Incorporating machine reliability issue and backlogging into the EMQ model - Part I: Random breakdown occurring in backorder filling time

This study is concerned with determination of the optimal replenishment policy for economic manufacturing quantity (EMQ) model with backlogging and machine reliability issue. Classic EMQ model does not consider nonconforming items generated during a production cycle, nor does it deal with the machine breakdown situation. It is noted that in manufacturing system when back-ordering is permitted, a random machine failure can take place in either backorder filling time or in on-hand inventory piling period. The first phase of this study examines the aforementioned practical issues by incorporating rework process of defective items, scrap and random machine failure taking place specifically in backorder satisfying time into the EMQ model. The objective is to determine the optimal replenishment lot-size that minimizes the overall production-inventory costs. Mathematical modelling and analysis is used and the renewal reward theorem is employed to cope with the variable cycle length. Theorem on conditional convexity of total cost function is proposed and proved. The optimal lot size for such a real-life imperfect manufacturing system is derived. A numerical example is given to demonstrate its practical usage

PGT-Net: Progressive Guided Multi-task Neural Network for Small-area Wet Fingerprint Denoising and Recognition

Fingerprint recognition on mobile devices is an important method for identity verification. However, real fingerprints usually contain sweat and moisture which leads to poor recognition performance. In addition, for rolling out slimmer and thinner phones, technology companies reduce the size of recognition sensors by embedding them with the power button. Therefore, the limited size of fingerprint data also increases the difficulty of recognition. Denoising the small-area wet fingerprint images to clean ones becomes crucial to improve recognition performance. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end trainable progressive guided multi-task neural network (PGT-Net). The PGT-Net includes a shared stage and specific multi-task stages, enabling the network to train binary and non-binary fingerprints sequentially. The binary information is regarded as guidance for output enhancement which is enriched with the ridge and valley details. Moreover, a novel residual scaling mechanism is introduced to stabilize the training process. Experiment results on the FW9395 and FT-lightnoised dataset provided by FocalTech shows that PGT-Net has promising performance on the wet-fingerprint denoising and significantly improves the fingerprint recognition rate (FRR). On the FT-lightnoised dataset, the FRR of fingerprint recognition can be declined from 17.75% to 4.47%. On the FW9395 dataset, the FRR of fingerprint recognition can be declined from 9.45% to 1.09%

Synthesis and Characterization of Two-Dimensional Conjugated Polymers Incorporating Electron-Deficient Moieties for Application in Organic Photovoltaics

A series of novel p-type conjugated copolymers, PTTVBDT, PTTVBDT-TPD, and PTTVBDT-DPP, cooperating benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDT) and terthiophene-vinylene (TTV) units with/without thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) or pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (DPP) via Stille polymerization were synthesized and characterized. Copolymer PTTVBDT shows a low-lying HOMO energy level and ordered molecular-packing behavior. Furthermore, two terpolymers, PTTVBDT-TPD and PTTVBDT-DPP, display stronger absorption ability, alower-lying HOMO energy level, and preferred molecular orientation, due to the replacement TTV-monomer units with electron-deficient groups. Furthermore, bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells were fabricated using blends of the PTTVBDT-TPD, and PC_(61)BM gave the best power conversion efficiency of 5.01% under the illumination of AM 1.5G, 100 mW·cm^(−2); the short circuit current (J_(sc)) was 11.65 mA·cm^(−2) which displayed a 43.8% improvement in comparison with the PTTVBDT/PC_(61)BM device. These results demonstrate a valid strategy combining the two-dimensional molecular structure with random copolymerization strikes promising conjugated polymers to achieve highly efficient organic photovoltaics

Prevalence of smoking in patients with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia and their relationships with quality of life

Few studies have compared the prevalence of smoking between patients with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia. This study examined the prevalence of smoking and its relationships with demographic and clinical characteristics, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with these psychiatric disorders. A total of 1,102 inpatients were consecutively screened. Psychopathology and QOL were measured with standardized instruments. The prevalence of current smoking in the whole sample was 16.7%; 17.5% in bipolar disorder, 10.6% in MDD and 18.5% in schizophrenia. The rates of smoking in bipolar disorder (p = 0.004, OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.3–4.7) and schizophrenia (p = 0.03, OR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.06–3.8) were significantly higher than in MDD, while no difference was found between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Smokers had a higher mental QOL than non-smokers (p = 0.007) in MDD, but no difference was found in the other two groups. Male gender, living alone, higher personal income, older age of onset, health insurance coverage, and first episode was significantly associated with smoking in one or more diagnostic groups. Smoking appears more common in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia than in MDD in China. The figures in all disorders were lower than that reported in most of other countries

Modified structure of two-dimensional polythiophene derivatives by incorporating electron-deficient units into terthiophene-vinylene conjugated side chains and the polymer backbone: synthesis, optoelectronic and self-assembly properties, and photovoltaic application

Molecular engineering on the conjugated side chains of two-dimensional (2D) conjugated polymers was conducted and its effect on the optical, electronic, self-assembly and photovoltaic properties was investigated. A new monomer, M2, was prepared by capping (E)-3′-(2-(2,5-dibromothiophen-3-yl)vinyl)-4,4′′-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene, M1, with two heptanoyl groups, and then coupled with 5,5′-bis(trimethylstannyl)-2,2′-bithiophene via microwave-assisted Stille polymerization to produce a series of polythiophene derivatives with terthiophene-vinylene conjugated side chains, TTV–PTs. Copolymer P2 shows a down-shifted HOMO energy level, enhanced solubility, and red-shifted absorption, as compared with P1; however, the bulky side chains significantly disrupt the coplanarity of thiophene rings in the polymer backbone and the ability to self-assemble into an ordered structure. The GIXRD measurements reveal that the original crystallinity of P1 can be recovered by simply inserting a few 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole units into the polythiophene main chain in P2 through a random copolymerization route to yield a terpolymer, P3, which possesses excellent crystallinity, thereby causing a three-fold increment in hole mobility. Furthermore, the P1/PC_(61)BM, P2/PC_(61)BM, and P3/PC61BM solar devices exhibit power conversion efficiencies of 3.89%, 1.52%, and 4.17%, respectively, under AM1.5G illumination with an intensity of 100 mW cm^(−2)

Modified structure of two-dimensional polythiophene derivatives by incorporating electron-deficient units into terthiophene-vinylene conjugated side chains and the polymer backbone: synthesis, optoelectronic and self-assembly properties, and photovoltaic application

Molecular engineering on the conjugated side chains of two-dimensional (2D) conjugated polymers was conducted and its effect on the optical, electronic, self-assembly and photovoltaic properties was investigated. A new monomer, M2, was prepared by capping (E)-3′-(2-(2,5-dibromothiophen-3-yl)vinyl)-4,4′′-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene, M1, with two heptanoyl groups, and then coupled with 5,5′-bis(trimethylstannyl)-2,2′-bithiophene via microwave-assisted Stille polymerization to produce a series of polythiophene derivatives with terthiophene-vinylene conjugated side chains, TTV–PTs. Copolymer P2 shows a down-shifted HOMO energy level, enhanced solubility, and red-shifted absorption, as compared with P1; however, the bulky side chains significantly disrupt the coplanarity of thiophene rings in the polymer backbone and the ability to self-assemble into an ordered structure. The GIXRD measurements reveal that the original crystallinity of P1 can be recovered by simply inserting a few 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole units into the polythiophene main chain in P2 through a random copolymerization route to yield a terpolymer, P3, which possesses excellent crystallinity, thereby causing a three-fold increment in hole mobility. Furthermore, the P1/PC_(61)BM, P2/PC_(61)BM, and P3/PC61BM solar devices exhibit power conversion efficiencies of 3.89%, 1.52%, and 4.17%, respectively, under AM1.5G illumination with an intensity of 100 mW cm^(−2)

Integration, Launch, and First Results from IDEASSat/INSPIRESat-2 - A 3U CubeSat for Ionospheric Physics and Multi-National Capacity Building

The Ionospheric Dynamics and Attitude Subsystem Satellite (IDEASSat) is a 3U CubeSat carrying a Compact Ionospheric Probe (CIP) to detect ionospheric irregularities that can impact the usability and accuracy of global satellite navigation systems (GNSS), as well as satellite and terrestrial over the horizon communications. The spacecraft was developed by National Central University (NCU) in Taiwan, with additional development and operational support from partners in the International Satellite Program in Science and Education (INSPIRE) consortium. The spacecraft system needed to accommodate these mission objectives required three axis attitude control, dual band communications capable of supporting both tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) and science data downlink, as well as flight software and ground systems capable of supporting the autonomous operation and short contact times inherent to a low Earth orbit mission developed on a limited university budget with funding agency-imposed constraints. As the first spacecraft developed at NCU, lessons learned during the development, integration, and operation of IDEASSat have proven to be crucial to the objective of developing a sustainable small satellite program. IDEASSat was launched successfully on January 24, 2021 aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter 1 flight. and successfully began operations, demonstrating power, thermal, and structural margins, as well as validation of uplink and downlink communications functionality, and autonomous operation. A serious anomaly occurred after 22 days on orbit when communication with the spacecraft were abruptly lost. Communication was re-established after 1.5 months for sufficient time to downlink stored flight data, which allowed the cause of the blackout to be identified to a high level of confidence and precision. In this paper, we will report on experiences and anomalies encountered during the final flight model integration and delivery, commissioning, and operations. The agile support from the international amateur radio community and INSPIRE partners were extremely helpful in this process, especially during the initial commissioning phase following launch. It is hoped that the lessons learned reported here will be helpful for other university teams working to develop spaceflight capacity

Synthesis and Characterization of Two-Dimensional Conjugated Polymers Incorporating Electron-Deficient Moieties for Application in Organic Photovoltaics

A series of novel p-type conjugated copolymers, PTTVBDT, PTTVBDT-TPD, and PTTVBDT-DPP, cooperating benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDT) and terthiophene-vinylene (TTV) units with/without thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) or pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (DPP) via Stille polymerization were synthesized and characterized. Copolymer PTTVBDT shows a low-lying HOMO energy level and ordered molecular-packing behavior. Furthermore, two terpolymers, PTTVBDT-TPD and PTTVBDT-DPP, display stronger absorption ability, alower-lying HOMO energy level, and preferred molecular orientation, due to the replacement TTV-monomer units with electron-deficient groups. Furthermore, bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells were fabricated using blends of the PTTVBDT-TPD, and PC_(61)BM gave the best power conversion efficiency of 5.01% under the illumination of AM 1.5G, 100 mW·cm^(−2); the short circuit current (J_(sc)) was 11.65 mA·cm^(−2) which displayed a 43.8% improvement in comparison with the PTTVBDT/PC_(61)BM device. These results demonstrate a valid strategy combining the two-dimensional molecular structure with random copolymerization strikes promising conjugated polymers to achieve highly efficient organic photovoltaics

Coalescence of RAGE in Lipid Rafts in Response to Cytolethal Distending Toxin-Induced Inflammation

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) interacts with various molecules in the cell membrane to induce an inflammatory response. The cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) produced by Campylobacter jejuni contains three subunits: CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC. Amongst, CdtA and CdtC interact with membrane lipid rafts, by which CdtB enters the nucleus to induce pathogenesis. In this study, we first explored the relationships between RAGE, lipid rafts, and inflammation in gastrointestinal epithelial cells exposed to CDT. Our results showed that CDT activated the expression of RAGE and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), followed by the recruitment of RAGE into lipid rafts. In contrast, RAGE antagonist inhibited CDT-induced inflammation via the RAGE-HMGB1 axis. Disruption of lipid rafts decreased CDT-induced downstream signaling, which in turn attenuated the inflammatory response. Furthermore, in vivo studies revealed severe inflammation and upregulation of RAGE and IL-1β in the intestinal tissues of CDT-treated mice. These results demonstrate that mobilization of RAGE to lipid rafts plays a crucial role in CDT-induced inflammation