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Vision Research Feb 2020When there are many visual items, the visual system could represent their summary statistics (e.g., mean, variance) to process them efficiently. Although many previous...
When there are many visual items, the visual system could represent their summary statistics (e.g., mean, variance) to process them efficiently. Although many previous studies have investigated the mean or variance representation itself, a relationship between these two ensemble representations has not been investigated much. In this study, we tested the potential interaction between mean and variance representations by using a visual adaptation method. We reasoned that if mean and variance representations interact with each other, an adaptation aftereffect to either mean or variance would influence the perception of the other. Participants watched a sequence of orientation arrays containing a specific statistical property during the adaptation period. To produce an adaptation aftereffect specific to variance or mean, one property of the adaptor arrays (variance or mean) had a fixed value while the other property was randomly varied. After the adaptation, participants were asked to discriminate the property of the test array that was randomly varied during the adaptation. We found that the adaptation aftereffect of orientation variance influenced the sensitivity of mean orientation discrimination (Experiment 1), and that the adaptation aftereffect of mean orientation influenced the bias of orientation variance discrimination (Experiment 2). These results suggest that mean and variance representations do closely interact with each other. Considering that mean and variance reflect the representative value and dispersion of multiple items respectively, the interactions between mean and variance representations may reflect their complementary roles to summarize complex visual information effectively.
Topics: Adaptation, Ocular; Female; Figural Aftereffect; Humans; Male; Orientation, Spatial; Psychophysics; Visual Perception
PubMed: 31954877
DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2020.01.002 -
Attention, Perception & Psychophysics Oct 2022The mean estimation task, which explicitly asks observers to estimate the mean feature value of multiple stimuli, is a fundamental paradigm in research areas such as...
The mean estimation task, which explicitly asks observers to estimate the mean feature value of multiple stimuli, is a fundamental paradigm in research areas such as ensemble coding and cue integration. The current study uses computational models to formalize how observers summarize information in mean estimation tasks. We compare model predictions from our Fidelity-based Integration Model (FIM) and other models on their ability to simulate observed patterns in within-trial weight distribution, across-trial information integration, and set-size effects on mean estimation accuracy. Experiments show non-equal weighting within trials in both sequential and simultaneous mean estimation tasks. Observers implicitly overestimated trial means below the global mean and underestimated trial means above the global mean. Mean estimation performance declined and stabilized with increasing set sizes. FIM successfully simulated all observed patterns, while other models failed. FIM's information sampling structure provides a new way to interpret the capacity limit in visual working memory and sub-sampling strategies. As a model framework, FIM offers task-dependent modeling for various ensemble coding paradigms, facilitating research synthesis across different studies in the literature.
Topics: Humans; Memory, Short-Term; Visual Perception
PubMed: 35199324
DOI: 10.3758/s13414-021-02410-1 -
BJR Open 2023The objective of this review was to examine the impact of previous mammogram availability on radiologists' performance from screening populations and experimental... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review was to examine the impact of previous mammogram availability on radiologists' performance from screening populations and experimental studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A search of the literature was conducted using five databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL as well as Google and reference lists of articles. Keywords were combined with "AND" or "OR" or "WITH" and included "prior mammograms, diagnostic performance, initial images, diagnostic efficacy, subsequent images, previous imaging, and radiologist's performance". Studies that assessed the impact of previous mammogram availability on radiologists' performance were reviewed. The Standard for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy guidelines was used to critically appraise individual sources of evidence.
RESULTS
A total of 15 articles were reviewed. The sample of mammogram cases used across these studies varied from 36 to 1,208,051. Prior mammograms did not affect sensitivity [with priors: 62-86% (mean = 73.3%); without priors: 69.4-87.4% (mean = 75.8%)] and cancer detection rate, but increased specificity [with priors: 72-96% (mean = 87.5%); without priors: 63-87% (mean = 80.5%)] and reduced false-positive rates [with priors: 3.7 to 36% (mean = 19.9%); without priors 13.3-49% (mean = 31.4%)], recall rates [with priors: 3.8-57% (mean = 26.6%); without priors: [4.9%-67.5% (mean = 37.9%)], and abnormal interpretation rate decreased by 4% with priors. Evidence for the associations between the availability of prior mammograms and positive-predictive value, area under the curve (AUC) from the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and localisation ROC AUC, and positive-predictive value of recall is limited and unclear.
CONCLUSION
Availability of prior mammograms reduces recall rates, false-positive rates, abnormal interpretation rates, and increases specificity without affecting sensitivity and cancer detection rate.
PubMed: 37942498
DOI: 10.1259/bjro.20230038 -
Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics Apr 2020Combined metopic-sagittal craniosynostosis is traditionally treated with open cranial vault remodeling and fronto-orbital advancement, sometimes in multiple operations....
OBJECTIVE
Combined metopic-sagittal craniosynostosis is traditionally treated with open cranial vault remodeling and fronto-orbital advancement, sometimes in multiple operations. Endoscopic treatment of this multisuture synostosis presents a complex challenge for the surgeon and orthotist.
METHODS
The authors retrospectively analyzed the preoperative and 1-year postoperative CT scans of 3 patients with combined metopic-sagittal synostosis, all of whom were treated with simultaneous endoscope-assisted craniectomy of the metopic and sagittal sutures followed by helmet therapy. Established anthropometric measurements were applied to assess pre- and postoperative morphology, including cranial index and interfrontal divergence angle (IFDA). Patients' measurements were compared to those obtained in 18 normal controls.
RESULTS
Two boys and one girl underwent endoscope-assisted craniectomy at a mean age of 81 days. The mean preoperative cranial index was 0.70 (vs control mean of 0.82, p = 0.009), corrected postoperatively to a mean of 0.82 (vs control mean of 0.80, p = 0.606). The mean preoperative IFDA was 110.4° (vs control mean of 152.6°, p = 0.017), corrected postoperatively to a mean of 139.1° (vs control mean of 140.3°, p = 0.348). The mean blood loss was 100 mL and the mean length of stay was 1.7 days. No patient underwent reoperation. The mean clinical follow-up was 3.4 years.
CONCLUSIONS
Endoscope-assisted craniectomy with helmet therapy is a viable single-stage treatment option for combined metopic-sagittal synostosis, providing correction of the stigmata of trigonoscaphocephaly, with normalization of the cranial index and IFDA.
PubMed: 32302979
DOI: 10.3171/2020.2.PEDS2029 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Mar 2024To assess the readability of online materials related to puberphonia. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess the readability of online materials related to puberphonia.
STUDY DESIGN
Online material review.
METHOD
The study was conducted by performing a Google search using the specific keyword "puberphonia." Subsequently, 18 websites were selected for inclusion in the review based on predefined criteria. The selected websites underwent assessment utilizing three distinct readability metrics: Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL).
RESULTS
The analysis of the selected websites revealed the following mean scores: a mean FRES of 40.2, a mean FKGL of 11.8, and a mean SMOG score of 10.9. The physician-oriented websites had a mean FRES score of 35.8, a mean FKGL score of 12.5, and a mean SMOG score of 11.4. The patient-oriented websites exhibited a mean FRES score of 44.6, a mean FKGL score of 11.3, and a mean SMOG score of 10.5.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study indicate that the readability and understandability of online resources related to puberphonia exhibit high scores, suggesting that the materials may be challenging for patients to comprehend. Addressing and enhancing the readability of these online resources is crucial, as it has the potential to enhance patient awareness and comprehension of puberphonia, ultimately leading to more informed health care decisions and improved patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38553320
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2024.03.010 -
Respiratory Care Apr 2022Blood gas quality control (QC) is an essential and mandatory part of a laboratory's quality plan. The acceptable QC range should be 2 SD from the mean value. The use of...
BACKGROUND
Blood gas quality control (QC) is an essential and mandatory part of a laboratory's quality plan. The acceptable QC range should be 2 SD from the mean value. The use of assayed QC material does not negate the responsibility of the laboratory to calculate the mean and 2 SD ranges of QC measurements for verification. Verifying assayed QC ranges is a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) requirement. This study shows the results of assayed QC mean and 2 SD range verification from a blood gas analyzer.
METHODS
QC data from a blood gas analyzer were compared to manufacturer-provided mean and ranges. The percent difference between the measured mean and the manufacturer-provided mean was calculated to assess agreement. The measured SD was used to determine how many SD the manufacturer-provided ranges were from the measured mean.
RESULTS
The largest difference in mean values was 2.27% > the manufacturer-provided mean. Forty-eight percent of all mean value comparisons showed a difference of 0%, and 71% were < 1%. The manufacturer-provided ranges were considerably wider than the measured 2 SD range, ranging from 2.4-75 SD. None of the manufacturer-provided ranges were deemed acceptable for clinical use.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis validates the CLIA mandate and American Association for Respiratory Care Clinical Practice Guideline recommendation that laboratories must verify manufacturer-provided QC means and ranges and adjust QC means and ranges to match the performance of their blood gas analyzer.
Topics: Humans; Laboratories; Quality Control
PubMed: 35078931
DOI: 10.4187/respcare.09342 -
Attention, Perception & Psychophysics Apr 2021Research on ensemble perception has shown that people can extract both mean and variance information, but much less is understand how these two different types of...
Research on ensemble perception has shown that people can extract both mean and variance information, but much less is understand how these two different types of summaries interact with one another. Some research has argued that people are more erroneous in extracting the mean of displays that have greater variability. In all three experiments, we manipulated the variability in the displays. Participants reported the mean size of a set of circles (Experiment 1) and mean length of horizontally placed (Experiment 2a) and randomly oriented lines (Experiment 2b). In all experiments, we found that mean size estimations were more erroneous for higher than smaller variance displays. More critically, there was a tendency to overestimate the mean, driven by variance in both task-relevant and task-irrelevant features. We discuss these findings in relation to limitations in concurrent summarization ability and outlier discounting in ensemble perception.
Topics: Humans; Orientation, Spatial
PubMed: 33772448
DOI: 10.3758/s13414-021-02269-2 -
Andrology Nov 2019The correlation between the increased mean platelet volume and varicocele is controversial.
BACKGROUND
The correlation between the increased mean platelet volume and varicocele is controversial.
OBJECTIVES
We designed this research to demonstrate the correlation relationship between varicocele and mean platelet volume by studying the changes of mean platelet volume in patients with varicocele before and after operation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 317 patients with left unilateral varicocele underwent operation, and 293 healthy adult males were enrolled in the study. We collected diagnostic data for preoperative patients through physical examination, color Doppler ultrasonography, and blood routine, and recorded the follow-up data at 6 months after operation for varicocele. Platelet indices and the degree of varicocele or the diameter of spermatic vein correlation analysis were performed. Mean platelet volume values of preoperative and 6-month postoperative were statistically evaluated.
RESULTS
We found that the degree of varicocele and the diameter of spermatic vein were positively correlated with mean platelet volume (p = 0.001 or p < 0.001). When the left unilateral varicocele patients and healthy subjects were compared, there was a significant increase in mean platelet volume (p = 0.003). Mean platelet volume values of 96 varicocele patients who were cured by operation for varicocele after 6 months were decreased significantly more than preoperative (p = 0.039), but 32 varicocele patients of 6-month postoperative recurrence could not prove this change (p = 0.930).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Our research proves that mean platelet volume was positively correlated with the degree of varicocele and the diameter of spermatic vein and varicocele patients showed significantly higher mean platelet volume than healthy subjects. The mean platelet volume of varicocele patients cured by operation for varicocele after 6 months was lower than before, but there was no difference in mean platelet volume between 6-month postoperative recurrent patients with preoperative.
Topics: Adult; Blood Platelets; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Male; Mean Platelet Volume; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Varicocele; Veins; Young Adult
PubMed: 30969016
DOI: 10.1111/andr.12605 -
Psycho-oncology Dec 2022Demoralization is a prevalent psychological problem among cancer patients and reflects a sense of subjective incompetence. This systematic review aims to identify... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Demoralization is a prevalent psychological problem among cancer patients and reflects a sense of subjective incompetence. This systematic review aims to identify factors influencing demoralization among cancer patients.
METHODS
Eleven databases were systematically searched from database inception to 31 December 2020. Google Scholar and relevant reference lists were supplementarily searched. Studies reporting demoralization measured by Demoralization Scale and its influencing factors among cancer patients were included. A qualitative synthesis was conducted owing to the heterogeneity of the study outcome.
RESULTS
A total of 49 studies involving 10,712 participants were included in this review. The results showed substantial effect size variation, but the psychological factors showed the strongest magnitude of association. Among the biological factors, the number of physical symptoms (mean r values [rs]: 0.331) was associated with increased demoralization. Among the psychological factors, negative psychological factors include hopelessness (mean rs: 0.633), desire for death (mean rs: 0.620), dignity-related distress (mean rs: 0.595), depression (mean rs: 0.593), anxiety (mean rs: 0.589), psychological distress (mean rs: 0.465), and suicidal ideation (mean rs: 0.460) were related to increased demoralization; whereas positive psychological factors including hope (mean rs: -0.565), attachment security (mean rs: -0.530), and sense of coherence (mean rs: -0.453) were related to decreased demoralization. Among the social factors, social support (mean rs: -0.330) was negatively related to demoralization, and the demographic factors were still controversial. Quality of life was considered to be at the intersection of biopsychosocial factors and negatively associated with demoralization (mean rs: -0.599).
CONCLUSIONS
Demoralization is a consequence of the interaction of physical, psychological, and social factors among cancer patients. Factors with a significant effect should not be overlooked when designing an intervention to reduce demoralization. It is necessary to distinguish demoralization from other negative psychological states and further explore positive psychological factors influencing demoralization among cancer patients.
Topics: Humans; Demoralization; Quality of Life; Stress, Psychological; Anxiety; Neoplasms
PubMed: 36016470
DOI: 10.1002/pon.6023 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022The concept of caring is fundamental to nursing practice. The aim of this study was to investigate patients' and nurses' caring behaviors and the possible differences...
The concept of caring is fundamental to nursing practice. The aim of this study was to investigate patients' and nurses' caring behaviors and the possible differences between the two groups. In this descriptive and comparative study, 310 patients and 329 nurses from six general hospitals from Greece completed the Caring Behaviors Inventory-16. The mean score of Caring Behaviors Inventory-16 for patients was 78.94 (±17.85) and for nurses 80.27 (±9.36). The items "Demonstrating professional knowledge and skills" (Mean: 5.45 ± 3.62) and "Treating my information confidentially" (Mean: 5.34 ± 1.06) were the most important caring behaviors while the items "Including me in planning care" (Mean: 4.36 ± 1.56), and "Treating me as an individual" (Mean: 4.55 ± 1.46) were the least important caring behaviors for patients. For nurses, the most important caring behavior was "Treating patients" information confidentially" (Mean: 5.43 ± 0.94) and the least important was "Returning to the patient voluntarily" (Mean: 4.57 ± 3.68). Significant differences were observed in items: "Attentively listening to me/the patient" ( = -2.05, = 0.04), "Treating me/the patient as an individual" ( = -7.82, = 0.00), "Being empathetic or identifying with me/the patient" ( = -2.80, = 0.00), and "Responding quickly when I/the patient call ( = -2.01, = 0.04). Respect, privacy, and dignity were the most important caring behaviors for nurses while for patients they were knowledge, skills, and safety.
Topics: Humans; Nurse-Patient Relations; Patients; Greece; Auditory Perception; Nurses; Attitude of Health Personnel; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 36612719
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010396