Energy, Labor and Capital Considerations in Productivity Enhancements: An Editorial

The costs of energy, environmental protection and human welfare are forcing many companies to seek appropriate alternative technologies as a means of productivity enhancement. As a result, Industrial Engineers may well be forced to re-think their productivity concept as it relates to labor efficiency and energy efficiency. In this paper energy, capital and labor relationships are discussed. The enhancement of productivity is addressed in an era when energy is neither cheap nor reliable. A model of the production system is presented which considers labor, capital and the energy concerns. A number of productivity related questions are asked. The paper is editorial in nature. The desire is to call into question our present concept of productivity enhancement through mechanization. Further, the desire is to alert the industrial engineering community to the need for conservation of natural resources through increased employment of labor.     

Technologies, Products and Organization in the Innovating Firm: What Adam Smith Tells Us and Joseph Schumpeter Doesn't

Adam Smith's insights into the increasingly specialized natureof knowledge production are crucially important in understandingthe contemporary problems of managing innovating firms. Productsand firms are based on an increasing range of fields of specializedtechnological understanding. Competition is not based on technologicaldiversity, but on diversity and experimentation in products,etc. Firms rarely fail because of an inability to master a newfield of technology, but because the do not succeed in matchingthe firm's systems of coordination and control to the natureof the available technological opportunities.     

The Publication Productivity of Young Scientists: An Empirical Study

This research was conducted on a sample of 840 respondents who represent half of the Croatian population of young scientists. There are three main features which define the publication productivity of young scientists. 1) Despite the worsened position of R & D, they publish more scientific papers than the young generations of scientists at the beginning of the nineties. 2) Differences between a highly-productive minority, which produces on average half of all scientific publications, and a low-productive majority is already apparent in young scientists. 3) The productivity of young scientists is formed according to productivity patterns typical of particular scientific fields and disciplines.With regard to the explanation of productivity, the following has been found. a) An expansion of the set of predictors resulted in an improvement in the explanation of the productivity of young scientists compared with previous surveys. b) Among the factors which contribute significantly to the explanation of the quantity of scientific publications, the most powerful predictor is attendance at conferences abroad, followed by scientific qualifications and some gatekeeping variables. c) Besides certain similarities, scientific fields also show a specific structure of determinants of young scientists' productivity.     

An Example of Simulation to Improve Plant Productivity

In an effort to increase the productivity of a small parts stamping plant, a computer simulation was used to determine the relative economic advantages of changing the crewing, increasing the spare tooling, or improving the die preparation. The percent utilization and the cost per 1,000 parts produced were chosen as the measures of performance. Problems associated with data collection are discussed. The output of the simulation and the results that were achieved with a demonstration group of eight machines are presented. Machine utilization was increased from 37% to 60% with a potential increase to 76%. The appropriate management information system to maintain high productivity is discussed.     

Controversy over genetically modified organisms: the governing laws and regulations.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are increasingly becoming a topic of controversy in the U.S. and abroad. The public is questioning their safety and wanting the products labeled as genetically modified. There are other concerns from some of the scientific world and some government officials and organizations such as the Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO) that question whether adequate research has been done to qualify GMOs as safe for long-term use. Of particular concern are the allergenic properties, a GMO may impart, possible transfer effects of antibiotic resistance (given that antibiotic resistant marker genes are used for many GMOs), the expression of previously unexpressed traits, and the drift of pollen from genetically modified crops. It has also been noted that the laws and regulations governing the biotechnology world are outdated, are not comprehensive, and span too many agencies. The primary agencies currently regulating biotechnology are the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).     

An Aggregate Production Planning Model Incorporating Dynamic Productivity: Part II. Solution Methodology and Analysis

In Part I in a previous issue, the authors developed a procedure for incorporating dynamic productivity considerations into aggregate planning models. However, the dynamic cost functions of these models result in heterogeneous decision systems which are difficult to solve. In this article a solution methodology is discussed that was developed for dynamic aggregate planning models. In addition, the results from using a dynamic productivity aggregate planning model are analyzed. It is concluded that dynamic productivity can be significant; incorporating these considerations into a model can provide more realistic results.     

An Aggregate Production Planning Model Incorporating Dynamic Productivity: Part I. Model Development

All aggregate planning models, except two, utilize a constant productivity factor throughout the planning horizon. The two models which allow changing productivity factors have limitations and unrealistic assumptions. This article incorporates into an aggregate planning model the effects of manpower-level transactions on productivity.     

1号铵油炸药生产中的实际问题探讨

1号铵油炸药以及铵油类炸药至今没有国标,目前采用的部颁标准从时间上分析,<铵油、铵松腊炸药>WJ610-77标准比其它炸药标准出台早,受当时条件的限制,在一定程度上还保留计划经济的影响,性能指标参数偏高.由于时间的推移,管理方式的改变,技术水平的提高,目前形成了产品性能指标与工艺参数脱节的问题.     

An Investigation into the Relationship Between Maintenance and Finance

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An Excursion into the Patent-Bibliometrics of Norwegian Patenting

This paper makes the assumption that Norwegian patenting in the US reflects a quasi-universe of Norwegian technological capabilities. Based on this assumption, the paper combines a "patent-bibliometrics" and a "technometrics" approach to study other relevant bodies of knowledge these capabilities build upon. In order to study interactions at the "science-technology-innovation interface", the paper maps the citation patterns that radiate from the patent population (1990–96) to other areas of technology (patent-citations) and to science-bases (citations to Non-Patent Literature or NPL). The study identifies important technology-technology links that involve machinery, process-engineering and chemical and significant science-technology links that involve pharmaceuticals and instruments.     

Lattices in citation networks: An investigation into the structure of citation graphs

The main purposes of this article are to uncover interesting features in real-world citationnetworks, and to highlight important substructures. In particular, it applies lattice theory tocitation analysis. On the applied side, it shows that lattice substructures exist in real-word citationnetworks. It is further shown that, through its relations with co-citations and bibliographiccoupling, the diamond (a four-element lattice) is a basic structural element in citation analysis.Finally, citation compactness is calculated for the four- and five element lattices.     

Applicability and limitations of the Adam mathematical phantom with respect to radiological protection

Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of radiation transport is applied to an anthropomorphic mathematical (ADAM) or Zubal's voxel phantom, representing a male adult. The purpose is to compare absorbed energy in various organs (liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, spleen, adrenals and heart) in the simplified (mathematical) and more realistic (voxel) anatomy. A broad beam of monodirectional and monoenergetic photons (20 keV to 10 MeV), perpendicular to the longitudinal body axis, is incident on the front (AP) or the back (PA) of the phantom. Two MC codes, MCNP-4C and MCNPX-2.1.5, are used for the calculations. Specific absorbed fraction as a function of energy reflects the shielding of an organ by other organs. Comparison of the results for the two phantoms enables an evaluation of the applicability and the limitations of ADAM with respect to radiological protection. The cases studied indicate no urgent need to replace the (commonly used) mathematical phantom by a more sophisticated voxel phantom.     

An investigation into the architecture and composition of a urinary calculus

A bladder stone of diameter of 16 mm was sectioned to reveal an internal structure showing some complexity. Visually apparent were concentric rings divided into two principal zones. The outer zone comprised large single interlocking crystals, but the inner zones consisted of a much more fragile environment in which large single crystals were embedded in a much finer matrix. More detailed analysis was performed on the stone's layers using X-ray diffraction which is capable of identifying the crystallites but may also be used to elucidate some of the crystallite characteristics and thereby provide evidence for the growth environment. Proton induced X-ray emission was carried out at a number of points along a radius of the sample to examine the distribution of key trace elements. A possible mechanism for the influence of this banding on the fragility of the stone is discussed.     

Technological Extinctions of Industrial Firms: An Inquiry into their Nature and Causes

After a buildup in the number of firms, new industries commonlyexperience a ‘shakeout’ in which the number of firmsdeclines sharply. Three theoretical perspectives on how technologicalchange contributes to industry shakeouts are analyzed. The theoriesare used to synthesize predictions concerning technologicalchange and industry evolution. The predictions inform an analysisof four US industries that experienced sharp shakeouts: automobiles,tires, televisions and penicillin. Using data on firm participationand innovation from the commercial inception of the four productsthrough their formative eras, we uncover regularities in howthe products evolved. The regularities suggest that shakeoutsare not triggered by particular technological innovations norby dominant designs, but by an evolutionary process in whichtechnological innovation contributes to a mounting dominanceby some early-entering firms.     

An investigation into the eigen-nature of cracked composite beams

It is known that the presence of cracks in composite structures introduces local flexibility associated with the changes in the dynamic characteristics of composite structures. However the nature and variations of the natural frequencies due to the presence of cracks, are still under discussion and analysis.

The present work introduces an attempt to study the variations in the eigen-nature of cracked composite beams due to different crack depths and locations. A numerical and experimental investigation has been made. The numerical finite element technique is utilized to compute the eigen pairs of laminated composite beams through several state of cracks. The model is based on elastic-plastic fracture mechanics techniques in order to consider the crack tip plasticity in the analysis. A finite element model has been developed to formulate the stiffness matrices for single edge cracked structural elements using transfer matrix theory. These matrices take into account the effects of axial, flexural and shear deformations due to crack presence. The present model has been applied to investigate the effects of state of crack, lamina code number, boundary condition on the dynamic behavior of composite beams.

The experimental tests and frequency response spectrums (FRS) is displayed on [FFT] analyzer. In experimental work the eigen pairs versus several state of cracks with various code number are measured using inductive hammering technique. The results show that the changes of the eigen parameters provide a proper indicator for detection and predication the current state of crack.     

An investigation into the feasibility of myoglobin-based single-electron transistors

Myoglobin single-electron transistors were investigated using nanometer-gap platinum electrodes fabricated by electromigration at cryogenic temperatures. Apomyoglobin (myoglobin without the heme group) was used as a reference. The results suggest single-electron transport is mediated by resonant tunneling with the electronic and vibrational levels of the heme group in a single protein. They also represent a proof-of-principle that proteins with redox centers across nanometer-gap electrodes can be utilized to fabricate single-electron transistors. The protein orientation and conformation may significantly affect the conductance of these devices. Future improvements in device reproducibility and yield will require control of these factors.     

对煤矿许用雷管抗瓦斯性能的探讨

文中介绍一种利用自然夜色光拍摄雷管爆炸火焰,以了解许用雷管抗瓦斯性能的方法,得出的结论是:爆焰外缘的红色火花层对防止瓦斯的爆炸起着重要作用.     

Static liquefaction of sandy soil: An experimental investigation into the effects of saturation and initial state

The effects of initial state of the samples and the saturation evaluated in terms of Skempton??s pore pressure B on the behavior of Chlef sand are studied in this article. For this purpose, the results of two series of drained and undrained monotonic triaxial compression tests on medium dense sand are presented. In the first test series, the influence of the specimen??s fabric and confining pressure has been studied. The tests were conducted at initial confining pressure of 50, 100, and 200?kPa. The specimens were prepared by two depositional methods that include dry funnel pluviation and wet deposition. All the samples were subjected to a monotonic loading after a consolidation phase. The results of the tests demonstrate that initial confining pressure and the specimen??s fabric have detectable effects on the behavior of the sand. In the second series of tests, the saturation influence on the resistance to the sand liquefaction has been realized on samples at an effective stress of 100?kPa for Skempton??s pore pressure coefficient varying between 13 and 90%. It was found that the increase in Skempton??s pore pressure coefficient B reduces the soil dilatancy and amplifies the phase of contractancy.     

An Empirical Investigation into the Distribution of Flatness Measurements

The flatness of individual components can critically influence the fit or lack-of-fit of compact, small assemblies. To ensure high yield, flatness is tightly toleranced and controlled. According to the standard definition of flatness, the underlying distribution of flatness measurements should be asymmetric. In this paper, 20 industrial flatness data sets from four different processes and three different materials are examined. To accommodate measurement round-off and small sample sizes, the Moran log spacing statistic is used to test if the normal distribution provides an adequate fit. The results demonstrate that the symmetric normal distribution provides an adequate fit for all the data sets. Such a result is important in confirming the use of root-mean-square tolerance analysis techniques, as well as selecting process monitoring and summarizing statistics.