Automating human skills : preliminary development of a human factors methodology to capture tacit cognitive skills

Despite technological advances in intelligent automation, it remains difficult for engineers to discern which manual tasks, or task components, would be most suitable for transfer to automated alternatives. This research aimed to develop an accurate methodology for the measurement of both observable and unobservable physical and cognitive activities used in manual tasks for the capture of tacit skill. Experienced operators were observed and interviewed in detail, following which, hierarchical task analysis and task decomposition methods were used to systematically explore and classify the qualitative data. Results showed that a task analysis / decomposition methodology identified different types of skill (e.g. procedural or declarative) and knowledge (explicit or tacit) indicating this methodology could be used for further human skill capture studies. The benefit of this research will be to provide a methodology to capture human skill so that complex manual tasks can be more efficiently transferred into automated processes

A newly discovered source of turbulence and, possibly, heating in the chromosphere

Othe

Potential Replacement of the US Navy\u27s Rapid Penetration Test with the Method of Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves

The United States Navy (USN) currently utilizes a Rapid Penetration Test (RPT) on both land and in water as the means to determine whether sufficient soil bearing capacity exists for piles in axial compression, prior to construction of the Elevated Causeway System (Modular) [ELCAS(M)] pile-supported pier system. The USN desires a replacement for the RPT because of issues with the method incorrectly classifying soils as well as the need to have a less labor-and-equipment-intensive method for geotechnical investigation. The Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) method is selected herein as the potential replacement for the RPT. The MASW method is an existing, geophysical method for determining soil properties based upon the acquisition and analysis of seismic surface waves used to develop shear wave velocity profiles for the soils at specific sites. Correlations between shear wave velocity and Cone Penetration Testing are utilized to classify soils, develop pile blow count estimates, and calculate soil bearing capacity. This researcher found that the MASW method was feasible and reliable in predicting the required properties for terrestrial sites. However, it was not successful in predicting those properties for underwater marine sites due to issues with equipment and field setup. Future areas of improvement are recommended to address these issues and, due to the success of the method on land, it is expected that once the issues are addressed the MASW method will be a reliable replacement for the RPT method across the entire subaerial and subaqueous profile

Valuing archaeology; exploring the reality of the heritage management of England’s wetlands

BursaryThis work primarily examines the management of wet-preserved archaeological sites in England, through an exploration of value and analysis of current management approaches. The aim is to explore whether the current policy frameworks, in particular the role of preservation in situ, can provide a sustainable future for wet-preserved archaeological sites. This work further seeks to conceptualise the modelling of sustainability, preservation and management decision making in wetland archaeological sites. Looking at the last 40 year of wetland research through the work of the large-scale wetland survey projects, this work initially considers the current understanding of wet archaeological sites in England. It also examines aspects of heritage management through the legislative and policy frameworks and their legacy. This work considers the implications that legislative and policy positions have for the management of wetland archaeological sites and examines the theoretical concepts that underpin them. This includes exploring reflective management, the development of research frameworks, and scoring mechanisms for the designation of sites. It also looks at broader constructs of value through the concepts of cultural and economic values. Three existing archaeological sites, a ringwork at Borough Fen near Peterborough, a marsh fort at Sutton Common near Doncaster and a triple post-alignment near Beccles, will be presented as case studies. These sites serve as examples of how the management of sites has been approached. The results of the case study analysis are used to develop a series of conceptual models looking firstly at sustainability and preservation in situ, and, secondly at preservation, value and decision making. The study concludes that the presumption in favour of preservation in situ can be challenging for wet preserved archaeological sites. Deterioration of the preservation environment can in some cases produce a similar decline in significance. Preservation in situ may therefore not be the most appropriate option for archaeological sites in wetlands.University of Exete

Fire Protection Analysis of the Orfalea College of Business Building (#3)

A performance and prescriptive based analysis was performed on the Orfalea College of Business Building (#3) on Cal Poly’s Campus. The building was originally designed to meet the 1985 Uniform Building Code (UBC). The building’s original design and current existing condition will be examined. The business building will be evaluated using the California Building Code, California Fire Code, NFPA 101 Life Safety code and other relevant NFPA Codes. The fire protection systems will be separated and evaluated into systems by Egress Components, Fire Alarm and Detection, Water- Based Suppression and Structural Fire Protection. The combined interactions of the systems are evaluated in the performance analysis. The required safe egress time (RSET) and available safe egress time (ASET) are evaluated to determine if the fire safety goals are met. For this report the fire safety goal “To minimize firerelated injuries and prevent undue loss of life” is the primary focus (NFPA 101, 2012). Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and Pathfinder were utilized to evaluate the performance of the building under fire scenarios. Using the fire safety goals and objectives, a set of performance criteria are established in order to determine if the ASET and margin of safety is sufficient. Prioritized recommendations and further research that needs to be under taken are discussed

Due Process in School Discipline: The Effect of Goss v. Lopez

Courts which have faced the question of whether the due process clause applies to school disciplinary hearings have held both ways. Until recently, the United States Supreme Court had declined to hear the issue. This changed, however, with the Court\u27s five to four decision in Goss v. Lopez, where the court held that the due process clause does apply to school disciplinary proceedings. This Comment will analyze Goss and compare it with the case law developed in the lower courts

The Restoration of Holy Cross Abbey, Ireland

William J. Fletcher succinctly describes the history of the building and destruction of Holy Cross Abbey in County Tipperary on the River Suir, as well as its restoration beginning in 1969

Professional Responsibility: The United States Supreme Court Gives Attorney Advertising Increased Protection

Zauderer v. Office of Disciplinary Counsel, 105 S. Ct. 2265 (1985)

Tribute to Judge Betty Binns Fletcher

Thank you very much for the invitation to introduce this wonderful symposium honoring my mother, Judge Betty Binns Fletcher. Let me begin by thanking my mother. Without her I would not be here. I realize that everyone can, and should, thank their mother for being here—that is, for their very existence. But I mean my thanks not only in that way. I mean also that without her I really would not be here—at this podium, speaking to you as a judge on the Ninth Circuit