Alien Registration- Caouette, Ludger J. (Sanford, York County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/3333/thumbnail.jp

Regional Political Power in Florida

According to well-known political science professors in Florida universities, the only constitutional mandate to which the Florida Legislature must adhere is to pass a balanced budget (MacManus, Jewett, Bonanza, & Dye, 2015, p. 184). The process begins with each of Florida’s state agencies crafting their individual budgets almost as soon as the new budget year takes effect (July 1). These budgets are submitted to the Governor’s office where they are reviewed by staff and then ultimately submitted to the legislature (p. 243). During the budget process, legislators are careful to ensure that they procure state dollars, oftentimes referred to as “pork,” for the constituents who elected them (p. 209). The premise of this paper is to explore the possibility that political influence or power has a direct effect on the amount of tax dollars appropriated to Florida’s 67 counties, 10 media markets, and in turn to Florida’s three geographic regions. First, a legislative power index is developed. We then analyze county by county allocations of budget year 2016/2017 and the legislative power index to determine if there is a relationship between the amount of money distributed by county and the legislative influence that exists in that county. The research finds that the legislative power of a county as measured by the legislative power index had no statistically significant effect on per capita allocation. The presence of a state university and miles of roadway in a county did have an influence

WARNING: Physics Envy May Be Hazardous To Your Wealth!

The quantitative aspirations of economists and financial analysts have for many years been based on the belief that it should be possible to build models of economic systems - and financial markets in particular - that are as predictive as those in physics. While this perspective has led to a number of important breakthroughs in economics, "physics envy" has also created a false sense of mathematical precision in some cases. We speculate on the origins of physics envy, and then describe an alternate perspective of economic behavior based on a new taxonomy of uncertainty. We illustrate the relevance of this taxonomy with two concrete examples: the classical harmonic oscillator with some new twists that make physics look more like economics, and a quantitative equity market-neutral strategy. We conclude by offering a new interpretation of tail events, proposing an "uncertainty checklist" with which our taxonomy can be implemented, and considering the role that quants played in the current financial crisis.Comment: v3 adds 2 reference

Virtual reality at workplace for autistic employees: Preliminary results of physiological-based well-being experience

Emotional health problems in the workplace often hinder the integration and retention of autistic employees (AE), a challenge identified in many sectors. Recent literature highlights the consequences of these problems, such as burnout leading to reduced productivity and resignation. Previous research supports the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) for training a variety of specific skills (e.g. riding a bus or plane travel), as well as more complex social skills, such as emotion recognition and functional communication. In addition, existing studies on using physiological self-monitoring in AE training offer a promising approach to promoting improved emotional health. The present paper reports on implementing a VR system that simulates workplace training and integration and enables real-time monitoring of three physiological signals, in five post-secondary autistic students. Using an Oculus Quest 2 and non-clinical grade sensors, the researchers delivered the VR intervention over three days to each participant. At the end of these interventions, the researchers measured the perceived satisfaction of these integrated systems, based on several technological criteria, on a 5-point scale. The integrated system received an overall rating of 4, suggesting its likelihood of acceptance and use. A preliminary analysis of a participant’s physiological responses to this VR intervention is also presented. This preliminary report suggests the efficacy of a VR workplace simulation and physiological self-monitoring in promoting emotional well-being and basic task training for post-secondary AE. The researchers’ observations and the proposal of a theoretical framework to enhance real-time emotional communication based on physiological markers for AE are also discussed

Implementing natural capital credit risk assessment in agricultural lending

Agriculture has critical impacts and dependencies on natural capital, and agriculturallenders are therefore exposed to natural capital credit risk through their loans tofarmers. Currently, however, lenders lack any detailed guidance for assessing naturalcapital credit risk in agriculture and are challenged by the fact that the relevant material risks vary considerably by agricultural sector and geography. This paper developsa natural capital credit risk assessment framework based on a bottom‐up review ofthe material risks associated with natural capital impacts and dependencies forAustralian beef production. It demonstrates that implementing natural capital creditrisk assessment is feasible in agricultural lending, using a combination of quantitativeand qualitative inputs. Implementation challenges include the complexity and interconnectedness of natural capital processes, data availability and cost, spatial data analytical capacity, and the need for transformational change, both within lendingorganisations and across the banking sector

Multiple mechanisms mediating carbon monoxide inhibition of the voltage-gated K+ channel Kv1.5

The voltage-gated K+ channel plays key roles in the vasculature and in atrial excitability, and contributes to apoptosis in various tissues. In this study, we have explored its regulation by carbon monoxide (CO), a product of the cytoprotective heme oxygenase enzymes, and a recognized toxin. CO inhibited recombinant Kv1.5 expressed in HEK293 cells in a concentration-dependent manner which involved multiple signalling pathways. CO inhibition was partially reversed by superoxide dismutase mimetics, and by suppression of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. CO also elevated intracellular nitric oxide (NO) levels. Prevention of NO formation also partially reversed CO inhibition of Kv1.5, as did inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase. CO also elevated intracellular peroxynitrite levels, and a peroxynitrite scavenger markedly attenuated the ability of CO to inhibit Kv1.5. CO caused nitrosylation of Kv1.5, an effect which was also observed in C331A and C346A mutant forms of the channel, which had previously been suggested as nitrosylation sites within Kv1.5. Augmentation of Kv1.5 via exposure to hydrogen peroxide was fully reversed by CO. Native Kv1.5 recorded in HL-1 murine atrial cells was also inhibited by CO. Action potentials recorded in HL-1 cells were increased in amplitude and duration by CO, an effect mimicked and occluded by pharmacological inhibition of Kv1.5. Our data indicate that Kv1.5 is a target for modulation by CO via multiple mechanisms. This regulation has important implications for diverse cellular functions, including excitability, contractility and apoptosis

Considerações sobre a influência da análise das demonstrações no ciclo do pedido logístico: análise do caso Atofina Brasil

O principal objetivo deste estudo consistiu em identificar a influência da análise das demonstrações contábeis utilizadas no processo de estabelecimento do limite de crédito a um cliente, no ciclo do pedido logístico. Para a consecução deste trabalho, foi realizado um estudo de caso, de caráter descritivo, na Atofina Brasil, empresa do setor químico. Verificou-se, pelo estudo de caso, que o analista de crédito utiliza diversas fontes de informações como meio de subsidiar o processo decisório de estabelecimento do limite de crédito, sendo uma delas as demonstrações contábeis. Com relação às demonstrações contábeis no ciclo do pedido da Atofina Brasil, foi verificado que o período de tempo necessário para a análise de crédito não está relacionado à qualidade das informações contábeis. Isso porque o analista de crédito considera que as demonstrações contábeis apresentam adequadamente a situação econômico-financeira da empresa.This study aimed to identify the influence of financial statement analysis, used in the process of establishing customer credit limits, as a part of the logistic order cycle. Thus, a descriptive case study was carried out at Atofina Brazil, a company in the chemical industry. On the basis of this case study, we observed that the credit analyst uses various information sources as a support in process of deciding about credit limit establishment, one of which are financial statements. With respect to the impact of financial statements on the order cycle of Atofina Brazil, it was verified that the time period needed for the credit analysis process is not related to accounting information quality, because the credit analyst considers that financial statements offer an adequate representation of the company's economic and financial situation