Influence of Organic Structure Directing Agent Isomer Distribution on the Synthesis of SSZ-39

The aluminosilicate molecular sieve with the AEI framework topology (SSZ-39) is currently of great interest for use in a number of important applications such as exhaust gas NO_x reduction and the methanol-to-olefins reaction. It is likely that advances in the synthesis of this molecular sieve will be needed for applications to proceed. Here, dimethylpiperidine based organic structure directing agents (OSDAs) are used to prepare SSZ-39, and the influence of diastereo- and structural isomeric mixtures on the synthesis of SSZ-39 is reported. Although differences in the rates of molecular sieve formation as well as preferential isomer incorporation occur, the synthesis of SSZ-39 is possible over a wide range of isomeric mixtures. These findings demonstrate that the synthesis of SSZ-39 can be accomplished with OSDA isomer mixtures that naturally occur from the synthesis of the organic precursors used to prepare the OSDAs

The Scarcity Value of Treasury Collateral: Repo Market Effects of Security-Specific Supply and Demand Factors

In the repo market, forward agreements are security-specific (i.e., there are no deliverable substitutes), which makes it an ideal place to measure the value of fluctuations in a security's available supply. In this study, we quantify the scarcity value of Treasury collateral by estimating the impact of security-specific demand and supply factors on the repo rates of all the outstanding U.S. Treasury securities. Our results indicate the existence of an economically and statistically significant scarcity premium, especially for shorter-term securities. The estimated scarcity effect is quite persistent, seems to be reflected in the Treasury market prices, and could in part explain the flow-effects of the Fed's asset purchase programs. More generally, it provides additional evidence in favor of the scarcity channel of quantitative easing. These findings also suggest that, through the same mechanism, the Fed's reverse repo operations could help alleviate potential shortages of high-quality collateral

Shifting the Burden of Corporate Taxes Heterogeneity in Direct Wage Incidence

We contribute to the empirical literature on the effective incidence of corporate income taxation. We focus on the so-called direct incidence via the wage bargaining process. Building on the innovative framework of Arulampalam, Devereux and Maffini (2012), we analyze the importance of various dimensions of heterogeneity at the firm-level. In particular, we investigate the distinct effects of (i) firm size, (ii) level of profitability, and (iii) competition intensity across (iv) different economic sectors. Furthermore, we investigate the relative importance of the surrounding institutional setting. To this end, a firm-level within-country approach is pursued separately for two different economies, namely France and the United Kingdom, which can be regarded as polar cases with respect to the relevant features of the wage-setting process. However, in many respects, we find surprisingly similar results for both countries. Thereby, this paper also adds to the literature by providing new insights on the degree to which results from previous single-country studies can possibly be generalized.Die effektive Inzidenz der Körperschaftsteuer ist ein theoretisch wie empirisch kontroverses Thema. Das Paper leistet einen Beitrag zur empirischen Literatur und fokussiert dabei auf die sogenannte direkte Inzidenz über den Lohnverhandlungskanal. Aufbauend auf dem innovativen Ansatz von Arulampalam, Devereux und Maffini (2012) wird die Bedeutung von verschiedenen Dimensionen der Heterogenität auf der Firmenebene analysiert. Konkret wird erforscht, welchen Einfluss (i) Firmengröße, (ii) Profitabilität und (iii) Wettbewerbsintensität in (iv) verschiedenen Branchen auf das Ausmaß ausüben, in dem die Last der Körperschaftsteuer auf die Löhne der Beschäftigten überwälzt wird. Darüber hinaus wird untersucht, welche Relevanz dabei den institutionellen Gegebenheiten der Lohnverhandlungen zukommt. Dazu werden alle Analysen separat für Frankreich und das Vereinigte Königreich vollzogen, deren Volkswirtschaften mit Blick auf Arbeitsmarktinstitutionen als polare Fälle gelten können. Die jeweiligen Ergebnisse für die beiden Länder sind sich jedoch qualitativ wie quantitativ überraschend ähnlich. Insofern gibt die Studie auch einen Hinweis darauf, inwiefern die Ergebnisse aus auf einzelne Länder bezogene Studien zur effektiven Lohninzidenz der Körperschaftsteuer generalisiert werden können

An efficacy test of cholecalciferol plus diphacinone rodenticide baits for California voles (\u3ci\u3eMicrotus californicus\u3c/i\u3e Peale) to replace ineffective chlorophacinone baits

California voles cause damage to pastures and rangelands, orchards and nurseries, and a wide variety of field crops, including artichokes. The anticoagulant rodenticides (chlorophacinone and diphacinone) typically used for voles are becoming less effective in controlling their populations. Consequently, there is a need to identify new rodenticides that will have a high efficacy on California voles so that agricultural production losses to rodents can be substantially reduced. We tested a new formulation containing two active ingredients (cholecalciferol and diphacinone) as a control method for California voles. Both a pelleted bait and an oil-coated artichoke bract bait were very palatable and efficacious against wild-caught, captive California voles. Efficacy levels of 70%-80% were achieved in the two-choice feeding trials. Additionally, the days-to-death (5-6 days) were less than the time-to-death with anticoagulant only baits. We recommend that a field efficacy study be conducted with cholecalciferol plus diphacinone bait formulations to determine their field performance in the reduction of agricultural damage by California voles

Identifying possible alternative rodenticide baits to replace strychnine baits for pocket gophers in California

Rodents cause substantial damage to crops in California and rodenticides have been major tools for reducing that damage. While strychnine has been heavily relied upon to control pocket gophers in California, its future availability is in question because of increased import costs. We conducted efficacy trials with captive, wild-caught Botta\u27s pocket gophers to identify potential alternative rodenticides to strychnine. The rodenticide baits tested included three categories: acute rodenticides, first generation anticoagulant rodenticides, and combination rodenticides (containing an acute toxicant and an anticoagulant). There was a wide range of efficacies (0e100%) with these rodenticides. The first generation anticoagulants performed poorly, while a distinct regional variation in efficacy occurred with the strychnine and zinc phosphide baits. The combination baits performed the best overall, averaging 90% efficacy. We also reported on the average bait consumption and days-to-death for the various rodenticides tested. We discussed the potential advantages of combination baits and especially the potential for lower concentrations of active ingredients. Finally, we recommend that a field trial be conducted to determine the efficacy of the combination baits to control pocket gophers

New Rodenticides: An Update on Recent Research Trials

Rodents cause substantial amounts of damage and losses of foodstuffs around the world. While various methods are used to reduce damage and losses to rodents, rodenticides re-main the most important tool in the toolbox. However, like all tools, rodenticides have ad-vantages and disadvantages. Several considerations are shaping the future of rodenticide use. These include manufacturing and registration costs, concern about toxicity levels and non-target animal hazards, potential hazards to children, reduced effectiveness of some formulations, and humaneness to the targeted rodents. While there have been very few new developments in ro-denticides in the last several decades, new formulations and active ingredients need to be investi-gated so that these concerns can be addressed. We are conducting studies on some new materials: sodium nitrite, lower concentrations of zinc phosphide, and two-active ingredient formulations (cholecalciferol plus diphacinone). Preliminary results are promising with a number of rodent species. Some materials (sodium nitrite and zinc phosphide) have been encapsulated to avoid low palatability and bait shyness issues. Preliminary cage study results are presented as well as pro-posed future studies

Controlled Unclassified Information: Recommendations for Information Control Reform

Controlled Unclassified Information: Recommendations for Information Control Reform shines a light on how government withholds unclassified information from the American people and offers recommendations on how to balance the need to protect sensitive materials with the duty to disclose information to the public.The report walks the reader through some of the aspects of secrecy labeling and explains technical terms such as sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information and controlled unclassified information (CUI). The report also:Provides a brief history of secrecy labeling, including the origins of sensitive but unclassified informationExplores several critiques of information sharing in the secrecy labeling eraExplains efforts by the George W. Bush administration to streamline the secrecy labeling system through the implementation of a consolidated controlled unclassified information policyOffers recommendations to the Obama administration on how to minimize the use of controlled unclassified information labels while still safeguarding sensitive material

An Evaluation of Potential Repellents for Botta's Pocket Gopher

Pocket gophers are fossorial rodents that cause substantial damage to crops, reforestation, and property. We tested potential repellents to identify candidates to reduce irrigation tubing damage. We dipped carrot chunks in the test materials, using mineral oil as the solvent. Gophers prefer tuberous roots and, when kept in captivity, are often fed carrots as part of their maintenance diet. None of the materials tested proved effective as repellents, even at concentrations as high as 20% active ingredient or in combinations. Wood blocks soaked in a few of the repellents received nearly significantly less damage than the control blocks and could be looked at further as repellents. However, it appears that the quest for an effective gopher repellent will continue to elude researchers