Underdetermined blind source separation by parallel factor analysis in time-frequency domain

This paper presents a new time-frequency approach to the underdetermined blind source separation using the parallel factor decomposition of third-order tensors. Without any constraint on the number of active sources at an auto-term time-frequency point, this approach can directly separate the sources as long as the uniqueness condition of parallel factor decomposition is satisfied. Compared with the existing two-stage methods where the mixing matrix should be estimated at first and then used to recover the sources, our approach yields better source separation performance in the presence of noise. Moreover, the mixing matrix can be estimated at the same time of the source separation process. Numerical simulations are presented to show the superior performance of the proposed approach to some of the existing two-stage blind source separation methods that use the time-frequency representation as well.

Information quality assessment in Korean manufacturing organization

Information quality is a complex problem. Issues relating to information quality are strongly embedded in the context of the operations of information systems. Information quality issues, therefore, have qualitative as well as quantitative underpinnings, which affect on the various dimensions of information quality. In order to improve information quality, it is essential to assess its various dimensions. This assessment provides the gaps that work as the building blocks for improving quality of information. However, assessing information quality dimensions is extremely intricate because each dimension depends upon other dimensions, which makes it difficult to objectively assess these dimensions. This research utilizes a product perspective of information and applies Six-Sigma methodology to assess information quality. It describes a case study of a Korean manufacturing organization where analytical hierarchy process and quality function deployment was utilized to determine the mutual relationships of information quality dimensions and critical to information quality factors.

Security risks/vulnerability in a RFID system and possible defenses

Remote technologies are changing our way of life. The radio frequency identification (RFJD) system is a new technology which uses the open air to transmit information. This information transmission needs to be protected to provide user safety and privacy. Business will look for a 5ystem that hasfraud resilience to prevent the misuse of information to take dishonest advantage. The business and the user need to be assured that the transmitted information has no content which is capable of undertaking malicious activities. Public awareness of RFID security will help users and organizations to understand the need for security protection. Publishing a security guideline from the regulating body and monitoring implementation of that guideline in RFID 5ystems will ensure that businesses and users are protected. This chapter explains the importance of security in a RFID system and will outline the protective measures. It also points out the research direction of RFID 5ystems.

Implementation of six sigma in Australian manufacturing small and medium enterprises

The present study discusses the status of quality management practices in manufacturing SMEs in Australia and investigates the reasons why they are not implementing the Six Sigma methodology. This study emphasises that Six Sigma can be implemented in manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, this study identifies the motivation for adopting Six Sigma by Australian manufacturing SMEs. A Six Sigma implementation framework is developed and presented.

Dynamic control of skilled and unskilled labour task assignments

Efficient allocation of skilled and non-skilled workers allow a company to improve productivity and usually requires an understanding of personnel capability, operating conditions and resource availability. This paper examines a labour control strategy that optimises labour skill level, utilisation, task execution time and processing error. The proposed controller manages different labour groups in a multiple work cell environment, providing real-time job assignment, as well as guiding and navigation features. These features can be used to enhance the performance of existing MRP-based or Just-In-Time production systems. A discrete event simulation-based manufacturing model has been developed to assess the performance of the labour controller. Experiments conducted for the selected production scenarios have demonstrated a productivity improvement when using the proposed control. A second experiment has shown that when a skilled labour uses the labour controller to guide them through the job, their utilisation also increases. The proposed controller also has potential application in other domains, such as minimising the shopping time at a supermarket

Analysis of residues of prometryne and acetochlor in soil-water system by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A highly sensitive and simple analytical method was developed for analyzing the binary mixed pesticides of prometryne and acetochlor in soil–water system by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The sample solution was first purified by C18 solid-phase extraction column, which was leached by acetone. The leachate was enriched to 1.0 mL by pressure blowing concentrator and then analyzed by GC/MS. The linear calibration curves were showed in the range of 1–15 μg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991. The average recoveries (n = 5) were between 95.3 and 115.7%, with relative standard deviations ranged from 1.71 and 7.95%. The limits of detection of Prometryne/Acetochlor were up to 0.06 and 0.17 μg/mL, respectively. This method provides a reliable approach to examine and evaluate the residues of prometryne and acetochlor in the soil–water system.

Applications of a TransFLash in an embedded system debugging

In this paper, the hardware and software design for using a TF card in debugging an embedded system are described. The used hardware platform is designed based on a PXA310 application processor. The Android open source operating system is used as the software platform. The design of the connection circuit between the application processor and the TF card is introduced first. Secondly, the design of the TF card driver program and the method for Android system to mount the TF card are described. In designing the TF driver program, an SPI operation mode and FAT32 file system are used. The transplant of the FAT32 file system is presented more detail. Finally, the paper introduced the system debugging and the test results are given for the TF card used in a video data acquisition unit of a video monitoring. It is shown that high speed data exchange and good universal property can be obtained by using a TF card to download a system image during developing and debugging. The TF card used in debugging can be used as a mass storage in the embedded product without the need of changing the design for debugging the system and it is also convenient for a user to upgrade operating system.

Assessing and intervening on OSH programmes : effectiveness evaluation of the Wellworks-2 intervention in 15 manufacturing worksites

To develop a transparent and broadly applicable method for assessing occupational safety and health (OSH) programmes or management systems; (2) to assess OSH programmes in a sample of manufacturing worksites; and (3) to determine whether a management focused occupational health intervention results in greater improvement in OSH programmes compared to minimal intervention controls. OSH programmes were assessed using an adaptation of the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration's 1995 Program Evaluation Profile. Scores were generated from 91 binary indicator variables grouped under four "Essential Elements". Essential Element scores were weighted to contribute to an overall programme score on a 100 point scale. Seventeen large manufacturing worksites were assessed at baseline; 15 sites completed the 16 month intervention and follow up assessments. There was considerable variation in Essential Element scores across sites at baseline as judged by our instrument, particularly in "management commitment and employee participation" and "workplace analysis". Most sites scored highly on "hazard prevention and control" and "training and education". For overall OSH programme scores, most sites scored in the 60-80% range at baseline, with four sites scoring below 60%, suggesting weak programmes. Intervention sites showed greater improvements than controls in the four programme elements and in overall programme scores, with significantly greater improvements in "management commitment and employee participation". The OSH programme assessment method used is broadly applicable to manufacturing work settings, and baseline profiles suggest needs for improvement in OSH programmes in most such worksites. Despite a small sample size, results showed that sustained management focused intervention can result in improvement in these OSH programme measures.

Improving access to the justice system for people with communication difficulties : a training program for people working in the justice system

This training package is provided as a guide and resource to promote awareness and understanding of people who have complex communication needs and give people who work in law and justice system strategies to facilitate successful communication interactions. Complex communication needs are defined as communication problems associated with a wide range of physical, sensory and environmental causes which restrict/limit an individual's ability to participate independently in society. They and their communication partners may benefit from using Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods. Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) is an approach or communication system that makes it possible for a person without speech to communicate. AAC includes gestures and sign language, picture and alphabet boards and high technology electronic communication devices that produce computerised speech. Many people with complex communication needs use a combination of AAC communication to express themselves. It is hoped that this package will facilitate access to the justice system for a group of people who may experience social disadvantage as a result of their complex communication needs. The information included in the package is not exhaustive. It is designed to : provide the trainer and staff with a general understanding of complex communication needs; challenge misconceptions about people who have little or no functional speech; provide practical strategies and guidelines to assist staff to more successfully communicate with people with complex communication needs.

Departure fuel loads in time-minimizing migrating birds can be explained by the energy costs of being heavy

Lindstrom and Alerstam presented a model that predicts optimal departure fuel loads as a function of the rate of fuel deposition in time-minimizing migrants. The basis of the model is that the coverable distance per unit of fuel deposited, diminishes with increasing fuel load. This is an effect of the increasing flight costs associated with increasing body mass. Lindstrom and Alerstam (1992) found that birds left at lower fuel loads than their model predicted for which they considered various ecological explanations. Alternatively, we hypothesize that the difference between prediction and empirical data might be a result of extra resting metabolic and transport costs associated with an increase in fuel load during stopover. We develop a new version of the Lindstrom and Alerstam (1992) model taking fuel load associated costs during stopover into account. We fit empirical data from rufous hummingbirds Selasphorus rufus and bluethroats Luscinia svecica to this new model. Estimated fuel-load costs are discussed in relation to knowledge presently available on variations in basal metabolic costs and transport costs with body mass. We show that fuel-load costs within a reasonable range can explain the observed departure fuel loads when migrating birds are time minimizers.

Expert in my pocket: creating first person POV videos to enhance mobile learning

Worldwide, there has been a rapid increase in both the use of mobile technologies as a conduit for student learning and the use of wearable cameras to record sporting and recreational activities. The Expert in My Pocket project (EiMP) has combined these two technologies to produce a repository of freely available short videos and supporting materials to enhance student development of psychomotor clinical skills. The videos are presented from a first person point of view (1PPOV) with expert health professionals ‘thinking aloud’ as they demonstrate selected skills. Research indicates that students and educators overwhelmingly support the concept of EiMP videos and more importantly value the 1PPOV as an authentic view. This paper demonstrates the techniques and equipment employed to produce these videos, which consisted of a chest or head mounted GoPro camera operated via an iPad. Additionally, the paper explains another innovative feature, Quick Response (QR) Codes, that when linked to the videos placed on equipment assists with “just in time” mobile learning.