Showing papers by "University of South Carolina published in 2010"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors collected detailed qualitative information from financial filings to categorize financial constraints for a random sample of firms from 1995 to 2004, and used this categorization to estimate ordered logit models predicting constraints as a function of different quantitative factors.
Abstract: We collect detailed qualitative information from financial filings to categorize financial constraints for a random sample of firms from 1995 to 2004. Using this categorization, we estimate ordered logit models predicting constraints as a function of different quantitative factors. Our findings cast serious doubt on the validity of the KZ index as a measure of financial constraints, while offering mixed evidence on the validity of other common measures of constraints. We find that firm size and age are particularly useful predictors of financial constraint levels, and we propose a measure of financial constraints that is based solely on these firm characteristics. The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org., Oxford University Press.
1,879 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a methodology and a set of indicators for measuring baseline characteristics of communities that foster resilience by establishing baseline conditions, it becomes possible to monitor changes in resilience over time in particular places and to compare one place to another.
Abstract: There is considerable federal interest in disaster resilience as a mechanism for mitigating the impacts to local communities, yet the identification of metrics and standards for measuring resilience remain a challenge This paper provides a methodology and a set of indicators for measuring baseline characteristics of communities that foster resilience By establishing baseline conditions, it becomes possible to monitor changes in resilience over time in particular places and to compare one place to another We apply our methodology to counties within the Southeastern United States as a proof of concept The results show that spatial variations in disaster resilience exist and are especially evident in the rural/urban divide, where metropolitan areas have higher levels of resilience than rural counties However, the individual drivers of the disaster resilience (or lack thereof)-social, economic, institutional, infrastructure, and community capacities-vary widely
1,294 citations
Xiamen University1, University of Vienna2, University of Miami3, University of South Carolina4, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research5, University of Tennessee6, University of Delaware7, Centre national de la recherche scientifique8, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science9, University of California, San Diego10
TL;DR: The microbial carbon pump is proposed as a conceptual framework to address the important, multifaceted biogeochemical problem of fixed carbon in the upper ocean.
Abstract: The biological pump is a process whereby CO(2) in the upper ocean is fixed by primary producers and transported to the deep ocean as sinking biogenic particles or as dissolved organic matter. The fate of most of this exported material is remineralization to CO(2), which accumulates in deep waters until it is eventually ventilated again at the sea surface. However, a proportion of the fixed carbon is not mineralized but is instead stored for millennia as recalcitrant dissolved organic matter. The processes and mechanisms involved in the generation of this large carbon reservoir are poorly understood. Here, we propose the microbial carbon pump as a conceptual framework to address this important, multifaceted biogeochemical problem.
1,194 citations
TL;DR: The trade-offs among analytic strategies (repeated measures general linear model, random coefficient modeling, and latent growth modeling), circumstances in which such methods are most appropriate, and ways to analyze data when one is using each approach are discussed.
1,071 citations
TL;DR: This work has demonstrated experimentally the formation of associative memory in a simple neural network consisting of three electronic neurons connected by two memristor-emulator synapses and opens up new possibilities in the understanding of neural processes using memory devices.
840 citations
TL;DR: Kirwan et al. as discussed by the authors used simulations from five numerical models to quantify the conditions under which ecogeomorphic feedbacks allow coastal wetlands to adapt to projected changes in sea level, finding that nonlinear feedbacks among inundation, plant growth, organic matter accretion, and sediment deposition, allow marshes to survive conservative projections of sea level rise where suspended sediment concentrations are greater than ∼20 mg/L.
Abstract: [1] Assumptions of a static landscape inspire predictions that about half of the world’s coastal wetlands will submerge during this century in response to sea‐level acceleration. In contrast, we use simulations from five numerical models to quantify the conditions under which ecogeomorphic feedbacks allow coastal wetlands to adapt to projected changes in sea level. In contrast to previous sea‐level assessments, we find that non‐linear feedbacks among inundation, plant growth, organic matter accretion, and sediment deposition, allow marshes to survive conservative projections of sea‐ level rise where suspended sediment concentrations are greater than ∼20 mg/L. Under scenarios of more rapid sea‐level rise (e.g., those that include ice sheet melting), marsheswill likelysubmerge neartheend ofthe 21stcentury. Our results emphasize that in areas of rapid geomorphic change, predicting the response of ecosystems to climate change requires consideration of the ability of biological processestomodifytheirphysicalenvironment.Citation: Kirwan, M. L., G. R. Guntenspergen, A. D’Alpaos, J. T. Morris, S. M. Mudd, and S. Temmerman (2010), Limits on the adaptability of coastal marshes to rising sea level, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L23401,
697 citations
TL;DR: Tracer studies reveal that submarine groundwater discharge provides globally important fluxes of nutrients, carbon, and metals to coastal waters.
Abstract: The exchange of groundwater between land and sea is a major component of the hydrological cycle. This exchange, called submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), is comprised of terrestrial water mixed with sea water that has infiltrated coastal aquifers. The composition of SGD differs from that predicted by simple mixing because biogeochemical reactions in the aquifer modify its chemistry. To emphasize the importance of mixing and chemical reaction, these coastal aquifers are called subterranean estuaries. Geologists recognize this mixing zone as a site of carbonate diagenesis and dolomite formation. Biologists have recognized that terrestrial inputs of nutrients to the coastal ocean may occur through subterranean processes. Further evidence of SGD comes from the distribution of chemical tracers in the coastal ocean. These tracers originate within coastal aquifers and reach the ocean through SGD. Tracer studies reveal that SGD provides globally important fluxes of nutrients, carbon, and metals to coastal waters.
688 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the ATLAS detector to detect dijet asymmetry in the collisions of lead ions at the Large Hadron Collider and found that the transverse energies of dijets in opposite hemispheres become systematically more unbalanced with increasing event centrality, leading to a large number of events which contain highly asymmetric di jets.
Abstract: By using the ATLAS detector, observations have been made of a centrality-dependent dijet asymmetry in the collisions of lead ions at the Large Hadron Collider. In a sample of lead-lead events with a per-nucleon center of mass energy of 2.76 TeV, selected with a minimum bias trigger, jets are reconstructed in fine-grained, longitudinally segmented electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeters. The transverse energies of dijets in opposite hemispheres are observed to become systematically more unbalanced with increasing event centrality leading to a large number of events which contain highly asymmetric dijets. This is the first observation of an enhancement of events with such large dijet asymmetries, not observed in proton-proton collisions, which may point to an interpretation in terms of strong jet energy loss in a hot, dense medium.
630 citations
TL;DR: A redox stable cathode is also expected to enhance the cathode durability since its application leads to a number of advantages and could be potentially eliminated by oper-ating the anode as a cathode.
Abstract: 5 ] The application of this new SOFC confi guration leads to a number of advantages. Possible sulfur poisoning or coke formation on the surface of the anode can be potentially eliminated by oper-ating the anode as a cathode; oxidant (typically air) will fl ush any sulfur or carbon species absorbed on the electrode, thereby regenerating the electrode from sulfur or coke deactivation. In addition, a redox stable cathode is also expected to enhance the cathode durability since O
587 citations
TL;DR: Based on the evidence, health professionals should encourage their patients to improve CRF through regular physical activity and several biological mechanisms suggest that CRF improves insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile, body composition, inflammation, and blood pressure.
Abstract: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is not only an objective measure of habitual physical activity, but also a useful diagnostic and prognostic health indicator for patients in clinical settings. Although compelling evidence has shown that CRF is a strong and independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, the importance of CRF is often overlooked from a clinical perspective compared with other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, or obesity. Several prospective studies indicate that CRF is at least as important as the traditional risk factors, and is often more strongly associated with mortality. In addition, previous studies report that CRF appears to attenuate the increased risk of death associated with obesity. Most individuals can improve their CRF through regular physical activity. Several biological mechanisms suggest that CRF improves insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile, body composition, inflammation, and blood pressure. Based on the evidence, health professionals should encourage their patients to improve CRF through regular physical activity.
568 citations
TL;DR: An approach to use memristors (resistors with memory) in programmable analog circuits in which low voltages are applied to memristor during their operation as analog circuit elements and high voltage are used to program the Memristor's states.
Abstract: We suggest an approach to use memristors (resistors with memory) in programmable analog circuits. Our idea consists in a circuit design in which low voltages are applied to memristors during their operation as analog circuit elements and high voltages are used to program the memristor's states. This way, as it was demonstrated in recent experiments, the state of memristors does not essentially change during analog mode operation. As an example of our approach, we have built several programmable analog circuits demonstrating memristor-based programming of threshold, gain and frequency. In these circuits the role of memristor is played by a memristor emulator developed by us.
TL;DR: In men, riding in a car and combined time spent in these two sedentary behaviors were significant CVD mortality predictors and high levels of physical activity were related to notably lower rates of CVD death even in the presence of high levelsof sedentary behavior.
Abstract: Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between two sedentary behaviors (riding in a car and watching TV) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in men in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study.Methods:Participants were 7744 men (20-89 yr) initially free of CVD
TL;DR: In this article, the authors performed searches for lepton-flavor-violating decays of a tau lepton to a lighter mass lepton and a photon with the entire data set of (963 +/- 7) x 10(6) tau decays collected by the BABAR detector near the Y(4S), Y(3S) and Y(2S) resonances.
Abstract: Searches for lepton-flavor-violating decays of a tau lepton to a lighter mass lepton and a photon have been performed with the entire data set of (963 +/- 7) x 10(6) tau decays collected by the BABAR detector near the Y(4S), Y(3S) and Y(2S) resonances. The searches yield no evidence of signals and we set upper limits on the branching fractions of B(tau(+/-) -> e(+/-)gamma) mu(+/-)gamma) < 4.4 X 10(-8) at 90% confidence level.
TL;DR: Overall, parental social support demonstrated positive effects and the majority of studies demonstrated positive associations among selected measures of parental tangible and intangible social support and youth activity.
Abstract: Social support from parents serves as one of the primary influences of youth physical activity-related behaviors. A systematic review was conducted on the relationship of parental social support to the physical activity-related behaviors of youth. Four categories of social support were identified, falling under two distinct mechanisms-tangible and intangible. Tangible social support is divided into two categories: instrumental-purchasing equipment/payment of fees and transportation-and conditional-doing activity with and watching/supervision. Intangible social support is divided into the two categories of motivational- encouragement and praise-and informational-discussing benefits of. The majority of studies demonstrated positive associations among selected measures of parental tangible and intangible social support and youth activity. Overall, parental social support demonstrated positive effects. Many studies, however, combine social support categories and/or respondents into composite measures, making it difficult to disentangle the specific effects of parents and the type of support provided.
TL;DR: It is argued that the causes of a population’s decline are central to the predictability of its extinction, and populations crossing a transcritical bifurcation, experimentally induced by the controlled decline in environmental conditions, show statistical signatures of CSD after the onset of environmental deterioration and before the critical transition.
Abstract: During the decline to extinction, animal populations may present dynamical phenomena not exhibited by robust populations. Some of these phenomena, such as the scaling of demographic variance, are related to small size whereas others result from density-dependent nonlinearities. Although understanding the causes of population extinction has been a central problem in theoretical biology for decades, the ability to anticipate extinction has remained elusive. Here we argue that the causes of a population's decline are central to the predictability of its extinction. Specifically, environmental degradation may cause a tipping point in population dynamics, corresponding to a bifurcation in the underlying population growth equations, beyond which decline to extinction is almost certain. In such cases, imminent extinction will be signalled by critical slowing down (CSD). We conducted an experiment with replicate laboratory populations of Daphnia magna to test this hypothesis. We show that populations crossing a transcritical bifurcation, experimentally induced by the controlled decline in environmental conditions, show statistical signatures of CSD after the onset of environmental deterioration and before the critical transition. Populations in constant environments did not have these patterns. Four statistical indicators all showed evidence of the approaching bifurcation as early as 110 days (∼8 generations) before the transition occurred. Two composite indices improved predictability, and comparative analysis showed that early warning signals based solely on observations in deteriorating environments without reference populations for standardization were hampered by the presence of transient dynamics before the onset of deterioration, pointing to the importance of reliable baseline data before environmental deterioration begins. The universality of bifurcations in models of population dynamics suggests that this phenomenon should be general.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a new remote sensing-based drought index, the Scaled Drought Condition Index (SDCI), for agricultural drought monitoring in both arid and humid regions using multi-sensor data.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide an overview and potential applications of the superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) technology in electrical power and energy systems, and a comparison is made among these three types of SMES.
Abstract: Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is known to be a very good energy storage device. This article provides an overview and potential applications of the SMES technology in electrical power and energy systems. SMES is categorized into three main groups depending on its power conditioning system, namely, the thyristor-based SMES, voltage-source- converter-based SMES, and current-source-converter-based SMES. An extensive bibliography is presented on the applications of these three types of SMES. Also, a comparison is made among these three types of SMES. This study provides a basic guideline to investigate further technological development and new applications of SMES, and thus benefits the readers, researchers, engineers, and academicians who deal with the research works in the area of SMES.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that anodal tDCS over the left frontal cortex can lead to enhanced naming accuracy in stroke patients with aphasia and, if proved to be effective in larger studies, may provide a supplementary treatment approach for anomia.
Abstract: Background and Purpose— Recent research suggests that increased left hemisphere cortical activity, primarily of the left frontal cortex, is associated with improved naming performance in stroke patients with aphasia. Our aim was to determine whether anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS), a method thought to increase cortical excitability, would improve naming accuracy in stroke patients with aphasia when applied to the scalp overlying the left frontal cortex. Methods— Ten patients with chronic stroke-induced aphasia received 5 days of anodal tDCS (1 mA for 20 minutes) and 5 days of sham tDCS (for 20 minutes, order randomized) while performing a computerized anomia treatment. tDCS positioning was guided by a priori functional magnetic resonance imaging results for each individual during an overt naming task to ensure that the active electrode was placed over structurally intact cortex. Results— Results revealed significantly improved naming accuracy of treated items (F[1,9]=5.72, P<0.040) a...
Proceedings Article•
11 Aug 2010TL;DR: It is shown that eavesdropping is easily possible at a distance of roughly 40m from a passing vehicle and that messages can be easily triggered remotely, which raises privacy concerns as vehicles can be tracked through these identifiers.
Abstract: Wireless networks are being integrated into the modern automobile. The security and privacy implications of such in-car networks, however, have are not well understood as their transmissions propagate beyond the confines of a car's body. To understand the risks associated with these wireless systems, this paper presents a privacy and security evaluation of wireless Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems using both laboratory experiments with isolated tire pressure sensor modules and experiments with a complete vehicle system. We show that eavesdropping is easily possible at a distance of roughly 40m from a passing vehicle. Further, reverse-engineering of the underlying protocols revealed static 32 bit identifiers and that messages can be easily triggered remotely, which raises privacy concerns as vehicles can be tracked through these identifiers. Further, current protocols do not employ authentication and vehicle implementations do not perform basic input validation, thereby allowing for remote spoofing of sensor messages. We validated this experimentally by triggering tire pressure warning messages in a moving vehicle from a customized software radio attack platform located in a nearby vehicle. Finally, the paper concludes with a set of recommendations for improving the privacy and security of tire pressure monitoring systems and other forthcoming in-car wireless sensor networks.
TL;DR: This article investigated the effects of focus versus diversification on bank performance using data on Chinese banks during the 1996-2006 period and found that diversification is associated with reduced profits and higher costs.
Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of focus versus diversification on bank performance using data on Chinese banks during the 1996-2006 period. We construct a new measure, economies of diversification, and compare the results to those of the more conventional focus indices, which are based on the sum of squares of shares in different products or regions. Diversification is captured in four dimensions: loans, deposits, assets, and geography. We find that all four dimensions of diversification are associated with reduced profits and higher costs. These results are robust regardless of alternative measures of diversification and performance. Furthermore, we observe that banks with foreign ownership (both majority and minority ownership) and banks with conglomerate affiliation are associated with fewer diseconomies of diversification, suggesting that foreign ownership and conglomerate affiliation play an important mitigating role. This analysis may provide important implications for bank managers and regulators in China as well as in other emerging economies.
TL;DR: In this paper, density functional theory (DFT) is used to reveal that the polycrystalline Young's modulus (E) of graphite triples as it is lithiated to LiC 6 is captured in a linear relationship between E and lithium concentration suitable for predicting diffusion-induced deformation in battery electrode materials.
Abstract: Density functional theory (DFT) is used to reveal that the polycrystalline Young's modulus (E) of graphite triples as it is lithiated to LiC 6 This behavior is captured in a linear relationship between E and lithium concentration suitable for continuum-scale models aimed at predicting diffusion-induced deformation in battery electrode materials Alternatively, Poisson's ratio is concentration-independent Charge-transfer analyses suggest simultaneous weakening of carbon-carbon bonds within graphite basal planes and strengthening of interlayer bonding during lithiation The variation in bond strength is shown to be responsible for the differences between elasticity tensor components, C ij , of lithium-graphite intercalation (Li-GIC) phases Strain accumulation during Li intercalation and deintercalation is examined with a core-shell model of a Li-GIC particle assuming two coexisting phases The requisite force equilibrium uses different Young's moduli computed with DFT Lithium-poor phases develop tensile strains, whereas Li-rich phases develop compressive strains Results from the core-shell model suggest that elastic strain should be defined relative to the newest phase that forms during lithiation of graphite, and Li concentration-dependent mechanical properties should be considered in continuum level models
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of gender-responsive assessment models were tested for their contributions to widely used gender-neutral risk needs assessments, and subsets of the genderresponsive scales achieved statistically significant contributions to gender neutral models, including parental stress, family support, self-efficacy, educational assets, housing safety, anger/hostility, and current mental health factors.
Abstract: A growing body of scholarship faults existing risk/needs assessment models for neglecting the risk factors most relevant to women offenders. In response, a series of gender-responsive assessment models were tested for their contributions to widely used gender-neutral risk needs assessments. In six of eight samples studied, subsets of the gender-responsive scales achieved statistically significant contributions to gender-neutral models. Promising results were found for the following: (a) parental stress, family support, self-efficacy, educational assets, housing safety, anger/hostility, and current mental health factors in probation samples; (b) child abuse, anger/hostility, relationship dysfunction, family support, and current mental health factors among prisoners; and (c) adult victimization, anger/hostility, educational assets, and family support among released inmates. The predictive validity of gender-neutral assessments was strong in seven of eight samples studied. However, findings for both gender-n...
TL;DR: A quantitative, coordinate‐based meta‐analysis combined data from 303 participants across 19 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies to identify the differences in neural representation of abstract and concrete concepts, suggesting greater engagement of the verbal system for processing of abstract concepts and greater engagement among healthy adults via mental imagery.
Abstract: A number of studies have investigated differences in neural correlates of abstract and concrete concepts with disagreement across results. A quantitative, coordinate-based meta-analysis combined data from 303 participants across 19 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies to identify the differences in neural representation of abstract and concrete concepts. Studies that reported peak activations in standard space in contrast of abstract > concrete or concrete > abstract concepts at a whole brain level in healthy adults were included in this meta-analysis. Multilevel kernel density analysis (MKDA) was performed to identify the proportion of activated contrasts weighted by sample size and analysis type (fixed or random effects). Meta-analysis results indicated consistent and meaningful differences in neural representation for abstract and concrete concepts. Abstract concepts elicit greater activity in the inferior frontal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus compared to concrete concepts, while concrete concepts elicit greater activity in the posterior cingulate, precuneus, fusiform gyrus, and parahippocampal gyrus compared to abstract concepts. These results suggest greater engagement of the verbal system for processing of abstract concepts and greater engagement of the perceptual system for processing of concrete concepts, likely via mental imagery.
TL;DR: Novel observations demonstrate that IL-6 induces a myocardial phenotype almost identical to that of the hypertensive heart, identifying IL- 6 as potentially important in this remodeling process.
Abstract: Although there is a correlation between hypertension and levels of interleukin (IL) 6, the exact role this cytokine plays in myocardial remodeling is unknown. This is complicated by the variable tissue and circulating levels of IL-6 reported in numerous experimental models of hypertension. Accordingly, we explored the hypothesis that elevated levels of IL-6 mediate adverse myocardial remodeling. To this end, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were infused with IL-6 (2.5 microg . kg(-1) . h(-1), IP) for 7 days via osmotic minipump and compared with vehicle-infused, aged-matched controls. Left ventricular function was evaluated using a blood-perfused isolated heart preparation. Myocardial interstitial collagen volume fraction and isolated cardiomyocyte size were also assessed. Isolated adult cardiac fibroblast experiments were performed to determine the importance of the soluble IL-6 receptor in mediating cardiac fibrosis. IL-6 infusions in vivo resulted in concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, increased ventricular stiffness, a marked increase in collagen volume fraction (6.2% versus 1.7%; P<0.001), and proportional increases in cardiomyocyte width and length, all independent of blood pressure. The soluble IL-6 receptor in combination with IL-6 was found to be essential to producing increased collagen concentration by isolated cardiac fibroblasts and also played a role in mediating a phenotypic conversion to myofibroblasts. These novel observations demonstrate that IL-6 induces a myocardial phenotype almost identical to that of the hypertensive heart, identifying IL-6 as potentially important in this remodeling process.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors use a novel pricing model to imply time series of diffusive volatility and jump intensity from S&P 500 index options, which capture the ex ante risk assessed by investors.
Abstract: We use a novel pricing model to imply time series of diffusive volatility and jump intensity from S&P 500 index options. These two measures capture the ex ante risk assessed by investors. Using a simple general equilibrium model, we translate the implied measures of ex ante risk into an ex ante risk premium. The average premium that compensates the investor for the ex ante risks is 70% higher than the premium for realized volatility. The equity premium implied from option prices is shown to significantly predict subsequent stock market returns.
TL;DR: This article examined how the pre-existing social vulnerabilities within New Orleans interacted with the level of flood exposure to produce inequities in the socio-spatial patterns of recovery and found a distinct geographic pattern to the recovery suggesting that the social burdens and impacts from Hurricane Katrina are uneven.
Abstract: The historical disparities in the socio-demographic structure of New Orleans shaped the social vulnerability of local residents and their responses to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. These disparities, derived from race, class, gender, and age differences, have resulted in the uneven impact of the catastrophe on various communities in New Orleans, and importantly, their ability to recover. This article examines how the pre-existing social vulnerabilities within New Orleans interacted with the level of flood exposure to produce inequities in the socio-spatial patterns of recovery. Utilizing a combination of statistical and spatial approaches, we found a distinct geographic pattern to the recovery suggesting that the social burdens and impacts from Hurricane Katrina are uneven—the less flooded and less vulnerable areas are recovering faster than tracts with more vulnerable populations and higher levels of flooding. However, there is a more nuanced story, which suggests that it is neighborhoods in the mid-range of social vulnerability where recovery is lagging. While private resources and government programs help groups in the high and low categories of social vulnerability, the middle group shows the slowest rates of recovery. Further, it appears that the congressionally funded State of Louisiana Road Home Program (designed to provide compensation to Louisiana’s homeowners who suffered impacts by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita for the damage to their home) is not having a significant effect in stimulating recovery within the city.
TL;DR: This paper reviews the literature on the circadian rhythm of body temperature (CRT) and a section on the nervous control of the CRT is followed by summary and conclusions.
Abstract: This article reviews the literature on the circadian rhythm of body temperature. It starts with a description of the typical pattern of oscillation under standard laboratory conditions, with consideration being given to intra- and interspecies differences. It then addresses the influence of environmental factors (principally ambient temperature and food availability) and biological factors (including locomotor activity, maturation and aging, body size, and reproductive state). A discussion of the interplay of rhythmicity and homeostasis (including both regulatory and heat-exchange processes) is followed by concluding remarks.
TL;DR: Results of this study provide increasing evidence that certain EDCs and PPCPs commonly occur in the Han River as the result of wastewater outfalls.
TL;DR: Prevalence of overweight and obesity in youth with diabetes in USA: the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study finds that boys are more likely to be overweight than girls to be obese.
Abstract: Liu LL, Lawrence JM, Davis C, Liese AD, Pettitt DJ, Pihoker C, Dabelea D, Hamman R, Waitzfelder B, Kahn HS. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in youth with diabetes in USA: the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study.
Objective: Obesity's association with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is well established, but is less clear with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). We calculated the prevalence of overweight and obesity among diabetic youth in the USA from a six-center, population-based study of racially and ethnically diverse youth with diabetes, and we compared these rates with estimates among nondiabetic youth.
Design/setting: Diabetic participants were examined in 2001−2004 for the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study (SEARCH) and nondiabetic participants were examined during the same years of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Participants: 3953 diabetic youth and 7666 nondiabetic youth aged 3−19 yr.
Main outcome measures: Overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) from the 85th to <95th percentile for age and sex and obesity defined as ≥95th percentile. Diabetes type was categorized as T1DM or T2DM based on physician diagnosis.
Results: Among youth with T2DM, the prevalence of overweight was 10.4% and obesity was 79.4%. Among youth with T1DM, 22.1% were overweight. The prevalence of overweight among youth with T1DM was higher than among those without diabetes overall (22.1% vs. 16.1%) (P <.05). The obesity rate for T1DM was 12.6% overall (range Non-Hispanic White 10.7%−African-American 20.1%).
Conclusions: As expected, most of the youth with T2DM were obese. Youth with T1DM had a higher prevalence of overweight, but not of obesity, than nondiabetic youth. Future studies of obesity among youth with diabetes of all types will further our understanding of the impact of obesity on diabetes both as a risk factor and a comorbidity.
TL;DR: This paper investigated the effects of focus versus diversification on bank performance using data on Chinese banks during the 1996-2006 period and found that diversification is associated with reduced profits and higher costs.
Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of focus versus diversification on bank performance using data on Chinese banks during the 1996–2006 period. We construct a new measure, economies of diversification, and compare the results to those of the more conventional focus indices, which are based on the sum of squares of shares in different products or regions. Diversification is captured in four dimensions: loans, deposits, assets, and geography. We find that all four dimensions of diversification are associated with reduced profits and higher costs. These results are robust regardless of alternative measures of diversification and performance. Furthermore, we observe that banks with foreign ownership (both majority and minority ownership) and banks with conglomerate affiliation are associated with fewer diseconomies of diversification, suggesting that foreign ownership and conglomerate affiliation may play important mitigating roles. This analysis may provide important implications for bank managers and regulators in China as well as in other emerging economies.