Reducing Exoskeleton Muscle Fatigue

Reducing Exoskeleton Muscle Fatigue Reducing Exoskeleton Muscle Fatigue Reducing Exoskeleton Muscle FatigueAssistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science Nitin Sharma of the University of Pittsburgh is part of a team working with robotic exoskeletons to assist with a common problem that hasnt received much attention the fatigue experienced by users of traditional exoskeletons. And he hopes a recent National Science Foundation monetary award will help his team achieve their goal of solving that problem.Going UltraThe group developed an ultrasound sensor system, which lies at the heart of their hybrid exoskeleton. The exoskeleton relies on both electrical nerve stimulation and external motors.Ultrasound is used to take measurements of muscles and create a model for muscle fatigue through the signals it receives. We need to know how to coordinate the information and the ultrasound, which will give us information on when to go from electromyography to functional elec trical stimulation of the muscles, says Sharma, who is also director of the Project Neuromuscular Control and Robotics Laboratory.Professors Kang Kim (left) and Nitin Sharma (right) posing with a hybrid exoskeleton prototype. renommee University of PittsburghElectromyography is the traditional way of sensing muscle signals, Sharma explains, and it is not entirely adequate. Lets say you make muscle movement or limb movement where muscles are contracting. The muscles are activated by neurosignals. You can listen to these signals at the skin level and theres combined manifestation of all muscle signals. This is where you get information when it comes to muscle mass fatigue.But Sharma decided to combine electromyography with an ultrasound component several years ago when he was looking at designing control systems. I came in contact with Kang Kim in the school of medicine at University of Pittsburgh, and he made it clear. They were using ultrasound and correlating ultrasound signals wit h muscle fatigue. This was huge.Part of the problem with electromyography is the signals are weak and have a very low signal to noise ratio. There are advantages to it but you cant get around the fact that you have a lot of crosstalk, he says.The hope is that using ultrasound, which supplies image-based, real-time image sensing, the exoskeleton will better sense fatigue and will know when to switch from joint actuators to electrical stimulation of the muscles themselves, something that has been difficult to determine to this point.The work is in the early stages but the results to this point have been positive, and Sharma knows there are many people who could benefit if they succeed. This exoskeleton work has been going on for a long time and it shows how you sometimes have to divide work up into parts, some that will take years, to reach the ultimate goal, he says. Hopefully people will get back more independence if we can binnensee this to the end.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionHopefully people will get back more independence if we can see this to the end.Prof. Netin Sharma, University of Pittsburgh

How to Get a Job as a Journalist

How to Get a Job as a JournalistHow to Get a Job as a JournalistA career in journalism can mean working for a large metropolitan or national newspaper, a TV broadcast station, or a magazine. Entry-level positions also exist at smaller local publications. A successful career as a journalist takes dedication and a high level of energy. What it Takes Journalism can be an exciting career for someone interested in gathering, reporting, and analyzing information and presenting that information in a way that will be understood by others. Journalists are communicators by nature and are committed to playing a leading role in keeping the public informed. It is a competitive field that has changed dramatically over the last few years and is expected to continue changing as technology advances. Careers in journalism require people who are independent, flexible, creative, and highly innovative. Some would say that a journalist also needs to be persistent and even aggressive to be able to capt ure that next breaking news story. Fluency in a foreign language can be a huge bonus for those who would like to cover international stories. Additional Requirements Careers in journalism require a strong command of the English language and highly developed writing skills. Additional courses that provide a good foundation for careers in journalism include computer science, business, history, sociology, political science, economics, and psychology. Working in the field of journalism requires excellent IT skills such as graphics, desktop publishing, and photography because many entry-level positions combine the responsibilities of reporter, photographer, writer, blogger, and vlogger (video-based articles). Gaining Experience Jobs in journalism at large metropolitan and national newspapers, broadcast stations, and magazines are competitive. fruchtwein employers prefer individuals that have a bachelors degree in journalism or mass communications as well as broad demonstrated exp erience. Practical experience gained at school newspapers or broadcasting stations as well as internships with news organizations are critical requirements for jobs in this field. Additional Experience A graduate degree may be helpful for those looking to advance in the field. There are a number of masters and Ph.D. programs available in journalism. A graduate degree and/or in-depth knowledge in the field that a journalist will cover would most likely be a requirement for a high-level position. An advanced degree in education or public relations are highly applicable. The American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) offers some good suggestions for finding your first newspaper internship or job. Entry-level Challenges Working hours usually vary and can be very hectic. Last minute news reporting requires long and irregular hours. A job in journalism often includes many demands and substantial pressure to complete last minute assignments in record time. Moreover, journalists covering political uprisings, wars, fires, and weather-related events are often in danger. Depending on the job, frequent travel can be required. Top Sites for Finding Internships and Jobs Journalism is an exciting and competitive field requiring perseverance. Here are some?top sites for finding internships and jobs in the industry. Employers seek qualified candidates with relevant experience when making their hiring decisions. Completing several internships in different publications will increase the likelihood of becoming a full-time employee. Most entry-level positions are available at small broadcast stations and publications. Careers in Journalism Some examples of jobs in the journalism industry include news analysts (news anchors, newscasters), reporters, editors, weathercasters, sportscasters, news correspondents, commentators, and columnists.

Changing Careers to Stay Competitive

Changing Careers to Stay CompetitiveChanging Careers to Stay CompetitiveRewiring your career may be a smart move, experts say, and offer 4 tips to get you started.Changing jobs seems like a relatively common and simple feat. You leave your project manager lage at one firm and pick up a similar gig, maybe closer to home, with better benefits or pay. Changing careers, though, sounds more daunting. Moving from the publishing industry to, say, health care- is it even possible, and if so, how would you do it?Shifting careers, or re-careering, is possible, experts say, and a wise way to stay competitive in todays job market. Two fields that hold particular promise for growth are health care and IT. Dr. Eric Darr, interim president of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania, says opportunities abound in unterstellung areas. Harrisburg is a private institution focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Darr says the student body includes everyone fro m recent high-school graduates to students in their 30s, 40s and 50s looking to reskill and readjust their careers.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care practitioners and technical occupations are projected to grow 26 percent from 2010-2020, while computer and math occupations are projected to grow 22 percent during that time.How to Make the Leap 4 Key TipsSo the opportunities are out there, especially in health care and IT. But how do you seize them? Consider these sage bits of adviceConduct informational interviews with individuals working in the field you want to pursue. Meeting face-to-face with people already in your desired area is invaluable, says Mark Gasche, senior director of career services for Empowered UCLA Extension. This is a chance to ask critical questions about salary or potential barriers to entering the field, Gasche explains. Afterward youll feel better or worse, he says. If you feel worse, then its a challenge to your initial plan. If you fee l better, then youll be armed with more knowledge about how to continue.Consider careers that will be safe from outsourcing. Darr says predicting which fields will be outsource-proof can be tricky, But if you are in health care and the job is to work with patients and analyze data, those things are not going to be outsourced because they cant be.Dont stop working. Today you can take courses and certifications at night and on weekends. You do not have to drop out of the system in order to participate, says Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti, vice president and managing director at the Apollo Research Institute. Many companies give support to workers pursuing education while they work, she notes. If you pursue education or training at a higher-education institution, be sure to select one that doesnt relegate adult education to second-class status, Darr says.Volunteer. Wilen-Daugenti suggests that if youre not working, volunteer for an organization in the area where you want to be hired In our ongoing career research, an individual noted that he was volunteering in an IT position at a key hospital so that he understood the systems and when a job opened he would be the first pick to be hired. Volunteering lets you test the job and learn the systems, while people in the firm get to know you and your capabilities, she explains.