Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimized operations by extended X-factor theory including unit hours concept

The relationships between tool performance, cycle time, and throughput have been described to achieve the highest productivity. Though tool utilization is low for manually operated tools, long waits prior to product processing lead to a productivity loss in our production line. We focus on operator efficiency in the CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) operation, which, as a typical manually operated tool, influences cycle time. This paper introduces an online/offline unit hour analysis method, which has been designed to optimize operator allocation and headcount in our production line, using X-factor theory in order to achieve the shortest cycle time. By using online/offline unit hour analysis with X-factor theory, the root cause of waiting time can be identified and the relationship between operator headcount and cycle time can be described. The waiting time can be reduced by 35% and the cycle time can be reduced by 25%, according to a simulator with optimized operator allocation and headcount based on online/offline unit hour analysis.
Time Series Analysis of Energy Consumption and Carbon Emission for Binhai New Area of Tianjin

With the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, cities become the centers to address the problem of climate change for China. Binhai New Area of Tianjin city plays an important role to boost the economy of North China according to the long-term development planning of China. It is essential for Binhai New Area of Tianjin to promote energy efficiency and reduce the CO2 emission intensity. The study explores the characteristics of the energy consumption, energy intensity, carbon emission and carbon intensity of Binhai New Area through time series analysis. We conclude that the consumption of energy has increased with an annual growth rate of 17.9% from 2000 to 2009. The energy consumption per capita increases from 4.32 tons of SCE per capita in 2000 to 12.37 tons of SCE per capita in 2009, which is much higher than that of Tianjin city and also China as a whole. The energy intensity has declined from 0.79 tons of SCE/104Y in 2000 to 0.38 tons of SCE/104Y in 2009. But it is lower than that of Tianjin. Total carbon emission has increased by 225% from 2000 to 2009. The carbon emission per capita increases from 10.8 tons per capita in 2000 to 30.8 tons per capita in 2009. The carbon intensity has declined from 1.97 tons /104Y in2000 to 0.96 tons/104Y in 2009. Thus, we suggest that the composition of energy consumption should be optimized and more clean energy should be used to reduce the total CO2 emission and CO2 emission intensity.
Laboratory and field-based assessments to determine the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of elite soccer players

ii DECLARATION iii LIST OF CONTENTS iv LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES ix LIST OF EQUATIONS x ACKOWLEDGEMENTS xi LIST OF ABBREVIATONS xii CHAPTER I GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER II THE ANTHROPOMETRIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THE OFF-SEASON AND PRE-SEASON WITHIN ELITE MALE SOCCER PLAYERS (STUDY A) 4
Sloshing response of layered liquids in rigid tanks

Whereas the response to earthquakes of tanks containing a uniform, homogeneous liquid has been the subject of numerous studies in recent years, there is a paucity of information concerning the corresponding response of tanks containing layers of liquid of different densities. Current interest in the response of tanks with layered liquids is motivated by two factors: (1) many waste storage tanks in nuclear facilities contain two or more layers of liquid or liquid-like material of different densities; and (2) recent processing for the recovery and decontamination of discharge fuel materials is typically carried out in tanks containing two-layered liquids. The sloshing action of layered liquids in rigid cylindrical and long rectangular tanks is investigated considering both their free vibrational characteristics and their response to a horizontal component of base shaking. Special attention is given to the maximum surface displacement induced by the base motion. The analysis is formulated for systems with N superimposed layers of different thicknesses and densities, and it is illustrated by a numerical example. In addition, comprehensive numerical data are presented for two-layered and some three-layered systems which elucidate the underlying response mechanisms and the effects and relative importance of the numerous parameters involved. It is shownmore » that for each horizontal natural mode of vibration, there are N distinct vertical modes, the frequencies of which are lower than the natural frequency of a homogeneous liquid of the same total depth. It is further shown that the maximum surface sloshing displacement of the base-excited layered system is typically larger than of the corresponding homogeneous system, and that the results for the long rectangular and the cylindrical tanks are quite similar. « less
Characterisation of High-Carbon Steel Surface Welded Layer

In this paper microstructural and mechanical properties of high-carbon steel surface welded layer, obtained with self-shielded flux cored wire, are presented in the case of a standard rails and crossings. The testing results of tensile characteristics, hardness, toughness via instrumented Charpy pendulum, microstructural analysis and fatigue crack growth resistance of all characteristical zones are analysed in details, especially from the point of view of interaction between microstructure and properties. Obtained results indicate superior properties of repaired welded layers, due to their similarity to the new generation of bainitic steel, i.e., due to change of microstructure from original pearlitic structure to final bainitic structure. Finally, fatigue crack growth parameters have shown that deposite layer has higher resistance to the crack growth, improving overall reliability of rails and crossings.
Comparative yield analysis of two varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in Rhizobium inoculated post-solarized soil

Accepted: 25 Apr. 2018 To exploit the maximum benefits of an agronomical technique, it is imperative to ascertain with some degree of certainty how varieties of plant will respond to its application. Consequently, the influence of Rhizobium inoculation on the yield of two varieties of P.vulgaris (white and brown) in post-solarized soil were investigated by subjecting soil to these treatments: unsolarized uninoculated (control), unsolarized inoculated, solarized uninoculated and solarized inoculated with Rhizobium. Thereafter planting of viable seeds of P. vulgaris commenced 2 weeks after treatments and observed for a period of 4 months to determine the effect of treatments on germination, plant heights, root lengths, fresh weights, nodule and pod numbers as well as pod lengths in both varieties. Solarization temperature ranged between 29.0 and 53.0 0C. Treatments had no significant effects on plant germination in the two varieties. However, Fresh weights, nodule and pod numbers differ significantly with treatment: solarized inoculated ˃ unsolarized inoculated ˃ unsolarized uninoculated ˃ solarized uninoculated in both varieties (P ˂ 0.05). The longest pod lengths (11.5 and 11.0 cm) and plant heights (142.5 and 141.7cm) were recorded in solarized inoculated, while the shortest pod lengths (8.0 and 7.5 cm) and heights (124.0 and 123.3 cm) in solarized uninoculated soils for white and brown varieties respectively. Solarized uninoculated soils also recorded the shortest root lengths. While response of the two varieties of P. vulgaris to each of the treatments did not differ significantly (P ˂ 0.05), their yield were enhanced by Rhizobium inoculation in the post-solarized soil.
Role of Stat3 in NLRP3/caspase‐1‐mediated hippocampal neuronal pyroptosis in epileptic mice

Epilepsy, a fairly common neurological disorder, is linked to various sequelae and greatly impairs the quality of life. Meanwhile, there is evidence to suggest an association between pyroptosis and epilepsy. Accordingly, the current study sought to determine the role of signal transduction activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in pyroptosis in epileptic mice. First, epileptic mouse models were induced by lithium chloride, atropine, and pilocarpine, and HT22 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish in vitro hippocampal neuronal inflammation models. Subsequently, Stat3, NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cleaved‐caspase‐1, gasdermin D (GSDMD)‐N, activated Stat3 (p‐Stat3), and H3K9Ac levels were detected in the mouse hippocampus and HT22 cells. Morris water maze test was further performed to detect changes in the learning and memory abilities of epileptic mice, and hematoxylin‐eosin staining and Nissl staining were conducted to detect the pathological injury. HT22 cell proliferation and apoptosis were also detected using a cell counting kit‐8 assay and flow cytometry. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to detect Interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐18 concentrations in the mouse hippocampus and HT22 cells. Furthermore, the enrichment of H3K9Ac and p‐Stat3 in the NLRP3 promoter region was detected with the help of a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The obtained findings revealed that Stat3 was highly expressed in the hippocampus of epileptic mice and LPS‐treated HT22 cells. Meanwhile, Stat3 silencing brought about improvements in the learning and memory abilities of the mice, in addition to alleviation of hippocampal neuronal damage and pyroptosis‐related factors in hippocampal tissue and HT22 cells. We also observed that Stat3 bound to the NLRP3 promoter to promote H3K9 acetylation and NLRP3 transcription. Moreover, increasing H3K9Ac in cells annulled the inhibition of silencing Stat3 on neuronal pyroptosis. To conclude, our findings revealed that Stat3 bound to the NLRP3 promoter to augment H3K9 acetylation, NLRP3 transcription, and NLRP3/caspase‐1‐mediated neuronal pyroptosis, resulting in aggravation of neuronal damage in epileptic mice.
Performance of unsupervised machine learning methods using chi-squared weights for LiDAR point cloud filtering in urban areas

ABSTRACT In this study, we compared the LiDAR filtering performances of unsupervised machine learning methods, such as linkage, K-means, and self-organizing maps, for urban areas to provide a practical guide to researchers. The input parameters (x-y-z and intensity) were normalized and weighted using a chi-squared independence test to improve the classification accuracy. The best successful results were obtained using the weighted linkage method in terms of the total error of 13.53%, 3.96%, and 1.07% for the three samples, respectively. In comparison with other approaches, methods weighted by chi-squared have significant potential for classification and filtering and outperform many popular approaches.
Converting a conventional flipped class into a synchronous online flipped class during COVID-19: university students’ self-regulation skills and anxiety

ABSTRACT Flipped learning has emerged as an innovative teaching and learning model, in part due to the critical role it plays in transforming the nature of student-teacher interaction in and out of the classroom. With the spread of COVID-19, a new concept has appeared: online flipped learning, which essentially refers to flipping synchronous online classes. In this study, the researchers adapted the principles of the conventional flipped learning model to an online environment and amassed favorable feedback from students. Data on students’ perceptions gathered through semi-structured interviews revealed that the flipped learning model facilitated speaking practice. However, the results of the questionnaire given to students before and after the intervention revealed that the flipped learning model was ineffective in alleviating students’ foreign language anxiety levels compared to synchronous learning, and it did not make a significant difference in students’ self-regulatory behaviors. At the end of the study, students did not report any differences between the conventional and online flipped learning models in terms of instructional practices, materials and classroom activities.
Liposomal Encapsulation Increases the Efficacy of Azithromycin against Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an obligate intracellular bacterium linked to ocular and urogenital infections with potentially serious sequelae, including blindness and infertility. First-line antibiotics, such as azithromycin (AZT) and doxycycline, are effective, but treatment failures have also been reported. Encapsulation of antibiotics in liposomes is considered an effective approach for improving their local effects, bioavailability, biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. To test whether liposomes could enhance the antichlamydial action of AZT, we encapsulated AZT in different surface-charged elastic liposomes (neutral, cationic and anionic elastic liposomes) and assessed their antibacterial potential against the C. trachomatis serovar D laboratory strain as well as the clinical isolate C. trachomatis serovar F. A direct quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method was used to measure chlamydial genome content 48 h post infection and to determine the recoverable chlamydial growth. All the liposomes efficiently delivered AZT to HeLa 229 cells infected with the laboratory Chlamydia strain, exhibiting the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of AZT even 4–8-fold lower than those achieved with the free AZT. The tested AZT-liposomes were also effective against the clinical Chlamydia strain by decreasing MIC values by 2-fold relative to the free AZT. Interestingly, the neutral AZT-liposomes had no effect on the MBC against the clinical strain, while cationic and anionic AZT-liposomes decreased the MBC 2-fold, hence proving the potential of the surface-charged elastic liposomes to improve the effectiveness of AZT against C. trachomatis.
Evolutionary Programming-Based Multiarea Economic Dispatch with Tie Line Constraints

This paper presents a new approach to include tie line constraints in multiarea economic dispatch problems by using evolutionary programming (EP). The proposed method always finds the global or near global optimum for small and reasonable-sized multiarea economic dispatch (MAED) problems. The inclusion of tie line constraints to MAED does not introduce any complexity in the approach. The applicability and validity of the proposed method is shown by implementing it on three example systems - 2, 4, and 14 areas - and their results are compared with those obtained by classical economic dispatch, network flow programming, and dynamic programming methods, respectively. The results show that the proposed method can serve as a potential tool for solving MAED problems.
Predicting the reliability of electronic equipment

The use of reliability predictions in the design and operation of electronic equipment has been an evolutionary and very controversial process, and over the past decade, reliability prediction methods have been a focal point for a flurry of books, papers, editorials, opinions, special sessions, and workshops. While it is generally believed that reliability assessment methods should be used to aid in product design and development, the integrity and auditability of the reliability prediction methods have been found to be questionable; in that, the models do not predict field failures, cannot be used for comparative purposes, and present misleading trends and relations. This paper discusses the role of reliability prediction and assessment in design, development, and deployment of electronic equipment; overviews the history of reliability predictions for electronics; discusses the advantages and disadvantages of some current methods; and presents some of the key research questions which need to be addressed. >
Bottom-Pressure Development Due to an Abrupt Slope Reduction at Stepped Spillways

Fluctuating bottom-pressures on stepped chutes are relevant for the spillway design. An abrupt slope reduction causes a local alteration of the bottom-pressure development. Little information is available regarding the air–water flow properties near an abrupt slope reduction on stepped chutes, particularly on the local pressure evolution. Nevertheless, the option of providing a chute slope reduction may be of interest in spillway layout. The experiments presented herein include pressure distributions on both vertical and horizontal step faces, subsequent to an abrupt slope reduction on stepped chutes. A relatively large-scale physical model including abrupt slope reductions from 50° to 18.6° and from 50° to 30° was used, operated with skimming flow. The data indicate a substantial influence of the tested slope reductions on the bottom-pressure development. In the vicinity of the slope reduction, the mean pressure head near the edge of the horizontal step face reached 0.4 to 0.6 times the velocity head upstream of the slope reduction, for critical flow depths normalized by the step height ranging between 2.6 and 4.6.
Measuring Dispersion and Serial Dependence in Ordinal Time Series Based on the Cumulative Paired ϕ-Entropy

The family of cumulative paired ϕ-entropies offers a wide variety of ordinal dispersion measures, covering many well-known dispersion measures as a special case. After a comprehensive analysis of this family of entropies, we consider the corresponding sample versions and derive their asymptotic distributions for stationary ordinal time series data. Based on an investigation of their asymptotic bias, we propose a family of signed serial dependence measures, which can be understood as weighted types of Cohen’s κ, with the weights being related to the actual choice of ϕ. Again, the asymptotic distribution of the corresponding sample κϕ is derived and applied to test for serial dependence in ordinal time series. Using numerical computations and simulations, the practical relevance of the dispersion and dependence measures is investigated. We conclude with an environmental data example, where the novel ϕ-entropy-related measures are applied to an ordinal time series on the daily level of air quality.
An Exploratory Study of the Use of Lumber, OSB, Plywood, LVL, PSL AND LSL As Raw Materials in the Furniture and Cabinet Industries in the Southern United States

Although particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) are primary products used in the manufacture of value-added wood products such as furniture, cabinets and millwork, other raw material inputs are also used. The objectives of this study were to examine the use of some lesser-used wood-based inputs and to determine their selection criteria by furniture and cabinet manufacturers in the Southern United States. The study addresses technical, economic and performance characteristics. It was found that 42 percent of the total value of raw materials used by respondents in 1999 was comprised of hardwood lumber followed by hardwood plywood. Newer engineered wood products (laminated veneer lumber and laminated strand lumber) were used by only 1 percent of respondents. No respondents used OSB (oriented strandboard). Respondents in all industry sectors studied said that they planned to increase usage of lumber and plywood. The main reason respondents are not using OSB, LVL, PSL (parallel strand lumber) and LSL is customer objections.
Designers and contractors: Impediments to integration

The adversarial nature of the relationship between designers and contractors is recognized as one of the most serious problems in the building industry. Research in this area has centered on integration issues related to the implementation of partnering and contracts. This paper takes a step back. It argues that the adversarial nature of the designer/contractor dyad may be attributable to differences on a set of perceived project critical dimensions. An understanding of these dimensions and how the dyad members differ is important for the successful implementation of integration methods. In addition, it is suggested that a lack of a holistic conceptualization of the contract and its relation to integration hampers the ability to achieve improved project performance. This paper reports on a large-scale survey and analysis that tests propositions related to these issues.
Suppression of transient receptor potential melastatin 7 regulates pluripotency, proliferation, and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells via mechanistic target of rapamycin‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activation

Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are a widely used model for their diverse availability in studying early embryonic development and their application in regenerative treatment of various intractable diseases. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (Trpm7) regulates Ca2+ as a nonselective ion channel and is essential for early embryonic development; however, the precise role of Trpm7 in mESCs has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we showed that the inhibition of Trpm7 affects the pluripotency and self‐renewal of mESCs. We found that short hairpin RNA (shRNA)‐mediated suppression of Trpm7 resulted in decreased expression of transcriptional regulators, Oct4 and Sox2, which maintain stemness in mESCs. In addition, Trpm7 knockdown led to alterations in the basic properties of mESCs, such as decreased proliferation, cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, embryoid body (EB) formation and teratoma formation assays revealed abnormal regulation of differentiation due to Trpm7 knockdown, including the smaller size of EBs, elevated ectodermal differentiation, and diminished endodermal and mesodermal differentiation. We found that EB Day 7 samples displayed decreased intracellular Ca2+ levels compared to those of the scrambled group. Finally, we identified that these alterations induced by Trpm7 knockdown occurred due to decreased phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and subsequent activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) in mESCs. Our findings suggest that Trpm7 could be a novel regulator for maintaining stemness and modulating the differentiation of mESCs.
Attentively Learning Edge Distributions for Semantic Segmentation of Remote Sensing Imagery

Semantic segmentation has been a fundamental task in interpreting remote sensing imagery (RSI) for various downstream applications. Due to the high intra-class variants and inter-class similarities, inflexibly transferring natural image-specific networks to RSI is inadvisable. To enhance the distinguishability of learnt representations, attention modules were developed and applied to RSI, resulting in satisfactory improvements. However, these designs capture contextual information by equally handling all the pixels regardless of whether they around edges. Therefore, blurry boundaries are generated, rising high uncertainties in classifying vast adjacent pixels. Hereby, we propose an edge distribution attention module (EDA) to highlight the edge distributions of leant feature maps in a self-attentive fashion. In this module, we first formulate and model column-wise and row-wise edge attention maps based on covariance matrix analysis. Furthermore, a hybrid attention module (HAM) that emphasizes the edge distributions and position-wise dependencies is devised combing with non-local block. Consequently, a conceptually end-to-end neural network, termed as EDENet, is proposed to integrate HAM hierarchically for the detailed strengthening of multi-level representations. EDENet implicitly learns representative and discriminative features, providing available and reasonable cues for dense prediction. The experimental results evaluated on ISPRS Vaihingen, Potsdam and DeepGlobe datasets show the efficacy and superiority to the state-of-the-art methods on overall accuracy (OA) and mean intersection over union (mIoU). In addition, the ablation study further validates the effects of EDA.