A Multi-Objective Optimization Approach for Multi-Head Beam-Type Placement Machines

This paper addresses a highly challenging scheduling problem in the field of printed circuit board (PCB) assembly systems using Surface Mounting Devices (SMD). After describing some challenging optimization sub-problems relating to the heads of multi-head surface mounting placement machines, we formulate an integrated multi-objective mathematical model considering of two main sub-problems simultaneously. The proposed model is a mixed integer nonlinear programming one which is very complex to be solved optimally. Therefore, it is first converted into a linearized model and then solved using an efficient multi-objective approach, i.e., the augmented epsilon constraint method. An illustrative example is also provided to show the usefulness and applicability of the proposed model and solution method.PCB assembly. Multi-head beam-type placement machine. Multi-objective mathematical programming. Augmented epsilon-constraint method

On the Determinations of Class-Based Storage Assignments in AS/RS having two I/O Locations

This paper presents the use and extension of a geometrical-based algorithmic approach for determining the expected S/R machine cycle times, and therefore warehouse throughput, for class-based storage assignment layouts in an AS/RS.The approach was designed for the purpose of solving a practical storage assignment design problem for a major European manufacturer.The algorithm may be used to layout racks that are either "square-in-time (SIT)" or "non-square in time (NSIT)" with single or multiple I/O points.It is believed that use of this approach can result in the expedient evaluation of warehouse throughput resulting from new layouts, or re-layouts, of AS/R system racks, thus making these systems more appealing for use in integrated supply chain systems in general.production management;manufacturing;supply chain mangement;warehousing;storage

On the Determinations of Class-Based Storage Assignments in AS/RS having two I/O Locations

This paper presents the use and extension of a geometrical-based algorithmic approach for determining the expected S/R machine cycle times, and therefore warehouse throughput, for class-based storage assignment layouts in an AS/RS.The approach was designed for the purpose of solving a practical storage assignment design problem for a major European manufacturer.The algorithm may be used to layout racks that are either "square-in-time (SIT)" or "non-square in time (NSIT)" with single or multiple I/O points.It is believed that use of this approach can result in the expedient evaluation of warehouse throughput resulting from new layouts, or re-layouts, of AS/R system racks, thus making these systems more appealing for use in integrated supply chain systems in general

Preliminary report of hepatitis B virus genotype prevalence in Iran

Aim: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Iranian hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, chronic hepatitis B and cirrhotic patients. Methods: A total of 109 HBsAg-positive patients were included in this study. HBV genotypes were determined by using INNO-LiPA methodology which is based on the reverse hybridization principle. Results: The distribution of patients with different stages of liver disease was as follows: 95 (86.4) chronic hepatitis, 11 (10) liver cirrhosis, and 3 (2.7) inactive carrier. Of the chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis patients, 26.4 were HBeAg-positive while 70 were HBeAg-negative. Genotype D was the only detected type found in all patients. Conclusion: Classifying HBV into genotypes has to be cost-effective and clinically relevant. Our study indicates that HBV genotype D prevails in the Mediterranean area, Near and Middle East, and South Asia. Continued efforts for understanding HBV genotype through international co-operation will reveal further virological diffierences of the genotypes and their clinical relevance. © 2006 The WJG Press. All rights reserved

Do hands-free cell phone conversation while driving increase the risk of cognitive distraction among drivers? A cross-over quasi-experimental study

Background: Background: Conversation over the cell phone while driving is a known risk factor for road traffic crash. Using handsfree to talk on the cell phone may remove visual and manual distraction yet not the cognitive distraction. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to better understand the mechanisms of cognitive distraction due to hands-free cell phone conversation (HFPC) while driving. Methods: Twelve male and 12 female University students in Tehran, Iran, were selected via the consecutive convenient sampling method, and randomly assigned to one of the following administrations of cross-over quasi-experimental study design, during year 2016: Administration 1, participants performed the tests while involved in HFPC, took rest for 60 minute, and then performed the tests another time without HFPC; Administration 2, participants performed the tests without HFPC, took rest, and then performed the tests another time with HFPC. Each participant moved to the other administration after 7 to 10 days. The Vienna test system (VTS) was used to measure simple and choice reaction time, selective attention, visual orientation, and visual memory. Linear regression analysis was used to study the change in test scores due to HFPC. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.1±5.3 years. A history of road traffic crash (regardless of severity) was reported among 9 (37.5) participants in the previous year. Hands-free cell phone conversation while driving was directly associated with mean time correct rejection score (P < 0.01) (selective attention), omitted response (P < 0.01) and median reaction time (P < 0.01) (choice reaction time), and mean reaction time (P < 0.01) (Simple reaction time). Moreover, HPFC was inversely associated with sum hits (P = 0.05) (selective attention), incorrect (P < 0.02) and correct response (P < 0.01) (choice reaction time), score based on viewing and working time (P < 0. 01) (visual orientation), and visual memory performance (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Using hands-free devices to converse during driving, impaired reaction time, selective attention, visual orientation and visual memory, which are essential for safe driving. Thus, the use of these devices does not preclude cognitive distraction and should be restricted. © 2018, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

From embodiment to metaphor: A study on social cognitive development and conceptual metaphor in Persian-speaking children

This study explores the metaphoric comprehension of normal Persian-speaking children, as well as theories of cognitive development and cultural and social impacts. The researchers discuss the improvement of the understanding of ontological conceptual metaphors through age growth and cognitive development, and how it helps to expand children�s thoughts and knowledge of the world. In this study, 121 normal native Persian-speaking children from the age of 5 to 13 with no language and cognitive disorders participated. Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the relationships between pairs of variables. The results showed that children start to comprehend abstract concepts and primary ontological metaphors at about 5 years of age, which is in contrast with what Piaget has implied. Children�s metaphorical comprehension improved progressively with age, social, and cognitive development as other studies have also implied, and they understood more complex types of metaphors by age growth. © 2020 IJSCL. All rights reserved

Auditory neuropathy in two patients with generalized neuropathic disorder: A case report

Background: Although it is not a new disorder, in recent times we have attained a greater understanding of auditory neuropathy (AN). In this type of hearing impairment, cochlear hair cells function but AN victims suffer from disordered neural transmission in the auditory pathway. The auditory neuropathy result profile often occurs as a part of that of the generalized neuropathic disorders, indicated in approximately 30-40 of all reported auditory neuropathy/auditory dyssynchrony (AN/AD) cases, with approximately 80 of patients reporting symptom onset over the age of 15 years. In the present report, the results of audiologic tests (behavioral, physiologic and evoked potentials) on two young patients with generalized neuropathy are discussed. Case report: Two brothers, 26 and 17 years old, presented with speech perception weakness and movement difficulties that started at 12 years of age and progressed as time passed. In their last examination, there was a moderate to severe flat audiogram in the older patient and mild low tone loss in the younger one. The major difficulty of the patients was severe speech perception impairment that was not compatible with their hearing thresholds. Paresthesia, sural muscle contraction and pain, and balance disorder were the first symptoms of the older brother. Now he can only move with crutches and his finger muscle tonicity has decreased remarkably, with marked fatigue after a short period of walking. Increasing movement difficulties were noted in his last visit. Visual neuropathy had been reported in repeated visual system examinations for the older brother, with similar, albeit less severe, symptoms in the younger brother. In the present study of these patients, behavioral investigations included pure-tone audiometry and speech discrimination scoring. Physiologic studies consisted Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) and acoustic reflexes. Electrophysiologic auditory tests were also performed to determine Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), Auditory Middle Latency Response (AMLR) and Auditory Late Response (ALR). The results of these examinations for these two siblings are discussed and compared with the results of other studies. Conclusion: Distinguishing auditory neuropathy from other speech perception disorders can be performed by conducting audiologic evaluations as a battery of tests. The probability of generalized neuropathy must be considered in patients with auditory neuropathy symptoms. © 2008, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Relationship between stuttering severity in children and their mother's speaking rate

Context and Objective: Stuttering is a complex disease that influences occupational, social, academic and emotional achievements. The aim of this study was to correlate the stuttering severity index with speaking rates of mothers and children. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional study, at the child rehabilitation clinics of Tehran city. Methods: 35 pairs of mothers and their children who stuttered were studied. There were 29 boys and six girls, of mean age 8.5 years (range: 5.1-12.0). Speech samples from the mother-child pairs were audiotaped for approximately 15 minutes, until a reciprocal verbal enteraction had been obtained. This sample was then analyzed in accordance with a stuttering severity index test and speaking rate parameters. Results: The research results outlined a significant relationship between the mothers' speaking rate and their children stuttering severity. Conclusion: The results suggest that the mothers' speaking rate should be incorporated in the assessment and treatment of stuttering. Copyright © 2008, Associação Paulista de Medicina

Comprehension of complex sentences in the Persian-speaking patients with aphasia

Introduction: To study sentence comprehension in Persian-speaking Patients with Aphasia considering the factors of complexity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the performance of 6 non-fluent aphasic patients were tested and their performance was compared to 15 matched control group. Comprehension of semantically reversible sentences was assessed using a binary sentence-picture matching task. The stimuli were as follows: clefts; subject clefts and object clefts, also relative clauses; subject relatives and object relatives. All of them were types of movement-derived structures and also simple declarative sentences as the control task. Results: The best performance of aphasic patients were seen in the comprehension of subject clefts, although prior to this result we assumed that simple declarative sentences (in which there is no structural factor of complexity) can be understood easily. They showed the highest difficulty in the comprehension of object relatives. Furthermore, the performance of patients in the comprehension of relative clauses was significantly weaker than understanding the clefts. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study suggest that the sentence comprehension deficits of aphasic patients, in contrast to the specific deficit models, may not be related to linguistic disabilities. Moreover, the problems in the comprehension of non-canonical sentences may be related to failure in the allocation of attention. Finally, our results support the claims that neural characterization of the cognitive resources (e.g. working memory) is disrupted in sentence comprehension deficits. © 2019 Iran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved