Automated grammatical tagging of child language samples.

Recent studies of the automated grammatical categorization ("tagging") of words using probabilistic methods have reported substantial levels of accuracy-over 95% agreement with manual tagging for words from a variety of texts. However, the texts with which this method has been tested were written by adults and edited by publishers. The present study examined the accuracy with which such methods could tag transcribed conversational language samples from 30 normally developing children. On a word-by-word basis, automated accuracy levels ranged from 92.9% to 97.4%, averaging 95.1%. Accuracy at correctly tagging whole utterances was lower, ranging from 60.5% to 90.3%, with an average of 77.7%. Probabilistic methods of coding language samples hold potential as a viable tool for child language research. Further study and improvement of automated grammatical tagging is warranted and necessary before widespread use can be made of this technology.

Reliability of pitch discrimination of vowel and piano tones.

This study evaluated the reliability of pitch judgments as a basic step toward increasing interrater and intrarater reliability of multidimensional perceptual judgments of the speaking voice. Forty-five undergraduate university students studying speech/language pathology made piano-to-piano tone pitch matches and vowel-to-piano pitch matches using a computer software program. The mean percentage correct of piano-to-piano tone matches was 91.3% and of vowel-to-piano matches was 75.6%. Subjects who scored 100% correct were significantly faster at the pitch matching task. Further research of perceptual judgments of pitch and its contribution to multidimensional rating tasks is warranted.

Influence of masker bandwidth on binaural masking level differences.

Masking level differences (MLDs) were investigated using masking noise with 160 Hz (amplitude-modulated noise) and 600 Hz (filtered-random noise) bandwidth. One hundred normally hearing subjects received the MLD test under both types of noise. Significant differences between noise types were observed in both N0S pi and N pi S0 conditions; MLDs were larger in amplitude-modulated noise. Consideration of these differences would indicate that older MLD norms based solely on filtered-random noise are invalid for amplitude-modulated noise especially where bandwidth differences in the noise exist. Were the norms for 600-Hz-wide filtered-random noise to be applied to results of MLD testing performed using 160-Hz-wide amplitude-modulated noise, patients with lesions in the central auditory pathway might exhibit normal or borderline normal results. Clinical MLD norms established on one type of noise should not be used to interpret MLD results obtained using a different type of noise.

Spontaneous fractures of the lesser metatarsals secondary to an amputated hallux and peripheral neuropathy.

A general overview of the literature concerning the development of diabetic neuropathic arthropathy is discussed. A case report is presented dealing with spontaneous fractures of the lesser metatarsal in a patient with an amputated hallux and peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus.