PI: Markus Horner – Alaska Sealife Center

Co-PI: Chris Lowe – CSULB, Dept of Biological Sciences

Project title: Pacific Sleeper Shark Bioenergetics

Motivation:  Pacific Sleeper sharks are an apex predator in polar oceans and are thought to prey on threatened species of marine mammals; however, little is known of their behavior or ecology.  In addition, the closely related Greenland shark has recently been estimated to reach ages in excess of 400 years old, making them one of the longest lived vertebrates on the planet.  Since Pacific sleeper sharks are incidentally caught in commercial fisheries, understanding the physiology, ecology and behavior is essential for future management.

Methods: As part of a large collaborative study, we will measure the daily energetic expenditure of juvenile sleeper sharks (~2 m in length) using a custom-built respirometer.  Co-PI Lowe and graduate student will travel to Seward, Alaska twice per year to aid with capture, transport and respirometer experiments.  CSULB personnel will be responsible for data collection and analysis of respiration data and development of bioenergetic models.  We will also participate in field data logger and telemetry tracking of caught and released sleeper sharks, so that movement and behavior can be related to the bioenergetics model and determine if sleeper sharks are active in and around areas with high pinniped densities.  The CSULB Shark Lab will assist with public dissemination of research findings via the Shark Lab website, social media outlets and public talks.

Results: Resulting information will be provided to Alaska Dept of Fish & Wildlife managers, NOAA Fisheries managers and NGO through a workshop focused on sleeper sharks.  Information gained will also be provided to the general public via the Alaska Sealife Center Aquarium and outreach program, and the CSULB Shark Lab website and social media feeds.  Data will be published in peer-reviewed journals such as Polar Ecology, Marine Ecology Progress Series and Fish Physiology and Biochemistry.

Implications:  Findings will be used to advice fisheries managers on how to regulate commercial fisheries that may interact with Pac. Sleeper sharks.  In addition, findings will be used by wildlife managers charged with developing recovery plans for endangered Stellar sea lions.

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are being used to conduct missions that are too tedious, long, or dangerous for human operators to perform with conventional aircraft.  However, there are unique characteristics of UAS flight that need to be examined before UAS’ can be routinely and safely used for these missions in the National Airspace System (NAS).  The goal of the present project is to support the current NASA Research and Technology portfolio by performing research in the area of Human-Systems Integration relating to air-traffic-controller acceptability of specific concepts of operation (ConOps) that are being considered as part of Phase 2 of the Minimum Operating Performance Standards (MOPS) for UAS detect and avoid (DAA) and command and communications (C2).

The goal of the present project is to identify and evaluate factors that will influence air traffic controller’s performance and acceptability of potential ConOps for UAS DAA or C2.  In particular, CSULB will conduct one HITL that will examine one of the following ConOps in support of the development of the Phase 2 MOPS for DAA and/or C2.

• Examine a range of acceptable transaction expiration times as a function of sector characteristics (e.g., type of sector, phase of flight, traffic level).
• Examine air traffic controller’s acceptability of reduced horizontal missed distances in the terminal area.

Palliative Care in the Latino Community is a proposal on behalf of three partners: CSU Institute for Palliative Care, Long Beach, CSULB Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation and Leadership Training, and Familias en Acción to collectively provide training for Spanish-speaking community health workers  in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.  In the region, the Latino community is the largest subpopulation and LA County alone has a population equivalent to that of four Western states combined.  There is a critical need for culturally and linguistically relevant support for palliative care for Latino families.  This collaboration provides this service.  The CSULB partners have a waiting list of interested participants for such training. Each participant is asked to disseminate the information to a minimum of 10 additional Latino adults.

1.  Program Concept and Partnership.  California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), in partnership with the 223d and 250^th Military Intelligence (MI) Battalions and the G-3 Training office of the California Army National Guard (CAARNG), will develop, present, and assess four 16-day, 150-hour, summer intensive language and culture education courses. The 2017-18 program plan includes French and Persian being taught at the CSULB campus; and, Arabic and Chinese Mandarin being conducted at Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB), Los Alamitos, California.  Although the program concentrates primarily on serving military linguists assigned to National Guard units, it will continue to enroll Air Force Regional Area Strategists (RAS), units from the 19^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Military Intelligence (MI) Reserve units, and Navy, Army, and USMC Foreign Area Officers stationed in the U.S. and overseas.  Tentative dates for the summer of 2018 are shown below. 

2.  Program Outcomes.  CSULB anticipates 6 to 10 military linguists per class; 24 to 40 students total.  Eligible students are DLI-trained or heritage service members with an Intermediate or higher level language ability.  The program’s overarching goal is for students to increase their language proficiency by a “plus” ILR rating in at least one modality.  The program will coordinate a post-course Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPT) with local military test facilities. 

3.  Pedagogical Approach.  CSULB’s intensive courses employ content-based, communicative instruction methodologies.  Vocabulary expansion and language production skills are emphasized throughout the 16-day courses.  Because the majority of the target audience maintains a higher level of language proficiency, authentic language and culture materials are the foundation of the curriculum.  In 2017-18, faculty will continue developing and posting curriculum content on CL-150 providing an asynchronous platform proficiency improvement and sustainment for current and former CSULB LTC students.   

4. Program Assessment.  The chart below depicts the CSULB LTC program assessment plan.

Formative assessment for the intensive courses includes a modified ILR self-assessment survey and results from the students’ most recent DLPTs.  From this pre-course information, instructors adjust the curriculum identifying students for a higher or lower track within the course. Assessments are based on pre- and post-tests, the DLPT, as well as the instructors’ evaluation.  The ACTFL LPT and RPT tests will be utilized for all courses except Persian. Persian is the only language where a higher education assessment test is not available.  In this case, the instructor will conduct an evaluation of the students on the first day of the course based on their oral proficiency, CL-150 content, and results from Joint Language University reading modules.  

5. Materials and Development. 

During the fall of 2017, CSULB will host a curriculum workshop to discuss lessons learned and end-of-course surveys from the summer of 2018.  From this review comes a shared direction for program improvement.  Additional discussions and work will include CL-150 content, expanding vocabulary, and instructor best practices. During the spring, faculty will develop course curriculum and populate CL-150 with both lessons and vocabulary lists. Spring curriculum development provides faculty the opportunity to implement new topics and material for returning FAOs and National Guard soldiers. 

6. Travel.

With faculty in both northern and southern California, the program watches travel costs very carefully.  The 2018 travel budget will support the IIE Annual LTC Meeting, attendance at the 300^th MI Brigade’s Annual Language Conference, two trips to California Army National Guard in Sacramento, and travel for Arabic and Persian faculty to and from Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) Long Beach State. 

Project Management, Education Projects, Research Projects

The METRANS Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center (PSR) will conduct an integrated, multidisciplinary program of research, education, workforce development, and technology transfer aimed at improving the mobility of people and goods throughout the region.

CSULB will coordinate seven professional development/educational projects and two research projects.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project management, coordination with center partners, administrative tasks, and all student support will be based at the Center for International Trade (CITT) offices.

EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROJECTS:

Project 1 Title: Geospatial Technology Education (workforce development)

PI:           Thomas O’Brien, CSULB, CITT

Work performed at: CITT offices and at TBD locations in the region

CSULB will coordinate a five­year Train-the-Trainer GIS Initiative to promote skills required for careers using geospatial technology and modeling (commonly referred to as GIS). CSULB will launch the initiative in partnership with Pima Community College, which will host the inaugural one-day, in-class training session. During the session, enrolled trainers will receive hands-on instruction to help them integrate GIS into the courses they teach. CSULB will work with Pima to promote this opportunity to instructors at underserved schools throughout Nevada and Arizona. In outgoing years, CSULB will partner with other PSR members to conduct additional training sessions.

The scope of work for the CSULB team would include:

• Curriculum development
• In-classroom instruction
• Outreach/marketing to potential class participants and
• Follow-up evaluation and exit interviews.
• Coordinate with GIS instructor

PROJECT 2 Title:  Transportation Workforce Soft Skills Webinar (workforce development)

PI:           Thomas O’Brien, CSULB, CITT

Work performed at: CITT offices

CSULB will develop a series of lesson plans that will help high school and community college instructors integrate Transportation Workforce Soft Skills into their courses. CSULB will commence that soft skills outreach with a webinar that features best practices from GIS, commercial driver’s license (CDL) and Supply Chain and logistics professionals on specific targeted soft skills that are essential for success in those respective transportation-related fields.

The scope of work for the CSULB team would include:

• Curriculum development
• Online coordination
• Outreach/marketing to potential webinar participants and
• Follow-up evaluation and exit interviews.

PROJECT 3 Title:  Best Practices in Online Commercial Driver’s License Training (workforce development)

PI:           Thomas O’Brien, CSULB, CITT   

Work performed at: CITT offices

In years one through five, CSULB will develop and deploy a webinar series that presents best practices in migrating CDL training to online formats. Those webinars will present ways to eliminate barriers to entry for underserved populations: women, veterans, tribal communities and nonnative English speakers.

The scope of work for the CSULB team would include:

• Curriculum development
• Online coordination
• Outreach/marketing to potential webinar participants and
• Follow-up evaluation and exit interviews.

PROJECT 4 Title:  International Urban Freight Conference (technology transfer)

PI:           Thomas O’Brien, CSULB, CITT   

Work performed at: CITT offices and off-campus hotel site in Long Beach

The International Urban Freight Conference is a biennial showcase for research from around the globe. It is the only North American conference with a focus on urban freight. The reach of I-NUF is made even greater through the METRANS partnership in the Volvo METROFREIGHT Center of Excellence. 

The scope of work for the CSULB team would include:

• Staging the event
• Outreach and marketing
• Organize panels and moderators
• Develop handout material
• Posting presentations on the website

PROJECT 5 Title:  Virtual Logistics Peer Exchange (technology transfer)

PI:           Thomas O’Brien, CSULB, CITT   

Work performed at: CITT offices

Using its extensive experience in the development of both classroom-based and online logistics programs for audiences that include regional and statewide planning organizations, METRANS/CSULB-CITT will host two virtual peer exchanges each year to allow municipal and MPO-level planners to share best practices on incorporating freight and logistics into local and regional plans. The peer exchanges will include content specific to the regional audience (e.g. cross-border trade logistics in Arizona and California) and will incorporate existing distance-based teaching tools developed by CITT and offer access to leading industry practitioners who will serve as virtual mentors.

The scope of work for the CSULB team would include:

• Staging the event
• Outreach and marketing
• Organize panels and moderators
• Develop handout material
• Posting presentations on the website

PROJECT 6 Title:  The Annual State of the Trade and Transportation Town Hall Meeting (technology transfer)

PI:           Thomas O’Brien, CSULB, CITT   

Work performed at: CITT offices and at an on-campus facility under a rental agreement

The Annual State of the Trade and Transportation Town Hall Meeting, hosted by CSULB, regularly draws stakeholders from the worlds of industry, government, academia and the community to discuss important issues and key trends in goods

movement.   

The scope of work for the CSULB team would include:

• Event coordination
• Video production
• Securing panelists and a moderator
• Develop feedback tools, summarize and analyze feedback
• Draft Proceedings
• Final report

PROJECT 7 Title:  Social Media and Communications (technology transfer)

PI: Thomas O’Brien, CSULB, CITT   

Work performed at: CITT offices and at other off-campus locations to be identified

Social Media Platforms will serve as information exchanges for the METRANS community including researchers, industry partners, and partners in our various education, professional development and outreach efforts. The METRANS website is the home of the METRANS Goods Movement Timeline and our TransCast podcast series on transportation research.  We also propose the development of a Transportation InfoShop on the web, Newsletters, Biweekly email news blasts, and webcasts of METRANS events including the Town Hall are linked via both websites.  Other social media platforms will include the Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

The scope of work for the CSULB team would include:

• Rebranding of center logos and collateral materials to reflect new regional focus
• Oversight of Website revisions to accommodate for new regional focus
• Design and production of Podcasts
• Writing and editing and printing  of Newsletter
• Social Media management

RESEARCH PROJECTS:

Two research projects with a to-be-determined PI and subject will be identified as a result of consultation with Caltrans.

To: Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T), Assembly Automation

Boeing Lab – LB47

1              INTRODUCTION

The BR&T Assembly Automation group has a charter to reduce cost and span time in aerospace structural assembly while improving quality and customer value.  The Assembly Automation group has three technology development tasks that require support in the fields of mechanical and computer engineering technologies. California State University Long Beach, has equipment and personnel resources available to supply the needed support in the fields of mechanical and computer engineering technologies. This Statement of Work outlines the tasks that will be performed by the CSULB Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering.

2       SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE

CSULB Foundation (the contractor), shall contribute to the development of advanced assembly systems and technologies at Boeing Research & Technology’s Southern California CATSAI Center, by supplying technical support in the fields of mechanical and computer engineering. In particular the contractor shall:

• Perform development in the following technical areas:
• 777X Orbital Drilling
• Automated Sealing
• Shimless Assembly
• Standardization
• Present development findings in a formal setting, supplying any needed equipment to perform this task.
• Provide general support to Boeing engineers in the development of assembly systems technologies, equipment and laboratory infrastructure improvements.
• Provide support to Boeing in the development of prototype automated assembly systems in pilot applications.

3       STATEMENT OF WORK

3.1       General Requirements

• 3.1.1      The individuals assigned to this task should be:
  • Trained in the operation of MATLAB software and robotic system operation.
  • Knowledgeable in general machining processes and associated equipment.
  • Knowledgeable in electronic machine control systems and computer programming.
  • Knowledgeable in 3D design, specific UGNX8 or at least Solid Works.
  • U.S. citizens or have U.S. person status.
• 3.1.2 The contractor shall supply students as follows:
  • Automated Sealing Team – Four (4) Mechanical and Electrical engineering undergradate students that will work a combined total of not more than 4,600 hours.
  • 777X Orbital Drilling Team – Two (2) Mechanical and Electrical engineering undergradate students that will work a combined total of not more than 2,300 hours.
  • Shimless Assembly Team – One (1) Mechanical engineering undergradate student that will not work more than 575 hours.
  • Standarization Team – One (1) Mechanical engineering undergradate student that will not work more than 575 hours.
• 3.1.3     The number of hours of support will be approved and tracked each week by the Boeing Research & Technology Project Investigators (on signature page).

3.2    Task Description

• 3.2.1       Perform engineering technology development using MATLAB and other robotic control systems software.
• 3.2.2       Perform end effector design using CAD design software available through the University or the technology center.
• 3.2.3       Manufacture parts using numerically controlled machine tools within the technology center and conventional machines and tools.
• 3.2.4       Provide general support to Boeing engineers in the development of automated assembly systems technologies, equipment and laboratory infrastructure improvements.
• 3.2.5       Provide support to Boeing Research & Technology in the development of prototype equipment in pilot applications.

3.3 Deliverables

• Upon completion of the work assignment, the students shall provide to Boeing a report of his/her activities and accomplishments throughout the period of performance. 
• Also, all the files, documents they worked on during his/ her contract should be given to the PI.
• All the tasks he/she is working on at the time of the contract end needs to be completed to a certain level that would be agreed upon with the Boeing engineer involved in that specific task.

3.4 Period of Performance

The contractor will supply technical assistance and resources to BR&T, from contract award through December 2018.

The proposed 3-year research project will investigate the alpha and gamma radiolysis-induced chemical degradation of ligands used for the removal of minor actinides from used nuclear fuel in advanced extraction systems such as ALSEP. We will emphasize organic phase degradation, particularly complex solvents with multiple ligands as well as organic solvents loaded with significant levels of metal ions. The project will also elucidate the major degradation pathways, which is necessary to improve the predictive capabilities of chemical effects in these current processes. This will involve obtaining, in pure form, identified degradation products from these reactions to test their effect on the extraction systems and to gain additional insight in the effect of radiation on advanced solvent extraction processes. The project would address the most important challenges existing in aqueous separations processes currently under development for used fuel treatment. Our efforts will provide a quantitative understanding of the effect of radiation on the organic phase, particularly the less-studied heavy ion (alpha) radiolysis, and its role in the reactions and species that directly affect metal ion distribution ratios and that govern the formation of third phases in these systems. We will utilize a number of different tools available for inducing high LET radiation damage, including a TRIGA^® reactor and two different ion-beam irradiators with varying dose rates and total dose. We plan to compare the effect of high and low LET and to use mixed radiation with varying high and low LET contributions to simulate anticipated real-world processes.

Specific objectives of the proposed research are as follows:

1. Study degradation products and pathways for gamma and alpha radiolysis of the organic phase using combinations of reagents typical of ALSEP or other advanced extraction systems.
2. Investigate the effect of metal loading in the organic phase on the radiolytic degradation of the organic phase.
3. Investigate the effect of different degradation products on the extraction equilibria of trivalent actinides and lanthanides and the physicochemical properties of the organic phase.

Familias Unidas (United Families): Pre-Diabetes Diagnosis and Treatment

The NCLR/CSULB Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation and Leadership Training, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Children’s Clinic: Serving Children and their Families, and Long Beach Latino residents are collaborating to create a community-informed proposal to address a health equity research question on diabetes prevention among low-income Latinos with pre-diabetes living in Long Beach, CA. Together, we will create a proposal to examine whether outcomes are better for Latino adults with pre-diabetes living in Long Beach receiving a) a chronic disease self-management program (Stanford Chronic Disease Management), b) diabetes-focused lifestyle change program (Diabetes Prevention Program), or c) general healthy lifestyle (e.g. Eat Healthy Be Active Community workshops with support group)? Type 2 diabetes is among the top five causes of death in the City of Long Beach and is a leading health disparity in terms of neighborhood and ethnicity. Mostly impacting minority groups, the percentage of adults diagnosed with diabetes/pre-diabetes in Long Beach by zip code ranges from 15% to 24% (CHA, 2013).  The 90813 zip code has the highest rate at 24.3% of the adult population receiving either a diabetes or pre-diabetes diagnosis. The concentrated impact of high poverty, high Latino-ethnic population make-up, and high rates of diabetes/pre-diabetes diagnosis together with community member motivation to act on this disparity creates an opportunity to work within a specific geography for the development of a Latino-focused pre-diabetes collaborative effort.