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The wrapping layer's foaming process of the car steering wheel industry usually relies on the manual parameter setting by experienced engineers, but the reliability and validity are usually hard to control due to many foaming factors that affect the hardness of steering wheel wrapping layer (e.g., vulcanization time, mold temperature, material liquid temperature, material discharge pressure, humidity). This paper first proposes an intelligent process parameter recommendation system architecture, then develops a neural network-based hardness prediction (NNHP) model to predict the car steering wheel's wrapping hardness. Consequently, we combine NNHP and genetic algorithm (GA) to develop a foaming process parameter recommendation model (NNHP-GA) to effectively recommend the most suitable combinations of process parameters for achieving the desired wrapping hardness in an IoT-based intelligent manufacturing environment. An empirical study is applied in Taiwan's world-leading car steering wheel company. By analyzing the 16 important process sensor data installed in each casting machine, the five experimental results show that the NNHP-GA recommendation system can successfully predict the hardness of the steering wheel's wrapping layer and recommend appropriate process parameters (e.g., sensors S1-vulcanization time, S2-mold temperature, S5-A.P. pressure, S6-B.I. pressure, and "pressurization time") under a specific hardness target. The manufacturing company may employ the NNHP-GA model to build a process parameter recommendation system and increase the quality of process parameter setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a three-step process, based on the definition of absolute decoupling (AbsDec), to analyze the role of nuclear energy in the absolute decoupling between environmental pressures (including Energy resource use and CO2Emissions) and Economic growth (3-E) during the period 1987–2016. First, we select the top four Nuclear-Dependent Countries (4-NDC), including France, Belgium, Sweden, and Switzerland, from high-income economies and the USA as a sample (i.e., 5-country). Second, we provide compound annual growth rate (CAGR) statistics for all relevant variables in each country. Third, we assess the Carbon Kuznets Curve (CKC) and investigate the dynamic interactions between 3-E by using Lotka–Volterra ecosystem model. For the 5-country, we find that the CAGR of GDP is positive, the CAGRs of CO2 emissions, CO2 intensity, and energy intensity are negative, the panel CKC exists, and the projected CAGRs of CO2 emissions are negative between 2017 and 2025. For the USA, a commensalism of energy-led growth and an amensalism of emissions-limited growth exist. For the 4-NDC, neutralisms between 3-E exist. The aggregated results indicate that the 4-NDC seem to have achieved an AbsDec between 3-E, the USA appears to achieve an AbsDec between economic growth and emissions while undergoing a relative, and perhaps absolute, decoupling between 3-E. The findings can infer that nuclear power is one of the most important energy sources for achieving absolute decoupling and genuinely sustainable development. The policy implication is that measures to reduce energy consumption and control CO2 emissions may not significantly impair economic growth in countries that rely on nuclear power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This empirical study investigates the factors affecting the awareness and the utilization of preventive care among the elderly in Taiwan. We use data obtained from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey. A recursive bivariate probit model is adopted to analyze the factors affecting the awareness and the utilization of preventive care. The probability of awareness of free preventive care under the National Health Insurance is higher for those who are younger, Mainlanders, have received more education, have a spouse, exercise regularly, have better self-rated health status, and have chronic diseases; the probability of awareness is lower for those who are aborigines and who live in the south and the east. Awareness of preventive care services, having a spouse, living alone, having better health status, and the existence of chronic diseases increase the probability of preventive care utilization; working reduces the probability of preventive care utilization. Our result supports the views in Arrow (Am Econ Rev 53(5):941–973, 1963 ) that health information is an important factor determining the demand for medical care. Policymakers may enhance such preventive care service utilization by increasing the awareness of such services among the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the short-term outcomes of single-incision and conventional three-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) at a single surgical unit. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study comparing the operative outcomes of two LA techniques between January 2009 and November 2010. Results: LA was performed successfully in 44 patients: through a single incision in 27 patients and through three incisions in 17 patients. The time taken to resume oral intake was slightly less in the single-incision group than in the three-incision group, at 1.1 versus 1.5 days, respectively ( P = 0.0419). However, blood loss and hospital stay were not significantly different, at 7.2 versus 6.4 ml ( P = 0.6244) and 3.7 versus 3.8 days ( P = 0.8565), respectively. The cosmetic result was better in the single-incision group, because of the well-concealed scar. Conclusion: Both single-incision and conventional LA are effective and minimally invasive, and should be performed according to the experience of the surgeon. Single-incision LA results in faster recovery, but larger studies are required to confirm this and to determine if these techniques can be used safely for all indications of appendectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]