Optimal pareto solutions of a dynamic C chart: An application of statistical process control on a semiconductor devices manufacturing process

The present paper proposes a novel economic-statistical design procedure of a dynamic c control chart for the Statistical Process Control (SPC) of the manufacturing process of semiconductor devices. Particularly, a non-linear constrained mathematical programming model is formulated and solved by means of the \u3b5-constraint method. A numerical application is developed in order to describe the Pareto frontier, that is the set of optimal c charts and the related practical considerations are given. The obtained results highlight how the performance of the developed dynamic c chart overcome that of the related static one, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed procedure

"From Trans-disciplinary to Undisciplined Design Learning: Educating through/to Disruption"

This document testifies the attempt at critically interpreting certain formative models of the designer from an evolutionary point of view. The criteria used to draw up a historical mapping and perform a reading of some interesting contemporary case histories concern the comparison between the subjective approach (the unveiling of the author's personality and different identity, considered as a subject under formation), on one hand, and the objective reproducibility of a process (project methodology), on the other. We have offset this line of interpretation with the relationship between the concept of trans-disciplinary (an encoded approach of transferring methods and tools from other disciplines), and that of non-disciplinary or "undisciplined" (in the sense of transcending the disciplines and therefore looking for innovation "outside the rules"). This analysis comprises profiles resulted from specifically disciplinary educational traditions (artistic and polytechnic); however, a profile that is not formable within modern schools and which generates "out-of-context" designers also emerges. Lastly, a new profile is outlined that insists on learning rules and methodologies, but makes the disobedience of said rules and methods the margin of originality and distinction (which depends on the qualities of the designer and his/her subjective capacity and creativity). The underlying assumption is that, through a shift towards the objective (therefore methodologically transmissible and encodable) and non-disciplinary dimensions, it is possible to educate highly "disruptive" profiles, inducing a certain attitude in students to tackling the design project through a method which can continually challenge its rules into question, in order to innovate them.The essay ends with a list of some contemporary challenges of education processes that seem to interpret surrounding conditions of profession and research in the sector and that, as aresult, have still to determine changes in the official education models. Key words: subjectivity, objectivity, trans-disciplinary, undisciplined,disruptive designer

On the classical capacity of quantum Gaussian channels

The set of quantum Gaussian channels acting on one bosonic mode can be classified according to the action of the group of Gaussian unitaries. We look for bounds on the classical capacity for channels belonging to such a classification. Lower bounds can be efficiently calculated by restricting to Gaussian encodings, for which we provide analytical expressions.Comment: 10 pages, IOP style. v2: minor corrections, close to the published versio

Effectiveness and safety of concurrent beta-blockers and inhaled bronchodilators in COPD with cardiovascular comorbidities

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease and its prevalence is increasing worldwide, in both industrialised and developing countries. Its prevalence is \ue2\u88\ubc5% in the general population and it is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. COPD is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases; in fact, \ue2\u88\ubc64% of people suffering from COPD are treated for a concomitant cardiovascular disease and approximately one in three COPD patients die as a consequence of cardiovascular diseases. Inhaled bronchodilators might have adverse cardiovascular effects, including ischaemic events and arrhythmias, and beta-blockers might adversely influence the respiratory symptoms and the response to bronchodilators. For these reasons, it is important to know the safety profiles and the possible interactions between these two classes of drug, in order to prescribe them with greater awareness. In this article, we review the literature about the epidemiology of COPD, its association with cardiovascular diseases, and the safety of concurrent use of inhaled bronchodilators and beta-blockers, as a tool for improving the approach to complex therapies in clinical practice

The Short and Long-term Variability of F2 or Stronger (Significant) Tornadoes in the Central Plains

An analysis of the interannual and interdecadal variability of significant tornado events that occurred over a four state region in the central plains was performed over a 53 year period (1950 - 2002) using the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) archives and simple statistical techniques. A synoptic composite analysis using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) - National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) re-analyses was performed in order to determine whether there was support for the statistical relationships through the large-scale composite dynamics. The results showed that when the 53 year raw annual tornado occurrences are used, there was no statistically significant El Nino-related variability, and El Nino years produced slightly more tornado occurrences. However, when annual tornado occurrences were examined across different phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, there was a likely tendency for more tornado occurrences in El Nino years during PDO2 and no significant interannual variability during PDO1 years. During the 1950 - 1976 period, other studies have found that significant tornado occurrences were overestimated. When a simple correction factor was applied here and the interannual variability re-examined, the strength of the statistical relationships changed such that there was now a likely tendency for fewer tornado occurrences in El Nino years during the PDO1 period, and no statistically significant relationship for PDO2 years. Finally an examination of the composite dynamics during the bulk of tornado season revealed that, out of five years examined, the large-scale flows were of similar dynamic character for four of them. The season which produced the most tornadoes qualitatively was shown to be slightly more conducive to severe weather production when using simple empirical severe weather indexes

Naturally Occurring PCSK9 Inhibitors

Genetic, epidemiological and pharmacological data have led to the conclusion that antagonizing or inhibiting Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduces cardiovascular events. This clinical outcome is mainly related to the pivotal role of PCSK9 in controlling low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The absence of oral and affordable anti-PCSK9 medications has limited the beneficial effects of this new therapeutic option. A possible breakthrough in this field may come from the discovery of new naturally occurring PCSK9 inhibitors as a starting point for the development of oral, small molecules, to be used in combination with statins in order to increase the percentage of patients reaching their LDL-cholesterol target levels. In the present review, we have summarized the current knowledge on natural compounds or extracts that have shown an inhibitory effect on PCSK9, either in experimental or clinical settings. When available, the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of the listed compounds are described

Efficacy of lung volume optimization maneuver monitored by optoelectronic pletismography in the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Newborns affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) need cardio-respiratory stabilization before undergoing surgical repair. Open lung strategy is a well-established approach to optimize lung volume in preterm infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), using both High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) and Conventional Mechanical Ventilation (CMV). We report a case of left CDH with severe lung hypoplasia, managed applying open lung strategy in HFOV (pre-surgery period) and in Assist-Control with Volume Guarantee (post-surgery period), guided by SpO2changes, TcPO2and TcPCO2monitoring. Opto-electronic plethysmography was used to measure end-expiratory chest wall volume changes (ΔEEcw) related to lung volume variations occurring during pressure changes. OEP confirmed the efficacy of using SpO2and transcutaneous gas monitoring during this recruitment maneuver

Dielectric behavior of biopolymer based composites containing multi wall carbon nanotubes: Effect of filler content and aspect ratio

Multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different aspect ratios (30, 105 and 667) were included in a commercial fully biodegradable blend using melt mixing. Samples of composite systems prepared by hot molding and containing up to 1.2 vol% of MWCNTs were studied by means of DC electrical resistivity and dielectric spectroscopy in order to enhance effect of filler content and aspect ratio on their dielectric behavior. Raman spectroscopic investigations and morphological observations were also performed in order to correlate dielectric behavior with surface carbon nanotubes features and to check the actual level of dispersion of carbon nanotubes under the applied processing conditions. Results emphasized that the carbon nanotubes aspect ratio and their surface regularity determine the electrical properties of composites because they strongly influence percolation thresholds, dielectric permittivity and dissipation factor of produced materials. A satisfying dispersion of the filler seems to be achieved under the employed processing conditions. These preliminary results demonstrates possible applications of this type of biobased systems in many applications going from stress control to devices for high storage energy