Improving MTM-UAS to predetermine automotive maintenance times

The preventive knowledge of serviceability times is a critical factor for the quantification of after-sales services costs of a vehicle. Predetermined motion time system are frequently used to set labor rates in industry by quantifying the amount of time required to perform specific tasks. The first such system is known as Methods-time measurement (MTM). Several variants of MTM have been developed differing from each other on their level of focus. Among them MTM-UAS is suitable for processes that average around 1-3 min. However experimental tests carried out by the authors in Elasis (Research Center of FIAT Group) demonstrate that MTM-UAS is not the optimal approach to measure serviceability times. The reason is that it doesn't take into account ergonomic factors. In the present paper the authors propose to correct the MTM-UAS method including in the task analysis the study of human postures and efforts. The proposed approach allows to estimate with an "acceptable" error the time needed to perform maintenance tasks since the first phases of product design, by working on Digital Mock-up and human models in virtual environment. As a byproduct of that analysis, it is possible to obtain a list of maintenance times in order to preventively set after-sales service costs. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Sistema Essix MTM: uma alternativa estética para a movimentação

The increased interest in orthodontics by adults has led companies to develop new treatment alternatives that use less visible and more aesthetic orthodontic appliances. The aesthetic aligners stand out among the treatment options that attend these expectations. This paper presented some relevant aspects of these devices, as well as two cases treated with Essix MTM (Dentsply) system, in which all aesthetic and functional objectives proposed treatment have been achieved. The results of this study support the idea that, when properly indicated, aesthetic aligners are a viable treatment option within the clinical routine of the orthodontist.

Operator, organizational, direct and general support maintenance manual : intercept-aerial guided missile MIM-23B, MTM-23B, and M18E2 (improved HAWK air-defense guided missile system).

"September 1972."

Numerical methods for fractional partial differential equations with Riesz space fractional derivatives

In this paper, we consider the numerical solution of a fractional partial differential equation with Riesz space fractional derivatives (FPDE-RSFD) on a finite domain. Two types of FPDE-RSFD are considered: the Riesz fractional diffusion equation (RFDE) and the Riesz fractional advection–dispersion equation (RFADE). The RFDE is obtained from the standard diffusion equation by replacing the second-order space derivative with the Riesz fractional derivative of order αset membership, variant(1,2]. The RFADE is obtained from the standard advection–dispersion equation by replacing the first-order and second-order space derivatives with the Riesz fractional derivatives of order βset membership, variant(0,1) and of order αset membership, variant(1,2], respectively. Firstly, analytic solutions of both the RFDE and RFADE are derived. Secondly, three numerical methods are provided to deal with the Riesz space fractional derivatives, namely, the L1/L2-approximation method, the standard/shifted Grünwald method, and the matrix transform method (MTM). Thirdly, the RFDE and RFADE are transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations, which is then solved by the method of lines. Finally, numerical results are given, which demonstrate the effectiveness and convergence of the three numerical methods.

Novel analytical and numerical methods for solving fractional dynamical systems

During the past three decades, the subject of fractional calculus (that is, calculus of integrals and derivatives of arbitrary order) has gained considerable popularity and importance, mainly due to its demonstrated applications in numerous diverse and widespread fields in science and engineering. For example, fractional calculus has been successfully applied to problems in system biology, physics, chemistry and biochemistry, hydrology, medicine, and finance. In many cases these new fractional-order models are more adequate than the previously used integer-order models, because fractional derivatives and integrals enable the description of the memory and hereditary properties inherent in various materials and processes that are governed by anomalous diffusion. Hence, there is a growing need to find the solution behaviour of these fractional differential equations. However, the analytic solutions of most fractional differential equations generally cannot be obtained. As a consequence, approximate and numerical techniques are playing an important role in identifying the solution behaviour of such fractional equations and exploring their applications. The main objective of this thesis is to develop new effective numerical methods and supporting analysis, based on the finite difference and finite element methods, for solving time, space and time-space fractional dynamical systems involving fractional derivatives in one and two spatial dimensions. A series of five published papers and one manuscript in preparation will be presented on the solution of the space fractional diffusion equation, space fractional advectiondispersion equation, time and space fractional diffusion equation, time and space fractional Fokker-Planck equation with a linear or non-linear source term, and fractional cable equation involving two time fractional derivatives, respectively. One important contribution of this thesis is the demonstration of how to choose different approximation techniques for different fractional derivatives. Special attention has been paid to the Riesz space fractional derivative, due to its important application in the field of groundwater flow, system biology and finance. We present three numerical methods to approximate the Riesz space fractional derivative, namely the L1/ L2-approximation method, the standard/shifted Gr¨unwald method, and the matrix transform method (MTM). The first two methods are based on the finite difference method, while the MTM allows discretisation in space using either the finite difference or finite element methods. Furthermore, we prove the equivalence of the Riesz fractional derivative and the fractional Laplacian operator under homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions – a result that had not previously been established. This result justifies the aforementioned use of the MTM to approximate the Riesz fractional derivative. After spatial discretisation, the time-space fractional partial differential equation is transformed into a system of fractional-in-time differential equations. We then investigate numerical methods to handle time fractional derivatives, be they Caputo type or Riemann-Liouville type. This leads to new methods utilising either finite difference strategies or the Laplace transform method for advancing the solution in time. The stability and convergence of our proposed numerical methods are also investigated. Numerical experiments are carried out in support of our theoretical analysis. We also emphasise that the numerical methods we develop are applicable for many other types of fractional partial differential equations.

Multiple types of child maltreatment and adolescent mental health in Viet Nam

Objective To examine the prevalence of multiple types of maltreatment (MTM), potentially confounding factors and associations with depression, anxiety and self-esteem among adolescents in Viet Nam. Methods In 2006 we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 2591 students (aged 12–18 years; 52.1% female) from randomly-selected classes in eight secondary schools in urban (Hanoi) and rural (Hai Duong) areas of northern Viet Nam (response rate, 94.7%). Sequential multiple regression analyses were performed to estimate the relative influence of individual, family and social characteristics and of eight types of maltreatment, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse and physical or emotional neglect, on adolescent mental health. Findings Females reported more neglect and emotional abuse, whereas males reported more physical abuse, but no statistically significant difference was found between genders in the prevalence of sexual abuse. Adolescents were classified as having nil (32.6%), one (25.9%), two (20.7%), three (14.5%) or all four (6.3%) maltreatment types. Linear bivariate associations between MTM and depression, anxiety and low self-esteem were observed. After controlling for demographic and family factors, MTM showed significant independent effects. The proportions of the variance explained by the models ranged from 21% to 28%. Conclusion The combined influence of adverse individual and family background factors and of child maltreatment upon mental health in adolescents in Viet Nam is consistent with research in non-Asian countries. Emotional abuse was strongly associated with each health indicator. In Asian communities where child abuse is often construed as severe physical violence, it is important to emphasize the equally pernicious effects of emotional maltreatment.

A method for evaluating lean assembly process at design stage

Lean product design has the potential to reduce the overall product development time and cost and can improve the quality of a product. However, it has been found that no or little work has been carried out to provide an integrated framework of "lean design" and to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of lean practices/principles in product development process. This research proposed an integrated framework for lean design process and developed a dynamic decision making tool based on Methods Time Measurement (MTM) approach for assessing the impact of lean design on the assembly process. The proposed integrated lean framework demonstrates the lean processes to be followed in the product design and assembly process in order to achieve overall leanness. The decision tool consists of a central database, the lean design guidelines, and MTM analysis. Microsoft Access and C# are utilized to develop the user interface to use the MTM analysis as decision making tool. MTM based dynamic tool is capable of estimating the assembly time, costs of parts and labour of various alternatives of a design and hence is able to achieve optimum design. A case study is conducted to test and validate the functionality of the MTM Analysis as well as to verify the lean guidelines proposed for product development.

The Imperial War Museum's social interpretation project

This report represents the output from research undertaken by University of Salford and MTM London as part of the joint Digital R&D Fund for Arts and Culture, operated by Nesta, Arts Council England and the AHRC. University of Salford and MTM London received funding from the programme to act as researchers on the Social Interpretation (SI) project, which was led by the Imperial War Museum (IWM) and their technical partners, The Centre for Digital Humanities, University College London, Knowledge Integration, and Gooii. The project was carried out between October 2011 and October 2012.

A systematic approach for selecting lean strategies and assessing leanness in manufacturing organizations

Lean strategies have been developed to eliminate or reduce manufacturing waste and thus improve operational efficiency in manufacturing processes. However, implementing lean strategies requires a large amount of resources and, in practice, manufacturers encounter difficulties in selecting appropriate lean strategies within their resource constraints. There is currently no systematic methodology available for selecting appropriate lean strategies within a manufacturer's resource constraints. In the lean transformation process, it is also critical to measure the current and desired leanness levels in order to clearly evaluate lean implementation efforts. Despite the fact that many lean strategies are utilized to reduce or eliminate manufacturing waste, little effort has been directed towards properly assessing the leanness of manufacturing organizations. In practice, a single or specific group of metrics (either qualitative or quantitative) will only partially measure the overall leanness. Existing leanness assessment methodologies do not offer a comprehensive evaluation method, integrating both quantitative and qualitative lean measures into a single quantitative value for measuring the overall leanness of an organization. This research aims to develop mathematical models and a systematic methodology for selecting appropriate lean strategies and evaluating the leanness levels in manufacturing organizations. Mathematical models were formulated and a methodology was developed for selecting appropriate lean strategies within manufacturers' limited amount of available resources to reduce their identified wastes. A leanness assessment model was developed by using the fuzzy concept to assess the leanness level and to recommend an optimum leanness value for a manufacturing organization. In the proposed leanness assessment model, both quantitative and qualitative input factors have been taken into account. Based on program developed in MATLAB and C#, a decision support tool (DST) was developed for decision makers to select lean strategies and evaluate the leanness value based on the proposed models and methodology hence sustain the lean implementation efforts. A case study was conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of these proposed models and methodology. Case study results suggested that out of 10 wastes identified, the case organization (ABC Limited) is able to improve a maximum of six wastes from the selected workstation within their resource limitations. The selected wastes are: unnecessary motion, setup time, unnecessary transportation, inappropriate processing, work in process and raw material inventory and suggested lean strategies are: 5S, Just-In-Time, Kanban System, the Visual Management System (VMS), Cellular Manufacturing, Standard Work Process using method-time measurement (MTM), and Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED). From the suggested lean strategies, the impact of 5S was demonstrated by measuring the leanness level of two different situations in ABC. After that, MTM was suggested as a standard work process for further improvement of the current leanness value. The initial status of the organization showed a leanness value of 0.12. By applying 5S, the leanness level significantly improved to reach 0.19 and the simulation of MTM as a standard work method shows the leanness value could be improved to 0.31. The optimum leanness value of ABC was calculated to be 0.64. These leanness values provided a quantitative indication of the impacts of improvement initiatives in terms of the overall leanness level to the case organization. Sensitivity analsysis and a t-test were also performed to validate the model proposed. This research advances the current knowledge base by developing mathematical models and methodologies to overcome lean strategy selection and leanness assessment problems. By selecting appropriate lean strategies, a manufacturer can better prioritize implementation efforts and resources to maximize the benefits of implementing lean strategies in their organization. The leanness index is used to evaluate an organization's current (before lean implementation) leanness state against the state after lean implementation and to establish benchmarking (the optimum leanness state). Hence, this research provides a continuous improvement tool for a lean manufacturing organization.

Further development of discrete computational techniques for calculation of restricted diffusion propagators in porous media

Magnetic resonance is a well-established tool for structural characterisation of porous media. Features of pore-space morphology can be inferred from NMR diffusion-diffraction plots or the time-dependence of the apparent diffusion coefficient. Diffusion NMR signal attenuation can be computed from the restricted diffusion propagator, which describes the distribution of diffusing particles for a given starting position and diffusion time. We present two techniques for efficient evaluation of restricted diffusion propagators for use in NMR porous-media characterisation. The first is the Lattice Path Count (LPC). Its physical essence is that the restricted diffusion propagator connecting points A and B in time t is proportional to the number of distinct length-t paths from A to B. By using a discrete lattice, the number of such paths can be counted exactly. The second technique is the Markov transition matrix (MTM). The matrix represents the probabilities of jumps between every pair of lattice nodes within a single timestep. The propagator for an arbitrary diffusion time can be calculated as the appropriate matrix power. For periodic geometries, the transition matrix needs to be defined only for a single unit cell. This makes MTM ideally suited for periodic systems. Both LPC and MTM are closely related to existing computational techniques: LPC, to combinatorial techniques; and MTM, to the Fokker-Planck master equation. The relationship between LPC, MTM and other computational techniques is briefly discussed in the paper. Both LPC and MTM perform favourably compared to Monte Carlo sampling, yielding highly accurate and almost noiseless restricted diffusion propagators. Initial tests indicate that their computational performance is comparable to that of finite element methods. Both LPC and MTM can be applied to complicated pore-space geometries with no analytic solution. We discuss the new methods in the context of diffusion propagator calculation in porous materials and model biological tissues.

Effect of organic gate dielectric material properties on interfacial charging and discharging of pentacene MIM device

The effect of material properties of an environmentally friendly, optically transparent dielectric material, polyterpenol, on the carrier transients within the pentacene-based double-layer MTM device was investigated. Polyterpenol films were RF plasma polymerised under varied process conditions, with resultant films differing in surface chemistry and morphology. Independent of type of polyterpenol, time-resolved EFISHG study of IZO/polyterpenol/pentacene/Au structures showed similar transient behaviour with carriers injected into pentacene from Au electrode only, confirming polyterpenol to be a suitable blocking layer for visualisation of single-species carrier transportation during charging and discharging under different bias conditions. Polyterpenol fabricated under higher input power show better promise due to higher chemical and thermal stability, improved uniformity, and absence of defects.

Automatización de los cuadros de mando y monitorización de indicadores

Los contenidos que se presentan en esta memoria versan sobre un Proyecto Final de Carrera de Ingeniería Informática para la Universidad del País Vasco - Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, proyecto que ha sido llevado a cabo en la empresa Orona.El Proyecto ha tenido como fin la automatización de una parte de los procesos llevados a cabo dentro de dos de los departamentos de Orona, SGS (Spares Global Supply) y MTM (Multimarca), para mejorar la atención que se brinda a los diferentes clientes de Orona y mejorar los procesos internos de cada departamento, consiguiendo así que ambos departamentos sean más eficientes.Para la realización de parte del proyecto se ha partido de aplicativos ya existentes. Dichos aplicativos han sido mejorados, corregidos y se les ha añadido nuevas funcionalidades. Sin embargo, para la otra parte del proyecto se ha partido desde cero. En aquellas en las que se ha partido de cero, se ha requerido un diseño estratégico para abordar las diferentes necesidades de ambos equipos. Para eso ha sido necesario un análisis de las metodologías de trabajo para detectar y desarrollar aplicativos potentes y eficaces, que dieran lugar a una mejora de los procesos internos y a la máxima automatización posible de las tareas llevadas a cabo por cada integrante de cada uno de los equipos.

Cooperation of Mtmr8 with PI3K Regulates Actin Filament Modeling and Muscle Development in Zebrafish

Background: It has been shown that mutations in at least four myotubularin family genes (MTM1, MTMR1, 2 and 13) are causative for human neuromuscular disorders. However, the pathway and regulative mechanism remain unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, we reported a new role for Mtmr8 in neuromuscular development of zebrafish. Firstly, we cloned and characterized zebrafish Mtmr8, and revealed the expression pattern predominantly in the eye field and somites during early somitogenesis. Using morpholino knockdown, then, we observed that loss-of-function of Mtmr8 led to defects in somitogenesis. Subsequently, the possible underlying mechanism and signal pathway were examined. We first checked the Akt phosphorylation, and observed an increase of Akt phosphorylation in the morphant embryos. Furthermore, we studied the PH/G domain function within Mtmr8. Although the PH/G domain deletion by itself did not result in embryonic defect, addition of PI3K inhibitor LY294002 did give a defective phenotype in the PH/G deletion morphants, indicating that the PH/G domain was essential for Mtmr8's function. Moreover, we investigated the cooperation of Mtmr8 with PI3K in actin filament modeling and muscle development, and found that both Mtmr8-MO1 and Mtmr8-MO2+LY294002 led to the disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. In addition, we revealed a possible participation of Mtmr8 in the Hedgehog pathway, and cell transplantation experiments showed that Mtmr8 worked in a non-cell autonomous manner in actin modeling. Conclusion/Significance: The above data indicate that a conserved functional cooperation of Mtmr8 with PI3K regulates actin filament modeling and muscle development in zebrafish, and reveal a possible participation of Mtmr8 in the Hedgehog pathway. Therefore, this work provides a new clue to study the physiological function of MTM family members.

视频监控中若干关键问题的研究

随着网络带宽、计算机处理能力和存储容量的迅速提高，以及各种视频信息处理技术的出现，全程数字化、网络化的视频监控系统优势愈发明显。其高度的开放性、集成性和灵活性为视频监控系统和设备的整体性能提升创造了必要的条件；同时也为整个安防产业的发展提供了更加广阔的发展空间，崭新的应用模式和市场机遇不断涌现。视频监控系统过程向着大型、连续、综合化发展，形成了复杂监控过程，监测控制的要求越来越高，需要更高性能的系统和采用更优秀的控制手段，面临着不能用传统方法解决的新问题。本文概述了目前视频监控中面临的挑战，简要介绍了与视频监控相关的研究领域和研究现状，研究了视频监控中若干亟待解决的问题，主要取得了以下几个方面的研究成果： 第一，提出了基于AdaBoost的改进的人脸检测算法，针对AdaBoost算法的训练速度慢的问题，提出了基于阈值控制的训练方法；同时研究了AdaBoost算法人脸检测方法，利用肤色模型检测人脸区域，并对颜色模型进行了光照补偿。实验结果表明本文的算法具有较好的检测结果。 第二，提出了基于Canny算法的一般目标检测算法，提出了改进的Canny边缘检测算法，研究了Canny算法中噪声抑制的方法，采用改进中心加权的MTM算法有效的抑制噪声。针对Canny检测算法中阈值设置的问题，提出改进的Canny阈值补偿的方法。实验结果表明，改进的Canny算法相比原算法具有更好的目标检测性能。 第三，提出了一种基于均值漂移（Mean Shift）的改进的目标跟踪算法，通过搜索窗口带宽的计算，加权背景信息以及卡尔曼滤波器建模改进了跟踪算法，避免了均值漂移算法中的一些关键问题。对比实验结果表明，本文的改进方法相比原算法具有较好的性能。 第四，研究了视频监控中基于可扩展视频编码(SVC)的技术。首先讨论了视频监控中采用可扩展视频编码(SVC)的优势，探讨了视频监控中采用可扩展视频编码(SVC)的框架。然后针对于视频质量评估问题，设计并实现了基于可扩展视频编码(SVC)的视频质量评估系统Evalvid-SVC，研究了基于可扩展视频编码(SVC)的视频质量评估。 第五，研究并实现了视频数据安全传输技术。提出了基于Diameter的统一认证方案。任何用户想要获取视频资源，都必须通过AAA子系统的认证和授权，授予合法用户以特定的方式使用资源。另外，为了保证监控数据从监控前端安全地传送到视频监控客户端，本文提出了一种有效的保证视频数据安全传输的方案。设计的数据加密算法应用DES算法对前端设备采集到的音视频数据进行加密，并通过定时更新和RSA加密的方式保护和传输DES密钥。

ART-EMAP: A Neural Network Architecture for Learning and Prediction by Evidence Accumulation

This paper introduces ART-EMAP, a neural architecture that uses spatial and temporal evidence accumulation to extend the capabilities of fuzzy ARTMAP. ART-EMAP combines supervised and unsupervised learning and a medium-term memory process to accomplish stable pattern category recognition in a noisy input environment. The ART-EMAP system features (i) distributed pattern registration at a view category field; (ii) a decision criterion for mapping between view and object categories which can delay categorization of ambiguous objects and trigger an evidence accumulation process when faced with a low confidence prediction; (iii) a process that accumulates evidence at a medium-term memory (MTM) field; and (iv) an unsupervised learning algorithm to fine-tune performance after a limited initial period of supervised network training. ART-EMAP dynamics are illustrated with a benchmark simulation example. Applications include 3-D object recognition from a series of ambiguous 2-D views.