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Murine fur mites are commonly excluded in modern research animal programs, yet infestations continue to persist due to challenges in detection and control. Because all diagnostic methods and treatment options have limitations, programs must make many operational decisions when trying to eradicate these ectoparasites. The primary aim of this study was to assess various durations of treatment time with an ivermectin-compounded diet in eliminating Radfordia affinis in mice as determined by PCR testing and pelt examination. A shorter treatment duration would be highly advantageous as compared with the current regimen of 8 wk as it would minimize cost and time for animal management programs, impediments to research, and ivermectin drug effects on infested animals. Five experimental groups of R. affinis -positive mice received dietary ivermectin for 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 wk. A fur mite-negative, naïve mouse was added to each group every 8 wk to perpetuate the infestation and amplify any remaining populations of fur mites. At 16 wk after the respective treatment end, PCR testing was performed for all treated groups in conjunction with the positive control group (no treatment). Visual examination of pelts for mites and eggs via direct microscopy was also performed at each time point. All treated mice were free of R. affinis at 16 wk after the end of treatment as confirmed by both PCR testing and pelt examination. These findings indicate that a dietary ivermectin treatment duration of as little as 2 wk is effective in eliminating R. affinis , making successful eradication initiatives more achievable.

The frequent consumption of sugary beverages is associated with many health risks. This study examined how persuasive appeals and graphics were used in different media campaigns to encourage and discourage sugary beverages and water in the United States (U.S.) The investigators developed a codebook, protocol and systematic process to conduct a qualitative content analysis for 280 media campaigns organized into a typology with six categories. SPSS version 28.0 was used to analyze rational and emotional appeals (i.e., positive, negative, coactive) for campaign slogans, taglines and graphic images (i.e., symbols, colors, audiences) for 60 unique campaigns across the typology. Results showed that positive emotional appeals were used more to promote sugary beverages in corporate advertising and marketing (64.7%) and social responsibility campaigns (68.8%), and less to encourage water in social marketing campaigns (30%). In contrast, public awareness campaigns used negative emotional appeals (48.1%), and advocacy campaigns combined rational (30%) and emotional positive (50%) and negative appeals (30%). Public policy campaigns used rational (82.6%) and positive emotional appeals (73.9%) to motivate support or opposition for sugary beverage tax legislation. Chi-square analyses assessed the relationships between the U.S. media campaign typology categories and graphic elements that revealed three variables with significant associations between the campaign typology and race/ethnicity (χ 2 (103) = 32.445, p = 0.039), content (χ 2 (103) = 70.760, p < 0.001) and product image (χ 2 (103) = 11.930, p = 0.036). Future research should examine how positive persuasive appeals in text and graphics can promote water to reduce sugary beverage health risks.

Background and Objectives: Skillful use of silence by clinicians can support patient-centered communication. However, what makes a period of silence feel meaningful is not well understood. This study aimed to characterize profound, skillful silences during difficult conversations between pediatric oncologists, children with advancing cancer, and their families., Methods: We audio-recorded serial disease reevaluation discussions between pediatric oncologists, patients with high-risk cancer, and their families across 24 months or until death, whichever occurred first. Using an inductive process, we performed content analysis across all dialogue recorded at timepoints of disease progression to examine types of silence., Results: 17 patient-parent dyads with disease progression yielded 141 recorded conversations. Inductive coding yielded a layered typology of silence, including "intentional silence" (≥5 seconds), "profound silence" (≥5 seconds following receipt of difficult information, juxtaposed with statements of shared understanding, emotion, or enlightenment), and "stacked silence" (series of silences juxtaposed within dialogue). Intentional silence lasting ≥5 seconds occurred 238 times in 35/49 "bad news" recordings; nearly half (103/238) of these silences were identified as profound silence, in which silences appeared to create space for processing, allowed for questions to emerge, and synergized with empathic and affirmational statements. In most cases, profound silences involved the juxtaposition, or stacking, of multiple silences close together., Conclusions: Profound silences occur often during conversations about advancing pediatric cancer and share distinct characteristics. Opportunities exist to teach clinicians to use profound and stacked silences with intention during difficult conversations as a fundamental aspect of communication., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Rockwell, Woods, Lemmon, Baker, Mack, Andes and Kaye.)

Plant-plant interactions change through succession from facilitative to competitive. At early stages of succession, early-colonizing plants can increase the survival and reproductive output of other plants by ameliorating disturbance and stressful conditions. At later stages of succession, plant interactions are more competitive as plants put more energy toward growth and reproduction. In northern temperate rainforests, gap dynamics result in tree falls that facilitate tree regeneration (nurse logs) and bryophyte succession. How bryophyte-tree seedling interactions vary through log succession remains unclear. We examined the relationships of tree seedlings, bryophyte community composition, bryophyte depth, and percent canopy cover in 166 1.0 m 2 plots on nurse logs and the forest floor in the Hoh rainforest in Washington, USA, to test the hypothesis that bryophyte-tree seedling interactions change from facilitative to competitive as the log decays. Tree seedling density was highest on young logs with early-colonizing bryophyte species (e.g., Rhizomnium glabrescens ) and lowest on decayed logs with Hylocomium splendens , a long-lived moss that reaches depths >20 cm. As a result, bryophyte depth increased with nurse log decay and was negatively associated with tree seedling density. Tree seedling density was 4.6× higher on nurse logs than on the forest floor, which was likely due to competitive exclusion by forest floor plants, such as H. splendens . Nurse logs had 17 species of bryophytes while the forest floor had six, indicating that nurse logs contribute to maintaining bryophyte diversity. Nurse logs enable both tree seedlings and smaller bryophyte species to avoid competition with forest floor plants, including the dominant bryophyte, H. splendens . H. splendens is likely a widespread driver of plant community structure given its dominance in northern temperate forests. Our findings indicate that plant-plant interactions shift with succession on nurse logs from facilitative to competitive and, thus, influence forest community structure and dynamics., Competing Interests: Authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Land-use change can have profound effects on forest communities, compromising seedling recruitment and growth, and long-term persistence of forests on the landscape. Continued forest conversion to agriculture causes forest fragmentation which decreases forest size, increases edge effects and forest isolation, all of which negatively impact forest health. These fragmentation effects are magnified by human use of forests, which can compromise the continued persistence of species in these forests and the ability of the forests to support the communities that depend on them. We examined the extent and influence of human disturbance (e.g. weedy taxa, native and exotic tree plantations, clearings, buildings) on the ecological status of sacred church forests in the northern highlands of South Gondar, Ethiopia and hypothesized that disturbance would have a negative effect. We found that disturbance was high across all forests (56%) and was negatively associated with tree species richness, density, and biomass and seedling richness and density. Contrary to expectation, we found that forests < 15.5 ha show no difference in disturbance level with distance from population center. Based on our findings, we recommend that local conservation strategies not only protect large forests, but also the small and highly used forests in South Gondar which are critical to the needs of local people, including preserving large trees for seed sources, removing exotic and weedy species from forests, and reducing clearings and trails within forests., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Numerous research studies document the negative mental health outcomes associated with the experience of childhood sexual abuse. In addition, factors such as one's relationship with the perpetrator and the severity of the abuse predict the likelihood of future mental health problems. Less attention, however, has focused on the age of the perpetrator, and recent years have seen an increased interest in children who display sexual behavior problems. College students completed measures of mental health functioning and retrospective reports of maltreatment histories. Participants were categorized as abused by an adult (n = 48), teenager (n = 39), or another child (n = 37), and non-abused (n = 219). Victims of abuse, regardless of perpetrator age, displayed higher levels of mental health problems than non-abused participants. There were no differences between the abused groups on any of the mental health outcomes; however, individuals who were abused by other children were less likely to label their experiences as abuse., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

We propose dynamic range compression deconvolution by a new nonlinear optical-limiter microelectromechanical system (NOLMEMS) device. The NOLMEMS uses aperturized, reflected coherent light from optically addressed, parabolically deformable mirrors. The light is collimated by an array of microlenses. The reflected light saturates as a function of optical drive intensity. In this scheme, a joint image of the blurred input information and the blur impulse response is captured and sent to a spatial light modulator (SLM). The joint information on the SLM is read through a laser beam and is Fourier transformed by a lens to the back of the NOLMEMS device. The output from the NOLMEMS is Fourier transformed to produce the restored image. We derived the input-output nonlinear transfer function of our NOLMEMS device, which relates the transmitted light from the pinhole to the light intensity incident on the back side of the device, and exhibits saturation. We also analyzed the deconvolution orders for this device, using a nonlinear transform method. Computer simulation of image deconvolution by the NOLMEMS device is also presented.

We propose the design of an optical limiter based on a microelectromechanical systems deformable mirror. The design is based on aperturing focused light reflected out of an optically driven deformable mirror, deformed in a parabolic form. We derive an expression for the reflected light intensity, and we show that the reflected light saturates as a function of back illumination light intensity., ((c) 2008 Optical Society of America)

Synthetic radar image recognition is an area of interest for military applications including automatic target recognition, air traffic control, and remote sensing. Here a dynamic range compression two-beam-coupling joint transform correlator for detecting synthetic aperture radar targets is utilized. The joint input image consists of a prepower-law, enhanced scattering center of the input image and a linearly synthesized power-law-enhanced scattering center template. Enhancing the scattering center of both the synthetic template and the input image furnishes the conditions for achieving dynamic range compression correlation in two-beam coupling. Dynamic range compression (a) enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, (b) enhances the high frequencies relative to low frequencies, and (c) converts the noise to high frequency components. This improves the correlation-peak intensity to the mean of the surrounding noise significantly. Dynamic range compression correlation has already been demonstrated to outperform many optimal correlation filters in detecting signals in severe noise environments. The performance is evaluated via established metrics such as peak-to-correlation energy, Horner efficiency, and correlation-peak intensity. The results showed significant improvement as the power increased.

Binary wavefront control in the focal plane (i.e., binary phase-only filtering) for partial compensation of atmospheric turbulence in fiber-coupled free-space laser communication systems is investigated. Numerical results from wave-optics simulations show that in an air-to-air scenario, the combination of binary phase-only filtering and centroid tracking provides mean fiber coupling efficiency close to that resulting from ideal least-squares adaptive optics, but without the requirement for direct wavefront sensing. This result suggests a simpler and less computationally demanding turbulence mitigation system that is more readily applied to tactical applications.

In previous work, we introduced a dynamic range compression-based technique for image correction using nonlinear deconvolution; the impulse response of the distortion function and the distorted image are jointly transformed to pump a clean reference beam in a photorefractive two-beam coupling arrangement. The Fourier transform of the pumped reference beam contains the deconvolved image and its conjugate. Here we extend our work to spectrally variable dynamic range compression. This approach allows the retrieval of distorted signals embedded in a very high noise environment and does not require one to work with a very high beam ratio as in our previous work. Resolution recovery of blurred noisy images is demonstrated for several different types of image blur.

We propose and analyze a new mode of operation for an optically addressed deformable mirror device. The device consists of an array of metallized membrane mirrors supported above an optically addressed photoconductive substrate. A conductive transparent electrode is deposited on the backside of the substrate. A variable polarity voltage is applied between the membrane and the back electrode of the device accompanied with high-frequency modulated light. The membrane is deformed when a modulated light illuminates the backside of the device. This occurs due to impedance and bias redistribution between the two cascaded impedances. This operating mechanism of a microelectromechanical systems device is suitable for detecting moving targets.

A new approach for designing diffractive optical corrective elements with zooming capability to convert nonlinear sinusoidal scanning into linear scanning is proposed. Such a device will be useful for linearizing the angular scan of a resonant mirror scanner. The design methodology is to create a graded index of a refraction device as the reference design with its index of refraction parameters based on beam retardation through propagation in an inhomogeneous medium. The diffractive element is designed by utilizing a binarizing algorithm of the accumulated phase from transmission through the refractive element. In contrast to a prior approach, which was introduced based on the beam propagation through inhomogeneous media, the new approach takes beam diameters into consideration. This makes both the refractive element and its associated diffractive element more robust against beam fanning.

We introduce a dynamic range image compression technique for nonlinear deconvolution; the impulse response of the distortion function and the noisy distorted image are jointly transformed to pump a clean reference beam in a two-beam coupling arrangement. The Fourier transform of the pumped reference beam contains the deconvolved image and its conjugate. In contrast to standard deconvolution approaches, for which noise can be a limiting factor in the performance, this approach allows the retrieval of distorted signals embedded in a very high-noise environment.

We propose and demonstrate a new photorefractive real-time holographic deconvolution technique for adaptive one-way image transmission through aberrating media by means of four-wave mixing. In contrast with earlier methods, which typically required various codings of the exact phase or two-way image transmission for correcting phase distortion, our technique relies on one-way image transmission through the use of exact phase information. Our technique can simultaneously correct both amplitude and phase distortions. We include several forms of image degradation, various test cases, and experimental results. We characterize the performance as a function of the input beam ratios for four metrics: signal-to-noise ratio, normalized root-mean-square error, edge restoration, and peak-to-total energy ratio. In our characterization we use false-color graphic images to display the best beam-intensity ratio two-dimensional region(s) for each of these metrics. Test cases are simulated at the optimal values of the beam-intensity ratios. We demonstrate our results through both experiment and computer simulation.

The fabrication and characterization of an optically addressable deformable mirror for a spatial light modulator are described. Device operation utilizes an electrostatically driven pixelated aluminized polymeric membrane mirror supported above an optically controlled photoconductive GaAs substrate. A 5 mum thick grid of patterned photoresist supports the 2 mum thick aluminized Mylar membrane. A conductive ZnO layer is placed on the backside of the GaAs wafer. Similar devices were also fabricated with InP. A standard Michelson interferometer is used to measure mirror deformation data as a function of illumination, applied voltage, and frequency. The device operates as an impedance distribution between two cascaded impedances of deformable membrane substrate, substrate, and electrode. An analysis of device's operation under several bias conditions, which relates membrane deformation to operating parameters, is presented.

The fabrication and characterization of an optically addressable deformable mirror for a spatial light modulator is described. Device operation utilizes an electrostatically driven pixellated aluminized polymeric membrane mirror supported above an optically controlled photoconductive GaAs substrate. A 5 microm thick grid of patterned photoresist supports the 2 microm thick aluminized Mylar membrane. A conductive ZnO layer is placed on the back side of the GaAs wafer. A standard Michelson interferometer is used to measure mirror deformation data as a function of illumination, applied voltage, and frequency. A simplified analysis of device operation is also presented.

A new, optically addressed deformable mirror device is demonstrated. The device consists of a pixellated metalized polymeric membrane mirror supported above an optically addressed photoconductive substrate. A conductive transparent ZnO layer is deposited on the back side of the substrate. A very high-frequency AC bias is applied between the membrane and the back electrode of the device. The membrane is deformed when the back of the device is illuminated because of impedance and bias redistribution between two cascaded impedances. We fabricated, demonstrated, and modeled the operation of this device.

We introduce a new design concept of laser radar systems that combines both phase comparison and time-of-flight methods. We show from signal-to-noise ratio considerations that there is a fundamental limit to the overall resolution in three-dimensional imaging range laser radar (ladar). We introduce a new metric, volume of resolution, and we show from quantum noise considerations that there is a maximum resolution volume that can be achieved for a given set of system parameters. Consequently, there is a direct trade-offbetween range resolution and spatial resolution. Thus, in a ladar system, range resolution may be maximized at the expense of spatial image resolution and vice versa. We introduce resolution efficiency eta(r) as a new figure of merit for ladar that describes system resolution under the constraints of a specific design, compared with its optimal resolution performance derived from quantum noise considerations. We analyze how the resolution efficiency could be utilized to improve the resolution performance of a ladar system. Our analysis could be extended to all ladars, regardless of whether they are

We introduce a novel two-dimensional (2D) homodyne and heterodyne technique for imaging objects through or embedded in a scattering medium. Our imaging approach is based on heterodyning of light with different Doppler broadenings that is scattered from objects of two different textures or from an opaque object and a textured scattering medium. We report on the initial demonstration of pulling signals out of noise for an object hidden behind a scattering medium. Enhancements of signal-to-noise ratio of the order of 50 have been achieved by use of a 2D holographic phase-sensitive detector. We also discuss the experimental feasibility of this approach for objects embedded in a scattering medium.

We develop the theory of the speckle velocimeter that is based on use of a photorefractive real-time hologram in four-wave mixing as a time-integrative correlator. The theory of the speckle velocimeter has been developed for the time correlation between the far-field spectrum of light scattered from the diffuser and the reference wave that is Doppler shifted. Our theoretical derivation shows that it is possible to extract the velocity with minor processing of the output correlation.

We demonstrate that a significant improvement can be obtained in the recognition of complicated synthetic aperture radar images taken from the Moving and Stationary Target Acquisitions and Recognition database. These images typically have a low number of scattering centers and high noise. We first preprocess the images and the templates formed from them so that their scattering centers are enhanced. Our technique can produce high-quality performance in several correlation criteria. For realistic automatic target recognition systems, our approach should make it easy to implement optical recognition systems with binarized data for many different types of correlation filter and should have a great effect on feeding data-compressed (binarized) information into either digital or optical processors.

We introduce a new phase-restricted algorithm for producing a heterogeneous correlation filter that permits new in-class members to be added without changing the phase of the filter. This heterogeneous correlation filter uses amplitude modulation both to enhance in-class cross correlations and to suppress selected out-of-class correlations. This new algorithm should substantially improve the performance of existing class-associative correlators and improve their operation.

We introduce a new, to our knowledge, design for a Wiener-like correlation filter, which consists of cascading a phase-only filter (POF) with a photorefractive Wiener-like filter. Its performance is compared with that of the POF and the Wiener correlation filter (WCF). Correlation results show that for intermediate and higher levels of noise this correlation filter has a peak-to-noise ratio that is larger than that of either the POF or the WCF while still preserving a correlation peak that is almost as high as that of the POF.

We have performed a general analysis of optical correlators with spatal light modulators (SLM's) whose primary defect is a finite contrast ratio (CR). Our mathematical analysis identifies three noise terms that appear in addition to the correlation term. The filter SLM contains either a phase-only filter (POF) or a binary-phase-only filter (BPOF). Insertion of a dc block at the center of the filter SLM decreases the noise background in the correlator plane; this dc block is larger than that required for the same level of performance in a correlator whose SLM's have transmissive (or reflective) dead zones. With a noise-free input and the dc block, our computer simulations that show the peak intensity falling off as the CR decreases are in quantitative agreement with the correlation term of the mathematical model. For a cluttered, disjoint noise input this agreement is only qualitative, and at low CR's the dc block is definitely required for the BPOF correlator if the secondary peaks in the output are to be brought below the correlation peak.

The optical implementation of the Hopfield algorithm in shift-invariant holographic associative memories is based on the use of correlators with matched filters. However, it is well known that such correlators have poor discrimination. We propose nearly optimal correlation designs for associative memories based on correlation filters that have maximum discrimination ability. These new designs avoid large cross-correlation-peak terms caused by a mismatch between partial input and the fully stored information in the filter. These solutions rely on whitened spectra of the stored and the recalled information.Computer simulations are made of eight different combinations.

Computer simulations of photorefractive thresholding filters for the reduction of artifact or dust noise demonstrate an increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 70% to 95%, respectively, of that provided by the Wiener filter for inputs with a SNR of approximately 3. These simple, nearly optimal filters use a spectral thresholding profile that is proportional to the envelope of the noise spectrum. Alternative nonlinear filters with either 1/ν or constant thresholding profiles increase the SNR almost as much as the noise-envelope thresholding filter.

A self-aligned photorefractive autocorrelator is implemented for the real-time use of second-order statistics for texture analysis. We demonstrate the measurement of the length scale of the granularity of a rough surface.

We propose and demonstrate one-way image transmission through an aberrating medium. In contrast to previous techniques, which usually use exact phase compensation for correcting phase distortion, our technique uses the phase- or amplitude-coded form of the exact phase. This technique allows us to utilize a wide variety of spatial light modulators for image correction in one-way image transmission through aberrating media.

In Part I we present an approximate mathematical analysis and exact computer simulations for optical correlation in correlators having pixellated spatial light modulators with transmissive (or reflective) dead zones in both the input and filter planes. We show that the correlation amplitude consists of four terms: a true correlation plus three different types of noise terms originating from the transmissive dead zones in both spatial light modulators; we describe the role that each of these terms plays in the correlation process. We calculate peak intensity, signal-to-noise ratio, and energy throughput efficiency as a function of dead-zone area in both spatial light modulators using either phase-only or matched filters. We utilize a dc block in the filter plane for noise reduction. We also use a filter reference image smaller than the input spatial light modulator size to reduce false correlation peaks. We discuss the effects of fabricating a filter from a filter reference image whose center has been offset rom optic axis. In Part II [Appl. Opt. 32,6536 (1993)] we present a general analytical treatment of our model that can justify the simulation results of Part I. This analysis is applicable even to mixed cases of opaque and transmissive dead zones.

We present a general analytical treatment of optical correlation in correlators that use pixellated spatial light modulators with transmissive (or reflective) dead zones in both the input and filter planes. The active areas of the pixels modulate the light intensity while the dead zones transmit (or reflect) all of the light. Our model can predict the changes in the correlation peak and the signal-to-noise ratio with changes in dead zones, calculated in Part I [Appl. Opt. 32, 6527(1993)] from computer simulations. This model is also a general one: It applies to correlators in which one spatial light modulator contaions only opaque dead zones while the other contains only transmissive dead zones; it also applies to the case in which any one spatial light modulator contains both opaque and transmissive dead zones.

Each pixel of a spatial light modulator (SLM) consists of a phase- or amplitude-modulating area (the active zone) within an inactive area (the dead zone). Here we study optical correlators that contain input and filter SLM's whose dead zones are opaque. Computer simulations and analytical calculations are carried out for these correlators when a phase-only, a binary phase-only, or a classical matched filter is written on the filter SLM. The correlation signal-to-noise ratio for a particular filter is independent of a dead zone since its energy throughput is proportional to its peak correlation intensity.

Using retinas prepared from freshly dissected bovine eyes, we have characterized the binding of the A1-selective agonist, [3H]PIA (N6-R-[3H](2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine). Specific binding was linear over a range of membrane protein concentrations from 0.10 to 1.0 mg, and accounted for an average of 80-90% of the total binding. At room temperature (24 degrees C), binding reached equilibrium at 60 min, and was reversible upon addition of an excess of cold ligand. Saturation analysis and Scatchard transformation revealed two apparent populations of receptor binding sites. The higher affinity site exhibited a Kd of 0.134 +/- 0.007 nM and Bmax of 26.18 +/- 3.06 fmol-1 mg protein. The lower affinity site exhibited a Kd of 21.83 +/- 4.39 nM and Bmax of 53.94 +/- 15.80 fmol mg-1 protein. Kinetic analysis of association and dissociation rates, performed at a low concentration of [3H]PIA, yielded a calculated affinity constant for the high affinity site of 0.2 nM, in agreement with saturation studies. Competition experiments with a number of purine nucleoside agonists and antagonists were performed, using radioligand concentrations of 1 nM or less to examine binding at the high affinity site, and revealed a rank order of potency consistent with the reported pharmacology of A1 receptors. We have also assayed for adenylate cyclase activity in this same preparation and determined that PIA inhibited forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition (40%) was observed with 1 nM PIA, while 10 microM 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, an A1 selective antagonist, completely inhibited this modulation by PIA.

We present an optical signal-processing technique for additive noise reduction that uses the noisy signal and a Gaussian reference beam to produce an adaptive Wiener filter. We experimentally demonstrate an improvement from 1 to 8 in the signal-to-noise ratio by using nonlinear gain in two-beam coupling in barium titanate to transmit 50% of the signal and 6% of the noise.

Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee has implemented a newly designed cardiac arrhythmia monitoring system. Management engineers worked closely with nurses and physicians in the design process which led to development and implementation of a centralized telemetry monitoring system. Changes in the work distribution, improvement of the work environment, efficient use of nursing personnel and upgrades of monitoring equipment are several of the objectives addressed by this new centralized monitoring system. The backbone of the centralized telemetry monitoring system is an effective communication system that fully addresses staff needs during emergency situations. This paper presents the communication system features as well as the operational, functional and technical considerations necessary to support a centralized telemetry monitoring system. Some topics covered in detail include communication system selection, staff scheduling, selection, training, and supervision of staff members, ergonomic workstation design parameters and centralized telemetry monitoring system benefits. One benefit observed was that an additional 35 minutes per nurse per shift was made available to provide additional patient care activities.

Overt and covert assessments of monologue and conversational speech were compared in 22 male adult stutterers immediately prior to the commencement of intensive treatment, and in 15 male adult stutterers immediately after completion of intensive treatment. There were no overall differences between covert and overt speech measures taken immediately before treatment. Immediately after intensive treatment, stuttering frequency (%SS) was significantly higher in covert evaluation than in overt evaluation, though the magnitude of the difference was small. There were no consistent covert-overt differences in speech rate (SPM). These results suggest that overt speech samples constitute a valid source of information about stutterers' 'real life' speech immediately before treatment but are less valid immediately after treatment.

To determine if a stereotype of the "typical stutterer" exists and to identify possible differences in that sterotype due to exposure to stuttering, seven groups of subjects having a wide range of possible exposure to stutterers rated four hypothetical concepts (typical eight-year-old male, typical eight-year-old male stutterer, typical adult male, and typical adult male stutterer) on 25 scales arranged in a semantic differential format. These bipolar scales were derived from words previously judged by speech clinicians as descriptive of stutterers and antonyms of those words. It was concluded that a strong stereotype of a stutterer's personal characteristics exists, that the stereotype is predominantly unfavorable, that the stereotype is essentially unaffected by amount of exposure to actual stutterers, and that the traits attributed to boys and men who stutter are similar. Some implications of the study are discussed.

The behavioral performance of rats subjected in the neonatal period to hypoxia-ischemia at either 37 degrees C or 21 degrees C was compared to that of sham-ligated animals. Performance on complex motor tests was significantly delayed only in the hypoxic-ischemic 37 degrees C rats. However, cognitive testing disclosed significant delay of spatial learning in animals subjected to hypoxia-ischemia at 21 degrees C and those with gross infarction at 37 degrees C. There was enhanced avoidance learning in the animals with gross infarction in the hypoxia-ischemia 37 degrees C group. Hypoxic-ischemic damage in the neonatal rat at 37 degrees C results in transient delay of complex motor skills, but longer lasting cognitive changes. Hypoxia-ischemia during hypothermia produces no motor deficits, although there may be similar alterations in learning.

The value of token reinforcement in the instatement and shaping of fluency was examined in an intensive treatment program for adult stutterers. Experiment 1 examined the effect of removing the tangible back-up reinforcers for the token system and found that clients' performance in the program was equally good with or without these back-up reinforcers, suggesting that a strict token economy may not be crucial to rapid progress through treatment. Experiment 2 compared contingent and noncontingent taken reinforcement, while controlling for some variables that may have confounded the results of earlier research, and found no difference in clients' performance. Experiment 3 examined the effect of the entire removal of token reinforcement. Performance was found to be no worse under a "no tokens" system than under a system of tokens with back-up reinforcers. It is argued that in a highly structured treatment program where many other reinforcers are operating, token reinforcement may be largely redundant. Clinical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.

To explore the relationship between cerebral hemorrhage in the newborn and administration of sodium bicarbonate, we gave a standard dose of sodium bicarbonate (5 mEq/kg) to neonatal dogs and then assessed changes in cerebral blood flow, brain water content, and the blood-brain barrier. This dose of sodium bicarbonate produced no increase in blood pressure or cerebral blood flow and no alteration in blood-brain barrier. However, infusion of sodium bicarbonate did cause hyperosmolality and hypernatremia and a significant decrease in brain water content. Cerebral hemorrhage in the neonate associated with infusions of sodium bicarbonate may be related to shifts in brain water rather than to changes in blood pressure or cerebral blood flow.

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) recently established a pneumococcal disease initiative to determine the scope of serious pneumococcal disease in residents of Hawaii and to investigate methods of increasing vaccine utilization in the State. The initial phase of the project involved a review of pneumococcal bacteremia at all 38 microbiology laboratories in Hawaii during 1986 and 1987. Two hundred twenty-two residents with bacteremia were identified. Eighty-six percent of adults had pneumonia as the primary source of bacteremia. In children greater than 5 years old, pneumonia was present in 24%, otitis media in 35%, and meningitis in 11%. Bacteremia with no apparent focus of infection was found in 30% of children. The overall annual incidence of pneumococcal bacteremia was 9/10(5) population. Rates were highest in children greater than 2 years old (103/10(5] and persons greater than or equal to 65 years old (22/10(5]. These are similar to rates reported from other populations in the United States during the 1970s and early 1980s, but are less than those detected in 2 more recent population-based studies. The overall case-fatality rate in our study was relatively low (16%); however, 35% of persons greater than or equal to 65 years old died. A record of previous pneumococcal vaccination was found in the medical records of only 2 (1%) patients. Our study confirms that pneumococcal bacteremia causes significant morbidity and mortality among elderly residents of Hawaii and suggests that vaccine coverage is very low among this high-risk population. Phase 2 of the initiative included surveys of Hawaii physicians and the public to ascertain attitudes toward pneumococcal immunization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The Woods and Williams' (1976) study of Iowans' stereotypes about stuttering males was replicated using 11 speech clinicians and 16 classroom teachers in Virginia. Ratings of 23 possible characteristics were obtained for four hypothetical concepts (typical 8-year-old male, typical 8-year-old male stutter, typical adult male, and typical adult male stutterer) using a semantic differential format. The results of the Woods and Williams' (1976) research were confirmed. Stutters were expected by all rating groups to be more nonassertive, tense, insecure, and afraid to talk than nonstutterers. Not only were stereotype differences within professional groups quite small from one geographical region to the other, but classroom teachers held particularly unfavorable stereotypes of the stuttering boy in both studies. These results suggest the possibility that listener reactions could shape the stutterer's behavior.