A novel qualitative prospective methodology to assess human error during accident sequences

Numerous theoretical models and techniques to assess human error were developed since the 60's. Most of these models were developed for the nuclear, military, and aviation sectors. These methods have the following weaknesses that limit their use in industry: the lack of analysis of underlying causal cognitive mechanisms, need of retrospective data for implementation, strong dependence on expert judgment, focus on a particular type of error, and/or analysis of operator behaviour and decision-making without considering the role of the system in such decisions. The purpose of the present research is to develop a qualitative prospective methodology that does not depend exclusively on retrospective information, that does not require expert judgment for implementation and that allows predicting potential sequences of accidents before they occur. It has been proposed for new (or existent) small and medium- scale facilities, whose processes are simple. To the best of our knowledge, a methodology that meets these requirements has not been reported in literature thus far. The methodology proposed in this study was applied to the methanol storage area of a biodiesel facility. It could predict potential sequences of accidents, through the analysis of information provided by different system devices and the study of the possible deviations of operators in decision-making. It also enabled the identification of the shortcomings in the human-machine interface and proposed an optimization of the current configuration.Fil: Calvo Olivares, Romina Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; ArgentinaFil: Rivera, Selva Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; ArgentinaFil: Núñez Mc Leod, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; Argentin

Gap junction reduction in cardiomyocytes following transforming growth factor- beta treatment and Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Gap junction connexin-43 (Cx43) molecules are responsible for electrical impulse conduction in the heart and are affected by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). This cytokine increases during Trypanosoma cruzi infection, modulating fibrosis and the parasite cell cycle. We studied Cx43 expression in cardiomyocytes exposed or not to TGF-beta T. cruzi, or SB-431542, an inhibitor of TGF-beta receptor type I (ALK-5). Cx43 expression was also examined in hearts with dilated cardiopathy from chronic Chagas disease patients, in which TGF-beta signalling had been shown previously to be highly activated. We demonstrated that TGF-beta treatment induced disorganised gap junctions in non-infected cardiomyocytes, leading to a punctate, diffuse and non-uniform Cx43 staining. A similar pattern was detected in T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes concomitant with high TGF-beta secretion. Both results were reversed if the cells were incubated with SB-431542. Similar tests were performed using human chronic chagasic patients and we confirmed a down-regulation of Cx43 expression, an altered distribution of plaques in the heart and a significant reduction in the number and length of Cx43 plaques, which correlated negatively with cardiomegaly. We conclude that elevated TGF-beta levels during T. cruzi infection promote heart fibrosis and disorganise gap junctions, possibly contributing to abnormal impulse conduction and arrhythmia that characterise severe cardiopathy in Chagas disease

The Power Output and Sprinting Performance of Young Swimmers

The aim of this article was to compare swimming power output between boys and girls and to model the relationship between swimming power output and sprinting performance in young swimmers. One hundred young swimmers (49 boys and 51 girls, aged between 11 and 13 years) underwent a test battery including anthropometrics (body mass, height, arm span [AS], and trunk transverse surface area), kinematic and efficiency (velocity, stroke frequency, stroke length, speed fluctuation, normalized speed fluctuation, stroke index, and Froude efficiency), hydrodynamics (active drag and active drag coefficient), and power output (power to overcome drag, power to transfer kinetic energy to water, and external power) assessments and sprinting performance (official 100 freestyle race). All variables but the trunk transverse surface area, stroke length normalize to AS, speed fluctuation, active drag coefficient, and Froude efficiency were significantly higher in boys than in girls with moderate-strong effects. Comparing both sexes but controlling the effect of the sprinting performance, most variables presented a no-significant variation. There was a significant and strong relationship between power output and sprinting performance: y = 24.179x (R = 0.426; standard error of estimation = 0.485; p < 0.001). As a conclusion, boys presented better performances than girls because of their higher power output. There is a cubed relationship between power output and sprinting performance in young swimmers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exploring the length scales, timescales and chemistry of challenging materials (Part 1).

This themed issue explores the different length scales and timescales that determine the physics and chemistry of a variety of key materials, explored from the perspective of a wide range of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, materials science, Earth science and biochemistry. The topics discussed include catalysis, chemistry under extreme conditions, energy materials, amorphous and liquid structure, hybrid organic materials and biological materials. The issue is in two parts, with the present part exploring glassy and amorphous systems and materials at high pressure. This article is part of the theme issue 'Exploring the length scales, timescales and chemistry of challenging materials (Part 1)'

Latent failures on biodiesel plants

The process to obtain biodiesel is simple, however it is a chemical process in which toxic and flammable substances are used or variables like temperature or pressure should be controlled to avoid any kind of incident. Literature report accidents where most human errors are related to the confidence of operators by this simplicity. Much of these accidents are influenced by a number of factors involved constituting latent failures. This paper presents a summary of latent failures identified on biodiesel plants and a description of their causes and the accepted practices to eliminate them.Fil: Rivera, Selva S.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida Por Computadora; ArgentinaFil: Núñez Mc Leod, Jorge Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida Por Computadora; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Calvo Olivares, Romina Daniela. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida Por Computadora; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mendoza; Argentin

Creative Artificial Intelligence: Generation of New Objects

This paper presents an introduction to Artificial Intelligence and creativity. Creativity is analyzed from a biological point of view based on the concept of neuroplasticity of the human brain. It seeks to understand the process associated with the creative act to formalize it. He analyzes biological neural networks not from the point of view of their topology, but from the process, they carry out during the creative process.The focus of attention is placed on the generation of new objects. It seeks to formalize the creative act to propose a model of creativity with the ultimate goal of building a Creative Artificial Intelligence. To understand this process, well-documented examples from real life were studied. From them, the creativity process is analyzed and deconstructed into basic elements to later formalize it.Throughout history, various authors have studied the creative act and this has given rise to different theories. The proposed model is analyzed taking into account traditional approaches, constituting a tool for technological improvement that will complement human creativity.Fil: Rivera, Selva Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; ArgentinaFil: Núñez Mc Leod, Jorge Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Núñez Mac Leod, Noelia E.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; Argentin

Creative Artificial Intelligence: Generation of New Objects

This paper presents an introduction to Artificial Intelligence and creativity. Creativity is analyzed from a biological point of view based on the concept of neuroplasticity of the human brain. It seeks to understand the process associated with the creative act to formalize it. He analyzes biological neural networks not from the point of view of their topology, but from the process, they carry out during the creative process.The focus of attention is placed on the generation of new objects. It seeks to formalize the creative act to propose a model of creativity with the ultimate goal of building a Creative Artificial Intelligence. To understand this process, well-documented examples from real life were studied. From them, the creativity process is analyzed and deconstructed into basic elements to later formalize it.Throughout history, various authors have studied the creative act and this has given rise to different theories. The proposed model is analyzed taking into account traditional approaches, constituting a tool for technological improvement that will complement human creativity.Fil: Rivera, Selva Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; ArgentinaFil: Núñez Mc Leod, Jorge Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Núñez Mac Leod, Noelia E.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de Capacitación Especial y Desarrollo de Ingeniería Asistida por Computadora; Argentin

New generation nuclear power plants design optimization : artificial intelligence

El presente proyecto es una continuación en la línea de I+D+i de herramientas para la optimización durante la etapa de diseño conceptual de centrales nucleoeléctricas de Nueva Generación. En el proyecto precedente se completó el desarrollo e integración de modelos estadístico-matemáticos de error humano, que permitieron la optimización global de todos los programas de mantenimiento, prueba y operación de una Central Nuclear de Generación Eléctrica en la etapa de producción. El problema que se encara surge como una necesidad frente a los nuevos requerimientos de diseños novedosos debido al accidente de las instalaciones nucleares en Fukushima en Japón. Este accidente reveló una serie de errores de diseño que arrancan en la etapa conceptual y que requieren una visión que integre las necesidades de producción con las de regulación basada en riesgos. Así en el presente proyecto se abordarán los problemas de optimización de diseño conceptual de las instalaciones nucleoeléctricas de nueva generación incorporando Inteligencia Artificial. Para ello se utilizará el diseño de la nueva central de generación nucleoeléctrica que se está desarrollando en conjunto entre investigadores de la Facultad de Ingeniería, el Instituto Balseiro y CONICET. El proyecto abordará los problemas relacionados en particular con la necesidad de dotar al algoritmo desarrollado previamente de capacidad de explorar el espacio de búsqueda y de explotar las soluciones que se vayan alcanzando de manera inteligente. Este enfoque permitiría lograr que el algoritmo explore adecuadamente el espacio de búsqueda sin tener que realizarlo en forma exhaustiva como lo hace actualmente y a la vez que explote las soluciones que se vayan alcanzando pudiendo hacer más hincapié en las que presenten mejores perspectivas de mejora con mínimas modificaciones. El problema abordado es de una complejidad computacional del tipo NP-Hard, donde adicionalmente la necesidad de incorporación de inteligencia artificial requerirá el desarrollo de marcos conceptuales novedosos. Se puede destacar que el proyecto finalmente aportará una herramienta y los marcos conceptuales para la optimización del diseño de estas nuevas generaciones de instalaciones nucleoeléctricas. Asimismo los resultados significarán un aporte innovador a nivel internacional en una línea de investigación que es reconocida internacionalmente en diversas presentaciones y publicaciones indexadas con referato de los integrantes del proyecto.This project is a continuation in the R &amp; D &amp; I line of tools for optimization during the conceptual design stage of new generation nuclear power plants. In the previous project, the development and integration of statistical-mathematical human error models was completed, which allowed the global optimization of all the maintenance, testing and operation programs of a Nuclear Power Generation Plant in the production stage. The problem that is faced arises as a necessity in the face of the new requirements of novel designs due to the accident of the nuclear facilities in Fukushima in Japan. This accident revealed a series of design errors that start at the conceptual stage and require a vision that integrates production needs with those of risk-based regulation. Thus, in the present project the problems of optimization of the conceptual design of new generation nuclear power plants incorporating Artificial Intelligence will be addressed. To this end, the design of the new nuclear power plant that is being developed jointly by researchers from the Faculty of Engineering, the Balseiro Institute and CONICET will be used. The project will address the problems related in particular with the need to equip the previously developed algorithm with the ability to explore the search space and to exploit the solutions that are being reached intelligently. This approach would allow the algorithm to explore the search space adequately without having to do it in an exhaustive way as it currently does and at the same time exploit the solutions that are being achieved, being able to place more emphasis on those that present better perspectives for improvement with minimal modifications . The problem addressed is a computational complexity of the NP¬Hard type, where additionally the need to incorporate artificial intelligence will require the development of novel conceptual frameworks. It can be highlighted that the project will finally provide a tool and conceptual frameworks for optimizing the design of these new generations of nuclear power plants. Likewise, the results will mean an innovative contribution at an international level in a line of research that is internationally recognized in diverse presentations and publications indexed by referees of the project's members

Direct mapping rather than motor prediction subserves modulation of corticospinal excitability during observation of actions in real time

Motor facilitation refersto the specific increment in corticospinal excitability (CSE)elicited by the observation of actions performed by others. To date,the precise nature of the mechanism at the basis of this phenomenonis unknown. One possibility is that motor facilitation is driven by apredictive process reminiscent of the role of forward models in motorcontrol. Alternatively, motor facilitation may result from a model-freemechanism by which the basic elements of the observed action aredirectly mapped onto their cortical representations. Our study wasdesigned to discern these alternatives. To this aim, we recorded thetime course of CSE for the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and theabductor digiti minimi (ADM) during observation of three graspingactions in real time, two of which strongly diverged in kinematicsfrom their natural (invariant) form. Although artificially slow movementsused in most action observation studies might enhance theobserver?s discrimination performance, the use of videos in real timeis crucial to maintain the time course of CSE within the physiologicalrange of daily actions. CSE was measured at 4 time points within a240-ms window that best captured the kinematic divergence from theinvariant form. Our results show that CSE of the FDI, not the ADM,closely follows the functional role of the muscle despite the mismatchbetween the natural and the divergent kinematics. We propose thatmotor facilitation during observation of actions performed in real timereflects the model-free coding of perceived movement following adirect mapping mechanism.Fil: Gueugneau, Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Mc Cabe, Sofia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Villalta, Jorge Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Grafton, Scott T.. University of California. Department of Psychology; Estados UnidosFil: Della Maggiore, Valeria Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; Argentin

The relative influence of goal and kinematics on corticospinal excitability depends on the information provided to the observer

Viewing a person perform an action activates the observer's motor system. Whether this phenomenon reflects the action's kinematics or its final goal remains a matter of debate. One alternative to this apparent controversy is that the relative influence of goal and kinematics depends on the information available to the observer. Here, we addressed this possibility. For this purpose, we measured corticospinal excitability (CSE) while subjects viewed 3 different grasping actions with 2 goals: a large and a small object. Actions were directed to the large object, the small object, or corrected online in which case the goal switched during the movement. We first determined the kinematics and dynamics of the 3 actions during execution. This information was used in 2 other experiments to measure CSE while observers viewed videos of the same actions. CSE was recorded prior to movement onset and at 3 time points during the observed action. To discern between goal and kinematics, information about the goal was manipulated across experiments. We found that the goal influenced CSE only when its identity was known before movement onset. In contrast, a kinematic modulation of CSE was observed whether or not information regarding the goal was provided.Fil: Mc Cabe, Sofia Ines. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Villalta, Jorge Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Saunier, Ghislain. Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Grafton, Scott T.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Della Maggiore, Valeria Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; Argentin