Framework for the selection of acquisition targets applied in the commercial aerospace industry

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and, (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2010.Title-page reads "Master of Science in Management."-- Student received an M.B.A per June 2010 Degree List, Office of the Registrar, MIT. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-89).Acquisitions are costly, even the ones that never happen. They require a significant commitment of resources involving multi-disciplinary teams examining all aspects of a business. This can come at a significant cost if either the acquisition does not produce the value that was originally expected or if the acquisition process is aborted all together. Clearly, it is critical to be confident in the initial selection, when investing capital and resources to carry out the lengthy investigation process. However, while there is exhaustive research on the detailed evaluation of a target, there is very little published about the preliminary selection process. In this thesis, we demonstrate a methodology for acquisition target selection. We propose a method of metric-based ranking of targets for criteria defined in 3 dimensions. The first is a measure of how a target meets the Strategic Goals of the acquiring company. This is critical not only to measure a target, but to clarify and create alignment among the leadership of the company for the purpose of the acquisition. The second dimension is a measure of Acquisition Fit. This represents a rough measure of likelihood of integration success of a target. The metrics in this dimension are based on research into attributes of acquisition failures. The final dimension is a Financial Impact measure, which represents a rough business case for the acquisition. In the second half of this thesis, we introduce a case study of this methodology being applied in the large commercial aircraft (LCA) industry at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. This case study demonstrates the application of this methodology with the necessary industry analysis, internal and external technology evaluation and implementation challenges. During this case study, the LCA industry is undergoing a period of technological disruption and re-distribution of engineering responsibilities. These shifts in the industry structure require additional rigor in evaluation of technological and engineering needs and capabilities. Experience is statistically a strong indicator of success in M&A. We hope to lower the learning curve costs and associated risk by capturing research of best practices in a manageable process for M&A target selection.by Michael Tajima.M.B.A.S.M

Coexistence of Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution and 7 ×\times 12.5 Gbit/s Classical Channels

We study coexistence of CV-QKD and 7 classical 12.5 Gbit/s on-off keying channels in WDM transmission over the C-band. We demonstrate key generation with a distilled secret key rate between 20 to 50 kbit/s in experiments running continuously over 24 hours.Comment: 2018 IEEE Summer Topicals, paper MD4.

Quantum key distribution with an efficient countermeasure against correlated intensity fluctuations in optical pulses

Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows two distant parties to share secret keys with the proven security even in the presence of an eavesdropper with unbounded computational power. Recently, GHz-clock decoy QKD systems have been realized by employing ultrafast optical communication devices. However, security loopholes of high-speed systems have not been fully explored yet. Here we point out a security loophole at the transmitter of the GHz-clock QKD, which is a common problem in high-speed QKD systems using practical band-width limited devices. We experimentally observe the inter-pulse intensity correlation and modulation-pattern dependent intensity deviation in a practical high-speed QKD system. Such correlation violates the assumption of most security theories. We also provide its countermeasure which does not require significant changes of hardware and can generate keys secure over 100 km fiber transmission. Our countermeasure is simple, effective and applicable to wide range of high-speed QKD systems, and thus paves the way to realize ultrafast and security-certified commercial QKD systems

Differences in serum IL-6 response after 1°C rise in core body temperature in individuals with spinal cord injury and cervical spinal cord injury during local heat stress

Objectives: Passive rise in core body temperature achieved by head-out hot water immersion (HHWI) results in acute increases in serum interleukin (IL)-6 but no change in plasma adrenaline in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI). The purpose of the present study was to determine the mechanism of heat stress-induced increase in serum IL-6. Setting: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The study subjects were 9 with CSCI, 10 with thoracic and lumbar spinal cord injury (TLSCI) and 8 able-bodied (AB) subjects. Time since injury was 16.4±4.1 years in TLSCI and 16.1±3.4 years in CSCI. Subjects were subjected to lower-body heat stress (LBH) by wearing a hot water-perfused suit until 1°C increase in core temperature. The levels of serum IL-6, plasma adrenaline, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), and counts of blood cells were measured at normothermia and after LBH. Results: Serum IL-6 concentrations increased significantly immediately after LBH in all the three groups. ΔIL-6% was lower in CSCI subjects compared with AB subjects. Plasma adrenaline concentrations significantly increased after LBH in AB and TLSCI subjects, but did not change throughout the study in CSCI subjects. Cardiac output and heart rate increased at the end of LBH in all three groups. Conclusion: Under a similar increase in core temperature, ΔIL-6% was lower in the CSCI group compared with the AB group. These findings suggest that the observed rise in IL-6 during hyperthermia is mediated, at least in part, by plasma adrenaline

Comparison of Vegetation Indices and Spectral Reflectance Observed by Two Types of UAV-mounted Multispectral Camera

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Effects of Cultivation Methods on Paddy Rice Growth Observed by UAV-mounted Multispectral Camera

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GWAS for Japanese CSC

PURPOSE. Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a retinal disorder that often affects the vision of middle-aged people yet the molecular mechanisms of CSC remain unknown. This study was conducted to identify genetic factors influencing individual differences in susceptibility to CSC. METHODS. A two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted with a total of 320 unrelated Japanese idiopathic CSC cases and 3245 population-based controls. In a discovery stage, 137 unrelated Japanese idiopathic CSC cases and 1174 population-based controls were subjected to GWAS, followed by a replication study using an additional 183 individuals with idiopathic CSC and 2071 population-based volunteers. The results of the discovery and replication stages were combined to conduct a meta-analysis. RESULTS. In the two-stage GWAS, rs11865049 located at SLC7A5 in chromosome 16q24.2 was identified as a novel disease susceptibility locus for CSC, as evident from the discovery and replication results using meta-analysis (combined P = 9.71 × 10−9, odds ratio = 2.10). CONCLUSIONS. The results of the present study demonstrated that SLC7A5 might be the potential candidate gene associated with CSC, indicating a previously unidentified molecular mechanism of CSC