Dow AgroSciences has improved its bottom line by using simulation-based optimization to reduce the time and expense of moving a portfolio of products to market. We examined mathematical programming approaches for scheduling new-product development but found that the solution of these formulations is intractable for problems of practical size that include resource constraints. We developed a simulation-based framework for generating feasible solutions, which can be used with any heuristic optimization approach (for example, tabu search or genetic algorithms). The heuristic optimization algorithms operate on a solution space consisting of the precedence relationships among activities in the new-product development process. The firm implemented this approach via a Six Sigma project. From 1998 to 2004, it saved several million dollars based on the schedules determined using simulation-based heuristic optimization.
This paper describes a set of active learning strategies using or supplemented by spreadsheets that enables students to learn the logic behind software packages, to gain experience using a spreadsheet to solve real problems, to have a more clear view of the dynamics of business systems, and to learn to organize and manage small scale projects.
This article examines how a discrete event simulation can be developed to evaluate the impact of real options on a research and development project. Previous work with real options has been primarily mathematically based and the approach was not transferable to actual projects. The results shown in this article indicate that simulation is a valid method to evaluate real options and that the real options do impact the net present value of a process.
Jung applies the classical rhetorical strategy of pathos in his long essay to drive his controversial arguments. In doing so, his innovative ideas about the faculty of emotion as an instrument of cognition are revealed. After a discussion of the reception of this work and Jung's intentions, I will follow with a brief history of emotion in persuasion. First I will outline how passion as a credible ploy of argumentation developed, shifting from pre-Socratic to Aristotelian concepts. I make reference to the traditional presence of anger in religious persuasion and its appearance in the Old Testament. Using rhetorical analysis, I trace Jung's specific and justifiable use of passional techniques in Answer to Job to make his case.
Anticoagulation management services (AMSs) are widely used for anticoagulation management in many countries. Our AMS is a pharmacist-run ambulatory clinic with a physician advisory committee that manages patients referred with complicated anticoagulation histories. This paper assesses the adequacy of anticoagulation, rates of anticoagulant-related events and associated health care resource utilization for patients before and after referral to our AMS.Consecutive patients referred to the AMS with 4 months of prior anticoagulation management who also had anticoagulation management for 4 months within the AMS were included in the evaluation. The primary endpoint was adequacy of anticoagulation (target international normalized ratio [INR] +/- 0.5). Secondary outcomes included adverse events requiring an emergency department (ED) visit or hospital stay. These were classified by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes as thromboembolic, hemorrhagic, or non-anticoagulant related. Health care system resource consumption data were collected as number of hours spent in an ED and hospitalization costs.A total of 125 patients were included: 57.6% were male, with a mean age of 62.9 (standard deviation [SD]) +/- 15.0 years. Indications for warfarin therapy were atrial fibrillation (40.0%), mechanical valve replacement (24.0%) and venous thromboembolism (19.2%). The adequacy of anticoagulant control was significantly greater during AMS care compared with the period before referral; patients were in the target INR range 66.5% versus 48.8% of the time, respectively (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.4%-22.0%; p < 0.0001). The relative risk of a thromboembolic event before referral to AMS care was 17.6 (95% CI 6.0-51.9; p < 0.0001), while the relative risk of a hemorrhagic event before AMS care was 1.6 (95% CI 0.7-3.7; p = 0.25). During AMS care, savings included 572 hours in the ED and Cdn$122,145.40 in hospitalization costs.A pharmacist-directed, physician-supported AMS program achieved significantly better INR control and reduced rates of thromboembolic complications compared with standard care. Resource utilization was substantially reduced during AMS care.
