This study employed the Teacher Behavior Rating Scale (TBRS) to investigate two aspects of sociability, likeability and prosocial behavior, in 143 children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and 131 of their typically developing peers. Initially, measurement invariance analysis was performed to determine if teachers evaluated likeability and sociability in a similar manner for both children with DLD and their typically developing peers. Likeability items on the TBRS were invariant, and 4 of the 5 prosociability items were invariant. Subsequent analysis revealed that teachers rated children with DLD lower in both likeability and prosociability in comparison to their typically developing peers. The results of this study suggest that children with DLD are not fully accepted by their peers, nor do they engage in the helpful, comforting behaviors that encourage peer acceptance and build friendships.

Video modeling (VM) is a video-based intervention (VBI) that has been implemented with individuals with disabilities to teach various life and educational skills. It is a tool that allows learners to watch a target skill modeled on a pre-recorded video. The learner is able to re-watch a new skill as many times as needed, and the teacher is given the flexibility needed to work with multiple students while providing individualized instruction. The participant in this study was a 13-year-old male with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and intellectual disability (ID). The participant was enrolled in a life skills class at his junior high school and received special education services under the classification of TBI. This study used a delayed multiple-baseline, across-skills design to examine increased consistency for completing different sports skills in physical education (PE), including a basketball chest pass, football forward pass, and soccer inside foot pass. VM was used successfully to increase task completion rates for all three sports skills. The participant was able to perform the basketball chess pass with 75% to 87.5% accuracy, and the football forward pass and soccer pass with 87.5% accuracy. Prior to the study he could only complete each skill with less than 25% accuracy. Future research is needed on larger samples to empirically demonstrate the efficacy of VM to improve PE skills for special needs students.

This study surveyed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in medical settings in the state of Florida in order to: (a) assess the availability of AAC devices, related materials, and services in acute, sub-acute, long-term care, and outpatient medical facilities, (b) examine barriers and supports in providing AAC services to patients with complex communication needs (CCN) in the aforementioned settings, and (c) determine perceived levels of AAC knowledge of health care practitioners. One of the study's major findings was that 97.59% of SLPs served at least one patient they identified as having CCNs, and 94.1% of respondents indicated that their patients could benefit from increased access to AAC devices and service delivery. A notable finding relating to the need for increased AAC-related communication partner instruction (CPI) is as follows: 97% and 100% of respondents indicated that increased CPI for medical practitioners/staff and family members, respectively, were important elements in order to ensure functional communication for individuals with AAC needs in the medical setting. Major barriers to providing AAC services related to device access (i.e., lack of AAC supports / devices, lack of funding for equipment, length of time of device funding). Other barriers were related to the nature of medical settings (i.e., frequently changing caseloads, limited time with patients) and demands of the job (i.e., lack of time to prepare AAC materials / devices). Supports to providing AAC services included low-tech AAC options and mobile technologies. In terms of practitioner knowledge, 57.6% of respondents rated themselves not at all or somewhat knowledgeable regarding AAC. Physicians, nurses, and other rehabilitation professionals were rated as less than knowledgeable by 95%, 97%, and 84.3% of participants, respectively. Overall, the findings of this study suggests there is a high prevalence of patients in medical settings with AAC needs, and some face unmet communication needs resulting from barriers related to the setting itself, lack of access to AAC devices and materials, and limited time spent on AAC service delivery.

No description available.

No description available.

This thesis describes the theoretical, experimental, and practical aspects of a noise-limited method for scene-change detection in images. The research is divided into three sections: noise analysis and modelling, dual illumination scene-change modelling, and integration of noise into the scene-change model. The sources of noise within commercially available digital cameras are described, with a new model for image noise derived for charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras. The model is validated experimentally through the development of techniques that allow the individual noise components to be measured from the analysis of output images alone. A generic model for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) cameras is also derived. Methods for the analysis of spatial (inter-pixel) and temporal (intra-pixel) noise are developed. These are used subsequently to investigate the effects of environmental temperature on camera noise. Based on the cameras tested, the results show that the CCD camera noise response to variation in environmental temperature is complex whereas the CMOS camera response simply increases monotonically. A new concept for scene-change detection is proposed based upon a dual illumination concept where both direct and ambient illumination sources are present in an environment, such as that which occurs in natural outdoor scenes with direct sunlight and ambient skylight. The transition of pixel colour from the combined direct and ambient illuminants to the ambient illuminant only is modelled. A method for shadow-free scene-change is then developed that predicts a pixel's colour when the area in the scene is subjected to ambient illumination only, allowing pixel change to be distinguished as either being due to a cast shadow or due to a genuine change in the scene. Experiments on images captured in controlled lighting demonstrate 91% of scene-change and 83% of cast shadows are correctly determined from analysis of pixel colour change alone. A statistical method for detecting shadow-free scene-change is developed. This is achieved by bounding the dual illumination model by the confidence interval associated with the pixel's noise. Three benefits arise from the integration of noise into the scene-change detection method: - The necessity for pre-filtering images for noise is removed; - All empirical thresholds are removed; and - Performance is improved. The noise-limited scene-change detection algorithm correctly classifies 93% of scene-change and 87% of cast shadows from pixel colour change alone. When simple post-analysis size-filtering is applied both these figures increase to 95%.

The primary purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of variable doses of home practice Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs) on attainment of pre-established maximum phonation time (MPT) goals in individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 with normal voice. A secondary purpose was to monitor for potentially toxic effects of high doses of VFEs. Three experimental groups completed a six-week VFE protocol and practiced twice daily. The low dose group performed each exercise once, the traditional group twice, and the high dose group four times. Results indicated significant change in VFE MPT for all three groups and higher goal attainment in the high dose group. Low doses appear insufficient to produce substantial change in voice production. Acoustic MPT improved most in the traditional dosage group, which also exhibited best maintenance and best overall outcomes. No toxic effects in vocal fold condition or phonation were observed or measured secondary to high VFE exposure.

O advento da internet revolucionou o modo como cientistas comunicam os resultados de suas pesquisas, potencializando a disseminação e o acesso à produção científica. Esse fato foi responsável pela reestruturação do fluxo da informação científica (ICT), que passou a incorporar características próprias da cultura digital. A Iniciativa dos Arquivos Abertos constituiu a infraestrutura que apóia essa reestruturação. Também foi responsável pela institucionalização de um modelo denominado repositórios de e-prints (RE), o qual armazena, dissemina e promove a produção científica, publicada ou não, em um espaço gerido pela própria comunidade científica, que permite a inclusão de seus comentários públicos sobre o conteúdo dessa produção. A hipótese do trabalho sugere que a aderência desse modelo pelas comunidades científicas é dependente do seu nível de compreensão e aceitação e do perfil da área, interferindo na adoção da inovação e em sua legitimação. Por meio de um estudo de caso de pesquisadores brasileiros das Ciências da Comunicação foi empreendida a técnica do grupo de foco eletrônico entre 18 pesquisadores, cujo perfil foi formado por líderes de grupos de pesquisa cadastrados no CNPq com formação na área. O estudo exploratório permitiu identificar diversas questões presentes nas dinâmicas da comunicação científica da área conduzindo à comprovação da hipótese. Dentre os resultados destacam-se a baixa percepção de que esse modelo otimiza o fluxo da ICT e a forte tendência para não aceitação do modelo em função do perfil da área. Conclui-se que o nível de aderência ao modelo insere-se em uma escala que varia de média a baixa. / The advent of the internet has revolutionized the way scientists communicate their research results increasing the power to disseminate and to access scientific production. This fact was responsible to restructure the scientific information flow that has incorporated its own characteristics from the digital culture. The Open Archives Initiative constituted the infrastructure that supports this restructuring. It was also responsible for the institutionalization of a model called e-prints repositories (ER), that stores, disseminates and promotes scientific production, published or not, in a place managed by the scientific community itself, that allows the inclusion of their public commentaries about contents of that production. The hypothesis of this work suggests that the adherence to this model by the scientific communities depends on the level of understanding and acceptance, of the profile of the field interfering with the adoption of the innovation and its legitimation. Through a case study of Brazilian researchers from the Communication Sciences field it had been carried out the electronic focus group technique among 18 researchers, whose profile was formed by researches leaders registered at CNPq with backgroung in the field. The exploratory study identified many questions present in the dynamics of scientific communication of the field leading to proof of the hypothesis. From among results, distinguish low perception of that this model optimized the scientific information flow and strong tendency to not accept the model becauce of field profile. In conclusion, the level of adherence to the model is inserted in a medium to low scale.

O advento da internet revolucionou o modo como cientistas comunicam os resultados de suas pesquisas, potencializando a disseminação e o acesso à produção científica. Esse fato foi responsável pela reestruturação do fluxo da informação científica (ICT), que passou a incorporar características próprias da cultura digital. A Iniciativa dos Arquivos Abertos constituiu a infraestrutura que apóia essa reestruturação. Também foi responsável pela institucionalização de um modelo denominado repositórios de e-prints (RE), o qual armazena, dissemina e promove a produção científica, publicada ou não, em um espaço gerido pela própria comunidade científica, que permite a inclusão de seus comentários públicos sobre o conteúdo dessa produção. A hipótese do trabalho sugere que a aderência desse modelo pelas comunidades científicas é dependente do seu nível de compreensão e aceitação e do perfil da área, interferindo na adoção da inovação e em sua legitimação. Por meio de um estudo de caso de pesquisadores brasileiros das Ciências da Comunicação foi empreendida a técnica do grupo de foco eletrônico entre 18 pesquisadores, cujo perfil foi formado por líderes de grupos de pesquisa cadastrados no CNPq com formação na área. O estudo exploratório permitiu identificar diversas questões presentes nas dinâmicas da comunicação científica da área conduzindo à comprovação da hipótese. Dentre os resultados destacam-se a baixa percepção de que esse modelo otimiza o fluxo da ICT e a forte tendência para não aceitação do modelo em função do perfil da área. Conclui-se que o nível de aderência ao modelo insere-se em uma escala que varia de média a baixa. / The advent of the internet has revolutionized the way scientists communicate their research results increasing the power to disseminate and to access scientific production. This fact was responsible to restructure the scientific information flow that has incorporated its own characteristics from the digital culture. The Open Archives Initiative constituted the infrastructure that supports this restructuring. It was also responsible for the institutionalization of a model called e-prints repositories (ER), that stores, disseminates and promotes scientific production, published or not, in a place managed by the scientific community itself, that allows the inclusion of their public commentaries about contents of that production. The hypothesis of this work suggests that the adherence to this model by the scientific communities depends on the level of understanding and acceptance, of the profile of the field interfering with the adoption of the innovation and its legitimation. Through a case study of Brazilian researchers from the Communication Sciences field it had been carried out the electronic focus group technique among 18 researchers, whose profile was formed by researches leaders registered at CNPq with backgroung in the field. The exploratory study identified many questions present in the dynamics of scientific communication of the field leading to proof of the hypothesis. From among results, distinguish low perception of that this model optimized the scientific information flow and strong tendency to not accept the model becauce of field profile. In conclusion, the level of adherence to the model is inserted in a medium to low scale.

Delayed auditory feedback (DAF) is known to produce speech disruptions in fluent speakers. The present study examined the relationship between individuals' susceptibility to DAF and their auditory processing skills. Forty participants (20 males and 20 females) read and produced monologue at no delay and 3 different delay levels of 100, 200, and 400 ms. Auditory processing skills were evaluated using dichotic digits test (DDT) and staggered spondaic word (SSW) test. Males produced significantly more Stuttering-Like Disfluencies (SLDs) under DAF than females. Significantly more SLDs were observed during conversation compared to reading. Overall, there was significant correlation between the frequency of SLDs and auditory performance on SSW test. Females scored significantly better on both SSW test and DDT compared to males. Scores on attention regulation questionnaire were not significantly different between genders. Fewer SLDs observed in females under DAF could be attributed to their superior control of auditory processing resources compared to males.