Multidimensional Approach to Implementation of Continuous Process Improvement Utilizing Small Run Analysis in a Shipyard Environment

Nationally, both public and private shipyards are experiencing a high rework rate (over 40%) in the fabrication of plug connectors used for electronic systems onboard Navy vessels. The shipyard\u27s survival depends on acquiring the elements necessary to maintain a major industry in a position of continuous improvement that produces a better product than their competitors, at less cost, in a safe manner, and on schedule. This research addresses the complex problem of how to introduce quality control methodologies within a job shop environment that assists in identifying variables that influence the rework rate of plug fabrication process over a four year period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The research objective of implementing continuous process improvement in a job shop environment was addressed by: developing a multidimensional approach using nontraditional statistical procedures designated Small Run Analysis, Pareto Analysis, Deming methodologies, and Concurrent Engineering. A new system to implement continuous process improvement and to measure the results of the new system for cost effectiveness and improvement of quality was developed. The research has resulted in a successful pragmatic introduction of small run analysis in a job shop environment and lower rework rate through cooperation of both internal and external influences. Additionally, this research indicates that the system developed for continuous process improvement was not only cost effective but also transferable to public and private shipyards, leading to better understanding of information using data bases, automation, and networking in a shipyard environment

Black Soldiers in Blue: African American Troops in the Civil War Era

Full spectrum Collection gives thorough view of black service If you expect to have only one volume on African American soldiers in your Civil War library, make it this book. I do not know of another work that covers the topic as thoroughly or as thoughtfully as Black Soldiers...

Blockchain Voting Machines: An Approach to Election Security

Blockchain is a popular technology that has found itself as the proposed solution to a variety of technological problems. In the case of voting machines, blockchain seems to show promise based on its unique attributes of immutability and decentralization. Reviewing the state of current voting machines, there is a displayed lack of support for direct-recording electronic (DRE) voting machines in the general population due to the many controversies. By looking into the functionality of proposed blockchain systems and creating an implementation to test the functionality of a blockchain voting system while taking the data on voting machines into consideration, it can be concluded that the best solution would be to combine scanned paper ballots with a blockchain system

Best Practices of National Board Certified Teachers and Non-Board Certified Teachers in Grades One and Two

The education of children in America has been the cause of much debate and conflict. At the center of this debate is the need for quality teachers. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) was formed to advance the quality of teaching and learning by recognizing accomplished teaching. Teachers with this certification fit West Virginia’s definition of a highly qualified teacher under No Child Left Behind. If the National Board Certification (NBC) itself is reason for the highly qualified designation then the classroom practices of those teachers should differ from those who have not gone through the certification process. This study examined the classroom practices of 10 teachers in grades one and two to determine whether their classroom practices differed in relation to their National Board Certification status. This study used a multi-site, qualitative, descriptive, and evaluative case study model to establish whether the 13 practices determined by research of Zemelman, Daniels, and Hyde (1998) were present in these 10 classrooms. This study found that teachers with National Board Certification more consistently demonstrated the use of 11 of the 13 practices. The NBC teachers put theory into practice in their classrooms. Further, this study demonstrated that beliefs expressed by the teachers were not always put into practice in their classrooms. The findings from this study imply that West Virginia’s definition of highly qualified may need to be revisited since National Board Certification and satisfactory evaluations are not equivalent in terms of classroom practices

Technology Lending: Just Like Any Other Collection, Sort Of

Technology lending or equipment lending has long been a staple of academic libraries. Think back a few years ago and you’ll probably remember calculators, tape recorders, point and shoot cameras, and projectors being loaned out at your library. Past was certainly prologue in this collection as Clemson University Libraries made a deliberate decision to upgrade the technology being loaned out in the spring of 2012 to keep up with the changing needs of students, faculty, and staff. Some of the initial upgraded items included DSLR cameras, camera lenses, iPads, tripods, microphones, and digital voice recorders. Over the past five and a half years more technology has been added to the lending collection including higher-end DSLR cameras, Xbox and PlayStation consoles and games, mobile green screens, and virtual reality equipment. A technology lending collection is similar to any other collection an academic library may have, but different in many ways. Learn how to get started with technology lending or upgrading your current lending practices by assessing your needs and creating and managing a technology lending fund

Characterization of diffractive optical lenses for use in MEMS integrated optical monitoring

Micro Electro Mechanical Machines (MEMS) are finding use in an increasing number of applications. Many of these applications, especially safety critical ones, require continuous knowledge of the operational status of the MEMS device over its lifetime. In-situ monitoring of the operational status of these devices is better suited to optical methods which provide a non-invasive way of continuously determining device position as a function of time. This data is central to determining the MEMS state and operational condition. Whether the optical source is internal to the MEMS package or external to the package and introduced via optical fiber, lenses will be required within the package to focus the MEMS optical probe beam to and from the test device. The need for hybrid co-integration with the MEMS die within its package results in physical dimension and focal length constraints on the lenses used and points toward the applicability of diffractive optical lenses to realize the goal of MEMS in-situ integrated optical monitoring. The spot diameter must be of a width comparable to any lateral displacement that must be measured so that acceptable resolution of the motion can be observed. Diffractive lenses are capable of meeting all of these requirements. Previous work designed and fabricated Fresnel binary phase diffractive lenses in borofloat glass substrates as a means to achieve the required lens function for either a visible (632 nm wavelength) or near IR (1310 nm) probe beam. This work undertakes the full optical characterization of these previously fabricated lenses, compares their performance (spot size, focal length, efficiency) to that expected from theory, and determines if they meet the original lens design criteria, These results enable an initial assessment of these lenses for use in MEMS in-situ lifetime optical monitoring