bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Color Calibration Based One-Shot Structured Light System
Authors: Zhou Yu , Zhao Dongwei , Yu Yao , Yuan Jie , Du Sidan
Published: August 2012

In one-shot color structured light systems, the color of stripe patterns are typically distorted with respect to color crosstalk, ambient light and the albedo of the scanned objects, leading to mismatch in the correspondence of color stripes between the projected and captured images. In this paper, an adaptive color calibration and Discrete Trend Transform algorithm are presented to achieve high-resolution 3D reconstructions. The adaptive color calibration, according to the relative albedo in RGB channels, can improve the accuracy of labeling stripe by alleviating the effect of albedo and ambient light while decoding the color. Furthermore, the Discrete Trend Transform in the M channel makes the color calibration an effective method for detecting weak stripes due to the uneven surfaces or reflectance characteristics of the scanned objects. With this approach, the presented system is suitable for scanning moving objects and generating high-resolution 3D reconstructions without the need of dark laboratory environments.
Abaxial growth and steric constraints guide leaf folding and shape in Acer pseudoplatanus
Authors: Couturier Etienne , Brunel Nicole , Douady Stéphane , Nakayama Naomi
Published: August 2012

• Premise of the study: How leaf shape is regulated is a long‐standing question in botany. For diverse groups of dicotyledon species, lamina folding along the veins and geometry of the space available for the primordia can explain the palmate leaf morphology. Dubbed the kirigami theory, this hypothesis of fold‐dependent leaf shape regulation has remained largely theoretical. Using Acer pseudoplatanus, we investigated the mechanisms behind the two key processes of kirigami leaf development.

• Methods: Cytological examination and quantitative analyses were used to examine the course of the vein‐dependent lamina folding. Surgical ablation and tissue culturing were employed to test the effects of physical constraints on primordia growth. The final morphology of leaves growing without steric constraints were predicted mathematically.

• Key results: The cytological examination showed that the lamina's abaxial side along the veins grows substantially more than the adaxial side. The abaxial hypergrowth along the veins and the lamina extension correlated with the lamina folding. When a primordium was released from the physical constraints imposed by the other primordia, it rapidly grew into the newly available space, while maintaining the curvature inward. The morphology of such a leaf was predicted to lack symmetry in the lobe shapes.

• Conclusions: The enhanced growth on the abaxial side of the lamina along the veins is likely to drive lamina folding. The surgical ablation provided clear support for the space‐filling nature of leaf growth; thus, steric constraints play a role in determination of the shapes of folded leaves and probably also of the final leaf morphology.
Is Breast Cancer Staging Obsolete?
Authors: Narod S.A.
Published: August 2012

The stages of breast cancer range from 0 to IV. In proper usage, “stage” describes the cancer at diagno-sis, although “stage” is also loosely used to describe cancer progression. For example, a stage II cancer is sometimes said to have progressed to become stage IV (but not stage III). [...]
Multidisciplinary Management of Cancer Patients: Chasing a Shadow or Real Value? An Overview of the Literature
Authors: Croke J.M. , El-Sayed S.
Published: August 2012

Purpose: Multidisciplinary cancer conferences (mccs) are designed to optimize patient outcomes. It appears intuitive that mccs are essential to clinical decision-making and patient management; however, it is unclear whether that belief is supported by evidence. Our objectives were to assess the currently published literature addressing the impact of mccs on clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Methods: Ovid medline was searched from 1950 to June 2010 using these keywords: “multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary/clinical meeting$/conference$/round$/team$,” “decision making,” “neoplasms$/cancer$/oncology/tumo(u)r conference$/board$/meeting$,” “multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary cancer conference$/meeting$.” All trials, guidelines, metaanalyses, reviews, and prospective and retrospective studies were included. Results: The keywords retrieved 595 abstracts, and 30 manuscripts were obtained. Most of the studies assessed the impact of mccs on clinical decision-making rather than on patient outcomes. Conclusions: Available evidence supports the belief that mccs significantly influence clinical decision-making and treatment recommendations. In contrast, scant evidence suggests that mccs improve patient outcomes. Unfortunately, the current literature is substantially heterogeneous and therefore does not allow for firm conclusions.
Effects of Radiation and Total Androgen Blockade on Serum Hemoglobin, Testosterone, and Erythropoietin in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Golfam M. , Samant R. , Eapen L. , Malone S.
Published: August 2012

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the incidence, time of onset, and extent of hemoglobin, testosterone, and erythropoietin changes in patients with localized prostate cancer receiving either radiation alone or radiation combined with total androgen blockade (tab). Methods: The study enrolled 35 patients (median age: 69 years) with clinically localized prostate cancer who received 3-dimensional conformal radiation with or without tab. Patients were generally treated with radiation alone (group 1), radiation plus short-term (≤6 months) tab (group 2), or radiation plus long-term (≥2 years) tab (group 3). Serum hemoglobin, testosterone, and erythropoietin in these patients were prospectively evaluated. Results: The mean baseline serum hemoglobin for group 1 (n = 20), group 2 (n = 6), and group 3 (n = 9) was 149 g/L, 153 g/L, and 143 g/L respectively. We observed no significant decline in serum hemoglobin, testosterone, or erythropoietin among patients treated with radiotherapy alone. A significant drop in serum testosterone was noted in the group 2 and 3 patients within 1 month (p < 0.001), reaching a plateau at approximately 6 months. That change was followed by a significant decline (p < 0.001) in serum hemoglobin at 3–6 months (137 g/L in group 2 and 129 g/L in group 3). We observed a small but statistically significant increase in serum erythropoietin (p < 0.001) of 8 U/L in group 2 and 4 U/L in group 3 after 6 months of tab. No immediate recovery in serum hemoglobin, testosterone, or erythropoietin was observed upon completion of tab. Conclusions: Although conformal radiotherapy alone for localized prostate cancer had no effect on serum hemoglobin, testosterone, or erythropoietin, tab led to a significant decline in testosterone, which was followed by decline in hemoglobin that was not a result of a deficiency of erythropoietin.
Long-Term Remission after Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation for Relapsed Histiocytic Sarcoma
Authors: Abu-Sanad A. , Warsi A. , Michel R.P. , Nahal A. , Popradi G. , Storring J.M. , Liberman A.S. , Alcindor T.
Published: August 2012

Histiocytic sarcoma is diagnosed according to established criteria. However, treatment is controversial: although lymphoma chemotherapy regimens are often used, their impact on the natural history of the disease is unclear. Here, we report a disease-free survival of 2 years after autologous stem-cell transplantation in a patient with relapsed histiocytic sarcoma.
Psychosocial Care for Cancer: A Framework to Guide Practice, and Actionable Recommendations for Ontario
Authors: Macdonald G.C. Turnbull , Baldassarre F. , Brown P. , Hatton–Bauer J. , Li M. , Green E. , Lebel S.
Published: August 2012

Objectives: We set out to create a psychosocial oncology care framework and a set of relevant recommendations that can be used to (1) improve the quality of comprehensive cancer care for Ontario patients and their families. (2) meet the psychosocial health care needs of cancer patients and their families at both the provider and system levels. Data Sources and Methods: The adapte process and the practice guideline development cycle were used to adapt the 10 recommendations from the 2008 U.S. Institute of Medicine standard Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs into the psychosocial oncology care framework. In addition, the evidence contained in the original document was used, in combination with the expertise of the working group, to create a set of actionable recommendations. Refinement after formal external review was conducted. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The new framework consists of 8 defining domains. Of those 8 domains, 7 were adapted from recommendations in the source document; 1 new domain, to raise awareness about the need for psychosocial support of cancer patients and their families, was added. To ensure high-quality psychosocial care and services, 31 actionable recommendations were created. The document was submitted to an external review process. More than 70% of practitioners rated the quality of the advice document as high and reported that they would recommend its use. Conclusions: This advice document advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care in response to the distress experienced by cancer patients and their families. The recommendations will be useful in future to measure performance, quality of practice, and access to psychosocial services.
A 96-Week Randomized Trial of Switching to Entecavir in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with a Partial Virological Response to Lamivudine
Authors: Heo Jeong , Park Jun Yong , Lee Heon Ju , Tak Won Young , Um Soon Ho , Kim Do Young , Yoon Ki Tae , Park Soo Young , Seo Yeon Seok , Han Kwang-Hyub , Cho Mong , Ahn Sang Hoon
Published: August 2012

Background

Growing numbers of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in the Asia-Pacific region have failed first-line therapy with low genetic barrier drugs. This prospective, 96-week study investigated the antiviral efficacy, safety and tolerability of switching to entecavir versus maintaining lamivudine in CHB patients with a partial virological response to lamivudine.

Methods

A total of 72 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients, with serum HBV DNA≥60 IU/ml after ≥6 months lamivudine monotherapy were randomized 1:1 to receive either entecavir 1.0 mg/day, or continued lamivudine 100 mg/day.

Results

Mean duration of prior lamivudine treatment was 15.1 months in the lamivudine-maintained patients and 16.1 months in the entecavir-switch patients, with mean baseline HBV DNA levels of 4.66 and 4.55 log10 IU/ml, respectively. A greater proportion of entecavir-switch than lamivudine-maintained patients achieved undetectable HBV DNA at all time points (67.6% versus 11.4% at week 96; P<0.001). Entecavir-switch patients achieved a greater mean decrease in HBV DNA level by week 4, maintained through week 96. Entecavir-switch patients with baseline HBV DNA<5 log10 IU/ml were more likely to achieve a virological response at week 96. A total of 6 (17.6%) entecavir-switch and 2 (5.7%) lamivudine- maintained patients achieved HBeAg loss, and 3 (8.8%) entecavir and 1 (2.9%) lamivudine patients achieved HBeAg seroconversion. Genotypic resistance to the assigned intervention emerged in 82.9% (29/35) of lamivudine-maintained patients, and in 3% (1/34) of entecavir-switch patients after 96 weeks.

Conclusions

Switching to entecavir in patients with a partial virological response to lamivudine resulted in increased virological efficacy and lower rates of antiviral resistance than maintaining lamivudine.
Mystification et esthétique moderne
Authors: Carpenter Scott
Published: August 2012

De la littérature à la mystification il n’y a qu’un pas. D’une part, toute fiction est une simulation ;d’autre part, la fausseté sous toutes ses formes (ruses, hypocrisies, tromperies) fournit depuis des siècles la matière première des récits. Or, à partir de la fin du dix-huitième siècle, la mystification commencera à évoluer, pour jouer un rôle important dans ce qu’il convient d’appeler aujourd’hui l’esthétique moderne. En nous appuyant sur des exemples textuels, puisés surtout chez Diderot, Mérimée et Baudelaire, nous démontrerons la transition depuis l’illustration d’un artifice vers sa mise-en-scène ( performance ), où le lecteur se trouve à la place de la dupe. Par ailleurs, dans les textes modernes, on omet généralement la révélation qui permettrait un retour à la norme : la mystification moderne déstabilise la lecture, laissant le lecteur définitivement en suspens.
Démystifier le mystique : Joséphin Péladan et les cercles rosicruciens à l'épreuve du rire fin de siècle
Authors: Delille Damien
Published: August 2012

Les salons artistiques de la Rose-Croix animés par Joséphin Péladan sont l’objet d’un nombreimportant de caricatures qui nourrissent de multiples entreprises de démystification associant les productions symbolistes à l’apologie de divers désordres érotiques, propices à un efféminement du masculin. L’émergence d’une rhétorique de la dégénérescence, largement alimentée par les traités de psychopathologie de l’époque, tend ainsi à cliver la différence des genres sexuels, tandis que les milieux symbolistes proposent d’autres modèles, basés sur le refus de la sexualité et sur un idéal « ariste ». De cette opposition naît la dénonciation de ces groupuscules d’obédience spiritualiste, dans l’amalgame entre le mystique, l’esthète et l’homosexuel, révélant au passage la peur masculine d’être soumis à la suggestion féminine.
The Node-to-Node Graph Matching Algorithm Schema
Authors: Zhao Guoxing , Ma Jixin
Published: August 2012

Many graph matching algorithms follow the approach of node-similarity measurement, that is, matching graphs by means of comparing the corresponding pairs of nodes of the graphs. Based on this idea, the authors propose a high-level schema for node-to-node graph matching, namely N2N graph matching algorithm schema. The chapter shows that such a N2N graph matching algorithm schema is versatile enough to subsume most of the representative node-to-node based graph matching algorithms. It is also shown that improved algorithms can be derived from this N2N graph matching schema, compared with various corresponding algorithms. In addition, the authors point out the limitation and constraints of the propose algorithm schema and suggest some possible treatments.
Hypergraph Based Visual Segmentation and Retrieval
Authors: Huang Yuchi
Published: August 2012

This chapter explores original techniques for the construction of hypergraph models for computer vision applications. A hypergraph is a generalization of a pairwise simple graph, where an edge can connect any number of vertices. The expressive power of the hypergraph models places a special emphasis on the relationship among three or more objects, which has made hypergraphs better models of choice in a lot of problems. This is in sharp contrast with the more conventional graph representation of visual patterns where only pairwise connectivity between objects is described. This chapter draws up from three aspects to carry the discussion of hypergraph based methods in computer vision: (i) The advantage of the hypergraph neighborhood structure is analyzed. The author argues that the summarized local grouping information contained in hypergraphs causes an ‘averaging’ effect which is beneficial to the clustering problems; (ii)The chapter discusses how to build hypergraph incidence structures and how to solve the related unsupervised and semi-supervised problems for two different computer vision scenarios: video object segmentation and image retrieval; (iii) For the application of image retrieval, the chapter introduces a novel hypergraph model — probabilistic hypergraph to exploit the structure of the data manifold by considering not only the local grouping information, but also the similarities between vertices in hyperedges.
Recent Advances on Graph-Based Image Segmentation Techniques
Authors: Zeng Chao , Jia Wenjing , He Xiangjian , Xu Min
Published: August 2012

Image segmentation techniques using graph theory has become a thriving research area in computer vision community in recent years. This chapter mainly focuses on the most up-to-date research achievements in graph-based image segmentation published in top journals and conferences in computer vision community. The representative graph-based image segmentation methods included in this chapter are classified into six categories: minimum-cut/maximum-flow model (called graph-cut in some literatures), random walk model, minimum spanning tree model, normalized cut model and isoperimetric graph partitioning. The basic rationales of these models are presented, and the image segmentation methods based on these graph-based models are discussed as the main concern of this chapter. Several performance evaluation methods for image segmentation are given. Some public databases for testing image segmentation algorithms are introduced and the future work on graph-based image segmentation is discussed at the end of this chapter.
Generative Group Activity Analysis with Quaternion Descriptor
Authors: Zhu Guangyu , Yan Shuicheng , Han Tony X. , Xu Changsheng
Published: August 2012

Activity understanding plays an essential role in video content analysis and remains a challenging open problem. Most of previous research is limited due to the use of excessively localized features without sufficiently encapsulating the interaction context or focus on simply discriminative models but totally ignoring the interaction patterns. In this chapter, a new approach is proposed to recognize human group activities. Firstly, the authors designed a new quaternion descriptor to describe the interactive insight of activities regarding the appearance, dynamic, causality, and feedback, respectively. The designed descriptor along with the conventional velocity and position are capable of delineating the individual and pairwise interactions in the activities. Secondly, considering both activity category and interaction variety, the authors propose an extended pLSA (probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis) model with two hidden variables. This extended probabilistic graphic paradigm constructed on the quaternion descriptors facilitates the effective inference of activity categories as well as the exploration of activity interaction patterns. The extensive experiments on realistic movie and human group activity datasets validate that the multilevel features are effective for activity interaction representation and demonstrate that the graphic model is a promising paradigm for activity recognition.
Normalized Projection and Graph Embedding via Angular Decomposition
Authors: Sun Dengdi , Ding Chris , Tang Jin , Luo Bin
Published: August 2012

Dimensionality reduction plays a vital role in pattern recognition. However, for normalized vector data, existing methods do not utilize the fact that the data is normalized. In this chapter, the authors propose to employ an Angular Decomposition of the normalized vector data which corresponds to embedding them on a unit surface. On graph data for similarity/kernel matrices with constant diagonal elements, the authors propose the Angular Decomposition of the similarity matrices which corresponds to embedding objects on a unit sphere. In these angular embeddings, the Euclidean distance is equivalent to the cosine similarity. Thus data structures best described in the cosine similarity and data structures best captured by the Euclidean distance can both be effectively detected in our angular embedding. The authors provide the theoretical analysis, derive the computational algorithm, and evaluate the angular embedding on several datasets. Experiments on data clustering demonstrate that the method can provide a more discriminative subspace.
Why Get Your Engineering Programme Accredited?
Authors: Goodhew Peter
Published: August 2012

In many countries engineering degree programmes can be submitted for accreditation by a professional body and/or graduate engineers can be certified or registered. Where this is available most academic institutions feel that they must offer accredited engineering programmes. The author suggests that these processes are at best ineffective (they do not achieve their aims) and at worst they are destructive of creativity, innovation and confidence in the academic community. The author argues that such processes (including any internal certification within the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate, i.e., CDIO Initiative) should be abandoned completely. The author proposes alternative ways of maintaining the quality of engineering design and manufacture, which place the responsibility where it properly lies – with the manufacturer or contractor. This is a polemic piece, not a referenced review of accreditation.
Categorization of Losses across Supply Chains
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Syed Faraz , Sinha Geetika
Published: August 2012

Supply chain loss can occur during transit and storage, leading to unnecessary inefficiencies. The literature details much of the traditional losses, albeit descriptively and for developed economies. Through several case studies conducted on the Indian manufacturers and retailers, this case study discusses the losses specific to supply chains operating in developing economies that are difficult to control and prevent even with contemporary enabling technologies such as RFID. This chapter also suggests some possible measures to counter such losses, so as to increase the efficiency and enhance the resilience of the supply chain. An understanding of these losses and their possible mitigation through improved flows, reduced inventory, and reduced manpower, can equip firms for better supply chain risk and productivity management.
Modes of Open Innovation in Service Industries and Process Innovation
Authors: Kask Sean
Published: August 2012

This broad study empirically compares the returns to different open innovation approaches, namely forms of pecuniary acquisition and non-pecuniary sourcing, on both product and process innovation in low-tech service and manufacturing firms. A fixed-effects analysis reveals differing patterns of the effectiveness of open innovation strategies across sectors and type of innovation outcome, along with decreasing returns from being “too open”. In general, the purchase of intangible intellectual property and broad search breadth have greater effects on product innovation, whereas the returns to knowledge embodied in physical artefacts and to drawing deeply from external sources are greater for process innovation. Overall, external sources of knowledge more strongly predict innovation in low-tech service firms than in the manufacturing sector. The final section considers implications for managers and policy makers.
Learning Parametric Designing
Authors: Schnabel Marc Aurel
Published: August 2012

Parametric designing, its instruments, and techniques move architectural design education towards novel avenues of deep learning. Akin to learning and working environments of engineering and manufacturing, it offers similar advantages for architects. Yet it is not as simple as using another tool; parametric designing fundamentally shifts the engagement with the design problem. Parametric designing allows architects to be substantially deeper involved in the overall design and development process extending it effectively beyond production and lifecycle. Leaning parametric design strategies enhance architects’ critical engagement with their designs and their communication. Subsequently, the computational aid of parametric modelling alters substantially how and what students learn and architects practice.
Integration of Fuzzy Logic Techniques into DSS for Profitability Quantification in a Manufacturing Environment
Authors: Elamvazuthi Irraivan , Vasant Pandian , Ganesan Timothy
Published: August 2012

Production control, planning, and scheduling are forms of decision making, which play a crucial role in manufacturing industries. In the current competitive environment, effective decision-making has become a necessity for survival in the marketplace. This chapter provides insight into the issues relating to integration of fuzzy logic techniques into decision support systems for profitability quantification in a manufacturing environment. The chapter is divided into five sections with a general introduction of the topic, followed by a thorough literature review on the existing techniques. Thereafter, fuzzy logic algorithms using logistic membership functions and resource variables for decision making aiming at quality improvement are discussed. A case study involving a textile firm is then described with the computational results and findings, and finally, future research directions are presented.
Control Model for Intelligent and Demand-Driven Supply Chains
Authors: Strandhagen Jan , Dreyer Heidi C. , Romsdal Anita
Published: August 2012

Orchestrating supply chains is challenging. This chapter describes how to control a supply chain to make it truly demand-driven – based on the assumption that all relevant information is made available to all partners in real time. The chapter explores the elements of a framework for intelligent and demand-driven supply chain control, with regards to the overall concept and associated principles, and demonstrates these in a case example. Challenges to the realization of the proposed control model include trust and power, supply chain dynamicity and uncertainty, and required investments in competence, standardization, and information and communication technology. Some of these can be met through initial small-scale implementations of the proposed model, to demonstrate effects, and by exploiting facilities for information sharing and collaboration, like supply chain dashboards and control studios. Future research within operations management, technology and information and communications technology (ICT) will support broader realization of the proposed control model.
Reducing Design Margins by Adaptive Compensation for Thermal and Aging Variations
Authors: Qi Zhenyu , Zhang Yan , Stan Mircea
Published: August 2012

Corner-based design and verification are based on worst-case analysis, thus introducing over-pessimism and large area and power overhead and leading to unnecessary energy consumption. Typical case-based design and verification maximize energy efficiency through design margins reduction and adaptive computation, thus helping achieve sustainable computing. Dynamically adapting to manufacturing, environmental, and usage variations is the key to shaving unnecessary design margins, which requires on-chip modules that can sense and configure design parameters both globally and locally to maximize computation efficiency, and maintain this efficiency over the lifetime of the system. This chapter presents an adaptive threshold compensation scheme using a transimpedance amplifier and adaptive body biasing to overcome the effects of temperature variation, reliability degradation, and process variation. The effectiveness and versatility of the scheme are demonstrated with two example applications, one as a temperature aware design to maintain IONto IOFFcurrent ratio, the other as a reliability sensor for NBTI (Negative Bias Temperature Instability).
Decision Support Framework for the Selection of a Layout Type
Authors: Slomp Jannes , Bokhorst Jos A.C.
Published: August 2012

One of the most important design decisions in a firm is the choice for a manufacturing layout type. This chapter shows which aspects have to be taken into account and suggests a systematic method for the decision problem. The method can be seen as a decision support framework, which links the various aspects. The framework is based on the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) approach. A case study, concerning a Dutch firm, illustrates the applicability of the framework in a practical instance.
Petri Net Model Based Design and Control of Robotic Manufacturing Cells
Authors: Yasuda Gen’ichi
Published: August 2012

The methods of modeling and control of discrete event robotic manufacturing cells using Petri nets are considered, and a methodology of decomposition and coordination is presented for hierarchical and distributed control. Based on task specification, a conceptual Petri net model is transformed into the detailed Petri net model, and then decomposed into constituent local Petri net based controller tasks. The local controllers are coordinated by the coordinator through communication between the coordinator and the controllers. Simulation and implementation of the control system for a robotic workcell are described. By the proposed method, modeling, simulation, and control of large and complex manufacturing systems can be performed consistently using Petri nets.
Optimization and Mathematical Programming to Design and Planning Issues in Cellular Manufacturing Systems under Uncertain Situations
Authors: Ghezavati Vahidreza , Saidi-Mehrabad Mohammad , Jabal-Ameli Mohammad Saeed , Makui Ahmad , Sadjadi Seyed Jafar
Published: August 2012

In practice, demands, costs, processing times, set-up times, routings, and other inputs to classical cellular manufacturing systems (CMS) problems may be highly uncertain, which can have a major impact on characteristics of manufacturing system. So, development models for cell formation (CF) problem under uncertainty can be a suitable area for researchers and belongs to a relatively new class of CMS problems that not researched well in the literature. In this way, random parameters can be either continuous or described by discrete scenarios. If probability information is known, uncertainty is described using a (discrete or continuous) probability distribution on the parameters, otherwise, continuous parameters are normally limited to lie in some pre-determined intervals. This chapter introduces basic concepts about uncertainty themes associated with cellular manufacturing systems and briefly reviews literature survey for this type of problem. The chapter also discusses the characteristics of different mathematical models in the context of cellular manufacturing.
Constrained Optimization of JIT Manufacturing Systems with Hybrid Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Xanthopoulos Alexandros , Koulouriotis Dimitrios E.
Published: August 2012

This research explores the use of a hybrid genetic algorithm in a constrained optimization problem with stochastic objective function. The underlying problem is the optimization of a class of JIT manufacturing systems. The approach investigated here is to interface a simulation model of the system with a hybrid optimization technique which combines a genetic algorithm with a local search procedure. As a constraint handling technique we use penalty functions, namely a “death penalty” function and an exponential penalty function. The performance of the proposed optimization scheme is illustrated via a simulation scenario involving a stochastic demand process satisfied by a five–stage production/inventory system with unreliable workstations and stochastic service times. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the sensitivity of the objective function in respect of the arrival rate, the service rates and the decision variable vector.
Comparison of Connected vs. Disconnected Cellular Systems
Authors: Süer Gürsel A. , Lobo Royston
Published: August 2012

In this chapter, two cellular manufacturing systems, namely connected cells and disconnected cells, have been studied, and their performance was compared with respect to average flowtime and work-in-process inventory under make-to-order demand strategy. The study was performed in a medical device manufacturing company considering their a) existing system b) variations from the existing system by considering different process routings. Simulation models for each of the systems and each of the options were developed in ARENA 7.0 simulation software. The data used to model each of these systems were obtained from the company based on a period of nineteen months. Considering the existing system, no dominance was established between connected cells vs. disconnected cells as mixed results were obtained for different families. On the other hand, when different process routings were used, connected system outperformed the disconnected system. It is suspected that one additional operation required in the disconnected system as well batching requirement at the end of packaging led to poor performance for the disconnected cells. Finally, increased routing flexibility improved the performance of the connected cells, whereas it had adverse effects in the disconnected cells configuration.
A LabVIEW-Based Remote Laboratory
Authors: You Yuqiu
Published: August 2012

Current technology enables the remote access of equipment and instruments via the Internet. While more and more remote control solutions have been applied to industry via Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and the Internet, there exist requirements for the applications of such technologies in the academic environment (Salzmann, Latchman, Gillet, and Crisalle, 2003). One typical application of remote control solutions is the development of a remote virtual laboratory. The development of a remote-laboratory facility will enable participation in laboratory experiences by distance students. The ability to offer remote students lab experiences is vital to effective learning in the areas of engineering and technology. This chapter introduces a LabVIEW-based remote wet process control laboratory developed for manufacturing automation courses. The system architecture, hardware integration, hardware and software interfacing, programming tools, lab development based on the system, and future enhancement are demonstrated and discussed in the chapter.
Adoption of Information Technology Governance in the Electronics Manufacturing Sector in Malaysia
Authors: Teo Wil Ly , Tan Khong Sin
Published: August 2012

Past studies and surveys of top management in business and information technology (IT) have shown the importance of strong IT governance in delivering results to the business. This research investigates the extent to which empirical results from past studies is applicable to the electronics manufacturing sector in Malaysia. Empirical evidence from 33 organisations in this sector indicates that having the right decision owners making appropriate decision types lead to better IT governance performance. Organisations with growth as their primary goal demonstrate marginally higher IT governance performance, contrary to expected outcomes. The research also shows that awareness of industry IT governance frameworks is not related to IT governance performance. We conclude that adoption of IT governance is on track, though familiarity with technicalities of the available frameworks should be improved.
Research into the Path Evolution of Manufacturing in the Transitional Period in Mainland China
Authors: Chen Tao , Kang Li , Ma Zhengfeng , Zhu Zhiming
Published: August 2012

Manufacturing transition is an important part of industrial upgrading. At present, Chinese scholars study the problem of manufacturing chiefly from two perspectives: The first is to discuss the status quo of Chinese manufacturing from the perspective of industrial competitiveness, with countermeasures put forward against manufacturing upgrading. The second is to directly discuss the upgrading of manufacturing from the perspective of global value chain, with the following proposal put forward: Chinese manufacturing upgrading should stretch from the low end to both ends of value chain. In addition, a discussion is also made to the role of producer services in promoting manufacturing, and the role of governmental regulations in upgrading manufacturing. Although these two perspectives are rational, they have some defects: Both of them are based on the hypothesis that the institutional environment in which manufacturing lies is stationary, and manufacturing is considered and measured with systems as exogenous variables; so the impact of institutional environment on manufacturing upgrading is overlooked. Based on reviewing previous literature, this chapter analyzes and discusses the path evolution of manufacturing in the transitional period in mainland China.
UB1-HIT Dual Master’s Programme
Authors: Chen David , Vallespir Bruno , Bourrières Jean-Paul , Alix Thècle
Published: August 2012

This chapter presents a double complementary international collaboration approach between the University of Bordeaux 1 (UB1) and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). Within this framework, the higher education collaboration (dual Master’s degree programme) is supported by research collaboration that has existed for more than 15 years. Furthermore this collaboration is based on the complementarities of competencies of the two sides: production system engineering (UB1) and software system engineering (HIT). After a brief introduction on the background and overview, the complementarities between UB1 and HIT are assessed. Then a formal model of the curriculum of the dual UB1-HIT Master’s programme is shown in detail. A unified case study on manufacturing resource planning (MRPII) learning is presented. Preliminary results of the Master’s programme are discussed on the basis of an investigation carried out on the first two cohorts of students.
Operator Assignment Decisions in a Highly Dynamic Cellular Environment
Authors: Süer Gürsel A. , Alhawari Omar
Published: August 2012

Operators are assigned to operations in labor-intensive manufacturing cells using two assignment strategies: Max-Min and Max. The major concern is to see how these two approaches impact operators’ skill levels and makespan values in a multi-period environment. The impact is discussed under chaotic environment where sudden changes in product mix with different operation times are applied, and also under non-chaotic environment where same product mix is run period after period. In this chapter, operators’ skill levels are affected by learning and forgetting rates. The Max-Min strategy improved operators’ skill levels more significantly than Max in this multi-period study; particularly in chaotic environment. This eventually led to improved makespan values under Max-Min strategy.
Direct Building Manufacturing of Homes with Digital Fabrication
Authors: Sass Lawrence
Published: August 2012

Architecture, engineering, and construction industries maintain a long standing desire to enhance design communication through various forms of 3D CAD modeling. In spite the introduction of Building Information Modeling (BIM), designers and builders expect varying amounts of communication loss once construction has started due to indirect construction techniques or hand based methods to manufacture buildings. This is especially true for houses and small structures, buildings that makeup the core of villages and suburbs. Unfortunately, paper documentation and reading 3D CAD models on screen continue the trend of indirect production defined in most manufacturing industries as error. The emerging application of CAD/CAM within design and construction industries provides hope for elevated communication between design and building. With CAD/CAM, it is possible to manufacture buildings of all types and sizes directly from CAD files similar to mass produced artifacts, thus reducing complexity in communication between parties. This chapter is presentation of one process of direct manufacturing from CAD and the emerging possibilities for small building production using digital fabrication. The chapter will focus on houses to illustrate the potential of direct manufacturing of buildings from CAD data.
Offshoring Process
Authors: Slepniov Dmitrij , Wæhrens Brian , Katayama Hiroshi
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to the knowledge on how production offshoring and international operations management vary across cultural contexts. The chapter attempts to shed light on how companies approach the process of offshoring in different cultural contexts. In order to achieve this objective, the authors employ a qualitative methodology and compare three Danish and three Japanese manufacturing companies. On the basis of this comparative investigation, the authors find that the parent companies from both contexts employ offshoring as a remedy for the challenges of globalisation. Yet there are clear differences in how offshoring is conducted in Denmark and Japan. The main differences are outlined in a framework and explained employing cultural variables. The findings lead to a number of propositions suggesting that the process of offshoring is not simply a uniform technical-rational calculation of the most efficient organisation of activities across national borders, but it is rather specific to the parent companies’ national contexts.
Knowledge Management in SMEs
Authors: Habhab-Rave Saïda
Published: August 2012

Global economy is transforming the sources of the competitive advantages of firms, especially for firms embedded in local manufacturing systems. Based on the theoretical contributions to knowledge management and industrial districts, this paper describes alternatives firm’s strategies and upgrading options by exploring the relationships among innovation, marketing and network technologies. Starting from the analysis of the global competitiveness report and the European Innovation Scoreboard, this paper focuses on the case of firms specializing in “furniture and textile” industries (fashion, mode, home products) to outline a framework explaining the new competitive opportunities for SMEs. Through a qualitative analysis, this paper presents two case studies of French firms that promote successful strategies based on a coherent mix of R&D based innovation, experienced marketing and design, by leveraging on ICT.
Developments in Modern Operations Management and Cellular Manufacturing
Authors: Modrák Vladimír , Semanco Pavol
Published: August 2012

Operations management as a knowledge domain appears to be gaining position as a respected and dynamic academic discipline that is undergoing constant development. Therefore, from time to time it is sensible to monitor and analyze its developments by summarizing new features into comprehensive ideas. To support this necessity, the major publications/citations in this field and their evolving research utility over the decades are identified in this chapter. Because the goal of this book is to present the advancements in the area of operations management research, especially of advanced topics related to the layout design for cellular manufacturing, the second part of this chapter is focused on developments in cellular manufacturing approaches and methods by mapping literature sources during the last decade. Finally, the relationships between concept or/and tools in both areas that are empirically considered as consequences or coincidences are identified.
Fashion Supply Chain Management through Cost and Time Minimization from a Network Perspective
Authors: Nagurney Anna , Yu Min
Published: August 2012

In this chapter, we consider fashion supply chain management through cost and time minimization, from a network perspective, and in the case of multiple fashion products. We develop a multicriteria decision-making optimization model subject to multimarket demand satisfaction, and provide its equivalent variational inequality formulation. The model allows for the determination of the optimal multiproduct fashion flows associated with the supply chain network activities, in the form of: manufacturing, storage, and distribution, and identifies the minimal total operational cost and total time consumption. The model allows the decision-maker to weigh the total time minimization objective of the supply chain network for the time-sensitive fashion products, as appropriate. Furthermore, we discuss potential applications to fashion supply chain management through a series of numerical examples.
Complex Real-Life Supply Chain Planning Problems
Authors: Fahimnia Behnam , Ebrahimi Mohammad Hassan , Molaei Reza
Published: August 2012

Supply chain planning concerns the selection of strategies and methodologies to facilitate the optimal flow of material from raw material suppliers to end-users through procurement, production and distribution activities. Supply chain (SC) implementation has significant impacts on the financial performance of manufacturing and distribution companies. Developing real-life SC models with centralised planning naturally leads to complex models which are difficult to solve optimally. This chapter firstly presents a comprehensive review on the current literature of SC planning and optimisation and classifies the published models based on their complexity. Next, a mixed-integer non-linear formulation is presented for modelling complex real-life SC planning problems which accommodates the identified gaps in the current literature. Evaluation of the available tools and techniques for the optimisation of the proposed SC model will conclude this chapter.
E-Government Clusters
Authors: Sund Kristian J. , Adala Ajay Kumar Reddy
Published: August 2012

The concept of industrial clusters has received much attention in the literature over the past few decades and many examples of clusters exist today in a variety of industries, from manufacturing to services. Within such clusters, competitive cost and innovation advantages are generated through co-location. Very recently several examples of e-government clusters have emerged. This chapter offers a conceptualization of what an e-government cluster is, and how it may be different from other industrial clusters. This chapter is an attempt to formulate a framework for e-government clusters and bring out the necessary conditions for policy decisions to support the creation of such a cluster. An attempt has also been made to validate the proposed framework on the basis of case studies and to derive some recommendations to sustain the operation of e-government clusters.
New Design Paradigm
Authors: Sedenkov Vladimir M.
Published: August 2012

The multiple shortcomings of the current Design paradigm manifest the need of its modification. Our objective was to find out an appropriate mechanism. But such a mechanism could not be revealed without assistance of a Design theory. The emergent dilemma – to use one of the available theories or develop a new one – was resolved by choosing the third way: rearrangement of the material at hand on modularity principles with initiation of fundamental (systemic) Design theory module via identification of its paradigm. While doing this, we had to overcome a number of delusions ingrained in engineering design, concerned firstly with design problem, process and design representation. To push these efforts forward, a scientific base named Continuous Process Theory had been developed. Systemic module initiation enabled to define a paradigm of the second Design theory module – the sought-for Design practice paradigm. Discussion on the outcomes of this definition rounds off this chapter.
Cellular or Functional Layout?
Authors: Jerbi Abdessalem , Chtourou Hédi
Published: August 2012

The cellular layout has been compared to the traditional functional layout using multiple comparison methodologies that either lack objectivity or are highly time-consuming. The main purpose of this chapter is to propose a novel and objective methodology. Hence, a critical analysis of ten comparison studies is followed by the presentation of the layouts simulation models. Subsequently, the proposed comparison methodology is described. Following this methodology, simulations are conducted according to a plan of experiments developed from Taguchi standard orthogonal arrays. Consequently, results, expressed in Signal to Noise ratios, are analyzed using ANOVA. Next, a mathematical model is derived by interpolation between the factors and interactions effects. This model must be validated by the confirmation test, otherwise the comparison methodology should be reiterated while considering new interactions. This cycle should be reiterated as much as necessary to obtain a valid mathematical model. The proposed comparison methodology has been applied with success on an academic manufacturing system.