A laboratory method for precisely determining the micro-volume-magnitudes of liquid efflux

Micro-volumetric quantities of ejected liquid are made to produce equal volumetric displacements of a more dense material. Weight measurements are obtained on the displaced heavier liquid and used to calculate volumes based upon the known density of the heavy medium

The Financial Value of Champagne Houses in a Cobweb Economy

The objective of the paper is to simulate the corporate value of Champagne makers by taking into account the Champagne market evolution. These measurements are conducted by linking financial debt, performance and valuation to a vertical coordination model of production-consumption within a cobweb economy. The overall model uses the dynamic structure that underlies the strategic interactions amongst grape producers and wine makers. These segments coordinate grape production and trade by forming expectations about final consumption, price and stock risks. The paper examines the dynamics of the financial cash flows and net worth of Champagne houses for the 1977 – 2003 period using system dynamics (SD) modeling principles. The results presented in this paper report on key financial indicators for that period for financial debt, performance and valuation of Champagne makers. It provides a sound basis to pursue this work, because the model can further enhanced to anticipate the possible value Champagne makers for the coming crucial years since the Champagne appellation has reached its geographical limit determined by the protected designation of origin (PDO), while worldwide demand continues to grow.financial valuation, vertical coordination, cobweb economy, system dynamics, price expectations, Champagne, wine, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Industrial Organization,

Two-player envy-free multi-cake division

We introduce a generalized cake-cutting problem in which we seek to divide multiple cakes so that two players may get their most-preferred piece selections: a choice of one piece from each cake, allowing for the possibility of linked preferences over the cakes. For two players, we show that disjoint envy-free piece selections may not exist for two cakes cut into two pieces each, and they may not exist for three cakes cut into three pieces each. However, there do exist such divisions for two cakes cut into three pieces each, and for three cakes cut into four pieces each. The resulting allocations of pieces to players are Pareto-optimal with respect to the division. We use a generalization of Sperner's lemma on the polytope of divisions to locate solutions to our generalized cake-cutting problem.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, see related work at http://www.math.hmc.edu/~su/papers.htm

A NONLINEAR MODEL OF INFORMATION AND COORDINATION IN HOG PRODUCTION: TESTING THE COASIAN-FOWLERIAN DYNAMIC HYPOTHESES

The pig-cycle 'explanation' expunded by Coase and Fowler followed a well-integrated economic logic and provides tremendous insight into our understanding of commodity cycles. The paper presents a simulation model that replicates all of Coase and Fowler's results and tests its robustness with an application to U.S. hog production.Livestock Production/Industries, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Joined at the Hip: The Nondelegation Doctrine and the Principles of Deference-The Struggle for Power has the EPA Caught in the Middle

As will be shown, the facts of this case and application of the Schechter test support the conclusion that the Clean Air Act, insofar as promulgation of the NAAQS is concerned, does not contain an excessive delegation of legislative power to the EPA. The EPA is not free to act in any manner it chooses. The Administrator must answer to Congress, the President, and the people

Effets de travaux de curage sur la faune benthique d'un cours d'eau d'une région agricole du Québec

Une étude quantitative et qualitative du benthos du Ruisseau des Anges (Comté de Montcalm, Québec), un bassin à vocation agricole, réalisée de 1986 à 1988, a permis d'évaluer les effets d'un curage effectué en 1987.L'échantillonnage couvrait les zones d'amont destinées être curés, ainsi que des sites en aval des travaux et des sites témoins. Les cours d'eau y sont enrichis, principalement en azote, et le benthos s'avère dominé par les Oligochètes Tubificidae. Mémo la station-témoin, située dans une zone plus boisée, contient une faune appauvrie, bien que plus diversifiée, dominée par les Diptères Chironomidae, les Mollusques Sphaeriidae, les Coléoptères Elmidae et les Mégaloptères Sialidae, groupes résistants à la pollution. Le curage a éliminé les accumulations de boues organiques, ainsi que les plantes aquatiques qui les retenaient, et favorisé la colonisation du milieu par les Diptères Chironomidae. Cependant, dès l'automne suivant (1988), l'envasement avait repris et les Tubificidae avaient recouvré leur position de dominance, particulièrement dans les stations d'amont, sans toutefois atteindre les densités de 1986. Les bénéfices du curage sur le benthos ont été de faible importance et de courte durée, dans la mesure où l'envasement et la pollution organique maintiennent des conditions de dégradation en absence de mesures efficaces de contrôle de l'érosion. L'utilisation de plusieurs indices biotiques pour décrire l'état des cours d'eau illustre la difficulté de leur application à des cours d'eau de plaine.A quantitative and qualitative study of the benthos of Ruisseau des Anges (Montcalm County, Quebec), in an agricultural area, in 1986 to 1988 was undertaken to evaluate the effects of ditching operations in 1987.Sampling included upstream zones where the ditching occurred, downstream stations, and control areas. All streams were enriched, particularly in nitrogen, and their benthic fauna was dominated by Tubificidae (Oligochaeta). Even the control area had a reduced fauna dominated by Chironomidae (Diptera), Sphaeriidae (Mollusca), Elmidae (Coleoptera) and Sialidae (Megaloptera), all resistant to pollution. The ditching operations eliminated the accumulated mud and destroyed the vegetation winch choked the streams. This allowed a colonization by Chironomidae. However, by the fall of 1988 much silting had occurred and the Tubificidae reestablished, though not in the high densities of 1986. Any improvement of the benthic fauna was marginal and shortlived, as silting and organic pollution restored the degradated conditions in the absence of erosion control. The use of several biotic indices to assess stream conditions showed that these are often unsatisfactory in lowland streams

Conceptualising digital transformation in SMEs: an ecosystemic perspective

Purpose: Supported by a service ecosystem that is increasingly immersed into digital transformation, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have access to turnkey information technology (IT) applications, which may come free of charge but not free of concerns. The purpose of this paper is to explore a group conceptualisation and associated perceptions of IT issues within an ecosystem that includes three subgroup profiles: entrepreneurs, IT professionals and socioeconomic support professionals. Design/methodology/approach: Using group concept mapping, a bottom-up and participatory mixed methods-based approach, a concept map was estimated, based on a list of items, to define seven clusters pertaining to issues and challenges of adoption and use of turnkey IT applications in SMEs of less than 20 employees. Perceptions measures of relative importance and feasibility were obtained by subgroup profiles. Findings: The relative importance and relative feasibility measures for the seven clusters indicate significant statistical differences in ratings among the subgroup profiles. A discussion on the importance of relational capital in addressing challenges of digital transformation in SMEs is developed. Originality/value: Results highlight signifiant differences concerning key dimensions in the adoption and use of IT from the perspective of three subgroup profiles of actors within the ecosystem. First, the results stress the need to develop a shared understanding of IT challenges. Second, they suggest policymakers could use these conceptual representations to further develop and strengthen the IT-related support agenda for SMEs, especially the smaller ones (e.g. training programs, business support and coaching initiatives, etc.). © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

Two-Player Envy-Free Multi-Cake Division

We introduce a generalized cake-cutting problem in which we seek to divide multiple cakes so that two players may get their most-preferred piece selections: a choice of one piece from each cake, allowing for the possibility of linked preferences over the cakes. For two players, we show that disjoint envy-free piece selections may not exist for two cakes cut into two pieces each, and they may not exist for three cakes cut into three pieces each. However, there do exist such divisions for two cakes cut into three pieces each, and for three cakes cut into four pieces each. The resulting allocations of pieces to players are Pareto-optimal with respect to the division. We use a generalization of Sperner’s lemma on the polytope of divisions to locate solutions to our generalized cake-cutting problem

Enrichment Comparison Of African Painted Dogs (Lycaon pictus) Housed In U.S. AZA-Accredited Institutions

40 pagesEnrichment encourages the diversity of naturally occurring behaviors, increases activity, and reduces stereotypic behavior. By considering the life-history and behavior of each carnivore species, more effective enrichment options may be provided. African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus, also known as Painted Dogs) are social carnivores that have complex pack dynamics (this includes degree of relatedness, pack size, etc.) and large home ranges. As there are relatively few studies on Painted Dog enrichment, the goal of this study was to compile a list of enrichment options used by institutions participating in the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan (SSP). Data were provided by representatives at 23 (61%) institutions, who were asked to identify and describe social groups and enclosures, the frequency that enrichment was offered for each of six enrichment categories, the perceived success of each enrichment category, and overall best practices for enrichment. The majority of single-sex (n=17) and mixed-sex groups (n=28) were housed in enclosures with both naturalistic and concrete features. Respondents reported options for all six enrichment categories: environmental enrichment devices (n=22), habitat (n=11), sensory (n=28), food (n=26), behavioral (n=10), and social (n=2). All reported delivering enrichment at least multiple times a month, and most reported multiple times per week. Food and behavioral enrichment were perceived as most successful. I discuss respondents’ suggestions for best practices for each type of enrichment category. Overall, respondents recommended a flexible approach, since not all individuals and groups respond in the same way to the enrichment options available for Painted Dogs