Reconciliation and Representation: The Share of the Population Represented by the Democratic Majority

With the debate over health care dragging on, it is becoming increasingly likely that the Senate will pass a bill through the reconciliation process, requiring just a simple majority rather than the super-majority needed to break a filibuster. This paper shows that if this path is taken, senators who represent the vast majority of the nation's population will have supported the bill. This assessment holds even if several of the senators who have indicated serious reservations end up voting against it

The High Budgetary Cost of Incarceration

The United States currently incarcerates a higher share of its population than any other country in the world. We calculate that a reduction in incarceration rates just to the level we had in 1993 (which was already high by historical standards) would lower correctional expenditures by $16.9 billion per year, with the large majority of these savings accruing to financially squeezed state and local governments. As a group, state governments could save$7.6 billion, while local governments could save $7.2 billion. These cost savings could be realized through a reduction by one-half in the incarceration rate of exclusively non-violent offenders, who now make up over 60 percent of the prison and jail population. A review of the extensive research on incarceration and crime suggests that these savings could be achieved without any appreciable deterioration in public safety.incarceration, prison, jail, incarceration rates, budget deficit

The High Budgetary Cost of Incarceration

The United States currently incarcerates a higher share of its population than any other country in the world. We calculate that a reduction in incarceration rates just to the level we had in 1993 (which was already high by historical standards) would lower correctional expenditures by $16.9 billion per year, with the large majority of these savings accruing to financially squeezed state and local governments. As a group, state governments could save$7.6 billion, while local governments could save $7.2 billion. These cost savings could be realized through a reduction by one-half in the incarceration rate of exclusively non-violent offenders, who now make up over 60 percent of the prison and jail population. A review of the extensive research on incarceration and crime suggests that these savings could be achieved without any appreciable deterioration in public safety

Multitier Biometric Template Security Using Cryptographic Salts and Personal Image Identification

Individual identification can be accurately done by measuring biological parameters termed as biometrics. These have been proved as an exceptional tool for identity verification. Security of biometric template is the most challenging aspect of biometric identification system. Storing the biometric template in the database increases the chance of compromising it which may lead to serious threat and misuse of the individual identity. This paper proposes a novel and computationally simpler approach to store a biometric sample in the form of template by using cryptographic salts. Use of Personal Image Identification (PII) makes the proposed algorithm more robust and adds another level of security. The saltcrypted templates are created and stored instead of storing the actual sample behaving as a fuzzy vault. The algorithm has been analytically proved computationally simple compared to the existing template security mechanisms. The fuzzy structure of saltcrypted template is entirely dependent on user interaction through PII. Actual template is not stored at any point of time which adds new dimension to the security and hence to individual identity

Characterization of CRF domain containing ERF genes- Solanum lycopersicum Cytokinin Response Factors SlCRF3 and SlCRF5 in tomato development

Cytokinin is an important hormone involved in numerous aspects of plant growth and development. A newly identified group of transcription factors- Cytokinin Response Factors (CRFs) has been included as a side branch to cytokinin signaling pathway. CRFs constitute a subset of the AP2/ERF family of transcription factor proteins found in all land plants. Within the ethylene response factor (ERF) subfamily, CRFs are defined by the presence of a group-specific domain, known as the CRF domain, several of which were originally identified in Arabidopsis microarray experiments as induced by cytokinin. Initial studies of CRF mutants have also linked these genes to normal leaf/cotyledon development in Arabidopsis. In this study, two transcription factor genes SlCRF3 and SlCRF5 (Solanum lycopersicum Cytokinin Response Factors) were identified and characterized to determine their involvement in regulating cytokinin responses in tomato development. Additionally, the first transcriptome analysis of cytokinin and auxin response in tomato roots was conducted and several novel hormone regulated genes were identified through Illumina RNA-seq technology. This project was initiated with the following objectives: 1) To characterize SlCRF3 and SlCRF5 and their pattern of regulation by cytokinin and abiotic stresses, 2) To determine the roles of SlCRF5 in tomato development, 3) To characterize novel genes involved in cytokinin and auxin regulation in tomato root. For the first two objectives, previous unknown full length DNA sequences for SlCRF3 and SlCRF5 were determined, cloned into different expression vectors, then transformed into plants to study where and when these genes are expressed as well as the effects these genes produced in tomato development. Expression analysis using GUS reporter transgenic lines revealed that these genes are targeted to the vascular tissue, more specifically in the phloem of leaf, stem, root, and floral parts. Knockdown studies, using antisense lines indicated the potential involvement of SlCRF5 in various aspects of tomato development, including leaf size and primary root length as well as the number of lateral roots, and number of flowers, fruits, and seeds produced. SlCRF3 and SlCRF5 were also examined at the protein level. Bimolecular florescence (BiFC) experiments using a split YFP system in protoplasts revealed the ability of these two proteins to form both homo and hetero dimers. In addition cellular localization experiments indicated that these proteins were nuclear localized in planta. In order to investigate the responses of SlCRF3 and SlCRF5 to hormones and stress, tomato plants were treated with cytokinin and other stress hormones and were exposed to abiotic stress conditions. These results revealed that SlCRF3 and SlCRF5 are regulated by cytokinin and also by some abiotic stresses. For the third objective, Illumina RNA-sequencing was utilized to analyze the transcriptome of tomato roots with the main focus on the spatial patterning and regulation of genes by the hormones cytokinin and auxin. The analysis revealed that a number of genes involved in mechanisms such as defense, stress response, cytokinin signaling, hormonal crosstalk, and metabolism were regulated. Together, these findings indicate that SlCRF3 and SlCRF5 are potential regulators of tomato developmental processes associated with cytokinin and abiotic stresses and these results set a foundation for future research directed towards tomato development

State Efforts to Collect Child Outcomes Data for the Part B-619 and Part C Programs Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Part B-619 and Part C Programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provide preschool special education and early intervention services, respectively, to children with disabilities birth through age 5. Recent requirements in IDEA require states to monitor the implementation of these programs through a series of indicators, one of which focuses on the outcomes that infants, toddlers, and preschoolers make as a result of program participation. Known commonly as child outcomes, these data will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Part B-619 and Part C programs. The purpose of this investigation was to determine how Part B-619 and Part C programs are collecting high-quality child outcomes data, what barriers these programs are facing in this collection, and how programs are addressing these barriers. Telephone interviews were used to gather descriptive information from a national sample of Part B-619 and Part C coordinators. The clarity and scope of the interview was improved through Dillman's (2000) pretest procedures. The final interview consisted of open-ended questions and was standardized to elicit consistent information from each respondent (Patton, 1990). The results of the study showed that state Part B-619 and Part C programs used similar methods to support the accurate and reliable collection of child outcomes data. Most frequently noted methods included training, a statewide measurement approach, and data review. Despite these methods, 18 types of barriers emerged from collection efforts. Barriers primarily pertained to data quality and the transmission of child outcomes data from local programs to the state. States chose to address barriers through the methods used to support high-quality collection efforts, most notably training and the use of communication and collaboration. Findings suggest that states have established a structure to coordinate the collection of child outcomes data statewide. These efforts focused primarily on improving the quality of these data. Barriers related to the quality of the data emerged despite these efforts, which further indicate the need for ongoing support to sustain high-quality collection efforts. These findings emphasize the importance of training and continuous monitoring to ensure the quality of child outcomes data in statewide collection efforts

How Homocysteine Modulates the Function of Osteoblasts and Osteocytes

Over the years, numerous mechanisms have been identified through which homocysteine affects osteoblast functioning. These include alterations in collagen structure, epigenetic modifications and changes in RANKL-OPG production by osteoblasts. These mechanisms are reviewed in this chapter. We have also herein discussed how homocysteine affects osteocyte behavior. With onset of hyperhomocysteinemia induction of osteocyte specific genes particularly the mineralization genes like Dmp1 and Sost is facilitated producing untoward mineralization, osteocyte apoptosis, deviations from regular bone remodeling process and onset of targeted remodeling in bone. These modifications have immense effect on the overall mechanical stability of bone. Homocysteine thus represents an independent risk factor for bone fragility

Exploiting bacterial isolates for diesel degrading potential under in vitro conditions

Hydrocarbon contaminated oil-spilled areas and oil-products have caused serious harm with increasing attention for development, implementation and removal of these contaminants. Bacterial diversity on succession at the petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated environment can give answer the problem. Such lands have serious problems as totally barren or with rare plantation. Bacteria can thereby be exploited for the mitigation of hydrocarbon to enhance the nutrient availability for vegetation. Present study involves collection of soil samples heavily contaminated with hydrocarbon from Bagru (Rajasthan). Samples were analysed by solid liquid extraction method followed by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) and HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis. During microbiological analysis hydrocarbon degrading bacteria were screened. FTIR spectral analysis indicated the presence of the functional group’s alkanes and aromatic ringed compounds; 43% to 69% hydrocarbon content recorded by HPLC analysis of all the soil samples respectively. From the soil samples six gram-positive and four gram-negative bacterial isolates were explored possessing hydrocarbon degrading capacities in the range 47.04-87.31% and 10.12-95.24% respectively. Growth kinetic studies revealed the degradation up to 1000 ppm diesel in 3 days under in vitro conditions. These bacteria can further be exploited for diesel degradation and will certainly propose a possible solution to the prevailing issue for its biodegradation in ex-situ conditions after up scaling

SPIRODELA POLYRRHIZA EXTRACT INDUCED CHANGES IN POLLEN GROWTH OF BARLEY PLANT

The influence of different concentrations (1, 2, 5 & 10%) of Spirodela polyrrhiza extract in distilled water on germination and tube growth of Hordeum vulgare has been studied. Pollen grains from fresh flowers of H. vulgare were collected early in the morning before anthesis. Obsevations were recorded 60 minutes after pollen culture at 20 ± 0.5ºC and 100% relative humidity. Results showed that lower concentrations (1%, 2% & 5%) enhanced pollen growth. Maximum percentage germination (76.0%) and tube growth (234.509μm) were observed with 5% S. polyrrhiza extract in the evening followed by morning and noon. Finally one can conclude that S. polyrrhiza extract enhanced pollen germination and tube growth of barley plant