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Using Relational Frame Theory to Teach Prepositions to Children with Autism
Get PDFChildren with autism often demonstrate deficits with the use of pragmatic language, including prepositions. Training methods such as direct instruction have been successfully used to train prepositions, but often do not demonstrate generalization of the skill, nor use of the skill when applied to arbitrary stimuli. The present study evaluated the efficacy of using a relational training method adapted from the PEAK-Transformation module to teach the non-arbitrary and arbitrary use of prepositions “close” and “far” to three children with autism. Participants 1 and 2 were able to demonstrate the non-arbitrary, receptive use of both close and far during training, while participant 3 was able to demonstrate and generalize the non-arbitrary use of close (far needed additional training). Additionally, the first participant demonstrated the arbitrary use of close and far following the implementation of arbitrary training, as well as demonstrated the ability to make combinatorially entailed relations between the arbitrary stimuli. The results from this study indicate that relational training as adapted from the PEAK-Transformation module is effective at training non-arbitrary and arbitrary applications of the prepositions close and far
Violence and Resistance in Sikh Gendered Identity
No full textThis book examines the constructions and representations of male and female Sikhs in Indian and diasporic literature and culture through the consideration of the role of violence as constitutive of Sikh identity. How do Sikh men and women construct empowering identities within the Indian nation-state and in the diaspora? The book explores Indian literature and culture to understand the role of violence and the feminization of baptized and turbaned Sikh men, as well as identity formation of Sikh women who are either virtually erased from narratives, bodily eliminated through honor killings, or constructed and represented as invisible. It looks at the role of violence during critical junctures in Sikh history, including the Mughal rule, the British colonial period, the Partition of India, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India, and the terror of 9/11 in the United States. The author analyzes how violence reconstitutes gender roles and sexuality within various cultural and national spaces in India and the diaspora. She also highlights questions related to women’s agency and their negotiation of traumatic memories for empowering identities.
The book will interest scholars, researchers, and students of postcolonial English literature, contemporary Indian literature, Sikh studies, diaspora studies, global studies, gender and sexuality studies, religious studies, history, sociology, media and films studies, cultural studies, popular culture, and South Asian studies
Ecological Factors Influencing Infection Rates of the Birch Polypore Inonotus obliquus in the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province
No full textInonotus obliquus, a conk forming polypore parasitic to birch (Betula spp.) trees in northern hardwood forests around the world, has been harvested intensively in recent years for its potentially medicinal properties. However, there is a dearth of ecological understanding of this fungus; even basic infection rates tend to be anecdotal or lack statistical rigor to guide new research and provide management guidelines ensuring sustainable harvest. Here I determine factors influencing conk formation at tree level by constructing a generalized linear mixed-effects model to predict host infection status, estimate infection rates in a variety of forest types and compare statistical methods for doing so, and examine basic morphological characteristics of conks. The study area included forest stands of diverse age and species compositions with different densities of birch at 11 sites throughout the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. My surveys suggest I. obliquus infection rates are not dependent on host density but rather forest type, with the highest rates observed in mature forests of mixed species. Infection rates ranged from 1.36 to 5.9% ± 2.28 (95% CI). Belt transects are an efficient method to quickly estimate infection rates in stands, but I provide guidelines for sample sizes required to achieve desired levels of precision. At tree level, my model indicates infection status is predicted by DBH, tree species, and crown condition, with larger, older yellow birch in poorer condition more likely to bear conks
Optical spectroscopy of muon/hydrogen defects in 6H-SiC
No full textPositive muons can be implanted into silicon carbide (SiC), where they model the isolated hydrogen defect in the negative, neutral, or positive charge states and act as either an acceptor or a donor with midgap energy levels [Lichti et al., Phys. Rev. B 70, 165204 (2004); Lichti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 136403 (2008)]. The charge states evolve after implantation depending on the temperature and material doping. We have measured optically induced effects on muons implanted in 6H-SiC using a pulsed, tunable laser [Yokoyama et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 125111 (2016)]. In n-type 6H-SiC at 85 K and 40 K, with a laser pulse of energy below the bandgap, we observe photoionization of the doubly occupied level (Mu-) to the neutral defect Mu0 and also ionization of Mu0 to Mu+. Varying the timing of the laser pulse relative to muon arrival confirms that the laser interacts directly with the muons in a stable or metastable state. There is no evidence of any interaction when the laser pulse is timed to arrive before the muons, so either few free carriers are generated by absorption at other dopant sites or the excess carriers have a very short lifetime (\u3c0 and Mu- charge states, with the muon or hydrogen acting as a deep compensating impurity. The technique can be applied to many other semiconductors where the muon has been observed to be electrically active, modeling hydrogen
BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF SCHWINGEN (SWISS WRESTLING) TO GAIN INSIGHTS INTO HEAD, NECK AND KNEE INJURY RISKS
Get PDFThis research project aims to reduce incidences of injuries to the head, neck and knee in schwingen (Swiss wrestling) by means of biomechanical analysis. In this pilot study, kinematic and kinetic data were acquired during key manoeuvres in schwingen for the first time. Two professional athletes at Swiss national level in schwingen were performing the so-called Kurz, the Hüfter and the bridge in a simulated competitive setting. The peak vertical ground reaction force, acting on the back as the opponent was hitting the ground during the Hüfter, was measured to be 11500 N; while the peak vertical ground reaction force on the head during the bridge was 2360N, respectively. The knee flexion angle of the leading leg during the Kurz was 55°, with the total knee joint forces being 410N in the anterior-posterior direction and 400N in the medio-lateral direction, respectively. In comparison with reported cervical spine injury risks in American football and sumo wrestling, injury mechanisms at the level of the head, neck and knee in schwingen are likely a result of the applied forces from dynamic throws, in combination with extreme joint ranges of motion during fixed grips and defensive manoeuvres such as the bridge. An extended biomechanical analysis of the applied forces, moments and joint kinematics during schwingen is recommended to develop targeted injury prevention guidelines
THE EFFECT OF ANTICIPATION ON PENULTIMATE STEP STANCE PHASE KINEMATICS IN A RUNNING CHANGE OF DIRECTION MANOEUVRE
Get PDFConstraining the time available to pre-plan a change of direction (COD) manoeuvre affects the mechanics of both the penultimate foot contact (PFC) and the COD steps. Understanding the effect of anticipation on the PFC stance phase is important to elucidate the temporal sequence of modifications to gait in preparation for the cut. We investigated the temporal localisation within the PFC of two major preparatory requirements for COD, braking and control of body orientation, by comparing the PFC kinematics of planned and reactive maximal 90° COD manoeuvres in 62 male athletes. Planned manoeuvres were associated with greater deceleration and lower-limb joint flexion in early stance, and with greater body reorientation in later stance. Our findings thus suggest that these components may be prioritised at different temporal periods within the penultimate step
KINETIC AND SEX-BASED ANALYSIS OF THE TRADITIONAL AND HORIZONTAL HANG CLEAN
Get PDFThe horizontal hang clean (H-HC) is a novel variation of the traditional hang clean (T-HC). This study evaluated the H-HC and T-HC and compared the horizontal and vertical ground reaction forces and the ratio of those forces (H:V), to the horizontal and vertical ground reaction forces and H:V of the countermovement jump (CMJ) and standing sprint start (SSS). Ten men and ten women NCAA Division III athletes performed the T-HC, H-HC, CMJ, and SSS on a force platform. Results revealed that the H-HC produced a significantly (p ≤ 0.001) greater H:V than the T-HC. There was no interaction between any of these variables and sex (p \u3e 0.05). The H-HC should be included in training programs of men and women to increase the likelihood of transfer of training to activities such as sprinting
VISUAL-PERCEPTUAL-MOTOR SKILLS OF ELITE SILAT ATHLETES WHEN RESPONDING TO VARIOUS COMBAT SITUATIONS THROUGH AN INTEGRATED STEREOSCOPIC SYSTEM
Get PDFUnderstanding the visual-perceptual-motor skill of an athlete can help optimize the periodization of a training plan. This study was designed to explore the visual-perceptual-motor skill of ten male elite Silat athlete when tasked to react to a set of projected video stimuli comprised of specific combat attack situations; side kicks, roundhouse kicks and crocodiles. A customized stereoscopic video system projected the stimuli in two- and three-dimensions with the latter being added with the aim of improving combat realism. This system synchronously recorded the gaze and movement behaviours of the participants when they responded to the combat situations. No differences in visual search behaviour, quiet eye and reaction time were found when tasked to respond between two- and three-dimensional videos, which may be due to the complexity of the stimulus. There was a significantly higher quantity and longer duration of fixations spent on the trunk of the opponent as compared to other areas of the body. Reaction time was also significantly different in the side kicks (slower responses) as compared to other attacks. Results from this study can pave way for future studies that seek to investigate how visual-perceptual-motor skill differs between expertise levels in the sport of Silat and serve as a basis for targeted coaching to enhance combat Silat performance
TIME-COURSE OF COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMP VARIABLES DURING RECOVERY FROM MATCH FATIGUE: ANALYSIS OF AN INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to determine whether measures of countermovement jump variables obtained from a force platform can be used to monitor the time-course of recovery from match fatigue in an individual athlete. One female football player performed 60 jumps over four days on a Kistler force platform to produce baseline measures of jump variables. A football match was then played to induce neuromuscular fatigue and the player’s recovery from the match was monitored by recording about 100 jumps over several days following the match. Some jump variables showed evidence of a change immediately after a match but the changes were not substantial. The jump data did not show clear evidence of an exponential recovery to baseline after the match. Any patterns in the recovery data were probably random fluctuations rather than true trends in the data. We conclude that the time-course of recovery for this player was too small to detect using the selected countermovement jump variables in the days after a football match
HYDRODYNAMIC RE-EXAMINATION OF UNDERWATER NON-PROPULSIVE PHASE IN FRONT CRAWL
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to re-examination of the hand propulsive force (FP) during the entry and catch (EC) phase in a stroke of front crawl. The EC phase was defined as non-propulsive phase (Collet et al., 2000), which is until a hand starts moving backwards after it enters the water and moves forward. The other phases in the stroke was defined as propulsive phase. Twelve male swimmers performed a 20-m front crawl with maximal effort. For estimatinng the FP, six pressure sensors were attched on their right hand and trials were recorded by three-dimentional motion capture system. We calculated %EC that was the ratio of the mean FP in the EC phase to the mean FP in the propulsive phase. As a result, the mean FP in the EC phase was 22.4 ± 12.9 N and the %EC was 29.1%. Therefore, it was considered the EC phase is propulsive phase even though the hand moves forward