Sleep in a live-in mining operation: The influence of start times and restricted non-work activities

The amount of sleep obtained between shifts is influenced by numerous factors including the length of work and rest periods, the timing of the rest period relative to the endogenous circadian cycle and personal choices about the use of non-work time. The current study utilised a real-world live-in mining environment to examine the amount of sleep obtained when access to normal domestic, family and social activities was restricted. Participants were 29 mining operators (26 male, average age 37.4 ± 6.8 years) who recorded sleep, work and fatigue information and wore an activity monitor for a cycle of seven day shifts and seven night shifts (both 12 h) followed by either seven or fourteen days off. During the two weeks of work participants lived on-site. Total sleep time was significantly less (p < 0.01) while on-site on both day (6.1 ± 1.0 h) and night shifts (5.7 ± 1.5 h) than days off (7.4 ± 1.4 h). Further, night shift sleep was significantly shorter than day-shift sleep (p < 0.01). Assessment of subjective fatigue ratings showed that the sleep associated with both days off and night shifts had a greater recovery value than sleep associated with day shifts (p < 0.01). While on-site, participants obtained only 6 h of sleep indicating that the absence of competing domestic, family and social activities did not convert to more sleep. Factors including shift start times and circadian influences appear to have been more important.     

独立学院公共计算机基础课程教学改革探索

首先对独立学院公共计算机基础课程的现状和问题进行了分析,问题主要包括学生的计算机水平参差不齐、教学效率低、学生解决实际问题的能力差等。然后针对上述问题,提出了教学改革方案,包括开展分类分层次教学,改革教学方法,还要提升教师队伍的素质,提高学生的学习兴趣等等。     

矿用自动风门技术的发展及其分析比较

文章从控制系统、信号检测方式以及机械传动机构3个方面介绍了矿用自动风门技术的发展及应用现状,分析了目前较为常见的矿用自动风门的工作原理,并比较了其各自的优缺点,最后介绍了一种新型的隔爆兼本安型风门控制器。     

应用型本科经管类专业Visual FoxPro程序设计课程教学改革探索

针对目前多数应用型本科院校经济、管理类专业计算机公共基础课Visual FoxPro程序设计教学中存在的问题,本文提出以项目导向、模块驱动的方式来组织教学内容,课堂教学和项目小组协同学习相互促进的教学方式,课内实验和实战演练相结合的训练方法,并给出具体实施办法,实践证明这种教学模式行之有效、教学效果良好。     

软件工程一体化教学模式探讨与实践

软件工程是计算机科学与技术专业的一门专业核心课程,在分析该门课程传统教学过程中存在问题的基础上,提出一种集成"项目驱动+范型对照+案例复现+团队实践"的一体化教学模式。教学实践表明,该模式的实施已取得良好的效果。     

基于DMD的驱动控制系统设计与实现

以DMD(数字微镜设备)为核心的DLP(数字光处理)投影技术有着巨大的应用潜力.因此,主要从DMD的时序驱动控制、数据产生与复位驱动控制3方面介绍了一种基于DMD的驱动控制系统的设计与实现方案,说明了主功能芯片DDC4100驱动芯片和DAD2000复位芯片的使用及功能,并在实际系统测试中成功地实现了对二值图像的显示.     

On the relationship between subjective and objective measures of fatigue

Objective: Objective and subjective methods have been used in the past to assess workplace fatigue, but little is known about correlations between them. We examine correlations between subjective and objective measures, including measures collected in a workplace scenario. Methods: 15 young and 17 older participants were assessed before and after work with four types of fatigue measure: objective physical (posturography), objective mental (psychomotor vigilance task), subjective physical and mental (self-assessment), objective and subjective realistic (oculomotor behaviour, observer-rated facial expression, typing performance). Results: Pre- and post-test scores were analysed with an ANOVA, significant differences were submitted to a factor analysis. It yielded three factors: one representing posturography, the second self-rated mental and physical fatigue and the third observer-rated facial expression. Conclusions: Results advocate the existence of three independent fatigue components: Objective physical fatigue, introspective and extrospective fatigue.

Practitioner Summary: This study analyses correlations between different subjective and objective fatigue markers to better understand the complex nature of workplace fatigue. Measurements were conducted directly at the workplace. Results reveal that fatigue comprises three independent fatigue components: Objective physical fatigue, introspective and extrospective fatigue.     

New pixel driving circuit using self‐discharging compensation method for high‐resolution OLED micro displays on a silicon backplane

A new 4T2C pixel circuit formed on a silicon substrate is proposed to realize a high‐resolution 7.8‐μm pixel pitch AMOLED microdisplay. In order to achieve high luminance uniformity, the pixel circuit compensates its Vth variation of the MOSFET for the driving transistor internally by using self‐discharging method. Also presented are 0.5‐in Quad‐VGA and 1.25‐in wide Quad‐XGA microdisplays with the proposed pixel circuit.     

Work hours, workload, sleep and fatigue in Australian Rail Industry employees

Research suggests that less than 5 h sleep in the 24 h prior to work and/or more than 16 h of wakefulness can significantly increase the likelihood of fatigue-related impairment and error at work. Studies have also shown exponential safety declines with time on shift, with roughly double the likelihood of accident or injury after 10 h relative to the first 8 h. While it is acknowledged that reduced sleep, increased wakefulness and longer work hours produce work-related fatigue, few studies have examined the impact of workload on this relationship. Studies in the rail industry have focused on drivers. This study investigated fatigue in a large sample of Australian Rail Industry Employees. Participants were from four companies (n = 90: 85m, 5f; mean age 40.2 ± 8.6 y). Data was analysed for a total of 713 shifts. Subjects wore wrist actigraphs and completed sleep and work diaries for 14-days. They also completed the Samn–Perelli Fatigue Scale at the beginning and end of shifts, and the NASA-TLX workload scale at least twice during each shift. Average (±SD) sleep length (7.2 ± 2.6 h), prior wake at shift end (12.0 ± 4.7 h), shift duration (8.0 ± 1.3) and fatigue (4.1 ± 1.3, “a little tired, less than fresh”) were within limits generally considered acceptable from a fatigue perspective. However, participants received 5 h or less sleep in the prior 24 h on 13%, were awake for at least 16 h at the end of 16% and worked at least 10 h on 7% of shifts. Subjects reported that they felt “extremely tired, very difficult to concentrate,” or “completely exhausted, unable to function effectively” on 13% of shifts. Sleep length (OR = 0.88, p < 0.01), shift duration (OR = 1.18, p < 0.05), night shift (REF = morning shift, OR = 2.12, p < 0.05) and workload ratings (OR = 1.2, p < 0.05) were significant predictors of ratings of extreme tiredness/exhaustion (yes/no). While on average, sleep loss, extended wakefulness, longer work hours and work-related fatigue do not appear problematic in this sample, there is still a notable percentage of shifts that are likely to be associated with high levels of work-related fatigue. Given the size of the Australian Rail Industry, with thousands of shifts occurring each day, this is potentially of operational concern. Further, results indicate that, in addition to sleep length, wakefulness and work hours, workload significantly influences fatigue. This has possible implications for bio-mathematical predictions of fatigue and for fatigue management more generally.     

Simulated train driving: fatigue, self-awareness and cognitive disengagement

Fatigue is a serious issue for the rail industry, increasing inefficiency and accident risk. The performance of 20 train drivers in a rail simulator was investigated at low, moderate and high fatigue levels. Psychomotor vigilance (PVT), self-rated performance and subjective alertness were also assessed. Alertness, PVT reaction times, extreme speed violations (>25% above the limit) and penalty brake applications increased with increasing fatigue level. In contrast, fuel use, draft (stretch) forces and braking errors were highest at moderate fatigue levels. Thus, at high fatigue levels, errors involving a failure to act (errors of omission) increased, whereas incorrect responses (errors of commission) decreased. The differential effect of fatigue on error types can be explained through a cognitive disengagement with the virtual train at high fatigue levels. Interaction with the train reduced dramatically, and accident risk increased. Awareness of fatigue-related performance changes was moderate at best. These findings are of operational concern.