Supply chain coordination and setup cost reduction in case of asymmetric information

Previous research shows that asymmetric information triggers a decrease of lot sizes compared to the supply chain optimum. Thus, the setup costs per period are suboptimally high. To analyse, whether setup cost reduction can mitigate this effect, we extend the standard framework of lotsizing decisions under asymmetric information by allowing investments in setup cost reduction. We find that asymmetric information tends to lead to an overinvestment in setup cost reduction. The overall effect of setup cost reduction on supply chain performance is therefore ambiguous. We show that these results hold for a wide variety of investment functions.     

Effects of gage length, loading rates, and damage on the strength of PPTA fibers

Axial tension and transverse compression experiments on single fibers were performed to investigate the mechanical behavior of three high-performance fibers (Kevlar^®, Kevlar^® 129, and Twaron^®) with diameters in the order of 9-12 μm. The single fibers were manufactured from 1998 through 2008. A miniaturized tensile Kolsky bar was used to determine the tensile response of PPTA single fibers at a high strain rate. Gage length and strain rate were found to have minimum effects on the tensile strength of PPTA single fibers. Manufacturing time over a decade was found to have negligible effects on the tensile strength of the fibers. Initial transverse compression on the fibers reduces their ultimate tensile strengths. A high resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) was also used to examine the fracture modes of transversely deformed fibers. Different types of fracture morphology were observed.     

Crystallography and Morphology of Niobium Carbide in As-Cast HP-Niobium Reformer Tubes

The microstructures of two as-cast heats of niobium-modified HP stainless steels were characterized. Particular attention was paid to the interdendritic niobium-rich carbides formed during solidification of these alloys. At low magnifications, these precipitates are grouped in colonies of similar lamellae. Higher magnifications revealed that the lamellae actually obtain two distinct morphologies. The type I morphology exhibits broad planar interfaces with a smooth platelike shape. Type II lamellae have undulating interfaces and an overall reticulated shape. To provide further insight into the origin of these two different morphologies, the microstructure and crystallography of each have been studied in detail using high resolution scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, various electron diffraction methods (electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), selected area diffraction (SAD), and convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED)), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.     

包容性工程—借助工程技术发明为身体或精神障碍人士赋能

1. Background The use of engineering tools, design, research, and thinking to create environments and capabilities whereby individuals who are currently under-e...     

The functional requirements of proteins for foods

As a growing amount of research attention has been diverted, for a number of reasons, from the traditional protein foods to the so-called unconventional food proteins, an awareness has increased of the need to understand the functional properties of these proteins. Some empirical functionality tests have been devised, but it is submitted that many of these could yield misleading information, inasmuch as they often ignore or even run counter to the environmental interactions to which proteins are exposed in food systems. Some examples are given of the influence of the ionic environment upon one basic functional property of proteins, their solubility in aqueous solution. One of 21 papers presented at the Symposium, “Oilseed Processors Challenged by World Protein Need,” ISF-AOCS World Congress, Chicago, September 1970.