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At least 55 records · Page 3

Retention of LDR Inorganics in Solidified/Immobilized Waste

This report provides a summary of the laboratory data and statistical analysis used to calculate retention factors in solidified/stabilized Hanford tank waste for the 13 LDR inorganic species associated with Hanford tank waste (SRNL-STI-2020-00228). The data presented is a summary of the results of research performed to build a correlation between the untreated waste concentration and the TCLP response of a solidified/stabilized waste form. This report establishes the efficacy of two treatment technologies found in 40 CFR 268.42, CHRED (chemical reduction) and STABL (stabilization), that are key to the Sample-and-Send strategy.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W

Prediction of the space adaptation syndrome

The univariate and multivariate relationships of provocative measures used to produce motion sickness symptoms were described. Normative subjects were used to develop and cross-validate sets of linear equations that optimally predict motion sickness in parabolic flights. The possibility of reducing the number of measurements required for prediction was assessed. After describing the variables verbally and statistically for 159 subjects, a factor analysis of 27 variables was completed to improve understanding of the relationships between variables and to reduce the number of measures for prediction purposes. The results of this analysis show that none of variables are significantly related to the responses to parabolic flights. A set of variables was selected to predict responses to KC-135 flights. A series of discriminant analyses were completed. Results indicate that low, moderate, or severe susceptibility could be correctly predicted 64 percent and 53 percent of the time on original and cross-validation samples, respectively. Both the factor analysis and the discriminant analysis provided no basis for reducing the number of tests.

Reschke, M. F.

Analysis of Doppler radar windshear data

The objective of this analysis is to process Lincoln Laboratory Doppler radar data obtained during FLOWS testing at Huntsville, Alabama, in the summer of 1986, to characterize windshear events. The processing includes plotting velocity and F-factor profiles, histogram analysis to summarize statistics, and correlation analysis to demonstrate any correlation between different data fields.

Williams, F.

Evaluation of Different MODIS AOD Retrieval Algorithms for PM (sub 2.5) Estimation in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States with Implications for Public Health

This study was part of the research activities of the Center for Applied Atmospheric Research and Education (CAARE) funded by the NASA MUREP (Minority University Research and Education Project) Institutional Research Opportunity (MIRO) Program. Satellite measurements of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) have been shown to be correlated with ground measurements of fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns PM (sub 2.5), which in turn has been linked to respiratory and heart diseases. The strength of the correlation between AOD and PM (sub 2.5) varies for different AOD retrieval algorithms and geographic regions. We evaluated several Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) AOD products from different satellites (Aqua vs. Terra), retrieval algorithms (Dark Target versus Deep Blue), Collections (5.1 versus 6) and spatial resolutions (10-kilometers versus 3-kilometers) for cities in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern U.S. We developed and validated PM (sub 2.5) prediction models using remotely-sensed AOD data, which were improved by incorporating meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and wind direction) from the North American Land Data Assimilation System Phase 2 (NLDAS-2). Adding these meteorological data significantly improved the predictive power of all the PM (sub 2.5) models, especially in the Western U.S. Temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were the most significant meteorological variables throughout the year in the Western U.S. Wind speed was the most significant meteorological variable for the cold season while temperature was the most significant variable for the warm season in the Midwestern and Southeastern U.S. Our study re-establishes the connection between PM (sub 2.5) and public health concerns including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (asthma, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke). Using PM (sub 2.5) data and health data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), our statistical analysis showed that heart attack and stroke occurrences had the strongest correlations with PM (sub 2.5).

Environmental Public Health

Analysis of upper stratospheric Umkehr ozone profile data for trends and the effects of stratospheric aerosols

The effect of stratospheric aerosols on Umkehr estimates of long-term ozone depletion associated with chlorofluoromethanes (CFMs) is considered in a statistical time series trend analysis. Time series models are estimated using monthly averages of Umkehr measurements made over the last 15 to 20 years. The time series regression models incorporate seasonal, trend and noise factors and an additional factor to account for the effects of atmospheric aerosols on the Umkehr measurements. The analysis indicates a statistically significant relation with atmospheric aerosol transmission in the Umkehr layers and implies that the relation is an important factor in any time series trend analysis of Umkehr data. Taking this relation into account, statistically significant negative trends were found in the Upper Umkehr layers. It is pointed out that upper stratospheric ozone could be sensitive to long-term solar variability as well as other possible influences in addition to CFM-induced effects, and therefore the cause or causes of the estimated trend cannot be unambiguously estimated using current Umkehr data.

Reinsel, G. C.

A new criterion for predicting rolling-element fatigue lives of through-hardened steels

A carbide factor was derived based upon a statistical analysis which related rolling-element fatigue life to the total number of residual carbide particles per unit area, median residual carbide size, and percent residual carbide area. An equation was experimentally determined which predicts material hardness as a function of temperature. The limiting temperatures of all of the materials studied were dependent on initial room temperature hardness and tempering temperature. An equation was derived combining the effects of material hardness, carbide factor, and bearing temperature to predict rolling-element bearing life.

Chevalier, J. L.

A new criterion for predicting rolling-element fatigue lives of through-hardened steels.

A carbide factor was derived based upon a statistical analysis which related rolling-element fatigue life to the total number of residual carbide particles per unit area, median residual carbide size, and percent residual carbide area. An equation was empirically determined which predicts material hardness as a function of temperature. The limiting temperatures of all of the materials studied were dependent on initial room temperature hardness and tempering temperature. An equation was derived combining the effects of material hardness, carbide factor, and bearing temperature to predict rolling-element bearing life.

Chevalier, J. L.

Journal of Air Transportation, Volume 8, No. 2

The mission of the Journal of Air Transportation (JAT) is to provide the global community immediate key resource information in all areas of air transportation. This journal contains articles on the following:Fuel Consumption Modeling of a Transport Category Aircraft: A FlightOperationsQualityAssurance (F0QA) Analysis;Demand for Air Travel in the United States: Bottom-Up Econometric Estimation and Implications for Forecasts by Origin and Destination Pairs;Blind Flying on the Beam: Aeronautical Communication, Navigation and Surveillance: Its Origins and the Politics of Technology: Part I1 Political Oversight and Promotion;Blind Flying on the Beam: Aeronautical Communication, Navigation and Surveillance: Its Origins and the Politics of Technology: Part 111: Emerging Technologies;Ethics Education in University Aviation Management Programs in the US: Part Two B-Statistical Analysis of Current Practice;Integrating Human Factors into the Human-computer Interface: and How Best to Display Meteorological Information for Critical Aviation Decision-making and Performance.

Bowen, Brent

Spaceflight-Induced Cardiovascular Changes and Recovery During NASA's Functional Task Test

Microgravity-induced physiological changes could impair a crewmember s performance upon return to a gravity environment. The Functional Task Test (FTT) is designed to correlate these physiological changes to performance in mission-critical tasks. The Recovery from Fall/Stand Test (RFST) simulates one such task, measuring the ability to recover from a prone position and the cardiovascular response to orthostasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate spaceflight-induced cardiovascular changes during the FTT. METHODS: Five astronauts participated in the FTT before 10-15 day missions, on landing day (R+0), and one (R+1), six (R+6) and thirty (R+30) days after landing. The RFST consisted of a 2-minute prone rest followed by a 3-minute stand during which heart rate (HR, Holter) and continuous blood pressure (BP, Finometer) were measured. Spectral heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated during the RFST to approximate autonomic function. Statistical analysis was performed with two-factor repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: During RFST, HR was higher on R+0 than preflight (p<0.004). This increase in HR persisted on R+1 and R+6 during the stand portion of RFST (p<0.026). BP was well-regulated on all test days. Parasympathetic activity was diminished on R+0 (p=0.035). Sympathovagal balance tended to be affected by spaceflight (main effect, p=0.072), appearing to be slightly elevated during postflight RFST except on R+30. Additionally, analysis of HR during the functional tasks yielded a higher HR on R+0 than preflight during 8 of 11 tasks analyzed, where all tasks had HR return to preflight values by R+30 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Spaceflight causes an increase in HR, decrease in parasympathetic activity, and increase in sympathovagal balance, which we confirmed during RFST. These spaceflight-induced changes seen in the RFST, along with the increased postflight HR in most functional tasks, can be used to assess functional performance after short-duration spaceflight.

Arzeno, N. M.

Statistical summaries of fatigue data for design purposes

Two methods are discussed for constructing a design curve on the safe side of fatigue data. Both the tolerance interval and equivalent prediction interval (EPI) concepts provide such a curve while accounting for both the distribution of the estimators in small samples and the data scatter. The EPI is also useful as a mechanism for providing necessary statistics on S-N data for a full reliability analysis which includes uncertainty in all fatigue design factors. Examples of statistical analyses of the general strain life relationship are presented. The tolerance limit and EPI techniques for defining a design curve are demonstrated. Examples usng WASPALOY B and RQC-100 data demonstrate that a reliability model could be constructed by considering the fatigue strength and fatigue ductility coefficients as two independent random variables. A technique given for establishing the fatigue strength for high cycle lives relies on an extrapolation technique and also accounts for "runners." A reliability model or design value can be specified.

Wirsching, P. H.

Parameters Impacting Columnated Granular Soil Pneumatic Seal Performance

The ability of a column of loose granular soil to form a pneumatic seal was investigated by varying the diameter of the soil column, the effective column height, and the level of compaction in the soil. The soil column diameter was tested at three levels using pipes with inner diameters measuring 5.08, 10.16, and 15.24 centimeters (2, 4, and 6 inches). Soil was filled in each pipe to form 15, 30, and 45 centimeter (6, 12, and 18 inch) tall soil columns. Each diameter/height configuration was also tested at three levels of soil compaction, compared by calculating the bulk density of the soil with mass and volume measurements. GRC-1a simulant was used, with approximate low/medium/high bulk densities of 1.6, 1.75, and 1.9 g/cc achieved with a combination of vibration and tamping. The order of tests for a given column diameter was randomized and repeated three times. With the top of the soil open to atmosphere at room temperature, compressed air was injected through a small diffuser at the column base with several small downward-facing holes. The number and size of these holes was scaled such that a constant total inlet orifice area to column cross sectional area ratio was maintained for each column diameter. Inlet air pressure was slowly increased via a precision regulator to preserve quasi-static equilibrium in the soil column to minimize the impact of dynamics. Air pressure was increased all the way through the static and bubbling regimes until slugging or turbulent behavior was observed in the soil to ensure that the entire static regime had been captured during data collection. A three-factor, three-level analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical analysis was performed on the resulting data to determine the extent to which each physical parameter impacted the soil column seal performance. It was concluded that there is statistically significant evidence that column height, and the interaction between column height and diameter impact soil seal performance. In all other cases there was insufficient data to identify a statistically significant causal relationship. Additionally, plots were generated comparing experimental data to the predictive formula developed by Ogino et al. for fluidized beds in 1993. Because this model was developed for industrial spouted fluidized beds, the accuracy of its output prior to fluidization in the static seal ‘edge case’ is unknown, especially considering in this application the working gas was diffused across the column base rather than being injected through a spout. Further, the fidelity of the model had not yet been tested with lunar soil simulants. Plotting the Ogino et al. model alongside test data allows for a more intuitive sense of the impact of test parameters on soil seal performance, as well as providing a quick means to further tune this predictive model for more accurate use with static seals across granular lunar soil simulants. The model provided by Ogino et al. was further tuned using test data to determine the degree to which a spouted bed model could be applied to a slightly modified set of testing conditions: lunar soil simulants and a more diffuse, homogeneous application of pneumatic pressure. A Matlab script was created to test different values for the leading coefficient and exponents in Ogino’s formula. The script swept preset ranges, then iterated with higher resolutions across narrower ranges to converge on the optimal value for each parameter. The resulting adjusted model was compared to the original, as well as test data with noticeable improvements across the entire test domain.

Jack Stewart

ExMASS: A viable model for authentic student-scientist research partnerships

The Exploration of the Moon and Asteroids by Secondary Students (ExMASS) program provides students the opportunity to conduct authentic, student-led, open-inquiry research with assistance from their teacher and a scientist. One goal of the program is to enhance participants’ attitudes toward science. Most students enter the ExMASS program with positive attitudes toward science. However, the attitude survey developed for ExMASS measured small but statistically significant increases in attitudes. This paper discusses the ExMASS program, an attitude towards science survey designed for the program’s specific audience, and the results of statistical analyses of the survey. The validity of the attitudes survey was tested with an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The results of the EFA revealed two salient factors measured by the survey: 1) Personal Importance of Science and 2) Importance of Science to Society. A reliability analysis revealed a Cronbach alpha value of 0.89. Paired t-tests revealed statistically significant differences in students’ attitudes before and after the program. For Factor 1, participants’ before scores were statistically significantly lower than their post scores, t(88) = 3.16, p<0.05. For Factor 2, participants’ before scores were statistically significantly lower than their post scores, t(88) = 4.47, p<0.05. ExMASS has been shown to be a practical model for programs designed to increase high school student attitudes toward science. More information on the ExMASS program is available at https://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/education/hsResearch/.

science

Optimization of the 4-Bed CO2 Scrubber Performance Based on Ground Tests

Testing of ground hardware closely matching the flight design for the 4-Bed CO2Scrubber (4BCO2) has provided a wealth of information about the complex and highly coupled batch process. The 4BCO2 process is a Thermal and Vacuum Swing Adsorption (TVSA) cycle with recirculating flows. The ability to measure CO2concentration at intermediate points in this architecture is new to this ground test system and has revealed a better understanding of system performance and its dependence on system design, operational parameters, and boundary conditions. This paper will discuss a statistical analysis performed to identify significant correlations between performance factors and operational parameters. Using these new insights on the highly coupled system physics, means for improvements to system performance are proposed.

CO2 Removal

User Acceptance of Shared Autonomous Vehicles

A dissertation is proposed to explore user acceptance of shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs). SAVs are facing limited user acceptance. To systematically tackle the user acceptance barriers of SAVs, the main problem can be disintegrated into two sub-problems of user acceptance of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and ridesharing. The comfort of the ride experience in AVs is a determinant of user acceptance. Understanding the influential factors and developing methodologies to quantify human comfort in AVs are essential to facilitating future research to improve human comfort in AVs. The current pooled rideshare (PR) service closely resembles the anticipated future of SAVs. Understanding why users prefer or refuse to use PR at the current stage prepares SAVs for broader acceptance in the future. Until now, a series of peer-reviewed publications have been published to achieve the technical goals. Two simulator-based user studies were conducted to instrument the research on human comfort in AVs. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the crucial vehicular behavioral factors of human comfort in AVs. The influential factors of human comfort in AVs and methodologies to quantify and detect human comfort in AVs were investigated. Two survey-based studies were deployed to facilitate the investigation of user acceptance of rideshare services. The influential factors of users' willingness to consider PR were explored and identified, and the choice behaviors in ridesharing services were comprehensively modeled and analyzed. The proposed research answers a series of fundamental questions regarding the user acceptance of SAVs. For the branch of user acceptance of AVs, the research generated guidelines for improving passenger comfort in AVs by identifying a series of autonomous driving factors of passenger comfort. The research also provides fundamental tools to estimate human comfort levels for future research and in-AV applications. For the branch of user acceptance of PR, the research provided user acceptance-aware vehicle, service, and policy design insights that can promote the usage of PR.

Su, Haotian

Statistical properties of filtered pseudorandom digital sequences formed from the sum of maximum-length sequences

The statistics of filtered pseudorandom digital sequences called hybrid-sum sequences, formed from the modulo-two sum of several maximum-length sequences, are analyzed. The results indicate that a relation exists between the statistics of the filtered sequence and the characteristic polynomials of the component maximum length sequences. An analysis procedure is developed for identifying a large group of sequences with good statistical properties for applications requiring the generation of analog pseudorandom noise. By use of the analysis approach, the filtering process is approximated by the convolution of the sequence with a sum of unit step functions. A parameter reflecting the overall statistical properties of filtered pseudorandom sequences is derived. This parameter is called the statistical quality factor. A computer algorithm to calculate the statistical quality factor for the filtered sequences is presented, and the results for two examples of sequence combinations are included. The analysis reveals that the statistics of the signals generated with the hybrid-sum generator are potentially superior to the statistics of signals generated with maximum-length generators. Furthermore, fewer calculations are required to evaluate the statistics of a large group of hybrid-sum generators than are required to evaluate the statistics of the same size group of approximately equivalent maximum-length sequences.

Wallace, G. R.

Loss Factor Estimation Using the Impulse Response Decay Method on a Stiffened Structure

High-frequency vibroacoustic modeling is typically performed using energy-based techniques such as Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA). Energy models require an estimate of the internal damping loss factor. Unfortunately, the loss factor is difficult to estimate analytically, and experimental methods such as the power injection method can require extensive measurements over the structure of interest. This paper discusses the implications of estimating damping loss factors using the impulse response decay method (IRDM) from a limited set of response measurements. An automated procedure for implementing IRDM is described and then evaluated using data from a finite element model of a stiffened, curved panel. Estimated loss factors are compared with loss factors computed using a power injection method and a manual curve fit. The paper discusses the sensitivity of the IRDM loss factor estimates to damping of connected subsystems and the number and location of points in the measurement ensemble.

Cabell, Randolph

MARGInS Model-Based Analysis of Realizable Goals in Systems

The high complexity of modern aircraft and spacecraft requires elaborate Verification and Validation (V&V) approaches to make sure that such complex systems work properly and reliably. MARGInS is a framework for the analysis, understanding, and prediction of the behavior of a complex, hybrid system. MARGInS contains a set of machine learning and statistical algorithms for multivariate clustering, treatment learning, critical factor determination, time-series analysis, event prediction, and safety-boundary detection and characterization. The framework supports system testing and can be configured to find novel features in test suites, determine classes of behavior, propose new experiments that can efficiently explore and characterize the boundaries between classes of system behavior, and to create visualizations and reports.

He, Yuning

Understanding and Modeling Pooled Rideshare Acceptance: Influential Factors, Preferred User Experiences, and Implications

Ridesharing allows people to share a vehicle with others traveling in the same direction, which can reduce costs and traffic congestion. Pooled rideshare (PR) services, such as UberX Share and Lyft Shared, offer an economical and environmentally friendly alternative by matching passengers traveling similar routes. However, despite these benefits, PR adoption remains low due to concerns about safety, privacy, and convenience. This research explores the factors influencing PR adoption and provides recommendations to improve user acceptance. A nationwide survey of 5,385 participants across the U.S. was conducted to understand why people choose or avoid PR. The study identified five key factors influencing PR consideration: safety, service experience, privacy, traffic/environment, and time/cost. Additional research examined ways to optimize PR experiences by identifying four critical factors: comfort/ease of use, convenience, vehicle technology/accessibility, and passenger safety. To measure the impact of these factors, a statistical model called the Pooled Rideshare Acceptance Model (PRAM) was developed, providing insights into how each element influences PR adoption. Further analysis using the Pooled Rideshare Acceptance Model Multigroup Analyses (PRAMMA) revealed how demographic characteristics such as age, gender, income, and past rideshare experience shape PR perceptions. Some key findings from the multigroup analyses showed that younger users valued technological features and environmental benefits, while older users prioritized reliability and service transparency. Additionally, privacy concerns were more significant for female users, while convenience was critical for higher-income groups. These results emphasize that a 'onesize-fits-all' approach to PR service design is not effective, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to address different user segments. Further, workshops were conducted with researchers and students to translate the findings into real-world solutions. These workshops and 3 all the statistical analyses led to the development of 95 actionable recommendations. The recommendations focus on key areas such as safety, service reliability, user education, and accessibility, offering tangible improvements to PR services. The insights from this study provide valuable guidance for policymakers, transportation network companies (TNCs), and researchers aiming to make PR services safer, more accessible, and widely accepted. By addressing user concerns, PR can become a more viable transportation option, supporting sustainable urban mobility and reducing reliance on private vehicles. Additionally, these findings emphasize the importance of user-centric service design in encouraging broader PR adoption. Future research should explore evolving trends in PR preferences, technological advancements, and policy changes to ensure continued improvements. By implementing these recommendations, PR services can better align with user expectations, enhance trust in shared mobility, and contribute to a more efficient transportation ecosystem.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY