Efficient and effective solution procedures for order acceptance and capacity planning.

This paper investigates dynamic order acceptance and capacity planning under limited regular and non-regular resources. Our goal is to maximize the profits of the accepted projects within a finite planning horizon. The way in which the projects are planned affects their payout time and, as a consequence, there investment revenues as well as the available capacity for future arriving projects. In general, project proposals arise dynamically to the organization, and their actual characteristics are only revealed upon arrival. Dynamic solution approaches are therefore most likely to obtain good results. Although the problem can theoretically be solved to optimality as a stochastic dynamic program, real-life problem instances are too difficult to be solved exactly within areas on able amount of time. Efficient and effective heuristics are thus required that supply a response without delay.For this reason, this paper considers both 'single-pass' algorithms as well as approximate dynamic-programming algorithms and investigates their suitability to solve the problem. Simulation experiments compare the performance of our procedures to a firrst-come, first-served policy that is commonly used in practice.Approximate dynamic programming; Capacity planning; multi-project; Order acceptance; Simulation;

Project portfolio management: capacity allocation, downsizing decisions and sequencing rules.

This paper aims to gain insight into capacity allocation, downsizing decisions and sequencing rules when managing a portfolio of projects. By downsizing, we mean reducing the scale or size of a project and thereby changing the project's content. In previous work, we have determined the amount of critical capacity that is optimally allocated to concurrently executed projects with deterministic or stochastic workloads when the impact of downsizing is known. In this paper, we extend this view with the possibility of sequential processing, which implies that a complete order is imposed on the projects. When projects are sequenced instead of executed in parallel, two effects come into play: firstly, unused capacity can be shifted to later projects in the same period; and secondly, reinvestment revenues gain importance because of the differences in realization time of the sequenced projects. When project workloads are known, only the second effect counts; when project workloads are stochastic, however, the project's capacity usage is uncertain so that unused capacity can be shifted to later projects in the same period. In this case, both effects need to be taken into account. In this paper, we determine optimal sequencing rules when the selection and capacity-allocation decisions for a set of projects have already been made. We also consider a combination of parallel and sequential planning and we perform simulation experiments that confirm the appropriateness of our capacity-allocation methods.Project portfolio management; Downsizing; Sequencing;

Dynamic order acceptance and capacity planning within a multi-project environment.

We present a tactical decision model for order acceptance and capacity planning that maximizes the expected profits from accepted orders, allowing for regular as well as nonregular capacity.We apply stochastic dynamic programming to determine a profit threshold for the accept/reject decision as well as an optimal capacity allocation for accepted projects, both with an eye on maximizing the expected revenues within the problem horizon.We derive a number of managerial insights based on an analysis of the influence of project and environmental characteristics on optimal project selectionand capacity usage.Capacity planning; multi-project; Order acceptance; Stochastic dynamic programming;

Capacity allocation and downsizing decisions in project portfolio management.

This paper aims to gain insight into capacity allocation and downsizing decisions in project portfolio management. By downsizing, we mean reducing the scale or size of a project and thereby changing the project's content. We first determine the amount of critical capacity that is optimally allocated to strategic projects with deterministic or stochastic workloads for a single-period problem when the impact of downsizing is known. In order to solve the multi-period problem, we have modeled the behavior of the portfolio in subsequent periods as a single project for which the return on investment can be estimated. Secondly, we investigate how the scarcity of resources affects the (expected) value of projects. The independent (expected) project value is calculated under the assumption of unlimited capacity; in contrast, the dependent (expected) project value incorporates the resource constraints. We find that the dependent project value is equal to the independent project value when the return on investment of the portfolio is sufficiently low. In addition, we determine the relation between the return on investment of the portfolio and the value of a project and conclude that the impact of resource scarcity on the value of a project cannot be fully captured by the common financial practice of adapting the discount rate with the estimated return on investment.Project portfolio management; Downsizing; Stochastic workload;

Factors Influencing Cybersecurity Risk Among Minority-Owned Small Businesses

Small businesses are increasingly becoming targets of cyberattacks. Minority-owned small businesses may face additional challenges when it comes to cybersecurity, due to factors such as limited resources and lack of awareness. Therefore, it is important to understand the specific factors that influence cybersecurity risk among minority-owned small businesses in order to develop effective strategies to protect them from cyber threats. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing cybersecurity risk among minority-owned small businesses. The variables examined were lack of resources, lack of awareness, use of outdated technology, limited training, and targeted attacks. A multiple regression analysis was conducted with a sample size of 252 minority-owned small businesses. The results showed that all of the variables were statistically significant in predicting cybersecurity risk. Lack of resources, lack of awareness, and use of outdated technology were found to be significant predictors of cybersecurity risk. Limited training and targeted attacks were also significant predictors. These findings suggest that minority-owned small businesses are vulnerable to cybersecurity risks due to a combination of factors, including limited resources, lack of awareness, outdated technology, and inadequate training. Therefore, it is important for small business owners to prioritize cybersecurity and invest in the necessary resources and training to protect their businesses from cyber threats

The Relationship between the Athlete and the Athletic Trainer and How It Effects Concussion Reporting

Currently there are an estimated 1.6-3.8 million concussions annually in the United States; therefore, it is imperative that healthcare professionals recognize these injuries to reduce future injury risks such as Second Impact Syndrome (SIS), depression, and Mild Cognitive Impairment. In order to reduce these risks, healthcare professionals need to find ways to increase the athletes\u27 willingness to report their concussions. McCrea suggests that healthcare professionals need to promote open lines of communication for injury reporting. In searching for different means by which to promote lines of communication to increase the athletes\u27 willingness to report concussions, two possible means were identified. The first would be to explore the relationship between the athletic trainer (AT) and the athlete (i.e. perceived closeness), and the second would be to explore the amount of autonomy support given by the healthcare provider. Objective: To investigate if closeness and autonomy support predict athletes\u27 willingness to report their concussion symptoms. Design: Multiple Linear Regression using two independent variables (Health Care Climate Questionnaire - HCCQ, and Need for Relatedness Scale - NRS) and one dependent variable (Willingness to Report Scale - WRS). Participants: 108 high school and collegiate athletes (age=17.9 + 2.3 years). The participants completed a demographic sheet and three questionnaires. Main Outcome Measures: Autonomy support, perceived closeness, and willingness to report were the outcomes and were measured using three questionnaires. The Health Care Climate Questionnaire measured autonomy support. The Need for Relatedness scale x measured perceived closeness. The Willingness to Report Scale measured the willingness of athletes to report concussion symptoms to their AT. Results: Interestingly, findings indicated that perceived closeness predicted WR for only HS subjects. Specifically, perceived closeness significantly predicted 15.8% of the variance of WR for HS subjects (F=8.436, p=0.006). Conclusions: Because perceived closeness predicted willingness to report for high school subjects, it is suggested that high school athletic trainers develop closer relationships with their athletes to increase reporting of concussions. By developing a closer relationship there is a potential to increase concussion reporting, thus also potentially decreasing the risk of SIS and other long term effects of concussions

Rethinking the Needs of the Invisible Society through Empowerment

This thesis addresses the issue of homelessness and is intended to spark an open conversation about how we can redefine our perceptions of families who experience homelessness. The proposal aims to explore and establish an transitional intervention for “invisible” families to live and develop into contributing residents of society. In the United States, the most vulnerable population are families with children, accounting for 33% of the homeless population. As Covid19 cases continue to rise, and policies continue to neglect affordable housing options, the number of families experiencing homelessness will continue to grow in the future. Through the analysis of case studies, and research of the psychological hierarchy of needs, the thesis aims to propose an intervention that cohesively integrates health, education, and training services driven by equity. The project seeks to provide a trauma free environment, increase educational and training independency, and impart greater inclusion into the lives of families experiencing homelessness

Ischemic Strokes

Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the third leading cause of death in the United States (Mvundura, McGruder, Khoury, Valdez, & Yoon, 2011). Ischemic strokes make up about 86% of the strokes that occur, (Patel, & White, 2011) hemorrhagic and cryptogenic strokes make up for the other 15%. The topic that is covered in this poster is ischemic stroke. The biggest way to alter the amount of strokes that happen are to prevent them. More and more risk factors are being found that contribute to strokes. Once the inflammatory and immune response begins once triggered by hypoxia it cannot be reversed