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Due to the characteristics of small-volume-large-variety production in the aircraft industry, determining how to intelligently take men, machines, materials, methods, and environments into account is critical for production, posing the challenge of scheduling the job shop. The existing scheduling system is slow to adapt when the requirements change and, most importantly, slow to consider the current situation of the production line. In this study, we apply the Tabu search algorithm to resolve the scheduling problem. This method swaps manufacturing orders with the consideration of the due date, working hours, and current delays via the finite capacity assumption. Meanwhile, we set up extreme bounds using the infinite capacity assumption for comparison. The case study is conducted in a work center that uses pliers to trim parts for use in the aircraft industry. The results show the closeness to the extreme bounds and indicate this method's practical feasibility for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In volleyball matches, there are three minute intervals between sets. Therefore, the improvement of the muscle output ratio is one of the most import foundational physical elements for the players. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of plyometric training on the changes in electrical signals in the lower limb muscles of male college volleyball players during continuous blocking and to examine the benefits of plyometric training on blocking agility and maximum vertical jump height. In this study, twenty elite male college volleyball players were recruited and divided into a plyometric training group (PTG) and a control group (CG). The wireless electromyography was used for data acquisition, and the electrodes were applied to the left and right rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius. The median frequency was used as the measurement of the electromyographic signals during the jumping blocks. This study used covariate analysis methods, with previously measured results used as covariates to perform a two-way analysis of covariance for the independent samples. Based on the results of this study, after 6 weeks of training, the median frequency of the rectus femoris (2.13% to 4.75% improved) and that of the tibialis anterior muscles (4.14% to 7.71% improved) were significantly lower in the PTG than in the CG. Additionally, the blocking agility increased by 6.26% and the maximum vertical jump height increased by 3.33% in the PTG compared to the CG. The findings provide important insights on the neuromuscular status for volleyball players during continuous blocking jumps. Six weeks of appropriate plyometric training can facilitate the performance of volleyball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To feasibly achieve economical and satisfactory robust velocity tracking of an induction machine (IM), we propose an Arduino-implemented intelligent speed controller. Because a voltage/frequency controlled IM framework is simple and well suited for being controlled by the proposed speed controller, it is adopted herein. Taking into account easy implementation and good performance, we design the controller using a modified Ziegler-Nichols PID (modified Z-N PID) and a fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The modified Z-N PID and the FLC are connected in tandem. The latter is designed based on the output signal of the former for adaptively yielding adequate torque commands. Experimental results of IM velocity tracking controlled by our PC-based and Arduino-based speed controllers consistently show that the proposed design scheme can yield remarkable tracking performance and robustness. In addition, it is demonstrated that the proposed Arduino-implemented controller is not only viable but also effective in terms of cost, size and tracking performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new and uncommon chromone analogs, epiremisporine F (1), epiremisporine G (2), and epiremisporine H (3), were isolated from marine-origin Penicillium citrinum. Among the isolated compounds, compounds 2–3 remarkably suppressed fMLP-induced superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils, with IC50 values of 31.68 ± 2.53, and 33.52 ± 0.42 μM, respectively. Compound 3 exhibited cytotoxic activities against human colon carcinoma (HT-29) and non-small lung cancer cell (A549) with IC50 values of 21.17 ± 4.89 and 31.43 ± 3.01 μM, respectively, and Western blot assay confirmed that compound 3 obviously induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells, via Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase 3 signaling cascades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new compounds, eupatodibenzofuran A (1), eupatodibenzofuran B (2), 6-acetyl-8-methoxy-2,2-dimethylchroman-4-one (3), eupatofortunone (4), and eupatodithiecine (5), have been isolated from the aerial part of Eupatorium fortunei, together with 11 known compounds (6‒16). Compounds 1 and 2 featured a new carbon skeleton with an unprecedented 1-(9-(4-methylphenyl)-6-methyldibe nzo[b,d]furan-2-yl)ethenone. Among the isolates, compound 1 exhibited potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 5.95 ± 0.89 and 5.55 ± 0.23 μM, respectively, against A549 and MCF-7 cells. The colony-formation assay demonstrated that compound 1 (5 μM) obviously decreased A549 and MCF-7 cell proliferation, and Western blot test confirmed that compound 1 markedly induced apoptosis of A549 and MCF-7 cells through mitochondrial- and caspase-3-dependent pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study mixed acetylacetone (Acac, 1, 2, and 3 mL) and graphene powder (GP, 0 wt.%, 0.001 wt.%, 0.003 wt.% and 0.005 wt.%) with TiO2 mesoporous (TiO2 powders: 20 g and particle size ~30 nm) to enhance the optoelectronic performances of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Sponge-like structure TiO2 mesoporous layers is a requirement for obtaining high efficiency DSSC, which ia synthesized by spin-coating techniques. The dense TiO2 blocking layer (using peroxo-titanium complex) has a uniform, dense structure and completely adheres to the substrates to avoid charge recombination. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses of the TiO2 films display the anatase type phase with preferred orientation along the (101) direction. After being ball milled, the TiO2 mesoporous particle size almost remains unchanged. For mixing the Acac with TiO2, the Raman intensity relatively increased, and the band gap energy (Eg) value decreased from 3.223 eV (for pure TiO2) to 3.076 eV (for 2 mL Acac). Raman spectroscopy is used to evaluate the GP elements. It can be seen the intensity ratio (ID/IG) and (I2D/IG) was enhanced when the GP concentration increased. Using mixed Acac 2 mL and GP 0.003 wt.% with a TiO2 mesoporous, led to increases in the open circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current density (JSC) and fill factor (FF). If a fluorine-doped tin oxide is used instead of an indium tin oxide glass substrate, the photovoltaic efficiency of DSSC increases from 5.45% to 7.24%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kefir is an acidic, carbonated, and fermented dairy product produced by fermenting milk with kefir grains. The Lactobacillus species constitutes an important part of kefir grains. In a previous animal study, kefir effectively improved exercise performance and had anti-fatigue effects. The purpose of this research was to explore the benefits of applying kefir to improve exercise performance, reduce fatigue, and improve physiological adaptability in humans. The test used a double-blind crossover design and supplementation for 28 days. Sixteen 20–30 year-old subjects were divided into two groups in a balanced order according to each individual's initial maximal oxygen uptake and were assigned to receive a placebo (equal flavor, equal calories, 20 g/day) or SYNKEFIR™ (20 g/day) every morning. After the intervention, there were 28 days of wash-out, during which time the subjects did not receive further interventions. After supplementation with SYNKEFIR™, the exercise time to exhaustion was significantly greater than that before ingestion (p = 0.0001) and higher than that in the Placebo group by 1.29-fold (p = 0.0004). In addition, compared with the Placebo group, the SYNKEFIR™ administration group had significantly lower lactate levels in the exercise and recovery (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the changes in the gut microbiota. Although no significant changes in body composition were found, SYNKEFIR™ did not cause adverse reactions or harm to the participants' bodies. In summary, 28 days of supplementation with SYNKEFIR™ significantly improved exercise performance, reduced the production of lactic acid after exercise, and accelerated recovery while also not causing any adverse reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new and rare chromone derivatives, epiremisporine C (1), epiremisporine D (2), and epiremisporine E (3), were isolated from marine-derived Penicillium citrinum, together with four known compounds, epiremisporine B (4), penicitrinone A (5), 8-hydroxy-1-methoxycarbonyl-6-methylxanthone (6), and isoconiochaetone C (7). Among the isolated compounds, compounds 2–5 significantly decreased fMLP-induced superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils, with IC50 values of 6.39 ± 0.40, 8.28 ± 0.29, 3.62 ± 0.61, and 2.67 ± 0.10 μM, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited cytotoxic activities with IC50 values of 43.82 ± 6.33 and 32.29 ± 4.83 μM, respectively, against non-small lung cancer cell (A549), and Western blot assay confirmed that compounds 3 and 4 markedly induced apoptosis of A549 cells, through Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase 3 signaling cascades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an IoT-based intelligent hydroponic plant factory solution called PlantTalk. The novelty of our approach is that the PlantTalk intelligence can be built through an arbitrary smartphone. We show that PlantTalk can flexibly configure the connections of various plant sensors and actuators through a smartphone. One can also conveniently write Python programs for plant-care intelligence through the smart phone. The developed plant-care intelligence includes automatic LED lighting, water spray, water pump and so on. As an example, we show that the PlantTalk intelligence effectively lowers the CO2 concentration, and the reduction speed is 53% faster than a traditional plant system. PlantTalk has been extended for a plant factory called AgriTalk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Glenohumeral joint internal rotation deficit (GIRD) is commonly observed in the dominant arm of baseball pitchers and is limited by horizontal adduction motions. We inferred that when pitchers' generation of internal shoulder rotation and horizontal adduction activity is limited, they may generate compensation movements in other body parts. This study aims to investigate whether pitchers with GIRD generates trunk compensation during pitching where pitching targets were on the lower corner of their non-dominant side., Design: Case-control study., Setting: Elite senior high school baseball., Participants: Twenty-five senior high school baseball pitchers participated in this study. Twelve pitchers with GIRD were assigned to the experiment group, and the remaining 13 participants to the control group., Main Outcome Measures: Glenohumeral internal/external rotation of both arms and internal/external rotation of the bilateral hip joints were measured. The kinematic values of the trunk when pitching to a target were measured using high-speed infrared cameras., Results: Pitchers with GIRD exhibited significantly greater upper trunk rotation toward the non-dominant side when a baseball was released from their hand (27.39 ± 6.62 degrees), compared with non-GIRD pitchers (20.42 ± 5.97 degrees) ( p < 0.05). The total rotation of the pivot leg of pitchers with GIRD (67.54 ± 7.84 degrees) was significantly smaller than that of pitchers without GIRD (74.00 ± 7.07 degrees) ( p < 0.05)., Conclusions: GIRD in the dominant arm affected upper trunk rotation during pitching and was associated with the hip range of motion. Future studies could conduct a longitudinal study regarding the relationship between GIRD and other joint injuries of the lower limbs.

The photocatalytic activity of an amorphous titanium oxide (a-TiO x ) film was modified using a two-step deposition. The fluorinated base layer with a nano-textured surface prepared by a selective fluorination etching process acted as growth seeds in the subsequent a-TiO x deposition. A nanorod-like microstructure was achievable from the resulting a-TiO x film due to the self-assembled deposition. Compared to the a-TiO x film directly deposited onto the untreated base layer, the rate constant of this fluorinate-free a-TiO x film surface for decomposing methylene blue (MB) solution that was employed to assess the film's photocatalytic activity was markedly increased from 0.0076 min -1 to 0.0267 min -1 as a mechanism for the marked increase in the specific surface area.