Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CELLULAR MANUFACTURING AT 46 USER PLANTS : IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCES AND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS

Despite the increasing popularity of cellular manufacturing, by now a firmly entrenched approach to factory work organization, the number of large-scale systematic studies aimed at investigating issues surrounding implementation is still relatively sparse. This paper reports on a survey study of plants involved with cellular manufacturing. A target population of high-probability users received mail questionnaires designed to collect responses related to characteristics of industry cells and the firms that have implemented them (a companion paper, based on the same survey data, describes procedures and issues in cell design). Forty-six plants supplied detailed data on 126 of their cells, including reasons for establishing them, types of operations performed in the cells, problems faced and lessons learned during implementation, and achieved performance improvements. This study provides confirming evidence that manufacturing cells, which may house a large variety and many combinations of processes, can prov.
Influence of the size of walnut shell particulates on mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites

In the present work, a new class of polymer composite is developed using walnut shell powder (WSP) as particulate filler in the epoxy matrix. Three different sizes of WSP are used for preparing three different sets of composites. The particle size selected is 50-micron, 75-micron, and 100-micron. In each set of composites with different particle size, four compositions i.e., 5 wt. %, 10 wt. %, 15 wt. % and 20 wt. % of the WSP is fabricated. All prepared composites have undergone testing to study the behavior of the material under mechanical loading. The different mechanical tests performed are the tensile test, flexural test, compressive test and hardness test. From the experimentation, the inclusion of WSP appreciably alters the different mechanical properties of epoxy. With the increase in the content of filler, an appreciable increase in the value of hardness and compressive strength is observed. Though, it has been seen that the tensile strength and flexural strength of the material is compromised slightly when the content of WSP increases beyond a certain limit. Further, it is observed that composites fabricated with smaller size particles give improved mechanical properties as compared to their counterparts.
Photocell enhanced technique for measuring starting electrode temperatures of fluorescent lamps

This report discusses a photocell enhanced technique which evaluates the lamp-ballast compatibility relationship during the starting and operating scenario of fluorescent lamps. This technique, which fundamentally uses the dynamic RH/RC protocol, can certainly be used for preheat and rapid start type circuitry with either low frequency electromagnetic or high frequency electronic ballasts. It may also be used to evaluate instant start type circuits by analyzing the start time and sputtering characteristics of the starting signatures. The signatures of the F40T12 lamp using the conventional two-lamp rapid start ballast are discussed along with the signatures of other linear and CFL type fluorescent lamps using high frequency electronic ballasts. Examples of good and bad waveshapes are discussed with an explanation of why they are so interpreted.
An investigation into some fundamental properties of strip transmission lines with the aid of an electrolytic tank

The paper describes a method of deriving numerical values for quantities such as characteristic impedance, attenuation and wavelength with the aid of an electrolytic tank. Numerical results are given for two principal forms of strip transmission line for a range of dimensions for which rigorous solutions by direct analysis are not readily available. This range is nevertheless of considerable practical interest as it encompasses characteristic impedances between 20 and 150 ohms. The recent findings of Black and Higgins in regard to the inaccuracy of the formulae due to Maxwell and Palmer for the strip-above-ground system are confirmed. A new and simple method is derived for calculating approximate values for the pseudo-TEM impedance, wavelength and attenuation of a non-homogeneous dielectric-slab-supported strip-above-ground system (e.g. Microstrip). The numerical results obtained by this method, which depends only on a knowledge of the values for air-spaced lines, are in good agreement with measured results. As a result, it appears that the dominant mode propagating in a Microstrip line is more closely TEM in character than was hitherto supposed. In theory, however there must exist a longitudinal component of the electromagnetic field if the boundary conditions are to be satisfied. Measurements on the electrolytic tank of coupling between adjacent conductors and of field spread are also described. From the analysis as a whole it would appear that the tri-plate (sandwich line) has certain theoretical advantages over the strip-above-ground system. However, these are likely to be offset by a number of important practical disadvantages.
Perceived Organizational Support and Intention to Stay: The Mediating Effect of Employee Engagement

The present study intends to investigate the influence of perceived organizational support (POS) on employee intention to stay (ITS) in an organization. Further, study examines the mediating role of employee engagement (EE) on the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and employee intention to stay (ITS). Data has been collected from 323 employees working in three major private telecom companies, namely, Airtel Limited, Vodafone–Idea Limited and Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited operating in J&K (UT). Data has been scrutinized using structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings of the study indicates that POS has a significant positive influence on ITS and EE, partially mediates the relationship between POS and ITS. The study has significant implications for managers as well as practitioners. First, it contributes to social exchange theory by understanding employees’ perception about organizational support on their intention to stay via engagement. Second, it encourages managers to cultivate an environment of support in order to engage the employees because only the engaged employees show intense desire to stay with their organization. It is the first study that examines the indirect impact of POS on ITS via EE.
Effects of Photoperiod, Water temperature, and Exogenous Hormones on Spawning and Plasma gonadal Steroid in Starry Flounder, Platichthys stellatus

The sexual maturation and spawning of teleosts are regulated by the external environment and the endocrine system. When the environmental conditions are artificially adjusted at a fish farm, the maturity and spawning of fish can be controlled. In this study, sexual maturation and spawning of the starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus, were artificially induced by adjusting the water temperature and photoperiod at a fish farm to accelerate the species’ natural spawning period. One experimental group acted as a control and was exposed to a natural photoperiod and natural water temperature (NPNT). In contrast, another experimental group was exposed to an adjusted environment consisting of a regulated photoperiod and temperature (RPRT). Daylight time was reduced by 10 minutes every 3 days from 13 hours to a duration of 8 hours. The water temperature was first reduced by 1oC every day, starting at 22oC and ending at 8oC, and then raised to 10oC until the spawning period. Both experimental groups were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) pellets to induce ovulation. The results show that when the water temperature and photoperiod were artificially controlled, ovulation could be induced 97 days earlier than the natural spawning. Plasma testosterone levels of RPRT and NPNT tended to increase and then decrease 1–2 months before spawning, and plasma levels of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one increased 1–2 months before spawning. The concentration of estradiol-17β (E2) in plasma was not associated with spawning.
A longitudinal study on the psychological and physiological predictors of burnout in NCAA collegiate swimmers

Abstract The purpose of the current study was to examine the ability of psychosocial constructs and biomarker measures of overtraining and stress to predict athlete burnout, as mediated by training distress, during a 6-week intense training period. Twenty-three females and 17 male NCAA swimmers completed measures, before training (baseline), of athlete identity, academic identity, mental toughness, pain attitude, and controlling coaching behaviors. Training distress was assessed at 3 weeks. Serum measurement of creatine kinase, myoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol were obtained at baseline and after 6 weeks of intense training. Athlete burnout was also measured at 6 weeks. The full mediation model was non-significant, F(9,30) = 1.23, p = . 32. However, the direct effects only model was significant, F(10, 29) = 5.22, p = . 001, and accounted for 64% of the variance in burnout symptoms. Controlling coaching behaviors, athletic identity, academic identity, and testosterone/cortisol ratio change were all significant predictors. Our findings provide support for the value of an athletic identity, the deleterious effects of controlling coaches, and the detrimental effects of an academic identity (when narrowly considered in terms of burnout symptoms). The ability of biomarkers of muscle damage as indicators of perceptions of burnout symptoms is questionable. Lay summary: Burnout in swimming is characterized by mental and physical exhaustion, a devaluation of swimming, and successes often becomes less meaningful. Swimmers who train hard, resulting in soreness and fatigue, may not experience such a state as stressful or indicative of burnout. However, controlling coaches and athletes who strongly value academic success may be prone to experiencing burnout symptoms. Strong athletic identities may protect swimmers from burnout symptoms. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Coaches should allow their swimmers input into their training. Coaches should be aware that academic demands may contribute to burnout. Coaches should be aware that swimmers with weak athletic identities may be susceptible to burnout.
The acquisition of wh-questions: Beyond structural economy and input frequency

ABSTRACT We present in this article corpus analyses, two experiments, and a preliminary English-French comparison on children’s acquisition of wh-in-situ. Our examination of 10,000 wh-questions from CHILDES reveals that the reported empirical picture of wh-question acquisition in English is incomplete: A type of wh-in-situ, probe questions (PQs), has been left out from most discussions despite its presence in child-directed speech. Unlike wh-in-situ echo questions (EQs), PQs are used to request new information, and parents frequently use PQs and fronted information-seeking questions in alternation. The fact that PQs share the pragmatic space with fronted wh-questions while involving fewer syntactic operations and exhibiting lower input frequency allows us to test both structure-based and frequency-based theories of syntax acquisition. Our comprehension task with 3;06–5;06-year-olds confirms that children accept and understand PQs as information seeking. On the other hand, results from a production task show a strong avoidance of wh-in-situ, which is in line with reported elicited data from French-speaking children. We reason that a structural economy-based approach alone is not sufficient to account for children’s disfavor of wh-in-situ. Depending on the input frequency and consistency, as well as the number of variants licensed by the grammar of a given language, children may treat part of the input as uninformative and initially only learn from higher-frequent, more regularized input. Their intake is thus selective.
PERFORMANCE OF CONCRETE PLACING IN HONG KONG BUILDINGS

A study was made in the early 1990s of the utilization of labor and equipment resources in the in situ concreting of buildings in Hong Kong. The study involved close observation of 154 pours on building construction sites and 38 days spent at 38 ready-mixed concrete (RMC) batching plants, one day at each. Much detailed productivity information has been derived and the different concrete placing methods have been compared. Other factors affecting the placing rates, pour size, type of pour, and supply of concrete have also been studied. Benchmarks, which describe the state of the industry in broad terms, have been produced not only for measuring progress in the standards applying in Hong Kong as time goes by but also for making comparisons with other large cities.
Advancing Technology Education: The Role of Professional Development.

Release of the technological literacy standards will require the community to engage in professional development. Why? Because the release of technological literacy standards is only the first step in the journey of educational reform. If the standards are to be realized in curriculum, instruction, and assessment, then the communities directly involved in these activities will have to assume responsibility for seeing that changes are implemented. The most direct route in this portion of the journey is professional development.
IMPACTS OF SEAFARING DIVERSITY : TAIWANESE SHIP-OFFICERS' PERCEPTION

The sole employment pattern of national vessels has been broken in Taiwan, and seafaring diversity, called mixed seafarers, has also emerged, following the pattern of traditional maritime nations. The authors hypothesized that there would be a negative impact on Taiwanese seafarers' psychological and behavioral attachment to working of a team. This study was carried out from the perception of Taiwanese seafaring officers. Data was collected through questionnaires from seafaring officers who participated in the shore-based promotional training in Taiwan on April 26-31, 2004. An empirical analysis based on a hierarchical regression model was conducted. Results revealed that seafaring diversity has a significant negative effect on Taiwanese seafaring officers' job satisfaction. The study, however, reveals no significant impact to officers' organizational commitment or intent to turnover. The authors consider that the industry-specific nature of seafaring officers is the possible explanation.
Navy-wide Personnel Survey (NPS): Population Statistics for Navy Parents and Children

Abstract : Knowing the demographics of Navy personnel is key to creating good personnel policies. When this information is not readily accessible in existing databases or is inaccurate, estimates based on survey data are used. The Navy-wide Personnel Survey (NPS) is one survey that can provide such estimates; this technical note provides estimates of family demographics based on the 2003 NPS. Results show that in 2003 there were almost as many Navy children as there were active duty Navy personnel, with 35 percent of the children between 0 and 4 years old, 33 percent between 5 and 11 years old, and 32 percent between 12 and 21 years old.
Nexus of co2 emissions and economic growth in pakistan: analysis by using extended stirpat model

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between economic growth (GDP per capita) and CO2 emissions in Pakistan. This study applies the theoretical framework of Dietz and Rosa’s STIRPAT Model, widely used for assessing the environment quality. The additional major determinants of CO2 emissions introduced by the extended STIRPAT model include total energy use, Industry, value-added, financial development, trade openness, and urban population. The empirical results reveal that; total energy use has a positive and significant relationship with CO2 emissions. The relationship between GDP and CO2 emissions is positive and insignificant in the country. Industry, value-added has an insignificant relationship with CO2 emissions in the country. The urban population has a direct and positive relationship with CO2 emissions. Trade openness has a long-run positive and significant relationship with CO2 emissions in the country. In general, this case study offers a relevant policy for controlling the enhancement in the CO2 emissions in the selected sample unit; Pakistan, and other similar states that possess the same socio-economic condition.
INVESTIGATION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE SURFACE MICROCOILS USING FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATIONS

Surface microcoils are utilized in micro magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy for the purpose of resolution enhancement and small sample analysis. In this work, modeling and investigation of surface microcoils are conducted using finite element simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics and post-processing. The method is based on MR signal generating by employing the principle of reciprocity to obtain signal sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in surface microcoils. Filling factor is investigated as an effective coil parameter to show its great effect on sensitivity and SNR where the results confirm that maximum SNR can be achieved with optimum parameters when the filling factor is high enough. Regarding the great interest on MR coil optimization and microcoil array design, the findings can facilitate the optimization and design process by focusing on the most effective parameters to achieve the desired specifications in an accurate and time-saving manner.
Non-destructive Photosynthetic Pigments Prediction using Multispectral Imagery and 2D-CNN

Rapid assessment of plant photosynthetic pigments content is an essential issue in precise management farming. Such an assessment can represent the status of plants in their stages of growth. We have developed a new 2 Dimensional-Convolutional Neural Network (2D-CNN) architecture, the P3MNet. This architecture simultaneously predicts the content of 3 main photosynthetic pigments of a plant leaf in a non-destructive and real-time manner using multispectral images. Those pigments are chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin. By illuminating with visible light, the reflectance of individual plant leaf at 10 different wavelengths – 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800 nm – was captured in a form of 10 digital images. It was then used as the 2D-CNN input. Here, our result suggested that P3MNet outperformed AlexNet and VGG-9. After undergoing a training process using Adadelta optimization method for 1000 epochs, P3MNet has achieved superior MAE (Mean Absolute Error) in the average of 0.000778 ± 0.0001 for training and 0.000817 ± 0.0007 for validation (data range 0-1).
Voice, responsiveness, and alternative policy venues: An analysis of citizen complaints against the local government to the national Ombudsman

The Ombudsman is one of the most relevant and institutionalized tools to give voice to citizens, so they can express their dissatisfaction with local public services. The literature has yet to produce a systematic explanation for the variation in complaints to the national Ombudsman. This article uses classic literature from public administration and public policy to consider arguments of voice, responsiveness and alternative policy venues concerning the role of the Ombudsman in citizen complaints against local governments. Data on all 2139 citizen complaints submitted to the Ombudsman in Portugal (2012 – 2015) are analyzed using negative binomial regression models. Policy implications drawn from the results show not only that the presence of alternative voice venues reduces the number of complaints to the national Ombudsman but also that context matters. Local politics stimulates civic engagement and difficult local conditions, such as unemployment, crime, and aging populations, activate citizens to resort to the Ombudsman.
IDENTIFICATION OF MEDICALLY-IMPORTANT DIPTERAN SPECIES IN NUWEIBA CITY, SOUTH SINAI, EGYPT, AND THEIR RELATIVE ABUNDANCE

Nuweiba city, South Sinai, Egypt is one of the poorly-studied areas in terms of the presence of medically-important dipteran species. Therefore, in the current study a survey of flies (order: Diptera) of medical importance in Nuweiba city was carried out during winter and summer of 2019. Six traps baited with two sources of attractants – decayed fish pieces and a ready-made botanical extract – were used to collect the flies in four selected localities. A total of 374 individuals belonging to 11 species within 9 genera under 6 families (Culicidae, Ephydridae, Ulidiidae, Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae) were captured, and the identification key was provided. The highest numbers of adult flies were found in summer in “Habiba organic farm” using traps baited with decayed fish pieces (n=159). Two species ( Musca domestica L. and Culex
Intensity and Characteristic Length of Braided Channel Patterns

Recent research on braided river morphology shows that the intensity (number of anabranches) of braiding channels increases with dimensionless discharge and (or) stream power. This variation in intensity reflects the adjustment of total sinuosity of the river to imposed gradient at a given discharge and grain size. Only a subset of channels is active at a given time and this active braiding intensity reflects the limited number of channels that can sustain bed load transport as the flow is divided. This is governed mechanistically by the dynamics of bifurcations and avulsions. Braided channel networks also have a characteristic length scale (or scales) related to the wavelength of the bars from which braiding develops and to the scale of the bars and confluence–bifurcation units within the braided network. The range of scales is limited by the size (and, therefore, number) of the active channels within the network and the width of the entire river.