Using integrated quality function deployment and theory of innovation problem solving approach for ergonomic product design

A multidisciplinary approach integrating method of identification of customer satisfaction needs (CSNs), the House of Quality (HoQ) chart of quality function deployment (QFD), theory of innovation problem solving (TRIZ) and fuzzy group decision-making theory for ergonomic product innovative design and evaluation in the early design stages was proposed. An integrated model and the approach procedures consists of four steps. In step 1, identification of CSNs is based on a data source triangulation approach, questionnaire survey, 5-point liner numeric rating scale, factor analysis, and Cronbach’s coefficient alpha statistic are utilized to guarantee that the CSNs are complete and reliable. In step 2, a correlation matrix is built to identify the critical ergonomic design areas and the key problems are established by analysis of the negative relationships obtained from interrelationship half-matrix at the roof of the HoQ. In step 3, to solve the problems, TRIZ main tools and contradiction analysis are utilized. Several innovative alternatives are generated by combining appropriate Inventive Principles of TRIZ, the critical ergonomic design areas and the ergonomic design principles. In step 4, a general and easy fuzzy group decision-making method for evaluating of the best design alternatives is presented. A case study of the integrated kitchen stove innovative design and evaluation is conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach.     

Effects of heat treatment on the mechanical properties at elevated temperatures of plain-woven SiC/SiC composites

The effects of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of plain-woven SiC/SiC composites at 927 °C and 1200 °C in argon were evaluated through tensile tests at room temperature and at elevated temperature on the as-received and heat-treated plain-woven SiC/SiC composites, respectively. Heat treatment can improve the mechanical properties of composites at room temperature due to the release of thermal residual stress. Although heat treatment can damage the fiber, the effect of this damage on the mechanical properties of composites is generally less than the effect of thermal residual stress. Heat treatment will graphitize the pyrolytic carbon interface and reduce its shear strength. Testing temperature will affect the expansion or contraction of the components in the composites, thereby changing the stress state of the components. This study can provide guidance for the optimization of processing of ceramic matrix composites and the structural design in high-temperature environments.     

Internal frictions of austenitic stainless steels at low temperature

Internal frictions were measured for three types of austenitic stainless steel, AISI 304, 310S and 316, in the temperature range 4–300 K. The intrinsic friction is presented in terms of the quality factor of a 20 kHz eigenmode vibration of discs made from each material. Temperature dependence is also given for the resonant frequency of each disc. These mechanical properties show some peculiarities at low temperature.     

一种数据仓库操作的优化方法

数据立方体在许多多维数据的数据仓库的高速OLAP操作中扮演着重要的角色.但是在许多高维的数据仓库的应用中,例如超过100维,大约106个元组,在这样高维下建立物化数据立方体是不可行的.利用最小方的方法可以在高维数据集上进行有效OLAP操作的方法.但每次进行OLAP操作所涉及的维大多有固定的分布,所以大量的查询都有重复计算.如果能部分物化与大多数OLAP操作相关维的立方体ID,就能在进行OLAP操作时可以大大的提高OLAP操作的效率.     

Integrated control and mechanism design for the variable input-speed servo four-bar linkages

This paper presents an integrated design approach for variable input-speed servo four-bar linkages. In order to satisfy the kinematic requirements, to reduce the shaking force and moment, to improve the speed trajectory tracking performance and to minimize the motor power dissipation, the dimensions of the links, the counterweights, the input-speed trajectory and the controller parameters are considered as the design variables simultaneously. The proposed integrated design approach is introduced and formulated with the optimization design problem. Examples are given to compare the results of the proposed design approach with the other two approaches and demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed integrated design approach.     

How environmental policy stringency affects renewable energy investment? Implications for green investment horizons

Renewable energy has many benefits, but the most important is its ability to reduce our carbon emissions and help protect the environment. This study looks into the nonlinear effects of environmental policy stringency (EPS) on renewable energy investment in BRICS. To probe the short- and long-term connection, we exploited the nonlinear panel QARDL framework. According to the analysis's results, renewable energy investment rises at nearly all quantiles in response to both short- and long-run positive shocks in EPS. The long-run negative shocks in EPS reduce renewable energy investments at lower and medium quantiles only, whereas the short-term negative shocks in EPS significantly reduce renewable energy investment at most quantiles. At all quantiles, the short and long-run Wald test validates the dissimilar effect of EPS on renewable energy investment. Consequently, policymakers should distinguish between positive and negative shocks in the EPS when considering the effect of EPS on renewable energy investment.     

Detection of foodborne bacterial zoonoses by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The efficient and timely detection of bacterial pathogens remains a major public health concern throughout the world. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a promising tool to detect bacteria since it incorporates the advantages of rapid detection methods with the live/dead differentiation capacity of the gold standard culture methods. However, multiplexing pathogen detection, weak FISH signals and the establishment of a quantitative and sensitive direct enumeration approach remain troublesome obstacles for a widespread use in food microbiology. Therefore, we developed and tested a comprehensive set of highly specific multiplex-FISH tests for the simultaneous detection of various foodborne bacterial zoonoses, including important pathogens like Salmonella enterica, thermophilic Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogenes. The detection of thermophilic Campylobacter spp., the most frequent bacterial zoonosis in the EU, in artificially spiked chicken breast by FISH proved to be as sensitive as the conventional ISO standard, but results were available much earlier. Strongly enhanced FISH signals for Campylobacter spp., enabling detection in matrices with high background fluorescence, were accomplished by employing several probes for this target group. For the direct detection of bacteria, independent of cultural enrichment, filtration proved to be appropriate although this method is less sensitive and thus primarily suitable for higher bacterial loads. The type of membrane filter as well as the fluorescence channel significantly influenced the efficiency of detection. Furthermore, the implementation of GFP-expressing bacteria as a quantitative standard allowed the enumeration of target pathogens after filtration. In summary, our results demonstrate the applicability of FISH for food microbiology and offer new solutions for prevalent problems in FISH-testing.