Variational methods for fractional qq-Sturm--Liouville Problems

In this paper, we formulate a regular $q$-fractional Sturm--Liouville problem (qFSLP) which includes the left-sided Riemann--Liouville and the right-sided Caputo $q$-fractional derivatives of the same order $\alpha$, $\alpha\in (0,1)$. We introduce the essential $q$-fractional variational analysis needed in proving the existence of a countable set of real eigenvalues and associated orthogonal eigenfunctions for the regular qFSLP when $\alpha>1/2$ associated with the boundary condition $y(0)=y(a)=0$. A criteria for the first eigenvalue is proved. Examples are included. These results are a generalization of the integer regular $q$-Sturm--Liouville problem introduced by Annaby and Mansour in [1]

The Effect of Prenatal Stress on Birth Weight: Evidence from the al-Aqsa Intifada

No previous study has attempted to estimate the effect of intrauterine exposure to armed conflict, a potential source of stress, on pregnancy outcomes. Drawing on data from the 2004 Palestinian Demographic and Health Survey, we examine the relationship between fatalities caused by Israeli security forces (a measure of conflict intensity) and birth weight. Our estimates suggest that first-trimester fatalities are positively related to the probability that a child weighed less than 2,500 grams at birth. This result is consistent with medical studies showing a strong negative correlation between self-reported stress during the first trimester of pregnancy and birth weight.Birth weight, prenatal stress, Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Aspects of the life-cycle energetics of two subspecies of dunlin calidris alpina

Dunlin from two breeding populations, C.a.schinzii from Iceland and C.a.alpina from northern Scandinavia, were studied during and after migration through Teesmouth, north-east England, and in captivity. C.a.schinzii winters in north-west Africa and has a much longer migration pathway than C.a.alpina which winters in Britain and around the North Sea. Measurements of Resting metabolic Rate (RMR) were made for the two subspecies of Dunlin in March and November in order to establish the relationship between resting metabolic rate and temperature and hence energy costs of living at different temperatures (20 C - 0 C). Energy costs of living in C.a.alpina were 21% higher than C.a.schinzii. Measurements of Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) were made for the two subspecies (before, during and after moult) in conjunction with measurements of body compositions using Total Body Electrical Conductivity (TOBEC) in order to estimate the costs of moult. Energy costs of moult were 1692 KJ for alpina and 1016 KJ for schinzii.Energy costs of migration were estimated by measuring the amount of fat laid down before departure by wild Dunlin of the two populations, with the aid of Total Body Electrical Conductivity (TOBEC). Energy costs of migration were estimated as 3489 KJ for alpina, and 5156 KJ for schinzii. Energy costs of egg production and incubation were estimated from other workers’ studies of other (similar) species. Energy costs of egg production were only 220 KJ for the two subspecies whereas the costs of incubation were 1232 KJ and 1143 KJ in alpine and schinzii, respectively. In contrast to the suggestion by Drent and Piersma (1990), I have found that the costs of migration are considerably less than the costs of living. Also the total annual energy cost for those Dunlin wintering in colder areas i.e. C.a.alpina is much higher than for those wintering in tropical regions i.e. C.a.schinzii. Energy costs are not the only factors that affect a bird's lifetime output of young. C.a.alpina uses a different migration strategy to C.a.schinzii but may breed on better breeding grounds, and hence achieve more successful reproduction

The Effect of Prenatal Stress on Birth Weight: Evidence from the al-Aqsa Intifada

No previous study has attempted to estimate the effect of intrauterine exposure to armed conflict, a potential source of stress, on pregnancy outcomes. Drawing on data from the 2004 Palestinian Demographic and Health Survey, we examine the relationship between fatalities caused by Israeli security forces (a measure of conflict intensity) and birth weight. Our estimates suggest that first-trimester fatalities are positively related to the probability that a child weighed less than 2,500 grams at birth. This result is consistent with medical studies showing a strong negative correlation between self-reported stress during the first trimester of pregnancy and birth weight.birth weight, prenatal stress, Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Dissociation of Quarkonium in hot and Dense Media in an Anisotropic Plasma in the Non-Relativistic Quark Model

In this paper, quarkonium dissociation is investigated in an anisotropic plasma in the hot and dense media. For that purpose, the multidimensional Schrodinger equation is solved analytically by Nikiforov-Uvarov (NU) method for the real part of the potential in an anisotropic medium. The binding energy and dissociation temperature are calculated. In comparison with an isotropic medium, the binding energy of quarkonium is enhanced in the presence of an anisotropic medium. The present results show that the dissociation temperature increases with increasing anisotropic parameter for 1S state of the charmonium and bottomonium. We observe that the lower baryonic chemical potential has small effect in both isotropic and anisotropic media. A comparison is presented with other pervious theoretical works.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, 1 table

Prenatal Stress and Low Birth Weight: Evidence from the Super Bowl

Studies have estimated the relationship between psychological stress and birth weight by exploiting natural disasters and terrorist attacks, both of which could affect fetal health through other channels. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System for the period 1969-2004, we estimate the effect of prenatal exposure to the Super Bowl on low birth weight. Although major sporting events elicit intense emotions, they do not threaten viewers with direct physical harm or limit access to prenatal care. We find that Super Bowl exposure is associated with a small, but precisely estimated, increase in the probability of low birth weight