The systemic dimension of operational decision in complex systems work

This paper refers to some of my research findings on Decision Making processes in complex systems work. Starting as a complex cognitive process strongly contextualized in the operating environment, it ends up, in complex systems work, as an equally complex network of actors and systems (human and technological) that are confronted, in real time, with uncertainty , a large amount of information and feedback and with multiple standards and operating procedures...Complex systems work; Operational Decision; Mental Model; Situational awareness; Systemic decision

THE DAY “GOD” FAILED OR OVERTRUST IN AUTOMATION. A PORTUGUESE CASE STUDY

The increasing development of computer based technologies open new horizons in task automation, helping pilots and air traffic controllers to carry out the analysis and resolution of an increasing number of cognitive tasks, in complex working environments. However, there is a general agreement that cognitive automation may lead to overtrust, complacency and loss of the necessary operational situation feed back, as the basis of the mental model refreshment which, in turn, allows for the maintenance of coherent situation awareness of all the operational processes. The case study reported suggests there is a dimension to be followed in human machine integration, which is beyond the technological deterministic approach of human machine interface design, and calls for a better human comprehension of system nature. The human comprehension of this dimension, which we introduce as the technological factor, represents the basis of systemic self-constructed situation awareness, in a real human centered development.automation; situation awareness; mental model; overtrust in automation

Work and Employment:Searching for a Lost Paradigm

Departing from the work and employment concepts as operational elements of the welfare state we propose a wide discussion of work and emplyment concepts in a new dimension as a recentring approach of the analisys focus.Work; employment; new economy; welfare state; citizenship

a tale of endless mysteries

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On Lipschitz Geometry at infinity of complex analytic sets

In this article, we study the Lipschitz Geometry at infinity of complex analytic sets and we obtain results on algebraicity of analytic sets and on Bernstein's problem. Moser's Bernstein Theorem says that a minimal hypersurface which is a graph of an entire Lipschitz function must be a hyperplane. H. B. Lawson, Jr. and R. Osserman presented examples showing that an analogous result for arbitrary codimension is not true. In this article, we prove a complex non-parametric version of Moser's Bernstein Theorem. More precisely, we prove that any entire complex analytic set in $\mathbb{C}^n$ which is Lipschitz regular at infinity must be an affine linear subspace of $\mathbb{C}^n$. In particular, a complex analytic set which is a graph of an entire Lipschitz function must be affine linear subspace. That result comes as a consequence of the following characterization of algebraic sets, which is also proved here: if $X$ and $Y$ are entire complex analytic sets which are bi-Lipschitz homeomorphic at infinity then $X$ is a complex algebraic set if and only if $Y$ is a complex algebraic set too. Thus, an entire complex analytic set is a complex algebraic set if and only if it is bi-Lipschitz homeomorphic at infinity to a complex algebraic set. No restrictions on the singular set, dimension nor codimension are required in the results proved here.Comment: This paper was already posted on ResearchGate in April 202

Dynamics of yeast populations recovered from decaying leaves in a nonpolluted stream: a 2-year study on the effects of leaf litter type and decomposition time

Here we report on the results of a survey of the yeast populations occurring on submerged leaves (alder, eucalyptus and oak) in a natural mountain stream, during different phases of their decomposition and through two consecutive years. Leaf litter mass loss, total yeast counts, Shannon-Weiner index (H'), yeast community structure and physiologic abilities were analyzed to evaluate the dynamics of yeast communities during decay. Seventy-two yeast taxa were recorded, and in all litter types, species of basidiomycetous affinity predominated over ascomycetous ones. Discriminant analysis of presence/absence data (yeast species) showed significant differences both among substrate types (P<0.0026) and with decomposition time (P<0.0001). Carbon and nitrogen source utilization by yeast strains also varied with the substrate (P<0.0001) and decomposition time (P<0.0001). Further conclusions were that: (1) all litter types have in common ubiquitous yeast species, such as Cryptococcus albidus, Debaryomyces hansenii and Rhodotorula glutinis, among the common 20 yeast species; (2) only a few species were dominant, and most species were rare, being recorded once or twice throughout decomposition; and (3) the order of yeast appearance, and their substrate assimilation patterns, strongly suggest a succession phenomenon. Finally, explanations for the distribution patterns and variations in yeast communities are discussed

ISO 9001 or ISO 17025 : what is more important for the metrology laboratory

In the last decade, the number of Portuguese companies with quality certiÞ cation has increased, as is the case in most countries. According to the ISO 9001 standard all the certiÞ ed companies should calibrate their measuring equipment. By doing so, companies can guarantee, with rigor and quality, its measurement and use reliable data for monitoring the quality of its products and its improvement. However, a metrology laboratory is not required to hold an ISO 9001 certiÞ cation or ISO 17025 accreditation. In this moment, there are companies that have metrology laboratories to conduct an internal check of their measuring equipment. These companies have their quality management systems (QMS) certiÞ ed according to the ISO 9001 standard and so all its departments and sub-departments must also comply with the requirements of this standard. On the other hand there are companies with ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. Usually these companies are independent and his metrology laboratory is essentially to perform the calibration service to national companies who use their services to make the calibration of its measuring devices. These labs can be inserted into a company which does not have their QMS certiÞ ed by any national or international standard. Finally, there are companies that have their QMS certiÞ ed to ISO 9001 and also its metrology laboratory accredited by ISO 17025. In this case the metrology lab must comply with the requirements of both standards. Thus, the aim of the research project is to analyze, in Portugal, the importance level of ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 standards for a metrology laboratory to reach the quality

Certificação e acreditação: duas perspectivas num laboratório de metrologia

Na última metade do século passado, o número de organizações Portuguesas com certificação da qualidade tem aumentado, tal como tem sucedido na grande maioria dos países. De acordo com a norma ISO 9001, todas as organizações certificadas devem calibrar os seus equipamentos de medição. Para isso as organizações recorrem a laboratório de metrologia. Atualmente existem organizações/entidades com os seus Sistemas de Gestão da Qualidade (SGQ) certificados pelo referencial ISO 9001 e que possuem laboratórios de metrologia. Por outro lado, existem também entidades com laboratórios acreditados pela norma ISO/IEC 17025. Por fim existem as organizações/entidades que têm o seu SGQ certificado pela norma ISO 9001 e também o seu laboratório de metrologia acreditado pela norma ISO/IEC 17025. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho de investigação é o de analisar o nível de importância das normas ISO 9001 e ISO/IEC 17025 para um laboratório de metrologia a fim de alcançar a qualidade e a melhoria contínua. Dos dados obtidos através dos casos de estudo investigados conclui-se que a certificação segundo a norma ISO 9001 é uma abordagem importante para os laboratórios que efetuem calibrações/verificações internas, enquanto que a acreditação segundo a norma ISO/IEC 17025 é o reconhecimento mais importante para os laboratórios de metrologia. Contudo, caso os laboratórios trabalhem de acordo com a norma ISO 9001 e a norma ISO/IEC 17025 conIn the last half century, the number of Portuguese companies with quality certification has increased, as is the case in most countries. According to the ISO9001 standard all the certified companies should calibrate their measuring equipment. For that, the organizations make use of the metrology laboratory. In this moment, there are companies with their Quality Management Systems (QMS) certified according to the ISO 9001 standard who have metrology laboratories. On the other hand there are companies with ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories. Finally, there are companies that have their QMS certified to ISO 9001 and also its metrology laboratory accredited by ISO/IEC 17025. Thus, the aim of the research project is to analyze, the importance level of ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 standards for a metrology laboratory to reach the quality. From the data obtained by the case studies investigated, we conclude that the certification according to standard ISO 9001 only contributes for laboratories that carry out internal calibrations/checks, while the accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17025 is the most important recognition for metrology laboratories, but if the laboratories work in accordance with standard ISO 9001 and the standard ISO/IEC 17025, they can report more effectively the quality of the laboratory services