A Model-based Approach towards Human-Machine-Interfaces

International audienceSpecification and development of Human-Machine-Interfaces (HMI) for infotainment systems pose a difficult challenge for those automotive OEMs who claim this topic as one of their core competences. Experience shows that a major problem arises from the non optimal communication of all involved parties during the HMI development. This article describes a model-based approach towards HMI-development which combines conceptual design, specification and implementation based on a single complete HMI-model which serves as an improved means of communication between designers, ergonomists and software developers

Environmental Impact Assessment of the Missouri Mine

Gold mining in Idaho and other western states has left a legacy of heavy metal contamination. These metals enter the food chain via plants and water, and are toxic to living organisms. There is a need to identify and map the heavy metal contamination, and to track the fate and transport of heavy metals from one mine site to another via surface waters. Our hypothesis is that the severe contamination in the area of the Missouri Mine is not all from that site, but includes heavy metals transported in surface water from another mine to the northeast, in the Summit Flat area. To test this hypothesis, samples of soil, water, sediment and vegetation are taken throughout the affected area. They are analyzed via Atomic Absorption spectroscopy for the target metals, using standard USEPA methods. Then a map of the contamination is prepared. If amounts of EPA criterion pollutants exceed acceptable levels, the results will be reported to appropriate government agencies

Fully exploiting the potential of speech dialog in automotive applications

International audienceToday users are faced with infotainment devices and applications of increasing complexity. The design of easy-to-use and intuitive interfaces becomes a more and more challenging task. Users are usually not aware of the underlying applications and their restrictions when they want to use certain functionalities. Therefore, hierarchical menu structures are difficult to handle especially in situations where eyes and hands are occupied with other tasks, such as driving. For quite a while speech-enabled interfaces have been used to solve this problem since they allow users to control various applications without occupying hands and eyes. However, state-of-the-art multimodal applications often do not exploit the full potential that speech dialog offers simply because this modality is not well integrated with the "traditional" modalities such as graphics and haptics. The resulting speech interfaces do not run smoothly, exhibit plenty of inconsistencies concerning the GUI and are thus more or less tedious to use. Such kind of interfaces result in low acceptance because users do not see the immediate benefit. In this paper we present an approach that develops multimodal interfaces in an integrated way, thus ensuring highly consistent interfaces that closely couple the involved modalities and are thus easier to use

OCT-Based Macular Structure-Function Correlation in Dependence on Birth Weight and Gestational Age : the Giessen Long-Term ROP Study

Abstract Purpose: To compare retinal layer thicknesses in preterm and term-born children using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to correlate structure with retinal function. Methods: We performed SD-OCT single and volume scans in the foveal region of premature children aged 6 to 13 years without ROP (no-ROP, n = 100) and with spontaneously regressed ROP (sr-ROP, n = 50) documented with wide-angle digital imaging during routine screening for acute ROP, and 30 age-matched term-born children. Retinal layer segmentation and analysis was performed with custom-made software in single and volume-scans using an Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid-based method, and compared to light increment sensitivity (LIS) data obtained with a microperimeter at eccentricity points of 0°, 2.8°, and 8°, as previously described. Results: Overall, seven children had to be excluded due to poor image quality (n = 1 no-ROP; n = 2 sr-ROP; n = 4 term). Total retina, ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer (GCL+) and outer nuclear layer + external limiting membrane (ONL+) thickness at the foveal center in no-ROP and sr-ROP were significantly higher compared with term children. Gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) were inversely correlated with these layer thicknesses. Rod and cone outer segment length did not differ in either group. The ratio of ONL+ to the whole retina at 0° correlated significantly with reduced LIS. Conclusions: Increased thicknesses of the entire retina or specific layers at the fovea did not correlate with functional loss; but a thinner ONL in retinae without foveal pit did. This reduced ONL+ ratio is potentially caused by a reduced foveal cone density and may be the first morphologic functional correlate in prematurity and ROP

Development of laser diagnostics for in situ measurements of entrained particles in recovery boilers.

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) Industries of the Future (IOF) Forest Products research program, two different laser diagnostic techniques have been implemented in pulp mill recovery boilers to provide important information on entrained particles. One technique, based on single-particle scattering of a low-power, continuous-wave (cw) laser source, measures the velocity, concentration, and size distribution of particles within the furnace flow, over a predetermined range of particle sizes. For application to recovery boilers, this technique was designed to measure the range of particle sizes known as intermediate size particles (ISPs), roughly from 2-100 {micro}m in diameter. The other diagnostic technique, known as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), uses a pulsed, high-power laser beam to create a localized plasma spark in the flow, allowing the measurement of the elemental composition of the entrained particles. This technique is most sensitive for particles less than 10 {micro}m in diameter. Implementing these laser diagnostic techniques in recovery boilers proved to be challenging. For the particle scattering measurement, the use of a narrow aperture for measurement of the forward scattered light was postulated and later confirmed to be effective in minimizing background signals associated with the dense sodium fume in the boilers. For the LIBS measurement, a new water-jacketed optics probe was implemented to allow for measurements with an insertion depth of up to two meters in the furnace. Fume particle deposition on the exposed optics at the end of the LIBS probe was problematic but improved with a redesign of the probe geometry and purge flow. Both diagnostic techniques were employed at two representative recovery boilers. The particle scattering diagnostic demonstrated similar trends in mean ISP concentration, ISP size distribution, and temporal variation of ISP concentration at the two boilers. The LIBS measurements showed the presence of a number of major chemical components as well as trace metal elements in the entrained particles

Rabies Prophylaxis for Pregnant Women

Rabies Prophylaxis for Wome

"A High Speed Laser Profiling Device for Refractory Lininig Thickness Measurements In a Gasifier with Cross-Cut to the Metals, Forest Products, Chemical and Power Generation Industries"

Process Metrix began this project with the intent of modifying an existing ranging system and combining the same with a specially designed optical scanner to yield three dimensional range images that could be used to determine the refractory lining thickness in a gasifier. The goal was to make these measurements during short outages while the gasifier was at or near operating temperature. Our initial estimates of the photon counts needed for the modulation-based range finder were optimistic, and we were forced to undertake a redesign of the range finder portion of the project. This ultimately created significant and unanticipated time delays that were exacerbated when Acuity Technologies, the subcontractor responsible for delivering the redesigned range finder, failed to deliver electrical components capable of meeting the specific range error requirements needed for accurate lining thickness measurement. An extensive search for an alternate, off-the-shelf solution was unsuccessful, and Process Metrix was forced to undertake the electronics development internally without project funds. The positive outcome of this effort is a documented set of range finder electronics that have exceptional accuracy, simplicity, temperature stability and detection limit; in sum a package perfectly suited to the measurement requirements and within our control. It is unfortunate yet understandable, given the time delays involved in reaching this milestone, that the Department of Energy decided not to continue the project to completion. The integration of this electronics set into the optomechanical hardware also developed within the scope of the project remains as follow-on project that Process Metrix will finish within the calendar year 2008. Testing in the gasifier is, at this point, not certain pending the award of additional funding needed for field trials. Eastman, our industrial partner in this project, remains interested in evaluating a finished system, and working together we will attempt to secure funding from alternate sources that have been referenced by our contract monitor. It remains our hope and goal to follow this project through to completion, thereby achieving the objectives outlined at the start of our effort

Effect of 5% fluoride varnish application on caries among school children in rural Brazil: a randomized controlled trial

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91213/1/cdoe656.pd

Health services research doctoral core competencies

This manuscript presents an initial description of doctoral level core competencies for health services research (HSR). The competencies were developed by a review of the literature, text analysis of institutional accreditation self-studies submitted to the Council on Education for Public Health, and a consensus conference of HSR educators from US educational institutions. The competencies are described in broad terms which reflect the unique expertise, interests, and preferred learning methods of academic HSR programs. This initial set of core competencies is published to generate further dialogue within and outside of the US about the most important learning objectives and methods for HSR training and to clarify the unique skills of HSR training program graduates