Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emerging trends in cost of quality practices: an overview

Cost of quality practices, an invariable element of quality management is getting increasing attention across the broad spectrum of organisations globally. Simultaneously there is continuous advancement in manufacturing and allied activities in business environment. Initial development of quality cost methodology dates back to 1960s, which is tracked by many researchers and presented the finding in the form of review papers. However, recently, owing to the increasing use of advanced technologies, supported by use of computers, information technology infrastructure, innovative methodologies for problem solving in business functions are having a great impact on the ways in which quality cost practices are used. The present article focuses on emergence of new trends in cost of quality practices in tandem with advancement in technology by reviewing the published literature. In addition, a general framework for quality cost management system (QCMS) is proposed and the interaction of QCMS with other organisational elements is illustrated.
Insulin resistance may affect the functional recovery of acute ischemic stroke in non-diabetic patients

Background Insulin resistance is associated with the occurrence of stroke and atherosclerotic disease. However, the relationship between insulin resistance and the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke in nondiabetic patients is unclear. We hypothesized that insulin resistance may affect short-term functional recovery after acute ischemic stroke in nondiabetic patients. Methods Between May 2014 and December 2016, 1377 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled from a prospectively maintained stroke registry. After excluding patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA), pre-stroke disabilities, diabetes mellitus, and patients with incomplete evaluations, 517 patients were included in the study. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score was used to evaluate the degree of insulin resistance. The factors associated with poor functional outcomes were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results The patients with the highest quartile of log HOMA-IR index scores were younger and had higher fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and HbA1c levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that log HOMA-IR scores were independently associated with poor prognosis after adjusting for age and sex and p < 0.1 in univariate analysis. Conclusion Insulin resistance measured by the HOMA-IR index was associated with the poor functional outcome of non-diabetic stroke patients. This evidence supports treating insulin resistance in acute ischemic stroke patients with blood glucose levels within the normal range.
Modelling of resistive sensor for high-power microwave pulse measurement of te01 wave in circular waveguide

The interaction of a semiconductor plate with TE 01 (H 01 ) wave in a circular waveguide has been investigated. A plate with contacts on its top and bottom serves as a sensing element (SE) for a resistive sensor (RS) based on the electron heating effect and devoted to high-power microwave pulse measurement. A three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method was applied to simulate wave propagation within a circular waveguide segment with the SE placed on a wall of the waveguide. The electric field distribution, voltage standing wave ratio and the average electric field dependencies on frequency have been determined for several sets of dimensions and specific resistances of the SE. The influence of the resonance phenomena on the average electric field in the SE has been considered. As a result of our investigation, the optimal dimensions and specific resistance of the SE required to provide a flat frequency response of the RS were found.
Rapid design of microstrip antenna arrays by means of surrogate-based optimisation

A technique for rapid simulation driven design of planar microstrip antenna arrays is introduced. It exploits the surrogate-based optimisation paradigm and variable-fidelity electromagnetic (EM) simulations. The design process includes radiation pattern optimisation and matching. Two low-fidelity models are utilised: a coarse-mesh EM model of the entire array and a model of the array based on the simulated single element radiation response combined with the array factor. Both models, after suitable correction, guide the optimisation process towards the optimum of the antenna array high-fidelity model. Design optimisation of a 5 × 5 and 7 × 7 microstrip antenna arrays is conducted and described to demonstrate operation as well as efficiency of the proposed technique. The computational cost of optimised designs is equivalent to a few high-fidelity simulations of the entire array despite a large number of design variables.
A novel data-driven approach reveals gene networks and biological processes underlying autism

Background: Developments in gene-hunting techniques identified several ASD associated genes. The considerable significance of cluster analysis associated with gene network studies has led to reveal many disrupted key pathways in ASD, even if its genetic underpinnings remain a challenging task. This study aims to determine, through a novel data-driven approach, how networks of mutated genes impact biological processes underlying autism. Methods: We analyzed the VariCarta dataset, which presents more than 200,000 genomic variant events collected from 13,069 people with ASD. Firstly, we created a whole-genome and an exome sequencing subset. Then, for each subset we compared pairwise patients of each group to build “patient similarity matrices”. Hierarchical-agglomerative-clustering and heatmap were performed to identify clusters of patients with common occurrences of gene networks within these matrices. The subsequent enrichment analysis (EA) highlighted biological processes that might be impacted by the mutated genes of each subgroup. Results: Considering the whole-genome matrix, we identified three main genetic clusters of ASD patients, each one characterized by a network of shared genetic variants. We isolated 11,609 genetic variants shared by at least two subjects in each cluster; 4,187 of these variants (36.1%) were common to the three clusters. Only 331 patients (2.5%) shared none or very few mutated genes with anyone else. The EA highlighted common or cluster-specific biological processes related to the variants. Most of the common abnormal processes were involved in neuron projections guidance and morphogenesis, cell junctions and synapse assembly. Exome sequencing alone was not effectual in identifying ASD subgroups. Limitations: Caution is warranted when interpreting our results, as we did not compare them with a control group and did not verify if the identified subgroups where actually associated with different phenotypes. Future work will have to ascertain the strength and reproducibility of these results. Conclusions: Itemizing not just single mutated genes, but also gene networks and specific biological processes that characterize different ASD subpopulations might allow to better understand which networks of genetic variants play a major role in the etiopathology of ASD. The proposed methodology may represent a novel approach to help disentangle ASD complexity and an instrument to boost more focused genotype-phenotype studies.
DESIGN OF PROTOTYPE FOR ONLINE DISASTER MULTIMEDIA DATA TRANSMISSION BASED ON ANDROID

The development of information and communication technology application is growing rapidly. It has motivated the use of mobile devices for various social networking mobile services such as android based multimedia disaster information transmission. Disaster multimedia information is important for quick response and recovery phases of the disaster management. In previous work, an online disaster information system based on location (we called it ASIKonLBS) has been proposed. However, it was only providing the coordinate information of the disaster location by using short message service (SMS) gateway and global positioning system (GPS). In this paper, we propose the design of prototype for online disaster multimedia data transmission based on android. Such that, the ASIKonLBSv2 can provide not only the information of the location, but also the situation of the disaster area including news, picture, and video. The research method refers to a spiral model that begins with conceptual design, prototype development and evaluation. The result shows that the designed prototype can be implemented for online disaster multimedia data transmission (news, photo and video) using Android Developer Tools. Furthermore, the prototype can be installed in the android-based smartphone and map the disaster multimedia data onto the web of ASIKonLBS. Therefore, the proposed prototype is useful for the disaster agencies and practitioners in order to give the first aid for the victim in the disaster area
Testing a theoretical model underlying the ‘Toyota Way’ – an empirical study involving a large global sample of Toyota facilities

In this paper, we empirically test the theoretical model underlying the Toyota Way (TW), based on data obtained from Toyota’s logistics, sales and marketing functions across 27 countries. TW is the result of Toyota attempting to codify its culture to the global community. Using structural equation modelling techniques we show that the TW-associated measures challenge, kaizen, genchi genbutsu, respect and teamwork do adequately operationally define the TW; the first three measures corresponding to the construct ‘process improvement’ and the final two measures corresponding to the construct ‘people development’. Empirically, people development is found to have no direct effect on how the TW is deployed across a business unit. However, people development is found to be indirectly related to TW deployment through the mediating effect of process improvement. Our study provides quantitative evidence that while the intangible aspects of the TW (modelled as people development) may not directly relate to the results, they are an integral component of a complete implementation of the TW and related ‘Lean’ systems. By logical extension, this provides support for adoption of a holistic and long-term strategy, integrating soft and hard elements, by those organisations attempting to implement and sustain Toyota-style systems.
Field Evaluation of Crack Sealing of AC Pavements in Alaska

Sealing cracks in asphalt concrete (AC) pavements is a widely used preventive maintenance strategy, and has long been regarded as a necessary annual procedure in most of the United States and other countries. However, many years of careful observations in Alaska have conjectured that certain thermal crack types may sometimes be ignored, i.e., left completely unsealed, for the life of the pavement with no negative effects. This paper presents a recently completed field study on evaluating crack sealing of thermal cracks in older AC pavements in northern and central Alaska. Two distinct types of thermal cracks, differentiated as 1) lesser thermal cracks and 2) major transverse thermal cracks, were formally recognized and assessed using a special thermal crack evaluation (STCE) method. Based on field data collection, analysis, and interpretation, it was concluded that significant maintenance funds can be saved or redirected by not sealing or by reduced sealing of certain types of thermal cracks in AC pavements. The study recommends that lesser thermal cracking receive no maintenance except on delaminating pavements. Maintenance treatment of major transverse thermal cracks can be greatly reduced based on inexpensive, long-term assessments following new pavement construction.
Evoking meaningful experiences at work – a positive design framework for work tools

Experience design takes experiential aspects as the starting point of design. This approach is hardly ever utilised in the work context, although positive and meaningful experiences in the workplace are known to be important. Thus, we are interested in the profound experiences that address the meaning of work in the long run, since the perception of one's work as meaningful has been shown to elicit various positive effects both for the employees and the employers. This research article therefore investigates how to define meaningful experience goals for work tool design. The research examined 31 experience goals collected from 10 tool design cases through the lens of 2 theories: the mechanisms of meaningful work (MMW) and the positive design framework (PDF). From this, we have identified that the MMW can substantiate the PDF and extend its application into work-related contexts. Complemented by these mechanisms, a PDF for work tools has been proposed to help experience designers in the challenging task of experience goal definition in the early phase of experience design.
An exploration of the factors affecting the diffusion of Advanced Costing techniques: a comparative analysis of two surveys (1996-2005)

The issue of cost calculation has been largely debated in the last years under the pressure of the perceived lost of relevance of the so called "traditional cost accounting approaches". The enthusiasm for new management accounting techniques has often driven most of attention towards technical or theoretical aspects of the proposed new cost models. In particular, Activity-Based Costing (ABC) implementation literature pinpoints a large number of studies that have looked at technical and organizational/behavioral factors that influence effective implementation. Recently a great attention has been paid by researchers on the contingent factors affecting the adoption of advanced management accounting techniques and the influence of the variables that drive towards higher levels of cost system sophistication. The need is felt for insightful studies regarding processes and contingent variables working through time in relation with these changes. Improved analysis can be obtained by undertaking replication studies based on larger number of responses and/or across geographic and cultural borders. Whitin the boundaries of a contingent framework analysis, this paper has provided additional insights into areas relating to factors influencing the level of sophistication of product cost systems in Italy. The paper presents the comparison of two survey results carried on in a ten years distance on the same sample of Italian largest companies. These two long-distance surveys provide the opportunity to assess the changes occurred in the companies that in 1996 declared the adoption of (or the interest in adopting) ABC and Target costing (Cinquini et al., 1999). Moreover, the time elapsed could allow the perception about adopters’ behavior, along different stages of the diffusion process of advanced costing techniques. The research findings pinpoint that only “importance of cost information” and “cost structure”, among the contextual variables considered in the more recent survey responses, are positive and significant in relation with increasing in implementation of advanced costing techniques. This outcome could open to further studies to assess whether or not adopters are moving from a “fad and fashion” behavior of the early stages, to a more rational approach in which the matching between management needs and tools potentiality is maximized.
Riding Ability in Icelandic Horses – Effect of Conformation and the ‘Gait Keeper’ Mutation in the DMRT3 Gene

The official breeding goal for the Icelandic horse describes an ideal conformation that should facilitate multi-gaiting riding ability. The objective of the present study was to describe and evaluate the use of a three dimensional morphometric method to objectively quantify the conformation of the Icelandic horse and to determine the distribution of conformational parameters and their intercorrelations. Selected material of 72 potential breeding horses attending breeding field tests in Iceland in the years 2008–2010 were recorded while walking in a space which was defined in three dimensions. Four video cameras were used to provide images that allow the determination of 3-D co-ordinates of anatomical landmarks by manual tracking from two or more 2-D views. A set of four video frames was chosen for each horse for two reference images (forelimb/hind limb). The measurements consisted of heights of the anatomical landmarks, segments lengths, joint angles and inclines. Their repeatability was assessed by different repeatability tests. The study described the conformation of the Icelandic horse in terms of the selected anatomical landmarks. The 3D method provided objective, repeatable data and is suitable for further studies of the correlation between the conformation and other traits as riding qualities and soundness. The method can be applied in other horse breeds. It was confirmed that the Icelandic horse has grown taller in recent years and changed from a rectangular body format to a square one. Measurements of the joint angles of the limbs revealed carpal and tarsal valgus and fetlock valgus to be frequent findings in the breed. & 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Unsupervised deep learning on biomedical data with BoltzmannMachines.jl

Deep Boltzmann machines (DBMs) are models for unsupervised learning in the field of artificial intelligence, promising to be useful for dimensionality reduction and pattern detection in clinical and genomic data. Multimodal and partitioned DBMs alleviate the problem of small sample sizes and make it possible to combine different input data types in one DBM model. We present the package “BoltzmannMachines” for the Julia programming language, which makes this model class available for practical use in working with biomedical data. Availability Notebook with example data: http://github.com/stefan-m-lenz/BMs4BInf2019 Julia package: http://github.com/stefan-m-lenz/BoltzmannMachines.jl
Performance improvement of directly modulated semiconductor optical amplifier with filter‐assisted birefringent fiber loop

We propose to use an optical bandpass filter (OBPF) placed after a birefringent fiber loop (BFL) to improve the performance of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), which is directly modulated at an extended data rate than that enabled by its limited modulation bandwidth. The OBPF complements the BFL action by being detuned toward the opposite sideband than the BFL. The obtained experimental results demonstrate and confirm that compared with the BFL only, the filter‐assisted BFL scheme can further reduce the chirp and pulse peak amplitude variations, reshape the eye diagram, and make more symmetric and narrow the spectrum of the encoded data signal after the SOA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2247–2251, 2015
Railway junction conflict resolution by local search method

This study investigates the application of local search methods on the railway junction traffic conflict-resolution problem, with the objective of attaining a quick and reasonable solution. A procedure based on local search relies on finding a better solution than the current one by a search in the neighborhood of the current one. The structure of neighborhood is therefore very important to an efficient local search procedure. This paper describes the formulation of the structure of the solution, which is the right-of-way sequence assignment. Two new neighborhood definitions are then proposed and the performance of the corresponding local search procedures is evaluated by simulation. It is shown that they provide similar results, but they can be used to handle different traffic conditions and system requirements.
An Intelligent Routing Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Reinforcement Learning

Lifetime enhancement has been a hot issue in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). To prolong the network lifetime of WSNs, this paper proposes an intelligent routing algorithm named RLLO. RLLO makes uses of the superiority of reinforcement learning (RL) and considers residual energy and hop count to define the reward function. It is to uniformly distribute the energy consumption and improve the packet delivery without additional cost. This proposed algorithm has been compared with Energy Aware Routing (EAR) and improved EAR (I-EAR). Simulation results show that RLLO gains a significant improvement in terms of network lifetime and packet delivery over these two algorithms.
Simulation and Design of Three-Level Cascaded Inverter Based on Soft Computing Method

: This paper presents the development and performance testing of the three - level inverter used in distributed power generation systems or Hybrid / Electric /Fuel Cell Vehicles, employing the Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation Technique (SVPWM). A separate isolated DC voltage source for the H - bridge inverter structure can be considered as Fuel Cells (FCs), batteries, ultra - capacitors, photovoltaic (PV) panels or another alternative energy sources. The three - level SVPWM has been briefly presented with switching sequences and states using the proposed algorithm. Artificial Neutral Network (ANN) structure is applied to the system for detecting the sector in the space vector hexagon and then calculating the region in the sector sections. In this paper, a three - level cascaded inverter with passive load and active load using SVPWM technique has been modeled, simulated and performed for various operation conditions. This modulation strategy provides to get sinusoidal waveforms with less switching losses and with very low harmonic distortion at the output. Simulation and experimental waveforms of the three - level SVPWM inverter feeding R - L (passive) and induction motor (active) loads are presented and analyzed for various operating conditions to verify the model and proposed algorithm.
Effect of maturity on in vitro starch digestibility of Saba banana [Musa ‘saba’ (Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana)]

Saba banana [ Musa ‘saba’(Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana) ] is the most popular among the many banana cultivars in the Philippines in terms of production and trade because of its wide range of applications in the local food industry. It is one of the important food sources not only as a raw material for essentially starch-based products but also as an alternative food staple to rice in rural areas. The study involving simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model was conducted to evaluate the effect of maturity on the digestibility of starch in Saba banana. The stage of ripeness of the pulp was determined using peel color (L*, Chroma, and hue) index, which was divided into 5 stages, 1, all green; 2, green but turning yellow; 3, greenish yellow; 4, yellow with green tips; and 5, yellow with brown flecks. Changes in the physicochemical properties such as moisture, resistant starch, total starch, and sugar (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) contents were also examined at different stages. During the ripening process, a decrease in the total starch was observed. More than 80% of resistant starch was degraded from stage 1 to stage 5 with a concomitant formation of sugars. This breakdown of starch preceded the increase in moisture content due to osmotic transfer. Among the stages, the highest starch hydrolysis (%) was determined in stage 1 after 4 hours of simulated intestinal digestion. Results showed that the variations on the physicochemical properties of different maturity stages may account for the decreasing rate of starch hydrolysis. These findings suggested that the maturity stages of Saba banana may influence the rate at which starch is digested due to the physicochemical changes accompanying maturation.