Modelling monetary transmission in UK manufacturing industry

This paper studies the transmission of monetary policy to industrial output in the UK. In order to capture asymmetries, a system of threshold equations is considered. However, unlike previous research, endogenous threshold parameters are allowed to be different for each equation. This approach is consistent with economic intuition and is shown to be of tangible importance after suitable econometric evaluation. Results show evidence of cross-sectional differences across industries and asymmetries in some sectors. These findings contribute to the debate about the importance of alternative economic theories to explain these asymmetries and support the use of a sectorally disaggregated approach to the analysis of monetary transmission

Site, rate and extent of starch digestion in weaning infants

BACKGROUND The colon is believed to salvage energy from unabsorbed starch especially when the capacity of the small intestine to digest it is limited. The extent to which this occurs is not known.AIMS The aim of this thesis was to determine site and relative extent of starch digestion and fermentation in young children using the individual and combined approaches of stable isotope breath tests and in vitro stool fermentation models.STABLE ISOTOPE BREATH TEST METHODS Thirteen children (10m, 3f), median (range) age 11.8 mo (7.6 -22.7 mo), took a starchy breakfast containing ¹³C labelled wheat flour following an overnight fast. Duplicate breath samples were obtained before breakfast and every 30 min for 12 h. Breath ¹³CO₂ enrichment was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry and results were expressed as percentage dose recovered (PDR) for each 30 min. PDR data were analysed and mathematically curve fitted either assuming a constant estimate of CO₂ production rate or adjusted for physical activity.STABLE ISOTOPE BREATH TEST RESULTS Mean ± SD cumulative ¹³C PDR (cPDR) at 12 h was 21.3% ± 8.4% for unadjusted data and 26.5% ± 11.6% for adjusted data. A composite fit of two curves fitted significantly better than a single curve. Curve fitting allowed estimation of cPDRs of small intestine (17.5% ± 6.5% and 22.7% ± 9.3% for unadjusted and adjusted data respectively) and colon (4.6% ± 2.9% and 6.3% ± 5.4 %). From these results it is speculated that the colon may account for up to 20% of starch digestion in young children.IN VITRO COLONIC FERMENTATION METHODS A simulated colonic environment was used to account for the fate of raw and cooked starch that was fermented in the colon of young children. A slurry was prepared from faecal samples of 6 infants (7 - 10 mo), 6 toddlers (16 - 21 mo) and 7 adults (24 - 56 years). Each slurry was anaerobically incubated with raw or cooked maize starch in MacCartney bottles in a shaking water bath. Parallel incubations were stopped at 4 and 24 h. The headspace gas volume was analysed for CO₂ and methane. The culture supernatant was analyzed for the volatile short chain fatty acids acetate, propionate and butyrate (SCFA), lactate and residual starch.IN VITRO COLONIC FERMENTATION RESULTS There was a decreasing trend of SCFA production with age at 4 h which was not evident at 24 h. At 4 h, toddler stools produced the most CO₂ followed by infants and then adults, but this trend was not seen at 24 h. Methane was detected in 3 adults only. Lactate was detected mainly at 4 h in children only. The production of SCFA at 4 h generally declined with age but the differences at 24 h were less marked, suggesting fermentation is a more rapid process in young children than in adults. A highly efficient energy salvage process may take place in the colon of young children.CALCULATIONS USING BOTH DATA SETS AND CONCLUSIONS Using data from studies described in both parts of the dissertation, it has been possible to derive stoichiometric equations for the whole gut digestion of starch, and thereby calculate its potential energy. There are a number of limitations to the methodology and from assumptions that have been made, but this provides an attractive means to calculate relative roles of small intestine and colon to starch digestion in young children which in turn may form the scientific basis for nutritional advice given to mothers

A Qualitative Case Study of a Transitional Program for Students In Middle School as They Transition to High School

Every school year, many U.S. students prepare to make the transition from being a middle school student to becoming a high school student. School transitions happen regularly and can be considered predictable. As students transition to high school, there are more challenges such as school work and peer influence. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of students who participate in a transition program as they transition from middle school to high school. Also, this study explored the perceptions of teachers who participated in the transition programs. The population of this study consisted of students who were enrolled in a rural school district, which has a total student population of 500, in South Carolina who have participated in a transition program. The sample of this study was purposeful sampling of eight students who have participated in a transition program, as well as a purposeful sample of five staff who have worked with students in the transition program. An overall conclusion of the findings revealed the students enjoyed the transition program as it provided additional resources for students and access to additional clubs that provided structure and the ability to develop connections with peers. The staff found the transitional program beneficial to all students to help improve student success. Recommendations for future research include conducting all interviews in person, interviewing students and staff who have not participated in the transition program, and interviewing principals and superintendents. Program directors’ should develop a curriculum plan that students will follow and schools should seek funding to assist with proving transportation to students to attend the transitional program. Keywords: bridge program, transition program, low socioeconomic background, focus groups, administrator

Estate Planning for the Man with a Business

One of the most challenging situations in the estate planning field is presented by an individual who owns all or a substantial part of a business, be it a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. The problem is how to transfer the business interest to the objects of the owner\u27s bounty with as little reduction in capital and loss of income as possible. Under our present tax structure, without careful estate planning, or perhaps even with it, the death of a founder or chief executive of a closely held business is apt to destroy or greatly reduce its value. While this is especially true of professional or other personal service enterprises, it is also true of businesses such as manufacturing concerns, where capital is a major factor and where, accordingly, it might be expected that the value of the business would be capable of being transferred over to the heirs of the deceased owner. The heavy bite of death taxes, federal and state, and the other “costs of dying” represent a major threat to a family fortune founded on a closely held business

Applying scanning probe microscopy for the investigation of molecular self-assembly mechanisms and properties of designed nanomaterials

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for conducting surface characterizations of nanomaterials and molecular self-assembly processes is emerging as an important contribution in nanotechnology, especially towards the design of molecular electronic devices. Another area of importance is the characterization of the properties of nanomaterials for fundamental understanding of structure-function inter-relationships. Understanding the properties and behavior of molecules and finding approaches to control surface self-organization through nanolithography provides essential information for the development of workable applications for nanotechnology. This dissertation describes the methodologies of AFM for characterizing molecules and nanostructures produced with scanning probe lithography (SPL). Automated software for nanografting and nanoshaving produce local nanopatterned surfaces with properties that can be tailored by selected head group chemistries of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Nanografting controls the vertical orientation of n-alkanethiols or á,ù-alkanedithiols to exclusively generate layers with a standing-up configuration. Reactive head groups of SAMs, such as carboxyl and thiol groups, also have a role in surface self-assembly, and changes in experimental parameters of concentration are shown to generate thin films of double layers on Au(111). The second part of this dissertation presents the application of AFM for characterization of the arrangement, morphology, and properties of systems of nanopigments and magnetic metal nanoparticles. For thin films of organic dye dispersions composed of pigment nanoparticles, the stability and spectral properties were examined using AFM as well as other established analytical techniques. Changes in surface aggregation are clearly revealed in the AFM results. The study of magnetic properties of metal nanoparticles is a new direction for AFM investigations, which involves characterizing the magnetic response at the level of single nanoparticle measurements. Mapping the magnetic response of synthesized magnetic iron, nickel, and iron(III)-nickel nanoparticles was accomplished using a hybrid AFM imaging mode termed magnetic sample modulation (MSM). Corresponding changes in size versus the amplitude of vibrational response were clearly detected using MSM mode for nanoparticles as small as 1 nm in diameter. Changes to experimental parameters, such as driving frequency and AC electromagnetic field strength, were systematically investigated with MSM to evaluate the selectivity, sensitivity, and detection thresholds for sample characterizations

J. M. E. McTaggart's critique of the idea of God

This item was digitized by the Internet Archive. Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universityhttps://archive.org/details/jmemctaggartscri00cop