Experimental Evaluation of the Variable-Feedrate Intelligent Segmentation Method for High-Speed, High-Precision Micromilling

This paper considers the problem of testing VLSI integrated circuits in minimum time without exceeding their power ratings during test. We use a resource graph formulation for the test problem. The solution requires finding a power-constrained schedule of tests. Two formulations of this problem are given as follows: (1) scheduling equal length tests with power constraints and (2) scheduling unequal length tests with power constraints. Optimum solutions are obtained for both formulations. Algorithms consist of four basic steps. First, a test compatibility graph is constructed from the resource graph. Second, the test compatibility graph is used to identify a complete set of time compatible tests with power dissipation information associated with each test. Third, from the set of compatible tests, lists of power compatible tests are extracted. Finally, a minimum cover table approach is used to find an optimum schedule of power compatible tests.

A new approach is developed in this paper to predict the three-dimensional gear surface topography in the process of gear generating grinding, and a parametric equation is derived to describe the trajectory on the tooth surface of gear left by each ideal sphere grain. To determine the final three-dimensional gear surface topography generated by thousands of single abrasive grain with randomly distributed locations and protrusion heights, an algorithm for geometrical analysis is developed to systematically process the gear surface profile. There are two steps for this method: the first step is to map the cutting path to the tooth profile in each generating stroke, and the second stage is to combine these generated surface topographies together and trim them in an appropriate manner to create a whole tooth surface. The simulation results show that the surface roughness is increasing monotonously along the tooth profile direction, which is confirmed by the experiment. In order to get uniform surface roughness, a non-uniform generation method is introduced by dividing the entire arc length into isometric n segments. With the use of this method, the surface roughness in each part is essentially equal. Besides, the surface roughness improves about 16.3 % when the machining time is the same, and the reduction of machining time is 42.8 % when the surface roughness of addendum is equal.

Numerical Modelling of Electro-Discharge Machining Process Using Moving Mesh Feature

Drilling is one of the conventional methods of producing a hole of the desired shape by removing material with the help of a cutting tool named drill bit. The process of drilling a hole usually leaves behind an undesirable burr at the exit surface of the workpiece. In this experimental work, the design of experiment (DOE) has been carried out as per Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array with an objective to minimize the height of burr (exit side) of stainless steel (SS) workpieces. The effect of process parameters like varied cutting speed, changes in feed and cutting fluid on burr height as well as machining time has been explored and the optimum condition for minimizing burr height under normal condition, using adhesive and with a backup support is determined by the entire experimental analysis. Response surface methodology and analysis of variance (ANOVA) have been performed to find out the optimum process parameters on burr height and machining time. With the progress of experiment, it has been observed that burr height is greatly influenced by the variation of speed, feed and cutting fluid whereas, cutting fluid has less impact on machining time reduction as compared to the varied speed and feed with adhesive and backup material condition.

Robots are complex electromechanical systems which often exhibit rapid, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous behavior in the presence of faults. In this paper, we present a novel quantum-inspired approach to fault detection within robot systems. The approach is based on a new fault detection model termed Quantum Analytical Redundancy (QAR) within a Fault Tree framework. The QAR method evolves quantum states with the ability to represent the internal dependencies of data within a provably complete set of fault detection tests. Our research centers on simulation of the approach, with testing and evaluation planned on rigid-link robot manipulator hardware.

Overhead conductors are prone to wind-induced vibrations which further influence transmission line infrastructures. Cascading failures of transmission lines may lead to major power outage. Several analytical and experimental techniques have been evolved across the world in order to nullify the conductors' vibrations. In this experimental work, the ACSR Zebra conductor has been used for power transmission. This paper presents hexa spacer damper for dissipation of vibration energy of 765 kV transmission lines. Exclusively designed and developed damper has been validated based on the field test findings at Hydro Québec Test Station, Canada. These bundled conductors are particularly susceptible to wind-induced vibrations in the recurrence scope of 10-60 Hz because of vortex shedding. A complete set of the field tests have been conducted while installing 27 numbers of hexa spacer dampers at different sub-span lengths across the test line. The aim of this test is to assess the damping property of hexa spacer damper by precise measurement with the help of sensor embedded on the actual model and vibration emulated mechanism for Aeolian vibrations and sub-range motions. The test findings confirm effectiveness of the in-house developed hexa spacer damper.

Calcium (Ca) represents about 40% of the total mineral mass, mainly in the bone, providing mechanical strength to the skeleton and teeth. An adequate Ca intake is necessary for bone growth and development in children and adolescents and for maintaining bone mineral loss in elderly age. Ca deficiency predisposes to osteopenia and osteoporosis. Healthy nutrition, including an adequate intake of Ca-rich food, is paramount to prevent and cure osteoporosis. Recently, several clinical studies have demonstrated that, in conditions of Ca dysmetabolism, Ca-rich mineral water is beneficial as a valuable source of Ca to be used as an alternative to caloric Ca-rich dairy products. Although promising, these data have been collected from small groups of participants. Moreover, they mainly regard the effect of Ca-rich mineral water on bone metabolism. In contrast, an investigation of the effect of Ca supplementation on systemic metabolism is needed to address the spreading of systemic metabolic dysfunction often associated with Ca dysmetabolism. In the present study, we analyzed urine and blood sera of 120 women in perimenopausal condition who were subjected for six months to 2l daily consumption of bicarbonate–calcium mineral water marketed under ®Lete. Remarkably, this water, in addition to being rich in calcium and bicarbonate, is also low in sodium. A complete set of laboratory tests was carried out to investigate whether the specific water composition was such to confirm the known therapeutic effects on bone metabolism. Second, but not least, urine and blood sera were analyzed using NMR-based metabolomic procedures to investigate, other than the action on Ca metabolism, potential system-wide metabolic effects. Our data show that Lete water is a valid supplement for compensating for Ca dysmetabolism and preserving bone health and integrity.

Do Firms Benefit from Complementarity Effect in R&D and What Drives Their R&D Strategy Choices?

This paper proposes a universal system for automatic functional testing of Set-Top boxes (STB) in the form of a Starter Kit solution. The proposed testing system consists of appropriate software and hardware modules necessary to perform complete set of functional tests of the STB. Within the proposed Starter-Kit the „Synaps“ STB is used, for which the functional tests have been specifically developed. However the tests are designed to be as universal, simple and demonstrative as possible in order to be easily adaptable to various types of STB. Moreover, the proposed test framework facilitates relatively simple creation of new types of tests as well, based on the existing ones. For this purpose the tests have been grouped according the functionality to be tested, where special attention has been paid to flexibility and generality of the designed tests. In such manner the time necessary for the construction of specific tests for different STB is significantly reduced. This is mainly due to avoiding making the tests from the beginning each time for different STB under test.

Ebastine is a novel histamine H1 receptor antagonist that combines potency with a rapid onset (fast absorption) and long duration (slow elimination) of action, at least partially mediated via the formation of an acid metabolite (carebastine) that is even more potent as an antihistamine. It shows clear selectivity for histamine H1 as opposed to H2 receptors, has moderate activity against other potential mediators of allergic phenomena such as leukotriene C4 and platelet-activating factor, and is clearly effective against anaphylactic reactions resulting from exposure of suitably sensitised tissues or animals to antigen. By contrast, ebastine has negligible activity against acetylcholine (no atropine-like adverse effects on secretions and visual accommodation) and only poorly penetrates the blood-brain barrier (no sedative adverse effects). Ebastine is without effects on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, even after oral administration of high doses, and does not interact pharmacologically with a wide range of other drugs covering most areas of potential coadministration. Furthermore, ebastine showed no clinically relevant effects in a complete set of regulatory-required toxicity tests (including acute, chronic, reproductive, mutagenic and carcinogenic protocols) at doses giving blood concentrations representing high multiples of clinical exposure. In conclusion, ebastine has a preclinical profile indicative of an excellent therapeutic ratio of desired effects to undesired effects.

Despite the challenges around incorporating Artificial Intelligence into business processes, AI is revolutionizing the way companies are doing business. The biggest business and social challenge in the adoption of AI solutions is achieving the end users’ trust in the models and scaling prototypes to production ready models in an enterprise environment. Scaling trustworthy AI in a more transparent, responsible, and governed manner could facilitate widespread adoption of AI solutions in an enterprise environment. After conducting an extensive literature review on different aspects of AI quality, we have developed an integrated AI Quality-MLOps framework which enables the development and deployment of AI solutions in an enterprise environment. AI Quality is the center of the proposed framework, and it guides businesses towards putting a complete set of quality metrics, tests, approaches, and algorithms together to ensure conformance with business objectives. This approach improves the delivery efficiency of the solution both during the design and production phase while conforming to the regulatory guidelines adopted by an organization.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ANGIPARS™ in a phase 2 clinical trial. Methods: This study was performed as a phase 2 clinical trial without a control group between May 2007 and September 2008 in the Iranian Rheumatology Research Center on a group of volunteer patients that were diagnosed with scleroderma. Patients with the diagnosis of diffuse or limited scleroderma without the involvement ofinternal organs were given 100 mg ANGIPARSTM capsules three times a day for 6 months, followed by 2 capsules a day for a further 3 months. Follow-up continued for a year. At the baseline, modified Rodnan score, pain severity and number of pitting ulcers, number of perioral folds, finger to palm distance, and open- mouth area were assessed in each patient. The measurements were repeated on a monthly basis and their change from the baseline was calculated. Possible adverse effects were monitored at regular monthly intervals through a complete set of laboratory tests and clinical examination. Results: Eleven patients including 10 females were recruited. The mean age was 39 years (SD = 10.2). No significant changes and no abnormality in laboratory measures were found during the study. Repeated measure analysis revealed a significant reduction in the modified Rodnan score (Mean reduction= 38%, P value < 0.001), finger to palm distance and number of pitting ulcers (mean reduction 33% & 87.5%, respectively, and P values < 0.001 & 0.003, respectively), and an increase in open-mouth area (mean reduction = 20.6%, P value = 0.041). The drug had no effect the pain of the ulcers or on the perioral folds. Conclusion: ANGIPARSTM is efficient and safe for the treatment of the skin manifestations of scleroderma. Conducting a phase III placebo controlled randomized trial is recommended.

In 5-axis machining, the initial orientation and position of the part in the fixture on the machine table are chosen to avoid collisions and to ensure that axes ranges are respected. However, kinematics of the machine is rarely considered for workpiece setup optimization although it affects the tool path execution and machining time. Indeed, for complex surfaces, actual feedrate is often lower than the programmed one and can present strong slowdowns, which are critical for the tool cutting conditions and therefore the part quality. This article investigates the use of kinematic manipulability criteria to determine the best orientation of the workpiece setup to maximize the actual feedrate and reduce machining time. The modelling of maximum velocity, acceleration, and jerk of each axis by means of polytopes makes it possible to take advantage of the whole kinematic space of the machine more intuitively. Simulations and experiments are carried out in 3 + 2-axis machining on test parts with a ball-end tool. For stretched surfaces, while the tool centre motion is given by the machining strategy, the tool axis orientation is optimized jointly with the workpiece setup. Experiments confirm that actual feedrate raises faster to better respect the programmed cutting conditions along each path. As feedrate is also higher, machining time is reduced significantly.

Reduced machining time and increased accuracy for a sculptured surface are both very important when producing complicated parts, so, the step-size and tool-path interval are essential components in high-speed and high-resolution machining. If they are too small, the machining time will increase, whereas if they are too large, rough surfaces will result. In particular, the machining time, which is a key factor in high-speed machining, is affected by the tool-path interval more than the step size. The present paper introduces a ‘system software’ developed to reduce machining time and increased accuracy for a sculptured surface with Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) patches. The system is mainly based on a new and a powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tool, called artificial immune systems (AIS). It is implemented using C programming language on a PC. It can be used as stand alone system or as the integrated module of a CNC machine tool. With the use of AIS, the impact and power of AI techniques have been reflected on the performance of the tool path optimization system. The methodology of the developed tool path optimization system is illustrated with practical examples in this paper.

Condensate accumulated inside dryer cylinders will produce an increased power demand and eventually the inability of the dryer drive to accelerate the section. In a previous paper, these authors presented an online estimation algorithm capable of detecting the presence of condensate during a section starting. In this paper, a complete set of tests is run over two experimental cylinders covering up to 40% of cylinder volumes, and the complete set of power curves are reported and analyzed. Specifically, the presence of a combined cascading-rimming region in the medium to high condensate loads is confirmed. This combined mode modifies the pattern followed by the maximum power in the low condensate region. Using these data, high-order and simplified correlations are proposed for the estimation of condensate in flooded dryer cylinders. These new correlations increase the capacity of the online estimation algorithm to give good estimations of the condensate load present inside the dryer cylinders up to 55 mm of rim thickness.