Affect Process Quality Research Articles

Plasma-chamber wall interaction and its impact on polymer deposition in inductively-coupled C4F8/Ar plasmas

Plasma processing chambers, key tools in semiconductor device fabrication, must be meticulously maintained to ensure tool-to-tool matching. Processing chamber walls are liable to contamination with fluorocarbon (CxFy) film, which acts as a source and/or sink for active species during plasma processes. This contamination potentially affects processing quality and alters the plasma properties, increasing deviations between processing chambers. However, quantitative studies on the impact of wall contamination on the substrate deposition outcomes have been limited. Additionally, spatially resolved investigations are crucial for understanding the plasma-wall interaction. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of polymer (CxFy) film wall contamination on plasma deposition via various plasma diagnostics and surface analyses. When the chamber inner wall was coated with polymer film, the thickness, surface roughness, and chemical composition of the deposited film on the bottom substrate were more uniform. These results were linked to alterations in the uniformity of active species in the plasma, such as CF2 and F, resulting from interaction with the polymer film on the wall's surface. The C–Fx and C–CFx composition ratios in the wall-coated films dramatically reduced, indicating that this film supplied the depositing precursors to the plasma. These results suggest that controlling the chamber wall conditions is important to maintain tool-to-tool matching and modulate the processing performance.

Business Process Complexity Measurement: A Systematic Literature Review

Business process complexity is an important factor that affects process quality and has a significant impact on the maintenance, optimization, and execution efficiency of processes. To review the application progress and trends of process complexity measurement in business process management, this study uses the systematic literature review (SLR) method to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the theoretical background, rationality, effectiveness, and comprehensiveness of 92 process complexity metrics. The findings showed that the measurement of process complexity primarily encompasses four dimensions: activity complexity, control-flow complexity, data-flow complexity, and resource complexity. However, most metrics consider only one or two aspects of complexity in the process and rely mainly on empirical validation, thus lacking theoretical validation support. Currently, the most popular and widely used complexity metric is Control Flow Complexity (CFC). Process complexity metrics mainly focus on measuring the complexity of process models, and the majority of them focus on activity complexity or control-flow complexity. The future research trend is to combine data mining techniques with process log data to analyze process complexity.

A digital twin-driven approach towards traceability and dynamic control for processing quality

Processing quality is the basis for ensuring product quality, and reflects the development needs and application value of realizing intelligent manufacturing. Aiming at the low efficiency of quality problems traceability, poor timeliness and unpredictability of quality control in the machining process, digital twin technology can provide a new intelligent solution based on interaction and integration between physical workshop and virtual workshop. Therefore, a digital twin-driven approach towards traceability and dynamic control for processing quality is proposed in the paper. Firstly, a Bayesian network model for the analysis of factors affecting processing quality (BN_PQ) is introduced, which determines the relevance and influence weight of each factor to processing quality. Secondly, in order to integrate multi-source heterogeneous data to trace the processing quality, a multi-level scalable information model and association mechanism are established. Moreover, the construction method of the IoT system in manufacturing unit for dynamic control of processing quality are introduced, in which the collection method of real-time data is discussed. The contents of digital twin data for processing quality constraints (DTD_PQ) and the management method are elaborated. Then, the digital twin-driven dynamic control method of processing quality is proposed. The conceptual model of the digital twin database and the operating logic for dynamic control of processing quality are described in detail. Finally, the interactive operation and core technologies of DTD_PQ towards traceability and dynamic control of processing quality are analyzed. By choosing examples of machining the connecting rod of diesel engine and the prototype system that has been developed, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified.

The contribution of fiber components to water absorption of wheat grown in the UK.

Background and objectivesThe water absorption (WA) of white wheat flour is a major factor affecting processing quality, and millers, therefore, process their wheat to achieve the required level. Although it is likely that WA is determined by the amounts and compositions of three major grain components, starch, protein, and arabinoxylan, the contribution of the latter is not agreed and not recognized in the widely used Farrand equation.FindingsWe have measured a range of parameters related to fiber amount and composition and tested the ability of these to improve the prediction of WA using a modified Farrand equation. The addition of a range of single fiber traits improved the prediction of WA from a baseline of 82.98% to a maximum of 86.78%, but inclusion of all fiber traits as PCs resulted in a further improvement to 90%. Inclusion of the PCs also accounted for variation in WA between harvest years. The greatest improvement from inclusion of a single trait was observed with β‐glucan, the inclusion of arabinogalactan peptide (AGP) also resulted in improved prediction of WA.ConclusionsThe study shows that fiber components contribute to variation in WA, including differences between harvest years, but that β‐glucan and AGP have similar or greater impacts than AX.Significance and noveltyThe study dissects the contributions of AX amount and composition to WA and demonstrates a contribution of b‐glucan for the first time.

Vermicompost Influences Processing Quality Of Potato Tubers

The effect of vermicompost on dry matter and specific gravity of potato tubers under ambient storage condition was studied. Vermicompost was used at four rates viz. 0, 2, 4 and 6 t ha-1 over the four varieties of potato viz. BARI TPS-1, BARI Alu-28 (Lady Rosetta), BARI Alu-25 (Asterix) and BARI Alu-29 (Courage). Results demonstrated that processing parameters such as dry matter percentage (%) and specific gravity increased with increasing vermicompost levels while they decreased with the increasing storing period. Lady Rosetta and Asterix potato varieties can be safely stored at normal room temperature up to 60 days. There was no interaction between vermicompost rates and crop varieties. Hence, the potato growers of Bangladesh can use vermicompost at 6 t ha-1 for achieving better yield without affecting processing quality.
 SAARC J. Agri., 17(2): 173-184 (2019)

The error modeling and measurement of 3-axis machine tools

Machine tools’ accuracy is key characteristic, which may affect processing quality. Error compensation is an efficient and economical way to upgrade machine tools’ precision. The paper focuses on the basic research of error compensation, which includes source of errors analysis, error modelling and errors acquirement. Thus, 21 geometric errors are sought out which have strong influence on the precision; relationship between errors and compensation is built; the measurements for all 21 errors (including the vertical roll error) are presented, by the experiments; the feasibility is validated.

Experimental analysis of the friction coefficient effect of the zinc‐lamella coated fasteners on bolt preload and tightening moment

AbstractBasic parameters of the bolt‐nut joints, which are ones of the most important elements of assembly processes, are the torque, bolt preload and friction coefficients between bolt and nut interfaces. In bolted joints tightened with torque and angle‐controlled method, friction coefficients of the fasteners are highly significant because they affect final torque and bolt preload values directly, creating a large uncertainty in regard to meet the minimum requirements on preloads considering the safety of joints and further systems, in case of this study, the vehicles being assembled. Also, the range of the lower and upper limits of friction coefficients of the coated fasteners affect process quality considerably in bolted joints tightened with torque and angle‐controlled technique. In this study, the effect of the friction coefficients on the bolt preload and final torque values in the vehicle chassis joints, which are created using torque and angle‐controlled tightening, were investigated experimentally. Therefore, bolt specimens which have both low and high friction coefficients, were tightened by the torque and angle‐controlled tightening method especially using high angle torque parameters on the vehicle chassis test bench. The torque and preload values obtained have been compared to each other and correlated in terms of the friction coefficients occurred.

Molecular marker development and primary physical map construction for the tuber shape Ro gene locus in diploid potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important crop worldwide that is consumed fresh and processed in many different ways. The tuber shape is a critical trait in potato breeding, because it directly affects processing quality. Previous studies have demonstrated that the Ro locus on chromosome X is the major locus controlling tuber shape, and the round shape allele, Ro, is dominant over the long shape allele, ro. However, no reports on the cloning or physical mapping of this locus have been published. In this study, whole genome sequencing and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library construction were applied to develop molecular markers and construct a physical map of Ro. Eight round-tuber genotypes were used to construct the BAC library, which contains about 40,000 clones with an average insert size of 85 kb and represents approximately four haploid potato genomes. A total of 66 individuals with extreme round or long tubers were selected to construct a round-tuber shape DNA bulk and a long-tuber shape DNA bulk for WGS. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from WGS data were used to develop nine polymorphic markers linked to Ro. These markers were used to screen the BAC library, and eight positive BAC clones were ultimately identified and then analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion and BAC end sequencing and used to develop markers and identify new positive BAC clones. Finally, a primary physical map of Ro was constructed using a chromosome walking strategy. This map provides an important reference for cloning the potato tuber shape gene and studying tuber shape variation.

Development of EMS-induced mutation population for amylose and resistant starch variation in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and identification of candidate genes responsible for amylose variation.

BackgroundStarch is a major part of cereal grain. It comprises two glucose polymer fractions, amylose (AM) and amylopectin (AP), that make up about 25 and 75 % of total starch, respectively. The ratio of the two affects processing quality and digestibility of starch-based food products. Digestibility determines nutritional quality, as high amylose starch is considered a resistant or healthy starch (RS type 2) and is highly preferred for preventive measures against obesity and related health conditions. The topic of nutrition security is currently receiving much attention and consumer demand for food products with improved nutritional qualities has increased. In bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), variation in amylose content is narrow, hence its limited improvement. Therefore, it is necessary to produce wheat lines or populations showing wide variation in amylose/resistant starch content. In this study, a set of EMS-induced M4 mutant lines showing dynamic variation in amylose/resistant starch content were produced. Furthermore, two diverse mutant lines for amylose content were used to study quantitative expression patterns of 20 starch metabolic pathway genes and to identify candidate genes for amylose biosynthesis.ResultsA population comprising 101 EMS-induced mutation lines (M4 generation) was produced in a bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) variety. Two methods of amylose measurement in grain starch showed variation in amylose content ranging from ~3 to 76 % in the population. The method of in vitro digestion showed variation in resistant starch content from 1 to 41 %. One-way ANOVA analysis showed significant variation (p < 0.05) in amylose and resistant starch content within the population. A multiple comparison test (Dunnett’s test) showed that significant variation in amylose and resistant starch content, with respect to the parent, was observed in about 89 and 38 % of the mutant lines, respectively. Expression pattern analysis of 20 starch metabolic pathway genes in two diverse mutant lines (low and high amylose mutants) showed higher expression of key genes of amylose biosynthesis (GBSSI and their isoforms) in the high amylose mutant line, in comparison to the parent. Higher expression of amylopectin biosynthesis (SBE) was observed in the low amylose mutant lines. An additional six candidate genes showed over-expression (BMY, SPA) and reduced-expression (SSIII, SBEI, SBEIII, ISA3) in the high amylose mutant line, indicating that other starch metabolic genes may also contribute to amylose biosynthesis.ConclusionIn this study a set of 101 EMS-induced mutant lines (M4 generation) showing variation in amylose and resistant starch content in seed were produced. This population serves as useful germplasm or pre-breeding material for genome-wide study and improvement of starch-based processing and nutrition quality in wheat. It is also useful for the study of the genetic and molecular basis of amylose/resistant starch variation in wheat. Furthermore, gene expression analysis of 20 starch metabolic genes in the two diverse mutant lines (low and high amylose mutants) indicates that in addition to key genes, several other genes (such as phosphorylases, isoamylases, and pullulanases) may also be involved in contributing to amylose/amylopectin biosynthesis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-016-0896-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Optimizing crop geometry for processing-grade tuber yield, quality and economics of potato in Grey Terrace Soil

ABSTRACTCrop geometry has great influence on economically important characteristics such as total yield, processing-grade yield, tuber size distribution and tuber quality in Grey Terrace Soil. An experiment was conducted to develop a suitable crop geometry for the production of higher processing-grade yield and quality of potato tubers. The treatment consisted of three levels of inter-row spacing (60, 67.5 and 75 cm) and four levels of intra-row spacing (20, 25, 30 and 35 cm). Crop geometry significantly influenced growth, yield contributing characters, tuber size distribution and yield of potato. The highest chips, French fry grade tubers and total potato tuber yield were found in 67.5 cm × 25 cm crop geometry without affecting processing quality but all were in the highly acceptable range. Intra-row spacing of 25 cm produced the maximum processing quality tubers, closely followed by 30 cm. The highest gross and net returns with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.75 were recorded in 67.5 cm × 25 cm crop geometry. Therefore, the 67.5 cm × 25 cm crop geometry can be recommended for higher potato tuber yield and processing-grade tubers as well as higher economic return.

The Development and Application of Expert System about Metal Cutting Burr Based on Neural Network

The formation of burr is a common phenomenon in metal cutting, its formation and variation directly affects processing quality and production efficiency of the workpiece. It is one of the key technologies which were applied in precision or super-precision manufacture and automatic processing. Burr expert system is not only a communication platform between burr formation mechanism and burr removal technology, but also an important channel that promote the development of burr-free cutting technology. It was highly concerned by mechanical engineering experts and scholars at home and abroad. This study develops neural network (NN) metal cutting burr expert system with network function, facing the application of burr removal technology, making use of neural network technology and expert knowledge system technology, and closely integrating experimental study of metal-cutting burr. Combined with milling, the study on prediction burr sizes using the system is carried out. The results show that the predicted results and the experimental results are in good agreement, which demonstrates the system is feasible and effective.

Chlorpropham Affects Processing Quality of Potato During Storage

Undesirable storage conditions lead to physical and chemical quality loss in stored potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), which affects consumer acceptability. This study evaluated the effects of temperature on storage stability and processing quality of chlorpropham-treated potato cvs. Kufri Chipsona-1 and Kufri Pukhraj stored at 2 or 11°C and approximately 90% relative humidity (RH). Postharvest application of chlorpropham (40 mL·Mt−1 twice) was effective in checking sprouting and maintaining low reducing sugar levels in ‘Kufri Chipsona-1’ tubers stored at 11°C, approximately 90% RH up to 6 months. French fries and chips prepared from ‘Kufri Chipsona-1’ had lower moisture content, oil uptake, and higher yield than from ‘Kufri Pukhraj’. French fries and chips prepared from potatoes stored at 2°C had higher moisture content and oil uptake; those from potatoes stored at 11°C had lower values. There was a negative relationship between tuber dry matter and oil uptake during storage at 11°C. ‘Kufri Chipsona-1’ was best for processing into french fries and chips and potato products were found to be highly acceptable for up to 6 months of storage.

Experimental Study on Critical Vibration for the Load of Motion Platform of Linear Servo Motor

Motorized spindle is an execution unit of machine tool. The rotation of a motorized spindle and the cutting of a machine tool are two vibration sources which will impact the feed system. These vibrations will affect processing quality, cause tools failure and destroy machine stability. The signal analysis in time-domain and frequency-domain for two types of vibrations of execution unit load of linear servo motor were conducted respectively in this work, by employing the BZ7201-USB multifunctional data acquisition instrument. From the analysis, the impact of vibration load to the motion precision of execution unit was obtained. As the load vibration will cause overshoot problem as well, the critical vibration range of motion platform was obtained from a research on system PID parameter adjustment for overshoot problem. The results provide experimental data for further research on servo feed system control.

Stability of eight potato genotypes for sugar content and French fry quality at harvest and after storage

Affleck, I., Sullivan, J. A., Tarn, R. and Yada, R. 2012. Stability of eight potato genotypes for sugar content and French fry quality at harvest and after storage. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 87–96. Processing quality of potatoes for French fries is partially determined by reducing sugar content of the tuber. Much of the potato crop is processed after a storage period when sugar content can change and affect processing quality. In this study, the stability of sugar levels in eight potato genotypes was studied over four environments (i.e., two locations over 2 yr). The GGE biplot analysis was used to measure the stability of, and the association between, quality traits and sugar content. Quality and sugar content were measured 105 and 120 d after planting and 60 and 120 d after storage. The biplots indicated a change in French fry colour scores and stability between the 105 and 120 d after planting harvest dates. Genotypic differences were noted for French fry colour scores and glucose content. Genotypes were identified that were stable for French fry colour during the two storage periods indicating low genotype by environment interaction. The GGE biplot identified mega-environments that encompassed a group of environments with similar attributes. Based on this finding potatoes from only one environment within the mega-environment would need to be stored for quality evaluations.

Understanding the consistent use of internet health information

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse whether internet experience, process quality, outcome quality, customer satisfaction, and post‐use expectations affect the consistent use of health information online by Chinese internet users and how these factors are related to one another.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 219 Chinese university students who are currently using, or have used, the health information services available on the internet. Tertiary students were selected because they are active internet users who frequently use the internet to search for information.FindingsInternet experience affects process quality, but it has no direct relation to outcome quality or customer satisfaction. Process quality determines customer satisfaction toward health information available on the internet and influences the outcome quality; however, the outcome quality is not related to customer satisfaction. The decision to reuse health information found on the internet is influenced by both customer satisfaction and post‐use expectations. The customers' post‐use expectations are primarily influenced by customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsFor a successful internet business, internet marketers should recognise that service quality includes both process quality and outcome quality and plan new campaigns that take this factor into consideration. Tracking post‐use expectations can help predict, with reasonable accuracy, the relationship between customer satisfaction and retention of health information found on the internet.Originality/valueThis study provides a better understanding about the users of health information found on the internet in China by taking into account the above‐mentioned factors: internet experience, post‐use expectation, process quality, and outcome quality.

Wheat Flour, Pan Bread, and Steamed Bread Qualities of Common Wheat Near-Isogenic Lines Differing in Puroindoline b Alleles

The alleles at puroindoline b (Pinb) locus affect processing quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour. The effects of Pinb alleles have been studies using varieties with different genetic backgrounds, which may interfere in the results. In this study, seven near-isogenic lines (NILs) derived from Alpowa/Pinb allele donor parent//7* Alpowa were used to compare their qualities of flour, pan bread, and steamed bread. The NILs were grown in two environments in Xinjiang, China in 2008. The Pina-D1b/Pinb-D1a genotype possessed significantly higher values in grain hardness, protein content and starch damage than other genotypes, whereas the Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1d genotype had a better milling quality. For mixograph parameters, the Pina-D1b/Pinb-D1a genotype showed the highest peak value, peak width, and 8 min curve height, and the lowest values went to the PinaD1a/Pinb-D1d genotype. The Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1d genotype had the lowest right of peak slope. For steamed bread quality, higher texture score was observed in the genotype Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1g. Genotypes Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1c and Pina-D1a/Pinb- D1d appeared in the best stress relaxation score and total score, followed by Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1e and Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1g. Genotype Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1f had slightly superior total loaf score in comparison with other genotypes.

Child Rearing in a Group Setting

Child care centers in Western countries are becoming increasingly culturally diverse, regarding both professional caregivers, children, and their parents. Child-rearing beliefs, which differ between cultures, are found to affect process quality and children’s developmental outcomes. The first aim of this study is to investigate cultural differences in caregivers’ cultural child-rearing beliefs through a semistructured interview. The second aim is to explore the relation between the centers’ cultural context and caregivers’ beliefs. Participants are 61 caregivers (20 Dutch, 20 Caribbean Dutch, and 21 Mediterranean Dutch) working in Dutch child care centers with 2- to 4-year-olds. Cultural differences between Dutch and immigrant caregivers are evident. Dutch caregivers mentioned independence as a socialization goal most, whereas Mediterranean Dutch caregivers stressed collectivistic child-rearing goals most. More years of experience and a positive orientation toward the Dutch society made caregivers value individualistic child-rearing goals more. Working in an ethnically diverse context made both immigrant and Dutch caregivers express collectivistic beliefs more. The results further demonstrate that all cultural groups valued dimensions of both individualism and collectivism, providing further support for the multidimensionality of child-rearing beliefs.

Perceptions of Process Quality in Building Projects

A Delphi process and a questionnaire survey are conducted to investigate the differences in the perceptions of entry-level professionals and long-time practitioners with regard to process quality in building projects. The factors that affect process quality in the three phases (design, construction, and operation)of a building project’s life cycle are identified and ranked by the respondents’ perceived degree of importance. The findings indicate that the perceptions of entry-level professionals and long-time practitioners are in agreement for most (74%) of the factors. Given the difference in the respondents’ background, expectations, and experience, differences in perceptions are to be expected in the remaining 26% of the factors. Analyzing these differences helps in revising and improving existing training courses and academic programs. It is recommended that college programs include courses that treat the administrative aspects involved in the building project in great detail and that continuing education programs cover quality training and life cycle cost analysis.

Control of production processes subjectto random shocks

Quality of industrial production processes may suffer from wear‐out phenomena continuouslygrowing in time, and from sudden disturbances occurring at random time. Either ofthem affects process quality and thus process yield. Consequently, there should be counter‐actions,which aim to remove signs of wear before they result in a decrease of processyield on the one hand, and which detect disturbances before their impact has become serious.In this paper, it is assumed that the wear‐out phenomena are sufficiently compensated bymeans of continuous maintenance. It remains to determine an appropriate monitoring policyin order to detect disturbances. A unified economic approach is proposed and investigated,including different modes of process monitoring together with a decision function reactingsimultaneously on shifts in the process mean and process variability.

Factors That Affect Process Quality in the Life Cycle of Building Projects

The factors that affect process quality in the three phases (design, construction, and operation) of the life cycle of a building project are identified and ranked by degree of importance. The perceptions of long-time practitioners are obtained by means of a questionnaire survey. The findings indicate that management commitment to continuous quality improvement, management leadership in promoting high process quality, quality training of all personnel, efficient teamwork to promote quality issues at the corporate level, and effective cooperation between parties taking part in the project are generic factors that affect process quality. Industry-specific factors that are perceived by practitioners to enhance the quality of the building process include drawings and specifications that are consistent, designers and contractors that are selected on merit, communication practices between the parties that are effective, inspection of quality on the construction site that is diligent, a building operation manual that is thorough, and an adequate operation and maintenance budget that is planned as early as in the design phase.