Abstract: In this paper we propose a computer-aided solution
with Genetic Algorithms in order to reduce the drafting of reports:
FMEA analysis and Control Plan required in the manufacture of the
product launch and improved knowledge development teams for
future projects. The solution allows to the design team to introduce
data entry required to FMEA. The actual analysis is performed using
Genetic Algorithms to find optimum between RPN risk factor and
cost of production. A feature of Genetic Algorithms is that they are
used as a means of finding solutions for multi criteria optimization
problems. In our case, along with three specific FMEA risk factors is
considered and reduce production cost. Analysis tool will generate
final reports for all FMEA processes. The data obtained in FMEA
reports are automatically integrated with other entered parameters in
Control Plan. Implementation of the solution is in the form of an
application running in an intranet on two servers: one containing
analysis and plan generation engine and the other containing the
database where the initial parameters and results are stored. The
results can then be used as starting solutions in the synthesis of other
projects. The solution was applied to welding processes, laser cutting
and bending to manufacture chassis for buses. Advantages of the
solution are efficient elaboration of documents in the current project
by automatically generating reports FMEA and Control Plan using
multiple criteria optimization of production and build a solid
knowledge base for future projects. The solution which we propose is
a cheap alternative to other solutions on the market using Open
Source tools in implementation.
Abstract: Exploration and exploitation capabilities are both
important within Operations as means for improvement when
managed separately, and for establishing dynamic improvement
capabilities when combined in balance. However, it is unclear what
exploration and exploitation capabilities imply in improvement and
development work within an Operations context. So, in order to
better understand how to develop exploration and exploitation
capabilities within Operations, the main characteristics of these
constructs needs to be identified and further understood. Thus, the
objective of this research is to increase the understanding about
exploitation and exploration characteristics, to concretize what they
translates to within the context of improvement and development
work in an Operations unit, and to identify practical challenges. A
literature review and a case study are presented. In the literature
review, different interpretations of exploration and exploitation are
portrayed, key characteristics have been identified, and a deepened
understanding of exploration and exploitation characteristics is
described. The case in the study is an Operations unit, and the aim is
to explore to what extent and in what ways exploration and
exploitation activities are part of the improvement structures and
processes. The contribution includes an identification of key
characteristics of exploitation and exploration, as well as an
interpretation of the constructs. Further, some practical challenges are
identified. For instance, exploration activities tend to be given low
priority, both in daily work as in the manufacturing strategy. Also,
the overall understanding about the concepts of exploitation and
exploration (or any similar aspect of dynamic improvement
capabilities) is very low.
Abstract: In the immunologic sense, clinical infection is a state
of failure of the immune system to combat the pathogenic weapon of
the bacteria invading the host. A motile gram negative vibroid
organism associated with marked mono and poly nuclear cell
responses was traced during the examination of a clinical material
from an infected common carp Cyprinus carpio. On primary plate
culture, growth was shown to be pure, dense population of an
Aeromonas-like colony morphotype. The pure isolate was found to
be; Aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, non-halophilic, grew at 0C, and
37C, oxidase positive utilizes glucose through fermentative pathway,
resist 0/129 and novobiocin, produces alanine and lysine
decarboxylases but non-producing ornithine dehydrolases. Tests for
the in vitro determinants of pathogenicity has shown to be; Betahaemolytic
onto blood agar, gelatinase, casienase and amylase
producer. Three in vivo determinants of pathogenicity were tested as,
the lethal dose fifty, the pathogenesis and pathogenicity. It was
evident that 0.1 milliliter of the causal bacterial cell suspension of a
density 1 x 107 CFU/ml injected intramuscularly into an average of
100gms fish toke five days incubation period, then at the day six
morbidity and mortality were initiated. LD50 was recorded at the day
12 post-infection. Use of an LD50 doses to study the pathogenicity,
reveals mononuclear and polynuclear cell responses, on examining
the stained direct films of the clinical materials from the
experimentally infected fish. Re-isolation tests confirm that the reisolant
is same. The course of the infection in natural case was shown
manifestation of; skin ulceration, haemorrhage and descaling. On
evisceration, the internal organs were shown; congestion in the
intestines, spleen and, air sacs. The induced infection showed a
milder form of these manifestations. The grading of the virulence of
this organism was virulent causing chronic course of infections as
indicated from the pathogenesis and pathogenicity studies. Thus the
infectious bacteria were consistent with Aeromonas hydrophila, and
the infection was chronic.
Abstract: This study was aimed to investigate the machining
stability of a spindle tool with different preloaded amount. To this end,
the vibration tests were conducted on the spindle unit with different
preload to assess the dynamic characteristics and machining stability
of the milling machine. Current results demonstrate that the tool tip
frequency response characteristics and the machining stabilities in X
and Y direction are affected to change due to the different preload of
spindle bearings. As found from the results, a high preloaded spindle
tool shows higher limited cutting depth at mid position, while a spindle
with low preload shows a higher limited depth. This indicates that the
machining stability of a milling machine is affected to vary by the
spindle unit when it was assembled with different bearing preload.
Abstract: Whey is the lactose rich by-product of the dairy
industry, having good amount of nutrient reservoir. Most abundant
nutrients are lactose, soluble proteins, lipids and mineral salts.
Disposing of whey by most of milk plants which do not have proper
pre-treatment system is the major issue. As a result of which, there
can be significant loss of potential food and energy source. Thus,
whey has been explored as the substrate for the synthesis of different
value added products such as enzymes. β-galactosidase is one of the
important enzymes and has become the major focus of research due
to its ability to catalyze both hydrolytic as well as
transgalactosylation reaction simultaneously. The enzyme is widely
used in dairy industry as it catalyzes the transformation of lactose to
glucose and galactose, making it suitable for the lactose intolerant
people. The enzyme is intracellular in both bacteria and yeast,
whereas for molds, it has an extracellular location. The present work
was carried to utilize the whey for the production of β-galactosidase
enzyme using both yeast and fungal cultures. The yeast isolate
Kluyveromyces marxianus WIG2 and various fungal strains have
been used in the present study. Different disruption techniques have
also been investigated for the extraction of the enzyme produced
intracellularly from yeast cells. Among the different methods tested
for the disruption of yeast cells, SDS-chloroform showed the
maximum β-galactosidase activity. In case of the tested fungal
cultures, Aureobasidium pullulans NCIM 1050 was observed to be
the maximum extracellular enzyme producer.
Abstract: In this study, the pedestrian simulation VISWALK
integration and application platform ant algorithms written program
made to construct a renovation engineering schedule planning mode.
The use of simulation analysis platform construction site when the user
running the simulation, after calculating the user walks in the case of
construction delays, the ant algorithm to find out the minimum delay
time schedule plan, and add volume and unit area deactivated loss of
business computing, and finally to the owners and users of two
different positions cut considerations pick out the best schedule
planning. To assess and validate its effectiveness, this study
constructed the model imported floor of a shopping mall floor
renovation engineering cases. Verify that the case can be found from
the mode of the proposed project schedule planning program can
effectively reduce the delay time and the user's walking mall loss of
business, the impact of the operation on the renovation engineering
facilities in the building to a minimum.
Abstract: Nowadays, the rapid development of CAD systems’
programming environments results in the creation of multiple
downstream applications, which are developed and becoming
increasingly available. CAD based manufacturing simulations is
gradually following the same trend. Drilling is the most popular holemaking
process used in a variety of industries. A specially built piece
of software that deals with the drilling kinematics is presented. The
cutting forces are calculated based on the tool geometry, the cutting
conditions and the tool/work-piece materials. The results are verified
by experimental work. Finally, the response surface methodology
(RSM) is applied and mathematical models of the total thrust force
and the thrust force developed because of the main cutting edges are
proposed.
Abstract: Metal thin-walled members have been widely used in
building industry. Usually they are utilized as purlins, girts or ceiling
beams. Due to slenderness of thin-walled cross-sections these
structural members are prone to stability problems (e.g. flexural
buckling, lateral torsional buckling). If buckling is not
constructionally prevented their resistance is limited by buckling
strength. In practice planar members of roof or wall cladding can be
attached to thin-walled members. These elements reduce
displacement of thin-walled members and therefore increase their
buckling strength. If this effect is taken into static assessment more
economical sections of thin-walled members might be utilized and
certain savings of material might be achieved. This paper focuses on
problem of determination of critical load of steel thin-walled beams
with lateral continuous restraint which is crucial for lateral torsional
buckling assessment.
Abstract: This paper addresses a cutting edge method of
business demand forecasting, based on an empirical probability
function when the historical behavior of the data is random.
Additionally, it presents error determination based on the numerical
method technique ‘propagation of errors.’ The methodology was
conducted characterization and process diagnostics demand planning
as part of the production management, then new ways to predict its
value through techniques of probability and to calculate their mistake
investigated, it was tools used numerical methods. All this based on
the behavior of the data. This analysis was determined considering
the specific business circumstances of a company in the sector of
communications, located in the city of Bogota, Colombia. In
conclusion, using this application it was possible to obtain the
adequate stock of the products required by the company to provide its
services, helping the company reduce its service time, increase the
client satisfaction rate, reduce stock which has not been in rotation
for a long time, code its inventory, and plan reorder points for the
replenishment of stock.
Abstract: The present study was aimed to examine the structure
of children’s adaptation during school transition and to identify a
commonality and dissimilarity at the elementary and junior high
school. 1,983 students in the 6th grade and 2,051 students in the 7th
grade were extracted by stratified two-stage random sampling and
completed the ASSESS that evaluated the school adaptation from the
view point of ‘general satisfaction’, ‘teachers’ support’, ‘friends’
support’, ‘anti-bullying relationship’, ‘prosocial skills’, and ‘academic
adaptation’. The 7th graders tend to be worse adaptation than the 6th
graders. A structural equation modeling showed the goodness of fit for
each grades. Both models were very similar but the 7th graders’ model
showed a lower coefficient at the pass from ‘teachers’ support’ to
‘friends’ support’. The role of ‘teachers’ support’ was decreased to
keep a good relation in junior high school. We also discussed how we
provide a continuous assistance for prevention of the 7th graders’ gap.
Abstract: When neck pain is associated with pain, numbness, or
weakness in the arm, shoulder, or hand, further investigation is
needed as these are symptoms indicating pressure on one or more
nerve roots. Evaluation necessitates a neurologic examination and
imaging using an MRI/CT scan. A degenerating disc loses some
thickness and is less flexible, causing inter-vertebrae space to narrow.
A radiologist diagnoses an Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD) by
localizing every inter-vertebral disc and identifying the pathology in
a disc based on its geometry and appearance. Accurate localizing is
necessary to diagnose IDD pathology. But, the underlying image
signal is ambiguous: a disc’s intensity overlaps the spinal nerve
fibres. Even the structure changes from case to case, with possible
spinal column bending (scoliosis). The inter-vertebral disc
pathology’s quantitative assessment needs accurate localization of the
cervical region discs. In this work, the efficacy of multilevel set
segmentation model, to segment cervical discs is investigated. The
segmented images are annotated using a simple distance matrix.
Abstract: Total Quality Management (TQM) is a managerial
approach that improves the competitiveness of the industry,
meanwhile Information technology (IT) was introduced with TQM
for handling the technical issues which is supported by quality
experts for fulfilling the customers’ requirement. Present paper aims
to utilise AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) methodology to
priorities and rank the hierarchy levels of TQM enablers and IT
resource together for its successful implementation in the Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) industry. A total of 17 TQM
enablers (nine) and IT resources (eight) were identified and
partitioned into 3 categories and were prioritised by AHP approach.
The finding indicates that the 17 sub-criteria can be grouped into
three main categories namely organizing, tools and techniques, and
culture and people. Further, out of 17 sub-criteria, three sub-criteria:
top management commitment and support, total employee
involvement, and continuous improvement got highest priority
whereas three sub-criteria such as structural equation modelling,
culture change, and customer satisfaction got lowest priority. The
result suggests a hierarchy model for ICT industry to prioritise the
enablers and resources as well as to improve the TQM and IT
performance in the ICT industry. This paper has some managerial
implication which suggests the managers of ICT industry to
implement TQM and IT together in their organizations to get
maximum benefits and how to utilize available resources. At the end,
conclusions, limitation, future scope of the study are presented.
Abstract: The system for analyzing and eliciting public
grievances serves its main purpose to receive and process all sorts of
complaints from the public and respond to users. Due to the more
number of complaint data becomes big data which is difficult to store
and process. The proposed system uses HDFS to store the big data
and uses MapReduce to process the big data. The concept of cache
was applied in the system to provide immediate response and timely
action using big data analytics. Cache enabled big data increases the
response time of the system. The unstructured data provided by the
users are efficiently handled through map reduce algorithm. The
processing of complaints takes place in the order of the hierarchy of
the authority. The drawbacks of the traditional database system used
in the existing system are set forth by our system by using Cache
enabled Hadoop Distributed File System. MapReduce framework
codes have the possible to leak the sensitive data through
computation process. We propose a system that add noise to the
output of the reduce phase to avoid signaling the presence of
sensitive data. If the complaints are not processed in the ample time,
then automatically it is forwarded to the higher authority. Hence it
ensures assurance in processing. A copy of the filed complaint is sent
as a digitally signed PDF document to the user mail id which serves
as a proof. The system report serves to be an essential data while
making important decisions based on legislation.
Abstract: Because blueberries are worldwide recognized as a
good source of beneficial components, their consumption has
increased in the past decades, and so have the scientific works about
their properties. Hence, this work was undertaken to evaluate the
effect of some production and conservation factors on the properties
of blueberries from cultivar Bluecrop. The physical and chemical
analyses were done according to established methodologies and then
all data was treated using software SPSS for assessment of the
possible differences among the factors investigated and/or the
correlations between the variables at study. The results showed that
location of production influenced some of the berries properties
(caliber, sugars, antioxidant activity, color and texture) and that the
age of the bushes was correlated with moisture, sugars and acidity, as
well as lightness. On the other hand, altitude of the farm only was
correlated to sugar content. With regards to conservation, it
influenced only anthocyanins content and DPPH antioxidant activity.
Finally, the type of extract and the order of extraction had a
pronounced influence on all the phenolic properties evaluated.
Abstract: In the past decade, the use of digital image correlation
(DIC) techniques has increased significantly in the area of
experimental mechanics, especially for materials behavior
characterization. This non-contact tool enables full field displacement
and strain measurements over a complete region of interest. The DIC
algorithm requires a random contrast pattern on the surface of the
specimen in order to perform properly. To create this pattern, the
specimen is usually first coated using a white matt paint. Next, a
black random speckle pattern is applied using any suitable method. If
the applied paint coating is too thick, its top surface may not be able
to exactly follow the deformation of the specimen, and consequently,
the strain measurement might be underestimated. In the present
article, a study of the influence of the paint thickness on the strain
underestimation is performed for different strain levels. The results
are then compared to typical paint coating thicknesses applied by
experienced DIC users. A slight strain underestimation was observed
for paint coatings thicker than about 30μm. On the other hand, this
value was found to be uncommonly high compared to coating
thicknesses applied by DIC users.
Abstract: To mitigate the urban heat island effect has become a
global issue when we are faced with the challenge of climate change.
Through literature review, plant photosynthesis can reduce the carbon
dioxide and mitigate the urban heat island effect to a degree. Because
there are not enough open space and parks, green roof has become an
important policy in Taiwan.
We selected elementary school buildings in northern New Taipei
City as research subjects since elementary schools are asked with
priority to build green roof and important educational place to promote
green roof concept. Testo175-H1 recording device was used to record
the temperature and humidity differences between roof surface and
interior space below roof with and without green roof in the long-term.
We also use questionnaires to investigate the awareness of comfort
level of green roof and sensation of teachers and students of the
elementary schools.
The results indicated that the temperature of roof without greening
was higher than that with greening by about 2°C. But sometimes
during noontime, the temperature of green roof was higher than that of
non-green roof probably because of the character of the accumulation
and dissipation of heat of greening. The temperature of the interior
space below green roof was normally lower than that without green
roof by about 1°C, showing that green roof could lower the
temperature. The humidity of the green roof was higher than the one
without greening also indicated that green roof retained water better.
Teachers liked to combine green roof concept in the curriculum,
and students wished all classes can take turns to maintain the green
roof. Teachers and students whose school had integrated green roof
concept in the curriculum were more willing to participate in the
maintenance work of green roof. Teachers and students who may have
access to and touch the green roof can be more aware of the green roof
benefit. We suggest architects to increase the accessibility and
visibility of green roof, such as use it as a part of the activity space.
This idea can be a reference to the green roof curriculum design.
Abstract: The popularity of quality management system models
continues to grow despite the transitional crisis in 2008. Their
development is associated with demands of the new requirements for
entrepreneurs, such as risk analysis projects and more emphasis on
supervision of outsourced processes. In parallel, it is appropriate to
focus attention on the selection of companies aspiring to a quality
management system. This is particularly important in the automotive
supplier industry, where requirements transferred to the levels in the
supply chain should be clear, transparent and fairly satisfied. The
author has carried out a series of researches aimed at finding the
factors that allow for the effective implementation of the quality
management system in automotive companies. The research was
focused on four groups of companies: 1) manufacturing (parts and
assemblies for the purpose of sale or for vehicle manufacturers), 2)
service (repair and maintenance of the car) 3) services for the
transport of goods or people, 4) commercial (auto parts and vehicles).
The identified determinants were divided into two types of criteria:
internal and external, as well as hard and soft. The article presents the
hard – technical factors that an automotive company must meet in
order to achieve the goal of the quality management system
implementation.
Abstract: Reticence is a prominent and complex phenomenon
which occurs in foreign language classrooms and influences students’
oral passivity. The present study investigated the extent in which
students experience reticence in the EFL classrooms and explored the
underlying factors triggering reticence. The participants were 104
Iranian freshmen undergraduate male and female EFL students, who
enrolled in listening and speaking courses, all majoring in English
studying at Islamic Azad University Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch and
University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. To collect the data, the Reticence
Scale-12 (RS-12) questionnaire which measures the level of reticence
consisting of six dimensions (anxiety, knowledge, timing,
organization, skills, and memory) was administered to the
participants. The statistical analyses showed that the reticent level
was high among the Iranian EFL undergraduate students, and their
major problems were feelings of anxiety and delivery skills.
Moreover, the results revealed that factors such as low English
proficiency, the teaching method, and lack of confidence contributed
to the students’ reticence in Iranian EFL classrooms. It can be
implied that language teachers’ awareness of learners’ reticence can
help them choose more appropriate activities and provide a friendly
environment enhancing hopefully more effective participation of EFL
learners. The findings can have implications for EFL teachers,
learners and policy makers.
Abstract: A novel design technique employing CMOS Current
Feedback Operational Amplifier (CFOA) is presented. The feature of
consumption very low power in designing pseudo-OTA is used to
decreasing the total power consumption of the proposed CFOA. This
design approach applies pseudo-OTA as input stage cascaded with
buffer stage. Moreover, the DC input offset voltage and harmonic
distortion (HD) of the proposed CFOA are very low values compared
with the conventional CMOS CFOA due to the symmetrical input
stage. P-Spice simulation results are obtained using 0.18μm MIETEC
CMOS process parameters and supply voltage of ±1.2V, 50μA
biasing current. The p-spice simulation shows excellent improvement
of the proposed CFOA over existing CMOS CFOA. Some of these
performance parameters, for example, are DC gain of 62. dB, openloop
gain bandwidth product of 108 MHz, slew rate (SR+) of
+71.2V/μS, THD of -63dB and DC consumption power (PC) of
2mW.
Abstract: Among various active filters, shunt active filter is a
viable solution for reactive power and harmonics compensation. In
this paper, the SRF plan is used to generate current reference for
compensation and conventional PI controllers were used as the
controller to compensate the reactive power. The design of the closed
loop controllers is reserved simple by modeling them as first order
systems. Computationally uncomplicated and efficient SVM system
is used in the present work for better utilization of dc bus voltage.
The rating of shunt active filter has been finalized based on the
reactive power demand of the selected reactive load. The proposed
control and SVM technique are validated by simulating in MATLAB
software.