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Full-Text Articles in Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering

A Methodology To Assess The Air Force Materiel Command's Exercise Support Program's Weighting Scheme, Gilbert D. Ness Mar 1996

A Methodology To Assess The Air Force Materiel Command's Exercise Support Program's Weighting Scheme, Gilbert D. Ness

Theses and Dissertations

This research performs analysis on the Air Force Materiel Command's Exercise Support Program's Weighting Scheme so that decision makers can create a more efficient and effective Resource Allocation - Integrated Process Team (RA-IPT) manpower allocation process. A linear programming (LP) model was derived from the Exercise Support Program (ESP) to assign manpower reductions throughout the Mission Element Board (MEB) organizational level in AFMC. Parametric analysis was performed on the LP model by simultaneously changing multiple objective function coefficients with the use of various direction vectors. These direction vectors were applied with the use of an incrementally increasing scalar step size …

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A Response Surface Methodology Approach To Groundwater Model Calibration, Jeffrey B. Rowland Mar 1996

A Response Surface Methodology Approach To Groundwater Model Calibration, Jeffrey B. Rowland

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examined the effect of parameter bounding, a reduced data set, and data enrichment techniques on a response surface methodology (RSM) approach to groundwater model calibration. The four phases of the study included a calibration using a very dense data matrix, a calibration using a sparse calibration matrix, an evaluation of several data enrichment techniques, and a calibration using a data matrix enlarged with the use of the best enrichment technique. All calibrations were conducted using only a first order approximation to the response surface and with bounds placed on the input parameters. The first two calibrations using the …

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Development Of A Decision Support System For The Department Of Energy's Selection Of Waste Site Remediation Technologies, Brian E. Ralston Mar 1996

Development Of A Decision Support System For The Department Of Energy's Selection Of Waste Site Remediation Technologies, Brian E. Ralston

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Energy is faced with the complex decision of selecting technologies for waste site remediation. This research focused on developing a decision support system to aid the decision maker in selecting the best strategy of remediation technologies. A decision analysis model was developed which incorporates life cycle cost data, risk information, and user input, to analyze the technology choices. The research outlined the use of multiple attribute utility theory using exponential attribute utility functions with a simple additive objective function. The best available data was used to demonstrate the capabilities of the model. The model provides the decision …

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The Effects Of Changing Force Structure On Thunder Output, Michael R. Farmer Mar 1996

The Effects Of Changing Force Structure On Thunder Output, Michael R. Farmer

Theses and Dissertations

In today's reduction of America's national defense, campaign level models are being used more in the development of force structure. The effects of drawdown are of significant interest to those at the highest levels of authority. Campaign models can bring those high ranking officials the answers they seek with high confidence. THUNDER is a campaign model used frequently by the United States Air Force and many of its contractors. The effects of changing the force structure within THUNDER require modifying variables before executing a new experimental run. Changes in such issues as force structure cannot be immediately addressed. Response Surface …

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Optimization Analysis For Design And Planning Of Multi-Project Programs, Victor D. Wiley Mar 1996

Optimization Analysis For Design And Planning Of Multi-Project Programs, Victor D. Wiley

Theses and Dissertations

Program Management concerns the long-term planning, coordination, and control of major technological, engineering, scientific, and/or developmental activities. In general, programs tend to be exceptionally large, consisting of several parallel or sequential projects or groups of projects. While many of the approaches developed for projects have been used in program management, there are critical differences between programs and projects. A key difference is the magnitude of programs, both in program duration and number of tasks to be coordinated. In addition, project parameters are driven by program decisions. While a large number of modeling efforts have focused at the project level, very …

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International Space Station Traffic Modeling And Simulation, Jillene B. Rylaarsdam Mar 1996

International Space Station Traffic Modeling And Simulation, Jillene B. Rylaarsdam

Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to provide NASA with an alternative perspective and some insights to the operational planning of the International Space Station (ISS), this research developed a simulation environment for the ISS and devised a method to evaluate various altitude strategies. The simulation environment allowed us to incorporate the natural random behaviors which affect the lifetime of objects in low earth orbit. We created prototype models of the operational planning process to analyze current altitude strategy approaches and acquire new strategies from insights observed. In addition, by extrapolating random future solar activity values from the interpolation of historical data, we …

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Modeling Mobility Engineering In A Theater Level Combat Model, Brian K. Hobson Mar 1996

Modeling Mobility Engineering In A Theater Level Combat Model, Brian K. Hobson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the development of a methodology to model theater-level mobility engineering assets in the Joint Staff's Joint Warfare Analysis Experimental Prototype (JWAEP) and to quantify the joint and Army doctrine that guides the task organization of engineers for combat and which quantifies engineer mobility effects in combat. The methodology incorporates theater-level mobility engineering assets into the JWAEP by using Mission, Enemy, Troops available, Terrain, and Time (MET-T principles which reflect joint and Army doctrine, and combines them with the existing basic concepts in other theater-level models. Additional aspects of the problem include determining the manmade and natural obstacles' …

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Surveillance Plan For Monitoring The Shelf-Life Of Chemical Defense Coveralls, Robert E. Neher Jr. Mar 1996

Surveillance Plan For Monitoring The Shelf-Life Of Chemical Defense Coveralls, Robert E. Neher Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis found a surveillance plan to be used to monitor the shelf-life of the Air Force's chemical defense coveralls. The sampling tests are destructive and the objective was to find a surveillance plan that would minimize the number of suits sampled yet provide enough information to accurately determine if the chemical defense coveralls had degraded past a minimum acceptable level. Six sampling plans were developed and analyzed. The sampling plans included the Air Force's original fixed sampling plan, several variations of sequential sampling plans, a Bayesian sampling plan, and an ad hoc pre-posturing plan. Each of the sampling plans …

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Modeling Space In The Air Force Command Exercise System (Aces), Robert Payne Jr. Mar 1996

Modeling Space In The Air Force Command Exercise System (Aces), Robert Payne Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the increased influence of space forces on today's battlefield, several theater level models were analyzed for the presentation of space forces. These models were the Extended Air Defense Simulation (EADSIM), the Joint Theater Level Simulation (JTLS), the Integrated Theater Engagement Model (ITEM), the Tactical Warfare Model (TACWAR), Thunder, Janus, and the Aggregate Level Simulation Protocol (ALSP). While ALSP is not a model but a simulation protocol connecting various models, it was studied because it appears to be the future of modeling. The consensus of the analysis was that space forces are virtually ignored by most of the …

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Replicative Use Of An External Model In Simulation Variance Reduction, Thomas H. Irish Mar 1996

Replicative Use Of An External Model In Simulation Variance Reduction, Thomas H. Irish

Theses and Dissertations

The use of control variates is a well-known variance reduction technique for discrete event simulation experiments. Currently, internal control variates are used almost exclusively by practitioners and researchers when using control variates. The primary objective of this study is to explore the variance reduction achieved by the replicative use of an external, analytical model to generate control variates. Performance for the analytical control variates is compared to the performance of typical internal and external control variates for both an open and a closed queueing network. Performance measures used are confidence interval width reduction, realized coverage, and estimated Mean Square Error. …

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Applying Response Surface Methodology To Readiness-Based Leveling Of Reparable Items, Todd E. May Mar 1996

Applying Response Surface Methodology To Readiness-Based Leveling Of Reparable Items, Todd E. May

Theses and Dissertations

Reparable items play a large role in determining the readiness of United States Air Force weapon systems. Many factors characterizing flying tempo and item repair and transit time influence the level of fleet readiness. Readiness-Based Leveling (RBL) considers these factors as it seeks to maximize aircraft readiness as it allocates spare reparable items between bases and a depot. The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the validity of using response surface methodology (RSM) within the context of RBL in an effort to quantify the influences these factors have on aircraft readiness. RSM applied designed experiments and least squares regressions …

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Statistical Process Control In Medical Surveillance. An Application Using Spirometry, Paul W. Mcaree Mar 1996

Statistical Process Control In Medical Surveillance. An Application Using Spirometry, Paul W. Mcaree

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort concentrated on applying statistical process control techniques to the results of seven years worth of spirometry exams of workers at Wright-Patterson AFB in helping the occupational health squadron identify potential work hazard areas. Each spirometry exam was classified as abnormal or normal based on a comparison with established normals or a significant loss of function from the previous year's exam for the individual. Each test was classified into the work area of the individual and the number of abnormalities per population of the work area was examined.

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Procedures For Testing Deterministic Scheduling Models: A Dakota Case Study, Keith H. Mccready Mar 1996

Procedures For Testing Deterministic Scheduling Models: A Dakota Case Study, Keith H. Mccready

Theses and Dissertations

The DAKOTA scheduling system has been proposed for use in the United States Air Forces Europe's (USAFE's) Operational Support Airlift (OSA) scheduling. This thesis examines the OSA scheduling topic and reviews the relevant literature on vehicle routing, concluding that exact methods are intractable for large problem sizes. Consequently, heuristic methods must be considered. This thesis takes a detailed look at the DAKOTA heuristic. It examines the concepts of Validation, Verification and Accreditation (VV&A), particularly as they apply to heuristics and algorithms. It then defines what measures of performance may prove useful in judging heuristics and algorithms in general, and details …

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Measuring The Impact Of Programmed Depot Maintenance Funding Shortfalls On Weapon System Availability, Donald F. Hurry Mar 1996

Measuring The Impact Of Programmed Depot Maintenance Funding Shortfalls On Weapon System Availability, Donald F. Hurry

Theses and Dissertations

This study used the Poisson regression technique, bootstrap estimates, and the Kaplan-Meier estimates for survivor curves to determine the impact of Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) on weapon system availability. More specifically, these techniques estimated the effect in the number failures per year due to PDM, but the bootstrap technique also estimated the effect in the amount of downtime experienced by a weapon system due to PDM. Although the Poisson regression model did not pass the rigors of statistical testing, the Poisson regression suggested differences in the number of failures per year between PDM and no-PDM weapon systems. The results of …

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Forecasting And Explanatory Models For Middle Eastern Defense Budgets: A Case Study Of Saudi Arabia, Robert S. Renfro Ii Mar 1996

Forecasting And Explanatory Models For Middle Eastern Defense Budgets: A Case Study Of Saudi Arabia, Robert S. Renfro Ii

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on means of forecasting Saudi Arabian military expenditures and the effect of such expenditures on the United States. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest purchasers of American arms and will continue to be for many years. Saudi Arabia has experienced several recent changes in economic and government policy. Using exponential smoothing techniques and linear regression, we isolated several trends in Saudi Arabian military expenditures. Using two linear regression models, military expenditures were then forecast with excellent results. The first model considered the assumption that Gulf War spending would continue. This model uses Saudi Arabian Gross Domestic …

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Performance Study Of Shared Versus Nonshared Bandwidth On A Packet-Switched Network, John P. Stevens Mar 1996

Performance Study Of Shared Versus Nonshared Bandwidth On A Packet-Switched Network, John P. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

In wide area computer data communications, many networks have evolved by satisfying increased user demands in the most expedient manner. In some cases, new users’ demands are satisfied by installing a new link, rather than sharing the links that are already in place. This research investigates the differences in performance between using a dedicated link for each source destination pair (nonshared bandwidth) and using a single link to be used by all source destination pairs (shared bandwidth). Simulation models are developed for a wide area network using shared bandwidth, and a wide area network using nonshared bandwidth. The quality of …

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Statistical Process Control And Medical Surveillance. An Application With Liver Function Tests, Bryan D. Richardson Mar 1996

Statistical Process Control And Medical Surveillance. An Application With Liver Function Tests, Bryan D. Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

Traditionally, medical surveillance of liver disease generally involves a battery of tests. This research used multivariate analysis techniques to reduce the number of measures required to identify liver dysfunction and found using a Transferase Index (a combination of three tests; ALT, AST, and GGT) provided the most satisfying assessment, but the single best indicator, ALT, may be sufficient. Transferase Index and ALT criterion were both applied to SPC control charts. Through the use of statistical process control (SPC), this research identified work zones possessing signs of adverse effects to an individual's liver as a possible result of their work environment …

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An Investigation Of Preliminary Feature Screening Using Signal-To-Noise Ratios, David B. Sumrell Mar 1996

An Investigation Of Preliminary Feature Screening Using Signal-To-Noise Ratios, David B. Sumrell

Theses and Dissertations

A new saliency metric and a new saliency screening method are developed. This new metric, the SN saliency metric, is based upon signal-to-noise ratios, where the signal is provided by a sum of squared weights associated with a given feature, and the noise is based upon a sum of squared weights associated with a reference noise feature which is injected into the data. The resultant metric allows for a direct comparison of the feature of interest with a reference noise feature which is known to be nonsalient. The SN saliency screening method, which uses the SN saliency metric, offers the …

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Issues And Challenges In Validating Military Simulation Models, Michael R. Elmer Jan 1996

Issues And Challenges In Validating Military Simulation Models, Michael R. Elmer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to address the challenges of validating simulation models, especially those challenges facing military simulation analysts. Three distinct issues are of concern to the military simulation analyst: (1) What type of validation effort do the academic experts recommend? (2) What does the military policy say is necessary for a proper validation effort? (3) What can a simulation practitioner realistically accomplish given time and resource constraints? Four methodologies were chosen to represent the academic perspective on validation. A model of validation methods is integrated from the methodologies of these four simulation validation references. The validation policies …

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Decision Support Model For Municipal Solid Waste Management At Department Of Defense Installations, John F. Muratore Dec 1995

Decision Support Model For Municipal Solid Waste Management At Department Of Defense Installations, John F. Muratore

Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on the development of a decision support model to identify the preferred strategy for managing municipal solid waste using the principles of decision analysis theory. The model provides an effective decision making tool to evaluate and compare different municipal solid waste management strategies. The users of this model, the Environmental Manager or decision maker at a given installation, can enter installation-specific waste stream characteristics, treatment and disposal costs, and material buy-back prices to determine the expected value for various alternative strategies. The strategy having the greatest expected value is considered the preferred alternative. In calculating the expected …

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A Methodology To Assess Post-Launch Efforts To Counter Mobile Tactical Ballistic Missile Launchers, Wayne H. Hayes Dec 1995

A Methodology To Assess Post-Launch Efforts To Counter Mobile Tactical Ballistic Missile Launchers, Wayne H. Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense has a requirement to quantify the force enhancement effects from various configurations of an envisioned multilayered Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system. TMD research accomplished to date has focused primarily on the pre-launch and in-flight tactical ballistic missile (TBM) operational phases while ignoring the post-launch phase during which mobile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs) are vulnerable to attack. No methodology currently exists to measure the effectiveness of various post-launch counter-TEL system configurations or their potential contribution to the overall TMD mission. This research uses the decision analysis technique of influence diagrams to model the post-launch counter-TEL process using notional variable …

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Validation Of Operational Multiscale Environment Model With Grid Adaptivity (Omega), Gordon R. Taylor Dec 1995

Validation Of Operational Multiscale Environment Model With Grid Adaptivity (Omega), Gordon R. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

The Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) is improving the military's capability to forecast dosage and hazard levels due to release of chemical, biological, and nuclear agents. During Operation DESERT STORM the military realized the need for models to predict risk levels for military personnel assigned proximate to missile attacks. One project associated with this is the continuing development of the Operational Multiscale Environmental Model with Grid Adaptivity (OMEGA). DNA has sponsored AFIT to validate OMEGA with focus on incorporating weather data obtained from Air Force Combat Climatology Center for the period of the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident. The physics of the model …

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Exmis: An Expert System For The Autonomous Onboard Command System (Aocs), Kevin D. Benedict Dec 1995

Exmis: An Expert System For The Autonomous Onboard Command System (Aocs), Kevin D. Benedict

Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study is the creation of a prototype expert system called EXMIS (EXpert MIssile System) that performs the flight termination logic sequence of the Autonomous Onboard Command System (AOCS). The AOCS is a proposed system that would take the "man-in-the-loop" out of the self-destruct decision making process and place the entire decision on the launch vehicle. Through the use of a six degree of freedom trajectory program called BOOST, simulated flight data for four different flight scenarios is obtained. The launch vehicle selected for the simulations is the Peacekeeper ICBM. EXMIS is developed using an expert …

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An Empirical Investigation Of The Integrated Weapon System Management Concept Of Seamless Processes, Timothy H. Surabian Sep 1995

An Empirical Investigation Of The Integrated Weapon System Management Concept Of Seamless Processes, Timothy H. Surabian

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the way four Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) single manager organizations operationalized the Integrated Weapon System Management (IWSM) concept of "seamless processes." In this thesis, the IWSM concept of "seamless processes" refers to the degree of integration between acquisition and sustainment organizations. Four SPO organizations were involved in six case studies. This research focused on the way "seamless processes" affect the shifting of the organizational "center of gravity" within or between single manager organizations. An interview questionnaire was administered to 13 Product Center managers and 6 Logistics Center managers. The interview questions focused on IWSM in general, …

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Tracking Air Force Pallets Using Rfid Technology: A Concept Study, Gary A. Gross Sep 1995

Tracking Air Force Pallets Using Rfid Technology: A Concept Study, Gary A. Gross

Theses and Dissertations

The lack of asset visibility experienced at Aerial Ports of Embarkation (APOEs) during Operation Desert Storm is a phenomenon that has occurred in every major conflict for the last 40 years. The costs associated with this lack of control directly relate to the combat readiness and capability of supported units. This study examined the possibility of installing a Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) system to track Department of Defense 463L pallets worldwide. Performance characteristics of commercially available RF-ID systems were summarized, and a conceptual Air Mobility Command (AMC) tracking system was presented. For purposes of concept study, Amtech Corporation's Intellitag RT …

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A Comparison Of Consistent Versus Inconsistent Scheduling Rules In A Flow Shop Environment, Nicola Gismondi Sep 1995

A Comparison Of Consistent Versus Inconsistent Scheduling Rules In A Flow Shop Environment, Nicola Gismondi

Theses and Dissertations

A consistent scheduling rule is one which will ensure a job's priority (relative to all other job's) will remain constant as it moves from queue to queue in a production system. Previous research concerning flow shop priority scheduling rules focused on comparison of either consistent or inconsistent rules. Conversely, this study sought to provide additional insight by comprising consistent and inconsistent rules in a flow shop environment The Air Force uses both types of rules in maintenance and logistics scheduling. Time and money can be saved if the scheduling managers can better understand the effect of consistency on a system. …

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Just In Time Manufacturing: A Migration From Materials Requirements Planning, Scott A. Koehler Sep 1995

Just In Time Manufacturing: A Migration From Materials Requirements Planning, Scott A. Koehler

Theses and Dissertations

Manufacturing planning and control systems play an important role in an organization's effectiveness. Over the past twenty to thirty years, U.S. manufacturing companies have faced increasing competition for market share from Japanese and other Pacific rim countries. This thesis will investigate the evolutionary path followed by manufacturing companies that have implemented various manufacturing planning and control systems. Specifically, Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) and Just In Time (JIT) production will be analyzed. MRP is a means of convening demand for the final product into a requirements schedule for the various components comprising that product. The JIT philosophy calls for continuously improving …

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A Study Of The Factors Associated With Successful Technology Transfer And Their Applicability To Air Force Technology Transfers, James B. Rose Sep 1995

A Study Of The Factors Associated With Successful Technology Transfer And Their Applicability To Air Force Technology Transfers, James B. Rose

Theses and Dissertations

Although the United States is a world leader in scientific research, it lags behind some economic powers in the application of technologies. As quality and manufacturing excellence were critical to US competitiveness in the l98Os, so is commercializing technologies in the 199Os. With billion dollar budgets and exceptional scientific talent, the potential for fruitful technology transfer is abundant. By definition, federal-to-commercial technology transfer is the ability to leverage national investments in technology beyond their traditional customer base. The technology can be physical devices, processes, knowledge, or proprietary information. Unfortunately, and despite exhaustive legislative efforts, US industry has fallen behind its …

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An Evaluation Of Cost Metrics Used Within Aeronautical Systems Center, Kevin M. Byrne Sep 1995

An Evaluation Of Cost Metrics Used Within Aeronautical Systems Center, Kevin M. Byrne

Theses and Dissertations

Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) system program offices rely on cost metrics to acquire information on program effectiveness and organizational improvement. This study was an attempt to determine the effectiveness of ASC’s cost metrics. The effectiveness of the metrics were determined by the desirability of the behaviors which are exhibited when individuals utilize the specific metrics. Using an expert panel to evaluate the metrics, data was collected using the Group Research Laboratory for Logistics located in Armstrong Laboratory at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. Metric diagnostic charts were utilized to arrange the data into a format which would provide effectiveness information. The …

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Assisting Defense Conversion Technology Transfer Efforts. A Case Study Of Ohio's Miami Valley, Marissa C. Salvador Sep 1995

Assisting Defense Conversion Technology Transfer Efforts. A Case Study Of Ohio's Miami Valley, Marissa C. Salvador

Theses and Dissertations

Major changes in the geopolitical environment and the social and economic needs of the United States have resulted in resources being shifted away from national defense. Although the expected decrease in defense spending should not be harmful in macroeconomic terms, it can be devastating locally. To mitigate the effects of the drawdown, individual states and local communities must search for ways to bolster their local economies. One avenue that can be pursued to enhance future economic growth is the transferring of technologies to the commercial sector. Intermediary organizations have emerged to facilitate the process of technology transfer by serving as …

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