ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, DEPRESSION, AND RESILIENCE IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS

Research shows that exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is common among adolescents; however, no studies have examined the prevalence of ACEs in a racially homogenous sample of African-American adolescents. Thus, the present study examined the cumulative and individual prevalence of ACEs in African-American adolescents. Data were collected from African-American adolescents (n = 241) who attended youth events hosted by churches in Houston, TX. An expanded ACEs tool was used to collect data. ACE scores were summed and dichotomized to 0-3 ACEs versus 4-19 ACEs because a score of four or more indicates a higher risk for adverse mental and behavioral health outcomes. Results indicate that most of the sample had been exposed to at least one ACE and that half of the sample had been exposed to four or more ACEs. These results suggest the need to explore the prevalence of cumulative ACEs among homogenous samples of African-American adolescents and to continue to explore and address the prevalence of individual ACEs among homogenous samples of African-American adolescents

Sicklepod control and competition in soybeans

Field studies were conducted to determine: (1) a systematic approach to selectively control sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L.) in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) utilizing preplant incorporated, preemergence, and postemergence applications of appropriate herbicides, (2) the competition effects involving removal of sicklepod plants at different times during the soybean growing season, and (3) production costs and net dollar return for each herbicide system. The herbicide systems and competition studies were conducted in 1980 at the Plant Science Field Laboratory at Knoxville and on a farm near Benton, Tennessee. Parameters measured were percent sicklepod control and soybean yield in the herbicide study, and sicklepod stand count and soybean yield in the competition study. Net dollar return was also determined for the study. At both locations the soybean cultivar \u27Essex\u27 was used. Metribuzin (4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin- 5(4H)-one) plus vernolate (S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate) applied pre plant incorporated followed by linuron (3(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-l-methoxy- 1-methylurea) plus 2,4-DB (4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid) applied postemergence directed gave excellent control of sicklepod. Metribuzin mixed with either metolachlor (2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl) acetamide) or alachlor (2-chloro-2\u27,6\u27-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl) acetanilide) applied preemergence followed by linuron plus 2,4-DB applied postemergence directed, also gave effective sicklepod control. Generally, postemergence herbicide treatments such as acifluorfen (5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid), or toxaphene (chlorinated camphene containing 67-69% chlorine) used alone were not as effective in controlling sicklepod as they were when used following a preemergence herbicide. Better sicklepod control was achieved with toxaphene and acifluorfen when they were applied to sicklepod in the cotyledon or unifoliolate stage of growth. Generally, soybean yields were higher as more sicklepod control was achieved. Dollar net returns were generally higher where sicklepod was effectively controlled. Soybean yields were generally higher if soybeans were kept free of sicklepod for 4 or more weeks after planting

Working With Faith-Based Communities to Develop an Education Tool kit on Relationships, Sexuality, and Contraception

Communities disproportionately affected from higher rates of unplanned teen births are in need of sustainable approaches to prevention strategies. One approach is to build the capacity of faith-based communities (FBCs) to address the sexual health needs of the surrounding community. However there is a need for comprehensive, user-friendly resources designed for FBCs that provide critical decision-making information related to pregnancy prevention inclusive of contraception. Using community-based, theoretical and practice-informed strategies, we developed a user-friendly sexuality education tool kit in five phases: (1) building relationships with faith leaders; (2) piloting educational sessions within churches; (3) gaining insight from participating faith leaders; (4) creating the tool kit; and (5) collecting feedback from training and implementation. Our findings suggest faith leaders remained motivated to overcome perceived barriers by their mission to serve their communities. A sexuality education tool kit that is respectful and guided by the input of FBCs can be a viable and innovative approach to address teen pregnancy

Theory for Design

Electrical engineerin

Bias and Precision of the Squared Canonical Correlation Coefficient under Nonnormal Data Conditions

This dissertation: (a) investigated the degree to which the squared canonical correlation coefficient is biased in multivariate nonnormal distributions and (b) identified formulae that adjust the squared canonical correlation coefficient (Rc2) such that it most closely approximates the true population effect under normal and nonnormal data conditions. Five conditions were manipulated in a fully-crossed design to determine the degree of bias associated with Rc2: distribution shape, variable sets, sample size to variable ratios, and within- and between-set correlations. Very few of the condition combinations produced acceptable amounts of bias in Rc2, but those that did were all found with first function results. The sample size to variable ratio (n:v)was determined to have the greatest impact on the bias associated with the Rc2 for the first, second, and third functions. The variable set condition also affected the accuracy of Rc2, but for the second and third functions only. The kurtosis levels of the marginal distributions (b2), and the between- and within-set correlations demonstrated little or no impact on the bias associated with Rc2. Therefore, it is recommended that researchers use n:v ratios of at least 10:1 in canonical analyses, although greater n:v ratios have the potential to produce even less bias. Furthermore,because it was determined that b2 did not impact the accuracy of Rc2, one can be somewhat confident that, with marginal distributions possessing homogenous kurtosis levels ranging anywhere from -1 to 8, Rc2 will likely be as accurate as that resulting from a normal distribution. Because the majority of Rc2 estimates were extremely biased, it is recommended that all Rc2 effects, regardless of which function from which they result, be adjusted using an appropriate adjustment formula. If no rationale exists for the use of another formula, the Rozeboom-2 would likely be a safe choice given that it produced the greatest number of unbiased Rc2 estimates for the greatest number of condition combinations in this study

Impacting Maternal and Prenatal Care Together: A Collaborative Effort to Improve Birth Outcomes

Objectives To describe the development of a collaborative partnership to improve birth outcomes in Harris County, Texas. Methods State and city-level maternal and infant health data were re-analyzed and presented to stakeholders at the zip-code level to generate a renewed response to health issues in these populations, particularly infant mortality. Public and private sector stakeholders convened to form the Impacting Maternal and Prenatal Care Together (IMPACT) Collaborative, identifying four priority areas that required collaborative action. Results Priority area action groups are currently working on strategies to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Collaborative strategies include: raising patient and provider awareness, campaign partnerships, advocating for legislative change, and implementing community based programs. As a collaborative, IMPACT received funding to implement an evidence-based health education intervention for women at risk of having poor birth outcomes. Conclusions Through the leveraging of resources, expertise, and leadership, collaborative partnerships are capable of formulating innovative ideas, developing sustainable solutions, and generating change at multiple levels

Logical Analysis of Relay Parameters

Electrical Engineerin

Clinical evaluation, imaging studies, indications for cytologic study, and preprocedural requirements for duct brushing studies and pancreatic FNA: The papanicolaou society of cytopathology recommendations for pancreatic and biliary cytology

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106723/1/dc23095.pd

Hepatic Cavernous Hemangioma in Cirrhotic Liver: Imaging Findings

Objective: To document the imaging findings of hepatic cavernous hemangioma detected in cirrhotic liver. Materials and Methods: The imaging findings of 14 hepatic cavernous hemangiomas in ten patients with liver cirrhosis were retrospectively analyzed. A diagnosis of hepatic cavernous hemangioma was based on the findings of two or more of the following imaging studies: MR, including contrast-enhanced dynamic imaging (n = 10), dynamic CT (n = 4), hepatic arteriography (n = 9), and US (n = 10). Results: The mean size of the 14 hepatic hemangiomas was 0.9 (range, 0.5 1.5) cm in the longest dimension. In 11 of these (79%), contrast-enhanced dynamic CT and MR imaging showed rapid contrast enhancement of the entire lesion during the early phase, and hepatic arteriography revealed globular enhancement and rapid filling-in. On contrast-enhanced MR images, three lesions (21%) showed partial enhancement until the 5-min delayed phases. US indicated that while three slowly enhancing lesions were homogeneously hyperechoic, 9 (82%) of 11 showing rapid enhancement were not delineated. Conclusion: The majority of hepatic cavernous hemangiomas detected in cirrhotic liver are small in size, and in many, hepatic arteriography and/or contrastenhanced dynamic CT and MR imaging demonstrates rapid enhancement. US, however, fails to distinguish a lesion of this kind from its cirrhotic background.ope