Placement Systems Research Articles

Robotic-assisted Spine Surgeries: An Analysis of 360 Cases from Occiput to Sacrum

Background: Most studies conducted by early adopters of the third generation robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement systems have predominantly focused on the placement of thoracolumbar pedicle screws. The current study is a report on 750 cases of robotic assisted spine surgery, for varied etiologies from the occiput to the sacrum in all manner of spine surgeries. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study, the 750 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted screw insertion using MazorX Stealth Edition (Medtronic Ltd, Dublin, Ireland) were included. Thus, 4921 implants placed from occiput to ilium. The demographic and surgical details of all patients was noted and postoperative O-arm scans were done to determine accuracy of implants. Results: In the current series, total of 4921 posterior spinal anchors were implanted, including 443 cervical pedicle screws, 15 cervical lateral mass screws, 4457 thoracolumbar pedicle screws (with 58 S2AI screws), and 6 ilio-sacral screws. 74 vertebrae received bone cement augmentation. 10 robotically inserted screws were revised due to unacceptable pedicle breaches. The overall clinical acceptability of screws was 99.8%. Analysis of preoperative plans and postoperative O-arm scans revealed no statistically significant differences between planned and executed screw trajectories. Conclusion: The third generation robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement system along with intraoperative 3-D O-arm imaging is useful in safe and accurate placement of posterior spinal anchors in cervical and thoracolumbar spine.

Transforming of scalp EEGs with different channel locations by REST for comparative study

The diversity of electrode placement systems brought the problem of channel location harmonization in large-scale electroencephalography (EEG) applications to the forefront. Therefore, our goal was to resolve this problem by introducing and assessing the reference electrode standardization technique (REST) to transform EEGs into a common electrode distribution with computational zero reference at infinity offline. Simulation and eye-closed resting-state EEG datasets were used to investigate the performance of REST for EEG signals and power configurations. REST produced small errors (the root mean square error (RMSE): 0.2936-0.4583; absolute errors: 0.2343-0.3657) and high correlations (>0.9) between the estimated signals and true ones. The comparison of configuration similarities in power among various electrode distributions revealed that REST induced infinity reference could maintain a perfect performance similar (>0.9) to that of true one. These results demonstrated that REST transformation could be adopted to resolve the channel location harmonization problem in large-scale EEG applications.

Course Correction: Navigating Equity in Ninth-Grade Advanced Placement

This robust mixed-methods study examines ninth-grade advanced course placement in Arkansas, revealing disparities rooted in race and socioeconomic status. Utilizing a logit analysis for a five-year pooled sample ( n = 163,616), we find persistent enrollment gaps for Black ninth-grade students after controlling for prior academic achievement, highlighting systemic barriers to access to advanced courses. Socioeconomic divides are also evident in our analysis. Qualitative findings from counselor interviews highlight the importance of parental involvement in course placement decisions, particularly for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Overall, we find through these interviews that districts consider a myriad of factors when considering course placement for ninth-grade courses. We recommend systemic changes for districts, including local norm-based placement systems and automatic enrollment policies to enhance fairness in advanced course placement.

Self-Repairing Humidity-Adjustable Anisotropic Adhesion Switch for Smart Manipulation.

Stimuli-responsive surface adhesion regulation is widely used in automated assembly systems, intelligent pick-up and placement systems, and soft crawling robots. However, in the actual separation process, it tends to produce separation residue or excessive adhesion. Therefore, how to regulate surface adhesion on demand is a significant challenge. Herein, inspired by the anisotropic adhesion behavior of butterflies and the controlled adhesion behavior of octopuses, based on molecular conformational rearrangement and anisotropic structures, a humidity-responsive PES-PI/PDMS composite surface is achieved to meet the needs of controllable adhesion orientation and strength, which could be used for an intelligent transfer system (grasping and releasing and anisotropic transporting). Humidity can effectively tune the hydrogen bonding and the interaction between polymers, resulting in excellent self-healing and durability properties of the composite surface. Moreover, humidity could adjust the surface transmittance as well, making it possible to be used in humidity sensing and in a detection and encryption/decryption system to enhance environmental monitoring and information protection capabilities. This work not only establishes a method for the fabrication of innovative "high-flexibility" adhesive materials but also provides approaches for the design and development of intelligent response devices.

THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN PROTECTING INDONESIAN MIGRANT WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIA DURING THE JOKO WIDODO ADMINISTRASION

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest destination countries for Indonesian immigrant workers, where the majority are women. Unfortunately, most of them are also victims of physical torture, sexual violence and rational discrimination. This resulted in many cases emerging as a result of this torture. However, the policies during the Jokowi era are considered quite progressive compared to the policies for protecting migrant workers during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) period with the presence of special laws, not just Presidential Regulations as were issued during the SBY era. How and why the government plays such a significant role is the main study in this research. This research uses a qualitative approach with a library study type of research. The results found were that the government during Jokowi's leadership played a big role in protecting the rights of Indonesian migrant workers, especially in Saudi Arabia. This role is reflected in the government's responsibility in various policies which make Jokowi's policies considered pro People Diplomacy. Through the 2015-2019 Medium Term Development Plan, for example and supported by Nawa Cita, during the Jokowi government, Law Number 18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers was issued as the highest legal umbrella which was then also followed by other policies such as bilateral cooperation and placement systems. channel (SPSK) or One Channel System. The Jokowi government's policy is based on two reasons. First, the fact that immigrant workers in Saudi Arabia contribute the largest remittance of all migrant workers in various countries, beating Malaysia (Kompas, 2023). Second, migrant workers are a potential profession to meet Indonesia's demographic bonus target in the future. Therefore, this research sees that the government's role in protecting migrant workers has been very good during the Jokowi administration. It's just that the issue of Indonesian migrant workers requires commitment from other actors who also play a very important role, such as distribution companies or providers of migrant workers.

Dynamic Landscape of Higher Education, The Intersection of Student Skills and Industry Demand

In today's dynamic job market, higher education students are confronted with the challenge of sifting through numerous career options that align with their skills, interests, and educational background. To tackle this hurdle, "Dynamic Landscape Of Higher Education, The Intersection Of Students Skills And Industry Demand" introduces a personalized job recommendation system tailored explicitly for higher education students. This system utilizes advanced recommendation algorithms and data analysis techniques to provide students with targeted job suggestions based on their academic qualifications, skills, interests, and career preferences. With a user-friendly interface, students can effortlessly input their information and receive tailored recommendations that evolve over time through continuous learning from user feedback. By offering data-driven insights and facilitating informed career decisions, this system empowers students to explore diverse career pathways and seamlessly transition from education to employment. The user interface of this system is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, enabling students to easily input their information and preferences to receive tailored job recommendations. The recommendation system is adaptive, continuously learning from user feedback and interaction, ensuring that the recommendations provided evolve over time to better meet the changing needs and preferences of students. Recognizing the widening gap between industry requirements and graduating students' skills, this project proposes a comprehensive job recommendation system to bridge this divide and enhance placement opportunities. Leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, the system evaluates students' skill sets and matches them with relevant job roles, facilitating a smooth transition from academia to the workforce. This multifaceted approach includes data collection, algorithm development, user interface design, and integration with existing campus placement systems. Collaborative efforts with academic institutions and industry partners aim to provide personalized job recommendations tailored to individual students' abilities and aspirations, with a focus on fairness and equity. Key components of the project include the design and implementation of an intuitive user interface, data-driven skill assessment methodologies, and continuous refinement of the recommendation algorithm based on user feedback and industry insights. Ethical considerations regarding data privacy and security are carefully addressed, reflecting a commitment to responsible use of student data. Ultimately, the success of the job recommendation system is measured by its ability to match students with suitable employment opportunities and its broader impact on career readiness and long-term professional success. By empowering students with the tools and resources needed to navigate the complexities of the modern job market, this project aims to catalyze positive change and foster a more inclusive and equitable future for all stakeholders involved.

Effect of Flashlamp Heating System Parameters on the Wedge Peel Strength of Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber Tape in the Automated Tape Placement Process

Laser-assisted automated tape placement systems are currently the state of the art regarding thermoplastic tape placement. Flashlamp heating systems are rather new in this field of application and offer high energy density with low safety requirements and moderate costs compared to laser-assisted automated tape placement systems. In this study, the effect of processing parameters on interlaminar bonding of carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 tapes is investigated using a flashlamp heating system. The temperature during placement is monitored using an infrared camera, and the bonding strength is characterized by a wedge peel test. The bonding quality of the tapes placed between 210 °C and 330 °C at a lay-up speed of 50 mm/s is investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and micrographs are used to investigate the material properties and effects of the processing conditions on the thermophysical properties and geometric properties of the tape. No significant changes in the thermophysical or geometric properties were found. Moisture within the tapes and staining of the quartz guides of the flashlamp system have significant influence on the bonding strength. The highest wedge peel strength of dried tapes was found at around 330 °C.

Systems and Processes Related to Placement of Graduates at Public Health Education Institutions in India

It is desirable that public health education institutions should ensure the placement of their students in relevant organisations by establishing placement systems and processes. This would help them to achieve the goal of enhancing public health through capacity building. The present study was conducted using survey design, and purposive sampling was used to contact institutions delivering postgraduate level public health education programmes in India. Eighty institutes across India were contacted, out of which 26 institutions participated in the study. The study identified placement initiatives undertaken by various institutions. Institutions are engaged in establishing placement cell; engaging faculty, students, alumni and external contacts in placement process; organising alumni meet and employers’ meet, campus recruitment activities and are also involved in research related to placement. However, these initiatives need to be synchronised so as to effectively strategise the placements. In order to facilitate the placement of graduates effectively, public health education institutions should establish placement systems and processes. The first step in this regard can be creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), which can be referred to as a guiding document by the placement cell. The study brings value to the public health education institutions to adopt a systematic approach towards placement of its graduates.

Performance Analysis of Object Placement Systems Based on Siemens S7-1200 its’ Evaluation of Effectiveness and Accuracy

The evolution of industrial automation systems has led to innovative solutions for efficient and precise object manipulation. This study introduces a groundbreaking "Object Placement System Based on Siemens S7-1200," designed to enhance object positioning tasks in manufacturing environments. The system's core control unit is the Siemens S7-1200 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), seamlessly integrated with a network of sensors and actuators for coordinated operations. Operators can easily define target positions and parameters for object placement through a user-friendly human-machine interface. The PLC facilitates real-time data exchange with sensors, enabling accurate object detection and adjustments during placement. The system's implementation involves meticulous PLC programming, sensor integration, and interface design. Experimental results validate its capability to achieve precise and repeatable object placements. The Siemens S7-1200 is a versatile PLC supporting controlled positioning of electrically driven axes and technology objects, tailored for small automation systems requiring simple or advanced Human-Machine Interface (HMI and communication capabilities. The object placement system leverages the capabilities of the S7-1200 PLC for integrated sensor and actuator coordination, ensuring accuracy and repeatability. The study concludes that the innovative system utilizing the Siemens S7-1200 PLC underscores its potential for optimizing production processes and enhancing operational efficiency in industrial automation systems. The demonstrated ability to achieve precise and repeatable object placements highlights the viability of the Siemens S7-1200 platform for advancing object manipulation in industrial settings. The S7-1200 system manual provides specific information about the operation and programming of the PLC. Additionally, the system is supported by the TIA Portal programming software, which offers flexibility and ease of use.

중국 유소년 미니농구클럽의 문제점 및 전략적 발전방안

The purpose of this reserch is to understand the current status of Chinese youth and Mini Basketball culbs and identify associated issues. Additionally, the study aims to identify vaild improvement points and propose the direction for the development of Chinese youth Mini Basketball clubs. To achieve these research objectives, a literature review and a Delphi survey were employed as the two anlysis methods. The Delphi technique involved a panel of 30 experts with experience in Chinese youth Mini Basketball clubs. The experts were opinions were analyzed using mean, median, convergence, consensus, stability, and content validity rations. Experts talk about improvements in Chinese youth mini-basketball clubs mentioned the insufficient regulations and low quality of referee management within the Youth Mini Basketball Association. Futhermore, the Inadequate establishment of basic facility placement systems in Chinese youth Mini Basketball clubs resulted in a lack of training environments. The experts also noted a lack of innovation in specific and diverse educational goals, content, and methods for training.

A Survey on College Administrative System using Java Methodology

The College Administrative System Project will work on the college area network. It will include all the departments in the college. It will have an admission system for class attendance, online notes, notice boards, and placement systems so that their students can get all the information by using their valid registration ID and password. Let us see how this College Administrative System Project will work. The College Administrative System Project will also help the college administrator. The administrator will be able to get all the information about any faculty members on a particular day and time. The admin panel will also be able to edit the login display panel of teachers, staff members, students, etc. Admin can add students, remove students, and can give special permission. Admin can schedule classes during their lecture time. Teachers can get information about any students in their style. Teachers can also query by using grades and percentages and see a list of students who come under the category of attendance shortage and many more under this one roof. For the student section, they can get any teacher's notes of a specific day and other information about their campus, such as placement session details, upcoming companies in a specific month, their criteria, their venue details, and many more. The student section will also include a learning section so that students can prepare for their exams.

Visual preferences in map label placement

Digital maps are important for many decision-making tasks that require situational awareness, navigation, or location-specific data. Often, digital mapping tools must generate a map that displays labels near associated features in a visually appealing manner, without occluding important information. Automated label placement systems generally accomplish this nontrivial task through a combination of heuristic algorithms and cartography rules, but the resulting maps often do not reflect the preferences and needs of the map user. To achieve higher quality map views, research is needed to identify cognitive and computational approaches for generating high-quality maps that meet user needs and expectations. In this paper, we present a study that explores the visual preferences of map users and supports the development of a preference model for digital map displays. In particular, we found that participants demonstrated consistent preferences for how labels are placed near their point of interest, and that they were more likely to choose positions that prioritized alignment over distance when ranking labels that made trade-offs between them.

New Developments in Image-Guided Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation of Solid Tumors.

This review will describe the various applications, benefits, risks, and approaches of conventional irreversible electroporation (IRE), as well as highlight the new technological developments of this procedure along with their clinical applications. Minimally invasive image-guided percutaneous IRE ablation has emerged as a newer, non-thermal ablation technique for tumors in the solid organs, particularly within the liver, pancreas, kidney, and prostate. IRE allows for ablation near heat-sensitive structures, including major blood vessels and nerves, and is not susceptible to the heat sink effect. However, it is limited by certain requirements, such as the need for precise parallel placement of at least two probes with a maximum inter-probe distance of 2.5 cm to reduce the risk of arching phenomenon, the requirement for general anesthesia with muscle relaxant, and the need for cardiac synchronization. However, new technological advancements in the ablation system and image guidance tools have been introduced to improve the efficiency and efficacy of IRE. IRE is a safe and effective treatment option for solid tumor ablation within the liver, pancreas, kidney, and prostate. Compared with other ablation techniques, IRE has several advantages, such as the absence of heat sink effect and minimal injury to blood vessels and bile ducts while activating the immune system. Novel techniques such as H-FIRE, needle placement systems, and robotics have enhanced the accuracy and performance in placement of IRE probes. IRE can be especially beneficial when combined with chemotherapy, immunomodulation, and immunotherapy.

A Comparative Case Study of Student Teaching Placement Procedures in Physical Education Teacher Education

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore how PETE faculty experience the student teacher placement process of PETE PSTs within different governance structures and placement systems. Based on questionnaire responses, six programs were selected, and the PETE faculty student teacher coordinator for each program was interviewed. Three programs were organized under the College of Education and three were not. Within each governance structure, each of the following placement official structures was represented: College of Education, College of Education with PETE faculty input, and PETE faculty. Programs were organized into cases based on placement official and a cross-case analysis was conducted. All participants agreed that PETE faculty should have a say in placement selection, but the ideal placement system may vary for different programs. Other themes include the importance of relationships with those involved in the placement process and that placements do have an impact on PST development so care should be taken when selecting placements.

In-Pit Disposal of Mine Tailings for a Sustainable Mine Closure: A Responsible Alternative to Develop Long-Term Green Mining Solutions

In the next decades many of the old tailings storage facilities (TSFs) could be re-processed if one considers the prices of metals, new uses of metals which today are not valuable, and the application of new, more efficient metallurgical technologies. In this context, in-pit disposal of mine tailings (IPDMT) is an attractive alternative to be used as part of responsible mine closure: mines could reprocess the mine tailings and place them in an open pit as part of sustainable mine closure. This article explores a little-explored tailings disposal technique that has the potential to be considered as an environmentally friendly solution, returning mine tailings to their place of origin and providing long-term stability under a climate change scenario. This article presents the main features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of IPDMT, with an emphasis on: (i) a description of the main advantages and disadvantages of application; and design issues related to (ii) IPDMT physical stability (pit slope stability, tailings transport, placement systems); (iii) IPDMT hydrological stability (water management, seepage control, hydrogeological monitoring,); and (iv) IPDMT geochemical stability (geochemical characterization, acid rock drainage control, covers). The novelty of this article is the proposal to change the status quo of traditional management of mine tailings to a new paradigm where the technique of in-pit disposal of mine tailings can be considered a green mining solution for mine closure. Finally, some successful cases around the world that involved the implementation of this technique are presented.

355 Robotic and Navigated Pedicle Screws Are Safer and More Accurate than Freehand Screws: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Navigation and robotic pedicle screw placement systems have been developed to improve the accuracy of screw placement. However, the literature comparing the safety and accuracy of robotic and navigated screw placement with freehand screw placement in thoracolumbar spine surgery has been limited. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE were systematically searched according to PRISMA guidelines. The search included indexed terms and text words from database inception to the date of the search (April 7th, 2022). Only randomized controlled trials comparing robotic assisted or navigated screws with fluoroscopic freehand screws in the thoracolumbar spine were included. Data and estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute risk of bias tool. The main outcome measures were odds ratio estimates for screw accuracy according to the Gertzbein-Robbins scale and relative risk for various complications. RESULTS: A total of 14 papers encompassing 12 randomized controlled trials were identified. The pooled analysis demonstrated that robotic and navigated pedicle screw placement techniques were associated with increased odds of screw accuracy (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.24-5.72, p = 0.0118). Robotic and navigated screw placement was associated with a lower risk of facet joint violations (RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02-0.38, p = 0.0011) and major complications (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11-0.84, p = 0.0215). No differences were found in nerve root injury (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.11-2.30, p = 0.3704), return to the operating room for screw revision (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.07-1.13, p = 0.0744). CONCLUSIONS: These analyses suggest that robotic and navigated screw placement techniques are associated with higher odds of screw accuracy and superior safety profile compared to freehand techniques. Additional randomized controlled trials will be needed to further validate these findings.

Placing Students for Success: Florida’s Statewide Reform of Alternative Methods for College Course Placement

ABSTRACT Each year nearly 70% of community college students nationwide are required to enroll in non-credit developmental education courses because they scored below college-ready on a placement test in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. Yet, prior research has demonstrated that these placement tests tend to inaccurately place students into courses that are not a good fit with their level of college readiness. In response, an increasingly popular reform effort is to use alternative methods such as high school grade point average (GPA) to place incoming students into the appropriate level of coursework. Florida stands at the vanguard of this placement reform movement, as one of the first states making policy changes to authorize systemwide use of alternative methods in lieu of (or in addition to) common placement tests. This study includes a document analysis of institutional website sites and virtual site visits to Florida College System institutions to enhance our understanding of the variation in placement policies used across the FCS institutions, the rationales for these decisions, as well as benefits and challenges encountered during implementation. It concludes with recommendations that can support institutions in Florida and beyond as they develop future plans about how to further reform or modify placement systems.

A new H∞ control method of impulsive dynamical linear systems: H∞ control criterion constrained by convergence rate

AbstractIn this article, a new control criterion of impulsive dynamic linear systems is proposed, that is, control criterion based on convergence rate. The conclusion can not only satisfy the target system control criterion, but also reveal the dynamic performance index, such as the convergence rate of its state, which can achieve the purpose of accurate control and have certain anti‐interference ability. According to the relationship between the eigenvalues (poles) and performances of systems, the conditions of interval stability and interval stabilization are obtained via the idea of generalized pole placement and equivalent systems. Then, combined with the classical control criterion, control criterion constrained by convergence rate is investigated. Referring to the programming language, system eigenvalues adjustment algorithm is designed. Through the cooperation between the algorithm and the above criteria, the target system has certain anti‐interference ability and its state convergence speed is precisely controlled. Finally, the advantages mentioned above are illustrated by two examples.

A Planar Underactuated Compaction Mechanism with Self-Adaptability for Automated Fiber Placement Heads

Automated fiber placement (AFP) systems accommodate complex-shaped structures by pressing fibers against the non-planar surfaces of mandrels, in which compaction mechanisms are of crucial significance. A conventional compaction mechanism utilizes an independent actuator with compacting rollers to conform surfaces. Compared with these mechanisms, underactuated mechanisms can improve self-adjustability and functionality. This research introduces the concept design and the analysis of a planar underactuated compaction mechanism for automated fiber placement heads. Firstly, the requirements and design premise are determined. Then, a novel planar underactuated compaction mechanism with a bistable structure is constructed based on the metamorphic design theory. Secondly, the analytical models are established to give insight into the motion characteristics of the mechanism. Moreover, the example and simulation results are presented to verify the conceptual design. Furthermore, the standard deviation of the contact force of the planar underactuated compaction mechanism is much lower than that of a conventional compaction mechanism under equal conditions. Finally, the potential application of the underactuated mechanisms is discussed. Thus, this research shows that the designed compaction mechanism increases the adjustability, robustness, and high repeatability in positioning and can be used to simplify the motion planning for AFP systems when producing complex structures.

Practical Experience of Filtered Tailings Technology in Chile and Peru: An Environmentally Friendly Solution

In the last 20 years many mining projects around the world have applied a tailings deposition technology named “dry stacking of filtered tailings” at tailings storage facilities (TSFs). This technique produces an unsaturated cake that allows storing this material without the need to manage large slurry tailings ponds. The application of this technology has accomplished: (i) an increase in tailings water recovery, (ii) a reduction of the TSF footprint (impacted areas), and (iii) a decrease in the risk of physical instability, being TSFs self-supporting structures under compaction (such as dry stacks), and (iv) a better regulator and community perception satisfying the need of stable TSFs. This paper presents the main features, benefits, and advances in filtered tailings technology applied in Chile and Peru with emphasis on: (i) filtering technology evolution over the last decade: description of main equipment, advantages, and disadvantages, (ii) design considerations for main TSF geometrical configurations, tailings transport and placement systems, TSF water management, TSF operational and emergency plans, and TSF progressive closure, (iii) operation experiences at site-specific conditions, (iv) technology acceptance in regulatory frameworks, (v) lessons learned and advances, and (vi) new trends and future developments, considering technical, environmental, regulatory frameworks and cost-effective manners.