Individual Workstations Research Articles

Small tensor product distributed active space (STP-DAS) framework for relativistic and non-relativistic multiconfiguration calculations: Scaling from 109 on a laptop to 1012 determinants on a supercomputer

Despite the power and flexibility of configuration interaction (CI) based methods in computational chemistry, their broader application is limited by an exponential increase in both computational and storage requirements, particularly due to the substantial memory needed for excitation lists that are crucial for scalable parallel computing. The objective of this work is to develop a new CI framework, namely, the small tensor product distributed active space (STP-DAS) framework, aimed at drastically reducing memory demands for extensive CI calculations on individual workstations or laptops, while simultaneously enhancing scalability for extensive parallel computing. Moreover, the STP-DAS framework can support various CI-based techniques, such as complete active space (CAS), restricted active space, generalized active space, multireference CI, and multireference perturbation theory, applicable to both relativistic (two- and four-component) and non-relativistic theories, thus extending the utility of CI methods in computational research. We conducted benchmark studies on a supercomputer to evaluate the storage needs, parallel scalability, and communication downtime using a realistic exact-two-component CASCI (X2C-CASCI) approach, covering a range of determinants from 109 to 1012. Additionally, we performed large X2C-CASCI calculations on a single laptop and examined how the STP-DAS partitioning affects performance.

LIGHTWEIGHT ENVIRONMENTS FOR TESTING SPEED AND RELIABILITY OF SOFTWARE BASED ON OPERATING SYSTEM LEVEL VIRTUALIZATION

An environment for performance software testing has been described, based on the use of containerization technology through the use of appropriate software (Docker or others) on the one hand, and a tool for measuring performance and carrying out load testing such as ApacheBench or similar. The advantage of containerization technology for achieving the goal was evaluated. It is shown that in this case, the test environment can be deployed on different computers separately, rather than being deployed centrally. This provides following advantages: less cost in terms of computing resources compared to other ways of deploying environments on local computers. Certain types of environment configurations can be easily distributed and replicated between individual computers and workstations through the distribution and application of prepared configuration files. Compared to cloud environments, this approach does not require additional material costs for support. The scheme of operation of such an environment for non-functional testing has been analyzed.. The environment also allows you to simulate more complex configurations, for example, to study the operation of various load balancing algorithms/systems. The created testing environment was tested on the example of performance of testing web applications. It showed that the created environment allows you to calculate the approximate response time of the application and the presence of failures depending on the number of users who use the application at the same time. Also, load testing allows you to calculate the normal and critical number of application users and predict and prevent potential failures. The mechanism for creating test environments considered in this work can be used to build models that are necessary for studying and/or modeling certain types of software testing based on loads, load balancing algorithms between workstations, and others. Since such an approach can be used on almost any personal workstation with relatively small requirements for computing resources and the deployment and distribution of environments is quite simple, such an approach can be implemented not only in business, but also in universities for courses that involve the use similar environments.

FEATURES OF DESIGNING A MODERN OFFICE SPACE, ITS EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE

The aim of the study is to identify the main factors, modern approaches and methods of creating a comfortable office space based on the analysis of modern domestic and foreign experience in designing this type of premises.
 Methodology. Critical analysis of scientific sources on the research topic, normative and reference literature, comparative analysis of advanced domestic and foreign experience in office interior design, and a synthesis of the research results have been used in the study.
 Results. Historical aspects of the development of offices and modern trends in the interior design of this type of premises are considered. The main factors of creating a comfortable office space are identified: design in accordance with modern ergonomic requirements; implementation of aesthetic principles of interior design, effective functional and planning organisation. The ergonomic criteria for workplace organisation are presented, and the main aspects of office ergonomics are highlighted. Based on the analysis of modern design experience, approaches and techniques of artistic and aesthetic, functional and planning solutions for office spaces are identified. In particular, rational planning that combines common communication spaces with individual workstations, artistic and aesthetic solutions with balanced colour palette and accents, optimal lighting and modern ergonomic equipment are becoming integral components of an effective modern office space.
 The scientific novelty lies in determining the main factors in creating a comfortable office space based on the analysis of modern interior design practice for this type of premises, identifying current trends, approaches and techniques for creating the office interior, which is a further contribution to the development of research on office environment design.
 The practical significance of the results obtained lies in the possibility of their application by designers and employers when designing office interiors.

Comparison of the detectability of hot lesions on bone SPECT using six state-of-the-art SPECT/CT systems: a multicenter phantom study to optimize reconstruction parameters.

Single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography (SPECT/CT) systems have diversified due to the remarkable developments made by each manufacturer. This study aimed to optimize the reconstruction parameters of six state-of-the-art SPECT/CT systems and compare their image quality of bone SPECT.SPECT images were acquired on SPECT/CT systems, including Symbia Intevo, Discovery NM/CT 670, Discovery NM/CT 870 CZT, Brightview XCT, and VERITON-CT. SIM2 bone phantom with tough lung phantoms on both sides of the spinal inserts that simulate the thorax was used for image quality assessment. SPECT images were obtained at individual workstations using an ordered subset expectation maximization method with three-dimensional resolution recovery, as well as CT attenuation and scatter correction, subset 2, iteration 12-84, and a full width at half maximum 10-mm Gaussian smooth filter. An automatic image analysis software dedicated to SIM2 bone phantom was used to assess the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), relative recovery coefficient, percentage of coefficient of variance, contrast, and detectability. The optimal parameters for each system were defined with superior detectability of spherical lesions and noise characteristics, as well as the highest CNR.All systems exhibited better image quality indexes using the optimal parameters than using the manufacturer's recommended parameters. The detectability of all systems was in agreement while using the optimal parameters.Detectability agreement can be achieved by optimizing the reconstruction parameters for different reconstruction algorithms, which can further improve the image quality. Therefore, future research should focus on optimal reconstruction parameters for SPECT alone.

The Importance of Cobot Speed and Acceleration on the Manufacturing System Efficiency

In recent years, collaborative workplaces (human-robot collaboration) have become much more present in manufacturing systems. Although the introduction of collaborative workplaces is cost, time, and socially responsible, there is still great uncertainty about how the different speeds and accelerations of collaborative robots (cobots) affect human and manufacturing system efficiency. The paper shows the importance of evaluating and studying the characteristics of individual collaborative workstations to achieve an optimized manufacturing system. Two different simulation modeling methods were used to evaluate different speeds and accelerations of the robot on the quantity of parts to be manufactured and flow time of the collaborative workplace. The simulation modeling methodology of the simulation scenarios was used to evaluate each variation of speed and acceleration in detail. The main results are comparisons between the simulation modeling results and a study of a real collaborative workplace with graphically and numerically presented parameters describing the product flow time (normative time of the assembly operation) and the product quantity. The research confirms the importance of the individual evaluation of the introduction of a collaborative workplace in an existing or newly proposed manufacturing system. From the presented results optimizing the speed and acceleration of the robot is critical to achieving an optimized, efficient manufacturing system from a human perspective as well.

Transformation of the office: territorial behaviour and place attachment in shared desk design

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an environmental psychological case study regarding an office design change. The employees of the researched company had the chance to decide whether to stay in the classic open office set-up or to switch to a shared desk supplemented by a one-day-a-week home office possibility. The authors examined the development of participants’ territorial behaviour and place attachment. Design/methodology/approach The given organizational situation is a quasi-experimental design; the variables were examined via questionnaire in a longitudinal model. Quantitative measurement was supplemented with focus group discussions. Findings The degree of personalization (a type of territorial behaviour) decreased significantly not only among those who lost their permanent workstations – as we expected – but also in the entire population. Workplace attachment stagnated for the entire population, but workstation attachment showed a significant decrease among those who switched to the shared desk. Research limitations/implications The limitations and the advantages are also followed by the nature of a case study: high ecological validity with relatively low sample size. Practical implications Redesigning an office is never just an economic or interior design issue, but a psychological one. This paper provides practical environmental psychological insights into implementing office designs without permanent individual workstations. Originality/value This paper presents the environmental psychological background of shared desk design implementation. The authors point out the significance of repressing personalization behaviour and as per the authors’ knowledge, they are the first to introduce the concept of workstation attachment.

Patient Specific Quality Assurance Automation with Scripting on HID Devices

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Many quality assurance procedures in radiotherapy are tedious and time-consuming but can be automated to improve the efficient and minimum human-errors. In this study we focused on the patient specific quality assurance (PSQA) procedure. The purpose was to develop a robust and quick software interface for Human Interactive Device (HID) operations and significantly accelerate the workflow. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> The clinical PSQA system of our clinics consists of s treatment planning system (TPS), an oncology information system (OIS) and a measurement and analysis software. The complete PSQA process includes three main parts: (1) QA verification plan creation, (2) treatment plan loading to treatment machine and (3) measurement, data analysis and report. A homemade software tool, AUTOFLOW was developed as a general interface and installed on multiple workstations to automate the operations of local HID devices. The workflow of HID operations in these components was modularized for maximum efficiency and reliability. The required patient information for each computer was stored in a QA task file created from patient database and synchronized by the AUTOFLOW interface in individual workstations. All human operations on HID devices and communication between multiple computers were automated by the AUTOFLOW interface sequentially or parallelly during the entire PSQA process. <h3>Results</h3> We tested the developed automation workflow on 20 clinical QA plans in our current clinical environments. Overall, around 175 (±12) human HID operations on various workstations were removed from the PSQA procedure. On average, 8(±0.8) minutes was needed to complete a PSQA case with the AUTOFLOW software tool, compared to 13(±3.1) minutes for complete manual operations. These results represent a 38% saving in time. No errors were found for all operations performed with this interface. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The AUTOFLOW software interface was successfully developed and used to perform PSQA in our current clinical environment. This interface has substantially reduced the time, and eliminated user stress and input errors for our PSQA procedure. It can potentially work with other TPS, QA, R&V systems of our department to improve the efficiency and reduce human errors for other QA procedures. For future works we plan to improve the system flexibility/stability and implement this application to other QA procedures

Improving Productivity Employ Simulation Model: A Case Study of a Steel Pipe Manufacturing Company

Productivity improvement in the manufacturing industry of piping is a key challenge facing manufacturers in today's competitive markets. Improving productivity in the pipe manufacturing companies by implementing manufacturing principles that utilize simulation modeling was the purpose of this study. To improve productivity, an approach that focuses on the workstations and workforces process was suggested. The suggested approach’s goal was to increase productivity by providing customer prerequisites and leaving some products for other customers in the store. Based on the data has been gathered from the company of steel pipes, Bansal Ispat Tubes Private Limited in India, a simulation model was utilized to enhance its performance of operational. The investigation methodology consists of a simulation model, acceptable distribution, and data investigation. By simulating individual workstations and evaluating all relevant processes according to the data collected, the simulation model was built. Actual employment data were gathered from the line of manufacturing and supervisory workers, with observations carried out throughout the process of manufacturing. The used method involves videotaping of the process and interviewing workers using a video-camera. The superior continuous distributions were picked to fulfill a convenient statistical model. The results could be helps to ameliorate the manufacturing industry productivity. Furthermore, the outcomes could assist to solve the problems of scheduling in pipe manufacturing "simulating and modeling" which reveals active ways in enhancing pipe manufacturing productivity. Consequently, the findings might support well competition among companies.

Digital design and planning process of workstations of an assembly system for a customer-individual last-mile electric vehicle

The task of designing and planning an assembly system is complex and challenging. Today, planning results are often dependent on the experience and methodological skills of the planner as well as on the available planning tools available. Digital processes are used to accelerate the planning process and establish the best possible shared knowledge base. Currently, the planning is partly supported by digital tools such as digital models and simulations. A disadvantage of digital modelling and simulation studies is their complex and expensive development. This paper presents a digital and partially automated planning process for the concept planning of an assembly system for a customer-individual product, in which not only the assembly system with its number of workstations is planned, but also the positioning of the required materials at the individual workstations is carried out considering ergonomic aspects. This is demonstrated using the example of a customer-individual last-mile electric vehicle.

Effective ventilation and air disinfection system for reducing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection risk in office buildings.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing amount of evidence has suggested that the virus can be transmitted through the air inside buildings. The ventilation system used to create the indoor environment would facilitate the transmission of the airborne infectious diseases. However, the existing ventilation systems in most buildings cannot supply sufficient clean outdoor air for diluting the virus concentration. To reduce the airborne infection risk and minimize energy consumption, especially in existing buildings with well-mixed ventilation systems, this investigation used an ultraviolet-C (UV-C) air disinfection device (Rheem's third generation products, RM3) with 99.9% disinfection efficiency to clean air carrying the COVID-19 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) which could help promote environmental sustainability and create healthy cities. This investigation assessed the impact of the RM3 UV-C units on the infection risk, the number of RM3 UV-C units required, and the strategy for decreasing the infection risk, with the use of computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations. An actual office building with a combination of individual offices and workstations was selected as an example for the research. According to the numerical results, the best strategy would be to use a combination of 100% outside air and UV-C in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) ducts with air disinfected by the RM3 UV-C units. The infection risk in the office building could thus be reduced to a negligible level. These findings could provide theoretical basis and engineering application basis for COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.

Model-Based Dynamic Categorization of Alarm Trip Points for Manufacturing Process Disruption Minimization

ABSTRACT Faults in manufacturing processes can cause disruptions and downtime, which adversely affects process efficiency and increases production costs. Process downtime can be reduced by monitoring manufacturing processes for faults, categorizing those faults, and prioritizing action. A new approach is proposed for minimizing function downtime, which involves monitoring system faults and generating a system response depending upon the status of the individual workstations in the manufacturing process line. The proposed model dynamically categorizes the faults considering the fault repair time, the weightage assigned to each workstation, and the process status, i.e. idle or running. The proposed model generates the threshold values for setting up trip points and categorizes critical faults into low, medium, and high values. The proposed model is tested using software simulations and an experimental test rig, and the results demonstrate that it can significantly reduce downtime in manufacturing processes. The model has been successfully implemented on a test rig and Asphalt manufacturing plant. In the test rig, 12% improvement is seen while on the Asphalt plant, 60% reduction is noticed in terms of start/ stops incidents, 60 minutes in downtime, and 800 kg of a valuable processed batch is saved in one week.

Ray Tracing Structured AMR Data Using ExaBricks.

Structured Adaptive Mesh Refinement (Structured AMR) enables simulations to adapt the domain resolution to save computation and storage, and has become one of the dominant data representations used by scientific simulations; however, efficiently rendering such data remains a challenge. We present an efficient approach for volume- and iso-surface ray tracing of Structured AMR data on GPU-equipped workstations, using a combination of two different data structures. Together, these data structures allow a ray tracing based renderer to quickly determine which segments along the ray need to be integrated and at what frequency, while also providing quick access to all data values required for a smooth sample reconstruction kernel. Our method makes use of the RTX ray tracing hardware for surface rendering, ray marching, space skipping, and adaptive sampling; and allows for interactive changes to the transfer function and implicit iso-surfacing thresholds. We demonstrate that our method achieves high performance with little memory overhead, enabling interactive high quality rendering of complex AMR data sets on individual GPU workstations.

Consensus guidelines on perioperative management of malignant hyperthermia suspected or susceptible patients from the European Malignant Hyperthermia Group

Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially fatal condition, in which genetically predisposed individuals develop a hypermetabolic reaction to potent inhalation anaesthetics or succinylcholine. Because of the rarity of malignant hyperthermia and ethical limitations, there is no evidence from interventional trials to inform the optimal perioperative management of patients known or suspected with malignant hyperthermia who present for surgery. Furthermore, as the concentrations of residual volatile anaesthetics that might trigger a malignant hyperthermia crisis are unknown and manufacturers' instructions differ considerably, there are uncertainties about how individual anaesthetic machines or workstations need to be prepared to avoid inadvertent exposure of susceptible patients to trigger anaesthetic drugs. The present guidelines are intended to bundle the available knowledge about perioperative management of malignant hyperthermia-susceptible patients and the preparation of anaesthesia workstations. The latter aspect includes guidance on the use of activated charcoal filters. The guidelines were developed by members of the European Malignant Hyperthermia Group, and they are based on evaluation of the available literature and a formal consensus process. The most crucial recommendation is that malignant hyperthermia-susceptible patients should receive anaesthesia that is free of triggering agents. Providing that this can be achieved, other key recommendations include avoidance of prophylactic administration of dantrolene; that preoperative management, intraoperative monitoring, and care in the PACU are unaltered by malignant hyperthermia susceptibility; and that malignant hyperthermia patients may be anaesthetised in an outpatient setting.

THE FIRST EXPERIENCE OF USING THE BODY INTERACT SIMULATION INTERACTIVE TRAINING PLATFORM AS A PART OF INTERNS’ ATTESTATION

The article presents the first experience of using the Body Interact simulation interactive training system as a stage of interns’ attestation. Descriptions and principles of operation with “virtual patient” system are given. The exam procedure with individual workstations installed on laptops is described. The grading criteria and evaluation principles for work with Body Interact system are defined. Examination results of 47 interns in the specialty “Internal Diseases” and “General Practice – Family Medicine” are analyzed according to virtual clinical scenarios “Acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation”, “Pulmonary embolism”, “Acute left ventricular insufficiency”, “Hypoglycemia” and ”Acute disorders of cerebral circulation”. The main mistakes are identified and systematized on the basis of the analysis of individual step-by-step reports of work results on the simulation training system Body Interact. Steps for optimizing the system and expanding the experience of its usage in order to make the attestation of final courses students are suggested.

A framework to predict energy related key performance indicators of manufacturing systems at early design phase

Increasing energy prices, growing market competition, strict environmental legislations, concerns over global climate change and customer interaction incentivise manufacturing firms to improve their production efficiency and minimise bad impacts to environment. As a result, production processes are required to be investigated from energy efficiency perspective at early design phase where most benefits can be attained at low cost, time and risk. This article proposes a framework to predict energy-related key performance indicators (e-KPIs) of manufacturing systems at early design and prior to physical build. The proposed framework is based on the utilisation and incorporation of virtual models within VueOne virtual engineering (VE) tool and WITNESS discrete event simulation (DES) to predict e-KPIs at three distinct levels: production line, individual workstations and the components as individual energy consumption units (ECU). In this framework, alternative designs and configurations can be investigated and benchmarked in order to implement and build the best energy-efficient system. This ensures realising energy-efficient production system design while maintaining predefined production system targets such as cycle-time and throughput rate. The proposed framework is exemplified by a use case of a battery module assembly system. The results reveal that the proposed framework results meaningful e-KPIs capable of supporting manufacturing system designers in decision making in terms of component selection and process design towards an improved sustainability and productivity.

Analyzing different material supply strategies in matrix-structured manufacturing systems

The matrix-structured manufacturing system represents an alternative manufacturing concept that strives for both a volume and variant flexible production while still being efficient. The manufacturing system is a modular and cycle-independent production principle in which all existing workstations are linked together. By using intelligent decentralized control logic, the assignment of workpieces to workstations is enabled. Due to the functional principle of a matrix-structured manufacturing system, the material requirements at the individual workstations are not known in advance. The behavior of different material supply strategies can be investigated with the help of an agent-based simulation. In this context, the objective of this paper is to model and analyze selected material supply strategies with regard to selected key figures in an agent-based simulation environment.

Investigation of the feasibility of POE methodology for a modern commercial office building

Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE), as an architectural and technical tool, has been researched for decades to support an effective design decision process and also for indoor environmental quality control, such as thermal, air, lighting, and acoustic quality, as well as spatial quality. However, a one-time data collection has been frequently adopted that includes survey and field measurements, even though these data acquisition approaches have been moderately changed and revised. For modern office buildings, where a large number of time-varying architectural and environmental parameters are available, and the demands of individual occupants for specific environmental conditions vary per season, day, or even hour, little research effort has been made to validate whether the one-time data collection-based POE is still effective in a modern structure. To address this challenge, this research project included four different POE studies in two commercial office buildings, in Southern California in the U.S. At 189 individual workstations, selected in two buildings, an environmental satisfaction survey and spot measurements were repeatedly made during 4 seasons while considering seasonal and daily factors. This study found that human factors, such as gender and age, contributed to inconsistent environmental perceptions, depending on the season and/or month. This research revealed that multiple-time data collection is required to provide a vigorous environmental design solution which would enhance building occupants' environmental comfort, while considering time-varying environmental factors, such as a season.

The impact of environmental design on employee performance at PNPI Group

A study to investigate the effect of environmental design on employees’ performance focused on two newly reconfigured offices of Padideh Novien Pasargard Iranian Group, a multinational trading company in Tehran. The introduction of partitions in previously open‐plan workspaces gave workers more control over various ambient conditions and enabled them to personalize their individual workstations. The results of a research questionnaire administered after the redesign show that employees’ satisfaction with the work environment and their well‐being improved by 10% and their sense of feeling creative and productive improved by 7%. In line with previous research on the impact of environmental conditions on employees’ outlook and performance, the results of this study underscore the value of attention to employees’ opinions and concerns when designing their work environments.

Thermal load at workstations in the underground coal mining: Results of research carried out in 6 coal mines

Statistics shows that almost half of Polish extraction in underground mines takes place at workstations where temperature exceeds 28°C. The number of employees working in such conditions is gradually increasing, therefore, the problem of safety and health protection is still growing. In the present study we assessed the heat load of employees at different workstations in the mining industry, taking into account current thermal conditions and work costs. The evaluation of energy cost of work was carried out in 6 coal mines. A total of 221 miners employed at different workstations were assessed. Individual groups of miners were characterized and thermal safety of the miners was assessed relying on thermal discomfort index. The results of this study indicate considerable differences in the durations of analyzed work processes at individual workstations. The highest average energy cost was noted during the work performed in the forehead. The lowest value was found in the auxiliary staff. The calculated index of discomfort clearly indicated numerous situations in which the admissible range of thermal load exceeded the parameters of thermal load safe for human health. It should be noted that the values of average labor cost fall within the upper, albeit admissible, limits of thermal load. The results of the study indicate that in some cases work in mining is performed in conditions of thermal discomfort. Due to high variability and complexity of work conditions it becomes necessary to verify the workers' load at different workstations, which largely depends on the environmental conditions and work organization, as well as on the performance of workers themselves. Med Pr 2016;67(4):477-498.

Systematic Pedagogy to Line Balancing with EXCEL

Over the past ten years, simple and inexpensive operations research software that is user friendly to the mentor, student, and instructor has become difficult to obtain. This is especially true since Emmons, Flowers, Khot, and Mathur’s STORM 4.0 for Windows is obsolete for current 32 and 64 bit operating systems and no longer in print. After a diligent product and literature search, it appears there is no adequate inexpensive software that is easily available. Assembly line balancing algorithms are heuristic methods used for balancing operations or production lines. However, most methods employ complex calculations that are challenging to the mentor and mentee. This paper presents a pedagogy from a systems approach using Microsoft EXCEL. The object is to prepare a spreadsheet file with four separate worksheets that are linked to the first worksheet. The step-by-step systematic approach allows the entry on the main worksheet of data such as an annual demand, annual time available, and process times. When the user changes these data entry points, the efficiencies of each operating or production line are automatically re-computed for all three shifts. Worksheets use one of the several available heuristics to compute cycle times (required time between process activities) and transfers it to one, two, or three shifts (worksheets two, three, or four). Once the spreadsheet and accompanying worksheets were completed, the results were compared to several different heuristic algorithms. When authors were satisfied that the results were accurate and not significantly different from other examined algorithms, the final step was to develop a working pedagogy to efficiently describe the process. This allows the user an efficient analytical tool to illustrate and explain interactions within a given process. A local manufacturing facility used this method as a part of a monthly effort to increase line efficiency for individual workstations. The project’s results were satisfactorily tested in a production operations class. The major advantage to the practitioner, engineer, instructor, and student is that EXCEL is readily available on all personal computers, easily understood, and is very practical. Students with very little exposure to line balancing were able to master the method within the first hour of exposure.