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Subjective Tests (subjective + test)
Selected AbstractsA placebo controlled investigation into the effects of paroxetine and mirtazapine on measures related to car driving performanceHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 4 2003F. Ridout Abstract Objective To assess the effects of paroxetine and mirtazapine on psychometric performance related to car driving, including an on-the-road test of BRT. Method In a 4-way, double blind randomised crossover study, 12 healthy volunteers received paroxetine 20,mg mane, mirtazapine 15,mg/30,mg nocte (comparator), mirtazapine 15,mg mane/15,mg b.i.d.(verum) and placebo over a 5 day period with a washout period of 7 days between treatments. Psychometric assessments included ,on-the-road' BRT (BRT), CFF (CFF), CRT (CRT) and subjective measures of sedation and sleep parameters. Results Paroxetine had no significant effect on BRT compared with placebo. Although subjective ratings of sleep quality and sedation were impaired, there were significant improvements in both CFF and the recognition reaction component of CRT with paroxetine. Mirtazapine 15,mg/30,mg nocte impaired laboratory performance and some subjective tests. Mirtazapine 15 mg mane/15,mg b.i.d. improved sleep, but significantly impaired all other measures. Conclusion Paroxetine 20,mg/day has no psychomotor or behavioural toxicity and has no negative impact on BRT. Further research into the chronic and sub-chronic effects of mirtazapine is needed to establish the clinical significance of these results. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] In Defence of Entrapment in Journalism (and Beyond)JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHILOSOPHY, Issue 2 2002Neil Levy The use of ,proactive' methods of newsgathering in journalism is very frequently condemned, from within and without the media. I argue that such condemnation is too hasty. In the first half of the paper, I develop a test which distinguishes between legitimate and illegitimate uses of proactive methods by law enforcement agencies. This test combines the virtues of the standard objective and subjective tests usually used, while avoiding the defects of both. I argue that when proactive methods pass this test, they are always legitimate; but that in addition they are sometimes mandatory. In the second half, I apply this test to journalism. I show that actual uses of proactive methods by journalists pass the test, and are therefore (at least) permissible. There are other ethical considerations which are relevant to the use of such techniques by journalists, which ought to be taken into account before it is decided to employ such methods, but I show that they are rarely of sufficient weight to render proactive newsgathering impermissible. [source] The effectiveness of a pre-operative home-based physiotherapy programme for chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiencyPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2006SL Keays Abstract Background and Purpose.,Little evidence supports the prescription of pre-operative rehabilitation in the treatment of chronic anterior cruciate ligament-deficient (ACLD) subjects. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of a specific six-week pre-operative exercise programme on ACLD knees.,Method.,A single, masked, controlled study was designed. This comprised two matched groups of 12 chronically ACLD patients awaiting reconstruction and a group of 12 matched uninjured control subjects. Only one ACLD group received a home-based exercise and educational programme. Assessment before and after the exercise intervention included: knee joint stability (clinical and KT1000 evaluation); muscle strength (Cybex II); standing balance and functional performance (agility, hop and subjective tests).,Results.,At the time of initial assessment there were no statistically significant differences in any measures for the two ACLD groups but both ACLD groups were significantly different from the uninjured control group as regards quadriceps strength and function. Measures taken after six weeks showed no significant improvement in the untreated ACLD group or in the uninjured control group The treated ACLD group showed significant improvement in the following measures: quadriceps strength measured at 60° and 120° per second (p < 0.001); single leg standing balance with eyes closed (p < 0.001); instrumented passive stability at 20,lb (89N) force (p = 0.003); agility and subjective performance (p < 0.001). The incidence of unstable episodes had decreased in the treated ACLD group, reducing further damage to the joint.,Conclusion.,This study leaves little doubt that pre-operative physiotherapy had a positive effect on motor function in ACLD subjects and should be prescribed routinely to maximize muscle stabilizing potential prior to reconstruction. Patients report improved stability and, in certain cases, may avoid surgery. The finding that exercise increased the passive stability of the joint was unexpected and requires further investigation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Early Clinical Results: SOUNDTEC Implantable Hearing Device Phase II Study,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 1 2001J. V. D. Hough MD Abstract Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of a new semi-implantable electromagnetic hearing device, the SOUNDTECÔ Direct Drive Hearing System (DDHS), and to compare its performance with that of subjects' previously worn, optimally fit hearing aids. Preliminary results for the first 10 subjects are presented. Study Design The protocol specified in the Investigational Device Exemption is used in this ongoing FDA phase II 100-subject multicenter clinical trial. Methods For baseline, each subject is tested wearing his or her own optimally fit hearing aid in the ear to be implanted. Six-month postoperative outcome measures using the SOUNDTEC DDHS are compared with the baseline. Multiple objective and subjective outcomes (as listed under Results) were measured. Results When compared with the subjects' optimally fit hearing aids, the SOUNDTEC DDHS provided an average improvement of 52% in functional gain (250,6000 Hz), 22% in aided thresholds, 3.8% for speech discrimination in quiet, 17% for speech in noise, 13.1% in articulation index scores, 28% in aided benefit, 27.3% in sound quality of speech, and a 16.7% increase in overall subject satisfaction. In addition, with the SOUNDTEC DDHS, subjects reported absence of acoustic feedback, little or no occlusive effects, and more natural sound perception. Conclusion Analysis of data on the first 10 subjects using the SOUNDTEC DDHS indicates positive outcomes regarding safety and efficacy, although the small sample size is not sufficient to permit valid statistical inferences to be drawn from our preliminary data. Results also demonstrate improvement in performance compared with the subjects' optimally fit hearing aids and an improvement in quality of life as demonstrated by objective and subjective tests and measures. [source] Maintaining video quality and optimizing video delivery over the bandwidth constrained DSL last mile through intelligent packet dropBELL LABS TECHNICAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2008Tom N. M. Van Caenegem The technological challenges for an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service provider to bring high quality video services into the home through a dedicated bandwidth limited digital subscriber line (DSL) access link are significant. However, at the same time, the dedicated DSL link provides certain opportunities as it allows for service customization on the network level, without impacting any other customers. In this paper, the concept of intelligent packet drop inside a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) is introduced. Intelligent packet drop makes use of the fact that some packets containing video information (e.g., I-picture or P-picture) are more important than others (e.g., B-picture), and this importance level can be indicated in the packet header. When congestion in the DSLAM occurs, the low priority packets are preferentially dropped. Provided some (simple) picture loss concealment is performed in the set-top box, intelligent packet drop will not significantly impact the quality of experience (QoE), as evidenced by subjective tests that have been conducted. Simulations have shown that the intelligent packet drop in a DSLAM enables the IPTV service provider to increase the number of customers eligible for a given IPTV service package delivered over the DSL link. It also enables fast channel change (FCC) service without dedicated bandwidth overhead. © 2008 Alcatel-Lucent. [source] | ||||||||||