Strategies for Teachers to Support Children Who Stutter: Perspectives of Speech-Language Pathologists

Purpose: This study assessed how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) believe teachers can best support school-age children who stutter (CWS) in the classroom. Method: An online survey adapted from the Personal Appraisal of Support for Stuttering–Parent was given to 122 SLPs licensed in the State of Oklahoma. The median age of the participants was 43 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 16), and the average number of CWS the participants reported treating was 14 (IQR = 14). The participants rated the helpfulness of supports teachers can use as they interact with CWS (e.g., “Tell the child to slow down”). The participants rated 41 items on a 1–5 Likert scale, with 1 indicating unhelpful and 5 indicating very helpful , followed by a “not sure” category. Results: The three items rated most helpful were for teachers to collaborate with the child's SLP, to be patient when the child talks, and to know how to react when the child stutters. The three items rated least helpful were for teachers to be bothered by the child's stuttering, to laugh at the child because of the child's stuttering, and to use a fast rate of speech. The two items with the greatest response variability were for teachers to tell the child to think about what to say before speaking and to tell the child what to do when stuttering. The variability suggests inconsistency in the SLPs' beliefs about the helpfulness of those actions. Conclusion: Findings from this study contribute to the literature on supporting CWS and the development of educational materials for classroom teachers.

Dual-Rate Extended Kalman Filter Based Path-Following Motion Control for an Unmanned Ground Vehicle: Realistic Simulation

In this paper, a two-wheel drive unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) path-following motion control is proposed. The UGV is equipped with encoders to sense angular velocities and a beacon system which provides position and orientation data. Whereas velocities can be sampled at a fast rate, position and orientation can only be sensed at a slower rate. Designing a dynamic controller at this slower rate implies not reaching the desired control requirements, and hence, the UGV is not able to follow the predefined path. The use of dual-rate extended Kalman filtering techniques enables the estimation of the fast-rate non-available position and orientation measurements. As a result, a fast-rate dynamic controller can be designed, which is provided with the fast-rate estimates to generate the control signal. The fast-rate controller is able to achieve a satisfactory path following, outperforming the slow-rate counterpart. Additionally, the dual-rate extended Kalman filter (DREKF) is fit for dealing with non-linear dynamics of the vehicle and possible Gaussian-like modeling and measurement uncertainties. A Simscape Multibody™ (Matlab®/Simulink) model has been developed for a realistic simulation, considering the contact forces between the wheels and the ground, not included in the kinematic and dynamic UGV representation. Non-linear behavior of the motors and limited resolution of the encoders have also been included in the model for a more accurate simulation of the real vehicle. The simulation model has been experimentally validated from the real process. Simulation results reveal the benefits of the control solution.

Effect of Machining Limiting Factors on Drilling Progress during Spark Assisted Chemical Engraving (SACE): General Trends

Spark Assisted Chemical Engraving (SACE) is a micro-machining technology for non-conductive materials, mainly glass, based on thermal assisted etching. Generally, during SACE, drilling proceeds at a fast rate reaching 100 µm/s for the first 100 µm and then it slows down for depths higher than 300 µm. While several techniques have been proposed to establish faster drilling, they mainly rely on tuning the machining parameters to enhance the machining performance. However, with this approach machining parameters need to be constantly tuned to achieve certain machining performance depending on the size of the tool and the features needed. Therefore, this necessitates further work to enhance understanding regarding the SACE machining process fundamentals in order to enhance machining speed and quality. Since SACE is a thermal assisted etching process, both local heating and flushing of electrolyte in the machining zone are required. However, to the authors’ knowledge there is not any study that attempts to analyze the effect of each of these machining limiting factors on the machining performance. This work attempts to clarify the effect of each flushing and heating on the drilling progress for hole depths higher than 100 microns. It therefore provides a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of the SACE machining process.

Structural Performance of Pre Engineered Building: A Comparative Study

Technological advancements have greatly aided in improving quality of life through variety of new products and services. Pre Engineered Building (PEB) is among such technological advancement in the structural engineering. PEB concept provides optimum design, good aesthetic view, fast rate of construction and reduction in erection time. PEB satisfies a broad range of custom design needs and applications. This methodology is adaptable not only because of its high quality pre-designing and prefabrication, but also of its flexibility. In the current study, the comparison has been made on the structural performance of multiple bay system with different wind zones [Locations: Vijayawada and Hyderabad]. Analysis and design have been carried out using STAAD.Pro software. The structural performance of pre-engineered building has been assessed through the shear force (SF) and bending moment (BM) magnitudes. Based on the output of SF and BM of pre-engineered components through Staad. Pro analysis, the geometrical properties of pre-engineered sections have been decided. Results concludes structure weight located in Vijayawada is 11.04% higher than that of the structure in Hyderabad.

STUDY ON MARKETING PATTERN OF APPLE CULTIVATION IN KASHMIR VALLEY, INDIA

An attempt has been made in this paper to evaluate the price spread of apple in the state of Jammu and Kashmir; the study is confined to Baramulla and Pulwama district with 35 growers, who were selected randomly from six selected villages considered to collect the required information. The primary data were collected from the apple growers through personal interview method with the help of well prepared pre tested schedule for the year 2019-20. For the present study 4 marketing channel were identified for the transaction of apple i.e.; Producer - Aratiya - Wholesale - Retailer - Consumer; Producer - Pre-harvest Contractor - Wholesaler - Retailer - Consumer, Producer - Post-harvest - Contractor -Wholesaler - Retailer - Consumer and Producer - Commission Agent - Wholesaler – Retailer - Consumer. Thus it can be concluded that the apple business in Kashmir is more remunerative. This enterprise is not only profitable and financially viable but also provides employment to large number of people in the valley area. The area and production of the apple is increasing at the fast rate, but the various defects of the existing marketing system results in the least share to the producer. Net return from the apple business can further be increased if the problems and defects of existing marketing system as stated above are taken care of. It can also be concluded that apple growing is more beneficial on all producers.

Biometric Parameters of Planting Material as a Test Indicator of Success of Pinus silvestris L. Plantations

The creation and cultivation of artificial plantations of conifers largely depends on the planting material quality. The paper is devoted to the study of the relationship between the main parameters of planting material of Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) with inventory indices of artificial plantations. Forest trials of Scots pine in the Arkhangelsk region, created in a haircap-moss forest site type, were investigated. Seedlings of Scots pine with standard size were divided into large, medium, small according to the diameter of the root cervix in order to set the experiment, which aimed to determine the relationship between the parameters of planting material and characteristics of the forming plantations. The research purpose determined the main task, mainly, to find out from which plants the “trees of the future” (fast-growing large specimens) are laid out. Plants grown from the large seedlings are characterized by the greatest height. This position, in relation to individuals formed from medium and small planting material, is maintained and gradually increases. From the initial phases of development, a kind of mobile equilibrium is established in the studied plantation. All the trees are growing at a very fast rate, but the initial (at the time of planting on the silvicultural area) size of the planting material corresponding to the pine plants that survived in different years on the plantations continues to remain constant. It was found that, the largest number of leaders (47 % of all survived seedlings) grew of the large seedlings by the end of the 2nd age class. Therefore, high-quality soil treatment together with the use of high-quality proportionally developed planting material significantly increases the inventory indices of plants in the stand, and allows getting the target assortments15–20 years earlier.

Bidens L. (Coreopsideae, Asteraceae), a new generic record for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

We report a collection of Bidens pilosa L. from an urban habitat in Abu Dhabi. This represents a new generic record of Bidens L. for the emirate. The species has most likely been accidentally introduced and has the potential to affect the native flora because of its fast rate of growth. The new record expands the geographic distribution of the species and highlights the importance of expanding surveys to include urban habitats, which would help track the spread of non-native species within the emirate.

A STUDY ON THREATS TO MOBILE-LEARNING

Mobile devices are used a lot today and are owned by a huge percentage of the population. Many use mobiles for not just playing games or calling, but also for learning. Mobile learning is a domain that is growing at a very fast rate. Universities are using these devices to target the isolated demographic that has no choice but to rely on mobiles for learning. Some supporters and engineers of mobile learning in colleges are developing and providing infrastructure and content for learning on cell phones totally disregarding the danger of partner knowledge, while using these developments in portable learning is a genuine test. There is a gigantic danger to the privacy, trustworthiness and accessibility of those associated with the creation the substance and conveying the picking up, including the understudies. This paper looks at and presents the security weaknesses and dangers the of mobile learning for the students. This paper distinguishes the security dangers that numerous understudies will confront when utilizing mobiles for learning and analyses the hurtful issues of versatile learning on understudies in situations where a security penetrate happens. This paper presents an argument as to why fixing these issues is important. Ultimately, this goal of this survey is to present the importance of mobile learning security threat and exploring the existing threats and conclude with recommendations for various threats.