Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating Lean and Agile Thinking: Concepts in Support of Practice

The emergence of Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing in the 1980s signified a turning point in logistics management and the development of what is now called lean supply. A paradigm shift in thinking occurred and the role of inventory was reversed: the emphasis changing from holding inventory to cover the disruption caused by system fluctuations, to removing inventory to expose the fluctuations. A systems approach to managing the supply chain emerged, which centred on the incremental reduction of wasteful internal variation supported by stable production schedules. This strategic approach, which is naturally suited to large and stable volumes, challenged established management theory and long established trade-off models. Definitions of ‘lean’ and ‘agile’ [5] Leanness means developing a value stream to eliminate all waste, including time, and to enable a level schedule. Agility means using market knowledge and a responsive supply network to exploit profitable opportunities in a volatile market. More recently the terms agility and agile supply have been coined, which acknowledge that there are limitations to the application of lean, particularly in relation to enabling a level schedule, as evident in the above definitions. Table 1 illustrates distinguishing attributes of lean and agile supply, which are driven by the underlying stability of the market. Where demand is stable with long product life cycles, level scheduling can be achieved with the support of inventory, but using inventory to decoupling the delivery system from unstable markets with short product life cycles often has unacceptable consequences. This article introduces some concepts, then uses case examples to clarify the relationship between lean and agile thinking, showing how the inherent cost versus delivery speed trade-off can be creatively resolved.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL MULTI-OBJECTIVE UAV PATH PLANNER USING META-PATHS FOR DECISION MAKING AND VISUALIZATION

Military operati ons are turning to more complex and advanced automation technolog y for mini mum risk and maximum efficiency. A critical piece to this strategy is unmanned aeri al vehicles (UAVs). UAVs require the intelligence to safely maneuver along a path to an intended target, avoi ding obstacles such as other aircrafts or enemy threats. Often automated path planning algori thms are employed to s pecify targets for a UAV to fl y to. To date, path-pl anning alg orithms have been limi ted to provi ding only a single solution (alternate) path without further inputs from the UAV controller. This paper presents a uni que platform for decision making in a three-di mensional path pl anner where mul ti ple solution paths are generated in the form of meta-paths. The path pl anner uses Particle Swarm Optimizati on (PSO) to generate multi ple solution paths based on predefined criteria. The problem formulati on was designed to mini mize risk due to enemy threats, to mini mize fuel consumption incurred by deviating from the original path, and takes into account reconnaissance targets. Using PSO, al ternate paths are generated using B -spline curves, optimized based on preferences set for the three objecti ves. The resulting paths can be optimized wi th a preference towards maxi mum safety, mini mum fuel co nsumpti on, or target reconnaissance. For each preference, the top fi ve solutions generated by PSO are presented, for a total of 15 alternate paths. In order to efficientl y present these multi ple solution paths, meta-paths are implemented, which is a single summarized representation of all the paths generated for a particular preference. This allows the decision making process to be completed in an efficient and organized manner. The problem formulati on and soluti on implementation is described along wi th the results from several simulated scenarios.
The 2016 Election and America’s Standing Abroad: Quasi-Experimental Evidence of a Trump Effect

Global favorability toward the United States declined by more than 10 percentage points from 2016 to 2017. This shift coincided with the end of the Obama administration and the inauguration of Donald Trump—but did Trump’s election cause America’s standing abroad to erode? Leveraging a natural experiment, we show that Trump’s victory had an immediate, negative effect on international public opinion toward the United States. Our identification strategy exploits the fact that a major cross-national survey, the AmericasBarometer, was in the field when the 2016 US presidential election occurred. Using data from four Latin American countries, we compare respondents surveyed just before and after the election. We find that Trump’s unexpected win caused a sharp drop in trust in the US government. While scholars have long observed that domestic political considerations shape leaders’ foreign policy decisions, we show that domestic political events—such as elections—can also affect a country’s international image.
Sensitivity improvement of waveguide-type optical passive ring resonator gyroscope by carrier suppression

The influence of the carrier suppression level on the gyro performance is demonstrated experimentally. Proportional integrator is adopted in the frequency servo loop to eliminate the residual error at the lock-in frequency. Carrier suppression is applied onto the clockwise and counterclockwise lightwaves at the same time. Total high carriersuppression is realized with optical phase modulators. A bias stability of 0.46°/s in 50 seconds is demonstrated in a silica waveguide ring resonator with the ring length of 7.9cm.
Online Healthcare Platform Evolution: The Interplay of Bargaining and Network Effects

Online healthcare platforms are rapidly emerging worldwide as a healthcare business model. This is because they have the potential to scale very fast, providing healthcare access to a large number of consumers. This scaling depends on the speed of adoption (of the platform) by both healthcare providers and consumers, which the platforms can inﬂuence via economic incentives. For example, most platforms charge healthcare providers a fee to get access to consumers, and this fee is usually arrived at via a bargaining process. As is common in bar-gaining settings, agents with higher relative bargaining power are able to extract better terms. In platform settings, agents who have a stronger ability to induce agents on the other side of the platform to adopt have more power. In this paper, we build a novel framework that integrates theories from the network effects and bargaining literatures. We test our theoretical predictions using data from a Chinese online healthcare platform. Our empirical approach is able to precisely quantify the relationship between network effects, bargaining power and ﬁnal prices in this market. Using a series of simulations, we show how these results can help the platform balance the conﬂicting objectives of growth and proﬁtability.
Interior Design Practitioner Motivations for Specifying Sustainable Materials: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Residential Design

Although sustainable design has become one of the major concerns in the interior design industry, the frequency of making such sustainable choices in real practice is still limited. Given that little research has yet focused on interior designers’ choice of sustainable material, this study aimed to identify factors affecting interior designers’ sustainable material choices focusing on sustainable flooring materials for residential use. On the basis of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework, we developed hypotheses to test relationships (1) between three determinants (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) and behavioral intention and (2) between two behavioral beliefs (environmental outcome and health outcome) and attitude. This study used quantitative methodologies through an Internet survey with a sample selected from American Society of Interior Designers practicing residential design. A total of 225 final surveys were utilized for further analysis. Findings revealed that all three determinants (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) were positively associated with behavioral intention to choose sustainable flooring materials. Attitude toward adopting sustainable flooring materials were significantly related to environmental beliefs but not to health beliefs. Our findings imply that the TPB framework can provide valuable insights for developing more effective and comprehensive strategies and strengthening the interior design curriculum to promote interior designers’ sustainable decision–making in material choices in actual real–life design practice.
Distribution Networks with Linear and Nonlinear Loads: Cost-Based Method for Planning Dispersed Generation and Capacitor Units under Uncertainty

This paper discusses the optimal allocation of capacitors and dispersed generation units in a medium-voltage distribution system with linear and nonlinear loads. An optimization problem is formulated and solved for optimal siting and sizing, with the objective of minimizing costs sustained by the distributor for reactive power service, even containing the impact of the waveform distortions. A three-step procedure, based on genetic algorithm and decision theory, is applied to obtain a solution for the optimization problem that takes into account the unavoidable uncertainties that the dispersed generation production and the loads introduce. The numeric applications performed on an 18-bus test distribution system demonstrate of the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.
The Effects of Alkaloids Fraction of Cyperus esculentus on Some Biochemical Parameters and Histopathology of the Testis of Lead-Induced Toxicity

Aim: This study evaluated the protective effect of alkaloids fraction of Cyperus esculentus on lead-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rat. Methodology: Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five (5) groups, (n=5). Group 1 was administered with 1ml normal saline only, group 2 was administered with 30 mg/kg of lead, group 3 was administered with 50mg/kg of alkaloids and 30 mg/kg of lead, group 4 was administered with 100 mg/kg of alkaloids and 30 mg/kg of lead, group 5 was administered 150mg/kg of alkaloids and 30 mg/kg of lead orally for 28 days. The testes of the rats were harvested on day 29 of the experiment and histological studies done using the H&E and Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) stains. Sperm parameters, sex hormones and antioxidant of testicular homogenates were analysed. Results: Histological examination of the testes revealed increased spermatogenic cells and Leydig cell proliferation in the rats in groups 3, 4, and 5 administered with 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg of Alkaloids, and 30 mg/kg of lead, respectively, when compared with group 2 administered with 30 mg/kg of lead alone. Also there was significant increase in levels of serum testosterone (p < .05) in groups 3, 4, and 5 when compared with group 2. There was increase in levels of follicle stimulating hormone in groups 4, and 5 when compared with group 2. However, significant decreased in luteinizing hormone was observed in groups 3, 4 and 5. Group 2, treated with 30 mg/kg of lead only showed increased malondialdehyde levels when compared with group 1 that received 1ml normal saline. Group 3, 4, and 5, treated with 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg of alkaloid plus 30 mg/kg lead, respectively, showed significant growth of seminiferous epithelium, improved sperm quality, and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (p < .05). Conclusion: This study shows that alkaloids fraction of Cyperus esculentus may have a protective effect on the testis of Wistar rat when it is exposed to toxicity from lead.
Status and perspectives of mangrove management in Côte d'Ivoire

Mangroves are ecosystems characteristic of intertidal zones in tropical and subtropical regions. Rhizophora racemosa, Avicennia germinans and Conocarpus erectus are characteristic mangrove species found in Côte d'Ivoire. These mangroves could disappear without being fully studied due to the strong anthropic pressure. This study therefore proposes to establish a detailed cartography of the mangroves reported in Côte d'Ivoire and to model their potential distribution. Mangroves cover approximately 57.92 km², ie a linear coverage of 20.11% of the 540.14 km of coastline. The extent of these mangroves also decreased by 4.91 km² between 1996 and 2016. The maximum entropy model presents low-altitude coastal areas with high rainfall as well as average sunshine as favorable to mangroves. The particular ecological characteristic of mangroves as well as their particular mode of operation deserve to be taken into account in studies of flora in Côte d'Ivoire. It is therefore opportune to consider larger studies focusing specifically on the mangroves present in Ivory.
Allele Frequencies of 15 Autosomal STR Loci in Hilla City population / Iraq

Back ground: It is important to establish STR database for future applications in forensic and paternity tests to gain a reliable evaluation for statistical analysis and that STR database would be more representative. Objective: The objectives of this study are establishing autosomal STR database for the population of Hilla City. Material and methods: DNA was extracted and purified from sixty six individuals from Hilla city by Prepfiller kit. Extracted DNA quantified by Quantifiler real time PCR kit. Fifteen autosomal STR loci (Identifiler) were amplified then analyzed by Genetic Analyzer. All kits supplemented by Applied Biosystem, USA. Results: All samples amplified and analyzed successfully. Allele frequency and forensic parameters were determined. Conclusion: We can conclude that we can use this database for further forensic and paternity applications.
Design and operation of poly-Si analogue circuits

The paper illustrates the use of poly-Si thin film transistors (TFTs) to fabricate analogue circuits and in particular operational amplifiers (opamps). A brief description of the peculiarities of poly-Si technology and their effects on the design of analogue circuits is given and some results obtained with low-temperature processes on two designs are discussed.
Long-term reliability degradation of ultrathin dielectric films due to heavy-ion irradiation

High-energy ion-irradiated 3.3-nm oxynitride film and 2.2-nm SiO/sub 2/-film MOS capacitors show premature breakdown during subsequent electrical stress. This degradation in breakdown increases with increasing ion linear energy transfer (LET), increasing ion fluence, and decreasing oxide thickness. The reliability degradation due to high-energy ion-induced latent defects is explained by a simple percolation model of conduction through SiO/sub 2/ layers with irradiation and/or electrical stress-induced defects. Monitoring the gate-leakage current reveals the presence of latent defects in the dielectric films. These results may be significant to future single-event effects and single-event gate rupture tests for MOS devices and ICs with ultrathin gate oxides.
A floating-gate analog memory device for neural networks

A floating-gate MOSFET device that can be used as a precision analog memory for neural network LSIs is described. This device has two floating gates. One is a charge-injection gate with a Fowler-Nordheim tunnel junction, and the other is a charge-storage gate that operates as a MOSFET floating gate. The gates are connected by high resistance, and the charge-injection gate is small so that its capacitance is much less than that of the charge-storage gate. By applying control pulses to the charge-injection gate, it is possible to charge and discharge the MOSFET floating gate in order to modify the MOSFET current with high resolution over 10 b. The charge injection can be carried out without disturbing the MOSFET output current with high voltage control pulses. This device is useful for on-chip learning in analog neural network LSIs. >
Achieving ambidexterity in large, complex engineering projects: a case study of the Sutong Bridge project

Complex engineering projects typically face unique challenges that demand both exploring innovative solutions and exploiting existing capabilities. However, it is difficult to manage both exploitation and exploration in the same organizational unit owing to the different organizational support required for each. The solutions to managing the tension involve separating the two approaches into separate organizational units—structural separation, or separating by time—temporal separation, or by creating an organizational context that empowers employees to pursue both. Structural separation may not work because of the predominant need for integration at project level due to the fragmented nature of the construction industry and the co-location of project team. Instead, temporal separation could be an effective mechanism of separation. Creating the appropriate project context could facilitate project ambidexterity. Extant studies on ambidexterity focus on the organizational level which may not apply at project level. This study examines the effects of the above three antecedents to project ambidexterity. The key findings are that ambidexterity can be achieved during the limited lifespan of a complex engineering project through: (1) partitioning the two approaches in different project phases and then integrating the two; (2) implementing policies and financial support aiming at facilitating contextual ambidexterity both at and above project level.
Effects and Usefulness of Inspiratory Muscle Training Load in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer with Dyspnea

Background: Patients with advanced lung cancer tend to experience dyspnea. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been reported as a method for relieving dyspnea. However, exercise therapy imposes a high burden on patients, and it is difficult to sustain in many cases. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) imposes a relatively low burden on patients with advanced lung cancer; however, its benefits have not been demonstrated. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 71 patients who were hospitalized for medical treatment. The participants were divided into an exercise therapy group and an IMT load + exercise therapy group. Changes in maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and dyspnea were examined using a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: MIP variations significantly increase in the IMT load group, with significant differences between baseline and week 1, between week 1 and week 2, and between baseline and week 2. The analysis also showed that the variations in dyspnea decreased in the IMT load + exercise therapy group with significant differences between baseline and week 1 and between baseline and week 2. Conclusions: The results show that IMT is useful and has a high persistence rate in patients with advanced lung cancer who present dyspnea and cannot perform high-intensity exercise therapy.
Enriching K-12 science and mathematics education using LEGOs

This paper presents a series of illustrative LEGO Mindstorms-based science and math activities, developed under an NSF GK-12 Fellows project, for elementary, middle, and high school grades. The activities, developed by engineering and science graduate Fellows in partnership with K-12 teachers, are grade appropriate, address pertinent learning objectives, and adhere to the science and math learning standards of New York City and State. To measure the effectiveness of the use of LEGO Mindstormsbased lab activities in science and math lessons, pre- and post-lesson assessment surveys, consisting of content and evaluation questions, were administered to all participating students. In this paper, we provide: our motivation to investigate the effectiveness of LEGO Mindstorms-based lessons; descriptions of six LEGO Mindstorms-based science and math activities and their associated assessment; statistical analysis; refl ection on the effectiveness of the lessons; and recommendations for future work.
The Sensitivity of Central Bank Interest Rate on Commercial Banks’ Stock Market Returns in Kenya

Commercial banks occupy a significant position in the transmission of monetary policy through the financial market. Furthermore, commercial banks have assets and liabilities which are interest rate sensitive, and their stock returns are believed to be particularly responsive to changes in the central bank base lending rates. Therefore, this study investigated the sensitivity of central bank interest rate changes on stock returns of listed commercial banks in Kenya for nine year period, from 2006 to 2014. The study used a hybrid of cross sectional and longitudinal quantitative surveys method, applying GMM panel data regression model on the secondary data from the 11 listed commercial banks in Kenya. The study found out that there is a significant strong positive sensitivity of average annual changes in central bank interest rates (CBR) on the stock returns of the listed commercial banks in Kenya, from 2006 to 2014, measured using CAPM. Hence, listed commercial banks’ managers in Kenya should monitor, keenly, the changes in the central bank interest rates and make investor related decisions accordingly.
Online Education and Wireless Network Coordination of Electronic Music Creation and Performance under Artificial Intelligence

This paper is aimed at studying the online education and wireless network collaboration on electronic music creation and performance under artificial intelligence (AI). This paper uses a fuzzy clustering algorithm (FCA), designs the sensor network-related equipment, and uses AI to design an electronic music creation system. The analysis of simulation experiments suggests that under the premise of increasing the number of neighbors, the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Squared Error (MSE) of collaborative filtering and fuzzy C -means clustering algorithms show a downward trend. However, with the same number of neighbors, the filtering matching algorithm is greater than FCA regarding the mean values of MAE and MSE. Meanwhile, on the electronic music performance system of AI, the digital module is designed and the sound data are imaged on the oscilloscope, and the collaboration of electronic music online education and wireless network is completed. The following conclusion is drawn: modularizing the creative mode of intelligent electronic music has achieved higher computational efficiency. Through the oscilloscope, the sound feature is converted into the image structure, and the corresponding sound and image mode is formed, which realizes the purpose of online electronic music intelligent matching and optimizes the effect of online education. In the AI environment, the matching degree of verification electronic music curriculum resources is better than traditional matching algorithms, and the accuracy is higher.
The Associations between maternal depressive symptoms and parenting practices among low income head start eligible families

ABSTRACT This research examines associations between maternal depressive symptoms and parenting practices among Head Start eligible, low-income families. Among 3,780 mothers, four types of childcare were identified: Head Start (n = 2124), informal care (n = 270), other center-based care (n = 638), and exclusive parental care (n = 748). The study found that mothers with higher depressive symptoms engaging in less positive parenting practices. Mothers whose children were cared for by parents or informal childcare have higher depressive symptoms and more neglectful and unsafe parenting practices than those with children enrolled in Head Start. Low-income families should aim to enroll their children in formal childcare including Head Start.