Comparing verbal media for alarm handling: Speech versus textual displays

The rise of computers in command and control domains has meant that control operations can be performed via desk-based visual display terminals. This trend has also produced the potential to display information to operators in a variety of formats. Of particular interest has been the use of text-based displays for alarm presentation. There are possible limitations to the use of text for alarm presentation, not least of which is the need for a dedicated alarms display screen (or, at least, a display page). Given the capability of computers to synthesize speech, it is possible that speech-based alarms could generate the same information as text-based displays without the need for dedicated screen space. In this paper an experimental comparison of speech-based and text-based displays for presentation of alarms is reported. The findings show that speech leads to longer response times than text displays, but that it has minimal effect on the efficacy of fault handling. The results are discussed within the alarm initiated activities framework and implications for alarm system design are outlined

Task analysis for error identification: Theory, method and validation

This paper presents the underlying theory of Task Analysis for Error Identification. The aim is to illustrate the development of a method that has been proposed for the evaluation of prototypical designs from the perspective of predicting human error. The paper presents the method applied to representative examples. The methodology is considered in terms of the various validation studies that have been conducted, and is discussed in the light of a specific case study

Moderating Role of Attention Control in the Relationship Between Academic Distraction and Performance

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of social media engagement, which includes frequency of using social media platforms (FSMP) and social media involvement, on the academic distraction and academic performance of the student. The study further tests the moderating role of attention control on the relationship between academic distraction and academic performance. Method: Data were collected from 272 students studying in universities in India. Students answered questions on the frequency of visiting social media platforms and social media involvement, components of academic distraction, and attention control. AMOS software was used to test the structural model. Results: FSMP does not contribute to academic distraction; however, consistent social media involvement does predict academic distraction. Unlike previous studies, academic distraction does not influence the academic performance of students born in the digital era, who have accessed social media throughout their childhood. Attention control moderates the relationship between academic distraction and academic performance. Conclusions: The study challenges past research that claims social media engagement has a negative effect on student academic performance. Social media involvement, such as texting, commenting, and sharing updates, causes academic distraction but may not affect student academic performance. A novel finding is that the strength and direction of the relationship between academic distraction on academic performance vary with attention control. Implication for Theory and/or Practice: The study can be useful for educators and policy makers to build strategies for developing digital citizenship behaviours among students and thereby leverage social media for improved academic achievements of students. In particular, the potential moderating role of attention control in the interaction between academic distraction and academic performance has implications for educators and researchers

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Non-Fouling Microfluidic Devices with Fast Mixing

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in an impinging jet reactor using silver nitrate as a precursor, trisodium citrate as a stabilizer and sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. The effect of mixing time on the nanoparticle morphology was investigated by means of UV-Vis spectroscopy, used as a characterization tool. It was observed that as the mixing time became shorter the nanoparticles retained a similar average diameter but produced more aggregates. The mixing time was characterized using the ‘Villermaux-Dushmann’ reaction system together with the Interaction by Exchange with the Mean mixing model. The mixing time achieved was of the order of a few ms for flowrates in the range 18-28 ml/min. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out at the same flowrates to link mixing time to silver nanoparticle morphology

Count three for wear able computers

This paper is a postprint of a paper submitted to and accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the IEE Eurowearable 2003 Conference, and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at the IET Digital Library. A revised version of this paper was also published in Electronics Systems and Software, also subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is also available at the IET Digital Library.A description of 'ubiquitous computer' is presented. Ubiquitous computers imply portable computers embedded into everyday objects, which would replace personal computers. Ubiquitous computers can be mapped into a three-tier scheme, differentiated by processor performance and flexibility of function. The power consumption of mobile devices is one of the most important design considerations. The size of a wearable system is often a design limitation

An engineering approach to synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles by controlling hydrodynamics and mixing based on a coaxial flow reactor

In this work we present a detailed study of flow technology approaches that could open up new possibilities for nanoparticle synthesis. The synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) in a flow device based on a coaxial flow reactor (CFR) was investigated. The CFR comprised of an outer glass tube of 2 mm inner diameter (I.D.) and an inner glass tube whose I.D. varied between 0.142 and 0.798 mm. A split and recombine (SAR) mixer and coiled flow inverter (CFI) were further employed to alter the mixing conditions after the CFR. The ‘Turkevich’ method was used to synthesize gold NPs, with a CFR followed by a CFI. This assembly allows control over nucleation and growth through variation of residence time. Increasing the total flow rate from 0.25 ml/min to 3 ml/min resulted initially in a constant Au NP size, and beyond 1 ml/min to a size increase of Au NPs from 17.9 ± 2.1 nm to 23.9 ± 4.7 nm. The temperature was varied between 60 – 100 °C and a minimum Au NP size of 17.9 ± 2.1 nm was observed at 80 °C. Silver NPs were synthesized in a CFR followed by a SAR mixer, using sodium borohydride to reduce silver nitrate in the presence of trisodium citrate. The SAR mixer provided an enhancement of the well‐controlled laminar mixing in the CFR. Increasing silver nitrate concentration resulted in a decrease in Ag NP size from 5.5 ± 2.4 nm to 3.4 ± 1.4 nm. Different hydrodynamic conditions were studied in the CFR operated in isolation for silver NP synthesis. Increasing the Reynolds number from 132 to 530 in the inner tube created a vortex flow resulting in Ag NPs in the size range between 5.9 ± 1.5 nm to 7.7 ± 3.4 nm.. Decreasing the inner tube I.D. from 0.798 mm to 0.142 mm resulted in a decrease in Ag NP size from 10.5 ± 4.0 nm to 4.7 ± 1.4 nm. Thus, changing the thickness of the inner stream enabled control over size of the Ag NPs

Some results in extremal combinatorics

In Chapter 1 we determine the minimal density of triangles in a tripartite graph with prescribed edge densities. This extends work of Bondy, Shen, Thomassé and Thomassen characterizing those edge densities guaranteeing the existence of a triangle in a tripartite graph. We also determine those edge densities guaranteeing a copy of a triangle or C5 in a tripartite graph. In Chapter 2 we describe Razborov's flag algebra method and apply this to Erdös' jumping hypergraph problem to find the first non-trivial regions of jumps. We also use Razborov's method to prove five new sharp Turan densities, by looking at six vertex 3-graphs which are edge minimal and not 2-colourable. We extend Razborov's method to hypercubes. This allows us to significantly improve the upper bound given by Thomason and Wagner on the number of edges in a C4-free subgraph of the hypercube. We also show that the vertex Turan density of a 3-cube with a single vertex removed is precisely 3/4. In Chapter 3 we look at problems for intersecting families of sets on graphs. We give a new bound for the size of G-intersecting families on a cycle, disproving a conjecture of Johnson and Talbot. We also extend this result to cross-intersecting families and to powers of cycles. Finally in Chapter 4 we disprove a conjecture of Hurlbert and Kamat that the largest trivial intersecting family of independent r-sets from the vertex set of a tree is centred on a leaf

Some Effects of Roll Rate on the Longitudinal Stability Characteristics of a Cruciform Missile Configuration as Determined from Flight Test for a Mach Number Range of 1.1. to 1.8

A model of a cruciform missile configuration having a low-aspect-ratio wing equipped with flap-type controls was flight tested in order to determine stability and control characteristics while rolling at about 5 radians per second. Comparison is made with results from a similar model which rolled at a much lower rate. Results showed that, if the ratio of roll rate to natural circular frequency in pitch is not greater than about 0.3, the motion following a step disturbance in pitch essentially remains in a plane in space. The slope of normal- force coefficient against angle of attack C(sub N(sub alpha)) was the same as for the slowly rolling model at 0 degrees control deflection but C(sub N(sub alpha)) was much higher for the faster rolling model at about 5 degrees control deflection. The slope of pitching-moment coefficient against angle of attack C(sub m(sub alpha)) as determined from the model period of oscillation was the same for both models at 0 degrees control deflection but was lower for the faster rolling model at about 5 degrees control deflection. Damping data for the faster rolling model showed considerably more scatter than for the slowly rolling model