Estimating obsolescence risk from demand data - a case study

In this paper obsolescence of service parts is analyzed in a practical environment. Basedon the analysis, we propose a method that can be used to estimate the risk of obsolescenceof service parts. The method distinguishes groups of service parts. For these groups, therisk of obsolescence is estimated using the behavior of similar groups of service parts inthe past. The method uses demand data as main information source, and can therefore beapplied without the use of an expert's opinion. We will give numerical values for the risk ofobsolescence obtained with the method, and the e®ects of these values on inventory controlwill be examined.inventory;forecasting;obsolescence;spare parts

Finding optimal policies in the (S - 1, S ) lost sales inventory model with multiple demand classes

This paper examines the algorithms proposed in the literature forfinding good critical level policies in the (S-1,S) lost salesinventory model with multiple demand classes. Our main result isthat we establish guaranteed optimality for two of thesealgorithms. This result is extended to different resupplyassumptions, such as a single server queue. As a corollary, weprovide an alternative proof of the optimality of critical levelpolicies among the class of all policies.inventory;customer differentiation;multiple demand classes;rationing lost sales;stochastic dynamic programming

Risk-based stock decisions for projects

In this report we discuss a model that can be used to determine stocking levels using thedata that comes forward from a Shell RCM analysis and the dataavailable in E-SPIR. The model is appropriate to determine stockquantities for parts that are used in redundancy situations, andfor parts that are used in different pieces of equipment withdifferent downtime costs. Estimating the annual production lossusing the model consists of a number of steps. First, we need todetermine which spares are used for the repairs of which failuremodes. In the second step, we estimate the average waiting timefor spares as a function of the number of spares stocked. In thethird step, the annual downtime costs are determined. We combinethe downtime costs with the holding costs to determine the optimalnumber of parts to stock.

Sensory integration intervention and the development of the premature infant: A controlled trial

Background. Premature infants are at risk of sensory processing difficulties and developmental delays due to an immature central nervous system and possible episodes of medical instability, discomfort, pain and stress during the first weeks or months after birth.Objective. To investigate the effect of Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) on the development of premature infants in the first 12 months of life.Methods. A pre-/post-test experimental design was used to randomly divide 24 premature infants from a low socioeconomic setting in Bloemfontein, South Africa, into experimental and control groups after being matched by corrected age and gender. Developmental status was determined with the Bayley III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants and the Infant/ Toddler Sensory Profile. The experimental group received 10 weeks of ASI intervention.Results. ASI intervention had a positive effect on the sensory processing and development of premature infants, especially in terms of cognitive, language and motor development.Conclusions. ASI intervention at an early age enhances the developmental progress of premature infants

The design of a seaside hydrotherapy facility in Nelson Mandela Bay, Beachview

This treatise is about the design of a seaside hydrotherapy facility which will treat health conditions through the healing properties of water therapy and nature, as well as improving the wellness of the users. The purpose of this treatise is to understand the architectural aspects involved in a seaside hydrotherapy facility, such as the theoretical, the contextual, spatial, and the physical aspects. The facility will be located in Nelson Mandela Bay at Beachview in a therapeutic setting on the seafront, and will not only provide specialized thalassotherapy, but also give the users the benefit of the mental healing properties of the ocean. The building itself aims to promote healing and relaxation and challenges the designer to make maximum use of these elements. The nature of hydrotherapy facilities requires the provision for recovery, which indicates the setting up of overnight amenities as well as daily access. With this in mind, the relationship between these two groups of users and their connections, are explored. The facility proposes to use design as a way to connect the sea, land and architecture, in order to form an integrated relationship for the beneficial use of the user. An architectural design is proposed which is formed of specific sets of architectural issues that were identified and analysed. The work of professionals and other architectural designs with similar challenges were studied in terms of their particular responses and their relationships were analysed in relation to a seaside hydrotherapy facility

An investigation of the consumer protection Act (2008) and plain language application at selected businesses in the Port Elizabeth metropole

Businesses communicate a wide variety of messages to diverse audiences using a number of different communication types and channels daily. For example, business communication includes business reports, documents (booklets, leaflets, and official communiqués), notices, agreements, web copy and advertisements that are produced continually to address a variety of business communication needs for a variety of audiences. Although written business communication has a significant impact on customer satisfaction and consumer attitude which, in turn, affects consumer behaviour positively or negatively, there is a lack of research investigating the knowledge and application of plain language in business communication. Many studies were found to be related to communication and language, however, studies about plain language use were less prevalent. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the awareness of the plain language regulations stipulated in the South African Consumer Protection Act (CPA) 68 of 2008 (2009). The application of these plain language principles within businesses in the Port Elizabeth Metropole, with specific reference to its use in written business communication was also investigated. The study also aimed to identify plain language best practices and constraints resulting from plain language application or non-application within the selected organisations. The research focused attention on the impact of business communication on customer satisfaction, consumer attitude and, ultimately, consumer behaviour as well as the need for plain language use in written business communication practices to ensure effective and fair (ethical) communication. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on communication, communication theory and consumer behaviour, as well as on plain language principles which might add to the effectiveness of organisations’ written business communication, to provide a theoretical foundation for the study. The study’s research methodology was approached from a phenomenological (descriptive and interpretive), and somewhat positivistic perspective, utilising qualitative and limited quantitative measures to obtain data. For this reason, three managers from three respective organisations within the Port Elizabeth Metropole were interviewed and asked to complete a rating-scale survey to obtain insight on the written business communication practices of these organisations. A content analysis of documents supplied by the participating organisations were also reviewed to provide commentary on the plain language application in each organisation. Furthermore, Section 2 of the South African CPA 68 of 2008 (2009) was also reviewed to measure and comment on the application of plain language in these organisations. Based on the data analysis, it was evident that organisations in the Port Elizabeth Metropole were aware of plain language and the plain language regulations stipulated in the South African CPA 68 of 2008 (2009), but that they were not certain what the regulations entailed exactly. Furthermore, plain language principles were applied in the participating organisations, however, complications and areas for possible improvement were identified in the data. From the study’s findings, various recommendations were made that could assist the organisations to improve their organisations’ plain language application. These recommendations included, for example, appointing plain language champions to monitor plain language application in the organisation, as well as assessing language competence of staff and training them to improve their language competencies. Recommendations for future research suggested that future studies needed to include a larger research sample, a more diverse sample population to include consumers and a broader industrial demographic. In addition, future studies could attempt to investigate communication barriers that inhibit or challenge comprehension in consumer communication

Where to with reserve selection and conservation planning in South Africa?

A critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses associated with the ‘minimal set’ approach to designing an optimal reserve network tor vertebrate species is offered. Strengths are the rational and efficient manner in which full species representation is achieved, and the planning benefits that can be gained through its flexibility. Weaknesses include the inappropriateness of the ‘minimal set’ as a framework for a reserve network, and the frequent confusion between top-down relational species criteria and bottom-up site attributes. It is suggested that the distinct ‘top-down’ relational and ‘bottom-up’ representation approaches may act synergistically to form the basis of a National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. These complementary approaches may require different forms of protection and monitoring, but could also be amalgamated to develop a conservation strategy for non-protected areas. Sufficient attention should also be paid to encouraging the free flow of information and to incorporating the principles of taxonomic and environmental uncertainty into future conservation policies

Making a case for exact language as an aspect of rigour in initial teacher education mathematics programmes

Pre-service secondary mathematics teachers have a poor command of the exact language of mathematics as evidenced in assignments, micro-lessons and practicums. The unrelenting notorious annual South African National Senior Certificate outcomes in mathematics and the recognition by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) that the correct use of mathematical language in classrooms is problematic is reported in the National Senior Certificate Diagnostic Reports on learner performance (DBE, 2008-2013). The reports further recognise that learners do not engage successfully with mathematical problems that require conceptual understanding. This paper therefore highlights a need for teachers to be taught and master an exact mathematical language that for example, calls an ‘expression’ an ‘expression’ and not an ‘equation’. It must support the call of the DBE to use correct mathematical language that will support and improve conceptual understanding rather than perpetuate rote procedural skills, which are often devoid of thought and reason. The authentic language of mathematics can initiate and promote meaningful mathematical dialogue. Initial teacher education programmes, as in the subject methodologies, affords lecturers this opportunity. The language notions of Vygotskian thought and language, Freirian emancipatory critical consciousness and Habermasian ethical and moral communicative action frame the paper theoretically. Using a grounded approach, after examining examples of student language in a practice based research intervention, the design and development of a repertoire of language categories, literal, algebraic, graphical (Cartesian) and procedural (algorithmic) emerged from three one-year cycles of an action research methodology. The development of these repertoires of language was to assist teachers in communicating about mathematical objects through providing a structured framework within which to think and teach. A course model encompassing small group discussions, an oral examination and a self-study action research project, that helped sustain the teaching of an exact mathematical language, is presented. This is supported by student reflections on the usefulness of implementing them

The role of adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer patients with axillary node negative or limited nodal disease after total mastectomy, axillary nodal clearance and systemic therapy

Includes bibliographical references