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The emergence of mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods to quantify proteins for clinical applications has led to the need for accurate and consistent measurements. To meet the clinical needs of MS-based protein results, it is important that the results are traceable to higher-order standards and methods and have defined uncertainty values. Therefore, we outline a comprehensive approach for the estimation of measurement uncertainty of a MS-based procedure for the quantification of a protein biomarker. Using a bottom-up approach, which is the model outlined in the "Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty of Measurement" (GUM), we evaluated the uncertainty components of a MS-based measurement procedure for a protein biomarker in a complex matrix. The cause-and-effect diagram of the procedure is used to identify each uncertainty component, and statistical equations are derived to determine the overall combined uncertainty. Evaluation of the uncertainty components not only enables the calculation of the measurement uncertainty but can also be used to determine if the procedure needs improvement. To demonstrate the use of the bottom-up approach, the overall combined uncertainty is estimated for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) candidate reference measurement procedure for albumin in human urine. The results of the uncertainty approach are applied to the determination of uncertainty for the certified value for albumin in candidate NIST Standard Reference Material® (SRM) 3666. This study provides a framework for measurement uncertainty estimation of a MS-based protein procedure by identifying the uncertainty components of the procedure to derive the overall combined uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical method validation ensures that a method provides trustworthy information about a particular sample when applied in accordance with the predefined protocol. According to regulatory standards, the rheological characteristics of topically applied semisolid formulations are one of the key elements involved in microstructure equivalence documentation. Therefore, for generic drug product manufacturers, it is a dire need to take a step forward in rheology method development and validation procedures. This paper aims to apply Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) principles towards the development and validation of rheology methods for topical creams, as complex semisolid formulations. Risk assessment was carried out through an Ishikawa diagram and an estimate failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA). Sample application, peltier temperature control, and sample rest time were identified as critical method variables (CMVs), and a 23 full factorial design was applied to understand their impact on rotational, creep recovery and, oscillatory measurements. The development of the method was carried out as per the ICH Q8-Q10, and Q14 guidelines and validated according to ICH Q2 (R2) guideline. The method demonstrated adequate precision (RSD < 15%), as well as selectivity. AQbD provided a comprehensive framework for developing a reliable and effective rheology method for this type of formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dammarane-type saponins (DTSs) exist in various medicinal plants, which are a class of active ingredients with effects on improving myocardial ischemia and immunomodulation. In this study, a quantitative 1H NMR method of total DTSs in herbal medicines was developed based on the analytical procedure lifecycle. In the first stage (analytical procedure design), the Ishikawa diagram and failure mode effects and criticality analysis were used to conduct risk identification and risk ranking. Plackett–Burman design and central composite design were used to screen and optimize critical analytical procedure parameter. Then, the method operable design region was obtained through modeling. In the second stage (analytical procedure performance qualification), the performance of methodological indexes was investigated based on analytical quality by design. As examples of continued procedure performance verification, the method was successfully applied to determine the total DTSs in herbal pharmaceutical preparations and botanical extracts. As a general analytical method to quantify total DTSs in medicinal plants or pharmaceutical preparations, the developed method provides a new quality control strategy for various products containing dammarane-type saponin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: cardiovascular diseases are increasingly appearing at younger ages. Risk factors are present in adolescents, who imitate adults and acquire unfavorable habits. Objective: to design an action plan for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in adolescents belonging to the Family Doctor's Office 16-21 of the "Santa Clara" Polyclinic. Methods: a research was conducted in health system and service, applied, with qualiquantitative approach, with 60 adolescents from the 16-21 Clinic during the period from April 2019 to July 2021. A nominal group of specialists was used, working with the ranking method of the Pan American Health Organization to identify priorities and the fishbone diagram for causal analysis. Results: female sex and late adolescence predominated in the study and most of the adolescents were exposed to two risk factors. Inadequate nutrition was identified as the main risk factor (score=11) and in the causal analysis the diet high in salt, fats and sugars and the low consumption of fruits and vegetables and weak family food education, irregularity in complying with medical guidelines and insufficient work of the Basic Team in the community. Conclusions: adolescents need health education to avoid the development of cardiovascular disease; the Basic Health Group and the family physician and nurse should be consistent when designing actions at the primary level of prevention in Primary Healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Background: Analytical Quality by Design refers to applying the Quality by Design idea to the development of analytical procedures. The present study emphasizes the AQbD concept of developing and validating a spectrophotometric technique for detecting α, β-arteether per the ICH Q8 (R² ) requirements for the first time. Materials and Methods: Sample preparation, sample pH, and wavelength were all integrated into the Ishikawa diagram, and essential parameters were obtained. The ratio of ethanolic PBS 6.8 and HCl was taken as factors. At the same time, the drug molecule's absorbance was identified as a critical factor that was further analyzed using a simple mixture design of experiments methodology for method robustness and optimization. The novel, durable, precise, and accurate UV-spectrophotometric method, α, β-arteether, was developed using the Quality by Design principle. By adjusting the HCl concentration (for acid degradation) and ethanolic PBS 6.8, the highest absorption of α, β-arteether was achieved by heating at 50°C for 30 min. Results and Discussion: The percent RSD less than 2, R² > 0.99 was recorded for the concentration range of 2–20 μg/mL at λmax254 nm. The developed method's LOD and LOQ were within acceptable limits. The presented approach might be used at the industrial level as a rapid, precise, accurate, and cost-effective quality control method for a frequent and simultaneous estimate of α, β-arteether. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Ingenieria, Matematicas y Ciencias de la Informacion is the property of Corporacion Universitaria Republicana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Engineering students hardly allocate equal level of engagement to their management units, even when such units are very complex or whether the teacher is from within or outside engineering disciplines, which often reduces student engagement as well as the accomplishments of the entire cohort. Although it is well‐established that the structure, format, and content of units' assessments play vital roles in how much university students interact with their units, there are compelling evidence for and against the efficacy of different assessment methods deployable by educators that teach management units. Therefore, the focus of this study is to ascertain the reason(s) for the subpar interest in management units by engineering students. Data was gathered using Fishbone diagrams (FBDs) that depicted possible root causes of the research question. In addition to data generation, the use of FBDs also enabled deeper understanding of continuous improvement and increased the response rates. Responses showed that "perception of engineering" and "nature of contents" were the most prominent root cause groups. Further observations depicted that the perception of engineering among the students is that of an entirely technical discipline, thereby making science, engineering, technology, and mathematics units the most important. Furthermore, several respondents underrated the contents of management units, due to insufficient alignment with emerging engineering concepts as well as their inadequate academic challenge. To examine the influence of the implemented changes to assessment method on students' achievements, the performance indicators of five different cohorts were compared, and the outcomes of the comparison depicted a consistent pattern of students' attainment. Furthermore, a students' scores match of >95% was observed between cohorts, which so far indicates consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a solid methodology for improving the efficiency and productivity of assembly lines using Lean Manufacturing tools, in particular the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control approach (DMAIC) and line balancing techniques, followed by a concrete application in a case study of a wiring industry assembly line. The first phase of the approach ensured a clear definition of the problem using the who, what, where, when, why, and how tool (5W1H) and a description of the manufacturing process. The measurement phase allowed the calculation of the Takt time (TT) and the timing of the cycle times of the 17 stations of the line with the use of data collected on the standardized work combination table (SWCT) documents. This facilitated the analysis phase by first establishing a Yamazumi chart showing the distribution of the load between the line's stations and allowing the identification of bottleneck stations, and then analyzing the situation through the 5-Why tools and the Ishikawa diagram. Thanks to the innovation phase and the ideal balancing conditions developed in this paper, it was possible to balance the line's stations using an action plan whose effectiveness was monitored during the control phase, improving efficiency from 78% to 95% with a saving in manpower by reducing the number of operators from 17 to 14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Producao Online is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Engenharia de Producao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciencia Administrativa is the property of Universidad Veracruzana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Improving product quality while making decisions remains a challenge. The objective of this research was to develop a model that supports the precise enhancement of product quality through comprehensive analysis of possibilities, product incompatibilities, root causes, and recommended improvement actions. The model incorporated various tools and methods such as the SMARTER method, expert team selection, brainstorming, Ishikawa diagram, 5M+E rule, FAHP, and FTOPSIS methods. The study demonstrated that integrating quality management tools and decision-making methods into a unified model enables the accurate prioritization of activities for product quality management. This integrated approach represents the novelty of this research. The model was evaluated using a mechanical seal made of 410 alloy. The research findings can be valuable to enterprises seeking to enhance product quality at any stage of production, particularly for modified or new products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As in any industry exposed to risk, human and organizational factors are the main stakes of maritime safety. Understanding the causes and risks of maritime accidents is integral to the sustainability of shipping. The investigation of marine accidents is a crucial tool for their identification in areas related to operations and ships, including social and situational systems, their design, and technical systems. The authors conducted a cause–effect analysis of marine incidents. For this purpose, case-by-case analysis and an Ishikawa diagram were used, which is a tool that helps identify actual or potential causes of accidents. The study showed that by far the most significant cross-section of causes of accidents were elements of social and situational systems that affect the safety of the ship, crew, and environment. The least significant contribution came from the machinery area. Through the detailed descriptions, a picture emerges not so much of a lack of knowledge of the regulations as of a failure to comply with existing procedures or best practices. In the authors' opinion, more emphasis is needed on preventive measures, including safety culture, training, competence assessment, and increased awareness of the need for sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to analyze the achievement quality standards that have been set and reduce waste due to product defects in scanner production at PT. Epson Batam using seven tools method. This research using a quantitative and descriptive method. Quantitative method using check sheet, stratification, histogram, pareto diagram, scatter diagram and while descriptive method using fishbone analysis. Data was collected by observation and documentation techniques. The results of the study stated that the improvements implemented to reduce product defects that occur from several factors, namely materials and work methods, it is necessary to do an effective division of work time so defect product do not occur due to pursuing production targets and material factors that must be checked before the goods/products enter the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Meeting the patients' requirements as customers of the health care sector is crucially important as a social responsibility. According to the resource constraints, only an efficient utilisation of health services can provide that purpose. This study aims to develop a quantitative assessment framework for radiology centres as a vital section in healthcare to translate the patients' requirements into service quality specifications. This would help to achieve quality improvement by emphasising the voice of customers. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review is conducted to specify the service quality criteria and the patients' requirements related to healthcare and hospitals. Based on the experts' opinions, these criteria and requirements are later customised for the radiology centres. Moreover, the requirements are categorised into five dimensions of SERVQUAL. The interrelations between service elements are also determined through expert group consensus using Pearson correlation. Afterwards, by applying the QFD method, the relations between the requirements and criteria are explored. Additionally, a customer satisfaction survey is executed in Tehran public hospitals to prioritise these requirements and provide an importance-satisfaction analysis. Findings: Based on the result of the case study, service elements are prioritised for improvement, and practical suggestions are provided using the Delphi technique for quality improvement. In addition, a cause-and-effect diagram is presented to highlight the improvement area and provide enhancement suggestions. Originality/value: This study is the first empirical attempt to benefit from the VOC in evaluating and enhancing the quality of service delivered to radiology patients. In doing so, the study applies a hybrid approach of QFD and SERVQUAL as well as other tools to highlight the improvement area and provide enhancement suggestions. The findings can be readily used by the practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) is a condition that can affect any part of the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) is divided into several types including complaints of the neck, shoulders, back, and knees. Housewives who perform various household chores can contribute to increased ergonomic stress and musculoskeletal disorders. Housework can be a major risk factor that causes musculoskeletal complaints and disorders in women. Physiotherapy is a form of health service that plays a role in the management of these musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of community service carried out at Asya Therapy Center Mojokerto is to analyze the factors that cause musculoskeletal complaints, prioritize problems and find strategies that will be given to overcome problems in efforts to develop community-based physiotherapy services. The implementation method analyzes the factors causing problems with fishbone diagrams, then determines the priority of problems with the ultrasound method and problem solving strategies with SWOT analysis. The strategy that can be applied is the formation of community communities, especially housewives, as a means of socialization by the village government and local health facilities in the form of community health assistance activities, providing education on techniques for lifting goods correctly, tips on completing household chores effectively and efficiently, and first aid measures when injuries occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the production department's partial productivity measurement using the Objective Matrix (OMAX) method at PT. GMK. The OMAX method's key performance indicators (KPIs) affecting the productivity index must be defined and weighted for each criterion using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The study was conducted in the production division of PT. GMK, which produces compound chocolate. The results showed that the productivity of was affected by the partial productivity of raw materials and labor and the electric power's effectiveness. Other factors were the minimization of overtime working hours, labor costs, downtime, as well as defective and semi-finished products. Moreover, this study determined the standard performance in the second semester of 2021. It also conducted a causal analysis using a fishbone diagram to find the cause of employees' low productivity. The analysis showed that the average productivity index increased between January and August 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage to diesel engine cylinder head components can cause crucial problems. This study describes the methods used to identify the causes of diesel engine cylinder head damage based on visual observations and interviews with technicians. The results of this study will provide a better understanding of the root causes that cause damage to the diesel engine cylinder head components used at PT. Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia. This study provides an overview of effective repairs and maintenance to overcome these problems with the aim of increasing engine performance and extending component life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the occurrence of the first industrial revolution in the 18th century, machines have become a part of human life. Like humans, machines also need treatment to keep running their activities as described, the treatment carried out on machines is often referred to as maintenance. Maintenance is an activity that can restore the function of a system or a system to the initial function. Machine maintenance can be broadly classified into two types namely unplanned maintenance and planned maintenance; planned maintenance can be further classified as preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance while breakdown maintenance is considered as unplanned maintenance. At PT. XYZ a maintenance has been carried out on the Caterpillar C9 Acert engine, and after the field team carried a diagnosis, it was found that several parts of the engine were damaged, which would result in damage to the Caterpillar C9 Acert engine. This study uses the RCA (root cause analysis) method assisted by 5 whys analysis and fishbone diagrams. The results of the 5 whys analysis show the facts causing the damage in a structured manner, and the results from the fishbone diagram show the factors causing the damage which include human factors, machines, materials, and methods, making it easier to find the basic causal factors. This study aims to identify the cause of the damage so that preventive measures can be taken to minimize the recurrence of this damage in the future. The results of the two methods of analysis can be concluded that the main cause of the damage suffered by the machine is the occurrence of human error on the part of the company that owns the machine, therefore more precise decisions and policies are needed from the company so that the damage does not occur again in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Experimental Technology & Management is the property of Experimental Technology & Management Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Machine harvesting is an essential step of crop production, considering a dynamic operation, and is subject to losses due to several factors that affect its quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of mechanized peanut pickers in the three soil tillage operations using Statistical Quality Control (SQC) tools. We conducted the experiments in a peanut field located at 21°20′23″ S and 47°54′06″ W of Brazilian peanut farmers. We used Statistic Control Quality (SQC) experimental design to monitor peanut losses during machine harvesting. The treatments evaluated were three soil tillage operations: conventional (CT), rotary tillers (RT), and hoe (RH). The quality indicators were collected inside the picker's bulk tank. Statistical analyses used were descriptive statistics and SQC tools (run charts, control charts, and the Ishikawa diagram). The process was considered stable for indicators: whole pods (CT, RT, and RH), broken pods (CT, RT, and RH), and hatched pods (CT, RT, and RH), while the other indicators showed points that were out of control. With the application of SQC tools, it was possible to identify the factors that caused the increase of variability in peanut harvesting, listing the points to be improved to support decision-making, always aiming to increase this operation's quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the events related to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, increasing air traffic also increases turnaround agents' activity at airports. Turnaround operations are among the critical activities performed at airports, which must be characterized by punctuality and accuracy of the elementary handling operations. Lack of punctuality in ground handling causes delays in air traffic. On the other hand, a lack of accuracy can also cause disruptions that can turn into aviation incidents. Achieving punctuality and accuracy in aircraft handling is possible by minimizing the resulting disruptions during such handling. The safety management system (SMS) assumes activities to reduce the causes of potential incidents. In the turnaround process, the human factor, the technical aspect, and compliance with existing procedures are significant. The authors have extensively analyzed the disruptions arising during ground handling, learning its causes and effects, which will help avoid adverse events. Occurring disruptions can cause delays in the execution of flight operations but can also cause aviation incidents. Therefore, the authors focused on ground-handling disruptions that can cause adverse aviation incidents. The article presents the interference analysis results as an Ishikawa diagram. Using the FRAM method, an analysis of possible disruptions during the baggage handling process was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A company should implement good quality management to maintain consumer confidence in producing quality products. FMEA serves to identify product failures in a process and the causes of defects or losses that occur during the production process of a product, component, or system. The research aims to analyze quality control and identify production defects that cause a decrease in quality. The samples studied were rejected goods in production activities. Forty damaged parts were used as the samples in this study. This study used both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Quantitative analysis was conducted to determine the type of rejection and then to rank the risk, while qualitative analysis was performed with Ishikawa diagram to evaluate risk priorities. This research not only helps identify and assess the root cause of rejected goods but also affects the following year's planning by proposing measures to reduce risk. Check sheets and histograms are used to present further research. The analysis results show two classifications of defects in production: size error and painting error, with the most dominant defect, size error, and equal to 73.17%. Based on the analysis of the causes of defects, several factors were found that caused product defects; man, material, method, machine. The man factor has the highest value in contributing to defect, with an RPN score of 192. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of dismantling tapioca flour, waste occurs due to activities that do not provide added value (Non-Value Added). The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the types of waste and then propose improvements to eliminate activities that do not provide added value. By using the concept of lean supply chain and value stream mapping (VSM) it is expected to eliminate activities that do not provide added value and make the company more productive. Through the analysis of seven wastes and fishbone diagrams, it is known that the biggest causes of waste are waiting for the arrival of workers, waiting for pilot/tug boats, waiting for trucks to arrive, and working on sacks that have fallen and torn. Meanwhile, the recommendations given are to coordinate and evaluate the performance of workers, increase the number of pilot/tug boats and trucks, and supervise the unloading process to minimize mistakes made by workers. With the proposed improvement, the cycle time, which was originally 335.34 minutes decreased to 271.97 minutes, and for Process Cycle Efficiency (PCE) which was originally 68.30% increased to 84.22%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses dimensional analysis to formulate the tool life in the turning process of metal cutting for small-lot production by considering the impacts of the most important parameters. The estimation of tool life specifies process efficiency, machining productivity, resource consumption, machining time, and cost. Many parameters influence tool life on the real shop floor in small-lot production. This literature review studies 29 parameters affecting tool life directly or indirectly. The results of this research are represented as a graph-based analysis in the form of a web of interdependencies and a relationship matrix. The relationship matrix illustrates the direct and indirect interdependencies of the parameters which influence tool life in the turning process. The graph visualizes the weight of the parameters for the estimation of tool life in small-lot production. A cause-and-effect diagram is extracted from the relationship matrix to study the parameters affecting tool life in small-lot production. A dimensional analysis is executed based on the cause-and-effect diagram in order to calculate the tool life. The functions of tool life involve the cutting conditions, tool and workpiece hardness, cutting force, and cutting temperature. The dimensional analysis shows that the cutting speed, feed rate, and workpiece hardness are the most effective factors impacting tool life in the turning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fides et Ratio is the property of Universidad La Salle de Bolivia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica is the property of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article summarizes the arguments surrounding the scientific discussion of the cement production process at a selected company in Slovakia. (1) The main goal of this article is to evaluate the quality of the cement production process with the intention of increasing the performance and quality of the process and the quality of the cement in various assortments. The object of this research was a selected company in Slovakia which focuses on cement production. (2) The methods of research were focused on using statistical, economic, and financial analyses and instruments of quality management, such as the Ishikawa diagram, regression diagram, correlation, and box plot diagram. The relevance of the decision of this scientific research relating to the innovation of the cement production process focused on Industry 4.0 requirements. (3) This paper presents the results of the clinker CaOF content and LS and their quality. These components are used for cement products and are responsible for the quality of cement. This paper obtained a view of barriers in the cement production process, the most important of which are the people involved and their qualifications. (4) These barriers were minimalized and indicated significant improvements in the quality of entry components in the clinker. We suggest reducing CEM III and replacing CEM I-R, which brings higher profit to the company. These results can be instruments or recommendations for other companies utilizing the cement production process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to describe the most important defects in die castings made of EN AC-435000 alloy and to present preventive measures and to rank these defects using Pareto-Lorenz analysis. Design/methodology/approach: The paper provides a comprehensive look at the causes of defects in finished products. During the analysis, Ishikawa and Pareto-Loretnz diagrams were used to get information on what are the main defects in finished products and what steps should be taken to optimize the production process. Findings: An research was used a typical material applied in the aerospace and automotive industries. The article shows that even small deviations from the accepted technological assumptions, in this case temperature, leading to products that deviate from the accepted quality assumptions. Practical implications: The article is intended not only for the scientific community, including students, but also for technologists working in industry. It shows the process of identifying the locations and types of damage to finished products and what steps should be taken to avoid them in the future. Originality/value: Demonstration, difficulties in optimizing the die casting process for EN AC-435000 alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the sources of variation in aluminum profiles hot extrusion process for the purpose of process capability improvement at National Aluminum and Profiles Company (NAPCO) in Palestine. The critical-to-quality characteristics (CTQ) have been determined as base variables to measure the process capability. Design/methodology/approach: The DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach has been adopted to conduct this study. More specifically, historical data analysis and PARETO charts have been employed. The defects' root causes have been determined using the cause-and-effect diagram and decision matrix. A course of suggested actions has been established to help in improving extrusion process capability. Minitab-18 software was used for conducting inferential statistical analysis. A case study considering a geometry CTQ of D3 dimension of bottom sash aluminum profiles 4,332 was selected for analysis. Findings: The results indicated a reduction in DPMO from 89,649 to 15,659, sigma level was improved from 2.84 to 3.65, process yield was improved from 91.04% to 98.43% and cost was reduced from U$75,972 to U$13,250.9 (i.e. a saving of U$62,721). Studying and improving the sigma level of the extrusion process would yield fewer defective products and consequently fewer customer complaints. A validation process which has been conducted during the year 2019 showed a consistent improvement that aligns with the first stage of improvement made on October 1, 2018. Research limitations/implications: This study focuses on only one critical quality characteristic (CTQ), namely, a geometry CTQ of D3 dimension of bottom sash aluminum profiles 4,332 produced by NAPCO was selected for analysis. Practical implications: This study would be useful for researchers and practitioners to improve the process capability in aluminum profiles manufacturing industries in general and hot extrusion processes in particular. Originality/value: Many previous studies on applying LSS-DMAIC methodology have been conducted in aluminum industries in developed countries. According to the literature, it is highly recommended to have more case studies of applying LSS-DMAIC in different industries in developing countries. NAPCO is the only aluminum manufacturing plant in Palestine that hotly extrudes and coats aluminum profiles. Hence, the present study is the first of its kind in NAPCO and in Palestine. Projecting the assessment of the impact of process improvement opportunities and capability analyses into monetary measures are also innovative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article exemplifies the application of the concept of quality by design (QbD) for the systematic development of a nanoparticulate imiquimod (IMQ) emulsion gel formulation as an investigational medicinal product (IMP) for evaluation in an academic phase-I/II clinical trial for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK) against the comparator Aldara (EudraCT: 2015-002203-28). The design of the QbD elements of a quality target product profile (QTPP) enables the identification of the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the drug product as the content of IMQ, the particle-size distribution, the pH, the rheological properties, the permeation rate and the chemical, physical and microbiological stability. Critical material attributes (CMAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs) are identified by using a risk-based approach in an Ishikawa diagram and in a risk-estimation matrix. In this study, the identified CPPs of the wet media ball-milling process's milling time and milling speed are evaluated in a central composite design of experiments (DoEs) approach, revealing criticality for both factors for the resulting mean particle size, while only the milling time is significantly affecting the polydispersity. To achieve a mean particle size in the range of 300–400 nm with a minimal PdI, the optimal process conditions are found to be 650 rpm for 135 min. Validating the model reveals a good correlation between the predicted and observed values. Adequate control strategies were implemented for intermediate products as in-process controls (IPCs) and quality control (QC) tests of the identified CQAs. The IPC and QC data from 13 "IMI-Gel" batches manufactured in adherence to good manufacturing practice (GMP) reveal consistent quality with minimal batch-to-batch variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PT Dunia Express Transindo is a service provider company "Total Logistics". One of the services provided is the warehouse division to manage all activities in it starting from the Inbound / Receipt of goods, Storage / Storage of goods, and Outbound / Expenditure of goods. In the process, there are problems found in the warehouse, namely errors in the Outbound process / Expenditure of goods in the warehouse, which results in internal impacts for the company, namely errors in the expenditure of goods causing re-delivery to customers. Also the external impact for the company is that the mis-expenditure of goods causes the level of customer trust to be reduced. Data collection is carried out by asking directly to field workers (warehouse staff and warehouse coordinators) and observing warehouse conditions directly. This study took data on the error of goods expenditure in December 2020 the number of goods 13 pcs and in January 2021 with the number of goods 96 pcs. From the root of the problem by using the fishbone diagram and causal method. It is known that the human factor is the most dominant factor due to lack of thoroughness, lack of knowledge and lack of communication. After analyzing the improvement plan using the 5w1h method, the application of the DUNEX Wms Dry application that has been made and socialization is carried out during the morning briefing. So that it can reduce the error of spending goods, speed up the previous report process 2 hours to 5 minutes, report damage previously 30 minutes to 3 minutes and make it easier to find out the items that have been colly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital Fabrication (DFAB) is a systemic innovation with low adoption rates in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) projects. Managing requirements of a new design process is one major challenge for the increased DFAB adoption. For other types of innovations, practices such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) improve design management by integrating process, information and organisation in construction projects. In theory, BIM and ECI could improve design management and increase the adoption of DFAB. However, the relationship between DFAB, BIM and ECI has not yet been studied thoroughly. There is a need to understand new paradigms of DFAB design management in regard to process integration, information integration and organisational integration. This study undertakes a comparative study of four DFAB adoptions in AEC projects with varying levels of BIM and ECI implementation. The design processes of DFAB are traced using swimlane process diagrams. From this, relationships between DFAB, BIM, and ECI are derived using a quadripartite interrelationship diagram. This work illustrates the proposed relationships in DFAB adoption in design using a fishbone diagram. This work concludes with potential future research in design management for digital fabrication, including five takeaways for practitioners to adopt and manage DFAB in the design process of construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global automotive manufacturing industry's growth in downtime reductio is substantial, valued at $3272.6 billion USD with a 3.01% growth rate.This growth in downtime reduction underscores the industry's commitment to enhancing efficiency, quality, and overall productivity across its diverse range of operations. Downtime in the braking system assembly line can lead to utilization loss or technical availability loss. In this context, many proactive maintenance strategies are explored but there's limited focus on addressing error-prone machines and utilizing Machine Learning for predicting downtime. The objective is to prioritize downtime reduction through error analysis, critical machine identification, and implementing ML-based solutions. This comprehensive research delved into the significance of minimizing downtime in the braking system final assembly line through meticulous data analysis, visualization techniques and targeted interventions and then identified key issues and achieved tangible improvements in operational efficiency. The analysis revealed significant findings and then employed the Pareto Principle to identify top downtime machines, illustrating their distribution through a Pareto chart of machine defects. Furthermore, Exceptions and Problem Areas were identified utilizing statistical process controls, offering insights into critical error contributors. Notably, a comprehensive exploration of the most prominent downtime machine was undertaken, evidenced by LCL and UCL charts and a Fishbone Diagram detailing causal relationships. The research leverages real-world data involving dates, machine names, and downtime durations to develop a predictive model that aids in proactively managing production disruptions. The application of RPN calculations before and after error correction demonstrated a substantial reduction from of 432 to 75, validating the efficacy of the corrective actions. The real time data was used to build a model that can predict when production machines downtime might happen. This helps us be prepared and manage any possible disruptions in production.The outcome of the project highlights the intrinsic link between downtime reduction and assembly line efficiency, emphasizing the importance of data-driven interventions. This culminated in the resolution of key issues, illustrated by the mitigation of the PCBA Pressin machine and LVDT sensor errors, yielding tangible reductions in downtime and notable productivity improvements. In this direction, exploring Ai driven predictive maintenance holds immense potential for advancing downtime reduction strategies. Leveraging AI algorithms to analyse live data streams from machinery and sensors can enable the detection of patterns indicating imminent failures and can pre-emptively prevent downtime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to conduct an analysis leading to the optimization of industrial safety related to the use of a cotton fabric automatic screen printing press. The author’s multistage algorithm, i.e., the analysis-synthesis-minimization procedure, brings effective solutions to the issue in question. There are several risk factors at the printing press workstation and its environment, which are identified by employee surveys, scorecards and airborne samples testing. The risks are visualized by the fishbone/Ishikawa diagram. In accordance with the Fine–Kinney method, a set of 70 scorecards assessing occupational risk is applied to support the identification of critical hazards, which is next re-analyzed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Hierarchically assessed risk factors related to the use of a printing press are easy to be minimized by organizational and technical solutions which are intended to be implemented at the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety and food security have captured the significant attention of researchers. The main objective of this study is to identify the critical barriers of food supply chain management in the Indian context. For this, a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) based approach is used. With an assessment of existing literature and consultation with food chain experts, 15 barriers have been identified for analysis. Critical barriers and their causal relationships are explored through the cause-and-effect diagram. Results of this study show that the barriers, namely "Lack of Government policy and regulation support" (B8) and "Extreme & diverse climate conditions in India" (B15), are the top two most critical and influential barriers. Recent advances in Blockchain technology have paved for mitigating the impact of these barriers on the performance of the food supply chain, and with the suitable intervention of Blockchain technology, many such barriers can be overcome, thereby improving food supply chain performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atovaquone are important drugs that are used in the treatment of malaria and in combination with mefloquine hydrochloride increases the efficacy and potency. Present study covers the development of UV-spectrophotometry based analytical techniques for the simultaneous estimation of mefloquine HCl and atovaquone employing the Quality by Design (QbD) methods. Materials and Methods: C-N-X method were employed for risk assessment study and Ishikawa fishbone diagram was plotted for understanding of various factors that affect method development. Central Composite Design (CCD) was utilized for selected significant factors optimization. Scanning speed and scanning interval were considered as independent variables and absorption at 222 nm and 251 nm were considered as responses. Response surface plots and design space were developed for mathematical modelling-based prediction of responses obtained within specified ranges and optimization. Developed simultaneous analytical method was further validated as per the ICH Q2 guidelines. Results: The method showed good linearity with R2 > 0.9 and good recovery with % RSD less than 2. The LOD and LOQ of UV developed method was found to be satisfactory and well between the acceptable range. Conclusion: The developed method for simultaneous estimation of atovaquone and mefloquine hydrochloride may act as a quick, precise, accurate, and economical quality control method for regular and simultaneous estimation of atovaquone and mefloquine HCl in bulk and mixed dosage forms at industrial level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The analysis of the risk terminal flows in technogenic systems is carried out, which arise in the process of the impact of informational and cognitive threats in the automated document management system as part of the hierarchical production system. The object of the research is the process of functioning of complex systems with a hierarchical structure, in which automated document management systems with a high level of data flow protection for decision-making are used to provide the information quality control of technological processes. The subjects of the research are the methods and means of constructing an information protection system to ensure the reliable functioning of automated document management systems and making targeted decisions in hierarchical structures with minimal risk of exposure to external threats and attacks. Objective is to develop a complex model for assessing the risk of the document management system failure as part of a hierarchical production system under the active threats. Method. For the first time, the cause-and-effect diagram of the event formation with the active action of threat factors and attacks is substantiated and developed, the interpretation of risk in a technogenic system is defined, and the risk in the space of states is presented as a change in the trajectory in the system transitions to the limit operation mode. For the first time, a category diagram of the structure of risk generation under the threat factors and a system-category diagram of interaction in the system risk ↔ emergencyactive nature is constructed, a system-category scheme of risk formation under the active threat factors is suggested. For the first time, a cognitive diagram for assessing losses in the event of a risk situation arising from incorrect actions of the personnel is substantiated. Results. As a result of the research, a system-category diagram of the impact of a set of threats on the system functioning mode and process is constructed, a method is developed for calculating the level of system strategic security of energy-active hierarchical systems in the process of attacks and threats, and a complex model for assessing the risk of a system functioning failure under active threats is suggested. Conclusions. Under the action of active obstacles, cognitive and system factors at the operational and strategic levels of the control hierarchy, due to wrong decisions and informational disorientation, emergency situations and risks of the system function loss and its target-orientation arise. The analysis of a set of risks and the suggested category diagram of the risk generation structure under the impact of threat factors form the basis of the development of the probability structure of the risk concept based on the attack ↔ consequence model, as well as the construction of a system-category diagram of the interaction in the game active factor ↔ accident risk. This, in turn, makes it possible to construct a system-category scheme for the formation of risk terminal flows in technogenic systems that arise in the process of threat impact. A complex model for assessing the risk of system failure under threats can be used to construct protection systems for any hierarchical control structures of technogenic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses how well quality tools identify the correct root cause with a modified usage compared to more traditional usage. The purpose of this research is to empirically evaluate the use of a modified Ishikawa diagram and variation of another quality tool for identifying testable hypotheses in root cause analysis. Two experiments were performed using engineers to evaluate the proposed methods for hypothesis selection and evaluation. One study evaluated the use of an Ishikawa diagram with a hypothesis related action item tracking list versus teams with just an Ishikawa diagram. The second study determined if the correct hypothesis was selected more often than chance when multiple hypotheses and observations are presented in a list. Use of the proposed method including a modified Ishikawa diagram leads to more testable hypotheses and listing the available evidence can lead to the identification of the correct hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vannamei shrimp has a very potential market both domestically and abroad. PT XYZ, the Vannamei shrimp industry in Indonesia has not been maximized in its productivity. FMEAis a technique used to increase the reliability and safety of a process by identifying potential failures - or failure modes - in the process. This study aims to evaluate harvest productivity at PT XYZ, a company engaged in the vannamei shrimp farming industry based on the problems that exist in the operational sector. Methods: Observing the problems that affect the productivity of vanamei shrimp harvest, especially in workers, methods, and technological innovations of the company. The analysis was carried out using the Fishbone diagram, why-why analysis, and FMEA methods to determine critical problems. The critical problems found were taken into consideration for brainstorming using the 5W+1H method to determine recommendations for improvement Results:Human factors, methods, and technology have critical problems. Based on the calculation of the RPN in the FMEA method, it is known that the most critical problem is in the method factor, which is about the implementation of work not based on relevant data. The recommendation for improvement is that the company conducts an analysis related to the application of technology, making decisions about the application of technology significantly needed because the application of technology according to the company's needs can help overcome critical problems that occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research seeks to understand the purpose five whys is used for in industry as well as what quality tools are used together with five whys. Methodology/Approach: A survey was sent to organizations previously identified for an unrelated survey. The survey was sent to 98 organizations in Poland and 47 organizations responded. There were four respondents who reported being unfamiliar with five whys and their responses were discarded. The reported uses of five whys were assessed using a chi-square goodness of fit test. The way in which five whys is used, either as a brainstorming tool or a method that requires investigation, and the purpose of five whys were compared to the intended use using a hypothesis test of two proportions. The quality tools used with five whys was then assessed using a chi-square goodness of fit test. Findings: Although more respondents use five whys as a root cause analysis (RcA) tool, the difference was not statistically significant. Respondents who used five whys with investigation used five whys as both a method for quality improvement and RcA more often than those who used five whys as a brainstorming tool without investigation. There was no statistically significant difference in using five whys for RcA and those who used five whys as a brainstorming tool reported using five whys for quality improvement more often. Although many different quality tools were reported, the Ishikawa diagram is by far the quality tool used the most with five whys. Research Limitation/Implication: This paper used a survey that was limited to one region of Poland. Originality/Value of paper: This paper provides the first insights into the use of five whys in organizations; as a method for quality improvement, RcA, or both. Category: Research paper [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extrusions (or profiles) made of aluminium have repeatedly demonstrated their superiority in terms of effectiveness, durability, and efficiency in a variety of applications, including consumer goods, transportation, electronics, engineering and construction. Aluminium extrusions provide advantages unequalled by other materials and processes where time, cost, and process reliability are crucial considerations for the manufacturer. The objective of this study is to use data obtained in the industry to characterize and quantify the bending defect that occur during the casting process. During Aluminium casting process, the quality of the completed product was significantly reduced by bending defect as they result in higher production costs and a higher percentage of scrap. To locate the fundamental causes, correct likely deviations, and make major changes, a variety of quality techniques are used, including Brainstorming, 4W-1H Analysis, Ishikawa diagram, 5-WHY Analysis and Preventive / Corrective action methods. The main goal of employing these tools is to give operators and supervisors the right indications that govern the production process and help them locate the crucial casting variables or other factors that are to blame for excessive waste, errors, and decrease in productivity. The findings showed that Log Bend makes up a sizable portion of the overall analyzed flaws, proving the necessity of tracking this issue. The present study revealed that a number of factors have a role in the development of these flaws. To lower the rejection rate and achieve the internal rejection objective, certain action strategies have been put up. The outcomes could serve as a benchmarking tool for other extrusion facilities of similar nature.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The competitiveness of enterprises depends not only on the efficient use of economic resources, promotion of the product brand, but also on meeting the needs of consumers for quality products. Therefore, economic entities should pay attention to the production of goods without deviations from standards and norms and without rejects, which will allow them to win in the market competition. This justifies the relevance of the subject matter of the article and its timeliness. The purpose of the article is to generalize the theoretical concepts of the product quality management process and to develop recommendations on the example of an industrial enterprise of the flow type of production to reduce product defects. The object is the process of managing product quality and reducing rejects. The article’s subject is the theoretical provisions, methods, methodological and practical recommendations for managing the quality of products of industrial enterprises aimed at reducing the percentage of defective products. The main methods used in the article are general scientific methods of cognition: analysis and synthesis, theoretical generalization, monographic, structural-logical and system analyses, special research methods: statistical analysis, expert survey, Pareto rule, Ishikawa method, and graphical method. The main results presented in the article are as follows. Based on the generalization of scientific literature, the author proposes a definition of the concept of quality. Quality should be understood as ensuring the quality of each type of economic resource, which allows for a high-quality course of business processes and production of goods which satisfy the needs of consumers and are provided with their effective demand. In other words, products that are defective in terms of their technical or quality characteristics do not meet their standard and are unable to provide their intended functions. Products can be recognized as defective at any stage of production and operations of the production cycle. On the example of the industrial enterprise under study, the article considers the statistics of nonconformity and defective products in the most important production unit, the work of which is characterized by a significant percentage of rejects, according to operational and output control. Using the Pareto rule, the main causes of rejects are identified and Ishikawa diagrams are constructed for the most significant two causes. Further, in accordance with the Ishikawa diagrams, measures to prevent nonconformities and defects in products are proposed for two main reasons and five sections: equipment; control system; staff; raw materials; and working conditions. A unified standardized sequence for determining the causes of deviations and rejects in 16 stages has been developed. The use of training methods for staff of an industrial enterprise to improve product quality and reduce rejects is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Risk assessment is an integral aspect of the Quality-by-Design strategy to identify potential obstacles at every stage of biopharmaceutical production, from process development to tech transfer. We explored flow process chart, root cause analysis, and failure mode and effects analysis, to assess the scale-up of bacterial cell disruption and its influence on centrifugation and filtration steps. The Ishikawa diagram suggests that data on the impact of homogenizer valve design on product release, impurity profile, particle size distribution, viscosity, and dsDNA fragment size are missing which were collected experimentally for this study. Cell lysates from micro-, lab- and pilot scales cell disruption were analyzed for the above-mentioned parameters. Process parameters affecting these output parameters were identified on each individual scale. Cell disruption on the micro scale was performed in a bead mill. High pressure homogenization was used on lab- and pilot scales. Cell disintegration by bead milling delivers homogenates of product and impurity content comparable to those on bench scale but with 3-fold higher viscosity and significantly larger dsDNA fragments, 8.0 instead of 1.0 kbp, respectively. Miniaturized pressure flow curves identified dsDNA fragment sizes as critical for filter performance during clarification. Combining risk assessment, micro scale cell disintegration and bench scale pressure flow curves allows for selective and efficient process development, and scale up for primary recovery steps. • Risk assessment for primary recovery of biopharmaceuticals recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli. • Comparative analysis between microscale bead milling and high-pressure homogenization conducted. • Importance of risk assessment and emphasizing its utility from development to scale-up and tech transfer. • Selected microscale experiments and miniaturized pressure flow curves allow efficient process development and scale up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]