Human operator modeling, joystick input notch filtering, and safety constraint enforcement for powered wheelchair operation under Parkinson’s tremor

This study considers use of a notch filter and enforcement of performance safety limits to mitigate the effects of Parkinson tremors on a battery powered wheelchair directed by a joystick. The wheelchair has regenerative braking to extend range of operation between charges. Regenerative braking transforms the wheelchair model into an autonomously switched hybrid system. The wheelchair is represented as a joystick controlled wheeled mobile robot having two modes of operation per drive wheel, propelling and regenerative braking. In this study, a Parkinson’s patient is directed to follow a path that includes moving from a stopped position to a trajectory along a wall that includes a 90˚ corner. A cognitive model of a human operator is incorporated for simulation of an operator with Parkinson’s tremor. The human operator model output provides the joystick with noisy velocity, orientation, and position commands. The article delineates a notch filter to remove the main Parkinson’s tremor from the joystick input followed by the application of velocity and acceleration performance safety limits. Results show significant feasible advantages for safe wheelchair operation by Parkinson’s patients with tremor

The future of biofuel (panel discussion)

Biomass energy - United States ; Environmental policy

Effects of Prepartum Nutrition on May-Calving Cows and Progeny

May-calving dams grazed either sub-irrigated meadow or upland range from Jan. 5 to May 1 each year for 6 years. Within grazing system, dams received either no supplement or 1 lb/d of a 33% CP supplement from Jan. 5 to April 1. Dams grazing meadow in the prepartum period weighed more and had a greater body condition score prior to calving. They also tended to have greater pregnancy rates in the subsequent breeding season and tended to wean heavier calves than dams grazing upland range. Allowing May-calving dams to graze meadow in late gestation may increase herd profitability through increased dam pregnancy rates and weaned calf value. Furthermore, supplemented dams weaned heavier calves, independent of grazing system. Supplementation of May-calving dams in late gestation may be economical if the income from additional pounds of calf weaned is greater than the supplementation cost

Effects of Backgrounding and Feedlot System Strategies on May-Born Steer Performance

May-born steers were backgrounded to achieve either a high or low rate of gain. The high rate of gain was achieved by offering steers meadow hay ad libitum and 4 lb/d of a 33% CP (DM) supplement, while the low rate of gain consisted of steers grazing meadow and offered 1 lb/d of the same supplement. After backgrounding, one-half of the steers from each group entered the feedlot in May as short-yearlings, while the remainder grazed upland range until entering the feedlot as long-yearlings in mid-September. Hot carcass weight was greater for steers backgrounded to achieve a high rate of gain, but they also consumed more during the feedlot phase and had fewer carcasses grade USDA average Choice or greater compared with steers backgrounded to achieve a low rate of gain. Long-yearling steers had increased marbling scores and percentage of carcasses grading USDA average Choice or greater compared with short-yearling steers. Furthermore, long-yearlings had increased carcass weight and risk for overweight carcasses

Growth and Performance of Terminal Sired Calves Grazing Range or Meadow Pasture

Multiparous dams were assigned to be bred by artificial insemination or natural service to bulls with terminal traits. Additionally, the cow- calf pairs grazed upland range or sub- irrigated meadow from June 1 to weaning in November. Two weeks aft er weaning, calves entered the feedlot as calffeds. Natural service range calves had the lightest weaning weights, final live weights, and hot carcass weights. Additional days on feed may be required for natural service range calves to reach similar body weights and carcass characteristics as other treatments. Average daily gain and feed conversion was improved in calves that grazed range pastures prior to feedlot entry. Estrus synchronization and artificial insemination may be an effective way to increase body weights and carcass characteristics of calves that graze range pastures prior to feedlot entry

The Earth Microbiome Project: Meeting report of the "1 EMP meeting on sample selection and acquisition" at Argonne National Laboratory October 6 2010.

This report details the outcome the first meeting of the Earth Microbiome Project to discuss sample selection and acquisition. The meeting, held at the Argonne National Laboratory on Wednesday October 6(th) 2010, focused on discussion of how to prioritize environmental samples for sequencing and metagenomic analysis as part of the global effort of the EMP to systematically determine the functional and phylogenetic diversity of microbial communities across the world

System of evaluating work characteristics and providing worskpace design suggestions

(71) Haworth, Inc. (11) AU-B-2012225511 (21) 2012225511 (22) 07.03.2012 (54) System of evaluating work characteristics and providing worskpace design suggestions (51) Int. Cl. G06Q 10/00 ( 2012.01 ) (87) WO2012/122244 (31) 61/464,610 (32) 07.03.11(33) US (43) 13.09.2012 (44) 10.09.2015 (72) Nagy, Gabor; Brand, Jay L.; Fik, David A.; Augustin, Sally J.; Ding, Haijie; Meyer, David S.; Perkins, Rick A. (74) Davies Collison Ca

Effectively Including Human Factors in the Design of New Facilities

Human error is a major cause of incidents in the offshore industry. For example, in the Gulf of Mexico region in 1998, 38% of all incidents were attributed to human error with an additional 9% of incidents resulting from slips, trips, and falls (MMS 2000-021, OCS Report). Human Factors, when integrated during the design of a new offshore facility, can reduce the potential for human error and the occurrence of unfortunate incidents. Quite often the implementation of Human Factors (HF) during design is disregarded because of the notion that it will add unacceptable costs. Review of the cost/benefit data contained in this paper proves that notion to be untrue. Although cost/benefit is important, it was not the primary focus of this Working Group. This paper’s focus is to develop a means or a strategy to effectively integrate the application of HF design principles into all phases of a new capital design project. This Working Group’s objective during the Second International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations was to generate discussion concerning HF integration strategies and to focus on specific implementation issues that have been shown to be successful. These include but are not limited to: · The factors critical to the success of HF integration · What HF activities should be conducted · At what stage during the various design phases should HF activities take place · HF strategies, how to decide what level of human factors engineering is required · The qualifications and responsibilities of those executing HF activitie

Effectively Including Human Factors in the Design of New Facilities

Human error is a major cause of incidents in the offshore industry. For example, in the Gulf of Mexico region in 1998, 38% of all incidents were attributed to human error with an additional 9% of incidents resulting from slips, trips, and falls (MMS 2000-021, OCS Report). Human Factors, when integrated during the design of a new offshore facility, can reduce the potential for human error and the occurrence of unfortunate incidents. Quite often the implementation of Human Factors (HF) during design is disregarded because of the notion that it will add unacceptable costs. Review of the cost/benefit data contained in this paper proves that notion to be untrue. Although cost/benefit is important, it was not the primary focus of this Working Group. This paper’s focus is to develop a means or a strategy to effectively integrate the application of HF design principles into all phases of a new capital design project. This Working Group’s objective during the Second International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations was to generate discussion concerning HF integration strategies and to focus on specific implementation issues that have been shown to be successful. These include but are not limited to: · The factors critical to the success of HF integration · What HF activities should be conducted · At what stage during the various design phases should HF activities take place · HF strategies, how to decide what level of human factors engineering is required · The qualifications and responsibilities of those executing HF activitie