Multi-filter spectrophotometry simulations

To complement both the multi-filter observations of quasar environments described in these proceedings, as well as the proposed UBC 2.7 m Liquid Mirror Telescope (LMT) redshift survey, we have initiated a program of simulated multi-filter spectrophotometry. The goal of this work, still very much in progress, is a better quantitative assessment of the multiband technique as a viable mechanism for obtaining useful redshift and morphological class information from large scale multi-filter surveys

The strength of party brands means that fighting for marginal districts is now much more expensive for candidates

Concern about party polarization in Congress is by no means new, but using new research, Henry A. Kim and Brad L. LeVeck argue that it can also lead to more expensive campaigns for incumbents in marginal districts. They maintain that while strong party branding makes it much easier for candidates to communicate their ideology in districts that like the party, in competitive races, incumbent candidates must work hard, and spend more, to present more information to show that they are closer to their district’s preferences than those of their party

Effect of Aging Time and Retail Displaying Period with a Short-Term Temperature Abuse on Color Stability of Two Beef Muscles

Meat color and tenderness are two most important quality factors affecting consumers’ decision on meat purchasing. Post-mortem meat aging has been widely practiced to improve palatability attributes, but could be adversely related to meat color. In particular, temperature abuse during aging or retail display can negatively affect the color stability of aged meat. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of aging time and short-term temperature abuse during display on color stability of two beef muscles (M. longissimus dorsi, LD and semitendinosus, ST). LD and ST muscles were separated from three beef carcasses, vacuum-packaged and assigned into 4 different aging times (7, 14, 21 and 28 days) at 2ºC. After each assigned aging, each sample was cut into a steak, overwrap packaged with PVC film on a tray, and displayed for 7 days at 2ºC under light. At 4 d display, temperature abuse on displayed muscles was performed by placing packages at 10ºC for 45 min and 20ºC for 15 min (total 1h). Beef aged for 21 and 28d were more sensitive to discoloration induced by temperature abuse. Between two different muscles, ST was rapidly discolored compared to LD. Myoglobin content, non-heme iron content, ferric ion reducing capacity, and lipid oxidation of the steaks after display were determined. Non-heme iron content, ferric ion reducing capacity and lipid oxidation were increasing as the aging time increased. These findings suggest that longer aged beef is more susceptible to discoloration under the temperature abused condition due to reduced antioxidant properties

Uniform bounds for higher-order semilinear problems in conformal dimension

We establish uniform a-priori estimates for solutions of the semilinear Dirichlet problem \begin{equation} \begin{cases} (-\Delta)^m u=h(x,u)\quad&\mbox{in }\Omega,\\ u=\partial_nu=\cdots=\partial_n^{m-1}u=0\quad&\mbox{on }\partial\Omega, \end{cases} \end{equation} where $h$ is a positive superlinear and subcritical nonlinearity in the sense of the Trudinger-Moser-Adams inequality, either when $\Omega$ is a ball or, provided an energy control on solutions is prescribed, when $\Omega$ is a smooth bounded domain. The analogue problem with Navier boundary conditions is also studied. Finally, as a consequence of our results, existence of a positive solution is shown by degree theory.Comment: Minor correction

Assessment of medical needs of the Hispanic community in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia

Background: Little is known about the health concerns and issues among the Hispanic community in growing, mid-sized cities, such as Macon, Georgia. Methods: A questionnaire on general health-related issues was given to a sample of 125 Hispanic participants. Results: The top health concerns of the Hispanic community were diabetes, obesity, and dental hygiene; the most common factors preventing Hispanics from receiving medical treatment were the lack of insurance, language barriers, and copayments or deductibles being too high. Conclusions: Lack of higher education and the inability to communicate effectively in English may be manifested as difficulties in finding proper information about where to access insurance and healthcare. Therefore, awareness campaigns, more advertising in Spanish, and perhaps increasing the availability of English lessons may be helpful for this population

Effects of Probiotics Feeding Levels on Meat Quality and Lipid Oxidation Stability of Breast Muscles from Heat Stressed Broilers.

Heat stress has negative impacts on meat quality attributes including oxidation stability. Since microbial probiotics supplementation results in positive impacts on growth performance and antioxidant property, it is hypothesized that this will improve quality of meat from broilers exposed to heat stress. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of probiotics levels on meat quality and oxidation stability of heat-stressed broilers. 336 1-day-old chicks were group-weighed and randomly assigned to 24 pens with three different diets (basal plus 0, 0.5, and 1.0g of PoultryStar [1.0×105 cfu/g of feed containing 4 strains of bacteria]). Heat stress began at 8 days up to 42d at 32 ºC for 12 hr/day. At 42d, two birds were randomly selected from each pen and harvested. Breast muscles (M. Pectoralis major) were removed from carcasses at 24 hr postmortem. Measurements for cook loss, shear force, color, proximate analysis, peroxide value, 2-thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), and phospholipid content were conducted. Probiotics feeding did not affect shear force, cook loss, or color (P\u3e0.05). An increase in probiotic feeding level slightly decreased fat and ash contents of broiler breast muscles (P\u3e0.05). In terms of lipid oxidation stability, an increase in probiotic levels led to a significant increase in peroxide values (P(P \u3e0.05). This current study showed feeding probiotics to heat-stressed broilers could decrease fat content of broiler breasts and possibly inhibit formation of secondary lipid oxidation products

The Efficacy of Wrestling-Style Compression Suits to Improve Maximum Isometric Force and Movement Velocity in Well-Trained Male Rugby Athletes

Purpose: The prevalence of compression garment (CG) use is increasing with athletes striving to take advantage of the purported benefits to recovery and performance. Here, we investigated the effect of CG on muscle force and movement velocity performance in athletes. Methods: Ten well-trained male rugby athletes wore a wrestling-style CG suit applying 13–31 mmHg of compressive pressure during a training circuit in a repeated-measures crossover design. Force and velocity data were collected during a 5-s isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and repeated countermovement jump (CMJ), respectively; and time to complete a 5-m horizontal loaded sled push was also measured. Results: IMTP peak force was enhanced in the CG condition by 139 ± 142 N (effect size [ES] = 0.36). Differences in CMJ peak velocity (ES = 0.08) and loaded sled-push sprint time between the conditions were trivial (ES = −0.01). A qualitative assessment of the effects of CG wear suggested that the likelihood of harm was unlikely in the CMJ and sled push, while a beneficial effect in the CMJ was possible, but not likely. Half of the athletes perceived a functional benefit in the IMTP and CMJ exercises. Conclusion: Consistent with other literature, there was no substantial effect of wearing a CG suit on CMJ and sprint performance. The improvement in peak force generation capability in an IMTP may be of benefit to rugby athletes involved in scrummaging or lineout lifting. The mechanism behind the improved force transmission is unclear, but may involve alterations in neuromuscular recruitment and proprioceptive feedback

Verification Services and Financial Reporting Quality: Assessing the Potential of Review Procedures

Are financial statement reviews, which are limited to primarily analytical procedures and inquiries, a cost-effective verification service for some firms? The answer is important for owner/managers considering reviews as well as investor/lenders, regulators, and those interested in effective verification mechanism design. Using data from U.S. private companies choosing to have financial statements compiled, reviewed, or audited, we calculate four model-based financial reporting quality proxies and, to reflect broader economics, the cost of debt and verification fee estimates. Consistent with application of prescribed verification procedures, we find both reviews and audits yield significantly better reporting quality scores and lower cost of debt than zero-verification compilations. However, model-based reporting quality scores of reviews and audits are indistinguishable statistically, on average. Regarding broader economics, we find that relative to compilations, reviews yield more than half the added interest rate benefit associated with an audit, at considerably less than half the added cost. Overall, our results suggest reviews may provide a cost-effective verification alternative to audits, and the potential of analytical procedures warrants more attention by audit researchers and regulators