Application of a novel open-source program for measuring the effects of toxicants on the swimming behavior of large groups of unmarked fish

The aim of this study was to demonstrate a novel method for measuring the effects of toxicants on the behavior of groups of unmarked fish. Ctrax is an open source Python-based machine vision program that was originally designed to track fruit flies (Drosophila). The effects of the fish anaesthetic quinaldine sulfate on the behavior of groups of 10 unmarked Arabian killifish (Aphanias dispar) in a small arena were measured. Ctrax was able to identify and track the X-Y coordinates of the individual fish over 1 min recording periods. The data was analyzed using specifically written Matlab (The Mathworks™) toolboxes and the effects of quinaldine sulfate on absolute swimming velocity, forward swimming velocity, rate of change in orientation and distance to wall were calculated. Additionally the effects of quinaldine sulfate on path tortuosity were also measured. Ctrax has significant benefits over other available technologies for tracking the 2-dimensional coordinates of fish. In particular the software is open source and thus freely available, it is accurate, requires only simple easily available equipment and able to track potentially large groups of fish (possibly >50) while maintaining their individual identities.     

Evolution of working conditions under the impact of ICTs

IntroductionInformation and communication technologies (ICTs) play a major role in the current evolution of work. They are both a great tool for emancipating human beings from the most tedious and most dangerous tasks and an effective vector for intensifying work.MethodsOn the basis of three foresight exercises carried out in recent years and by describing concrete examples of work organizations, the authors highlight the main possible trends for the changes to come.ConclusionsThey conclude on a few general principles that could allow the establishment of a win–win policy.     

Coping with accelerating socio-technical systems

In 1997 a workshop was held on the subject of how to cope with accelerating technologies. These are industries such as aviation, air traffic control and biotechnology, amongst others, where the rate of technological development is significant. A number of papers were presented from a range of viewpoints and in a variety of different industrial contexts. The papers ranged from theoretical models to help understand the process of acceleration and its impact on organisational learning, to practical analyses of future potential risks in specific accelerating industries such as air traffic control. The aim of the papers and the workshop as a whole was to provide insight into the problems associated with accelerating technologies, and thereby derive measures to control or cope with such acceleration. The problems arising from acceleration, as predicted by the theoretical models and evidenced by experiences in accelerating industries (e.g. aviation) are manifold. Two examples of particular problems are unforeseen risks in an industry (a lack of forward vision), and a failure to learn adequately (i.e. in time) from incidents occurring in an organisation (a lack of constructive hindsight). There is also an incipient danger of society being driven by technology rather than being led by social needs. Even if each technology ultimately becomes ‘ultra-safe’, it will nevertheless have its own ‘event horizon’, limiting useful further progress. Each of the papers from the workshop is summarised and integrated into a three-part synopsis of the workshop. This covers the context of accelerating technologies, modelling their impacts, and deriving coping strategies. Four of the papers are included in their entirety as separate papers in their own right in this special issue of Safety Science.     

城市级环境信息系统总体方案的研究与开发

在分析我国城市级环境信息现状和需求的基础上,提出了我国城市级环境信息系统的总体方案，系统依靠现有的环境数据和管理软件建立城市环境信息基础数据库，依照数据仓库的组织方式对环境数据重新进行整合，并在此基础上开发出数据查询分析应用和地理信息系统，同时结合城市环保局的办公自动化系统，建立了一个统一的环境信息发布平台，提高了环境信息的共享水平。     

用VB6.0开发AutoCAD2000的轮胎模排字系统

介绍了以VB6 .0为开发环境 ,运用ActiveXAutomation提供的接口进行AutoCAD的二次开发 ,重点阐述了用VB来开发AutoCAD轮胎模排字系统的算法和步骤 ,并给出了部分代码和例证 ,实践应用效果良好     

Work domain analysis for air traffic controller weather displays

INTRODUCTION: Adverse weather conditions have a major impact on National Airspace System (NAS) operations. They create safety hazards for pilots, constrain the usable airspace for air traffic control (ATC), and reduce the overall capacity of the NAS. A system-wide dissemination of weather information to controllers could theoretically improve safety and efficiency. PROBLEM: However, it is currently unclear what weather information would be beneficial for tactical operations. Furthermore, no previous research has empirically evaluated optimal presentation designs for ATC weather displays. Ill-designed weather displays can cause safety hazards by presenting redundant information (i.e., by increasing the cognitive load) and display clutter (e.g., by interfering with the visual extraction of traffic data). METHOD: In the present paper, we outline our use of cognitive work analysis (CWA) techniques for the assessment of weather information needs for terminal controllers. RESULTS: Specifically, we describe how the CWA modeling tools helped us reveal instances in the terminal domain where weather information is lacking or insufficiently disseminated. We used our CWA results to drive the development of weather display concepts and to set up a high-fidelity simulation capability. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: By means of high-fidelity simulations, we can empirically evaluate controller weather information needs in order to propose weather displays for increased aircraft safety and efficiency of terminal operations.     

浮油自动回收设备两例

油和水物理性能的差异是设计浮油回收设备的基础。依据两者导电率差异研制出全自动浮油回收机,适用于粘度较低的浮油回收。利用两者粘度的不同,生产出收油效率较高的盘片式自动浮油回收设备,特别适合于粘度较高的浮油回收。     

一种基于ActiveX Automation技术的报表表示方法

分析了企业中产品设计完成后,应用ActiveXAutomation技术生成产品的各种物料清单报表,建立了报表检查机制,较好地解决了企业图档管理中的报表自动校正生成问题。运用该方法开发的报表管理器,已经在多家企业得到应用,取得了很好的效果。     

注汽锅炉自控仪表的升级改造

本文对20多台注汽锅炉及辅助设备运行和自动化仪表存在的问题进行了全面系统分析,针对存在的问题,结合生产实际,提出了自控仪表进行升级改造与优化管理的方案,以保证注汽锅炉的正常平稳运行。