Noise levels and their effects on Shuttle crewmembers' performance: Operational concerns

When excessive, noise can result in sleep interference, fatigue, interference with verbal communication, and hearing damage. Shuttle crewmembers are exposed to noise throughout their mission. The contribution of noise to decrements in crew performance over these extended exposure durations was the focus of this study. On the STS-40/SLS-1, mission noise levels were evaluated through the use of a sound level meter and a crew questionnaire. Crewmembers noted that sleep, concentration, and relaxation were negatively impacted by high noise levels. Speech Interference Levels (SIL's), calculated from the sound level measurements, suggested that crewmembers were required to raise their voice in order to be heard. No difficulty detecting caution and warning alarms was noted. The higher than desirable noise levels in Spacelab were attributed to flight specific payloads for which acoustic waivers were granted. It is recommended that current noise levels be reduced in Spacelab and the Orbiter Middeck especially as longer missions are planned for the buildup of Space Station Freedom. Levels of NC 50 are recommended in areas where speech communication is required and NC 40 in sleep areas. These levels are in accordance with the NASA Man-Systems Integration Standards. Measurements proposed for subsequent orbiter missions are discussed

Synthesis and analysis of novel polymers with high permselectivity and permeability in gas separation applications. Final report

During the three years of support under this grant, ten novel polymer structures have been synthesized and characterized in detail in terms of sorption and transport properties to test the hypotheses on strategies to develop advanced materials for gas separation membranes. The extremely important O{sub 2}/N{sub 2} and CO{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} systems have been the focus of this work. Data for permeabilities and permselectivities for O{sub 2}/N{sub 2} and CO{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} at 35 C at approximately 2 atm feed pressure for O{sub 2} and N{sub 2} and 10 atm for CO{sub 2} and CH{sub 4} are reported in two tables and will be discussed in two parts, one related to each of the groups of structures in these two tables. For the sake of efficiency, the author will only consider the O{sub 2}/N{sub 2} data; however, similar trends apply for the CO{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} system as well. This gas pair is useful, since solubility selectivity effects are generally of much smaller importance than for the CO{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} pair, so even without detailed solubility and diffusivity data, mobility selectivity based arguments tend to be adequate

Synthesis and characterization of hybrid organic-inorganic materials based on sulphonated polyamideimide and silica

The preparation of hybrid organic–inorganic membrane materials based on a sulphonated polyamideimide resin and silica filler has been studied. The method allows the sol–gel process to proceed in the presence of a high molecular weight polyamideimide, resulting in well dispersed silica nanoparticles (<50 nm) within the polymer matrix with chemical bonding between the organic and inorganic phases. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was used as the silica precursor and the organosilicate networks were bonded to the polymer matrix via a coupling agent aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTrEOS). The structure and properties of these hybrid materials were characterized via a range of techniques including FTIR, TGA, DSC, SEM and contact angle analysis. It was found that the compatibility between organic and inorganic phases has been greatly enhanced by the incorporation of APTrEOS. The thermal stability and hydrophilic properties of hybrid materials have also been significantly improved

GCRF African SWIFT Testbed 1 Report

This document describes the activities and outcomes of the GCRF African Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques (SWIFT) Weather Forecasting Testbed 1. Testbed 1 was conducted in the first part of 2019, from an operational forecasting office at IMTR Nairobi, at the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD). Other centres connected to the Testbed by video-conference. The Testbed was designed to support SWIFT’s programme of research capability-building in the science of weather prediction. New forecasting and evaluation products were tested. The outcomes of the Testbed will be used to steer the research and development of these tools, as well as to provide meteorological case studies and to stimulate new hypotheses. Successes of Testbed 1 include the real-time use of satellite-based Nowcasting products (NWC SAF products), convection-permitting model ensembles from the UK Met Office and systematic forecast evaluation. Testbed 1 also devised and refined an effective programme of work for operational synoptic forecasting, nowcasting and evaluation, which could form the basis for new Standard Operating Procedures

Malaria in Kakuma refugee camp, Turkana, Kenya: facilitation of Anopheles arabiensis vector populations by installed water distribution and catchment systems

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is a major health concern for displaced persons occupying refugee camps in sub-Saharan Africa, yet there is little information on the incidence of infection and nature of transmission in these settings. Kakuma Refugee Camp, located in a dry area of north-western Kenya, has hosted ca. 60,000 to 90,000 refugees since 1992, primarily from Sudan and Somalia. The purpose of this study was to investigate malaria prevalence and attack rate and sources of <it>Anopheles </it>vectors in Kakuma refugee camp, in 2005-2006, after a malaria epidemic was observed by staff at camp clinics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Malaria prevalence and attack rate was estimated from cases of fever presenting to camp clinics and the hospital in August 2005, using rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy of blood smears. Larval habitats of vectors were sampled and mapped. Houses were sampled for adult vectors using the pyrethrum knockdown spray method, and mapped. Vectors were identified to species level and their infection with <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalence of febrile illness with <it>P. falciparum </it>was highest among the 5 to 17 year olds (62.4%) while malaria attack rate was highest among the two to 4 year olds (5.2/1,000/day). Infected individuals were spatially concentrated in three of the 11 residential zones of the camp. The indoor densities of <it>Anopheles arabiensis</it>, the sole malaria vector, were similar during the wet and dry seasons, but were distributed in an aggregated fashion and predominantly in the same zones where malaria attack rates were high. Larval habitats and larval populations were also concentrated in these zones. Larval habitats were man-made pits of water associated with tap-stands installed as the water delivery system to residents with year round availability in the camp. Three percent of <it>A. arabiensis </it>adult females were infected with <it>P. falciparum </it>sporozoites in the rainy season.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Malaria in Kakuma refugee camp was due mainly to infection with <it>P. falciparum </it>and showed a hyperendemic age-prevalence profile, in an area with otherwise low risk of malaria given prevailing climate. Transmission was sustained by <it>A. arabiensis</it>, whose populations were facilitated by installation of man-made water distribution and catchment systems.</p

Recommended Layouts for the En Route Area Supervisor Work Space

Over the past decade, the Supervisor Work Space (SWS) at Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) has evolved to include as many as eight computer-based systems and other legacy equipment, paper reference materials, and supplies. Researchers from the Federal Aviation Administration Human Factors (HF) Team surveyed supervisors regarding equipment usage, location, and placement issues. Supervisors from 20 ARTCCs responded. The supervisors reported using computer systems approximately 50% of the time during a typical shift. They noted that their work spaces were cluttered, that placement of some systems made it difficult to see monitors or to access input devices, and that it was difficult to maintain the equipment. The HF researchers identified two common SWS layouts: (a) one layout in which the supervisor was seated in the main aisle looking into the operations area and (b) an alternate layout in which the supervisor was seated inside the operations area. The researchers developed baseline virtual reality models of the SWS based on HF guidelines and satisfactory aspects of existing work spaces. A working group of operational supervisors reviewed the baseline models and developed recommended layouts for the exterior, interior, and centralized command models of the en route area SWS

Human Factors Assessment of the En Route Information Display System

Human factors researchers at the Federal Aviation Administration have developed new methods of operation for Air Traffic Control Specialists working in Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCT). The newly redesigned and enhanced Tower Operations Digital Data System (TODDS) provides a means to assist ATCT controllers with flight data management, communication, and coordination by reducing cognitive and physical task load. The TODDS prototype designs include separate solutions for ATCTs either with or without surface surveillance capability. This report addresses the results of a recent usability test by providing a description of design changes and new features that compose the TODDS. The author also recommends the use of a touchscreen training protocol. Pending further investigation, the TODDS may help reduce the risk of runway incursions, ease the flow of surface operations, and support the Staffed Virtual Tower concept

Polyimide hollow fiber membranes for CO2 separation from wet gas mixtures

Matrimid®5218 hollow fiber membranes were prepared using the dry-wet spinning process. The transport properties were measured with pure gases (H2, CO2, N2, CH4 and O2) and with a mixture (30% CO2 and 70% N2) in dry and wet conditions at 25 ºC, 50 ºC, 60 ºC and 75 ºC and up to 600 kPa. Interesting values of single gas selectivity up to 60 ºC (between 31 and 28 for CO2/N2 and between 33 and 30 for CO2/CH4) in dry condition were obtained. The separation factor measured for the mixture was 20% lower compared to the single gas selectivity, in the whole temperature range analyzed. In saturation conditions the data showed that water influences the performance of the membranes, inducing a reduction of the permeance of all gases. Moreover, the presence of water caused a decrease of single gas selectivity and separation factor, although not so significant, highlighting the very high water resistance of hollow fiber membrane modules

Sequence-defined multifunctional polyethers via liquid-phase synthesis with molecular sieving

Synthetic chemists have devoted tremendous effort towards the production of precision synthetic polymers with defined sequences and specific functions. However, the creation of a general technology that enables precise control over monomer sequence, with efficient isolation of the target polymers, is highly challenging. Here, we report a robust strategy for the production of sequence-defined synthetic polymers through a combination of liquid-phase synthesis and selective molecular sieving. The polymer is assembled in solution with real-time monitoring to ensure couplings proceed to completion, on a three-armed star-shaped macromolecule to maximize efficiency during the molecular sieving process. This approach is applied to the construction of sequence-defined polyethers, with side-arms at precisely defined locations that can undergo site-selective modification after polymerization. Using this versatile strategy, we have introduced structural and functional diversity into sequence-defined polyethers, unlocking their potential for real-life applications in nanotechnology, healthcare and information storage

Purification of Propylene and Ethylene by a Robust Metal–Organic Framework Mediated by Host–Guest Interactions

From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-03-19, pub-electronic 2021-06-07Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000266; Grant(s): EP/I011870, EP/R00661X/1, EP/S019367/1, EP/P025021/1, EP/P025498/1Funder: European Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000781; Grant(s): 742401Abstract: Industrial purification of propylene and ethylene requires cryogenic distillation and selective hydrogenation over palladium catalysts to remove propane, ethane and/or trace amounts of acetylene. Here, we report the excellent separation of equimolar mixtures of propylene/propane and ethylene/ethane, and of a 1/100 mixture of acetylene/ethylene by a highly robust microporous material, MFM‐520, under dynamic conditions. In situ synchrotron single crystal X‐ray diffraction, inelastic neutron scattering and analysis of adsorption thermodynamic parameters reveal that a series of synergistic host–guest interactions involving hydrogen bonding and π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions underpin the cooperative binding of alkenes within the pore. Notably, the optimal pore geometry of the material enables selective accommodation of acetylene. The practical potential of this porous material has been demonstrated by fabricating mixed‐matrix membranes comprising MFM‐520, Matrimid and PIM‐1, and these exhibit not only a high permeability for propylene (≈1984 Barrer), but also a separation factor of 7.8 for an equimolar mixture of propylene/propane at 298 K