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Most existing studies about line balancing problems mainly focus on disassembly and assembly separately, which rarely integrate these two modes into a system. However, as critical activities in the remanufacturing field, assembly and disassembly share many similarities, such as working tools and processing sequence. Thus, this paper proposes a multi-objective hybrid production line balancing problem with a fixed number of workstations (HPLBP-FNW) considering disassembly and assembly to optimise cycle time, total cost, and workload smoothness simultaneously. And a novel Pareto-based hybrid genetic simulated annealing algorithm (PB-HGSA) is designed to solve it. In PB-HGSA, the two-point crossover and hybrid mutation operator are proposed to produce potential non-dominated solutions (NDSs). Then, a local search method based on a parallel simulated annealing algorithm is designed for providing a depth search around the NDSs to balance the global and local search ability. Numerical results by comparing PB-HGSA with the well-known algorithms verify the effectiveness of PB-HGSA in solving HPLBP-FNW. Moreover, the managerial insights based on a case study are given to inspire enterprise companies to consider hybrid production line in the remanufacturing process, which is beneficial to reduce the cycle time and total cost and improve the service life of the equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavator-based processors are a valuable machine to process trees at cable yarder landings. This paper contributes to the studies on productivity and time consumption of excavator-based processors at a landing in the North-western Italian Alps. The study analyzed the time consumption and productivity of an excavator-based processor in a spruce forest, focusing on operational factors influencing processing time and employing statistical modeling. Results showed that processing (21%) and stacking (19%) accounted for a significant portion of the total cycle time (254.2 s), with delays (48%) dominating due to waiting times for incoming loads. Regression analysis revealed that tree diameter, height, and number of logs significantly influenced cycle time. Productivity (25.7 m3 PMH−1) increased with tree volume, although larger trees required longer cycle times. Obtaining two logs per tree, when the tree volume increased by 0.1 m3, productivity increased by about 2.5 m3 PMH−1, while when obtaining five logs per tree, the increment in productivity for the same increase in tree volume was about 1.6 m3 PMH−1. Overall, the study demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of using excavator-based processors in forest operations in the Northwestern Italian Alps. The findings provide valuable insights into operational dynamics and economic considerations, highlighting the potential of this equipment as a cost-effective alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paving straw checkerboard barriers in the desert is an efficient measure of wind break and sand fixation. Generally, straw checkerboard barriers are paved manually. Focusing on the low automation level of straw checkerboard barrier paving, a portable paving vehicle for straw checkerboard barriers was designed in this paper. First, the portable paving vehicle for straw checkerboard barriers was designed using SolidWorks, and the design contents include a grass insertion mechanism, an intermittent transmission mechanism, a metamorphic mechanism, and motor and power supply. Then, the load test of the grass insertion mechanism was carried out to determine the maximum force load of 25 N during the grass insertion process, and the strength of the rocker and the horizontal slide rod were checked. Among them, the safety factor of the rocker rod and the horizontal slide rod were 1 and 1.5, respectively, and the allowable stress of the rocker rod and the horizontal slide rod was 27.3 MPa and 205 MPa. The maximum stresses of 0.92 MPa and 67 MPa were less than the allowable stresses, which meet the strength requirements. In order to verify the design principle and the results of the strength check, the grass insertion mechanism, rocker, and horizontal slide rod were analyzed by using ABAQUS. The results show that the grass insertion mechanism has an obvious rapid return characteristic, which is in agreement with the design principle. At the same time, the maximum stress of the rocker rod and the horizontal slide rod was 1 MPa and 36 MPa, respectively, which meets the strength requirements. Finally, the physical prototype was manufactured and its running state was verified. The results show that the physical prototype can pave the straw checkerboard sand barrier on the sand normally, and the portable paving vehicle for straw checkerboard barriers can be a reference for other sand-control vehicles and provide an effective way of paving straw checkerboard barriers to control desertification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing production costs without sacrificing product quality is essential for the global market survival. The problem of line balancing, especially assembly line balancing, plays an important role for industry in achieving the highest quality and lowest cost. This project presents the simulation of line balancing the pesticide packaging assembly line in pesticidebased company. This study aims to develop a productive and effective way of assembling the product to meet customer demands. Line balancing is about arranging a production line so that the production flow from one workstation to the next is even. Line balancing also provides a successful tool to reduce bottleneck by balancing the task time of each workstation so that no delays occur, and nobody is overburdened with their work. The whole project contains study of line balancing through theoretical calculation and analysis done in the simulation model. The simulation was performed using the Process Simulator. Process simulator has been used to simulate the layout condition based in precedence diagram. The first step in using Process Simulator is to create a simulation model of a process in the Visio layout. This is accomplished by adding activities, entities, and resources to the Visio layout and then connecting them with arrival and routing connections. Overall simulation result shows that total unit produce for 5 weeks is 12,240 cartons with average time in system 11,293.85 minutes and average time in operation is 2.39 mins. Filling process and manual labelling process shows highest operation percentage. The percentage of blocked items increased before the bottleneck process. The assembly line plays a critical role in enabling the factory to deliver the right quantity and quality on time.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) have played an important role in modern factories or warehouses, replacing traditional conveyor-based sorting systems due to their flexibility and scalability. However, existing works on AGV sorting systems primarily focus on improving performance from mechanical perspectives or network optimization for routing design. There is a lack of discussion on how to provide a holistic assignment strategy that considers not only the assignment at the sorting area but also the impact of traffic flow from upstream stations in the system. This study introduces a novel two-stage optimization model for AGV sorting systems in central fill pharmacies, implemented via discrete-event simulation and a simulation-based heuristic algorithm. The methodology is based on a detailed analysis of the sorting system layout, assessing performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as throughput, utilization, and cycle time, complemented by a sensitivity analysis regarding the number of AGVs. Operational implications include improved assignment strategies that enhance overall system efficiency, reduced cycle time, and optimized resource utilization. Results demonstrate broad applicability across different automated systems, suggesting significant implications for operational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assembly line requires flexibility due to a shorter product life cycle. A way to increase flexibility is to utilize collaborative robots or cobots. Due to frequent product changes, redesigning an assembly line requires an efficient algorithm. This research aims to develop a genetic algorithm (GA) for solving a human-cobots assembly line design. The setup time of cobots is considered due to the flexibility of conducting multiple tasks by exchanging tools / end-effectors. The main contribution of the research is the efficient GA for solving assembly lines considering setup time. Secondly, the study proposed an upper limit parameter that enables faster computation without sacrificing the quality of the solution. The computational results showed that the algorithm could achieve an optimal solution with the number of tasks less than 35. Experiments of several data prove the proposed GA obtained solutions with an average gap of 3.83% to the optimal solution. Also, a faster computation time with an average difference of 64.66%. The proposed GA obtained a reasonable solution with fast computing time that helps improve efficiency and effectiveness in decision-making related to frequent redesigning of assembly lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are increasingly being challenged to shorten the cycle time between design, make, test, and analyze (DMTA) compounds. Automation of multiplex assays to obtain multiparameter data on the same robotic run is instrumental in reducing cycle time. Consequently, an increasing need in automated systems to streamline laboratory workflows with the goal to expedite assay cycle time and enhance productivity has grown in industrial and academic institutions in the past decades. Herein, we present a customized robotic platform with operational modularity and flexibility, designed to automate entire assay workflows involving multistep reagent dispensing, mixing, lidding/de-lidding, incubation, centrifugation, and final readout steps by linking spinnaker robot with various peripheral instruments. Compared to manual workflows, the system can seamlessly execute processes with high efficiency, evaluated by standard assay validation protocols for robustness and reproducibility. Furthermore, the system can perform multiple, independent protocols in parallel, and has high-throughput capacity. In this publication, we demonstrate that the modular robotic platform can fully automate multiplex assay workflows through ‘one-click-and-run’ solution with tremendous benefits in liberating manual intervention, boosting productivity while producing high-quality data combined with reduced cycle time (>20 %), as well as expanding the capacity for higher throughput.

The economic vitality of a nation is contingent upon the advancement of its manufacturing sectors, given their pivotal role in fostering economic growth. These industries frequently encounter challenges such as mitigating deterioration rates, enhancing revenue and reducing overall costs to optimize profits. Consequently, should an item deteriorate while in stock within manufacturing facilities, it results in a gradual escalation of holding costs and total expenses. In this paper discusses determining the most effective production policy for items prone to degradation, analyzing depreciating items using three-stage production inventory models with trapezoidal demand to minimize holding costs based on time-dependent factors in the manufacturing sector. This model aims to decrease overall costs and production time periods, contrasting with the higher cost values of the price-based constant method. Mathematical formulas were developed using MATLAB R2023b to validate the models findings and minimize the inventory systems cost.

IT organizations are investing heavily on artificial intelligence (AI), though the value realization and areas of application of AI are still limited and not explored completely. Artificial intelligence applications are using large set of data to train the system to either generate new content or to predict the outcomes. Predictive analytics is used in agile management projects for budgeting, forecasting and capacity management. The article represents the use of cycle time and cumulative flow diagram metrics in ActionableAgile or JIRA to predict in agile development projects for forecasting of inflow of work and for the improvement of current work processes.

Strategies for obtaining deep slots in soft materials can vary significantly. Conventionally, the tool travels along the slot, removing material mainly with the side cutting edges. However, a "plunge milling" strategy is also possible, performing the cut vertically, taking advantage of the tip cutting edges that almost reach the center of the tool. Although both strategies are already commonly used, there is a clear gap in the literature in studies that compare tool wear, surface roughness, and productivity in each case. This paper describes an experimental study comparing the milling of deep slots in AA7050-T7451 aluminum alloy, coated with a novel DLCSiO500W3.5O2 layer to minimize the aluminum adhesion to the tool, using conventional and plunge milling strategies. The main novelty of this paper is to present a broad study regarding different factors involved in machining operations and comparing two distinct strategies using a novel tool coating in the milling of aeronautical aluminum alloy. Tool wear is correlated with the vibrations of the tools in each situation, the cycle time is compared between the cases studied, and the surface roughness of the machined surfaces is analyzed. This study concludes that the cycle time of plunge milling can be about 20% less than that of conventional milling procedures, favoring economic sustainability and modifying the wear observed on the tools. Plunge milling can increase productivity, does not increase tool tip wear, and avoids damaging the side edges of the tool, which can eventually be used for final finishing operations. Therefore, it can be said that the plunge milling strategy improves economic and environmental sustainability as it uses all the cutting edges of the tools in a more balanced way, with less global wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In complex manufacturing systems, such as a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility (wafer fab), it is important to accurately predict cycle times and work-in-progress (WIP) levels. These key performance indicators are commonly predicted using detailed simulation models; however, the detailed simulation models are computationally expensive and have high development and maintenance costs. In this paper, we propose an aggregate modeling approach, where each work area, i.e., a group of functionally similar workstations, in the wafer fab is aggregated into a single-server queueing system. The parameters of the queueing system can be derived directly from arrival and departure data of that work area. To obtain fab-level predictions, our proposed methodology builds a network of aggregate models, where the network represents the entire fab consisting of different work areas. The viability of this method in practice is demonstrated by applying it to a real-world wafer fab. Experiments show that the proposed model can make accurate predictions, but also provide insights into the limitations of aggregate modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AS/RS is not just a replacement for conventional warehouses, but has become a key element in modern manufacturing systems. However, in its use there are still problems and shortcomings, including the unavailability of a system that can control, supervise, and acquire data from AS/RS and the cycle time when AS/RS performs data storage and retrieval tasks is still below industry standards. To overcome this, a system that is generally called SCADA (Supervisory, Control, and Data Acquisition) is needed. This research uses Arduino Mega 2560 as an AS/RS controller, while the VTSCADA application is used to build a SCADA system on AS/RS. This research uses two approaches. First, calculating the AS/RS cycle time when performing storage and retrieval tasks. Second, comparing the cycle time of the storage system and the retrieval system. The first test results show that the fastest cycle time in the storage system occurs at storage rack point 1 with a time of 3.17 seconds, while the fastest cycle time in the retrieval system occurs at retrieval point 1 with a time of 12.74 seconds. The second test resulted in a difference in cycle time between the storage and retrieval systems, namely 0.42 seconds at storage point 1, 0.38 seconds at storage point 2, 0.51 seconds at storage point 3, 0.31 seconds at storage point 4, and 0.43 seconds at storage point 5. It can be concluded that the application of SCADA to AS/RS is able to increase the cycle time of AS/RS.

Compressed air is widely utilised in manufacturing processes across all industries due to numerous advantages associated with its use. However, the energy efficiency of compressed air generation is often very low, making pneumatic systems one of the most expensive processes in a manufacturing facility. Additionally, compressed air leakages further artificially increase the demand and decrease their efficiency and productivity. This study focused on identifying the effects of pressure and flowrate regulation on the energy efficiency and productivity of a pneumatic automation system. By combining these two control strategies, a reduction in air consumption was achieved while also maintaining the system's cycle time in order to minimise productivity loss. The assessed system included various leaks of different sizes at different locations. When implementing pressure regulation, a reduction in air consumption of up to 22 per cent was achieved. As expected, this also resulted in an increase in cycle time of up to 19 per cent, which was then reduced to 7 per cent by regulating the system's flowrate at the end of use. Multi-criteria optimisation was subsequently employed to identify the optimal control parameters for a balanced effect on both air consumption and cycle time, affecting energy efficiency and productivity, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An automated vehicle storage and retrieval system (AVS/RS) is a widespread automated warehouse solution that hosts hundreds of stock-keeping units (SKU) and counts thousands of incoming and outgoing unit loads corresponding to a sequence of time-dependent storage and retrieval transactions. AVS/RS ensures high storage density, reduced cycle time, and high productivity. This study introduces and applies an original data-driven comparative and competitive multi-scenario methodology to measure and control the performance of a multi-deep tier-captive AVS/RS. This original methodology measures and controls the impact of lane depth (1), assignment strategy (2), opening strategy (3), and dispatching strategy (4) on the storage capacity, system throughput, and space efficiency in the design and configuration of an AVS/RS. The proposed methodology was applied to a real case study, demonstrating that the combination of the four leverages significantly affects system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long clinic wait times can contribute to treatment delays and decreased patient satisfaction. Veterans are often waiting in the urology clinic for a prolonged period that delays treatments including possible surgical interventions leading to patient dissatisfaction. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to decrease the overall procedural wait times in an outpatient urology clinic by implementing a Fast-Track procedural clinic. Methods: The Fast-Track procedural clinic was developed to expedite care for veterans actively under bladder or prostate cancer surveillance, employing lean methodology principles. We also utilized the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Survey (OAS CAHPS) tool to assess patient satisfaction with the newly implemented Fast-Track clinic. Wait times were collected and analyzed by SPSS statistical software to determine the effectiveness of a Fast-Track clinic. Results: The Fast-Track clinic was implemented to veterans presenting to the urology clinic for procedural appointments from June 2021 to December 2021. The usage of a Fast-Track clinic decreased the overall wait times from 131 to 75 minutes within 8 weeks (43% improvement). The OAS CAHPS tool found that 55% of veterans received easy-to-understand instructions pre-Fast-Track implementation, compared with 59% post-Fast-Track implementation (a 4% improvement). Furthermore, 82% of veterans reported that they did not receive written discharge instructions post-Fast-Track implementation compared with 32% pre-Fast-Track implementation. Conclusion: Incorporating a Fast-Track procedural clinic helped minimize wait times, leading to a reduction in procedural wait times and urologic surgical delays. Implications for Nursing: The implications for practice include future studies focusing on other strategies for improving clinic wait times including block schedules and qualitative measures in the urologic and other specialty areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDue to global advancement of technology in forest operations, utilization of advanced machineries such as grapple skidder (GS) in timber harvesting has been increasing in the last decades. However, in order to understand their contribution in sustainable harvesting operations, it is important to understand their performance under different operating environment. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify productivity and cost of mechanised skidding operations at Sao Hill Forest plantation (SHFP). Six variables; diameter at a breast height (dbh), tree height, skidding distance, slope, costs, and cycle time (determined using detailed continuous time study) were collected in 120 GS observations.GS productivity and costs were estimated using productive machine hour (PMH) and delays inclusion approach. Regression models were developed using a generalized linear model (GLM) approach. GS productivity under PMH was 2.6% higher than the one including delay time, while skidding costs was 2.1% higher in the approach including delays. This study revealed significant variations (p-value

It was necessary to research an efficient treatment process suitable for township domestic wastewater. In this paper, the performance of the cyclic activated sludge system (CASS) system for simultaneous carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal was investigated by changing the operation cycle of the CASS reactor. Four operating conditions were set up, T1, T2, T3 and T4, with cycle times of 6, 8, 12 and 8 h (with carbon source), respectively. The results showed that the CASS system had good simultaneous removal of C, N and P. The highest removal rates of COD, TN, NH4+ -N and TP were 87.69, 72.99, 98.60 and 98.38%, respectively, at a cycle time of 8 h. The TN removal rate could be increased to 82.51% after the addition of carbon source. Microbial community analysis showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Candidatus Saccharibacteria were the main phylum-level bacteria. Their presence facilitated the effectiveness of the CASS process for nitrogen removal and phosphorus removal. Functional analysis of genes revealed that the abundance values of genes associated with C, N and P metabolism were higher when the treatment was effective.

In turbulent times featuring increased customisation, higher demand volatility, and shortened product life cycles, companies gain a competitive advantage by adopting a single yet highly flexible assembly line. A cornerstone of today's production systems is determining the optimal takt time (or cycle time) by aligning the assembly pace with the desired level of output. In practice, most companies rely on a fixed takt time, even when the work content between models varies considerably. We show that, in contrast to a fixed takt system, variable takt times reduce not only labour inefficiencies but also the complexity of the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem. Inspired by our industry partner Fendt, an innovation leader in the global agricultural machinery market and benchmark for a wide range of industries, we define a generalisable mixed-integer programming model that accounts for key conditions neglected in previous research – in particular, random customisation through configuration-specific task times and assembly quality by assigning operator workloads to 'zones'. Introducing such operator work zones reveals that firms need not face a time–quality trade-off whereby takt time must be prioritised over how well work is performed. Our numerical study and takt time sensitivity analysis document the effectiveness of this approach when its results are compared with those under Fendt's current takt times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The purpose of the paper is to provide open-pit mining operations with practical strategies and insights to optimize truck loading and hauling cycles, ultimately leading to enhanced productivity and economic advantages. Methods. The objectives are to minimize loading time, optimize the haul road network, enhance truck performance, and optimize dumping and return time. By diligently implementing these methods and achieving these objectives, open-pit mining operations can significantly reduce the truck cycle times, resulting in increased productivity, lower costs and improved profitability. Findings. In this case, the total loading time of the excavator and shovel is determined to be 3.98 and 2.92 minutes, respectively, while the hauling time for total loading of the open-pit floor depends mainly on the average distance and speed of 239 m and 10.1 km/hour, which results in 1.53 minutes. Originality. As a result, the total cycle time for open-pit mining is 19.765 minutes, resulting from the total loading time, hauling time for total loading, total dumping time, and total return time for empty transport of 4.265, 8.46, 0.86 and 6.18 minutes, respectively. Practical implications. By combining theoretical analysis with practical insights and site-specific considerations, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive and applicable framework for optimizing truck cycle time in open-pit mining, resulting in improved efficiency and profitability of mining operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is frequently employed in biomedical engineering due to its biocompatibility. Traditionally, PEEK manufacturing methods involve injection molding, compression molding, additive manufacturing, or incremental sheet forming. Few studies have focused on rotational friction welding (RFW) with PEEK plastics. Based on years of RFW practical experience, the mechanical properties of the weldment are related to the burn-off length. However, few studies have focused on this issue. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to assess the effects of burn-off length on the mechanical properties of the welded parts using PEEK polymer rods. The welding pressure can be determined by the rotational speed according to the proposed prediction equation. The burn-off length of 1.6 mm seems to be an optimal burn-off length for RFW. For the rotational speed of 1000 rpm, the average bending strength of the welded parts was increased from 108 MPa to 160 Mpa, when the burn-off length was increased from 1 mm to 1.6 mm and the cycle time of RFW was reduced from 80 s to 76 s. A saving in the cycle time of RFW of about 5% can be obtained. The bending strength of the welded part using laser welding is lower than that using RFW, because only the peripheral material of the PEEK cylinder was melted by the laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the Systematic Layout Planning methodology was adapted with an Industry 4.0 approach (SLP-Ind. 4.0) to optimize the design of a Production Design Area in a Manufacturing Laboratory. To validate the proposed SLP-Ind. 4.0, a "representative" product assembly process involving a ladder-shaped structure made of five Lego® bricks was evaluated. Four layout alternatives were evaluated, one considering the process manually and another three incorporating automated equipment such as a cobot (Collaborative Robot), a vision system, and at least one conveyor belt. Experiments and simulations of the process were obtained indicators through simulation such as cycle time, the line efficiency and production capacity. The results demonstrate that the optimal alternative improves the efficiency of the manufactured parts by 16.84 % compared to the manual process. In addition, the selected option has desirable characteristics such as modularity, flexibility, and adequate human-machine interaction. Therefore, with the use of SLP-Ind. 4.0 it is easier to obtain adaptable layouts to the variations of the production processes, ensuring a versatile manufacturing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-sided assembly line balancing problems usually occur in plants producing big-sized products such as buses, trucks, and helicopters. In this type of assembly line, in each workstation, it is possible to install several workplaces, in which a single operator performs his/her own set of tasks at an individual mounting position. In this way, the operators can work simultaneously on the same product without hindering each other. This paper considers for the first time the multi-sided assembly line balancing problem with the objective of minimising the cycle time, proposing a new mathematical formulation to solve small-sized instances of this problem. Besides, a metaheuristic algorithm based on variable neighbourhood search hybridised with simulated annealing is developed to solve large-sized instances. The algorithm is called adaptive because of the adopted neighbourhood selection mechanism. A novel three-string representation is introduced to encode the problem solutions and six different neighbourhood generation structures are presented. The developed approach is compared to other meta-heuristics, considering some well-known in literature test instance and a real world assembly line balancing problem arising in a car body assembly line. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies for obtaining deep slots in soft materials can vary significantly. Conventionally, the tool travels along the slot, removing material mainly with the side cutting edges. However, a “plunge milling” strategy is also possible, performing the cut vertically, taking advantage of the tip cutting edges that almost reach the center of the tool. Although both strategies are already commonly used, there is a clear gap in the literature in studies that compare tool wear, surface roughness, and productivity in each case. This paper describes an experimental study comparing the milling of deep slots in AA7050-T7451 aluminum alloy, coated with a novel DLCSiO500W3.5O2 layer to minimize the aluminum adhesion to the tool, using conventional and plunge milling strategies. The main novelty of this paper is to present a broad study regarding different factors involved in machining operations and comparing two distinct strategies using a novel tool coating in the milling of aeronautical aluminum alloy. Tool wear is correlated with the vibrations of the tools in each situation, the cycle time is compared between the cases studied, and the surface roughness of the machined surfaces is analyzed. This study concludes that the cycle time of plunge milling can be about 20% less than that of conventional milling procedures, favoring economic sustainability and modifying the wear observed on the tools. Plunge milling can increase productivity, does not increase tool tip wear, and avoids damaging the side edges of the tool, which can eventually be used for final finishing operations. Therefore, it can be said that the plunge milling strategy improves economic and environmental sustainability as it uses all the cutting edges of the tools in a more balanced way, with less global wear.

Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) porous structures can be modulated by using different current waveforms during the anodic oxidation process. 3D-AAO nanopore structures with gradually increasing pore size and period length were prepared by pulsed anodization of aluminum sheets in phosphoric acid electrolyte using modified intermittent sawtooth pulses with gradually increasing current amplitude. The geometry of 3D-AAO nanopores can be precisely controlled by varying the amplitude step (ΔI) and the cycle time (T). It was shown that with increasing ΔI, three different nanopore structures were obtained and the modulation of the periodic structure became more and more obvious. By changing T, it is found that if T is too small, it is not sufficient to form microstructures corresponding to the shape of the current waveform. As T increases, a “Y”-shaped branching nanopore structure within a period will appear, and two branches may appear in one period. The branching length increases with the increase of current amplitude. Analysis of the anodic oxidation voltage-time (U-T) images reveals that there are two maxima and minima of oxidation voltage in one cycle, and the ratio of maxima to minima determines the number of branches of nanopores in one cycle. These novel and customized nanostructures can be widely used in photonic crystals, drug delivery, sensing and more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to locate a bottleneck in a printing production system. Design/methodology/approach: The study is conducted through a case study utilizing bottleneck detection methods based on processes cycle times. Findings: The study conducted reveals the problem that finding a bottleneck is not a simple task, and the methods used may point to another bottleneck. The study implies that not every method used identified the same process as the bottleneck of the production system under study. Research limitations/implications: The study describes a case of a single manufacturing company from the printing industry. The results of the research should be regarded as a pilot study. Practical implications: The results of the survey are of particular importance to managers in charge of production management, providing valuable insights and pointing out areas that require special attention and monitoring. Originality/value: In the TOC, the first step is to identify the bottleneck. The study shows that identifying a bottleneck in a production process is not an easy task. Different methods may indicate different bottlenecks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans are said to have habitual and non-habitual chewing sides; however, the functional differences between the chewing sides of implant-supported denture wearers have not been sufficiently clarified. This study aimed to clarify the presence or absence of functional differences between the chewing sides in implant-supported denture wearers. Forty-five patients with bilateral posterior implants were included in this study. The participants were asked to chew a gummy jelly on one side, and the masticatory movement was recorded using a Motion Visi-trainer (MVT V1). For 10 cycles from the fifth cycle after the start of mastication, the pattern of the movement path, the opening distance, the masticatory width, and the cycle time were calculated as parameters of masticatory movement. The amount of glucose eluted during the chewing of gummy jelly was measured and used as a parameter of masticatory performance. Each parameter representing masticatory movement and masticatory performance was compared between the right and left chewing sides and between the habitual and non-habitual chewing sides using a chi-squared test or a paired t-test. There was no difference in the frequency of masticatory path patterns between the right and left chewing sides. Most participants had a normal pattern on the habitual chewing side; however, abnormal patterns were also observed on the non-habitual chewing side. When comparing right and left chewing, no significant difference was observed between chewing sides in terms of opening distance, masticatory width, cycle time, or amount of glucose eluted (p > 0.05). When comparing the habitual and non-habitual chewing sides, masticatory movement on the habitual chewing side showed a larger opening distance (p < 0.001) and masticatory width (p = 0.008), shorter cycle time (p = 0.004), and higher masticatory performance (p < 0.001). It was suggested that there is a functional difference between the habitual and non-habitual chewing sides in the masticatory movement and masticatory performance of implant-supported denture wearers.

Abstract Purpose Clinical efficiency is a key component of the value-based care model and a driver of patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to identify and address inefficiencies at a high-volume radiation oncology clinic. Methods and materials Patient flow analysis (PFA) was used to create process maps and optimize the workflow of consultation visits in a gastrointestinal radiation oncology clinic at a large academic cancer center. Metrics such as cycle times, waiting times, and rooming times were assessed by using a real-time patient status function in the electronic medical record for 556 consults and compared between before vs after implementation of the PFA recommendations. Results The initial PFA revealed four inefficiencies: (1) protracted rooming time, (2) inefficient communications, (3) duplicated tasks, and (4) ambiguous clinical roles. We analyzed 485 consult-visits before the PFA and 71 after the PFA. The PFA recommendations led to reductions in overall median cycle time by 21% (91 min vs 72 min, p 2 h vs. 0% after implementation of the recommendations (p

Humans are said to have habitual and non-habitual chewing sides; however, the functional differences between the chewing sides of implant-supported denture wearers have not been sufficiently clarified. This study aimed to clarify the presence or absence of functional differences between the chewing sides in implant-supported denture wearers. Forty-five patients with bilateral posterior implants were included in this study. The participants were asked to chew a gummy jelly on one side, and the masticatory movement was recorded using a Motion Visi-trainer (MVT V1). For 10 cycles from the fifth cycle after the start of mastication, the pattern of the movement path, the opening distance, the masticatory width, and the cycle time were calculated as parameters of masticatory movement. The amount of glucose eluted during the chewing of gummy jelly was measured and used as a parameter of masticatory performance. Each parameter representing masticatory movement and masticatory performance was compared between the right and left chewing sides and between the habitual and non-habitual chewing sides using a chi-squared test or a paired t-test. There was no difference in the frequency of masticatory path patterns between the right and left chewing sides. Most participants had a normal pattern on the habitual chewing side; however, abnormal patterns were also observed on the non-habitual chewing side. When comparing right and left chewing, no significant difference was observed between chewing sides in terms of opening distance, masticatory width, cycle time, or amount of glucose eluted (p > 0.05). When comparing the habitual and non-habitual chewing sides, masticatory movement on the habitual chewing side showed a larger opening distance (p < 0.001) and masticatory width (p = 0.008), shorter cycle time (p = 0.004), and higher masticatory performance (p < 0.001). It was suggested that there is a functional difference between the habitual and non-habitual chewing sides in the masticatory movement and masticatory performance of implant-supported denture wearers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]