Irreducible wavelet representations and ergodic automorphisms on solenoids

We focus on the irreducibility of wavelet representations. We present some connections between the following notions: covariant wavelet representations, ergodic shifts on solenoids, fixed points of transfer (Ruelle) operators and solutions of refinement equations. We investigate the irreducibility of the wavelet representations, in particular the representation associated to the Cantor set, introduced in \cite{DuJo06b}, and we present several equivalent formulations of the problem

A QUALITATIVE CHOICE ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING POST-CRP LAND USE DECISIONS

The future use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands is an important agricultural policy issue. To examine the effects of factors that influence landowners' post-contract use of CRP lands, a survey of Texas High Plains CRP contract holders was conducted in 1992. This study analyzes the results of the survey using a qualitative choice model. It was found that the presence of a livestock enterprise in the current contract holder's operation increases the probability of these acres remaining in the established cover. Contract holders who value the commodity base have an increased probability of returning their acres to crop production.Agricultural policy, Conservation Reserve Program, Ordered probit model, Land Economics/Use,

Use of dietary supplements in the United States, 1988-94

OBJECTIVES: This report presents estimates of the prevalence of use of dietary supplements among the U.S. population by various demographic and descriptive characteristics, the number of products taken, and types of supplements taken by broad product-type categories. METHODS: The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) is a nationally representative survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population, 2 months of age or over. Participants were asked about their use of vitamin and/or mineral supplements in the past month. Many also reported use of other dietary supplements. RESULTS: Approximately 40 percent of the population took dietary supplements during the month prior to the interview. Females (44 percent) were more likely to take a supplement than males (35 percent). Non-Hispanic white persons (43 percent) were more likely to take supplements than non-Hispanic black persons (30 percent) and Mexican American persons (29 percent). Children 1-5 years of age were major users of supplements. Among adults 20 years of age and older, there was a trend toward increasing use of dietary supplements with age. Higher levels of education, income, and self-reported health status were all positively related to supplement use. Sixty-seven percent of supplement users took only one supplement, with the majority of them taking a combination vitamin/mineral product (46 percent). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of the U.S. population takes vitamins, minerals, and/or other dietary supplements.By R. Bethene Ervin, Jacqueline D. Wright, and Jocelyn Kennedy-Stephenson.Includes bibliographical references (p. 7-9)

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults 20 years of age and over, by sex, age, race and ethnicity, and body mass index: United States, 2003-2006

"OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of individual risk factors for metabolic syndrome as well as the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2006. METHODS: The analytic sample consisted of 3,423 adults, 20 years of age and over, from NHANES 2003-2006. The National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) guidelines were used to identify adults who met their criteria for metabolic syndrome. Prevalence estimates were calculated for each risk factor for metabolic syndrome in addition to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Prevalence estimates and odds ratios were analyzed by sex and by age group, race and ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI) stratified by sex. RESULTS: Approximately 34% of adults met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Males and females 40-59 years of age were about three times as likely as those 20-39 years of age to meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Males 60 years of age and over were more than four times as likely and females 60 years of age and over were more than six times as likely as the youngest age group to meet the criteria. Non-Hispanic black males were about one-half as likely as non-Hispanic white males to meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome, while non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American females were about 1.5 times as likely as non-Hispanic white females to meet the criteria. Overweight males were about six times as likely and obese males were about 32 times as likely as normal weight males to meet the criteria. Overweight females were more than five times as likely and obese females were more than 17 times as likely as normal weight females to meet the criteria. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that metabolic syndrome is prevalent and that it increases with age and with BMI. The prevalence varied by race and ethnicity but the pattern was different for males and females."by R. Bethene Ervin.Includes bibliographical references (p. 4).1963429

CATTLE RANCHING PRODUCTION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES UNDER COMBINED PRICE AND WEATHER RISKS

A procedure using linear programming and Bayesian analysis for incorporating risks associated with cattle prices and forage yields was developed for maximizing net ranch income in the Southern Plains of Texas. Risk-efficient production/marketing (buy/sell) strategies included strategies which assume normal and low cattle prices and low and normal forage production. Only one of the enterprises in the risk-efficient strategies constituted a traditional marketing approach of spring buying and fall selling.Livestock Production/Industries,