Dielectric Constant of Liquids (Fluids) Shown to be Simple Fundamental Relation of Density over Extreme Ranges from - 50^o^ to + 600^o^C, Believed Universal

Examinations of past complex theoretical equations describing isothermal dielectric constants (_[epsilon]_) of liquids show that none describe experiments throughout and that only a two-constant equation of density is required. The dielectric susceptibility (_[epsilon]_ – 1) as a simple exponential function of density is shown here to describe _[epsilon]_ for both polar and non-polar organic liquids over all available experimental ranges from 0.50 to 1.2 g cm^-3^ and temperatures to 400^o^C. For water above 0.25 g cm^-3^, the equation describes the excellent dielectric-constant formulation of Fernández, et al., (1997) throughout its experimental range [-35 to +600^o^C; to 1000 MPa (10000 Atm)] and even when diluted by "inert" solvents (Marshall, 2008). At lower densities at all temperatures, water susceptibilities converge to an even more simple unit proportionality to density below 0.003 g cm^-3^, not yet verified for organics without experiment. While the past Born, Tait, Clausius-Mossotti, and Owen-Brinkley theories describe _[epsilon]_ equally well over a limited 10% change in density, all are shown to fail over greater ranges. The simple density relation presented here should be useful in clarifying and reducing complexity of theory applied to liquid structure

Biochar Derived from Cotton Fiber Feedstock: Characterization of Material and Potential for Adsorptive Capacity

Introduction Anthropogenic contaminants in surface waters have increased in complexity as the use of chemicals in all sectors of society has grown [1]. Water scarcity and quality issues will require robust, low-cost, and sustainable solutions. Biochars are particularly compelling as adsorptive solids because they repurpose wastes [2, 3] from other industries and are often carbon neutral, if not carbon negative. Cotton is the most common cellulosic fiber on the global fiber market, and as such, a significant contributor to municipal waste streams [4]. This research investigates the use of undyed, unbleached, 100% cotton muslin fabric as the fuel for making biochar to determine the feasibility of sourcing cotton fabric waste as biochar feedstock

Direct Laser Sintering of Metals

The use of a directed laser bealn source to selectively sinter multiple layers of binderless metal powder for the purposes of rapid prototyping is described. The work in this paper is restricted to -325 mesh iron powder, which was sintered using a C\V 50 W Nd:YAG laser to approximately 3.5% density. A subsequent post-treatlnent was perfornled to achieve a fully dense saulple. It is envisioned that such a system can be used to manufacture functional metallic prototypes directly from CAD without part-specific tooling.Mechanical Engineerin

Financing, fire sales, and the stockholder wealth effects of asset divestiture announcements

We thank Dimitris Andriosopoulos, Leonidas Barbopoulos, Robert Faff, Russell Gregory-Allan, Krishna Paudyal, Amandeep Sahota, Jianren Xu, participants at the 2015 European Accounting Association Annual Congress (Glasgow), 2015 Financial Management Association European Conference (Venice), 2015 Financial Management Association Annual Meeting (Orlando), and seminar participants at the University of Strathclyde for helpful comments on earlier versions of this work. We also thank Martin Kemmitt for helpful research assistance. All errors remain our own.Peer reviewedPostprin

Thoughts on financial derivatives, systematic risk, and central banking: a review of some recent developments

This paper critically reviews the literature examining the role of central banks in addressing systemic risk. We focus on how the growth in derivatives markets might affect that role. Analysis of systemic risk policy is hampered by the lack of a consensus theory of systemic risk. We propose a set of criteria that theories of systemic risk should satisfy, and we critically discuss a number of theories proposed in the literature. We argue that concerns about systemic effects of derivatives appear somewhat overstated. In particular, derivative markets do not appear unduly prone to systemic disturbances. Furthermore, derivative trading may increase informational efficiency of financial markets and provide instruments for more effective risk management. Both of these effects tend to reduce the danger of systemic crises. However, the complexity of derivative contracts (in particular, their high implicit leverage and nonlinear payoffs) do complicate the process of regulatory oversight. In addition, derivatives may make the conduct of monetary policy more difficult. Most theories of systemic risk imply a critical role for central banks as the ultimate provider of liquidity. However, the countervailing danger of moral hazard must be recognized and addressed through vigilant supervision.Banks and banking, Central ; Derivative securities ; Risk

Precise measurement of semiconductor laser chirp using effect of propagation in dispersive fiber and application to simulation of transmission through fiber gratings

Measurements of small-signal intensity modulation from direct-modulated distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers after propagation in dispersive fiber have previously been used to extract intrinsic laser chirp parameters such as linewidth enhancement factor and crossover frequency. Here, we demonstrate that the simple rate equations do not satisfactorily account for the frequency response of real DFB lasers and describe some experimental techniques that conveniently determiner the precise laser chirp. Implications for simulation of high-speed lightwave systems are also considered

What caused what? A quantitative account of actual causation using dynamical causal networks

Actual causation is concerned with the question "what caused what?" Consider a transition between two states within a system of interacting elements, such as an artificial neural network, or a biological brain circuit. Which combination of synapses caused the neuron to fire? Which image features caused the classifier to misinterpret the picture? Even detailed knowledge of the system's causal network, its elements, their states, connectivity, and dynamics does not automatically provide a straightforward answer to the "what caused what?" question. Counterfactual accounts of actual causation based on graphical models, paired with system interventions, have demonstrated initial success in addressing specific problem cases in line with intuitive causal judgments. Here, we start from a set of basic requirements for causation (realization, composition, information, integration, and exclusion) and develop a rigorous, quantitative account of actual causation that is generally applicable to discrete dynamical systems. We present a formal framework to evaluate these causal requirements that is based on system interventions and partitions, and considers all counterfactuals of a state transition. This framework is used to provide a complete causal account of the transition by identifying and quantifying the strength of all actual causes and effects linking the two consecutive system states. Finally, we examine several exemplary cases and paradoxes of causation and show that they can be illuminated by the proposed framework for quantifying actual causation.Comment: 43 pages, 16 figures, supplementary discussion, supplementary methods, supplementary proof