title: The efficacy of systematic desensitization for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs

authors: Butler, Rynae

subjects: systematic desensitization

abstract: The evaluation of systematic desensitization to treat separation-related problem behaviours, such as destruction of property, excessive barking, or house-soiling, has tended to rely on single case-studies. Eight dogs exhibiting separation-related behaviour, and their owners, participated in a controlled experiment using a within-subjects design to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of systematic desensitization and counter-conditioning. Treatment produced significant reductions in both the frequency (T(9)) = 0.0, P = 0.008) and the severity (T(9)) = 0.0, P = 0.008) of separation-related behaviours compared to baseline. Six dogs, for which follow-up data were obtained three months after treatment ended, showed almost complete elimination of the problem behaviour. The use of counter-conditioning, and other behavioural advice, did not appear to be related to the success of the treatment, suggesting that systematic desensitization was the critical element. Speed of progress and final success was not related to the consistency with which the owners applied systematic desensitization, indicating that even when owners apply systematic desensitization haphazardly, it can still be successful in treating separation-related behaviour in dogs.

text: The efficacy of systematic desensitization for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs The evaluation of systematic desensitization to treat separation-related problem behaviours, such as destruction of property, excessive barking, or house-soiling, has tended to rely on single case-studies. Eight dogs exhibiting separation-related behaviour, and their owners, participated in a controlled experiment using a within-subjects design to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of systematic desensitization and counter-conditioning. Treatment produced significant reductions in both the frequency (T(9)) = 0.0, P = 0.008) and the severity (T(9)) = 0.0, P = 0.008) of separation-related behaviours compared to baseline. Six dogs, for which follow-up data were obtained three months after treatment ended, showed almost complete elimination of the problem behaviour. The use of counter-conditioning, and other behavioural advice, did not appear to be related to the success of the treatment, suggesting that systematic desensitization was the critical element. Speed of progress and final success was not related to the consistency with which the owners applied systematic desensitization, indicating that even when owners apply systematic desensitization haphazardly, it can still be successful in treating separation-related behaviour in dogs.

year: 2010

title: Lock-in thermography using miniature infra-red cameras and integrated actuators for defect identification in composite materials

authors: Ólafsson, G.

abstract: A novel approach for thermographic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of laminated polymer composite structures is presented. The technique is based on Lock-In Thermography (LIT), which traditionally uses an external heat source. Here a new means of internal heating, via a lightweight embedded actuator capable of providing highly repeatable and uniform heating is presented. The equipment cost, complexity and hence size is reduced by removing the need for high power external thermal excitation. Instead, the necessary temperature modulation of the internal actuator is achieved with a compact and low-cost Arduino controlled circuit. The size and cost of the equipment is further reduced by demonstrating that a miniature printed circuit board mounted thermal core type micro-bolometer can be used effectively for LIT. The performance of the thermal core is quantitatively compared with the more expensive and bulky traditional infra-red cameras. It is shown that the thermal core can detect defects with similar overall performance as a cooled photon detector and an uncooled micro-bolometer. The low-cost, compact nature and small mass of the thermal core offers great potential in thermographic inspection opening the possibility of deploying devices permanently on structures in conjunction with the embedded actuators for in-situ monitoring in the service environment.

text: Lock-in thermography using miniature infra-red cameras and integrated actuators for defect identification in composite materials A novel approach for thermographic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of laminated polymer composite structures is presented. The technique is based on Lock-In Thermography (LIT), which traditionally uses an external heat source. Here a new means of internal heating, via a lightweight embedded actuator capable of providing highly repeatable and uniform heating is presented. The equipment cost, complexity and hence size is reduced by removing the need for high power external thermal excitation. Instead, the necessary temperature modulation of the internal actuator is achieved with a compact and low-cost Arduino controlled circuit. The size and cost of the equipment is further reduced by demonstrating that a miniature printed circuit board mounted thermal core type micro-bolometer can be used effectively for LIT. The performance of the thermal core is quantitatively compared with the more expensive and bulky traditional infra-red cameras. It is shown that the thermal core can detect defects with similar overall performance as a cooled photon detector and an uncooled micro-bolometer. The low-cost, compact nature and small mass of the thermal core offers great potential in thermographic inspection opening the possibility of deploying devices permanently on structures in conjunction with the embedded actuators for in-situ monitoring in the service environment.

year: 2022

title: Enabling conditions for professional development of te reo Māori teachers

authors: Franken, Margaret

subjects: Māori language teachers

abstract: The paper outlines a professional development programme for secondary school teachers of te reo Māori (under the auspices of Te Hiringa i te Mahara) conducted by a language teacher educator and an expert in Māori bilingualism and biliteracy. While the principles underpinning the programme reflect a strong task-based
orientation, the programme approached development needs for the teachers from the point of view of understanding “enabling conditions” (Franken, Rau, Ngata & Parata, n.d.) for effective language learning and teaching (see also Ellis, 2005),
rather than understanding task based learning and teaching per se. The programme drew on the current practices of the teachers and made use of epistemology of Māori language and Māori language learning. The paper presents observations from monitoring data collected during the programme supporting the claim that such an approach to the professional development of language teachers promotes a strong knowledge base and pedagogical reasoning skills (Richards, 1998), and in particular for te reo Māori teachers, fosters a sense of their own professional identity.

text: Enabling conditions for professional development of te reo Māori teachers The paper outlines a professional development programme for secondary school teachers of te reo Māori (under the auspices of Te Hiringa i te Mahara) conducted by a language teacher educator and an expert in Māori bilingualism and biliteracy. While the principles underpinning the programme reflect a strong task-based
orientation, the programme approached development needs for the teachers from the point of view of understanding “enabling conditions” (Franken, Rau, Ngata & Parata, n.d.) for effective language learning and teaching (see also Ellis, 2005),
rather than understanding task based learning and teaching per se. The programme drew on the current practices of the teachers and made use of epistemology of Māori language and Māori language learning. The paper presents observations from monitoring data collected during the programme supporting the claim that such an approach to the professional development of language teachers promotes a strong knowledge base and pedagogical reasoning skills (Richards, 1998), and in particular for te reo Māori teachers, fosters a sense of their own professional identity.

year: 2009