An Investigation Into the Feasibility of Streamlining Language Sample Analysis Through Computer-Automated Transcription and Scoring

The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of streamlining the transcription and scoring portion of language sample analysis (LSA) through computer-automation. LSA is a gold-standard procedure for examining childrens’ language abilities that is underutilized by speech language pathologists due to its time-consuming nature. To decrease the time associated with the process, the accuracy of transcripts produced automatically with Google Cloud Speech and the accuracy of scores generated by a hard-coded scoring function called the Literate Language Use in Narrative Analysis (LLUNA) were evaluated. A collection of narrative transcripts and audio recordings of narrative samples were selected to evaluate the accuracy of these automated systems. Samples were previously elicited from school-age children between the ages of 6;0-11;11 who were either typically developing (TD), at-risk for language-related learning disabilities (AR), or had developmental language disorder (DLD). Transcription error of Google Cloud Speech transcripts was evaluated with a weighted word-error rate (WERw). Score accuracy was evaluated with a quadratic weighted kappa (Kqw). Results indicated an average WERw of 48% across all language sample recordings, with a median WERw of 40%. Several recording characteristics of samples were associated with transcription error including the codec used to recorded the audio sample and the presence of background noise. Transcription error was lower on average for samples collected using a lossless codec, that contained no background noise. Scoring accuracy of LLUNA was high across all six measures of literate language when generated from traditionally produced transcripts, regardless of age or language ability (TD, DLD, AR). Adverbs were most variable in their score accuracy. Scoring accuracy dropped when LLUNA generated scores from transcripts produced by Google Cloud Speech, however, LLUNA was more likely to generate accurate scores when transcripts had low to moderate levels of transcription error. This work provides additional support for the use of automated transcription under the right recording conditions and automated scoring of literate language indices. It also provides preliminary support for streamlining the entire LSA process by automating both transcription and scoring, when high quality recordings of language samples are utilized

Radical Genealogies: Okie Women and Dust Bowl Memories

This paper complicates the existing historiography about dust bowl migrants, often known as Okies, in Depression-era California. Okies, the dominant narrative goes, failed to organize in the ways that Mexican farm workers did, developed little connection with Mexican or Filipino farm workers, and clung to traditional gender roles that valorized the male breadwinner. This thesis tells a story that the dominant narrative obscures. Centering on exceptions, I highlight the life and political work of three, relatively unknown Okie women: union organizer Lillie Dunn, radical writer Sanora Babb, and Dust Bowl poet Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel. Together, their stories stand outside and in conflict with most of what is written about the history of Okies in California. Using such exceptions as a guiding framework, I engage several historiographical debates about the Dust Bowl migration, New Deal labor politics, capitalist agriculture, and shifting gender constructs of the 1930s. By complicating knowledge of Okie history and culture in California, this thesis builds on the arguments of earlier Dust Bowl historians to consider the possibility that a tradition of radicalism, interracial alliance, and proletarian feminism, a politics which centers working women’s experiences and communities and understands class and gender as mutually constitutive, is also part of the story

Voici est ma Vie

University of Michiganhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136821/1/VoiciestmaVie.pd

Addressing the Barriers to Mammography Screening in Rural and Urban Ohio Counties

Mammography screenings have the potential to protect individuals from the burden of cancer and can even save lives. However, in Ohio, many women are not receiving regular screenings. Recent research indicates that social determinants of health, such as income and education, can impact an individual’s ability to access mammography. Yet, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how these factors hinder an individual\u27s ability to obtain mammography screenings, particularly in urban and rural areas of Ohio. The introduction of mammography has facilitated early detection of breast cancer in women. By identifying gaps in access to mammography and implementing changes to improve accessibility for underserved populations, we can significantly improve morbidity and mortality outcomes related to breast cancer. Objective: To identify gaps in access to mammography screening in patients experiencing social determinants of health living in urban and rural counties of Ohio. Methods: We evaluated mammography screening rates among Medicare patients in rural and urban Ohio counties for 2016 and 2022. Our analysis explored the correlation between screening rates and primary care physician availability, median household income and high school completion. Data was extracted from County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Results: Our results indicated that patients with lower median household income in urban areas of Ohio experienced more difficulty in obtaining mammography services. Additionally, a high patient to primary care physician (PCP) ratio was correlated with lower rates of mammography in urban regions of Ohio. Conclusions: Understanding an individual’s socioeconomic barriers can empower physicians to recognize health disparities and advocate for preventive mammography screenings. Increasing mammography rates for patients affected by social determinants of health requires a comprehensive, patient-centered approach

A Systematic Review of Academic Discourse Interventions for School-Aged Children with Language-Related Learning Disabilities

Purpose: This systematic review synthesized a set of peer-reviewed studies published between 1985 and 2019 and addressed the effectiveness of existing narrative and expository discourse interventions for late elementary and middle school-aged students with language-related learning disabilities. Method: A methodical search of the literature for interventions targeting expository or narrative discourse structure for students ages 9-14 with group experimental designs identified 33 studies, seven of which met specific criteria to be included in this review. Results: An 8-point critical appraisal scale was applied to analyze the quality of the study design and effect sizes were calculated for six of the seven studies; equivocal to small effects of far transfer outcomes (i.e., generalizability to other settings) and equivocal to moderate near transfer outcomes (i.e., within the treatment setting) were identified. The most effective intervention studies provided explicit instruction of expository texts with visual supports and student generated learning materials (e.g., notes or graphic organizers) with moderate dosage (i.e., 180-300 minutes across 6-8 weeks) in a one-on-one or paired group setting. Greater intervention effects were also seen in children with reading and/or language disorders, compared to children with overall academic performance difficulties. Conclusions: A number of expository discourse interventions showed promise for student use of learned skills within the treatment setting (i.e.,near transfer outcomes), but had limited generalization of skills (i.e., far transfer outcomes)

Parent-Child Discrepancies in Children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Like Symptomatology

In a sample of children and adolescents with symptoms related to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), we characterized the relationship between parent and child ratings of symptoms as well as domains of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) relevant for the assessment of substantial reductions in functioning. Parent-child dyads (N = 147) were recruited as part of a community-based epidemiological study of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and CFS in Chicago. Parents and children completed the Children’s Health Questionnaire (CHQ) as well as the DePaul Pediatric Health Questionnaire (DPHQ). Results show that inter-rater reliability between parent and child responses was typically strong, however, in most domains, parents of children with CFS-like symptoms rate their child’s symptoms and HRQOL as more frequent and/or severe than the children themselves. Recommendations are provided for use of parent proxy and child self-report in diagnosis and implementation of case definitions

An Exploration of Automated Narrative Analysis Via Machine Learning

The accuracy of four machine learning methods in predicting narrative macrostructure scores was compared to scores obtained by human raters utilizing a criterion-referenced progress monitoring rubric. The machine learning methods that were explored covered methods that utilized hand-engineered features, as well as those that learn directly from the raw text. The predictive models were trained on a corpus of 414 narratives from a normative sample of school-aged children (5;0-9;11) who were given a standardized measure of narrative proficiency. Performance was measured using Quadratic Weighted Kappa, a metric of inter-rater reliability. The results indicated that one model, BERT, not only achieved significantly higher scoring accuracy than the other methods, but was consistent with scores obtained by human raters using a valid and reliable rubric. The findings from this study suggest that a machine learning method, specifically, BERT, shows promise as a way to automate the scoring of narrative macrostructure for potential use in clinical practice

The Grizzly, April 11, 2013

Drug Search Policy • Advocates Strive to Empower • Diversity Report • 4th Annual Cuts for a Cause April 14 • New Club Fosters School Spirit • Move-Out Program • Pause for Paws Brings Cheer • Opinion: Ritter Needs Renovating; The R Word Hurts • Class of \u2713 Spotlight: Kevin Wilson • Senior Spotlight: Liz Chatburn, Women\u27s Lacrosse • Men\u27s Lacrosse Beats Yorkhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1881/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 4, 2013

AFAC to Fund ESPN • No Tolerance for Open Containers • Staff Form Assembly • Transfer Students Offer Perspective on UC • Airband Event • Devoted Yet Battered Players • Blogging has Educational Benefits • Ursinus Students Celebrate World Water Month • Opinion: Seniors, Don\u27t Freak Out About the Future; Extra-Curriculars an Important Part of Education • Ursinus Athletics Struggles • Concussions Affecting UC Athleticshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1880/thumbnail.jp

Multiparameter analysis of naevi and primary melanomas identifies a subset of naevi with elevated markers of transformation

Here we have carried out a multiparameter analysis using a panel of 28 immunohistochemical markers to identify markers of transformation from benign and dysplastic naevus to primary melanoma in three separate cohorts totalling 279 lesions. We have identified a set of eight markers that distinguish naevi from melanoma. None of markers or parameters assessed differentiated benign from dysplastic naevi. Indeed, the naevi clustered tightly in terms of their immunostaining patterns whereas primary melanomas showed more diverse staining patterns. A small subset of histopathologically benign lesions had elevated levels of multiple markers associated with melanoma, suggesting that these represent naevi with an increased potential for transformation to melanoma