Knowledge-Based Virtual Modeling and Simulation of Manufacturing Processes for Industry 4.0

Abstract

Industry 4.0 aims at providing a digital representation of a production landscape, but the challenges in building, maintaining, optimizing, and evolving digital models in inter-organizational production chains have not been identified yet in a systematic manner. In this paper, various Industry 4.0 research and technical challenges are addressed, and their present scenario is discussed. Moreover, in this article, the novel concept of developing experience-based virtual models of engineering entities, process, and the factory is presented. These models of production units, processes, and procedures are accomplished by virtual engineering object (VEO), virtual engineering process (VEP), and virtual engineering factory (VEF), using the knowledge representation technique of Decisional DNA. This blend of the virtual and physical domains permits monitoring of systems and analysis of data to foresee problems before they occur, develop new opportunities, prevent downtime, and even plan for the future by using simulations. Furthermore, the proposed virtual model concept not only has the capability of Query Processing and Data Integration for Industrial Data but also real-time visualization of data stream processing.     

Performance of Indoor Infrared Wireless CDMA Systems with Angle Diversity

Indoor infrared communication systems is one of the possible ways of offering data rates in excess of 100 Mbit/s without the need for wiring. Multiple users can share an infrared channel by code division-multiple access (CDMA) techniques. However, the CDMA system performance is limited by both background noise and co-channel interference. In this paper we study the use of angle diversity for mitigating the effects of the noise and interference. The system considered uses on-off shift keying modulation with multibeam transmitters and imaging receivers. The overall system performance for different diversity combining techniques is evaluated and compared to a system without diversity. Numerical results for a 2-user CDMA system indicate that signal to noise and interference ratio (SNIR) improvement (over systems with no diversity) of 5 dB is obtained for at least 50% of an ensemble of 10000 sample evaluations. The generalized selection combining (GSC)--a new diversity technique yet to be implemented for infrared systems--offers the best performance even with its reduced complexity.     

The role of perspective in the accessibility of goals during reading.

An implicit assumption of several causal reasoning models is that readers adopt the goals of a narrative's protagonist during text comprehension. In apparent violation of this assumption, readers participating in Experiment 1 of the present study drew inferences relevant to a protagonist's goal even when that goal was already satisfied from the perspective of the protagonist. In Experiments 2 and 3, participants were explicitly asked to view the text situation from the point of view of the protagonist. In this case, the goals of the reader and the protagonist should be the same. In these experiments, participants focused on the goals of the protagonist only when those goals had not been satisfied from the perspective of the protagonist. These results are discussed in terms of reader- and character-based perspectives and in terms of text characteristics that cue perspective taking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Normal-incidence InAs self-assembled quantum-dot infrared photodetectors with a high detectivity

An InAs/AlGaAs quantum-dot infrared photodetector based on bound-to-bound intraband transitions in undoped InAs quantum dots is reported. AlGaAs blocking layers were employed to achieve low dark current. The photoresponse peaked at 6.2 /spl mu/m. At 77 K and -0.7 V bias, the responsivity was 14 mA/W and the detectivity, D*, was 10/sup 10/ cm/spl middot/Hz/sup 1/2//W.     

Preparation of the international employee: Career and consultation needs.

Studied how 26 senior managers and 47 senior professional technical staff (recently repatriated) of 4 US owned multinational organizations viewed their international posting, specifically with respect to career path satisfaction. Results of satisfaction scales indicate that many Ss felt under-prepared for their international assignment. It is suggested that a comprehensive international employee development program should assess, provide feedback, and coach individuals on career path, culture shock and adjustment, and performance issues prior, during, and on return from the expatriate assignment. Results suggest that opportunities exist for individual and organizational intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adherence to pharmacologic management of hypertension

Adherence to pharmacologic therapy of hypertension is low (in the range of 50-70%) and has important implications both for blood pressure control and cardiovascular complications. Based on a review of the literature using the levels of evidence grading technique, determinants of adherence to the pharmacologic therapy of hypertension have been assessed. Additionally, interventions to improve compliance were evaluated. Patient-centred, health care provider-centred and drug-specific factors have all been shown to affect adherence rates. We conclude that the extent of adherence to pharmacologic therapy is modifiable. Measurable improvements in adherence can be obtained from simplified medication regimens and a combination of behaviour strategies, including the tailoring of pill-taking to patients' daily habits and rituals, the advocacy of self-monitoring of pills and blood pressure, and the institution of reward systems.     

Counseling psychology, clinical psychology, and human services psychology: Where the twain shall meet?

Comments on the proposal by L. H. Levy et al (see record 1984-27507-001) for a new charter for clinical psychology—human services psychology. Current trends suggest that both clinical and counseling psychology are becoming eclectic and health oriented. Clinical psychology appears to be becoming more involved in community psychology and to be tempering its remedial role with the preventive role. Counseling psychology appears to be becoming less involved in its vocational and preventive roles and more involved in the remedial role. It is concluded that clinical and counseling psychology have come to be increasingly similar and could be integrated into a human services psychology. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Results of a User Study on 2D Hurricane Visualization

We present the results from a user study looking at the ability of observers to mentally integrate wind direction and magnitude over a vector field. The data set chosen for the study is an MM5 (PSU/NCAR Mesoscale Model) simulation of Hurricane Lili over the Gulf of Mexico as it approaches the southeastern United States. Nine observers participated in the study. This study investigates the effect of layering on the observer's ability to determine the magnitude and direction of a vector field. We found a tendency for observers to underestimate the magnitude of the vectors and a counter‐clockwise bias when determining the average direction of a vector field. We completed an additional study with two observers to try to uncover the source of the counter‐clockwise bias. These results have direct implications to atmospheric scientists, but may also be able to be applied to other fields that use 2D vector fields.