Effects of Prior and Interpolated Shock Exposures on Subsequent Escape/Avoidance Conditioning with Goldfish

The relationship between inescapable shocks and subsequent escape/avoidance learning was first deomonstrated by Overmier and Seligman (1967). They found that dogs exposed to inescapable electric shock, while restrained in a harness, later failed to learn to escape shock in a two way shuttle box where escape was possible. Ninety goldfish were randomly assigned to one of five groups (N=18 per group). Ninety fish were tested in a Lafayette Aquatic Unit A-660 type shuttle tank. There are four independent variables in this study. The first independent variable is the presence of prior inescapable shock. The second independent variable is the level of shock intensity, 6V vs. 10V. The third independent variable is the amount of delay of subsequent conditioning, 1 hour vs. no delay. The fourth independent variable is the presence of interpolated shock. All subjects, except group 1 which did not receive prior inescapable electric shock, were treated with both prior and interpolated inescapable electric shock to assess the effects on subsequent escape/avoidance performance. Prior inescapable shock caused a significant reduction in all measures of performance. When inescapable shock immediately preceded conditioning measures based on both escapes and avoidances were significant. The level of shock intensity interacted with the amount of delay of subsequent conditioning. The presence of interpolated shock produced a significant decrement in performance for the 53 fish in the last phase of the study

Supplier development framework in the Malaysian automotive industry: Proton’s experience

In a dynamic market, firms need to evolve from traditional to strategic purchasing which aims to reduce the cost of the purchase and that might imply standardization of components, delivery time and levels of inventory. This effort will usually include key suppliers as joint problem solvers and with these problem-solving models to work with; the firm’s attitude towards suppliers may change from confrontation to trust and partnership. From the buyer-supplier relationship perspective, the procurement practice of the buyer is critical and acts as a window to nurture the supplier development effort. This article presents the result of a study on supplier development in the Malaysian automotive industry, which focused on PROTON, and its role in developing the suppliers’ relationships and development. This study indicates that PROTON and its suppliers’ development program plays a crucial role in developing and extending comprehensive support to its supplier’s firm such as supplier selection and appointment, development, match making, and promoting continuous performance development and improvement programs

Alternative growth of Asian SMEs 【Article】

This article analyzes the process of growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Asian countries.Based on the accumulation of capabilities and resources through subcontracting, OEM or joint venture,SMEs often obtain competitive advantage to lead to growth. The types of growth process vary depend-ing on the stage of economic development, socio-cultural conditions and corporate strategy. The sub-contracting and OEM are quite effective approach for SMEs with limited resource to enter into overseasmarket. Firms can upgrade the technological capabilities and then proceed into manufacturing with ownbrand

High-Throughput Identification and Screening of Novel Methylobacterium Species Using Whole-Cell MALDI-TOF/MS Analysis

Methylobacterium species are ubiquitous α-proteobacteria that reside in the phyllosphere and are fed by methanol that is emitted from plants. In this study, we applied whole-cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis (WC-MS) to evaluate the diversity of Methylobacterium species collected from a variety of plants. The WC-MS spectrum was reproducible through two weeks of cultivation on different media. WC-MS spectrum peaks of M. extorquens strain AM1 cells were attributed to ribosomal proteins, but those were not were also found. We developed a simple method for rapid identification based on spectra similarity. Using all available type strains of Methylobacterium species, the method provided a certain threshold similarity value for species-level discrimination, although the genus contains some type strains that could not be easily discriminated solely by 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Next, we evaluated the WC-MS data of approximately 200 methylotrophs isolated from various plants with MALDI Biotyper software (Bruker Daltonics). Isolates representing each cluster were further identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In most cases, the identification by WC-MS matched that by sequencing, and isolates with unique spectra represented possible novel species. The strains belonging to M. extorquens, M. adhaesivum, M. marchantiae, M. komagatae, M. brachiatum, M. radiotolerans, and novel lineages close to M. adhaesivum, many of which were isolated from bryophytes, were found to be the most frequent phyllospheric colonizers. The WC-MS technique provides emerging high-throughputness in the identification of known/novel species of bacteria, enabling the selection of novel species in a library and identification without 16S rRNA gene sequencing

Environmental Management Transfer and Environmental Performance by Japanese Firms in Thailand

This paper analyzes the determinants of environmental management transfer and environmental performance by Japanese firms in Thailand. For sustainable development, all actors need to contribute to the reduction of environmental loads. This requirement is part of a corporate social responsibility. Data obtained from a questionnaire survey on Japanese subsidiaries in Thailand are used in the analysis. Government regulation, environmental strategy, organization and environmental performance are the key factors in the analytical framework. This paper uses ordinary least square (OLS) method for estimation. The results of the analysis indicate that the environmental management system and green procurement by parent firms are significantly related to the international transfer of these practices. Top leadership and the goal of environmental management in the subsidiary are also significantly related to the transfer. The emphasis of environmental strategy leads to improved environmental performance. Specifically, water and air performance are related to top initiative. In contrast, CO2 and waste performance are related to the priority of environmental management. This paper presents new findings in environmental management.