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Biomedical subjects

M A Sinclair

Publications and source records attributed to M A Sinclair.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Systems integration.

The paper presents a view of systems integration, from an ergonomics/human factors perspective, emphasising the process of systems integration as is carried out by humans. The first section discusses some of the fundamental issues in systems integration, such as the significance of systems boundaries, systems lifecycle and systems entropy, issues arising from complexity, the implications of systems immortality, and so on. The next section outlines various generic processes for executing systems integration, to act as guides for practitioners. These address both the design of the system to be integrated and the preparation of the wider system in which the integration will occur. Then the next section outlines some of the human-specific issues that would need to be addressed in such processes; for example, indeterminacy and incompleteness, the prediction of human reliability, workload issues, extended situation awareness, and knowledge lifecycle management. For all of these, suggestions and further readings are proposed. Finally, the conclusions section reiterates in condensed form the major issues arising from the above.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2003

Propagation instabilities of high-intensity laser-produced electron beams.

Measurements of energetic electron beams generated from ultrahigh intensity laser interactions (I>10(19) W/cm(2)) with dense plasmas are discussed. These interactions have been shown to produce very directional beams, although with a broad energy spectrum. In the regime where the beam density approaches the density of the background plasma, we show that these beams are unstable to filamentation and "hosing" instabilities. Particle-in-cell simulations also indicate the development of such instabilities. This is a regime of particular interest for inertial confinement fusion applications of these beams (i.e., "fast ignition").

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

On complexity, process ownership and organisational learning in manufacturing organisations, from an ergonomics perspective.

The paper discusses some characteristics and implications of the complexity approach as applied to manufacturing organisations and their supply chains. It then discusses the acquisition of process capability within organisations, one of the essential processes for maintaining the organisation's ability to compete in a complex environment. The paper then discusses the concept of the Process Owner, as a means of preserving and evolving the organisation's knowledge under such circumstances, and discusses the consequences of this role. Finally, the knowledge lifecycle management implications are discussed, since these are among the resources that a Process Owner will require to maintain the effectiveness of the role. Throughout the paper the point is made that complexity demands more of an organisation than technical excellence; technology alone will not overcome the effects of complexity and the organisation's people must be included in the response to its challenges.

Ergonomics↗
PubMed1988

Future AMT and ergonomics: Knowledge, organisational issues and human roles.

The paper begins by outlining the growing market for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, providing a sample scenario and some instances of the human factors issues underlying this scenario. The importance of knowledge is emphasised. Two classes of 'knowledge-manipulating' knowledge and 'data-manipulating' knowledge are discussed, and the problems of error propagation are mentioned. Finally, the implications of fast response to the market are explored, from the point of view of optimising the enterprise's operations. The need for human factors input to AMT is emphasised throughout the paper.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1979

On mathematical modelling in ergonomics.

This paper is the combination of three separate discussion documents, presented amongst others at a parallel session at the Ergonomics Society Annual Conference, 1979, at Oxford. The discussion documents were general in tone and followed logically after one another, and the authors were asked to provide a joint paper for wider dissemination. This is the product, and represents a more-or-less common viewpoint between the authors (and others - it will no doubt be obvious that much of what is said has already been said by Chapanis (1961, 1967) in particular, in his usual elegant prose).

Journal Article↗
PubMed1976

Aspects of inspection in a knitwear company.

The paper presents some of the results of a preliminary study on inspection performance in industry. Four data-gathering exercises were carried out; two concerned with measuring the accuracy of the examiners, one attempted to elucidate some of the differences between 'good' and 'bad' examiners in terms of their perceptions and knowledge of the task, and one presented some of the results to management representatives for comment. The results are discussed briefly, and a number of general conclusions drawn. Examiners' detection performance for faults is of the order of 50%, in a production process where the fault rate is of the order of 50%. It is believed that part of the cause for the above performance is due to organisational aspects of the job design. Communication of relevant information regarding the above is virtually non-existent, which has allowed the situation to continue as it is, and has allowed the organisation to believe that a much better state of affair exists. This company is not unusual in the industry in the above respects.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1975

Questionnaire design.

This paper is intended to provide an overview of the problems involved in the generation of information by means of questionnaires. It is divided into two parts; the first is concerned with data collection methods in general, and the second with questionnaires in particular. The subject is not covered exhaustively, as this is an overview of the topic. A bibliography has been included for further reading if desired.

Journal Article↗