Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

The Impact Of Block Scheduling And Release Time On Operating Room Efficiency, Rebecca Weiss

All Theses

Planning for sufficient surgical capacity at a hospital requires that many tactical and operational decisions be made before the day of surgery. Typically, blocks of time in operating rooms (ORs) are assigned and specific surgical cases are placed in rooms. The hospital monitors utilization to determine the schedule's effectiveness in balancing the risk of overtime with idle time. In this thesis, we will examine how adjusting schedule risk ratios and penalty values, and providing shared, open posting time affected the hospital's ability to identify an efficient but high quality and low cost block schedule. The proposed schedules were tested by …

Investigating The Non-Adoption Of Electronic Health Records In Primary Care, Saravanan Ramdoss

All Theses

The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying reasons behind primary care centers in the United States not implementing an Electronic Health Record system in spite of looming penalties under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. In order to do this, survey was developed and distributed among healthcare providers who have not yet implemented an EHR system at their practice. The questions for the survey were developed after conducting a literature review of the barriers to EHR implementation. In this review, six themes emerged: technical, cost, productivity, change process, privacy and time. These …

Integrating Visual Mnemonics And Input Feedback With Passphrases To Improve The Usability And Security Of Digital Authentication, Kevin Juang

All Dissertations

The need for both usable and secure authentication is more pronounced than ever before. Security researchers and professionals will need to have a deep understanding of human factors to address these issues. Due to their ubiquity, recoverability, and low barrier of entry, passwords remain the most common means of digital authentication. However, fundamental human nature dictates that it is exceedingly difficult for people to generate secure passwords on their own. System-generated random passwords can be secure but are often unusable, which is why most passwords are still created by humans. We developed a simple system for automatically generating mnemonic phrases …

Two-Stage Methodology For Managing And Controlling Material Flow Between Multiple Construction Projects, Fatmah Almazkoor

All Dissertations

There is a strong connection between managing and controlling material flow in a supply chain and its performance. While this is true in all supply chains, it is particularly true in the construction supply chain (CSC) where the total demand for parts is finite, the storage space available can be small, and the variability in consumption is high. On the other hand, effectively controlling the CSC can have a significant impact on controlling risk and buffering their impact so that projects stay on schedule and within budget. Currently, a common control of the CSC is with a push-based material ordering …

Multistage Accelerated Reliability Growth Testing Model And Data Analysis, Leiying Jiang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Accelerated reliability growth testing has recently received a renewed interest in reliability engineering. The concepts of accelerated testing and reliability growth individually have been used in a variety of applications, either for hardware systems or software systems. The advantage of using a combined strategy is that it could shorten the testing time while maximizing the reliability. In the literature, there are many references related to optimal test design for reliability from either a component level or a system level. In this research, we suggest an approach which conducts accelerated testing at the component level while supporting estimates of reliability at …

Time-Based Collision Risk Modeling For Air Traffic Management, Alan E. Bell

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Since the emergence of commercial aviation in the early part of last century, economic forces have driven a steadily increasing demand for air transportation. Increasing density of aircraft operating in a finite volume of airspace is accompanied by a corresponding increase in the risk of collision, and in response to a growing number of incidents and accidents involving collisions between aircraft, governments worldwide have developed air traffic control systems and procedures to mitigate this risk. The objective of any collision risk management system is to project conflicts and provide operators with sufficient opportunity to recognize potential collisions and take necessary …

A New Integrated Design Framework For The Facility Layout Problem, Kyle F. Thomas

Open Access Theses

This thesis proposes a new integrated design framework for solving facility layout problems (FLP). The most popular existing framework, Muther's Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) does not address the variety of design goals associated with facility layout problems and is highly manual and so time consuming to perform. Furthermore, the SLP framework does not help the designer select a modeling tool to use in developing design alternatives, either by defining what a requisite model would include, or explicitly suggesting ones from literature. With the advancements made in academic research and computational capabilities since the development of the SLP framework, a new …

Influence Of Referential Coding In A Choice Task Performed In A Simulated Driving Cockpit, Aiping Xiong

Open Access Theses

Driving and other tasks performed by the driver of a vehicle are spatial. Thus, it is important to understand how the driver represents the spatial environment. In laboratory studies, the Simon task is used to study spatial coding. Participants are to make a left or right response to a nonspatial stimulus feature, but the stimulus can occur in a left or right position. The Simon effect is that responses are faster when the stimulus location corresponds with the response location. That effect is not usually found for a go/no-go task in which only one response is made to one of …

Solvent System Selection For Xylooligosaccharides Separation By Centrifugal Partition Chromatography Using Conductor-Like Screening Model For Real Solvents, He Zhang

Open Access Theses

The production of value-added, bio-based industrial commodity chemicals is an important area in science right now and this study provides an initial step in the recovery of bio-based chemicals from hemicellulose. Hemicellulose is a long chain polymer mostly consisting of xylose, which is a five-carbon sugar, and a variety of other compounds that are ubiquitous in plant life. The hemicellulose polymer chain can be depolymerized into smaller components, called xylooligosaccharides (XOS) with different chain lengths of xylose linked by beta-1-4 glycosidic bonds, using either hot water, or dilute sulfuric acid. The xylooligosaccharides can then be purified from one another from …

Multimodal Perception Of Histological Images For Persons Blind Or Visually Impaired, Ting Zhang

Open Access Theses

Currently there is no suitable substitute technology to enable blind or visually impaired (BVI) people to interpret visual scientific data commonly generated during lab experimentation in real time, such as performing light microscopy, spectrometry, and observing chemical reactions. This reliance upon visual interpretation of scientific data certainly impedes students and scientists that are BVI from advancing in careers in medicine, biology, chemistry, and other scientific fields. To address this challenge, a real-time multimodal image perception system is developed to transform standard laboratory blood smear images for persons with BVI to perceive, employing a combination of auditory, haptic, and vibrotactile feedbacks. …

Optical Direct-Write Nanolithography Based On Self-Assembled Resist, Meghana Akella

Open Access Theses

Holographic display is being developed for next generation mobile phones. However, manufacturing of miniature gratings for the holographic projectors cost a few thousand dollars today, not making the concept practical for commercial purposes. In this thesis, we discuss the feasibility of self-assembled nanoparticles to manufacture holographic gratings cost-effectively and at the nanoscale. Using our approach, the gratings can be manufactured at the scale of 20nm and the cost per chip is expected to cost a few dollars.^ In this thesis, a hydrophobic SAM was used to modify the surface of silicon. Direct-write UV laser lithography was used for photothermal patterning …

The Multi-Depot Minimum Latency Problem With Inter-Depot Routes, Timothy W. Duket

Open Access Theses

The Minimum Latency Problem (MLP) is a class of routing problems that seeks to minimize the wait times (latencies) of a set of customers in a system. Similar to its counterparts in the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) and Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP), the MLP is NP-hard. Unlike these other problem classes, however, the MLP is customer-oriented and thus has impactful potential for better serving customers in settings where they are the highest priority. While the VRP is very widely researched and applied to many industry settings to reduce travel times and costs for service-providers, the MLP is a more recent …

Graphical Display Of The Effect Of Three Cash Flow Elements For Sensitivity Analysis, Kawintorn Pothanun

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Sensitivity analysis is one of the most important analysis techniques in a decision making process. The analytic intent behind sensitivity analysis is the variation of parameters in data models, and the examination of the effect of these variations on the outcome of the models. There are four primary benefits from conducting a sensitivity analysis: (a) sensitivity analysis facilitates the decision makers' development of recommendations, (b) sensitivity analysis serves as a tool for communication among stakeholders or decision makers in a project or an organization, (c) sensitivity analysis increases overall understanding of the decision models, and (d) sensitivity analysis serves as …

Novel Models And Efficient Algorithms For Network-Based Optimization In Biomedical Applications, Seyed Javad Sajjadi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

We introduce and study a novel graph optimization problem to search for multiple cliques with the maximum overall weight, to which we denote as the Maximum Weighted Multiple Clique Problem (MWMCP). This problem arises in research involving network-based data mining, specifically, in bioinformatics where complex diseases, such as various types of cancer and diabetes, are conjectured to be triggered and influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. To integrate potential effects from interplays among underlying candidate factors, we propose a new network-based framework to identify effective biomarkers by searching for "groups" of synergistic risk factors with high predictive …

Analysis Of Different Techniques For Improving Performance Of Flat Plate Solar Collectors For Fruits Drying, Godfrey Mbabaye

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Fruits drying had become a broader technology in fruits and vegetables value addition. The technology is reported to be a promising way of drying without incurring higher cost but its adaptation has not been feasible in rural areas. Solar dryers have been developed but its poor performance limits its applicability. In this study, several techniques for modifications of traditional solar collector were addressed. It was observed that, varying collector designs in different techniques, a range of collector performances can be archived. The research shows that, collector efficiency can be improved by 9.6% when employing double duct counter flow compared to …

Noise Pollution In Maize Milling Smes, Erasto Elias

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Maize milling SMEs emit high levels of noise which can have adverse effects on human beings and therefore require controlling. This paper reports on a study that involved assessment and measurement of noise level in maize milling SMEs in DSM and Morogoro urban, gathering opinions of workers and the neighbouring population on noise problems, and suggesting solutions for noise control. Noise measurements in 41 SMEs were recorded from 89-103 dBA in DSM and 92-103 dBA in Morogoro near the milling machines. These values were higher than the safe level of 85 dBA for 8 hours working shift. Measurement also indicated …

Lemongrass And Cinnamon Essential Oils As Vitamin C Preservatives And Flavour Enhancers In Jam, Denice Byarushengo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Lemongrass and cinnamon essential oils (LEO and CEO) are natural oils with high anti oxidation capacity, pleasant flavour, and various health benefits. Their ability to preserve vitamin C and flavour in jam have not been tested. In this study the performance of two essential oils (EOs) in preserving vitamin C and improving jam flavour were investigated. The EOs were produced by hydro-steam distillation of fresh lemongrasses and cinnamon leaves using a Clevenger apparatus. Jam samples were dosed with various concentrations of either single or mixed EOs and then stored at either room or refrigeration temperature. Samples were analysed for changes …

Social Network Analysis Of Researchers' Communication And Collaborative Networks Using Self-Reported Data, Oguz Cimenler

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research seeks an answer to the following question: what is the relationship between the structure of researchers' communication network and the structure of their collaborative output networks (e.g. co-authored publications, joint grant proposals, and joint patent applications), and the impact of these structures on their citation performance and the volume of collaborative research outputs? Three complementary studies are performed to answer this main question as discussed below.

1. Study I: A frequently used output to measure scientific (or research) collaboration is co-authorship in scholarly publications. Less frequently used are joint grant proposals and patents. Many scholars believe that co-authorship …

Creating A Seamless Pipeline Into Undergraduate Programs In Stem Fields Through Region-Wide Articulation Agreements, Immanuel Edinbarough, Mikhail M. Bouniaev, Bill W. Elliott

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Underrepresented minority students pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related degrees at much lower rates compared to other segments of the population. To attract minority students, schools with STEM programs have resorted to myriad strategies such as cohorts, scholarships, mentoring, summer bridges, etc. Some schools have also sought innovative ways to develop a pipeline for graduates of two-year technical degree programs to matriculate into their four-year STEM programs and complete the remaining coursework leading to a BAT or BS degree. The University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) has adopted this latter innovative approach to increasing student enrollment in STEM …

2d Wireform Process Improvement, Katy Conlin, Carlo Ebora, Jordan Gamble

Mechanical Engineering

The body of this work has been created for Edwards Lifesciences in conjunction with senior project requirements. As such, the information produced and contained within is under a non‐disclosure agreement. As per request by sponsor, the body of the work will not be submitted to any outside parties, and the title page will serve as proof of completion.

Analysis Of Environmentally Friendly Marking Ink For Military Equipment And Electronics, Liang Li

Master's Theses

Recent advancements in corrosion-resistance coating technology has reduce the use of environmentally harmful compounds such as Hexavalent Chromium by replacing Hexavalent Chromium in primers and topcoat. However, marking inks were neglected in the process. Products such as Enthone 50 series are still widely used, which contain compounds such as lead, hexavalent chromium, bisphenol A (BPA), Cadmium Sulfide, and more. Excluding catalyst compositions in Enthone, the chemicals in the ink alone contained three reproductive toxicant and numerous carcinogens. Therefore, it was essential to search and validate the performance of potential marking ink that would meet the standards in military applications.

Eleven …

A Set Union Based Formulation For Course Scheduling And Timetabling, Jesse Paul Bukenberger

Master's Theses

The Course Timetabling Problem is a widely studied optimization problem where a number of sections are scheduled in concert with the assignment of students to sections in order to maximize the desirability of the resulting schedule for all stakeholders. This problem is commonly solved as a linear program with variables for each student or group of students with identical schedules. In this paper we explore an alternative formulation that aggregates binary student variables into integer variables denoting the number of students enrolled in a course. Our solution method assumes decomposition of the general schedule into time blocks, and applies a …

A Practical Guide To An Fmri Experiment, Nasser H. Kashou

Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering Faculty Publications

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has been around for two decades and research in this field has been exponentially rising. Much of this research has been dominated by basic science. Recent trends have brought the clinical realm into play in which valuable contributions can still be made. Helping the clinician understand the basic concepts behind an fMRI experiment is crucial to further developing and evaluating functional paradigms and research. Critical to designing an fMRI experiment is understanding the related physics and how fine tuning scanning parameters affects the image quality, which in turn affect the findings of an fMRI study. …

Automated Localization And Segmentation Of Pelvic Floor Structures On Mri To Predict Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Sinan Onal

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major health problem that affects women. POP is a herniation of the female pelvic floor organs (bladder, uterus, small bowel, and rectum) into the vagina. This condition can cause significant problems such as urinary and fecal incontinence, bothersome vaginal bulge, incomplete bowel and bladder emptying, and pain/discomfort. POP is normally diagnosed through clinical examination since there are few associated symptoms. However, clinical examination has been found to be inadequate and in disagreement with surgical findings. This makes POP a common but poorly understood condition. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic floor has …

Monitoring Hospital Safety Climate Using Control Charts Of Non-Harm Events In Reporting Systems, Susan Robinson

All Theses

The primary aim of this thesis is to design an approach and demonstrate a methodology to supplement safety culture assessment efforts. The framework affords an enhanced understanding of hospital safety climate, specifically reporting culture, through the use of control charts to monitor non-harm patient safety events documented in reporting systems. Assessing safety culture and climate remains difficult. One of the most common methods to assess safety culture is a self-report survey administered annually. Surveys assess safety climate, because they are a snapshot of the management's and front-line staff's perceptions of safety within their settings. One component of safety culture is …

Models For Incorporating Block Scheduling In Blood Drive Staffing Problems, Yulong Su

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to develop decision support models that can be used by the American Red Cross (ARC) to schedule blood drives with improved shifts for the phlebotomists that staff them. Currently, phlebotomists work inconsistent hours and the ARC believes this is a leading cause of high turnover rates they are experiencing. For example, phlebotomists sometimes staff a blood drive until 11 PM one night and will have to work another at 8 AM the next morning. Assigning phlebotomists more consistent shifts in blocks of time will definitely improve their work schedule. Before switching to block scheduling, …

Uncertainty In Relief Supply Distribution, Christopher A. Bayles

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the aftermath of a natural disaster the efficient planning of humanitarian relief efforts, e.g., delivering supplies to locations in need, can often mean the difference between lives being saved and lives being lost. In this paper we focus on two things: (1) appropriate objectives for routing problems in the context of delivery of relief supplies, and (2) how to handle the uncertainty associated with delivery of relief supplies after a disaster. Through applying uncertainty to parameters such as travel time between locations, we seek to examine if/how optimal routes change as a result of different objectives and the presence …

Robust System For Infection Control: An Industrial Systems Engineering Approach, Sundaravel Vinay Swarup Achudhan

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Health care delivery in the United States needs improvement. Each year about 98,000 people die as a result of medical errors and the United States is outranked by a number of developed countries in life expectancy, mortality and comorbidity. Healthcare quality is determined based on the quality of the service provided to the patient during their visit. Apart from the traditional problem solving design and development tools used to improve healthcare quality, The National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine recommend systems engineering principle and systems engineering tools to be used in health care to improve the industry. …

Detailed Inventory Record Inaccuracy Analysis, Hayrettin Kaan Okyay

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation performs a methodical analysis to understand the behavior of inventory record inaccuracy (IRI) when it is influenced by demand, supply and lead time uncertainty in both online and offline retail environment separately. Additionally, this study identifies the susceptibility of the inventory systems towards IRI due to conventional perfect data visibility assumptions. Two different alternatives for such methods are presented and analyzed; the IRI resistance and the error control methods. The discussed methods effectively countered various aspects of IRI; the IRI resistance method performs better on stock-out and lost sales, whereas error control method keeps lower inventory. Furthermore, this …

Strategies To Improve The Efficiency Of Emergency Medical Service (Ems) Systems Under More Realistic Conditions, Kanchala Sudtachat

All Dissertations

Emergency medical service (EMS) systems provide medical care to pre-hospital patients who need rapid response and transportation. This dissertation proposes a new realistic approach for EMS systems in two major focuses: multiple unit dispatching and relocation strategies. This work makes recommendations for multiple-unit dispatch to multiple call priorities based on simulation optimization and heuristics. The objective is to maximize the expected survival rate. Simulation models are proposed to determine the optimization. A heuristic algorithm is developed for large-scale problems. Numerical results show that dispatching while considering call priorities, rather than always dispatching the closest medical units, could improve the effectiveness …