Card-based systems: systematic literature review of new systems and proposal of a list of soft factors for systems implementation

Although Production Control Systems are considered a mature topic in literature, up to now, the focus of literature has been on optimizing the operating parameters of each system, assigning little importance to factors related to human influence (soft factors). Implementation, however, remains a complex problem. This paper aims to reduce this gap by proposing, through a combination of research methods, a list of soft factors critical to success in implementing card-based systems, which which are the most studied and implemented and which share as a characteristic a strong human influence on their functioning. However, to achieve this goal, it was initially necessary to identify which systems are based on cards. Although for systems such as Kanban and CONWIP there is a large literature available, systems developed after POLCA proposal in 1998 were little explored. Therefore, this dissertation initially performs a systematic literature review identifying 13 systems developed between 1999 and 2018, such as COBACABANA, DDMRP, Redutex, B-CONWIP, BK-CONWIP, among others. Briefly, it presents how each system works, its characteristics, current research stage and environments in which it has been proved to be useful, aiming to increase researches about them. The systems are also compared in relation to six variables defined in the literature, identifying that many of the new systems are card-based. The soft factors proposed for the implementation of card-based systems are based on the analysis of problems cited in the literature as well as difficulties identified through a longitudinal case study. This list was validated by experts as well as a group of employees from the focus company that participated in the implementation of kanban. This dissertation also proposes a soft factor house for the implementation of card-based systems, in which the factors are classified as exclusive to this theme or classic management factors, as well as in relation to the organizational level in which it operates (organization, implementation group, or individual). This house aims to assist managers in implementing card-based systems, increasing success rates in this process. In addition, by reviewing recent production control systems, this dissertation aims to increase the repertoire of managers on existing systems, enabling the implementation of more appropriate options for the productive environment in which they are located.Não recebi financiamentoEmbora os Sistemas de Coordenação de Ordens sejam considerado um tópico maduro na literatura, o foco da literatura até o momento recaiu especialmente sobre a otimização dos parâmetros de funcionamento de cada sistema, atribuindo pouca importância aos fatores relacionados a influência humana (soft factors). A implementação, contudo, continua a ser um problema complexo. Esse trabalho visa reduzir essa lacuna, propondo, através de uma combinação de métodos de pesquisa, uma lista de fatores soft críticos para o sucesso na implementação de sistemas baseado em cartão, os quais são os mais estudados e implementados e que compartilham como característica uma forte influência humana em seu funcionamento. Contudo, para realização desse objetivo, inicialmente foi necessário identificar quais são os sistemas baseados em cartão. Embora para sistemas como o Kanban e o CONWIP exista uma grande literatura disponível, sistemas desenvolvidos após a proposta do POLCA em 1998 foram pouco explorados. Assim, essa dissertação inicialmente realiza uma revisão sistemática de literatura identificando 13 sistemas desenvolvidos entre 1999 e 2018, tais como COBACABANA, DDMRP, Redutex, B-CONWIP, BK-CONWIP, dentre outros. Brevemente, é apresentado o funcionamento, características, estágio atual de pesquisa e ambientes propícios para cada sistema, visando aumentar as pesquisas sobre eles. Os sistemas são também comparados em relação a seis variáveis, identificando-se que muitos dos novos sistemas são baseados em cartão. Os fatores soft propostos para a implementação de sistemas baseado em cartão se baseiam na análise de problemas citados na literatura bem como de dificuldades identificadas através de um estudo de caso longitudinal. Essa lista foi validada por especialistas assim como por um grupo de colaboradores da empresa foco que participou da implementação do kanban. Nessa dissertação é proposta também uma casa de fatores soft para a implementação de sistemas baseados em cartão, nas quais os fatores são classificados como exclusivos dessa temática ou fatores clássicos de administração, bem como em relação ao nível organizacional em que atua. (organização, grupo de implementação ou indivíduo). Essa casa tem como objetivo auxiliar os gerentes na implementação de sistemas baseados em cartão, aumentando as taxas de sucesso nesse processo. Além disso, através da revisão de sistemas de coordenação de ordens recentes, essa dissertação visa aumentar o repertório dos gerentes sobre os sistemas existentes, possibilitando a implementação de opções mais adequadas para o ambiente produtivo em que se encontram

Signals, Synapses, and Synthesis: How New Proteins Control Plasticity

Localization of mRNAs to dendrites and local protein synthesis afford spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression and endow synapses with the capacity to autonomously alter their structure and function. Emerging evidence indicates that RNA binding proteins, ribosomes, translation factors and mRNAs encoding proteins critical to synaptic structure and function localize to neuronal processes. RNAs are transported into dendrites in a translationally quiescent state where they are activated by synaptic stimuli. Two RNA binding proteins that regulate dendritic RNA delivery and translational repression are cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein and fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). The fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common known genetic cause of autism and is characterized by the loss of FMRP. Hallmark features of the FXS include dysregulation of spine morphogenesis and exaggerated metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent long term depression, a cellular substrate of learning and memory. Current research focuses on mechanisms whereby mRNAs are transported in a translationally repressed state from soma to distal process and are activated at synaptic sites in response to synaptic signals

Obeying a rule : Ludwig Wittgenstein and the foundations of Set Theory

In this paper we propose some reflections on Wittgenstein’s ideas about grammar and rules; then we shall consider some consequences of these for the foundations of set theory and, in particular, for the introduction of major concepts of set theory in education. For instance, a community of practice can decide to follow a particular rule that forbids the derivation of arbitrary sentences from a contradiction: since, according to Radford’s perspective, knowledge is the result of thinking, and thinking is a cognitive social praxis, the mentioned choice can be considered as a form of real and effective knowledge

Numbers and Polynomials- 50 years since the publication of Wittgenstein\u27s Bemerkungen über die Grundlagen der Mathematik (1956): Mathematical and Educational reflections

According to L. Wittgenstein, the meaning of a mathematical object is to be grounded upon its use. In this paper we consider Robinson theory Q, the subtheory of firstorder Peano Arithmetic PA; some theorems and conjectures can be interpreted over one model of Q given by a universe of polynomials; with respect to nonconstant polynomials some proofs by elementary methods are given and compared with corresponding results in the standard model of PA. We conclude that the creative power of the language can be pointed out in how the language itself is embedded into the rest of human activities, and this is an important track to follow for researchers in mathematics education

A Synaptic Perspective of Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Altered synaptic structure and function is a major hallmark of fragile X syndrome (FXS), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and other intellectual disabilities (IDs), which are therefore classified as synaptopathies. FXS and ASDs, while clinically and genetically distinct, share significant comorbidity, suggesting that there may be a common molecular and/or cellular basis, presumably at the synapse. In this article, we review brain architecture and synaptic pathways that are dysregulated in FXS and ASDs, including spine architecture, signaling in synaptic plasticity, local protein synthesis, (m)RNA modifications, and degradation. mRNA repression is a powerful mechanism for the regulation of synaptic structure and efficacy. We infer that there is no single pathway that explains most of the etiology and discuss new findings and the implications for future work directed at improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of FXS and related ASDs and the design of therapeutic strategies to ameliorate these disorders

Effect of intense military training on body composition

Individuals in a structural physical training program can show beneficial changes in body composition, such as body fat reduction and muscle mass increase. This study measured body composition changes by using 3 different techniques-skinfold thickness (SF) measurements, air displacement plethysmography (BOD-POD), and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-during 9 months of intense training in healthy young men engaged in military training. Twenty-seven young men were recruited from a special faction of the Italian Navy. The program previewed three phases: ground combat, sea combat, and amphibious combat. Body composition was estimated at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the training. After the subjects performed the ground combat phase, body composition variables significantly decreased: body weight (P < 0.05), fat-free mass (FFM) (P < 0.001), and fat mass (FM) (P < 0.03). During the amphibious combat phase, body weight increased significantly (P < 0.01), mainly because of an increase in FFM (P < 0.001) and a smaller mean decrease in FM. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in circumferences and SF at various sites after starting the training course. Bland-Altman analysis did not show any systematic difference between FM and FFM measured with the 3 different techniques on any occasion. On any visit, FFM and FM correlation measured by BOD-POD (P = 0.90) and DXA was significantly greater than measured by SF. A significant difference was found in body mass index (BMI) measured during the study. BOD-POD and SF, compared with DXA, provide valid and reliable measurement of changes in body composition in healthy young men engaged in military training. In conclusion, the findings suggest that for young men of normal weight, changes in body weight alone and in BMI are not a good measure to assess the effectiveness of intense physical training programs, because lean mass gain can masquerade fat weight loss

Regulation of molecular pathways in the Fragile X Syndrome: insights into Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a leading cause of intellectual disability (ID) and autism. The disease is caused by mutations or loss of the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein playing multiple functions in RNA metabolism. The expression of a large set of neuronal mRNAs is altered when FMRP is lost, thus causing defects in neuronal morphology and physiology. FMRP regulates mRNA stability, dendritic targeting, and protein synthesis. At synapses, FMRP represses protein synthesis by forming a complex with the Cytoplasmic FMRP Interacting Protein 1 (CYFIP1) and the cap-binding protein eIF4E. Here, we review the clinical, genetic, and molecular aspects of FXS with a special focus on the receptor signaling that regulates FMRP-dependent protein synthesis. We further discuss the FMRP–CYFIP1 complex and its potential relevance for ID and autism