Design of user interfaces for job shop environment

User-computer interface development has gone through rapid development in recent years. These developments, however, have not yet been fully implemented in management information system (MIS) design for job shop manufacturing situations. Most of the commercially available MISs are operationally inflexible and do not support management in report generation and decision making, particularly in job shops. This paper describes a framework in developing system user interfaces for job shop manufacturing situations to highlight how a generic information system can be made more useful to managerial decision making. Object-oriented programming technology has been used to provide flexible access to information stored by a generic MIS. Twenty interfacing programs have been developed. For illustration, only three of those interface programs relating to generation of strategic level management reports are discussed here.<br /

Automotive can network response time analysis with variable jitter

Many methods to calculate message latencies for Controller Area Network (CAN) have previously been presented based upon the static worst-case behaviour of the system. With the use of modern simulation tools however, the behaviour of CAN networks can be simulated dynamically in order to find the likely worst-case response times for CAN messages. This paper shows the development of an automotive body control network model to be used as the basis for further simulations. A method to simulate the Worst-Case Response Time of this model is then presented, taking into account random queuing jitter.<br /

Applying a reconfigurable multi-agent scheduler to product distribution

More intelligent scheduling methods are required for manufacturing scheduling due to the move to more agile systems. Multi-agent methods are one such approach. This paper describes the application of a reconfigurable multi-agent scheduler to the problem of allocating orders to warehouses in a distribution supply chain. This multi-agent system was originally developed for allocation of orders to machines in a highly reconfigurable manufacturing system and this work was aimed at investigating the ease of applying this same scheduler to other problems. It was found that this new application was readily achieved because of the modular structure of the scheduler. This paper shows how the application to the new problem was achieved. <br /

An Optimized Uncertainty-Aware Training Framework for Neural Networks

Uncertainty quantification (UQ) for predictions generated by neural networks (NNs) is of vital importance in safety-critical applications. An ideal model is supposed to generate low uncertainty for correct predictions and high uncertainty for incorrect predictions. The main focus of state-of-the-art training algorithms is to optimize the NN parameters to improve the accuracy-related metrics. Training based on uncertainty metrics has been fully ignored or overlooked in the literature. This article introduces a novel uncertainty-aware training algorithm for classification tasks. A novel predictive uncertainty estimate-based objective function is defined and optimized using the stochastic gradient descent method. This new multiobjective loss function covers both accuracy and uncertainty accuracy (UA) simultaneously during training. The performance of the proposed training framework is compared from different aspects with other UQ techniques for different benchmarks. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework for developing the NN models capable of generating reliable uncertainty estimates.© 2022 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

On rapid vector alignment in permanent magnet brushless motor

A software replacement for the commutation signals of a permanent magnet brushless motor is presented. The feedback observed acceleration loop or equivalently the high-order position polynomial controller allows finding the initial relative orientation between the two magnetic fields of the motors within a fraction of a second. Also, using the proposed method allows a considerable cost saving, since the transducer that is usually used for this purpose can be eliminated. The cost saving is most obvious in the case of linear motors and angle motors with large diameters. The way the problem is posed is an essential part of this work and it is the reason behind the apparent simplicity of the solution. The method has been tested when a relative encoder was used and the motor current was regulated. <br /

Identification and molecular analysis of mercury resistant bacteria in Kor River, Iran

Mercury (Hg) is one of the most important toxic pollutants widespread in the environment. It is being extensively used in industrial applications (chlor-alkali electrolysis, fungicides, disinfectants, dental products, etc), resulting in local hot spots of pollution and serious effects on biota and humans. The aim of this study was to identify mercury resistant bacteria and extract their plasmids and DNA. In this study, mercury-resistant bacteria were isolated and characterized from mercury-polluted sediments in Kor River in Iran. The samples were cultured in different media cultures, identified using biochemical tests, and due to the relationship between antibiotic and mercury resistance, they were isolated based on these two factors. The plasmids and DNA were extracted from the most resistant bacteria to both antibiotic and mercury and the sizes were determined using agarose gel electrophoresis. A 12.3 Kb plasmid from Serattia sp. and Escherichia coli and using Sau3A1 enzyme, some DNA fragments (4, 6, 8 and 10 Kb) from Pseudomonas sp., Serattia sp. and Escherichia coli were also extracted.Key words: Mercury, resistant, bacteria, DNA, plasmid extraction, restriction endonuclease

Unifying manufacturing simulation models using HLA

The increasing use of simulation in manufacturing has seen an increase in simulation models created using many simulation package. This use of different simulators can create simulation islands in a manufacturing factory, making it difficult to get a true simulated overview of the factory. At present, there are only a few cases where manufacturing simulations have been linked to enable multiple simulation models to run as one. This research expands upon these cases. For this paper the topic of discussion is the research in connecting different \u27Commercial Off The Shelf\u27 simulators together to allow flow of all information through the connected models using high level architecture. <br /

Pimecrolimus 1 percent cream and pulsed dye laser in treatment of a patient with reticular erythematous mucinosis syndrome

We report on the efficacy of twice daily application of pimecrolimus 1 percent cream in a 48-year-old woman with reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM) syndrome and compare its results with pulsed dye laser (PDL) on the other side of her chest and back. The patient was previously treated by hydroxychloroquine but only a fair response was observed. After application of 5 months of pimecrolimus, the lesions completely resolved and the result was comparable with the other side of her body treated by pulsed dye laser PDL. Topical pimecrolimus and pulsed dye laser appear to be effective and safe treatments for REM. © 2007 Dermatology Online Journal

A case for an international consortium on system-of-systems engineering

A system-of-systems (SoS) conceptualization is essential in resolving issues involving heterogeneous independently operable systems to achieve a unique purpose. Successful operation as an SoS requires communication among appropriate individuals and groups across enterprises through an effective protocol. This paper presents a position on the creation of a consortium of concerned system engineers and scientists worldwide to examine the problems and solutions strategies associated with SoS. The consortium could lead efforts in clarifying ambiguities and in seeking remedies to numerous open questions with respect to SoS analysis, SoS engineering (SoSE), as well as differences between systems engineering (SE) and SoSE. The mission of this consortium is envisioned to: 1) act as a neutral party; 2) provide a forum to put forth Calls to Action; and 3) establish a community of interest to recommend a set of solutions. <br /

Non-Invasive MRI of Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier Function

The blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) is a highly dynamic transport interface that serves brain homeostasis. To date, however, understanding of its role in brain development and pathology has been hindered by the absence of a non-invasive technique for functional assessment. Here we describe a method for non-invasive measurement of BSCFB function by using tracer-free MRI to quantify rates of water delivery from arterial blood to ventricular cerebrospinal fluid. Using this method, we record a 36% decrease in BCSFB function in aged mice, compared to a 13% decrease in parenchymal blood flow, itself a leading candidate biomarker of early neurodegenerative processes. We then apply the method to explore the relationship between BCSFB function and ventricular morphology. Finally, we provide proof of application to the human brain. Our findings position the BCSFB as a promising new diagnostic and therapeutic target, the function of which can now be safely quantified using non-invasive MRI