Style variability in disfluency analysis for forensic speaker comparison

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Style variability in disfluency analysis for forensic speaker comparison Via International Journal of Speech Language and the Law Disfluencies are a natural part of speech, often going unnoticed by both speaker and listener. Recent research on disfluency profiles (McDougall and Duckworth 2017, 2018) shows that they contain speaker-specific information which could be analysed and compared in forensic speaker comparison (FSC) casework. Since samples in FSC tend to be mismatched for speaking situation and style, the present study investigates the consistency of speakers' disfluency production across three forensically relevant tasks: a mock police interview, a paired conversation and a voicemail message. Disfluency production was found to differ significantly across tasks; in some cases, extreme within-speaker variation was observed. The results demonstrate that a speaker's disfluency behaviour is unlikely to remain consistent across different situations. However, it was found that some individuals who demonstrated unusual production of a particular type of disfluency showed relativel y consistent production of that type across all three tasks. Consequently, we recommend that disfluency analysis is not used in FSC where there are marked differences in speaking style or situation, unless distinctive disfluency production is observed in a sample. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Language and Online Identities: The Undercover Policing of Sexual Crime Tim Grant and Nicci MacLeod (2020)

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader <i>Language and Online Identities: The Undercover Policing of Sexual Crime</i> Tim Grant and Nicci MacLeod (2020) Via International Journal of Speech Language and the Law Language and Online Identities: The Undercover Policing of Sexual Crime Tim Grant and Nicci MacLeod (2020) Cambridge University Press. 195 pp View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

A forensic phonetic investigation of regional variation and accommodation in West Yorkshire

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader A forensic phonetic investigation of regional variation and accommodation in West Yorkshire Via International Journal of Speech Language and the Law This thesis presents an examination of regional variation and speech accommodation in two socially salient features of West Yorkshire English. The first aim of this research is to consider the extent to which local level variation exists across the West Yorkshire boroughs of Bradford, Kirklees and Wakefield. The second aim is to evaluate the effects of speech accommodation, the process whereby speakers adapt their speech production according to whom to they are talking (Giles, 1973; Giles & Powesland, 1975; Trudgill, 1981), in forensically-relevant contexts. The findings from these examinations inform how generalisable population data is for West Yorkshire across the three boroughs and also demonstrate to what extent accommodation could impact forensic speaker comparison (FSC) casework.   The specific features examined in this thesis are the West Yorkshire face vowel and word-medial, intervocalic /t/. The motivations for examining thes e variables are twofold. Firstly, previous investigations of West Yorkshire English have suggested that these variables may be realised in different ways across the region and secondly, both variables appear to be socially salient in the speech community under investigation. As speech accommodation has been found to occur more often and to a stronger degree with respect to features that are socially salient (Cao, 2018; Smith & Holmes-Elliott, 2015; Trudgill, 1986), it was expected that the participants in this investigation would accommodate in respect of these speech parameters. However, the main focus of this investigation is to examine the magnitude and direction of any accommodation behaviour, and to evaluate the potential consequences this may have for FSC outcomes.   This study is one of the first to make use of the newly published West Yorkshire Regional English Database (WYRED; Gold, Ross, & Earnshaw, 2018). The study analyses the speech of 30 male s from West Yorkshire recorded completing three semi-spontaneous speaking tasks that utilise different interlocutors. Participants are equally split across the boroughs of Bradford, Kirklees and Wakefield and form a homogenous population in terms of age, gender and language background, enabling a systematic evaluation of regional variation. For the analysis of face, measurements are taken of the first three formants at 25%, 50% and 75% across the total vowel duration. Using these measurements, a series of statistical analyses are conducted in order to establish levels of variability across boroughs and across tasks. Additionally, realisations of intervocalic /t/ are analysed auditorily and assessments of variability between boroughs are carried out as well as an examination of changes in T-glottaling rates across tasks. For both speech parameters, accommodation is evaluated using an acoustic-phonetic approach whereby the participants' realisations are considered in relation to tho se of their respective interlocutors.   The findings of the investigations presented in this thesis reveal that face productions vary at the local borough level, specifically in terms of midpoint F2 values, whereas /t/ productions are not regionally stratified across West Yorkshire. Based on these results, recommendations are outlined for delimiting the relevant population for FSC casework involving West Yorkshire speakers. With regards to speech accommodation in face and /t/, results show that accommodation behaviour is highly variable across participants, both in terms of the direction and amount of accommodation present. All participants were considered to accommodate in at least one speech parameter, and a small number of participants displayed very high levels of within-speaker variability across tasks, highlighting the level of potential impact that speech accommodation can have on socially salient speech parameters. The consequences of these findings are ad dressed from both a FSC casework perspective and also in terms of sociolinguistic research practices more generally. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Interpreting as creating a potential for understanding: insights from a Danish courtroom

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Interpreting as creating a potential for understanding: insights from a Danish courtroom Via International Journal of Speech Language and the Law According to a widespread norm among legal representatives, legal interpreters should translate verbatim, or at least as close to the source utterance as possible. Yet, sociolinguists have shown repeatedly that the absence of verbatim translation is not inherently problematic. Differences between source utterances and their translations may in fact facilitate understanding. On the basis of a corpus of audio-recordings from a court in Denmark, we analyse differences between a request presented by legal representatives and then the interpreters' versions. We focus on a routinised and procedural request, usually presented by the prosecutor and addressed to the judge, and very often conveyed in a highly implicit manner. We demonstrate that the interpreters tend to elaborate and add particular types of information in their translation. We argue that the additions facilitate understanding for the accused, as many inferences, based on institutional insight, are n eeded in order to understand what the prosecutor means. We also point to the paradox that, although interpreters are tasked with creating understanding, it is almost impossible to assess whether they succeed and what insight the accused obtains. This is due to the institutional organisation of the type of court hearing analysed. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

A Comparative Study on Outcomes of Type 1 Underlay Tympanoplasty with and Without Anterior Tucking of Temporals Fascia Graft

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader A Comparative Study on Outcomes of Type 1 Underlay Tympanoplasty with and Without Anterior Tucking of Temporals Fascia Graft Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure which includes eradication of disease from the middle ear and reconstruction of the hearing mechanism with or without tympanic membrane repair. The purpose of this article was to compare the clinical and audiological outcomes of Type 1 underlay tympanoplasty with or without anterior tucking of the temporals fascia graft. This is a prospective interventional study which included 100 patients between 15 and 60 years of age, diagnosed with chronic otitis media, mucosal disease inactive stage. 100 patients were divided into two groups 50 each, who underwent type 1 underlay tympanoplasty, group A underwent anterior tucking of the temporals fascia graft and group B without anterior tucking of the temporals fascia graft. Analysis of data was made of the demographic details, graft uptake status and audiological outcomes following surgery. Among the 100 patients included in the study, majority were seen between 21 and 40 yea rs of age group. In our study successful graft uptake was seen in 93.4% in group A temporalis fascia with anterior tucking which was better than group B which showed 84% results. However hearing outcome was almost similar in both the groups. In conclusion, graft uptake in tympanoplasty with anterior tucking was found to be better than without anterior tucking. There is significant hearing improvement following underlay technique of tympanoplasty both with and without anterior tucking. There is no significant difference in the hearing improvement with anterior tucking when compared to without anterior tucking of the temporalis fascia graft. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Outcomes of Training Nurses Engaged in a Public Sector Newborn Hearing Screening Program in South India

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Outcomes of Training Nurses Engaged in a Public Sector Newborn Hearing Screening Program in South India Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract This study evaluated the outcomes of training nurses engaged in a public sector newborn hearing screening (NHS) program in one urban district in South India. Twenty nurses performing NHS in Corporation Maternity Hospitals (CMH) participated in the training and evaluation. Baseline knowledge and skill of nurses regarding NHS and overall program outcomes were obtained eight months post the initial training. Knowledge was evaluated using questionnaire, skill was evaluated using Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and agreement between screening results obtained by audiologist and nurse. Records used for documentation of screening were analysed to evaluate program outcomes. A two-day retraining was designed to address the gaps identified. Evaluations were conducted immediately post and three months post retraining following the same procedure as baseline evaluations. Gaps were identified in knowledge and skill as well as in the program outcomes. Immediat e post retraining evaluation results showed overall improvement in nurses' knowledge and skill. Three months post retraining, all the nurses achieved benchmark criteria of 75% in knowledge and skill. Program outcomes, such as coverage (95.3%), refer rate (3.2%) and follow up rate (86.1%) improved post retraining. The findings of this study suggests that knowledge and skill of nurses improved with periodic training. Periodic evaluation and monitoring enhanced the overall outcomes of the program. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Management of Covid Associated Mucormycosis of Mandible: A Mountain Beneath a Molehill—A Lesson Learnt

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Management of Covid Associated Mucormycosis of Mandible: A Mountain Beneath a Molehill—A Lesson Learnt Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract The opportunistic infection of post-Covid associated mucormycosis has been reported globally; however, it has reached alarming proportions in India. Mucormycosis of the mandibular region is rare, and only a few cases have been reported to date. Covid associated mucormycosis has not been reported in the literature before, and we are the first to report them. We report two patients who presented with tooth loosening with pus discharge a few weeks following recovery from Covid infection. After tooth extraction adjacent necrotic bony specimen was sent for calcofluor potassium hydroxide mount, which was found positive for broad pauciseptate hyphae. Although CT scan imaging demonstrated the involvement of a mandible segment, we found a much more extensive involvement in both cases during resection. There was intramedullary spread of the mucormycosis throughout the inferior alveolar canal, with pus discharge and foul odor. The management of covid associated mandibular m ucormycosis consists of surgical debridement with antifungal therapy and control of the underlying disease. It became challenging because the radiological extent of the disease was different from the definite clinical extension of the lesion found during surgery. The authors recommend surgeons adopt a flexible approach during surgery to plan resection depending on the clinical judgment and not rely entirely on CT scans. And the reconstruction of the mandible will follow as per the extent of excision. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Plantar forefoot reconstruction: A proposal of a management algorithm based on a case series analysis: Plantar forefoot reconstruction

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Plantar forefoot reconstruction: A proposal of a management algorithm based on a case series analysis: Plantar forefoot reconstruction Via Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Sep 4:S1748-6815(21)00385-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.010. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Several loco-regional flaps have been described for plantar forefoot coverage. We, herein, report our single-centre experience in plantar forefoot reconstruction and propose a decision-making process based on the defect's size. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series study of all patients who underwent plantar forefoot reconstruction in a 10-year period. We propose a treatment algorithm, based on the defect size. Defects are classified into small, moderate and large. Small defects (<10cm2) can be covered with the hemi-pulp toe flap. Patients with moderate defects (10-25cm2) can be treated with the reverse medial plantar artery flap (MPAF) from the instep area. For large defects (>25cm2), we recommend regional flaps, that is the distally based sura l flap (DBSF) from the ipsilateral calf, or free flaps, such as the anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) or the skin-grafted gracilis flap. RESULTS: The data of 51 patients were collected and analysed. The median age was 58 years (range 19-84). Nine patients had small defects and underwent hemi-pulp toe flap reconstruction. Three patients presented with moderate defects that were covered with reverse MPFs. The vast majority of the patients (39 patients) had large defects. Of these, eight cases were treated with DBSF and 31 cases with free flaps. Free flap transfers were successful in 97% of the cases. Overall complication rate was 25%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that local flaps should be preferred in plantar forefoot reconstruction as they provide like-tissue for small to moderate defects, for large defects regional flaps or free flaps were indicated. A defect-based approach can facilitate the decision-making process. PMID:34649830 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.010 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Cortical auditory evoked potentials with different acoustic stimuli: Evidence of differences and similarities in coding in auditory processing disorders

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Cortical auditory evoked potentials with different acoustic stimuli: Evidence of differences and similarities in coding in auditory processing disorders Via International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Publication date: Available online 14 October 2021 Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Author(s): Pamela Papile Lunardelo, Marisa Tomoe Hebihara Fukuda, Patricia Aparecida Zuanetti, Ângela Cristina Pontes-Fernandes, Marita Iannazzo Ferretti, Sthella Zanchetta View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

De-escalation strategies in differentiated thyroid cancer

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader De-escalation strategies in differentiated thyroid cancer Via Association française pour l'étude du cancer Bull Cancer. 2021 Oct 11:S0007-4551(21)00367-2. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.07.008. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Thyroid cancer runs the gamut from indolent micropapillary carcinoma to highly aggressive metastatic disease. Today, using prognostic algorithms, treatment and follow-up can be tailored to each patient in order to decrease overtreatment and over-medicalization of indolent disease. Active surveillance of papillary thyroid carcinoma less than 1cm avoids surgery and thyroid hormone replacement in a large proportion of patient whose tumors remain stable for years. Total thyroidectomy, once a dogma in the treatment of all thyroid cancer, is being supplanted by thyroid lobectomy for low-risk cancers, thereby decreasing the surgical risks involved and improving patients' quality of life. Indications for prophylactic central neck dissection, once mandatory, are now being adapted to the risk of cancer recurrence. Radioactive iodine therapy, also previously mandatory for all, is now only employed according to risk factors and expected outcomes. Follow-up is also being tailored to risk factors for recurrence, with less frequent visits and less use of ultrasound and scintigraphy. For more advanced disease, molecular therapies tailored to somatic mutations are opening opportunities for redifferentiation of aggressive tumors which become amenable to radioactive iodine therapy which carries fewer side effects than other systemic therapies. These advances in the management of thyroid cancer with a personalized approach and de-escalation of treatment and follow-up are improving the way we treat thyroid cancer, avoiding overtreatment and improving patients' quality of life. PMID:34649722 | DOI:10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.07.008 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Transvenous embolization of a cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistula for the treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Transvenous embolization of a cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistula for the treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension Via leak of cerebrospinal fluid J Neurointerv Surg. 2021 Oct 14:neurintsurg-2021-018160. doi: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-018160. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistula is an increasingly recognized cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension.1 The site of the leak is between the dural sleeve around a spinal nerve root and the surrounding foraminal veins. In appropriately investigated patients, transvenous embolization of the draining foraminal and paraspinal veins has been shown to be an effective way of treating the disease, with low periprocedural morbidity, improvement in symptoms and radiological appearances.2 Video 1 shows the technique employed in a typical case using Onyx (Medtronic, Minnesota, USA) to embolize a CSF-venous fistula at the right T10 neural foramen.neurintsurg;neurintsurg-2021-018160v1/V1F1V1Video 1. PMID:34649936 | DOI:10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-018160 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Thyroid tuberculosis diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma with fever of unknown origin

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Thyroid tuberculosis diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma with fever of unknown origin Via Auris Nasus Larynx Publication date: Available online 14 October 2021 Source: Auris Nasus Larynx Author(s): Ichita Kinoshita, Masaaki Higashino, Shuji Omura, Yusuke Ayani, Yuko Inaka, Hiroko Kuwabara, Ryo Kawata View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.