Stability of the Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised from Pre-School to Elementary School Age in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study examined the stability of scores on the ADI-R from pre-school to elementary school age in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Participants were 35 children who, at T1, all had a clinical diagnosis of ASD. On initial assessment (mean age 3.5 years; SD 0.6), all met ADI-R algorithm criteria for autism. ADI-R assessments were repeated at follow up (FU; mean age 10.5 years; SD 0.8). Changes in ADI-R total, domain and ADI-R algorithm item scores were assessed. Twentyeight children continued to score above the ADI-R cut-off for autism at FU, although significant decreases in ADI-R domain and item scores were also found. In conclusion, while classification of children according to ADI-R criteria, generally remained stable between pre-school and elementary school age, many children demonstrated significant improvements in symptom severity

Using video modeling to teach complex social sequences to children with autism

This study comprised of two experiments was designed to teach complex social sequences to children with autism. Experimental control was achieved by collecting data using means of within-system design methodology. Across a number of conditions children were taken to a room to view one of the four short videos of two people engaging in a simple sequence of activities. Then, each child’s behavior was assessed in the same room. Results showed that this video modeling procedure enhanced the social initiation skills of all children. It also facilitated reciprocal play engagement and imitative responding of a sequence of behaviors, in which social initiation was not included. These behavior changes generalized across peers and maintained after a 1- and 2-month follow-up period

The GEOTRACES Intermediate Data Product 2014

The GEOTRACES Intermediate Data Product 2014 (IDP2014) is the first publicly available data product of the international GEOTRACES programme, and contains data measured and quality controlled before the end of 2013. It consists of two parts: (1) a compilation of digital data for more than 200 trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) as well as classical hydrographic parameters, and (2) the eGEOTRACES Electronic Atlas providing a strongly inter-linked on-line atlas including more than 300 section plots and 90 animated 3D scenes. The IDP2014 covers the Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian oceans, exhibiting highest data density in the Atlantic. The TEI data in the IDP2014 are quality controlled by careful assessment of intercalibration results and multi-laboratory data comparisons at cross-over stations. The digital data are provided in several formats, including ASCII spreadsheet, Excel spreadsheet, netCDF, and Ocean Data View collection. In addition to the actual data values the IDP2014 also contains data quality flags and 1-? data error values where available. Quality flags and error values are useful for data filtering. Metadata about data originators, analytical methods and original publications related to the data are linked to the data in an easily accessible way. The eGEOTRACES Electronic Atlas is the visual representation of the IDP2014 data providing section plots and a new kind of animated 3D scenes. The basin-wide 3D scenes allow for viewing of data from many cruises at the same time, thereby providing quick overviews of large-scale tracer distributions. In addition, the 3D scenes provide geographical and bathymetric context that is crucial for the interpretation and assessment of observed tracer plumes, as well as for making inferences about controlling processes

BUS RAPID TRANSIT OR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT--HOW TO DECIDE? LOS ANGELES CASE STUDY

The results of a real-world study comparing bus rail transit (BRT) with light rail transit (LRT) in the same corridor are highlighted. A major investment study (MIS)--environmental impact study (EIS) process was used, including community perspectives obtained from a significant outreach effort. In effect, this study represents a plan-off competition between the two modes, including ridership, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and community and political response. In 1994 the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, predecessor agency to the current Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, environmentally cleared an Exposition Park Branch Line, which was an LRT branch line to the Los Angeles--Long Beach Blue Line. Because of financial constraints, the project languished until last year, when it was reconsidered through an MIS process for the Mid-City--Westside Transit Corridor Study. The MIS also called for a side-by-side comparison with BRT in the EIS--environmental impact review, which was publicly released on April 13, 2001. The findings to date indicate that LRT is environmentally superior to BRT (especially in relation to noise and traffic impacts) and has more new daily transit riders, whereas BRT is somewhat more cost-effective. From a community standpoint, LRT has generated more positive and negative reactions, perhaps because of the novelty of BRT to the general public in the western United States

Veteran Employment/Entrepreneurship Landscape: San Antonio-New Braunfels Metro Area

A targeted analysis of veteran entrepreneurial activity in the San Antonio/New Braunfels Metro Area that helps understand aspects about veteran business ownership and how to better support VOBs