Perceived Social Status And Gender Role Beliefs Impact On Self-Efficacy And Quality Of Life Of Women Of Color, Dependent Visa Holders In The United States

A large body of literature evaluates the impact of acculturation on immigrants in the U.S. but fails to capture the conditions of their spouses (F2/H4 visas). The gendered immigration policies restrict the spouses who are predominantly women from employment, higher education, and any privileges that come with it. To analyze what variable might impact their psychological health, this paper evaluates gender and class factors. The study also explored show much these women are involved in household decision making process. Independent t tests and correlational analysis is used to assess the impact of perceived social status and gender role beliefs on the self-efficacy and quality of life of F2/H4 visa holders in the United States. The study results demonstrated a positive correlation between perceived social status and quality of life, and the participants with better quality of life had higher self-efficacy. No significant relationship was established between gender role belief and the dependent variables. The study discusses how the perception of social status can alter a dependent female spouse\u27s state of being and ability to face future challenges. Research implications for service providers and researchers are discussed

Analytical model for space constrained optimization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells [abstract]

Abstract only availableHydrogen fuel cells are currently being looked at as one of the energy conversion devices of the future. Of the different fuel cell varieties Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology, is the most promising given its high efficiency and power density, and is the focus of this work. Fuel cells are most commonly thought to be a power source replacement for internal combustion engines of land based vehicles. However, consumers have demonstrated a willingness to pay a premium for portable energy, such as dry cell batteries. It is therefore positioned that there would be a significant market for a fuel cell designed to operated in space constrained devices such as cell phones, notebook computers and space probes. Further advantages of a small scale fuel cell are that they do not create toxic waste and can be instantly recharged. It is desirable to optimize the fuel cell design using spatial constraints. An energy balance based analytical model has been developed to estimate fuel cell performance. The model is used to explore parametric design trends of material properties for the electrodes, the catalyst, the membrane and the fuel. Various physical parameters are also investigated by varying the water content of the membrane, the hydration state of the reactive gases, the stoichiometric ratios of the fuel and the distribution pattern and density of the catalyst on the gas diffusion layers. Finally, the system geometry is optimized.College of Engineering Honors Undergraduate Research Optio

Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis Using Transcervically Derived and Immunomagnetically Isolated Trophoblast Cells

Trophoblast cells migrate from the placenta into the endocervical canal early in the first trimester and can be collected non-invasively by transcervical sampling (TCS), potentially providing fetal DNA for prenatal genetic diagnosis. Experiments were conducted to separate fetal cells from maternal cells within the TCS specimens and use the fetal cells to perform genetic analysis. Trophoblast cells were efficiently isolated from TCS specimens during weeks 5-18 of gestation using HLA-G antibody coupled to magnetic nanoparticles. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that 99% of isolated cells expressed the chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (β-CG), while the non-bound cell fraction expressed none. Immunomagnetically isolated cells from 20 patient specimens were used to determine fetal gender in single cell assays, amplifying sequences in genes on the X (DMD) and Y (SRY) chromosomes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of 270 total cells, PCR products were detected in 256 cells and identified gender (11 male; 9 female) without error. PCR-based genetic testing is highly reliable as early as week 5 of gestation after immunomagnetic isolation of extravillous trophoblast cells obtained by TCS

Toward Quality Attribute Driven Approach to Software Architectural Design

It has been well-documented that the software architecture of any system plays a critical role in success or failure of software intensive systems. In this paper, a method has been proposed to evaluate the software architecture’s fitness with respect to key quality attributes for a web-based system. To the end, a comparative analysis based on quality attributes scenarios and tactics is carried out to select an optimal software architecture that meets the system level requirements of a web-based system, namely, Student and Course Evaluation System (SCES). The comparative study was driven by study of quality attributes and tactics with the selected architectures to select the optimal one

An approach for Shadow Detection and Removal based on Multiple Light Sources

Shadows in images are essential but sometimes unwanted as they can decline the result of computer vision algorithms. A shadow is obtained by the interaction of light with objects in an image surface. Shadows may letdown the image analysis processes and also cause a poor quality of information which in turn leads to problems in execution of algorithms. In this paper, a method has been proposed to detect and remove the shadows where multiple sources of light is been estimated, as we can take an example of playground stadium where multiple floodlights are fixed, multiple shadows can be observed originating from each of the targets. To successfully track individual target, it is essential to achieve an accurate image of the foreground. Also, an effort has been done to list some of the very crucial techniques related to shadow detection and removal. Many times, the shadow of the background information is merged with the foreground object and makes the process more complex. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.150517

Computer Vision based Intelligent Lane Detection and Warning System: A Design Approach

In Intelligent Transport System (ITS), prevention from accident is one of prominent area of research in which various approaches are implemented and proposed to assist and warn driver from accidents. As a part of warning system lane departure technique is widely considered, that monitor vehicle’s movement , and warn driver before lane departure which will prevent driver from head on collision. Hence it’s a matter of motivation for developing such a system which can detect lane marks on road and warn driver on any conditions. Due to variety of availability of tools and techniques, several methods where proposed by different authors which are discussed in this paper with their pros and cons that will help us to decide better one according to one’s specific conditions or need

Optimized Generation and Maintenance of Materialized View using Adaptive Mechanism

Data Warehouse is storage of enormous amount of data gathered from multiple data sources, which is mainly used by managers for analysis purpose. Hence to make this data available in less amount of time is essential. Using Materialize view we can have result of query in less amount of time compared to access the same from base tables. To materialize all of the views is not possible since it requires storage space and maintenance cost. So it is required to select materialized view which minimizes response time of query and cost of maintenance. In this paper, effective approach is suggested for selection and maintenance of materialize view. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15050

The Glory Program: Global Science from a Unique Spacecraft Integration

The Glory program is an Earth and Solar science mission designed to broaden science community knowledge of the environment. The causes and effects of global warming have become a concern in recent years and Glory aims to contribute to the knowledge base of the science community. Glory is designed for two functions: one is solar viewing to monitor the total solar irradiance and the other is observing the Earth s atmosphere for aerosol composition. The former is done with an active cavity radiometer, while the latter is accomplished with an aerosol polarimeter sensor to discern atmospheric particles. The Glory program is managed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) with Orbital Sciences in Dulles, VA as the prime contractor for the spacecraft bus, mission operations, and ground system. This paper will describe some of the more unique features of the Glory program including the integration and testing of the satellite and instruments as well as the science data processing. The spacecraft integration and test approach requires extensive analysis and additional planning to ensure existing components are successfully functioning with the new Glory components. The science mission data analysis requires development of mission unique processing systems and algorithms. Science data analysis and distribution will utilize our national assets at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) and the University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP). The Satellite was originally designed and built for the Vegetation Canopy Lidar (VCL) mission, which was terminated in the middle of integration and testing due to payload development issues. The bus was then placed in secure storage in 2001 and removed from an environmentally controlled container in late 2003 to be refurbished to meet the Glory program requirements. Functional testing of all the components was done as a system at the start of the program, very different from a traditional program. The plan for Glory is to minimize any changes to the spacecraft in order to meet the Glory requirements. This means that the instrument designs must adhere to the existing interfaces and capabilities as much as possible. Given Glory's unique history and the potential science return, the program is one of significant value to both the science community and the world. The findings Glory promises will improve our understanding of the drivers for global climate change for a minimal investment. The program hopes to show that reuse of existing government assets can result in a lower cost, and fully successful mission

Concentration of Cryoprotectant in water-in-oil microdroplets for single cell vitrificaton

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-51).Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2008."September 2008."(cont.) Droplets with an initial concentration of IM were found to be concentrated to about 3-4M in 90s while droplets starting at 2M were concentrated to 6M in about the same time. The entire process takes place over a time scale of about one minute, fast enough to minimize exposure times but slow enough to be precisely controllable. This phenomenon is demonstrated to dynamically concentrate cryoprotectants within single cell-containing droplets. These droplets of sizes of about 30 micron diameter were concentrated to 3-4M from a starting concentration of IM in about 300s. The cells are tolerant to this concentration process and do not die when subjected to it. The process may be used in practice to innocuously concentrate cell encapsulating droplets which may then be vitrified before they are exposed to high temperatures for fatally long time scales. With appropriate characterization, the controllability of the process will allow for choosing exact cryoprotectant concentration levels used for vitrification. The demonstrated phenomenon has several other applications in cryobiology. Its controllability and speed may be used to dynamically modulate cryoprotectant concentrations in preservation protocols that require stepwise concentration or dilution. In addition, the process was found to be reversible and may thus be used for unloading cryoprotectants by controlled cooling as opposed to heating.Among the several challenges associated with vitrification of cells, a major roadblock is the requirement of high concentrations of cryoprotectant chemicals and the damages caused by exposure of cells to these high concentrations at physiological temperatures. It is thus desirable to minimize the time of exposure of cells with high concentrations of cryoprotectants to physiological temperatures. In addition, vitrification requires very rapid cooling rates. As cooling rates of a sample are limited by its size, it becomes ideal to use the minimum sizes of the sample to be preserved. Certain organic oils, such as soybean oil, are made of triacylglycerols and are capable of dissolving small amounts of water due to the presence of ester groups, a property which enhances significantly with increasing temperature. This phenomenon was exploited to accomplish temperature controlled concentration of cryoprotectants in single water droplets with and without cells dispersed in the organic phase. The organic phase used in the present work is soybean oil while glycerol is used as the cryoprotectant. Glycerol was found to be comparatively insoluble in soybean oil at 35 'C for up to 10 minutes. The present work employed heating on a temperature controlling stage and temperature increases of about 10K. Solutions of glycerol in DI Water were mixed with soybean oil and emulsions made by vigorous agitation. The water to oil concentration was kept at 0.1% v/v to simulate an infinite dissolution medium and to prevent different droplets from affecting each other. To prevent premature dissolution, the oil is saturated with water at room temperature by incubating for 48 hours. Micro-liter-sized droplets of the emulsion are placed on a heating/ cooling stage and droplets of 15-20 micron diameter are visually selected from polydisperse emulsion for observation under a microscope. Upon increasing temperature, water dissolves into the oil rendering the droplet highly concentrated with the oil-insoluble cryoprotectant. The experiment involved heating to 35 °C from room temperature, so that all water eventually dissolved into the oil.by Anurag Bajpayee.S.M

Directional solvent extraction desalination

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2012."September 2012." Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-137).World water supply is struggling to meet demand. Production of fresh water from the oceans could supply this demand almost indefinitely. As global energy consumption continues to increase, water and energy resources are getting closely intertwined, especially with regards to the water consumption and contamination in the unconventional oil and gas industry. Development of effective, affordable desalination and water treatment technologies is thus vital to meeting future demand, maintaining economic development, enabling continued growth of energy resources, and preventing regional and international conflict. We have developed a new low temperature, membrane-free desalination technology using directional solvents capable of extracting pure water from a contaminated solution without themselves dissolving in the recovered water. This method dissolves the water into a directional solvent by increasing its temperature, rejects salts and other contaminants, then recovers pure water by cooling back to ambient temperature, and re-uses the solvent. The directional solvents used here include soybean oil, hexanoic acid, decanoic acid, and octanoic acid with the last two observed to be the most effective. These fatty acids exhibit the required characteristics by having a hydrophilic carboxylic acid end which bonds to water molecules but the hydrophobic chain prevents the dissolution of water soluble salts as well the dissolution of the solvent in water. Directional solvent extraction may be considered a molecular-level desalination approach. Directional Solvent Extraction circumvents the need for membranes, uses simple, inexpensive machinery, and by operating at low temperatures offers the potential for using waste heat. This technique also lends itself well to treatment of feed waters over a wide range of total dissolved solids (TDS) levels and is one of the very few known techniques to extract water from saturated brines. We demonstrate >95% salt rejection for seawater TDS concentrations (35,000 ppm) as well as for oilfield produced water TDS concentrations (>100,000 ppm) and saturated brines (300,000 ppm) through a benchtop batch process, and recovery ratios as high as 85% for feed TDS of 35,000 ppm through a multi-stage batch process. We have also designed, constructed, and demonstrated a semi-continuous process prototype. The energy and economic analysis suggests that this technique could become an effective, affordable method for seawater desalination and for treatment of produced water from unconventional oil and gas extraction.by Anurag Bajpayee.Ph.D