F0, EMG and Tonogensis in Thai

This paper, based on examination of initial F0 of bilabial stops in Standard Thai, reports that pre-voiced bilabial stops (negative VOT) have lower initial F0 than the voiceless (approximately 0ms VOT) or voiceless aspirated stops (those with positive VOT). Also reported in this paper are measurements from electromyographic (EMG) laryngeal muscle activity (cricothyroid and strap muscles) associated with the initial F0 of the bilabial stops. The F0 and EMG data are discussed in terms of historical theories of tonogenesis for Thai. The F0 data support the hypothesis of tonogenesis as put forth by historical linguists; however, a connection between the laryngeal muscles examined and the high/low intrinsic F0 of the bilabial stops was not found. Additional acoustic, aerodynamic and laryngeal research is needed in order to understand the interaction between initial stops and the development of tones

Comparing apples to oranges - asynchrony in jaw & lip articulation of syllables

This study examines jaw and lip aperture characteristics of syllables. High correlations were found between velocity and displacement of opening/closing of lips and jaw, similar to previous studies. However, lip aperture opening velocity changed as a function of manner and voicing of syllable onset while jaw opening velocity, except for a plosive onset, did not change. In addition, differences were found in timing between jaw opening and lip aperture opening, and the amount of difference varied as a function of syllable type (open/closed) and voicing/manner of the consonant. Our interpretation of the asynchronous patterns of lip and jaw articulation is that the jaw is the syllable articulator and the lips are the syllable onset/coda articulators. The findings of this study have application to language acquisition as well as to stuttering research

Some acoustic and articulatory correlates of phrasal stress in Spanish

All spoken languages show rhythmic patterns. Recent work with a number of different languages (English, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and French) suggests that metrically (hierarchically) assigned stress levels of the utterance show strong correlations with the amount of jaw displacement, and corresponding F1 values. This paper examines some articulatory and acoustic correlates of Spanish rhythm; specifically, we ask if there is a correlation between phrasal stress values metrically assigned to each syllable and acoustic/articulatory values. We used video recordings of three Salvadoran Spanish speakers to measure maximum jaw displacement, mean F0, mean intensity, mean duration, and mid-vowel F1 for each vowel in two Spanish sentences. The results show strong correlations between stress and duration, and between stress and F1, but weak correlations between stress and both mean vowel intensity and maximum jaw displacement. We also found weak correlations between jaw displacement and both mean vowel intensity and F1

The influence of catchment land use on stream integrity across multiple spatial scales

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75244/1/j.1365-2427.1997.d01-546.x.pd

A timeseries analysis of the fracture callus extracellular matrix proteome during bone fracture healing.

While most bones fully self-heal, certain diseases require bone allograft to assist with fracture healing. Bone allografts offer promise as treatments for such fractures due to their osteogenic properties. However, current bone allografts made of decellularized bone extracellular matrix (ECM) have high failure rates, and thus grafts which improve fracture healing outcomes are needed. Understanding specific changes to the ECM proteome during normal fracture healing would enable the identification of key proteins that could be used enhance osteogenicity of bone allograft. Here, we performed a timeseries analysis of the fracture callus in mice to investigate proteomic and mineralization changes to the ECM at key stages of fracture healing. We found that changes to the ECM proteome largely coincide with the distinct phases of fracture healing. Basement membrane proteins (AGRN, COL4, LAMA), cartilage proteins (COL2A1, ACAN), and collagen crosslinking enzymes (LOXL, PLOD, ITIH) were initially upregulated, followed by bone specific proteoglycans and collagens (IBSP, COL1A1). Various tissue proteases (MMP2, 9, 13, 14; CTSK, CTSG, ELANE) were expressed at different levels throughout fracture healing. These changes coordinated with mineralization of the fracture callus, which increased steeply during the initial stages of healing. Interestingly the later timepoint was characterized by a response to wound healing and high expression of clotting factors (F2, 7, 9, 10). We identified ELANE and ITIH2 as tissue remodeling enzymes having no prior known involvement with fracture healing. This data can be further mined to identify regenerative proteins for enhanced bone graft design

Woodlots in the rural landscape: Landowner motivations and management attitudes in a Michigan (USA) case study

Available online 20 November 2001.Woodlots provide important environmental benefits in the Midwestern (USA) landscape, where they are undergoing rapid change. An increasingly diverse farm and non-farm population owns these non-industrial private forests (NIPFs). It is essential to understand what motivates NIPF landowners to retain and manage their forests. We describe a study of NIPF owners in an agricultural watershed where forest cover is increasing. What motivations and management practices might be contributing to this increase? The results of a survey of 112 NIPF owners suggest that aesthetic appreciation is the strongest motivator for retaining woodlots, especially by non-farmers. Protecting the environment also seems to be important for both farmers and non-farmers, while economic motivations are significantly less important. Landowners indicated that they are primarily taking a “hands-off” approach to management. This study provides insights for those interested in understanding NIPF landowners’ motivations and for developing effective programs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/83670/1/Erickson,_D.,_R._Ryan_&_R._De_Young_(2002),_Woodlots_in_the_rural_landscape._Landscape_and_Urban_Planning,_58,_101-112.pd

Evidence and Value: Impact on DEcisionMaking – the EVIDEM framework and potential applications

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Healthcare decisionmaking is a complex process relying on disparate types of evidence and value judgments. Our objectives for this study were to develop a practical framework to facilitate decisionmaking in terms of supporting the deliberative process, providing access to evidence, and enhancing the communication of decisions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Extensive analyses of the literature and of documented decisionmaking processes around the globe were performed to explore what steps are currently used to make decisions with respect to context (from evidence generation to communication of decision) and thought process (conceptual components of decisions). Needs and methodologies available to support decisionmaking were identified to lay the groundwork for the EVIDEM framework.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A framework was developed consisting of seven modules that can evolve over the life cycle of a healthcare intervention. Components of decision that could be quantified, i.e., intrinsic value of a healthcare intervention and quality of evidence available, were organized into matrices. A multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) Value Matrix (VM) was developed to include the 15 quantifiable components that are currently considered in decisionmaking. A methodology to synthesize the evidence needed for each component of the VM was developed including electronic access to full text source documents. A Quality Matrix was designed to quantify three criteria of quality for the 12 types of evidence usually required by decisionmakers. An integrated system was developed to optimize data analysis, synthesis and validation by experts, compatible with a collaborative structure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The EVIDEM framework promotes transparent and efficient healthcare decisionmaking through systematic assessment and dissemination of the evidence and values on which decisions are based. It provides a collaborative framework that could connect all stakeholders and serve the healthcare community at local, national and international levels by allowing sharing of data, resources and values. Validation and further development is needed to explore the full potential of this approach.</p