Forty-eight harvesting contractors over 13 state submitted data on cost and production over a period from 2003-2006. Within this group, 30 harvesting contractors submitted data for all four years in the study period. Discussions of logging development is presented in Chapter II focusing on labor and equipment. Data analysis focused on production estimates and cost information from a firm size and regional standpoint in Chapter IV. Analysis of consecutive data in Chapter V focused on shifts over time in labor, equipment and related cost categories. Contractors in the Coastal Plains were most numerous and demonstrated a distinct difference in sub-groups. Piedmont firms were second in number followed by Appalachian and Lake States firms. Consumables costs affected all firms most especially between 2004 and 2005. The number of medium sized firms dropped sharply in 2005 indicating attempts to either reduce operating costs or spread increased operating costs over higher production levels.

No description available.

This dissertation presents a series of studies relating to kinetics and kinematics of inter-layer dielectric and metal chemical mechanical planarization processes. These are also evaluated with the purposes of minimizing environmental and cost of ownership impact.The first study is performed to obtain the real-time substrate temperature during the polishing process and is specifically intended to understand the temperature distribution across the polishing wafer during the chemical mechanical planarization process. Later, this technique is implemented to study the effect of slurry injection position for optimum slurry usage. It is known that the performance of chemical mechanical planarization depends significantly on the polishing pad and the kinematics involved in the process. Variations in pad material and pad grooving type as well as pressure and sliding velocity can affect polishing performance. One study in this dissertation investigates thermoset and thermoplastic pad materials with different grooving methods and patterns. The study is conducted on multiple pressure and sliding velocity variations to understand the characteristic of each pad. The analysis method elaborated in this study can be applied generically.A subsequent study focuses in a slurry characterization technique. Slurry, a critical component in chemical mechanical planarization, is typically a water-based dispersion of fine abrasive particles with various additives to control material removal rate and microscratches. Simultaneous turbidity and low angle light scattering methods under well-defined mixing conditions are shown to quantify the stability of abrasive particle from aggregations. Further contribution of this dissertation involves studies related to the spectral analysis of raw shear force and down force data obtained during chemical mechanical planarization. These studies implemented Fast Fourier Transforms to convert force data from time to frequency domain. A study is performed to detect the presence of larger, defect-causing particles during polishing. In a further application on diamond disc conditioning work is performed to achieve optimum break-in time and an optimum conditioning duty cycle. Studies on spectral analysis are also extended to planarization of shallow trench isolation pattern wafers to monitor the polishing progress in real-time.

In this dissertation I focus on two considerations that influence the product strategy of a firm. The first is consumers’ choice and its influence on a firm’s product offering, and the second is the interaction between durable products and their contingent consumables. First, I study the assortment planning problem for a firm; I illustrate the complexity of solving this product selection problem, present simple solutions for some commonly used choice models, and develop heuristics for other practically motivated models. Second, I study the incentives of a durable goods monopolist when she can lock-in consumers through a contingent consumable. Adopting a lock-in strategy has two interesting effects on the incentives of a durable goods manufacturer. On one hand, by locking-in consumers to its consumable, a durable goods monopolist can curb its temptation to reduce durable prices over time, thereby mitigating the classic time inconsistency problem. On the other hand, lock-in will create a hold-up issue and adversely affect consumers’ expectations of future prices for the consumable. My research demonstrates the trade-off between time inconsistency and hold-up, and derives insights about the conditions under which a lock-in strategy can be effective. I further analyze the trade-off between time inconsistency and hold-up associated with lock-in in the presence of consumable stock-piling. My findings indicate in the presence of consumer stock-piling, lock-in has an effect similar to that of competition in the consumables market: they help to dampen the hold-up problem that arises from lock-in and at the same time increase the manufacturer’s incentive to reduce durable prices over time. / text

Darbo objektas: Marijampolės miesto geriamasis vanduo. Darbo tikslas: įvertinti Marijampolės miesto geriamojo vandens kokybę 2005-2013 metais. Darbo metodai: Tyrimai vykdyti UAB „Sūduvos vandenys“ 2005–2013 metais Marijampolės mieste. Eksperimento metu skirtingais metais tirta dviejų vandenviečių cheminė vandens kokybė. Indikatoriniams ir cheminiams geriamojo vandens kokybės tyrimams Marijampolės vandenvietėse vanduo imamas iš gręžinių. Požeminio vandens mėginiai jo cheminės būklės/kokybės vertinimui imami tiesiogiai iš eksploatacinių gręžinių ir vandens mišinio vieną – du kartus per metus, pavasarį ir rudenį. Požeminio vandens mėginiai imami vadovaujantis nustatyta tvarka (LST ISO 5667-11:2009 „Vandens kokybė. Bandinių ėmimas. 11-oji dalis. Nurodymai, kaip imti gruntinio vandens bandinius“; LST EN ISO 5667-3:2006 „Vandens kokybė. Mėginių ėmimas. 3-oji dalis. Nurodymai, kaip konservuoti ir gabenti mėginius“). Darbo rezultatai: Įvertinus Marijampolės miesto eksploatacinių gręžinių geriamojo vandens kokybę nustayta, kad I-ojoje vandenvietėje amonio jonų ir bendrosios geležies koncentracijos yra didesnės nei II-osios vandenvietės vandens mišinyje iš visų artezinių gręžinių ir viršija nustatytas ribines vertes. Marijampolės miesto I-osios vandenvietės vandenyje 2005-2013 metais prieš nugeležinimą didėjo bendrosios geležies koncentracija, mažėjo permanganato indekso vertė. Po nugeležinimo didėjo chloridų, nitratų koncentracijos, mažėjo permanganato indekso vertė. II-osios... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The object: of the two Marijampoles watering places city drinking water. To identify: Marijampoles urban drinking water quality dynamics. Working methods: The study was carried UAB „Sūduvos waters“ in 2005-2013 Marijampoles city. During the experiment, two different years studied waterworks chemical quality of the water. The indicator and chemical quality of drinking water research Marijampoles waterworks water taken from wells. Groundwater samples of the chemical status/quality assessment are taken directly from wells and water one - two times a year, in spring and autumn. Groundwater samples shall be taken in accordance with established procedures (ISO 5667-11:2009 Water quality. Sampling. 11th part. Guidance on sampling of groundwater samples "BS EN ISO 5667-3:2006 Water quality. Sampling. 3rd part. Guidance on the preservation and handling of samples). The results: Assessment Marijampoles city wells for drinking water quality Preset that I th wellfield ammonium ion and total iron concentration is higher than in the II-nd watering of water from the artesian well and exceeds the threshold value. Marijampoles town I th watering water year 2005-2013 against the removal of iron increased total iron concentration decreased permanganate index value. After the removal of iron increased chloride, nitrate concentrations decreased permanganate index value. II th watering water before removal of iron decreased the pH value. After the removal of iron increased chloride, nitrate... [to full text]

The purpose of this paper was to study if, and in what way, usage of consumables is part of preschool teachers' pedagogical work with the children concerning environmental issues. The study was done through qualitative interviews with six certified preschool teachers from five different preschools, all located in a mid-sized town in Sweden. Results from the study show that there are existing routines concerning the childrens' usage of consumables, and that the preschools environmental work could be connected to them. There were routines before, during and after the creating process. The most common consumables at the preschool was paper and pearls. In order to save resources and the environment, the preschool teachers had guidelines on how to use these consumables. Areas of use for the consumables could vary depending on age, development and level of challenge with the specific child. The preschool teachers in the study assured that they tried to accomodate needs and interests with each individual child and thereby finding areas for development and challenge. The teachers saw the work with resources from both an environmental and a pedagogical view and considered them both an integral part in the work for the childrens development and learning. How the staff viewed environmental issues in relation to consumables was also an important indication as to how environmental issues where reflected as a whole in the school. Also, the teachers considered the work with environmental issues as something that sometimes happens subconsciously since it is such an obvious part of the job. / Syftet med denna studie var att belysa om och på vilka olika sätt förskollärare kopplar användningen av förbrukningsmaterial till miljöfrågor i det pedagogiska arbetet med barnen. Undersökningen har genomförts via kvalitativa intervjuer med sex stycken legitimerade förskollärare, på fem olika kommunala förskolor i en stad i mellersta Sverige. Resultatet visar att det fanns rutiner kring barns hantering och användning av förbrukningsmaterial på förskolan som kunde kopplas till förskolans miljöarbete. Det fanns rutiner både före, under och efter själva skapandet. Papper och pärlor var de förbrukningsmaterial som konsumerades mest på förskolan. Därför hade förskollärarna riktlinjer hur dessa material skulle användas, för att spara in på resurserna och miljön. Användningsområdena kunde däremot variera beroende på barnens ålder, utveckling och utmaningsgrad. Förskollärarna i studien menade att de försökte bemöta barnens intressen och behov och därmed hitta utvecklingsmöjligheter och utmaningar för varje enskild individ. Förskollärarna såg arbetet med resurser ur både en miljöaspekt och pedagogisk aspekt och menade att dessa går hand i hand i verksamheten för barnens utveckling och lärande. Resultatet visade även att förskollärarnas förhållningsätt till miljö kopplat till förbrukningsmaterial spelar en viktig roll, för på vilket sätt övriga miljöfrågor reflekterades i verksamheten. Samtidigt menar förskollärarna att arbeta med miljöfrågor är en del av uppdraget och sker ibland omedvetet.

The environmental issue is gaining momentum in higher education institutions, in view of the great concern with sustainable development and with environmental management actions. Therefore , the IFES have an important role is in addition to developing skills , knowledge and values relating to environmental issues , contribute to environmental preservation, with a view to raising the quality of life. Thus, the present study aims to diagnose the power management of A4 paper, printing and paper cups at the Federal University of Santa Maria cartridges. Based on Normative N. 10 of November 12, 2012, and Decree No. 5,940, of October 25, 2006, we sought, in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, check the consumption of A4 paper, white and ecological, print cartridges and disposable cups in UFSM; analyze the annual consumption by Departments centers and Rectory of these consumables, to compare the levels of consumption of such materials in the surveyed units, and propose actions to reduce consumption of these materials through a project. This research was developed through a quantitative and qualitative methodological approach, where two types of research were used: documentary, using articles, magazines, web sites and data obtained from the Central Warehouse UFSM, and survey through questionnaire administered to Teaching Departments and Department of Education Centres UFSM and also the Dean, in his Pro- Rectors, in the Office of the Rector and in the Office of the Vice-Rector of the Federal University of Santa Maria. The research revealed that there is no power management of A4 paper, white and ecological, print cartridges and disposable cups in UFSM, with only isolated actions by the units, trying unsuccessfully to the material savings without take into account that there is no awareness of the damage that excessive consumption of paper, cartridges and disposable cups can bring to the environment. / A questão ambiental vem ganhando espaço nas Instituições de Ensino Superior, tendo em vista a grande preocupação com o desenvolvimento sustentável e também com ações de gestão ambiental. Diante disso, as IFES têm um papel importante que é, além de desenvolver habilidades, valores e conhecimentos referentes à questão ambiental, contribuir para a preservação ambiental, com vistas à elevação da qualidade de vida da população. Para tanto, o presente estudo tem por objetivo diagnosticar o gerenciamento do consumo de papel A4, de cartuchos de impressão e de copos descartáveis na Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Com base na Instrução Normativa N. 10, de 12 de novembro de 2012, e no Decreto N. 5.940, de 25 de outubro de 2006, buscou-se, nos anos de 2010, 2011 e 2012, verificar o consumo de papel A4, branco e ecológico, de cartuchos para impressão e de copos descartáveis na UFSM; analisar o consumo anual pelos Departamentos, Centros e Reitoria desses materiais de consumo; comparar os níveis de consumo dos referidos materiais entre as Unidades pesquisadas; e propor ações para a redução desses materiais de consumo por meio de um Projeto. Esta investigação se desenvolveu mediante uma abordagem metodológica quanti-qualitativa, onde foram utilizados dois tipos de pesquisa: a documental, utilizando artigos, revistas, sites na internet e dados obtidos junto ao Almoxarifado Central da UFSM, e a survey, mediante questionário aplicado aos Departamentos Didáticos e Secretaria dos Centros de Ensino da UFSM, e também na Reitoria, em suas Pró-Reitorias, no Gabinete do Reitor e no Gabinete do Vice-Reitor da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. A pesquisa revelou que não há um gerenciamento do consumo de papel A4, branco e ecológico, de cartuchos para impressão e de copos descartáveis na UFSM, existindo apenas ações isoladas por parte das unidades, na tentativa, sem êxito, da economia de material, sem levar em conta que não há conscientização a respeito dos prejuízos que o consumo excessivo de papel, de cartuchos e de copos descartáveis pode trazer ao meio ambiente.

Magister Public Health - MPH / The Zimbabwean government recognizes the critical role laboratories play in ensuring the health of the nation. Well-resourced and functioning laboratories are the sine qua non of effective diagnosis, treatment and clinical monitoring of medical problems such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. In Zimbabwe, frequent unavailability of essential laboratory reagents and consumables have been reported but less well-reported are the factors associated with these "stockouts" at medical laboratories. Applying qualitative research methodologies, this study sought to explore the bottlenecks to the availability of laboratory consumables at state-owned medical laboratories in Harare Province. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit stakeholders' perspectives and experiences with regard to the availability of laboratory consumables. These were complemented by observation of procurement, supply and distribution processes and individual follow-up interviews in 7 facilities where medical laboratory scientists were purposively selected. Rigour was ensured through data-source triangulation, provision of thick descriptions of the setting, maintaining an audit trail and transcribing data verbatim. Data analysis identified recurring themes and key suggestions made by respondents. A complex web of economic, human resources and supply chain factors affect laboratory commodity availability in Harare. Salient factors negatively affecting commodity availability included inadequate funding, human resources, poor communication and coordination among stakeholders, lack of transport, long lead times and limited inventory management skills. A comprehensive approach to resolving the challenge is warranted through advocating for more funding, complementing donor efforts on staff retention, improved coordination and collaboration among stakeholders and re-designing the laboratory supply chain. Further research would assist in determining ways of efficiently utilizing the limited available resources.

Current research and development processes of novel welding consumables constitutes a great cost and requires a lot of time and resources. LNU WML has requested a novel small batch GTAW welding consumables manufacturing process that is cost-, time-, and resource-efficient. The study was conducted in accordance to DFSS, a product developing process under the overarching scientific engineering method “Systems Engineering”. The DFSS process consists of four stages, where stage one and two were completed.  This has resulted in the development of three novel concepts, and key parameters has been established. One novel concept has been selected by the client and an experiment has been conducted that proves the principle functionality of the novel concept.  Recommendations on how to proceed to a finished, usable product is expressed as a recommendation of a continuation of the DFSS-process, a conduction of a secondary experiment and suggestions for key parameters.

This diploma thesis deals with analysis of current condition of information system at Honeywel spol. s r.o. – Brno o.z. company and its effectivness. The thesis is focused on assessing the current state of ordering process of consumables in SAP system by using Six Sigma methods. The aim is based on the findings and analysis to propose changes which will lead to the optimalization of existing situatiom and the elimination or risks in the company.