2,161 research outputs found
A Study of the Betts Ready to Read Tests: Their Predictive Values in Determining Reading Achievement and Their Comparison with Other Predictive Measures
The ability to read is basic to the acquisition of knowledge in all school subjects. Consequently, classroom teachers have long been interested in what determines readiness for reading, and in tests which will predict reading achievement. Prominent among those which have appeared in recent years is the Betts Ready to Read Tests which in reality are a series of twelve individual vision tests that require expensive equipment, a great deal of time, and a certain amount of technical skill to administer, score, and interpret.
The purposes of this investigation are (1) to determine the predictive values of the factors of binocular vision in reading readiness, as measured by the Visual Sensation and Perception Tests of the Betts Ready to Read Tests, and (2) to compare the relative values of the Betts tests as measures of probable future success in reading with those other group and individual standardized and non-standardized predictive testing
Hypersonic Wake Diagnostics Using Laser Induced Fluorescence Techniques
A review of recent research performed in iodine that involves a two photon absorption of light at 193 nm will be discussed, and it's potential application to velocimetry measurements in a hypersonic flow field will be described. An alternative seed atom, Krypton, will be presented as a good candidate for performing nonintrusive hypersonic flow diagnostics. Krypton has a metastable state with a lifetime of approximately 43 s which would prove useful for time of flight measurement (TOF) and a sensitivity to collisions that can be utilized for density measurements. Calculations using modest laser energies and experimental values show an efficiency of excited state production to be on the order of 10(exp -6) for a two photon absorption at 193 nm
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Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis: alterations in inflammation, innate immune response, and the microbiota.
BackgroundProbiotics decrease the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We sought to determine the impact of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) in the established rat model of NEC.MethodsRat pups delivered 1 d prior to term gestation were assigned to one of three groups: dam fed (DF), formula fed (FF), or fed with formula supplemented with 5 × 10(6) CFU B. infantis per day (FF+Binf). Experimental pups were exposed to hypoxia and cold stress. Ileal tissue was examined for pathology and expression of inflammatory mediators, antimicrobial peptides, and goblet-cell products. Ceca were assessed for bacterial composition by analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence.ResultsAdministration of B. infantis significantly reduced the incidence of NEC, decreased expression of Il6, Cxcl1, Tnfa, Il23, and iNOS, and decreased expression of the antimicrobial peptides Reg3b and Reg3g. There was significant microbial heterogeneity both within groups and between experiments. The cecal microbiota was not significantly different between the FF and FF+Binf groups. Bifidobacteria were not detected in the cecum in significant numbers.ConclusionIn the rat model, the inflammation associated with NEC was attenuated by administration of probiotic B. infantis. Dysbiosis was highly variable, precluding determination of the precise role of the microbiota in experimental NEC
The comparative impact of different patient-centered medical home domains on satisfaction among individuals living with type II diabetes
Chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes are costly and difficult to treat. Patient-centered medical homes (PCMH) have the potential to improve patient satisfaction in this population. However, which domains have the most impact on patient satisfaction has not been established. The aim of this study was to assess the relative strength of association between seven PCMH domains and two measures of satisfaction. Cross-sectional data were used in this observational study collected from a random sample of adults aged 18-89 with type 2 diabetes (n=1301) seen at 4 PCMHs. The Ambulatory Care Experiences Survey instrument was used to assess all measures. Dependent variables included 2 measures of patient satisfaction: overall care and personal doctor. Independent variables included patient perceptions of implementation level of 7 PCMH domains categorized into two dimensions: administrative features of care and physician-patient interactions. Administrative features of care include organizational access, integration of care and office staff helpfulness. Physician-patient interactions include communication, comprehensive knowledge and interpersonal treatment. Analysis was conducted using linear regression. The results reveal all physician-patient interaction PCMH domains were significantly associated with both measures of satisfaction. The relationships for administrative features of care were dependent upon the satisfaction outcome being analyzed. Communication and comprehensive knowledge had the strongest association of all domains. The authors conclude variations in importance of PCMH domains on satisfaction exist. Physician-patient interaction domains are the strongest contributors to patient satisfaction and overall experience. Understanding which PCMH domains have the largest impact can inform physician practice’s efforts to improve outcomes of care
Recovering historical film footage by processing microtomographic images
1960s film was typically printed on tri-acetate film base. If
not preserved properly, such material breaks down at a chemical level,
which is a non-stoppable process that permanently fuses the film so that
it essentially becomes a lump of solid plastic. Recently, some precious
films, such as the only known copy of the earliest surviving episode of
‘The Morecambe and Wise Show’ have been discovered, but they are
in poor condition. They will eventually turn into a pool of sticky liquid
and be gone forever. In this paper, as proof of concept, we use X-ray
microtomography to provide 3D imaging of a test film of similar vintage,
and propose an automatic method to extract footage from it
Global health: the importance of evidence-based medicine
Global health is a varied field that comprises research, evaluation and policy that, by its definition, also occurs in disparate locations across the world. This forum article is introduced by our guest editor of the Medicine for Global Health article collection, Gretchen Birbeck. Here, experts based across different settings describe their personal experiences of global health, discussing how evidence-based medicine in resource-limited settings can be translated into improved health outcomes
The use of electric pulse training aids (EPTAs) in companion animals
There is currently little regulation of training and behaviour modification
processes in the UK (CAWC 2008) besides measures enshrined in the Animal
Welfare Act 2006 and a voluntary Code of Practice launched in 2010 (see:
http://www.cawc.org.uk/080603.pdf). This Code is consistent with current UK
legislation outside of Wales and emphasises the need to safeguard the
welfare of all interested parties involved in the “training contract” (animals and
people alike) and the importance of adopting sound scientific methods within
the skills base of the practitioner. There is much debate and opinion over
whether the use of certain training techniques and devices meet these
requirements, especially the use of electric pulse training aids (EPTAs). An
EPTA is defined for the purposes of this report as a device designed for use in
the training of dogs, cats and other companion animal species, which involves
the application of an electric current to the skin to aid the training process. In
Wales the use of all electronic collars has been banned ostensibly on animal
welfare grounds, including those related to boundary fencing (The Animal
Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010). It has been
suggested that there are currently around 350000 EPTAs in the UK, although
the number in active use is unknown. Nonetheless they clearly represent a
significant practice within the sphere of animal training and it is appropriate
that careful consideration be given to their use, especially when there appears
to be so much contradictory information available and such passionately held
convictions (often linked to ethical and animal welfare concerns) by those
expressing an opinion. This report critically reviews current evidence and
arguments used both for and against the use of such devices and the
conclusions drawn. It highlights gaps in our knowledge and awareness of both
theory and practice. Recommendations are drawn on this basis
Performance and policy dimensions in internet routing
The Internet Routing Project, referred to in this report as the 'Highball Project', has been investigating architectures suitable for networks spanning large geographic areas and capable of very high data rates. The Highball network architecture is based on a high speed crossbar switch and an adaptive, distributed, TDMA scheduling algorithm. The scheduling algorithm controls the instantaneous configuration and swell time of the switch, one of which is attached to each node. In order to send a single burst or a multi-burst packet, a reservation request is sent to all nodes. The scheduling algorithm then configures the switches immediately prior to the arrival of each burst, so it can be relayed immediately without requiring local storage. Reservations and housekeeping information are sent using a special broadcast-spanning-tree schedule. Progress to date in the Highball Project includes the design and testing of a suite of scheduling algorithms, construction of software reservation/scheduling simulators, and construction of a strawman hardware and software implementation. A prototype switch controller and timestamp generator have been completed and are in test. Detailed documentation on the algorithms, protocols and experiments conducted are given in various reports and papers published. Abstracts of this literature are included in the bibliography at the end of this report, which serves as an extended executive summary
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