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.

Quantifying the prevalence of (non)-response to fertilizers in sub-Saharan Africa using on-farm trial data

Poor and variable crop responses to fertilizer applications constitute a production risk and may pose a barrier to fertilizer adoption in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Attempts to measure response variability and quantify the prevalence of non-response empirically are complicated by the fact that data from on-farm fertilizer trials generally include diverse nutrients and do not include on-site replications. The first aspect limits the extent to which different studies can be combined and compared, while the second does not allow to distinguish actual field-level response variability from experimental error and other residual variations. In this study, we assembled datasets from 41 on-farm fertilizer response trials on cereals and legumes across 11 countries, representing different nutrient applications, to assess response variability and quantify the frequency of occurrence of non-response to fertilizers. Using two approaches to account for residual variation, we estimated non-response, defined here as a zero agronomic response to fertilizer in a given year, to be relatively rare, affecting 0–1 and 7–16% of fields on average for cereals and legumes respectively. The magnitude of response could not be explained by climatic and selected topsoil variables, suggesting that much of the observed variation may relate to unpredictable seasonal and/or local conditions. This implies that, despite demonstrable spatial bias in our sample of trials, the estimated proportion of non-response may be representative for other agro-ecologies across SSA. Under the latter assumption, we estimated that roughly 260,000 ha of cereals and 3,240,000 ha of legumes could be expected to be non-responsive in any particular year.

Modeling Neural Variability in Deep Networks with Dropout

ABSTRACTConvolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been used to model the biological visual system. Compared to other models, CNNs can better capture neural responses to natural stimuli. However, previous successes are limited to modeling mean responses; while another fundamental aspect of cortical activity, namely response variability, is ignored. How the CNN models capture neural variability properties remains unknown. Previous computational neuroscience studies showed that the response variability can have a functional role, and found that the correlation structure (especially noise correlation) influences the amount of information in the population code. However, CNN models are typically deterministic, so noise (and correlations) in CNN models have not been studied. In this study, we developed a CNN model of visual cortex that includes neural variability. The model includes Monte Carlo dropout, namely a random subset of units is silenced at each presentation of the input image, inducing variability in the model. We found that our model captured a wide-range of neural variability findings in electrophysiology experiments, including that response mean and variance scale together, noise correlations are small but positive on average, both evoked and spontaneous noise correlation are larger for neurons with similar tuning, and the noise covariance is low-dimensional. Further, we found that removing the correlation can boost trial-by-trial decoding performance in the CNN model.

The Dog–Owner Relationship: Refinement and Validation of the Italian C/DORS for Dog Owners and Correlation with the LAPS

The Cat/Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (C/DORS) can be administered to both dog and cat owners. However, the scale as a whole has never been validated on a sample of dog owners. Furthermore, it has never been translated into Italian. The aim of this study was to translate the C/DORS into Italian, modify its response scale in order to improve the degree of response variability, and test its validity and reliability on a sample of dog-owners. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the same three-factor structure (Perceived Emotional Closeness = PEC, Pet–Owner Interactions = POI, Perceived Costs = PC) as the original English version, although some items had to be removed because of low- or cross-loadings. The validity of the construct was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis, by the correlations between each of the subscales and the C/DORS total score, and by the correlations with the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale. Cronbach’s α values for each subscale were above acceptable levels. Student owners scored higher on PEC and POI than owners with other occupations. Owners of dogs with behavioural problems scored lower on PEC and higher on PC. Keeping the dog outdoor was associated with lower POI. Finally, pet dog owners scored higher on PEC than AAI dog owners.

Causes and Consequences of Interindividual Response Variability: A Call to Apply a More Rigorous Research Design in Acute Exercise-Cognition Studies

The different responses of humans to an apparently equivalent stimulus are called interindividual response variability. This phenomenon has gained more and more attention in research in recent years. The research field of exercise-cognition has also taken up this topic, as shown by a growing number of studies published in the past decade. In this perspective article, we aim to prompt the progress of this research field by (i) discussing the causes and consequences of interindividual variability, (ii) critically examining published studies that have investigated interindividual variability of neurocognitive outcome parameters in response to acute physical exercises, and (iii) providing recommendations for future studies, based on our critical examination. The provided recommendations, which advocate for a more rigorous study design, are intended to help researchers in the field to design studies allowing them to draw robust conclusions. This, in turn, is very likely to foster the development of this research field and the practical application of the findings.

Pre-vaccination and early B cell signatures predict antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines are highly effective, although weak antibody responses are seen in some individuals with correlates of immunity that remain poorly understood. Here we longitudinally dissected antibody, plasmablast, and memory B cell (MBC) responses to the two-dose Moderna mRNA vaccine in SARS-CoV-2-uninfected adults. Robust, coordinated IgA and IgG antibody responses were preceded by bursts of spike-specific plasmablasts after both doses, but earlier and more intensely after dose two. Distinct antigen-specific MBC populations also emerged post-vaccination with varying kinetics. We identified antigen non-specific pre-vaccination MBC and post-vaccination plasmablasts after dose one and their spike-specific counterparts early after dose two that correlated with subsequent antibody levels. These baseline and response signatures can thus provide early indicators of serological efficacy and explain response variability in the population.

Response Variability and Detraining Effects of Standardized Exercise Programs

Purpose: To compare inter–individual response variability and detraining effects on markers attributed to aerobic and anaerobic performance after shortterm standardized aerobic, strength and mixed training programs. Methods: Thirty–six male students were randomly assigned to either an aerobic, strength, mixed, or control program (9 per group). They performed two consecutive cycling tests (incremental and plateau) to exhaustion at three points: 1 week before training, after 6 weeks of training, and 3 weeks after the training was finished. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), maximal workload (Wmax), and time to exhaustion performed at Wmax (W × time) were compared between groups by repeated–measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post–hoc tests. The inter–subject response variability within each training group was evaluated by comparison with the 95% confidence interval of the control group. Detraining effects were evaluated using the hysteresis areas, which were compared between each training group and the control group by Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Differences were observed in Wmax for the aerobic (F(2,7)=19.562; p=0.001; n²=0.85) and mixed (F(2,7)=13.447; p=0.004; n²=0.99) programs, and in W × time for the mixed program (F(2,7)=15.432; p= 0.016; n²=0.89). There was high inter–subject response variability for all variables and training programs, except for a homogenous positive response to Wmax in the mixed program (X²=6.27; p=0.04). Detraining effects of Wmax were also better maintained after the mixed program. Conclusion: A mixed program of aerobic and strength training demonstrated higher improvements in the studied markers of performance, with lower interindividual response variability, and longer detraining effects compared with aerobic or strength programs.

An in vitro model of tumor heterogeneity resolves genetic, epigenetic, and stochastic sources of cell state variability

Tumor heterogeneity is a primary cause of treatment failure and acquired resistance in cancer patients. Even in cancers driven by a single mutated oncogene, variability in response to targeted therapies is well known. The existence of additional genomic alterations among tumor cells can only partially explain this variability. As such, nongenetic factors are increasingly seen as critical contributors to tumor relapse and acquired resistance in cancer. Here, we show that both genetic and nongenetic factors contribute to targeted drug response variability in an experimental model of tumor heterogeneity. We observe significant variability to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition among and within multiple versions and clonal sublines of PC9, a commonly used EGFR mutant nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line. We resolve genetic, epigenetic, and stochastic components of this variability using a theoretical framework in which distinct genetic states give rise to multiple epigenetic “basins of attraction,” across which cells can transition driven by stochastic noise. Using mutational impact analysis, single-cell differential gene expression, and correlations among Gene Ontology (GO) terms to connect genomics to transcriptomics, we establish a baseline for genetic differences driving drug response variability among PC9 cell line versions. Applying the same approach to clonal sublines, we conclude that drug response variability in all but one of the sublines is due to epigenetic differences; in the other, it is due to genetic alterations. Finally, using a clonal drug response assay together with stochastic simulations, we attribute subclonal drug response variability within sublines to stochastic cell fate decisions and confirm that one subline likely contains genetic resistance mutations that emerged in the absence of drug treatment.

Ideas and perspectives: When ocean acidification experiments are not the same, repeatability is not tested

Can experimental studies on the behavioural impacts of ocean acidification be trusted? That question was raised in early 2020 when a high-profile paper failed to corroborate previously observed responses of coral reef fish to high CO2. New information on the methodologies used in the “replicated” studies now provides a plausible explanation: the experimental conditions were substantially different. High sensitivity to test conditions is characteristic of ocean acidification research; such response variability shows that effects are complex, interacting with many other factors. Open-minded assessment of all research results, both negative and positive, remains the best way to develop process-based understanding. As in other fields, replication studies in ocean acidification are most likely to contribute to scientific advancement when carried out in a spirit of collaboration rather than confrontation.