Identificação de boas práticas e dificuldades do SMED aplicado em uma indústria do ramo de cosméticos

The cosmetic industry has presenting growth in Brazil and one way to support this demand is improving production and reducing waste. Wastes can be related to setup time, which is spent to support demand of product´s mix and volume. One of the methodologies used to reduce setup time is SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die). This paper aims to describe and analyze the setup process in a production line in a cosmetic industrial branch, before and after the application of SMED methodology, highlighting good practices and difficulties in order to help other companies develop fast setup. The research method used was the case study. From the analysis of the implementation of the methodology on the company which is object from the case study was possible to summarize good practices, such as: the use of pillar E&T to store information about the training on the SMED methodology; creation of a multifunctional teamwork and involving different areas; creation of a “From-To” matrix. Difficulties were identified, such as: high and constant turnover of people who work on the shop floor; lack of discipline in filling the forms and by doing the setup activities that were standardized; lack of financial resources; lack of people´s availability in orer to conduct necessary meetings and trainings. Recommendations for other companies have also been proposed, such as: training of the team involved, before starting the project and a refresher training; standardization of training, forms and documentation of all steps of the project; create a multifunctional team; training after an employee, who is responsible for the setup, leaves the company

Developmental Changes in the Structure and Composition of the Postsynaptic Density

The development of the brain and its underlying circuitry is dependent on the formation of trillions of chemical synapses, which are highly specialized contacts that regulate the flow of information from one neuron to the next. It is through these synaptic connections that neurons wire together into networks capable of performing specific tasks, and activity-dependent changes in their structural and physiological state is one way that the brain is thought to adapt and store information. At the ultrastructural level, developmental and activity-dependent changes in the size and shape of dendritic spines have been well documented, and it is widely believed that structural changes in spines are a hallmark sign of synapse maturation and alteration of synaptic physiology. While changes in spine structure have been studied extensively, changes in one of its most prominent components, the postsynaptic density (PSD), have largely evaded observation. The PSD is a protein-rich organelle on the cytoplasmic side of the postsynaptic membrane, where it sits in direct opposition to the presynaptic terminal. The PSD functions both to cluster neurotransmitter receptors at the cell surface as well as organize the intracellular signaling molecules responsible for transducing extracellular signals to the postsynaptic cell. Much is known about the chemical composition of the PSD, but the structural arrangement of its molecular components is not well documented. Adding to the difficulty of understanding such a complex mass of protein machinery is the fact that its protein composition is known to change in response to synaptic activity, meaning that its structure is plastic and no two PSDs are identical. Here, immuno-gold labeling and electron tomography of PSDs isolated throughout development was used to track changes in both the structure and molecular composition of the PSD. State-of-the-art cryo-electron tomography was used to study the fine structure of the PSD during development, and provides an unprecedented glimpse into its molecular architecture in an un-fixed, unstained and hydrated state. Through this analysis, large structural and compositional changes are apparent and suggest a model by which the PSD is first assembled as a mesh-like lattice of proteins that function as support for the later recruitment of various PSD components. Spatial analysis of the recruitment of proteins into the PSD demonstrated that its assembly has an underlying order.

Enhanced Knowledge Management by Synchronizing Mind Maps and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

This paper presents a conceptual approach to enhance knowledge management by synchronizing mind maps and fuzzy cognitive maps. The use of mind maps allows taking advantage of human creativity, while the application of fuzzy cognitive maps enables to store information expressed in natural language. By applying cognitive computing, it makes possible to gather and extract relevant information out of a data pool. Therefore, this approach is supposed to give a framework that enhances knowledge management. To demonstrate the potential of this framework, a use case concerning the development of a smart city app is presented.

Avaliação do impacto do horizonte temporal nas estimativas de EAD de linhas de crédito com limites explícitos a PME

Tese de mestrado em Matemática Aplicada à Economia e Gestão, apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2016

Transmission of data under multipath transmission conditions

The explosive growth in microprocessor technology and the increasing use of computers to store information has increased the demand for data communication channels. Because of this, data communication to mobile vehicles is increasing rapidly. In addition, data communication is seen as a method of relieving the current congestion of mobile radio telephone bands in the U.K. Highly reliable data communication over mobile radio channels is particularly difficult to achieve, primarily due to fading caused by multipath interference. In this thesis a data communication system is described for use over radio channels impaired by multipath interference. The thesis first describes radio communication in general, and multipath interference In particular. The practical aspects of fading channels are stressed because of their importance in the development of the system. The current U.K. land mobile radio scene is then reviewed, with particular emphasis on the use of existing mobile radio equipment for data communication purposes. The development of the data communication system is then described. This system is microprocessor based and uses an advanced form of automatic request repeat (ARQ) operation. It can be configured to use either existing radio-telephone equipment, totally new equipment specifically designed for data communication, or any combination of the two. Due to its adaptability, the system can automatically optimise itself for use over any channel, even if the channel parameters are changing rapidly. Results obtained from a particular implementation of the system, which is described in full, are presented. These show how the operation of the system has to change to accomodate changes in the channel. Comparisons are made between the practical results and the theoretical limits of the system.

Next generation high density three-dimensional magnetic recording systems

This work is the first work using patterned soft underlayers in multilevel three-dimensional vertical magnetic data storage systems. The motivation stems from an exponentially growing information stockpile, and a corresponding need for more efficient storage devices with higher density. The world information stockpile currently exceeds 150EB (ExaByte=1x1018Bytes); most of which is in analog form. Among the storage technologies (semiconductor, optical and magnetic), magnetic hard disk drives are posed to occupy a big role in personal, network as well as corporate storage. However; this mode suffers from a limit known as the Superparamagnetic limit; which limits achievable areal density due to fundamental quantum mechanical stability requirements. There are many viable techniques considered to defer superparamagnetism into the 100's of Gbit/in2 such as: patterned media, Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), Self Organized Magnetic Arrays (SOMA), antiferromagnetically coupled structures (AFC), and perpendicular magnetic recording. Nonetheless, these techniques utilize a single magnetic layer; and can thusly be viewed as two-dimensional in nature. In this work a novel three-dimensional vertical magnetic recording approach is proposed. This approach utilizes the entire thickness of a magnetic multilayer structure to store information; with potential areal density well into the Tbit/in2 regime. ^ There are several possible implementations for 3D magnetic recording; each presenting its own set of requirements, merits and challenges. The issues and considerations pertaining to the development of such systems will be examined, and analyzed using empirical and numerical analysis techniques. Two novel key approaches are proposed and developed: (1) Patterned soft underlayer (SUL) which allows for enhanced recording of thicker media, (2) A combinatorial approach for 3D media development that facilitates concurrent investigation of various film parameters on a predefined performance metric. A case study is presented using combinatorial overcoats of Tantalum and Zirconium Oxides for corrosion protection in magnetic media. ^ Feasibility of 3D recording is demonstrated, and an emphasis on 3D media development is emphasized as a key prerequisite. Patterned SUL shows significant enhancement over conventional "un-patterned" SUL, and shows that geometry can be used as a design tool to achieve favorable field distribution where magnetic storage and magnetic phenomena are involved. ^

Estudo da densidade de corrente crítica para reversão da magnetização de nanoelementos ferromagnéticos

The discovery that a spin-polarized current is capable of exerting a torque in a ferromagnetic material, through spin transfer, might provide the development of new technological devices that store information via the direction of magnetization. The reduction of current density to revert the magnetization is a primary issue to potential applications on non volatile random access memories (MRAM). We report a theorical study of the dipolar and shape effects on the critical current density for reversal of magnetization, via spin transfer torque (STT), on ferromagnetic nanoelements. The nanostructured system consists on a reference layer, in which the current will be spin-polarized, and a free layer of magnetization reversal. We observed considerable changes on the critical current density as a function of the element’s reversion layer thickness (t = 1.0 nm, 1.5 nm, 2.0 nm e 2.5 nm) and geometry (circular and elliptical), the material kind of the system free layer (Iron and Permalloy) and according to the orientation of the magnetization and the spin polarization with the major axis. We show that the critical current density may be reduced about 50% by reducing the Fe free layer thickness and around 75% when we change the saturation magnetization of circular nanoelements with 2.5 nm of thickness. We still observed a reduction as much as 90% on the current density of reversion for thin nanoelements magnetized along the minor axis direction, using in-plane spin polarization parallel to the magnetization.

A Learning Function for Parameter Reduction in Spiking Neural Networks with Radial Basis Function

Spiking neural networks - networks that encode information in the timing of spikes - are arising as a new approach in the artificial neural networks paradigm, emergent from cognitive science. One of these new models is the pulsed neural network with radial basis function, a network able to store information in the axonal propagation delay of neurons. Learning algorithms have been proposed to this model looking for mapping input pulses into output pulses. Recently, a new method was proposed to encode constant data into a temporal sequence of spikes, stimulating deeper studies in order to establish abilities and frontiers of this new approach. However, a well known problem of this kind of network is the high number of free parameters - more that 15 - to be properly configured or tuned in order to allow network convergence. This work presents for the first time a new learning function for this network training that allow the automatic configuration of one of the key network parameters: the synaptic weight decreasing factor.

INFLUENCE OF MANUFACTURER SIGNATURE ON STORE BRANDS' LOYALTY AND PURCHASE INTENTION

ABSTRACT With today's trend toward higher store concentration, building strong store brands has become a priority for many retailing companies. This study aims to analyze the differences in store brands' purchasing likelihood between store brands with a manufacturer identification - a manufacturer signature - and store brands with no information about the manufacturer, as well as the moderating role of the manufacturer signature on store brands' purchase intention. We carried out multiple group analysis through structural equation modeling. Our findings suggest that store brand image has the most significant influence on loyalty and purchase intention for both types of store brands. Moreover, and contrary to our expectations, we did not find empirical support for the moderating role of manufacturer signature on store brands' purchasing likelihood.

Data Extraction Tool to Analyse, Transform and Store Real Data from Electricity Markets

The study of electricity markets operation has been gaining an increasing importance in the last years, as result of the new challenges that the restructuring process produced. Currently, lots of information concerning electricity markets is available, as market operators provide, after a period of confidentiality, data regarding market proposals and transactions. These data can be used as source of knowledge to define realistic scenarios, which are essential for understanding and forecast electricity markets behavior. The development of tools able to extract, transform, store and dynamically update data, is of great importance to go a step further into the comprehension of electricity markets and of the behaviour of the involved entities. In this paper an adaptable tool capable of downloading, parsing and storing data from market operators’ websites is presented, assuring constant updating and reliability of the stored data.

Relational navigation and archiving of multimedia information for contemporary dance

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática

Information flow analysis using data-dependent logical propositions

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática

Forecasting human entrances at a commercial store using facial recognition data

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia e Gestão de Sistemas de Informação

Projecte Nàstic Store : Tenda virtual del Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona.

El treball de final de carrera s'ha basat en l'anàlisi, disseny i la seva posterior implementació d'un programari web basat en una web site i una aplicació que configuren la tenda virtual que era l'objectiu final d'aquest projecte.

Influence of label information on dark chocolate acceptability

The aim of the present work was to study how the information on product labels influences consumer expectations and their acceptance and purchase intention of dark chocolate. Six samples of dark choco- late, varying in brand (premium and store brand) and in type of product (regular dark chocolate, single cocoa origin dark chocolate and high percentage of cocoa dark chocolate), were evaluated by 109 con- sumers who scored their liking and purchase intention under three conditions: blind (only tasting the products), expected (observing product label information) and informed (tasting the products together with provision of the label information). In the expected condition, consumer liking was mainly affected by the brand. In the blind condition, differences in liking were due to the type of product; the samples with a high percentage of cocoa were those less preferred by consumers. Under the informed condition, liking of dark chocolates varied depending on both brand and type of product. Premium brand chocolates generated high consumer expectations of chocolate acceptability, which were fulfilled by the sensory characteristics of the products. Store brand chocolates created lower expectations, but when they were tasted they were as acceptable as premium chocolates. Claims of a high percentage of cocoa and single cocoa origin on labels did not generate higher expectations than regular dark chocolates.