Incomplete Retrieval Research Articles

The accuracy of MEDLINE and Journal contents pages for papers published in Clinical Otolaryngology.

MEDLINE is widely used as a source for identifying and reviewing medical journal literature. Its accuracy is generally taken for granted, as is that of the contents pages published by the journals themselves. In this study of citation accuracy we examined the articles published in Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences from 1976 to 1998. The entries in MEDLINE were compared with the entries in the Journal's contents pages, and with the actual articles. Of 1651 articles published in the journal, one was omitted from MEDLINE and 25 (1.5%) were incorrectly cited, while 88 (5.3%) were incorrectly cited in the contents pages. Twenty-one (84%) of the errors in MEDLINE involved names of authors. Apart from incomplete retrieval of information for practice and research, errors could result in an author not getting credit for publications.

Quality assurance audit in an Australasian phase III trial of accelerated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (TROG 91.01)

The Trans‐Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) initiated a randomized trial, testing accelerated (twice daily) radiotherapy against conventional radiotherapy for stage III and stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in 1991. In 1996, the Trial Management Committee arranged for a technical audit of 76 cases from 11 institutions, conducted by investigators from interstate institutions. A 10% unacceptable protocol violation rate was detected, which compares favourably with initial Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) experience in the late 1970s. Infrastructural deficits with poor quality of documentation, incomplete retrieval of films and document return have been demonstrated in some cases. The Trans‐Tasman Radiation Oncology Group is actively pursuing procedural and resourcing issues in order to redress this and is actively expanding its Quality Assurance (QA) Programme with an intercentre dosimetry study. Ultimately, comprehensive clinical and technical QA site visits are planned.

A degenerated fuzzy-number processing system based on artificial neural networks

In this paper, a degenerated fuzzy-number processing system based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) is introduced. The digital representation of fuzzy numbers is assumed, where the universe of discourse is discretized into n equally divided intervals. It is proposed that fuzzy-number processing be performed in two basic stages. The first stage performs the retrieval of fuzzy data consisting of degenerated fuzzy numbers and the second stage performs the desired fuzzy operations on the retrieved data. The method of incomplete fuzzy-number retrieval is proposed based on an ANN structure that is trained to estimate the missing membership function values.

A triggered mechanism retrieves membrane in seconds after Ca(2+)-stimulated exocytosis in single pituitary cells

In neuroendocrine cells, cytosolic Ca2+ triggers exocytosis in tens of milliseconds, yet known pathways of endocytic membrane retrieval take minutes. To test for faster retrieval mechanisms, we have triggered short bursts of exocytosis by flash photolysis of caged Ca2+, and have tracked subsequent retrieval by measuring the plasma membrane capacitance. We find that a limited amount of membrane can be retrieved with a time constant of 4 s at 21-26 degrees C, and that this occurs partially via structures larger than coated vesicles. This novel mechanism may be arrested at a late step. Incomplete retrieval structures then remain on the cell surface for minutes until the consequences of a renewed increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] disconnect them from the cell surface in < 1 s. Our results provide evidence for a rapid, triggered membrane retrieval pathway in excitable cells.

High risk of coeliac disease in Punjabis. Epidemiological study in the south Asian and European populations of Leicestershire.

The purpose of this study was to measure the incidence of coeliac disease in different ethnic communities and investigate the hypothesis that the incidence is decreasing in most European countries and the role incomplete retrieval of data may play. In a retrospective study of histologically confirmed cases of coeliac disease between 1975 and 1989 in the City of Leicester, 106 patients with coeliac disease were identified. Of these 86 were European and 20 Asian. The overall incidence of coeliac disease in Europeans was 2.5/10(5)/year (95% CI 2-3.2), in Gujaratis 0.9/10(5)/year (95% CI 0.4-1.8), and in Punjabis 6.9 (95% CI 3.2-12.3). These differences were independent of religious belief. The relative risk to Punjabis compared with Europeans is 2.9 (95% CI 1.5-5.3; chi 2 = 12.5, p < 0.01) and to Gujaratis 8.1 (95% CI 3-22.4; chi 2 = 25; p < 0.001). Gujaratis were at 0.4 risk of Europeans (90% CI 0.2-0.8; chi 2 = 6.7; p < 0.01). The incidence in the urban populations of Leicester was 6/10(5)/year (95% CI 1.3-1.9) which was significantly lower than the 3.2/10(5)/year (95% CI 2.7-3.8; chi 2 = 5.6; p < 0.001) in surrounding rural areas. This study shows that the incidence of coeliac disease in Punjabis (Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims) is 8 times higher than in Gujaratis (Hindus and Muslims) and 4 times higher than in Europeans in Leicester.

Reconstructing volume holograms without image field losses

The reconstruction of volume holograms at wavelengths different from that of hologram formation suffers from the degradation of image quality and thus of an incomplete retrieval of the stored information. The major source of information loss is due to image field reduction. It is shown that these image field losses result from the local violation of Bragg's law induced by spherical recording waves. The evaluation of the spatially varying Bragg condition yields a spherical readout wave necessary for a complete image field reconstruction at an arbitrary wavelength. The effects on resolution are examined qualitatively by visual inspection of test targets.

Response strategies for coping with the cognitive demands of attitude measures in surveys

AbstractThis paper proposes that when optimally answering a survey question would require substantial cognitive effort, some repondents simply provide a satisfactory answer instead. This behaviour, called satisficing, can take the form of either (1) incomplete or biased information retrieval and/or information integration, or (2) no information retrieval or integration at all. Satisficing may lead respondents to employ a variety of response strategies, including choosing the first response alternative that seems to constitute a reasonable answer, agreeing with an assertion made by a question, endorsing the status quo instead of endorsing social change, failing to differentiate among a set of diverse objects in ratings, saying ‘don't know’ instead of reporting an opinion, and randomly choosing among the response alternatives offered. This paper specifies a wide range of factors that are likely to encourage satisficing, and reviews relevant evidence evaluating these speculations. Many useful directions for future research are suggested.

43 DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME AT 1 YR. OF VERY LOW A BIRTHWEIGHT (VLBW) INBORN NEONATES OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

The efficacy of neonatal intensive care for the VLBW (≤1250 gm) infant has been infrequently evaluated in low-income populations because of poor compliance and incomplete patient retrieval. All VLBW infants born at Medical Center Hospital are followed for 2 yrs in a program which provides continuity of contact with medical professionals, comprehensive medical care and periodic developmental evaluation. Parents are supported by telephone contacts, home visits, and developmental counseling. Of 31,608 infants born in 1979–1983, 271 (0.9%) weighed≤1250 gm and 124 (46%) survived. Of 103 who are now 1 yr corrected age or older, 78 (76%) have been successfully followed for at least 1 yr. Mean birthweight and gestational age were 1045 gm (range 709–1250) and 30 wk (range 25–40). Mean maternal age was 22 yr; mean number of yr of maternal education was 10. Mean MDI (mental index) was 97 (<50–140) with 14 (18%) infants scoring >1SD below the mean. Mean PDI (motor index) was 87 (range <50–122) with 21 (27%) infants scoring >1SD. This inborn, poor, medically complicated group of VLBW infants was retrieved at a high rate and shown to have a favorable developmental outcome with a program designed to provide continuity of care and comprehensive medical and developmental services.

Influence of telephone surveillance on pacemaker patient care

Predictable and unpredictable complications attend long-term pacemaker therapy. Telephone electrocardiographic surveillance of pacemaker patients often reveals an unexpected increase in pacemaker system malfunction. This apparent increase probably more nearly reflects the true incidence of pacemaker system malfunction. Industry claims of pacemaker reliability are misleading because of incomplete retrieval of out-of-use generators. Total pacemaker experience at the Medical College of Georgia from August, 1963, to April, 1979, was analyzed to determine survival, complications, frequency of symptoms of malfunction, and effectiveness of follow-up technique in 490 patients over a 300 mile radius. From October, 1976, to April, 1979, a telephone surveillance system (TSS) monitored 3,623 paced months in 216 patients. This period was compared to 14,307 paced months of follow-up without TSS in all previous patients. Average duration of HgZn generator life was 43 months in TSS patients and 25 months in non-TSS patients. Lithium-powered generators have been monitored since September, 1977; the oldest was only 19 months. TSS detected 82 complications of pacing systems, asymptomatic in 60 patients; 58 patients required reoperation. For an additional 49 patients, referring physicians were notified of arrhythmias, congestive failure, and other potentially serious developments. Because of infrequent follow-up in non-TSS patients, only symptomatic complications which resulted in 645 reoperations can be documented from chart review. The risk of death in TSS patients was 0.8% per month, compared to 1.4% per month in non-TSS patients. Risk of reoperation was 1.6% per month in TSS patients and 4.5% per month in non-TSS patients. Generator replacement occurred at a rate of 0.9% per month in TSS patients compared to 2.8% per month in non-TSS patients. Leads were manipulated or replaced at a rate of 0.5% per month in TSS patients and 1.4% per month in non-TSS patients. TSS contributed toward improved patient safety, extended patient survival, prolonged generator usefulness, and fewer operations in patients with pacemakers.