15,923 research outputs found
Sushila Agrawal oral history interview and transcript
No full textThis recording and transcript form part of a collection of oral history interviews conducted by the Chao Center for Asian Studies at Rice University. This collection includes audio recordings and transcripts of interviews with Asian Americans native to or living in Houston.Sushila Agrawal was born in 1951 and raised in Delhi, India in a multigenerational home with family and extended family. Her family ran a trading business. After attending college in Delhi to study British literature, she moved to Houston, Texas to be with her husband, with whom she had an arranged marriage when she was twenty years old. She had four children, and was highly involved in their schools throughout their childhoods. She played an informal but integral role in her husband’s successful business and has served as a member of the Asia Society’s Asian art subcommittee, a board member of the India House Houston, and a trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston
On the Parameterized Complexity of Clique Elimination Distance
No full textBulian and Dawar [Algorithmica, 2016] introduced the notion of elimination distance in an effort to define new tractable parameterizations for graph problems and showed that deciding whether a given graph has elimination distance at most k to any minor-closed class of graphs is fixed-parameter tractable parameterized by k [Algorithmica, 2017].
In this paper, we consider the problem of computing the elimination distance of a given graph to the class of cluster graphs and initiate the study of the parameterized complexity of a more general version - that of obtaining a modulator to such graphs. That is, we study the (η,Clq)-Elimination Deletion problem ((η,Clq)-ED Deletion) where, for a fixed η, one is given a graph G and k ∈ ℕ and the objective is to determine whether there is a set S ⊆ V(G) such that the graph G-S has elimination distance at most η to the class of cluster graphs.
Our main result is a polynomial kernelization (parameterized by k) for this problem. As components in the proof of our main result, we develop a k^(η k + η²)n^(1)-time fixed-parameter algorithm for (η,Clq)-ED Deletion and a polynomial-time factor-min{(η⋅ opt⋅ log² n),opt^(1)} approximation algorithm for the same problem
Open access - reasons to be cheerful: a reply to Agrawal
No full text08.05.14 KB. OK to add accepted version to spiral, Elsevier says ok while mandate not enforced.Anurag Agrawal's recent letter on open access publishing raises an important topic that many researchers may have found difficult to engage with, not least because its myriad complexities are frequently enveloped in strong cross-currents of opinion. Agrawal is concerned that some scientists might still be rather uncritical of the accelerating open-access bandwagon and rightly highlights some of the possible pitfalls. However, although it is important to be aware of the risks of open access, Agrawal was more pessimistic in his assessment than is warranted by the evidence and, in my view, paid insufficient attention to the possible benefits
Production of light-flavor hadrons in pp collisions at √s=7and√s=13TeV
No full textThe production of π±, K ±, KS0, K ∗(892) , p , φ(1020) , Λ , Ξ -, Ω -, and their antiparticles was measured in inelastic proton–proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of s = 13 TeV at midrapidity (| y| < 0.5) as a function of transverse momentum (pT) using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. Furthermore, the single-particle pT distributions of KS0, Λ , and Λ ̄ in inelastic pp collisions at s=7 TeV are reported here for the first time. The pT distributions are studied at midrapidity within the transverse momentum range 0 ≤ pT≤ 20 GeV/c, depending on the particle species. The pT spectra, integrated yields, and particle yield ratios are discussed as a function of collision energy and compared with measurements at lower s and with results from various general-purpose QCD-inspired Monte Carlo models. A hardening of the spectra at high pT with increasing collision energy is observed, which is similar for all particle species under study. The transverse mass and xT≡2pT/s scaling properties of hadron production are also studied. As the collision energy increases from s = 7–13 TeV, the yields of non- and single-strange hadrons normalized to the pion yields remain approximately constant as a function of s, while ratios for multi-strange hadrons indicate enhancements. The pT-differential cross sections of π±, K ± and p (p ̄) are compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations, which are found to overestimate the cross sections for π± and p (p ̄) at high pT
The benefits of growth for Indonesian Workers
No full textIndonesia's adopted development model has proved to be the most successful in alleviating poverty and benefiting workers in developing countries. The government's development efforts focused on agriculture, education, and transport infrastructure. It emphasized providing productive employment opportunities and gradually improving the labor quality through education and training. The wage, employment, and income growth rates were left to market forces. Although the rapid growth of labor-intensive manufacturing has led to more jobs and higher wages benefiting workers, workers employed in these industries have expressed growing dissatisfaction. They complain about problems of child labor, the denial of centrally mandated wages and benefits to workers, poor working conditions, and the abuse of young female workers. The government has tried to improve worker's wages and working conditions by centrally mandating higher labor standards, relying principally on minimum wages. Enforcement has improved and, despite low compliance, minimum wages are beginning to bite. Indonesians are debating whether they need labor intensive industries and whether it is a mistake to base Indonesia's growth on cheap labor. They argue that if labor is more expensive, manufacturers must substitute some capital for labor. However, if labor-intensive industries are rejected, the capacity of the economy to absorb plentiful workers will be reduced. The main alternatives are to push up wages now, or to let wages be determined by market forces and strengthen institutions that could improve working conditions, such as labor unions. The author recommends maintaining flexible labor markets and allowing market forces to set the pace of change, while strengthening labor unions.Environmental Economics&Policies,Public Health Promotion,Labor Policies,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Work&Working Conditions,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Banks&Banking Reform,Work&Working Conditions,Municipal Financial Management
Staging Investigations in Breast Cancer: Collective Opinion of UK Breast Surgeons
No full textIntroduction. Certain clinicopathological factors are associated with a higher likelihood of distant metastases in primary breast cancer. However, there remains inconsistency in which patients undergo formal staging for distant metastasis and the most appropriate investigation(s). Aims. To identify UK surgeon preferences and practice with regard to staging investigations for distant metastases. Methods. A survey was disseminated to members of the Association of Breast Surgery by e-mail regarding surgeon/breast unit demographics, use of staging investigations, and local policy on pre/postoperative staging investigations. Several patient scenarios were also presented. Results. 123 of 474 (25.9%) recipients completed the survey. Investigations routinely employed for patients diagnosed with early breast cancer included serological/haematological tests (72% respondents), axillary ultrasound (67%), liver ultrasound (2%), chest radiograph (36%), and computed tomography (CT) (1%). Three areas contributed to decisions to undertake staging by CT scan: tumour size, axillary nodal status, and plan for chemotherapy. There was widespread variation as to criteria for CT staging based on tumour size and nodal status, as well as the choice of staging investigation for the clinical scenarios presented. Conclusions. There remains variation in the use of staging investigations for distant disease in early breastcancer despite available guidelines
Arun_openpractices_disclosure – Supplemental material for Reading Increases the Compositionality of Visual Word Representations
No full textSupplemental material, Arun_openpractices_disclosure for Reading Increases the Compositionality of Visual Word Representations by Aakash Agrawal, K. V. S. Hari and S. P. Arun in Psychological Science</p
Arun_Supplemental_Material_rev – Supplemental material for Reading Increases the Compositionality of Visual Word Representations
No full textSupplemental material, Arun_Supplemental_Material_rev for Reading Increases the Compositionality of Visual Word Representations by Aakash Agrawal, K. V. S. Hari and S. P. Arun in Psychological Science</p
Pseudoparamacroderoides seenghali Gupta & Agrawal 1968
No full textType-species. Pseudoparamacroderoides seenghali Gupta & Agrawal, 1968 (Syns. Pseudoparamacroderoides vittati Kakaji, 1969 n. syn.; Pseudoparamacroderoides vittatusi Kakaji, 1969 [malformed suffix]) Records. 1. Gupta & Agrawal (1968); 2. Kakaji (1969); 3. Kumari et al. (1972). Pseudoparamacroderoides seenghali was described as the type-species of Pseudoparamacroderoides for specimens collected from the intestine of giant-river catfish, Sperata seenghala (Sykes) (syn. Mystus seenghala [Sykes]) (Siluriformes: Bagridae), from the Gomti River (a tributary of the Ganges River) at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India (Gupta & Agrawal 1968). A year later and from the same locality, Kakaji (1969) added P. vittati (as P. vittatusi) for one specimen gathered from the intestine of the striped dwarf catfish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch) (Siluriformes: Bagridae), and differentiated it from P. seenghali by the former possessing i) an ovary slightly distant from the ventral sucker posteriorly vs an ovary contiguous with the ventral sucker; ii) a seminal receptacle positioned lateral to the ovary vs post-ovarian; iii) the anterior extent of vitellarium located at the level of the anterior end of the ventral sucker vs at the level of the intestinal bifurcation or a little anterior (Note: the vitelline follicles appear distinctly post-bifurcal in the type illustration of P. seenghali [see Gupta & Agrawal 1968, p. 71]); iv) intercecal uterine coils vs coils that overlap the medial margins of ceca; v) an excretory vesicle extending up to the middle of the posterior testis vs up to the anterior margin of the anterior testis; and vi) different host species, M. vittatus vs S. seenghala . In their review, Truong et al. (2021) referred to the dubious and comparatively unjustified state of the aforementioned first four features (i.e., separation between the ovary and ventral sucker, seminal receptacle shape and position, the anterior extent of vitellarium, position of uterine coils relative to ceca) and considered the length or anterior extent of the excretory vesicle to be the only valid feature listed by Kakaji (1969) differentiating P. vittati from P. seenghali. We concur with Truong et al. (2021) except as concerns the anterior extent of the excretory vesicle. The short inter-testicular distance, and resultantly, the difference in location of the anterior extent of the excretory vesicle (either at the middle of the posterior testis or at the level of the anterior margin of the anterior testis) remains indistinctive and we feel it does not preclude conspecifity of P. vittati with P. seenghali. We can see this in different descriptions of the excretory vesicle of P. seenghali in Kakaji (1969) vs Gupta & Agrawal (1968). The anterior extent of the excretory vesicle terminates at the “anterior end [margin] of anterior testis” in P. seenghali (see Kakaji 1969, p. 73) whereas the type description of this species referred to the excretory vesicle as “passing between testes” and the type illustration shows this feature to extend to the mid-level of the anterior testis (see Gupta & Agrawal 1968, p. 70–71). Another example is the anterior extent of the vitellarium. Kakaji (1969, p. 73) stated that the vitelline follicles began from the level “of intestinal bifurcation or a little anterior to it” in P. seenghali whereas Gupta & Agrawal (1968, p. 72) stated the anterior extent of vitellarium “from middle or hind end of ventral sucker”. The implicit meaning of the original text in the Discussion of P. seenghali implies extra-cecal uterine coils (see Kakaji 1969, p. 73) which contradicts the illustration in the type description of P. seenghali which exhibits mainly inter-cecal uterine coils that may overlap the medial margins of the ceca but are not extra-cecal (see Gupta & Agrawal 1968, p. 71). Regarding the host-parasite data of P. seenghali and P. vittati , both hosts (S. seenghala vs M. vittatus) belong to the bagrid catfishes, Bagridae Bleeker, and to two closely related genera, the whiskered bagrid catfishes, Mystus Scopoli, and the Sperat bagrid catfishes, Sperata Holly, which share food and feeding habits (see Froese & Pauly 2022) and were captured from the same locality (the Gomti River at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India). According to all aforementioned, we could not find any evidence for separating P. vittati as a distinct species from P. seenghali. Thus, with similarities in host taxa, locality, an absence of differential features, the enantiomorphic appearance of P. vittati with P. seenghali (see Gupta & Agrawal 1968, p. 71; Kakaji 1969, fig. 10), and the probable effects of host-induced variability, we synonymize P. vittati with P. seenghali and consider the features used by Kakaji (1969) and Truong et al. (2021) for differentiating both species as representative of intra-specific variation. Therefore, we consider these two taxa conspecific, P. vittati becoming a new synonym of P. seenghali. Kumari et al. (1972) referred to the existence of a great amount of variation in A. reniferum after gathering a number of specimens from the intestine of two freshwater siluriform fishes at Kolkata (Calcutta), India: the Gangetic mystus, Mystus cavasius (Hamilton) (Siluriformes: Bagridae), and the Philippine catfish, C. batrachus. These variations included i) size of suckers, either equally or subequally sized; ii) presence of a prepharynx, either small or not evident; iii) esophagus length, between short to moderately long, and either straight to twisted; iv) intestinal bifurcation position, at mid-forebody level or more posterior; v) location of cecal ends where terminate, a little anterior to the posterior extremity or midway within the post-testicular space; vi) positioning of testes, tandem to obliquely tandem; vii) length of inter-testicular space highly variable; viii) anterior extent of cirrus-pouch, in region posterior to the ventral sucker to the middle of the ovary or extends further posterior; ix) cirrus-pouch, either claviform or twisted to nearly S-shaped; x) position of ovary in relation to ventral sucker, either overlapping/contiguous with ventral sucker or positioned between the ventral sucker and anterior testis; xi) difference in the ratio between the length and the width of the body; xii) vitellarium extent, from slightly posterior to the intestinal bifurcation anteriorly and to the posterior end of the posterior testis posteriorly; xiii) genital pore, either median or submedian; xiv) excretory vesicle shape, from I-shaped to Yshaped with intermediate phases; xv) variation in anterior extent of the excretory vesicle, between the level of the posterior testis to close to the ovarian level; and xvi) excretory pore, either terminal or subterminal. These variations were attributed to the degree of relaxation or contraction of specimens as well as time and state of fixation (Kumari et al. 1972). Based on these variations, Kumari et al. (1972) synonymized Pseudoparamacroderoides with Astiotrema. We concur with Kumari et al. (1972) in the noticeable similarities between these two genera, but the I-shaped excretory vesicle represents a differential diagnostic feature for Pseudoparamacroderoides. Although Kumari et al. (1972, p. 320) stated that in A. reniferum there is great variation in excretory vesicle shape (i.e., “shape varies from ‘I’ to ‘Y’ with intermediate conditions”), our examination of their illustrations (Kumari et al. 1972, figs. 2A–F) did not find a distinct Y-shaped excretory vesicle. Some of the excretory vesicles of these illustrated individuals appear to be transversely inflated at the distal end (i.e., anterior swelling); such a case was also observed in P. dongthapensis (see Truong et al. 2021, fig. 4). Regarding host-parasite data, Pseudoparamacroderoides is restricted to freshwater bagrid catfishes (Mystus and Sperata) (see Truong et al. 2021) whilst Astiotrema (sensu stricto) is distributed within a wide variety of host groups (i.e., reptilians, amphibians and freshwater fishes) (see Karar et al. 2021). However, neither M. cavasius nor C. batrachus has been reported as a host for any taxon of Astiotrema before and/or after Kumari et al. (1972). Mystus cavasius belongs to a commonly known host genus harboring taxa of Pseudoparamacroderoides (see Kakaji 1969; Agarwal & Kumar 1983; Agarwal & Agarwal 1984; Truong et al. 2021). Clarias batrachus is widespread along with M. cavasius in Indian freshwaters, and both share food and feeding habitats (Froese & Pauly 2022). As a result, we believe that Kumari et al. (1972) erroneously identified their specimens as A. reniferum. These specimens represent a taxon that belongs to Pseudoparamacroderoides, most likely P. seenghali, based on their identical morphology, the same wide range of intraspecific variability observed, a sharing of the same and/or close host group, their nearby localities, and similar host feeding habitats. We also noted that one of the most striking variations observed in P. seenghali is the position of the cirrus-pouch relative to the ventral sucker and ovary which varies from either confined to the area between the ovary and ventral sucker (see Kakaji 1969, fig. 10; Kumari et al. 1972, figs. 1A & 1E) or positioned laterally in the same direction from both the ventral sucker and ovary (i.e., ventral sucker situated between ovary and cirrus-pouch) (see Gupta & Agrawal 1968, p. 71; Kumari et al. 1972, figs. 1B–D & 2B). Such a case has been observed in other digeneans (e.g., A. impletum – see Karar et al. 2021); thus, with the absence of distinct morphometrical and/or obvious morphological variation as well as the sharing of the same host group, food/ feeding habits and nearby localities, we consider this variability (i.e., positions of the cirrus-pouch relative to the ventral sucker and ovary) as an example of intraspecific variation and not indicative of a lack of con-specificity with P. seenghali across these three studies.Published as part of Karar, Yasser F. M., Blend, Charles K., Dronen, Norman O. & Adel, Asmaa, 2023, Towards resolving the problematic status of the digenean genus Astiotrema Looss 1900: Taxa excluded from Astiotrema (sensu stricto) with special reference to plagiorchioid genera closely related to the restricted concept of Astiotrema, pp. 445-495 in Zootaxa 5284 (3) on pages 472-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5284.3.2, http://zenodo.org/record/792950
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