Examining Trends in the Nonresidential Building Construction Producer Price Indexes (PPIs)

In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) unveiled the Producer Price Index (PPI) nonresidential building construction initiative with the publication of an index for new warehouse building construction. PPI has since added nonresidential building construction indexes for schools, offices, industrial buildings, and health care buildings. This construction sector initiative is noteworthy as it expanded coverage into an important sector of the U.S. economy not previously measured by the PPI, and allowed the examination of different drivers of building construction inflation. According to Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data, in the first quarter of 2005, the value of private fixed investment in structures totaled $1.137 trillion, representing about 8.9 percent of total gross domestic product (GDP). Of private fixed investment in structures, nonresidential structures alone represented$330.8 billion, or about 2.6 percent of total GDP. By the fourth quarter of 2013, nonresidential structures investments grew to $473.4 billion, or 2.8 percent of total GDP

Implementing lean material management in an extended value stream

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and, (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-101).American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. (AAM) is still in the process of transitioning to a culture of "lean manufacturing" as opposed to the current culture of "mass production". This thesis involved working with AAM employees and suppliers at various locations to understand how material flows between and within AAM's plants, the reasons for and analysis of the current state of material management, and opportunities for improvement. Attention is also given to the cultural and business context in which this work takes place, and the issues relating to efforts to implement change in large industrial organizations. This work produced two strategic-level products and one tactical-level product to improve lean material management at AAM described herein. Cultural observations are also provided. At the strategic level, one project focused upon making extended value stream maps of material flow between AAM plants and suppliers/processors. This information allows all decision-makers at AAM to objectively examine a common set of information, information which was previously unavailable to any one individual. Extended value stream mapping allowed supply chain inventory and lead time-reduction opportunities to be identified.(cont.) The focus upon extended value streams increased awareness of the need to more fully account for costs in making part procurement decisions. Therefore, a second strategic project involved the development of a total cost decision tool, and its use in making sourcing decisions. This computer spreadsheet-based tool uses simple inputs to quickly produce a more all-encompassing estimate of the total costs of purchasing parts from a given supplier. Traditionally, only piece-price plus freight costs were used to determine sources of supply. Other, additional factors may alter the decision of which supplier to use if they are considered. The tactical-level project involved implementation of a lean pull system. This project involved coordinating teams at two separate axle shaft manufacturing plants to implement a more effective visual pull system between and within the plants, using lean concepts for material management and flow. A final aspect of the thesis was to examine the current business context in which the lean systems are to operate, as well as the strategic, cultural, and political aspects that influence change management in large organizations.(cont.) One conclusion drawn from the internship is that the firm should start emphasizing visual control on the plant floor, and less supervisor work on paper in their offices after their shifts end. If the production boards and visual controls are in constant disarray, this needs to be resolved as quickly as a failed customer delivery, because it is fundamentally undercutting the ability of the organization to improve what it provides to customers through better quality and productivity. It also hinders efforts to reduce costs to bid for new work. Failing to attract new work is as damaging as a failed customer delivery, except that it will happen a year from now rather than today.by Justin Harper.M.B.A.S.M

Global and National Socioeconomic Disparities in Obesity, Overweight, and Underweight Status

Objective. To examine the association between socioeconomic factors and weight status across 53 countries. Methods. Data are cross-sectional and from the long version of the World Health Survey (WHS). There were 172,625 WHS participants who provided self-reported height and weight measures and sociodemographic information. The International Classification of adult weight status was used to classify participants by body mass index (BMI): (1) underweight (<18.5), (2) normal weight (18.5–24.9), (3) overweight (25.0–29.9), and (4) obese (>30.0). Multinomial regression was used in the analyses. Results. Globally, 6.7% was underweight, 25.7% overweight, and 8.9% obese. Underweight status was least (5.8%) and obesity (9.3%) most prevalent in the richest quintile. There was variability between countries, with a tendency for lower-income quintiles to be at increased risk for underweight and reduced risk for obesity. Conclusion. International policies may require flexibility in addressing cross-national differences in the socio-economic covariates of BMI status

Structure of SnF2-SnO-P2O5 Glasses

AbstractLow melting point glasses, specifically tin fluorophosphates, have recently received attention as a successful host matrix to rare earth metals to be used in photon conversion for solar cell applications. We have used high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman microscopy to investigate the structure of 50SnF2-20SnO-30P2O5 glass. To compliment this experimental study density functional theory was used to predict Raman spectra. The O 1s X-ray photoelectron spectra indicate a high non-bridging to bridging oxygen ratio, a sign of relatively high durability needed for this glass to be applied to solar energy. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations

Enseignement de la méthodologie de recherche en santé dans les programmes de résidence en urgentologie au Canada : survol de l’environnement national

Objectives: Our objective was to describe the variability of research methodology teaching among English-speaking Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada emergency medicine (RCPSC-EM) residency programs. We also aimed to identify barriers to teaching research methodology curricula. Methods: An electronic survey was sent by email to program directors and residents of English-speaking RCPSC-EM training programs countrywide. Reminder emails were sent after 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Quantitative, descriptive statistics were prepared, and qualitative data and themes were identified. Results: We received a total of 7 responses from the possible 12 program directors (response rate = 58.3%). Out of 354 potential resident respondents, 82 (23.2%) completed the survey. There was disparity between resident and program director responses with respect to the existence of curricula, preparation for Royal College exams, and usefulness for future practice. Barriers to teaching a research methodologies curriculum included lack of time, support, educated faculty, and finances. Conclusion: This survey demonstrates that Canadian EM residency programs vary with respect to research methodology curriculum, and discrepancies exist between residents’ and program directors’ perceptions of the curriculum. Given the lack of a standardized research methodology curriculum for these programs, there is an opportunity to improve training in research methodology