Laboratory Mice Burrowing Responses to Predator Calls

The avoidance of predation is an essential trait in mice and depends on the ability of the mouse to recognize its predators. It is predicted that the calls of predators act as stimuli which signal the presence of potential danger. Laboratory mice have been shown to respond with defensive behaviors, such as burrowing, when exposed to the the calls of predators. To test how mice respond to different predator calls, we will play the sounds of three owls, Eastern Screech Owl,Tawny Owl, and American Barn Owl, and look at burrowing behaviors. Human voices reading a book will be used as a control. We predict that mice will exhibit longer burrowing behaviors when played the sounds of a familiar predator call. This study will help us understand innate defensive behaviors of laboratory mice that have never been exposed to predators. Although we found no significant differences between the type of predator and the mean number of burrows, we hope future research can improve upon this study

An Empirically Derived Taxonomy of Information Systems Integration

Information systems integration (ISI) represents the degree of cooperation in information system practices between business functions within a firm and between a firm and its trading partners. Although the establishment of information systems integration objective has been reported as one of the key concerns of top management because ISI enhances the firms’ competitiveness and growth, the classification of the information system practices and its managerial implications are still vaguely developed. The two objectives of this paper are: (1) to develop a taxonomy of information systems integration (ISI) called ISI-Matrix, and (2) to report managerial implications for matching each information system class with business process applications. By using a systematic research investigation approach, two ISI structures are identified: Internal ISI (IISI) and External ISI (EISI) from the responses of 220 firms. The ability to identify and understand the implications of the ISI-Matrix is of critical importance to both academic and management practitioners

Developmental lead exposure and the exacerbation of Alzheimer's pathology: an immunological analysis

Early neuroimmune dysfunction may play a driving role in the etiopathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), stemming from the hypothesis that many late-stage adult diseases have an early-life basis. Here we explore whether exposure to a known neuroimmunotoxicant during a period of developmental susceptibility in the central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma exacerbates the pathologies in an AD prone triple transgenic mouse model (3xTgAD). This "double-hit" research design is optimal for modeling the high variability in AD due to detrimental exogenous influences, rather than the minority of AD cases that have a well-defined genetic origin and regular neurodegenerative progression. We gavaged triple transgenic mice with lead acetate from postnatal day 5-15, a critical developmental window for microglia, immune cells of the CNS that are thought to play a major role in shaping the CNS. We then analyzed microglial phenotype and colocalization with amyloid-beta, the protein associated with AD senile plaques, to appropriately detect the change in pathological severity due to the intimate correlation of microglia with amyloid-beta plaques. Our data indicate early exposure to a neurotoxicant increases the number of activated microglia with age, which we hypothesize is due to either degradation of homeostatic inhibitory signaling pathways associated with early onset synaptic degeneration or over-burdened microglial phagocytic load. Furthmore, microglial activation states differed between genders and fluctuated with age, suggesting a sex-specific component to AD pathology and potential correlation of neurodegenerative diseases with hormone receptors in the sexual differentiation of the developing brain.  M.S

Measuring Absorptive Capacity: An Antecedent to Time-Based Manufacturing Practices

This study defines absorptive capacity, develops valid and reliable instruments to measure it, describes a framework to examine its impact on time-based manufacturing practices, and test the relationships between these variables

The information systems environment of time-based competitors

Time-based competitors create product development and manufacturing practices that reduce response-time and enhance customization capabilities. These practices require an information-rich, internal environment capable of flexible resource deployment and direct and continuous feedback. These firms should have enhanced information systems planning capabilities, cross-functional involvement in information systems related activities, responsiveness to organizational computing demands, high levels of end-user development, and high levels of information systems performance. Data were collected from 265 manufacturers to develop measures for these information systems variables and to determine if there are relationships between the use of time-based practices and the levels of these variables. Results indicate that firms with high levels of time-based product development practices and time-based manufacturing practices have significantly higher scores across these information systems variables than firms with low levels of these time-based practices

Achieving Mass Customization Through Modularity-Based Manufacturing Practices: A Customer-Driven Perspective

As uncertainty in markets and technology intensifies, organizations are adopting modularity-based manufacturing practices to achieve mass customization and cope with demands for increasingly customized products. Modularity-standardization and substitution principle to product and process design to create modular components and processes that can be configured into a wide range of end products to meet specific customer needs. This study defines customer closeness and modularity-based manufacturing develops instruments to measure these factors, builds a framework that relates customer closeness, modularity-based manufacturing practices, and mass customization, and tests structural relationships in this framework using LISREL

Trust-Driven Joint Operations Practices to Achieve Mass Customization: A Comparative Study for U.S., Chinese and Japanese Companies

This study builds a model of trust, based on joint operational activities and mass customization using theories of social capital and the resource-based view of the firm. Based on 208 responses from suppliers in the U.S. and China, this study empirically supports the notion that trust positively drives manufacturer-supplier activities in operations. It also supports the claim that joint operations activities contribute to mass customization capabilities in a significant way. Moreover, the level of trust and the degree of joint activities are different for the four types of suppliers used in the study: U.S. brands produced in North America, Japanese brands produced in China, U.S. brands produced in China, and Chinese brands produced in China

Green as the new Lean:how to use Lean practices as a catalyst to greening your supply chain

The aim of this research paper is to explore and evaluate previous work focussing on the relationship and links between Lean and Green supply chain management practices. Several explanatory frameworks are explored and discussed. It is intended that evidence and insights can be developed and used: (a) to assist our understanding of where Lean practices are synergistic for Green; (b) to clarify if Green practices are synergistic for Lean; and (c) to identify opportunities for companies to use their Lean framework as a catalyst to making their processes Green. The paper provides evidence suggesting that Lean is beneficial for Green practices and the implementation of Green practices in turn also has a positive influence on existing Lean business practices

Production of Hydrogen for Clean and Renewable Source of Energy for Fuel Cell Vehicles

This was a two-year project that had two major components: 1) the demonstration of a PV-electrolysis system that has separate PV system and electrolysis unit and the hydrogen generated is to be used to power a fuel cell based vehicle; 2) the development of technologies for generation of hydrogen through photoelectrochemical process and bio-mass derived resources. Development under this project could lead to the achievement of DOE technical target related to PEC hydrogen production at low cost. The PEC part of the project is focused on the development of photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation devices and systems using thin-film silicon based solar cells. Two approaches are taken for the development of efficient and durable photoelectrochemical cells; 1) An immersion-type photoelectrochemical cells (Task 3) where the photoelectrode is immersed in electrolyte, and 2) A substrate-type photoelectrochemical cell (Task 2) where the photoelectrode is not in direct contact with electrolyte. Four tasks are being carried out: Task 1: Design and analysis of DC voltage regulation system for direct PV-to-electrolyzer power feed Task 2: Development of advanced materials for substrate-type PEC cells Task 3: Development of advanced materials for immersion-type PEC cells Task 4: Hydrogen production through conversion of biomass-derived waste

Strategic supplier performance evaluation::a case-based action research of a UK manufacturing organisation

The main aim of this research is to demonstrate strategic supplier performance evaluation of a UK-based manufacturing organisation using an integrated analytical framework. Developing long term relationship with strategic suppliers is common in today׳s industry. However, monitoring suppliers׳ performance all through the contractual period is important in order to ensure overall supply chain performance. Therefore, client organisations need to measure suppliers׳ performance dynamically and inform them on improvement measures. Although there are many studies introducing innovative supplier performance evaluation frameworks and empirical researches on identifying criteria for supplier evaluation, little has been reported on detailed application of strategic supplier performance evaluation and its implication on overall performance of organisation. Additionally, majority of the prior studies emphasise on lagging factors (quality, delivery schedule and value/cost) for supplier selection and evaluation. This research proposes both leading (organisational practices, risk management, environmental and social practices) and lagging factors for supplier evaluation and demonstrates a systematic method for identifying those factors with the involvement of relevant stakeholders and process mapping. The contribution of this article is a real-life case-based action research utilising an integrated analytical model that combines quality function deployment and the analytic hierarchy process method for suppliers׳ performance evaluation. The effectiveness of the method has been demonstrated through number of validations (e.g. focus group, business results, and statistical analysis). Additionally, the study reveals that enhanced supplier performance results positive impact on operational and business performance of client organisation