Internet-based framework to support integration of the customer in the design of customizable products

Integration of customers is a necessary element to design and produce customer centric products. Design tools and methodologies need to be altered to accommodate customers into the process of designing customized products. In the current paper a mass customization framework is presented, that uses computer-aided design (CAD) and finiteelement-based optimization tools to integrate the customer into the design process via the internet. A mass customization template for generating optimized user-customized products is also presented. The capability of the system is demonstrated by a case study on customization of bicycle frames.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

The redesign of blue- and white-collar work triggered by digitalization:collar matters

The implementation of digital technologies in the context of Industry 4.0 radically changes methods of production and thereby the jobs of blue-collar workers. Although the work design effects of digitalization on the operator 4.0 have been explored in the existing literature, less is known about the simultaneous effects on white-collar work and the underlying (re)design process of human work including the factors that shape this process. To address this gap, we performed an in-depth industrial case study of an organization in the process of digitalization. Our findings confirm the concurrent impact of digitalization on blue- and white-collar work and suggest that its human implications highly depend on the extent to which, and at what moment, human factors are considered during the design and implementation process. Where work design knowledge lacked, the motivation of system designers turned out to be an important individual factor to realize favorable work design outcomes. At the organizational level, results show the importance of early involvement of system users and incorporating social performance indicators in addition to operational performance indicators in the statement of project goals. Our findings provide important empirical input for the further development of human-centric models and theories that integrate the challenges and opportunities for blue- and white-collar workers that are emerging when adopting digital technologies

Just-in-Time Retail Distribution:A Systems Perspective on Cross-Docking

Cross-docking is a just-in-time strategy for distribution logistics. It is aimed at reducing inventory levels and distribution lead times by creating a seamless flow of products from suppliers to customers. Prior supply chain literature has argued that creating such a seamless product flows requires a holistic view on cross-docking management, aimed at synchronizing cross-docking operations at the distribution center with its inbound and outbound network logistics. This paper provides an in-depth case study illustrating how cross-docking operations can be managed more holistically in a retail distribution context. A discrete event simulation model has been developed to understand and improve the cross-docking operations of a large grocery retailer in The Netherlands. The model is used to quantitatively evaluate two proposed changes that exploit opportunities in the design and control of the retailer’s distribution network. An extensive real-world data set is used as input to the model. Overall, the case and simulation results show that a holistic cross-docking management approach can indeed improve system-wide performance, which further stresses the importance of making cross-dock operational decisions making and network decisions together

Density of Phonon States in Superconducting FeSe as a Function of Temperature and Pressure

The temperature and pressure dependence of the partial density of phonon states of iron atoms in superconducting Fe1.01Se was studied by 57Fe nuclear inelastic scattering (NIS). The high energy resolution allows for a detailed observation of spectral properties. A sharpening of the optical phonon modes and shift of all spectral features towards higher energies by ~4% with decreasing temperature from 296 K to 10 K was found. However, no detectable change at the tetragonal - orthorhombic phase transition around 100 K was observed. Application of a pressure of 6.7 GPa, connected with an increase of the superconducting temperature from 8 K to 34 K, results in an increase of the optical phonon mode energies at 296 K by ~12%, and an even more pronounced increase for the lowest-lying transversal acoustic mode. Despite these strong pressure-induced modifications of the phonon-DOS we conclude that the pronounced increase of Tc in Fe1.01Se with pressure cannot be described in the framework of classical electron-phonon coupling. This result suggests the importance of spin fluctuations to the observed superconductivity

Spontaneous virologic suppression in HIV controllers is independent of delayed-type hypersensitivity test responsiveness

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) testing, an in vivo assessment of cell-mediated immunity, is a predictor of HIV disease progression beyond CD4 cell count. We investigated whether preserved DTH responsiveness was characteristic of HIV controllers compared to non-controllers and individuals on suppressive HAART.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>DTH testing consisted of ≥ 3 recall antigens applied approximately every 6 months. DTH responses were classified by the number of positive skin tests: anergic (0), partial anergic (1), or non-anergic (≥ 2). HIV controllers were compared to treatment naïve non-controllers (n = 3822) and a subgroup of non-controllers with VL < 400 copies/mL on their initial HAART regimen (n = 491). The proportion of non-anergic results at first DTH testing was similar for HIV controllers compared to non-controllers (81.9% vs. 77.6%; P = 0.22), but tended to be greater in HIV controllers compared to the HAART subgroup (81.9% vs. 74.5%; P = 0.07). Complete anergy was observed in 14 (10.1%) HIV controllers with CD4 counts ≥ 400 cells/uL. For longitudinal testing, the average percentage of non-anergic DTH determinations per participant was higher in HIV controllers compared to non-controllers (81.2 ± 31.9% vs. 70.7 ± 36.8%; P = 0.0002), however this difference was eliminated with stratification by CD4 count: 200-399 (83.4 ± 35.6% vs. 71.9 ± 40.9%; P = 0.15) and > 400 cells/uL (81.2 ± 31.5% vs. 80.4 ± 32.7%; P = 0.76).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Spontaneous virologic control was not associated with DTH responsiveness, and several HIV controllers were anergic despite having elevated CD4 counts. These findings suggest that cellular immunity assessed by DTH is not a principal factor contributing to spontaneous virologic suppression in HIV controllers.</p

Patient-reported outcomes on empagliflozin treatment in glycogen storage disease type Ib:An international questionnaire study

In patients with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib), quality of life is severely hampered by neutropenia and neutropenia-associated symptoms. SGLT2 inhibitors are a new treatment option and have shown improved medical outcomes in more than 120 patients so far. The aim of this international questionnaire study was to assess patient-reported outcomes of this new treatment in GSD Ib patients. Patients and caregivers of pediatric patients were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire. This was designed to evaluate treatment effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin on clinical symptoms and important aspects of daily life including physical performance, sleep, social and work life, traveling, socioeconomic aspects, and quality of life. The questionnaire was completed by 73 respondents from 17 different countries. The mean duration of treatment was 15 months, the cumulative treatment time was 94.8 years. More than 80% of patients reported an improved quality of life. The number of hospitalizations was reduced (66% of patients), as well as the number of days absent from school or work. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment could be stopped in 49% of patients and reduced in another 42%. Clear improvement of neutropenia and all neutropenia-associated symptoms was reported by the majority of patients. Additionally, patients or caregivers reported positive effects on appetite (63%), level of activity (75%), overall well-being (96%), and sleep (63%). Empagliflozin positively impacts many aspects of daily life including work and social life and thereby significantly improves quality of life of patients and caregivers.</p