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Edge-based network models, especially those based on bond percolation methods, can be used to model disease transmission on complex networks and accommodate social heterogeneity while keeping tractability. Here we present an application of an edge-based network model to the spread of syphilis in the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) region of Southeastern Ontario, Canada. We compared the results of using a network-based susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR) model to those generated from using a traditional mass action SIR model. We found that the network model yields very different predictions, including a much lower estimate of the final epidemic size. We also used the network model to estimate the potential impact of introducing a rapid syphilis point of care test (POCT) and treatment intervention strategy that has recently been implemented by the public health unit to mitigate syphilis transmission.

Quality early STEM experiences provide a critical foundation for learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in ways that facilitate later learning. Early childhood educators have a unique opportunity to benefit all students by bringing the STEM disciplines into greater balance with literacy, reducing early inequities in access and opportunity to learn STEM, and developing skills and understandings that students can build on as they progress through school and into civic life and the workforce. This brief draws on research and development supported by the National Science Foundation to highlight important considerations about STEM educational experiences for young children and professional learning for educators who provide those experiences.

Numerical simulation results are presented which suggest that a class of non-adiabatic rapid passage sweeps first realized experimentally in 1991 should be capable of implementing a universal set of quantum gates G_{u} that operate with high fidelity. The gates constituting G_{u} are the Hadamard and NOT gates, together with variants of the phase, \pi /8, and controlled-phase gates. The universality of G_{u} is established by showing that it can construct the universal set consisting of Hadamard, phase, \pi /8, and controlled-NOT gates. Sweep parameter values are provided which simulations indicate will produce the different gates in G_{u}, and for which the gate error probability P_{e} satisfies: (i) P_{e} < 10^{-4} for the one-qubit gates; and (ii) P_{e} < 1.27x 10^{-3} for the modified controlled-phase gate. The sweeps in this class are non-composite and generate controllable quantum interference effects that allow the gates in G_{u} to operate non-adiabatically while maintaining high fidelity. These interference effects have been observed using NMR, and it has previously been shown how these rapid passage sweeps can be applied to atomic systems using electric fields. Here we show how these sweeps can be applied to both superconducting charge and flux qubit systems. The simulations suggest that the universal set of gates G_{u} produced by these rapid passage sweeps shows promise as possible elements of a fault-tolerant scheme for quantum computing., Comment: 28 pages, 3 figures

Study seeks new perspectives on suicidal healing by examining the experiences of those who had healed to explore and to understand their process of healing. These experiences were analyzed phenomenologically yielding a thematic structure. This thematic structure identifies processes that have implications for conceptualizing and directing treatment. (Author/GCP)

As a component of a consulting engagement with a Midwestern comprehensive mental health center, an Outpatient Assessment Questionnaire (OAQ) was administered pre-post to 124 outpatient clients in a three month time series design. These comparisons yielded significant changes on thirteen of the twenty dimensions, including general affect, positive affect, negative affect, anger, depression, coping via escape methods, level of functioning, mental coping methods, mental health, psychosis, seek professional help, spouse perception, and stress perception. Results show the greatest amount of improvement on the scales that measure emotional dimensions (affect, negative and positive affect, anger, and depression). Since most of the clients had presented complaints of depression and stress-related emotional problems, it appears that therapy over the course of six weeks had its greatest effect on the kinds of problems these clients were experiencing. In addition, clients showed improvement in the use of mental methods of coping with stress and tended not to escape as much as a means of coping. Their level of daily functioning improved slightly and they reported fewer symptoms of mental health distress, personal stress, and psychotic symptoms. There was a slight improvement in perception of their spouses. At the end of therapy, they were more likely to seek professional help. No changes were observed on the seven psycho-social dimensions. (MKA)

There exists a close correspondence between the measured infrared properties of diatoms and the infrared spectrum of interstellar dust as observed in the Trapezium nebula and toward the galactic center source GC-IRS 7. Diatoms and bacteria also exhibit an absorbance peak near 2200 A, which is found to agree with the observed ultraviolet absorbance properties of interstellar grains. The observational data are reviewed, and the known properties of diatoms and bacteria are considered. It is suggested that these characteristics are consistent with the concept of a cosmic microbiological system in which these or similar microorganisms might exist on comets, Europa and in interstellar space.