Lean IT Application of 5S/6S Technique in a SME

O Lean não é apenas uma prática. É uma revolução nas Tecnologias de Informação (TI) proporcionando uma maior e melhor utilização dos recursos e procurando alcançar custos mais baixos dos que existem atualmente. É muito mais do que uma lista de ferramentas e metodologias e para que seja estabelecido é necessário mudar comportamentos culturais e incentivar todas as organizações a pensarem de forma diferente sobre o poder da informação versus o valor do negócio. Normalmente associa-se o Lean à criação de valor para a organização. Mas o valor é significativo quando é trazido com eficiência e resultando na eliminação de processos que consomem tempo, recursos e espaço desnecessário. Os princípios Lean podem ajudar as organizações na melhoria da qualidade, redução de custos e no alcance da eficiência através de uma melhor produtividade. Existem vários conceitos Lean que podem ser associados a diferentes objetivos de resolução de problemas. Em particular, este trabalho é uma dissertação programada para analisar um novo paradigma sobre o Lean que surgiu recentemente - Lean para Tecnologias de Informação (Lean IT). Esta dissertação apresenta uma abordagem para o Lean IT (enquadramento, objetivos e metodologia) para realizar o trabalho e utiliza um único estudo de caso, com abordagem à técnica 5S/6S (até o terceiro nível de avaliação), numa Pequena, Média Empresa (PME), de forma a demonstrar a agregação de valor e as vantagens na eliminação de resíduos/desperdícios nos seus processos. A técnica também mostra a evolução da avaliação antes e depois da sua aplicação. Este estudo de caso individual avalia um Departamento de TI (com uma equipe de cinco colaboradores e um chefe de Departamento) através da observação direta, documentação e arquivos de registos e os equipamentos analisados são computadores, postos de trabalho e projetos (código desenvolvido, portais e outros serviços de TI). x Como guia, a metodologia inclui a preparação da avaliação em conjunto com o responsável/chefe do Departamento de TI, o desenrolar das operações, a identificação do fluxo de valor para cada atividade, o desenvolvimento de um plano de comunicação e a análise de cada passo da avaliação do fluxo de processamento. Os principais resultados estão refletidos nas novas ferramentas de trabalho (Microsoft SharePoint e Microsoft Project em detrimento do Microsoft Excel) que fornecem comunicação remota e controlo de projetos para todos os stakeholders, tais como, a gestão de topo, parceiros e clientes (algumas organizações incluem o Outsourcing no desenvolvimento de funcionalidades específicas). Os resultados também refletem-se na qualidade do trabalho, no cumprimento de prazos, na segurança física e lógica, na motivação dos colaboradores e na satisfação dos clientes. A técnica 5S/6S ajuda a esclarecer os conceitos e princípios Lean, exequibilidade e aumenta a curiosidade sobre a implementação da técnica noutros departamentos tais como o Financeiro e ou o de Recursos Humanos. Como forma de consolidação do trabalho tornou-se possível organizar a avaliação para que a organização possa candidatar-se a uma certificação na norma ISO/IEC 25010:2011, no modelo de qualidade de software (software é o core business desta PME). Mas tal só será possível se toda a organização atingir a padronização dos seus processos. Este estudo de caso mostra que os conceitos Lean e a aplicação de uma ou mais das suas técnicas (neste caso particular a técnica 5S/6S) ajuda a obter melhores resultados através da gestão e melhoria dos seus principais serviços.

Pial and arachnoid welding for restoration of normal cord anatomy after excision of intramedullary spinal cord tumors.

A significant postoperative problem in patients undergoing excision of intramedullary tumors is painful dysesthesiae, attributed to various causes, including edema, arachnoid scarring and cord tethering. The authors describe a technique of welding the pia and arachnoid after the excision of intramedullary spinal cord tumors used in seven cases. Using a fine bipolar forcep and a low current, the pial edges of the myelotomy were brought together and welded under saline irrigation. A similar method was used for closing the arachnoid while the dura was closed with a running 5-0 vicryl suture. Closing the pia and arachnoid restores normal cord anatomy after tumor excision and may reduce the incidence of postoperative painful dysesthesiae.

Psychological needs of adolescents in the early phase of bipolar disorder: implications for early intervention.

Aim: This paper will describe the rationale for, and importance of, psychological interventions for young people early in the course of bipolar disorder. Methods: Emerging literature in this field will be discussed in addition to describing specific clinical challenges and opportunities with this population. Results: In order to be more developmentally appropriate for young people with bipolar disorder, eight aspects of clinical work which may require modification were identified. Conclusions: The evidence base for the effectiveness of psychological interventions for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder is growing. However, some aspects relating to working with adults with bipolar disorder require modification to be effective in working with young people early in the course of the disorder.

Steady-state equilibrium phase inversion recovery ON-resonant water suppression (IRON) MR angiography in conjunction with superparamagnetic nanoparticles. A robust technique for imaging within a wide range of contrast agent dosages.

PURPOSE: To investigate the ability of inversion recovery ON-resonant water suppression (IRON) in conjunction with P904 (superparamagnetic nanoparticles which consisting of a maghemite core coated with a low-molecular-weight amino-alcohol derivative of glucose) to perform steady-state equilibrium phase MR angiography (MRA) over a wide dose range. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were approved by the institutional animal care committee. Rabbits (n = 12) were imaged at baseline and serially after the administration of 10 incremental dosages of 0.57-5.7 mgFe/Kg P904. Conventional T1-weighted and IRON MRA were obtained on a clinical 1.5 Tesla (T) scanner to image the thoracic and abdominal aorta, and peripheral vessels. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) and vessel sharpness were quantified. RESULTS: Using IRON MRA, CNR and vessel sharpness progressively increased with incremental dosages of the contrast agent P904, exhibiting constantly higher contrast values than T1 -weighted MRA over a very wide range of contrast agent doses (CNR of 18.8 ± 5.6 for IRON versus 11.1 ± 2.8 for T1 -weighted MRA at 1.71 mgFe/kg, P = 0.02 and 19.8 ± 5.9 for IRON versus -0.8 ± 1.4 for T1-weighted MRA at 3.99 mgFe/kg, P = 0.0002). Similar results were obtained for vessel sharpness in peripheral vessels, (Vessel sharpness of 46.76 ± 6.48% for IRON versus 33.20 ± 3.53% for T1-weighted MRA at 1.71 mgFe/Kg, P = 0.002, and of 48.66 ± 5.50% for IRON versus 19.00 ± 7.41% for T1-weighted MRA at 3.99 mgFe/Kg, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that quantitative CNR and vessel sharpness after the injection of P904 are consistently higher for IRON MRA when compared with conventional T1-weighted MRA. These findings apply for a wide range of contrast agent dosages.

Psychotherapeutic case conceptualization using plan analysis for bipolar affective disorder.

Valid individualized case conceptualization methodologies, such as plan analysis, are rarely used for the psychotherapeutic treatment conceptualization and planning of bipolar affective disorder (BD), even if data do exist showing that psychotherapy interventions might be enhanced by applying such analyses for treatment planning for several groups of patients. We applied plan analysis as a research tool (Caspar, 1995) to N=30 inpatients presenting BD, who were interviewed twice. Our study aimed at producing a prototypical plan structure encompassing the most relevant data from the 30 individual case conceptualizations. Special focus was given to links with emotions and coping plans. Inter-rater reliability of these plan analyses was considered sufficient. Results suggest the presence of two subtypes based on plananalytic principles: emotion control and relationship control, along with a mixed form. These subtypes are discussed with regard to inherent plananalytic conflicts, specific emotions and coping plans, as well as symptom level and type. Finally, conclusions are drawn for enhancing psychotherapeutic practice with BD patients, based on the motive-oriented therapeutic relationship.

Enhanced radar precipitation estimates using a combined clutter and beam blockage correction technique

Weather radar observations are currently the most reliable method for remote sensing of precipitation. However, a number of factors affect the quality of radar observations and may limit seriously automated quantitative applications of radar precipitation estimates such as those required in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) data assimilation or in hydrological models. In this paper, a technique to correct two different problems typically present in radar data is presented and evaluated. The aspects dealt with are non-precipitating echoes - caused either by permanent ground clutter or by anomalous propagation of the radar beam (anaprop echoes) - and also topographical beam blockage. The correction technique is based in the computation of realistic beam propagation trajectories based upon recent radiosonde observations instead of assuming standard radio propagation conditions. The correction consists of three different steps: 1) calculation of a Dynamic Elevation Map which provides the minimum clutter-free antenna elevation for each pixel within the radar coverage; 2) correction for residual anaprop, checking the vertical reflectivity gradients within the radar volume; and 3) topographical beam blockage estimation and correction using a geometric optics approach. The technique is evaluated with four case studies in the region of the Po Valley (N Italy) using a C-band Doppler radar and a network of raingauges providing hourly precipitation measurements. The case studies cover different seasons, different radio propagation conditions and also stratiform and convective precipitation type events. After applying the proposed correction, a comparison of the radar precipitation estimates with raingauges indicates a general reduction in both the root mean squared error and the fractional error variance indicating the efficiency and robustness of the procedure. Moreover, the technique presented is not computationally expensive so it seems well suited to be implemented in an operational environment.

Développement d'un outil de gestion graduée des risques spécifique au cas des nanomatériaux : rapport d'appui scientifique et technique

L' évaluation quantitative des dangers et des expositions aux nanomatériaux se heurte à de nombreuses incertitudes qui ne seront levées qu'à mesure de la progression des connaissances scientifiques de leurs propriétés. L' une des conséquences de ces incertitudes est que les valeurs limites d'exposition professionnelle définies actuellement pour les poussières ne sont pas nécessairement pertinentes aux nanomatériaux. En l'absence de référentiel quantitatif et, à la demande de la DGS pour éclairer les réflexions de l' AFNOR et de l'ISO sur le sujet, une démarche de gestion graduée des risques (control banding) a été élaborée au sein de l' Anses. Ce développement a été réalisé à l'aide d'un groupe d'experts rapporteurs rattaché au Comité d'experts spécialisés évaluation des risques liés aux agents physiques, aux nouvelles technologies et aux grands aménagements. La mise en oeuvre de la démarche de gestion graduée des risques proposée repose sur quatre grandes étapes: 1. Le recueil des informations. Cette étape consiste à réunir les informations disponibles sur les dangers du nanomatériau manufacturé considéré ; ainsi que sur l'exposition potentielle des personnes aux postes de travail (observation sur le terrain, mesures, etc.). 2. L'attribution d'une bande de danger. Le danger potentiel du nanomatériau manufacturé présent, qu'il soit brut où incorporé dans une matrice (liquide ou solide) est évalué dans cette étape. La bande danger attribuée tient compte de la dangerosité du produit bulk ou de sa substance analogue à l'échelle non-nanométrique, de la bio-persistance du matériau (pour les matériaux fibreux), de sa solubilité et de son éventuelle réactivité. 3. Attribution d'une bande d'exposition. La bande d'exposition du nanomatériau manufacturé considéré ou du produit en contenant est définie par le niveau de potentiel d'émission du produit. Elle tient compte de sa forme physique (solide, liquide, poudre aérosol), de sa pulvérulence et de sa volatilité. Le nombre de travailleurs, la fréquence, la durée d'exposition ainsi que la quantité mise en oeuvre ne sont pas pris en compte, contrairement à une évaluation classique des risques chimiques. 4. Obtention d'une bande de maîtrise des risques. Le croisement des bandes de dangers et d'exposition préalablement attribuées permet de défi nir le niveau de maîtrise du risque. Il fait correspondre les moyens techniques et organisationnels à mettre en oeuvre pour maintenir le risque au niveau le plus faible possible. Un plan d'action est ensuite défi ni pour garantir l'effi cacité de la prévention recommandée par le niveau de maîtrise déterminé. Il tient compte des mesures de prévention déjà existantes et les renforce si nécessaire. Si les mesures indiquées par le niveau de maîtrise de risque ne sont pas réalisables, par exemple, pour des raisons techniques ou budgétaires, une évaluation de risque approfondie devra être réalisée par un expert. La gestion graduée des risques est une méthode alternative pour réaliser une évaluation qualitative de risques et mettre en place des moyens de prévention sans recourir à une évaluation quantitative des risques. Son utilisation semble particulièrement adaptée au contexte des nanomatériaux manufacturés, pour lequel les choix de valeurs de référence (Valeurs limites d'exposition en milieu professionnel) et des techniques de mesurage appropriées souffrent d'une grande incertitude. La démarche proposée repose sur des critères simples, accessibles dans la littérature scientifi que ou via les données techniques relatives aux produits utilisés. Pour autant, sa mise en oeuvre requiert des compétences minimales dans les domaines de la prévention des risques chimiques (chimie, toxicologie, etc.), des nanosciences et des nanotechnologies.

Mental disorders in offspring of parents with bipolar and major depressive disorders.

OBJECTIVES: There is limited information on the specificity of associations between parental bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) and the risk of psychopathology in offspring. The chief aim of the present study was to investigate the association between mood disorder subtypes in the two parents and mental disorders in the offspring. METHODS: A total of 376 offspring (aged 6.0-17.9 years; mean=11.5years) of 72 patients with BPD (139 offspring), 56 patients with MDD (110 offspring), and 66 controls (127 offspring) participated in a family study conducted in two university hospital centers in Switzerland. Probands, offspring, and biological co-parents were interviewed by psychologists blind to proband diagnoses, using a semi-structured diagnostic interview. RESULTS: Rates of mood and anxiety disorders were elevated among offspring of BPD probands (34.5% any mood; 42.5% any anxiety) and MDD probands (25.5% any mood; 44.6% any anxiety) as compared to those of controls (12.6% any mood; 22.8% any anxiety). Moreover, recurrent MDD was more frequent among offspring of BPD probands (7.9%) than those of controls (1.6%). Parental concordance for bipolar spectrum disorders was associated with a further elevation in the rates of mood disorders in offspring (64.3% both parents versus 27.2% one parent). CONCLUSIONS:   These findings provide unique information on the broad manifestations of parental mood disorders in their offspring. The earlier onset and increased risk of recurrent MDD in the offspring of parents with BPD compared to those of controls suggests that the episodicity characterizing BPD may emerge in childhood and adolescence.

Bipolar pulsed excitation of erbium-doped nanosilicon light emitting diodes

High quantum efficiency erbium doped silicon nanocluster (Si-NC:Er) light emitting diodes (LEDs) were grown by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) in a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) line. Erbium (Er) excitation mechanisms under direct current (DC) and bipolar pulsed electrical injection were studied in a broad range of excitation voltages and frequencies. Under DC excitation, Fowler-Nordheim tunneling of electrons is mediated by Er-related trap states and electroluminescence originates from impact excitation of Er ions. When the bipolar pulsed electrical injection is used, the electron transport and Er excitation mechanism change. Sequential injection of electrons and holes into silicon nanoclusters takes place and nonradiative energy transfer to Er ions is observed. This mechanism occurs in a range of lower driving voltages than those observed in DC and injection frequencies higher than the Er emission rate.

Metal-Nitride-oxide-semiconductor light-emitting devices for general lighting.

The potential for application of silicon nitride-based light sources to general lighting is reported. The mechanism of current injection and transport in silicon nitride layers and silicon oxide tunnel layers is determined by electro-optical characterization of both bi- and tri-layers. It is shown that red luminescence is due to bipolar injection by direct tunneling, whereas Poole-Frenkel ionization is responsible for blue-green emission. The emission appears warm white to the eye, and the technology has potential for large-area lighting devices. A photometric study, including color rendering, color quality and luminous efficacy of radiation, measured under various AC excitation conditions, is given for a spectrum deemed promising for lighting. A correlated color temperature of 4800K was obtained using a 35% duty cycle of the AC excitation signal. Under these conditions, values for general color rendering index of 93 and luminous efficacy of radiation of 112 lm/W are demonstrated. This proof of concept demonstrates that mature silicon technology, which is extendable to lowcost, large-area lamps, can be used for general lighting purposes. Once the external quantum efficiency is improved to exceed 10%, this technique could be competitive with other energy-efficient solid-state lighting options. ©2011 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: (230.2090) Electro-optical devices; (150.2950) Illumination.

Transfer insensitive labeling technique (TILT): application to multislice functional perfusion imaging.

Cerebral blood flow can be studied in a multislice mode with a recently proposed perfusion sequence using inversion of water spins as an endogenous tracer without magnetization transfer artifacts. The magnetization transfer insensitive labeling technique (TILT) has been used for mapping blood flow changes at a microvascular level under motor activation in a multislice mode. In TILT, perfusion mapping is achieved by subtraction of a perfusion-sensitized image from a control image. Perfusion weighting is accomplished by proximal blood labeling using two 90 degrees radiofrequency excitation pulses. For control preparation the labeling pulses are modified such that they have no net effect on blood water magnetization. The percentage of blood flow change, as well as its spatial extent, has been studied in single and multislice modes with varying delays between labeling and imaging. The average perfusion signal change due to activation was 36.9 +/- 9.1% in the single-slice experiments and 38.1 +/- 7.9% in the multislice experiments. The volume of activated brain areas amounted to 1.51 +/- 0.95 cm3 in the contralateral primary motor (M1) area, 0.90 +/- 0.72 cc in the ipsilateral M1 area, 1.27 +/- 0.39 cm3 in the contralateral and 1.42 +/- 0.75 cm3 in the ipsilateral premotor areas, and 0.71 +/- 0.19 cm3 in the supplementary motor area.