scholarly journals Performance on verbal fluency tasks depends on the given category/letter: Preliminary data from a multivariable analysis

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar Gabrić ◽  
Mija Vandek
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Corpus Analysis ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
First Response ◽  
The Given

Verbal fluency tasks are often used in neuropsychological research and may have predictive and diagnostic utility in psychiatry and neurology. However, researchers using verbal fluency have uncritically assumed that there are no category- or phoneme-specific effects on verbal fluency performance. We recruited 16 young adult subjects and administered two semantic (animals, trees) and phonemic (K, M) fluency tasks. Because of the small sample size, results should be regarded as preliminary. On the animal compared to the tree task, subjects produced significantly more legal words, had a significantly lower intrusion rate, significantly shorter first-response latencies and final silence periods, as well as significantly shorter between-cluster response latencies. These differences may be explained by differences in the category sizes, integrity of the categories' borders, and efficiency of the functional connectivity between subcategories. On the K compared to the M task, subjects produced significantly more legal words and had significantly shorter between-cluster response times. Counterintuitively, a corpus analysis revealed there are more words starting with m compared to k in the experimental language. Our results have important implications for research utilizing verbal fluency, including decreased reproducibility, unreliability of diagnostic and predictive tools based on verbal fluency, and decreased knowledge accumulation.

scholarly journals Striking differences in performance patterns and neuropsychological correlates within semantic and phonemic fluency tasks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar Gabrić ◽  
Mija Vandek
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Semantic Categories ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Phonemic Fluency ◽  
Performance Patterns ◽  
Meta Analyses

Despite both theoretical and empirical linguistics suggesting otherwise, researchers using semantic and phonemic fluency tasks have uncritically assumed that there are no category- or phoneme/letter-specific effects on verbal fluency performance. We recruited 16 young adult subjects and administered two semantic (animals, trees) and two phonemic (K, M) fluency tasks. Executive functions were assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). On the animal compared to the tree task, subjects produced significantly more legal words, had a significantly lower intrusion rate, significantly shorter first-response latencies and final silence periods, as well as significantly shorter between-cluster response latencies. These differences can at least partly be explained by differences in the category sizes, integrity of the categories’ borders, and efficiency of the functional connectivity between subcategories. Switching on the animal but clustering on the tree task were moderately and strongly, respectively, correlated with the WCST. On the K compared to the M task, subjects produced significantly more legal words and had significantly shorter between-cluster response times. Counterintuitively, a corpus analysis revealed there are more words starting with the ⟨m⟩ compared to ⟨k⟩ in the experimental language. Performances on the K and M tasks were very limitedly associated with the WCST. Our results have important implications for research utilizing verbal fluency, indicating that researchers should pay close attention to the types of semantic categories and phonemes/letters within neuropsychological assessments, as well as in the context of reviews and meta-analyses. In order to accomplish this adequately, further research on the specificities of different verbal fluency tasks is direly needed.

What causes the bilingual disadvantage in verbal fluency? The dual-task analogy

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
TIFFANY C. SANDOVAL ◽  
TAMAR H. GOLLAN ◽  
VICTOR S. FERREIRA ◽  
DAVID P. SALMON
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Language Fluency ◽  
Dominant Language ◽  
Task Effects ◽  
First Response ◽  
Intrusion Errors ◽  
Cross Language

We investigated the consequences of bilingualism for verbal fluency by comparing bilinguals to monolinguals, and dominant versus non-dominant-language fluency. In Experiment 1, bilinguals produced fewer correct responses, slower first response times and proportionally delayed retrieval, relative to monolinguals. In Experiment 2, similar results were obtained comparing the dominant to the non-dominant languages within bilinguals. Additionally, bilinguals produced significantly lower-frequency words and a greater proportion of cognate responses than monolinguals, and bilinguals produced more cross-language intrusion errors when speaking the non-dominant language, but almost no such intrusions when speaking the dominant language. These results support an analogy between bilingualism and dual-task effects (Rohrer et al., 1995), implying a role for between-language interference in explaining the bilingual fluency disadvantage, and suggest that bilingual fluency will be maximized under testing conditions that minimize such interference. More generally, the findings suggest a role for selection by competition in language production, and that such competition is more influential in relatively unconstrained production tasks.

Global HRM standards as boundary objects: a device to enhance legitimacy and status

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1089-1103
Author(s):  
Ylva Ulfsdotter Eriksson
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Standards ◽  
Specific Occupation ◽  
The Given ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Legitimacy Status ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose In 2016, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced new standards for human resource management (HRM). The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the significance that human resource (HR) professionals attribute to global HRM standards, what outcomes they envisage for the profession and organizations, and what influences engagement in the standardization project. Design/methodology/approach The analyses interpret the relationship between standards, professions, and organizations by combining theories of professions with concepts from institutional theory. The study is ethnographic and consists of observations of meetings and interviews with eight participants from the Swedish committee participating in the ISO project. Findings HR professionals consider HRM standards positive for the profession’s legitimacy, status, and development, which are also considered beneficial for organizations. However, difficulties in recruiting participants and organizations to the standardization project may prevent positive exchanges for the profession, and point to a weak interest in HRM issues from the HR professionals themselves. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of the results is somewhat limited due to the small sample size. Nevertheless, the study provides insights into how HR professionals reason about their profession and professionalization. Practical implications Gaining insights into the forthcoming global standards for HRM is important for HR professionals. These standards may be implemented in organizations worldwide and affect how HRM is conducted, and therefore also have a profound effect on the profession. Originality/value The ISO’s targeting of a specific occupation is unique. The paper contributes with the knowledge on how professionals relates to standardization of the given field.

scholarly journals Statin as a Combined Therapy for Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Yu Chen ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Qiu-Hong Xu ◽  
Li Yan ◽  
Xue-Feng Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Analysis ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Combined Therapy ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Severe Condition

Background. Despite the great achievements in the treatment of advanced-stage ovarian cancer, it is still a severe condition with an unfavorable 5-year survival rate. Statins have been suggested to reduce the risk of several cancers beyond their cholesterol-lowing effects. However, the prognostic significance of statins in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer remains controversial. Methods. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the association between statin intake and overall survival (OS) among patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery followed by courses of intravenous chemotherapy were matched through a propensity score analysis. Results. A total of 60 propensity-matched patients were included. Women in statin group showed a similar OS than the nonstatin counterparts (P=0.966), whereas residual tumor was significantly associated with better OS (P=0.013) and was an independent factor that associated with OS (P=0.002, hazard ratio = 5.460, and 95% confidence interval: 1.894 to 15.742) in multivariable analysis. Conclusions. Our results suggested that statin usage was not associated with improved OS in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. Considering the retrospective nature and the relative small sample size of the study, further prospective studies and random control trials are needed.

scholarly journals Bandwidth Detection of Graph Signals with a Small Sample Size

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Xuan Xie ◽  
Hui Feng ◽  
Bo Hu
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Null Hypothesis ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Score Test ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
High Dimensional ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Spectral Components ◽  
The Given

Bandwidth is the crucial knowledge to sampling, reconstruction or estimation of the graph signal (GS). However, it is typically unknown in practice. In this paper, we focus on detecting the bandwidth of bandlimited GS with a small sample size, where the number of spectral components of GS to be tested may greatly exceed the sample size. To control the significance of the result, the detection procedure is implemented by multi-stage testing. In each stage, a Bayesian score test, which introduces a prior to the spectral components, is adopted to face the high dimensional challenge. By setting different priors in each stage, we make the test more powerful against alternatives that have similar bandwidth to the null hypothesis. We prove that the Bayesian score test is locally most powerful in expectation against the alternatives following the given prior. Finally, numerical analysis shows that our method has a good performance in bandwidth detection and is robust to the noise.

scholarly journals Adenosine Triphosphate and the Late Steps in Calcium-dependent Exocytosis at a Ribbon Synapse

1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Heidelberger
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Flash Photolysis ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Synaptic Terminals ◽  
First Response ◽  
Synaptic Vesicle Fusion ◽  
Kinetics Of

The ATP dependence of the kinetics of Ca2+-dependent exocytosis after flash photolysis of caged Ca2+ was studied by capacitance measurements with submillisecond resolution in single synaptic terminals of retinal bipolar neurons. After control experiments verified that this combination of techniques is valid for the study of exocytosis in synaptic terminals, a comparison was made between the Ca2+ dependence of the rate of exocytosis in synaptic terminals internally dialyzed with MgATP, MgATP-γ-S, or no added Mg2+ or nucleotide. The Ca2+ threshold for release, the maximum rate of release, and the overall relationship between the rate of synaptic vesicle fusion and [Ca2+]i were found to be independent of MgATP. A decrease in the average rate at near-threshold [Ca2+]i was observed in terminals with MgATP-γ-S, but due to the small sample size is of unclear significance. The Ca2+ dependence of the delay between the elevation of [Ca2+]i and the beginning of the capacitance rise was also found to be independent of MgATP. In contrast, MgATP had a marked effect on the ability of terminals to respond to multiple stimuli. Terminals with MgATP typically exhibited a capacitance increase to a second stimulus that was >70% of the amplitude of the first response and to a third stimulus with a response amplitude that was >50% of the first, whereas terminals without MgATP responded to a second stimulus with a response <35% of the first and rarely responded to a third flash. These results suggest a major role for MgATP in preparing synaptic vesicles for fusion, but indicate that cytosolic MgATP may have little role in events downstream of calcium entry, provided that [Ca2+]i near release sites is elevated above ≈30 μM.

scholarly journals The Effect of Bilingualism on Cue-Based vs. Memory-Based Task Switching in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Rieker ◽  
José Manuel Reales ◽  
Soledad Ballesteros
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Pronounced Increase ◽  
Task Block

Findings suggest a positive impact of bilingualism on cognition, including the later onset of dementia. However, it is not clear to what extent these effects are influenced by variations in attentional control demands in response to specific task requirements. In this study, 20 bilingual and 20 monolingual older adults performed a task-switching task under explicit task-cuing vs. memory-based switching conditions. In the cued condition, task switches occurred in random order and a visual cue signaled the next task to be performed. In the memory-based condition, the task alternated after every second trial in a predictable sequence without presenting a cue. The performance of bilinguals did not vary across experimental conditions, whereas monolinguals experienced a pronounced increase in response latencies and error rates in the cued condition. Both groups produced similar switch costs (difference in performance on switch trials as opposed to repeating trials within the mixed-task block) and mixing costs (difference in performance on repeat trials of a mixed-task block as opposed to trials of a single-task block), but bilinguals produced them with lower response latencies. The cognitive benefits of bilingualism seem not to apply to executive functions per se but to affect specific cognitive processes that involve task-relevant context processing. The present results suggest that lifelong bilingualism could promote in older adults a flexible adjustment to environmental cues, but only with increased task demands. However, due to the small sample size, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Probing the ultrastructure of the mitotic and meiotic spindle in eggs: An expeditious approach based on semi-thin (0.25 μm) serial sections

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 552-555
Author(s):  
Conly L. Rieder ◽  
S. Bowser ◽  
R. Nowogrodzki ◽  
K. Ross ◽  
G. Sluder
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Cell Cycles ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies

Eggs have long been a favorite material for studying the mechanism of karyokinesis in-vivo and in-vitro. They can be obtained in great numbers and, when fertilized, divide synchronously over many cell cycles. However, they are not considered to be a practical system for ultrastructural studies on the mitotic apparatus (MA) for several reasons, the most obvious of which is that sectioning them is a formidable task: over 1000 ultra-thin sections need to be cut from a single 80-100 μm diameter egg and of these sections only a small percentage will contain the area or structure of interest. Thus it is difficult and time consuming to obtain reliable ultrastructural data concerning the MA of eggs; and when it is obtained it is necessarily based on a small sample size.We have recently developed a procedure which will facilitate many studies concerned with the ultrastructure of the MA in eggs. It is based on the availability of biological HVEM's and on the observation that 0.25 μm thick serial sections can be screened at high resolution for content (after mounting on slot grids and staining with uranyl and lead) by phase contrast light microscopy (LM; Figs 1-2).

Validating the Factor Structure of the Stigma of Suicide Scale–Short Form Spanish Version Among Healthcare Students

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres ◽  
Paola Carminelli-Corretjer ◽  
Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali ◽  
Ernesto Rosario-Hernández ◽  
Yovanska Duarté-Vélez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Spanish Version ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Students ◽  
Spanish Speaking

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among Spanish-speaking individuals. Suicide stigma can be a risk factor for suicide. A widely used measure is the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF; Batterham, Calear, & Christensen, 2013 ). Although the SOSS-SF has established psychometric properties and factor structure in other languages and cultural contexts, no evidence is available from Spanish-speaking populations. Aim: This study aims to validate a Spanish translation of the SOSS-SF among a sample of Spanish-speaking healthcare students ( N = 277). Method: We implemented a cross-sectional design with quantitative techniques. Results: Following a structural equation modeling approach, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor model proposed by Batterham and colleagues (2013) . Limitations: The study was limited by the small sample size and recruitment by availability. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the Spanish version of the SOSS-SF is a valid and reliable tool with which to examine suicide stigma among Spanish-speaking populations.

An Initial Investigation of Suicide Attempt Disclosures Among US Veterans

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Brooke A. Ammerman ◽  
Sarah P. Carter ◽  
Heather M. Gebhardt ◽  
Jonathan Buchholz ◽  
Mark A. Reger
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Professional Care ◽  
Patient Disclosure ◽  
Previous Suicide Attempt

Abstract. Background: Patient disclosure of prior suicidal behaviors is critical for effectively managing suicide risk; however, many attempts go undisclosed. Aims: The current study explored how responses following a suicide attempt disclosure may relate to help-seeking outcomes. Method: Participants included 37 veterans with a previous suicide attempt receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment. Veterans reported on their most and least helpful experiences disclosing their suicide attempt to others. Results: Veterans disclosed their suicide attempt to approximately eight individuals. Mental health professionals were the most cited recipient of their most helpful disclosure; romantic partners were the most common recipient of their least helpful disclosures. Positive reactions within the context of the least helpful disclosure experience were positively associated with a sense of connection with the disclosure recipient. Positive reactions within the most helpful disclosure experience were positively associated with the likelihood of future disclosure. No reactions were associated with having sought professional care or likelihood of seeking professional care. Limitations: The results are considered preliminary due to the small sample size. Conclusion: Findings suggest that while positive reactions may influence suicide attempt disclosure experiences broadly, additional research is needed to clarify factors that drive the decision to disclose a suicide attempt to a professional.

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