Texas Christian University

About: Texas Christian University is a education organization based out in Fort Worth, Texas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 3245 authors who have published 8258 publications receiving 282216 citations. The organization is also known as: TCU & Texas Christian University, TCU.

Benchmarking for sustainability: an application to the sustainable construction industry

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology and framework to assist construction firms and contractors in incorporating sustainability measures into their benchmarking efforts.Design/methodology/approach – A methodology that incorporates both strategic and activity‐based criteria for identifying areas for benchmarking is developed by modifying an existing methodology of enterprise performance management. The benchmarking framework makes use of aspects from well‐established management practices such as activity‐based management, balanced scorecard, and multi‐attribute decision models. It allows for the integration of sustainability measures into more conventional measures of construction practice.Findings – The paper finds that activity and strategic metrics can be integrated into a framework for benchmarking. Additionally, metrics specific to sustainability can be incorporated with more traditional measures to provide a holistic analysis of construction practices.Practical implications...

Design Process Sequencing With Competent Genetic Algorithms

Abstract: In product design, it is critical to perform project activities in an appropriate sequence. Otherwise, essential information will not be available when it is needed, and activities that depend on it will proceed using assumptions instead. Later, when the real information is finally available, comparing it with the assumptions made often precipitates a cascade of rework, and thus cost and schedule overruns for the project. Information flow models have been used to sequence the engineering design process to minimize feedback and iteration, i.e., to maximize the availability of real information where assumptions might otherwise be made instead. In this paper, we apply Genetic Algorithms (GAs) to an information flow model to find an optimized sequence for a set of design activities. The optimality of a solution depends on the objective of rearrangement. In an activity sequencing context, objectives vary: reducing iteration/feedback, increasing concurrency, reducing development lead-time and cost, or some combination of these. We adopt a matrix-based representation scheme, the design structure matrix (DSM), for the information flow models. Our tests indicate that certain DSM characteristics (e.g., size, sparse-ness, and sequencing objective) cause serious problems for simple Genetic Algorithm (SGA) designs. To cope with the SGA deficiency, we investigate the use of a competent GA: the ordering messy GA (OmeGA). Tests confirm the superiority of the OmeGA over a SGA for hard DSM problems. Extensions enhancing the efficiency of both a SGA and the OmeGA, in particular, niching and hybridization with a local search method, are also investigated.

In-sync. ii. virial stars from subvirial cores—the velocity dispersion of embedded pre-main-sequence stars in ngc 1333

Abstract: The initial velocity dispersion of newborn stars is a major unconstrained aspect of star formation theory. Using near-infrared spectra obtained with the APOGEE spectrograph, we show that the velocity dispersion of young (1-2 Myr) stars in NGC 1333 is 0.92 ± 0.12 km s^(–1) after correcting for measurement uncertainties and the effect of binaries. This velocity dispersion is consistent with the virial velocity of the region and the diffuse gas velocity dispersion, but significantly larger than the velocity dispersion of the dense, star-forming cores, which have a subvirial velocity dispersion of 0.5 km s^(–1). Since the NGC 1333 cluster is dynamically young and deeply embedded, this measurement provides a strong constraint on the initial velocity dispersion of newly formed stars. We propose that the difference in velocity dispersion between stars and dense cores may be due to the influence of a 70 μG magnetic field acting on the dense cores or be the signature of a cluster with initial substructure undergoing global collapse.

Understanding “It Depends” in Organizational Research: A Theory-Based Taxonomy, Review, and Future Research Agenda Concerning Interactive and Quadratic Relationships

Abstract: The study of interaction effects is critical for creating, extending, and bounding theory in organizational research Integrating and extending prior work, we present a taxonomy of two-way interact

Form and function of the feeding apparatus of Alligator mississippiensis.

Abstract: The architecture of the jaw muscles and their tendons of Alligator mississippiensis is described and their function examined by electromyography. Alligator grabs its prey with forward lunges or rapid lateral movements of the head. It does not engage in regular masticatory cycles. Prey is manipulated by inertial movements and the tongue does not appear to play any role in transport. The Mm. adductor mandibulae externus, adductor mandibulae posterior, and pterygoideus activate bilaterally and simultaneously during rapid closing or crushing. The M. pterygoideus does not act during prey holding whereas the Mm. adductor mandibulae externus, adductor mandibulae posterior continue to be active. The Mm. depressor mandibulae and intramandibularis are variably active during both jaw opening and closing.