bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual–vestibular cue integration for heading perception: applications of optimal cue integration theory
Authors: Fetsch Christopher R. , DeAngelis Gregory C. , Angelaki Dora E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe perception of self‐motion is crucial for navigation, spatial orientation and motor control. In particular, estimation of one’s direction of translation, or heading, relies heavily on multisensory integration in most natural situations. Visual and nonvisual (e.g., vestibular) information can be used to judge heading, but each modality alone is often insufficient for accurate performance. It is not surprising, then, that visual and vestibular signals converge frequently in the nervous system, and that these signals interact in powerful ways at the level of behavior and perception. Early behavioral studies of visual–vestibular interactions consisted mainly of descriptive accounts of perceptual illusions and qualitative estimation tasks, often with conflicting results. In contrast, cue integration research in other modalities has benefited from the application of rigorous psychophysical techniques, guided by normative models that rest on the foundation of ideal‐observer analysis and Bayesian decision theory. Here we review recent experiments that have attempted to harness these so‐called optimal cue integration models for the study of self‐motion perception. Some of these studies used nonhuman primate subjects, enabling direct comparisons between behavioral performance and simultaneously recorded neuronal activity. The results indicate that humans and monkeys can integrate visual and vestibular heading cues in a manner consistent with optimal integration theory, and that single neurons in the dorsal medial superior temporal area show striking correlates of the behavioral effects. This line of research and other applications of normative cue combination models should continue to shed light on mechanisms of self‐motion perception and the neuronal basis of multisensory integration.
Visuohaptic convergence in a corticocerebellar network
Authors: Naumer Marcus J. , Ratz Leonie , Yalachkov Yavor , Polony Andrea , Doehrmann Oliver , Van De Ven Vincent , Müller Notger G. , Kaiser Jochen , Hein Grit 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe processing of visual and haptic inputs, occurring either separately or jointly, is crucial for everyday‐life object recognition, and has been a focus of recent neuroimaging research. Previously, visuohaptic convergence has been mostly investigated with matching‐task paradigms. However, much less is known about visuohaptic convergence in the absence of additional task demands. We conducted two functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments in which subjects actively touched and/or viewed unfamiliar object stimuli without any additional task demands. In addition, we performed two control experiments with audiovisual and audiohaptic stimulation to examine the specificity of the observed visuohaptic convergence effects. We found robust visuohaptic convergence in bilateral lateral occipital cortex and anterior cerebellum. In contrast, neither the anterior cerebellum nor the lateral occipital cortex showed any involvement in audiovisual or audiohaptic convergence, indicating that multisensory convergence in these regions is specifically geared to visual and haptic inputs. These data suggest that in humans the lateral occipital cortex and the anterior cerebellum play an important role in visuohaptic processing even in the absence of additional task demands.
Dynamic, rhythmic facial expressions and the superior temporal sulcus of macaque monkeys: implications for the evolution of audiovisual speech
Authors: Ghazanfar Asif A. , Chandrasekaran Chandramouli , Morrill Ryan J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAudiovisual speech has a stereotypical rhythm that is between 2 and 7 Hz, and deviations from this frequency range in either modality reduce intelligibility. Understanding how audiovisual speech evolved requires investigating the origins of this rhythmic structure. One hypothesis is that the rhythm of speech evolved through the modification of some pre‐existing cyclical jaw movements in a primate ancestor. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the temporal structure of lipsmacks and teeth‐grinds of macaque monkeys and the neural responses to these facial gestures in the superior temporal sulcus (STS), a region implicated in the processing of audiovisual communication signals in both humans and monkeys. We found that both lipsmacks and teeth‐grinds have consistent but distinct peak frequencies and that both fall well within the 2–7 Hz range of mouth movements associated with audiovisual speech. Single neurons and local field potentials of the STS of monkeys readily responded to such facial rhythms, but also responded just as robustly to yawns, a nonrhythmic but dynamic facial expression. All expressions elicited enhanced power in the delta (0–3Hz), theta (3–8Hz), alpha (8–14Hz) and gamma (> 60 Hz) frequency ranges, and suppressed power in the beta (20–40Hz) range. Thus, STS is sensitive to, but not selective for, rhythmic facial gestures. Taken together, these data provide support for the idea that that audiovisual speech evolved (at least in part) from the rhythmic facial gestures of an ancestral primate and that the STS was sensitive to and thus ‘prepared’ for the advent of rhythmic audiovisual communication.
The educational technology centre: A window to view the progress of Chinese ICT‐based higher education
Authors: Zhou Rong , Xie Baizhi 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn China, after many years, the current status and challenges of e‐learning development in higher education have been gradually understood. The educational technology centre (ECT) serves as the key unit to promote e‐learning initiatives, but the performance of some centres still trails their foreign counterparts. Under such conditions, the project ‘Construction Model of the ETC in Chinese Universities and Colleges’ was conducted. An investigation of the e‐learning performance of 70 ETCs was provided and the main problems were identified through quantitative analysis. Then, with the guidance of international standards, the ‘functional‐level’ model coupled with some common strategies for its application was created as an innovative blueprint to help the ETCs towards excellence.
Effect of Swedish snuff (snus) on preterm birth
Authors: Wikström A‐K , Cnattingius S , Galanti MR , Kieler H , Stephansson O 
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Wikström A‐K, Cnattingius S, Galanti M, Kieler H, Stephansson O. Effect of Swedish snuff (snus) on preterm birth. BJOG 2010;117:1005–1010.Objective  To compare the effects of Swedish snuff and cigarette smoking on risks of preterm birth.Design  Population‐based cohort study.Setting  Sweden.Population  All live, singleton births in Sweden 1999–2006.Methods  Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate relative risks for preterm birth in snuff users (n = 7607), light smokers (1–9 cigarettes/day; n = 41 436) and heavy smokers (ten or more cigarettes/day; n = 16 951) using non‐tobacco users (n = 503 957) as reference.Main outcome measures  Very (<32 weeks) and moderately (32–36 weeks) preterm birth.Results  Compared with non‐tobacco users, snuff users had increased risks of both very (adjusted OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.04–1.83) and moderately (adjusted OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12–1.40) preterm birth. Compared with non‐tobacco users, light smokers had increased risks of both very (adjusted OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.42–1.81) and moderately (adjusted OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.12–1.24) preterm birth, and heavy smokers had even higher risks. Among smokers, but not among snuff users, the risk was more pronounced for spontaneous than induced preterm birth.Conclusions  The use of Swedish snuff was associated with increased risks of very and moderately preterm birth with both spontaneous and induced onsets. Swedish snuff is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking during pregnancy.
The effects of uterine artery embolisation and surgical treatment on ovarian function in women with uterine fibroids
Authors: Rashid S , Khaund A , Murray LS , Moss JG , Cooper K , Lyons D , Murray GD , Lumsden MA 
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Rashid S, Khaund A, Murray L, Moss J, Cooper K, Lyons D, Murray G, Lumsden M. The effects of uterine artery embolisation and surgical treatment on ovarian function in women with uterine fibroids. BJOG 2010;117:985–989.Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare both ovarian function and menstrual characteristics following uterine artery embolisation (UAE) and surgery.Design  Subgroup of women from a randomised controlled trial.Setting  Gynaecology and radiology units in Scotland, UK.Population  Ninety‐six women from the randomised controlled trial comparing embolisation with surgery as a treatment for fibroids (REST), which recruited 157 patients (106 UAE; 51 surgery).Methods  Seventy‐three women undergoing UAE and 23 women undergoing surgery (with ovarian conservation) had serum follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) measurements taken on day 3 of the menstrual cycle prior to treatment, and at 6 and 12 months post‐treatment. Data on menstrual cycle characteristics was also collected.Main outcome measures  Ovarian failure, as defined by an FSH level of >40 iu/l, and change in duration of menses and length of menstrual cycle.Results  There was no significant difference in the rate of ovarian failure at 12 months between UAE (11%) and surgical patients (18%) (P = 0.44). This finding was not influenced by age. The mean duration of menstrual flow decreased significantly, from baseline to 12 months, by 1.7 days (SD 3.8), (95% CI 0.8–2.6). There was no statistically significant change in mean cycle length at 12 months (0.7 days [SD 4.9]; 95% CI [−0.5, 1.9]).Conclusions  There is no evidence for UAE accelerating a deterioration in ovarian function at 1 year, when compared with surgery. UAE is associated with a decrease in the duration of menstrual flow at 1 year.
The development of telehealth as a strategy to improve health care services in Zambia
Authors: Chanda Kenneth L. , Shaw Jean G. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground:  Providing health information and knowledge to health practitioners in rural parts of Africa is a major problem, impacting on the delivery of health care and professional development. In Zambia, as in other African countries, medical expertise, equipment and information resources are concentrated in the major cities with an adverse effect on patients living in rural areas.Objectives:  We seek to outline the benefits of telehealth initiatives in ameliorating the problems caused by the inequitable distribution of expertise, equipment and knowledge resources in a low‐income country. The principles agreed to take advantage of technology and the progress towards implementation are described.Methods:  This is a descriptive study based on the literature, news reports, and the personal experience of the first author on the Zambian National Telehealth Steering Committee.Results and Conclusions:  The introduction of telehealth to solve some of the problems of health delivery in Zambia is a gigantic enterprise, and liable to setbacks. But the librarians at the University of Zambia Medical Library, with a history of making knowledge available and their involvement in the telehealth strategy, are seeking opportunities to provide better outreach services to hospitals and health facilities throughout the country.
OTseeker helps library and allied health professionals to find quality evidence efficiently
Authors: McCluskey Annie , Bennett Sally , Hoffmann Tammy , Tooth Leigh 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground:  Research is essential for evidence‐based practice yet many health professionals do not have enough time to find research. Studies relevant to occupational therapists can be particularly difficult to find. Most search engines are broad and return a large number of irrelevant articles. Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of Evidence (OTseeker) is an occupational therapy database available at http://www.otseeker.com. Developed by Australian occupational therapists, the resource aims to increase access to research and support clinical decision making. This discipline‐specific database contains pre‐appraised information from a variety of sources and decreases the time required to locate best evidence.Objectives:  The aims of this paper are to: (i) describe how health librarians can use OTseeker to help allied health students, researchers and practitioners, particularly in occupational therapy, to find quality evidence; (ii) provide a teaching resource for health librarians based around the OTseeker evidence database; and (iii) highlight new features contained on the OTseeker database.Methods:  A case study is provided which focuses on searching for evidence on the effectiveness of upper limb rehabilitation after stroke using OTseeker.Conclusion:  This paper may increase the knowledge, skills and competencies of health librarians, helping them to access evidence‐based databases, and educate other professionals.
Characteristics and publication patterns of theses from a Peruvian medical school
Authors: Arriola‐Quiroz Isaias , Curioso Walter H. , Cruz‐Encarnacion Maria , Gayoso Oscar 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground:  Many medical schools require a student thesis before graduation. Publishing results in a peer‐reviewed journal could be an indicator of scientific value and acceptability by the scientific community. The publication pattern of theses published by medical students in Peru is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics and publication pattern of theses in biomedical‐indexed journals conducted by medical students in a university with the highest research output in Peru.Methods:  Data from registered theses between 2000 and 2003 were obtained from the university library. Publication of theses in biomedical journals was assessed in 2008 by a search strategy using PubMed, Google Scholar, LILACS, LIPECS and SciELO.Results:  Four hundred and eighty‐two medical theses were registered between 2000 and 2003; 85 (17.6%) were published in biomedical‐indexed journals. Of the published theses, 28 (5.8%) were published in MEDLINE‐indexed journals, 55 (11.4%) in SciELO‐indexed journals, 61 (12.6%) in LILACS‐indexed journals and 68 (14.1%) in LIPECS‐indexed journals. Most of the published theses (80%) were in Spanish and published in Peruvian journals; and 17 theses (20%) were published in foreign journals (all of them indexed in MEDLINE). In addition, 37 (43.5%) belong primarily to internal medicine, and 24 (28.2%) belong primarily to infectious diseases. Medical students were first authors in 71 (83.5%) of the articles.Conclusion:  In this study, most of the published theses were in Spanish, published in local journals and indexed in LIPECS. The percentage of published theses in biomedical journals at this university is comparable with others coming from developed countries.
An overview of 45 published database resources for complementary and alternative medicine
Authors: Boehm Katja , Raak Christa , Vollmar Horst Christian , Ostermann Thomas 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground:  Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has succeeded to implement itself in the academic context of universities. In order to get information on CAM, clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals as well as the lay public are increasingly turning to online portals and databases, which disseminate relevant resources. One specific type of online information retrieval systems, namely the database, is being reviewed in this article.Question:  This overview aims at systematically retrieving and describing all databases covering the field of CAM. One of the requirements for inclusion was that the database would also have to be published in a medical journal.Data sources:  The databases amed, CAMbase, embase, and medline/PubMed were searched between December 2008 and December 2009 for publications relevant to CAM databases. The authors’ specialist library was also searched for grey literature to be included.Study selection:  All included databases were then visited online and information on the context, structure and volume of the database was extracted.Main results:  Forty‐five databases were included in this overview. Databases covered herbal therapies (n = 11), traditional Chinese medicine (n = 9) and some dealt with a vast number of CAM modalities (n = 9), amongst others. The amount of time the databases had been in existence ranged from 4 to 53 years. Countries of origin included the USA (n = 14), UK (n = 7) and Germany (n = 6), amongst others. The main language in 42 of 45 databases was English.Conclusions:  Although this overview is quite comprehensive with respect to the field of CAM, certain CAM practices such as chiropractic, massage, reflexology, meditation or yoga may not have been covered adequately. A more detailed assessment of the quality of the included databases might give additional insights into the listed resources. The creation of a personalised meta‐search engine is suggested, towards which this overview could be seen as a first step.
EditorialKeeping information centre stage amid changing scenery
Authors: Grant Maria J 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWith conference season upon us, consideration is given to the importance of subject‐specific and library association conferences. The biennial Health Libraries Group (HLG) conference meets both these criteria and takes place in Greater Manchester in July. The conference provides an opportunity for peer‐to‐peer learning, identifying new trends and professional rejuvenation. An open invitation is given to attend the Health Information and Libraries Journal‘Writing for Publication’ workshop at the HLG conference. An overview of three bursaries available from the Health Libraries Group and Library and Information Research, both groups of the UK Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is provided. The bursaries offer opportunities to cover the costs of registration and travel expenses to national and international conference.
A geothermal‐linked biological oasis in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Authors: LOVALVO D. , CLINGENPEEL S. R. , MCGINNIS S. , MACUR R. E. , VARLEY J. D. , INSKEEP W. P. , GLIME J. , NEALSON K. , MCDERMOTT T. R. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractHundreds of active and dormant geothermal vents have been located on the floor of Yellowstone Lake, although characterization of the associated biology (macro or micro) has been extremely limited. Herein, we describe an aquatic moss (Fontinalis) colony closely associated with vent emissions that considerably exceeded known temperature maxima for this plant. Vent waters were supersaturated with CO2, likely accommodating a CO2 compensation point that would be expected to be quite elevated under these conditions. The moss was colonized by metazoa, including the crustaceans Hyalella and Gammarus, a segmented worm in the Lumbriculidae family, and a flatworm specimen tentatively identified as Polycelis. The presence of these invertebrates suggest a highly localized food chain that derives from the presence of geothermal inputs and thus is analogous to the deep marine vents that support significant biodiversity.
Evaluation of an indirect oscillometric blood pressure monitor in normotensive and hypotensive anesthetized dogs
Authors: Shih Andre , Robertson Sheilah , Vigani Alessio , Da Cunha Anderson , Pablo Luisito , Bandt Carsten 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjective –To determine the accuracy and precision of an oscillometric noninvasive blood pressure device as a predictor of invasive direct blood pressure in healthy anesthetized hypotensive and normotensive dogs.Design –Prospective observational study.Setting –University teaching hospital.Animals –Eight crossbred adult dogs.Interventions –Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. A catheter was placed in the dorsal pedal artery to record systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressures (aSAP, aMAP, and aDAP, respectively). The noninvasive blood pressure device cuff was placed around the contralateral front limb to record noninvasive systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressure (nSAP, nMAP, and nDAP). Two states of blood pressure (BP) were studied: baseline state was established by keeping end‐tidal isoflurane concentration at 1.2±0.1%. The hypotensive state was achieved by maintaining the same isoflurane concentration while withdrawing approximately 40% of the animal's blood volume until aMAP was stable at approximately 40 mm Hg. At the end of the study, blood was returned to the animal and it was allowed to recover from anesthesia.Measurements and Main Results –Agreement between the direct and indirect BP measurements was determined by the Bland‐Altman method. The SAP and MAP but not DAP bias varied significantly between each BP state. Normotensive absolute biases (mean [SD]) for SAP, MAP, and DAP were −14.7 mm Hg (15.5 mm Hg), −16.4 mm Hg (12.1 mm Hg), and −14.1 mm Hg (15.8 mm Hg), respectively. Absolute biases during the hypotensive state for SAP, MAP, and DAP were −32 mm Hg (22.6 mm Hg), −24.2 mm Hg (19.5 mm Hg), and −16.8 mm Hg (17.2 mm Hg), respectively.Conclusion –The oscillometric device was not reliably predictive of intra‐arterial BP during hypotension associated with acute hemorrhage.
Immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia in dogs: 12 cases (2001–2008)
Authors: Orcutt Elizabeth S. , Lee Justine A. , Bianco Domenico 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjective –To identify and characterize the syndrome of immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) with concurrent severe thrombocytopenia (≤15.0 × 109 platelets/L; [15.0 × 103 platelets/μL]), and to evaluate prognostic factors, clinicopathologic findings, complications, treatment, outcome, and survival of dogs with this hematologic disorder.Design –Retrospective, observational study.Setting –Veterinary teaching hospital.Animals –Twelve client‐owned dogs with IMHA and severe thrombocytopenia (≤15.0 × 109 platelets/L; [15.0 × 103 platelets/μL]), without evidence of overt disseminated intravascular coagulation.Interventions –The following data were recorded and analyzed from the electronic medical record: signalment, history, concurrent diseases, clinical signs at presentation, clinicopathologic data, diagnostic testing, radiographic findings, treatment modalities, length of hospitalization, complications, and clinical outcome. All dogs were treated with immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids.Measurements and Main Results –Twelve dogs were identified with the diagnosis of IMHA and severe thrombocytopenia; of these, 9 (75%) survived, 3 (25%) were euthanized, and none died. Dogs that survived were significantly younger than nonsurvivors (P=0.03). There were no specific clinical signs or therapies associated with survival.Conclusions –Dogs in this study had a mortality rate similar to reported rates for dogs with either disease alone. Overall, younger dogs were more likely to survive. No association between different treatment modalities and overall survival was identified.