Requirements and Benefits of Implementing Just-In-Time Manufacturing for Small-Firm Manufacturers

This study explores the applicability of Just-In-Time (/IT ) manufacturing elements for small-firm manufacturers.  A survey of small-firm electronic firms  was undertaken  to identify  and  document  the level of /IT implementation alread y underway. Integrating concepts necessary for  successful  /IT  implemen­ tation along with the benefits of /IT are also discussed . It is suggested that /IT  manufacturing  is a viable and  useful strategy  to enhance the competitive  position  of small  manufacturing  firms

A Longitudinal Study of the Utilization of Production Management Techniques by Small Electronics Firms

This study is a longitudinal examination of the changes that have taken place in the utilization of production management tools and techniques through the 1981-1988 time period. Results suggest that small electronic manufacturing firms are actively attempting to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their manufacturing  process. Of particular interest is the apparent emphasis on seeking  to contain costs while simplifying  the manufacturing process.

Probing short-range magnetic order in a geometrically frustrated magnet by spin Seebeck effect

Competing magnetic interactions in geometrically frustrated magnets give rise to new forms of correlated matter, such as spin liquids and spin ices. Characterizing the magnetic structure of these states has been difficult due to the absence of long-range order. Here, we demonstrate that the spin Seebeck effect (SSE) is a sensitive probe of magnetic short-range order (SRO) in geometrically frustrated magnets. In low temperature (2 - 5 K) SSE measurements on a model frustrated magnet \mathrm{Gd_{3}Ga_{5}O_{12}}, we observe modulations in the spin current on top of a smooth background. By comparing to existing neutron diffraction data, we find that these modulations arise from field-induced magnetic ordering that is short-range in nature. The observed SRO is anisotropic with the direction of applied field, which is verified by theoretical calculation.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

The Relationship Between Planning and Information Source/Media Used by Small Firms

The objective of this study was to examine information sources/media used by small business managers and their relationships to the planning process, entrepreneurial intensity and firm performance. A significant positive relationship between information source/media used and planning process sophistication was found among 165 small business managers by means of semi-structured , in-depth interviews. In addition, high-performing companies revealed different information sources/media than low-performing companies. Finally, no relationship was found between entrepreneurial intensity and information sources/media used.  Implications for future  research and small business managers are presented

Tunable Pinning of Burst-Waves in Extended Systems with Discrete Sources

We study the dynamics of waves in a system of diffusively coupled discrete nonlinear sources. We show that the system exhibits burst waves which are periodic in a traveling-wave reference frame. We demonstrate that the burst waves are pinned if the diffusive coupling is below a critical value. When the coupling crosses the critical value the system undergoes a depinning instability via a saddle-node bifurcation, and the wave begins to move. We obtain the universal scaling for the mean wave velocity just above threshold.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, revte

Brane/Flux Annihilation and the String Dual of a Non-Supersymmetric Field Theory

We consider the dynamics of p anti-D3 branes inside the Klebanov-Strassler geometry, the deformed conifold with M units of RR 3-form flux around the S^3. We find that for p<<M the system relaxes to a nonsupersymmetric NS 5-brane ``giant graviton'' configuration, which is classically stable, but quantum mechanically can tunnel to a nearby supersymmetric vacuum with M-p D3 branes. This decay mode is exponentially suppressed and proceeds via the nucleation of an NS 5-brane bubble wall. We propose a dual field theory interpretation of the decay as the transition between a nonsupersymmetric ``baryonic'' branch and a supersymmetric ``mesonic'' branch of the corresponding SU(2M-p)x SU(M-p) low energy gauge theory. The NS 5-brane tunneling process also provides a simple explanation of the geometric transition by which D3-branes can dissolve into 3-form flux.Comment: 27 pages, 4 figures, typo correcte

Risperidone-induced weight gain is mediated through shifts in the gut microbiome and suppression of energy expenditure

AbstractRisperidone is a second-generation antipsychotic that causes weight gain. We hypothesized that risperidone-induced shifts in the gut microbiome are mechanistically involved in its metabolic consequences. Wild-type female C57BL/6J mice treated with risperidone (80μg/day) exhibited significant excess weight gain, due to reduced energy expenditure, which correlated with an altered gut microbiome. Fecal transplant from risperidone-treated mice caused a 16% reduction in total resting metabolic rate in naïve recipients, attributable to suppression of non-aerobic metabolism. Risperidone inhibited growth of cultured fecal bacteria grown anaerobically more than those grown aerobically. Finally, transplant of the fecal phage fraction from risperidone-treated mice was sufficient to cause excess weight gain in naïve recipients, again through reduced energy expenditure. Collectively, these data highlight a major role for the gut microbiome in weight gain following chronic use of risperidone, and specifically implicates the modulation of non-aerobic resting metabolism in this mechanism

Cohort Profile:Scottish Diabetes Research Network Type 1 Bioresource Study (SDRNT1BIO)

No abstract available