Consumer experiences with credit insurance: some new evidence

Insurance, Credit

Production of poly-Β-hydroxybutyrate in the Azotobacteraceae

The production of poly-(beta)-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) in the Azotobacteraceae has been investigated. It has been demonstrated that nitrogen fixation is unnecessary for PHB accumulation in the Azotobacteraceae. PHB is produced in a mineral-salts medium containing glucose and fixed nitrogen in the form of potassium nitrate. PHB is accumulated in equivalent levels in media with or without nitrate. However, total cell mass is higher when nitrate is supplied. Nitrogenase defective mutants of Azotobacter do not accumulate PHB;Azotobacter cells also encyst in the presence of nitrate when glucose is limited. Thus, nitrogen limitation is not a precondition for encystment as previously believed. Carbohydrates and reduced nitrogen must be limited in order for encystment to occur. PHB accumulation may be a precondition of encystment;A method for the production of PHB from Azotobacter which allows the isolation of more PHB per unit of production media than other published methods has been determined. This fermentation proceeds at higher temperatures than usually reported for Azotobacter (33-35(DEGREES)C). Phenylacetic acid supplements do not result in increased yields of either cell mass or PHB;A new and superior stain for PHB, based on the fluorescent staining of the polymer with Nile Blue Sulfate, has been developed. Colony replicas on glass-fiber filters also stain with Nile Blue, allowing the rapid screening of isolates for PHB production

The Limitations of Democratic Peace

The theory of Democratic Peace suggests that democracies are unlikely to wage war on one another, yet it spends little time actually defining what democracies are. Research on the theory of Democratic Peace suggests that the theory only applies to mature democracies, but how is maturity determined? The criteria used by multiple scholars is needed to defend the theory from particular challenges such as the Cenepa Valley War, but even with such defenses, the criteria omits how a state treats women and racial minorities. These omissions become clear when one examines how scholars treat the United States of America. This thesis will assert that the criteria for determining a democracy\u27s maturity is incomplete and requires revision

The Effects of Institutional Aid on The College Affordability Index and Student Body Diversity

Tuition for higher education continues to increase substantially, causing colleges to be less affordable for many traditional college students and their families. To make higher education more affordable, higher education administrators provide students with institutional aid. Such aid is awarded to students based on merit or need, and the way it is awarded may affect an institution\u27s affordability and student body diversity. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of institutional aid on the rate of tuition increase and the diversity of the student body at colleges and universities. This study was further designed to determine if information about the relationships among institutional aid, the rate of tuition increase, and student body diversity could provide administrators with information and guidance when determining and implementing policy, and direct future research. Institutions were classified according to Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (CFAT) Classification, and diversity was determined by using the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) classifications of race and gender. Data for this study were obtained from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) of the NCES. Comparisons to determine the relationships among categories of institutional aid, the College Affordability Index (CAI), and student body diversity at different types of institutions were made using a series of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-tests. Results revealed that the primary research question was partially answered. Analysis of the data confirmed that as institutional aid increased, the CAI decreased at colleges and universities in the Arts and Sciences (A&S) Carnegie classification. Some colleges and universities in this classification that did not offer graduate programs had a statistically significant lower CAI for academic year (AY) 2003 and A Y 2004; therefore, these institutions increased their tuition at a lower rate. The data further revealed that ethnic and gender diversity did not increase at some colleges and universities in this classification when graduate programs were offered

Executive/Congressional Liason in a Post Cold War Era

While it is true that presidents can and will attempt to practice domination of the Congress when making public policy, the nature of the new environment makes it less likely that they will regularly succeed. Because of the complexity of issues, there is a need to revisit the mechanics of executive/legislative liaisons in this new era. This essay represents such an attempt. First, we examine the changes that impact presidential policy-making in the post-Cold War era. Second, we review the ongoing debate in presidential literature concerning executive dominance over the Congress. Third, we briefly examine the modern history of presidential/congressional foreign policy interactions and note changes in these interactions. Fourth, we present a brief history of the White House Congressional Liaison Office in both the Cold War and the post-Cold War eras. We specifically examine and analyze the Carter and Clinton administrations. Finally, we present a new working model of a post-Cold War White House Congressional Liaison Office. This model views such an office as playing an important role in executive/legislative strategy and not merely functioning as a tactical offshoot for White House advisors

Executive/Congressional Liason in a Post Cold War Era

While it is true that presidents can and will attempt to practice domination of the Congress when making public policy, the nature of the new environment makes it less likely that they will regularly succeed. Because of the complexity of issues, there is a need to revisit the mechanics of executive/legislative liaisons in this new era. This essay represents such an attempt. First, we examine the changes that impact presidential policy-making in the post-Cold War era. Second, we review the ongoing debate in presidential literature concerning executive dominance over the Congress. Third, we briefly examine the modern history of presidential/congressional foreign policy interactions and note changes in these interactions. Fourth, we present a brief history of the White House Congressional Liaison Office in both the Cold War and the post-Cold War eras. We specifically examine and analyze the Carter and Clinton administrations. Finally, we present a new working model of a post-Cold War White House Congressional Liaison Office. This model views such an office as playing an important role in executive/legislative strategy and not merely functioning as a tactical offshoot for White House advisors

Critical Educational Gerogogy: Towards Enlightenment and Emancipation

: This paper examines how critical educational gerogogy (CEG) can be used to expose ageism and relationships of power and inequality in the lives of older adults. The current literature in CEG is reviewed. The authors conclude by advancing a counterhegemonic approach which embraces transformative and emancipative education for older adults