Operator Skill Research Articles

Continuous Gesture Control of a Robot Arm: Performance Is Robust to a Variety of Hand-to-Robot Maps.

Despite advances in human-machine-interface design, we lack the ability to give people precise and fast control over high degree of freedom (DOF) systems, like robotic limbs. Attempts to improve control often focus on the static map that links user input to device commands; hypothesizing that the user's skill acquisition can be improved by finding an intuitive map. Here we investigate what map features affect skill acquisition. Each of our 36 participants used one of three maps that translated their 19-dimensional finger movement into the 5 robot joints and used the robot to pick up and move objects. The maps were each constructed to maximize a different control principle to reveal what features are most critical for user performance. 1) Principal Components Analysis to maximize the linear capture of finger variance, 2) our novel Egalitarian Principal Components Analysis to maximize the equality of variance captured by each component and 3) a Nonlinear Autoencoder to achieve both high variance capture and less biased variance allocation across latent dimensions Results: Despite large differences in the mapping structures there were no significant differences in group performance. Participants' natural aptitude had a far greater effect on performance than the map. Robot-user interfaces are becoming increasingly common and require new designs to make them easier to operate. Here we show that optimizing the map may not be the appropriate target to improve operator skill. Therefore, further efforts should focus on other aspects of the robot-user-interface such as feedback or learning environment.

Analysis of the Application of Time Stamping Technology in Traffic Off-site Enforcement

This paper analyses the background of traffic off-site law enforcement and proposes the application of time stamping technology in this scenario, in view of the controversies of "large quantity", "difficult to preserve" and "easy to be tampered with" of the electronic evidence formed in traffic off-site law enforcement. It proposes to apply time stamping technology in this scenario. By analyzing the principle of time stamping technology, focusing on the advantages and challenges of time stamping technology in this scenario, we put forward suggestions covering the guarantee of regulatory compliance and transparent communication, the guarantee of system updating and upgrading and compatibility, and the enhancement of operator's skills and cognitive level, etc., so as to analyses the possibility of the application of time stamping technology in the off-site traffic law enforcement, to ensure the accurate recording and authenticity of the electronic evidences, and provide strong support for the application of time stamping technology. strong support for the application of time-stamping technology. Through the research of this paper, we deeply understand the key position of time-stamping technology in off-site traffic law enforcement, and provide a comprehensive and feasible solution for the authenticity and legality of electronic evidence.

Is percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) effective for fecal incontinence (FI) in adults compared with sham electrical stimulation? A meta-analysis.

Sacral nerve neuromodulation (SNM) has been considered the optimal second-line treatment for fecal incontinence (FI). However, SNM involves high cost and requires highly skilled operators. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) has emerged as an alternative treatment modality for FI, yielding varying clinical outcomes. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PTNS compared to sham electrical stimulation for FI. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies from May12, 2012 to May12, 2022. Four randomized controlled studies were included in this review, involving a total of 439 adult patients with FI (300 in the PTNS group and 194 in the sham electrical stimulation group). Our meta-analysis revealed that PTNS demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing weekly episodes of FI compared to the control groups (MD - 1.6, 95%CI - 2.94 to - 0.26, p = 0.02, I2 = 30%). Furthermore, a greater proportion of patients in the PTNS group reported more than a 50% reduction in FI episodes per week (RR 0.73, 95%CI 0.57-0.94, p = 0.02, I2 = 6%). However, no significant differences were observed in any domains of the FI Quality of Life (QoL) and St Mark's incontinence scores (MD -2.41, 95%CI -5.1 to 0.27, p = 0.08, I2 = 67%). Importantly, no severe adverse events related to PTNS were reported in any of the participants. Our meta-analysis revealed that PTNS was more effective than sham stimulation in reducing FI episodes and led to a higher proportion of patients reporting more than a 50% reduction in weekly FI episodes.

Oral mucosal disease: dilemmas and challenges in general dental practice

Oral medicine (OM) is a recognised component of all UK undergraduate dental programmes and practising dentists are expected to safely investigate and manage patients presenting with oral mucosal disease. Delivering OM care for patients in a general dental practice setting does however come with a number of challenges and dilemmas for practitioners.General dental practitioners may be limited in their ability to arrange diagnostic tests such as biopsies or blood tests, important in reaching a definitive OM diagnosis. Lack of operator skill or lack of access to appropriate laboratory facilities to process diagnostic samples will likely contribute to this. In addition, general dental practitioners may feel underconfident to reliably interpret test results. Management of OM patients can also be time-consuming and may not generate a significant remunerative reward under current NHS payment systems.OM is a subject that overlaps with several medical specialities, and up until 2010, required dual qualification in both undergraduate dentistry and medicine. Practitioners who have not undertaken OM training beyond undergraduate dentistry may lack confidence with the subject, and fear of misjudging a lesion of concern will certainly prompt referrals from primary care into hospital-based OM clinics.

Gingival recession: how to choose the best surgical technique?

Objective: to present the main decision -making criteria when choosing a surgery technique for the most variety forms of gingival recession. Data sources: A bibliographic review was carried out with a search in the database: VHL Odontologia, Scielo and Pubmed on the subject. Data synthesis: the fundamental criteria for determining the best surgery Technique I'm be used in the treatment of gingival recessions are: the classification of recessions , the location of the recession ( maxilla or mandible ), the fact that it is single or multiple , the presence or absence of keratinized apical or lateral gingiva _ the recession, the thickness characteristic of the periodontal (periodontal biotype) and the skill of the operator. Conclusions: the choice of surgery technique, with the objective of root coverage, must follow a careful assessment of clinical findings, diagnosis and operator skill. This increases the predictability of success of the surgery therapy I'm be used.

Development of Remote Construction System of Modularized Rail Structure for Inexperienced Operators

Remotely controlled robots are required to operate in human-inaccessible environments, such as the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. In our previous studies, we proposed a modularized rail structure for such environments. In long-term decommissioning work at a nuclear power plant, robots are controlled by inexperienced operators who have limited knowledge of the design details of the robots. In this study, we developed a remote construction system for supporting inexperienced operators by transmitting the status information of the constructor robot to the operator during the remote construction of a modularized rail structure. The proposed remote construction system was designed based on a human information-processing model. Experiments were conducted using the developed remote construction system. The proposed method achieved a success count of inexperienced operators equivalent to that of skilled operators. Furthermore, a questionnaire administered to participants showed that their cognitive, psychological, and physical loads during construction were sufficiently low during the experiment.

Secondary Piggyback Intraocular Lens for Correcting Refractive Surprise Post Silicone Oil Removal

Introduction : Pseudophakic refractive error can be caused by IOL malposition and inaccurate biometric examination. Treatment consists of IOL exchange, refractive laser correction, and secondary piggyback IOL. Secondary Piggyback IOL consist of customized IOL implantation on ciliary sulcus.
 Case Illustration : A Male, 62 years old, complains of blurry right eye. He underwent retinal surgery with silicone oil tamponade surgery 5 years ago and underwent silicone oil evacuation, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation one year later. The visual acuity of the right eye was 1/60 with BCVA of 0.2. He was diagnosed with Pseudophakia of both eyes and Hypermetropia Surprise of the right eye. He was planned to undergo piggyback intraocular lens implantation in the right eye (Figure 1). The visual acuity one week after operation of the patient's right eye was 0.32 (Figure 2).
 Discussion : Biometric examination in eye with silicon oil tamponade have longer axial length, causing pseudophakic refractive errors. Treatments consist of IOL replacement, refractive laser correction, and piggyback IOL implantation. IOL replacement has a high risk and requires quite high operator skills. Refractive laser correction is performed in small refractive errors. Piggyback IOL implantationis easier, safer, have more accurate IOL power, and reversible.
 Conclusion : Power of the intraocular lens is influenced by axial length, keratometry reading, lens thickness, and other parameters. Axial length measurement in patients with silicone oil tamponade requires greater accuracy to prevent pseudophakic refractive errors. IOL Piggyback implantation procedure is an alternative in person that can’t undergo laser correction or IOL exchange.

A Fault Detection System for Wiring Harness Manufacturing Using Artificial Intelligence

Due to its simplicity, accuracy, and adaptability, Crimp Force Monitoring (CFM) has long been the standard for fault detection in wiring harness manufacturing. However, it necessitates frequent reconfigurations based on the variability in materials, dependency on operator skill, and high costs of implementation, and thus reconfiguration presents significant challenges. To solve these problems, this paper introduces a fault detection system that employs an Artificial Intelligence (AI) classification model to enhance the performance and cost-efficiency of the quality control process of wiring harness manufacturing. Since there are no labeled data to train the classification model at the onset of manufacturing, a small number of normal data from each production run are manually extracted to train the model. To address the constraint of the limited available data, the system generates synthetic data from normal data, simulating potential defects by using Regional Selective Data Scaling (RSDS). This innovative method performs upscaling or downscaling on specific regions of the original data to produce synthetic abnormal data, which enables the fault detection system to efficiently train its classification model with a dataset consisting solely of normal operation data.

Automated Visual Inspection

In manufacturing, where satisfying increasing customer demands is critical, quality is of the utmost importance for any organization. Evaluating the quality of a product may be tedious and error- prone, even for skilled operators. Though computer vision automates visual evaluation, it provides temporary solutions. The Lean manufacturing method has been created to overcome this. Statistical pattern recognition, image processing, object identification, and other activities are integrated and automated by computer vision, a branch of artificial intelligence. Though computational limitations now restrict its application, it has potential to spread to other domains such as product design, defect diagnostics, automation of manufacturing procedures, and material property identification. In the future, this discipline may hold answers to a myriad of problems thanks to the ongoing advancement of research and development, which includes reinforcement learning

Multi-Convolutional Neural Network-Based Diagnostic Software for the Presumptive Determination of Non-Dermatophyte Molds

Based on the literature data, the incidence of superficial and invasive non-dermatophyte mold infection (NDMI) has increased. Many of these infections are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, thus causing inadequate treatment procedures followed by critical conditions or even mortality of the patients. Accurate diagnosis of these infections requires complex mycological analyses and operator skills, but simple, fast, and more efficient mycological tests are still required to overcome the limitations of conventional fungal diagnostic procedures. In this study, software has been developed to provide an efficient mycological diagnosis using a trained convolutional neural network (CNN) model as a core classifier. Using EfficientNet-B2 architecture and permanent slides of NDM isolated from patient’s materials (personal archive of Prof. Otašević, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Niš, Serbia), a multi-CNN model has been trained and then integrated into the diagnostic tool, with a 93.73% accuracy of the main model. The Grad-CAM visualization model has been used for further validation of the pattern recognition of the model. The software, which makes the final diagnosis based on the rule of the major method, has been tested with images provided by different European laboratories, showing an almost faultless accuracy with different test images.

Semi-Supervised Gan for medical image segmentation

Echocardiography is a popular ultrasound imaging method used for the diagnosis of heart conditions. With the advent of numerous image processing algorithms, echocardiographic image segmentation has become more significant. This is a crucial stage since it offers a framework for evaluating numerous cardiac parameters, including LV volume and heart wall, valve motion, ejection fraction, thickness, etc. All these factors are crucial for determining a heart's health. The task of manual segmentation requires skilled operators and takes a lot of time. By requiring the discriminator network to output class labels, we extend Generative Adversarial Networks to the semi-supervised type. This paper examines image segmentation techniques for echocardiography to find the borders of the left ventricle. In this paper, we introduce a new convolution neural network model for the auto-segmentation of the left ventricle in echo images. The division of a picture into regions is known as image segmentation. Segments, that computer vision can use to automatically understand. This method makes it easier to simultaneously evaluate and diagnose echo pictures. The segmentation of echocardiographic images can be utilized to measure cardiac characteristics like heart wall thickness.

Fastener hole inspection using 2D phased array

Fastener hole cracks, resulting from stress concentration around the hole, are potential sources of failure in mechanical structures. Traditionally, inspection involves manually moving a single ultrasonic probe around the hole or using an eddy current probe to move through the hole. However, single ultrasonic probe inspection is time-consuming and needs skilful operators. Eddy current inspection requires the removal of the fastener in advance and does not allow easy crack sizing and visualization. This paper proposes a novel approach that combines a 2D phased array with a coupling block to enable complete fastener hole inspection from a single array position. A single full matrix capture (FMC) data set is collected, from which 3D volumetric images are formed. To obtain clear images of the geometry and potential defects, half-skip and multi-skip total focusing method imaging algorithms are investigated together with transmitter–receiver pairs selection methods to detect different target features. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed inspection approach can eliminate dead zone problems and capture all target information from a single inspection position. These methods show great potential in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of fastener hole inspections.

Neonatal intubation: what are we doing?

How and when the forces are applied during neonatal intubation are currently unknown. This study investigated the pattern of the applied forces by using sensorized laryngoscopes during the intubation process in a neonatal manikin. Nine users of direct laryngoscope and nine users of straight-blade video laryngoscope were included in a neonatal manikin study. During each procedure, relevant forces were measured using a force epiglottis sensor that was placed on the distal surface of the blade. The pattern of the applied forces could be divided into three sections. With the direct laryngoscope, the first section showed either a quick rise of the force or a discontinuous rise with several peaks; after reaching the maximum force, there was a sort of plateau followed by a quick drop of the applied forces. With the video laryngoscope, the first section showed a quick rise of the force; after reaching the maximum force, there was an irregular and heterogeneous plateau, followed by heterogeneous decreases of the applied forces. Moreover, less forces were recorded when using the video laryngoscope. Conclusions: This neonatal manikin study identified three sections in the diagram of the forces applied during intubation, which likely mirrored the three main phases of intubation. Overall, the pattern of each section showed some differences in relation to the laryngoscope (direct or video) that was used during the procedure. These findings may provide useful insights for improving the understanding of the procedure.What is Known:• Neonatal intubation is a life-saving procedure that requires a skilled operator and may cause direct trauma to the tissues and precipitate adverse reactions.• Intubation with a videolaryngoscope requires less force than with a direct laryngoscope, but how and when the forces are applied during the whole neonatal intubation procedure are currently unknown.What is New:• Forces applied to the epiglottis during intubation can be divided into three sections: (i) an initial increase, (ii) a sort of plateau, and (iii) a decrease.• The pattern of each section shows some differences in relation to the laryngoscope (direct or videolaryngoscope) that is used during the procedure.

Current Balloon Devices for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Balloon-based catheter ablation is a valuable option for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) because contiguous lesions can be created to achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), and the method is less dependent than traditional ablation methods on the operator's skill and experience. Cryoballoon ablation is used universally worldwide, with its efficacy and safety being comparable to the efficacy and safety of standard radiofrequency ablation, and the procedure can be completed in a relatively short time. Hot balloon ablation was developed in Japan. The balloon maintains its compliance even during the energy delivery, and a large areal ablation lesion is created. Furthermore, the hot balloon system is the only system for which oesophageal cooling is a standard feature. Laser balloon ablation, which is performed under direct endoscopic vision, has proven to be effective and safe for achieving a PVI. The laser balloon system provides an improved field of view and automated circumferential ablation for a rapid and effective PVI. The authors have reviewed the currently available balloon systems as used for AF ablation, i.e., PVI, and have provided detailed insight and perspectives on the currently available cryoballoon and hot balloon technologies, plus laser balloon technology.

Assessment of Basic Thoracic Ultrasound Skills in Immersive Virtual Reality: Gathering Validity Evidence

Background: Operator skills are essential for thoracic ultrasound (TUS) to ensure diagnostic accuracy. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) has shown potential within medical education but never to assess TUS skills.This study aimed to develop an IVR test for assessing TUS skills, gathering validity evidence, and establishing a pass/fail score.Methods: An expert panel developed a test based on the TUS protocol by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) including a tutorial and two clinical cases (pleural effusion and interstitial syndrome) using an IVR platform [VitaSim, Denmark]. Four anterior, four lateral, and six posterior zones were available for examination and decision of diagnosis. Each correct examination equalled one point. The contrasting groups’ method was used to set a pass/fail score.Results: Data was collected at the during the ERS Congress 2022. We included 13 novices (N, experience: 0 TUS), 22 intermediates (I, 1-50 TUS), and 11 experienced (E, >50 TUS). Cronbach's alpha was 0.86. The total mean point scores in case 1 (C1) were N: 5.0±2.7; I: 7.3±2.4; E: 8.7±1.3 and in case 2 (C2): N: 4.5±1.8; I: 6.7±2.3; E: 8.5±2.1. Significant differences were found between the N and I for C1 (p=0.007) and C2 (p=0.02), I and E for C1 (p= 0.04) and C2 (p=0.019), and N and E for C1 (p<0.001) and C2 (p<0.001). The pass/fail score was seven points in each case.Conclusion: We established an IVR test that can distinguish between operators with different TUS skills. This enables a standardized, objective, and evidence-based approach to assess TUS skills.

Fundamental Study of Press Molding Method for CFRP Preform Using a 3D Printer

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is a composite material with high specific strength and is applied to transportation and aviation equipment. However, conventional processing methods require large-scale production apparatus or a high level of dexterity that only comes with extensive experience which makes it difficult to achieve high processing efficiency. The objective of this study is to develop a novel method for forming thermos-plastic CFRP (CFRTP) preforms implementing a 3D printer for press molding. Applying this method offers the advantage that continuous carbon fibers can be formed on a free-form surface. It also reduces the manufacturing time and operator skill required. The goal of this research is to establish a method for molding a free-form surface composed of continuous fibers by employing a 3D-printed preform designed to match the unfolded polygonised diagram of the free-form surface. Previous research introduced an unfolding approach for converting a three-dimensional shape to a plane surface based on a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system, enabling the generation of an unfolding diagram that maintains the continuity of fiber tow. Furthermore, the validity of unfolded diagram was confirmed by reproducing the objective three-dimensional shape from the unfolded diagram using thermos-setting CPRP (CFRTS) tow prepreg. In this study, the viability of the proposed molding process using CFRTP preform fabricated by a 3D printer was verified and an assessment of the formability of the molded parts was conducted.

Simulation-based assessment of upper abdominal ultrasound skills

BackgroundUltrasound is a safe and effective diagnostic tool used within several specialties. However, the quality of ultrasound scans relies on sufficiently skilled clinician operators. The aim of this study was to explore the validity of automated assessments of upper abdominal ultrasound skills using an ultrasound simulator.MethodsTwenty five novices and five experts were recruited, all of whom completed an assessment program for the evaluation of upper abdominal ultrasound skills on a virtual reality simulator. The program included five modules that assessed different organ systems using automated simulator metrics. We used Messick’s framework to explore the validity evidence of these simulator metrics to determine the contents of a final simulator test. We used the contrasting groups method to establish a pass/fail level for the final simulator test.ResultsThirty seven out of 60 metrics were able to discriminate between novices and experts (p < 0.05). The median simulator score of the final simulator test including the metrics with validity evidence was 26.68% (range: 8.1–40.5%) for novices and 85.1% (range: 56.8–91.9%) for experts. The internal structure was assessed by Cronbach alpha (0.93) and intraclass correlation coefficient (0.89). The pass/fail level was determined to be 50.9%. This pass/fail criterion found no passing novices or failing experts.ConclusionsThis study collected validity evidence for simulation-based assessment of upper abdominal ultrasound examinations, which is the first step toward competency-based training. Future studies may examine how competency-based training in the simulated setting translates into improvements in clinical performances.

The Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Problem with Setups and Operator Skills: an application in the textile industry

The Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Problem (FJSSP) is one of the most studied problems in the literature thanks to its practical relevance. Many industrial production scheduling problems can be seen as a FJSSP with different constraints and objectives. The studied problem arises in a textile factory, precisely in the sewing process. Multiple real-world constraints are tackled. Individual skills of operators and different types of setup times are considered: machine-change setup time for operators, colour-change setup times and configuration-change setup times. The objective is to minimize the total tardiness. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that tackles this variant of the problem. This paper presents a preliminary study to validate the approach and evaluate the tractability of the industrial problem. A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed and solved using a commercial solver. Real-world data are used to generate more than 1000 problems that are clustered in 4 groups based on the number of jobs to be scheduled, the number of operators and flexibility of their skills. The results show that the proposed MILP model can reach optimality for the small size instances but it is intractable for most large-sized instances. Moreover, the results highlight how diversifying the operators’ skills can help find better solutions.

Model Predictive Control for Unmanned Excavator Based on Skilled Operator’s Operation Trajectory

Model Predictive Control for Unmanned Excavator Based on Skilled Operator’s Operation Trajectory

A Comparison of Preparation Times between Manual, Rotary, and Reciprocating Files in Primary Molar Pulpectomy

Abstract Aim: To compare preparation times using manual, rotary, and reciprocating files during pulpectomy treatment of primary molars. Settings and Design: This study was an in vitro, randomised, cross-sectional study. Methods: The study was performed on 60 extracted human primary mandibular second molars. Only mesiobuccal canals were prepared using one of three preparation techniques; each preparation technique group comprised 20 canals. Canal preparations were performed by a single, skilled operator using stainless-steel (ss) K-files (ISO size 20–35), a ProTaper Gold SX file, and a WaveOne Gold Medium file following glide path preparation. Preparation times were recorded in second (s) with a digital stopwatch. Statistical Analysis: Preparation times were compared using analysis of variance and the Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance, where appropriate. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean preparation time using the ss K-files was significantly longer (186.4 s) than when using the ProTaper Gold SX (29.6 s) or WaveOne Gold Medium files (30.5 s) (P &lt; 0.001). Similar preparation times were recorded when using the ProTaper Gold SX and WaveOne Gold Medium files (P = 0.939). Conclusion: Preparation times with the ProTaper Gold SX and WaveOne Gold Medium files were significantly faster than when using the ss K-files to prepare primary tooth root canals for pulpectomy. Similar preparation times were noted when using the rotary and reciprocation instrumentation groups (P &gt; 0.05).