Supply chain strategies for competitive manufacture

Few people would argue that there is one single solution to the design of a manufacturing supply chain. Relatively recent concepts such as strategic outsourcing and partnership sourcing are extremely valuable to some manufacturing organisations. This paper presents the findings of a comprehensive survey of manufacturing sourcing practices in the UK. This study has set out to understand current and intended practices that manufacturing companies have with their key suppliers, and also the decision processes and circumstances that have caused these relationships to occur.

A conceptual framework for supply chain collaboration:empirical evidence from the agri-food industry

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the concept of supply chain collaboration and to provide an overall framework that can be used as a conceptual landmark for further empirical research. In addition, the concept is explored in the context of agri-food industry and particularities are identified. Finally, the paper submits empirical evidence from an exploratory case study in the agri-food industry, at the grower-processor interface, and information regarding the way the concept is actually applied in small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is presented. Design/methodology/approach - The paper employed case study research by conducting in-depth interviews in the two companies. Findings - Supply chain collaboration concept is of significant importance for the agri-food industry however, some constraints arise due to the nature of industry's products, and the specific structure of the sector. Subsequently, collaboration in the supply chain is often limited to operational issues and to logistics-related activities. Research limitations/implications - Research is limited to a single case study and further qualitative testing of the conceptual model is needed in order to adjust the model before large scale testing. Practical implications - Case study findings may be transferable to other similar dual relationships at the grower-processor interface. Weaker parts in asymmetric relationships have opportunities to improve their position, altering the dependence balance, by achieving product/process excellence. Originality/value - The paper provides evidence regarding the applicability of the supply chain collaboration concept in the agri-food industry. It takes into consideration not relationships between big multinational companies, but SMEs. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Integrated logistics and supply chain management:the state of practice in Ireland

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were provided with aid to offset locational disadvantages in the run up to the Single European Market. Since then the Republic has emerged as the fastest growing member of the E.U. Success has not been underpinned by the transport system, suggesting that business has had to overcome locational disadvantages by strong performance elsewhere in the supply chain. The evidence indicates that there are Irish firms operating supply chain management techniques at a truly international standard. The problem is that there are so few in that category Meeting Ireland’s competitiveness challenge means closing the gap between the small group of large and foreign-owned firms, which display excellence in SCM, and the larger group of indigenous small and medium size businesses, which do not.

catena-[μ-tris(1,2-bis(tetrazol-1-yl)ethane-N4,N4')iron(II)] bis(tetrafluoroborate): Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic and magnetic characterisation of a chain-type coordination polymer spin-crossover compound.

In analogy to a common synthesis of 1-substituted 5-H tetrazoles (Tetrahedron Lett. 36 (1995)1759; Beloruss. Gos. Univ., Minsk, USSR. Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin. 11 (1985) 1521; Beloruss. Gos. Univ., Minsk, USSR. Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin. 1 (1991) 66; BGU, Belarus. Vestsi Akad. Navuk Belarusi, Ser. Khim. Navuk 1 (1992) 73), the new bidentate ligand 1,2-bis(tetrazol-1-yl)ethane [endi] was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, NMR, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. By using iron(II) tetrafluoroborate hexahydrate the complexation with this ligand yields a 1-dimensional linear coordination polymer similar to the recently published chain compound (Inorg. Chem. 39 (2000) 1891) exhibiting a thermally induced spin-crossover phenomenon. Similar to the 1,2-bis(tetrazol-1-yl)propane-bridged compound, our 1,2-bis(tetrazol-1-yl)ethane-bridged compound shows a gradual spin transition, but the spin-crossover temperature T1/2≈140 K is found to be 10 K above the other T1/2. The T1/2 was determined by temperature-dependent 57Fe-Mössbauer, far FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy as well as by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements. Single crystals of the complex were grown in situ from a solution of the ligand and iron(II) tetrafluoroborate. The X-ray structure determinations of both the high spin as well as the low spin state of the compound revealed a solid state structure, which is comparable to that of catena-[Fe(1,2-bis(tetrazole-1-yl)propane)3](ClO4)2 (Inorg. Chem. 39 (2000) 1891; 2nd TMR-TOSS Meeting, 4th Spin Crossover Family Meeting, Lufthansa Training Center, Seeheim/Germany, April 30–May 2, 1999). Both the 1,2-bis(tetrazol-1-yl)propane-bridged and our compound do not show a thermal hysteresis effect (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115 (1993) 9810; Inorg. Chim. Acta 37 (1979) 169; Chem. Phys. Lett. 93 (1982) 567). The synthesis of the complex described in the experimental section yielded a fine powdered product being poorly soluble in most common solvents. The single crystal measurements were done with crystals obtained by various diffusion methods. Most of them yielded either thin needles or small hexagonal prism crystals depending on the specific conditions.

Crystal structure and physical properties of the new linear chain compound [Cu(1,2-bis(tetrazol-1-yl)ethane)3](ClO4)2

The synthesis and crystal structure of a novel one-dimensional Cu(II) compound [Cu(1,2-bis(tetrazol-1-yl)ethane)3](ClO4)2 are described. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination was carried out at 298 K. The molecular structure consists of a linear chain in which the Cu(II) ions are linked by three N4,N4' coordinating bis(tetrazole) ligands in syn conformation. The Cu(II) ions are in a Jahn-Teller distorted octahedral environment (Cu(1)-N(11)=2.034(2) Å, Cu(1)-N(21)=2.041(2) Å and Cu(1)-N(31)=2.391(2) Å). The Cu⋯Cu separations are 7.420(3) Å.

Using the max-sum algorithm for supply chain emergence in dynamic multiunit environments

Supply chain formation (SCF) is the process of determining the set of participants and exchange relationships within a network with the goal of setting up a supply chain that meets some predefined social objective. Many proposed solutions for the SCF problem rely on centralized computation, which presents a single point of failure and can also lead to problems with scalability. Decentralized techniques that aid supply chain emergence offer a more robust and scalable approach by allowing participants to deliberate between themselves about the structure of the optimal supply chain. Current decentralized supply chain emergence mechanisms are only able to deal with simplistic scenarios in which goods are produced and traded in single units only and without taking into account production capacities or input-output ratios other than 1:1. In this paper, we demonstrate the performance of a graphical inference technique, max-sum loopy belief propagation (LBP), in a complex multiunit unit supply chain emergence scenario which models additional constraints such as production capacities and input-to-output ratios. We also provide results demonstrating the performance of LBP in dynamic environments, where the properties and composition of participants are altered as the algorithm is running. Our results suggest that max-sum LBP produces consistently strong solutions on a variety of network structures in a multiunit problem scenario, and that performance tends not to be affected by on-the-fly changes to the properties or composition of participants.

Controlled synthesis of poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate) via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerisation

The controlled synthesis of poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate) (PNSS) using RAFT polymerisation has been studied. Selected experimental conditions led to the production of PNSS with variable molecular weights and low dispersities (D{stroke}≤1.50). The controlled synthesis of poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate) (PNSS) using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerisation has been studied under a wide range of experimental conditions. PNSS can be used as an organic-soluble, thermally labile precursor for industrially valuable poly(p-styrene sulfonate), widely employed in technologies such as ionic exchange membranes and organic electronics. The suitability of two different chain transfer agents, three solvents, three different monomer concentrations and two different temperatures for the polymerisation of neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate is discussed in terms of the kinetics of the process and characteristics of the final polymer. Production of PNSS with systematically variable molecular weights and low dispersities (D{stroke} ≤1.50 in all cases) has been achieved using 2-azidoethyl 2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2-methylpropionate in anisole at 75°C, with an initial monomer concentration of 4.0molL-1. Finally, a poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate)-b-polybutadiene-b-poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate) (PNSS-b-PBD-b-PNSS) triblock copolymer has been synthesised via azide-alkyne click chemistry. Moreover, subsequent thermolysis of the PNSS moieties generated poly(p-styrene sulfonate) end blocks. This strategy allows the fabrication of amphiphilic copolymer films from single organic solvents without the need for post-deposition chemical treatment.

Single-Server Queueing System with Markov-Modulated Arrivals and Service Times

Key words: Markov-modulated queues, waiting time, heavy traffic.

Reach extension of high-capacity LR-PONs in chain configuration of distributed amplifier structure

We show 100-Gb/s single-channel transmission in LR-PONs with at least 512 way split and up to 160 km total distance is feasible by means of "chained" cable with amplifier solutions, and appropriate FIR filter designs. © 2015 OSA.

A Suite of Prey Traits Determine Predator and Nutrient Enrichment Effects in a Tri-Trophic Food Chain

Predation, predation risk, and resource quality affect suites of prey traits that collectively impact individual fitness, population dynamics, and community structure. However, studies of multi-trophic level effects generally focus on a single prey trait, failing to capture trade-offs among suites of covarying traits that govern population responses and emergent community patterns. We used structural equation models (SEM) to summarize the non-lethal and lethal effects of crayfish, Procambarus fallax, and phosphorus (P) addition, which affected prey food quality (periphyton), on the interactive effects of behavioral, morphological, developmental, and reproductive traits of snails, Planorbella duryi. Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested trade-offs between production (growth, reproduction) and defense (foraging behavior, shell shape) traits of snails in response to non-lethal crayfish and P addition, but few lethal effects. SEM revealed that non-lethal crayfish effects indirectly limited per capita offspring standing stock by increasing refuge use, slowing individual growth, and inducing snails to produce thicker, compressed shells. The negative effects of non-lethal crayfish on snails were strongest with P addition; snails increased allocation to shell defense rather than growth or reproduction. However, compared to ambient conditions, P addition with non-lethal crayfish still yielded greater per capita offspring standing stock by speeding individual snail growth enabling them to produce more offspring that also grew faster. Increased refuge use in response to non-lethal crayfish led to a non-lethal trophic cascade that altered the spatial distribution of periphyton. Independent of crayfish effects, snails stimulated periphyton growth through nutrient regeneration. These findings illustrate the importance of studying suites of traits that reveal costs associated with inducing different traits and how expressing those traits impacts population and community level processes.

The use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplification method to determine sex ratio of human spermatozoa in semen and to determine maternal contamination of amniotic fluid samples

We have modified a technique which uses a single pair of primer sets directed against homologous but distinct genes on the X and Y chromosomes, all of which are coamplified in the same reaction tube with trace amounts of radioactivity. The resulting bands are equal in length, yet distinguishable by restriction enzyme sites generating two independent bands, a 364 bp X-specific band and a 280 bp Y-specific band. A standard curve was generated to show the linear relationship between X/Y ratio average vs. %Y or %X chromosomal content. Of the 51 purified amniocyte DNA samples analyzed, 16 samples showed evidence of high % X contamination while 2 samples demonstrated higher % Y than the expected 50% X and 50% Y chromosomal content. With regards to the 25 processed sperm samples analyzed, X-sperm enrichment was evident when compared to the primary sex ratio whereas Y-sperm was enriched when we compared before and after selection samples.

Managing supply chain knowledge-based linkages for improving operational performance

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the role of internal and external knowledgebased linkages across the supply chain in achieving better operational performance. It investigates how knowledge is accumulated, shared, and applied to create organization-specific knowledge resources that increase and sustain the organization's competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses a single case study with multiple, embedded units of analysis, and the social network analysis (SNA) to demonstrate the impact of internal and external knowledge-based linkages across multiple tiers in the supply chain on the organizational operational performance. The focal company of the case study is an Italian manufacturer supplying rubber components to European automotive enterprises. Findings: With the aid of the SNA, the internal knowledge-based linkages can be mapped and visualized. We found that the most central nodes having the most connections with other nodes in the linkages are the most crucial members in terms of knowledge exploration and exploitation within the organization. We also revealed that the effective management of external knowledge-based linkages, such as buyer company, competitors, university, suppliers, and subcontractors, can help improve the operational performance. Research limitations/implications: First, our hypothesis was tested on a single case. The analysis of multiple case studies using SNA would provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between the knowledge-based linkages at all levels of the supply chain and the integration of knowledge. Second, the static nature of knowledge flows was studied in this research. Future research could also consider ongoing monitoring of dynamic linkages and the dynamic characteristic of knowledge flows. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, the phrase 'knowledge-based linkages' has not been used in the literature and there is lack of investigation on the relationship between the management of internal and external knowledge-based linkages and the operational performance. To bridge the knowledge gap, this paper will show the importance of understanding the composition and characteristics of knowledge-based linkages and their knowledge nodes. In addition, this paper will show that effective management of knowledge-based linkages leads to the creation of new knowledge and improves organizations' operational performance.

Determination of soybean cultivar resistance to soybean cyst nematode with quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Heterodera glycines, the soybean cyst nematode, is the major pathogen of Glycine max (soybean). Effective management of this pathogen is contingent on the use of resistant cultivars, thus screening for resistant cultivars is essential. The purpose of this research was to develop a method to assess infection of soybean roots by H. glycines with real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), a prelude to differentiation of resistance levels in soybean cultivars. Two experiments were conducted. In the first one, a consistent inoculation method was developed using to provide active second-stage juveniles (J2). Two-day-old soybean roots were infested with 0 and 1000 J2/mL. Twenty-four hours after infestation, the roots were surface sterilized and DNA was extracted with the DNA FastKit (MP Biomedicals, Santa Ana, CA)). For the qPCR assay, primer pair for single copy gene HgSNO, which codes for a protein involved in the production of vitamin B6, was selected for H. glycines DNA amplification within soybean roots. In the second experiment, compatible Lee 74, incompatible Peking and cultivars with different levels of resistance to H. glycines were inoculated with 0 and 1,000 J2/seedlings. Twenty-four hours post inoculation they were transplanted into pasteurized soil. Subsequently they were harvested at 1, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days post inoculation for DNA extraction. With the qPCR assay, the time needed to differentiate highly resistant cultivars from the rest was reduced. Quantification of H. glycines infection by traditional means (numbers of females produced in 30 days) is a time-consuming practice; the qPCR method can replace the traditional one and improve precision in determining infection levels.

Development of synthetic light-chain antibodies as novel and potent HIV fusion inhibitors

This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in AIDS. 2016 Jul 17;30(11):1691-701.

Towards a single crystal Raman spectrum of kaolinite at 77 K

The Raman spectra at 77 K of the hydroxyl stretching of kaolinite were obtained along the three axes perpendicular to the crystal faces. Raman bands were observed at 3616, 3658 and 3677 cm−1 together with a distinct band observed at 3691 cm−1 and a broad profile between 3695 and 3715 cm−1. The band at 3616 cm−1 is assigned to the inner hydroxyl. The bands at 3658 and 3677 cm−1 are attributed to the out-of-phase vibrations of the inner surface hydroxyls. The Raman spectra of the in-phase vibrations of the inner-surface hydroxyl-stretching region are described in terms of transverse and longitudinal optic splitting. The band at 3691 cm−1 is assigned to the transverse optic and the broad profile to the longitudinal optic mode. This splitting remained even at liquid nitrogen temperature. The transverse optic vibration may be curve resolved into two or three bands, which are attributed to different types of hydroxyl groups in the kaolinite.