Minimizing Cost of Assembly of an Interrelated Dimensional Chain Product Using ABC Algorithm

Selective assembly is a method where components made with wider tolerance are grouped into a number of bins. Based on the best combination of the bin, the corresponding group components are randomly selected and matched together to make an assembly. Existing techniques focused on equal group number partitioning of components, equal probability, equal group width, and equal area methods to minimize either clearance variation or surplus parts using different optimization techniques. Mostly, simple assemblies with two or three components are worked by various authors in the literature without considering their original dimension by considering only their component’s tolerance. In the present work, components are classified into different unequal group numbers based on their tolerance values. The interrelated dimensional assemblies are made in a single stage by matching the parts based on the best bin combination obtained by the artificial bee colony algorithm. A simple linear assembly and a three-armed knuckle joint assembly are considered examples of problems to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method by minimizing the manufacturing cost.

Precisely Equal Group Size and Allocation Bias in Nursing Randomized Controlled Trials: A Scientiometric Study

The manipulation of participant allocation in randomized controlled trials to achieve equal groups sizes may introduce allocation bias potentially leading to larger treatment effect estimates. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of nursing trials that have precisely equal group sizes and examine if there was an association with trial outcome. Data were extracted from a sample of 148 randomized controlled trials published in nursing science journals in 2017. One hundred trials (68%) had precisely equal group sizes. Respectively, a positive outcome was reported in 70% and 58% of trials with equal/unequal groups. Trials from Asia were more likely to have equal group sizes than those from the rest of the world. Most trials reported a sample size calculation (n=105, 71%). In a third of trials (n=36, 34%), the number of participants recruited precisely matched the requirement of the sample size calculation; this was significantly more common in studies with equal group sizes. The high number of nursing trials with equal groups may suggest nurses con-ducting clinical trials are manipulating participant allocation to ensure equal group size increasing the risk of bias.

Studying “Modeling” in Fostering Students’ Writing Capability in Writing Simple Descriptive Paragraph

The objectives of this research was to find out why students' ability to write simple descriptive paragraphs is improved by modeling in the second year of MTs Negeri Kolaka. The report's aim was to gather information and data about the students' ability to write concise descriptive paragraphs by modeling.This research used a collaborative Classroom Action Research design (CAR). It happened in the first semester of the academic year 2019-2020. The emphasis of this research was on classes VIII and 8. There were 23 students in this group. The writing test and observation sheet were the instruments used in the study. In order to collect data, the researcher conducted research from the first to the second cycle. The data was analyzed using qualitative methods.According to the result of the research, modeling in the second year of MTs Negeri Kolaka could enhance the students' ability to write clear descriptive paragraphs. The paper concluded an increase in the number of students writing. The outcome of the writing test provided by the researcher at the last meeting in terms of product could be seen in terms of product. The students got an average score of 48.52 on the pre-test. It increased to 63,30 in the first period and 75,13 in the second. Every meeting's outcome observation sheet revealed that teaching and learning activities were growing. Based on the analysis of the observation sheet, the average score was found to be 3,7. It belongs to the equal group in the first cycle. It was at 4,7% at the time. It belongs to the positive party in the second cycle.

Effect of Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine in Preventing Intra-operative Shivering after Spinal Anesthesia

Background: Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has sedative, analgesic, sympatholytic, anesthetic-sparing and hemodynamic-stabilizing properties. This study aims to evaluate the effects of intrathecal DEX as an adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine in the prevention of shivering in patients who underwent surgeries under Intrathecal anesthesia. Methods: A prospective double-blind, controlled, randomized study was conducted on 100 patients aged above 21 years old, ASA I & II undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgeries under intrathecal anesthesia. Patients were subdivided randomly into 2 equal group; Group Bupivacaine-Dexmedetomidine (BD): 5 µg dexmedetomidine diluted in 0.5 ml 0.9% normal saline was added to 12.5 mg heavy bupivacaine 0.5% and Group Bupivacaine (B): 0.5 ml 0.9% normal saline was added to 12.5mg heavy bupivacaine 0.5% (3ml volume). Results: Shivering occurred in 9 patients (18%) in group BD and 23 patients (46%) in group B with a significant decrease in group BD compared to group B (P = 0.003). The relative risk of developing shivering was decreased 53% (95% Confidence Interval: 74 – 16%) with group BD compared to group B. Tsai and Chu score was significantly better in group BD (P = 0.013). Conclusion: The use of intrathecal DEX (5μg) in conjugation with heavy bupivacaine help decrease the incidence and intensity of shivering when compared with heavy bupivacaine alone in surgeries under spinal anesthesia.

Determination of Varying Group Sizes for Pooling Procedure

Pooling is an attractive strategy in screening infected specimens, especially for rare diseases. An essential step of performing the pooled test is to determine the group size. Sometimes, equal group size is not appropriate due to population heterogeneity. In this case, varying group sizes are preferred and could be determined while individual information is available. In this study, we propose a sequential procedure to determine varying group sizes through fully utilizing available information. This procedure is data driven. Simulations show that it has good performance in estimating parameters.

Civility, Community Cohesion and Antisocial Behaviour: Policy and Social Harmony

Intergroup conflict, whether manifest as the absence of community cohesion or as the presence of antisocial behaviour, is an issue of international concern. In the UK, confronting the reality or perceived threat of intergroup conflict is a core feature of community cohesion and antisocial behaviour policies. To varying degrees, the frameworks underpinning these policies see the absence or breakdown of community relations as a cause of social disharmony. A key challenge for policy is therefore improvement of the quality of community relations. In this paper, we consider how government has approached this challenge. We filter our analysis through the lens of civility, which proposes that the peaceful coexistence of diverse social groups rests on the existence and maintenance of intergroup empathy and mutual respect. This proposal is supported by international research evidence on the outcomes of meaningful interactions, where these are predicated on equal group status, leading to changes in group and intergroup perceptions and behaviours (the contact hypothesis). We consider the extent to which community cohesion and anti-social behaviour policies in the UK demonstrate a coherent conception of the problem of community relations, the quality of community relations to which these policies aspire and whether the strategies deployed to address community relations seek to support civility through meaningful interaction. We find that the policy debates start from different presumptions concerning the roots of social disharmony, and this is reflected in the nature of the interventions which the community cohesion and antisocial behaviour policy frameworks support. In particular, we find that the social interaction promoted through policies in the UK is not necessarily aimed at achieving social harmony through meaningful interaction based on recognition of equal group status. We also show that these policies are based on little in the way of evidence and prior knowledge.

Editorial Review and Health Management

In Brazil, since Constitution of 1988, health services and actions have become universal rights and state’s duty. The same Constitution stipulates that the direction of these services should be decentralized to local government administration and in association with the health council, deliberative and equal group, which gives the connection between user representatives, service providers, government, officials and professionals who work in healthcare.