Psychometric evaluation of the Early/Late Preferences Scale

This paper examines the psychometric quality of the Early/Late Preferences Scale (PS) relative to that of the Composite Morningness Scale (CS). Questionnaires were completed by 670 undergraduate students aged 16-37 years (mean 22.5), of whom 64% were female. Both scales displayed satisfactory inter-item correlations and similar total mean scores to those reported previously, although the CS had higher variability. Principal axis factor analysis produced single-factor solutions for both scales, although loadings for Items 7 and 9 on the PS were low. Internal consistencies for both scales were good (PS=0.86, CS=0.90) with only a small improvement achieved by deleting Items 7 and 9 from the PS. Test-retest reliability over 11 weeks was good for both scales (PS=0.92, CS=0.89). Differences between morning, evening and intermediate groups in self-rated alertness at different times of day, and significant correlations with other indices of morning-evening orientation, provided evidence of validity for both scales. These results indicate that PS is psychometrically comparable with CS. In view of its simpler format and lower cultural specificity, PS may be considered a preferable measure for most applications.

Impact of malocclusion and orthognathic reconstruction surgery on resonance and articulatory function: an examination of variability in five cases

Articulatory patterns and nasal resonance were assessed before and 6 months after orthognathic reconstruction surgery in five patients with dentofacial deformities. Perceptual and physiological assessments showed disorders of nasality and articulatory function preoperatively, two patients being hyponasal, and one hypernasal. Four patients had mild articulatory deficits, and four had reduced maximal lip or tongue pressures. Operation resulted in different patterns of change. Nasality deteriorated in three patients and articulatory precision and intelligibility improved in only one patient and showed no change in the other four. Operation improved interlabial pressures in three patients, while its impact on tongue pressures varied, being improved in one case, deteriorating in one, and remaining unchanged in the other three. The variability in the results highlights the need for routine assessment of speech and resonance before and after orthognathic reconstruction. (C) 2002 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Refinements in stress echocardiographic techniques improve inter-institutional agreement in interpretation of dobutamine stress echocardiograms

Aims To determine the degree of inter-institutional agreement in the assessment of dobutamine stress echocardiograms using modern stress echo cardiographic technology in combination with standardized data acquisition and assessment criteria. Method and Results Among six experienced institutions, 150 dobutamine stress echocardiograms (dobutamine up to 40 mug.kg(-1) min(-1) and atropine up to I mg) were performed on patients with suspected coronary artery disease using fundamental and harmonic imaging following a consistent digital acquisition protocol. Each dobutamine stress echocardiogram was assessed at every institution regarding endocardial visibility and left ventricular wall motion without knowledge of any other data using standardized reading criteria. No patients were excluded due to poor image quality or inadequate stress level. Coronary angiography was performed within 4 weeks. Coronary angiography demonstrated significant coronary artery disease (less than or equal to50% diameter stenosis) in 87 patients. Using harmonic imaging an average of 5.2+/-0.9 institutions agreed on dobutamine stress echocardiogram results as being normal or abnormal (mean kappa 0.55; 95% CI 0.50-0.60). Agreement was higher in patients with no (equal assessment of dobutamine stress echocardiogram results by 5.5 +/- 0.8 institutions) or three-vessel coronary artery disease (5.4 +/- 0.8 institutions) and lower in one- or two- vessel disease (5.0 +/- 0.9 and 5.2 +/- 1.0 institutions, respectively-, P=0.041). Disagreement on test results was greater in only minor wall motion abnormalities. Agreement on dobutamine stress echocardiogram results was lower using fundamental imaging (mean kappa 0.49; 95% CI 0.44-0.54; P

Genetic variability in cultivated common bean beyond the two major gene pools

It is generally accepted that two major gene pools exist in cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a Middle American and an Andean one. Some evidence, based on unique phaseolin morphotypes and AFLP analysis, suggests that at least one more gene pool exists in cultivated common bean. To investigate this hypothesis, 1072 accessions from a common bean core collection from the primary centres of origin, held at CIAT, were investigated. Various agronomic and morphological attributes (14 categorical and 11 quantitative) were measured. Multivariate analyses, consisting of homogeneity analysis and clustering for categorical data, clustering and ordination techniques for quantitative data and nonlinear principal component analysis for mixed data, were undertaken. The results of most analyses supported the existence of the two major gene pools. However, the analysis of categorical data of protein types showed an additional minor gene pool. The minor gene pool is designated North Andean and includes phaseolin types CH, S and T; lectin types 312, Pr, B and K; and mostly A5, A6 and A4 types alpha-amylase inhibitor. Analysis of the combined categorical data of protein types and some plant categorical data also suggested that some other germplasm with C type phaseolin are distinguished from the major gene pools.

What We Don't Know Could Hurt Us: A Single Center Study of Batch-to-Batch Variability of Dietary Fluids and Matched Videofluoroscopy Fluids

This study examines batch-to-batch variability in the production of dietary fluids and videofluoroscopy fluids of a single hospital. The material properties, such as viscosity, yield stress, and density, show significant variations between batches. Also waterbased products (i.e., cordial) provide (a) the most stability from week to week for both dietary and videofluoroscopy fluids and (b) the best dietary and videofluoroscopy fluid matches. The study also highlights the need for further research into how base substances, such as water, juice, and dairy products, react with different thickeners and with barium.

Consensus neuropathological diagnosis of common dementia syndromes: testing and standardising the use of multiple diagnostic criteria

The aim of this study was to assess the variation between neuropathologists in the diagnosis of common dementia syndromes when multiple published protocols are applied. Fourteen out of 18 Australian neuropathologists participated in diagnosing 20 cases (16 cases of dementia, 4 age-matched controls) using consensus diagnostic methods. Diagnostic criteria, clinical synopses and slides from multiple brain regions were sent to participants who were asked for case diagnoses. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, accuracy and variability were determined using percentage agreement and kappa statistics. Using CERAD criteria, there was a high inter-rater agreement for cases with probable and definite Alzheimer's disease but low agreement for cases with possible Alzheimer's disease. Braak staging and the application of criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies also resulted in high inter-rater agreement. There was poor agreement for the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and for identifying small vessel disease. Participants rarely diagnosed more than one disease in any case. To improve efficiency when applying multiple diagnostic criteria, several simplifications were proposed and tested on 5 of the original 210 cases. Inter-rater reliability for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies significantly improved. Further development of simple and accurate methods to identify small vessel lesions and diagnose frontotemporal dementia is warranted.

Photosynthetic responses of the coral Montipora digitata to cold temperature stress

Coral bleaching events have become more frequent and widespread, largely due to elevated sea surface temperatures. Global climate change could lead to increased variability of sea surface temperatures, through influences on climate systems, e.g. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Field observations in 1999, following a strong ENSO, revealed that corals bleached in winter after unusually cold weather. To explore the basis for these observations, the photosynthetic responses of the coral species Montipora digitata Studer were investigated in a series of temperature and light experiments. Small replicate coral colonies were exposed to ecologically relevant lower temperatures for varying durations and under light regimes that ranged from darkness to full sunlight. Photosynthetic efficiency was analyzed using a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer (F-0, F-m, F-v/F-m), and chlorophyll a (chl a) content and symbiotic dinoflagellate density were analyzed with spectrophotometry and microscopy, respectively. Cold temperature stress had a negative impact on M digitata colonies indicated by decreased photosynthetic efficiency (F-v/F-m), loss of symbiotic dinoflagellates and changes in photosynthetic pigment concentrations. Corals in higher light regimes were more susceptible to cold temperature stress, Moderate cold stress resulted in photoacclimatory responses, but severe cold stress resulted in photodamage, bleaching and increased mortality. Responses to cold temperature stress of M digitata appeared similar to that observed in corals exposed to warmer than normal temperatures, suggesting a common mechanism. The results of this study suggest that corals and coral reefs may also be impacted by exposure to cold as well as warm temperature extremes as climate change occurs.

Variation in articulatory timing of three English consonants: An electropalatographic investigation

Increasingly, electropalatography (EPG) is being used in speech pathology research to identify and describe speech disorders of neurological origin. However, limited data currently exists that describes normal articulatory segment timing and the degree of variability exhibited by normal speakers when assessed with EPG. Therefore, the purpose of the current investigation was to use the Reading EPG3 system to quantify segmental timing values and examine articulatory timing variability for three English consonants. Ten normal subjects repeated ten repetitions of CV words containing the target consonants /t/, /l/, and /s/ while wearing an artificial palate. The target consonants were followed by the /i/ vowel and were contained in the carrier phrase 'I saw a __'. Mean duration of the approach, closure/constriction, and release phases of consonant articulation were calculated. In addition, inter-subject articulatory timing variability was investigated using descriptive graphs and intra-subject articulatory timing variability was investigated using a coefficient of variation. Results revealed the existence of intersubject variability for mean segment timing values. This could be attributed to individual differences in the suprasegmental features of speech and individual differences in oral cavity size and structure. No significant differences were reported for degree of intra-subject variability between the three sounds for these same phases of articulation. However, when this data set was collapsed, results revealed that the closure/constriction phase of consonant articulation exhibited significantly less intra-subject variability than both the approach and release phases. The stabilization of the tongue against the fixed structure of the hard palate during the closure phase of articulation may have reduced the levels of intra-subject variability.

Inter-relationships between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease

This review considers the considerable similarities between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While the etiology of these two diseases may differ, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are remarkably similar and it is possible that individuals manifesting both periodontitis and RA may suffer from a unifying underlying systemic dysregulation of the inflammatory response. In light of these findings, the implications for the use of disease-modifying medications in the management of these two chronic inflammatory conditions is apparent. Further longitudinal studies and medication-based intervention studies are required to determine just how closely these two conditions are allied.

Stokes-operator-squeezed continuous-variable polarization states

We investigate nonclassical Stokes-operator variances in continuous-wave polarization-squeezed laser light generated from one and two optical parametric amplifiers. A general expression of how Stokes-operator variances decompose into two-mode quadrature operator variances is given. Stokes parameter variance spectra for four different polarization-squeezed states have been measured and compared with a coherent state. Our measurement results are visualized by three-dimensional Stokes-operator noise volumes mapped on the quantum Poincare sphere. We quantitatively compare the channel capacity of the different continuous-variable polarization states for communication protocols. It is shown that squeezed polarization states provide 33% higher channel capacities than the optimum coherent beam protocol.