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At least 1,081 records · Page 60

An Approach to Dynamic Human Reliability Analysis and Its Data Collection Framework

Human reliability analysis (HRA) is a method for evaluating human errors in a variety of complex systems such as nuclear power plants, military systems, aircraft, and chemical plants. Most HRA methods currently used by regulatory institutes or utilities are called static HRA and are carried out by simple worksheets or simple calculators. To date, there are many unsolved or intrinsic challenges in static HRA. For example, existing static HRA does not realistically model and evaluate human actions as they would be performed at actual systems. There is no method with HRA to objectively estimate the time required for human actions despite being essential to HRA processes. In addition, many HRA methods still rely on a dataset generated prior to the 1980s, from unrelated industry experience or simply from expert judgment. Accordingly, this study attempted to research how to overcome the challenges of existing HRA via dynamic risk assessment (a.k.a., simulation-based or computation-based risk assessment) techniques. First, this study developed a dynamic HRA method, named as PRocedure-based Investigation Method of EMRALD Risk Assessment – HRA (PRIMERA-HRA). The PRIMERA-HRA mainly concentrates on providing HRA analysts with specific guidelines on how to reasonably model human actions, assign human reliability data and evaluate output of simulation within a dynamic probabilistic risk assessment tool, called as Event Modeling Risk Assessment using Linked Diagrams (EMRALD). Second, this study also developed a module for performance shaping factors (i.e., the key concept in HRA quantification) applicable to dynamic HRA, then implemented it based on PRIMERA-HRA within the EMRALD tool. Third, this study developed an HRA data collection framework to support dynamic HRA, called as Simplified Human Error Experimental Program (SHEEP). Originally, the SHEEP study aimed to support static HRA and its data collection, but recently extended the scope to the new technologies such as dynamic HRA or HRA for advanced reactors. SHEEP focuses on the use of data collected from simplified simulators to complement—but not replace—data collection studies using full-scope simulators and actual operators. To date, many experiments were conducted under the SHEEP framework. Multiple analyses, such as human performance analysis, human error analysis, task complexity analysis, learning effect analysis and time distribution analysis, were also carried out using the collected data. Then, based on the major insights, an approach to inferring full-scope data based on simplified simulator data was proposed. The PRIMERA-HRA and SHEEP research are expected to evaluate human actions more realistically than existing static HRA, provide an opportunity to collect more HRA data with reasonable cost and labor, then contribute to enhance the quality of HRA.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

New soil carbon sequestration with nitrogen enrichment: a meta-analysis

Background and aims: Through agriculture and industry, humans are increasing the deposition and availability of nitrogen (N) in ecosystems worldwide. Carbon (C) isotope tracers provide useful insights into soil C dynamics, as they allow to study soil C pools of different ages. In this study we evaluated to what extent N enrichment affects soil C dynamics in experiments that applied C isotope tracers. Methods: Using meta-analysis, we synthesized data from 35 published papers. We made a distinction between “new C” and “old C” stocks, i.e., soil C derived from plant C input since the start of the isotopic enrichment, or unlabeled, pre-existing soil C. Results: Averaged across studies, N addition increased new soil C stocks (+30.3%), total soil C stocks (+6.1%) and soil C input proxies (+30.7%). Although N addition had no overall, average, effect on old soil C stocks and old soil C respiration, old soil C stocks increased with the amount of N added and respiration of old soil C declined. Nitrogen-induced effects on new soil C and soil C input both decreased with the amount of extraneous N added in control treatments. Conclusion: Although our findings require additional confirmation from long-term field experiments, our analysis provides isotopic evidence that N addition stimulates soil C storage both by increasing soil C input and (at high N rates) by decreasing decomposition of old soil C. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the widely reported saturating response of plant growth to N enrichment also applies to new soil C storage.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Quantification of silicon carbide grain structure in TRISO fuel by BSE image analysis

The grain structure of the silicon carbide (SiC) layer in tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuels has commonly been qualified in fuel specifications based on a qualitative comparison to visual standards to ensure undesirable microstructure are not produced. This approach is inherently dependent on subjective judgement and provides limited data for analysis or comparison. An alternative method to rapidly quantify (i.e., provide a numeric measure of) the grain structure of the SiC layer in TRISO fuels has been developed. This method relies on the identification of silicon carbide grain boundaries based on brightness variation in backscattered electron (BSE) images through the application of automated image processing algorithms. The speed with which the requisite BSE imaging and analysis may be completed enables the practical use of this method on an industrial scale as a part of qualifying TRISO fuel to meet a given specification on silicon carbide grain structure, which is an important parameter for TRISO fuel performance. The method is benchmarked by comparison to prior Electron-Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) results for TRISO particles from the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) program.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Long-range collectivity in small collision systems with two- and four-particle correlations at STAR

New STAR measurements of two- and four-particle (c 2 {4}) azimuthal angle correlations are reported for p+Au collisions at 200 GeV and d+Au collisions from 19.6 to 200 GeV. A negative c 2 {4}, consistent with collective anisotropic flow, is observed in high multiplicity d+Au events at 62.4 and 200 GeV where the statistical significance of the data allows an analysis. A template fitting method, employed to subtract non-flow contributions to the two-particle correlations, allows the extraction of the anisotropy coefficients (ν 2 ) for these systems at their respective energies. The ν 2 results for different energies show a common dependence on the charged particle multiplicity density ( < dN ch /dη > ), which provide important insight on the nature of collective behavior in small collision systems.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Comparative analysis of the methods for quantitative determination of water content in skin from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy data

The predictive properties of methods aimed for estimating the water content in skin from the spectral diffuse reflection characteristics near the water absorption line in the near-IR spectral range are analysed. Numerical simulation data, experimental data on diffuse reflection from human skin phantoms, and data from the reference data set of human skin reflectance spectra are used to consider the possibility of gaining additional information about the water distribution in skin. The influence of variations in the scattering coefficient and oxyhaemoglobin concentration on the water content estimates is investigated. (paper)

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fast inference of Boosted Decision Trees in FPGAs for particle physics

We describe the implementation of Boosted Decision Trees in the hls4ml library, which allows the translation of a trained model into FPGA firmware through an automated conversion process. Thanks to its fully on-chip implementation, hls4ml performs inference of Boosted Decision Tree models with extremely low latency. With a typical latency less than 100 ns, this solution is suitable for FPGA-based real-time processing, such as in the Level-1 Trigger system of a collider experiment. These developments open up prospects for physicists to deploy BDTs in FPGAs for identifying the origin of jets, better reconstructing the energies of muons, and enabling better selection of rare signal processes.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

ALICE luminosity determination for Pb–Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

Luminosity determination within the ALICE experiment is based on the measurement, in van der Meer scans, of the cross sections for visible processes involving one or more detectors (visible cross sections). In 2015 and 2018, the Large Hadron Collider provided Pb–Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV. Two visible cross sections, associated with particle detection in the Zero Degree Calorimeter (ZDC) and in the V0 detector, were measured in a van der Meer scan. This article describes the experimental set-up and the analysis procedure, and presents the measurement results. The analysis involves a comprehensive study of beam-related effects and an improved fitting procedure, compared to previous ALICE studies, for the extraction of the visible cross section. The resulting uncertainty of both the ZDC-based and the V0-based luminosity measurement for the full sample is 2.5%. The inelastic cross section for hadronic interactions in Pb–Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV, obtained by efficiency correction of the V0-based visible cross section, was measured to be 7.67 ± 0.25 b, in agreement with predictions using the Glauber model.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Optimizing spin dressing sensitivity for the nEDMSF experiment

nEDMSF aims to measure the neutron electric dipole moment (d n ) with unprecedented precision. In this paper we explore the experiment's sensitivity when operating with an implementation of the critical dressing method in which the angle between the neutron and Helium-3 spins (ϕ 3n ) is subjected to a square modulation by an amount ϕ d (the “dressing angle”). Several parameters can be tuned to optimize sensitivity. We find roughly 10% improvement over a previous estimate, resulting primarily from the addition of a waiting period between the π/2 pulse that initiates d n -driven ϕ 3n growth and the start of ϕ3n modulation. We find negligible further improvement by allowing ϕ d to vary continuously over the course of a run, and no degradation resulting from the addition of an in situ background measurement into each ϕ3n modulation sequence. A complete simulation confirms a 300 live-day sensitivity ofσ = 1.45×10 -28 e ·cm. At this level of sensitivity, σ ϕ3n0 = 1 mrad precision on the initial n/ 3 He angle difference is not negligible.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Tools for unbinned unfolding

Machine learning has enabled differential cross section measurements that are not discretized. Going beyond the traditional histogram-based paradigm, these unbinned unfolding methods are rapidly being integrated into experimental workflows. Here, in order to enable widespread adaptation and standardization, we develop methods, benchmarks, and software for unbinned unfolding. For methodology, we demonstrate the utility of boosted decision trees for unfolding with a relatively small number of high-level features. This complements state-of-the-art deep learning models capable of unfolding the full phase space. To benchmark unbinned unfolding methods, we develop an extension of existing dataset to include acceptance effects, a necessary challenge for real measurements. Additionally, we directly compare binned and unbinned methods using discretized inputs for the latter in order to control for the binning itself. Lastly, we have assembled two software packages for the OmniFold unbinned unfolding method that should serve as the starting point for any future analyses using this technique. One package is based on the widely-used RooUnfold framework and the other is a standalone package available through the Python Package Index (PyPI).

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

AutoEnRichness: A hybrid empirical and analytical approach for estimating the richness of galaxy clusters

ABSTRACT We introduce AutoEnRichness, a hybrid approach that combines empirical and analytical strategies to determine the richness of galaxy clusters (in the redshift range of 0.1 ≤ z ≤ 0.35) using photometry data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 16, where cluster richness can be used as a proxy for cluster mass. In order to reliably estimate cluster richness, it is vital that the background subtraction is as accurate as possible when distinguishing cluster and field galaxies to mitigate severe contamination. AutoEnRichness is comprised of a multistage machine learning algorithm that performs background subtraction of interloping field galaxies along the cluster line of sight and a conventional luminosity distribution fitting approach that estimates cluster richness based only on the number of galaxies within a magnitude range and search area. In this proof-of-concept study, we obtain a balanced accuracy of 83.20 per cent when distinguishing between cluster and field galaxies as well as a median absolute percentage error of 33.50 per cent between our estimated cluster richnesses and known cluster richnesses within r200. In the future, we aim for AutoEnRichness to be applied on upcoming large-scale optical surveys, such as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time and Euclid, to estimate the richness of a large sample of galaxy groups and clusters from across the halo mass function. This would advance our overall understanding of galaxy evolution within overdense environments as well as enable cosmological parameters to be further constrained.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Uncertainty quantification of optical models in fission fragment deexcitation

Here, we take the first step towards incorporating compound nuclear observables at astrophysically relevant energies into the experimental evidence used to constrain optical models, by propagating the uncertainty in two global optical potentials, one phenomenological and one microscopic, to correlated fission observables using the Monte Carlo Hauser-Feshbach formalism. We compare to a wide range of historic and recent experimental fission measurements, and discuss in detail regions of disagreement. We find that the parametric optical model uncertainty in neutron-fragment correlated observables involving neutron energy is significant. On the other hand, we observe that other experimental features, particularly neutron-fragment correlations near the 132 Sn shell closure and the high energy component of neutron spectra, are unlikely to be explained by the optical potential, and will require further experimental and theoretical effort to explain.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Noble-Lab/crema

Confidence Estimation for Mass Spectrometry Proteomics. Crema is an open-source Python tool that estimates the false discovery rate (FDR) of a set of peptide-spectrum matches that result from proteomics data analysis. Crema implements standard FDR estimation methods that are widely used within the field. This package is meant to be simple, easy to use, stand-along, and easy to maintain.

See, Donavan↗

PARAFAC_T1

This is a method of performing trilinear analysis on large data sets using a modification of the PARAFAC-ALS algorithm. It iteratively decomposes the data matrix into a core matrix and three loading matrices based on the Tucker1 model. The algorithm is particularly useful for data sets that are too large to upload into a computer?s main memory. While the performance advantage in utilizing our algorithm is dependent on the number of data elements and dimensions of the data array, we have seen a significant performance improvement over operating PARAFAC-ALS on the full data set. SAND2020-12649 M Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Van Benthem, Mark↗

Examining Perceptions of Spanish Language Health Information Among Hispanics Living in the United States: A Qualitative Study Assessing Videos, Brochures, and Websites

Background Nationally, Hispanics experience health disparities manifested as a higher prevalence of chronic diseases in comparison to non-Hispanic Whites. Factors that influence health disparities in this population include inadequate dissemination of culturally and linguistically appropriate health information. Method Our qualitative analysis is based on data obtained from three focus groups with Spanish-speaking Hispanic adults conducted at a clinic in Nebraska. Participants were asked about their perceptions of health information in the form of videos, brochures, and websites. We followed the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research and used the theoretical framework of content analysis. Results For videos, attributes associated with higher levels of trust included a friendly health professional, the logo or name of a health care institute, and a reference specifying “se habla Español.” For brochures, attributes associated with trust included use of visual aids, use of numerous colors and big font sizes, the year of printing, and a health care agency logo. For websites, characteristics associated with trust were inclusion of plain language, use of pictures and videos, and date of last update. In all focus groups, participants perceived the use of mixed English/Spanish language in health information from pamphlets and websites as unprofessional. The use of unknown governmental logos in health promotional videos and websites was perceived as untrustworthy information. Conclusions Spanish-speaking Hispanics prefer health information supported by a health care agency or delivered by a health care professional. Health communication strategies should avoid the use of mixed English/Spanish language in sensitive information especially when combined with governmental logos.

De Alba Rosales, Armando↗

Evaluating proxies for the drivers of natural gas productivity using machine-learning models

We report the extensive development of unconventional reservoirs using horizontal drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing has generated large volumes of reservoir characterization and production data. The analysis of this abundant data using statistical methods and advanced machine-learning (ML) techniques can provide data-driven insights into well performance. Most predictive modeling studies have focused on the impact that different well completion and stimulation strategies have on well production but have not fully exploited the available in situ rock property data to determine its role in reservoir productivity. We have used machine-learning techniques to rank rock mechanical properties, microseismic attributes, and stimulation parameters in the order of their significance for predicting natural gas production from an unconventional reservoir. The data for this study came from a hydraulically fractured well in the Marcellus Shale in Monongalia County, West Virginia. The data classes included measurements aggregated by well completion stage that included (1) gas production, (2) well-log-derived measurements including bulk density, elastic moduli, shear impedance, compressional impedance, brittleness, and gamma measurements, (3) microseismic attributes, (4) long-period long-duration (LPLD) event counts, (5) fracture counts, and (6) stimulation parameters that included the fluid injection volume and average pumping pressure. To identify observable proxies for the drivers of gas production, we evaluated five commonly used ML approaches including multivariate adaptive regression spline, Gaussian mixture model, random forest, gradient boosting, and neural network. We selected five variables including LPLD event count, seismogenic b-value, hydraulic diffusivity, cumulative moment, and fluid volume as the features most likely to impact gas productivity at the stage level in the study area. The data-driven selection of these parameters for their importance in determining gas production can help reservoir engineers design more effective hydraulic-fracture treatments in the Marcellus Shale and other similar unconventional reservoirs. Plain language summary: We use machine-learning methods and data-driven selection of reservoir parameters to rank and better understand their importance in determining gas production, which can help reservoir engineers design more effective hydraulic-fracture treatments in the Marcellus Shale and other similar unconventional reservoirs.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Messaging for Impact: Behavioral Science-Based Communication Strategies to Advance Energy Efficiency

Currently, five legal authorities require U.S. federal agencies to purchase energy-efficient products. However, compliance with these requirements has consistently been low (~55%). Recent surveys indicate that energy efficiency requirements are not communicated properly within federal agencies and energy-efficiency is not a top priority. In the constantly evolving energy industry, with many solutions for a clean energy future, effective communication methods are vital for widespread adoption of energy efficiency. We have been conducting experiments within the U.S. federal sector that test the effectiveness of messaging strategies developed by using behavioral science principles like loss aversion, framing, and herd behavior. This will identify effective communications methods that encourage energy efficiency adoption. In this study, we measure the effectiveness of different communication strategies by monitoring the web traffic of hyperlinks placed within our digital communications and outreach materials. To determine effective strategies that influence federal buyer behavior, the web traffic from subjects that received the behavioral science-based messaging (treatment group) is compared to that from subjects that received regular messaging (control group) for each of the strategies. This paper provides an overview of the behavioral science principles that we applied, data collection methods, and results of our analysis. Since the lack of effective communication of energy-efficiency policies is also a common problem in the private sector, the messaging strategies developed in this study can be applicable to other large private sector institutions

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Comprehensive Chemical Fingerprinting by Multidimensional GC and Supervised Machine Learning

This project leverages advances in machine learning based data analysis techniques and untargeted omic analytical methods to progress nuclear nonproliferation technologies beyond current capabilities. The developed approaches can be used to identify and detect complex chemical fingerprints of facilities of interest. These techniques have been developed for fields such as metabolomics and genomics but have not been applied to nuclear nonproliferation applications. Adaptation of these techniques for volatile organic compound analysis has far reaching application within the scientific community including environmental chemistry, atmospheric physics, and climate sciences.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Milestone 7714 National Opacity Program: High-Fidelity Iron Data on NIF

Establish the level of reproducibility of NIF iron opacity shots, quantify to-date improvements in data quality through, e.g. background reduction, improved signal, and improved analysis methods, and formalize the approach that will be taken in the future to compare NIF data, Z data, and theory.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗