Multinational Foreign Affiliates In The Least Developed Countries: A Multilevel Approach

Several studies have examined the country-level effects on multinational enterprises that go into the developing countries, including the least developed countries. Few studies have considered the firm-level effects. This study uses the multilevel modeling method as outlined by Klein and Kozlowski (2000), Raudenbush and Bryk (2002), and Bliese and Hanges (2004) to examine whether there are any systemic patterns of multinational enterprises across the least developed countries. This paper uses information on foreign affiliates in the least developed countries to examine the overall trends of multinational firms in the least developed countries. Using data from the United Nations’ most recent report on foreign affiliates in least developed countries (UNCTAD, 2011), I apply a multilevel approach to the size variations between foreign affiliates within the least developed countries. I find no significant systemic effects on the variations in firm size at either the country-level or industry-level. These results lead us to conjecture that the variations in size are idiosyncratic rather than systemic

The National Program for Lunar and Planetary Exploration

Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is developing the spacecraft for lunar and planetary exploration. Here are the plans for the next decade

Preliminary experimental results for a cryogenic brush seal configuration

Preliminary fluid nitrogen flow data are reported for a five-brush, ceramic-coated-rub-runner brush seal system, where the brushes and the rub runner were placed at each end of a centrally pressurized multifunction tester ('back-to-back' set of brushes) and tested at rotor speeds of 0, 10, 18, and 22.5 krpm. After testing, both the brushes and the ceramic-coated rub runner appeared pristine. The coating withstood both the thermomechanical and dynamic loadings with minor wear track scarring. The bristle tips showed some indication of material shearing (smearing) wear. The Ergun porous flow equation was applied to the brush seal data. The Ergun relation, which required heuristic information to characterize the coefficients, fit the gaseous data but was in poor agreement with the fluid results. The brush seal exit conditions were two phase. Two-phase, choked-flow design charts were applied but required one data point at each rotor speed to define the (C(sub f)A x Constant) flow and area coefficients. Reasonable agreement between prediction and data was found, as expected, but such methods are not to be construed as two-phase-flow brush seal analyses

Evaluation of SHRP Work Zone Safety Devices

The objective of this study was to use and evaluate various SHRP work zone devices. Experience with the use of these devices was obtained through trial use by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and various city, county, and private agencies. The devices included in the study included: Flashing Stop/Slow Paddle All-Terrain Sign and Stand Portable Rumble Strip Opposing Traffic Lane Divider Intrusion Alarm The experience with the flashing stop/slow paddles was very positive indicating the potential for expanded use in the future. Six different models of flashing paddles were evaluated with some having better results than others. While the all-terrain stand and sign was effective, its future use is limited by both its cost and difficulty to use. The use of the portable rumble strip will be limited by its difficulty to use, related to both its weight and inability to stay in place on high speed roads. The opposing traffic lane divider shows potential for use as a supplement to the standard tubular marker but must be used at locations where it is not routinely hit by traffic. Lane dividers from three manufacturers were tested with varying degrees of success. The intrusion alarm has the potential for use on major projects with its cost limiting its use. The continuing modifications made to the intrusion alarms during the study period made it difficult to obtain a complete evaluation or recommendation for a specific unit. Intrusion alarms from five manufacturers were evaluated