Two-day Period Research Articles

Yttrium-86 Is a Positron Emitting Surrogate of Gadolinium for Noninvasive Quantification of Whole-Body Distribution of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are used to provide diagnostic information in clinical magnetic resonance (MR) examinations. Gadolinium (Gd) has been detected in the brain, bone and skin of patients, months and years following GBCA administration, raising concerns about long term toxicity. Despite increased scrutiny, the concentration, chemical form and fate of the retained gadolinium species remain unknown. Importantly, the whole body biodistribution and organ clearance of GBCAs is poorly understood in humans. Gadolinium lacks suitable isotopes for nuclear imaging. We demonstrate that the yttrium-86 isotope can be used as a gadolinium surrogate. We show that Gd and their analogous Y complexes have similar properties both in solution and in vivo, and that yttrium-86 PET can be used to track the biodistribution of GBCAs over a two-day period.

Listening to Family Life After Serious Pediatric Injury: A Study of Four Cases.

Following a serious child injury, the entire family can be affected. Gaining an understanding of family support, interactions, and stress levels can help clinicians tailor treatment. Presently, these factors are assessed mainly via self-reports and structured observations. We aimed to explore the value of naturalistic observation of postinjury parent-child interactions, in order to highlight how clinicians might use these data in their practice. Our qualitative study involved an in-depth analysis of four cases from the Ear for Recovery project, against the backdrop of the larger sample's characteristics. Children who had been hospitalized with a serious injury wore the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR). Over a two-day period postdischarge, the EAR recorded 30-second audio "snippets" every 5minutes. Families also completed self-report measures on family functioning, child stress and social support, parent stress, optimism, and self-efficacy. For each case, two coders independently used an ethnographic method, integrating self-report measures, family and injury characteristics, audio recordings, and transcripts to mimic integration of information within clinical practice. The coders then reached consensus on the main themes for each case through discussion. Families showed substantial variation in their communication in terms of content, tone, and frequency, including moments of conflict, humor, and injury-related conversations. We explored how these recorded interactions converged with and diverged from the self-report data. The EAR provided an opportunity for rich descriptions of individual families' communication and activities, yielding potential clinical information that may be otherwise difficult or impractical to obtain.

Long term prediction of local climate inside an electronics enclosure

Temperature and relative humidity are crucially important for the reliability of electronic devices in outdoor applications. For small enclosures, thermal control by a heat sink that is cooled by natural convection is the most widely used method. In this work, the functionality of a heat sink as a thermal mass for partially storing the heat that is generated by the electronics inside a typical electronics enclosure is studied using transient 3D CFD simulations. The stored energy is released with a time lag for the purpose of enhancing the stability of the local climate inside the enclosure. A typical enclosure is assumed to be exposed to Copenhagen outdoor conditions over a two-day time period. For fast and long term predictions, a Cauer ladder RC model is developed based on CFD simulation results. A correlation for calculating the Nusselt number representing heat transfer between the trapped air inside the enclosure and the heat sink is derived.Compared with CFD simulations, the RC model is found to predict slightly lower values for temperature, and slightly higher values for RH – given that the value of absolute humidity is quite constant over the timescales here, then the higher values of RH are largely due to the lower values of temperature. The lumped model correctly predicts the trend for temperatures and RH variations, however, suggesting that a properly calibrated RC model can be used for scoping calculations, and more importantly for long-term predictions. The method can be used for any other ambient and working conditions, as long as the temperature difference in the air does not exceed 25 [°C].

Overflow effect of credit rating announcements on stock exchange based on event study

ABSTRACTThis study is aimed to identify the impact of credit rating announcements on the stock returns in stock markets and for this purpose, four different sectors of Pakistan stock exchange were selected and from each of these four sectors, different business organizations were selected, i.e. total 32 business organizations were selected. The credit rating announcement data were collected for these 32 business organizations belonging to four different sectors. Totally 101 credit rating announcements were selected and the time period for which the credit rating warnings were selected include last three years period, i.e. from 2014 to 2016. The collected data were analysed by calculating abnormal returns for each of the selected security and average abnormal returns, and cumulative average abnormal returns were calculated for four different sectors. Event study methodology was applied, and t-test and t-stats value were calculated and results were analysed on the basis of t-statistics. The results of analysis identified that credit rating announcements have a significant impact on stock prices and investors and other market participants are earning abnormal returns during two-day period after the announcements are made. In addition, these abnormal returns were either negative or positive, depending upon the nature of credit ratings announced. If the credit rating announced was upgraded, investors enjoyed positive abnormal returns while in case when credit rating announcements were downgraded, then investors bear negative abnormal returns. Finally, the findings of the study identified the applicability of random walk hypothesis on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and Pakistan Stock Exchange confirms the efficient market hypothesis with its semi-strong form of efficiency.

Coupled iron and phosphorus release from seasonally hypoxic Louisiana shelf sediment

Phosphorus (P) cycling in the coastal ocean along deltaic coastlines is predominantly controlled by river discharge and biogeochemical properties of the sediments. In the Louisiana shelf, sediment biogeochemistry is strongly influenced by seasonally-fluctuating bottom water O2, which, can potentially transition the shelf sediments from being a sink to source of P. Sediment P fluxes determined using persistent anaerobic and aerobic intact core incubations were 11.46 ± 3.2 mg m−2 d−1 and 0.67 ± 0.16 mg m−2 d−1 respectively, indicating a 17 times greater P efflux from O2-deprived sediments. During the transition from aerobic to anaerobic conditions, the high sedimentary O2 consumption rate of 889 ± 33.6 mg m−2 d−1 resulted in a progressive decrease in the dissolved O2 in the overlying water, leading to a sediment P flux of 7.2 ± 5.5 mg m−2 d−1, which was mostly driven by P release towards the end of the incubation when the overlying water became near anoxic. This P flux led to a 34.6% loss in sedimentary Fe-bound P during the two-day incubation period which underscores the importance of coupled FeP biogeochemistry and O2 penetration depth in a coastal hypoxia setting. The high DIN: DIP ratio of river water (∼50:1; P limited) coupled with high potential release of P from the shelf sediments can further increase primary production, further exacerbating hypoxic conditions though increased organic matter (OM) deposition and subsequent decomposition.

Validation of the exercise self-efficacy scale (ESE-S) for increased adherence to physical activity

Background: Various self-efficacy instruments have been used to predict exercise behavior. Many of these scales have been shown tobe valid and reliable measures for the strength dimension of self-efficacy, but have overlooked the construct’s dimensions of magnitude and generality. This study established the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESE-S), a measure of the strength, generality, and magnitude dimensions of exercise self-efficacy, as a valid tool towards the promotion and adherence of routine physical activity.Methods: Using a non-experimental, cross-sectional design, the ESE-S was administered to individuals aged 18 and older (n=270) whowere conveniently recruited from a large city located in Ohio. Participants were employees of a large, national company and consentedto participate in an employee wellness campaign over a two-day period. Participants completed the 24-item ESE-S onetime and demographic data were not collected. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the 4-factor hypothesized structure of the ESE-S.Results: The confirmatory analysis showed that the data did not conform to the factorial structure as originally hypothesized, but didretain a 4-four factor solution. Final factors identified from the confirmatory analysis were internal strength, external strength, generality, and magnitude.Conclusions: This study confirmed a 4-factor, 21-item factorial structure. Although the structure differed from that hypothesized, theresults showed that the tool was a valid and reliable instrument to measure the dimensions of exercise self-efficacy commonly overlooked within the literature. Public health professionals and researchers can use the instrument to measure exercise self-efficacy and develop self-efficacy based exercise promotion programs.

Validation of the exercise self-efficacy scale (ESE-S) for increased adherence to physical activity

Background: Various self-efficacy instruments have been used to predict exercise behavior. Many of these scales have been shown to be valid and reliable measures for the strength dimension of self-efficacy, but have overlooked the construct’s dimensions of magnitude and generality. This study established the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESE-S), a measure of the strength, generality, and magnitude dimensions of exercise self-efficacy, as a valid tool towards the promotion and adherence of routine physical activity. Methods: Using a non-experimental, cross-sectional design, the ESE-S was administered to individuals aged 18 and older (n=270) who were conveniently recruited from a large city located in Ohio. Participants were employees of a large, national company and consented to participate in an employee wellness campaign over a two-day period. Participants completed the 24-item ESE-S onetime and demographic data were not collected. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the 4-factor hypothesized structure of the ESE-S. Results: The confirmatory analysis showed that the data did not conform to the factorial structure as originally hypothesized, but did retain a 4-four factor solution. Final factors identified from the confirmatory analysis were internal strength, external strength, generality, and magnitude. Conclusions: This study confirmed a 4-factor, 21-item factorial structure. Although the structure differed from that hypothesized, the results showed that the tool was a valid and reliable instrument to measure the dimensions of exercise self-efficacy commonly overlooked within the literature. Public health professionals and researchers can use the instrument to measure exercise self-efficacy and develop self-efficacy based exercise promotion programs. Key words: Exercise, self-efficacy, confirmatory factor analysis, physical activity

The Dollar Ahead of FOMC Target Rate Changes

I find that the U.S. dollar appreciates before contractionary monetary policy decisions at scheduled Federal Open Market Committee meetings and depreciates before expansionary decisions. The federal funds futures rate forecasts these dollar movements with a 22% R2. A high federal funds futures spread three days in advance of an FOMC meeting not only predicts the target rate rise, but also predicts a rise in the dollar over the subsequent two-day period. This predictability is concentrated in times of high FX volatility, as the FX traders avoid arbitrage risk earlier than a few days prior to the announcement.

Nicotine metabolite ratio predicts smoking topography: The Pennsylvania Adult Smoking Study

BackgroundThe nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) as measured by the ratio of 3′hydroxycotinine to cotinine has been examined in relation to tobacco use patterns including cigarettes per day and quit success to determine its role in nicotine dependence. We examined the NMR in relation to smoking topography and tested the hypothesis that normal metabolizers have a greater total daily puff volume than slow metabolizers. MethodsThe Pennsylvania Adult Smoking Study (PASS) is a longitudinal study of 352 adults who smoked, on average, 17 cigarettes per day. Subjects used a portable smoking topography device over a two-day period at home and at work. We measured the ratio of 3′hydroxycotinine to cotinine in the saliva of the subjects. ResultsIn multiple linear regression analyses, a higher rate of nicotine metabolism was significantly associated with increased daily puffs and total daily puff volume. In a mediation analysis, a significant, indirect effect of race on the relationship between NMR and puff volume was observed, with 22% of the effect mediated by white race. A higher NMR was also associated with female gender, white race, cigarettes per day and nicotine dependence measures. ConclusionThe NMR was associated with tobacco use patterns including smoking topography. Faster nicotine metabolism was associated with greater total daily puffs and puff volume.

Use of air to improve the efficiency of foamy flow and reservoir pressurization in heavy oil recovery

Primary recovery of heavy-oil is remarkably low due to high viscosity and low energy by solution gas exsolution to drive the oil. Gas injection to improve foamy flow and also to dilute the oil in such reservoirs has been proposed as a secondary recovery method. However, because of the high costs of injected gases, efforts are needed to optimize the process by selection of proper gas type (or gas combinations) and suitable injection scheme. To achieve this goal, an experimental procedure was followed with rigorous analyses of the output. A 1.5 m long and 5 cm diameter sand-pack was first saturated with brine, which was replaced with dead oil. Then, gas solvents were injected to dead-oil containing core-holder until nearly reaching 500 psi followed by a two-day soaking period. Pressures all along the sand-pack were recorded with eight pressure transducers. Different combinations of various gas solvents (methane, CO2, and air) aiming to select the most competitive and economic formula were tested with a certain set of pressure depletion rates.The physics of the foamy oil flow for different solvent mixtures and depletion conditions were analyzed using pressure profiles acquired, recorded oil/gas data with time, and gas chromatography and SARA analyses of the produced gas and oil. Three huff-n-puff cycles were applied. Compared with other light hydrocarbon solvents and carbon dioxide, air has a significant advantage in terms of accessibility and lowered cost. Hence, attention was given to air mainly used to pressurize the system and increase oil viscosity due to oxidation process with an expectation of better foam quality when injected with other gases such as CO2 and methane. Methane (CH4) yielded the quickest response in terms of gas drive but, in the long run, CO2 was observed to be more effective technically. Air was observed to be effective if mixed with CO2 or methane from an economics point of view. To sum up the results, air Huff-n-Puff (HnP) followed by 2-cycles of CH4 HnP yielded 36.21% recovery, while air HnP followed by 2-cycles of CO2 HnP delivered 30.36% oil. When the gases are co-injected, air 50%-CO2 50% and air 50%-CH4 50% recovered 29.85% and 23.74% of total oil-in-place, respectively.

Motor adaption during repeated motor control testing: Attenuated muscle activation without changes in response latencies

With repeated exposure to postural perturbations the human postural control system can adapt and create efficient strategies to counteract these perturbations. The Motor Control Test (MCT) is commonly used to elicit reactionary postural movements. Though this device has been assessed for possible learning effects and reliability of composite scores, yet no study has evaluated possible neuromuscular alterations repeated bouts might elicit. Twenty participants (age: 25 ± 4.73 years; height: 183.8 ± 8.5 cm; mass: 85.2 ± 15.6 kg) volunteered and, following familiarization, performed five full-randomized MCTs over six testing sessions. The first five sessions occurred on consecutive days, with the sixth occurring two days later. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded on right lower extremity knee flexors and extensors, and ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors. Response latencies and Mean and RMS muscle activity were calculated and analyzed using 1 × 5 (within days) and 1 × 6 (across days) RM ANOVA. Decreases in muscle activation of proximal musculature were noted between days and trials within days, however these changes were not maintained after the two-day retention period. No differences were detected for MCT scores. These results suggest repeated MCT exposure modifies neuromuscular responses to maintain similar reaction time through a postural control strategy shift.

BUNDLE ADJUSTMENT-BASED STABILITY ANALYSIS METHOD WITH A CASE STUDY OF A DUAL FLUOROSCOPY IMAGING SYSTEM

Abstract. A fundamental task in photogrammetry is the temporal stability analysis of a camera/imaging-system’s calibration parameters. This is essential to validate the repeatability of the parameters’ estimation, to detect any behavioural changes in the camera/imaging system and to ensure precise photogrammetric products. Many stability analysis methods exist in the photogrammetric literature; each one has different methodological bases, and advantages and disadvantages. This paper presents a simple and rigorous stability analysis method that can be straightforwardly implemented for a single camera or an imaging system with multiple cameras. The basic collinearity model is used to capture differences between two calibration datasets, and to establish the stability analysis methodology. Geometric simulation is used as a tool to derive image and object space scenarios. Experiments were performed on real calibration datasets from a dual fluoroscopy (DF; X-ray-based) imaging system. The calibration data consisted of hundreds of images and thousands of image observations from six temporal points over a two-day period for a precise evaluation of the DF system stability. The stability of the DF system – for a single camera analysis – was found to be within a range of 0.01 to 0.66 mm in terms of 3D coordinates root-mean-square-error (RMSE), and 0.07 to 0.19 mm for dual cameras analysis. It is to the authors’ best knowledge that this work is the first to address the topic of DF stability analysis.

Influences of the Monsoon Trough and Arabian Heat Low on Summer Rainfall over the United Arab Emirates

Abstract The factors responsible for rare summertime rainfall over portions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which have not been previously explored in detail, are elucidated with the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis and WRF mesoscale model simulations. The simulations show associations between active phases of the southwest Asian monsoon and intensification of the Arabian heat low, leading up to UAE rainfall events. Variability in the location and strength of the Arabian heat low circulation, which differs from the static portrayal in climatological minimum sea level pressure (MSLP), can affect the development of deep convection over the UAE. Analysis of the vorticity equation for a two-day case study period confirms that convergence is solely responsible for the spinup and maintenance of the primary heat low circulation. Convergence is also responsible for the spinup of a separate cyclonic circulation over the eastern UAE, which propagates offshore to the Arabian Gulf during morning hours. This cyclonic circulation advects moist air onshore over the western UAE, and deep convection follows from inland horizontal convective rolls and interaction with the approaching sea-breeze front. The development of widespread deep convection is shown to be most favorable during the decay phase of the Arabian heat low, when the preconditioned moist air is not replaced by drier continental flow, and the vertical profiles of temperature and moisture are also more favorable. Three other rainfall cases are briefly discussed to illustrate how the strength and geographic position of the Arabian heat low can affect rainfall characteristics over the UAE.

Anti‐Methamphetamine Antibody Gene Therapy Ameliorates Methamphetamine‐induced Locomotor Effects in Mice for 8 Months after a Single Treatment

There currently are no FDA‐approved pharmacological treatments to aid in treatment of methamphetamine (METH) substance use disorders. To address this, our laboratory has combined short chain variable fragments (scFvs) derived from antibodies with high binding affinity to METH with adeno‐associated viruses (AAV) to develop a long‐lasting potential therapy. These first generation gene therapies showed expression of the anti‐METH scFvs for at least 212 days but achieved an average serum concentration of less than 70.0 μg/ml in mice. We hypothesized that incorporating a constant region (Fc) derived from an IgG antibody would extend serum half‐life and increase circulating concentrations of the anti‐METH antibody fragment, thus providing greater levels of protection against METH in mice. To test this hypothesis, we cloned an anti‐METH scFv‐Fc encoding DNA sequence into custom expression plasmids and packaged into AAV serotype 8 viral vectors to make AAV‐7F9‐Fc. To test this new gene therapy, BALB/C mice were administered 1×1012 vector copies per mouse of either the AAV‐7F9‐Fc or empty AAV8 vector. Mice were allowed to reach peak AAV‐7F9‐Fc expression (~28 days, as determined by ELISA) before testing in locomotor studies. Locomotor activity was used to measure protection from the stimulant effects of METH. Briefly, after a 30‐minute baseline activity was recorded, mice were administered saline, 0.56, 1.0, 3.0, or 5.56 mg/kg METH sc, and locomotor activity was measured for 90 minutes. METH was administered consecutively with a two‐day washout period in between doses. This regimen was also performed on separate mice 7–8 months after administration of AAV‐7F9‐Fc therapy to test duration of protection. Our results show that by incorporating an IgG Fc moiety into the anti‐METH constructs, the average expression increased by over 30 fold compared to a our first generation scFvs to a peak serum concentration of 5.227.7 μg/ml, and mean of 2,116.1 μg/ml, and persisted over 239 days. The AAV‐7F9‐Fc mice showed significantly less locomotor activity (p < 0.05) than empty AAV8 treated mice at the 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg METH doses. Furthermore, the AAV‐7F9‐Fc treated mice showed no significant activity differences from baseline at any of the METH doses administered. In a separate, long‐term study, 7–8 months after AAV‐7F9‐Fc treatment, mice showed significantly lower levels of locomotor activity at 0.56 and 1.0 mg/kg sc METH doses than the sham treated group. These data suggest our AAV‐7F9‐Fc can protect against stimulant effects of METH, and that the duration of action is at least 8 months in mice. Overall, these data suggest that 1) the addition of the IgG Fc region into the AAV‐scFv constructs resulted in dramatically higher anti‐METH antibody circulating concentrations than our first generation anti‐METH scFvs and 2) this higher antibody titer was able to provide protection against METH stimulant effects at low to moderate doses for at least 8 months in mice.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NIDA R01 DA036600 & NIGMS T32 GM106999This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

The role of breastfeeding in the association between maternal and infant cortisol attunement in the first postpartum year.

To explore the role of breastfeeding as a possible link between maternal and infant cortisol attunement across the first postpartum year. Mothers (n = 93) provided salivary samples for cortisol levels over a two-day period during mid-pregnancy and at three, six and 12 months and infants at six and 12 months postpartum. Breastfeeding status was established at these same time points. Among breastfeeding mothers, positive correlations were found between maternal cortisol levels during pregnancy and at three months postpartum and infant cortisol at six or 12 months postpartum. Among nonbreastfeeding mothers, these same maternal and infant cortisol relations were inverse and less pronounced. Further, in breastfeeding mothers, the relationship between maternal prenatal cortisol and infant cortisol at 12 months was mediated through maternal cortisol at three months postpartum. These results suggest that maternal cortisol levels are positively associated with cortisol levels of the infant, among mothers who breastfeed. This relationship persists over a one-year period.

Criticality Analysis of the Lower Ionosphere Perturbations Prior to the 2016 Kumamoto (Japan) Earthquakes as Based on VLF Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Data Observed at Multiple Stations

The perturbations of the ionosphere which are observed prior to significant earthquakes (EQs) have long been investigated and could be considered promising for short-term EQ prediction. One way to monitor ionospheric perturbations is by studying VLF/LF electromagnetic wave propagation through the lower ionosphere between specific transmitters and receivers. For this purpose, a network of eight receivers has been deployed throughout Japan which receive subionospheric signals from different transmitters located both in the same and other countries. In this study we analyze, in terms of the recently proposed natural time analysis, the data recorded by the above-mentioned network prior to the catastrophic 2016 Kumamoto fault-type EQs, which were as huge as the former 1995 Kobe EQ. These EQs occurred within a two-day period (14 April: and , 15 April: ) at shallow depths (~10 km), while their epicenters were adjacent. Our results show that lower ionospheric perturbations present critical dynamics from two weeks up to two days before the main shock occurrence. The results are compared to those by the conventional nighttime fluctuation method obtained for the same dataset and exhibit consistency. Finally, the temporal evolutions of criticality in ionospheric parameters and those in the lithosphere as seen from the ULF electromagnetic emissions are discussed in the context of the lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling.

Short term dynamics of the sputum microbiome among COPD patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by incompletely reversible airflow obstruction. The complexity of the lung microbial community in COPD patients has been highlighted in recent years. Evidence suggests that transplantation, medications, age, and disease severity influence microbial community membership. However, the dynamics of the lung microbiome in stable COPD patients remain poorly understood. In this study, we completed a longitudinal 16S ribosomal RNA survey of the lung microbiome on replicate sputum samples collected from 4 former smokers with COPD (Stage 2) within a 2-day time period. Samples from each individual over the two-day period were similar based on α-diversity, principle component analysis and taxonomy at the phyla and genera level. Sputum samples from COPD patients were also collected between 2–9 months of follow-up. Data suggest an increased variability of the sputum microbiota when comparing samples collected ≤ 3 months compared to those collected ≥ 4 months; however, no statistically significant shifts in the abundance (>2-fold) of taxa between the two time points was observed. Bacterial composition and the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) remained similar over time. Results from this study suggest that the sputum microbiome is relatively stable in clinically stable COPD patients (Stage 2). This study furthers our understanding of the dynamics of the lung microbiome in COPD patients.

Interprofessional education in dental education: An international perspective.

Interprofessional collaborative care (IPC) is defined as working within and across healthcare disciplines and is considered essential to achieve a more inclusive, patient-centred care, provide a means to support patient safety and address global healthcare provider shortages. Interprofessional education (IPE) provides the knowledge and experience students need to achieve these goals. ADEE/ADEA held a joint international meeting 8-9 May 2017, with IPE being one of four topic areas discussed. The highly interactive workshop format, where "everyone was an expert," supported discussion, sharing and creative problem-solving of over seventy-one participants from twenty-nine countries. IPE participants broke out into five groups over a two-day period discussing three main areas: challenges and barriers to implementing IPE within their institution or country; discussion of successful models of introducing and assessing IPE initiatives, and exploring best practices and next steps for implementation for each group member. A mind-mapping model was used to graphically display participants' thoughts and suggestions. Key themes, revealed through the visual mind maps and discussion, included the following: IPE should lead to and enhance patient-centred care; student involvement is key to IPE success; faculty development and incentives can facilitate adoption and implementation of IPE; the role of a "champion" and leadership structure and commitment is important to move IPE forward; and IPE must be tailored to the unique issues found in each country. Overall, there was a high level of interest to continue both collaboration and discussion to learn from others beyond the London meeting.

Intermittency-induced criticality in the lower ionosphere prior to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes as embedded in the VLF propagation data observed at multiple stations

A network of 8 VLF/LF receivers has recently been established across Japan, receiving subionospheric signals from different transmitters located both in the same and other countries. The primary purpose of this network is to study disturbances in the VLF/LF propagation through the lower ionosphere in possible relation to earthquake (EQ) preparation processes. Ionospheric perturbations of possible seismic origin have long been investigated and considered very promising for short-term EQ prediction. The raw amplitude data on reception of the above-mentioned network, after being appropriately filtered, were analyzed by means of the method of critical fluctuations (MCF) in analogy to thermal critical systems. The MCF analysis of the VLF/LF propagation revealed that intermittency-induced criticality was reached in the lower ionosphere from ~1week to 3days prior to the catastrophic 2016 Kumamoto EQs. These fault-type EQs occurred within a two-day period (14 April: MW=6.2 and MW=6.0, 15 April: MW=7.0) at shallow depths (~10km) and very close epicenters, while the main event was as huge as the former 1995 Kobe EQ. MCF analysis results are compared to those by the conventional nighttime fluctuation method as well as to those by natural time analysis method obtained for the same dataset, and are found to exhibit remarkable consistency.

Hierarchy machine set-up for multi-pass lot scheduling at semiconductor assembly and test facilities

In this paper, we examine the set-up problem at semiconductor assembly and test facilities in a multi-machine, multi-tooling environment. Our primary objectives are to minimise the number of shortages of key devices and to maximise weighted throughput over a 2–5-day planning horizon. When a machine set-up is called for three components must be taken into account: tooling, package size and flow. Each in turn imposes increasing set-up times, ranging from a few minutes to half a day. To balance system efficiency with meeting customer demand, a hierarchical approach is taken. Priority is first given to set-ups that can process (hot) lots that reduce demand shortages. Next, changeover time is factored into the decision. Here, priority is given to the component that takes the least amount of time. Our model determines machine set-ups, lot assignments and lot sequences using a greedy randomised adaptive search procedure. The results indicate that reducing set-up times can reduce hot-lot shortages by up to 6.6% over a two-day period and that following the hierarchy set-up rule while prioritising key device lots can reduce shortages by up to 10%. Moreover, when reentrant flow is taken into account, improvements of up to 42% may be realised.