cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Segmentation-based speech enhancement for intelligibility improvement in MELP coders using auxiliary sensors

Intelligibility of spoken words in noisy environments is an important problem of speech coders particularly for military applications. The intelligibility problem of a MELP speech encoder in noisy environments is addressed by using a novel speech enhancement algorithm at the front end. The speech signal is segmented into broad phonetic classes using auxiliary sensors in addition to the acoustic microphone. Each phoneme class is enhanced by suppressing maximum noise while minimally distorting perceptually important cues using the acoustic-phonetic knowledge about the class. The DRT (diagnostic rhyme tests) cores in an M2 tank noise environment show substantial improvement over the MELPe coder.
Parenting quality, DRD4, and the prediction of externalizing and internalizing behaviors in early childhood

Recent research has found that the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene and maternal insensitivity may interact to predict externalizing behavior in preschoolers. The current study attempted to replicate and extend this finding in a sample of 18–30-month-old children. The current study examined two distinct dimensions of parenting (warm-responsive and negative-intrusive) as predictors of childhood externalizing and internalizing behavior. Further, race was investigated as a moderator of gene–environment relationships. Results revealed that high warm-responsive parenting was associated with decreased externalizing behavior only for African American children possessing the short polymorphism of DRD4. The data indicate that children may be differentially susceptible to different aspects of parenting depending on their genotype, and it is important to consider differences in racial composition when studying these relationships. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 619-632, 2007.
Comorbidity of Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents: 20 Years After

Brady and Kendall (1992) concluded that although anxiety and depression in youths are meaningfully linked, there are important distinctions, and additional research is needed. Since then, studies of anxiety-depression comorbidity in youths have increased exponentially. Following a discussion of comorbidity, we review existing conceptual models and propose a multiple pathways model to anxiety-depression comorbidity. Pathway 1 describes youths with a diathesis for anxiety, with subsequent comorbid depression resulting from anxiety-related impairment. Pathway 2 refers to youths with a shared diathesis for anxiety and depression, who may experience both disorders simultaneously. Pathway 3 describes youths with a diathesis for depression, with subsequent comorbid anxiety resulting from depression-related impairment. Additionally, shared and stratified risk factors contribute to the development of the comorbid disorder, either by interacting with disorder-related impairment or by predicting the simultaneous development of the disorders. Our review addresses descriptive and developmental factors, gender differences, suicidality, assessments, and treatment-outcome research as they relate to comorbid anxiety and depression and to our proposed pathways. Research since 1992 indicates that comorbidity varies depending on the specific anxiety disorder, with Pathway 1 describing youths with either social phobia or separation anxiety disorder and subsequent depression, Pathway 2 applying to youths with coprimary generalized anxiety disorder and depression, and Pathway 3 including depressed youths with subsequent social phobia. The need to test the proposed multiple pathways model and to examine (a) developmental change and (b) specific anxiety disorders is highlighted.
Spatiotemporal Dimensions of Visual Signals in Animal Communication

Much of the information in visual signals is encoded in motion, form, and texture. Current knowledge about the mechanisms underlying visual communication is spread across diverse disciplines. Contemporary perspectives on the physics, psychology, and genetics of visual signal generation and perception can be synthesized into a conceptually integrative approach. Developmental mechanisms of pattern formation suggest that small changes in gene regulation or structure can result in major shifts in signal architecture. Animals in many species have been shown to attend to variation in higher-order stimulus properties. Preferences for these properties can be innately specified or learned, and may also show large shifts or reversals. Perceptual mechanisms, particularly visual attention, associated with spatiotemporal features are likely to be a major force in shaping the design of visual signals.
Heat-sensitive mutant strain of Neurospora crassa, 4M(t), conditionally defective in 25S ribosomal ribonucleic acid production.

A heat-sensitive mutantstrain ofNeurospora crassa,4M(t), was studied inan attempt todefine itsmolecular lesion. Themutantstrain isinhibited inconidial germination andmycelial extension atthenonpermissive temperature (37°C). Macromolecular synthesis studies showedthatbothribonucleic acid(RNA)and protein syntheses are inhibited when4-hcultures are shifted from20to37°C. Density gradient analysis ofribosomal subunits madeat37°Cindicated that strain 4M(t)isdeficient intheaccumulation of60Sribosomal subunits inthat theratio of60S/37Ssubunits was 0.29:1 compared with1.6:1 fortheparental strain. Thisphenotype was showntobetheresult ofa slowrateofprocessing of, anda deficiency intheamountof,theimmediate precursorto25Sribosomal RNA (thelarge RNA ofthe60Ssubunit) inthesequenceofeventsconstituting theproduction ofmatureribosomal RNAs fromtheprimary transcript ofthe ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid, theprecursorribosomal RNA molecule. Analysis ofpolysomes suggested thattheheat-sensitive gene product mightfunction in boththeassembly andthefunction ofthe60Sribosomal subunit, since there was a smallerproportion ofnewlymade60Ssubunits synthesized at37°Cinthe polysome region ofthegradients thaninthemonosome-plus-subunit region. The ribosomal RNA processing defect isapparently responsible fortheobserved defects ingermination andmacromolecular synthesis at37°C,buttheprecise molecular lesion isnotknown.On thebasis oftheseresults, theheat-sensitive mutantallele inthe4M(t)strain isconsidered todefine theripl(ribosome production) gene locus. Thestudy ofmutantstrains inbothprocaryotesandeucaryotes hasbeenveryuseful for obtaining information about metabolic processes inthecell. Certain cell processes, suchasnucleic acidandprotein syntheses, arecontrolled by indispensable genes, andtheonly mutations that canbeisolated inthese genesareconditional mutations, thatis, heat-sensitive andcold-sensitive mutants. Inthispaperwe present the results ofmolecular studies ofaheat-sensitive mutantstrain ofNeurospora crassawhichis temperature sensitive forconidial (asexual spore) germination andmycelial extension. Fromstudies ofmolecular labeling patterns, of ribosome andribonucleic acid(RNA)production, andofpolysome distributions, evidence was obtained thattheheat-sensitive strain hasa conditional defect inribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis inthat25SrRNA isproduced ina stoichiometrically
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for the “New” Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Explain the difference in clinical course between classic bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and “new BPD.” 2. Describe the potential role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of BPD. 3. Describe how patent ductus arteriosus may affect the development of BPD. 4. Delineate the role of infection in the pathogenesis of BPD. The classic severe form of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) described by Northway and colleagues is occurring less frequently, but there is an increasing number of small preterm infants who are surviving with a milder form of chronic lung damage (Fig. 1⇓ ). These two forms of chronic lung disease (CLD) differ not only in their clinical presentation but in pathogenic mechanisms and long-term consequences. Figure 1. Incidence of BPD by birthweight among infants weighing less than 1,500 g born in 1996 through 1998 at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Classic BPD was described in infants who had severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and received aggressive ventilation with high positive airway pressures and inspired oxygen concentrations. The new form of BPD occurs in smaller preterm infants, most of whom receive antenatal steroids and postnatal surfactant therapy. Because of this therapy, they experience a mild initial respiratory course and, therefore, are not exposed to aggressive ventilation or high inspired oxygen concentrations. Accordingly, the lung damage they suffer must be caused in part by other factors. Most of these infants have extremely low birthweights and require prolonged ventilator support primarily for management of apnea and poor respiratory effort. They represent more than 75% of all infants diagnosed with CLD in our institution. In contrast to infants who have severe BPD, these patients initially require low concentrations of oxygen for treatment of mild RDS that usually responds favorably to exogenous surfactant. This often is followed by a few days …
Ovarian Dependence for Pituitary Tumorigenesis in D2 Dopamine Receptor-Deficient Mice

Hypophyseotropic dopamine exerts a tonic inhibitory tone on pituitary lactotrophs by the activation of dopamine D2 receptors (D2R). Ablation of D2R through gene knock-out approaches results in hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas. This phenotype is more severe and develops more rapidly in female mice. We tested whether the female hypersensitivity is due solely to the loss of D2R inhibitory tone or concomitant stimulation by ovarian factors. C57BL/6J congenic D2R−/− mice were ovariectomized at 2 months of age and serum PRL levels were measured serially. Ovariectomy attenuated hyperprolactinemia and after 18 months, D2R−/− mice had average pituitary weights of 4 mg, compared with 60 mg in the intact group. 17β-Estradiol did not restore PRL secretion or pituitary weight. Although the pharmacologic dose of estradiol slightly increased pituitary weight in wild-type and D2R−/− mice, it inhibited serum PRL in both intact and ovariectomized females and in castrated males. For comparison, we tested the estradiol r...
Identification of putative urovirulence genes by subtractive cloning.

The urinary tract is among the most common sites of both community-acquired and nosocomial infections, and Escherichia coli is the most common etiologic agent of these infections. Infections by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) can range from asymptomatic bacteriuria to cystitis and acute pyelonephritis to bacteremia and sepsis [1]. There is ample evidence that UPEC differs from most E. coli strains isolated from the feces of healthy individuals. Numerous epidemiologic studies have suggested a role for P and other fimbriae, afimbrial adhesins, hemolysin, aerobactin, capsule, and cytotoxic necrotizing factor in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) [2]. However, many of these factors have not been proven to be involved in disease. UPEC and other pathogenic E. coli harbor pathogenicity islands (PAIs) and possess genomes that are 20% larger than E. coli K-12 and other nonpathogenic fecal strains [3], suggesting the presence of many pathogenesis genes that have yet to be discovered. In the present study, we employed a genomic approach to discover genes that are present in a very potent UPEC strain but absent from an E. coli laboratory strain.
Cold Recombinant Influenza B/Texas/1/84 Vaccine Virus (CRB 87): Attenuation, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy against Homotypic Challenge

Healthy susceptible young adults were inoculated intranasally with increasing doses of wild-type influenza B/Texas/1/84, or the cold-adapted vaccine possessing the genes specifying the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of the wild-type parent and the six internal genes of cold adapted B/Ann Arbor/1/66 (CRB 87). Most volunteers inoculated with 10(6.6)-10(7.6) TCID50 of CRB 87 were infected, but a high frequency of serum antibody responses was seen only at the highest dose (17/29; 59%). The dose of CRB 87 necessary to infect 50% of all human volunteers (1 HID50) was approximately 10(5.4) TCID50. All volunteers given 10(3.9)-10(7.1) TCID50 of the wild-type virus were infected (i.e., 1 HID50 was less than 10(3.9) TCID50). The frequency of mild febrile reactions, mean peak titer of virus in respiratory secretions, and duration of virus shedding were significantly greater in volunteers given 10(7.1) TCID50 of wild-type virus than in those given 10(7.6) TCID50 of CRB 87. Thirteen volunteers were rechallenged with a second 10(7.6) TCID50 dose of CRB 87 3-4 months after vaccination. The frequencies of mild upper respiratory symptoms and signs, virus shedding, and infection were significantly reduced in prior vaccinees compared with volunteers inoculated with a similar dose for the first time. These data suggest that CRB 87 is attenuated, immunogenic, and can confer protection against homotypic virus challenge in this susceptible population.
Blind source separation using joint signal representations for arbitrary variables

Blind source separation is an emerging field of fundamental research with a broad range of applications. It is motivated by practical problems that involve several source signals and several sensors. Each sensor receives an instantaneous linear mixture of the source signals. The problem of the blind source separation consists then of recovering the original waveforms of the sources without any knowledge of the mixture structure. So far, the problem of the blind source separation has been solved using statistical information available on the source signals. A blind source separation approach for non-stationary signals based on time- frequency representations (TFR) have been recently introduced by the authors (SPIE 1996). Herein, we generalize the TFR based blind source separation approach to arbitrary variables, including time and frequency. 'Spatial joint arbitrary variable distributions' are introduced and used for blind source separation via joint diagonalization techniques.
Phase I Studies of Sirolimus Alone or in Combination with Pharmacokinetic Modulators in Advanced Cancer Patients

Purpose: Sirolimus is the eponymous inhibitor of the mTOR; however, only its analogs have been approved as cancer therapies. Nevertheless, sirolimus is readily available, has been well studied in organ transplant patients, and shows efficacy in several preclinical cancer models. Experimental Design: Three simultaneously conducted phase I studies in advanced cancer patients used an adaptive escalation design to find the dose of oral, weekly sirolimus alone or in combination with either ketoconazole or grapefruit juice that achieves similar blood concentrations as its intravenously administered and approved prodrug, temsirolimus. In addition, the effect of sirolimus on inhibition of p70S6 kinase phosphorylation in peripheral T cells was determined. Results: Collectively, the three studies enrolled 138 subjects. The most commonly observed toxicities were hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and lymphopenia in 52%, 43%, and 41% of subjects, respectively. The target sirolimus area under the concentration curve (AUC) of 3,810 ng-h/mL was achieved at sirolimus doses of 90, 16, and 25 mg in the sirolimus alone, sirolimus plus ketoconazole, and sirolimus plus grapefruit juice studies, respectively. Ketoconazole and grapefruit juice increased sirolimus AUC approximately 500% and 350%, respectively. Inhibition of p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation was observed at all doses of sirolimus and correlated with blood concentrations. One partial response was observed in a patient with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Conclusion: Sirolimus can be feasibly administered orally, once weekly with a similar toxicity and pharmacokinetic profile compared with other mTOR inhibitors and warrants further evaluation in studies of its comparative effectiveness relative to recently approved sirolimus analogs. Clin Cancer Res; 18(17); 4785–93. ©2012 AACR .
Leadership of fast track projects

Fast track missions require leadership above all else. Leadership is manifested in vision and commitment. The vision must be communicated by the project leadership and adopted by all members of the team including suppliers. Thorough planning, organization, implementation and control are essential leadership skills. An effective risk management process is key to survival in today's cost constrained environment. Well thought out mission descope plans with clearly defined minimum performance floors and firm trigger points are required to execute programs within constrained resources The Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) is an eagerly awaited and potentially historic NASA space science mission. MAP is on the leading edge of the newest generation of Explorer missions that trace a long and distinguished lineage of over 70 successful missions since 1958. The MAP mission presents an increasingly common management and design challenge. How does one implement a top ranked science mission with an aggressive schedule and firm cost cap? Can you really achieve all three: better, cheaper and faster? This paper discusses these conflicting priorities and some new and some not-so-new mission management principles employed on MAP to ensure the technical and programmatic success of the mission.
Delayed yielding in glassy polymers

A theoretical description of the ductile transition of glassy polymers in tensile creep is given. It predicts the delay time for plastic yield as a function of stress. The model assumes first-order rate expressions for the rate of change of loadbearing elements. The rate constants are given by a modification of the absolute reaction rate concepts of Eyring, where the energy barrier for breakdown of the bonding elements is asymmetric. This leads to an equation for the yield delay time as a function of the height of the energy barrier in the unstressed state, an activation volume, and a critical stress required to overcome the initial barrier asymmetry. The model has been compared to creep delay time experiments on polysulfone, polycarbonate, and poly(methyl methacrylate). It is able to predict the stress dependence for the onset of ductility in these materials with greater accuracy than previously reported equations.
Crisis intervention theory in maternal-infant nursing. Emotional crisis and maternal-child nursing.

Maternal-infant nurses are regularly faced with multitude of crises. Whether they are able to effectively employ crisis intervention theory in these situations is dependent on their knowledge of the theory and its use in maternal-infant nursing. This article reviews aspects of crisis intervention theory, discusses its relevancy for nursing, and explores the possible appropriate uses of the theory in maternal-infant nursing. An example of the nurse's role in parenthood as crisis illustrates the theory's use in maternal-infant care.
Budget constrained bidding in keyword auctions and online knapsack problems

We consider the budget-constrained bidding optimization problem for sponsored search auctions, and model it as an online (multiple-choice) knapsack problem. We design both deterministic and randomized algorithms for the online (multiple-choice) knapsack problems achieving a provably optimal competitive ratio. This translates back to fully automatic bidding strategies maximizing either profit or revenue for the budget-constrained advertiser. Our bidding strategy for revenue maximization is oblivious (i.e., without knowledge) of other bidders' prices and/or click-through-rates for those positions. We evaluate our bidding algorithms using both synthetic data and real bidding data gathered manually, and also discuss a sniping heuristic that strictly improves bidding performance. With sniping and parameter tuning enabled, our bidding algorithms can achieve a performance ratio above 90% against the optimum by the omniscient bidder.
Report on the 7th Workshop on Distributed Data and Structures: (WDAS 2006)

The seventh Workshop on Distributed Data and Structures (WDAS) took place on the campus of Santa Clara University on January 4 and 5, 2006 and drew participants actively working in research on distributed data, structures, and their applications. WDAS aims to stimulate the exchange of ideas and to be a forum for work in progress. The electronic version of the Proceedings contains all papers accepted at the conference [WDAS]. In addition, the workshop presentations helped to select a subset that will appear revised in the Proceedings in Informatics Series at Carleton Scientific. Two papers could not be presented by authors because of the difficulties of obtaining an entry visa to the United States, unfortunately a more and more common phenomenon. We now give an overview of the topics discussed at the workshop and the related presentations.
Recent progress in photonic analog-to-digital converters

Progress in photonic analog-to-digital conversion architectures and system design issues will be discussed taking full advantage of recent photonic, electronic and signal processing technologies. Specifically targeted will be architectures supporting operational frequencies exceeding the sampling rate as well as recent work on compressive sampling, where instantaneous bandwidths larger than the sampling rate are obtainable.
International Real Estate Volatility: A Tactical Investment Strategy

Executive Summary.In the last few years public real estate vehicles and the REIT concept have expanded into many countries including the United Kingdom in January 2007 and Germany in March 2007. With more investment opportunities, many new international real estate investment funds have sprung up around the world. Therefore new investment strategies to help international real estate investors are needed. Much new research on international real estate returns and country correlations have been performed, but few if any new investment strategies have been developed. This paper looks at a long-term real estate return series collected by Global Property Research (GPR) and finds that the long-term correlations between the three continental regions— North America, Asia, and Europe—are relatively low, thus providing valuable return and diversification benefits. An active allocation strategy is developed for high, medium, and low volatility periods in each region. The findings indicate that investors could have r...
The Alpha-defensin Test for Periprosthetic Joint Infections Is Not Affected by Prior Antibiotic Administration

Background Previous studies have demonstrated that the administration of antibiotics to patients before performing diagnostic testing for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can interfere with the accuracy of test results. Although a single-institution study has suggested that alpha-defensin maintains its concentration and sensitivity even after antibiotic treatment, this has not yet been demonstrated in a larger multiinstitutional study.
Impact of patient adherence on the cost-effectiveness of noninvasive tests for the initial diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the United States

OBJECTIVE Previous US-based economic models of noninvasive tests for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection did not consider patient adherence or downstream costs of continuing infection. This analysis evaluated the long-term cost-effectiveness of the urea breath test (UBT), fecal antigen test (FAT), and serology for diagnosis of H. pylori infection after incorporating information regarding test adherence. MATERIALS AND METHODS A decision-analytic model incorporating adherence information evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the UBT, FAT, and serology for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Positive test results led to first-line triple therapy; no further action was taken for nonadherence or negative results. Excess lifetime costs and reduced quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated for patients with continuing H. pylori infection. RESULTS In the base-case scenario with estimated adherence rates of 86%, 48%, and 86% for the UBT, monoclonal FAT, and serology, respectively, corresponding expected total costs were US$424.99, $466.41, and $404.98/patient. Test costs were higher for the UBT, but were fully or partially offset by higher excess lifetime costs for the monoclonal FAT and serology. The QALYs gained/patient with the UBT vs monoclonal FAT and serology were 0.86 and 0.27, respectively. The UBT was dominant vs the monoclonal FAT, leading to lower costs and higher QALYs; the UBT was cost-effective vs serology (incremental cost/QALY gained $74). CONCLUSION Based on a comprehensive modeled analysis that included consideration of patient test adherence and long-term consequences resulting from continuing H. pylori infection, the UBT provided the greatest economic value among noninvasive tests for diagnosis of H. pylori infection, because of high patient adherence and excellent test performance.
Torsion-Free Groups of Infinite Rank

This chapter continues the theme of torsion-free groups, this time for the infinite rank case. There is no shortage of relevant results.
Control of a Passive Mobility Assistive Robot

In this paper, a control methodology for a mobility assistive robot is presented. There are various types of robots that can help the disabled. Among these, mobile robots can help to guide a subject from one place to the other. Broadly, the mobile guidance robots can be classified into active and passive type. From a user's safety point of view, passive mobility assistive robots are more desirable than the active robots. In this paper, a two-wheeled differentially driven mobile robot with a castor wheel is considered as the assistive robot. The robot is made to have passive mobility characteristics by a specific choice of control law which creates damper-like resistive forces on the wheels. The paper describes the dynamic model, the suggested control laws to achieve a passive behavior, and experiments on a mobile robot facility at the University of Delaware. From a starting position, the assistive device guides the user to the goal in two phases. In the first phase, the user is guided to reach a goal position while pushing the robot through a handle attached to it. At the end of this first phase, the robot may not have the desired orientation. In the second phase, it is assumed that the user does not apply any further pushing force while the robot corrects the heading angle. A control algorithm is suggested for each phase. In the second phase, the desired heading angle is achieved at the cost of deviation from the final position. This excursion from the goal position is minimized by the controller. This control scheme is first verified in computer simulation. Then, it is implemented on a laboratory system and the experimental results are presented.© 2006 ASME
Multibody Parachute Flight Simulations Using Singular Perturbation Theory

A method has been developed to reduce the numerical stiffness and processing requirements of high fidelity entry trajectory models involving parachutes. Parachute deployment systems have often been simulated using rigid body dynamic models. The system is comprised of a parachute rigid body attached to the vehicle via a confluence mass with flexible lines. The simulations incorporating the confluence mass often take excessive amounts of processing time due to the relatively small mass of the confluence point and the resulting high frequency motion. The method introduced here, known as singular perturbation theory, involves suppressing the small inertia responsible for this motion. The singularly perturbed system allows simplification of the equations of motion by removing the confluence point velocity state equations, thereby increasing the time step and decreasing overall processing time. The singular perturbation method is applied to parachute entry models of the Mars Exploration Rover mission as well as the Crew Exploration Vehicle abort mode. Results from these tests are compared to models where a confluence point with mass was used to assess the validity and efficiency of the method.
Phase Equilibria in Systems with Levulinic Acid and Ethyl Levulinate

P–x data for the vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) of four binary systems water + levulinic acid, water + ethyl levulinate, ethanol + levulinic acid, and ethanol + ethyl levulinate were collected at 60 °C. Liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for ethyl levulinate + water + levulinic acid and ethyl levulinate + water + ethanol were measured at 30 °C. The consistency of the LLE data was confirmed using the Othmer–Tobias method. Data were regressed using ASPEN PLUS software to generate binary interaction parameters for the NRTL-HOC property method. The resulting parameters were able to successfully reproduce experimental VLE data, and were semiquantitative for reproducing experimental LLE data.
394 STAFF AND PARENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF BARRIERS TO IMMUNIZATION FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN: A STUDY FROM PROS AND NMAPEDSNET

Background Even after controlling for socioeconomic status and source of care, African-American (AA) children are less likely to receive all of their recommended immunizations. Objective To understand AA parent and pediatric office staff perspectives of barriers to immunization for AA children. Methods Four pediatric practices with high AA patient populations from CA, FL, GA, and MD were selected to achieve a geographic and socioeconomic mix. Focus groups of AA parents who had children between the ages of 1 -3 were held. Separate focus groups were held with each practice9s nonphysician office staff. A professional AA focus group facilitator conducted the sessions using guides developed by the research team. Findings from the sessions were transcribed, and research team members content analyzed results to develop common themes. Results Parent focus groups had a mean of 10 (6-14) participants. Parent groups in each site differed dramatically from 100% Medicaid in CA to 80% private insurance in MD, family income 65% $75K in MD and marital status 67% single in CA to 90% married in MD. Staff focus groups had a mean of 4 (3-8) participants. Several themes emerged including lack of trust of the medical care system in general (although mothers trusted their child9s doctor); delaying immunization because of mild illness; low priority on immunizations, including the perception they are only necessary for school or daycare entry; desire for parental control of the child9s health care; family composition issues such as single-parent and blended families; and parental perception that some diseases are natural and need not be immunized against. A theme not supported by the parent focus group was a perception by staff of grandparent9s control of health care. Conclusions Identification of immunization barriers based upon AA parental and pediatric office staff perspectives provided critical information for an ongoing development of effective office-based interventions to address immunization disparities among AA children. These interventions will be tested in office practice.
“It’s Not the Right Way to Do Stuff on Facebook:” An Investigation of Adolescent Girls’ and Young Women’s attitudes Toward Sexualized Photos on Social Media

Using thematic analysis of interview data, the present study assessed teen girls’ and young adult women’s attitudes toward posting sexualized profile photos on Facebook. In addition, sexualization behaviors depicted in participants’ profile photos were examined. Participants overwhelmingly disapproved (either in a reluctant or a clear manner) of posting a profile photo of oneself in underwear on social media. A somewhat different pattern emerged in attitudes about posting a swimsuit photo in which specific conditions were laid out determining whether swimsuit photos were acceptable or not. Sexualization cues in profile photos were generally low. Findings suggest that posting a sexualized photo on social media comes with relational costs for girls and women. Strategies for educating young people about new media use and sexualization are discussed.
Heart-Rate Induced Modifications of Concentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy - Exploration of a Novel Therapeutic Concept

This study is the first to explore if moderate heart rate elevations could be therapeutically employed to induce beneficial structural changes in the concentrically hypertrophied left ventricle. Th...
Sex-related differences in the style of children's language

Little real evidence of sex-related language differences exists for American English. Much of available contemporary literature concerning sex-related differences in the speech of American adults has been criticized as anecdotal rather than empirical. On the other hand, a plethora of research exists on the speech of American children, although results concerning sex differences are mixed. This study was concerned with the acquisition of sex-related stylistic differences in the language of children aged 4, 8, 12, and 16. Ten males and 10 females per age group were interviewed using a picture description task with five miniatures of art masterpieces. In order to reduce sex bias, half of the children were interviewed by a male experimenter and half were interviewed by a female experimenter. A content analysis scoring system was developed to measure stylistic differences between the language used by boys and girls based on the categories Descriptive, Interpretive-Emotive, Reflexive, and Hedges. While general sex-stereotyped expectations were demonstrated in younger children, the speech of 16-year-olds showed some reversals of the language stereotypes under investigation. Although such findings for 16-year-olds may appear anomalous, they concur with results of recent studies in speech communication reporting no differences where differences were thought to exist or unexpected differences (contrary to stereotypes) between male and female adults in a variety of communication contexts.
Complexity and Disaster Forensics: Paradigms, Models and Approaches for Natural Hazards Management in the Pacific Island Region

“Complexity and Disaster Forensics: New Paradigms, Models and Approaches for Natural Hazards Management in the Pacific Islands Region” assesses and applies complex systems theory, modeling and analysis to disaster forensics policy and research. To better understand the root cause and complex causality of disasters, complex systems theory, with roots in the fields of statistical physics, information theory, and non-linear dynamics, and systems analysis, is applied to help communities and nations achieve important social development goals, reduce institutional brittleness and increase disaster resilience by promoting positive transformations in the co-evolving and mutually dependent human-environmental condition, and by capitalizing on opportunities provided by human creativity, diplomatic openings, technologic capacities and environmental change. The case studies, investigations and models outlined in this chapter collectively demonstrate the quality, breadth and depth of complex systems and disaster forensics methodologies. Game-theoretic (“Small World”) decision analyses, “Large world” (complex systems) models of mutually interactive game design are put forth to capture the complexity of climate related disasters and to reduce the threat of climate refugees in the Pacific Island region. The resulting risk management lessons learned were applied to communities in the Pacific Island of Vanuatu, the most natural disaster prone country in the world.
Reactivity to uncertain threat as a familial vulnerability factor for alcohol use disorder.

Background When sober, problematic drinkers display exaggerated reactivity to threats that are uncertain (U-threat). Since this aversive affective state can be alleviated via acute alcohol intoxication, it has been posited that individuals who exhibit heightened reactivity to U-threat at baseline are motivated to use alcohol as a means of avoidance-based coping, setting the stage for excessive drinking. To date, however, no study has attempted to characterize the dispositional nature of exaggerated reactivity to U-threat and test whether it is a vulnerability factor or exclusively a disease marker of problematic alcohol use. Method The current investigation utilized a family study design to address these gaps by examining whether (1) reactivity to U-threat is associated with risk for problematic alcohol use, defined by family history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and (2) reactivity to U-threat is correlated amongst adult biological siblings. A total of 157 families, and 458 individuals, participated in the study and two biological siblings completed a threat-of-shock task designed to probe reactivity to U-threat and predictable threat (P-threat). Startle potentiation was collected as an index of aversive responding. Results Within biological siblings, startle potentiation to U-threat [intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.35] and P-threat (ICC = 0.63) was significantly correlated. In addition, independent of an individuals' own AUD status, startle potentiation to U-threat, but not P-threat, was positively associated with risk for AUD (i.e. AUD family history). Conclusion This suggests that heightened reactivity to U-threat may be a familial vulnerability factor for problematic drinking and a novel prevention target for AUD.
The effects of acetazolamide on visual function in retinitis pigmentosa.

current practice of using one view may be enough for normal lenses but not for cataracts. We also are developing new computer hardware and software using the MAC computer with an improved optical disc storage system to resolve image storage and recall problems. In addition, we are using a video camera on the Scheimpflug to decrease variability resulting from film batches and development and to negate the need to digitize films. We are developing standards for "live" on-line video digitization, so one can accept or reject an image as acceptable or not while the patient is available. The video images may be calibrated to optical density units, and a method can be devised and standardized to allow precise comparisons between images obtained using various levels of illumination to solve the problem of variability in lamp voltage. This is needed, because cataracts that grow denser over time will get overexposed if the illumination is subsequently not reduced. Results of these studies will be presented in future reports. This report presents a quantitative analysis of human lens changes in density and thickness correlated with aging using the Topcon Scheimpflug camera and image analysis techniques. The measurements were done using semi-automated computer image processing, and the numerical data were analyzed statistically. The results will assist the future development of systems for automated detection, classification, and monitoring of human cataracts, as well as other anterior segment disorders.
Fate and Thermal Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in Beaker Sausage and Pepperoni.

Listeria monocytogenes may survive the typical process used to produce sausage such as pepperoni and hard salami that is made from uncooked meat. Studies were done to identify heat treatments that could be applied during sausage-making to inactivate the organism to undetectable levels. Initial studies with beaker sausage revealed that heat treatments of 51.7°C for 8 h or 57.2°C for 4 h reduced L. monocytogenes counts by >2 log10 CFU/g, but for each treatment the organism was detected by enrichment in one of two samples. Heating beaker sausage to an internal temperature of 62.8°C inactivated listeriae to undetectable levels. Studies with pepperoni revealed that heating sausage at 51.7°C for 4 h after fermentation but before the drying cycle killed most L. monocytogenes , but the organism was occasionally detected in samples during drying. Heating pepperoni at 51.7°C for 4 h after the drying cycle completely inactivated L. monocytogenes in all samples. An additional study done to determine the fate of L. monocytogenes in beaker sausage made with and without lactic starter culture revealed that the organism could grow at 32.2°C in sausage batter during the fermentation period if the lactic starter culture was not added. The organism did not grow, but was reduced by about 1 to 2 log10 CFU/g during fermentation, in sausage made with lactic starter culture.
Women and HIV in the United States.

Background The demographic and geographic characteristics of the HIV epidemic in the US has changed substantially since the disease emerged, with women in the South experiencing a particularly high HIV incidence. In this study, we identified and described counties in the US in which the prevalence of HIV is particularly high in women compared to men. Methods Using data from AIDSVu, a public dataset of HIV cases in the US in 2012, we categorized counties by their decile of the ratio of female to male HIV prevalence. The demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of counties in the highest decile were compared to those of counties in the lower deciles. Results Most of the counties in the highest decile were located in the Deep South. These counties had a lower median income, higher percentage of people in poverty, and lower percentage of people with a high school education. Additionally, people with HIV in these counties were more likely to be non-Hispanic black. Conclusions Counties with the highest ratios of female-to-male HIV prevalence are concentrated in the Southern US, and residents of these counties tend to be of lower socioeconomic status. Identifying and describing these counties is important for developing public health interventions.
Thermal Protection Provided by Impact Limiters to a Containment Seal Within a Truck Package

The Container Analysis Fire Environment computer code is used to simulate the response of a truck package designed to transport one PWR fuel assembly to 7.2-m-diameter pool fires. Simulations are performed with the package centered over the fire, and offset axially from that location by 1 and 2.5 m. In all simulations the package body is 1 m above the fuel pool. The simulations predict the package containment seal exceeds its temperature of concern for all three package locations. Simulations of a no-impact-limiter version of the package are also performed to quantify the level of thermal protection provide by the limiter. The minimum fire duration that causes the seal to reach its temperature of concern is determined for each configuration. When the center of the no-impact limiter package is within 2.5 m of the pool center, fires shorter than 0.7 hour are capable of causing the seal to reach its temperature of concern. By contrast, the intact package protects the seal in fires that last roughly 2 hours. These results will help risk analysts better understand the effect of package position and the role of the impact limiters on accident consequences.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Hedge Funds, Systemic Risk, and the Financial Crisis of 2007-2008: Written Testimony for the House Oversight Committee Hearing on Hedge Funds

This document is the written testimony submitted to the House Oversight Committee for its hearing on hedge funds and the financial crisis, held November 13, 2008, and is not a formal academic research paper, but is intended for a broader audience of policymakers and regulators. Academic readers may be alarmed by the lack of comprehensive citations and literature review, the imprecise and qualitative nature of certain arguments, and the abundance of illustrative examples, analogies, and metaphors. Accordingly, such readers are hereby forewarned - this paper is not research, but is instead a summary of the policy implications that I have drawn from my interpretation of that research. I begin with a proposal to measure systemic risk, and argue that this is the natural starting point for regulatory reform since it is impossible to manage something that cannot be measured. Then I review the relation between systemic risk and hedge funds, and show that early warning signs of the current crisis did exist in the hedge-fund industry as far back as 2004. However, I argue that financial crises may be an unavoidable aspect of human behavior, and the best we can do is to acknowledge this tendency and be properly prepared. This behavioral pattern, as well as traditional economic motives for regulation - public goods, externalities, and incomplete markets - are relevant for systemic risk or its converse, systemic safety, and I suggest applying these concepts to the functions of the financial system to yield a rational process for regulatory reform. Also, I propose the formation of a new investigative office patterned after the National Transportation Safety Board to provide the kind of information aggregation and transparency that is called for in the previous sections. Another aspect of transparency involves fair-value accounting, and I review some of the recent arguments for its suspension and propose developing a new branch of accounting focusing exclusively on risk. I conclude with a discussion of the role of financial technology and education in the current crisis, and argue that more finance training is needed, not less.
Role of the Reducing Agent in the Electroless Deposition of Copper on Functionalized SAMs

Metallized organic layer constructs have a wide range of technological applications. Electroless deposition is an attractive technique by which to deposit metal overlayers because it is inexpensive and can be performed at low temperatures, compatible with organic materials. Amine borane reducing agents are versatile and are capable of depositing metals, semiconductors, and even insulators. We have investigated the role of amine borane reducing agents in the electroless deposition of copper on −CH3-, −OH-, and −COOH-terminated SAMs adsorbed on gold using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, optical microscopy, and complementary MP2 calculations. Three reducing agents were studied: amine borane, dimethylamine borane, and trimethylamine borane. At pH >9, −COOH-terminated SAMs form copper-carboxylate complexes, which serve as nucleation sites for subsequent copper deposition. The rate of copper deposition is dependent on the strength of the B–N bond of the amine borane reducing agent. Similarly, if...