A Khovanov homology-style construction extended to biquandle brackets, and associated Mathematica packages for computations

In their paper entitled "Quantum Enhancements and Biquandle Brackets," Nelson, Orrison, and Rivera introduced biquandle brackets, which are customized skein invariants for biquandle-colored links. These invariants generalize the Jones polynomial, which is categorified by Khovanov homology. At the end of their paper, Nelson, Orrison, and Rivera asked if the methods of Khovanov homology could be extended to obtain a categorification of biquandle brackets. We outline herein a Khovanov homology-style construction that is an attempt to obtain such a categorification of biquandle brackets. The resulting knot invariant does generalize Khovanov homology, but the biquandle bracket is not always recoverable, meaning the construction is not a true categorification of biquandle brackets. However, the construction does lead to a definition that gives a "canonical" biquandle 2-cocycle associated to a biquandle bracket, which, to the authors' knowledge, was not previously known. Additionally, the authors have created multiple Mathematica packages that can be used for experimental computations with biquandles, biquandle brackets, biquandle 2-cocycles, and the newly-discovered canonical biquandle 2-cocycle associated to a biquandle bracket. We provide herein an explanation of these Mathematica packages, including example computations and an appendix containing the full source code. The packages may also be downloaded from vilas.us/biquandles.No embargoAcademic Major: Computer and Information ScienceAcademic Major: Mathematic

Compositional studies of primitive asteroids

The composition of primitive asteroids and their relationship to satellites in the solar system will be studied by analyzing existing narrowband charge coupled device (CCD) reflectance spectra, acquiring additional spectra of asteroids and small satellites in the 0.5 to 1.0 micrometer spectral range, and exploring possibilities for obtaining compositional information in the blue-UV spectral region. Comparison with laboratory spectra of terrestrial chlorites and serpentines (phyllosilicates) and the clay minerals found in carbonaceous chondrite meteorites will continue. During 1987, narrowband CCD reflectance spectra of 17 additional asteroids were acquired. These spectra and spectra of 34 other asteroids have been used primarily for two studies: weak absorption features similar to those due to Fe2(+) and Fe2(+) - Fe3(+) transitions in iron oxides f ound in terrestrial chlorites and serpentines and carbonaceous chondrites have been identified in some primitive asteroid spectra. There is a first indication that asteroids grouped by heliocentric distance show similar weak absorption features. Nonparametric statistics are being applied to test the hypothesis of discrete remnants of a gradation in composition of outer-belt asteroids

Earnings losses of job losers during the 2001 economic downturn

Job losses may involve not only lost earnings during unemployment but also declines in earnings at subsequent jobs. After a time consuming job search, workers may need to restart their careers from scratch, accepting a lower wage. Workers may also need time to acquire new skills, and total earnings lost during such a period of re-adjustment can be considerable. But experiences may vary widely. In this article, using a novel data set, Shigeru Fujita and Vilas Rao provide evidence on earnings losses after unemployment. Although the usefulness of the evidence is limited by the short sample period, the data set allows us to ask some important questions, the answers to which may help inform us about important macroeconomic issues such as the cost of business-cycle fluctuations and the benefits of policies intended to avoid such fluctuations.Recessions ; Unemployment ; Wages

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome and Azathioprine

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare syndrome that presents with neurological manifestations, often associated with arterial hypertension. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows bilateral white matter oedema in the posterior vascular territories. Immunosuppression, (pre) eclampsia and autoimmune diseases can be implicated. A 27-year-old woman, with mixed connective tissue disease under azathioprine, was admitted in the emergency room in status epilepticus and with severe hypertension. The MRI showed bilateral oedema in a pattern compatible with PRES. There was clinical improvement after azathioprine suspension. PRES is typically reversible with prompt recognition of the syndrome and its trigger. The association with azathioprine is rare. LEARNING POINTS: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome should be considered in patients with sudden onset of headache, altered consciousness and seizures.Recognition of this entity and identification of the trigger are essential for reversal of the clinical picture.Autoimmune diseases and some immunosuppressive drugs have been identified as causative, but reports of an association with azathioprine are very rare.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Response to increasingcompetition by business organizations in India: Voluntary Retirement Schemesand their Outcomes

Companies in India have responded to the challenges of globalization in various ways. One of the strategies to survive in the market was to reduce the cost by reduction in the number of employees with the help of Voluntary Retirement Schemes (VRS). This paper examines different types of VRS offered by the companies in the year 1999-2000 in India. It also examines the effect of VRS on the profitability of companies. Findings are based on the VRS of 30 companies from diverse sectors. Findings indicate that there is no fixed pattern of VRS among companies in India. Different companies adopt different forms of VRS. The implementation of VRS also differs significantly between companies. The results indicate that framing an attractive VRS by offering high compensation to employees is not important. The success of VRS depends on how the scheme is implemented and the perception of the persons opting of VRS and the survivors. The key concerns for the successes of VRS are effective communication, building trust among employees about procedural justice and involvement of multiple stakeholders.

A COMPARISON ON FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN FARMERS’ ORGANIZATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR RURAL EXTENSION IN MINAS GERAIS

This paper describes a comparison on farmers’ participation in farmers’ organisations and attempts to explain why they prefer to carry out production and marketing activities by themselves. It also examines the implications of the findings for rural extension and related services. A total of 122 interviews were conducted with different categories of farmers and with the extension workers. The comparative analysis of two case studies (Cruz Alta and Pantano) showed that socio-economic characteristics were not very significant in determining the level of farmers’ participation in farmers’ organizations in Minas Gerais. The ability of managers emerged as one of the most important factors in the success or failure of farmers’ organizations. The presence of private competitors can also greatly determine the direction and the destiny of the whole process. Another relevant conclusion is that farmers are more predisposed to participate when the organisations offer additional benefits to them, such as tractor services and sale of inputs. The research findings show that the role of rural extension should be more related to providing more advice on participatory activities and management techniques to farmers’ organisations. The major implication of the findings for rural extension, and other institutions involved in the development of rural communities and farmers’ organisations, relates to the importance of putting more emphasis on providing knowledge to local people in the technical aspects of managing collective businesses.rural extension, associations, management, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,