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Despite the stated importance of a successful kindergarten transition (TTK) for future school success, no research has addressed this transition for culturally/ethnically diverse families having children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). To address this gap, six focus groups (three with ethnically diverse parents, one with kindergarten teachers, and one each with early childhood resource teachers and early intervention providers) were conducted to elicit the experiences of these stakeholders regarding TTK for children with ASD generally, and the TTK experience for ethnically diverse families specifically. Four major themes relating to TTK emerged from the focus groups: Relationship Building, Communication, Knowledge, and Support. While these themes were relevant for all groups, parents who were relatively recent immigrants and for whom English was not a first language identified unique difficulties. Results are discussed within the context of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory. Recommendations to improve the experience for ethnically diverse families are explored.

This study investigated attitudes towards peace, war and violence in students from five countries: Brazil, Chile, Germany, Portugal, and the USA. The total sample consisted of 171 male and female adolescents and adults. An 11-item questionnaire about peace, war and violence was developed. The data were submitted to content analysis by groups of three analysts. Results indicated age-group differences as well as similarities among all participants. Adolescents presented simple answers about wars. Brazilians and Chileans suggested that raising awareness is a solution to the violence experienced in daily life. All participants indicated a disbelief in the possibility of a worldwide government. All students cited education and dialogue as solutions to violence.

In recent years, there has been a “de-bundling” trend in the US airline industry, where specific services that used to be included in a ticket fare are now priced separately. Although a major reason for these fees is to raise revenues for the airlines, the fees may also impact the operations of carriers. Among the new fees implemented by most US carriers is a payment for checked baggage. This paper analyzes the association of baggage fees with airline operational service outcomes, as measured by flight delays, mishandled baggage rates and the rate of customer complaints. Using data from the US domestic air transport market over the period 2004–2012 and estimating a series of equations, our results show that, on average, an increase in baggage fees is associated with a decrease in the mishandled baggage rate and to a reduction in the percentage of delayed flights. No significant association is found between the fees and the rate of customer complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details a data management case report which studied three water utilities in Minnesota. Complexities of compiling and managing data systems associated with public infrastructure; Variation in data management techniques; Goals of data management system.

Technetium-99m is the workhorse of diagnostic nuclear medicine. The aim of the work is to analyze the technetium-99m patents since 2000 to photograph its innovation. QUESTEL's ORBIT Intelligence system was used for the collection of technetium inventions disclosed in patents and patent applications in more than 96 countries in the period 2000-2022; 2768 patent documents were analyzed. Patent counting and analysis have shown that SPECT imaging using technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals is still robust. The introduction of new technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals into clinical routine goes beyond successful trials. In eastern economies, such as China and other emerging markets, patent applications are on the rise, while those in developed western countries are stagnating, with some exceptions for the United States. But despite the difficulties, academic and industrial research on these tracers remains essential for the development of nuclear medicine.