Derivatives clearing and settlement: a comparison of central counterparties and alternative structures

Most exchange-traded and some over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives are cleared and settled through clearinghouses that function as central counterparties (CCPs). Most OTC derivatives are settled bilaterally. This article discusses how these alternative mechanisms affect the functioning of derivatives markets and describes some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.Banks and banking, Central ; Derivative securities ; Clearinghouses (Banking)

Results from a randomized, controlled trial on efficacy and tolerability of a 5% Lidocaine-Medicated Plaster vs. Pregabalin in patients with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) and Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy (DPN) [poster]

No abstract available

Elevated temperature fatigue of TZC MOLYBDENUM alloy under high frequency and high vacuum conditions

Elevated temperature fatigue of TZC molybdenum alloy determined in high frequency and high vacuum test

Results from a randomized, controlled trial on efficacy and tolerability of a 5% Lidocaine-Medicated Plaster vs. Pregabalin in patients with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) and Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy (DPN) [poster]

No abstract available

Graphene Oxidation: Thickness Dependent Etching and Strong Chemical Doping

Patterned graphene shows substantial potential for applications in future molecular-scale integrated electronics. Environmental effects are a critical issue in a single layer material where every atom is on the surface. Especially intriguing is the variety of rich chemical interactions shown by molecular oxygen with aromatic molecules. We find that O2 etching kinetics vary strongly with the number of graphene layers in the sample. Three-layer-thick samples show etching similar to bulk natural graphite. Single-layer graphene reacts faster and shows random etch pits in contrast to natural graphite where nucleation occurs at point defects. In addition, basal plane oxygen species strongly hole dope graphene, with a Fermi level shift of ~0.5 eV. These oxygen species partially desorb in an Ar gas flow, or under irradiation by far UV light, and readsorb again in an O2 atmosphere at room temperature. This strongly doped graphene is very different than graphene oxide made by mineral acid attack.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

Arkansas\u27 Incendiary Wildfire Record: 1983-1987

All wildfire reports from lands protected by the Arkansas Forestry Commission for the calendar years 1983 through 1987 were studied. The number of wildfires steadily increased from 2,185 in 1983 to 4,150 in 1987, burning a total of 27,146 hectares in 1987. Incendiarism on forested lands in 1987 comprised 77% of the total fires and 84% of the area burned. Incendiarism was responsible for 40% of all fires and 60% of the area burned in 1983, but increased to 54% of all fires and 69% of the area burned in 1987. In 1987, 80% of all incendiary fires on industry lands were started by local residents. Most incendiary fires occurred on Class 3 (52%) and Class-2 (27%) fire-danger class-days. More incendiary fires (64%) occurred during the spring fire season (January through June). The general public reported 66% the non-incendiary fires, but only 56% of the incendiary-caused fires. Implications of these findings for wildfire prevention programs are discussed

Anatomic site of application of ice-nucleating active bacteria affects supercooling in the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Most overwintering insects do not survive internal freezing and must avoid low temperatures or enhance the capacity of their body fluids to supercool to survive low temperature exposure. Recent reports have demonstrated that the application of ice-nucleating active microorganisms markedly diminishes supercooling. Topical application of as little as 20 ppm of a suspension of a freeze-dried preparation of the ice-nucleating active bacterium Pseudomonas syringae van Hall was sufficient to elevate the mean supercooling point of the overwintering adults of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), from −8.7 to −4.7°C. Previous reports have demonstrated that topical application of these biological ice nucleators to insects whose mouths have been sealed still reduces supercooling capacity; however, the anatomical route by which these agents make contact with body water is unclear. Application of the P. syringae suspension to the ventral abdomen did not significantly increase the supercooling point (−5.5°C) compared with beetles treated with the non-ice-nucleating active (control) bacterium Escherichia coli (Migula). However, application of the ice-nucleating agent to the thoracic spiracle, ventral cervix, or abdominal spiracle elevated supercooling point values above those of beetles treated on the ventral abdomen. These data are instructive in the development of methods for the use of ice-nucleating active microorganisms for the biological control of overwintering pests

Magnetic phase transition in V2O3 nanocrystals

V2O3 nanocrystals can be synthesized through hydrothermal reduction of VO(OH)2 using hydrazine as a reducing agent. Addition of different ligands to the reaction produces nanoparticles, nanorods and nanoplatelets of different sizes. Small nanoparticles synthesized in this manner show suppression of the magnetic phase transition to lower temperatures. Using muon spin relaxation spectroscopy and synchrotron x-ray diffraction, it is determined that the volume fraction of the high-temperature phase, characterized by a rhombohedral structure and paramagnetism, gradually declines with decreasing temperature, in contrast to the sharp transition observed in bulk V2O3.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure