bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Auditory Processing in Specific Language Impairment (SLI): Relations With the Perception of Lexical and Phrasal Stress
Authors: Richards Susan , Goswami Usha 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
We investigated whether impaired acoustic processing is a factor in developmental language disorders. The amplitude envelope of the speech signal is known to be important in language processing. We examined whether impaired perception of amplitude envelope rise time is related to impaired perception of lexical and phrasal stress in children with specific language impairment (SLI).

Method
Twenty-two children aged between 8 and 12 years participated in this study. Twelve had SLI; 10 were typically developing controls. All children completed psychoacoustic tasks measuring rise time, intensity, frequency, and duration discrimination. They also completed 2 linguistic stress tasks measuring lexical and phrasal stress perception.

Results
The SLI group scored significantly below the typically developing controls on both stress perception tasks. Performance on stress tasks correlated with individual differences in auditory sensitivity. Rise time and frequency thresholds accounted for the most unique variance. Digit Span also contributed to task success for the SLI group.

Conclusions
The SLI group had difficulties with both acoustic and stress perception tasks. Our data suggest that poor sensitivity to amplitude rise time and sound frequency significantly contributes to the stress perception skills of children with SLI. Other cognitive factors such as phonological memory are also implicated.
Classroom Noise and Teachers' Voice Production
Authors: Rantala Leena M. , Hakala Suvi , Holmqvist Sofia , Sala Eeva 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
The aim of this study was to research the associations between noise (ambient and activity noise) and objective metrics of teachers' voices in real working environments (i.e., classrooms).

Method
Thirty-two female and 8 male teachers from 14 elementary schools were randomly selected for the study. Ambient noise was measured during breaks in unoccupied classrooms and, likewise, the noise caused by pupils' activity during lessons. Voice samples were recorded before and after a working day. Voice variables measured were sound pressure level (voice SPL), fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and the tilt of the sound spectrum slope (alpha ratio).

Results
The ambient noise correlated most often with the fundamental frequency of men and voice SPL, whereas activity noise correlated with the alpha ratio and perturbation values. Teachers working in louder ambient noise spoke more loudly before work than those working in lower noise levels. Voice variables generally changed less during work among teachers working in loud activity noise than among those working in lower noise levels.

Conclusions
Ambient and activity noises affect teachers' voice use. Under loud ambient noise teachers seem to speak habitually loudly, and under loud activity noise teachers' ability to react to loading deteriorates.
Is There a Role for Exercise in the Management of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
Authors: Plowman Emily K. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
The role of exercise in the management of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) is controversial and currently unclear. The purpose of this review article is to review literature examining the impact of limb, respiratory, and oral motor exercise on function, disease progression, and survival in PALS and the transgenic ALS animal model.

Method
A literature review was conducted to examine relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1960 and 2014. All studies were appraised for quality of research and were assigned a level of evidence, and treatment outcomes were classified as either positive, negative, or neutral.

Results
A total of 18 exercise-based intervention studies on limb (13), respiratory (3), or speech (2) function were identified. Of the human clinical trials, 6 were experimental and 4 were exploratory. No experimental studies were identified examining the impact of targeted exercise on speech or swallowing function. Mild to moderate intensity limb or respiratory exercise, applied early in the disease, was noted to have a beneficial impact on motor function and survival.

Conclusion
Insufficient data exist to support or refute the role of exercise in the management of bulbar dysfunction in PALS. This represents a critical area of future investigation.
Evacuation Times of Radio Transmitters Consumed by Largemouth Bass
Authors: Thompson Brandon C. , Gwinn Daniel C. , Allen Micheal S. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Reduction in transmitter size used in telemetry studies have allowed researchers to tag and track fish that are much smaller than could have been tagged previously. Researchers seek information on juvenile or small fish movement, behavior, and survival to better understand recruitment processes. Juvenile or small-bodied fish that have been tagged have an increased risk of predation, which results in transmitters being consumed. Knowledge about radio transmitter accumulation in a predator's gut and evacuation times are critical for interpreting locations of radio-tagged fish and their predators. Our objective was to determine what factors influenced the evacuation time of transmitters (0.3 g), implanted in juvenile Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides through the digestive system of adult Largemouth Bass that had preyed upon those tagged juveniles. All transmitters ingested by the predators were evacuated within 84 h. A Poisson regression model showed that transit time decreased significantly with temperature and increased with prey length and predator length. The results of this study suggest that miniature radio transmitters (e.g., 0.3 g) do not accumulate in the digestive tract of predators and that after consumption, up to 3 d of behavior (i.e., movement and habitat use) by the predator, movements could falsely be attributed to the juvenile fish. Therefore, if a distinction cannot be made between predator and tagged juvenile Largemouth Bass, we recommend not including information from the final 3 d before cessation of movement when analyzing the behavior of tagged fish.
Received June 9, 2014; accepted January 28, 2015
Ethanol extract of Brazilian propolis ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and suppressed protein aggregations caused by hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors: Miyazaki Yuta , Sugimoto Yasushi , Fujita Akikazu , Kanouchi Hiroaki 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy) has been proposed to be a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. We investigated the effects and the underlying mechanisms of action of propolis, which has antioxidant activity on Hcy-induced oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro assays, neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and glioblastoma U-251MG cells were cultured with Hcy and various concentrations of propolis. Cell death and reactive oxygen species production were significantly suppressed by propolis in dose-dependent manner, compared with Hcy alone. For the in vivo assays, mice were fed a propolis-containing diet and Hcy thiolactone in water. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze test. Propolis suppressed cognitive dysfunction caused by hyperhomocysteinemia. Accumulation of aggregated protein in brain was accelerated in hyperhomocysteinemia, and the accumulation was suppressed by propolis. Hyperhomocysteinemia, however, did not enhance the oxidative stress in brain. In vitro amyloid formation assay showed that Hcy accelerated lysozyme aggregation and propolis inhibited the aggregation.
Factors Influencing Daily Growth in Young-of-the-Year Winter Flounder along an Urban Gradient Revealed Using Hierarchical Linear Models
Authors: Gallagher Brian K. , Hice Lyndie A. , McElroy Anne E. , Cerrato Robert M. , Frisk Michael G. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Growth during early life history plays a key role in the recruitment dynamics of marine fishes; however, the effects of environmental stressors on growth are often difficult to quantify. In this study, increment widths from sagittal otoliths were used as a proxy for daily growth in 102 young-of-the-year Winter Flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus collected over a 2-year period from three sites in Long Island, New York. We hypothesized that we would observe different growth patterns among bays due to an environmental gradient driven primarily by contaminant loadings and environmental stressors in our study sites. Hierarchical linear models were utilized to associate individual attributes (ontogeny, condition, and gene expression) to daily growth patterns during each year. As expected, daily growth generally displayed a negative relationship with age and daily average temperature, although the effect of temperature was much more variable. Out of 14 individual attributes, the settlement date, the age at capture, the condition indices Fulton's K and hepatosomatic index, and the expression of genes associated with immune response (pleurocidin), contaminant exposure (cytochrome P5401A), and glucose and glycogen metabolism (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) were observed to significantly and consistently affect growth. The results provide evidence of differential growth based on the date of settlement and condition, and the molecular indicators of stress suggest that growth is also influenced by habitat quality. There were significantly different relationships between individual attributes and growth among bays, but these did not always reflect the proposed environmental gradient. Together, the results suggest that anthropogenic stressors likely play a role in growth and recruitment processes in Long Island bays and indicate that growth is both spatially and temporally dynamic at multiple scales. Furthermore, this study highlights the utility of hierarchical linear models in analyzing complex daily growth data in juvenile fish, which may be applicable to other species.
Waiting for a flourishing Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) fishery that never comes: old truths and new perspectives
Authors: Svedäng Henrik , Hornborg Sara 
Published: June 2015

AbstractContrary to the declared recovery of the stock, the density-dependent growth of Eastern Baltic cod (Gadus morhua, Gadidae), probably related to increased gear selectivity, may have disrupted the size structure and substantially lowered the productivity of the stock. This naturally affects the profitability and future development of industry as well as ecosystem objectives in relation to policies such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. As a result, current management frameworks need to be reconsidered with a clear priority on setting objectives related to both socio-economic and ecosystem considerations. We explore various management options, using bioeconomic modelling to visualize potential trade-offs, and form an integrated decision support to inform managers regarding potential yield in biomass, revenue at both the fleet and individual levels, and environmental impact of fishing. We also investigate the consequences of preventing density-dependence by lowering selectivity, Lc, while optimizing for economic revenue and minimizing ecosystem impacts. Our findings indicate that new strategies need to be adopted by reducing Lc as well as fishing mortality, F, to restore individual growth and, hence, stock productivity. We also note that these more risk-averting strategies are positively linked to better profitability at both the individual and fleet levels as well as with enhanced ecosystem functioning and lower ecological stress.
Swift/XRT view of S5 0716+714 during a flare
Authors: Wierzcholska A. , Siejkowski H. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
The blazar S5 0716+714 has been monitored in its flaring state between 2015 January 19 and February 22 with the Swift X-Ray Telescope (Swift/XRT). During this period, an exceptional flux level was observed in the X-ray range as well as at other wavelengths, e.g. optical, near-infrared and very-high-energy γ rays. Here, we report X-ray observations of S5 0716+714 carried out during the outburst. The observed X-ray spectra, well described by a broken power-law model, disentangle both synchrotron and inverse Compton components. The break energy shifts towards higher energies with increasing flux, revealing the dominance of synchrotron radiation in the X-ray spectrum observed. We also report spectrum softening with increasing flux. During the recent flare, significant temporal intranight variability is observed in the X-ray range.
Black hole accretion versus star formation rate: theory confronts observations
Authors: Volonteri Marta , Capelo Pedro R. , Netzer Hagai , Bellovary Jillian , Dotti Massimo , Governato Fabio 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
We use a suite of hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy mergers to compare star formation rate (SFR) and black hole accretion rate (BHAR) for galaxies before the interaction (‘stochastic’ phase), during the ‘merger’ proper, lasting ∼0.2–0.3 Gyr, and in the ‘remnant’ phase. We calculate the bivariate distribution of SFR and BHAR and define the regions in the SFR–BHAR plane that the three phases occupy. No strong correlation between BHAR and galaxy-wide SFR is found. A possible exception are galaxies with the highest SFR and the highest BHAR. We also bin the data in the same way used in several observational studies, by either measuring the mean SFR for AGN in different luminosity bins, or the mean BHAR for galaxies in bins of SFR. We find that the apparent contradiction or SFR versus BHAR for observed samples of AGN and star-forming galaxies is actually caused by binning effects. The two types of samples use different projections of the full bivariate distribution, and the full information would lead to unambiguous interpretation. We also find that a galaxy can be classified as AGN-dominated up to 1.5 Gyr after the merger-driven starburst took place. Our study is consistent with the suggestion that most low-luminosity AGN hosts do not show morphological disturbances.
Four Weeks in a Single-Leg Weight-Bearing Hip Spica Cast is Sufficient Treatment for Isolated Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children Aged 1 to 3 Years
Authors: Jaafar Sami , Sobh Ali , Legakis Julie E. , Thomas Ronald , Buhler Kelsey , Jones Eric T. 
Published: June 2015

Background:
Hip spica casting regimens for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in a pediatric population aged 1 to 3 years vary. Patient charts were reviewed to determine if there are any clinical differences between 3 and 4 weeks in an ambulatory single-leg hip spica (SLHS) cast versus 6 to 8 weeks in a standard double-leg, non–weight-bearing hip spica cast.

Methods:
The medical records of 109 patients with femoral shaft fractures treated with a hip spica casting from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011 were examined. After exclusions, 94 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. Patient records were assessed, noting age, weight, type of cast, time in cast, and complications. All casts were applied by senior pediatric orthopaedic surgeons at a single institution.

Results:
Two groups were evaluated: 59 patients in the SLHS group and 35 in the double-leg hip spica group. The 2 groups were demographically similar with an average age of 2 years, 70.2% of patients were male, 45.7% were black, and 35.1% were white. The average time to cast removal was 4.1 weeks for the single-leg group and 5.3 weeks for the double-leg group (P<0.001). Both groups had similar low rates of loss of reduction. The double-leg group had a significantly higher incidence of clinically significant limb-length discrepancy (7/35, 20%), compared with the single-leg group (1/59, 1.7%, P=0.004). In addition, the double-leg group also had more skin problems (11/35, 31.4%) compared with the single-leg group (6/59, 10.2%, P=0.013). Seventeen patients in the single-leg group were documented as walking in the cast as compared with no patients in the double-leg group (P<0.001).

Conclusions:
Patients treated with a single-leg spica cast for 4 weeks had fewer complications than patients treated in a traditional double-leg cast. Femoral shaft fractures in patients less than 4 years old can be treated in a weight-bearing SLHS casts for approximately 4 weeks with fewer alignment and skin complications.

Level of Evidence:
Level III—clinical retrospective comparative study.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Extensor Pollicis Longus Rupture in Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing of Pediatric Forearm Shaft Fractures
Authors: Lee Adam K. , Beck John D. , Mirenda William M. , Klena Joel C. 
Published: June 2015

Background:
Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is an effective means of fixation for unstable, pediatric forearm shaft fractures with the benefit of smaller incisions, less soft tissue manipulation, and ease of removal. This study was designed to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for extensor pollicis longus (EPL) rupture after fixation of pediatric radial shaft fractures with ESIN.

Methods:
A retrospective review of all patients younger than 19 years who had a repair of a forearm fracture with flexible intramedullary nailing between 2006 and 2011 was performed. Nineteen consecutive patients were identified from the electronic medical record. All patients were treated with a titanium elastic nailing system using a dorsal approach to the radius. The patients were followed postoperatively for at least 2 years, and all fractures healed. An extensive chart review assessing for persistent pain, EPL function, and risk factors for EPL rupture was performed. Implants were removed in all but 1 patient.

Results:
Seventeen records were available for review. Fourteen (82%) were male, and the mean age at time of fracture was 10 years old (range, 5 to 14 y). Follow-up averaged 5.5 years (range, 2.9 to 7.8 y). The mean weight was 32.7 kg for males and 50.6 kg for females corresponding to the 61st and 60th percentile respectively of weight-for-age (range, 8th to 99.9th percentile). Hardware was removed in all but 1 case, and the median time from surgery to hardware removal was 21 weeks (range, 8 to 63). Three of the 17 patients (18%) experienced rupture of the EPL. Two were treated with additional surgery following hardware removal, and one was untreated due to patient preference. None of the 17 patients (including those with rupture) had independent risk factors for tendon rupture: inflammatory arthritis, diabetes, or prior steroid use. Time to removal, patient age, and percentile of weight-for-age did not correlate with EPL rupture.

Conclusions:
Although ESIN of pediatric forearm shaft fractures has gained acceptance as a treatment option, our series of 17 patients revealed an 18% rate of EPL rupture. With this small patient cohort, no patient characteristics proved to be significant risk factors for predicting tendon rupture. However, awareness should be raised for an increased risk of EPL rupture with this fixation method.

Level of Evidence:
Level IV—Therapeutic.
Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning Versus Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Type II Lateral Condyle Humerus Fractures in Children Displaced >2 mm
Authors: Pennock Andrew T. , Salgueiro Lissette , Upasani Vidyadhar V. , Bastrom Tracey P. , Newton Peter O. , Yaszay Burt 
Published: June 2015

Background:
The optimal treatment for pediatric lateral condyle fractures displaced >2 mm, but with little joint displacement is unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical and radiographic outcomes and complication rates of patients undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) versus closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation (CRPP) of lateral condyle fractures with >2 mm of displacement and no obvious articular surface incongruity.

Methods:
A retrospective review of all children with acute lateral condyle fractures with 2.1 to 5.0 mm of displacement treated from 2006 to 2014 was performed. A total of 74 patients were treated who met inclusion criteria; 51 underwent ORIF and 23 underwent CRPP. No differences existed between the 2 groups with respect to age, sex, extremity, mechanism of injury, time to treatment, fracture displacement, or fracture classification. Charts and radiographs were reviewed and the following parameters were documented: operating room time, time to union, return to activities, magnitude of lateral spurring, and complications. Major complications were defined as those with presumptive long-term effects or requiring reoperation.

Results:
All fractures healed within 12 weeks of surgery, regardless of treatment type and no differences were observed in time to union between groups. OR time averaged 30 minutes faster for the CRPP group (P<0.001). Nearly 10% of patients in each group developed elbow stiffness, requiring formal therapy. The overall complication rates were 25% for the ORIF group and 13% for the CRPP group (P=0.36). No major complications were observed in the CRPP group, whereas 3 (6%) were observed in the ORIF group, including 1 case of avascular necrosis, 1 case of osteomyelitis with an associated premature physeal closure, and 1 refracture requiring surgery.

Conclusions:
Surgical treatment of lateral condyle fractures displaced >2 mm, but with no significant articular surface incongruity has good outcomes with both CRPP and ORIF. CRPP, however, minimizes surgical time, avoids an incision and is thus our preferred treatment approach when joint congruity can be confirmed.

Level of Evidence:
Level III—therapeutic study.
Effect of Casting Material on the Cast Pressure After Sequential Cast Splitting
Authors: Roberts Aaron , Shaw K. Aaron , Boomsma Shawn E. , Cameron Craig D. 
Published: June 2015

Background:
Circumferential casting is a vital component of nonoperative fracture management. These casts are commonly valved to release pressure and decrease the risk of complications from swelling. However, little information exists regarding the effect of different casting supplies on the pressure within the cast.

Methods:
Seventy-five long-arm casts were performed on human volunteers, divided between 5 experimental groups with 15 casts in each groups. Testing groups consisted of 2 groups with a plaster short-arm cast overwrapped with fiberglass to a long arm with either cotton or synthetic cast padding. The 3 remaining groups included fiberglass long-arm casts with cotton, synthetic, or waterproof cast padding. A pediatric blood pressure cuff bladder was placed within the cast and inflated to 100 mm Hg. After inflation, the cast was sequentially released with pressure reading preformed after each stage. Order of release consisted of cast bivalve, cast padding release, and cotton stockinet release. After release, the cast was overwrapped with a loose elastic bandage. Difference in pressure readings were compared based upon the cast material.

Results:
Pressures within the cast were found to decrease with sequential release of cast. The cast type had no effect of change in pressure. Post hoc testing demonstrated that the type of cast padding significantly affected the cast pressures with waterproof padding demonstrating the highest pressure readings at all time-points in the study, followed by synthetic padding. Cotton padding had the lowest pressure readings at all time-points.

Discussion:
Type of cast padding significantly influences the amount of pressure within a long-arm cast, even after bivalving the cast and cutting the cast padding. Cotton cast padding allows for the greatest change in pressure.

Clinical Relevance:
Cotton padding demonstrates the greatest change in pressure within a long-arm cast after undergoing bivalve. Synthetic and waterproof cast padding should not be used in the setting of an acute fracture to accommodate swelling.