Various Degrees Of Automation Research Articles

Integration of strategic open-pit mine planning into hierarchical artificial intelligence

The mine production scheduling problem (MPSP) has been studied since the 1960s, and remains an active area of computational research. In extending the concepts of the MPSP, the automated mine may now be regarded as a hierarchical intelligent agent in which the bottom layer consists of distributed robotic equipment, while strategic functionality occupies the higher layers. Here we present a disambiguation of artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational optimization, and automation within the mining context. Specifically, the Q-learning algorithm has been adapted to generate the initial solutions for a high-performing strategic mine planning algorithm, originally developed by Lamghari, Dimitrakopoulos and Ferland, based on the variable neighbourhood descent (VND) metaheuristic. The hierarchical intelligent agent is presented as an integrative conceptual platform, defining the interaction between our new Q-learning adaptation and Lamghari's VND, and potentially other hierarchically controlled components of an artificially intelligent mine, having various degrees of automation. Sample computations involving Q-learning and VND are presented.

Взаимодействие предприятий при разной степени автоматизации

The approach to the selection of models and methods for describing the relationships between enterprises of different automation completeness is described. Research in the field of labor transformations is proving fruitful due to the fact that the identified role of creativity becomes decisive when establishing interactions between enterprises of various degrees of automation. It is shown that the best models are those based on the regularities of labor transformations, in which the phenomenon of creativity occupies the main place. To assess the usefulness of the interaction of enterprises with each other, it is necessary to determine the "producing" capabilities of a particular enterprise and under what conditions, namely, in what external environment, this interaction can occur. It was found that the formation of "capital" in the form of the creative potential of the system, which can now participate as a "converging" component in many calculations, is very promising for further development. It is obvious that relations between enterprises of varying degrees of completeness of automation develop in different ways and it is possible to describe them formally and objectively only if we find patterns common to all situations. This article describes an approach to finding and using such patterns in practice. English version of the article is available at URL: https://panor.ru/articles/interaction-of-enterprises-with-different-levels-of-automation/77709.html

Manufacturing process design of high-pressure graphite-blasting for mechanical production of turbostratic graphene

In this paper a manufacturing process is introduced to treat the bulk surfaces of surfaces via graphite powder blasting to directly produce an adherent layer of graphene. Subsequently, the study aims to correlate optical, thermal and electrochemical modifications with treatment parameters such as blasting pressure, nozzle distance and number of passes. After the treatment, the target surface has enhanced spectral, thermal and electrochemical properties because of the graphene’s turbostratic nature to adhesion to its surface. The thermal stability performance showed a consistent 5% increase relative to a bare aluminum substrate. A two-fold increase in corrosion resistance is seen in the sample compared to bare aluminum while diffuse absorbance values enhancement is around three-fold. This proposed manufacturing method provides straightforward and effective treatment at various degrees of automation. Since the deposited graphene substrate can cover a large area, it can be applied as a final layer on thermal collectors, PV panels and for other applications. It is possible to adopt this process to other well-established treatment plants without requiring high investments in the overhead expenses.

Effects of individual differences in working memory on performance and trust with various degrees of automation

ABSTRACTPrevious studies showed performance benefits with correct automation, but performance costs when the automation was incorrect (i.e. provided an incorrect course of action), particularly as degrees of automation increased. Automation researchers have examined individual differences, but have not investigated the relationship between working memory and performance with various degrees of automation that is both correct and incorrect. In the current study, working memory ability interacted with automation reliability and degree of automation. Higher degrees of correct automation helped performance while higher degrees of incorrect automation worsened performance, especially for those with lower working memory. Lower working memory was also associated with more trust in automation. Results illustrate the interaction between degree of automation and individual differences in working memory on performance with automation that is correct and automation that fails.

Genomic screening for blood-borne viruses in transfusion settings.

The residual risk of post-transfusion human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is low but slightly higher for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), the main reason being viraemia during the window period preceding antibody or antigen detection by enzyme immunoassays. Immunosilent-infected individuals and carriers of distant viral variants also play an unquantifiable role. Multiple techniques, e.g. reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), PCR, ligase-chain reaction, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) and transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) have been developed to amplify and detect viral genomes as single or multiplex assays. Equipment providing various degrees of automation has been adapted to these techniques. Applying nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAT) to blood screening, two main approaches have been advocated: plasma pool and single-donation testing. Pool testing presents the advantage of lower cost and readily available equipment although it is prone to false negative and positive reactions. The time required to identify infected donations is incompatible with blood component release, and may lead to product waste. Single-unit testing, although appealing, is not yet fully automated and potentially very costly unless a systematic multiplex approach is taken. Although technically feasible, NAT applied to the blood supply needs to be clinically evaluated and its cost efficiency assessed in the general public health context. However, pool NAT is currently implemented in continental Europe and the USA.

Editorial notes: Flow injection analysis in the Pacific Rims: Examples with various degrees of automation

Editorial notes: Flow injection analysis in the Pacific Rims: Examples with various degrees of automation

Cost-effective flow injection analysis systems for acetic acid

We propose cost-effective flow injection analysis systems for acetic acid. The flow systems can be assembled with different types of components, including a clinical saline bag and laboratory-made detectors, resulting in various degrees of automation, varying from very simple ones to fully computerized control. The flow injection titrations are based on neutralization and are monitored by either spectrophotometry or conductometry. The flow injection procedures can be performed under conditions at non-steady or steady states. The proposed procedures are demonstrated for the application of analysis of vinegar samples for acidity. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lab Robotics and Automation 12:129–132, 2000

Simulation of vehicle traffic on an automated highway system

A traffic simulator has been developed at Argonne National Laboratory to study highway traffic under various degrees of automation. The key components of this simulator include a global and a local Expert Driver Model, a human factor study, and a graphical user interface. Furthermore, an Autonomous Intelligent Cruise Control, which is based on a neural network controller, is described and results for two typical driving scenarios are given. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Integration of machine requirements planning and aggregate production planning

Abstract Although machine requirements planning and aggregate planning problems have been treated as separate areas of research, the two are closely related in most production environments. This article presents a mathematical programming model that concurrently encompasses the two areas. The integrated model incorporates production and workforce planning decisions with equipment procurement decisions. Our evaluations indicate that the integrated model has cost-saving advantages over the individual aggregate planning and machine planning models. Furthermore, the integrated model allows the analyst to evaluate various production alternatives, each having a different ratio of operator/ machine contribution to production. This makes the model useful for assessing the attractiveness of various degrees of automation in manufacturing of a product. The article starts with a brief background review of machine requirements planning and aggregate production planning. We then discuss the significance of combining the two planning problems and present an integrated model. The paper ends with an example which demonstrates the usefulness of the model and highlights the importance of integrating the two areas.

Automated linescan analysis in the electron microprobe

Elemental linescan analysis in the electron microprobe (EMPA) or the SEM is useful for determining athe spatial distribution of elements. In many supported catalyst systems, the elemental distribution in pellets is important for their manufacture and performance. More important than determining the distribution of an individual pellet, is determining the distribution of many pellets in a sample to represent the lot. For this reason, multiple pellets must be analyzed. Various manufactures have systems that provide various degrees of automation for this type of analysis, however, there are no systems that allow complete unattended operation necessary to collect data on many samples.The hardware consists of a JEOL JXM 8600 with four wavelength spectrometers, an EDX detector and a NORAN Voyager. Special software was written to completely automate the linescan procedure from finding the catalyst pellet to printing the report. This software combines the imaging and other analytical functions of the Voyager with a search and identify routine that locates the catalyst pellets and determines the positions of the linescan in accordance with predetermined criteria.

An Evaluation and Survey of Enzyme Immunoassay and Fluorometric Enzyme Immunoassay Tests for TSH and HCG

Assays for human choriogonadotropin (HCG) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) have typically been performed using radioisotopic procedures. Two newer, nonradioisotopic approaches, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and fluorometric enzyme immunoassay (FEI), were evaluated for the determination of HCG and TSH. Two TSH EIA assays (Abbott, Hybritech) and one FEI assay (Dade) were compared with each other and an immunoradiometric (IRMA) assay. The FEI assay performed better than the EIA assays with a sensitivity of 0.3 microIU/ml, within-run closing volumes (CVs) of less than 4.5%, and a carryover of 0.7%. All of the assays correlated well with each other and the IRMA assay. Three HCG EIA assays (Abbott, Hybritech, Roche) and one FEI assay (Dade) were evaluated. Again, the FEI assay performed better than the EIA assays with a sensitivity of 1.3 mIU/ml, within-run CVs of 4.0% or less, and a carryover of 1.7%. The new generation of nonradioisotopic assays offers performance comparable to radioisotopic assays coupled with various degrees of automation. A clinical laboratory may not only take advantage of these methods but can choose an assay system that is well suited to its particular requirements.

The Application of Automatic Techniques to the Problem of A.T.C.

The words “automatic techniques” used in the title of this paper are interpreted as applying to all aspects of the Air Traffic Control complex, in which the latest electronic and electromechanical developments and techniques might prove beneficial. Navigational capability, communications efficiency, data processing, planning and dynamic displays, and conflict detection can all be improved, for example, by equipment incorporating various degrees of automation. While it is easy to list such improvements, it is much more difficult to relate their value specifically to a particular Air Traffic Control problem at a particular centre, and to recommend in which respects money or effort expended by the Government responsible would bring them the greatest or most immediate benefit. In fact, experience shows that each case differs and requires special study and consideration so that any difficulties currently existing or foreseen can be expressed in terms that facilitate rational engineering solutions.