Application of the epidemiological model in studying human error in aviation

An epidemiological model is described in conjunction with the analytical process through which aviation occurrence reports are composed into the events and factors pertinent to it. The model represents a process in which disease, emanating from environmental conditions, manifests itself in symptoms that may lead to fatal illness, recoverable illness, or no illness depending on individual circumstances of patient vulnerability, preventive actions, and intervention. In the aviation system the analogy of the disease process is the predilection for error of human participants. This arises from factors in the operating or physical environment and results in errors of commission or omission that, again depending on the individual circumstances, may lead to accidents, system perturbations, or harmless corrections. A discussion of the previous investigations, each of which manifests the application of the epidemiological method, exemplifies its use and effectiveness

Information transfer problems in the aviation system

Problems in the transfer of information within the aviation system are discussed. Particular attention is given to voice communication problems in both intracockpit and air/ground situations

Public\u27s Need to Know vs. Effective Settlement Techniques: The First Amendment Confronts the Summary Jury Trial - Cincinnati Gas and Electric Co. v. General Electric Co., The

With the proliferation of alternative dispute resolution, the summary jury trial (SJT) has become popular in many federal courts as an alternative to litigation. 2 Because of the SJT\u27s trial-like nature, members of the press argue that the first amendment 3 gives the press the right to report on SJT proceedings. In Cincinnati Gas and Electric Co. v. General Electric Co.,4 the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed the issue of whether the first amendment right of access attaches to a SJT proceeding

Lime treatment of Interior and South-Central Alaskan soils

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2013Lime treatment of soil is the practice of introducing lime to soil to improve subgrade conditions or to improve a soil's properties to meet construction aggregate qualifications. Lime treated soils commonly exhibit improvements in moisture-density, strength, and thaw performance. Although lime treatment has been practiced in many regions of the United States and Canada for several decades, it is not practiced in Alaska. The purpose of this study was to determine potential of improving commonly encountered Alaskan soils with lime treatment. The two soils analyzed during this study were a silt from the Fairbanks area and a silty gravel from the Anchorage area. These soils were analyzed due to their similarity with soils encountered within regions of Alaska that are currently developed, and have potential for future development. Several laboratory tests were conducted to analyze the effect lime has on the engineering properties of both studied soils. The properties analyzed included moisture-density, strength, frost susceptibility, and thaw strength. The results of this study show lime treatment has potential to improve the engineering properties of commonly encountered Alaskan soils. The results of this study also show potential to improve Alaskan soil with low concentrations of lime during cool and short construction seasons

Development of a Simple Method to Detect and Quantify Benzoylecgonine, a Cocaine Metabolite, in Urine

Benzoylecgonine (BE) is the most abundant metabolite of cocaine found in the human body. Analysis of BE in urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is the most common method currently used to detect cocaine abuse. This current method is costly and time consuming, so the investigation of an easier and more cost-effective approach is the goal of this research. Because BE is a zwitterion, it is highly soluble in water and very difficult to extract from urine. Once the pKa values of BE are determined, either the cation or anion form of BE can be formed from the zwitterion by adjusting the pH appropriately. When BE is in a cationic or anionic state, it can be ion-paired with an appropriate counter-ion to form a neutral ion pair. This ion pair can then be extracted into a non-polar solvent, concentrated, and quantitatively determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The following portions of this project have been completed: BE was synthesized, characterized, and purity was verified. Preliminary UV-Vis spectra of BE were measured to determine absorption bands of BE in various solvents. Based on these preliminary UV-Vis spectra, dichloromethane was determined to be the best organic extracting agent. Next, pKa values were experimentally determined, with a PKa1 of 2.15 +/-.01 and a pKa2 of 11.41 +/-.01. The pH of the BE zwitterion solution was adjusted according to these values, and ion pairings and extractions were performed using various ions. Many ion pairs failed to give clear results. There has been some initial success, however, with the ion pair formed between BE and Dragendorf reagent, Bi4-. This ion pair was tested and data gathered in order to generate a clear calibration curve

NASA aviation safety reporting system

The origins and development of the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) are briefly reviewed. The results of the first quarter's activity are summarized and discussed. Examples are given of bulletins describing potential air safety hazards, and the disposition of these bulletins. During the first quarter of operation, the ASRS received 1464 reports; 1407 provided data relevant to air safety. All reports are being processed for entry into the ASRS data base. During the reporting period, 130 alert bulletins describing possible problems in the aviation system were generated and disseminated. Responses were received from FAA and others regarding 108 of the alert bulletins. Action was being taken with respect to 70 of the 108 responses received. Further studies are planned of a number of areas, including human factors problems related to automation of the ground and airborne portions of the national aviation system

Early Outcomes for Programs and Families in Children's Futures

Assesses the programmatic achievements and outcomes for families in the first five years of a community change initiative providing an array of social services. Discusses lessons learned and issues of cost, partnership development, and sustainability

Retrospective studies of operating problems in air transport

An epidemiological model for the study of human errors in aviation is presented. In this approach, retrospective data are used as the basis for formulation of hypotheses as to system factors which may have contributed to such errors. Prospective experimental studies of aviation operations are also required in order to prove or disprove the hypotheses, and to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention techniques designed to solve operational problems in the aviation system