Graph-Facilitated Resonant Mode Counting in Stochastic Interaction Networks

Oscillations in a stochastic dynamical system, whose deterministic counterpart has a stable steady state, are a widely reported phenomenon. Traditional methods of finding parameter regimes for stochastically-driven resonances are, however, cumbersome for any but the smallest networks. In this letter we show by example of the Brusselator how to use real root counting algorithms and graph theoretic tools to efficiently determine the number of resonant modes and parameter ranges for stochastic oscillations. We argue that stochastic resonance is a network property by showing that resonant modes only depend on the squared Jacobian matrix $J^2$ , unlike deterministic oscillations which are determined by $J$. By using graph theoretic tools, analysis of stochastic behaviour for larger networks is simplified and chemical reaction networks with multiple resonant modes can be identified easily.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

The Development and Evaluation of Procedures to Assess Child Self-report Item Validity

Cognitive pretesting (CP) is an interview methodology for pretesting the validity of items during the development of self-report instruments. The present research evaluates a systematic approach to the analysis of CP data. Materials and procedures were developed to rate self-report item performance with CP interview text data. Five raters were trained in the application of that system. Estimates of inter-rater reliability found acceptable to substantial levels of inter-rater agreement. Results from the present study suggest that excellent inter-rater reliability can be achieved in the evaluation of CP data. Guidelines for systematically rating the qualitative data collected using CP methods are provided. Future research should focus on empirical demonstrations of how such rating procedures can lead to improvements in self-report instruments

Cognitive Pretesting and the Developmental Validity of Child Self-Report Instruments: Theory and Applications

In the context of the importance of valid self-report measures to research and evidence-based practice in social work, an argument-based approach to validity is presented and the concept of developmental validity introduced. Cognitive development theories are applied to the self-report process of children and cognitive pretesting is reviewed as a methodology to advance the validity of self-report instruments for children. An application of cognitive pretesting is presented in the development of the Elementary School Success Profile

Development, Characterization, and Application of Two Reporter-Expressing Recombinant Zika Viruses

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne transplacentally transmissible flavivirus, is an enveloped virus with an ~10.8 kb plus-strand RNA genome that can cause neurological disease. To facilitate the identification of potential antivirals, we developed two reporter-expressing ZIKVs, each capable of expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein or an improved luminescent NanoLuc luciferase. First, a full-length functional ZIKV cDNA clone was engineered as a bacterial artificial chromosome, with each reporter gene under the cap-independent translational control of a cardiovirus-derived internal ribosome entry site inserted downstream of the single open reading frame of the viral genome. Two reporter-expressing ZIKVs were then generated by transfection of ZIKV-susceptible BHK-21 cells with infectious RNAs derived by in vitro run-off transcription from the respective cDNAs. As compared to the parental virus, the two reporter-expressing ZIKVs grew to lower titers with slower growth kinetics and formed smaller foci; however, they displayed a genome-wide viral protein expression profile identical to that of the parental virus, except for two previously unrecognized larger forms of the C and NS1 proteins. We then used the NanoLuc-expressing ZIKV to assess the in vitro antiviral activity of three inhibitors (T-705, NITD-008, and ribavirin). Altogether, our reporter-expressing ZIKVs represent an excellent molecular tool for the discovery of novel antivirals

Teachers Teaching Differently: A Qualitative Study of Implementation Fidelity to Professional Development

Intervention researchers in school settings often implement interventions that involve professional development to schoolteachers or other professional staff to implement school-based interventions. In terms of classroom interventions, teachers are the primary implementation agents; therefore, the fidelity of such interventions depends on teacher adoption and delivery. To understand and meet such fidelity challenges, we set to identify the contextual components and implementation mechanisms that contribute to the variation in teachers’ perspectives and methods of implementing an experimental evaluation of CareerStart; an innovative intervention designed to increase student school engagement and achievement by advancing teacher use of career relevant instruction in the middle grades. The results of this study suggest teachers perceive CareerStart in three interrelated ways: their perceptions of the program’s effectiveness on student outcomes; the degree to which the program is adaptable and compatible to their roles and responsibilities; and the effects of the school environment on their perceptions of the intervention. We conclude with a discussion of treatment fidelity effectiveness in school-based intervention programs

Adult awareness of a youth-focused anti-tobacco campaign: does having children matter?

Data from a survey of tobacco use conducted in 2001 was used to examine if Florida’s youth-focused anti-tobacco media campaign, which focused on cigarette smoking, reached adults. The majority of the sample was white (87%), high school or college edu- cated (85%), and over half with children (56%). Differences in awareness and intentions to quit among adult smokers with and without children were examined. About 50% of adults were aware of the campaign and the awareness of the tobacco industry manipula- tion theme was associated with intentions to quit, independent of having children. These findings provide evidence that youth-targeted anti-tobacco media campaigns can reach adults; however, to change the behavior of adults who smoke, it may not be appropriate to have a “one-size-fits-all” program. The study’s limitations are noted.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78088/1/adultawareness.pd

Coloured noise from stochastic inflows in reaction-diffusion systems

In this paper we present a framework for investigating coloured noise in reaction-diffusion systems. We start by considering a deterministic reaction-diffusion equation and show how external forcing can cause temporally correlated or coloured noise. Here, the main source of external noise is considered to be fluctuations in the parameter values representing the in flow of particles to the system. First, we determine which reaction systems, driven by extrinsic noise, can admit only one steady state, so that effects, such as stochastic switching, are precluded from our analysis. To analyse the steady state behaviour of reaction systems, even if the parameter values are changing, necessitates a parameter-free approach, which has been central to algebraic analysis in chemical reaction network theory. To identify suitable models we use tools from real algebraic geometry that link the network structure to its dynamical properties. We then make a connection to internal noise models and show how power spectral methods can be used to predict stochastically driven patterns in systems with coloured noise. In simple cases we show that the power spectrum of the coloured noise process and the power spectrum of the reaction-diffusion system modelled with white noise multiply to give the power spectrum of the coloured noise reaction-diffusion system

The Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus in Typically Developing Children and Adolescents: Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Neuropsychological Correlates

The relationship between superior longitudinal fasciculus microstructural integrity and neuropsychological functions were examined in 49 healthy children (range: 5–17 years) using diffusion tensor imaging. Seven major cognitive domains (intellegience, fine-motor, attention, language, visual-spatial, memory, executive function) were assessed. Data analyses utilized correlational methods. After adjusting for age and gender, fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity values in the superior longitudinal fasciculus were positively correlated with executive functions of set-shifting; while left superior longitudinal fasciculus fractional anisotropy values correlated with attention and language. Apparent diffusion coefficient values in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus negatively correlated with inhibitory control. In the left arcuate fasciculus, fractional anisotropy correlated with IQ and attention; while radial diffusivity values negatively correlated with IQ, fine-motor skills, and expressive language. Findings from this study provide an examination of the relationship between superior longitudinal fasciculus integrity and children’s neuropsychological abilities that can be useful in monitoring pediatric neurological diseases