bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of motivational interviewing in smoking cessation at nurse‐led chronic obstructive pulmonary disease clinics
Authors: Efraimsson Eva Österlund , Fossum Bjöörn , Ehrenberg Anna , Larsson Kjell , Klang Birgitta
Published: July 2011

efraimsson e.ö., fossum b., ehrenberg a., larsson k. & klang b. (2011) Use of motivational interviewing in smoking cessation at nurse‐led chronic obstructive pulmonary disease clinics. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(4), 767–782.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to describe to what extent Registered Nurses, with a few days of education in motivational interviewing based communication, used motivational interviewing in smoking cessation communication at nurse‐led chronic obstructive pulmonary disease clinics in primary health care.

Background.  For smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the most crucial and evidence‐based intervention is smoking cessation. Motivational interviewing is often used in healthcare to support patients to quit smoking.

Method.  The study included two videotaped consultations, the first and third of three at the clinic, with each of 13 smokers. Data were collected from March 2006 to April 2007. The nurses’ smoking cessation communication was analysed using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity scale. To get an impression of the consultation, five parameters were judged on a five‐point Likert‐scale, with five indicating best adherence to Motivational Interviewing.

Results.  Evocation’, ‘collaboration’, ‘autonomy‐support’ and ‘empathy’ averaged between 1·31 and 2·23 whereas ‘direction’ scored five in all consultations. Of communication behaviours, giving information was the most frequently used, followed by ‘closed questions’, ‘motivational interviewing non–adherent’ and ‘simple reflections’. ‘Motivational interviewing adherent’, ‘open questions’ and ‘complex reflections’ occurred rarely. There were no important individual or group‐level differences in any of the ratings between the first and the third consultations.

Conclusion.  In smoking cessation communication the nurses did not employ behaviours that are important in motivational interviewing.
Cardiogenic oscillations in spontaneous breathing airway signal reflect respiratory system mechanics
Authors: SCHUMANN S. , MESSMER F. , LICHTWARCK‐ASCHOFF M. , HABERTHUER C. , GUTTMANN J.
Published: July 2011

Background: Heartbeat‐related pressure oscillations appear at the airway opening. We investigated whether these cardiogenic oscillations (COS) – extracted from spontaneous breathing signals – reflect the compliance of the respiratory system.

Methods: Fifteen volunteers breathed spontaneously at normal or reduced chest wall compliance, i.e. with and without thorax strapping, and at normal or reduced lung compliance, induced by positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP). COS‐related signals were extracted by averaging the flow and pressure curve sections, temporally aligned to the electrocardiogram signal.

Results: COS‐related airway pressure and flow curves correlated closely for each subject (r2=0.97±0.02, P<0.0001). At the unstrapped thorax, the oscillation's amplitudes were 0.07±0.03 cmH2O (pressure) and 22±10 ml/s (flow). COS‐related pressure amplitudes correlated closely with the ratio of tidal volume divided by pressure amplitude (r2=0.88, P<0.001) and furthermore increased with either thorax strapping (P<0.001) or with increasing PEEP (P=0.049).

Conclusion: We conclude that COS extracted from the pressure and flow signal reflect the compliance of the respiratory system and could potentially allow estimating respiratory system mechanics during spontaneous breathing.
ENDOSCOPIC STENTING VERSUS GASTROJEJUNOSTOMY FOR PALLIATION OF MALIGNANT GASTRIC OUTLET OBSTRUCTION
Authors: ZHENG BOBO , WANG XIN , MA BIN , TIAN JINHUI , JIANG LEI , YANG KEHU
Published: July 2011

The aim of the present study was to analyze endoscopic stenting versus gastrojejunostomy of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to analyze clinical trials on GOO. Six studies were eligible for analysis (three randomized control trials and three controlled clinical trials). Technical success (OR [95% CI]: 0.10 [0.02, 0.47]; I2 = 0%; P = 0.003) and minor complications (OR [95% CI]: 0.28 [0.10, 0.83]; I2 = 49%; P = 0.02). Time to oral intake and length of survival were also shorter in the endoscopic stenting (ES) group. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical success, length of survival, mortality and major complications. The present review demonstrated potentially improved quality of life in the ES group. ES is a safe and effective, minimally invasive and cost‐effective option for palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction. The present review provides supportive evidence that ES should be considered as the gold standard treatment for malignant GOO.
Evaluation of T‐stresses in multiple crack problems of finite plate
Authors: CHEN Y. Z.
Published: July 2011

This paper provides a solution for T‐stresses for multiple cracks in a finite plate. The results for stress intensity factors (SIFs) are also presented. The case of two cracks in a rectangular plate is taken as an example. In the problem, the crack faces are applied by some loadings, and tractions are free along edges of a rectangular plate. The whole stress field is considered as a superposition of three particular stress fields. The first and second stress fields are initiated by loadings on the first and second crack faces in an infinite plate. The third field is chosen in a polynomial form of complex potentials. After discretization, the loadings on two cracks and the undetermined coefficients in the complex potentials become the unknowns. The relevant algebraic equations are formulated. The solution of algebraic equations will lead to the results of SIFs and T‐stresses at the crack tips. Several numerical examples are presented, which were not reported previously.
The natural history of metastatic progression in men with prostate‐specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy: long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , Feng Zhaoyong , Trock Bruce J. , Humphreys Elizabeth B. , Carducci Michael A. , Partin Alan W. , Walsh Patrick C. , Eisenberger Mario A.
Published: July 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Patients with biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy often develop subsequent metastases. However, the natural history of metastatic progression in men who have not received subsequent therapies before developing metastases has been understudied.

Here, we describe the largest known cohort of men with PSA‐recurrent prostate cancer after prostatectomy who have not received additional treatments before metastasis. We characterize metastatic risk based on clinical variables, and we show that Gleason score and PSA doubling time are the strongest predictors of metastasis‐free survival. We present tables stratifying metastatic risk by these two variables.

OBJECTIVE

To describe metastasis‐free survival (MFS) in men with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) recurrence following radical prostatectomy, and to define clinical prognostic factors modifying metastatic risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 450 men treated with prostatectomy at a tertiary hospital between July 1981 and July 2010 who developed PSA recurrence (≥0.2 ng/mL) and never received adjuvant or salvage therapy before the development of metastatic disease.

We estimated MFS using the Kaplan–Meier method, and investigated factors influencing the risk of metastasis using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Median follow‐up after prostatectomy was 8.0 years, and after biochemical recurrence was 4.0 years. At last follow‐up, 134 of 450 patients (29.8%) had developed metastases, while median MFS was 10.0 years.

Using multivariable regressions, two variables emerged as independently predictive of MFS: PSA doubling time (<3.0 vs 3.0–8.9 vs 9.0–14.9 vs ≥15.0 months) and Gleason score (≤6 vs 7 vs 8–10).

Using these stratifications of Gleason score and PSA doubling time, tables were constructed to predict median, 5‐ and 10‐year MFS after PSA recurrence. In different patient subsets, median MFS ranged from 1 to 15 years.

CONCLUSIONS

In men undergoing prostatectomy, MFS after PSA recurrence is variable and is most strongly influenced by PSA doubling time and Gleason score. These parameters serve to stratify men into different risk groups with respect to metastatic progression.

Our findings may provide the background for appropriate selection of patients, treatments and endpoints for clinical trials.
Uniform Versus Discriminatory Tariffs
Authors: Hashimzade Nigar , Khodavaisi Hassan , Myles Gareth D.
Published: July 2011

We analyze the non‐cooperative interaction between two exporting countries producing differentiated products and one importing country when governments use optimal policies to maximize welfare. The analysis includes product differentiation, asymmetric costs, and Bertrand competition. For identical exporting countries we demonstrate that the importing country always prefers a uniform tariff regime while both exporting countries prefer a discriminatory tariff regime for any degree of product differentiation. If countries are asymmetric in terms of production cost then the higher‐cost exporter always prefers the discriminatory regime but the lower‐cost exporter prefers the uniform regime if there is a significant cost differential. With cost asymmetry the announcement of a uniform tariff regime by the importer is not a credible strategy since there is an incentive to deviate to discrimination. This implies an international body can play a role in ensuring that tariff agreements are respected.
Do Potential Skilled Emigrants Care about Political Stability at Home?
Authors: Dutta Nabamita , Roy Sanjukta
Published: July 2011

In this paper, we consider the role of political stability in the source country as a potential reason for skilled emigration. We control for all prospective source country characteristics, and yet skilled emigration is seen to be driven by a relatively better situation of political stability in the home country. Our research clearly shows that government stability, socioeconomic conditions, investment profiles, democratic accountability, internal conflict, and ethnic tensions in source nations have significant impacts on the rate of skilled emigration for a sample of developed and developing countries. The results retain robustness even for a subset of only developing nations.
Do Natural Resources Depress Income Per Capita?
Authors: Arezki Rabah , van der Ploeg Frederick
Published: July 2011

Most evidence for the resource curse comes from cross‐country growth regressions suffers from bias originating from the high and ever‐evolving volatility in commodity prices. These issues are addressed by providing new cross‐country empirical evidence for the effect of resources in income per capita. Natural resource dependence (resource exports) has a significant negative effect on income per capita, especially in countries with bad rule of law or bad policies, but these results weaken substantially once we allow for endogeneity. However, the more exogenous measure of resource abundance (stock of natural capital) has a significant negative effect on income per capita even after controlling for geography, rule of law and de facto or de jure trade openness. Furthermore, this effect is more severe for countries that have little de jure trade openness. These results are robust to using alternative measures of institutional quality (expropriation and corruption instead of rule of law).
A Note on Banking Reform and Poverty: Revisiting the Indian Social Banking Experiment
Authors: Platschorre Brenda , Bulte Erwin
Published: July 2011

Recent empirical work demonstrates that state‐led bank expansion in rural India has contributed to a reduction in the number of poor people. In this note it is shown that the social banking policies have not simultaneously decreased the rural poverty gap. This suggests a potential trade‐off for policy makers, hinted at by earlier theoretical modeling: while opening new bank branches in “unbanked locations” might lift some people out of poverty, it may increase the depth of poverty of others. The result also illustrates the value added of combining complementary poverty measures to achieve a more complete picture of the impact of policies on livelihoods.
Mobile MicroRNAs Hit the Target
Authors: Gursanscky Nial R. , Searle Iain R. , Carroll Bernard J.
Published: July 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are negative regulators of gene expression in eukaryotic organisms, whereas small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) guide host‐cell defence against viruses, transposons and transgenes. A key issue in plant biology is whether miRNAs act only in cells in which they are formed, or if, like siRNAs, they also function after passive diffusion or active transportation into other cells. Recent reports show that miRNAs are indeed able to move between plant cells to direct developmental programming of gene expression. In both leaf and root development, miRNAs establish intercellular gradients of gene expression that are essential for cell and tissue differentiation. Gradients in gene expression also play crucial roles in animal development, and there is strong evidence for intercellular movement of miRNAs in animals. Thus, intercellular movement of miRNAs may be crucial to animal developmental biology as well as plants.
Bean husks as a supplemental fiber for ruminants: Potential use for activation of fibrolytic rumen bacteria to improve main forage digestion
Authors: NGWE Tin , NUKUI Yoko , OYAIZU Shinya , TAKAMOTO Genki , KOIKE Satoshi , UEDA Koichiro , NAKATSUJI Hiroki , KONDO Seiji , KOBAYASHI Yasuo
Published: July 2011

This study evaluated the suitability of easily digested fiber sources as a supplemental fiber to improve overall fiber digestion in ruminants. First, the degradation of five fibrous feedstuffs and the stimulatory effects on rumen bacteria were examined in situ. Chickpea and lablab bean husks were selected for their potential use due to their large degradable fraction (> 94%), which had a stimulatory effect on fibrolytic rumen bacteria such as Fibrobacter succinogenes. Second, a possible improvement in the digestibility of rice straw diet by husk supplementation was monitored in vivo. Four dietary treatments comprising RS (rice straw and concentrate), CHM (RS supplemented with Myanmar chickpea husk), CHE (RS with Egyptian chickpea husk) and LH (RS with lablab bean husk) were allocated to four wethers. The digestibility of acid detergent fiber was 3.1–5.5% greater in CHM and LH than RS. Total volatile fatty acid concentration was higher in LH than other treatments. Acetate proportion was higher in LH than RS. Ruminal abundance of F. succinogenes was 1.3–1.5 times greater in CHM and LH than RS. These results suggest that bean husk supplementation, especially lablab bean husk, might improve the nutritive value of rice straw diet by stimulating fibrolytic bacteria.
Xenografting of gonadal tissues into mice as a possible method for conservation and utilization of porcine genetic resources
Authors: KIKUCHI Kazuhiro , NAKAI Michiko , KASHIWAZAKI Naomi , KANEKO Hiroyuki
Published: July 2011

In vitro production of embryos, including in vitro maturation, fertilization of oocytes and their subsequent culture to the embryo stage, has become the most popular method of studying gametogenesis and embryogenesis in pigs. As well as their utility for basic studies, these procedures now enable us to generate viable embryos and offspring as a means of conserving genetic resources and rare animal breeds. Recently, more advanced technologies such as xenografting of gonadal (testicular and ovarian) tissues into immunodeficient experimental animals have been developed. In combination with in vitro embryo production techniques, this approach may provide many benefits. We have been carrying out studies to acquire basic information about the application of this method to porcine species, and to improve the existing techniques. Recently, we obtained oocytes from ovarian tissue xenografted and grown in nude mice that had the capacity to be fertilized and the ability to develop into early‐stage embryos. We also obtained spermatozoa from the xenografted testicular tissues and injected them intracytoplasmically into in vitro‐matured oocytes to produce piglets. Here we discuss the further possibilities of conservation and utilization of porcine gonadal tissue by xenografting into immunodeficient mice.
Insulin receptor substrate 2 and FoxO3a signalling are involved in E‐cadherin expression and transforming growth factor‐β1‐induced repression in kidney epithelial cells
Authors: Carew Rosemarie M. , Browne Marie B. , Hickey Fionnuala B. , Brazil Derek P.
Published: July 2011

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins comprise a family of adaptor molecules that integrate extracellular signals from insulin and other ligands to intracellular effectors such as phosphoinositide 3‐kinase and mitogen‐activated protein kinase. The predominant forms of IRS protein in humans, IRS1 and IRS2, are widely expressed. Despite structural similarities, IRS1 and IRS2 display distinct signalling modalities, and mice lacking these proteins present with distinct phenotypes. Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 is the primary cytokine shown to induce epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Recent data have demonstrated a role for IRS1 in TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in lung epithelial cells. In the present study, we report data showing that TGF‐β1 signals via IRS2 in kidney epithelial cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)‐mediated targeting of IRS2 increased E‐cadherin expression, although it did not alter TGF‐β1‐mediated E‐cadherin repression. Phosphorylation of the downstream target of IRS2/Akt signalling, FoxO3a, was induced on Ser253 and, to a lesser extent, on Thr32. Transfection of FoxO3aThr32Ala mutant for 24 h greatly reduced FoxO3a phosphorylation on Ser253 but over‐expression of FoxO3a Ser253Ala did not effect Thr32 phosphorylation, suggesting that a distinct order of phosphorylation of FoxO3a is required for physiological function in cells. Transfection of FoxO3a Ser253Ala mutant partially inhibited TGF‐β1‐mediated E‐cadherin repression at 24 h. Taken together, these data highlight novel roles for IRS2 and FoxO3a in the regulation of kidney epithelial cells by E‐cadherin.
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Recombinant Human Parathyroid Hormone after Single‐ and Multiple‐Dose Subcutaneous Administration in Healthy Chinese Volunteers
Authors: Liu Yani , Shi Shaojun , Wu Jianhong , Li Zhongfang , Zhou Xingqin , Zeng Fandian
Published: July 2011

Abstract:  Recombinant human parathyroid hormone [rhPTH(1–84)] represents a new class of anabolic agents for the treatment of osteoporosis. The present study was designed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rhPTH(1–84) after single‐ and multiple‐dose subcutaneous administration in healthy Chinese volunteers. Six cohorts of 32 volunteers received a single dose of rhPTH(1–84) at 0.5–5.0 μg/kg, and two cohorts of 12 volunteers received 2.0 and 3.0 μg/kg of rhPTH(1–84) once daily for 7 consecutive days to assess its safety and tolerability. The results indicated that rhPTH(1–84) appeared to be safe and well tolerated. Additionally, pharmacokinetics of rhPTH(1–84) and its active N‐terminal fragment rhPTH(1–34) were investigated after administration of single 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 μg/kg doses of rhPTH(1–84) in 30 other volunteers and after multiple doses of 2.0 μg/kg once daily for 7 consecutive days. The pharmacokinetic parameters for rhPTH(1–84) and rhPTH(1–34) after subcutaneous administration of a single dose of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 μg/kg were as follows: Cmax = (110.54 ± 59.18), (149.70 ± 50.61) and (372.52 ± 94.96) pg/mL; (53.93 ± 6.27), (61.12 ± 11.28) and (89.04 ± 7.08) pg/mL, respectively. AUC0–10 = (268.87 ± 47.72), (538.93 ± 146.89) and (1364.11 ± 176.82) pg hr/mL; (197.20 ± 50.78), (207.15 ± 72.08) and (344.05 ± 77.06) pg hr/mL, respectively. t1/2 = (2.34 ± 1.93), (2.58 ± 1.18) and (2.74 ± 1.31) hr; (3.37 ± 1.82), (4.39 ± 3.79), and (3.99 ± 1.85) hr, respectively. Plasma Cmax and AUC values of rhPTH(1–84) and rhPTH(1–34) were found to be dose proportional. The pharmacokinetic parameters for rhPTH(1–84) and rhPTH(1–34) after administration of multiple doses of 2.0 μg/kg were as follows: Css_max = (164.96 ± 52.61) and (75.05 ± 7.31) pg/mL; Css_min = (6.99 ± 7.73) and (2.05 ± 2.82) pg/mL; AUCss = (567.26 ± 118.41) and (306.02 ± 77.55) pg hr/mL; t1/2 = (1.81 ± 0.89) and (2.27 ± 1.11) hr; DF = (6.93 ± 2.64) and (6.00 ± 1.37), respectively. After multiple doses, the pharmacokinetic parameters for rhPTH(1–84) were consistent with those after single dose. However, the mean Cmax and AUC0–10 of rhPTH(1–34) after multiple dosing were significantly higher than the corresponding values obtained after single‐dose administration. Serum total calcium and phosphate concentrations increased and decreased significantly at 4 hr post‐dosing, respectively.
Experimental Study of
Surface Roughness Effects on a Turbine Airfoil in a Linear Cascade— Part II: Aerodynamic
Losses
Authors: Lorenz M. , Schulz A. , Bauer H.-J.
Published: July 2011

The present experimental study is part of a comprehensive analysis accounting for heat transfer and aerodynamic losses on a highly loaded low pressure turbine blade with varying surface roughness. Whereas Part I focuses on heat transfer measurements at airfoil midspan with different deterministic surface roughnesses, Part II investigates surface roughness effects on aerodynamic losses of the same airfoil. A set of different arrays of deterministic roughness (the same as used in Part I) is investigated in these experiments. The height and eccentricity of the roughness elements are varied, showing the combined influence of roughness height and anisotropy on the losses produced in the boundary layers. It is shown that the boundary layer loss is dominated by the suction side. Therefore, the investigations focus on measurements of the suction side boundary layer thickness at midspan directly upstream of the trailing edge. The experiments are conducted at several freestream turbulence levels (Tu1=1.4–10.1%) and different Reynolds numbers. The measurements reveal that suction side boundary layer thickness is increased by up to 190% if surface roughness shifts the transition onset upstream. However, in some cases, at low Reynolds numbers and freestream turbulence, surface roughness suppresses boundary layer separation and decreases the trailing edge boundary layer thickness by up to 30%.
Influence of Grinding Parameters on Glass Workpieces Surface Finish Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Brient A. , Brissot M. , Rouxel T. , Sangleboeuf J.-C.
Published: July 2011

Surface finish determines service life of glass workpieces. Therefore, an extensive polishing phase is usually performed to limit the local irregularities. In this paper, we propose to investigate the influence of the grinding parameters on the surface finish of glass samples in order to limit the damages at the earlier stage of the machining process. A central composite design of experiments has been used to define experimental tries that consist of up-grinding or down-grinding glass samples with various feed rate, depth of cut, and wheel speed values. Roughness parameters derived from the Abbott–Firestone curve Rk, Rvk, and the material ratio 100–Mr2 have been used to characterize the surface finishes of the ground glass samples. Using the design of experiments, surface responses have been modeled for each roughness parameter to investigate the influence of the cutting parameters. Abbott–Firestone parameters allow a relevant characterization of the glass samples surface finishes. Feed rate increase led to deeper valleys, thus providing a rough surface finish that could potentially shorten workpieces service life. On the contrary, increasing depth of cut tend to reduce valley depth. Wheel speed has shown minor influence on the surface finish. Up-grinding could help obtain less deep valleys than with a down-grinding. However, up-grinding also increases the cutting forces and induces vibrations that led to an increase of the core roughness and eventually to the fracture of the glass sample during the machining. In a material removal context—in opposition with polishing—feed rate should be carefully chosen since it is the most influential parameter on the surface finish. To maximize productivity while obtaining low-valleys surface finishes, an appropriate strategy would consist in down-grinding with a low feed rate, a high depth of cut, and a high wheel speed.
Measuring body length of male sperm whales from their clicks: The relationship between inter-pulse intervals and photogrammetrically measured lengths
Authors: Growcott Abraham , Miller Brian , Sirguey Pascal , Slooten Elisabeth , Dawson Stephen
Published: July 2011

Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) emit short, broadband clicks which often include multiple pulses. The time interval between these pulses [inter-pulse interval (IPI)] represents the two-way time for a pulse to travel between the air sacs located at either end of the sperm whale’s head. The IPI therefore, is a proxy of head length which, using an allometric relationship, can be used to estimate total body length. Previous studies relating IPI to an independent measure of length have relied on very small sample sizes and manual techniques for measuring IPI. Sound recordings and digital stereo photogrammetric measurements of 21 individuals were made off Kaikoura, New Zealand, and, in addition, archived recordings of whales measured with a previous photogrammetric system were reanalyzed to obtain a total sample size of 33 individuals. IPIs were measured automatically via cepstral analysis implemented via a software plug-in for pamguard, an open-source software package for passive acoustic monitoring. IPI measurements were highly consistent within individuals (mean CV = 0.63%). The new regression relationship relating IPI (I) and total length (T) was found to be T = 1.258I + 5.736 (r2 = 0.77, p < 0.001). This new regression provides a better fit than previous studies of large (> 11 m) sperm whales.
Multi-input multi-output underwater communications over sparse and frequency modulated acoustic channels
Authors: Ling Jun , Zhao Kexin , Li Jian , Lundberg Nordenvaad Magnus
Published: July 2011

This paper addresses multi-input multi-output (MIMO) communications over sparse acoustic channels suffering from frequency modulations. An extension of the recently introduced SLIM algorithm, which stands for sparse learning via iterative minimization, is presented to estimate the sparse and frequency modulated acoustic channels. The extended algorithm is referred to as generalization of SLIM (GoSLIM). The sparseness is exploited through a hierarchical Bayesian model, and because GoSLIM is user parameter free, it is easy to use in practical applications. Moreover this paper considers channel equalization and symbol detection for various MIMO transmission schemes, including both space-time block coding and spatial multiplexing, under the challenging channel conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed approaches is demonstrated using in-water experimental measurements recently acquired during WHOI09 and ACOMM10 experiments.
Extracting the invariant model from the feedback paths of digital hearing aids
Authors: Ma Guilin , Gran Fredrik , Jacobsen Finn , Agerkvist Finn
Published: July 2011

Feedback whistling is a severe problem with hearing aids. A typical acoustical feedback path represents a wave propagation path from the receiver to the microphone and includes many complicated effects among which some are invariant or nearly invariant for all users and in all acoustical environments given a specific type of hearing aids. Based on this observation, a feedback path model that consists of an invariant model and a variant model is proposed. A common-acoustical-pole and zero model-based approach and an iterative least-square search-based approach are used to extract the invariant model from a set of impulse responses of the feedback paths. A hybrid approach combining the two methods is also proposed. The general properties of the three methods are studied using artificial datasets, and the methods are cross-validated using the measured feedback paths. The results show that the proposed hybrid method gives the best overall performance, and the extracted invariant model is effective in modeling the feedback path.
Some normative data on lip-reading skills (L)
Authors: Altieri Nicholas A. , Pisoni David B. , Townsend James T.
Published: July 2011

The ability to obtain reliable phonetic information from a talker’s face during speech perception is an important skill. However, lip-reading abilities vary considerably across individuals. There is currently a lack of normative data on lip-reading abilities in young normal-hearing listeners. This letter describes results obtained from a visual-only sentence recognition experiment using CUNY sentences and provides the mean number of words correct and the standard deviation for different sentence lengths. Additionally, the method for calculating T-scores is provided to facilitate the conversion between raw and standardized scores. This metric can be utilized by clinicians and researchers in lip-reading studies. This statistic provides a useful benchmark for determining whether an individual’s lip-reading score falls within the normal range, or whether it is above or below this range.
Evolution of statistical properties for a nonlinearly propagating sinusoid
Authors: Shepherd Micah R. , Gee Kent L. , Hanford Amanda D.
Published: July 2011

The nonlinear propagation of a pure sinusoid is considered using time domain statistics. The probability density function, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, and crest factor are computed for both the amplitude and amplitude time derivatives as a function of distance. The amplitude statistics vary only in the postshock realm, while the amplitude derivative statistics vary rapidly in the preshock realm. The statistical analysis also suggests that the sawtooth onset distance can be considered to be earlier than previously realized.
Sound radiation from an aperture in a rectangular enclosure under low modal conditions
Authors: Pàmies T. , Romeu J. , Genescà M. , Balastegui A.
Published: July 2011

This paper investigates both theoretically and experimentally the sound radiation from an aperture placed in an enclosure wall for the particular case of low modal sound field. The incidence field is composed of the enclosed sound field, which is calculated using the theoretical modal model presented. The transmitted sound is calculated by the Rayleigh radiation equation after continuity conditions have been applied in the aperture plane, assuming the condition of a thin wall. The model is experimentally validated by measuring the directivity and sound pressure radiated from an aperture in the side of a rectangular box. Because the walls of the enclosure are not rigid, an experimental procedure to determine its admittance is also presented. The experiments have been carried out for the first four modes of the enclosed sound field, and good agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental results. These results indicate that the admittance of the aperture, its radiation efficiency, and its directivity are all functions of the predominant mode shape, and the frequency, as well as the location and shape, of the aperture relative to the predominant enclosed mode shape.
Generating partially correlated noise—A comparison of methods
Authors: Hartmann William M. , Cho Yun Jin
Published: July 2011

There are three standard methods for generating two channels of partially correlated noise: the two-generator method, the three-generator method, and the symmetric-generator method. These methods allow an experimenter to specify a target cross correlation between the two channels, but actual generated noises show statistical variability around the target value. Numerical experiments were done to compare the variability for those methods as a function of the number of degrees of freedom. The results of the experiments quantify the stimulus uncertainty in diverse binaural psychoacoustical experiments: incoherence detection, perceived auditory source width, envelopment, noise localization/lateralization, and the masking level difference. The numerical experiments found that when the elemental generators have unequal powers, the different methods all have similar variability. When the powers are constrained to be equal, the symmetric-generator method has much smaller variability than the other two.
A displacement-pressure finite element formulation for analyzing the sound transmission in ducted shear flows with finite poroelastic lining
Authors: Nennig Benoit , Tahar Mabrouk Ben , Perrey-Debain Emmanuel
Published: July 2011

In the present work, the propagation of sound in a lined duct containing sheared mean flow is studied. Walls of the duct are acoustically treated with absorbent poroelastic foams. The propagation of elasto-acoustic waves in the liner is described by Biot’s model. In the fluid domain, the propagation of sound in a sheared mean flow is governed by the Galbrun’s equation. The problem is solved using a mixed displacement-pressure finite element formulation in both domains. A 3D implementation of the model has been performed and is illustrated on axisymmetric examples. Convergence and accuracy of the numerical model are shown for the particular case of the modal propagation in a infinite duct containing a uniform flow. Practical examples concerning the sound attenuation through dissipative silencers are discussed. In particular, effects of the refraction effects in the shear layer as well as the mounting conditions of the foam on the transmission loss are shown. The presence of a perforate screen at the air-porous interface is also considered and included in the model.
Detection thresholds for gaps, overlaps, and no-gap-no-overlaps
Authors: Heldner Mattias
Published: July 2011

Detection thresholds for gaps and overlaps, that is acoustic and perceived silences and stretches of overlapping speech in speaker changes, were determined. Subliminal gaps and overlaps were categorized as no-gap-no-overlaps. The established gap and overlap detection thresholds both corresponded to the duration of a long vowel, or about 120 ms. These detection thresholds are valuable for mapping the perceptual speaker change categories gaps, overlaps, and no-gap-no-overlaps into the acoustic domain. Furthermore, the detection thresholds allow generation and understanding of gaps, overlaps, and no-gap-no-overlaps in human-like spoken dialogue systems.
Finding the Right Time for a Change
Authors: Adler Elizabeth M.
Published: July 2011

The exact timing of a modulatory cholinergic signal is crucial to its effects on synaptic plasticity.
Becoming More BAT-Like
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: July 2011

Suppression of TGF-β signaling causes white adipose tissue to adopt properties characteristic of brown adipose tissue.
c-Cbl in GPCR Resensitization and Recycling
Authors: Thompson Heather M.
Published: July 2011

Efficient recycling of an internalized G protein–coupled receptor involves the C terminus of c-Cbl.
Crystallizing Fanconi Anemia Proteins
Authors: Riddihough Guy
Published: July 2011

The structure of the ID complex reveals how phosphorylation and ubiquitination could influence its stability and DNA-binding functions.
The association of current hormonal contraceptive use with type-specific HPV detection
Authors: Ghanem Khalil G , Datta S Deblina , Unger Elizabeth R , Hagensee Michael , Shlay Judith C , Kerndt Peter , Hsu Katherine , Koutsky Laura A
Published: July 2011

Background

Increased duration of hormonal contraceptive (HC) use may be positively associated with the risk of invasive cervical cancer.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis from the HPV Sentinel Surveillance Study. The authors examined the association between type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and current HC use among 7718 women attending 26 sexually transmitted disease, family planning and primary care clinics in the USA.

Results

There was an association between HC use and HPV-16 detection (adjusted prevalence rate ratio 1.34 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.71) for oral contraceptive users and 1.41 (1.01 to 2.04) for depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate users); there was no association between HC use and detection of other HPV types or any HPV overall.

Conclusions

Longitudinal studies are needed to better define this type-specific association and its clinical significance.
KT MEASUREMENT OF PARTONS FROM DI-HADRON CORRELATION AND A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH JET RECONSTRUCTION METHOD USING PYTHIA
Authors:   FOR THE STAR COLLABORATION, MONDAL MRIGANKA MOULI
Published: July 2011

The hard scattering processes appear as back to back jets in pp collisions. The effective transverse momentum of the two hard scattered partons (kt) arises due to the intrinsic transverse momentum of the partons and its broadening. Azimuthal correlations of the neutral clusters (mostly from π0) with transverse energy Et=6.5-18.5 GeV as trigger particles and the charged tracks as associated particles have been measured by the STAR experiment in pp and dAu collisions at [Formula: see text]. Using the di-hadron correlation technique the effect of the cold nuclear matter on [Formula: see text] is discussed. A simulation study from PYTHIA using simple di-jet like clustering is also discussed in context of results of [Formula: see text] from di-hadron correlations and di-jets.
Resequencing ofIRS2reveals rare variants for obesity but not fasting glucose homeostasis in Hispanic children
Authors: Butte Nancy F. , Voruganti V. Saroja , Cole Shelley A. , Haack Karin , Comuzzie Anthony G. , Muzny Donna M. , Wheeler David A. , Chang Kyle , Hawes Alicia , Gibbs Richard A.
Published: July 2011

Our objective was to resequence insulin receptor substrate 2 ( IRS2) to identify variants associated with obesity- and diabetes-related traits in Hispanic children. Exonic and intronic segments, 5′ and 3′ flanking regions of IRS2 (∼14.5 kb), were bidirectionally sequenced for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery in 934 Hispanic children using 3730XL DNA Sequencers. Additionally, 15 SNPs derived from Illumina HumanOmni1-Quad BeadChips were analyzed. Measured genotype analysis tested associations between SNPs and obesity and diabetes-related traits. Bayesian quantitative trait nucleotide analysis was used to statistically infer the most likely functional polymorphisms. A total of 140 SNPs were identified with minor allele frequencies (MAF) ranging from 0.001 to 0.47. Forty-two of the 70 coding SNPs result in nonsynonymous amino acid substitutions relative to the consensus sequence; 28 SNPs were detected in the promoter, 12 in introns, 28 in the 3′-UTR, and 2 in the 5′-UTR. Two insertion/deletions (indels) were detected. Ten independent rare SNPs (MAF = 0.001–0.009) were associated with obesity-related traits ( P = 0.01–0.00002). SNP 10510452_139 in the promoter region was shown to have a high posterior probability ( P = 0.77–0.86) of influencing BMI, fat mass, and waist circumference in Hispanic children. SNP 10510452_139 contributed between 2 and 4% of the population variance in body weight and composition. None of the SNPs or indels were associated with diabetes-related traits or accounted for a previously identified quantitative trait locus on chromosome 13 for fasting serum glucose. Rare but not common IRS2 variants may play a role in the regulation of body weight but not an essential role in fasting glucose homeostasis in Hispanic children.
Differences in Diffusion-Weighted Image and Transesophageal Echocardiographical Findings in Cardiogenic, Paradoxical and Aortogenic Brain Embolism
Authors: Fujimoto Shigeru , Toyoda Kazunori , Jinnouchi Juro , Yasaka Masahiro , Kitazono Takanari , Okada Yasushi
Published: July 2011

Background and Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to clarify the difference in the infarct topography on diffusion-weighted image (DWI) and cardiac and aortic findings on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in stroke patients with different embolic sources. Methods: We studied 270 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who had DWI-documented cortical or subcortical infarcts without significant stenosis of the cerebral arteries. As embolic sources, cardiac diseases, right-to-left shunt diseases and an aortic arch atheroma ≧4.0 mm in thickness were identified using various diagnostic tools including TEE. Results: Seventy-eight (29%) patients had multiple embolic sources. Large infarcts were common in patients in whom cardiac disease was the only embolic source and uncommon in patients in whom aortic atheroma was the only embolic source (p < 0.0001). Vertebrobasilar infarcts were relatively common in patients only having aortic atheromas. Atrial septal aneurysms were more common in patients with a right-to-left shunt than in those with a shunt plus other embolic sources (p = 0.0036). Unique characteristics of the arch atheroma (mobile plaque, extension to branches, or ulcer formation; p < 0.0001) as well as small or moderate-sized infarcts (p = 0.0004) were more common in patients with arch atheromas as the only embolic source than in those with atheromas plus other embolic sources. Conclusions: Embolic stroke patients often have multiple embolic sources. The present study suggests the possibility that embolic stroke has unique clinical features depending on its source. DWI and TEE findings might be helpful in characterizing cardiogenic, paradoxical and aortogenic brain embolism.
Combining Movement Kinematics, Efficiency Functions, and Brinley Plots to Study Age-Related Slowing of Sensorimotor Processes: Insights from Fitts’ Task
Authors: Rey-Robert Benoit , Temprado Jean-Jacques , Lemaire Patrick , Berton Eric
Published: July 2011

Background: Measurement of changes in human information-processing capacities underlying slowing of sensorimotor processes is an important challenge for aging research. Methods exist to estimate the magnitude of slowing and variability coefficients, but attempts to apply them in motor tasks have been scarce. In the present experiment we combined movement kinematic analysis, efficiency functions and Brinley plot to assess age-related slowing and variability of sensorimotor processes in a discrete Fitts’ aiming task. Objectives: (1) Quantifying slowing and variability for the different sensorimotor processes involved in aiming movements, and (2) determining whether changes occurred continuously over time by comparing different age groups. Methods: 29 participants (24–90 years) divided into four age groups were tested. Target size manipulation resulted in three levels of difficulty. Total movement time, durations of the first and secondary movement phases and related variability were analyzed. Fitts and Brinley regression functions were calculated on the basis of the different movement variables. Results: Only older participants were slower than the three younger age groups. For this group, age-difficulty effect was observed for total movement times, but analyses showed that only the secondary movement phase slowed multiplicatively. Additive and proportional increases in variability were also observed in older participants for the first and secondary movement phases, respectively. For the secondary movement phase, estimated slowing coefficients were comparable to those reported in cognitive literature. In addition, Brinley analyses showed that variability increased more than movement time in the secondary movement phase. Discussion: Combination of the different methods of analysis allowed a precise assessment of the locus of slowing and variability of sensorimotor processes in the different movement phases. Results showed that significant changes in both slowing and variability of the different processes occurred late in life. Our findings also suggest that slowing could result from age-induced increase in noise produced by the neural system. Finally, the present results raise the question of whether age-related slowing and increase in variability observed in both cognitive and sensorimotor domains share common causes in the central nervous system.
The ‘Outsiders of Islam’
Authors: Bidar Abdennour
Published: July 2011

This paper deals with the question whether muslims who live in the West might be considered as the future outsiders of the Islamic world. It suggests that the muslims of the West might become those through whom, in a totally unexpected and unforeseen fashion, could come the progress – even the salvation – of an Islamic civilization that the author considers as currently locked into a state of moral, social, intellectual and spiritual stagnation. To this effect, the author focuses mainly on the notion of individual and of human rights, and discusses how the Islamic and Western traditions might be brought together. The concept of God, in its relation to the human, plays here an essential role, which is discussed with reference, among others, to the work of mohammad Iqbal.
The Effects of an Oral Supplement Enriched With Fish Oil, Prebiotics, and Antioxidants on Nutrition Status in Crohn's Disease Patients
Authors: Wiese Dawn M. , Lashner Bret A. , Lerner Edith , DeMichele Stephen J. , Seidner Douglas L.
Published: July 2011

Background: Research in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) supports anti‐inflammatory benefits of n‐3 fatty acids from fish oil, prebiotics, and antioxidants. A nutritionally balanced inflammatory bowel disease nutrition formula (IBDNF) enriched with these compounds has the potential to improve nutrition status and disease activity in CD. Methods: This is an open‐label pilot study investigating the effects of IBDNF on nutrition status in CD patients. Twenty‐eight patients with active CD on stable medication were asked to consume 16 oz of IBDNF/d for 4 months. Nutrition status was assessed with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scans and serum micronutrient levels. Disease activity and quality of life were measured using the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). Results: Twenty patients completed the final visit. After 4 months, there was a significant decrease in plasma phospholipid levels of arachidonic acid with increases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid. Ten patients had a final EPA concentration of >2%. There was improvement in fat‐free and fat mass in patients with final EPA >2% (P = .014 and P = .05). Vitamin D (25‐OH) levels improved in all patients (18.5–25.9 ng/mL, P < .001). Those with EPA >2% had significantly lower CDAI (116 ± 94.5 vs 261.8 ± 86.5; P = .005) and higher IBDQ (179.1 ± 26.6 vs 114.6 ± 35.9, P < .001) compared to those with EPA <2%. Conclusions: IBDNF has the potential to deposit fat‐free and fat mass, improve vitamin D status, and improve quality of life in CD patients.
Book Review: The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Manual
Authors: Krall Allison M.
Published: July 2011

Bouma SF Btaiche IF Cober MP Jordan LM, RD Khalidi N Kovacevich DS Paski DA Pleva M Wooley J. The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Manual. August 2010. Restruture page‐count as size[@units=“page”] 194 pp.