Reconsidering the seizure threshold? A retrospective study about seizure quality among patients with maintenance ECT

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Taib ◽  
Anna Levy ◽  
Christophe Arbus ◽  
Laurent Schmitt ◽  
Antoine Yrondi
Keyword(s):  
Seizure Threshold ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Control Dataset ◽  
Technical Control ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Seizure Quality ◽  
Maintenance Ect ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Frequency Pulse

AbstractObjectivesElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and validated technique used to treat various psychiatric conditions. It triggers an artificially-induced seizure. This seizure is defined using several parameters such as the amount of energy, duration, frequency, pulse width and intensity. Efficacy and adverse events depend on the amount of energy delivered. Due to technical control, the amount of energy delivered by our unit’s ECT device was limited to 614 mC, 60% of the maximum possible output of the device. We wondered if lowering the dose would lead to better seizure quality among maintenance ECT patients.MethodsWe assessed seizure quality based on the EEG, using a validated tool created by MacPherson. Two evaluators independently rated the seizures. Pre- and post-control scores were compared using Student’s t-test for paired samples.ResultsWe analysed data from 15 patients. Mean age was 65 years old. Twelve had depressive disorder, two had schizophrenia and one had schizo-affective disorder. Mean duration of seizure before control was 41.1 s [95% confidence interval (95CI)=26.1, 51.1]. The mean MacPherson’s score was 20.3 (95CI=16.2, 24.4). After control, the mean MacPherson’s score was 28.2 (23.1, 33.3), showing a significant difference with the pre-control dataset (p=0.032; t=−2.4; df=14). Specifically, peak mid-ictal amplitude increased from 6.9 (95CI=5.1, 8.7) to 10.0 (95CI=7.2, 12.8). Other sub-scores remained unchanged.ConclusionLowering the energy delivered led to an overall increase of seizure quality among our sample. This highlights the necessity and utility of retitration during ECT maintenance, possibly leading to better management of our patients.

Employing Personal Reading Logs through Short Stories to Enhance Students’ L2 Reading Comprehension Achievement

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Eliyas Sulaiman Mohandas ◽  
Nik Mastura Nik Ismail Azlan ◽  
Salwa Othman ◽  
Muhammad Aizat Azhari
Keyword(s):  
Short Stories ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
P Value ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Reading Score ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
L2 Reading Comprehension

This study aims to investigate whether the use of six selected short stories throughout the duration of a 14-week course could enhance students’ reading comprehension achievement at the end of the semester. Out of the six short stories read, three were chosen as in-class assignments known as ‘Personal Reading Logs’ (hereafter, PRLs). One group of semester two Diploma students taking a reading skills course was selected through a convenience sampling method. A pre-test was conducted by having the students answer a past semester reading quiz of which the results would then be compared to their post-test (final reading exam) results. A paired samples t-test revealed no significant difference in the reading scores of the pre-test and the post-test, t (17) = -.265, p > .05. Since the p-value was bigger than 0.05, this indicated that the mean reading score of the post-test (M = 50.556) was not significantly higher than the mean reading score of the pre-test (M = 49.722). Therefore, the null hypothesis which stated that there was no difference in the mean score of the pre-test and post-test was retained. Overall, the result refuted the findings of other studies promoting the effectiveness of using short stories to enhance L2 reading comprehension achievement.

scholarly journals The Effect of Teaching Cohesive Devices on IELTS Writing Task 2 of Iranian Foreign Language Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Leila Kamelifar
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Cohesive Devices ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Writing Task

Obtaining good scores in IELTS has become a concern for many foreign language learners throughout the world. Therefore, any relevant research to pave the way of applicants' achievement may be considered significant. This study deals with an indispensable element of IELTS writing tasks as teaching cohesive devices and it verifies the effect on writing performance of IELTS task 2. To this end, 30 participants at intermediate level took an IELTS test writing task 2 as the pretest. Then, they went under a 10 session treatment program to learn cohesive devices. At the end, they took a parallel form of IELTS task 2. The scores were obtained. The inter-rater reliability was met. The results of the paired Samples T-test showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of pre and post- tests of the participants after being exposed to cohesive devices treatment.

scholarly journals Productive and Receptive Collocational Knowledge of Iranian EFL Learners at Different Proficiency Levels

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Fahimeh Talakoob ◽  
Mansour Koosha
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
T Test ◽  
Placement Test ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Intermediate Learners ◽  
The Mean

In the present study, an attempt was made to probe into the probable difference between Iranian intermediate and advanced EFL learners' receptive and productive collocational knowledge. To this end, 60 EFL learners studying at Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch, including 30 advanced and 30 intermediate learners, were chosen through the Oxford Placement Test (OPT). The participants at each level of proficiency received two tests of collocations, namely receptive collocation test and productive test of collocations. Paired-samples t test showed no statistically significant difference between productive and receptive knowledge of collocations of the advanced EFL learners. However, the mean comparison between the receptive and productive collocation test scores of intermediate EFL learners revealed a significant difference. Pedagogical implications emanating from the obtained results are elaborated in the study.

A Different DNA Methylation Profile is Obtained from a Recently Published MZ Study of Psychiatry

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
M. Liang ◽  
Y. Hu ◽  
D. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Monozygotic Twins ◽  
Methylation Profile ◽  
T Test ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dna Methylation Profile ◽  
Analysis Strategy ◽  
The Mean

Aim:To get a more robust DNA methylation profile from the data given by a published article of a MZ study of psychiatry.Method:Considering the relevance of birth weight with DNA methylation profiles, we reanalyzed the data from the paper of Mill etc. (DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30316) with rearrangement of the group order within twin pair, prior if lighter in birth weight. Statistical methods used are including mean, correlation and paired-samples t-test (considering twins’ particularity).Results:We calculated twin difference by lighter twin's methylation percentage minus that of heavier twin. The mean of CpG1 methylation differences is -7.08% while -7.17% for CpG2. The two means have no statistical significant difference in a paired-samples t-test (t=0.027, p=0.979, 2-tailed). These results are different from the original paper: 10.3% for CpG1 and 16.1% for CpG2, which are statistical significantly different (t=-2.792, p=0.018, 2-tailed). Besides, we found that in the lighter twin group, the methylation percentage are statistical significantly different between CpG1 and CpG2 (t=2.627, p=0.024, 2-tailed). As to correlation analysis, we got a slightly different result: correlation between MZ differences in two sites is weaker after rearrangement (r=0.875, while r=0.913 before arrangement, both p< 0.001).Conclusion:According to our study, the results imply that twin differences may not be the only thing worthy of investigation. Different patterns among CpGs in certain kinds of subgroups should also need attention. We need conduct a robust data analysis strategy in our researches on the epigenetic aspects of psychiatry, where monozygotic twins have a favorable utility.

scholarly journals Using Dictation to Promote the Use of Grammar Knowledge in Reconstructing Listening Texts

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 217
Author(s):  
Hesthi Herusatoto
Keyword(s):  
Control Group ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group B ◽  
Grammar Knowledge ◽  
Control Group Group

This paper reports the findings of the implementation of full dictation and partial dictation in improving the awareness of using grammar knowledge in reconstructing listening texts among the EFL students at STBA (School of Foreign Languages) LIA Yogyakarta. Three groups participated in the study, i.e. two experimental groups (Group A and B) and a control group (Group C). A pre-test on listening to lectures was administered to the three groups. Over 9 sessions, Group C did the listening exercises in their textbook using dicto-comp technique, while in addition to the listening exercises which applied dicto-comp, the students in Group A was given full dictation exercises and Group B received partial dictation exercises. A post-test was given to the three groups after the ninth session. In addition to the post-test, a 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire assessing the students responses to the dictation exercises was given to the experimental groups. Results of paired-samples tests indicated that there was a significant difference between each groups pre- and post-test. The mean gain score of Group B was higher than Group A showing that Group B had better improvement in the post-test. Furthermore, Group B had better grammar points in their post-test compared to Group A. Group C also increased their scores but they still got their teachers assistance to point out their grammatical mistakes in their notes. This suggests that the dictations given to the experimental groups improved the students awareness in applying their grammar knowledge to reproduce a listening text they heard.

scholarly journals ‘Minds’ in ‘Homer’: A quantitative psycholinguistic comparison of the Iliad and Odyssey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boban Dedovic
Keyword(s):  
Computational Linguistics ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Translations ◽  
Mental Language ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Complicated Situation

“My child, why do you weep? What grief has come upon your phrenes (φρένες)? Speak—conceal not in noos (νόος) in order that we both may know,” so speaks Achilles’ mother Thetis as the fierce warrior weeps tears of wrath on the beaches of Troy (Il. 1.362-363). To be sure, noos likely translates as mind in English in the above passage. However, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey include a total of eight such words that may be rendered as mind, heart, or spirit: noos (νόος), thymos (θυμός), psykhe (ψυχή), phrenes (φρένες), prapides (πρᾰπῐ́δες), kardia (κᾰρδῐ́ᾱ), kradie (κρᾰδῐ́η), ker (κῆρ), and etor (ἦτορ). This complicated situation with Greek translations of mind is at the heart of this study’s empirical investigation. To wit, what is mind in the Il. compared to the Od.? The present investigation sought to quantify and compare the use of mental language in the Homeric epics by means of computational linguistics. Prior scholarly investigations have been mostly qualitative; the few quantitative studies conducted utilized miniscule sample sizes of English translations. Two studies were conducted. 17 translators who translated both the Il. and Od. into English were selected (within-subjects design). The texts were sanitized and compiled for lexical frequency analyses in Voyant, a digital linguistic analysis tool. Study 1 compared how often mental language terms appeared in both works. Results showed that total word density of mental language increased significantly from the Il. to the Od. in both English translations as well as in the original Greek version. Study 2 compiled an English glossary of mental language terms and counted the frequencies for the 34 total works. A paired-samples t-test was conducted to compare the mean mental language densities of the Il. and Od. across 17 translators. There was a significant difference in the mean densities for the Il. (M = 68.2, SD = 8.9) and Od. (M = 91.9, SD = 11.6) conditions; t(16) = -17.798, N = 17, p &lt; .001, d = -4.317. Further correlational tests as well as ANCOVA were conducted in order to determine if various factors could explain the large effect size. No significant results were observed or relevant. All hypotheses were supported. These data suggest that the Od. contains much more mental language than the Il. Implications and limitations are discussed.

The effect of Substituting blood sampling through routine direct venipuncture with intravenous cannulation on the accuracy of hematologic results in children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manijeh Tabrizi ◽  
Hamidreza Badeli ◽  
Parmoon Parvari ◽  
Afagh Hassanzadeh Rad
Keyword(s):  
Partial Pressure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Pediatric Care ◽  
Significant Similarity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Collection Methods

Background: In pediatric care settings, intravenous cannulation (IVC) is usually needed for diverse purposes. Considering the painfulness and invasiveness of sampling by direct venipuncture (DVP), using a painless and less invasive method would be promising. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effect of substitution of routine DVP with direct blood sampling through IVC on the accuracy of hematologic results. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 5-14-year-old children admitted to the emergency ward of 17th Shahrivar Pediatric Hospital in Rasht, north of Iran. After discarding only one ml of blood, paired-samples were taken from IVC and DVP and analyzed for 30 most frequently requested electrolytes, hematologic, and blood gas tests. The similarity of the obtained results by the two methods indicated the probability of substituting DVP with IVC and was defined by the absence of significant statistical difference (P>0.05). Results: The comparison between the mean of hematologic factors by two methods showed significant similarity between groups regarding all parameters (P>0.05) except the mean of red blood cell count in the two groups (P<0.05). Assessing the level of electrolytes by two collection methods showed that there was a significant similarity between the mean of all parameters (P>0.05) except for phosphorus (P=.002). Furthermore, assessing the level of electrolytes showed a significant similarity between the potential of hydrogen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and buffer base in the two groups (P>0.05). However, there was a significant difference between partial pressure of oxygen, base excess, and O2 saturation in the two collection methods (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the promising results obtained in this study, it seems that these methods could be interchangeably used, and IVC can be an alternative method for DVP by discarding the minimum amount of blood and less invasiveness in children.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Infertility-Related Stress Among Couples and its Relationship With Infertility Factors

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razhan Chehreh ◽  
Giti Ozgoli ◽  
Khadijeh Abolmaali ◽  
Malihe Nasiri ◽  
Elahe Mazaheri
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Failure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
T Test ◽  
Social Concern ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Inducing Factors ◽  
Related Stress

Objectives: Inability to have a child is stressful and affects all aspects of couples’ lives. Infertility diagnosis, duration and reason of infertility, treatment failure, and frequent pregnancy tests are among the stress-inducing factors in couples. The current study aimed to compare infertility-related stress among couples and evaluate its relationships with infertility factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 150 infertile couples (300 individuals) visiting infertility centers of Tehran. The data were collected using the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) and fertility and demographic characteristics form. The subjects were selected through convenience sampling method. The data were analyzed through inferential statistics, including paired samples t-test, independent samples t test, ANOVA, and linear regression. Results: According to the results, the mean stress score of women was significantly higher than that of the men (P=0.007). There was a significant difference between males and females regarding the mean scores of social concern and need for parenthood (P=0.005). The mean score of infertility-related stress was also significantly higher in women with treatment failure than in men (P=0.01). Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, infertile women experienced greater stress than males. Furthermore, infertility-related stress increased in women due to treatment failure. Therefore, it is recommended that women who have experienced treatment failure be subjected to precise psychological evaluations before undergoing the treatment process.

scholarly journals Impact of Intervention on Reduction of White Blood Cells in the Management of Infection in Pneumonia Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-24
Author(s):  
Sri Aryanda ◽  
Azizah Nasution ◽  
Khairunissa K
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Treatment Of Infection

Objective: To study the impact of intervention on the reduction of white blood cells (WBC) in the management of infection in patients with pneumonia in Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) hospital period July through September 2019. Method: This three-month analytical prospective cohort study analyzed the reduction of WBC in the management of infection in pneumonia patients (n=42) before and after intervention in USU hospital. A self-designed questionair was used to assess the patients characterics, the required laboratory data including WBC, and length of stay (LOS). The base-line data were assessed after three days of treatment. The data with  intervetion were assessed between July - September 2019. The Patients characteristics and drug utilization were analyzed descriptively. The levels of WBC before and after interventions were compared using paired samples t test (p < 0.05) was considered significant. Results: Characteristics of the pneumonia patients: male, 61.9%; female, 38.1%. The mean age of patients with pneumonia was 60.48 ± 14.76 years. The most widely used antibiotic was ceftriaxone as much as 48%. There was a significant difference in reduction of WBC between patients with pneumonia before and after intervention, p= 0.002. Conclusions: Intervention can significantly increase the treatment of infection in patients with pneumonia.  

scholarly journals The Interchangeability of Plasma and Whole Blood Metal Ion Measurement in the Monitoring of Metal on Metal Hips

Arthritis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim A. Malek ◽  
Joanne Rogers ◽  
Amanda Christina King ◽  
Juliet Clutton ◽  
Daniel Winson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Metal Ion ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High Concentrations

One hundred and twenty six paired samples of plasma and whole blood were measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique for metal ions analysis to determine a relationship between them. There was a significant difference between the mean plasma and whole blood concentrations of both cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) (p<0.0001 for both Co and Cr). The mean ratio between plasma and whole blood Cr and Co was 1.56 (range: 0.39–3.85) and 1.54 (range: 0.64–18.26), respectively, but Bland and Altman analysis illustrated that this relationship was not universal throughout the range of concentrations. There was higher variability at high concentrations for both ions. We conclude that both these concentrations should not be used interchangeably and conversion factors are unreliable due to concentration dependent variability.

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