Methods for Measuring Gender Diversity Among College and University Faculty

We demonstrate how techniques that sociologists and geographers developed to study racial segregation of neighborhoods can provide a means to better evaluate gender equity in higher education. We demonstrate how four dimensions of diversity among the professorate can be calculated. We also discuss how administrators armed with these kinds of information can better evaluate how their institution and departments are fairing over time and in relationship to the larger academic labor market. Administrators can also use these methods to develop a base for comparing their institution to peer and aspirational peer institutions

Families of Graphs with W_r({G},q) Functions That Are Nonanalytic at 1/q=0

Denoting $P(G,q)$ as the chromatic polynomial for coloring an $n$-vertex graph $G$ with $q$ colors, and considering the limiting function $W(\{G\},q) = \lim_{n \to \infty}P(G,q)^{1/n}$, a fundamental question in graph theory is the following: is $W_r(\{G\},q) = q^{-1}W(\{G\},q)$ analytic or not at the origin of the $1/q$ plane? (where the complex generalization of $q$ is assumed). This question is also relevant in statistical mechanics because $W(\{G\},q)=\exp(S_0/k_B)$, where $S_0$ is the ground state entropy of the $q$-state Potts antiferromagnet on the lattice graph $\{G\}$, and the analyticity of $W_r(\{G\},q)$ at $1/q=0$ is necessary for the large-$q$ series expansions of $W_r(\{G\},q)$. Although $W_r$ is analytic at $1/q=0$ for many $\{G\}$, there are some $\{G\}$ for which it is not; for these, $W_r$ has no large-$q$ series expansion. It is important to understand the reason for this nonanalyticity. Here we give a general condition that determines whether or not a particular $W_r(\{G\},q)$ is analytic at $1/q=0$ and explains the nonanalyticity where it occurs. We also construct infinite families of graphs with $W_r$ functions that are non-analytic at $1/q=0$ and investigate the properties of these functions. Our results are consistent with the conjecture that a sufficient condition for $W_r(\{G\},q)$ to be analytic at $1/q=0$ is that $\{G\}$ is a regular lattice graph $\Lambda$. (This is known not to be a necessary condition).Comment: 22 pages, Revtex, 4 encapsulated postscript figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Testing Linear-Invariant Non-Linear Properties

We consider the task of testing properties of Boolean functions that are invariant under linear transformations of the Boolean cube. Previous work in property testing, including the linearity test and the test for Reed-Muller codes, has mostly focused on such tasks for linear properties. The one exception is a test due to Green for "triangle freeness": a function f:\cube^{n}\to\cube satisfies this property if $f(x),f(y),f(x+y)$ do not all equal 1, for any pair x,y\in\cube^{n}. Here we extend this test to a more systematic study of testing for linear-invariant non-linear properties. We consider properties that are described by a single forbidden pattern (and its linear transformations), i.e., a property is given by $k$ points v_{1},...,v_{k}\in\cube^{k} and f:\cube^{n}\to\cube satisfies the property that if for all linear maps L:\cube^{k}\to\cube^{n} it is the case that $f(L(v_{1})),...,f(L(v_{k}))$ do not all equal 1. We show that this property is testable if the underlying matroid specified by $v_{1},...,v_{k}$ is a graphic matroid. This extends Green's result to an infinite class of new properties. Our techniques extend those of Green and in particular we establish a link between the notion of "1-complexity linear systems" of Green and Tao, and graphic matroids, to derive the results.Comment: This is the full version; conference version appeared in the proceedings of STACS 200

Variations in sediment sources and yields in the Finger Lakes and Catskills regions of New York

The proportional contributions of stream bank and surface sources to fine sediment loads in watersheds in New York State were quantified with uncertainty analysis. Eroding streamside glacial drift, including glaciolacustrine deposits, were examined to help explain variations in the proportional contributions made by bank erosion. Sediment sources were quantified by comparing concentrations of the bomb-derived radionuclide 137Cs in fluvial sediment with sediment from potential source areas such as agricultural soils, forest soils and stream banks. To compare sediment sources in streams containing abundant deposits of fine-grained glacial drift with watersheds that lacked moderate or extensive streamside deposits, samples were taken from 15 watersheds in the region. The mean contribution of bank erosion to sediment loads in the six streams with glaciolacustrine deposits was 60% (range 46?76%). The proportional contribution of bank erosion was also important in one stream lacking glaciolacustrine deposits (57%) but was less important in the remainder, with contributions ranging from 0 to 46%. Data from this study on the varying contributions of bank erosion and data from past studies of sediment yield in 15 watersheds of New York State suggest that eroding streamside glacial deposits dominate sediment yield in many watersheds. In other watersheds, past impacts to streams, such as channelization, have also resulted in high levels of bank erosion

Gender-specific Equations for Predicting Maximal Heart Rate in Exercise Stress Testing

Please view abstract in the attached PDF file

Innovative technologies to manage aflatoxins in foods and feeds and the profitability of application – a review

Article purchased; Published online:18 January 2017Aflatoxins are mainly produced by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus, which are found in diverse agricultural crops. In many lower-income countries, aflatoxins pose serious public health issues since the occurrence of these toxins can be considerably common and even extreme. Aflatoxins can negatively affect health of livestock and poultry due to contaminated feeds. Additionally, they significantly limit the development of international trade as a result of strict regulation in high-value markets. Due to their high stability, aflatoxins are not only a problem during cropping, but also during storage, transport, processing, and handling steps. Consequently, innovative evidence-based technologies are urgently required to minimize aflatoxin exposure. Thus far, biological control has been developed as the most innovative potential technology of controlling aflatoxin contamination in crops, which uses competitive exclusion of toxigenic strains by non-toxigenic ones. This technology is commercially applied in groundnuts maize, cottonseed, and pistachios during pre-harvest stages. Some other effective technologies such as irradiation, ozone fumigation, chemical and biological control agents, and improved packaging materials can also minimize post-harvest aflatoxins contamination in agricultural products. However, integrated adoption of these pre- and post-harvest technologies is still required for sustainable solutions to reduce aflatoxins contamination, which enhances food security, alleviates malnutrition, and strengthens economic sustainability

Application of the Cluster Variation Method to Spin Ice Systems on the Pyrochlore Lattice

The cactus approximation in the cluster variation method is applied to the spin ice system with nearest neighbor ferromagnetic coupling. The temperature dependences of the entropy and the specific heat show qualitatively good agreement with those observed by Monte Carlo simulations and experiments, and the Pauling value is reproduced for the residual entropy. The analytic expression of the q-dependent magnetic susceptibility is obtained, from which the absence of magnetic phase transition is confirmed. The neutron scattering pattern is also evaluated and found to be consistent with that obtained from Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Author Correction: LKB1 loss links serine metabolism to DNA methylation and tumorigenesis

Erratum for: LKB1 loss links serine metabolism to DNA methylation and tumorigenesis. [Nature. 2016

A swollen phase observed between the liquid-crystalline phase and the interdigitated phase induced by pressure and/or adding ethanol in DPPC aqueous solution

A swollen phase, in which the mean repeat distance of lipid bilayers is larger than the other phases, is found between the liquid-crystalline phase and the interdigitated gel phase in DPPC aqueous solution. Temperature, pressure and ethanol concentration dependences of the structure were investigated by small-angle neutron scattering, and a bending rigidity of lipid bilayers was by neutron spin echo. The nature of the swollen phase is similar to the anomalous swelling reported previously. However, the temperature dependence of the mean repeat distance and the bending rigidity of lipid bilayers are different. This phase could be a precursor to the interdigitated gel phase induced by pressure and/or adding ethanol.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure