A multi-source feature-level fusion approach for predicting strip breakage in cold rolling

As an undesired and instantaneous failure in the production of cold-rolled strip products, strip breakage results in yield loss, reduced work speed and further equipment damage. Typically, studies have investigated this failure in a retrospective way focused on root cause analyses, and these causes are proven to be multi-faceted. In order to model the onset of this failure in a predictive manner, an integrated multi-source feature-level approach is proposed in this work. Firstly, by harnessing heterogeneous data across the breakage-relevant processes, blocks of data from different sources are collected to improve the breadth of breakage-centric information and are pre-processed according to its granularity. Afterwards, feature extraction or selection is applied to each block of data separately according to the domain knowledge. Matrices of selected features are concatenated in either flattened or expanded manner for comparison. Finally, fused features are used as inputs for strip breakage prediction using recurrent neural networks (RNNs). An experimental study using real-world data instantaneouseffectiveness of the proposed approach

The two-stage clonal expansion model in occupational cancer epidemiology: Results from three cohort studies

Copyright © 2010 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Objectives: The objective of this work was to apply the two-stage clonal expansion model, with the intention to expand the literature on epidemiological applications of the model and demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating biologically based modelling methods into the widely used retrospective cohort study. Methods: The authors fitted the two-stage clonal expansion model model to three occupational cohort studies: (1) a cohort of textile workers exposed to asbestos and followed for lung cancer mortality; (2) a cohort of diatomaceous earth workers exposed to silica and also followed for lung cancer mortality; and (3) a cohort of automotive manufacturing workers exposed to straight metalworking fluid (MWF) and followed for larynx cancer incidence. The model allowed the authors to estimate exposure effects in three stages: cancer initiation (early effects), promotion or malignant transformation (late effects). Results: In the first cohort, the authors found strong evidence for an early effect of asbestos on lung cancer risk. Findings from analyses of the second cohort suggested early and less evidently late effects of silica on lung cancer risk. In the MWF (third) cohort, there was only weak evidence of straight MWF exposure effects on both early and late stages. The authors also observed a late birth cohort effect on larynx cancer risk. Conclusions: The findings for asbestos and silica were essentially confirmatory, supporting evidence for their early effects on lung cancer from a large body of literature. The effect of straight MWF on larynx cancer was less clear.This work was supported by a grant from the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,R01-OH03575, and a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine number TS 0699

Digitally enhanced quality management for Zero-Defect Manufacturing

Though the idea of Zero Defect Manufacturing is not new, it remains a disruptive concept that is able to entirely reshape the manufacturing ideology. Existing literature suggests that Zero Defect Manufacturing can be implemented in two different approaches – namely product- (defective parts) and / or process-oriented (defective equipment) approaches. The recent onset of Industry 4.0 presents organizations with a plethora of technologies that promise to further enhance the quality of both products and processes, but also adds a third dimension to Zero Defect Manufacturing - people. Therefore, in this paper, we add the people-oriented approach as a third dimension to Zero Defect Manufacturing and draw on practical insights to present a framework for digitally enhanced quality management.publishedVersio

The upswing of regional income inequality in Spain (1860-1930).

This paper studies the evolution of Spanish regional inequality from 1860 to 1930. The results point to the coexistence of two basic forces behind changes in regional economic inequality: industrial specialization and labor productivity differentials. The initial expansion of industrialization, in a context of growing economic integration of regions, promoted the spatial concentration of manufacturing in certain regions, which also benefited from the greatest advances in terms of labor productivity. Since 1900, the diffusion of manufacturing production to a greater number of locations generated the emulation of production structures and a process of catching-up in labor productivity and wages.Industrialization; Market Integration; Heckscher-Ohlin Model; New Economic Geography;

Systems approach to assessing and improving local human research Institutional Review Board performance.

ObjectiveTo quantifying the interdependency within the regulatory environment governing human subject research, including Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), federally mandated Medicare coverage analysis and contract negotiations.MethodsOver 8000 IRB, coverage analysis and contract applications initiated between 2013 and 2016 were analyzed using traditional and machine learning analytics for a quality improvement effort to improve the time required to authorize the start of human research studies.ResultsStaffing ratios, study characteristics such as the number of arms, source of funding and number and type of ancillary reviews significantly influenced the timelines. Using key variables, a predictive algorithm identified outliers for a workflow distinct from the standard process. Improved communication between regulatory units, integration of common functions, and education outreach improved the regulatory approval process.ConclusionsUnderstanding and improving the interdependencies between IRB, coverage analysis and contract negotiation offices requires a systems approach and might benefit from predictive analytics

Modelling and simulation of paradigms for printed circuit board assembly to support the UK's competency in high reliability electronics

The fundamental requirement of the research reported within this thesis is the provision of physical models to enable model based simulation of mainstream printed circuit assembly (PCA) process discrete events for use within to-be-developed (or under development) software tools which codify cause & effects knowledge for use in product and process design optimisation. To support a national competitive advantage in high reliability electronics UK based producers of aircraft electronic subsystems require advanced simulation tools which offer model based guidance. In turn, maximization of manufacturability and minimization of uncontrolled rework must therefore enhance inservice sustainability for ‘power-by-the-hour’ commercial aircraft operation business models. [Continues.

Enterprise Systems Analysis and Modelling

In ES implementations, process modelling is a critical and often overlooked activity. This paper proposes a framework for process modelling of ES. The four steps method involves: Current Situation Analysis, Business Process Improvements and Requirements, Gap Analysis, and To-be process to develop. Outputs of the methodology are an interdependent set of organizational and system proposed changes, and feedback loops to the ES vendors and to the strategy of the firm. In-depth case studies and extensive literature review provides methodological support. For practitioners, this study provides useful insights into one of the reasons by which companies could be frustrated with ES implementation.E-business, ERP

The Old and the Stubborn? Firm Characteristics and Relocation in the Netherlands

This study gives some insight into the relationships between the spatial environment, firm characteristics and long term existence of firms in the Netherlands. A logit model is employed to investigate the locational difference of firms, considering firm characteristics such as age, size, region and network. The main findings are that (long-term) continuation of the location and firm size are positively associated with long-term existence of firms

Applying conclusions of the new economic geography for supporting elaboration of the spatial development strategies in the Baltic Sea Region

Spatial development policies are frequently elaborated without sufficient economics concern. This paper aims at testing possibilities opened by concepts of the “new economic geography” to verify assumptions of decision makers from the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) countries on the negative impacts of the still existing transport barriers on regional (i.e. Baltic) integration and cohesion. For that purpose the analysis of relative concentration of the employment in regional and sector disaggregation. has been used. The research has shown how great the difficulties, piling up before an economist willing to examine issues of spatial development in the setting of pan-European regions are. Therefore it was hardly possible to reject the hypotheses on positive influence of development of transport infrastructure on regional integration and cohesion in the BSR.absolute concentration, entropy indices of concentration, Gini coefficients of concentration, new economic geography, relative concentration