Psychometric Properties of Rapid Word-Based Rate Measures in the Assessment of Bulbar Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Comparisons With Syllable-Based Rate Tasks

Purpose Rapid maximum performance repetition tasks have increasingly demonstrated their utility as clinimetric markers supporting diagnosis and monitoring of bulbar disease in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A recently developed protocol uses novel real-word repetitions instead of traditional nonword/syllable sequences in hopes of improving sensitivity to motor speech impairments by adding a phonological target constraint that would activate a greater expanse of the motor speech neuroanatomy. This study established the psychometric properties of this novel clinimetric protocol in its assessment of bulbar ALS and compared performance to traditional syllable sequence dysdiadochokinetic (DDK) tasks. Specific objectives were to (a) compare rates between controls and speakers with symptomatic versus presymptomatic bulbar disease, (b) characterize their discriminatory ability in detecting presymptomatic bulbar disease compared to healthy speech, (c) determine their articulatory movement underpinnings, and (d) establish within-individual longitudinal changes. Method DDK and novel tongue (“ticker”—TAR) and labial (“pepper”—LAR) articulatory rates were compared between n = 18 speakers with presymptomatic bulbar disease, n = 10 speakers with symptomatic bulbar disease, and n = 13 healthy controls. Bulbar disease groups were determined by a previously validated speaking rate cutoff. Discriminatory ability was determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Within-individual change over time was characterized in a subset of 16 participants with available longitudinal data using linear mixed-effects models. Real-time articulatory movements of the tongue front, tongue dorsum, jaw, and lips were captured using 3-D electromagnetic articulography; effects of movement displacement and speed on clinimetric rates were determined using stepwise linear regressions. Results All clinimetric rates (traditional DDK tasks and novel tasks) were reduced in speakers with symptomatic bulbar disease; only TAR was reduced in speakers with presymptomatic bulbar disease and was able to detect this group with an excellent discrimination ability (area under the curve = 0.83). Kinematic analyses revealed associations with expected articulators, greater motor complexity, and differential articulatory patterns for the novel real-word repetitions than their DDK counterparts. Only LAR significantly declined longitudinally over the disease course. Conclusion Novel real-word clinimetric rate tasks evaluating tongue and labial articulatory dysfunction are valid and effective markers for early detection and tracking of bulbar disease in ALS.

Detecting concealed language knowledge via response times

In the present study, we introduce a response-time-based test that can be used to detect concealed language knowledge, for various potential applications (e.g., espionage, border control, counter-terrorism). In this test, the examinees are asked to respond to repeatedly presented items, including a real word in the language tested (suspected to be known by the examinee) and several pseudowords. A person who understands the tested language recognizes the real word and tends to have slower responses to it as compared to the pseudowords, and, thereby, can be distinguished from those who do not understand the language. This was demonstrated in a series of experiments including diverse participants tested for their native language (German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian; n = 312), for second language (English, German; n = 66), and several control groups (n = 192).

Detecting concealed language knowledge via response times

In the present study, we introduce a response-time-based test that can be used to detect concealed language knowledge, for various potential applications (e.g., espionage, border control, counter-terrorism). In this test, the examinees are asked to respond to repeatedly presented items, including a real word in the language tested (suspected to be known by the examinee) and several pseudowords. A person who understands the tested language recognizes the real word and tends to have slower responses to it as compared to the pseudowords, and, thereby, can be distinguished from those who do not understand the language. This was demonstrated in a series of experiments including diverse participants tested for their native language (German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian; n = 312), for second language (English, German; n = 66), and several control groups (n = 192).

Analisis Virtual Reality (VR) sebagai Media Pengenalan Hewan pada Anak Usia Dini

Pengenalan hewan merupakan salah satu pembelajaran pada anak usia dini, banyaknya jenis-jenis hewan membuat anak perlu mengetahui jenis dan perbedaan hewan. saat ini pengenalan jenis-jenis dan pebedaan hewan pada anak usia dini masih menggunakan media gambar dan tulis. Dengan perkembangan teknologi saat ini Virtual Reality (VR) dapat membantu dalam proses belajar mengajar, dimana Virtual Reality (VR) dapat berinteraksi dengan lingkungan yang disimulasikan oleh komputer menjadikan dunia maya menjadi dunia nyata. Adapun tujuan penelitian ini yaitu membuat aplikasi pengenalan hewan ternak kepada anak usia dini. Pengguna dapat melihat jenis-jenis hewan ternak pada aplikasi yang ditempatkan pada smartphone dan cardboard. [The introduction of animals is one of learning in early childhood, the number of types of animals makes children need the types and difference in animals. Currently introducing the types and differences of animals in early childhood still use drawing and writing media. With current technological development Virtual Reality (VR) can assist in teaching and learning, while Virtual Reality (VR) can help with an environment that is denied by computers making the virtual world a real word. For the purpose of this study, create an introduction application for farm animals for early childhood. Users can see the types of farm animals in application placed on smartphones and cardboard.]

REGARDING NEW NUMERICAL RESULTS FOR THE DYNAMICAL MODEL OF ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRACTIONAL DERIVATIVE

The main purpose of the present investigation is to find the solution of fractional coupled equations describing the romantic relationships using [Formula: see text]-homotopy analysis transform method ([Formula: see text]-HATM). The considered scheme is a unification of [Formula: see text]-homotopy analysis technique with Laplace transform (LT). More preciously, we scrutinized the behavior of the obtained solution for the considered model with fractional-order, in order to elucidate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Further, for the different fractional-order and parameters offered by the considered method, the physical natures have been apprehended. The obtained consequences evidence that the proposed method is very effective and highly methodical to study and examine the nature and its corresponding consequences of the system of fractional order differential equations describing the real word problems.