bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suicidal ideation and associated factors among school-going adolescents in rural Uganda
Authors: Rudatsikira Emmanuel , Muula Adamson S , Siziya Seter , Twa-Twa Jeremiahs 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Background
Mental health is a neglected area of health research and practice in most of sub-Saharan African countries where the largest burden of morbidity is from infectious diseases. This even occurs despite the fact that some mental health problems may arise from infectious diseases.

Methods
We conducted secondary analysis of the Uganda Global School-Based Health Survey-2003 to obtain the prevalence of, and assess factors that may be associated with suicidal ideation among school-going adolescents in rural Uganda. Assessment of association was conducted through both bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results
Altogether 21.6% of the study participants, 21.3% males and 23.5% females had seriously considered committing suicide within the past 12 months. Loneliness, worry were positively associated with suicide ideation after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, drinking, and experience of having been bullied (OR = 1.59; 95% CI [1.12, 2.26] and OR = 1.19; 95% CI [1.12, 2.25]) respectively. Males were less likely to seriously consider committing suicide than females (OR = 0.70; 95% CI [0.50, 0.98]).

Conclusion
Adolescent suicidal ideation is a major public health issue in rural Uganda. Measures aimed to prevent adolescent suicides in Uganda should incorporate our understanding of factors that are associated with suicide in rural Uganda such the gender disparity and the association observed with substance use.
The effect of priority setting decisions for new cancer drugs on medical oncologists' practice in Ontario: a qualitative study
Authors: Berry Scott R , Hubay Stacey , Soibelman Hagit , Martin Douglas K 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Background
Health care policies, including drug-funding policies, influence physician practice. Funding policies are especially important in the area of cancer care since cancer is a leading cause of death that is responsible for a significant level of health care expenditures. Recognizing the rising cost of cancer therapies, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) established a funding process to provide access to new, effective agents through a "New Drug Funding Program" (NDFP). The purpose of this study is to describe oncologists' perceptions of the impact of NDFP priority setting decisions on their practice.

Methods
This is a qualitative study involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 46 medical oncologists in Ontario. Oncologists were asked to describe the impact of CCO's NDFP drug funding decisions on their practice. Analysis of interview transcripts commenced with data collection.

Results
Our key finding is that many of the medical oncologists who participated in this study did not accept limits when policy decisions limit access to cancer drugs they feel would benefit their patients. Moreover, overcoming those limits had a significant impact on oncologists' practice in terms of how they spend their time and energy and their relationship with patients.

Conclusion
When priority setting decisions limit access to cancer medications, many oncologists' efforts to overcome those limits have a significant impact on their practice. Policy makers need to seriously consider the implications of their decisions on physicians, who may go to considerable effort to circumvent their policies in the name of patient advocacy.
Effect of pre-germinated brown rice intake on diabetic neuropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Usuki Seigo , Ito Yukihiko , Morikawa Keiko , Kise Mitsuo , Ariga Toshio , Rivner Michael , Yu Robert K 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Background
To study the effects of a pre-germinated brown rice diet (PR) on diabetic neuropathy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods
The effects of a PR diet on diabetic neuropathy in STZ-induced diabetic rats were evaluated and compared with those fed brown rice (BR) or white rice (WR) diets with respect to the following parameters: blood-glucose level, motor-nerve conduction velocity (NCV), sciatic-nerve Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and serum homocysteine-thiolactonase (HTase) activity.

Results
Compared with diabetic rats fed BR or WR diets, those fed a PR diet demonstrated significantly lower blood-glucose levels (p < 0.001), improved NCV (1.2- and 1.3-fold higher, respectively), and increased Na+/K+-ATPase activity (1.6- and 1.7-fold higher, respectively). The PR diet was also able to normalize decreased serum homocysteine levels normally seen in diabetic rats. The increased Na+/K+-ATPase activity observed in rats fed PR diets was associated with elevations in HTase activity (r = 0.913, p < 0.001). The in vitro effect of the total lipid extract from PR bran (TLp) on the Na+/K+-ATPase and HTase activity was also examined. Incubation of homocysteine thiolactone (HT) with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro resulted in generation of HT-modified LDL, which possessed high potency to inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the sciatic nerve membrane. The inhibitory effect of HT-modified LDL on Na+/K+-ATPase activity disappeared when TLp was added to the incubation mixture. Furthermore, TLp directly activated the HTase associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

Conclusion
PR treatment shows efficacy for protecting diabetic deterioration and for improving physiological parameters of diabetic neuropathy in rats, as compared with a BR or WR diet. This effect may be induced by a mechanism whereby PR intake mitigates diabetic neuropathy by one or more factors in the total lipid fraction. The active lipid fraction is able to protect the Na+/K+-ATPase of the sciatic-nerve membrane from the toxicity of HT-modified LDL and to directly activate the HTase of HDL.
What is an acceptably smoothed fluence? Dosimetric and delivery considerations for dynamic sliding window IMRT
Authors: Giorgia Nicolini , Antonella Fogliata , Eugenio Vanetti , Alessandro Clivio , Filippo Ammazzalorso , Luca Cozzi 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Background
The study summarised in this report aimed to investigate the interplay between fluence complexity, dose calculation algorithms, dose calculation spatial resolution and delivery characteristics (monitor units, effective field width and dose delivery against dose prediction agreement) was investigated. A sample set of complex planning cases was selected and tested using a commercial treatment planning system capable of inverse optimisation and equipped with tools to tune fluence smoothness.

Methods
A set of increasingly smoothed fluence patterns was correlated to a generalised expression of the Modulation Index (MI) concept, in nature independent from the specific planning system used that could therefore be recommended as a predictor to score fluence "quality" at a very early stage of the IMRT QA process. Fluence complexity was also correlated to delivery accuracy and characteristics in terms of number of MU, dynamic window width and agreement between calculation and measurement (expressed as percentage of field area with a γ > 1 (%FA)) when comparing calculated vs. delivered modulated dose maps. Different resolutions of the calculation grid and different photon dose algorithms (pencil beam and anisotropic analytical algorithm) were used for the investigations.

Results and Conclusion
i) MI can be used as a reliable parameter to test different approaches/algorithms to smooth fluences implemented in a TPS, and to identify the preferable default values for the smoothing parameters if appropriate tools are implemented; ii) a MI threshold set at MI < 19 could ensure that the planned beams are safely and accurately delivered within stringent quality criteria; iii) a reduction in fluence complexity is strictly correlated to a corresponding reduction in MUs, as well as to a decrease of the average sliding window width (for dynamic IMRT delivery); iv) a smoother fluence results in a reduction of dose in the healthy tissue with a potentially relevant clinical benefit; v) increasing the smoothing parameter s, MI decreases with %FA: fluence complexity has a significant impact on the accuracy of delivery and the agreement between calculation and measurements improves with the advanced algorithms.
Clickers in the Large Classroom: Current Research and Best-Practice Tips
Authors: Caldwell Jane E. 
Published: November 2007

Note from the Editor Use of the audience response devices known as “clickers” is growing, particularly in large science courses at the university level, as evidence for the pedagogical value of this technology continues to accumulate, and competition between manufacturers drives technical improvements, increasing user-friendliness and decreasing prices. For those who have not yet tried teaching with clickers and may have heard unsettling stories about technical problems with earlier models, the decision to use them and the choice of an appropriate brand may be difficult. Moreover, like any classroom technology, clickers will not automatically improve teaching or enhance student learning. Clickers can be detrimental if poorly used, but highly beneficial if good practices are followed, as documented in a growing body of educational literature. In this Special Feature, we present two reviews that should assist instructors and teachers at all levels in taking the step toward clicker use and choosing an appropriate model. In the first, Barber and Njus compare the features, advantages, and disadvantages of the six leading brands of radio-frequency clicker systems. In the second, Caldwell reviews the pedagogical literature on clickers and summarizes some of the best practices for clicker use that have emerged from educational research. In a related article elsewhere in this issue, Prezsler et al. present the results of a study showing that clicker use can improve student learning and attitudes in both introductory and more advanced university biology courses.
Clicker Evolution: Seeking Intelligent Design
Authors: Barber Maryfran , Njus David 
Published: November 2007

Note from the Editor Use of the audience response devices known as “clickers” is growing, particularly in large science courses at the university level, as evidence for the pedagogical value of this technology continues to accumulate, and competition between manufacturers drives technical improvements, increasing user-friendliness and decreasing prices. For those who have not yet tried teaching with clickers and may have heard unsettling stories about technical problems with earlier models, the decision to use them and the choice of an appropriate brand may be difficult. Moreover, like any classroom technology, clickers will not automatically improve teaching or enhance student learning. Clickers can be detrimental if poorly used, but highly beneficial if good practices are followed, as documented in a growing body of educational literature. In this Special Feature, we present two reviews that should assist instructors and teachers at all levels in taking the step toward clicker use and choosing an appropriate model. In the first, Barber and Njus compare the features, advantages, and disadvantages of the six leading brands of radio-frequency clicker systems. In the second, Caldwell reviews the pedagogical literature on clickers and summarizes some of the best practices for clicker use that have emerged from educational research. In a related article elsewhere in this issue, Prezsler et al. present the results of a study showing that clicker use can improve student learning and attitudes in both introductory and more advanced university biology courses.
An Alcohol Oxidase Dipstick Rapidly Detects Methanol in the Serum of Mice
Authors: Hack Jason B. , Early Jacqueline , Brewer Kori L. 
Published: November 2007

Background Patients presenting with ingestions of methanol and ethylene glycol pose a significant challenge to emergency physicians. The decision to initiate antidotal therapy must be made quickly and is currently based on the presence of indirect signs, symptoms, and laboratory tests, because no real‐time diagnostic test exists to measure these substances. Objectives To determine whether a commercially available ethanol‐in‐saliva detecting dipstick (ALCO‐Screen) would be a reliable and rapid indicator of toxic alcohol presence in the serum of an animal model. Methods Fifty mice randomly received intraperitoneal doses of methanol, ethylene glycol, or ethanol to induce serum concentrations of approximately 5–400 mg/dL. Thirty minutes after injection, serum was obtained. Serum was both applied to the dipstick and frozen for definitive concentration determination by gas chromatography. After 2 minutes, dipsticks were evaluated for color change by a blinded observer and photographed to be evaluated by other blinded observers at a later time. Results All concentrations of methanol ≥5 mg/dL consistently caused a color change on the ALCO‐Screen. Ethylene glycol reliably caused a color change at ≥300 mg/dL. There was significant agreement among multiple observers whether or not color change had occurred using the ALCO‐Screen. Conclusions A commercially available dipstick that uses an alcohol oxidase colorimetric reaction reliably and rapidly detects very low serum concentrations of methanol but not ethylene glycol in this animal model. This color change is easily detected by most observers.
Optimal Prevention when Informal Penalties Matter: The Case of Medical Errors
Authors: Grepperud Sverre 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Individuals often respond with strong emotions to being penalised. Such responses suggest that informal penalties are important and play a role in creating deterrence. In this paper informal penalties are analysed in the context of medical errors. The introduction of informal penalties, if dependent upon formal ones, implies that: (i) the optimal enforcement regime becomes more lenient, and in some cases the lack of formal punishment is preferred, (ii) the first-best solution becomes unattainable, (iii) liability rates and formal penalty level are no longer perfect deterrence substitutes. In addition, powers of informal penalties provide a rationale for administrative sanctions (informal criticism, reprimands and warnings).
Comparable Estimates of Intergenerational Income Mobility in Italy
Authors: Piraino Patrizio 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
This paper examines the degree and patterns of intergenerational economic mobility in Italy. It uses data from the Bank of Italy's repeated cross-section household survey. Retrospective information on parental economic status may be exploited by applying a two-sample two-stage least squares estimation. I estimate the intergenerational income elasticity for Italy and investigate the main mobility patterns across the distribution. From an overall comparison, the evidence provided in this paper hints that Italy is in the low-mobility group among advanced societies, in the range of values found in the U.S. and the UK. The transmission of economic status appears to be particularly strong at the top of the income distribution. I investigate the role of education in the transmission of economic status in Italy and find evidence that children with the same level of formal education seem to have unequal chances in the labor market depending on family background.
Laryngograph: Speech pattern element tools for therapy, training and assessment
Authors: Fourcin Adrian , Abberton Evelyn , Miller David , Howells David 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTSThe clinically based, real‐time analysis of speech into physically definable elements, which are of direct perceptual and productive importance, has become more readily possible in recent years as the result of microprocessor developments. The combination of the acoustic signal of speech derived from a microphone together with the accompanying Laryngograph signal provides the basis for a highly reliable set of facilities. The paper describes methods and results for the analysis of voice, frication and timbre for both quantitative analysis and teaching and therapy using interactive visual displays. A brief discussion is given of links to work in stroboscopy, electropalatography and the associated use of additional sensors. Finally reference is made to a complete clinical work station combining these different facilities together with the quantitative analytical procedures of the speech pattern audiometer.Gråce aux progrès accomplis en matière de microordinateurs il est dèsormais plus facile d'analyser cliniquement, et en temps réel, la parole selon des éléments qui sont définissables physiquement et immédiatement importants du point de vue perceptif et productif. La combinaison du signal acoustique de la parole tiré d'un microphone, avec le signal du Laryngographe qui l'accompagne, fournit la base d'un ensemble de possibilités extre&#x030a;mement fiable. Cet article décrit certaines méthodes et résultats pour l'analyse de la voix, des frictions et du timbre. Il s'agit d'analyses tant quantitatives que destinées à l'enseignement et l'orthophonie qui utilisent des représentations visuelles interactives. L'on discute brièvement les liens avec le travail en stroboscopie, en électropalatographie et l'usage associé de senseurs supplémentaires. Finalement l'on évoque une station de travail clinique complète qui combinerait ces différents équipements avec les procédures analytiques quantitatives de l'audiomètre de type de parole.Die klinikbasierte Echzeitanalyse von gesprochener Sprache in ihrer physikalisch definierten Elementen, die perzeptuell und produktionsmä***ßig relevant sind, ist durch die Entwicklung von Mikroprozessoren in den letzten Jahren zunehmend möglich geworden. Die Kombination des durch das Mikrofon gewonnene akustische Sprachsignal mit dem Laryngographensignal schafft die Basis für sehr zuverlässige Untersuchungsmöglichkeiten. Methoden und Ergebnisse der Analyse von Stimme, Frikativrauschen und Sonarantenfärbung werden beschreiben. Sie sind bei quantitativer Analyse, im Unterricht und bei der Therapie mit interaktiven visuellen Displays einsetzbar. Eine kurze Diskussion zeigt die Verbindung zur Stroboskopie, zur Elektropalatographie und zur gleichzeitigen Verwendung anderer Sensoren. Schlie***ßlich wird auf eine komplette klinische Arbeitsstation hingewiesen, die diese Möglichkeiten mit den quantitativ analytischen Prozessen eines Sprach‐musteraudiometers verbindet.
Variation in vocal fold vibration during voiced obstruents in Russian
Authors: Barry Susan M. E. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTSA laryngographic analysis was carried out of vocal fold vibration produced during the supraglottal constriction for fricatives and stops. The subjects were a group of Russian speakers with normal voice production. Differences in vocal fold behaviour within this group of normal speakers were investigated. Changes in vocal fold vibration occurring during voiced fricatives and stops were evident from the Laryngograph waveform. Interpretation of the Ix waveform patterns suggests that partial opening of the vocal folds through the vibratory cycle may occur in some tokens. The evidence for this particular vocal fold behaviour remains inconclusive, however. Variations in vibratory patterns were found both between speakers and between utterances from individual speakers.Une analyse laryngographique a été faite des vibrations des cordes vocales produites lors de la constriction supraglottale des fricatives et occlusives. Les sujets étaient un groupe de russophones à la production vocale normale. L'on a examiné les différences dans le comportement des cordes vocales au sein de ce groupe. Les courbes laryngographiques ont révélé des changements de vibrations des cordes vocales se produisant lors des fricatives et occlusives voisées. L'interprétation des caractéristiques des courbes Lx suggère qu'une ouverture partielle des cordes vocales lors du cycle vibratoire peut se produire dans certains cas. Cependant il manque des preuves formelles de ce comportement des cordes vocales. L'on a remarqué des variations des types de vibrations entre locuteurs, mais aussi entre de phrase à phrase chez un me&#x030a;me locuteur.Es wurde eine laryngographische Analyse der Stimmlippenschwingungen während der supraglottalen Konstriktionen von Frikativen und Plosiven durchgeführt. Versuchspersonen waren eine Gruppe von Russischsprechern ohne Stimmstörungen. Unterschiede im Stimmlippenverhalten innerhalb der Gruppe wurden untersucht. Veränderungen in den Schwingungen während stimmhafter Frikative und Plosive waren an der Form des Lx‐Signals zu erkennen. Sie lie***ßen vermuten, da***β in einigen Fällen eine Teilöffnung der Stimmlippen durch die ganze Schwingungsperiode hindurch vorhanden sei, obgleich für eine definitive Schlu***ßfolgerung die Evidenz zu unsicher war. Variation in der Schwingungsform wurde sowohl zwischen Sprechern als auch zwischen verschiedenen Äu***ßerungen desselben Sprechers festgestellt.
Co‐articulatory variability and articulatory–acoustic correlations for consonants
Authors: Recasens Daniel , Pallarès Maria Dolors , Fontdevila Jordi 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTSThis paper is an investigation of articulatory‐acoustic correlations for consonants differing in degree of articulatory constraint. Data on F2 and on dorsopalatal contact (electropalatographic, EPG) were collected for the sequences /iCi/ and /aC∫ / with seven Catalan consonants differing in place and manner of articulation (velarised /***I/, /n/, /∫/, /s/, /∫/, /∫/, /p/). These consonants are characterised by different degrees of tongue dorsum constraint depending on their production requirements (dorsals > non‐dorsals, fricatives > non‐fricatives, etc.). The results showed an inverse relationship between vowel‐dependent co‐articulation and the degree of consonant‐dependent articulatory constraint. F2 and dorsopalatal contact size were found to be positively correlated across consonants and speakers, and across consonants for each individual speaker. Correlation values were much lower for each consonant across speakers. These findings are discussed in the light of the acoustic theory of speech production and possible clinical applications are suggested.L'on a recueilli des données sur la F2 et le contact dorso‐palatal, pour les séquences [iCi] et [aC∫] de sept consonnes catalanes qui diffèrent par le lieu et le mode d'articulation ([l], [n], [∫], [s], [∫], [k], [p]). Ces consonnes se caractèrisent par différents degrés de constriction du dorsum de la langue, selon leurs nécessités de production (dorsales > non dorsales, fricatives > non fricatives, etc.). Les résultats révèlent une relation inverse entre la coarticulation dépendant de la voyelle et le degré de constriction articulatoire de la consonne. La F2 et le contact dorso‐palatal sont de manière générale en corrélation positive pour les consonnes et les locuteurs, et pour chaque locuteur si on passe en revue toutes les consonnes; par contre les valeurs de corrélation sont beaucoup plus faibles si pour chaque consonne on passe en revue tous les locuteurs.F2 und dorso‐palatale Kontaktdaten wurden für die Folgen /iCi/ und /aC∫/ erhoben. Für wurden 7 katalanische Konsonanten unterschiedlicher Artikilationsart und ‐stelle /∫/, /n/, /∫/, /s/, /∫/, /∫/ /k/, /p/) verwendet. Diese Konsonanten werden durch verschiedene Grade der Zungenrückeneinschränkung gemä***β ihrer Produktionsanforderungen charakterisiert (dorsal > nichtdorsal; Frikativ > Nichtfrikativ, usw). Die Ergebnisse zeigen ein inverses Verhältnis zwischen vokalabhängiger Koartikulation und dem Grad der artikulatorischen Einschränkung bei den Konsonanten. F2 und dorso‐palater Kontakt zeigen eine positive Korrelation über Konsonanten und Sprecher und über die Konsonanten bei einzelnen Sprechern; die Korrelationswerte über die Sprecher bei einzelnen Konsonanten sind viel niedriger.