Main Communication Method Research Articles

A local particle-like approach to wave propagation

Waves and particles are the main constituents of nature, but waves are our main method of communication, whether biological or technological. Historically, the study of waves has been separated into the stationary (standing wave) and nonstationary (pulse) case. Pulses are of fundamental consideration in radar, sonar, acoustics, fiber optics, among many other areas. A pulse has been called by many terms—transient, wave group, progressive wave, wave packet, nonrecurrent wave, traveling wave, nonperiodic wave—all to describe basically the same thing. The fact that so many names exist is an indication that there is no full understanding of their behavior. We present a simple particle-like view of pulse propagation, which makes pulses easier to understand and deal with intuitively. We have derived exact expressions for many physical quantities such as the spreading of a pulse, the conditions as to when a pulse contracts, the contraction time, and other important physical quantities. What emerges from these considerations is not only a clearer view of how pulses propagate, but a practical means to obtain their propagation in a dispersive medium.

Technical knowledge and adoption of farming practices to farmer level extension communication of outgrower farmers of Sri Lankan sugar industry

Low adoption of recommended farming practices has partly been responsible for low cane and sugar yield obtained by sugarcane farmers. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of extension communication at farmer level in relation to knowledge and adoption of farming practices by the outgrower farmers of Sri Lankan sugar industry. Primary data were collected from a stratified random sample of 60 farmers consisting of equal number of non-contract and contract farmers from Pelwatte Sugar Industry (PSI) area. Contract farmers were solely dependent on their Agricultural Assistants/Field Assistants (AA/ FA) for the information and services whereas non-contract farmers used other sources also. More attention had been given to marketing and input coordination activities and less attention to farmer education in the main methods of extension communication practised namely AA/FA’s field visits and farmer’s office visits. The majority of contract farmers attributed high credibility to the AA/FAs as well as higher rating for AA/FA’s role and for input services. The highest proportion of contract farmers had medium technical knowledge and adoption levels. But, knowledge and adoption of the majority of non-contract farmers were low and the median adoption and knowledge level of the non-contract group was also significantly lower than that of the contract group. The extension communication activities were significantly related to farmer’s knowledge and adoption. Farmers’ technical knowledge and adoption were also interrelated. However, in the non-contract situation where extension service were poor, a dominant role of personal factors in relation to knowledge and adoption was observed.

Expectation of FOUNDATION Fieldbus

Foundation Fieldbus (hereinafter, referred to as Fieldbus) is a two-way and all digital communication method. It is expected to be the main communication method for the next generation field networks. In 1996, its first specification was released. Since then, many vendors developed all kinds of compatible devices and the test of corresponding devices has been carried out in a trail plant. In 1999, the Fieldbus systems were actually applied in a good many plants in the world. The application of the fieldbus systems will be greatly widened in the year of 2000.

Comparison of AAC interaction patterns in face-to-face and telecommunications conversations

Given the importance noted in the literature of interaction skills in face-to-face augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and the new ways of interacting that telecommunications offers to individuals using AAC systems (both graphic and orthographic), this study compared a face-to-face and telecommunications conversation between a speaking partner and an adult who uses Blissymbolics as his main method of communication. There were differences and similarities in patterns of utterance functions that suggest that the telecommunications mode of communication may provide a context in which the AAC user can exert greater control over the interaction and may encourage more symmetrical use of utterance functions. The findings of this study have implications for assessment, intervention, and development of communication skills in AAC users.

Veterinary medicine on the information superhighway.

The Internet, the world's computer-networking backbone, links thousands of networks on every continent and is used by over 25 million people. This "information superhighway" is much more than its physical interconnection of computers. It is also an efficient and, convenient global interconnection of people, institutions, and businesses that facilitates communication and information exchange. It is important to understand the main communication methods and information-retrieval tools currently used on the Internet. This overview examines various Internet tools and their importance, particularly ones most useful to veterinarians and other animal-related professionals. The major Internet communication tools are those that send and receive electronic mail, connect and run programs on remote computers, transfer computer files, and search databases for information. Recently, two navigation tools, Gopher and the World Wide Web (WWW), have revolutionized ways of finding information on the Internet. Gopher uses a text-based menu of choices, whereas the WWW has a point-and click interface combining text, graphics, sound, and video. The WWW is undergoing explosive growth, both in terms of new servers and new users accessing WWW servers. In the fields of veterinary medicine and animal welfare, a similarly rapid expansion of internut resources is occurring. One experimental project to collect these resources and make them centrally available is NetVet Veterinary Resources (http:// netvet.wustl.edu/). From this site, many other veterinary. Internet services are easily located. This discussion will provide details about the Internet's communication tools and utilities and demonstrate several relevant veterinary and animal-related computer sites.

Back to basics: letting the client lead the way

ABSTRACT Recent interest in high‐technology communication systems should not detract from the importance of allowing the selection of a communication system to be client‐centred using a flexible approach to alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). This paper presents the case study of a 15‐year‐old boy, J, with cerebral palsy (CP). He has spastic quadriplegia and no useful speech. J has been introduced to a range of both low‐ and high‐technology communication systems over the years with varying degress of success. The key to a recent breakthrough in the search for a useful communication system for J involved shelving attempts to introduce a high‐technology system and to return to a low‐technology system where J is the key person in its development. A range of systems had been explored, including the operation of a switch with either head, arm or leg movement. However, J was unable to control any movement with consistency — leading to frustration and loss of motivation. J's main method of communication remained his eye‐pointing which is accurate and consistent. Until recently, the most useful method of communication has been a colour‐coded symbol board on his wheelchair tray, using the ‘Sounds and Symbols’ system. J was able to use the symbols to give information in response to questions, but rarely used them to initiate conversations. Returning to basics has involved incorporating J's accurate eye movements with ‘listener scanning’ and focusing on what motivates him to communicate. As J has always been interested in people in his environment, this became the starting point for developing a personal communication folder using photographs and Mayer‐Johnson symbols. J chooses the topic areas and the specific symbols/pictures which he wants and rejects those he does not want. These are not necessarily what the speech and language therapist would choose! In addition, J decides on their placement within his folder. The development of this folder has been client‐led and has involved looking at J's whole environment, including home, school and leisure time. J is using a combination of his symbol tray and his communication folder in an efficient and successful manner: he now frequently initiates conversation; he is able to express his feelings more specifically, thus avoiding the outbursts of frustration he previously displayed; he now asks questions about others rather than thinking about himself all the time. It is felt that the key to the current success of J's communication has been due to his ‘ownership’ of the system and his responsibility for its development.

An ethogram of the common marmoset ( Calithrix jacchus jacchus): General behavioural repertoire

The behavioural repertoire of four captive breeding pairs of Callithrix jacchus jacchus is described. Social communication took the form of postures, facial expressions, vocalizations and piloerection displays. Detailed analyses were made of piloerection displays, adult play, copulatory, aggressive, and prey-catching behaviour. Aggressive behaviour was uncommon in adult mated pairs. Play between adults showed a degree of temporal organization. Vocalizations were the main methods of intragroup communication whilst piloerection displays were directed towards members of other groups and also to unfamiliar objects. The behavioural repertoire of C. jacchus jacchus is compared with that of other Primates.