operations research methods: Topics by Science.gov

Sample records for operations research methods

[Research progresses on ergonomics assessment and measurement methods for push-pull behavior].

PubMed

Zhao, Yan; Li, Dongxu; Guo, Shengpeng

2011-10-01

Pushing and pulling (P&P) is a common operating mode of operator's physical works, and plays an important role in evaluation of human behavior health and operation performance. At present, there are many research methods of P&P, and this article is a state-of-art review of the classification of P&P research methods, the various impact factors in P&P program, technical details of internal/external P&P force measurement and evaluation, the limitation of current research methods and the future developments in the ergonomics field.
NATO Guide for Judgement-Based Operational Analysis in Defence Decision Making (Guide OTAN pour l’analyse operationnelle basee sur le jugement dans la prise de decision de defense). Analyst-Oriented Volume: Code of Best Practice for Soft Operational Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

Military Operational Research , with special theme ‘The use of ‘soft’ methods in OR’. OR52 (7 – 9 September 2010, Royal Holloway University of London...on human judgement. Judgement-based OA applies the methods of ‘Soft Operational Research ’ developed in academia. It has appeared, however, that the...similarity between judgemental methods in operational research practice and a number of other modes of professional analytical practice. The closest
Science Based Human Reliability Analysis: Using Digital Nuclear Power Plant Simulators for Human Reliability Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shirley, Rachel Elizabeth

Nuclear power plant (NPP) simulators are proliferating in academic research institutions and national laboratories in response to the availability of affordable, digital simulator platforms. Accompanying the new research facilities is a renewed interest in using data collected in NPP simulators for Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) research. An experiment conducted in The Ohio State University (OSU) NPP Simulator Facility develops data collection methods and analytical tools to improve use of simulator data in HRA. In the pilot experiment, student operators respond to design basis accidents in the OSU NPP Simulator Facility. Thirty-three undergraduate and graduate engineering students participated in the research. Following each accident scenario, student operators completed a survey about perceived simulator biases and watched a video of the scenario. During the video, they periodically recorded their perceived strength of significant Performance Shaping Factors (PSFs) such as Stress. This dissertation reviews three aspects of simulator-based research using the data collected in the OSU NPP Simulator Facility: First, a qualitative comparison of student operator performance to computer simulations of expected operator performance generated by the Information Decision Action Crew (IDAC) HRA method. Areas of comparison include procedure steps, timing of operator actions, and PSFs. Second, development of a quantitative model of the simulator bias introduced by the simulator environment. Two types of bias are defined: Environmental Bias and Motivational Bias. This research examines Motivational Bias--that is, the effect of the simulator environment on an operator's motivations, goals, and priorities. A bias causal map is introduced to model motivational bias interactions in the OSU experiment. Data collected in the OSU NPP Simulator Facility are analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Data include crew characteristics, operator surveys, and time to recognize and diagnose the accident in the scenario. These models estimate how the effects of the scenario conditions are mediated by simulator bias, and demonstrate how to quantify the strength of the simulator bias. Third, development of a quantitative model of subjective PSFs based on objective data (plant parameters, alarms, etc.) and PSF values reported by student operators. The objective PSF model is based on the PSF network in the IDAC HRA method. The final model is a mixed effects Bayesian hierarchical linear regression model. The subjective PSF model includes three factors: The Environmental PSF, the simulator Bias, and the Context. The Environmental Bias is mediated by an operator sensitivity coefficient that captures the variation in operator reactions to plant conditions. The data collected in the pilot experiments are not expected to reflect professional NPP operator performance, because the students are still novice operators. However, the models used in this research and the methods developed to analyze them demonstrate how to consider simulator bias in experiment design and how to use simulator data to enhance the technical basis of a complex HRA method. The contributions of the research include a framework for discussing simulator bias, a quantitative method for estimating simulator bias, a method for obtaining operator-reported PSF values, and a quantitative method for incorporating the variability in operator perception into PSF models. The research demonstrates applications of Structural Equation Modeling and hierarchical Bayesian linear regression models in HRA. Finally, the research demonstrates the benefits of using student operators as a test platform for HRA research.
From the Research Laboratory to the Operating Company: How Information Travels.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coppin, Ann S.; Palmer, Linda L.

1980-01-01

Reviews transmission processes of Chevron Oil Field Research Company (COFRC) research results from laboratories to end-user operating companies worldwide. Information dissemination methods described included informal communication, intercompany meetings, visits by COFRC personnel to operating company offices, distribution of written reports,…
Applications of Operations Research Techniques in Tufts University Libraries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rouse, William B., Ed.

This collection of papers is based on projects done in conjunction with a senior level/graduate course, "Applications of Operations Research Techniques in Systems Engineering." These seven papers describe research studies which utilized user surveys and/or statistical methods to analyze various library operations. The papers are…
27 CFR 19.34 - Experimental or research operations by scientific institutions and colleges of learning.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... operations by scientific institutions and colleges of learning. 19.34 Section 19.34 Alcohol, Tobacco Products... SPIRITS PLANTS Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Alternate Methods Or Procedures and Experimental Operations § 19.34 Experimental or research operations by scientific institutions and colleges of...
27 CFR 19.34 - Experimental or research operations by scientific institutions and colleges of learning.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... operations by scientific institutions and colleges of learning. 19.34 Section 19.34 Alcohol, Tobacco Products... SPIRITS PLANTS Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Alternate Methods Or Procedures and Experimental Operations § 19.34 Experimental or research operations by scientific institutions and colleges of...
27 CFR 19.34 - Experimental or research operations by scientific institutions and colleges of learning.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... operations by scientific institutions and colleges of learning. 19.34 Section 19.34 Alcohol, Tobacco Products... SPIRITS PLANTS Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Alternate Methods Or Procedures and Experimental Operations § 19.34 Experimental or research operations by scientific institutions and colleges of...
12 CFR 1101.3 - Organization and methods of operation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Organization and methods of operation. 1101.3..., PROCEDURES, PUBLIC INFORMATION § 1101.3 Organization and methods of operation. (a) Statutory requirements... securing the services, as needed, of staff experts from the five agencies; supervising research and other...
The development of scientific identification theory to conduct operation research in education management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hardhienata, S.

2017-01-01

Operations research is a general method used in the study and optimization of a system through modeling of the system. In the field of education, especially in education management, operations research has not been widely used. This paper gives an exposition of ideas about how operations research can be used to conduct research and optimization in the field of education management by developing SITOREM (Scientific Identification Theory for Operation Research in Education Management). To clarify the intent of the idea, an example of applying SITOREM to enhance the professional commitment of lecturers associated with achieving the vision of university will be described.
Correction of engineering servicing regularity of transporttechnological machines in operational process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makarova, A. N.; Makarov, E. I.; Zakharov, N. S.

2018-03-01

In the article, the issue of correcting engineering servicing regularity on the basis of actual dependability data of cars in operation is considered. The purpose of the conducted research is to increase dependability of transport-technological machines by correcting engineering servicing regularity. The subject of the research is the mechanism of engineering servicing regularity influence on reliability measure. On the basis of the analysis of researches carried out before, a method of nonparametric estimation of car failure measure according to actual time-to-failure data was chosen. A possibility of describing the failure measure dependence on engineering servicing regularity by various mathematical models is considered. It is proven that the exponential model is the most appropriate for that purpose. The obtained results can be used as a separate method of engineering servicing regularity correction with certain operational conditions taken into account, as well as for the technical-economical and economical-stochastic methods improvement. Thus, on the basis of the conducted researches, a method of engineering servicing regularity correction of transport-technological machines in the operational process was developed. The use of that method will allow decreasing the number of failures.
Creating and Supporting a Mixed Methods Health Services Research Team

PubMed Central

Bowers, Barbara; Cohen, Lauren W; Elliot, Amy E; Grabowski, David C; Fishman, Nancy W; Sharkey, Siobhan S; Zimmerman, Sheryl; Horn, Susan D; Kemper, Peter

2013-01-01

Objective. To use the experience from a health services research evaluation to provide guidance in team development for mixed methods research. Methods. The Research Initiative Valuing Eldercare (THRIVE) team was organized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to evaluate The Green House nursing home culture change program. This article describes the development of the research team and provides insights into how funders might engage with mixed methods research teams to maximize the value of the team. Results. Like many mixed methods collaborations, the THRIVE team consisted of researchers from diverse disciplines, embracing diverse methodologies, and operating under a framework of nonhierarchical, shared leadership that required new collaborations, engagement, and commitment in the context of finite resources. Strategies to overcome these potential obstacles and achieve success included implementation of a Coordinating Center, dedicated time for planning and collaborating across researchers and methodologies, funded support for in-person meetings, and creative optimization of resources. Conclusions. Challenges are inevitably present in the formation and operation of effective mixed methods research teams. However, funders and research teams can implement strategies to promote success. PMID:24138774
Analytical Tools for the Application of Operational Culture: A Case Study in the Trans-Sahel

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-28

Study Team Working Paper 3: Research Methods Discussion for the Study Team Methods229 Generating Empirical Materials In grounded theory ... research I have conducted using these methods . UNCLASSIFIED Analytical Tools for the Application of Operational Culture: A Case Study in the...Survey and a Case Study ,‖ Kjeller, Norway: FFI Glaser, B. G. & Strauss, A. L. (1967). ―The discovery of grounded theory
Recommended operating procedure No. 51: Glass source assessment sampling system (glass SASS). Final report, Jul 90-Jan 91

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

Grote, R.A.

1991-05-01

The report is a recommended operating procedure (ROP), prepared for use in research activities conducted by EPA's Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory (AEERL). The method described is applicable to the stack sampling of flue gas from a rotary kiln and to associated equipment of AEERL's Combustion Research Branch. It has been the standard method of sampling kiln flue gas due to the transient nature of the puff development and its capability to sample the maximum volume over the shortest time period. ROPs describe non-routine or experimental research operations where some judgment in application may be warranted. ROPs may notmore » be applicable to activities conducted by other research groups, and should not be used in place of standard operating procedures. Use of ROPs must be accompanied by an understanding of the purpose and scope. Questions should be directed to the author.« less
Creating and supporting a mixed methods health services research team.

PubMed

Bowers, Barbara; Cohen, Lauren W; Elliot, Amy E; Grabowski, David C; Fishman, Nancy W; Sharkey, Siobhan S; Zimmerman, Sheryl; Horn, Susan D; Kemper, Peter

2013-12-01

To use the experience from a health services research evaluation to provide guidance in team development for mixed methods research. The Research Initiative Valuing Eldercare (THRIVE) team was organized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to evaluate The Green House nursing home culture change program. This article describes the development of the research team and provides insights into how funders might engage with mixed methods research teams to maximize the value of the team. Like many mixed methods collaborations, the THRIVE team consisted of researchers from diverse disciplines, embracing diverse methodologies, and operating under a framework of nonhierarchical, shared leadership that required new collaborations, engagement, and commitment in the context of finite resources. Strategies to overcome these potential obstacles and achieve success included implementation of a Coordinating Center, dedicated time for planning and collaborating across researchers and methodologies, funded support for in-person meetings, and creative optimization of resources. Challenges are inevitably present in the formation and operation of effective mixed methods research teams. However, funders and research teams can implement strategies to promote success. © Health Research and Educational Trust.
Localizing ECoG electrodes on the cortical anatomy without post-implantation imaging

PubMed Central

Gupta, Disha; Hill, N. Jeremy; Adamo, Matthew A.; Ritaccio, Anthony; Schalk, Gerwin

2014-01-01

Introduction Electrocorticographic (ECoG) grids are placed subdurally on the cortex in people undergoing cortical resection to delineate eloquent cortex. ECoG signals have high spatial and temporal resolution and thus can be valuable for neuroscientific research. The value of these data is highest when they can be related to the cortical anatomy. Existing methods that establish this relationship rely either on post-implantation imaging using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-Rays, or on intra-operative photographs. For research purposes, it is desirable to localize ECoG electrodes on the brain anatomy even when post-operative imaging is not available or when intra-operative photographs do not readily identify anatomical landmarks. Methods We developed a method to co-register ECoG electrodes to the underlying cortical anatomy using only a pre-operative MRI, a clinical neuronavigation device (such as BrainLab VectorVision), and fiducial markers. To validate our technique, we compared our results to data collected from six subjects who also had post-grid implantation imaging available. We compared the electrode coordinates obtained by our fiducial-based method to those obtained using existing methods, which are based on co-registering pre- and post-grid implantation images. Results Our fiducial-based method agreed with the MRI–CT method to within an average of 8.24 mm (mean, median = 7.10 mm) across 6 subjects in 3 dimensions. It showed an average discrepancy of 2.7 mm when compared to the results of the intra-operative photograph method in a 2D coordinate system. As this method does not require post-operative imaging such as CTs, our technique should prove useful for research in intra-operative single-stage surgery scenarios. To demonstrate the use of our method, we applied our method during real-time mapping of eloquent cortex during a single-stage surgery. The results demonstrated that our method can be applied intra-operatively in the absence of post-operative imaging to acquire ECoG signals that can be valuable for neuroscientific investigations. PMID:25379417
Localizing ECoG electrodes on the cortical anatomy without post-implantation imaging.

PubMed

Gupta, Disha; Hill, N Jeremy; Adamo, Matthew A; Ritaccio, Anthony; Schalk, Gerwin

2014-01-01

Electrocorticographic (ECoG) grids are placed subdurally on the cortex in people undergoing cortical resection to delineate eloquent cortex. ECoG signals have high spatial and temporal resolution and thus can be valuable for neuroscientific research. The value of these data is highest when they can be related to the cortical anatomy. Existing methods that establish this relationship rely either on post-implantation imaging using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-Rays, or on intra-operative photographs. For research purposes, it is desirable to localize ECoG electrodes on the brain anatomy even when post-operative imaging is not available or when intra-operative photographs do not readily identify anatomical landmarks. We developed a method to co-register ECoG electrodes to the underlying cortical anatomy using only a pre-operative MRI, a clinical neuronavigation device (such as BrainLab VectorVision), and fiducial markers. To validate our technique, we compared our results to data collected from six subjects who also had post-grid implantation imaging available. We compared the electrode coordinates obtained by our fiducial-based method to those obtained using existing methods, which are based on co-registering pre- and post-grid implantation images. Our fiducial-based method agreed with the MRI-CT method to within an average of 8.24 mm (mean, median = 7.10 mm) across 6 subjects in 3 dimensions. It showed an average discrepancy of 2.7 mm when compared to the results of the intra-operative photograph method in a 2D coordinate system. As this method does not require post-operative imaging such as CTs, our technique should prove useful for research in intra-operative single-stage surgery scenarios. To demonstrate the use of our method, we applied our method during real-time mapping of eloquent cortex during a single-stage surgery. The results demonstrated that our method can be applied intra-operatively in the absence of post-operative imaging to acquire ECoG signals that can be valuable for neuroscientific investigations.
Extensions of algebraic image operators: An approach to model-based vision

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lerner, Bao-Ting; Morelli, Michael V.

1990-01-01

Researchers extend their previous research on a highly structured and compact algebraic representation of grey-level images which can be viewed as fuzzy sets. Addition and multiplication are defined for the set of all grey-level images, which can then be described as polynomials of two variables. Utilizing this new algebraic structure, researchers devised an innovative, efficient edge detection scheme. An accurate method for deriving gradient component information from this edge detector is presented. Based upon this new edge detection system researchers developed a robust method for linear feature extraction by combining the techniques of a Hough transform and a line follower. The major advantage of this feature extractor is its general, object-independent nature. Target attributes, such as line segment lengths, intersections, angles of intersection, and endpoints are derived by the feature extraction algorithm and employed during model matching. The algebraic operators are global operations which are easily reconfigured to operate on any size or shape region. This provides a natural platform from which to pursue dynamic scene analysis. A method for optimizing the linear feature extractor which capitalizes on the spatially reconfiguration nature of the edge detector/gradient component operator is discussed.
Operation Team Spirit: Program Review and Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-01

research was strictly qualitative in nature. The specific method being used was exploratory case study analysis... study , method is used for the specific acts of conducting research , while methodology refers to the qualitative nature of research performed. While...the researcher . According to Leedy and Ormrod (2005), some of the types of methods and their respective purposes include: • Case study :
Operations Research as a Metaphor for Evaluation. Research on Evaluation Program Paper and Report Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Page, Ellis B.

One of a series of research reports examining objective principles successfully used in other fields which can lend integrity and legitimacy to evaluation, this report presents an overview of operations research (OR) as a potential source of evaluation methodology. The nature of the methods common to this discipline are summarized and the…

The operations manual: a mechanism for improving the research process.

PubMed

Bowman, Ann; Wyman, Jean F; Peters, Jennifer

2002-01-01

The development and use of an operations manual has the potential to improve the capacity of nurse scientists to address the complex, multifaceted issues associated with conducting research in today's healthcare environment. An operations manual facilitates communication, standardizes training and evaluation, and enhances the development and standard implementation of clear policies, processes, and protocols. A 10-year review of methodology articles in relevant nursing journals revealed no attention to this topic. This article will discuss how an operations manual can improve the conduct of research methods and outcomes for both small-scale and large-scale research studies. It also describes the purpose and components of a prototype operations manual for use in quantitative research. The operations manual increases reliability and reproducibility of the research while improving the management of study processes. It can prevent costly and untimely delays or errors in the conduct of research.
Standardized Methods for Electronic Shearography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lansing, Matthew D.

1997-01-01

Research was conducted in development of operating procedures and standard methods to evaluate fiber reinforced composite materials, bonded or sprayed insulation, coatings, and laminated structures with MSFC electronic shearography systems. Optimal operating procedures were developed for the Pratt and Whitney Electronic Holography/Shearography Inspection System (EH/SIS) operating in shearography mode, as well as the Laser Technology, Inc. (LTI) SC-4000 and Ettemeyer SHS-94 ISTRA shearography systems. Operating practices for exciting the components being inspected were studied, including optimal methods for transient heating with heat lamps and other methods as appropriate to enhance inspection capability.
Metrics to Monitor Governance and Reconstruction in Afghanistan: Development of Measures of Effectiveness for Civil-Military Operations and a Standardized Tool to Monitor Governance Quality

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-03-12

18:77-87 (1995). Bryman A. The debate about quantitative and qualitative research : a question of method or epistemology. British Journal of...the AGQI may be used with any category of person. The design is consistent with accepted procedures for social science research of this type ( Bryman ...operations in Afghanistan. This report documents: 1) methods to develop MOE, which may be used to the develop MOE for any type of operation; 2) the civil
Study on evaluation of construction reliability for engineering project based on fuzzy language operator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Yu-Fang; Ma, Yi-Yi; Song, Ping-Ping

2018-03-01

System Reliability Theory is a research hotspot of management science and system engineering in recent years, and construction reliability is useful for quantitative evaluation of project management level. According to reliability theory and target system of engineering project management, the defination of construction reliability appears. Based on fuzzy mathematics theory and language operator, value space of construction reliability is divided into seven fuzzy subsets and correspondingly, seven membership function and fuzzy evaluation intervals are got with the operation of language operator, which provides the basis of corresponding method and parameter for the evaluation of construction reliability. This method is proved to be scientific and reasonable for construction condition and an useful attempt for theory and method research of engineering project system reliability.
22 CFR 212.35 - Schedule of fees and method of payment for services rendered.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... (a)(5) of this section and which is operated solely for the purpose of conducting scientific research... operates a program or programs of scholarly research. (7) Non-commercial scientific institution refers to... the request is from an educational institution or scientific research, if the request is from a non...
77 FR 14319 - Unmanned Aircraft System Test Sites

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-09

... DoD and NASA. A project at a test range (a defined geographic area where research and development are..., the FAA believes that the new test sites need to include focal points to ensure that research is... and experience in conducting UAS operations and research. Methods that test site operators can use for...
A Study on Human Oriented Autonomous Distributed Manufacturing System —Real-time Scheduling Method Based on Preference of Human Operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwamura, Koji; Kuwahara, Shinya; Tanimizu, Yoshitaka; Sugimura, Nobuhiro

Recently, new distributed architectures of manufacturing systems are proposed, aiming at realizing more flexible control structures of the manufacturing systems. Many researches have been carried out to deal with the distributed architectures for planning and control of the manufacturing systems. However, the human operators have not yet been discussed for the autonomous components of the distributed manufacturing systems. A real-time scheduling method is proposed, in this research, to select suitable combinations of the human operators, the resources and the jobs for the manufacturing processes. The proposed scheduling method consists of following three steps. In the first step, the human operators select their favorite manufacturing processes which they will carry out in the next time period, based on their preferences. In the second step, the machine tools and the jobs select suitable combinations for the next machining processes. In the third step, the automated guided vehicles and the jobs select suitable combinations for the next transportation processes. The second and third steps are carried out by using the utility value based method and the dispatching rule-based method proposed in the previous researches. Some case studies have been carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Application of AI methods to aircraft guidance and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hueschen, Richard M.; Mcmanus, John W.

1988-01-01

A research program for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) techniques with tools and methods used for aircraft flight control system design, development, and implementation is discussed. The application of the AI methods for the development and implementation of the logic software which operates with the control mode panel (CMP) of an aircraft is presented. The CMP is the pilot control panel for the automatic flight control system of a commercial-type research aircraft of Langley Research Center's Advanced Transport Operating Systems (ATOPS) program. A mouse-driven color-display emulation of the CMP, which was developed with AI methods and used to test the AI software logic implementation, is discussed. The operation of the CMP was enhanced with the addition of a display which was quickly developed with AI methods. The display advises the pilot of conditions not satisfied when a mode does not arm or engage. The implementation of the CMP software logic has shown that the time required to develop, implement, and modify software systems can be significantly reduced with the use of the AI methods.
Sampling for Patient Exit Interviews: Assessment of Methods Using Mathematical Derivation and Computer Simulations.

PubMed

Geldsetzer, Pascal; Fink, Günther; Vaikath, Maria; Bärnighausen, Till

2018-02-01

(1) To evaluate the operational efficiency of various sampling methods for patient exit interviews; (2) to discuss under what circumstances each method yields an unbiased sample; and (3) to propose a new, operationally efficient, and unbiased sampling method. Literature review, mathematical derivation, and Monte Carlo simulations. Our simulations show that in patient exit interviews it is most operationally efficient if the interviewer, after completing an interview, selects the next patient exiting the clinical consultation. We demonstrate mathematically that this method yields a biased sample: patients who spend a longer time with the clinician are overrepresented. This bias can be removed by selecting the next patient who enters, rather than exits, the consultation room. We show that this sampling method is operationally more efficient than alternative methods (systematic and simple random sampling) in most primary health care settings. Under the assumption that the order in which patients enter the consultation room is unrelated to the length of time spent with the clinician and the interviewer, selecting the next patient entering the consultation room tends to be the operationally most efficient unbiased sampling method for patient exit interviews. © 2016 The Authors. Health Services Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Health Research and Educational Trust.
Operational Research during the Ebola Emergency.

PubMed

Fitzpatrick, Gabriel; Decroo, Tom; Draguez, Bertrand; Crestani, Rosa; Ronsse, Axelle; Van den Bergh, Rafael; Van Herp, Michel

2017-07-01

Operational research aims to identify interventions, strategies, or tools that can enhance the quality, effectiveness, or coverage of programs where the research is taking place. Médecins Sans Frontières admitted ≈5,200 patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and from the beginning nested operational research within its emergency response. This research covered critical areas, such as understanding how the virus spreads, clinical trials, community perceptions, challenges within Ebola treatment centers, and negative effects on non-Ebola healthcare. Importantly, operational research questions were decided to a large extent by returning volunteers who had first-hand knowledge of the immediate issues facing teams in the field. Such a method is appropriate for an emergency medical organization. Many challenges were also identified while carrying out operational research across 3 different countries, including the basic need for collecting data in standardized format to enable comparison of findings among treatment centers.
Draft version 1.0 final report : evaluation methods and lessons learned from the Minnesota Department of Transportation intelligent vehicle initiative field operational test

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-09-26

This report on the Evaluation Methods and Lessons Learned for the Mn/DOT Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) Field Operational Test (FOT) documents the goals and objectives, research approach, methods, and findings of a program to measure the feasib...
Surface Area Analysis Using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) Method: Standard Operating Procedure Series: SOP-C

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

Method Scientific Operating Procedure Series : SOP-C En vi ro nm en ta l L ab or at or y Jonathon Brame and Chris Griggs September 2016...BET) Method Scientific Operating Procedure Series : SOP-C Jonathon Brame and Chris Griggs Environmental Laboratory U.S. Army Engineer Research and...response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
Combining qualitative and quantitative operational research methods to inform quality improvement in pathways that span multiple settings

PubMed Central

Crowe, Sonya; Brown, Katherine; Tregay, Jenifer; Wray, Jo; Knowles, Rachel; Ridout, Deborah A; Bull, Catherine; Utley, Martin

2017-01-01

Background Improving integration and continuity of care across sectors within resource constraints is a priority in many health systems. Qualitative operational research methods of problem structuring have been used to address quality improvement in services involving multiple sectors but not in combination with quantitative operational research methods that enable targeting of interventions according to patient risk. We aimed to combine these methods to augment and inform an improvement initiative concerning infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) whose complex care pathway spans multiple sectors. Methods Soft systems methodology was used to consider systematically changes to services from the perspectives of community, primary, secondary and tertiary care professionals and a patient group, incorporating relevant evidence. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis of national audit datasets was conducted along with data visualisation designed to inform service improvement within the context of limited resources. Results A ‘Rich Picture’ was developed capturing the main features of services for infants with CHD pertinent to service improvement. This was used, along with a graphical summary of the CART analysis, to guide discussions about targeting interventions at specific patient risk groups. Agreement was reached across representatives of relevant health professions and patients on a coherent set of targeted recommendations for quality improvement. These fed into national decisions about service provision and commissioning. Conclusions When tackling complex problems in service provision across multiple settings, it is important to acknowledge and work with multiple perspectives systematically and to consider targeting service improvements in response to confined resources. Our research demonstrates that applying a combination of qualitative and quantitative operational research methods is one approach to doing so that warrants further consideration. PMID:28062603
Using full-mission simulation for human factors research in air transport operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orlady, Harry W.; Hennessy, Robert W.; Obermayer, Richard; Vreuls, Donald; Murphy, Miles R.

1988-01-01

This study examined state-of-the-art mission oriented simulation and its use in human factors research. Guidelines were developed for doing full-mission human factors research on crew member behavior during simulated air transport operations. The existing literature was reviewed. However, interviews with experienced investigators provided the most useful information. The fundamental scientific and practical issues of behavioral research in a simulation environment are discussed. Guidelines are presented for planning, scenario development, and the execution of behavioral research using full-mission simulation in the context of air transport flight operations . Research is recommended to enhance the validity and productivity of full-mission research by: (1) validating the need for high-fidelity simulation of all major elements in the operational environment, (2) improving methods for conducting full-mission research, and (3) examining part-task research on specific problems through the use of vehicles which contain higher levels of abstraction (and lower fidelity) of the operational environment.
Operations Research / Operations Analysis Orientation Course Curriculum for NATO Nations (Programme d’initiation a la recherche / l’analyse operationnelle pour les pays de l’OTAN)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

The NATO Science and Technology Organization Science & Technology (S& T ) in the NATO context is defined as the selective and rigorous...generation and application of state-of-the-art, validated knowledge for defence and security purposes. S& T activities embrace scientific research...engineering, operational research and analysis, synthesis, integration and validation of knowledge derived through the scientific method. In NATO, S& T is
Operations Monitoring Assistant System Design

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-01

Logic. Artificial Inteligence 25(1)::75-94. January.18. 41 -Nils J. Nilsson. Problem-Solving Methods In Artificli Intelligence. .klcG raw-Hill B3ook...operations monitoring assistant (OMA) system is designed that combines operations research, artificial intelligence, and human reasoning techniques and...KnowledgeCraft (from Carnegie Group), and 5.1 (from Teknowledze). These tools incorporate the best methods of applied artificial intelligence, and
Phase matrix induced symmetrics for multiple scattering using the matrix operator method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hitzfelder, S. J.; Kattawar, G. W.

1973-01-01

Entirely rigorous proofs of the symmetries induced by the phase matrix into the reflection and transmission operators used in the matrix operator theory are given. Results are obtained for multiple scattering in both homogeneous and inhomogeneous atmospheres. These results will be useful to researchers using the method since large savings in computer time and storage are obtainable.
QUANTITATIVE DECISION TOOLS AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

BYARS, LLOYD L.; NUNN, GEOFFREY E.

THIS ARTICLE OUTLINED THE CURRENT STATUS OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS AND OPERATIONS RESEARCH (OR), SKETCHED THE STRENGTHS OF TRAINING EFFORTS AND ISOLATED WEAKNESSES, AND FORMULATED WORKABLE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING SUCCESS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMS. A SURVEY OF 105 COMPANIES REVEALED THAT PERT, INVENTORY CONTROL THEORY AND LINEAR…
Method of determining operation parameters of stand tests of vehicle suspension elements under conditions of ultra-low temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedyanov, E. A.; Sokolov-Dobrev, N. S.; Ljashenko, M. V.; Shekhovtsov, V. V.; Potapov, P. V.; Dolotov, A. A.; Klementiev, E. V.

2018-05-01

This article presents the description of the method for estimation of heat flows characteristic during research of operability of suspension elements under the conditions of ultralow temperature. The mentioned research is performed at the test bench created in VSTU. Solid carbon dioxide (also known as artificial ice) is used as the coolant. The method provides evaluation of required quantity of artificial ice and cooling dynamics of the test unit in the insulated low-temperature chamber with structurally specified parameters of heat insulation. Also the method allows computation of heat intake into the chamber volume.
Selected Judgmental Methods in Defense Analyses. Volume 1. Main Text.

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-07-01

contract No. MDA903-89-C-0003, Task T-6-593, Survey of Qualitative Methods in Military Operations Research . The objective of this analysis is to...Generalizability, and Reliability: Three Dimensions of Judgment Research ..................................................................... 1-1 a...V-3 3. Non -Gamble Methods ............................................................... V-4 B. Criticisms, Caveats, Replies

Benefits and challenges of health information systems for operations research: an illustrative example to improve surgical scheduling.

PubMed

Chow, Vincent S; Huang, Wenhai; Puterman, Martin L

2009-01-01

Operations research (OR) is playing an increasing role in the support of many health care initiatives. However one of the main challenges facing OR practitioners is the availability and the integrity of operations data. Hospital information systems (HIS) are often designed with a clinical or accounting focus and may lack the data necessary for operational studies. In this paper, we illustrate the data processing methods and data challenges faced by our team during a study of surgical scheduling practices at the Vancouver Island Health Authority. We also provide some general recommendations to improve HIS from an operations perspective. In general, more integration between operations researchers and HIS specialists are required to support ongoing operational improvements in the health care sector.
RECOMMENDED OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. 2.3: SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS OF TOTAL HYDROCARBONS FROM SOURCES BY CONTINUOUS EMISSION MONITOR

EPA Science Inventory

The report is a recommended operating procedure (ROP) prepared for use in research activities conducted by EPA's Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory (AEERL). he described method is applicable to the continuous measurement of total hydrocarbons (THCs), also known as tot...
RECOMMENDED OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. 51: GLASS SOURCE ASSESSMENT SAMPLING SYSTEM (GLASS SASS)

EPA Science Inventory

The report is a recommended operating procedure (ROP), prepared for use in research activities conducted by EPA's Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory (AEERL). he method described is applicable to the stack sampling of flue gas from a rotary kiln and to associated equip...
Theory and implementation of summarization: Improving sensor interpretation for spacecraft operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swartwout, Michael Alden

New paradigms in space missions require radical changes in spacecraft operations. In the past, operations were insulated from competitive pressures of cost, quality and time by system infrastructures, technological limitations and historical precedent. However, modern demands now require that operations meet competitive performance goals. One target for improvement is the telemetry downlink, where significant resources are invested to acquire thousands of measurements for human interpretation. This cost-intensive method is used because conventional operations are not based on formal methodologies but on experiential reasoning and incrementally adapted procedures. Therefore, to improve the telemetry downlink it is first necessary to invent a rational framework for discussing operations. This research explores operations as a feedback control problem, develops the conceptual basis for the use of spacecraft telemetry, and presents a method to improve performance. The method is called summarization, a process to make vehicle data more useful to operators. Summarization enables rational trades for telemetry downlink by defining and quantitatively ranking these elements: all operational decisions, the knowledge needed to inform each decision, and all possible sensor mappings to acquire that knowledge. Summarization methods were implemented for the Sapphire microsatellite; conceptual health management and system models were developed and a degree-of-observability metric was defined. An automated tool was created to generate summarization methods from these models. Methods generated using a Sapphire model were compared against the conventional operations plan. Summarization was shown to identify the key decisions and isolate the most appropriate sensors. Secondly, a form of summarization called beacon monitoring was experimentally verified. Beacon monitoring automates the anomaly detection and notification tasks and migrates these responsibilities to the space segment. A set of experiments using Sapphire demonstrated significant cost and time savings compared to conventional operations. Summarization is based on rational concepts for defining and understanding operations. Therefore, it enables additional trade studies that were formerly not possible and also can form the basis for future detailed research into spacecraft operations.
Research reactor decommissioning experience - concrete removal and disposal -

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

Manning, Mark R.; Gardner, Frederick W.

1990-07-01

Removal and disposal of neutron activated concrete from biological shields is the most significant operational task associated with research reactor decommissioning. During the period of 1985 thru 1989 Chem-Nuclear Systems, Inc. was the prime contractor for complete dismantlement and decommissioning of the Northrop TRIGA Mark F, the Virginia Tech Argonaut, and the Michigan State University TRIGA Mark I Reactor Facilities. This paper discusses operational requirements, methods employed, and results of the concrete removal, packaging, transport and disposal operations for these (3) research reactor decommissioning projects. Methods employed for each are compared. Disposal of concrete above and below regulatory release limitsmore » for unrestricted use are discussed. This study concludes that activated reactor biological shield concrete can be safely removed and buried under current regulations.« less
Network Penetration Testing and Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, Brandon F.

2013-01-01

This paper will focus the on research and testing done on penetrating a network for security purposes. This research will provide the IT security office new methods of attacks across and against a company's network as well as introduce them to new platforms and software that can be used to better assist with protecting against such attacks. Throughout this paper testing and research has been done on two different Linux based operating systems, for attacking and compromising a Windows based host computer. Backtrack 5 and BlackBuntu (Linux based penetration testing operating systems) are two different "attacker'' computers that will attempt to plant viruses and or NASA USRP - Internship Final Report exploits on a host Windows 7 operating system, as well as try to retrieve information from the host. On each Linux OS (Backtrack 5 and BlackBuntu) there is penetration testing software which provides the necessary tools to create exploits that can compromise a windows system as well as other operating systems. This paper will focus on two main methods of deploying exploits 1 onto a host computer in order to retrieve information from a compromised system. One method of deployment for an exploit that was tested is known as a "social engineering" exploit. This type of method requires interaction from unsuspecting user. With this user interaction, a deployed exploit may allow a malicious user to gain access to the unsuspecting user's computer as well as the network that such computer is connected to. Due to more advance security setting and antivirus protection and detection, this method is easily identified and defended against. The second method of exploit deployment is the method mainly focused upon within this paper. This method required extensive research on the best way to compromise a security enabled protected network. Once a network has been compromised, then any and all devices connected to such network has the potential to be compromised as well. With a compromised network, computers and devices can be penetrated through deployed exploits. This paper will illustrate the research done to test ability to penetrate a network without user interaction, in order to retrieve personal information from a targeted host.
Geostationary satellite positioning by DLR/GSOC operations and management methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brittinger, Peter

1994-01-01

Starting with a short description of the GSOC (German Space Operations Center) and its role within the wider framework of the research institute DLR, this paper provides a review of the geostationary telecommunications satellites positioned by the GSOC. The paper then proceeds to describe the evolution of the operations and management structures and methods which have been effectively used to accomplish these missions.
Changing the Paradigm: Simulation, a Method of First Resort

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

Environment xvii USAF United States Air Force USD(I) Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) V&V Verification and Validation VIC Vector -in...continued use throughout the operations research community, and is perhaps best known from Harvey Wagner’s seminal textbook Principles of Operations...pages 887 and 890 of Harvey Wagner’s seminal textbook Principles of Operations Research (Wagner, 1969). Why was this the paradigm of the time? Was
Behavioral Health and Performance at NASA JSC: Recent Successes and Future Plan for BHP Research and Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leveton, L. B.; VanderArk, S. T.

2014-01-01

The Behavioral Health and Performance discipline at NASA Johnson Space Center is organized into two distinct Divisions (Biomedical Research and Environmental Science Division and Space and Clinical Operations Division) but is integrated and interrelated in its day-to-day work. Ongoing operations supporting NASA's spaceflight goals benefit from the research portfolios that address risks to mission success. Similarly, these research portfolios are informed by operations to ensure investigations stay relevant given the dynamic environment of spaceflight. There are many success stories that can be presented where initial work begun as a BHP Research project, and funded through the Human Research Program, was fully implemented in operations or addressed an operational need. Examples include improving effectiveness of the debriefings used within Mission Control by the Mission Operations Directorate and countermeasures for fatigue management. There is also ongoing collaboration with research and operations for developing selection methods for future generation astronauts, and to enhance and inform the current family support function. The objective of this panel is to provide examples of recent success stories, describe areas where close collaboration is benefitting ongoing research and operations, and summarize how this will come together as NASA plans for the one year ISS mission - a unique opportunity for both BHP operations and research to learn more about preparing and supporting crewmembers for extended missions in space. The proposed panel will be comprised of six presentations, each describing a unique aspect of research or operations and the benefits to current and future spaceflight.
[Early activation of heart-operated patients as a tool for optimization of cardio-surgery curation (review)].

PubMed

2014-04-01

During last years in foreign countries there was widely introduced tactic of early activation of cardio-surgery patients. Necessary components of this methodical approach are early finishing of post-operation artificial respiration and extubation of trachea, shortening of time spending in intensive therapy till 1 day and sign out from stationary after 5 days. As a result of reducing hospitalization period, the curation costs are reduced significantly. Goal of this research was the analysis of methods of anesthesia that allow early extubation and activation after cardio-surgery interventions. There were analyzed data of protocols of anesthesia and post-operation periods for 270 patients. It was concluded that applied methods of anesthesia ensure adequate protection from operation stress and allow reduce time of post-operation artificial respiration, early activation of patients without reducing level of their safety. It was also proved that application of any type of anesthesia medicines is not influencing the temp of post-operation activation. Conducted research is proving the advisability of using tactic of early activation of patients after heart operations and considers this as a tool for optimization of cardio-surgery curation.
Implementation science for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

PubMed

Schackman, Bruce R

2010-12-01

Implementation science is the scientific study of methods to promote the integration of research findings and evidence-based interventions into health care policy and practice and hence to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services and care. Implementation science is distinguished from monitoring and evaluation by its emphasis on the use of the scientific method. The origins of implementation science include operations research, industrial engineering, and management science. Today, implementation science encompasses a broader range of methods and skills including decision science and operations research, health systems research, health outcomes research, health and behavioral economics, epidemiology, statistics, organization and management science, finance, policy analysis, anthropology, sociology, and ethics. Examples of implementation science research are presented for HIV prevention (prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, male circumcision) and HIV and drug use (syringe distribution, treating drug users with antiretroviral therapy and opioid substitution therapy). For implementation science to become an established field in HIV/AIDS research, there needs to be better coordination between funders of research and funders of program delivery and greater consensus on scientific research approaches and standards of evidence.
Simplified neutrosophic sets and their applications in multi-criteria group decision-making problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Juan-juan; Wang, Jian-qiang; Wang, Jing; Zhang, Hong-yu; Chen, Xiao-hong

2016-07-01

As a variation of fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets, neutrosophic sets have been developed to represent uncertain, imprecise, incomplete and inconsistent information that exists in the real world. Simplified neutrosophic sets (SNSs) have been proposed for the main purpose of addressing issues with a set of specific numbers. However, there are certain problems regarding the existing operations of SNSs, as well as their aggregation operators and the comparison methods. Therefore, this paper defines the novel operations of simplified neutrosophic numbers (SNNs) and develops a comparison method based on the related research of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. On the basis of these operations and the comparison method, some SNN aggregation operators are proposed. Additionally, an approach for multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problems is explored by applying these aggregation operators. Finally, an example to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method is provided and a comparison with some other methods is made.
22 CFR 212.35 - Schedule of fees and method of payment for services rendered.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... operates a program or programs of scholarly research. (7) Non-commercial scientific institution refers to... (a)(5) of this section and which is operated solely for the purpose of conducting scientific research... on the following formula: hours spent by Agency personnel, whatever their grade and location, and...
Building a Foundation to Study Distributed Information Behaviour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

von Thaden, Terry L.

2007-01-01

Introduction: The purpose of this research is to assess information behaviour as it pertains to operational teams in dynamic safety critical operations. Method: In this paper, I describe some of the problems faced by crews on modern flight decks and suggest a framework modelled on Information Science, Human Factors, and Activity Theory research to…
The SAGE Model of Social Psychological Research.

PubMed

Power, Séamus A; Velez, Gabriel; Qadafi, Ahmad; Tennant, Joseph

2018-05-01

We propose a SAGE model for social psychological research. Encapsulated in our acronym is a proposal to have a synthetic approach to social psychological research, in which qualitative methods are augmentative to quantitative ones, qualitative methods can be generative of new experimental hypotheses, and qualitative methods can capture experiences that evade experimental reductionism. We remind social psychological researchers that psychology was founded in multiple methods of investigation at multiple levels of analysis. We discuss historical examples and our own research as contemporary examples of how a SAGE model can operate in part or as an integrated whole. The implications of our model are discussed.
U.S. ARMY HUMAN FACTORS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL CONFERENCE, INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL-UNIT TRAINING FOR COMBAT OPERATIONS (12TH, FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, OCTOBER 1966).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

JACOBS, T.O.; AND OTHERS

RESEARCH IN THE AREA OF MILITARY TRAINING AND TRAINING METHODS WAS REVIEWED AND ASSESSED FOR (1) ITS RELEVANCE TO MODERN COMBAT OPERATIONS (IDENTIFICATION OF COMBAT TASKS, DEVELOPMENT OF SKILL TRAINING, AND EVALUATION) AND (2) ITS EFFICIENCY (REDUCED COST AND TIME AND INCREASED TRAINEE PROFICIENCY, OR BOTH). CASES OF EFFECTIVE RESEARCH IN USE OF…
Research on crude oil storage and transportation based on optimization algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Xuhua

2018-04-01

At present, the optimization theory and method have been widely used in the optimization scheduling and optimal operation scheme of complex production systems. Based on C++Builder 6 program development platform, the theoretical research results are implemented by computer. The simulation and intelligent decision system of crude oil storage and transportation inventory scheduling are designed. The system includes modules of project management, data management, graphics processing, simulation of oil depot operation scheme. It can realize the optimization of the scheduling scheme of crude oil storage and transportation system. A multi-point temperature measuring system for monitoring the temperature field of floating roof oil storage tank is developed. The results show that by optimizing operating parameters such as tank operating mode and temperature, the total transportation scheduling costs of the storage and transportation system can be reduced by 9.1%. Therefore, this method can realize safe and stable operation of crude oil storage and transportation system.
A Unifying Framework for Causal Analysis in Set-Theoretic Multimethod Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rohlfing, Ingo; Schneider, Carsten Q.

2018-01-01

The combination of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) with process tracing, which we call set-theoretic multimethod research (MMR), is steadily becoming more popular in empirical research. Despite the fact that both methods have an elected affinity based on set theory, it is not obvious how a within-case method operating in a single case and a…
Why don't Practitioners use Reservoir Optimization Methods? Results from a Survey of UK Water Managers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dobson, B.; Pianosi, F.; Wagener, T.

2016-12-01

Extensive scientific literature exists on the study of how operation decisions in water resource systems can be made more effectively through the use of optimization methods. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is little in the literature on the implementation of these optimization methods by practitioners. We have performed a survey among UK reservoir operators to assess the current state of method implementation in practice. We also ask questions to assess the potential for implementation of operation optimization. This will help academics to target industry in their current research, identify any misconceptions in industry about the area and open new branches of research for which there is an unsatisfied demand. The UK is a good case study because the regulatory framework is changing to impose "no build" solutions for supply issues, as well as planning across entire water resource systems rather than individual components. Additionally there is a high appetite for efficiency due to the water industry's privatization and most operators are part of companies that control multiple water resources, increasing the potential for cooperation and coordination.
Offshore wind development research (technical brief).

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-04-01

The study addresses all aspects of Offshore Wind (OSW) development. This includes identifying : vessel types, vessel installation methods, needs and operating characteristics through all phases : of OSW installation, construction, operations and main...

A Stability Enhancement Method for Centrifugal Compressors using Active Control Casing Treatment System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yuanyang; Xiao, Jun; Li, Liansheng; Yang, Qichao; Liu, Guangbin; Wang, Le

2015-08-01

The centrifugal compressors are widely used in many fields. When the centrifugal compressors operate at the edge of the surge line, the compressor will be unstable. In addition, if the centrifugal compressor runs at this situation long time, the damage will be occurred on compressor. There are some kinds of method to improve and enlarge the range of the centrifugal compressors, such as inlet guide vane, and casing treatment. For casing treatment method, some structures have been researched, such as holed recirculation, basic slot casing treatment and groove casing treatment. All these researches are the passive methods. This paper present a new stability enhancement method based Active Control Casing Treatment (ACCT). All parts of this new method are introduced in detail. The control strategy of the system is mentioned in the paper. As a research sample, a centrifugal compressor having this system is researched using CFD method. The study focuses on the effect of the active control system on the impeller flow. The vortex in impeller is changed by the active control system. And this leads to the suppression of the extension of vortex blockage in impeller and to contribute to the enhancement of the compressor operating range.
Programmatic Research to Design and Develop Improved Instructional Technology for Handicapped Children. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schiefelbusch, Richard L.; Lent, James R.

Presented is the final report for Project MORE (Mediated Operational Research for Education), a program to create a full-scale operational system for developing product prototypes (methods and materials packages) for teaching personal appearance and hygiene skills to the trainable mentally retarded child. Reviewed in part I is the history of the…
An overview of thixoforming process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Husain, N. H.; Ahmad, A. H.; Rashidi, M. M.

2017-10-01

Thixoforming is a forming process which exploits metal rheological behaviour during solidus and liquidus range temperature. Many research works in thixoforming are currently focusing on the raw material used to produce superior mechanical properties and excellent formability components, especially in automotive industries. Furthermore, the thixoforming process also produced less casting defect component such as macrosegration, shrinkage and porosity. These advantages are sufficient to attract more exploration works of thixoforming operation. However, the weakness of this process such as high production cost due to leftover billet which cannot be recycled, encourage researcher works to overcome thixoforming limitations by using various methods. The thixoforming methods that widely used are thixocasting, thixoforging, thixorolling, thixoextrusion and thixomoulding. Each method provides varieties of final product characteristics; hence offer the extensive possibility of component invention. On the other hand, new thixoforming method leads to exploration research such as microstructure evolution, heating and pouring temperature, die temperature, mechanical properties, viscosity and final product quality. This review paper presents findings in the rheological material behaviour of thixoforming, advantages and disadvantanges of thixoforming, parameters affecting the thixoforming operation, morphology of thixoforming and various methods which have been used in this research area.
Reporting guidelines for implementation and operational research.

PubMed

Hales, Simon; Lesher-Trevino, Ana; Ford, Nathan; Maher, Dermot; Ramsay, Andrew; Tran, Nhan

2016-01-01

In public health, implementation research is done to improve access to interventions that have been shown to work but have not reached many of the people who could benefit from them. Researchers identify practical problems facing public health programmes and aim to find solutions that improve health outcomes. In operational research, routinely-collected programme data are used to uncover ways of delivering more effective, efficient and equitable health care. As implementation research can address many types of questions, many research designs may be appropriate. Existing reporting guidelines partially cover the methods used in implementation and operational research, so we ran a consultation through the World Health Organization (WHO), the Alliance for Health Policy & Systems Research (AHPSR) and the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and developed guidelines to facilitate the funding, conduct, review and publishing of such studies. Our intention is to provide a practical reference for funders, researchers, policymakers, implementers, reviewers and editors working with implementation and operational research. This is an evolving field, so we plan to monitor the use of these guidelines and develop future versions as required.
Cognitive Performance in Operational Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russo, Michael; McGhee, James; Friedler, Edna; Thomas, Maria

2005-01-01

Optimal cognition during complex and sustained operations is a critical component for success in current and future military operations. "Cognitive Performance, Judgment, and Decision-making" (CPJD) is a newly organized U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command research program focused on sustaining operational effectiveness of Future Force Warriors by developing paradigms through which militarily-relevant, higher-order cognitive performance, judgment, and decision-making can be assessed and sustained in individuals, small teams, and leaders of network-centric fighting units. CPJD evaluates the impact of stressors intrinsic to military operational environments (e.g., sleep deprivation, workload, fatigue, temperature extremes, altitude, environmental/physiological disruption) on military performance, evaluates noninvasive automated methods for monitoring and predicting cognitive performance, and investigates pharmaceutical strategies (e.g., stimulant countermeasures, hypnotics) to mitigate performance decrements. This manuscript describes the CPJD program, discusses the metrics utilized to relate militarily applied research findings to academic research, and discusses how the simulated combat capabilities of a synthetic battle laboratory may facilitate future cognitive performance research.
The SAGE Model of Social Psychological Research

PubMed Central

Power, Séamus A.; Velez, Gabriel; Qadafi, Ahmad; Tennant, Joseph

2018-01-01

We propose a SAGE model for social psychological research. Encapsulated in our acronym is a proposal to have a synthetic approach to social psychological research, in which qualitative methods are augmentative to quantitative ones, qualitative methods can be generative of new experimental hypotheses, and qualitative methods can capture experiences that evade experimental reductionism. We remind social psychological researchers that psychology was founded in multiple methods of investigation at multiple levels of analysis. We discuss historical examples and our own research as contemporary examples of how a SAGE model can operate in part or as an integrated whole. The implications of our model are discussed. PMID:29361241
Integrated Design of a Telerobotic Workstation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rochlis, Jennifer L.; Clarke, John-Paul

2001-01-01

The experiments described in this paper are part of a larger joint MIT/NASA research effort that focuses on the development of a methodology for designing and evaluating integrated interfaces for highly dexterous and multi-functional telerobots. Specifically, a telerobotic workstation is being designed for an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) anthropomorphic space station telerobot. Previous researchers have designed telerobotic workstations based upon performance of discrete subsets of tasks (for example, peg-in-hole, tracking, etc.) without regard for transitions that operators go through between tasks performed sequentially in the context of larger integrated tasks. The exploratory research experiments presented here took an integrated approach and assessed how subjects operating a full-immersion telerobot perform during the transitions between sub-tasks of two common EVA tasks. Preliminary results show that up to 30% of total task time is spent gaining and maintaining Situation Awareness (SA) of their task space and environment during transitions. Although task performance improves over the two trial days, the percentage of time spent on SA remains the same. This method identifies areas where workstation displays and feedback mechanisms are most needed to increase operator performance and decrease operator workload - areas that previous research methods have not been able to address.
Qualitative research within trials: developing a standard operating procedure for a clinical trials unit

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Qualitative research methods are increasingly used within clinical trials to address broader research questions than can be addressed by quantitative methods alone. These methods enable health professionals, service users, and other stakeholders to contribute their views and experiences to evaluation of healthcare treatments, interventions, or policies, and influence the design of trials. Qualitative data often contribute information that is better able to reform policy or influence design. Methods Health services researchers, including trialists, clinicians, and qualitative researchers, worked collaboratively to develop a comprehensive portfolio of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the West Wales Organisation for Rigorous Trials in Health (WWORTH), a clinical trials unit (CTU) at Swansea University, which has recently achieved registration with the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC). Although the UKCRC requires a total of 25 SOPs from registered CTUs, WWORTH chose to add an additional qualitative-methods SOP (QM-SOP). Results The qualitative methods SOP (QM-SOP) defines good practice in designing and implementing qualitative components of trials, while allowing flexibility of approach and method. Its basic principles are that: qualitative researchers should be contributors from the start of trials with qualitative potential; the qualitative component should have clear aims; and the main study publication should report on the qualitative component. Conclusions We recommend that CTUs consider developing a QM-SOP to enhance the conduct of quantitative trials by adding qualitative data and analysis. We judge that this improves the value of quantitative trials, and contributes to the future development of multi-method trials. PMID:23433341
A History of The U.S. Army in Operations Research

DTIC Science & Technology

1967-05-22

Evolution (1951 - 1959). • • . • • • 60 5. Operations Research Office Organizatin I April 195L4 . . 64 6. AMry Organization for Reseavh and Development...23bid.. pp. 30-31, 41-42. Zpp. 48-50. 41 Thu Office established in Oahu, Hawaii, under the leadership of Dv. Lauriston C, Marshall, a physicist from...research in training methods, motivation, xorale leadership and psychological warfare. Most of the specific problems uz- dertaken by HaRO were old
Combining qualitative and quantitative operational research methods to inform quality improvement in pathways that span multiple settings.

PubMed

Crowe, Sonya; Brown, Katherine; Tregay, Jenifer; Wray, Jo; Knowles, Rachel; Ridout, Deborah A; Bull, Catherine; Utley, Martin

2017-08-01

Improving integration and continuity of care across sectors within resource constraints is a priority in many health systems. Qualitative operational research methods of problem structuring have been used to address quality improvement in services involving multiple sectors but not in combination with quantitative operational research methods that enable targeting of interventions according to patient risk. We aimed to combine these methods to augment and inform an improvement initiative concerning infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) whose complex care pathway spans multiple sectors. Soft systems methodology was used to consider systematically changes to services from the perspectives of community, primary, secondary and tertiary care professionals and a patient group, incorporating relevant evidence. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis of national audit datasets was conducted along with data visualisation designed to inform service improvement within the context of limited resources. A 'Rich Picture' was developed capturing the main features of services for infants with CHD pertinent to service improvement. This was used, along with a graphical summary of the CART analysis, to guide discussions about targeting interventions at specific patient risk groups. Agreement was reached across representatives of relevant health professions and patients on a coherent set of targeted recommendations for quality improvement. These fed into national decisions about service provision and commissioning. When tackling complex problems in service provision across multiple settings, it is important to acknowledge and work with multiple perspectives systematically and to consider targeting service improvements in response to confined resources. Our research demonstrates that applying a combination of qualitative and quantitative operational research methods is one approach to doing so that warrants further consideration. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
Liberating the Oppressed: Research Knowledge Differentials and Ethical Investigation in Special Operations Forces Clinical Science.

PubMed

Kemplin, Kate Rocklein; Bowling, F Young

Special Operations Forces (SOF) medics do not have preparation in research knowledge that enables them to independently initiate or generate their own studies. Thus, medics rely on evidence generated by others, who are removed from medics' practice environment. Here, salient literature on research self-efficacy and the genesis of institutional review boards (IRBs) are reviewed and interpreted for contextual applications to medics' practice and initiation of studies. More publications delving into research methods are warranted to promote medics' participation and initiation of selfdirected scientific investigation, in collaboration with research scientists. 2017.
Optimization of the efficiency of search operations in the relational database of radio electronic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wajszczyk, Bronisław; Biernacki, Konrad

2018-04-01

The increase of interoperability of radio electronic systems used in the Armed Forces requires the processing of very large amounts of data. Requirements for the integration of information from many systems and sensors, including radar recognition, electronic and optical recognition, force to look for more efficient methods to support information retrieval in even-larger database resources. This paper presents the results of research on methods of improving the efficiency of databases using various types of indexes. The data structure indexing technique is a solution used in RDBMS systems (relational database management system). However, the analysis of the performance of indices, the description of potential applications, and in particular the presentation of a specific scale of performance growth for individual indices are limited to few studies in this field. This paper contains analysis of methods affecting the work efficiency of a relational database management system. As a result of the research, a significant increase in the efficiency of operations on data was achieved through the strategy of indexing data structures. The presentation of the research topic discussed in this paper mainly consists of testing the operation of various indexes against the background of different queries and data structures. The conclusions from the conducted experiments allow to assess the effectiveness of the solutions proposed and applied in the research. The results of the research indicate the existence of a real increase in the performance of operations on data using indexation of data structures. In addition, the level of this growth is presented, broken down by index types.
Automatic Adviser on Mobile Objects Status Identification and Classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shabelnikov, A. N.; Liabakh, N. N.; Gibner, Ya M.; Saryan, A. S.

2018-05-01

A mobile object status identification task is defined within the image discrimination theory. It is proposed to classify objects into three classes: object operation status; its maintenance is required and object should be removed from the production process. Two methods were developed to construct the separating boundaries between the designated classes: a) using statistical information on the research objects executed movement, b) basing on regulatory documents and expert commentary. Automatic Adviser operation simulation and the operation results analysis complex were synthesized. Research results are commented using a specific example of cuts rolling from the hump yard. The work was supported by Russian Fundamental Research Fund, project No. 17-20-01040.
9 CFR 2.30 - Registration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... intends to use live animals for research, tests, experiments, or teaching, the university or college... function as a research facility, or which changes its method of operation so that it no longer uses...
9 CFR 2.30 - Registration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... intends to use live animals for research, tests, experiments, or teaching, the university or college... function as a research facility, or which changes its method of operation so that it no longer uses...
9 CFR 2.30 - Registration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... intends to use live animals for research, tests, experiments, or teaching, the university or college... function as a research facility, or which changes its method of operation so that it no longer uses...
9 CFR 2.30 - Registration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... intends to use live animals for research, tests, experiments, or teaching, the university or college... function as a research facility, or which changes its method of operation so that it no longer uses...
Methods of Collection of Biological Information for Fatigue Evaluation during Visual Display Terminals (VDT) Operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hachiya, Yuriko; Ogai, Harutoshi; Okazaki, Hiroko; Fujisaki, Takeshi; Uchida, Kazuhiko; Oda, Susumu; Wada, Futoshi; Mori, Koji

A method for the analysis of fatigue parameters has been rarely researched in VDT operation. Up to now, fatigue was evaluated by changing of biological information. If signals regarding fatigue are detected, fatigue can be measured. The purpose of this study proposed experiment and analysis method to extract parameters related to fatigue from the biological information during VDT operation using the Independent Component Analysis (ICA). An experiment had 11 subjects. As for the experiment were light loaded VDT operation and heavy loaded VDT operation. A measurement item were amount of work, a mistake number, subjective symptom, surface skin temperature (forehead and apex nasi), heart rate, skin blood flow of forearm and respiratory rate. In the heavy loaded operation group, mistake number and subjective symptom score were increased to compare with the other. And Two-factor ANOVA was used for analysis. The result of mistake number was confirmed that heavy loaded. After the moving averages of waveshape were calculated, it was made to extract independent components by using the ICA. The results of the ICA suggest that the independent components increase according to accumulation of fatigue. Thus, the independent components would be a possible parameter of fatigue. However, further experiments should continue in order to obtain the conclusive finding of our research.
Fatigue and its Effect on Performance in Military Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

orne and orne , 1985). operational environments share common characteristics such as long work hours, working conditions that vary from boring to...operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Interim No. NAMrL-1377). Pensacola, FL: Naval Aerospace Medical research Laboratory. Dinges, D.F., orne , K.T. and... orne , E.C. (1985) “Assessing Performance upon Abrupt Awakening from Naps during Quasi-Continuous operations”, Behavior Research Methods, Instruments
Air Force Research Laboratory Success Stories. A Review of 2003

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-01-01

Metal -Polymer Hybrid Signal Wiring for Aircraft and Spacecraft 27 Engineers Develop First Response Expeditionary Fire Vehicle 28 Engineers Rapidly...operational committees. Mr. Bruce Rasmussen and Mr. Juan Calzada, of the directorate’s Metals , Ceramics, and Nondestructive Evaluation Division; Mr...be the solution, since they provided a more efficient method of running the depot operation. Researchers Develop High-Performance, Metal -Polymer

Extended Operation of Stirling Convertors at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oriti, Salvatore

2011-01-01

Glenn Research Center (GRC) is supporting life and reliability database for free-piston Stirilng conversion via extended convertor operation Ongoing convertor operation: 18 convertors (4 TDCs from Infinia, 14 ASCs from Sunpower). 350,000 total convertor hours of operation. 218,000 on Infinia units and 132,000 on Sunpower units. Demonstrating steady convertor performance requires precise maintenance of operating conditions. Sources of disruption : Investigative tests: Varying operating frequency, hot-end temp, cold-end temp. Hot end control method: Constant heat input mode requires more user-adjustment than constant temperature mode. Long-term transients in hot end insulation were observed. Support facility: Open-bath circulator fluid concentration drifting. Nuisance shutdowns (instrumentation failure, EMI, power outages). Ambient temperature fluctuations due to room HVAC.
The Research on Linux Memory Forensics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jun; Che, ShengBing

2018-03-01

Memory forensics is a branch of computer forensics. It does not depend on the operating system API, and analyzes operating system information from binary memory data. Based on the 64-bit Linux operating system, it analyzes system process and thread information from physical memory data. Using ELF file debugging information and propose a method for locating kernel structure member variable, it can be applied to different versions of the Linux operating system. The experimental results show that the method can successfully obtain the sytem process information from physical memory data, and can be compatible with multiple versions of the Linux kernel.
Characterization and Simulation of the Thermoacoustic Instability Behavior of an Advanced, Low Emissions Combustor Prototype

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeLaat, John C.; Paxson, Daniel E.

2008-01-01

Extensive research is being done toward the development of ultra-low-emissions combustors for aircraft gas turbine engines. However, these combustors have an increased susceptibility to thermoacoustic instabilities. This type of instability was recently observed in an advanced, low emissions combustor prototype installed in a NASA Glenn Research Center test stand. The instability produces pressure oscillations that grow with increasing fuel/air ratio, preventing full power operation. The instability behavior makes the combustor a potentially useful test bed for research into active control methods for combustion instability suppression. The instability behavior was characterized by operating the combustor at various pressures, temperatures, and fuel and air flows representative of operation within an aircraft gas turbine engine. Trends in instability behavior versus operating condition have been identified and documented, and possible explanations for the trends provided. A simulation developed at NASA Glenn captures the observed instability behavior. The physics-based simulation includes the relevant physical features of the combustor and test rig, employs a Sectored 1-D approach, includes simplified reaction equations, and provides time-accurate results. A computationally efficient method is used for area transitions, which decreases run times and allows the simulation to be used for parametric studies, including control method investigations. Simulation results show that the simulation exhibits a self-starting, self-sustained combustion instability and also replicates the experimentally observed instability trends versus operating condition. Future plans are to use the simulation to investigate active control strategies to suppress combustion instabilities and then to experimentally demonstrate active instability suppression with the low emissions combustor prototype, enabling full power, stable operation.
Characterization and Simulation of Thermoacoustic Instability in a Low Emissions Combustor Prototype

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeLaat, John C.; Paxson, Daniel E.

2008-01-01

Extensive research is being done toward the development of ultra-low-emissions combustors for aircraft gas turbine engines. However, these combustors have an increased susceptibility to thermoacoustic instabilities. This type of instability was recently observed in an advanced, low emissions combustor prototype installed in a NASA Glenn Research Center test stand. The instability produces pressure oscillations that grow with increasing fuel/air ratio, preventing full power operation. The instability behavior makes the combustor a potentially useful test bed for research into active control methods for combustion instability suppression. The instability behavior was characterized by operating the combustor at various pressures, temperatures, and fuel and air flows representative of operation within an aircraft gas turbine engine. Trends in instability behavior vs. operating condition have been identified and documented. A simulation developed at NASA Glenn captures the observed instability behavior. The physics-based simulation includes the relevant physical features of the combustor and test rig, employs a Sectored 1-D approach, includes simplified reaction equations, and provides time-accurate results. A computationally efficient method is used for area transitions, which decreases run times and allows the simulation to be used for parametric studies, including control method investigations. Simulation results show that the simulation exhibits a self-starting, self-sustained combustion instability and also replicates the experimentally observed instability trends vs. operating condition. Future plans are to use the simulation to investigate active control strategies to suppress combustion instabilities and then to experimentally demonstrate active instability suppression with the low emissions combustor prototype, enabling full power, stable operation.
Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists' Atittudes toward and Perceptions of Teamwork in the Operating Room

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heiner, Jeremy S.

2013-01-01

Student registered nurse anesthetists are an important part of an operating room team, yet little research has investigated how they perceive teamwork or approach team related issues specific to the operating room. This mixed methods study evaluated junior and senior student registered nurse anesthetists' attitudes toward and perceptions of…
Grid Research | Grid Modernization | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Grid Research Grid Research NREL addresses the challenges of today's electric grid through high researcher in a lab Integrated Devices and Systems Developing and evaluating grid technologies and integrated Controls Developing methods for real-time operations and controls of power systems at any scale Photo of
A Mixed Prioritization Operators Strategy Using A Single Measurement Criterion For AHP Application Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuen, Kevin Kam Fung

2009-10-01

The most appropriate prioritization method is still one of the unsettled issues of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, although many studies have been made and applied. Interestingly, many AHP applications apply only Saaty's Eigenvector method as many studies have found that this method may produce rank reversals and have proposed various prioritization methods as alternatives. Some methods have been proved to be better than the Eigenvector method. However, these methods seem not to attract the attention of researchers. In this paper, eight important prioritization methods are reviewed. A Mixed Prioritization Operators Strategy (MPOS) is developed to select a vector which is prioritized by the most appropriate prioritization operator. To verify this new method, a case study of high school selection is revised using the proposed method. The contribution is that MPOS is useful for solving prioritization problems in the AHP.
Complete denture tooth arrangement technology driven by a reconfigurable rule.

PubMed

Dai, Ning; Yu, Xiaoling; Fan, Qilei; Yuan, Fulai; Liu, Lele; Sun, Yuchun

2018-01-01

The conventional technique for the fabrication of complete dentures is complex, with a long fabrication process and difficult-to-control restoration quality. In recent years, digital complete denture design has become a research focus. Digital complete denture tooth arrangement is a challenging issue that is difficult to efficiently implement under the constraints of complex tooth arrangement rules and the patient's individualized functional aesthetics. The present study proposes a complete denture automatic tooth arrangement method driven by a reconfigurable rule; it uses four typical operators, including a position operator, a scaling operator, a posture operator, and a contact operator, to establish the constraint mapping association between the teeth and the constraint set of the individual patient. By using the process reorganization of different constraint operators, this method can flexibly implement different clinical tooth arrangement rules. When combined with a virtual occlusion algorithm based on progressive iterative Laplacian deformation, the proposed method can achieve automatic and individual tooth arrangement. Finally, the experimental results verify that the proposed method is flexible and efficient.
Consensus Statement on Advancing Research in Emergency Department Operations and Its Impact on Patient Care

PubMed Central

Ward, Michael J.; Chang, Anna Marie; Pines, Jesse M.; Jouriles, Nick; Yealy, Donald M.

2016-01-01

The Consensus Conference on “Advancing Research in Emergency Department (ED) Operations and Its Impact on Patient Care,” hosted by The ED Operations Study Group (EDOSG), convened to craft a framework for future investigations in this important but underserved area. The EDOSG is a research consortium dedicated to promoting evidence based clinical practice in Emergency Medicine. The consensus process format was a modified version of the NIH Model for Consensus Conference Development. Recommendations provide an action plan for how to improve ED operations study design, create a facilitating research environment, identify data measures of value for process and outcomes research, and disseminate new knowledge in this area. Specifically, we called for eight key initiatives: 1) the development of universal measures for ED patient care processes; 2) attention to patient outcomes, in addition to process efficiency and best practice compliance; 3) the promotion of multi-site clinical operations studies to create more generalizable knowledge; 4) encouraging the use of mixed methods to understand the social community and human behavior factors that influence ED operations; 5) the creation of robust ED operations research registries to drive stronger evidence based research, 6) prioritizing key clinical questions with the input of patients, clinicians, medical leadership, emergency medicine organizations, payers, and other government stakeholders; 7) more consistently defining the functional components of the ED care system including observation units, fast tracks, waiting rooms, laboratories and radiology sub-units; and 8) maximizing multidisciplinary knowledge dissemination via emergency medicine, public health, general medicine, operations research and nontraditional publications. PMID:26014365
Consensus statement on advancing research in emergency department operations and its impact on patient care.

PubMed

Yiadom, Maame Yaa A B; Ward, Michael J; Chang, Anna Marie; Pines, Jesse M; Jouriles, Nick; Yealy, Donald M

2015-06-01

The consensus conference on "Advancing Research in Emergency Department (ED) Operations and Its Impact on Patient Care," hosted by The ED Operations Study Group (EDOSG), convened to craft a framework for future investigations in this important but understudied area. The EDOSG is a research consortium dedicated to promoting evidence-based clinical practice in emergency medicine. The consensus process format was a modified version of the NIH Model for Consensus Conference Development. Recommendations provide an action plan for how to improve ED operations study design, create a facilitating research environment, identify data measures of value for process and outcomes research, and disseminate new knowledge in this area. Specifically, we call for eight key initiatives: 1) the development of universal measures for ED patient care processes; 2) attention to patient outcomes, in addition to process efficiency and best practice compliance; 3) the promotion of multisite clinical operations studies to create more generalizable knowledge; 4) encouraging the use of mixed methods to understand the social community and human behavior factors that influence ED operations; 5) the creation of robust ED operations research registries to drive stronger evidence-based research; 6) prioritizing key clinical questions with the input of patients, clinicians, medical leadership, emergency medicine organizations, payers, and other government stakeholders; 7) more consistently defining the functional components of the ED care system, including observation units, fast tracks, waiting rooms, laboratories, and radiology subunits; and 8) maximizing multidisciplinary knowledge dissemination via emergency medicine, public health, general medicine, operations research, and nontraditional publications. © 2015 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.
Designing of deployment sequence for braking and drift systems in atmosphere of Mars and Venus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vorontsov, Victor

2006-07-01

Analysis of project development and space research using contact method, namely, by means of automatic descent modules and balloons shows that designing formation of entry, descent and landing (EDL) sequence and operation in the atmosphere are of great importance. This process starts at the very beginning of designing, has undergone a lot of iterations and influences processing of normal operation results. Along with designing of descent module systems, including systems of braking in the atmosphere, designing of flight operation sequence and trajectories of motion in the atmosphere is performed. As the entire operation sequence and transfer from one phase to another was correctly chosen, the probability of experiment success on the whole and efficiency of application of various systems vary. By now the most extensive experience of Russian specialists in research of terrestrial planets has been gained with the help of automatic interplanetary stations “Mars”, “Venera”, “Vega” which had descent modules and drifting in the atmosphere balloons. Particular interest and complicity of formation of EDL and drift sequence in the atmosphere of these planets arise from radically different operation conditions, in particular, strongly rarefied atmosphere of the one planet and extremely dense atmosphere of another. Consequently, this determines the choice of braking systems and their parameters and method of EDL consequence formation. At the same time there are general fundamental methods and designed research techniques that allowed taking general technical approach to designing of EDL and drift sequence in the atmosphere.
Algorithms for Mathematical Programming with Emphasis on Bi-level Models

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

Goldfarb, Donald; Iyengar, Garud

2014-05-22

The research supported by this grant was focused primarily on first-order methods for solving large scale and structured convex optimization problems and convex relaxations of nonconvex problems. These include optimal gradient methods, operator and variable splitting methods, alternating direction augmented Lagrangian methods, and block coordinate descent methods.
Interval Neutrosophic Sets and Their Application in Multicriteria Decision Making Problems

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hong-yu; Wang, Jian-qiang; Chen, Xiao-hong

2014-01-01

As a generalization of fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets, neutrosophic sets have been developed to represent uncertain, imprecise, incomplete, and inconsistent information existing in the real world. And interval neutrosophic sets (INSs) have been proposed exactly to address issues with a set of numbers in the real unit interval, not just a specific number. However, there are fewer reliable operations for INSs, as well as the INS aggregation operators and decision making method. For this purpose, the operations for INSs are defined and a comparison approach is put forward based on the related research of interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFSs) in this paper. On the basis of the operations and comparison approach, two interval neutrosophic number aggregation operators are developed. Then, a method for multicriteria decision making problems is explored applying the aggregation operators. In addition, an example is provided to illustrate the application of the proposed method. PMID:24695916
Interval neutrosophic sets and their application in multicriteria decision making problems.

PubMed

Zhang, Hong-yu; Wang, Jian-qiang; Chen, Xiao-hong

2014-01-01

As a generalization of fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets, neutrosophic sets have been developed to represent uncertain, imprecise, incomplete, and inconsistent information existing in the real world. And interval neutrosophic sets (INSs) have been proposed exactly to address issues with a set of numbers in the real unit interval, not just a specific number. However, there are fewer reliable operations for INSs, as well as the INS aggregation operators and decision making method. For this purpose, the operations for INSs are defined and a comparison approach is put forward based on the related research of interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFSs) in this paper. On the basis of the operations and comparison approach, two interval neutrosophic number aggregation operators are developed. Then, a method for multicriteria decision making problems is explored applying the aggregation operators. In addition, an example is provided to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
Exploring Operational Test and Evaluation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Qualitative Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saliceti, Jose A.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and identify strategies that may potentially remedy operational test and evaluation procedures used to evaluate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology. The sample for analysis consisted of organizations testing and evaluating UASs (e.g., U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and Customs Border Protection). A purposeful sampling technique was used to select 15 subject matter experts in the field of operational test and evaluation of UASs. A questionnaire was provided to participants to construct a descriptive and robust research. Analysis of responses revealed themes related to each research question. Findings revealed operational testers utilized requirements documents to extrapolate measures for testing UAS technology and develop critical operational issues. The requirements documents were (a) developed without the contribution of stakeholders and operational testers, (b) developed with vague or unrealistic measures, and (c) developed without a systematic method to derive requirements from mission tasks. Four approaches are recommended to develop testable operational requirements and assist operational testers: (a) use a mission task analysis tool to derive requirements for mission essential tasks for the system, (b) exercise collaboration among stakeholders and testers to ensure testable operational requirements based on mission tasks, (c) ensure testable measures are used in requirements documents, and (d) create a repository list of critical operational issues by mission areas. The preparation of operational test and evaluation processes for UAS technology is not uniform across testers. The processes in place are not standardized, thus test plan preparation and reporting are different among participants. A standard method to prepare and report UAS technology should be used when preparing and reporting on UAS technology. Using a systematic process, such as mission-based test design, resonated among participants as an analytical method to link UAS mission tasks and measures of performance to the capabilities of the system under test when developing operational test plans. Further research should examine system engineering designs for system requirements traceability matrix of mission tasks and subtasks while using an analysis tool that adequately evaluates UASs with an acceptable level of confidence in the results.
Review on applications of artificial intelligence methods for dam and reservoir-hydro-environment models.

PubMed

Allawi, Mohammed Falah; Jaafar, Othman; Mohamad Hamzah, Firdaus; Abdullah, Sharifah Mastura Syed; El-Shafie, Ahmed

2018-05-01

Efficacious operation for dam and reservoir system could guarantee not only a defenselessness policy against natural hazard but also identify rule to meet the water demand. Successful operation of dam and reservoir systems to ensure optimal use of water resources could be unattainable without accurate and reliable simulation models. According to the highly stochastic nature of hydrologic parameters, developing accurate predictive model that efficiently mimic such a complex pattern is an increasing domain of research. During the last two decades, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been significantly utilized for attaining a robust modeling to handle different stochastic hydrological parameters. AI techniques have also shown considerable progress in finding optimal rules for reservoir operation. This review research explores the history of developing AI in reservoir inflow forecasting and prediction of evaporation from a reservoir as the major components of the reservoir simulation. In addition, critical assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of integrated AI simulation methods with optimization methods has been reported. Future research on the potential of utilizing new innovative methods based AI techniques for reservoir simulation and optimization models have also been discussed. Finally, proposal for the new mathematical procedure to accomplish the realistic evaluation of the whole optimization model performance (reliability, resilience, and vulnerability indices) has been recommended.
Teachers' Responses to Using a Small-Group Delivery Method during Reading Instruction: A Qualitative Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reynolds, Dorothy M. Valentine

2010-01-01

The purpose of this research was to examine teachers' perspectives on transitioning from a predominately whole to small-group delivery method during reading instruction. This study used a qualitative approach and nested itself in an epistemology of constructivism. The research operated under the umbrella of practice ethnography as it closely…
Feasibility of Bluetooth Data as a Surrogate Measure of Vehicle Operations

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-10-01

This research was designed as proof-of-concept study to investigate how Bluetooth data loggers can be used to collect vehicle : operational data over traditional vehicle counting methods. The reliability test included mapping areas for five antenna o...
Bandwidth Enabled Flight Operations: Examining the Possibilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pisanich, Greg; Renema, Fritz; Clancy, Dan (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The Bandwidth Enabled Flight Operations project is a research effort at the NASA Ames Research Center to investigate the use of satellite communications to improve aviation safety and capacity. This project is a follow on to the AeroSAPIENT Project, which demonstrated methods for transmitting high bandwidth data in various configurations. For this research, we set a goal to nominally use only 10 percent of the available bandwidth demonstrated by AeroSAPIENT or projected by near-term technology advances. This paper describes the results of our research, including available satellite bandwidth, commercial and research efforts to provide these services, and some of the limiting factors inherent with this communications medium. It also describes our investigation into the needs of the stakeholders (Airlines, Pilots, Cabin Crews, ATC, Maintenance, etc). The paper also describes our development of low-cost networked flight deck and airline operations center simulations that were used to demonstrate two application areas: Providing real time weather information to the commercial flight deck, and enhanced crew monitoring and control for airline operations centers.
Problems of Value Measurement for a Theory of Induction and Decisions

DTIC Science & Technology

1956-01-01

interest in actions and goals: add to these operations research, social psychology, consumer research, psychoanalysis , law, to 53 54 THIRD BERKELEY...anthropology, psychoanalysis , psy- chology, ethics, industrial relations, consumer research [3]. We have no method of evalu- ating the results obtained

Self-Averaging Property of Minimal Investment Risk of Mean-Variance Model.

PubMed

Shinzato, Takashi

2015-01-01

In portfolio optimization problems, the minimum expected investment risk is not always smaller than the expected minimal investment risk. That is, using a well-known approach from operations research, it is possible to derive a strategy that minimizes the expected investment risk, but this strategy does not always result in the best rate of return on assets. Prior to making investment decisions, it is important to an investor to know the potential minimal investment risk (or the expected minimal investment risk) and to determine the strategy that will maximize the return on assets. We use the self-averaging property to analyze the potential minimal investment risk and the concentrated investment level for the strategy that gives the best rate of return. We compare the results from our method with the results obtained by the operations research approach and with those obtained by a numerical simulation using the optimal portfolio. The results of our method and the numerical simulation are in agreement, but they differ from that of the operations research approach.
A standard methodology for the analysis, recording, and control of verbal behavior

PubMed Central

Drash, Philip W.; Tudor, Roger M.

1991-01-01

Lack of a standard methodology has been one of the major obstacles preventing advancement of behavior analytic research in verbal behavior. This article presents a standard method for the analysis, recording, and control of verbal behavior that overcomes several major methodological problems that have hindered operant research in verbal behavior. The system divides all verbal behavior into four functional response classes, correct, error, no response, and inappropriate behavior, from which all vocal responses of a subject may be classified and consequated. The effects of contingencies of reinforcement on verbal operants within each category are made immediately visible to the researcher as changes in frequency of response. Incorporating frequency of response within each category as the unit of response allows both rate and probability of verbal response to be utilized as basic dependent variables. This method makes it possible to record and consequate verbal behavior in essentially the same way as any other operant response. It may also facilitate an experimental investigation of Skinner's verbal response categories. PMID:22477629
Selection of pipe repair methods.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-06-01

The objective of this research is to provide pipeline operators with testing procedures and : results of the performance of composite pipe repair methods and ultimately, improve their : selection and installation, and reduce the risks associated with...
[Research Progress and Prospect of Applications of Finite Element Method in Lumbar Spine Biomechanics].

PubMed

Zhang, Zhenjun; Li, Yang; Liao, Zhenhua; Liu, Weiqiang

2016-12-01

Based on the application of finite element analysis in spine biomechanics,the research progress of finite element method applied in lumbar spine mechanics is reviewed and the prospect is forecasted.The related works,including lumbar ontology modeling,clinical application research,and occupational injury and protection,are summarized.The main research areas of finite element method are as follows:new accurate modeling process,the optimized simulation method,diversified clinical effect evaluation,and the clinical application of artificial lumbar disc.According to the recent research progress,the application prospects of finite element method,such as automation and individuation of modeling process,evaluation and analysis of new operation methods and simulation of mechanical damage and dynamic response,are discussed.The purpose of this paper is to provide the theoretical reference and practical guidance for the clinical lumbar problems by reviewing the application of finite element method in the field of the lumbar spine biomechanics.
Reexamining Ground SOF Command and Control: Does One Size Fit All

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

Case studies covering varying methods of employment of special operations forces in limited contingencies will be utilized. The case studies focus on ...operating environment, much like an open organization. This research examines three case studies including operation JUST CAUSE in Panama, RESTORE HOPE in... case studies , the HQ elements formed around existing homogenous commands and not a Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC) staff with limited
Operations research applications in nuclear energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Benjamin Lloyd

This dissertation consists of three papers; the first is published in Annals of Operations Research, the second is nearing submission to INFORMS Journal on Computing, and the third is the predecessor of a paper nearing submission to Progress in Nuclear Energy. We apply operations research techniques to nuclear waste disposal and nuclear safeguards. Although these fields are different, they allow us to showcase some benefits of using operations research techniques to enhance nuclear energy applications. The first paper, "Optimizing High-Level Nuclear Waste Disposal within a Deep Geologic Repository," presents a mixed-integer programming model that determines where to place high-level nuclear waste packages in a deep geologic repository to minimize heat load concentration. We develop a heuristic that increases the size of solvable model instances. The second paper, "Optimally Configuring a Measurement System to Detect Diversions from a Nuclear Fuel Cycle," introduces a simulation-optimization algorithm and an integer-programming model to find the best, or near-best, resource-limited nuclear fuel cycle measurement system with a high degree of confidence. Given location-dependent measurement method precisions, we (i) optimize the configuration of n methods at n locations of a hypothetical nuclear fuel cycle facility, (ii) find the most important location at which to improve method precision, and (iii) determine the effect of measurement frequency on near-optimal configurations and objective values. Our results correspond to existing outcomes but we obtain them at least an order of magnitude faster. The third paper, "Optimizing Nuclear Material Control and Accountability Measurement Systems," extends the integer program from the second paper to locate measurement methods in a larger, hypothetical nuclear fuel cycle scenario given fixed purchase and utilization budgets. This paper also presents two mixed-integer quadratic programming models to increase the precision of existing methods given a fixed improvement budget and to reduce the measurement uncertainty in the system while limiting improvement costs. We quickly obtain similar or better solutions compared to several intuitive analyses that take much longer to perform.
A Study of Wind Turbine Comprehensive Operational Assessment Model Based on EM-PCA Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Minqiang; Xu, Bin; Zhan, Yangyan; Ren, Danyuan; Liu, Dexing

2018-01-01

To assess wind turbine performance accurately and provide theoretical basis for wind farm management, a hybrid assessment model based on Entropy Method and Principle Component Analysis (EM-PCA) was established, which took most factors of operational performance into consideration and reach to a comprehensive result. To verify the model, six wind turbines were chosen as the research objects, the ranking obtained by the method proposed in the paper were 4#>6#>1#>5#>2#>3#, which are completely in conformity with the theoretical ranking, which indicates that the reliability and effectiveness of the EM-PCA method are high. The method could give guidance for processing unit state comparison among different units and launching wind farm operational assessment.
Highlights From the Third Annual Mayo Clinic Conference on Systems Engineering and Operations Research in Health Care

PubMed Central

Kamath, Janine R. A.; Osborn, John B.; Roger, Véronique L.; Rohleder, Thomas R.

2011-01-01

In August 2010, the Third Annual Mayo Clinic Conference on Systems Engineering and Operations Research in Health Care was held. The continuing mission of the conference is to gather a multidisciplinary group of systems engineers, clinicians, administrators, and academic professors to discuss the translation of systems engineering methods to more effective health care delivery. Education, research, and practice were enhanced via a mix of formal presentations, tutorials, and informal gatherings of participants with diverse backgrounds. Although the conference promotes a diversity of perspectives and methods, participants are united in their desire to find ways in which systems engineering can transform health care, especially in the context of health care reform and other significant changes affecting the delivery of health care. PMID:21803959
Operation and reactivity measurements of an accelerator driven subcritical TRIGA reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Kelly, David Sean

Experiments were performed at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL) in 2005 and 2006 in which a 20 MeV linear electron accelerator operating as a photoneutron source was coupled to the TRIGA (Training, Research, Isotope production, General Atomics) Mark II research reactor at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) to simulate the operation and characteristics of a full-scale accelerator driven subcritical system (ADSS). The experimental program provided a relatively low-cost substitute for the higher power and complexity of internationally proposed systems utilizing proton accelerators and spallation neutron sources for an advanced ADSS that may be used for the burning of high-level radioactive waste. Various instrumentation methods that permitted ADSS neutron flux monitoring in high gamma radiation fields were successfully explored and the data was used to evaluate the Stochastic Pulsed Feynman method for reactivity monitoring.
EDRN Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

The NCI’s Early Detection Research Network is developing a number of standard operating procedures for assays, methods, and protocols for collection and processing of biological samples, and other reference materials to assist investigators to conduct experiments in a consistent, reliable manner. These SOPs are established by the investigators of the Early Detection Research Network to maintain constancy throughout the Network. These SOPs represent neither a consensus, nor are the recommendations of NCI.
Research on the treatment of oily wastewater by coalescence technology.

PubMed

Li, Chunbiao; Li, Meng; Zhang, Xiaoyan

2015-01-01

Recently, oily wastewater treatment has become a hot research topic across the world. Among the common methods for oily wastewater treatment, coalescence is one of the most promising technologies because of its high efficiency, easy operation, smaller land coverage, and lower investment and operational costs. In this research, a new type of ceramic filter material was chosen to investigate the effects of some key factors including particle size of coarse-grained materials, temperature, inflow direction and inflow velocity of the reactor. The aim was to explore the optimum operating conditions for coarse-graining. Results of a series of tests showed that the optimum operating conditions were a combination of grain size 1-3 mm, water temperature 35 °C and up-flow velocity 8 m/h, which promised a maximum oil removal efficiency of 93%.
Intra-operative monitoring of the common peroneal nerve during total knee replacement.

PubMed Central

Unwin, A J; Thomas, M

1994-01-01

We present a method allowing intra-operative monitoring of the common peroneal nerve during total knee arthroplasty using a magnetic stimulator. Previous reports have shown no pre-operative method successful in selecting those patients prone to develop a post-operative palsy. The device, placed beneath the lumbar spine, stimulates the cauda equina; common peroneal nerve function is assessed via the response in extensor digitorum brevis. There is a loss of signal from the nerve with the use of a tourniquet 25 min following its application. The protocol therefore requires that a tourniquet is used at least only for fixation of the prosthetic components. The method is quick, safe, non-invasive and reproducible, and is of use both in at-risk patients and in research work. Images Figure 6. PMID:7837197
Agent-based Training: Facilitating Knowledge and Skill Acquisition in a Modern Space Operations Team

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-04-01

face, and being careful to not add to existing problems such as limited display space. This required us to work closely with members of the SBIRS operational community and use research tools such as cognitive task analysis methods.
Labor Productivity Standards in Texas School Foodservice Operations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sherrin, A. Rachelle; Bednar, Carolyn; Kwon, Junehee

2009-01-01

Purpose: Purpose of this research was to investigate utilization of labor productivity standards and variables that affect productivity in Texas school foodservice operations. Methods: A questionnaire was developed, validated, and pilot tested, then mailed to 200 randomly selected Texas school foodservice directors. Descriptive statistics for…
Operating room scheduling using hybrid clustering priority rule and genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoso, Linda Wahyuni; Sinawan, Aisyah Ashrinawati; Wijaya, Andi Rahadiyan; Sudiarso, Andi; Masruroh, Nur Aini; Herliansyah, Muhammad Kusumawan

2017-11-01

Operating room is a bottleneck resource in most hospitals so that operating room scheduling system will influence the whole performance of the hospitals. This research develops a mathematical model of operating room scheduling for elective patients which considers patient priority with limit number of surgeons, operating rooms, and nurse team. Clustering analysis was conducted to the data of surgery durations using hierarchical and non-hierarchical methods. The priority rule of each resulting cluster was determined using Shortest Processing Time method. Genetic Algorithm was used to generate daily operating room schedule which resulted in the lowest values of patient waiting time and nurse overtime. The computational results show that this proposed model reduced patient waiting time by approximately 32.22% and nurse overtime by approximately 32.74% when compared to actual schedule.
48 CFR 17.601 - Definition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 17.601 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Management and Operating Contracts 17.601 Definition. Management..., maintenance, or support, on its behalf, of a Government-owned or -controlled research, development, special...
Methods to Assess Bioavailability of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants: Principles, Operations, and Limitations

PubMed Central

Cui, Xinyi; Mayer, Philipp; Gan, Jay

2013-01-01

Many important environmental contaminants are hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs), which include PCBs, PAHs, PBDEs, DDT and other chlorinated insecticides, among others. Owing to their strong hydrophobicity, HOCs have their final destination in soil or sediment, where their ecotoxicological effects are closely regulated by sorption and thus bioavailability. The last two decades has seen a dramatic increase in research efforts in developing and applying partitioning based methods and biomimetic extractions for measuring HOC bioavailability. However, the many variations of both analytical methods and associated measurement endpoints are often a source of confusion for users. In this review, we distinguish the most commonly used analytical approaches based on their measurement objectives, and illustrate their practical operational steps, strengths and limitations using simple flowcharts. This review may serve as guidance for new users on the selection and use of established methods, and a reference for experienced investigators to identify potential topics for further research. PMID:23064200
Space processing economics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bredt, J. H.

1974-01-01

Two types of space processing operations may be considered economically justified; they are manufacturing operations that make profits and experiment operations that provide needed applied research results at lower costs than those of alternative methods. Some examples from the Skylab experiments suggest that applied research should become cost effective soon after the space shuttle and Spacelab become operational. In space manufacturing, the total cost of space operations required to process materials must be repaid by the value added to the materials by the processing. Accurate estimates of profitability are not yet possible because shuttle operational costs are not firmly established and the markets for future products are difficult to estimate. However, approximate calculations show that semiconductor products and biological preparations may be processed on a scale consistent with market requirements and at costs that are at least compatible with profitability using the Shuttle/Spacelab system.
Research of the effectiveness of parallel multithreaded realizations of interpolation methods for scaling raster images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vnukov, A. A.; Shershnev, M. B.

2018-01-01

The aim of this work is the software implementation of three image scaling algorithms using parallel computations, as well as the development of an application with a graphical user interface for the Windows operating system to demonstrate the operation of algorithms and to study the relationship between system performance, algorithm execution time and the degree of parallelization of computations. Three methods of interpolation were studied, formalized and adapted to scale images. The result of the work is a program for scaling images by different methods. Comparison of the quality of scaling by different methods is given.
Applying the TOC Project Management to Operation and Maintenance Scheduling of a Research Vessel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manti, M. Firdausi; Fujimoto, Hideo; Chen, Lian-Yi

Marine research vessels and their systems are major assets in the marine resources development. Since the running costs for the ship are very high, it is necessary to reduce the total cost by an efficient scheduling for operation and maintenance. To reduce project period and make it efficient, we applied TOC project management method that is a project management approach developed by Dr. Eli Goldratt. It challenges traditional approaches to project management. It will become the most important improvement in the project management since the development of PERT and critical path methodologies. As a case study, we presented the marine geology research project for the purpose of operations in addition to repair on the repairing dock projects for maintenance of vessels.

Range and mission scheduling automation using combined AI and operations research techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arbabi, Mansur; Pfeifer, Michael

1987-01-01

Ground-based systems for Satellite Command, Control, and Communications (C3) operations require a method for planning, scheduling and assigning the range resources such as: antenna systems scattered around the world, communications systems, and personnel. The method must accommodate user priorities, last minute changes, maintenance requirements, and exceptions from nominal requirements. Described are computer programs which solve 24 hour scheduling problems, using heuristic algorithms and a real time interactive scheduling process.
[Development of Engineering Systems for Space Station Freedom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

From January, 1990 through September, 1995, Cleveland State University (CSU) and Lewis Research Center (LeRC) participated in a research cooperative agreement. Extensive study and experimentation were done by CSU on research technologies, methods, and techniques employed by the Space Station Freedom (SSF) project and, later, the Space Experiments Division (SED). In spite of many problems occasioned by the virtual cancellation of Space Station Freedom at LeRC, and organizational and financial problem at LeRC, CSU was able to do valuable work in the study and improvement of research operating methods there.
Recent developments and trends in thermal blanching- A comprehensive review

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The objectives of this article were to review the purposes of blanching, the principal operational concepts and limitations and current status of different blanching methods. Moreover, future perspectives and research needs are presented. Blanching is a very important unit operation in fruits and ve...
A Flight Research Overview of WSPR, a Pilot Project for Sonic Boom Community Response

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cliatt, Larry James; Haering, Ed; Jones, Thomas P.; Waggoner, Erin R.; Flattery, Ashley K.; Wiley, Scott L.

2014-01-01

In support of NASAs ongoing effort to bring supersonic commercial travel to the public, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and NASA Langley Research Center, in cooperation with other industry organizations, conducted a flight research experiment to identify the methods, tools, and best practices for a large-scale quiet (or low) sonic boom community human response test. The name of the effort was Waveforms and Sonic boom Perception and Response. Such tests will go towards building a dataset that governing agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration and International Civil Aviation Organization will use to establish regulations for acceptable sound levels of overland sonic booms. Until WSPR, there had never been an effort that studied the response of people in their own homes and performing daily activities to non-traditional, low sonic booms.WSPR was a NASA collaborative effort with several industry partners, in response to a NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Research Opportunities in Aeronautics. The primary contractor was Wyle. Other partners included Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Pennsylvania State University, Tetra Tech, and Fidell Associates, Inc.A major objective of the effort included exposing a community with the sonic boom magnitudes and occurrences expected in high-air traffic regions with a network of supersonic commercial aircraft in place. Low-level sonic booms designed to simulate those produced by the next generation of commercial supersonic aircraft were generated over a small residential community. The sonic boom footprint was recorded with an autonomous wireless microphone array that spanned the entire community. Human response data was collected using multiple survey methods. The research focused on essential elements of community response testing including subject recruitment, survey methods, instrumentation systems, flight planning and operations, and data analysis methods.This paper focuses on NASAs role in the efforts logistics and operations including human response subject recruitment, the operational processes involved in implementing the surveys throughout the community, instrumentation systems, logistics, flight planning, and flight operations. Findings discussed in this paper include critical lessons learned in all of those areas. The paper also discusses flight operations results. Analysis of the accuracy and repeatability of planning and executing the unique aircraft maneuver used to generate low sonic booms concluded that the sonic booms had overpressures within 0.15 pounds-per-square-feet of the planned values for 76 of t he attempts. Similarly, 90 of the attempts to generate low sonic booms within the community were successful.
Methods to Improve Sustainability of a Large Academic Biorepository

PubMed Central

Wiehagen, Luke T.; Schumacher, Philip E.; Dhir, Rajiv

2017-01-01

This article discusses the evolution of the University of Pittsburgh (UPitt) Health Sciences Tissue Bank (HSTB) operation and how it has successfully positioned itself, manages to sustain its value, and remains viable in today's research landscape. We describe the various components of our biobanking operation, which are valued by our researchers, thus leading to sustainability for our biorepository. Operating within the infrastructure of a large academic university, we have access to the most cutting-edge database resources for collecting, tracking, and annotating thousands of specimens. We are constantly improving upon our ability to provide real-time longitudinal follow-up data for our collections, thus providing researchers with valuable, highly annotated research specimens. We believe the combination of all that is described within this article helps to create a biobank that will remain sustainable well into the future. PMID:27860489
Aerokats and Rover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bland, G.; Miles, T.; Nagchaudhuri, A.; Henry, A.; Coronado, P.; Smith, S.; Bydlowski, D.; Gaines, J.; Hartman, C.

2015-12-01

Two novel tools are being developed for team-based environmental and science observations suitable for use in Middle School through Undergraduate settings. Partnerships with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are critical for this work, and the concepts and practices are aimed at providing affordable and easy-to-field hardware to the classroom. The Advanced Earth Research Observation Kites and Atmospheric and Terrestrial Sensors (AEROKATS) system brings affordable and easy-to-field remote sensing and in-situ measurements within reach for local-scale Earth observations and data gathering. Using commercial kites, a wide variety of sensors, and a new NASA technology, AEROKATS offers a quick-to-learn method to gather airborne remote sensing and in-situ data for classroom analysis. The Remotely Operated Vehicle for Education and Research (ROVER) project introduces team building for mission operations and research, using modern technologies for exploring aquatic environments. ROVER projects use hobby-type radio control hardware and common in-water instrumentation, to highlight the numerous roles and responsibilities needed in real-world research missions, such as technology, operations, and science disciplines. NASA GSFC's partnerships have enabled the fielding of several AEROKATS and ROVER prototypes, and results suggest application of these methods is feasible and engaging.
From Data to Improved Decisions: Operations Research in Healthcare Delivery.

PubMed

Capan, Muge; Khojandi, Anahita; Denton, Brian T; Williams, Kimberly D; Ayer, Turgay; Chhatwal, Jagpreet; Kurt, Murat; Lobo, Jennifer Mason; Roberts, Mark S; Zaric, Greg; Zhang, Shengfan; Schwartz, J Sanford

2017-11-01

The Operations Research Interest Group (ORIG) within the Society of Medical Decision Making (SMDM) is a multidisciplinary interest group of professionals that specializes in taking an analytical approach to medical decision making and healthcare delivery. ORIG is interested in leveraging mathematical methods associated with the field of Operations Research (OR) to obtain data-driven solutions to complex healthcare problems and encourage collaborations across disciplines. This paper introduces OR for the non-expert and draws attention to opportunities where OR can be utilized to facilitate solutions to healthcare problems. Decision making is the process of choosing between possible solutions to a problem with respect to certain metrics. OR concepts can help systematically improve decision making through efficient modeling techniques while accounting for relevant constraints. Depending on the problem, methods that are part of OR (e.g., linear programming, Markov Decision Processes) or methods that are derived from related fields (e.g., regression from statistics) can be incorporated into the solution approach. This paper highlights the characteristics of different OR methods that have been applied to healthcare decision making and provides examples of emerging research opportunities. We illustrate OR applications in healthcare using previous studies, including diagnosis and treatment of diseases, organ transplants, and patient flow decisions. Further, we provide a selection of emerging areas for utilizing OR. There is a timely need to inform practitioners and policy makers of the benefits of using OR techniques in solving healthcare problems. OR methods can support the development of sustainable long-term solutions across disease management, service delivery, and health policies by optimizing the performance of system elements and analyzing their interaction while considering relevant constraints.
Development of an efficient multigrid method for the NEM form of the multigroup neutron diffusion equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Chalabi, Rifat M. Khalil

1997-09-01

Development of an improvement to the computational efficiency of the existing nested iterative solution strategy of the Nodal Exapansion Method (NEM) nodal based neutron diffusion code NESTLE is presented. The improvement in the solution strategy is the result of developing a multilevel acceleration scheme that does not suffer from the numerical stalling associated with a number of iterative solution methods. The acceleration scheme is based on the multigrid method, which is specifically adapted for incorporation into the NEM nonlinear iterative strategy. This scheme optimizes the computational interplay between the spatial discretization and the NEM nonlinear iterative solution process through the use of the multigrid method. The combination of the NEM nodal method, calculation of the homogenized, neutron nodal balance coefficients (i.e. restriction operator), efficient underlying smoothing algorithm (power method of NESTLE), and the finer mesh reconstruction algorithm (i.e. prolongation operator), all operating on a sequence of coarser spatial nodes, constitutes the multilevel acceleration scheme employed in this research. Two implementations of the multigrid method into the NESTLE code were examined; the Imbedded NEM Strategy and the Imbedded CMFD Strategy. The main difference in implementation between the two methods is that in the Imbedded NEM Strategy, the NEM solution is required at every MG level. Numerical tests have shown that the Imbedded NEM Strategy suffers from divergence at coarse- grid levels, hence all the results for the different benchmarks presented here were obtained using the Imbedded CMFD Strategy. The novelties in the developed MG method are as follows: the formulation of the restriction and prolongation operators, and the selection of the relaxation method. The restriction operator utilizes a variation of the reactor physics, consistent homogenization technique. The prolongation operator is based upon a variant of the pin power reconstruction methodology. The relaxation method, which is the power method, utilizes a constant coefficient matrix within the NEM non-linear iterative strategy. The choice of the MG nesting within the nested iterative strategy enables the incorporation of other non-linear effects with no additional coding effort. In addition, if an eigenvalue problem is being solved, it remains an eigenvalue problem at all grid levels, simplifying coding implementation. The merit of the developed MG method was tested by incorporating it into the NESTLE iterative solver, and employing it to solve four different benchmark problems. In addition to the base cases, three different sensitivity studies are performed, examining the effects of number of MG levels, homogenized coupling coefficients correction (i.e. restriction operator), and fine-mesh reconstruction algorithm (i.e. prolongation operator). The multilevel acceleration scheme developed in this research provides the foundation for developing adaptive multilevel acceleration methods for steady-state and transient NEM nodal neutron diffusion equations. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Future of Mechatronics and Human

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harashima, Fumio; Suzuki, Satoshi

This paper mentions circumstance of mechatronics that sustain our human society, and introduces HAM(Human Adaptive Mechatronics)-project as one of research projects to create new human-machine system. The key point of HAM is skill, and analysis of skill and establishment of assist method to enhance total performance of human-machine system are main research concerns. As study of skill is an elucidation of human itself, analyses of human higher function are significant. In this paper, after surveying researches of human brain functions, an experimental analysis of human characteristic in machine operation is shown as one example of our research activities. We used hovercraft simulator as verification system including observation, voluntary motion control and machine operation that are needed to general machine operation. Process and factors to become skilled were investigated by identification of human control characteristics with measurement of the operator's line-of sight. It was confirmed that early switching of sub-controllers / reference signals in human and enhancement of space perception are significant.
Using Simulations to Investigate Decision Making in Airline Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bruce, Peter J.; Gray, Judy H.

2003-01-01

This paper examines a range of methods to collect data for the investigation of decision-making in airline Operations Control Centres (OCCs). A study was conducted of 52 controllers in five OCCs of both domestic and international airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. A range of methods was used including: surveys, interviews, observations, simulations, and think-aloud protocol. The paper compares and evaluates the suitability of these techniques for gathering data and provides recommendations on the application of simulations. Keywords Data Collection, Decision-Making, Research Methods, Simulation, Think-Aloud Protocol.
Real-time new satellite product demonstration from microwave sensors and GOES-16 at NRL TC web

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cossuth, J.; Richardson, K.; Surratt, M. L.; Bankert, R.

2017-12-01

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Tropical Cyclone (TC) satellite webpage (https://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/TC.html) provides demonstration analyses of storm imagery to benefit operational TC forecast centers around the world. With the availability of new spectral information provided by GOES-16 satellite data and recent research into improved visualization methods of microwave data, experimental imagery was operationally tested to visualize the structural changes of TCs during the 2017 hurricane season. This presentation provides an introduction into these innovative satellite analysis methods, NRL's next generation satellite analysis system (the Geolocated Information Processing System, GeoIPSTM), and demonstration the added value of additional spectral frequencies when monitoring storms in near-realtime.
Statistical loads data for Boeing 737-400 aircraft in commercial operations

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-08-01

The primary objective of this research is to support the FAA Airborne Data Monitoring Systems Research Program by developing new and improved methods and criteria for processing and presenting large commercial transport airplane flight and ground loa...
Statistical loads data for BE-1900D aircraft in commuter operations

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-04-01

The primary objective of this research is to support the FAA Airborne Data Monitoring Systems Research Program by developing new and improved methods and criteria for processing and presenting commuter airplane flight and ground loads usage data. The...
The airport gate assignment problem: a survey.

PubMed

Bouras, Abdelghani; Ghaleb, Mageed A; Suryahatmaja, Umar S; Salem, Ahmed M

2014-01-01

The airport gate assignment problem (AGAP) is one of the most important problems operations managers face daily. Many researches have been done to solve this problem and tackle its complexity. The objective of the task is assigning each flight (aircraft) to an available gate while maximizing both conveniences to passengers and the operational efficiency of airport. This objective requires a solution that provides the ability to change and update the gate assignment data on a real time basis. In this paper, we survey the state of the art of these problems and the various methods to obtain the solution. Our survey covers both theoretical and real AGAP with the description of mathematical formulations and resolution methods such as exact algorithms, heuristic algorithms, and metaheuristic algorithms. We also provide a research trend that can inspire researchers about new problems in this area.
The Airport Gate Assignment Problem: A Survey

PubMed Central

Ghaleb, Mageed A.; Salem, Ahmed M.

2014-01-01

The airport gate assignment problem (AGAP) is one of the most important problems operations managers face daily. Many researches have been done to solve this problem and tackle its complexity. The objective of the task is assigning each flight (aircraft) to an available gate while maximizing both conveniences to passengers and the operational efficiency of airport. This objective requires a solution that provides the ability to change and update the gate assignment data on a real time basis. In this paper, we survey the state of the art of these problems and the various methods to obtain the solution. Our survey covers both theoretical and real AGAP with the description of mathematical formulations and resolution methods such as exact algorithms, heuristic algorithms, and metaheuristic algorithms. We also provide a research trend that can inspire researchers about new problems in this area. PMID:25506074
Optimizing Robinson Operator with Ant Colony Optimization As a Digital Image Edge Detection Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanti Nasution, Tarida; Zarlis, Muhammad; K. M Nasution, Mahyuddin

2017-12-01

Edge detection serves to identify the boundaries of an object against a background of mutual overlap. One of the classic method for edge detection is operator Robinson. Operator Robinson produces a thin, not assertive and grey line edge. To overcome these deficiencies, the proposed improvements to edge detection method with the approach graph with Ant Colony Optimization algorithm. The repairs may be performed are thicken the edge and connect the edges cut off. Edge detection research aims to do optimization of operator Robinson with Ant Colony Optimization then compare the output and generated the inferred extent of Ant Colony Optimization can improve result of edge detection that has not been optimized and improve the accuracy of the results of Robinson edge detection. The parameters used in performance measurement of edge detection are morphology of the resulting edge line, MSE and PSNR. The result showed that Robinson and Ant Colony Optimization method produces images with a more assertive and thick edge. Ant Colony Optimization method is able to be used as a method for optimizing operator Robinson by improving the image result of Robinson detection average 16.77 % than classic Robinson result.
Advanced Productivity Analysis Methods for Air Traffic Control Operations.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1976-12-01

This report gives a description of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) productivity analysis methods developed, implemented, and refined by the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) under the sponsorship of FAA and TSC. Two models are included in the productiv...
Integer programming methods for reserve selection and design

Treesearch

Robert G. Haight; Stephanie A. Snyder

2009-01-01

How many nature reserves should there be? Where should they be located? Which places have highest priority for protection? Conservation biologists, economists, and operations researchers have been developing quantitative methods to address these questions since the 1980s.
Keeping rail on track: preliminary findings on safety culture in Australian rail.

PubMed

Blewett, Verna; Rainbird, Sophia; Dorrian, Jill; Paterson, Jessica; Cattani, Marcus

2012-01-01

'Safety culture' is identified in the literature as a critical element of healthy and safe workplaces. How can rail organizations ensure that consistently effective work health and safety cultures are maintained across the diversity of their operations? This paper reports on research that is currently underway in the Australian rail industry aimed at producing a Model of Best Practice in Safety Culture for the industry. Located in rail organizations dedicated to the mining industry as well as urban rail and national freight operations, the research examines the constructs of organizational culture that impact on the development and maintenance of healthy and safe workplaces. The research uses a multi-method approach incorporating quantitative (survey) and qualitative (focus groups, interviews and document analysis) methods along with a participative process to identify interventions to improve the organization and develop plans for their implementation. The research uses as its analytical framework the 10 Platinum Rules, from the findings of earlier research in the New South Wales (Australia) mining industry, Digging Deeper. Data collection is underway at the time of writing and preliminary findings are presented at this stage. The research method may be adapted for use as a form of organizational review of safety and health in organizational culture.
Image preprocessing study on KPCA-based face recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xuan; Li, Dehua

2015-12-01

Face recognition as an important biometric identification method, with its friendly, natural, convenient advantages, has obtained more and more attention. This paper intends to research a face recognition system including face detection, feature extraction and face recognition, mainly through researching on related theory and the key technology of various preprocessing methods in face detection process, using KPCA method, focuses on the different recognition results in different preprocessing methods. In this paper, we choose YCbCr color space for skin segmentation and choose integral projection for face location. We use erosion and dilation of the opening and closing operation and illumination compensation method to preprocess face images, and then use the face recognition method based on kernel principal component analysis method for analysis and research, and the experiments were carried out using the typical face database. The algorithms experiment on MATLAB platform. Experimental results show that integration of the kernel method based on PCA algorithm under certain conditions make the extracted features represent the original image information better for using nonlinear feature extraction method, which can obtain higher recognition rate. In the image preprocessing stage, we found that images under various operations may appear different results, so as to obtain different recognition rate in recognition stage. At the same time, in the process of the kernel principal component analysis, the value of the power of the polynomial function can affect the recognition result.

Human Factors for Situation Assessment in Grid Operations

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

Guttromson, Ross T.; Schur, Anne; Greitzer, Frank L.

2007-08-08

Executive Summary Despite advances in technology, power system operators must assimilate overwhelming amounts of data to keep the grid operating. Analyses of recent blackouts have clearly demonstrated the need to enhance the operator’s situation awareness (SA). The long-term objective of this research is to integrate valuable technologies into the grid operator environment that support decision making under normal and abnormal operating conditions and remove non-technical barriers to enable the optimum use of these technologies by individuals working alone and as a team. More specifically, the research aims to identify methods and principles to increase SA of grid operators in themore » context of system conditions that are representative or common across many operating entities and develop operationally relevant experimental methods for studying technologies and operational practices which contribute to SA. With increasing complexity and interconnectivity of the grid, the scope and complexity of situation awareness have grown. New paradigms are needed to guide research and tool development aimed to enhance and improve operations. In reviewing related research, operating practices, systems, and tools, the present study established a taxonomy that provides a perspective on research and development surrounding power grid situation awareness and clarifies the field of human factors/SA for grid operations. Information sources that we used to identify critical factors underlying SA included interviews with experienced operational personnel, available historical summaries and transcripts of abnormal conditions and outages (e.g., the August 14, 2003 blackout), scientific literature, and operational policies/procedures and other documentation. Our analysis of August 2003 blackout transcripts and interviews adopted a different perspective than previous analyses of this material, and we complemented this analysis with additional interviews. Based on our analysis and a broad literature review, we advocate a new perspective on SA in terms of sensemaking, also called situated or ecological decision making, where the focus of the investigation is to understand why the decision maker(s) experienced the situation the way they did, or why what they saw made sense to them at the time. This perspective is distinct from the traditional branch of human factors research in the field which focuses more on ergonomics and the transactional relationship between the human operator and the systems. Consistent with our findings from the literature review, we recognized an over-arching need to focus SA research on issues surrounding the concept of shared knowledge; e.g., awareness of what is happening in adjacent areas as well as one’s own area of responsibility. Major findings were: a) Inadequate communication/information sharing is pervasive, b) Information is available, but not used. Many tools and mechanisms exist for operators to build awareness of the physical grid system, yet the transcripts reveal that they still need to call and exchange information with operators of neighboring areas to improve or validate their SA. The specific types of information that they request are quite predictable and, in most cases, cover information that could be available to both operators and reliability coordinators through readily available displays or other data sources, c) Shared Knowledge is Required on Operations/Actions as Well as Physical Status. In an ideal, technologically and organizationally perfect world, every control room and every reliability coordinator may have access to complete data across all regional control areas and yet, there would still be reason for the operators to call each other to gain and improve their SA of power grid operations, and d) Situation Awareness as sensemaking and shared knowledge.« less
Whole-Number Place-Value Understanding of Students with Learning Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thouless, Helen R.

2014-01-01

Place-value is an essential concept that is foundational for understanding our number system and for developing procedures for multidigit operations, but there has been limited research into the place-value understanding of students with learning disabilities. This research is a two-part mixed-methods study that links basic research to…
List of U.S. Army Research Institute Research and Technical Publications for Public Release/Unlimited Distribution, Fiscal Year 2010

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-01

Combat Skills: Modeling and Research Methods Anna T. Cianciolo, Brian T. Crabb, Peter S. Schaefer, Steven Jackson, & Jeff Grover. January 2010...operations: Low fidelity simulations for assessment. In Bartone, P., Johnsen, B., Eid, J., Violanti, J. C., & Laberg , J. (Eds.) Enhancing human
International University Co-operation: Summary Record of a Working Party on International University Co-operation. Papers-9.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

International Association of Universities, Paris (France).

This report delineates areas, patterns, effects, and purposes of international university cooperation. Areas of international university cooperation encompass teaching and study, research, university administration and organization. Patterns of cooperation include the basic principles of governing agreements, methods for full university…
Shared-use bus priority lanes on city streets : case studies in design and management [research brief].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-04-01

This study examines the design and operations of bus lanes in major congested urban centers. It focuses on shared-use bus lanes that operate in mixed traffic conditions. : Study Methods : The key questions addressed are: : 1. How do the many public a...
Vegetated treatment area (VTAs) efficiences for E. coli and nutrient removal on small-scale swine operations

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

As small-scale animal feeding operations work to manage their byproducts and avoid regulation, they need practical, cost-effective methods to reduce environmental impact. One such option is using vegetative treatment areas (VTAs) with perennial grasses to treat runoff; however, research is limited ...
Prioritization Methodology for Development of Required Operational Capabilities

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

to rank projects: The PROMETHEE method, European Journal of Operational Research, 24, 228-238. [4]. Edwards, W., F. H. Barron, (1994) SMARTS and...ISBN 0-07-052579-X. [13]. Rogers, S. H., T. P. Seager, K. H. Gardner, (2004) Combining expert judgment and stakeholder values with PROMETHEE : A
Modeling and Simulation for Mission Operations Work System Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sierhuis, Maarten; Clancey, William J.; Seah, Chin; Trimble, Jay P.; Sims, Michael H.

2003-01-01

Work System analysis and design is complex and non-deterministic. In this paper we describe Brahms, a multiagent modeling and simulation environment for designing complex interactions in human-machine systems. Brahms was originally conceived as a business process design tool that simulates work practices, including social systems of work. We describe our modeling and simulation method for mission operations work systems design, based on a research case study in which we used Brahms to design mission operations for a proposed discovery mission to the Moon. We then describe the results of an actual method application project-the Brahms Mars Exploration Rover. Space mission operations are similar to operations of traditional organizations; we show that the application of Brahms for space mission operations design is relevant and transferable to other types of business processes in organizations.
Self-Averaging Property of Minimal Investment Risk of Mean-Variance Model

PubMed Central

Shinzato, Takashi

2015-01-01

In portfolio optimization problems, the minimum expected investment risk is not always smaller than the expected minimal investment risk. That is, using a well-known approach from operations research, it is possible to derive a strategy that minimizes the expected investment risk, but this strategy does not always result in the best rate of return on assets. Prior to making investment decisions, it is important to an investor to know the potential minimal investment risk (or the expected minimal investment risk) and to determine the strategy that will maximize the return on assets. We use the self-averaging property to analyze the potential minimal investment risk and the concentrated investment level for the strategy that gives the best rate of return. We compare the results from our method with the results obtained by the operations research approach and with those obtained by a numerical simulation using the optimal portfolio. The results of our method and the numerical simulation are in agreement, but they differ from that of the operations research approach. PMID:26225761
Reliability Analysis of RSG-GAS Primary Cooling System to Support Aging Management Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deswandri; Subekti, M.; Sunaryo, Geni Rina

2018-02-01

Multipurpose Research Reactor G.A. Siwabessy (RSG-GAS) which has been operating since 1987 is one of the main facilities on supporting research, development and application of nuclear energy programs in BATAN. Until now, the RSG-GAS research reactor has been successfully operated safely and securely. However, because it has been operating for nearly 30 years, the structures, systems and components (SSCs) from the reactor would have started experiencing an aging phase. The process of aging certainly causes a decrease in reliability and safe performances of the reactor, therefore the aging management program is needed to resolve the issues. One of the programs in the aging management is to evaluate the safety and reliability of the system and also screening the critical components to be managed.One method that can be used for such purposes is the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). In this papers FTA method is used to screening the critical components in the RSG-GAS Primary Cooling System. The evaluation results showed that the primary isolation valves are the basic events which are dominant against the system failure.
EPA Recognized for Research on Reducing Risks to Drinking ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Technical Brief Threat Ensemble Vulnerability Assessment (TEVA) among finalists for Edelman Award On February 7, 2008, the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS ® of Hanover, MD) announced that a TEVA Research project is one of six finalists vying for this year’s prestigious Franz Edelman Award. The project is called “Reducing Security Risks in American Drinking Water Systems.” Edelman Award Information This is the thirty-seventh year of the Edelman competition. Every year, the competition recognizes outstanding operations research-based projects that transform companies, entire industries, and people’s lives. Operations research uses advanced analytical methods to make optimal decisions in order to solve complex problems. The winner of the award will be announced in mid-April 2008. Past Edelman Award finalists include Travelocity; IBM; Merrill Lynch; the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; and Georgia Tech. The winning team for 2007 reduced both patient suffering and health care costs from the treatment of prostate and breast cancer. The Edelman competition attests to the contributions of operations research in the profit and nonprofit sectors. It is estimated that the cumulative dollar benefits from Edelman finalist projects between 1984 and 2006 reached the $100 billion mark. TEVA Research Program The TEVA research program has focused on reducing the security risks to drinking water systems. Ad
A Hidden Markov Model Approach to the Problem of Heuristic Selection in Hyper-Heuristics with a Case Study in High School Timetabling Problems.

PubMed

Kheiri, Ahmed; Keedwell, Ed

2017-01-01

Operations research is a well-established field that uses computational systems to support decisions in business and public life. Good solutions to operations research problems can make a large difference to the efficient running of businesses and organisations and so the field often searches for new methods to improve these solutions. The high school timetabling problem is an example of an operations research problem and is a challenging task which requires assigning events and resources to time slots subject to a set of constraints. In this article, a new sequence-based selection hyper-heuristic is presented that produces excellent results on a suite of high school timetabling problems. In this study, we present an easy-to-implement, easy-to-maintain, and effective sequence-based selection hyper-heuristic to solve high school timetabling problems using a benchmark of unified real-world instances collected from different countries. We show that with sequence-based methods, it is possible to discover new best known solutions for a number of the problems in the timetabling domain. Through this investigation, the usefulness of sequence-based selection hyper-heuristics has been demonstrated and the capability of these methods has been shown to exceed the state of the art.
Method for Household Refrigerators Efficiency Increasing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebedev, V. V.; Sumzina, L. V.; Maksimov, A. V.

2017-11-01

The relevance of working processes parameters optimization in air conditioning systems is proved in the work. The research is performed with the use of the simulation modeling method. The parameters optimization criteria are considered, the analysis of target functions is given while the key factors of technical and economic optimization are considered in the article. The search for the optimal solution at multi-purpose optimization of the system is made by finding out the minimum of the dual-target vector created by the Pareto method of linear and weight compromises from target functions of the total capital costs and total operating costs. The tasks are solved in the MathCAD environment. The research results show that the values of technical and economic parameters of air conditioning systems in the areas relating to the optimum solutions’ areas manifest considerable deviations from the minimum values. At the same time, the tendencies for significant growth in deviations take place at removal of technical parameters from the optimal values of both the capital investments and operating costs. The production and operation of conditioners with the parameters which are considerably deviating from the optimal values will lead to the increase of material and power costs. The research allows one to establish the borders of the area of the optimal values for technical and economic parameters at air conditioning systems’ design.
Risk management modeling and its application in maritime safety

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Ting-Rong; Chen, Wei-Jiong; Zeng, Xiang-Kun

2008-12-01

Quantified risk assessment (QRA) needs mathematicization of risk theory. However, attention has been paid almost exclusively to applications of assessment methods, which has led to neglect of research into fundamental theories, such as the relationships among risk, safety, danger, and so on. In order to solve this problem, as a first step, fundamental theoretical relationships about risk and risk management were analyzed for this paper in the light of mathematics, and then illustrated with some charts. Second, man-machine-environment-management (MMEM) theory was introduced into risk theory to analyze some properties of risk. On the basis of this, a three-dimensional model of risk management was established that includes: a goal dimension; a management dimension; an operation dimension. This goal management operation (GMO) model was explained and then emphasis was laid on the discussion of the risk flowchart (operation dimension), which lays the groundwork for further study of risk management and qualitative and quantitative assessment. Next, the relationship between Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) and Risk Management was researched. This revealed that the FSA method, which the international maritime organization (IMO) is actively spreading, comes from Risk Management theory. Finally, conclusion were made about how to apply this risk management method to concrete fields efficiently and conveniently, as well as areas where further research is required.
Operational Changes in a Shared Resource Laboratory with the Use of a Product Lifecycle Management Approach: A Case Study.

PubMed

Hexley, Philip; Smith, Victoria; Wall, Samantha

2016-04-01

Shared Resource Laboratories (SRLs) provide investigators access to necessary scientific and resource expertise to leverage complex technologies fully for advancing high-quality biomedical research in a cost-effective manner. At the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Flow Cytometry Research Facility (FCRF) offered access to exceptional technology, but the methods of operation were outdated and unsustainable. Whereas technology has advanced and the institute has expanded, the operations at the facility remained unchanged for 35 yr. To rectify this, at the end of 2013, we took a product lifecycle management approach to affect large operational changes and align the services offered with the SRL goal of education, as well as to provide service to researchers. These disruptive operational changes took over 10 mo to complete and allowed for independent end-user acquisition of flow cytometry data. The results have been monitored for the past 12 mo. The operational changes have had a positive impact on the quality of research, increased investigator-facility interaction, reduced stress of facility staff, and increased overall use of the resources. This product lifecycle management approach to facility operations allowed us to conceive of, design, implement, and monitor effectively the changes at the FCRF. This approach should be considered by SRL management when faced with the need for operationally disruptive measures.
Planning and leading of the technological processes by mechanical working with microsoft project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nae, I.; Grigore, N.

2016-08-01

Nowadays, fabrication systems and methods are being modified; new processing technologies come up, flow sheets develop a minimum number of phases, the flexibility of the technologies grows up, new methods and instruments of monitoring and leading the processing operations also come up. The technological course (route, entry, scheme, guiding) referring to the series of the operation, putting and execution phases of a mark in order to obtain the final product from the blank is represented by a sequence of activities realized by a logic manner, on a well determined schedule, with a determined budget and resources. Also, a project can be defined as a series of specific activities, methodical structured which they aim to finish a specific objective, within a fixed schedule and budget. Within the homogeneity between the project and the technological course, this research is presenting the defining of the technological course of mechanical chip removing process using Microsoft Project. Under these circumstances, this research highlights the advantages of this method: the celerity using of other technological alternatives in order to pick the optimal process, the job scheduling being constrained by any kinds, the standardization of some processing technological operations.
Conflict Prevention and Separation Assurance Method in the Small Aircraft Transportation System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Consiglio, Maria C.; Carreno, Victor A.; Williams, Daniel M.; Munoz, Cesar

2005-01-01

A multilayer approach to the prevention of conflicts due to the loss of aircraft-to-aircraft separation which relies on procedures and on-board automation was implemented as part of the SATS HVO Concept of Operations. The multilayer system gives pilots support and guidance during the execution of normal operations and advance warning for procedure deviations or off-nominal operations. This paper describes the major concept elements of this multilayer approach to separation assurance and conflict prevention and provides the rationale for its design. All the algorithms and functionality described in this paper have been implemented in an aircraft simulation in the NASA Langley Research Center s Air Traffic Operation Lab and on the NASA Cirrus SR22 research aircraft.
Environmental control implications of generating electric power from coal. 1977 technology status report. Appendix D. Assessment of NO/sub x/ control technology for coal fired utility boilers. [Low-excess-air, staged combustion, flu gas recirculation and burner design

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

Not Available

1977-12-01

An NOx control technology assessment study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of low-excess-air firing, staged combustion, flue gas recirculation, and current burner/boiler designs as applied to coal-fired utility boilers. Significant variations in NOx emissions exist with boiler type, firing method, and coal type, but a relative comparison of emissions control performance, cost, and operational considerations is presented for each method. The study emphasized the numerous operational factors that are of major importance to the user in selecting and implementing a combustion modification technique. Staged combustion and low-excess-air operation were identified as the most cost-effective methods for existing units. Closemore » control of local air/fuel ratios and rigorous combustion equipment maintenance are essential to the success of both methods. Flue gas recirculation is relatively ineffective and has the added concern of tube erosion. More research is needed to resolve potential corrosion concerns with low-NOx operating modes. Low-NOx burners in conjunction with a compartmentalized windbox are capable of meeting a 0.6-lb/million Btu emission level on new units. Advanced burner designs are being developed to meet research emission goals of approximately 0.25 lb/MBtu.« less
Captain upgrade CRM training: A new focus for enhanced flight operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taggart, William R.

1993-01-01

Crew Resource Management (CRM) research has resulted in numerous payoffs of applied applications in flight training and standardization of air carrier flight operations. This paper describes one example of how basic research into human factors and crew performance was used to create a specific training intervention for upgrading new captains for a major United States air carrier. The basis for the training is examined along with some of the specific training methods used, and several unexpeced results.
Maintenance Enterprise Resource Planning: Information Value Among Supply Chain Elements

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

to$Normal$Science$ Textbook,$ar8cles$ Journal,$Socie8es$ Profession$ New$Disciplines$ New$School$ $ Material$ Managemen t $ Pr e+ Pa ra di gm :$ Th ou...Jensen, P., & Bard, J. F. (2002). Operations research models and methods (1st ed., p. 700). Danvers, MA: Wiley. Jitpaiboon, T . (2005). The roles of...of Operations Research, 19(3), 337–357. doi:10.1007/s10100-010-0168-1 Kuhn, T . S. (1970). The structure of scientific revolutions (2nd ed.). Chicago

The environmental analysis of helicopter operations by Federal agencies: Current procedures and research needs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, C. C.; Warner, D. B.; Dajani, J. S.

1977-01-01

The technical, economic, and environmental problems restricting commercial helicopter passenger operations are reviewed. The key considerations for effective assessment procedures are outlined and a preliminary model for the environmental analysis of helicopters is developed. It is recommended that this model, or some similar approach, be used as a common base for the development of comprehensive environmental assessment methods for each of the federal agencies concerned with helicopters. A description of the critical environmental research issues applicable to helicopters is also presented.
Shear Strength of Remoulding Clay Samples Using Different Methods of Moulding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norhaliza, W.; Ismail, B.; Azhar, A. T. S.; Nurul, N. J.

2016-07-01

Shear strength for clay soil was required to determine the soil stability. Clay was known as a soil with complex natural formations and very difficult to obtain undisturbed samples at the site. The aim of this paper was to determine the unconfined shear strength of remoulded clay on different methods in moulding samples which were proctor compaction, hand operated soil compacter and miniature mould methods. All the samples were remoulded with the same optimum moisture content (OMC) and density that were 18% and 1880 kg/m3 respectively. The unconfined shear strength results of remoulding clay soils for proctor compaction method was 289.56kPa with the strain 4.8%, hand operated method was 261.66kPa with the strain 4.4% and miniature mould method was 247.52kPa with the strain 3.9%. Based on the proctor compaction method, the reduction percentage of unconfined shear strength of remoulded clay soil of hand operated method was 9.66%, and for miniature mould method was 14.52%. Thus, because there was no significant difference of reduction percentage of unconfined shear strength between three different methods, so it can be concluded that remoulding clay by hand operated method and miniature mould method were accepted and suggested to perform remoulding clay samples by other future researcher. However for comparison, the hand operated method was more suitable to form remoulded clay sample in term of easiness, saving time and less energy for unconfined shear strength determination purposes.
Computational Aerodynamic Simulations of a 1215 ft/sec Tip Speed Transonic Fan System Model for Acoustic Methods Assessment and Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tweedt, Daniel L.

2014-01-01

Computational Aerodynamic simulations of a 1215 ft/sec tip speed transonic fan system were performed at five different operating points on the fan operating line, in order to provide detailed internal flow field information for use with fan acoustic prediction methods presently being developed, assessed and validated. The fan system is a sub-scale, low-noise research fan/nacelle model that has undergone extensive experimental testing in the 9- by 15-foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Details of the fan geometry, the computational fluid dynamics methods, the computational grids, and various computational parameters relevant to the numerical simulations are discussed. Flow field results for three of the five operating points simulated are presented in order to provide a representative look at the computed solutions. Each of the five fan aerodynamic simulations involved the entire fan system, which for this model did not include a split flow path with core and bypass ducts. As a result, it was only necessary to adjust fan rotational speed in order to set the fan operating point, leading to operating points that lie on a fan operating line and making mass flow rate a fully dependent parameter. The resulting mass flow rates are in good agreement with measurement values. Computed blade row flow fields at all fan operating points are, in general, aerodynamically healthy. Rotor blade and fan exit guide vane flow characteristics are good, including incidence and deviation angles, chordwise static pressure distributions, blade surface boundary layers, secondary flow structures, and blade wakes. Examination of the flow fields at all operating conditions reveals no excessive boundary layer separations or related secondary-flow problems.
Initial Concept for Terminal Area Conflict Detection, Alerting, and Resolution Capability on or Near the Airport Surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, David F.; Otero, Sharon D.; Barker, Glover D.; Jones, Denise R.

2009-01-01

The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) concept for 2025 envisions the movement of large numbers of people and goods in a safe, efficient, and reliable manner. The NextGen will remove many of the constraints in the current air transportation system, support a wider range of operations, and deliver an overall system capacity up to 3 times that of current operating levels. In order to achieve the NextGen vision, research is necessary in the areas of surface traffic optimization, maximum runway capacity, reduced runway occupancy time, simultaneous single runway operations, and terminal area conflict prevention, among others. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting Collision Avoidance for Airport Traffic (CAAT) research to develop technologies, data, and guidelines to enable Conflict Detection and Resolution (CD&R) in the Airport Terminal Maneuvering Area (ATMA) under current and emerging NextGen operating concepts. In this report, an initial concept for an aircraft-based method for CD&R in the ATMA is presented. This method is based upon previous NASA work in CD&R for runway incursion prevention, the Runway Incursion Prevention System (RIPS). CAAT research is conducted jointly under NASA's Airspace Systems Program, Airportal Project and the Aviation Safety Program, Integrated Intelligent Flight Deck Project.
National Defense Center of Excellence for Research in Ocean Sciences

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-09-01

independent of frequency and range. As a consequence, lower operating frequencies (lower absorption ) can be used in an SAS to increase range or to...Reed Army hospital in Washington to review research methods and results. The discovery of new antibacterial substances from marine algae provides at...AUV application with measurements of 21 inches diameter and 40 inches long. Next, various manufacturing methods were studied for effectiveness and
Study of Gender Differences in Performance at the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

teacher preparation. By using both qualitative and quantitative methods for pre-service teachers, Kelly concludes that most teachers could not identify...Engineering MATH/SCIENCE Marine and Environmental Sciences Math and Computer Science Operations Research SOCIAL SCIENCE Government...Tabachnik and Findell, 2001). Correlational research is often a good precursor to answering other questions by empirical methods . Correlations measure the
Development and Testing of Physically-Based Methods for Filling Gaps in Remotely Sensed River Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-30

Filling Gaps in Remotely Sensed River Data Jonathan M. Nelson US Geological Survey National Research Program Geomorphology and Sediment Transport...the research work carried out under this grant are to develop and test two methods for filling in gaps in remotely sensed river data. The first...information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215
How to use bibliometric methods in evaluation of scientific research? An example from Finnish schizophrenia research.

PubMed

Koskinen, Johanna; Isohanni, Matti; Paajala, Henna; Jääskeläinen, Erika; Nieminen, Pentti; Koponen, Hannu; Tienari, Pekka; Miettunen, Jouko

2008-01-01

We present bibliometric methods that can be utilized in evaluation processes of scientific work. In this paper, we present some practical clues using Finnish schizophrenia research as an example and comparing the research output of different institutions. Bibliometric data and indicators including publication counts, impact factors and received citations were used as tools for evaluating research performance in Finnish schizophrenia research. The articles and citations were searched from the Web of Science database. We used schizophrenia as a keyword and defined address Finland, and limited years to 1996-2005. When we analysed Finnish schizophrenia research, altogether 265 articles met our criteria. There were differences in impact factors and received citations between institutions. The number of annually published Finnish schizophrenia articles has tripled since the mid-1990s. International co-operation was common (43%). Bibliometric methods revealed differences between institutions, indicating that the methods can be applied in research evaluation. The coverage of databases as well as the precision of their search engines can be seen as limitations. Bibliometric methods offer a practical and impartial way to estimate publication profiles of researchers and research groups. According to our experience, these methods can be used as an evaluation instrument in research together with other methods, such as expert opinions and panels.
Time-based collision risk modeling for air traffic management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bell, Alan E.

Since the emergence of commercial aviation in the early part of last century, economic forces have driven a steadily increasing demand for air transportation. Increasing density of aircraft operating in a finite volume of airspace is accompanied by a corresponding increase in the risk of collision, and in response to a growing number of incidents and accidents involving collisions between aircraft, governments worldwide have developed air traffic control systems and procedures to mitigate this risk. The objective of any collision risk management system is to project conflicts and provide operators with sufficient opportunity to recognize potential collisions and take necessary actions to avoid them. It is therefore the assertion of this research that the currency of collision risk management is time. Future Air Traffic Management Systems are being designed around the foundational principle of four dimensional trajectory based operations, a method that replaces legacy first-come, first-served sequencing priorities with time-based reservations throughout the airspace system. This research will demonstrate that if aircraft are to be sequenced in four dimensions, they must also be separated in four dimensions. In order to separate aircraft in four dimensions, time must emerge as the primary tool by which air traffic is managed. A functional relationship exists between the time-based performance of aircraft, the interval between aircraft scheduled to cross some three dimensional point in space, and the risk of collision. This research models that relationship and presents two key findings. First, a method is developed by which the ability of an aircraft to meet a required time of arrival may be expressed as a robust standard for both industry and operations. Second, a method by which airspace system capacity may be increased while maintaining an acceptable level of collision risk is presented and demonstrated for the purpose of formulating recommendations for procedures regulating air traffic management methods and industry standards governing performance requirements for avionics designed to support trajectory based operations.
COST EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM AIR EMISSIONS FROM FUNCTIONAL CHROMIUM ELECTROPLATING

EPA Science Inventory

This paper will summrize thie pollution prevention (p2) method to control stack emissions from hard chromium plating operations performed by the USEPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) over the last four years. During literature research and user surveys, it...
The CSM testbed software system: A development environment for structural analysis methods on the NAS CRAY-2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gillian, Ronnie E.; Lotts, Christine G.

1988-01-01

The Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) Activity at Langley Research Center is developing methods for structural analysis on modern computers. To facilitate that research effort, an applications development environment has been constructed to insulate the researcher from the many computer operating systems of a widely distributed computer network. The CSM Testbed development system was ported to the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulator (NAS) Cray-2, at the Ames Research Center, to provide a high end computational capability. This paper describes the implementation experiences, the resulting capability, and the future directions for the Testbed on supercomputers.
Protocols | Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research

Cancer.gov

Each reagent on the Antibody Portal has been characterized by a combination of methods specific for that antibody. To view the customized antibody methods and protocols (Standard Operating Procedures) used to generate and characterize each reagent, select an antibody of interest and open the protocols associated with their respective characterization methods along with characterization data.
Applications of Genetic Methods to NASA Design and Operations Problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laird, Philip D.

1996-01-01

We review four recent NASA-funded applications in which evolutionary/genetic methods are important. In the process we survey: the kinds of problems being solved today with these methods; techniques and tools used; problems encountered; and areas where research is needed. The presentation slides are annotated briefly at the top of each page.
42 CFR 84.146 - Method of measuring the power and torque required to operate blowers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Method of measuring the power and torque required... AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Supplied-Air Respirators § 84.146 Method of measuring the power and torque...
The RACE (Research and Development in Advanced Technologies for Europe) Program in 1988

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-03-30

Sys- cated hardware and on top of a telecommunications spe- tem Requirements on Specification. The BEST project cific real - time operating system . will...provide a service to the RACE Main Program Part I A real - time operating system will be defined for the consortia by defining methods and specifying
Teacher Assessment of University of London A-Level Biology Practical Notebooks--A Report on the First Operational Examination.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kingdon, J. M.; Hartley, D. J.

1982-01-01

Candidates taking University of London Advanced Level Biology Examination submit their practical/field-work notebooks for assessment (contributing 10 percent to final grade). Describes research undertaken during the first operation examination, reviewing assessment method and analyzing and discussing moderation techniques. Indicates assessment and…
Exploration of Mathematics Problem Solving Process Based on the Thinking Level of Students in Junior High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rahman, Abdul; Ahmar, Ansari Saleh

2016-01-01

Several studies suggest that most students are not in the same level of development (Slavin, 2008). From concrete operation level to formal operation level, students experience lateness in the transition phase. Consequently, students feel difficulty in solving mathematics problems. Method research is a qualitatively descriptive-explorative…
Library Effectiveness: A Systems Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morse, Philip M.

Addressed to both librarians and systems analysts, this book attempts to apply the analytic methods of operations research and systems analysis to the operating problems of the library. The first part of the book discusses theoretical models with emphasis on the pattern of book use, on its change with time and on the problem of estimating and…
Standard operating procedures for serum and plasma collection: early detection research network consensus statement standard operating procedure integration working group.

PubMed

Tuck, Melissa K; Chan, Daniel W; Chia, David; Godwin, Andrew K; Grizzle, William E; Krueger, Karl E; Rom, William; Sanda, Martin; Sorbara, Lynn; Stass, Sanford; Wang, Wendy; Brenner, Dean E

2009-01-01

Specimen collection is an integral component of clinical research. Specimens from subjects with various stages of cancers or other conditions, as well as those without disease, are critical tools in the hunt for biomarkers, predictors, or tests that will detect serious diseases earlier or more readily than currently possible. Analytic methodologies evolve quickly. Access to high-quality specimens, collected and handled in standardized ways that minimize potential bias or confounding factors, is key to the "bench to bedside" aim of translational research. It is essential that standard operating procedures, "the how" of creating the repositories, be defined prospectively when designing clinical trials. Small differences in the processing or handling of a specimen can have dramatic effects in analytical reliability and reproducibility, especially when multiplex methods are used. A representative working group, Standard Operating Procedures Internal Working Group (SOPIWG), comprised of members from across Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) was formed to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for various types of specimens collected and managed for our biomarker discovery and validation work. This report presents our consensus on SOPs for the collection, processing, handling, and storage of serum and plasma for biomarker discovery and validation.
Research on Operation Assessment Method for Energy Meter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiangqun; Huang, Rui; Shen, Liman; chen, Hao; Xiong, Dezhi; Xiao, Xiangqi; Liu, Mouhai; Xu, Renheng

2018-03-01

The existing electric energy meter rotation maintenance strategy regularly checks the electric energy meter and evaluates the state. It only considers the influence of time factors, neglects the influence of other factors, leads to the inaccuracy of the evaluation, and causes the waste of resources. In order to evaluate the running state of the electric energy meter in time, a method of the operation evaluation of the electric energy meter is proposed. The method is based on extracting the existing data acquisition system, marketing business system and metrology production scheduling platform that affect the state of energy meters, and classified into error stability, operational reliability, potential risks and other factors according to the influencing factors, based on the above basic test score, inspecting score, monitoring score, score of family defect detection. Then, according to the evaluation model according to the scoring, we evaluate electric energy meter operating state, and finally put forward the corresponding maintenance strategy of rotation.

An improved genetic algorithm and its application in the TSP problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zheng; Qin, Jinlei

2011-12-01

Concept and research actuality of genetic algorithm are introduced in detail in the paper. Under this condition, the simple genetic algorithm and an improved algorithm are described and applied in an example of TSP problem, where the advantage of genetic algorithm is adequately shown in solving the NP-hard problem. In addition, based on partial matching crossover operator, the crossover operator method is improved into extended crossover operator in order to advance the efficiency when solving the TSP. In the extended crossover method, crossover operator can be performed between random positions of two random individuals, which will not be restricted by the position of chromosome. Finally, the nine-city TSP is solved using the improved genetic algorithm with extended crossover method, the efficiency of whose solution process is much higher, besides, the solving speed of the optimal solution is much faster.
A System Approach to Navy Medical Education and Training. Appendix 36. Competency Curriculum for Operating Room Assistant and Operating Room Technician.

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-08-31

These methods and curriculum materials constituted a third (instructional) sub-system. Thus, as originally proposed, a system capability has been...NODAL and its associated indexing techniques, it is possible to assemble modified or completely different inventories than those used in this research...covering all hair as a source of infection Method by which synthetic material causes static electricity Danger of static electricity in O.R. suite I
BCI2000: a general-purpose brain-computer interface (BCI) system.

PubMed

Schalk, Gerwin; McFarland, Dennis J; Hinterberger, Thilo; Birbaumer, Niels; Wolpaw, Jonathan R

2004-06-01

Many laboratories have begun to develop brain-computer interface (BCI) systems that provide communication and control capabilities to people with severe motor disabilities. Further progress and realization of practical applications depends on systematic evaluations and comparisons of different brain signals, recording methods, processing algorithms, output formats, and operating protocols. However, the typical BCI system is designed specifically for one particular BCI method and is, therefore, not suited to the systematic studies that are essential for continued progress. In response to this problem, we have developed a documented general-purpose BCI research and development platform called BCI2000. BCI2000 can incorporate alone or in combination any brain signals, signal processing methods, output devices, and operating protocols. This report is intended to describe to investigators, biomedical engineers, and computer scientists the concepts that the BC12000 system is based upon and gives examples of successful BCI implementations using this system. To date, we have used BCI2000 to create BCI systems for a variety of brain signals, processing methods, and applications. The data show that these systems function well in online operation and that BCI2000 satisfies the stringent real-time requirements of BCI systems. By substantially reducing labor and cost, BCI2000 facilitates the implementation of different BCI systems and other psychophysiological experiments. It is available with full documentation and free of charge for research or educational purposes and is currently being used in a variety of studies by many research groups.
Continuation of research into software for space operations support, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collier, Mark D.; Killough, Ronnie; Martin, Nancy L.

1990-01-01

A prototype workstation executive called the Hardware Independent Software Development Environment (HISDE) was developed. Software technologies relevant to workstation executives were researched and evaluated and HISDE was used as a test bed for prototyping efforts. New X Windows software concepts and technology were introduced into workstation executives and related applications. The four research efforts performed included: (1) Research into the usability and efficiency of Motif (an X Windows based graphic user interface) which consisted of converting the existing Athena widget based HISDE user interface to Motif demonstrating the usability of Motif and providing insight into the level of effort required to translate an application from widget to another; (2) Prototype a real time data display widget which consisted of research methods for and prototyping the selected method of displaying textual values in an efficient manner; (3) X Windows performance evaluation which consisted of a series of performance measurements which demonstrated the ability of low level X Windows to display textural information; (4) Convert the Display Manager to X Window/Motif which is the application used by NASA for data display during operational mode.
Separation and quantitation of plant and insect carbohydrate isomers found on the surface of cotton

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cotton stickiness researchers have worked to create ion chromatography (IC) carbohydrate separation methods which allow for minimal analysis time and reduced operational costs. Researchers have also tried to correlate scientifically backed IC data with the available physical stickiness tests, such ...
Research on single-chip microcomputer controlled rotating magnetic field mineralization model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; Qi, Yulin; Yang, Junxiao; Li, Na

2017-08-01

As one of the method of selecting ore, the magnetic separation method has the advantages of stable operation, simple process flow, high beneficiation efficiency and no chemical environment pollution. But the existing magnetic separator are more mechanical, the operation is not flexible, and can not change the magnetic field parameters according to the precision of the ore needed. Based on the existing magnetic separator is mechanical, the rotating magnetic field can be used for single chip microcomputer control as the research object, design and trial a rotating magnetic field processing prototype, and through the single-chip PWM pulse output to control the rotation of the magnetic field strength and rotating magnetic field speed. This method of using pure software to generate PWM pulse to control rotary magnetic field beneficiation, with higher flexibility, accuracy and lower cost, can give full play to the performance of single-chip.
Special Operations Forces Language and Culture Needs Assessment Project: Methodology Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

respond. Identification of a sponsor for the survey is one method for increasing the number of respondents (Simsek & Veiga , 2001). This sponsorship...Publications Ltd. Simsek, Z., & Veiga , J. F. (2001). A primer on internet organizational surveys, Organizational Research methods, 4, 218-235
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY METHODS DEVELOPMENT

EPA Science Inventory

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) is engaged in the development, demonstration, and validation of new or newly adapted methods of analysis for environmentally related samples. Recognizing that a "one size fits all" approach to qu...
Review of Batteryless Wireless Sensors Using Additively Manufactured Microwave Resonators.

PubMed

Memon, Muhammad Usman; Lim, Sungjoon

2017-09-09

The significant improvements observed in the field of bulk-production of printed microchip technologies in the past decade have allowed the fabrication of microchip printing on numerous materials including organic and flexible substrates. Printed sensors and electronics are of significant interest owing to the fast and low-cost fabrication techniques used in their fabrication. The increasing amount of research and deployment of specially printed electronic sensors in a number of applications demonstrates the immense attention paid by researchers to this topic in the pursuit of achieving wider-scale electronics on different dielectric materials. Although there are many traditional methods for fabricating radio frequency (RF) components, they are time-consuming, expensive, complicated, and require more power for operation than additive fabrication methods. This paper serves as a summary/review of improvements made to the additive printing technologies. The article focuses on three recently developed printing methods for the fabrication of wireless sensors operating at microwave frequencies. The fabrication methods discussed include inkjet printing, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and screen printing.
Review of Batteryless Wireless Sensors Using Additively Manufactured Microwave Resonators

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The significant improvements observed in the field of bulk-production of printed microchip technologies in the past decade have allowed the fabrication of microchip printing on numerous materials including organic and flexible substrates. Printed sensors and electronics are of significant interest owing to the fast and low-cost fabrication techniques used in their fabrication. The increasing amount of research and deployment of specially printed electronic sensors in a number of applications demonstrates the immense attention paid by researchers to this topic in the pursuit of achieving wider-scale electronics on different dielectric materials. Although there are many traditional methods for fabricating radio frequency (RF) components, they are time-consuming, expensive, complicated, and require more power for operation than additive fabrication methods. This paper serves as a summary/review of improvements made to the additive printing technologies. The article focuses on three recently developed printing methods for the fabrication of wireless sensors operating at microwave frequencies. The fabrication methods discussed include inkjet printing, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and screen printing. PMID:28891947
Research on Robot Pose Control Technology Based on Kinematics Analysis Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Dalong; Xu, Lijuan

2018-01-01

In order to improve the attitude stability of the robot, proposes an attitude control method of robot based on kinematics analysis model, solve the robot walking posture transformation, grasping and controlling the motion planning problem of robot kinematics. In Cartesian space analytical model, using three axis accelerometer, magnetometer and the three axis gyroscope for the combination of attitude measurement, the gyroscope data from Calman filter, using the four element method for robot attitude angle, according to the centroid of the moving parts of the robot corresponding to obtain stability inertia parameters, using random sampling RRT motion planning method, accurate operation to any position control of space robot, to ensure the end effector along a prescribed trajectory the implementation of attitude control. The accurate positioning of the experiment is taken using MT-R robot as the research object, the test robot. The simulation results show that the proposed method has better robustness, and higher positioning accuracy, and it improves the reliability and safety of robot operation.
Methods to assess bioavailability of hydrophobic organic contaminants: Principles, operations, and limitations.

PubMed

Cui, Xinyi; Mayer, Philipp; Gan, Jay

2013-01-01

Many important environmental contaminants are hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs), which include PCBs, PAHs, PBDEs, DDT and other chlorinated insecticides, among others. Owing to their strong hydrophobicity, HOCs have their final destination in soil or sediment, where their ecotoxicological effects are closely regulated by sorption and thus bioavailability. The last two decades have seen a dramatic increase in research efforts in developing and applying partitioning based methods and biomimetic extractions for measuring HOC bioavailability. However, the many variations of both analytical methods and associated measurement endpoints are often a source of confusion for users. In this review, we distinguish the most commonly used analytical approaches based on their measurement objectives, and illustrate their practical operational steps, strengths and limitations using simple flowcharts. This review may serve as guidance for new users on the selection and use of established methods, and a reference for experienced investigators to identify potential topics for further research. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Supporting Real-Time Operations and Execution through Timeline and Scheduling Aids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marquez, Jessica J.; Pyrzak, Guy; Hashemi, Sam; Ahmed, Samia; McMillin, Kevin Edward; Medwid, Joseph Daniel; Chen, Diana; Hurtle, Esten

2013-01-01

Since 2003, the NASA Ames Research Center has been actively involved in researching and advancing the state-of-the-art of planning and scheduling tools for NASA mission operations. Our planning toolkit SPIFe (Scheduling and Planning Interface for Exploration) has supported a variety of missions and field tests, scheduling activities for Mars rovers as well as crew on-board International Space Station and NASA earth analogs. The scheduled plan is the integration of all the activities for the day/s. In turn, the agents (rovers, landers, spaceships, crew) execute from this schedule while the mission support team members (e.g., flight controllers) follow the schedule during execution. Over the last couple of years, our team has begun to research and validate methods that will better support users during realtime operations and execution of scheduled activities. Our team utilizes human-computer interaction principles to research user needs, identify workflow processes, prototype software aids, and user test these. This paper discusses three specific prototypes developed and user tested to support real-time operations: Score Mobile, Playbook, and Mobile Assistant for Task Execution (MATE).
A Flight Research Overview of WSPR, a Pilot Project for Sonic Boom Community Response

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cliatt, Larry J., II; Haering, Edward A., Jr.; Jones, Thomas P.; Waggoner, Erin R.; Flattery, Ashley K.; Wiley, Scott L.

2014-01-01

In support of the ongoing effort by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to bring supersonic commercial travel to the public, the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center and the NASA Langley Research Center, in cooperation with other industry organizations, conducted a flight research experiment to identify the methods, tools, and best practices for a large-scale quiet (or low) sonic boom community human response test. The name of the effort was Waveforms and Sonic boom Perception and Response (WSPR). Such tests will be applied to building a dataset that governing agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the International Civil Aviation Organization will use to establish regulations for acceptable sound levels of overland sonic booms. The WSPR test was the first such effort that studied responses to non-traditional low sonic booms while the subject persons were in their own homes and performing daily activities.The WSPR test was a NASA collaborative effort with several industry partners, in response to a NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Research Opportunities in Aeronautics. The primary contractor was Wyle (El Segundo, California). Other partners included Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Savannah, Georgia); Pennsylvania State University (University Park, Pennsylvania); Tetra Tech, Inc. (Pasadena, California); and Fidell Associates, Inc. (Woodland Hills, California).A major objective of the effort included exposing a community to the sonic boom magnitudes and occurrences that would be expected to occur in high-air traffic regions having a network of supersonic commercial aircraft in place. Low-level sonic booms designed to simulate those produced by the next generation of commercial supersonic aircraft were generated over a small residential community. The sonic boom footprint was recorded with an autonomous wireless microphone array that spanned the entire community. Human response data were collected using multiple survey methods. The research focused on essential elements of community response testing including subject recruitment, survey methods, instrumentation systems, flight planning and operations, and data analysis methods.This paper focuses on the NASA role in the logistics and operations of the effort, including human response subject recruitment, the operational processes involved in implementing the surveys throughout the community, instrumentation systems, logistics, flight planning, and flight operations. Findings discussed in this paper include critical lessons learned in all of the above-mentioned areas, as well as flight operations results. Analysis of the accuracy and repeatability of planning and executing the unique aircraft maneuver used to generate low sonic booms concluded that the sonic booms had overpressures within 0.15 lbft2 of the planned values for 76 percent of the attempts. Similarly, 90 percent of the attempts to generate low sonic booms within the community were successful.
What’s Operations Research? and Why Should We (Interagents) Care?

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-09

OR (from DSB Report on ISR applications) – World War I • Thomas Edison led anti-submarine warfare tactics study/development – World War II • English...Operations – Joint Warfare – Resources/Readiness/Training – Acquisition – Interdisciplinary Advances in OR • Recent Special Meetings – Power and Energy...the scientific method to inform decisions • Early applications were military operations focused – Lanchester equations of combat – Anti-submarine
Comparison of three control methods for an autonomous vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deshpande, Anup; Mathur, Kovid; Hall, Ernest

2010-01-01

The desirability and challenge of developing a completely autonomous vehicle and the rising need for more efficient use of energy by automobiles motivate this research- a study for an optimum solution to computer control of energy efficient vehicles. The purpose of this paper is to compare three control methods - mechanical, hydraulic and electric that have been used to convert an experimental all terrain vehicle to drive by wire which would eventually act as a test bed for conducting research on various technologies for autonomous operation. Computer control of basic operations in a vehicle namely steering, braking and speed control have been implemented and will be described in this paper. The output from a 3 axis motion controller is used for this purpose. The motion controller is interfaced with a software program using WSDK (Windows Servo Design Kit) as an intermediate tuning layer for tuning and parameter settings in autonomous operation. The software program is developed in C++. The voltage signal sent to the motion controller can be varied through the control program for desired results in controlling the steering motor, activating the hydraulic brakes and varying the vehicle's speed. The vehicle has been tested for its basic functionality which includes testing of street legal operations and also a 1000 mile test while running in a hybrid mode. The vehicle has also been tested for control when it is interfaced with devices such as a keyboard, joystick and sensors under full autonomous operation. The vehicle is currently being tested in various safety studies and is being used as a test bed for experiments in control courses and research studies. The significance of this research is in providing a greater understanding of conventional driving controls and the possibility of improving automobile safety by removing human error in control of a motor vehicle.
Performance Evaluation of a Salivary Amylase Biosensor for Stress Assessment in Military Field Research.

PubMed

Peng, Henry T; Savage, Erin; Vartanian, Oshin; Smith, Shane; Rhind, Shawn G; Tenn, Catherine; Bjamason, Stephen

2016-05-01

A convenient biosensor for real-time measurement of biomarkers for in-field psychophysiological stress research and military operations is desirable. We evaluated a hand-held device for measuring salivary amylase as a stress marker in medical technicians undergoing combat casualty care training using two different modalities in operating room and field settings. Salivary amylase activity was measured by two biosensor methods: directly sampling saliva with a test strip placed under the tongue or pipetting a fixed volume of precollected saliva onto the test strip, followed by analyzing the sample on the strip using a biosensor. The two methods were compared for their accuracy and sensitivity to detect the stress response using an enzyme assay method as a standard. The measurements from the under-the-tongue method were not as consistent with those from the standard assay method as the values obtained from the pipetting method. The under-the-tongue method did not detect any significant increase in the amylase activity due to stress in the operating room (P > 0.1), in contrast to the significant increases observed using the pipetting method and assay method with a significance level less than 0.05 and 0.1, respectively. Furthermore, the under-the-tongue method showed no increased amylase activity in the field testing, while both the pipetting method and assay method showed increased amylase activity in the same group (P < 0.1). The accuracy and consistency of the biosensors need to be improved when used to directly measure salivary amylase activity under the tongue for stress assessment in military medical training. © 2015 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Reproduced with the permission DRDC Editorial Board.
Stirling Cooler Designed for Venus Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Landis, Geoffrey A.; Mellott, Kenneth D.

2004-01-01

Venus having an average surface temperature of 460 degrees Celsius (about 860 degrees Fahrenheit) and an atmosphere 150 times denser than the Earth's atmosphere, designing a robot to merely survive on the surface to do planetary exploration is an extremely difficult task. This temperature is hundreds of degrees higher than the maximum operating temperature of currently existing microcontrollers, electronic devices, and circuit boards. To meet the challenge of Venus exploration, researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center studied methods to keep a pressurized electronics package cooled, so that the operating temperature within the electronics enclosure would be cool enough for electronics to run, to allow a mission to operate on the surface of Venus for extended periods.
INITIATORS AND TRIGGERING CONDITIONS FOR ADAPTIVE AUTOMATION IN ADVANCED SMALL MODULAR REACTORS

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

Katya L Le Blanc; Johanna h Oxstrand

It is anticipated that Advanced Small Modular Reactors (AdvSMRs) will employ high degrees of automation. High levels of automation can enhance system performance, but often at the cost of reduced human performance. Automation can lead to human out-of the loop issues, unbalanced workload, complacency, and other problems if it is not designed properly. Researchers have proposed adaptive automation (defined as dynamic or flexible allocation of functions) as a way to get the benefits of higher levels of automation without the human performance costs. Adaptive automation has the potential to balance operator workload and enhance operator situation awareness by allocating functionsmore » to the operators in a way that is sensitive to overall workload and capabilities at the time of operation. However, there still a number of questions regarding how to effectively design adaptive automation to achieve that potential. One of those questions is related to how to initiate (or trigger) a shift in automation in order to provide maximal sensitivity to operator needs without introducing undesirable consequences (such as unpredictable mode changes). Several triggering mechanisms for shifts in adaptive automation have been proposed including: operator initiated, critical events, performance-based, physiological measurement, model-based, and hybrid methods. As part of a larger project to develop design guidance for human-automation collaboration in AdvSMRs, researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have investigated the effectiveness and applicability of each of these triggering mechanisms in the context of AdvSMR. Researchers reviewed the empirical literature on adaptive automation and assessed each triggering mechanism based on the human-system performance consequences of employing that mechanism. Researchers also assessed the practicality and feasibility of using the mechanism in the context of an AdvSMR control room. Results indicate that there are tradeoffs associated with each mechanism, but that some are more applicable to the AdvSMR domain. The two mechanisms that consistently improve performance in laboratory studies are operator initiated adaptive automation based on hierarchical task delegation and the Electroencephalogram(EEG) –based measure of engagement. Current EEG methods are intrusive and require intensive analysis; therefore it is not recommended for an AdvSMR control rooms at this time. Researchers also discuss limitations in the existing empirical literature and make recommendations for further research.« less
Human factor design of habitable space facilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clearwater, Yvonne A.

1987-01-01

Current fundamental and applied habitability research conducted as part of the U.S. space program is reviewed with emphasis on methods, findings, and applications of the results to the planning and design of the International Space Station. The discussion covers the following six concurrent directions of habitability research: operational simulation, functional interior decor research, space crew privacy requirements, interior layout and configuration analysis, human spatial habitability model, and analogous environments research.

Characteristics and Consequences of Adult Learning Methods and Strategies. Practical Evaluation Reports, Volume 2, Number 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trivette, Carol M.; Dunst, Carl J.; Hamby, Deborah W.; O'Herin, Chainey E.

2009-01-01

The effectiveness of four adult learning methods (accelerated learning, coaching, guided design, and just-in-time training) constituted the focus of this research synthesis. Findings reported in "How People Learn" (Bransford et al., 2000) were used to operationally define six adult learning method characteristics, and to code and analyze…
Adapting operational research training to the Rwandan context: the Intermediate Operational Research Training programme

PubMed Central

Odhiambo, Jackline; Amoroso, Cheryl L.; Barebwanuwe, Peter; Warugaba, Christine; Hedt-Gauthier, Bethany L.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Background: Promoting national health research agendas in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires adequate numbers of individuals with skills to initiate and conduct research. Recently, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have joined research capacity building efforts to increase research leadership by LMIC nationals. Partners In Health, an international NGO operating in Rwanda, implemented its first Intermediate Operational Research Training (IORT) course to cultivate Rwandan research talent and generate evidence to improve health care delivery. Objective: This paper describes the implementation of IORT to share experiences with other organizations interested in developing similar training programmes. Methods: The Intermediate Operational Research Training utilized a deliverable-driven training model, using learning-by-doing pedagogy with intensive hands-on mentorship to build research skills from protocol development to scientific publication. The course had short (two-day) but frequent training sessions (seven sessions over eight months). Trainees were clinical and programme staff working at the district level who were paired to jointly lead a research project. Results: Of 10 trainees admitted to the course from a pool of 24 applicants, nine trainees completed the course with five research projects published in peer-reviewed journals. Strengths of the course included supportive national and institutional research capacity guidelines, building from a successful training model, and trainee commitment. Challenges included delays in ethical review, high mentorship workload of up to 250 hours of practicum mentorship, lack of access to literature in subscription journals and high costs of open access publication. Conclusions: The IORT course was an effective way to support the district-based government and NGO staff in gaining research skills, as well as answering research questions relevant to health service delivery at district hospitals. Other NGOs should build on successful programmes while adapting course elements to address context-specific challenges. Mentorship for LMIC trainees is critical for effectiveness of research capacity building initiatives. PMID:29119872
Optimization Research on Ampacity of Underground High Voltage Cable Based on Interior Point Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Feng; Li, Jing

2017-12-01

The conservative operation method which takes unified current-carrying capacity as maximum load current can’t make full use of the overall power transmission capacity of the cable. It’s not the optimal operation state for the cable cluster. In order to improve the transmission capacity of underground cables in cluster, this paper regards the maximum overall load current as the objective function and the temperature of any cables lower than maximum permissible temperature as constraint condition. The interior point method which is very effective for nonlinear problem is put forward to solve the extreme value of the problem and determine the optimal operating current of each loop. The results show that the optimal solutions obtained with the purposed method is able to increase the total load current about 5%. It greatly improves the economic performance of the cable cluster.
Formal Methods in Air Traffic Management: The Case of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Munoz, Cesar A.

2015-01-01

As the technological and operational capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) continue to grow, so too does the need to introduce these systems into civil airspace. Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System is a NASA research project that addresses the integration of civil UAS into non-segregated airspace operations. One of the major challenges of this integration is the lack of an onboard pilot to comply with the legal requirement that pilots see and avoid other aircraft. The need to provide an equivalent to this requirement for UAS has motivated the development of a detect and avoid (DAA) capability to provide the appropriate situational awareness and maneuver guidance in avoiding and remaining well clear of traffic aircraft. Formal methods has played a fundamental role in the development of this capability. This talk reports on the formal methods work conducted under NASA's Safe Autonomous System Operations project in support of the development of DAA for UAS. This work includes specification of low-level and high-level functional requirements, formal verification of algorithms, and rigorous validation of software implementations. The talk also discusses technical challenges in formal methods research in the context of the development and safety analysis of advanced air traffic management concepts.
Operational Evaluation of the Rapid Viability PCR Method for ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Journal Article This research work has a significant impact on the use of the RV-PCR method to analyze post-decontamination environmental samples during an anthrax event. The method has shown 98% agreement with the traditional culture based method. With such a success, this method, upon validation, will significantly increase the laboratory throughput/capacity to analyze a large number of anthrax event samples in a relatively short time.
Improved Quick Disconnect (QD) Interface Through Fail Safe Parts Identification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blanch-Payne, Evelyn

2001-01-01

An extensive review of existing Quick Disconnects (QDs) mating and demating operations was performed to determine which shuttle part interface identifications and procedures contribute to human factor errors. The research methods used consisted of interviews with engineers and technicians, examination of incident reports, critiques of video and audio tapes of QD operations, and attendance of a Hyper QD operational course. The data strongly suggests that there are inherit human factor errors involved in QD operations. To promote fail-safe operations, QD interface problem areas and recommendations were outlined and reviewed. It is suggested that dialogue, investigations and recommendations continue.
Astrophysics science operations - Near-term plans and vision

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riegler, Guenter R.

1991-01-01

Astrophysics science operations planned by the Science Operations branch of NASA Astrophysics Division for the 1990s for the purpose of gathering spaceborne astronomical data are described. The paper describes the near-future plans of the Science Operations in the areas of the preparation of the proposal; the planning and execution of spaceborne observations; the collection, processing, and analysis data; and the dissemination of results. Also presented are concepts planned for introduction at the beginning of the 20th century, including the concepts of open communications, transparent instrument and observatory operations, a spiral requirements development method, and an automated research assistant.
An Evaluation of Kernel Equating: Parallel Equating with Classical Methods in the SAT Subject Tests[TM] Program. Research Report. ETS RR-09-06

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grant, Mary C.; Zhang, Lilly; Damiano, Michele

2009-01-01

This study investigated kernel equating methods by comparing these methods to operational equatings for two tests in the SAT Subject Tests[TM] program. GENASYS (ETS, 2007) was used for all equating methods and scaled score kernel equating results were compared to Tucker, Levine observed score, chained linear, and chained equipercentile equating…
Optimization study on multiple train formation scheme of urban rail transit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Xiaomei; Ding, Yong; Wen, Xin

2018-05-01

The new organization method, represented by the mixed operation of multi-marshalling trains, can adapt to the characteristics of the uneven distribution of passenger flow, but the research on this aspect is still not perfect enough. This paper introduced the passenger sharing rate and congestion penalty coefficient with different train formations. On this basis, this paper established an optimization model with the minimum passenger cost and operation cost as objective, and operation frequency and passenger demand as constraint. The ideal point method is used to solve this model. Compared with the fixed marshalling operation model, the overall cost of this scheme saves 9.24% and 4.43% respectively. This result not only validates the validity of the model, but also illustrate the advantages of the multiple train formations scheme.
Recommendations from NASA's Operational and Research Musculoskeletal Summit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, J. A.; Johnson-Throop, K. A.; Scheuring, R. A.; Walton, M. E.; Davis-Street, J. E.; Smaka, T.; McCulley, P. A.; Jones, J. A.; Stokes, C. R.; Parker, K. K.;

2006-01-01

Introduction: Continuously evolving medical standards of care, limited crew training time, and the inherent constraints of space flight necessitate regular revisions of the mission medical support infrastructure and methodology. A three-day Operational and Research Musculoskeletal Summit was held to review NASA s current strategy for preflight health maintenance and injury screening, risk mitigation for musculoskeletal injuries or syndromes, treatment methods during flight, and research topics to mitigate risks to astronaut health. The Summit also undertook consideration of the best evidence-based terrestrial musculoskeletal practices to recommend their adaptation for use in space. Methods: The types and frequencies of musculoskeletal injuries sustained by short- and long-duration astronauts were obtained from the Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health. The Summit panel was comprised of experts from the clinical and research communities, as well as representatives from NASA Headquarters, the Astronaut corps, and the offices of JSC Medical Operations, JSC Human Adaptation and Countermeasures, Glenn Research Center Human Research, and Astronaut Strength Conditioning and Rehabilitation. Before the summit, panelists participated in a Web-based review of NASA s Space Medical Conditions List (SMCL). Results: The Summit generated seventy-five operational and research recommendations to the NASA Office of Space Medicine, including changes to the SMCL and to the musculoskeletal section of the ISS debrief questionnaire. From these recommendations, seven were assigned highest value and priority, and could be immediately adopted for the exploration architecture. Discussion: Optimized exercise and conditioning to improve performance and forestall musculoskeletal damage on orbit were the primary area of focus. Special attention was paid to exercise timing and muscle group specificity. The panel s recommendations are currently in various stages of consideration or integration into the ISS and Exploration programs. This effort serves to enhance the on-orbit system so comprehensive treatment can be delivered in a more effective and standardized manner.

Anaerobic digestion of food waste: A review focusing on process stability.

PubMed

Li, Lei; Peng, Xuya; Wang, Xiaoming; Wu, Di

2018-01-01

Food waste (FW) is rich in biomass energy, and increasing numbers of national programs are being established to recover energy from FW using anaerobic digestion (AD). However process instability is a common operational issue for AD of FW. Process monitoring and control as well as microbial management can be used to control instability and increase the energy conversion efficiency of anaerobic digesters. Here, we review research progress related to these methods and identify existing limitations to efficient AD; recommendations for future research are also discussed. Process monitoring and control are suitable for evaluating the current operational status of digesters, whereas microbial management can facilitate early diagnosis and process optimization. Optimizing and combining these two methods are necessary to improve AD efficiency. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Special Plans and Operations: Assessment of Allegations Concerning Traumatic Brain Injury Research Integrity in Iraq

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-31

protocols conducted in Iraq. His office had been designated by the 1 A research protocol is a formal document detailing the study methodology and the...Human Research Protections Program plan requires scientific peer review to ensure that research is scientifically sound in its design and methods, and...ofthe approved research protocol and IRB minutes, revealed that there was no mention of "active rehabilitation and exercise" under the design
A review on prognostic techniques for non-stationary and non-linear rotating systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kan, Man Shan; Tan, Andy C. C.; Mathew, Joseph

2015-10-01

The field of prognostics has attracted significant interest from the research community in recent times. Prognostics enables the prediction of failures in machines resulting in benefits to plant operators such as shorter downtimes, higher operation reliability, reduced operations and maintenance cost, and more effective maintenance and logistics planning. Prognostic systems have been successfully deployed for the monitoring of relatively simple rotating machines. However, machines and associated systems today are increasingly complex. As such, there is an urgent need to develop prognostic techniques for such complex systems operating in the real world. This review paper focuses on prognostic techniques that can be applied to rotating machinery operating under non-linear and non-stationary conditions. The general concept of these techniques, the pros and cons of applying these methods, as well as their applications in the research field are discussed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges in implementing prognostic systems and developing effective techniques for monitoring machines operating under non-stationary and non-linear conditions are also discussed.
Topological Methods for Design and Control of Adaptive Stochastic Complex Systems - to Meet the Challenges of Resilient Urban Infrastructure

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-24

for Design and Control of Adaptive Stochastic Complex Systems John Baillieul∗ Contents 1 Executive Summary 2 2 Introduction and Issues to Be Addressed...difficult of real-world Systems-of-Systems challenges is the design and operational control of medical treatment networks that support forces operating...This report describes a brief research project on foundartional aspects of systems-of-systems design and operation. The overarching goal of the
Creating Alternative Methods for Educational Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Nick L.

1981-01-01

A project supported by the National Institute of Education is adapting evaluation procedures from such areas as philosophy, geography, operations research, journalism, film criticism, and other areas. The need for such methods is reviewed, as is the context in which they function, and their contributions to evaluation methodology. (Author/GK)
Adapting Job Analysis Methodology to Improve Evaluation Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jenkins, Susan M.; Curtin, Patrick

2006-01-01

This article describes how job analysis, a method commonly used in personnel research and organizational psychology, provides a systematic method for documenting program staffing and service delivery that can improve evaluators' knowledge about program operations. Job analysis data can be used to increase evaluators' insight into how staffs…
Theoretical and computational foundations of management class simulation

Treesearch

Denie Gerold

1978-01-01

Investigations on complicated, complex, and not well-ordered systems are possible only with the aid of mathematical methods and electronic data processing. Simulation as a method of operations research is particularly suitable for this purpose. Theoretical and computational foundations of management class simulation must be integrated into the planning systems of...
Problem Solving with General Semantics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hewson, David

1996-01-01

Discusses how to use general semantics formulations to improve problem solving at home or at work--methods come from the areas of artificial intelligence/computer science, engineering, operations research, and psychology. (PA)
NASA Earth Observation Systems and Applications for Health: Moving from Research to Operational End Users

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haynes, J.; Estes, S. M.

2017-12-01

Health providers and researchers need environmental data to study and understand the geographic, environmental, and meteorological differences in disease. Satellite remote sensing of the environment offers a unique vantage point that can fill in the gaps of environmental, spatial, and temporal data for tracking disease. This presentation will demonstrate NASA's applied science programs efforts to transition from research to operations to benefit society. Satellite earth observations present a unique vantage point of the earth's environment from space, which offers a wealth of health applications for the imaginative investigator. The presentation is directly related to Earth Observing systems and Global Health Surveillance and will present research results of the remote sensing environmental observations of earth and health applications, which can contribute to the health research. As part of NASA approach and methodology they have used Earth Observation Systems and Applications for Health Models to provide a method for bridging gaps of environmental, spatial, and temporal data for tracking disease. This presentation will provide a venue where the results of both research and practice using satellite earth observations to study weather and it's role in health research and the transition to operational end users.
Examination of the operator and compensator tank role in urban wastewater treatment using activated sludge method.

PubMed

Mokhtari Azar, Akbar; Ghadirpour Jelogir, Ali; Nabi Bidhendi, Gholam Reza; Zaredar, Narges

2011-04-01

No doubt, operator is one of the main fundaments in wastewater treatment plants. By identifying the inadequacies, the operator could be considered as an important key in treatment plant. Several methods are used for wastewater treatment that requires spending a lot of cost. However, all investments of treatment facilities are usable when the expected efficiency of the treatment plant was obtained. Using experienced operator, this goal is more easily accessible. In this research, the wastewater of an urban community contaminated with moderated, diluted and highly concentrated pollution has been treated using surface and deep aeration treatment method. Sampling of these pilots was performed during winter 2008 to summer 2009. The results indicate that all analyzed parameters were eliminated using activated sludge and surface aeration methods. However, in activated sludge and deep aeration methods in combination with suitable function of operator, more pollutants could be eliminated. Hence, existence of operator in wastewater treatment plants is the basic principle to achieve considered efficiency. Wastewater treatment system is not intelligent itself and that is the operator who can organize even an inefficient system by its continuous presence. The converse of this fact is also real. Despite the various units and appropriate design of wastewater treatment plant, without an operator, the studied process cannot be expected highly efficient. In places frequently affected by the shock of organic and hydraulic loads, the compensator tank is important to offset the wastewater treatment process. Finally, in regard to microbial parameters, existence of disinfection unit is very useful.

Estimation of the Operating Characteristics when the Test Information of the Old Test is not Constant II: Simple Sum Procedure of the Conditional P.D.F. Approach/Normal Approach Method Using Three Subtests of the Old Test. Research Report 80-4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Samejima, Fumiko

The rationale behind the method of estimating the operating characteristics of discrete item responses when the test information of the Old Test is not constant was presented previously. In the present study, two subtests of the Old Test, i.e. Subtests 1, and 2, each of which has a different non-constant test information function, are used in…
Parasitic modes removal out of operating mode neighbourhood in the DAW accelerating structure

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

Andreev, V.G.; Belugin, V.M.; Esin, S.K.

1983-08-01

The disk and washer (DAW) accelerating structure finds its use in a number of new projects (PIGMI, SNQ etc ). It composes the main part of the accelerating structure of the meson factory now under construction in the Institute for Nuclear Research (INR), Moscow. It is known that the parasitic modes with azimuthal field variations exist at the operating mode region. In this report different methods of the parasitic modes frequency shift are considered. The main attention is given to the resonant methods, which are the most efficient.
40 CFR 52.128 - Rule for unpaved parking lots, unpaved roads and vacant lots.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

.... Research Triangle Park, N.C. May 1982. 3. “Method 9—Visible Determination of the Opacity of Emissions from... other dust generating operations which have been terminated for over eight months. (3) The test methods... than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers as measured by reference or equivalent methods that meet the...
40 CFR 52.128 - Rule for unpaved parking lots, unpaved roads and vacant lots.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... Research Triangle Park, N.C. May 1982. 3. “Method 9—Visible Determination of the Opacity of Emissions from... other dust generating operations which have been terminated for over eight months. (3) The test methods... than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers as measured by reference or equivalent methods that meet the...
40 CFR 52.128 - Rule for unpaved parking lots, unpaved roads and vacant lots.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

.... Research Triangle Park, N.C. May 1982. 3. “Method 9—Visible Determination of the Opacity of Emissions from... other dust generating operations which have been terminated for over eight months. (3) The test methods... than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers as measured by reference or equivalent methods that meet the...
A PILOT CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY RESEARCH. FINAL REPORT--PART I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ADELSON, MARVIN; AND OTHERS

THE PILOT CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY RESEARCH, OPERATED BY THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FROM JUNE 1, 1967, THROUGH FEBRUARY 29, 1968, HAD THREE OBJECTIVES--(1) TO INVESTIGATE, ANALYZE, AND EXPERIMENT WITH METHODS, PROCEDURES, AND TOOLS FOR STUDYING THE FUTURE AS IT COULD AFFECT EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES, (2) TO FORECAST POSSIBLE…
NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF PASSIVE FORMALDEHYDE SAMPLERS (BCO-L-16.0)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methodology used by Air Quality Research (Research Triangle Park, NC) for the analysis of the PF-1 passive formaldehyde samplers using a colorimetric method and chromotropic acid. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data re...
Installing plastic tubing to collect sugar maple sap

Treesearch

H. Clay Smith; Albert G., Jr. Snow; Albert G. Snow

1972-01-01

The research unit of the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station at Burlington, Vermont, has been doing research on methods of installing tubing since 1966. We have studied several ways of hanging tubing and have found that there are certain techniques to use if plastic tubing is to be installed and to operate successfully.
Coherent Raman spectroscopy for supersonic flow measurments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

She, C. Y.

1986-01-01

In collaboration with NASA/Langley Research Center, a truly nonintrusive and nonseeding method for measuring supersonic molecular flow parameters was proposed and developed at Colorado State University. The feasibility of this Raman Doppler Velocimetry (RDV), currently operated in a scanning mode, was demonstrated not only in a laboratory environment at Colorado State University, but also in a major wind tunnel at NASA/Langley Research Center. The research progress of the RDV development is summarized. In addition, methods of coherent Rayleigh-Brillouin spectroscopy and single-pulse coherent Raman spectroscopy are investigated, respectively, for measurements of high-pressure and turbulent flows.
ESTABLISH AND STANDARDIZE METHODOLOGY FOR ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Research is conducted to develop and standardize methods to detect and measure occurrence of human enteric viruses that cause waterborne disease. The viruses of concern include the emerging pathogens--hepatitis E virus and group B rotaviruses. Also of concern are the coxsackieviruses and echoviruses--two members of the Office of Water's Contaminant Candidate List (CCL). Under this task, indicators of fecal pollution are also being evaluated as to their importance in evaluating microbial water quality. Another focus of the research is to address the standardization, evaluation and promulgation of detection methods for bacterial viruses. Develop sensitive techniques to detect and identify emerging human waterborne pathogenic viruses and viruses on the CCL.Determine effectiveness of viral indicators to measure microbial quality in water matrices.Support activities: (a) culture and distribution of mammalian cells for Agency and scientific community research needs, (b) provide operator expertise for research requiring confocal and electron microscopy, (c) glassware cleaning, sterilization and biological waste disposal for the Cincinnati EPA facility, (d) operation of infectious pathogenic suite, (e) maintenance of walk-in constant temperature rooms and (f) provide Giardia cysts.
Integrated approaches to academic anaesthesia - the Cambridge experience.

PubMed

Menon, D K; Wheeler, D W; Wilkins, I A; Phillips, P D; Fletcher, S J; Penfold, N W; Smith, H L; Gupta, A K; Matta, B F

2004-08-01

There is mounting concern about the pressures experienced by University Departments of Anaesthesia, which, if lost, could threaten undergraduate peri-operative medicine teaching, development of critical appraisal skills among anaesthetists, and the future of coherent research programs. We have addressed these problems by establishing a foundation course in scientific methods and research techniques (the Cambridge SMART Course), complemented by competitive, fully funded, 12-month academic trainee attachments. Research conducted during academic attachments has been published and used to underpin substantive grant applications allowing work towards higher degrees. Following the attachment, a flexible scheme ensures safe reintroduction to clinical training. Research at consultant level is facilitated by encouraging applications for Clinician Scientist Fellowships, and by ensuring that the University Department champions, legitimises and validates the allocation of research time within the new consultant contract. We believe that these are important steps in safeguarding research and teaching in anaesthesia, critical care and peri-operative medicine.
Researching a local heroin market as a complex adaptive system.

PubMed

Hoffer, Lee D; Bobashev, Georgiy; Morris, Robert J

2009-12-01

This project applies agent-based modeling (ABM) techniques to better understand the operation, organization, and structure of a local heroin market. The simulation detailed was developed using data from an 18-month ethnographic case study. The original research, collected in Denver, CO during the 1990s, represents the historic account of users and dealers who operated in the Larimer area heroin market. Working together, the authors studied the behaviors of customers, private dealers, street-sellers, brokers, and the police, reflecting the core elements pertaining to how the market operated. After evaluating the logical consistency between the data and agent behaviors, simulations scaled-up interactions to observe their aggregated outcomes. While the concept and findings from this study remain experimental, these methods represent a novel way in which to understand illicit drug markets and the dynamic adaptations and outcomes they generate. Extensions of this research perspective, as well as its strengths and limitations, are discussed.
Time series modeling of human operator dynamics in manual control tasks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biezad, D. J.; Schmidt, D. K.

1984-01-01

A time-series technique is presented for identifying the dynamic characteristics of the human operator in manual control tasks from relatively short records of experimental data. Control of system excitation signals used in the identification is not required. The approach is a multi-channel identification technique for modeling multi-input/multi-output situations. The method presented includes statistical tests for validity, is designed for digital computation, and yields estimates for the frequency responses of the human operator. A comprehensive relative power analysis may also be performed for validated models. This method is applied to several sets of experimental data; the results are discussed and shown to compare favorably with previous research findings. New results are also presented for a multi-input task that has not been previously modeled to demonstrate the strengths of the method.
Time Series Modeling of Human Operator Dynamics in Manual Control Tasks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biezad, D. J.; Schmidt, D. K.

1984-01-01

A time-series technique is presented for identifying the dynamic characteristics of the human operator in manual control tasks from relatively short records of experimental data. Control of system excitation signals used in the identification is not required. The approach is a multi-channel identification technique for modeling multi-input/multi-output situations. The method presented includes statistical tests for validity, is designed for digital computation, and yields estimates for the frequency response of the human operator. A comprehensive relative power analysis may also be performed for validated models. This method is applied to several sets of experimental data; the results are discussed and shown to compare favorably with previous research findings. New results are also presented for a multi-input task that was previously modeled to demonstrate the strengths of the method.
Modeling temperature and moisture state effects on acoustic velocity in wood

Treesearch

Shan Gao; X. Wang; L. Wang; R.B. Bruce

2011-01-01

Previous research has proved the concept of acoustic wave propagation methods for evaluating wood quality of trees and logs during forest operations. As commercial acoustic equipment is implemented in field for various purposes, one has to consider the influence of operating temperature on acoustic velocity â a key parameter for wood property prediction. Our field...
Workshop Report: Joint Requirements. Oversight Council Process.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-02-28

provides media for professional exchange and peer criticism among students, theoreticians, practitioners, and users of military operations research. These... exchange of ideas and methods. involvement in the annual Joint Warfare Inter- Subsequent efforts could include multiple operability Demonstrations (JWID...forums for exchange of ideas at the working level, clear, visible relations but studies and analysis opportunities as well. between the JWCAs need to
ARI Image Interpretation Research: 1970-1980

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

28 3. Index marks on data base stereo pair ... .......... .. 41 4. Identification learning curves for three methods used by interpreters of high...it may be impractical in operational units (but not in the school). Team consensus feedback can increase target identification proficiency and...in target identification can be provided with a minimum of instructor participation using operational imagery as the basic instructional material
Engineering Margin Factors Used in the Design of the VVER Fuel Cycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lizorkin, M. P.; Shishkov, L. K.

2017-12-01

The article describes methods for determination of the engineering margin factors currently used to estimate the uncertainties of the VVER reactor design parameters calculated via the KASKAD software package developed at the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute. These margin factors ensure the meeting of the operating (design) limits and a number of other restrictions under normal operating conditions.
Analyzing Efficiency of Two Different Methods Involving Acquisition of Operational Skills by Preschool Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soydan, Sema

2015-01-01

This study, an education program was developed to improve addition-subtraction skills of 6-year old children using educational toys and smart boards. The program was implemented with children, and its effects on their operational skills were analysed. The study group of the research is composed of 90 children who attended preschool classes in…
Negative Coefficients in the GRE Validity Study Service. GRE Research. GRE Board Professional Report No. 89-05P.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Longford, Nicholas T.

Operational procedures for the Graduate Record Examinations Validity Study Service are reviewed, with emphasis on the problem of frequent occurrence of negative coefficients in the fitted within-department regressions obtained by the empirical Bayes method of H. I. Braun and D. Jones (1985). Several alterations of the operational procedures are…

Instability risk analysis and risk assessment system establishment of underground storage caverns in bedded salt rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jing, Wenjun; Zhao, Yan

2018-02-01

Stability is an important part of geotechnical engineering research. The operating experiences of underground storage caverns in salt rock all around the world show that the stability of the caverns is the key problem of safe operation. Currently, the combination of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation are the mainly adopts method of reserve stability analysis. This paper introduces the concept of risk into the stability analysis of underground geotechnical structure, and studies the instability of underground storage cavern in salt rock from the perspective of risk analysis. Firstly, the definition and classification of cavern instability risk is proposed, and the damage mechanism is analyzed from the mechanical angle. Then the main stability evaluating indicators of cavern instability risk are proposed, and an evaluation method of cavern instability risk is put forward. Finally, the established cavern instability risk assessment system is applied to the analysis and prediction of cavern instability risk after 30 years of operation in a proposed storage cavern group in the Huai’an salt mine. This research can provide a useful theoretical base for the safe operation and management of underground storage caverns in salt rock.
Autonomous Control of Nuclear Power Plants

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

Basher, H.

2003-10-20

A nuclear reactor is a complex system that requires highly sophisticated controllers to ensure that desired performance and safety can be achieved and maintained during its operations. Higher-demanding operational requirements such as reliability, lower environmental impacts, and improved performance under adverse conditions in nuclear power plants, coupled with the complexity and uncertainty of the models, necessitate the use of an increased level of autonomy in the control methods. In the opinion of many researchers, the tasks involved during nuclear reactor design and operation (e.g., design optimization, transient diagnosis, and core reload optimization) involve important human cognition and decisions that maymore » be more easily achieved with intelligent methods such as expert systems, fuzzy logic, neural networks, and genetic algorithms. Many experts in the field of control systems share the idea that a higher degree of autonomy in control of complex systems such as nuclear plants is more easily achievable through the integration of conventional control systems and the intelligent components. Researchers have investigated the feasibility of the integration of fuzzy logic, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and expert systems with the conventional control methods to achieve higher degrees of autonomy in different aspects of reactor operations such as reactor startup, shutdown in emergency situations, fault detection and diagnosis, nuclear reactor alarm processing and diagnosis, and reactor load-following operations, to name a few. With the advancement of new technologies and computing power, it is feasible to automate most of the nuclear reactor control and operation, which will result in increased safety and economical benefits. This study surveys current status, practices, and recent advances made towards developing autonomous control systems for nuclear reactors.« less
Methodology, Methods, and Metrics for Testing and Evaluating Augmented Cognition Systems

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

Greitzer, Frank L.

The augmented cognition research community seeks cognitive neuroscience-based solutions to improve warfighter performance by applying and managing mitigation strategies to reduce workload and improve the throughput and quality of decisions. The focus of augmented cognition mitigation research is to define, demonstrate, and exploit neuroscience and behavioral measures that support inferences about the warfighter’s cognitive state that prescribe the nature and timing of mitigation. A research challenge is to develop valid evaluation methodologies, metrics and measures to assess the impact of augmented cognition mitigations. Two considerations are external validity, which is the extent to which the results apply to operational contexts;more » and internal validity, which reflects the reliability of performance measures and the conclusions based on analysis of results. The scientific rigor of the research methodology employed in conducting empirical investigations largely affects the validity of the findings. External validity requirements also compel us to demonstrate operational significance of mitigations. Thus it is important to demonstrate effectiveness of mitigations under specific conditions. This chapter reviews some cognitive science and methodological considerations in designing augmented cognition research studies and associated human performance metrics and analysis methods to assess the impact of augmented cognition mitigations.« less
Development and Application of a Method for Toxicological Assessment of Occupational Exposures to Chemicals in Marine Operations. Addendum.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-09-01

AD-Ai63 316 DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A METHOD FOR 1 /3 TOXICOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF 0 (U) SOUTHUEST RESEARCH INST SAN ANTONIO TX H L KAPLAN ET RL...I ~s ll11 i PA 1 16 02 ............................. WN SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE Post Office Drawer 28510, 6220 Culebra Road San Antonio, Texas...to Final Report - U. S. Coast November 1983-September 1985 2100 Second Street, S.W. 1 . Spnsoring Agency Cede Washington, D.C. 20593 15. Supplementary
The Evaluation of Feasibility of Thermal Energy Storage System at Riga TPP-2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanova, P.; Linkevics, O.; Cers, A.

2015-12-01

The installation of thermal energy storage system (TES) provides the optimisation of energy source, energy security supply, power plant operation and energy production flexibility. The aim of the present research is to evaluate the feasibility of thermal energy system installation at Riga TPP-2. The six modes were investigated: four for non-heating periods and two for heating periods. Different research methods were used: data statistic processing, data analysis, analogy, forecasting, financial method and correlation and regression method. In the end, the best mode was chosen - the increase of cogeneration unit efficiency during the summer.
A GIS based watershed information system for water resources management and planning in semi-arid areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tzabiras, John; Spiliotopoulos, Marios; Kokkinos, Kostantinos; Fafoutis, Chrysostomos; Sidiropoulos, Pantelis; Vasiliades, Lampros; Papaioannou, George; Loukas, Athanasios; Mylopoulos, Nikitas

2015-04-01

The overall objective of this work is the development of an Information System which could be used by stakeholders for the purposes of water management as well as for planning and strategic decision-making in semi-arid areas. An integrated modeling system has been developed and applied to evaluate the sustainability of water resources management strategies in Lake Karla watershed, Greece. The modeling system, developed in the framework of "HYDROMENTOR" research project, is based on a GIS modelling approach which uses remote sensing data and includes coupled models for the simulation of surface water and groundwater resources, the operation of hydrotechnical projects (reservoir operation and irrigation works) and the estimation of water demands at several spatial scales. Lake Karla basin was the region where the system was tested but the methodology may be the basis for future analysis elsewhere. Τwo (2) base and three (3) management scenarios were investigated. In total, eight (8) water management scenarios were evaluated: i) Base scenario without operation of the reservoir and the designed Lake Karla district irrigation network (actual situation) • Reduction of channel losses • Alteration of irrigation methods • Introduction of greenhouse cultivation ii) Base scenario including the operation of the reservoir and the Lake Karla district irrigation network • Reduction of channel losses • Alteration of irrigation methods • Introduction of greenhouse cultivation The results show that, under the existing water resources management, the water deficit of Lake Karla watershed is very large. However, the operation of the reservoir and the cooperative Lake Karla district irrigation network coupled with water demand management measures, like reduction of water distribution system losses and alteration of irrigation methods, could alleviate the problem and lead to sustainable and ecological use of water resources in the study area. Acknowledgements: This study has been supported by the research project "Hydromentor" funded by the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology in the framework of the E.U. co-funded National Action "Cooperation"
Research on Holographic Evaluation of Service Quality in Power Data Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Chen; Jing, Tao; Ji, Yutong

2018-01-01

With the rapid development of power data network, the continuous development of the Power data application service system, more and more service systems are being put into operation. Following this, the higher requirements for network quality and service quality are raised, in the actual process for the network operation and maintenance. This paper describes the electricity network and data network services status. A holographic assessment model was presented to achieve a comprehensive intelligence assessment on the power data network and quality of service in the operation and maintenance on the power data network. This evaluation method avoids the problems caused by traditional means which performs a single assessment of network performance quality. This intelligent Evaluation method can improve the efficiency of network operation and maintenance guarantee the quality of real-time service in the power data network..
Testing single point incremental forming molds for thermoforming operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afonso, Daniel; de Sousa, Ricardo Alves; Torcato, Ricardo

2016-10-01

Low pressure polymer processing processes as thermoforming or rotational molding use much simpler molds then high pressure processes like injection. However, despite the low forces involved with the process, molds manufacturing for this operations is still a very material, energy and time consuming operation. The goal of the research is to develop and validate a method for manufacturing plastically formed sheets metal molds by single point incremental forming (SPIF) operation for thermoforming operation. Stewart platform based SPIF machines allow the forming of thick metal sheets, granting the required structural stiffness for the mold surface, and keeping the short lead time manufacture and low thermal inertia.
NASA Langley's Formal Methods Research in Support of the Next Generation Air Transportation System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butler, Ricky W.; Munoz, Cesar A.

2008-01-01

This talk will provide a brief introduction to the formal methods developed at NASA Langley and the National Institute for Aerospace (NIA) for air traffic management applications. NASA Langley's formal methods research supports the Interagency Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) effort to define and develop the 2025 Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS). The JPDO was created by the passage of the Vision 100 Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act in Dec 2003. The NGATS vision calls for a major transformation of the nation s air transportation system that will enable growth to 3 times the traffic of the current system. The transformation will require an unprecedented level of safety-critical automation used in complex procedural operations based on 4-dimensional (4D) trajectories that enable dynamic reconfiguration of airspace scalable to geographic and temporal demand. The goal of our formal methods research is to provide verification methods that can be used to insure the safety of the NGATS system. Our work has focused on the safety assessment of concepts of operation and fundamental algorithms for conflict detection and resolution (CD&R) and self- spacing in the terminal area. Formal analysis of a concept of operations is a novel area of application of formal methods. Here one must establish that a system concept involving aircraft, pilots, and ground resources is safe. The formal analysis of algorithms is a more traditional endeavor. However, the formal analysis of ATM algorithms involves reasoning about the interaction of algorithmic logic and aircraft trajectories defined over an airspace. These trajectories are described using 2D and 3D vectors and are often constrained by trigonometric relations. Thus, in many cases it has been necessary to unload the full power of an advanced theorem prover. The verification challenge is to establish that the safety-critical algorithms produce valid solutions that are guaranteed to maintain separation under all possible scenarios. Current research has assumed perfect knowledge of the location of other aircraft in the vicinity so absolute guarantees are possible, but increasingly we are relaxing the assumptions to allow incomplete, inaccurate, and/or faulty information from communication sources.
Performance of the operational high-resolution numerical weather predictions of the Daphne project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tegoulias, Ioannis; Pytharoulis, Ioannis; Karacostas, Theodore; Kartsios, Stergios; Kotsopoulos, Stelios; Bampzelis, Dimitrios

2015-04-01

In the framework of the DAPHNE project, the Department of Meteorology and Climatology (http://meteo.geo.auth.gr) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, utilizes the nonhydrostatic Weather Research and Forecasting model with the Advanced Research dynamic solver (WRF-ARW) in order to produce high-resolution weather forecasts over Thessaly in central Greece. The aim of the DAPHNE project is to tackle the problem of drought in this area by means of Weather Modification. Cloud seeding assists the convective clouds to produce rain more efficiently or reduce hailstone size in favour of raindrops. The most favourable conditions for such a weather modification program in Thessaly occur in the period from March to October when convective clouds are triggered more frequently. Three model domains, using 2-way telescoping nesting, cover: i) Europe, the Mediterranean sea and northern Africa (D01), ii) Greece (D02) and iii) the wider region of Thessaly (D03; at selected periods) at horizontal grid-spacings of 15km, 5km and 1km, respectively. This research work intents to describe the atmospheric model setup and analyse its performance during a selected period of the operational phase of the project. The statistical evaluation of the high-resolution operational forecasts is performed using surface observations, gridded fields and radar data. Well established point verification methods combined with novel object based upon these methods, provide in depth analysis of the model skill. Spatial characteristics are adequately captured but a variable time lag between forecast and observation is noted. Acknowledgments: This research work has been co-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) and Greek national funds, through the action "COOPERATION 2011: Partnerships of Production and Research Institutions in Focused Research and Technology Sectors" (contract number 11SYN_8_1088 - DAPHNE) in the framework of the operational programme "Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship" and Regions in Transition (OPC II, NSRF 2007-2013)
Investigation of methods and equipment for compaction of composite mixtures during their granulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shkarpetkin, E. A.; Osokin, A. V.; Sabaev, V. G.

2018-03-01

The article presents the results of a literature analysis of the methods of compaction of materials, analytical and experimental research on the creation of a roller compacting device and the determination of its operation modes, which provides an efficient preliminary compaction of a composite mixture based on technogenic materials.
How do strategic decisions and operative practices affect operating room productivity?

PubMed

Peltokorpi, Antti

2011-12-01

Surgical operating rooms are cost-intensive parts of health service production. Managing operating units efficiently is essential when hospitals and healthcare systems aim to maximize health outcomes with limited resources. Previous research about operating room management has focused on studying the effect of management practices and decisions on efficiency by utilizing mainly modeling approach or before-after analysis in single hospital case. The purpose of this research is to analyze the synergic effect of strategic decisions and operative management practices on operating room productivity and to use a multiple case study method enabling statistical hypothesis testing with empirical data. 11 hypotheses that propose connections between the use of strategic and operative practices and productivity were tested in a multi-hospital study that included 26 units. The results indicate that operative practices, such as personnel management, case scheduling and performance measurement, affect productivity more remarkably than do strategic decisions that relate to, e.g., units' size, scope or academic status. Units with different strategic positions should apply different operative practices: Focused hospital units benefit most from sophisticated case scheduling and parallel processing whereas central and ambulatory units should apply flexible working hours, incentives and multi-skilled personnel. Operating units should be more active in applying management practices which are adequate for their strategic orientation.
Transfer research and impact studies program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freeman, J. E. (Editor)

1975-01-01

Methods developed for stimulating interest in the transfer of NASA-originated technology are described. These include: new information packaging concepts; technology transfer via people transfer; information management systems; data bank operations; and professional communication activities.
76 FR 328 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Billfish Tagging Report Card

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-04

... Administration's Southwest Fisheries Science Center operates a billfish tagging program. Tagging supplies are... game fish; waters; research; purpose. II. Method of Collection Information is submitted by mail, via a...
The Applied Meteorology Unit: Nineteen Years Successfully Transitioning Research into Operations for America's Space Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madura, John T.; Bauman, William H.; Merceret, Francis J.; Roeder, William P.; Brody, Frank C.; Hagemeyer, Bartlett C.

2010-01-01

The Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) provides technology transition and technique development to improve operational weather support to the Space Shuttle and the entire American space program. The AMU is funded and managed by NASA and operated by a contractor that provides five meteorologists with a diverse mix of advanced degrees, operational experience, and associated skills including data processing, statistics, and the development of graphical user interfaces. The AMU's primary customers are the U.S. Air Force 45th Weather Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base, the National Weather Service Spaceflight Meteorology Group at NASA Johnson Space Center, and the National Weather Service Melbourne FL Forecast Office. The AMU has transitioned research into operations for nineteen years and worked on a wide range of topics, including new forecasting techniques for lightning probability, synoptic peak winds,.convective winds, and summer severe weather; satellite tools to predict anvil cloud trajectories and evaluate camera line of sight for Space Shuttle launch; optimized radar scan strategies; evaluated and implemented local numerical models; evaluated weather sensors; and many more. The AMU has completed 113 projects with 5 more scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010. During this rich history, the AMU and its customers have learned many lessons on how to effectively transition research into operations. Some of these lessons learned include collocating with the operational customer and periodically visiting geographically separated customers, operator submitted projects, consensus tasking process, use of operator primary advocates for each project, customer AMU liaisons with experience in both operations and research, flexibility in adapting the project plan based on lessons learned during the project, and incorporating training and other transition assistance into the project plans. Operator involvement has been critical to the AMU's remarkable success and many awards from NASA, the National Weather Association, and two citations from the Navy's Center of Excellence for Best Manufacturing Practices. This paper will present the AMU's proven methods and explain how they may be applied by other organizations to effectively transition research into operations.
Unhealthy and healthy weight control behaviours among bus operators.

PubMed

Escoto, K H; French, S A

2012-03-01

Urban bus operators are an occupational group with high rates of overweight and obesity. Understanding methods bus operators use for weight control may be important; there may be increased risk for these workers to engage in less healthy weight management behaviours due to stressful working conditions. To examine the prevalence of unhealthy and healthy weight control behaviours used by bus operators and examine associations between use of unhealthy weight control behaviours and work-related and sociodemographic variables. Bus operators from four different transit garages were invited to complete a self-administered survey; height and weight were measured by research staff. Unhealthy and healthy weight control behaviours, work hours, work schedule and social support were measured with self-report items on the employee survey. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate associations. Nearly 60% of bus operators endorsed at least one unhealthy method; over 50% reported skipping meals, 30% fasted and 10% reported taking diet pills in the past year. Bus operator gender, race, body mass index status and hours worked per week showed significant associations with using at least one unhealthy weight control behaviour. Worksite interventions should emphasize the benefit of healthy eating and physical activity but should also address the use of less healthy methods for weight control for individuals employed in transportation occupations.
Program of Research in Flight Dynamics in The George Washington University at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klein, Vladislav

2002-01-01

The program objectives were defined in the original proposal entitled 'Program of Research in Flight Dynamics in the JIAFS at NASA Langley Research Center' which was originated March 20, 1975, and yearly renewals of the research program dated December 1, 1998 to December 31, 2002. The program included three major topics: 1) Improvement of existing methods and development of new methods for flight and wind tunnel data analysis based on system identification methodology; 2) Application of these methods to flight and wind tunnel data obtained from advanced aircraft; 3) Modeling and control of aircraft. The principal investigator of the program was Dr. Vladislav Klein, Professor Emeritus at The George Washington University, DC. Seven Graduate Research Scholar Assistants (GRSA) participated in the program. The results of the research conducted during four years of the total co-operative period were published in 2 NASA Technical Reports, 3 thesis and 3 papers. The list of these publications is included.
CELSS research and development program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bubenheim, David

1990-01-01

Research in Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) conducted by NASA indicate that plant based systems are feasible candidates for human support in space. Ames has responsibility for research and development, systems integration and control, and space flight experiment portions of the CELSS program. Important areas for development of new methods and technologies are biomass production, waste processing, water purification, air revitalization, and food processing. For the plant system, the approach was to identify the flexibility and response time for the food, water, and oxygen production, and carbon dioxide consumption processes. Tremendous increases in productivity, compared with terrestrial agriculture, were realized. Waste processing research emphasizes recycle (transformation) of human wastes, trash, and inedible biomass to forms usable as inputs to the plant production system. Efforts to improve efficiency of the plant system, select new CELSS crops for a balanced diet, and initiate closed system research with the Crop Growth Research Chambers continue. The System Control and Integration program goal is to insure orchestrated system operation of the biological, physical, and chemical operation of the biological, physical, and chemical component processors of the CELSS. Space flight studies are planned to verify adequate operation of the system in reduced gravity or microgravity environments.
Research on common methods for evaluating the operation effect of integrated wastewater treatment facilities of iron and steel enterprises

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bingsheng, Xu

2017-04-01

Considering the large quantities of wastewater generated from iron and steel enterprises in China, this paper is aimed to research the common methods applied for evaluating the integrated wastewater treatment effect of iron and steel enterprises. Based on survey results on environmental protection performance, technological economy, resource & energy consumption, services and management, an indicator system for evaluating the operation effect of integrated wastewater treatment facilities is set up. By discussing the standards and industrial policies in and out of China, 27 key secondary indicators are further defined on the basis of investigation on main equipment and key processes for wastewater treatment, so as to determine the method for setting key quantitative and qualitative indicators for evaluation indicator system. It is also expected to satisfy the basic requirements of reasonable resource allocation, environmental protection and sustainable economic development, further improve the integrated wastewater treatment effect of iron and steel enterprises, and reduce the emission of hazardous substances and environmental impact.
Premium cost optimization of operational and maintenance of green building in Indonesia using life cycle assessment method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latief, Yusuf; Berawi, Mohammed Ali; Basten, Van; Budiman, Rachmat; Riswanto

2017-06-01

Building has a big impact on the environmental developments. There are three general motives in building, namely the economy, society, and environment. Total completed building construction in Indonesia increased by 116% during 2009 to 2011. It made the energy consumption increased by 11% within the last three years. In fact, 70% of energy consumption is used for electricity needs on commercial buildings which leads to an increase of greenhouse gas emissions by 25%. Green Building cycle costs is known as highly building upfront cost in Indonesia. The purpose of optimization in this research improves building performance with some of green concept alternatives. Research methodology is mixed method of qualitative and quantitative approaches through questionnaire surveys and case study. Assessing the successful of optimization functions in the existing green building is based on the operational and maintenance phase with the Life Cycle Assessment Method. Choosing optimization results were based on the largest efficiency of building life cycle and the most effective cost to refund.

Virus removal retention challenge tests performed at lab scale and pilot scale during operation of membrane units.

PubMed

Humbert, H; Machinal, C; Labaye, Ivan; Schrotter, J C

2011-01-01

The determination of the virus retention capabilities of UF units during operation is essential for the operators of drinking water treatment facilities in order to guarantee an efficient and stable removal of viruses through time. In previous studies, an effective method (MS2-phage challenge tests) was developed by the Water Research Center of Veolia Environnement for the measurement of the virus retention rates (Log Removal Rate, LRV) of commercially available hollow fiber membranes at lab scale. In the present work, the protocol for monitoring membrane performance was transferred from lab scale to pilot scale. Membrane performances were evaluated during pilot trial and compared to the results obtained at lab scale with fibers taken from the pilot plant modules. PFU culture method was compared to RT-PCR method for the calculation of LRV in both cases. Preliminary tests at lab scale showed that both methods can be used interchangeably. For tests conducted on virgin membrane, a good consistency was observed between lab and pilot scale results with the two analytical methods used. This work intends to show that a reliable determination of the membranes performances based on RT-PCR analytical method can be achieved during the operation of the UF units.
Assessment of Government Quality Indicators (AGQI) in Afghanistan: Initial Assessment in Three Afghan Cities Using a Standardized Assessment Tool and Potential for Application of AGQI in Future Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

Afghanistan References Bryman A. The debate about quantitative and qualitative research : a question of method or epistemology. British Journal of...offers a significant advance over other assessment methods employed by civil affairs units. Involved units agreed that the process was well worth...1 Methods
Incorporating energy conservation techniques in the operation of existing LeRC R and D facilities. [energy policy/NASA programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nieberding, W. C.

1975-01-01

A general discussion of various methods which can be used to reduce energy consumption is presented. A very brief description of Lewis Research Center facilities is given and the energy reduction methods are discussed relative to them. Some specific examples (ie; automated equipment and data systems) of the implementation of the energy reduction methods are included.
[Primary culture of human normal epithelial cells].

PubMed

Tang, Yu; Xu, Wenji; Guo, Wanbei; Xie, Ming; Fang, Huilong; Chen, Chen; Zhou, Jun

2017-11-28

The traditional primary culture methods of human normal epithelial cells have disadvantages of low activity of cultured cells, the low cultivated rate and complicated operation. To solve these problems, researchers made many studies on culture process of human normal primary epithelial cell. In this paper, we mainly introduce some methods used in separation and purification of human normal epithelial cells, such as tissue separation method, enzyme digestion separation method, mechanical brushing method, red blood cell lysis method, percoll layered medium density gradient separation method. We also review some methods used in the culture and subculture, including serum-free medium combined with low mass fraction serum culture method, mouse tail collagen coating method, and glass culture bottle combined with plastic culture dish culture method. The biological characteristics of human normal epithelial cells, the methods of immunocytochemical staining, trypan blue exclusion are described. Moreover, the factors affecting the aseptic operation, the conditions of the extracellular environment, the conditions of the extracellular environment during culture, the number of differential adhesion, and the selection and dosage of additives are summarized.
Identifying Culturally Competent Clinical Skills in Speech-Language Pathologists in the Central Valley of California

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maul, Christine A.

2010-01-01

The purpose of this research was to identify specific clinical skills in speech-language pathologists (SLPs) that may constitute cultural competency, a term which currently lacks operational definition. Through qualitative interview methods, the following research questions were addressed: (1) What dominant themes, if any, can be found in SLPs'…
Don't Make Waves: Traditional Value Utilization by Elderly Japanese Americans in Family Conflict Avoidance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kendis, Randall Jay

A research study was conducted to explore if and how cultural elements operate to facilitate or inhibit the meeting of needs that constitute successful adaptation to old age among Japanese Americans. Anthropological techniques of participant-observation, informal and structured interviews, and a survey were used as research methods. Formal…
75 FR 27672 - Restrictions on Railroad Operating Employees' Use of Cellular Telephones and Other Electronic...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-18

... by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.Regulations.gov... while driving. In addition to hosting the Summit, DOT has reviewed recent research and has decided to... conclusions with respect to the involvement of driver distraction in causing a crash. A 2008 research paper...
78 FR 43165 - Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-19

... subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the... application of that technology. CSDS-5 currently moors and operates a research barge at the Service Pier on NBKB and plans to install mooring for a new larger research barge equipped with upgraded technology...
An Atlantic Crossing? The Work of the International Examination Inquiry, Its Researchers, Methods and Influence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lawn, Martin, Ed.

2008-01-01

This book focuses on the International Examinations Inquiry (IEI), an international, well-funded scientific project that operated in the 1930s, attracting key world figures in educational research, and which undertook significant exchanges of data. Originally involving the USA, Scotland, England, France, Germany and Switzerland, the IEI grew to…
Temporal Patterns of Variable Relationships in Person-Oriented Research: Longitudinal Models of Configural Frequency Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

von Eye, Alexander; Mun, Eun Young; Bogat, G. Anne

2008-01-01

This article reviews the premises of configural frequency analysis (CFA), including methods of choosing significance tests and base models, as well as protecting [alpha], and discusses why CFA is a useful approach when conducting longitudinal person-oriented research. CFA operates at the manifest variable level. Longitudinal CFA seeks to identify…
Qualitative research methods: key features and insights gained from use in infection prevention research.

PubMed

Forman, Jane; Creswell, John W; Damschroder, Laura; Kowalski, Christine P; Krein, Sarah L

2008-12-01

Infection control professionals and hospital epidemiologists are accustomed to using quantitative research. Although quantitative studies are extremely important in the field of infection control and prevention, often they cannot help us explain why certain factors affect the use of infection control practices and identify the underlying mechanisms through which they do so. Qualitative research methods, which use open-ended techniques, such as interviews, to collect data and nonstatistical techniques to analyze it, provide detailed, diverse insights of individuals, useful quotes that bring a realism to applied research, and information about how different health care settings operate. Qualitative research can illuminate the processes underlying statistical correlations, inform the development of interventions, and show how interventions work to produce observed outcomes. This article describes the key features of qualitative research and the advantages that such features add to existing quantitative research approaches in the study of infection control. We address the goal of qualitative research, the nature of the research process, sampling, data collection and analysis, validity, generalizability of findings, and presentation of findings. Health services researchers are increasingly using qualitative methods to address practical problems by uncovering interacting influences in complex health care environments. Qualitative research methods, applied with expertise and rigor, can contribute important insights to infection prevention efforts.
Application study of evolutionary operation methods in optimization of process parameters for mosquito coils industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginting, E.; Tambunanand, M. M.; Syahputri, K.

2018-02-01

Evolutionary Operation Methods (EVOP) is a method that is designed used in the process of running or operating routinely in the company to enables high productivity. Quality is one of the critical factors for a company to win the competition. Because of these conditions, the research for products quality has been done by gathering the production data of the company and make a direct observation to the factory floor especially the drying department to identify the problem which is the high water content in the mosquito incense coil. PT.X which is producing mosquito coils attempted to reduce product defects caused by the inaccuracy of operating conditions. One of the parameters of good quality insect repellent that is water content, that if the moisture content is too high then the product easy to mold and broken, and vice versa if it is too low the products are easily broken and burn shorter hours. Three factors that affect the value of the optimal water content, the stirring time, drying temperature and drying time. To obtain the required conditions Evolutionary Operation (EVOP) methods is used. Evolutionary Operation (EVOP) is used as an efficient technique for optimization of two or three variable experimental parameters using two-level factorial designs with center point. Optimal operating conditions in the experiment are stirring time performed for 20 minutes, drying temperature at 65°C, and drying time for 130 minutes. The results of the analysis based on the method of Evolutionary Operation (EVOP) value is the optimum water content of 6.90%, which indicates the value has approached the optimal in a production plant that is 7%.
Research on the man in the loop control system of the robot arm based on gesture control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Lifeng; Peng, Jinbao

2017-03-01

The Man in the loop control system of the robot arm based on gesture control research complex real-world environment, which requires the operator to continuously control and adjust the remote manipulator, as the background, completes the specific mission human in the loop entire system as the research object. This paper puts forward a kind of robot arm control system of Man in the loop based on gesture control, by robot arm control system based on gesture control and Virtual reality scene feedback to enhance immersion and integration of operator, to make operator really become a part of the whole control loop. This paper expounds how to construct a man in the loop control system of the robot arm based on gesture control. The system is a complex system of human computer cooperative control, but also people in the loop control problem areas. The new system solves the problems that the traditional method has no immersion feeling and the operation lever is unnatural, the adjustment time is long, and the data glove mode wears uncomfortable and the price is expensive.
Methods of Collecting and Analyzing Rearward Visibility Data for Agricultural Machinery: Hazard and/or Object Detectability.

PubMed

Ehlers, Shawn G; Field, William E; Ess, Daniel R

2017-01-26

Recent interest in rearward visibility for private, construction, and commercial vehicles and documentation of rearward runovers involving bystanders outside the field of vision of the vehicle operator led to an investigation into the need for enhanced methods of rearward visibility for large, off-highway, agricultural equipment. A review of the literature found limited relevant research and minimal data on incidents involving rearward runovers of bystanders and co-workers. This article reviews the findings regarding the methods identified and tested to collect and analyze rearward visibility data, from the operator's perspective, for large self-propelled agricultural equipment, including the four-wheel drive tractors, combines, agricultural sprayers, and skid-steer loaders that are increasingly found on agricultural production sites. The methods identified, largely drawn from research conducted on private and commercial vehicles, were tested to determine their application in identifying rearward blind spots. These methods are described, and the findings from field-testing of specific machines are provided. Recommendations include establishing an appropriate engineering standard regarding rearward visibility of agricultural equipment with limited rearward vision and the use of rearward alarm systems for warning bystanders of rearward movement. Copyright© by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.
A meta-heuristic method for solving scheduling problem: crow search algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adhi, Antono; Santosa, Budi; Siswanto, Nurhadi

2018-04-01

Scheduling is one of the most important processes in an industry both in manufacturingand services. The scheduling process is the process of selecting resources to perform an operation on tasks. Resources can be machines, peoples, tasks, jobs or operations.. The selection of optimum sequence of jobs from a permutation is an essential issue in every research in scheduling problem. Optimum sequence becomes optimum solution to resolve scheduling problem. Scheduling problem becomes NP-hard problem since the number of job in the sequence is more than normal number can be processed by exact algorithm. In order to obtain optimum results, it needs a method with capability to solve complex scheduling problems in an acceptable time. Meta-heuristic is a method usually used to solve scheduling problem. The recently published method called Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) is adopted in this research to solve scheduling problem. CSA is an evolutionary meta-heuristic method which is based on the behavior in flocks of crow. The calculation result of CSA for solving scheduling problem is compared with other algorithms. From the comparison, it is found that CSA has better performance in term of optimum solution and time calculation than other algorithms.
Anthropometric assessment of crane cabins and recommendations for design: A case study.

PubMed

Zunjic, Aleksandar; Brkic, Vesna Spasojevic; Klarin, Milivoj; Brkic, Aleksandar; Krstic, Dragan

2015-01-01

Work of crane operators is very difficult and demanding. Therefore, it is very important that the cabin of a crane be designed on the basis of relevant anthropometric data. However, it is very difficult to find a research that considers anthropometric convenience of crane cabins. From the theoretical viewpoint, it is important to perceive and to classify effects of the anthropometric incompatibility of crane cabins. Globally, the objective is to consider the anthropometric convenience of existing crane cabins, and possibilities for improvements of their design from the ergonomic point of view. In this regard, it is significant to detect constraints that impede or hinder the work of the crane operators, which could be overcome with certain anthropometric solutions. The main objective is to examine whether and to what extent is justifiable to use anthropometric data that are obtained on the basis of general (national) population, during designing the crane cabins. For the assessment of existing crane cabins and the work of operators, four methods were used: observation of the work of the operators and design solutions of the cabins, the checklist approach, interviewing of operators and the experimental research based on obtaining the data on the population of crane operators. Results of the analysis based on the method of observation, analysis based on the application of the checklist, as well as interviewing of the operators indicate that certain construction constraints of the components in the cabins are the main reasons of reduced visibility and improper working postures of operators. All this has caused the emergence of continuous musculoskeletal loading of the crane operators. The results of the anthropometric research that were obtained on the population of crane operators in this case study suggest that there is a statistically significant difference, when compared data of this population of workers with anthropometric data from the general population. Analyzed workplaces in crane cabins do not correspond to the majority of operators from the anthropometric standpoint. The conducted anthropometric analysis has been indicated that could be made the mistake, if dimensions of the cabin and layout of equipment would be relied on data derived from the general population of citizens. In order to achieve greater precision in the design and configuration of equipment, it is recommended using the data that are obtained directly on the population of the crane operators when designing the cabin.
PV systems photoelectric parameters determining for field conditions and real operation conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shepovalova, Olga V.

2018-05-01

In this work, research experience and reference documentation have been generalized related to PV systems photoelectric parameters (PV array output parameters) determining. The basic method has been presented that makes it possible to determine photoelectric parameters with the state-of-the-art reliability and repeatability. This method provides an effective tool for PV systems comparison and evaluation of PV system parameters that the end-user will have in the course of its real operation for compliance with those stipulated in reference documentation. The method takes in consideration all parameters that may possibly affect photoelectric performance and that are supported by sufficiently valid procedures for their values testing. Test conditions, requirements for equipment subject to tests and test preparations have been established and the test procedure for fully equipped PV system in field tests and in real operation conditions has been described.
A Method of Separation Assurance for Instrument Flight Procedures at Non-Radar Airports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conway, Sheila R.; Consiglio, Maria

2002-01-01

A method to provide automated air traffic separation assurance services during approach to or departure from a non-radar, non-towered airport environment is described. The method is constrained by provision of these services without radical changes or ambitious investments in current ground-based technologies. The proposed procedures are designed to grant access to a large number of airfields that currently have no or very limited access under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), thus increasing mobility with minimal infrastructure investment. This paper primarily addresses a low-cost option for airport and instrument approach infrastructure, but is designed to be an architecture from which a more efficient, albeit more complex, system may be developed. A functional description of the capabilities in the current NAS infrastructure is provided. Automated terminal operations and procedures are introduced. Rules of engagement and the operations are defined. Results of preliminary simulation testing are presented. Finally, application of the method to more terminal-like operations, and major research areas, including necessary piloted studies, are discussed.
A simple method to equalize the workload when operating several small wastewater treatment plants: a case study.

PubMed

De Feo, G; De Gisi, S; Galasso, M

2013-01-01

The aim of the present study is to define a simple (and easy to use) method to equalize the workload of personnel operating several small wastewater treatment plants (SWWTPs). The approach is illustrated through a case study which is the result of collaboration between researchers and a water and wastewater management company operating in Southern Italy. The topic is important since personnel have a significant impact on the operating costs of SWWTPs, and the approach outlined results in the minimum number of staff being required to assure the management of the service. Four kinds of work units are considered: plant managers, assistant plant managers, laboratory technicians and executives. In order to develop a practical, feasible and easy to use method, the workload was evaluated considering only the population equivalent (PE) and the number of plants managed. The core of the method is the evaluation of the percentage of time that the personnel units devote to the operation of SWWTPs of the municipality considered. The proposed procedure offers a useful tool to equalize the workload, both in terms of PE and the number of plants managed, the procedure being easily modifiable to introduce other evaluation criteria. By using familiar concepts such as PE and number of plants managed, the approach of the method can easily be understood by management. It can also be readily adapted to other similar situations.
Balancing research and funding using value of information and portfolio tools for nanomaterial risk classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bates, Matthew E.; Keisler, Jeffrey M.; Zussblatt, Niels P.; Plourde, Kenton J.; Wender, Ben A.; Linkov, Igor

2016-02-01

Risk research for nanomaterials is currently prioritized by means of expert workshops and other deliberative processes. However, analytical techniques that quantify and compare alternative research investments are increasingly recommended. Here, we apply value of information and portfolio decision analysis—methods commonly applied in financial and operations management—to prioritize risk research for multiwalled carbon nanotubes and nanoparticulate silver and titanium dioxide. We modify the widely accepted CB Nanotool hazard evaluation framework, which combines nano- and bulk-material properties into a hazard score, to operate probabilistically with uncertain inputs. Literature is reviewed to develop uncertain estimates for each input parameter, and a Monte Carlo simulation is applied to assess how different research strategies can improve hazard classification. The relative cost of each research experiment is elicited from experts, which enables identification of efficient research portfolios—combinations of experiments that lead to the greatest improvement in hazard classification at the lowest cost. Nanoparticle shape, diameter, solubility and surface reactivity were most frequently identified within efficient portfolios in our results.

Balancing research and funding using value of information and portfolio tools for nanomaterial risk classification.

PubMed

Bates, Matthew E; Keisler, Jeffrey M; Zussblatt, Niels P; Plourde, Kenton J; Wender, Ben A; Linkov, Igor

2016-02-01

Risk research for nanomaterials is currently prioritized by means of expert workshops and other deliberative processes. However, analytical techniques that quantify and compare alternative research investments are increasingly recommended. Here, we apply value of information and portfolio decision analysis-methods commonly applied in financial and operations management-to prioritize risk research for multiwalled carbon nanotubes and nanoparticulate silver and titanium dioxide. We modify the widely accepted CB Nanotool hazard evaluation framework, which combines nano- and bulk-material properties into a hazard score, to operate probabilistically with uncertain inputs. Literature is reviewed to develop uncertain estimates for each input parameter, and a Monte Carlo simulation is applied to assess how different research strategies can improve hazard classification. The relative cost of each research experiment is elicited from experts, which enables identification of efficient research portfolios-combinations of experiments that lead to the greatest improvement in hazard classification at the lowest cost. Nanoparticle shape, diameter, solubility and surface reactivity were most frequently identified within efficient portfolios in our results.
Research papers and publications (1981-1987): Workload research program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hart, Sandra G. (Compiler)

1987-01-01

An annotated bibliography of the research reports written by participants in NASA's Workload Research Program since 1981 is presented, representing the results of theoretical and applied research conducted at Ames Research Center and at universities and industrial laboratories funded by the program. The major program elements included: 1) developing an understanding of the workload concept; 2) providing valid, reliable, and practical measures of workload; and 3) creating a computer model to predict workload. The goal is to provide workload-related design principles, measures, guidelines, and computational models. The research results are transferred to user groups by establishing close ties with manufacturers, civil and military operators of aerospace systems, and regulatory agencies; publishing scientific articles; participating in and sponsoring workshops and symposia; providing information, guidelines, and computer models; and contributing to the formulation of standards. In addition, the methods and theories developed have been applied to specific operational and design problems at the request of a number of industry and government agencies.
Evaluating transportation systems management & operations (TSM&O) benefits to alternative intersection treatments.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-12-01

This research provides a comprehensive review and assessment of current alternative intersection methods : which successfully eliminate the left-turn phase. With increasing traffic and limited resources, the Florida : Department of Transportati...
Initial Concept for Terminal Area Conflict Detection, Alerting, and Resolution Capability On or Near the Airport Surface, Version 2.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Otero, Sharon D.; Barker, Glover D.; Jones, Denise R.

2013-01-01

The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) concept for 2025 envisions the movement of large numbers of people and goods in a safe, efficient, and reliable manner. The NextGen will remove many of the constraints in the current air transportation system, support a wider range of operations, and deliver an overall system capacity up to 3 times that of current operating levels. In order to achieve the NextGen vision, research is necessary in the areas of surface traffic optimization, maximum runway capacity, reduced runway occupancy time, simultaneous single runway operations, and terminal area conflict prevention, among others. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting Collision Avoidance for Airport Traffic (CAAT) research to develop technologies, data, and guidelines to enable Conflict Detection and Resolution (CD&R) in the Airport Terminal Maneuvering Area (ATMA) under current and emerging NextGen operating concepts. The term ATMA was created to reflect the fact that the CD&R concept area of operation is focused near the airport within the terminal maneuvering area. In the following, an initial concept for an aircraft-based method for CD&R in the ATMA is presented. This method is based upon previous NASA work in CD&R for runway incursion prevention, the Runway Incursion Prevention System (RIPS).
The Second Life Researcher Toolkit - An Exploration of Inworld Tools, Methods and Approaches for Researching Educational Projects in Second Life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moschini, Elena

Academics are beginning to explore the educational potential of Second LifeTM (SL) by setting up inworld educational activities and projects. Given the relative novelty of the use of virtual world environments in higher education many such projects are still at pilot stage. However the initial pilot and experimentation stage will have to be followed by a rigorous evaluation process as for more traditional teaching projects. The chapter addresses issues about SL research tools and research methods. It introduces a "researcher toolkit" that includes: the various stages in the evaluation of SL educational projects and the theoretical framework that can inform such projects; an outline of the inworld tools that can be utilised or customised for academic research purposes; a review of methods for collecting feedback from participants and of the main ethical issues involved in researching virtual world environments; a discussion on the technical skills required to operate a research project in SL. The chapter also offers an indication of the inworld opportunities for the dissemination of SL research findings.
Research on evaluation of third-party governance operation services for environmental pollution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Bingsheng; Ling, Lin; Jin, Huang

2017-11-01

This paper focuses on the evaluation of third-party governance operation services for environmental pollution, and determines the evaluation indicator system composed of 5 primary indicators as the basic competence of enterprise, operation of equipment, technique economics, environmental benefit and management level, and 26 secondary indicators via policies and regulations, standards, literature research and expert consultation in combination with the composition elements, service value judgment factors and full-life cycle of the work, providing theoretical support for the effect evaluation of third-governance over the environmental pollution in China. Then, the hierarchical analytic matrix is formed by analyzing the environmental pollution governance evaluation indicator system via analytic hierarchy process and scoring the importance of various indicators by experts by applying the Delphi method. The feature vector of the matrix is then calculated to obtain the weight of each indicator and verify the effectiveness of the Delphi method and obtain the comprehensive weight by judging the consistency of the matrix, so as to finally determine the overall ordering level of the importance of secondary indicators.
Locating Errors Through Networked Surveillance: A Multimethod Approach to Peer Assessment, Hazard Identification, and Prioritization of Patient Safety Efforts in Cardiac Surgery.

PubMed

Thompson, David A; Marsteller, Jill A; Pronovost, Peter J; Gurses, Ayse; Lubomski, Lisa H; Goeschel, Christine A; Gosbee, John W; Wahr, Joyce; Martinez, Elizabeth A

2015-09-01

The objectives were to develop a scientifically sound and feasible peer-to-peer assessment model that allows health-care organizations to evaluate patient safety in cardiovascular operating rooms and to establish safety priorities for improvement. The locating errors through networked surveillance study was conducted to identify hazards in cardiac surgical care. A multidisciplinary team, composed of organizational sociology, organizational psychology, applied social psychology, clinical medicine, human factors engineering, and health services researchers, conducted the study. We used a transdisciplinary approach, which integrated the theories, concepts, and methods from each discipline, to develop comprehensive research methods. Multiple data collection was involved: focused literature review of cardiac surgery-related adverse events, retrospective analysis of cardiovascular events from a national database in the United Kingdom, and prospective peer assessment at 5 sites, involving survey assessments, structured interviews, direct observations, and contextual inquiries. A nominal group methodology, where one single group acts to problem solve and make decisions was used to review the data and develop a list of the top priority hazards. The top 6 priority hazard themes were as follows: safety culture, teamwork and communication, infection prevention, transitions of care, failure to adhere to practices or policies, and operating room layout and equipment. We integrated the theories and methods of a diverse group of researchers to identify a broad range of hazards and good clinical practices within the cardiovascular surgical operating room. Our findings were the basis for a plan to prioritize improvements in cardiac surgical care. These study methods allowed for the comprehensive assessment of a high-risk clinical setting that may translate to other clinical settings.
Function Allocation in Complex Socio-Technical Systems: Procedure usage in nuclear power and the Context Analysis Method for Identifying Design Solutions (CAMIDS) Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt, Kara Anne

This research aims to prove that strict adherence to procedures and rigid compliance to process in the US Nuclear Industry may not prevent incidents or increase safety. According to the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, the nuclear power industry has seen a recent rise in events, and this research claims that a contributing factor to this rise is organizational, cultural, and based on peoples overreliance on procedures and policy. Understanding the proper balance of function allocation, automation and human decision-making is imperative to creating a nuclear power plant that is safe, efficient, and reliable. This research claims that new generations of operators are less engaged and thinking because they have been instructed to follow procedures to a fault. According to operators, they were once to know the plant and its interrelations, but organizationally more importance is now put on following procedure and policy. Literature reviews were performed, experts were questioned, and a model for context analysis was developed. The Context Analysis Method for Identifying Design Solutions (CAMIDS) Model was created, verified and validated through both peer review and application in real world scenarios in active nuclear power plant simulators. These experiments supported the claim that strict adherence and rigid compliance to procedures may not increase safety by studying the industry's propensity for following incorrect procedures, and when it directly affects the outcome of safety or security of the plant. The findings of this research indicate that the younger generations of operators rely highly on procedures, and the organizational pressures of required compliance to procedures may lead to incidents within the plant because operators feel pressured into following the rules and policy above performing the correct actions in a timely manner. The findings support computer based procedures, efficient alarm systems, and skill of the craft matrices. The solution to the problems facing the industry include in-depth, multiple fault failure training which tests the operator's knowledge of the situation. This builds operator collaboration, competence and confidence to know what to do, and when to do it in response to an emergency situation. Strict adherence to procedures and rigid compliance to process may not prevent incidents or increase safety; building operators' fundamental skills of collaboration, competence and confidence will.
Research and Operational Support for the Study of Militarily Relevant Infectious Diseases of Interest to the United States Army and the Royal Thai Army

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

to provide funding support for Royal Thai Army at Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) engaged in research activities in...City, Philippines (WRAIR #1385) 77 (a) Investigators 77 (b) Objectives 77 12 (c) Methods 78 (d) Results 78 (e) Future Plans 79 10...Title of Research Project: Sentinel Surveillance for Emerging Diseases Causing Hospitalized Dengue-like Illness in Cebu, Philippines (SEDC) 79
Research and Operational Support for the Study of Militarily Relevant Infectious Diseases of Interest to the United States Army and the Royal Thai Army

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

funding support for Royal Thai Army at Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) engaged in research activities in collaboration with... Active and Passive Protection of Mice against Japanese Encephalitis Virus 55 (a) Investigators 55 (b) Objectives 55 (c) Methods 55 (d) Results...Research Project: Sentinel Surveillance for Emerging Diseases Causing Dengue-like or Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in the Philippines (SEDP) 83 (a
Summer Research Apprentice Program report. [Summer Research Apprentice Program

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

Curington, B.

1982-01-01

The Summer Research Apprentice Program is designed to provide students with their first look at college life while preparing them for possible careers in mathematics, science and engineering. The 23 students, enrolled as college freshmen for 8 hours of college credit, took courses in Trigonometry, College Algebra and introduction to Research (4 students were enrolled in Calculus 1 instead of Trigonometry and College Albebra). During this third year of operation, refinements were made in both the administration of the program and in the method of implementation.
IOPS advisor: Research in progress on knowledge-intensive methods for irregular operations airline scheduling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borse, John E.; Owens, Christopher C.

1992-01-01

Our research focuses on the problem of recovering from perturbations in large-scale schedules, specifically on the ability of a human-machine partnership to dynamically modify an airline schedule in response to unanticipated disruptions. This task is characterized by massive interdependencies and a large space of possible actions. Our approach is to apply the following: qualitative, knowledge-intensive techniques relying on a memory of stereotypical failures and appropriate recoveries; and quantitative techniques drawn from the Operations Research community's work on scheduling. Our main scientific challenge is to represent schedules, failures, and repairs so as to make both sets of techniques applicable to the same data. This paper outlines ongoing research in which we are cooperating with United Airlines to develop our understanding of the scientific issues underlying the practicalities of dynamic, real-time schedule repair.
Research on bidding quotation game of international project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Tao; Xu, Xin

2017-04-01

Bidding competition of international projects is more and more fierce currently. However, China started late relatively in the field, it is still lack of experience in the aspect of participation in bidding of international projects, and more effective bidding quotation system is not formed till present. Therefore, China can not win through systemic bidding quotation methods compared with many powerful bidding enterprises in the international field. Research on the field is also focused by many aspects as a result. It is urgent to solve related problems. Game theory is combined for analyzing the effectiveness and operability of bidding quotation models mainly based on current situation of bidding market in China international projects during research process in the paper. The research starts with the perspective of bidders for analyzing their game with tenderers and other bidders. The results have operational value aiming at bidders.
Operational methods of HIV testing in emergency departments: a systematic review.

PubMed

Haukoos, Jason S; White, Douglas A E; Lyons, Michael S; Hopkins, Emily; Calderon, Yvette; Kalish, Brian; Rothman, Richard E

2011-07-01

Casual review of existing literature reveals a multitude of individualized approaches to emergency department (ED) HIV testing. Cataloging the operational options of each approach could assist translation by disseminating existing knowledge, endorsing variability as a means to address testing barriers, and laying a foundation for future work in the area of operational models and outcomes investigation. The objective of this study is to provide a detailed account of the various models and operational constructs that have been described for performing HIV testing in EDs. Systematic review of PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Web of Science through February 6, 2009 was performed. Three investigators independently reviewed all potential abstracts and identified all studies that met the following criteria for inclusion: original research, performance of HIV testing in an ED in the United States, description of operational methods, and reporting of specific testing outcomes. Each study was independently assessed and data from each were abstracted with standardized instruments. Summary and pooled descriptive statistics were reported by using recently published nomenclature and definitions for ED HIV testing. The primary search yielded 947 potential studies, of which 25 (3%) were included in the final analysis. Of the 25 included studies, 13 (52%) reported results using nontargeted screening as the only patient selection method. Most programs reported using voluntary, opt-in consent and separate, signed consent forms. A variety of assays and communication methods were used, but relatively limited outcomes data were reported. Currently, limited evidence exists to inform HIV testing practices in EDs. There appears to be recent progression toward the use of rapid assays and nontargeted patient selection methods, with the rate at which reports are published in the peer-reviewed literature increasing. Additional research will be required, including controlled clinical trials, more structured program evaluation, and a focus on an expanded profile of outcome measures, to further improve our understanding of which HIV testing methods are most effective in the ED. Copyright © 2011. Published by Mosby, Inc.
Spectrophotometer-Based Color Measurements

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-24

public release; distribution is unlimited. AD U.S. ARMY ARMAMENT RESEARCH , DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER Weapons and Software Engineering Center...for public release; distribution is unlimited. UNCLASSIFIED i CONTENTS Page Summary 1 Introduction 1 Methods , Assumptions, and Procedures 1...Values for Federal Color Standards 15 Distribution List 25 TABLES 1 Instrument precision 3 2 Method precision and operator variability 4 3
Power control and management of the grid containing largescale wind power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aula, Fadhil Toufick

The ever increasing demand for electricity has driven many countries toward the installation of new generation facilities. However, concerns such as environmental pollution and global warming issues, clean energy sources, high costs associated with installation of new conventional power plants, and fossil fuels depletion have created many interests in finding alternatives to conventional fossil fuels for generating electricity. Wind energy is one of the most rapidly growing renewable power sources and wind power generations have been increasingly demanded as an alternative to the conventional fossil fuels. However, wind power fluctuates due to variation of wind speed. Therefore, large-scale integration of wind energy conversion systems is a threat to the stability and reliability of utility grids containing these systems. They disturb the balance between power generation and consumption, affect the quality of the electricity, and complicate load sharing and load distribution managing and planning. Overall, wind power systems do not help in providing any services such as operating and regulating reserves to the power grid. In order to resolve these issues, research has been conducted in utilizing weather forecasting data to improve the performance of the wind power system, reduce the influence of the fluctuations, and plan power management of the grid containing large-scale wind power systems which consist of doubly-fed induction generator based energy conversion system. The aims of this research, my dissertation, are to provide new methods for: smoothing the output power of the wind power systems and reducing the influence of their fluctuations, power managing and planning of a grid containing these systems and other conventional power plants, and providing a new structure of implementing of latest microprocessor technology for controlling and managing the operation of the wind power system. In this research, in order to reduce and smooth the fluctuations, two methods are presented. The first method is based on a de-loaded technique while the other method is based on utilizing multiple storage facilities. The de-loaded technique is based on characteristics of the power of a wind turbine and estimation of the generated power according to weather forecasting data. The technique provides a reference power by which the wind power system will operate and generate a smooth power. In contrast, utilizing storage facilities will allow the wind power system to operate at its maximum tracking power points' strategy. Two types of energy storages are considered in this research, battery energy storage system (BESS) and pumped-hydropower storage system (PHSS), to suppress the output fluctuations and to support the wind power system to follow the system load demands. Furthermore, this method provides the ability to store energy when there is a surplus of the generated power and to reuse it when there is a shortage of power generation from wind power systems. Both methods are new in terms of utilizing of the techniques and wind speed data. A microprocessor embedded system using an IntelRTM Atom(TM) processor is presented for controlling the wind power system and for providing the remote communication for enhancing the operation of the individual wind power system in a wind farm. The embedded system helps the wind power system to respond and to follow the commands of the central control of the power system. Moreover, it enhances the performance of the wind power system through self-managing, self-functioning, and self-correcting. Finally, a method of system power management and planning is modeled and studied for a grid containing large-scale wind power systems. The method is based on a new technique through constructing a new load demand curve (NLDC) from merging the estimation of generated power from wind power systems and forecasting of the load. To summarize, the methods and their results presented in this dissertation, enhance the operation of the large-scale wind power systems and reduce their drawbacks on the operation of the power grid.
Intelligent systems and advanced user interfaces for design, operation, and maintenance of command management systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Potter, William J.; Mitchell, Christine M.

1993-01-01

Historically, command management systems (CMS) have been large and expensive spacecraft-specific software systems that were costly to build, operate, and maintain. Current and emerging hardware, software, and user interface technologies may offer an opportunity to facilitate the initial formulation and design of a spacecraft-specific CMS as well as to develop a more generic CMS system. New technologies, in addition to a core CMS common to a range of spacecraft, may facilitate the training and enhance the efficiency of CMS operations. Current mission operations center (MOC) hardware and software include Unix workstations, the C/C++ programming languages, and an X window interface. This configuration provides the power and flexibility to support sophisticated and intelligent user interfaces that exploit state-of-the-art technologies in human-machine interaction, artificial intelligence, and software engineering. One of the goals of this research is to explore the extent to which technologies developed in the research laboratory can be productively applied in a complex system such as spacecraft command management. Initial examination of some of these issues in CMS design and operation suggests that application of technologies such as intelligent planning, case-based reasoning, human-machine systems design and analysis tools (e.g., operator and designer models), and human-computer interaction tools (e.g., graphics, visualization, and animation) may provide significant savings in the design, operation, and maintenance of the CMS for a specific spacecraft as well as continuity for CMS design and development across spacecraft. The first six months of this research saw a broad investigation by Georgia Tech researchers into the function, design, and operation of current and planned command management systems at Goddard Space Flight Center. As the first step, the researchers attempted to understand the current and anticipated horizons of command management systems at Goddard. Preliminary results are given on CMS commonalities and causes of low re-use, and methods are proposed to facilitate increased re-use.
Ensemble flare forecasting: using numerical weather prediction techniques to improve space weather operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, S.; Guerra, J. A.

2017-12-01

One essential component of operational space weather forecasting is the prediction of solar flares. Early flare forecasting work focused on statistical methods based on historical flaring rates, but more complex machine learning methods have been developed in recent years. A multitude of flare forecasting methods are now available, however it is still unclear which of these methods performs best, and none are substantially better than climatological forecasts. Current operational space weather centres cannot rely on automated methods, and generally use statistical forecasts with a little human intervention. Space weather researchers are increasingly looking towards methods used in terrestrial weather to improve current forecasting techniques. Ensemble forecasting has been used in numerical weather prediction for many years as a way to combine different predictions in order to obtain a more accurate result. It has proved useful in areas such as magnetospheric modelling and coronal mass ejection arrival analysis, however has not yet been implemented in operational flare forecasting. Here we construct ensemble forecasts for major solar flares by linearly combining the full-disk probabilistic forecasts from a group of operational forecasting methods (ASSA, ASAP, MAG4, MOSWOC, NOAA, and Solar Monitor). Forecasts from each method are weighted by a factor that accounts for the method's ability to predict previous events, and several performance metrics (both probabilistic and categorical) are considered. The results provide space weather forecasters with a set of parameters (combination weights, thresholds) that allow them to select the most appropriate values for constructing the 'best' ensemble forecast probability value, according to the performance metric of their choice. In this way different forecasts can be made to fit different end-user needs.
USEPA MANUAL OF METHODS FOR VIROLOGY | Science ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This chapter describes procedures for the detection of coliphases in water matrices. These procedures are based on those presented in the Supplement to the 20th Edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Eastewater and EPA Methods 1601 and 1602. Two quantitative procedures and one qualitative, presence-absence procedures are presented. The procedures can be used, without supplementary methods, to assay small volumes of water (10 mL to 1L). For larger volumes (>100L), large-scale concentration methods such as described in Chapter 14 may be incorporated into the assay scheme. However, as some concentration procedures may result in appreciable loss or inactivation of coliphage, it is recommended that the suitability of any large volume concentration method be evaluated in measured recovery trials before implementation. Develop sensitive techniques to detect and identify emerging human waterborne pathogenic viruses and viruses on the CCL.Determine effectiveness of viral indicators to measure microbial quality in water matrices.Support activities: (a) culture and distribution of mammalian cells for Agency and scientific community research needs, (b) provide operator expertise for research requiring confocal and electron microscopy, (c) glassware cleaning, sterilization and biological waste disposal for the Cincinnati EPA facility, (d) operation of infectious pathogenic suite, (e) maintenance of walk-in constant temperature rooms and (f) provid
Research requirements to reduce civil helicopter life cycle cost

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blewitt, S. J.

1978-01-01

The problem of the high cost of helicopter development, production, operation, and maintenance is defined and the cost drivers are identified. Helicopter life cycle costs would decrease by about 17 percent if currently available technology were applied. With advanced technology, a reduction of about 30 percent in helicopter life cycle costs is projected. Technological and managerial deficiencies which contribute to high costs are examined, basic research and development projects which can reduce costs include methods for reduced fuel consumption; improved turbine engines; airframe and engine production methods; safety; rotor systems; and advanced transmission systems.

Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) conducts cutting-edge research that provides the underpinning of science and technology for public health and environmental policies and decisions made by federal, state and other governmental organizations. ORD’s six research programs identify the pressing research needs with input from EPA offices and stakeholders. Research is conducted by ORD’s 3 labs, 4 centers, and 2 offices located in 14 facilities. The EPA booth at APHL will have several resources available to attendees, mostly in the form of print materials, that showcase our research labs, case studies of research activities, and descriptions of specific research projects. The Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM), a library of selected methods that are helping to increase the nation's laboratory capacity to support large-scale emergency response operations, will be demoed by EPA scientists at the APHL Experience booth in the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday during the morning break. Please come to the EPA booth #309 for more information! To be on a loop at our ORD booth demo during APHL.
Opening up the black box: an introduction to qualitative research methods in anaesthesia.

PubMed

Shelton, C L; Smith, A F; Mort, M

2014-03-01

Qualitative research methods are a group of techniques designed to allow the researcher to understand phenomena in their natural setting. A wide range is used, including focus groups, interviews, observation, and discourse analysis techniques, which may be used within research approaches such as grounded theory or ethnography. Qualitative studies in the anaesthetic setting have been used to define excellence in anaesthesia, explore the reasons behind drug errors, investigate the acquisition of expertise and examine incentives for hand-hygiene in the operating theatre. Understanding how and why people act the way they do is essential for the advancement of anaesthetic practice, and rigorous, well-designed qualitative research can generate useful data and important insights. Meticulous social scientific methods, transparency, reproducibility and reflexivity are markers of quality in qualitative research. Tools such as the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist and the critical appraisal skills programme are available to help authors, reviewers and readers unfamiliar with qualitative research assess its merits. © 2013 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.
Civil & Military Operations: Evolutionary Prep Steps to Pass Smart Power Current Limitations

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

and outcomes – Identifying the best time, place, and method for action – Reduced ambiguity for action application, reduced side effects – Find the...improvements to arrive at increased accuracy, precision, and reduction of un-intended effects . The examples of these streams will demonstrate the...DIME – Diplomatic, Intelligence, Military, and Economic; EBO – Effects Based Operations. 16th International Command and Control Research and
Evaluation of indeterminacy of initial data for cad system of electric engine suspension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antipin, D. Ya; Izmerov, O. V.; Shorokhov, S. G.; Nadtochey, D. G.

2018-03-01

The research of the variants of the suspension of the traction electric motor of diesel locomotives was performed. It was found that the method of designing the suspension does not take into consideration the possible changes of the characteristics of the parts in operation conditions. Variants of the suspension design were proposed and patented, which provide the work reliability despite the operating conditions.
Advanced missions safety. Volume 2: Technical discussion. Part 3: Emergency crew transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An evaluation of methods for emergency rescue of space crews using the Earth Orbit Shuttle was conducted. Emergency situations were analyzed for the mission categories of extravehicular activity, space shuttle orbiter, space station, and research applications module (RAM). Five different transfer concept categories were analyzed and each was scored on the basis of its operational effectiveness. A cost analysis of the transfer operations was developed.
Adolescent Asthma Self-Management: A Concept Analysis and Operational Definition.

PubMed

Mammen, Jennifer; Rhee, Hyekyun

2012-12-01

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with asthma have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than other age groups. Asthma self-management has been shown to improve outcomes; however, the concept of asthma self-management is not explicitly defined. METHODS: We use the Norris method of concept clarification to delineate what constitutes the concept of asthma self-management in adolescents. Five databases were searched to identify components of the concept of adolescent asthma self-management, and lists of relevant subconcepts were compiled and categorized. RESULTS: Analysis revealed 4 specific domains of self-management behaviors: (1) symptom prevention; (2) symptom monitoring; (3) acute symptom management; and (4) communication with important others. These domains of self-management were mediated by intrapersonal/cognitive and interpersonal/contextual factors. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the analysis, we offer a research-based operational definition for adolescent asthma self-management and a preliminary model that can serve as a conceptual base for further research.
Evaluation of green building rating tools based on existing green building achievement in Indonesia using Life Cycle Assessment Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basten, Van; Latief, Yusuf; Berawi, Mohammed Ali; Budiman, Rachmat; Riswanto

2017-03-01

Total completed building construction value in Indonesia increased 116% during 2009 to 2011. That's followed by increasing 11% energy consumption in Indonesia in the last three years with 70% energy met to the electricity needs of commercial building. In addition, a few application of green building concept in Indonesia made the greenhouse gas emissions or CO2 amount increased by 25%. Construction, operation, and maintain of building cost consider relatively high. The evaluation in this research is used to improve the building performance with some of green concept alternatives. The research methodology is conducted by combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches through interview and case study. Assessing the successful of optimization functions in the existing green building is based on the operational and maintenance phase with the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Method. The result of optimization that is the largest efficiency and effective of building life cycle.
Student Errors in Fractions and Possible Causes of These Errors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aksoy, Nuri Can; Yazlik, Derya Ozlem

2017-01-01

In this study, it was aimed to determine the errors and misunderstandings of 5th and 6th grade middle school students in fractions and operations with fractions. For this purpose, the case study model, which is a qualitative research design, was used in the research. In the study, maximum diversity sampling, which is a purposeful sampling method,…
Developing students’ learning achievement and experimental skills on buoyancy and the involvement of Newton’s third law through experimental sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chokchai, Jaewijarn; Khanti, Toedtanya; Sura, Wuttiprom

2017-09-01

The purposes of this research were: to construct packages of operations on buoyancy and the involvement of Newton’s third law, to enhance achievement score of students on buoyancy and the involvement of Newton’s third law, to enhance experimental skills on buoyancy and the involvement of Newton’s third law and to evaluate students’ attitude towards the packages of operations on buoyancy and the involvement of Newton’s third law using inquiry method. The samples were 42 grade 11 students in academic year 2016 at Hatyaiwittayalai School, Hatyai, Songkhla. The research method was one group pretest-posttest design. The research tools consisted of experimental set on buoyancy and the involvement of Newton’s third law, the learning achievement test on buoyancy and the involvement of Newton’s third law and the students’ attitude questionnaires. The experimental skills of most students was in a good level . The satisfaction of most students was in a good level. The research showed the learning achievement after instruction higher than that before instruction using experimental set at the significant level of 0.05 and the class average normalized gain is in the medium gain
Mobile Food Ordering Application using Android OS Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yosep Ricky, Michael

2014-03-01

The purpose of this research is making an ordering food application based on Android with New Order, Order History, Restaurant Profile, Order Status, Tracking Order, and Setting Profile features. The research method used in this research is water model of System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) method with following phases: requirement definition, analyzing and determining the features needed in developing application and making the detail definition of each features, system and software design, designing the flow of developing application by using storyboard design, user experience design, Unified Modeling Language (UML) design, and database structure design, implementation an unit testing, making database and translating the result of designs to programming language code then doing unit testing, integration and System testing, integrating unit program to one unit system then doing system testing, operation and maintenance, operating the result of system testing and if any changes and reparations needed then the previous phases could be back. The result of this research is an ordering food application based on Android for customer and courier user, and a website for restaurant and admin user. The conclusion of this research is to help customer in making order easily, to give detail information needed by customer, to help restaurant in receiving order, and to help courier while doing delivery.
Experimental and Analytical Determinations of Spiral Bevel Gear-Tooth Bending Stress Compared

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Handschuh, Robert F.

2000-01-01

Spiral bevel gears are currently used in all main-rotor drive systems for rotorcraft produced in the United States. Applications such as these need spiral bevel gears to turn the corner from the horizontal gas turbine engine to the vertical rotor shaft. These gears must typically operate at extremely high rotational speeds and carry high power levels. With these difficult operating conditions, an improved analytical capability is paramount to increasing aircraft safety and reliability. Also, literature on the analysis and testing of spiral bevel gears has been very sparse in comparison to that for parallel axis gears. This is due to the complex geometry of this type of gear and to the specialized test equipment necessary to test these components. To develop an analytical model of spiral bevel gears, researchers use differential geometry methods to model the manufacturing kinematics. A three-dimensional spiral bevel gear modeling method was developed that uses finite elements for the structural analysis. This method was used to analyze the three-dimensional contact pattern between the test pinion and gear used in the Spiral Bevel Gear Test Facility at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. Results of this analysis are illustrated in the preceding figure. The development of the analytical method was a joint endeavor between NASA Glenn, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and the University of North Dakota.
Brief report: Comparison of methods to identify Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs administrative data.

PubMed

Bangerter, Ann; Gravely, Amy; Cutting, Andrea; Clothier, Barb; Spoont, Michele; Sayer, Nina

2010-01-01

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made treatment and care of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans a priority. Researchers face challenges identifying the OIF/OEF population because until fiscal year 2008, no indicator of OIF/OEF service was present in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) administrative databases typically used for research. In this article, we compare an algorithm we developed to identify OIF/OEF veterans using the Austin Information Technology Center administrative data with the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster and veterans' self-report of military service. We drew data from two different institutional review board-approved funded studies. The positive predictive value of our algorithm compared with the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster and self-report was 92% and 98%, respectively. However, this method of identifying OIF/OEF veterans failed to identify a large proportion of OIF/OEF veterans listed in the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster. Demographic, diagnostic, and VA service use differences were found between veterans identified using our method and those we failed to identify but who were in the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster. Therefore, depending on the research objective, this method may not be a viable alternative to the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster for identifying OIF/OEF veterans.
Using Smartphones for Research Outside Clinical Settings: How Operating Systems, App Developers, and Users Determine Geolocation Data Quality in mHealth Studies.

PubMed

Beukenhorst, A L; Schultz, D M; McBeth, J; Lakshminarayana, R; Sergeant, J C; Dixon, W G

2017-01-01

Smartphones that collect user geolocation provid opportunities for mobile Health (mHealth). Although granularity of geolocation data may be high, data completeness depends on the device's operating system, application developer decisions, and user actions. We investigate completeness of geolocation data collected via smartphones of 5601 people that self-reported daily chronic pain symptoms on 349,293 days. On 17% of these days, hourly geolocation data is reported, but days with 0 (16%), 1 (14%) and 2 (13%) geolocations are common. Android phones collect geolocation more often than iPhones (median 17 versus 2 times a day). Factors on operating system level and individual user level influence completeness of geolocation data collected with smartphones. mHealth researchers should be aware of these factors when designing their studies. The mHealth research community should devise standards for reporting geolocation data quality, analysing systematic differences in data quality between participant groups, and methods for data imputation.
Preliminary research on overmoded high-power millimeter-wave Cerenkov generator with dual-cavity reflector in low guiding magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Hu; Chen, Changhua; Ning, Hui; Tan, Weibing; Teng, Yan; Shi, Yanchao; Wu, Ping; Song, Zhimin; Cao, Yibing; Du, Zhaoyu

2015-12-01

This paper presents preliminary research on a V-band overmoded Cerenkov generator with dual-cavity reflector operating in a low guiding magnetic field. It is found that the fluctuation of the electron envelope in the low guiding magnetic field can be predicted using an equivalent coaxial model of a foilless diode, and a dual-cavity reflector based on the model matching method can provide strong reflection at the front end of the overmoded structures so that any microwave power that leaks into the diode region can be effectively suppressed. Numerical simulations indicate that the control of the beam envelope and the use of the dual-cavity reflector ease generator operation in the low guiding magnetic field. In the experimental research, the fluctuation of the annular electron beam with the outer radius of 7.5 mm measures approximately 0.7 mm, which is in good agreement with the theoretical results. The disturbance caused by power leaking from the overmoded slow wave structure is eliminated by the dual-cavity reflector. With accurate fabrication and assembly processes, an operating frequency of 61.6 GHz is attained by the fifth harmonic heterodyne method, and the output power is measured to be approximately 123 MW by the far-field measurement method at a diode voltage of 445 kV, a beam current of 4.45 kA, and under a guiding magnetic field of 1.45 T. The output mode is measured using an array of neon flash bulbs, and the pulse shortening phenomenon is both observed and analyzed.
Biogas Production from Rice Husk Waste by using Solid State Anaerobic Digestion (SSAD) Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matin, Hashfi Hawali Abdul; Hadiyanto

2018-02-01

An effort to obtain alternative energy is still interesting subject to be studied, especially production of biogas from agriculture waste. This paper was an overview of the latest development of biogas researches from rice husk waste by Solid State Anaerobic Digestion (SSAD). The main obstacle of biogas production from rice husk waste was the lignin content which is very difficult degraded by microbes. Various pretreatments have been conducted, either physically, chemically as well as biologically. The SSAD method was an attractive option because of the low water content of rice husk waste. The biogas yield by SSAD method gave more attractive result compared to Liquid Anaerobic Digestion (LAD) method. Various studies were still conducted in batch mode laboratory scale and also has not found optimum operating conditions. Research on a larger scale such as bench and pilot scale with continuous systems will be an increase trend in the future research.
Sensitivity of Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) to Various Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) Factors. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldthorpe, S. H.

1997-01-01

The Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) research program was initiated by NASA to increase the airport capacity for transport aircraft operations. One element of the research program is called Low Visibility Landing and Surface Operations (LVLASO). A goal of the LVLASO research is to develop transport aircraft technologies which reduce Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) so that it does not become the limiting factor in the terminal area operations that determine the capacity of a runway. Under LVLASO, the objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of ROT to various factors associated with the Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) operation for transport aircraft. The following operational factors were studied and are listed in the order of decreasing ROT sensitivity: ice/flood runway surface condition, exit entrance ground speed, number of exits, high-speed exit locations and spacing, aircraft type, touchdown ground speed standard deviation, reverse thrust and braking method, accurate exit prediction capability, maximum reverse thrust availability, spiral-arc vs. circle-arc exit geometry, dry/slush/wet/snow runway surface condition, maximum allowed deceleration, auto asymmetric braking on exit, do not stow reverse thrust before the exit, touchdown longitudinal location standard deviation, flap setting, anti-skid efficiency, crosswind conditions, stopping on the exit and touchdown lateral offset.
Sensitivity of Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) to Various Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) Factors. Volume 2; Complete Set of Plotted Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldthorpe, S. H.

1997-01-01

The Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) research program was initiated by NASA to increase the airport capacity for transport aircraft operations. One element of the research program is called Low Visibility Landing and Surface Operations (LVLASO). A goal of the LVLASO research is to develop transport aircraft technologies which reduce Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) so that it does not become the limiting factor in the terminal area operations that determine the capacity of a runway. Under LVLASO, the objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of ROT to various factors associated with the Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) operation for transport aircraft. The following operational factors were studied and are listed in the order of decreasing ROT sensitivity: ice/flood runway surface condition, exit entrance ground speed, number of exits, high-speed exit locations and spacing, aircraft type, touchdown ground speed standard deviation, reverse thrust and braking method, accurate exit prediction capability, maximum reverse thrust availability, spiral-arc vs. circle-arc exit geometry, dry/slush/wet/snow runway surface condition, maximum allowed deceleration, auto asymmetric braking on exit, do not stow reverse thrust before the exit, touchdown longitudinal location standard deviation, flap setting, anti-skid efficiency, crosswind conditions, stopping on the exit and touchdown lateral offset.
Proceedings of the First Hanford Separation Science Workshop

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

Not Available

1993-05-01

The First Hanford Separation Science Workshop, sponsored by PNL had two main objectives: (1) assess the applicability of available separation methods for environmental restoration and for minimization, recovery, and recycle of mixed and radioactive mutes; and (2) identify research needs that must be addressed to create new or improved technologies. The information gathered at this workshop not only applies to Hanford but could be adapted to DOE facilities throughout the nation as well. These proceedings have been divided into three components: Background and Introduction to the Problem gives an overview of the history of the Site and the cleanup mission,more » including waste management operations, past disposal practices, current operations, and plans for the future. Also included in this section is a discussion of specific problems concerning the chemistry of the Hanford wastes. Separation Methodologies contains the papers given at the workshop by national experts in the field of separation science regarding the state-of-the-art of various methods and their applicability/adaptability to Hanford. Research Needs identifies further research areas developed in working group sessions. Individual papers are indexed separately.« less
Developing a reliable method for signal wire attachment : [research results].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-03-01

Railroad signaling systems detect trains on the track, identify track fractures, prevent derailments, and alert signal crossing stations when trains approach. These systems are vital to safe train operation; therefore, each component of this system h...
Research notes : traffic restriction for epoxy crack injection.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-06-01

Reinforced concrete bridges with detrimental cracks are typically repaired by injecting the cracks with epoxy to regain concrete capacity. Crack injection is a costly operation; however, it is commonly used as a repair method itself or as preparation...

Empirically-based performance assessment & simulation of pedestrian behavior at unsignalized crossings.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-09-01

The objective of this research was to provide an improved understanding of pedestrian-vehicle interaction : at mid-block pedestrian crossings and develop methods that can be used in traffic operational analysis and : microsimulation packages. Models ...
Comparison of methods for measuring travel time at Florida freeways and arterials.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-07-01

Travel time is an important performance measure used to assess the traffic operational quality of various types of highway : facilities. Previous research funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on travel time reliability developed,...
Performance monitoring for safe and livable communities : fusing data, to improve arterial operations for all users.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-10-01

Measuring or analyzing transportation system performance occupies a large transportation professionals time. So, improving performance : measurement methods in terms of accuracy and cost are important contributions. This research documents develop...
Analysis of decision support system for dredging operations management.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-12-01

This research developed an improved method for optimizing the disposal of dredged material : at offshore disposal sites. A nonlinear programming model has been developed to assist in : the development of dredging plans at open water disposal sites. T...
Simulation of a weather radar display for over-water airborne radar approaches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clary, G. R.

1983-01-01

Airborne radar approach (ARA) concepts are being investigated as a part of NASA's Rotorcraft All-Weather Operations Research Program on advanced guidance and navigation methods. This research is being conducted using both piloted simulations and flight test evaluations. For the piloted simulations, a mathematical model of the airborne radar was developed for over-water ARAs to offshore platforms. This simulated flight scenario requires radar simulation of point targets, such as oil rigs and ships, distributed sea clutter, and transponder beacon replies. Radar theory, weather radar characteristics, and empirical data derived from in-flight radar photographs are combined to model a civil weather/mapping radar typical of those used in offshore rotorcraft operations. The resulting radar simulation is realistic and provides the needed simulation capability for ongoing ARA research.
Methods for the scientific study of discrimination and health: an ecosocial approach.

PubMed

Krieger, Nancy

2012-05-01

The scientific study of how discrimination harms health requires theoretically grounded methods. At issue is how discrimination, as one form of societal injustice, becomes embodied inequality and is manifested as health inequities. As clarified by ecosocial theory, methods must address the lived realities of discrimination as an exploitative and oppressive societal phenomenon operating at multiple levels and involving myriad pathways across both the life course and historical generations. An integrated embodied research approach hence must consider (1) the structural level-past and present de jure and de facto discrimination; (2) the individual level-issues of domains, nativity, and use of both explicit and implicit discrimination measures; and (3) how current research methods likely underestimate the impact of racism on health.
Researching on Control Device of Prestressing Wire Reinforcement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Si, Jianhui; Guo, Yangbo; Liu, Maoshe

2017-06-01

This paper mainly introduces a device for controlling prestress and its related research methods, the advantage of this method is that the reinforcement process is easy to operate and control the prestress of wire rope accurately. The relationship between the stress and strain of the steel wire rope is monitored during the experiment, and the one - to - one relationship between the controllable position and the pretightening force of the steel wire rope is confirmed by the 5mm steel wire rope, and the results are analyzed theoretically by the measured elastic modulus. The results show that the method can effectively control the prestressing force, and the result provides a reference method for strengthening the concrete column with prestressed steel strand.
The legacy of the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI).

PubMed

Black, Robert E

2016-06-01

Under the Global Forum for Health Research, the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) began its operations in 1999 and became a Swiss foundation in 2006. The vision of CHNRI was to improve child health and nutrition of all children in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) through research that informs health policy and practice. Specific objectives included expanding global knowledge on childhood disease burden and cost-effectiveness of interventions, promoting priority setting in research, ensuring inclusion of institutions and scientists in LMIC in setting priorities, promoting capacity development in LMIC and stimulating donors and countries to increase resources for research. CHNRI created a knowledge network, funded research through multiple rounds of a global competitive process and published research papers and policy briefs. A signature effort was to develop a systematic methodology for prioritizing health and nutrition research investments. The "CHNRI method" has been extensively applied to global health problems and is now the most commonly used method for prioritizing health research questions.
A new method for the analysis of fire spread modeling errors

Treesearch

Francis M. Fujioka

2002-01-01

Fire spread models have a long history, and their use will continue to grow as they evolve from a research tool to an operational tool. This paper describes a new method to analyse two-dimensional fire spread modeling errors, particularly to quantify the uncertainties of fire spread predictions. Measures of error are defined from the respective spread distances of...
Research of laser stealth performance test technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhen-xing; Shi, Sheng-bing; Han, Fu-li; Wu, Yan-lin; Song, Chun-yan

2014-09-01

Laser stealth is an important way of photoelectric stealth weapons systems. According to operational principle of laser range finder, we actively explore and study the stealth performance approval testing technology of laser stealth materials, and bring forward and establish the stealth performance field test methods of stealth efficiency evaluation. Through contrastive test of two kinds of materials, the method is correct and effective.
A Mixed Methods Program Evaluation on the Effectiveness of a School Redesign Model on Teacher Empowerment and Student Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Costa, Ann Marie

2012-01-01

A recent law in a New England state allowed public schools to operate with increased flexibility and autonomy through the authorization of the creation of Innovation Schools. This project study, a program evaluation using a convergent parallel mixed methods research design, allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of the first Innovation School…
Model-based optimal design of active cool thermal energy storage for maximal life-cycle cost saving from demand management in commercial buildings

DOE PAGES

Cui, Borui; Gao, Dian-ce; Xiao, Fu; ...

2016-12-23

This article provides a method in comprehensive evaluation of cost-saving potential of active cool thermal energy storage (CTES) integrated with HVAC system for demand management in non-residential building. The active storage is beneficial by shifting peak demand for peak load management (PLM) as well as providing longer duration and larger capacity of demand response (DR). In this research, a model-based optimal design method using genetic algorithm is developed to optimize the capacity of active CTES aiming for maximizing the life-cycle cost saving concerning capital cost associated with storage capacity as well as incentives from both fast DR and PLM. Inmore » the method, the active CTES operates under a fast DR control strategy during DR events while under the storage-priority operation mode to shift peak demand during normal days. The optimal storage capacities, maximum annual net cost saving and corresponding power reduction set-points during DR event are obtained by using the proposed optimal design method. Lastly, this research provides guidance in comprehensive evaluation of cost-saving potential of CTES integrated with HVAC system for building demand management including both fast DR and PLM.« less
Model-based optimal design of active cool thermal energy storage for maximal life-cycle cost saving from demand management in commercial buildings

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

Cui, Borui; Gao, Dian-ce; Xiao, Fu

This article provides a method in comprehensive evaluation of cost-saving potential of active cool thermal energy storage (CTES) integrated with HVAC system for demand management in non-residential building. The active storage is beneficial by shifting peak demand for peak load management (PLM) as well as providing longer duration and larger capacity of demand response (DR). In this research, a model-based optimal design method using genetic algorithm is developed to optimize the capacity of active CTES aiming for maximizing the life-cycle cost saving concerning capital cost associated with storage capacity as well as incentives from both fast DR and PLM. Inmore » the method, the active CTES operates under a fast DR control strategy during DR events while under the storage-priority operation mode to shift peak demand during normal days. The optimal storage capacities, maximum annual net cost saving and corresponding power reduction set-points during DR event are obtained by using the proposed optimal design method. Lastly, this research provides guidance in comprehensive evaluation of cost-saving potential of CTES integrated with HVAC system for building demand management including both fast DR and PLM.« less
An innovative method for offshore wind farm site selection based on the interval number with probability distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yunna; Chen, Kaifeng; Xu, Hu; Xu, Chuanbo; Zhang, Haobo; Yang, Meng

2017-12-01

There is insufficient research relating to offshore wind farm site selection in China. The current methods for site selection have some defects. First, information loss is caused by two aspects: the implicit assumption that the probability distribution on the interval number is uniform; and ignoring the value of decision makers' (DMs') common opinion on the criteria information evaluation. Secondly, the difference in DMs' utility function has failed to receive attention. An innovative method is proposed in this article to solve these drawbacks. First, a new form of interval number and its weighted operator are proposed to reflect the uncertainty and reduce information loss. Secondly, a new stochastic dominance degree is proposed to quantify the interval number with a probability distribution. Thirdly, a two-stage method integrating the weighted operator with stochastic dominance degree is proposed to evaluate the alternatives. Finally, a case from China proves the effectiveness of this method.
Reflections on some early events related to behavior analysis of child development

PubMed Central

Bijou, Sidney W.

1996-01-01

A series of events related to the early application of behavioral principles to child behavior and development is described. The events began in the 1930s at Columbia University with a solicited letter from John B. Watson suggesting a master's degree thesis problem, and continued through the 1950s and 1960s at the University of Washington. Specifically, these happenings resulted in (a) research demonstrating that Skinner's laboratory method for studying nonhuman organisms could be profitably applied to the laboratory study of young normal children; (b) a demonstration that by successive approximations, a normal child can be operantly conditioned to respond to an arbitrary situation; (c) research showing that the effects of simple schedules of reinforcement obtained with nonhuman organisms could be duplicated in young normal and retarded children; (d) the demonstration that Skinner's operant laboratory method could be adapted to study young children in field situations; (e) research showing that operant principles can be successfully applied to the treatment of a young autistic boy with a serious visual handicap; (f) laboratory studies showing that mothers can be trained to treat their own young children who have behavior problems; (g) an in-home study demonstrating that a mother can treat her own child who has behavior problems; (h) a demonstration that operant principles can be applied effectively to teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic to children with retardation; and (i) publication of a book, Child Development: A Systematic and Empirical Theory, in collaboration with Donald M. Baer, by Prentice Hall in their Century Psychological Series. PMID:22478239
Collaborative Chronic Care Networks (C3Ns) to transform chronic illness care.

PubMed

Margolis, Peter A; Peterson, Laura E; Seid, Michael

2013-06-01

Despite significant gains by pediatric collaborative improvement networks, the overall US system of chronic illness care does not work well. A new paradigm is needed: a Collaborative Chronic Care Network (C3N). A C3N is a network-based production system that harnesses the collective intelligence of patients, clinicians, and researchers and distributes the production of knowledge, information, and know-how over large groups of people, dramatically accelerating the discovery process. A C3N is a platform of "operating systems" on which interconnected processes and interventions are designed, tested, and implemented. The social operating system is facilitated by community building, engaging all stakeholders and their expertise, and providing multiple ways to participate. Standard progress measures and a robust information technology infrastructure enable the technical operating system to reduce unwanted variation and adopt advances more rapidly. A structured approach to innovation design provides a scientific operating system or "laboratory" for what works and how to make it work. Data support testing and research on multiple levels: comparative effectiveness research for populations, evaluating care delivery processes at the care center level, and N-of-1 trials and other methods to select the best treatment of individual patient circumstances. Methods to reduce transactional costs to participate include a Federated IRB Model in which centers rely on a protocol approved at 1 central institutional review board and a "commons framework" for organizational copyright and intellectual property concerns. A fully realized C3N represents a discontinuous leap to a self-developing learning health system capable of producing a qualitatively different approach to improving health.
Investigation of the Multiple Method Adaptive Control (MMAC) method for flight control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Athans, M.; Baram, Y.; Castanon, D.; Dunn, K. P.; Green, C. S.; Lee, W. H.; Sandell, N. R., Jr.; Willsky, A. S.

1979-01-01

The stochastic adaptive control of the NASA F-8C digital-fly-by-wire aircraft using the multiple model adaptive control (MMAC) method is presented. The selection of the performance criteria for the lateral and the longitudinal dynamics, the design of the Kalman filters for different operating conditions, the identification algorithm associated with the MMAC method, the control system design, and simulation results obtained using the real time simulator of the F-8 aircraft at the NASA Langley Research Center are discussed.
Commercial Implementation of Ultrasonic Velocity Imaging Methods via Cooperative Agreement Between NASA Lewis Research Center and Sonix, Inc.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, Don J.; Hendricks, J. Lynne; Whalen, Mike F.; Bodis, James R.; Martin, Katherine

1996-01-01

This article describes the commercial implementation of ultrasonic velocity imaging methods developed and refined at NASA Lewis Research Center on the Sonix c-scan inspection system. Two velocity imaging methods were implemented: thickness-based and non-thickness-based reflector plate methods. The article demonstrates capabilities of the commercial implementation and gives the detailed operating procedures required for Sonix customers to achieve optimum velocity imaging results. This commercial implementation of velocity imaging provides a 100x speed increase in scanning and processing over the lab-based methods developed at LeRC. The significance of this cooperative effort is that the aerospace and other materials development-intensive industries which use extensive ultrasonic inspection for process control and failure analysis will now have an alternative, highly accurate imaging method commercially available.
Icing Cloud Calibration of the NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ide, Robert F.; Oldenburg, John R.

2001-01-01

The icing research tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center underwent a major rehabilitation in 1999, necessitating recalibration of the icing clouds. This report describes the methods used in the recalibration, including the procedure used to establish a uniform icing cloud and the use of a standard icing blade technique for measurement of liquid water content. The instruments and methods used to perform the droplet size calibration are also described. The liquid water content/droplet size operating envelopes of the icing tunnel are shown for a range of airspeeds and compared to the FAA icing certification criteria. The capabilities of the IRT to produce large droplet icing clouds is also detailed.
Numerical time evolution of ETH spin chains by means of matrix product density operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Christopher; Zaletel, Michael; Mong, Roger; Refael, Gil

We introduce a method for approximating density operators of 1D systems that, when combined with a standard framework for time evolution (TEBD), makes possible simulation of the dynamics of strongly thermalizing systems to arbitrary times. We demonstrate that the method works on both near-equilibrium initial states (Gibbs states with spatially varying temperatures) and far-from-equilibrium initial states, including quenches across phase transitions and pure states. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE \\x901144469 and by the Caltech IQIM, an NSF Physics Frontiers Center with support of the Gordon and Betty Moore.

Discussion on a Potential DJ Basin Pneumatic Controller ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

ORD NRMRL and Region 8 collaborators are conducting emission measurements and method development studies on pneumatic controllers (PCs) in the Uintah Basin, Utah (and potentially in Colorado), in cooperation with Oil and Natural gas (ONG) operators. ONG operations use PCs for production process control and safety functions. PCs emit gas to the atmosphere as they operate and sometimes they malfunction and emit more than they are supposed to. Because of the very large number of PCs in use, these devices contribute significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. There is considerable uncertainty in levels of real-world PC emissions and measurement methods for PCs are somewhat underdeveloped. In collaboration with EPA R8, the State of Colorado, (and industry participants in Step 2), ORD NRMRL is evaluating a potential follow-on research effort to the Uinta Basin Pneumatic Controller (PC) Study. The Uinta PC Study is described in a recent APPCD Research Highlight (attached )with results summarized in “Assessment of Uinta Basin Oil and Natural Gas Well Pad Pneumatic Controller Emissions”, E. Thoma et al., Journal of Environmental Protection, 8, 394-415, (2017). doi: 10.4236/jep.2017.84029; at (http://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=75669). This RAP research was funded by an EPA R8 RARE and ACE Task EM 1.2 (next gen. emissions measurements). For both technical and programmatic reasons, we seek to
Coal liquefaction process solvent characterization and evaluation: Progress report, 1 April--30 June 1986

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

Winschel, R. A.; Robbins, G. A.; Burke, F. P.

1986-11-01

Conoco Coal Research Division is characterizing samples of direct coal liquefaction process oils based on a variety of analytical techniques to provide a detailed description of the chemical composition of the oils to more fully understand the interrelationship of process oil composition and process operations, to aid in plant operation, and to lead to process improvements. The approach taken is to obtain analyses of a large number of well-defined process oils taken during periods of known operating conditions and known process performance. A set of thirty-one process oils from the Hydrocarbon Research, Inc. (HRI) Catalytic Two-Stage Liquefaction (CTSL) bench unitmore » was analyzed to provide information on process performance. The Fourier-Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic method for the determination of phenolics in cola liquids was further verified. A set of four tetahydrofuran-soluble products from Purdue Research Foundation's reactions of coal/potassium/crown ether, analyzed by GC/MS and FTIR, were found to consist primarily of paraffins (excluding contaminants). Characterization data (elemental analyses, /sup 1/H-NMR and phenolic concentrations) were obtained on a set of twenty-seven two-stage liquefaction oils. Two activities were begun but not completed. First, analyses were started on oils from Wilsonville Run 250 (close- coupled ITSL). Also, a carbon isotopic method is being examined for utility in determining the relative proportion of coal and petroleum products in coprocessing oils.« less
Guidelines for Implementation of an Advanced Outage Control Center to Improve Outage Coordination, Problem Resolution, and Outage Risk Management

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

St. Germain, Shawn W.; Farris, Ronald K.; Whaley, April M.

This research effort is a part of the Light-Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program, which is a research and development (R&D) program sponsored by Department of Energy (DOE) and performed in close collaboration with industry R&D programs that provide the technical foundations for licensing and managing the long-term, safe, and economical operation of current nuclear power plants. The LWRS program serves to help the U.S. nuclear industry adopt new technologies and engineering solutions that facilitate the continued safe operation of the plants and extension of the current operating licenses. The purpose of this research is to improve management of nuclear powermore » plant (NPP) outages through the development of an advanced outage control center (AOCC) that is specifically designed to maximize the usefulness of communication and collaboration technologies for outage coordination and problem resolution activities. This technical report for industry implementation outlines methods and considerations for the establishment of an AOCC. This report provides a process for implementation of a change management plan, evaluation of current outage processes, the selection of technology, and guidance for the implementation of the selected technology. Methods are presented for both adoption of technologies within an existing OCC and for a complete OCC replacement, including human factors considerations for OCC design and setup.« less
DEVELOPMENT OF MOLECULAR METHODS TO DETECT ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

A large number of human enteric viruses are known to cause gastrointestinal illness and waterborne outbreaks. Many of these are emerging viruses that do not grow or grow poorly in cell culture and so molecular detectoin methods based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are being developed. Current studies focus on detecting two virus groups, the caliciviruses and the hepatitis E virus strains, both of which have been found to cause significant outbraks via contaminated drinking water. Once developed, these methods will be used to collect occurrence data for risk assessment studies. Develop sensitive techniques to detect and identify emerging human waterborne pathogenic viruses and viruses on the CCL.Determine effectiveness of viral indicators to measure microbial quality in water matrices.Support activities: (a) culture and distribution of mammalian cells for Agency and scientific community research needs, (b) provide operator expertise for research requiring confocal and electron microscopy, (c) glassware cleaning, sterilization and biological waste disposal for the Cincinnati EPA facility, (d) operation of infectious pathogenic suite, (e) maintenance of walk-in constant temperature rooms and (f) provide Giardia cysts.
Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-01-10

because of its potential relevance to biological weapons of mass destruction. Whether the current method of only using classification to limit the...terrorist groups in developing weapons of mass destruction. In 2000, researchers at the Co-operative Research Centre for the Biological Control of Pest...development of chemical, biological , or nuclear weapons is not made accessible to terrorists or countries of proliferation concern. The resolution
Operational forest management planning methods: proceedings, meeting of steering systems project group, International Union of Forestry Research Organizations, Bucharest, Romania, June 18-24, 1978

Treesearch

Daniel Navon

1978-01-01

These 14 papers were submitted to a conference of Project Group P4.07 Division IV, International Union of Forestry Research Organizations. Topics discussed included the uses of simulations, analytical techniques, and mathematical programming techniques in land management planning, reforestation programs, intensive forestry, timber management and production, tree growth...
Work Organisation and Qualifications in the Retail Sector. The Case of Micro-Enterprise. Synthesis Report. CEDEFOP Document.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kruse, Wilfried; van den Tillaart, Harry; van den Berg, Sjaak; King, Richard

Using the case study method, research was synthesized on micro-enterprises in Europe and the effects of changes in work organizations on employee qualifications and vice versa. The research focused on retail operations employing 10 or fewer staff. Five case studies were conducted in each of four member states of the European Union--Greece,…
Supporting 13 years of global change research: the history, technology, and methods of the Aspen FACE Experiment

Treesearch

Mark E. Kubiske; Anita R. Foss; Andrew J. Burton; Wendy S. Jones; Keith F. Lewin; John Nagy; Kurt S. Pregitzer; Donald R. Zak; David F. Karnosky

2015-01-01

This publication is an additional source of metadata for data stored and publicly available in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Research Data Archive. Here, we document the development, design, management, and operation of the experiment. In 1998, a team of scientists from the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Energy (DOE), Michigan Technological...
Applying knowledge-anchored hypothesis discovery methods to advance clinical and translational research: the OAMiner project

PubMed Central

Jackson, Rebecca D; Best, Thomas M; Borlawsky, Tara B; Lai, Albert M; James, Stephen; Gurcan, Metin N

2012-01-01

The conduct of clinical and translational research regularly involves the use of a variety of heterogeneous and large-scale data resources. Scalable methods for the integrative analysis of such resources, particularly when attempting to leverage computable domain knowledge in order to generate actionable hypotheses in a high-throughput manner, remain an open area of research. In this report, we describe both a generalizable design pattern for such integrative knowledge-anchored hypothesis discovery operations and our experience in applying that design pattern in the experimental context of a set of driving research questions related to the publicly available Osteoarthritis Initiative data repository. We believe that this ‘test bed’ project and the lessons learned during its execution are both generalizable and representative of common clinical and translational research paradigms. PMID:22647689
A Greenhouse-Gas Information System: Monitoring and Validating Emissions Reporting and Mitigation

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

Jonietz, Karl K.; Dimotakis, Paul E.; Rotman, Douglas A.

2011-09-26

This study and report focus on attributes of a greenhouse-gas information system (GHGIS) needed to support MRV&V needs. These needs set the function of such a system apart from scientific/research monitoring of GHGs and carbon-cycle systems, and include (not exclusively): the need for a GHGIS that is operational, as required for decision-support; the need for a system that meets specifications derived from imposed requirements; the need for rigorous calibration, verification, and validation (CV&V) standards, processes, and records for all measurement and modeling/data-inversion data; the need to develop and adopt an uncertainty-quantification (UQ) regimen for all measurement and modeling data; andmore » the requirement that GHGIS products can be subjected to third-party questioning and scientific scrutiny. This report examines and assesses presently available capabilities that could contribute to a future GHGIS. These capabilities include sensors and measurement technologies; data analysis and data uncertainty quantification (UQ) practices and methods; and model-based data-inversion practices, methods, and their associated UQ. The report further examines the need for traceable calibration, verification, and validation processes and attached metadata; differences between present science-/research-oriented needs and those that would be required for an operational GHGIS; the development, operation, and maintenance of a GHGIS missions-operations center (GMOC); and the complex systems engineering and integration that would be required to develop, operate, and evolve a future GHGIS.« less
Research and Development of Target Recognition and Location Crawling Platform based on Binocular Vision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Weidong; Lei, Zhu; Yuan, Zhang; Gao, Zhenqing

2018-03-01

The application of visual recognition technology in industrial robot crawling and placing operation is one of the key tasks in the field of robot research. In order to improve the efficiency and intelligence of the material sorting in the production line, especially to realize the sorting of the scattered items, the robot target recognition and positioning crawling platform based on binocular vision is researched and developed. The images were collected by binocular camera, and the images were pretreated. Harris operator was used to identify the corners of the images. The Canny operator was used to identify the images. Hough-chain code recognition was used to identify the images. The target image in the image, obtain the coordinates of each vertex of the image, calculate the spatial position and posture of the target item, and determine the information needed to capture the movement and transmit it to the robot control crawling operation. Finally, In this paper, we use this method to experiment the wrapping problem in the express sorting process The experimental results show that the platform can effectively solve the problem of sorting of loose parts, so as to achieve the purpose of efficient and intelligent sorting.
Program for fundamental and applied research of fuel cells in VNIIEF

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

Anisin, A.V.; Borisseonock, V.A.; Novitskii, Y.Z.

1996-04-01

According to VNIIEF the integral part of development of fuel cell power plants is fundamental and applied research. This paper describes areas of research on molten carbonate fuel cells. Topics include the development of mathematical models for porous electrodes, thin film electrolytes, the possibility of solid nickel anodes, model of activation polarization of anode, electrolyte with high solubility of oxygen. Other areas include research on a stationary mode of stack operation, anticorrosion coatings, impedance diagnostic methods, ultrasound diagnostics, radiation treatments, an air aluminium cell, and alternative catalysts for low temperature fuel cells.
Which Kind of Provider’s Operation Volumes Matters? Associations between CABG Surgical Site Infection Risk and Hospital and Surgeon Operation Volumes among Medical Centers in Taiwan

PubMed Central

Yu, Tsung-Hsien; Tung, Yu-Chi; Chung, Kuo-Piao

2015-01-01

Background Volume-infection relationships have been examined for high-risk surgical procedures, but the conclusions remain controversial. The inconsistency might be due to inaccurate identification of cases of infection and different methods of categorizing service volumes. This study takes coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgical site infections (SSIs) as an example to examine whether a relationship exists between operation volumes and SSIs, when different SSIs case identification, definitions and categorization methods of operation volumes were implemented. Methods A population-based cross-sectional multilevel study was conducted. A total of 7,007 patients who received CABG surgery between 2006 and 2008 from19 medical centers in Taiwan were recruited. SSIs associated with CABG surgery were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9 CM) codes and a Classification and Regression Trees (CART) model. Two definitions of surgeon and hospital operation volumes were used: (1) the cumulative CABG operation volumes within the study period; and (2) the cumulative CABG operation volumes in the previous one year before each CABG surgery. Operation volumes were further treated in three different ways: (1) a continuous variable; (2) a categorical variable based on the quartile; and (3) a data-driven categorical variable based on k-means clustering algorithm. Furthermore, subgroup analysis for comorbidities was also conducted. Results This study showed that hospital volumes were not significantly associated with SSIs, no matter which definitions or categorization methods of operation volume, or SSIs case identification approaches were used. On the contrary, the relationships between surgeon’s volumes varied. Most of the models demonstrated that the low-volume surgeons had higher risk than high-volume surgeons. Conclusion Surgeon volumes were more important than hospital volumes in exploring the relationship between CABG operation volumes and SSIs in Taiwan. However, the relationships were not robust. Definitions and categorization methods of operation volume and correct identification of SSIs are important issues for future research. PMID:26053035
A Comprehensive Planning Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Temkin, Sanford

1972-01-01

Combines elements of the problem solving approach inherent in methods of applied economics and operations research and the structural-functional analysis common in social science modeling to develop an approach for economic planning and resource allocation for schools and other public sector organizations. (Author)
Numerical analysis on the cutting and finishing efficiency of MRAFF process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lih, F. L.

2016-03-01

The aim of the present research is to conduct a numerical study of the characteristic of a two-phase magnetorheological fluid with different operation conditions by the finite volume method called SIMPLE with an add-on MHD code.
Sustainable Regeneration of Nanoparticle Enhanced Activated Carbon in Water

EPA Science Inventory

The regeneration and reuse of exhausted granular activated carbon (GAC) is an appropriate method for lowering operational and environmental costs. Advanced oxidation is a promising environmental friendly technique for GAC regeneration. The main objective of this research was to ...
47 CFR 0.466 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... institution of graduate higher education, an institution of professional education and an institution of vocational education, which operates a program or programs of scholarly research. (6) The term non-commercial...-inclusive. Moreover, as methods of news delivery evolve (for example, the adoption of electronic...
47 CFR 0.466 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... institution of graduate higher education, an institution of professional education and an institution of vocational education, which operates a program or programs of scholarly research. (6) The term non-commercial...-inclusive. Moreover, as methods of news delivery evolve (for example, the adoption of electronic...
Operations research for resource planning and -use in radiotherapy: a literature review.

PubMed

Vieira, Bruno; Hans, Erwin W; van Vliet-Vroegindeweij, Corine; van de Kamer, Jeroen; van Harten, Wim

2016-11-25

The delivery of radiotherapy (RT) involves the use of rather expensive resources and multi-disciplinary staff. As the number of cancer patients receiving RT increases, timely delivery becomes increasingly difficult due to the complexities related to, among others, variable patient inflow, complex patient routing, and the joint planning of multiple resources. Operations research (OR) methods have been successfully applied to solve many logistics problems through the development of advanced analytical models for improved decision making. This paper presents the state of the art in the application of OR methods for logistics optimization in RT, at various managerial levels. A literature search was performed in six databases covering several disciplines, from the medical to the technical field. Papers included in the review were published in peer-reviewed journals from 2000 to 2015. Data extraction includes the subject of research, the OR methods used in the study, the extent of implementation according to a six-stage model and the (potential) impact of the results in practice. From the 33 papers included in the review, 18 addressed problems related to patient scheduling (of which 12 focus on scheduling patients on linear accelerators), 8 focus on strategic decision making, 5 on resource capacity planning, and 2 on patient prioritization. Although calculating promising results, none of the papers reported a full implementation of the model with at least a thorough pre-post performance evaluation, indicating that, apart from possible reporting bias, implementation rates of OR models in RT are probably low. The literature on OR applications in RT covers a wide range of approaches from strategic capacity management to operational scheduling levels, and shows that considerable benefits in terms of both waiting times and resource utilization are likely to be achieved. Various fields can be further developed, for instance optimizing the coordination between the available capacity of different imaging devices or developing scheduling models that consider the RT chain of operations as a whole rather than the treatment machines alone.
European In-Situ Snow Measurements: Practices and Purposes.

PubMed

Pirazzini, Roberta; Leppänen, Leena; Picard, Ghislain; Lopez-Moreno, Juan Ignacio; Marty, Christoph; Macelloni, Giovanni; Kontu, Anna; von Lerber, Annakaisa; Tanis, Cemal Melih; Schneebeli, Martin; de Rosnay, Patricia; Arslan, Ali Nadir

2018-06-22

In-situ snow measurements conducted by European institutions for operational, research, and energy business applications were surveyed in the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action ES1404, called "A European network for a harmonised monitoring of snow for the benefit of climate change scenarios, hydrology, and numerical weather prediction". Here we present the results of this survey, which was answered by 125 participants from 99 operational and research institutions, belonging to 38 European countries. The typologies of environments where the snow measurements are performed range from mountain to low elevated plains, including forests, bogs, tundra, urban areas, glaciers, lake ice, and sea ice. Of the respondents, 93% measure snow macrophysical parameters, such as snow presence, snow depth (HS), snow water equivalent (SWE), and snow density. These describe the bulk characteristics of the whole snowpack or of a snow layer, and they are the primary snow properties that are needed for most operational applications (such as hydrological monitoring, avalanche forecast, and weather forecast). In most cases, these measurements are done with manual methods, although for snow presence, HS, and SWE, automatized methods are also applied by some respondents. Parameters characterizing precipitating and suspended snow (such as the height of new snow, precipitation intensity, flux of drifting/blowing snow, and particle size distribution), some of which are crucial for the operational services, are measured by 74% of the respondents. Parameters characterizing the snow microstructural properties (such as the snow grain size and shape, and specific surface area), the snow electromagnetic properties (such as albedo, brightness temperature, and backscatter), and the snow composition (such as impurities and isotopes) are measured by 41%, 26%, and 13% of the respondents, respectively, mostly for research applications. The results of this survey are discussed from the perspective of the need of enhancing the efficiency and coverage of the in-situ observational network applying automatic and cheap measurement methods. Moreover, recommendations for the enhancement and harmonization of the observational network and measurement practices are provided.

Methods and codes for neutronic calculations of the MARIA research reactor.

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

Andrzejewski, K.; Kulikowska, T.; Bretscher, M. M.

2002-02-18

The core of the MARIA high flux multipurpose research reactor is highly heterogeneous. It consists of beryllium blocks arranged in 6 x 8 matrix, tubular fuel assemblies, control rods and irradiation channels. The reflector is also heterogeneous and consists of graphite blocks clad with aluminum. Its structure is perturbed by the experimental beam tubes. This paper presents methods and codes used to calculate the MARIA reactor neutronics characteristics and experience gained thus far at IAE and ANL. At ANL the methods of MARIA calculations were developed in connection with the RERTR program. At IAE the package of programs was developedmore » to help its operator in optimization of fuel utilization.« less
Research on the International Space Station - An Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, Cynthia A.; Robinson, Julie A.; Tate-Brown, Judy M.

2009-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) celebrates ten years of operations in 2008. While the station did not support permanent human crews during the first two years of operations November 1998 to November 2000 it hosted a few early science experiments months before the first international crew took up residence. Since that time and simultaneous with the complicated task of ISS construction and overcoming impacts from the tragic Columbia accident science returns from the ISS have been growing at a steady pace. As of this writing, over 162 experiments have been operated on the ISS, supporting research for hundreds of ground-based investigators from the U.S. and international partners. This report summarizes the experimental results collected to date. Today, NASA's priorities for research aboard the ISS center on understanding human health during long-duration missions, researching effective countermeasures for long-duration crewmembers, and researching and testing new technologies that can be used for future exploration crews and spacecraft. Through the U.S. National Laboratory designation, the ISS is also a platform available to other government agencies. Research on ISS supports new understandings, methods or applications relevant to life on Earth, such as understanding effective protocols to protect against loss of bone density or better methods for producing stronger metal alloys. Experiment results have already been used in applications as diverse as the manufacture of solar cell and insulation materials for new spacecraft and the verification of complex numerical models for behavior of fluids in fuel tanks. A synoptic publication of these results will be forthcoming in 2009. At the 10-year point, the scientific returns from ISS should increase at a rapid pace. During the 2008 calendar year, the laboratory space and research facilities were tripled with the addition of ESA's Columbus and JAXA's Kibo scientific modules joining NASA's Destiny Laboratory. All three laboratories, together with external payload accommodations, support a wide variety of research racks and science and technology experiments. In 2009, the number of crewmembers will increase from three to six, greatly increasing the time available for research. The realization of the international scientific partnership provides new opportunities for scientific collaboration and broadens the research potential on the ISS. Engineers and scientists from around the world are working together to refine their operational relationships and build from their experiences conducting early science to ensure maximum utilization of the expanded capabilities aboard ISS. This paper will summarize science results and accomplishments, and discuss how the early science utilization provides the foundation for continuing research campaigns aboard the ISS that will benefit future exploration programs.
Use of Data Comm by Flight Crew to Conduct Interval Management Operations to Parallel Dependent Runways

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baxley, Brian T.; Hubbs, Clay; Shay, Rick; Karanian, James

2011-01-01

The Interval Management (IM) concept is being developed as a method to maintain or increase high traffic density airport arrival throughput while allowing aircraft to conduct near idle thrust descents. The Interval Management with Spacing to Parallel Dependent Runways (IMSPiDR1) experiment at NASA Langley Research Center used 24 commercial pilots to examine IM procedures to conduct parallel dependent runway arrival operations while maintaining safe but efficient intervals behind the preceding aircraft. The use of IM procedures during these operations requires a lengthy and complex clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to the participating aircraft, thereby making the use of Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) highly desirable as the communication method. The use of CPDLC reduces the need for voice transmissions between controllers and flight crew, and enables automated transfer of IM clearance elements into flight management systems or other aircraft avionics. The result is reduced crew workload and an increase in the efficiency of crew procedures. This paper focuses on the subset of data collected related to the use of CPDLC for IM operations into a busy airport. Overall, the experiment and results were very successful, with the mean time under 43 seconds for the flight crew to load the clearance into the IM spacing tool, review the calculated speed, and respond to ATC. An overall mean rating of Moderately Agree was given when the crews were asked if the use of CPDLC was operationally acceptable as simulated in this experiment. Approximately half of the flight crew reported the use of CPDLC below 10,000 for IM operations was unacceptable, with 83% reporting below 5000 was unacceptable. Also described are proposed modifications to the IM operations that may reduce CPDLC Respond time to less than 30 seconds and should significantly reduce the complexity of crew procedures, as well as follow-on research issues for operational use of CPDLC during IM operations.
Images as tools. On visual epistemic practices in the biological sciences.

PubMed

Samuel, Nina

2013-06-01

Contemporary visual epistemic practices in the biological sciences raise new questions of how to transform an iconic data measurements into images, and how the process of an imaging technique may change the material it is 'depicting'. This case-oriented study investigates microscopic imagery, which is used by system and synthetic biologists alike. The core argument is developed around the analysis of two recent methods, developed between 2003 and 2006: localization microscopy and photo-induced cell death. Far from functioning merely as illustrations of work done by other means, images can be determined as tools for discovery in their own right and as objects of investigation. Both methods deploy different constellations of intended and unintended interactions between visual appearance and underlying biological materiality. To characterize these new ways of interaction, the article introduces the notions of 'operational images' and 'operational agency'. Despite all their novelty, operational images are still subject to conventions of seeing and depicting: Phenomena emerging with the new method of localization microscopy have to be designed according to image traditions of older, conventional fluorescence microscopy to function properly as devices for communication between physicists and biologists. The article emerged from a laboratory study based on interviews conducted with researchers from the Kirchhoff-Institute for Physics and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) at Bioquant, Heidelberg, in 2011. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Center index method-an alternative for wear measurements with radiostereometry (RSA).

PubMed

Dahl, Jon; Figved, Wender; Snorrason, Finnur; Nordsletten, Lars; Röhrl, Stephan M

2013-03-01

Radiostereometry (RSA) is considered to be the most precise and accurate method for wear-measurements in total hip replacement. Post-operative stereoradiographs has so far been necessary for wear measurement. Hence, the use of RSA has been limited to studies planned for RSA measurements. We compared a new RSA method for wear measurements that does not require previous radiographs with conventional RSA. Instead of comparing present stereoradiographs with post-operative ones, we developed a method for calculating the post-operative position of the center of the femoral head on the present examination and using this as the index measurement. We compared this alternative method to conventional RSA in 27 hips in an ongoing RSA study. We found a high degree of agreement between the methods for both mean proximal (1.19 mm vs. 1.14 mm) and mean 3D wear (1.52 mm vs. 1.44 mm) after 10 years. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were 0.958 and 0.955, respectively (p<0.001 for both ICCs). The results were also within the limits of agreement when plotted subject-by-subject in a Bland-Altman plot. Our alternative method for wear measurements with RSA offers comparable results to conventional RSA measurements. It allows precise wear measurements without previous radiological examinations. Copyright © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society.
A Reserve-based Method for Mitigating the Impact of Renewable Energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krad, Ibrahim

The fundamental operating paradigm of today's power systems is undergoing a significant shift. This is partially motivated by the increased desire for incorporating variable renewable energy resources into generation portfolios. While these generating technologies offer clean energy at zero marginal cost, i.e. no fuel costs, they also offer unique operating challenges for system operators. Perhaps the biggest operating challenge these resources introduce is accommodating their intermittent fuel source availability. For this reason, these generators increase the system-wide variability and uncertainty. As a result, system operators are revisiting traditional operating strategies to more efficiently incorporate these generation resources to maximize the benefit they provide while minimizing the challenges they introduce. One way system operators have accounted for system variability and uncertainty is through the use of operating reserves. Operating reserves can be simplified as excess capacity kept online during real time operations to help accommodate unforeseen fluctuations in demand. With new generation resources, a new class of operating reserves has emerged that is generally known as flexibility, or ramping, reserves. This new reserve class is meant to better position systems to mitigate severe ramping in the net load profile. The best way to define this new requirement is still under investigation. Typical requirement definitions focus on the additional uncertainty introduced by variable generation and there is room for improvement regarding explicit consideration for the variability they introduce. An exogenous reserve modification method is introduced in this report that can improve system reliability with minimal impacts on total system wide production costs. Another potential solution to this problem is to formulate the problem as a stochastic programming problem. The unit commitment and economic dispatch problems are typically formulated as deterministic problems due to fast solution times and the solutions being sufficient for operations. Improvements in technical computing hardware have reignited interest in stochastic modeling. The variability of wind and solar naturally lends itself to stochastic modeling. The use of explicit reserve requirements in stochastic models is an area of interest for power system researchers. This report introduces a new reserve modification implementation based on previous results to be used in a stochastic modeling framework. With technological improvements in distributed generation technologies, microgrids are currently being researched and implemented. Microgrids are small power systems that have the ability to serve their demand with their own generation resources and may have a connection to a larger power system. As battery technologies improve, they are becoming a more viable option in these distributed power systems and research is necessary to determine the most efficient way to utilize them. This report will investigate several unique operating strategies for batteries in small power systems and analyze their benefits. These new operating strategies will help reduce operating costs and improve system reliability.
Qualitative Methods to Advance Care, Diagnosis, and Therapy in Rheumatic Diseases.

PubMed

Saketkoo, Lesley Ann; Pauling, John D

2018-05-01

This article provides an overview of the basis, usefulness, and validity of qualitative methods in research. It is aimed to enhance the understanding of a broad spectrum of readers, ranging from those mystified by such approaches, to those wanting a better critical knowledge to apply to literature review, and for health care providers considering developing an interest in the field. Qualitative research is crucial in augmentation of disease knowledge as well as the development of incremental care strategies and operational aspects of care that improves health outcomes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Computer Drawing Method for Operating Characteristic Curve of PV Power Plant Array Unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Jianbin

2018-02-01

According to the engineering design of large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic power stations and the research and development of many simulation and analysis systems, it is necessary to draw a good computer graphics of the operating characteristic curves of photovoltaic array elements and to propose a good segmentation non-linear interpolation algorithm. In the calculation method, Component performance parameters as the main design basis, the computer can get 5 PV module performances. At the same time, combined with the PV array series and parallel connection, the computer drawing of the performance curve of the PV array unit can be realized. At the same time, the specific data onto the module of PV development software can be calculated, and the good operation of PV array unit can be improved on practical application.
Analysis of self-oscillating dc-to-dc converters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burger, P.

1974-01-01

The basic operational characteristics of dc-to-dc converters are analyzed along with the basic physical characteristics of power converters. A simple class of dc-to-dc power converters are chosen which could satisfy any set of operating requirements, and three different controlling methods in this class are described in detail. Necessary conditions for the stability of these converters are measured through analog computer simulation whose curves are related to other operational characteristics, such as ripple and regulation. Further research is suggested for the solution of absolute stability and efficient physical design of this class of power converters.
Co-Operative Advances in Behavioral Health and Performance Research and Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanderArk, Stephen T.; Leveton, Lauren B.

2011-01-01

In organizations that engage in both operations and applied research, with operational needs guiding research questions and research informing improved operations, the ideal goal is a synergy of ideas and information. In reality, this ideal synergy is often lacking. Real-time operational needs driving day-to-day decisions, lack of communication, lag time in getting research advances plugged into operations can cause both areas to suffer from this gap between operations and research. At Johnson Space Center, the Behavior Health and Performance group (BHP) strives to bridge this gap by following a Human Research Program framework: Expectations of future operational needs identify the knowledge gaps; the gaps in turn guide research leading to a product that is transitioned into operations. Thus, the direction those of us in research take is in direct response to current and future needs of operations. Likewise, those of us in operations actively seek knowledge that is supported by evidence-based research. We make an ongoing effort to communicate across the research and operations gap by working closely with each other and making a conscious effort to keep each other informed. The objective of the proposed panel discussion is to demonstrate through the following presentations the results of a successful collaboration between research and operations and to provide ASMA members with more practical knowledge and strategies for building these bridges to serve our field of practice well. The panel will consist of six presenters from BHP operations, internal BHP research, and external research instigated by BHP who together represent the entire BHP Research Transition to Operations Framework
Theoretical and experimental researches on the operating costs of a wastewater treatment plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panaitescu, M.; Panaitescu, F.-V.; Anton, I.-A.

2015-11-01

Purpose of the work: The total cost of a sewage plants is often determined by the present value method. All of the annual operating costs for each process are converted to the value of today's correspondence and added to the costs of investment for each process, which leads to getting the current net value. The operating costs of the sewage plants are subdivided, in general, in the premises of the investment and operating costs. The latter can be stable (normal operation and maintenance, the establishment of power) or variables (chemical and power sludge treatment and disposal, of effluent charges). For the purpose of evaluating the preliminary costs so that an installation can choose between different alternatives in an incipient phase of a project, can be used cost functions. In this paper will be calculated the operational cost to make several scenarios in order to optimize its. Total operational cost (fixed and variable) is dependent global parameters of wastewater treatment plant. Research and methodology: The wastewater treatment plant costs are subdivided in investment and operating costs. We can use different cost functions to estimate fixed and variable operating costs. In this study we have used the statistical formulas for cost functions. The method which was applied to study the impact of the influent characteristics on the costs is economic analysis. Optimization of plant design consist in firstly, to assess the ability of the smallest design to treat the maximum loading rates to a given effluent quality and, secondly, to compare the cost of the two alternatives for average and maximum loading rates. Results: In this paper we obtained the statistical values for the investment cost functions, operational fixed costs and operational variable costs for wastewater treatment plant and its graphical representations. All costs were compared to the net values. Finally we observe that it is more economical to build a larger plant, especially if maximum loading rates are reached. The actual target of operational management is to directly implement the presented cost functions in a software tool, in which the design of a plant and the simulation of its behaviour are evaluated simultaneously.
Dynamic analysis and numerical experiments for balancing of the continuous single-disc and single-span rotor-bearing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Aiming; Cheng, Xiaohan; Meng, Guoying; Xia, Yun; Wo, Lei; Wang, Ziyi

2017-03-01

Identification of rotor unbalance is critical for normal operation of rotating machinery. The single-disc and single-span rotor, as the most fundamental rotor-bearing system, has attracted research attention over a long time. In this paper, the continuous single-disc and single-span rotor is modeled as a homogeneous and elastic Euler-Bernoulli beam, and the forces applied by bearings and disc on the shaft are considered as point forces. A fourth-order non-homogeneous partial differential equation set with homogeneous boundary condition is solved for analytical solution, which expresses the unbalance response as a function of position, rotor unbalance and the stiffness and damping coefficients of bearings. Based on this analytical method, a novel Measurement Point Vector Method (MPVM) is proposed to identify rotor unbalance while operating. Only a measured unbalance response registered for four selected cross-sections of the rotor-shaft under steady-state operating conditions is needed when using the method. Numerical simulation shows that the detection error of the proposed method is very small when measurement error is negligible. The proposed method provides an efficient way for rotor balancing without test runs and external excitations.
Analysis for Non-Traditional Security Challenges: Methods and Tools

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-20

PMESII Modeling Challenges modeling or where data is not available to support the model, would aid decision Domain is large, nebulous, complex, and...traditional challenges . This includes enlisting the aid of the inter-agency and alliance/coalition communities. Second, we need to realize this...20 November 2006 MILITARY OPERATIONS RESEARCH SOCIETY MIFh MORS Workshop Analysis for Non-Traditional Security Challenges : Methods and Tools 21-23
Development of new structural health monitoring techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fekrmandi, Hadi

During the past two decades, many researchers have developed methods for the detection of structural defects at the early stages to operate the aerospace vehicles safely and to reduce the operating costs. The Surface Response to Excitation (SuRE) method is one of these approaches developed at FIU to reduce the cost and size of the equipment. The SuRE method excites the surface at a series of frequencies and monitors the propagation characteristics of the generated waves. The amplitude of the waves reaching to any point on the surface varies with frequency; however, it remains consistent as long as the integrity and strain distribution on the part is consistent. These spectral characteristics change when cracks develop or the strain distribution changes. The SHM methods may be used for many applications, from the detection of loose screws to the monitoring of manufacturing operations. A scanning laser vibrometer was used in this study to investigate the characteristics of the spectral changes at different points on the parts. The study started with detecting a load on a plate and estimating its location. The modifications on the part with manufacturing operations were detected and the Part-Based Manufacturing Process Performance Monitoring (PbPPM) method was developed. Hardware was prepared to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed methods in real time. Using low-cost piezoelectric elements and the non-contact scanning laser vibrometer successfully, the data was collected for the SuRE and PbPPM methods. Locational force, loose bolts and material loss could be easily detected by comparing the spectral characteristics of the arriving waves. On-line methods used fast computational methods for estimating the spectrum and detecting the changing operational conditions from sum of the squares of the variations. Neural networks classified the spectrums when the desktop -- DSP combination was used. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the SuRE and PbPPM methods.
Guidelines for Good Epidemiology Practices for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiologic Research. The Chemical Manufacturers Association's Epidemiology Task Group.

PubMed

1991-12-01

The Guidelines for Good Epidemiology Practices (GEPs) for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiologic Research address the conduct of studies generally undertaken to answer questions about human health in relationship to the work place or the environment. The GEPs propose minimum practices and procedures that should be considered to help ensure the quality and integrity of data used in epidemiologic research and to provide adequate documentation of the research methods. The GEPs address the process of conducting individual epidemiologic studies and do not prescribe specific research methods. The Guidelines for Good Epidemiology Practices propose minimum practices and procedures in the following areas: I. Organization and Personnel II. Facilities, Resource Commitment, and Contractors III. Protocol IV. Review and Approval V. Study Conduct VI. Communication VII. Archiving VIII. Quality Assurance Although the Guidelines for Good Epidemiology Practices will not guarantee good epidemiology, they do provide a useful framework for ensuring that all research issues are adequately addressed. This framework is proposed as a first step in improving epidemiologic research practices through adherence to sound scientific research principles. Appendices provide an overview of standard operating procedures, a glossary of terms used in the Guidelines, and suggested references on occupational epidemiology methods.
Application of Nonlinear Systems Inverses to Automatic Flight Control Design: System Concepts and Flight Evaluations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, G.; Cicolani, L.

1981-01-01

A practical method for the design of automatic flight control systems for aircraft with complex characteristics and operational requirements, such as the powered lift STOL and V/STOL configurations, is presented. The method is effective for a large class of dynamic systems requiring multi-axis control which have highly coupled nonlinearities, redundant controls, and complex multidimensional operational envelopes. It exploits the concept of inverse dynamic systems, and an algorithm for the construction of inverse is given. A hierarchic structure for the total control logic with inverses is presented. The method is illustrated with an application to the Augmentor Wing Jet STOL Research Aircraft equipped with a digital flight control system. Results of flight evaluation of the control concept on this aircraft are presented.
Design and Realization of Controllable Ultrasonic Fault Detector Automatic Verification System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jing-Feng; Liu, Hui-Ying; Guo, Hui-Juan; Shu, Rong; Wei, Kai-Li

The ultrasonic flaw detection equipment with remote control interface is researched and the automatic verification system is developed. According to use extensible markup language, the building of agreement instruction set and data analysis method database in the system software realizes the controllable designing and solves the diversification of unreleased device interfaces and agreements. By using the signal generator and a fixed attenuator cascading together, a dynamic error compensation method is proposed, completes what the fixed attenuator does in traditional verification and improves the accuracy of verification results. The automatic verification system operating results confirms that the feasibility of the system hardware and software architecture design and the correctness of the analysis method, while changes the status of traditional verification process cumbersome operations, and reduces labor intensity test personnel.
Development of an Omnidirectional-Capable Electromagnetic Shock Wave Generator for Lipolysis

PubMed Central

Lin, San Yih

2017-01-01

Traditional methods for adipose tissue removal have progressed from invasive methods such as liposuction to more modern methods of noninvasive lipolysis. This research entails the development and evaluation of an omnidirectional-capable flat-coil electromagnetic shock wave generator (EMSWG) for lipolysis. The developed EMSWG has the advantage of omnidirectional-capable operation. This capability increases the eventual clinical usability by adding three designed supports to the aluminum disk of the EMSWG to allow omnidirectional operation. The focal pressures of the developed EMSWG for different operating voltages were measured, and its corresponding energy intensities were calculated. The developed EMSWG was mounted in a downward orientation for lipolysis and evaluated as proof of concept. In vitro tests on porcine fatty tissues have been carried out. It is found that at a 6 kV operating voltage with 1500 shock wave exposures, a 2 cm thick subcutaneous hypodermis of porcine fatty tissue can be ruptured, resulting in a damaged area of 1.39 mm2. At a 6.5 kV operating voltage with 2000 shock wave exposures, the damaged area is increased to about 5.20 mm2, which can be enlarged by changing the focal point location, resulting in significant lipolysis for use in clinical applications. PMID:29065664
Surface-to-surface biofilm transfer: a quick and reliable startup strategy for mixed culture microbial fuel cells.

PubMed

Vogl, Andreas; Bischof, Franz; Wichern, Marc

2016-01-01

The startup of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is known to be prone to failure or result in erratic performance impeding the research. The aim of this study was to advise a quick launch strategy for laboratory-scale MFCs that ensures steady operation performance in a short period of time. Different startup strategies were investigated and compared with membraneless single chamber MFCs. A direct surface-to-surface biofilm transfer (BFT) in an operating MFC proved to be the most efficient method. It provided steady power densities of 163 ± 13 mWm(-2) 4 days after inoculation compared to 58 ± 15 mWm(-2) after 30 days following a conventional inoculation approach. The in situ BFT eliminates the need for microbial acclimation during startup and reduces performance fluctuations caused by shifts in microbial biodiversity. Anaerobic pretreatment of the substrate and addition of suspended enzymes from an operating MFC into the new MFC proved to have a beneficial effect on startup and subsequent operation. Polarization methods were applied to characterize the startup phase and the steady state operation in terms of power densities, internal resistance and power overshoot during biofilm maturation. Applying this method a well-working MFC can be multiplied into an array of identically performing MFCs.
Development of an Omnidirectional-Capable Electromagnetic Shock Wave Generator for Lipolysis.

PubMed

Chang, Ming Hau; Lin, San Yih

2017-01-01

Traditional methods for adipose tissue removal have progressed from invasive methods such as liposuction to more modern methods of noninvasive lipolysis. This research entails the development and evaluation of an omnidirectional-capable flat-coil electromagnetic shock wave generator (EMSWG) for lipolysis. The developed EMSWG has the advantage of omnidirectional-capable operation. This capability increases the eventual clinical usability by adding three designed supports to the aluminum disk of the EMSWG to allow omnidirectional operation. The focal pressures of the developed EMSWG for different operating voltages were measured, and its corresponding energy intensities were calculated. The developed EMSWG was mounted in a downward orientation for lipolysis and evaluated as proof of concept. In vitro tests on porcine fatty tissues have been carried out. It is found that at a 6 kV operating voltage with 1500 shock wave exposures, a 2 cm thick subcutaneous hypodermis of porcine fatty tissue can be ruptured, resulting in a damaged area of 1.39 mm 2 . At a 6.5 kV operating voltage with 2000 shock wave exposures, the damaged area is increased to about 5.20 mm 2 , which can be enlarged by changing the focal point location, resulting in significant lipolysis for use in clinical applications.

Research on the Application of Risk-based Inspection for the Boiler System in Power Plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Henan

2017-12-01

Power plant boiler is one of the three main equipment of coal-fired power plants, is very tall to the requirement of the safe and stable operation, in a significant role in the whole system of thermal power generation, a risk-based inspection is a kind of pursuit of security and economy of unified system management idea and method, can effectively evaluate equipment risk and reduce the operational cost.
Stochastic and Simulation Models of Maritime Intercept Operations Capabilities

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-01

methods of operations research. 2 Furusawa , Tadahiko, “On Territorial Defense – Policing Sea Area...searches a rectangle region AOI with area x yM M ⋅ . The MPA travels the AOI at a speed v . The radar coverage or radar footprint is assumed to be a...Borges, Jose Manuel, “Radar Search and Detection with the CASA 212 S43 Aircraft,” Naval Postgraduate School, (2004) 17 whole AOI is ( ) 2/x yM M f
Solenoid-free plasma start-up in spherical tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raman, R.; Shevchenko, V. F.

2014-10-01

The central solenoid is an intrinsic part of all present-day tokamaks and most spherical tokamaks. The spherical torus (ST) confinement concept is projected to operate at high toroidal beta and at a high fraction of the non-inductive bootstrap current as required for an efficient reactor system. The use of a conventional solenoid in a ST-based fusion nuclear facility is generally believed to not be a possibility. Solenoid-free plasma start-up is therefore an area of extensive worldwide research activity. Solenoid-free plasma start-up is also relevant to steady-state tokamak operation, as the central transformer coil of a conventional aspect ratio tokamak reactor would be located in a high radiation environment but would be needed only during the initial discharge initiation and current ramp-up phases. Solenoid-free operation also provides greater flexibility in the selection of the aspect ratio and simplifies the reactor design. Plasma start-up methods based on induction from external poloidal field coils, helicity injection and radio frequency current drive have all made substantial progress towards meeting this important need for the ST. Some of these systems will now undergo the final stages of test in a new generation of large STs, which are scheduled to begin operations during the next two years. This paper reviews research to date on methods for inducing the initial start-up current in STs without reliance on the conventional central solenoid.
Methods for the Scientific Study of Discrimination and Health: An Ecosocial Approach

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

The scientific study of how discrimination harms health requires theoretically grounded methods. At issue is how discrimination, as one form of societal injustice, becomes embodied inequality and is manifested as health inequities. As clarified by ecosocial theory, methods must address the lived realities of discrimination as an exploitative and oppressive societal phenomenon operating at multiple levels and involving myriad pathways across both the life course and historical generations. An integrated embodied research approach hence must consider (1) the structural level—past and present de jure and de facto discrimination; (2) the individual level—issues of domains, nativity, and use of both explicit and implicit discrimination measures; and (3) how current research methods likely underestimate the impact of racism on health. PMID:22420803
Neural net controller for inlet pressure control of rocket engine testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trevino, Luis C.

1994-01-01

Many dynamic systems operate in select operating regions, each exhibiting characteristic modes of behavior. It is traditional to employ standard adjustable gain proportional-integral-derivative (PID) loops in such systems where no apriori model information is available. However, for controlling inlet pressure for rocket engine testing, problems in fine tuning, disturbance accommodation, and control gains for new profile operating regions (for research and development) are typically encountered. Because of the capability of capturing I/O peculiarities, using NETS, a back propagation trained neural network is specified. For select operating regions, the neural network controller is simulated to be as robust as the PID controller. For a comparative analysis, the higher order moment neural array (HOMNA) method is used to specify a second neural controller by extracting critical exemplars from the I/O data set. Furthermore, using the critical exemplars from the HOMNA method, a third neural controller is developed using NETS back propagation algorithm. All controllers are benchmarked against each other.
A Control Simulation Method of High-Speed Trains on Railway Network with Irregular Influence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Li-Xing; Li, Xiang; Li, Ke-Ping

2011-09-01

Based on the discrete time method, an effective movement control model is designed for a group of highspeed trains on a rail network. The purpose of the model is to investigate the specific traffic characteristics of high-speed trains under the interruption of stochastic irregular events. In the model, the high-speed rail traffic system is supposed to be equipped with the moving-block signalling system to guarantee maximum traversing capacity of the railway. To keep the safety of trains' movements, some operational strategies are proposed to control the movements of trains in the model, including traction operation, braking operation, and entering-station operation. The numerical simulations show that the designed model can well describe the movements of high-speed trains on the rail network. The research results can provide the useful information not only for investigating the propagation features of relevant delays under the irregular disturbance but also for rerouting and rescheduling trains on the rail network.
Dealing with Actors and Compliance in Intervention Operations in a Non-permissive Hybrid Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

Patton, (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (Vol. Third). California, London, New Delhi: Sage publications, Inc. 59 See these themes...non-compliant actors … … the study follows a question based approach with a general research question in the centre of interest:12 Which...1 Version 1.0 December 2009 Study authors: Col Dieter Muhr (AUT) Hon. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Andrea Riemer, Ph.D. (AUT) Objective
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOPHIA) Mirror Coating Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Austin, Ed

The joint US and German project, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), to develop and operate a 2.5 meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP began late last year. Universities Space Research Association (USRA), teamed with Raytheon E-Systems and United Airlines, was selected by NASA to develop and operate SOPHIA. The 2.5 meter telescope will be designed and built by a consortium of German companies. The observatory is expected to operate for over 29 years with the first science flights beginning in 2001. The SOPHIA Observatory will fly at and above 12.5 km, where the telescope will collect radiation in the wavelength range from 0.3 micrometers to a 1.6 millimeters. Universities Space Research Association (USRA) with support from NASA is currently evaluating methods of recoating the primary mirror in preparation for procurement of mirror coating equipment. The decision analysis technique, decision criteria and telescope specifications will be discussed.
Modeling track access charge to enhance railway industry performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berawi, Mohammed Ali; Miraj, Perdana; Berawi, Abdur Rohim Boy; Susantono, Bambang; Leviakangas, Pekka; Radiansyah, Hendra

2017-11-01

Indonesia attempts to improve nation's competitiveness by increasing the quality and the availability of railway network. However, the infrastructure improperly managed by the operator in terms of the technical issue. One of the reasons for this problem is an unbalanced value of infrastructure charge. In 2000's track access charge and infrastructure maintenance and operation for Indonesia railways are equal and despite current formula of the infrastructure charge, issues of transparency and accountability still in question. This research aims to produce an alternative scheme of track access charge by considering marginal cost plus markup (MC+) approach. The research combines qualitative and quantitative method through an in-depth interview and financial analysis. The result will generate alternative formula of infrastructure charge in Indonesia's railway industry. The simulation also conducted to estimate track access charge for the operator and to forecast government support in terms of subsidy. The result is expected to enhance railway industry performance and competitiveness.
Sparse QSAR modelling methods for therapeutic and regenerative medicine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winkler, David A.

2018-02-01

The quantitative structure-activity relationships method was popularized by Hansch and Fujita over 50 years ago. The usefulness of the method for drug design and development has been shown in the intervening years. As it was developed initially to elucidate which molecular properties modulated the relative potency of putative agrochemicals, and at a time when computing resources were scarce, there is much scope for applying modern mathematical methods to improve the QSAR method and to extending the general concept to the discovery and optimization of bioactive molecules and materials more broadly. I describe research over the past two decades where we have rebuilt the unit operations of the QSAR method using improved mathematical techniques, and have applied this valuable platform technology to new important areas of research and industry such as nanoscience, omics technologies, advanced materials, and regenerative medicine. This paper was presented as the 2017 ACS Herman Skolnik lecture.
Management practices associated with stress in cattle on western Canadian cow-calf operations: A mixed methods study.

PubMed

Moggy, M A; Pajor, E A; Thurston, W E; Parker, S; Greter, A M; Schwartzkopf-Genswein, K S; Campbell, J R; Windeyer, M C

2017-04-01

Handling, weaning, and euthanasia are some of the most stressful practices performed on cow-calf operations. Although strategies to minimize stress exist, their use on western Canadian cow-calf operations is unknown. The objectives were to describe current stress-associated practices on western Canadian cow-calf operations, describe producer and operation demographics associated with the use of nonabrupt weaning methods, and explore producer perceptions toward these practices. A questionnaire focusing on stressful management practices was delivered to 109 cow-calf producers in western Canada. Fifteen respondents were purposively selected for individual interviews. The majority of producers reported calves less than 1 wk of age were handled by manual restraint (87%) and those older than 1 wk of age were handled using a cattle squeeze or table. Most producers performed abrupt weaning (70%). Interviewees often mentioned that cost and logistics were major factors in deciding on a weaning strategy. Pasture availability and facilities were viewed as constraints toward the adoption of a nonabrupt weaning method. Animal stress was considered, as producers expressed concern that nonabrupt weaning methods may cause increased stress because of the additional handling required. Producers conveyed that animal age was a major factor that impacted weaning stress and that improved animal performance might motivate them to adopt a nonabrupt weaning strategy. Producers also expressed reluctance to change previously successful traditional approaches. Of respondents, 13% did not euthanize cattle on farm and 8% did not confirm death. Producers interviewed reported that the decision to euthanize cattle on farm was difficult and that veterinary advice was often considered. Factors that influenced their decision to euthanize included the animal's likelihood of recovery and degree of pain and distress. Finally, producers explained that they considered whether the animal was salvageable and able to be transported. Identification of common methods of handling provides focus for future research to determine optimal handling strategies. Identified barriers to nonabrupt weaning may be addressed through research, extension, or policy to encourage the adoption of weaning methods that could improve animal welfare. Confirmation of death after euthanasia was identified as an area that needs to be addressed by producer education to minimize animal stress during on-farm euthanasia.
Analyzing multimodality tomographic images and associated regions of interest with MIDAS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsui, Wai-Hon; Rusinek, Henry; Van Gelder, Peter; Lebedev, Sergey

2001-07-01

This paper outlines the design and features incorporated in a software package for analyzing multi-modality tomographic images. The package MIDAS has been evolving for the past 15 years and is in wide use by researchers at New York University School of Medicine and a number of collaborating research sites. It was written in the C language and runs on Sun workstations and Intel PCs under the Solaris operating system. A unique strength of the MIDAS package lies in its ability to generate, manipulate and analyze a practically unlimited number of regions of interest (ROIs). These regions are automatically saved in an efficient data structure and linked to associated images. A wide selection of set theoretical (e.g. union, xor, difference), geometrical (e.g. move, rotate) and morphological (grow, peel) operators can be applied to an arbitrary selection of ROIs. ROIs are constructed as a result of image segmentation algorithms incorporated in MIDAS; they also can be drawn interactively. These ROI editing operations can be applied in either 2D or 3D mode. ROI statistics generated by MIDAS include means, standard deviations, centroids and histograms. Other image manipulation tools incorporated in MIDAS are multimodality and within modality coregistration methods (including landmark matching, surface fitting and Woods' correlation methods) and image reformatting methods (using nearest-neighbor, tri-linear or sinc interpolation). Applications of MIDAS include: (1) neuroanatomy research: marking anatomical structures in one orientation, reformatting marks to another orientation; (2) tissue volume measurements: brain structures (PET, MRI, CT), lung nodules (low dose CT), breast density (MRI); (3) analysis of functional (SPECT, PET) experiments by overlaying corresponding structural scans; (4) longitudinal studies: regional measurement of atrophy.
Preliminary research on overmoded high-power millimeter-wave Cerenkov generator with dual-cavity reflector in low guiding magnetic field

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

Ye, Hu; Wu, Ping; Science and Technology on High Power Microwave Laboratory, Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710024

2015-12-15

This paper presents preliminary research on a V-band overmoded Cerenkov generator with dual-cavity reflector operating in a low guiding magnetic field. It is found that the fluctuation of the electron envelope in the low guiding magnetic field can be predicted using an equivalent coaxial model of a foilless diode, and a dual-cavity reflector based on the model matching method can provide strong reflection at the front end of the overmoded structures so that any microwave power that leaks into the diode region can be effectively suppressed. Numerical simulations indicate that the control of the beam envelope and the use ofmore » the dual-cavity reflector ease generator operation in the low guiding magnetic field. In the experimental research, the fluctuation of the annular electron beam with the outer radius of 7.5 mm measures approximately 0.7 mm, which is in good agreement with the theoretical results. The disturbance caused by power leaking from the overmoded slow wave structure is eliminated by the dual-cavity reflector. With accurate fabrication and assembly processes, an operating frequency of 61.6 GHz is attained by the fifth harmonic heterodyne method, and the output power is measured to be approximately 123 MW by the far-field measurement method at a diode voltage of 445 kV, a beam current of 4.45 kA, and under a guiding magnetic field of 1.45 T. The output mode is measured using an array of neon flash bulbs, and the pulse shortening phenomenon is both observed and analyzed.« less
Computational Aerodynamic Simulations of a 1484 ft/sec Tip Speed Quiet High-Speed Fan System Model for Acoustic Methods Assessment and Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tweedt, Daniel L.

2014-01-01

Computational Aerodynamic simulations of a 1484 ft/sec tip speed quiet high-speed fan system were performed at five different operating points on the fan operating line, in order to provide detailed internal flow field information for use with fan acoustic prediction methods presently being developed, assessed and validated. The fan system is a sub-scale, low-noise research fan/nacelle model that has undergone experimental testing in the 9- by 15-foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Details of the fan geometry, the computational fluid dynamics methods, the computational grids, and various computational parameters relevant to the numerical simulations are discussed. Flow field results for three of the five operating points simulated are presented in order to provide a representative look at the computed solutions. Each of the five fan aerodynamic simulations involved the entire fan system, which includes a core duct and a bypass duct that merge upstream of the fan system nozzle. As a result, only fan rotational speed and the system bypass ratio, set by means of a translating nozzle plug, were adjusted in order to set the fan operating point, leading to operating points that lie on a fan operating line and making mass flow rate a fully dependent parameter. The resulting mass flow rates are in good agreement with measurement values. Computed blade row flow fields at all fan operating points are, in general, aerodynamically healthy. Rotor blade and fan exit guide vane flow characteristics are good, including incidence and deviation angles, chordwise static pressure distributions, blade surface boundary layers, secondary flow structures, and blade wakes. Examination of the computed flow fields reveals no excessive or critical boundary layer separations or related secondary-flow problems, with the exception of the hub boundary layer at the core duct entrance. At that location a significant flow separation is present. The region of local flow recirculation extends through a mixing plane, however, which for the particular mixing-plane model used is now known to exaggerate the recirculation. In any case, the flow separation has relatively little impact on the computed rotor and FEGV flow fields.
Computational Aerodynamic Simulations of an 840 ft/sec Tip Speed Advanced Ducted Propulsor Fan System Model for Acoustic Methods Assessment and Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tweedt, Daniel L.

2014-01-01

Computational Aerodynamic simulations of an 840 ft/sec tip speed, Advanced Ducted Propulsor fan system were performed at five different operating points on the fan operating line, in order to provide detailed internal flow field information for use with fan acoustic prediction methods presently being developed, assessed and validated. The fan system is a sub-scale, lownoise research fan/nacelle model that has undergone extensive experimental testing in the 9- by 15- foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center, resulting in quality, detailed aerodynamic and acoustic measurement data. Details of the fan geometry, the computational fluid dynamics methods, the computational grids, and various computational parameters relevant to the numerical simulations are discussed. Flow field results for three of the five operating conditions simulated are presented in order to provide a representative look at the computed solutions. Each of the five fan aerodynamic simulations involved the entire fan system, excluding a long core duct section downstream of the core inlet guide vane. As a result, only fan rotational speed and system bypass ratio, set by specifying static pressure downstream of the core inlet guide vane row, were adjusted in order to set the fan operating point, leading to operating points that lie on a fan operating line and making mass flow rate a fully dependent parameter. The resulting mass flow rates are in good agreement with measurement values. The computed blade row flow fields for all five fan operating points are, in general, aerodynamically healthy. Rotor blade and fan exit guide vane flow characteristics are good, including incidence and deviation angles, chordwise static pressure distributions, blade surface boundary layers, secondary flow structures, and blade wakes. Examination of the computed flow fields reveals no excessive boundary layer separations or related secondary-flow problems. A few spanwise comparisons between computational and measurement data in the bypass duct show that they are in good agreement, thus providing a partial validation of the computational results.
Research on offense and defense technology for iOS kernel security mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Sijun; Wu, Hao

2018-04-01

iOS is a strong and widely used mobile device system. It's annual profits make up about 90% of the total profits of all mobile phone brands. Though it is famous for its security, there have been many attacks on the iOS operating system, such as the Trident apt attack in 2016. So it is important to research the iOS security mechanism and understand its weaknesses and put forward targeted protection and security check framework. By studying these attacks and previous jailbreak tools, we can see that an attacker could only run a ROP code and gain kernel read and write permissions based on the ROP after exploiting kernel and user layer vulnerabilities. However, the iOS operating system is still protected by the code signing mechanism, the sandbox mechanism, and the not-writable mechanism of the system's disk area. This is far from the steady, long-lasting control that attackers expect. Before iOS 9, breaking these security mechanisms was usually done by modifying the kernel's important data structures and security mechanism code logic. However, after iOS 9, the kernel integrity protection mechanism was added to the 64-bit operating system and none of the previous methods were adapted to the new versions of iOS [1]. But this does not mean that attackers can not break through. Therefore, based on the analysis of the vulnerability of KPP security mechanism, this paper implements two possible breakthrough methods for kernel security mechanism for iOS9 and iOS10. Meanwhile, we propose a defense method based on kernel integrity detection and sensitive API call detection to defense breakthrough method mentioned above. And we make experiments to prove that this method can prevent and detect attack attempts or invaders effectively and timely.
Feed-pump hydraulic performance and design improvement, Phase I: research program design. Final report

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

Brown, W.H.; Gopalakrishnan, S.; Fehlau, R.

1982-03-01

As a result of prior EPRI-sponsored studies, it was concluded that a research program should be designed and implemented to provide an improved basis for the design, procurement, testing, and operation of large feed pumps with increased reliability and stability over the full range of operating conditions. This two-volume report contains a research plan which is based on a review of the present state of the art and which defines the necessary R and D program and estimates the benefits and costs of the program. The recommended research program consists of 30 interrelated tasks. It is designed to perform themore » needed research; to verify the results; to develop improved components; and to publish computer-aided design methods, pump specification guidelines, and a troubleshooting manual. Most of the technology proposed in the research plan is applicable to nuclear power plants as well as to fossil-fired plants. This volume contains appendixes on pump design, cavitation damage, performance testing, hydraulics, two-phase flow in pumps, flow stability, and rotor dynamics.« less
Advancing the expectancy concept via the interplay between theory and research.

PubMed

Del Boca, Frances K; Darkes, Jack; Goldman, Mark S; Smith, Gregory T

2002-06-01

Four papers from a 2001 Research Society on Alcoholism symposium on expectancy theory and research are summarized. The symposium contributors describe recent advances in expectancy theory and discuss their implications for assessment and for understanding the processes of development and change in the behavioral domain of alcohol use. First, findings are integrated across the diverse domains in which the expectancy concept has been applied. Second, the implications of expectancy theory for the measurement of expectancy structure and process are examined. Third, research and theory regarding alcohol expectancy development and change are presented, with an emphasis on the role of expectancies as mediators of known antecedents of drinking. Finally, an experimental procedure for investigating the causal role of expectancies is described, together with its implications for theory testing and prevention or intervention programming. Collectively, the symposium contributions demonstrate the utility of an integrated expectancy theory for the generation of innovative research operations and new insights regarding behavior development and change. Consistent with the notion of consilience, expectancy theory has demonstrated a convergence of findings across different levels of analysis, as well as across different operations, methods, and research designs.
Operative reports: form and function.

PubMed

Stewart, Lygia; Hunter, John G; Wetter, Alberto; Chin, Brian; Way, Lawrence W

2010-09-01

Little is known about how closely operative reports reflect what was actually performed during an operation, nor has the construction of operative reports been adequately studied with the aims of clarifying the objectives of those reports and improving their efficacy. We hypothesized that if more attention is paid to the objectives of operative reports, their content will more predictably contain the most relevant information, which might channel thinking in beneficial directions during performance of the operation. Multivariate analysis of 250 laparoscopic cholecystectomy operative reports (125 uncomplicated and 125 with bile duct injury). Academic research. University (105 cases) and community (145 cases) hospitals. Variations in content and design of operative reports. Cognitive task analysis of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was conducted, and a model operative report was generated and compared with the actual operative reports. Descriptions of key elements in adequate dissection of the Calot triangle were present in 24.8% and 0.0% of operative reports from uncomplicated and bile duct injury cases, respectively. Thorough dissection of the Calot triangle, identification of the cystic duct-infundibulum junction, and lateral retraction of the infundibulum correlated with uncomplicated cases, while irregular cues (eg, perceived anatomic or other deviations) correlated with bile duct injury cases. Current practice generates operative reports that vary widely in content and too often omit important elements. This research suggests that the construction of operative reports should be constrained such that the reports routinely include the fundamental goals of the operation and what was performed to meet them. Cognitive task analysis is based on the ways the mind controls the performance of tasks; it is an excellent method for determining the extra content needed in operative reports. The resulting designs should also serve as mental guidelines to facilitate learning and to enhance the safety of the operation.
Detecting the position of the moving-iron solenoid by non-displacement sensor based on parameter identification of flux linkage characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xuping; Quan, Long; Xiong, Guangyu

2013-11-01

Currently, most researches use signals, such as the coil current or voltage of solenoid, to identify parameters; typically, parameter identification method based on variation rate of coil current is applied for position estimation. The problem exists in these researches that the detected signals are prone to interference and difficult to obtain. This paper proposes a new method for detecting the core position by using flux characteristic quantity, which adds a new group of secondary winding to the coil of the ordinary switching electromagnet. On the basis of electromagnetic coupling theory analysis and simulation research of the magnetic field regarding the primary and secondary winding coils, and in accordance with the fact that under PWM control mode varying core position and operating current of windings produce different characteristic of flux increment of the secondary winding. The flux increment of the electromagnet winding can be obtained by conducting time domain integration for the induced voltage signal of the extracted secondary winding, and the core position from the two-dimensional fitting curve of the operating winding current and flux-linkage characteristic quantity of solenoid are calculated. The detecting and testing system of solenoid core position is developed based on the theoretical research. The testing results show that the flux characteristic quantity of switching electromagnet magnetic circuit is able to effectively show the core position and thus to accomplish the non-displacement transducer detection of the said core position of the switching electromagnet. This paper proposes a new method for detecting the core position by using flux characteristic quantity, which provides a new theory and method for switch solenoid to control the proportional valve.

A Novel Method of Building Functional Brain Network Using Deep Learning Algorithm with Application in Proficiency Detection.

PubMed

Hua, Chengcheng; Wang, Hong; Wang, Hong; Lu, Shaowen; Liu, Chong; Khalid, Syed Madiha

2018-04-11

Functional brain network (FBN) has become very popular to analyze the interaction between cortical regions in the last decade. But researchers always spend a long time to search the best way to compute FBN for their specific studies. The purpose of this study is to detect the proficiency of operators during their mineral grinding process controlling based on FBN. To save the search time, a novel semi-data-driven method of computing functional brain connection based on stacked autoencoder (BCSAE) is proposed in this paper. This method uses stacked autoencoder (SAE) to encode the multi-channel EEG data into codes and then computes the dissimilarity between the codes from every pair of electrodes to build FBN. The highlight of this method is that the SAE has a multi-layered structure and is semi-supervised, which means it can dig deeper information and generate better features. Then an experiment was performed, the EEG of the operators were collected while they were operating and analyzed to detect their proficiency. The results show that the BCSAE method generated more number of separable features with less redundancy, and the average accuracy of classification (96.18%) is higher than that of the control methods: PLV (92.19%) and PLI (78.39%).
Site remediation techniques in India: a review

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

Anomitra Banerjee; Miller Jothi

India is one of the developing countries operating site remediation techniques for the entire nuclear fuel cycle waste for the last three decades. In this paper we intend to provide an overview of remediation methods currently utilized at various hazardous waste sites in India, their advantages and disadvantages. Over the years the site remediation techniques have been well characterized and different processes for treatment, conditioning and disposal are being practiced. Remediation Methods categorized as biological, chemical or physical are summarized for contaminated soils and environmental waters. This paper covers the site remediation techniques implemented for treatment and conditioning of wastelandsmore » arising from the operation of nuclear power plant, research reactors and fuel reprocessing units. (authors)« less
Growth of ruby crystals by the heat exchanger method, phase 1: NSF small business innovation research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmid, F.; Khattak, C. P.

1980-03-01

Conditions for the growth of large, uniformly doped laser crystals by the heat exchanger method are explored. Determination of the melt point, selection of crucible material and establishment of furnace operating parameters are discussed. The melt point of ruby was found to be 2040 plus or minus 10 C. Molybdenum crucibles can be used to contain ruby in vacuum as well as under argon atmospheres at desired superheat temperatures over extended periods required for crystal growth. Thermodynamic analysis was conducted and vapor pressures of volatile species calculated. Experimentally, volatilization of chromium oxides was suppressed by using welded covers on crucibles and operating under an argon pressure in the furnace.
Application of integrated fluid-thermal-structural analysis methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wieting, Allan R.; Dechaumphai, Pramote; Bey, Kim S.; Thornton, Earl A.; Morgan, Ken

1988-01-01

Hypersonic vehicles operate in a hostile aerothermal environment which has a significant impact on their aerothermostructural performance. Significant coupling occurs between the aerodynamic flow field, structural heat transfer, and structural response creating a multidisciplinary interaction. Interfacing state-of-the-art disciplinary analysis methods is not efficient, hence interdisciplinary analysis methods integrated into a single aerothermostructural analyzer are needed. The NASA Langley Research Center is developing such methods in an analyzer called LIFTS (Langley Integrated Fluid-Thermal-Structural) analyzer. The evolution and status of LIFTS is reviewed and illustrated through applications.
32 CFR 701.42 - Categories of requesters-applicable fees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... education, an institution of undergraduate higher education, an institution of professional education, and an institution of vocational education, which operates a program or programs of scholarly research... not meant to be all-inclusive. Moreover, as traditional methods of news delivery evolve (e.g...
5 CFR 1303.30 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... education, an institution of undergraduate higher education, an institution of professional education, or an institution of vocational education, that operates a program or programs of scholarly research. (i) The term... examples are not intended to be all-inclusive. Moreover, as traditional methods of news delivery evolve (e...
EVALUATION OF TWO CLEANING METHODS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS FIBERS FROM CARPET

EPA Science Inventory

This research study examined the effectiveness of dry vacuuming and wet cleaning for the removal of asbestos fibers from carpet, and evaluated the potential for fiber reentrainment during carpet cleaning activities. outine carpet cleaning operations using high-efficiency particul...
The Uniform Convergence of Eigenfunction Expansions of Schrödinger Operator in the Nikolskii Classes {H}_{p}^{\\alpha }(\\bar{\\Omega })

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jamaludin, N. A.; Ahmedov, A.

2017-09-01

Many boundary value problems in the theory of partial differential equations can be solved by separation methods of partial differential equations. When Schrödinger operator is considered then the influence of the singularity of potential on the solution of the partial differential equation is interest of researchers. In this paper the problems of the uniform convergence of the eigenfunction expansions of the functions from corresponding to the Schrödinger operator with the potential from classes of Sobolev are investigated. The spectral function corresponding to the Schrödinger operator is estimated in closed domain. The isomorphism of the Nikolskii classes is applied to prove uniform convergence of eigenfunction expansions of Schrödinger operator in closed domain.
Operational research as implementation science: definitions, challenges and research priorities.

PubMed

Monks, Thomas

2016-06-06

Operational research (OR) is the discipline of using models, either quantitative or qualitative, to aid decision-making in complex implementation problems. The methods of OR have been used in healthcare since the 1950s in diverse areas such as emergency medicine and the interface between acute and community care; hospital performance; scheduling and management of patient home visits; scheduling of patient appointments; and many other complex implementation problems of an operational or logistical nature. To date, there has been limited debate about the role that operational research should take within implementation science. I detail three such roles for OR all grounded in upfront system thinking: structuring implementation problems, prospective evaluation of improvement interventions, and strategic reconfiguration. Case studies from mental health, emergency medicine, and stroke care are used to illustrate each role. I then describe the challenges for applied OR within implementation science at the organisational, interventional, and disciplinary levels. Two key challenges include the difficulty faced in achieving a position of mutual understanding between implementation scientists and research users and a stark lack of evaluation of OR interventions. To address these challenges, I propose a research agenda to evaluate applied OR through the lens of implementation science, the liberation of OR from the specialist research and consultancy environment, and co-design of models with service users. Operational research is a mature discipline that has developed a significant volume of methodology to improve health services. OR offers implementation scientists the opportunity to do more upfront system thinking before committing resources or taking risks. OR has three roles within implementation science: structuring an implementation problem, prospective evaluation of implementation problems, and a tool for strategic reconfiguration of health services. Challenges facing OR as implementation science include limited evidence and evaluation of impact, limited service user involvement, a lack of managerial awareness, effective communication between research users and OR modellers, and availability of healthcare data. To progress the science, a focus is needed in three key areas: evaluation of OR interventions, embedding the knowledge of OR in health services, and educating OR modellers about the aims and benefits of service user involvement.
Air Force Research Laboratory Spacecraft Cryocooler Endurance Evaluation Facility Closing Report

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armstrong, J.; Martin, K. W.; Fraser, T.

2015-12-01

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Spacecraft Component Thermal Research Group has been devoted to evaluating lifetime performance of space cryocooler technology for over twenty years. Long-life data is essential for confirming design lifetimes for space cryocoolers. Continuous operation in a simulated space environment is the only accepted method to test for degradation. AFRL has provided raw data and detailed evaluations to cryocooler developers for advancing the technology, correcting discovered deficiencies, and improving cryocooler designs. At AFRL, units of varying design and refrigeration cycles were instrumented in state-of-the-art experiment stands to provide spacelike conditions and were equipped with software data acquisition to track critical cryocooler operating parameters. This data allowed an assessment of the technology's ability to meet the desired lifetime and documented any long-term changes in performance. This paper will outline a final report of the various flight cryocoolers tested in our laboratory. The data summarized includes the seven cryocoolers tested during 2014-2015. These seven coolers have a combined total of 433,326 hours (49.5 years) of operation.
Certification aspects of airplanes which may operate with significant natural laminar flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gabriel, Edward A.; Tankesley, Earsa L.

1986-01-01

Recent research by NASA indicates that extensive natural laminar flow (NLF) is attainable on modern high performance airplanes currently under development. Modern airframe construction methods and materials, such as milled aluminum skins, bonded aluminum skins, and composite materials, offer the potential for production of aerodynamic surfaces having waviness and roughness below the values which are critical for boundary layer transition. Areas of concern with the certification aspects of Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) are identified to stimulate thought and discussion of the possible problems. During its development, consideration has been given to the recent research information available on several small business and experimental airplanes and the certification and operating rules for general aviation airplanes. The certification considerations discussed are generally applicable to both large and small airplanes. However, from the information available at this time, researchers expect more extensive NLF on small airplanes because of their lower operating Reynolds numbers and cleaner leading edges (due to lack of leading-edge high lift devices). Further, the use of composite materials for aerodynamic surfaces, which will permit incorporation of NLF technology, is currently beginning to appear in small airplanes.
A Microcontroller Operated Device for the Generation of Liquid Extracts from Conventional Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Aerosol.

PubMed

Anderson, Chastain A; Bokota, Rachael E; Majeste, Andrew E; Murfee, Walter L; Wang, Shusheng

2018-01-18

Electronic cigarettes are the most popular tobacco product among middle and high schoolers and are the most popular alternative tobacco product among adults. High quality, reproducible research on the consequences of electronic cigarette use is essential for understanding emerging public health concerns and crafting evidence based regulatory policy. While a growing number of papers discuss electronic cigarettes, there is little consistency in methods across groups and very little consensus on results. Here, we describe a programmable laboratory device that can be used to create extracts of conventional cigarette smoke and electronic cigarette aerosol. This protocol details instructions for the assembly and operation of said device, and demonstrates the use of the generated extract in two sample applications: an in vitro cell viability assay and gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry. This method provides a tool for making direct comparisons between conventional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, and is an accessible entry point into electronic cigarette research.
Effect of accuracy of wind power prediction on power system operator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schlueter, R. A.; Sigari, G.; Costi, T.

1985-01-01

This research project proposed a modified unit commitment that schedules connection and disconnection of generating units in response to load. A modified generation control is also proposed that controls steam units under automatic generation control, fast responding diesels, gas turbines and hydro units under a feedforward control, and wind turbine array output under a closed loop array control. This modified generation control and unit commitment require prediction of trend wind power variation one hour ahead and the prediction of error in this trend wind power prediction one half hour ahead. An improved meter for predicting trend wind speed variation is developed. Methods for accurately simulating the wind array power from a limited number of wind speed prediction records was developed. Finally, two methods for predicting the error in the trend wind power prediction were developed. This research provides a foundation for testing and evaluating the modified unit commitment and generation control that was developed to maintain operating reliability at a greatly reduced overall production cost for utilities with wind generation capacity.
Assessing the effects of employee assistance programs: a review of employee assistance program evaluations.

PubMed

Colantonio, A

1989-01-01

Employee assistance programs have grown at a dramatic rate, yet the effectiveness of these programs has been called into question. The purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of employee assistance programs (EAPs) by reviewing recently published EAP evaluations. All studies evaluating EAPs published since 1975 from peer-reviewed journals in the English language were included in this analysis. Each of the articles was assessed in the following areas: (a) program description (subjects, setting, type of intervention, format), (b) evaluation design (research design, variables measured, operational methods), and (c) program outcomes. Results indicate numerous methodological and conceptual weaknesses and issues. These weaknesses included lack of controlled research designs and short time lags between pre- and post-test measures. Other problems identified are missing information regarding subjects, type of intervention, how variables are measured (operational methods), and reliability and validity of evaluation instruments. Due to the aforementioned weaknesses, positive outcomes could not be supported. Recommendations are made for future EAP evaluations.
Assessing the effects of employee assistance programs: a review of employee assistance program evaluations.

PubMed Central

Colantonio, A.

1989-01-01

Employee assistance programs have grown at a dramatic rate, yet the effectiveness of these programs has been called into question. The purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of employee assistance programs (EAPs) by reviewing recently published EAP evaluations. All studies evaluating EAPs published since 1975 from peer-reviewed journals in the English language were included in this analysis. Each of the articles was assessed in the following areas: (a) program description (subjects, setting, type of intervention, format), (b) evaluation design (research design, variables measured, operational methods), and (c) program outcomes. Results indicate numerous methodological and conceptual weaknesses and issues. These weaknesses included lack of controlled research designs and short time lags between pre- and post-test measures. Other problems identified are missing information regarding subjects, type of intervention, how variables are measured (operational methods), and reliability and validity of evaluation instruments. Due to the aforementioned weaknesses, positive outcomes could not be supported. Recommendations are made for future EAP evaluations. PMID:2728498
Dynamic modeling of gearbox faults: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Xihui; Zuo, Ming J.; Feng, Zhipeng

2018-01-01

Gearbox is widely used in industrial and military applications. Due to high service load, harsh operating conditions or inevitable fatigue, faults may develop in gears. If the gear faults cannot be detected early, the health will continue to degrade, perhaps causing heavy economic loss or even catastrophe. Early fault detection and diagnosis allows properly scheduled shutdowns to prevent catastrophic failure and consequently result in a safer operation and higher cost reduction. Recently, many studies have been done to develop gearbox dynamic models with faults aiming to understand gear fault generation mechanism and then develop effective fault detection and diagnosis methods. This paper focuses on dynamics based gearbox fault modeling, detection and diagnosis. State-of-art and challenges are reviewed and discussed. This detailed literature review limits research results to the following fundamental yet key aspects: gear mesh stiffness evaluation, gearbox damage modeling and fault diagnosis techniques, gearbox transmission path modeling and method validation. In the end, a summary and some research prospects are presented.
Touchless interaction with software in interventional radiology and surgery: a systematic literature review.

PubMed

Mewes, André; Hensen, Bennet; Wacker, Frank; Hansen, Christian

2017-02-01

In this article, we systematically examine the current state of research of systems that focus on touchless human-computer interaction in operating rooms and interventional radiology suites. We further discuss the drawbacks of current solutions and underline promising technologies for future development. A systematic literature search of scientific papers that deal with touchless control of medical software in the immediate environment of the operation room and interventional radiology suite was performed. This includes methods for touchless gesture interaction, voice control and eye tracking. Fifty-five research papers were identified and analyzed in detail including 33 journal publications. Most of the identified literature (62 %) deals with the control of medical image viewers. The others present interaction techniques for laparoscopic assistance (13 %), telerobotic assistance and operating room control (9 % each) as well as for robotic operating room assistance and intraoperative registration (3.5 % each). Only 8 systems (14.5 %) were tested in a real clinical environment, and 7 (12.7 %) were not evaluated at all. In the last 10 years, many advancements have led to robust touchless interaction approaches. However, only a few have been systematically evaluated in real operating room settings. Further research is required to cope with current limitations of touchless software interfaces in clinical environments. The main challenges for future research are the improvement and evaluation of usability and intuitiveness of touchless human-computer interaction and the full integration into productive systems as well as the reduction of necessary interaction steps and further development of hands-free interaction.
Weather Prediction Improvement Using Advanced Satellite Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Einaudi, Franco; Uccellini, L.; Purdom, J.; Rogers, D.; Gelaro, R.; Dodge, J.; Atlas, R.; Lord, S.

2001-01-01

We discuss in this paper some of the problems that exist today in the fall utilization of satellite data to improve weather forecasts and we propose specific recommendations to solve them. This discussion can be viewed as an aspect of the general debate on how best to organize the transition from research to operational satellites and how to evaluate the impact of a research instrument on numerical weather predictions. A method for providing this transition is offered by the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP). This mission will bridge the time between the present NOAA and Department of Defense (DOD) polar orbiting missions and the initiation of the converged NPOESS series and will evaluate some of the Earth Observing System (EOS) instruments as appropriate for operational missions. Thus, this mission can be viewed as an effort to meet the operational requirements of NOAA and DOD and the research requirements of NASA. More generally, however, it can be said that the process of going from the conception of new, more advanced instruments to their operational implementation and full utilization by the weather forecast communities is not optimal. Instruments developed for research purposes may have insufficient funding to explore their potential operational capabilities. Furthermore, instrument development programs designed for operational satellites typically have insufficient funding for assimilation algorithms needed to transform the satellite observations into data that can be used by sophisticated global weather forecast models. As a result, years often go by before satellite data are efficiently used for operational forecasts. NASA and NOAA each have unique expertise in the design of satellite instruments, their use for basic and applied research and their utilization in weather and climate research. At a time of limited resources, the two agencies must combine their efforts to work toward common goals of full utilization of satellite data. This is a challenge that requires the assimilation of myriad new data into increasingly sophisticated numerical forecast models that run on increasingly sophisticated computer systems. In section II, we briefly outline the impact of satellite data on the quality of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) forecasts. In section III, we describe the present status of the utilization of satellite data in NCEP models and the challenges that lie ahead. In section IV, we propose solutions whose goals are summarized in section V.
Assessing the Continuum of Event-Based Biosurveillance Through an Operational Lens

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

Corley, Courtney D.; Lancaster, Mary J.; Brigantic, Robert T.

2012-03-28

This research follows the Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems, Recommendations from the Guidelines Working Group, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nearly a decade ago. Since then, models have been developed and complex systems have evolved with a breadth of disparate data to detect or forecast chemical, biological, and radiological events that have significant impact in the One Health landscape. How the attributes identified in 2001 relate to the new range of event-based biosurveillance (EBB) technologies is unclear. This manuscript frames the continuum of EBB methods, models, and constructs through an operational lens (i.e.,more » aspects and attributes associated with operational considerations in the development, testing, and validation of the EBB methods and models and their use in an operational environment). A 2-day subject matter expert workshop was held to scientifically identify, develop, and vet a set of attributes for the broad range of such operational considerations. Workshop participants identified and described comprehensive attributes for the characterization of EBB. The identified attributes are: (1) event, (2) readiness, (3) operational aspects, (4) geographic coverage, (5) population coverage, (6) input data, (7) output, and (8) cost. Ultimately, the analyses herein discuss the broad scope, complexity, and relevant issues germane to EBB useful in an operational environment.« less
Theoretical and experimental physical methods of neutron-capture therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borisov, G. I.

2011-09-01

This review is based to a substantial degree on our priority developments and research at the IR-8 reactor of the Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute. New theoretical and experimental methods of neutron-capture therapy are developed and applied in practice; these are: A general analytical and semi-empiric theory of neutron-capture therapy (NCT) based on classical neutron physics and its main sections (elementary theories of moderation, diffuse, reflection, and absorption of neutrons) rather than on methods of mathematical simulation. The theory is, first of all, intended for practical application by physicists, engineers, biologists, and physicians. This theory can be mastered by anyone with a higher education of almost any kind and minimal experience in operating a personal computer.

Microwave remote sensing laboratory design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedman, E.

1979-01-01

Application of active and passive microwave remote sensing to the study of ocean pollution is discussed. Previous research efforts, both in the field and in the laboratory were surveyed to derive guidance for the design of a laboratory program of research. The essential issues include: choice of radar or radiometry as the observational technique; choice of laboratory or field as the research site; choice of operating frequency; tank sizes and material; techniques for wave generation and appropriate wavelength spectrum; methods for controlling and disposing of pollutants used in the research; and pollutants other than oil which could or should be studied.
Modeling of Tool-Tissue Interactions for Computer-Based Surgical Simulation: A Literature Review

PubMed Central

Misra, Sarthak; Ramesh, K. T.; Okamura, Allison M.

2009-01-01

Surgical simulators present a safe and potentially effective method for surgical training, and can also be used in robot-assisted surgery for pre- and intra-operative planning. Accurate modeling of the interaction between surgical instruments and organs has been recognized as a key requirement in the development of high-fidelity surgical simulators. Researchers have attempted to model tool-tissue interactions in a wide variety of ways, which can be broadly classified as (1) linear elasticity-based, (2) nonlinear (hyperelastic) elasticity-based finite element (FE) methods, and (3) other techniques that not based on FE methods or continuum mechanics. Realistic modeling of organ deformation requires populating the model with real tissue data (which are difficult to acquire in vivo) and simulating organ response in real time (which is computationally expensive). Further, it is challenging to account for connective tissue supporting the organ, friction, and topological changes resulting from tool-tissue interactions during invasive surgical procedures. Overcoming such obstacles will not only help us to model tool-tissue interactions in real time, but also enable realistic force feedback to the user during surgical simulation. This review paper classifies the existing research on tool-tissue interactions for surgical simulators specifically based on the modeling techniques employed and the kind of surgical operation being simulated, in order to inform and motivate future research on improved tool-tissue interaction models. PMID:20119508
Working Group 3: Operations Analysis for Systems of System within a Networked C2 Context: Introduction, Purpose, and Approach

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

1200 Session 3 – C2 Framework, OR Methods MOOs, MOEs, MOPs Development Case Study – 1300-1630 Session 4 – Findings...Objective 1: Understand the impact of the application of traditional operational research techniques to networked C2 systems. • Objective 2: Develop ...for the network. 3. Cost measures including cost and time to implement the solution (for example, a basic rule-of-thumb I use for development
Modeling Off-Nominal Recovery in NextGen Terminal-Area Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Callantine, Todd J.

2011-01-01

Robust schedule-based arrival management requires efficient recovery from off-nominal situations. This paper presents research on modeling off-nominal situations and plans for recovering from them using TRAC, a route/airspace design, fast-time simulation, and analysis tool for studying NextGen trajectory-based operations. The paper provides an overview of a schedule-based arrival-management concept and supporting controller tools, then describes TRAC implementations of methods for constructing off-nominal scenarios, generating trajectory options to meet scheduling constraints, and automatically producing recovery plans.
MONTE CARLO METHODS. A Bibliography covering the Period 1949 to June 1961

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

Kraft, R.; Wensrich, C.J.

1961-09-11

A partially annotated bibliography is presented containing 508 references to Monte Carlo methods, covering the period from 1947 to June 1961. The references are arranged alphabetically by author. The sources consulted include: Abstracts of Classified Reports; Applied Science and Technology Index; Armed Services Technical Information Agency; Bibliographic Index; Bibliographie der Fremsprachigen Zeitschrifften Literatur; Mathematical Reviews; Nuclear Science Abstracts; and Operations Research, an Annotated Bibliography. (T.F.H.)
The Implementation of an MCDM Tool for the Acquisition of Military Equipment

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

combined use of two different types of outranking methods PROMETHEE and ORESTE. The choice of all technical parameters is assisted by interactive...the Royal Military Academy to use PROMETHEE or ORESTE outranking methods not only as part of teaching OR (Operation Research) but also as consultants... PROMETHEE considers that all evaluations of criteria are treated as purely quantitative where ORESTE only allows rankings (qualitative criteria). The
Design, modeling and control of a novel multi functional translational-rotary micro ultrasonic motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuncdemir, Safakcan

The major goal of this thesis was to design and develop an actuator, which is capable of producing translational and rotary output motions in a compact structure with simple driving conditions, for the needs of small-scale actuators for micro robotic systems. Piezoelectric ultrasonic motors were selected as the target actuator schemes because of their unbeatable characteristics in the meso-scale range, which covers the structure sizes from hundred micrometers to ten millimeters and with operating ranges from few nanometers to centimeters. In order to meet the objectives and the design constraints, a number of key research tasks had to be undertaken. The design constraints and objectives were so stringent and entangled that none of the existing methods in literature could solve the research problems individually. Therefore, several unique methods were established to accomplish the research objectives. The methods produced novel solutions at every stage of design, development and modeling of the multi functional micro ultrasonic motor. Specifically, an ultrasonic motor utilizing slanted ceramics on a brass rod was designed. Because of the unique slanted ceramics design, longitudinal and torsional mode vibration modes could be obtained on the same structure. A ring shaped mobile element was loosely fitted on the metal rod stator. The mobile element moved in translational or rotational, depending on whether the vibration mode was longitudinal or torsional. A new ultrasonic motor drive method was required because none of the existing ultrasonic motor drive techniques were able to provide both output modes in a compact and cylindrical structure with the use of single drive source. By making use of rectangular wave drive signals, saw-tooth shaped displacement profile could be obtained at longitudinal and torsional resonance modes. Thus, inheriting the operating principle of smooth impact drive method, a new resonance type inertial drive was introduced. This new technique combines the advantages of inertial method with resonance drive. The motor that combines inertial drive at resonance will be a new type of ultrasonic motor, according to the classification of vibration types. A method to analyze the stator vibration by incorporating the piezoelectric loss coefficients was developed. By using the model, natural frequencies of the operating modes were predicted and exact formulations of the vibration displacements in longitudinal and torsional modes were obtained. The vibration model was in perfect agreement with the ATILA finite element analysis simulations even for different design parameters. The model was also used in design optimization and for theoretical explanation of the newly introduced motor drive technique. The theoretical analysis of the operating principle was verified with finite element analysis simulations and by vibration measurements. Several prototypes of motor were built in order to realize the dual function output as the main objective of this research. Translational output was observed for rectangular wave input signals at the resonance frequency of the fundamental longitudinal mode.The output mode changed to the rotational mode when the operating frequency switched for the fundamental torsional mode. While the mode of motor could be switched by switching the operating frequency, the direction of motion could be reversed by switching the duty cycle of rectangular input signals from D % to (100-D) %. A prototype (5 mm diameter, 25 mm total length produced 55 mm/s (translational) and 3 rad/s (rotary) speed under 40 mN blocking force, when the input signal was 40 V pp rectangular with 33% duty cycle. The motor speed at translational mode was characterized for different input voltage and output force. The meso-scale ultrasonic motor which utilizes smooth impact drive method, provided a unique ability to produce dual function with prominent output characteristics in a compact structure by using simple drive conditions.
Risk determinants of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) - an exploratory study in New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Islam, Ariful; Tedford, Des

2012-08-01

The smooth running of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) presents a significant challenge irrespective of the technological and human resources they may have at their disposal. SMEs continuously encounter daily internal and external undesirable events and unwanted setbacks to their operations that detract from their business performance. These are referred to as `disturbances' in our research study. Among the disturbances, some are likely to create risks to the enterprises in terms of loss of production, manufacturing capability, human resource, market share, and, of course, economic losses. These are finally referred to as `risk determinant' on the basis of their correlation with some risk indicators, which are linked to operational, occupational, and economic risks. To deal with these risk determinants effectively, SMEs need a systematic method of approach to identify and treat their potential effects along with an appropriate set of tools. However, initially, a strategic approach is required to identify typical risk determinants and their linkage with potential business risks. In this connection, we conducted this study to explore the answer to the research question: what are the typical risk determinants encountered by SMEs? We carried out an empirical investigation with a multi-method research approach (a combination of a questionnaire-based mail survey involving 212 SMEs and five in-depth case studies) in New Zealand. This paper presents a set of typical internal and external risk determinants, which need special attention to be dealt with to minimize operational risks of an SME.
Research on the comparison of performance-based concept and force-based concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zeyu; Wang, Dongwei

2011-03-01

There are two ideologies about structure design: force-based concept and performance-based concept. Generally, if the structure operates during elastic stage, the two philosophies usually attain the same results. But beyond that stage, the shortage of force-based method is exposed, and the merit of performance-based is displayed. Pros and cons of each strategy are listed herein, and then which structure is best suitable to each method analyzed. At last, a real structure is evaluated by adaptive pushover method to verify that performance-based method is better than force-based method.
Applications of integrated human error identification techniques on the chemical cylinder change task.

PubMed

Cheng, Ching-Min; Hwang, Sheue-Ling

2015-03-01

This paper outlines the human error identification (HEI) techniques that currently exist to assess latent human errors. Many formal error identification techniques have existed for years, but few have been validated to cover latent human error analysis in different domains. This study considers many possible error modes and influential factors, including external error modes, internal error modes, psychological error mechanisms, and performance shaping factors, and integrates several execution procedures and frameworks of HEI techniques. The case study in this research was the operational process of changing chemical cylinders in a factory. In addition, the integrated HEI method was used to assess the operational processes and the system's reliability. It was concluded that the integrated method is a valuable aid to develop much safer operational processes and can be used to predict human error rates on critical tasks in the plant. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.
The Convergence Problems of Eigenfunction Expansions of Elliptic Differential Operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmedov, Anvarjon

2018-03-01

In the present research we investigate the problems concerning the almost everywhere convergence of multiple Fourier series summed over the elliptic levels in the classes of Liouville. The sufficient conditions for the almost everywhere convergence problems, which are most difficult problems in Harmonic analysis, are obtained. The methods of approximation by multiple Fourier series summed over elliptic curves are applied to obtain suitable estimations for the maximal operator of the spectral decompositions. Obtaining of such estimations involves very complicated calculations which depends on the functional structure of the classes of functions. The main idea on the proving the almost everywhere convergence of the eigenfunction expansions in the interpolation spaces is estimation of the maximal operator of the partial sums in the boundary classes and application of the interpolation Theorem of the family of linear operators. In the present work the maximal operator of the elliptic partial sums are estimated in the interpolation classes of Liouville and the almost everywhere convergence of the multiple Fourier series by elliptic summation methods are established. The considering multiple Fourier series as an eigenfunction expansions of the differential operators helps to translate the functional properties (for example smoothness) of the Liouville classes into Fourier coefficients of the functions which being expanded into such expansions. The sufficient conditions for convergence of the multiple Fourier series of functions from Liouville classes are obtained in terms of the smoothness and dimensions. Such results are highly effective in solving the boundary problems with periodic boundary conditions occurring in the spectral theory of differential operators. The investigations of multiple Fourier series in modern methods of harmonic analysis incorporates the wide use of methods from functional analysis, mathematical physics, modern operator theory and spectral decomposition. New method for the best approximation of the square-integrable function by multiple Fourier series summed over the elliptic levels are established. Using the best approximation, the Lebesgue constant corresponding to the elliptic partial sums is estimated. The latter is applied to obtain an estimation for the maximal operator in the classes of Liouville.
Solar thermal storage applications program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peila, W. C.

1982-12-01

The efforts of the Storage Applications Program are reviewed. The program concentrated on the investigation of storage media and evaluation of storage methods. Extensive effort was given to experimental and analytical investigations of nitrate salts. Two tasks are the preliminary design of a 1200 MW/sub th/ system and the design, construction, operation, and evaluation of a subsystem research experiment, which utilized the same design. Some preliminary conclusions drawn from the subsystem research experiment are given.
Considerations for Integrating Women into Closed Occupations in the U.S. Special Operations Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-01

effectiveness of integration. Ideally, studies adopting an experimental design (using both test and control groups ) would be preferred, but sample sizes may...data -- a survey of SOF personnel and a series of focus group discussions -- collected by the research team regarding the potential challenges to... controlled positions. This report summarizes our research , analysis, and conclusions. We used a mixed-methods approach. We reviewed the current state of
Thinking About Thinking: Enhancing Creativity and Understanding in Operational Planners

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-08

34An Experimental Method for Measuring the Emergence,” 462. 19Arthur J. Cropley , “Defining and Measuring Creativity: Are Creativity Tests Worth Using...Creativity and Affect in Fantasy in Children”, Creativity Research Journal Volume 12, Issue 2 (1999): 134; Cropley , 72. 117Helson, Ravenna Helson, “A...Longitudinal Study of Creative Personality in Women,” Creativity Research Journal Volume 12, Issue 2 (1999): 89; Cropley , 78. 118Lubart, “Models of
Human response to aviation noise : development of dose-response relationships for backcountry visitors - volume I: study methods

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-03-01

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Park Service conducted joint research to better understand the effects of noise due to commercial air tour operations over units of the National Park System. To evaluate the relationship between aircra...
Engaging with Drama

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gallagher, Kathleen

2013-01-01

This article reports on a multi-site global, ethnographic, and mixed methods study on student engagement. Our research has closely examined how engagement and disengagement operate subtly, simultaneously and relationally in the places and spaces where drama is made. Through years of qualitative time in high school classrooms and two different…
The telecommunications and data acquisition report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Renzetti, N. A. (Editor)

1981-01-01

Deep Space Network operations, engineering, and implementation are reported. Developments in Earth-based radiotechnology as applied to other research programs in the fields of Geodynamics, Astrophysics, and programs related to radio searchers (instrumentation and methods) in extraterrestrial areas in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum are also presented.
New Concerns Emerge as Zebra Mussel Spreads.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walter, Martha L., Ed.

1992-01-01

Reports on the Zebra Mussel invasion of North American inland waterways. Discusses United States Army Corps of Engineers operations that may facilitate or be affected by the spread of Zebra Mussels, the threat to native clams, chemical and mechanical control methods, natural solutions, and ongoing research. (MCO)
Evaluation of a Head-Worn Display System as an Equivalent Head-Up Display for Low Visibility Commercial Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arthur, Jarvis (Trey) J., III; Shelton, Kevin J.; Prinzel, Lawrence J.; Nicholas, Stephanie N.; Williams, Steven P.; Ellis, Kyle E.; Jones, Denise R.; Bailey, Randall E.; Harrison, Stephanie J.; Barnes, James R.

2017-01-01

Research, development, test, and evaluation of fight deck interface technologies is being conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to proactively identify, develop, and mature tools, methods, and technologies for improving overall aircraft safety of new and legacy vehicles operating in the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). One specific area of research was the use of small Head-Worn Displays (HWDs) to serve as a possible equivalent to a Head-Up Display (HUD). A simulation experiment and a fight test were conducted to evaluate if the HWD can provide an equivalent level of performance to a HUD. For the simulation experiment, airline crews conducted simulated approach and landing, taxi, and departure operations during low visibility operations. In a follow-on fight test, highly experienced test pilots evaluated the same HWD during approach and surface operations. The results for both the simulation and fight tests showed that there were no statistical differences in the crews' performance in terms of approach, touchdown and takeoff; but, there are still technical hurdles to be overcome for complete display equivalence including, most notably, the end-to-end latency of the HWD system.
In-flight simulation of high agility through active control: Taming complexity by design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Padfield, Gareth D.; Bradley, Roy

1993-01-01

The motivation for research into helicopter agility stems from the realization that marked improvements relative to current operational types are possible, yet there is a dearth of useful criteria for flying qualities at high performance levels. Several research laboratories are currently investing resources in developing second generation airborne rotorcraft simulators. The UK's focus has been the exploitation of agility through active control technology (ACT); this paper reviews the results of studies conducted to date. The conflict between safety and performance in flight research is highlighted and the various forms of safety net to protect against system failures are described. The role of the safety pilot, and the use of actuator and flight envelope limiting are discussed. It is argued that the deep complexity of a research ACT system can only be tamed through a requirement specification assembled using design principles and cast in an operational simulation form. Work along these lines conducted at DRA is described, including the use of the Jackson System Development method and associated Ada simulation.

Developing Control System of Electrical Devices with Operational Expense Prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sendari, Siti; Wahyu Herwanto, Heru; Rahmawati, Yuni; Mukti Putranto, Dendi; Fitri, Shofiana

2017-04-01

The purpose of this research is to develop a system that can monitor and record home electrical device’s electricity usage. This system has an ability to control electrical devices in distance and predict the operational expense. The system was developed using micro-controllers and WiFi modules connected to PC server. The communication between modules is arranged by server via WiFi. Beside of reading home electrical devices electricity usage, the unique point of the proposed-system is the ability of micro-controllers to send electricity data to server for recording the usage of electrical devices. The testing of this research was done by Black-box method to test the functionality of system. Testing system run well with 0% error.
Restless Tuneup of High-Fidelity Qubit Gates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rol, M. A.; Bultink, C. C.; O'Brien, T. E.; de Jong, S. R.; Theis, L. S.; Fu, X.; Luthi, F.; Vermeulen, R. F. L.; de Sterke, J. C.; Bruno, A.; Deurloo, D.; Schouten, R. N.; Wilhelm, F. K.; Dicarlo, L.

We present a tuneup protocol for qubit gates with tenfold speedup over traditional methods reliant on qubit initialization by energy relax- ation. This speedup is achieved by constructing a cost function for Nelder-Mead optimization from real-time correlation of non-demolition measurements interleaving gate operations without pause. Applying the protocol on a transmon qubit achieves 0.999 average Clifford fidelity in one minute, as independently verified using randomized benchmarking and gate set tomography. The adjustable sensitivity of the cost function allows detecting fractional reductions in gate error with constant signal- to-noise ratio. The restless concept here demonstrated can be readily extended to the tuneup of two-qubit gates and measurement operations. Research funded by IARPA, an ERC Synergy Grant, Microsoft Research, and the China Scholarship Council.
Characterization of coal liquids derived from the H-coal process

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

Holmes, S.A.; Woodward, P.W.; Sturm, G.P. Jr.

1976-11-01

Compositional data of coal liquid products derived from the H-Coal process were obtained. Two overhead products (one from the fuel oil mode of operation and the other from the syncrude mode of operation) were prepared by Hydrocarbon Research, Inc. from Illinois No. 6 coal. The compositional data of these products are tabulated, and characteristics of the materials are discussed. Separation and characterization methods, with slight modification, as developed by the Bureau of Mines-API Research Project 60 for characterizing heavy ends of petroleum, were successfully used in analyzing coal liquid distillates within the boiling range 200/sup 0/ to 540/sup 0/C. Distillatesmore » boiling below 200/sup 0/C were separated and analyzed using chromatographic and spectral techniques.« less
Methods for optimizing solutions when considering group arguments by team of experts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernyi, Sergei; Budnik, Vlad

2017-11-01

The article is devoted to methods of expert evaluation. The technology of expert evaluation is presented from the standpoint of precedent structures. In this paper, an aspect of the mathematical basis for constructing a component of decision analysis is considered. In fact, this approach leaves out any identification of their knowledge and skills of simulating organizational and manufacturing situations and taking efficient managerial decisions; it doesn't enable any identification and assessment of their knowledge on the basis of multi-informational and least loss-making methods and information technologies. Hence the problem is to research and develop a methodology for systemic identification of professional problem-focused knowledge acquired by employees operating adaptive automated systems of training management (AASTM operators), which shall also further the theory and practice of the intelligence-related aspects thereof.
Pixel color feature enhancement for road signs detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qieshi; Kamata, Sei-ichiro

2010-02-01

Road signs play an important role in our daily life which used to guide drivers to notice variety of road conditions and cautions. They provide important visual information that can help drivers operating their vehicles in a manner for enhancing traffic safety. The occurrence of some accidents can be reduced by using automatic road signs recognition system which can alert the drivers. This research attempts to develop a warning system to alert the drivers to notice the important road signs early enough to refrain road accidents from happening. For solving this, a non-linear weighted color enhancement method by pixels is presented. Due to the advantage of proposed method, different road signs can be detected from videos effectively. With suitably coefficients and operations, the experimental results have proved that the proposed method is robust, accurate and powerful in road signs detection.
On mixed derivatives type high dimensional multi-term fractional partial differential equations approximate solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talib, Imran; Belgacem, Fethi Bin Muhammad; Asif, Naseer Ahmad; Khalil, Hammad

2017-01-01

In this research article, we derive and analyze an efficient spectral method based on the operational matrices of three dimensional orthogonal Jacobi polynomials to solve numerically the mixed partial derivatives type multi-terms high dimensions generalized class of fractional order partial differential equations. We transform the considered fractional order problem to an easily solvable algebraic equations with the aid of the operational matrices. Being easily solvable, the associated algebraic system leads to finding the solution of the problem. Some test problems are considered to confirm the accuracy and validity of the proposed numerical method. The convergence of the method is ensured by comparing our Matlab software simulations based obtained results with the exact solutions in the literature, yielding negligible errors. Moreover, comparative results discussed in the literature are extended and improved in this study.
Post-processing for improving hyperspectral anomaly detection accuracy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jee-Cheng; Jiang, Chi-Ming; Huang, Chen-Liang

2015-10-01

Anomaly detection is an important topic in the exploitation of hyperspectral data. Based on the Reed-Xiaoli (RX) detector and a morphology operator, this research proposes a novel technique for improving the accuracy of hyperspectral anomaly detection. Firstly, the RX-based detector is used to process a given input scene. Then, a post-processing scheme using morphology operator is employed to detect those pixels around high-scoring anomaly pixels. Tests were conducted using two real hyperspectral images with ground truth information and the results based on receiver operating characteristic curves, illustrated that the proposed method reduced the false alarm rates of the RXbased detector.
Research on Thermodynamic Parameters of a Micro-Turbine for Standalone Cogeneration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chekardovskiy, M. N.; Chekardovskiy, S. M.; Chekardovskaya, I. A.; Mihajlenko, A. I.

2016-10-01

In order to advance the heating and hot water systems in the Russian Federation we need to address the problem of introducing new sources of heat and electric energy. The paper overviews the relationship between the reliability, efficiency and diagnostic maintenance of the GMTU, the studies of rated and operating conditions of the GMTU, the development and improvement of methods for calculating rated and operating thermodynamic and diagnostic parameter of the unit. This resulted in developing a passport of thermodynamic parameters that can be compared to the parameters of the same units when they operate for the purpose of diagnosing their state.
Impacts of Short-Term Solar Power Forecasts in System Operations

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

Ibanez, Eduardo; Krad, Ibrahim; Hodge, Bri-Mathias

2016-05-05

Solar generation is experiencing an exponential growth in power systems worldwide and, along with wind power, is posing new challenges to power system operations. Those challenges are characterized by an increase of system variability and uncertainty across many time scales: from days, down to hours, minutes, and seconds. Much of the research in the area has focused on the effect of solar forecasting across hours or days. This paper presents a methodology to capture the effect of short-term forecasting strategies and analyzes the economic and reliability implications of utilizing a simple, yet effective forecasting method for solar PV in intra-daymore » operations.« less
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Engel, David W.; Jarman, Kenneth D.; Xu, Zhijie

This report describes our initial research to quantify uncertainties in the identification and characterization of possible attack states in a network. As a result, we should be able to estimate the current state in which the network is operating, based on a wide variety of network data, and attach a defensible measure of confidence to these state estimates. The output of this research will be new uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods to help develop a process for model development and apply UQ to characterize attacks/adversaries, create an understanding of the degree to which methods scale to "big" data, and offer methodsmore » for addressing model approaches with regard to validation and accuracy.« less
Research status and evaluation system of heat source evaluation method for central heating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yutong; Qi, Junfeng; Cao, Yi

2018-02-01

The central heating boiler room is a regional heat source heating center. It is also a kind of the urban environment pollution, it is an important section of building energy efficiency. This article through to the evaluation method of central heating boiler room and overviews of the researches during domestic and overseas, summarized the main influence factors affecting energy consumption of industrial boiler under the condition of stable operation. According to the principle of establishing evaluation index system. We can find that is great significance in energy saving and environmental protection for the content of the evaluation index system of the centralized heating system.
Putting the environment into the NPV calculation -- Quantifying pipeline environmental costs

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

Dott, D.R.; Wirasinghe, S.C.; Chakma, A.

1996-12-31

Pipeline projects impact the environment through soil and habitat disturbance, noise during construction and compressor operation, river crossing disturbance and the risk of rupture. Assigning monetary value to these negative project consequences enables the environment to be represented in the project cost-benefit analysis. This paper presents the mechanics and implications of two environmental valuation techniques: (1) the contingent valuation method and (2) the stated preference method. The use of environmental value at the project economic-evaluation stage is explained. A summary of research done on relevant environmental attribute valuation is presented and discussed. Recommendations for further research in the field aremore » made.« less
[Research on the preparative method of Arctigenin].

PubMed

Zhang, Li-Ying; Yang, Yi-Shun; Zhang, Tong; Ding, Yue; Cai, Zhen-Zhen; Tao, Jian-Sheng

2012-03-01

To research on the preparation of Arctigenin in vitro. Took enzyme concentration, time course and substrate concentration as investigation factors, used Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology to optimize the enzyme hydrolysis path of Arctigenin. The best operational path for Arctigenin was as follows: the temperature was 50 degrees C, pH was 4.8, enzyme concentration was 0.44 U/mL, time course was 46.81 min, substrate concentration was 0.29 mg/mL, the conversion rate was 90.94%. This research can be regarded as a referencein preparing Arctigenin in vitro.
Putting a price tag on novel autologous cellular therapies.

PubMed

Abou-El-Enein, Mohamed; Bauer, Gerhard; Medcalf, Nicholas; Volk, Hans-Dieter; Reinke, Petra

2016-08-01

Cell therapies, especially autologous therapies, pose significant challenges to researchers who wish to move from small, probably academic, methods of manufacture to full commercial scale. There is a dearth of reliable information about the costs of operation, and this makes it difficult to predict with confidence the investment needed to translate the innovations to the clinic, other than as small-scale, clinician-led prescriptions. Here, we provide an example of the results of a cost model that takes into account the fixed and variable costs of manufacture of one such therapy. We also highlight the different factors that influence the product final pricing strategy. Our findings illustrate the need for cooperative and collective action by the research community in pre-competitive research to generate the operational models that are much needed to increase confidence in process development for these advanced products. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Enhancing the quality of case studies in health services research.

PubMed Central

Yin, R K

1999-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidance on improving the quality of case studies in health services research. DATA SOURCES: Secondary data, drawing from previous case study research. RESEARCH DESIGN: Guidance is provided to two audiences: potential case study investigators (eight items) and reviewers of case study proposals (four additional items). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The guidance demonstrates that many operational steps can be undertaken to improve the quality of case studies. These steps have been a hallmark of high-quality case studies in related fields but have not necessarily been practiced in health services research. CONCLUSIONS: Given higher-quality case studies, the case study method can become a valuable tool for health services research. Images Figure 3 PMID:10591280
Quadcopter Control Using Speech Recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malik, H.; Darma, S.; Soekirno, S.

2018-04-01

This research reported a comparison from a success rate of speech recognition systems that used two types of databases they were existing databases and new databases, that were implemented into quadcopter as motion control. Speech recognition system was using Mel frequency cepstral coefficient method (MFCC) as feature extraction that was trained using recursive neural network method (RNN). MFCC method was one of the feature extraction methods that most used for speech recognition. This method has a success rate of 80% - 95%. Existing database was used to measure the success rate of RNN method. The new database was created using Indonesian language and then the success rate was compared with results from an existing database. Sound input from the microphone was processed on a DSP module with MFCC method to get the characteristic values. Then, the characteristic values were trained using the RNN which result was a command. The command became a control input to the single board computer (SBC) which result was the movement of the quadcopter. On SBC, we used robot operating system (ROS) as the kernel (Operating System).
Operations research in global health: a scoping review with a focus on the themes of health equity and impact.

PubMed

Bradley, Beverly D; Jung, Tiffany; Tandon-Verma, Ananya; Khoury, Bassem; Chan, Timothy C Y; Cheng, Yu-Ling

2017-04-18

Operations research (OR) is a discipline that uses advanced analytical methods (e.g. simulation, optimisation, decision analysis) to better understand complex systems and aid in decision-making. Herein, we present a scoping review of the use of OR to analyse issues in global health, with an emphasis on health equity and research impact. A systematic search of five databases was designed to identify relevant published literature. A global overview of 1099 studies highlights the geographic distribution of OR and common OR methods used. From this collection of literature, a narrative description of the use of OR across four main application areas of global health - health systems and operations, clinical medicine, public health and health innovation - is also presented. The theme of health equity is then explored in detail through a subset of 44 studies. Health equity is a critical element of global health that cuts across all four application areas, and is an issue particularly amenable to analysis through OR. Finally, we present seven select cases of OR analyses that have been implemented or have influenced decision-making in global health policy or practice. Based on these cases, we identify three key drivers for success in bridging the gap between OR and global health policy, namely international collaboration with stakeholders, use of contextually appropriate data, and varied communication outlets for research findings. Such cases, however, represent a very small proportion of the literature found. Poor availability of representative and quality data, and a lack of collaboration between those who develop OR models and stakeholders in the contexts where OR analyses are intended to serve, were found to be common challenges for effective OR modelling in global health.
Proceedings of Twenty-Seventh Annual Institute on Mining Health, Safety and Research

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

Bockosh, G.R.; Langton, J.; Karmis, M.

1996-12-31

This Proceedings contains the presentations made during the program of the Twenty-Seventh Annual Institute on Mining Health, Safety and Research held at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, on August 26-28, 1996. The Twenty-Seventh Annual Institute on Mining, Health, Safety and Research was the latest in a series of conferences held at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, cosponsored by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, United States Department of Labor, and the Pittsburgh Research Center, United States Department of Energy (formerly part of the Bureau of Mines, U. S. Department of Interior). The Institute provides an informationmore » forum for mine operators, managers, superintendents, safety directors, engineers, inspectors, researchers, teachers, state agency officials, and others with a responsible interest in the important field of mining health, safety and research. In particular, the Institute is designed to help mine operating personnel gain a broader knowledge and understanding of the various aspects of mining health and safety, and to present them with methods of control and solutions developed through research. Selected papers have been processed separately for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology database.« less
Operational advantages of using Cyber Electronic Warfare (CEW) in the battlefield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasar, Nurgul; Yasar, Fatih M.; Topcu, Yucel

2012-06-01

While cyberspace is emerging as a new battlefield, conventional Electronic Warfare (EW) methods and applications are likely to change. Cyber Electronic Warfare (CEW) concept which merges cyberspace capabilities with traditional EW methods, is a new and enhanced form of the electronic attack. In this study, cyberspace domain of the battlefield is emphazised and the feasibility of integrating Cyber Warfare (CW) concept into EW measures is researched. The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis method is used to state the operational advantages of using CEW concept in the battlefield. The operational advantages of CEW are assessed by means of its effects on adversary air defense systems, communication networks and information systems. Outstanding technological and operational difficulties are pointed out as well. As a result, a comparison of CEW concept and conventional EW applications is presented. It is concluded that, utilization of CEW concept is feasible at the battlefield and it may yield important operational advantages. Even though the computers of developed military systems are less complex than normal computers, they are not subjected to cyber threats since they are closed systems. This concept intends to show that these closed systems are also open to the cyber threats. As a result of the SWOT analysis, CEW concept provides Air Forces to be used in cyber operations effectively. On the other hand, since its Collateral Damage Criteria (CDC) is low, the usage of cyber electronic attack systems seems to grow up.
Trajectory-based morphological operators: a model for efficient image processing.

PubMed

Jimeno-Morenilla, Antonio; Pujol, Francisco A; Molina-Carmona, Rafael; Sánchez-Romero, José L; Pujol, Mar

2014-01-01

Mathematical morphology has been an area of intensive research over the last few years. Although many remarkable advances have been achieved throughout these years, there is still a great interest in accelerating morphological operations in order for them to be implemented in real-time systems. In this work, we present a new model for computing mathematical morphology operations, the so-called morphological trajectory model (MTM), in which a morphological filter will be divided into a sequence of basic operations. Then, a trajectory-based morphological operation (such as dilation, and erosion) is defined as the set of points resulting from the ordered application of the instant basic operations. The MTM approach allows working with different structuring elements, such as disks, and from the experiments, it can be extracted that our method is independent of the structuring element size and can be easily applied to industrial systems and high-resolution images.

Using Natural Language to Enable Mission Managers to Control Multiple Heterogeneous UAVs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trujillo, Anna C.; Puig-Navarro, Javier; Mehdi, S. Bilal; Mcquarry, A. Kyle

2016-01-01

The availability of highly capable, yet relatively cheap, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is opening up new areas of use for hobbyists and for commercial activities. This research is developing methods beyond classical control-stick pilot inputs, to allow operators to manage complex missions without in-depth vehicle expertise. These missions may entail several heterogeneous UAVs flying coordinated patterns or flying multiple trajectories deconflicted in time or space to predefined locations. This paper describes the functionality and preliminary usability measures of an interface that allows an operator to define a mission using speech inputs. With a defined and simple vocabulary, operators can input the vast majority of mission parameters using simple, intuitive voice commands. Although the operator interface is simple, it is based upon autonomous algorithms that allow the mission to proceed with minimal input from the operator. This paper also describes these underlying algorithms that allow an operator to manage several UAVs.
The Attitudes and Behaviors of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Specialists in Anaesthesia Care Applications Outside the Operating Room in Turkey: A Survey Study

PubMed Central

Yıldız, Mehmet; İyilikçi, Leyla; Duru, Seden; Hancı, Volkan

2014-01-01

Objective We aimed to investigate the attitudes and behaviors of anaesthesiologists in “non-operating room anaesthesia” applications, which can be described as anaesthesia applications performed outside the operating room, and their reflection on practice all over Turkey. Methods Our study was conducted between November 5, 2012 and January 7, 2013 with the approval of the Research Ethics Board. Survey data were obtained through distributing printed questionnaires to be completed either by hand or via the web. The questionnaire consisted of 38 questions. The data obtained were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Results A total of 500 anaesthesiologists replied to our survey; 93% of anaesthesia specialists reported that there was a request that the anaesthesia and anaesthesia outside the operating room was given in their institution. Among anaesthesiologists, 56% reported that there were other sections that can provide sedation other than the anaesthesiology department in their institutions. Anaesthesia care team members; equipment; anaesthetic techniques; monitoring methods; and hypnotic, analgesic, and antagonist agents had statistically significant differences according to the participants’ institutions. Equipment used in the anaesthesia practice outside the operating room, anaesthesia, and monitoring methods had statistically significant differences according to geographical distribution (p<0.05). Conclusion Outside the operating room, anaesthesia practices and security measures are compliant with the standards set by the guidelines, the key to the prevention of complications. In our study, the current status of anaesthetic procedures outside the operating room in our country have been analyzed. PMID:27366420
Research to Operations: From Point Positions, Earthquake and Tsunami Modeling to GNSS-augmented Tsunami Early Warning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stough, T.; Green, D. S.

2017-12-01

This collaborative research to operations demonstration brings together the data and algorithms from NASA research, technology, and applications-funded projects to deliver relevant data streams, algorithms, predictive models, and visualization tools to the NOAA National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC). Using real-time GNSS data and models in an operational environment, we will test and evaluate an augmented capability for tsunami early warning. Each of three research groups collect data from a selected network of real-time GNSS stations, exchange data consisting of independently processed 1 Hz station displacements, and merge the output into a single, more accurate and reliable set. The resulting merged data stream is delivered from three redundant locations to the TWCs with a latency of 5-10 seconds. Data from a number of seismogeodetic stations with collocated GPS and accelerometer instruments are processed for displacements and seismic velocities and also delivered. Algorithms for locating and determining the magnitude of earthquakes as well as algorithms that compute the source function of a potential tsunami using this new data stream are included in the demonstration. The delivered data, algorithms, models and tools are hosted on NOAA-operated machines at both warning centers, and, once tested, the results will be evaluated for utility in improving the speed and accuracy of tsunami warnings. This collaboration has the potential to dramatically improve the speed and accuracy of the TWCs local tsunami information over the current seismometer-only based methods. In our first year of this work, we have established and deployed an architecture for data movement and algorithm installation at the TWC's. We are addressing data quality issues and porting algorithms into the TWCs operating environment. Our initial module deliveries will focus on estimating moment magnitude (Mw) from Peak Ground Displacement (PGD), within 2-3 minutes of the event, and coseismic displacements converging to static offsets. We will also develop visualizations of module outputs tailored to the operational environment. In the context of this work, we will also discuss this research to operations approach and other opportunities within the NASA Applied Science Disaster Program.
Quantifying complexity in translational research: an integrated approach.

PubMed

Munoz, David A; Nembhard, Harriet Black; Kraschnewski, Jennifer L

2014-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to quantify complexity in translational research. The impact of major operational steps and technical requirements is calculated with respect to their ability to accelerate moving new discoveries into clinical practice. A three-phase integrated quality function deployment (QFD) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to quantify complexity in translational research. A case study in obesity was used to usability. Generally, the evidence generated was valuable for understanding various components in translational research. Particularly, the authors found that collaboration networks, multidisciplinary team capacity and community engagement are crucial for translating new discoveries into practice. As the method is mainly based on subjective opinion, some argue that the results may be biased. However, a consistency ratio is calculated and used as a guide to subjectivity. Alternatively, a larger sample may be incorporated to reduce bias. The integrated QFD-AHP framework provides evidence that could be helpful to generate agreement, develop guidelines, allocate resources wisely, identify benchmarks and enhance collaboration among similar projects. Current conceptual models in translational research provide little or no clue to assess complexity. The proposed method aimed to fill this gap. Additionally, the literature review includes various features that have not been explored in translational research.
Performance Comparison Between a Head-Worn Display System and a Head-Up Display for Low Visibility Commercial Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arthur, Jarvis J., III; Prinzel, Lawrence J., III; Barnes, James R.; Williams, Steven P.; Jones, Denise R.; Harrison, Stephanie J.; Bailey, Randall E.

2014-01-01

Research, development, test, and evaluation of flight deck interface technologies is being conducted by NASA to proactively identify, develop, and mature tools, methods, and technologies for improving overall aircraft safety of new and legacy vehicles operating in Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Under the Vehicle Systems Safety Technologies (VSST) project in the Aviation Safety Program, one specific area of research is the use of small Head-Worn Displays (HWDs) as an equivalent display to a Head-Up Display (HUD). Title 14 of the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 91.175 describes a possible operational credit which can be obtained with airplane equipage of a HUD or an "equivalent" display combined with Enhanced Vision (EV). If successful, a HWD may provide the same safety and operational benefits as current HUD-equipped aircraft but for significantly more aircraft in which HUD installation is neither practical nor possible. A simulation experiment was conducted to evaluate if the HWD, coupled with a head-tracker, can provide an equivalent display to a HUD. Comparative testing was performed in the Research Flight Deck (RFD) Cockpit Motion Facility (CMF) full mission, motion-based simulator at NASA Langley. Twelve airline crews conducted approach and landing, taxi, and departure operations during low visibility operations (1000' Runway Visual Range (RVR), 300' RVR) at Memphis International Airport (Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identifier: KMEM). The results showed that there were no statistical differences in the crews performance in terms of touchdown and takeoff. Further, there were no statistical differences between the HUD and HWD in pilots' responses to questionnaires.
Review of methods for determination of ammonia volatilization in farmland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, J.; Jiao, Y.; Yang, W. Z.; Gu, P.; Bai, S. G.; Liu, L. J.

2018-02-01

Ammonia is one of the most abundant alkaline trace gases in the atmosphere, which is one of the important factors affecting atmospheric quality. Excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer is the main source of global ammonia emissions, which not only exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions, but also leads to eutrophication of water bodies. In this paper, the basic principle, the operation process, the advantages and disadvantages, and the previous research results of the method are summarized in detail, including the enclosure method, the venting method, the continuous airflow enclosure method, the wind tunnel method and the micro-meteorological method. So as to provide a theoretical basis for selecting the appropriate method for determination of ammonia volatilization.
Review of the operational definition for first-episode psychosiseip

PubMed Central

Breitborde, Nicholas J. K.; Srihari, Vinod H.; Woods, Scott W.

2015-01-01

Aim Given the growing interest in the study of first-episode psychosis, clinical and research programmes would benefit from a conceptual clarification of how to operationalize ‘first-episode psychosis’. We review the variety of definitions in use and discuss their relative merits with respect to both clinical (e.g. early treatment) and research (e.g. obtaining meaningfully homogeneous populations) agendas. Methods We completed a selective review of the literature to investigate how first-episode psychosis was operationally defined. Results Operational definitions for ‘first-episode psychosis’ fall largely into three categories: (i) first treatment contact; (ii) duration of antipsychotic medication use; and (iii) duration of psychosis. Each definitional category contains a number of underlying assumptions that contribute to the strengths and weaknesses of the definition. Conclusions The term ‘first-episode psychosis’ as used within clinical and research settings is misleading regardless of which operational definition is used. This term is typically used to refer to individuals early in the course of a psychotic illness or treatment rather than individuals who are truly in the midst of a first ‘episode’ of illness. The alternative of ‘recent-onset psychosis’ with related definitions based on ‘duration of psychosis’ is proposed. Based on this review, we provide suggestions with regard to the overarching pragmatic consideration of setting up a clinical service that can attract and assemble a population of early psychosis patients for the related purposes of treatment and research. PMID:22642728
Advances in Modern Botnet Understanding and the Accurate Enumeration of Infected Hosts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nunnery, Christopher Edward

2011-01-01

Botnets remain a potent threat due to evolving modern architectures, inadequate remediation methods, and inaccurate measurement techniques. In response, this research exposes the architectures and operations of two advanced botnets, techniques to enumerate infected hosts, and pursues the scientific refinement of infected-host enumeration data by…
27 CFR 19.35 - Application by scientific institutions and colleges of learning for experimental or research...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Application by scientific... DISTILLED SPIRITS PLANTS Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Alternate Methods Or Procedures and Experimental Operations § 19.35 Application by scientific institutions and colleges of learning for...
27 CFR 19.35 - Application by scientific institutions and colleges of learning for experimental or research...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Application by scientific... DISTILLED SPIRITS PLANTS Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Alternate Methods Or Procedures and Experimental Operations § 19.35 Application by scientific institutions and colleges of learning for...
27 CFR 19.35 - Application by scientific institutions and colleges of learning for experimental or research...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Application by scientific... DISTILLED SPIRITS PLANTS Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Alternate Methods Or Procedures and Experimental Operations § 19.35 Application by scientific institutions and colleges of learning for...
Here's Another Nice Mess: Using Video in Reflective Dialogue Research Method

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hepplewhite, K.

2014-01-01

This account discusses "reflective dialogues", a process utilising video to re-examine in-action decision-making with theatre practitioners who operate in community contexts. The reflexive discussions combine with observation, text and digital documentation to offer a sometimes "messy" (from Schön 1987) dynamic to the research…
European Nanotechnology Experts Visit NCL; Harmonize Best Practices for Nanomedicine Collaboration in Europe | Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

European nanotechnology experts visited the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) to observe best practices and methods and to share their own knowledge with NCL scientists as they prepared to launch an NCL-like operation in Europe. The Eu
The Polygraph: Concept, Usage and Validity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simpson, B. Allen

1986-01-01

Deals with the use of the "lie detector" or "polygraphic test" as a method of detecting deception in industries and law enforcement agencies. Explains what the polygraph is and how it operates. Presents a series of specific arguments for and against the validity of the instrument. Research appears to be inconclusive. (Author/ABB)
Indirect Measures of Learning Transfer between Real and Virtual Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garrett, Michael; McMahon, Mark

2013-01-01

This paper reports on research undertaken to determine the effectiveness of a 3D simulation environment used to train mining personnel in emergency evacuation procedures, designated the Fires in Underground Mines Evacuation Simulator (FUMES). Owing to the operational constraints of the mining facility, methods for measuring learning transfer were…
Cycle Counting Methods of the Aircraft Engine

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fedorchenko, Dmitrii G.; Novikov, Dmitrii K.

2016-01-01

The concept of condition-based gas turbine-powered aircraft operation is realized all over the world, which implementation requires knowledge of the end-of-life information related to components of aircraft engines in service. This research proposes an algorithm for estimating the equivalent cyclical running hours. This article provides analysis…
Neuroimaging Research: from Null-Hypothesis Falsification to Out-Of-Sample Generalization

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bzdok, Danilo; Varoquaux, Gaël; Thirion, Bertrand

2017-01-01

Brain-imaging technology has boosted the quantification of neurobiological phenomena underlying human mental operations and their disturbances. Since its inception, drawing inference on neurophysiological effects hinged on classical statistical methods, especially, the general linear model. The tens of thousands of variables per brain scan were…
Mass Deacidification: An Update on Possibilities and Limitations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porck, Henk J.

This report provides an update of the possibilities and limitations of currently available mass deacidification methods, focusing on the major developments in research and application of the main operational systems. This study is intended primarily to support the development of a well-considered preservation policy by librarians and archivists,…
A Manual Transactional System for the IR Office.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Black, Frank S.

The development and operation of a transactional system (defined as a routine method for carrying out certain processes) without computer support at Texas Southern University's Office of Institutional Research is described. The system was developed in 1975 primarily to improve the internal management of the office. It is a standard operating…
Sonification Design for Complex Work Domains: Dimensions and Distractors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Janet E.; Sanderson, Penelope

2009-01-01

Sonification--representing data in sound--is a potential method for supporting human operators who have to monitor dynamic processes. Previous research has investigated a limited number of sound dimensions and has not systematically investigated the impact of dimensional interactions on sonification effectiveness. In three experiments the authors…

The Value of Accuracy in Information for Planning and Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Higgins, J. C.

1974-01-01

The author discusses some approaches to assessing the impact of inaccurate information when the planning system involves formulae of the management accounting type or models of the operational research variety. The most appropriate method for quantifying information value in management information systems is through Bayesian analysis and decision…
Black Carbon Measurements of Flame-Generated Soot as Determinedby Optical, Thermal-Optical, Direct Absorption,and Laser Incandescence Methods

EPA Science Inventory

Black carbon (BC), light absorbing particles emitted primarily from incomplete combustion, is operationally defined through a variety of instrumental measurements rather than with a universal definition set forth by the research or regulatory communities. To examine the consiste...
a New Idea of Bim System for Visualization, Web Sharing and Using Huge Complex 3d Models for Facility Management.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fassi, F.; Achille, C.; Mandelli, A.; Rechichi, F.; Parri, S.

2015-02-01

The work is the final part of a multi-year research project on the Milan Cathedral, which focused on the complete survey and threedimensional modeling of the Great Spire (Fassi et al., 2011) and the two altars in the transept. The main purpose of the job was to prepare support data for the maintenance operations involving the cathedral since 2009 and still in progress. The research job had begun addressing our efforts to identify which methods would allow an expeditious but comprehensive measure of complex architectural structure as a whole. (Achille et al., 2012) The following research works were focused mainly to find an efficient method to visualize, use and share the realized 3D model.
Study on the water resources optimal operation based on riverbed wind erosion control in West Liaohe River plain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wanguang, Sun; Chengzhen, Li; Baoshan, Fan

2018-06-01

Rivers are drying up most frequently in West Liaohe River plain and the bare river beds present fine sand belts on land. These sand belts, which yield a dust heavily in windy days, stress the local environment deeply as the riverbeds are eroded by wind. The optimal operation of water resources, thus, is one of the most important methods for preventing the wind erosion of riverbeds. In this paper, optimal operation model for water resources based on riverbed wind erosion control has been established, which contains objective function, constraints, and solution method. The objective function considers factors which include water volume diverted into reservoirs, river length and lower threshold of flow rate, etc. On the basis of ensuring the water requirement of each reservoir, the destruction of the vegetation in the riverbed by the frequent river flow is avoided. The multi core parallel solving method for optimal water resources operation in the West Liaohe River Plain is proposed, which the optimal solution is found by DPSA method under the POA framework and the parallel computing program is designed in Fork/Join mode. Based on the optimal operation results, the basic rules of water resources operation in the West Liaohe River Plain are summarized. Calculation results show that, on the basis of meeting the requirement of water volume of every reservoir, the frequency of reach river flow which from Taihekou to Talagan Water Diversion Project in the Xinkai River is reduced effectively. The speedup and parallel efficiency of parallel algorithm are 1.51 and 0.76 respectively, and the computing time is significantly decreased. The research results show in this paper can provide technical support for the prevention and control of riverbed wind erosion in the West Liaohe River plain.
Postoperative evaluation of the folded pharyngeal flap operation for cleft palate patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency

PubMed Central

Yoshimasu, Hidemi; Sato, Yutaka; Mishimagi, Takashi; Negishi, Akihide

2015-01-01

Background: Velopharyngeal function is very important for patients with cleft palate to acquire good speech. For patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency, prosthetic speech appliances and speech therapy are applied first, and then pharyngeal flap surgery to improve velopharyngeal function is performed in our hospital. The folded pharyngeal flap operation was first reported by Isshiki and Morimoto in 1975. We usually use a modification of the original method. Purpose: The purpose of this research was to introduce our method of the folded pharyngeal flap operation and report the results. Materials and Methods: The folded pharyngeal flap operation was performed for 110 patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency from 1982 to 2010. Of these, the 97 whose postoperative speech function was evaluated are reported. The cases included 61 males and 36 females, ranging in age from 7 to 50 years. The time from surgery to speech assessment ranged from 5 months to 6 years. In order to evaluate preoperative velopharyngeal function, assessment of speech by a trained speech pathologist, nasopharyngoscopy, and cephalometric radiography with contrast media were performed before surgery, and then the appropriate surgery was selected and performed. Postoperative velopharyngeal function was assessed by a trained speech pathologist. Results: Of the 97 patients who underwent the folded pharyngeal flap operation, 85 (87.6%) showed velopharyngeal competence, 8 (8.2%) showed marginal velopharyngeal incompetence, and only 2 (2.1%) showed velopharyngeal incompetence; in 2 cases (2.1%), hyponasality was present. Approximately 95% of patients showed improved velopharyngeal function. Conclusions: The folded pharyngeal flap operation based on appropriate preoperative assessment has been shown to be an effective method for the treatment of cleft palate patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency. PMID:26389036
Low-cost Volumetric Ultrasound by Augmentation of 2D Systems: Design and Prototype.

PubMed

Herickhoff, Carl D; Morgan, Matthew R; Broder, Joshua S; Dahl, Jeremy J

2018-01-01

Conventional two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool in the hands of an experienced user, yet 2D ultrasound remains clinically underutilized and inherently incomplete, with output being very operator dependent. Volumetric ultrasound systems can more fully capture a three-dimensional (3D) region of interest, but current 3D systems require specialized transducers, are prohibitively expensive for many clinical departments, and do not register image orientation with respect to the patient; these systems are designed to provide improved workflow rather than operator independence. This work investigates whether it is possible to add volumetric 3D imaging capability to existing 2D ultrasound systems at minimal cost, providing a practical means of reducing operator dependence in ultrasound. In this paper, we present a low-cost method to make 2D ultrasound systems capable of quality volumetric image acquisition: we present the general system design and image acquisition method, including the use of a probe-mounted orientation sensor, a simple probe fixture prototype, and an offline volume reconstruction technique. We demonstrate initial results of the method, implemented using a Verasonics Vantage research scanner.
Mining level of control in medical organizations.

PubMed

Çalimli, Olgu; Türkeli, Serkan; Eken, Emir Gökberk; Gönen, Halil Emre

2014-01-01

In literature of strategic management, there are three layers of control defined in organizational structures. These layers are strategic, tactical and operational, in which resides senior, medium level and low level managers respectively. In strategic level, institutional strategies are determined according to senior managers' perceived state of organization. In tactical level, this strategy is processed into methods and activities of a business management plan. Operational level embodies actions and functions to sustain specified business management plan. An acknowledged lead organization in Turkish medical area is examined using case study and data mining method in the scope of this paper. The level of decisions regarded in managerial purposes evaluated through chosen organization's business intelligence event logs report. Hence specification of management level importance of medical organizations is made. Case study, data mining and descriptive statistical method of taken case's reports present that positions of "Chief Executive Officer", "Outpatient Center Manager", "General Manager", monitored and analyzed functions of operational level management more frequently than strategic and tactical level. Absence of strategic management decision level research in medical area distinguishes this paper and consequently substantiates its significant contribution.
Automating the Transition Between Sensorless Motor Control Methods for the NASA Glenn Research Center Flywheel Energy Storage System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fehrmann, Elizabeth A.; Kenny, Barbara H.

2004-01-01

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been working to advance the technology necessary for a flywheel energy storage system for the past several years. Flywheels offer high efficiency, durability, and near-complete discharge capabilities not produced by typical chemical batteries. These characteristics show flywheels to be an attractive alternative to the more typical energy storage solutions. Flywheels also offer the possibility of combining what are now two separate systems in space applications into one: energy storage, which is currently provided by batteries, and attitude control, which is currently provided by control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) or reaction wheels. To date, NASA Glenn research effort has produced the control algorithms necessary to demonstrate flywheel operation up to a rated speed of 60,000 RPM and the combined operation of two flywheel machines to simultaneously provide energy storage and single axis attitude control. Two position-sensorless algorithms are used to control the motor/generator, one for low (0 to 1200 RPM) speeds and one for high speeds. The algorithm allows the transition from the low speed method to the high speed method, but the transition from the high to low speed method was not originally included. This leads to a limitation in the existing motor/generator control code that does not allow the flywheels to be commanded to zero speed (and back in the negative speed direction) after the initial startup. In a multi-flywheel system providing both energy storage and attitude control to a spacecraft, speed reversal may be necessary.
Continued Development of the AF/SGR Tricorder Program for Homeland Security, Military, Public Health, and Medical Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-15

Method for Ubiquitous Robots Based on Wireless Sensor Networks , in 1st European Conference on Smart Sensing and Context2006, Springer: Enschede, The...SUBJECT TERMS Directed Energy, Lasers, Networking , Wireless , Threat, Remote, Sensors , Database, Targets, Security, Transmit, Mobile, Unmanned...the researchers explore the potential for a network that could transport any type of sensor data now or in the future. 29 3. Methods , Assumptions
Operational Research: Evaluating Multimodel Implementations for 24/7 Runtime Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burkhart, J. F.; Helset, S.; Abdella, Y. S.; Lappegard, G.

2016-12-01

We present a new open source framework for operational hydrologic rainfall-runoff modeling. The Statkraft Hydrologic Forecasting Toolbox (Shyft) is unique from existing frameworks in that two primary goals are to provide: i) modern, professionally developed source code, and ii) a platform that is robust and ready for operational deployment. Developed jointly between Statkraft AS and The University of Oslo, the framework is currently in operation in both private and academic environments. The hydrology presently available in the distribution is simple and proven. Shyft provides a platform for distributed hydrologic modeling in a highly efficient manner. In it's current operational deployment at Statkraft, Shyft is used to provide daily 10-day forecasts for critical reservoirs. In a research setting, we have developed a novel implementation of the SNICAR model to assess the impact of aerosol deposition on snow packs. Several well known rainfall-runoff algorithms are available for use, allowing for intercomparing different approaches based on available data and the geographical environment. The well known HBV model is a default option, and other routines with more localized methods handling snow and evapotranspiration, or simplifications of catchment scale processes are included. For the latter, we have implemented the Kirchner response routine. Being developed in Norway, a variety snow-melt routines, including simplified degree day models or more advanced energy balance models, may be selected. Ensemble forecasts, multi-model implementations, and statistical post-processing routines enable a robust toolbox for investigating optimal model configurations in an operational setting. The Shyft core is written in modern templated C++ and has Python wrappers developed for easy access to module sub-routines. The code is developed such that the modules that make up a "method stack" are easy to modify and customize, allowing one to create new methods and test them rapidly. Due to the simple architecture and ease of access to the module routines, we see Shyft as an optimal choice to evaluate new hydrologic routines in an environment requiring robust, professionally developed software and welcome further community participation.
A pdf-Free Change Detection Test Based on Density Difference Estimation.

PubMed

Bu, Li; Alippi, Cesare; Zhao, Dongbin

2018-02-01

The ability to detect online changes in stationarity or time variance in a data stream is a hot research topic with striking implications. In this paper, we propose a novel probability density function-free change detection test, which is based on the least squares density-difference estimation method and operates online on multidimensional inputs. The test does not require any assumption about the underlying data distribution, and is able to operate immediately after having been configured by adopting a reservoir sampling mechanism. Thresholds requested to detect a change are automatically derived once a false positive rate is set by the application designer. Comprehensive experiments validate the effectiveness in detection of the proposed method both in terms of detection promptness and accuracy.
Methods and techniques for measuring gas emissions from agricultural and animal feeding operations.

PubMed

Hu, Enzhu; Babcock, Esther L; Bialkowski, Stephen E; Jones, Scott B; Tuller, Markus

2014-01-01

Emissions of gases from agricultural and animal feeding operations contribute to climate change, produce odors, degrade sensitive ecosystems, and pose a threat to public health. The complexity of processes and environmental variables affecting these emissions complicate accurate and reliable quantification of gas fluxes and production rates. Although a plethora of measurement technologies exist, each method has its limitations that exacerbate accurate quantification of gas fluxes. Despite a growing interest in gas emission measurements, only a few available technologies include real-time, continuous monitoring capabilities. Commonly applied state-of-the-art measurement frameworks and technologies were critically examined and discussed, and recommendations for future research to address real-time monitoring requirements for forthcoming regulation and management needs are provided.
Liquid Thermal Diffusion during the Manhattan Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cameron Reed, B.

2011-06-01

On the basis of Manhattan Engineer District documents, a little known Naval Research Laboratory report of 1946, and other sources, I construct a more complete history of the liquid-thermal-diffusion method of uranium enrichment during World War II than is presented in official histories of the Manhattan Project. This method was developed by Philip Abelson (1913-2004) and put into operation at the rapidly-constructed S-50 plant at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which was responsible for the first stage of uranium enrichment, from 0.72% to 0.85% U-235, producing nearly 45,000 pounds of enriched U-235 by July 1945 at a cost of just under 20 million. I review the history, design, politics, construction, and operation of the S-50 liquid-thermal-diffusion plant.
Human Factors Research Under Ground-Based and Space Conditions. Part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Session TP2 includes short reports concerning: (1) Human Factors Engineering of the International space Station Human Research Facility; (2) Structured Methods for Identifying and Correcting Potential Human Errors in Space operation; (3) An Improved Procedure for Selecting Astronauts for Extended Space Missions; (4) The NASA Performance Assessment Workstation: Cognitive Performance During Head-Down Bedrest; (5) Cognitive Performance Aboard the Life and Microgravity Spacelab; and (6) Psychophysiological Reactivity Under MIR-Simulation and Real Micro-G.
Development of a Hampton University Program for Novel Breast Cancer Imaging and Therapy Research

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

student ( Nanda Karthik) involved…. Should be able to give you some text!]. Aim 2 Develop and test a practical method for application of a magnetic field ...a Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear physics research facility operated by Jefferson Science Associates LLC. Jefferson Lab resources for this...minimally affected by breast density because of the higher energy photons of 99mTc. In a recent study that included patients who had inconclusive
The physiology and biochemistry of total body immobilization in animals: A compendium of research. [bibliographies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dorchak, K. J.; Greenleaf, J. E.

1976-01-01

Major studies that describe the physiological and biochemical mechanisms which operate during total body restraint (confinement in cages for example) are presented. The metabolism and behavior of various animals used in medical research (dogs, monkeys, rats, fowl) was investigated and wherever possible a detailed annotation for each study is provided under the subheadings: (a) purposes, (b) procedures and methods, (c) results, and (d) conclusions. Selected references are also included.
Estimation of crop water requirements using remote sensing for operational water resources management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasiliades, Lampros; Spiliotopoulos, Marios; Tzabiras, John; Loukas, Athanasios; Mylopoulos, Nikitas

2015-06-01

An integrated modeling system, developed in the framework of "Hydromentor" research project, is applied to evaluate crop water requirements for operational water resources management at Lake Karla watershed, Greece. The framework includes coupled components for operation of hydrotechnical projects (reservoir operation and irrigation works) and estimation of agricultural water demands at several spatial scales using remote sensing. The study area was sub-divided into irrigation zones based on land use maps derived from Landsat 5 TM images for the year 2007. Satellite-based energy balance for mapping evapotranspiration with internalized calibration (METRIC) was used to derive actual evapotranspiration (ET) and crop coefficient (ETrF) values from Landsat TM imagery. Agricultural water needs were estimated using the FAO method for each zone and each control node of the system for a number of water resources management strategies. Two operational strategies of hydro-technical project development (present situation without operation of the reservoir and future situation with the operation of the reservoir) are coupled with three water demand strategies. In total, eight (8) water management strategies are evaluated and compared. The results show that, under the existing operational water resources management strategies, the crop water requirements are quite large. However, the operation of the proposed hydro-technical projects in Lake Karla watershed coupled with water demand management measures, like improvement of existing water distribution systems, change of irrigation methods, and changes of crop cultivation could alleviate the problem and lead to sustainable and ecological use of water resources in the study area.
Crane cabins' interior space multivariate anthropometric modeling.

PubMed

Essdai, Ahmed; Spasojević Brkić, Vesna K; Golubović, Tamara; Brkić, Aleksandar; Popović, Vladimir

2018-01-01

Previous research has shown that today's crane cabins fail to meet the needs of a large proportion of operators. Performance and financial losses and effects on safety should not be overlooked as well. The first aim of this survey is to model the crane cabin interior space using up-to-date crane operator anthropometric data and to compare the multivariate and univariate method anthropometric models. The second aim of the paper is to define the crane cabin interior space dimensions that enable anthropometric convenience. To facilitate the cabin design, the anthropometric dimensions of 64 crane operators in the first sample and 19 more in the second sample were collected in Serbia. The multivariate anthropometric models, spanning 95% of the population on the basis of a set of 8 anthropometric dimensions, have been developed. The percentile method was also used on the same set of data. The dimensions of the interior space, necessary for the accommodation of the crane operator, are 1174×1080×1865 mm. The percentiles results for the 5th and 95th model are within the obtained dimensions. The results of this study may prove useful to crane cabin designers in eliminating anthropometric inconsistencies and improving the health of operators, but can also aid in improving the safety, performance and financial results of the companies where crane cabins operate.
Involving service users in trials: developing a standard operating procedure

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Many funding bodies require researchers to actively involve service users in research to improve relevance, accountability and quality. Current guidance to researchers mainly discusses general principles. Formal guidance about how to involve service users operationally in the conduct of trials is lacking. We aimed to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) to support researchers to involve service users in trials and rigorous studies. Methods Researchers with experience of involving service users and service users who were contributing to trials collaborated with the West Wales Organisation for Rigorous Trials in Health, a registered clinical trials unit, to develop the SOP. Drafts were prepared in a Task and Finish Group, reviewed by all co-authors and amendments made. Results We articulated core principles, which defined equality of service users with all other research team members and collaborative processes underpinning the SOP, plus guidance on how to achieve these. We developed a framework for involving service users in research that defined minimum levels of collaboration plus additional consultation and decision-making opportunities. We recommended service users be involved throughout the life of a trial, including planning and development, data collection, analysis and dissemination, and listed tasks for collaboration. We listed people responsible for involving service users in studies and promoting an inclusive culture. We advocate actively involving service users as early as possible in the research process, with a minimum of two on all formal trial groups and committees. We propose that researchers protect at least 1% of their total research budget as a minimum resource to involve service users and allow enough time to facilitate active involvement. Conclusions This SOP provides guidance to researchers to involve service users successfully in developing and conducting clinical trials and creating a culture of actively involving service users in research at all stages. The UK Clinical Research Collaboration should encourage clinical trials units actively to involve service users and research funders should provide sufficient funds and time for this in research grants. PMID:23866730
Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation Overview and Research Activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auligne, T.

2017-12-01

In 2001 NOAA/NESDIS, NOAA/NWS, NOAA/OAR, and NASA, subsequently joined by the US Navy and Air Force, came together to form the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) for the common purpose of accelerating the use of satellite data in environmental numerical prediction modeling by developing, using, and anticipating advances in numerical modeling, satellite-based remote sensing, and data assimilation methods. The primary focus was to bring these advances together to improve operational numerical model-based forecasting, under the premise that these partners have common technical and logistical challenges assimilating satellite observations into their modeling enterprises that could be better addressed through cooperative action and/or common solutions. Over the last 15 years, the JCSDA has made and continues to make major contributions to operational assimilation of satellite data. The JCSDA is a multi-agency U.S. government-owned-and-operated organization that was conceived as a venue for the several agencies NOAA, NASA, USAF and USN to collaborate on advancing the development and operational use of satellite observations into numerical model-based environmental analysis and forecasting. The primary mission of the JCSDA is to "accelerate and improve the quantitative use of research and operational satellite data in weather, ocean, climate and environmental analysis and prediction systems." This mission is fulfilled through directed research targeting the following key science objectives: Improved radiative transfer modeling; new instrument assimilation; assimilation of humidity, clouds, and precipitation observations; assimilation of land surface observations; assimilation of ocean surface observations; atmospheric composition; and chemistry and aerosols. The goal of this presentation is to briefly introduce the JCSDA's mission and vision, and to describe recent research activities across various JCSDA partners.

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