bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of working memory in children's understanding spoken narrative: A preliminary investigation
Authors: MONTGOMERY JAMES W. , POLUNENKO ANZHELA , MARINELLIE SALLY A. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTThe role of phonological short-term memory (PSTM), attentional resource capacity/allocation, and processing speed on children's spoken narrative comprehension was investigated. Sixty-seven children (6–11 years) completed a digit span task (PSTM), concurrent verbal processing and storage (CPS) task (resource capacity/allocation), auditory–visual reaction time (AVRT) task (processing speed), and the Test of Narrative Language. Correlation and regression analyses examined the association between the memory variables and comprehension. The main findings were (a) CPS and AVRT correlated with comprehension and (b) after accounting for age, CPS accounted for a significant 7.9% of unique variance and AVRT accounted for another significant 5.2%. The results indicate that resource capacity/allocation and processing speed are important to children's ability to understand spoken narrative.
Experimental evaluation of open-loop swimming control for a robotic fish using electrostatic film motors
Authors: Yamashita Norio , Zhang Zu Guang , Yamamoto Akio , Gondo Masahiko , Higuchi Toshiro 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYWe have developed an underwater robotic fish using a unique three-layer electrostatic film motor. In the robotic fish, the unique motor actuates a flexible caudal fin to propel the robot via an elaborate power transmission system. In the present study, we describe the major disadvantages of the previous prototype of the robotic fish and improvements of the prototype. In addition, we present experimental evaluations related to the control parameters and locomotion performance of the robotic fish. These control parameters include the frequency and initial phase of AC voltage, and the amplitude and period of frequency sweeping. A simple theoretical model concerning the power transmission system of the robotic fish is also analyzed to provide a possible explanation for the unique swimming control. By appropriately adjusting these control parameters, we achieve cruising, emerging, submerging, and turning of the robotic fish even though only the caudal fin is active. Finally, we show smooth human-operated turn-around motion similar to that seen in real fish. Based on these experimental results, we further clarify the relationships between the open-loop motor pattern and motion parameters.
A BIAS-CORRECTED NONPARAMETRIC ENVELOPMENT ESTIMATOR OF FRONTIERS
Authors: Bădin Luiza , Simar Léopold 
Published: June 2009

In efficiency analysis, the production frontier is defined as the set of the most efficient alternatives among all possible combinations in the input-output space. The nonparametric envelopment estimators rely on the assumption that all the observations fall on the same side of the frontier. The free disposal hull (FDH) estimator of the attainable set is the smallest free disposal set covering all the observations. By construction, the FDH estimator is an inward-biased estimator of the frontier.The univariate extreme values representation of the FDH allows us to derive a bias-corrected estimator for the frontier. The presentation is based on a probabilistic formulation where the input-output pairs are realizations of independent random variables drawn from a joint distribution whose support is the production set. The bias-corrected estimator shares the asymptotic properties of the FDH estimator. But in finite samples, Monte Carlo experiments indicate that our bias-corrected estimator reduces significantly not only the bias of the FDH estimator but also its mean squared error, with no computational cost. The method is also illustrated with a real data example. A comparison with the parametric stochastic frontier indicates that the parametric approach can easily fail under wrong specification of the model.
The complexities of negotiating governance change: introducing managerialism in Italy
Authors: TOUSIJN WILLEM , GIORGINO VINCENZO MARIO BRUNO 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSince the beginning of the 1990s, health policy in Italy has been characterised by continuous reform as reflected by the frequency of new measures. Importantly, the reforms have changed considerably many aspects of the health-care system, including the governance of medical performance. The new measures fall into two types: regionalisation and transformation of local providers into ‘health-care enterprises’. In relation to the governance of medical performance, more specifically, the reforms have entailed the introduction of budgeting and quality assurance, the creation of new managerial roles, and the transformation of existing roles, as well as the introduction of new mechanisms for evaluating medical performance. In terms of the specific forms of governance, the reforms have reinforced hierarchy-based forms of governing intermeshed with party governance, and have re-defined professional self-regulation by strengthening collective forms of professional self-regulation. The design and implementation of the reforms are subject to a complex process of negotiation, which involves a wide range of actors spread across different levels of governance and takes place in relation to all aspects of the governance of medical performance.
Pflegebedürfnisse nierentransplantierter Jugendlicher: eine deskriptive Querschnittstudie in einem Schweizer Spital
Authors: Kleinknecht Michael , Neuhaus Thomas J. , Landolt Markus A. 
Published: June 2009

Verschiedene Studien weisen darauf hin, dass die 5-Jahres-Transplantat-Überlebensrate bei Jugendlichen nach einer Nierentransplantation signifikant geringer ist als bei jüngeren Patienten. Eine Ursache dafür kann die mangelnde Einhaltung der Behandlungsvorgaben sein. Es gibt empirische Hinweise, dass Pflegefachleute nierentransplantierte Jugendliche in ihrer Lebenssituation unterstützen können und sich dies positiv auf die Einhaltung der Behandlungsvorgaben auswirkt. Ziel der Studie war, Kenntnisse über die Themen zu erhalten, zu denen nierentransplantierte Jugendliche von Pflegefachleuten Unterstützung erwarten und wie wichtig diese sind. Dazu wurden in einer deskriptiven Querschnittserhebung 27 Jugendliche im Alter von zwölf bis 18 Jahren anhand eines in einer Fokusgruppe entwickelten Fragebogen interviewt. Die 43 vorgegebenen Themen wurden von den Jugendlichen mit einem Stimmenanteil von 20 % bis 100 % als «sehr wichtig» eingestuft. Es zeigte sich, dass die Informationen über die Krankheit und Behandlung am wichtigsten sind, gefolgt von der Unterstützung durch das technisch-organisatorische Behandlungs- und Betreuungsangebot sowie den Informationen und der Unterstützung zur persönlichen Lebensweise und -gestaltung. Diese Themen können als Set allgemein pflegerelevanter Variablen angesehen werden, die für das fokussierte Assessment und die Planung der Pflege in der Praxis eingesetzt werden können. Damit die Studienergebnisse praktisch zum Tragen kommen und Adoleszente von Pflegefachleuten in ihrer Lebenssituation unterstützt werden können, ist es notwendig, entsprechende Pflegestrategien sowie Patienten- und Familien-Schulungskonzepte zu erarbeiten.
Atomic Structures of Molecules Based on Additivity of Atomic and/or Ionic Radii
Authors: Heyrovska Raji , Narayan Sara 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe authors have shown in recent years that interatomic and interionic distances are sums of the radii of the adjacent atoms and/or ions. Many examples will be provided and it will be shown how the experimental bond lengths agree with the radii sums. The examples include inorganic compounds like alkali halides, metal hydrides, graphene, etc., organic like aliphatic and aromatic compounds and biochemical like nucleic acids, amino acids, caffeine-related compounds and vitamins.
BrainGrab: Capturing Curator Expertise as Reusable Annotation Rules
Authors: Haft Daniel , Basu Malay , Richter Roland 
Published: June 2009

AbstractExperienced biocurators can outperform automated systems on specific genes once they determine which pieces of evidence should drive annotation, and which annotations should be spread. The annotation logic may weigh both homology evidence (BLAST matches or HMM hits) and non-homology evidence (neighboring genes, metabolic context, taxonomic group). Unfortunately, the expertise developed to annotate each gene is short-lived, and is mostly lost if the logic driving the annotation is not captured. We report the development of BrainGrab, an interface added to the MANATEE manual annotation tool for prokaryotic genomes. The curator can specify evidence scenarios that should always lead to equivalent annotation for similar genes in similar contexts, and thus create new annotation rules while the expertise is fresh. No special knowledge of programming or protein family construction is required. BrainGrab rules can mix and match evidence types from the large array of existing protein family definitions such as Pfam families, sequence analyses such as SignalP, and contextual clues, that is, the same types of evidence already familiar to experienced biocurators. We have now created an infrastructure for collecting, distributing, interpreting, and applying BrainGrab rules for automated annotation. A rules interpreter combines queries of existing evidence with specified new searches to determine if a rule must fire. If so, the interpreter writes a new piece of rule-based evidence. Once deposited, BrainGrab/RuleBase evidence can provide automated annotation, pathway reconstruction, and even input data for other rules. We demonstrate the system with sets of rules for annotating proteins and pathways of siderophore biosynthesis in human pathogens, for annotating common fusion proteins, and for applying the proper nomenclature to bacterial ribosomal proteins. The chance to harness curatorial expertise for building rules creates a promising avenue for community contributions to improved annotation pipelines.
Laryngologist Leon Zamenhof—Brother of Dr. Esperanto
Authors: Wincewicz Andrzej , Sulkowska Mariola , Musiatowicz Marcin , Sulkowski Stanislaw 
Published: June 2009

Purpose
To reconstruct the biography of the Polish otorhinolaryngologist Leon Zamenhof (1875–1934), a brother of Ludwik Zamenhof, who is famous for invention of the international language Esperanto.

Method
Biographical information was collected from pre-World War II resources.

Results
Zamenhof developed several important new forms of treatment to help the hearing impaired. Zamenhof was especially interested in the education of deaf children and the therapy necessary to facilitate their integration into society. His significant achievements were a phonetic method of therapy for the hearing impaired and an automatic device for ear insufflation that was considered indispensable in the management of pyorrhea. In addition, Zamenhof initiated various forms of social support among physicians within the medical community of Warsaw, Poland; made health care available to children with hearing impairments; and organized a Jewish school for deaf children. Zamenhof tried to change public attitudes toward deafness, working to promote the integration of the deaf into wider society. He also translated Polish literature into Esperanto.

Conclusions
With similar aims to his brother Ludwik, Leon Zamenhof strived to enhance and broaden communication among people who could not hear and to persuade people to change their attitudes about deafness.
A Selective Annotated Bibliography for Clinical Audiology (1988–2008): Reference Works
Authors: Ferrer-Vinent Susan T. , Ferrer-Vinent Ignacio J. 
Published: June 2009

Purpose
This is the 1st in a series of 3 planned companion articles that present a selected, annotated, and indexed bibliography of clinical audiology publications from 1988 to 2008.

Method
Research and preparation of the bibliography were based on published guidelines, professional audiology experience, and professional librarian experience.

Results
This article presents reference works (dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, and manuals). The future planned articles will cover other monographs, periodicals, and online resources.

Conclusions
Audiologists and librarians can use these lists as a guide when seeking clinical audiology literature.
Head Shake Computerized Dynamic Posturography in Peripheral Vestibular Lesions
Authors: Mishra Anupam , Davis Sherrie , Speers Rosemary , Shepard Neil T. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeTo determine the sensitivity of a head shake modification to the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) of dynamic posturography in identifying (a) those patients with unilateral, peripheral vestibular hypofunction as indicated by caloric irrigation findings and (b) those patients who report that head movements provoke disruption in postural control.MethodA prospective, single-blinded, random selection methodology was used with 91 patients stratified by the presence or absence of a significant caloric asymmetry and by the presence or absence of head movement provoked symptoms (independent variables). Postural control performance, as measured by EquiTest during the standard test and a head shake modification, served as the dependent variables.ResultsReceiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated only minor improvement in sensitivity (a) with the head shake modification for unilateral peripheral asymmetry and (b) for identification of those with complaints of head movement provoked imbalance.ConclusionsThe head shake modification to standard SOT increased the test sensitivity to identification of patients with unilateral, peripheral vestibular hypofunction and those with head movement provoked symptoms. However, this occurred with low specificity, resulting in no significant improvement in overall performance with this head shake protocol. Suggestions for further research to improve the performance of the head shake modification of SOT for clinical application are discussed.
Analysis of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission Spectra in Normal-Hearing Adults
Authors: Bhagat Shaum 
Published: June 2009

Purpose
To evaluate the ability of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) spectral characteristics to distinguish between ears with variable hearing sensitivity within the normal range.

Method

Distortion product grams (DP-grams) were acquired with primary tones decremented in 1/8-octave steps and primary-tone levels presented at 65 dB SPL (L1) and 45 dB SPL (L2) across an f2 frequency range of 842–7996 Hz from 22 normal-hearing adults (44 ears). Hearing thresholds of ears classified in Group A (
n
= 22) were better than ears classified in Group B (
n
= 22). Examined parameters of the DP-grams included spectral peak occurrence, peak height, peak width, and DPOAE levels. Analyses of variance were conducted to determine whether DP-gram parameters differed between Group A and Group B.

Results
For the low-resolution DP-grams examined in this study, no significant between-group differences in peak occurrence, peak height, and peak width were observed. DPOAE levels were significantly higher in ears classified in Group A compared with ears classified in Group B in individuals with symmetrical hearing.

Conclusions
Although spectral peaks are evident in DP-grams acquired with low resolution of the primary tones, DPOAE levels are more effective in distinguishing ears with greater hearing sensitivity from less sensitive ears.
Hearing Aid Outcomes for Listeners With High-Frequency Hearing Loss
Authors: Roup Christina M. , Noe Colleen M. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeTo determine whether listeners with primarily high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (HF SNHL) perceived benefit from amplification provided by completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids.MethodThe Hearing Handicap for the Elderly—Screening version, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit, and the Satisfaction With Amplification in Daily Life questionnaires were mailed to 2 groups of listeners (n= 79) who matched preset criteria, including threshold at 2000 Hz and use of CIC amplification. Sixty-seven percent (n= 53) of the questionnaires were returned and were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n= 26) consisted of listeners with normal hearing through 2000 Hz, and Group II (n= 27) consisted of listeners with normal hearing only through 1000 Hz.ResultsResults revealed that both groups perceived significant hearing handicap, hearing aid benefit, and hearing aid satisfaction. Differences between the 2 groups on the 3 measures, however, were not statistically significant.ConclusionsListeners with HF SNHL perceived benefit and satisfaction from amplification with CIC hearing aids. Individuals with SNHL limited to the high frequencies should be considered candidates for amplification.
Women's fear of childbirth and preference for cesarean section – a cross‐sectional study at various stages of pregnancy in Sweden
Authors: NIEMINEN KATRI , STEPHANSSON OLOF , RYDING ELSA LENA 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjective. To investigate Swedish women's level of antenatal fear of childbirth at various gestational ages, and factors associated with intense fear and with preference for cesarean section. Design. A cross‐sectional study. Setting. All antenatal clinics in four geographical areas. Sample. Thousand six hundred and thirty‐five pregnant women at various gestational ages recruited during September–October 2006. Method. A questionnaire completed at the antenatal clinic. The women reported their appraisal of the approaching delivery according to the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W‐DEQ). Main outcome measures. The level of fear of childbirth and preferred mode of delivery. Results. Mean W‐DEQ score was 62.8. The prevalence of intense fear of childbirth (W‐DEQ score ≥85) was 15.8% and very intense fear (tocophobia) (W‐DEQ score ≥100) 5.7%. Nulliparous women had a higher mean score than parous women, but more parous women reported an intense fear. Preference for cesarean section was associated with fear of childbirth (OR 11.79, 6.1–22.59 for nulliparous and OR 8.32, 4.36–15.85 for parous women) and for parous women also with a previous cesarean section (OR 18.54, 9.55–35.97), or an instrumental vaginal delivery (OR 2.34, 1.02–5.34). The level of fear of childbirth was not associated with the gestational age. Conclusions. When a woman requests a cesarean section, both primary fear of birth and traumatic childbirth experiences need to be considered and dealt with. The W‐DEQ can be used at any time during pregnancy in order to identify pregnant women who suffer from intense fear of childbirth.
Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography in the assessment of severity of acute pulmonary embolism and right ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Nural M. S. , Elmali M. , Findik S. , Yapici O. , Uzun O. , Sunter A. T. , Erkan L. 
Published: June 2009

Background: The distinction between severe pulmonary embolism (PE) and right heart dysfunction is important for predicting patient mortality. Purpose: To identify the role of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the assessment of the severity of acute PE and right ventricular dysfunction. Material and Methods: Eighty-five patients suspected of having PE, as diagnosed by CTPA and scintigraphy, were divided into three groups: hemodynamically unstable PE (HUPE) (n = 20), hemodynamically stable PE (HSPE) (n = 33), and no PE (n = 32). For each patient, obstruction scores, including short-axis diameters of the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV), main pulmonary artery, and superior vena cava (SVC), were measured. The RV/LV short-axis ratios were calculated. The shapes of the interventricular septum and the reflux of the contrast medium into the inferior vena cava (IVC) were evaluated. The mortality due to PE within a 1-month follow-up period was recorded. Results: The median CTPA obstruction score (HUPE 64%, HSPE 28%, P < 0.001), median RV/LV short-axis ratio (HUPE 1.4, HSPE 1.0, P < 0.01), median RV diameter (HUPE 55 mm, HSPE 42 mm, P < 0.001), median SVC diameter (HUPE 23 mm, HSPE 19 mm, P < 0.01), interventricular septum convex toward the LV (HUPE 70%, HSPE 18%, P < 0.001), and reflux of the contrast medium into the IVC (HUPE 65%, HSPE 33%, p < 0.05) were significantly different between the HUPE and HSPE groups. With ROC analysis, the CTPA obstruction score and RV/LV short-axis ratio threshold values for the HUPE patients were calculated to be 48% (95% sensitivity, 76% specificity) and 1.1 (85% sensitivity, 76% specificity), respectively. Three patients in the HUPE group died within the first 24 hours. Logistic regression methods revealed only the RV diameter as a significant predictor of death (odds ratio 1.24; 95% CI 1.04–1.48; P = 0.01). Conclusion: This study found that the parameters useful for distinguishing HUPE and HSPE included CTPA obstruction score, RV and SVC diameters, RV/LV short-axis ratio, interventricular septum shape, and reflux into the IVC. RV dilatation may be a significant predictor for mortality.
Diagnostic accuracy of 18f-2-deoxy-fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography for pn1 lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Nakagawa M. , Hara M. , Sakurai K. , Ozawa Y. , Mizuno A. , Tamaki T. , Nishio M. , Shibamoto Y. 
Published: June 2009

Background: Nodal status has been reported to be one of the most important factors affecting survival in patients with lung cancer. For determining treatment strategy, accurate evaluation of nodal status is expected. Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of 18F-2-deoxy-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) for diagnosing nodal status in lung cancer patients with pathologically proven N1 (pN1) lymph node metastases, in comparison with that of computed tomography (CT). Material and Methods: Nineteen pN1 patients with primary lung cancer undergoing preoperative CT and FDG-PET were investigated. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery in all patients. Lymph nodes were considered to be positive when uptake higher than the surrounding mediastinum level was visually observed. Radiological and pathological correlation was investigated, and the association between FDG uptake and the size of metastatic nodes was evaluated. Results: Of the 19 pN1 patients, nodal stage determined by FDG-PET was cN0 in eight, cN1 in four, cN2 in six, and cN3 in one. Thus, FDG-PET provided correct N-staging in 21%, under-staging in 42%, and over-staging in 37%. FDG-PET could not depict pN1 lymph node in six (32%) of 19 patients. In two patients (11%), mild symmetrical hilar and mediastinal accumulation was found and considered as benign physiological uptake. In six patients (32%), the ipsilateral mediastinal uptake was depicted and diagnosed as cN2. One patient was diagnosed as cN3 because of FDG accumulation at the supraclavicular fossa. On CT, nodal staging was cN0 in nine, cN1 in six, and cN2 in four. CT staging was therefore correct in 32%, underestimated in 47%, and overestimated in 21%. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET (21%) was low and similar to that of CT (32%); under- and over-diagnosis were found in similar proportions. The limitation of FDG-PET should be recognized when nodal staging might alter the therapeutic strategy in patients with primary lung cancer.