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Quality is when it meets the wants and expectations of customers or even exceeds them. Every company must raise the quality of its current products and services. A complete and adaptable approach for establishing, maintaining, and maximizing company success is Six Sigma. Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) is one of the tools used to implement Six Sigma. PT. KRM is one company engaged in the automotive sector, which produces Colt Diesel trucks. This research focuses on the welding processes. Defective products were found in as much as 5% of total production, exceeding the company's target of 3%. This research was conducted to determine the process capability based on product defects with the Six Sigma DMAIC method approach, then to find out the proposal for implementing quality control by analyzing the causes of defects in the production process and then looking for continuous improvement with the 5W+1H concept. The improvement was made to decrease the DPMO value of 4.496 and increase the sigma value of 0.19. This study demonstrates how the Six Sigma DMAIC approach can improve the quality of the cabin production process for the part side outer pillar LH. This case can help company managers apply Six Sigma methods to solve complex problems in other processes.

Along with the rapid development of technology, various types of transportation have experienced increased innovation in shapes, colours, models, and even engines. However, one thing that needs special attention is the number of pollutants or emissions released by vehicles. One effort to reduce emissions is increasing the production of Battery-Based Electric Motorized Vehicles. Battery-based electric vehicles developed in Indonesia include electric cars and electric motorcycles. Among these types of electric vehicles, Indonesian society widely adopts electric motorcycles. However, sales of electric motorbikes were only 15 thousand units, lower than sales of petrol motorbikes which reached 5 million units. This study contributes to understanding further how the community responds to electric motorcycles in detail through sentiment analysis on social media data. Consumer acceptance of electric motorcycles can be seen from the numerous active Twitter users in Indonesia who provide positive and negative comments on the presence of electric motorcycles. Text information based on public comments in Indonesia via Twitter is collected using Sentiment Analysis in R Studio. Twitter comments will be classified into positive, negative, and neutral groups. The results show 63% positive, 21% unfavourable, and 14% neutral opinions. This condition means that Indonesian society accepts and has a supportive opinion of the presence of electric motorcycles. The government and entrepreneurs can use this information to create electric motorcycles that align with the community's preferences.

Assessment of the performance of employees of a survey service company produces a final score that is not in accordance with the company's transformation strategy in responding to external challenges and demands. The variable assessment process still uses 180 Degree Feedback which is one-way from superiors to employees. This makes the company's learning and growth activities, especially in the human resources department, not occur. Therefore, companies should improve the assessment model to become a tool for acquiring highly qualified performing employees. This study contributes to obtain a more comprehensive employee performance assessment model proposal and evaluate the model so that it can be implemented. The research limitation lies in the use of data, namely contract employees with the position of Project Manager. This study uses the Analytical Hierarchy Process and Naïve Bayes methods to obtain variable weights. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that SOE (State Owned Enterprises) AKHLAK was a new variable. The classification of the assessment variables is divided into Performance and Behavioral aspects based on the Minister of SOE Regulation. Changes that occur include formulas, mechanisms, and rating scales. The results of the verification and validation show that the model is in accordance with the design so that it can be implemented. Model trials with 360 DF show that PM's final score has a good chance of being assessed as a full-time employee. This valuation model can change along with company policies in responding to internal and external changes.

Sales transaction data contains rich information and can support company competitiveness. However, this transaction data is initially unstructured and needs to be processed into insight for the company's decision-making. Market Basket Analysis (MBA) is a data mining technique that can be used to study consumer purchasing patterns. This paper presents a case study on using an MBA to obtain consumer buying behaviors where the result of the MBA is then used to design a proposed layout. The animal market governed by Yogyakarta Province, known as Pasty Market, was used as a case study. Pasty Market is an animal trading center with around 30,000 square meters area and 255 sellers that sell various kinds of animals such as songbirds, dove birds, rabbits, cats, dogs, iguanas, turtles, ornamental chickens, and ornamental fish as well as animal food and cage. With this enormous area and number of merchants, the layout of Pasty Market becomes crucial in customer satisfaction. Association rules result in four priority levels in proposed layout planning, where these rules are used to determine the proximity among items in the proposed layout. These four levels of priority, ordered by the confidence value, are (1) “songbirds” and “bird food” (confidence value 91%), (2) “ornamental fish” and “turtles” (confidence value 80-90%), (3) “birdcages” and “songbirds” (confidence value 70-80%), and (4) “cats” and “dog” as well as “birdcages” and “birds” (confidence value 50-70%). Association rules were then used as the basis for determining the proximity value between merchants, where the proximity rules were then used for designing a proposed layout.

This paper explores the development of an effective motion planning strategy for robotics welding in tube to tubesheet joints, a critical process in heat exchanger manufacturing. The research methodology follows an experimental paradigm, investigating two distinct approaches to tackle the intricacies of this task. The initial approach, involving a welding torch affixed to the robotic arm's flange, proved ineffective due to the complexity of continuous 360° orbital welding. This led to the adoption of a custom end effector in the second approach, designed to enhance adaptability and precision. Key tools and materials employed in this research include the Robot Operating System (ROS), Rviz for 3D visualization, MoveIt for motion planning, SolidWorks for CAD modelling, and the xArm7 Robotic Arm. These tools facilitated the creation of a comprehensive planning environment. The motion planning process relies on three essential parameters: tube diameter, type of tube to tubesheet joint (flush or protruding), and the 3D coordinates of tube centers. A Python scripts control the robot's movements, with specific joint state and pose goals for precise positioning. Finally, this study contributes to present a program that orchestrates the robotic arm's motion, simulating the welding process for tube to tubesheet joints. This comprehensive research endeavor contributes to the optimization of motion planning strategies in the context of tube to tubesheet welding, with practical applications in the manufacturing industry.

Quando se faz uma informatização de processos, é necessário analisar seus impactos, então o objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar o processo de prescrição digital em consultórios odontológicos; não é escopo dessa pesquisa analisar impactos na saúde do paciente. Primeiro foi feita uma revisão bibliográfica para se saber os possíveis impactos de utilizar receita digital; depois elaborado um questionário Likert cinco fatores, que foi validado por cinco dentistas em relação ao entendimento; em seguida o questionário foi entregue para ser respondido por trinta cirurgiões dentistas. Os resultados mostraram que os cirurgiões dentistas acreditam que a prescrição digital é mais segura, ajuda no processo, diminui erros, facilita o registro histórico, e não houve necessidade de grandes investimentos; porém foi difícil aprender a usar o sistema, induz a reutilizar receitas antigas sem conferência, e há grande resistência por parte das farmácias, não houve consenso em relação à redução no tempo para fazer a prescrição.

Em vista das disputas competitivas pelo mercado, cada vez mais as empresas estão preocupadas em aprimorar os processos que agregam maior valor com menor custo, produzindo o que atenda às necessidades dos consumidores. Nesse sentido, este estudo teve como objetivo implementar ferramentas de melhoria contínua, buscando aperfeiçoar a eficiência de um estabelecimento de venda de pipocas em um centro comercial, abordando questões relacionadas ao tempo de atendimento, à organização e à qualidade do serviço. Visou-se ao ciclo PDCA como metodologia para guiar a pesquisa, com foco nas fases de planejamento, execução, checagem e ação. As ações incluíram a adaptação das panelas, a aquisição de máquina de fichas, a implementação dos princípios da metodologia 5S e a promoção da filosofia Kaizen para a melhoria contínua. Os resultados mostraram redução no tempo de atendimento, maior organização no processo e aumento da satisfação dos clientes. A utilização do ciclo PDCA, aliado aos conceitos de qualidade, contribuiu para aprimorar o funcionamento do estabelecimento, destacando, ainda, que a integração da abordagem 5S trouxe organização e padronização, o que contribuiu para a eficiência operacional, juntamente com a implantação da filosofia kaizen que impulsionou a cultura de inovação e aprendizado dentro da empresa.

Alocar de forma eficiente mão de obra e recursos, garantindo a cobertura de determinada área geográfica e minimizando os custos operacionais, é um desfio que contempla empresas ligadas ao fornecimento de serviços essenciais, como água, gás e energia elétrica. Visando considerar a problemática de gerar rotas para realizar a leitura de medidores de determinada região, foi proposto este estudo. O objetivo foi simular um serviço de leitura, com base em dados geográficos reais, e obter um trajeto fechado de atendimento que garanta a cobertura de todos os medidores, e onde a distância total percorrida seja mínima. Instâncias de teste, baseadas em dados reais, foram geradas. O problema foi modelado como um Problema do Carteiro Chinês não direcionado e resolvido por meio de programação linear, usando um solver comercial. A partir da solução gerada pelo modelo, foi aplicado um algoritmo para obtenção do sequenciamento de atendimento. Os resultados mostraram que, para as instâncias criadas, que contemplaram até 200 vértices e 634 arcos, a metodologia aplicada foi eficiente, gerando a solução ótima de forma rápida.

A Torre de Controle Logística proporciona uma visibilidade completa para as empresas ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos e do transporte. Isso simplifica a identificação de problemas e oportunidades de aprimoramento no mercado. Os impactos negativos podem ser prontamente solucionados e vantagens competitivas podem ser criadas. O objetivo deste trabalho é detalhar o conceito e os benefícios da Torre de Controle Logística, bem como apresentar as três possíveis abordagens para a implementação desse sistema em empresas e analisar seus motivadores: visão 1 empresa que desenvolveu internamente esse monitoramento; visão 2 empresa que comercializa e implementa esse sistema para outras empresas e visão 3 empresa que está no estágio inicial do projeto de implantação e busca a parceria com uma consultoria especializada.

There are a several obstacles that can make it difficult to structure a last mile in e-commerce. The objective of this study is to identify the main challenges that impact the last mile and answer the following question: “can the restricted interest of the professional with autism spectrum disorder optimize the last mile for e-commerce? The hypothesis to be tested is that autistic professionals can bring unique and valuable skills. The methodology used followed the steps of observation, problem elaboration, bibliographical research, data tabulation through non-parametric tests, data analysis and discussions. The result found is that both customers and managers want more attention in picking, packing, and routing, giving rise to skills of restricted interest, that is, the person who focuses on it, being a technical specialist. One of the greatest virtues of the person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the restricted interest.

A Organização das Nações Unidas classifica os países em Very High Human Development (VHHD), High Human Development (HHD), Medium Human Development (MHD) e Low Human Developement (LHD) conforme as dimensões de educação, renda e saúde do Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (HDI). No caso específico da educação, a medição é realizada por dois índices atrelados à escolaridade de adultos e à expectativa de escolaridade de crianças, reforçando a importância da boa gestão nas escolas e nas instituições de ensino superior para gerar impacto positivo na sociedade. Uma das formas de melhorar os resultados nas organizações é por meio da implementação da gestão lean. Portanto, este trabalho tem como objetivo principal analisar e comparar a implementação da gestão lean na educação, tomando como base as quatro categorias de desenvolvimento humano, a partir de uma revisão sistemática da literatura no período de 2016 a 2023.

Para neutralizar uma parte das emissões de Gases de Efeito Estufa (GEE) na cidade de São Paulo, tem-se como alternativa eletrificar a frota de um pouco mais de 13.000 ônibus. Em agosto/2023, apenas 220 ônibus eram elétricos, sendo 201 trólebus, um sistema confiável que está em operação há 74 anos, mas recentemente a Prefeitura anunciou sua pretensão de substituí-lo por ônibus elétricos a bateria (BEB). Ambientalmente sustentáveis os BEB ainda não têm uma operação consolidada no Brasil. Dessa forma, procurou-se mensurar, através de uma revisão bibliográfica, a importância do sistema de trólebus para a cidade de São Paulo. Além disso, verificou-se que mais de uma tonelada de CO2 deixaria de ser emitida todos os meses na cidade com a operação dos trólebus, além de uma economia mensal de aproximadamente R$ 3,034 milhões ou 51% do valor obtido com a redução das desutilidades referentes ao impacto negativo nas comunidades.

La investigación muestra el análisis de las medias y desviaciones estándares de las calificaciones obtenidas en los últimos ocho exámenes del Centro Preuniversitario de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) de Perú realizados de manera presencial, antes de la pandemia covid-19, frente a los ocho exámenes posteriores, durante la pandemia, después de la virtualización de los procesos de admisión. A partir de este análisis se establece que el proceso virtual no causó ninguna diferencia significativa en los resultados de los procesos presenciales y virtuales. Los resultados demostraron que, al no existir estas diferencias, se considera que el proceso presencial fue adecuadamente virtualizado pues el comportamiento de las calificaciones del examen virtual y presencial fueron similares.

El problema de investigación surgió de la necesidad de implementar un sistema que permita manejar a distancia las operaciones de tráfico de la red de semáforos para reducir la congestión vehicular. El procedimiento consistió en el diseño computacional de la ubicación de sensores electrónicos que se encargan de llevar la cuenta vehicular en el campo, con la finalidad de evaluar diferentes estrategias operacionales de modificación de tiempos de las señales del semáforo propuestas, mediante un modelo de simulación. El área de estudio está compuesta por las siete intersecciones ubicadas el tramo de la Av. Petit Thouars (entre las avenidas Alejandro Tirado y 28 de Julio, en la ciudad de Lima). Se instalaron sensores en los accesos de las calles secundarias a la vía principal, la Av. Petit Thouars, los cuales arrojaron resultados acumulados positivos. Las alternativas 1 y 2 produjeron una reducción de colas del 59%, con lo que se demostró que la hipótesis general es válida.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si la implementación de un programa de motivación reduce la tasa de accidentes de trabajo en la planta de panificación de una empresa manufacturera con sede en Lima. La investigación fue un estudio cuasiexperimental con diseño preprueba/posprueba con un solo grupo y una muestra de 117 trabajadores. Se utilizó un enfoque multimétodo para la recolección de datos, que incluyó datos estadísticos sobre accidentes de trabajo, observación directa en el campo de trabajo, registro y seguimiento de interacciones y un cuestionario de motivación. Los resultados de la investigación demostraron que la implementación del programa de motivación IPLEFOR, cuya duración fue de 21 meses, redujo la accidentabilidad en un 100%, lo que se tradujo en una mejora significativa del sistema de seguridad y salud ocupacional.

El estudio busca determinar cómo influyó el crecimiento económico sobre los accidentes de trabajo mortales en el Perú durante el periodo 2011-2019. Se utilizó los datos de los 24 departamentos agrupados en 4 macrorregiones y se aplicó un análisis econométrico utilizando datos de panel. Este análisis consistió en la evaluación de la estacionariedad de los datos y, mediante pruebas de raíces unitarias de primera generación, se determinó que están integrados en orden uno. Asimismo, se encontró que existe una relación de cointegración entre las variables (equilibrio a largo plazo) mediante la prueba de cointegración de Pedroni. Por último, se estimó los coeficientes de regresión mediante el estimador consistente DOLS (Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares). Se determinó que el crecimiento económico tiene una relación proporcional directa con los accidentes de trabajo mortales, es decir, el auge económico haría que se incrementen los accidentes de trabajo mortales.

Las metodologías ágiles permiten y motivan a que el cambio se produzca en las empresas, ya que actualmente la empresa que no cambia está destinada a desaparecer. Por ello, este trabajo tiene como objetivo demostrar que existe una relación directa y significativa entre el comportamiento organizacional y las metodologías ágiles de una entidad aseguradora con sede en San Isidro. El tipo de alcance que tomó la investigación fue correlacional bajo un enfoque cuantitativo y un diseño no experimental. La muestra por conveniencia fue de 30 colaboradores, a los cuales se les pidió completar un cuestionario de tipo Likert con una escala del 1 al 5. Se pudo concluir que sí existe una relación directa y significativa entre el comportamiento organizacional y las metodologías ágiles, además una correlación fuerte y positiva entre las mismas, con un Spearman de 0.8650.

El objetivo principal de la investigación fue determinar la relación entre los pagos digitales e la inclusión financiera con base en la correlación entre ambas variables. Además, buscó determinar la relación entre las dimensiones sistemas de pago, cartera digital y dinero electrónico con la variable inclusión financiera. Se utilizó una metodología basada en un enfoque cuantitativo con un nivel descriptivo-correlacional y un diseño no experimental y de corte transversal. La población estuvo compuesta por 164 microempresarios del distrito de Pueblo Libre. Los fueron recolectados a través de encuestas con escala tipo Likert y los métodos de análisis fueron descriptivo y correlacional. Los resultados mostraron una correlación positiva y alta (0.858) entre las variables pagos digitales e inclusión financiera, por lo que se concluye que los pagos digitales y todas sus dimensiones favorecen la inclusión financiera.

El objetivo de este trabajo de investigación fue demostrar la influencia de la gestión del conocimiento en las actitudes y percepciones acerca del aprendizaje de los estudiantes del programa de doctorado de Ingeniería Industrial de la unidad de posgrado de una universidad pública, según el modelo de la espiral del conocimiento. Se trata de una investigación aplicada con enfoque cuantitativo, nivel explicativo y diseño cuasiexperimental con posprueba únicamente. Su población estuvo constituida por los doctorandos y una muestra censal de 22 estudiantes del programa en mención. Del total de las hipótesis específicas planteadas, dos de ellas fueron negativas; no obstante, se comprobó que utilizando una línea base menor a la propuesta inicialmente, las actitudes y percepciones acerca de la combinación e interiorización del conocimiento de los estudiantes superaron las expectativas, lo cual no implica que se haya logrado superar la línea base inicial propuesta. Por tanto, es necesario mejorar la gestión del conocimiento.

El artículo aborda el estudio de una propuesta de mejora de la productividad de una empresa metalmecánica mediante la implementación de la metodología Lean Six Sigma (LSS). El objetivo es reducir los defectos de reparación de los componentes de maquinaria pesada para la actividad minera. El estudio describe el proceso de simulación a partir de los datos originales con la finalidad de plantear un límite de nivel de defectos, metas de eficacia y eficiencia para lograr un mejor nivel de productividad. Se aplicaron las etapas del sistema DMAIC para definir el problema de productividad en la reparación de los componentes pertenecientes a la categoría V. A partir de los datos originales, se obtuvo un Cp de 0.91 y un Cpk de −0.64. En la simulación se utilizaron las herramientas Kanban y Heinjunka, lo que dio como resultado un Cp de 1.09 y un Cpk de 0.95. El estudio concluye que la metodología LSS es viable y beneficiosa para las empresas metalmecánicas.

El clima organizacional constituye un elemento fundamental en cualquier organización, que incide en la satisfacción laboral de los trabajadores. El objetivo de esta investigación es describir los niveles de clima organizacional y satisfacción laboral percibidos por los trabajadores de una empresa peruana y precisar la relación que existe entre ambas variables. Este es una investigación cuantitativa, no experimental, correlacional y de tipo básica. La muestra es censal y la conformaron los 40 trabajadores que laboran en una empresa de construcción civil de la ciudad de Lima, Perú. Los instrumentos utilizados para la recolección de datos fueron un cuestionario de clima organizacional y otro de satisfacción laboral, con 28 y 25 ítems respectivamente. Los hallazgos reportan que el clima organizacional y la satisfacción laboral alcanzaron niveles moderados con 62.50% y 60.00% respectivamente. Con base en el valor de correlación rho de Spearman de 0.755 y un p-valor de 0.000 inferior a 0.05, se determinó que existe una relación directa significativa y alta entre las variables estudiadas.

Esta investigación servirá de antecedente para otras investigaciones que busquen mejorar los procesos productivos de empresas del sector textil y confecciones, planteando preventivamente una solución al excedente de tela que se origina durante el proceso productivo. Además, se abordará cómo mejorar el exceso de residuos de tela en el área de tizado y corte mediante la producción de accesorios y productos adicionales. Por consiguiente, al asignar correctamente los recursos para el mejor aprovechamiento de la tela de temporada, se reducirán costos, lo que mejorará la rentabilidad de la empresa de tejido de punto.

Abstract Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) is a valuable technique for breaking down overall power consumption into the energy usage of individual appliances. Understanding power usage patterns through NILM plays an important role in reducing energy costs and achieving carbon reduction goals. However, privacy concerns often deter consumers from sharing their electricity consumption data. To address these privacy concerns, Federated Learning (FL) has been introduced in NILM, which enables the training of NILM models while keeping power consumers’ data locally. However, FL’s reliance on a single global model leads to poor performance on clients with unique power consumption patterns. In response to this challenge, we present a Personalized Federated Learning NILM algorithm (PerFedNILM), a practical personalized FL approach for NILM. PerFedNILM limits the local update bias across clients and trains personalized models for individual clients to improve load-monitoring performance. In addition, it mitigates the negative impact of client dropout, which is a common issue in practice. Our experiments on using real-world energy data demonstrate that PerFedNILM outperforms previous FL-based NILM methods, especially in client dropout scenarios.

Abstract A built-in capacitive proximity sensing method for a charge-induction electrostatic film actuator is proposed. This actuator consists of two thin sheets that function as a stator and a slider. A stator is an insulating sheet with many strips of electrodes in it, whereas a slider is a dielectric sheet that has slight conductivity on its surface. By applying actuation voltage on stator electrodes, the slider that is placed on the stator is driven by electrostatic force. This research realized the simultaneous actuation and proximity sensing using the same electrodes by integrating a resonance-based capacitance measurement circuit into a driving circuit. The study investigated the impact of having a slider on sensing performance, confirming the feasibility of simultaneous sensing and driving. The implemented system achieved an interactive actuation that changed driving velocity according to the proximity distance of the human hand.

Purpose: The buffer allocation problem (BAP) arises in the design of production systems; it involves analyzing and defining the optimal distribution of buffers within a production line. This paper presents a BAP formulation in a parallel series line from a cup sublimation process with unreliable operating conditions. The main objective of this study is to develop a new BAP solution proposal, considering the optimization of the OEE indicator used in Lean Manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach: The BAP was analyzed under an optimization approach from two different criteria: firstly, the maximization of the OEE indicator (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) utilized in Lean Manufacturing, as well as the maximization of the average production rate (Throughput). The case study involves unreliable operating conditions. Process times, and timeframes between failures and repairs, consider normal distribution functions. The evaluation method employed in the study includes the use of simulation meta-models built from experiment designs and production line simulations; on the other hand, the nonlinear GRG algorithm is used to solve the mathematical models. Findings: In the study carried out, it is shown that the OEE indicator can be affected when more buffers are allocated than necessary, hence it is important to calculate and establish the best configuration for them through an analysis such as the one proposed in this document. Research limitations/implications: The research is limited to a case study of an unreliable production line from a cup sublimation process. Practical implications: The proposed solution established in this study can be used in other production lines with configurations different from the one analyzed, considering the optimization criterion of the OEE indicator. Originality/value: Seeking that the allocation of buffers within the production line improves the OEE indicator is something new in the literature, therefore, the results achieved in this research become even more relevant.

Purpose: Electronic devices consumption, especially smartphones for communication, have increased significantly, causing the potential for electronic waste to increase too. However, the high potential of this flow has not been matched by good waste management. This study aims to develop a management network for e-waste that collaborates formal and informal channels to provide optimal supply chain benefits in terms of economic and environmental aspects Design/methodology/approach: This research designs an e-waste management network followed by building a single-objective mathematical model that considers economic and environmental aspects. This model was solved using Mixed Integer Linear Programming. Findings: The supply chain will benefit from the proposed management network by collaborating formal and informal channels. With an incentive of 10,000 IDR, it is hoped that it will be able to invite consumers and informal collectors to collect waste informal channels. The total profit from managing electronic waste supply every month from Yogyakarta Province is 5.529 x 1010 IDR with the composition, consumers 81.2%, informal 13.3% channel obtained from informal collectors and repairing centers and 2.1% for formal channels, and there is an intangible profit of 3.4%. The formal channel provides more significant benefits than the informal, but requires a significant investment. This formal channel feasible if at least 33% of the total supply goes to this channel. Research limitations/implications: The model designed is deterministic. Therefore, it can be developed into a probabilistic model for further research to represent more real cases in the field. Practical implications: Regulation is the factor that most influences consumers' intentions and behavior to participate in e-waste management programs. It will be able to change consumer behavior by forcing consumers to participate in e-waste collection programs. Therefore, a government regulation is needed that organizes and supervises the implementation of the proposed management model. Social implications: Currently, the practice developing in the community is that the informal sector carries out smartphone waste management, therefore in the designs made, informal actors are still given space in waste management for the repair process and the secondhand market. Meanwhile, further processing, such as recycling, must be carried out through formal channels taking into account the environmental impact. Originality/value: Few studies have developed an electronic waste management model by collaborating informal and formal channels that consider economic and environmental aspects, and its implementation is organized and supervised by government regulations.

Purpose: This study aims to explore and analyse the intricacies of talent management and employee development practices within the hospitality industry. By delving into various training methodologies and assessing their impact, the study seeks to unveil the strengths, challenges, and opportunities each presents. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a qualitative research design, utilizing an inductive and exploratory approach. Given the nuanced and dynamic nature of talent management in the hospitality industry, this methodology allowed for a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of practices, impacts, and underlying dynamics. Findings: This study highlighted the diversity in talent management within the hospitality industry. Outsourced courses and peer-to-peer learning were common, each presenting unique advantages and challenges. Coaching was valued but faced scheduling and cost issues. Notably, exclusion from talent pools resulted in employee frustration, mistrust, and increased turnover intentions, underscoring the need for inclusive and adaptive talent management strategies.

Abstract This paper describes the development and the verification of flight test results of a differential pressure-based, two-dimensional low-airspeed sensor designed for the navigation or disturbance detection in small helicopters. The compact and lightweight sensor is integrated with the main rotor of a small helicopter and comprises two probes at both arm ends, a differential pressure sensor, rotary encoder with one magnet and two sensors, microcomputer, a wireless data link, and battery. It measures the differential pressure between the total pressures captured by two total-pressure probes at each rotor angle, instead of using static pressure probes. Thus, the airspeed of the fuselage can be evaluated from the low speed. Flight tests were conducted employing a reference ultrasonic two-dimensional airspeed sensor for comparison. The results demonstrated that the magnitude error of the airspeed is less than 2 m/s for low-airspeed flights ( $$

Abstract Detecting contact when fingers are approaching an object and estimating the magnitude of the force the fingers are exerting on the object after contact are important tasks for a multi-fingered robotic hand to stably grasp objects. However, for a linkage-based under-actuated robotic hand with a self-locking mechanism to realize stable grasping without using external sensors, such tasks are difficult to perform when only analyzing the robot model or only applying data-driven methods. Therefore, in this paper, a hybrid of previous approaches is used to find a solution for realizing stable grasping with an under-actuated hand. First, data from the internal sensors of a robotic hand are collected during its operation. Subsequently, using the robot model to analyze the collected data, the differences between the model and real data are explained. From the analysis, novel data-driven-based algorithms, which can overcome noted challenges to detect contact between a fingertip and the object and estimate the fingertip forces in real-time, are introduced. The proposed methods are finally used in a stable grasp controller to control a triple-fingered under-actuated robotic hand to perform stable grasping. The results of the experiments are analyzed to show that the proposed algorithms work well for this task and can be further developed to be used for other future dexterous manipulation tasks.

La crianza de paiche en la Amazonía peruana produce suficiente materia prima para la elaboración de cuero a base de piel de pescado; sin embargo, estas pieles representan un problema de contaminación debido a su limitado aprovechamiento. En esta investigación, se resalta la relevancia de emplear procedimientos tanto mecánicos como químicos con el fin de obtener cuero de excelente calidad. Para llevar a cabo este proceso, se utilizaron diferentes concentraciones de quebracho y mimosa. El cuero de piel de paiche resultante fue resistente y moldeable, con una capacidad de resistencia a la flexión que excede las 30 000 flexiones sin deformación, mayor resistencia al desgarro en T1 (146.23 N) y T5 (143.12 N) y mayor tracción en T4 (16.62 N/mm2). Además, presentó un contenido de cenizas inferior al 1%, humedad inferior al 9% y óxido de cromo inferior al 1.5%. Se trataron además los efluentes generados durante el proceso, los cuales presentaron valores aceptables de pH, conductividad y DQO.

As urbanization has developed, the relationship between interior design and user perception in subways has also become a key issue in urban rail transit systems. This paper elaborates on the complexity of train interior design within a subway as related to user perception and defines the necessity of optimization methods, decision support systems, and simulation tools for such a kind of problem. The main purpose of this research is to use quantitative research methods: a fuzzy logic analysis when used together with computer simulation, to determine the relationship between elements in a subway interior and the impressions of users. This study will clarify factors affecting passenger comfort, such as seating design, lighting, and colour schemes, by implementing fuzzy logic. In order to check user perception about subway design, sixty samples were drawn. Key findings indicate that designed seating, in terms of ergonomics, has a significant impact on improving passenger comfort and safety, while adequate space, high-quality materials, and good lighting distribution all dramatically improve passenger comfort and safety. In addition, beautiful interior design and cleanliness somehow positively affect passenger satisfaction. The model and the methodology proposed in this study bring in invaluable insights regarding the removal of biases that could obscure users' perception and thus materialize in a practical way to derive clues for designing subway interiors that suit users' emotions. This, therefore, proves that it is necessary to take into consideration passenger preferences so as to enhance travel experiences and benefit which accrues from the travel.

Today’s semiconductor devices use the charges of electrons and holes for tasks like light emission and signal processing. Semiconductor spintronics, a newer field, aims to exploit the spin of charge carriers to advance technologies like magnetic lasers, sensors, and transistors. Spintronics could enable the creation of memory, sensing, and logic devices with capabilities that charge-based devices can't match. This work explores the progress made with spintronic materials and devices, their current uses, and what the future might hold. A key feature of emerging spintronic logic devices is their ability to generate highly spin-polarized currents in two- and three-terminal tunnel junctions, which can lead to devices that consume much less power than traditional charge-based ones. Recent advancements in material engineering give hope for the rapid development and deployment of these new spintronic technologies.

Supply chain performance is crucial for organizational success and gaining competitive advantage. Information technology plays a pivotal role by enhancing real-time visibility, communication, and coordination among stakeholders. Effective information sharing further accelerates decision-making, reduces lead times, and improves responsiveness to market demands, thereby enhancing overall supply chain performance. This study aims to investigate the impact of informations sharing and information technology on supply chain performance within the manufacturing sector of Saudi Arabia. Data were gathered from 350 employees using a convenient sampling technique. Employing a deductive quantitative approach and cross-sectional research design, data were analysed using SPSS and Smart PLS. The findings from Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) indicate that information technology significantly and positively influences supply chain performance. Similarly, information sharing also demonstrates a positive and significant impact on supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia. These results contribute theoretically to the literature on Saudi Arabian manufacturing contexts. Additionally, future research could assist policymakers and investment bodies in prioritizing information technology infrastructure to enhance supply chain performance. The study concludes with a discussion on limitations and proposes directions for future research.

Abstract The efficiency and quality of the emergency department are paramount to ensure that patients receive immediate and appropriate care. Issues such as lengthy waiting times, critical resource management and allocation, and patient scheduling are linked to increased morbidity and mortality, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable populations. This study aims to assess the performance of an emergency department hospital in Rio de Janeiro based on the analysis of resource utilization and queue performance. The methodology encompassed the development of the emergency macro-process, a preliminary statistical analysis of the collected data, and discrete event simulation under different demand conditions. The study found that the average length of stay in the emergency department was 58.12 minutes, potentially increasing to 104.58 minutes under a 15% demand stress. Improvement scenarios were tested, and their efficiencies were measured using data envelopment analysis in an output-oriented and constant return to scale model. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the proposed performance enhancements could make the hospital more responsive to demand peaks and emergencies, ensuring greater resilience and better resource utilization under adverse conditions.

Additive manufacturing of Al alloys has garnered attention in the aerospace and automobile industries. This is the first study on the formation of nanoscale Al precipitates in the Si phase of an AlSi10Mg alloy during electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF). Spherical Si particles were homogeneously dispersed in the Al matrix, highlighting the difference from the laser beam PBF (LB-PBF) microstructures. Nanoscale Al phase was formed with a crystallographic orientation relationship with the surrounding Si phase: (111)Si//(111)Al and [11¯0]Si//[11¯0]Al. The formation of Al nanoprecipitates was attributed to an interplay between non-equilibrium solidification, wherein excess Al was dissolved in the Si particles, and the subsequent decomposition of the supersaturated Si phase during high-temperature exposure owing to the preheating procedure. To the best of our knowledge, such formation of Al nanoparticles has not been reported in AlSi10Mg produced through conventional processing or LB-PBF. Thus, the unique thermal history of EB-PBF provides novel opportunities for microstructural evolution, which may be beneficial for the development of novel Al-based alloys.

Visible light-based volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM) technology has recently enabled rapid 3D printing of optically transparent resins in a single step. There is now strong interest in extending the design space of VAM to include opaque, scattering and composite materials. Microwave energy can penetrate more deeply than visible light into a broader family of materials. For microwaves to be useful for VAM, however it is necessary to have a fundamental understanding of material dielectric properties, microwave field propagation and localization. Here we present a multi-physics microwave beam formed-thermal diffusion model that addresses these needs. The model demonstrates its ability to optimize power delivery and curing time to obtain better thermal control. We validate the model with a proof-of-concept single-antenna experimental system operating at 10 GHz that is able to cure a wide variety of materials, including both optically translucent and opaque epoxy resins loaded with conductive additives with a minimum curing spot of 5 mm. While available microwave hardware operating at 40 Watt power cures the resins in 2.5 min, the model estimates the ability to cure in as less as 6 s at 1 Kilowatt power levels. This computational model and experiments lay the foundation for a future multi-waveguide microwave-based VAM system.

Melt pool geometry is a deterministic factor affecting the characteristics of metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) components. The wide array of physical and thermal phenomena involved during the formation of the AM melt pool, along with the great variety of alloy compositions and AM methods, coupled with the clear influence of multiple process parameters, make it difficult to predict the melt pool geometry under a given set of conditions. Therefore, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches such as Machine Learning (ML) is necessary for accurate predictions. Using a physics-informed feature selection strategy along with the application of atomic features for the first time, this work aims to offer accurately trained models relying on existing high-fidelity data for most common alloys in AM academia and industry, i.e., 316 L stainless steel, Ti6Al4V, and AlSi10Mg. Multiple ML algorithms were trained, and the results revealed that the average R2 and RMSE obtained by the K-fold cross-validation (K = 5) were significantly enhanced when laser and material properties, inspired by the analytical models for AM melt pool geometry, were used as the model features. Removing the excess features and applying atomic features further enhanced the accuracy of the models. As a result, R2 for the XGBoost, CatBoost, and GPR models were 0.907, 0.889, and 0.882, respectively, while the hold-out cross-validation led to 0.978, 0.976, and 0.945, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that the XGBoost model outperforms the Rosenthal equation. This approach provides a pathway to more accurately predict the properties of metal AM components.

This study investigates the impact of atmospheres (Ar and N2) on Fe-12Cr-6Al alloy fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) in terms of melt pool shape/size, microstructure, precipitate characteristics, and mechanical properties. The sample built in the N2 atmosphere exhibited lower porosity, wider melt pools, and no Al2O3 agglomeration. Oxygen content decreased from 0.012 to 0.0045 (wt.%), and nitrogen content increased from 0.013 to 0.02 (wt.%). The Ar-printed sample had a yield strength (YS) of 232 ± 15 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 286 ± 10 MPa, and total elongation (TE) of 6.4 ± 1.3 %, while the N2-printed sample showed significant improvements of the mechanical properties: YS of 315 ± 11 MPa, UTS of 401 ± 11 MPa, and TE of 7.8 ± 1.1 %. Therefore, N2 might be considered to replace Ar as a cost-effective shielding gas for FeCrAl alloys, with improved properties.

Pulsed laser assisted additive manufacturing has been demonstrated as a promising technology for controlling grain structure in 3D-printing processes. The integration of a nanosecond laser onto a wire arc additive manufacturing tool has enabled the localized printing of Inconel 718 with grain sizes meeting ASTM 9 standards (average measured grain size of 13.7μm) for wrought material within a single bead under solidification conditions that would otherwise produce 340μm columnar grains. The observed grain refinement holds promise, provided scale up is possible, for overcoming the highly anisotropic mechanical properties and microcracking associated with large columnar grains of Inconel 718 that have long stood in the way of leveraging the advantages of direct energy deposition printing techniques of difficult to machine alloys. Experiments on large bead sizes allowed for decoupling surface versus bulk nanosecond laser/liquid metal interaction mechanisms to determine that the source of the observed grain refinement is the collapse of cavitation bubbles originating from acoustic waves generated by momentum transfer into the melt of an ablation plasma. Additionally, experiments that increased the cavitation bubble density within the mushy zone during solidification by tuning the nanosecond laser scan path went beyond the 25 times reduction in grain size to a 70 times factor of refinement with a minimum average grain diameter approaching 4μm.

The oxidation behavior of copper-silver (Cu–Ag) alloy with the structure of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) processed by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) was investigated at 300 °C and 600 °C. The lightweight TPMSs increase surface area, boosting measurement sensitivity in oxidation studies. The presence of silver enhances oxidation resistance of Cu–Ag alloy compared to that of pure copper by slowing down the oxidation process and thinning the oxide layer. This suggests that silver in the alloy potentially suppresses the outward diffusion of copper from the substrate to the oxide layer. This effect is evident in the oxidation rate curves, where the introduction of silver changes the oxidation kinetics from a linear rate in Cu to a parabolic rate in Cu–2 wt.% Ag at 300 °C. Moreover, at 600 °C, silver induces a slower parabolic rate in Cu–2 wt.% Ag compared to Cu.

This study investigates the microstructural characteristics and the high-temperature mechanical behavior of Hastelloy X, fabricated via laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) technology. Hastelloy X, a solid solution-strengthened nickel-based superalloy known for its high strength and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures, has gained significant interest for the fabrication of complex aerospace components through LPBF technology. The study initially focuses on the impact of solution annealing heat treatment at 1227 °C on the alloy microstructure, based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. It then explores the fatigue and cyclic deformation response of the alloy at 750 °C across different strain ranges, comparing the as-built and solution-annealed conditions. To understand the observed differences in the cyclic mechanical response of as-built and solution-annealed LPBF HX, for a particular condition, a set of dedicated tests have been performed and interrupted at selected numbers of cycles in the different stages of the mechanical response. At each interruption point, specimens have been examined by TEM to provide an in-depth understanding of the effect of dislocation microstructural evolution on the high-temperature cyclic mechanical response of the alloy.

In extrusion-based additive manufacturing, achieving high surface quality typically involves using small layer heights to reduce the size of grooves between layers. However, this approach can be both less effective and time-consuming in big-area additive manufacturing. Therefore, the current focus is on investigating methods for printing with fewer layers without compromising surface quality. In this study, single-strand walls were printed using a two-component thermoset material, where different nozzle designs and printing strategies are explored to achieve the flattest possible surface. The success of each approach was evaluated by measuring the percentage of material that required removal to achieve a perfect vertical flat wall. The results suggested that incorporating vertical wings to contain the material in the desired shape was beneficial. Furthermore, the study introduced the idea of adjustable layer heights to mitigate layer deformation. This deformation is most noticeable in the initial layers but largely affects all subsequent printed layers. Finally, making the wings have an angle with regard to the printing direction or trapezoidal wings, served as a pressure funnel that produced the greatest improvement in surface quality. These changes allowed for a reduction of the amount of material which would need to be removed to achieve a flat wall without grooves from 14.3% for a standard print from a round nozzle, to 2.5% for an optimized strand. The research shows a promising path to producing entirely flat vertical structures, even when printing with still-deformable, thermoset materials in the context of big-area additive manufacturing.

Additive manufactured (AM) 94 % alumina was successfully 3D printed using the Lithography Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) technique. Each 3D printed sample was exposed to a different stage of the thermal post-process to identify changes in chemical composition at each stage. The thermal phases studied were the as printed green state, preconditioning at 120 °C, debinding at 600 °C, debinding at 1100 °C, and sintering at 1650 °C. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) were used to evaluate the changes in composition at each stage of the thermal post-process. Cross-sectional images of 3D printed alumina samples after thermal exposure were captured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Abstract ISO 14001 certification offers numerous benefits to companies, including improved efficiency, market access, and the fostering of an environmental organizational culture. However, many organizations, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), struggle to grasp and integrate Life Cycle Thinking into their processes, products, or services, as it's a requirement for ISO 14001:2015 certification. This article aims to present a step-by-step method for incorporating life cycle thinking into ISO 14001:2015 implementation, aligning it with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The methodology comprises three steps: i) a systematic literature review to identify life cycle thinking practices within ISO 14001:2015; ii) a detailed proposal for integrating LCT into ISO 14001:2015; and 3) a case study in a briquette manufacturing facility using this method for waste management. The results highlight that organizations can incorporate life cycle thinking into various ISO 14001:2015 clauses through simple and fast for use tools and activities, concurrently advancing SDGs. It's imperative for SMEs to integrate life cycle thinking into ISO 14001 implementation not only for tangible and intangible benefits but also because future ISO 14001 versions are expected to impose stricter life cycle requirements.

This study involves a comparative analysis of additively manufactured GRCop-42 specimens produced using two processes: laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) and laser powder direct energy deposition (LP-DED). The investigation characterizes a range of material attributes, including surface topography, internal defects, microstructural features, quasi-static mechanical properties, and fractographic characteristics. The findings demonstrate that, despite the specimens being fabricated with the same base material, the resulting material properties vary significantly between the two additive manufacturing processes. As such, material properties cannot be presumed to be uniform across different manufacturing methods. Consequently, material characterization must be conducted for individual manufacturing processes based on specific parameters.

Recent supply chain issues affecting the airfoil casting industry have renewed interest in industrial-scale 3D printing of ceramic cores. Ceramic cores are conventionally manufactured through injection molding. However, injection molding of low-volume production runs can be challenging because of the long lead times and high costs associated with mold tooling. 3D printing can mitigate up-front tooling costs, but there are other trade-offs, e.g., higher material costs of 3D printing feedstocks. Here, we develop a techno-economic model that accounts for costs (materials, tooling, equipment), core size, experience curve effects, and other important variables to determine threshold production volumes for which 3D printing is less expensive than conventional processing techniques. Using market data from 2019, our analysis shows that 3D printing a single dedicated core design with typical dimensions for aeroengine applications is less expensive than injection molding below ∼1,800 units. By simultaneously printing multiple core designs, this threshold increases to 120,000 units, or approximately 2 % of the 2019 aeroengine market demand. This threshold value decreases with increasing core size, indicating 3D printing is less favorable for large castings used in industrial gas turbines. These results are compared against the demand for ceramic cores in engine development, engine sustainment, and new engine manufacturing.

In-situ microstructural control is desirable in additively manufactured metal parts due to limited post-processing options for net-shaped components. Here, we introduce a novel selective rescanning approach to control the local solidification conditions and the microstructure in metal parts produced by laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF). We show that the melt pool dimensions, grain size, and sub-grain cell structure can be selectively varied in three dimensions to engineer the mechanical response of LPBF parts. The lattice-based rescanning strategy enables the formation of an interpenetrating microstructure comprised of fine and coarse grains. The localized heating and cooling-induced thermal stresses increase the hardness and tensile strength of rescanned specimens. The study shows the potential of selective rescanning strategy as a promising avenue for achieving precise control of microstructure and properties in as-printed LPBF parts without subsequent processing.