A study to determine what factors affect the attendance of Puerto Rican mothers to ante partal clinic

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Post-WMAP Assessment of Infrared Cutoff in the Primordial Spectrum from Inflation

The recent Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) measurements indicate that there is power deficiency of the CMB anisotropies at large scales compared with the $\Lambda$CDM model. We have investigated the possibility of explaining such effects by a class of primordial power spectra which have infrared cutoffs close to the horizon scale. The primordial power spectrum recovered by direct deconvolution of the observed CMB angular spectrum indicates that the data prefers a sharp infrared cutoff with a localized excess (bump) just above the cutoff. We have been motivated to assess plausible extensions of simplest inflationary scenarios which readily accommodate similar form of infrared cutoff. We carry out a complete Bayesian analysis of the parameter space using {\it Markov Chain Monte Carlo} technique with such a class of primordial power spectra. We show that primordial power spectrum that have features such as an infrared cutoff followed by a subsequent excess in power give better fit to the observed data compared to a nearly scale-invariant power law or power spectrum with just a monotonic infrared cutoff. However, there is substantial room for improvement in the match to data and calls for exploration of other mechanisms that may lead to infrared cutoff even closer to that recovered by direct deconvolution approach.Comment: Changes to match version accepted for publication in PR

Measuring High-Order Moments of the Galaxy Distribution from Counts in Cells -- The Edgeworth Approximation

To probe the weakly non-linear regime, past the point where simple linear theory is sufficient to describe the statistics of the density distribution, we measure the skewness (S_3) and kurtosis (S_4) of the Count Probability Distribution Function (CPDF) of the IRAS 1.2 Jy sample obtained from counts in cells. These quantities are free parameters in a maximum likelihood fit of an Edgeworth expansion convolved with a Poissonian to the observed CPDF. This method, applicable on scales greater than 5 Mpc, is appreciably less sensitive to the tail of the distribution than are measurements of S_3 and S_4 from moments of the CPDF. We measure S_3 and S_4 to l~50 h^{-1} Mpc; the data are consistent with scale invariance, yielding averages of = 2.83 +/- 0.09, and = 6.89 +/- 0.68. These values are higher than those found using the moments method on the same data set, = 1.5 +/- 0.5 and = 4.4 +/- 3.7, due to lack of correction in the latter work for finite-volume effects. Unlike the moments method, our results are quite robust to the fact that IRAS galaxies are under-represented in cluster cores. We use N-body simulations to show that our method yields unbiased results.Comment: 31 pages, ApJ, in press, volume 493. Matches published version; more complete discussion of error

Terahertz detection schemes based on sequential multi-photon absorption

We present modeling and simulation of prototypical multi bound state quantum well infrared photodetectors and show that such a detection design may overcome the problems arising when the operation frequency is pushed down into the far infrared spectral region. In particular, after a simplified analysis on a parabolic-potential design, we propose a fully three-dimensional model based on a finite difference solution of the Boltzmann transport equation for realistic potential profiles. The performances of the proposed simulated devices are encouraging and support the idea that such design strategy may face the well-known dark-current problem.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures; submitted to Applied Physics Letter

Variation in annual volume at a university hospital does not predict mortality for pancreatic resections.

Annual volume of pancreatic resections has been shown to affect mortality rates, prompting recommendations to regionalize these procedures to high-volume hospitals. Implementation has been difficult, given the paucity of high-volume centers and the logistical hardships facing patients. Some studies have shown that low-volume hospitals achieve good outcomes as well, suggesting that other factors are involved. We sought to determine whether variations in annual volume affected patient outcomes in 511 patients who underwent pancreatic resections at the University of California, San Francisco between 1990 and 2005. We compared postoperative mortality and complication rates between low, medium, or high volume years, designated by the number of resections performed, adjusting for patient characteristics. Postoperative mortality rates did not differ between high volume years and medium/low volume years. As annual hospital volume of pancreatic resections may not predict outcome, identification of actual predictive factors may allow low-volume centers to achieve excellent outcomes

On the Aging Dynamics in an Immune Network Model

Recently we have used a cellular automata model which describes the dynamics of a multi-connected network to reproduce the refractory behavior and aging effects obtained in immunization experiments performed with mice when subjected to multiple perturbations. In this paper we investigate the similarities between the aging dynamics observed in this multi-connected network and the one observed in glassy systems, by using the usual tools applied to analyze the latter. An interesting feature we show here is that the model reproduces the biological aspects observed in the experiments during the long transient time it takes to reach the stationary state. Depending on the initial conditions, and without any perturbation, the system may reach one of a family of long-period attractors. The pertrubations may drive the system from its natural attractor to other attractors of the same family. We discuss the different roles played by the small random perturbations (noise) and by the large periodic perturbations (immunizations)

Application of the Rule of Locus Standi in Climate Change Litigations in Nigeria

Locus Standi is a vital rule that allows for the courts or tribunals to determine who the aggrieved party is and who is an interloper. Its application to the issue of climate change in Nigeria is very strict as compared to other jurisdictions of the world. This paper examined the application of the concept in climate change litigation by Nigeria. It observed that the jurisprudence of Nigerian courts on this issue has remained overly rigid to allow for a robust legal redress for injuries caused by activities arising from majorly the oil industry, which is the prime culprit of environmental damage and greenhouse gas emissions. The paper concludes that the courts in Nigeria should adopt the liberal approach to locus standi in climate change litigation by giving premium to concerns about the impact deleterious activities on the environment and people rather than upholding rules of legal technicalities. Keywords: locus standi, jurisdiction, climate change, litigation, pollution, greenhouse gas DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/101-07 Publication date:September 30th 202

Pengaruh Strategi Pemasaran dan Marketing Communication terhadap Brand Awareness dan Dampaknya pada Minat Menonton RCTI (Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia)

At the age of 24, in 2013 (the period of January to December 2013), Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI) has been retaining the position of market leader with a 17.8% audience share reached. Based on that, RCTI needs to maintain to foster and expand the public watching interest on their program. This study aims to determine the effect of marketing strategy and marketing communications on brand awareness and the impact on the public watching interest on their program. The method used is associative-survey research methods. Data collection techniques are done by using a questionnaire distributed to the public viewers of RCTI and by making interviews to the Senior Manager. Data analysis techniques used is path analysis. As a result, there is a positive and significant effect of the variables of marketing strategy and marketing communications on brand awareness and the impact on public watching interest on RCTI