COBACABANA (control of balance by card based navigation):an alternative to kanban in the pure flow shop?

Kanban systems are widely applied in practice as they represent a simple yet effective means of controlling production. But they suffer from a lack of load balancing capabilities, which hinders their application even to pure flow shops if there is variability. In response, this study focuses on COBACABANA (Control of Balance by Card Based Navigation), a card-based production control approach based on the Workload Control concept that was recently introduced in the literature. COBACABANA was developed for high-variety job shop contexts, but we argue it can also provide an important control alternative to kanban systems in pure flow shops. We first show that, in the pure flow shop, the control loop structure of COBACABANA resembles that of a kanban system when the flow of jobs is controlled. But a distinct difference is COBACABANA׳s unique focus on load balancing. Using simulation, we then demonstrate the potential of COBACABANA to improve performance in a pure flow shop with high demand and processing time variability. Results show that a fixed gateway station – inherent to a pure flow shop – presents a structural constraint that makes COBACABANA׳s original starvation avoidance mechanism, which injects work to a starving station, dysfunctional. An alternative is prioritizing jobs with short processing times at upstream stations to ensure quick replenishment takes place at downstream stations threatened by starvation. This has important implications not only for COBACABANA but for priority dispatching. Although card-based systems are typically combined with first-come-first-served dispatching, our results suggest this may be inappropriate in flow shops with processing time variability

Card-based production control:a review of the control mechanisms underpinning Kanban, ConWIP, POLCA and COBACABANA systems

Since the emergence of Kanban, there has been much research into card-based control systems. This has included attempts to improve Kanban and/or develop alternative systems, particularly ConWIP (i.e. Constant Work-In-Process), POLCA (i.e. Paired-cell Overlapping Loops of Cards with Authorisation) and COBACABANA (i.e. Control of Balance by Card-Based Navigation). Yet, to date, no unifying review of the mechanisms underpinning these systems has been presented. As a consequence, managers are not provided with sufficient support for choosing an appropriate system for their shop; and researchers lack a clear picture of how the mechanisms compare, leading to several misconceptions. This paper reviews the control mechanisms underpinning the Kanban, ConWIP, POLCA and COBACABANA systems. By comparing the ‘control mechanism’ (i.e. the loop structure and card properties) and ‘contextual factors’ (i.e. routing variability, processing time variability, and whether stations are decoupled by inventory or the flow of jobs is controlled), we provide managers with guidance on which system to choose. For research, we show for example that most criticisms put forward against Kanban systems, e.g. to justify the development of ConWIP, POLCA or COBACABANA, only apply to work-in-process Kanban systems and not to production Kanban systems. Future research directions for each control system are outlined

Does The Use Of Social Media For Screening Affect The Hiring Process From The Perspective Of Applicant And Employer?

Technology has allowed people to exchange information across multiple technological mediums and interact quicker, more easily, and more permanently. The purpose of this thesis was to determine the role social media plays in the hiring and screening process from the perspective of the applicant and employer. The study was rooted in the theories of Actor Networking, Issues Arenas, and Agenda Setting, while relying on concepts like digital divide to expand the breadth of work. An online survey was administered to 25 people who had been an applicant within the last year to gauge their use of social media and awareness of social media screening processes. Based on results from this group, social media was used frequently, but was not something that applicants believe should be used for professional screening. Five human resources professionals were interviewed and it was determined that they were already using social media to screen, but lack regulations from an organization or larger governing body. Social media is a relevant and encompassing component of culture, however there is not universal agreement on how social media should be used with potential applicants and current employers

Factors Influencing the Success of Modern Wind Band Transcriptions Re(new)al by Viet Cuong, Bells for Stokowski by Michael Daugherty, and Masks and Machines by Paul Dooley

Transcriptions have played a significant role in wind band literature since the end of the Renaissance period. Due to a desire for more significant original band works in the1900s and the existence of many low-quality transcriptions, conductors often view orchestral transcription as a lesser part of the wind band canon. Contemporary wind band transcriptions like Re(new)al by Viet Cuong, Bells for Stokowski by Michael Daugherty, and Masks and Machines by Paul Dooley are significant works in both the orchestral and band repertoire. This study investigates how instrumentation, sonic variety, acceptance of new music by wind band conductors, composition prizes, and conferences play a role in the success of these pieces in the band world. The research underpinning this study includes a literature review and composer/conductor interviews. Existing literature focuses on the quality, history, and place in the repertoire of transcriptions. This qualitative study identified factors contributing to the success of contemporary works recomposed/transcribed by their original creator. In highlighting the musical and non-musical influences on composers and conductors, this study establishes the importance and need for more recomposed transcriptions. As the literature canon of wind bands evolves and solidifies, it is essential to reevaluate options and perspectives related to transcriptions. There is added value to breaking down mindsets that define and limit compositions as being restricted to one type of musical medium. As wind bands look to new recomposed music, opportunities will open for composers, conductors, performers, and educators

Solar Optical Properties of Roller Shades: Modeling Approaches, Measured Results and Impact on Energy Use and Visual Comfort

High performance commercial facades rely on fenestration systems in order to control glare and solar heat gains. Recent efforts have concentrated on developing efficient automated shading controls, linked with lighting and HVAC controls. One of the challenges is how to balance the need for daylight versus reducing overall energy use while ensuring comfort for the occupants seated near windows. This requires detailed knowledge of the solar optical properties of fenestration, which affect the transmission of solar gains and daylight. Currently, there is adequate information, databases and predictive tools for direct and diffuse transmission (and reflection) through glazing, using angular properties. However, there is less information on shading systems. Existing models for Venetian blinds, that have been studied extensively, provide information for light transmission and reflection as a function of surface characteristics and blind tilt angle. Advanced experimental and computational methods such as bi-directional distribution functions, have been used for detailed characterization of complex fenestration systems. Nevertheless, there are very limited studies on the solar-optical properties of roller shades, which are installed in most new commercial buildings. In most existing studies and simulation tools, the properties of roller shades are assumed constant and diffuse, ignoring direct-direct transmittance and angular properties. The only available semi-empirical model on this topic (Kotey et al., 2009) showed that roller shades properties may have strong direct components and angular variation, depending on the openness factor and the fabric color. These can affect the energy and daylight performance of roller shades, as well as their impact on glare. This paper first provides an overview of current approaches for modeling solar optical properties of roller shades, including advantages and limitations. Then, integrating sphere measurements were conducted to determine the detailed solar optical properties of different roller shade products. The results are compared to previous findings and will be used to provide useful information about direct-direct, direct-diffuse and angular properties of roller shades, depending on openness factor and color. The differences between measured and modeled properties are identified and discussed. Finally, the impact of detailed solar optical properties on energy use, daylight performance and glare is evaluated using annual simulation results for different fabrics, orientations and climatic locations (Miami and Philadelphia). The results of this study are particularly useful for a more realistic evaluation of the impact of shading on energy use and visual comfort

Articular Cartilage Repair Using Marrow Stimulation Augmented with a Viable Chondral Allograft: 9-Month Postoperative Histological Evaluation

Marrow stimulation is frequently employed to treat focal chondral defects of the knee. However, marrow stimulation typically results in fibrocartilage repair tissue rather than healthy hyaline cartilage, which, over time, predisposes the repair to failure. Recently, a cryopreserved viable chondral allograft was developed to augment marrow stimulation. The chondral allograft is comprised of native viable chondrocytes, chondrogenic growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins within the superficial, transitional, and radial zones of hyaline cartilage. Therefore, host mesenchymal stem cells that infiltrate the graft from the underlying bone marrow following marrow stimulation are provided with the optimal microenvironment to undergo chondrogenesis. The present report describes treatment of a trochlear defect with marrow stimulation augmented with this novel chondral allograft, along with nine month postoperative histological results. At nine months, the patient demonstrated complete resolution of pain and improvement in function, and the repair tissue consisted of 85% hyaline cartilage. For comparison, a biopsy obtained from a patient 8.2 months after treatment with marrow stimulation alone contained only 5% hyaline cartilage. These outcomes suggest that augmenting marrow stimulation with the viable chondral allograft can eliminate pain and improve outcomes, compared with marrow stimulation alone

Elevating Academic Administration: A Comprehensive Faculty Dashboard for Tracking Student Evaluations and Research

The USC Faculty Dashboard is a web application designed to revolutionize how department heads, professors, and instructors monitor progress and make decisions, providing a centralized hub for efficient data storage and analysis. Currently, there's a gap in tools tailored for department heads to concisely manage the performance of their department, which our platform aims to fill. The USC Faculty Dashboard offers easy access to upload and view student evaluation and research information, empowering department heads to evaluate the performance of faculty members and seamlessly track their research grants, publications, and expenditures. Furthermore, professors and instructors gain personalized performance analysis tools, with full access to their own data as well as curated access to peer data to assess their relative performance. The source code as well as the link to the deployed application can be found at https://github.com/SCCapstone/K3MS.Comment: 22 pages, 15 figures. Published to UofSC Scholar Common

Autologous bone plugs in unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare blood loss, declines in hemoglobin (HgB) and hematocrit (HcT) levels, and required homologous transfusions for patients who either had the femoral intramedullary defect left open or filled with an autologous bone plug during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hereby present our results of autologous bone plugs in unilateral TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 55 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) who had undergone unilateral TKA. Twenty six patients had the femoral defect filled with an autologous bone plug and 29 did not. Lateral releases and patella replacements were not performed. Drained blood was reinfused when appropriate. RESULTS: MEAN BLOOD LOSS AND MEAN BLOOD REINFUSED WERE SIMILAR FOR THE PLUGGED (LOSS: 960.8 ± 417.3 ml; reinfused: 466.7 ± 435.9 mL) and unplugged groups (loss: 1065.9 ± 633.5 ml, P = 0.38; reinfused: 528.4 ± 464.8 ml, P = 0.61). Preoperative HgB (14.3 ± 1.4 g/dL, P = 0.93) and HcT levels (42.2 ± 4.6%, P = 0.85) were similar across plug conditions. HgB and HcT levels declined similarly for the plugged (2.7 ± 1.2 g/dl and 7.9 ± 4.0%) and unplugged groups (3.0 ± 0.9 g/dl, P = 0.16 and 9.0 ± 2.6%, P = 0.16), respectively. Of patients, one in the plugged group and none in the unplugged group required homologous transfusions (P = 0.5). CONCLUSION: The autologous bone plug does not appear to reduce the need for homologous blood transfusions following unilateral TKA