Improvement of source and wind field input of atmospheric dispersion model by assimilation of concentration measurements: Method and applications in idealized settings

AbstractThe problem of correcting the pollutant source emission rate and the wind velocity field inputs in a puff atmospheric dispersion model by data assimilation of concentration measurements has been considered. Variational approach to data assimilation has been used, in which the specified cost function is minimized with respect to source strength and/or wind field. The analyzed wind field satisfied the constraints derived from the conditions of mass conservation and linearized flow equations for perturbations from the first guess wind field. ‘Identical twin’ numerical experiments have been performed for the validation of the method. The first guess estimation errors of source emission rate and wind field were set to a factor of up to 10 and up to 6m/s respectively. The calculations results showed that in most studied cases an improvement of vector wind difference (VWD) error by about 0.7–1m/s could be achieved. The resulting normalized mean square error (NMSE) of concentration field was also reduced significantly

Brief Report: Using Individualized Orienting Cues to Facilitate First-Word Acquisition in Non-Responders with Autism

Though considerable progress has been made in developing techniques for improving the acquisition of expressive verbal communication in children with autism, research has documented that 10–25% still fail to develop speech. One possible technique that could be significant in facilitating responding for this nonverbal subgroup of children is the use of orienting cues. Using a multiple baseline design, this study examined whether individualized orienting cues could be identified, and whether their presentation would result in verbal expressive words. The results suggest that using individualized orienting cues can increase correct responding to verbal models as well as subsequent word use. Theoretical and applied implications of orienting cues as they relate to individualized programming for children with autism are discussed

Variation of cultured skin microbiota in mothers and their infants during the first year postpartum

Background/Objectives: The establishment of newborn skin flora depends on the ongoing skin maturation and the existence of potential microbial colonizers within the environment of the infant during a period of intense mother-infant physical interaction. This longitudinal study assessed culturable skin bacteria in the mother-infant dyad during the first year of life. Methods: A total of 17 mother-infant dyads were swabbed within 24 hours postpartum and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Skin swabbing was performed on two anatomical areas per individual (mothers: chest-abdomen; infants: forehead-buttocks) and were incubated in five different solid culture media to optimize yield. Isolated bacterial species were identified to genus or species level using the API system (BioMeriéux, Marcy l'Etoile, France). Results: A total of 444 microbial strains were isolated belonging to 22 genera: 6 “frequent” (isolated from > 5% samples: S aureus, Proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus) and 16 “infrequent.” Isolated genera per individual peaked at 6 months postpartum for mothers and infants (P < 0.05). Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas isolation rates varied significantly as a function of sampling time contrary to the rather constant isolation rates of Proteus and S aureus. The rates of concordant isolation of the same microbial species within the mother-infant dyad tended to drop from birth to the end of the first year postpartum. Conclusions: Distinct variations in the isolation rates of skin commensals from specific anatomical sites of the mother-infant dyad indicate bidirectional microbial transmission. Increasing skin flora individuality of the growing infant was recorded, manifested by declining rates of concordant isolation of the same microbial species from mother and her infant. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc