bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonmainstream Dialect Use and Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Oetting Janna B. , McDonald Janet L. 
Published: April 2006

Most work looking at specific language impairment (SLI) has been done in the context of mainstream dialects. This paper extends the study of SLI to two nonmainstream dialects: a rural version of Southern African American English (SAAE) and a rural version of Southern White English (SWE). Data were language samples from 93 4- to 6-year-olds who lived in southeastern Louisiana. Forty were classified as speakers of SAAE, and 53 were classified as speakers of SWE. A third were previously diagnosed as SLI; the others served as either agematched (6N) or language-matched (4N) controls.
The two dialects differed in frequency of usage on 14 of the 35 coded morphosyntactic surface patterns; speakers of these dialects could be successfully discriminated (94%) from each other in a discriminant analysis using just four of these patterns. Across dialects, four patterns resulted in main effects that were related to diagnostic condition (SLI vs. 6N), and a slightly different set of four patterns showed effects that were related to developmental processes (4N vs. 6N). More interestingly, the surface characteristics of SLI were found to manifest in the two dialects in different ways. A discriminant function based solely on SAAE speakers tended to misclassify SWE children with SLI as having normal language, and a discriminant function based on SWE speakers tended to misclassify SAAE unaffected children as SLI. Patterns within the SLI profile that cut across the two dialects included difficulties with tense marking and question formation. The results provide important direction for future studies and argue for the inclusion of contrastive as well as noncontrastive features of dialects within SLI research.
Covariation of Cochlear Implant Users' Perception and Production of Vowel Contrasts and Their Identification by Listeners With Normal Hearing
Authors: Vick Jennell C. , Lane Harlan , Perkell Joseph S. , Matthies Melanie L. , Gould John , Zandipour Majid 
Published: April 2006

This study investigates covariation of perception and production of vowel contrasts in speakers who use cochlear implants and identification of those contrasts by listeners with normal hearing. Formant measures were made of seven vowel pairs whose members are neighboring in acoustic space. The vowels were produced in carrier phrases by 8 postlingually deafened adults, before and after they received their cochlear implants (CI).
Improvements in a speaker's production and perception of a given vowel contrast and normally hearing listeners' identification of that contrast in masking noise tended to occur together. Specifically, speakers who produced vowel pairs with reduced contrast in the pre-CI condition (measured by separation in the acoustic vowel space) and who showed improvement in their perception of these contrasts post-CI (measured with a phoneme identification test) were found to have enhanced production contrasts post-CI in many cases. These enhanced production contrasts were associated, in turn, with enhanced masked word recognition, as measured from responses of a group of 10 normally hearing listeners. The results support the view that restoring self-hearing allows a speaker to adjust articulatory routines to ensure sufficient perceptual contrast for listeners.
Comparison of Speech Perception in Background Noise With Acceptance of Background Noise in Aided and Unaided Conditions
Authors: Nabelek Anna K. , Tampas Joanna W. , Burchfield Samuel B. 
Published: April 2006

Background noise is a significant factor influencing hearing-aid satisfaction and is a major reason for rejection of hearing aids. Attempts have been made by previous researchers to relate the use of hearing aids to speech perception in noise (SPIN), with an expectation of improved speech perception followed by an increased acceptance of hearing aids. Unfortunately, SPIN was not related to hearing-aid use or satisfaction. A new measure of listener reaction to background noise has been proposed. The acceptable noise level (ANL), expressed in decibels, is defined as a difference between the most comfortable listening level for speech and the highest background noise level that is acceptable when listening to and following a story. The ANL measure assumes that speech understanding in noise may not be as important as is the willingness to listen in the presence of noise. It has been established that people who accept background noise have smaller ANLs and tend to be "good" users of hearing aids. Conversely, people who cannot accept background noise have larger ANLs and may only use hearing aids occasionally or reject them altogether. Because this is a new measure, it was important to determine the reliability of the ANL over time with and without hearing aids, to determine the effect of acclimatization to hearing aids, and to compare the ANL to well-established measures such as speech perception scores collected with the SPIN test. Results from 50 listeners indicate that for both good and occasional hearing aid users, the ANL is comparable in reliability to the SPIN test and that both measures do not change with acclimatization. The ANLs and SPIN scores are unrelated. Although the SPIN scores improve with amplification, the ANLs are unaffected by amplification, suggesting that the ANL is inherent to an individual and can be established prior to hearing aid fitting as a possible predictor of hearing-aid use.KEY WORDS: background noise, hearing aids, acceptable noise level, speech perception in noise
Spatial and temporal organisation of the pre‐dispersal seed predator guild in a perennial legume, Vicia tenuifolia
Authors: Szentesi Árpád , Schmera Dénes , Jermy Tibor 
Published: April 2006

Abstract.  1. The variability of species combinations and membership assembly patterns in an insect pre‐dispersal seed predator guild were studied at various spatial and temporal resolutions using presence/absence and abundance data in null models. The guild consists of seven beetle species (four bruchids and three curculionids) and one moth species that live on a perennial vetch, Vicia tenuifolia Roth (Leguminosae).2. The seed predator guild varied considerably in the number of members and species combinations in space and time, and, contrary to expectations, there was no evidence of interspecific competition among guild members, supporting the view that other processes, including chance events, could contribute to guild formation.3. It is concluded that, apart from the possibility of stochastic co‐occurrence, it is the narrow host specialisation that constrains seed predator members to participate in the guild, and small differences in habitat preference can also lead to spatial and temporal variation.
The influences of host plant and genetic resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis on trade‐offs between offspring number and growth rate in cabbage loopers, Trichoplusia ni
Authors: Janmaat Alida F. , Myers Judith H. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract.  1. Variation in progeny size and quality is common among insects and this variation can strongly influence individual fitness. Larger progeny typically survive better and develop faster under adverse conditions and may have higher fecundity. Due to resource limitations, however, trade‐offs may arise between having fewer large offspring or more smaller ones.2. For cabbage loopers, Trichoplusia ni, pepper leaves are a poorer larval host than cucumber or tomato leaves as indicated by survival, development rate, and body size. Moths reared on cucumber produced more slower growing offspring than those that had been reared on pepper, which produced fewer, faster growing progeny.3. Traits conferring resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) generally are associated with strong deleterious effects that may influence resource allocation and reproductive trade‐offs between progeny size and number.4. Unlike the host‐plant related trade‐off between progeny size and fecundity observed among susceptible control moths, Bt‐resistant parents had both the lowest fecundity and smallest progeny size on all host plants. This finding suggests that the progeny size–number relationship is constrained in resistant individuals.
Severe Ecstasy poisoning in a toddler
Authors: Duffy M. R. , Swart M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA 17‐month‐old toddler became critically ill after an accidental overdose with ‘Ecstasy’. A single tablet was quickly retrieved intact from under her tongue, but within 5 min the child developed generalised tonic‐clonic seizures requiring immediate transfer to hospital. She also had hyperthermia (38.5 °C), tachycardia (150 beats.min−1) and hypertension. Treatment to terminate the seizures necessitated intubation and ventilation, and cooling measures brought the temperature within normal limits. The child was admitted to the intensive care unit and made a rapid recovery. She was discharged to the ward 12 h later, and had no long‐term sequelae.
Myocardial perfusion in patients with typical chest pain and normal angiogram
Authors: Graf S. , Khorsand A. , Gwechenberger M. , Schütz M. , Kletter K. , Sochor H. , Dudczak R. , Maurer G. , Pirich C. , Porenta G. , Zehetgruber M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  Approximately 10–30% of patients with typical chest pain present normal epicardial coronaries. In a proportion of these patients, angina is attributed to microvascular dysfunction. Previous studies investigating whether angina is the result of abnormal resting or stress perfusion are controversial but limited by varying inclusion criteria. Therefore, we investigated whether microvascular dysfunction in these patients is associated with perfusion abnormalities at rest or at stress.Patients and methods  In 58 patients (39 female, 19 male, mean age 58 ± 10 years) with angina and normal angiogram as well as 10 control patients with atypical chest pain and normal coronaries (six female, four male, mean age 53 ± 11 years) myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured at rest and under dipyridamole using 13N–ammonia PET. Resting MBF and coronary flow reserve (CFR) as the ratio of hyperaemic to resting MBF were corrected for rate – pressure – product (RPP): normalized resting MBF (MBFn) = MBF × 10 000/RPP and CFRn = CFR × RPP/10 000.Results  Sixteen/58 patients had a normal CFRn (= 2·5; group I; CFRn: 3·1 ± 0·88); the same as the controls (CFRn: 3·3 ± 0·74). Forty‐two/58 patients presented a reduced CFRn (group II; CFRn: 1·78 ± 0·57). Group II had both a higher MBFn (group II: 1·30 ± 0·33 vs. Group I: 1·03 ± 0·26; P < 0·05 and vs. controls: 1·07 ± 0·19; P < 0·01) and a lower hyperaemic MBF (group II: 2·25 ± 0·76 mL g−1 min−1 vs. Group I: 3·07 ± 0·78 mL g−1 min−1; P < 0·001 and vs. controls: 3·41 ± 0·94 mL g−1 min−1; P < 0·0001).Conclusion  Impaired CFRn in patients with typical angina and normal angiogram is owing to both an increased resting and reduced hyperaemic MBF. Therefore, PET represents a prerequisite for further studies to optimize treatment in individuals with anginal pain and normal coronary angiogram.
The relationship between bispectral index and targeted propofol concentration is biphasic in patients with major burns
Authors: Han T‐H. , Lee J‐H. , Kwak In‐Suk , Kil H‐Y. , Han K‐W. , Kim K‐M. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Many pathophysiologic alterations in major burns can cause changes in the distribution of, and perhaps response to, drugs commonly used in anesthesia practice. This study was conducted to assess changes in bispectral index (BIS) caused by increasing the target propofol effect‐site concentration during a target‐controlled infusion (TCI) in major burns.Methods:  Eighteen patients, ASA physical status 2 or 3, aged from 20 to 55 years old, weighing 50–70 kg, with major burns, scheduled for elective early escharectomy less than a week after injury were recruited. A further 18 ASA physical status class 1 or 2, non‐burns, age, sex‐ and weight‐matched adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were recruited as controls. During anesthesia induction, target propofol effect‐site concentrations were increased by increments of 0.5 µg ml−1 up to 4.5 µg ml−1. The BIS responses to each target concentration using TCI were compared in both groups.Results:  In the burns group, significantly greater BIS values relating to increasing propofol TCI were noted at deeper anesthesia when compared with controls; at ≥3.5 µg ml−1; mean BIS remained at a plateau of about 50. Patients with burns had higher cardiac indices, and lower hemoglobin and albumin concentrations than the controls. They consumed more vecuronium to maintain the same degree of neuromuscular blockade than the controls.Conclusions:  In major burns, the final biphasic BIS responses appeared to be determined by numerous other variables such as BIS algorithm, TCI performance, and altered propofol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. According to our results the importance of an individually tailored approach, including careful anesthetic titration, based upon the patient's clinical condition and responses can not be overemphasized.
Sevoflurane induces less cerebral vasodilation than isoflurane at the same A‐line® autoregressive index level
Authors: Holmström A. , Åkeson J. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  The use of sevoflurane in neuroanesthesia is still under debate. Comparison of dose‐dependent vasodilatory properties between sevoflurane and isoflurane, the more traditional neuroanesthetic agent, requires comparable dosing of the agents. A‐line® autoregressive index (AAI) provides reproducible individual measurement of anesthetic depth.Methods:  Sevoflurane and isoflurane, in randomized order, were titrated to a stable AAI of 15–20 in each of 18 ASA I or II patients. The mean flow velocity (Vmca) and pulsatility index (PI) in the middle cerebral artery were measured with transcranial Doppler at an end‐tidal CO2 of 4.5%.Results:  For sevoflurane Vmca was 18% lower [95% confidence interval (CI) 12–22%; P < 0.00001] and PI was 23% higher (95% CI 12–33%; P = 0.0013) than for isoflurane. Mean arterial blood pressure did not differ between the two agents. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) fraction necessary to reach the intended AAI level was 13% higher (95% CI 5–20%; P = 0.0079) with sevoflurane than with isoflurane.Conclusion:  Sevoflurane induced less cerebral vasodilation than isoflurane at the same depth of anesthesia, measured by AAI, and hence seems more favorable for clinical neuroanesthesia. In our opinion the difference between sevoflurane and isoflurane in the MAC fraction required to attain the same AAI level demonstrates the limitations of MAC in defining the level of anesthesia.
Microdialysis for measurement of hepatic and systemic nitric oxide biosynthesis in septic rats
Authors: Huang C.‐J. , Tsai P.‐S. , Pan W. H. T. , Skimming J. W. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  We sought to compare two techniques, microdialysis and repeated blood withdrawal, for serial assessment of hepatic and systemic nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis in septic rats.Methods:  Rats were randomly allocated to either microdialysis or blood withdrawal groups. Two microdialysis probes, one in liver and the other in right atrium, were placed in rats in the microdialysis group. Half of the rats from each group were then given lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce NO production. The other half of the rats from each group were injected with vehicle (normal saline) to serve as controls. In the microdialysis group, dialysate (30 µl) was collected every 30 min. In the blood withdrawal group, 0.3 ml of blood was drawn every 30 min. Sampling was performed up to 6 h after injection of LPS or vehicle. Hemodynamics, hepatic and systemic NO concentrations, and iNOS expression in harvested liver tissues were assayed.Results:  Repeated blood withdrawal by itself caused a significant decrease in blood pressure and induced hepatic iNOS expression. Microdialysis, on the contrary, reliably detected LPS‐induced NO production without resulting either in hemodynamic changes or in iNOS induction in liver tissue.Conclusions:  Microdialysis provides serial measure of hepatic and systemic NO concentrations in LPS‐treated rats without the need for removal of tissue.
Long‐term comparison of sevelamer hydrochloride to calcium‐containing phosphate binders
Authors: BREWSTER URSULA C , CIAMPI MARC A , ABU‐ALFA ALI K , REILLY ROBERT F 
Published: April 2006

SUMMARYAim:  In patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), hyperphosphataemia and an elevated calcium‐phosphorus (Ca‐P) product contribute to morbidity and mortality. Suggested target goals for serum phosphorus concentration and calcium‐phosphorus product have recently been lowered. As a result, long‐term comparative studies of the efficacy of phosphate binders are critical. This study compares the long‐term efficacy of sevelamer hydrochloride to calcium‐containing binders (CCB).Methods:  A retrospective chart review was conducted in 30 patients receiving sevelamer hydrochloride for >1 years and 25 patients receiving CCB.Results:  Patients on sevelamer hydrochloride had lower serum bicarbonate concentration than those on CCB, 18.6 ± 2.7 versus 20.3 ± 1.8 mmol/L (P = 0.0017). Serum phosphorus concentration was higher in patients on sevelamer hydrochloride compared to CCB 2.10 ± 0.87 versus 1.74 ± 0.28 mmol/L (P = 0.0013), as was the Ca‐P product 4.97 ± 0.94 mmol2/L2 (62.1 ± 11.8 mg2/dL2) versus 3.97 ± 1.18 mmol2/L2 (49.7 ± 14.7 mg2/dL2), P = 0.0009). Only 36% of patients on sevelamer hydrochloride compared with 68% on CCB (P = 0.015) met the serum phosphorus goal of ≤1.78 mmol/L.Conclusion:  Patients on sevelamer hydrochloride for >1 years compared to those on CCB had a lower serum bicarbonate concentration, a higher serum phosphorus concentration and a higher Ca‐P product. Clinicians should balance the increase in calcium load with CCB versus the cost and effectiveness of sevelamer hydrochloride in choosing a phosphate binder for ESRD patients.
Steiner cephalometric analysis: predicted and actual treatment outcome compared
Authors: Abdullah RTH , Kuijpers MAR , Bergé SJ , Katsaros C 
Published: April 2006

Structured AbstractAuthors –  Abdullah RTH, Kuijpers MAR, Bergé SJ, Katsaros CObjective –  To examine the accuracy and precision of the Steiner prediction cephalometric analysis.Setting and Subjects –  The sample consisted of 275 randomly selected patients, treated between 1970 and 1995 at a university department.Methods –  Lateral cephalograms before (T1) and after orthodontic treatment (T2) were analyzed using the Steiner analysis. A prediction of the final outcome at T2 for the variables ANB°, U1 to NA mm, L1 to NB mm, and Pg to NB mm was performed at T1. The difference between the actual outcome at T2 and the Steiner predicted value (SPV), which was done at T1, was calculated. Accuracy (mean difference between T2 and SPV) and precision (standard deviation of the mean prediction discrepancies) of the prediction were studied. Paired t‐test was used to detect under‐ or overestimation of the predicted values.Results –  The mean decrease in angle ANB was 1.4 ± 2.7° and for U1 to NA 2.0 ± 2.6 mm, while L1 to NB increased 0.8 ± 2.0 mm and Pg to NB 0.7 ± 1.1 mm. The predicted values for the changes in ANB angle, the distance of upper incisor U1 to NA as well as the distance Pg to NB were significantly overestimated when compared with the actual outcome, while the change in the distance of lower incisor L1 to NB was underestimated.Conclusion –  The prediction of cephalometric treatment outcome as used in the Steiner analysis is not accurate enough to base orthodontic treatment decisions upon.
Profiling patients suspected of drug seeking in an adult emergency department
Authors: McNabb Charley , Foot Carole , Ting Joseph , Breeze Katina , Stickley Mark 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjectives:  (i) To profile ED consultations where drug seeking is considered; (ii) to clarify if an Australian patient cohort shares the characteristics identified in the literature, that is, high rate of psychiatric, chronic pain and drug dependency problems; and (iii) to quantify the extent of missed organic disease in suspected drug‐seeking presentations.Methods:  Prospective descriptive study with an initial enrolment period of 3 months, follow up at 3 and 5 years. Tertiary hospital ED doctors voluntarily identified suspected drug‐seeking behaviour. Patients’ demographic information, past history, presenting features, investigations, management and missed diagnoses of organic pathology were collected. Recurrent presentations of drug seeking, self‐harming, psychiatric, chronic pain and drug dependency complaints were documented.Results:  Thirty‐seven presentations (31 patients) of 10 958 total attendances were analysed. All patients were less than 65 years. Twenty‐one patients (68%, 95% confidence interval [CI 49.7–85.8]) were on unemployment or disability pension. Twenty‐six presentations (70%[95% CI 54.2–86.3]) described psychiatric problems, whereas three presentations (8%[95% CI 0.0–18.3]) had chronic pain and 10 presentations (27%[95% CI 11.4–42.7]) had drug dependency problems. Twenty‐six patients (84%[95% CI 69.3–98.4]) recurrently presented with self‐harming and drug‐seeking behaviour at 3 years. The risk of missing organic pathology was 8/37 (22%[95% CI 7.0–36.2]).Conclusions:  Further characterization of this population would help accurate diagnosis of this aberrant behaviour and decrease the risk of missing organic pathology. The management of frequently presenting patients should prompt formulation of departmental plans to effectively assess and manage these people.
Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT): First steps towards the development of an Australian and New Zealand research network
Authors: Babl Franz , Borland Meredith , Ngo Peter , Acworth Jason , Krieser David , Pandit Sharad , Pitt W Robert , Cotterell Elizabeth , Jamison Sarah 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPaediatric emergency research is hampered by a number of barriers that can be overcome by a multicentre approach. In 2004, an Australia and New Zealand‐based paediatric emergency research network was formed, the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT). The founding sites include all major tertiary children's hospital EDs in Australia and New Zealand and a major mixed ED in Australia. PREDICT aims to provide leadership and infrastructure for multicentre research at the highest standard, facilitate collaboration between institutions, health‐care providers and researchers and ultimately improve patient outcome. Initial network‐wide projects have been determined. The present article describes the development of the network, its structure and future goals.