Changes in Food, Alcohol and Cigarettes Consumption during Transition: Evidence from Russia

This paper examines the changes in nutritional behavior of Russian adults over the ten-year transition period, between 1994 and 2004. We present evidence on the impact of individual as well as regional characteristics on changes in fat, protein, alcohol and cigarette consumption, and on diversity of diet. The results from a dynamic empirical model suggest that among microeconomic determinants, initial levels of consumption, gender, holding a university degree, and having access to a garden plot have a significant impact on the changes in consumption behavior in Russia. Regarding the macroeconomic variables, economic growth has a significant impact on changes in fat and protein consumption and on alcohol use, while unemployment changes significantly impact protein intake, alcohol consumption and the diversity of diet

Analysis of multi-sensor data, 12 September - 11 December 1968

Analysis of multi-sensor data obtained by Earth Resources Aircraft Progra

The dynamics of food, alcohol and cigarette consumption in Russia during transition

This paper presents evidence on the impact of individual as well as regional characteristics on the dynamics of fat, protein, alcohol and cigarette consumption, and on the diversity of the diet in Russia between 1994 and 2005. All those aspects of nutritional behavior are important inputs to the production of health. A dynamic panel data model is used to estimate demand functions for fat, protein, alcohol, cigarettes and diversity of the diet. The results suggest the existence of strong habits in drinking and smoking, and the absence of habits in fat and protein consumption. We also found evidence of habit formation for food diversity. Comparing nutritional behavior of younger and older consumers, we find significant differences in the demand for fat and cigarettes. Older consumers seem to be more persistent in their drinking and smoking behavior. Similarly, men show higher habit persistence for alcohol and cigarette consumption. The results also suggest that among individual determinants, especially education, income and employment have statistically significant impacts on consumption behavior. Regarding the macroeconomic variables, economic growth is negatively related to protein consumption, while regional unemployment rate is negatively affecting the demand for protein and food diversity. Finally, Russian consumers react to the price changes of alcohol, cigarettes, fat and protein as suggested by theory. Consumer demand for food diversity responds negatively to price changes of alcohol and cigarettes, but positively to the price of fat

NP-hardness of decoding quantum error-correction codes

Though the theory of quantum error correction is intimately related to the classical coding theory, in particular, one can construct quantum error correction codes (QECCs) from classical codes with the dual containing property, this does not necessarily imply that the computational complexity of decoding QECCs is the same as their classical counterparts. Instead, decoding QECCs can be very much different from decoding classical codes due to the degeneracy property. Intuitively, one expect degeneracy would simplify the decoding since two different errors might not and need not be distinguished in order to correct them. However, we show that general quantum decoding problem is NP-hard regardless of the quantum codes being degenerate or non-degenerate. This finding implies that no considerably fast decoding algorithm exists for the general quantum decoding problems, and suggests the existence of a quantum cryptosystem based on the hardness of decoding QECCs.Comment: 5 pages, no figure. Final version for publicatio

Investigation of Piezocone Dissipation Test Interpretation in Clay Accounting for Vertical and Horizontal Porewater Pressure Dissipation with a Large Deformation Axisymmetric Penetration Model

The piezocone (CPTu) dissipation test is used to characterize how the applied load from the penetrating cone is distributed between the soil and pore fluid during both penetrometer advancement and when penetration is paused. The coefficient of consolidation is often estimated from CPTu dissipation tests by interpreting the rate of excess porewater pressure (∆u) decay to static conditions during a pause in cone penetration. Most CPTu dissipation test interpretation methods are based on Terzaghi consolidation theory for ∆u dissipation at the cone shoulder (u2 position) or cone face (u1 position) and assume that radial ∆u dissipation dominates the response. However, several recent studies show that vertical ∆u migration does contribute to the response. This study uses a large deformation direct axisymmetric cone penetration model to characterize the soil-water mechanical response during CPTu dissipation tests, and in particular, the role of vertical ∆u dissipation on the response at the u1 and u2 positions. Large deformations around the penetrating cone are accommodated with an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian approach. Soil behavior is modeled with the MIT-S1 constitutive model calibrated for Boston blue clay (BBC) soil behavior. ∆u dissipation following undrained cone penetration is simulated with coupled consolidation for BBC with over-consolidation ratios (OCR) of 1, 2, and 4 and a range of hydraulic conductivity anisotropy. The simulated u1 and u2 dissipation responses are presented to study how they are affected by OCR and hydraulic conductivity anisotropy. A correction factor is recommended to account for hydraulic conductivity anisotropy when interpreting the horizontal coefficient of consolidation from CPTu dissipation tests

A survey of parallel algorithms for fractal image compression

This paper presents a short survey of the key research work that has been undertaken in the application of parallel algorithms for Fractal image compression. The interest in fractal image compression techniques stems from their ability to achieve high compression ratios whilst maintaining a very high quality in the reconstructed image. The main drawback of this compression method is the very high computational cost that is associated with the encoding phase. Consequently, there has been significant interest in exploiting parallel computing architectures in order to speed up this phase, whilst still maintaining the advantageous features of the approach. This paper presents a brief introduction to fractal image compression, including the iterated function system theory upon which it is based, and then reviews the different techniques that have been, and can be, applied in order to parallelize the compression algorithm

Moving on Up: Division I Athletic Directors’ Career Progression and Involvement

Collegiate athletic directors (ADs) are the chief executive officers within the athletic department of the colleges and universities they serve. While they are certainly high-profile, influential professionals, there are a limited number of research studies that focus in-depth on the career experiences of these athletic administrators. The purpose of this research was to examine the career experiences of athletic directors. The results showed a shift in the need for athletic directors to understand business and development and obtain a graduate degree. More than 80% held a master’s degree with previous areas of employment in development and marketing. Such skills were also shown in involvement as ADs indicated they were heavily involved in budget oversight and development. Other areas of involvement included policy-making and community relations. There was limited involvement in actual sport operations