The use of a quadratic performance index to design multivariable control systems

A quadratic performance index is considered as a generalized criterion for designing linear multivariable control systems. A method is developed for expressing the characteristic polynomial of the optimal system as an explicit function of the weighting matrix elements of the performance index. Since these elements are actually the design parameters it then becomes possible to obtain some general properties of the optimal systems as well as to select the weighting matrix elements, such that more conventional criteria on the system transient response are satisfied. The results are applied to the design of two multivariable systems; in one case, the plant is initially unstable and, in the second case, it is desired to have the system response follow that of a linear model.     

Efficacy of training procedures in implementing a legislated safety programme

This study examines the effect of training procedures, as measured by the results of a test, on the level of assimilation of a new safety programme in 80 Quebec companies. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) was introduced in the province in 1989. The bipartite safety association representing the manufacturers of transportation equipment and machinery offered two types of WHMIS training services to their members: (a) 4 h employee training courses, and (b) two-day trainer training courses. Companies were free to choose from these and other services to comply with the WHMIS training requirements. A test was issued to a stratified sample of 862 employees approximately one year after the training. On average, the scores were best in plants having employees trained directly by experts from the safety association (type a). The training of internal trainers for companies produced slightly inferior learning results (type b).     

Learning to use a home medical device: mediating age-related differences with training

We examined the differential benefits of instructional materials for younger and older adults learning to use a home medical device. Participants received training on use of a blood glucose meter via either a user manual (a text guide with pictures) or an instructional video. Performance was measured immediately and then after a 2-week retention interval. Type of instruction was critical for determining older adults' performance. Older adults trained using the manual had poorer performance than did all other groups. After only 1 calibration, older adults who received video training performed as accurately as did the younger adults. Older adults' performance was more influenced by the retention interval; however, the benefit of the video training was maintained for the older adults across the retention interval. Confidence ratings paralleled subjective workload ratings. The data provide practical information to guide the development of training programs for systems that will be used by both younger and older adults; they also demonstrate the need for age-related usability testing even for training program design.     

The systematic design of file-processing programs

The theory of formal languages is applied to the systematic top-down design of file processing programs. A methodology is described which leads to well structured programs for a large class of data processing problems. The method leads to more reliable programs because it is easier to check the method steps than an intuitive program. The method and its limitations are illustrated by the design process for some data processing programs. The limitations of the method are explained as the result of a theorem about formal languages.     

MetricM: a modeling method in support of the reflective design and use of performance measurement systems

Performance indicators play a key role in management practice. The existence of a coherent and consistent set of performance indicators is widely regarded as a prerequisite to making informed decisions in line with set objectives of the firm. Designing such a system of performance indicators requires a profound understanding of the relations between financial and non-financial metrics, organizational goals, aspired decision scenarios, and the relevant organizational context—including subtleties resulting from implicit assumptions and hidden agendas potentially leading to dysfunctional consequences connected with the ill-informed use of performance indicators. In this paper, we investigate whether a domain-specific modeling method can address requirements essential to the reflective design of performance measurement systems, and which structural and procedural features such a method entails. The research follows a design research process in which we describe a research artifact, and evaluate it to assess whether it meets intended goals and domain requirements. In the paper, we specify design goals, requirements and assumptions underlying the method construction, discuss the structural specification of the method and its design rationale, and provide an initial method evaluation. The results indicate that the modeling method satisfies the requirements of the performance measurement domain, and that such a method contributes to the reflective definition and interpretation of performance measurement systems.     

The efficacy of a medical virtual reality simulator for training phlebotomy

OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) simulator for training phlebotomy with that of a more traditional approach using simulated limbs. BACKGROUND: Phlebotomy, or drawing blood, is one of the most common medical procedures; yet, there are no universal standards for training and assessing performance. The absence of any standards can lead to injuries and inaccurate test results if the procedure is improperly performed. METHOD: Twenty 3rd-year medical students were trained under one of the two methods and had their performance assessed with a 28-item checklist. RESULTS: The results showed that performance improvements were limited to those who trained with the simulated limbs, and a detailed comparison of the two systems revealed several functional and physical differences that may explain these findings. CONCLUSION: Participants trained with simulated limbs performed better than those trained with a VR simulator; however, the metrics recorded by the VR system may address some aspects of performance that could eventually prove beneficial. APPLICATION: The present study highlights the potential for medical simulators to improve patient safety by enabling trainees to practice procedures on devices instead of patients. Applications of this research include training, performance assessment, and design of simulator systems.     

Training for the job: evaluation of a self-defence training programme for correctional officers

Abstract

We investigated to what extent correctional officers were able to apply skills from their self-defence training in reality-based scenarios. Performance of nine self-defence skills were tested in different scenarios at three moments: before starting the self-defence training programme (Pre-test), halfway through (Post-test 1), and after (Post-test 2). Repeated measures analyses showed that performance on skills improved after the self-defence training. For each skill, however, there was a considerable number of correctional officers (range 4–73%) that showed insufficient performance on Post-test 2, indicating that after training they were not able to properly apply their skills in reality-based scenarios. Reality-based scenarios may be used to achieve fidelity in assessment of self-defence skills of correctional officers.

Practitioner summary: Self-defence training for correctional officers must be representative for the work field. By including reality-based scenarios in assessment, this study determined that correctional officers were not able to properly apply their learned skills in realistic contexts. Reality-based scenarios seem fit to detect discrepancies between training and the work field.

Abbreviations: DJI: Dutch National Agency for Correctional Insitutes; ICC: Intraclass Correlation Coefficient     

The potential of training to increase acceptance and use of computerized decision support systems for medical diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to understand the reasons underlying the limited use of medical decision-support tools and to explore the potential of a computer-based tutorial to mitigate barriers to use. BACKGROUND: Medical decision-support tools such the Acute Cardiac Ischemia Time-Insensitive Predictive Instrument (ACI-TIPI) have demonstrated statistical validity and clinical impact for patient safety but have seen limited adoption and use. METHODS: The study developed a brief Web-based "demystifying" ACI-TIPI tutorial employing case-based training and evaluated the effectiveness of that tutorial in changing self-reported attitudes and behaviors. RESULTS: Clinicians using the tutorial reported greater understanding of how to use the ACI-TIPI score appropriately and increased confidence in the score. Case studies in the tutorial that provided examples of how to use the score for actual cases were rated as especially helpful. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a primary barrier to the use of statistical decision support tools for patient diagnosis is lack of training or experience in combining a population-based numerical risk score with other diagnostic information about the individual patient's case that is not considered in that score. The results of this study indicate that there is a potential for a relatively brief tutorial to increase acceptance and use of decision support tools for medical diagnosis. APPLICATION: These findings have the potential for the identification of methods to help clinicians learn how to use statistical and probabilistic information to better assess risk and to promote integration of decision support tools into medical decision making for improvement of patient safety.     

The use of ergonomics in the design of new industries

The author presents the case for considering ergonomics factors as well as social and environmental considerations when designing new buildings and industrial plants. After considering the design processes currently being used in Sweden for houses, offices and industrial buildings, he reviews the type and presentation of the data required, followed by an outline of the application of the proposed system to the design of a large and a small industrial development.     

The use of a non-motorized treadmill for analysing sprint performance

The measurement of human power output and anaerobic capacity in high-intensity exercise has traditionally been made using cycle ergometers. The assessment of power output during running has proved difficult because previous approaches have limited themselves to using motorized treadmills. In the present study the problems associated with motorized treadmills were overcome by using a non-motorized treadmill which was instrumented so as to allow the measurement of power output during sprint running. A non-motorized treadmill (Woodway model AB) was used because it allows rapid changes in running velocity normally found in sprinting to be monitored. In order to calculate the horizontal component of the applied power the instantaneous values of both the horizontal component of applied force and the treadmill belt speed were measured, and their product determined. A harness, attached to a force transducer, was passed around the waist securing the subject to the crossbar without restricting the movement of the limbs. The force measured was assumed to be the same as that horizontally applied to the treadmill belt.

The outputs from the speed detector, force transducer and heart rate monitor were continuously monitored by a microcomputer.

The results of the study showed that:

(1)the peak speed attained on the treadmill is approximately 80% of that achieved in free-sprinting.

(2)peak force is attained earlier than peak power and in turn peak power occurs before peak speed.

(3)the force and power required to propel the treadmill belt at a constant speed increase with body weight.

(4)the power required to propel the treadmill belt increases with speed.

(5)stride length and frequency could be monitored.

(6)elasticity in the tethering system acted as a low pass filter on the force profile.     

基于DSP的某型供输弹系统训练模拟器设计

设计了一种供输弹系统训练模拟器,运用DSP技术、多媒体技术、仿真建模技术及实时3维技术,对某新型自行加榴炮供输弹系统的操作及维修训练进行了模拟。介绍了模拟器的总体设计思路及数据采集系统、供输弹控制系统及视景系统等关键部分的设计方法。通过试验,该系统使用方便,提高了供输弹系统操作及维修训练效率。     

The influence of the radial basis function training strategy on the performance of a neural gripper

In this article, a neural network-based grasping system that is able to collect objects of arbitrary shape is introduced. The grasping process is split into three functional blocks: image acquisition and processing, contact point estimation, and contact force determination. The paper focuses on the second block, which contains two neural networks. A competitive Hopfield neural network first determines an approximate polygon for an object outline. These polygon edges are the input for a supervised neural network model [radial basis function (RBF) or multilayer perceptions], which then defines the contact points. Tests were conducted with objects of different shapes, and experimental results suggest that the performance of the neural gripper and its learning rate are significantly influenced by the choice of supervised training model and RBF learning algorithm.     

多媒体培训教室的无线网络系统设计

多媒体辅助教学已成为培训教育现代化的必由之路。无线局域网在校园多媒体教室的建设中有着许多优点。介绍了一种多媒体培训教室的无线网络设计方案,并分析了方案设计中的关键要素,最后通过实际应用测试了该方案的效果,性能和实用性均得到了预期要求。