Modelling computational requirements of mobile robotic systems using zones and processing windows

Mobile robotic systems must sense constraints imposed by a dynamically changing environment and predictably react to those changes in real-time. Complexity arises in mobile robotic systems because the computing platform travels through the environment with which the system is interacting. These systems have spatio-temporal requirements in the sense that correct behavior is defined in terms of both space and time. The focus of this paper is mobile robotic platforms that must sense their environment and avoid obstacles as they navigate from one point to another. We present a design and analysis methodology for these platforms that integrates spatio-temporal attributes with fixed priority real-time scheduling through the use of zone and processing window abstractions.     

Contextual factors affecting task distribution in two participatory ergonomic interventions: a qualitative study

This article provides an analysis of the evolution of the division of labour in participatory ergonomics (PE) programmes in two worksites. The analysis is based on interviews and field observations in the worksites. In both settings there was meaningful participation by both worker and management members of ergonomic change teams (ECTs) in the hazard assessment and solution identification stages, but as the teams moved to the implementation stage, worker representatives were marginalised and the participatory nature of the programmes was severely curtailed. The removal of workers from the process was the outcome of the interplay among the type of activities pursued in the implementation stage, the skills and knowledge required to carry out those activities, and workers' limited influence in the organisational hierarchies. Findings highlight the salience of the social context in which participatory programmes are located and the importance of examining participatory programmes as they evolve over time. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: This article contributes to a growing literature on the process and implementation of PE programmes. The article's focus on social and organisational factors that affect the division of labour and attention to the evolution of involvement over time extend current understandings of participation in ergonomics programmes.     

Solvent vapor treatment controls surface wettability in PMMA femtosecond-laser-ablated microchannels

A solvent vapor treatment was applied to femtosecond-laser-ablated microchannels in PMMA to selectively restore the original hydrophilic wetting behavior of the pristine surface. The hydrophobic surface of the microchannels from the submicron porosity induced by ablation becomes smoother and more transparent after the treatment. This simple and low-cost method, together with suitable masking, can produce wettability patterns that may be exploited to develop passive microfluidic elements such as valves and mixers.     

Temperature and pump power dependent photoluminescence characterization of MBE grown GaAsBi on GaAs

Bulk and quantum well GaAs_1?xBi_x/GaAs layers with Bi mole fractions from 0.02 to 0.10 are grown by molecular-beam epitaxy at temperatures ranging from 280 to 320?°C. The samples are characterized using temperature and pump-power dependent photoluminescence measurements covering 8–300?K and 1–250?mW (7–1,800?W/cm²), respectively. The results indicate that there is strong reduction in bandgap energy with the incorporation of small amounts of Bi and that GaAsBi most likely forms a weak type-I band alignment with GaAs.     

Participatory system dynamics modelling for housing,energy and wellbeing interactions

The built environment is a key target of decarbonization policies. However, such policies often have a narrow objective and narrow focus, resulting in ‘policy-resistance’ and unintended consequences. The literature attributes these unintended consequences to a narrow financial focus, adverse incentives, and inadequate handling of knowledge, skills, communication and feedback gaps, but it provides little advice on how these complex interactions can be captured. This paper illustrates the development and application of an integrated approach to address these complex interactions with regard to housing performance, energy, communal spaces and wellbeing. In particular, it explores the dynamics created by these relationships with simulation modelling in participatory settings, and with a diverse group of stakeholders. The simulation results suggest that monitoring is key to improve the performance of the housing stock besides energy efficiency; and investments in communal spaces positively affect the adoption of energy-efficiency measures and the wellbeing of residents. The evaluation results for participatory workshops show this approach was found useful by the stakeholders for supporting more integrated decision-making about housing. In future research, this approach can be implemented for policy problems in specific contexts.     

Discrediting in a Message Board Forum: The Effects of Social Support and Attacks on Expertise and Trustworthiness

Given the prevalence of online media today, credibility continues to be a popular subject of empirical research. However, studies examining the effects of discrediting strategies are rare. This issue is significant given the popularity of online media and the ease of such sources to spread misinformation. Therefore, the present study examines the effects of attacking the expertise and trustworthiness of a proponent of a major social issue. Results showed that support as well specific combinations of discrediting attack strategies significantly reduced message board readers' perceptions of the proponent's credibility. In addition, attacks on either the proponent's expertise or trustworthiness resulted in a reduced likelihood of readers taking action with respect to the issue.     

Low Dietary c9t11-Conjugated Linoleic Acid Intake from Dairy Fat or Supplements Reduces Inflammation in Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Dietary cis‐9,trans‐11 (c9t11) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) fed at 0.5 % w/w was previously shown to attenuate inflammation in the murine collagen‐induced (CA) arthritis model, and growing evidence implicates c9t11‐CLA as a major anti‐inflammatory component of dairy fat. To understand c9t11‐CLA's contribution to dairy fat's anti‐inflammatory action, the minimum amount of dietary c9t11‐CLA needed to reduce inflammation must be determined. This study had two objectives: (1) determine the minimum dietary anti‐inflammatory c9t11‐CLA intake level in the CA model, and (2) compare this to anti‐inflammatory effects of dairy fat (non‐enriched, naturally c9t11‐CLA‐enriched, or c9t11‐CLA‐supplemented). Mice received the following dietary fat treatments (w/w) post arthritis onset: corn oil (6 % CO), 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5 % c9t11‐CLA, control butter (6 % CB), c9t11‐enriched butter (6 % EB), or c9t11‐CLA‐supplemented butter (6 % SB, containing 0.2 % c9t11‐CLA). Paw arthritic severity and pad swelling were scored and measured, respectively, over an 84‐day study period. All c9t11‐CLA and butter diets decreased the arthritic score (25–51 %, P < 0.01) and paw swelling (8–11 %, P < 0.01). Throughout the study, plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) was elevated in CO‐fed arthritic mice compared to non‐arthritic (NA) mice but was reduced in 0.5 % c9t11‐CLA‐ and EB‐fed mice. Interleukin‐1β and IL‐6 were increased in arthritic CO‐fed mice compared to NA mice but were reduced in 0.5 % c9t11‐CLA‐ and EB‐fed mice through day 42. In conclusion, 0.125 % c9t11‐CLA reduced clinical arthritis as effectively as higher doses, and decreased arthritis in CB‐fed mice suggested that the minimal anti‐inflammatory levels of c9t11‐CLA might be below 0.125 %.     

Effect of triacylglycerol structure on absorption and metabolism of isotope-labeled palmitic and linoleic acids by humans

The effect of dietary TAG structure and fatty acid acyl TAG position on palmitic and linoleic acid metabolism was investigated in four middle-aged male subjects. The study design consisted of feeding diets containing 61 g/d of native lard (NL) or randomized lard (RL) for 28 d. Subjects then received an oral dose of either 1,3-tetradeuteriopalmitoyl-2-dideuteriolinoleoyl-rac-glycerol or a mixture of 1,3-dideuteriolinoleoyl-2-tetradeuteriopalmitoyl-rac-glycerol and 1,3-hexadeuteriopalmitoyl-2-tetradeuteriolinoleoyl-rac-glycerol. Methyl esters of plasma lipids isolated from blood samples drawn over a 2-d period were analyzed by GC-MS. Results showed that absorption of the ²H-fatty acids (²H-FA) was not influenced by TAG position. The ²H-FA at the 2-acyl TAG position were 85±4.6% retained after absorption. Substantial migration of ²H-16∶0 (31.2±8.6%) from the sn-2 TAG position to the sn-1,3 position and ²H-18∶2n−6 (52.8±6.4%) from the sn-1,3 position to the sn-2 position of chylomicron TAG occurred after initial absorption and indicates the presence of a previously unrecognized isomerization mechanism. Incorporation and turnover of the ²H-FA in chylomicron TAG, plasma TAG, and plasma cholesterol esters were not influenced by TAG acyl position. Accretion of ²H-16∶0 from the sn-2 TAG position in 1-acylphosphatidylcholine was 1.7 times higher than ²H-16∶0 from the sn-1,3 TAG positions. Acyl TAG position did not influence ²H-18∶2n−6 incorporation in PC. The concentration of ²H-18∶2n−6-derived ²H-20∶4n−6 in plasma PC from subjects fed, the RL diet was 1.5 times higher than for subjects fed the NL diet, and this result suggests that diets containing 16∶0 located at the sn-2 TAG position may inhibit 20∶4n−6 synthesis. The overall conclusion is that selective rearrangement of chylomicron TAG structures diminishes but does not totally eliminate the metabolic and physiological effects of dietary TAG structure.     

矿山酸性含铜废水的处理研究

简述了矿山酸性含铜废水的来源、特点和危害及矿山酸性含铜废水的处理方法。在此基础上,选择离子交换法作为处理工艺,设计了实验室用离子交换处理装置,研究了过滤速度、pH值、原水Cu^2＋浓度等因素对离子交换法处理酸性含铜废水效果的影响,确定了实验室条件下的合理工艺条件。并对某铜矿实际含铜废水进行了处理研究,取得了理想的处理效果,处理后废水可以达标排放。