Composable computation in discrete chemical reaction networks

We study the composability of discrete chemical reaction networks (CRNs) that stably compute (i.e., with probability 0 of error) integer-valued functions $f:\mathbb{N}^d\to\mathbb{N}$. We consider output-oblivious CRNs in which the output species is never a reactant (input) to any reaction. The class of output-oblivious CRNs is fundamental, appearing in earlier studies of CRN computation, because it is precisely the class of CRNs that can be composed by simply renaming the output of the upstream CRN to match the input of the downstream CRN. Our main theorem precisely characterizes the functions $f$ stably computable by output-oblivious CRNs with an initial leader. The key necessary condition is that for sufficiently large inputs, $f$ is the minimum of a finite number of nondecreasing quilt-affine functions. (An affine function is linear with a constant offset; a quilt-affine function is linear with a periodic offset)

Optimizing mating schemes in fish breeding

The optimal contribution selection method and the simulated annealing algorithm were used to maximize the genetic gain and reduce inbreeding in fish breeding populations. This study considered the following mating designs: full factorial (3 x 3); full factorial (6 x 6) and nested (6 males x 18 females). A quantitative trait based on a strictly additive and polygenic model was simulated. Two levels for the number of genotyped offspring (360 or 720) and three levels of heritability (0.1; 0.3; 0.5) were assumed. The best results in terms of DF and DG were obtained with the full factorial design (6 x 6) and considering a trait with a high heritability. The optimal family size was found at 20 fish per mating

Evaluating the effectiveness of a classwide social skills intervention with preschoolers and kindergarteners

The purpose of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of a manualized, universal social skills intervention for young students. Past research on the use of universal interventions within the domain of social skills has shown great promise, and the importance of social skills has been demonstrated through their empirical relation to academic and behavioral outcomes. Additional research has shown that, overall, social skills training interventions for young children are successful and have lasting effects. These findings convey the importance and need for effective, efficient, and early social skills training interventions. As such, this study used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design to test the effects of the Classwide Intervention Program on preschool and kindergarten children’s prosocial behavior, motivation to learn, classroom behaviors, and early academic skills. Results indicated that children receiving the intervention were rated higher on measures of prosocial behaviors and social skills directly targeted by the intervention. Limitations of the study and implications for future research and practice are discussed

A comparison of scores of kindergarten children and nonkindergarten children in specific background abilities at first grade entrance

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Integrated Care for Older Adults and Memory: A Quality Improvement Approach

Integrated care, a combination of medical and behavioral health, is necessary to address the complex needs of the rapidly growing population of adults over the age of 65 (Karel, Gratz, & Smyer, 2012). Cognitive impairment, a common issue associated with aging, is a major concern for aging adults, their caregivers and family members. Comprehensively addressing cognition, whether there is an identified impairment or not, in a primary care setting allows the individual to take advantage of their independence, be an active member of planning care and making decisions, and begin treating their disease earlier when it is more manageable (Callahan et al., 2006). This project was designed to address concerns for all older adults and to offer the potential impact of psychosocial support in relation to memory and cognition during the Medicare Wellness Visit (MWV). The goal was to gain further information from patients about their memory concerns, appreciate how this related to their score on a validated test of cognitive functioning, and provide more comprehensive care. A behavioral health clinician offered a 30-minute visit that provided the patient/family with concern specific information, tools, and strategies. Eighty three percent of eligible patients accepted the behavioral health component of their MWV. Of this group, 30% of patients had a positive (atypical) score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), but 100% expressed concerns with their memory and cognition. These concerns included forgetfulness, distractibility, the associated frustration, and the need for tools and strategies to assist with functioning. All patients (100%) who accepted the BHC component of their MWV were followed up with two weeks later to gather information about perceptions and reactions to having their memory concerns addressed through an integrated care approach. Patients reported it was helpful to discuss topics including typical versus atypical aging, focus and concentration, mentally stimulating activities, and reducing distractions. These results indicate that an integrated care approach to address memory concerns in older adults during their annual MWVs, regardless of MoCA score, had a positive impact on patient\u27s quality of whole person care and indicate support for a system wide integrated approach to older adult primary care

Alien Registration- Haley, Ruth E. (Rangeley, Franklin County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/17466/thumbnail.jp

Wheat Cleaning and its Effect on U.S. Wheat Exports

This analysis shows that there could be net gains to the U.S. wheat industry if all U.S. export wheat were to be cleaned to a dockage level between 0.35 to 0.40 percent. These results are based on survey results of major importers of U.S. wheat, and a model of world wheat trade. Larger benefits to the U.S. wheat industry would be possible from cleaning only wheat destined to countries that demand higher quality U.S. wheat. However, these gains in export revenue from selling cleaner wheat could be offset if other exporters, especially Canada, responded in ways that would maintain their market share.wheat, grain quality, trade model, Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade,

Photography in Architecture: The Transformation of Reality

The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity. - Alberto Giacometti ...representation itself is not a reflection of some reality in the world about us, but is a means of casting onto that world a concept - or a subliminal sense - of what reality is. -Ackerman, 121 Photography informs our perceptions of reality. Through various themes or techniques of transformation, the photograph exposes reality as an abstraction of itself and alters the way that we see and understand our surroundings. This way of seeing, or photographic vision , is especially important in the visual field of architecture. As architects, we aim to create moments of experience within a building. By utilizing the photographic themes of transformation in the creation of these moments , we can capture the same sense of illusion that is exposed in photography. As representations of themselves, these moments will offer a glimpse of an alternate reality. The small-scale urban setting can benefit from a public building that embodies these ideas. Many small downtown areas have suffered misuse and neglect over the past decades, and are now attempting to reverse these effects through major revitalization efforts. A work of architecture based on the transformation of reality will not only encourage revitalization, but also become a symbol of the city\u27s aspirations. Museums engage our sense of vision. Their primary function is to display works of art, each of which becomes its own moment of experience . Therefore, ideas of photographic transformation, altered perceptions, and moments of experience will be fully explored in the design of a museum

Impression Management From the Department of Environmental Quality in the Flint Water Crisis

The citizens of Flint, Michigan have been at a disadvantage for decades, even before the water crisis. After Flint switched their water source from the Detroit Water and Sewage Department to the Flint Water Treatment Plant in April 2014, its citizens began to complain about foul-smelling, discolored, and contaminated water. However, government officials in Flint ignored complaints until Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha revealed an increase in Flint children’s blood-lead levels in September of 2015. After the crisis became public, Governor Rick Snyder released ninety-nine PDF files containing emails from the various government agencies involved, and Flint switched back to the DWSD on October 16, 2015. Drawing on an email archive constructed with fellow undergraduate researchers, I compare a sample of 15,733 emails from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to 100 public statements from the DEQ. I aim to uncover: how did the DEQ engage in impression management during the Flint Water Crisis? I apply Irving Goffman’s theory Dramaturgy (1959) to show how the DEQ engaged in public impression management through a normalization of deviance (Vaughan 1997). This study will show how competing concerns of citizen health, financial interests, and public relations were weighed in handling the developing crisis and aftermath