University of Colorado Colorado Springs

About: University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a education organization based out in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 6664 authors who have published 10872 publications receiving 323416 citations. The organization is also known as: UCCS & University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

A Line-Oriented Approach to Word Spotting in Handwritten Documents

Abstract: The problem of word spotting in handwritten archives is approached by matching global shape features. A set of visual templates is used to define the keyword class of interest, and initiate a search for words exhibiting high shape similarity to the model set. Major problems of segmenting cursive script into individual words are avoided by applying line-oriented processing to the document pages. The use of profile-oriented features facilitates the application of dynamic programming techniques to pattern matching, and allows us to achieve high levels of recognition performance. Results of experiments with old Spanish manuscripts show a high recognition rate of the proposed approach.

More Than One Gap: Dropout Rate Gaps Between and Among Black, Hispanic, and White Students:

Abstract: This study is the second in a series of investigations designed to explore issues surrounding the achievement gap, or, as concluded in our prior work, achievement gaps. The first study (Carpenter, Ramirez, & Severn, 2006) used data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS: 88) to examine nuances of academic achievement gaps among Black, White, and Hispanic students, with a particular focus on not only gaps between groups but also within groups. Findings from the analysis showed unique patterns and multiple achievement gaps, both between and within groups. In fact, results indicated within-group gaps were often more significant than gaps between groups. This research extends that effort by examining variables associated with dropout behavior as a measure of achievement gaps. As in the first study, comparisons were made among Black, White, and Hispanic students, paying particular attention to gaps in dropout rates both between and within groups. The research progressed in two phases. Phase I used the same variables from the prior investigation to determine if the patterns among independent variables would prove consistent with a different dependent variable (dropout status rather than academic achievement on tests). Phase II added another index of variables more conceptually aligned with dropout behavior. Results from Phase I showed little consistency with findings from our first investigation and the resulting logistic hierarchi

Fair Value Measurements and Audit Fees: Evidence from the Banking Industry

Abstract: Using publicly traded bank holding company data from 2008 through 2011, this paper documents that the proportions of fair-valued assets held by banks are positively associated with audit fees. The positive association between audit fees and the proportions of total assets that are fair-valued using Level 3 inputs is greater than its positive association with the proportions of total assets that are fair-valued using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. These results are consistent with a hypothesized scenario in which audit effort increases in the difficulty of verifying asset fair values. We also document that bank specialist auditors, defined as in Behn et al. (2008), charge lower audit fees to bank clients on average, suggesting cost efficiencies passed to clients as lower fees. However, bank expert auditors charge more for auditing the proportions of total assets that are fair-valued. Overall, the results support concerns expressed by some observers that greater use of fair value measurements for financial instruments will trigger increased audit fees.

Coping self-efficacy buffers psychological and physiological disturbances in HIV-infected men following a natural disaster.

Abstract: The importance of coping self-efficacy (CSE) appraisals on psychological and physiological functioning for HIV seropositive patients facing a severe environmental stressor was tested comparing 37 HIV-infected gay men and 42 healthy male control participants following Hurricane Andrew. Results suggested that greater levels of CSE were related to lower emotional distress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in both groups. In addition, greater CSE was associated with lower norepinephrine to cortisol ratios in the HIV group but not in the healthy control group. Results are discussed in relation to the coping process for HIV-infected individuals specifically and chronically ill populations in general who face severe environmental stressors.