Compact dimensional measurements indicated diametrical shrinkage of 0.9 to 1. 4%, and length shrinkage of 0.2 to 1.1%. The shrinkage was somewhat dependent on compact location within each capsule and within the test train. Compacts exhibited a maximum diametrical shrinkage at a fast neutron fluence of approximately 3×1021 n/cm2. A multivariate statistical analysis indicates that fast neutron fluence as well as compact position in the test train influence compact shrinkage.« less

Orbiter integrated active thermal control subsystem test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaax, J. R.

1980-01-01

Integrated subsystem level testing of the systems within the orbiter active thermal chamber capable of simulating ground, orbital, and entry temperature and pressure profiles. The test article was in a closed loop configuration that included flight type and functionally simulated protions of all ATCS components for collecting, transporting, and rejecting orbiter waste heat. Specially designed independently operating equipment simulated the transient thermal input from the cabin, payload, fuel cells, freon cold plates, hydraulic system, and space environment. Test team members using data, controls, and procedures available to a flight crew controlled the operation of the ATCS. The ATCS performance met or exceeded all thermal and operational requirements for planned and contingency mission support.

Decreasing Inappropriate Vocalizations Using Classwide Group Contingencies and Color Wheel Procedures: A Component Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirk, Emily R.; Becker, Jennifer A.; Skinner, Christopher H., Fearrington, Jamie Yarbr; McCane-Bowling, Sara J.; Amburn, Christie; Luna, Elisa; Greear, Corinne

2010-01-01

Teacher referrals for consultation resulted in two independent teams collecting evidence that allowed for a treatment component evaluation of color wheel (CW) procedures and/or interdependent group-oriented reward (IGOR) procedures on inappropriate vocalizations in one third- and one first-grade classroom. Both studies involved the application of…

Different Approaches for Ensuring Performance/Reliability of Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEMs) in Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerke, R. David; Sandor, Mike; Agarwal, Shri; Moor, Andrew F.; Cooper, Kim A.

2000-01-01

Engineers within the commercial and aerospace industries are using trade-off and risk analysis to aid in reducing spacecraft system cost while increasing performance and maintaining high reliability. In many cases, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, which include Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEMs), are candidate packaging technologies for spacecrafts due to their lower cost, lower weight and enhanced functionality. Establishing and implementing a parts program that effectively and reliably makes use of these potentially less reliable, but state-of-the-art devices, has become a significant portion of the job for the parts engineer. Assembling a reliable high performance electronic system, which includes COTS components, requires that the end user assume a risk. To minimize the risk involved, companies have developed methodologies by which they use accelerated stress testing to assess the product and reduce the risk involved to the total system. Currently, there are no industry standard procedures for accomplishing this risk mitigation. This paper will present the approaches for reducing the risk of using PEMs devices in space flight systems as developed by two independent Laboratories. The JPL procedure involves primarily a tailored screening with accelerated stress philosophy while the APL procedure is primarily, a lot qualification procedure. Both Laboratories successfully have reduced the risk of using the particular devices for their respective systems and mission requirements.

Cell module and fuel conditioner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, D. Q., Jr.

1980-01-01

Stack tests indicate that the discrepancies between calculated and measured temperature profiles are due to reactant cross-over and a lower than expected thermal conductivity of cells. Preliminary results indicate that acceptable contact resistance between cooling plane halves can be achieved without the use of paper. The preliminary design of the enclosure, definition of required labor and equipment for manufacturing repeating components, and the assembly procedures for the benchwork design were developed. Fabrication of components for a second 5-cell stack of the MK-2 design and a second 23-cell stack of the MK-1 design was started. The definition of water and fuel for the reforming subsystem was developed along with a preliminary definition of the control system for the subsystem. The construction and shakedown of the differential catalytic reactor was completed and testing of the first catalyst initiated.

Novel Amalgams for In-Space Fabrication of Replacement Parts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cochran, Calvin T.; Van Hoose, James R.; Grugel, R. N.

2012-01-01

Being able to fabricate replacement parts during extended space flight missions precludes the weight, storage volume, and speculation necessary to accommodate spares. Amalgams, widely used in dentistry, are potential candidates for fabricating parts in microgravity environments as they are moldable, do not require energy for melting, and do not pose fluid handling problems. Unfortunately, amalgams have poor tensile strength and the room temperature liquid component is mercury. To possibly resolve these issues a gallium-indium alloy was substituted for mercury and small steel fibers were mixed in with the commercial alloy powder. Subsequent microscopic examination of the novel amalgam revealed complete bonding of the components, and mechanical testing of comparable samples showed those containing steel fibers to have a significant improvement in strength. Experimental procedures, microstructures, and test results are presented and discussed in view of further improving properties.

Improved silicon carbide for advanced heat engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whalen, Thomas J.; Mangels, J. A.

1986-01-01

The development of silicon carbide materials of high strength was initiated and components of complex shape and high reliability were formed. The approach was to adapt a beta-SiC powder and binder system to the injection molding process and to develop procedures and process parameters capable of providing a sintered silicon carbide material with improved properties. The initial effort was to characterize the baseline precursor materials, develop mixing and injection molding procedures for fabricating test bars, and characterize the properties of the sintered materials. Parallel studies of various mixing, dewaxing, and sintering procedures were performed in order to distinguish process routes for improving material properties. A total of 276 modulus-of-rupture (MOR) bars of the baseline material was molded, and 122 bars were fully processed to a sinter density of approximately 95 percent. Fluid mixing techniques were developed which significantly reduced flaw size and improved the strength of the material. Initial MOR tests indicated that strength of the fluid-mixed material exceeds the baseline property by more than 33 percent. the baseline property by more than 33 percent.

Development of low-cost welding procedures for thick sections of HY-150 steel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmidt, P. M.; Snow, R. S.

1972-01-01

Low cost welding procedures were developed for welding 6-inch thick HY-150 steel to be used in the manufacture of large diameter motor case Y rings and nozzle attachment flanges. An extensive investigation was made of the mechanical and metallurgical properties and fracture toughness of HY-150 base plate and welds made with manual shielded metal arc process and semi-automatic gas metal arc process in the flat position. Transverse tensiles, all-weld metal tensiles, Charpy V-notch specimens and edge notched bend specimens were tested in the course of the program. In addition metallographic studies and hardness tests were performed on the weld, weld HAZ and base metal. The results of the work performed indicate that both the shielded metal arc and gas metal arc processes are capable of producing consistently sound welds as determined by radiographic and ultrasonic inspection. In addition, the weld metal, deposited by each process was found to exhibit a good combination of strength and toughness such that the selection of a rolled and welded procedure for fabricating rocket motor case components would appear to be technically feasible.

Efficient and robust relaxation procedures for multi-component mixtures including phase transition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Han, Ee, E-mail: eehan@math.uni-bremen.de; Hantke, Maren, E-mail: maren.hantke@ovgu.de; Müller, Siegfried, E-mail: mueller@igpm.rwth-aachen.de

We consider a thermodynamic consistent multi-component model in multi-dimensions that is a generalization of the classical two-phase flow model of Baer and Nunziato. The exchange of mass, momentum and energy between the phases is described by additional source terms. Typically these terms are handled by relaxation procedures. Available relaxation procedures suffer from efficiency and robustness resulting in very costly computations that in general only allow for one-dimensional computations. Therefore we focus on the development of new efficient and robust numerical methods for relaxation processes. We derive exact procedures to determine mechanical and thermal equilibrium states. Further we introduce a novelmore » iterative method to treat the mass transfer for a three component mixture. All new procedures can be extended to an arbitrary number of inert ideal gases. We prove existence, uniqueness and physical admissibility of the resulting states and convergence of our new procedures. Efficiency and robustness of the procedures are verified by means of numerical computations in one and two space dimensions. - Highlights: • We develop novel relaxation procedures for a generalized, thermodynamically consistent Baer–Nunziato type model. • Exact procedures for mechanical and thermal relaxation procedures avoid artificial parameters. • Existence, uniqueness and physical admissibility of the equilibrium states are proven for special mixtures. • A novel iterative method for mass transfer is introduced for a three component mixture providing a unique and admissible equilibrium state.« less

Improved definition of crustal magnetic anomalies for MAGSAT data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, R. D.; Frawley, J. F.; Davis, W. M.; Ray, R. D.; Didwall, E.; Regan, R. D. (Principal Investigator)

1982-01-01

The routine correction of MAGSAT vector magnetometer data for external field effects such as the ring current and the daily variation by filtering long wavelength harmonics from the data is described. Separation of fields due to low altitude sources from those caused by high altitude sources is affected by means of dual harmonic expansions in the solution of Dirichlet's problem. This regression/harmonic filter procedure is applied on an orbit by orbit basis, and initial tests on MAGSAT data from orbit 1176 show reduction in external field residuals by 24.33 nT RMS in the horizontal component, and 10.95 nT RMS in the radial component.

Lightning arrestor connector lead magnesium niobate qualification pellet test procedures.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tuohig, W.; Mahoney, Patrick A.; Tuttle, Bruce Andrew

2009-02-01

Enhanced knowledge preservation for DOE DP technical component activities has recently received much attention. As part of this recent knowledge preservation effort, improved documentation of the sample preparation and electrical testing procedures for lead magnesium niobate--lead titanate (PMN/PT) qualification pellets was completed. The qualification pellets are fabricated from the same parent powders used to produce PMN/PT lightning arrestor connector (LAC) granules at HWF&T. In our report, the procedures for fired pellet surface preparation, electrode deposition, electrical testing and data recording are described. The dielectric measurements described in our report are an information only test. Technical reasons for selecting the electrodemore » material, electrode size and geometry are presented. The electrical testing is based on measuring the dielectric constant and dissipation factor of the pellet during cooling from 280 C to 220 C. The most important data are the temperature for which the peak dielectric constant occurs (Curie Point temperature) and the peak dielectric constant magnitude. We determined that the peak dielectric constant for our procedure would be that measured at 1 kHz at the Curie Point. Both the peak dielectric constant and the Curie point parameters provide semi-quantitative information concerning the chemical and microstructural homogeneity of the parent material used for the production of PMN/PT granules for LACs. Finally, we have proposed flag limits for the dielectric data for the pellets. Specifically, if the temperature of the peak dielectric constant falls outside the range of 250 C {+-} 30 C we propose that a flag limit be imposed that will initiate communication between production agency and design agency personnel. If the peak dielectric constant measured falls outside the range 25,000 {+-} 10,000 we also propose that a flag limit be imposed.« less

Incorporating Comorbidity Within Risk Adjustment for UK Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

PubMed

Brown, Katherine L; Rogers, Libby; Barron, David J; Tsang, Victor; Anderson, David; Tibby, Shane; Witter, Thomas; Stickley, John; Crowe, Sonya; English, Kate; Franklin, Rodney C; Pagel, Christina

2017-07-01

When considering early survival rates after pediatric cardiac surgery it is essential to adjust for risk linked to case complexity. An important but previously less well understood component of case mix complexity is comorbidity. The National Congenital Heart Disease Audit data representing all pediatric cardiac surgery procedures undertaken in the United Kingdom and Ireland between 2009 and 2014 was used to develop and test groupings for comorbidity and additional non-procedure-based risk factors within a risk adjustment model for 30-day mortality. A mixture of expert consensus based opinion and empiric statistical analyses were used to define and test the new comorbidity groups. The study dataset consisted of 21,838 pediatric cardiac surgical procedure episodes in 18,834 patients with 539 deaths (raw 30-day mortality rate, 2.5%). In addition to surgical procedure type, primary cardiac diagnosis, univentricular status, age, weight, procedure type (bypass, nonbypass, or hybrid), and era, the new risk factor groups of non-Down congenital anomalies, acquired comorbidities, increased severity of illness indicators (eg, preoperative mechanical ventilation or circulatory support) and additional cardiac risk factors (eg, heart muscle conditions and raised pulmonary arterial pressure) all independently increased the risk of operative mortality. In an era of low mortality rates across a wide range of operations, non-procedure-based risk factors form a vital element of risk adjustment and their presence leads to wide variations in the predicted risk of a given operation. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Specific arithmetic calculation deficits in children with Turner syndrome.

PubMed

Rovet, J; Szekely, C; Hockenberry, M N

1994-12-01

Study 1 compared arithmetic processing skills on the WRAT-R in 45 girls with Turner syndrome (TS) and 92 age-matched female controls. Results revealed significant underachievement by subjects with TS, which reflected their poorer performance on problems requiring the retrieval of addition and multiplication facts and procedural knowledge for addition and division operations. TS subjects did not differ qualitatively from controls in type of procedural error committed. Study 2, which compared the performance of 10 subjects with TS and 31 controls on the Keymath Diagnostic Arithmetic Test, showed that the TS group had less adequate knowledge of arithmetic, subtraction, and multiplication procedures but did not differ from controls on Fact items. Error analyses revealed that TS subjects were more likely to confuse component steps or fail to separate intermediate steps or to complete problems. TS subjects relied to a greater degree on verbal than visual-spatial abilities in arithmetic processing while their visual-spatial abilities were associated with retrieval of simple multidigit addition facts and knowledge of subtraction, multiplication, and division procedures. Differences between the TS and control groups increased with age for Keymath, but not WRAT-R, procedures. Discrepant findings are related to the different task constraints (timed vs. untimed, single vs. alternate versions, size of item pool) and the use of different strategies (counting vs. fact retrieval). It is concluded that arithmetic difficulties in females with TS are due to less adequate procedural skills, combined with poorer fact retrieval in timed testing situations, rather than to inadequate visual-spatial abilities.

Guide for Oxygen Hazards Analyses on Components and Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoltzfus, Joel M.; Dees, Jesse; Poe, Robert F.

1996-01-01

Because most materials, including metals, will burn in an oxygen-enriched environment, hazards are always present when using oxygen. Most materials will ignite at lower temperatures in an oxygen-enriched environment than in air, and once ignited, combustion rates are greater in the oxygen-enriched environment. Many metals burn violently in an oxygen-enriched environment when ignited. Lubricants, tapes, gaskets, fuels, and solvents can increase the possibility of ignition in oxygen systems. However, these hazards do not preclude the use of oxygen. Oxygen may be safely used if all the materials in a system are not flammable in the end-use environment or if ignition sources are identified and controlled. These ignition and combustion hazards necessitate a proper oxygen hazards analysis before introducing a material or component into oxygen service. The objective of this test plan is to describe the White Sands Test Facility oxygen hazards analysis to be performed on components and systems before oxygen is introduced and is recommended before implementing the oxygen component qualification procedure. The plan describes the NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility method consistent with the ASTM documents for analyzing the hazards of components and systems exposed to an oxygen-enriched environment. The oxygen hazards analysis is a useful tool for oxygen-system designers, system engineers, and facility managers. Problem areas can be pinpointed before oxygen is introduced into the system, preventing damage to hardware and possible injury or loss of life.

COMPADRE: an R and web resource for pathway activity analysis by component decompositions.

PubMed

Ramos-Rodriguez, Roberto-Rafael; Cuevas-Diaz-Duran, Raquel; Falciani, Francesco; Tamez-Peña, Jose-Gerardo; Trevino, Victor

2012-10-15

The analysis of biological networks has become essential to study functional genomic data. Compadre is a tool to estimate pathway/gene sets activity indexes using sub-matrix decompositions for biological networks analyses. The Compadre pipeline also includes one of the direct uses of activity indexes to detect altered gene sets. For this, the gene expression sub-matrix of a gene set is decomposed into components, which are used to test differences between groups of samples. This procedure is performed with and without differentially expressed genes to decrease false calls. During this process, Compadre also performs an over-representation test. Compadre already implements four decomposition methods [principal component analysis (PCA), Isomaps, independent component analysis (ICA) and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF)], six statistical tests (t- and f-test, SAM, Kruskal-Wallis, Welch and Brown-Forsythe), several gene sets (KEGG, BioCarta, Reactome, GO and MsigDB) and can be easily expanded. Our simulation results shown in Supplementary Information suggest that Compadre detects more pathways than over-representation tools like David, Babelomics and Webgestalt and less false positives than PLAGE. The output is composed of results from decomposition and over-representation analyses providing a more complete biological picture. Examples provided in Supplementary Information show the utility, versatility and simplicity of Compadre for analyses of biological networks. Compadre is freely available at http://bioinformatica.mty.itesm.mx:8080/compadre. The R package is also available at https://sourceforge.net/p/compadre.

EHR in emergency rooms: exploring the effect of key information components on main complaints.

PubMed

Ben-Assuli, Ofir; Shabtai, Itamar; Leshno, Moshe; Hill, Shawndra

2014-04-01

This study characterizes the information components associated with improved medical decision-making in the emergency room (ER). We looked at doctors' decisions to use or not to use information available to them on an electronic health record (EHR) and a Health Information Exchange (HIE) network, and tested for associations between their decision and parameters related to healthcare outcomes and processes. Using information components from the EHR and HIE was significantly related to improved quality of healthcare processes. Specifically, it was associated with both a reduction in potentially avoidable admissions as well as a reduction in rapid readmissions. Overall, the three information components; namely, previous encounters, imaging, and lab results emerged as having the strongest relationship with physicians' decisions to admit or discharge. Certain information components, however, presented an association between the diagnosis and the admission decisions (blood pressure was the most strongly associated parameter in cases of chest pain complaints and a previous surgical record for abdominal pain). These findings show that the ability to access patients' medical history and their long term health conditions (via the EHR), including information about medications, diagnoses, recent procedures and laboratory tests is critical to forming an appropriate plan of care and eventually making more accurate admission decisions.

Compound estimation procedures in reliability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnes, Ron

1990-01-01

At NASA, components and subsystems of components in the Space Shuttle and Space Station generally go through a number of redesign stages. While data on failures for various design stages are sometimes available, the classical procedures for evaluating reliability only utilize the failure data on the present design stage of the component or subsystem. Often, few or no failures have been recorded on the present design stage. Previously, Bayesian estimators for the reliability of a single component, conditioned on the failure data for the present design, were developed. These new estimators permit NASA to evaluate the reliability, even when few or no failures have been recorded. Point estimates for the latter evaluation were not possible with the classical procedures. Since different design stages of a component (or subsystem) generally have a good deal in common, the development of new statistical procedures for evaluating the reliability, which consider the entire failure record for all design stages, has great intuitive appeal. A typical subsystem consists of a number of different components and each component has evolved through a number of redesign stages. The present investigations considered compound estimation procedures and related models. Such models permit the statistical consideration of all design stages of each component and thus incorporate all the available failure data to obtain estimates for the reliability of the present version of the component (or subsystem). A number of models were considered to estimate the reliability of a component conditioned on its total failure history from two design stages. It was determined that reliability estimators for the present design stage, conditioned on the complete failure history for two design stages have lower risk than the corresponding estimators conditioned only on the most recent design failure data. Several models were explored and preliminary models involving bivariate Poisson distribution and the Consael Process (a bivariate Poisson process) were developed. Possible short comings of the models are noted. An example is given to illustrate the procedures. These investigations are ongoing with the aim of developing estimators that extend to components (and subsystems) with three or more design stages.

Advanced Photon Source accelerator ultrahigh vacuum guide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, C.; Noonan, J.

1994-03-01

In this document the authors summarize the following: (1) an overview of basic concepts of ultrahigh vacuum needed for the APS project, (2) a description of vacuum design and calculations for major parts of APS, including linac, linac waveguide, low energy undulator test line, positron accumulator ring (PAR), booster synchrotron ring, storage ring, and insertion devices, and (3) cleaning procedures of ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) components presently used at APS.

Wind-tunnel procedure for determination of critical stability and control characteristics of airplanes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goett, Harry J; Jackson, Roy P; Belsley, Steven E

1944-01-01

This report outlines the flight conditions that are usually critical in determining the design of components of an airplane which affect its stability and control characteristics. The wind-tunnel tests necessary to determine the pertinent data for these conditions are indicated, and the methods of computation used to translate these data into characteristics which define the flying qualities of the airplane are illustrated.

Mutual interferences and design principles for mechatronic devices in magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Yu, Ningbo; Gassert, Roger; Riener, Robert

2011-07-01

Robotic and mechatronic devices that work compatibly with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are applied in diagnostic MRI, image-guided surgery, neurorehabilitation and neuroscience. MRI-compatible mechatronic systems must address the challenges imposed by the scanner's electromagnetic fields. We have developed objective quantitative evaluation criteria for device characteristics needed to formulate design guidelines that ensure MRI-compatibility based on safety, device functionality and image quality. The mutual interferences between an MRI system and mechatronic devices working in its vicinity are modeled and tested. For each interference, the involved components are listed, and a numerical measure for "MRI-compatibility" is proposed. These interferences are categorized into an MRI-compatibility matrix, with each element representing possible interactions between one part of the mechatronic system and one component of the electromagnetic fields. Based on this formulation, design principles for MRI-compatible mechatronic systems are proposed. Furthermore, test methods are developed to examine whether a mechatronic device indeed works without interferences within an MRI system. Finally, the proposed MRI-compatibility criteria and design guidelines have been applied to an actual design process that has been validated by the test procedures. Objective and quantitative MRI-compatibility measures for mechatronic and robotic devices have been established. Applying the proposed design principles, potential problems in safety, device functionality and image quality can be considered in the design phase to ensure that the mechatronic system will fulfill the MRI-compatibility criteria. New guidelines and test procedures for MRI instrument compatibility provide a rational basis for design and evaluation of mechatronic devices in various MRI applications. Designers can apply these criteria and use the tests, so that MRI-compatibility results can accrue to build an experiential database.

Progress in the blood supply of Afghanistan.

PubMed

Riley, William J; McCullough, Terri Konstenius; Rhamani, Ahmad Masoud; McCullough, Jeffrey

2017-07-01

The blood supply system in Afghanistan was badly damaged by years of conflict. In 2009, the Afghanistan National Blood Safety and Transfusion Service (ANBSTS) was established. For 6 years, we collaborated to assist with policy and infrastructure development; blood bank operations; blood collection, testing, and component production; transfusion practices; and training of technicians, nurses, midwives, and physicians. Policies were established, infrastructure was strengthened, and capable staff was acquired and trained. Standard operating procedures were developed, testing was improved, and quality systems were established. Thirty trainings were held for blood center staff. Four additional formal trainings were held for 39 physicians, 36 nurses and/or midwives, and 38 laboratory technicians. During 5 years of this project, blood collection increased by 40%. The ANBSTS has made impressive progress developing infrastructure, personnel, procedures, quality systems, and training programs and increasing blood collection. Knowledge of transfusion medicine was improved through structured training. © 2017 AABB.

Toward a laminar-flow-control transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sturgeon, R. F.

1978-01-01

Analyses were conducted to define a practical design for an advanced technology laminar flow control (LRC) transport for initial passenger operation in the early 1990's. Mission requirements, appropriate design criteria, and level of technology for the study aircraft were defined. The characteristics of the selected configuration were established, aircraft and LFC subsystems compatible with the mission requirements were defined, and the aircraft was evaluated in terms of fuel efficiency. A wing design integrating the LFC ducting and metering system into advanced composite wing structure was developed, manufacturing procedures for the surface panel design were established, and environmental and structural testing of surface panel components were conducted. Test results revealed a requirement for relatively minor changes in the manufacturing procedures employed, but have shown the general compatibility of both the selected design and the use of composite materials with the requirements of LFC wing surface panels.

Solutions for discharge chamber sputtering and anode deposit spalling in small mercury ion thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Power, J. L.; Hiznay, D. J.

1975-01-01

Proposed solutions to the problems of sputter erosion and sputtered material spalling in the discharge chamber of small mercury ion thrusters are presented. The accelerated life test evaluated three such proposed solutions: (1) the use of tantalum as a single low sputter yield material for the exposed surfaces of the discharge chamber components subject to sputtering, (2) the use of a severely roughened anode surface to improve the adhesion of the sputter-deposited coating, and (3) the use of a wire cloth anode surface in order to limit the size of any coating flakes which might spall from it. Because of the promising results obtained in the accelerated life test with anode surfaces roughened by grit-blasting, experiments were carried out to optimize the grit-blasting procedure. The experimental results and an optimal grit-blasting procedure are presented.

Verification of examination procedures in clinical laboratory for imprecision, trueness and diagnostic accuracy according to ISO 15189:2012: a pragmatic approach.

PubMed

Antonelli, Giorgia; Padoan, Andrea; Aita, Ada; Sciacovelli, Laura; Plebani, Mario

2017-08-28

Background The International Standard ISO 15189 is recognized as a valuable guide in ensuring high quality clinical laboratory services and promoting the harmonization of accreditation programmes in laboratory medicine. Examination procedures must be verified in order to guarantee that their performance characteristics are congruent with the intended scope of the test. The aim of the present study was to propose a practice model for implementing procedures employed for the verification of validated examination procedures already used for at least 2 years in our laboratory, in agreement with the ISO 15189 requirement at the Section 5.5.1.2. Methods In order to identify the operative procedure to be used, approved documents were identified, together with the definition of performance characteristics to be evaluated for the different methods; the examination procedures used in laboratory were analyzed and checked for performance specifications reported by manufacturers. Then, operative flow charts were identified to compare the laboratory performance characteristics with those declared by manufacturers. Results The choice of performance characteristics for verification was based on approved documents used as guidance, and the specific purpose tests undertaken, a consideration being made of: imprecision and trueness for quantitative methods; diagnostic accuracy for qualitative methods; imprecision together with diagnostic accuracy for semi-quantitative methods. Conclusions The described approach, balancing technological possibilities, risks and costs and assuring the compliance of the fundamental component of result accuracy, appears promising as an easily applicable and flexible procedure helping laboratories to comply with the ISO 15189 requirements.

Efficiency, cost-effectiveness and need of inversion in nutritional therapy. Importance of detecting and documenting undernutrition.

PubMed

Morán López, Jesús Manuel; Piedra León, María; Beneítez Moralejo, Belén; Enciso Izquierdo, Fidel Jesús; Luengo Pérez, Luis Miguel; Amado Señaris, José Antonio

2016-06-01

Disease Related Malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent in Spanish hospitals. WHO estimates that 20-40% of health-associated expenses are lost due to inefficiency. Demonstration that DRM is a component of inefficiency and hiring a specialist physician for its detection and treatment is cost-effective. Comparison between nutritional diagnosis and procedures detected and encoded at discharge using McNemar test. Recoding of 162 discharge reports including nutritional diagnoses and procedures. Determine changes on Case-Mix Index (IC), cost of procedure and cost procedure/DRG index. Comparison using T-student paired test. Only 10 of 162 diagnoses of malnutrition were coded in delivery statements (p < 0.001). After right codification, IC increased in 103,3 DRG points (p < 0.001). Consequently, procedure cost/DRG index was reduced in 978.81 € (p < 0.001). DRM is underdiagnosed in our hospital. DRM and nutritional procedures detection by a doctor specialist in clinical nutrition led to a reduction in cost procedure/DRG index of 16.8% of officially established by the Health System. Loss of 16.8% of health expenses, estimated in 424.785,15 € was described. Proper codification would have justified 343.291,2 € reimbursement just for nutritional diagnoses and processes. Both expenses were lost due to system's inefficiency. Those amounts are much higher than cost associated of hiring a specialist in clinical nutrition. Copyright © 2016 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Efficiency, cost-effectiveness and justification of need for investment in nutrition therapy in a hospital of third level; the role of specialists in endocrinology and nutrition and the coding unit].

PubMed

Morán López, Jesús Manuel; Enciso Izquierdo, Fidel Jesús; Beneítez Moralejo, Belén; Luengo Pérez, Luis Miguel; Piedra León, María; Amado Señaris, José Antonio

2015-04-01

Disease Related Malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent in Spanish hospitals. WHO estimates that 20-40% of health-associated expenses are lost due to inefficiency. Demonstration that DRM is a component of inefficiency and hiring a specialist physician for its detection and treatment is cost-effective. Comparison between nutritional diagnosis and procedures detected and encoded at discharge using McNemar test. Recoding of 55 discharge reports including nutritional diagnoses and procedures. Determine changes on Case-Mix Index (IC), cost of procedure and cost procedure/GRD index. Comparison using Wilcoxon test. Only 2 of 55 diagnoses of malnutrition were coded in delivery statements (p<0,001). After right codification,IC increased in 42,67 GRD points (p<0,05). Consequently, procedure cost/GRD index was reduced in 976,81€ (p<0,05). DRM is underdiagnosed in our hospital. DRM and nutritional procedures detection by a specialist on endocrinology and nutrition led to a reduction in cost procedure/GRD index of 20% of officially established by the Health System. Loss of 20% of health expenses,estimated in 172690€ was described. Proper codification would have justified 154581€ reimbursement just for nutritional diagnoses and processes. Both expenses were lost due to system's inefficiency. Those amounts are much higher than cost associated of hiring a specialist, so there is no economic reason for denying it. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

20 Meter Solar Sail Analysis and Correlation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taleghani, B. K.; Lively, P. S.; Banik, J.; Murphy, D. M.; Trautt, T. A.

2005-01-01

This paper describes finite element analyses and correlation studies to predict deformations and vibration modes/frequencies of a 20-meter solar sail system developed by ATK Space Systems. Under the programmatic leadership of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's In-Space Propulsion activity, the 20-meter solar sail program objectives were to verify the design, to assess structural responses of the sail system, to implement lessons learned from a previous 10-meter quadrant system analysis and test program, and to mature solar sail technology to a technology readiness level (TRL) of 5. For this 20 meter sail system, static and ground vibration tests were conducted in NASA Glenn Research Center's 100 meter diameter vacuum chamber at Plum Brook station. Prior to testing, a preliminary analysis was performed to evaluate test conditions and to determine sensor and actuator locations. After testing was completed, an analysis of each test configuration was performed. Post-test model refinements included updated properties to account for the mass of sensors, wiring, and other components used for testing. This paper describes the development of finite element models (FEM) for sail membranes and masts in each of four quadrants at both the component and system levels, as well as an optimization procedure for the static test/analyses correlation.

Evaluating the role of clinical pharmacists in pre-procedural anticoagulation management.

PubMed

Kataruka, Akash; Renner, Elizabeth; Barnes, Geoffrey D

2018-02-01

While physicians are typically responsible for managing perioperative warfarin, clinic pharmacists may improve pre-procedural decision-making. We assessed the impact of pharmacist-driven care for chronic warfarin-treated patients undergoing outpatient right heart catheterization (RHC). 200 warfarin patients who underwent RHC between January 2012 and September 2015 were analyzed. Pharmacist-care (n = 79) was compared to the usual care model (n = 121). The primary outcome was a composite of (1) documentation of anticoagulation plan, (2) holding warfarin at least 5 days prior to procedure, (3) guideline-congruent low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) bridging, and (4) correct LMWH dosing if bridging deemed necessary. Chi-squared test performed to assess the role of pharmacist. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to the composite endpoint, adjusted for the month of procedure. Compared to the usual care model, pharmacist-driven care (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.73-12.71, p = 0.002) and date of the procedure (OR 1.06/month, 95% CI 1.01-1.10, p = 0.011) were independently associated with the primary composite outcome. Of the individual outcome components, pharmacist-driven care was only associated with documentation (96.2% vs. 67.8%, OR 9.19, 95% CI 2.19-38.62, p = 0.002). Remaining components including hold warfarin for at least 5 days, appropriate bridging and correct LMWH dosing were not significantly associated with pharmacist-care. Pharmacist-care is associated with better guideline-based anticoagulation management, but this was primarily driven by improved documentation. The impact of pharmacist managed peri-procedural anticoagulation on clinical outcomes remains unknown.

A Preliminary Investigation of Dynamic Assessment With Native American Kindergartners.

PubMed

Ukrainetz, Teresa A; Harpell, Stacey; Walsh, Chandra; Coyle, Catherine

2000-04-01

This study examined dynamic assessment as a lessbiased evaluation procedure for assessing the languagelearning ability of Native American children. Twenty-three Arapahoe/Shoshone kindergartners were identified as stronger (n = 15) or weaker (n = 8) language learners through teacher report and examiner classroom observation. Through a test-teach-test protocol, participants were briefly taught the principles of categorization. Participant responses to learning were measured in terms of an index of modifiability and post-test categorization scores. The modifiability index, determined during the teaching phase, was a combined score reflecting the child's learning strategies, such as ability to attend, plan, and self-regulate, and the child's responses to the learning situation. Post-test scores consisted of performance on expressive and receptive subtests from a standardized categorization test after partialling out pretest score differences. Effect sizes and confidence intervals were also determined. Group and individual results indicated that modifiability and post-test scores were significantly greater for stronger than for weaker language learners. The response to modifiability components was a better discriminator than was the learner strategies components. These results provide support for the further development of dynamic assessment as a valid measure of language learning ability in minority children.

Application of a computerized vibroacoustic data bank for random vibration criteria development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferebee, R. C.

1982-01-01

A computerized data bank system was developed for utilization of large amounts of vibration and acoustic data to formulate component random vibration design and test criteria. This system consists of a computer, graphics tablets, and a dry silver hard copier which are all desk top type hardware and occupy minimal space. Currently, the data bank contains data from the Saturn 5 and Titan 3 flight and static test programs. The vibration and acoustic data are stored in the form of power spectral density and one third octave band plots over the frequency range from 20 to 2000 Hz. The data were stored by digitizing each spectral plot by tracing with the graphics tablet. The digitized data were statistically analyzed, and the resulting 97.5 percent confidence levels were stored on tape along with the appropriate structural parameters. Standard extrapolation procedures were programmed for prediction of component random vibration test criteria for new launch vehicle and payload configurations. A user's manual is included to guide potential users through the programs.

Quality control of FWC during assembly and commissioning in SST-1 Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Hitesh; Santra, Prosenjit; Parekh, Tejas; Biswas, Prabal; Jayswal, Snehal; Chauhan, Pradeep; Paravastu, Yuvakiran; George, Siju; Semwal, Pratibha; Thankey, Prashant; Ramesh, Gattu; Prakash, Arun; Dhanani, Kalpesh; Raval, D. C.; Khan, Ziauddin; Pradhan, Subrata

2017-04-01

First Wall Components (FWC) of SST-1 tokamak, which are in the immediate vicinity of plasma, comprises of limiters, divertors, baffles, passive stabilizers designed to operate long duration (∼1000 s) discharges of elongated plasma. All FWC consist of copper alloy heat sink modules with SS cooling tubes brazed onto it, graphite tiles acting as armour material facing the plasma, and are mounted to the vacuum vessels with suitable Inconel support structures at inter-connected ring & port locations. The FWC are very recently assembled and commissioned successfully inside the vacuum vessel of SST-1 undergoing a rigorous quality control and checks at every stage of the assembly process. This paper will present the quality control aspects and checks of FWC from commencement of assembly procedure, namely material test reports, leak testing of high temperature baked components, assembled dimensional tolerances, leak testing of all welded joints, graphite tile tightening torques, electrical continuity and electrical isolation of passive stabilizers from vacuum vessel, baking and cooling hydraulic connections inside vacuum vessel.

Urban Monitoring Based on SENTINEL-1 Data Using Permanent Scatterer Interferometry and SAR Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crosetto, M.; Budillon, A.; Johnsy, A.; Schirinzi, G.; Devanthéry, N.; Monserrat, O.; Cuevas-González, M.

2018-04-01

A lot of research and development has been devoted to the exploitation of satellite SAR images for deformation measurement and monitoring purposes since Differential Interferometric Synthetic Apertura Radar (InSAR) was first described in 1989. In this work, we consider two main classes of advanced DInSAR techniques: Persistent Scatterer Interferometry and Tomographic SAR. Both techniques make use of multiple SAR images acquired over the same site and advanced procedures to separate the deformation component from the other phase components, such as the residual topographic component, the atmospheric component, the thermal expansion component and the phase noise. TomoSAR offers the advantage of detecting either single scatterers presenting stable proprieties over time (Persistent Scatterers) and multiple scatterers interfering within the same range-azimuth resolution cell, a significant improvement for urban areas monitoring. This paper addresses a preliminary inter-comparison of the results of both techniques, for a test site located in the metropolitan area of Barcelona (Spain), where interferometric Sentinel-1 data were analysed.

CRISM Hyperspectral Data Filtering with Application to MSL Landing Site Selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seelos, F. P.; Parente, M.; Clark, T.; Morgan, F.; Barnouin-Jha, O. S.; McGovern, A.; Murchie, S. L.; Taylor, H.

2009-12-01

We report on the development and implementation of a custom filtering procedure for Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) IR hyperspectral data that is suitable for incorporation into the CRISM Reduced Data Record (RDR) calibration pipeline. Over the course of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Primary Science Phase (PSP) and the ongoing Extended Science Phase (ESP) CRISM has operated with an IR detector temperature between ~107 K and ~127 K. This ~20 K range in operational temperature has resulted in variable data quality, with observations acquired at higher detector temperatures exhibiting a marked increase in both systematic and stochastic noise. The CRISM filtering procedure consists of two main data processing capabilities. The primary systematic noise component in CRISM IR data appears as along track or column oriented striping. This is addressed by the robust derivation and application of an inter-column ratio correction frame. The correction frame is developed through the serial evaluation of band specific column ratio statistics and so does not compromise the spectral fidelity of the image cube. The dominant CRISM IR stochastic noise components appear as isolated data spikes or column oriented segments of variable length with erroneous data values. The non-systematic noise is identified and corrected through the application of an iterative-recursive kernel modeling procedure which employs a formal statistical outlier test as the iteration control and recursion termination criterion. This allows the filtering procedure to make a statistically supported determination between high frequency (spatial/spectral) signal and high frequency noise based on the information content of a given multidimensional data kernel. The governing statistical test also allows the kernel filtering procedure to be self regulating and adaptive to the intrinsic noise level in the data. The CRISM IR filtering procedure is scheduled to be incorporated into the next augmentation of the CRISM IR calibration (version 3). The filtering algorithm will be applied to the I/F data (IF) delivered to the Planetary Data System (PDS), but the radiance on sensor data (RA) will remain unfiltered. The development of CRISM hyperspectral analysis products in support of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) landing site selection process has motivated the advance of CRISM-specific data processing techniques. The quantitative results of the CRISM IR filtering procedure as applied to CRISM observations acquired in support of MSL landing site selection will be presented.

Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Engineering Unit 2 (ASRG EU2) Final Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oriti, Salvatore M.

2015-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has recently completed the assembly of a unique Stirling generator test article for laboratory experimentation. Under the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) flight development contract, NASA GRC initiated a task to design and fabricate a flight-like generator for in-house testing. This test article was given the name ASRG Engineering Unit 2 (EU2) as it was effectively the second engineering unit to be built within the ASRG project. The intent of the test article was to duplicate Lockheed Martin's qualification unit ASRG design as much as possible to enable system-level tests not previously possible at GRC. After the cancellation of the ASRG flight development project, the decision was made to continue the EU2 build, and make use of a portion of the hardware from the flight development project. GRC and Lockheed Martin engineers collaborated to develop assembly procedures, leveraging the valuable knowledge gathered by Lockheed Martin during the ASRG development contract. The ASRG EU2 was then assembled per these procedures at GRC with Lockheed Martin engineers on site. The assembly was completed in August 2014. This paper details the components that were used for the assembly, and the assembly process itself.

Performance testing of supercapacitors: Important issues and uncertainties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jingyuan; Gao, Yinghan; Burke, Andrew F.

2017-09-01

Supercapacitors are a promising technology for high power energy storage, which have been used in some industrial and vehicles applications. Hence, it is important that information concerning the performance of supercapacitors be detailed and reliable so system designers can make rational decisions regarding the selection of the energy storage components. This paper is concerned with important issues and uncertainties regarding the performance testing of supercapacitors. The effect of different test procedures on the measured characteristics of both commercial and prototype supercapacitors including hybrid supercapacitors have been studied. It was found that the test procedure has a relatively minor effect on the capacitance of carbon/carbon devices and a more significant effect on the capacitance of hybrid supercapacitors. The device characteristic with the greatest uncertainty is the resistance and subsequently the claimed power capability of the device. The energy density should be measured by performing constant power discharges between appropriate voltage limits. This is particularly important in the case of hybrid supercapacitors for which the energy density is rate dependent and the simple relationship E = ½CV2 does not yield accurate estimates of the energy stored. In general, most of the important issues for testing carbon/carbon devices become more serious for hybrid supercapacitors.

Experimental Analysis of a Four-Component Procedure for Decreasing Noncompliance in a Preschool Child.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Regina M.; And Others

In this study a 4-component procedure designed to decrease a 4-year-old child's noncompliance behaviors was experimentally analyzed as to the effectiveness of the separate components of the package. Once experimental control had been demonstrated and the subject's noncompliance behaviors had been decreased to an acceptable level, separate analyses…

Design procedures for fiber composite structural components - Rods, beams, and beam columns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, C. C.

1984-01-01

Step by step procedures are described which are used to design structural components (rods, columns, and beam columns) subjected to steady state mechanical loads and hydrothermal environments. Illustrative examples are presented for structural components designed for static tensile and compressive loads, and fatigue as well as for moisture and temperature effects. Each example is set up as a sample design illustrating the detailed steps that are used to design similar components.

Design procedures for fiber composite structural components: Rods, columns and beam columns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, C. C.

1983-01-01

Step by step procedures are described which are used to design structural components (rods, columns, and beam columns) subjected to steady state mechanical loads and hydrothermal environments. Illustrative examples are presented for structural components designed for static tensile and compressive loads, and fatigue as well as for moisture and temperature effects. Each example is set up as a sample design illustrating the detailed steps that are used to design similar components.

Development of replicated optics for AXAF-1 XDA testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Engelhaupt, Darell; Wilson, Michele; Martin, Greg

1995-01-01

Advanced optical systems for applications such as grazing incidence Wolter I x-ray mirror assemblies require extraordinary mirror surfaces in terms of fine finish and surface figure. The impeccable mirror surface is on the inside of the rotational mirror form. One practical method of producing devices with these requirements is to first fabricate an exterior surface for the optical device then replicate that surface to have the inverse component with lightweight characteristics. The replicated optic is not better than the master or mandrel from which it is made. This task identifies methods and materials for forming these extremely low roughness optical components. The objectives of this contract were to (1) prepare replication samples of electroless nickel coated aluminum, and determine process requirements for plating XDA test optic; (2) prepare and assemble plating equipment required to process a demonstration optic; (3) characterize mandrels, replicas and test samples for residual stress, surface contamination and surface roughness and figure using equipment at MSFC and; (4) provide technical expertise in establishing the processes, procedures, supplies and equipment needed to process the XDA test optics.

On the isolation of elemental carbon for micro-molar 14C accelerator mass spectrometry; evaluation of alternative isolation procedures, and accuracy assurance using a hybrid isotopic particulate carbon reference material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Currie, L. A.; Kessler, J. D.

2005-05-01

The primary objective of the research reported here has been the development of an hybrid reference material (RM) to serve as a test of accuracy for elemental carbon (EC) isotopic (14C) speciation measurements. Such measurements are critically important for the quantitative apportionment of fossil and biomass sources of ''soot'' (EC), the tracer of fire that has profound effects on health, atmospheric visibility, and climate. Previous studies of 14C-EC measurement quality, carried out with NIST SRM 1649a (Urban Dust), showed a range of results, but since the ''truth'' was not known for this natural matrix RM, one had to rely on isotopic-chemical consistency evidence (14C in PAH, EC) of measurement validity (Currie et al., 2002). Components of the new Hybrid RM (DiesApple), however, have known 14C and EC composition, and they are nearly orthogonal (isotopically and chemically). NIST SRM 2975 (Forklift Diesel Soot) has little or no 14C, and its major compositional component is EC. SRM 1515 (Apple Leaves) has the 14C content of biomass-C, and it has little or no EC. Thus, the hybrid RM can serve as an absolute isotopic test for the absence of EC-mimicking pyrolysis-C from SRM 1515 in the EC isolate of the hybrid RM, together with testing for conservation of its dominant soot fraction through the isolation procedure.

Validation of Modifications to the ANSR(®) Listeria Method for Improved Ease of Use and Performance.

PubMed

Caballero, Oscar; Alles, Susan; Le, Quynh-Nhi; Gray, R Lucas; Hosking, Edan; Pinkava, Lisa; Norton, Paul; Tolan, Jerry; Mozola, Mark; Rice, Jennifer; Chen, Yi; Odumeru, Joseph; Ryser, Elliot

2016-01-01

A study was conducted to validate minor reagent formulation, enrichment, and procedural changes to the ANSR(®) Listeria method, Performance-Tested Method(SM) 101202. In order to improve ease of use and diminish risk of amplicon contamination, the lyophilized reagent components were reformulated for increased solubility, thus eliminating the need to mix by pipetting. In the alternative procedure, an aliquot of the lysate is added to lyophilized ANSR reagents, immediately capped, and briefly mixed by vortexing. When three foods (hot dogs, Mexican-style cheese, and cantaloupe) and sponge samples taken from a stainless steel surface were tested, significant differences in performance between the ANSR and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual or U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook reference culture procedures were seen with hot dogs and Mexican-style cheese after 16 h enrichment, with the reference methods producing more positive results. After 24 h enrichment, however, there were no significant differences in method performance for any of the four matrixes tested. Robustness testing was also conducted, with variations to lysis buffer volume, lysis time, and sample volume having no demonstrable effect on assay results. Accelerated stability testing was carried out over a 10-week period and showed no diminishment in assay performance. A second phase of the study examined performance of the ANSR assay following enrichment in a new medium, LESS Plus broth, designed for use with all food and environmental sample types. With the alternative LESS Plus broth, there were no significant differences in performance between the ANSR method and the reference culture procedures for any of the matrixes tested after either 16 or 24 h enrichment, although 24 h enrichment is recommended for hot dogs due to higher sensitivity. Results of inclusivity and exclusivity testing using LESS Plus broth showed that the ANSR assay is highly specific, with 100% expected results for target and nontarget bacteria.

UAS-NAS Flight Test Series 3: Test Environment Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoang, Ty; Murphy, Jim; Otto, Neil

2016-01-01

The desire and ability to fly Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) is of increasing urgency. The application of unmanned aircraft to perform national security, defense, scientific, and emergency management are driving the critical need for less restrictive access by UAS to the NAS. UAS represent a new capability that will provide a variety of services in the government (public) and commercial (civil) aviation sectors. The growth of this potential industry has not yet been realized due to the lack of a common understanding of what is required to safely operate UAS in the NAS. NASA's UAS Integration in the NAS Project is conducting research in the areas of Separation Assurance/Sense and Avoid Interoperability (SSI), Human Systems Integration (HSI), and Communications (Comm), and Certification to support reducing the barriers of UAS access to the NAS. This research is broken into two research themes namely, UAS Integration and Test Infrastructure. UAS Integration focuses on airspace integration procedures and performance standards to enable UAS integration in the air transportation system, covering Detect and Avoid (DAA) performance standards, command and control performance standards, and human systems integration. The focus of Test Infrastructure is to enable development and validation of airspace integration procedures and performance standards, including integrated test and evaluation. In support of the integrated test and evaluation efforts, the Project will develop an adaptable, scalable, and schedulable relevant test environment capable of evaluating concepts and technologies for unmanned aircraft systems to safely operate in the NAS. To accomplish this task, the Project is conducting a series of human-in-the-loop (HITL) and flight test activities that integrate key concepts, technologies and/or procedures in a relevant air traffic environment. Each of the integrated events will build on the technical achievements, fidelity, and complexity of the previous tests and technical simulations, resulting in research findings that support the development of regulations governing the access of UAS into the NAS. The integrated events started with two initial flight test used to develop and test early integrations and components of the test environment. Test subjects and a relevant test environment were brought in for the integrated HITL (or IHITL) conducted in 2014. The IHITL collected data to evaluate the effectiveness of DAA Well Clear (DWC) algorithms and the acceptability of UAS concepts integrated into the NAS. The first integrated flight test (and the subject of this report) followed the IHITL by replacing the simulation components with live aircraft. The project finishes the integrated events with a final flight test to be conducted in 2016 that provides the researchers with an opportunity to collect DWC and Collision Avoidance (CA) interoperability data during flight encounters.

Terahertz multistatic reflection imaging.

PubMed

Dorney, Timothy D; Symes, William W; Baraniuk, Richard G; Mittleman, Daniel M

2002-07-01

We describe a new imaging method using single-cycle pulses of terahertz (THz) radiation. This technique emulates the data collection and image processing procedures developed for geophysical prospecting and is made possible by the availability of fiber-coupled THz receiver antennas. We use a migration procedure to solve the inverse problem; this permits us to reconstruct the location, the shape, and the refractive index of targets. We show examples for both metallic and dielectric model targets, and we perform velocity analysis on dielectric targets to estimate the refractive indices of imaged components. These results broaden the capabilities of THz imaging systems and also demonstrate the viability of the THz system as a test bed for the exploration of new seismic processing methods.

X-ray digital industrial radiography (DIR) for local liquid velocity (VLL) measurement in trickle bed reactors (TBRs): Validation of the technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohd Salleh, Khairul Anuar; Rahman, Mohd Fitri Abdul; Lee, Hyoung Koo; Al Dahhan, Muthanna H.

2014-06-01

Local liquid velocity measurements in Trickle Bed Reactors (TBRs) are one of the essential components in its hydrodynamic studies. These measurements are used to effectively determine a reactor's operating condition. This study was conducted to validate a newly developed technique that combines Digital Industrial Radiography (DIR) with Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) to measure the Local Liquid Velocity (VLL) inside TBRs. Three millimeter-sized Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) beads were used as packing material. Three validation procedures were designed to test the newly developed technique. All procedures and statistical approaches provided strong evidence that the technique can be used to measure the VLL within TBRs.

Seismic Retrofit for Electric Power Systems

DOE PAGES

Romero, Natalia; Nozick, Linda K.; Dobson, Ian; ...

2015-05-01

Our paper develops a two-stage stochastic program and solution procedure to optimize the selection of seismic retrofit strategies to increase the resilience of electric power systems against earthquake hazards. The model explicitly considers the range of earthquake events that are possible and, for each, an approximation of the distribution of damage experienced. Furthermore, this is important because electric power systems are spatially distributed and so their performance is driven by the distribution of component damage. We also test this solution procedure against the nonlinear integer solver in LINGO 13 and apply the formulation and solution strategy to the Eastern Interconnection,more » where seismic hazard stems from the New Madrid seismic zone.« less

X-ray digital industrial radiography (DIR) for local liquid velocity (V(LL)) measurement in trickle bed reactors (TBRs): validation of the technique.

PubMed

Mohd Salleh, Khairul Anuar; Rahman, Mohd Fitri Abdul; Lee, Hyoung Koo; Al Dahhan, Muthanna H

2014-06-01

Local liquid velocity measurements in Trickle Bed Reactors (TBRs) are one of the essential components in its hydrodynamic studies. These measurements are used to effectively determine a reactor's operating condition. This study was conducted to validate a newly developed technique that combines Digital Industrial Radiography (DIR) with Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) to measure the Local Liquid Velocity (V(LL)) inside TBRs. Three millimeter-sized Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) beads were used as packing material. Three validation procedures were designed to test the newly developed technique. All procedures and statistical approaches provided strong evidence that the technique can be used to measure the V(LL) within TBRs.

Chronic Constriction Injury of the Infraorbital Nerve in the Rat using modified syringe needle

PubMed Central

Kernisant, Melanie; Gear, Robert; Jasmin, Luc; Vit, Jean-Philippe; Ohara, Peter T.

2008-01-01

Here we report a method for performing a chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the infraorbital nerve (ION) in the rat as a component of a chronic pain model. The surgical approach to the ION is described together with the use of a modified dental syringe needle that simplifies placing two chromic gut ligatures around the ION. This method makes the surgical procedure easier, the nerve injury more consistent across animals and reduces secondary damage to the ION and surrounding tissue. Pain behavior testing together with immunostaining for markers of nerve injury in the spinal trigeminal nucleus show the suitability of this procedure as a model of orofacial pain. PMID:18501433

Varying levels of difficulty index of skills-test items randomly selected by examinees on the Korean emergency medical technician licensing examination.

PubMed

Koh, Bongyeun; Hong, Sunggi; Kim, Soon-Sim; Hyun, Jin-Sook; Baek, Milye; Moon, Jundong; Kwon, Hayran; Kim, Gyoungyong; Min, Seonggi; Kang, Gu-Hyun

2016-01-01

The goal of this study was to characterize the difficulty index of the items in the skills test components of the class I and II Korean emergency medical technician licensing examination (KEMTLE), which requires examinees to select items randomly. The results of 1,309 class I KEMTLE examinations and 1,801 class II KEMTLE examinations in 2013 were subjected to analysis. Items from the basic and advanced skills test sections of the KEMTLE were compared to determine whether some were significantly more difficult than others. In the class I KEMTLE, all 4 of the items on the basic skills test showed significant variation in difficulty index (P<0.01), as well as 4 of the 5 items on the advanced skills test (P<0.05). In the class II KEMTLE, 4 of the 5 items on the basic skills test showed significantly different difficulty index (P<0.01), as well as all 3 of the advanced skills test items (P<0.01). In the skills test components of the class I and II KEMTLE, the procedure in which examinees randomly select questions should be revised to require examinees to respond to a set of fixed items in order to improve the reliability of the national licensing examination.

Road Asphalt Pavements Analyzed by Airborne Thermal Remote Sensing: Preliminary Results of the Venice Highway.

PubMed

Pascucci, Simone; Bassani, Cristiana; Palombo, Angelo; Poscolieri, Maurizio; Cavalli, Rosa

2008-02-22

This paper describes a fast procedure for evaluating asphalt pavement surface defects using airborne emissivity data. To develop this procedure, we used airborne multispectral emissivity data covering an urban test area close to Venice (Italy).For this study, we first identify and select the roads' asphalt pavements on Multispectral Infrared Visible Imaging Spectrometer (MIVIS) imagery using a segmentation procedure. Next, since in asphalt pavements the surface defects are strictly related to the decrease of oily components that cause an increase of the abundance of surfacing limestone, the diagnostic absorption emissivity peak at 11.2μm of the limestone was used for retrieving from MIVIS emissivity data the areas exhibiting defects on asphalt pavements surface.The results showed that MIVIS emissivity allows establishing a threshold that points out those asphalt road sites on which a check for a maintenance intervention is required. Therefore, this technique can supply local government authorities an efficient, rapid and repeatable road mapping procedure providing the location of the asphalt pavements to be checked.

Robust estimation for partially linear models with large-dimensional covariates

PubMed Central

Zhu, LiPing; Li, RunZe; Cui, HengJian

2014-01-01

We are concerned with robust estimation procedures to estimate the parameters in partially linear models with large-dimensional covariates. To enhance the interpretability, we suggest implementing a noncon-cave regularization method in the robust estimation procedure to select important covariates from the linear component. We establish the consistency for both the linear and the nonlinear components when the covariate dimension diverges at the rate of o(n), where n is the sample size. We show that the robust estimate of linear component performs asymptotically as well as its oracle counterpart which assumes the baseline function and the unimportant covariates were known a priori. With a consistent estimator of the linear component, we estimate the nonparametric component by a robust local linear regression. It is proved that the robust estimate of nonlinear component performs asymptotically as well as if the linear component were known in advance. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and an application is presented to examine the finite-sample performance of the proposed procedures. PMID:24955087

Robust estimation for partially linear models with large-dimensional covariates.

PubMed

Zhu, LiPing; Li, RunZe; Cui, HengJian

2013-10-01

We are concerned with robust estimation procedures to estimate the parameters in partially linear models with large-dimensional covariates. To enhance the interpretability, we suggest implementing a noncon-cave regularization method in the robust estimation procedure to select important covariates from the linear component. We establish the consistency for both the linear and the nonlinear components when the covariate dimension diverges at the rate of [Formula: see text], where n is the sample size. We show that the robust estimate of linear component performs asymptotically as well as its oracle counterpart which assumes the baseline function and the unimportant covariates were known a priori. With a consistent estimator of the linear component, we estimate the nonparametric component by a robust local linear regression. It is proved that the robust estimate of nonlinear component performs asymptotically as well as if the linear component were known in advance. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and an application is presented to examine the finite-sample performance of the proposed procedures.

Evaluation results of xTCA equipment for HEP experiments at CERN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Cosmo, M.; Bobillier, V.; Haas, S.; Joos, M.; Mico, S.; Vasey, F.; Vichoudis, P.

2013-12-01

The MicroTCA and AdvancedTCA industry standards are candidate modular electronic platforms for the upgrade of the current generation of high energy physics experiments. The PH-ESE group at CERN launched in 2011 the xTCA evaluation project with the aim of performing technical evaluations and eventually providing support for commercially available components. Different devices from different vendors have been acquired, evaluated and interoperability tests have been performed. This paper presents the test procedures and facilities that have been developed and focuses on the evaluation results including electrical, thermal and interoperability aspects.

Long life assurance study for manned spacecraft long life hardware. Volume 4: Special long life assurance studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Guidelines for the selection of equipment to be used for manned spacecraft in order to assure a five year maintenance-free service life were developed. A special study was conducted to determine the adequacy of the procedures used to determine the quality and effectiveness of various components. The subjects examined are: (1) temperature cycling for acceptance of electronic assemblies; (2) accelerated testing techniques; (3) electronic part screening techniques; (4) electronic part derating practices; (5) vibration life extension of printed circuit board assemblies; and (6) tolerance funnelling and test requirements.

Examining Construct Congruence for Psychometric Tests: A Note on an Extension to Binary Items and Nesting Effects.

PubMed

Raykov, Tenko; Marcoulides, George A; Dimitrov, Dimiter M; Li, Tatyana

2018-02-01

This article extends the procedure outlined in the article by Raykov, Marcoulides, and Tong for testing congruence of latent constructs to the setting of binary items and clustering effects. In this widely used setting in contemporary educational and psychological research, the method can be used to examine if two or more homogeneous multicomponent instruments with distinct components measure the same construct. The approach is useful in scale construction and development research as well as in construct validation investigations. The discussed method is illustrated with data from a scholastic aptitude assessment study.

Virtual blood bank

PubMed Central

Wong, Kit Fai

2011-01-01

Virtual blood bank is the computer-controlled, electronically linked information management system that allows online ordering and real-time, remote delivery of blood for transfusion. It connects the site of testing to the point of care at a remote site in a real-time fashion with networked computers thus maintaining the integrity of immunohematology test results. It has taken the advantages of information and communication technologies to ensure the accuracy of patient, specimen and blood component identification and to enhance personnel traceability and system security. The built-in logics and process constraints in the design of the virtual blood bank can guide the selection of appropriate blood and minimize transfusion risk. The quality of blood inventory is ascertained and monitored, and an audit trail for critical procedures in the transfusion process is provided by the paperless system. Thus, the virtual blood bank can help ensure that the right patient receives the right amount of the right blood component at the right time. PMID:21383930

Laser transit anemometer software development program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbiss, John B.

1989-01-01

Algorithms were developed for the extraction of two components of mean velocity, standard deviation, and the associated correlation coefficient from laser transit anemometry (LTA) data ensembles. The solution method is based on an assumed two-dimensional Gaussian probability density function (PDF) model of the flow field under investigation. The procedure consists of transforming the data ensembles from the data acquisition domain (consisting of time and angle information) to the velocity space domain (consisting of velocity component information). The mean velocity results are obtained from the data ensemble centroid. Through a least squares fitting of the transformed data to an ellipse representing the intersection of a plane with the PDF, the standard deviations and correlation coefficient are obtained. A data set simulation method is presented to test the data reduction process. Results of using the simulation system with a limited test matrix of input values is also given.

LIHE Spectral Dynamics and Jaguar Data Acquisition System Measurement Assurance Results 2014.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Covert, Timothy T.; Willis, Michael David; Radtke, Gregg Arthur

2015-06-01

The Light Initiated High Explosive (LIHE) facility performs high rigor, high consequence impulse testing for the nuclear weapons (NW) community. To support the facility mission, LIHE's extensive data acquisition system (DAS) is comprised of several discrete components as well as a fully integrated system. Due to the high consequence and high rigor of the testing performed at LIHE, a measurement assurance plan (MAP) was developed in collaboration with NW system customers to meet their data quality needs and to provide assurance of the robustness of the LIHE DAS. While individual components of the DAS have been calibrated by the SNLmore » Primary Standards Laboratory (PSL), the integrated nature of this complex system requires verification of the complete system, from end-to-end. This measurement assurance plan (MAP) report documents the results of verification and validation procedures used to ensure that the data quality meets customer requirements.« less

Magnetic Cleanliness Program Under Control of Electromagnetic Compatibility for the SELENE (Kaguya) Spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsushima, Masaki; Tsunakawa, Hideo; Iijima, Yu-Ichi; Nakazawa, Satoru; Matsuoka, Ayako; Ikegami, Shingo; Ishikawa, Tomoaki; Shibuya, Hidetoshi; Shimizu, Hisayoshi; Takahashi, Futoshi

2010-07-01

To achieve the scientific objectives related to the lunar magnetic field measurements in a polar orbit at an altitude of 100 km, strict electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements were applied to all components and subsystems of the SELENE (Kaguya) spacecraft. The magnetic cleanliness program was defined as one of the EMC control procedures, and magnetic tests were carried out for most of the engineering and flight models. The EMC performance of all components was systematically controlled and examined through a series of EMC tests. As a result, the Kaguya spacecraft was made to be very clean, magnetically. Hence reliable scientific data related to the magnetic field around the Moon were obtained by the LMAG (Lunar MAGnetometer) and the PACE (Plasma energy Angle and Composition Experiment) onboard the Kaguya spacecraft. These data have been available for lunar science use since November 2009.

Production and Evaluation of a Purified Adenovirus Group-Specific (Hexon) Antigen for Use in the Diagnostic Complement Fixation Test

PubMed Central

Dowdle, W. R.; Lambriex, M.; Hierholzer, J. C.

1971-01-01

A simple procedure for the production of large volumes of purified adenovirus group-specific complement-fixing (CF) (hexon) antigen by selective adsorption to and elution from CaHPO4 is described. Results of immunodiffusion tests, electrophoresis, electron microscopy, and tests for hemagglutination and infectivity indicate that the purified antigen consisted of a single virus component (hexon). The purified product contained little host materials. Unlike the crude virus harvest usually employed for serodiagnostic CF tests, the purified antigen demonstrated no anticomplementary activity and did not develop such activity during storage. The purified antigen was equal to or slightly more sensitive than crude virus harvests for serodiagnosis of adenovirus infections. Images PMID:4325021

NREL/University of Delaware Offshore Wind R&D Collaboration: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-10-393

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Musial, Walt

2015-11-12

Specifically, the work under this CRADA includes, but is not limited to, the development of test procedures for an offshore test site in Delaware waters; testing of installed offshore wind turbines; performance monitoring of those turbines; and a program of research and development on offshore wind turbine blades, components, coatings, foundations, installation and construction of bottom-fixed structures, environmental impacts, policies, and more generally on means to enhance the reliability, facilitate permitting, and reduce costs for offshore wind turbines. This work will be conducted both at NREL's National Wind Technology Center and participant facilities, as well as the established offshore windmore » test sites.« less

Subsonic static and dynamic stability characteristics of the test technique demonstrator NASP configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyden, Richmond P.; Dress, David A.; Fox, Charles H., Jr.; Huffman, Jarrett K.; Cruz, Christopher I.

1993-01-01

The paper describes the procedure used for and the results obtained of wind-tunnel tests of the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) configuration, which were conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center High Speed Tunnel using a blended body NASP configuration designed by the research center. Static and dynamic stability characteristics were measured at Mach numbers 0.3, 0.6, and 0.8. In addition to tests of the baseline configuration, component buildup tests with a canard surface and with a body flap were carried out. Results demonstrated a positive static stability of the baseline configuration, except at the higher angles of attack at Mach 0.8. A good agreement was found between the inphase dynamic parameters and the corresponding static data.

Learning to remember: cognitive training-induced attenuation of age-related memory decline depends on sex and cognitive demand, and can transfer to untrained cognitive domains.

PubMed

Talboom, Joshua S; West, Stephen G; Engler-Chiurazzi, Elizabeth B; Enders, Craig K; Crain, Ian; Bimonte-Nelson, Heather A

2014-12-01

Aging is associated with progressive changes in learning and memory. A potential approach to attenuate age-related cognitive decline is cognitive training. In this study, adult male and female rats were given either repeated exposure to a T-maze, or no exposure to any maze, and then tested on a final battery of cognitive tasks. Two groups of each sex were tested from 6 to 18 months old on the same T-maze; Group one received a version testing spatial reference memory, and Group two received only the procedural testing components with minimal cognitive demand. Groups three and four of each sex had no maze exposure until the final battery, and were comprised of aged or young rats, respectively. The final maze battery included the practiced T-maze plus two novel tasks, one with a similar, and one with a different, memory type to the practice task. Group five of each sex was not maze tested, serving as an aged control for the effects of maze testing on neurotrophin protein levels in cognitive brain regions. Results showed that adult intermittent cognitive training enhanced performance on the practice task when aged in both sexes, that cognitive training benefits transferred to novel tasks only in females, and that cognitive demand was necessary for these effects, since rats receiving only the procedural testing components showed no improvement on the final maze battery. Further, for both sexes, rats that showed faster learning when young demonstrated better memory when aged. Age-related increases in neurotrophin concentrations in several brain regions were revealed, which were related to performance on the training task only in females. This longitudinal study supports the tenet that cognitive training can help one remember later in life, with broader enhancements and associations with neurotrophins in females. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Learning to remember: Cognitive training-induced attenuation of age-related memory decline depends on sex and cognitive demand, and can transfer to untrained cognitive domains

PubMed Central

Talboom, Joshua S.; West, Stephen G.; Engler-Chiurazzi, Elizabeth B.; Enders, Craig K.; Crain, Ian; Bimonte-Nelson, Heather A.

2014-01-01

Aging is associated with progressive changes in learning and memory. A potential approach to attenuate age-related cognitive decline is cognitive training. In this study, adult male and female rats were given either repeated exposure to a T-maze, or no exposure to any maze, and then tested on a final battery of cognitive tasks. Two groups of each sex were tested from 6-18 months old on the same T-maze; one group received a version testing spatial reference memory, and the other group received only the procedural testing components with minimal cognitive demand. Groups three and four of each sex had no maze exposure until the final battery, and were comprised of aged or young rats. The final maze battery included the practiced T-maze plus two novel tasks, one with a similar, and one with a different, memory type to the practice task. The fifth group of each sex was not maze tested, serving as an aged control for the effects of maze testing on neurotrophin protein levels in cognitive brain regions. Results showed that adult intermittent cognitive training enhanced performance on the practice task when aged in both sexes, that cognitive training benefits transferred to novel tasks only in females, and that cognitive demand was necessary for these effects since rats receiving only the procedural testing components showed no improvement on the final maze battery. Further, for both sexes, rats that showed faster learning when young demonstrated better memory when aged. Age-related increases in neurotrophin concentrations in several brain regions were revealed, which was related to performance on the training task only in females. This longitudinal study supports the tenet that cognitive training can help one remember later in life, with broader enhancements and associations with neurotrophins in females. PMID:25104561

Teaching methods and surgical training in North American graduate periodontics programs: exploring the landscape.

PubMed

Ghiabi, Edmond; Taylor, K Lynn

2010-06-01

This project aimed at documenting the surgical training curricula offered by North American graduate periodontics programs. A survey consisting of questions on teaching methods employed and the content of the surgical training program was mailed to directors of all fifty-eight graduate periodontics programs in Canada and the United States. The chi-square test was used to assess whether the residents' clinical experience was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by having a) a structured preclinical program or b) another dental residency program in the institution. Thirty-four programs (59 percent) responded to the survey. Twenty-six programs (76 percent of respondents) reported offering a structured preclinical component. Traditional teaching methods such as slides, live demonstration, DVD/CD, and animal cadavers were the most common teaching methods used, whereas online courses, computer simulation, and various surgical mannequins were least commonly used. The most commonly performed surgical procedures were conventional flaps, periodontal plastic procedures, hard tissue grafts, and implants. Furthermore, residents in programs offering a structured preclinical component performed significantly more procedures (P=0.012) using lasers than those in programs not offering a structured preclinical program. Devising new and innovative teaching methods is a clear avenue for future development in North American graduate periodontics programs.

Is Teaching Simple Surgical Skills Using an Operant Learning Program More Effective Than Teaching by Demonstration?

PubMed

Levy, I Martin; Pryor, Karen W; McKeon, Theresa R

2016-04-01

A surgical procedure is a complex behavior that can be constructed from foundation or component behaviors. Both the component and the composite behaviors built from them are much more likely to recur if it they are reinforced (operant learning). Behaviors in humans have been successfully reinforced using the acoustic stimulus from a mechanical clicker, where the clicker serves as a conditioned reinforcer that communicates in a way that is language- and judgment-free; however, to our knowledge, the use of operant-learning principles has not been formally evaluated for acquisition of surgical skills. Two surgical tasks were taught and compared using two teaching strategies: (1) an operant learning methodology using a conditioned, acoustic reinforcer (a clicker) for positive reinforcement; and (2) a more classical approach using demonstration alone. Our goal was to determine whether a group that is taught a surgical skill using an operant learning procedure would more precisely perform that skill than a group that is taught by demonstration alone. Two specific behaviors, "tying the locking, sliding knot" and "making a low-angle drill hole," were taught to the 2014 Postgraduate Year (PGY)-1 class and first- and second-year medical students, using an operant learning procedure incorporating precise scripts along with acoustic feedback. The control groups, composed of PGY-1 and -2 nonorthopaedic surgical residents and first- and second-year medical students, were taught using demonstration alone. The precision and speed of each behavior was recorded for each individual by a single experienced surgeon, skilled in operant learning. The groups were then compared. The operant learning group achieved better precision tying the locking, sliding knot than did the control group. Twelve of the 12 test group learners tied the knot and precisely performed all six component steps, whereas only four of the 12 control group learners tied the knot and correctly performed all six component steps (the test group median was 10 [range, 10-10], the control group median was 0 [range, 0-10], p = 0.004). However, the median "time to tie the first knot" for the test group was longer than for the control group (test group median 271 seconds [range, 184-626 seconds], control group median 163 seconds [range 93-900 seconds], p = 0.017), whereas the "time to tie 10 of the locking, sliding knots" was the same for both groups (test group mean 95 seconds ± SD = 15 [range, 67-120 seconds], control group mean 95 seconds ± SD = 28 [range, 62-139 seconds], p = 0.996). For the low-angle drill hole test, the test group more consistently achieved the ideal six-step behavior for precisely drilling the low-angle hole compared with the control group (p = 0.006 for the median number of technique success comparison with an odds ratio [at the 95% confidence interval] of 82.3 [29.1-232.8]). The mean time to drill 10 low-angle holes was not different between the test group (mean 193 seconds ± SD = 26 [range, 153-222 seconds]) and the control group (mean 146 seconds ± SD = 63 [range, 114-294 seconds]) (p = 0.084). Operant learning occurs as the behavior is constructed and is highly reinforced with the result measured, not in the time saved, but in the ultimate outcome of an accurately built complex behavior. Level II, therapeutic study.

The classification of LANDSAT data for the Orlando, Florida, urban fringe area

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walthall, C. L.; Knapp, E. M.

1978-01-01

Procedures used to map residential land cover on the Orlando, Florida, Urban fringe zone are detailed. The NASA Bureau of the Census Applications Systems Verification and Transfer project and the test site are described as well as the LANDSAT data used as the land cover information sources. Both single-date LANDSAT data processing and multitemporal principal components LANDSAT data processing are described. A summary of significant findings is included.

Long life assurance study for manned spacecraft long life hardware. Volume 2: Long life assurance studies of EEE parts and packaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Guidelines for the design, development, and fabrication of electronic components and circuits for use in spacecraft construction are presented. The subjects discussed involve quality control procedures and test methodology for the following subjects: (1) monolithic integrated circuits, (2) hybrid integrated circuits, (3) transistors, (4) diodes, (5) tantalum capacitors, (6) electromechanical relays, (7) switches and circuit breakers, and (8) electronic packaging.

Spotted star mapping by light curve inversion: Tests and application to HD 12545

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolbin, A. I.; Shimansky, V. V.

2013-06-01

A code for mapping the surfaces of spotted stars is developed. The concept of the code is to analyze rotational-modulated light curves. We simulate the process of reconstruction for the star surface and the results of simulation are presented. The reconstruction atrifacts caused by the ill-posed nature of the problem are deduced. The surface of the spotted component of system HD 12545 is mapped using the procedure.

Adaptive multitaper time-frequency spectrum estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pitton, James W.

1999-11-01

In earlier work, Thomson's adaptive multitaper spectrum estimation method was extended to the nonstationary case. This paper reviews the time-frequency multitaper method and the adaptive procedure, and explores some properties of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The variance of the adaptive estimator is used to construct an adaptive smoother, which is used to form a high resolution estimate. An F-test for detecting and removing sinusoidal components in the time-frequency spectrum is also given.

Development and integration of a LabVIEW-based modular architecture for automated execution of electrochemical catalyst testing.

PubMed

Topalov, Angel A; Katsounaros, Ioannis; Meier, Josef C; Klemm, Sebastian O; Mayrhofer, Karl J J

2011-11-01

This paper describes a system for performing electrochemical catalyst testing where all hardware components are controlled simultaneously using a single LabVIEW-based software application. The software that we developed can be operated in both manual mode for exploratory investigations and automatic mode for routine measurements, by using predefined execution procedures. The latter enables the execution of high-throughput or combinatorial investigations, which decrease substantially the time and cost for catalyst testing. The software was constructed using a modular architecture which simplifies the modification or extension of the system, depending on future needs. The system was tested by performing stability tests of commercial fuel cell electrocatalysts, and the advantages of the developed system are discussed. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Modular Engine Noise Component Prediction System (MCP) Technical Description and Assessment Document

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herkes, William H.; Reed, David H.

2005-01-01

This report describes an empirical prediction procedure for turbofan engine noise. The procedure generates predicted noise levels for several noise components, including inlet- and aft-radiated fan noise, and jet-mixing noise. This report discusses the noise source mechanisms, the development of the prediction procedures, and the assessment of the accuracy of these predictions. Finally, some recommendations for future work are presented.

Automation of vibroacoustic data bank for random vibration criteria development. [for the space shuttle and launch vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferebee, R. C.

1982-01-01

A computerized data bank system was developed for utilization of large amounts of vibration and acoustic data to formulate component random vibration design and test criteria. This system consists of a computer, graphics tablet, and a dry-silver hard copier which are all desk-top type hardware and occupy minimal space. The data bank contains data from the Saturn V and Titan III flight and static test programs. The vibration and acoustic data are stored in the form of power spectral density and one-third octave band plots over the frequency range from 20 to 2000 Hz. The data was stored by digitizing each spectral plot by tracing with the graphics tablet. The digitized data was statistically analyzed and the resulting 97.5% probability levels were stored on tape along with the appropriate structural parameters. Standard extrapolation procedures were programmed for prediction of component random vibration test criteria for new launch vehicle and payload configurations. This automated vibroacoustic data bank system greatly enhances the speed and accuracy of formulating vibration test criteria. In the future, the data bank will be expanded to include all data acquired from the space shuttle flight test program.

Exercise testing after beta-blockade: improved specificity and predictive value in detecting coronary heart disease.

PubMed Central

Marcomichelakis, J; Donaldson, R; Green, J; Joseph, S; Kelly, H B; Taggart, P; Somerville, W

1980-01-01

The value of exercise testing in detecting myocardial ischaemia resulting from coronary atheroma remains controversial. In order to increase the reliability of exercise testing, all its components (asymptomatic, haemodynamic, and electrocardiographic) have been scrutinised. In this study, concerned only with the electrocardiographic response to exercise, the incorporation of beta-blockade into the standard exercise procedure has improved specificity and predictive value without affecting sensitivity. Fifty patients with anginal pain and 50 asymptomatic subjects with an abnormal electrocardiogram were investigated by exercise testing before and after beta-blockade (oxprenolol). All subjects had coronary arteriograms and left ventriculograms, and the results of exercise testing were related to the presence or absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Possible causes of false positive exercise tests were eliminated by echocardiography. Though beta-blockade was unreliable in distinguishing ischaemic from non-ischaemic resting electrocardiograms, it eliminated all the false positive electrocardiographic responses to exercise in both groups and did not abolish any of the true positive electrocardiographic responses. Thus, specificity and predictive value were improved without reduction in sensitivity. This technique may not necessarily be applicable to other groups of patients or to a random population, but the results of this study suggest it will be a useful additional routine procedure in the investigation of coronary heart disease. PMID:7437172

Integrated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). Performance Verification Report: EOS AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 Receiver Assemblies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ma, Y.

1995-01-01

The AMSU-A receiver subsystem comprises two separated receiver assemblies; AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 (P/N 1356441-1). The AMSU-A1 receiver contains 13 channels and the AMSU-A2 receiver 2 channels. The AMSU-A1 receiver assembly is further divided into two parts; AMSU-A1-1 (P/N 1356429-1) and AMSU-A1-2 (P/N 1356409-1), which contain 9 and 4 channels, respectively. The receiver assemblies are highlighted and illustrate the functional block diagrams of the AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 systems. The AMSU-A receiver subsystem stands in between the antenna and signal processing subsystems of the AMSU-A instrument and comprises the RF and IF components from isolators to attenuators. It receives the RF signals from the antenna subsystem, down-converts the RF signals to IF signals, amplifies and defines the IF signals to proper power level and frequency bandwidth as specified for each channel, and inputs the IF signals to the signal processing subsystem. This test report presents the test data of the EOS AMSU-A Flight Model No. 1 (FM-1) receiver subsystem. The tests are performed per the Acceptance Test Procedure for the AMSU-A Receiver Subsystem, AE-26002/6A. The functional performance tests are conducted either at the component or subsystem level. While the component-level tests are performed over the entire operating temperature range predicted by thermal analysis, the subsystem-level tests are conducted at ambient temperature only.

Mechanical Testing of Polymeric Composites for Aircraft Applications: Standards, Requirements and Limitations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chinchan, Levon; Shevtsov, Sergey; Soloviev, Arcady; Shevtsova, Varvara; Huang, Jiun-Ping

The high-loaded parts of modern aircrafts and helicopters are often produced from polymeric composite materials. Such materials consist of reinforcing fibers, packed by layers with the different angles, and resin, which uniformly distributes the structural stresses between fibers. These composites should have an orthotropic symmetry of mechanical properties to obtain the desirable spatial distribution of elastic moduli consistent to the external loading pattern. Main requirements to the aircraft composite materials are the specified elastic properties (9 for orthotropic composite), long-term strength parameters, high resistance against the environmental influences, low thermal expansion to maintain the shape stability. These properties are ensured by an exact implementation of technological conditions and many testing procedures performed with the fibers, resin, prepregs and ready components. Most important mechanical testing procedures are defined by ASTM, SACMA and other standards. However in each case the wide diversity of components (dimensions and lay-up of fibers, rheological properties of thermosetting resins) requires a specific approach to the sample preparation, testing, and numerical processing of the testing results to obtain the veritable values of tested parameters. We pay the special attention to the cases where the tested specimens are cut not from the plates recommended by standards, but from the ready part manufactured with the specific lay-up, tension forces on the reinforcing fiber at the filament winding, and curing schedule. These tests can provide most useful information both for the composite structural design and to estimate a quality of the ready parts. We consider an influence of relation between specimen dimensions and pattern of the fibers winding (or lay-up) on the results of mechanical testing for determination of longitudinal, transverse and in-plane shear moduli, an original numerical scheme for reconstruction of in-plane shear modulus measured by the modified Iosipescu method which use finite element based numerical processing and indicative data preliminary obtained by the short-beam test. The sensitivity and ability to decoupling the values of in-plane and interlaminar shear moduli obtained by the sample twisting test is studied and discussed.

SU-E-I-20: Comprehensive Quality Assurance Test of Second Generation Toshiba Aquilion Large Bore CT Simulator Based On AAPM TG-66 Recommendations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, D

2015-06-15

Purpose: AAPM radiation therapy committee task group No. 66 (TG-66) published a report which described a general approach to CT simulator QA. The report outlines the testing procedures and specifications for the evaluation of patient dose, radiation safety, electromechanical components, and image quality for a CT simulator. The purpose of this study is to thoroughly evaluate the performance of a second generation Toshiba Aquilion Large Bore CT simulator with 90 cm bore size (Toshiba, Nasu, JP) based on the TG-66 criteria. The testing procedures and results from this study provide baselines for a routine QA program. Methods: Different measurements andmore » analysis were performed including CTDIvol measurements, alignment and orientation of gantry lasers, orientation of the tabletop with respect to the imaging plane, table movement and indexing accuracy, Scanogram location accuracy, high contrast spatial resolution, low contrast resolution, field uniformity, CT number accuracy, mA linearity and mA reproducibility using a number of different phantoms and measuring devices, such as CTDI phantom, ACR image quality phantom, TG-66 laser QA phantom, pencil ion chamber (Fluke Victoreen) and electrometer (RTI Solidose 400). Results: The CTDI measurements were within 20% of the console displayed values. The alignment and orientation for both gantry laser and tabletop, as well as the table movement and indexing and scanogram location accuracy were within 2mm as specified in TG66. The spatial resolution, low contrast resolution, field uniformity and CT number accuracy were all within ACR’s recommended limits. The mA linearity and reproducibility were both well below the TG66 threshold. Conclusion: The 90 cm bore size second generation Toshiba Aquilion Large Bore CT simulator that comes with 70 cm true FOV can consistently meet various clinical needs. The results demonstrated that this simulator complies with the TG-66 protocol in all aspects including electromechanical component, radiation safety component, and image quality component. Employee of Toshiba America Medical Systems.« less

Determination of the Degree of Gravel Aggregate-Bitumencoverage by Multi-Directional Reflectance Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulsow, C.

2012-07-01

The paper describes the determination of the percentage area of bitumen on partly covered aggregate. This task is a typical issue in material testing in road construction. The asphalt components bitumen and aggregate are subjected to defined mechanical stress in the presence of water in order to test the affine properties of the components. The degree to which the bitumen separates from the aggregate surface serves as an indicator for the quality of the affinity. Until now, examiners have been judging the coverage degree of samples by visual rating. Several research projects attempted to replace the error-prone subjective assessment by automatic procedures. These procedures analyse the different chromaticities of aggregate and bitumen in RGB images. However, these approaches as a whole are not reliable enough because of the rather specific requirements that are made on the environmental conditions when the picture is taken (illumination, exclusion of extraneous light) and also on the lab assistant (manual definition of training areas, management of camera and illumination parameters). Moreover, the analysis is not suitable for all types of rock because of the necessary difference in colour between bitumen and aggregate (e.g. dark rock samples). Contrary to previous approaches, the new multi-directional reflectance measurements use the different surface characteristics of bitumen and aggregate instead of the chromaticities as separation criteria. These differences are made visible by directional lighting with a laser. The diffuse reflection from the aggregate surface and the directional reflection from the optically smoother bitumen produce definitely distinguishable brightnesses in the image. Thus the colour of the material is of no significance. The approach was used in a procedure and assessed. The paper presents the method itself, approaches for the elimination of reflections and first results. Moreover, the measuring principle is compared with existing procedures and benefits and drawbacks are outlined.

Early detection of disease program: Evaluation of the cellular immune response

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Criswell, B. S.; Knight, V.; Martin, R. R.; Kasel, J. A.

1974-01-01

The early cellular responses of specific components of the leukocyte and epithelial cell populations to foreign challenges of both an infectious and noninfectious character were evaluated. Procedures for screening potential flight crews were developed, documented, and tested on a control population. Methods for preparing suitable populations of lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophages, and epithelial cells were first established and evaluated. Epithelial cells from viral infected individuals were screened with a number of anti-viral antisera. This procedure showed the earliest indication of disease as well as providing a specific diagnosis to the physicians. Both macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were studied from normal individuals, smokers, and patients with viral infections. Newer techniques enabling better definition of lymphocyte subpopulations were then developed, namely the E and EAC rosette procedures for recognition of T (thymus-derived) and B (bone-marrow-derived) lymphocyte subpopulations. Lymphocyte and lymphocyte subpopulation response to multiple mitogens have been evaluated.

A simple control for sediment-toxicity exposures using the amphipod, Hyalella azteca

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lasier, Peter J.; Urich, Matthew L.

2014-01-01

Sediment-toxicity exposures comparing survival and growth of the freshwater amphipod, Hyalella azteca, are often components of aquatic-habitat assessments. Standardized exposure methods have been established and require evaluations for quality assurance. Test acceptability using performance-based criteria can be determined from exposures to control sediments, which are collected from the environment or formulated from commercially available components. Amending sand with leached alfalfa solids provided a simple formulated sediment that elicited consistently acceptable survival and growth in 28-day exposures with and without a daily feeding regime. A procedure is described for preparing the sediment along with results from comparisons among sand, amended sand, and field-collected sediments that incorporated three feeding regimes.

Qualification and issues with space flight laser systems and components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ott, Melanie N.; Coyle, D. B.; Canham, John S.; Leidecker, Henning W., Jr.

2006-02-01

The art of flight quality solid-state laser development is still relatively young, and much is still unknown regarding the best procedures, components, and packaging required for achieving the maximum possible lifetime and reliability when deployed in the harsh space environment. One of the most important issues is the limited and unstable supply of quality, high power diode arrays with significant technological heritage and market lifetime. Since Spectra Diode Labs Inc. ended their involvement in the pulsed array business in the late 1990's, there has been a flurry of activity from other manufacturers, but little effort focused on flight quality production. This forces NASA, inevitably, to examine the use of commercial parts to enable space flight laser designs. System-level issues such as power cycling, operational derating, duty cycle, and contamination risks to other laser components are some of the more significant unknown, if unquantifiable, parameters that directly effect transmitter reliability. Designs and processes can be formulated for the system and the components (including thorough modeling) to mitigate risk based on the known failures modes as well as lessons learned that GSFC has collected over the past ten years of space flight operation of lasers. In addition, knowledge of the potential failure modes related to the system and the components themselves can allow the qualification testing to be done in an efficient yet, effective manner. Careful test plan development coupled with physics of failure knowledge will enable cost effect qualification of commercial technology. Presented here will be lessons learned from space flight experience, brief synopsis of known potential failure modes, mitigation techniques, and options for testing from the system level to the component level.

Qualification and Issues with Space Flight Laser Systems and Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ott, Melanie N.; Coyle, D. Barry; Canham, John S.; Leidecker, Henning W.

2006-01-01

The art of flight quality solid-state laser development is still relatively young, and much is still unknown regarding the best procedures, components, and packaging required for achieving the maximum possible lifetime and reliability when deployed in the harsh space environment. One of the most important issues is the limited and unstable supply of quality, high power diode arrays with significant technological heritage and market lifetime. Since Spectra Diode Labs Inc. ended their involvement in the pulsed array business in the late 1990's, there has been a flurry of activity from other manufacturers, but little effort focused on flight quality production. This forces NASA, inevitably, to examine the use of commercial parts to enable space flight laser designs. System-level issues such as power cycling, operational derating, duty cycle, and contamination risks to other laser components are some of the more significant unknown, if unquantifiable, parameters that directly effect transmitter reliability. Designs and processes can be formulated for the system and the components (including thorough modeling) to mitigate risk based on the known failures modes as well as lessons learned that GSFC has collected over the past ten years of space flight operation of lasers. In addition, knowledge of the potential failure modes related to the system and the components themselves can allow the qualification testing to be done in an efficient yet, effective manner. Careful test plan development coupled with physics of failure knowledge will enable cost effect qualification of commercial technology. Presented here will be lessons learned from space flight experience, brief synopsis of known potential failure modes, mitigation techniques, and options for testing from the system level to the component level.

Qualification and Issues with Space Flight Laser Systems and Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ott, Melanie N.; Coyle, D. Barry; Canham, John S.; Leidecker, Henning W.

2006-01-01

The art of flight quality solid-state laser development is still relatively young, and much is still unknown regarding the best procedures, components, and packaging required for achieving the maximum possible lifetime and reliability when deployed in the harsh space environment. One of the most important issues is the limited and unstable supply of quality, high power diode arrays with significant technological heritage and market lifetime. Since Spectra Diode Labs Inc. ended their involvement in the pulsed array business in the late 199O's, there has been a flurry of activity from other manufacturers, but little effort focused on flight quality production. This forces NASA, inevitably, to examine the use of commercial parts to enable space flight laser designs. System-level issues such as power cycling, operational derating, duty cycle, and contamination risks to other laser components are some of the more significant unknown, if unquantifiable, parameters that directly effect transmitter reliability. Designs and processes can be formulated for the system and the components (including thorough modeling) to mitigate risk based on the known failures modes as well as lessons learned that GSFC has collected over the past ten years of space flight operation of lasers. In addition, knowledge of the potential failure modes related to the system and the components themselves can allow the qualification testing to be done in an efficient yet, effective manner. Careful test plan development coupled with physics of failure knowledge will enable cost effect qualification of commercial technology. Presented here will be lessons learned from space flight experience, brief synopsis of known potential failure modes, mitigation techniques, and options for testing from the system level to the component level.

Fundamentals of endoscopic surgery: creation and validation of the hands-on test.

PubMed

Vassiliou, Melina C; Dunkin, Brian J; Fried, Gerald M; Mellinger, John D; Trus, Thadeus; Kaneva, Pepa; Lyons, Calvin; Korndorffer, James R; Ujiki, Michael; Velanovich, Vic; Kochman, Michael L; Tsuda, Shawn; Martinez, Jose; Scott, Daniel J; Korus, Gary; Park, Adrian; Marks, Jeffrey M

2014-03-01

The Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery™ (FES) program consists of online materials and didactic and skills-based tests. All components were designed to measure the skills and knowledge required to perform safe flexible endoscopy. The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the hands-on component of the FES examination, and to establish the pass score. Expert endoscopists identified the critical skill set required for flexible endoscopy. They were then modeled in a virtual reality simulator (GI Mentor™ II, Simbionix™ Ltd., Airport City, Israel) to create five tasks and metrics. Scores were designed to measure both speed and precision. Validity evidence was assessed by correlating performance with self-reported endoscopic experience (surgeons and gastroenterologists [GIs]). Internal consistency of each test task was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was determined by having the same participant perform the test a second time and comparing their scores. Passing scores were determined by a contrasting groups methodology and use of receiver operating characteristic curves. A total of 160 participants (17 % GIs) performed the simulator test. Scores on the five tasks showed good internal consistency reliability and all had significant correlations with endoscopic experience. Total FES scores correlated 0.73, with participants' level of endoscopic experience providing evidence of their validity, and their internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.82. Test-retest reliability was assessed in 11 participants, and the intraclass correlation was 0.85. The passing score was determined and is estimated to have a sensitivity (true positive rate) of 0.81 and a 1-specificity (false positive rate) of 0.21. The FES hands-on skills test examines the basic procedural components required to perform safe flexible endoscopy. It meets rigorous standards of reliability and validity required for high-stakes examinations, and, together with the knowledge component, may help contribute to the definition and determination of competence in endoscopy.

Patient-Centered Imaging: Shared Decision Making for Cardiac Imaging Procedures with Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

PubMed Central

Einstein, Andrew J.; Berman, Daniel S.; Min, James K.; Hendel, Robert C.; Gerber, Thomas C.; Carr, J. Jeffrey; Cerqueira, Manuel D.; Cullom, S. James; DeKemp, Robert; Dickert, Neal; Dorbala, Sharmila; Garcia, Ernest V.; Gibbons, Raymond J.; Halliburton, Sandra S.; Hausleiter, Jörg; Heller, Gary V.; Jerome, Scott; Lesser, John R.; Fazel, Reza; Raff, Gilbert L.; Tilkemeier, Peter; Williams, Kim A.; Shaw, Leslee J.

2014-01-01

Objective To identify key components of a radiation accountability framework fostering patient-centered imaging and shared decision-making in cardiac imaging. Background An NIH-NHLBI/NCI-sponsored symposium was held in November 2012 to address these issues. Methods Symposium participants, working in three tracks, identified key components of a framework to target critical radiation safety issues for the patient, the laboratory, and the larger population of patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease. Results Use of ionizing radiation during an imaging procedure should be disclosed to all patients by the ordering provider at the time of ordering, and reinforced by the performing provider team. An imaging protocol with effective dose ≤3mSv is considered very low risk, not warranting extensive discussion or written consent. However, a protocol effective dose <20mSv was proposed as a level requiring particular attention in terms of shared decision-making and either formal discussion or written informed consent. Laboratory reporting of radiation dosimetry is a critical component of creating a quality laboratory fostering a patient-centered environment with transparent procedural methodology. Efforts should be directed to avoiding testing involving radiation, in patients with inappropriate indications. Standardized reporting and diagnostic reference levels for computed tomography and nuclear cardiology are important for the goal of public reporting of laboratory radiation dose levels in conjunction with diagnostic performance. Conclusions The development of cardiac imaging technologies revolutionized cardiology practice by allowing routine, noninvasive assessment of myocardial perfusion and anatomy. It is now incumbent upon the imaging community to create an accountability framework to safely drive appropriate imaging utilization. PMID:24530677

Composite load spectra for select space propulsion structural components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newell, J. F.; Ho, H. W.; Kurth, R. E.

1991-01-01

The work performed to develop composite load spectra (CLS) for the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) using probabilistic methods. The three methods were implemented to be the engine system influence model. RASCAL was chosen to be the principal method as most component load models were implemented with the method. Validation of RASCAL was performed. High accuracy comparable to the Monte Carlo method can be obtained if a large enough bin size is used. Generic probabilistic models were developed and implemented for load calculations using the probabilistic methods discussed above. Each engine mission, either a real fighter or a test, has three mission phases: the engine start transient phase, the steady state phase, and the engine cut off transient phase. Power level and engine operating inlet conditions change during a mission. The load calculation module provides the steady-state and quasi-steady state calculation procedures with duty-cycle-data option. The quasi-steady state procedure is for engine transient phase calculations. In addition, a few generic probabilistic load models were also developed for specific conditions. These include the fixed transient spike model, the poison arrival transient spike model, and the rare event model. These generic probabilistic load models provide sufficient latitude for simulating loads with specific conditions. For SSME components, turbine blades, transfer ducts, LOX post, and the high pressure oxidizer turbopump (HPOTP) discharge duct were selected for application of the CLS program. They include static pressure loads and dynamic pressure loads for all four components, centrifugal force for the turbine blade, temperatures of thermal loads for all four components, and structural vibration loads for the ducts and LOX posts.

Adaptive kernel independent component analysis and UV spectrometry applied to characterize the procedure for processing prepared rhubarb roots.

PubMed

Wang, Guoqing; Hou, Zhenyu; Peng, Yang; Wang, Yanjun; Sun, Xiaoli; Sun, Yu-an

2011-11-07

By determination of the number of absorptive chemical components (ACCs) in mixtures using median absolute deviation (MAD) analysis and extraction of spectral profiles of ACCs using kernel independent component analysis (KICA), an adaptive KICA (AKICA) algorithm was proposed. The proposed AKICA algorithm was used to characterize the procedure for processing prepared rhubarb roots by resolution of the measured mixed raw UV spectra of the rhubarb samples that were collected at different steaming intervals. The results show that the spectral features of ACCs in the mixtures can be directly estimated without chemical and physical pre-separation and other prior information. The estimated three independent components (ICs) represent different chemical components in the mixtures, which are mainly polysaccharides (IC1), tannin (IC2), and anthraquinone glycosides (IC3). The variations of the relative concentrations of the ICs can account for the chemical and physical changes during the processing procedure: IC1 increases significantly before the first 5 h, and is nearly invariant after 6 h; IC2 has no significant changes or is slightly decreased during the processing procedure; IC3 decreases significantly before the first 5 h and decreases slightly after 6 h. The changes of IC1 can explain why the colour became black and darkened during the processing procedure, and the changes of IC3 can explain why the processing procedure can reduce the bitter and dry taste of the rhubarb roots. The endpoint of the processing procedure can be determined as 5-6 h, when the increasing or decreasing trends of the estimated ICs are insignificant. The AKICA-UV method provides an alternative approach for the characterization of the processing procedure of rhubarb roots preparation, and provides a novel way for determination of the endpoint of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) processing procedure by inspection of the change trends of the ICs.

Survey of solar thermal test facilities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Masterson, K.

The facilities that are presently available for testing solar thermal energy collection and conversion systems are briefly described. Facilities that are known to meet ASHRAE standard 93-77 for testing flat-plate collectors are listed. The DOE programs and test needs for distributed concentrating collectors are identified. Existing and planned facilities that meet these needs are described and continued support for most of them is recommended. The needs and facilities that are suitable for testing components of central receiver systems, several of which are located overseas, are identified. The central contact point for obtaining additional details and test procedures for these facilitiesmore » is the Solar Thermal Test Facilities Users' Association in Albuquerque, N.M. The appendices contain data sheets and tables which give additional details on the technical capabilities of each facility. Also included is the 1975 Aerospace Corporation report on test facilities that is frequently referenced in the present work.« less

Quality assurance and quality control for thermal/optical analysis of aerosol samples for organic and elemental carbon.

PubMed

Chow, Judith C; Watson, John G; Robles, Jerome; Wang, Xiaoliang; Chen, L-W Antony; Trimble, Dana L; Kohl, Steven D; Tropp, Richard J; Fung, Kochy K

2011-12-01

Accurate, precise, and valid organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC, respectively) measurements require more effort than the routine analysis of ambient aerosol and source samples. This paper documents the quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures that should be implemented to ensure consistency of OC and EC measurements. Prior to field sampling, the appropriate filter substrate must be selected and tested for sampling effectiveness. Unexposed filters are pre-fired to remove contaminants and acceptance tested. After sampling, filters must be stored in the laboratory in clean, labeled containers under refrigeration (<4 °C) to minimize loss of semi-volatile OC. QA activities include participation in laboratory accreditation programs, external system audits, and interlaboratory comparisons. For thermal/optical carbon analyses, periodic QC tests include calibration of the flame ionization detector with different types of carbon standards, thermogram inspection, replicate analyses, quantification of trace oxygen concentrations (<100 ppmv) in the helium atmosphere, and calibration of the sample temperature sensor. These established QA/QC procedures are applicable to aerosol sampling and analysis for carbon and other chemical components.

Design and Field Test of a WSN Platform Prototype for Long-Term Environmental Monitoring

PubMed Central

Lazarescu, Mihai T.

2015-01-01

Long-term wildfire monitoring using distributed in situ temperature sensors is an accurate, yet demanding environmental monitoring application, which requires long-life, low-maintenance, low-cost sensors and a simple, fast, error-proof deployment procedure. We present in this paper the most important design considerations and optimizations of all elements of a low-cost WSN platform prototype for long-term, low-maintenance pervasive wildfire monitoring, its preparation for a nearly three-month field test, the analysis of the causes of failure during the test and the lessons learned for platform improvement. The main components of the total cost of the platform (nodes, deployment and maintenance) are carefully analyzed and optimized for this application. The gateways are designed to operate with resources that are generally used for sensor nodes, while the requirements and cost of the sensor nodes are significantly lower. We define and test in simulation and in the field experiment a simple, but effective communication protocol for this application. It helps to lower the cost of the nodes and field deployment procedure, while extending the theoretical lifetime of the sensor nodes to over 16 years on a single 1 Ah lithium battery. PMID:25912349

Oxygen Compatibility Assessment of Components and Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoltzfus, Joel; Sparks, Kyle

2010-01-01

Fire hazards are inherent in oxygen systems and a storied history of fires in rocket engine propulsion components exists. To detect and mitigate these fire hazards requires careful, detailed, and thorough analyses applied during the design process. The oxygen compatibility assessment (OCA) process designed by NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) can be used to determine the presence of fire hazards in oxygen systems and the likelihood of a fire. This process may be used as both a design guide and during the approval process to ensure proper design features and material selection. The procedure for performing an OCA is a structured step-by-step process to determine the most severe operating conditions; assess the flammability of the system materials at the use conditions; evaluate the presence and efficacy of ignition mechanisms; assess the potential for a fire to breach the system; and determine the reaction effect (the potential loss of life, mission, and system functionality as the result of a fire). This process should be performed for each component in a system. The results of each component assessment, and the overall system assessment, should be recorded in a report that can be used in the short term to communicate hazards and their mitigation and to aid in system/component development and, in the long term, to solve anomalies that occur during engine testing and operation.

Which statistics should tropical biologists learn?

PubMed

Loaiza Velásquez, Natalia; González Lutz, María Isabel; Monge-Nájera, Julián

2011-09-01

Tropical biologists study the richest and most endangered biodiversity in the planet, and in these times of climate change and mega-extinctions, the need for efficient, good quality research is more pressing than in the past. However, the statistical component in research published by tropical authors sometimes suffers from poor quality in data collection; mediocre or bad experimental design and a rigid and outdated view of data analysis. To suggest improvements in their statistical education, we listed all the statistical tests and other quantitative analyses used in two leading tropical journals, the Revista de Biología Tropical and Biotropica, during a year. The 12 most frequent tests in the articles were: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Chi-Square Test, Student's T Test, Linear Regression, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, Shannon's Diversity Index, Tukey's Test, Cluster Analysis, Spearman's Rank Correlation Test and Principal Component Analysis. We conclude that statistical education for tropical biologists must abandon the old syllabus based on the mathematical side of statistics and concentrate on the correct selection of these and other procedures and tests, on their biological interpretation and on the use of reliable and friendly freeware. We think that their time will be better spent understanding and protecting tropical ecosystems than trying to learn the mathematical foundations of statistics: in most cases, a well designed one-semester course should be enough for their basic requirements.

A Quality-Control-Oriented Database for a Mesoscale Meteorological Observation Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lussana, C.; Ranci, M.; Uboldi, F.

2012-04-01

In the operational context of a local weather service, data accessibility and quality related issues must be managed by taking into account a wide set of user needs. This work describes the structure and the operational choices made for the operational implementation of a database system storing data from highly automated observing stations, metadata and information on data quality. Lombardy's environmental protection agency, ARPA Lombardia, manages a highly automated mesoscale meteorological network. A Quality Assurance System (QAS) ensures that reliable observational information is collected and disseminated to the users. The weather unit in ARPA Lombardia, at the same time an important QAS component and an intensive data user, has developed a database specifically aimed to: 1) providing quick access to data for operational activities and 2) ensuring data quality for real-time applications, by means of an Automatic Data Quality Control (ADQC) procedure. Quantities stored in the archive include hourly aggregated observations of: precipitation amount, temperature, wind, relative humidity, pressure, global and net solar radiation. The ADQC performs several independent tests on raw data and compares their results in a decision-making procedure. An important ADQC component is the Spatial Consistency Test based on Optimal Interpolation. Interpolated and Cross-Validation analysis values are also stored in the database, providing further information to human operators and useful estimates in case of missing data. The technical solution adopted is based on a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL and Php) system, constituting an open source environment suitable for both development and operational practice. The ADQC procedure itself is performed by R scripts directly interacting with the MySQL database. Users and network managers can access the database by using a set of web-based Php applications.

Extended device profiles and testing procedures for the approval process of integrated medical devices using the IEEE 11073 communication standard.

PubMed

Janß, Armin; Thorn, Johannes; Schmitz, Malte; Mildner, Alexander; Dell'Anna-Pudlik, Jasmin; Leucker, Martin; Radermacher, Klaus

2018-02-23

Nowadays, only closed and proprietary integrated operating room systems (IORS) from big manufacturers are available on the market. Hence, the interconnection of components from third-party vendors is only possible with increased time and costs. In the context of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)-funded project OR.NET (2012-2016), the open integration of medical devices from different manufacturers was addressed. An integrated operating theater based on the open communication standard IEEE 11073 shall give clinical operators the opportunity to choose medical devices independently of the manufacturer. This approach would be advantageous especially for hospital operators and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) of medical devices. Actual standards and concepts regarding technical feasibility and the approval process do not cope with the requirements for a modular integration of medical devices in the operating room (OR), based on an open communication standard. Therefore, innovative approval strategies and corresponding certification and test procedures, which cover actual legal and normative standards, have to be developed in order to support the future risk management and the usability engineering process of open integrated medical devices in the OR. The use of standardized device and service profiles and a three-step testing procedure, including conformity, interoperability and integration tests are described in this paper and shall support the manufacturers to integrate their medical devices without disclosing the medical devices' risk analysis and related confidential expertise or proprietary information.

Approximate methods in gamma-ray skyshine calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Faw, R.E.; Roseberry, M.L.; Shultis, J.K.

1985-11-01

Gamma-ray skyshine, an important component of the radiation field in the environment of a nuclear power plant, has recently been studied in relation to storage of spent fuel and nuclear waste. This paper reviews benchmark skyshine experiments and transport calculations against which computational procedures may be tested. The paper also addresses the applicability of simplified computational methods involving single-scattering approximations. One such method, suitable for microcomputer implementation, is described and results are compared with other work.

An Assessment of Pre- and Post-Fitness Measures in Two Remedial Conditioning Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-20

schoolchildren . Adolescence, 23(90), 405-416. Hills, A.P., & Parker, A.W. (1988). Obesity management via diet and exercise intervention. Child: Care, Health, and...Test (PRT). The PRT procedure includes a body composition assessment to determine eligibility to take part in the PRT. Personnel diagnosed as obese (26...Service members assessed as overfat or obese and those who have failed an exercise component of the PRT are required to participate in a command-directed

Evaluation of Hepatitis B Virus Photoinactivation in Serum and Cellular Blood Components by the Polymerase Chain Reaction.

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-01

and there is no test for the disease that has yet to be discovered. This situation occurred with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus...antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus I (anti-HIV-1), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), antibodies to hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) and a...photoinactivation have used model virus systems to measure the effectiveness of the inactivation procedure. These viruses include feline leukemia

Simple and inexpensive microfluidic devices for the generation of monodisperse multiple emulsions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Er Qiang; Zhang, Jia Ming; Thoroddsen, Sigurdur T.

2014-01-01

Droplet-based microfluidic devices have become a preferred versatile platform for various fields in physics, chemistry and biology. Polydimethylsiloxane soft lithography, the mainstay for fabricating microfluidic devices, usually requires the usage of expensive apparatus and a complex manufacturing procedure. Here, we report the design and fabrication of simple and inexpensive microfluidic devices based on microscope glass slides and pulled glass capillaries, for generating monodisperse multiple emulsions. The advantages of our method lie in a simple manufacturing procedure, inexpensive processing equipment and flexibility in the surface modification of the designed microfluidic devices. Different types of devices have been designed and tested and the experimental results demonstrated their robustness for preparing monodisperse single, double, triple and multi-component emulsions.

Development of gas-pressure bonding process for air-cooled turbine blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meiners, K. E.

1972-01-01

An investigation was conducted on the application of gas-pressure bonding to the joining of components for convectively cooled turbine blades and vanes. A processing procedure was established for joining the fins of Udimet 700 and TD NiCr sheet metal airfoil shells to cast B1900 struts without the use of internal support tooling. Alternative methods employing support tooling were investigated. Testing procedures were developed and employed to determine shear strengths and internal burst pressures of flat and cylindrical bonded finned shell configurations at room temperature and 1750 F. Strength values were determined parallel and transverse to the cooling fin direction. The effect of thermal cycles from 1750 F to room temperature on strength was also investigated.

Rotorcraft fatigue life-prediction: Past, present, and future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Everett, Richard A., Jr.; Elber, W.

1994-01-01

In this paper the methods used for calculating the fatigue life of metallic dynamic components in rotorcraft is reviewed. In the past, rotorcraft fatigue design has combined constant amplitude tests of full-scale parts with flight loads and usage data in a conservative manner to provide 'safe life' component replacement times. This is in contrast to other industries, such as the automobile industry, where spectrum loading in fatigue testing is a part of the design procedure. Traditionally, the linear cumulative damage rule has been used in a deterministic manner using a conservative value for fatigue strength based on a one in a thousand probability of failure. Conservatism on load and usage are also often employed. This procedure will be discussed along with the current U.S. Army fatigue life specification for new rotorcraft which is the so-called 'six nines' reliability requirement. In order to achieve the six nines reliability requirement the exploration and adoption of new approaches in design and fleet management may also be necessary if this requirement is to be met with a minimum impact on structural weight. To this end a fracture mechanics approach to fatigue life design may be required in order to provide a more accurate estimate of damage progression. Also reviewed in this paper is a fracture mechanics approach for calculating total fatigue life which is based on a crack-closure small crack considerations.

Systematic comparisons between PRISM version 1.0.0, BAP, and CSMIP ground-motion processing

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kalkan, Erol; Stephens, Christopher

2017-02-23

A series of benchmark tests was run by comparing results of the Processing and Review Interface for Strong Motion data (PRISM) software version 1.0.0 to Basic Strong-Motion Accelerogram Processing Software (BAP; Converse and Brady, 1992), and to California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (CSMIP) processing (Shakal and others, 2003, 2004). These tests were performed by using the MatLAB implementation of PRISM, which is equivalent to its public release version in Java language. Systematic comparisons were made in time and frequency domains of records processed in PRISM and BAP, and in CSMIP, by using a set of representative input motions with varying resolutions, frequency content, and amplitudes. Although the details of strong-motion records vary among the processing procedures, there are only minor differences among the waveforms for each component and within the frequency passband common to these procedures. A comprehensive statistical evaluation considering more than 1,800 ground-motion components demonstrates that differences in peak amplitudes of acceleration, velocity, and displacement time series obtained from PRISM and CSMIP processing are equal to or less than 4 percent for 99 percent of the data, and equal to or less than 2 percent for 96 percent of the data. Other statistical measures, including the Euclidian distance (L2 norm) and the windowed root mean square level of processed time series, also indicate that both processing schemes produce statistically similar products.

A multiresolution approach for the convergence acceleration of multivariate curve resolution methods.

PubMed

Sawall, Mathias; Kubis, Christoph; Börner, Armin; Selent, Detlef; Neymeyr, Klaus

2015-09-03

Modern computerized spectroscopic instrumentation can result in high volumes of spectroscopic data. Such accurate measurements rise special computational challenges for multivariate curve resolution techniques since pure component factorizations are often solved via constrained minimization problems. The computational costs for these calculations rapidly grow with an increased time or frequency resolution of the spectral measurements. The key idea of this paper is to define for the given high-dimensional spectroscopic data a sequence of coarsened subproblems with reduced resolutions. The multiresolution algorithm first computes a pure component factorization for the coarsest problem with the lowest resolution. Then the factorization results are used as initial values for the next problem with a higher resolution. Good initial values result in a fast solution on the next refined level. This procedure is repeated and finally a factorization is determined for the highest level of resolution. The described multiresolution approach allows a considerable convergence acceleration. The computational procedure is analyzed and is tested for experimental spectroscopic data from the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation together with various soft and hard models. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Overview of the DAEDALOS project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisagni, Chiara

2015-10-01

The "Dynamics in Aircraft Engineering Design and Analysis for Light Optimized Structures" (DAEDALOS) project aimed to develop methods and procedures to determine dynamic loads by considering the effects of dynamic buckling, material damping and mechanical hysteresis during aircraft service. Advanced analysis and design principles were assessed with the scope of partly removing the uncertainty and the conservatism of today's design and certification procedures. To reach these objectives a DAEDALOS aircraft model representing a mid-size business jet was developed. Analysis and in-depth investigation of the dynamic response were carried out on full finite element models and on hybrid models. Material damping was experimentally evaluated, and different methods for damping evaluation were developed, implemented in finite element codes and experimentally validated. They include a strain energy method, a quasi-linear viscoelastic material model, and a generalized Maxwell viscous material damping. Panels and shells representative of typical components of the DAEDALOS aircraft model were experimentally tested subjected to static as well as dynamic loads. Composite and metallic components of the aircraft model were investigated to evaluate the benefit in terms of weight saving.

Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracks in Nickel Alloy Dissimilar Metal Welds: Detection and Sizing Using Established and Emerging Nondestructive Examination Techniques

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Braatz, Brett G.; Cumblidge, Stephen E.; Doctor, Steven R.

2012-12-31

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has established the Program to Assess the Reliability of Emerging Nondestructive Techniques (PARENT) as a follow-on to the international cooperative Program for the Inspection of Nickel Alloy Components (PINC). The goal of PINC was to evaluate the capabilities of various nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques to detect and characterize surface-breaking primary water stress corrosion cracks in dissimilar-metal welds (DMW) in bottom-mounted instrumentation (BMI) penetrations and small-bore (≈400-mm diameter) piping components. A series of international blind round-robin tests were conducted by commercial and university inspection teams. Results from these tests showed that a combination of conventional andmore » phased-array ultrasound techniques provided the highest performance for flaw detection and depth sizing in dissimilar metal piping welds. The effective detection of flaws in BMIs by eddy current and ultrasound shows that it may be possible to reliably inspect these components in the field. The goal of PARENT is to continue the work begun in PINC and apply the lessons learned to a series of open and blind international round-robin tests that will be conducted on a new set of piping components including large-bore (≈900-mm diameter) DMWs, small-bore DMWs, and BMIs. Open round-robin testing will engage universities and industry worldwide to investigate the reliability of emerging NDE techniques to detect and accurately size flaws having a wide range of lengths, depths, orientations, and locations. Blind round-robin testing will invite testing organizations worldwide, whose inspectors and procedures are certified by the standards for the nuclear industry in their respective countries, to investigate the ability of established NDE techniques to detect and size flaws whose characteristics range from easy to very difficult to detect and size. This paper presents highlights of PINC and reports on the plans and progress for PARENT round-robin tests.« less

Analysis of the torsional storage modulus of human hair and its relation to hair morphology and cosmetic processing.

PubMed

Wortmann, Franz J; Wortmann, Gabriele; Haake, Hans-Martin; Eisfeld, Wolf

2014-01-01

Through measurements of three different hair samples (virgin and treated) by the torsional pendulum method (22°C, 22% RH) a systematic decrease of the torsional storage modulus G' with increasing fiber diameter, i.e., polar moment of inertia, is observed. G' is therefore not a material constant for hair. This change of G' implies a systematic component of data variance, which significantly contributes to the limitations of the torsional method for cosmetic claim support. Fitting the data on the basis of a core/shell model for cortex and cuticle enables to separate this systematic component of variance and to greatly enhance the discriminative power of the test. The fitting procedure also provides values for the torsional storage moduli of the morphological components, confirming that the cuticle modulus is substantially higher than that of the cortex. The results give consistent insight into the changes imparted to the morphological components by the cosmetic treatments.

Development and validation of trauma surgical skills metrics: Preliminary assessment of performance after training.

PubMed

Shackelford, Stacy; Garofalo, Evan; Shalin, Valerie; Pugh, Kristy; Chen, Hegang; Pasley, Jason; Sarani, Babak; Henry, Sharon; Bowyer, Mark; Mackenzie, Colin F

2015-07-01

Maintaining trauma-specific surgical skills is an ongoing challenge for surgical training programs. An objective assessment of surgical skills is needed. We hypothesized that a validated surgical performance assessment tool could detect differences following a training intervention. We developed surgical performance assessment metrics based on discussion with expert trauma surgeons, video review of 10 experts and 10 novice surgeons performing three vascular exposure procedures and lower extremity fasciotomy on cadavers, and validated the metrics with interrater reliability testing by five reviewers blinded to level of expertise and a consensus conference. We tested these performance metrics in 12 surgical residents (Year 3-7) before and 2 weeks after vascular exposure skills training in the Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET) course. Performance was assessed in three areas as follows: knowledge (anatomic, management), procedure steps, and technical skills. Time to completion of procedures was recorded, and these metrics were combined into a single performance score, the Trauma Readiness Index (TRI). Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test compared pretraining/posttraining effects. Mean time to complete procedures decreased by 4.3 minutes (from 13.4 minutes to 9.1 minutes). The performance component most improved by the 1-day skills training was procedure steps, completion of which increased by 21%. Technical skill scores improved by 12%. Overall knowledge improved by 3%, with 18% improvement in anatomic knowledge. TRI increased significantly from 50% to 64% with ASSET training. Interrater reliability of the surgical performance assessment metrics was validated with single intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.7 to 0.98. A trauma-relevant surgical performance assessment detected improvements in specific procedure steps and anatomic knowledge taught during a 1-day course, quantified by the TRI. ASSET training reduced time to complete vascular control by one third. Future applications include assessing specific skills in a larger surgeon cohort, assessing military surgical readiness, and quantifying skill degradation with time since training.

Clinical skills temporal degradation assessment in undergraduate medical education.

PubMed

Fisher, Joseph; Viscusi, Rebecca; Ratesic, Adam; Johnstone, Cameron; Kelley, Ross; Tegethoff, Angela M; Bates, Jessica; Situ-Lacasse, Elaine H; Adamas-Rappaport, William J; Amini, Richard

2018-01-01

Medical students' ability to learn clinical procedures and competently apply these skills is an essential component of medical education. Complex skills with limited opportunity for practice have been shown to degrade without continued refresher training. To our knowledge there is no evidence that objectively evaluates temporal degradation of clinical skills in undergraduate medical education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate temporal retention of clinical skills among third year medical students. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at four separate time intervals in the cadaver laboratory at a public medical school. Forty-five novice third year medical students were evaluated for retention of skills in the following three procedures: pigtail thoracostomy, femoral line placement, and endotracheal intubation. Prior to the start of third-year medical clerkships, medical students participated in a two-hour didactic session designed to teach clinically relevant materials including the procedures. Prior to the start of their respective surgery clerkships, students were asked to perform the same three procedures and were evaluated by trained emergency medicine and surgery faculty for retention rates, using three validated checklists. Students were then reassessed at six week intervals in four separate groups based on the start date of their respective surgical clerkships. We compared the evaluation results between students tested one week after training and those tested at three later dates for statistically significant differences in score distribution using a one-tailed Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney U-test for non-parametric rank-sum analysis. Retention rates were shown to have a statistically significant decline between six and 12 weeks for all three procedural skills. In the instruction of medical students, skill degradation should be considered when teaching complex technical skills. Based on the statistically significant decline in procedural skills noted in our investigation, instructors should consider administering a refresher course between six and twelve weeks from initial training.

10 CFR 73.46 - Fixed site physical protection systems, subsystems, components, and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

..., components, and procedures. 73.46 Section 73.46 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) PHYSICAL... Energy couriers engaged in the transport of special nuclear material. The search function for detection... of Energy vehicles engaged in transporting special nuclear material and emergency vehicles under...

10 CFR 73.46 - Fixed site physical protection systems, subsystems, components, and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

..., components, and procedures. 73.46 Section 73.46 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) PHYSICAL... Energy couriers engaged in the transport of special nuclear material. The search function for detection... of Energy vehicles engaged in transporting special nuclear material and emergency vehicles under...

A diffusion-matched principal component analysis (DM-PCA) based two-channel denoising procedure for high-resolution diffusion-weighted MRI

PubMed Central

Chang, Hing-Chiu; Bilgin, Ali; Bernstein, Adam; Trouard, Theodore P.

2018-01-01

Over the past several years, significant efforts have been made to improve the spatial resolution of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), aiming at better detecting subtle lesions and more reliably resolving white-matter fiber tracts. A major concern with high-resolution DWI is the limited signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which may significantly offset the advantages of high spatial resolution. Although the SNR of DWI data can be improved by denoising in post-processing, existing denoising procedures may potentially reduce the anatomic resolvability of high-resolution imaging data. Additionally, non-Gaussian noise induced signal bias in low-SNR DWI data may not always be corrected with existing denoising approaches. Here we report an improved denoising procedure, termed diffusion-matched principal component analysis (DM-PCA), which comprises 1) identifying a group of (not necessarily neighboring) voxels that demonstrate very similar magnitude signal variation patterns along the diffusion dimension, 2) correcting low-frequency phase variations in complex-valued DWI data, 3) performing PCA along the diffusion dimension for real- and imaginary-components (in two separate channels) of phase-corrected DWI voxels with matched diffusion properties, 4) suppressing the noisy PCA components in real- and imaginary-components, separately, of phase-corrected DWI data, and 5) combining real- and imaginary-components of denoised DWI data. Our data show that the new two-channel (i.e., for real- and imaginary-components) DM-PCA denoising procedure performs reliably without noticeably compromising anatomic resolvability. Non-Gaussian noise induced signal bias could also be reduced with the new denoising method. The DM-PCA based denoising procedure should prove highly valuable for high-resolution DWI studies in research and clinical uses. PMID:29694400

SDO FlatSat Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amason, David L.

2008-01-01

The goal of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is to understand and, ideally, predict the solar variations that influence life and society. It's instruments will measure the properties of the Sun and will take hifh definition images of the Sun every few seconds, all day every day. The FlatSat is a high fidelity electrical and functional representation of the SDO spacecraft bus. It is a high fidelity test bed for Integration & Test (I & T), flight software, and flight operations. For I & T purposes FlatSat will be a driver to development and dry run electrical integration procedures, STOL test procedures, page displays, and the command and telemetry database. FlatSat will also serve as a platform for flight software acceptance and systems testing for the flight software system component including the spacecraft main processors, power supply electronics, attitude control electronic, gimbal control electrons and the S-band communications card. FlatSat will also benefit the flight operations team through post-launch flight software code and table update development and verification and verification of new and updated flight operations products. This document highlights the benefits of FlatSat; describes the building of FlatSat; provides FlatSat facility requirements, access roles and responsibilities; and, and discusses FlatSat mechanical and electrical integration and functional testing.

Guidelines for the processing and quality assurance of benthic invertebrate samples collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cuffney, T.F.; Gurtz, M.E.; Meador, M.R.

1993-01-01

Benthic invertebrate samples are collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. This is a perennial, multidisciplinary program that integrates biological, physical, and chemical indicators of water quality to evaluate status and trends and to develop an understanding of the factors controlling observed water quality. The Program examines water quality in 60 study units (coupled ground- and surface-water systems) that encompass most of the conterminous United States and parts of Alaska and Hawaii. Study-unit teams collect and process qualitative and semi-quantitative invertebrate samples according to standardized procedures. These samples are processed (elutriated and subsampled) in the field to produce as many as four sample components: large-rare, main-body, elutriate, and split. Each sample component is preserved in 10-percent formalin, and two components, large-rare and main-body, are sent to contract laboratories for further processing. The large-rare component is composed of large invertebrates that are removed from the sample matrix during field processing and placed in one or more containers. The main-body sample component consists of the remaining sample materials (sediment, detritus, and invertebrates) and is subsampled in the field to achieve a volume of 750 milliliters or less. The remaining two sample components, elutriate and split, are used for quality-assurance and quality-control purposes. Contract laboratories are used to identify and quantify invertebrates from the large-rare and main-body sample components according to the procedures and guidelines specified within this document. These guidelines allow the use of subsampling techniques to reduce the volume of sample material processed and to facilitate identifications. These processing procedures and techniques may be modified if the modifications provide equal or greater levels of accuracy and precision. The intent of sample processing is to determine the quantity of each taxon present in the semi-quantitative samples or to list the taxa present in qualitative samples. The processing guidelines provide standardized laboratory forms, sample labels, detailed sample processing flow charts, standardized format for electronic data, quality-assurance procedures and checks, sample tracking standards, and target levels for taxonomic determinations. The contract laboratory (1) is responsible for identifications and quantifications, (2) constructs reference collections, (3) provides data in hard copy and electronic forms, (4) follows specified quality-assurance and quality-control procedures, and (5) returns all processed and unprocessed portions of the samples. The U.S. Geological Survey's Quality Management Group maintains a Biological Quality-Assurance Unit, located at the National Water-Quality Laboratory, Arvada, Colorado, to oversee the use of contract laboratories and ensure the quality of data obtained from these laboratories according to the guidelines established in this document. This unit establishes contract specifications, reviews contractor performance (timeliness, accuracy, and consistency), enters data into the National Water Information System-II data base, maintains in-house reference collections, deposits voucher specimens in outside museums, and interacts with taxonomic experts within and outside the U.S. Geological Survey. This unit also modifies the existing sample processing and quality-assurance guidelines, establishes criteria and testing procedures for qualifying potential contract laboratories, identifies qualified taxonomic experts, and establishes voucher collections.

In Vitro Assessment of Nanoparticle Effects on Blood Coagulation.

PubMed

Potter, Timothy M; Rodriguez, Jamie C; Neun, Barry W; Ilinskaya, Anna N; Cedrone, Edward; Dobrovolskaia, Marina A

2018-01-01

Blood clotting is a complex process which involves both cellular and biochemical components. The key cellular players in the blood clotting process are thrombocytes or platelets. Other cells, including leukocytes and endothelial cells, contribute to clotting by expressing the so-called pro-coagulant activity (PCA) complex on their surface. The biochemical component of blood clotting is represented by the plasma coagulation cascade, which includes plasma proteins also known as coagulation factors. The coordinated interaction between platelets, leukocytes, endothelial cells, and plasma coagulation factors is necessary for maintaining hemostasis and for preventing excessive bleeding. Undesirable activation of all or some of these components may lead to pathological blood coagulation and life-threatening conditions such as consumptive coagulopathy or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In contrast, unintended inhibition of the coagulation pathways may lead to hemorrhage. Thrombogenicity is the property of a test material to induce blood coagulation by affecting one or more elements of the clotting process. Anticoagulant activity refers to the property of a test material to inhibit coagulation. The tendency to cause platelet aggregation, perturb plasma coagulation, and induce leukocyte PCA can serve as an in vitro measure of a nanomaterial's likelihood to be pro- or anticoagulant in vivo. This chapter describes three procedures for in vitro analyses of platelet aggregation, plasma coagulation time, and activation of leukocyte PCA. Platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation procedures have been described earlier. The revision here includes updated details about nanoparticle sample preparation, selection of nanoparticle concentration for the in vitro study, and updated details about assay controls. The chapter is expanded to describe a method for the leukocyte PCA analysis and case studies demonstrating the performance of these in vitro assays.

Risk factors for indications of intraoperative blood transfusion among patients undergoing surgical treatment for colorectal adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Gonçalves, Iara; Linhares, Marcelo; Bordin, Jose; Matos, Delcio

2009-01-01

Identification of risk factors for requiring transfusions during surgery for colorectal cancer may lead to preventive actions or alternative measures, towards decreasing the use of blood components in these procedures, and also rationalization of resources use in hemotherapy services. This was a retrospective case-control study using data from 383 patients who were treated surgically for colorectal adenocarcinoma at 'Fundação Pio XII', in Barretos-SP, Brazil, between 1999 and 2003. To recognize significant risk factors for requiring intraoperative blood transfusion in colorectal cancer surgical procedures. Univariate analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test or the chi-squared test for dichotomous variables and Student's t test for continuous variables, followed by multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression. In the univariate analyses, height (P = 0.06), glycemia (P = 0.05), previous abdominal or pelvic surgery (P = 0.031), abdominoperineal surgery (P<0.001), extended surgery (P<0.001) and intervention with radical intent (P<0.001) were considered significant. In the multivariate analysis using logistic regression, intervention with radical intent (OR = 10.249, P<0.001, 95% CI = 3.071-34.212) and abdominoperineal amputation (OR = 3.096, P = 0.04, 95% CI = 1.445-6.623) were considered to be independently significant. This investigation allows the conclusion that radical intervention and the abdominoperineal procedure in the surgical treatment of colorectal adenocarcinoma are risk factors for requiring intraoperative blood transfusion.

(Study of the behavioral and biological effects of high intensity 60 Hz electric fields): Quarterly technical progress report No. 29

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Orr, J.L.

1989-07-14

Activities this quarter involved all phases of the project plus a meeting of the Joint Committee in Tokyo. Detailed mapping of the exposure facility is scheduled to be completed during the week of August 14, 1989. Both electric and magnetic fields should be available for tests of the components of the tether and blood sampling system for the neuroendocrine pilot study in September 1989. The groups for the social behavior study are stabilizing appropriately. Details on the formation of the groups and their status has been provided. Dr. Coelho has included information related to aspects of the social experiment rangingmore » from age estimation in baboons through the cardiovascular consequences of psychosocial stress. In addition, a draft manuscript is included on the data from the previous experiments which describes the effects of 30 and 60 kV/m electric fields on the social behavior of baboons. Tests of the blood handling procedures and analysis methods have been completed. With the exception of the catecholamine analyses, the handling procedures and variability in replicate measurements are satisfactory. Logistic and practical considerations now weigh strongly against including the analysis of the blood samples for catecholamines. Preliminary tests indicate that a sampling procedure which will work for the other compounds is probably not satisfactory for the catecholamines.« less

Conceptual design for spacelab two-phase flow experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradshaw, R. D.; King, C. D.

1977-01-01

KC-135 aircraft tests confirmed the gravity sensitivity of two phase flow correlations. The prime component of the apparatus is a 1.5 cm dia by 90 cm fused quartz tube test section selected for visual observation. The water-cabin air system with water recycle was a clear choice for a flow regime-pressure drop test since it was used satisfactorily on KC-135 tests. Freon-11 with either overboard dump or with liquid-recycle will be used for the heat transfer test. The two experiments use common hardware. The experimental plan covers 120 data points in six hours with mass velocities from 10 to 640 kg/sec-sq m and qualities 0.01 to 0.64. The apparatus with pump, separator, storage tank and controls is mounted in a double spacelab rack. Supporting hardware, procedures, measured variables and program costs are defined.

Steady-state and dynamic evaluation of the electric propulsion system test bed vehicle on a road load simulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dustin, M. O.

1983-01-01

The propulsion system of the Lewis Research Center's electric propulsion system test bed vehicle was tested on the road load simulator under the DOE Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Program. This propulsion system, consisting of a series-wound dc motor controlled by an infinitely variable SCR chopper and an 84-V battery pack, is typical of those used in electric vehicles made in 1976. Steady-state tests were conducted over a wide range of differential output torques and vehicle speeds. Efficiencies of all of the components were determined. Effects of temperature and voltage variations on the motor and the effect of voltage changes on the controller were examined. Energy consumption and energy efficiency for the system were determined over the B and C driving schedules of the SAE J227a test procedure.