Investigation into Air Traffic Complexity as a Driver of a Controller‘s Workload

The thesis describes an investigation into Air Traffic Control (ATC) complexity as a contributory factor in changes of controllers' workload. It is considered that ATC complexity, together with equipment interface and procedural demands comprise the task demands imposed on the en-route controller to perform certain activities, which mediated by performance shaping factors create workload. The data used to study this relationship came from ATC real-time simulations completed at EUROCONTROL CRDS in Budapest: recorded flown trajectories, communication performed by the controller (whether with other controllers or with the pilots), data entries related to flight data management, and instantaneous self-assessment ratings of workload provided by the controllers were used. The ATC complexity factors that have been consistently found to be important in the previous studies (related to aircraft density, flight attributes of each individual aircraft, aircraft conflicts and traffic disorder) and for which detailed calculation formula have been reported were selected for further analysis. Since the established set of factors resulted from multiple researches conducted in this field, it was assumed that some of these factors are correlated with one another, overlapping and possibly measuring similar concepts. Therefore, a reduction of the initial set of factors was performed by combining information contained within these factors into a smaller number of new artificial variables and by deleting statistically redundant portions of these factors prior to conducting further analysis. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA), which is the statistical method applied to achieve required reduction, resulted in the overall set of 6 complexity components, whose interpretations are driven by the factors that showed the strongest correlation with that component. In order to establish a link between ATC complexity and a controller's subjective workload, multiple regression analysis was performed, using the complexity components identified in the PCA as predictors of the workload ratings. In addition, some measures of controller’s activity (data entries made by the controllers related to flight data management, cumulative duration of radio calls, i.e. frequency occupancy time, and average duration of single calls) were added to the analysis to test whether information about the controller’s activity could be also useful for predicting workload, once the effect of complexity had been considered, and to verify whether the effect of complexity on workload could be mediated by the effect of complexity on the controller’s activity. The analysis revealed that both ATC complexity and the activities that the controller performs to deal with a demand imposed on him/her give a unique contribution to the prediction of workload ratings and therefore the workload of the controller is determined by both ATC complexity and controller’s activities. In addition, it was assumed that the workload is differently impacted by individual components of complexity, and further statistical analyses were performed to test this assumption. Understanding these differences could in fact facilitate comparison of the complexity levels of a single sector under different conditions, but also comparison of complexity levels of different sectors under same conditions. Firstly the changes in the workload and activities of the controllers under different conditions were investigated using analysis of variance. Subsequently, in order to be able to map these changes on the complexity components, it was necessary also to investigate into the changes that the complexity components undergo when observed under different conditions. The results revealed different behaviour of single complexity components when mapped on the changes recorded in the activities of the controller and workload, demonstrating that changes in controller’s activities and perceived workload are driven by different complexity components in different sectors and under different operational conditions. Shedding light on these contributors to the workload experienced by a controller can greatly facilitate the introduction of any change envisaged for the airspace under consideration. Namely, in the current structure, whenever new procedures or new working methods are subject to possible deployment, the identified complexity components could support the estimation of the impact that those changes would impose on the workload of the controller and further on decision making processes. Additionally, the complexity components are also applicable in the validation of the new concepts and new technologies to be introduced in the system when designing simulation scenarios against which new concepts would be assessed. As also demonstrated by the analysis, the comparison of different sectors, or even different sector designs within the same airspace, could be compared and contribute to the improvement of airspace design.Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Komplexität der Flugverkehrskontrolle (Air Traffic Control, ATC) als einen wesentlichen Einflussfaktor auf die Arbeitsbelastung des Radarlotsen. Die zentrale Annahme ist dabei, dass die Komplexität der ATC zusammen mit den Anforderungen aus den betrieblichen Rahmenbedingungen (technische Systemschnittstellen und Prozeduren) den Lotsen zu bestimmten Abläufen zwingen, welche die Arbeitsbelastung signifikant beeinflussen. Für die durchgeführten Untersuchungen standen Daten von ATC-Echtzeitsimulationen von EUROCONTROL CRDS Budapest zur Verfügung, die folgende Informationen umfassen: abgeflogene Flugtrajektorien, Kommunikationsprotokolle der Lotsen (untereinander oder zwischen Lotse und Pilot), Daten aus dem flight-data Management und Daten aus der regelmäßigen Selbstbewertung der Lotsen bezüglich ihrer aktuell gefühlten Arbeitsbelastung. Die bereits in früheren Studien identifizierten Komplexitätsvariablen (insbesondere die lokale Flugzeugdichte, spezifische Flugzeugeigenschaften, Konfliktsituationen zwischen Flugzeugen und die Verkehrslage betreffend) sowie hierzu erarbeitete mathematische Vorschriften bilden die Grundlage für die weiterführenden, detaillierten Untersuchungen. Aufgrund der Vielzahl an Komplexitätsvariablen aus diversen wissenschaftlichen Quellen war davon auszugehen, dass Korrelationen unter den Variablen vorliegen. Aus diesem Grund wurden zunächst statistisch redundante Informationen der ursprünglich vorliegenden Variablen reduziert, sodass als Ergebnis neue voneinander unabhängige Faktoren klassifiziert werden konnten. Die hierfür verwendete Hauptkomponentenanalyse (Principal Component Analysis - PCA) führte zu sechs statistisch signifikanten Komplexitätsfaktoren, die anhand der höchsten Korrelation zur zugeordneten Komponente interpretiert wurden. Um die Verbindung zwischen der ATC Komplexität und der subjektiv empfundenen Arbeitsbelastung herzustellen, wurde eine multiple Regressionsanalyse zwischen den Komplexitätsfaktoren und den abgeleiteten Arbeitsbelastungszuständen durchgeführt. Zusätzlich lagen für die Analyse der Arbeitsbelastung auch Daten über die Arbeitsaufgaben des Lotsen vor (bspw. Dateneinträge des Lotsen, Gesamtlänge der Funkanweisungen, durchschnittliche Länge der Funkanweisungen), um zu untersuchen, inwieweit sich aus den aktuell durchgeführten Arbeitsaufgaben bei gegebener Verkehrsnachfrage eine verlässliche Vorhersage über die Arbeitsbelastung ableiten lässt. Die Analyse zur Vorhersage der Arbeitsbelastung konnte zeigen, dass sowohl die ATC Komplexität als auch die aktuellen Arbeitsaufgaben einen individuellen und signifikanten Einfluss haben. Weiterhin wurde unterstellt, dass die spezifischen Komplexitätsfaktoren einen unterschiedlichen Effekt auf die Arbeitsbelastung ausüben. Die Überprüfung dieser Annahme war ebenfalls Bestandteil der umfangreichen statistischen Untersuchungen. Tatsächlich könnte ein fundamentales Verständnis der Komplexitätsgrade den Vergleich einzelner Luftraumsektoren unter verschiedenen operativen Randbedingungen, als auch den Vergleich unterschiedlicher Luftraumsektoren mit vergleichbaren operativen Randbedingungen wesentlich erleichtern. Zuerst wurden die Veränderungen der Arbeitsbelastung und -die Tätigkeiten der Lotsen unter Verwendung einer Varianzanalyse untersucht. Um eine valide Zuordnung zu den Komplexitätsfaktoren sicherzustellen, war es ebenfalls notwendig, die Veränderungen dieser Faktoren und Tätigkeiten unter wechselnden Randbedingungen zu analysieren. Die Analysen zeigen hierbei unterschiedliche Resultate bezüglich der jeweiligen Komplexitätsfaktoren. So beeinflussen die verschiedenen Komplexitätsfaktoren die Handlungsabläufe der Lotsen und die wahrgenommene Arbeitsbelastung, jedoch in Abhängigkeit von den ausgewählten Sektoren und den betrieblichen Randbedingungen. Unter Berücksichtigung dieser erarbeiteten Abhängigkeiten der Arbeitsbelastung des Lotsen können nun die Auswirkungen von Veränderungen im Luftraum zuverlässig bestimmt werden. Gerade in Bezug auf Veränderungen der gegenwärtigen Luftraumstruktur oder die Einführung neuer Prozeduren oder Arbeitsabläufe können die entwickelten Komplexitätsfaktoren bereits frühzeitig Aufschluss darüber geben, welche Konsequenzen solche Veränderungen auf die Arbeitsbelastung der Lotsen nach sich ziehen können und Entscheidungsprozesse unterstützen. Weiterhin sind die entwickelten Komplexitätsfaktoren als Grundlage für die Validierung neuer Konzepte und Technologien, gegebenenfalls unter Verwendung von entwickelten Simulationsszenarien, nutzbar. Darüber hinaus können die Komplexitätsfaktoren für die Gegenüberstellung von verschiedenen Luftraumsektoren genutzt werden und zur Abwägung bzw. Optimierung von Entwürfen eines Luftraumdesigns dienen

Biophilic architecture: nature-based design solutions for health and well-being in living spaces

This research focuses on improving the well-being and health of citizens in terms of the design and development of living spaces in harmony with nature. In the contemporary moment, most cities suffer from health and environmental problems. Also, the growing awareness of climate change issues makes it even more apparent and essential to bring nature into our living spaces. Scientific studies have pointed out on a multiplicity of benefits of nature for people, especially for children and older populations. Bringing nature indoor causes increased participation in physical activities, improved mental health and cognitive function and an increase in social interaction between people. Nature and its elements have great power on the human body. The concept of biophilia advocates that there is an innate connection between humans and nature and that people tend to show a positive response when they experience a connection with nature. Accordingly, biophilic design is the design of spaces that promotes and encourages the interaction of humans with nature and natural systems. This paper researches different design methodologies, strategies, principles, scales, and concepts according to patterns of biophilic design and with a focus on their influence on the health and well-being of users. The research also opens further discussions about the potentials of sensitive and responsive biophilic design to improve the health and environmental problems of contemporary urban areas

Endorhizosphere of indigenous succulent halophytes: a valuable resource of plant growth promoting bacteria

The adaptability of halophytes to increased soil salinity is related to complex rhizosphere interactions. In this study, an integrative approach, combining culture-independent and culture-dependent techniques was used to analyze the bacterial communities in the endorizosphere of indigenous succulent halophytes Salicornia europaea, Suaeda maritima, and Camphorosma annua from the natural salt marshes of Slano Kopovo (Serbia). The 16 S rDNA analyses gave, for the first time, an insight into the composition of the endophytic bacterial communities of S. maritima and C. annua. We have found that the composition of endophyte microbiomes in the same habitat is to some extent influenced by plant species. A cultivable portion of the halophyte microbiota was tested at different NaCl concentrations for the set of plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. Through the mining of indigenous halotolerant endophytes, we obtained a collection representing a core endophyte microbiome conferring desirable PGP traits. The majority (65%) of the selected strains belonged to the common halotolerant/halophilic genera Halomonas, Kushneria, and Halobacillus, with representatives exhibiting multiple PGP traits, and retaining beneficial traits in conditions of the increased salinity. The results suggest that the root endosphere of halophytes is a valuable source of PGP bacteria supporting plant growth and fitness in salt-affected soils. © 2023, The Author(s)

Sojne razlike u toksičnosti antagoniste vitamina K varfarina kod pacova

Warfarin (3-(alpha-acetonylbenzy1)-4-hydroxy coumarin) is a vitamin K (VK) antagonist that inhibits vitamin K-dependent (VKD) processes, such as blood coagulation. It also exerts an influence on some non-VKD-related activities. In this study, the effect of sub-acute (30-day) oral warfarin (2 and 1 mg L-1) intake on hematological parameters was examined in two rat strains, Albino Oxford (AO) and Dark Agouti (DA), that differ in their sensitivity to certain chemicals. Greater susceptibility to the anticoagulant effect of 2 mg L-1 of warfarin was observed in AO rats and was associated with an increase in the relevant hematological parameters in this strain. Although both strains responded to 2 mg L-1 of warfarin with quantitative changes in the peripheral blood leukocytes, differential bone marrow and lung responses were observed. Strain-related differences in the pro-inflammatory activity of peripheral blood granulocytes and in mononuclear cell IFN-gamma production were observed. Recognition of differences in quantitative and qualitative effects of oral warfarin on processes other than hemostasis might be of relevance for those humans who are on warfarin therapy.Varfarin (3-α-acetonilbenzil)-4–hidroksikumarin) je antagonist vitamina K (VK) koji inhibira procese zavisne od ovog vitamina, uključujući koagulaciju krvi. Osim toga, on ispoljava i aktivnosti koje ne zavise od vitamina K kao što su anti-tumorska i imunomodulatorna aktivnost. U ovom radu je ispitan efekat subakutnog (30 dana) oralnog unosa varfarina na hematološke parametre i aktivnost leukocita periferne krvi kod dva soja pacova Albino Oxford (AO) i Dark Agouti (DA) koji se raz- likuju u osetljivosti na iste hemijske agense. Kod jedinki AO soja zapažena je veća smrtnost nakon konzumiranja doze od 4 mg L–1 kao i veća osetljivost na antikoagulantno dejstvo varfarina pri nižim dozama (2 mg L–1) koje je praćeno povećanjem nekih hematoloških parametara. Iako kod jedinki oba soja dolazi do povećanja broja neutrofilnih leukocita periferne krvi pri dozi od 2 mg L–1, promene u osnovnim proinflamatornim aktivnostima ovih ćelija su zapažene samo kod jedinki DA soja. Promene u broju neutrofilnih leukocita u krvi DA jedinki su praćene povećanjem broja granulocitnih prekursora u koštanoj srži, dok prisustvo neutrofila u plućima AO jedinki ukazuje na razmenu ćelija između periferne krvi i plućnog intravaskularnog pula ćelija. Diferencijalne sojno–zavisne promene u aktivnosti mononuklearnih ćelija periferne krvi su takođe zapažene. Razlike u efektu oralno unetog varfarina mogu da imaju implikacije za osobe na oralnoj varfarinskoj terapiji

GABA-Producing Natural Dairy Isolate From Artisanal Zlatar Cheese Attenuates Gut Inflammation and Strengthens Gut Epithelial Barrier in vitro

Probiotic bacteria are recognized for their health-promoting properties, including maintenance of gut epithelial integrity and host immune system homeostasis. Taking into account the beneficial health-promoting effects of GABA, the presence of the gadB gene, encoding glutamate decarboxylase that converts L-glutamate to GABA, was analyzed in Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) natural isolates from Zlatar cheese. The results revealed that 52% of tested Lactobacillus spp. and 8% of Lactococcus spp. isolates harbor the gadB gene. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of GABA production performed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed the highest GABA production by Lactobacillus brevis BGZLS10-17. Since high GABA-producing LAB natural isolates are the most valuable source of naturally produced GABA, the probiotic properties of BGZLS10-17 were characterized. This study demonstrated high adhesion of BGZLS10-17 strain to Caco-2 cells and the ability to decrease the adhesion of Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and Salmonella enterica C29039. Treatment of differentiated Caco-2 cells monolayer with BGZLS10-17 supernatant containing GABA alleviated inflammation (production of IL-8) caused by IL-1β and significantly stimulated the expression of tight junction proteins (zonulin, occludin, and claudin 4), as well as the expression of TGF-β cytokine leading to the conclusion that immunosuppression and strengthening the tight junctions can have significant role in the maintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Taken together the results obtained in this study support the idea that using of GABA producing BGZLS10-17 probiotic strain could be a good strategy to modulate immunological response in various inflammatory diseases, and at the same time, it could be a good candidate for adjunct starter culture for production of GABA-enriched dairy foods and beverages offering new perspectives in designing the novel functional foods

HERSUS Sharing Platform [Commendation at 44th Salon of Architecture]

The HERSUS Sharing Platform is a digital platform for researchers and students conceived as an educational tool and archive of resources around the topics of sustainability and heritage awareness in architecture and urban design. The platform has been designed and developed as a source of reference and inspiration to refer to when doing research in the fields that the HERSUS project aims to investigate. In the platform, links are created between apparently distant subjects, showing underlying narratives, connections and overlappings that bring contents together on different levels

Open House Seville - Exhibition

On 11 May 2023, in the framework of the USE HERSUS Event series, the USE OPEN HOUSE activity of the international HERSUS project took place. The Open House was organized in a form of exhibition which consists of three parts: (1) RESULTS OF THE HERSUS STUDENT WORKSHOPS (The brief preview of the Syllabuses and Student Results – research and designs), (2) AWARDED PROPOSALS OF THE HERSUS PRIZE ON MODERN HERITAGE (The awarded, finalist and shortlisted proposals for each of 4 categories – Edu- cation Students, Education Instructors, Practice, and Research), and (3) PRESENTATION OF HERSUS INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES (Timeline of the HERSUS Intellectual outputs followed by presenta- tion of organized events and main achievements including HERSUS in numbers presentation) The exhibition was held at the LOBBY OF THE USE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE ETSAS with participation and interest of local students, academics, and representatives from practice. Moreover, USE Team organized School tour for all HERSUS Partners and exhibition visitors in order to introduce the school profile and student life.HERSUS Consortium Vladan Djokić, Ana Radivojević, Ana Nikezić, Jelena Živković, Nataša Ćuković Ignjatović, Milica Milojević, Jelena Ristić Trajković, Aleksandra Milovanović, Aleksandra Djordjević, Mladen Pešić, Ana Zorić, Bojana Zeković, Tamara Popović, Nevena Lukić, Emanuela Sorbo, Enrico Anguillari, Sofia Tonello, Irene Sgarro,Maria Philokyprou, Aimilios Michael, Andreas Savvides, Panayiota Pyla, Odysseas Kontovourkis, Stavroula Thravalou, Maria Nodaraki, Theodora Hadjipetrou, Konstantinos Sakantamis, Alkmini Paka, Kleoniki Axarli, Maria Doussi, Angeliki Chatzidimitriou, Sofoklis Kotsopoulos, Mar Loren-Méndez, José Peral López, Enrique Larive, Julia Rey, Marta García de Casasola Gómez, María Carrascal, Daniel Pinzón-Ayala, María Álvarez de los Corrales, Roberto Alonso-Jiménez. Учесници: Архитектонски факултет, Универзитет у Београду (Србија), IUAV University of Venice (Италија), University of Cyprus (Кипар), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Грчка), и University of Seville – UNESCO Chair on Built Urban Heritage CREhAR in the digital era (Шпанија)

Hersus пројекат и дигитална платформа дељења (2020–2023) [65. Међународни сајам технике и техничких достигнућа]

HERSUS je Erasmus + стратешко партнерство које окупља пет универзитета из Србије, Италије, Кипра, Грчке и Шпаније који заједно раде на дизајну и развоју иновативних интелектуалних исхода и изградњи дигиталне платформу дељења. HERSUS платформа дељења је дигитална платформа за истраживаче и студенте замишљена као архива ресурса о темама одрживости и свести о наслеђу у архитектури и урбанизму. У платформи се стварају везе између наизглед удаљених тема, показујући основне наративе, везе и преклапања која се налазе на различитим просторним и друштвеним нивоима.Учесници: Архитектонски факултет, Универзитет у Београду (Србија), IUAV University of Venice (Италија), University of Cyprus (Кипар), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Грчка), и University of Seville – UNESCO Chair on Built Urban Heritage CREhAR in the digital era (Шпанија). HERSUS Consortium Vladan Djokić, Ana Radivojević, Ana Nikezić, Jelena Živković, Nataša Ćuković Ignjatović, Milica Milojević, Jelena Ristić Trajković, Aleksandra Milovanović, Aleksandra Djordjević, Mladen Pešić, Ana Zorić, Bojana Zeković, Tamara Popović, Nevena Lukić, Emanuela Sorbo, Enrico Anguillari, Sofia Tonello, Irene Sgarro,Maria Philokyprou, Aimilios Michael, Andreas Savvides, Panayiota Pyla, Odysseas Kontovourkis, Stavroula Thravalou, Maria Nodaraki, Theodora Hadjipetrou, Konstantinos Sakantamis, Alkmini Paka, Kleoniki Axarli, Maria Doussi, Angeliki Chatzidimitriou, Sofoklis Kotsopoulos, Mar Loren-Méndez, José Peral López, Enrique Larive, Julia Rey, Marta García de Casasola Gómez, María Carrascal, Daniel Pinzón-Ayala, María Álvarez de los Corrales, Roberto Alonso-Jiménez (2022)

Open House Venice - Exhibition

On 1 APRIL 2023, in the framework of the IUAV OPEN DAY, the Iuav OPEN HOUSE activity of the international HERSUS project took place. For the occasion, the area dedicated to the University's Master's and Bachelor's degree courses in Architecture hosted Hersus POSTERS, DIGITAL MATERIALS AND POSTCARDS for the presentation of the 4 published Intellectual Outputs (01: Review of the Best Practices on Educating Sustainability and Heritage, 02: Questionnaire for the State of Art, 03: Statements for Teaching through Design for Sustainability of the Built Environment and Heritage Awareness, 04: HERSUS Sharing Platform), the 3 International Workshops (C2: Student Workshop 1: Sustainable Reconstruction in Urban Areas; C3: Student Workshop 2: Adaptive Reuse; C4: Student Workshop 3: Resilience and Climate Change) and the dissemination activities of the project, such as international conferences (C1: Seminar for Teachers: Teaching through design for Sustainability of the Built Environment and Heritage Awareness; E1: HERSUS Intro Presentation; E2: Presentation of the professional profile) and awards (HERSUS International Prize on Modern Built Heritage). At the event participated MORE THAN 1.250 PEOPLE, including students, parents and teachers from secondary schools and first and second-level university cycles.HERSUS Consortium Vladan Djokić, Ana Radivojević, Ana Nikezić, Jelena Živković, Nataša Ćuković Ignjatović, Milica Milojević, Jelena Ristić Trajković, Aleksandra Milovanović, Aleksandra Djordjević, Mladen Pešić, Ana Zorić, Bojana Zeković, Tamara Popović, Nevena Lukić, Emanuela Sorbo, Enrico Anguillari, Sofia Tonello, Irene Sgarro,Maria Philokyprou, Aimilios Michael, Andreas Savvides, Panayiota Pyla, Odysseas Kontovourkis, Stavroula Thravalou, Maria Nodaraki, Theodora Hadjipetrou, Konstantinos Sakantamis, Alkmini Paka, Kleoniki Axarli, Maria Doussi, Angeliki Chatzidimitriou, Sofoklis Kotsopoulos, Mar Loren-Méndez, José Peral López, Enrique Larive, Julia Rey, Marta García de Casasola Gómez, María Carrascal, Daniel Pinzón-Ayala, María Álvarez de los Corrales, Roberto Alonso-Jiménez. Учесници: Архитектонски факултет, Универзитет у Београду (Србија), IUAV University of Venice (Италија), University of Cyprus (Кипар), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Грчка), и University of Seville – UNESCO Chair on Built Urban Heritage CREhAR in the digital era (Шпанија)