Does Cash Flow Cause Investment and R&D: An Exploration Using Panel Data for French, Japanese, and United States Scientific Firms

The role of financial institutions and corporate governance in the conduct and performance of industrial firms, especially in the area of technological innovation and international competition has been hotly debated in the recent past. The results presented here are a contribution to the empirical evidence on the behavior of individual firms that exist in somewhat different institutional environments. Using a Panel Data version of the Vector Auto Regressive (VAR) methodology, we test for causal relationship among sales and cash flow on the one hand and investment and R&D on the other, using three large panels of firms in the scientific (high technology) sectors in the United States, France, and Japan. Our findings are that both investment and R&D are more highly sensitive to cash flow and sales in the United States than in France and Japan. Corresponding, both investment and R&D predict both cash flow and sales positively in the United States, while the impact is somewhat more mixed in the other countries.investment, R&D, panel data, international comparisons, cash flow, firm-level

Optimising nitrogen use in dairy farming : Evaluation of ruminal crude protein degradation and protein value of forages

A major goal of modern dairy farming is to decrease nitrogen inputs and increase efficiency of nitrogen utilisation by the dairy cow in order to minimise environmental pollution and save on expensive nitrogen supplements. Important steps in achieving this goal are to accurately assess and quantify ruminal degradation of feed protein as well as the amino acid supply and requirement of dairy cows. Quantifying these parameters, however, is challenging as current analytical methods are not sufficiently accurate and dietary crude protein (CP) is altered qualitatively and quantitatively by rumen microbes. The present study focussed on assessing the CP quality of fresh and conserved forages, in particular focussing on post rumen quality and quantity of undegraded feed CP and total CP passing to the intestines, where amino acid absorption occurs. The study has been divided into three sections. The first section describes an attempt to improve the accuracy of estimation of the proportion of feed CP escaping degradation in the rumen (RUP), using in situ and in vitro methods. The second section describes the recently developed modified Hohenheim gas test as a new, rapid and simple method of assessing the protein value (utilisable CP at the duodenum) of forages. The third section draws attention to how conservation methods could be employed to improve the protein value of forages: grass silage was pre-wilted to four levels of dry matter (DM: 20, 35, 50 and 65%) at two rates of moisture loss (fast, slow) and the effect on CP degradability, protein value and amino acid content was observed. Overall, the results of these studies were positive and progressive, whilst supporting results of other studies in showing that protein quality and supply from forages can be improved through methods used for conservation. Furthermore, the improvements to and standardisation of in vitro methods will aid in leading to higher levels of accuracy in estimating duodenal CP supply, thus reducing nitrogen emissions and optimising milk production, as well as presenting a range of other benefits such as reduced labour and financial expenditure and improved animal welfare through decreased requirement for experimental animals

PREMIS Requirement Statement Project Report

This is the report of the PRESTA Project, the objective of which was to develop a requirements specification for preservation metadata based on the PREMIS (PREservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies) final report, the Data Dictionary for Preservation Metadata

Voluntary municipal coalition--a case study in regional planning

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1986.MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCHBibliography: leaves 57-59.by Bronwyn Lee Davies Horvath.M.C.P

Scientific investigation into the water sensitivity of twentieth century oil paints

In order to develop a better understanding at the molecular level of water sensitivity in twentieth century oil paintings, water sensitive Winsor & Newton oil paint swatches and twentieth century oil paintings were characterised using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and direct injection electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and the data were analysed using principal component analysis. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry based on quadrupole and time of flight mass detectors and electrospray interface (HPLC-ESI-Q-ToF) was also used to obtain a better insight into the molecular composition of a selection of samples. The study highlights a strong relationship between the molecular composition of the binding medium and the type of pigment present in the paint, which relates to water sensitivity. Consistently non-water sensitive lead white, titanium white, and zinc white paints [all containing zinc oxide] contained a relatively low proportion of extractable diacids, and a relatively high proportion of extractable short chain monoacids. These paints also contained a relatively low level of unsaturated and hydroxylated glycerides. Water sensitive iron oxide and ultramarine paints are associated with both a relatively high degree of oxidation and a high proportion of extractable diacids, as well as a relatively high content of unsaturated and hydroxylated glycerides. Water sensitive cadmium red, yellow and orange paints were generally not highly oxidised, but they also contained a relatively high content of unsaturated and hydroxylated glycerides. It is hypothesised that water sensitivity relates to a low degree of saponification and crosslinking and possibly, on the relative content of dicarboxylic acids

Reviving WHAAM! a comparative evaluation of cleaning systems for the conservation treatment of Roy Lichtenstein's iconic painting

Abstract Roy Lichtenstein's Whaam! (1963) is an iconic artwork in Tate's collection (T00897). Over the past 50 years, the painting has been on almost continuous display and had accrued a layer of deposited soiling, which resulted in the dampening of Lichtenstein's vibrant colours and the masking of numerous subtleties across the painting surface. This paper outlines the design and execution of an optimal soiling removal strategy for this challenging work; utilising collaborative, practice-based research. The conservation treatment employed was derived through an iterative process that reflected and supported the conservation decision-making process. The research strands included: technical and art historical investigations to determine the materials and construction of Whaam! and to define the aims of the conservation treatment; preparation of accelerated aged and artificially soiled test (mock-up) paint samples based on contemporary equivalent materials and a comparative evaluation of a range of established and novel soil-removal systems, followed by further tailoring for use on the work of art. The range of cleaning systems evaluated included free-solvents, gels and emulsifiers; which were documented using star diagrams, digital microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. After a rigorous process of assessment and refinement, the strategy taken forward to Whaam! included the use of a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymeric hydrogel (Nanorestore Gel® Peggy 6), uploaded with tailored aqueous solutions. This process facilitated a low risk, controlled and even-removal of the soiling layer, enabling the successful treatment of this sensitive painting for the first time in the painting's history

Strength and Sprint Time Changes in Response to Repeated Shuttles Between the Wickets During Batting in Cricket

Christie CJ, Sheppard B, Goble D, Pote L, and Noakes TD. Strength and sprint time changes in response to repeated shuttles between the wickets during batting in cricket. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2018—No studies have investigated the impact of repeated sprints between the wickets on lower-limb strength and sprint performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess changes in knee extensor (EXT) and flexor (FLEX) strength after repeated sprints between the wickets and to relate these to changes in sprint times. Twenty batters completed 2 conditions: onewas high-volume running (HVR-twelve sprints per over) and the other, moderate-volume running (MVR-6 sprints per over) between the wickets (42 deliveries in both). Peak isokinetic torque was measured before and after each condition and sprint times were recorded. Eccentric and concentric peak torque decreased significantly (p , 0.05) at 1.05 rad˙s ̄1 for knee EXT in both conditions. There was an 18% (HVR) and 10% (MVR) decline in concentric and eccentric knee EXT peak torque. Peak FLEX torques were significantly (p , 0.05) reduced after HVR (16.7%) but not after the MVR condition (8%). There were similar declines in eccentric FLEX peak torque. Sprint times increased significantly (p , 0.05) during the HVR condition but not in the MVR condition; sprint times in the HVR condition were compromised as early as the third over. We conclude that a high volume of runs significantly reduces muscle function in the lower limbs, partly explaining the impairment in sprint performance. However, because batters slowed as early as the third over in the HVR condition, there may be some form of strategy used in anticipation of a higher overall workload. More middle wicket practices, focusing on repeat shuttle sprints while batting, should be included in the coaching program

LMDA Review, volume 9, issue 1

Contents include: Mid-Year Meetings, Words of Thanks from Jayme Koszyn Outgoing President of LMDA, Anne Cattaneo of Lincoln Center Theater Receives Dramaturgy Award, May I have the Envelope, Please?, Rent Settlement, On Advocacy, A VP is a VIP is a VP, LMDA Canada, Next Annual LMDA Conference, Early Career Dramaturg Program, Script Exchange, ATHE \u2799 Toronto Border to Board, ATHE \u2799 Toronto Debut Panel, ATHE \u27 99 Toronto Call for Directors, Actors, Dramaturgs for the New Play Development Workshop, Report on Last June\u27s Conference, Report on Last June\u27s Conference LMDA University Caucus Pre-Conference and Source Books, Minutes June 1998, LMDA Job Line, Job Listings, and the Membership Directory, LMDA Online, Supplement to the LMDA Bibliography, and Call for Papers Theatre Topics: Dramaturgy, Pedagogy, Performance.https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/lmdareview/1018/thumbnail.jp

Responsiveness to change of self-report and device-based physical activity measures in the Living Well with Diabetes trial

Background: This study evaluated the responsiveness to change in physical activity of 2 self-report measures and an accelerometer in the context of a weight loss intervention trial. Methods: 302 participants (aged 20 to 75 years) with type 2 diabetes were randomized into telephone counseling (n = 151) or usual care (n = 151) groups. Physical activity (minutes/week) was assessed at baseline and 6-months using the Active Australia Survey (AAS), the United States National Health Interview Survey (USNHIS) walking for exercise items, and accelerometer (Actigraph GT1M; >= 1952 counts/minute). Responsiveness to change was calculated as responsiveness index (RI), Cohen's d (postscores) and Cohen's d (change-scores). Results: All instruments showed significant improvement in the intervention group (P .05). Accelerometer consistently ranked as the most responsive instrument while the least responsive was the USHNIS (responsiveness index) or AAS (Cohen's d). RIs for AAS, USNHIS and accelerometer did not differ significantly and were, respectively: 0.45 (95% CI: 0.26-0.65); 0.38 (95% CI: 0.20-0.56); and, 0.49 (95% CI: 0.23-0.74). Conclusions: Accelerometer tended to have the highest responsiveness but differences were small and not statistically significant. Consideration of factors, such as validity, feasibility and cost, in addition to responsiveness, is important for instrument selection in future trial