The tartan tax versus other revenue-raising options

Much has already been written about the devolved Scottish Parliament's Tartan Tax-varying powers (for example Blow et al. 1996, Darby et al. 2002, Heald and Geaughan 1996 and 1999, Heald et al. 1998, Heald and McLeod 2002, McGregor et al. 1997, Midwinter 2002, Muscatelli 2001, SPICe 2002). Much less has been written about other revenue raising options and it is the contention of this paper that the focus of attention on Tartan Tax-varying powers has been misplaced

Page composer to translate binary electrical data to optical form

Composer converts binary data to optical form for storage as hologram. Device consists of an array of deformable metal membranes controlled by MOSFET's. Device is fast, produces high contrast ratios, does not degrade with extended use, and can be addressed from diverse angles

Studies of low-energy ionic collisions Final report, 1 Oct. 1965 - 30 Sep. 1967

Ionic-molecular collisions, and collision induced dissociation of ion

Electromagnetic wave energy conversion research

Known electromagnetic wave absorbing structures found in nature were first studied for clues of how one might later design large area man-made radiant-electric converters. This led to the study of the electro-optics of insect dielectric antennae. Insights were achieved into how these antennae probably operate in the infrared 7-14um range. EWEC theoretical models and relevant cases were concisely formulated and justified for metal and dielectric absorber materials. Finding the electromagnetic field solutions to these models is a problem not yet solved. A rough estimate of losses in metal, solid dielectric, and hollow dielectric waveguides indicates future radiant-electric EWEC research should aim toward dielectric materials for maximum conversion efficiency. It was also found that the absorber bandwidth is a theoretical limitation on radiant-electric conversion efficiency. Ideally, the absorbers' wavelength would be centered on the irradiating spectrum and have the same bandwith as the irradiating wave. The EWEC concept appears to have a valid scientific basis, but considerable more research is needed before it is thoroughly understood, especially for the complex randomly polarized, wide band, phase incoherent spectrum of the sun. Specific recommended research areas are identified

A holistic multimodal approach to the non-invasive analysis of watercolour paintings

A holistic approach using non-invasive multimodal imaging and spectroscopic techniques to study the materials (pigments, drawing materials and paper) and painting techniques of watercolour paintings is presented. The non-invasive imaging and spectroscopic techniques include VIS-NIR reflectance spectroscopy and multispectral imaging, micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The three spectroscopic techniques complement each other in pigment identification. Multispectral imaging (near infrared bands), OCT and micro-Raman complement each other in the visualisation and identification of the drawing material. OCT probes the microstructure and light scattering properties of the substrate while XRF detects the elemental composition that indicates the sizing methods and the filler content . The multiple techniques were applied in a study of forty six 19th century Chinese export watercolours from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to examine to what extent the non-invasive analysis techniques employed complement each other and how much useful information about the paintings can be extracted to address art conservation and history questions

Development of dispersion strengthened nickel-chromium alloy (Ni-Cr-ThO2) sheet for space shuttle vehicles, part 2

Two dispersion strengthened nickel base alloy systems were developed for use at temperatures up to 1204 C(2200 F); TD nickel chromium (TDNiCr) and TD nickel chromium aluminum (TDNiCrA1). They are considered candidate materials for use on the thermal protection systems of the space shuttle and for long term use in aircraft gas turbine engine applications. Improved manufacturing processes were developed for the fabrication of TDNiCr sheet and foil to specifications. Sheet rolling process studies and extrusion studies were made on two aluminum containing alloys: Ni-16%Cr-3.5%A1-2%ThO2 and Ni-16%Cr-5.0%A12%ThO2. Over 1600 kg.(3500 lb.) of plate, sheet, foil, bar and extrusion products were supplied to NASA Centers for technology studies

Evaluation of a ln tan integral arising in quantum field theory

We analytically evaluate a dilogarithmic integral that is prototypical of volumes of ideal tetrahedra in hyperbolic geometry. We additionally obtain new representations of the Clausen function Cl_2 and the Catalan constant G=Cl_2(\pi/2), as well as new relations between sine and Clausen function values.Comment: 24 pages, no figure

History of Virginia\u27s Commercial Fisheries: neglected historical records throw light on today\u27s problems

As the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery made their way through Hampton Roads and up the James River toward Jarnestown in 1607, they traversed a 15-mile stretch of water that was to play an important part in the history and economy of Virginia. Beneath these pleasant waters, and sometimes forming reefs that were awash at low tide, lay the most prolific natural oyster beds in the world. Three hundred and fiftv years later these grounds still provide the seed that makes Virginia\u27s oyster industry supreme, producing about one-quarter of the nation\u27s supply of these delicious mollusks. Had they been free to harvest at will the oysters and other seafoods that were so abundant round these shores, the colonists might have escaped some of the dietary troubles that contributed to their hardships. But ignorance, lack of self-interest, and other things conspired to deny these benefits to them. Today, though ignorance and self-interest still hamper the full utilization and management of these resources, we can see ever-increasing improvement. Despite dire predictions to the contrary, these resources have continued to renew themselves, and there is no reason why they should not do so forever if exploited wisely