PurposeThis study aims to identify variability in aviation operators in order to gain greater understanding of the changes in aviation professional groups. Research has commonly addressed human factors and automation in broad categories according to a group’s function (e.g., pilots, air traffic controllers [ATCOs], engineers). Accordingly, pilots and Air Traffic Controls (ATCOs) have been treated as homogeneous groups with a set of characteristics. Currently, critical themes of human performance in light of systems’ developments place the emphasis on quality training for improved situational awareness (SA), decision-making and cognitive load.Design/methodology/approachAs key solutions centre on the increased understanding and preparedness of operators through quality training, the authors deploy an iterative mixed methodology to reveal generational changes of pilots and ATCOs. In total, 46 participants were included in the qualitative instrument and 70 in the quantitative one. Preceding their triangulation, the qualitative data were analysed using NVivo and the quantitative analysis was aided through descriptive statistics.FindingsThe results show that there is a generational gap between old and new generations of operators. Although positive views on advanced systems are being expressed, concerns about cognitive capabilities in the new systems, training and skills gaps, workload and role implications are presented.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this study extend to different profiles of operators that collaborate either directly or indirectly and that are critical to aviation safety. Specific implications are targeted on automation complacency, bias and managing information load, and training aspects where quality training can be aided by better understanding the occupational transitions under advanced systems.Originality/valueIn this paper, the authors aimed to understand the changing nature of the operators’ profession within the advanced technological context, and the perceptions and performance-shaping factors of pilots and ATCOs to define the generational changes.
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Treinvervoerders -zoals NS- zetten de klant steeds meer centraal in hun beleid en operatie. De treinreis moet daarvoor betrouwbaar zijn, maar klanten moeten de reis ook leuk vinden en als prettig ervaren. Een belangrijke randvoorwaarde is dat reizigers controle ervaren: een staat waarin reizigers zich prettig voelen en geen stress ervaren. Tot op heden wordt in de meeste studies, stress gemeten met behulp van een vragenlijst. Het nadeel hiervan is dat de onbewuste ervaring niet helemaal wordt blootgelegd. De bewuste en onbewuste ervaring hoeven niet met elkaar overeen te komen. Met behulp van deze studie willen we inzichtelijk maken: (1) wanneer en waarom reizigers stress ervaren, (2) wat de relatie is tussen bewuste en onbewuste stresservaring, en (3) welke rol het gevoel van controle speelt. Testpersonen (n = 16) kregen de opdracht om een reis af te leggen en tijdens de reis een aantal activiteiten te vervullen (bijv. kaartje kopen). Stress tijdens de reis werd gemeten aan de hand van fysiologische maten met een healthpatch (o.a.. hartslag, ademhaling) en een eye tracking bril, waarvan de resultaten werden vergeleken met die van een vragenlijst. De resultaten wijzen uit dat het stressniveau tijdens de gehele reis relatief hoog is, waarbij testpersonen de minste stress ervoeren tijdens de treinreis en de meeste stress bij het inchecken op het station. Verder blijkt dat de stresservaring op bewust en onbewust niveau in grote lijnen overeen komt, maar afwijkt bij het inchecken en zoeken naar natransport. Door informatie te raadplegen ervaart de reiziger meer controle wat een positieve uitwerking heeft op het stressniveau. Bestudering van de eye tracking opnamen maakt duidelijk dat reizigers op onbewust niveau zeer veel waarnemen wat kan leiden tot een mentale overbelasting. Zo is bijvoorbeeld duidelijk te zien dat alle gezichten van medereizigers in station Amsterdam Centraal worden gescand. Ook scannen de testpersonen reisinformatie en reclame borden. Geconcludeerd kan worden dat de fysiologische onderzoeksopzet in combinatie met vragenlijsten goed inzicht geeft in het bewuste en onbewuste gedrag van treinreizigers en deze aanpak ook goed kan werken bij andere vervoerwijzen.
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The aim of this research is to explore the potential of Mixed Reality (MR) technologies for Operator Support in order to progress towards Industry 4.0 (I4.0) particularly for SMEs. Through a series of interventions and interviews conducted with local SMEs, potential use cases and their drawbacks have been identified. From this, insights were derived that serve as a starting point for conducting further experiments with MR technology in the smart manufacturing laboratory at the THUAS in Delft. The intervention consisted of a free form workshop in which the participants get ‘tinkering’ time to explore MR in their own work environment. The various levels of awareness were assessed in three stages: during an introductory interview, and after an instruction meeting and some ‘tinkering’. The study took place in the period from January 2022 to July 2022 with 10 local SMEs in the Netherlands. The results show that for all SMEs the awareness and understanding increased. The use cases identified by operators themselves concerned Quality Control, Diagnostics, Instruction, Specification and Improvement of Operations. Drawbacks foreseen related to Ergonomic Concerns, Resistance from operators, Technical considerations, Unavailability of MR device and an insufficient digital infrastructure to support MR in full extent. The use case most promising to the participants was further developed into a physical prototype for an ‘assisted assembly cell’ by which the aspects of ergonomics and the mentioned technical considerations could be analysed.
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This paper describes some explorations on the concept of disassemblability as an important circularity indicator for products because of its severe impact on reuse value. Although usefulness of the concept for determining disassembly strategies and for improving circular product design clearly shows in earlier studies, the link with Industry 4.0 (I4.0)-related process innovation is still underexposed. For further technical development of the field of remanufacturing, research is needed on tools & training for operators, diagnostics, disassembly/repair instructions and forms of operator support. This includes the use of IoT and cobots in remanufacturing lines for automatic disassembly, sorting and recognition methods; providing guidance for operators and reduction of change-over times. A prototype for a disassembly work cell for a mobile phone has been developed together with researchers and students. This includes the removal of screws by means of a cobot using both vision & the available info in the product’s Bill-Of-Materials, the removal of covers, opening of snap fits and replacement of modules. This prototyping demonstrates that it is relatively easy to automate disassembly operations for an undamaged product, that has been designed with repairability in mind and for which product data and models are available. Process innovations like robotisation influence the disassemblability in a positive way, but current indicators like a Disassembly Index (DI) can’t reflect this properly. This study therefore concludes with suggestions for an evaluation of disassemblability by looking at the interaction between product, process and resources in a coherent way.
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Het UPPScAle-partnerschap heeft tot doel de bachelorcurricula voor pijnwetenschappen in de bachelor fysiotherapie in heel Europa te innoveren, verbeteren en standaardiseren. Er is een dynamische Open Education Source ontwikkeld om academici te ondersteunen met behulp van een verscheidenheid aan onderwijs- en beoordelingsmethoden om de leermogelijkheden voor studenten in heel Europa en daarbuiten te vergroten (e-learning, probleemoplossing -gebaseerd leren en case studies). Educatieve output als lezingen, Train-the-Trainer-handleidingen, reflectief dagboek en beoordelingen, wordt via deze website aangeboden.
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In ESSENCE (European Sustainable Solutions for Existing and New City Environments) "five European Higher Education Institutions and three municipalities worked together to train future professionals to overcome the complex challenges of achieving smart sustainable cities. Students worked on behalf of the three local governments on useful solutions to sustainability issues in the urban environment. New teaching methods were applied, such as blended learning and creative solution searching methods. "
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Background Differing perspectives of self-harm may result in a struggle between patients and treatment staff. As a consequence, both sides have difficulty communicating effectively about the underlying problems and feelings surrounding self-harm. Between 2009 and 2011, a programme was developed and implemented to train mental health care staff (nurses, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and occupational therapists) in how to communicate effectively with and care for patients who self-harm. An art exhibition focusing on self-harm supported the programme. Lay experts in self-harm, i.e. people who currently harm themselves, or who have harmed themselves in the past and have the skills to disseminate their knowledge and experience, played an important role throughout the programme. Methods Paired sample t-tests were conducted to measure the effects of the training programme using the Attitude Towards Deliberate Self-Harm Questionnaire, the Self-Perceived Efficacy in Dealing with Self-Harm Questionnaire, and the Patient Contact Questionnaire. Effect sizes were calculated using r. Participants evaluated the training programme with the help of a survey. The questionnaires used in the survey were analysed descriptively. Results Of the 281 persons who followed the training programme, 178 completed the questionnaires. The results show a significant increase in the total scores of the three questionnaires, with large to moderate effect sizes. Respondents were positive about the training, especially about the role of the lay expert. Conclusion A specialised training programme in how to care for patients who self-harm can result in a more positive attitude towards self-harm patients, an improved self-efficacy in caring for patients who self-harm, and a greater closeness with the patients. The deployment of lay experts is essential here
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Abstract: Climate change is related with weather extremes, which may cause damages to infrastructure used by freight transport services. Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding and damage to railway lines, roads and inland waterways. Extreme drought may lead to extremely low water levels, which prevent safe navigation by inland barges. Wet and dry periods may alternate, leaving little time to repair damages. In some Western and Middle-European countries, barges have a large share in freight transport. If a main waterway is out of service, then alternatives are called for. Volume- and price-wise, trucking is not a viable alternative. Could railways be that alternative? The paper was written after the unusually long dry summer period in Europe in 2022. It deals with the question: If the Rhine, a major European waterway becomes locally inaccessible, could railways (temporarily) play a larger role in freight transport? It is a continuation of our earlier research. It contains a case study, the data of which was fed into a simulation model. The model deals with technical details like service specification route length, energy consumption and emissions. The study points to interesting rail services to keep Europe’s freight on the move. Their realization may be complex especially in terms of logistics and infrastructure, but is there an alternative?
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