Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis and design of closed loop manufacturing systems

Abstract : This thesis introduces an approximation method for evaluating the performance of closed loop manufacturing systems with unreliable machines and finite buffers. The method involves transforming an arbitrary loop into one without thresholds and then evaluating the transformed loop using a new set of decomposition equations. It is more accurate than existing methods and is effective for a wider range of cases. The convergence reliability, and speed of the method are also discussed. In addition, observations are made on the behavior of closed loop systems under various conditions. Finally, the method is used in a case study to determine the in-process inventory required to meet a specified production rate for a system operating according to a CONWIP control policy.
The Competent Manager: A Model for Effective Performance

Competence and Job Performance. The Research Design and Methods. The Goal and Action Management Cluster. The Leadership Cluster. The Human Resource Management Cluster. The Directing Subordinates Cluster. The Focus on Others Cluster. Specialized Knowledge. An Integrated Competency Model. Interpretation by Sector and Managerial Level. Summary and Implications. Appendixes. Index. Figures.
Experiments with Fuzzy Methods for Forecasting Time Series as Alternatives to Classical Methods

Even though forecasting methods have advanced in the last few decades, economists still face a simple question: which prediction method gives the most accurate results? Econometric forecasting methods can deal with different types of time series and have good results, but in specific cases, they may fail to provide accurate predictions. Recently, new techniques borrowed from the soft computing area were adopted for economic forecasting. Starting from the importance of economic forecasts, we present an experimental study where we compared the accuracy of some of the most used econometric forecasting methods, namely the simple exponential smoothing, Holt and ARIMA methods, with that of two new methods based on the concept of fuzzy time series. We used a set of time series extracted from the Eurostat database and the R software for all data processing. The results of the experiments show that despite not being fully superior to the econometric techniques, the fuzzy time series forecasting methods could be considered as an alternative for specific time series.
Coupling to shielded cables

Examines current problems of coupling to shielded cables, providing a working reference for engineers and designers of signal transmission and power lines. Using a transmission line analysis, it examines the shield transfer impedance and transfer admittance characteristics of commonly used shields--the most comprehensive collection of such data ever published. Relates shielding properties to weave characteristics of braided-wire shields. Includes tables and normalized graphs for the most commonly encountered cases of interference.
Privatizing R&D: Patent Policy and the Commercialization of National Laboratory Technologies

Despite their magnitude and potential economic impact, federal R&D expenditures outside of research universities have been little scrutinized by economists. This paper examines whether the series of initiatives since 1980 that have sought to encourage the patenting and technology transfer at the national laboratories have had a significant impact, and how the features of these facilities affected their success in commercialization. Employing both case studies of and databases about the U.S. Department of Energy's laboratories, we challenge much of the conventional wisdom. The policy changes of the 1980s had a substantial impact on the patenting activity by the national laboratories, which have gradually reached parity in patents per R&D dollar with research universities. Using citation data, we show that, unlike universities, the quality of the laboratory patents has remained constant or even increased as their numbers have grown. The cross-sectional patterns are generally consistent with theoretical suggestions regarding the impact and determinants of the decision to privatize government functions.
The Effects of Supervised Learning on Neuro-evolution in StarCraft

This thesis explores the use of supervised learning in combination with evolutionary algorithms. The two techniques are used alone and in combination to train an artificial neural network to solve a small scale combat scenario in the real time strategy game StarCraft. The thesis focuses on whether or not it is indeed beneficial to use the two in combination and how injecting human knowledge through logged examples influences the results of the evolutionary algorithm. In the small scale combat scenario a number of agents must cooperate to defeat an equal number number of enemies. The different approaches to training the network are tested and it is found that using human knowledge to create an initial population for the evolutionary algorithm dramatically improves performance compared to the other approaches, and is able to produce solutions to the scenario of high quality.
An experimental investigation of roll coating phenomena

This thesis gives an account of an extensive experimental investigation of the operation of a twin roll coater. Two distinct modes of operation are identified: Classical (fullyflooded inlet) and Meniscus (ultra-starved inlet). The former has been the subject of investigation for a number of years; the latter is less well known and would appear to have escaped the attention of the Coating Community at large prior to the research work reported here being carried out. A detailed description of how the key features of an industrial roll coater can be reproduced using a piece of simple but well designed experimental apparatus, which encapsulates all the necessary elements for an in-depth study of the flow, is presented. Various methods are used to visualise the flow. These include dye injection and novel computerised particle tracking techniques, coupled with state-of-the-art image processing and High Speed Video photography. Experiments reveal that the flow associated with the Classical mode of operation is essentially one-dimensional throughout the nip; Meniscus coating flow, on the other hand, is uniquely two-dimensional, containing large vortical structures. Also the pressure distributions are found to be quite distinct. A fully-flooded nip results in a pressure profile which exhibits a characteristic maximum and minimum, while an ultra-starved nip produces one which is linear and entirely sub-ambient. The transformation of the flow from one mode of operation to the other is then considered, a key feature of which is the behaviour of the upstream free surface which movesin to a minimum point and then out again as the flux is reduced, giving a non-singular result, that is, there are two non-dimensional values of the flux for each free surface position. Finally, the subject of instability in roll coating is addressed, for both the Classical and Meniscus regimes. A number of new instabilities were observed using High Speed Video photography and tentative explanations for their occurrence are given.
A STANDARDIZED MOTORCYCLIST IMPACT DUMMY FOR PROTECTIVE DEVICE RESEARCH

A specialized impact dummy for research into the feasibility of motorcycle mounted devices which are intended for protection of riders has been developed and is specified in ISO 13232. The ISO motorcyclist dummy specification is based an a Hybrid III dummy with modified capabilities and characteristics for comparative tests involving motorcycle/car impacts and considering the tendency for three dimensional dummy motions and forces. Special characteristics include: 32 channel internal data recording system; instrumented frangible upper and lower leg bones; three degrees of freedom frangible knees; helmet compatible head form; a neck torsional module; and other modifications to provide for motorcycle compatibility. Technical requirements and the research basis for the key components are presented and discussed, along with suggestions for possible future refinements. [A] For the covering abstract, see IRRD 896528.
INFLUENCE OF AGE ON HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY NIGERIANS

Purpose: Hamstring tightness has been documented in apparently healthy Nigerian adults and in those with musculoskeletal problems, but the influence of age on hamstring tightness has not been studied. This study was therefore designed to determine the influence of age on hamstring tightness in apparently healthy subjects. Methods: Hamstring tightness was measured using the active knee extension test (AKET) in 240 apparently healthy male andfemale subjects, aged 5-59 years. The subjects were recruited into 6 age groups using the purposive sampling technique. Hamstring tightness was compared across the age groups using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The independent t-test was used to compare hamstring tightness on both lower limbs in male andfemale subjects. Results: Subjects' mean age was 29.63 ± 16.72 years. All subjects had hamstring tightness (absolute extension lag) and this increased with age up to age group 40-49 years. The male subjects had significantly higher hamstring tightness than the females in all the age groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that hamstring tightness increases in apparently healthy Nigerians from childhood up to age 40-49 years and it is higher in males than females.
Simultaneous refractive index and temperature measurement using a cascaded long-period grating device

We present a compact scheme for simultaneous temperature and surrounding refractive index (SRI) measurement using two long period gratings (LPGs) of different periods inscribed side-by-side in a single piece of a double-cladding fibre. One of the LPGs is sensitive to both SRI and temperature changes whilst the second is SRI-insensitive but shows spectral shift with temperature changes. In addition, we show that a resonance peak of the SRI-insensitive LPG can be designed to appear in the EDFA wavelength region with potential use for gain flattening applications.
Structure-function analysis of a protein encoded by the BHV-1 latency related gene

Bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1) infection induces clinical symptoms in the upper respiratory tract, inhibits immune responses, and can result in life-threatening secondary bacterial infections. Following acute infection, BHV-1 establishes latency in sensory neurons within trigeminal ganglia. Periodically, reactivation from latency occurs resulting in virus transmission. The latency-related (LR) RNA is abundantly expressed in latently infected sensory neurons suggesting that LR gene products regulate the latencyreactivation cycle. A LR mutant virus with stop codons at the amino-terminus of the first ORF in the LR gene (ORF2) does not reactivate from latency, in part, because it induces higher levels of apoptosis in infected neurons. ORF2 inhibits apoptosis in transiently transfected cells suggesting that it plays an important role in the latency-reactivation cycle. ORF2 also interacts with Notch1 or Notch3, and consequently inhibits their ability to trans-activate the bICP0 early and glycoprotein C promoters. In this study, we identified ORF2 sequences that were necessary for inhibiting cold-shock induced apoptosis or Notch1 mediated trans-activation of the bICP0 early promoter and stimulation of productive infection. Relative to ORF2 sequences necessary for inhibiting apoptosis, distinct domains in ORF2 were important for interfering with Notch1 mediated trans-activation. Five consensus protein kinase A and/or protein kinase C phosphorylation sites within ORF2 regulate the steady state levels of ORF2 in transfected cells. A nuclear localization signal in ORF2 was necessary for inhibiting Notch1 mediated trans-activation, but not apoptosis. In summary, ORF2 has more than one functional domain that regulates its stability and functional properties.
The effect of electrodes on the surface acoustic wave propagation in elastic solids

Electrodes on the surface of an elastic substrate have important effects on the surface acoustic wave (SAW) propagation, and related changes like wave velocity and mode shapes due to the presence of electrodes should be considered in the analysis so the information available to practical applications can be accurate and adequate. Because the essential characteristics of surface acoustic wave propagation is obtained from semi-infinite solids, practical applications related to device analysis and design are derived with assumptions and approximations through simplifying the electrodes and reduction of numbers of variables. In an attempt to improve the accuracy and complexity of SAW analysis, a simple electrode as a thin metal layer over an infinite isotropic elastic solid is considered for a demonstrative study. With precise solutions from three- dimensional equations of elasticity for surface acoustic wave propagation, we can extend the results to discontinuous periodic electrodes, or the interdigital transducers (IDTs), for better estimation of the effect on wave velocity and mode shapes. In a manner similar to our previous work on bulk acoustic wave resonators, simple but effective concepts like the thickness and mass ratios are introduced for a direct estimation and easy solution of wave properties. The method will be further extended to anisotropic materials that are widely used in surface acoustic wave devices as substrates for better and practical analytical approaches closer to demands of design process. Eventually, we want to further apply these methods to the two-dimensional theory we are working on so the analysis of surface acoustic wave propagation, both analytical and numerical, can be improved for the device design.
Magnet arrays for synchronous machines

The authors demonstrate that the Halbach array is highly applicable for magnetic excitation in synchronous machines. To this end, they present the geometry of Halbach arrays in Cartesian, polar, and cylindrical coordinates. They also present the design of a Cartesian linear motor which has been optimized for use in conjunction with a class of high-precision magnetic suspension stages for photolithography. They give analytical solutions for this motor's fields, forces, commutation structure, and power dissipation. Results for the power-optimum thickness of the stator windings are obtained. It is suggested that an equivalent Halbach geometry electromagnet may find utility in areas such as magnetically levitated trains. <<ETX>>
Evaluation of Effects of Super-Heavy Loading on the US-41 Bridge over the White River

Over a period from August 2009 to August 2010 a series of nearly one hundred super-heavy loads ranging in weight from 200,000 lbs to up over 1,000,000 lbs crossed the northbound superstructure of the bridge. The loads were moved to support the construction of a new power plant facility located in Edwardsport, IN. It was unknown what effect this number of super-heavy loading events, over a relatively short period, would have on the long-term performance of the US-41 White River Bridge. Therefore, long-term remote monitoring was used to quantify any negative effects due to the series of superloads. Five primary tasks were undertaken as part of this study:
Minimally Invasive Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Similar Morbidity and No Mortality in the Learning Period

Objectives Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is one of the most challenging operations in gastrointestinal system due to the difficulty of dissection areas and the need for complex reconstruction. The aim of this study is to compare the morbidity, post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF), and mortality rates of the cases we have from the learning period for minimally invasive PD and our previous open PD cases with similar fistula risk scores (FRSs). Methods Patients with similar age, ASA score, pre-operative drainage, and FRS were included in the study. A total of 71 patients, 48 of whom were operated with open surgery and 23 with minimally invasive methods, were included in the study. Results When the statistical analysis performed, no statistically significant difference was found between open surgery and minimally invasive surgery groups in terms of age, gender, ASA score, pre-operative drainage, pancreatic texture, and treatment of pancreatic leakage (p=0.27, p=0.09, p=0.4, p=0.39, p=0.76, and p=0.36, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of clinically relevant pancreatic anastomotic leakage (Grade-B and Grade-C fistula) (p=0.11). The rate of Grade-BL and B leakage was higher in the minimally invasive surgery group, while Grade-C fistula was not observed in any patient (p=0.002). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the management of pancreatic leakage and related morbidity (p=0.36). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of tumor size, number of lymph nodes removed, FRS, amount of intraoperative bleeding, and diameter of Wirsung and common bile duct (p=0.15, p=0.20, p=0.145, p=0.80, and p=0.073, respectively). Considering the operation time, it was found that the operation time was longer in patients who received minimally invasive surgical treatment and this was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Conclusion As a result, we believe that minimally invasive PD operation can be performed with similar morbidity and acceptable CR-POPF rates when compared with the open PD with similar FRS at the learning stage.
Issues and values affecting the integration of American expatriates in emerging economies

The international competition arising from the increasingly integrated world economy has highlighted the need for effective selection, training, and repatriation of expatriate employees. The technical and cultural obstacles characteristic of an overseas assignment require equal technical and cultural competencies on the part of expatriate employees. However, a diminished understanding of effective expatriate selection and training has led to a high failure rate of expatriate assignments, both due to premature return as well as insufficient expertise. The annual financial costs associated with expatriate failure in the United States are estimated between $2 and $2.5 billion, with an estimated failure rate of 40% to 50%; such failure rates are all the much higher in emerging economies, which make up a growing proportion of American overseas investments. Considering such high costs, it behooves MNCs to refine their hiring practices: this thesis is an attempt to provide a comprehensive model to serve as a basis for International Human Resources Management in expatriate selection and training. This is accomplished by identifying distinguishing cultural characteristics of American workers and their implications in international management; identifying the characteristics of emerging economies contributing to expatriate failure; finally, adapting Engle’s competency cube to selecting and training workers for overseas assignments.
Managers and (Secret) Social Networks: The Influence of the Freemasonry on Firm Performance

In this paper, I study the impact of managers’ affiliations with the Freemasonry on the performances of companies. Using a unique data set of 412 companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange between 1895 and 1902, I find that young and small firms run by Masonic managers exhibited larger leverage ratios. These companies earned higher profits, although the effect is not statistically significant. Large publicly quoted corporations managed by Freemasons instead had lower profits and lower Tobin’s Q. I discuss the issue of the endogeneity of Freemasonry membership, and I use four different approaches to partially address this.
USE OF RUMBLE STRIPS TO ENHANCE SAFETY

This synthesis will be of interest to traffic engineers, highway design engineers, highway maintenance personnel, those responsible for toll plaza design and operation, and others concerned with the operation, safety and design of the roadway environment. Information is presented on the various applications of rumble strips on the traveled way and on highway shoulders. This synthesis describes the state of the practice with respect to placement, operational and safety effects, design, installation, and cost and service life of rumble strips. This report of the Transportation Research Board also discusses the effectiveness of rumble strips in preventing or reducing accidents. It provides information on the potential adverse effects of rumble strips, such as noise, motorist use of opposing lanes to avoid rumble strips, maintenance problems, and concerns of special users such as senior citizens, bikers, and truckers. The need for signing and public information support are also discussed. The synthesis presents several recommendations for future research.
USE OF 3D PRINTED POLY(PROPYLENE FUMARATE) SCAFFOLDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF DYNAMICALLY CULTURED HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AS A MODEL METHOD TO TREAT BONE DEFECTS

Title of Document: USE OF 3D PRINTED POLY(PROPYLENE FUMARATE) SCAFFOLDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF DYNAMICALLY CULTURED HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AS A MODEL METHOD TO TREAT BONE DEFECTS Martha Elizabeth Ottenberg Wang, Doctor of Philosophy, 2014 Directed By: John P. Fisher, Ph.D., Fischell Family Distinguished Professor Fischell Department of Bioengineering This project investigates the use of a tissue engineering approach of an absorbable polymer, poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) to provide long term mechanical stability while delivering a bioactive material, precultured human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) encapsulated in hydrogel, to repair bone defects. Annually over 2.2 million bone grafting procedures are performed worldwide; however, current treatment options are limited for critically sized and load bearing bone defects. Much progress has been made in development of bone tissue replacements within the field of bone tissue engineering. The combination of a polymer scaffold seeded with cells for the eventual replacement by host tissue has shown significant promise. One such polymer is PPF, a synthetic linear polyester. PPF has been shown to be biocompatible, biodegradable and provide sufficient mechanical strength for bone tissue engineering applications. Additionally PPF is able to be photocrosslinked and therefore can be fabricated into specific geometries using advanced three-dimensional (3-D) rapid prototyping. Current technology to culture and differentiate hMSCs into osteoblasts has been enhanced with the development of the tubular perfusion system (TPS). The TPS bioreactor has been shown to enhance osteoblastic differentiation in hMSCs when encapsulated in alginate beads. Although this system is effective in differentiating hMSCs it lacks the sufficient mechanical strength for the treatment of bone defects. Therefore this work suggests a combination strategy of harnessing the ability of the TPS bioreactor to enhance osteoblastic differentiation with the mechanical properties of poly(propylene fumarate) to develop a porous PPF sleeve scaffold for the treatment of bone defects. This is accomplished through four steps. The first step investigates the cytotoxicity of the polymer PPF. Concurrently the second step focuses on designing, fabricating and characterizing PPF scaffolds. The third step investigates the degradation properties of 3D printed porous PPF scaffolds. The fourth step characterizes alginate bead size and composition for use within the PPF sleeve scaffolds. The successful completion of these aims will develop a functional biodegradable bone tissue engineering strategy that utilizes PPF fabricated scaffolds for use with the TPS bioreactor. USE OF 3D PRINTED POLY(PROPYLENE FUMARATE) SCAFFOLDS FOR THE DELIVERY OF DYNAMICALLY CULTURED HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AS A MODEL METHOD TO TREAT BONE DEFECTS