New Financial Realities: The Response of Private Foundations

Reviews the causes of the 2008 financial crisis and its impact on private foundations, proposes a framework for analyzing the sector, offers lessons learned on endowment management, and examines the implications for spending plans and program strategies

Effectiveness of a Rigid Grate for Excluding Pacific Halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis, From Groundfish Trawl Catches

A rigid grate was installed in a groundfish trawl to test its effectiveness in excluding Pacific halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis, from commercial flatfish catches in the Gulf of Alaska. The grate was located ahead of the trawl codend to direct halibut toward an escape opening while allowing target species to pass through toward the codend. In an experimental fishery, the escape rate of halibut was estimated at 94%, while 72% of the Dover sole, Microstomas pacificus, 67% of the rex sole, Glyptocephalus zachirus, and 79% of the flathead sole, Hippoglossoides elassodon, were retained

Notions of Regularity for Functions of a Split-Quaternionic Variable

Notions of a "holomorphic" function theory for functions of a split-quaternionic variable have been of recent interest. We describe two found in the literature and show that one notion encompasses a small class of functions, while the other gives a richer collection. In the second instance, we describe a simple subclass of functions and give two examples of an analogue of the Cauchy-Kowalewski extension in this context

Classical electron mass and fields 2

Continued here is the development of a model of the electron (HYDRA), which includes rotational and magnetic terms. The atomic electron state is discussed and a comparison is made with a simple harmonic oscillator. Experimental data is reviewed that supports the possibility of a new lepton

Experimental evaluation of candidate graphical microburst alert displays

A piloted flight simulator experiment was conducted to evaluate issues related to the display of microburst alerts on electronic cockpit instrumentation. Issues addressed include display clarity, usefulness of multilevel microburst intensity information, and whether information from multiple sensors should be presented separately or 'fused' into combined alerts. Nine active airline pilots of 'glass cockpit' aircraft participated in the study. Microburst alerts presented on a moving map display were found to be visually clear and useful to pilots. Also, multilevel intensity information coded by colors or patterns was found to be important for decision making purposes. Pilot opinion was mixed on whether to 'fuse' data from multiple sensors, and some resulting design tradeoffs were identified. The positional information included in the graphical alert presentation was found useful by the pilots for planning lateral missed approach maneuvers, but may result in deviations which could interfere with normal airport operations. A number of flight crew training issues were also identified

Alert generation and cockpit presentation for an integrated microburst alerting system

Alert generation and cockpit presentation issues for low level wind shear (microburst) alerts are investigated. Alert generation issues center on the development of a hazard criterion which allows integration of both ground based and airborne wind shear detection systems to form an accurate picture of the aviation hazard posed by a particular wind shear situation. A methodology for the testing of a hazard criteria through flight simulation has been developed, and has been used to examine the effectiveness and feasibility of several possible criteria. Also, an experiment to evaluate candidate graphical cockpit displays for microburst alerts using a piloted simulator has been designed

Rethinking the Management of Foundation Endowments

Reviews the performance of foundation endowments since October 2007, lessons for investors, trends in endowment management models, and the strengths and weaknesses of five models. Recommends ways to make the most of investment consultants

How Stressed Are Wisconsin Cities and Villages?

For the fourth time since 1997, a web-based survey of fiscal health was administered to administrative officials of Wisconsin cities and villages during the summer of 2010. A total of 195 municipalities responded to the survey. Of those administrative officials responding, 53 percent reported that their current revenue base was inadequate and more than 62 percent responded that their fiscal condition in five years will be inadequate. Some of the strategies most actively pursued in response to fiscal stress include the adoption or increase in user fees and charges, improved productivity through better management and pursuit of grants from federal/state governments. Strategies least likely to be pursued include laying off workers, increasing short-term debt and reducing hours of operation.