Qualification Tests Research Articles

Enhancing equipment qualification testing facility for nuclear power plants: Achieving rapid temperature and pressure increase during design basis events

The present study focuses on the development of an equipment qualification (EQ) testing facility for Class 1E equipment in nuclear power plants (NPPs), emphasizing the need to ensure safety functions under design basis events (DBEs). The Republic of Korea (ROK) has implemented international safety standards to support large NPP projects, necessitating the development of domestic EQ testing facilities to reduce the dependence on foreign facilities. To address this need, herein, a specialized facility capable of simulating harsh DBE conditions that may occur in NPPs in ROK was constructed. Through exhaustive research, target temperature and pressure profiles were developed for pressurized water reactors, and a superheated steam injection technique was devised for rapid temperature and pressure changes. The present study contributes to the advancement of domestic EQ testing capabilities, achieving up to 230 °C and 700 kPa within 30 s.

Steam quality monitoring as a strategy to reduce wet packs and sterilization failure

Hospital articles processed by steam are widely used in the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), responsible for due sterilization. Steam sterilization is discussed worldwide, aiming to protect patients. If steam is outside the specified requirements, the sterilization process may fail, resulting in the wet packs at the end of the sterilization cycle. The present study evaluated the steam quality at Santa Catarina Hospital (São Paulo, SP, Brazil) from 2016 to 2022. Saturated steam containing noncondensable gases, excess condensate, or even superheat was characterized using the methodology indicated in the European Standard EN 285:2015. From 2016 to 2020, qualification tests showed that the saturated steam quality does not achieve standardlimit parameters. Infrastructural maintenance actions were taken to adjust the saturated steam quality. In 2021, the steam quality followed technical standards, and its adequacy was confirmed in 2022. The points developed by the hospital's maintenance department, the adoption of appropriate devices for this purpose, and the correct preventive maintenance in the autoclaves, together with the correct qualification of the equipment and proof of the steam quality, contributed to improve the safety of the hospital sterilization process and reduce the incidence of wet packages.

Quantitative analysis of ITER Poloidal Field joints through rigorous resistivity parameterization

The lap-type twin-box joints are integral components in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) fusion magnets, with profound implications for magnet stability based on their electro-magnetic, thermal, and mechanical properties. Throughout the extensive R&D process, rigorous qualification tests are conducted to meet stringent standards. However, existing tests often prioritize global performance, which lack of strand-level details due to inherent limitations in test setups. Furthermore, as the referencing test facility of SULTAN falls short in replicating relevant ITER operating conditions, numerical methods that offer both accuracy and the requisite level of detail for comprehensive magnet and component analysis and development are necessary. This paper introduces the utilization of the JackPot-AC/DC code, developed at the University of Twente, as a fundamental tool for achieving strand-level precision in handling CICCs and joints, which encompasses copper and solder components. The primary focus of this study is to obtain precise input parameters, emphasizing their role in conducting a quantitative analysis using JackPot-AC/DC. The investigation centers on an ITER PF5 joint (PFJEU6), where contact resistances and AC losses were measured under parallel magnetic fields. Given the constraints in the measured results, an enhanced parameterization is performed to derive precise resistivity and solder-related parameters. Additionally, sensitivity analyses of individual parameters and cable compact configurations are thoughtfully evaluated. With the optimal input parameters acquired, systematic simulations of the joint exposed to transverse magnetic fields, mimicking SULTAN and ITER operating conditions, are processed and validated against experimental results. This research establishes a comprehensive foundation for the analysis of lap-type twin-box joints, including DC, AC, and stability properties. The outcomes will significantly contribute to advancing the understanding of the intricate behavior of these joints in the context of fusion magnet applications.

Novel active chlorine based-mechanism for 1O2-dominated tetracycline hydrochloride electrocatalytic oxidation over N-doped MXene

Chloride ions (Cl−) as electrolyte contribute remarkably to electrocatalytic oxidation because of the by-production of active chlorine. Experiment and theoretical calculation were proposed to clarify the contribution of Cl− to TC degradation, the generation and contribution mechanism of active chlorine, and the mutual transformation of active species. DFT results showed the favorable adsorption and conversion of Cl− on Ti-N, Ti-O-N, and Ti-N-O sites of Ti3C2Tx@N-0.1, thereby facilitating the generation of active chlorine and improving the TC degradation. The limited effect of direct electrocatalytic degradation (leading to O2– and 1O2 accumulation) and active chlorine (e.g., HClO) oxidation was proved by quenching, EPR, and qualification test of active species. The secondary and dominant production of 1O2 from active chlorine conversion was greatly improved in Ti3C2Tx@N-0.1/electrocatalysis system and played a crucial role in TC removal. The mutual transformation of OH, O2–, and 1O2 from direct electrocatalysis and secondary active chlorine conversion also enriched the TC removal mechanism. This research provides novel insights into the influence of active chlorine on electrocatalytic oxidation and the underlying mechanism.

Development of a microfurnace dedicated to in situ scanning electron microscope observation up to 1300 °C. I. Concept, fabrication, and validation.

The development of a new heating system dedicated to in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) experimentation at high temperatures is reported. This system, called FurnaSEM, is a compact microfurnace, enabling heat treatments up to 1300 °C. The choice of materials for the microfurnace is explained. The design of the microfurnace is optimized by iterations of numerical simulations, and the thermal characteristics of the microfurnace are calculated numerically. The numerical results obtained are compared with the thermal characteristics of a manufactured microfurnace, measured on a specially developed dedicated test bench. This test bench includes a working chamber simulating a SEM chamber equipped with a thermal camera. The results obtained during various qualification tests enabled us to determine the main technical characteristics of the FurnaSEM microfurnace: temperature profiles on the sample support surface, energy consumption at high temperatures, and the range of achievable thermal cycles.

Characterization testing of the Northrop Grumman MiniCoolerPlus (MCP)

Northrop Grumman Space Park (NGSP) introduced the Mini Cooler Plus (MCP) to their family of pulse tube cryocoolers in 2019 [1] and presented the details of its TRL6 qualification testing in 2022 [2]. The thermal mechanical unit (TMU) of the MCP is an extension of space-qualified pulse tube coolers, all of which are designed to provide a long life (ten-plus years) of delivering low-mass, high-cooling capacity for hyperspectral and infrared imaging payloads in tactical airborne and space applications. The cooler is of modular split configuration allowing flexibility in the compressor (wave generator) and cold head placements to meet the available envelope of packaging constraints. The cold head assembly can be oriented at any position relative to the compressor assembly, and the transfer line (length and shape) can be customized to individual applications. The TMU (thermo-mechanical unit) weighs less than 3kg and can lift 1.5 W at 45 K or 11 W at 110K with 150 W electrical input at 300 K reject. The thermal performance has been characterized as a function of input voltage and as a function of cold tip load and temperature at variety of heat sink temperatures of -20C, 0C, +20C and +40C. Functional testing of the MCP was performed to higher input powers and MCP performance data versus operating conditions were collected. An analytical expression for cold tip load (Qc), impedance (Z) and power factor (PF) as a function of reject temperature (Trej), cold tip temperature (Tc), frequency (f), and input power (Pac) were generated. These tests were repeated with third party control electronics. All results will be presented here.

A study of blood glucose determination by means of an interlaboratory test

Through inter-laboratory comparison, based on the measurement process and measuring equipment conducted according to predetermined criteria, it is possible to evaluate the performance of the participants, which is known as qualification testing and is regulated in accordance with ISO 17043:2017/2018.In the medical field, the term “external quality assessment” is used for qualification testing schemes or wider programs where samples (standard, certified, attested), products, artefacts, pieces of equipment, measurement standards, data sets or other information are used for qualification testing. The processing of measurement data, which in many cases includes a random error detector along with a systematic error detector, is carried out using mathematical statistics methods, including statistical methods that are less sensitive to small deviations from the basic assumptions surrounding the probabilistic model, which are known as robust methods. Robust methods are a powerful tool for demonstrating competence in performing tests and measurements related to qualification testing schemes.

A Bayesian design method for monopropellant engine system reliability qualification test plan

During the development of systems, traditional System Reliability Qualification Testing (SRQT) is typically utilized to assess whether they meet predefined reliability standards. However, this approach often demands substantial sample sizes and prolonged test durations, rendering it impractical for costly, highly reliable systems with limited sample sizes. Additionally, the extended test duration may not align with practical time-to-market pressures or budget constraints. To overcome these challenges, the study integrates subsystem data into the monopropellant engine system RQT plan's design. By leveraging Monte-Carlo simulation, subsystem data is modeled to create a system parameter distribution, enabling the formulation of SRQT plans based on posterior risks. An example of a monopropellant liquid rocket engine system is provided to demonstrate the advantages and applications of the proposed methodology.

Education of moral and volitional qualities in student youth during the educational process

The article presents the content of education of moral and volitional qualities of student youth in the course of the educational process. It is noted that the issue of raising moral and volitional qualities in students is actualized by modern challenges and needs of Ukrainian society. Such a priority encourages teachers of higher education institutions and sports coaches to renew classes and educational activities in general. It is emphasized that the educational and training process should be aimed at solving the necessary tasks for the education of such moral-willed qualities of students as self-confidence, purposefulness, courage, discipline, self-assertion, independence, determination, moral-willed stability, including under time of physical education classes in secondary schools. To achieve the goal of this research, we used theoretical, empirical and statistical methods (self-analysis, the method of qualification analysis, questionnaires, testing, conversations and discussions, the method of pedagogical observation, competitions, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and others). It has been established that during the education of moral and volitional qualities of student youth in the educational process, teachers should take into account the following factors: to improve student youth's knowledge, understanding and awareness of the need to educate the studied qualities; to promote versatile personality development; to educate student youth in a valuable attitude to educational activities in higher education institutions, physical culture and their own health; to form self-confidence, purposefulness, courage, discipline, self-assertion, independence, determination, resilience; to form the necessary knowledge, desire, skills, and practical experience regarding the moral and volitional qualities required for successful educational, training, and professional activities; to educate students in a conscious desire to engage in physical education; use the new content of classes, proven and modern means, forms and methods of educational work; create effective pedagogical conditions and technologies; form key components.

Novel Approach for Network Data Exchange Among Safety-Related Control Systems of Nuclear Reactors

Industrially mature digital networking technologies form the backbone of the distributed control architectures of nuclear reactors. Typically, hundreds of control systems responsible for assuring safer and secure plant operations are located in the field and interconnected via wired isolated local area networks, which are also connected to centralized servers and operating consoles located in the main control room. Many of such control systems require data processed by other systems situated far away in the plant, which mandates multiple concurrent reliable TCP sessions to be active or live for such field-level control systems. Multi-socket communication beyond 10 is practically difficult for embedded systems with limited memory and processing capabilities; hence, data accumulation, extraction, and routing are typically done with the help of commercially available high-performance servers and switches. The servers and operating consoles of a plant are generally Linux-based commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) industrial computers, whose development lifecycle is not accessible for review and in accordance with safety guides; hence, qualifying such components for safety operations is extremely difficult. This paper presents a novel way of independently offloading safety-related data transactions from such COTS components (reducing dependency) with the help of very simple, reliable, and secure hardware, which is referred to as a data exchange and processing unit (DEPU). An approach is proposed to realize distributed control architecture with this proposed hardware (to simplify qualification tasks) along with existing servers and operating consoles without compromising powerful and convenient human-machine interface as well as the data logging capabilities of such components. Hardware and software design perspectives, performance characterization, and qualification testing of the DEPU in accordance with nuclear power plant instrumentation and control system design guidelines are also briefed in this paper.

Overview of the production and qualification tests of the lpGBT

The Low-Power Gigabit Transceiver (lpGBT) is a radiation-tolerant ASIC used in high-energy physics experiments for multipurpose high-speed bidirectional serial links. Around 200,000 chips have been tested with a production test system capable of exercising the majority of the ASIC functionality to ensure its correct operation.Furthermore, specific individual qualification tests were carried out beyond the production tester limits, including radiation, multi-drop bus topology, inter-chip communication through different types of electrical links and characterization of jitter and stability of the recovered clocks.In this article, an overview of the production and qualification tests is given together with their results demonstrating the robustness and flexibility of the lpGBT.

프랑스의 수학 중등교사 양성과정 및 임용시험 분석

On January 5, 2023, the Ministry of Education announced plans for the introduction and pilot operation of a graduate school system specializing in education for fostering graduate-level teachers, as well as plans for the practice semester. In this study, the purpose of this study was to find implications by analyzing the teacher training system in France, which has a policy very similar to that currently planned by the Ministry of Education. First, we analyze the overall composition and characteristics of the MEEF master's course, a teacher training course in France, are examined, and the curriculum, subjects, credits, and field practice of INSPÉ Toulouse University, and the characteristics of French mathematics. Using that teacher training courses are analyzed. In addition, the overall structure of CAPES, the national Teacher Qualification Test in France, was reviewed, and past questions from the 2022 school year were analyzed to derive implications for the Korean employment system and employment examination.

A novel approach towards parametric assessment of reliability and resilience of high voltage mica‐based insulation systems by statistical analysis of experimental failure data

AbstractInsulation systems in high‐voltage electric machines play a pivotal role in the reliable operation and longevity of the equipment. Mica‐based insulation materials have proven to possess and maintain excellent dielectric properties in the long run and prevent premature insulation degradation. Numerous qualifications tests, such as voltage endurance, are outlined in IEC and IEEE standards. The authors, however, take a different parametric approach, opting for reliability assessment of insulation systems using derived three‐parameter Weibull models. Therefore, instead of simple pass–fail criteria, empirical data is employed to determine failure rate probabilities quantitatively and objectively. Experimental data, including breakdown, dissipation factor, and partial discharge measurements, are used to construct the Weibull distribution model to predict fault and failure rates and calculate hazard functions. The rigorous examinations interpreted through the analytical model help assess insulation system resilience and particularly the impact of electrical field stress and mica content. Variation of electrical stress from 66.75 to 71.20 V/mil demonstrated how the mean time to failure of the system changed from 146.4 to 85.1 at 3 Un, hence identifying opportunities for design improvement and uncovering performance boundaries. Ultimately, the developed framework enhances comprehension of insulation system failure probabilities, guiding design decisions and ensuring a secure and reliable operation of electrical machines across applications.

SonicGuard Sensor-A Multichannel Acoustic Sensor for Long-Term Monitoring of Abdominal Sounds Examined through a Qualification Study.

Auscultation is a fundamental diagnostic technique that provides valuable diagnostic information about different parts of the body. With the increasing prevalence of digital stethoscopes and telehealth applications, there is a growing trend towards digitizing the capture of bodily sounds, thereby enabling subsequent analysis using machine learning algorithms. This study introduces the SonicGuard sensor, which is a multichannel acoustic sensor designed for long-term recordings of bodily sounds. We conducted a series of qualification tests, with a specific focus on bowel sounds ranging from controlled experimental environments to phantom measurements and real patient recordings. These tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed sensor setup. The results show that the SonicGuard sensor is comparable to commercially available digital stethoscopes, which are considered the gold standard in the field. This development opens up possibilities for collecting and analyzing bodily sound datasets using machine learning techniques in the future.

Enhancing Human-in-the-Loop Ontology Curation Results through Task Design

The success of artificial intelligence (AI) applications is heavily dependent on the quality of data they rely on. Thus, data curation, dealing with cleaning, organising, and managing data, has become a significant research area to be addressed. Increasingly, semantic data structures such as ontologies and knowledge graphs empower the new generation of AI systems. In this article, we focus on ontologies as a special type of data. Ontologies are conceptual data structures representing a domain of interest and are often used as a backbone to knowledge-based intelligent systems or as an additional input for machine learning algorithms. Low-quality ontologies, containing incorrectly represented information or controversial concepts modelled from a single viewpoint, can lead to invalid application outputs and biased systems. Thus, we focus on the curation of ontologies as a crucial factor for ensuring trust in the enabled AI systems. While some ontology quality aspects can be automatically evaluated, others require a human-in-the-loop evaluation. Yet, despite the importance of the field, several ontology quality aspects have not yet been addressed and there is a lack of guidelines for optimal design of human computation tasks to perform such evaluations. In this article, we advance the state-of-the-art by making two novel contributions. First, we propose a human computation (HC)–based approach for the verification of ontology restrictions —an ontology evaluation aspect that has not yet been addressed with HC techniques. Second, by performing two controlled experiments with a junior expert crowd, we empirically derive task design guidelines for achieving high-quality evaluation results related to (i) the formalism for representing ontology axioms and (ii) crowd qualification testing . We find that the representation format of the ontology does not significantly influence the campaign results. Nevertheless, contributors expressed a preference in working with a graphical ontology representation. Additionally, we show that an objective qualification test is better fitted at assessing contributors’ prior knowledge rather than a subjective self-assessment and that prior modelling knowledge of the contributors had a positive effect on their judgements. We make all artefacts designed and used in the experimental campaign publicly available.

Qualification test campaign of RFA one fairing engineering model

The fairing is an important element of the rocket as it protects the payload from the external environment during the most aggressive phases of the flight. A test campaign was developed with the aim of qualifying the fairing structure of the RFA One. This test is intended to simulate the quasi-static loads of the most critical phase during flight. A FEA model was developed to identify the most critical phase of flight and to identify the quasi-static reactions that replicate the flight loads. Based on these reactions, the loads and test levels were defined. The test results were compared with the FEA data to correlate and improve the model. The static test was successfully performed at acceptance and qualification Level 2. The load and strain results indicate that the DLL was achieved and exceeded by a factor of 1.11, while the fairing maintained its functionality and key performance. This paper presents the most relevant results of the test, discusses the results compared with the FEA model and summarizes some lessons drawn from the test campaign.

The validity of general cognitive ability predicting job-specific performance is stable across different levels of job experience.

Decades of research in industrial-organizational psychology have established that measures of general cognitive ability (g) consistently and positively predict job-specific performance to a statistically and practically significant degree across jobs. But is the validity of g stable across different levels of job experience? The present study addresses this question using historical large-scale data across 31 diverse military occupations from the Joint-Service Job Performance Measurement/Enlistment Standards Project (N = 10,088). Across all jobs, results of our meta-analysis find near-zero interactions between Armed Forces Qualification Test score (a composite of math and verbal scores) and time in service when predicting job-specific performance. This finding supports the validity of g for predicting job-specific performance even with increasing job experience and provides no evidence for diminishing validity of g. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings, along with directions for personnel selection research and practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

An Augmented Reality Rifle Qualification Test for Return-to-Duty Assessment in Service Members.

Variability in return-to-duty (RTD) decision-making following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a threat to troop readiness. Current RTD assessments lack military-specific tasks and quantitative outcomes to inform stakeholders of a service member's (SM) capacity to successfully perform military duties. Augmented reality (AR), which places digital assets in a user's physical environment, provides a technological vehicle to deliver military-relevant tasks to a SM to be used in the RTD decision-making process. In addition to delivering digital content, AR headsets provide biomechanical data that can be used to assess the integrity of the central nervous system in movement control following mTBI. The objective of this study was to quantify cognitive and motor performance on an AR rifle qualification test (RQT) in a group of neurologically healthy military SMs. Data were collected from 111 healthy SMs who completed a basic (single-task) and complex (dual-task) RQT with a simulated M4 rifle. The complex scenario required the SM to perform the RQT while simultaneously answering arithmetic problems. Position data from the AR headset were used to capture postural sway, and the built-in microphone gathered responses to the arithmetic problems. There were no differences in the number of targets hit, trigger pull reaction time, and transition time from kneeling to standing between the basic and complex scenarios. A significant worsening in postural sway following kneel-to-stand transition was observed in the complex scenario. The average reaction time to answer the arithmetic problems was nearly 2 times slower than the average reaction time to pull the trigger to a displayed target in the complex scenario. The complex scenario provoked dual-task interference in SMs as evidenced by worsening postural sway and reaction time differences between the cognitive and motor tasks. An AR RQT provides objective and quantitative outcomes during a military-specific task. Greater precision in evaluating cognitive and motor performance during a military-relevant task has the potential to aid in the detection and management of SMs and their RTD following MTBI.

Seismic tension testing of cast-in specialty inserts under different cyclic loading protocols

The seismic performance of an anchor is primarily evaluated through cyclic loading tests following current qualification testing guidelines such as ACI 355.2 and ETAG 001 Annex E. However, recent reports suggest that these guidelines are insufficient in assessing the ultimate performance of anchors, particularly in the post-peak region. Hence, additional qualification tests are required to supplement these guidelines. Although the testing protocol of FEMA 461 could be considered a promising alternative, there is currently no concrete research related to its application. Herein, we performed cyclic tension loading tests on recently developed headed cast-in specialty inserts using both the existing anchor qualification testing guidelines and the FEMA 461 protocol and compared their behavior in terms of strength, displacement, stiffness, and strain. The new insert anchors exhibited only negligible differences in their performance, depending on the applied loading protocols. We also discuss a more efficient cyclic loading method for evaluating the seismic performance of the anchors and subsequently propose the application of the FEMA 461 testing protocol for anchor qualification tests.

Physical and mechanical properties of nano-modified polybenzoxazine nanocomposite laminates: Pre-flight tests before exposure to low Earth orbit

Polybenzoxazine (PBZ) formulations based on commercial components and modified with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS, 5 wt% and 10 wt%) have been scaled up for industrialisation, and their processing characteristics determined using thermal analysis and rheometry. The ultimate glass transition temperatures for the cured PBZ resins are increased by catalysis and by the incorporation of POSS. Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates (500 mm × 500 mm x 3 mm) were manufactured using resin transfer moulding and subjected to a suite of mechanical tests. The addition of 5 wt% POSS to the PBZ formulation leads to substantial improvements in both strength (tensile, flexural, short beam shear, and compression) and modulus (tensile, flexural, and compression). The CFRP specimens were subjected to a suite of pre-flight qualification tests prior to deployment in low Earth orbit. When the CFRP laminates were exposed to <1 × 10−5 mbar and 125 °C, the total mass loss recorded for each sample was <1 wt%. The introduction of POSS at both levels of incorporation improves erosion yield following exposure to high atomic oxygen flux and the ratio of solar absorptance (α) to emittance (ε) remained constant following simulated solar exposure. The outcome was that the three PBZ CFRP samples passed their pre-flight tests.