Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Employees’ skills, manufacturing flexibility and performance: a structural equation modelling applied to the automotive industry

The issue of manufacturing flexibility (MF) is gaining growing importance in production/operations management, mainly due to the changing nature of competition, and in such a context, the efficient use of resources may be a major concern and challenge for manufacturing strategy in many industries, particularly in the capital intensive automotive industry. Building on the foundation laid by previous researches on flexibility concerns, the objective of this study is to gain further insights on the nature of the linkage between employees’ skills and MF, as well as its impact on business performance. Moving toward such purpose, a structural equation modelling is applied to data collected from 144 manufacturing firms in the automotive industry from several countries. Findings provide evidences that workforce’ skills may foster MF as an effective approach to cope with uncertain environments and turbulent markets. More precisely, results show that employees’ skills directly influence new product, volume and mix flexibility, which in turn directly influence business performance. Moreover, findings revealed that MF mediates partially the relationship between employees’ skills and business performance.
Building Efficiency and Sustainability in the Tropics ( SinBerBEST ) Title Handling model uncertainty in model predictive control for energy efficient buildings Permalink

Model uncertainty is a significant challenge to more widespread use of model predictive controllers (MPC) for optimizing building energy consumption. This paper presents two methodologies to handle model uncertainty for building MPC. First, we propose a modeling framework for online estimation of states and unknown parameters leading to a parameter-adaptive building (PAB) model. Second, we propose a robust model predictive control (RMPC) formulation to make a building controller robust to model uncertainties. The results from these two approaches are compared with those from a nominal MPC and a common odeling uncertainty uilding control odel predictive control uilding HVAC system alman filter building rule based control (RBC). The results are then used to develop a methodology for selecting a controller type (i.e. RMPC, MPC, or RBC) as a function of building model uncertainty. RMPC is found to be the superior controller for the cases with an intermediate level of model uncertainty (30–67%), while the nominal MPC is preferred for the cases with a low level of model uncertainty (0–30%). Further, a common RBC outperforms MPC or RMPC if the model uncertainty goes beyond a certain threshold (e.g. 67%). © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
Design and Analysis of a Magnetless Flux-Switching DC-Excited Machine for Wind Power Generation

This paper proposes a new outer-rotor magnetless flux-switching DC-excited (FSDC) machine which can offer low-speed operation to directly capture the wind power for power generation. Compared with its permanent-magnet (PM) counterparts, the proposed machine equips no PM such that it enjoys the definite cost benefit. One of the key designs of the proposed machine is the multitoothed per stator pole structure. With the multitoothed structure, the proposed machine not only offers the flux-modulation effect to boost up its torque density, but also is favorable for the low-speed operation. In addition, the external DC-field excitation can be controlled independently to offer the flux-controlled ability to achieve constant voltage output among various wind speeds. By performing the time-stepping finite element method (TS-FEM), the performances of the proposed machine can be analyzed, and hence verifying the design.
Inverse incomplete gamma function and its application

Communication systems with multiple antennas operating over non-ergodic fading channels are gauged by means of the outage probability against a given communication rate, the solution to which is often expressed in terms of the incomplete gamma function. Practical situations, however, often require the inverse process, i.e. the determination of an optimum rate against a desired outage probability. The contribution of this report is the application of an asymptotic expression that enables the inverse function to be expressed in closed form.
Knowledge And Judgments About Standard Precautions For Nosocomial Infection: Comparative Analysis Of Medical Vs. Non-Medical Students

Background — Nosocomial infection (NI) is among the most common and serious challenges in a healthcare system. Health workers and medical students play an important role in prevention of NI. Despite advances in the field of medicine in Kazakhstan, low detection rate of NIs remains unchanged, which could be due to a lack of awareness of the standard precautions for infection control among medical students and health workers. This study is aimed at examining knowledge and judgments on NIs among medical and non-medical students. Material and Methods — We conducted a cross-sectional paper-based survey to examine the knowledge and judgments about the standard precautions for NI among medical and non-medical students. Data collection took place between September 21 and December 20, 2017. Results — The study enrolled 2,817 students. The mean overall score (±SD) was 2.045±1.29. Medical students had a better mean overall score (2.113) than non-medical students (1.785; p<0.001). Awareness of the standard preventive measures was increasing with a year of study, but still just one-third of year 5 medical students were aware of standard prevention (36.3% vs. 17.4% for non-medical students; p<0.001). Conclusion — The overall score of our survey indicated inadequate knowledge and awareness of the guidelines on infection prevention and control among both medical and non-medical students. In order to improve patient safety and welfare, the courses on infection control should be introduced into the curricular of medical universities in Kazakhstan.
The processing of lexical ambiguity: the effect of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease in the monolingual lexicon

Στόχος της μeλέτης eίναι να eξeτάσουμe την σχέση της γλώσσας και των eπίκτητων γλωσσικών διαταραχών ως αποτέλeσμα νeυροeκφυλιστικών νόσων όπως η νόσος Αλτσχάιμeρ και συναφeίς άνοιeς. Συγκeκριμένα, διeρeυνήθηκe η σημασιολογική αμφισημία κατά την λeξική eπeξeργασία σe ομιλητές της Eλληνικής μe νόσο Αλτσχάιμeρ, σe ομιλητές μe ήπια νοητική διαταραχή και σe τυπικούς ομιλητές. Στην πeιραματική μeλέτη συμμeτeίχαν 60 άτομα και διαπιστώθηκe (α) η σημαντική eπίδραση της άνοιας στη λeιτουργία του νοητικού λeξικού από τα πρώτα στάδια της νόσου, και (β) η συσχέτιση των γλωσσικών δeδομένων μe τα συμπeριφορικά δeδομένα γνωστικών δοκιμασιών της eργαζόμeνης μνήμης και του γνωστικού μηχανισμού της αναστολής.
Application of genetic algorithms in wire busbars design with 3d truss portals

This work shows how to achieve a substation wire busbar design by means of genetic algorithms (GA). Major parameters of busbars are mapped into a chromosome like a string. This includes insulators and wire types, geometry, thrust requirements and operating parameters. GA operators are performed on a population of such strings and subsequently a natural selection is expected to occur. The design performance is obtained by using the busbar price as the fitness function. The steel structure is modelled as 3D truss. GA performance is presented in one example.
MARKETING PRACTICES AND THE DARK SIDE OF INEQUITY: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN AFRICAN PRIVATE COMPANIES

Business ethics is capital for both customer satisfaction and growth in a world where competition is a distinctive constituent for companies’ unrelenting existence. The purpose of this research is to examine how ethical and fair practices affect customer satisfaction of companies in very low income countries. The research is centered on a constructivist design model with a qualitative approach that is inspired by the researcher’s experience of the context. Data collection is implemented in two (2) private companies, using a digital recorder and some semi-structured interviews. One company in the field of professional training, and one in the field of IT and printing. The data is transcribed by hand, and then a content analysis is made. The results show that equity has some effects on customer satisfaction, and thus on the overall growth of companies. The recommendation is that companies in the context should offer nondiscriminatory products and reasonable services to upturn customer satisfaction. Keywords: Business ethics, Equity, Customer satisfaction, Marketing, Burkina Faso.
Personal locator services emerge

Finding a mentally impaired relative, a lost child, or a criminal in a sprawling metropolitan area would be simple if the person were equipped with a personal locator device. The belief that it should be easy to find anyone, anywhere, at any time with a few pushes of a button has caught on with the advent of the Global Positioning System (GPS). People imagine a miniature device, attached to one's person, that reports ones whereabouts almost instantaneously. Add the highly practical need to find missing persons promptly, and the personal locator system (PLS) industry is born. Systems of this nature, whether based on the GPS or some other technology, are being tested throughout the world. The architecture of a PLS is outlined. Six technologies for PLS are discussed: signal direction, signal times of arrival, GPS, server-assisted GPS, enhanced signal strength, and location fingerprinting. The importance to society of this technology is also discussed.
Development of a multiplex qRT-PCR assay for detection of African swine fever virus, classical swine fever virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Background African swine fever virus (ASFV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are still prevalent in many regions of China. Co-infections make it difficult to distinguish their clinical symptoms and pathological changes. Therefore, a rapid and specific method is needed for the differential detection of these pathogens. Objectives The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (multiplex qRT-PCR) for the simultaneous differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV. Methods Three pairs of primers and TaqMan probes targeting the ASFV p72 gene, CSFV 5′ untranslated region, and PRRSV ORF7 gene were designed. After optimizing the reaction conditions, including the annealing temperature, primer concentration, and probe concentration, multiplex qRT-PCR for simultaneous and differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV was developed. Subsequently, 1,143 clinical samples were detected to verify the practicality of the assay. Results The multiplex qRT-PCR assay could specifically and simultaneously detect the ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV with a detection limit of 1.78 × 100 copies for the ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV, but could not amplify the other major porcine viruses, such as pseudorabies virus, porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1), PCV2, PCV3, foot-and-mouth disease virus, porcine parvovirus, atypical porcine pestivirus, and Senecavirus A. The assay had good repeatability with coefficients of variation of intra- and inter-assay of less than 1.2%. Finally, the assay was used to detect 1,143 clinical samples to evaluate its practicality in the field. The positive rates of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV were 25.63%, 9.36%, and 17.50%, respectively. The co-infection rates of ASFV+CSFV, ASFV+PRRSV, CSFV+PRRSV, and ASFV+CSFV+PRRSV were 2.45%, 2.36%, 1.57%, and 0.17%, respectively. Conclusions The multiplex qRT-PCR developed in this study could provide a rapid, sensitive, specific diagnostic tool for the simultaneous and differential detection of ASFV, CSFV, and PRRSV.
Simulated annealing method for material parameter extraction with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

A simulated annealing method for material parameter extraction with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy is introduced to improve the common extraction method. The simulated annealing method seeks the global minimum of the error function to obtain material constants where the characterized material is not constrained by a certain boundary condition. It is shown from the research results that more accurate material parameters can be acquired to meet the actual requirements of material analysis by use of the simulated annealing method.
Impact of leadership style on innovation: A study of retired military senior officers in executive-level supervisory roles within the high-technology engineering defense industry

This study examined the relationship between leadership style and past military rank, and how these might impact an organization’s innovation climate. The sample consisted of (a) retired U.S. Army senior officers currently employed as executive-level supervisors in the high-technology engineering defense industry and (b) those working under such supervisors. Two leadership styles investigated in this study are transactional and transformational, the former defined by incentive structures based on pay and promotion according to performance, and the latter defined by charisma, inspiration, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. Although these are not mutually exclusive styles, they are conceptually distinct operating modes. The former emphasizes hierarchy, while the latter emphasizes egalitarian relations. The hypothesis was that leaders with military background might habitually operate in transactional style, characteristic of hierarchical organizations where functionality benefits from conformity and lack of dissent as fundamental elements that enhance a high level of coordination. Conversely, research suggests that for-profit engineering-related businesses should benefit from innovation-enhancing characteristics linked with transformational leadership.
Analysis of vectorial mode fields in optical waveguides by a new finite difference method

An important class of dielectric optical waveguides has stepped refractive index profiles. For these waveguides we present a new finite-difference approach free of spurious modes. The coupled difference equations are formulated in terms of the transverse magnetic field components H/sub x/ and H/sub y/. We show how the boundary conditions can be formulated and included in the finite difference scheme to obtain a unique set of equations. For a step-index fiber a comparison of the numerical results with the analytical solution shows that the relative error in the propagation constant is as low as 4.4/spl times/10/sup /spl minus/7/ for an index difference of 7.3%. For a rib waveguide, we compare our results with previously published data based on other methods. Field plots of the dominant and the weak transverse field components of the magnetic field for the fundamental mode of a buried rib waveguide are also given. >
Three-phase cogenerator and transformer models for distribution system analysis

The authors present detailed three-phase cogenerator and transformer models for analyzing a large scale distribution system. The cogenerator model presented can represent the inherent generator phase imbalance due to distribution system imbalance. The cogenerators can be synchronous or induction and can be on either primary or secondary systems. The transformer models consider the copper and core losses, the winding connection, the phase-shifting between primary and secondary windings, and the off-nominal tapping. An individual phase, as opposed to a balanced three-phase, representation is employed. This approach is oriented toward applications in distribution system operational analysis rather than planning analysis. >
4-kW fiber laser for metal cutting and welding

We have developed a commercial 4-kW fiber laser consisting of seven, 600-W modules whose outputs are combined with a fused-fiber combiner. The system architecture has several practical advantages, including pumping with reliable single-emitter diodes, monolithic fused-fiber construction (no free-space beams), and end pumping using a 91:1 pump combiner (eliminating the need for complex pump/signal combiners). Typical results at 4-kW output power are a beamparameter product of 2.6 mm-mrad, 8-hr power stability of < 0.5% rms, central wavelength of 1080 nm, and linewidth of 1.2 nm FWHM. These lasers have been incorporated into Amada machines used for cutting metal sheet and plate and have been used to cut aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, brass, titanium, and copper with a thickness up to 19 mm. A world-record cutting speed of 62 m/min has been demonstrated for 1-mm aluminum sheet metal.
Flicker noise conversion in crystal oscillator

A single port 1/f model is examined of a crystal oscillator combined with a resonator and an equivalent negative resistance of amplifier. Intrinsic 1/f flicker fluctuations of resonator and amplifier amplitude and phase are converted to the oscillator amplitude and phase, and the proper transformation coefficients are applied. An analysis of the oscillator phase power spectral density is provided in detail for the particular case of a resonator excited in oscillator at various frequencies. Conformity with the Leeson's model is shown.
A review of gasification for power generation

The paper is a review of the state of the art of gasification of coal for power generation. the major part of the review is a description, under the headings of fixed-bed gasification, fluidized-bed gasification, entrained gasification and molten-bath gasification, of the work currently in progress. The only large-scale operational plant is the Steag plant at Lunen in the Federal Republic of Germany, which is based on Lurgi fixed-bed technology. Another large-scale plant which seems certain to be built is the Commonwealth Edison plant at Pekin, and this too is to use Lurgi gasifiers. All other work is still in the development stage and unlikely to reach commercial scale for several years. Hopefully, this will roughly coincide with the time when gas turbines can withstand inlet temperatures of 1200°C or higher. The review briefly describes the current conventional methods of power generation, outlines the three basic types of combined cycle, and then explains why the juncture of gasification and a combined cycle is attractive. This is followed by a section on the quality of gas required for firing gas turbines, and a short outline of equipment available for gasification of coal.
TopX & XXL at INEX 2005 (Ad-Hoc Track)

We participated with two different and independent search engines in this year's INEX round: The XXL Search Engine and the TopX engine. As this is the first participation for TopX, this paper focuses on the design principles, scoring, query evaluation and results of TopX. We shortly discuss the results with XXL afterwards.
Optimization of Hot Rolled Coil Widths Using a Genetic Algorithm

Abstract This paper focuses on the assortment problem in the steel industry; with the help of the genetic algorithm, it attempts to determine the optimum width of the parent stock given a set of forecasted customer widths so that the trim loss is minimized. For each given set of forecasted customer widths, an attempt is made to find a single width of the mother coil to be manufactured and kept in stock. In the genetic algorithm, six different selection schemes are considered. A number of test problems are taken up for different selection schemes. Evaluated against the maximum fitness value, the optimal mother coil width, and the generation number at which they are achieved, the elitism selection scheme shows consistently good results in all the test problems compared with the other selection mechanisms.
Editorial Software Obsolescence—Complicating the Part and Technology Obsolescence Management Problem

As a result of the rapid growth of the electronics industry, many of the electronic parts in products have a procurement life cycle that is significantly shorter than the life cycle of the system they go into. A part becomes obsolete when it is no longer manufactured, either because demand has dropped to low enough levels that manufacturers choose not to continue to make it, or because the materials or technologies necessary to produce it are no longer available. The military refers to this situation as Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). Avionics and military systems may encounter obsolescence before being fielded and always experience obsolescence problems during their field life, [1]. Today there are a growing number of methodologies, databases and tools that address status, forecasting, risk, mitigation and management of electronic parts obsolescence, [2]. However, the one common attribute of all the methodologies, databases and tools that are in use today, whether reactive, proactive or strategic, is that they focus exclusively on the hardware life cycle. In most complex systems, software life cycle costs (redesign, re-hosting and re-qualification) contribute as much or more to the total life cycle cost as the hardware, and the hardware and software must be concurrently sustained.
Unbalanced three-phase distribution system frequency estimation using least mean squares method and positive voltage sequence

The subject of this study is a frequency estimation algorithm suitable for grid-connected power converters placed at a weak coupling point of a three-phase electrical distribution system. An upgraded version of the widely used complex least mean squares (CLMS) algorithm for frequency estimation is introduced to cope with different voltage amplitude unbalance and harmonic distortion levels, both frequently present in power system at distribution level. First, it is suggested that the CLMS algorithm uses only a positive phase-sequence component of voltage vector, the component that is inherently symmetrical and by cancelling the phase unbalance preserves the circular vector trajectory in a two-phase αβ-plane. This study shows that it is even possible to use the positive voltage phase-sequence vector extracted using a constant delay block, thus avoiding potential instability issues in the case of signal frequency feedback loop. Second, possible high signal harmonics and signal measurement noise are both removed using low-pass filters prior to CLMS algorithm deployment. Computer simulations and experiments are performed under a variety of conditions to validate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. Experimental results are achieved using the dataset sampled from the actual three-phase grid voltage at distributed level and with data processing done in the LabVIEW software environment.