scholarly journals Improving the methods for determining the index of quality of subsystem element interaction

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3 (114)) ◽  
pp. 72-82
Author(s):  
Alexander Laktionov
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Specific Weight ◽  
Quality Indices ◽  
Interaction Quality ◽  
Industrial Enterprises ◽  
Machining Center ◽  
Machine Operator ◽  
Weight Coefficients

It was proposed to improve the existing method of determining the quality of interaction of the elements of subsystems of the Machine Operator-Machining Center-Control Program for manufacturing parts (MO-MC-CP) system. This method combines estimates of social (machine operator), technical (machining center), and informational (control program for manufacturing parts) subsystems. Improvements were achieved through the use of four independent indices which are defined separately. One index takes into account single, double and triple interactions of integrated indicators where values of specific weight of weight coefficients depend on the sample size. The other three indices are a synergistic effect where the weight coefficients do not depend on the sample size. Therefore, the model of this index was modified at the expense of additional subsystems. Existing approaches to determining the indices are not focused on the assessment of the quality of interaction of the MO-MC-CP system, have software limitations, and work with limited sample sizes. With this in mind, it was decided to improve the existing tools of determining the quality indices of interaction to assess levels of interaction of the subsystem elements. The proposed software-implemented methods and the technology of index assessment improve the efficiency of the assessment of complex systems. Experimental verification has shown the superiority of interaction quality indices over those in the existing methods. A sign of efficiency is as follows: a smaller value of mean-square deviation of the proposed indices in comparison with the existing ones: S(ІQI1)=0.812; S(ІQI2)=0.271; S(ІQI3)=0.675; S(ІQI4)=0.57 and S(І)=0.947; S(І)=0.833; S(І)=0.594, respectively. The results obtained in the study of the interaction quality index are useful and important because they make it possible to better assess the interaction of subsystem elements and apply the proposed technology at industrial enterprises.

scholarly journals Virtual reality-based relaxation for enhancement of perioperative well-being and quality of life: protocol for a randomised pilot trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e044193
Author(s):  
Matthias Christian Schrempf ◽  
Julian Quirin Petzold ◽  
Hugo Vachon ◽  
Morten Aagaard Petersen ◽  
Johanna Gutschon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Sample Size Calculations

IntroductionPatients with cancer undergoing surgery often suffer from reduced quality of life and various forms of distress. Untreated distress can negatively affect coping resources as well as surgical and oncological outcomes. A virtual reality-based stress reduction intervention may increase quality of life and well-being and reduce distress in the perioperative phase for patients with cancer. This pilot trial aims to explore the feasibility of the proposed intervention, assess patient acceptability and obtain estimates of effect to provide data for sample size calculations.Methods and analysisPatients with colorectal cancer and liver metastasis undergoing elective surgery will be recruited for this single-centre, randomised pilot trial with a three-arm design. A total of 54 participants will be randomised at 1:1:1 ratio to one of two intervention groups or a control receiving standard treatment. Those randomised to an intervention group will either receive perioperative virtual reality-based stress reduction exercises twice daily or listen to classical music twice daily. Primary feasibility outcomes are number and proportions of participants recruited, screened, consented and randomised. Furthermore, adherence to the intervention, compliance with the completion of the quality of life questionnaires and feasibility of implementing the trial procedures will be assessed. Secondary clinical outcomes are measurements of the effectiveness of the interventions to inform sample size calculations.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol, the patient information and the informed consent form have been approved by the ethics committee of the Ludwigs-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany (Reference Number: 19–915). Study findings will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberDRKS00020909.

scholarly journals Quality Classification of Injection-Molded Components by Using Quality Indices, Grading, and Machine Learning

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 353
Author(s):  
Kun-Cheng Ke ◽  
Ming-Shyan Huang
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Quality Indices ◽  
Statistical Process ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Quality Grading ◽  
Quality Of Products ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Mlp Model

Conventional methods for assessing the quality of components mass produced using injection molding are expensive and time-consuming or involve imprecise statistical process control parameters. A suitable alternative would be to employ machine learning to classify the quality of parts by using quality indices and quality grading. In this study, we used a multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network along with a few quality indices to accurately predict the quality of “qualified” and “unqualified” geometric shapes of a finished product. These quality indices, which exhibited a strong correlation with part quality, were extracted from pressure curves and input into the MLP model for learning and prediction. By filtering outliers from the input data and converting the measured quality into quality grades used as output data, we increased the prediction accuracy of the MLP model and classified the quality of finished parts into various quality levels. The MLP model may misjudge datapoints in the “to-be-confirmed” area, which is located between the “qualified” and “unqualified” areas. We classified the “to-be-confirmed” area, and only the quality of products in this area were evaluated further, which reduced the cost of quality control considerably. An integrated circuit tray was manufactured to experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.

scholarly journals A systematic review of the quality of conduct and reporting of survival analyses of tuberculosis outcomes in Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses M. Ngari ◽  
Susanne Schmitz ◽  
Christopher Maronga ◽  
Lazarus K. Mramba ◽  
Michel Vaillant
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Survival Function ◽  
Sample Size Estimation ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Survival Curves ◽  
Survival Analyses ◽  
Survival Regression

Abstract Background Survival analyses methods (SAMs) are central to analysing time-to-event outcomes. Appropriate application and reporting of such methods are important to ensure correct interpretation of the data. In this study, we systematically review the application and reporting of SAMs in studies of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Africa. It is the first review to assess the application and reporting of SAMs in this context. Methods Systematic review of studies involving TB patients from Africa published between January 2010 and April 2020 in English language. Studies were eligible if they reported use of SAMs. Application and reporting of SAMs were evaluated based on seven author-defined criteria. Results Seventy-six studies were included with patient numbers ranging from 56 to 182,890. Forty-three (57%) studies involved a statistician/epidemiologist. The number of published papers per year applying SAMs increased from two in 2010 to 18 in 2019 (P = 0.004). Sample size estimation was not reported by 67 (88%) studies. A total of 22 (29%) studies did not report summary follow-up time. The survival function was commonly presented using Kaplan-Meier survival curves (n = 51, (67%) studies) and group comparisons were performed using log-rank tests (n = 44, (58%) studies). Sixty seven (91%), 3 (4.1%) and 4 (5.4%) studies reported Cox proportional hazard, competing risk and parametric survival regression models, respectively. A total of 37 (49%) studies had hierarchical clustering, of which 28 (76%) did not adjust for the clustering in the analysis. Reporting was adequate among 4.0, 1.3 and 6.6% studies for sample size estimation, plotting of survival curves and test of survival regression underlying assumptions, respectively. Forty-five (59%), 52 (68%) and 73 (96%) studies adequately reported comparison of survival curves, follow-up time and measures of effect, respectively. Conclusion The quality of reporting survival analyses remains inadequate despite its increasing application. Because similar reporting deficiencies may be common in other diseases in low- and middle-income countries, reporting guidelines, additional training, and more capacity building are needed along with more vigilance by reviewers and journal editors.

scholarly journals Perceived Serviceability of Outplacement Programs as a Part of Sustainable Human Resource Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 4748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zdenka Gyurák Babeľová ◽  
Augustín Stareček ◽  
Dagmar Cagáňová ◽  
Martin Fero ◽  
Miloš Čambál
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Industrial Enterprises ◽  
Generational Groups

Work and employment are important elements of every working person’s life. If an employee loses his or her job, he or she loses an important and determining part of his or her life. To reduce the negative effects that affect the quality of an employee’s life, outplacement programs were established as a part of sustainable human resource management. Sustainable human resource management emphasises the importance of employee care. Outplacement, for its part, includes support for employees at their last stage in the organization. The main aims of the paper are to present the research results focused on the perceived usefulness of outplacement programs for dismissed employees, to analyse the relationships between the emotions felt by redundancies and other employees as well as the comparison of differences in emotions felt by different generations of dismissed employees. A valid collection tool (research questionnaire) was developed for research purposes and distributed to employees of industrial enterprises in the Slovak Republic. Overall, the research set was composed of n = 692 employees from different generational groups. The research results proved the existence of a relationships between the emotions felt by redundancies and other employees and differences in emotions felt by employees from different generational groups.

scholarly journals A preliminary psychometric evaluation of Music in Dementia Assessment Scales (MiDAS)

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1011-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orii McDermott ◽  
Vasiliki Orgeta ◽  
Hanne Mette Ridder ◽  
Martin Orrell
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Assessment Scales

ABSTRACTBackground:Music in Dementia Assessment Scales (MiDAS), an observational outcome measure for music therapy with people with moderate to severe dementia, was developed from qualitative data of focus groups and interviews. Expert and peer consultations were conducted at each stage of the scale development to maximize its content validity. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of MiDAS.Methods:Care home residents with dementia attended weekly group music therapy for up to ten sessions. Music therapists and care home staff were requested to complete weekly MiDAS ratings. The Quality of Life Scale (QoL-AD) was completed at three time-points.Results:A total of 629 (staff = 306, therapist = 323) MiDAS forms were completed. The statistical analysis revealed that MiDAS has high therapist inter-rater reliability, low staff inter-rater reliability, adequate staff test-retest reliability, adequate concurrent validity, and good construct validity. High factor loadings between the five MiDAS Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) items, levels of Interest, Response, Initiation, Involvement, and Enjoyment, were found.Conclusions:This study indicates that MiDAS has good psychometric properties despite the small sample size. Future research with a larger sample size could provide a more in-depth psychometric evaluation, including further exploration of the underlying factors. MiDAS provides a measure of engagement with musical experience and offers insight into who is likely to benefit on other outcomes such as quality of life or reduction in psychiatric symptoms.

Modal Analysis and Optimization of Spindle Box of Turn-Milling Center Based on Finite Element Method

2012 ◽  
Vol 226-228 ◽  
pp. 281-284
Author(s):  
Li Da Zhu ◽  
Xiao Bang Wang ◽  
Tiao Biao Yu ◽  
Wan Shan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Natural Frequencies ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Ansys Software ◽  
Design Requirement ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Machining Center ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Turn Milling

The dynamic characteristics of machine tool may directly affect its machining capability, which is analyzed to improve the machining precision and efficiency. In this paper, the 3D finite element model of main components turn-milling center is established by using ANSYS software, and then spindle box of turn-milling center is analyzed and optimized; the natural frequencies and vibration models are obtained after analysis, which guarantee the design requirement of the machining center. Therefore it is significant to improve the design quality of machining center by using FEA software in the design process.

CHANGES IN THE TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL OF STEAM CULTIVATORS IN THE XXI CENTURY

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (143) ◽  
pp. 174-183
Author(s):  
Andrey Yu. Nesmiyan ◽  
◽  
Anastasiya S. Kaymakova ◽  
Yuliya S. Tsench ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Weighted Average ◽  
Specific Weight ◽  
Research Purpose ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Technological Level ◽  
Short Test ◽  
Specific Material ◽  
The Cost

Most modern agricultural machines and tools consist of components, the main parameters, design features of which were justified in the first half of the twentieth century. Slowly and evolutionarily, these technical means are developing. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in identifying general trends in the technical and technological level of steam cultivators in the first quarter of the XXI century. (Materials and Methods) For the study there was analyzed the data of the short test reports of the selected machines. The production of steam cultivators in the Russian Federation is gradually increasing. (Results and discussion) For ten years of the beginning of the XXI century, only 27 machines were provided for testing, and from 2014 to 2017 – more than 40, while for "old" cultivators, the weighted average value of the tractor traction class was 2.8, for new ones it is about of four. For the study period (on average 10 years) the quality of soil cultivation in terms of such parameters as deviation from the specified depth of cultivation, crumbling and combing of the field surface has not changed much. The productivity of cultivator units increased by 7-21 percents, which is explained not only by an increase in the power of tractors, but also by an increase in the utilization rate of charge time on average from 0.72 to 0.77. The specific weight of the "new" cultivators was on average 22 kilogram-meters less than that of the "old" analogues, which can be explained by the evolution of their designs. (Conclusions) Increasing the class of tractors by one "level" the specific material consumption of the cultivators aggregated with them increases by about 58 kilogram-meters for both "old" and " new " cultivators. With an increase in the width of the tools from 4 to 16 meters, their weight will increase by 8 times, which affects the cost and operational and environmental characteristics of wide-reach cultivators.

scholarly journals Promoting Pollution-Free Routes in Smart Cities Using Air Quality Sensor Networks

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 2507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Ramos ◽  
Sergio Trilles ◽  
Andrés Muñoz ◽  
Joaquín Huerta
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Current Work ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Quality Indices ◽  
Big City ◽  
Precautionary Measures

Nowadays, citizens have a huge concern about the quality of life in their cities, especially regarding the level of pollution. Air quality level is of great importance, not only to plan our activities but also to take precautionary measures for our health. All levels of governments are concerned about it and have built their indexes to measure the air quality level in their countries, regions or cities. Taking into account the existing sensor infrastructure within smart cities, it makes possible to evaluate these indices and to know anywhere the level of pollution in real-time. In this scenario, the main objective of the current work is to foster citizens’ awareness about pollution by offering pollution-free routes. To achieve this goal, a technology-agnostic methodology is presented, which allows for creating pollution-free routes across cities depending on the level of pollution in each zone. The current work includes an extensive study of existing air quality indices, and proposes and carries forward to deployment of the defined methodology in a big city, such as Madrid (Spain).

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