Contemporary issues of veterinary practice valuation and sale transactions.

This article comprises discussions on practices with little or no salable value, the determination and measurement of the value of a veterinary practice, the evolution of the small animal practice marketplace, the costs of selling a portion of a practice, lack of marketability discount, and C corporation issues.     

Ranking State Environmental Outputs: Evidence from Panel Data

This paper uses state‐level pollution data from 1986–1997 to construct two indices that rank U.S. states according to environmental outputs. A major finding is that marginal performers in other indices, such as Wyoming, garner top spots in these ranking systems. The paper also presents findings from fixed and random effects models of panel data that imply state income levels are positively associated with environmental outputs after a threshold level of income is obtained.     

Superconducting gap in bi-sr-ca-cu-o by high-resolution angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

Detailed studies indicate a superconducting gap in the high-temperature superconductor Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8). Photoemission measurements with high energy and angle resolution isolate the behavior of a single band as it crosses the Fermi level in both the normal and superconducting states, giving support to the Fermi liquid picture. The magnitude of the gap is 24 millielectron volts.     

Triacylglycerol structure and composition of hydrogenated soybean oil margarine and shortening basestocks

The composition and structures of triacylglycerols (TAG) in a commercially prepared hydrogenated soybean oil margarine basestock [iodine value (IV) 65, 39.7% trans fatty acids] were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in tandem with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry (MS). The basestock was separated by preparative HPLC into four fractions. Fractions 1 and 4, constituting approximately 8% of the total, were shown to consist of LOO, PLO, and LLS and OSS and PSS, respectively (where L = linoleic, O = oleic, S = stearic, and P = palmitic). APCI will not distinguish between O, oleic cis C18:1, and E, elaidic trans C18:1. Thus, O and E may be used interchangeably in discussion of TAG isomer structures. Fraction 2 consisted of OOO and POO. Fraction 3 consisted of OOO, POO, OOS, and POS. About 80% of the total triglycerides consisted of OOO, POO, and OOS. The trans fatty acid content of the fractions was determined, and the results showed that 92% of the total trans content was found in fractions 2 and 3. A shortening basestock (IV 81.7, 31.8% trans fatty acids) was partially characterized.     

Preparation of spread oils meeting U.S. Food and Drug Administration Labeling requirements for trans fatty acids via pressure-controlled hydrogenation

On July 11, 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced final regulations for trans fatty acid (TFA) labeling. By January 1, 2006, the TFA content of foods must be labeled as a separate line on the Nutrition Facts label. Products containing <0.5 g of TFA/14 g serving may be declared as zero. This paper describes technologies allowing compliance with TFA labeling requirements. Soybean oil was hydrogenated in a 2-L vessel at temperatures ranging from 120 to 170 degrees C at a hydrogen pressure of 200 psi. A commercial nickel-supported catalyst (25% Ni) was used at 0.02% Ni by weight of oil. The hydrogenated oils were characterized for fatty acid composition, solid fat content, and melting point. Compared to commercially processed soybean oil basestocks that typically contain approximately 40% TFA, those obtained at lower temperatures and higher pressures contain >56% less TFA. Basestocks prepared in the laboratory when blended with liquid soybean oil will yield spread oils meeting FDA labeling requirements for zero TFA, that is, <0.5 g of TFA/serving.