Behavior Analysis Method Research Articles

A nonlinear Hermitian transfinite element method for transient behavior analysis of hollow functionally graded cylinders with temperature-dependent materials under thermo-mechanical loads

In the present paper, an algorithm for nonlinear transient behavior analysis of thick functionally graded cylindrical vessels or pipes with temperature-dependent material properties under thermo-mechanical loads is presented. In contrast to researches presented so far, a Hermitian transfinite element method is proposed to improve the accuracy and to prevent artificial interference or cohesion formation at the mutual boundaries of the elements. Time variations of the temperatures, displacements, and stresses are obtained through a numerical Laplace inversion. Another novelty of the present research is using the transfinite element method to solve nonlinear problems. A sensitivity analysis includes investigating effects of the volume fraction index, dimensions, and temperature-dependency of the material properties is performed. Results confirm the efficiency of the present algorithm and reveal the significant effects of the temperature-dependency of the material properties and the elastic wave reflections and interferences on the responses. In comparison to other techniques, the present technique may be used to obtain relatively accurate and stable results in a less computational time.

Effects of an Informational Brochure, Lottery-Based Financial Incentive, and Public Posting on Absenteeism of Direct-Care Human Services Employees

Chronic absenteeism is a problem encountered by many human services organizations. Large-scale intervention projects to reduce staff absences have incorporated applied behavior analysis methods but there are few studies in the extant literature. In the present study, the authors record staff absenteeism at a specialized school for students with developmental disabilities during a baseline phase and following implementation of a systems-change intervention that included distribution of an informational brochure, lottery-based financial incentive, and public posting. Intervention is found to be associated with improved staff attendance and reduced "lost wages." Practice and research implications are discussed.

Reliability of the Autism Spectrum Disorder-Behavior Problems for Children (ASD-BPC)

A considerable amount of attention has occurred with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) of children and youth. Furthermore, the rationale for using the most restrictive of the applied behavior analysis methods and medication has been largely based on the presence of severe challenging behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, and stereotypes. Despite the extensive treatment efforts, there has not been a scale developed specifically to address the screening and identification of these problem behaviors for children with ASD. The present study was specifically designed to report on the reliability and factor structure of a brief behavior problem inventory, which is part of a diagnostic battery for children suspected of evincing autism, PDD-NOS, or Asperger's syndrome. The initial psychometric properties of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Behavior Problems for Children (ASD-BPC) are described and the implications for future research are presented.

Dynamics of a two-degree-of-freedom cantilever beam with impacts

Impacts in mechanical systems are an object of interest for many scientists in the world. In this paper, we present detailed investigations of the dynamical behavior of the system consisting of a massless cantilever beam with two concentrated masses. The maximum displacement of one of the masses is limited to the threshold value by a rigid stop, which gives rise to non-linearity in the system. Impacts between the mass and the basis are described by a coefficient of restitution. The conducted calculations show a good agreement of the results obtained with two qualitatively different methods of behavior analysis of the system under consideration, namely: the Peterka’s method and the method of numerical integration of motion equations. It has been observed that stable solutions describing the motion with impacts of a two-degree-of freedom mechanical system exist in significantly large regions of the parameters that describe this system. The location and size of periodic motion regions depend strongly on mutual relations between the excitation force frequency and the system eigenvalues. In order to obtain stable and periodic motion with impacts, the system parameters should be selected in such a way as to make the excitation force frequency an even multiple of the fundamental eigenvalue and to make the higher eigenvalue an even multiple of the excitation force frequency. These two conditions can be applied in designing mechanical systems with impacts. This information is even of more significance since it has turned out that the system exhibits some adaptability, owing to which stable solutions exist even if the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied only approximately.

Asymptotic stability and associated problems of dynamics of falling rigid body

We consider two problems from the rigid body dynamics and use new methods of stability and asymptotic behavior analysis for their solution. The first problem deals with motion of a rigid body in an unbounded volume of ideal fluid with zero vorticity. The second problem, having similar asymptotic behavior, is concerned with motion of a sleigh on an inclined plane. The equations of motion for the second problem are non-holonomic and exhibit some new features not typical for Hamiltonian systems. A comprehensive survey of references is given and new problems connected with falling motion of heavy bodies in fluid are proposed.

Agreement of Functional Behavioral Assessment and Analysis Methods with Students with EBD

Recent years have seen a steady increase in empirical studies of the application of functional behavioral assessment procedures with students with EBD. However, many questions remain concerning efficacy and validity with this population. The present study involves the application of several indirect and direct functional behavioral assessment procedures (e.g., questionnaires, direct observation, analog analyses) with 20 students identified as having EBD. The results of the different methods were compared via descriptive and statistical analyses and indicated that although there was some agreement between certain categories of assessment methods, the indirect methods generally demonstrated poor agreement with the results of the functional analyses. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Study and analysis of information on the reader's potential discontent in an academic library

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to grope for the scientific research method for the reader's potential discontent information with the analysis of the show form of the reader's potential discontent information and the statistic analysis of the reader's service information in the academic library.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the research method of the behavior analysis to study the show form of the reader's potential discontent information, and farther puts forward the research path for the reader's potential discontent information in the academic library by a statistics analytical methodology.FindingsThe paper finds that the reader's potential discontent information is very important but not easy ascertained information source in the library service work estimate. Library supervisor must understand that not only the behavior analysis but also statistics analytical method can develop the scientific analysis and research to obtain the information for the improvement of the library service.Research limitations/implicationsThere is an important value for using the behavior analysis and statistics method to develop a further research.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that it is very important value to obtain the reader's potential discontent information for improvement of the library service.Originality/valueThe paper offers some important information collection outlet and method to design the service mode and improve the service work for the academic library.

Conformational Behavior of N-Acylamino Acid Oil and N-Acylamino Acid Surfactant in Aqueous Solution

The (13)C- and (1)H- NMR spectra of isopropyl N-dodecanoylsarcosinate (SLIP) were measured in CDCl(3), CD(3)OD and in sodium dodecanoylsarcosinate (Sar) aqueous solution. The existence of both cis and trans isomeric forms are observed for SLIP just as for Sar. The trans/cis ratio of SLIP in a dilute CDCl(3) solution is over 3.2, which is indicating that SLIP-trans conformation is more stable in an organic solvent. However, the population of SLIP-trans isomer decreases in aqueous solutions. This may be explained by the interaction of the ester group and N-acyl chain. Addition of SLIP to the water/Sar solution causes the conformational change of both SLIP and Sar. With increasing SLIP concentration, the population of SLIP-trans isomer increases and Sar-cis isomer, which is known to be preferred in the monomer state, also increases. This phenomenon is discussed in the context of the phase transition behavior of SLIP/Sar/water system. At high SLIP and Sar concentration, broadening of (1)H signal relative to 2-CH(2) of Sar occurs both for trans and cis forms, however, broadening of that of Sar N-CH(2) and N-CH(3) is observed only for trans. Analysis of conformation change by NMR was proved to be useful method for phase behavior analysis of an acylamino acid surfactant.

Асимптотическая устойчивость и родственные задачи динамики падающего тяжелого твердого тела

We consider two problems from the rigid body dynamics and use new methods of stability and asymptotic behavior analysis for their solution. The first problem deals with motion of a rigid body in an unbounded volume of ideal fluid with zero vorticity. The second problem, having similar asymptotic behavior, is concerned with motion of a sleigh on an inclined plane. The equations of motion for the second problem are non-holonomic and exhibit some new features not typical for Hamiltonian systems. A comprehensive survey of references is given and new problems connected with falling motion of heavy bodies in fluid are proposed.

Training parents and professionals to help children with autism in China: The contribution of behaviour analysis

Atraining programme is presented with two parts. (1) Professional training is received by graduate students at the Institute for Mental Health of Beijing University, based on the principles of behaviour assessment and modification, radical behaviourism, and applied research methods. (2) Parent training focused on parents with autistic children, using the behaviour analysis and modification methods. China has between 400,000 and 800,000 children with autism. In comparison to its fast economic growth the development of social welfare and social insurance systems are far behind. Once the child is diagnosed with autism, the parents or the primary caregivers of the child, not the government or the community, take the responsibility for the child's rehabilitation. The diagnosis of autism was first introduced in China in 1982, and for years the work was based on clinical appearances and diagnosis. The main mission of child psychiatrists was early diagnosis, but there was little change obtained with autistic children. From the year 2000 more people were interested in rehabilitation rather than in diagnosis and medical treatments. Behaviour analysis methods are now extensively used in interventions in children with autism in this country. There is a great need in China for this kind of work, but there are few professionals with the appropriate scientific knowledge and skills to work with autistic children. These professionals will help to further develop the area of behaviour analysis in China.

Modulatory Neurotransmitter Systems and Behavior: Towards Zebrafish Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases

The modulatory aminergic neurotransmitters are involved in practically all important physiological systems in the brain, and many of them are also involved in human central nervous system diseases, including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. The zebrafish brain aminergic systems share many structural properties with the mammalian systems. The noradrenergic, serotonergic, and histaminergic systems are highly similar. The dopaminergic systems also show similarities with the major difference being the lack of dopaminergic neurons in zebrafish mesencephalon. Development of automated quantitative behavioral analysis methods for zebrafish and imaging systems of complete brain neurotransmitter networks have enabled comprehensive studies on these systems in normal and pathological conditions. It is possible to visualize complete neurotransmitter systems in the whole zebrafish brain at an age when the fish already displays all major vital behaviors except reproduction. Alterations of brain dopaminergic systems with MPTP, the neurotoxin that in humans and rodents induces Parkinson's disease, induces both changes in zebrafish dopaminergic system and quantifiable abnormalities in motor behavior. Chemically-induced brain histamine deficiency causes an identifiable alteration in histaminergic neurons and terminal networks, and a clear change in swimming behavior and long-term memory. Combining the imaging techniques and behavioral methods with zebrafish genetics is likely to help reveal how the modulatory transmitter systems interact to produce important behaviors, and how they are regulated in pathophysiological conditions and diseases.

An Empirical Method of Dynamic Oligopoly Behavior Analysis in Electricity Markets

Evidence of market power existing in the electricity markets has been empirically revealed, but the understanding of the market structure and generation companies' (GENCOs') strategic behaviors underlying the market power is far from satisfactory. This paper presents a theory and method for estimating the conjectural variations of GENCOs. Based on these estimates of conjectural variations in an actual electricity market, an empirical methodology is also proposed to analyze the dynamic oligopoly behaviors underlying market power. This is not only useful for system regulators to analyze the market structure but also to recognize and control the market power accordingly. The Australia National Electricity Market is used as the simulation case to test the proposed method.

A scenario-matching approach to the description and model checking of real-time properties

A major obstacle in the technology transfer agenda of behavioral analysis and design methods is the need for logics or automata to express properties for control-intensive systems. Interaction-modeling notations may offer a replacement or a complement, with a practitioner-appealing and lightweight flavor, due partly to the sub specification of intended behavior by means of scenarios. We propose a novel approach consisting of engineering a new formal notation of this sort based on a simple compact declarative semantics: VTS (visual timed event scenarios). Scenarios represent event patterns, graphically depicting conditions over traces. They predicate general system events and provide features to describe complex properties not expressible with MSC-like notations. The underlying formalism supports partial orders and real-time constraints. The problem of checking whether a timed-automaton model has a matching trace is proven decidable. On top of this kernel, we introduce a notation to state properties over all system traces: conditional scenarios, allowing engineers to describe uniquely rich connections between antecedent and consequent portions of the scenario. An undecidability result is presented for the general case of the model-checking problem over dense-time domains, to later identify a decidable-yet practically relevant-subclass, where verification is solvable by generating antiscenarios expressed in the VTS-kernel notation.

Evidence-based practices in intellectual disability and behaviour disorders

To critically review the most recently published studies on the treatment of challenging behaviours/behaviour disorders for individuals with intellectual disability. Literature published in the review period was from three traditions: applied behaviour analysis, psychopharmacology, and service evaluation. Applied behaviour analysis treatments have a large evidence base, and recent research has focused on refining issues such as dealing with low rate behaviours, improving generalization, the effects of choice-making, and setting event variables that may affect treatment outcomes. Recent interest in risperidone as a treatment for behaviour disorder has dominated the literature on pharmacological interventions. Several empirical studies support the use of risperidone in children, although a recent review is more sceptical of the quality of the evidence to date. A small number of service evaluation studies suggest in particular that applied behaviour analysis technologies can be scaled up to benefit large numbers of patients. Applied behaviour analysis methods for the assessment and treatment of behaviour disorders continue to be the focus of research, and continue to result in positive outcomes. Recent data show the value of using applied behaviour analysis technologies as a service model for people with behaviour disorders. Pharmacological treatments, especially risperidone, also have a developing evidence base despite a lack of understanding of their mechanisms of action. A number of questions about behaviour disorders remain unanswered, especially whether early intervention may be effective and their putative relationship with psychiatric conditions.

A Comprehensive Analysis of IMD Behavior in RF CMOS Power Amplifiers

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of nonlinear intermodulation distortion (IMD) behavior in RF CMOS power amplifiers (PAs). Separate analyses are presented for small- and large-signal operation regimes. Especially, a new, simple, large-signal behavioral IMD analysis method is presented that allows the mechanisms dominant for IMD generation to be identified and their individual contributions to be studied. By combining these analyses, typical IMD versus input power characteristics of MOSFET PAs can be predicted and understood for different classes of operation. Various measurements made on a 950-MHz RF CMOS PA are used to demonstrate typical behavior and validate the proposed theory. Prediction of IMD using a standard CMOS transistor model is also evaluated and is shown to give good agreement with the measurements.

Exploring behavior of an unusual megaherbivore: a spatially explicit foraging model of the hippopotamus

Herbivore foraging theories have been developed for and tested on herbivores across a range of sizes. Due to logistical constraints, however, little research has focused on foraging behavior of megaherbivores. Here we present a research approach that explores megaherbivore foraging behavior, and assesses the applicability of foraging theories developed on smaller herbivores to megafauna. With simulation models as reference points for the analysis of empirical data, we investigate foraging strategies of the common hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius). Using a spatially explicit individual based foraging model, we apply traditional herbivore foraging strategies to a model hippopotamus, compare model output, and then relate these results to field data from wild hippopotami. Hippopotami appear to employ foraging strategies that respond to vegetation characteristics, such as vegetation quality, as well as spatial reference information, namely distance to a water source. Model predictions, field observations, and comparisons of the two support that hippopotami generally conform to the central place foraging construct. These analyses point to the applicability of general herbivore foraging concepts to megaherbivores, but also point to important differences between hippopotami and other herbivores. Our synergistic approach of models as reference points for empirical data highlights a useful method of behavioral analysis for hard-to-study megafauna.

Virtual-Reality Techniques Resolve the Visual Cues Used by Fruit Flies to Evaluate Object Distances

Insects can estimate distance or time-to-contact of surrounding objects from locomotion-induced changes in their retinal position and/or size [1–8]. Freely walking fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) use the received mixture of different distance cues to select the nearest objects for subsequent visits [9, 10]. Conventional methods of behavioral analysis fail to elucidate the underlying data extraction. Here we demonstrate first comprehensive solutions of this problem by substituting virtual for real objects; a tracker-controlled 360° panorama converts a fruit fly's changing coordinates into object illusions that require the perception of specific cues to appear at preselected distances up to infinity. An application reveals the following: (1) en-route sampling of retinal-image changes accounts for distance discrimination within a surprising range of at least 8–80 body lengths (20–200 mm). Stereopsis and peering are not involved. (2) Distance from image translation in the expected direction (motion parallax) outweighs distance from image expansion, which accounts for impact-avoiding flight reactions to looming objects. (3) The ability to discriminate distances is robust to artificially delayed updating of image translation. Fruit flies appear to interrelate self-motion and its visual feedback within a surprisingly long time window of about 2 s. The comparative distance inspection practiced in the small fruit fly deserves utilization in self-moving robots.

Back analysis for prediction and behavior of laterally loaded single piles in sand

The purposes of this paper are to estimate the behavior of laterally loaded single piles by the back analysis and the effects of non-homogeneity consisted of two layers, constraint condition of pile head, relative density, and embedded length of pile on the behavior of single pile in sand. These effects can be quantified only by the results of model tests. Also, the model tests were compared with the results of the numerical methods (p-y method, modified Vlasov method; new γ parameter, Characteristic Load Method;CLM). In this study, the modulus of soil resistance and ultimate soil resistance are assumed to exponential function with depth for Nak-Dong River sand. Therefore, a new γ parameter equation based on the Vlasov method was derived to calculate the modulus of soil resistance (E h =n hi Z n ) of exponential function with depth. Thep-y method of nonlinear behavior analysis is relatively effective method of designing deep foundations subjected to lateral loads for only the reasonable of the modulus of soil resistance (E h ) and ultimate soil resistance (P u ). Therefore, the back analysis is used to determineE h andP u in this study. For this, theE h(DST) andP u(DST) are obtained from the stress-strain relationship of direct shear test (DST). TheE h andP u applicable to predict lateral behavior are obtained from back analysis usingp-y curve with hyperbolic function. The coefficients used to modify ofE h(DST) andP u(DST) are obtained with the range of 0.014–0.05 and 0.2–0.4, respectively. The predict of modified Vlasov method usedE h andP u suggested in this study is very good agreement with measured results blow y/D=0.06–0.14 and the predict ofp-y method used the recommend values of Terzaghi (1955) forE h and Reese et al.(1974) forP u is more under-estimated than the model test results.

Serial recording of somatosensory and myoelectric motor evoked potentials: role in assessing functional recovery after graded spinal cord injury in the rat.

Accurate functional outcome measures are essential in assessing therapeutic interventions after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). We examined the hypothesis that serial recording of somatosensory (SSEP) and myoelectric motor evoked potentials (mMEPs) would provide complementary information to standard methods of behavioral analysis in a rat model of SCI and would allow objective discrimination of functional recovery in sensory and motor tracts. Clip compression injury of varying severity (sham, 23 g, 34 g, 56 g) and transections were performed at T1 in adult rats. SSEPs were recorded from the right sensorimotor cortex (SMC) after stimulation of the contralateral hind paw; mMEPs were recorded from the paraspinal, quadriceps, and the tibialis anterior muscles after anodal stimulation of the SMC. The inclined plane and Tarlov techniques were used to assess clinical neurological function. All outcome measures were assessed weekly prior to and up to 6 weeks following injury. Changes in clinical neurological function as assessed by the inclined plane and Tarlov methods varied with increasing injury severity (R = -0.72 and R = -0.73, respectively). SSEP latency was strongly correlated with injury severity (R = 0.92) and with clinical behavioral scores (R = -0.93 for inclined plane). The tibialis anterior mMEP correlated significantly, though weakly, with changes in inclined plane (R = 0.49) and Tarlov scores (R = 0.41). Although the mMEPs were sensitive to the presence of SCI, these recordings did not discriminate between severities of injury. We conclude that serial recording of SSEPs but not myoelectric MEPs correlates closely with the extent and temporal course of clinical neurological recovery after graded SCI in the rat.

Covariation among measures of cognitive ability and academic achievement in the Colorado Adoption Project: Sibling analysis

Although correlations among measures of cognitive ability and academic achievement are substantial, relatively little is known about the etiology of their interrelationships. The purpose of the current study was to assess the etiology of these relationships by applying the methods of multivariate behavioral genetic analysis to sibling data from the Colorado Adoption Project. The current study analyzed data from 100 pairs of related siblings and 90 pairs of unrelated siblings tested at age 7 on two measures of cognitive ability (verbal comprehension and perceptual organization) and two measures of academic achievement (reading recognition and mathematics achievement). Phenotypic correlations among the cognitive and achievement measures averaged about 0.30. Although a substantial proportion of the covariation among the measures was due to influences shared with verbal ability, results of fitting a Cholesky factor model to the data provided evidence for significant covariation between the achievement measures that was independent of cognitive ability. Results of the genetic analysis confirmed previous findings of substantial genetic influence, with heritabilities ranging from 0.21 for mathematics achievement to 0.60 for perceptual organization. The environmental variance was primarily due to nonshared influences specific to each of the measures, with shared environmental influences being nonsignificant. In addition, genetic influences accounted for most of the phenotypic covariance among the variables, with much of the genetic covariation being due to influences shared with verbal ability.