Superior estimation abilities in two autistic spectrum children

Anecdotal reports of superior estimation abilities in autistic individuals (e.g., Sacks, 1985 Sacks, O. 1985. The man who mistook his wife for a hat and other clinical tales, London, , UK: Duckworth.  [Google Scholar]) have never been confirmed empirically. We present here case studies of 2 children with autistic spectrum diagnoses and report remarkable abilities in estimation for several quantifiable dimensions. K.T. and G.T. were tested at 9 years of age for estimation of rank, numerosity, time, weight, length, surface, distance, and precise enumeration for small numbers. Their performances were compared to those of 6 age- and IQ- matched comparison children. K.T. demonstrated a superior level of performance in estimating rank (e.g., which set has larger numerosity?) but his performance in other tasks was average. G.T. displayed outstanding performance in estimating numerosity, time, weight, surface, length, and distance, with average performance in other tasks. These results show that certain autistic spectrum individuals may develop superior and highly specialized abilities in estimation. We discuss these findings in relation to the role of “veridical mapping” in the development of special ability (Mottron, Dawson, & Soulières, 2009 Mottron, L., Dawson, M. and Soulières, I. 2009. Enhanced perception in savant syndrome: Patterns, structure and creativity. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, 364: 1385–1391. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Mottron, Dawson, Soulieres, Hubert, & Burack, 2006a). Veridical mapping is the detection of isomorphism within a code, between two codes, or between one code and isomorphic elements of the world. Within this framework, it is proposed that estimation abilities, like absolute pitch, rely on the ability to map a verbal code with a specific magnitude of a psychophysical dimension.     

Estimation of stature from radiographic measurement of foot dimensions: Truncated foot length may be more reliable than full foot length

Foot length has been shown to be a reliable dimension for estimation of stature. However, phalanges of the foot are very small bones and their length may not be proportional to person's stature. Thus, we hypothesized that foot length measured excluding the phalanges, the truncated foot length, may be more reliable in stature estimation than full foot length. This study, therefore, aimed at comparing the accuracy of the regression equations derived from the truncated foot length and the full foot length. The study recruited a sample of 32 young adults (16 males and 16 females) aged from 20 to 35 years. Lateral radiographs of the right feet were obtained for each subject in a bilateral standing position while maintaining equal weight on both feet. Standing height of the participants was measured with a stadiometer. Truncated foot length and full foot length were measured on the lateral radiographs of the foot. Independent t-test was used to check for mean differences in the dimensions between genders. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the equations for stature estimation. Intra and inter-observer reliability were calculated from four precision estimates: absolute technical error of measurement (aTEM), relative technical error of measurement (rTEM), coefficient of reliability (Rr) and coefficient of variation (Cv). All the dimensions measured were significantly larger in males than females. Linear regression equations were derived for estimation of stature using both the truncated foot length and full foot length. The regression equations derived from truncated foot length have larger correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination, adjusted coefficient of determination as well as smaller standard error of estimation than those derived from full foot length. All the precision estimates showed that the measurement errors are within acceptable limits. This study suggests that even if the full foot length is available, excluding the phalanges may give more accurate stature estimation.     

新的腹围测量方法在超声胎儿体重估计中的应用价值

目的探索一种新的腹围测量方法在超声胎儿体重估计中的准确性,及临床应用价值。方法对226例孕妇采用相同的胎儿双顶径,头围,股骨测量方法,同时对同一胎儿用两种方法进行腹围测量,并分别估计胎儿体重,并与出生体重对比分析。结果两种腹围测量方法对不同分组胎儿体重的估计准确性无明显差异。并且两种腹围测值统计学分析亦无差异。结论实际工作中可根据情况选择更方便、更清晰、更易于显示的腹围层面进行测量,以便估计胎儿体重,新的腹围测量方法具有较好的临床应用价值。     

主要工作量预算法在综合医院护理单元护士人力配置中的应用研究

目的观察主要工作量预算法在综合医院护理单元护士人力配置中的应用效果。方法 2011年按主观测算法以床护比1∶0.4配置护理单元(除神经外科)护士人数,2012年按主要工作量预算法进行护理单元护士人力配置。比较两种方法对护理质量及护士工作满意度、患者对护理工作满意度的影响。结果 2012年实施主要工作量预算法后护理质量、护士对工作满意度及患者对护理工作满意度均高于2011年(P0.05)。结论采用主要工作量预算法配置护理单元护士人力,可提高护理质量、护士及患者的满意度。     

Estimation of fetal weight (EFW) with hemoglobin levels during pregnancy at Pagar Dewa-West Lampung Province of Lampung

Objective

To know the relation between estimation of fetal weight with hemoglobin levels during pregnancy at Public Health Service (Puskesmas) Pagar Dewa-West Lampung, Province of Lampung.

Inpatients with coronary heart disease have a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in China

The objective of this study was to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on serum creatinine (SCr) and to estimate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in China. This was a cross-sectional study using data from China Heart Survey (CHS). Glomercular filtration rate was estimated with the Modified Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. The prevalence of CKD among the 3 513 CHS participants with coronary heart disease was 24.8% (n = 871). Compared with study participants without CKD, study participants with CKD were more likely to have hypertension (49.5% vs 42.8%; P = 0.001), diabetes (43.1% vs 29.5; P < 0.001) and elevated systolic blood pressure. The mean (SD) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of the participants with CKD was lower than those without CKD (P = 0.003). Prevalence of CKD among the participants of CHS between different admissions of CHD showed a significant difference (χ² = 32.012, P < 0.001). On average, participants with a lower estimated GFR were older, less likely to be current smokers, and more likely to have hypertension and low HDL-C. The results of our study suggested a high prevalence of CKD (24.8%) in Chinese adults with coronary heart disease. Our study provided further evidence that patients with CKD should be considered at high risk for CHD outcomes and identifies patients with CKD as potential candidates for aggressive risk factor reduction.     

EPP模型估计湖南省艾滋病疫情的现状和发展趋势

目的对湖南省艾滋病(AIDS)疫情进行估计,并对未来5年的疫情进行预测。方法利用常规监测资料与文献资料中的数据,运用"估计和预测软件包"(EPP)模型进行估计与预测,并依据专家意见对结果进行调整。结果湖南省艾滋病疫情呈现为整体水平较低但快速增长的趋势,1999年前艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染率在低水平缓慢增加,2000-2005年HIV感染率增速加快,其后有所放缓,2009年后再度出现快速增长;各人群中HIV感染率最高的为注射吸毒者和男男性行为人群(MSM),其他人群的HIV感染率均在1%以下。在疫情发展的早期,注射吸毒者中HIV感染率快速增加,在2006年达到最高值后逐渐缓慢下降,在较长时间内维持在一个较高的水平。2006年后,MSM中HIV感染率增长十分迅速,2013年后将成为高危人群中HIV感染率最高的人群。2000年后,暗娼中HIV感染率曾经有过一次小幅度的上升;嫖客中HIV感染率一直缓慢升高,2010年后逐渐稳定在0.5%左右。一般人群中HIV感染率非常低。注射吸毒者中新发HIV感染是早期疫情的最主要组成部分,MSM在2000年后新发感染数量增幅大,2007年后成为新发感染数最多的高危人群。结论湖南省艾滋病疫情在经历了缓慢增长阶段后将再次出现疫情的快速增长,未来应将控制同性间HIV传播作为干预重点。     

应用普查法和捕获再捕获法对难于接触的女性性工作者开展规模估计研究

目的探索在难于接触的女性性工作者中开展规模估计的简便可行的方法,为评价项目效果提供依据。方法固定人群采用普查法,流动人群采用捕获再捕获法。结果用普查法估计固定人群规模为445人(409~480人),用捕获再捕获法估计流动人群规模为586人,95%CI:515~656人;18个调查点目标人群规模995~1 066人。结论根据规模估计的目的、目标人群类别及特征,结合现有资料和工作基础选择规模估计方法,简便可行。调查中,各利益相关群体积极参与和发挥作用至关重要。     

Practical identification of functional expansions of nonlinear systems submitted to non-Gaussian inputs

Time-domain identification of nonlinear systems represented by functional expansions is considered. A general framework is defined for the analysis of three identification methods: the widely used cross-correlation method, Korenberg's method, and a suboptimal least-squares method based on a stochastic approximation algorithm. First, the major characteristics of the underlying estimation problem are pointed out. Then, the identification methods are interpreted as approximations to an optimal estimator, which helps gain insight into their internal functioning and to the investigation of their connections and differences. Examination of results previously published and of the simulations reported in this article indicate that stochastic approximation is an interesting alternative to other existing methods. Identification of a biological system stimulated by a non-Gaussian input confirms the practicality of this approach.     

Explanatory and pragmatic estimates of the treatment effect when deviations from allocated treatment occur

In a randomized clinical trial comparing two treatments it can happen that certain patients receive the treatment other than that determined by random allocation. Significance testing is usually performed by ‘intention to treat’, that is, comparison of groups as determined by random allocation. The difference between the mean values of the outcome variable for these two groups estimates the difference in practical use between two treatment policies, corresponding to a pragmatic approach. An attenuation factor can then be used to obtain an estimate of the underlying difference in effectiveness between the two treatments, corresponding to an explanatory paradigm. Thus two distinct estimates are obtained; in many instances both are valid, but have distinct interpretations. Correspondingly, in planning sample size requirements when deviations from allocated treatment can be anticipated, the target treatment difference may be understood in either an explanatory or a pragmatic sense; for the sample size assessment method it is necessary to take this distinction into account.