Evaluation of Performance-Based and Pre-set Conventional Criterion for Reinforcement in Check In-Check Out

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of two methods of criterion-setting, performance-based or pre-set conventional, as evidenced by improvements in children’s behavior. Participant behavior was evaluated through teacher reports of appropriate behavior and observed academically engaged behavior as well as decreases in problem behavior and disruptive behavior. Eight elementary school students in a Southeastern town referred for exhibiting behavior problems served as participants in addition to their teachers. The effects of the different methods of criterion setting on the dependent variables were evaluated. Teacher ratings of appropriate behavior were assessed through evaluation of Daily Behavior Report Card (DBRC) point data. Direct observations were conducted to determine target students’ and control peers’ levels of observed appropriate behavior and problem behavior. Disruptive behavior was evaluated as the frequency of office discipline referrals (ODRs). Treatment integrity was assessed through direct observations as well as a review of permanent products. Acceptability was assessed for adult and child participants. The current study serves as one of the few studies in the Check In-Check Out (CICO) literature to (a) examine various methods of criterion setting, specifically Performance-Based methodology; (b) present teacher ratings of appropriate behavior through use of DBRCs; (c) conduct direct observations of target students and control peers’ appropriate behavior; and (d) evaluate treatment integrity for all days of CICO implementation with supplementary direct observations of treatment integrity. Results suggest that CICO was effective in improving participant behavior without providing evidence of the superiority of either method of criterion setting

Application of Check In-Check Out as a Targeted Intervention to Increase Appropriate Behavior in At-Risk High School Students

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Check In-Check Out (CICO) in increasing appropriate behavior and decreasing disruptive behavior of three students in south Mississippi who were referred for behavioral problems, a multiple baseline across students design was employed. Target students\u27 levels of appropriate behavior and frequency of disruptive behavior over time were compared through evaluation of daily behavior report card (DBRC) point data and rates of office discipline referrals (ODRs). Treatment integrity was assessed. The current study serves as one of the few studies in the CICO literature to (a) implement ClCO in a high school setting, (b) examine appropriate behavior through the use of DBRC, (c) evaluate treatment integrity for all days of CICO implementation, and (d) set point goals based on baseline performance. Furthermore, challenges in implementation and possible solutions are discussed. Results suggest that CICO may be a viable intervention, resulting in increases in appropriate behavior and decreases in disruptive behaviors across all participants

An Analysis of the Statewide Shortage of ABA Professionals in New York

Support services for many Autistic students in schools is critical. Behavior analysts are one type of service provider who offer support services in and outside of school settings to Autistic students. As behavioral support services are increasing in educational settings, it is important to ensure there are a sufficient number of professionals trained to provide high quality and compassionate support. However, there may not be enough state licensed providers to meet the growing need of students across the state of New York (NY). The supply of state licensed behavior analysts (LBAs) was calculated for the state of NY, its six regions, and its 62 individual counties to assess the shortage of providers. County level public data were used to compare the per capita supply of LBAs using caseload guidelines. The supply of LBAs did not meet the supply benchmark at the aggregate level or in any of the state’s six regions. Only four of the state\u27s 62 counties met the LBA supply benchmark. Shortages of service providers limit accessibility to support services and high caseloads can impact service quality. Suggestions for changes that may increase accessibility to behavior analytic supports and services in NY to those seeking services are discussed

Modeling Operational Variability for Robust Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

International audienceThe aim of this paper is to model and propagate operational uncertainties in view of its integration in a multidisciplinary optimization methodology for aircraft robust design. From databases relative to one specic type of long-range airplane, we analyze the variations of four ight parameters (altitude, speed, temperature and range), and build the associated statistical distributions. Then, using an uncertainty propagation methodology, we identify the distribution of operational costs

Development of liquid chromatography methods coupled to mass spectrometry for the analysis of substances with a wide variety of polarity in meconium.

International audienceMeconium is the first fecal excretion of newborns. This complex accumulative matrix allows assessing the exposure of the fetus to xenobiotics during the last 6 months of pregnancy. To determine the eventual effect of fetal exposure to micropollutants in this matrix, robust and sensitive analytical methods must be developed. This article describes the method development of liquid chromatography methods coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for relevant pollutants. The 28 selected target compounds had different physico-chemical properties from very polar (glyphosate) to non-polar molecules (pyrethroids). Tests were performed with three different types of columns: reversed phase, ion exchange and HILIC. As a unique method could not be determined for the simultaneous analysis of all compounds, three columns were selected and suitable chromatographic methods were optimized. Similar results were noticed for the separation of the target compounds dissolved in either meconium extract or solvent for reversed phase and ion exchange columns. However, for HILIC, the matrix had a significant influence on the peak shape and robustness of the method. Finally, the analytical methods were applied to “real” meconium samples

Development of air and dust sampling methods for quantitative measurements of polybromated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in offices

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An efficient method for measuring dissolved VOSCs in wastewater using GC-SCD with static headspace technique

Volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs) are important sources of unpleasant odor in wastewater systems. However, the study of VOSCs is usually hindered by their complicated measurement method and highly reactive nature. In this work, a static headspace method utilising gas chromatography (GC) with a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) was developed to quantitatively analyze VOSCs in wastewater matrices. The method has low detection limits and requires no pre-concentration treatment. Three typical VOSCs, namely methanethiol (MT), dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), were chosen as examples for this study. The calibration curves of all three compounds covering a wide range from 0.5 ppb to 500 ppb showed good linearity (R-2 > 0.999). The method detection limits (MDL) were 0.08, 0.12 and 0.21 ppb for MT, DMS and DMDS, respectively. The reproducibility (relative standard deviation) was approximately 2%. The recovery ratio of MT, DMS and DMDS in spiked wastewater samples were 83 +/- 4%, 103 +/- 4% and 102 +/- 3%, respectively. Sample preservation tests showed that VOSCs in wastewater samples could be preserved in vials without headspace under acidified conditions (pH similar to 1.1) for at least 24 h without significant changes

Post-mortem volatiles of vertebrate tissue

Volatile emission during vertebrate decay is a complex process that is understood incompletely. It depends on many factors. The main factor is the metabolism of the microbial species present inside and on the vertebrate. In this review, we combine the results from studies on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected during this decay process and those on the biochemical formation of VOCs in order to improve our understanding of the decay process. Micro-organisms are the main producers of VOCs, which are by- or end-products of microbial metabolism. Many microbes are already present inside and on a vertebrate, and these can initiate microbial decay. In addition, micro-organisms from the environment colonize the cadaver. The composition of microbial communities is complex, and communities of different species interact with each other in succession. In comparison to the complexity of the decay process, the resulting volatile pattern does show some consistency. Therefore, the possibility of an existence of a time-dependent core volatile pattern, which could be used for applications in areas such as forensics or food science, is discussed. Possible microbial interactions that might alter the process of decay are highlighted