Flare angles measured with ball gage

Precision tungsten carbide balls measure the internal angle of flared joints. Measurements from small and large balls in the flare throat to an external reference point are made. The difference in distances and diameters determine the average slope of the flare between the points of ball contact

Automatic closed circuit television arc guidance control Patent

Automatic closed circuit television arc guidance control for welding joint

Closed circuit TV system automatically guides welding arc

Closed circuit television /CCTV/ system automatically guides a welding torch to position the welding arc accurately along weld seams. Digital counting and logic techniques incorporated in the control circuitry, ensure performance reliability

The use of accruals to manage reported earnings: theory and evidence

This paper develops a model in which firm managers maximize their own compensation by using accruals to manage reported earnings. The results of the model suggest that the form of the managerial compensation function and managerial time preferences may have an important influence on the relationship between accruals and latent earnings. Among the possible relationships suggested by the model are strategies we call Smooth Income, Occasional Big Bath, Live for Today, and Maximize Variability, each of which suggests a different reporting strategy pursued by managers. Most empirical tests of accruals are inconsistent with this and other theoretical models because they include a single earnings variable in a linear regression analysis. Instead, we document the reporting of accruals by two firms, Sunbeam and Citicorp, that is consistent with the “Live for Today” and “Occasional Big Bath” strategies.Investments

A filter spectrometer concept for facsimile cameras

A concept which utilizes interference filters and photodetector arrays to integrate spectrometry with the basic imagery function of a facsimile camera is described and analyzed. The analysis considers spectral resolution, instantaneous field of view, spectral range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Specific performance predictions for the Martian environment, the Viking facsimile camera design parameters, and a signal-to-noise ratio for each spectral band equal to or greater than 256 indicate the feasibility of obtaining a spectral resolution of 0.01 micrometers with an instantaneous field of view of about 0.1 deg in the 0.425 micrometers to 1.025 micrometers range using silicon photodetectors. A spectral resolution of 0.05 micrometers with an instantaneous field of view of about 0.6 deg in the 1.0 to 2.7 micrometers range using lead sulfide photodetectors is also feasible

Resolving large financial intermediaries: banks versus housing enterprises

This paper examines the policy issues with respect to resolving the possible failure of housing enterprises Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The authors compare and contrast these issues with those raised in the context of large bank failures and also identify important differences in the extant supervisory authorities. Based on these discussions, they offer a number of policy suggestions designed to minimize the cost of resolution and protect taxpayers from loss should a large bank or housing enterprise fail.

An analysis of the systemic risks posed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and an evaluation of the policy options for reducing those risks

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises that are central players in U.S. secondary mortgage markets. Over the past decade, these institutions have amassed enormous mortgage- and non-mortgage-oriented investment portfolios that pose significant interest-rate risks to the companies and a systemic risk to the financial system. This paper describes the nature of these risks and systemic concerns and then evaluates several policy options for reducing the institutions’ investment portfolios. We conclude that limits on portfolio size (assets or liabilities) would be the most desirable approach to mitigating the systemic risk posed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The Influence of Outcome-Oriented Security Policy on Security Perceptions and Intentions

With security breaches occurring regularly, organizations must employ strong security countermeasures to protect private, valuable information. Organizational insiders pose a major threat to the security of organizations by direct and intentional misuse of information assets and by the careless and negligent use of information. Developing strong information security policy (ISP) is important to thwarting insider security threats. To date, behavioral information security research has primarily examined ISP from a procedural viewpoint. Outcome-oriented security policy is understudied. This research-in-progress proposes a study of security policy to determine how the inclusion of outcome-oriented security policy influences insiders’ attitudes toward and intentions to follow procedural security policy. An experiment is proposed to test the hypotheses

Fluidic Attitude Control System — Solar Probe

This paper establishes design criteria for a fluidic attitude control system for a solar probe. Results of an analytical and experimental investigation are presented to indicate that fluidic control is both possible and practical. A system is designed to meet the control system requirements. A block diagram of the control system is discussed and derivations of the transfer functions explained. The system response is determined for the radii of 1 AU maximum and 0.3 AU minimum. System performance is described and computer solutions for the vehicle\u27s attitude response obtained. Performance is discussed in terms of two separate modes of operation: a short-term mode (hundreds of seconds) and a long-term mode (thousands of seconds). As a result of this system analysis, an important parameter, called the normalized system gain,\u27 1 appears. This parameter is useful in scaling the spacecraft in order to design the short term response of the simulator. Problems associated with simulator fabrication and performance are discussed and experimental data on its performance presented. Fabrication of the components, components characteristics, and component integration are also discussed

To Fear or Not to Fear? A Critical Review and Analysis of Fear Appeals in the Information Security Context

Controlling organizational insiders’ security behaviors is an important management concern. Research presents fear appeals as a viable security control to promote protective security behaviors. To date, research has proven security-related fear appeals have to effectively control insiders’ security behaviors. However, from critically examining fear appeals, we find a different story. Specifically, we critically analyze security-related fear appeal research from two ontological positions: critical realism and critical constructivism. The critical realist analysis identifies several issues with existing fear appeal research, which particular research traditions may cause. We explicate these traditions and issues in the paper. The critical constructivist analysis draws on critical management studies of control and Foucault’s work to identify the identities, beliefs, and values that fear appeals promote and the ways in which fear appeals create discursive closures that limit the consideration and discussion of other positions. Based on the two analyses, we provide important directions for future fear appeal research