Ergonomic contribution of ABLE exoskeleton in automotive industry

In PSA Peugeot Citroen factories, high precision requirements of workstations make them being manual. One of the main goal of the car manufacturer is to minimize the pain of workers while maintaining high efficiency of production lines. Consequently, assisting operators with an exoskeleton is a potential solution for improving ergonomics of painful workstations while respecting industrial constraints. To determine ergonomic performances of an exoskeleton, human joint angles and torques, ground reaction forces, and duration of operations are analysed for eight subjects performing a representative screwing task. Experiments were performed using ABLE upper-limb exoskeleton, developed by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), which has the functionality to compensate arm and tools loads. Results show a clear reduction of the sum of the joints torques, up to 38.9%, given by ABLE supply and invite to make concrete the use of exoskeletons in car assembly lines.     

Collaboration entre enseignants et chercheurs en enseignement des sciences : Collaborer et apprendre à partir de sa pratique pour construire savoirs et compétences professionnelles

Résumé

L’objectif de cette étude est de contribuer à la co-construction de savoirs à partir d’un travail collaboratif entre formateurs d’enseignants de sciences et chercheurs-didacticiens. Les objets mis en discussion lors d’entretiens de groupes révèlent des pratiques partagées, d’autres admises ou encore contestées et/ou conflictuelles. Dans la perspective d’un changement des pratiques les plus conflictuelles, les chercheurs ont nourri la collaboration en s’appuyant sur les besoins des formateurs, tout en questionnant certains concepts théoriques avec lesquels ils entretiennent quelques résistances. L’enjeu est de favoriser le réinvestissement des produits co-construits en formation initiale et continue.     

A new low-cost RF built-in self-test measurement for system-on-chip transceivers

This paper presents a new RF built-in self-test (BIST) measurement and a new automatic-performance-compensation network for a system-on-chip (SoC) transceiver. We built a 5-GHz low noise amplifier (LNA) with an on-chip BIST circuit using 0.18-/spl mu/m SiGe technology. The BIST-measurement circuit contains a test amplifier and RF peak detectors. The complete measurement setup contains an LNA with a BIST circuit, an external RF source, RF relays, 50-/spl Omega/ load impedance, and a dc voltmeter. The proposed BIST circuit measures input impedance, gain, noise figure, input return loss, and output signal-to-noise ratio of the LNA. The test technique utilizes the output dc-voltage measurements, and these measured values are translated to the LNA specifications such as the gain through the developed equations. The performance of the LNA was improved by using the new automatic compensation network (ACN) that adjusts the performance of the LNA with the processor in the SoC transceiver.     

Viability and surface properties of spores subjected to a cleaning-in-place procedure: Consequences on their ability to contaminate surfaces of equipment

This study was designed to evaluate how conditions encountered by spores during cleaning-in-place (CIP) procedures affected their surface properties, their viability and ability to contaminate materials. Spores from five Bacillus cereus strains were treated with NaOH at high temperature. Results revealed that high temperatures (exceeding 60 °C) and NaOH concentrations (over 0.5%) were required to significantly decrease spore viability (3–5 log decrease). In these conditions, modifications were also clearly observed by microscopy to various surface structures of spores (appendages, exosporium, and especially to the hair-like nap) but also to their coat. Therefore, the ability of culturable spores to adhere decreased for the majority of strains tested. We then demonstrated that spores in suspension in NaOH could adhere to surfaces of a CIP rig and that the contamination level was controlled by flow pattern. Consequently, re-adhesion along the processing line might occur during CIP procedures and this phenomenon must be taken into account when defining cleaning strategies.     

Recognition of chiral carboxylic anions by artificial receptors

Many carboxylic molecules, ranging from drugs to flavors and fragrances, contain chiral centers. As a consequence, research has been carried out in order to design and synthesize artificial receptors for carboxylic anions. Many problems have to be solved for binding anions. The results obtained in the binding of carboxylic anions by guanidine, secondary ammonium and metal-center have been selected. The last part of this review focuses on chiral recognition of carboxylic anions by organic and metal-based chiral receptors.     

Modeling Instructor Training Preparation in a Simulation Flight Training Program

The current research deals with planning problems related to instructors training in simulator flight training programs. It is a part of our development work in optimal training programs to support the cost effective design of instructor/operator stations(IOS). A flight simulator is a complex device which can be used to train students and instructors, whose training requirements and methodologies are quite different. This paper deals with this complex man-machine interface planning problem, presents a model for the instructors training process, and develops a methodology for determining optimal training plans.     

Localization of the human phosphotyrosine phosphatase-related genes (h-PRL-1) to chromosome bands 1p35-p34, 17q12-q21, 11q24-q25 and 12q24

The h-PRL-1 gene codes for a new phosphotyrosine phosphatase that may play an important role in the control of basic cellular processes such as cell growth and proliferation. Using the cDNA of the h-PRL-1 gene as a probe, we examined a somatic mouse and hamster x human hybrid panel and found that chromosomes 1, 17 and 11 harbor sequences homologous to h-PRL-1. By in situ hybridization of metaphase spreads, subchromosomal localizations were determined at bands 1p35-p34, 17q12-q21 and 11q24-q25; in addition, a faint signal was detected at 12q24. The chromosomal assignment of the genes homologous to h-PRL-1 will help the investigation of its possible involvement in human diseases involving genetic alteration at these chromosomal regions.     

Modelling the human factors aspects of a computer-based text-graphics layout system

In converting task listings into multiple pages of documentation for job aids or training, the two major problems are deciding on how much material should go on each page and how text and graphics should be laid out on the page. A questionnaire study was used to collect input from fourteen human factors personnel in order to design algorithms for page splitting and page layout. From the rules or heuristics used for page-splitting, an algorithm was devised which closely matched human page-splitting results. Layout of individual pages was automated with an algorithm based on the (significant) consensus among the subjects on questions of graphics positioning and label ordering. The two algorithms have been combined in a Computer Aided Design Procedure which automatically pages task lists and lays out individual pages.     

Epididymal manifestations of urogenital tuberculosis

We report the case of a 33-year-old man with a severe Crohn's disease since the age of sixteen. He presented with acne and palmoplantar pustulosis associated with a right knee synovitis. Investigations revealed a major axial bone condensation. The association synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis leaded to the diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome associated with Crohn's disease.