Unions, Monetary Shocks and the Labour Market Cycle

Published as an article in: Economic Modelling, 2011, vol. 28, issue 3, pages 1140-1149.

The Intelligent Measuring Sub-System in the Computer Integrated and Flexible Laser Processing System

Based on the computer integrated and flexible laser processing system, develop the intelligent measuring sub-system. A novel model has been built to compensate the deviations of the main frame, a new-developed 3-D laser tracker system is applied to adjust the accuracy of the system. Analyzing the characteristic of all kinds of automobile dies, which is the main processing object of the laser processing system, classify the types of the surface and border needed to be measured and be processed. According to different types of surface and border, develop 2-D adaptive measuring method based on B?zier curve and 3-D adaptive measuring method based on spline curve. During the data processing, a new 3-D probe compensation method has been described in details. Some measuring experiments and laser processing experiments are carried out to testify the methods. All the methods have been applied in the computer integrated and flexible laser processing system invented by the Institute of Mechanics, CAS.

La producción flexible: Just in time versus organización científica del trabajo

Nadie puede negar que la competitividad actual de la industria japonesa se basa, entre otras razones, en el bajo coste y alto nivel de calidad de sus productos. Ambas cualidades se han conseguido por la aplicación, a partir de los 70, de prácticas innovadoras y nuevas tecnologías de fabricación como es el caso del Just in Time.

Case study: Reaping the benefits of reliable systems and flexible support

Case study on how Chichester College is taking a strategic approach to improving the student experience through effective use of technology.

Modelos de organización flexible: estudio del sector de la maquina-herramienta

Uno de los objetivos de este artículo ha sido identificar el modo en que las nuevas formas organizativas suponen una transformación drástica con respecto a los modelos tradicionales. Los nuevos modelos y, en particular, el de organización virtual supone la aparición de un nuevo marco conceptual. La innovación no reside tanto en que se abordan nuevas soluciones para los problemas, como en la transformación de los propios problemas y cuestiones clave.

FTT-MA: A Flexible Time-Triggered Middleware Architecture for Time Sensitive, Resource-Aware AmI Systems

There is an increasing number of Ambient Intelligence (AmI) systems that are time-sensitive and resource-aware. From healthcare to building and even home/office automation, it is now common to find systems combining interactive and sensing multimedia traffic with relatively simple sensors and actuators (door locks, presence detectors, RFIDs, HVAC, information panels, etc.). Many of these are today known as Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). Quite frequently, these systems must be capable of (1) prioritizing different traffic flows (process data, alarms, non-critical data, etc.), (2) synchronizing actions in several distributed devices and, to certain degree, (3) easing resource management (e.g., detecting faulty nodes, managing battery levels, handling overloads, etc.). This work presents FTT-MA, a high-level middleware architecture aimed at easing the design, deployment and operation of such AmI systems. FTT-MA ensures that both functional and non-functional aspects of the applications are met even during reconfiguration stages. The paper also proposes a methodology, together with a design tool, to create this kind of systems. Finally, a sample case study is presented that illustrates the use of the middleware and the methodology proposed in the paper.

Nanostructured giant magneto-impedance multilayers deposited onto flexible substrates for low pressure sensing

Nanostructured FeNi-based multilayers are very suitable for use as magnetic sensors using the giant magneto-impedance effect. New fields of application can be opened with these materials deposited onto flexible substrates. In this work, we compare the performance of samples prepared onto a rigid glass substrate and onto a cyclo olefin copolymer flexible one. Although a significant reduction of the field sensitivity is found due to the increased effect of the stresses generated during preparation, the results are still satisfactory for use as magnetic field sensors in special applications. Moreover, we take advantage of the flexible nature of the substrate to evaluate the pressure dependence of the giant magneto-impedance effect. Sensitivities up to 1 Omega/Pa are found for pressures in the range of 0 to 1 Pa, demostrating the suitability of these nanostructured materials deposited onto flexible substrates to build sensitive pressure sensors.

Neuartige flexible Selektionseinrichtungen für Schleppnetzsteerte

Die wissenschaftlich-technische Zusammenarbeit zwischen dem Institut für Fischereitechnik (IFH) und dem russischen Institut MariNPO in Kaliningrad war 1997/98 schwerpunktmäßig auf die Entwicklung flexibler Vorrichtungen zur Größenselektion von Fischen in Schleppnetzsteerten sowie deren gemeinsame Erprobung in der Ostsee-Dorschfischerei ausgerichtet. Die Vorteile solcher flexiblen Vorrichtungen aus textilem Material verglichen mit starren, meist aus Metall gefertigten bestehen darin, daß sie bei der Handhabung keine dauerhaften Verformungen bekommen, keine Erschwernisse oder Gefährdungen der Decksbesatzung, insbesondere bei schwerem Wetter, verursachen und problemlos mit dem Netz aufgetrommelt werden können. Außerdem sind sie wesentlich billiger in den Anschaffungskosten als Metallgitter aus nichtrostendem Stahl. Ihre Installation vor dem Hievteil ermöglicht zudem ein ungestörteres Selektieren als bei Fluchtfenstern im Bereich des Steertendes, wo die Fische stark verdichtet sind und mehr oder weniger gewaltsam an bzw. durch die Maschen gepreßt werden. Der Umlauftank in Kaliningrad sowie das geschleppte, steuerbare UW-Videosystem des IFH bieten gute Voraussetzungen für eine umfassende experimentelle Untersuchung der entwickelten Vorrichtungen, über die im folgenden berichtet wird.

Development And Application Of Flexible Substrate Sensors In Instantaneous Heat Flux Measurement

A new type of sensor with the flexible substrate is introduced. It is applicable in measuring instantaneous heat flux on the model surface in a hypersonic shock tunnel. The working principle, structure and manufacture process of the sensor are presented. The substrate thickness and the dynamic response parameter of the sensor are calculated. Because this sensor was successfully used in measuring the instantaneous heat flux on the surface of a flat plate in a detonation-driven shock tunnel, it may be effective in measuring instantaneous heat flux on the model surface.

Flexible microimplants for in vivo sensing

The work in this thesis develops two types of microimplants for the application of cardiovascular in vivo biomedical sensing, one for short-term diagnosis and the other for long-term monitoring.

Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Predicting metabolically active atherosclerotic plaques has remained an unmet clinical need. A stretchable impedance sensor manifested as a pair of quasi-concentric microelectrodes was developed to detect unstable intravascular. By integrating the impedance sensor with a cardiac catheter, high-resolution Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements can be conducted during cardiac catheterization. An inflatable silicone balloon is added to the sensor to secure a well-controlled contact with the plaque under test in vivo. By deploying the device to the explants of NZW rabbit aorta and live animals, distinct EIS measurements were observed for unstable atherosclerotic plaques that harbored active lipids and inflammatory cells.

On the other hand, zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an emerging genetic model for heart regenerative medicine. In humans, myocardial infarction results in the irreversible loss of cardiomyocytes. Zebrafish hearts can fully regenerate after two months with 20% ventricular resection. Long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) recording can characterize the heart regeneration in a functional dimension. A flexible microelectrode membrane was developed to be percutaneously implanted onto a zebrafish heart and record epicardial ECG signals from specific regions on it. Region-specific aberrant cardiac signals were obtained from injured and regenerated hearts. Following that, in order to achieve continuous and wireless recording from non-sedated and non-restricted small animal models, a wireless ECG recording system was designed for the microelectrode membrane, prototyped on a printed circuit board and demonstrated on a one-day-old neonatal mouse. Furthermore, a flexible and compact parylene C printed circuit membrane was used as the integration platform for the wireless ECG recording electronics. A substantially miniature wireless ECG recording system was achieved.