Tournament Sequences and Meeussen Sequences

A "tournament sequence" is an increasing sequence of positive integers (t_1,t_2,...) such that t_1=1 and t_{i+1} <= 2 t_i. A "Meeussen sequence" is an increasing sequence of positive integers (m_1,m_2,...) such that m_1=1, every nonnegative integer is the sum of a subset of the {m_i}, and each integer m_i-1 is the sum of a unique such subset. We show that these two properties are isomorphic. That is, we present a bijection between tournament and Meeussen sequences which respects the natural tree structure on each set. We also present an efficient technique for counting the number of tournament sequences of length n, and discuss the asymptotic growth of this number. The counting technique we introduce is suitable for application to other well-behaved counting problems of the same sort where a closed form or generating function cannot be found.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure. Minor changes only; final version as published in EJ

The Role of Management Behavior in Agricultural Cooperatives

Mintzburg’s managerial working role model is used to explore the ways roles and behavior of the general manager of a user-oriented firm differ from those of the manager of an investor-owned firm (IOF). It is argued that, in the roles of conflict resolution, resource allocation, information spokesperson, and leadership, the challenges of a user-oriented manager are not only significantly different but often more difficult. It is concluded that managers comfortable with complexity; technical-operation, people-oriented resource allocation; multi-stakeholder communication; and with strong coalition- building skills are most successful in user-oriented organizations.Agribusiness,

AGRIBUSINESS IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY: CHALLENGES FOR AN EVOLVING PROFESSION

Agribusiness,

Gravitational Coset Models

The algebra A(D-3)+++ dimensionally reduces to the E(D-1) symmetry algebra of (12-D)-dimensional supergravity. An infinite set of five-dimensional gravitational objects trivially embedded in D-dimensions is constructed by identifying the null geodesic motion on cosets embedded in the generalised Kac-Moody algebra A(D-3)+++. By analogy with supergravity these are bound states of dual gravitons. The metric interpolates continuously between exotic gravitational solutions generated by the action of the Geroch group but is not a continuously transforming solution of the Einstein-Hilbert action. We investigate mixed-symmetry fields in the brane sigma model, identify actions for the full interpolating bound state and understand the obstruction to the bound state being a solution of the Einstein-Hilbert action.Comment: 46 page

Soluplus solutions as thermothickening materials for topical drug delivery.

Soluplus is a pharmaceutical excipient used primarily in the manufacture of solid dispersions. The polymer also exhibits interesting rheology in aqueous solution, increasing in viscosity as the solution is warmed. This material could have application topical drug delivery to sites including the skin, vagina, rectum or nasal mucosa, where the increase in viscosity allows for improved retention. However, there exists very little information surrounding this “thermothickening” phenomenon and the effect of solution composition on temperature-dependent rheology. In this study, the effect of soluplus concentration, salt inclusion, ethanol addition, and pH on temperature-dependent rheology was measured. The rheology of the solutions was unaffected by pH over the range tolerated by the skin (pH 4–7), but the inclusion of ethanol rapidly negated the thermothickening effect. “Salting out” of the solutions resulted in a depression of gelation temperatures, and an increase in both storage and loss moduli of the solutions. 30% (w/v) soluplus in 1 M NaCl or KCl was identified as a potential thermothickening agent for topical drug delivery.Peer reviewe

Sharing the burden: monetary and fiscal responses to a world liquidity trap

With integrated trade and financial markets, a collapse in aggregate demand in a large country can cause "natural real interest rates" to fall below zero in all countries, giving rise to a global "liquidity trap." This paper explores the optimal policy response to this type of shock, when governments cooperate on both fiscal and monetary policy. Adjusting to a large negative demand shock requires raising world aggregate demand, as well as redirecting demand towards the source (home) country. ; The key feature of demand shocks in a liquidity trap is that relative prices respond perversely. A negative shock causes an appreciation of the home terms of trade, exacerbating the slump in the home country. At the zero bound, the home country cannot counter this shock. Because of this, it may be optimal for the foreign policymaker to raise interest rates. ; Strikingly, the foreign country may choose to have a positive policy interest rate, even though its natural real interest rate is below zero. A combination of relatively tight monetary policy in the foreign country combined with substantial fiscal expansion in the home country achieves the desired mix in terms of the level and composition of world expenditure. Thus, in response to conditions generating a global liquidity trap, there is a critical mutual interaction between monetary and fiscal policy.Monetary policy ; Fiscal policy ; Interest rates

The Internal Organization of the Cooperative Firm: An Extension of a New Institutional Digest

Agribusiness,

Lessons from Community Entrepreneurship: The Concept of Spawning

Capital-constrained cooperatives are being challenged by producer-members to provide vertical integration opportunities. We find evidence producer groups are utilizing an investment strategy described as spawning. Producer-investors familiar with a particular organizational form and who have developed joint investment networks were more apt to invest in newly spawned ventures.Spawning, Collective Entrepreneurship, Cooperative Development, Community/Rural/Urban Development,