Search Results (11)

In this article, we establish new distribution-free Shewhart-type control charts based on rank sum statistics with signaling multiple scans-type rules. More precisely, two Wilcoxon-type chart statistics are considered in order to formulate the decision rule of the proposed monitoring scheme. In order to enhance the performance of the new nonparametric control charts, multiple scans-type rules are activated, which make the proposed chart more sensitive in detecting possible shifts of the underlying distribution. The appraisal of the proposed monitoring scheme is accomplished with the aid of the corresponding run length distribution under both in- and out-of-control cases. Thereof, exact formulae for the variance of the run length distribution and the average run length (ARL) of the proposed monitoring schemes are derived. A numerical investigation is carried out and depicts that the proposed schemes acquire better performance towards their competitors. Full article

Exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and Shewhart control charts are commonly utilized to detect the small to moderate and large shifts in the process mean, respectively. This article introduces a novel Bayesian AEWMA control chart that employs various loss functions (LFs), including square error loss function (SELF) and LINEX loss function (LLF). The control chart incorporates an informative prior for posterior and posterior predictive distributions. Additionally, the control chart utilizes various paired ranked set sampling (PRSS) schemes to improve its accuracy and effectiveness. The average run length (ARL) and standard deviation of run length (SDRL) are used to evaluate the performance of the suggested control chart. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to compare the performance of the proposed approach to other control charts. The results show that the proposed method outperforms in identifying out-of-control signals, particularly under PRSS schemes compared to simple random sampling (SRS). The proposed CCs effectiveness was validated using a real-life semiconductor manufacturing application, utilizing different PRSS schemes. The performance of the Bayesian AEWMA CC was evaluated, demonstrating its superiority in detecting out-of-control signs compared to existing CCs. This study introduces an innovative method incorporating various LFs and PRSS schemes, providing an enhanced and efficient approach for identifying shifts in the process mean. Full article

Simultaneous monitoring of the process parameters in a multivariate normal process has caught researchers’ attention during the last two decades. However, only statistical control charts have been developed so far for this purpose. On the other hand, machine-learning (ML) techniques have rarely been developed to be used in control charts. In this paper, three ML control charts are proposed using the concepts of artificial neural networks, support vector machines, and random forests techniques. These ML techniques are trained to obtain linear outputs, and then based on the concepts of memory-less control charts, the process is classified into in-control or out-of-control states. Two different input scenarios and two different training methods are used for the proposed ML structures. In addition, two different process control scenarios are utilized. In one, the goal is only the detection of the out-of-control situation. In the other one, the identification of the responsible variable (s)/process parameter (s) for the out-of-control signal is also an aim (detection–identification). After developing the ML control charts for each scenario, we compare them to one another, as well as to the most recently developed statistical control charts. The results show significantly better performance of the proposed ML control charts against the traditional memory-less statistical control charts in most compared cases. Finally, an illustrative example is presented to show how the proposed scheme can be implemented in a healthcare process. Full article

To detect sustainable changes in the production processes, memory-type control charts are frequently utilized. This study is conducted to assess the performance of the Bayesian adaptive exponentially weighted moving average (AEWMA) control chart using ranked set sampling schemes following two different loss functions in the presence of a measurement error for posterior and posterior predictive distributions using conjugate priors. This study is based on the covariate model and multiple measurement methods in the presence of a measurement error (ME). The performance of the proposed Bayesian-AEWMA control chart with ME has been evaluated through the average run length and the standard deviation of the run length. Finally, a real-life application in semiconductor manufacturing was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed Bayesian-AEWMA control chart with a measurement error based on different ranked set sampling schemes. The results demonstrate that the proposed control chart, in the presence of a measurement error, performed well in detecting out-of-control signals compared to the existing control chart. However, the median ranked set sampling scheme (MRSS) proved to be better than the other two schemes in the presence of a measurement error. Full article

A memory-type control chart is an important tool of statistical process control for monitoring small to moderate shifts in the manufacturing process. Using the prior information by the Bayesian approach is helpful in control charts. In this paper, a new hybrid exponentially weighted moving average (HEWMA) control chart is suggested under the Bayesian theory using ranked set sampling (RSS) schemes for posterior and posterior predictive distribution with informative prior and different loss functions (LFs). The extensive Monto Carlo simulation is conducted to evaluate the overall performance of the proposed Bayesian HEWMA control chart through average-run-length (ARL) and standard-deviation of the run-length (SDRL). Finally, a numerical example of the hard-bake process in semiconductor manufacturing is used to check the working and execution of the proposed Bayesian HEWMA control-chart under different RSS schemes. The results reveal that the suggested Bayesian HEWMA control-chart under RSS schemes is more sensitive in detecting out-of-control signals than the Bayesian HEWMA and Bayesian AEWMA control-charts under simple random sampling. Full article

Due to a reduction in reaction time and, consequently, the driver’s concentration, driving when fatigued has become an issue throughout time. Consequently, the likelihood of having an accident and it being fatal increases. In this work, we aim to identify an automatic method capable of detecting drowsiness transitions by considering the time, frequency, and nonlinear domains of heart rate variability. Therefore, the methodology proposed considers the multivariate statistical process control, using principal components analysis, with accelerometer and time, frequency, and nonlinear domains of the heart rate variability extracted by a wearable device. Applying the proposed approach, it was possible to improve the results achieved in the previous studies, where it was able to remove points out-of-control due to signal noise, identify the drowsy transitions, and, consequently, improve the drowsiness classification. It is important to note that the out-of-control points of the heart rate variability are not influenced by external noise. In terms of limitations, this method was not able to detect all drowsiness transitions, and in some individuals, it falls far short of expectations. Regarding this, is essential to understand if there is any pattern or similarity among the participants in which it fails. Full article

The early fault detection and reliable operation of lithium-ion batteries are two of the main challenges the technology faces. Here, we report a new methodology for early failure detection in lithium-ion batteries. This new methodology is based on wavelet spectral analysis to detect overcharge failure in batteries that is performed for voltage data obtained in cycling tests, subjected to a standard charge/discharge protocol. The main frequencies of the voltage temporal signal, the harmonic components in the regular cycling test, and a low frequency pattern were identified. For the first time, battery failure can be anticipated by wavelet spectral analysis. These results could be the key to the new early detection of battery failures in order to reduce out-of-control explosions and fire risks. Full article

Shewhart charts are the most commonly utilised control charts for process monitoring in industries with the assumption that the underlying distribution of the quality characteristic is normal. However, this assumption may not always hold true in practice. In this paper, the weighted-variance mean charts are developed and their population standard deviation is estimated using the three subgroup scale estimators, namely the standard deviation, median absolute deviation and standard deviation of trimmed mean for monitoring Weibull distributed data with different coefficients of skewness. This study aims to compare the out-of-control average run length of these charts with the pre-determined fixed value of the in-control ARL in terms of different scale estimators, coefficients of skewness and sample sizes via extensive simulation studies. The results indicate that as the coefficients of skewness increase, the charts tend to detect the out-of-control signal more rapidly under identical magnitude of shift. Meanwhile, as the size of the shift increases under the same coefficient of skewness, the proposed charts are able to locate the shifts quicker and the similar scenarios arise as a sample size raised from 5 to 10. A real data set from survival analysis domain which, possessing Weibull distribution, was to demonstrate the usefulness and applicability of the proposed chart in practice. Full article

Multivariate Statistical Process Control (MSPC) seeks to monitor several quality characteristics simultaneously. However, it has limitations derived from its inability to identify the source of special variation in the process. In this research, a proposed model that does not have this limitation is presented. In this paper, data from two scenarios were used: (A) data created by simulation and (B) random variable data obtained from the analysed product, which in this case corresponds to cheese production slicing process in the dairy industry. The model includes a dimensional reduction procedure based on the centrality and data dispersion. The goal is to recognise a multivariate pattern from the conjunction of univariate variables with variation patterns so that the model indicates the univariate patterns from the multivariate pattern. The model consists of two stages. The first stage is concerned with the identification process and uses Moving Windows (MWs) for data segmentation and pattern analysis. The second stage uses Bayesian Inference techniques such as conditional probabilities and Bayesian Networks. By using these techniques, the univariate variable that contributed to the pattern found in the multivariate variable is obtained. Furthermore, the model evaluates the probability of the patterns of the individual variables generating a specific pattern in the multivariate variable. This probability is interpreted as a signal of the performance of the process that allows to identify in the process a multivariate out-of-control state and the univariate variable that causes the failure. The efficiency results of the proposed model compared favourably with respect to the results obtained using the Hotelling’s $T^2$ chart, which validates our model. Full article

Intense physical activity and dieting are core symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN). Their combination evolves into compulsivity, leading the patient into an out-of-control spiral. AN patients exhibit an altered activation of nucleus accumbens (NAc), revealing a dysfunctional mesocorticolimbic reward circuitry in AN. Since evidence exists that a dysregulation of the glutamate system in the NAc influences reward and taking advantage of the activity-based anorexia (ABA) rat model, which closely mimics the hallmarks of AN, we investigated the involvement of the glutamatergic signaling in the NAc in this experimental model. We here demonstrate that food restriction causes hyperactive and compulsive behavior in rodents, inducing an escalation of physical activity, which results in dramatic weight loss. Analysis of the glutamate system revealed that, in the acute phase of the pathology, ABA rats increased the membrane expression of GluA1 AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor subunits together with its scaffolding protein SAP97. Recovery of body weight reduced GluN2A/2B balance together with the expression of their specific scaffolding proteins, thus suggesting persistent maladaptive neurotransmission. Taken together, AMPA and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor subunit reorganization may play a role in the motivational mechanisms underlying AN. Full article

With the rapid development of advanced sensor technologies, it has become popular to monitor multiple quality variables for a manufacturing process. Consequently, multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) charts have been commonly used for monitoring multivariate processes. The primary function of MSPC charts is to trigger an out-of-control signal when faults occur in a process. However, because two or more quality variables are involved in a multivariate process, it is very difficult to diagnose which one or which combination of quality variables is responsible for the MSPC signal. Though some statistical decomposition methods may provide possible solutions, the mathematical difficulty could confine the applications. This study presents a time delay neural network (TDNN) classifier to diagnose the quality variables that cause out-of-control signals for a multivariate normal process (MNP) with variance shifts. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach, a series of simulated experiments were conducted. The results were compared with artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM) and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) classifiers. It was found that the proposed TDNN classifier was able to accurately recognize the contributors of out-of-control signal for MNPs. Full article