Direct Observation Of Behavior Research Articles

Direct Observation of Anode Arc Root Behaviors in a Non-transferred Arc Plasma Device with Multiple Cathodes

To investigate the anode arc root behaviors, a non-transferred arc plasma devices with multiple cathodes is designed in this paper. A novel setup to investigate the dynamics of arc root is developed. Based on high speed photography and voltage waveform analysis, anode arc root behaviors are captured for the steady, takeover and restrike arc modes. The transition of a single arc root, the coexistence of multiple arc roots and the evolution of multiple arc roots are herein investigated. Results show that anode arc root behaviors for these three arc modes are quite different. The restrike, takeover and steady modes correspond differently to the longitudinal motion of single root, circumferential motion of a single root and stationary multiple arc roots, respectively. Moreover, contrary to past experimental results, the stationary multiple arc roots which exist on the anode just within the nozzle entrance and the process by which they form, are demonstrated for the first time.

Direct observation of flow and bubble behavior in flat sheet modules with a distributor

The air sparging method was widely used in membrane modules to enhance performance of separation. In this article, bubble behavior in tubular and flat sheet flow module with different air sparging devices was investigated.

‘Beatlemania’ and Mass Hysteria – Still a Much Neglected Research Phenomenon

The 1964 study of crowd behavior and audience arousal was re-visited in 2014, following an inquiry from a journalist in London about the interviews the author had conducted 50 years earlier with John Lennon during the Beatles’ visit to New Zealand. The earlier project is touched upon by request, in the hope, still, of inspiring psychologists to follow suit by studying audience reactions to the music of similar vibrant musical groups. Apart from tape-recoded interviews with Lennon, the original study involved direct observation of crowd behavior and psychometric testing of target groups. It led to the elimination of clinical hysteria and delinquent proclivities as key elements causing the extraordinary social rumpus that ensued. Instead, adolescents at the immature stage of personality development were found primarily to be those who behaved fanatically and broke conventions. The study attracted widespread attention at the time, with the editors of two leading journals declaring solemnly that more studies of the kind should be conducted. However, no other researcher seems to have heeded their call. Hence regrettably the one mentioned here remains the first and only data-based study of mass-audience arousal on record.

ASSESSING PATIENT'S PERCEPTION OF ORAL TELECONSULTATION

The evaluation of telemedicine from the patient's point of view has focused on the patient pathway and patient satisfaction. However, research in this field does not provide us with the means to assess a patient's perception of the procedure if their reasoning ability is impaired. In this study, we use direct observation of a patient's behavior and mood to assess their perception of an oral teleconsultation procedure. This study has been conducted in the context of a pilot project using an asynchronous teleconsultation to improve access to dental care for the dependent elderly, disabled people, and prisoners, some of whom may be cognitively impaired. We use a direct observation form consisting of five behavioral variables and eight affect variables to reflect the patient's experience of the oral teleconsultation procedure. A total of 135 patients were evaluated; 10 refused the procedure. Psychotic patients (n = 33) had a somewhat negative experience during the oral teleconsultation procedure. Patients who were not psychotic had a positive experience; this decreased as we moved from the autonomous to the semi-autonomous and then to the dependent sub-group. Some gender differences were also noted. Improving evidence on evaluating the acceptance of the cognitively impaired is required to improve the technology development process so that it can be translated into an improved patient experience and adherence. Although the study was specifically focused on teledentistry, the approach described in this study could be adapted to other forms of teleconsultation.

Preschool self regulation predicts later mental health and educational achievement in very preterm and typically developing children

Objective: To examine the extent to which preschool emotional and behavioral regulatory difficulties were associated with an increased risk of later mental health and educational problems. Of particular interest was whether early regulatory abilities contributed to later risk once baseline child behavioral adjustment and cognitive function were taken into account. Method: Data were drawn from a prospective longitudinal study of 223 children born very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks gestation, n = 110) and full term (37–40 weeks gestation). At corrected ages 2 and 4 years, children’s regulatory abilities were assessed using (1) direct observation of child behavior, (2) a modified version of the Emotion Regulation Checklist, and (3) tester ratings of child behavior during neuropsychological testing. At age 9 years, mental health and educational achievement were assessed using the Development and Well-being Assessment interview and the Woodcock Johnson-III Tests of Achievement. Results: VPT-born children had poorer emotional and behavioral regulation across all measures and time points. They also had higher rates of DSM-IV mental health disorder and educational delay at age 9. Across both study groups, poorer self regulation was associated with an increased risk of ADHD, conduct disorder, anxiety disorders and any disorder net of preschool child behavior problems and social risk. In contrast, only associations between early regulation and later language and any educational delay remained significant after adjustment for preschool cognitive functioning and family social risk. Conclusion: Early assessment of regulation in addition to behavioral screening may improve the early identification of preschool children at mental health risk.

In situ TEM observation of dissolution and regrowth dynamics of MoO2 nanowires under oxygen

Direct observation of the dissolution behavior of nanomaterials could provide fundamental insight to understanding their anisotropic properties and stability. The dissolution mechanism in solution and vacuum has been well documented. However, the gas-involved dissolution and regrowth have seldom been explored and the mechanisms remain elusive. We report herein, an in situ TEM study of the dissolution and regrowth dynamics of MoO2 nanowires under oxygen using environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM). For the first time, oscillatory dissolution on the nanowire tip is revealed, and, intriguingly, simultaneous layer-by-layer regrowth on the sidewall facets is observed, leading to a shorter and wider nanowire. Combined with first-principles calculations, we found that electron beam irradiation caused oxygen loss in the tip facets, which resulted in changing the preferential growth facets and drove the morphology reshaping.

A randomized trial to identify accurate and cost-effective fidelity measurement methods for cognitive-behavioral therapy: project FACTS study protocol.

BackgroundThis randomized trial will compare three methods of assessing fidelity to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for youth to identify the most accurate and cost-effective method. The three methods include self-report (i.e., therapist completes a self-report measure on the CBT interventions used in session while circumventing some of the typical barriers to self-report), chart-stimulated recall (i.e., therapist reports on the CBT interventions used in session via an interview with a trained rater, and with the chart to assist him/her) and behavioral rehearsal (i.e., therapist demonstrates the CBT interventions used in session via a role-play with a trained rater). Direct observation will be used as the gold-standard comparison for each of the three methods.Methods/designThis trial will recruit 135 therapists in approximately 12 community agencies in the City of Philadelphia. Therapists will be randomized to one of the three conditions. Each therapist will provide data from three unique sessions, for a total of 405 sessions. All sessions will be audio-recorded and coded using the Therapy Process Observational Coding System for Child Psychotherapy-Revised Strategies scale. This will enable comparison of each measurement approach to direct observation of therapist session behavior to determine which most accurately assesses fidelity. Cost data associated with each method will be gathered. To gather stakeholder perspectives of each measurement method, we will use purposive sampling to recruit 12 therapists from each condition (total of 36 therapists) and 12 supervisors to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews.DiscussionResults will provide needed information on how to accurately and cost-effectively measure therapist fidelity to CBT for youth, as well as important information about stakeholder perspectives with regard to each measurement method. Findings will inform fidelity measurement practices in future implementation studies as well as in clinical practice.Trial registrationNCT02820623, June 3rd, 2016.

Adding to the mix: Students use of Facebook groups and blackboard discussion forums in higher education

This paper reports on a case study of the use of Facebook in learning and teaching in higher education. Facebook was used as a venue for online discussion to support the existing Learning Management System (in this case Blackboard) in the unit Internet Collaboration and Organisation as part of the Internet Communications degree taught fully online through Open Universities Australia (OUA). Students’ posts to both Facebook and the Blackboard discussion forum were analysed for content, length, and when throughout the study period they were posted. This is significant as much of the previous work in this area has relied on students self-reporting, rather than direct observation of student behaviour. These results were then compared to earlier instances of the same unit that ran within the previous twelve months, one fully online with OUA only using the Blackboard discussion group, and a second taught at Curtin University with both blended learning for students at the University’s Bentley campus as well as fully online for external students, that utilised both Blackboard and Facebook. The results show that Facebook greatly increases the level of student activity in online discussions, both absolutely and in the level of sustained activity across the unit’s study period. Facebook groups also had a different pattern of content from Blackboard. In Blackboard discussion is more focused on the set unit learning content, in Facebook students were using the groups to discuss administration and assignments and also bring in additional material from outside the units set learning materials. Facebook posts, while more sustained over the semester, were shorter in length. This study found that the addition of a Facebook discussion forum does not noticeably impact on the use of Blackboard’s discussion forum, but rather adds a new dimension to the mix of online interaction. The paper concludes that there is value in using both of these forums for student interaction, but unit design needs to take into account the different affordances of each to maximise their utility.

Direct X-Ray Imaging as a Tool for Understanding Multiphysics Phenomena in Energy Storage

The lithium-ion battery (LIB) has emerged as a key energy storage device for a wide range of applications, from consumer electronics to transportation. While LIBs have made key advancements in these areas, limitations remain for Li-ion batteries with respect to affordability, performance, and reliability. These challenges have encouraged the exploration for more advanced materials and novel chemistries to mitigate these limitations. The continued development of Li-ion and other advanced batteries is an inherently multiscale problem that couples electrochemistry, transport phenomena, mechanics, microstructural morphology, and device architecture. Observing the internal structure of batteries, both ex situ and during operation, provides a critical capability for further advancement of energy storage technology. X-ray imaging has been implemented to provide further insight into the mechanisms governing Li-ion batteries through several 2D and 3D techniques. Ex situ imaging has yielded microstructural data from both anode and cathode materials, providing insight into mesoscale structure and composition. Furthermore, since X-ray imaging is a nondestructive process studies have been conducted in situ and in operando to observe the mechanisms of operation as they occur. Data obtained with these methods has also been integrated into multiphysics models to predict and analyze electrode behavior. The following paper provides a brief review of X-ray imaging work related to Li-ion batteries and the opportunities these methods provide for the direct observation and analysis of the multiphysics behavior of battery materials.

Relying on a Single Anuran Species: Feeding Ecology of a Snake Community on Kinkasan Island, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Abstract: Feeding habits of snakes on Kinkasan Island, where potential food resources for snakes is limited, was investigated based on field surveys of six years. In total 280 snakes, which consisted of five species (Elaphe quadrivirgata, E. climacophora, Euprepiophis conspicillatus, Rhabdophis tigrinus, and Gloydius blomhoffii), were collected. A total of 168 prey items were recovered from the stomach contents of these snakes. The diet of R. tigrinus and G. blomhoffii exclusively consisted of a frog, Rana tagoi, which is the only amphibian species inhabiting Kinkasan Island. Diet of El. quadrivirgata was also predominantly comprised of Ra. tagoi ( 97.7%). O nly e ndothermic animals were found in the stomach contents of El. climacophora and Eu. conspicillatus. Direct observations of feeding behavior and a broad range of body temperature of El. quadrivirgata indicated that during the breeding season of Ra. tagoi, this snake forages for frogs hiding in crevices of rocks immersed in cold running water of mou...

Hidden Markov Models for indirect classification of occupant behaviour

Even for similar residential buildings, a huge variability in the energy consumption can be observed. This variability is mainly due to the different behaviours of the occupants and this impacts the thermal (temperature setting, window opening, etc.) as well as the electrical (appliances, TV, computer, etc.) consumption.It is very seldom to find direct observations of occupant presence and behaviour in residential buildings. However, given the increasing use of smart metering, the opportunity and potential for indirect observation and classification of occupants’ behaviour is possible. This paper focuses on the use of Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to create methods for indirect observations and characterisation of occupant behaviour.By applying homogeneous HMMs on the electricity consumption of fourteen apartments, three states describing the data were found suitable. The most likely sequence of states was determined (global decoding). From reconstruction of the states, dependencies like ambient air temperature were investigated. Combined with an occupant survey, this was used to classify/interpret the states as (1) absent or asleep, (2) home, medium consumption and (3) home, high consumption. From the global decoding, the average probability profiles with respect to time of day were investigated, and four distinct patterns of occupant behaviour were observed. Based on the initial results of the homogeneous HMMs and with the observed dependencies, time dependent HMMs (inhomogeneous HMMs) were developed, which improved forecasting. For both the homogeneous and inhomogeneous HMMs, indications of common parameters were observed, which suggests further development of the HMMs as population models.

Direct observation of toughening and R-curve behavior in carbon nanotube reinforced silicon nitride

The efficacy of toughening in nanoscale ceramic composites is currently controversial, in part because indentation based fracture toughness measurements are not reliable in these materials. To explore the relevant mechanisms, in situ mechanical testing was used to investigate carbon nanotube reinforced silicon nitride. Nanoindentation of microcantilever beams (cut with a focused ion beam) made it possible to probe fracture and notch sensitivity. Stable crack growth was directly observed with this approach. The measured R-curve for these composites was obtained from analysis of these data. These results provide direct evidence of significant toughening enhancements in a carbon nanotube reinforced ceramic composite.

Characterization of the behaviour of the electric arc during VAR of a Ti alloy

In this paper, we report experimental results based on the direct observation of the electric arc behaviour during vacuum arc remelting of a Ti alloy. These results were obtained in a specifically instrumented industrial furnace using high speed framing camera and optical emission spectroscopy, for a current density level of the order of 10 A/cm2 and a gap length of a few centimetres. It was observed that the arc exhibits a similar operating regime to that described in the literature for the case of Inconel 718 and Zr alloy electrodes. The arc structure corresponds essentially to that of a diffuse metal vapor arc with separate and rapidly moving cathode spots. Several critical parameters of the cathode spots, including their current, size and velocity, and of the interelectrode plasma were evaluated. Also, the interactions between the arc operation and the transfer of metal drops in the interelectrode gap were investigated. Three modes of transfer of the liquid metal drops in the interelectrode gap have been identified depending on the gap length: drop falling, drip short and drop erosion induced by the cathode spots.

Emotion regulation and young children’s consumer behavior

Purpose This paper aims to explore how children’s developing ability to effectively regulate their emotions influences their consumer behavior . Design/methodology/approach Working with 80 children and one of their parents, this study used direct observations of child behavior in a task where they needed to regulate their emotions and a survey of parents about their child’s emotional development and consumer behavior. The research used quantitative methods to test whether children’s emotion regulation predicted parent reported consumer behavior (e.g. purchase requests, parent–child purchase related conflict) via multiple regression analyses. Findings After controlling for children’s age and linguistic competence, the study found that children’s ability to control positively valenced emotions predicted consumer behavior. Specifically, children who had more difficulty suppressing joy/happiness were more likely to ask their parents for consumer goods and were more likely to argue with parents about these purchases. Practical implications Content analyses of commercials targeting children have shown that many of the persuasive appeals used by advertisers are emotionally charged and often feature marketing characters that children find affectively pleasing. These findings suggest that these types of marketing appeals may overwhelm younger children which can lead to conflict with parents. Consequently, marketers and policy makers may want to re-examine the use of such tactics with younger consumers. Originality/value While the potential link between children’s emotional development and consumer behavior has been suggested in theoretical work, this is the first known study to empirically test this theorized relationship.

Workload, Risks, and Goal Framing as Antecedents of Shortcut Behaviors

Shortcut behaviors are methods of completing a task that require less time than typical or standard procedures. These behaviors carry the benefit of increasing efficiency, yet can also carry risks (e.g., of an accident). The purpose of this research is to understand the reasons individuals engage in shortcut behaviors, even when doing so is known to be risky. We present two laboratory studies (N = 121 and N = 144) in which participants performed an air traffic control simulation. Participants could improve efficiency by taking shortcuts; that is, by sending aircraft off the prescribed flight paths. This design allowed for direct and unobtrusive observation of shortcut behaviors. Individuals who were told that efficiency was an obligation tended to believe that shortcut behaviors had utility for managing high workloads, even when the risks associated with shortcuts were high. Downstream, utility perceptions were positively related to actual shortcut behavior. Although communicating risks may be used to help individuals balance the “pros” and “cons” of shortcut behaviors, goal framing is also important. Subtle cues indicating that efficiency is an obligation can lead to elevated perceptions of the utility of shortcut behaviors, even when knowing that engaging in shortcut behaviors is very risky. Past research has provided limited insights into the reasons individuals sometimes engage in shortcut behaviors even when doing so is known to be risky. The current research speaks to this issue by identifying workload and obligation framing as antecedents of the decision to take shortcuts.

자폐범주성장애 아동을 위한 음악치료 중재 문헌 내 사회적 의사소통 측정 도구 분석

With broad individual variability in social communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorders and increasing focus on interventions targeting social communication of this population, there is a need for systematic analysis of how social communication outcomes are measured. This study aimed to systematically analyze the measurement tools used in the music therapy interventions for improving social communication of children with ASD. Electronic databases and music therapy journals were searched for controlled studies published between 1980 and 2015. A total of 21 studies were included for the analysis. The results demonstrated that direct observation of behaviors was the most frequently used and the combination of targeted social communication areas and specific measurements used for a specific skill varied among the studies. In addition, 90.4% of studies reported interrater reliability. These results indicate that there has been a diversity in approaches to measure social communication skills despite increasing attempts for systematic measurements. In consideration of the nature of social communication development in children with ASD, multifaceted strategy to understand and assess the target skills in terms of specific behavior acquisition, social functioning in general, and social cognition was recommended.

Direct Observation of Formation Behavior of Metal Emulsion in Sn/Salt System

Using two systems with different interfacial tensions, the behavior of metal emulsions during bottom blowing was observed directly with a high-speed camera. The interfacial tension between molten salt (KCl-LiCl-NaCl) and molten Sn was measured by a pendant drop method, and it decreased to about 100 mN/m when the Te content in Sn increased from 0 to 0.5 pct. In both systems, two types of metal emulsion behaviors were observed. In Mode A, fine metal droplets were formed after the metal film ruptured at the interface. In Mode B, the formation of coarse droplets was observed after the disintegration of the column generated by the rising bubble, and the number of droplets increased with the gas flow rate compared to that in Mode A. The generating frequency of each mode revealed that Mode B became dominant with increasing gas flow rate. In the pure Sn/salt system, the numbers of droplets of Mode B showed a local maximum at high gas flow rates, but the numbers of droplets in Sn-0.5 pctTe/salt increased continuously even in the same flow range. Regarding the size distribution, the percentage of coarse metal droplets in the Sn-0.5 pctTe alloy/salt was larger than that in the pure Sn/salt. Furthermore, the effect of interfacial tension on the variation in surface area and volume of the droplets showed a similar tendency for the column height. Therefore, a decrement of the interfacial tension led to an increment of the column height when Mode B occurred and finally resulted in a higher interfacial area.

The Effectiveness of Parent Training as a Treatment for Preschool Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled, Multicenter Trial of the New Forest Parenting Program in Everyday Clinical Practice.

BackgroundParent training is recommended as the first-line treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschool children. The New Forest Parenting Programme (NFPP) is an evidence-based parenting program developed specifically to target preschool ADHD.ObjectiveThe objective of this trial is to investigate whether the NFPP can be effectively delivered for children referred through official community pathways in everyday clinical practice.MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled parallel arm trial design is employed. There are two treatment arms, NFPP and treatment as usual. NFPP consists of eight individually delivered parenting sessions, where the child attends during three of the sessions. Outcomes are examined at three time points (T1, T2, T3): T1 (baseline), T2 (week 12, post intervention), and T3 (6 month follow/up). 140 children between the ages of 3-7, with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD, informed by the Development and Well Being Assessment, and recruited from three child and adolescent psychiatry departments in Denmark will take part. Randomization is on a 1:1 basis, stratified for age and gender.ResultsThe primary endpoint is change in ADHD symptoms as measured by the Preschool ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) by T2. Secondary outcome measures include: effects on this measure at T3 and T2 and T3 measures of teacher reported Preschool ADHD-RS scores, parent and teacher rated scores on the Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire, direct observation of ADHD behaviors during Child’s Solo Play, observation of parent-child interaction, parent sense of competence, and family stress. Results will be reported using the standards set out in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials Statement for Randomized Controlled Trials of nonpharmacological treatments.ConclusionsThe trial will provide evidence as to whether NFPP is a more effective treatment for preschool ADHD than the treatment usually offered in everyday clinical practice.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01684644; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01684644?term= NCT01684644&rank=1 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation/6eOOAe8Qe)

Direct observation of anodic dissolution and filament growth behavior in polyethylene-oxide-based atomic switch structures

We directly observed anodic dissolution and subsequent filament growth behavior in a planar atomic switch structure with Ag salt incorporated polyethylene oxide (Ag-PEO) film using in situ optical microscopy and ex situ scanning electron microscopy. The high ionic conductivities of Ag-PEO films enable the investigation of filament formation under voltage bias, even in micrometer-scaled devices. It was found that the filament formation changes from unidirectional growth to dendritic growth, depending on its distance from the grounded electrode. Based on this understanding of filament growth dynamics in planar devices, highly stable resistive switching was achieved in an Ag/Ag-PEO/Pt stacked device with an Ag-PEO film thickness of 100 nm. The device showed repeated switching operations for more than 102 sweep cycles, with a high ON/OFF resistance ratio of 105.

Tangled skeins: a first report of non-captive mating behavior in the Southeast Asian Paradise Flying Snake (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae: Chrysopelea paradisi)

&lt;p&gt;We describe the courtship behavior of the Paradise Flying Snake, &lt;em&gt;Chrysopelea paradisi&lt;/em&gt;, from a series of images taken near Sandakan, eastern Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. During the episode observed, four males moved together with a female in various states of entanglement, traveling at ground level and into a series of bushes. The observations took place over the course of a 30-min period until the snakes were lost to view. Our report is the first direct observation of mating behavior in &lt;em&gt;C. paradisi&lt;/em&gt; in the wild and provides another rare glimpse of the multi-male courtship in Southeast Asian colubrids.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;