Decision-making framework for implementing safer human-robot collaboration workstations: system dynamics modeling

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) systems are often implemented seeking for reducing risk of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) development and increasing productivity. The challenge is to successfully implement an industrial HRC to manage those factors, considering that non-linear behaviors of complex systems can produce counterintuitive effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design a decision-making framework considering the key ergonomic methods and using a computational model for simulations. It considered the main systemic influences when implementing a collaborative robot (cobot) into a production system and simulated scenarios of productivity and WMSD risk. In order to verify whether the computational model for simulating scenarios would be useful in the framework, a case study in a manual assembly workstation was conducted. The results show that both cycle time and WMSD risk depend on the Level of Collaboration (LoC). The proposed framework helps deciding which cobot to implement in a context of industrial assembly process. System dynamics were used to understand the actual behavior of all factors and to predict scenarios. Finally, the framework presented a clear roadmap for the future development of an industrial HRC system, drastically reducing risk management in decision-making.This work was supported by European Structural and Investment Funds in the FEDER component, through the Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme (COMPETE 2020) [Project n◦ 39479; Funding Reference: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-39479] and by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/202

Foreign Language-Medium Instruction and Bilingualism- The Analysis of a Myth

The present study discusses the potential effects of learning and using more than one language (i.e., bilingualism) on the bilingual child in relation to the prevailing discussion on foreign language-medium instruction in Turkey. It is shown that, in contrast to popular beliefs in the society and findings obtained in the early stages of the 20th century, bilingualism does not appear to be an obstacle to the bilingual child, but may act as a facilitating trait in many respects, including the bilingual child’s cognitive and linguistic development.Bilingualism, Language Acquisition, Foreign Language Education, Education in a Foreign Language.

Risk perception in micro enterprises in Portugal

Dissertação de mestrado em Industrial Engineering and Industrial ManagementThe detection, assessment and reduction of risks is one of the most important issues of the role assigned to Occupational Health and Safety practitioners. Health and safety in micro-enterprises (<10 employees) is a critical issue due to their lack of resources and the limited knowledge on the subject. Micro-enterprises comprise a major percentage of the existent enterprises in a small economy such as the Portuguese economy. The present study is based on survey which was developed based on a previous literature review about the analysed topics. The main purpose of the present study was to analyse risk perception of micro-enterprises’ workers and small-medium enterprises’ workers in Portugal and by comparing the results according to the size of the enterprises. Results showed that micro-enterprises workers perceive higher risk comparing with small and medium enterprise workers. The study also found that risk perception has a positive and statistically significant association with previous accident experience, workload and stress. Additionally, safety climate measure had a negative impact on risk perception.A deteção, avaliação e redução de riscos é uma das questões mais importantes do papel atribuído aos profissionais de segurança e saúde no trabalho. A segurança e saúde em microempresas (<10 funcionários) é uma questão crítica devido à falta de recursos e à limitação de conhecimento sobre o assunto. As microempresas constituem uma percentagem importante das empresas existentes numa economia pequena como a economia portuguesa. O presente estudo baseia-se num questionário desenvolvida a partir de uma revisão prévia da literatura sobre os tópicos analisados. O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi analisar a perceção de risco dos trabalhadores de microempresas e trabalhadores de pequenas e médias empresas em Portugal e comparando os resultados de acordo com o tamanho das empresas. Os resultados mostraram que os trabalhadores das microempresas têm maior precessão do risco em comparação com trabalhadores de pequenas e médias empresas. O estudo também descobriu que a perceção de risco tem uma associação positiva e estatisticamente significativa com a experiência de acidentes anteriores, carga de trabalho e stress. Além disso, a medição do clima de segurança teve um impacto negativo na perceção de risco

Microprocessing by intense pulsed electron beam

Generation of intense electron beams by superposing two discharges, namely, a low-pressure dc glow discharge and a high-current pulsed discharge at pressures and voltages very similar to that of the pseudospark gap devices, has been studied. The small beam diameter, high peak current, and short pulse length are the characteristics of the electron beam generated using this technique. This technique does not require high vacuum facilities, and applications such as microprocessing, X-ray generation, and preionization for high-power lasers are feasible. The electron beam current is in the range of 10-30 A. Microprocessing as drilling tenths of microns diameter holes in different materials such as copper, titanium, and, tantalum has been performed. The microstructure of the irradiated materials has been investigated by means of scanning electron microsope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). Currently, the possibility of processing a matrix of holes is being considered

Micro processing by intense fast electron beam

Generation of intense electron beams by superposing two discharges, namely a low pressure do glow discharge and a high current pulsed discharge at pressures and voltages very similar to that of the pseudo-spark gap devices, has been reported previously [1, 2]. The small diameter, high peak current and short pulse length are the characteristics of the electron beam generated using this technique. In this technique, no high vacuum facilities are necessary, and many applications such as micro processing, X-rays generation, pre-ionization for high-power lasers are feasible. The electron beam current is in the range of 10-30 A. A full characterization of the electron beam that is utilized in this work has been given in a previous work [3]. In this work it is reported that the most energetic part of the electron beam is about 5-nanosecond pulse duration. The beam is magnetically deflected to the specific point. The pulse repetition rate is up to 100 Hz. Micro-processing as drilling tenths of microns diameter holes in different materials such as copper, titanium, tantalum has been performed. The microstructure of the irradiated materials has been investigated by means of SEM and AFM. Currently, the possibility of processing a matrix of holes is being considered

High Voltage Design Guidelines: A Timely Update

The evolving state of high voltage systems and their increasing use in the space program have called for a revision of the High Voltage Design Guidelines, Marshall Space Flight Center technical document MSFC-STD-531, originally issued September 1978 (previously 50 M05189b, October 1972). These guidelines deal in depth with issues relating to the specification of materials, particularly electrical insulation, as well as design practices and test methods. Emphasis is on corona and Paschen breakdown as well as plasma effects for Low Earth Orbiting systems. We will briefly review the history of these guidelines as well as their immediate predecessors and discuss their range of applicability. In addition, this document has served as the basis for several derived works that became focused, program-specific HV guidelines. We will briefly review two examples, guidelines prepared for the X-33 program and for the Space Shuttle Electric Auxiliary Power Unit (EAPU) upgrade

Investigation of the Processing of Noun and Verb Words with fMRI in Patients with Schizophrenia

WOS: 000531813000003PubMed: 32110143Introduction: Action naming is reported to be more damaged in patients with schizophrenia than object naming. Aim of this study is to understand the cortical mechanism underlying the negative symptoms seen in patients with schizophrenia such as inactivity, restricted behavioral repertoire, by using functional MRI (fMRI) to determine whether the action origin words have a different representation in the brain regions of patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Our hypothesis is that restriction in the repertoire of movement and behavior and the failure of words of "action" than words of "object" are interrelated through the same cortical mechanisms. If this hypothesis is correct, the reason for not taking action in patients with schizophrenia may be improper definition of the action (verb). Methods: fMRI study was conducted with 12 patients with schizophrenia and 12 healthy individuals. fMRI recording was performed after applying positive and negative syndrome (PANSS) scale, Calgary depression scale, hand preference scale to the participants. During the sessions, lexical decision task' is applied by showing a total of 240 words (120 words - 60 verbs (words of action) and 60 nouns (words of object) - and 120 non-words) to the subjects. Results: In fMRI findings, in the group main effect, which can also he expressed as the difference of the noun and verb words in the group of schizophrenia from the noun and verb words in the healthy control group, the activation of the anterior prefrontal cortex is found to be lower in patients with schizophrenia than in healthy individuals. When the brain areas which show the difference in verb words in schizophrenia group from both noun words in schizophrenia group and noun and verb words in healthy individuals are examined, inferior frontal gyrus pars triangularis (BA45) showed more activation in patients with schizophrenia than healthy individuals, but again for the same task, inferior frontal gyrus pars opercularis (BA44) and left primary sensory area showed less activation in patients with schizophrenia than healthy individuals. There is no difference between patients with schizophrenia and healthy volunteers in terms of correctly identified words and reaction time. Conclusion: Considering the lack of difference between the groups in terms of number of correctly identified words and reaction time, and BA 44's role in recognition and imitation of action and being a part of the mirror neuron system, the significant inverse correlation between PANSS negative score and BA40 can he seen as an effort to compensate for BA44 inadequate activity through BA40

Electrical Auxiliary Power Unit (EAPU) Corona Design Guideline

This document is the result of a collaborative effort between NASA's Johnson Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Glenn Research Center, and the United States Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson AFB in support of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Upgrades Program, specifically the Electric Auxiliary Power Unit Program. This document is intended as a guideline for design applications for corona and partial discharge avoidance and is not a requirements specification instrument