The impact of firm speed capabilities on the decision to go it alone or partner

This study empirically examines the role of intrinsic speed capabilities, which refer to the ability to execute investment projects faster than competitors, in shaping corporations’ choice of alliances versus autonomous project development. Our basic premise is that firms lacking intrinsic speed capabilities (i.e., slow firms) are more likely to turn to alliances to supplement their capability deficiency. However, we expect that the ability of slow firms to partner with fast firms hinges on the former’s possession of complementary supporting assets. Our empirical analyses furnish evidence supporting these ideas using data from the global liquefied natural gas industry

Crew procedures development techniques

The study developed requirements, designed, developed, checked out and demonstrated the Procedures Generation Program (PGP). The PGP is a digital computer program which provides a computerized means of developing flight crew procedures based on crew action in the shuttle procedures simulator. In addition, it provides a real time display of procedures, difference procedures, performance data and performance evaluation data. Reconstruction of displays is possible post-run. Data may be copied, stored on magnetic tape and transferred to the document processor for editing and documentation distribution

Computer programs for calculating two-dimensional potential flow in and about propulsion system inlets

Incompressible potential flow calculations are presented that were corrected for compressibility in two-dimensional inlets at arbitrary operating conditions. Included are a statement of the problem to be solved, a description of each of the computer programs, and sufficient documentation, including a test case, to enable a user to run the program

Do alliances make firms faster?

Alliances are typically viewed as an acceleration strategy for firms able to access or acquire the resources and capabilities of partner firms, yet theoretical and empirical work suggests that alliances can actually impair speed performance due to the costs stemming from partner cooperation and coordination. In this paper, we advance the premise that firm heterogeneity may determine whether alliances enhance, or impair, the speed performance of firms. We then turn to focus on one particular kind of firm heterogeneity, the intrinsic speed capabilities of the firm, by which we mean the ability to execute investment projects or operations faster at the same cost. Our expectation is that slow firms, or those firms lacking intrinsic speed capabilities, will realize substantial speed benefits from partnering due to the capability access from partner firms. We also expect that the benefits enjoyed by slow firms from partnering can persist into future projects due to capability acquisition from the partnership, but that these benefits hinge on the firm possessing absorptive capacity in the form of previous partnering experiences. Results from random coefficient models that address selection concerns and from treatment effect analyses provide support for these expectations in on-shore oil and gas drilling projects

Evaluation of Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic for resistance to gray leaf spot

Gray leaf spot (GLS) of maize (Zeamays), caused by Cercospora zeae-maydis, has become an increasing disease problem in the United States. Resistance to this pathogen is generally higher in inbred lines of Lancaster origin compared to lines derived from Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS). This study was conducted to determine whether recurrent selection for yield had altered the level of GLS resistance in BSSS and to identify BSSS(R)Cl 1 S1 lines that combine GLS resistance with high yield. The distribution of GLS ratings for S1 lines derived from BSSSCO and BSSS(R)CI I were very similar, indicating that selection for yield had not altered G LS resistance· levels. Although the mean rating for both cycles was a susceptible 7 (I= resistant, 9 =susceptible), S1 lines with intermediate levels of resistance (4-6) were identified. The 250 BSSS(R)Cl I S1 lines were crossed to LH51, and the testcrosses were evaluated for yield and agronomic performance. S1 lines were identified which combine intermediate levels of GLS resistance with above-average standability and yield. These S1 lines will be recombined to develop an Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic population adapted to eastern maize growing conditions

Constant amplitude and post-overload fatigue crack growth behavior in PM aluminum alloy AA 8009

A recently developed, rapidly solidified, powder metallurgy, dispersion strengthened aluminum alloy, AA 8009, was fatigue tested at room temperature in lab air. Constant amplitude/constant delta kappa and single spike overload conditions were examined. High fatigue crack growth rates and low crack closure levels compared to typical ingot metallurgy aluminum alloys were observed. It was proposed that minimal crack roughness, crack path deflection, and limited slip reversibility, resulting from ultra-fine microstructure, were responsible for the relatively poor da/dN-delta kappa performance of AA 8009 as compared to that of typical IM aluminum alloys

Complexity of Fetal Movement Detection Using a Single Doppler Ultrasound Transducer

The objective of this paper is to discuss the complexity of fetal movement detection encountered during development and implementation of an automated single Doppler ultrasonic transducer based instrument. The single transducer instrument was intended to better quantify the duration, velocity, and magnitude of fetal movements. A Corometrics Model 116 fetal heart rate monitor was modified, and a fetal movement detection algorithm (Russell Algorithm) was developed to detect fetal movements on one and two (data fusion) transducers. A Hewlett-Packard (HP) M-1350-A fetal monitor and the Russell Algorithm were used to detect and record fetal movements concurrently on sixty patients between the gestation ages of31 to 41 weeks. Using a computer-controlled SVHS PC-VCR, the instrumental detection of fetal movements was time-linked with real-time video ultrasound. This allowed the fetal movements to be scored by expert examiners on a second-per-second basis. A total of 52,478 seconds of fetal movements was scored using this system. Neither system could accurately define the entire duration, velocity, or magnitude of the fetal movements as detected by real-time ultrasound. The complexity of detecting fetal movements using only one transducer has many shortcomings, such as: the amplitude of the returning Doppler signal, the small area of the fetus monitored by a single transducer, the position of the fetus, the type and variety of fetal movements, and material size and shape

Materials Performance in USC Steam

The proposed steam inlet temperature in the Advanced Ultra Supercritical (A-USC) steam turbine is high enough (760 °C) that traditional turbine casing and valve body materials such as ferritic/martensitic steels will not suffice due to temperature limitations of this class of materials. Cast versions of several traditionally wrought Ni-based superalloys were evaluated for use as casing or valve components for the next generation of industrial steam turbines. The full size castings are substantial: 2-5,000 kg each half and on the order of 100 cm thick. Experimental castings were quite a bit smaller, but section size was retained and cooling rate controlled to produce equivalent microstructures. A multi-step homogenization heat treatment was developed to better deploy the alloy constituents. The most successful of these cast alloys in terms of creep strength (Haynes 263, Haynes 282, and Nimonic 105) were subsequently evaluated by characterizing their microstructure as well as their steam oxidation resistance (at 760 and 800 °C)

Cast Alloys for Advanced Ultra Supercritical Steam Turbines

The proposed steam inlet temperature in the Advanced Ultra Supercritical (A-USC) steam turbine is high enough (760 °C) that traditional turbine casing and valve body materials such as ferritic/martensitic steels will not suffice due to temperature limitations of this class of materials. Cast versions of several traditionally wrought Ni-based superalloys were evaluated for use as casing or valve components for the next generation of industrial steam turbines. The full size castings are substantial: 2-5,000 kg each half and on the order of 100 cm thick. Experimental castings were quite a bit smaller, but section size was retained and cooling rate controlled to produce equivalent microstructures. A multi-step homogenization heat treatment was developed to better deploy the alloy constituents. The most successful of these cast alloys in terms of creep strength (Haynes 263, Haynes 282, and Nimonic 105) were subsequently evaluated by characterizing their microstructure as well as their steam oxidation resistance (at 760 and 800 °C)

MICROSTRUCTURAL STABILITY AND OXIDATION RESISTANCE OF 9-12 CHROMIUM STEELS AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

ABSTRACT Various martensitic 9-12 Cr steels are utilized currently in fossil fuel powered energy plants for their good elevated temperature properties such as creep strength, steam side oxidation resistance, fire side corrosion resistance, and thermal fatigue resistance. Need for further improvements on the properties of 9-12 Cr steels for higher temperature (>600 o C) use is driven by the environmental concerns (i.e., improve efficiency to reduce emissions and fossil fuel consumption). In this paper, we will discuss the results of the research done to explore new subsitutional solute solution and precipitate hardening mechanisms for improved strength of 9-12 Cr martensitic steels. Stability of the phases present in the steels will be evaluated for various temperature and time exposures. A comparison of microstructural properties of the experimental steels and commercial steels will also be presented