PPF - A Parallel Particle Filtering Library

We present the parallel particle filtering (PPF) software library, which enables hybrid shared-memory/distributed-memory parallelization of particle filtering (PF) algorithms combining the Message Passing Interface (MPI) with multithreading for multi-level parallelism. The library is implemented in Java and relies on OpenMPI's Java bindings for inter-process communication. It includes dynamic load balancing, multi-thread balancing, and several algorithmic improvements for PF, such as input-space domain decomposition. The PPF library hides the difficulties of efficient parallel programming of PF algorithms and provides application developers with the necessary tools for parallel implementation of PF methods. We demonstrate the capabilities of the PPF library using two distributed PF algorithms in two scenarios with different numbers of particles. The PPF library runs a 38 million particle problem, corresponding to more than 1.86 GB of particle data, on 192 cores with 67% parallel efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, the PPF library is the first open-source software that offers a parallel framework for PF applications.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures; will appear in the proceedings of the IET Data Fusion & Target Tracking Conference 201

Assembly line balancing by using axiomatic design principles: An application from cooler manufacturing industry

[EN] The philosophy of production without waste is the fundamental belief behind lean manufacturing that should be adopted by enterprises. One of the waste elimination methods is assembly line balancing for lean manufacturing, i.e. Yamazumi. The assembly line balancing is to assign tasks to the workstations by minimizing the number of workstations to the required values. There should be no workstation with the excessively high or low workload, and all workstations must ideally work with balanced workloads. Accordingly, in this study, the axiomatic design method is applied for assembly line balancing in order to achieve maximum output with the installed capacity. In order to achieve this aim, all improvement opportunities are defined and utilized as an output of the study. Computational results indicate that the proposed method is effective to reduce operators’ idle time by 12%, imbalance workload between workstations by 38%, and the total number of workers by 12%. 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Analysis of product design characteristics for remanufacturing using Fuzzy AHP and Axiomatic Design. Journal of Engineering Design, 28(5), 338-368. https://doi.org/10.1080/09544828.2017.1316014Cochran, D. S., Eversheim, W., Kubin, G., Sesterhenn, M. L. (2000). The application of axiomatic design and lean management principles in the scope of production system segmentation. International Journal of Production Research,38(6), 1377-1396. https://doi.org/10.1080/002075400188906Dolgui, A., Ihnatsenka, I. (2009). Branch and bound algorithm for a transfer line design problem: Stations with sequentially activated multi-spindle heads.European Journal of Operational Research, 197(3), 1119-1132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2008.03.028Durmusoglu, M. B., Satoglu, S. I. (2011). Axiomatic design of hybrid manufacturing systems in erratic demand conditions. International Journal of Production Research, 49(17), 5231-5261. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2010.510487Ertay, T., Satoğlu, S. I. (2012). System parameter selection with information axiom for the new product introduction to the hybrid manufacturing systems under dual-resource constraint. International Journal of Production Research, 50(7), 1825-1839. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2011.560205Ghosh, S., Gagnon, R. J. (1989). A comprehensive literature review and analysis of the design, balancing and scheduling of assembly systems. The International Journal of Production Research, 27(4), 637-670. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207548908942574Graves, S. C., Lamar, B. W. (1983). An integer programming procedure for assembly system design problems. Operations Research, 31(3), 522-545. https://doi.org/10.1287/opre.31.3.522Gunasekera, J. S., Ali, A. F. (1995). A three-step approach to designing a metal-forming process. JOM, 47(6), 22-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03221198Guschinskaya, O., Dolgui, A., Guschinsky, N., Levin, G. (2008). A heuristic multi-start decomposition approach for optimal design of serial machining lines. European Journal of Operational Research, 189(3), 902-913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2006.03.072Hager, T., Wafik, H., Faouzi, M. (2017). Manufacturing system design based on axiomatic design: Case of assembly line. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 10(1), 111-139. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.728Han, W. M., Zhao, J. L., Chen, Y. (2013). A Virtual Cellular Manufacturing System Design Model Based on Axiomatic Design Theory. In Applied Mechanics and Materials (Vol. 271, pp. 1478-1484). Trans Tech Publications. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.271-272.1478Holzner, P., Rauch, E., Spena, P. R., Matt, D. T. (2015). Systematic Design of SME Manufacturing and Assembly Systems Based on Axiomatic Design.Procedia CIRP, 34, 81-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2015.07.010Houshmand, M., Jamshidnezhad, B. (2002). Conceptual design of lean production systems through an axiomatic approach. In Proceedings of ICAD2002 Second International Conference on Axiomatic Design.Houshmand, M., Jamshidnezhad, B. (2004). A lean manufacturing roadmap for an automotive body assembly line within axiomatic design framework. International Journal of Engineering Transactions, 17(1), 51-72.Houshmand, M., Jamshidnezhad, B. (2006). An extended model of design process of lean production systems by means of process variables. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 22(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2005.01.004Khandekar, A. V., Chakraborty, S. (2016). Application of fuzzy axiomatic design principles for selection of non-traditional machining processes. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 83(1-4), 529-543.Kulak, O., Durmusoglu, M. B., Tufekci, S. (2005). A complete cellular manufacturing system design methodology based on axiomatic design principles. 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Using simulated annealing to solve a multiobjective assembly line balancing problem with parallel workstations. International Journal of Production Research, 36(10), 2717-2741. https://doi.org/10.1080/002075498192454Nakao, M., Kobayashi, N., Hamada, K., Totsuka, T., Yamada, S. (2007). Decoupling executions in navigating manufacturing processes for shortening lead time and its implementation to an unmanned machine shop. CIRP Annals-Manufacturing Technology, 56(1), 171-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirp.2007.05.041Nordlund, M., Tate, D., Suh, N. P. (1996). Growth of axiomatic design through industrial practice. In 3rd CIRP Workshop on Design and the Implementation of Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, Tokyo, Japan (Vol. 6, pp. 77-84).Rauch, E., Spena, P. R., Matt, D. T. (2019). Axiomatic design guidelines for the design of flexible and agile manufacturing and assembly systems for SMEs. 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Volumetric and three-dimensional examination of sella turcica by cone-beam computed tomography: reference data for guidance to pathologic pituitary morphology

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the dimensions and volume of sella turcica in healthy Caucasian adults with normal occlusion and facial appearance from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and methods: CBCT images of 80 Caucasian adult patients (40 males, 40 females) with normal facial appearance and occlusion taken previously for diagnostic purposes were evaluated. Two groups were constructed in accordance to gender. The volume, length, diameter, and depth of the sella turcica were measured by Romexis software programme. Mann-Whitney U test and Independent t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean lengths of the sella were 9.9 mm and 10.2 mm, depths were 9.2 mm and 8.8 mm and diameters were 12.3 mm and 12.1 mm in female and male groups, respectively. Between the genders, no statistically significant differences were found for any of the measurements. There were significantly higher values for the volume of sella turcica in males than in females (1102 ± 285.3 mm3 and 951.3 ± 278.5 mm3, respectively). Conclusions: The dimensions of sella turcica in healthy Caucasian adults with normal occlusion and facial appearance revealed nonsignificant differences between the genders. Individual variability in dimensions and gender differences in the volume are of importance in comparison of patients with craniofacial syndromes and aberrations. Knowledge concerning the dimensions and volume of sella turcica will be clinically relevant for a guidance to consciously realize pituitary disorders

The role of the nature of the noise in the thermal conductance of mechanical systems

Focussing on a paradigmatic small system consisting of two coupled damped oscillators, we survey the role of the L\'evy-It\^o nature of the noise in the thermal conductance. For white noises, we prove that the L\'evy-It\^o composition (Lebesgue measure) of the noise is irrelevant for the thermal conductance of a non-equilibrium linearly coupled chain, which signals the independence between mechanical and thermodynamical properties. On the other hand, for the non-linearly coupled case, the two types of properties mix and the explicit definition of the noise plays a central role.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures. To be published in Physical Review

Forecasting natural gas consumption in Istanbul using neural networks and multivariate time series methods

Due to copyright restrictions, the access to the full text of this article is only available via subscription.The fast changes and developments in the world's economy have substantially increased energy consumption. Consequently, energy planning has become more critical and important. Forecasting is one of the main tools utilized in energy planning. Recently developed computational techniques such as genetic algorithms have led to easily produced and accurate forecasts. In this paper, a natural gas consumption forecasting methodology is developed and implemented with state-of-the-art techniques. We show that our forecasts are quite close to real consumption values. Accurate forecasting of natural gas consumption is extremely critical as the majority of purchasing agreements made are based on predictions. As a result, if the forecasts are not done correctly, either unused natural gas amounts must be paid or there will be shortages of natural gas in the planning periods

Infant and Child Skeletons from the Lower City Church at Amorium

Amorium is a Byzantine city situated within the Emirdağ district of the province of Afyonkarahisar. Excavations in the 2007, 2008, and 2009 seasons yielded many tombs containing infant and child skeletons forming part of a cemetery datable to the 10th and 11th centuries. Many are multiple burials and were located principally to the north of the main church in an area called A20 situated to the east of the baptistery. Skeletal remains of 128 individuals from 36 tombs were analysed to reveal the demography and health status of the population. Among them 42,9% of the individuals died prenatally, at birth, or soon after birth. The results of this study indicate that the unfavourable geographic conditions of Amorium’s location might have produced inadequate hygienic conditions and the malnourishment of the mothers which in turn caused infections and complications during birth, leading to premature and stillbirths. Those infants that did survive the critical neonatal and postnatal periods were generally able carry on their lives into puberty and adulthood