Exploring the implementation of the Last Planner® System through IGLC community: twenty one years of experience

There is robust evidence that the level of implementation of the Last Planner® System (LPS) is increasing geographically and geometrically in construction. The I nternational Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) community has reported this growth at IGLC conferences over this period. However, no study has explored how the LPS and its implementation has developed or improved. This study explored developments in the LPS from the review of IGLC conference papers. Qualitative research design utilising content analysis was adopted for this study comprising 57 IGLC reports on LPS implementation across 16 countries. The study reveals components of LPS implemented, with measuring of PPC, Weekly Work Planning meeting and recording reasons for non-completion the most reported. The study developed a timeline for the LPS development and revealed that some of the papers reviewed have no defined methodology. The study concludes that the LPS has developed in terms of its level of implementation, theory development, and as a vehicle to improve construction management practice across the major continents of the world, with elements that had little presence at the onset now prominent. The study recommends that more attention should be given to the relationship between practical applications and research methods to aid the establishment of sound theory to improve practice

Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on construction projects

The changing face of construction projects has resulted in a movement towards the use of technology as a primary means of communication. The consequences of this rise in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is a loss of interpersonal communication skills. A number of resulting issues within the human – electronic and human – human interfaces are identified in an attempt to define the efficiency of communication in projects. The research shows how ICT effects the social environment of construction project teams and the project outcome. The study seeks to confirm the need for further work in order to develop new forms of communication protocols and behaviour. An initial literature review was undertaken to develop a theoretical review of the impacts of ICT on construction project teams. This review identified a number of issues that were then tested in the field through an observation and two verification interviews. The research confirms the existence of tensions and conflicts in the human – electronic and human - human communication interfaces within the studies environment. It is proposed that the increasing use of ICT occur at the expense of soft system communication. The principal impact of this is a form of ‘human distraction’ which adversely affects the performance of project teams. There is limited theory exploring these issues that suggests the problems identified are not well understood and consequently indicates a gap in knowledge

High-performance Schottky diodes endure high temperatures

Fabrication process and aluminum/GaAs (gallium arsenide) coupling are used to produce Schottky diodes that have high cutoff frequencies and can withstand operating temperatures in excess of 500 C

Rapid Prototyping Using 3-D Welding

Rapid prototyping systems are based, almost exclusively on polymer, or paper materials. The dimensions of the parts produced are limited by the volume of the processing area within the machine, and parts tend to warp or distort due to shrinkage and lack of support. Also the mechanical properties of the part are restricted to those of the processable materials and thus, in many cases, required 'engineering properties' cannot be obtainedMechanical Engineerin

Predictive validity of the HCR-20 for inpatient aggression:the effect of intellectual disability on accuracy

BackgroundPeople with intellectual disability (ID) account for a large proportion of aggressive incidents in secure and forensic psychiatric services. Although the Historical, Clinical, Risk Management 20 (HCR-20) has good predictive validity in inpatient settings, it does not perform equally in all groups and there is little evidence for its efficacy in those with ID.MethodA pseudo-prospective cohort study of the predictive efficacy of the HCR-20 for those with ID (n = 109) was conducted in a UK secure mental health setting using routinely collected risk data. Performance of the HCR-20 in the ID group was compared with a comparison group of adult inpatients without an ID (n = 504). Analysis controlled for potential covariates including security level, length of stay, gender and diagnosis.ResultsThe HCR-20 total score was a significant predictor of any aggression and of physical aggression for both groups, although the area under the curve values did not reach the threshold for a large effect size. The clinical subscale performed significantly better in those without an ID compared with those with. The ID group had a greater number of relevant historical and risk management items. The clinicians' summary judgment significantly predicted both types of aggressive outcomes in the ID group, but did not predict either in those without an ID.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that, after controlling for a range of potential covariates, the HCR-20 is a significant predictor of inpatient aggression in people with an ID and performs as well as for a comparison group of mentally disordered individuals without ID. The potency of HCR-20 subscales and items varied between the ID and comparison groups suggesting important target areas for improved prediction and risk management interventions in those with ID

Exploring the factors that influence the implementation of the Last Planner® System on joint venture infrastructure projects: a case study approach

There has been an increase in the use of joint venture (JV) especially in the delivery of infrastructure projects. There is also great pressure from the public sector clients for the use of lean techniques such as the Last Planner System (LPS) in the delivery of infrastructure projects in the UK for more certainty in delivery. Previous studies have explored factors that influence LPS implementation under various contracting structures and project types. However, no much study has explored the factors that influence LPS implementation on highways infrastructure project under JV contracting structure. In view of this, the study explored the factors that influence LPS implementation on JV highways infrastructure projects in the UK. Two in-depth JV case study projects on highways infrastructure construction were conducted over a 12 month period. Data was obtained via: document analysis, physical observation and semi-structured interviews. The study reveals that the early inclusion of the LPS practice in the contract and the long term relationship that existed among the supply chains and the main contractors in the JV were among the factors that supported the process. The study established that the JV platform and the LPS implementation synergise each other on the project. Poor promising was identified among the major blockers to LPS implementation on the projects. To overcome this, the study recommends that the five key elements of reliable promising identified should be adopted when implementing LPS on projects

Human papillomavirus 16/18 and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Sixteen cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (eight anaplastic and eight well differentiated squamous types) were examined for the presence of human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 genomes using the polymerase chain reaction on paraffin wax embedded biopsy specimens. Although nasopharyngeal carcinoma, particularly the anaplastic type, is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus, other factors may be involved in its pathogenesis. No DNA of either human papillomavirus subtype was detected. It is concluded, therefore, that these two 'high risk' types of human papillomavirus are not implicated in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The number of cases in this series was small, however, and further studies are warranted using fresh biopsy material and including other viral subtypes.published_or_final_versio

Neutrons from 9Be/alpha,n/ reaction for E alpha between 6 and 10 MeV

Neutron energy spectra measured as function of neutron emission angle and ion bombardment energ

The relationship between the Last Planner® System and collaborative planning practice in UK construction

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify how the newly emerging UK practice of "Collaborative Planning" (CP) for construction project delivery aligns with the advocated principles of the Last Planner System (LPS) of production planning and control. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed, qualitative, exploratory approach was adopted for the study. This entailed qualitative data through three techniques namely: semi-structured interviews, documents analysis, and structured observation. Thirty in-depth-interviews were conducted over a 12 month period with lean construction consultants, clients, main contractors, and subcontractors drawn from the building, highways and infrastructure and rail sector. Fifteen projects were visited where practices were observed. Findings – The study reveals that the current practice of CP in the UK partially aligns with the LPS principles. Where practitioners have heard of the LPS they believe it to be the same practice as CP. Limitation: This study is limited to 30 interviews, observation of 15 projects and document analysis. The aim of the study is not to generalise the findings, however, since the study examined top construction companies and practitioners in the UK and the findings were consistent across the sample, some conclusions could be made. The study is also limited to examining the construction phase only, future studies should incorporate the design phase. Practical Implication - A clear identification of the elements of current practice compared to the components of the LPS provides a contribution to the future practice of project production planning and management in the construction industry. Social implication – The study highlights a continuing resistance to collaboration within the industry. This resistance is subtly embedded within implemented practices even though they are based on collaborative working for their success. Originality and Value – This is among the first studies in the UK that comprehensively examines and reports the application of Last Planner System/Collaborative Planning practice in construction across the major construction sectors. Future studies could build on the findings from this work to develop an approach/methodology to improve the current practice

Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on construction projects

changing face of construction projects has resulted in a movement towards the use of technology as a primary means of communication. The consequences of this rise in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is a loss of interpersonal communication skills. A number of resulting issues within the human – electronic and human – human interfaces are identified in an attempt to define the efficiency of communication in projects. The research shows how ICT effects the social environment of construction project teams and the project outcome. The study seeks to confirm the need for further work in order to develop new forms of communication protocols and behaviour. An initial literature review was undertaken to develop a theoretical review of the impacts of ICT on construction project teams. This review identified a number of issues that were then tested in the field through an observation and two verification interviews. The research confirms the existence of tensions and conflicts in the human – electronic and human - human communication interfaces within the studies environment. It is proposed that the increasing use of ICT occur at the expense of soft system communication. The principal impact of this is a form of ‘human distraction’ which adversely affects the performance of project teams. There is limited theory exploring these issues that suggests the problems identified are not well understood and consequently indicates a gap in knowledge