Defining Reality in Virtual Reality: Exploring Visual Appearance and Spatial Experience Focusing on Colour

Today, different actors in the design process have communication difficulties in visualizing and predictinghow the not yet built environment will be experienced. Visually believable virtual environments (VEs) can make it easier for architects, users and clients to participate in the planning process. This thesis deals with the difficulties of translating reality into digital counterparts, focusing on visual appearance(particularly colour) and spatial experience. The goal is to develop knowledge of how differentaspects of a VE, especially light and colour, affect the spatial experience; and thus to contribute to a better understanding of the prerequisites for visualizing believable spatial VR-models. The main aims are to 1) identify problems and test solutions for simulating realistic spatial colour and light in VR; and 2) develop knowledge of the spatial conditions in VR required to convey believable experiences; and evaluate different ways of visualizing spatial experiences. The studies are conducted from an architecturalperspective; i.e. the whole of the spatial settings is considered, which is a complex task. One important contribution therefore concerns the methodology. Different approaches were used: 1) a literature review of relevant research areas; 2) a comparison between existing studies on colour appearance in 2D vs 3D; 3) a comparison between a real room and different VR-simulations; 4) elaborationswith an algorithm for colour correction; 5) reflections in action on a demonstrator for correct appearance and experience; and 6) an evaluation of texture-styles with non-photorealistic expressions. The results showed various problems related to the translation and comparison of reality to VR. The studies pointed out the significance of inter-reflections; colour variations; perceived colour of light and shadowing for the visual appearance in real rooms. Some differences in VR were connected to arbitrary parameter settings in the software; heavily simplified chromatic information on illumination; and incorrectinter-reflections. The models were experienced differently depending on the application. Various spatial differences between reality and VR could be solved by visual compensation. The study with texture-styles pointed out the significance of varying visual expressions in VR-models

Towards the Resilient Operator 5.0: The Future of Work in Smart Resilient Manufacturing Systems

Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown industries all around the world that their current manufacturing systems are not as resilient as expected and therefore many are failing. The workforce is the most agile and flexible manufacturing resource and simultaneously the most fragile one due to its humanity. By making human operators more resilient against a range of factors affecting their work and workplaces, enterprises can make their manufacturing systems more resilient. This paper introduces "The Resilient Operator 5.0" concept, based on human operator resilience and human-machine systems\u27 resilience, providing a vision for the future of work in smart resilient manufacturing systems in the emerging Industry 5.0 hallmark. It suggests how to achieve appropriate smart manufacturing systems\u27 resilience from a human-centric perspective through the means of the Operator 4.0 typology and its related technical solutions

Defining Reality in Virtual Reality: Exploring Visual Appearance and Spatial Experience Focusing on Colour

Today, different actors in the design process have communication difficulties in visualizing and predictinghow the not yet built environment will be experienced. Visually believable virtual environments (VEs) can make it easier for architects, users and clients to participate in the planning process. This thesis deals with the difficulties of translating reality into digital counterparts, focusing on visual appearance(particularly colour) and spatial experience. The goal is to develop knowledge of how differentaspects of a VE, especially light and colour, affect the spatial experience; and thus to contribute to a better understanding of the prerequisites for visualizing believable spatial VR-models. The main aims are to 1) identify problems and test solutions for simulating realistic spatial colour and light in VR; and 2) develop knowledge of the spatial conditions in VR required to convey believable experiences; and evaluate different ways of visualizing spatial experiences. The studies are conducted from an architecturalperspective; i.e. the whole of the spatial settings is considered, which is a complex task. One important contribution therefore concerns the methodology. Different approaches were used: 1) a literature review of relevant research areas; 2) a comparison between existing studies on colour appearance in 2D vs 3D; 3) a comparison between a real room and different VR-simulations; 4) elaborationswith an algorithm for colour correction; 5) reflections in action on a demonstrator for correct appearance and experience; and 6) an evaluation of texture-styles with non-photorealistic expressions. The results showed various problems related to the translation and comparison of reality to VR. The studies pointed out the significance of inter-reflections; colour variations; perceived colour of light and shadowing for the visual appearance in real rooms. Some differences in VR were connected to arbitrary parameter settings in the software; heavily simplified chromatic information on illumination; and incorrectinter-reflections. The models were experienced differently depending on the application. Various spatial differences between reality and VR could be solved by visual compensation. The study with texture-styles pointed out the significance of varying visual expressions in VR-models

Does Levels of Automation need to be changed in an assembly system? - A case study

Production of to day is getting more and more competitive and companies have to be on top in their area in order to survive. This paper discuss if Levels of Automation need to be changed in assembly systems in order to achieve companies goals when it comes to flexibility and time minimisation. The empirical data is gathered through case studies at six different companies

The Operator 4.0: Towards socially sustainable factories of the future

Humans are all makers of a sort. The tools we operate constantly leverage our human capabilities and evolve over history to take advantage of any innovation or a new source of power that emerges. Human-Technology Symbiosis has always been the basis for leaps in human prosperity. As we are presently in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, it is important to focus on challenges and opportunities of contemporary work-life. Here we find the worker, the operator, benefitting from cyber-physical systems technology, connectivity, and global information networks while retaining human strengths and weaknesses. This special issue will describe the implications of a new breed of the manufacturing worker, “The Operator 4.0”. The 13 contributions in this special issue will take us from the early anthropocentric organisational models to the emerging connected and cyber-physically enhanced “Operator 4.0” in highly dynamic work environments. Methods and tools for development and analysis of complex work will support the scholar or practitioner that would like to dig deeper into the future of the potential work-life of the Operator 4.0

Livslängden hos kyllagrade spermier vid artificiell insemination hos häst - kan den förlängas?

Över 90 % av betäckningarna inom Avelsföreningen för svenska varmblodiga hästen (ASVH) skedde med artificiell insemination (AI) år 2011. AI har många fördelar i avelsarbetet då hingsten inte behöver vara på plats när stoet brunstar, möjligheten att välja bland både nationella och internationella hingstar ger en stor valmöjlighet för stoägaren. I Sverige samlas sperma från hingstarna normalt sett tre gånger i veckan genom upphopp på en fantomhäst där ejakulatet samlas i en artificiell vagina. Trots mycket forskning är det fortfarande ca 20 % av hingstarna som lämnar spermier som inte lämpar sig för frysning. Innan nedkylning centrifugeras seminalplasman bort eller späds ut för att reducera inverkan på spermierna. Seminalplasman har positiv inverkan på spermierna vid naturlig betäckning men kan ha negativ inverkan på spermierna under lagring. Ett mjölkbaserat medium tillsätts därefter för att upprätthålla en jämn kvalitet vid nerkylning. Kyld semin förvaras i en temperatur på 4–6 oC för att få så lång hållbarhet som möjligt gällande motilitet och fertilitet. Sperman som ska frysas packas slutligen i strån och lagras i kärl med flytande kväve, dessa utgör även en viktig genbank inför framtiden. Två metoder för att höja kvaliteten på sperman är ”single layer” centrifugering och kolonnseparation. Båda metoder går ut på att sortera bort skadade och orörliga spermier för att få en anrikning av de spermier som tros ha bäst förutsättning till ett lyckat dräktighetsresultat. Vid upptinandet av frysta spermier kan kromatinskador och membranintegriteten undersökas för att få en bra bild av spermiernas kvalitet.Over 90 % of the matings in 2011 in the Swedish Warmblood Association (SWB) occurred with artificial insemination (AI). AI has several advantages in breeding and one of them is that the stallion does not need to be present when a mare shows standing heat. The possibility to choose among both national and international stallions gives a major option of selection for the mare owner. In Sweden, semen is normally collected from the stallions three times a week. The stallion mounts a phantom horse and ejaculates into an artificial vagina. Despite much research, about 20 % of stallions still provide sperm that are not suitable for freezing. Before cooling the seminal plasma is removed by centrifugation or is diluted for reducing the effect on spermatozoa. Seminal plasma has a positive effect on sperm at natural mating but may have a negative effect on spermatozoa during storage. A milk-based medium is then added to maintain a consistent quality during the cooling. Cooled semen is stored at a temperature of 4–6 oC to get as long durability as possible concerning motility and fertility. The semen for freezing is packed in straws and finally stored in containers with liquid nitrogen, they are also an important gene pool for the future. Two methods for improving the quality of semen are single layer centrifugation and column separation. Both methods aims to filter out damaged and motionless spermatozoa to get an enrichment of the sperm that may have the best probability to achieve a successful pregnancy result. At the thawing of frozen spermatozoa, chromatin damage and membrane integrity could be evaluated to get a good picture of sperm quality

Analysing changeability and time parameters due to levels of Automation in an assembly system

Products of today are becoming increasingly customized. Smaller batches in the assembly and decreasing time limits for set-ups between products are some of the resulting demands on the assembly systems, due to the increasing number of variants in the assembly flow. Consequently, assembly systems have to become more flexible and efficient. When companies adopt automated solutions, there is a need to determine the correct amount of automation. It is also necessary to identify the optimal parts of the value-flow to be automated. In automation decisions it is necessary to consider human resources, as well as mechanical technology and information flow. The paper will discuss the importance of measuring different time parameters in an assembly system. Furthermore an analysis of the ability to change level of automation in an assembly system will be discussed based on theory and a case study exampl

Effects of cognitive behavioural therapy targeting eating behaviour (CBT-TEB) : a novel obesity treatment

Objective. The overall objective was to evaluate the outcome of the 10-week (20/30 h) CBTTEB treatment programme for persons with obesity. The evaluation took place in three studies. Paper I (Study I): Method. One hundred and five obese women from an obesity unit`s waiting list participated in a randomised controlled study. Of these, 62 took part in the CBT-TEB programme and 43 served as controls. Follow-up was 6-,12- and 18-months post-treatment, without any booster treatment. Results. Weight change for the CBT-TEB patients after therapy was - 8.5 kg (SD 16.1) (per-protocol). Weight change at the follow-up for the CBT-TEB patients 18 months after the end of therapy was - 10.4 kg (SD 10.8) (per-protocol) and - 5.7 kg (SD 9.5) (ITT). Weight change (per-protocol) for the controls at the 18-month follow-up was + 2.3 kg (SD 7.0) and +1.6 kg (SD 6.0) (ITT). About two thirds still fulfilled the widely held success criterion of having lost 5% or more of initial weight at 1.5 years after the end of therapy. Paper II (Study II): Method. Fifty-four obese women from a child care centre participated in a randomised controlled trial involving the CBT-TEB programme and a conventional weight loss programme. Of these, 16 women took part in the CBT-TEB programme and 26 in the control programme. Follow-up was 6-,12- and 18-months post-treatment, without any booster treatment. Results. Weight change for the CBT-TEB patients after therapy was -8.6 kg (SD 2.9) (per-protocol) and -7.7 kg (SD 3.8) (ITT). Weight change for the CBT-TEB patients 18 months after the end of therapy was – 5.9 kg (SD 5.4) (per-protocol) and -5.5 kg (SD 5.5) (ITT). Weight change for the participants in the control programme after the end of therapy was -0.7 kg (SD 1.2) (per-protocol) and -1.4 kg (SD 1.6) (ITT). Weight change for the participants in the control programme at follow-up 18 months after end of therapy was +0.3 kg (SD 4.3) (per-protocol) and -0.6 kg (SD 5.5) (ITT). Paper III (Study III): Method. Eighty-three primary care patients (74 females and nine males) started the CBT-TEB programme. Follow-up was at 6 months. An objective in this study was also to evaluate change in waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) after therapy. Eating behaviour was determined by the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and obesity-related problems by the Obesity-Related Problems Scale. Results. Weight change (ITT) for the CBTTEB patients after therapy was -4.5 kg (SD 3.9), and at 6 months -4.4 kg (SD 4.9). Emotional and uncontrolled eating decreased and cognitive control increased during therapy. Obesityrelated problems decreased. Conclusions: The results demonstrate a very satisfactory efficacy for the CBT-TEB programme. It was feasible to implement the programme in primary healthcare, using ordinary personnel as group leaders after a short period of training

A User-Based Look at Visualization Tools for Environmental Data and Suggestions for Improvement - An Inventory among City Planners in Gothenburg

With a growing interest in environmental data and the need to consider various environmental factors earlier in the planning processes, it becomes more important to disseminate this type of information to different target groups in a comprehensible way. To support easier decision making, many cities and municipalities are increasingly using digital city models where it is possible to integrate different types of information based on simulation and visualization of future scenarios. Such tools have high potential, but the visual representation of data still needs to be developed. In this paper, we investigate how professionals within urban planning currently use visualization to communicate environmental data, and what their needs are regarding tools and visual representation. We discuss challenges for representing environmental data in urban development processes, with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of these issues. We base our investigation on a literature study, an inventorying survey and a focus group discussion with professionals within urban planning. This study provides an end-user perspective among urban planners and valuable insights on tool usage and visualization. Results show that applications used for environmental visualization still can be improved regarding, e.g., user friendliness and information handling, which may increase their efficiency

Handling of Production Disturbances in the Manufacturing Industry

Purpose – A common understanding of what events to regard as production disturbances (PD) are essential for effective handling of PDs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to answer the two questions: how are individuals with production or maintenance management positions in industry classifying different PD factors? Which factors are being measured and registered as PDs in the companies monitoring systems? Design/methodology/approach – A longitudinal approach using a repeated cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Empirical data were collected from 80 companies in 2001 using a paper-based questionnaire, and from 71 companies in 2014 using a web-based questionnaire. Findings – A diverging view of 21 proposed PD factors is found between respondents in manufacturing industry, and there is also a lack of correspondence with existing literature. In particular, planned events are not classified and registered to the same extent as downtime losses. Moreover, the respondents are often prone to classify factors as PDs compared to what is actually registered. This diverging view has been consistent for over a decade, and hinders companies to develop systematic and effective strategies for handling of PDs. Originality/value – There has been no in-depth investigation, especially not from a longitudinal perspective, of the personal interpretation of PDs from people who play a central role in achieving high reliability of production systems