A comparison of two methods of testing logical thinking.

Administered parallel forms of a logical game situation to 40 intelligent students in each of Grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. The "Butch and Slim Game" and the "Shape Game," differed mainly in that reported speech was used in the former. The Shape Game proved easier at each grade level. This was attributed to several uncontrolled sources of variation in format. There was also evidence of significant age and sex differences in performance. Examination of individual items did not reveal pronounced developmental trends in difficulty levels. Items involving implicatory reasoning and operations of negation are examined in detail. It is concluded that formal logic possesses considerable limitations as a rationale for the construction of psychometric instruments. (French summary) (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of two methods of evaluation of teat skin pathology

A split-plot design with repeated measures was used to test the relationship between visual teat skin condition score, the degree of transepidermal water loss from the skin, and the colonization by Staphylococcus aureus on experimentally chapped and inoculated teats of 20 lactating Holstein cows. Visual teat skin chapping score and the number of S. aureus colonies obtained from a teat skin swab were correlated (r = 0.53). Transepidermal water loss and S. aureus count were not correlated (r = 0.02). Results indicated that visual teat skin evaluation is superior to measurements of transepidermal water loss in the prediction of the susceptibility of teat skin to colonization by S. aureus.     

A comparison of two methods of measuring the attention-drawing power of magazine advertisements.

A total of 154 Ss viewed under tachistoscopic exposure the 45 pairs of 10 ads, and indicated which ad of each pair they would look at again. The mean number of preferences were correlated with two eye-camera measures (number of first looks and number of seconds spent looking.) The reliability of the paired-comparison tachistoscopic method was .99; it correlated .86 and .99 with the eye measures. "In situations where eye-movement photography could be used… the results… indicate that a considerable saving of time and energy can be effected by use of a… tachistoscopic presentation." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early identification of learning disabilities: A comparison of two methods.

Computed discrepancy scores (multiple regression equations using IQs from the Slosson Intelligence Test, SES, sex, and age of child to predict reading and math achievement raw scores) and an unadjusted low-achievement criterion (discrepancy between achievement and potential) for 218 1st graders from normal classrooms in 6 rural elementary schools. In addition to determining the predictor variables already mentioned, the authors also administered the Behavior Problem Checklist, the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test for Children, the Visual Matching subtest of the Metropolitan Readiness Test, Level I—Form P, the Wepman Auditory Discrimination Test, and measures of audio-visual integration, handedness, finger localization, finger tapping, lateral dominance, letter and number recognition, motor coordination, name writing, and quantitative concepts. A rating of academic performance was obtained from each teacher. Data show that unadjusted low-achievement criteria misidentified as learning disabled (LD) a significant number of Ss who were achieving at levels commensurate with overall abilities, while failing to identify a significant number of truly LD children. Many of the variables that significantly discriminated low achievers from high achievers did not significantly discriminate LD from non-LD children. (68 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of two methods to teach smoking-cessation techniques to medical students

PURPOSE: To evaluate two smoking-cessation practice exercises, one using standardized patients (SPs), the other using role playing by medical students. METHOD: In the spring of 1994 all 120 first-year University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine Students were given lectures on the health effects of smoking and how physicians can help patients quit. Afterward some of the students were randomly assigned to two groups in which to practice counseling patients: Group 1 (n = 35) used SPs, Group 2 (n = 37) used role playing. Each of the Group 1 students practiced smoking-cessation techniques with an SP; the SP evaluated the student on cognitive and communication skills, assigned an overall rating, and provide feedback using a standardized form. The Group 2 students (as well as the 48 students not assigned to a group) role-played in pairs and used the same form to provide feedback. All the students evaluated their respective practice practices. Two weeks later 24 Group 1 and 31 Group 2 students participated in a clinic-skills-assessment exercise using SPs. As in the Group 1 practice exercise, each student was evaluated by an SP on cognitive and communication skills and assigned an overall rating. Data were analyzed through a number of statistical methods. The cost of the SP program was determined. RESULTS: The Group 1 students rated their practice exercise much more favorably than did the Group 2 students. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in their ratings by the SPs on the clinical-skills-assessment exercise. The use of SPs cost a great deal more than did the use of role playing. CONCLUSION: Although the students rated the SPs higher than they did the role playing, the two tools produced similar levels of skills attainment. The data suggest that having students practice smoking-cessation techniques through role playing may be as effective as using the more extensive SPs.     

The comparison of two methods in the anthropological study of linguistic differentiation

The paper presents the application of hidden Markov models (HMM) in the analysis of the linguistic microdifferentiation of 48 reproductively isolated populations in the Eastern Adriatic. The mathematical method is described in detail when applied for the recognition of the two main dialects (cakavian and stokavian) present in the investigated area, using two distinguished HMM. The resulting classification of villages is compared to those of the clustering methods applied previously for the same purpose.     

A comparison of two methods for indexing and retrieval from a full-text medical database

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of endotoxin on human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfers (IVF-ET) and to evaluate a quality control system for a culture medium using endotoxin assays. Before the final water purification (in an ultra-pure water system with a depyrogen filter) of the medium, the sources of water were pre-purified as follows; (I) distillation-->deionization x 2, (II) distillation-->ultra-pure water system or (III) reverse osmosis system. The limulus amebocyte lysate gelation tests (sensitivities of 0.03 and 0.25EU/ml) were used to detect endotoxin in the medium and in pre-purified water (pre-water). No pregnancies occurred in the endotoxin-positive medium (endotoxin > or = 0.03EU/ml). The endotoxin-negative medium resulted in a 33.3% pregnancy rate and 13.4% implantation rate. No statistical differences in the implantation rate were found among these methods of pre-purification (I: 12.5%, II: 13.4% and III: 20.0%). Endotoxin was detected in all the pre-water between 0.25 and 4.0EU/ml. The clinical pregnancy rate (36.6%) and the implantation rate (16.9%) in pre-water of endotoxin < 0.25EU/ml were significantly higher than those (10.5% and 5.5%) in pre-water of endotoxin > or = 0.25EU/ml (p < 0.05). We confirmed that a very low concentration of endotoxin disturbed a human embryo implantation. Endotoxin assays, not only in the media, but also in pre-water before final purification are useful as a quality control for the IVF-ET program.     

Ultrasonographic comparison of adhesions induced by two different methods of gastropexy in the dog

BACKGROUND: There are many reports that evaluate the efficacy of the combination of omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, but data about effectivity in clinical practice are sparse. The goal of our study is to evaluate the effectivity in the clinical setting of this combination with diverse durations and doses. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 187 patients (128 male and 59 female), with an endoscopic diagnosis of duodenal ulcer (156), gastric ulcer (25) and both (6) with Helicobacter pylori infection as defined by both: a positive ureasa test and histology. After diagnosis the patient were treated with one of three combinations: a) omeprazole: 20 mg/12 h + amoxicillin: 1 g/12 h + clarithromycin: 500 mg/12 h, during 6 days (n = 60); b) omeprazole: 20 mg/12 h + amoxicillin: 1 g/12 h + clarithromycin: 500 mg/12 h, during 7 days (n = 74), and c) omeprazole: 20 mg/12 h + amoxicillin: 1 g/8 h + clarithromycin: 500 mg/8 h, during 7 days (n = 53). After the 6 or 7 day treatment period the patients did not receive any further treatment until a follow-up control unit. Eradication was evaluated with one of two tests: endoscopy (with ureasa test and at least 4 histologic samples) (n = 90) or urea breath test according to european protocol (n = 97). RESULTS: No patient dropped out because of side effects and compliance was above 80% in all cases. The global eradication rate was 87.2% (CI 95%: 82.4-92%). According to treatment the rate were respectively 80% (CI 95%: 67.7-89.2%) with scheme A; 89.2% (CI 95%: 79.8-95.2%) with scheme B, and 92.5% (CI 95%: 81.8-97.9%) with scheme C, with no statistically significant differences among groups. Difference between schemes and C, however, was almost reached (p = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin at standard doses (scheme B) is effective in clinical practice. Higher dose of amoxicillin and clarithromycin does not improve the results, and shorter duration of therapy associated with lower, although not significant rate of eradication.     

A comparison of the mechanical properties and microstructures of intermetallic matrix composites fabricated by two different methods

The tensile properties of SCS-6 SiC fiber-reinforced Ti-24Al-11Nb (at. pct) have been measured over the past several years by a number of investigators. These composites have been fabricated by different techniques and tend to exhibit a large amount of scatter in the longitudinal tensile properties. To date, it is not known if one optimized fabrication method provides composites with improved mechanical properties over those produced by other optimized methods, since carefully controlled experiments have not been performed to determine this. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to compare the longitudinal tensile strengths of SCS-6 SiC/ Ti-24Al-11Nb composites that had been fabricated by the powder-cloth method and the lowpressure plasma spray (LPPS) method. In this study, the same lots of matrix powder and reinforcing fiber were used for fabricating the composites. It was determined that the powder-cloth and plasma spray methods produced composites having very similar tensile properties. Both fabrication methods induced damage in a small percentage of fibers, which manifested itself in the form of bimodal Weibull distributions of extracted fiber strengths. It appeared that the particular lot of SCS-6 fiber used in fabricating both types of composites was more susceptible to fabrication damage than those used in previous studies. This article also shows the dramatic effect that different handling and testing techniques can have on measured fiber strengths.     

A comparison of two methods of training in a complex task by means of task stimulation.

"Improvement in performance with training in a complex task of radar air traffic control was compared under a condition of constant high input load during training vs. a condition of graduated input load during training… . The test performance of Ss trained under constant high input load was significantly superior on several criteria to that of Ss trained under the graduated input load condition." From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4LE65K. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness and hazard of endomyocardial biopsy in dogs: comparison of two methods

Two different methods of endomyocardial biopsy were evaluated. Compared to the Konno bioptome, a technique using a biopsy forceps originally designed for fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchial biopsy, passed through a No. 9 Fr. end-hole catheter, was easier to perform. The biopsy device is smaller than the Konno bioptome, has sharper teeth, and is easier to clean. The two techniques did not differ in arrhythmogenicity, hemorrhagic changes in the myocardium, or distortion of the specimens. Ventricular tachycardia as defined by three beats in a row was observed in 34 per cent. Epicardial hemorrhage was seen in nine of 14 animals, and the specimen distortion rate was 43 per cent. In one animal, perforation of the right ventricle and hemopericardium occurred.     

Magnesium isotopic abundance measurement in humans: comparison of two mass spectrometric methods

OBJECTIVE: A population of children having bilateral moderate to profound hearing impairment was investigated to find out the number who passed (false negatives) and who failed (true positives) a screening test based on the auditory brain stem response (ABR). DESIGN: This study of the ABR is a parallel report to Lutman, Davis, Fortnum, and Wood (1997), where the transient evoked otoacoustic emission was examined on a similar but not identical population of at-risk neonates. Hearing screening was undertaken in at-risk neonates (targeted screening) at seven hospitals in the UK using the Nottingham ABR Screener. During the period from January 1988 to December 1993, a total of 6983 neonates had been tested. Assessment of audiological records from the participating centers ascertained that 201 children born between January 1988 and December 1993 had hearing threshold levels in both ears of 50 dB or more, averaged over the speech frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Of these, 51 had completed the ABR screening test. Examination of the ABR records, which included both machine and visual scoring, indicated whether they had passed or failed the screening test. RESULTS: Forty-six of the 51 hearing impaired babies failed the neonatal ABR screen either on one or both ears (five false negatives), and 42 failed the test on both ears (nine false negatives). This resulted in field sensitivities of 90% and 82%, respectively. Two cases of suspected progressive hearing loss have been included in the numbers of false negative results. The percentage of babies passing the screen on both ears and subsequently having normal hearing (specificity) is typically 93%. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal hearing screening in an at-risk population using a highly automated ABR test is a viable and effective tool for identification of hearing impairment. Although the field sensitivity of the test is high, it is unable to identify all babies with a criterion level of hearing loss. There are a number of possible explanations as to the origin of false negative results: configuration of the pure-tone audiogram, a progressive hearing loss, acquired sensorineural or conductive loss, retrocochlear deafness, or an incorrect interpretation of the screening test. Passing a neonatal screening test, therefore, does not exclude the possibility of subsequent hearing impairment and highlights the need for further surveillance.     

An empirical comparison of two methods of test selection and weighting.

Based on data on 9 tests for 2 samples of Navy trainees (N = 184, 176) the Wherry-Doolittle Test Selection Technique was compared with a short-cut method proposed by Jenkins, using a table. The composite r between Grade Point Average and the predicted composite for the Wherry-Doolittle method was .648, while that for Jenkin's method was .646. Jenkin's method takes one-fifth to one-eighth less time than the Wherry-Doolittle. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of two dressings in the management of chronic wounds

A hydropolymer dressing (Tielle) and a hydrocolloid dressing (Granuflex) were compared in a randomised controlled clinical study involving 100 patients with leg ulcers and 99 patients with pressure sores in the community. Statistically significant differences in favour of the hydropolymer dressing were detected for dressing leakage and odour production, but no statistically significant differences were recorded in the number of patients with either leg ulcers or pressure sores who healed in each treatment group.     

A comparison of worm burdens in grazing merino sheep and angora goats

The worm burdens of Angora and Merino wethers grazing with their own species or in a mixed flock were compared over a 4 month period. Based on faecal egg counts and larval differentiation, all animals had similar levels and types of infection at the beginning of the experiment when they were 15 months old. Although the initial infection in sheep and goats was similar, sheep subsequently developed a stronger resistance to worms. Therefore, at the termination of the experiment the sheep had significantly fewer worms of all species, except Nematodirus, than did the goats. There was no significant within-host difference in worm burdens whether the animals grazed exclusively with their own species or in the mixed flock.     

Patterns of Cryptosporidium oocyst shedding in calves and a comparison of two diagnostic methods

Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst shedding was observed in calves from approximately 1 to 30 days of age. Oocysts were detected by either the Kinyoun acid-fast staining technique (microscopic examination--ME) or a commercially produced enzyme immunoassay EIA). Test concordance between the two detection methods was determined. The mean (+/- SD) number of days to detection of cryptosporidial oocysts was 9.52 +/- 1.92 for the ME and 9.83 +/- 3.19 for the EIA. No significant difference between the means was found (P = 0.17). The period prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 100% in calves from 1 to 30 days of age. The overall agreement between the ME and EIA was 72%, with a kappa value of 0.42 (SE +/- 0.05). McNemar's test indicated that the proportion of tests determined positive by the two methods was not equal (P < 0.01). The findings or this study indicate moderate agreement between the two diagnostic methods, with the EIA being the more sensitive of the two. However, in most cases the herd-level determination of cryptosporidiosis requires minimal sample sizes and is more economically and easily accomplished by the ME method of detection.     

A comparison of methods of scoring the MMPI-168.

Three methods of converting raw scores from the 168-item short form of the MMPI to their long-form equivalents were compared using samples of 1,258 normals and 1,181 psychiatric inpatients. A set of conversion equations to be used in future research is proposed on the basis of these comparisons. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of two depot injection techniques

In the study reported in this article, the researchers attempted to raise awareness among practitioners of the importance of intramuscular drug administration technique in reducing injection site complications following antipsychotic depot injections. They also aimed to improve and expand the scope of present practice by comparing the effect of two accepted techniques, the 'air bubble' and 'Z-track' on these complications, and demonstrate that the air bubbles technique is more effective in reducing seepage and causes less discomfort. A 'within subjects' design was used, and Likert scales for scoring subjective and objective assessment of complications were established and scored at each injection. The study showed that there was no significant difference between the effects of either technique.