Satellite auxiliary propulsion systems

Report is announced which describes techniques for selecting optimum system for specific satellite mission. Descriptions of propulsion systems are presented along with illustrations and diagrams. Report contains references, cost-effectiveness techniques, and reliability measurements and estimates

A NASA initiative: Software engineering for reliable complex systems

The objective is the development of methods, technology, and skills that will enable NASA to cost-effectively specify, build, and manage reliable software which can evolve and be maintained over an extended period. The need for such software is rooted in the increasing integration of software and computing components into NASA systems. Current NASA Software Engineering expertise was applied toward some of the largest reliable systems including: shuttle launch; ground support; shuttle simulation; minor control; satellite tracking; and scientific data systems. Unfortunately, no theory exists for reliable complex software systems. NASA is seeking to fill this theoretical gap through a number of approaches. One such approach is to conduct research on theoretical foundations for managing complex software systems. It includes: communication models, new and modified paradigms, and life-cycle models. Another approach is research in the theoretical foundations for reliable software development and validation. It focuses upon formal specifications, programming languages, software engineering systems, software reuse, formal verification, and software safety. Further approaches involve benchmarking a NASA software environment, experimentation within the NASA context, evolution of present NASA methodology, and transfer of technology to the space station software support environment

Increasing U.S. Hard Red Winter Wheat Competitiveness in Latin American Markets

The United States wheat sector leadership in world markets is facing serious challenges. Canada, Australia, Argentina, the European Union (EU), and the Former Soviet Union (FSU) are growing contenders for international wheat markets. Wheat buyers´ concerns about quality specifications and its consistency have intensified without precedents in the last years. The study focuses on identifying the attributes that wheat buyers most value at the moment of purchase. The study will be done in two stages. The first stage will focus in estimating preferences from actual wheat transactions from different grain-sheds in the HRW growing area. The second stage will focus on the demand from Latin American millers and will estimate their attribute preference and elicit willingness to pay. The second stage will start with Mexican millers, given their importance for the HRW exports. A hedonic price model will be used for the first stage. The second part of the study will attempt to elicit miller´s preferences by using a self explicated approach. Expected results are that the "easy-to-measure attributes": test weight, and protein levels; and all functionality characteristics such as bake absorption, farinograph peak time, farinograph stability, alveograph p/l ratio will be the most valued by the wheat customers. We hypothesize that millers will be willing to pay a premium if those attributes are present in desirable levels. The information should provide insight into the efforts being made by wheat marketing agencies and the U.S. Wheat Associates to promote quality-based marketing of wheat to domestic and foreign millers. Discussion may also include the impacts of quality-based marketing on U.S. share of the world wheat market.International Relations/Trade,

American Native Beef Cooperative

The American Native Beef project involved a failed attempt to establish cow and bull slaughter operation in Southeast Oklahoma. The effort was initially organized as a new generation cooperative and raised over US$2.5M from area producers who retained their funds in escrow for over 5 years despite numerous opportunities to withdraw their investment. The business model was restructured several times to attract equity capital from outside investors. The case provides insights into the linkages between business strategy and business structure. It also raises the question as to whether the project could have been successful under the original business model.Agribusiness, Livestock Production/Industries,

Energizing a Cooperative Class with Cooperative Feasibility Software

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, Agribusiness,

Producers Cooperative Oil Mill: A Case Study in Strategic Planning for a Cooperative

This study examines the strategic issues and decisions of Producers Cooperative Oil Mill, a regional oilseed processing cooperative located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The process of strategic planning and strategy implementation in agribusiness has been the topic of numerous research studies and case studies. While cooperative firms have been the subject of case studies focusing on strategic issues, the unique aspects of strategic decisions in a cooperative firm have not been highlighted. The formulation and implementation of strategy in cooperative organizations is impacted by their business structure. This case study provides unique examples of how strategy formulation and implementation is impacted by the unique structure and values of a cooperative firm. The article is formatted such that it can be used in educational programs as three inter-related mini-case studies. Questions for students are included.cooperative, strategic planning, oilseed processing, Agribusiness, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Before the Bricks and Mortar: A Case Study of a New Generation Cooperative’s Planning Process

To generate additional income for their members, many cooperatives consider forward integrating into processing activities. However, many market, industry, and economic issues must be considered before choosing a value-added processing activity to pursue. Gathering the necessary information to evaluate various processing opportunities is a considerable undertaking and may require the expertise of university personnel, economic development specialists, and possibly professional consultants. Using an Oklahoma new generation cooperative case study, this paper outlines a market assessment process for value-added ventures.market entry strategies, “matrix†assessment, new generation cooperative, strategic planning, Financial Economics, Marketing, Productivity Analysis,

Factors Impacting Participation In and Purchases Made by Members of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative

The Oklahoma Food Cooperative (OFC) facilitates transactions between producers and consumers of locally-grown food items. Even with more than 3,000 members and roughly $1M in annual sales, the OFC still needs to establish its long-term sustainability. Both customer-members and supplier-members of the OFC were surveyed to determine the factors driving their current and continued participation in the cooperative.cooperative, local food movement, member communications, business sustainability, strategic planning, Agribusiness, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Marketing,

System and method for determining triage categories

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a system, method, and computer program product for providing a triage clas- sification system. The triage classification system uses a computer model that is developed using historical patient data. The developed computer modelis applied to collected patientattributedatafromapatientinapre-hospitalsetting to generate a triage category. Based on the generated triage category, health care professionals can take desired actions, suchastransportingthepatienttoafacilitymatchingthe generated triage category.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste