This thesis investigates errors on speech sounds (or phonemes) produced in laboratory speech stimuli designed to generate phonological onset errors. The present study adds to the literature on phonological speech errors with an instrumental analysis of tongue posture during speech error production and an investigation of the nature of speech errors as unintended variation in articulation. This study utilized ultrasound instrumentation to visualize speech errors made on velar and alveolar stop consonants at the point of stop closure. Two types of errors were of interest, categorical errors and gradient errors. Categorical errors are those that are heard by the listener and instrumentally appear to be a correct production of an incorrect target. Gradient errors are those that are usually heard to be the correct target, but on instrumental examination display characteristics of an incorrect production. Six participants repeated eight tongue twisters in both a baseline and an experimental condition. This study was interested in errors produced on the onset stop consonant pairs /t, d/ and /k, g/. Recordings were transcribed to determine the perceptual identity of each target. Ultrasound videos were then analyzed and an individual frame representing the articulatory posture for each closure was extracted. These frames were fit with a smoothing spline curve using Edgetrak software. A curve-to-curve analysis based on the methods of Zharkova (2009) was conducted as a means of further investigating variation in individual speakers as well as providing a quantitative measure of errors. Results from the six speakers showed that all produced both categorical and gradient errors. The speakers showed individual variation in the stability of their productions and overall rate of errors. There was an observable trend for speakers who were more stable in their baseline productions to produce fewer errors, both gradient and categorical, in the experimental portion. Conversely, those speakers who exhibited more variation in their baseline productions had a higher rate of error under the experimental condition.

We obtained four pointings of over 100 ks each of the well-studied Wolf-Rayet star WR 6 with the XMM-Newton satellite. With a first paper emphasizing the results of spectral analysis, this follow-up highlights the X-ray variability clearly detected in all four pointings. However, phased light curves fail to confirm obvious cyclic behavior on the well-established 3.766 d period widely found at longer wavelengths. The data are of such quality that we were able to conduct a search for "event clustering" in the arrival times of X-ray photons. However, we fail to detect any such clustering. One possibility is that X-rays are generated in a stationary shock structure. In this context we favor a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) and present a phenomenological model for X-rays from a CIR structure. We show that a CIR has the potential to account simultaneously for the X-ray variability and constraints provided by the spectral analysis. Ultimately, the viability of the CIR model will require both intermittent long-term X-ray monitoring of WR 6 and better physical models of CIR X-ray production at large radii in stellar winds.

This investigation was conducted to explore the between trial variability of the measures of the isometric peak force, time to peak force, area to peak force, area under the curve, slope (20%-80%), and the average slope of subjects assigned to perform a series of four isometric grip strength contractions and to develop a discriminant function equation that would predict group membership. Forty-nine college students were instructed to perform either a series of four maximal voluntary contractions (sincere) or a series of four submaximal (deceptive) contractions. The subjects were retested 24-48 hours after the initial test session. Data from both test sessions were recorded, displayed, and analyzed using segmental curve analysis. The coefficients of variation were computed for each test variable. The grand mean coefficient of variation for the sincere condition was .31 ± .02 compared to the grand mean coefficient of variation for the deceptive condition which was .77 ± .11 (p < .01). Coefficients of variation were used to predict group membership. The prediction equation accurately classified 92% of the sincere condition and 64% of the deceptive condition. / Master of Science

The so-called "Arps" rate decline relations are by far the most widely used tool for assessing oil and gas reserves from rate performance. These relations (i.e., the exponential and hyperbolic decline relations) are empirical where the starting point for their derivation is given by the definitions of the "loss ratio" and the "derivative of the loss ratio", where the "loss ratio" is the ratio of rate data to derivative of rate data, and the "derivative of the loss ratio" is the "b-parameter" as defined by Arps [1945]. The primary goal of this work is the interpretation of the b-parameter continuously over time and thus the better understanding of its character. As is shown below we propose "monotonically decreasing functional forms" for the characterization of the b-parameter, in addition to the exponential and hyperbolic rate decline relations, where the b-parameter is assumed to be zero and constant, respectively. The proposed equations are as follow: b(t)=constant (Arps' hyperbolic rate-decline relation), []tbbtb10exp)(-bt= (exponential function), (power-law function), 10)(btbtb=)/(1)(10tbbtb+= (rational function). The corresponding rate decline relation for each case is obtained by solving the differential equation associated with the selected functional for the b-parameter. The next step of this procedure is to test and validate each of the rate decline relations by applying them to various numerical simulation cases (for gas), as well as for field data cases obtained from tight/shale gas reservoirs. Our results indicate that b-parameter is never constant but it changes continuously with time. The ultimate objective of this work is to establish each model as a potential analysis/diagnostic relation. Most of the proposed models yield more realistic estimations of gas reserves in comparison to the traditional Arps' rate decline relations (i.e., the hyperbolic decline) where the reserves estimates are inconsistent and over-estimated. As an example, the rational b-parameter model seems to be the most accurate model in terms of representing the character of rate data; and therefore, should yield more realistic reserves estimates. Illustrative examples are provided for better understanding of each b-parameter rate decline model. The proposed family of rate decline relations was based on the character of the b-parameter computed from the rate-time data and they can be applied to a wide range of data sets, as dictated by the character of rate data.

The impact of school factors on academic achievement has become an important focus for school social work and revealed the need for a comprehensive school social work model that allows for the identification of critical areas to apply social work services. This study was designed to develop and test a more comprehensive school social work model. Specifically, the relationship between cumulative grade point average (GPA) and the cumulative risk index (CRI) and an additive risk index (ARI) were tested and a comparison of the two models was presented. Over 20,000 abstracts were reviewed in order to create a list of factors which have been shown in previous research to impact academic achievement. These factors were divided into the broad domains of personal factors, family factors, peer factors, school factors, and neighborhood or community factors. Factors that were placed under the school domain were tested and those factors which met all three criteria were included in the overall model. Consistent with previous research, both the CRI and ARI were shown to be related to cumulative GPA. As the number of risk factors increased, GPA decreased. After a discussion of the results, a case was made for the use of an additive risk index approach fitting more with the current state of social work. In addition, selecting cutoff points for determining risk and non-risk students was accomplished using an ROC analysis. Finally, implications for school social work practice on the macro-, meso-, and micro- levels were discussed.

Актуальность темы обусловлена потребностью школы в создании автоматизированной информационной системы для тестирования учеников и отработки учебного материала с инструментарием для анализа результатов, чтобы с помощью данной системы повысить качество образовательной программы и автоматизировать процесс проверки пройденных школьниками тестов. Научная новизна состоит в том, что создана информационная система, располагающая инструментами сбора и анализа данных для исследований, разработана формула для расчета показателя уровня усвоения материала учеников для построения кривой обучения. Практическая значимость заключается в том, что данная информационная система будет применяться в школе для отработки учебного материала и анализа результатов учеников. / The relevance of the topic is due to the need of the school to create an automated information system for testing students and working out educational material with tools for analyzing the results in order to use this system to improve the quality of the educational program and automate the process of checking the tests passed by students. The scientific novelty consists in the fact that an information system has been created that has tools for collecting and analyzing data for research, a formula has been developed for calculating the indicator of the level of assimilation of students' material to build a learning curve. The practical significance lies in the fact that this information system will be used at school to work out educational material and analyze the results of students.

Orientador: Francisco José Teixeira-Neto / Resumo: Objetivo – Determinar a acurácia diagnóstica da variação da pressão de pulso (ΔPP) mensurada em artéria periférica na predição de diferentes aumentos no volume sistólico induzidos por um desafio volêmico em cães. Metodologia – Foram incluídos 39 cães, fêmeas (19,3 ± 3,6 kg) submetidas à ovariohisterectomia eletiva. A anestesia foi mantida com isoflurano sob ventilação mecânica controlada a volume (volume corrente 12 mL/kg; pausa inspiratória durante 40% do tempo inspiratório; relação inspiração:expiração 1:1,5). O débito cardíaco foi obtido através da técnica de termodiluição transpulmonar (cateter na artéria femoral) e o ΔPP foi mensurado através de um cateter posicionado na artéria podal dorsal. A fluido-responsividade (FR) foi avaliada através da administração de um (n = 21) ou dois (n = 18) desafios volêmicos com solução de Ringer Lactato (RL, 20 mL/kg durante 15 minutos), antes do procedimento cirúrgico. A análise da curva “receiver operating characteristics” (ROC) e a zona de incerteza diagnóstica (“gray zone”) do ΔPP foram empregadas para avaliar a habilidade do índice preditivo em discriminar os respondedores ao último desafio volêmico. A fluido-reponsividade foi definida por diferentes porcentagens de aumento no índice de volume sistólico (IVS) mensurado pela técnica de termodiluição transpulmonar (IVS>10%, IVS>15%, IVS>20% e IVS>25%). Resultados – O número de respondedores ao último desafio volêmico foi de 25 (IVS>10%), 21 (IVS>15%), 18 (IVS>20%) e 14 (IVS>25%). A á... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Objective – To determine the accuracy of pulse pressure variation (PPV) measured from a peripheral artery to predict different percent increases in stroke volume induced by a fluid challenge in dogs. Methods – Were included 39 adult bitches (19.3 ± 3.6 kg) undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane under volumecontrolled ventilation (tidal volume 12 mL kg-1 ; inspiratory pause during 40% of inspiratory time; inspiration:expiration ratio 1:1.5). Cardiac output was obtained by transpulmonary thermodilution (femoral artery catheter) and PPV was measured from a dorsal pedal artery catheter. Fluid responsiveness (FR) was evaluated by a fluid challenge with lactated Ringer´s solution (LRS, 20 mL kg-1 over 15 minutes) administered once (n = 21) or twice (n = 18) before surgery. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis and the zone of diagnostic uncertainty (gray zone) of PPV cutoff thresholds were employed to evaluate the ability of PPV to discriminate responders to the last fluid challenge, defined by different percentage increases in stroke volume index (SVI) measured by transpulmonary thermodilution (SVI>10% to SVI> 25%, with 5 % increments). Results – Number of responders to the last fluid challenge were 25 (SVI>10%), 21 (SVI>15%), 18 (SVI>20%), and 14 (SVI>25%). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of PPV was 0.897 (SVI>10%), 0.968 (SVI>15%), 0.923 (SVI>20%), and 0.891 (SVI>25%) (p <0.0001 from AUROC = 0.5). Gray zones of PPV cutoff ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

No description available.

According to previous research, internalizing and externalizing problems tend to be comorbid or co-occur at different ages in development (Angold, Costello, & Erkanli, 1999). The question that this dissertation addresses is how and why internalizing and externalizing problems, two disorders that represent separate forms of psychopathology, co-occur in children. This is an important question for the developmental psychopathology perspective because an appreciation of the concept of co-occurrence is essential for explaining the development and taxonomy of internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, and for understanding the etiology and course of these symptoms (Achenbach, 1990). Attempts to explain co-occurrence have proposed that co-occurring psychopathology might represent distinct, meaningful syndromes (Angold & Costello, 1992; O’Connor et al., 1998), and in support of this idea, evidence of the existence of pure and co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems has been found (Keiley et al., 2003). However, no previous study has identified heterogeneous developmental patterns of pure or combined internalizing and externalizing problems within a dynamic framework by taking trajectories of change into account. This dissertation uses data from the NICHD study of Early Child Care to explore the co-occurrence between internalizing and externalizing problems from age 2 to 12 with the use of Latent Class Growth Analysis. The sample included 1232 children (52% male). Different groups of children exhibiting low/normative, pure internalizing, pure externalizing, and co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems across the 10 year period were identified. The higher risk groups deviated from the low/normative group in terms of antecedents, SES risk, medical risk, difficult temperament, and home environment. Moreover, children who exhibited pure moderate externalizing problems, and children who exhibited chronic externalizing problems, with and without co-occurring internalizing problems, engaged in more risky behaviors and were more likely to have friends who also engaged in risky behaviors. Furthermore, the pure chronic externalizing group and the groups scoring high on internalizing problems, with and without co-occurring externalizing problems, were more asocial with peers. Finally, children exhibiting chronic co-occurring externalizing and internalizing problems were more excluded by peers in comparison to the rest of the sample’s population.

This study compares four recently developed decline curve methods and the traditional Arps or Fetkovich approach. The four methods which are empirically formulated for shale and tight gas wells are: 1. Power Law Exponential Decline (PLE). 2. Stretched Exponential Decline (SEPD). 3. Duong Method. 4. Logistic Growth Model (LGM). Each method has different tuning parameters and equation forms. The main objective of this work is to determine the best method(s) in terms of Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) accuracy, goodness of fit, and ease of matching. In addition, these methods are compared against each other at different production times in order to understand the effect of production time on forecasts. As a part of validation process, all methods are benchmarked against simulation. This study compares the decline methods to four simulation cases which represent the common shale declines observed in the field. Shale wells, which are completed with horizontal wells and multiple traverse highly-conductive hydraulic fractures, exhibit long transient linear flow. Based on certain models, linear flow is preceded by bilinear flow if natural fractures are present. In addition to this, linear flow is succeeded by Boundary Dominated Flow (BDF) decline when pressure wave reaches boundary. This means four declines are possible, hence four simulation cases are required for comparison. To facilitate automatic data fitting, a non-linear regression program was developed using excel VBA. The program optimizes the Least-Square (LS) objective function to find the best fit. The used optimization algorithm is the Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm (LMA) and it is used because of its robustness and ease of use. This work shows that all methods forecast different EURs and some fit certain simulation cases better than others. In addition, no method can forecast EUR accurately without reaching BDF. Using this work, engineers can choose the best method to forecast EUR after identifying the simulation case that is most analogous to their field wells. The VBA program and the matching procedure presented here can help engineers automate these methods into their forecasting sheets.