Understanding Child Maltreatment Report Risks as a Function of Age, Socioeconomic Status, Race, and Neighborhood

Objectives: This study seeks to improve our understanding of risk and protective factors for child maltreatment both over time and within an ecological context. First, this study examines longitudinal patterns of child maltreatment reports (CMR) with child age from 1 to 17 years based on various risk and protective factors (Aim 1). This study also examines neighborhood contextual effects on CMR (Aim 2). Methods: This study used secondary data from a larger longitudinal study which had followed up two samples from the 1991-1994 St. Louis birth cohorts. The CAN sample included all children aged 3 or under with a first-time CMR in 1993-1994 (n = 2,111). The AFDC sample included randomly selected children aged 3 or under receiving AFDC in 1993-1994 with no current or prior CMR (n = 1,923). For Aim 1, this study followed up children from 1995 through 2009 in the secondary data and estimated the CMR likelihood at each age from 1 to 17 years. For Aim 2, only age-year observations on welfare (AFDC/TANF) were selected to trace changes of residential neighborhoods through welfare records. This study does not specifically focus on either onset or first-time recurrence of CMR. Rather, this study estimates the likelihood of any CMR at a given age regardless onset, first-time recurring, or any subsequent recurring of CMR. This study used multilevel logistic growth curve models to estimate the CMR likelihood as a function of various risk and protective factors. Variables were measured by the secondary data which had traced children in various Missouri administrative datasets and Census data. Results: This study found that 60% to 67% of the variance of the CMR likelihood was between age-year observations and 33% to 40% was between children. Less than 1% of the variance was found between neighborhoods. Analyses for Aim 1 found important observation-level (i.e., time-varying) and child-level predictors. Every one-year increase in child age decreased the CMR likelihood by 13% in the CAN sample (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.86-0.88). While the main term of child age was not significant in the AFDC sample (0.99, 0.96-1.02), child age was associated with CMR through interacting with current welfare (AFDC/TANF) receipt. Current welfare receipt increased the CMR likelihood by 2.32 times in the CAN sample (2.32, 1.98-2.71). This relationship varied by child age in the AFDC sample: current welfare receipt increased the CMR likelihood by 3.62 times at age 1 and by 1.18 times (18%) at age 17. Prior welfare receipt (% of months on AFDC/TANF; 1 unit = 10-percentage point) increased the CMR likelihood by 8% for the CAN sample (1.08, 1.05-1.11) and by 12% for the AFDC sample (1.12, 1.08-1.17) only while not receiving welfare currently. When receiving welfare currently, prior welfare receipt was not significant for both CAN sample (1.00, 0.97-1.03) and AFDC sample (0.97, 0.93-1.02). Compared to Whites, the CMR likelihood for Blacks was 16% lower in the CAN sample (0.84, 0.74-0.95) and 35% lower in the AFDC sample (0.65, 0.53-0.80). Many other predictors including prior CMR, CPS in-home services, child mental health, child injury, child special education, parent criminal issue, parent low education, and maternal foster care placement were associated with CMR in both samples. Child behavioral and health problems were significant only for the CAN sample. Multivariate analyses for Aim 2 revealed that no neighborhood characteristics were significant in the CAN sample, while some were significant in the AFDC sample. Each 10-percentage-point increase in neighborhood poverty rate increased the CMR likelihood by 31% (1.31, 1.05-1.64) for Whites. This relationship was not significant for Blacks (1.01, 0.92-1.10). Neighborhood child/adult ratio (1 unit = 0.1) decreased the CMR likelihood by 10% (0.90, 0.82-0.99). The CMR likelihood for children moving out of St. Louis (i.e., making a long-distance move) was 63% higher than for those staying in St. Louis (1.63, 1.07-2.48). Conclusions: Results suggest that CMR risks largely varied by time. Current welfare (AFDC/TANF) receipt remained a strong predictor of CMR risks. The strong observed interactions of current welfare receipt with child age and prior welfare receipt suggest the importance of longitudinal approaches in understanding their relationships to CMR. CMR risks were much higher at younger ages. Once risk factors were controlled for, Blacks showed no higher CMR risk than Whites. In fact, Blacks showed a lower risk. Although some neighborhood characteristics were significant, their effect sizes were mostly small in contribution to the overall risk and were less observable among families at a higher risk of future CMR. Implications include the importance of considering longitudinal changes among risk and protective factors over time, the centrality of current family economic conditions (if current AFDC/TANF receipt proxies this) in CMR, the importance of early intervention, and necessity of addressing these critical issues in policy and practice. To lower racial disparity in CMR, addressing differential exposure to risk factors, especially low SES, may be more promising than racial bias interventions. Additionally, this study highlights the utility of cross-sector data in improving our ability to better understand and predict child maltreatment

The vibration characteristics of hydrogen on epitaxial graphene

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit der Untersuchung der CH-Valenzschwingung von adsorbiertem Wasserstoff auf epitaktisch gewachsenen Graphen. Das Graphen ist mittels der chemischen Gas-phasenabscheidung (engl. chemical vapour deposition) auf einem Ir(111)-Substrat hergestellt worden. Zur Untersuchung des Schwingungsverhalten der CH-Valenzschwingung ist die Summenfrequenzspektroskopie (SFG) eingesetzt worden. Das Graphen besitzt eine plane, hexagonale Struktur. Damit ein Wasserstoff-Atom auf dem Graphen adsobieren kann muss das Kohlenstoff-Atom um 0.2 – 0.4 Å aus der Ebene angehoben werden. Dieses hat zur Folge, dass es zu einer Verzerrung der Struktur führt. Die SFG-Spektren von adsorbierten Wasserstoff (Deuterium) weisen zwei definierte Linien bei 2563 (1881) und 2716 (2027) cm-1 vor. Diese Schwingungslinien konnten durch den Vergleich mit der Theorie von Sung et al. den para- und ortho-Dimeren zugeordnet werden. Diese Schwingungslinien konnten auch bei einer Adsorption eines Isotopengemisches beobachtet werden. Zusätzlich konnte eine weitere Linie bei 2844 cm-1 dargestellt werden. In diesem Bereich wird die CH-Valenzschwingung, in der das Kohlenstoff sp3-hybridisiert ist, erwartet. Diese Experimente sind bei unterschiedlichen Mischungsverhältnissen durchge-führt worden. Diese Spektren zeigen eine Verzerrung der Linienform, die aufgrund des nicht-resonanten Hintergrunds und die Phasenverschiebung herführt. Die Unterdrückung dieser Linie bei bei einer reinen Isotopenadsorption wirft die Vermutung auf, dass die Detektion aufgrund Symmetriegründen SFG-verboten ist. Ein solches Symmetrieverbot würde im Falle von Graphanstrukturen vorliegen. Unter der Annahme einer beideitigen Wasserstoff-Adsorption auf Graphen ist das Adsorptionsverfahren modifiziert worden. Als erstes ist das Graphen mit einem Isotop in molekularer Form und anschließend mit dem anderem Isotop in atomarer Form begast worden. Das Graphen ist gegenüber molekularem Wasserstoff inert. Jedoch können die Moleküle an freienliegenden Iridium-Stellen dissozieren und adsorbiert am Iridium. Das Wasserstoff kann unter das Graphen diffundieren, aber adsorbiert nicht am Graphen, solange kein atomarer Wasserstoff auf der Oberseite adsorbiert ist. Bei der anschließenden Adsorption von Wasserstoff in atomarer Form löst sich der Wasserstoff vom Iridium und kann auf der Unterseite des Graphens adsorbieren. Somit kann beidseitig selektiv Wasserstoff-Isotope auf Graphen adsorbiert werden und regional Graphan-Strukturen ausbilden, die mitels SFG spektroskopiert werden kann

A Survey on Password Guessing

Text password has served as the most popular method for user authentication so far, and is not likely to be totally replaced in foreseeable future. Password authentication offers several desirable properties (e.g., low-cost, highly available, easy-to-implement, reusable). However, it suffers from a critical security issue mainly caused by the inability to memorize complicated strings of humans. Users tend to choose easy-to-remember passwords which are not uniformly distributed in the key space. Thus, user-selected passwords are susceptible to guessing attacks. In order to encourage and support users to use strong passwords, it is necessary to simulate automated password guessing methods to determine the passwords' strength and identify weak passwords. A large number of password guessing models have been proposed in the literature. However, little attention was paid to the task of providing a systematic survey which is necessary to review the state-of-the-art approaches, identify gaps, and avoid duplicate studies. Motivated by that, we conduct a comprehensive survey on all password guessing studies presented in the literature from 1979 to 2022. We propose a generic methodology map to present an overview of existing methods. Then, we explain each representative approach in detail. The experimental procedures and available datasets used to evaluate password guessing models are summarized, and the reported performances of representative studies are compared. Finally, the current limitations and the open problems as future research directions are discussed. We believe that this survey is helpful to both experts and newcomers who are interested in password securityComment: 35 pages, 5 figures, 5 table

Electrochemical properties of composite cathodes using Sm doped layered perovskite for intermediate temperature-operating solid oxide fuel cell

The authors are grateful for the support of the Basic Science Research Program, part of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (No. 2014R1A1A1004163).SmBaCo2O5+d (SBCO) showed the lowest observed Area Specific Resistance (ASR) value in the LnBaCo2O5+d (Ln: Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd) oxide system for the overall temperature ranges tested. The ASR of a composite cathode (mixture of SBCO and Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−d) on a Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−d (CGO91) electrolyte decreased with respect to the CGO91 content; the percolation limit was also achieved for a 50 wt% SBCO and 50 wt% CGO91 (SBCO50) composite cathode. The ASRs of SBCO50 on the dense CGO91 electrolyte in the overall temperature range of 500 to 750 °C were relatively lower than those of SBCO50 on the CGO91 coated dense 8 mol % yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) electrolyte for the same temperature range. From 750 °C and for all higher temperatures tested, however, the ASRs of SBCO50 on the CGO91 coated dense 8YSZ electrolyte were lower than those of the CGO91 electrolyte. The maximum power densities of SBCO50 on the Ni-8YSZ/8YSZ/CGO91 buffer layer were 1.034 W cm−2 and 0.611 W cm−2 at 800 °C and 700 °C.PostprintPeer reviewe

Quantitative Analysis of the Membrane Affinity of Local Anesthetics Using a Model Cell Membrane.

Local anesthesia is a drug that penetrates the nerve cell membrane and binds to the voltage gate sodium channel, inhibiting the membrane potential and neurotransmission. It is mainly used in clinical uses to address the pain of surgical procedures in the local area. Local anesthetics (LAs), however, can be incorporated into the membrane, reducing the thermal stability of the membrane as well as altering membrane properties such as fluidity, permeability, and lipid packing order. The effects of LAs on the membrane are not yet fully understood, despite a number of previous studies. In particular, it is necessary to analyze which is the more dominant factor, the membrane affinity or the structural perturbation of the membrane. To analyze the effects of LAs on the cell membrane and compare the results with those from model membranes, morphological analysis and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) measurement of CCD-1064sk (fibroblast, human skin) membranes were carried out for lidocaine (LDC) and tetracaine (TTC), the most popular LAs in clinical use. Furthermore, the membrane affinity of the LAs was quantitatively analyzed using a colorimetric polydiacetylene assay, where the color shift represents their distribution in the membrane. Further, to confirm the membrane affinity and structural effects of the membranes, we performed an electrophysiological study using a model protein (gramicidin A, gA) and measured the channel lifetime of the model protein on the free-standing lipid bilayer according to the concentration of each LA. Our results show that when LAs interact with cell membranes, membrane affinity is a more dominant factor than steric or conformational effects of the membrane

Pathogenic roles of CXCL10 signaling through CXCR3 and TLR4 in macrophages and T cells: relevance for arthritis

Abbreviations ACK: Ammonium–chloride–potassium; BMM: Bone marrow-derived macrophage; CAIA: Collagen antibody-induced arthritis; CIA: Collagen-induced arthritis; CsA: Cyclosporin A; CTX: C-terminal telopeptide; CXCL10: C-X-C motif chemokine 10; CXCR3: Chemokine receptor 3; DAPI: 4′,6-Diamidino-2- phenylindole; EDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; FITC: Fluorescein isothiocyanate; H&E: Hematoxylin and eosin; IFN-γ: Interferon gamma; IL: Interleukin; LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; NFATc1: Nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1; PBS: Phosphatebuffered saline; RA: Rheumatoid arthritis; RANKL: Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B; TLR4: Toll-like receptor 4; TNFα: Tumor necrosis factor alpha; TRAP: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase; WT: Wild-typeAbstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by uncontrolled joint inflammation and destruction of bone and cartilage. We previously reported that C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10; also called IP-10) has important roles in joint inflammation and bone destruction in arthritis. However, the specific mechanisms by which CXCL10 regulates the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the production of osteoclastogenic cytokines in RA progression are not fully understood. Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages and CD4+ T cells were isolated from wild-type (WT), Cxcl10 –/–, and Cxcr3 –/– mice. CXCL10-induced migration was performed using a Boyden chamber, and CXCL10-stimulated production of osteoclastogenic cytokines was measured by quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA. Collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) was induced by administration of collagen type II antibodies and lipopolysaccharide to the mice. Clinical scores were analyzed and hind paws were collected for high-resolution micro-CT, and histomorphometry. Serum was used to assess bone turnover and levels of osteoclastogenic cytokines. Results CXCL10 increased the migration of inflammatory cells through C-X-C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3)-mediated, but not toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated, ERK activation. Interestingly, both receptors CXCR3 and TLR4 were simultaneously required for CXCL10-stimulated production of osteoclastogenic cytokines in CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, calcineurin-dependent NFATc1 activation was essential for CXCL10-induced RANKL expression. In vivo, F4/80+ macrophages and CD4+ T cells robustly infiltrated into synovium of WT mice with CAIA but were significantly reduced in both Cxcl10 –/– and Cxcr3 –/– mice. Serum concentrations of osteoclastogenic cytokines and bone destruction were also reduced in the knockout mice, leading to attenuated progression of arthritis. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of CXCL10 signaling in the pathogenesis of RA and provide previously unidentified details of the mechanisms by which CXCL10 promotes the development of arthritis.This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (NRF-2014R1A2A2A01002531)

The assessment of efficacy of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus inactivated vaccine based on the viral quantity and inactivation methods

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There have been many efforts to develop efficient vaccines for the control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Although inactivated PRRSV vaccines are preferred for their safety, they are weak at inducing humoral immune responses and controlling field PRRSV infection, especially when heterologous viruses are involved.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all groups, the sample to positive (S/P) ratio of IDEXX ELISA and the virus neutralization (VN) titer remained negative until challenge. While viremia did not reduce in the vaccinated groups, the IDEXX-ELISA-specific immunoglobulin G increased more rapidly and to significantly greater levels 7 days after the challenge in all the vaccinated groups compared to the non-vaccinated groups (<it>p </it>< 0.05). VN titer was significantly different in the 10⁶PFU/mL PRRSV vaccine-inoculated and binary ethylenimine (BEI)-inactivated groups 22 days after challenge (<it>p </it>< 0.05). Consequently, the inactivated vaccines tested in this study provided weak memory responses with sequential challenge without any obvious active immune responses in the vaccinated pigs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The inactivated vaccine failed to show the humoral immunity, but it showed different immune response after the challenge compared to mock group. Although the 10⁶PFU/mL-vaccinated and BEI-inactivated groups showed significantly greater VN titers 22 days after challenge, all the groups were already negative for viremia.</p

Tanshinone IIA inhibits osteoclast differentiation through down-regulation of c-Fos and NFATc1.

Bone is a dynamic tissue that is regulated by the activity of bone-resorbing osteoclasts and boneforming osteoblasts. Excessive osteoclast forma - tion causes diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Natural substances may be useful as therapeutic drugs to prevent many diseases in humans because they avoid the many side effects of treatment with chemical compounds. Here we show that tanshinone IIA isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge inhibits the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclast differen - tiation of osteoclast precursors. Tanshinone IIA suppressed the expression levels of c-Fos and NFATc1 induced by RANKL. However, retrovirusmediated overexpression of c-Fos induced the expression of NFATc1 despite the presence of tans - hinone IIA and reversed the inhibitory effect of tanshinone IIA on osteoclast differentiation. Also, the introduction of osteoclast precursors with the NFATc1 retrovirus led to osteoclast differentiation in the presence of tanshinone IIA. Our results suggest that tanshinone IIA may have a role as a therapeutic drug in the treatment of bone disease such as osteoporosis