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This research thesis is concerned with the human factors aspects of industrial alarm systems within human supervisory control tasks. Typically such systems are located in central control rooms, and the information may be presented via visual display units. The thesis develops a human, rather than engineering, centred approach to the assessment, measurement and analysis of the situation. A human factors methodology was employed to investigate the human requirements through: interviews, questionnaires, observation and controlled experiments. Based on the analysis of current industrial alarm systems in a variety of domains (power generation, manufacturing and coronary care), it is suggested that often designers do not pay due considerations to the human requirements. It is suggested that most alarm systems have severe shortcomings in human factors terms. The interviews, questionnaire and observations led to the proposal of 'alarm initiated activities' as a framework for the research to proceed. The framework comprises of six main stages: observe, accept, analyse, investigate, correct and monitor. This framework served as a basis for laboratory research into alarm media. Under consideration were speech-based alarm displays and visual alarm displays. Non-speech auditory displays were the subject of a literature review. The findings suggest that care needs to be taken when selecting the alarm media. Ideally it should be chosen to support the task requirements of the operator, rather than being arbitrarily assigned. It was also indicated that there may be some interference between the alarm initiated activities and the alarm media, i.e. information that supports one particular stage of alarm handling may interfere with another.

This thesis is a first attempt at a full-length study of the writings of Sydney Goodsir Smith. Certain themes and attitudes become apparent and provide a key for a better understanding of his work. Chapter One. Smith was born in New Zealand and educated in England where his first writings were influenced by the 1890's. MacDiarmid's example and the enthusiasm of literary friends in Edinburgh led him to write in Scots. Chapter Two. The revival of Scots aroused controversy but the literary reasons for its adoption must be stressed. In Scots Smith found freedom for linguistic experimentation. He drew freely on all levels of the language from the everyday to the aureate and adapted the language to suit his own needs. Chapter Three. Smith's poems in English are poor, and his first Scots poems are uncertain. Skail Wind is coloured by the war but in it and The Wanderer the 'gangrel' and the theme of existential revolt first emerge. Peter Morrison is the archetypal 'gangrel'. Chapter Four. In The Deevil's Waltz Smith uses myth as a point of reference. Prometheus becomes the model for Man struggling for dignity and self-definition in a world gone mad. Chapter Five. Figs and Thistles continues this theme with political and social comment. Politics are tempered by realism and Smith's main concern remains the individual. Chapters Six and Seven. The evolution of Under the Eildon Tree is described, as is its use of mythology and legend. The attributes of the 'goddess' are discussed, related to a common romantic archetype, and traced within the poem. Under the Eildon Tree is then seen in relation to Classical models and its use of elegiac conventions is studied. The narrator of the poem is seen as a romantic rebel. Chapter Eight. Smith's lyrics are primarily expressions of his emotional reactions. So Late Into the Night is regarded as a sequence which dramatically reveals a multiplicity of attitudes to love. Later lyrics make use of esoteric mythological details but Smith is also capable of restrained, philosophical statement. His lyrics celebrate the flux of experience. Chapter Nine. 'To Li Po' owes much to Robert Fergusson and the Eighteenth century verse epistle. It introduces us to Smith's longer city poems in which the individual is seen in a social and urban context. The 'respectable' values of bourgeois Edinburgh are rejected. The 'gangrels' are the true bearers of tradition. The themes of love and politics are revealed as one in The Vision of the Prodigal Son. Chapter Ten. Smith wrote plays which are not 'disinterested' drama: they are 'committed' political statements and may be criticised for the inadequacy of their analysis. He also indulged in mythological fantasy. The Laughter of the Gods is about the failure, and necessity, of individual rebellion. Carotid Cornucopius is a celebration of anarchy. Chapter Eleven. Smith's writing is varied and deserving of greater study but his best work is an expression of his own personality.

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The purpose of this work was to quantify the effect of the personal lift assist device (PLAD) on kinetic and kinematic variables commonly indentified as risk factors for low back pain (LBP). As such, three investigations were undertaken to document adaptations that occur as a consequence of wearing the PLAD. The first study involved an investigation of the effects of the PLAD on intervertebral compression and shear, using an EMG-assisted biomechanical model across a range of trunk flexion. Muscle activation (EMG), trunk posture, and PLAD support data were input into a biomechanical model that estimated L4/L5 joint loads. Use of the PLAD significantly reduced joint compression across the range of trunk flexion. Significant changes in shear were also found, although this was varied across conditions. The second study was conducted to quantify differences in lifting posture, lifting kinematics, and co-ordination attributable to use of the PLAD. Over two testing sessions, subjects completed a repetitive lifting task with and without use of the PLAD. Kinematic data describing lumbar spine, hip and knee motion were used to quantify lifting posture, lifting velocities, and co-ordination. The results of the study suggest that the PLAD causes users to lift with significantly less lumbar flexion and greater hip flexion. Significant changes in co-ordination were also observed, reflective of motor adaptation to the assistance provided by the PLAD. The final study was conducted to investigate the effect of the PLAD on active trunk stiffness. Subjects were required to assume a series of static, symmetrical flexed postures. Muscle activation (EMG), trunk posture, and PLAD stiffness data were input into a stability model that estimated active trunk stiffness. Up to 15 degrees of flexion, the PLAD increased the overall stiffness of the trunk. However, use of the PLAD significantly reduced the active stiffness of the trunk as flexion increased. This effect was consistent across PLAD conditions. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and evaluate a potential redesign. In general, the results of these studies illustrate the potential for the PLAD to be used as an ergonomic intervention for industrial tasks requiring lifting and/or flexed static postures. / Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2008-10-02 15:07:22.11

In this thesis, a new method is proposed for monitoring the use of backrest and forearm support during computer work on a standard workstation and the same workstation with a Butterfly board attachment. The developed techniques measure the effect of using the Butterfly board on the resting duration and the pressure on the back and forearms while resting. Novel™ pressure sensor mats were used to measure pressure applied by resting against the chair back rest and the arm rests. To ensure that the back mat is not moving, a new technique of mapping the back points of contact with the backrest is used. A video camera, synchronized with the pressure measurement system, is used to identify the location where the forearms were resting (work surface or chair arm rests). / Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-05-14 17:02:19.36

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