Characterisation of porous silicon/poly(L-lactide) composites prepared using surface initiated ring opening polymerisation

Bellingham, US

Entrepreneurial search dynamics: reflection paper

The intended objectives of Smartspec Work Package 1 are firstly to identify related variety and value chain components within EU regions to inform specialisation choices and secondly, to identify the role of organisations and their interaction for the development of entrepreneurial discovery and to assess the role of network connectivity in facilitating intra- and extra-regional asset combination. In order to examine the various questions regarding the network and institutional factors enhancing or mitigating entrepreneurial search processes, in this work package we employ a twin-track multimethodology approach comprised of two parallel streams of enquiry, one of which is primarily empirical and quantitative in nature, and one of which is rather more conceptual and qualitative in nature. Each of these parallel streams of work is designed to progress and develop alongside the other, with various junctures built into the programme for mutual reflection and cross-fertilisation of ideas

A probabilistic threshold model: Analyzing semantic categorization data with the Rasch model

According to the Threshold Theory (Hampton, 1995, 2007) semantic categorization decisions come about through the placement of a threshold criterion along a dimension that represents items' similarity to the category representation. The adequacy of this theory is assessed by applying a formalization of the theory, known as the Rasch model (Rasch, 1960; Thissen & Steinberg, 1986), to categorization data for eight natural language categories and subjecting it to a formal test. In validating the model special care is given to its ability to account for inter- and intra-individual differences in categorization and their relationship with item typicality. Extensions of the Rasch model that can be used to uncover the nature of category representations and the sources of categorization differences are discussed

Adaptation of a microbial detection array as a monitoring tool revealed the presence 2 of mosquito-borne viruses and insect-specific viruses in field-collected mosquitoes

Several mosquito-borne diseases affecting humans are emerging or re-emerging in the United States. The early detection of pathogens in mosquito populations is essential to prevent and control the spread of these diseases. In this study, we tested the potential applicability of the Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA) to enhance bio-surveillance by detecting microbes present in Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex mosquitoes that are major vector species globally, including in Texas. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the LLMDA was tested in mosquito samples spiked with different concentrations of dengue virus (DENV) revealing a detection limit of \u3e100 but \u3c1000 pfu/mL. Additionally, field-collected mosquitoes from Chicago, Illinois and College Station, Texas of known infection status (West Nile virus (WNV) and Culex flavivirus (CxFLAV) positive) were tested on the LLMDA to confirm its efficiency. Mosquito field samples of unknown infection status, collected in San Antonio, TX and the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), TX were run on the LLMDA and further confirmed by PCR or qPCR. The analysis of the field samples with the LLMDA revealed the presence of cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) in Ae. aegypti populations. Wolbachia was also detected in several of the field samples (Ae. albopictus and Culex spp.) by the LLMDA. Our findings demonstrated that the LLMDA can be used to detect multiple arboviruses of public health importance including viruses that belong to the Flavivirus, Alphavirus and Orthobunyavirus genera. Additionally, insect-specific viruses and bacteria were also detected from field-collected mosquitoes. Another strength of this array is its ability to detect multiple viruses in the same mosquito pool allowing for the detection of co-circulating pathogens in an area, and the identification of potential ecological associations between different viruses. This array can aid in the bio-surveillance of mosquito borne viruses circulating in specific geographical areas

Development of six PROMIS pediatrics proxy-report item banks

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pediatric self-report should be considered the standard for measuring patient reported outcomes (PRO) among children. However, circumstances exist when the child is too young, cognitively impaired, or too ill to complete a PRO instrument and a proxy-report is needed. This paper describes the development process including the proxy cognitive interviews and large-field-test survey methods and sample characteristics employed to produce item parameters for the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pediatric proxy-report item banks.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The PROMIS pediatric self-report items were converted into proxy-report items before undergoing cognitive interviews. These items covered six domains (physical function, emotional distress, social peer relationships, fatigue, pain interference, and asthma impact). Caregivers (n = 25) of children ages of 5 and 17 years provided qualitative feedback on proxy-report items to assess any major issues with these items. From May 2008 to March 2009, the large-scale survey enrolled children ages 8-17 years to complete the self-report version and caregivers to complete the proxy-report version of the survey (n = 1548 dyads). Caregivers of children ages 5 to 7 years completed the proxy report survey (n = 432). In addition, caregivers completed other proxy instruments, PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales Parent Proxy-Report version, PedsQL™ Asthma Module Parent Proxy-Report version, and KIDSCREEN Parent-Proxy-52.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Item content was well understood by proxies and did not require item revisions but some proxies clearly noted that determining an answer on behalf of their child was difficult for some items. Dyads and caregivers of children ages 5-17 years old were enrolled in the large-scale testing. The majority were female (85%), married (70%), Caucasian (64%) and had at least a high school education (94%). Approximately 50% had children with a chronic health condition, primarily asthma, which was diagnosed or treated within 6 months prior to the</p> <p>interview. The PROMIS proxy sample scored similar or better on the other proxy instruments compared to normative samples.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The initial calibration data was provided by a diverse set of caregivers of children with a variety of common chronic illnesses and racial/ethnic backgrounds. The PROMIS pediatric proxy-report item banks include physical function (mobility n = 23; upper extremity n = 29), emotional distress (anxiety n = 15; depressive symptoms n = 14; anger n = 5), social peer relationships (n = 15), fatigue (n = 34), pain interference (n = 13), and asthma impact (n = 17).</p

Using the PedsQL™ 3.0 asthma module to obtain scores comparable with those of the PROMIS pediatric asthma impact scale (PAIS)

The National Institutes of Health's Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has developed several scales measuring symptoms and function for use by the clinical research community. One advantage of PROMIS is the ability to link other scales to the PROMIS metric

Item response theory detects differential item functioning between healthy and ill children in QoL measures

To demonstrate the value of item response theory (IRT) and differential item functioning (DIF) methods in examining a health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure in children and adolescents

Entrepreneurial search dynamics: reflection paper

The intended objectives of Smartspec Work Package 1 are firstly to identify related variety and value chain components within EU regions to inform specialisation choices and secondly, to identify the role of organisations and their interaction for the development of entrepreneurial discovery and to assess the role of network connectivity in facilitating intra- and extra-regional asset combination. In order to examine the various questions regarding the network and institutional factors enhancing or mitigating entrepreneurial search processes, in this work package we employ a twin-track multimethodology approach comprised of two parallel streams of enquiry, one of which is primarily empirical and quantitative in nature, and one of which is rather more conceptual and qualitative in nature. Each of these parallel streams of work is designed to progress and develop alongside the other, with various junctures built into the programme for mutual reflection and cross-fertilisation of ideas

Entrepreneurial search dynamics

The intended objectives of Smartspec Work Package 1 are firstly to identify related variety and value chain components within EU regions to inform specialisation choices and secondly, to identify the role of organisations and their interaction for the development of entrepreneurial discovery and to assess the role of network connectivity in facilitating intra- and extra-regional asset combination. In order to examine the various questions regarding the network and institutional factors enhancing or mitigating entrepreneurial search processes, in this work package we employ a twin-track multimethodology approach comprised of two parallel streams of enquiry, one of which is primarily empirical and quantitative in nature, and one of which is rather more conceptual and qualitative in nature. Each of these parallel streams of work is designed to progress and develop alongside the other, with various junctures built into the programme for mutual reflection and cross-fertilisation of ideas