bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Perception in the Sound Change of Velar Palatalization
Authors: Guignard Guion Susan 
Published: April 2003

AbstractVoiceless velar stops may become palatoalveolar affricates before front vowels. This sound change is not only one of the most common types of palatalization, but is a very common sound change in the world’s languages. Nevertheless, we do not have an adequate understanding of how this sound change takes place. Three experiments reported here test the hypothesis that velar palatalization is the result of listeners’ on-line perceptual reanalysis of fast rate speech. It is shown that velars before front vowels are both acoustically and perceptually similar to palatoalveolars. This supports the proposal that velar palatalization is perceptually conditioned.
Effects of Speaking Rate on Thai Tones
Authors: Gandour Jack , Tumtavitikul Apiluck , Satthamnuwong Nakarin 
Published: April 2003

Abstract
Effects of speaking rate on the production of lexical tones (mid, low, falling, high, rising) were investigated in Thai. Stimuli consisted of bisyllabic adverbials (first syllable unstressed, last syllable stressed) elicited in a fixed syntactic and prosodic environment. For unstressed and stressed syllables separately, F₀- and time-normalized, fitted, third-order polynomial curves were used to compare height and slope characteristics of the tonal contours at each of 11 measurement locations between fast and slow speaking rates. Results indicated that speaking rate effects on F₀ contours of unstressed syllables are more extensive, both in terms of height and slope, than those of stressed syllables. In particular, the height of F₀ contours in unstressed syllables was generally higher in the fast speaking rate when compared to the slow. Analysis of the preceding carrier syllable revealed that changes in height of F₀ contours of unstressed syllables may be due primarily to perseverative effects of tonal coarticulation rather than to stress itself. The slope of F₀ contours in unstressed syllables varied depending on range of F₀ movement. Thai tones with substantial F₀ movement (falling, high, rising) exhibited overall flatter slopes at the fast speaking rate; those tones with lesser F₀ movement (mild, low) displayed steeper slopes. Despite extensive changes in height and shape, the five-way tonal contrast appears to be maintained in unstressed syllables at a fast speaking rate albeit in a different tonal space.
Effects of Speaking Rate on the Singleton/Geminate Consonant Contrast in Italian
Authors: Pickett Emily R. , Blumstein Sheila E. , Burton Martha W. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractA production and a perception experiment were conducted to investigate the effect of speaking rate on the singleton/geminate consonant contrast in Italian. Acoustic analyses were performed of labial and dental singleton and geminate consonants produced in words spoken in isolation and in a sentential context at both a slow and a fast rate of speech. Closure duration was found to discriminate between the two categories of consonants within a given speaking rate. For one speaker, at a fast speaking rate the distribution of closure duration of geminate consonants was identical to the distribution of closure duration of singleton consonants produced in isolation. However, a measure reflecting the relation between two durations, the ratio between consonant duration and preceding vowel duration, discriminated between singletons and geminates both within and across speaking rates. The perception experiment tested whether manipulation of the consonant to vowel ratio would result in perceptual shifts. Results indicated that changing the ratio did affect perception of the geminate/singleton distinction. However, these effects varied greatly across listeners. Taken together, these findings provide support for the view that there are stable acoustic properties corresponding to phonetic features in that even though one type of temporal information, closure duration, is greatly affected by changes in speaking rate, a higher-order relational measure remains constant.
The Identification of English Consonants by Native Speakers of Italian
Authors: MacKay Ian R.A. , Meador Diane , Flege James Emil 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThis study examined the identification of English consonants in noise by native speakers of Italian. The effect of age of first exposure to English was evaluated by comparing three groups of subjects who continued to use Italian relatively often but differed according to their age of arrival (AOA) in Canada from Italy (early: 7, mid: 14, late: 19 years). The subjects in the late group made more errors identifying word-initial consonants than subjects in the early group did; however, the effect of AOA was nonsignificant for word-final stops. The effect of amount of native language (L1) use was evaluated by comparing two groups of early bilinguals who were matched for AOA (mean = 7 years) but differed according to self-reported percentage use of Italian (early: 32%, early-low: 8%). The early bilinguals who used Italian often (early) made significantly more errors identifying word-initial and word-final consonants than native English (NE) subjects did, whereas the early bilinguals who used Italian seldom (early-low) did not differ from the NE subjects. The subjects’ phonological short-term memory was estimated by having them repeat Italian non-words. This was done in an attempt to identify the source of individual differences. The nonword repetition scores were in fact found to independently account for 15% of the variance in subjects’ errors identifying word-final English consonants and 8% of the variance for word-initial consonants.
A Piglet Model for Evaluation of Cerebral Blood Flow and Brain Oxidative Metabolism during Gradual Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Decrease
Authors: Bauer Reinhard , Walter Bernd , Torossian Alexander , Fritz Harald , Schlonski Olaf , Jochum Thomas , Hoyer Dirk , Reinhart Konrad , Zwiener Ulrich 
Published: April 2003

A piglet model was developed to study the effect of epidural volume expansion on cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) by stepwise elevating intracranial pressure (ICP). Mean arterial blood pressure (ABP) was strictly maintained using an extracorporeal ABP controller. Two-week-old piglets (n = 10) were studied by surgically placing an epidural balloon over the right parietal region and gradually increasing the inflation to increase ICP to 25, 35 and 45 mm Hg, maintaining each pressure level for 30 min. Regional cerebral blood flow was measured using the colored microsphere technique, and cerebral oxygen delivery and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen were calculated at baseline conditions and after reaching ICP levels of 25, 35 and 45 mm Hg. The results showed that this model of epidural volume expansion reproducibly reduces CPP to 70, 50 and 33% of baseline CPP values with elevation of ICP, and that the physiological variables remained stable throughout each increase in ICP. We conclude that the model simulates the effects of an acute intracranial focal mass expansion and is well suited for the evaluation of different therapeutical strategies for increased ICP in newborns and infants.
Postural Changes in Intracranial Pressure in Chronically Shunted Patients
Authors: Barami Kaveh , Sood Sandeep , Ham Steven D. , Canady Alexa I. 
Published: April 2003

A subset of hydrocephalic patients with indwelling shunts become symptomatic when they are upright and active. Intracranial pressure (ICP) measurements in these patients have shown a significant drop in pressure when the patient is upright with return to normal levels when the patient is supine. In 20 chronically shunted hydrocephalic patients who previously had no siphon protection devices, ICP changes in supine and upright position were studied at the time when the patient had external ventriculostomy for treatment of shunt infection. Our hypothesis was that these patients might display rapid changes in ICP from fluid shifts occurring in non-CSF compartments. To minimize the effects of hysteresis, drift and zero-point error, measurements were made using a fluid manometer rather than a strain gauge pressure transducer. The pressure-volume index was estimated using the standard technique of bolus injection. Intracranial CSF volume was estimated on CT scans. The fluid shift was calculated using a mathematical model of the CSF compartment that incorporates negative pressure and volume components that permits simulation of siphoning. Sixteen patients had small, slit ventricles; 3 patients had moderate-sized ventricles and in 1 patient the ventricular size was normal. The average intracranial CSF volume estimated on CT scan was 12 cm<sup>3</sup>. There was a mean drop in ICP in the upright position of 159 mm H<sub>2</sub>O. The mean PVI of 42 ml suggested a volume displacement out of proportion to the available intracranial CSF volume. Based on these findings, we conclude that even in the absence of drainage through the shunt, chronically shunted patients still display a fall in ICP when assuming the upright position. This raises the possibility of fluid shifts other than of CSF through nonshunt pathways. Possible mechanisms involving altered CSF-venous system interaction are discussed.
Prolonged Prophylaxis with Unfractioned Heparin Is Effective to Reduce Delayed Deep Vein Thrombosis in Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Manganelli Daniela , Pazzagli Marcello , Mazzantini David , Punzi Giovanni , Manca Mario , Vignali Claudio , Palla Alessandro , Troiani Riccardo , Rossi Giuseppe , Palla Antonio 
Published: April 2003

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) until 45 days after elective total hip replacement (THR) and the efficacy of prolonged unfractioned heparin (UH) prophylaxis up to postoperative day 30. To this end 79 of 96 patients admitted consecutively to the University Hospital of Pisa for THR were randomly assigned to short- or long-term UH prophylaxis. Sixty-one patients completed the study: 28 of them received short-term prophylaxis (subcutaneous UH 15,000 IU/24 h for 15 days) and 33 prolonged prophylaxis (subcutaneous UH 15,000 IU/24 h for 30 days). Lower limb phlebography was performed in all patients on day 45 after THR. DVT was demonstrated in 10 (16.3%) cases after hospital discharge. Among them, 2 patients also had symptomatic PE. The incidence of DVT was 21.4% in short- and 12.1% in long-term UH-treated patients. The incidence of only proximal DVT was 17.8% in short- and 3.0% in long-term UH-treated patients; although the difference was only close to significance (p = 0.085), the relative risk of developing proximal DVT was about six times greater in the former group of patients. We concluded that the risk for thromboembolism persists at least until 45 days after surgery in patients subjected to THR. Prophylaxis with UH given up to postoperative day 30 appears more effective and safer in reducing the delayed thromboembolic risk compared to prophylaxis with UH given up to discharge only.
Acute Effects of Nebulized Salbutamol on Resting Energy Expenditure in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Creutzberg E.C. , Schols A.M.W.J. , Bothmer-Quaedvlieg F.C.M. , Wesseling G. , Wouters E.F.M. 
Published: April 2003

This study investigated the contribution of a single dose of salbutamol by nebulizer to the increased resting energy expenditure (REE) frequently found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 22), in comparison with a younger (n = 15) and an older healthy (n = 10) control group. The rise in REE after nebulization of 5 mg salbutamol was significantly higher in younger (11.4%) compared to older healthy subjects (5.7%; p < 0.05) and patients with COPD (4.2%; p < 0.001), which also accounted for the increase in heart rate and the drop in the respiratory quotient. No differences in metabolic effects were found between older control subjects and patients with COPD. In conclusion, despite significant improvements in FEV<sub>1</sub> and airway resistance, a significant rise in REE was observed in patients with COPD after nebulization of salbutamol. The metabolic effects of salbutamol were however not sufficient to explain totally the elevated REE seen in these patients.
Contribution of Lung Function to Exercise Capacity in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Dimopoulou Ioanna , Tsintzas Orestis K. , Daganou Maria , Cokkinos Dennis V. , Tzelepis George E. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The importance of exercise capacity as an indicator of prognosis in patients with heart disease is well recognized. However, factors contributing to exercise limitation in such patients have not been fully characterized and in particular, the role of lung function in determining exercise capacity has not been extensively investigated. <i>Objective:</i> To examine the extent to which pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength indices predict exercise performance in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. <i>Methods:</i> Fifty stable heart failure patients underwent a maximal symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test on a treadmill to determine maximum oxygen consumption (VO<sub>2max</sub>), pulmonary function tests and maximum inspiratory (PI<sub>max</sub>) and expiratory (PE<sub>max</sub>) pressure measurement. <i>Results:</i> In univariate analysis, VO<sub>2max</sub> correlated with forced vital capacity (r = 0.35, p = 0.01), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = 0.45, p = 0.001), FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC ratio (r = 0.37, p = 0.009), maximal midexpiratory flow rate (FEF<sub>25–75</sub>, r = 0.47, p < 0.001), and PI<sub>max</sub> (r = 0.46, p = 0.001), but not with total lung capacity, diffusion capacity or PE<sub>max</sub>. In stepwise linear regression analysis, FEF<sub>25–75</sub> and PI<sub>max</sub> were shown to be independently related to VO<sub>2max</sub>, with a combined r and r<sup>2</sup> value of 0.56 and 0.32, respectively. <i>Conclusions:</i> Lung function indices overall accounted for only approximately 30% of the variance in maximum exercise capacity observed in heart failure patients. The mechanism(s) by which these variables could set exercise limitation in heart failure awaits further investigation.
Formoterol and Salmeterol in Partially Reversible Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Crossover, Placebo-Controlled Comparison of Onset and Duration of Action
Authors: Çelik Gülfem , Kayacan Oya , Beder Sumru , Durmaz Gülten 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> In contrast to the well-known activity profile in asthma, the precise efficacy and optimum dose schedules of long-acting β<sub>2</sub>-agonists in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not clear. <i>Objective:</i> In this study, we aimed to compare the onset and the duration of action of a single inhalation of formoterol and salmeterol in COPD patients having partially reversible airway obstruction. <i>Methods:</i> In a double-blind, randomized, crossover and placebo-controlled study design, the respiratory functions of 22 patients (mean age 57.3 ± 5.4 years) having mild to severe COPD (5 mild, 8 moderate and 9 severe) and partially reversible airway obstruction [mean baseline reversibility of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV<sub>1</sub>) 19.3 ± 3.1%] were evaluated after inhalation of 12 μg formoterol and 50 μg salmeterol. <i>Results:</i> Regarding the onset of bronchodilator action, the mean absolute increase of 0.20 liters in FEV<sub>1</sub> 10 min after inhalation of formoterol was significantly higher than baseline and that of placebo (0.04 liters), whereas that of salmeterol (0.11 liters) did not reach statistical significance. At 20 min, both formoterol (0.25 liters) and salmeterol (0.20 liters) produced a significant increase in FEV<sub>1</sub> compared with baseline and with that of placebo (0.04 liters). The peak bronchodilator effects occurring at 60 and 120 min following formoterol (0.39 liters) and salmeterol (0.40 liters) inhalation, respectively, were significantly higher than the corresponding levels of placebo (0.02 and –0.12 liters, respectively). Concerning the duration of action, the 12-hour values of both formoterol (0.25 liters) and salmeterol (0.22 liters) were significantly higher than that of placebo (–0.12 liters). The area under the curve values of FEV<sub>1</sub> of formoterol (3.5 ± 1.3 l·h) and salmeterol (3.2 ± 1.2 l·h) averaged over 12 h were comparable and higher than placebo values (1.2 ± 0.5 l·h). After formoterol inhalation 2 patients experienced tremor and 1 had palpitation; 1 tremor and 1 headache attack were noted after salmeterol. For the pharmacologically predictable side effects, there was no difference between the drugs. <i>Conclusions: </i>In conclusion, this study revealed that a single dose of 12 μg formoterol and 50 μg salmeterol provided comparable bronchodilation within 12 h and had tolerable side effects in patients with mild to severe COPD having partially reversible airway obstruction.
Limited Additive Value of Pleural Fluid Carcinoembryonic Antigen Level in Malignant Pleural Effusion
Authors: Riantawan Pratheep , Sangsayan Piamlarp , Bangpattanasiri Kittima , Rojanaraweewong Prapant 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To assess the additive value of pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA.PF) level in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion. <i>Methods:</i> Thoracentesis and closed pleural biopsy were performed in consecutive patients with pleural effusions. CEA.PF, cell analysis, and biochemical, cytopathologic and microbiologic studies were carried out. Further diagnostic interventions were undertaken if initial tests were inconclusive. <i>Results:</i> A total of 176 patients were evaluated. The effusions proved malignant in 78 patients (44%). Benign etiologies were diagnosed in 89 cases, comprising 51 tuberculous pleurisies, 12 empyemas, 26 others. The cause was unknown in 9 patients. Median (range) in ng/ml of CEA.PF were 233 (1–12,500) in malignant vs. 2.5 (0.3–9) in tuberculosis, 1.4 (0.1–2) in transudates, 19.4 (0.6–312) in empyemas, p < 0.001. Receiver operating characteristic curve identified 10 ng/ml as the best cut-off for CEA.PF, yielding a sensitivity of 0.77, a specificity of 0.94, a positive and negative predictive value of 0.92 and 0.82, respectively. Among the 78 patients with malignant effusions, CEA.PF was elevated but initial cytopathologic study was nondiagnostic in 14 patients (18%). Prompted by the raised CEA.PF, further diagnostic interventions were undertaken and secured the diagnosis of malignancy in all of these 14 patients. <i>Conclusions:</i> CEA.PF level adds limited value on cytopathologic study in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions. It potentially identifies 18% of patients with malignant effusions who require further investigations despite negative initial cytopathologic study.
Non-Pulmonary Effects Induced by the Addition of Formoterol to Budesonide Therapy in Patients with Mild or Moderate Persistent Asthma
Authors: Centanni S. , Carlucci P. , Santus P. , Boveri B. , Tarricone D. , Fiorentini C. , Lombardi F. , Cazzola M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> The present study was designed to assess the non-pulmonary effects of a 2-week treatment with the addition of formoterol to budesonide therapy in 10 patients with mild or moderate asthma. <i>Methods:</i> Each patient was invited to perform a screening visit which included spirometry before and after inhalation of 12 μg formoterol with a metered dose inhaler (MDI), measurement of arterial blood pressure, baseline electrocardiography and 24-hour Holter monitoring, and a test for evaluating upper limb tremor. Patients then began bronchodilating therapy with 12 μg formoterol MDI and 400 μg budesonide Turbuhaler b.i.d. Each patient was also given a peak flowmeter and a diary in which he had to record the morning and evening values measured before taking inhaled drugs. Two weeks later, the patients repeated the same examinations; the diary card was returned 2 months after the beginning of the study. <i>Results: </i>Adding formoterol to budesonide therapy caused a significant improvement in lung function, but neither induced any statistically significant effect on mean heart rate, nor altered the circadian rhythm of autonomic regulation nor elicited significant alterations in cardiac morphology. However, the evaluation of upper limb tremor revealed a statistically significant increase (p = 0.02). <i>Conclusions: </i>This study shows that adding the recommended dose of formoterol to an inhaled corticosteroid therapy does not induce significant cardiac undesirable effects, although tremor, surely due to stimulation of β<sub>2</sub> receptors of the skeletal muscles, may sometimes be a limiting effect.
Laparoscopic and Laparotomic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Trial Comparing Postoperative Respiratory Function
Authors: Mimica Ž. , Biočić M. , Bačić A. , Banović I. , Tocilj J. , Radonić V. , Ilić N. , Petričević A. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The fact that pulmonary complications occur in 20–60% of the patients subjected to abdominal operations clearly indicates that the lungs are the most endangered organ during the postoperative period. <i>Objective:</i> The aim of this study was to demonstrate the impact of cholecystectomy on postoperative respiratory disturbances by comparing the laparotomic cholecystectomy with laparoscopic gallbladder removal. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> A hundred cholecystectomized patients were included in the prospective randomized clinical trial. Half of the patients were operated on by the laparotomic procedure, whereas the other half underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Spirometric parameters, arterial blood gases, and acid-base balance were determined before the operation, and at 6, 24, 72 and 144 h postoperatively. Abdominal distension was assessed by auscultating intestinal peristaltics, abdominal circumference measurement, and time interval to restitution of defecation. <i>Results:</i> Six hours postoperatively, the values of ventilation parameters decreased on average by 40–50% from the baseline preoperative values in both groups of patients. The group of patients submitted to laparotomic cholecystectomy had significantly lower spirometric values and slower recovery of the ventilation parameters than the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. Abdominal circumference was significantly greater and the time needed for restitution of peristaltics and defecation was significantly longer in the laparotomic cholecystectomy group compared to the group of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. <i>Conclusions:</i> Statistically significant impairments including hypoxia, hypocapnia and hyperventilation were observed in the patients submitted to laparotomic cholecystectomy, indicating the presence of objective respiratory risk, especially in elderly patients and patients with obstructive pulmonary diseases or cardiac insufficiency.