Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for measuring and assessing an organization's business adaptability is provided. In one embodiment, a taxonomy comprising a hierarchical list of taxonomy indicators that captures organizational elements that can be used to measure an organization's responsiveness to change is created. The taxonomy indicators are industry specific. A set of weights associated with the elements of the taxonomy, indicating a relevant contribution of each element to an overall adaptability of an organization, is assigned. The set of weights are industry specific. An enterprise profile is created assigning a level of adaptability to each taxonomy indicator indicating where, in a range of scores from low to high, an enterprise rates relative to the relevant taxonomy indicator. An adaptability result of the organization from the weights, taxonomy, and enterprise profile is then calculated. The adaptability result provides a quantitative assessment of the organization's adaptability.

Abstract: According to this treatment, calcium is added to ultra low molten steel or low carbon which is aluminum killed (or in the course of being killed) in order to form non-metallic deoxidation inclusions that have a melting point which is below the casting temperature; the molten metal is maintained in the chain of treatment ranging from the ladle refining installation to the copper mold with a low minimum low magnesium content of approximately 2 ppm. The inventive method increases the scope of fusibility of the inclusionary population of steels, thereby improving the castability of high aluminum-killed ultra low carbon grades without the need for argon bubbling.

Abstract: The device for coupling two pipes comprises a variable length assembly formed from two tubular parts, whereof the internal diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of the pipes. The tight coupling of this assembly to the ends of the pipes is brought about by compressing O-rings between a planar surface and a spherical surface by means of two nuts. The two tubular parts are then tightly joined by actuating a nut compressing a third O-ring.