Business Commons^™

Growing Lettuce, Margaret Graham

Horticulture published reports

The commonly cultivated lettuce, Lactuca sativa, is an annual belonging to the sunflower family. It has been cultivated for over 2500 years, and is a popular salad vegetable.

There are three main subspecies commonly grown.

• IL. sativa ssp capitata - Head type - Crisphead is a lettuce with a firm head and brittle leaves. It is the major lettuce type grown in Australia and is also known as iceberg lettuce. - Butterhead (buttercrunch, mignonette) lettuce has soft, pale leaves and a delicate buttery flavour. It is of major importance in Europe, where it is grown as a greenhouse crop.
• L. …

Transportation Of Animals And Welfare, D. B. Adams

Transport of Farm Animals Collection

All forms of transport are potentially hazardous for animals, regardless of whether travel is between or within countries, or by road, rail, air or sea. However, experience shows that animals can be transported under suitable conditions without harm to their welfare.

The provision of suitable conditions and the establishment of a mutually satisfactory framework for regulating the international transport of animals depends on an understanding of welfare needs and of the biological basis for disease, stress and suffering. The author examines the biological aspects of this framework.

The capacity of animals to adapt to the different demands of different forms …

Evaluation Of Air Force And Navy Demand Forecasting Systems, Christian J. Dussault

Theses and Dissertations

In March 1993, the JLSC selected the Navys Statistical Demand Forecasting System as the standard DOD forecasting system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance and accuracy of the Navy Statistical Demand Forecasting system, relative to the Air Force Requirements Data Bank forecasting system in an Air Force environment. To compare the performance of each forecasting system, the research used three different approaches. The first approach looked at time series components and evaluated how each forecasting system reacted to different data patterns. From this approach, it was found that under the presence of a trending …

Bulletin 4270 - Meat Quality In Beef Cattle, Brian Mcintyre

Bulletins 4000 -

Meat quality is the sole concern of the consumer once the product reaches the supermarket shelf. Breeding, feeding or any other factors that may have been important to the beef producer have no influence over the buyer's choice. Meat quality can be divided into two components — appearance and eating quality.

Bulletin 4272 - Growing Bananas In Carnarvon, Terry Hill

Bulletins 4000 -

The banana industry in Carnarvon began with small plantings. plantings in the 1940s. Since that time the industry has grown and become the mainstay of the region's horticulture industry.

In 1991, there were 360 ha planted to bananas and the industry was valued at $18.2 million. The major market for the crop is the Perth metropolitan area and Carnarvon remains the major supplier to this market. In recent years the development of a banana industry in Kununurra has resulted in increased competition, particularly in the winter months.

The industry is sited on land bordering the Gascoyne River, close to the …

An Analysis Of The Root Causes Of Delays And Deficiencies In The Development Of Embedded Software For Air Force Weapon Systems, Jay R. Hopkins, Curtis De Keyrel

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of embedded software, used in every subsystem of ah major weapon systems used by the United States Air Force, has increased drastically over the last decades. However, in spite of the regulations currently in existence, developing and acquiring software which meets the user requirements within the original cost and schedule estimates continues to be difficult. At the same time, the Air Force has pushed to improve the development process with the Total Quality Management TQM program. The primary method used to improve the process has been to create metrics, collect data on these metrics, and then perform a …

An Investigation Of The Defense Logistics Agency's Dedicated Truck Program, Theresa O. Cantrell, Walter Van Daele

Theses and Dissertations

In 1990, the Department of Defense purchased medical materiel from the Defense Logistics Agency totaling approximately 1 billion dollars. Congress has directed the Department of Defense to examine civilian health-care practices to reduce the costs. Just-in-Time inventory management is one of those practices. Research on Just-in-Time inventory for military facilities raised several concerns about its capability to support the military mission. However, there are many facets of Just-in-Time management that can be adopted without compromise of wartime capabilities. This research identifies the results of the change in the Defense Logistics Agencys policy on delivery of medical materiel to Department of …

An Enhanced Process Model Of The Intransit Segment Of The Air Force Logistics Reparable Pipeline, Raul T. Mireles, Steven D. Pearson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an in-depth study of the intransit segment of the United States Air Force reparable pipeline. Previous research has not adequately discussed the role of the intransit segment in the overall pipeline. As a result, this thesis identifies the characteristics of this particular segment by discussing the following topics: various intransit components, reparable asset flow times, intransit's role under two-level maintenance, intransit constraints, and data sources used to manage asset movements within the pipeline. The study uses a thorough literature review, personal interviews, and an evaluation of asset flow time data to compare current standards to what actually …

The Logistics Of Waging War 1982-1993, Alan J. Will, William G. Wheeler

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort provides material for use in updating the book The Logistics of Waging War. This particular book gives a logistics overview of part American Military conflicts but had not been update since 1982. Our objective was to research the logistics aspects of the major military operations since 1982. These operations included: Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada (1983), Operation Just Cause in Panama (1989), Operation Desert Shield in Saudi Arabia (1990), Operation Desert Storm in Iraq and Kuwait (1991), and Operation Desert Farewell in Saudi Arabia (1992). Also included in this study is a review of the Air Force …

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Process Variation In The Base Processing Segment Of The Depot-Level Reparable Pipeline, Harold D. Hites, Mark Schultz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify and provide pipeline managers with the knowledge and tools necessary for reducing process variation associated with retrograde asset flow time. Several Air Force studies have been devoted to researching portions of the pipeline process. Our study continues this trend of investigations by studying the Base Processing Segment. This study demonstrates the potential for analyzing the Base Processing Segment of the depot-level reparable pipeline using Statistical Process Control. Retrograde asset flow time data collection methods and current management practices were examined. Control charts were used in the passive mode to analyze and determine …

Benchmark Production Scheduling Problems For Job Shops With Interactive Constraints, Stewart W. James, Bruno A. Mediate Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

United States Air Force (USAF) depots have expressed interest in utilizing DISASTER production scheduling software to schedule their maintenance operations. DISASTER attempts to increase system throughput by building effective schedules for system, constraint resources. However, when a system contains multiple, interactive constraints, DISASTER builds the constraint schedules one at a time. Since each successive schedule must adhere to timing restrictions imposed by previous constraint schedules, the quality of the schedules produced by DISASTER is dependent upon the sequence in which the constraints are scheduled. This thesis first developed a set of benchmark problems which provide a diversity of scheduling scenarios. …

The Future Sbss: Migration Of Sbss Functions From A Mainframe Environment To A Disturbed Pc-Based Lan Environment, William D. Rath, Scott A. Vesper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine the technical feasibility of a PC-based Standard Base Supply System (SBSS). The SBSS is currently run in a mainframe environment; however, the current hardware contract will be reviewed in 1997. At that time, a decision as to what hardware implementation best serves Base Supply needs must be made. This document evaluates various possible PC- based SBSS Local Area Network (LAN) architectures, as well as provides an initial direction for implementation. The current mainframe-based Regional SBSS implementation serves multiple bases via long haul networks and may not effectively satisfy Air Force/base level requirements. …

Scheduling A Medium-Sized Manufacturing Shop: A Simulation Study, Daniel J. Mcfeely

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the application of simple-to-use, low cost scheduling methods to the operating environment of a medium-sized manufacturing shop. Computer simulation was used to evaluate eighteen different scheduling algorithms, each the result of the combination of a loading and a sequencing rule; due date setting was not considered since due dates are exogenously set. The loading rules investigated were Minimum Machine Required, Lowest Average WIP, and Lowest Average Aggregate Priority Level. The sequencing rules investigated were Priority, EDD, FIS, SPT, Slack, and Slack Ratio. The scheduling algorithms were evaluated against performance measures of mean tardiness, mean flowtime, mean percentage …

Identification Of Problems Hindering Logistics Support Of Commercial- Off-The-Shelf Computer Equipment, Jessie J. Rowe Iii, William Z. Zeck

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the specific problems currently hindering Air Force logistics support of COTS computer equipment and to recommend a support concept to overcome these problems. These objectives were accomplished with a literature review and a survey of logistics support experts. The survey asked the experts to identify problems hindering logistics support of deployable COTS computer equipment and to rank associated logistics support elements in order of importance. One hundred surveys were sent out and thirty- three were returned. Data analysis indicated that the logistics support elements that are most problematic for the logistics support …

Computerized Vehicle Routing Programs And Their Effect On Vehicle Utilization In The Air Force, Rex E. Adee, William G. Howard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine if a commercial computerized vehicle routing program improves vehicle utilization for an Air Force base transportation organization. First, the researchers investigate current routing procedures of Air Force base transportation organizations. Second, researchers identify a commercial computerized vehicle routing program that enables the authors to conduct a comparison of vehicle utilization rates between an Air Force base transportation organization and commercial computerized vehicle routing programs. The study reveals that implementing a computerized vehicle routing program in place of a manual routing procedure does not improve vehicle utilization. However, the study reveals some limitations …

Quality-Based Supply Management Indicators, Michael O. Cannon, Brian B. Yoo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if current supply management indicators provide supply managers with quality measurement tools. This research developed the Quality-Based Metrics Framework, consisting of customer focus and continuous process improvement with underlying supporting elements of time and cost. A literature review determined an appropriate framework for improving logistics indicators. Interviews with supply analysts and a review of pertinent publications identified the most commonly used supply management indicators. A focus group of highly experienced senior supply officers determined the usefulness of currently used indicators in terms of the framework. Using the input from the focus group, …

Repair Process Improvement At The Ogden Air Logistics Center, Landing Gear Division: A Case Study In The Application Of The Theory Of Constraints, David A. Maddox, Susan L. Martz

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the nature and extent of success that resulted from the implementation of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) in a depot repair environment. The actions taken to implement TOC were determined. Performance measures which defined success were identified and data were collected and summarized to demonstrate performance before and after implementation of TOC concepts. Improvements in flowdays and work-in-process (WIP) were determined to be attributable to the TOC effort. In addition, the unique characteristics of probabalistic repair and supply system variability were noted as those characteristics that posed the greatest challenges to implementing TOC in a remanufacturing environment. …

A Comparison Of The Disaster™ Scheduling Software With A Simultaneous Scheduling Algorithm For Minimizing Maximum Tardiness In Job Shops, Barak J. Carlson, Christopher A. Lettiere

Theses and Dissertations

The Theory of Constraints (TOC) is the foundation for a computerized scheduling system called DISASTER. Although this system has proven successful in many manufacturing settings, it has potential limitations due to the sequential heuristic process by which it schedules constraints. The objective of this thesis was to determine the extent to which these limitations impact the due date performance of schedules created by DISASTER. This objective was addressed by developing an algorithm to simultaneously schedule multiple constraints in a job shop environment and provide the optimal schedule for minimized maximum tardiness. This algorithm was used to obtain solutions for a …

Internationalisation Of R&D Improves A Firm's Technical Learning, Arnoud De Meyer

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Companies have been reluctant to internationalize the R&D function. The reasons for keeping R&D geographically centralized are mostly related to preserving optimal communication patterns. But market forces, and the diffusion of the sources of technological know-how, oblige many companies to decentralize and internationalize their R&D laboratories. How does one manage this international network of laboratories? The author takes the position that companies internationalize R&D to improve the process of technical learning. If this is the case, the management of the laboratory network has to stimulate this technical learning. On the basis of 14 case studies, five areas warrant attention: creating …

Central Bank Of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, June 1993, Central Bank Of Nigeria

CBN Statistical Bulletin

This volume/year presents data on the Money and Banking sub-sector, including central banking, financial markets, non-bank financial institutions, clearing house activities, merchant and commercial banking, and public finance statistics. The data includes consolidation of commercial and merchant banks' first and second schedule statistical returns, computation of liquidity ratio, cash reserve ratio, loan/deposit ratio, proportion of loans to rural borrowers and small-scale enterprises, and reconstitution of the Central Bank's balance sheet. The data also indicates the level of banking habit in the industry.

It further explains the classification of insurance companies by their business type, including whole life, non-life, and mixed …

Scheduling Air Mobility Command's Channel Cargo Missions, Gregory S. Rau

Theses and Dissertations

Through the use of a linear programming model, this research revised the initial schedule for AMC's channel cargo missions to eliminate any excess delay enroute by minimizing the cumulative, weighted time-in-system for all cargo, according to a given cargo flow. In fact, the revised schedule minimizes any assigned nonnegative weighting of the time-in-system, due to the properties of equivalent measures of performance. When combined with Step One of a proposed two-step process for revising AMC's channel mission schedule, this research can be used to improve the current schedule based on Step One's cargo flow. By carefully defining the notation and …

Determining Cargo Flow For Air Mobility Command's Channel Cargo System, Michael Del Rosario

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated using a multiperiod multicommodity minimal cost flow (M2MCF) formulation to model the channel cargo system of the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC). The objective of this research was to determine how cargo should flow in the channel cargo system in order to minimize the cargo's delay enroute from its origin to its destination. This research showed the size of an M2MCF model of the channel cargo system exceeds AMC's computational capabilities. Additionally, this research describes three approaches to reduce the problem size. Because of the problem size and other modeling limitations discovered during this …

An Analysis Of Tactical Airlifter Characteristics And Their Impact On Theater Airlift System Performance, John J. Koger

Theses and Dissertations

This study used computer simulation and Response Surface Technology to determine what tactical airlifter characteristics most impact theater airlift system performance in a Southwest Asia (SWA) scenario. Some Aircraft characteristics were grouped into functional sets, while others were considered individually. After screening one characteristic, reliability, with a two-level factorial experiment, a Box-Behnken design was used to estimate second-order metamodels. A stepwise regression procedure indicated that, if attrition rates are ignored, airlift system performance is most impacted by the aircraft's size, survivability, cruise speed, and ability to operate on short fields. The SWA scenario used in this study covers a large …

Shackle & Hoist: The Power Of Alternatives, Henry Spira

Articles

Few things in the decades-old horror show of farm animal-suffering have bothered all of us quite so much as shackling and hoisting. It should come as a relief to animal protectionists that the curtain is finally beginning to fall on the last grisly scenes of this archaic practice.

While our ideal remains the non-violent dinner table, the reality is that eating habits lend to change slowly. In terms of the "three Rs" this means that adopting a meatless diet for ethical reasons (Replacement) remains our long-term goal. In the short term our best bet is to also focus on eating …

A Tale Of Two Ladies : Pink Lady And Sundowner, John Cripps, Eleanor Melvin-Carter

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

It is five years since the first Western Australianbred Pink Lady and Sundowner apples were sold on the local market. In that time, these crisp, sweet flavoursome apples have become top-selling, premium fruit.

The story is no different overseas. Trial shipments to London, Taiwan and Singapore have indicated a big demand for the unique Pink Lady apple - far more than Western Australia can presently supply.

One million fruiting Pink Lady apple trees are needed to meet anticipated export sales. Today, there are only 100,000 trees in the ground, of which about half are bearing fruit.

New high quality apple …

Bulletin No 4247 - Introduction To Commercial Mushroom Growing, Margaret Graham

Bulletins 4000 -

No abstract provided.

Central Bank Of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, December 1992, Central Bank Of Nigeria

CBN Statistical Bulletin

This volume data on various aspects of Nigeria's economy, including debt and banking sub-sector, central banking, financial markets, non-bank financial institutions, system clearinghouse activities, merchant and commercial banking, and public finance statistics for the year 1999. The data on financial institutions is based on the consolidation of commercial and merchant banks' first and second schedule statutory returns, computation of liquidity ratio, cash reserve ratio, loan/deposit ratio, proportion of loans to rural borrowers and small-scale enterprises, aggregate and sectoral distribution of credits, and the structure of licensed banks loans and advances. The data on financial markets is based on the consolidation …

Sow Preference For Farrowing-Crate Width, P. A. Phillips, David Fraser, B. K. Thompson

Housing and Confinement of Farm Animals Collection

A preference-testing apparatus was designed to provide sows with continuous access to three farrowing crates of different widths. The crates radiated from a central hub area sufficiently large for sows to enter or leave any crate freely. In exp. 1, nine sows were offered crates of 450-, 600- and 750-mm width at standing height. In exp. 2, 12 sows were offered widths of 450, 750 and 1200 mm, the largest being of sufficient width for the sow to turn around. Video recording was used to determine sow position from 3 d before to 6 d after farrowing. In exp. 1, …

Analysis Of Standard Type Unit Development, Jeffrey M. Hess, Merry D. Wermund

Theses and Dissertations

This research study examined the standard type unit development process for the Air Force. Current standard type unit development procedures were determined by a literature review. The literature review, with the interviews, provided information regarding the history of, purpose for, and possible alternatives for developing standard type units. A Delphi questionnaire was developed to determine how well the current process works, how standard type units worked for Desert Shield/Storm, and possible ways to improve the development process. This questionnaire was distributed to F-15 units, F-16 units, and major command personnel in Tactical Air Command (now Air Combat Command). All three …

Analysis Of U. S. Military Mobilizations, Demobilizations, And Peacetime Force Maintenance From 1890 To 1991, Gottfried Kloimwieder, Noel P. Owen

Theses and Dissertations

Military manpower management principles and policies are in constant flux as the military forces mobilize and demobilize during periods of war and peace. This study identifies trends in U.S. military manpower policies and procedures from 1890 to 1991. Major military conflicts reviewed are the Spanish- American War, World wars I and II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. In all wars until Vietnam, post war active duty forces were larger than prewar forces. However, these active duty forces tended to be relatively small until the Cold War period. This tendency is driven by a combination …