Marine Robotics for Deep-Sea Specimen Collection: A Systematic Review of Underwater Grippers

The collection of delicate deep-sea specimens of biological interest with remotely operated vehicle (ROV) industrial grippers and tools is a long and expensive procedure. Industrial grippers were originally designed for heavy manipulation tasks, while sampling specimens requires dexterity and precision. We describe the grippers and tools commonly used in underwater sampling for scientific purposes, systematically review the state of the art of research in underwater gripping technologies, and identify design trends. We discuss the possibility of executing typical manipulations of sampling procedures with commonly used grippers and research prototypes. Our results indicate that commonly used grippers ensure that the basic actions either of gripping or caging are possible, and their functionality is extended by holding proper tools. Moreover, the approach of the research status seems to have changed its focus in recent years: from the demonstration of the validity of a specific technology (actuation, transmission, sensing) for marine applications, to the solution of specific needs of underwater manipulation. Finally, we summarize the environmental and operational requirements that should be considered in the design of an underwater gripper.

Assistive Technologies and Design for People With Autism Spectrum Disorders

This chapter has the aim to provide a concise overview of which assistive technology tools can be used to implement interventions for people with autism spectrum disorders and what developers and designers must take into account when they want to approach to the development of these technologies. Four areas of intervention have been identified: (1) treatment of phobias, (2) social interactions, (3) academic skills, (4) job performance. Ten contributions have been reviewed for a total of 216 participants. Positive results and limits of various studies have been identified. In each session a specific technology will be analyzed, and some general guidelines will be provided. Some suggestions will be emphasized for future research.

ESPDS

In this paper, we introduce a Microsoft Excel Workbook containing the software Equipment Selection Problem DS (ESPDS) that recognizes the special structure of the equipment selection problem. The ESPDS approach is based on the context of the Brazilian forestry sector using detailed equipment maintenance schedules. No special restrictions are needed on cost inputs over time or technologies. The output is an equipment schedule that can be used to project equipment investment needs, operational costs, and tree harvesting costs. ESPDS can be applied to support companies and contractors in order to choose the best option for their operations, as well as to achieve better equipment purchase agreements. We will show how ESPDS will also be useful in providing longer term estimates of production costs. The sensitivity analysis shows how different inputs and maintenance polices can affect the best alternative. A numerical example is included considering the entrance of a specific technology that increases the equipment productivity in order to examine whether it can change the solution. ESPDS is intuitive, flexible, and easy to calculate. Although designed for the forestry industry, the approach is readily transferable to other sectors. ESPDS may be found on the web at the following URL: <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350811380_ESPDS_workbook">https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350811380_ESPDS_workbook</a>.

Unions in the postal services of the future

This study is an explorative analysis of labor union representatives’ assessment of digital transformation in the postal and logistics sector and the consequences for union activities in different regions of the world. It consists of two parts: Part I is a review of existing research on the topic of digitalization and labor relations in the postal and logistics sector. Part II represents the core of the study, consisting of a qualitative survey of union representatives from that sector regarding their stance towards digitalization and respective union strategies. The sample consists of 29 detailed written statements of union representatives from all continents, answering to a set of open questions. The study shows that in almost all of the regions, digital technologies are the basic technological infrastructure that enables postal work. There is a set of specific technology bundles which are consistently used in all of these regions. The surveyed union representatives consistently report a net job loss as a consequence of digitalization, although it also has created some new jobs. They also indicate an increase in precarious forms of employment, such as subcontracting, temporary work or bogus self-employment. In terms of working conditions, respondents refer to work facilitation through automation and digital assistance. However, they also underline that especially algorithmic work control leads to increased surveillance and work intensification. This intensification of work is perceived in turn as a factor in increased stress and thus as a risk for workers’ health. Yet, respondents also see the potential for digital systems to prevent accidents. Overall, the surveyed union representatives see digitalization as inevitable. Yet, they consistently argue that new regulations are needed because older standards often times do not address the specific problems of digitalized work.

Transformation towards a Smart Maintenance Factory: The Case of a Vessel Maintenance Depot

The conceptualization and framework of smart factories have been intensively studied in previous studies, and the extension to various business areas has been suggested as a future research direction. This paper proposes a method for extending the smart factory concept in the ship building phase to the ship servicing phase through actual examples. In order to expand the study, we identified the differences between manufacturing and maintenance. We proposed a smart transformation procedure, framework, and architecture of a smart maintenance factory. The transformation was a large-scale operation for the entire factory beyond simply applying a single process or specific technology. The transformations were presented through a vessel maintenance depot case and the effects of improvements were discussed.

Dampak Dana Alokasi Khusus Pertanian dan Irigasi Terhadap Produksi Padi Sawah dan Ketahanan Pangan Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Jambi

How important is the impact of special allocation funds (DAK) on agriculture and irrigation as policy input in food production and food security in the regions. To answer these problems, a study was conducted with the objectives of: 1) formulating an economic model for lowland rice commodity related to the financing of special allocation funds (DAK) for agriculture and irrigation in Jambi Province; and 2) analysis of the impact of funding for the special allocation fund (DAK) for agriculture and irrigation on the area of irrigation, rice fields and food security in districts / cities in Jambi Province. The simulation results show that an increase in the supply of financing from special allocation funds (agriculture and irrigation) can have a positive impact on increasing resources (irrigation area), food production, and regional food security. In order to be more effective in allocating funds, it is advisable to synergize with the allocation of subsidized fertilizers and seeds in each district / city in Jambi Province. Besides being aimed at maintaining and repairing irrigation networks in several districts / cities, the DAK irrigation program needs to be expanded to develop small - medium scale irrigation models for potential wetlands (rainfed, swamp, tidal) for the production of rice and other food crops. The potential available land types require a suitable location-specific technology package for rice and other food crops. Likewise, the use of cheaper alternative inputs. Reorientation of programs funded by DAK for agriculture in each district / city in Jambi province is needed to achieve effectiveness and impact on increasing lowland rice production and food security in the regions.Keywords: Allocation Funds, Food Security, Irrigation, Paddy, Simultaneity Model

Social and economic actors in the evaluation of translation technologies. Creating meaning and value when designing, developing and using translation technologies

Evaluation of translation technologies is a social activity, which involves the establishment of knowledge communities as well as the creation of competition to produce better tools. Companies developing translation technologies need to encourage the evaluation of their tools (through online forums, discussion lists, blogs, product communities, community translation, etc.), since evaluating the technology implies spreading and sharing knowledge about it; and sharing the same knowledge or the same modes of thinking and operation, rather than sharing the same material resources, represents the basis of future economic competition. When exchanging knowledge about technologies, translators engage in social activity: they express their opinions and feelings about the technologies they are using, they make judgments about the worth or value of a specific technology, they influence others’ decisions or they believe their thoughts will have an impact on decisions companies will make. This article investigates the use of translation technology evaluation criteria as they are represented in several translators’ communities and it calls for a multidisciplinary approach when analysing translation technologies adoption, use and evaluation.

Writing as a critical moment in professional discourse

Written texts mediate action and serve as accounts of action in most contemporary professional domains. Echoing Candlin’s call for applied and social linguists to explore ‘critical moments’ in discourse, I argue that ‘writing’ constitutes just such a critical moment, because of its contested position in professional domains and the dominant ideology underpinning writing evident both in ‘intellectual’ (academic) and ‘expert’ (professional) orientations. A key challenge is to find ways of understanding writing which are not constrained by existing ‘intellectual’ and ‘expert’ orientations and which can contribute to useable knowledge for professional practice. I draw on specific examples from ethnographically oriented research projects with professionals in two domains (academia and social work) to illustrate how a dominant ideology of writing is enacted. This enactment is explored further by focusing on ICT-mediated ‘expert systems’ in social work, illustrating how an increasingly used, specific technology of writing is impacting professional practice. I conclude by considering the difficulties and possibilities of collaboratively building usable knowledge about writing for professional practice.

Coaching Virtually to Support Professional Learning

Virtual coaching is emerging as a feasible method of providing ongoing, job-embedded, personalized professional learning to educators. This manuscript details how virtual coaching is different from on-site coaching in education. It describes field-tested strategies and technologies a coach can use to be successful when coaching virtually. There are key steps in the process for fully understanding an educator’s context, the students they support, building relationships, identifying locus of control, setting goals, choosing interventions, implementing change, tracking data, and engaging in reflection that are unique to coaching online. Specific technology tools can help facilitate each of these steps in the process. In this manuscript, we describe technology tools that virtual coaches used in their literacy coaching work. We organize these tools around a virtual coaching model, which was built specifically to coach educators in virtual spaces. We include a description of each phase, the technology that can be used to facilitate progress, a field-based example of its use, the time typically spent in each phase, and sample questions coaches may ask educators to support progression through the phases. In addition, we highlight current research on professional learning and virtual coaching.