An Analysis of the Effect of Machine-Controlled Elements upon Incentive Payments

The relationship between operator's earnings and operator's performance is significantly distorted where the work task contains a large proportion of machine-controlled elements. This distortion, not generally acknowledged by industrial engineers, leads to a serious loss of incentive effect. This paper examines these incentive distortions analytically and proposes a simple method of removing them which can be achieved from production recording data. The proposed approach should find application in machining, foundry, welding, and automated operations.     

Effect of ionic environment on the release of human placental lactogen in vitro

The in vivo and in vitro metabolism of (3H)-5alpha-androstane-3lapha,17beta-diol by the male rat anterior pituitary was studied. A rapid and intensive conversion of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol into 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone was demonstrated, since following a 30 min. incubation time, 73% of the recovered radioactivity were constituted by 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Studies on the subcellular distribution of steroids showed that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone was the main steroid recovered except from the 105,000 X g pellet. From in vivo and in vitro experiments it was concluded that the transformation of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone into 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol was a reversible process, and that this last steroid could exert its biological action mainly via 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone.     

A simulation model for planning water resource developments in the Chi River Basin

The main objective of the Chi Basin (Northeast Thailand) Water Use Study was to prepare a long-term integrated water resource and agricultural development plan. A basin simulation model was written to help evaluate alternative development scenarios of combinations of reservoirs and irrigation schemes. The paper describes the main features and components of the model. The types of input data required for running the model are summarised. An explanation of how the model was used for planning is then given.     

Effect of gamma-irradiation on the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube yarns

Gamma-irradiation of carbon nanotube yarns in air has significantly improved the tensile strength and modulus of the yarns, presumably because of an increased interaction between the individual nanotubes. The improvement has been much greater for tightly structured yarns than for loosely structured yarns. Sonic pulse tests have also shown increased sound velocity and dynamic modulus in the carbon nanotube yarns as a result of gamma-irradiation treatment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses on progenitor carbon nanotube forests show that gamma-irradiation treatment in air has dramatically increased the concentration of oxygen, for example as carboxyl groups, in the carbon nanotube assemblies in proportion to radiation dose, indicating that carbon nanotubes were oxidized under the ionizing effect of the gamma-irradiation. Such oxygen species are thought to contribute to the interaction between carbon nanotubes and thus to the improvement of carbon nanotube yarn mechanical properties.