Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Strategic Audit

Berkshire Hathaway is an extremely successful, well-known company. With Warren Buffett approaching retirement, it is important that the company prepares its stakeholders and is strategically prepared. What must be determined is whether or not Berkshire Hathaway needs to implement a new strategy or continue doing what it is already doing. This strategic audit analyzes Berkshire Hathaway\u27s company history, internal and external environment, competitive advantages, and organizational structure. After the analysis of Berkshire Hathaway, several strategy alternatives are considered, ending with a strategic recommendation, implementation plan, and contingency plan

The effects of received grandmothers’ affection on adult grandchildren’s health behaviors using affection exchange theory

Background: Affection exchange theory (AET) explains the value of received affection for overall wellbeing in family relationships. However, this study extends prior work by investigating AET in grandmother-grandchild relationships and grandchildren’s individual well-being. This study seeks to understand the relationships between adult grandchildren’s received grandmother affection and health-related behaviors such as diet, exercise, substance abuse, and sleep. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 229 university student participants. Multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze received grandmother affection and grandchildren’s health behaviors. Results: Using cross-sectional survey methods, it was found that grandchildren’s reports of received memories and humor, and celebratory affection influenced grandchildren’s dietary behaviors. Received love and esteem, memories and humor, and celebratory affection was also associated with grandchildren’s exercise behaviors. Conclusions: Grandchildren who receive grandmother affection may be likely to engage in the well-being process by engaging in health behaviors, while those who are not receiving affection might suffer the health consequences in adulthood. These findings support the assumption of affection exchange theory that received family affection, in this case, grandmothe

Optimization of residual stresses in MMC's through the variation of interfacial layer architectures and processing parameters

The objective of this work was the development of efficient, user-friendly computer codes for optimizing fabrication-induced residual stresses in metal matrix composites through the use of homogeneous and heterogeneous interfacial layer architectures and processing parameter variation. To satisfy this objective, three major computer codes have been developed and delivered to the NASA-Lewis Research Center, namely MCCM, OPTCOMP, and OPTCOMP2. MCCM is a general research-oriented code for investigating the effects of microstructural details, such as layered morphology of SCS-6 SiC fibers and multiple homogeneous interfacial layers, on the inelastic response of unidirectional metal matrix composites under axisymmetric thermomechanical loading. OPTCOMP and OPTCOMP2 combine the major analysis module resident in MCCM with a commercially-available optimization algorithm and are driven by user-friendly interfaces which facilitate input data construction and program execution. OPTCOMP enables the user to identify those dimensions, geometric arrangements and thermoelastoplastic properties of homogeneous interfacial layers that minimize thermal residual stresses for the specified set of constraints. OPTCOMP2 provides additional flexibility in the residual stress optimization through variation of the processing parameters (time, temperature, external pressure and axial load) as well as the microstructure of the interfacial region which is treated as a heterogeneous two-phase composite. Overviews of the capabilities of these codes are provided together with a summary of results that addresses the effects of various microstructural details of the fiber, interfacial layers and matrix region on the optimization of fabrication-induced residual stresses in metal matrix composites

Pediatric, adult and elderly bone material properties

Age dependence; Bone; Coupon; Full field strain measurements; Quasi-static and dynamic tensile testsPostprint (published version

Optimization of Residual Stresses in MMC's Using Compensating/Compliant Interfacial Layers. Part 2: OPTCOMP User's Guide

A user's guide for the computer program OPTCOMP is presented in this report. This program provides a capability to optimize the fabrication or service-induced residual stresses in uni-directional metal matrix composites subjected to combined thermo-mechanical axisymmetric loading using compensating or compliant layers at the fiber/matrix interface. The user specifies the architecture and the initial material parameters of the interfacial region, which can be either elastic or elastoplastic, and defines the design variables, together with the objective function, the associated constraints and the loading history through a user-friendly data input interface. The optimization procedure is based on an efficient solution methodology for the elastoplastic response of an arbitrarily layered multiple concentric cylinder model that is coupled to the commercial optimization package DOT. The solution methodology for the arbitrarily layered cylinder is based on the local-global stiffness matrix formulation and Mendelson's iterative technique of successive elastic solutions developed for elastoplastic boundary-value problems. The optimization algorithm employed in DOT is based on the method of feasible directions

Disponibilidad y niveles de contaminación de cadmio y plomo en cuatro suelos colombianos. Un análisis del riesgo a la salud humana y al ecosistema

Soil pollution by potentially toxic elements such as Cd and Pb is currently a priority concern worldwide. In many areas in Colombia these metals accumulate in soils due to emissions from mining, agriculture, and traffic. Consequently, negative impacts on ecosystems and public health can result. In this context, to understand the contaminant-soil dynamics and the risk scenarios associated with contaminated areas are essential for the environmental management. The main objective of this study was to implement a methodology to estimate the potential human health and ecological risk in four soils affected by Cd and Pb. Pseudo-total and available concentrations for both metals were determined. Then, the available concentrations were used to estimate carcinogenic, non-carcinogenic, and ecosystem damage risk indices. In addition, the physicochemical properties and soil Cd and Pb adsorption capability were established. The results of this study indicated high Cd pollution in all studied soils. Pb contamination levels only exceeded the recommended limits in only one of the soils (States Environmental Protection Agency - USEPA). A high carcinogenic risk associated with Cd contamination was found in one of the analyzed areas. In contrast to the pseudo-total concentrations, the availability of contaminants was correlated with the public health. Physicochemical properties such as pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and adsorption capability were the best predictors of human health and ecological risk. Finally, the results obtained in this study can help the competent authorities to take immediate measures focused on better environmental and risk management for contaminated soils. La contaminación del suelo por elementos potencialmente tóxicos como el Cd y el Pb es actualmente una preocupación prioritaria en todo el mundo. En muchas zonas de Colombia estos metales se acumulan en los suelos debido a las emisiones de la minería, la agricultura y el tráfico. En consecuencia, pueden producirse impactos negativos en los ecosistemas y en la salud pública. En este contexto, se hace necesario entender la dinámica contaminante-suelo y los escenarios de riesgo asociados a las áreas contaminadas son esenciales para la gestión ambiental. El principal objetivo de este estudio fue aplicar una metodología para estimar el riesgo potencial a la salud humana y a los ecosistemas en cuatro suelos afectados por contaminación por Cd y Pb. Se determinaron las concentraciones pseudo totales y disponibles de ambos metales. A continuación, las concentraciones disponibles se utilizaron para estimar los índices de riesgo carcinogénico, no carcinogénico y de daño al ecosistema. Además, se establecieron las propiedades fisicoquímicas y la capacidad de adsorción de Cd y Pb de los suelos. Los resultados de este estudio indicaron una elevada concentración de Cd en todos los suelos estudiados. Los niveles de contaminación por Pb sólo superaron los límites recomendados en uno de los suelos. En una de las zonas analizadas se encontró un alto riesgo cancerígeno asociado a la contaminación por Cd. A diferencia de las concentraciones pseudo totales, la disponibilidad de los contaminantes se correlacionó con el riesgo a la salud pública. Propiedades fisicoquímicas como el pH, materia orgánica, capacidad de intercambio catiónico y de adsorción, fueron los mejores predictores del riesgo a la salud humana y al ecosistema. En conclusión, los resultados obtenidos en este estudio pueden ayudar a las autoridades competentes a tomar medidas inmediatas enfocadas en una mejor gestión ambiental y del riesgo para suelos contaminados.&nbsp

Influences of Geometric Configurations of Bypass Grafts on Hemodynamics in End-to-Side Anastomosis

BACKGROUND: Although considerable efforts have been made to improve the graft patency in coronary artery bypass surgery, the role of biomechanical factors remains underrecognized. The aim of this study is to investigate the influences of geometric configurations of the bypass graft on hemodynamic characteristics in relation to anastomosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Numerical analysis focuses on understanding the flow patterns for different values of inlet and distal diameters and graft angles. The Blood flow field is treated as a two-dimensional incompressible laminar flow. A finite volume method is adopted for discretization of the governing equations. The Carreau model is employed as a constitutive equation for blood. In an attempt to obtain the optimal aorto-coronary bypass conditions, the blood flow characteristics are analyzed using in vitro models of the end-to-side anastomotic angles of 45degrees, 60degrees and 90degrees. To find the optimal graft configurations, the mass flow rates at the outlets of the four models are compared quantitatively. RESULTS: This study finds that Model 3, whose bypass diameter is the same as the inlet diameter of the stenosed coronary artery, delivers the largest amount of blood and the least pressure drop along the arteries. CONCLUSION: Biomechanical factors are speculated to contribute to the graft patency in coronary artery bypass grafting.ope

Effect of calcification on the mechanical stability of plaque based on a three-dimensional carotid bifurcation model

Background: This study characterizes the distribution and components of plaque structure by presenting a three-dimensional blood-vessel modelling with the aim of determining mechanical properties due to the effect of lipid core and calcification within a plaque. Numerical simulation has been used to answer how cap thickness and calcium distribution in lipids influence the biomechanical stress on the plaque.Method: Modelling atherosclerotic plaque based on structural analysis confirms the rationale for plaque mechanical examination and the feasibility of our simulation model. Meaningful validation of predictions from modelled atherosclerotic plaque model typically requires examination of bona fide atherosclerotic lesions. To analyze a more accurate plaque rupture, fluid-structure interaction is applied to three-dimensional blood-vessel carotid bifurcation modelling

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Strategic Audit

Berkshire Hathaway is an extremely successful, well-known company. With Warren Buffett approaching retirement, it is important that the company prepares its stakeholders and is strategically prepared. What must be determined is whether or not Berkshire Hathaway needs to implement a new strategy or continue doing what it is already doing. This strategic audit analyzes Berkshire Hathaway\u27s company history, internal and external environment, competitive advantages, and organizational structure. After the analysis of Berkshire Hathaway, several strategy alternatives are considered, ending with a strategic recommendation, implementation plan, and contingency plan