bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case studies of pronoun development in two hearing‐impaired children: normal, delayed or deviant?
Authors: Cole Elizabeth B. , Oshima‐Takane Yuriko , Yaremko Rosalie L.
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

This paper is a study of first and second person pronoun development in the spoken language of two young hearing‐impaired children. Pronoun development was examined over a period of 11 months, starting at the age of 29 and 28 months, to determine whether the children's acquisition of these pronouns would reflect normal, delayed or deviant patterns of development. Comparison of data from these children with data regarding normally developing children shows the hearing‐impaired children's acquisition to be within normal expectations for hearing age and overall linguistic level, and only slightly delayed in terms of chronological age. These results lend support to the view that differences in the hearing‐impaired child's language ability are probably the result of a relative lack of auditory and linguistic experience, rather than reorganisation of the hearing‐impaired child's psychological and cognitive processing abilities.

Cet article fait l'étude du developpement des pronoms personnels des première et deuxième personnes dans le langage parlé de deux jeunes enfants déficients auditifs. L'on a examiné le développement des pronoms sur une période de 11 mois, à partir des âges de 29 et 28 mois. Il s'agissait de déterminer si l'acquisition des pronoms par ces enfants allait refléter des modèles de développement normaux, anormaux ou retardés. Si l'on compare les données recueillies chez ces enfants avec celles qui proviennent d'enfants au développement normal, l'on voit que chez les déficients auditifs l'acquisition correspond à ce qu'on attend normalement pour l'âge auditif et le niveau linguistique général, et qu'il y a tout juste un léger retard pour l'âge chronologique. Ces résultats confirment la théorie selon laquelle les différences de capacité linguistique de l'enfant déficient auditif doivent provenir du manque relatif d'expérience auditive et linguistique, plutôt que d'une réorganisation des capacités de traitement psychologiques et cognitives chez l'enfant déficient auditif.

Es wird über eine Untersuchung des Pronominalerwerbs (1 und 2 Person) in der gesprochenen Sprache zweier schwerhöriger Kinder berichtet. Die Entwicklung wurde ab einem Alter von 28 und 29 Monaten erfaßt, um festzustellen, ob der Erwerb dieser Pronomen einem normalen, einem verzögerten, oder einem abnormalen Entwicklungsmuster entspricht. DerVergleich der Daten furü diese Kinder mit denen für normal entwickelten Kindern zeigt, daß die Entwicklung der beiden schwerhörigen Kinder hinsichtlich des Gehörsalters und des allgemeinen linguistischen Alters den Erwartungen entspricht und hinsichtlich des chronologischen Alters nur leicht verzögert ist. Diese Ergebnisse unterstützen die These, daß Unterschiede in den sprachlichen Fähigkeiten von schwerhörigen Kindern eher auf die mangelnde Hör‐ und Spracherfahrung als auf die Reorganisation der psychologischen und kognitiven Verarbeitungsprozesse zurückzuführen sind
Looking with one's mind's eye
Authors: Lebrun Yvan
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

On the basis of clinical cases reported in the literature, an attempt is made to show that conscious mental representations of written words have a left‐right dimension similar to their counterparts in the physical world. They may, therefore, be affected by unilateral neglect in much the same way as words on a written or printed page. Usually, real words and their representations run in the same direction. However, in some cases, they appear to run in opposite directions and this may result in the production of mirror writing.

Se fondant sur des cas cliniques déjà publiés, l'article tente de montrer que les représentations mentales conscientes des mots écrits ont une dimension orientée de gauche à droite tout comme leurs correspondants dans le monde physique de la page. Elles peuvent donc venir à souffrir d'un déficit spatial unilatéral, de la même façon que les mots sur la page écrite. Le plus souvent, les mots réels et leurs représentations ont la même orientation. Cependant il arrive quelquefois qu'ils aient des orientations opposées, ce qui peut causer l'apparition de l'écriture en miroir.

Auf der Basis klinischer Fälle aus der Literatur wird versucht nachzuweisen, daß bewußte Mental‐repräsentationen geschriebener Wörter wie ihre Entsprechungen in der physischen Welt eine Links‐Rechts‐Dimension haben. So können sie auch durch unilaterale Vernachlässigung in gleicher Weise wie geschriebene oder gedruckte Wörter beeinträchtigt werden. Üblicherweise laufen physische Wörter und ihre mentale Repräsentation in dieselbe Richtung. In manchen Fällen jedoch scheinen sie, in die umgekehrte Richtung zu laufen, was zur Produktion von Spiegelschrift führen kann.
Reliability of the Assessment of Communicative Effectiveness in Severe Aphasia
Authors: Cunningham Rosemary , Farrow Valerie , Davies Caroline , Lincoln Nadina
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

The Assessment of Communicative Effectiveness in Severe Aphasia (ACESA) was developed to measure the communicative effectiveness of people with severe aphasia following a stroke. The reliability was evaluated. Ten patients with severe communication difficulties (particularly limited expression) were assessed and videoed. The videos were rated by three trained raters. Reliability was calculated to demonstrate intrarater and interrater reliability, and test–re‐test reliability. Reliability was good but needed to be improved across raters. It was concluded that the ACESA has the potential to be a useful clinical and research tool.

L'évaluation de l'efficacité communicative lors d'aphasie sévère (abréviation anglaise: ACESA) a été mise au point afin de mesurer l'efficacité communicative de personnes atteintes d'aphasie sévère par suite d'une attaque. L'on a mesuré la fiabilité de ce procédé. Dix patients souffrant de difficultés sévères de communication (en particulier de possibilités limitées d'expression) ont été évalués et enregistrés sur vidéos. Trois experts ont procédé au classement de ces vidéos. La fiabilité a été calculée de telle façon qu'elle démontrait une régularité chez un me̊me expert, une régularité d'expert à expert et une régularité quand le me̊me test était administré de façon répe̊tée. La fiabilité s'est révélée bonne mais avait besoin d'e̊tre améliorée en ce qui concernait la comparaison entre les experts. L'on conclut que l'évaluation de l'efficacité communicative lors d'aphasie sévère a la capacité d'e̊tre un outil utile de traitement clinique et de recherche.

Das ACESA‐Verfahren (Assessment of Communication Effectiveness in Severe Aphasia = Evaluierung der Kommunikationswirksamkeit bei schwerer Aphasie) wurde entwickelt, um die Kommunikationsfähigkeit aphatischer Menschen nach schwerem Hirnschlag zu messen. Die Reliabilität wurde geprüft. Zehn Patienten mit schwerwiegenden Kommunikationsproblemen (insbesondere begrenzte Ausdrucksfähigkeit) wurden dem Verfahren unterzogen und dabei auf Video aufgezeichnet. Die Videos wurden von drei geschulten Bewertem beurteilt. Inter‐ und Intrabewert‐erreliabilität und Testwiederholungs‐reliabilität wurden berechnet. Die Reliabilität war gut, bedarf jedoch der Verbesserung zwischen Bewertern. Es wird konstatiert, daßta ACESA für klinische Zwecke und in der Forschung ein potentiell nützliches Verfahren darstellt.
Reading too little into reading?: Strategies in the rehabilitation of acquired dyslexia
Authors: Nickels Lyndsey
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

This paper examines four recent therapy studies, two involving deep dyslexic patients and two involving surface dyslexic patients. These studies illustrate that remediation of aspects of acquired dyslexia can have positive benefits for the patients concerned which often extend beyond an improvement in reading aloud. It is argued that, although it may not be immediately apparent, the remediation of acquired reading impairments (and even of reading aloud) can be of functional significance for an aphasic subject.

L'article examine quatre études récentes de thérapie; dans deux de ces études les patients étaient atteints de dyslexies profondes, et dans les deux autres de dyslexies de surface. Ces études montrent que le fait de remédier à certains aspects de dyslexies acquises peut avoir des effets positifs pour les patients en question, qui vont souvent bien au‐delà de l'amélioration de la lecture à haute voix. L'argument présenté ici est que, me̊me si cela n'apparai̊t pas immédiatement, le fait de remédier aux deficiences acquises de la lecture (et me̊me de la lecture à haute voix) peut avoir une portée fonctionelle chez le sujet aphasique.

Vier neuere Therapiestudien werden besprochen, zwei mit tiefendysleischen und zwei mit oberflächendysleischen Patienten. Diese Studien zeigen, daß sich die Behandlung von bestimmten Aspekten erworbener Dyslexie in einer Weise positiv auswirken kann, die über die Besserung des Vorlesens hinausgeht. Es wird postuliert, daß obwohl nicht sofort erkennbar, die Behandlung erworbener Leseschwäche (und auch des Vorlesens) für aphasische Kinder hilfreich sein kann.
Articulation in Down's syndrome adolescents and adults
Authors: Van Borsel John
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

Speech samples of 20 adolescents and adults with Down's syndrome were analysed and compared with speech samples from 20 normal toddlers. Consonant, vowel and diphthong productions were studied. Error rate, sounds in error, nature of the errors and phonetic characteristics of the errors of both groups were compared. It was found that the similarities between productions of persons with Down's syndrome and the utterances of normal children by far outnumbered the differences. The results of this study strongly support the contention of Lenneberg (1967) that the disordered articulation in subjects with Down's syndrome reflect a delay in speech development.

Des échantillons de parole de 20 adolescents et adultes trisomiques ont été analysés et comparés à des échantillons de parole de 20 enfants en bas âge normaux. L'on a étudié les productions de consonnes, voyelles et diphtongues, en comparent les taux d'erreurs, les sons erronés, la nature et les caractéristiques phonétiques des erreurs pour les deux groupes. L'on a trouvé que les similitudes entre les productions des trisomiques et les énoncés des enfants normaux étaient beaucoup plus nombreuses que les différences. Les résultats de cette étude confirment nettement l'affirmation de Lenneberg (1967) que l'articulation désordonnée des trisomiques traduit un retard due développement de la parole.

Sprechproben von 20 Pubertären und Erwachsenen mit Down Syndrom wurden analysiert und mit Sprechproen von 20 normalen Kleinkindern verglichen. Die Produktion von Konsonanten, Monophthongen und Diphthongen wurden analysiert. Die Fehlerrate, falsche Laute, Art der Fehler und die phonetischen Eigenschaften der Fehler bei den zwei Gruppen wurden verglichen. Die Ähnlichkeiten zwischen den Produktionen der Personen mit Down Syndrom und den Äußerungen der normalen Kinder waren viel größer als die Unterschiede. Das Ergebnis stützt die These von Lenneberg (1967), daß die gestörte Artikulation bei Personen mit Down Syndrom eine Verzögerung der Sprachentwicklung widerspiegelt.
A further application of the Fishbein and Ajzen model to therapy for adult stammerers
Authors: Stewart Trudy
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

This paper attempts to address the continuing problem of long term maintenance of fluency‐controlling techniques in adults who stammer by applying a number of aspects of the Fishbein and Ajzen model of belief, attitude, intention and behaviour. A group of 15 adult stammerers involved in group therapy were monitored, in terms of speech and attitude change, throughout the programme and followed up two years later. Links between successful maintenance of a fluency‐enhancing technique and change in stammerers' attitudes to fluent speech are made.

Cet article s'intéresse au problème persistant du maintien à long terme de techniques de contrôle de la fluidité de l'élocution chez les adultes bègues, en utilisant certains aspects du modèle de Fishbein et Ajzen de conviction, d'attitude, d'intention et de comportement. Un groupe de 15 adultes bègues, qui avaient entrepris une thérapie de groupe, a été observé du point de vue des changements d'élocution et d'attitude pendant toute la durée du programme, et il a été suivi deux ans plus tard. L'on fait le lien entre le maintien réussi de la technique d'amélioration de la fluidité d'élocution et les changements d'attitude des bègues envers la fuidité d'élocution.

Dieser Aufsatz befaßt sich mit dem andauernden Problem des langfristigen Erhalts von Techniken zur Kontrolle des Sprechflusses bei Erwachsenen die Stottern. Einige Aspekte des Modells von Fishbein und Ajzen (Glaube, Einstellung, Absicht und Verhalten) werden angewandt. Eine Gruppe von 15 erwachsenen Stotteren, die an Gruppentherapie teilnimmt, wird während des gesamten Programms und wieder nach Ablauf zwei weiterer Jahre hinsichtlich ihres veränderten Sprechens un ihrer veränderten Einstellung erfaßt. Eine Beziehung zwischen dem erfoireichen Erhalt von Techniken zur Stärkung des Sprechflusses und der Einstellung von Stotterern zum flüssigen Sprechen werden gefunden.
Speech error patterns in Cantonese‐speaking children with cleft palate
Authors: Stokes Stephanie F. , Whitehill Tara L.
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

The subjects were seven Cantonese‐speaking children with repaired cleft palate, aged between 3;2 and 10;2. Speech samples were obtained by use of two word lists. Error patterns were described by use of a detailed analysis based on perceptual judgements. A ‘confusion matrix’ was constructed for each subject to illustrate the relative frequency of error type. The results showed high within‐subject and across‐subject variability. The data partially support findings from other languages, for example, showing posterior placement for alveolar targets. However, some language‐specific errors were identified, such as initial consonant deletion. Four possible explanations for the data are discussed.

Comme locuteurs l'on a pris sept enfants âgés entre 3:2 ans et 10:2 ans, de langue maternelle cantonaise et dont les palais fendus avaient été réparés. L'on a obtenu des échantillons parlés au moyen de listes de groupes de deux mots. L'on a décrit les types d'erreurs grâce à une analyse détaillée fondée sur des jugements perceptifs. L'on a construit une matrice de confusion pour chaque locuteur afin d'illustrer les fréquences relatives des types d'erreurs. Les résultats ont révélé une forte varìabìlìté au sein de chaque sujet et de locuteur à locuteur. Les données confirment en partie les résultats en provenance d'autres langues, qui montrent des lieux d'articulation postérieurs pour les cibles alvéolaires. Cependent, l'on a identifié aussi certaines erreurs propres au cantonais, comme la suppression de consonnes intiales. La discussion porte sur quatre explications possibles des données.

Die Sprecher waren sieben kantonesischsprechende Kinder mit opereirten Gaumenspalten im Alter zwischen 3; 2 und 10; 2 Jahren. Das Sprachmaterial wurde mit zwei Wortlisten definiert. Die Fehlermuster wurden in einer detaillierten auf perzeptueller Beurteilung basierten Analyse erfaßt. Für jede(n) Sprecherin wurde die relative Häufigkeit der Fehlerarten in einer individuellen Fehlermatrix dargestellt. Aus den Ergebnissen wurde starke Intra‐ und Intersprechervariabilität deutlich. Die Daten unterstützen z. T. Beobachtungen an anderen Sprachen; z.B. die Rückverlagerung bei alveolarer zielposition. Einige sprachspezifische Fehler wurden jedoch beobachtet; z.B. die Tilgung initialer Konsonanten. Veir mögliche Erklärungen für die Beobachtungen werden erörtert.
A play‐based methodology for assessing idiom comprehension in children with semantic‐pragmatic difficulties
Authors: Kerbel Debra , Grunwell Pam , Grundy Kim
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

In response to the lack of suitable material for assessing idiom comprehension in children with semantic–pragmatic difficulties, a new, play‐based methodology is presented. The child listens to a tape‐recorded story into which are embedded a range of idiomatic expressions. The child then acts out the story as it is played again, sentence by sentence. The play is video‐recorded and transcribed. Actions for each idiom are categorised and are then amenable to within‐child, between‐child, and between‐group analyses. The results of a pilot project indicate that this methodology overcomes may of the problems inherent in assessing children identified as having semantic–pragmatic difficulties.

Pour répondre au manque de documentation nécessaire pour l'évaluation de la compréhension des phrases idiomatiques ches les enfants souffrant de difficultés sématico–pragmatiques l'on présente ici une nouvelle méthode qui repose sur le jeu. L'enfant écoute l'enregistrement sur bande magnétique d'une histoire dans laquelle sont enchâssées toute une série d'expressions idiomatiques. Ensuite il joue l'histoire à mesure qu'elle est réentendue phrase par phrase. Le jeu de l'enfant est enregistré sur vidéo et transcrit. L'on catégorise ses actions pour chaque expression idiomatique, ce qui permet des analyses pour chaque enfant, entre les enfants et entre des groupes. Les résultats d'un projet pilote indiquent que cette méthode résout bien des problèmes inhérents à l'évaluation des enfants que l'om identifie comme ayent des difficultés sémantico–pragmatiques.

Als Reaktion auf den Mangel passender Materialien für die Bewertung des Idiomverständnisses bei Kindern mit semantisch–pragmatischen Schwierigkeiten wird eine neue, spielbasierte Methodologie präsentiert. Das Kind hört sich eine Reihe idiomatischer Ausdrücke eingebettet sind. Danach spielt das Kind die Handlung der Geschichte, während sie Satz für Satz noch einmal vorgespielt wird Das Schauspiel wird per Video aufgezeichnet und transkribiert. Die Handlungen für die einzelnen idiomatischen Ausdrüke werden kategorisiert, um sie einer Intrakind‐, Interkind‐ und Intergrup‐penanalyse zugänglich zu machen. Die Ergebnisse eines Pilotprojekts zeigen, daß dieser Ansatz viele der Probleme überwindet, die der Bewertung von Kindern innewohnen, von denen semantisch–pragmatische Schwierigkeiten angenommen werden.
The use of simulated clients to develop the clinical skills of speech and language therapy students
Authors: Syder Diana
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTS

This paper reports the pilot of a new technique for the development of students' clinical skills. A bank of simulated clients was used in the teaching of generic clinical skills to two groups of speech and language therapy students. The method for the training of actors and running of sessions is described in detail by use of both group and individual formats. The intervention was used with three groups of students at different points in a 2‐year Masters degree course. Questionnaires to students evaluate the technique and the timing of its use in the course. It is concluded that this new type of clinical teaching is a valid and much‐needed supplement to traditional individual National Health Service (NHS) placements.

Cet article rend compte d'une nouvelle technique pour développer les capacités cliniques des étudiants. Un groupe de pseudo‐clients est utilisé pour enseigner les capacités cliniques génériques à deux groupes d'étudiants en orthophonie. L'article décrit en détail la méthode d'entraînement des acteurs et le déroulement des sessions avec les étudiants au moyen de formats individuels et de groupes. L'intervention a été utilisée pour trois groupes d'étudiants à différents moments de leurs deux années de cours de Maîtrise. Les questionaires remplis par les étudiants en évaluent la technique et l'organisation temporelle lors des cours. L'on conclut que ce nouveau type d'enseignement clinique constitue un supplément valable et très utile aux placements individuels traditionnels dans les services médicaux.

Dieser Aufsatz berichtet vom Pilotversuch einer neuen Methode zur Entwicklung klinischer Fähigkeiten bei Studenten. Eine Datenbank simulierter Patienten bzw. Klienten wird für das Lehren grundlegender klinischer Fähigkeiten bei zwei Gruppen von Studenten der Sprachtherapie verwendet. Die Methoden für das Schauspielertraining und für die Führung von Behandlungen werden unter Anwendung sowohl des Gruppen‐ als auch des Individualformats im Detail beschrieben. Die Methode ist bei drei Studentengruppen zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten während eines zweijährigen Postgraduiertenkurses eingesetzt worden. Fragebögen von den Studierenden beiten eine Evaluierung der Methode und der Zeitpunkte ihrer Verwendung im Kurs. Es wird geschlossehn, daß diese neue Art des klinisch orientierten Unterrichts eine gültige und dringend benötigte Ergänzung zu den traditionellen individuellen Praktikumsstellen im Gesundheitswesen (NHS = National Health Service) ist.
From Aggregate Methods to Microsimulation
Authors: Lemp Jason D. , McWethy Laura B. , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: November 2007

Two competing approaches to travel demand modeling exist today. The more traditional four-step travel demand models rely on aggregate demographic data at a traffic analysis zone (TAZ) level. Activity-based microsimulation methods use more robust behavioral theory while focusing on individuals and households. Although the vast majority of U.S. metropolitan planning organizations continue to rely on traditional models, many modelers believe that activity-based approaches promise greater predictive capability, more accurate forecasts, and more realistic sensitivity to policy changes. Little work has examined in detail the benefits of activity-based models relative to more traditional approaches. To understand better the trade-offs between these two methodologies, results produced by both were modeled in an Austin, Texas, application. Three scenarios are examined: a base scenario, a scenario with expanded capacity along two key freeways, and a centralized-employment scenario. Results of the analysis revealed several differences in model performance and accuracy in terms of replicating travel survey and traffic count data. Such distinctions largely emerged through differing model assumptions. In general, activity-based models were more sensitive to changes in model inputs, supporting the notion that aggregate models ignore important behavioral distinctions across the population. However, they involved more effort and care in data manipulation, model calibration, and application to mimic behavioral processes better at a finer resolution. Such efforts help ensure that synthetic populations match key criteria and that activity schedules match surveyed behaviors, while being realistic and consistent across household members.
Development of a Fleet Allocator Model for Calgary, Canada
Authors: Stefan K. J. , Hunt J. D. , McMillan J. D. P. M. , Farhan A.
Published: November 2007

The Calgary commercial vehicle model is an attempt to model all commercial vehicle movements in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, as part of a larger model system that includes a personal travel model. One type of commercial vehicle initially modeled in a simple, gravity-based fashion because of limited data is the fleet allocator. Fleet allocators are commercial vehicles that make many stops in a coordinated pattern. These include services such as garbage pickup, newspaper and mail delivery, and couriers. From an existing linear regression trip generation model and a gravity-based distribution model, a more complex tour-based model system consistent with the approach for the remainder of the commercial vehicles was adopted. With available aggregate fleet allocator information provided with the cooperation of the City of Edmonton, Canada, along with the parameters estimated for other types of commercial vehicles in the existing tour-based Calgary commercial vehicle model, a full tour-based fleet allocator model was developed and calibrated to match the available observed data. The process used was a successful demonstration of using an existing model to cover a different set of movements by calibrating the model parameters using the additional available data.
Costs of Urban Congestion in Canada
Authors: Kriger David , Miller Cristobal , Baker Mark , Joubert Fannie
Published: November 2007

The ability to address congestion requires, first, an understanding of the topic. To this end, different methods have been developed to quantify and compare congestion. A recent research study developed methods to quantify congestion and its costs in the nine largest urban areas in Canada. Three components of congestion and its costs—delay, wasted fuel, and greenhouse gas emissions—were developed. The methods were based on the travel demand—forecasting models of each urban area. In contrast to well-known methods such as the annual Urban Mobility Report in the United States, which uses common sets of data to allow a comparison of congestion in 85 urban areas, a comparative analysis was not possible because the models differ in structure, definition, and base data. Conversely, the model-based approach supports significantly more analytical depth, allows planners in individual urban areas to customize the tools, and provides a means to account for congestion in forecasts and in the development and evaluation of long-range transportation plans. It also provides a basis for linking the engineering aspects of congestion with the broader economic perspectives. The approach used in the Canadian study has potential for metropolitan planning organizations, state departments of transportation, and other U.S. transportation planning authorities that seek to incorporate the analysis of congestion into their long-range transportation planning, programming, and budgeting processes.
Envision Houston Region
Authors: Waskowiak Patricia , Garber Keith , Durham Christy
Published: November 2007

With more than 3 million new residents expected to arrive in the eight-county Texas Gulf Coast region during the next 30 years, how and where will these new residents live and work? Will growth and development follow the regional trend of disbursed housing and centralized employment? Is there an alternative? What would the alternative look like? What are the inherent trade-offs among alternatives? These and many other questions were raised during a public involvement process initiated by the Houston–Galveston Area Council to engage residents in a discussion of the region's future growth and development. The process, called Envision Houston Region, began with a series of workshops held during 2005 to develop alternate growth scenarios or visions. Community leaders, residents, elected officials, developers, and others participated in a board game for adults to map out alternatives for how the region might grow. These workshops were followed by a series of community forums held in May 2006. The community forums focused on local development and growth issues as well as the technical results from the 2005 workshops. The Envision Houston Region initiative was a successful public outreach exercise with nearly 2,000 participants.
Dedicated Short-Range Communications Technology for Freeway Incident Detection
Authors: Crabtree Joseph D. , Stamatiadis Nikiforos
Published: November 2007

An assessment of the use of dedicated short-range communications technology to perform travel time monitoring and automated incident detection on a segment of rural freeway is described. The assessment used the CorSim traffic simulation tool to simulate traffic and incidents on a segment of rural freeway. Output data from the simulation was subjected to postprocessing to convert it to probe and beacon data. An incident detection algorithm was developed by using a travel time threshold and a counter. An alarm was generated when a counter reached a preselected level. This algorithm was tested on selected data files, and the results were used to identify the optimum values of the travel time threshold and the counter alarm level. With these optimum values, the algorithm was applied to the probe and beacon data to determine how quickly the system could detect various traffic incidents. The analysis showed that the system could provide rapid and reliable detection of incidents. During the simulation and analysis, several parameters were varied so that their effect on the system performance could be observed. Each parameter proved to have a significant effect on the detection time, and the observed effects were consistent with logical expectations. In general, the time to detect an incident was reduced in response to (a) increased traffic volume, (b) increased incident severity, (c) increased transponder population, (d) reduced reader spacing, and (e) reduced distance from incident to next downstream reader.
Predicting and understanding transcription factor interactions based on sequence level determinants of combinatorial control
Authors: van Dijk A.D.J. , ter Braak C.J.F. , Immink R.G. , Angenent G.C. , van Ham R.C.H.J.
Published: November 2007

Motivation: Transcription factor interactions are the cornerstone of combinatorial control, which is a crucial aspect of the gene regulatory system. Understanding and predicting transcription factor interactions based on their sequence alone is difficult since they are often part of families of factors sharing high sequence identity. Given the scarcity of experimental data on interactions compared to available sequence data, however, it would be most useful to have accurate methods for the prediction of such interactions.

Results: We present a method consisting of a Random Forest-based feature-selection procedure that selects relevant motifs out of a set found using a correlated motif search algorithm. Prediction accuracy for several transcription factor families (bZIP, MADS, homeobox and forkhead) reaches 60–90%. In addition, we identified those parts of the sequence that are important for the interaction specificity, and show that these are in agreement with available data. We also used the predictors to perform genome-wide scans for interaction partners and recovered both known and putative new interaction partners.

Contact:  roeland.vanham@wur.nl

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SNPtoGO: characterizing SNPs by enriched GO terms
Authors: Schwarz Daniel F. , Hädicke Oliver , Erdmann Jeanette , Ziegler Andreas , Bayer Daniel , Möller Steffen
Published: November 2007

For the analysis of complex polygenic diseases, one does not expect all patients to share the same disease-associated alleles. Not even will disease-causing variations be assigned to the identical sets of genes between patients. However, one does expect overlaps in the sets of genes that are involved and even more so in their assigned molecular processes. Furthermore, the assignment of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to genes is highly ambiguous for intergenic SNPs. The tool presented here hence adds external information, i.e. GeneOntology (GO) terms (Gene Ontology Consortium), to the analysis of SNP data.

Availability: A web interface and source code are offered at https://webtools.imbs.uni-luebeck.de/snptogo

Contact:  schwarz@imbs.uni-luebeck.de
A hierarchical statistical model to assess the confidence of peptides and proteins inferred from tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Shen Changyu , Wang Zhiping , Shankar Ganesh , Zhang Xiang , Li Lang
Published: November 2007

Motivation: Statistical evaluation of the confidence of peptide and protein identifications made by tandem mass spectrometry is a critical component for appropriately interpreting the experimental data and conducting downstream analysis. Although many approaches have been developed to assign confidence measure from different perspectives, a unified statistical framework that integrates the uncertainty of peptides and proteins is still missing.

Results: We developed a hierarchical statistical model (HSM) that jointly models the uncertainty of the identified peptides and proteins and can be applied to any scoring system. With data sets of a standard mixture and the yeast proteome, we demonstrate that the HSM offers a reliable or at least conservative false discovery rate (FDR) estimate for peptide and protein identifications. The probability measure of HSM also offers a powerful discriminating score for peptide identification.

Availability: The algorithm is available upon request from the authors.

Contact:  chashen@iupui.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Can Vitex Agnus castus Be Used for the Treatment of Mastalgia? What Is the Current Evidence?
Authors: Carmichael A. R.
Published: November 2007

There have been many treatments suggested for the management of mastalgia; one of these is the fruit extract of Vitex Agnus castus L. commonly known as Agnus castus, an extract of a deciduous shrub native to Mediterranean Europe and Central Asia. It is postulated that A. castus suppresses the stress‐induced latent hyperprolactinemia which is a release of supra‐physiological levels of prolactin in some patients in response to stressful stimuli. It is postulated that A. castus could be effective in the treatment of cyclical mastalgia by inhibiting the release of excess prolactin by blocking Dopamine‐2 receptor type on pituitary. The adverse events following A. castus treatment are mild and reversible. The aim of this review is assess the efficacy of A. castus in the treatment of mastalgia. Data from randomized and non‐randomized studies regarding the efficacy and safety of A. castus is reviewed in a systematic fashion. It is concluded that A. castus can be considered as an efficient alternative phytotherapeutic agent in the treatment of mastalgia.
Considerações sobre o fundamento moral da propriedade
Authors: Sahd Luiz Felipe Netto de Andrade e Silva
Published: November 2007

Para Hugo Grotius a propriedade era originalmente coletiva, e os homens tinham, de comum acordo, decidido dividi-la, o que havia feito nascer a propriedade privada. Como a propriedade privada devia ser garantida pelo governo, ela só podia ser uma emanação deste. O problema dessa análise, para John Locke, era que ela era perfeitamente compatível com o absolutismo, pois um monarca podia garantir essa propriedade. Como Locke funda a propriedade sobre a lei natural, sua teoria da prioridade refuta, ao mesmo tempo, as teorias de Sir Robert Filmer e de Grotius e Samuel Pufendorf. A teoria da propriedade de Locke garante, por fim, a liberdade dos indivíduos.
Identidade molecular dos fitoplasmas associados aos enfezamentos do tomateiro e da berinjela com base na análise do gene 16S rDNA
Authors: Mello Ana Paula de Oliveira Amaral , Bedendo Ivan Paulo , Camargo Luís Eduardo Aranha de
Published: November 2007

Doenças de hortaliças de ocorrência no território brasileiro e em outras áreas do mundo têm sido associadas a diversos fitoplasmas. Na região de Piracicaba-SP e Bragança Paulista-SP, em plantas de tomate e berinjela foram observados sintomas típicos de enfezamento caracterizados por porte reduzido, clorose foliar, superbrotamento de ramos, desenvolvimento anormal do cálice, encurtamento de entre-nós, redução no tamanho de folhas, flores e frutos. Através de duplo PCR, utilizando os iniciadores R16 mF1/mR2 e R16 F2n/R2, fragmentos de DNA de 1,2 kb foram amplificados de amostras sintomáticas, demonstrando a presença de fitoplasma nos tecidos das plantas. O uso de iniciadores específicos demonstrou que estes fitoplasmas eram afiliados ao grupo 16SrIII. Análises de RFLP, usando as enzimas de restrição AluI, HpaII, KpnI, MboI, MseI e RsaI confirmaram que os fitoplasmas detectados eram representantes do grupo 16SrIII. Os fragmentos de DNA amplificados foram clonados em Escherichia coli, sequenciados e comparados, por homologia de seqüência, entre si e com outros fitoplasmas do grupo 16SrIII. Um índice de similaridade de seqüência acima de 95% foi encontrado quando seqüências dos fitoplasmas detectados em tomate e berinjela foram comparadas com aquelas de outros representantes do grupo 16SrIII. Um índice de 98-99% foi obtido quando seqüências dos fitoplasmas encontrados em tomate e berinjela foram comparadas entre si. Estes resultados evidenciaram que o enfezamento do tomateiro e da berinjela podem estar associados a um mesmo fitoplasma, com base na análise de seqüências do gene do 16S rDNA.
Caracterização de um vírus baciliforme isolado de Solanum violaefolium transmitido pelos ácaros Brevipalpus phoenicis e Brevipalpus obovatus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)
Authors: Ferreira Paulo de Tarso Oliveira , Locali-Fabris Eliane Cristina , Freitas-Astúa Juliana , Antonioli-Luizon Renata , Gomes Renata Takasugui , Machado Marcos Antonio , Kitajima Elliot Watanabe
Published: November 2007

Solano-violeta (Solanum violaefolium) é uma planta ornamental rasteira usada para cobrir solos de áreas sombreadas. Um vírus que induz manchas anelares nas folhas desta planta, tentativamente designado Solanum violaefolium ringspot virus - SvRSV, transmitido pelo ácaro Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) foi encontrado em Piracicaba, SP. Trata-se de um vírus baciliforme que se assemelha a outros vírus do tipo citoplasmático transmitidos por Brevipalpus sp. Este trabalho teve como objetivo relatar propriedades biológicas e estabelecer uma caracterização molecular parcial do SvRSV. O vírus pode ser transmitido mecanicamente a várias outras espécies botânicas, causando lesões localizadas. Entre as espécies avaliadas, Datura stramonium mostrou-se a melhor hospedeira experimental. Observou-se também a manifestação de sintomas nestas plantas após infestação das mesmas por B. obovatus previamente alimentado em lesões de SvRSV, confirmando esta outra espécie de ácaro como vetor do vírus. Suas propriedades físicas in vitro foram: temperatura de inativação 40-45 ºC; ponto final de diluição 10-3-10-4; longevidade in vitro 12 dias. Em secções ultrafinas, as partículas do SvRSV mostraram-se levemente mais delgadas e mais longas que as de outros vírus do mesmo grupo. A partir do dsRNA do SvRSV foi construída uma biblioteca de cDNA e foram identificadas duas possíveis regiões codificadoras das proteínas de movimento e replicase viral. Baseado nestas regiões foram desenhados "primers" para amplificação do RNA do SvRSV por RT-PCR. Sondas baseadas nas seqüências obtidas hibridizaram com ss- e dsRNA de D. stramonium infectadas pelo vírus. Ensaios preliminares de RT-PCR e hibridização não resultaram em reação com o vírus da leprose dos citros, tipo citoplasmático (CiLV-C).
Eficiência da disseminação aérea em Pyricularia grisea
Authors: Urashima Alfredo Seiiti , Leite Sabrina Ferreira , Galbieri Rafael
Published: November 2007

Pyricularia grisea (teleomorfa Magnaporthe grisea) é um patógeno que infecta mais de 80 gramíneas. No Brasil ataca importantes culturas como arroz e trigo, causando a brusone. Mais recentemente foi reportada na triticale, cultura alternativa para os produtores de trigo no sul do estado de São Paulo. Um dos principais meios de disseminação da doença é a dispersão aérea embora pouca informação esteja disponível sobre a distância que esses esporos podem atingir a partir de uma determinada fonte de inóculo. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a capacidade de disseminação de P. grisea a partir de um foco inicial, empregando ferramentas moleculares. A presença de clones do patógeno em campos distantes 4, 30 e 1000 metros a partir de um campo infectado sugere que esporos de um determinado foco podem atingir pelo menos essas distâncias.
Extratos de Lentinula edodes e Agaricus blazei sobre Bipolaris sorokiniana e Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici, in vitro
Authors: Fiori-Tutida Ana Cristina Grade , Schwan-Estrada Kátia Regina Freitas , Stangarlin José Renato , Pascholati Sérgio Florentino
Published: November 2007

Com o objetivo de buscar medidas alternativas para o controle de Bipolaris sorokiniana e Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici testou-se o efeito fungitóxico in vitro dos cogumelos Lentinula edodes e Agaricus blazei sobre esses fungos. Os extratos brutos aquosos de ambos os cogumelos não tiveram efeito significativo tanto no crescimento micelial quanto na germinação de esporos de B. sorokiniana. Por outro lado, os extratos dos cogumelos inibiram a germinação de esporos de P. recondita f. sp. tritici, com destaque para o isolado LE 96/17 de L. edodes que apresentou inibição da ordem de 52,4%.
Patogenicidade de isolados de Corynespora cassiicola a diferentes espécies de plantas
Authors: Oliveira Ricardo Ribeiro , Vida João Batista , Tessmann Dauri José , Aguiar Bárbara de Melo , Caixeta Marilda Pereira , Barboza Antonio Lazarini
Published: November 2007

Corynespora cassiicola, relatado como um patógeno com ampla gama de espécies hospedeiras, tem causado danos em várias culturas de interesse comercial. Neste trabalho avaliou-se, em ambiente de casa-de-vegetação, a patogenicidade de 15 isolados de C. cassiicola originados de diferentes espécies hospedeiras, quando inoculados em 12 diferentes espécies vegetais. Os isolados de pepino foram os mais patogênicos. Além dos híbridos de pepino, estes infectaram outras seis espécies vegetais testadas. Já os isolados de trapoeraba e de alface foram os que apresentaram menor patogenicidade, pois além dos hospedeiros originais infectaram somente uma espécie hospedeira. A maioria dos isolados apresentou elevada inespecificidade. As espécies vegetais testadas reagiram de formas diferentes quando inoculadas com diferentes isolados. O mamoeiro apresentou maior suscetibilidade, sendo infectado por 12 dos 15 isolados. Contrariamente, a trapoeraba e o assa-peixe foram suscetíveis a três e dois isolados, respectivamente.
Diversidade genética de begomovírus em cultivos de tomateiro no Centro-Oeste Paulista
Authors: Cotrim Marco Antonio de Andrade , Krause-Sakate Renate , Narita Nobuioshi , Zerbini Francisco Murilo , Pavan Marcelo Agenor
Published: November 2007

A diversidade genética de vírus pertencentes ao gênero Begomovirus em tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) foi analisada em regiões produtoras do Centro-Oeste paulista. No período de janeiro de 2003 a fevereiro de 2004, cento e sessenta e seis amostras de tomate foram coletadas e a presença de begomovírus observada em 60% das amostras, por PCR, utilizando-se oligonucleotídeos universais para o gênero Begomovirus. O sequenciamento direto do produto de PCR de 16 dessas amostras indicou a possível presença do Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV), Sida mottle virus (SiMoV-[BR]) e da espécie tentativa Tomato yellow vein streak virus (ToYVSV-[BR]). Em duas amostras foi detectada uma possível nova espécie de begomovírus. A presença do ToSRV e do SiMoV ainda não havia sido verificada em tomateiro no estado de São Paulo. Estes resultados indicam a existência de diversidade de espécies de begomovírus infectando o tomateiro nesta região, servindo como um alerta para melhoristas que trabalham na busca de fontes de resistência a esse importante grupo de patógenos.
Alterações funcionais do fígado após derivação porto-cava e hepatectomia parcial: Estudo experimental em cães
Authors: Melo Valdinaldo Aragão de , Ceneviva Reginaldo , Godoy Álvaro Queiroz de , Santos José Ernesto dos , Melo Gustavo Barreto de
Published: November 2007

OBJETIVO: Estudar os efeitos da derivação porto-cava sobre a função hepática de cães. MÉTODO: Vinte animais foram divididos em dois grupos: o Grupo I foi submetido à hepatectomia parcial de 28,7% e o Grupo II, à hepatectomia parcial associada à derivação porto-cava. Os parâmetros analisados foram: consumo de anestésico durante o ato cirúrgico, dosagem de amônia pré e pós-operatória (15° e 30° dia), AST, bilirrubina total e frações, proteínas totais, albumina e teste de retenção da bromosulfaleína (pré-operatório e 30° dia do pós-operatório) RESULTADOS: O consumo de anestésico foi significativamente menor no Grupo II. No Grupo I, apenas a AST estava elevada no pós-operatório quando comparada aos valores pré-operatórios. Já no Grupo II, a amonemia estava elevada no 15° e no 30° dia do pós-operatório em relação ao pré-operatório e aos mesmos períodos do Grupo I. Todos os outros parâmetros analisados apresentaram-se elevados quando comparados com os valores anteriores à cirurgia e aos do Grupo I, com exceção das proteínas totais e da albumina, que estavam significativamente reduzidas. CONCLUSÕES: A derivação porto-cava causa comprometimento importante da função hepática, traduzido por elevação da amônia sanguínea e alteração nas provas funcionais do fígado.
Enxerto peritoneal autógeno e fibroplasia: estudo experimental
Authors: Silva Henrique Celso , Silva Alcino Lázaro da , Oliveira Célio Marcos de
Published: November 2007

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se o enxerto autógeno de peritônio permanece vivo e que tipo de tecido conjuntivo predomina no local. MÉTODO: Foram utilizados 30 ratos machos para o enxerto de um fragmento de peritônio parietal do segmento ântero-superior do abdome, no interior do canal inguinal, fixado com monofilamento. Após 20 dias os animais foram sacrificados, a área doadora reparada e a área do enxerto foram retiradas para estudo histológico á microscopia óptica de luz. Em cinco animais a parede abdominal e o canal inguinal contralateral, sem enxerto, foram utilizados para o estudo de sua anatomia microscópica. RESULTADOS: Houve um predomínio de fibroblastos (células jovens) no enxerto, em relação ao receptor e de colágeno denso não modelado em toda a área da intervenção, predominando no receptor, com índice de significância p < 0,01. CONCLUSÕES: O enxerto permanece vivo. O padrão histológico do tecido conjuntivo predominante no local é o tecido conjuntivo denso não modelado.
Avaliação da reinfecção peritoneal após peritonite fecal em ratos
Authors: Petroianu Andy , Carneiro Bruno Gustavo Muzzi Carvalho e , Rodrigues Fernando Henrique Oliveira Carmo , Rocha Renata Figueiredo
Published: November 2007

OBJETIVO: Há poucos estudos sobre os efeitos de uma nova infecção após peritonite séptica. Com o objetivo de compreender melhor esta situação, realizou-se o presente experimento tendo como parâmetro o papel do tempo neste fenômeno. MÉTODO: Foram utilizadas 36 ratas Wistar adultas, submetidas a peritonite fecal com injeção intraperitoneal de uma solução de fezes de ratos. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos (n = 9): Grupo 1A - controle: injeção intraperitoneal de solução de fezes com uma quantidade sabidamente letal (10 ml/kg); Grupo 1B - reinfecção: injeção intraperitoneal de solução de fezes com uma quantidade sabidamente não letal (2 ml/kg) e, após 30 dias, injeção de solução de fezes (10 ml/kg); Grupo 2A - controle da reinfecção tardia: injeção intraperitoneal de fezes a 10 ml/kg; Grupo 2B - reinfecção tardia: injeção intraperitoneal de fezes a 2ml/kg e, após quatro meses, injeção de 10ml/kg. RESULTADOS: Todos os nove animais do Grupo 1A morreram no período de sete dias após a injeção da solução de fezes. Já no Grupo 1B, pré-infectado, apenas um animal morreu, 24 horas após a injeção da solução de fezes a 10 ml/kg (p < 0,001). Em relação ao Grupo 2, oito dos nove animais de cada subgrupo morreram no período de sete dias. CONCLUSÕES: Uma sepse peritoneal menor por fezes eleva a resistência orgânica a nova contaminação fecal mais intensa que ocorra após um período curto. Contudo, essa defesa não persiste por tempo mais prolongado.