Digital Commons Network^™

Arrow's Theorem And The Exclusive Shareholder Franchise, Grant M. Hayden, Matthew T. Bodie

All Faculty Scholarship

In this essay, we contest one of the main arguments for restricting corporate board voting to shareholders. In justifying the limitation of the franchise to shareholders, scholars have repeatedly turned to social choice theory—specifically, Arrow’s theorem—to justify the exclusive shareholder franchise. Citing to the theorem, corporate law commentators have argued that lumping different groups of stakeholders together into the electorate would result in a lack of consensus and, ultimately, the lack of coherence that attends intransitive social choices, perhaps even leading the corporation to self-destruct. We contend that this argument is misguided. First, we argue that scholars have greatly overestimated …

Shareholders In The Jury Box: A Populist Check Against Corporate Mismanagement, Ann M. Scarlett

All Faculty Scholarship

The recent subprime mortgage disaster exposed corporate officers and directors who mismanaged their corporations, failed to exercise proper oversight, and acted in their self-interest. Two previous waves of corporate scandals in this decade revealed similar misconduct. After the initial scandals, Congress and the Securities and Exchange Commission attempted to prevent the next crisis in corporate governance through legislative and regulatory actions such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Those attempts failed. Shareholder derivative litigation has also failed because judges accord corporate executives great deference and thus rarely impose liability for breaches of fiduciary duties.

To prevent the next crisis in …

Clawbacks: Prospective Contract Measures In An Era Of Excessive Executive Compensation And Ponzi Schemes, Miriam A. Cherry, Jarrod Wong

All Faculty Scholarship

In the spring of 2009, public outcry erupted over the multi-million dollar bonuses paid to AIG executives even as the company was receiving TARP funds. Various measures were proposed in response, including a 90% retroactive tax on the bonuses, which the media described as a "clawback." Separately, the term "clawback" was also used to refer to remedies potentially available to investors defrauded in the multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme run by Bernard Madoff. While the media and legal commentators have used the term "clawback" reflexively, the concept has yet to be fully analyzed. In this article, we propose a doctrine of …

Effect Of The Regiochemistry Of Butyl Amide Substituents On The Solution-State Structures Of Lanthanide(Iii) Dota-Tetraamide Complexes, Tomoyasu Mani, Gyula Tircsó, Piyu Zhao, A. Dean Sherry, Mark Woods

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The coordination geometry adopted by the lanthanide complexes of DOTA-tetraamides is a critical factor in determining their water exchange kinetics. Controlling the water exchange kinetics of DOTA-tetraamide complexes, and by extension their coordination geometry, is of particular interest because of the potential application of this class of complex as PARACEST MRI contrast agents. To facilitate the maximum CEST effect at the lowest pre-saturation powers much slower exchange kinetics are required than are commonly observed with these types of chelates. Complexes that adopt the more slowly exchanging square antiprismatic coordination geometry are therefore preferred; however, the factors that govern which coordination …

Exploring The Ph Dependence Of Viologen Reduction By Alpha-Carbon Radicals Derived From Hcy And Cys, Dong Wang, William E. Crowe, Robert M. Strongin, Martha Sibrian-Vazquez

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The colorimetric reaction of homocysteine (HCy) with a series of viologen salts suggests a linear correlation between the mid-point reduction potential of Hcy-derived α-carbon radicals and pH.

Optimising The Synthesis And Red–Green–Blue Emission Of A Simple Organic Dye, Martha Sibrian-Vazquez, Robert M. Strongin

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Synthetic dyes have been widely used in supramolecular chemistry not only to probe fundamental chemical interactions but also as components of functional materials. Most current efforts in this regard are directed at designing new host systems for the dyes. Herein we report on the study of a versatile new organic fluorophore. We describe a synthesis which affords improved yields in a convenient one pot procedure. Moreover, a simple method for predicting and controlling the dye’s responses to external stimuli affords a potentially practical method for achieving red–green–blue and concomitant white light generation.

Supporting Protocols For Structuring And Intelligent Information Dissemination In Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks, Filip Cuckov

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation is the presentation of supporting protocols for structuring and intelligent data dissemination in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). The protocols are intended to first introduce a structure in VANETs, and thus promote the spatial reuse of network resources. Segmenting a flat VANET in multiple cluster structures allows for more efficient use of the available bandwidth, which can effectively increase the capacity of the network. The cluster structures can also improve the scalability of the underlying communication protocols. The structuring and maintenance of the network introduces additional overhead. The aim is to provide a mechanism for …

High-Performance Broadcast And Multicast Protocols For Multi-Radio Multi-Channel Wireless Mesh Networks, Jun Wang

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Recently, wireless mesh networks (WMNs) have attracted much attention. A vast amount of unicast, multicast and broadcast protocols has been developed for WMNs or mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). First of all, broadcast and multicast in wireless networks are fundamentally different from the way in which wired networks function due to the well-known wireless broadcast/multicast advantage. Moreover, most broadcast and multicast protocols in wireless networks assume a single-radio single-channel and single-rate network model, or a generalized physical model, which does not take into account the impact of interference. This dissertation focuses on high-performance broadcast and multicast protocols designed for multi-radio …

Sensitive Detection Of Novel Effects And Characteristic Signal Structure Of Higher Harmonic Detection In Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy, Mohammad Amir Khan

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

We discuss experimental and theoretical results of absorption features of the oxygen A-band transitions when synchronous detection at higher harmonics using Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy (WMS) is performed. A key aspect of structure higher harmonic detection is discussed. It is shown that the signal magnitude and spectral locations of turning points and zero crossings of WMS signal demonstrate key signatures of collision dynamics of gaseous specie parameters and lineshape parameters. In addition, it is also shown that these salient features provide sensitive probes for any changes in the gas environment or lineshape parameters. We discuss several advantages and subtle physical effects …

Liposomes Recruit Ipac To The Shigella Flexneri Type Iii Secretion Apparatus Needle As A Final Step In Secretion Induction, C. R. Epler, Nicholas E. Dickenson, A. J. Olive, W. L. Picking, W. D. Picking

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Shigella flexneri contact with enterocytes induces a burst of protein secretion via its type III secretion apparatus (TTSA) as an initial step in cellular invasion. We have previously reported that IpaD is positioned at the TTSA needle tip (M. Espina et al., Infect. Immuno. 74:4391-4400, 2006). From this position, IpaD senses small molecules in the environment to control the presentation of IpaB to the needle tip. This step occurs without type III secretion induction or IpaC recruitment to the S. flexneri surface. IpaC is then transported to the S. flexneri surface when target cell lipids are added, and this event …

Transformée En Échelle De Signaux Stationnaires, Daniel Alpay, Mamadou Mboup

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Using the scale transform of a discrete time signal we define a new family of linear systems. We focus on a particular case related to function theory in the bidisk.

A Kinship-Based Modification Of The Armitage Trend Test To Address Hidden Population Structure And Small Differential Genotyping Errors, Cyril Rakovski, Daniel O. Stram

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background/Aims We propose a modification of the well-known Armitage trend test to address the problems associated with hidden population structure and hidden relatedness in genome-wide case-control association studies.

Methods The new test adopts beneficial traits from three existing testing strategies: the principal components, mixed model, and genomic control while avoiding some of their disadvantageous characteristics, such as the tendency of the principal components method to over-correct in certain situations or the failure of the genomic control approach to reorder the adjusted tests based on their degree of alignment with the underlying hidden structure. The new procedure is based on Gauss-Markov …

Transport Of Dust And Anthropogenic Aerosols Across Alexandria, Egypt, Hesham El-Askary, R. Farouk, C. Ichoku, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The flow of pollutants from Europe and desert dust to Europe from the Sahara desert both affects the air quality of the coastal regions of Egypt. As such, measurements from both ground and satellite observations assume great importance to ascertain the conditions and flow affecting the Nile Delta and the large city of Alexandria. We note that special weather conditions prevailing in the Mediterranean Sea result in a westerly wind flow pattern during spring and from North to South during the summer. Such flow patterns transport dust-loaded and polluted air masses from the Sahara desert and Europe, respectively, through Alexandria, …

Carbon Dioxide: Harmless, Ubiquitous, And Certainly Not A "Pollutant" Under A Liability Policy's Absolute Pollution Exclusion, J. Wylie Donald, Craig W. Davis

Seton Hall Law Review

No abstract provided.

An Enhanced Data Mining Life Cycle, Markus Hofmann, Brendan Tierney

Conference papers

Data mining projects are complex and can have a high failure rate. In order to improve project management and success rates of such projects a life cycle is vital to the overall success of the project. This paper reports on a research project that was concerned with the life cycle development for data mining projects, its team members and their role. The paper provides a detailed view of the design and development of the data mining life cycle called DMLC. The life cycle aims to support all members of data mining project teams as well as IT managers and academic …

Evaluation Of Mixed-Effects Modeling Techniques For The Analysis Of Longitudinal Data Collected From Pk-Pd And Efficacy Clinical Trials, Rajesh Narwal

Open Access Dissertations

Linear and non-linear mixed effects modeling techniques are of great importance for the analysis of repeated measure data collected from various pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic (PD) and efficacy clinical trial during drug development. Monte-Carlo simulations were used to evaluate and compare the properties of mixed-model for repeated measure (MMRM) to fixed-effects ANOVA. The methods were compared using three different response profiles, four types of correlation structures (unstructured, compound symmetry, autoregressive and Toeplitz) and three types of missing mechanisms (MCAR (missing completely at random), MAR (missing at random) and MNAR (missing not at random). The MMRM methods adequately controlled type-I error and provided …

Three Essays On Corporate Pension Underfunding, Securities Valuation And Market Efficiency, Ting Zhang

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three essays on corporate pension plan underfunding and securities valuation. The first essay presents evidence that sell-side stock analysts systematically underreact to pension underfunding information when they forecast firm earnings and such underreaction is associated with future stock returns. The second essay examines the effect of pension obligation overhang on ratings of a firm's bond issues with different seniority. It shows that both the level and changes of pension obligations have significant effects on bond ratings and bond liquidity of non-senior secured issues (including senior unsecured, senior subordinate, subordinate, and junior subordinate bonds), but have no …

Making Room For One Another: Practicing Dynamic And Designed Dialogicality In A Kindergarten Classroom, Gerri August

Open Access Dissertations

The territory of this critical ethnography lies at the intersection of democratic, transformative pedagogy and differences that made a difference in an urban kindergarten. It is an interpretation of a democratic, transformative educator responding to sociocultural differences that emerged in the classroom discourse. Often, such differences lead to otherization. This study interprets the constraints and possibilities that encouraged students to recognize and respect difference. The kindergarten classroom is interpreted in the framework of activity theory. Drawing largely on discourse analysis, this interpretation turns on the interplay between two primary elements in the activity system. The first is Zeke, the kindergarten …

On The Dynamics Of Oceanic Gap-Traversing Boundary Currents, Joseph J. Kuehl

Open Access Dissertations

Rotating-table laboratory experiments of oceanic gap-traversing boundary currents are considered. The experimental setup is designed to mimic a predominantly inertial boundary current, which impinges on a quasigeostrophic interior when encountering a gap in its supporting boundary. The current separates from the boundary, negotiates the gap and reattaches to the boundary. This is the case in oceanic situations such as the Kuroshio encountering the Luzon Strait and the Gulf Stream in the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. Observation of such regions have shown the current to either leap directly across the gap or penetrate into the gap, forming a loop …

Subseafloor Sulfate Reduction: Investigation Of An Unrecognized Pathway And Quantification Of Low Rates, Heather Nicole Schrum

Open Access Dissertations

Bacterially-catalyzed sulfate reduction is the dominant respiratory pathway in much of the deep subseafloor sediment, where it yields energy for a significant fraction of the Earth's total biomass. Sulfate reduction impacts the ecology of the deep biosphere, the biogeochemistry of sediment pore water and the global marine sulfur and carbon cycles. Chemical concentration profiles, thermodynamics, and sulfate isotopic compositions are a few of the methods used to determine the presence of sulfate reduction, its biochemical mechanisms, and the rates at which it occurs. By employing these methods we show that a previously unrecognized sulfate reduction pathway is likely to occur …

A Quantitative Study Of The Summer Slide In Science Of Elementary School Students, Giovanna Guadagno Donoyan

Open Access Dissertations

Concerned parents and educators agree children learn best when the rhythm of instruction is continuous with practice and application of skills. Long summer breaks may interrupt the flow of formal school learning leading some students to forget previous instruction. A review of the previous school work is generally required in the fall upon return from the summer vacation. Investigating summer vacation and equity issues, Jamar (1994) noted that more affluent students may "return to school in the fall with a considerable educational advantage over their less advantaged peers as a result of either additional school-related learning, or lower levels of …

Exploring Some Inattended Affective Factors In Performing Nonroutine Mathematical Tasks, John D. Butler

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe students' attempts to solve nonroutine math problems and to explore possible correlates of their performance. The focus of this study was on inattended (i.e., intentionally avoided) dimensions that have been underrepresented in the literature, including attitudes, interests, values, aesthetics, metacognition, and representation. Both objective and subjective data--drawn from 13 separate sources--using quantitative and qualitative procedures, were analyzed. Fine-grained rubrics were developed and used to score student work on six nonroutine math problems. These objective data were complemented with students' written "logs" of their work in real time, followed by semi-structured debriefing interviews …

Children Of Possibility: Children's Musicking In Communities Of Practice, Kimberly Cotter-Lemus

Open Access Dissertations

Inner-city youth are often labeled in social science research with the "at risk" construct, signifying the risk of anticipated failure based on children's (or families') deficiencies. In the context of an arts project, the inner-city students in this study demonstrated ability to overcome the deficient "at risk" label imposed by society. The year-long, teacher-practitioner research took place in an underprivileged K-5 elementary school in the Northeast. Using a sociocultural framework, I examined what happens when children in this school setting are given an arts project in which they are allowed to be self-directive. The arts project consisted of weekly participation …

Nonpoint Source Pollutant Monitering On The Ponaganset River Watershed, John C. Arruda Jr.

Open Access Master's Theses

The Ponaganset River Basin consists of an area of 14.4 mi2 located in the town of Foster, Rhode Island. This area is located within the northwest region of the Scituate Watershed. The source of this river comes from the Ponaganset Reservoir with an area of 2.1 mi2 and a storage capacity of 742 MG. Water quality samples were collected at United States Geological Survey (USGS) site (01115187) which is approximately 5 miles down stream from the reservoir and 0.4 miles upstream from Barden Reservoir. The Ponaganset River has the largest mean daily discharge of all the sampling locations in the …

Partial Order Reduction For Planning, You Xu

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Partial Order Reduction: POR) is a technique that reduces the search space by recognizing interchangeable orders between actions and expanding only a subset of all possible orders during the search. It has been extensively studied in model checking and has proven to be an enabling technique for reducing the search space and costs. Several POR algorithms have been proposed in planning, including the Expansion Core: EC) and Stratified Planning: SP) algorithms. Being orthogonal to the development of accurate heuristic functions, these reduction methods show great potential to improve the planning efficiency from a new perspective. However, it is unclear how …

Development And Implementation Of Fully 3d Statistical Image Reconstruction Algorithms For Helical Ct And Half-Ring Pet Insert System, Daniel Keesing

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

X-ray computed tomography: CT) and positron emission tomography: PET) have become widely used imaging modalities for screening, diagnosis, and image-guided treatment planning. Along with the increased clinical use are increased demands for high image quality with reduced ionizing radiation dose to the patient. Despite their significantly high computational cost, statistical iterative reconstruction algorithms are known to reconstruct high-quality images from noisy tomographic datasets. The overall goal of this work is to design statistical reconstruction software for clinical x-ray CT scanners, and for a novel PET system that utilizes high-resolution detectors within the field of view of a whole-body PET scanner. …

Numerical Drag Reduction Studies On Generic Truck, Miles Bellman

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Drag reduction studies on generic truck models using passive shape optimization and active flow control are studied using numerical methods. A genetic algorithm is used to find optimal truck front shapes for reduced drag. The best shape found gives a 3.4% drag reduction. Active flow control is used to reduce drag by using oscillatory synthetic jet actuators on a generic truck body, a D-shaped bluff body, and the Ahmed body. Experimental data is available for these three configurations without and with active flow control. Actuators at the back of the trucks energize separating boundary layers and delay the shedding of …

Discounting Of Delayed And Probabilistic Rewards By Women With And Without Binge Eating Disorder, Jamie Manwaring

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Obese individuals with binge eating disorder: BED) exhibit more general and eating-disordered psychopathology than obese individuals without BED. Binge eating also impedes weight-loss efforts, already difficult in an obese population. A better basic understanding of binge eating and obesity is needed to refine treatments for both conditions. Discounting, an experimental paradigm that examines changes in the value of delayed or uncertain outcomes, may provide an objective assessment of impulsive behavior. Impulsivity may perpetuate binge eating, but discounting tasks have never been evaluated with eating disordered individuals. A discounting procedure could help differentiate individuals with eating/weight problems from controls in terms …

Structural Rna Homology Search And Alignment Using Covariance Models, Eric Nawrocki

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Functional RNA elements do not encode proteins, but rather function directly as RNAs. Many different types of RNAs play important roles in a wide range of cellular processes, including protein synthesis, gene regulation, protein transport, splicing, and more. Because important sequence and structural features tend to be evolutionarily conserved, one way to learn about functional RNAs is through comparative sequence analysis - by collecting and aligning examples of homologous RNAs and comparing them. Covariance models: CMs) are powerful computational tools for homology search and alignment that score both the conserved sequence and secondary structure of an RNA family. However, due …

The Mechanisms And Roles Of Feedback Loops For Visual Processing, Jing Shao

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Signal flow in the brain is not unidirectional; feedback represents a key element in neural signal processing. To address the question on how do neural feedback loops work in terms of synapses, microcircuitry, and systems dynamics, we developed a chick midbrain slice preparation to study and characterize one important feedback loop within the avian visual system: isthmotectal feedbackloop. The isthmotectal feedback loop consists of the optic tectum: OT) and three nucleus isthmi: Imc, Ipc and SLu. The tectal layer 10 neurons project to ipsilateral Imc, Ipc and SLu in a topographic way. In turn Ipc and SLu send back topographical: …