Book Review: \u3ci\u3eHindu-Catholic Encounters in Goa: Religion, Colonialism, and Modernity\u3c/i\u3e

A book review of Hindu-Catholic Encounters in Goa: Religion, Colonialism, and Modernity, by Alexander Henn

Electrostatic measurement system

A system for and method of contact-electrifying a dielectric to determine its electrostatic properties is described. The dielectric is placed in contact with a contact plate means, and connected to a voltage source means to charge the contact plate and to contact-electrify the dielectric. The contact plate means is disconnected from the voltage source and a charge sensor means monitors the rate of decay of the charge on the dielectric. If a conductive path from the contact plate to ground is desired, a lead may be connected between the conductor and ground. Automatic timing and charge monitoring are preferred for maximum accuracy, especially where dielectrics treated with antistatic agents are tested

Combined docking and grasping device

A combined docking and grasping device for use with a manipulator arm on a docking vehicle and the like for mechanically connecting a docking vehicle with an orbital payload having a receptacle for receiving the device is described. The device includes a pair of opposing jaw members having opposing serrated surfaces for grasping an object and a triangular cam portion on an outer surface for insertion and interlocking with an orbital payload

Farmland Preservation and Differential Taxation: Evaluating Optimal Policy Under Conditions of Uncertainty

Differential property tax policy for farmland is often set under conditions of uncertainty and limited information regarding landowners' objective functions. This study examines optimal differential tax policy for a parcel of agricultural land facing uncertain development, identifying instances in which common farmland taxation policies may be non-optimal. Optimal tax rates are characterized given three possible causes of uncertain development: exogenous offers from developers, tax-related reductions in landowner wealth, and a combination of these factors. Model results indicate that underlying causes of uncertain development are critical when seeking to assess the optimality of differential taxation policies, and the use of a single, time-invariant differential tax levy is rarely optimal given uncertain development.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Radio Astrometry

The utilization of conventional and VLBI interferometer techniques for accurate determination of UTI, polar motion, and radio source position catalog data is discussed

The challenges of population aging : an international perspective

Population

A tough high performance composite matrix

This invention is a semi-interpenetrating polymer network which includes a high performance thermosetting polyimide having a nadic end group acting as a crosslinking site and a high performance linear thermoplastic polyimide. An improved high temperature matrix resin is provided which is capable of performing in the 200 to 300 C range. This resin has significantly improved toughness and microcracking resistance, excellent processability, mechanical performance and moisture and solvent resistances

Pneumatic inflatable end effector

The invention relates to an end effector device for robot or teleoperated type space vehicle which includes an inflatable balloon member carried on the end of tubular member which has a hollow center or conduit through which a suitable pressurized fluid is supplied. The device may be inserted into a variety of shaped openings or truss-type structures for handling in space

One Last Chance: The Economic Case for a New Approach to Fisheries Management in New England

Documents the decline of the New England fishing industry as a result of mismanagement, presents examples of successful and sustainable fisheries, and examines the viability of proposed community-based, fishermen-run cooperatives as a solution