The application of failure mode and effect analysis to evaluate risks associated with outsourcing decisions

Includes bibliographical references (p. 59).Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2008."June 2008."The goal of this thesis is to develop a tool for analyzing the risks associated with outsourcing decisions for corporations. The thesis explores the current methods of choosing suppliers to outsource, as well as issues and risks that need to be considered in the decision. A need arose for a tool to standardize the process of choosing a supplier and help the decision team consider more aspects than the bid price. This need gave the opportunity to develop a tool based on Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). The typical FMEA was researched and analyzed for its ability to be an effective tool in outsourcing risk decisions. Small alterations on the typical FMEA were made to provide a relevant tool to analyze outsourcing risks. This new process, deemed Outsourcing Risk FMEA, was described in detail. The Outsourcing Risk FMEA was put to the test through a case study. The case study analyzed Boeing Commercial Airline's 2003 decision to outsource a section of its 737 Vertical Fin production to Korea Aerospace Industries. This study provided an example of how the analysis could be applied. Further research into the proof of the analysis's effectiveness is necessary. This research can be conducted by receiving feedback from teams using this analysis in their outsourcing decisions. The feedback would then be used to improve the process. Outsourcing Risk FMEA provides a structured, standard solution to the problem of analyzing the risks associated with outsourcing. This thesis was performed in conjunction with Leaders for Manufacturing graduate student Victor Mroczkowski's MBA and MS thesis.by Jacquelyn M. Nowicke.S.B

Supplemental Information 21: Atraphaxis spinosa L., Afghanistan, Prov. Samangan, N-Hänge des Koh-i-Chungar, 12 km SW Rabatak, 1,550 m, Lößboden; 68/21–36/05. 7.6.1978. n. 31519. Leg. et det. D. Podlech. (LE).

Background: The recently proposed recircumscription of the genus Atraphaxis (incl. Atraphaxis section Ovczinnikovia O.V. Yurtseva ex. S. Tavakkoli and Polygonum sect. Spinescentia Boissier (=A. sect. Polygonoides S. Tavakkoli, Kaz. Osaloo & Mozaff.) makes this genus fairly heterogeneous and therefore almost undefinable based on morphology. A critical comprehensive reappraisal of the group is necessary. Methods: Using the DNA sequence data (ITS1&2 regions of nrDNA and combined trnL intron + trnL–F IGS and rpl32–trnL(UAG) IGS regions of plastid genome), Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian analyses (BI) were applied for phylogenetic reconstructions of the tribe Polygoneae with special attention to Atraphaxis, and related taxa. Maximum parsimony reconstructions of the evolution of perianth morphology and sporoderm ornamentation in the tribe Polygoneae were also performed. Life history, morphology of shoots, leaf blades, ocreas, perianth and achene morphology, ultrasculpture of achene surface, and pollen morphology were compared, and SEM and LM images were provided. Principal findings: The genera Atraphaxis and Polygonum were found to be widely polyphyletic. The rarest and morphologically remarkable endemic of Tian-Shan and Pamir Atraphaxis ovczinnikovii (Atraphaxis sect. Ovczinnikovia O.V. Yurtseva ex. S. Tavakkoli) was confirmed to be a sister of the clade (Atraphaxis + Polygonum sect. Spinescentia) in plastid topology. The genus Bactria (=Atraphaxis sect. Ovczinnikovia), which circumscribes two species, is newly established as a result of this analyses. Morphological data confirm the originality of the taxon. Discussion: We are arguing for a narrow delimitation of Atraphaxis with petalloid segments and striato-perforate sporoderm ornamentation as morphological synapomorphies. The recently proposed inclusion of Polygonum sect. Spinescentia in Atraphaxis is fairly questionable from a morphological standpoint. The rank of Polygonum sect. Spinescentia requires further clarification. The generic composition of the tribe Polygoneae also requires future reappraisals

Continuous human presence without extensive reductions in forest cover over the past 2500 years in an aseasonal Amazonian rainforest

The impact of pre‐Columbian indigenous communities on forest cover in Amazonia is highly contentious, particularly for the wettest forests. To contribute to this debate, we studied the vegetation and fire history of a site, Quistococha, which lies within the aseasonal forests of the northern Peruvian Amazon and is associated with independently dated pre‐Columbian and recent human occupation. Paired cores from swamp and lake environments were used to distinguish landscape‐scale changes in vegetation from local‐scale succession. An increased abundance of disturbance‐adapted taxa in the pollen record from the lake, but not swamp, since c. AD 1860 probably reflects extensive deforestation related to the expansion of the nearby city of Iquitos. However, previous persistent occupation of the site by pre‐Columbian indigenous communities, indicated by the charcoal record from the lake site, is not associated with evidence for similarly extensive disturbance of the landscape. The unique features of this site therefore demonstrate that occupation by indigenous communities over thousands of years was not associated with large‐scale deforestation. These results support an emerging model of persistent but localized impacts by pre‐Columbian indigenous communities on aseasonal Amazonian forests

Hearing Voices: Negative Implications of Using the DSM in Diagnosing Deaf Individuals with Schizophrenia

The current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV-TR (DSM) rarely serves Deaf Americans sufficiently. Specifically, Deaf individuals with schizophrenia face extreme disparities in diagnoses compared to hearing individuals when the DSM is used. The diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia conflicts with inherent aspects of Deaf culture, especially related to American Sign Language (ASL) and similar gestural languages. Because the DSM was written for a target culture (in this case, the average white hearing American population) it excludes members of the Deaf culture and other marginalized groups. Focusing on common symptoms of schizophrenia, the current research analyzes how Deaf culture clashes, namely in the use of language and speech dysfluency, hallucinations and delusions, and movement disorders. Resolving this disparity can positively affect Kentucky\u27s (and other states\u27) current financial crisis in the area of mental health and Deaf consumers