bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Break Down of Losses in Thin Electrolyte SOFCs
Authors: Barfod R. , Hagen A. , Ramousse S. , Hendriksen P. V. , Mogensen M.
Published: April 2006

The contributions of the individual components of the cell (anode, cathode, and electrolyte) to the cell resistance were determined experimentally, directly from impedance spectra obtained from a full cell. It was an anode supported thin electrolyte cell, consisting of a YSZ electrolyte, a Ni/YSZ cermet anode, and a LSM composite cathode. Additional, qualitative information was obtained using symmetric cells with LSM composite electrodes. The investigations were carried out in the temperature interval from 700 to 850 °C. The electrolyte and anode activation energies obtained were 0.9 and 1.1 eV, respectively, which is in relatively good agreement with literature values. The anode resistance was 0.24 Ω cm2 and the cathode resistance was 0.58 Ω cm2 at 700 °C, corresponding to 23% and 56% of the total resistance, respectively.
Testing of Ni‐Plated Ferritic Steel Interconnect in SOFC Stacks
Authors: Nielsen K. A. , Dinesen A. R. , Korcakova L. , Mikkelsen L. , Hendriksen P. V. , Poulsen F. W.
Published: April 2006

Stack tests were run at 850 °C for periods from 80 hours to 1,150 hours to develop contacting procedures and at the same time evaluate the performance of a 5 μm electroplated nickel coating on a ferritic Fe22Cr interconnect. The metallic nickel coating reacted relatively quickly during the initial heating to 1,030 °C. During this time, 20–70 μm thick surface layers of austenitic steel were formed, which were covered by a 1–4 μm chromia layer on the anode side and by a layer of mixed Cr‐Fe‐Ni‐spinels over a 1–4 μm chromia layer on the cathode side. The microstructure and composition of the protective scale on the cathode side was susceptible to pitting‐type corrosion patterns, which may limit the life expectancy to less than 2,000 hours for the 200 μm thick interconnect tested. The initial area‐specific resistances (ASR) at the interconnect/cathode current collector interface and the interconnect/anode current collector interface were very low (2 and 10 mΩ cm2, respectively). The cathode side interface resistance increased over the 1,150 hours by ∼7 mΩ cm2/103�h, but the anode side interface resistance decreased during the first 600 hours of the experiment before it started to show a slight increase, < 1 mΩ cm2/103�h, maintaining values below 1 mΩ cm2.
In vitro culture conditions favoring selection of chromosomal abnormalities in human ES cells
Authors: Imreh M.P. , Gertow K. , Cedervall J. , Unger C. , Holmberg K. , Szöke K. , Csöregh L. , Fried G. , Dilber S. , Blennow E. , Ährlund‐Richter L.
Published: April 2006

Previous studies in several laboratories have demonstrated inadvertent chromosomal abnormalities in long‐term cultured human embryonic stem cells (HESC). Here, using a two‐step selection process we report a functional adaptation of a HESC line, HS181, towards a decreased dependence of extra cellular matrix (ECM) for in vitro survival, that is for growth directly onto a plastic surface. Successful adaptation was paralleled with a karyotype change in 100% of the cells to 47,XX,del(7)(q11.2),+i(12)(p10). The resulting adapted population showed increased survival and growth on plastic and also maintained expression of HESC markers, but showed a decreased pluripotency, as demonstrated by results from embryoid body (EB) formation in vitro. The finding of reduced pluripotency may not be totally unexpected since the variant cells were selected for self‐renewal and proliferation, not differentiation during the adaptation to growth on plastic. In the light of recent models of a germ cell origin of HESC it is of particular interest that similar to many of the reported spontaneous HESC mutants, one of the identified specific chromosome abnormalities, i(12p), has also been strongly implicated for human germ cell cancer. However, the mutated HESC variant carrying this mutation failed to grow as a xeno‐graft in a mouse model in vivo. This is surprising and needs a further mechanistic analysis for its explanation. Increased knowledge of genetic integrity of HESC may have significance on the understanding of mechanisms for tumor progression and thus strategy for treatments, particularly for tumors occurring in early life. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 508–516, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Caregiving time in sickle cell disease: Psychological effects in maternal caregivers
Authors: Moskowitz Judith Tedlie , Butensky Ellen , Harmatz Paul , Vichinsky Elliott , Heyman Melvin B. , Acree Michael , Wrubel Judith , Wilson Leslie , Folkman Susan
Published: April 2006

Background

Providing home care for a child with a chronic illness can be stressful for the family. The purpose of this paper is to examine patterns of caregiving and the associated psychological impact on maternal caregivers of children with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Procedure

Fourteen maternal caregivers of children with SCD were interviewed as part of a larger study of maternal caregivers of children with chronic illness. Forty‐four caregivers of children with HIV and 36 caregivers of healthy children were included as comparison groups. Interviews included questions regarding amount of time spent providing care for the child (technical care, non‐technical care, health care management), hospitalization, emergency room visits, illness stigma, and mental health of the caregiver.

Results

Children with SCD had significantly lower functional status and significantly more hospitalizations in the previous 3 months than children with HIV. Caregivers of children with SCD were more likely to work full‐time and had higher incomes than caregivers of children with HIV. The three caregiving groups did not differ significantly on amount of total care, although caregivers of children with SCD and caregivers of children with HIV both reported significantly more time spent in technical care than caregivers of healthy children. Despite lower functional status of the children in the SCD group, when group comparisons on caregiving time variables were adjusted for child's functional status, the differences between groups increased. This appeared to be due to the fact that caregivers in the HIV group spent more time in all caregiving categories except skin, crisis, and other care. In terms of caregiver mental health, caregivers of children with HIV and SCD had significantly higher depressive mood scores than caregivers of healthy children but the groups did not differ on caregiving burden.

Conclusions

The perceived care burden of caregivers of children with SCD may be related to the unpredictable nature of the crisis care they provide. Additional attention is warranted to developing adequate resources for caregivers of children with SCD to mitigate the stress of unexpected crises. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:64–71. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative proteomic analysis of hypoxia‐treated and untreated human leukemic U937 cells
Authors: Han Yu‐Hui , Xia Li , Song Li‐Ping , Zheng Ying , Chen Wen‐Li , Zhang Lei , Huang Ying , Chen Guo‐Qiang , Wang Li‐Shun
Published: April 2006

We reported recently that moderate hypoxia and hypoxia‐mimetic agents could induce growth arrest and differentiation of leukemic cells via the mediation of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF‐1α), but the exact molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, human acute promonocytic leukemic U937 cells were incubated under 2% O2 or in 50 µM of the hypoxia mimetic agent cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and normal oxygen for 24 h, and their protein expression profiles were compared by 2‐DE coupled with MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS/MS. We identified 62 and 16 proteins that were significantly deregulated by hypoxia and CoCl2 treatment, respectively. These proteins were mainly involved in metabolism, gene expression regulation, signal transduction, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. As an example, N‐myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), a putative differentiation‐related gene, was up‐regulated in both 2% O2‐ and CoCl2‐treated U937 cells. Moreover, enforced HIF‐1α expression also elevated NDRG1 mRNA and protein in U937 cells. These data will provide some clues for understanding mechanisms by which leukemic cells response to hypoxia.
Gauge/string duality in confining theories
Authors: Edelstein J.D. , Portugues R.
Published: April 2006

This is the content of a set of lectures given at the “XIII Jorge André Swieca Summer School on Particles and Fields”, Campos do Jordão, Brazil in January 2005. They intend to be a basic introduction to the topic of gauge/gravity duality in confining theories. We start by reviewing some key aspects of the low energy physics of non‐Abelian gauge theories. Then, we present the basics of the AdS/CFT correspondence and its extension both to gauge theories in different spacetime dimensions with sixteen supercharges and to more realistic situations with less supersymmetry. We discuss the different options of interest: placing D–branes at singularities and wrapping D–branes in calibrated cycles of special holonomy manifolds. We finally present an outline of a number of non‐perturbative phenomena in non‐Abelian gauge theories as seen from supergravity.
Clinical evaluation of the Chinese herbal medicine formula STA‐1 in the treatment of allergic asthma
Authors: Chang Tung‐Ti , Huang Chieh‐Chen , Hsu Ching‐Hsiang
Published: April 2006

Although some formulae of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have been used for antiasthma treatment, few of them have had sufficient discussion on their efficacy, safety and mechanisms. In this study, the availability of the TCM formula STA‐1 for the treatment of allergic asthma was investigated by conducting a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled and randomized trial. One hundred and twenty patients between the ages of 5 to 20 years with mild‐to‐moderate asthma were included. These patients were treated with either STA‐1 or placebo in a dose of 80 g/kg/day and were administered twice daily for 6 months. The main outcome measures were a daily diary record of symptoms, supplementary bronchodilator and glucocorticoid treatment, changes of pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s), changes of total and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP)‐specific IgE and side effects. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of symptom scores, systemic steroid dose, total IgE and specific IgE in the STA‐1 group. Furthermore, STA‐1 also improved the pulmonary lung function FEV1 compared with the placebo group and only minimal side effects were shown. These results suggested that STA‐1 is available for the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate chronic asthma. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A natural sweetener, Momordica grosvenori, attenuates the imbalance of cellular immune functions in alloxan‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: Song Fangfang , Chen Weijun , Jia Wenbo , Yao Ping , Nussler Andreas K. , Sun Xiufa , Liu Liegang
Published: April 2006

Momordica grosvenori (MG), a traditional medicinal herb in China used as a substitute sugar for obese and diabetic patients, exhibited an enhancement of immunity. Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) is among the acute phase proteins that play an important role in the inflammatory process and have antiinflammatory activities with their antioxidant properties. The hypothesis that MG could modulate an imbalance of the cellular immune system and prevent the progression of diabetes mellitus, via induction of HO‐1 protein expression was investigated. Diabetes was induced in male Balb/c mice by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (200 mg/kg). The mice were randomly assigned to non‐diabetic and diabetic groups, and further subdivided according to their treatments: control (distilled water), low dose MG (150 mg/kg) and high dose MG (300 mg/kg), which were administered by gavage in 24 h cycles over a 30 day period. MG administration effectively regulated the immune imbalance in diabetic mice, principally by upregulating the CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets, and remodeling the intracellular cytokine profiles (reducing the expression of pro‐inflammatory Th1 cytokines towards a beneficial Th2 pattern), ascribed to its induction and upregulation of HO‐1. In conclusion, MG exhibited antidiabetic effects and may be used as a new natural drug for the treatment of diabetes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AN ALGEBRA OF PSEUDODIFFERENTIAL OPERATORS WITH SLOWLY OSCILLATING SYMBOLS
Authors: KARLOVICH YU. I.
Published: April 2006

Let $V(\mathbb{R})$ denote the Banach algebra of absolutely continuous functions of bounded total variation on $\mathbb{R}$, and let $\mathcal{B}_p$ be the Banach algebra of bounded linear operators acting on the Lebesgue space $L^p(\mathbb{R})$ for $1 < p < \infty$. We study the Banach algebra $\mathfrak{A}\subset\mathcal{B}_p$ generated by the pseudodifferential operators of zero order with slowly oscillating $V(\mathbb{R})$-valued symbols on $\mathbb{R}$. Boundedness and compactness conditions for pseudodifferential operators with symbols in $L^\infty (\mathbb{R}, V(\mathbb{R}))$ are obtained. A symbol calculus for the non-closed algebra of pseudodifferential operators with slowly oscillating $V(\mathbb{R})$-valued symbols is constructed on the basis of an appropriate approximation of symbols by infinitely differentiable ones and by use of the techniques of oscillatory integrals. As a result, the quotient Banach algebra $\mathfrak{A}^\pi = {\mathfrak A} / \mathcal{K}$, where $\mathcal{K}$ is the ideal of compact operators in $\mathcal{B}_p$, is commutative and involutive. An isomorphism between the quotient Banach algebra $\mathfrak{A}^\pi$ of pseudodifferential operators and the Banach algebra $\widehat{\mathfrak{A}}$ of their Fredholm symbols is established. A Fredholm criterion and an index formula for the pseudodifferential operators $A \in \mathfrak{A}$ are obtained in terms of their Fredholm symbols.
Cutlets or Fish Curry?: Debating Indian Authenticity in Late Nineteenth-Century Bengal
Authors: CHAUDHURI ROSINKA
Published: April 2006

Current discussions on the development of modern literary genres and aesthetic conventions in nineteenth-century colonial Bengal have tended, perhaps because of its relative neglect in the modern day, to ignore the seminal role of poetry in formulating the nationalist imagination. In academic discourse, the coming together of the birth of the novel, the concept of history and the idea of the nation-state under the sign of the modern has led to a collective blindness toward the forceful intervention of poetry and song in imagining the nation. Thus Dipesh Chakrabarty, in a chapter devoted to poetry in Provincializing Europe, ironically elides any mention of it at the crucial instance of the formulation of national modernity, when he takes his argument about the division between the prosaic and the poetic in Tagore further to say, without mentioning the seminal role of poetry, that: ‘The new prose of fiction—novels and short stories—was thus seen as intimately connected to questions of political modernity’. Partha Chatterjee discusses, in the introduction to The Nation and Its Fragments, the shaping of critical discourse in colonial Bengal in relation to drama, the novel, and even art, but ignores completely the fiercely contested and controversial processes by which modern Bengali poetry and literary criticism were formulated. ‘The desire to construct an aesthetic form that was modern and national’, to use his words, ‘was shown in its most exaggerated shape’ not, it is my contention, in the Bengal school of art in the 1920s as he says, but long before that in the poetry of Rangalal Banerjee, Hemchandra Bandyopadhyay, Madhusudan Dutt, and Nabinchandra Sen, and in the literary criticism and controversy surrounding their work.
PRIORITY FOR COMPATRIOTS: COMMENTARY ON GLOBALIZATION AND JUSTICE
Authors: TAN KOK-CHOR
Published: April 2006

In his stimulating and provocative collection of essays, Globalization and Justice, Kai Nielsen (2003b) defends a cosmopolitan account of global justice. On the cosmopolitan view, as Nielsen understands it, individuals are entitled to equal consideration regardless of citizenship or nationality and global institutions should be arranged in such a way that each person's interest is given equal consideration. Nielsen's defense of cosmopolitan justice in this collection will be of no surprise to readers familiar with his socialist egalitarian commitments. Indeed, the internationalism underlying socialism, Nielsen would argue, naturally entails the cosmopolitan account of justice (e.g., chs. 5 and 6).
NIELSEN'S JUST GLOBALIZATION
Authors: MANDLE JON
Published: April 2006

Kai Nielsen's work truly is a model for what engaged philosophical argument can and should aspire to be. He is militantly committed to clarity and to the rejection of dogma. His palpable good faith and sincerity are evident in everything he writes. I can't pretend to have read more than a fraction of Nielsen's voluminous writings, but one of my favorite passages of his is from a recent essay and is reprinted in Globalization and Justice:
Ein psychologisches Rahmenkonzept zur Analyse von Fusions- und Akquisitionsprozessen
Authors: Klendauer Ruth , Frey Dieter , Greitemeyer Tobias
Published: April 2006

Zusammenfassung. Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick zur aktuellen Forschung über Fusionen und Akquisitionen (M&A) aus psychologischer Perspektive. Basierend auf dem Rahmenkonzept der Psychologie von M&A von Hogan und Overmyer-Day (1994) werden Variablen aufgeführt, die zentral sind für die Analyse von Fusions- und Akquisitionsprozessen, da sie den Erfolg eines Unternehmenszusammenschlusses beeinflussen. Zum einen ergänzen wir dieses Modell durch Faktoren, die sich aus psychologischen Theorien ableiten und für ein professionelles Integrationsmanagement von Bedeutung sind. Zum anderen wird die empirische Forschung der letzten 10 Jahre ergänzt sowie eine leicht veränderte Systematisierung der Faktoren vorgeschlagen. Abschließend werden die Zusammenhänge zwischen den Variablen und der Bedarf an zukünftiger Forschung diskutiert.
Konstruktion mentaler Repräsentationen beim Hör- und Leseverstehen
Authors: Kürschner Christian , Schnotz Wolfgang , Eid Michael
Published: April 2006

Zusammenfassung. Seit Erfindung der Schrift stellt sich die Frage, inwieweit sich das Hör- und das Leseverstehen voneinander unterscheiden. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde untersucht, ob beim Hör- und Leseverstehen unterschiedliche Lernleistungen erzielt und unterschiedliche mentale Repräsentationen konstruiert werden. Zudem wurde überprüft, welchen Einfluss Sprecherwechsel bei der auditiven Textpräsentation haben. Dabei wurden auch der Kommunikationsschwerpunkt von Personen und die subjektiv eingeschätzte Modalitätspräferenz berücksichtigt. Das experimentelle Untersuchungsdesign bestand aus dem Faktor Art der Textpräsentation (Lesetext, Hörtext mit einem Sprecher und Hörtext mit mehreren Sprechern) und dem Faktor Bildung (Berufsschüler und Studenten). Anhand von 104 Versuchspersonen konnte gezeigt werden, dass Leser/innen besser beim Erinnern von Detailwissen abschnitten. Der in anderen Forschungsarbeiten gefundene Vorteil von Hörern bei der Repräsentation von visuell-räumlichen Sachverhalten und Verstehensaufgaben konnte nicht repliziert werden. Zudem zeigte sich, dass die Präsentation von Hörtext mit mehreren Sprechern nur bei Verstehensaufgaben von Vorteil war, nicht jedoch bei der Konstruktion anderer mentaler Repräsentationen. Hinsichtlich der Modalitätspräferenzen konnte zwar gezeigt werden, dass diese sich auf das Informationswahlverhalten, die aktuelle Präferenz, auswirken, es jedoch nicht zu besseren Lernleistungen kommt, wenn der Kommunikationsschwerpunkt oder die präferierte Modalität mit der Modalität der Textpräsentation übereinstimmt.
Unterhaltsamer Mediengebrauch und Spracherwerb:
Authors: Ritterfeld Ute , Niebuhr Sandra , Klimmt Christoph , Vorderer Peter
Published: April 2006

Zusammenfassung. Es werden 2 Experimente vorgestellt, die den kausalen Zusammenhang zwischen dem Unterhaltungspotenzial von Hörspielen, der Aufmerksamkeit und dem Sprachlernen von drei- bis vierjährigen Kindern untersuchen. In Experiment 1 wurde 20 Kindern ein eigens produziertes Hörspiel zweimal präsentiert, anschließend wurden hörspielbezogene Sprachlerneffekte durch einen Satzergänzungstest erfasst. Im Vergleich dazu erhielt eine zweite Gruppe von 20 hinsichtlich Alter, Geschlecht und Sprachkompetenz parallelisierten Kindern dasselbe Hörspiel unter aufmerksamkeitsbeeinträchtigten Bedingungen. Ein Vergleich der Sprachleistungen bestätigt die Bedeutsamkeit der Aufmerksamkeit für den Sprachlernerfolg. Experiment 2 vergleicht langfristige Sprachlerneffekte bei 20 Kindern, die im Verlauf von 14 Tagen ein unterhaltsames Hörspiel hörten, mit 20 Kindern, die ein weniger unterhaltsames Hörspiel erhielten, und einer Kontrollgruppe (n = 10). Zur Messung der abhängigen Variablen wurde ein hörspielproximaler Satzergänzungstest eingesetzt sowie die Spontansprache der Kinder analysiert. Die deutlich höheren Leistungen der beiden Experimentalgruppen im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe weisen die Sprachförderlichkeit des Hörspiels nach, wobei die Effekte mit der Zeit zunehmen und stabil bleiben. Der Einfluss der Unterhaltsamkeit wird insofern deutlich, als in dieser Bedingung das Lernmaximum schneller erreicht wird.
Wintertime survey of LF field strengths in Japan
Authors: Wakai Noboru , Kurihara Noriyuki , Otsuka Atsushi , Imamura Kuniyasu , Takahashi Yukio
Published: April 2006

A nationwide survey for measuring field strengths at 40 and 60 kHz was carried out in the winter months of 2004 to estimate the service area of the standard frequency and time signals. The data obtained were analyzed in comparison with the resultant field strengths of sky waves and the ground wave which were predicted using a method developed by one of the authors. Good agreement was seen between the measured and predicted field strengths.
Wetland dynamics using a suite of satellite observations: A case study of application and evaluation for the Indian Subcontinent
Authors: Papa Fabrice , Prigent Catherine , Durand Fabien , Rossow William B.
Published: April 2006

Using a suite of satellite observations, including passive and active microwave along with visible and infrared observations developed to estimate wetlands on a global scale, the present study examine wetlands spatial and temporal dynamics over the Indian subcontinent, a region subject to an annual monsoon. Monthly wetlands extent estimates over a 2‐year (1993–1994) period and their consistency are analyzed using independent data sets, such as rainfall rate in‐situ rain‐gauge observations and the Global Precipitation Climatology Project product, as well as river water levels derived from radar altimeter observations. The extent variations show a good agreement with the rain‐gauge data, a high correlation with the GPCP rain data and a similar seasonal cycle with the altimeter estimates over the 2 years. This case study evaluation shows the potential of the remote sensing to give spatial‐temporal consistent information on the variability of flooded areas and encourages the development of longer satellite wetlands estimates.
Introducing Young Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing to Spoken Language
Authors: Wilkins Michele , Ertmer David J.
Published: April 2006

This article provides an overview of the workings of an oral school for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The key features of the school include low student-teacher ratios, teachers who are trained as oral educators of deaf children, ongoing staff and parent education, specialized curricula, and a strong emphasis on listening and speaking throughout the day. Approximately 75% of the students at the school use cochlear implants; the remainder wear hearing aids. The graduates of this program have shown that an oral school can help many children who are deaf or hard of hearing achieve success as oral communicators and students in mainstream classrooms.
Comparison of Three Approaches to Supplementary Reading Instruction for Low-Achieving Second-Grade Readers
Authors: Berninger Virginia W. , Vermeulen Karin , Abbott Robert D. , McCutchen Deborah , Cotton Susanna , Cude Jennifer , Dorn Susan , Sharon Tod
Published: April 2006

Purpose:
This research evaluated the relative effectiveness of three instructional approaches to supplementing the regular reading program for second graders with low word reading and/or pseudoword reading skills.

Method:
In the instructional experiment, 96 second graders with low reading achievement were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (a) explicit and reflective word recognition, (b) explicit and reflective reading comprehension, (c) combined explicit word recognition and explicit reading comprehension, or (d) treated control that only practiced reading skills without any instruction. In the extension study, these conditions were compared to an untreated control group of 29 second graders.

Results:
In the instructional experiment, combined word recognition and reading comprehension treatment increased phonological decoding (pronouncing pseudowords) significantly more than the treated control or word recognition only treatment and had the highest effect size. The comprehension only treatment was not significantly different from the treated control. In the extension study, (a) the treated children receiving supplemental instruction improved significantly more in phonological decoding and reading real words than did those in the regular program, and (b) the combined word recognition and reading comprehension treatment, which was explicit, had the highest effect sizes for both pseudoword and real-word reading.

Clinical Implications:
The most effective supplemental instruction for increasing phonological decoding was combining explicit word recognition and explicit reading comprehension training.
Prologue: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Diehl Sylvia F.
Published: April 2006

As the need for services for children with autism and related disorders has increased, so has the need for information about communication assessment and intervention for these children. Each of the articles in this forum considers essential knowledge for meeting the social, behavioral, and communication challenges presented by this population, as well as considerations for the individual variation noted within this population. It is hoped that the knowledge contained in this forum will provide interdisciplinary insight into the challenges of autism and related disorders and a research-based framework for making assessment and intervention decisions.
Spontaneous and Imitated Productions in Spanish-Speaking Children With Phonological Disorders
Authors: Goldstein Brian , Fabiano Leah , Iglesias Aquiles
Published: April 2006

Purpose:
Research examining the relationship between spontaneous and imitated productions for phonological analysis has indicated that the inclusion of imitated productions may overestimate children’s phonological abilities. Previous research in this area has included only English-speaking children. The purpose of this study was to determine what, if any, differences there were in the spontaneous and imitated productions of Spanish-speaking children with phonological disorders.

Method:
Twelve Spanish-speaking children with phonological disorders (5 boys and 7 girls), ranging in age from 3;1 (years;months) to 4;9 (
M
=3;11), participated in the study. Their spontaneous and imitated productions, based on a sample of single words, were analyzed to determine which elicitation task yielded the more adult-like production. Differences in consonant accuracy between the two tasks were analyzed, as was the shift in error type from spontaneous to imitated productions.

Results:
The results indicated that spontaneous and imitated productions were identical in 62% of the cases, an imitated production was more adult-like than a spontaneous one in 25% of the cases, and a spontaneous form was more adult-like than an imitated one in approximately 13% of the cases. Consonant accuracy for some children also varied as a function of elicitation task.

Clinical Implications:
For additional diagnostic and prognostic value, speech-language pathologists can incorporate imitated responses in their analyses.
Why We Should Consider Pragmatics When Planning Treatment for Children Who Stutter
Authors: Weiss Amy L.
Published: April 2006

Pragmatics, the use of language in context, has been investigated only recently in the language used by children who stutter (CWS). Historically, researchers compared the length and complexity of the syntactic constructions produced by these children with those of children who do not stutter (CWNS) and generally found the CWS to be relatively deficient. More recently, some investigators have begun to address how the language and fluency of CWS are influenced in different communicative settings. This article describes several findings concerning the pragmatic competencies of CWS set against the traditional framework of pragmatic language development. Most studies have shown no significant differences between the CWS and CWNS groups, although some aspects of pragmatic language use have yielded an exacerbation of stuttering for CWS. These findings have suggested specific ways of incorporating a pragmatic focus in the treatment programming for CWS where the degree of difficulty of language use is increased gradually.
Embedded-Explicit Emergent Literacy Intervention II
Authors: Kaderavek Joan N. , Justice Laura M.
Published: April 2006

This article, the second in a two-part series, provides guidance to speech-language pathologists (SLPs) for implementing the explicit component of the embedded-explicit emergent literacy intervention model for at risk preschool and kindergarten children. The explicit component refers to the provision of regular structured therapeutic interactions that intentionally target critical emergent literacy goals. This article describes fundamental principles of explicit literacy instruction, identifies literacy domains targeted as part of explicit literacy instruction, and presents examples of how early childhood classrooms can be organized to implement the embedded-explicit model.
Classroom Noise and Children Learning Through a Second Language
Authors: Nelson Peggy , Kohnert Kathryn , Sabur Sabina , Shaw Daniel
Published: April 2006

Purpose:
Two studies were conducted to investigate the effects of classroom noise on attention and speech perception in native Spanish-speaking second graders learning English as their second language (L2) as compared to English-only-speaking (EO) peers.

Method:
Study 1 measured children’s on-task behavior during instructional activities with and without soundfield amplification. Study 2 measured the effects of noise (+10 dB signal-to-noise ratio) using an experimental English word recognition task.

Results:
Findings from Study 1 revealed no significant condition (pre/postamplification) or group differences in observations in on-task performance. Main findings from Study 2 were that word recognition performance declined significantly for both L2 and EO groups in the noise condition; however, the impact was disproportionately greater for the L2 group.

Clinical Implications:
Children learning in their L2 appear to be at a distinct disadvantage when listening in rooms with typical noise and reverberation. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists should collaborate to inform teachers, help reduce classroom noise, increase signal levels, and improve access to spoken language for L2 learners.
Case Studies of Children Using Fast ForWord
Authors: Friel-Patti Sandy , DesBarres Kim , Thibodeau Linda
Published: April 2006

We report five case studies in which the children were enrolled in Fast ForWord (FFW). The purpose of the case studies was twofold: (a) to obtain independent objective data with the commercially available computer-based language intervention program, FFW; and (b) to identify patterns of performance with FFW related to the children's pre-intervention language profiles. Five children (3 boys, 2 girls) between the ages of 5;10 and 9;2 (years; months) enrolled in a private school for children with language-learning difficulties participated. Outcome measures included both standard scores from general tests of language and measures taken from language-sample analyses. There were modest changes in standardized measures of language after experience with FFW for 3 of the 5 children using the criterion of 95 % confidence interval. There were no clinically significant changes in language sample measures. Several interesting patterns of response to FFW intervention are discussed.
Validity of the Spanish Preschool Language Scale-3 for Use With Bilingual Children
Authors: Restrepo M. Adelaida , Silverman Stacy W.
Published: April 2006

This study evaluated the validity of the Spanish edition of the Preschool Language Scale-3 (I. L. Zimmerman, V. G. Steiner, & R. E. Pond, 1993). As a preliminary step, the authors reviewed the test to determine whether it met psychometric criteria established by McCauley and Swisher (1984) and Hutchinson (1996). Examination of the test's psychometric characteristics revealed that the test met only 4 out of 10 criteria proposed by McCauley and Swisher and none of the additional criteria from Hutchinson. Problems were evident in the test's norming and in the lack of reliability and validity data. The authors then investigated whether, despite the test's psychometric shortcomings, it was useful for the assessment of Spanish/English-speaking children. Results revealed that the children studied performed approximately 1.5
SD
below the mean. Moreover, the children's performance on the subtests did not reflect an even progression of item difficulty, indicating limited evidence of construct and content validity.
Evaluating Communicative Abilities of a Highly Unintelligible Preschooler
Authors: Hodson Barbara W. , Scherz Julie A. , Strattman Kathy H.
Published: April 2006

Procedures to examine the communication abilities of a highly unintelligible 4-year-old during a 90-minute evaluation session are explained in this article. Phonology, metaphonology, speech rate, stimulability, and receptive language are evaluated formally and informally. A conversational speech sample is used to provide information for assessing intelligibility/understandability, fluency, voice quality, prosody, and mean length of response. Methods for determining treatment goals are discussed in the final section.
Phonological Awareness and Phonemic Perception in 4-Year-Old Children With Delayed Expressive Phonology Skills
Authors: Rvachew Susan , Ohberg Alyssa , Grawburg Meghann , Heyding Joan
Published: April 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the phonological awareness abilities of 2 groups of 4-year-old children: one with normally developing speech and language skills and the other with moderately or severely delayed expressive phonological skills but age-appropriate receptive vocabulary skills. Each group received tests of articulation, receptive vocabulary, phonemic perception, early literacy, and phonological awareness skills. The groups were matched for receptive language skills, age, socioeconomic status, and emergent literacy knowledge. The children with expressive phonological delays demonstrated significantly poorer phonemic perception and phonological awareness skills than their normally developing peers. The results suggest that preschool children with delayed expressive phonological abilities should be screened for their phonological awareness skills even when their language skills are otherwise normally developing.
Nonverbal Learning Disability
Authors: Volden Joanne
Published: April 2006

Nonverbal learning disability (NLD) is a diagnostic category that is unfamiliar to most speech-language pathologists. This brief tutorial describes NLD's characteristics, a theoretical model proposed to explain its source, and areas of overlap between NLD and similar diagnostic categories. The communicative profile, made up of difficulties in pragmatic and semantic language in the presence of relatively preserved syntactic skill, is also discussed.

Empirical evidence relevant to NLD is also evaluated. Many questions remain unresolved, but until systematic research provides definitive answers, speech-language pathologists are encouraged to rely on careful description of the individual child's communicative strengths and weaknesses to identify appropriate targets and to focus intervention on improving the child's ability to communicate effectively in everyday contexts.
Effect-Size Reporting Practices in
AJSLP
and Other ASHA Journals, 1999–2003
Authors: Meline Timothy , Wang Bailey
Published: April 2006

A census of effect-size practices in the past 5 volumes of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association journals was accomplished. Inclusion of effect size in quantitative research reports increased from 5 reports with effect size in 1990 to 1994 to 120 reports in 1999 to 2003. Nonetheless, effect size was reported less than 30% of the time when inferential statistics were used, and only half of those reports included an interpretation of effect size. This article presents case exemplars to illustrate the use and value of effect size and includes suggestions for interpreting effect size. Researchers are encouraged to routinely report effect size and to interpret effect size in a way that facilitates the application of research to practice.
Progression of Language Complexity During Treatment With the Lidcombe Program for Early Stuttering Intervention
Authors: Lattermann Christina , Shenker Rosalee C. , Thordardottir Elin
Published: April 2006

The Lidcombe Program is an operant treatment for early stuttering. Outcomes indicate that the program is effective; however, the underlying mechanisms leading to a successful reduction of stuttering remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether fluency achieved with the Lidcombe Program was accompanied by concomitant reduction of utterance length and decreases in linguistic complexity. Standardized language tests were administered pretreatment to 4 male preschool children. Spontaneous language samples were taken 2 weeks prior to treatment, at Weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12 during treatment, and 6 months after the onset of treatment. Samples were analyzed for mean length of utterance (MLU), percentage of simple and complex sentences, number of different words (NDW), and percentage of syllables stuttered. Analysis revealed that all participants presented with language skills in the average and above average range. The children achieved an increase in stutter-free speech accompanied by increases in MLU, percentage of complex sentences, and NDW. For these preschool children who stutter, improved stutter-free speech during treatment with the program appeared to be achieved without a decrease in linguistic complexity. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Rehabilitation Medicine Summit: Building Research Capacity (Executive Summary)
Authors: Frontera Walter R. , Fuhrer Marcus J. , Jette Alan M. , Chan Leighton , Cooper Rory A. , Duncan Pamela W. , Kemp John D. , Ottenbacher Kenneth J. , Peckham P. Hunter , Roth Elliot J. , Tate Denise G.
Published: April 2006

The general objective of the “Rehabilitation Medicine Summit: Building Research Capacity” was to advance and promote research in medical rehabilitation by making recommendations to expand research capacity. The 5 elements of research capacity that guided the discussions were (a) researchers; (b) research culture, environment, and infrastructure; (c) funding; (d) partnerships; and (e) metrics. The 100 participants included representatives of professional organizations, consumer groups, academic departments, researchers, governmental funding agencies, and the private sector. The small group discussions and plenary sessions generated an array of problems, possible solutions, and recommended actions. A postsummit, multiorganizational initiative is called for to pursue the agendas outlined in this report.
Fostering Literal and Inferential Language Skills in Head Start Preschoolers With Language Impairment Using Scripted Book-Sharing Discussions
Authors: van Kleeck Anne , Vander Woude Judith , Hammett Lisa
Published: April 2006

Purpose

Preschoolers with language impairment have difficulties with both literal and inferential language, both of which are critical to later reading comprehension. Because these children are known to be at risk for later reading comprehension difficulties, it is important to design and test interventions that foster both literal and inferential language skills. Using a randomized pretest–posttest control group design, we investigated whether an 8-week, one-on-one book-sharing intervention would improve both the literal and inferential language skills of Head Start preschoolers with language impairments.

Method

Thirty children were randomly assigned to either a control group that received no intervention or to a treatment group that received twice-weekly 15-min sessions in which adults read books and asked both literal and inferential questions about the books using scripts that were embedded throughout the text. Treatment and control groups were compared using pre- and posttest scores on 2 measures of literal and 1 measure of inferential language skill.

Results

Significant group differences, and medium to large effect sizes, were found between pre- and posttest scores for all 3 measures.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that book sharing with embedded questions that target both literal and inferential language skills can result in gains on both types of language in this population. Future studies with larger number of children are needed to corroborate these findings.
Outcomes Analysis for Hearing Conservation Programs
Authors: Helfer Thomas M. , Shields Anne R. , Gates Kathy E.
Published: April 2006

In health care, an increasing interest in accountability for outcomes, proof of quality care, and cost effectiveness is forcing many practitioners, including audiologists, in the direction of using outcomes analysis to provide proof of performance in their practices. Critical to the conduct of outcomes analysis are the selection of valid outcomes metrics and application of appropriate statistical processes.

Modeling of clinical protocols is a useful exercise for developing outcomes data and data management standards. The authors describe the implications for wider use of outcomes modeling once the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) administrative simplification law is implemented. This legislation will set up a wholly new administrative data set that has strong potential to provide outcomes metrics to a variety of Audiology practices. The modeling exercise described here was originally intended to derive assessment outcomes for evaluating hearing conservation program effectiveness in military populations from an administrative database implemented within the Military Health System starting in 1997. The outcomes modelers, however, soon realized the broader applicability of modeling techniques for other special populations and Audiology practices, particularly with the oncoming startup of HIPAA legislative mandates.

The modeling exercise demonstrates a process of structuring standard health-care codes to produce outcomes data for epidemiologic and cost analyses, thereby providing better information to guide health-care practices toward improving quality and cost effectiveness. This information in time series should also provide a record of continuous quality improvement. The authors present a general hearing surveillance protocol for evaluating occupational hearing loss. The protocol is used as a specific instance to demonstrate the shaping of an outcomes metrics model. This same process can be applied more generally when used to model outcomes data from other audiology practices. Implementation of the administrative data model described here began at more than 400 Department of Defense (DOD) medical treatment facilities worldwide as of October 1, 1999. The exercise of developing similar outcomes metrics for newborn hearing screening programs, school hearing conservation programs, and other clinical and rehabilitative audiology practices in the civilian sector remains to be done.
An Investigation of Maternal Stress After Neonatal Hearing Screening
Authors: Stuart Andrew , Moretz Misty , Yang Edward Y.
Published: April 2006

An investigation was undertaken to determine whether mothers whose infants failed a newborn hearing screening (MWIF) had significantly more stress and were consequently at risk for dysfunctional attachment than those mothers whose infants passed a newborn hearing screening (MWIP). The Parenting Stress Index (PSI; Abidin, 1995), a screening and diagnostic assessment questionnaire designed to measure the relative magnitude of stress in a parent-child dyad, was used. Twenty MWIP and 20 MWIF participated. The PSI was administered through a telephone interview approximately 1 month after participants’ discharge while their infants were between their fourth and fifth week of life. In the case of MWIF, the interview occurred before their infant’s hearing retest. No significant differences in Total Stress, Life Stress, Child Domain, and Parent Domain subscale raw scores of the PSI were found between MWIP and MWIF (p> .05). An examination of the individual PSI profiles of all participants for "high" and "low" normative percentile scores (i.e., percentile scores ≥90th percentile and percentile scores ≤0 percentile for the former and latter, respectively) revealed that the incidence of high scale/subscale percentile scores was essentially equivalent between groups. MWIP, however, displayed lower scale/subscale percentile scores. The results of the study suggest that those mothers whose infants receive a refer outcome after a newborn hearing screening demonstrate equivalent stress levels as those mothers whose infants received a pass.
Digit Speech Recognition Thresholds (SRT) for Non-Native Speakers of English
Authors: Ramkissoon Ishara , Proctor Adele , Lansing Charissa R. , Bilger Robert C.
Published: April 2006

Although Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) W-1 stimuli are routinely used for speech recognition threshold (SRT) testing, they are not always familiar to new learners of English and often lead to erroneous assessments. To improve test accuracy, alternative stimuli were constructed by pairing familiar English digits. These digit pairs were used to measure SRT for 12 non-native speakers of English and 12 native speakers of English. Results indicate that digit pairs effectively measure SRT for both participant groups; and more importantly, for non-native speakers of English, digit pairs are more accurate than CID W-1 words in measuring the hearing threshold for speech. Digit-pairs have cross-linguistic appeal and should greatly facilitate accurate SRT testing for listeners with minimal exposure to English.
Internet-Based Cognitive—Behavioral Self-Help Treatment of Tinnitus
Authors: Kaldo-Sandström Viktor , Larsen Hans Christian , Andersson Gerhard
Published: April 2006

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for tinnitus in a nonrandomized clinical effectiveness study with a sample of consecutive patients referred for psychological treatment (
N
= 77). Results were calculated at a group level on an intention-to-treat basis and showed significant reductions of distress on the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (P. H. Wilson, J. Henry, M. Bowen, & G. Haralambous, 1991), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (A. S. Zigmond & R. P. Snaith, 1983), and on the Insomnia Severity Index (C. H. Bastien, A. Vallières, & C. M. Morin, 2001). A 3-month follow-up showed that patients remained improved. The dropout rate was 30%. Treatment compliance, external referral to the treatment, and number of earlier treatments for tinnitus were associated with positive outcome. The number of e-mails between therapist and patient concerning treatment problems was associated with worse outcome. Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy holds some promise as a treatment modality for tinnitus. Future research should focus on further controlled evaluations of the treatment technique and evaluate the cost-effectiveness compared to other forms of tinnitus treatments.