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"This statement by Deutsche Bank is an astonishing comment on the profitability of the industry. The notion that Elsevier, and therefore the other commercial publishers, add âlittle value to the publishing processâ and cannot justify the high profit margins is significant. This statement by Deutsche Bank, while aimed towards investors, reveals the skepticism of investment analysts regarding the value that Elsevier, and therefore other firms with similar business models, claim to add to the publishing process.
If the large publishers provide little value-added, what explains their apparently high profit margins and ability to consistently raise prices? "
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"PLANS TO refurbish Trident nuclear weapons had to be put on hold because US scientists forgot how to manufacture a component of the warhead, a US congressional investigation has revealed.
The US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) "lost knowledge" of how to make a mysterious but very hazardous material codenamed Fogbank. As a result, the warhead refurbishment programme was put back by at least a year, and racked up an extra $69 million."
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Hey to Abel Pharmboy: "Last year, the Oregon Urology Institute got plenty of press by encouraging people to get their vasectomies while watching the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament."
More like this
Since I recently wrote about nuclear disarmament, I thought a story from this week's issue of Nature would be especially relevant.
"In terms of weapons, the best disarmament tool so far is nuclear energy. We have been taking down the Russian warheads, turning it into electricity. 10 percent of American electricity comes from decommissioned warheads." -Stewart Brand
Ralph Langner:
Before the main post, here is Daniels joke of the day: what do you call a fly with no wings? Answer...
...a walk!
The US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) "lost knowledge" of how to make a mysterious but very hazardous material
Management is about process not product. What is secret to our enemies is dwarfed by what we isolate from the competition (other managerial fiefdoms).
0) Diversify the workplace. Reorganize the effort. Do studies.
1) Silanize the gel in solvent before critical point drying. This negates residual concave meniscus-driven collapse of peri-aerogel.
2) Acetonitrile supply requires re-establishing world consumption of nylon-66, from whose raw materials' manufacture ACN is byproduct.
3) Embrace an acceptable loss of production personnel vs. National Security.
4) Outsource to Mumbai. IIT has an average IQ above "fraternity brother".
That Deutschebank comment was ironic. Most people can't figure out what value banks like Deutschebank add to the process. Maybe we should ditch them and Elsevier.