A stochastic model for forecast consumption in master scheduling

This paper describes a stochastic model for the reduction of the initial forecast in the Master Schedule (MS) of an MRP system during progress of time by the acceptance of customer orders. Results are given for the expectation and variance of the number of yet unknown deliveries as a function of futurity within the planning horizon. The expectation will be a measure for the forecast. The result for the variance is a measure for the forecasting error and may act as a basis for the amount of safety stock or available to promise, to project in the MS

Multiple batch structures in throughput scheduling

Throughput scheduling deals with maximizing time-constrained throughput in batch production. Previous investigations have shown that time-constrained throughput increases by processing successive batch cycles in simple process configurations consisting of three processes and two facilities, even if set-up times are positive. This paper explores the extension of these results to more complex process configurations

Heterogeneous batch structures in throughput scheduling

Recently a few papers appeared on throughput scheduling, dealing with the relationship between batch structure and process structure in discrete batch production, while maximizing time-constrained throughput. Results have been concentrated on the class of homogeneous batch structures, i.e. batch structures with equal batch sizes for each process per cycle. In this paper heterogeneous batch structures are considered. By numerical examples, it is shown that heterogeneous batch structures can outperform the best result obtained by considering only homogeneous batch structures. Moreover integer programs are developed, which generate such solutions

Maximizing throughput in some simple time-constrained scheduling situations

This contribution focuses on some interesting phenomena occurring in scheduling capacity constrained resources in time-constrained situations. The scheduling situations considered form part of a simulation game developed to assist in teaching the scheduling philosophy of Optimized Production Technology (OPT) to production managers. It is shown that under certain conditions on set-up and processing times, advanced examples may be constructed combining three of the four complicating conditions mentioned m the OPT-literature. In addition, some interesting properties of process batches yielding a maximum throughput in such cases is considered

Vergil's Political Commentary in the Eclogues, Georgics and Aeneid

In the book titled Vergil's political commentary in Eclogues, Georgics and Aeneid, the author examines Vergil’s political views by analyzing the whole of the poet’s work. He introduces the notion of the functional model suggesting that the poet often used this instrument when making a political statement. New interpretations of a number of the Eclogues and passages of the Georgics and the Aeneid are suggested and the author concludes that Vergil’s political engagement is visible in much of his work. During his whole career the poet was consistent in his views on several major political themes. These varied from, the distress caused by the violation of the countryside during and after the expropriations in the 40s B.C., to the horrors of the civil war and the violence of war in general, and the necessity of strong leadership. Vergil hoped and expected that Octavian would establish peace and order, and he supported a form of hereditary kingship for which he considered Octavian a suitable candidate. He held Cleopatra in high regard, and he appreciated a more meaningful role for women in society. Vergil wrote poetry that supported Augustus, but he had also the courage to criticize Octavian and his policies. He was a commentator with an independent mind and was not a member of Augustus’ putative propaganda machine

Able Bodies: The Organisation of Labour and Health, 1300-1600: A Research Agenda

One of the longer term, much-debated consequences of the outbreak of the Second Plague Pandemic in the mid-14th century, was the increased poverty and geographical mobility of labourers in Europe’s urbanised regions. Urban bylaws attest that in the 15th century, cities recorded and regulated through repression the presence of itinerant workers and beggars, who took to the road in seek of labour opportunities and, in times of famine, of food. How to deal with the urban poor and vagrants was subsequently a question prominent on the agenda of city governments, including in the early 16th-century Low Countries. This article argues that health experts played a significant role in the organization of labour at this time

Horace’s Sermones Book 1. Credentials for Maecenas

This monograph interprets Sermones book 1 as a collection of Horace's credentials for Maecenas and traces his efforts in getting accepted as an associate of the latter after his miscalculation in joining Brutus. Although Horace regularly reflects on his poetic orientation and standards of good poetry, his primary objective was his self-presentation. The volume also examines his commentary on contemporary socio-political themes

The Porous City: Dealing with Public Health Crises in Fifteenth-Century Sint-Truiden

Many Netherlandish towns and cities in the fifteenth century had to deal with recurring public health crises. Struck by outbreaks of the plague and famine, this strongly urbanised region – at the time over a third of the population in Flanders, Brabant and Holland lived in cities – faced significant challenges. Sint-Truiden, a relatively small, yet significant market town situated in today’s Belgian Limburg and the site of a large Benedictine abbey since the seventh century, fared little better. Three types of health-related crises struck its community between 1417 and 1490, at the time numbering between 4.000-6.000 inhabitants: famine, plague and financial hardship as a result of falling population numbers. How did the city handle these exigencies? This chapter will argue that, in response, the city pursued vital politics by maintaining porous boundaries. It modulated the intake and output of food, persons, matter, and, by extension, money, to uphold balance and motility in the circulation of goods, energy and waste. In this way the weekly bylaws issued by the city magistrates actively anticipated and responded to the biopolitical challenges of managing the urban body politic on a population level, to ensure its vitality. In doing so, they built on existing practices, infrastructure and knowledge as well as adopting new policies