Diabetic mastopathy: a diagnostic challenge in breast sonography.

PubMed

Moschetta, Marco; Telegrafo, Michele; Triggiani, Vincenzo; Rella, Leonarda; Cornacchia, Ilaria; Serio, Gabriella; Ianora, Amato Antonio Stabile; Angelelli, Giuseppe

2015-02-01

Our purpose was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence and morphologic features of diabetic mastopathy in a group of patients with diabetes, searching for specific sonographic characteristics of diabetic mastopathy. One hundred twenty diabetic patients underwent breast clinical examination, mammography, and sonography. All detected breast lesions were confirmed histopathologically. Breast lesions were found in 11 of the 120 patients (9%), including two cases of invasive ductal carcinomas and nine cases of diabetic mastopathy. In seven of those nine cases (77%), diabetic mastopathy appeared as a hypoechoic solid mass with irregular margins, inhomogeneous echotexture, and marked posterior shadowing. In the other two cases (23%), it appeared as a mildly inhomogeneous, hypoechoic solid mass. Diabetic mastopathy is a diagnostic challenge and needs to be suspected in all patients with diabetes mellitus. Imaging features are nonspecific and highly susggestive on breast sonography in most cases. Core-needle biopsy confirmation remains mandatory for a definitive diagnosis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Temporal assessment of radiomic features on clinical mammography in a high-risk population

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendel, Kayla R.; Li, Hui; Lan, Li; Chan, Chun-Wai; King, Lauren M.; Tayob, Nabihah; Whitman, Gary; El-Zein, Randa; Bedrosian, Isabelle; Giger, Maryellen L.

2018-02-01

Extraction of high-dimensional quantitative data from medical images has become necessary in disease risk assessment, diagnostics and prognostics. Radiomic workflows for mammography typically involve a single medical image for each patient although medical images may exist for multiple imaging exams, especially in screening protocols. Our study takes advantage of the availability of mammograms acquired over multiple years for the prediction of cancer onset. This study included 841 images from 328 patients who developed subsequent mammographic abnormalities, which were confirmed as either cancer (n=173) or non-cancer (n=155) through diagnostic core needle biopsy. Quantitative radiomic analysis was conducted on antecedent FFDMs acquired a year or more prior to diagnostic biopsy. Analysis was limited to the breast contralateral to that in which the abnormality arose. Novel metrics were used to identify robust radiomic features. The most robust features were evaluated in the task of predicting future malignancies on a subset of 72 subjects (23 cancer cases and 49 non-cancer controls) with mammograms over multiple years. Using linear discriminant analysis, the robust radiomic features were merged into predictive signatures by: (i) using features from only the most recent contralateral mammogram, (ii) change in feature values between mammograms, and (iii) ratio of feature values over time, yielding AUCs of 0.57 (SE=0.07), 0.63 (SE=0.06), and 0.66 (SE=0.06), respectively. The AUCs for temporal radiomics (ratio) statistically differed from chance, suggesting that changes in radiomics over time may be critical for risk assessment. Overall, we found that our two-stage process of robustness assessment followed by performance evaluation served well in our investigation on the role of temporal radiomics in risk assessment.

Diagnostic and Hardware Upgrades for the US-PRC PMI Collaboration on EAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tritz, Kevin; Maingi, R.; Andruczyk, D.; Canik, J.; Wang, Z.; Wirth, B.; Zinkle, S.; Woller, K.; Hu, J. S.; Luo, G. N.; Gong, X. Z.; EAST Team

2017-10-01

Several collaborative diagnostic and hardware upgrades are planned to improve understanding and control of Plasma-Material Interactions on EAST, as part of the US-PRC PMI collaboration. Dual-band thermography adapters, designed by UT-K and ORNL, are being designed for existing IR cameras to improve the accuracy of the divertor heat flux measurements by reducing sensitivity to surface emissivity. These measurements should improve power accounting for EAST discharges, which can show a large gap between input power and divertor exhaust power. MIT is preparing tungsten tiles with fluorine depth markers to measure net erosion of PFC tiles. JHU plans to improve the electronics of the Multi-Energy Soft X-ray diagnostic as well as expand the present edge system to a full core-edge measurement; this will enhance the assessment of the effect of Li injection on tungsten accumulation and transport. In addition to PPPL-developed upgrades to the lithium granule and pellet delivery systems, LANL is assessing core-shell micropellets for pellet ablation analysis. Finally, UIUC and PPPL are developing flowing liquid lithium limiters, both with and without LiMIT tile features, for deployment on EAST. Work supported by DoE award DE-SC0016553.

What every teacher needs to know about clinical reasoning.

PubMed

Eva, Kevin W

2005-01-01

One of the core tasks assigned to clinical teachers is to enable students to sort through a cluster of features presented by a patient and accurately assign a diagnostic label, with the development of an appropriate treatment strategy being the end goal. Over the last 30 years there has been considerable debate within the health sciences education literature regarding the model that best describes how expert clinicians generate diagnostic decisions. The purpose of this essay is to provide a review of the research literature on clinical reasoning for frontline clinical teachers. The strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to clinical reasoning will be examined using one of the core divides between various models (that of analytic (i.e. conscious/controlled) versus non-analytic (i.e. unconscious/automatic) reasoning strategies) as an orienting framework. Recent work suggests that clinical teachers should stress the importance of both forms of reasoning, thereby enabling students to marshal reasoning processes in a flexible and context-specific manner. Specific implications are drawn from this overview for clinical teachers.

[Autism in children. Speech, behavior and motor activity point to diagnosis].

PubMed

Neumärker, K J

2001-02-01

Austistic disorders characteristically involve specific impairments of social skills, of the language and of stereotyped body movements. L Kanner and H. Asperger were the first to describe these psychopathologic features, which still form the core of the diagnostic criteria of contemporary psychiatric classification systems, ICD-10 and DSM-IV, in the category pervasive developmental disorders. Useful diagnostic tools have been developed to establish the clinical diagnosis. The results of research point to a predominantly genetic pathogenesis involving a complex interaction of multiple genes. While no causal treatments are available for these heterogenic disorders, there are many therapeutic concepts. Although some treatments may achieve significant improvements, autistic disorders usually mean a lifelong individual impairment.

The ACTTION-American Pain Society Pain Taxonomy (AAPT): an evidence-based and multidimensional approach to classifying chronic pain conditions.

PubMed

Fillingim, Roger B; Bruehl, Stephen; Dworkin, Robert H; Dworkin, Samuel F; Loeser, John D; Turk, Dennis C; Widerstrom-Noga, Eva; Arnold, Lesley; Bennett, Robert; Edwards, Robert R; Freeman, Roy; Gewandter, Jennifer; Hertz, Sharon; Hochberg, Marc; Krane, Elliot; Mantyh, Patrick W; Markman, John; Neogi, Tuhina; Ohrbach, Richard; Paice, Judith A; Porreca, Frank; Rappaport, Bob A; Smith, Shannon M; Smith, Thomas J; Sullivan, Mark D; Verne, G Nicholas; Wasan, Ajay D; Wesselmann, Ursula

2014-03-01

Current approaches to classification of chronic pain conditions suffer from the absence of a systematically implemented and evidence-based taxonomy. Moreover, existing diagnostic approaches typically fail to incorporate available knowledge regarding the biopsychosocial mechanisms contributing to pain conditions. To address these gaps, the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations Innovations Opportunities and Networks (ACTTION) public-private partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Pain Society (APS) have joined together to develop an evidence-based chronic pain classification system called the ACTTION-APS Pain Taxonomy. This paper describes the outcome of an ACTTION-APS consensus meeting, at which experts agreed on a structure for this new taxonomy of chronic pain conditions. Several major issues around which discussion revolved are presented and summarized, and the structure of the taxonomy is presented. ACTTION-APS Pain Taxonomy will include the following dimensions: 1) core diagnostic criteria; 2) common features; 3) common medical comorbidities; 4) neurobiological, psychosocial, and functional consequences; and 5) putative neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms, risk factors, and protective factors. In coming months, expert working groups will apply this taxonomy to clusters of chronic pain conditions, thereby developing a set of diagnostic criteria that have been consistently and systematically implemented across nearly all common chronic pain conditions. It is anticipated that the availability of this evidence-based and mechanistic approach to pain classification will be of substantial benefit to chronic pain research and treatment. The ACTTION-APS Pain Taxonomy is an evidence-based chronic pain classification system designed to classify chronic pain along the following dimensions: 1) core diagnostic criteria; 2) common features; 3) common medical comorbidities; 4) neurobiological, psychosocial, and functional consequences; and 5) putative neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms, risk factors, and protective factors. Copyright © 2014 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The circuit of polychromator for Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak edge Thomson scattering diagnostic.

PubMed

Zang, Qing; Hsieh, C L; Zhao, Junyu; Chen, Hui; Li, Fengjuan

2013-09-01

The detector circuit is the core component of filter polychromator which is used for scattering light analysis in Thomson scattering diagnostic, and is responsible for the precision and stability of a system. High signal-to-noise and stability are primary requirements for the diagnostic. Recently, an upgraded detector circuit for weak light detecting in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) edge Thomson scattering system has been designed, which can be used for the measurement of large electron temperature (T(e)) gradient and low electron density (n(e)). In this new circuit, a thermoelectric-cooled avalanche photodiode with the aid circuit is involved for increasing stability and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), especially the circuit will never be influenced by ambient temperature. These features are expected to improve the accuracy of EAST Thomson diagnostic dramatically. Related mechanical construction of the circuit is redesigned as well for heat-sinking and installation. All parameters are optimized, and SNR is dramatically improved. The number of minimum detectable photons is only 10.

Whole-genome phylogeny of Escherichia coli/Shigella group by feature frequency profiles (FFPs)

PubMed Central

Sims, Gregory E.; Kim, Sung-Hou

2011-01-01

A whole-genome phylogeny of the Escherichia coli/Shigella group was constructed by using the feature frequency profile (FFP) method. This alignment-free approach uses the frequencies of l-mer features of whole genomes to infer phylogenic distances. We present two phylogenies that accentuate different aspects of E. coli/Shigella genomic evolution: (i) one based on the compositions of all possible features of length l = 24 (∼8.4 million features), which are likely to reveal the phenetic grouping and relationship among the organisms and (ii) the other based on the compositions of core features with low frequency and low variability (∼0.56 million features), which account for ∼69% of all commonly shared features among 38 taxa examined and are likely to have genome-wide lineal evolutionary signal. Shigella appears as a single clade when all possible features are used without filtering of noncore features. However, results using core features show that Shigella consists of at least two distantly related subclades, implying that the subclades evolved into a single clade because of a high degree of convergence influenced by mobile genetic elements and niche adaptation. In both FFP trees, the basal group of the E. coli/Shigella phylogeny is the B2 phylogroup, which contains primarily uropathogenic strains, suggesting that the E. coli/Shigella ancestor was likely a facultative or opportunistic pathogen. The extant commensal strains diverged relatively late and appear to be the result of reductive evolution of genomes. We also identify clade distinguishing features and their associated genomic regions within each phylogroup. Such features may provide useful information for understanding evolution of the groups and for quick diagnostic identification of each phylogroup. PMID:21536867

Behavioral, Perceptual, and Neural Alterations in Sensory and Multisensory Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder

PubMed Central

Baum, Sarah H.; Stevenson, Ryan A.; Wallace, Mark T.

2015-01-01

Although sensory processing challenges have been noted since the first clinical descriptions of autism, it has taken until the release of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013 for sensory problems to be included as part of the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the diagnostic profile. Because sensory information forms the building blocks for higher-order social and cognitive functions, we argue that sensory processing is not only an additional piece of the puzzle, but rather a critical cornerstone for characterizing and understanding ASD. In this review we discuss what is currently known about sensory processing in ASD, how sensory function fits within contemporary models of ASD, and what is understood about the differences in the underlying neural processing of sensory and social communication observed between individuals with and without ASD. In addition to highlighting the sensory features associated with ASD, we also emphasize the importance of multisensory processing in building perceptual and cognitive representations, and how deficits in multisensory integration may also be a core characteristic of ASD. PMID:26455789

Meta-Review of CSF Core Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease: The State-of-the-Art after the New Revised Diagnostic Criteria

PubMed Central

Ferreira, Daniel; Perestelo-Pérez, Lilisbeth; Westman, Eric; Wahlund, Lars-Olof; Sarría, Antonio; Serrano-Aguilar, Pedro

2014-01-01

Background: Current research criteria for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) include cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers into the diagnostic algorithm. However, spreading their use to the clinical routine is still questionable. Objective: To provide an updated, systematic and critical review on the diagnostic utility of the CSF core biomarkers for AD. Data sources: MEDLINE, PreMedline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and CRD. Eligibility criteria: (1a) Systematic reviews with meta-analysis; (1b) Primary studies published after the new revised diagnostic criteria; (2) Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of at least one CSF core biomarker. Results: The diagnostic performance of CSF biomarkers is generally satisfactory. They are optimal for discriminating AD patients from healthy controls. Their combination may also be suitable for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) prognosis. However, CSF biomarkers fail to distinguish AD from other forms of dementia. Limitations: (1) Use of clinical diagnosis as standard instead of pathological postmortem confirmation; (2) variability of methodological aspects; (3) insufficiently long follow-up periods in MCI studies; and (4) lower diagnostic accuracy in primary care compared with memory clinics. Conclusion: Additional work needs to be done to validate the application of CSF core biomarkers as they are proposed in the new revised diagnostic criteria. The use of CSF core biomarkers in clinical routine is more likely if these limitations are overcome. Early diagnosis is going to be of utmost importance when effective pharmacological treatment will be available and the CSF core biomarkers can also be implemented in clinical trials for drug development. PMID:24715863

ADAM: An Accident Diagnostic,Analysis and Management System - Applications to Severe Accident Simulation and Management

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zavisca, M.J.; Khatib-Rahbar, M.; Esmaili, H.

2002-07-01

The Accident Diagnostic, Analysis and Management (ADAM) computer code has been developed as a tool for on-line applications to accident diagnostics, simulation, management and training. ADAM's severe accident simulation capabilities incorporate a balance of mechanistic, phenomenologically based models with simple parametric approaches for elements including (but not limited to) thermal hydraulics; heat transfer; fuel heatup, meltdown, and relocation; fission product release and transport; combustible gas generation and combustion; and core-concrete interaction. The overall model is defined by a relatively coarse spatial nodalization of the reactor coolant and containment systems and is advanced explicitly in time. The result is to enablemore » much faster than real time (i.e., 100 to 1000 times faster than real time on a personal computer) applications to on-line investigations and/or accident management training. Other features of the simulation module include provision for activation of water injection, including the Engineered Safety Features, as well as other mechanisms for the assessment of accident management and recovery strategies and the evaluation of PSA success criteria. The accident diagnostics module of ADAM uses on-line access to selected plant parameters (as measured by plant sensors) to compute the thermodynamic state of the plant, and to predict various margins to safety (e.g., times to pressure vessel saturation and steam generator dryout). Rule-based logic is employed to classify the measured data as belonging to one of a number of likely scenarios based on symptoms, and a number of 'alarms' are generated to signal the state of the reactor and containment. This paper will address the features and limitations of ADAM with particular focus on accident simulation and management. (authors)« less

Diagnostic accuracy of 22/25-gauge core needle in endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Oh, Hyoung-Chul; Kang, Hyun; Lee, Jae Young; Choi, Geun Joo; Choi, Jung Sik

2016-11-01

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided core needle aspiration with that of standard fine-needle aspiration by systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies using 22/25-gauge core needles, irrespective of comparison with standard fine needles, were comprehensively reviewed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic curves for the diagnosis of malignancy were used to estimate the overall diagnostic efficiency. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of the core needle for the diagnosis of malignancy were 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 0.90), 0.99 (95% CI, 0.96 to 1), and 167.37 (95% CI, 65.77 to 425.91), respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of the standard needle were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.88), 1 (95% CI, 0.97 to 1), and 130.14 (95% CI, 34.00 to 495.35), respectively. The area under the curve of core and standard needle in the diagnosis of malignancy was 0.974 and 0.955, respectively. The core and standard needle were comparable in terms of pancreatic malignancy diagnosis. There was no significant difference in procurement of optimal histologic cores between core and standard needles (risk ratio [RR], 0.545; 95% CI, 0.187 to 1.589). The number of needle passes for diagnosis was significantly lower with the core needle (standardized mean difference, -0.72; 95% CI, -1.02 to -0.41). There were no significant differences in overall complications (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.34 to 4.62) and technical failure (RR, 5.07; 95% CI, 0.68 to 37.64). Core and standard needles were comparable in terms of diagnostic accuracy, technical performance, and safety profile.

Efficiency of Core Biopsy for BI-RADS-5 Breast Lesions.

PubMed

Wolf, Ronald; Quan, Glenda; Calhoun, Kris; Soot, Laurel; Skokan, Laurie

2008-01-01

Stereotactic biopsy has proven more cost effective for biopsy of lesions associated with moderately suspicious mammograms. Data regarding selection of stereotactic biopsy (CORE) instead of excisional biopsy (EB) as the first diagnostic procedure in patients with nonpalpable breast lesions and highest suspicion breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS)-5 mammograms are sparse. Records from a regional health system radiology database were screened for mammograms associated with image-guided biopsy. A total of 182 nonpalpable BI-RADS-5 lesions were sampled in 178 patients over 5 years, using CORE or EB. Initial surgical margins, number of surgeries, time from initial procedure to last related surgical procedure, and hospital and professional charges for related admissions were compared using chi-squared, t-test, and Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney tests. A total of 108 CORE and 74 EB were performed as the first diagnostic procedure. Invasive or in situ carcinoma was diagnosed in 156 (86%) of all biopsies, 95 in CORE and 61 in EB groups. Negative margins of the first surgical procedure were more frequent in CORE (n = 70, 74%) versus EB (n = 17, 28%), p < 0.05. Use of CORE was associated with fewer total surgical procedures per lesion (1.29 +/- 0.05 versus 1.8 +/- 0.05, p < 0.05). Time of initial diagnostic procedure to final treatment did not vary significantly according to group (27 +/- 2 days versus 22 +/- 2 days, CORE versus EB). Mean charges including the diagnostic procedure and all subsequent surgeries were not different between CORE and EB groups ($10,500 +/- 300 versus $11,500 +/- 500, p = 0.08). Use of CORE as the first procedure in patients with highly suspicious mammograms is associated with improved pathologic margins and need for fewer surgical procedures than EB, and should be considered the preferred initial diagnostic approach.

The best prostate biopsy scheme is dictated by the gland volume: a monocentric study.

PubMed

Dell'Atti, L

2015-08-01

Accuracy of biopsy scheme depends on different parameters. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and digital rectal examination (DRE) influenced the detection rate and suggested the biopsy scheme to approach each patient. Another parameter is the prostate volume. Sampling accuracy tends to decrease progressively with an increasing prostate volume. We prospectively observed detection cancer rate in suspicious prostate cancer (PCa) and improved by applying a protocol biopsy according to prostate volume (PV). Clinical data and pathological features of these 1356 patients were analysed and included in this study. This protocol is a combined scheme that includes transrectal (TR) 12-core PBx (TR12PBx) for PV ≤ 30 cc, TR 14-core PBx (TR14PBx) for PV > 30 cc but < 60 cc, TR 18-core PBx (TR18PBx) for PV ≥ 60 cc. Out of a total of 1356 patients, in 111 (8.2%) PCa was identified through TR12PBx scheme, in 198 (14.6%) through TR14PBx scheme and in 253 (18.6%) through TR18PBx scheme. The PCa detection rate was increased by 44% by adding two TZ cores (TR14PBx scheme). The TR18PBx scheme increased this rate by 21.7% vs. TR14PBx scheme. The diagnostic yield offered by TR18PBx was statistically significant compared to the detection rate offered by the TR14PBx scheme (p < 0.003). The biopsy Gleason score and the percentage of core involvement were comparable between PCa detected by the TR14PBx scheme diagnostic yield and those detected by the TR18PBx scheme (p = 0.362). The only PV parameter, in our opinion, can be significant in choosing the best biopsy scheme to approach in a first setting of biopsies increasing PCa detection rate.

A study to evaluate the efficacy of image-guided core biopsy in the diagnosis and management of lymphoma--results in 103 biopsies.

PubMed

Vandervelde, C; Kamani, T; Varghese, A; Ramesar, K; Grace, R; Howlett, D C

2008-04-01

The reason for this study was to evaluate the ability of image-guided core biopsy to replace surgical excision by providing sufficient diagnostic and treatment information. All consecutive image-guided core biopsies in patients with a final diagnosis of lymphoma over a 6-year period at our institution were collected retrospectively. Case notes and pathology reports were reviewed and the diagnostic techniques used were recorded. Pathology reports were graded according to their diagnostic completeness and their ability to provide treatment information. Out of a total of 328 instances of lymphoma, 103 image-guided core biopsies were performed in 96 patients. In 78% of these, the diagnostic information obtained from the biopsy provided a fully graded and subtyped diagnosis of lymphoma with sufficient information to initiate therapy. In the head and neck 67% of core biopsies were fully diagnostic for treatment purposes compared to 91% in the thorax, abdomen and pelvis. Image-guided core biopsy has a number of cost and safety advantages over surgical excision biopsy and in suitable cases it can obviate the need for surgery in cases of suspected lymphoma. This is especially relevant for elderly patients and those with poor performance status.

Current Issues in the Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Conduct Disorder

PubMed Central

Frick, Paul J.; Nigg, Joel T.

2015-01-01

This review evaluates the diagnostic criteria for three of the most common disorders for which children and adolescents are referred for mental health treatment: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD). Although research supports the validity and clinical utility of these disorders, several issues are highlighted that could enhance the current diagnostic criteria. For ADHD, defining the core features of the disorder and its fit with other disorders, enhancing the validity of the criteria through the lifespan, considering alternative ways to form subtypes of the disorder, and modifying the age-of-onset criterion are discussed relative to the current diagnostic criteria. For ODD, eliminating the exclusionary criteria of CD, recognizing important symptom domains within the disorder, and using the cross-situational pervasiveness of the disorder as an index of severity are highlighted as important issues for improving classification. Finally, for CD, enhancing the current subtypes related to age of onset and integrating callous-unemotional traits into the diagnostic criteria are identified as key issues for improving classification. PMID:22035245

The circuit of polychromator for Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak edge Thomson scattering diagnostic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zang, Qing; Zhao, Junyu; Chen, Hui

2013-09-15

The detector circuit is the core component of filter polychromator which is used for scattering light analysis in Thomson scattering diagnostic, and is responsible for the precision and stability of a system. High signal-to-noise and stability are primary requirements for the diagnostic. Recently, an upgraded detector circuit for weak light detecting in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) edge Thomson scattering system has been designed, which can be used for the measurement of large electron temperature (T{sub e}) gradient and low electron density (n{sub e}). In this new circuit, a thermoelectric-cooled avalanche photodiode with the aid circuit is involved for increasingmore » stability and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), especially the circuit will never be influenced by ambient temperature. These features are expected to improve the accuracy of EAST Thomson diagnostic dramatically. Related mechanical construction of the circuit is redesigned as well for heat-sinking and installation. All parameters are optimized, and SNR is dramatically improved. The number of minimum detectable photons is only 10.« less

The General Assessment of Personality Disorder (GAPD) as an instrument for assessing the core features of personality disorders.

PubMed

Berghuis, Han; Kamphuis, Jan H; Verheul, Roel; Larstone, Roseann; Livesley, John

2013-01-01

This study presents a psychometric evaluation of the General Assessment of Personality Disorder (GAPD), a self-report questionnaire for assessing the core components of personality dysfunction on the basis of Livesley's (2003) adaptive failure model. Analysis of samples from a general (n = 196) and a clinical population (n = 280) from Canada and the Netherlands, respectively, found a very similar two-component structure consistent with the two core components of personality dysfunction proposed by the model, namely, self-pathology and interpersonal dysfunction. Moreover, the GAPD discriminated between patients diagnosed with and without Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR) personality disorder(s) and demonstrated discriminative power in detecting the severity of personality pathology. Correlations with a DSM-IV symptom measure and a pathological traits model suggest partial conceptual overlap. Although further testing is indicated, the present findings suggest the GAPD is suitable for assessing the core components of personality dysfunction. It may contribute to a two-step integrated assessment of personality pathology that assesses both personality dysfunction and personality traits. The core features of personality disorder can be defined as disorders in the self and in the capacity for interpersonal functioning. A clinically useful operationalization of disordered functioning of personality is needed to determine the maladaptivity of personality traits. An integrated assessment of personality (dys)functioning and personality traits provides a more comprehensive clinical picture of the patient, which may aid treatment planning. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Induced sputum deposition improves diagnostic yields of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: A clinicopathological and methodological study of 17 cases.

PubMed

Huang, Ziling; Yi, Xianghua; Luo, Benfang; Zhu, Jian; Wu, Yunjin; Jiang, Wenxia; Chu, Haiqing; Yang, Zhongmin; Li, Shuai; Zhu, Hailong; Zhang, Suxia; Zhang, Lanjing; Zeng, Yu

2016-01-01

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare diffuse lung disease characterized by the accumulation of intra-alveolar lipoprotein-like surfactants. Lung core biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid are currently the two major sources of sampling for diagnosis. In the present study, we assessed the value of induced sputum in diagnosing PAP by transmission electron microscopy and examined the PAP 2-year death rate in Asians. Transmission electron microscopy was performed on the samples from 17 patients with PAP, 13 patients with inflammatory lung diseases, and 13 healthy adults. The PAP patients were followed up for 3-156 months, and inflammatory lung diseases patients or healthy adults for 12-36 months. The ultrastructural features including diagnostic lamellar bodies of induced sputum deposition (ISD) samples were similar to that of the BAL fluid sediment. However, the rates of lamellar bodies were 73.7% in the ISD group, significantly higher than the spontaneous sputum deposition (SSD) group (42.1%, P < .0487) and similar to the BAL sediment (76.2%) and the lung biopsy (54.5%) groups. The overall 2-year death rate of our PAP patients was 17.6% (3/17), not statistically different from the healthy adults and patients with inflammatory diseases (0/13, P = .237 for both). ISD may be the preferred non-invasive sampling method for diagnosing PAP by electronic microscopy because of the higher diagnostic yield than SSD. The diagnostic yields of this noninvasive method were similar to that of lung core biopsy and BAL.

Automatic Gleason grading of prostate cancer using SLIM and machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Tan H.; Sridharan, Shamira; Marcias, Virgilia; Balla, Andre K.; Do, Minh N.; Popescu, Gabriel

2016-03-01

In this paper, we present an updated automatic diagnostic procedure for prostate cancer using quantitative phase imaging (QPI). In a recent report [1], we demonstrated the use of Random Forest for image segmentation on prostate cores imaged using QPI. Based on these label maps, we developed an algorithm to discriminate between regions with Gleason grade 3 and 4 prostate cancer in prostatectomy tissue. The Area-Under-Curve (AUC) of 0.79 for the Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) can be obtained for Gleason grade 4 detection in a binary classification between Grade 3 and Grade 4. Our dataset includes 280 benign cases and 141 malignant cases. We show that textural features in phase maps have strong diagnostic values since they can be used in combination with the label map to detect presence or absence of basal cells, which is a strong indicator for prostate carcinoma. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier trained on this new feature vector can classify cancer/non-cancer with an error rate of 0.23 and an AUC value of 0.83.

Dendrimer Nanoscaffolds for Potential Theranostics of Prostate Cancer with a Focus on Radiochemistry

PubMed Central

Lo, Su-Tang; Kumar, Amit; Hsieh, Jer-Tsong; Sun, Xiankai

2013-01-01

Dendrimers are a class of structurally defined macromolecules featured with a central core, a low-density interior formed by repetitive branching units, and a high-density exterior terminated with surface functional groups. In contrast to their polymeric counterparts, dendrimers are nano-sized and symmetrically shaped, which can be reproducibly synthesized in a large scale with monodispersity. These unique features have made dendrimers of increasing interest for drug delivery and other biomedical applications as a nanoscaffold system. Intended to address the potential use of dendrimers for the development of theranostic agents, which combines therapeutics and diagnostics in a single entity for personalized medicine, this review focuses on the reported methodologies of using dendrimer nanoscaffolds for targeted imaging and therapy of prostate cancer. Of particular interest, relevant chemistry strategies are discussed due to their important roles in the design and synthesis of diagnostic and therapeutic dendrimer-based nanoconjugates and potential theranostic agents, targeted or non-targeted. Given the developing status of nanoscaffolded theranostics, major challenges and potential hurdles are discussed along with the examples representing current advances. PMID:23294202

Short-wavelength out-of-band EUV emission from Sn laser-produced plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torretti, F.; Schupp, R.; Kurilovich, D.; Bayerle, A.; Scheers, J.; Ubachs, W.; Hoekstra, R.; Versolato, O. O.

2018-02-01

We present the results of spectroscopic measurements in the extreme ultraviolet regime (7-17 nm) of molten tin microdroplets illuminated by a high-intensity 3 J, 60 ns Nd:YAG laser pulse. The strong 13.5 nm emission from this laser-produced plasma (LPP) is of relevance for next-generation nanolithography machines. Here, we focus on the shorter wavelength features between 7 and 12 nm which have so far remained poorly investigated despite their diagnostic relevance. Using flexible atomic code calculations and local thermodynamic equilibrium arguments, we show that the line features in this region of the spectrum can be explained by transitions from high-lying configurations within the Sn{}8+-Sn{}15+ ions. The dominant transitions for all ions but Sn{}8+ are found to be electric-dipole transitions towards the n = 4 ground state from the core-excited configuration in which a 4p electron is promoted to the 5s subshell. Our results resolve some long-standing spectroscopic issues and provide reliable charge state identification for Sn LPP, which could be employed as a useful tool for diagnostic purposes.

New diagnostic perspectives on obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and its links with other conditions.

PubMed

Starcevic, Vladan; Brakoulias, Vlasios

2014-01-01

This review examines the conceptualization of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), its epidemiology and efforts to better understand the relationships between OCPD and other conditions. The alternative Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders conceptualization of OCPD is radically different in that it combines categorical and dimensional diagnostic approaches and introduces a hierarchy of diagnostic criteria. OCPD is one of the most common personality disorders in the general population. The relationship between OCPD and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is important, but to a large extent obfuscated by the overlap between their diagnostic criteria. Frequent changes in the OCPD diagnostic criteria make it difficult to ascertain the 'true' relationship between OCPD and OCD. It is not uncommon for OCPD to occur with anorexia nervosa, depression, hypochondriasis, certain other personality disorders and Parkinson's disease, but further research is necessary to understand the implications of these links. OCPD is yet to be conceptualized consistently and in the manner that would make a clear and well supported distinction between its core and peripheral features. Future studies need to separate a genuine from overlap-driven co-occurrence of OCPD and other conditions, as that would give a better insight into the way in which OCPD relates to other disorders.

Characteristics of stereotypic movement disorder and self-injurious behavior assessed with the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped (DASH-II).

PubMed

Matson, J L; Hamilton, M; Duncan, D; Bamburg, J; Smiroldo, B; Anderson, S; Baglio, C

1997-01-01

The first experiment involved 143 individuals with severe and profound mental retardation. Individuals with Stereotypic Movement Disorder, Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB), and Stereotypic movement disorder with self-injurious behavior as assessed by the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II DASH-II were validated against Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria. In a second study DASH-II scores for 1480 individuals with severe and profound mental retardation were compared on demographic variables, core and associated features of each disorder. Characteristics of persons in each group were reviewed. Persons with profound mental retardation were more likely to evince stereotypies or self-injury compared to their severely impaired counterparts. Also, those with stereotypies were more likely to present with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)/autism, organicity, and eating disorders, while persons with SIB were more likely to evince sleep, sexual, and eating disorders.

Lipid Bilayer-Enabled Synthesis of Waxberry-like Core/Fluidic Satellite Nanoparticles: toward Ultrasensitive SERS Tags for Bioimaging.

PubMed

Mei, Rongchao; Wang, Yunqing; Liu, Wanhui; Chen, Lingxin

2018-06-25

Herein, we presented waxberry-like core-satellite (C-S) nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by in situ growth of satellite gold NPs on spherical phospholipid bilayer-coated gold cores. The fluidic lipid bilayer cross-linker was reported for the first time, which imparted several novel morphological and optical properties to the C-S NPs. First, it regulated the anisotropic growth of the satellite NPs into vertically oriented nanorods on the core NP surface. Thus, an interesting waxberry-like nanostructure could be obtained, which was different from the conventional raspberry-like C-S structures decorated with spherical satellite NPs. Second, the satellite NPs were "soft-landed" on the lipid bilayer and could move on the core NP surface under certain conditions. The movement induced tunable plasmonic features in the C-S NPs. Furthermore, the fluidic lipid bilayer was capable of not only holding an abundance of reporter molecules but also delivering them to hotspots at junctions between the core and satellite NPs, which made the C-S NPs an excellent candidate for preparing ultrasensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags. The bioimaging capabilities of the C-S NP-based SERS tags were successfully demonstrated in living cells and mice. The developed SERS tags hold great potential for bioanalysis and medical diagnostics.

Context Processing and the Neurobiology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PubMed Central

Liberzon, Israel; Abelson, James L.

2016-01-01

Summary Progress in clinical and affective neuroscience is redefining psychiatric illness as symptomatic expression of cellular/molecular dysfunctions in specific brain circuits. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been an exemplar of this progress, with improved understanding of neurobiological systems subserving fear learning, salience detection, and emotion regulation explaining much of its phenomenology and neurobiology. However, many features remain unexplained and a parsimonious model that more fully accounts for symptoms and the core neurobiology remains elusive. Contextual processing is a key modulatory function of hippocampal-prefrontal-thalamic circuitry, allowing organisms to disambiguate cues and derive situation-specific meaning from the world. We propose that dysregulation within this context-processing circuit is at the core of PTSD pathophysiology, accounting for much of its phenomenology and most of its biological findings. Understanding core mechanisms like this, and their underlying neural circuits, will sharpen diagnostic precision and understanding of risk factors, enhancing our ability to develop preventive and “personalized” interventions. PMID:27710783

Automatic detection of multi-level acetowhite regions in RGB color images of the uterine cervix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lange, Holger

2005-04-01

Uterine cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Colposcopy is a diagnostic method used to detect cancer precursors and cancer of the uterine cervix, whereby a physician (colposcopist) visually inspects the metaplastic epithelium on the cervix for certain distinctly abnormal morphologic features. A contrast agent, a 3-5% acetic acid solution, is used, causing abnormal and metaplastic epithelia to turn white. The colposcopist considers diagnostic features such as the acetowhite, blood vessel structure, and lesion margin to derive a clinical diagnosis. STI Medical Systems is developing a Computer-Aided-Diagnosis (CAD) system for colposcopy -- ColpoCAD, a complex image analysis system that at its core assesses the same visual features as used by colposcopists. The acetowhite feature has been identified as one of the most important individual predictors of lesion severity. Here, we present the details and preliminary results of a multi-level acetowhite region detection algorithm for RGB color images of the cervix, including the detection of the anatomic features: cervix, os and columnar region, which are used for the acetowhite region detection. The RGB images are assumed to be glare free, either obtained by cross-polarized image acquisition or glare removal pre-processing. The basic approach of the algorithm is to extract a feature image from the RGB image that provides a good acetowhite to cervix background ratio, to segment the feature image using novel pixel grouping and multi-stage region-growing algorithms that provide region segmentations with different levels of detail, to extract the acetowhite regions from the region segmentations using a novel region selection algorithm, and then finally to extract the multi-levels from the acetowhite regions using multiple thresholds. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated using human subject data.

Pathological criteria and practical issues in papillary lesions of the breast - a review.

PubMed

Ni, Yun-Bi; Tse, Gary M

2016-01-01

Papillary lesions of the breast include a broad spectrum of lesions, ranging from benign papilloma, papilloma with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to papillary carcinoma. The accurate diagnosis of mammary papillary lesions is a challenge for pathologists, owing to the overlapping features among these lesions. In this review, some of the diagnostic criteria of papillary lesions are discussed, with special emphasis on some key morphological features, namely fibrovascular cores, epithelial proliferation in a solid pattern, intraductal papilloma complicated by ADH or DCIS, and invasion and its mimics. The roles of immunohistochemistry, and the interpretation of myoepithelial cell markers, hormone receptors, and high molecular weight cytokeratin, are addressed. Finally, novel biomarkers and genetic aberrations in papillary lesions are summarized. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A near infrared spectroscopic study of the interstellar gas in the starburst core of M82

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lester, Dan F.; Carr, John; Joy, Marshall; Gaffney, Niall

1990-01-01

Researchers used the McDonald Observatory Infrared Grating Spectrometer, to complete a program of spatially resolved spectroscopy of M82. The inner 300 pc of the starburst was observed with 4 inch (50 pc) resolution. Complete J, H and K band spectra with resolution 0.0035 micron (lambda/delta lambda=620 at K) were measured at the near-infrared nucleus of the galaxy. Measurements of selected spectral features including lines of FeII, HII and H2 were observed along the starburst ridge-line, so the relative distribution of the diagnostic features could be understood. This information was used to better define the extinction towards the starburst region, the excitation conditions in the gas, and to characterize the stellar populations there.

Anxiety or agitation in mood disorder with mixed features: A review with a focus on validity as a dimensional criterion.

PubMed

Shim, In Hee; Bae, Dong Sik; Bahk, Won-Myong

2016-08-01

The diagnostic validity of mixed features, excluding anxiety or psychomotor agitation in mood disorders, has not yet been fully examined. PubMed and relevant English-language literature (regardless of year) were searched. Keywords were mixed or mixed state or mixed features or mixed episode and anxious or anxiety or agitation and bipolar disorder or depressive disorder or mood disorder or affective disorder. Most studies on anxiety or psychomotor agitation have included a significant correlation relevant to the "with mixed features" specifier, although it is common in both poles of mood episodes regardless of the predominant polarity. There is some confusion between the characteristic of classical mixed states and the definition of the mixed features specifier with the newly added anxious distress specifier in DSM-5, specifically, whether to include anxiety and agitation as significant characteristics. This change is of concern because a large proportion of patients with mixed features are now unspecified, and this may influence treatment planning and prognosis. The findings of our review suggest that anxiety and psychomotor agitation can be core symptoms in mood episodes with mixed features and important clinical clues for prediction of treatment effects and disease course.

Multifunctional ligand for use as a diagnostic or therapeutic pharmaceutical

DOEpatents

Katti, Kattesh V.; Volkert, Wynn A.; Ketring, Alan R.; Singh, Prahlad R.

1996-01-01

A compound and method of making a compound for use as a diagnostic or therapeutic pharmaceutical comprises either a phosphorous or germanium core and at least two hydrazine groups forming a ligand for bonding to a metal extending from the phosphorous or germanium core.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of parathyroid lesions.

PubMed

Heo, Ilyeong; Park, Sunhoo; Jung, Chang Won; Koh, Jae Soo; Lee, Seung-Sook; Seol, Hyesil; Choi, Hee Seung; Cho, Soo Youn

2013-10-01

There has been an increase in the use of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for the diagnosis of parathyroid lesions (PLs). Differentiation between a thyroid lesion and a PL is not easy because of their similar features. We reviewed parathyroid aspirates in our institution and aimed to uncover trends in diagnostic criteria. We selected 25 parathyroid aspirates (from 6 men and 19 women) confirmed surgically or immunohistochemically from 2006 to 2011. Major architectural findings of PLs include scattered naked nuclei, loose clusters, a papillary pattern with a fibrovascular core, tight clusters, and a follicular pattern. These architectures were commonly admixed with one another. Cytological features included anisokaryosis, stippled chromatin, a well-defined cell border, and oxyphilic cytoplasm. Eighteen of the 25 patients were diagnosed with PL using FNAC. Seven patients had been misdiagnosed with atypical cells (n=2), benign follicular cells (n=2), adenomatous goiter (n=2) and metastatic carcinoma (n=1) in FNAC. Using clinicoradiologic data, the sensitivity of the cytological diagnosis was 86.7%. The cytological sensitivity decreased to 50% without this information. FNAC of PL is easily confused with thyroid lesions. A combination of cytological parameters and clinical data will be required to improve the diagnostic sensitivity of PLs.

Multifunctional ligand for use as a diagnostic or therapeutic pharmaceutical

DOEpatents

Katti, K.V.; Volkert, W.A.; Ketring, A.R.; Singh, P.R.

1996-05-14

A compound and method of making a compound for use as a diagnostic or therapeutic pharmaceutical are revealed. The ligand comprises either a phosphorous or germanium core and at least two hydrazine groups forming a ligand for bonding to a metal extending from the phosphorous or germanium core.

Ultrasound-guided core biopsy in the diagnosis of lymphoma of the head and neck. A 9 year experience

PubMed Central

Burke, C; Thomas, R; Inglis, C; Baldwin, A; Ramesar, K; Grace, R; Howlett, D C

2011-01-01

Objectives This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of ultrasound-guided core biopsy (USCB) in lymphoma of the head and neck, in particular whether core biopsy can provide sufficient diagnostic information for definitive treatment. Methods All lymphomas diagnosed in the head and neck at Eastbourne General Hospital between January 2000 and June 2009 were identified. Radiology and pathology reports were reviewed and the diagnostic techniques recorded. The type of biopsy (fine needle aspiration, needle core, surgical excision biopsy) used to establish a diagnosis sufficient to allow treatment, i.e. the "index" diagnostic technique, was identified. Previous inconclusive or inadequate biopsies were noted. Pathology reports based on USCB were graded 0–3 according to diagnostic completeness and ability to provide treatment information. Results Of 691 overall cases of lymphoma diagnosed over the 9 year period, 171 different patients presented with lymphoma in the head and neck. Of these 171, 83 had USCB biopsy during diagnostic work up. 60 were regarded as grade 3 where a confident diagnosis of lymphoma was made. In seven patients, clinical management proceeded on the basis of a suggestive (grade 2) pathology report without surgical excision, and these were therefore also included as "index" biopsies. Overall therefore, 67/83 core biopsies (81%) provided adequate information to allow treatment. Surgical excision biopsy was the index modality in 104 cases. Conclusion In the majority of cases USCB is adequate for confident histopathological diagnosis avoiding the need for surgical excision biopsy in cases of suspected head and neck lymphoma. PMID:21427181

Determining the Optimal Number of Core Needle Biopsy Passes for Molecular Diagnostics.

PubMed

Hoang, Nam S; Ge, Benjamin H; Pan, Lorraine Y; Ozawa, Michael G; Kong, Christina S; Louie, John D; Shah, Rajesh P

2018-03-01

The number of core biopsy passes required for adequate next-generation sequencing is impacted by needle cut, needle gauge, and the type of tissue involved. This study evaluates diagnostic adequacy of core needle lung biopsies based on number of passes and provides guidelines for other tissues based on simulated biopsies in ex vivo porcine organ tissues. The rate of diagnostic adequacy for pathology and molecular testing from lung biopsy procedures was measured for eight operators pre-implementation (September 2012-October 2013) and post-implementation (December 2013-April 2014) of a standard protocol using 20-gauge side-cut needles for ten core biopsy passes at a single academic hospital. Biopsy pass volume was then estimated in ex vivo porcine muscle, liver, and kidney using side-cut devices at 16, 18, and 20 gauge and end-cut devices at 16 and 18 gauge to estimate minimum number of passes required for adequate molecular testing. Molecular diagnostic adequacy increased from 69% (pre-implementation period) to 92% (post-implementation period) (p < 0.001) for lung biopsies. In porcine models, both 16-gauge end-cut and side-cut devices require one pass to reach the validated volume threshold to ensure 99% adequacy for molecular characterization, while 18- and 20-gauge devices require 2-5 passes depending on needle cut and tissue type. Use of 20-gauge side-cut core biopsy needles requires a significant number of passes to ensure diagnostic adequacy for molecular testing across all tissue types. To ensure diagnostic adequacy for molecular testing, 16- and 18-gauge needles require markedly fewer passes.

Correction of the spectral calibration of the Joint European Torus core light detecting and ranging Thomson scattering diagnostic using ray tracing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hawke, J.; Scannell, R.; Maslov, M.

2013-10-15

This work isolated the cause of the observed discrepancy between the electron temperature (T{sub e}) measurements before and after the JET Core LIDAR Thomson Scattering (TS) diagnostic was upgraded. In the upgrade process, stray light filters positioned just before the detectors were removed from the system. Modelling showed that the shift imposed on the stray light filters transmission functions due to the variations in the incidence angles of the collected photons impacted plasma measurements. To correct for this identified source of error, correction factors were developed using ray tracing models for the calibration and operational states of the diagnostic. Themore » application of these correction factors resulted in an increase in the observed T{sub e}, resulting in the partial if not complete removal of the observed discrepancy in the measured T{sub e} between the JET core LIDAR TS diagnostic, High Resolution Thomson Scattering, and the Electron Cyclotron Emission diagnostics.« less

CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy: a comparison between automated biopsy gun and fine needle aspiration.

PubMed

Arakawa, H; Nakajima, Y; Kurihara, Y; Niimi, H; Ishikawa, T

1996-07-01

We retrospectively investigated the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of transthoracic core biopsy using an automated biopsy gun and compared the findings with those of aspiration needle biopsy. Seventy-three patients underwent 74 core biopsy procedures and 50 patients underwent 52 aspiration biopsy procedures. Of these, a final diagnosis was obtained in 107 lesions with surgery or clinical course. Fifteen patients in which a final diagnosis was not obtained were excluded from the study on diagnostic accuracy. Thus, in the study of diagnostic accuracy, 63 core biopsy procedures for 62 lesions are included. Core biopsy was performed with an 18 G cutting needle using an automated biopsy gun. Aspiration biopsy was performed with a 20 G aspiration needle. Core biopsy yielded sufficient material in 57/63 procedures (90.5%). A correct diagnosis was obtained in 36 procedures (85.7%) for malignant leisons and a specific benign diagnosis was obtained in 11 procedures (52.4%). Aspiration biopsy yielded a correct diagnosis in 26 procedures (81.3%) for malignant leisons and in seven (46.7%) for benign lesions. The overall correct diagnosis were 75.8% and 71.7% with core biopsy and aspiration biopsy, respectively. Core biopsy gave a higher predictive rate than that of aspiration biopsy for both benign and malignant lessons (P < 0.02). Pneumothorax occurred in 18/74 (24.3%) patients with core biopsy and in 18/45 (40.0%) patients with aspiration biopsy. Of these, three with core biopsy and two with aspiration biopsy needed tube drainage. The other complication was haemoptysis, which occurred in six patients following core biopsy and in three after aspiration biopsy. All nine cases subsided spontaneously. There were no fatal complications. Core biopsy with a biopsy gun increase the diagnostic accuracy with a higher histologic predictive rate and no obvious additional risk of complications.

Comparison of fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy under ultrasonographic guidance for detecting malignancy and for the tissue-specific diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.

PubMed

Eom, H-J; Lee, J H; Ko, M-S; Choi, Y J; Yoon, R G; Cho, K J; Nam, S Y; Baek, J H

2015-06-01

Diagnostic test accuracy studies for ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy have shown inconclusive results due to their heterogenous study designs. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration versus ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy for detecting malignant tumors of the salivary gland and for the tissue-specific diagnosis of salivary gland tumors in a single tertiary hospital. This retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board and informed consent was waived. Four hundred twelve patients who underwent ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (n = 155) or ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy (n = 257) with subsequent surgical confirmation or clinical follow-up were enrolled. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy regarding malignant salivary gland tumors and the correct tissue-specific diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors. We also tested the difference between these procedures according to the operator's experience and lesion characteristics. The inconclusive rates of ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy were 19% and 4%, respectively (P < .001). The overall accuracy of ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy for diagnosing malignant tumors was significantly higher than that of ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (P = .024). The correct tissue-specific diagnosis rates of ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy were 95% versus 97% for benign tumors (P = .648) and 67% versus 80% for malignant tumors (P = .310). Trainees showed significantly lower accuracy with ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration than with ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy for diagnosing malignant tumors (P = .021). There was no difference between the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy according to the internal composition of the lesions. There were no complications requiring intervention or hospitalization in our patients. Ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy is superior to ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration in detecting and characterizing malignant tumors of the salivary gland and could emerge as the diagnostic method of choice for patients presenting with a salivary gland mass. © 2015 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

The influence of rotation on optical emission profiles of O stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hillier, D. John; Bouret, Jean-Claude; Lanz, Thierry; Busche, Joseph R.

2012-10-01

We study the formation of photospheric emission lines in O stars and show that the rectangular profiles, sometimes double peaked, that are observed for some stars are a direct consequence of rotation, and it is unnecessary to invoke an enhanced density structure in the equatorial regions. Emission lines, such as N IV λ4058 and the N III λλ4634-4640-4642 multiplet, exhibit non-standard 'limb-darkening' laws. The lines can be in absorption for rays striking the centre of the star and in emission for rays near the limb. Weak features in the flux spectrum do not necessarily indicate an intrinsically weak feature - instead the feature can be weak because of cancellation between absorption in 'core' rays and emission from rays near the limb. Rotation also modifies line profiles of wind diagnostics such as He II λ4686 and Hα and should not be neglected when inferring the actual stratification, level and nature of wind structures.

Development of a dual-modal tissue diagnostic system combining time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and ultrasonic backscatter microscopy.

PubMed

Sun, Yang; Park, Jesung; Stephens, Douglas N; Jo, Javier A; Sun, Lei; Cannata, Jonathan M; Saroufeem, Ramez M G; Shung, K Kirk; Marcu, Laura

2009-06-01

We report a tissue diagnostic system which combines two complementary techniques of time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TR-LIFS) and ultrasonic backscatter microscopy (UBM). TR-LIFS evaluates the biochemical composition of tissue, while UBM provides tissue microanatomy and enables localization of the region of diagnostic interest. The TR-LIFS component consists of an optical fiber-based time-domain apparatus including a spectrometer, gated multichannel plate photomultiplier, and fast digitizer. It records the fluorescence with high sensitivity (nM concentration range) and time resolution as low as 300 ps. The UBM system consists of a transducer, pulser, receiving circuit, and positioning stage. The transducer used here is 45 MHz, unfocused, with axial and lateral resolutions 38 and 200 microm. Validation of the hybrid system and ultrasonic and spectroscopic data coregistration were conducted both in vitro (tissue phantom) and ex vivo (atherosclerotic tissue specimens of human aorta). Standard histopathological analysis of tissue samples was used to validate the UBM-TRLIFS data. Current results have demonstrated that spatially correlated UBM and TR-LIFS data provide complementary characterization of both morphology (necrotic core and calcium deposits) and biochemistry (collagen, elastin, and lipid features) of the atherosclerotic plaques at the same location. Thus, a combination of fluorescence spectroscopy with ultrasound imaging would allow for better identification of features associated with tissue pathologies. Current design and performance of the hybrid system suggests potential applications in clinical diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaque.

Development of a dual-modal tissue diagnostic system combining time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and ultrasonic backscatter microscopy

PubMed Central

Sun, Yang; Park, Jesung; Stephens, Douglas N.; Jo, Javier A.; Sun, Lei; Cannata, Jonathan M.; Saroufeem, Ramez M. G.; Shung, K. Kirk; Marcu, Laura

2009-01-01

We report a tissue diagnostic system which combines two complementary techniques of time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TR-LIFS) and ultrasonic backscatter microscopy (UBM). TR-LIFS evaluates the biochemical composition of tissue, while UBM provides tissue microanatomy and enables localization of the region of diagnostic interest. The TR-LIFS component consists of an optical fiber-based time-domain apparatus including a spectrometer, gated multichannel plate photomultiplier, and fast digitizer. It records the fluorescence with high sensitivity (nM concentration range) and time resolution as low as 300 ps. The UBM system consists of a transducer, pulser, receiving circuit, and positioning stage. The transducer used here is 45 MHz, unfocused, with axial and lateral resolutions 38 and 200 μm. Validation of the hybrid system and ultrasonic and spectroscopic data coregistration were conducted both in vitro (tissue phantom) and ex vivo (atherosclerotic tissue specimens of human aorta). Standard histopathological analysis of tissue samples was used to validate the UBM-TRLIFS data. Current results have demonstrated that spatially correlated UBM and TR-LIFS data provide complementary characterization of both morphology (necrotic core and calcium deposits) and biochemistry (collagen, elastin, and lipid features) of the atherosclerotic plaques at the same location. Thus, a combination of fluorescence spectroscopy with ultrasound imaging would allow for better identification of features associated with tissue pathologies. Current design and performance of the hybrid system suggests potential applications in clinical diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaque. PMID:19566223

Development of a dual-modal tissue diagnostic system combining time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and ultrasonic backscatter microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yang; Park, Jesung; Stephens, Douglas N.; Jo, Javier A.; Sun, Lei; Cannata, Jonathan M.; Saroufeem, Ramez M. G.; Shung, K. Kirk; Marcu, Laura

2009-06-01

We report a tissue diagnostic system which combines two complementary techniques of time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TR-LIFS) and ultrasonic backscatter microscopy (UBM). TR-LIFS evaluates the biochemical composition of tissue, while UBM provides tissue microanatomy and enables localization of the region of diagnostic interest. The TR-LIFS component consists of an optical fiber-based time-domain apparatus including a spectrometer, gated multichannel plate photomultiplier, and fast digitizer. It records the fluorescence with high sensitivity (nM concentration range) and time resolution as low as 300 ps. The UBM system consists of a transducer, pulser, receiving circuit, and positioning stage. The transducer used here is 45 MHz, unfocused, with axial and lateral resolutions 38 and 200 μm. Validation of the hybrid system and ultrasonic and spectroscopic data coregistration were conducted both in vitro (tissue phantom) and ex vivo (atherosclerotic tissue specimens of human aorta). Standard histopathological analysis of tissue samples was used to validate the UBM-TRLIFS data. Current results have demonstrated that spatially correlated UBM and TR-LIFS data provide complementary characterization of both morphology (necrotic core and calcium deposits) and biochemistry (collagen, elastin, and lipid features) of the atherosclerotic plaques at the same location. Thus, a combination of fluorescence spectroscopy with ultrasound imaging would allow for better identification of features associated with tissue pathologies. Current design and performance of the hybrid system suggests potential applications in clinical diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaque.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration with on-site cytopathology versus core biopsy: a comparison of both techniques performed at the same endoscopic session

PubMed Central

Lin, Michael; Hair, Clark D.; Green, Linda K.; Vela, Stacie A.; Patel, Kalpesh K.; Qureshi, Waqar A.; Shaib, Yasser H.

2014-01-01

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) with bedside cytopathology is the gold standard for assessment of pancreatic, subepithelial, and other lesions in close proximity to the gastrointestinal tract, but it is time-consuming, has certain diagnostic limitations, and bedside cytopathology is not widely available. Aims: The goal of this study is to compare the diagnostic yield of EUS-guided FNA with on-site cytopathology and EUS-guided core biopsy. Methods: Twenty-six patients with gastrointestinal mass lesions requiring biopsy at a tertiary medical center were included in this retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort. Two core biopsies were taken using a 22 gauge needle followed by FNA guided by a bedside cytopathologist at the same endoscopic session. The diagnostic yield and test characteristics of EUS core biopsy and EUS FNA with bedside cytopathology were examined. Results: The mean number of passes was 3.2 for FNA, and the mean procedure time was 39.4 minutes. The final diagnosis was malignant in 92.3 %. Sensitivity and specificity were 83 % and 100 %, respectively, for FNA, and 91.7 % and 100 %, respectively, for core biopsy. Diagnostic accuracy was 92.3 % for FNA and 84.6 % for core biopsy. The two approaches were in agreement in 88.4 % with a kappa statistic of 0.66 (95 % confidence interval 0.33 – 0.99). Conclusions: An approach using two passes with a core biopsy needle is comparable to the current gold standard of FNA with bedside cytopathology. The performance of two core biopsies is time-efficient and could represent a good alternative to FNA with bedside cytopathology. PMID:26135096

Strand Displacement Amplification Reaction on Quantum Dot-Encoded Silica Bead for Visual Detection of Multiplex MicroRNAs.

PubMed

Qu, Xiaojun; Jin, Haojun; Liu, Yuqian; Sun, Qingjiang

2018-03-06

The combination of microbead array, isothermal amplification, and molecular signaling enables the continuous development of next-generation molecular diagnostic techniques. Herein we reported the implementation of nicking endonuclease-assisted strand displacement amplification reaction on quantum dots-encoded microbead (Qbead), and demonstrated its feasibility for multiplexed miRNA assay in real sample. The Qbead featured with well-defined core-shell superstructure with dual-colored quantum dots loaded in silica core and shell, respectively, exhibiting remarkably high optical encoding stability. Specially designed stem-loop-structured probes were immobilized onto the Qbead for specific target recognition and amplification. In the presence of low abundance of miRNA target, the target triggered exponential amplification, producing a large quantity of stem-G-quadruplexes, which could be selectively signaled by a fluorescent G-quadruplex intercalator. In one-step operation, the Qbead-based isothermal amplification and signaling generated emissive "core-shell-satellite" superstructure, changing the Qbead emission-color. The target abundance-dependent emission-color changes of the Qbead allowed direct, visual detection of specific miRNA target. This visualization method achieved limit of detection at the subfemtomolar level with a linear dynamic range of 4.5 logs, and point-mutation discrimination capability for precise miRNA analyses. The array of three encoded Qbeads could simultaneously quantify three miRNA biomarkers in ∼500 human hepatoma carcinoma cells. With the advancements in ease of operation, multiplexing, and visualization capabilities, the isothermal amplification-on-Qbead assay could potentially enable the development of point-of-care diagnostics.

Feature diagnosticity and task context shape activity in human scene-selective cortex.

PubMed

Lowe, Matthew X; Gallivan, Jason P; Ferber, Susanne; Cant, Jonathan S

2016-01-15

Scenes are constructed from multiple visual features, yet previous research investigating scene processing has often focused on the contributions of single features in isolation. In the real world, features rarely exist independently of one another and likely converge to inform scene identity in unique ways. Here, we utilize fMRI and pattern classification techniques to examine the interactions between task context (i.e., attend to diagnostic global scene features; texture or layout) and high-level scene attributes (content and spatial boundary) to test the novel hypothesis that scene-selective cortex represents multiple visual features, the importance of which varies according to their diagnostic relevance across scene categories and task demands. Our results show for the first time that scene representations are driven by interactions between multiple visual features and high-level scene attributes. Specifically, univariate analysis of scene-selective cortex revealed that task context and feature diagnosticity shape activity differentially across scene categories. Examination using multivariate decoding methods revealed results consistent with univariate findings, but also evidence for an interaction between high-level scene attributes and diagnostic visual features within scene categories. Critically, these findings suggest visual feature representations are not distributed uniformly across scene categories but are shaped by task context and feature diagnosticity. Thus, we propose that scene-selective cortex constructs a flexible representation of the environment by integrating multiple diagnostically relevant visual features, the nature of which varies according to the particular scene being perceived and the goals of the observer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dorsomedial SCN neuronal subpopulations subserve different functions in human dementia.

PubMed

Harper, David G; Stopa, Edward G; Kuo-Leblanc, Victoria; McKee, Ann C; Asayama, Kentaro; Volicer, Ladislav; Kowall, Neil; Satlin, Andrew

2008-06-01

The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) are necessary and sufficient for the maintenance of circadian rhythms in primate and other mammalian species. The human dorsomedial SCN contains populations of non-species-specific vasopressin and species-specific neurotensin neurons. We made time-series recordings of core body temperature and locomotor activity in 19 elderly, male, end-stage dementia patients and 8 normal elderly controls. Following the death of the dementia patients, neuropathological diagnostic information and tissue samples from the hypothalamus were obtained. Hypothalamic tissue was also obtained from eight normal control cases that had not had activity or core temperature recordings previously. Core temperature was analysed for parametric, circadian features, and activity was analysed for non-parametric and parametric circadian features. These indices were then correlated with the degree of degeneration seen in the SCN (glia/neuron ratio) and neuronal counts from the dorsomedial SCN (vasopressin, neurotensin). Specific loss of SCN neurotensin neurons was associated with loss of activity and temperature amplitude without increase in activity fragmentation. Loss of SCN vasopressin neurons was associated with increased activity fragmentation but not loss of amplitude. Evidence for a circadian rhythm of vasopressinergic activity was seen in the dementia cases but no evidence was seen for a circadian rhythm in neurotensinergic activity. These results provide evidence that the SCN is necessary for the maintenance of the circadian rhythm in humans, information on the role of neuronal subpopulations in subserving this function and the utility of dementia in elaborating brain-behaviour relationships in the human.

ACVP-02: Plasma SIV/SHIV RNA Viral Load Measurements through the AIDS and Cancer Virus Program Quantitative Molecular Diagnostics Core | Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

The SIV plasma viral load assay performed by the Quantitative Molecular Diagnostics Core (QMDC) utilizes reagents specifically designed to detect and accurately quantify the full range of SIV/SHIV viral variants and clones in common usage in the rese

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: Updated Review of the Core Features, the RBD-Neurodegenerative Disease Association, Evolving Concepts, Controversies, and Future Directions

PubMed Central

Boeve, Bradley F.

2010-01-01

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia manifested by vivid, often frightening dreams associated with simple or complex motor behavior during REM sleep. Patients appear to “act out their dreams,” in which the exhibited behaviors mirror the content of the dreams, and the dream content often involves a chasing or attacking theme. The polysomnographic features of RBD include increased electromyographic tone +/- dream enactment behavior during REM sleep. Management with counseling and pharmacologic measures is usually straight-forward and effective. In this review, the terminology, clinical and polysomnographic features, demographic and epidemiologic features, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and management strategies are discussed. Recent data on the suspected pathophysiologic mechanisms of RBD are also reviewed. The literature and our institutional experience on RBD are next discussed, with an emphasis on the RBD-neurodegenerative disease association and particularly the RBD-synucleinopathy association. Several issues relating to evolving concepts, controversies, and future directions are then reviewed, with an emphasis on idiopathic RBD representing an early feature of a neurodegenerative disease and particularly an evolving synucleinopathy. Planning for future therapies that impact patients with idiopathic RBD is reviewed in detail. PMID:20146689

Core tungsten radiation diagnostic calibration by small shell pellet injection in the DIII-D tokamak

DOE PAGES

Hollmann, Eric M.; Commaux, Nicolas; Shiraki, Daisuke; ...

2017-10-04

Injection of small (OD = 0.8 mm) plastic pellets carrying embedded smaller (10 μg) tungsten grains is used to check calibrations of core tungsten line radiation diagnostics in support of the 2016 tungsten rings campaign in the DIII-D tokamak. The total (1 eV – 10 keV) and soft x-ray (1 keV – 10 keV) brightnesses we observed were found to be reasonably well (< factor 2) predicted using existing calibration factors and rate calculations. Individual core (EUV/SXR) tungsten line brightnesses appear to be somewhat less reliable (factor 2-4) for prediction of core tungsten concentration.

Core tungsten radiation diagnostic calibration by small shell pellet injection in the DIII-D tokamak

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hollmann, Eric M.; Commaux, Nicolas; Shiraki, Daisuke

Injection of small (OD = 0.8 mm) plastic pellets carrying embedded smaller (10 μg) tungsten grains is used to check calibrations of core tungsten line radiation diagnostics in support of the 2016 tungsten rings campaign in the DIII-D tokamak. The total (1 eV – 10 keV) and soft x-ray (1 keV – 10 keV) brightnesses we observed were found to be reasonably well (< factor 2) predicted using existing calibration factors and rate calculations. Individual core (EUV/SXR) tungsten line brightnesses appear to be somewhat less reliable (factor 2-4) for prediction of core tungsten concentration.

Kinematic fingerprint of core-collapsed globular clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bianchini, P.; Webb, J. J.; Sills, A.; Vesperini, E.

2018-03-01

Dynamical evolution drives globular clusters towards core collapse, which strongly shapes their internal properties. Diagnostics of core collapse have so far been based on photometry only, namely on the study of the concentration of the density profiles. Here, we present a new method to robustly identify core-collapsed clusters based on the study of their stellar kinematics. We introduce the kinematic concentration parameter, ck, the ratio between the global and local degree of energy equipartition reached by a cluster, and show through extensive direct N-body simulations that clusters approaching core collapse and in the post-core collapse phase are strictly characterized by ck > 1. The kinematic concentration provides a suitable diagnostic to identify core-collapsed clusters, independent from any other previous methods based on photometry. We also explore the effects of incomplete radial and stellar mass coverage on the calculation of ck and find that our method can be applied to state-of-art kinematic data sets.

Evolution of the diagnostic criteria for degenerative and cognitive disorders

PubMed Central

Lopez, Oscar L.; McDade, Eric; Riverol, Mario; Becker, James T.

2012-01-01

Purpose of review This review describes the evolution of the clinical criteria for Alzheimer’s disease over the past 25 years, with special emphasis on those recently published that have incorporated the use of biomarkers. Recent findings One of the most important advances in the knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease was the development of cerebrospinal fluid, PET and MRI biomarkers. These have shown that the Alzheimer’s disease is present in cognitively normal individuals, suggesting that there is a long incubation process that precedes the onset of the symptoms. Although there are diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease, the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association has proposed a set of diagnostic criteria oriented to provide a unified vision of the pathological process from preclinical, to mild cognitive impairment, and to full-blown dementia. These new criteria take advantage of different biomarkers to support the clinical diagnosis of the different stages of the disease. Summary The new guidelines provide a definition of the dementia syndrome and core diagnostic features to be used in research and clinical practice, although they caution about the use of biomarkers, since they still require validation, and the longitudinal interaction and dynamics of these biomarkers in relationship to the manifestation of the symptoms are not fully understood. PMID:22071334

Feasibility and Diagnostic Yield of Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided Fine Needle Biopsy With a New Core Biopsy Needle Device in Patients With Gastric Subepithelial Tumors

PubMed Central

Lee, Minju; Min, Byung-Hoon; Lee, Hyuk; Ahn, Sangjeong; Lee, Jun Haeng; Rhee, Poong-Lyul; Kim, Jae J.; Sohn, Tae Sung; Kim, Sung; Kim, Kyoung-Mee

2015-01-01

Abstract As treatment decisions for patients with gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) largely depend on the histopathologic diagnosis, noninvasive and effective tissue acquisition methods are definitely required for proper management of gastric SETs. Recently, a new endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) device with ProCore reverse bevel technology was developed. We aimed to elucidate the feasibility and diagnostic yield of EUS-FNB with this new core biopsy needle device in patients with gastric SETs. A prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed to identify consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNB with a 22-gauge ProCore needle for gastric SETs 2 cm or larger. The main outcome measurement was the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNB. Procedure results were categorized into diagnostic, suggestive, or nondiagnostic. Of the 43 patients, needle punctures were successful in all cases irrespective of tumor location. EUS-FNB procedure results were diagnostic in 86.0%, suggestive in 4.7%, and nondiagnostic in 9.3% of cases, respectively. The diagnostic yield was the highest in fundus (100.0%), followed by body (89.5%), cardia (83.3%), and antrum (50.0%). All 18 patients with cardiac SET were finally diagnosed to have leiomyoma, and 16 patients with diagnostic or suggestive results avoided surgery. A heterogeneous echo pattern on EUS was found in 33.3% of cases with nondiagnostic or suggestive results and in 5.4% with diagnostic results. In multivariate analysis, no independent predictor of unsuccessful EUS-FNB with nondiagnostic or suggestive results was identified. Agreement between EUS-FNB and surgical pathology was 100% with respect to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. However, there was a significant discrepancy in mitotic counts observed between the EUS-FNB and surgical specimens in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor. There were no significant procedure-related adverse events during and after the procedures. EUS-FNB with a 22G ProCore needle is a technically feasible, safe, and effective procedure for pathologic diagnosis of gastric SETs. This procedure can help refine surgical indications and facilitate a proper treatment decisions for gastric SETs, especially in the cardia. PMID:26448008

BRIEF REPORT: Beyond Clinical Experience: Features of Data Collection and Interpretation That Contribute to Diagnostic Accuracy

PubMed Central

Nendaz, Mathieu R; Gut, Anne M; Perrier, Arnaud; Louis-Simonet, Martine; Blondon-Choa, Katherine; Herrmann, François R; Junod, Alain F; Vu, Nu V

2006-01-01

BACKGROUND Clinical experience, features of data collection process, or both, affect diagnostic accuracy, but their respective role is unclear. OBJECTIVE, DESIGN Prospective, observational study, to determine the respective contribution of clinical experience and data collection features to diagnostic accuracy. METHODS Six Internists, 6 second year internal medicine residents, and 6 senior medical students worked up the same 7 cases with a standardized patient. Each encounter was audiotaped and immediately assessed by the subjects who indicated the reasons underlying their data collection. We analyzed the encounters according to diagnostic accuracy, information collected, organ systems explored, diagnoses evaluated, and final decisions made, and we determined predictors of diagnostic accuracy by logistic regression models. RESULTS Several features significantly predicted diagnostic accuracy after correction for clinical experience: early exploration of correct diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 24.35) or of relevant diagnostic hypotheses (OR 2.22) to frame clinical data collection, larger number of diagnostic hypotheses evaluated (OR 1.08), and collection of relevant clinical data (OR 1.19). CONCLUSION Some features of data collection and interpretation are related to diagnostic accuracy beyond clinical experience and should be explicitly included in clinical training and modeled by clinical teachers. Thoroughness in data collection should not be considered a privileged way to diagnostic success. PMID:17105525

The Effects of Signal Erosion and Core Genome Reduction on the Identification of Diagnostic Markers

PubMed Central

Sahl, Jason W.; Vazquez, Adam J.; Hall, Carina M.; Busch, Joseph D.; Tuanyok, Apichai; Mayo, Mark; Schupp, James M.; Lummis, Madeline; Pearson, Talima; Shippy, Kenzie; Allender, Christopher J.; Theobald, Vanessa; Hutcheson, Alex; Korlach, Jonas; LiPuma, John J.; Ladner, Jason; Lovett, Sean; Koroleva, Galina; Palacios, Gustavo; Limmathurotsakul, Direk; Wuthiekanun, Vanaporn; Wongsuwan, Gumphol; Currie, Bart J.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Whole-genome sequence (WGS) data are commonly used to design diagnostic targets for the identification of bacterial pathogens. To do this effectively, genomics databases must be comprehensive to identify the strict core genome that is specific to the target pathogen. As additional genomes are analyzed, the core genome size is reduced and there is erosion of the target-specific regions due to commonality with related species, potentially resulting in the identification of false positives and/or false negatives. PMID:27651357

Histological Image Feature Mining Reveals Emergent Diagnostic Properties for Renal Cancer

PubMed Central

Kothari, Sonal; Phan, John H.; Young, Andrew N.; Wang, May D.

2016-01-01

Computer-aided histological image classification systems are important for making objective and timely cancer diagnostic decisions. These systems use combinations of image features that quantify a variety of image properties. Because researchers tend to validate their diagnostic systems on specific cancer endpoints, it is difficult to predict which image features will perform well given a new cancer endpoint. In this paper, we define a comprehensive set of common image features (consisting of 12 distinct feature subsets) that quantify a variety of image properties. We use a data-mining approach to determine which feature subsets and image properties emerge as part of an “optimal” diagnostic model when applied to specific cancer endpoints. Our goal is to assess the performance of such comprehensive image feature sets for application to a wide variety of diagnostic problems. We perform this study on 12 endpoints including 6 renal tumor subtype endpoints and 6 renal cancer grade endpoints. Keywords-histology, image mining, computer-aided diagnosis PMID:28163980

Speech Inconsistency in Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Language Impairment, and Speech Delay: Depends on the Stimuli.

PubMed

Iuzzini-Seigel, Jenya; Hogan, Tiffany P; Green, Jordan R

2017-05-24

The current research sought to determine (a) if speech inconsistency is a core feature of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) or if it is driven by comorbid language impairment that affects a large subset of children with CAS and (b) if speech inconsistency is a sensitive and specific diagnostic marker that can differentiate between CAS and speech delay. Participants included 48 children ranging between 4;7 to 17;8 (years;months) with CAS (n = 10), CAS + language impairment (n = 10), speech delay (n = 10), language impairment (n = 9), or typical development (n = 9). Speech inconsistency was assessed at phonemic and token-to-token levels using a variety of stimuli. Children with CAS and CAS + language impairment performed equivalently on all inconsistency assessments. Children with language impairment evidenced high levels of speech inconsistency on the phrase "buy Bobby a puppy." Token-to-token inconsistency of monosyllabic words and the phrase "buy Bobby a puppy" was sensitive and specific in differentiating children with CAS and speech delay, whereas inconsistency calculated on other stimuli (e.g., multisyllabic words) was less efficacious in differentiating between these disorders. Speech inconsistency is a core feature of CAS and is efficacious in differentiating between children with CAS and speech delay; however, sensitivity and specificity are stimuli dependent.

C-Arm Cone-Beam CT-Guided Transthoracic Lung Core Needle Biopsy as a Standard Diagnostic Tool

PubMed Central

Jaconi, Marta; Pagni, Fabio; Vacirca, Francesco; Leni, Davide; Corso, Rocco; Cortinovis, Diego; Bidoli, Paolo; Bono, Francesca; Cuttin, Maria S.; Valente, Maria G.; Pesci, Alberto; Bedini, Vittorio A.; Leone, Biagio E.

2015-01-01

Abstract C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic lung core needle biopsy (CNB) is a safe and accurate procedure for the evaluation of patients with pulmonary nodules. This article will focus on the clinical features related to CNB in terms of diagnostic performance and complication rate. Moreover, the concept of categorizing pathological diagnosis into 4 categories, which could be used for clinical management, follow-up, and quality assurance is also introduced. We retrospectively collected data regarding 375 C-arm cone-beam CT-guided CNBs from January 2010 and June 2014. Clinical and radiological variables were evaluated in terms of success or failure rate. Pathological reports were inserted in 4 homogenous groups (nondiagnostic-L1, benign-L2, malignant not otherwise specified-L3, and malignant with specific histotype-L4), defining for each category a hierarchy of suggested actions. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value and accuracy for patients subjected to CNBs were of 96.8%, 100%, 100%, 100%, and 97.2%, respectively. Roughly 75% of our samples were diagnosed as malignant, with 60% lung adenocarcinoma diagnoses. Molecular analyses were performed on 85 malignant samples to verify applicability of targeted therapy. The rate of “nondiagnostic” samples was 12%. C-arm cone-beam CT-guided transthoracic lung CNB can represent the gold standard for the diagnostic evaluation of pulmonary nodules. A clinical and pathological multidisciplinary evaluation of CNBs was needed in terms of integration of radiological, histological, and oncological data. This approach provided exceptional performances in terms of specificity, positive and negative predictive values; sensitivity in our series was lower compared with other large studies, probably due to the application of strong criteria of adequacy for CNBs (L1 class rate). The satisfactory rate of collected material was evaluated not only in terms of merely diagnostic performances but also for predictive results by molecular analysis. PMID:25816042

C-arm cone-beam CT-guided transthoracic lung core needle biopsy as a standard diagnostic tool: an observational study.

PubMed

Jaconi, Marta; Pagni, Fabio; Vacirca, Francesco; Leni, Davide; Corso, Rocco; Cortinovis, Diego; Bidoli, Paolo; Bono, Francesca; Cuttin, Maria S; Valente, Maria G; Pesci, Alberto; Bedini, Vittorio A; Leone, Biagio E

2015-03-01

C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic lung core needle biopsy (CNB) is a safe and accurate procedure for the evaluation of patients with pulmonary nodules. This article will focus on the clinical features related to CNB in terms of diagnostic performance and complication rate. Moreover, the concept of categorizing pathological diagnosis into 4 categories, which could be used for clinical management, follow-up, and quality assurance is also introduced. We retrospectively collected data regarding 375 C-arm cone-beam CT-guided CNBs from January 2010 and June 2014. Clinical and radiological variables were evaluated in terms of success or failure rate. Pathological reports were inserted in 4 homogenous groups (nondiagnostic--L1, benign--L2, malignant not otherwise specified--L3, and malignant with specific histotype--L4), defining for each category a hierarchy of suggested actions. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value and accuracy for patients subjected to CNBs were of 96.8%, 100%, 100%, 100%, and 97.2%, respectively. Roughly 75% of our samples were diagnosed as malignant, with 60% lung adenocarcinoma diagnoses. Molecular analyses were performed on 85 malignant samples to verify applicability of targeted therapy. The rate of "nondiagnostic" samples was 12%. C-arm cone-beam CT-guided transthoracic lung CNB can represent the gold standard for the diagnostic evaluation of pulmonary nodules. A clinical and pathological multidisciplinary evaluation of CNBs was needed in terms of integration of radiological, histological, and oncological data. This approach provided exceptional performances in terms of specificity, positive and negative predictive values; sensitivity in our series was lower compared with other large studies, probably due to the application of strong criteria of adequacy for CNBs (L1 class rate). The satisfactory rate of collected material was evaluated not only in terms of merely diagnostic performances but also for predictive results by molecular analysis.

Origin of Non-Gaussian Spectra Observed via the Charge Exchange Recombination Spectroscopy Diagnostic in the DIII-D Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulyman, Alex; Chrystal, Colin; Haskey, Shaun; Burrell, Keith; Grierson, Brian

2017-10-01

The possible observation of non-Maxwellian ion distribution functions in the pedestal of DIII-D will be investigated with a synthetic diagnostic that accounts for the effect of finite neutral beam size. Ion distribution functions in tokamak plasmas are typically assumed to be Maxwellian, however non-Gaussian features observed in impurity charge exchange spectra have challenged this concept. Two possible explanations for these observations are spatial averaging over a finite beam size and a local ion distribution that is non-Maxwellian. Non-Maxwellian ion distribution functions could be driven by orbit loss effects in the edge of the plasma, and this has implications for momentum transport and intrinsic rotation. To investigate the potential effect of finite beam size on the observed spectra, a synthetic diagnostic has been created that uses FIDAsim to model beam and halo neutral density. Finite beam size effects are investigated for vertical and tangential views in the core and pedestal region with varying gradient scale lengths. Work supported in part by US DoE under the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program, DE-FC02-04ER54698, and DE-AC02-09CH11466.

FNAC Versus Core Needle Biopsy: A Comparative Study in Evaluation of Palpable Breast Lump

PubMed Central

Saha, Abhijit; Mukhopadhyay, Madhumita; Sarkar, Koushik; Saha, Ashis Kumar; Sarkar, Diptendra KR

2016-01-01

Introduction Breast carcinoma is the most common malignant tumour and the leading cause of carcinoma death in women in world. The main purpose of FNAC or CNB of breast lumps is to confirm cancer preoperatively and to avoid unnecessary surgery in specific benign conditions. Aims and Objective The objective of the study was to compare between Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) and Core Needle Biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of breast carcinoma with final histological diagnosis from excision specimen as it is gold standard. Materials and Methods A prospective study was done on 50 cases. Patients undergoing all three procedures (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and Core Needle Biopsy done at Department of Pathology; subsequent excision surgeries done at Department of General Surgery) were selected. May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) and Papaniculou (PAP) staining were performed on cytology smears. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining was done on both the CNB and tissue specimens obtained from subsequent excision surgeries to see the histological features. Results FNAC showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were 69%, 100%, 100%, 38.1%, and 74% respectively in diagnosing carcinoma. CNB had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of 88.3%, 100%, 100%, 53.3% and 86%. Both FNAC and CNB showed statistically significant correlation with confirmatory HPE of excision specimen (p-value <0.05) in the diagnosis of breast carcinoma. Conclusion Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a rapid, less complicated, economical, reliable and relevant method for the preoperative pathological diagnosis of breast carcinoma in a developing nation like ours. If the initial FNAC is inadequate, core needle biopsy (CNB) can be a useful second line method of pathological diagnosis in order to minimize the chance of missed diagnosis of breast cancer. PMID:27042469

A review of direct experimental measurements of detachment

DOE PAGES

Boedo, J.; McLean, A. G.; Rudakov, D. L.; ...

2018-02-22

Detached divertor plasmas feature strong radial and parallel gradients of density, temperature, electric fields and flow over the divertor volume and therefore, sampling the divertor plasma directly provides crucial knowledge to the interpretation and modeling efforts. Here, we review the contribution of diagnostics that directly sample the plasma to the advancement of knowledge of the physics of detachment and detached divertors, such as the characteristics of the various regimes, discovery and quantification of drifts and identification of convection of heat and particles. We focus on wall probes, scanning probes, retarding field analyzers and Thomson Scattering (TS) in the divertor regionmore » and also include the contribution of measurements away from the divertor that provide insight on how divertor detachment affects core, edge or pedestal conditions. Wall probes are critical as they can be installed in closed volumes of difficult access to other diagnostics and measure plasma parameters at the divertor structures, which define the plasma boundary conditions and where detachment effects are more likely to be strongest.« less

A review of direct experimental measurements of detachment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boedo, J.; McLean, A. G.; Rudakov, D. L.

Detached divertor plasmas feature strong radial and parallel gradients of density, temperature, electric fields and flow over the divertor volume and therefore, sampling the divertor plasma directly provides crucial knowledge to the interpretation and modeling efforts. Here, we review the contribution of diagnostics that directly sample the plasma to the advancement of knowledge of the physics of detachment and detached divertors, such as the characteristics of the various regimes, discovery and quantification of drifts and identification of convection of heat and particles. We focus on wall probes, scanning probes, retarding field analyzers and Thomson Scattering (TS) in the divertor regionmore » and also include the contribution of measurements away from the divertor that provide insight on how divertor detachment affects core, edge or pedestal conditions. Wall probes are critical as they can be installed in closed volumes of difficult access to other diagnostics and measure plasma parameters at the divertor structures, which define the plasma boundary conditions and where detachment effects are more likely to be strongest.« less

Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma With Rhabdomyosarcomatous Differentiation Producing HCG: A Case Report of a Diagnostic Pitfall.

PubMed

Maryamchik, Elena; Lyapichev, Kirill A; Halliday, Bradford; Rosenberg, Andrew E

2018-03-01

We report a first case of paraneoplastic human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) production in a dedifferentiated liposarcoma with rhabdosarcomatous differentiation in an 83-year-old man with a retroperitoneal mass, unilateral scrotal enlargement, and a serum HCG level of 843 IU/L. Core biopsy of the retroperitoneal mass revealed rhabdomyosarcoma. Orchiectomy revealed a paratesticular dedifferentiated liposarcoma with rhabdosarcomatous differentiation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis performed on both the retroperitoneal and paratesticular masses revealed amplification of MDM2. The retroperitoneal tumor was interpreted as metastatic dedifferentiated liposarcoma with the dedifferentiated component represented by rhabdomyosarcoma. HCG production is a common feature of testicular germ cell tumors, less common in carcinomas, and extremely rare in sarcomas. Accordingly, sarcomas secreting HCG are a potential diagnostic pitfall, and raise the differential diagnosis of germ cell tumors and a variety of carcinomas. HCG production by carcinomas is a known poor prognostic finding, however the significance of its production in sarcomas is unknown.

A review of direct experimental measurements of detachment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boedo, J.; McLean, A. G.; Rudakov, D. L.; Watkins, J. G.

2018-04-01

Detached divertor plasmas feature strong radial and parallel gradients of density, temperature, electric fields and flow over the divertor volume and therefore, sampling the divertor plasma directly provides crucial knowledge to the interpretation and modeling efforts. We review the contribution of diagnostics that directly sample the plasma to the advancement of knowledge of the physics of detachment and detached divertors, such as the characteristics of the various regimes, discovery and quantification of drifts and identification of convection of heat and particles. We focus on wall probes, scanning probes, retarding field analyzers and Thomson scattering in the divertor region and also include the contribution of measurements away from the divertor that provide insight on how divertor detachment affects core, edge or pedestal conditions. Wall probes are critical as they can be installed in closed volumes of difficult access to other diagnostics and measure plasma parameters at the divertor structures, which define the plasma boundary conditions and where detachment effects are more likely to be strongest.

Spectroscopic remote sensing for material identification, vegetation characterization, and mapping

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kokaly, Raymond F.; Lewis, Paul E.; Shen, Sylvia S.

2012-01-01

Identifying materials by measuring and analyzing their reflectance spectra has been an important procedure in analytical chemistry for decades. Airborne and space-based imaging spectrometers allow materials to be mapped across the landscape. With many existing airborne sensors and new satellite-borne sensors planned for the future, robust methods are needed to fully exploit the information content of hyperspectral remote sensing data. A method of identifying and mapping materials using spectral feature analyses of reflectance data in an expert-system framework called MICA (Material Identification and Characterization Algorithm) is described. MICA is a module of the PRISM (Processing Routines in IDL for Spectroscopic Measurements) software, available to the public from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1155/. The core concepts of MICA include continuum removal and linear regression to compare key diagnostic absorption features in reference laboratory/field spectra and the spectra being analyzed. The reference spectra, diagnostic features, and threshold constraints are defined within a user-developed MICA command file (MCF). Building on several decades of experience in mineral mapping, a broadly-applicable MCF was developed to detect a set of minerals frequently occurring on the Earth's surface and applied to map minerals in the country-wide coverage of the 2007 Afghanistan HyMap data set. MICA has also been applied to detect sub-pixel oil contamination in marshes impacted by the Deepwater Horizon incident by discriminating the C-H absorption features in oil residues from background vegetation. These two recent examples demonstrate the utility of a spectroscopic approach to remote sensing for identifying and mapping the distributions of materials in imaging spectrometer data.

Contemporary management of benign liver tumors.

PubMed

Gibbs, John F; Litwin, Alan M; Kahlenberg, Morton S

2004-04-01

Benign lesions of the liver represent diagnostic dilemmas, clinically and radiographically; however, certain clues can help the extensive differential diagnosis of both benign and malignant processes. Hemangiomas and simple cysts have very distinct and very specific radiographic characteristics, and if diagnosed, no further work-up is necessary. The remaining benign lesions have significant overlap, even though there are some more common characteristics to each of the entities. Still, differentiation of any particular lesion outside simple cysts or hemangioma may be difficult. It is reasonable and relatively simple, with minimal invasiveness, to perform US- or CT-guided, percutaneous core-needle biopsies. It is recommended that core biopsies be performed, because many of the benign entities have some overlapping histologic features, and if fine-needle aspirations are performed, a definitive diagnosis may be difficult to obtain. A definitive pathological diagnosis still cannot be made in some cases, even after needle biopsy. Therefore, a surgical resection or wedge resection may be necessary if a benign process cannot be definitively ruled out.

Outcomes of Diagnostic Exome Sequencing in Patients With Diagnosed or Suspected Autism Spectrum Disorders.

PubMed

Rossi, Mari; El-Khechen, Dima; Black, Mary Helen; Farwell Hagman, Kelly D; Tang, Sha; Powis, Zöe

2017-05-01

Exome sequencing has recently been proved to be a successful diagnostic method for complex neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the diagnostic yield of exome sequencing for autism spectrum disorders has not been extensively evaluated in large cohorts to date. We performed diagnostic exome sequencing in a cohort of 163 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (66.3%) or autistic features (33.7%). The diagnostic yield observed in patients in our cohort was 25.8% (42 of 163) for positive or likely positive findings in characterized disease genes, while a candidate genetic etiology was reported for an additional 3.3% (4 of 120) of patients. Among the positive findings in the patients with autism spectrum disorder or autistic features, 61.9% were the result of de novo mutations. Patients presenting with psychiatric conditions or ataxia or paraplegia in addition to autism spectrum disorder or autistic features were significantly more likely to receive positive results compared with patients without these clinical features (95.6% vs 27.1%, P < 0.0001; 83.3% vs 21.2%, P < 0.0001, respectively). The majority of the positive findings were in recently identified autism spectrum disorder genes, supporting the importance of diagnostic exome sequencing for patients with autism spectrum disorder or autistic features as the causative genes might evade traditional sequential or panel testing. These results suggest that diagnostic exome sequencing would be an efficient primary diagnostic method for patients with autism spectrum disorders or autistic features. Moreover, our data may aid clinicians to better determine which subset of patients with autism spectrum disorder with additional clinical features would benefit the most from diagnostic exome sequencing. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Edge Thomson scattering diagnostic on COMPASS tokamak: Installation, calibration, operation, improvements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bohm, P., E-mail: bohm@ipp.cas.cz; Bilkova, P.; Melich, R.

2014-11-15

The core Thomson scattering diagnostic (TS) on the COMPASS tokamak was put in operation and reported earlier. Implementation of edge TS, with spatial resolution along the laser beam up to ∼1/100 of the tokamak minor radius, is presented now. The procedure for spatial calibration and alignment of both core and edge systems is described. Several further upgrades of the TS system, like a triggering unit and piezo motor driven vacuum window shutter, are introduced as well. The edge TS system, together with the core TS, is now in routine operation and provides electron temperature and density profiles.

Relating DSM-5 section III personality traits to section II personality disorder diagnoses.

PubMed

Morey, L C; Benson, K T; Skodol, A E

2016-02-01

The DSM-5 Personality and Personality Disorders Work Group formulated a hybrid dimensional/categorical model that represented personality disorders as combinations of core impairments in personality functioning with specific configurations of problematic personality traits. Specific clusters of traits were selected to serve as indicators for six DSM categorical diagnoses to be retained in this system - antisocial, avoidant, borderline, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive and schizotypal personality disorders. The goal of the current study was to describe the empirical relationships between the DSM-5 section III pathological traits and DSM-IV/DSM-5 section II personality disorder diagnoses. Data were obtained from a sample of 337 clinicians, each of whom rated one of his or her patients on all aspects of the DSM-IV and DSM-5 proposed alternative model. Regression models were constructed to examine trait-disorder relationships, and the incremental validity of core personality dysfunctions (i.e. criterion A features for each disorder) was examined in combination with the specified trait clusters. Findings suggested that the trait assignments specified by the Work Group tended to be substantially associated with corresponding DSM-IV concepts, and the criterion A features provided additional diagnostic information in all but one instance. Although the DSM-5 section III alternative model provided a substantially different taxonomic structure for personality disorders, the associations between this new approach and the traditional personality disorder concepts in DSM-5 section II make it possible to render traditional personality disorder concepts using alternative model traits in combination with core impairments in personality functioning.

[Variations in the diagnostic confirmation process between breast cancer mass screening units].

PubMed

Natal, Carmen; Fernández-Somoano, Ana; Torá-Rocamora, Isabel; Tardón, Adonina; Castells, Xavier

2016-01-01

To analyse variations in the diagnostic confirmation process between screening units, variations in the outcome of each episode and the relationship between the use of the different diagnostic confirmation tests and the lesion detection rate. Observational study of variability of the standardised use of diagnostic and lesion detection tests in 34 breast cancer mass screening units participating in early-detection programmes in three Spanish regions from 2002-2011. The diagnostic test variation ratio in percentiles 25-75 ranged from 1.68 (further appointments) to 3.39 (fine-needle aspiration). The variation ratio in detection rates of benign lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive cancer were 2.79, 1.99 and 1.36, respectively. A positive relationship between rates of testing and detection rates was found with fine-needle aspiration-benign lesions (R(2): 0.53), fine-needle aspiration-invasive carcinoma (R(2): 0 28), core biopsy-benign lesions (R(2): 0.64), core biopsy-ductal carcinoma in situ (R(2): 0.61) and core biopsy-invasive carcinoma (R(2): 0.48). Variation in the use of invasive tests between the breast cancer screening units participating in early-detection programmes was found to be significantly higher than variations in lesion detection. Units which conducted more fine-needle aspiration tests had higher benign lesion detection rates, while units that conducted more core biopsies detected more benign lesions and cancer. Copyright © 2016 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Core Muscle Injury/Sports Hernia/Athletic Pubalgia, and Femoroacetabular Impingement.

PubMed

Ross, James R; Stone, Rebecca M; Larson, Christopher M

2015-12-01

Core muscle injury/sports hernia/athletic pubalgia is an increasingly recognized source of pain, disability, and time lost from athletics. Groin pain among athletes, however, may be secondary to various etiologies. A thorough history and comprehensive physical examination, coupled with appropriate diagnostic imaging, may improve the diagnostic accuracy for patients who present with core muscular injuries. Outcomes of nonoperative management have not been well delineated, and multiple operative procedures have been discussed with varying return-to-athletic activity rates. In this review, we outline the clinical entity and treatment of core muscle injury and athletic pubalgia. In addition, we describe the relationship between athletic pubalgia and femoroacetabular impingement along with recent studies that have investigated the treatment of these related disorders.

Concordance between fine-needle aspiration and core biopsies for osseous lesions by lesion imaging appearance and CT attenuation.

PubMed

Li, John; Weissberg, Zoe; Bevilacqua, Thomas A; Yu, Gordon; Weber, Kristy; Sebro, Ronnie

2018-04-01

To compare the concordance between fine-needle aspiration and core biopsies for osseous lesions by lesion imaging appearance and CT attenuation. Retrospective review of 215 FNAs of osseous lesions performed in conjunction with core biopsy at our institution over a 6-year period (2011-2016). FNAs were interpreted independently of core biopsies. We assessed if FNA in conjunction with core biopsy increased diagnostic accuracy compared to core biopsy alone. We also calculated the concordance between FNA and core biopsy by lesion appearance, lesion CT attenuation, lesion histology, lesion location and FNA needle gauge size. Core biopsy alone provided the diagnosis in 207/215 cases (96.3%), however, the FNA provided the diagnosis in the remaining 8/215 cases (3.7%) where the core biopsy was non-diagnostic. There were 154 (71.6%) lytic lesions, 21 (9.8%) blastic lesions, 25 (11.6%) mixed lytic and blastic lesions and 15 (7.0%) lesions that were neither lytic nor blastic. The concordance between FNA and core biopsy for lytic osseous lesions (136/154 cases, 88.3%) was statistically significantly higher than that for blastic osseous lesions (13/21 cases, 61.9%) [P = 4.2 × 10 -3 ; 95% CI (0.02, 0.50)]. The concordance between FNA and core biopsy was higher for low-attenuation- (110/126) than high-attenuation (58/77) lesions (P = 0.028). The concordance between FNA and core biopsy was also higher for metastases (102/119 cases, 85.7%) than non-metastases (78/96, 81.3%) [P = 0.487; 95% CI (- 0.15, 0.065)]. There was no difference in the rate of concordance between FNA and core biopsy by lesion location or FNA needle gauge size (P > 0.05). FNA with core biopsy increases diagnostic rate compared to core biopsy alone or FNA alone. The concordance between FNA and core biopsy is higher for lytic lesions than for blastic lesions; and higher for low-attenuation lesions than for high-attenuation lesions.

Diagnostic Yield of CT-Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy for Diagnosis of Anterior Mediastinal Masses.

PubMed

Petranovic, Milena; Gilman, Matthew D; Muniappan, Ashok; Hasserjian, Robert P; Digumarthy, Subba R; Muse, Victorine V; Sharma, Amita; Shepard, Jo-Anne O; Wu, Carol C

2015-10-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and accuracy of CT-guided percutaneous biopsy of anterior mediastinal masses and assess prebiopsy characteristics that may help to select patients with the highest diagnostic yield. Retrospective review of all CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of the anterior mediastinum conducted at our institution from January 2003 through December 2012 was performed to collect data regarding patient demographics, imaging characteristics of biopsied masses, presence of complications, and subsequent surgical intervention or medical treatment (or both). Cytology, core biopsy pathology, and surgical pathology results were recorded. A per-patient analysis was performed using two-tailed t test, Fisher's exact test, and Pearson chi-square test. The study cohort included 52 patients (32 men, 20 women; mean age, 49 years) with mean diameter of mediastinal mass of 6.9 cm. Diagnostic yield of CT-guided percutaneous biopsy was 77% (40/52), highest for thymic neoplasms (100% [11/11]). Non-diagnostic results were seen in 12 of 52 patients (23%), primarily in patients with lymphoma (75% [9/12]). Fine-needle aspiration yielded the correct diagnosis in 31 of 52 patients (60%), and core biopsy had a diagnostic rate of 77% (36/47). None of the core biopsies were discordant with surgical pathology. There was no statistically significant difference between the diagnostic and the nondiagnostic groups in patient age, lesion size, and presence of necrosis. The complication rate was 3.8% (2/52), all small self-resolving pneumothoraces. CT-guided percutaneous biopsy is a safe diagnostic procedure with high diagnostic yield (77%) for anterior mediastinal lesions, highest for thymic neoplasms (100%), and can potentially obviate more invasive procedures.

Nanoparticle functionalised small-core suspended-core fibre - a novel platform for efficient sensing.

PubMed

Doherty, Brenda; Csáki, Andrea; Thiele, Matthias; Zeisberger, Matthias; Schwuchow, Anka; Kobelke, Jens; Fritzsche, Wolfgang; Schmidt, Markus A

2017-02-01

Detecting small quantities of specific target molecules is of major importance within bioanalytics for efficient disease diagnostics. One promising sensing approach relies on combining plasmonically-active waveguides with microfluidics yielding an easy-to-use sensing platform. Here we introduce suspended-core fibres containing immobilised plasmonic nanoparticles surrounding the guiding core as a concept for an entirely integrated optofluidic platform for efficient refractive index sensing. Due to the extremely small optical core and the large adjacent microfluidic channels, over two orders of magnitude of nanoparticle coverage densities have been accessed with millimetre-long sample lengths showing refractive index sensitivities of 170 nm/RIU for aqueous analytes where the fibre interior is functionalised by gold nanospheres. Our concept represents a fully integrated optofluidic sensing system demanding small sample volumes and allowing for real-time analyte monitoring, both of which are highly relevant within invasive bioanalytics, particularly within molecular disease diagnostics and environmental science.

Automated renal histopathology: digital extraction and quantification of renal pathology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarder, Pinaki; Ginley, Brandon; Tomaszewski, John E.

2016-03-01

The branch of pathology concerned with excess blood serum proteins being excreted in the urine pays particular attention to the glomerulus, a small intertwined bunch of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. Normal glomeruli allow moderate amount of blood proteins to be filtered; proteinuric glomeruli allow large amount of blood proteins to be filtered. Diagnosis of proteinuric diseases requires time intensive manual examination of the structural compartments of the glomerulus from renal biopsies. Pathological examination includes cellularity of individual compartments, Bowman's and luminal space segmentation, cellular morphology, glomerular volume, capillary morphology, and more. Long examination times may lead to increased diagnosis time and/or lead to reduced precision of the diagnostic process. Automatic quantification holds strong potential to reduce renal diagnostic time. We have developed a computational pipeline capable of automatically segmenting relevant features from renal biopsies. Our method first segments glomerular compartments from renal biopsies by isolating regions with high nuclear density. Gabor texture segmentation is used to accurately define glomerular boundaries. Bowman's and luminal spaces are segmented using morphological operators. Nuclei structures are segmented using color deconvolution, morphological processing, and bottleneck detection. Average computation time of feature extraction for a typical biopsy, comprising of ~12 glomeruli, is ˜69 s using an Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU, and is ~65X faster than manual processing. Using images from rat renal tissue samples, automatic glomerular structural feature estimation was reproducibly demonstrated for 15 biopsy images, which contained 148 individual glomeruli images. The proposed method holds immense potential to enhance information available while making clinical diagnoses.

Multiparametric ultrasonography and ultrasound elastography in the differentiation of parathyroid lesions from ectopic thyroid lesions or lymphadenopathies.

PubMed

Isidori, Andrea M; Cantisani, Vito; Giannetta, Elisa; Diacinti, Daniele; David, Emanuele; Forte, Valerio; Elia, Daniela; De Vito, Corrado; Sbardella, Emilia; Gianfrilli, Daniele; Monteleone, Francesco; Pepe, Jessica; Minisola, Salvatore; Ascenti, Giorgio; D'Andrea, Vito; Catalano, Carlo; D'Ambrosio, Ferdinando

2017-08-01

To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound elastography with Elastoscan TM Core Index in the differential diagnosis of parathyroid lesions from ectopic thyroid nodules and lymph nodes. Seventy nine patients with repeatedly high levels of circulating intact parathyroid hormone, normal vitamin D and renal function tests, with an ultrasound scan showing a neck lesion, sharply demarcated from the thyroid lobules, were consecutively enrolled. Ultrasound with and without Color Doppler and ultrasound elastography were performed before histological examination. All ultrasound features, vascularization and ultrasound elastography diagnostic performance were assessed using ROC curves. Histological examination confirmed 47 parathyroid lesions, 18 thyroid ectopic nodules and 14 reactive lymph nodes. In distinguishing parathyroid from thyroid nodules, shape had a 100 % sensitivity (95 % CI 92.4-100) and 50 % specificity (95 % CI 37.2-64.7), cleavage had a 85.1 % sensitivity (95 % CI 72.3-92.6) and 77.8 % specificity (95 % CI 65.1-88) while peripheral vascularization had a sensitivity of 91.5 (95 % CI 79.6-97.6) and specificity of 72.2 (95 % CI 46.5-90.3). An Elastoscan TM Core Indexof 1.28 was 46 % sensitive (95 % CI 33.4-58.7) and 77 % specific (95 % CI 66.2-89.1) in discriminating parathyroid lesions from thyroid nodules. An Elastoscan TM Core Index of 1.0 was 78 % sensitive (95 % CI 65.1-88) and 71 % specific (95 % CI 56-81.3) in discriminating parathyroid lesions from lymph nodes (p = 0.045). An Elastoscan TM Core Index greater than 2.58 had a 100 % sensitivity (95 % CI 43.8-100) and 95.4 % specificity (95 % CI 38.3-99.7) in discriminating malignant from benign parathyroid nodules. Elastoscan TM Core Index was significantly higher in thyroid nodules than in reactive lymph nodes (1.18 ± 0.62, p = 0.008). The ultrasound features of cleavage and peripheral vascularization help to differentiate parathyroid from thyroid nodules. Elastoscan TM Core Index can improve ultrasound discrimination of parathyroid lesions from lymph nodes. The Elastoscan TM Core Index is significantly higher in malignant than in benign parathyroid lesions.

A signal-detection-based diagnostic-feature-detection model of eyewitness identification.

PubMed

Wixted, John T; Mickes, Laura

2014-04-01

The theoretical understanding of eyewitness identifications made from a police lineup has long been guided by the distinction between absolute and relative decision strategies. In addition, the accuracy of identifications associated with different eyewitness memory procedures has long been evaluated using measures like the diagnosticity ratio (the correct identification rate divided by the false identification rate). Framed in terms of signal-detection theory, both the absolute/relative distinction and the diagnosticity ratio are mainly relevant to response bias while remaining silent about the key issue of diagnostic accuracy, or discriminability (i.e., the ability to tell the difference between innocent and guilty suspects in a lineup). Here, we propose a signal-detection-based model of eyewitness identification, one that encourages the use of (and helps to conceptualize) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to measure discriminability. Recent ROC analyses indicate that the simultaneous presentation of faces in a lineup yields higher discriminability than the presentation of faces in isolation, and we propose a diagnostic feature-detection hypothesis to account for that result. According to this hypothesis, the simultaneous presentation of faces allows the eyewitness to appreciate that certain facial features (viz., those that are shared by everyone in the lineup) are non-diagnostic of guilt. To the extent that those non-diagnostic features are discounted in favor of potentially more diagnostic features, the ability to discriminate innocent from guilty suspects will be enhanced.

Impact of Reclassification on Thyroid Nodules with Architectural Atypia: From Non-Invasive Encapsulated Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas to Non-Invasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-Like Nuclear Features

PubMed Central

Jeon, Min Ji; Song, Dong Eun; Jung, Chan Kwon; Kim, Won Gu; Kwon, Hyemi; Lee, Yu-Mi; Sung, Tae-Yon; Yoon, Jong Ho; Chung, Ki-Wook; Hong, Suck Joon; Baek, Jung Hwan; Lee, Jeong Hyun; Kim, Tae Yong; Shong, Young Kee; Kim, Won Bae

2016-01-01

Background The follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer (FVPTC), especially the encapsulated non-invasive subtype, is a controversial entity. Recent study suggested using ‘non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP)’ for these indolent carcinomas. We evaluated the impact of reclassification from non-invasive encapsulated FVPTCs (EFVPTCs) to NIFTPs in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules with architectural atypia. Methods We reviewed 1301 thyroid nodules with architectural atypia in core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens obtained from March 2012 to February 2013. Nodules were classified into atypia of undetermined significance with architectural atypia (AUS-A, 984, 76%) or follicular neoplasm/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN, 317, 24%). Among them, diagnostic surgery was performed in 384 nodules (30%). Results In total, 160 nodules (42%) presented final malignant diagnoses including 39 non-invasive encapsulated FVPTCs (10%). The malignancy rate was estimated to be 7–35% in AUS-A nodules and 28–49% in FN/SFN nodules. After reclassification, the malignancy rate was much decreased and estimated to be 5–24% in AUS-A nodules, and 23–39% in FN/SFN nodules. Thyroid nodules with final malignant diagnoses were significantly more likely to have a FN/SFN CNB diagnosis, malignant US features and concomitant nuclear atypia in CNB specimens. However, these factors could not differentiate NIFTPs from other malignancies. Conclusions After reclassification of non-invasive EFVPTCs to NIFTPs, the malignancy rate of thyroid nodules with architectural atypia in CNB specimens was decreased. However, there were no preoperative factors differentiating other malignancies from NIFTPs. The presence of malignant US features or concomitant nuclear atypia might help clinicians deciding diagnostic surgery but, these features also might indicate NIFTPs. PMID:27936121

Orthogonal system of fractural and integrated diagnostic features in vibration analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kostyukov, V. N.; Boychenko, S. N.

2017-08-01

The paper presents the results obtained in the studies of the orthogonality of the vibration diagnostic features system comprising the integrated features, particularly - root mean square values of vibration acceleration, vibration velocity, vibration displacement and fractal feature (Hurst exponent). To diagnose the condition of the equipment by the vibration signal, the orthogonality of the vibration diagnostic features is important. The fact of orthogonality shows that the system of features is not superfluous and allows the maximum coverage of the state space of the object being diagnosed. This, in turn, increases reliability of the machinery condition monitoring results. The studies were carried out on the models of vibration signals using the programming language R.

Utility of core biopsy with concurrent ROSE FNA in the diagnosis of pancreatic tumor-does the biopsy add any diagnostic benefit?

PubMed

Yan, Lei; Ikemura, Kenji; Park, Ji-Weon

2018-02-01

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy (EUS-CNB) are widely used for diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic performance of ROSE EUS-FNA and EUS-CNB for diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy during the same EUS. Patients who underwent both FNA and CNB during the same EUS for pancreatic solid lesion were reviewed retrospectively. Sample adequacy, diagnostic yield (defined as percentage of definitive diagnosis), sensitivity and specificity for malignancy were compared between FNA and CNB. A total of 48 patients with solid pancreatic lesions were evaluated. The proportions of adequate samples were 48/48 (100%) for FNA and 45/48 (93.7%) for core biopsy (P = .24). The diagnostic yield was 42/48 (87.5%) and 33/48 (68.7%) for FNA and CNB respectively (P = .046). The incremental increase in diagnostic yield by combining both methods was 2/48 (4%). The diagnostic yield for malignancy was 30/32 (93.7%) for FNA and 23/32 (71.8%) for CNB (P = .043). The sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignancy for FNA and CNB were 90.6% and 69%, respectively (P = .045). The specificity was 100% for both methods. The sensitivity for diagnosing malignancy increased to 93.8% when the two methods were combined. The difference in diagnostic yield was not associated with lesion size or location. EUS-guided FNA is a superior method of assessing solid pancreatic lesion and pancreatic malignancy with better diagnostic yield and higher sensitivity than EUS-CNB. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

AAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Abdominal, Pelvic, and Urogenital Pain: Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

PubMed

Zhou, QiQi; Wesselmann, Ursula; Walker, Lynn; Lee, Linda; Zeltzer, Lonnie; Verne, G Nicholas

2018-03-01

In conjunction with the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks public-private partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Pain Society, the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks-American Pain Society Pain Taxonomy (AAPT) initiative strove to develop the characteristics of a diagnostic system useful for clinical and research purposes across disciplines and types of chronic pain conditions. After the establishment of these characteristics, a working group of clinicians and clinical and basic scientists with expertise in abdominal, pelvic, and urogenital pain began generating core diagnostic criteria and defining the related extraintestinal somatic pain and other symptoms experienced by patients. Systematic diagnostic criteria for several common abdominal, pelvic, and urogenital pain conditions are in development. In this report, we present the proposed AAPT criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common chronic, noncancer abdominal pain condition. A systematic review and synthesis was conducted to complement the Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria for IBS. Future efforts will subject these proposed AAPT criteria to systematic empirical evaluation of their feasibility, reliability, and validity. The AAPT IBS criteria are part of an evidence-based classification system that provides a consistent vocabulary regarding diagnostic criteria, common features, comorbidities, consequences, and putative mechanisms of the disorder. A similar approach is being applied to other chronic and often debilitating abdominal, pelvic, and urogenital pain conditions. The AAPT's goal is to develop an evidence-based taxonomy for chronic pain on the basis of a consistently applied multidimensional framework, and encourage experts to apply this taxonomy to specific chronic pain conditions. In this report, the taxonomy is applied to IBS, a chronic abdominal pain condition. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Construct and Predictive Validity of the Core Phonics Survey: A Diagnostic Assessment for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Yujeong; Benedict, Amber E.; Brownell, Mary T.

2014-01-01

The factor structure of the CORE Phonics Survey was analyzed using a sample of 165 students in upper elementary school with specific learning disabilities. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to identify the hypothesized constructs of the CORE Phonics Survey and predictive validity of the CORE Phonics Survey to predict students' success in word…

Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence for Translational Diagnostics

Cancer.gov

The Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence for Translational Diagnostics, which forms the third cycle CCNE Program at Stanford University, is a consortium that has three highly synchronized Projects and three Cores.

The genealogy of major depression: symptoms and signs of melancholia from 1880 to 1900.

PubMed

Kendler, K S

2017-11-01

How deep are the historical roots of our concept of major depression (MD)? I showed previously that psychiatric textbooks published in 1900-1960 commonly described 18 characteristic depressive symptoms/signs that substantially but incompletely overlapped with the current DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) MD criteria. I here expand that inquiry to the key years of 1880-1900 during which our major diagnostic categories of manic-depressive illness (MDI) and dementia praecox were developed. I review the symptoms of depression/melancholia in 28 psychiatric textbooks and 8 other relevant documents from this period including monographs, reviews and the first portrayal of melancholia Kraepelin in 1883. Descriptions of melancholia in the late nineteenth and twentieth century textbooks closely resembled each other, both reporting a mean of 12.4 characteristic symptoms, and emphasizing core features of mood change and alterations in cognitive content and psychomotor behavior. The detailed monographs, reviews and the early description of Kraepelin were more thorough, reporting a mean of 16.6 of these characteristic symptoms. These nineteenth century texts often contained phenomenologically rich descriptions of changes in mood and cognition, loss of interest and anhedonia and emphasized several features not in DSM including changes in volition/motivation, posture/facial expression and derealization/depersonalization. In the early nineteenth century, melancholia was often defined primarily by delusions or as the initial phase of a unitary psychosis transitioning to mania and then dementia. By 1880, the concept of depression as an independent mood disorder with characteristic symptoms/signs and a good prognosis had stabilized. Kraepelin incorporated this syndrome into his diagnostic concept of MDI, changing its name to 'Depressive States', but did not alter its underlying nature or clinical description.

Disruptive behaviour disorders and DSM-5.

PubMed

Hawes, David J

2014-10-01

This article provides an overview of the revisions to the diagnoses of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) in DSM-5, and examines the key issues they raise. Particular attention is given to these changes in light of current treatment outcome evidence, including that published since the development of DSM-5. For both ODD and CD, DSM-5 retains the core features that previously defined the phenotypes for these diagnoses. DSM-5 nonetheless introduces a number of revisions pertaining to the guidelines for the application of these criteria, and markers for key individual differences in presentations of these disorders. These revisions reflect small but significant steps towards the perspective that children with disruptive behaviour problems are a highly heterogeneous population, and best characterised on the basis of both behavioural and emotional features. Importantly, there is growing evidence that the newly introduced changes to these diagnoses in DSM-5 may be better able to inform predictions regarding treatment response than previous diagnostic criteria. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multifunctional gold nanoparticles for diagnosis and therapy of disease

PubMed Central

Mieszawska, Aneta J.; Mulder, Willem J. M.; Fayad, Zahi A.

2013-01-01

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have a number of physical properties that make them appealing for medical applications. For example, the attenuation of X-rays by gold nanoparticles has led to their use in computed tomography imaging and as adjuvants for radiotherapy. AuNPs have numerous other applications in imaging, therapy and diagnostic systems. The advanced state of synthetic chemistry of gold nanoparticles offers precise control over physicochemical and optical properties. Furthermore gold cores are inert and are considered to be biocompatible and non-toxic. The surface of gold nanoparticles can easily be modified for a specific application and ligands for targeting, drugs or biocompatible coatings can be introduced. AuNPs can be incorporated into larger structures such as polymeric nanoparticles or liposomes that deliver large payloads for enhanced diagnostic applications, efficiently encapsulate drugs for concurrent therapy or add additional imaging labels. This array of features has led to the afore-mentioned applications in biomedical fields, but more recently in approaches where multifunctional gold nanoparticles are used for multiple methods, such as concurrent diagnosis and therapy, so called theranostics. The following review covers basic principles and recent findings in gold nanoparticle applications for imaging, therapy and diagnostics, with a focus on reports of multifunctional AuNPs. PMID:23360440

High-Performance Computational Analysis of Glioblastoma Pathology Images with Database Support Identifies Molecular and Survival Correlates.

PubMed

Kong, Jun; Wang, Fusheng; Teodoro, George; Cooper, Lee; Moreno, Carlos S; Kurc, Tahsin; Pan, Tony; Saltz, Joel; Brat, Daniel

2013-12-01

In this paper, we present a novel framework for microscopic image analysis of nuclei, data management, and high performance computation to support translational research involving nuclear morphometry features, molecular data, and clinical outcomes. Our image analysis pipeline consists of nuclei segmentation and feature computation facilitated by high performance computing with coordinated execution in multi-core CPUs and Graphical Processor Units (GPUs). All data derived from image analysis are managed in a spatial relational database supporting highly efficient scientific queries. We applied our image analysis workflow to 159 glioblastomas (GBM) from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. With integrative studies, we found statistics of four specific nuclear features were significantly associated with patient survival. Additionally, we correlated nuclear features with molecular data and found interesting results that support pathologic domain knowledge. We found that Proneural subtype GBMs had the smallest mean of nuclear Eccentricity and the largest mean of nuclear Extent, and MinorAxisLength. We also found gene expressions of stem cell marker MYC and cell proliferation maker MKI67 were correlated with nuclear features. To complement and inform pathologists of relevant diagnostic features, we queried the most representative nuclear instances from each patient population based on genetic and transcriptional classes. Our results demonstrate that specific nuclear features carry prognostic significance and associations with transcriptional and genetic classes, highlighting the potential of high throughput pathology image analysis as a complementary approach to human-based review and translational research.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Delirium Rating Scale Revised-98 (DRS-R98).

PubMed

Thurber, Steven; Kishi, Yasuhiro; Trzepacz, Paula T; Franco, Jose G; Meagher, David J; Lee, Yanghyun; Kim, Jeong-Lan; Furlanetto, Leticia M; Negreiros, Daniel; Huang, Ming-Chyi; Chen, Chun-Hsin; Kean, Jacob; Leonard, Maeve

2015-01-01

Principal components analysis applied to the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 contributes to understanding the delirium construct. Using a multisite pooled international delirium database, the authors applied confirmatory factor analysis to Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 scores from 859 adult patients evaluated by delirium experts (delirium, N=516; nondelirium, N=343). Confirmatory factor analysis found all diagnostic features and core symptoms (cognitive, language, thought process, sleep-wake cycle, motor retardation), except motor agitation, loaded onto factor 1. Motor agitation loaded onto factor 2 with noncore symptoms (delusions, affective lability, and perceptual disturbances). Factor 1 loading supports delirium as a single construct, but when accompanied by psychosis, motor agitation's role may not be solely as a circadian activity indicator.

Translational Mouse Models of Autism: Advancing Toward Pharmacological Therapeutics

PubMed Central

Kazdoba, Tatiana M.; Leach, Prescott T.; Yang, Mu; Silverman, Jill L.; Solomon, Marjorie

2016-01-01

Animal models provide preclinical tools to investigate the causal role of genetic mutations and environmental factors in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Knockout and humanized knock-in mice, and more recently knockout rats, have been generated for many of the de novo single gene mutations and copy number variants (CNVs) detected in ASD and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders. Mouse models incorporating genetic and environmental manipulations have been employed for preclinical testing of hypothesis-driven pharmacological targets, to begin to develop treatments for the diagnostic and associated symptoms of autism. In this review, we summarize rodent behavioral assays relevant to the core features of autism, preclinical and clinical evaluations of pharmacological interventions, and strategies to improve the translational value of rodent models of autism. PMID:27305922

Time-resolved photoluminescence study of CdSe/CdMnS/CdS core/multi-shell nanoplatelets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murphy, J. R.; Department of Physics, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260; Delikanli, S.

2016-06-13

We used photoluminescence spectroscopy to resolve two emission features in CdSe/CdMnS/CdS and CdSe/CdS core/multi-shell nanoplatelet heterostructures. The photoluminescence from the magnetic sample has a positive circular polarization with a maximum centered at the position of the lower energy feature. The higher energy feature has a corresponding signature in the absorption spectrum; this is not the case for the low-energy feature. We have also studied the temporal evolution of these features using a pulsed-excitation/time-resolved photoluminescence technique to investigate their corresponding recombination channels. A model was used to analyze the temporal dynamics of the photoluminescence which yielded two distinct timescales associated withmore » these recombination channels. The above results indicate that the low-energy feature is associated with recombination of electrons with holes localized at the core/shell interfaces; the high-energy feature, on the other hand, is excitonic in nature with the holes confined within the CdSe cores.« less

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fragile X Syndrome

MedlinePlus

... Since many children with FXS are interested in social interactions, they may not meet the diagnostic criteria for ... as appropriate. The core deficit in ASD is social interaction. The core deficit in FXS is intellectual function ...

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Thyroid Nodule Core Biopsy: Clinical Utility in Patients with Prior Nondiagnostic Fine-Needle Aspirate

PubMed Central

Vij, Abhinav; Seale, Melanie K.; Desai, Gaurav; Halpern, Elkan; Faquin, William C.; Parangi, Sareh; Hahn, Peter F.; Daniels, Gilbert H.

2012-01-01

Background Five percent to 20% of thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples are nondiagnostic. The objective of this study was to determine whether a combination of FNA and core biopsy (CFNACB) would yield a higher proportion of diagnostic readings compared with FNA alone in patients with a history of one or more prior nondiagnostic FNA readings. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 90 core biopsies (CBs) performed in 82 subjects (55 women and 27 men) between 2006 and 2008 in an outpatient clinic. Results CFNACB yielded a diagnostic reading in 87%. The diagnostic reading yield of the CB component of CFNACB was significantly superior to the concurrent FNA component, with CB yielding a diagnosis in 77% of cases and FNA yielding a diagnosis in 47% (p<0.0001). The combination of CB and FNA had a higher diagnostic reading yield than either alone. In 69 nodules that had only one prior nondiagnostic FNA, CB was diagnostic in 74%, FNA was diagnostic in 52%, CFNACB was diagnostic in 87%, and CB performed significantly better than FNA (p=0.0135). In 21 nodules with two or more prior nondiagnostic FNAs, CFNACB and CB were diagnostic in 86%, FNA was diagnostic in 29%, and CB was significantly better than FNA (p=0.0005). Clinical, ultrasound, or histopathologic follow-up was available for 81% (73/90) of the CFNACB procedures. No subject with a benign CFNACB reading was diagnosed with thyroid malignancy in the follow-up period (range 4–37 months, mean 18 months), although one subject had minimal increase in nodule size and was awaiting repeat sonography at study conclusion. Conclusion Thyroid nodule CFNACB is safe and clinically useful in selected patients when a prior FNA reading is nondiagnostic. CFNACB is superior to either CB or FNA alone. CFNACB should be strongly considered as an alternative to surgery in individuals with two prior nondiagnostic FNAs. PMID:22304390

Characterizing core-periphery structure of complex network by h-core and fingerprint curve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Simon S.; Ye, Adam Y.; Qi, Eric P.; Stanley, H. Eugene; Ye, Fred Y.

2018-02-01

It is proposed that the core-periphery structure of complex networks can be simulated by h-cores and fingerprint curves. While the features of core structure are characterized by h-core, the features of periphery structure are visualized by rose or spiral curve as the fingerprint curve linking to entire-network parameters. It is suggested that a complex network can be approached by h-core and rose curves as the first-order Fourier-approach, where the core-periphery structure is characterized by five parameters: network h-index, network radius, degree power, network density and average clustering coefficient. The simulation looks Fourier-like analysis.

Development of criteria for a diagnosis: lessons from the night eating syndrome

PubMed Central

Stunkard, Albert J.; Allison, Kelly C.; Geliebter, Allan; Lundgren, Jennifer D.; Gluck, Marci E.; O’Reardon, John P.

2013-01-01

Criteria for inclusion of diagnoses of Axis I disorders in the forthcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) of the American Psychiatric Association are being considered. The 5 criteria that were proposed by Blashfield et al as necessary for inclusion in DSM-IV are reviewed and are met by the night eating syndrome (NES). Seventy-seven publications in refereed journals in the last decade indicate growing recognition of NES. Two core diagnostic criteria have been established: evening hyperphagia (consumption of at least 25% of daily food intake after the evening meal) and/or the presence of nocturnal awakenings with ingestions. These criteria have been validated in studies that used self-reports, structured interviews, and symptom scales. Night eating syndrome can be distinguished from binge eating disorder and sleep-related eating disorder. Four additional features attest to the usefulness of the diagnosis of NES: (1) its prevalence, (2) its association with obesity, (3) its extensive comorbidity, and (4) its biological aspects. In conclusion, research on NES supports the validity of the diagnosis and its inclusion in DSM-V. PMID:19683608

Using of fiber-array diagnostic to measure the propagation of fast axial ionization wave during breakdown of electrically exploding tungsten wire in vacuum.

PubMed

Shi, Huantong; Zou, Xiaobing; Wang, Xinxin

2017-12-01

The physical process of electrical explosion of wires in vacuum is featured with the surface discharge along the wire, which generates the corona plasma layer and terminates the Joule heating of the wire core. In this paper, a fiber-array probe was designed to directly measure the radiation of surface arc with spatial and temporal resolution. The radiation of the exploding wire was casted to the section of an optical-fiber-array by a lens and transmitted to PIN diodes and finally collected with an oscilloscope. This probe enables direct diagnostics of the evolution of surface discharge with high temporal resolution and certain spatial resolution. The radiation of a tungsten wire driven by a positive current pulse was measured, and results showed that surface discharge initiates near the cathode and propagates toward the anode with a speed of 7.7 ± 1.6 mm/ns; further estimations showed that this process is responsible for the "conical" structure of the exploding wire.

Using of fiber-array diagnostic to measure the propagation of fast axial ionization wave during breakdown of electrically exploding tungsten wire in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Huantong; Zou, Xiaobing; Wang, Xinxin

2017-12-01

The physical process of electrical explosion of wires in vacuum is featured with the surface discharge along the wire, which generates the corona plasma layer and terminates the Joule heating of the wire core. In this paper, a fiber-array probe was designed to directly measure the radiation of surface arc with spatial and temporal resolution. The radiation of the exploding wire was casted to the section of an optical-fiber-array by a lens and transmitted to PIN diodes and finally collected with an oscilloscope. This probe enables direct diagnostics of the evolution of surface discharge with high temporal resolution and certain spatial resolution. The radiation of a tungsten wire driven by a positive current pulse was measured, and results showed that surface discharge initiates near the cathode and propagates toward the anode with a speed of 7.7 ± 1.6 mm/ns; further estimations showed that this process is responsible for the "conical" structure of the exploding wire.

Diagnostic Yield of Computed Tomography-Guided Coaxial Core Biopsy of Undetermined Masses in the Free Retroperitoneal Space: Single-Center Experience

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stattaus, Joerg, E-mail: joerg.stattaus@uni-due.de; Kalkmann, Janine, E-mail: janine.kalkmann@uk-essen.de; Kuehl, Hilmar, E-mail: hilmar.kuehl@uni-due.d

2008-09-15

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of core biopsy in coaxial technique under guidance of computed tomography (CT) for retroperitoneal masses. We performed a retrospective analysis of CT-guided coaxial core biopsies of undetermined masses in the non-organ-bound retroperitoneal space in 49 patients. In 37 cases a 15-G guidance needle with a 16-G semiautomated core biopsy system, and in 12 cases a 16-G guidance needle with an 18-G biopsy system, was used. All biopsies were technically successful. A small hematoma was seen in one case, but no relevant complication occurred. With the coaxial technique, up tomore » 4 specimens were obtained from each lesion (mean, 2.8). Diagnostic accuracy in differentiation between malignant and benign diseases was 95.9%. A specific histological diagnosis could be established in 39 of 42 malignant lesions (92.9%). Correct subtyping of malignant lymphoma according to the WHO classification was possible in 87.0%. Benign lesions were correctly identified in seven cases, although a specific diagnosis could only be made in conjunction with clinical and radiological information. In conclusion, CT-guided coaxial core biopsy provides safe and accurate diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses. A specific histological diagnosis, which is essential for choosing the appropriate therapy, could be established in most cases of malignancy.« less

Undercut feature recognition for core and cavity generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusof, Mursyidah Md; Salman Abu Mansor, Mohd

2018-01-01

Core and cavity is one of the important components in injection mould where the quality of the final product is mostly dependent on it. In the industry, with years of experience and skill, mould designers commonly use commercial CAD software to design the core and cavity which is time consuming. This paper proposes an algorithm that detect possible undercut features and generate the core and cavity. Two approaches are presented; edge convexity and face connectivity approach. The edge convexity approach is used to recognize undercut features while face connectivity is used to divide the faces into top and bottom region.

A Model of the Chicxulub Impact Basin Based on Evaluation of Geophysical Data, Well Logs, and Drill Core Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharpton, Virgil L.; Marin, Luis E.; Carney, John D.; Lee, Scott; Ryder, Graham; Schuraytz, Benjamin C.; Sikora, Paul; Spudis, Paul D.

1996-01-01

Abundant evidence now shows that the buried Chicxulub structure in northern Yucatan, Mexico, is indeed the intensely sought-after source of the ejecta found world-wide at the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) boundary. In addition to large-scale concentric patterns in gravity and magnetic data over the structure, recent analyses of drill-core samples reveal a lithological assemblage similar to that observed at other terrestrial craters. This assemblage comprises suevite breccias, ejecta deposit breccias (Bunte Breccia equivalents), fine-grained impact melt rocks, and melt-matrix breccias. All these impact-produced lithologies contain diagnostic evidence of shock metamorphism, including planar deformation features in quartz, feldspar, and zircons; diaplectic glasses of quartz and feldspar; and fused mineral melts and whole-rock melts. In addition, elevated concentrations of Ir, Re, and Os, in meteoritic relative proportions, have been detected in some melt-rock samples from the center of the structure. Isotopic analyses, magnetization of melt-rock samples, and local stratigraphic constraints identify this crater as the source of K/T boundary deposits.

Identification of Photosynthetic Plankton Communities Using Sedimentary Ancient DNA and Their Response to late-Holocene Climate Change on the Tibetan Plateau

PubMed Central

Hou, Weiguo; Dong, Hailiang; Li, Gaoyuan; Yang, Jian; Coolen, Marco J. L.; Liu, Xingqi; Wang, Shang; Jiang, Hongchen; Wu, Xia; Xiao, Haiyi; Lian, Bin; Wan, Yunyang

2014-01-01

Sediments from Tibetan lakes in NW China are potentially sensitive recorders of climate change and its impact on ecosystem function. However, the important plankton members in many Tibetan Lakes do not make and leave microscopically diagnostic features in the sedimentary record. Here we established a taxon-specific molecular approach to specifically identify and quantify sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) of non-fossilized planktonic organisms preserved in a 5-m sediment core from Kusai Lake spanning the last 3100 years. The reliability of the approach was validated with multiple independent genetic markers. Parallel analyses of the geochemistry of the core and paleo-climate proxies revealed that Monsoon strength-driven changes in nutrient availability, temperature, and salinity as well as orbitally-driven changes in light intensity were all responsible for the observed temporal changes in the abundance of two dominant phytoplankton groups in the lake, Synechococcus (cyanobacteria) and Isochrysis (haptophyte algae). Collectively our data show that global and regional climatic events exhibited a strong influence on the paleoecology of phototrophic plankton in Kusai Lake. PMID:25323386

AFM feature definition for neural cells on nanofibrillar tissue scaffolds.

PubMed

Tiryaki, Volkan M; Khan, Adeel A; Ayres, Virginia M

2012-01-01

A diagnostic approach is developed and implemented that provides clear feature definition in atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of neural cells on nanofibrillar tissue scaffolds. Because the cellular edges and processes are on the same order as the background nanofibers, this imaging situation presents a feature definition problem. The diagnostic approach is based on analysis of discrete Fourier transforms of standard AFM section measurements. The diagnostic conclusion that the combination of dynamic range enhancement with low-frequency component suppression enhances feature definition is shown to be correct and to lead to clear-featured images that could change previously held assumptions about the cell-cell interactions present. Clear feature definition of cells on scaffolds extends the usefulness of AFM imaging for use in regenerative medicine. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparison of a newly developed automated and quantitative hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen test with the HCV RNA assay for clinical usefulness in confirming anti-HCV results.

PubMed

Kesli, Recep; Polat, Hakki; Terzi, Yuksel; Kurtoglu, Muhammet Guzel; Uyar, Yavuz

2011-12-01

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health care problem. Diagnosis of HCV infection is mainly based on the detection of anti-HCV antibodies as a screening test with serum samples. Recombinant immunoblot assays are used as supplemental tests and for the final detection and quantification of HCV RNA in confirmatory tests. In this study, we aimed to compare the HCV core antigen test with the HCV RNA assay for confirming anti-HCV results to determine whether the HCV core antigen test may be used as an alternative confirmatory test to the HCV RNA test and to assess the diagnostic values of the total HCV core antigen test by determining the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity rates compared with the HCV RNA test. Sera from a total of 212 treatment-naive patients were analyzed for anti-HCV and HCV core antigen both with the Abbott Architect test and with the molecular HCV RNA assay consisting of a reverse transcription-PCR method as a confirmatory test. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the HCV core antigen assay compared to the HCV RNA test were 96.3%, 100%, 100%, and 89.7%, respectively. The levels of HCV core antigen showed a good correlation with those from the HCV RNA quantification (r = 0.907). In conclusion, the Architect HCV antigen assay is highly specific, sensitive, reliable, easy to perform, reproducible, cost-effective, and applicable as a screening, supplemental, and preconfirmatory test for anti-HCV assays used in laboratory procedures for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection.

Strategic bombers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1992-07-01

This paper reports on the questions: should Congress provide more funds for the Air Force's current plan---the CORE program---to upgrade the B-1B defense avionics system In GAO's view, more testing of the system is not necessary to determine whether to implement the CORE program. Flight testing has shown that the CORE modifications would provide similar operational capabilities to, and offer some survivability improvements over, the existing defense avionics system. The only reason for additional testing would be to prove that some problems with the maintenance diagnostic system has been resolved. Initial testing revealed that while some improvements were achieved, usermore » requirements were not met for such things as low false alarm rates and cannot duplicate rates. Even if the maintenance diagnostic capabilities were fully demonstrated, however, the CORE system should not be implemented until it is known whether the defense avionics system design can support the B-1B's new role as a conventional bomber.« less

Preoperative easily misdiagnosed telangiectatic osteosarcoma: clinical-radiologic-pathologic correlations.

PubMed

Gao, Zhen-Hua; Yin, Jun-Qiang; Liu, Da-Wei; Meng, Quan-Fei; Li, Jia-Ping

2013-12-11

To describe the clinical, imaging, and pathologic characteristics and diagnostic methods of telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS) for improving the diagnostic level. The authors retrospectively reviewed patient demographics, serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels, preoperative biopsy pathologic reports, pathologic materials, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes from 26 patients with TOS. Patient images from radiography (26 cases) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (22 cases) were evaluated by 3 authors in consensus for intrinsic characteristics. There were 15 male and 11 female patients in the study, with an age of 9-32 years (mean age 15.9 years). Eighteen of 26 patients died of lung metastases within 5 years of follow-up. The distal femur was affected more commonly (14 cases, 53.8%). Regarding serum AKP, normal (8 cases) or mildly elevated (18 cases) levels were found before preoperative chemotherapy. Radiographs showed geographic bone lysis without sclerotic margin (26 cases), cortical destruction (26 cases), periosteal new bone formation (24 cases), soft-tissue mass (23 cases), and matrix mineralization (4 cases). The aggressive radiographic features of TOS simulated the appearance of conventional high-grade intramedullary osteosarcoma, though different from aneurysmal bone cyst. MR images demonstrated multiple big (16 cases) or small (6 cases) cystic spaces, fluid-fluid levels (14 cases), soft-tissue mass (22 cases), and thick peripheral and septal enhancement (22 cases). Nine of 26 cases were misdiagnosed as aneurysmal bone cysts by preoperative core-needle biopsy, owing to the absence of viable high-grade sarcomatous cells in the small tissue samples. The aggressive growth pattern with occasional matrix mineralization, and multiple big or small fluid-filled cavities with thick peripheral, septal, and nodular tissue surrounding the fluid-filled cavities are characteristic imaging features of TOS, and these features are helpful in making the correct preoperative diagnosis of TOS.

AP1000{sup R} severe accident features and post-Fukushima considerations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scobel, J. H.; Schulz, T. L.; Williams, M. G.

2012-07-01

The AP1000{sup R} passive nuclear power plant is uniquely equipped to withstand an extended station blackout scenario such as the events following the earthquake and tsunami at Fukushima without compromising core and containment integrity. The AP1000 plant shuts down the reactor, cools the core, containment and spent fuel pool for more than 3 days using passive systems that do not require AC or DC power or operator actions. Following this passive coping period, minimal operator actions are needed to extend the operation of the passive features to 7 days using installed equipment. To provide defense-in-depth for design extension conditions, themore » AP1000 plant has engineered features that mitigate the effects of core damage. Engineered features retain damaged core debris within the reactor vessel as a key feature. Other aspects of the design protect containment integrity during severe accidents, including unique features of the AP1000 design relative to passive containment cooling with water and air, and hydrogen management. (authors)« less

Fractography applied to investigations of cores, outcrops, and fractured reservoirs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kulander, B.

1995-11-01

Fractography focuses investigations on the topography of fracture surfaces. This topography is composed of fractographic features produced by changing stress magnitudes and directions along the advancing crack tip. Fractographic features commonly useful in core and outcrop analysis include the origin, twist hackle, inclusion hackle, and rib marks. These structures develop during brittle failure by Mode I loading at the crack tip and act together to form a hackle plume. Fractographic components throughout the plume record the dynamic history of fracture development. Components show, to the limit of visual scale, the principal stress directions, as well as relative stress magnitudes andmore » propagation velocities, that existed at the advancing fracture front. This information contributes to more meaningful conclusions in fracture investigations. In core studies, fractography aids identification of induced and natural fractures. Induced fractures and fractographic features show distinct geometry with that of the core and reflect the effects of the core boundary, in-situ stresses, drilling stresses, and rock anisotropies. Certain drilling- and coring-induced fractures possess orientations and fractographic features that suggest the direction of minimum in-situ stress and that this direction may change abruptly within the drilled volume of rock. Cored natural fractures generally originated away from the bit and possess fractographic features that bear no geometerical relationship to core parameters. Abrupt changes of natural fracture strike and development of twist hackle suggest locally complex paleostress distributions. A combined knowledge of in-situ stress and natural fracture trends is useful in predicting reservoir permeability. In outcrop, fractographic features, including abutting relationships between joints, more readily depict order of development, intrastratum distribution of fracturing stress, and size for joints in any set.« less

Feature construction can improve diagnostic criteria for high-dimensional metabolic data in newborn screening for medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

PubMed

Ho, Sirikit; Lukacs, Zoltan; Hoffmann, Georg F; Lindner, Martin; Wetter, Thomas

2007-07-01

In newborn screening with tandem mass spectrometry, multiple intermediary metabolites are quantified in a single analytical run for the diagnosis of fatty-acid oxidation disorders, organic acidurias, and aminoacidurias. Published diagnostic criteria for these disorders normally incorporate a primary metabolic marker combined with secondary markers, often analyte ratios, for which the markers have been chosen to reflect metabolic pathway deviations. We applied a procedure to extract new markers and diagnostic criteria for newborn screening to the data of newborns with confirmed medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) and a control group from the newborn screening program, Heidelberg, Germany. We validated the results with external data of the screening center in Hamburg, Germany. We extracted new markers by performing a systematic search for analyte combinations (features) with high discriminatory performance for MCADD. To select feature thresholds, we applied automated procedures to separate controls and cases on the basis of the feature values. Finally, we built classifiers from these new markers to serve as diagnostic criteria in screening for MCADD. On the basis of chi(2) scores, we identified approximately 800 of >628,000 new analyte combinations with superior discriminatory performance compared with the best published combinations. Classifiers built with the new features achieved diagnostic sensitivities and specificities approaching 100%. Feature construction methods provide ways to disclose information hidden in the set of measured analytes. Other diagnostic tasks based on high-dimensional metabolic data might also profit from this approach.

[Non-palpable breast cancer malignant on needle core biopsy and no malignancy in surgical excision: how to manage?].

PubMed

Cheurfa, N; Giard, S

2015-01-01

Despite the standard management of non-palpable breast cancer (needle core biopsy diagnostic, accurate preoperative localization), there are differences in some cases between the malignant histo-pathological finding in diagnostic biopsy results and negative histo-pathological finding after surgical excision. The aim of this study is to evaluate this incidence and classifying them under three category: failure of surgical excision after preoperative identification; removal of the tumor was already completed by percutaneous biopsy; percutaneous biopsy true false positive. We conducted a study based on prospective database, all patients included in this study had partial mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in-situ or invasive cancer which was diagnosed by needle core biopsy and normal/benign after surgery. Regarding the partial mastectomy, 1863 was performed in the last three years in our center. Thirty-seven patients (2%) correspond our study criteria. After discussion of cases in our multidisciplinary reunion, 6 patients (16%) were considered as failure of surgical excision, 26 patients (70%) as true removal of the whole lesion in the core, and 5 patients (13%) as true false-positive cores. This is the first study witch investigate all factors that influence the results of negative final histo-pathological finding of surgical excision of the tumor after malignant diagnostic needle core biopsy. This rare situation need a multidisciplinary meeting to analyse all the steps of management and to determine causes of those false results and try to find adequate management to solve this problem. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Clinical and diagnostic features of delayed hypoxic leukoencephalopathy.

PubMed

Shprecher, David R; Flanigan, Kevin M; Smith, A Gordon; Smith, Shawn M; Schenkenberg, Thomas; Steffens, John

2008-01-01

Delayed hypoxic leukoencephalopathy is an underrecognized syndrome of delayed demyelination, which is important to consider when delayed onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms follows a hypoxic event. The authors describe clinical and diagnostic features of three such cases, review the pathophysiology of delayed hypoxic leukoencephalopathy, and discuss features which may help distinguish it from toxic leukoencephalopathy.

Brownian motion curve-based textural classification and its application in cancer diagnosis.

PubMed

Mookiah, Muthu Rama Krishnan; Shah, Pratik; Chakraborty, Chandan; Ray, Ajoy K

2011-06-01

To develop an automated diagnostic methodology based on textural features of the oral mucosal epithelium to discriminate normal and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). A total of 83 normal and 29 OSF images from histopathologic sections of the oral mucosa are considered. The proposed diagnostic mechanism consists of two parts: feature extraction using Brownian motion curve (BMC) and design ofa suitable classifier. The discrimination ability of the features has been substantiated by statistical tests. An error back-propagation neural network (BPNN) is used to classify OSF vs. normal. In development of an automated oral cancer diagnostic module, BMC has played an important role in characterizing textural features of the oral images. Fisher's linear discriminant analysis yields 100% sensitivity and 85% specificity, whereas BPNN leads to 92.31% sensitivity and 100% specificity, respectively. In addition to intensity and morphology-based features, textural features are also very important, especially in histopathologic diagnosis of oral cancer. In view of this, a set of textural features are extracted using the BMC for the diagnosis of OSF. Finally, a textural classifier is designed using BPNN, which leads to a diagnostic performance with 96.43% accuracy. (Anal Quant

Integration of basic sciences and clinical sciences in oral radiology education for dental students.

PubMed

Baghdady, Mariam T; Carnahan, Heather; Lam, Ernest W N; Woods, Nicole N

2013-06-01

Educational research suggests that cognitive processing in diagnostic radiology requires a solid foundation in the basic sciences and knowledge of the radiological changes associated with disease. Although it is generally assumed that dental students must acquire both sets of knowledge, little is known about the most effective way to teach them. Currently, the basic and clinical sciences are taught separately. This study was conducted to compare the diagnostic accuracy of students when taught basic sciences segregated or integrated with clinical features. Predoctoral dental students (n=51) were taught four confusable intrabony abnormalities using basic science descriptions integrated with the radiographic features or taught segregated from the radiographic features. The students were tested with diagnostic images, and memory tests were performed immediately after learning and one week later. On immediate and delayed testing, participants in the integrated basic science group outperformed those from the segregated group. A main effect of learning condition was found to be significant (p<0.05). The results of this study support the critical role of integrating biomedical knowledge in diagnostic radiology and shows that teaching basic sciences integrated with clinical features produces higher diagnostic accuracy in novices than teaching basic sciences segregated from clinical features.

Plasma Radiation Source Development Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-01

shell mass distributions perform belter than thin shells. The dual plenum, double shell load has unique diagnostic features that enhance our...as implosion time increases. 13. SUBJECT TERMS Zpinch x-ray diagnostics Rayleigh-Taylor instability pulsed-power x-ray spectroscopy supersonic...feature permits some very useful diagnostics that shed light on critical details of the implosion process. See Section 3 for details. We have

Unwrapping the diagnosis of tuberculosis in primary care: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Metcalf, Elizabeth P; Davies, Joanne C; Wood, Fiona; Butler, Christopher C

2007-02-01

Although tuberculosis (TB) is relatively rare in the UK, its diagnosis is important because diagnostic delays can result in worse outcomes for patients and expose others to the risk of infection. Atypical presentations may be common, and patients' help-seeking behaviour may influence the diagnostic process in primary care. Little is known about the process of diagnosing TB in primary care in developed countries. To understand the process of diagnosing TB in UK primary care. Qualitative inductive study with paired semi-structured interviews. Communities and general practices in south-east Wales. Interviews were conducted with 17 patients diagnosed with TB in the previous 6 months and 16 GPs involved with their care. Data were analysed thematically. In response to expected classical features, GPs generally ordered specific tests. Both GPs and patients reported atypical presentations, and then the diagnostic and referral net was appropriately widened in most cases. Identified barriers to prompt diagnosis included atypical presentations and low clinical suspicion of TB, lack of continuity of care, workload demands that limit time with patients, and suboptimal clinician-patient communication. GPs recognised the growing problem of TB nationally and the need for improved education among health professionals. GPs' and patients' accounts about the process of diagnosing TB suggest that delays can occur, although they are not typical. Where diagnosis is clear, GPs generally test specifically and refer appropriately; where diagnosis is less clear, the diagnostic net is cast further. It is only when certain core values of general practice are not applied (including continuity of care, considering context appropriately, and eliciting and responding appropriately to patients' explanatory models) that clinicians and patients identify a suboptimal diagnostic process.

The Conceptual Framework of Thematic Mapping in Case Conceptualization.

PubMed

Ridley, Charles R; Jeffrey, Christina E

2017-04-01

This article, the 3rd in a series of 5, introduces the conceptual framework for thematic mapping, a novel approach to case conceptualization. The framework is transtheoretical in that it is not constrained by the tenets or concepts of any one therapeutic orientation and transdiagnostic in that it conceptualizes clients outside the constraints of diagnostic criteria. Thematic mapping comprises 4 components: a definition, foundational principles, defining features, and core concepts. These components of the framework, deemed building blocks, are explained in this article. Like the foundation of any structure, the heuristic value of the method requires that the building blocks have integrity, coherence, and sound anchoring. We assert that the conceptual framework provides a solid foundation, making thematic mapping a potential asset in mental health treatment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Diagnosticity of Color for Emotional Objects

PubMed Central

McMenamin, Brenton W.; Radue, Jasmine; Trask, Joanna; Huskamp, Kristin; Kersten, Daniel; Marsolek, Chad J.

2012-01-01

Object classification can be facilitated if simple diagnostic features can be used to determine class membership. Previous studies have found that simple shapes may be diagnostic for emotional content and automatically alter the allocation of visual attention. In the present study, we analyzed whether color is diagnostic of emotional content and tested whether emotionally diagnostic hues alter the allocation of visual attention. Reddish-yellow hues are more common in (i.e., diagnostic of) emotional images, particularly images with positive emotional content. An exogenous cueing paradigm was employed to test whether these diagnostic hues orient attention differently from other hues due to the emotional diagnosticity. In two experiments, we found that participants allocated attention differently to diagnostic hues than to non-diagnostic hues, in a pattern indicating a broadening of spatial attention when cued with diagnostic hues. Moreover, the attentional broadening effect was predicted by self-reported measures of affective style, linking the behavioral effect to emotional processes. These results confirm the existence and use of diagnostic features for the rapid detection of emotional content. PMID:24659831

Deep-learning derived features for lung nodule classification with limited datasets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thammasorn, P.; Wu, W.; Pierce, L. A.; Pipavath, S. N.; Lampe, P. D.; Houghton, A. M.; Haynor, D. R.; Chaovalitwongse, W. A.; Kinahan, P. E.

2018-02-01

Only a few percent of indeterminate nodules found in lung CT images are cancer. However, enabling earlier diagnosis is important to avoid invasive procedures or long-time surveillance to those benign nodules. We are evaluating a classification framework using radiomics features derived with a machine learning approach from a small data set of indeterminate CT lung nodule images. We used a retrospective analysis of 194 cases with pulmonary nodules in the CT images with or without contrast enhancement from lung cancer screening clinics. The nodules were contoured by a radiologist and texture features of the lesion were calculated. In addition, sematic features describing shape were categorized. We also explored a Multiband network, a feature derivation path that uses a modified convolutional neural network (CNN) with a Triplet Network. This was trained to create discriminative feature representations useful for variable-sized nodule classification. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated for multiple machine learning algorithms using texture, shape, and CNN features. In the CT contrast-enhanced group, the texture or semantic shape features yielded an overall diagnostic accuracy of 80%. Use of a standard deep learning network in the framework for feature derivation yielded features that substantially underperformed compared to texture and/or semantic features. However, the proposed Multiband approach of feature derivation produced results similar in diagnostic accuracy to the texture and semantic features. While the Multiband feature derivation approach did not outperform the texture and/or semantic features, its equivalent performance indicates promise for future improvements to increase diagnostic accuracy. Importantly, the Multiband approach adapts readily to different size lesions without interpolation, and performed well with relatively small amount of training data.

Dental and dental hygiene students' diagnostic accuracy in oral radiology: effect of diagnostic strategy and instructional method.

PubMed

Baghdady, Mariam T; Carnahan, Heather; Lam, Ernest W N; Woods, Nicole N

2014-09-01

There has been much debate surrounding diagnostic strategies and the most appropriate training models for novices in oral radiology. It has been argued that an analytic approach, using a step-by-step analysis of the radiographic features of an abnormality, is ideal. Alternative research suggests that novices can successfully employ non-analytic reasoning. Many of these studies do not take instructional methodology into account. This study evaluated the effectiveness of non-analytic and analytic strategies in radiographic interpretation and explored the relationship between instructional methodology and diagnostic strategy. Second-year dental and dental hygiene students were taught four radiographic abnormalities using basic science instructions or a step-by-step algorithm. The students were tested on diagnostic accuracy and memory immediately after learning and one week later. A total of seventy-three students completed both immediate and delayed sessions and were included in the analysis. Students were randomly divided into two instructional conditions: one group provided a diagnostic hypothesis for the image and then identified specific features to support it, while the other group first identified features and then provided a diagnosis. Participants in the diagnosis-first condition (non-analytic reasoning) had higher diagnostic accuracy then those in the features-first condition (analytic reasoning), regardless of their learning condition. No main effect of learning condition or interaction with diagnostic strategy was observed. Educators should be mindful of the potential influence of analytic and non-analytic approaches on the effectiveness of the instructional method.

Redefining dermatomyositis: a description of new diagnostic criteria that differentiate pure dermatomyositis from overlap myositis with dermatomyositis features.

PubMed

Troyanov, Yves; Targoff, Ira N; Payette, Marie-Pier; Raynauld, Jean-Pierre; Chartier, Suzanne; Goulet, Jean-Richard; Bourré-Tessier, Josiane; Rich, Eric; Grodzicky, Tamara; Fritzler, Marvin J; Joyal, France; Koenig, Martial; Senécal, Jean-Luc

2014-11-01

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a major clinical subset of autoimmune myositis (AIM). The characteristic DM rash (Gottron papules, heliotrope rash) and perifascicular atrophy at skeletal muscle biopsy are regarded as specific features for this diagnosis. However, new concepts are challenging the current definition of DM. A modified Bohan and Peter classification of AIM was proposed in which the core concept was the inclusion of the diagnostic significance of overlap connective tissue disease features. In this clinical classification, a DM rash in association with myositis in the absence of overlap features indicates a diagnosis of pure DM. However, overlap features in association with myositis allow a diagnosis of overlap myositis (OM), irrespective of the presence or absence of the DM rash. Perifascicular atrophy may be present in both pure DM and OM. Recently, the presence of perifascicular atrophy in myositis without a DM rash was proposed as diagnostic of a novel entity, adermatopathic DM. We conducted the present study to evaluate these new concepts to further differentiate pure DM from OM.Using the modified Bohan and Peter classification, we performed a follow-up study of a longitudinal cohort of 100 consecutive adult French Canadian patients with AIM, including 44 patients with a DM phenotype, defined as a DM rash, and/or DM-type calcinosis, and/or the presence of perifascicular atrophy on muscle biopsy. A detailed evaluation was performed for overlap features, the extent and natural history of the DM rash, adermatopathic DM, DM-specific and overlap autoantibodies by protein A immunoprecipitation on coded serum samples, and associations with cancer and survival.Two distinct subsets were identified in patients with a DM phenotype: pure DM (n = 24) and OM with DM features, or OMDM (n = 20). In pure DM, the DM rash was a dominant finding. It was the first disease manifestation, was always present at the time of myositis diagnosis, and was associated with a high cutaneous score and chronicity. Concurrent heliotrope rash and Gottron papules (positive predictive value [PPV] 91%), as well as the V-sign and/or shawl sign (PPV 100%), were diagnostic of pure DM. Anti-Mi-2, anti-MJ, and anti-p155 autoantibodies were present in 50% of pure DM patients and were restricted to this subset (PPV 100%). Cancer was present in 21% of pure DM patients. The 15-year survival was excellent (92%).In contrast, in patients with OMDM, the first manifestation was proximal muscle weakness or other skeletal muscle-related complaints. The DM rash appeared at diagnosis or at follow-up, was associated with a low cutaneous extent score and was transient. Adermatopathic DM, which was absent in pure DM, was highly predictive (PPV 100%) of OMDM. Overlap autoantibodies (including anti-Jo-1, anti-PL-7, anti-PM-Scl, anti-U1RNP, and/or anti-U5-RNP) were found in 70% of OMDM patients. OMDM was not associated with cancer, but the 15-year survival was significantly decreased (65%).Perifascicular atrophy occurred as commonly in OMDM (n = 6/20, 30%) as in pure DM (n = 4/24, 17%) patients. These 6 OMDM patients had adermatopathic DM at myositis diagnosis, and only 1 of them developed a DM rash at follow-up, emphasizing the lack of specificity of perifascicular atrophy for pure DM.In conclusion, using the modified Bohan and Peter classification of AIM allowed identification of OMDM, a new clinical subset of OM. Furthermore, identification of OMDM allowed recognition of pure DM as a new entity that was distinct from OMDM or from OM without DM features. However, the absolute specificity of a DM rash and perifascicular muscle atrophy for the diagnosis of pure DM was lost. The distinctive clinical manifestations and autoantibody profiles presented are proposed as diagnostic criteria to differentiate pure DM from OMDM.

Predictive capabilities of statistical learning methods for lung nodule malignancy classification using diagnostic image features: an investigation using the Lung Image Database Consortium dataset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hancock, Matthew C.; Magnan, Jerry F.

2017-03-01

To determine the potential usefulness of quantified diagnostic image features as inputs to a CAD system, we investigate the predictive capabilities of statistical learning methods for classifying nodule malignancy, utilizing the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) dataset, and only employ the radiologist-assigned diagnostic feature values for the lung nodules therein, as well as our derived estimates of the diameter and volume of the nodules from the radiologists' annotations. We calculate theoretical upper bounds on the classification accuracy that is achievable by an ideal classifier that only uses the radiologist-assigned feature values, and we obtain an accuracy of 85.74 (+/-1.14)% which is, on average, 4.43% below the theoretical maximum of 90.17%. The corresponding area-under-the-curve (AUC) score is 0.932 (+/-0.012), which increases to 0.949 (+/-0.007) when diameter and volume features are included, along with the accuracy to 88.08 (+/-1.11)%. Our results are comparable to those in the literature that use algorithmically-derived image-based features, which supports our hypothesis that lung nodules can be classified as malignant or benign using only quantified, diagnostic image features, and indicates the competitiveness of this approach. We also analyze how the classification accuracy depends on specific features, and feature subsets, and we rank the features according to their predictive power, statistically demonstrating the top four to be spiculation, lobulation, subtlety, and calcification.

Comparison of Histologic Core Portions Acquired from a Core Biopsy Needle and a Conventional Needle in Solid Mass Lesions: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

PubMed

Lee, Ban Seok; Cho, Chang-Min; Jung, Min Kyu; Jang, Jung Sik; Bae, Han Ik

2017-07-15

The superiority of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) over EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) remains controversial. Given the lack of studies analyzing histologic specimens acquired from EUS-FNB or EUS-FNA, we compared the proportion of the histologic core obtained from both techniques. A total of 58 consecutive patients with solid mass lesions were enrolled and randomly assigned to the EUS-FNA or EUS-FNB groups. The opposite needle was used after the failure of core tissue acquisition using the initial needle with up to three passes. Using computerized analyses of the scanned histologic slide, the overall area and the area of the histologic core portion in specimens obtained by the two techniques were compared. No significant differences were identified between the two groups with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics. Fewer needle passes were required to obtain core specimens in the FNB group (p<0.001). There were no differences in the proportion of histologic core (11.8%±19.5% vs 8.0%±11.1%, p=0.376) or in the diagnostic accuracy (80.6% vs 81.5%, p=0.935) between two groups. The proportion of histologic core and the diagnostic accuracy were comparable between the FNB and FNA groups. However, fewer needle passes were required to establish an accurate diagnosis in EUS-FNB.

Unique core genomes of the bacterial family vibrionaceae: insights into niche adaptation and speciation.

PubMed

Kahlke, Tim; Goesmann, Alexander; Hjerde, Erik; Willassen, Nils Peder; Haugen, Peik

2012-05-10

The criteria for defining bacterial species and even the concept of bacterial species itself are under debate, and the discussion is apparently intensifying as more genome sequence data is becoming available. However, it is still unclear how the new advances in genomics should be used most efficiently to address this question. In this study we identify genes that are common to any group of genomes in our dataset, to determine whether genes specific to a particular taxon exist and to investigate their potential role in adaptation of bacteria to their specific niche. These genes were named unique core genes. Additionally, we investigate the existence and importance of unique core genes that are found in isolates of phylogenetically non-coherent groups. These groups of isolates, that share a genetic feature without sharing a closest common ancestor, are termed genophyletic groups. The bacterial family Vibrionaceae was used as the model, and we compiled and compared genome sequences of 64 different isolates. Using the software orthoMCL we determined clusters of homologous genes among the investigated genome sequences. We used multilocus sequence analysis to build a host phylogeny and mapped the numbers of unique core genes of all distinct groups of isolates onto the tree. The results show that unique core genes are more likely to be found in monophyletic groups of isolates. Genophyletic groups of isolates, in contrast, are less common especially for large groups of isolate. The subsequent annotation of unique core genes that are present in genophyletic groups indicate a high degree of horizontally transferred genes. Finally, the annotation of the unique core genes of Vibrio cholerae revealed genes involved in aerotaxis and biosynthesis of the iron-chelator vibriobactin. The presented work indicates that genes specific for any taxon inside the bacterial family Vibrionaceae exist. These unique core genes encode conserved metabolic functions that can shed light on the adaptation of a species to its ecological niche. Additionally, our study suggests that unique core genes can be used to aid classification of bacteria and contribute to a bacterial species definition on a genomic level. Furthermore, these genes may be of importance in clinical diagnostics and drug development.

Biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans: associated disorders and biochemical tests.

PubMed

Sasarman, Florin; Maftei, Catalina; Campeau, Philippe M; Brunel-Guitton, Catherine; Mitchell, Grant A; Allard, Pierre

2016-03-01

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are long, unbranched heteropolymers with repeating disaccharide units that make up the carbohydrate moiety of proteoglycans. Six distinct classes of GAGs are recognized. Their synthesis follows one of three biosynthetic pathways, depending on the type of oligosaccharide linker they contain. Chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, and heparin sulfate contain a common tetrasaccharide linker that is O-linked to specific serine residues in core proteins. Keratan sulfate can contain three different linkers, either N-linked to asparagine or O-linked to serine/threonine residues in core proteins. Finally, hyaluronic acid does not contain a linker and is not covalently attached to a core protein. Most inborn errors of GAG biosynthesis are reported in small numbers of patients. To date, in 20 diseases, convincing evidence for pathogenicity has been presented for mutations in a total of 16 genes encoding glycosyltransferases, sulfotransferases, epimerases or transporters. GAG synthesis defects should be suspected in patients with a combination of characteristic clinical features in more than one connective tissue compartment: bone and cartilage (short long bones with or without scoliosis), ligaments (joint laxity/dislocations), and subepithelial (skin, sclerae). Some produce distinct clinical syndromes. The commonest laboratory tests used for this group of diseases are analysis of GAGs, enzyme assays, and molecular testing. In principle, GAG analysis has potential as a general first-line diagnostic test for GAG biosynthesis disorders.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Improves the Pathological Outcomes of US-Guided Core Needle Biopsy That Targets the Viable Area of Anterior Mediastinal Masses

PubMed Central

Zhou, Jian-hua; Shan, Hong-bo; Ou, Wei; Mo, Yun-xian; Xiang, Jin; Wang, Yu; Wang, Si-yu

2018-01-01

Based on the option that ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (US-CNB) of the enhanced portion of anterior mediastinal masses (AMMs) identified by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) would harvest viable tissue and benefit the histological diagnoses, a retrospective study was performed to elucidate the correlation between the prebiopsy CEUS and diagnostic yield of AMMs and found that CEUS potentially improved the diagnostic yield of AMMs compared with conventional US with a significant increase in the cellularity of samples. Furthermore, the marginal blood flow signals and absence of necrosis can predict the diagnostic yield of AMM. It was concluded that US-CNB of the viable part of AMMs, as verified by CEUS, was able to harvest sufficient tissue with more cellularity that could be used for ancillary studies and improve the diagnostic yield. And CEUS was recommended to those patients with AMMs undergoing repeated US-CNB, with the absence of marginal blood signals or presence of necrosis. PMID:29581992

Archaeological Salvage Excavations at the L.A. Strickland I Site (22Ts765), Tishomingo County, Mississippi.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-12-01

were identified to genus and when possible to species. These samples give an indication of the wood types present and their proportionate representation...in the features. Nutshells were sorted by genus and weighed. Seeds which retained their diagnostic characteristics were identified and counted. The...Vitis sp.), l persimmon ( Diospyros viiniana) and 1 round seed misiffng all diagnostic features. Feature 2. The sample from Feature 2 contained 55 grams

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of CT Features for Differentiating Complicated and Uncomplicated Appendicitis.

PubMed

Kim, Hae Young; Park, Ji Hoon; Lee, Yoon Jin; Lee, Sung Soo; Jeon, Jong-June; Lee, Kyoung Ho

2018-04-01

Purpose To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify computed tomographic (CT) features for differentiating complicated appendicitis in patients suspected of having appendicitis and to summarize their diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods Studies on diagnostic accuracy of CT features for differentiating complicated appendicitis (perforated or gangrenous appendicitis) in patients suspected of having appendicitis were searched in Ovid-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Overlapping descriptors used in different studies to denote the same image finding were subsumed under a single CT feature. Pooled diagnostic accuracy of the CT features was calculated by using a bivariate random effects model. CT features with pooled diagnostic odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals not including 1 were considered as informative. Results Twenty-three studies were included, and 184 overlapping descriptors for various CT findings were subsumed under 14 features. Of these, 10 features were informative for complicated appendicitis. There was a general tendency for these features to show relatively high specificity but low sensitivity. Extraluminal appendicolith, abscess, appendiceal wall enhancement defect, extraluminal air, ileus, periappendiceal fluid collection, ascites, intraluminal air, and intraluminal appendicolith showed pooled specificity greater than 70% (range, 74%-100%), but sensitivity was limited (range, 14%-59%). Periappendiceal fat stranding was the only feature that showed high sensitivity (94%; 95% confidence interval: 86%, 98%) but low specificity (40%; 95% confidence interval, 23%, 60%). Conclusion Ten informative CT features for differentiating complicated appendicitis were identified in this study, nine of which showed high specificity, but low sensitivity. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

TACTILE RESPONSIVENESS PATTERNS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH CORE FEATURES IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

PubMed Central

Foss-Feig, Jennifer H.; Heacock, Jessica L.; Cascio, Carissa J.

2011-01-01

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are often associated with aberrant responses to sensory stimuli, which are thought to contribute to the social, communication, and repetitive behavior deficits that define ASD. However, there are few studies that separate aberrant sensory responses by individual sensory modality to assess modality-specific associations between sensory features and core symptoms. Differences in response to tactile stimuli are prevalent in ASD, and tactile contact early in infancy is a foundation for the development of social and communication skills affected by ASD. We assessed the association between three aberrant patterns of tactile responsiveness (hyper-responsiveness, hypo-responsiveness, sensory seeking) and core symptoms of ASD. Both sensory and core features were measured with converging methods including both parent-report and direct observation. Our results demonstrate that for the tactile modality, sensory hypo-responsiveness correlates strongly with increased social and communication impairments, and to a lesser degree, repetitive behaviors. Sensory seeking was found to correlate strongly with social impairment, nonverbal communication impairment, and repetitive behaviors. Surprisingly, tactile hyper-responsiveness did not significantly correlate with any core features of ASD. This differential association between specific tactile processing patterns and core features provides an important step in defining the significance of sensory symptoms in ASD, and may be useful in the development of sensory–based approaches for early detection and intervention. PMID:22059092

Probability mapping of scarred myocardium using texture and intensity features in CMR images

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The myocardium exhibits heterogeneous nature due to scarring after Myocardial Infarction (MI). In Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) imaging, Late Gadolinium (LG) contrast agent enhances the intensity of scarred area in the myocardium. Methods In this paper, we propose a probability mapping technique using Texture and Intensity features to describe heterogeneous nature of the scarred myocardium in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) images after Myocardial Infarction (MI). Scarred tissue and non-scarred tissue are represented with high and low probabilities, respectively. Intermediate values possibly indicate areas where the scarred and healthy tissues are interwoven. The probability map of scarred myocardium is calculated by using a probability function based on Bayes rule. Any set of features can be used in the probability function. Results In the present study, we demonstrate the use of two different types of features. One is based on the mean intensity of pixel and the other on underlying texture information of the scarred and non-scarred myocardium. Examples of probability maps computed using the mean intensity of pixel and the underlying texture information are presented. We hypothesize that the probability mapping of myocardium offers alternate visualization, possibly showing the details with physiological significance difficult to detect visually in the original CMR image. Conclusion The probability mapping obtained from the two features provides a way to define different cardiac segments which offer a way to identify areas in the myocardium of diagnostic importance (like core and border areas in scarred myocardium). PMID:24053280

Image processing and machine learning for fully automated probabilistic evaluation of medical images.

PubMed

Sajn, Luka; Kukar, Matjaž

2011-12-01

The paper presents results of our long-term study on using image processing and data mining methods in a medical imaging. Since evaluation of modern medical images is becoming increasingly complex, advanced analytical and decision support tools are involved in integration of partial diagnostic results. Such partial results, frequently obtained from tests with substantial imperfections, are integrated into ultimate diagnostic conclusion about the probability of disease for a given patient. We study various topics such as improving the predictive power of clinical tests by utilizing pre-test and post-test probabilities, texture representation, multi-resolution feature extraction, feature construction and data mining algorithms that significantly outperform medical practice. Our long-term study reveals three significant milestones. The first improvement was achieved by significantly increasing post-test diagnostic probabilities with respect to expert physicians. The second, even more significant improvement utilizes multi-resolution image parametrization. Machine learning methods in conjunction with the feature subset selection on these parameters significantly improve diagnostic performance. However, further feature construction with the principle component analysis on these features elevates results to an even higher accuracy level that represents the third milestone. With the proposed approach clinical results are significantly improved throughout the study. The most significant result of our study is improvement in the diagnostic power of the whole diagnostic process. Our compound approach aids, but does not replace, the physician's judgment and may assist in decisions on cost effectiveness of tests. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intelligent Engine Systems: Thermal Management and Advanced Cooling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bergholz, Robert

2008-01-01

The objective of the Advanced Turbine Cooling and Thermal Management program is to develop intelligent control and distribution methods for turbine cooling, while achieving a reduction in total cooling flow and assuring acceptable turbine component safety and reliability. The program also will develop embedded sensor technologies and cooling system models for real-time engine diagnostics and health management. Both active and passive control strategies will be investigated that include the capability of intelligent modulation of flow quantities, pressures, and temperatures both within the supply system and at the turbine component level. Thermal management system concepts were studied, with a goal of reducing HPT blade cooling air supply temperature. An assessment will be made of the use of this air by the active clearance control system as well. Turbine component cooling designs incorporating advanced, high-effectiveness cooling features, will be evaluated. Turbine cooling flow control concepts will be studied at the cooling system level and the component level. Specific cooling features or sub-elements of an advanced HPT blade cooling design will be downselected for core fabrication and casting demonstrations.

SPECTRO-POLARIMETRIC SIMULATIONS OF THE SOLAR LIMB: ABSORPTION-EMISSION Fe I 6301.5 Å AND 6302.5 Å LINE PROFILES AND TORSIONAL FLOWS IN THE INTERGRANULAR MAGNETIC FLUX CONCENTRATIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shelyag, S.

2015-03-01

Using radiative magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the magnetized solar photosphere and detailed spectro-polarimetric diagnostics with the Fe I 6301.5 Å and 6302.5 Å photospheric lines in the local thermodynamic equilibrium approximation, we model active solar granulation as if it was observed at the solar limb. We analyze general properties of the radiation across the solar limb, such as the continuum and the line core limb darkening and the granulation contrast. We demonstrate the presence of profiles with both emission and absorption features at the simulated solar limb, and pure emission profiles above the limb. These profiles are associated with the regionsmore » of strong linear polarization of the emergent radiation, indicating the influence of the intergranular magnetic fields on the line formation. We analyze physical origins of the emission wings in the Stokes profiles at the limb, and demonstrate that these features are produced by localized heating and torsional motions in the intergranular magnetic flux concentrations.« less

Accuracy of computed tomographic features in differentiating intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn's disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

PubMed

Kedia, Saurabh; Sharma, Raju; Sreenivas, Vishnubhatla; Madhusudhan, Kumble Seetharama; Sharma, Vishal; Bopanna, Sawan; Pratap Mouli, Venigalla; Dhingra, Rajan; Yadav, Dawesh Prakash; Makharia, Govind; Ahuja, Vineet

2017-04-01

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) can noninvasively image the entire gastrointestinal tract and assess extraintestinal features that are important in differentiating Crohn's disease (CD) and intestinal tuberculosis (ITB). The present meta-analysis pooled the results of all studies on the role of CT abdomen in differentiating between CD and ITB. We searched PubMed and Embase for all publications in English that analyzed the features differentiating between CD and ITB on abdominal CT. The features included comb sign, necrotic lymph nodes, asymmetric bowel wall thickening, skip lesions, fibrofatty proliferation, mural stratification, ileocaecal area, long segment, and left colonic involvements. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated for all the features. Symmetric receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted for features present in >3 studies. Heterogeneity and publication bias was assessed and sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding studies that compared features on conventional abdominal CT instead of CT enterography (CTE). We included 6 studies (4 CTE, 1 conventional abdominal CT, and 1 CTE+conventional abdominal CT) involving 417 and 195 patients with CD and ITB, respectively. Necrotic lymph nodes had the highest diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, 23%; specificity, 100%; DOR, 30.2) for ITB diagnosis, and comb sign (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 81%; DOR, 21.5) followed by skip lesions (sensitivity, 86%; specificity, 74%; DOR, 16.5) had the highest diagnostic accuracy for CD diagnosis. On sensitivity analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of other features excluding asymmetric bowel wall thickening remained similar. Necrotic lymph nodes and comb sign on abdominal CT had the best diagnostic accuracy in differentiating CD and ITB.

How Necessary Are the Stripes of a Tiger? Diagnostic and Characteristic Features in an fMRI Study of Word Meaning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grossman, Murray; Troiani, Vanessa; Koenig, Phyllis; Work, Melissa; Moore, Peachie

2007-01-01

This study contrasted two approaches to word meaning: the statistically determined role of high-contribution features like "striped" in the meaning of complex nouns like "tiger" typically used in studies of semantic memory, and the contribution of diagnostic features like "parent's brother" that play a critical role in the meaning of nominal kinds…

Feasibility of streamlining an interactive Bayesian-based diagnostic support tool designed for clinical practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Po-Hao; Botzolakis, Emmanuel; Mohan, Suyash; Bryan, R. N.; Cook, Tessa

2016-03-01

In radiology, diagnostic errors occur either through the failure of detection or incorrect interpretation. Errors are estimated to occur in 30-35% of all exams and contribute to 40-54% of medical malpractice litigations. In this work, we focus on reducing incorrect interpretation of known imaging features. Existing literature categorizes cognitive bias leading a radiologist to an incorrect diagnosis despite having correctly recognized the abnormal imaging features: anchoring bias, framing effect, availability bias, and premature closure. Computational methods make a unique contribution, as they do not exhibit the same cognitive biases as a human. Bayesian networks formalize the diagnostic process. They modify pre-test diagnostic probabilities using clinical and imaging features, arriving at a post-test probability for each possible diagnosis. To translate Bayesian networks to clinical practice, we implemented an entirely web-based open-source software tool. In this tool, the radiologist first selects a network of choice (e.g. basal ganglia). Then, large, clearly labeled buttons displaying salient imaging features are displayed on the screen serving both as a checklist and for input. As the radiologist inputs the value of an extracted imaging feature, the conditional probabilities of each possible diagnosis are updated. The software presents its level of diagnostic discrimination using a Pareto distribution chart, updated with each additional imaging feature. Active collaboration with the clinical radiologist is a feasible approach to software design and leads to design decisions closely coupling the complex mathematics of conditional probability in Bayesian networks with practice.

Design advances of the Core Plasma Thomson Scattering diagnostic for ITER

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scannell, R.; Maslov, M.; Naylor, G.; O'Gorman, T.; Kempenaars, M.; Carr, M.; Bilkova, P.; Bohm, P.; Giudicotti, L.; Pasqualotto, R.; Bassan, M.; Vayakis, G.; Walsh, M.; Huxford, R.

2017-11-01

The Core Plasma Thomson Scattering (CPTS) diagnostic on ITER performs measurements of the electron temperature and density profiles which are critical to the understanding of the ITER plasma. The diagnostic must satisfy the ITER project requirements, which translate to requirements on performance as well as reliability, safety and engineering. The implications are particularly challenging for beam dump lifetime, the need for continuous active alignment of the diagnostic during operation, allowable neutron flux in the interspace and the protection of the first mirror from plasma deposition. The CPTS design has been evolving over a number of years. One recent improvement is that the collection optics have been modified to include freeform surfaces. These freeform surfaces introduce extra complexity to the manufacturing but provide greater flexibility in the design. The greater flexibility introduced allows for example to lower neutron throughput or use fewer surfaces while improving optical performance. Performance assessment has shown that scattering from a 1064 nm laser will be sufficient to meet the measurement requirements, at least for the system at the start of operations. Optical transmission at λ < 600 nm is expected to degrade over the ITER lifetime due to fibre darkening and deposition on the first mirror. For this reason, it is proposed that the diagnostic should additionally include measurements of TS 'depolarised light' and a 1319 nm laser system. These additional techniques have different spectral and polarisation dependencies compared to scattering from a 1064 nm laser and hence provide greater robustness into the inferred measurements of Te and ne in the core.

Comparison between fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of breast lesions.

PubMed

Moschetta, M; Telegrafo, M; Carluccio, D A; Jablonska, J P; Rella, L; Serio, Gabriella; Carrozzo, M; Stabile Ianora, A A; Angelelli, G

2014-01-01

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in patients with USdetected breast lesions. Between September 2011 and May 2013, 3469 consecutive breast US examinations were performed. 400 breast nodules were detected in 398 patients. 210 FNACs and 190 CNBs were performed. 183 out of 400 (46%) lesions were surgically removed within 30 days form diagnosis; in the remaining cases, a six month follow up US examination was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) values were calculated for FNAC and CNB. 174 out of 400 (43%) malignant lesions were found while the remaining 226 resulted to be benign lesions. 166 out of 210 (79%) FNACs and 154 out of 190 (81%) CNBs provided diagnostic specimens. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, PPV and NPV of 97%, 94%, 95%, 91% and 98% were found for FNAC, and values of 92%, 82%, 89%, 92% and 82% were obtained for CNB. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, PPV and NPV of 97%, 96%, 96%, 97% and 96% were found for FNAC, and values of 97%, 96%, 96%, 97% and 96% were obtained for CNB. FNAC and CNB provide similar values of diagnostic accuracy.

Core Skills Assessment to Improve Mathematical Competency

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carr, Michael; Bowe, Brian; Ní Fhloinn, Eabhnat

2013-01-01

Many engineering undergraduates begin third-level education with significant deficiencies in their core mathematical skills. Every year, in the Dublin Institute of Technology, a diagnostic test is given to incoming first-year students, consistently revealing problems in basic mathematics. It is difficult to motivate students to address these…

Comparison of Battery-Powered and Manual Bone Biopsy Systems for Core Needle Biopsy of Sclerotic Bone Lesions.

PubMed

Cohen, Micah G; McMahon, Colm J; Kung, Justin W; Wu, Jim S

2016-05-01

The purpose of this study was to compare manual and battery-powered bone biopsy systems for diagnostic yield and procedural factors during core needle biopsy of sclerotic bone lesions. A total of 155 consecutive CT-guided core needle biopsies of sclerotic bone lesions were performed at one institution from January 2006 to November 2014. Before March 2012, lesions were biopsied with manual bone drill systems. After March 2012, most biopsies were performed with a battery-powered system and either noncoaxial or coaxial biopsy needles. Diagnostic yield, crush artifact, CT procedure time, procedure radiation dose, conscious sedation dose, and complications were compared between the manual and battery-powered core needle biopsy systems by Fisher exact test and t test. One-way ANOVA was used for subgroup analysis of the two battery-powered systems for procedure time and radiation dose. The diagnostic yield for all sclerotic lesions was 60.0% (93/155) and was significantly higher with the battery-powered system (73.0% [27/37]) than with the manual systems (55.9% [66/118]) (p = 0.047). There was no significant difference between the two systems in terms of crush artifact, procedure time, radiation dose, conscious sedation administered, or complications. In subgroup analysis, the coaxial battery-powered biopsies had shorter procedure times (p = 0.01) and lower radiation doses (p = 0.002) than the coaxial manual systems, but the noncoaxial battery-powered biopsies had longer average procedure times and higher radiation doses than the coaxial manual systems. In biopsy of sclerotic bone lesions, use of a battery-powered bone drill system improves diagnostic yield over use of a manual system.

An etiologic classification of autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Gabis, Lidia V; Pomeroy, John

2014-05-01

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a common phenotype related to multiple etiologies, such as genetic, brain injury (e.g., prematurity), environmental (e.g., viral, toxic), multiple or unknown causes. To devise a clinical classification of children diagnosed with ASD according to etiologic workup. Children diagnosed with ASD (n = 436) from two databases were divided into groups of symptomatic cryptogenic or idiopathic, and variables within each database and diagnostic category were compared. By analyzing the two separate databases, 5.4% of the children were classified as symptomatic, 27% as cryptogenic and 67.75% as idiopathic. Among other findings, the entire symptomatic group demonstrated language delays, but almost none showed evidence for regression. Our results indicate similarities between the idiopathic and cryptogenic subgroups in most of the examined variables, and mutual differences from the symptomatic subgroup. The similarities between the first two subgroups support prior evidence that most perinatal factors and minor physical anomalies do not contribute to the development of core symptoms of autism. Differences in gender and clinical and diagnostic features were found when etiology was used to create subtypes of ASD. This classification could have heuristic importance in the search for an autism gene(s).

Fragmentation of negative ions from N-linked carbohydrates, part 4. Fragmentation of complex glycans lacking substitution on the 6-antenna.

PubMed

Harvey, David J; Jaeken, Jaak; Butler, Mike; Armitage, Alison J; Rudd, Pauline M; Dwek, Raymond A

2010-05-01

Negative ion CID spectra of N-linked glycans released from glycoproteins contain many ions that are diagnostic for specific structural features such as the detailed arrangement of antennae and the location of fucose residues. Identification of such ions requires reference glycans that are often difficult to acquire in a pure state. The recent acquisition of a sample of N-glycans from a patient lacking the enzyme N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-2 provided an opportunity to investigate fragmentation of glycans lacking a 6-antenna. These glycans contained one or two galactose-N-acetylglucosamine-chains attached to the 3-linked mannose residue of the trimannosyl-chitobiose core with and without fucose substitution. The spectra from the patient sample clearly defined the antenna distribution and showed striking differences from the spectra of isomeric compounds obtained from normal subjects. Furthermore, they provided additional information on previously identified antenna-specific fragment ions and indicated the presence of additional ions that were diagnostic of fucose substitution. Glycans obtained from such enzyme-deficient patients can, thus, be a valuable way of obtaining spectra of specific isomers in a relatively pure state for interpretation of mass spectra. 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Daily diary study of personality disorder traits: Momentary affect and cognitive appraisals in response to stressful events.

PubMed

Jarnecke, Amber M; Miller, Michelle L; South, Susan C

2017-01-01

Difficulties in emotional expression and emotion regulation are core features of many personality disorders (PDs); yet, we know relatively little about how individuals with PDs affectively respond to stressful situations. The present study seeks to fill this gap in the literature by examining how PD traits are associated with emotional responses to subjective daily stressors, while accounting for cognition and type of stressor experienced (interpersonal vs. noninterpersonal). PD features were measured with the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality-2 (SNAP-2) diagnostic scores. Participants (N = 77) completed a 1-week experience sampling procedure that measured affect and cognition related to a current stressor 5 times per day. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to examine whether and how baseline PD features, momentary cognitions, and type of stressor predicted level of affect. Results demonstrated that paranoid, borderline, and avoidant PD traits predicted negative affect beyond what could be accounted for by cognitions and type of stressor. No PD traits predicted positive affect after accounting for the effects of cognitive appraisals and type of stressor. Findings have implications for validating the role of affect in PDs and understanding how individuals with PDs react in the presence of daily hassles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Comorbid Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus with Parkinsonism: A Clinical Challenge and Call for Awareness.

PubMed

Cucca, A; Biagioni, M C; Sharma, K; Golomb, J; Gilbert, R M; Di Rocco, A; Fleisher, J E

2018-01-01

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is the most common cause of hydrocephalus in adults. The diagnosis may be challenging, requiring collaborative efforts between different specialists. According to the International Society for Hydrocephalus and Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders, iNPH should be considered in the differential of any unexplained gait failure with insidious onset. Recognizing iNPH can be even more difficult in the presence of comorbid neurologic disorders. Among these, idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the major neurologic causes of gait dysfunction in the elderly. Both conditions have their peak prevalence between the 6th and the 7th decade. Importantly, postural instability and gait dysfunction are core clinical features in both iNPH and PD. Therefore, diagnosing iNPH where diagnostic criteria of PD have been met represents an additional clinical challenge. Here, we report a patient with parkinsonism initially consistent with PD who subsequently displayed rapidly progressive postural instability and gait dysfunction leading to the diagnosis of concomitant iNPH. In the following sections, we will review the clinical features of iNPH, as well as the overlapping and discriminating features when degenerative parkinsonism is in the differential diagnosis. Understanding and recognizing the potential for concomitant disease are critical when treating both conditions.

[Diagnosis and differential diagnostic features of gender identity disorder].

PubMed

Kórász, Krisztián; Simon, Lajos

2008-01-01

Gender identity disorder, or transsexualism as it is more commonly known, is a highly complex clinical entity. It is an identifiable and incapacitating disease which can be diagnosed and successfully treated by reassignment surgery. The diagnosis of gender identity disorder can be a difficult process. Transsexual patients will have to undergo extensive psychiatric assessment. The authors review the development of nosology of transsexualism. The current classification systems, symptoms and diagnostic features of gender identity disorders are discussed. The article also discusses differential diagnostic features, like intersex states, psychosis, transvestitism, autogynephilia, gynandromorphophilia, and self-amputation. The authors also discuss the problem of comorbidity, as well.

Comparison between measured and predicted turbulence frequency spectra in ITG and TEM regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Citrin, J.; Arnichand, H.; Bernardo, J.; Bourdelle, C.; Garbet, X.; Jenko, F.; Hacquin, S.; Pueschel, M. J.; Sabot, R.

2017-06-01

The observation of distinct peaks in tokamak core reflectometry measurements—named quasi-coherent-modes (QCMs)—are identified as a signature of trapped-electron-mode (TEM) turbulence (Arnichand et al 2016 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 58 014037). This phenomenon is investigated with detailed linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations using the Gene code. A Tore-Supra density scan is studied, which traverses through a linear (LOC) to saturated (SOC) ohmic confinement transition. The LOC and SOC phases are both simulated separately. In the LOC phase, where QCMs are observed, TEMs are robustly predicted unstable in linear studies. In the later SOC phase, where QCMs are no longer observed, ion-temperature-gradient (ITG) modes are identified. In nonlinear simulations, in the ITG (SOC) phase, a broadband spectrum is seen. In the TEM (LOC) phase, a clear emergence of a peak at the TEM frequencies is seen. This is due to reduced nonlinear frequency broadening of the underlying linear modes in the TEM regime compared with the ITG regime. A synthetic diagnostic of the nonlinearly simulated frequency spectra reproduces the features observed in the reflectometry measurements. These results support the identification of core QCMs as an experimental marker for TEM turbulence.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of history-taking and physical examination in undifferentiated peripheral inflammatory arthritis: a systematic review.

PubMed

Kuriya, Bindee; Villeneuve, Edith; Bombardier, Claire

2011-03-01

To review the diagnostic and prognostic value of history/physical examination among patients with undifferentiated peripheral inflammatory arthritis (UPIA). We conducted a systematic review evaluating the association between history/physical examination features and a diagnostic or prognostic outcome. Nineteen publications were included. Advanced age, female sex, and morning stiffness were predictive of a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from UPIA. A higher number of tender and swollen joints, small/large joint involvement in the upper/lower extremities, and symmetrical involvement were associated with progression to RA. Similar features were associated with persistent disease and erosions, while disability at baseline and extraarticular features were predictive of future disability. History/physical examination features are heterogeneously reported. Several features predict progression from UPIA to RA or a poor prognosis. Continued measurements in the UPIA population are needed to determine if these features are valid and reliable predictors of outcomes, especially as new definitions for RA and disease states emerge.

Breast Cancer Detection with Reduced Feature Set.

PubMed

Mert, Ahmet; Kılıç, Niyazi; Bilgili, Erdem; Akan, Aydin

2015-01-01

This paper explores feature reduction properties of independent component analysis (ICA) on breast cancer decision support system. Wisconsin diagnostic breast cancer (WDBC) dataset is reduced to one-dimensional feature vector computing an independent component (IC). The original data with 30 features and reduced one feature (IC) are used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of the classifiers such as k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), artificial neural network (ANN), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), and support vector machine (SVM). The comparison of the proposed classification using the IC with original feature set is also tested on different validation (5/10-fold cross-validations) and partitioning (20%-40%) methods. These classifiers are evaluated how to effectively categorize tumors as benign and malignant in terms of specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, F-score, Youden's index, discriminant power, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with its criterion values including area under curve (AUC) and 95% confidential interval (CI). This represents an improvement in diagnostic decision support system, while reducing computational complexity.

Trichodesmium blooms and warm-core ocean surface features in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

PubMed

Jyothibabu, R; Karnan, C; Jagadeesan, L; Arunpandi, N; Pandiarajan, R S; Muraleedharan, K R; Balachandran, K K

2017-08-15

Trichodesmium is a bloom-forming, diazotrophic, non-heterocystous cyanobacteria widely distributed in the warmer oceans, and their bloom is considered a 'biological indication' of stratification and nitrogen limitation in the ocean surface layer. In the first part of this paper, based on the retrospective analyses of the ocean surface mesoscale features associated with 59 Trichodesmium bloom incidences recorded in the past, 32 from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and 27 from the rest of the world, we have showed that warm-core features have an inducing effect on bloom formation. In the second part, we have considered the environmental preferences of Trichodesmium bloom based on laboratory and field studies across the globe, and proposed a view about how warm-core features could provide an inducing pre-requisite condition for the bloom formation in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Proposed that the subsurface waters of warm-core features maintain more likely chances for the conducive nutrient and light conditions required for the triggering of the blooms. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Histological features associated with diagnostic agreement in atypical ductal hyperplasia of the breast: illustrative cases from the B-Path study.

PubMed

Allison, Kimberly H; Rendi, Mara H; Peacock, Sue; Morgan, Tom; Elmore, Joann G; Weaver, Donald L

2016-12-01

This study examined the case-specific characteristics associated with interobserver diagnostic agreement in atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) of the breast. Seventy-two test set cases with a consensus diagnosis of ADH from the B-Path study were evaluated. Cases were scored for 17 histological features, which were then correlated with the participant agreement with the consensus ADH diagnosis. Participating pathologists' perceptions of case difficulty, borderline features or whether they would obtain a second opinion were also examined for associations with agreement. Of the 2070 participant interpretations of the 72 consensus ADH cases, 48% were scored by participants as difficult and 45% as borderline between two diagnoses; the presence of both of these features was significantly associated with increased agreement (P < 0.001). A second opinion would have been obtained in 80% of interpretations, and this was associated with increased agreement (P < 0.001). Diagnostic agreement ranged from 10% to 89% on a case-by-case basis. Cases with papillary lesions, cribriform architecture and obvious cytological monotony were associated with higher agreement. Lower agreement rates were associated with solid or micropapillary architecture, borderline cytological monotony, or cases without a diagnostic area that was obvious on low power. The results of this study suggest that pathologists frequently recognize the challenge of ADH cases, with some cases being more prone to diagnostic variability. In addition, there are specific histological features associated with diagnostic agreement on ADH cases. Multiple example images from cases in this test set are provided to serve as educational illustrations of these challenges. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Histologic Features associated with Diagnostic Agreement in Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia of the Breast: Illustrative Cases from the B-Path Study

PubMed Central

Allison, Kimberly H.; Rendi, Mara H.; Peacock, Sue; Morgan, Tom; Elmore, Joann G.; Weaver, Donald L.

2016-01-01

Background Case specific characteristics associated with interobserver diagnostic agreement in atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) of the breast are poorly understood. Methods Seventy-two test set cases with a consensus diagnosis of ADH from the B-Path study were evaluated. Cases were scored for 17 histologic features which were then correlated with the participant agreement with the consensus ADH diagnosis. Participating pathologists’ perceptions of case difficulty, borderline features, or if they would obtain a second opinion were also examined for associations with agreement. Results Of the 2,070 participant interpretations on the 72 consensus ADH cases, 48% were scored by participants as difficult and 45% as borderline between two diagnoses; the presence of both of these features was significantly associated with increased agreement (p < 0.001). A second opinion would have been obtained in 80% of interpretations, and this was associated with increased agreement (p < 0.001). Diagnostic agreement ranged from 10–89% on a case-by-case basis. Cases with papillary lesions, cribriform architecture and obvious cytologic monotony were associated with higher agreement. Lower agreement rates were associated with solid or micro-papillary architecture, borderline cytologic monotony or cases without a diagnostic area that was obvious on low power. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that pathologists frequently recognize the challenge of ADH cases with some cases more prone to diagnostic variability. In addition, there are specific histologic features associated with diagnostic agreement on ADH cases. Multiple example images from cases in this test set are provided to serve as educational illustrations of these challenges. PMID:27398812

3D anatomy of Heinrich Layer 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Rooij, D.; Zaazi, N.; Fagel, N.; Boone, M.; Cnudde, V.; Dewanckele, J.; Pirlet, H.; Rohl, U.; Blamart, D.; Henriet, J.-P.; Jacobs, P.; Houbrechts, H.; Duyck, P.; Swennen, R.

2009-04-01

Heinrich Layers are found in the North Atlantic Ocean as well-constrained markers of catastrophic iceberg surges from the Pan-Atlantic ice sheets during the last glacial cycle. Their physical and geochemical characteristics allow for relatively fast diagnostics using the state-of-the-art core scanners such as a Multi-Sensor Core Logger and an XRF core scanner. The nature of these characteristics are predominantly due to the source sediments of the ice-rafted debris (IRD) on the one hand (magnetic susceptibility, color, carbonate content) and the response of the palaeo-environment on the other hand (carbonate content, foraminiferal assemblage). However, changes in (gamma) bulk density of the sediment within a Heinrich Layer cannot solely be explained due to the higher content of IRD. Sediment cores in the Porcupine Seabight (West off Ireland) have shown the presence of Heinrich Events without the diagnostic changes in magnetic susceptibility (MS), suggesting a more drastic change in oceanography which could cause widespread diagenesis on the seabed during Heinrich Events. In order to better understand the physical behavior of a Heinrich Layer, 2 cores were studied taken from the northern Porcupine Seabight by R/V Marion Dufresne campaign MD123 in September 2001. More specifically HL2 was studied since it carries the most typical HL signature. The main anatomical information, with a resolution of 0.5 mm, was obtained by means of medical computed tomography of half-core sections of 50 cm length from the Ghent University Hospital. This information was used for detailed sampling for mineralogy, grainsize measurements and palaeoenvironmental analyses. On one core section, XRF core scanning was performed at a 0.5 cm interval. Higher-resolution information was obtained from five 8 cc subsamples which underwent µCT scanning and cold-cathode luminescence microscopy. The results of this unique approach show a rather surprising 3D view of a Heinrich Layer. As expected, the concentration of ice-rafted debris (commonly referred to as the fraction > 150 µm) increases towards the culmination of HL2, marked by an increase in MS, XRF Ca and the percentage of N. pachyderma s. However, the zone where the density increases is marked by a cloud of fine and highly dense particles surrounding the IRD. It seems as if the fine clayey "background" matrix throughout the core consolidates near the centre of HL2. The same feature has been observed within the µCT samples, where the cold-cathode luminescence microscopy has indicated the presence of zoned dolomites. These dolomites might be the result of a diagenetic process that might explain the elevated density. Moreover, the mineralogical analyses show for a predominant volcanic source for the magnetic susceptibility. Contrastingly, both XRF Fe and Ti show significant decreases near the HL culmination, which calls again for diagenetic alteration of the sediment during or just after the Heinrich Event. At this stage of the research, the mechanisms of these diagenetic processes remain unclear. Nevertheless, these results call for a wider view on the depositional processes of Heinrich Layers and their impact upon the seabed geochemistry.

Internal core tightener

DOEpatents

Brynsvold, Glen V.; Snyder, Jr., Harold J.

1976-06-22

An internal core tightener which is a linear actuated (vertical actuation motion) expanding device utilizing a minimum of moving parts to perform the lateral tightening function. The key features are: (1) large contact areas to transmit loads during reactor operation; (2) actuation cam surfaces loaded only during clamping and unclamping operation; (3) separation of the parts and internal operation involved in the holding function from those involved in the actuation function; and (4) preloaded pads with compliant travel at each face of the hexagonal assembly at the two clamping planes to accommodate thermal expansion and irradiation induced swelling. The latter feature enables use of a "fixed" outer core boundary, and thus eliminates the uncertainty in gross core dimensions, and potential for rapid core reactivity changes as a result of core dimensional change.

Center of Excellence for Laser Applications in Medicine, Microlaser Microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Webb, R. H.

The Center of Excellence for Laser Applications in Medicine at the Schepens Eye Research Institute (SERI) is a Center for: A core group of researchers who support each other and their various projects for real-time medical imaging and diagnostics in contiguous space at SERI. Clinical collaborators who participate in the core research at SERI, MEEI, and local ophthalmology practices, and at associated sites around the world. Industrial partners who transfer our technology to commercial products that will reach clinical usage everywhere. Students, post-doctoral associates and medical fellows who work with us and learn how to practice real-time medical imaging andmore » diagnostics.« less

An Investigation of the 3-μm Feature in M-Type Asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landsman, Zoe A.; Campins, H.; Hargrove, K.; Pinilla-Alonso, N.; Emery, J.; Ziffer, J.

2013-10-01

The M-type asteroids had originally been interpreted as the disrupted iron cores of differentiated bodies by spectral analogy with the NiFe meteorites. More detailed studies have since indicated a range of compositions. In particular, the presence of a 3-µm feature, diagnostic of hydration, detected in more than 35% of surveyed M-type asteroids (Jones et al. 1990, Rivkin et al. 1995, 2000) has challenged the notion that these bodies are all metallic. Spectroscopy in the 0.8 - 2.5 µm region has revealed absorption features due to mafic silicates and hydroxides or phyllosilicates (Fornasier et al. 2010, Hardersen et al. 2006, 2010, Ockert-Bell et al. 2010). Radar studies have shown that most M-types are not likely to be iron cores, but they typically have a higher metal content than average (Shepard et al. 2010). Taken together, these results paint a fairly confounding picture of the M-type asteroids. While several interpretations have been suggested, more work is needed to clarify the mineralogy of these bodies. We have started a new spectroscopic study of the M asteroids in the 2 - 4 µm region. We seek to characterize the shape, band center, and band depth of the 3-µm feature where it is present, as these measures are indicative of the type and extent of hydration present on asteroids (Lebofsky et al. 1985, Rivkin et al. 2002, Takir & Emery 2012, Volguardsen et al. 2007). With this work, we hope to shed new light on the origin of hydration on M asteroids and its context within their mineralogy and thermal evolution. In July 2013, we obtained 2 - 4 µm spectra for 69 Hesperia, 136 Austria, and 261 Prymno with the SpeX at NASA’s IRTF, and are in the process of reducing the data. We have also obtained 0.8 - 2.0 µm data for 261 Prymno using the NICS at the TNG in February 2013. We report the presence of an absorption feature near 0.9 µm in Prymno’s spectrum, indicating a partially silicate composition. Based on spectral, physical and orbital similarities to other hydrated M-types, we predict the presence of a 3-μm feature in Prymno’s 2 - 4 μm. More 2 - 4 μm observations of M-type asteroids are planned.

Fluctuating cognition in dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease is qualitatively distinct

PubMed Central

Bradshaw, J; Saling, M; Hopwood, M; Anderson, V; Brodtmann, A

2004-01-01

Objectives: To document and illustrate qualitative features of fluctuating cognition as described by care givers of patients with probable dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). To determine whether the quality of the fluctuations differs between DLB and AD. To examine the clinical utility of two recently developed rating scales. Methods: Care givers of 13 patients with early probable DLB and 12 patients with early probable AD were interviewed using the Clinician Assessment of Fluctuation and the One Day Fluctuation Assessment Scale, both developed recently. Descriptions of fluctuating cognition were recorded verbatim, analysed, and rated. Results: Descriptions of fluctuating cognition in DLB had a spontaneous, periodic, transient quality, which appeared to reflect an interruption in the ongoing flow of awareness or attention that impacted on functional abilities. Descriptions of fluctuations in AD frequently highlighted episodes of memory failure, or a more enduring state shift in the form of "good" and "bad" days, typically occurring in response to the cognitive demands of the immediate environment. These qualitative differences could be detected reliably by independent raters, but were not always captured in standard severity scores. Conclusion: Fluctuations occuring in DLB have particular characteristics that are distinguishable from fluctuations occurring in AD. Interpretation and application of the fluctuation criterion continues to limit the diagnostic sensitivity of the consensus criteria for DLB. Findings suggest that explicit documentation and a wider appreciation of these distinctions could improve the reliability with which less experienced clinicians identify this core diagnostic feature in the clinical setting. PMID:14966152

Social relationship difficulties in autism and reactive attachment disorder: Improving diagnostic validity through structured assessment.

PubMed

Davidson, Claire; O'Hare, Anne; Mactaggart, Fiona; Green, Jonathan; Young, David; Gillberg, Christopher; Minnis, Helen

2015-05-01

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) versus Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a common diagnostic challenge for clinicians due to overlapping difficulties with social relationships. RAD is associated with neglect or maltreatment whereas ASD is not: accurate differential diagnosis is therefore critical. Very little research has investigated the relationship between the two, and it is unknown if standardised measures are able to discriminate between ASD and RAD. The current study aimed to address these issues. Fifty eight children with ASD, and no history of maltreatment, were group matched on age with 67 children with RAD. Group profiles on multi-informant measures of RAD were investigated and group differences explored. Discriminant function analysis determined assessment features that best discriminated between the two groups. Although, according to parent report, children with ASD presented with significantly fewer indiscriminate friendliness behaviours compared to the RAD group (p<0.001), 36 children with ASD appeared to meet core RAD criteria. However, structured observation clearly demonstrated that features were indicative of ASD and not RAD for all but 1 of these 36 children. Children with RAD and children with ASD may demonstrate similar social relationship difficulties but there appears to be a difference in the social quality of the interactions between the groups. In most cases it was possible to differentiate between children with ASD and children with RAD via structured observation. Nevertheless, for a small proportion of children with ASD, particularly those whose difficulties may be more subtle, our current standardised measures, including structured observation, may not be effective in differentiating RAD from ASD. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Image microarrays (IMA): Digital pathology's missing tool

PubMed Central

Hipp, Jason; Cheng, Jerome; Pantanowitz, Liron; Hewitt, Stephen; Yagi, Yukako; Monaco, James; Madabhushi, Anant; Rodriguez-canales, Jaime; Hanson, Jeffrey; Roy-Chowdhuri, Sinchita; Filie, Armando C.; Feldman, Michael D.; Tomaszewski, John E.; Shih, Natalie NC.; Brodsky, Victor; Giaccone, Giuseppe; Emmert-Buck, Michael R.; Balis, Ulysses J.

2011-01-01

Introduction: The increasing availability of whole slide imaging (WSI) data sets (digital slides) from glass slides offers new opportunities for the development of computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) algorithms. With the all-digital pathology workflow that these data sets will enable in the near future, literally millions of digital slides will be generated and stored. Consequently, the field in general and pathologists, specifically, will need tools to help extract actionable information from this new and vast collective repository. Methods: To address this limitation, we designed and implemented a tool (dCORE) to enable the systematic capture of image tiles with constrained size and resolution that contain desired histopathologic features. Results: In this communication, we describe a user-friendly tool that will enable pathologists to mine digital slides archives to create image microarrays (IMAs). IMAs are to digital slides as tissue microarrays (TMAs) are to cell blocks. Thus, a single digital slide could be transformed into an array of hundreds to thousands of high quality digital images, with each containing key diagnostic morphologies and appropriate controls. Current manual digital image cut-and-paste methods that allow for the creation of a grid of images (such as an IMA) of matching resolutions are tedious. Conclusion: The ability to create IMAs representing hundreds to thousands of vetted morphologic features has numerous applications in education, proficiency testing, consensus case review, and research. Lastly, in a manner analogous to the way conventional TMA technology has significantly accelerated in situ studies of tissue specimens use of IMAs has similar potential to significantly accelerate CAD algorithm development. PMID:22200030

High-resolution rapid diagnostic imaging of whole prostate biopsies using video-rate fluorescence structured illumination microscopy

PubMed Central

Wang, Mei; Kimbrell, Hillary Z.; Sholl, Andrew B.; Tulman, David B.; Elfer, Katherine N.; Schlichenmeyer, Tyler C.; Lee, Benjamin R.; Lacey, Michelle; Brown, J. Quincy

2015-01-01

Rapid assessment of prostate core biopsy pathology at the point-of-procedure could provide benefit in a variety of clinical situations. Even with advanced trans-rectal ultrasound guidance and saturation biopsy protocols, prostate cancer can be missed in up to half of all initial biopsy procedures. In addition, collection of tumor specimens for downstream histological, molecular, and genetic analysis is hindered by low tumor yield due to inability to identify prostate cancer grossly. However, current point-of-procedure pathology protocols such as frozen section analysis (FSA) are destructive, and too time- and labor-intensive to be practical or economical. Ex vivo microscopy of the excised specimens, stained with fast-acting fluorescent histology dyes, could be an attractive non-destructive alternative to FSA. In this work, we report the first demonstration of video-rate structured illumination microscopy (VR-SIM) for rapid high-resolution diagnostic imaging of prostate biopsies in realistic point-of-procedure timeframes. Large mosaic images of prostate biopsies stained with acridine orange are rendered in seconds, and contain excellent contrast and detail, exhibiting close correlation with corresponding H&E histology. A clinically-relevant review of VR-SIM images of 34 unfixed and uncut prostate core biopsies by two independent pathologists resulted in an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.82–0.88, with a sensitivity ranging from 63–88% and a specificity ranging from 78–89%. When biopsies contained more than 5% tumor content, the sensitivity improved to 75–92%. The image quality, speed, minimal complexity, and ease of use of VR-SIM could prove to be features in favor of adoption as an alternative to destructive pathology at the point-of-procedure. PMID:26282168

Diagnostic Pitfalls in Papillary Lesions of the Breast: Experience from a Single Tertiary Care Center

PubMed Central

Basavaiah, Sridevi Hanaganahalli; Sreeram, Saraswathy; Suresh, Pooja Kundapur; Kini, Hema; Adiga, Deepa; Sahu, Kausalya Kumari; Pai, Radha R

2016-01-01

Introduction Papillary neoplasms are a group of lesions that are characterized by presence of papillae supported by fibrovascular cores lined by epithelial cells with or without myoepithelial cell layer. These neoplasms may be benign, atypical or malignant. Aims This study was conducted to analyse the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary lesions of the breast. Materials and Methods A retrospective and prospective analysis of 34 cases of papillary lesions received over a period of 7 years from 2009 to 2015 was done. The patient’s clinical details were collected from medical archives and the histopathological findings were reviewed. The lesions were classified into benign, atypical and malignant categories. Results During the study period, there were 34 cases of papillary lesions of breast. The mean age was 58 years. The central quadrant was the most common location (66.6%). The most common presenting complaint was lump (76.5% cases). Papillary lesions presented more commonly as solitary lump (82.4%) rather than multifocal disease. Benign papillary lesions were more common than the atypical and malignant lesions. The most common papillary lesion accounting for 43% of the cases was intraductal papilloma. Malignant lesions accounted for 41.2% cases with intraductal papillary carcinoma and invasive papillary carcinoma constituting 14.7% cases each. Conclusion Diagnosis of papillary carcinoma is challenging and its classification includes different entities that have specific diagnostic criteria. Due to their heterozygosity in morphology with benign, atypical and malignant subtypes, morphological features such as type of fibrovascular core and continuity of myoepithelial layer along with immunohistochemical stains for myoepithelial cells should be considered for proper and accurate diagnosis. PMID:27656446

Single-Event Upset and Scaling Trends in New Generation of the Commercial SOI PowerPC Microprocessors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Irom, Farokh; Farmanesh, Farhad; Kouba, Coy K.

2006-01-01

SEU from heavy-ions is measured for SOI PowerPC microprocessors. Results for 0.13 micron PowerPC with 1.1V core voltages increases over 1.3V versions. This suggests that improvement in SEU for scaled devices may be reversed. In recent years there has been interest in the possible use of unhardened commercial microprocessors in space because of their superior performance compared to hardened processors. However, unhardened devices are susceptible to upset from radiation space. More information is needed on how they respond to radiation before they can be used in space. Only a limited number of advanced microprocessors have been subjected to radiation tests, which are designed with lower clock frequencies and higher internal core voltage voltages than recent devices [1-6]. However the trend for commercial Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) microprocessors is to reduce feature size and internal core voltage and increase the clock frequency. Commercial microprocessors with the PowerPC architecture are now available that use partially depleted SOI processes with feature size of 90 nm and internal core voltage as low as 1.0 V and clock frequency in the GHz range. Previously, we reported SEU measurements for SOI commercial PowerPCs with feature size of 0.18 and 0.13 m [7, 8]. The results showed an order of magnitude reduction in saturated cross section compared to CMOS bulk counterparts. This paper examines SEUs in advanced commercial SOI microprocessors, focusing on SEU sensitivity of D-Cache and hangs with feature size and internal core voltage. Results are presented for the Motorola SOI processor with feature sizes of 0.13 microns and internal core voltages of 1.3 and 1.1 V. These results are compared with results for the Motorola SOI processors with feature size of 0.18 microns and internal core voltage of 1.6 and 1.3 V.

Greater Biopsy Core Number Is Associated With Improved Biochemical Control in Patients Treated With Permanent Prostate Brachytherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bittner, Nathan; Merrick, Gregory S., E-mail: gmerrick@urologicresearchinstitute.or; Galbreath, Robert W.

2010-11-15

Purpose: Standard prostate biopsy schemes underestimate Gleason score in a significant percentage of cases. Extended biopsy improves diagnostic accuracy and provides more reliable prognostic information. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that greater biopsy core number should result in improved treatment outcome through better tailoring of therapy. Methods and Materials: From April 1995 to May 2006, 1,613 prostate cancer patients were treated with permanent brachytherapy. Patients were divided into five groups stratified by the number of prostate biopsy cores ({<=}6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-20, and >20 cores). Biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS), cause-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluatedmore » as a function of core number. Results: The median patient age was 66 years, and the median preimplant prostate-specific antigen was 6.5 ng/mL. The overall 10-year bPFS, CSS, and OS were 95.6%, 98.3%, and 78.6%, respectively. When bPFS was analyzed as a function of core number, the 10-year bPFS for patients with >20, 13-20, 10-12, 7-9 and {<=}6 cores was 100%, 100%, 98.3%, 95.8%, and 93.0% (p < 0.001), respectively. When evaluated by treatment era (1995-2000 vs. 2001-2006), the number of biopsy cores remained a statistically significant predictor of bPFS. On multivariate analysis, the number of biopsy cores was predictive of bPFS but did not predict for CSS or OS. Conclusion: Greater biopsy core number was associated with a statistically significant improvement in bPFS. Comprehensive regional sampling of the prostate may enhance diagnostic accuracy compared to a standard biopsy scheme, resulting in better tailoring of therapy.« less

Predicting diagnostic error in Radiology via eye-tracking and image analytics: Application in mammography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Voisin, Sophie; Pinto, Frank M; Morin-Ducote, Garnetta

2013-01-01

Purpose: The primary aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of predicting diagnostic errors in mammography by merging radiologists gaze behavior and image characteristics. A secondary aim was to investigate group-based and personalized predictive models for radiologists of variable experience levels. Methods: The study was performed for the clinical task of assessing the likelihood of malignancy of mammographic masses. Eye-tracking data and diagnostic decisions for 40 cases were acquired from 4 Radiology residents and 2 breast imaging experts as part of an IRB-approved pilot study. Gaze behavior features were extracted from the eye-tracking data. Computer-generated and BIRADsmore » images features were extracted from the images. Finally, machine learning algorithms were used to merge gaze and image features for predicting human error. Feature selection was thoroughly explored to determine the relative contribution of the various features. Group-based and personalized user modeling was also investigated. Results: Diagnostic error can be predicted reliably by merging gaze behavior characteristics from the radiologist and textural characteristics from the image under review. Leveraging data collected from multiple readers produced a reasonable group model (AUC=0.79). Personalized user modeling was far more accurate for the more experienced readers (average AUC of 0.837 0.029) than for the less experienced ones (average AUC of 0.667 0.099). The best performing group-based and personalized predictive models involved combinations of both gaze and image features. Conclusions: Diagnostic errors in mammography can be predicted reliably by leveraging the radiologists gaze behavior and image content.« less

Kinetic equilibrium reconstruction for the NBI- and ICRH-heated H-mode plasma on EAST tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhen, ZHENG; Nong, XIANG; Jiale, CHEN; Siye, DING; Hongfei, DU; Guoqiang, LI; Yifeng, WANG; Haiqing, LIU; Yingying, LI; Bo, LYU; Qing, ZANG

2018-04-01

The equilibrium reconstruction is important to study the tokamak plasma physical processes. To analyze the contribution of fast ions to the equilibrium, the kinetic equilibria at two time-slices in a typical H-mode discharge with different auxiliary heatings are reconstructed by using magnetic diagnostics, kinetic diagnostics and TRANSP code. It is found that the fast-ion pressure might be up to one-third of the plasma pressure and the contribution is mainly in the core plasma due to the neutral beam injection power is primarily deposited in the core region. The fast-ion current contributes mainly in the core region while contributes little to the pedestal current. A steep pressure gradient in the pedestal is observed which gives rise to a strong edge current. It is proved that the fast ion effects cannot be ignored and should be considered in the future study of EAST.

Does the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change help moving forward in measuring change in early autism intervention studies?

PubMed

Pijl, Mirjam Kj; Rommelse, Nanda Nj; Hendriks, Monica; De Korte, Manon Wp; Buitelaar, Jan K; Oosterling, Iris J

2018-02-01

The field of early autism research is in dire need of outcome measures that adequately reflect subtle changes in core autistic behaviors. This article compares the ability of a newly developed measure, the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change (BOSCC), and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) to detect changes in core symptoms of autism in 44 toddlers. The results provide encouraging evidence for the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change as a candidate outcome measure, as reflected in sufficient inter- and intra-rater reliability, independency from other child characteristics, and sensitivity to capture change. Although the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change did not evidently outperform the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule on any of these quality criteria, the instrument may be better able to capture subtle, individual changes in core autistic symptoms. The promising findings warrant further study of this new instrument.

Turbine component casting core with high resolution region

DOEpatents

Kamel, Ahmed; Merrill, Gary B.

2014-08-26

A hollow turbine engine component with complex internal features can include a first region and a second, high resolution region. The first region can be defined by a first ceramic core piece formed by any conventional process, such as by injection molding or transfer molding. The second region can be defined by a second ceramic core piece formed separately by a method effective to produce high resolution features, such as tomo lithographic molding. The first core piece and the second core piece can be joined by interlocking engagement that once subjected to an intermediate thermal heat treatment process thermally deform to form a three dimensional interlocking joint between the first and second core pieces by allowing thermal creep to irreversibly interlock the first and second core pieces together such that the joint becomes physically locked together providing joint stability through thermal processing.

Towards intelligent diagnostic system employing integration of mathematical and engineering model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Isa, Nor Ashidi Mat

The development of medical diagnostic system has been one of the main research fields during years. The goal of the medical diagnostic system is to place a nosological system that could ease the diagnostic evaluation normally performed by scientists and doctors. Efficient diagnostic evaluation is essentials and requires broad knowledge in order to improve conventional diagnostic system. Several approaches on developing the medical diagnostic system have been designed and tested since the earliest 60s. Attempts on improving their performance have been made which utilizes the fields of artificial intelligence, statistical analyses, mathematical model and engineering theories. With the availability ofmore » the microcomputer and software development as well as the promising aforementioned fields, medical diagnostic prototypes could be developed. In general, the medical diagnostic system consists of several stages, namely the 1) data acquisition, 2) feature extraction, 3) feature selection, and 4) classifications stages. Data acquisition stage plays an important role in converting the inputs measured from the real world physical conditions to the digital numeric values that can be manipulated by the computer system. One of the common medical inputs could be medical microscopic images, radiographic images, magnetic resonance image (MRI) as well as medical signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG). Normally, the scientist or doctors have to deal with myriad of data and redundant to be processed. In order to reduce the complexity of the diagnosis process, only the significant features of the raw data such as peak value of the ECG signal or size of lesion in the mammogram images will be extracted and considered in the subsequent stages. Mathematical models and statistical analyses will be performed to select the most significant features to be classified. The statistical analyses such as principal component analysis and discriminant analysis as well as mathematical model of clustering technique have been widely used in developing the medical diagnostic systems. The selected features will be classified using mathematical models that embedded engineering theory such as artificial intelligence, support vector machine, neural network and fuzzy-neuro system. These classifiers will provide the diagnostic results without human intervention. Among many publishable researches, several prototypes have been developed namely NeuralPap, Neural Mammo, and Cervix Kit. The former system (NeuralPap) is an automatic intelligent diagnostic system for classifying and distinguishing between the normal and cervical cancerous cells. Meanwhile, the Cervix Kit is a portable Field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based cervical diagnostic kit that could automatically diagnose the cancerous cell based on the images obtained during sampling test. Besides the cervical diagnostic system, the Neural Mammo system is developed to specifically aid the diagnosis of breast cancer using a fine needle aspiration image.« less

Towards intelligent diagnostic system employing integration of mathematical and engineering model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isa, Nor Ashidi Mat

2015-05-01

The development of medical diagnostic system has been one of the main research fields during years. The goal of the medical diagnostic system is to place a nosological system that could ease the diagnostic evaluation normally performed by scientists and doctors. Efficient diagnostic evaluation is essentials and requires broad knowledge in order to improve conventional diagnostic system. Several approaches on developing the medical diagnostic system have been designed and tested since the earliest 60s. Attempts on improving their performance have been made which utilizes the fields of artificial intelligence, statistical analyses, mathematical model and engineering theories. With the availability of the microcomputer and software development as well as the promising aforementioned fields, medical diagnostic prototypes could be developed. In general, the medical diagnostic system consists of several stages, namely the 1) data acquisition, 2) feature extraction, 3) feature selection, and 4) classifications stages. Data acquisition stage plays an important role in converting the inputs measured from the real world physical conditions to the digital numeric values that can be manipulated by the computer system. One of the common medical inputs could be medical microscopic images, radiographic images, magnetic resonance image (MRI) as well as medical signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG). Normally, the scientist or doctors have to deal with myriad of data and redundant to be processed. In order to reduce the complexity of the diagnosis process, only the significant features of the raw data such as peak value of the ECG signal or size of lesion in the mammogram images will be extracted and considered in the subsequent stages. Mathematical models and statistical analyses will be performed to select the most significant features to be classified. The statistical analyses such as principal component analysis and discriminant analysis as well as mathematical model of clustering technique have been widely used in developing the medical diagnostic systems. The selected features will be classified using mathematical models that embedded engineering theory such as artificial intelligence, support vector machine, neural network and fuzzy-neuro system. These classifiers will provide the diagnostic results without human intervention. Among many publishable researches, several prototypes have been developed namely NeuralPap, Neural Mammo, and Cervix Kit. The former system (NeuralPap) is an automatic intelligent diagnostic system for classifying and distinguishing between the normal and cervical cancerous cells. Meanwhile, the Cervix Kit is a portable Field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based cervical diagnostic kit that could automatically diagnose the cancerous cell based on the images obtained during sampling test. Besides the cervical diagnostic system, the Neural Mammo system is developed to specifically aid the diagnosis of breast cancer using a fine needle aspiration image.

Lung nodule malignancy classification using only radiologist-quantified image features as inputs to statistical learning algorithms: probing the Lung Image Database Consortium dataset with two statistical learning methods

PubMed Central

Hancock, Matthew C.; Magnan, Jerry F.

2016-01-01

Abstract. In the assessment of nodules in CT scans of the lungs, a number of image-derived features are diagnostically relevant. Currently, many of these features are defined only qualitatively, so they are difficult to quantify from first principles. Nevertheless, these features (through their qualitative definitions and interpretations thereof) are often quantified via a variety of mathematical methods for the purpose of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). To determine the potential usefulness of quantified diagnostic image features as inputs to a CAD system, we investigate the predictive capability of statistical learning methods for classifying nodule malignancy. We utilize the Lung Image Database Consortium dataset and only employ the radiologist-assigned diagnostic feature values for the lung nodules therein, as well as our derived estimates of the diameter and volume of the nodules from the radiologists’ annotations. We calculate theoretical upper bounds on the classification accuracy that are achievable by an ideal classifier that only uses the radiologist-assigned feature values, and we obtain an accuracy of 85.74 (±1.14)%, which is, on average, 4.43% below the theoretical maximum of 90.17%. The corresponding area-under-the-curve (AUC) score is 0.932 (±0.012), which increases to 0.949 (±0.007) when diameter and volume features are included and has an accuracy of 88.08 (±1.11)%. Our results are comparable to those in the literature that use algorithmically derived image-based features, which supports our hypothesis that lung nodules can be classified as malignant or benign using only quantified, diagnostic image features, and indicates the competitiveness of this approach. We also analyze how the classification accuracy depends on specific features and feature subsets, and we rank the features according to their predictive power, statistically demonstrating the top four to be spiculation, lobulation, subtlety, and calcification. PMID:27990453

Lung nodule malignancy classification using only radiologist-quantified image features as inputs to statistical learning algorithms: probing the Lung Image Database Consortium dataset with two statistical learning methods.

PubMed

Hancock, Matthew C; Magnan, Jerry F

2016-10-01

In the assessment of nodules in CT scans of the lungs, a number of image-derived features are diagnostically relevant. Currently, many of these features are defined only qualitatively, so they are difficult to quantify from first principles. Nevertheless, these features (through their qualitative definitions and interpretations thereof) are often quantified via a variety of mathematical methods for the purpose of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). To determine the potential usefulness of quantified diagnostic image features as inputs to a CAD system, we investigate the predictive capability of statistical learning methods for classifying nodule malignancy. We utilize the Lung Image Database Consortium dataset and only employ the radiologist-assigned diagnostic feature values for the lung nodules therein, as well as our derived estimates of the diameter and volume of the nodules from the radiologists' annotations. We calculate theoretical upper bounds on the classification accuracy that are achievable by an ideal classifier that only uses the radiologist-assigned feature values, and we obtain an accuracy of 85.74 [Formula: see text], which is, on average, 4.43% below the theoretical maximum of 90.17%. The corresponding area-under-the-curve (AUC) score is 0.932 ([Formula: see text]), which increases to 0.949 ([Formula: see text]) when diameter and volume features are included and has an accuracy of 88.08 [Formula: see text]. Our results are comparable to those in the literature that use algorithmically derived image-based features, which supports our hypothesis that lung nodules can be classified as malignant or benign using only quantified, diagnostic image features, and indicates the competitiveness of this approach. We also analyze how the classification accuracy depends on specific features and feature subsets, and we rank the features according to their predictive power, statistically demonstrating the top four to be spiculation, lobulation, subtlety, and calcification.

Computer-aided-diagnosis (CAD) for colposcopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lange, Holger; Ferris, Daron G.

2005-04-01

Uterine cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Colposcopy is a diagnostic method, whereby a physician (colposcopist) visually inspects the lower genital tract (cervix, vulva and vagina), with special emphasis on the subjective appearance of metaplastic epithelium comprising the transformation zone on the cervix. Cervical cancer precursor lesions and invasive cancer exhibit certain distinctly abnormal morphologic features. Lesion characteristics such as margin; color or opacity; blood vessel caliber, intercapillary spacing and distribution; and contour are considered by colposcopists to derive a clinical diagnosis. Clinicians and academia have suggested and shown proof of concept that automated image analysis of cervical imagery can be used for cervical cancer screening and diagnosis, having the potential to have a direct impact on improving women"s health care and reducing associated costs. STI Medical Systems is developing a Computer-Aided-Diagnosis (CAD) system for colposcopy -- ColpoCAD. At the heart of ColpoCAD is a complex multi-sensor, multi-data and multi-feature image analysis system. A functional description is presented of the envisioned ColpoCAD system, broken down into: Modality Data Management System, Image Enhancement, Feature Extraction, Reference Database, and Diagnosis and directed Biopsies. The system design and development process of the image analysis system is outlined. The system design provides a modular and open architecture built on feature based processing. The core feature set includes the visual features used by colposcopists. This feature set can be extended to include new features introduced by new instrument technologies, like fluorescence and impedance, and any other plausible feature that can be extracted from the cervical data. Preliminary results of our research on detecting the three most important features: blood vessel structures, acetowhite regions and lesion margins are shown. As this is a new and very complex field in medical image processing, the hope is that this paper can provide a framework and basis to encourage and facilitate collaboration and discussion between industry, academia, and medical practitioners.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions: analysis of 602 biopsies performed over 5 years.

PubMed

Luparia, A; Durando, M; Campanino, P; Regini, E; Lucarelli, D; Talenti, A; Mattone, G; Mariscotti, G; Sapino, A; Gandini, G

2011-04-01

The authors sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness of vacuum-assisted core biopsy (VACB) in comparison with diagnostic surgical excision for characterisation of nonpalpable breast lesions classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories R3 and R4. From January 2004 to December 2008, we conducted 602 stereotactic, 11-gauge, VACB procedures on 243 nonpalpable breast lesions categorised as BI-RADS R3, 346 categorised as BI-RADS R4 and 13 categorised as BI-RADS R5. We calculated the diagnostic accuracy and cost savings of VACB by subtracting the cost of the stereotactic biopsy from that of the diagnostic surgical procedure. A total of 56% of the lesions were benign and required no further assessment. Lesions of uncertain malignant potential (B3) (23.6%) were debated at multidisciplinary meetings, and diagnostic surgical biopsy was recommended for 83.1% of them. All malignant lesions (B4 and B5) underwent surgical excision. VACB had a sensitivity of 94.9%, specificity of 98.3% and diagnostic accuracy of 97.7%. The cost savings per VACB procedure were 464.00 euro; by obviating 335 surgical biopsies, the overall cost savings was 155,440.00 euro over 5 years. VACB proved to have high diagnostic accuracy for characterising abnormalities at low to intermediate risk of malignancy and obviated surgical excision in about half of the cases, allowing for considerable cost savings.

Applications of Precipitation Feature Databases from GPM core and constellation Satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, C.

2017-12-01

Using the observations from Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) core and constellation satellites, global precipitation was quantitatively described from the perspective of precipitation systems and their properties. This presentation will introduce the development of precipitation feature databases, and several scientific questions that have been tackled using this database, including the topics of global snow precipitation, extreme intensive convection, hail storms, extreme precipitation, and microphysical properties derived with dual frequency radars at the top of convective cores. As more and more observations of constellation satellites become available, it is anticipated that the precipitation feature approach will help to address a large variety of scientific questions in the future. For anyone who is interested, all the current precipitation feature databases are freely open to public at: http://atmos.tamucc.edu/trmm/.

[Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid storm].

PubMed

Akamizu, Takashi

2012-11-01

Thyrotoxic storm is a life-threatening condition requiring emergency treatment. Neither its epidemiological data nor diagnostic criteria have been fully established. We clarified the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of thyroid storm using nationwide surveys and then formulate diagnostic criteria for thyroid storm. To perform the nationwide survey on thyroid storm, we first developed tentative diagnostic criteria for thyroid storm, mainly based upon the literature (the first edition). We analyzed the relationship of the major features of thyroid storm to mortality and to certain other features. Finally, based upon the findings of these surveys, we revised the diagnostic criteria. Thyrotoxic storm is still a life-threatening disorder with over 10% mortality in Japan.

Re-Conceptualizing ASD within a Dimensional Framework: Positive, Negative, and Cognitive Feature Clusters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foss-Feig, Jennifer H.; McPartland, James C.; Anticevic, Alan; Wolf, Julie

2016-01-01

Introduction of the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria and revision of diagnostic classification for Autism Spectrum Disorder in the latest diagnostic manual call for a new way of conceptualizing heterogeneous ASD features. We propose a novel conceptualization of ASD, borrowing from the schizophrenia literature in…

Accuracy and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of focal lesions in the salivary glands.

PubMed

Del Cura, Jose Luis; Coronado, Gloria; Zabala, Rosa; Korta, Igone; López, Ignacio

2018-01-31

To review the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of salivary gland tumours (SGT). Retrospective, institutional review board approved, analysis of the CNB of SGT performed at our centre in 8 years. We used an automatic 18-G spring-loaded device. The final diagnosis was based on surgery in the cases that were operated on, and on clinical evolution and biopsy findings in the rest. Four hundred and nine biopsies were performed in 381 patients (ages, 2-97 years; mean, 55.9). There were two minor complications. Biopsy was diagnostic in 98.3%. There were eight false negatives. The diagnostic values for malignancy were: sensitivity 89.6%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 100% and negative predictive value (NPV) 98%. For the detection of neoplasms were: sensitivity 98.7%, specificity 99%, PPV 99.7% and VPN 96.1%. Accuracy of CNB in SGT is very high, with a very high sensitivity and an absolutely reliable diagnosis of malignancy. Complication rate is very low. It should be considered the technique of choice when a STG is detected. Normal tissue results warrant repeating biopsy. • Ultrasound-guided core-biopsy is the technique of choice in salivary glands nodules • Sensitivity, specificity for detecting neoplasms (which should be resected) are around 99% • Diagnosis of malignancy in core-biopsy is absolutely reliable • A CNB result of "normal tissue", however, warrants repeating the biopsy • Complication rate is very low.

Calcified cartilage or bone? Collagens in the tessellated endoskeletons of cartilaginous fish (sharks and rays).

PubMed

Seidel, Ronald; Blumer, Michael; Pechriggl, Elisabeth-Judith; Lyons, Kady; Hall, Brian K; Fratzl, Peter; Weaver, James C; Dean, Mason N

2017-10-01

The primary skeletal tissue in elasmobranchs -sharks, rays and relatives- is cartilage, forming both embryonic and adult endoskeletons. Only the skeletal surface calcifies, exhibiting mineralized tiles (tesserae) sandwiched between a cartilage core and overlying fibrous perichondrium. These two tissues are based on different collagens (Coll II and I, respectively), fueling a long-standing debate as to whether tesserae are more like calcified cartilage or bone (Coll 1-based) in their matrix composition. We demonstrate that stingray (Urobatis halleri) tesserae are bipartite, having an upper Coll I-based 'cap' that merges into a lower Coll II-based 'body' zone, although tesserae are surrounded by cartilage. We identify a 'supratesseral' unmineralized cartilage layer, between tesserae and perichondrium, distinguished from the cartilage core in containing Coll I and X (a common marker for mammalian mineralization), in addition to Coll II. Chondrocytes within tesserae appear intact and sit in lacunae filled with Coll II-based matrix, suggesting tesserae originate in cartilage, despite comprising a diversity of collagens. Intertesseral joints are also complex in their collagenous composition, being similar to supratesseral cartilage closer to the perichondrium, but containing unidentified fibrils nearer the cartilage core. Our results indicate a unique potential for tessellated cartilage in skeletal biology research, since it lacks features believed diagnostic for vertebrate cartilage mineralization (e.g. hypertrophic and apoptotic chondrocytes), while offering morphologies amenable for investigating the regulation of complex mineralized ultrastructure and tissues patterned on multiple collagens. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Auditory mismatch impairments are characterized by core neural dysfunctions in schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Gaebler, Arnim Johannes; Mathiak, Klaus; Koten, Jan Willem; König, Andrea Anna; Koush, Yury; Weyer, David; Depner, Conny; Matentzoglu, Simeon; Edgar, James Christopher; Willmes, Klaus; Zvyagintsev, Mikhail

2015-01-01

Major theories on the neural basis of schizophrenic core symptoms highlight aberrant salience network activity (insula and anterior cingulate cortex), prefrontal hypoactivation, sensory processing deficits as well as an impaired connectivity between temporal and prefrontal cortices. The mismatch negativity is a potential biomarker of schizophrenia and its reduction might be a consequence of each of these mechanisms. In contrast to the previous electroencephalographic studies, functional magnetic resonance imaging may disentangle the involved brain networks at high spatial resolution and determine contributions from localized brain responses and functional connectivity to the schizophrenic impairments. Twenty-four patients and 24 matched control subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during an optimized auditory mismatch task. Haemodynamic responses and functional connectivity were compared between groups. These data sets further entered a diagnostic classification analysis to assess impairments on the individual patient level. In the control group, mismatch responses were detected in the auditory cortex, prefrontal cortex and the salience network (insula and anterior cingulate cortex). Furthermore, mismatch processing was associated with a deactivation of the visual system and the dorsal attention network indicating a shift of resources from the visual to the auditory domain. The patients exhibited reduced activation in all of the respective systems (right auditory cortex, prefrontal cortex, and the salience network) as well as reduced deactivation of the visual system and the dorsal attention network. Group differences were most prominent in the anterior cingulate cortex and adjacent prefrontal areas. The latter regions also exhibited a reduced functional connectivity with the auditory cortex in the patients. In the classification analysis, haemodynamic responses yielded a maximal accuracy of 83% based on four features; functional connectivity data performed similarly or worse for up to about 10 features. However, connectivity data yielded a better performance when including more than 10 features yielding up to 90% accuracy. Among others, the most discriminating features represented functional connections between the auditory cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex as well as adjacent prefrontal areas. Auditory mismatch impairments incorporate major neural dysfunctions in schizophrenia. Our data suggest synergistic effects of sensory processing deficits, aberrant salience attribution, prefrontal hypoactivation as well as a disrupted connectivity between temporal and prefrontal cortices. These deficits are associated with subsequent disturbances in modality-specific resource allocation. Capturing different schizophrenic core dysfunctions, functional magnetic resonance imaging during this optimized mismatch paradigm reveals processing impairments on the individual patient level, rendering it a potential biomarker of schizophrenia. PMID:25743635

Preoperative easily misdiagnosed telangiectatic osteosarcoma: clinical–radiologic–pathologic correlations

PubMed Central

Gao, Zhen-Hua; Yin, Jun-Qiang; Liu, Da-Wei; Meng, Quan-Fei

2013-01-01

Abstract Purpose: To describe the clinical, imaging, and pathologic characteristics and diagnostic methods of telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS) for improving the diagnostic level. Materials and methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed patient demographics, serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels, preoperative biopsy pathologic reports, pathologic materials, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes from 26 patients with TOS. Patient images from radiography (26 cases) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (22 cases) were evaluated by 3 authors in consensus for intrinsic characteristics. There were 15 male and 11 female patients in the study, with an age of 9–32 years (mean age 15.9 years). Results: Eighteen of 26 patients died of lung metastases within 5 years of follow-up. The distal femur was affected more commonly (14 cases, 53.8%). Regarding serum AKP, normal (8 cases) or mildly elevated (18 cases) levels were found before preoperative chemotherapy. Radiographs showed geographic bone lysis without sclerotic margin (26 cases), cortical destruction (26 cases), periosteal new bone formation (24 cases), soft-tissue mass (23 cases), and matrix mineralization (4 cases). The aggressive radiographic features of TOS simulated the appearance of conventional high-grade intramedullary osteosarcoma, though different from aneurysmal bone cyst. MR images demonstrated multiple big (16 cases) or small (6 cases) cystic spaces, fluid-fluid levels (14 cases), soft-tissue mass (22 cases), and thick peripheral and septal enhancement (22 cases). Nine of 26 cases were misdiagnosed as aneurysmal bone cysts by preoperative core-needle biopsy, owing to the absence of viable high-grade sarcomatous cells in the small tissue samples. Conclusion: The aggressive growth pattern with occasional matrix mineralization, and multiple big or small fluid-filled cavities with thick peripheral, septal, and nodular tissue surrounding the fluid-filled cavities are characteristic imaging features of TOS, and these features are helpful in making the correct preoperative diagnosis of TOS. PMID:24334494

Monodisperse core-shell particles composed of magnetite and dye-functionalized mesoporous silica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eurov, D. A.; Kurdyukov, D. A.; Medvedev, A. V.; Kirilenko, D. A.; Yakovlev, D. R.; Golubev, V. G.

2017-08-01

Hybrid particles with a core-shell structure have been obtained in the form of monodisperse spherical mesoporous silica particles filled with magnetite and covered with a mesoporous silica shell functionalized with a luminescent dye. The particles have a small root-mean-square size deviation (at most 10%), possess a specific surface area and specific pore volume of up to 250 m2/g and 0.15 cm3/g, respectively, and exhibit visible luminescence peaked at a wavelength of 530 nm. The particles can be used in diagnostics of cancerous diseases, serving simultaneously for therapeutic (magnetic hyperthermia and targeted drug delivery) and diagnostic (contrast agent for magnetic-resonance tomography and luminescent marker) purposes.

Predicting diagnostic error in radiology via eye-tracking and image analytics: Preliminary investigation in mammography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Voisin, Sophie; Tourassi, Georgia D.; Pinto, Frank

2013-10-15

Purpose: The primary aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of predicting diagnostic errors in mammography by merging radiologists’ gaze behavior and image characteristics. A secondary aim was to investigate group-based and personalized predictive models for radiologists of variable experience levels.Methods: The study was performed for the clinical task of assessing the likelihood of malignancy of mammographic masses. Eye-tracking data and diagnostic decisions for 40 cases were acquired from four Radiology residents and two breast imaging experts as part of an IRB-approved pilot study. Gaze behavior features were extracted from the eye-tracking data. Computer-generated and BIRADS imagesmore » features were extracted from the images. Finally, machine learning algorithms were used to merge gaze and image features for predicting human error. Feature selection was thoroughly explored to determine the relative contribution of the various features. Group-based and personalized user modeling was also investigated.Results: Machine learning can be used to predict diagnostic error by merging gaze behavior characteristics from the radiologist and textural characteristics from the image under review. Leveraging data collected from multiple readers produced a reasonable group model [area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.792 ± 0.030]. Personalized user modeling was far more accurate for the more experienced readers (AUC = 0.837 ± 0.029) than for the less experienced ones (AUC = 0.667 ± 0.099). The best performing group-based and personalized predictive models involved combinations of both gaze and image features.Conclusions: Diagnostic errors in mammography can be predicted to a good extent by leveraging the radiologists’ gaze behavior and image content.« less

Diagnostic dilemma of unicystic ameloblastoma: novel parameters to differentiate unicystic ameloblastoma from common odontogenic cysts.

PubMed

Gunawardhana, Kuda Singappulige Niluka Darshani; Jayasooriya, Primali Rukmal; Tilakaratne, Wanninayake Mudiyanselage

2014-08-01

Diagnostic criteria that have been specified for unicystic ameloblastomas (UAs) are not always helpful to differentiate these cystic tumors from common odontogenic cysts. The aim of this study therefore was to identify additional histopathological features (other than the features considered for the diagnosis of UA at present) that would be helpful to differentiate UA from odontogenic cysts. One hundred histopathologically confirmed unicystic ameloblastomas and 20 cases each of radicular, inflamed dentigerous and non-inflamed dentigerous cysts were selected. Histopathological features of the UAs that are not used as diagnostic criteria at present were identified. Hyperplastic arcading epithelial proliferations with stellate-reticulum-like and vacuolated cells were always seen associated with inflammation in odontogenic cysts, while in UA plexiform-like areas were also seen without inflammation (P < 0.001). In addition, a spiky rete pattern was observed in non-inflamed UA while this pattern was observed only in inflamed odontogenic cysts. Furthermore, spiky retes together with subepithelial hyalinization were usually observed in UAs while only subepithelial hyalinization was observed in non-inflamed dentigerous cysts. Combinations of histopathological features were identified to differentiate non-inflamed UA from common odontogenic cysts. However, presence of inflammatory changes in UA precludes the use of features identified in the present study for diagnostic purposes. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

In-vitro nanodiagnostic platform through nanoparticles and DNA-RNA nanotechnology.

PubMed

Chan, Ki; Ng, Tzi Bun

2015-04-01

Nanocomposites containing nanoparticles or nanostructured domains exhibit an even higher degree of material complexity that leads to an extremely high variability of nanostructured materials. This review introduces analytical concepts and techniques for nanomaterials and derives recommendations for a qualified selection of characterization techniques for specific types of samples, and focuses the characterization of nanoparticles and their agglomerates or aggregates. In addition, DNA nanotechnology and the more recent newcomer RNA nanotechnology have achieved almost an advanced status among nanotechnology researchers¸ therefore, the core features, potential, and significant challenges of DNA nanotechnology are also highlighted as a new discipline. Moreover, nanobiochips made by nanomaterials are rapidly emerging as a new paradigm in the area of large-scale biochemical analysis. The use of nanoscale components enables higher precision in diagnostics while considerably reducing the cost of the platform that leads this review to explore the use of nanoparticles, nanomaterials, and other bionanotechnologies for its application to nanodiagnostics in-vitro.

Multiple inflammatory and serum amyloid A positive telangiectatic hepatic adenomas with glycogenated nuclei arising in a background of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

PubMed

Lim, Kiat H; Ward, Stephen C; Roayaie, Sasan; Cohen, Emil; Schwartz, Myron; Fiel, M Isabel; Thung, Swan N

2008-11-01

The authors describe multiple telangiectatic or inflammatory adenomas in a 53-year-old woman with steatohepatitis who presented with acute right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed 6 lesions consistent with multiple hepatic adenomas, 2 of which showed hemorrhage. She underwent right lobectomy and nonanatomical segment 2 liver resections and seven nodules ranging in size from 1.0 to 5.0 cm were identified. All nodules contained portal-like structures and ductular reaction, features seen in focal nodular hyperplasia, as well as significant inflammation, telangiectatic sinusoids and immunoreactivity for serum amyloid A, placing them according to a recently described classification systems as telangiectatic or inflammatory adenomas. The diffuse positivity of the serum amyloid A staining results in this case suggests an important diagnostic role of this stain in smaller tissue samples, such as in core biopsy specimens.

A Comparison of Passive Aggressive and Negativistic Personality Disorders

PubMed Central

Hopwood, Christopher J.; Wright, Aidan G.C.

2012-01-01

Passive aggressive personality disorder (PAPD) has historically played an important role in clinical theorizing and was diagnosable prior to the DSM-IV, in which the construct was relabeled ‘negativistic’, expanded to include negative affective symptoms, and appendicized. In this study we tested the hypothesis that the expansion of PAPD to include content related to negative moods and non-specific personality pathology compromised its discriminant validity. In an undergraduate sample (N = 1215), a self-report measure of PAPD was only moderately related to NEGPD and showed less diagnostic overlap with other PDs than NEGPD. Furthermore, a conjoint factor analysis yielded a strong first factor (moodiness) which appeared less specific to passive aggressive behavior than three other factors (irresponsibility, inadequacy and contempt). We conclude that future research on this potentially important clinical construct should focus on core passive aggressive features and abandon the negativistic content that has been added to it in successive editions of the DSM. PMID:22329420

[Somatopsychic and cenesthetic types of schizophrenia: common features and discrepancies].

PubMed

Wichowicz, Hubert M; Cubała, Wiesław J

2010-01-01

The aim of this paper is to discuss the development of the concepts of cenesthetic type of schizophrenia and somatopsychic type of schizophrenia along with the review of differences between those two diagnostic approaches in scope of their historical background and the current diagnostic concepts. Those independently described diagnostic phenomena have some common features. However, the cenesthetic type of schizophrenia emphasises sensory elements of the disorders and includes a broader spectrum of the psychopathology while the somatopsychic type of schizophrenia focuses on the thought disorders and strictly schizophrenic psychopathology.

Coronary CT angiography using 64 detector rows: methods and design of the multi-centre trial CORE-64.

PubMed

Miller, Julie M; Dewey, Marc; Vavere, Andrea L; Rochitte, Carlos E; Niinuma, Hiroyuki; Arbab-Zadeh, Armin; Paul, Narinder; Hoe, John; de Roos, Albert; Yoshioka, Kunihiro; Lemos, Pedro A; Bush, David E; Lardo, Albert C; Texter, John; Brinker, Jeffery; Cox, Christopher; Clouse, Melvin E; Lima, João A C

2009-04-01

Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for the noninvasive detection of coronary artery stenoses is a promising candidate for widespread clinical application because of its non-invasive nature and high sensitivity and negative predictive value as found in several previous studies using 16 to 64 simultaneous detector rows. A multi-centre study of CT coronary angiography using 16 simultaneous detector rows has shown that 16-slice CT is limited by a high number of nondiagnostic cases and a high false-positive rate. A recent meta-analysis indicated a significant interaction between the size of the study sample and the diagnostic odds ratios suggestive of small study bias, highlighting the importance of evaluating MSCT using 64 simultaneous detector rows in a multi-centre approach with a larger sample size. In this manuscript we detail the objectives and methods of the prospective "CORE-64" trial ("Coronary Evaluation Using Multidetector Spiral Computed Tomography Angiography using 64 Detectors"). This multi-centre trial was unique in that it assessed the diagnostic performance of 64-slice CT coronary angiography in nine centres worldwide in comparison to conventional coronary angiography. In conclusion, the multi-centre, multi-institutional and multi-continental trial CORE-64 has great potential to ultimately assess the per-patient diagnostic performance of coronary CT angiography using 64 simultaneous detector rows.

Emotion Dysregulation and the Core Features of Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Samson, Andrea C.; Phillips, Jennifer M.; Parker, Karen J.; Shah, Shweta; Gross, James J.; Hardan, Antonio Y.

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between emotion dysregulation and the core features of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which include social/communication deficits, restricted/repetitive behaviors, and sensory abnormalities. An 18-item Emotion Dysregulation Index was developed on the basis of expert ratings of the Child…

Phase congruency map driven brain tumour segmentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szilágyi, Tünde; Brady, Michael; Berényi, Ervin

2015-03-01

Computer Aided Diagnostic (CAD) systems are already of proven value in healthcare, especially for surgical planning, nevertheless much remains to be done. Gliomas are the most common brain tumours (70%) in adults, with a survival time of just 2-3 months if detected at WHO grades III or higher. Such tumours are extremely variable, necessitating multi-modal Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI). The use of Gadolinium-based contrast agents is only relevant at later stages of the disease where it highlights the enhancing rim of the tumour. Currently, there is no single accepted method that can be used as a reference. There are three main challenges with such images: to decide whether there is tumour present and is so localize it; to construct a mask that separates healthy and diseased tissue; and to differentiate between the tumour core and the surrounding oedema. This paper presents two contributions. First, we develop tumour seed selection based on multiscale multi-modal texture feature vectors. Second, we develop a method based on a local phase congruency based feature map to drive level-set segmentation. The segmentations achieved with our method are more accurate than previously presented methods, particularly for challenging low grade tumours.

Impact of ideal MHD stability limits on high-beta hybrid operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piovesan, P.; Igochine, V.; Turco, F.; Ryan, D. A.; Cianciosa, M. R.; Liu, Y. Q.; Marrelli, L.; Terranova, D.; Wilcox, R. S.; Wingen, A.; Angioni, C.; Bock, A.; Chrystal, C.; Classen, I.; Dunne, M.; Ferraro, N. M.; Fischer, R.; Gude, A.; Holcomb, C. T.; Lebschy, A.; Luce, T. C.; Maraschek, M.; McDermott, R.; Odstrčil, T.; Paz-Soldan, C.; Reich, M.; Sertoli, M.; Suttrop, W.; Taylor, N. Z.; Weiland, M.; Willensdorfer, M.; The ASDEX Upgrade Team; The DIII-D Team; The EUROfusion MST1 Team

2017-01-01

The hybrid scenario is a candidate for stationary high-fusion gain tokamak operation in ITER and DEMO. To obtain such performance, the energy confinement and the normalized pressure {βN} must be maximized, which requires operating near or above ideal MHD no-wall limits. New experimental findings show how these limits can affect hybrid operation. Even if hybrids are mainly limited by tearing modes, proximity to the no-wall limit leads to 3D field amplification that affects plasma profiles, e.g. rotation braking is observed in ASDEX Upgrade throughout the plasma and peaks in the core. As a result, even the small ASDEX Upgrade error fields are amplified and their effects become visible. To quantify such effects, ASDEX Upgrade measured the response to 3D fields applied by 8× 2 non-axisymmetric coils as {βN} approaches the no-wall limit. The full n  =  1 response profile and poloidal structure were measured by a suite of diagnostics and compared with linear MHD simulations, revealing a characteristic feature of hybrids: the n  =  1 response is due to a global, marginally-stable n  =  1 kink characterized by a large m  =  1, n  =  1 core harmonic due to q min being just above 1. A helical core distortion of a few cm forms and affects various core quantities, including plasma rotation, electron and ion temperature, and intrinsic W density. In similar experiments, DIII-D also measured the effect of this helical core on the internal current profile, providing information useful to understanding of the physics of magnetic flux pumping, i.e. anomalous current redistribution by MHD modes that keeps {{q}\\text{min}}>1 . Thanks to flux pumping, a broad current profile is maintained in DIII-D even with large on-axis current drive, enabling fully non-inductive operation at high {βN} up to 3.5-4.

Impact of ideal MHD stability limits on high-beta hybrid operation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Piovesan, Paolo; Igochine, V.; Turco, F.

Here, the hybrid scenario is a candidate for stationary high-fusion gain tokamak operation in ITER and DEMO. To obtain such performance, the energy confinement and the normalized pressuremore » $${{\\beta}_{N}}$$ must be maximized, which requires operating near or above ideal MHD no-wall limits. New experimental findings show how these limits can affect hybrid operation. Even if hybrids are mainly limited by tearing modes, proximity to the no-wall limit leads to 3D field amplification that affects plasma profiles, e.g. rotation braking is observed in ASDEX Upgrade throughout the plasma and peaks in the core. As a result, even the small ASDEX Upgrade error fields are amplified and their effects become visible. To quantify such effects, ASDEX Upgrade measured the response to 3D fields applied by $$8\\times 2$$ non-axisymmetric coils as $${{\\beta}_{N}}$$ approaches the no-wall limit. The full n = 1 response profile and poloidal structure were measured by a suite of diagnostics and compared with linear MHD simulations, revealing a characteristic feature of hybrids: the n = 1 response is due to a global, marginally-stable n = 1 kink characterized by a large m = 1, n = 1 core harmonic due to q min being just above 1. A helical core distortion of a few cm forms and affects various core quantities, including plasma rotation, electron and ion temperature, and intrinsic W density. In similar experiments, DIII-D also measured the effect of this helical core on the internal current profile, providing information useful to understanding of the physics of magnetic flux pumping, i.e. anomalous current redistribution by MHD modes that keeps $${{q}_{\\text{min}}}>1$$ . Thanks to flux pumping, a broad current profile is maintained in DIII-D even with large on-axis current drive, enabling fully non-inductive operation at high $${{\\beta}_{N}}$$ up to 3.5–4.« less

Impact of ideal MHD stability limits on high-beta hybrid operation

DOE PAGES

Piovesan, Paolo; Igochine, V.; Turco, F.; ...

2016-10-27

Here, the hybrid scenario is a candidate for stationary high-fusion gain tokamak operation in ITER and DEMO. To obtain such performance, the energy confinement and the normalized pressuremore » $${{\\beta}_{N}}$$ must be maximized, which requires operating near or above ideal MHD no-wall limits. New experimental findings show how these limits can affect hybrid operation. Even if hybrids are mainly limited by tearing modes, proximity to the no-wall limit leads to 3D field amplification that affects plasma profiles, e.g. rotation braking is observed in ASDEX Upgrade throughout the plasma and peaks in the core. As a result, even the small ASDEX Upgrade error fields are amplified and their effects become visible. To quantify such effects, ASDEX Upgrade measured the response to 3D fields applied by $$8\\times 2$$ non-axisymmetric coils as $${{\\beta}_{N}}$$ approaches the no-wall limit. The full n = 1 response profile and poloidal structure were measured by a suite of diagnostics and compared with linear MHD simulations, revealing a characteristic feature of hybrids: the n = 1 response is due to a global, marginally-stable n = 1 kink characterized by a large m = 1, n = 1 core harmonic due to q min being just above 1. A helical core distortion of a few cm forms and affects various core quantities, including plasma rotation, electron and ion temperature, and intrinsic W density. In similar experiments, DIII-D also measured the effect of this helical core on the internal current profile, providing information useful to understanding of the physics of magnetic flux pumping, i.e. anomalous current redistribution by MHD modes that keeps $${{q}_{\\text{min}}}>1$$ . Thanks to flux pumping, a broad current profile is maintained in DIII-D even with large on-axis current drive, enabling fully non-inductive operation at high $${{\\beta}_{N}}$$ up to 3.5–4.« less

RANZCR Body Systems Framework of diagnostic imaging examination descriptors.

PubMed

Pitman, Alexander G; Penlington, Lisa; Doromal, Darren; Slater, Gregory; Vukolova, Natalia

2014-08-01

A unified and logical system of descriptors for diagnostic imaging examinations and procedures is a desirable resource for radiology in Australia and New Zealand and is needed to support core activities of RANZCR. Existing descriptor systems available in Australia and New Zealand (including the Medicare DIST and the ACC Schedule) have significant limitations and are inappropriate for broader clinical application. An anatomically based grid was constructed, with anatomical structures arranged in rows and diagnostic imaging modalities arranged in columns (including nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography). The grid was segregated into five body systems. The cells at the intersection of an anatomical structure row and an imaging modality column were populated with short, formulaic descriptors of the applicable diagnostic imaging examinations. Clinically illogical or physically impossible combinations were 'greyed out'. Where the same examination applied to different anatomical structures, the descriptor was kept identical for the purposes of streamlining. The resulting Body Systems Framework of diagnostic imaging examination descriptors lists all the reasonably common diagnostic imaging examinations currently performed in Australia and New Zealand using a unified grid structure allowing navigation by both referrers and radiologists. The Framework has been placed on the RANZCR website and is available for access free of charge by registered users. The Body Systems Framework of diagnostic imaging examination descriptors is a system of descriptors based on relationships between anatomical structures and imaging modalities. The Framework is now available as a resource and reference point for the radiology profession and to support core College activities. © 2014 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

Exploring cognitive integration of basic science and its effect on diagnostic reasoning in novices.

PubMed

Lisk, Kristina; Agur, Anne M R; Woods, Nicole N

2016-06-01

Integration of basic and clinical science knowledge is increasingly being recognized as important for practice in the health professions. The concept of 'cognitive integration' places emphasis on the value of basic science in providing critical connections to clinical signs and symptoms while accounting for the fact that clinicians may not spontaneously articulate their use of basic science knowledge in clinical reasoning. In this study we used a diagnostic justification test to explore the impact of integrated basic science instruction on novices' diagnostic reasoning process. Participants were allocated to an integrated basic science or clinical science training group. The integrated basic science group was taught the clinical features along with the underlying causal mechanisms of four musculoskeletal pathologies while the clinical science group was taught only the clinical features. Participants completed a diagnostic accuracy test immediately after initial learning, and one week later a diagnostic accuracy and justification test. The results showed that novices who learned the integrated causal mechanisms had superior diagnostic accuracy and better understanding of the relative importance of key clinical features. These findings further our understanding of cognitive integration by providing evidence of the specific changes in clinical reasoning when basic and clinical sciences are integrated during learning.

Combining functional and structural tests improves the diagnostic accuracy of relevance vector machine classifiers

PubMed Central

Racette, Lyne; Chiou, Christine Y.; Hao, Jiucang; Bowd, Christopher; Goldbaum, Michael H.; Zangwill, Linda M.; Lee, Te-Won; Weinreb, Robert N.; Sample, Pamela A.

2009-01-01

Purpose To investigate whether combining optic disc topography and short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) data improves the diagnostic accuracy of relevance vector machine (RVM) classifiers for detecting glaucomatous eyes compared to using each test alone. Methods One eye of 144 glaucoma patients and 68 healthy controls from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study were included. RVM were trained and tested with cross-validation on optimized (backward elimination) SWAP features (thresholds plus age; pattern deviation (PD); total deviation (TD)) and on Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT) optic disc topography features, independently and in combination. RVM performance was also compared to two HRT linear discriminant functions (LDF) and to SWAP mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD). Classifier performance was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) generated for each feature set and by the sensitivities at set specificities of 75%, 90% and 96%. Results RVM trained on combined HRT and SWAP thresholds plus age had significantly higher AUROC (0.93) than RVM trained on HRT (0.88) and SWAP (0.76) alone. AUROCs for the SWAP global indices (MD: 0.68; PSD: 0.72) offered no advantage over SWAP thresholds plus age, while the LDF AUROCs were significantly lower than RVM trained on the combined SWAP and HRT feature set and on HRT alone feature set. Conclusions Training RVM on combined optimized HRT and SWAP data improved diagnostic accuracy compared to training on SWAP and HRT parameters alone. Future research may identify other combinations of tests and classifiers that can also improve diagnostic accuracy. PMID:19528827

Raman spectral feature selection using ant colony optimization for breast cancer diagnosis.

PubMed

Fallahzadeh, Omid; Dehghani-Bidgoli, Zohreh; Assarian, Mohammad

2018-06-04

Pathology as a common diagnostic test of cancer is an invasive, time-consuming, and partially subjective method. Therefore, optical techniques, especially Raman spectroscopy, have attracted the attention of cancer diagnosis researchers. However, as Raman spectra contain numerous peaks involved in molecular bounds of the sample, finding the best features related to cancerous changes can improve the accuracy of diagnosis in this method. The present research attempted to improve the power of Raman-based cancer diagnosis by finding the best Raman features using the ACO algorithm. In the present research, 49 spectra were measured from normal, benign, and cancerous breast tissue samples using a 785-nm micro-Raman system. After preprocessing for removal of noise and background fluorescence, the intensity of 12 important Raman bands of the biological samples was extracted as features of each spectrum. Then, the ACO algorithm was applied to find the optimum features for diagnosis. As the results demonstrated, by selecting five features, the classification accuracy of the normal, benign, and cancerous groups increased by 14% and reached 87.7%. ACO feature selection can improve the diagnostic accuracy of Raman-based diagnostic models. In the present study, features corresponding to ν(C-C) αhelix proline, valine (910-940), νs(C-C) skeletal lipids (1110-1130), and δ(CH2)/δ(CH3) proteins (1445-1460) were selected as the best features in cancer diagnosis.

Biomedical visual data analysis to build an intelligent diagnostic decision support system in medical genetics.

PubMed

Kuru, Kaya; Niranjan, Mahesan; Tunca, Yusuf; Osvank, Erhan; Azim, Tayyaba

2014-10-01

In general, medical geneticists aim to pre-diagnose underlying syndromes based on facial features before performing cytological or molecular analyses where a genotype-phenotype interrelation is possible. However, determining correct genotype-phenotype interrelationships among many syndromes is tedious and labor-intensive, especially for extremely rare syndromes. Thus, a computer-aided system for pre-diagnosis can facilitate effective and efficient decision support, particularly when few similar cases are available, or in remote rural districts where diagnostic knowledge of syndromes is not readily available. The proposed methodology, visual diagnostic decision support system (visual diagnostic DSS), employs machine learning (ML) algorithms and digital image processing techniques in a hybrid approach for automated diagnosis in medical genetics. This approach uses facial features in reference images of disorders to identify visual genotype-phenotype interrelationships. Our statistical method describes facial image data as principal component features and diagnoses syndromes using these features. The proposed system was trained using a real dataset of previously published face images of subjects with syndromes, which provided accurate diagnostic information. The method was tested using a leave-one-out cross-validation scheme with 15 different syndromes, each of comprised 5-9 cases, i.e., 92 cases in total. An accuracy rate of 83% was achieved using this automated diagnosis technique, which was statistically significant (p<0.01). Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity values were 0.857 and 0.870, respectively. Our results show that the accurate classification of syndromes is feasible using ML techniques. Thus, a large number of syndromes with characteristic facial anomaly patterns could be diagnosed with similar diagnostic DSSs to that described in the present study, i.e., visual diagnostic DSS, thereby demonstrating the benefits of using hybrid image processing and ML-based computer-aided diagnostics for identifying facial phenotypes. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Pervasive refusal syndrome. Three German cases provide further illustration.

PubMed

Jans, Thomas; Ball, Juliane; Preiss, Maike; Haberhausen, Michael; Warnke, Andreas; Renner, Tobias J

2011-09-01

Pervasive refusal syndrome (PRS) has been proposed as a new diagnostic entity among child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. It is characterized by a cluster of life-threatening symptoms including refusal of hood intake, decreased or complete lack of mobilization, and lack of communication as well as retreat from normal life activities. Active refusal to accept help as well as neglect of personal care have been core features of PRS in the limited number of cases reported in the last decade. There have, however; been cases with predominantly passive resistance, indicating the possibility that there may be a continuum from active refusal to passive resistance within PRS. Postulating this continuum allows for the integration of "depressive devitalization" -- a refusal syndrome mainly characterized by passive resistance -- into the concept of PRS. Here, three case vignettes of adolescent patients with PRS are presented. The patients' symptomatology can be allocated on this continuum of PRS. PRS and dissociative disorders are compared in greater detail and contrasted within this discussion of differential diagnoses at the poles of such a continuum. PRS is a useful diagnosis for cases involving symptoms of predominating refusal and retreat which cannot satisfactorily be classified by existing diagnostic categories, and which can mostly clearly be separated from dissociative disorder.

77 FR 36014 - Initial Test Program of Emergency Core Cooling Systems for Boiling-Water Reactors

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-15

... NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [NRC-2012-0134] Initial Test Program of Emergency Core Cooling... for public comment draft regulatory guide (DG), DG-1277, ``Initial Test Program of Emergency Core... acceptable to implement with regard to initial testing features of emergency core cooling systems (ECCSs) for...

Prevalence of neuropathic features of back pain in clinical populations: implications for the diagnostic triage paradigm.

PubMed

Hush, Julia M; Marcuzzi, Anna

2012-07-01

SUMMARY Contemporary clinical assessment of back pain is based on the diagnostic triage paradigm. The most common diagnostic classification is nonspecific back pain, considered to be of nociceptive etiology. A small proportion are diagnosed with radicular pain, of neuropathic origin. In this study we review the body of literature on the prevalence of neuropathic features of back pain, revealing that the point prevalence is 17% in primary care, 34% in mixed clinical settings and 53% in tertiary care. There is evidence that neuropathic features of back pain are not restricted to typical clinical radicular pain phenotypes and may be under-recognized, particularly in primary care. The consequence of this is that in the clinic, diagnostic triage may erroneously classify patients with nonspecific back pain or radicular pain. A promising alternative is the development of mechanism-based pain phenotyping in patients with back pain. Timely identification of contributory pain mechanisms may enable greater opportunity to select appropriate therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes.

Assessment of chronic post-surgical pain after knee replacement: development of a core outcome set.

PubMed

Wylde, V; MacKichan, F; Bruce, J; Gooberman-Hill, R

2015-05-01

Approximately 20% of patients experience chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) after total knee replacement (TKR). There is scope to improve assessment of CPSP after TKR, and this study aimed to develop a core outcome set. Eighty patients and 43 clinicians were recruited into a three-round modified Delphi study. In Round 1, participants were presented with 56 pain features identified from a systematic review, structured interviews with patients and focus groups with clinicians. Participants assigned importance ratings, using a 1-9 scale, to individual pain features; those features rated as most important were retained in subsequent rounds. Consensus that a pain feature should be included in the core outcome set was defined as the feature having a rating of 7-9 by ≥70% of both panels (patients and clinicians) and 1-3 by ≤15% of both panels or rated as 7-9 by ≥90% of one panel. Round 1 was completed by 71 patients and 39 clinicians, and Round 3 by 62 patients and 33 clinicians. The final consensus was that 33 pain features were important. These were grouped into an 8-item core outcome set comprising: pain intensity, pain interference with daily living, pain and physical functioning, temporal aspects of pain, pain description, emotional aspects of pain, use of pain medication, and improvement and satisfaction with pain relief. This core outcome set serves to guide assessment of CPSP after TKR. Consistency in assessment can promote standardized reporting and facilitate comparability between studies that address a common but understudied type of CPSP. © 2014 The Authors. European Journal of Pain published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Pain Federation - EFIC®.

Molecular Diagnostics of Diffusive Boundary Layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rawlings, J. M. C.; Hartquist, T. W.

1997-10-01

We have examined the chemistry in thin (<~0.01 pc) boundary layers between dark star-forming cores and warm, shocked T Tauri winds on the assumption that turbulence-driven diffusion occurs within them. The results indicate that emissions from C+, CH, OH, H2O and the J = 6 --> 5 transition of CO, among others, may serve as diagnostics of the boundary layers.

Predictive Modeling of Student Performances for Retention and Academic Support in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Borghese, Peter; Lacey, Sandi

2014-01-01

As part of a retention and academic support program, data was collected to develop a predictive model of student performances in core classes in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program. The research goal was to identify students likely to have difficulty with coursework and provide supplemental tutorial support. The focus was on the…

Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy in diagnosis of abdominal and pelvic neoplasm in pediatric patients.

PubMed

Wang, Hailing; Li, Fangxuan; Liu, Juntian; Zhang, Sheng

2014-01-01

Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of abdominal and pelvic masses in adults has gained tremendous popularity. However, the application of the same treatment in children is not as popular because of apprehensions regarding inadequate tissues for the biopsy and accidental puncture of vital organs. Data of the application of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy in 105 pediatric patients with clinically or ultrasound-diagnosed abdominopelvic masses were reviewed. Diagnostic procedures were conducted in our institution from May 2011 to May 2013. The biopsies were conducted on 86 malignant lesions and 19 benign lesions. 86 malignant tumors comprised neuroblastomas (30 cases), hepatoblastomas (15 cases), nephroblastomas (11 cases), and primitive neuroectodermal tumors/malignant small round cells (6 cases). Among malignant tumor cases, only a pelvic primitive neuroectodermal tumor did not receive a pathological diagnosis. Therefore, the biopsy accuracy was 98.8 % in malignant tumor. However, the biopsies for one neuroblastomas and one malignant small round cell tumor were inadequate for cytogenetic analysis. Therefore, 96.5 % of the malignant tumor patients received complete diagnosis via biopsy. 19 benign tumors comprised mature teratoma (10 cases), hemangioendothelioma (3 cases), paraganglioma (2 cases), and infection (2 cases). The diagnostic accuracy for benign neoplasm was 100 %. Five patients experienced postoperative complications, including pain (2 patients), bleeding from the biopsy site (2 patients), and wound infection (1 patient). Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy is an efficient, minimally invasive, accurate, and safe diagnostic method that can be applied in the management of abdominal or pelvic mass of pediatric patients.

Towards the use of bioresorbable fibers in time-domain diffuse optics.

PubMed

Di Sieno, Laura; Boetti, Nadia G; Dalla Mora, Alberto; Pugliese, Diego; Farina, Andrea; Konugolu Venkata Sekar, Sanathana; Ceci-Ginistrelli, Edoardo; Janner, Davide; Pifferi, Antonio; Milanese, Daniel

2018-01-01

In the last years bioresorbable materials are gaining increasing interest for building implantable optical components for medical devices. In this work we show the fabrication of bioresorbable optical fibers designed for diffuse optics applications, featuring large core diameter (up to 200 μm) and numerical aperture (0.17) to maximize the collection efficiency of diffused light. We demonstrate the suitability of bioresorbable fibers for time-domain diffuse optical spectroscopy firstly checking the intrinsic performances of the setup by acquiring the instrument response function. We then validate on phantoms the use of bioresorbable fibers by applying the MEDPHOT protocol to assess the performance of the system in measuring optical properties (namely, absorption and scattering coefficients) of homogeneous media. Further, we show an ex-vivo validation on a chicken breast by measuring the absorption and scattering spectra in the 500-1100 nm range using interstitially inserted bioresorbable fibers. This work represents a step toward a new way to look inside the body using optical fibers that can be implanted in patients. These fibers could be useful either for diagnostic (e. g. for monitoring the evolution after surgical interventions) or treatment (e. g. photodynamic therapy) purposes. Picture: Microscopy image of the 100 μm core bioresorbable fiber. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Concepts and practices used to develop functional PLGA-based nanoparticulate systems.

PubMed

Sah, Hongkee; Thoma, Laura A; Desu, Hari R; Sah, Edel; Wood, George C

2013-01-01

The functionality of bare polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles is limited to drug depot or drug solubilization in their hard cores. They have inherent weaknesses as a drug-delivery system. For instance, when administered intravenously, the nanoparticles undergo rapid clearance from systemic circulation before reaching the site of action. Furthermore, plain PLGA nanoparticles cannot distinguish between different cell types. Recent research shows that surface functionalization of nanoparticles and development of new nanoparticulate dosage forms help overcome these delivery challenges and improve in vivo performance. Immense research efforts have propelled the development of diverse functional PLGA-based nanoparticulate delivery systems. Representative examples include PEGylated micelles/nanoparticles (PEG, polyethylene glycol), polyplexes, polymersomes, core-shell-type lipid-PLGA hybrids, cell-PLGA hybrids, receptor-specific ligand-PLGA conjugates, and theranostics. Each PLGA-based nanoparticulate dosage form has specific features that distinguish it from other nanoparticulate systems. This review focuses on fundamental concepts and practices that are used in the development of various functional nanoparticulate dosage forms. We describe how the attributes of these functional nanoparticulate forms might contribute to achievement of desired therapeutic effects that are not attainable using conventional therapies. Functional PLGA-based nanoparticulate systems are expected to deliver chemotherapeutic, diagnostic, and imaging agents in a highly selective and effective manner.

Concepts and practices used to develop functional PLGA-based nanoparticulate systems

PubMed Central

Sah, Hongkee; Thoma, Laura A; Desu, Hari R; Sah, Edel; Wood, George C

2013-01-01

The functionality of bare polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles is limited to drug depot or drug solubilization in their hard cores. They have inherent weaknesses as a drug-delivery system. For instance, when administered intravenously, the nanoparticles undergo rapid clearance from systemic circulation before reaching the site of action. Furthermore, plain PLGA nanoparticles cannot distinguish between different cell types. Recent research shows that surface functionalization of nanoparticles and development of new nanoparticulate dosage forms help overcome these delivery challenges and improve in vivo performance. Immense research efforts have propelled the development of diverse functional PLGA-based nanoparticulate delivery systems. Representative examples include PEGylated micelles/nanoparticles (PEG, polyethylene glycol), polyplexes, polymersomes, core-shell–type lipid-PLGA hybrids, cell-PLGA hybrids, receptor-specific ligand-PLGA conjugates, and theranostics. Each PLGA-based nanoparticulate dosage form has specific features that distinguish it from other nanoparticulate systems. This review focuses on fundamental concepts and practices that are used in the development of various functional nanoparticulate dosage forms. We describe how the attributes of these functional nanoparticulate forms might contribute to achievement of desired therapeutic effects that are not attainable using conventional therapies. Functional PLGA-based nanoparticulate systems are expected to deliver chemotherapeutic, diagnostic, and imaging agents in a highly selective and effective manner. PMID:23459088

High temperature UF6 RF plasma experiments applicable to uranium plasma core reactors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roman, W. C.

1979-01-01

An investigation was conducted using a 1.2 MW RF induction heater facility to aid in developing the technology necessary for designing a self critical fissioning uranium plasma core reactor. Pure, high temperature uranium hexafluoride (UF6) was injected into an argon fluid mechanically confined, steady state, RF heated plasma while employing different exhaust systems and diagnostic techniques to simulate and investigate some potential characteristics of uranium plasma core nuclear reactors. The development of techniques and equipment for fluid mechanical confinement of RF heated uranium plasmas with a high density of uranium vapor within the plasma, while simultaneously minimizing deposition of uranium and uranium compounds on the test chamber peripheral wall, endwall surfaces, and primary exhaust ducts, is discussed. The material tests and handling techniques suitable for use with high temperature, high pressure, gaseous UF6 are described and the development of complementary diagnostic instrumentation and measurement techniques to characterize the uranium plasma, effluent exhaust gases, and residue deposited on the test chamber and exhaust system components is reported.

How to Use the DX SYSTEM of Diagnostic Testing. Methodology Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McArthur, David; Cabello, Beverly

The DX SYSTEM of Diagnostic Testing is an easy-to-use computerized system for developing and administering diagnostic tests. A diagnostic test measures a student's mastery of a specific domain (skill or content area). It examines the necessary subskills hierarchically from the most to the least complex. The DX SYSTEM features tailored testing with…

Three dimensional core-collapse supernova simulated using a 15 M ⊙ progenitor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lentz, Eric J.; Bruenn, Stephen W.; Hix, W. Raphael

We have performed ab initio neutrino radiation hydrodynamics simulations in three and two spatial dimensions (3D and 2D) of core-collapse supernovae from the same 15 M⊙ progenitor through 440 ms after core bounce. Both 3D and 2D models achieve explosions; however, the onset of explosion (shock revival) is delayed by ~100 ms in 3D relative to the 2D counterpart and the growth of the diagnostic explosion energy is slower. This is consistent with previously reported 3D simulations utilizing iron-core progenitors with dense mantles. In the ~100 ms before the onset of explosion, diagnostics of neutrino heating and turbulent kinetic energymore » favor earlier explosion in 2D. During the delay, the angular scale of convective plumes reaching the shock surface grows and explosion in 3D is ultimately lead by a single, large-angle plume, giving the expanding shock a directional orientation not dissimilar from those imposed by axial symmetry in 2D simulations. Finally, we posit that shock revival and explosion in the 3D simulation may be delayed until sufficiently large plumes form, whereas such plumes form more rapidly in 2D, permitting earlier explosions.« less

Three dimensional core-collapse supernova simulated using a 15 M ⊙ progenitor

DOE PAGES

Lentz, Eric J.; Bruenn, Stephen W.; Hix, W. Raphael; ...

2015-07-10

We have performed ab initio neutrino radiation hydrodynamics simulations in three and two spatial dimensions (3D and 2D) of core-collapse supernovae from the same 15 M⊙ progenitor through 440 ms after core bounce. Both 3D and 2D models achieve explosions; however, the onset of explosion (shock revival) is delayed by ~100 ms in 3D relative to the 2D counterpart and the growth of the diagnostic explosion energy is slower. This is consistent with previously reported 3D simulations utilizing iron-core progenitors with dense mantles. In the ~100 ms before the onset of explosion, diagnostics of neutrino heating and turbulent kinetic energymore » favor earlier explosion in 2D. During the delay, the angular scale of convective plumes reaching the shock surface grows and explosion in 3D is ultimately lead by a single, large-angle plume, giving the expanding shock a directional orientation not dissimilar from those imposed by axial symmetry in 2D simulations. Finally, we posit that shock revival and explosion in the 3D simulation may be delayed until sufficiently large plumes form, whereas such plumes form more rapidly in 2D, permitting earlier explosions.« less

Night eating syndrome: implications for severe obesity

PubMed Central

Cleator, J; Abbott, J; Judd, P; Sutton, C; Wilding, J P H

2012-01-01

Night eating syndrome (NES) was first identified in 1955 by Stunkard, a psychiatrist specialising in eating disorders (ED). Over the last 20 years considerable progress has been made in defining NES as a significant clinical entity in its own right and it has now been accepted for inclusion in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) due for publication in 2013. NES is considered a dysfunction of circadian rhythm with a disassociation between eating and sleeping. Core criteria include a daily pattern of eating with a significantly increased intake in the evening and/or night time, as manifested by one or both of the following: at least 25% of food intake is consumed after the evening meal or at least two episodes of nocturnal eating per week. An important recent addition to core criteria includes the presence of significant distress and/or impairment in functioning. Stunkard's team recommend further investigation on the pathogenesis of NES, in particular its relationship with traumatic life events, psychiatric comorbidity, the age of onset of NES and course of NES over time. The relationship between NES and other ED also requires further clarification as night-eaters exhibit some features of other ED; previous guidance to separate NES from other ED may have hindered earlier characterisation of NES. Evidence from European and American studies suggests NES features strongly in populations with severe obesity. The complex interplay between depression, impaired sleep and obesity-related comorbidity in severely obese individuals makes understanding NES in this context even more difficult. This review examines evidence to date on the characterisation of NES and concludes by examining the applicability of current NES criteria to individuals with severe obesity. PMID:23446659

Cystic Neutrophilic Granulomatous Mastitis: Further Characterization of a Distinctive Histopathologic Entity Not Always Demonstrably Attributable to Corynebacterium Infection.

PubMed

D'Alfonso, Timothy M; Moo, Tracy-Ann; Arleo, Elizabeth K; Cheng, Esther; Antonio, Lilian B; Hoda, Syed A

2015-10-01

Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is an uncommon condition that typically occurs in parous, reproductive-aged women and can simulate malignancy on the basis of clinical and imaging features. A distinctive histologic pattern termed cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis (CNGM) is seen in some cases of GLM and has been associated with Corynebacterium infection. We sought to further characterize the clinical, imaging, and histopathologic features of CNGM by studying 12 cases and attempted to establish the relationship of this disease with Corynebacterium infection. Patients were women ranging in age from 25 to 49 years (median: 34 y), and all presented with a palpable mass that was painful in half of the cases. In 2 of 9 cases, imaging was highly suspicious for malignancy (BI-RADS 5). CNGM was characterized by lobulocentric granulomas with mixed inflammation and clear vacuoles lined by neutrophils within granulomas. Gram-positive bacilli were identified in 5/12 cases. In 4 patients, the disease process worsened after the diagnostic core biopsy, with the development of a draining sinus in 2 cases. No growth of bacteria was seen in any microbial cultures. No bacterial DNA was identified by 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction for 1 case that showed gram-positive bacilli on histology. Patients were treated with variable combinations of surgery, antibiotics, and steroids. The time to significant resolution of symptoms ranged from 2 weeks to 6 months. Similar to other forms of GLM, CNGM can mimic malignancy clinically and on imaging. When encountered in a needle core biopsy sample, recognition of the characteristic histologic pattern and its possible association with Corynebacterium infection can help guide treatment.

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis: role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and CT-guided transthoracic core lung biopsy.

PubMed

Esteves, Cátia; Costa, Francisco R; Redondo, Margarida T; Moura, Conceição S; Guimarães, Susana; Morais, António; Pereira, José M

2016-02-01

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) with variable clinical and radiological features. Diagnosis is based on histology obtained by surgical lung biopsy, which is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. This study aims to briefly review PPFE and discuss the role of CT-guided transthoracic core lung biopsy (TTB) in its diagnosis. Four cases of PPFE diagnosed at our institution with TTB are reported and discussed. Clinical, radiological and histological features are in agreement with the previous literature cases. TTB provided the diagnosis in all cases. Iatrogenic pneumothorax was the main complication in all patients. Placement of a chest tube was needed in three patients. An overlap between PPFE and other interstitial lung diseases (ILD) was documented. PPFE is an underdiagnosed IIP, so radiologist awareness of it needs to be widespread in patients with fibrosis with apical-caudal distribution. Coexistence of different lung diseases strengthens the idea of a predisposing factor. TTB proved to be a good diagnostic tool and can be considered the first choice for invasive assessment of these patients. PFFE has a variable course with no established therapeutic options; therefore a multidisciplinary team is crucial in the approach to patients with ILD. • PPFE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fibrosis with apical-caudal distribution. • CT-guided TTB can be considered the first choice for invasive assessment of PPFE. • Site of biopsy has to be chosen carefully in order not to miss PPFE. • Coexistence of different lung diseases strengthens the idea of a predisposing factor. • A multidisciplinary team is crucial in the approach to patients with ILD.

Ovarian torsion: diagnostic features on CT and MRI with pathologic correlation.

PubMed

Duigenan, Shauna; Oliva, Esther; Lee, Susanna I

2012-02-01

The CT and MRI features of ovarian torsion are illustrated with gross pathologic correlation. Ovarian enlargement with or without an underlying mass is the finding most frequently associated with torsion, but it is nonspecific. A twisted pedicle, although not often detected on imaging, is pathognomonic when seen. Subacute ovarian hemorrhage and abnormal enhancement is usually seen, and both features show characteristic patterns on CT and MRI. Ipsilateral uterine deviation can also be seen. Diagnostic pitfalls that may mimic ovarian torsion and observations for discriminating them are discussed.

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration versus core needle biopsy: comparison of post-biopsy hematoma rates and risk factors.

PubMed

Chae, In Hye; Kim, Eun-Kyung; Moon, Hee Jung; Yoon, Jung Hyun; Park, Vivian Y; Kwak, Jin Young

2017-07-01

To compare post-biopsy hematoma rates between ultrasound guided-fine needle aspiration and ultrasound guided-core needle biopsy, and to investigate risk factors for post-biopsy hematoma. A total of 5304 thyroid nodules which underwent ultrasound guided biopsy were included in this retrospective study. We compared clinical and US features between patients with and without post-biopsy hematoma. Associations between these features and post-biopsy hematoma were analyzed. Post-biopsy hematoma rate was 0.8% (43/5121) for ultrasound guided-fine needle aspiration and 4.9% (9/183) for ultrasound guided-core needle biopsy (P < 0.001). For ultrasound guided-fine needle aspiration, gender, age, size, presence of vascularity, and suspicious US features were not associated with post-biopsy hematoma according to experience level. Post-biopsy hematoma occurred significantly more with ultrasound guided-core needle biopsy (9/179, 5.0%) than with ultrasound guided-fine needle aspiration (9/1138, 0.8%) (P < 0.001) in experienced performers and ultrasound guided-core needle biopsy was the only significant risk factor for post-biopsy hematoma (adjusted Odds Ratio, 6.458, P < 0.001). Post-biopsy hematoma occurred significantly more in ultrasound guided-core needle biopsy than in ultrasound guided-fine needle aspiration and ultrasound guided-core needle biopsy was the only independent factor of post-biopsy hematoma in thyroid nodules.

Can CT imaging features of ground-glass opacity predict invasiveness? A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Dai, Jian; Yu, Guoyou; Yu, Jianqiang

2018-04-01

A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) imaging features of ground-glass opacity (GGO) to predict invasiveness. Two reviewers independently searched PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Embase and CNKI for relevant studies. CT imaging signs of bubble lucency, speculation, lobulated margin, and pleural indentation were used as diagnostic references to discriminate pre-invasive and invasive disease. The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves, and the area under the SROC curve (AUC) were calculated to evaluate diagnostic efficiency. Twelve studies were finally included. Diagnostic performance ranged from 0.41 to 0.52 for sensitivity and 0.56 to 0.63 for specificity. The diagnostic positive and negative likelihood ratios ranged from 1.03 to 2.13 and 0.52 to 1.05, respectively. The DORs of the GGO CT features for discriminating invasive disease ranged from 1.02 to 4.00. The area under the ROC curve was also low, with a range of 0.60 to 0.67 for discriminating pre-invasive and invasive disease. The diagnostic value of a single CT imaging sign of GGO, such as bubble lucency, speculation, lobulated margin, or pleural indentation is limited for discriminating pre-invasive and invasive disease because of low sensitivity, specificity, and AUC. © 2018 The Authors. Thoracic Cancer published by China Lung Oncology Group and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Diagnostic standards for dopaminergic augmentation of restless legs syndrome: report from a World Association of Sleep Medicine-International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group consensus conference at the Max Planck Institute.

PubMed

García-Borreguero, Diego; Allen, Richard P; Kohnen, Ralf; Högl, Birgit; Trenkwalder, Claudia; Oertel, Wolfgang; Hening, Wayne A; Paulus, Walter; Rye, David; Walters, Arthur; Winkelmann, Juliane; Earley, Christopher J

2007-08-01

Augmentation of symptom severity is the main complication of dopaminergic treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS). The current article reports on the considerations of augmentation that were made during a European Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (EURLSSG)-sponsored Consensus Conference in April 2006 at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) in Munich, Germany, the conclusions of which were endorsed by the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) and the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM). The Consensus Conference sought to develop a better understanding of augmentation and generate a better operational definition for its clinical identification. Current concepts of the pathophysiology, clinical features, and therapy of RLS augmentation were evaluated by subgroups who presented a summary of their findings for general consideration and discussion. Recent data indicating sensitivity and specificity of augmentation features for identification of augmentation were also evaluated. The diagnostic criteria of augmentation developed at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conference in 2002 were reviewed in light of current data and theoretical understanding of augmentation. The diagnostic value and criteria for each of the accepted features of augmentation were considered by the group. A consensus was then developed for a revised statement of the diagnostic criteria for augmentation. Five major diagnostic features of augmentation were identified: usual time of RLS symptom onset each day, number of body parts with RLS symptoms, latency to symptoms at rest, severity of the symptoms when they occur, and effects of dopaminergic medication on symptoms. The quantitative data available relating the time of RLS onset and the presence of other features indicated optimal augmentation criteria of either a 4-h advance in usual starting time for RLS symptoms or a combination of the occurrence of other features. A paradoxical response to changes in medication dose also indicates augmentation. Clinical significance of augmentation is defined. The Consensus Conference agreed upon new operational criteria for the clinical diagnosis of RLS augmentation: the MPI diagnostic criteria for augmentation. Areas needing further consideration for validating these criteria and for understanding the underlying biology of RLS augmentation are indicated.

Atypical depression is more common than melancholic in fibromyalgia: an observational cohort study.

PubMed

Ross, Rebecca L; Jones, Kim D; Ward, Rachel L; Wood, Lisa J; Bennett, Robert M

2010-06-14

It has been postulated that atypical and melancholic depression subtypes exist in depressed fibromyalgia (FM) patients, yet no study has empirically tested this hypothesis. The purpose of this study is to determine whether major depressive disorder (MDD) with atypical features and MDD with melancholic features occurs in a FM sample and to describe their demographic, clinical and diagnostic characteristics. An observational cohort study using a descriptive cross-sectional design recruited a convenience sample of 76 outpatients with FM from an academic rheumatology clinic and a community mental health practice. Diagnoses of FM were confirmed using the 1990 ACR classification guidelines. Diagnoses of MDD and diagnostic subtypes were determined using the DSM-IV-TR criteria. Clinical characteristics were measured using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale with Atypical Depression Supplement and other standardized instruments. Odds ratios were computed on subtype-specific diagnostic criteria. Correlations assessed associations between subtype diagnoses and diagnostic criteria. Of the 76 subjects with FM, 11.8% (n = 9) were euthymic, 52.6% (n = 40) met diagnostic criteria for MDD with atypical features and 35.6% (n = 27) for MDD with melancholic features. Groups did not differ on demographic characteristics except for gender (p = 0.01). The non-depressed and atypical groups trended toward having a longer duration of FM symptoms (18.05 yrs. +/- 12.83; 20.36 yrs. +/- 15.07) compared to the melancholic group (14.11 yrs. +/- 8.82; p = 0.09). The two depressed groups experienced greater severity on all clinical features compared to the non-depressed group. The atypical group did not differ clinically from the melancholic group except the latter experienced greater depression severity (p = 0.001). The atypical group demonstrated the highest prevalence and correlations with atypical-specific diagnostic criteria: (e.g., weight gain/ increased appetite: OR = 3.5, p = 0.02), as did the melancholic group for melancholic-specific criteria: (e.g., anhedonia: OR = 20, p < 0.001). Depressed fibromyalgia patients commonly experience both atypical and melancholic depressive features; however, in this study, atypical depression was 1.5 times more common than melancholic depression. This finding may have significant research and clinical implications.

Explicit and implicit reinforcement learning across the psychosis spectrum.

PubMed

Barch, Deanna M; Carter, Cameron S; Gold, James M; Johnson, Sheri L; Kring, Ann M; MacDonald, Angus W; Pizzagalli, Diego A; Ragland, J Daniel; Silverstein, Steven M; Strauss, Milton E

2017-07-01

Motivational and hedonic impairments are core features of a variety of types of psychopathology. An important aspect of motivational function is reinforcement learning (RL), including implicit (i.e., outside of conscious awareness) and explicit (i.e., including explicit representations about potential reward associations) learning, as well as both positive reinforcement (learning about actions that lead to reward) and punishment (learning to avoid actions that lead to loss). Here we present data from paradigms designed to assess both positive and negative components of both implicit and explicit RL, examine performance on each of these tasks among individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder with psychosis, and examine their relative relationships to specific symptom domains transdiagnostically. None of the diagnostic groups differed significantly from controls on the implicit RL tasks in either bias toward a rewarded response or bias away from a punished response. However, on the explicit RL task, both the individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder performed significantly worse than controls, but the individuals with bipolar did not. Worse performance on the explicit RL task, but not the implicit RL task, was related to worse motivation and pleasure symptoms across all diagnostic categories. Performance on explicit RL, but not implicit RL, was related to working memory, which accounted for some of the diagnostic group differences. However, working memory did not account for the relationship of explicit RL to motivation and pleasure symptoms. These findings suggest transdiagnostic relationships across the spectrum of psychotic disorders between motivation and pleasure impairments and explicit RL. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Niche Applications

PubMed Central

Cummins, Brian M.; Ligler, Frances S.; Walker, Glenn M.

2016-01-01

Point-of-care or point-of-use diagnostics are analytical devices that provide clinically relevant information without the need for a core clinical laboratory. In this review we define point-of-care diagnostics as portable versions of assays performed in a traditional clinical chemistry laboratory. This review discusses five areas relevant to human and animal health where increased attention could produce significant impact: veterinary medicine, space travel, sports medicine, emergency medicine, and operating room efficiency. For each of these areas, clinical need, available commercial products, and ongoing research into new devices are highlighted. PMID:26837054

Fourier domain image fusion for differential X-ray phase-contrast breast imaging.

PubMed

Coello, Eduardo; Sperl, Jonathan I; Bequé, Dirk; Benz, Tobias; Scherer, Kai; Herzen, Julia; Sztrókay-Gaul, Anikó; Hellerhoff, Karin; Pfeiffer, Franz; Cozzini, Cristina; Grandl, Susanne

2017-04-01

X-Ray Phase-Contrast (XPC) imaging is a novel technology with a great potential for applications in clinical practice, with breast imaging being of special interest. This work introduces an intuitive methodology to combine and visualize relevant diagnostic features, present in the X-ray attenuation, phase shift and scattering information retrieved in XPC imaging, using a Fourier domain fusion algorithm. The method allows to present complementary information from the three acquired signals in one single image, minimizing the noise component and maintaining visual similarity to a conventional X-ray image, but with noticeable enhancement in diagnostic features, details and resolution. Radiologists experienced in mammography applied the image fusion method to XPC measurements of mastectomy samples and evaluated the feature content of each input and the fused image. This assessment validated that the combination of all the relevant diagnostic features, contained in the XPC images, was present in the fused image as well. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abnormal hubs of white matter networks in the frontal-parieto circuit contribute to depression discrimination via pattern classification.

PubMed

Qin, Jiaolong; Wei, Maobin; Liu, Haiyan; Chen, Jianhuai; Yan, Rui; Hua, Lingling; Zhao, Ke; Yao, Zhijian; Lu, Qing

2014-12-01

Previous studies had explored the diagnostic and prognostic value of the structural neuroimaging data of MDD and treated the whole brain voxels, the fractional anisotropy and the structural connectivity as classification features. To our best knowledge, no study examined the potential diagnostic value of the hubs of anatomical brain networks in MDD. The purpose of the current study was to provide an exploratory examination of the potential diagnostic and prognostic values of hubs of white matter brain networks in MDD discrimination and the corresponding impaired hub pattern via a multi-pattern analysis. We constructed white matter brain networks from 29 depressions and 30 healthy controls based on diffusion tensor imaging data, calculated nodal measures and identified hubs. Using these measures as features, two types of feature architectures were established, one only included hubs (HUB) and the other contained both hubs and non hubs. The support vector machine classifiers with Gaussian radial basis kernel were used after the feature selection. Moreover, the relative contribution of the features was estimated by means of the consensus features. Our results presented that the hubs (including the bilateral dorsolateral part of superior frontal gyrus, the left middle frontal gyrus, the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, and the bilateral inferior temporal gyrus) played an important role in distinguishing the depressions from healthy controls with the best accuracy of 83.05%. Moreover, most of the HUB consensus features located in the frontal-parieto circuit. These findings provided evidence that the hubs could be served as valuable potential diagnostic measure for MDD, and the hub-concentrated lesion distribution of MDD was primarily anchored within the frontal-parieto circuit. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impaired Attention to the Eyes of Attachment Figures and the Developmental Origins of Psychopathy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dadds, Mark R.; Jambrak, Jasmin; Pasalich, Dave; Hawes, David J.; Brennan, John

2011-01-01

Background: A pervasive failure to attend and respond to emotionally salient stimuli is a core feature of psychopathy. We hypothesise that this begins early in life and is expressed most importantly as a failure to attend to core emotional features (viz., the eyes) of attachment figures. The current study tested whether impaired eye contact is a…

You Seize What Pops Up: A Qualitative Investigation of the Core Features of School-Based Agricultural Education Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Easterly, R.G., III.; Myers, Brian E.

2017-01-01

Desimone's core features of professional development (PD) guides the PD for teachers. The purpose of this study was to examine the PD practice of School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE) teachers in the enthusiastic and growing career stage. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with five teachers from five different states. The…

10 CFR 55.41 - Written examination: Operators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... coefficients, and poison effects. (2) General design features of the core, including core structure, fuel elements, control rods, core instrumentation, and coolant flow. (3) Mechanical components and design... changes, and operating limitations and reasons for these operating characteristics. (6) Design, components...

10 CFR 55.41 - Written examination: Operators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... coefficients, and poison effects. (2) General design features of the core, including core structure, fuel elements, control rods, core instrumentation, and coolant flow. (3) Mechanical components and design... changes, and operating limitations and reasons for these operating characteristics. (6) Design, components...

10 CFR 55.41 - Written examination: Operators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... coefficients, and poison effects. (2) General design features of the core, including core structure, fuel elements, control rods, core instrumentation, and coolant flow. (3) Mechanical components and design... changes, and operating limitations and reasons for these operating characteristics. (6) Design, components...

Hepatitis B virus core antigen: synthesis in Escherichia coli and application in diagnosis.

PubMed Central

Stahl, S; MacKay, P; Magazin, M; Bruce, S A; Murray, K

1982-01-01

Fragments of hepatitis B virus DNA cloned in plasmid pBR322 carrying the gene for the viral core antigen have been placed under the control of the lac promoter of Escherichia coli. Several of the new recombinants direct higher levels of synthesis of the antigen, but the degree of enhancement varies with the different structures of the plasmids and hence the mRNAs produced. The antigen in crude bacterial lysates is a satisfactory diagnostic reagent for antibodies to the core antigen in serum samples. Images PMID:7041126

Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and a Polydiacetylene Coating to Create a Biocompatible and Stable Molecule for Use in Cancer Diagnostics and Early Detection in Molecular Medicine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhatnagar, Shweta

Earlier cancer detection and diagnosis is essential to prevent cancer mortality in nanomedicine and nanotechnology. Fluorescence and magnetic signals provide a way for earlier detection through imaging systems. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have a superparamagnetism feature that allows them to act as contrast agents that can be detected through a magnetic resonance imaging system. These iron oxide cores have a polymer coating around them to provide stability, prevent aggregation, and allow for biocompatibility within the body. In addition, these functional coatings can have ligands and peptides for detection and therapy purposes. One functional coating is a polydiacetylene coating due to its chromatic and optical properties. When polymerized, it has the ability to change color in the visible spectrum to blue (not a fluorescent signal) and when heated, it changes to a red color (fluorescent signal). This way a strong and stable layer is formed around the iron oxide cores. These coatings are placed on the iron cores using a modified dual solvent exchange method, in which DMSO is slowly replaced by water without the use of organic solvents previous used. In addition, these nanoparticles can then be PEGylated, which provides a more stable and water soluble compound in aqueous solutions. Measurements can be taken through dynamic light scattering for size distributions and zeta potential and the Nanodrop for absorbance. Ideal sizes are about 30 nm for MNPs. Moreover, for future directions, there can be more molecules attached to the coated layers to use for molecular detection and analysis.

Diagnostic assessment of intraoperative cytology for papillary thyroid carcinoma: using a decision tree analysis.

PubMed

Pyo, J-S; Sohn, J H; Kang, G

2017-03-01

The aim of this study was to elucidate the cytological characteristics and the diagnostic usefulness of intraoperative cytology (IOC) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In addition, using decision tree analysis, effective features for accurate cytological diagnosis were sought. We investigated cellularity, cytological features and diagnosis based on the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology in IOC of 240 conventional PTCs. The cytological features were evaluated in terms of nuclear score with nuclear features, and additional figures such as presence of swirling sheets, psammoma bodies, and multinucleated giant cells. The nuclear score (range 0-7) was made via seven nuclear features, including (1) enlarged, (2) oval or irregularly shaped nuclei, (3) longitudinal nuclear grooves, (4) intranuclear cytoplasmic pseudoinclusion, (5) pale nuclei with powdery chromatin, (6) nuclear membrane thickening, and (7) marginally placed micronucleoli. Nuclear scores in PTC, suspicious for malignancy, and atypia of undetermined significance cases were 6.18 ± 0.80, 4.48 ± 0.82, and 3.15 ± 0.67, respectively. Additional figures more frequent in PTC than in other diagnostic categories were identified. Cellularity of IOC significantly correlated with tumor size, nuclear score, and presence of additional figures. Also, IOCs with higher nuclear scores (4-7) significantly correlated with larger tumor size and presence of additional figures. In decision tree analysis, IOCs with nuclear score >5 and swirling sheets could be considered diagnostic for PTCs. Our study suggests that IOCs using nuclear features and additional figures could be useful with decreasing the likelihood of inconclusive results.

EHR-based phenotyping: Bulk learning and evaluation.

PubMed

Chiu, Po-Hsiang; Hripcsak, George

2017-06-01

In data-driven phenotyping, a core computational task is to identify medical concepts and their variations from sources of electronic health records (EHR) to stratify phenotypic cohorts. A conventional analytic framework for phenotyping largely uses a manual knowledge engineering approach or a supervised learning approach where clinical cases are represented by variables encompassing diagnoses, medicinal treatments and laboratory tests, among others. In such a framework, tasks associated with feature engineering and data annotation remain a tedious and expensive exercise, resulting in poor scalability. In addition, certain clinical conditions, such as those that are rare and acute in nature, may never accumulate sufficient data over time, which poses a challenge to establishing accurate and informative statistical models. In this paper, we use infectious diseases as the domain of study to demonstrate a hierarchical learning method based on ensemble learning that attempts to address these issues through feature abstraction. We use a sparse annotation set to train and evaluate many phenotypes at once, which we call bulk learning. In this batch-phenotyping framework, disease cohort definitions can be learned from within the abstract feature space established by using multiple diseases as a substrate and diagnostic codes as surrogates. In particular, using surrogate labels for model training renders possible its subsequent evaluation using only a sparse annotated sample. Moreover, statistical models can be trained and evaluated, using the same sparse annotation, from within the abstract feature space of low dimensionality that encapsulates the shared clinical traits of these target diseases, collectively referred to as the bulk learning set. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thomson scattering for core plasma on DEMO

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mukhin, E. E.; Kurskiev, G. S.; Tolstyakov, S. Yu.

2014-08-21

This paper describes the challenges of Thomson scattering implementation for core plasma on DEMO and evaluates the capability to measure extremely high electron temperature range 0.5-40keV. A number of solutions to be developed for ITER diagnostics are suggested in consideration of their realization for DEMO. New approaches suggested for DEMO may also be of interest to ITER and currently operating magnetic confinement devices.

Diagnostic performance and safety of a three-dimensional 14-core systematic biopsy method.

PubMed

Takeshita, Hideki; Kawakami, Satoru; Numao, Noboru; Sakura, Mizuaki; Tatokoro, Manabu; Yamamoto, Shinya; Kijima, Toshiki; Komai, Yoshinobu; Saito, Kazutaka; Koga, Fumitaka; Fujii, Yasuhisa; Fukui, Iwao; Kihara, Kazunori

2015-03-01

To investigate the diagnostic performance and safety of a three-dimensional 14-core biopsy (3D14PBx) method, which is a combination of the transrectal six-core and transperineal eight-core biopsy methods. Between December 2005 and August 2010, 1103 men underwent 3D14PBx at our institutions and were analysed prospectively. Biopsy criteria included a PSA level of 2.5-20 ng/mL or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings, or both. The primary endpoint of the study was diagnostic performance and the secondary endpoint was safety. We applied recursive partitioning to the entire study cohort to delineate the unique contribution of each sampling site to overall and clinically significant cancer detection. Prostate cancer was detected in 503 of the 1103 patients (45.6%). Age, family history of prostate cancer, DRE, PSA, percentage of free PSA and prostate volume were associated with the positive biopsy results significantly and independently. Of the 503 cancers detected, 39 (7.8%) were clinically locally advanced (≥cT3a), 348 (69%) had a biopsy Gleason score (GS) of ≥7, and 463 (92%) met the definition of biopsy-based significant cancer. Recursive partitioning analysis showed that each sampling site contributed uniquely to both the overall and the biopsy-based significant cancer detection rate of the 3D14PBx method. The overall cancer-positive rate of each sampling site ranged from 14.5% in the transrectal far lateral base to 22.8% in the transrectal far lateral apex. As of August 2010, 210 patients (42%) had undergone radical prostatectomy, of whom 55 (26%) were found to have pathologically non-organ-confined disease, 174 (83%) had prostatectomy GS ≥7 and 185 (88%) met the definition of prostatectomy-based significant cancer. This is the first prospective analysis of the diagnostic performance of an extended biopsy method, which is a simplified version of the somewhat redundant super-extended three-dimensional 26-core biopsy. As expected, each sampling site uniquely contributed not only to overall cancer detection, but also to significant cancer detection. 3D14PBx is a feasible systematic biopsy method in men with PSA <20 ng/mL. © 2014 The Authors. BJU International © 2014 BJU International.

Development of Thomson scattering system on Shenguang-III prototype laser facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gong, Tao; Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan 621900; Li, Zhichao

2015-02-15

A Thomson scattering diagnostic system, using a 263 nm laser as the probe beam, is designed and implemented on Shenguang-III prototype laser facility. The probe beam is provided by an additional beam line completed recently. The diagnostic system allows simultaneous measurements of both ion feature and red-shifted electron feature from plasmas in a high-temperature (≥2 keV) and high-density (≥10{sup 21} cm{sup −3}) regime. Delicate design is made to satisfy the requirements for successful detection of the electron feature. High-quality ion feature spectra have already been diagnosed via this system in recent experiments with gas-filled hohlraums.

How to manage thyroid nodules with two consecutive non-diagnostic results on ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration.

PubMed

Moon, Hee Jung; Kwak, Jin Young; Choi, Yoon Seong; Kim, Eun-Kyung

2012-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors for considering surgery on thyroid nodules that had non-diagnostic results on two consecutive cytology examinations. A total of 104 thyroid nodules with two consecutive non-diagnostic cytology examinations in 104 patients were investigated. Nodules with one or more suspicious ultrasonography (US) features of marked hypoechogenicity, a not well defined margin, microcalcifications, or a taller-than-wide shape were assessed as sonographically suspicious. Those without any suspicious features were assessed as sonographically benign. The clinicopathologic characteristics of patients and US features of the nodules were compared according to malignancy and benignity. The odds ratio for predicting malignancy was calculated. Altogether, 12 nodules were malignant, and 92 were benign. Age, sex, nodule size, and solidness were not associated with malignancy (P = 0.73, 0.92, 0.48, and 0.73, respectively). The malignancy rate of sonographically suspicious nodules was 25.7%, higher than the 4.3% of sonographically benign nodules (P = 0.002). The odds ratio of sonographically suspicious nodules for predicting malignancy was 16.01 (95% confidence interval 2.36-108.54, P = 0.005). Based on sonographic features, surgery can be performed selectively on nodules with two consecutive non-diagnostic cytology results.

Redefining Dermatomyositis

PubMed Central

Troyanov, Yves; Targoff, Ira N; Payette, Marie-Pier; Raynauld, Jean-Pierre; Chartier, Suzanne; Goulet, Jean-Richard; Bourré-Tessier, Josiane; Rich, Eric; Grodzicky, Tamara; Fritzler, Marvin J.; Joyal, France; Koenig, Martial; Senécal, Jean-Luc

2014-01-01

Abstract Dermatomyositis (DM) is a major clinical subset of autoimmune myositis (AIM). The characteristic DM rash (Gottron papules, heliotrope rash) and perifascicular atrophy at skeletal muscle biopsy are regarded as specific features for this diagnosis. However, new concepts are challenging the current definition of DM. A modified Bohan and Peter classification of AIM was proposed in which the core concept was the inclusion of the diagnostic significance of overlap connective tissue disease features. In this clinical classification, a DM rash in association with myositis in the absence of overlap features indicates a diagnosis of pure DM. However, overlap features in association with myositis allow a diagnosis of overlap myositis (OM), irrespective of the presence or absence of the DM rash. Perifascicular atrophy may be present in both pure DM and OM. Recently, the presence of perifascicular atrophy in myositis without a DM rash was proposed as diagnostic of a novel entity, adermatopathic DM. We conducted the present study to evaluate these new concepts to further differentiate pure DM from OM. Using the modified Bohan and Peter classification, we performed a follow-up study of a longitudinal cohort of 100 consecutive adult French Canadian patients with AIM, including 44 patients with a DM phenotype, defined as a DM rash, and/or DM-type calcinosis, and/or the presence of perifascicular atrophy on muscle biopsy. A detailed evaluation was performed for overlap features, the extent and natural history of the DM rash, adermatopathic DM, DM-specific and overlap autoantibodies by protein A immunoprecipitation on coded serum samples, and associations with cancer and survival. Two distinct subsets were identified in patients with a DM phenotype: pure DM (n = 24) and OM with DM features, or OMDM (n = 20). In pure DM, the DM rash was a dominant finding. It was the first disease manifestation, was always present at the time of myositis diagnosis, and was associated with a high cutaneous score and chronicity. Concurrent heliotrope rash and Gottron papules (positive predictive value [PPV] 91%), as well as the V-sign and/or shawl sign (PPV 100%), were diagnostic of pure DM. Anti-Mi-2, anti-MJ, and anti-p155 autoantibodies were present in 50% of pure DM patients and were restricted to this subset (PPV 100%). Cancer was present in 21% of pure DM patients. The 15-year survival was excellent (92%). In contrast, in patients with OMDM, the first manifestation was proximal muscle weakness or other skeletal muscle-related complaints. The DM rash appeared at diagnosis or at follow-up, was associated with a low cutaneous extent score and was transient. Adermatopathic DM, which was absent in pure DM, was highly predictive (PPV 100%) of OMDM. Overlap autoantibodies (including anti-Jo-1, anti-PL-7, anti-PM-Scl, anti-U1RNP, and/or anti-U5-RNP) were found in 70% of OMDM patients. OMDM was not associated with cancer, but the 15-year survival was significantly decreased (65%). Perifascicular atrophy occurred as commonly in OMDM (n = 6/20, 30%) as in pure DM (n = 4/24, 17%) patients. These 6 OMDM patients had adermatopathic DM at myositis diagnosis, and only 1 of them developed a DM rash at follow-up, emphasizing the lack of specificity of perifascicular atrophy for pure DM. In conclusion, using the modified Bohan and Peter classification of AIM allowed identification of OMDM, a new clinical subset of OM. Furthermore, identification of OMDM allowed recognition of pure DM as a new entity that was distinct from OMDM or from OM without DM features. However, the absolute specificity of a DM rash and perifascicular muscle atrophy for the diagnosis of pure DM was lost. The distinctive clinical manifestations and autoantibody profiles presented are proposed as diagnostic criteria to differentiate pure DM from OMDM. PMID:25500701

OMIP contribution to CMIP6: experimental and diagnostic protocol for the physical component of the Ocean Model Intercomparison Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffies, Stephen M.; Danabasoglu, Gokhan; Durack, Paul J.; Adcroft, Alistair J.; Balaji, V.; Böning, Claus W.; Chassignet, Eric P.; Curchitser, Enrique; Deshayes, Julie; Drange, Helge; Fox-Kemper, Baylor; Gleckler, Peter J.; Gregory, Jonathan M.; Haak, Helmuth; Hallberg, Robert W.; Heimbach, Patrick; Hewitt, Helene T.; Holland, David M.; Ilyina, Tatiana; Jungclaus, Johann H.; Komuro, Yoshiki; Krasting, John P.; Large, William G.; Marsland, Simon J.; Masina, Simona; McDougall, Trevor J.; Nurser, A. J. George; Orr, James C.; Pirani, Anna; Qiao, Fangli; Stouffer, Ronald J.; Taylor, Karl E.; Treguier, Anne Marie; Tsujino, Hiroyuki; Uotila, Petteri; Valdivieso, Maria; Wang, Qiang; Winton, Michael; Yeager, Stephen G.

2016-09-01

The Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (OMIP) is an endorsed project in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). OMIP addresses CMIP6 science questions, investigating the origins and consequences of systematic model biases. It does so by providing a framework for evaluating (including assessment of systematic biases), understanding, and improving ocean, sea-ice, tracer, and biogeochemical components of climate and earth system models contributing to CMIP6. Among the WCRP Grand Challenges in climate science (GCs), OMIP primarily contributes to the regional sea level change and near-term (climate/decadal) prediction GCs.OMIP provides (a) an experimental protocol for global ocean/sea-ice models run with a prescribed atmospheric forcing; and (b) a protocol for ocean diagnostics to be saved as part of CMIP6. We focus here on the physical component of OMIP, with a companion paper (Orr et al., 2016) detailing methods for the inert chemistry and interactive biogeochemistry. The physical portion of the OMIP experimental protocol follows the interannual Coordinated Ocean-ice Reference Experiments (CORE-II). Since 2009, CORE-I (Normal Year Forcing) and CORE-II (Interannual Forcing) have become the standard methods to evaluate global ocean/sea-ice simulations and to examine mechanisms for forced ocean climate variability. The OMIP diagnostic protocol is relevant for any ocean model component of CMIP6, including the DECK (Diagnostic, Evaluation and Characterization of Klima experiments), historical simulations, FAFMIP (Flux Anomaly Forced MIP), C4MIP (Coupled Carbon Cycle Climate MIP), DAMIP (Detection and Attribution MIP), DCPP (Decadal Climate Prediction Project), ScenarioMIP, HighResMIP (High Resolution MIP), as well as the ocean/sea-ice OMIP simulations.

Examining DSM criteria for trichotillomania in a dimensional framework: implications for DSM-5 and diagnostic practice.

PubMed

Houghton, David C; Balsis, Steve; Stein, Dan J; Compton, Scott N; Twohig, Michael P; Saunders, Stephen M; Franklin, Martin E; Neal-Barnett, Angela M; Woods, Douglas W

2015-07-01

Diagnosis of trichotillomania (TTM) requires meeting several criteria that aim to embody the core pathology of the disorder. These criteria are traditionally interpreted monothetically, in that they are all equally necessary for diagnosis. Alternatively, a dimensional conceptualization of psychopathology allows for examination of the relatedness of each criterion to the TTM latent continuum. First, to examine the ability of recently removed criteria (B and C) to identify the latent dimensions of TTM psychopathology, such that they discriminate between individuals with low and high degrees of hair pulling severity. Second, to determine the impact of removing criteria B and C on the information content of remaining diagnostic criteria. Third, to determine the psychometric properties of remaining TTM diagnostic criteria that remain largely unchanged in DSM-5; that is, whether they measure distinct or overlapping levels of TTM psychopathology. Fourth, to determine whether information content derived from diagnostic criteria aid in the prediction of disease trajectory (i.e., can relapse propensity be predicted from criteria endorsement patterns). Statistics derived from item response theory were used to examine diagnostic criteria endorsement in 91 adults with TTM who underwent psychotherapy. The removal of two criteria in DSM-5 and psychometric validity of remaining criteria was supported. Additionally, individual trait parameters were used to predict treatment progress, uncovering predictive power where none previously existed. Diagnostic criteria for TTM should be examined in dimensional models, which allow for nuanced and sensitive measurement of core symptomology in treatment contexts. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Regular transition zone biopsy during active surveillance for prostate cancer may improve detection of pathological progression.

PubMed

Wong, Lih-Ming; Toi, Ants; Van der Kwast, Theodorus; Trottier, Greg; Alibhai, Shabbir M H; Timilshina, Narhari; Evans, Andrew; Zlotta, Alexandre; Fleshner, Neil; Finelli, Antonio

2014-10-01

We investigated the frequency of cancer and pathological progression in transition zone biopsies in men undergoing multiple rebiopsies while on active surveillance. Eligibility criteria of the active surveillance prostate cancer database (1997 to 2012) at our tertiary center includes prostate specific antigen 10 ng/ml or less, cT2 or less, no Gleason grade 4 or 5, 3 or fewer positive cores, no core with greater than 50% involvement, patient age 75 years or less and 1 or more biopsies after initial diagnostic biopsy. We excluded from analysis men with fewer than 10 cores at diagnostic biopsy and/or confirmatory biopsy greater than 24 months after diagnostic biopsy. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging was performed selectively to investigate incongruity between prostate specific antigen and biopsy findings. Pathological progression was defined by grade and/or volume (greater than 50% of core involved). Transition zone progression was subdivided into exclusively transition zone and combined transition zone (transition and peripheral zones). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine predictors of transition zone progression. A total of 392 men were considered in analysis. Median followup was 45.5 months. At each biopsy during active surveillance (confirmatory biopsy to biopsy 5+) there were transition zone positive cores in 18.6% to 26.7% of cases, all transition zone progression in 5.9% to 11.1% and exclusively transition zone progression in 2.7% to 6.7%. Volume related progression was noted more frequently than grade related progression (24 vs 9 cases). Predictors of only transition zone progression were the maximum percent in a single core (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.30-3.04, p = 0.002) and cancer on magnetic resonance imaging (HR 3.19, 95% CI 1.23-8.27, p = 0.02). Across multiple active surveillance biopsies 2.7% to 6.7% of men had only transition zone progression. We recommend that transition zone biopsy be considered in all men at confirmatory biopsy. Positive magnetic resonance imaging findings or a high percent of core involvement may subsequently be useful to identify patients at risk. Copyright © 2014 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect Size as the Essential Statistic in Developing Methods for mTBI Diagnosis.

PubMed

Gibson, Douglas Brandt

2015-01-01

The descriptive statistic known as "effect size" measures the distinguishability of two sets of data. Distingishability is at the core of diagnosis. This article is intended to point out the importance of effect size in the development of effective diagnostics for mild traumatic brain injury and to point out the applicability of the effect size statistic in comparing diagnostic efficiency across the main proposed TBI diagnostic methods: psychological, physiological, biochemical, and radiologic. Comparing diagnostic approaches is difficult because different researcher in different fields have different approaches to measuring efficacy. Converting diverse measures to effect sizes, as is done in meta-analysis, is a relatively easy way to make studies comparable.

High-level intuitive features (HLIFs) for intuitive skin lesion description.

PubMed

Amelard, Robert; Glaister, Jeffrey; Wong, Alexander; Clausi, David A

2015-03-01

A set of high-level intuitive features (HLIFs) is proposed to quantitatively describe melanoma in standard camera images. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. With rising incidence rates and subjectivity in current clinical detection methods, there is a need for melanoma decision support systems. Feature extraction is a critical step in melanoma decision support systems. Existing feature sets for analyzing standard camera images are comprised of low-level features, which exist in high-dimensional feature spaces and limit the system's ability to convey intuitive diagnostic rationale. The proposed HLIFs were designed to model the ABCD criteria commonly used by dermatologists such that each HLIF represents a human-observable characteristic. As such, intuitive diagnostic rationale can be conveyed to the user. Experimental results show that concatenating the proposed HLIFs with a full low-level feature set increased classification accuracy, and that HLIFs were able to separate the data better than low-level features with statistical significance. An example of a graphical interface for providing intuitive rationale is given.

Diagnostic performance of power doppler and ultrasound contrast agents in early imaging-based diagnosis of organ-confined prostate cancer: Is it possible to spare cores with contrast-guided biopsy?

PubMed

Delgado Oliva, F; Arlandis Guzman, S; Bonillo García, M; Broseta Rico, E; Boronat Tormo, F

2016-10-01

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of gray scale transrectal ultrasound-B-mode US (BMUS), power Doppler (PDUS), and sonographic contrast (CEUS) in early imaging-based diagnosis of localized prostate cancer (PCa) and to compare the diagnostic profitability of randomized biopsy (RB), US-targeted prostate biopsy by means of PDUS and CEUS. A single-center, prospective, transversal, epidemiological study was conducted from January 2010 to January 2014. We consecutively included patients who an imaging study of the prostate with BMUS, PDUS, and CEUS was performed, followed by prostate biopsy due to clinical suspicion of prostate cancer (PSA 4-20ng/mL and/or rectal exam suggestive of malignancy). The diagnostic performance of BMUS, PDUS, and CEUS was determined by calculating the Sensitivity (S), Specificity (Sp), Predictive values (PV), and diagnostic odds ratio (OR) of the diagnosis tests and, for these variables, in the population general and based on their clinical stage according to rectal exam (cT1 and cT2). PCa detection rates determined by means of a randomized 10-core biopsy scheme were compared with detection rates of CEUS-targeted (SonoVue) 2-core biopsies. Of the initial 984 patients, US contrast SonoVue was administered to 179 (18.2%). The PCa detection rate by organ of BMUS/PDUS in the global population was 38% versus 43% in the subpopulation with CEUS. The mean age of the patients was 64.3±7.01years (95% CI, 63.75-64.70); mean total PSA was 8.9±3.61ng/mL (95% CI, 8.67-9.13) and the mean prostate volume was 56.2±29cc (95% CI, 54.2-58.1). The detection rate by organ of targeted biopsy with BMUS, PDUS, and CEUS were as follows: Global population (10.6, 8.2, 24.5%), stage cT1 (5.6, 4.2, 16.4%), and stage cT2 (32.4, 22.3, 43.5%). Comparing the detection rates of the CEUS-targeted biopsy and randomized biopsy, the following results were obtained: Global population (24.5% vs. 41.8%), stage cT1 (16% vs. 35%), and stage cT2 (43.5% vs. 66.6%), with a p value<0.05. Following the "core-by-core" analysis, the detection rates by core of CEUS-targeted biopsy versus randomized biopsy were: Global population (16% vs. 13%), stage cT1 (30.3% vs. 28%), and stage cT2 (48% vs. 37%), with a p value>0.05. The NNT for CEUS-targeted biopsy was 83.3. The low sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of gray scale-B-mode, PDUS and CEUS represent scant diagnostic performance of these variables in prostate cancer detection. Prostate cancer detection rates yielded by randomized biopsy were superior than the detection rate of targeted biopsy using B-mode, PDUS and CEUS; as a result, randomized biopsy versus CEUS-targeted biopsies cannot be excluded from biopsy strategy plans for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Benign phyllodes tumor with tubular adenoma-like epithelial component in FNAC: A diagnostic pitfall.

PubMed

Panda, Kishori M

2016-01-01

Benign phyllodes tumor (BPT) is a biphasic neoplasm composed of bland stromal and epithelial elements. Cytologic diagnostic criteria of BPT, though documented in the literature, diagnostic pitfalls in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may occur due to sampling error, high cellularity, ductal hyperplasia, paucity of stromal component, and occasional dissociation of epithelial cells. Here, we describe a case of BPT diagnosed by histology in a 19-year-old female, where FNAC features were inconclusive due to paucity of stromal component, predominance of tubular adenoma-like epithelial component, and due to the presence of other overlapping features with fibroadenoma.

Larger core size has superior technical and analytical accuracy in bladder tissue microarray.

PubMed

Eskaros, Adel Rh; Egloff, Shanna A Arnold; Boyd, Kelli L; Richardson, Joyce E; Hyndman, M Eric; Zijlstra, Andries

2017-03-01

The construction of tissue microarrays (TMAs) with cores from a large number of paraffin-embedded tissues (donors) into a single paraffin block (recipient) is an effective method of analyzing samples from many patient specimens simultaneously. For the TMA to be successful, the cores within it must capture the correct histologic areas from the donor blocks (technical accuracy) and maintain concordance with the tissue of origin (analytical accuracy). This can be particularly challenging for tissues with small histological features such as small islands of carcinoma in situ (CIS), thin layers of normal urothelial lining of the bladder, or cancers that exhibit intratumor heterogeneity. In an effort to create a comprehensive TMA of a bladder cancer patient cohort that accurately represents the tumor heterogeneity and captures the small features of normal and CIS, we determined how core size (0.6 vs 1.0 mm) impacted the technical and analytical accuracy of the TMA. The larger 1.0 mm core exhibited better technical accuracy for all tissue types at 80.9% (normal), 94.2% (tumor), and 71.4% (CIS) compared with 58.6%, 85.9%, and 63.8% for 0.6 mm cores. Although the 1.0 mm core provided better tissue capture, increasing the number of replicates from two to three allowed with the 0.6 mm core compensated for this reduced technical accuracy. However, quantitative image analysis of proliferation using both Ki67+ immunofluorescence counts and manual mitotic counts demonstrated that the 1.0 mm core size also exhibited significantly greater analytical accuracy (P=0.004 and 0.035, respectively, r 2 =0.979 and 0.669, respectively). Ultimately, our findings demonstrate that capturing two or more 1.0 mm cores for TMA construction provides superior technical and analytical accuracy over the smaller 0.6 mm cores, especially for tissues harboring small histological features or substantial heterogeneity.

The changing purpose of Prader-Willi syndrome clinical diagnostic criteria and proposed revised criteria.

PubMed

Gunay-Aygun, M; Schwartz, S; Heeger, S; O'Riordan, M A; Cassidy, S B

2001-11-01

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex, multisystem disorder. Its major clinical features include neonatal hypotonia, developmental delay, short stature, behavioral abnormalities, childhood-onset obesity, hypothalamic hypogonadism, and characteristic appearance. The genetic basis of PWS is also complex. It is caused by absence of expression of the paternally active genes in the PWS critical region on 15q11-q13. In approximately 70% of cases this is the result of deletion of this region from the paternal chromosome 15. In approximately 28%, it is attributable to maternal uniparental disomy (UPD; inheritance of 2 copies of a chromosome from the mother and no copies from the father, as opposed to the normal 1 copy from each parent) of chromosome 15, and in <2%, it is the result of a mutation, deletion, or other defect in the imprinting center. Clinical diagnostic criteria were established by consensus in 1993. Subsequently, definitive molecular genetic testing became available for laboratory diagnosis of PWS. However, identification of appropriate patients for testing remains a challenge for most practitioners because many features of the disorder are nonspecific and others can be subtle or evolve over time. For example, hypotonic infants who are still in the failure to thrive phase of the disorder often do not have sufficient features for recognition of PWS and often are not tested. Initial screening with these diagnostic criteria can increase the yield of molecular testing for older children and adults with nonspecific obesity and mental retardation. Therefore, the purpose of clinical diagnostic criteria has shifted from assisting in making the definitive diagnosis to raising diagnostic suspicion, thereby prompting testing. We conducted a retrospective review of patients with PWS confirmed with genetic testing to assess the validity and sensitivity of clinical diagnostic criteria published before the widespread availability of testing for all affected patients and recommend revised clinical criteria. Charts of all 90 patients with laboratory-confirmed PWS were reviewed. For each patient, the presence or absence of the major, minor, and supportive features listed in the published diagnostic criteria was recorded. The sensitivity of each criterion, mean of the total number of major and minor criteria, and mean total score for each patient were calculated. There were 68 patients with a deletion (del 15q11-q13), 21 with maternal UPD of chromosome 15, and 1 with a presumed imprinting defect. Age range at the time of the most recent evaluation was 5 months to 60 years (median: 14.5 years; del median: 14 years; range: 5 months-60 years; UPD median: 18 years; range: 5-42 years). The sensitivities of the major criteria ranged from 49% (characteristic facial features) to 98% (developmental delay). Global developmental delay and neonatal hypotonia were the 2 most consistently positive major criteria and were positive in >97% of the patients. Feeding problems in infancy, excessive weight gain after 1 year, hypogonadism, and hyperphagia were all present in 93% or more of patients. Sensitivities of the minor criteria ranged form 37% (sleep disturbance and apneas) to 93% (speech and articulation defects). Interestingly, the sensitivities of 8 of the minor criteria were higher than the sensitivity of characteristic facial features, which is a major criterion. Fifteen out of 90 patients with molecular diagnosis did not meet the clinical diagnostic criteria retrospectively. When definitive diagnostic testing is not available, as was the case for PWS when the 1993 criteria were developed, diagnostic criteria are important to avoid overdiagnosis and to ensure that diagnostic test development is performed on appropriate samples. When diagnostic testing is available, as is now the case for PWS, diagnostic criteria should serve to raise diagnostic suspicion, ensure that all appropriate people are tested, and avoid the expense of testing unnecessarily. Our results indicate that the sensitivities of most of the published criteria are acceptable. However, 16.7% of patients with molecular diagnosis did not meet the 1993 clinical diagnostic criteria retrospectively, suggesting that the published criteria may be too exclusive. A less strict scoring system may ensure that all appropriate people are tested. Accordingly, we suggest revised clinical criteria to help identify the appropriate patients for DNA testing for PWS. The suggested age groupings are based on characteristic phases of the natural history of PWS. Some of the features (eg, neonatal hypotonia, feeding problems in infancy) serve to diagnose the syndrome in the first few years of life, whereas others (eg, excessive eating) are useful during early childhood. Similarly, hypogonadism is most useful during and after adolescence. Some of the features like neonatal hypotonia and infantile feeding problems are less likely to be missed, whereas others such as characteristic facial features and hypogonadism (especially in prepubertal females) may require more careful and/or expert examination. The issue of who should have diagnostic testing is distinct from the determination of features among confirmed patients. Based on the sensitivities of the published criteria and our experience, we suggest testing all newborns/infants with otherwise unexplained hypotonia with poor suck. For children between 2 and 6 years of age, we consider hypotonia with history of poor suck associated with global developmental delay sufficient criteria to prompt testing. Between 6 and 12 years of age, we suggest testing those with hypotonia (or history of hypotonia with poor suck), global developmental delay, and excessive eating with central obesity (if uncontrolled). At the ages of 13 years and above, we recommend testing patients with cognitive impairment, excessive eating with central obesity (if uncontrolled), and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and/or typical behavior problems (including temper tantrums and obsessive-compulsive features). Thus, we propose a lower threshold to prompt diagnostic DNA testing, leading to a higher likelihood of diagnosis of this disorder in which anticipatory guidance and intervention can significantly influence outcome.

Core-Noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hultgren, Lennart S.

2010-01-01

This presentation is a technical progress report and near-term outlook for NASA-internal and NASA-sponsored external work on core (combustor and turbine) noise funded by the Fundamental Aeronautics Program Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) Project. Sections of the presentation cover: the SFW system level noise metrics for the 2015, 2020, and 2025 timeframes; the emerging importance of core noise and its relevance to the SFW Reduced-Noise-Aircraft Technical Challenge; the current research activities in the core-noise area, with some additional details given about the development of a high-fidelity combustion-noise prediction capability; the need for a core-noise diagnostic capability to generate benchmark data for validation of both high-fidelity work and improved models, as well as testing of future noise-reduction technologies; relevant existing core-noise tests using real engines and auxiliary power units; and examples of possible scenarios for a future diagnostic facility. The NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program has the principal objective of overcoming today's national challenges in air transportation. The SFW Reduced-Noise-Aircraft Technical Challenge aims to enable concepts and technologies to dramatically reduce the perceived aircraft noise outside of airport boundaries. This reduction of aircraft noise is critical for enabling the anticipated large increase in future air traffic. Noise generated in the jet engine core, by sources such as the compressor, combustor, and turbine, can be a significant contribution to the overall noise signature at low-power conditions, typical of approach flight. At high engine power during takeoff, jet and fan noise have traditionally dominated over core noise. However, current design trends and expected technological advances in engine-cycle design as well as noise-reduction methods are likely to reduce non-core noise even at engine-power points higher than approach. In addition, future low-emission combustor designs could increase the combustion-noise component. The trend towards high-power-density cores also means that the noise generated in the low-pressure turbine will likely increase. Consequently, the combined result from these emerging changes will be to elevate the overall importance of turbomachinery core noise, which will need to be addressed in order to meet future noise goals.

Polymeric nanoparticles for optical sensing.

PubMed

Canfarotta, Francesco; Whitcombe, Michael J; Piletsky, Sergey A

2013-12-01

Nanotechnology is a powerful tool for use in diagnostic applications. For these purposes a variety of functional nanoparticles containing fluorescent labels, gold and quantum dots at their cores have been produced, with the aim of enhanced sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities. This work will review progress in the application of polymeric nanoparticles in optical diagnostics, both for in vitro and in vivo detection, together with a discussion of their biodistribution and biocompatibility. © 2013.

A data-driven feature extraction framework for predicting the severity of condition of congestive heart failure patients.

PubMed

Sideris, Costas; Alshurafa, Nabil; Pourhomayoun, Mohammad; Shahmohammadi, Farhad; Samy, Lauren; Sarrafzadeh, Majid

2015-01-01

In this paper, we propose a novel methodology for utilizing disease diagnostic information to predict severity of condition for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) patients. Our methodology relies on a novel, clustering-based, feature extraction framework using disease diagnostic information. To reduce the dimensionality we identify disease clusters using cooccurence frequencies. We then utilize these clusters as features to predict patient severity of condition. We build our clustering and feature extraction algorithm using the 2012 National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) which contains 7 million discharge records and ICD-9-CM codes. The proposed framework is tested on Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Electronic Health Records (EHR) from 3041 patients. We compare our cluster-based feature set with another that incorporates the Charlson comorbidity score as a feature and demonstrate an accuracy improvement of up to 14% in the predictability of the severity of condition.

States' Implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the Australian Curriculum: A Comparison of the Change Process in Two Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watt, Michael

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare key elements of the actions that states in the USA and Australia took to implement the Common Core State Standards or Phase One of the Australian Curriculum, and what processes and products they used to facilitate implementation of these innovations. A rubric adapted from a diagnostic tool,…

Hollow-core photonic-crystal fibres for laser dentistry.

PubMed

Konorov, Stanislav O; Mitrokhin, Vladimir P; Fedotov, Andrei B; Sidorov-Biryukov, Dmitrii A; Beloglazov, Valentin I; Skibina, Nina B; Wintner, Ernst; Scalora, Michael; Zheltikov, Aleksei M

2004-04-07

Hollow-core photonic-crystal fibres (PCFs) for the delivery of high-fluence laser radiation capable of ablating tooth enamel are developed. Sequences of picosecond pulses of 1.06 microm Nd:YAG-laser radiation with a total energy of about 2 mJ are transmitted through a hollow-core photonic-crystal fibre with a core diameter of approximately 14 microm and are focused on a tooth surface in vitro to ablate dental tissue. The hollow-core PCF is shown to support the single-fundamental-mode regime for 1.06 microm laser radiation, serving as a spatial filter and allowing the laser beam quality to be substantially improved. The same fibre is used to transmit emission from plasmas produced by laser pulses on the tooth surface in the backward direction for detection and optical diagnostics.

The Extended Core Coax: A novel nanoarchitecture for lab-on-a-chip electrochemical diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valera, Amy E.; D'Imperio, Luke; Burns, Michael J.; Naughton, Michael J.; Chiles, Thomas C.

We report a novel nanoarchitecture, the Extended Core Coax (ECC) that has applicability for the detection of biomarkers in lab-on-a-chip diagnostic devices. ECC is capable of providing accessible, highly sensitive, and specific disease diagnosis at point-of-care. The architecture represents a vertically oriented nanocoax comprised of a gold inner metal core that extends 200nm above a chrome outer metal shield, separated by a dielectric annulus. Each ECC chip contains 7 discrete sensing arrays, 0.49 mm2 in size, containing 35,000 nanoscale coaxes wired in parallel. Previous non-extended nanocoaxial architectures have demonstrated a limit of detection (LOD) of 2 ng/mL of cholera toxin using an off-chip setup. This sensitivity compares favorably to the standard optical ELISA used in clinical settings. The ECC matches this LOD, and additionally offers the benefit of specific and reliable biofunctionalization on the extended gold core. Thus, the ECC is an attractive candidate for development as a full lab-on-a-chip biosensor for detection of infectious disease biomarkers, such as cholera toxin, through tethering of biomarker recognition proteins, such as antibodies, directly on the device. Support from the National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute award No. CA137681 and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases award No. AI100216).

How Do Gut Feelings Feature in Tutorial Dialogues on Diagnostic Reasoning in GP Traineeship?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stolper, C. F.; Van de Wiel, M. W. J.; Hendriks, R. H. M.; Van Royen, P.; Van Bokhoven, M. A.; Van der Weijden, T.; Dinant, G. J.

2015-01-01

Diagnostic reasoning is considered to be based on the interaction between analytical and non-analytical cognitive processes. Gut feelings, a specific form of non-analytical reasoning, play a substantial role in diagnostic reasoning by general practitioners (GPs) and may activate analytical reasoning. In GP traineeships in the Netherlands, trainees…

A UK NEQAS ICC and ISH multicentre study using the Kreatech Poseidon HER2 FISH probe: intersite variation can be rigorously controlled using FISH.

PubMed

Bartlett, John M S; Campbell, Fiona M; Ibrahim, Merdol; Thomas, Jeremy; Wencyk, Pete; Ellis, Ian; Kay, Elaine; Connolly, Yvonne; O'Grady, Anthony; Barnett, Sarah; Starczynski, Jane; Cunningham, Paul; Miller, Keith

2010-02-01

To assess a new HER2 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test and report on multicentre intrasite and intersite variation. HER2 results were scored from 45 breast cancers in eight laboratories using the Kreatech Poseidon HER2 FISH probe (Kreatech Diagnostics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands). Overall, 80.9% of cores were successfully analysed. Mean intrasite variation for HER2 ratio assessment was low (4.74%). Intersite variation in ratio was in line with previous reports (11.9+/-0.8%) for both reference and non-reference laboratories; only one laboratory displayed significantly higher intersite variation (P=0.009) than the remaining seven laboratories. The overall incidence of misclassification of cores was <1.3%, demonstrating an excellent level of concordance (>98.7%) across all eight laboratories, irrespective of whether they were 'reference' or 'routine diagnostic' laboratories. The Kreatech Poseidon HER2 FISH test is robust and reproducible. Highly quantitatively reproducible FISH results were obtained from eight 'diagnostic' and 'reference' laboratories; however, continued quality assessments are essential to good performance.

Point-of-care diagnostics for niche applications.

PubMed

Cummins, Brian M; Ligler, Frances S; Walker, Glenn M

2016-01-01

Point-of-care or point-of-use diagnostics are analytical devices that provide clinically relevant information without the need for a core clinical laboratory. In this review we define point-of-care diagnostics as portable versions of assays performed in a traditional clinical chemistry laboratory. This review discusses five areas relevant to human and animal health where increased attention could produce significant impact: veterinary medicine, space travel, sports medicine, emergency medicine, and operating room efficiency. For each of these areas, clinical need, available commercial products, and ongoing research into new devices are highlighted. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluating social (pragmatic) communication disorder.

PubMed

Mandy, William; Wang, Adele; Lee, Irene; Skuse, David

2017-10-01

Social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SPCD) is a new diagnosis introduced by DSM-5, characterised by problems with verbal and nonverbal social communication. It is currently unclear whether SPCD is a valid diagnostic category, because little is known about the characteristics of those who meet its criteria. We sought to identify and describe cases of SPCD, to contribute to debates about its validity. We investigated whether the symptoms of SPCD cluster together to form a coherent syndrome that is distinct from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in terms of its core and associated features. Participants were young people (N = 1,081, age range = 4-18 years) who had attended a specialist social communication disorders clinic for children with fluent language and normal-range intelligence. Standardised parent-report data were collected using the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3Di), Child Communication Checklist (CCC) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). An algorithm was designed using 3Di and CCC items to implement DSM-5 SPCD criteria. Eighty-eight young people met our criteria for SPCD, with 801 meeting DSM-5 ASD criteria and the remaining 192 having neither SPCD nor ASD ('clinical comparison group'). The core symptoms of SPCD co-occurred to a moderate degree (average interitem correlation = .22). SPCD cases had autistic social difficulties that were intermediate between ASD and the clinical comparison group. SPCD was associated with high rates of nonautistic psychopathology, with 63.5% scoring in the abnormal range of the SDQ's Total Problems scale. We did not find evidence that SPCD is qualitatively distinct from ASD. Rather, it appears to lie on the borderlands of the autism spectrum, describing those with autistic traits that fall just below the threshold for an ASD diagnosis. SPCD may have clinical utility for identifying people with autistic traits that are insufficiently severe for ASD diagnosis, but who nevertheless require support. © 2017 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Diagnostic performance and useful findings of ultrasound re-evaluation for patients with equivocal CT features of acute appendicitis.

PubMed

Kim, Mi Sung; Kwon, Heon-Ju; Kang, Kyung A; Do, In-Gu; Park, Hee-Jin; Kim, Eun Young; Hong, Hyun Pyo; Choi, Yoon Jung; Kim, Young Hwan

2018-02-01

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound and to determine which ultrasound findings are useful to differentiate appendicitis from non-appendicitis in patients who underwent ultrasound re-evaluation owing to equivocal CT features of acute appendicitis. 62 patients who underwent CT examinations for suspected appendicitis followed by ultrasound re-evaluation owing to equivocal CT findings were included. Equivocal CT findings were considered based on the presence of only one or two findings among the CT criteria, and ultrasound re-evaluation was done based on a predefined structured report form. The diagnostic performance of ultrasound and independent variables to discriminate appendicitis from non-appendicitis were assessed. There were 27 patients in the appendicitis group. The overall diagnostic performance of ultrasound re-evaluation was sensitivity of 96.3%, specificity of 91.2% and accuracy of 91.9%. In terms of the performance of individual ultrasound findings, probe-induced tenderness showed the highest accuracy (86.7%) with sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 97%, followed by non-compressibility (accuracy 71.7%, sensitivity 85.2% and specificity 60.6%). The independent ultrasound findings for discriminating appendicitis were non-compressibility (p = 0.002) and increased flow on the appendiceal wall (p = 0.001). Ultrasound re-evaluation can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy in cases with equivocal CT features for diagnosing appendicitis. The presence of non-compressibility and increased vascular flow on the appendix wall are useful ultrasound findings to discriminate appendicitis from non-appendicitis. Advances in knowledge: Ultrasound re-evaluation is useful to discriminate appendicitis from non-appendicitis when CT features are inconclusive.

Radiative shocks produced from spherical cryogenic implosions at the National Ignition Facility

DOE PAGES

Pak, A.; Divol, L.; Gregori, G.; ...

2013-05-20

Spherically expanding radiative shock waves have been observed from inertially confined implosion experiments at the National Ignition Facility. In these experiments, a spherical fusion target, initially 2 mm in diameter, is compressed via the pressure induced from the ablation of the outer target surface. At the peak compression of the capsule, x-ray and nuclear diagnostics indicate the formation of a central core, with a radius and ion temperature of ~20 μm and ~ 2 keV, respectively. This central core is surrounded by a cooler compressed shell of deuterium-tritium fuel that has an outer radius of ~40 μm and a densitymore » of >500 g/cm 3. Using inputs from multiple diagnostics, the peak pressure of the compressed core has been inferred to be of order 100 Gbar for the implosions discussed here. Furthermore, the shock front, initially located at the interface between the high pressure compressed fuel shell and surrounding in-falling low pressure ablator plasma, begins to propagate outwards after peak compression has been reached.« less

Status of US ITER Diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stratton, B.; Delgado-Aparicio, L.; Hill, K.; Johnson, D.; Pablant, N.; Barnsley, R.; Bertschinger, G.; de Bock, M. F. M.; Reichle, R.; Udintsev, V. S.; Watts, C.; Austin, M.; Phillips, P.; Beiersdorfer, P.; Biewer, T. M.; Hanson, G.; Klepper, C. C.; Carlstrom, T.; van Zeeland, M. A.; Brower, D.; Doyle, E.; Peebles, A.; Ellis, R.; Levinton, F.; Yuh, H.

2013-10-01

The US is providing 7 diagnostics to ITER: the Upper Visible/IR cameras, the Low Field Side Reflectometer, the Motional Stark Effect diagnostic, the Electron Cyclotron Emission diagnostic, the Toroidal Interferometer/Polarimeter, the Core Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer, and the Diagnostic Residual Gas Analyzer. The front-end components of these systems must operate with high reliability in conditions of long pulse operation, high neutron and gamma fluxes, very high neutron fluence, significant neutron heating (up to 7 MW/m3) , large radiant and charge exchange heat flux (0.35 MW/m2) , and high electromagnetic loads. Opportunities for repair and maintenance of these components will be limited. These conditions lead to significant challenges for the design of the diagnostics. Space constraints, provision of adequate radiation shielding, and development of repair and maintenance strategies are challenges for diagnostic integration into the port plugs that also affect diagnostic design. The current status of design of the US ITER diagnostics is presented and R&D needs are identified. Supported by DOE contracts DE-AC02-09CH11466 (PPPL) and DE-AC05-00OR22725 (UT-Battelle, LLC).

Testing Product Generation in Software Product Lines Using Pairwise for Features Coverage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez Lamancha, Beatriz; Polo Usaola, Macario

A Software Product Lines (SPL) is "a set of software-intensive systems sharing a common, managed set of features that satisfy the specific needs of a particular market segment or mission and that are developed from a common set of core assets in a prescribed way". Variability is a central concept that permits the generation of different products of the family by reusing core assets. It is captured through features which, for a SPL, define its scope. Features are represented in a feature model, which is later used to generate the products from the line. From the testing point of view, testing all the possible combinations in feature models is not practical because: (1) the number of possible combinations (i.e., combinations of features for composing products) may be untreatable, and (2) some combinations may contain incompatible features. Thus, this paper resolves the problem by the implementation of combinatorial testing techniques adapted to the SPL context.

Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic features of exogenous ochronosis.

PubMed

Gil, Inmaculada; Segura, Sonia; Martínez-Escala, Estela; Lloreta, Josep; Puig, Susana; Vélez, Mariano; Pujol, Ramón M; Herrero-González, Josep E

2010-09-01

Exogenous ochronosis presents as an acquired asymptomatic hyperpigmentation on photoexposed areas, predominantly over bony prominences, and is caused by the topical application of several skin-lightening agents. We describe a 63-year-old Hispanic woman who developed exogenous ochronosis lesions on her face after using topical bleaching creams containing hydroquinone, 2% to 3%, and oxybenzone, 2%, for several years. Dermoscopy revealed irregular brown-gray globular, annular, and arciform structures that corresponded to focal deposition of ochronotic pigment on the dermis. These deposits correlated with multiple banana-shaped nonrefractile structures seen using reflectance confocal microscopy. Histopathologic sections revealed the deposition of a banana-shaped, yellow to brown material in the papillary and middle dermis. Ultrastructural examination revealed an amorphous electron-dense material mostly located in the core of elastic fibers and also in smaller amounts in the interstitium with prominent degenerative changes in the elastic fibers. A good correlation was observed between the results of both noninvasive techniques and the diagnostic histologic features of this condition. We characterized by means of dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, and electronic microscopy a case of exogenous ochronosis. To our knowledge, this is the first description of reflectance confocal microscopic findings in this condition. Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy are proved to be useful noninvasive techniques for the diagnosis of this pigmentary disorder.

Banff schema for grading pancreas allograft rejection: working proposal by a multi-disciplinary international consensus panel.

PubMed

Drachenberg, C B; Odorico, J; Demetris, A J; Arend, L; Bajema, I M; Bruijn, J A; Cantarovich, D; Cathro, H P; Chapman, J; Dimosthenous, K; Fyfe-Kirschner, B; Gaber, L; Gaber, O; Goldberg, J; Honsová, E; Iskandar, S S; Klassen, D K; Nankivell, B; Papadimitriou, J C; Racusen, L C; Randhawa, P; Reinholt, F P; Renaudin, K; Revelo, P P; Ruiz, P; Torrealba, J R; Vazquez-Martul, E; Voska, L; Stratta, R; Bartlett, S T; Sutherland, D E R

2008-06-01

Accurate diagnosis and grading of rejection and other pathological processes are of paramount importance to guide therapeutic interventions in patients with pancreas allograft dysfunction. A multi-disciplinary panel of pathologists, surgeons and nephrologists was convened for the purpose of developing a consensus document delineating the histopathological features for diagnosis and grading of rejection in pancreas transplant biopsies. Based on the available published data and the collective experience, criteria for the diagnosis of acute cell-mediated allograft rejection (ACMR) were established. Three severity grades (I/mild, II/moderate and III/severe) were defined based on lesions known to be more or less responsive to treatment and associated with better- or worse-graft outcomes, respectively. The features of chronic rejection/graft sclerosis were reassessed, and three histological stages were established. Tentative criteria for the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection were also characterized, in anticipation of future studies that ought to provide more information on this process. Criteria for needle core biopsy adequacy and guidelines for pathology reporting were also defined. The availability of a simple, reproducible, clinically relevant and internationally accepted schema for grading rejection should improve the level of diagnostic accuracy and facilitate communication between all parties involved in the care of pancreas transplant recipients.

Core-Plus Mathematics. What Works Clearinghouse Intervention Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

What Works Clearinghouse, 2010

2010-01-01

"Core-Plus Mathematics" is a four-year curriculum that replaces the traditional sequence with courses that each feature interwoven strands of algebra and functions, statistics and probability, geometry and trigonometry, and discrete mathematics. The first three courses in the series provide a common core of broadly useful mathematics,…

Choice-impulsivity in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A meta-analytic review.

PubMed

Patros, Connor H G; Alderson, R Matt; Kasper, Lisa J; Tarle, Stephanie J; Lea, Sarah E; Hudec, Kristen L

2016-02-01

Impulsive behavior is a core DSM-5 diagnostic feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that is associated with several pejorative outcomes. Impulsivity is multidimensional, consisting of two sub-constructs: rapid-response impulsivity and reward-delay impulsivity (i.e., choice-impulsivity). While previous research has extensively examined the presence and implications of rapid-response impulsivity in children with ADHD, reviews of choice-impulsive behavior have been both sparse and relatively circumscribed. This review used meta-analytic methods to comprehensively examine between-group differences in choice-impulsivity among children and adolescents with and without ADHD. Twenty-eight tasks (from 26 studies), consisting of 4320 total children (ADHD=2360, TD=1,960), provided sufficient information to compute an overall between-group effect size for choice-impulsivity performance. Results revealed a medium-magnitude between-group effect size (g=.47), suggesting that children and adolescents with ADHD exhibited moderately increased impulsive decision-making compared to TD children and adolescents. Further, relative to the TD group, children and adolescents with ADHD exhibited similar patterns of impulsive decision-making across delay discounting and delay of gratification tasks. However, the use of single-informant diagnostic procedures relative to multiple informants yielded larger between-group effects, and a similar pattern was observed across samples that excluded females relative to samples that included females. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hoarding versus collecting: where does pathology diverge from play?

PubMed

Nordsletten, Ashley E; Mataix-Cols, David

2012-04-01

A new diagnosis termed Hoarding Disorder has been proposed for inclusion in the upcoming DSM-5 to cover the majority of cases where severe hoarding occurs in the absence of, or independently from other mental disorders. Much effort has been directed to ensuring that the proposed criteria discriminate Hoarding Disorder from other mental disorders, particularly those historically associated with hoarding (e.g. OCD, OCPD). Considerably less attention, however, has been paid to addressing the suitability of the proposed criteria for effectively differentiating pathological hoarding from normative collecting behavior. This is crucial in order to avoid false positives or the overpathologization of this widespread human activity. Collecting behavior mirrors many of the core features of hoarding (e.g. the acquisition of and emotional attachment to a potentially large number of objects), is highly prevalent and is generally considered a normative form of object amassment; as such, it represents a valid population with which to explore the diagnostic boundaries of Hoarding Disorder. Examination of the collecting literature, within the context of the hoarding diagnostic criteria, indicates that, for the majority of collectors, a diagnosis of Hoarding Disorder is likely to be effectively ruled out. For a minority of 'extreme' collectors, a diagnosis may potentially be adequate. This review highlights the similarities and differences between hoarding and collecting and offers suggestions for further research in this group. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Adrenal Lesions on Unenhanced MRI Using Texture Analysis: A Machine-Learning Approach.

PubMed

Romeo, Valeria; Maurea, Simone; Cuocolo, Renato; Petretta, Mario; Mainenti, Pier Paolo; Verde, Francesco; Coppola, Milena; Dell'Aversana, Serena; Brunetti, Arturo

2018-01-17

Adrenal adenomas (AA) are the most common benign adrenal lesions, often characterized based on intralesional fat content as either lipid-rich (LRA) or lipid-poor (LPA). The differentiation of AA, particularly LPA, from nonadenoma adrenal lesions (NAL) may be challenging. Texture analysis (TA) can extract quantitative parameters from MR images. Machine learning is a technique for recognizing patterns that can be applied to medical images by identifying the best combination of TA features to create a predictive model for the diagnosis of interest. To assess the diagnostic efficacy of TA-derived parameters extracted from MR images in characterizing LRA, LPA, and NAL using a machine-learning approach. Retrospective, observational study. Sixty MR examinations, including 20 LRA, 20 LPA, and 20 NAL. Unenhanced T 1 -weighted in-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) as well as T 2 -weighted (T 2 -w) MR images acquired at 3T. Adrenal lesions were manually segmented, placing a spherical volume of interest on IP, OP, and T 2 -w images. Different selection methods were trained and tested using the J48 machine-learning classifiers. The feature selection method that obtained the highest diagnostic performance using the J48 classifier was identified; the diagnostic performance was also compared with that of a senior radiologist by means of McNemar's test. A total of 138 TA-derived features were extracted; among these, four features were selected, extracted from the IP (Short_Run_High_Gray_Level_Emphasis), OP (Mean_Intensity and Maximum_3D_Diameter), and T 2 -w (Standard_Deviation) images; the J48 classifier obtained a diagnostic accuracy of 80%. The expert radiologist obtained a diagnostic accuracy of 73%. McNemar's test did not show significant differences in terms of diagnostic performance between the J48 classifier and the expert radiologist. Machine learning conducted on MR TA-derived features is a potential tool to characterize adrenal lesions. 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Rapid Construction of a Benzo-Fused Indoxamycin Core Enabled by Site-Selective C-H Functionalizations.

PubMed

Bedell, T Aaron; Hone, Graham A B; Valette, Damien; Yu, Jin-Quan; Davies, Huw M L; Sorensen, Erik J

2016-07-11

Methods for functionalizing carbon-hydrogen bonds are featured in a new synthesis of the tricyclic core architecture that characterizes the indoxamycin family of secondary metabolites. A unique collaboration between three laboratories has engendered a design for synthesis featuring two sequential C-H functionalization reactions, namely a diastereoselective dirhodium carbene insertion followed by an ester-directed oxidative Heck cyclization, to rapidly assemble the congested tricyclic core of the indoxamycins. This project exemplifies how multi-laboratory collaborations can foster conceptually novel approaches to challenging problems in chemical synthesis. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Clinical and diagnostic features of East Coast fever (Theileria parva) infection of cattle.

PubMed

Irvin, A D; Mwamachi, D M

1983-08-27

East Coast fever is a tick-borne protozoal disease affecting cattle in a large part of East and Central Africa. Since the vector occurs over an even wider range there is considerable potential for the disease to spread to countries which are currently disease free. This article, describing the clinical and diagnostic features of East Coast fever, may remind authorities in these countries of the potential hazards posed by the disease.

Establishment of the mathematical model for diagnosing the engine valve faults by genetic programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Wen-Xian

2006-05-01

Available machine fault diagnostic methods show unsatisfactory performances on both on-line and intelligent analyses because their operations involve intensive calculations and are labour intensive. Aiming at improving this situation, this paper describes the development of an intelligent approach by using the Genetic Programming (abbreviated as GP) method. Attributed to the simple calculation of the mathematical model being constructed, different kinds of machine faults may be diagnosed correctly and quickly. Moreover, human input is significantly reduced in the process of fault diagnosis. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated by an illustrative example, in which three kinds of valve states inherent in a six-cylinders/four-stroke cycle diesel engine, i.e. normal condition, valve-tappet clearance and gas leakage faults, are identified. In the example, 22 mathematical functions have been specially designed and 8 easily obtained signal features are used to construct the diagnostic model. Different from existing GPs, the diagnostic tree used in the algorithm is constructed in an intelligent way by applying a power-weight coefficient to each feature. The power-weight coefficients vary adaptively between 0 and 1 during the evolutionary process. Moreover, different evolutionary strategies are employed, respectively for selecting the diagnostic features and functions, so that the mathematical functions are sufficiently utilized and in the meantime, the repeated use of signal features may be fully avoided. The experimental results are illustrated diagrammatically in the following sections.

Fused man-machine classification schemes to enhance diagnosis of breast microcalcifications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreadis, Ioannis; Sevastianos, Chatzistergos; George, Spyrou; Konstantina, Nikita

2017-11-01

Computer aided diagnosis (CAD x ) approaches are developed towards the effective discrimination between benign and malignant clusters of microcalcifications. Different sources of information are exploited, such as features extracted from the image analysis of the region of interest, features related to the location of the cluster inside the breast, age of the patient and descriptors provided by the radiologists while performing their diagnostic task. A series of different CAD x schemes are implemented, each of which uses a different category of features and adopts a variety of machine learning algorithms and alternative image processing techniques. A novel framework is introduced where these independent diagnostic components are properly combined according to features critical to a radiologist in an attempt to identify the most appropriate CAD x schemes for the case under consideration. An open access database (Digital Database of Screening Mammography (DDSM)) has been elaborated to construct a large dataset with cases of varying subtlety, in order to ensure the development of schemes with high generalization ability, as well as extensive evaluation of their performance. The obtained results indicate that the proposed framework succeeds in improving the diagnostic procedure, as the achieved overall classification performance outperforms all the independent single diagnostic components, as well as the radiologists that assessed the same cases, in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve following receiver operating characteristic analysis.

The Effects of Signal Erosion and Core Genome Reduction on the Identification of Diagnostic Markers

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-20

31 diagnostics for the identification of bacterial pathogens. To do this effectively, 32 genomics databases must be comprehensive to identify the...diverse B. 118 pseudomallei/mallei strains were sequenced, assembled, and deposited in public 119 databases (Supplemental Table 1); these genomes were...combined with 160 B. 120 pseudomallei/mallei genome assemblies already in public databases . Most of the 121 genomes (n=779) in this study were

An open trial of individualized face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychological distress in parents of children after end of treatment for childhood cancer including a cognitive behavioral conceptualization.

PubMed

Ljungman, Lisa; Cernvall, Martin; Ghaderi, Ata; Ljungman, Gustaf; von Essen, Louise; Ljótsson, Brjánn

2018-01-01

A subgroup of parents of children who have been treated for childhood cancer report high levels of psychological distress. To date there is no empirically supported psychological treatment targeting cancer-related psychological distress in this population. The aim of the current study was to test the feasibility and preliminarily evaluate the effect of individualized face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for parents of children after the end of treatment for childhood cancer. A secondary aim was to present a cognitive behavioral conceptualization of cancer-related distress for these parents. An open trial was conducted where 15 parents of children who had completed successful treatment for cancer three months to five years earlier and who reported psychological distress related to a child's previous cancer disease were provided CBT at a maximum of 15 sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up using self-reported psychological distress (including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety) and the diagnostic Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Feasibility outcomes relating to recruitment, data collection, and delivery of the treatment were also examined. Individual case formulations for each participant guided the intervention and these were aggregated and presented in a conceptualization detailing core symptoms and their suggested maintenance mechanisms. A total of 93% of the participants completed the treatment and all of them completed the follow-up assessment. From baseline to post-assessment, parents reported significant improvements in PTSS, depression, and anxiety with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.65-0.92). Results were maintained or improved at a three-month follow-up. At baseline, seven (47%) participants fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and four (29%) fulfilled the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, compared to none at a post-assessment and a follow-up assessment. The resulting cognitive behavioral conceptualization suggests traumatic stress and depression as the core features of distress, and avoidance and inactivity is suggested as the core maintenance mechanisms. The treatment was feasible and acceptable to the participants. Significant improvements in distress were observed during the study. Overall, results suggest that the psychological treatment for parents of children after end of treatment for childhood cancer used in the current study is promising and should be tested and evaluated in future studies.

Molecular Imaging with Theranostic Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Jokerst, Jesse V.; Gambhir, Sanjiv S.

2011-01-01

Conspectus Nanoparticles offer diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities impossible with small molecules or micro-scale tools. As molecular biology merges with medical imaging to form the field of molecular imaging, nanoparticle imaging is increasingly common with both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The term theranostic indicates technology with concurrent and complementary diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. When performed with sub-micron materials, the field may be termed theranostic nanomedicine. Although nanoparticles have been FDA-approved for clinical use as transport vehicles for nearly 15 years, full translation of their theranostic potential is incomplete. Still, remarkable successes with nanoparticles have been realized in the areas of drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging. Emerging applications include image-guided resection, optical/photoacoustic imaging in vivo, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and thermoablative therapy. Diagnosis with nanoparticles in molecular imaging involves correlating signal to a phenotype. The disease’s size, stage, and biochemical signature can be gleaned from the location and intensity of nanoparticle signal emanating from a living subject. Therapy with NP uses the image for resection or delivery of small molecule or RNA thererapeutic. Ablation of the affected area is also possible via heat or radioactivity. The ideal theranostic NP: (1) selectively and rapidly accumulates in diseased tissue, (2) reports biochemical and morphological characteristics of the area, (3) delivers a non-invasive therapeutic, and (4) is safe and biodegrades with non-toxic byproducts. Above is a schematic of such a system which contains a central imaging core (yellow) surrounded by small molecule therapeutics (red). The system targets via ligands such as IgG (pink) and is protected from immune scavengers by a cloak of protective polymer (green). While no nanoparticle has achieved all of the above features, many NPs do fulfill one or more. While the most clinically translatable nanoparticles have been used in the field of magnetic resonance imaging, other types are quickly becoming more biocompatible by overcoming toxicity and biodistribution concerns. The document details diagnostic imaging and therapeutic uses of nanoparticles. We propose five main types of nanoparticles with concurrent diagnostic and thereapeutic uses and offer examples of each. PMID:21919457

The development of a post-test diagnostic system for rocket engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zakrajsek, June F.

1991-01-01

An effort was undertaken by NASA to develop an automated post-test, post-flight diagnostic system for rocket engines. The automated system is designed to be generic and to automate the rocket engine data review process. A modular, distributed architecture with a generic software core was chosen to meet the design requirements. The diagnostic system is initially being applied to the Space Shuttle Main Engine data review process. The system modules currently under development are the session/message manager, and portions of the applications section, the component analysis section, and the intelligent knowledge server. An overview is presented of a rocket engine data review process, the design requirements and guidelines, the architecture and modules, and the projected benefits of the automated diagnostic system.

Enhanced NIF neutron activation diagnostics.

PubMed

Yeamans, C B; Bleuel, D L; Bernstein, L A

2012-10-01

The NIF neutron activation diagnostic suite relies on removable activation samples, leading to operational inefficiencies and a fundamental lower limit on the half-life of the activated product that can be observed. A neutron diagnostic system measuring activation of permanently installed samples could remove these limitations and significantly enhance overall neutron diagnostic capabilities. The physics and engineering aspects of two proposed systems are considered: one measuring the (89)Zr/(89 m)Zr isomer ratio in the existing Zr activation medium and the other using potassium zirconate as the activation medium. Both proposed systems could improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the current system by at least a factor of 5 and would allow independent measurement of fusion core velocity and fuel areal density.

Clinical approach to Parkinson's disease: features, diagnosis, and principles of management.

PubMed

Massano, João; Bhatia, Kailash P

2012-06-01

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. The condition causes a heavy burden both on those affected, as well as their families. Accurate diagnosis is critical and remains founded on clinical grounds as no specific diagnostic test is available so far. The clinical picture of PD is typical in many instances; however, features distinguishing it from other disorders should be thoroughly sought. Monogenic forms of PD also have some distinctive characteristics in many cases. This text is a roadmap to accurate diagnosis in PD, as it approaches clinical features, diagnostic methodology, and leading differential diagnoses. Therapeutic issues are also briefly discussed.

Radiological Society of North America

MedlinePlus

... Courses Electronic Education Exhibits RSNA Journals RSNA/AAPM Physics Modules RadioGraphics ABR Diagnostic Radiology Core Exam Study ... Brain Tumor Classification System In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an update to its brain ...

Fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy for warm dense matter studies and ICF plasma diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, Stephanie

2017-10-01

The burning core of an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) plasma at stagnation is surrounded by a shell of warm, dense matter whose properties are difficult both to model (due to a complex interplay of thermal, degeneracy, and strong coupling effects) and to diagnose (due to low emissivity and high opacity). We demonstrate a promising technique to study the warm dense shells of ICF plasmas based on the fluorescence emission of dopants or impurities in the shell material. This emission, which is driven by x-rays produced in the hot core, exhibits signature changes in response to compression and heating. High-resolution measurements of absorption and fluorescence features can refine our understanding of the electronic structure of material under high compression, improve our models of density-driven phenomena such as ionization potential depression and plasma polarization shifts, and help diagnose shell density, temperature, mass distribution, and residual motion in ICF plasmas at stagnation. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-mission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA-0003525. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science Early Career Research Program, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences under FWP-14-017426.

Object Recognition in Mental Representations: Directions for Exploring Diagnostic Features through Visual Mental Imagery.

PubMed

Roldan, Stephanie M

2017-01-01

One of the fundamental goals of object recognition research is to understand how a cognitive representation produced from the output of filtered and transformed sensory information facilitates efficient viewer behavior. Given that mental imagery strongly resembles perceptual processes in both cortical regions and subjective visual qualities, it is reasonable to question whether mental imagery facilitates cognition in a manner similar to that of perceptual viewing: via the detection and recognition of distinguishing features. Categorizing the feature content of mental imagery holds potential as a reverse pathway by which to identify the components of a visual stimulus which are most critical for the creation and retrieval of a visual representation. This review will examine the likelihood that the information represented in visual mental imagery reflects distinctive object features thought to facilitate efficient object categorization and recognition during perceptual viewing. If it is the case that these representational features resemble their sensory counterparts in both spatial and semantic qualities, they may well be accessible through mental imagery as evaluated through current investigative techniques. In this review, methods applied to mental imagery research and their findings are reviewed and evaluated for their efficiency in accessing internal representations, and implications for identifying diagnostic features are discussed. An argument is made for the benefits of combining mental imagery assessment methods with diagnostic feature research to advance the understanding of visual perceptive processes, with suggestions for avenues of future investigation.

Object Recognition in Mental Representations: Directions for Exploring Diagnostic Features through Visual Mental Imagery

PubMed Central

Roldan, Stephanie M.

2017-01-01

One of the fundamental goals of object recognition research is to understand how a cognitive representation produced from the output of filtered and transformed sensory information facilitates efficient viewer behavior. Given that mental imagery strongly resembles perceptual processes in both cortical regions and subjective visual qualities, it is reasonable to question whether mental imagery facilitates cognition in a manner similar to that of perceptual viewing: via the detection and recognition of distinguishing features. Categorizing the feature content of mental imagery holds potential as a reverse pathway by which to identify the components of a visual stimulus which are most critical for the creation and retrieval of a visual representation. This review will examine the likelihood that the information represented in visual mental imagery reflects distinctive object features thought to facilitate efficient object categorization and recognition during perceptual viewing. If it is the case that these representational features resemble their sensory counterparts in both spatial and semantic qualities, they may well be accessible through mental imagery as evaluated through current investigative techniques. In this review, methods applied to mental imagery research and their findings are reviewed and evaluated for their efficiency in accessing internal representations, and implications for identifying diagnostic features are discussed. An argument is made for the benefits of combining mental imagery assessment methods with diagnostic feature research to advance the understanding of visual perceptive processes, with suggestions for avenues of future investigation. PMID:28588538

Delusional versus nondelusional body dysmorphic disorder: recommendations for DSM-5

PubMed Central

Phillips, Katharine A.; Hart, Ashley S.; Simpson, Helen Blair; Stein, Dan J.

2016-01-01

The core feature of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is distressing or impairing preoccupation with nonexistent or slight defects in one’s physical appearance. BDD beliefs are characterized by varying degrees of insight, ranging from good (ie, recognition that one’s BDD beliefs are not true) through “absent insight/delusional” beliefs (ie, complete conviction that one’s BDD beliefs are true). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd ed., rev. (DSM-III-R) and The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV) classified BDD’s nondelusional form in the somatoform section of the manual and its delusional form in the psychosis section, as a type of delusional disorder, somatic type (although DSM-IV allowed double-coding of delusional BDD as both a psychotic disorder and BDD). However, little or no evidence on this issue was available when these editions were published. In this article, we review the classification of BDD’s delusional and nondelusional variants in earlier editions of DSM and the limitations of their approaches. We then review empirical evidence on this topic, which has become available since DSM-IV was developed. Available evidence indicates that across a range of validators, BDD’s delusional and nondelusional variants have many more similarities than differences, including response to pharmacotherapy. Based on these data, we propose that BDD’s delusional and nondelusional forms be classified as the same disorder and that BDD’s diagnostic criteria include an insight specifier that spans a range of insight, including absent insight/delusional BDD beliefs. We hope that this recommendation will improve care for patients with this common and often-severe disorder. This increased understanding of BDD may also have implications for other disorders that have an “absent insight/delusional” form. PMID:23659348

Interstitial assessment of aggressive prostate cancer by physio-chemical photoacoustics: an ex vivo study with intact human prostates.

PubMed

Huang, Shengsong; Qin, Yu; Chen, Yingna; Pan, Jing; Xu, Chengdang; Wu, Denglong; Chao, Wan-Yu; Wei, John T; Tomlins, Scott A; Wang, Xueding; Brian Fowlkes, J; Carson, Paul L; Cheng, Qian; Xu, Guan

2018-06-23

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy is the standard procedure for evaluating the presence and aggressiveness of prostate cancer. TRUS biopsy involves tissue removal, and suffers from low core yield as well as high false negative rate. A less invasive and more accurate diagnostic procedure for prostate cancer is therefore highly desired. Combining the optical sensitivity and ultrasonic resolution to resolve the spatial distribution of the major molecular components in tissue, photoacoustic (PA) technology could be an alternative approach for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of identifying aggressive prostate cancer using interstitial PA measurements. 17 patients with pre-biopsy magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), TRUS biopsies and planned prostatectomies were enrolled in this study. The interstitial PA measurements were achieved using our recently developed needle PA probe, which was inserted into the ex vivo prostates in the fashion of a biopsy needle. A total of 70 interstitial PA measurements were acquired. The PA measurements were quantified by a previously established PA physio-chemical analysis (PAPCA) method. The histology has confirmed the nonaggressive and aggressive cancerous conditions at the insertion locations. The diagnostic accuracy was also compared to that provided by the pre-biopsy MRI. The quantitative study shows significant differences between the individual parameters of the nonaggressive and the aggressive cancerous regions (p<0.005). Multivariate analysis of the quantitative features achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 78.6% for differentiating nonaggressive and aggressive prostate cancer tissues CONCLUSIONS: The proposed procedure has shown promises in the diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Software architecture and design of the web services facilitating climate model diagnostic analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, L.; Lee, S.; Zhang, J.; Tang, B.; Zhai, C.; Jiang, J. H.; Wang, W.; Bao, Q.; Qi, M.; Kubar, T. L.; Teixeira, J.

2015-12-01

Climate model diagnostic analysis is a computationally- and data-intensive task because it involves multiple numerical model outputs and satellite observation data that can both be high resolution. We have built an online tool that facilitates this process. The tool is called Climate Model Diagnostic Analyzer (CMDA). It employs the web service technology and provides a web-based user interface. The benefits of these choices include: (1) No installation of any software other than a browser, hence it is platform compatable; (2) Co-location of computation and big data on the server side, and small results and plots to be downloaded on the client side, hence high data efficiency; (3) multi-threaded implementation to achieve parallel performance on multi-core servers; and (4) cloud deployment so each user has a dedicated virtual machine. In this presentation, we will focus on the computer science aspects of this tool, namely the architectural design, the infrastructure of the web services, the implementation of the web-based user interface, the mechanism of provenance collection, the approach to virtualization, and the Amazon Cloud deployment. As an example, We will describe our methodology to transform an existing science application code into a web service using a Python wrapper interface and Python web service frameworks (i.e., Flask, Gunicorn, and Tornado). Another example is the use of Docker, a light-weight virtualization container, to distribute and deploy CMDA onto an Amazon EC2 instance. Our tool of CMDA has been successfully used in the 2014 Summer School hosted by the JPL Center for Climate Science. Students had positive feedbacks in general and we will report their comments. An enhanced version of CMDA with several new features, some requested by the 2014 students, will be used in the 2015 Summer School soon.

Encoding, Memory, and Transcoding Deficits in Childhood Apraxia of Speech

PubMed Central

Shriberg, Lawrence D.; Lohmeier, Heather L.; Strand, Edythe A.; Jakielski, Kathy J.

2013-01-01

Purpose A central question in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is whether the core phenotype is limited to transcoding (planning/programming) deficits or if speakers with CAS also have deficits in auditory-perceptual encoding (representational) and/or memory (storage and retrieval of representations) processes. We addressed this and other questions using responses to the Syllable Repetition Task (SRT: Shriberg et al., 2009). Method The SRT was administered to 369 individuals in four groups: (a) Typical Speech-Language (119), (b) Speech Delay-Typical Language (140), (c) Speech Delay-Language Impairment (70), and (d) idiopathic or neurogenetic CAS (40). Results CAS participants had significantly lower SRT competence, encoding, memory, and transcoding scores than controls. They were 8.3 times more likely than controls to have SRT transcoding scores below 80%. Conclusions Speakers with CAS have speech processing deficits in encoding, memory, and transcoding. The SRT currently has moderate diagnostic accuracy to identify transcoding deficits, the signature feature of CAS. PMID:22489736

Toward the Autism Motor Signature: Gesture patterns during smart tablet gameplay identify children with autism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anzulewicz, Anna; Sobota, Krzysztof; Delafield-Butt, Jonathan T.

2016-08-01

Autism is a developmental disorder evident from infancy. Yet, its clinical identification requires expert diagnostic training. New evidence indicates disruption to motor timing and integration may underpin the disorder, providing a potential new computational marker for its early identification. In this study, we employed smart tablet computers with touch-sensitive screens and embedded inertial movement sensors to record the movement kinematics and gesture forces made by 37 children 3-6 years old with autism and 45 age- and gender-matched children developing typically. Machine learning analysis of the children’s motor patterns identified autism with up to 93% accuracy. Analysis revealed these patterns consisted of greater forces at contact and with a different distribution of forces within a gesture, and gesture kinematics were faster and larger, with more distal use of space. These data support the notion disruption to movement is core feature of autism, and demonstrate autism can be computationally assessed by fun, smart device gameplay.

The Role of the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team: How to Build One, Who to Include, Scenarios, Organization, and Algorithms.

PubMed

Galmer, Andrew; Weinberg, Ido; Giri, Jay; Jaff, Michael; Weinberg, Mitchell

2017-09-01

Pulmonary embolism response teams (PERTs) are multidisciplinary response teams aimed at delivering a range of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to patients with pulmonary embolism. These teams have gained traction on a national scale. However, despite sharing a common goal, individual PERT programs are quite individualized-varying in their methods of operation, team structures, and practice patterns. The tendency of such response teams is to become intensely structured, algorithmic, and inflexible. However, in their current form, PERT programs are quite the opposite. They are being creatively customized to meet the needs of the individual institution based on available resources, skills, personnel, and institutional goals. After a review of the essential core elements needed to create and operate a PERT team in any form, this article will discuss the more flexible feature development of the nascent PERT team. These include team planning, member composition, operational structure, benchmarking, market analysis, and rudimentary financial operations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic specificity and familiality of early versus late evoked potentials to auditory paired stimuli across the schizophrenia-bipolar psychosis spectrum.

PubMed

Hamm, Jordan P; Ethridge, Lauren E; Boutros, Nashaat N; Keshavan, Matcheri S; Sweeney, John A; Pearlson, Godfrey D; Tamminga, Carol A; Clementz, Brett A

2014-04-01

Disrupted sensory processing is a core feature of psychotic disorders. Auditory paired stimuli (PS) evoke a complex neural response, but it is uncertain which aspects reflect shared and/or distinct liability for the most common severe psychoses, schizophrenia (SZ) and psychotic bipolar disorder (BDP). Evoked time-voltage/time-frequency domain responses quantified with EEG during a typical PS paradigm (S1-S2) were compared among proband groups (SZ [n = 232], BDP [181]), their relatives (SZrel [259], BDPrel [220]), and healthy participants (H [228]). Early S1-evoked responses were reduced in SZ and BDP, while later/S2 abnormalities showed SZ/SZrel and BDP/BDPrel specificity. Relatives' effects were absent/small despite significant familiality of the entire auditorineural response. This pattern suggests general and divergent biological pathways associated with psychosis, yet may reflect complications with conditioning solely on clinical phenomenology. Copyright © 2014 Society for Psychophysiological Research.

Toward the Autism Motor Signature: Gesture patterns during smart tablet gameplay identify children with autism.

PubMed

Anzulewicz, Anna; Sobota, Krzysztof; Delafield-Butt, Jonathan T

2016-08-24

Autism is a developmental disorder evident from infancy. Yet, its clinical identification requires expert diagnostic training. New evidence indicates disruption to motor timing and integration may underpin the disorder, providing a potential new computational marker for its early identification. In this study, we employed smart tablet computers with touch-sensitive screens and embedded inertial movement sensors to record the movement kinematics and gesture forces made by 37 children 3-6 years old with autism and 45 age- and gender-matched children developing typically. Machine learning analysis of the children's motor patterns identified autism with up to 93% accuracy. Analysis revealed these patterns consisted of greater forces at contact and with a different distribution of forces within a gesture, and gesture kinematics were faster and larger, with more distal use of space. These data support the notion disruption to movement is core feature of autism, and demonstrate autism can be computationally assessed by fun, smart device gameplay.

Toward the Autism Motor Signature: Gesture patterns during smart tablet gameplay identify children with autism

PubMed Central

Anzulewicz, Anna; Sobota, Krzysztof; Delafield-Butt, Jonathan T.

2016-01-01

Autism is a developmental disorder evident from infancy. Yet, its clinical identification requires expert diagnostic training. New evidence indicates disruption to motor timing and integration may underpin the disorder, providing a potential new computational marker for its early identification. In this study, we employed smart tablet computers with touch-sensitive screens and embedded inertial movement sensors to record the movement kinematics and gesture forces made by 37 children 3–6 years old with autism and 45 age- and gender-matched children developing typically. Machine learning analysis of the children’s motor patterns identified autism with up to 93% accuracy. Analysis revealed these patterns consisted of greater forces at contact and with a different distribution of forces within a gesture, and gesture kinematics were faster and larger, with more distal use of space. These data support the notion disruption to movement is core feature of autism, and demonstrate autism can be computationally assessed by fun, smart device gameplay. PMID:27553971

ROBUS-2: A Fault-Tolerant Broadcast Communication System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Torres-Pomales, Wilfredo; Malekpour, Mahyar R.; Miner, Paul S.

2005-01-01

The Reliable Optical Bus (ROBUS) is the core communication system of the Scalable Processor-Independent Design for Enhanced Reliability (SPIDER), a general-purpose fault-tolerant integrated modular architecture currently under development at NASA Langley Research Center. The ROBUS is a time-division multiple access (TDMA) broadcast communication system with medium access control by means of time-indexed communication schedule. ROBUS-2 is a developmental version of the ROBUS providing guaranteed fault-tolerant services to the attached processing elements (PEs), in the presence of a bounded number of faults. These services include message broadcast (Byzantine Agreement), dynamic communication schedule update, clock synchronization, and distributed diagnosis (group membership). The ROBUS also features fault-tolerant startup and restart capabilities. ROBUS-2 is tolerant to internal as well as PE faults, and incorporates a dynamic self-reconfiguration capability driven by the internal diagnostic system. This version of the ROBUS is intended for laboratory experimentation and demonstrations of the capability to reintegrate failed nodes, dynamically update the communication schedule, and tolerate and recover from correlated transient faults.

Comparison of machine learning methods for classifying mediastinal lymph node metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer from 18F-FDG PET/CT images.

PubMed

Wang, Hongkai; Zhou, Zongwei; Li, Yingci; Chen, Zhonghua; Lu, Peiou; Wang, Wenzhi; Liu, Wanyu; Yu, Lijuan

2017-12-01

This study aimed to compare one state-of-the-art deep learning method and four classical machine learning methods for classifying mediastinal lymph node metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 18 F-FDG PET/CT images. Another objective was to compare the discriminative power of the recently popular PET/CT texture features with the widely used diagnostic features such as tumor size, CT value, SUV, image contrast, and intensity standard deviation. The four classical machine learning methods included random forests, support vector machines, adaptive boosting, and artificial neural network. The deep learning method was the convolutional neural networks (CNN). The five methods were evaluated using 1397 lymph nodes collected from PET/CT images of 168 patients, with corresponding pathology analysis results as gold standard. The comparison was conducted using 10 times 10-fold cross-validation based on the criterion of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy (ACC), and area under the ROC curve (AUC). For each classical method, different input features were compared to select the optimal feature set. Based on the optimal feature set, the classical methods were compared with CNN, as well as with human doctors from our institute. For the classical methods, the diagnostic features resulted in 81~85% ACC and 0.87~0.92 AUC, which were significantly higher than the results of texture features. CNN's sensitivity, specificity, ACC, and AUC were 84, 88, 86, and 0.91, respectively. There was no significant difference between the results of CNN and the best classical method. The sensitivity, specificity, and ACC of human doctors were 73, 90, and 82, respectively. All the five machine learning methods had higher sensitivities but lower specificities than human doctors. The present study shows that the performance of CNN is not significantly different from the best classical methods and human doctors for classifying mediastinal lymph node metastasis of NSCLC from PET/CT images. Because CNN does not need tumor segmentation or feature calculation, it is more convenient and more objective than the classical methods. However, CNN does not make use of the import diagnostic features, which have been proved more discriminative than the texture features for classifying small-sized lymph nodes. Therefore, incorporating the diagnostic features into CNN is a promising direction for future research.

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonic histogram features to evaluate radiation toxicity of the parotid glands: a clinical study of xerostomia following head-and-neck cancer radiotherapy.

PubMed

Yang, Xiaofeng; Tridandapani, Srini; Beitler, Jonathan J; Yu, David S; Chen, Zhengjia; Kim, Sungjin; Bruner, Deborah W; Curran, Walter J; Liu, Tian

2014-10-01

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound histogram features in the quantitative assessment of radiation-induced parotid gland injury and to identify potential imaging biomarkers for radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth)-the most common and debilitating side effect after head-and-neck radiotherapy (RT). Thirty-four patients, who have developed xerostomia after RT for head-and-neck cancer, were enrolled. Radiation-induced xerostomia was defined by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer morbidity scale. Ultrasound scans were performed on each patient's parotids bilaterally. The 34 patients were stratified into the acute-toxicity groups (16 patients, ≤ 3 months after treatment) and the late-toxicity group (18 patients, > 3 months after treatment). A separate control group of 13 healthy volunteers underwent similar ultrasound scans of their parotid glands. Six sonographic features were derived from the echo-intensity histograms to assess acute and late toxicity of the parotid glands. The quantitative assessments were compared to a radiologist's clinical evaluations. The diagnostic accuracy of these ultrasonic histogram features was evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. With an area under the ROC curve greater than 0.90, several histogram features demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy for evaluation of acute and late toxicity of parotid glands. Significant differences (P < .05) in all six sonographic features were demonstrated between the control, acute-toxicity, and late-toxicity groups. However, subjective radiologic evaluation cannot distinguish between acute and late toxicity of parotid glands. We demonstrated that ultrasound histogram features could be used to measure acute and late toxicity of the parotid glands after head-and-neck cancer RT, which may be developed into a low-cost imaging method for xerostomia monitoring and assessment. Copyright © 2014 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Linear Polarization Properties of Parsec-Scale AGN Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pushkarev, Alexander; Kovalev, Yuri; Lister, Matthew; Savolainen, Tuomas; Aller, Margo; Aller, Hugh; Hodge, Mary

2017-12-01

We used 15 GHz multi-epoch Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) polarization sensitive observations of 484 sources within a time interval 1996--2016 from the MOJAVE program, and also from the NRAO data archive. We have analyzed the linear polarization characteristics of the compact core features and regions downstream, and their changes along and across the parsec-scale active galactic nuclei (AGN) jets. We detected a significant increase of fractional polarization with distance from the radio core along the jet as well as towards the jet edges. Compared to quasars, BL Lacs have a higher degree of polarization and exhibit more stable electric vector position angles (EVPAs) in their core features and a better alignment of the EVPAs with the local jet direction. The latter is accompanied by a higher degree of linear polarization, suggesting that compact bright jet features might be strong transverse shocks, which enhance magnetic field regularity by compression.

Identifying the source of petroleum pollution in sediment cores of southwest of the Caspian Sea using chemical fingerprinting of aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons.

PubMed

Shirneshan, Golshan; Bakhtiari, Alireza Riyahi; Memariani, Mahmoud

2017-02-15

In this study, the concentration and sources of aliphatic and petroleum markers were investigated in 105 samples of Anzali, Rezvanshahr and Astara cores from the southwest of Caspian Sea. Petroleum importation was diagnosed as a main source in most depths of cores by the results of unresolved complex mixture, carbon preference index and hopanes and steranes. From the chemical diagnostic parameters, petroleum inputs in sediment of cores were determined to be different during years and the sources of hydrocarbons in some sections differed than Anzali and Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan oils. Diagenic ratios in most sediments of upper and middle sections in Astara core were determined to be highly similar to those of Azerbaijan oil, while the presence of Turkmenistan and Anzali oils were detected in a few sections of Anzali and Rezvanshahr cores and only five layers of downer section in Anzali core, respectively. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Examination of core samples from the Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well, Alaska North Slope: Effects of retrieval and preservation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kneafsey, T.J.; Lu, H.; Winters, W.; Boswell, R.; Hunter, R.; Collett, T.S.

2011-01-01

Collecting and preserving undamaged core samples containing gas hydrates from depth is difficult because of the pressure and temperature changes encountered upon retrieval. Hydrate-bearing core samples were collected at the BPXA-DOE-USGS Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well in February 2007. Coring was performed while using a custom oil-based drilling mud, and the cores were retrieved by a wireline. The samples were characterized and subsampled at the surface under ambient winter arctic conditions. Samples thought to be hydrate bearing were preserved either by immersion in liquid nitrogen (LN), or by storage under methane pressure at ambient arctic conditions, and later depressurized and immersed in LN. Eleven core samples from hydrate-bearing zones were scanned using x-ray computed tomography to examine core structure and homogeneity. Features observed include radial fractures, spalling-type fractures, and reduced density near the periphery. These features were induced during sample collection, handling, and preservation. Isotopic analysis of the methane from hydrate in an initially LN-preserved core and a pressure-preserved core indicate that secondary hydrate formation occurred throughout the pressurized core, whereas none occurred in the LN-preserved core, however no hydrate was found near the periphery of the LN-preserved core. To replicate some aspects of the preservation methods, natural and laboratory-made saturated porous media samples were frozen in a variety of ways, with radial fractures observed in some LN-frozen sands, and needle-like ice crystals forming in slowly frozen clay-rich sediments. Suggestions for hydrate-bearing core preservation are presented.

CT Scans of Cores Metadata, Barrow, Alaska 2015

DOE Data Explorer

Katie McKnight; Tim Kneafsey; Craig Ulrich

2015-03-11

Individual ice cores were collected from Barrow Environmental Observatory in Barrow, Alaska, throughout 2013 and 2014. Cores were drilled along different transects to sample polygonal features (i.e. the trough, center and rim of high, transitional and low center polygons). Most cores were drilled around 1 meter in depth and a few deep cores were drilled around 3 meters in depth. Three-dimensional images of the frozen cores were constructed using a medical X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner. TIFF files can be uploaded to ImageJ (an open-source imaging software) to examine soil structure and densities within each core.

Peregrine Job Queues and Scheduling Policies | High-Performance Computing |

Science.gov Websites

batch batch-h long bigmem data-transfer feature Max wall time 1 hour 4 hours 2 days 2 days 10 days 10 # nodes per job 2 8 288 576 120 46 1 # of 24 core 64 GB Haswell nodes 2 8 0 1228 0 0 0 haswell # of 24core 32 GB nodes 2 16 576 0 126 0 0 24core # of 16core 32 GB nodes 2 8 195 0 162 0 5 16core, # of 24core

The Disassembly of a Core-Satellite Nanoassembled Substrate for Colorimetric Biomolecular Detection

PubMed Central

Waldeisen, John R.; Wang, Tim; Ross, Benjamin M.; Lee, Luke P.

2012-01-01

The disassembly of a core-satellite nanostructured substrate is presented as a colorimetric biosensor observable under dark field illumination. The fabrication method described herein utilizes thiol-mediated adsorption and streptavidin-biotin binding to self-assemble core-satellite nanostructures with a sacrificial linking peptide. Biosensing functionality is demonstrated with the protease trypsin and the optical properties of the nanoassemblies are characterized. A figure of merit is presented to determine the optimal core and satellite size for visual detection. Nanoassemblies with 50 nm cores and 30 nm or 50 nm satellites are superior as these structures achieve an orange to green color shift greater than 70 nm that is easily discernible by naked eye. This colorimetric substrate may prove to be a favorable alternative to liquid-based colloidal sensors and a useful visual readout mechanism for microfluidic diagnostic assays. PMID:21667984

Laser ablation of dental tissues with picosecond pulses of 1.06-microm radiation transmitted through a hollow-core photonic-crystal fiber.

PubMed

Konorov, Stanislav O; Mitrokhin, Vladimir P; Fedotov, Andrei B; Sidorov-Biryukov, Dmitrii A; Beloglazov, Valentin I; Skibina, Nina B; Shcherbakov, Andrei V; Wintner, Ernst; Scalora, Michael; Zheltikov, Aleksei M

2004-04-10

Sequences of picosecond pulses of 1.06-microm Nd:YAG laser radiation with a total energy of approximately 2 mJ are transmitted through a hollow-core photonic-crystal fiber with a core diameter of approximately 14 microm and are focused onto a tooth's surface in vitro to ablate dental tissue. The hollow-core photonic-crystal fiber is shown to support the single-fundamental-mode regime for 1.06-microm laser radiation, serving as a spatial filter and allowing the laser beam's quality to be substantially improved. The same fiber is used to transmit emission from plasmas produced by laser pulses onto the tooth's surface in the backward direction for detection and optical diagnostics.

Diagnosis and Challenges of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescence

PubMed Central

Agapova, Sophia E.; Cameo, Tamara; Sopher, Aviva B.; Oberfield, Sharon E.

2015-01-01

Although the diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have become less stringent over the years, determination of the minimum diagnostic features in adolescents is still an area of controversy. Of particular concern is that many of the features considered to be diagnostic for PCOS may evolve over time and change during the first few years after menarche. Nonetheless, attempts to define young women who may be at risk for development of PCOS is pertinent since associated morbidity such as obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia may benefit from early intervention. The relative utility of diagnostic tools such as persistence of anovulatory cycles, hyperandrogenemia, hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, acne, or alopecia), or ovarian findings on ultrasound is not established in adolescents. Some suggest that even using the strictest criteria, the diagnosis of PCOS may not valid in adolescents younger than 18 years. In addition, evidence does not necessarily support that lack of treatment of PCOS in younger adolescents will result in untoward outcomes since features consistent with PCOS often resolve with time. The presented data will help determine if it is possible to establish firm criteria which may be used to reliably diagnose PCOS in adolescents. PMID:24715514

Pericardiectomy as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.

PubMed

Konik, Ewa; Geske, Jeffrey; Edwards, William; Gersh, Bernard

2016-11-14

A 70-year-old man presented with recent onset, predominantly right-sided heart failure. Echocardiogram demonstrated features of hypertensive heart disease and was suggestive of, but non-diagnostic for, constrictive pericarditis (CP). CT demonstrated mild pericardial thickening. Right heart catheterisation showed elevation and equalisation of diastolic pressures in all cardiac chambers with early rapid filling, minimal ventricular interdependence, and no dissociation of intrathoracic and intracardiac pressures. While several features pointed towards CP, the minimal ventricular interdependence and no dissociation of intrathoracic and intracardiac pressures suggested other pathology. Diagnostic pericardiectomy was performed, after which the central venous pressure decreased from 22 to 12 mm Hg. Pathology revealed pericardial fibrosis. The patient experienced sustained resolution of his heart failure. A potential explanation for lack of CP criteria was the presence of hypertensive heart disease. CP needs to be considered when approaching patients with heart failure as diagnostic evaluation can be multifaceted and treatment curative. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

GrowYourIC: A Step Toward a Coherent Model of the Earth's Inner Core Seismic Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lasbleis, Marine; Waszek, Lauren; Day, Elizabeth A.

2017-11-01

A complex inner core structure has been well established from seismic studies, showing radial and lateral heterogeneities at various length scales. Yet no geodynamic model is able to explain all the features observed. One of the main limits for this is the lack of tools to compare seismic observations and numerical models successfully. We use here a new Python tool called GrowYourIC to compare models of inner core structure. We calculate properties of geodynamic models of the inner core along seismic raypaths, for random or user-specified data sets. We test kinematic models which simulate fast lateral translation, superrotation, and differential growth. We explore first the influence on a real inner core data set, which has a sparse coverage of the inner core boundary. Such a data set is however able to successfully constrain the hemispherical boundaries due to a good sampling of latitudes. Combining translation and rotation could explain some of the features of the boundaries separating the inner core hemispheres. The depth shift of the boundaries, observed by some authors, seems unlikely to be modeled by a fast translation but could be produced by slow translation associated with superrotation.

Application of Multilabel Learning Using the Relevant Feature for Each Label in Chronic Gastritis Syndrome Diagnosis

PubMed Central

Liu, Guo-Ping; Yan, Jian-Jun; Wang, Yi-Qin; Fu, Jing-Jing; Xu, Zhao-Xia; Guo, Rui; Qian, Peng

2012-01-01

Background. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), most of the algorithms are used to solve problems of syndrome diagnosis that only focus on one syndrome, that is, single label learning. However, in clinical practice, patients may simultaneously have more than one syndrome, which has its own symptoms (signs). Methods. We employed a multilabel learning using the relevant feature for each label (REAL) algorithm to construct a syndrome diagnostic model for chronic gastritis (CG) in TCM. REAL combines feature selection methods to select the significant symptoms (signs) of CG. The method was tested on 919 patients using the standard scale. Results. The highest prediction accuracy was achieved when 20 features were selected. The features selected with the information gain were more consistent with the TCM theory. The lowest average accuracy was 54% using multi-label neural networks (BP-MLL), whereas the highest was 82% using REAL for constructing the diagnostic model. For coverage, hamming loss, and ranking loss, the values obtained using the REAL algorithm were the lowest at 0.160, 0.142, and 0.177, respectively. Conclusion. REAL extracts the relevant symptoms (signs) for each syndrome and improves its recognition accuracy. Moreover, the studies will provide a reference for constructing syndrome diagnostic models and guide clinical practice. PMID:22719781

A flexible data-driven comorbidity feature extraction framework.

PubMed

Sideris, Costas; Pourhomayoun, Mohammad; Kalantarian, Haik; Sarrafzadeh, Majid

2016-06-01

Disease and symptom diagnostic codes are a valuable resource for classifying and predicting patient outcomes. In this paper, we propose a novel methodology for utilizing disease diagnostic information in a predictive machine learning framework. Our methodology relies on a novel, clustering-based feature extraction framework using disease diagnostic information. To reduce the data dimensionality, we identify disease clusters using co-occurrence statistics. We optimize the number of generated clusters in the training set and then utilize these clusters as features to predict patient severity of condition and patient readmission risk. We build our clustering and feature extraction algorithm using the 2012 National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) which contains 7 million hospital discharge records and ICD-9-CM codes. The proposed framework is tested on Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Electronic Health Records (EHR) from 3041 Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) patients and the UCI 130-US diabetes dataset that includes admissions from 69,980 diabetic patients. We compare our cluster-based feature set with the commonly used comorbidity frameworks including Charlson's index, Elixhauser's comorbidities and their variations. The proposed approach was shown to have significant gains between 10.7-22.1% in predictive accuracy for CHF severity of condition prediction and 4.65-5.75% in diabetes readmission prediction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lead users' ideas on core features to support physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a first step in the development of an internet service using participatory design.

PubMed

Revenäs, Åsa; Opava, Christina H; Åsenlöf, Pernilla

2014-03-22

Despite the growing evidence of the benefits of physical activity (PA) in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the majority is not physically active enough. An innovative strategy is to engage lead users in the development of PA interventions provided over the internet. The aim was to explore lead users' ideas and prioritization of core features in a future internet service targeting adoption and maintenance of healthy PA in people with RA. Six focus group interviews were performed with a purposively selected sample of 26 individuals with RA. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis and quantification of participants' prioritization of most important content. Six categories were identified as core features for a future internet service: up-to-date and evidence-based information and instructions, self-regulation tools, social interaction, personalized set-up, attractive design and content, and access to the internet service. The categories represented four themes, or core aspects, important to consider in the design of the future service: (1) content, (2) customized options, (3) user interface and (4) access and implementation. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study involving people with RA in the development of an internet service to support the adoption and maintenance of PA.Participants helped identifying core features and aspects important to consider and further explore during the next phase of development. We hypothesize that involvement of lead users will make transfer from theory to service more adequate and user-friendly and therefore will be an effective mean to facilitate PA behavior change.

[Difficulties in the diagnosis of diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in adults].

PubMed

Malov, V A; Maleev, V V; Kozlovskaya, N L; Tsvetkova, N A; Smetanina, S V; Gorobchenko, A N; Serova, V V; Chentsov, V B; Volkov, A G; Faller, A P

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare, but menacing condition registered mainly in children. The paper gives a detailed description and analysis of a clinical case of HUS with a favorable outcome in an adult woman who developed the syndrome in the presence of bloody diarrhea. It considers an update on the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical features of HUS associated with diarrheal syndrome and discusses differential diagnostic features, diagnostic problems, and characteristics of management tactics for patients.

46 CFR 62.20-1 - Plans for approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... console, panel, and enclosure layouts. (3) Schematic or logic diagrams including functional relationships... features. (6) A description of built-in test features and diagnostics. (7) Design Verification and Periodic...

46 CFR 62.20-1 - Plans for approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... console, panel, and enclosure layouts. (3) Schematic or logic diagrams including functional relationships... features. (6) A description of built-in test features and diagnostics. (7) Design Verification and Periodic...

46 CFR 62.20-1 - Plans for approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... console, panel, and enclosure layouts. (3) Schematic or logic diagrams including functional relationships... features. (6) A description of built-in test features and diagnostics. (7) Design Verification and Periodic...

46 CFR 62.20-1 - Plans for approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... console, panel, and enclosure layouts. (3) Schematic or logic diagrams including functional relationships... features. (6) A description of built-in test features and diagnostics. (7) Design Verification and Periodic...

46 CFR 62.20-1 - Plans for approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... console, panel, and enclosure layouts. (3) Schematic or logic diagrams including functional relationships... programmable features. (6) A description of built-in test features and diagnostics. (7) Design Verification and...

Classifying syndromes in Chinese medicine using multi-label learning algorithm with relevant features for each label.

PubMed

Xu, Jin; Xu, Zhao-Xia; Lu, Ping; Guo, Rui; Yan, Hai-Xia; Xu, Wen-Jie; Wang, Yi-Qin; Xia, Chun-Ming

2016-11-01

To develop an effective Chinese Medicine (CM) diagnostic model of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to confifirm the scientifific validity of CM theoretical basis from an algorithmic viewpoint. Four types of objective diagnostic data were collected from 835 CHD patients by using a self-developed CM inquiry scale for the diagnosis of heart problems, a tongue diagnosis instrument, a ZBOX-I pulse digital collection instrument, and the sound of an attending acquisition system. These diagnostic data was analyzed and a CM diagnostic model was established using a multi-label learning algorithm (REAL). REAL was employed to establish a Xin (Heart) qi defificiency, Xin yang defificiency, Xin yin defificiency, blood stasis, and phlegm fifive-card CM diagnostic model, which had recognition rates of 80.32%, 89.77%, 84.93%, 85.37%, and 69.90%, respectively. The multi-label learning method established using four diagnostic models based on mutual information feature selection yielded good recognition results. The characteristic model parameters were selected by maximizing the mutual information for each card type. The four diagnostic methods used to obtain information in CM, i.e., observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and pulse diagnosis, can be characterized by these parameters, which is consistent with CM theory.

Investigating the Link Between Radiologists Gaze, Diagnostic Decision, and Image Content

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tourassi, Georgia; Voisin, Sophie; Paquit, Vincent C

2013-01-01

Objective: To investigate machine learning for linking image content, human perception, cognition, and error in the diagnostic interpretation of mammograms. Methods: Gaze data and diagnostic decisions were collected from six radiologists who reviewed 20 screening mammograms while wearing a head-mounted eye-tracker. Texture analysis was performed in mammographic regions that attracted radiologists attention and in all abnormal regions. Machine learning algorithms were investigated to develop predictive models that link: (i) image content with gaze, (ii) image content and gaze with cognition, and (iii) image content, gaze, and cognition with diagnostic error. Both group-based and individualized models were explored. Results: By poolingmore » the data from all radiologists machine learning produced highly accurate predictive models linking image content, gaze, cognition, and error. Merging radiologists gaze metrics and cognitive opinions with computer-extracted image features identified 59% of the radiologists diagnostic errors while confirming 96.2% of their correct diagnoses. The radiologists individual errors could be adequately predicted by modeling the behavior of their peers. However, personalized tuning appears to be beneficial in many cases to capture more accurately individual behavior. Conclusions: Machine learning algorithms combining image features with radiologists gaze data and diagnostic decisions can be effectively developed to recognize cognitive and perceptual errors associated with the diagnostic interpretation of mammograms.« less

Nondestructive Evaluation Methods for the Ares I Common Bulkhead

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, James

2010-01-01

A large scale bonding demonstration test article was fabricated to prove out manufacturing techniques for the current design of the NASA Ares I Upper Stage common bulkhead. The common bulkhead serves as the single interface between the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen portions of the Upper Stage propellant tank. The bulkhead consists of spin-formed aluminum domes friction stir welded to Y-rings and bonded to a perforated phenolic honeycomb core. Nondestructive evaluation methods are being developed for assessing core integrity and the core-to-dome bond line of the common bulkhead. Detection of manufacturing defects such as delaminations between the core and face sheets as well as service life defects such as crushed or sheared core resulting from impact loading are all of interest. The focus of this work will be on the application of thermographic, shearographic, and phased array ultrasonic methods to the bonding demonstration article as well as various smaller test panels featuring design specific defect types and geometric features.

TFTR diagnostic vacuum controller

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Olsen, D.; Persons, R.

1981-01-01

The TFTR diagnostic vacuum controller (DVC) provides in conjunction with the Central Instrumentation Control and Data Acquisition System (CICADA), control and monitoring for the pumps, valves and gauges associated with each individual diagnostic vacuum system. There will be approximately 50 systems on TFTR. Two standard versions of the controller (A and B) wil be provided in order to meet the requirements of two diagnostic manifold arrangements. All pump and valve sequencing, as well as protection features, will be implemented by the controller.

Muscle spindles exhibit core lesions and extensive degeneration of intrafusal fibers in the Ryr1{sup I4895T/wt} mouse model of core myopathy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zvaritch, Elena; MacLennan, David H., E-mail: david.maclennan@utoronto.ca

Muscle spindles from the hind limb muscles of adult Ryr1{sup I4895T/wt} (IT/+) mice exhibit severe structural abnormalities. Up to 85% of the spindles are separated from skeletal muscle fascicles by a thick layer of connective tissue. Many intrafusal fibers exhibit degeneration, with Z-line streaming, compaction and collapse of myofibrillar bundles, mitochondrial clumping, nuclear shrinkage and pyknosis. The lesions resemble cores observed in the extrafusal myofibers of this animal model and of core myopathy patients. Spindle abnormalities precede those in extrafusal fibers, indicating that they are a primary pathological feature in this murine Ryr1-related core myopathy. Muscle spindle involvement, if confirmedmore » for human core myopathy patients, would provide an explanation for an array of devastating clinical features characteristic of these diseases and provide novel insights into the pathology of RYR1-related myopathies. - Highlights: • Muscle spindles exhibit structural abnormalities in a mouse model of core myopathy. • Myofibrillar collapse and mitochondrial clumping is observed in intrafusal fibers. • Myofibrillar degeneration follows a pattern similar to core formation in extrafusal myofibers. • Muscle spindle abnormalities are a part of the pathological phenotype in the mouse model of core myopathy. • Direct involvement of muscle spindles in the pathology of human RYR1-related myopathies is proposed.« less

Hierarchical Mesoporous Organosilica-Silica Core-Shell Nanoparticles Capable of Controlled Fungicide Release.

PubMed

Luo, Leilei; Liang, Yucang; Erichsen, Egil Severin; Anwander, Reiner

2018-05-17

A new class of hierarchically structured mesoporous silica core-shell nanoparticles (HSMSCSNs) with a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) core and a mesoporous silica (MS) shell is reported. The applied one-pot, two-step strategy allows rational control over the core/shell chemical composition, topology, and pore/particle size, simply by adjusting the reaction conditions in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as structure-directing agent under basic conditions. The spherical, ethylene- or methylene-bridged PMO cores feature hexagonal (p6mm) or cage-like cubic symmetry (Pm3‾ n) depending on the organosilica precursor. The hexagonal MS shell was obtained by n-hexane-induced controlled hydrolysis of TEOS followed by directional co-assembly/condensation of silicate/CTAB composites at the PMO cores. The HSMSCSNs feature a hierarchical pore structure with pore diameters of about 2.7 and 5.6 nm in the core and shell domains, respectively. The core sizes and shell thicknesses are adjustable in the ranges of 90-275 and 15-50 nm, respectively, and the surface areas (max. 1300 m 2  g -1 ) and pore volumes (max. 1.83 cm 3  g -1 ) are among the highest reported for core-shell nanoparticles. The adsorption and controlled release of the fungicide propiconazole by the HSMSCSNs showed a three-stage release profile. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

An Overview of Models of Speaking Performance and Its Implications for the Development of Procedural Framework for Diagnostic Speaking Tests

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhao, Zhongbao

2013-01-01

This paper aims at developing a procedural framework for the development and validation of diagnostic speaking tests. The researcher reviews the current available models of speaking performance, analyzes the distinctive features and then points out the implications for the development of a procedural framework for diagnostic speaking tests. On…

CT-guided transthoracic core needle biopsy for small pulmonary lesions: diagnostic performance and adequacy for molecular testing.

PubMed

Tian, Panwen; Wang, Ye; Li, Lei; Zhou, Yongzhao; Luo, Wenxin; Li, Weimin

2017-02-01

Computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic needle biopsy is a well-established, minimally invasive diagnostic tool for pulmonary lesions. Few large studies have been conducted on the diagnostic performance and adequacy for molecular testing of transthoracic core needle biopsy (TCNB) for small pulmonary lesions. This study included CT-guided TCNB with 18-gauge cutting needles in 560 consecutive patients with small (≤3 cm) pulmonary lesions from January 2012 to January 2015. There were 323 males and 237 females, aged 51.8±12.7 years. The size of the pulmonary lesions was 1.8±0.6 cm. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and complications of the biopsies were investigated. The risk factors of diagnostic failure were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. The sample's adequacy for molecular testing of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was analyzed. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosis of malignancy were 92.0% (311/338), 98.6% (219/222), and 94.6% (530/560), respectively. The incidence of bleeding complications was 22.9% (128/560), and the incidence of pneumothorax was 10.4% (58/560). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for diagnostic failure were a lesion size ≤1 cm [odds ratio (OR), 3.95; P=0.007], lower lobe lesions (OR, 2.83; P=0.001), and pneumothorax (OR, 1.98; P=0.004). Genetic analysis was successfully performed on 95.45% (168/176) of specimens diagnosed as NSCLC. At least 96.8% of samples with two or more passes from a lesion were sufficient for molecular testing. The diagnostic yield of small pulmonary lesions by CT-guided TCNB is high, and the procedure is relatively safe. A lesion size ≤1 cm, lower lobe lesions, and pneumothorax are independent risk factors for biopsy diagnostic failure. TCNB specimens could provide adequate tissues for molecular testing.

A correlation electron cyclotron emission diagnostic and the importance of multifield fluctuation measurements for testing nonlinear gyrokinetic turbulence simulations.

PubMed

White, A E; Schmitz, L; Peebles, W A; Carter, T A; Rhodes, T L; Doyle, E J; Gourdain, P A; Hillesheim, J C; Wang, G; Holland, C; Tynan, G R; Austin, M E; McKee, G R; Shafer, M W; Burrell, K H; Candy, J; DeBoo, J C; Prater, R; Staebler, G M; Waltz, R E; Makowski, M A

2008-10-01

A correlation electron cyclotron emission (CECE) diagnostic has been used to measure local, turbulent fluctuations of the electron temperature in the core of DIII-D plasmas. This paper describes the hardware and testing of the CECE diagnostic and highlights the importance of measurements of multifield fluctuation profiles for the testing and validation of nonlinear gyrokinetic codes. The process of testing and validating such codes is critical for extrapolation to next-step fusion devices. For the first time, the radial profiles of electron temperature and density fluctuations are compared to nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. The CECE diagnostic at DIII-D uses correlation radiometry to measure the rms amplitude and spectrum of the electron temperature fluctuations. Gaussian optics are used to produce a poloidal spot size with w(o) approximately 1.75 cm in the plasma. The intermediate frequency filters and the natural linewidth of the EC emission determine the radial resolution of the CECE diagnostic, which can be less than 1 cm. Wavenumbers resolved by the CECE diagnostic are k(theta) < or = 1.8 cm(-1) and k(r) < or = 4 cm(-1), relevant for studies of long-wavelength turbulence associated with the trapped electron mode and the ion temperature gradient mode. In neutral beam heated L-mode plasmas, core electron temperature fluctuations in the region 0.5 < r/a < 0.9, increase with radius from approximately 0.5% to approximately 2%, similar to density fluctuations that are measured simultaneously with beam emission spectroscopy. After incorporating "synthetic diagnostics" to effectively filter the code output, the simulations reproduce the characteristics of the turbulence and transport at one radial location r/a = 0.5, but not at a second location, r/a = 0.75. These results illustrate that measurements of the profiles of multiple fluctuating fields can provide a significant constraint on the turbulence models employed by the code.

Evaluation and construction of diagnostic criteria for inclusion body myositis

PubMed Central

Mammen, Andrew L.; Amato, Anthony A.; Weiss, Michael D.; Needham, Merrilee

2014-01-01

Objective: To use patient data to evaluate and construct diagnostic criteria for inclusion body myositis (IBM), a progressive disease of skeletal muscle. Methods: The literature was reviewed to identify all previously proposed IBM diagnostic criteria. These criteria were applied through medical records review to 200 patients diagnosed as having IBM and 171 patients diagnosed as having a muscle disease other than IBM by neuromuscular specialists at 2 institutions, and to a validating set of 66 additional patients with IBM from 2 other institutions. Machine learning techniques were used for unbiased construction of diagnostic criteria. Results: Twenty-four previously proposed IBM diagnostic categories were identified. Twelve categories all performed with high (≥97%) specificity but varied substantially in their sensitivities (11%–84%). The best performing category was European Neuromuscular Centre 2013 probable (sensitivity of 84%). Specialized pathologic features and newly introduced strength criteria (comparative knee extension/hip flexion strength) performed poorly. Unbiased data-directed analysis of 20 features in 371 patients resulted in construction of higher-performing data-derived diagnostic criteria (90% sensitivity and 96% specificity). Conclusions: Published expert consensus–derived IBM diagnostic categories have uniformly high specificity but wide-ranging sensitivities. High-performing IBM diagnostic category criteria can be developed directly from principled unbiased analysis of patient data. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class II evidence that published expert consensus–derived IBM diagnostic categories accurately distinguish IBM from other muscle disease with high specificity but wide-ranging sensitivities. PMID:24975859

A 300MHz Embedded Flash Memory with Pipeline Architecture and Offset-Free Sense Amplifiers for Dual-Core Automotive Microcontrollers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kajiyama, Shinya; Fujito, Masamichi; Kasai, Hideo; Mizuno, Makoto; Yamaguchi, Takanori; Shinagawa, Yutaka

A novel 300MHz embedded flash memory for dual-core microcontrollers with a shared ROM architecture is proposed. One of its features is a three-stage pipeline read operation, which enables reduced access pitch and therefore reduces performance penalty due to conflict of shared ROM accesses. Another feature is a highly sensitive sense amplifier that achieves efficient pipeline operation with two-cycle latency one-cycle pitch as a result of a shortened sense time of 0.63ns. The combination of the pipeline architecture and proposed sense amplifiers significantly reduces access-conflict penalties with shared ROM and enhances performance of 32-bit RISC dual-core microcontrollers by 30%.

Fabrication of a First Article Lightweight Composite Technology Demonstrator - Exospine

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

core, (b) 0/90, and (c) ± 45 ply cuts of ACG-MTM 45-1/CF0526 prepreg fabric...onboard diagnostics. 2. Experimental 2.1 Materials Plain woven carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg and a low-density foam core were provided to ARL for the...fabrication of the exospine technology demonstrator by UD-CCM. The prepreg was ACG - MTM∗ 45-1/CF0526 and has a cured ply thickness of 0.201 mm. It is

VLPs of HCV local isolates for HCV immunoassay diagnostic approach in Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasetyo, Afiono Agung

2017-01-01

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a major global disease which often leads to morbidity and mortality. Low survival is related to the lack of adequate diagnostic because HCV infection is frequently asymptomatic and there are no specific diagnostic tests due to the fast transformation of the virus. Here, we investigated the VLPs (virus-like particles) of HCV local isolate as an immunoassay diagnostic approach to detect HCV infection, especially in Indonesia. The core, E1, and E2 of HCV local isolate genes were cloned and molecular analyzed, either as single or in recombinant-VLP form, to determine the molecular and chemical characteristics of each VLPs related to their potential use as an immunoassay detection method for HCV infection. The results indicated the molecular and chemical character of each VLPs are comparable. Conclusion: VLPs of HCV has the potential as an immunoassay diagnostic approach to detect HCV infection.

Diagnostics of oral lichen planus based on analysis of volatile organic compounds in saliva

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kistenev, Yury; Borisov, Alexey; Shapovalov, Alexander; Baydik, Olga; Titarenko, Maria

2017-03-01

The ability of diagnostics of oral lichen planus (OLP) based on spectral analysis of saliva using the THz spectroscopy is presented. The study included 8 patients with clinically proven OLP. The comparison group consisted of 8 healthy volunteers. Absorption spectra of the saliva was measured using time-domain spectrometer T-spec (EXPLA) in the range 0.2-3THz and have been considered as the feature vectors of the state. The spatial distribution of the objects under study in the feature space was analyzed using principle component analysis. The groups under study were shown to separate in full. Thus, the saliva analysis by the THz spectroscopy technique can be potentially used as a method of noninvasive diagnostics of the OLP.

The ACTTION–APS–AAPM Pain Taxonomy (AAAPT) Multidimensional Approach to Classifying Acute Pain Conditions

PubMed Central

Kent, Michael L.; Tighe, Patrick J.; Belfer, Inna; Brennan, Timothy J.; Bruehl, Stephen; Brummett, Chad M.; Buckenmaier, Chester C.; Buvanendran, Asokumar; Cohen, Robert I.; Desjardins, Paul; Edwards, David; Fillingim, Roger; Gewandter, Jennifer; Gordon, Debra B.; Hurley, Robert W.; Kehlet, Henrik; Loeser, John D.; Mackey, Sean; McLean, Samuel A.; Polomano, Rosemary; Rahman, Siamak; Raja, Srinivasa; Rowbotham, Michael; Suresh, Santhanam; Schachtel, Bernard; Schreiber, Kristin; Schumacher, Mark; Stacey, Brett; Stanos, Steven; Todd, Knox; Turk, Dennis C.; Weisman, Steven J.; Wu, Christopher; Carr, Daniel B.; Dworkin, Robert H.; Terman, Gregory

2017-01-01

Objective. With the increasing societal awareness of the prevalence and impact of acute pain, there is a need to develop an acute pain classification system that both reflects contemporary mechanistic insights and helps guide future research and treatment. Existing classifications of acute pain conditions are limiting, with a predominant focus on the sensory experience (e.g., pain intensity) and pharmacologic consumption. Consequently, there is a need to more broadly characterize and classify the multidimensional experience of acute pain. Setting. Consensus report following expert panel involving the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION), American Pain Society (APS), and American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM). Methods. As a complement to a taxonomy recently developed for chronic pain, the ACTTION public-private partnership with the US Food and Drug Administration, the APS, and the AAPM convened a consensus meeting of experts to develop an acute pain taxonomy using prevailing evidence. Key issues pertaining to the distinct nature of acute pain are presented followed by the agreed-upon taxonomy. The ACTTION-APS-AAPM Acute Pain Taxonomy will include the following dimensions: 1) core criteria, 2) common features, 3) modulating factors, 4) impact/functional consequences, and 5) putative pathophysiologic pain mechanisms. Future efforts will consist of working groups utilizing this taxonomy to develop diagnostic criteria for a comprehensive set of acute pain conditions. Perspective. The ACTTION-APS-AAPM Acute Pain Taxonomy (AAAPT) is a multidimensional acute pain classification system designed to classify acute pain along the following dimensions: 1) core criteria, 2) common features, 3) modulating factors, 4) impact/functional consequences, and 5) putative pathophysiologic pain mechanisms. Conclusions. Significant numbers of patients still suffer from significant acute pain, despite the advent of modern multimodal analgesic strategies. Mismanaged acute pain has a broad societal impact as significant numbers of patients may progress to suffer from chronic pain. An acute pain taxonomy provides a much-needed standardization of clinical diagnostic criteria, which benefits clinical care, research, education, and public policy. For the purposes of the present taxonomy, acute pain is considered to last up to seven days, with prolongation to 30 days being common. The current understanding of acute pain mechanisms poorly differentiates between acute and chronic pain and is often insufficient to distinguish among many types of acute pain conditions. Given the usefulness of the AAPT multidimensional framework, the AAAPT undertook a similar approach to organizing various acute pain conditions. PMID:28482098

The ACTTION-APS-AAPM Pain Taxonomy (AAAPT) Multidimensional Approach to Classifying Acute Pain Conditions.

PubMed

Kent, Michael L; Tighe, Patrick J; Belfer, Inna; Brennan, Timothy J; Bruehl, Stephen; Brummett, Chad M; Buckenmaier, Chester C; Buvanendran, Asokumar; Cohen, Robert I; Desjardins, Paul; Edwards, David; Fillingim, Roger; Gewandter, Jennifer; Gordon, Debra B; Hurley, Robert W; Kehlet, Henrik; Loeser, John D; Mackey, Sean; McLean, Samuel A; Polomano, Rosemary; Rahman, Siamak; Raja, Srinivasa; Rowbotham, Michael; Suresh, Santhanam; Schachtel, Bernard; Schreiber, Kristin; Schumacher, Mark; Stacey, Brett; Stanos, Steven; Todd, Knox; Turk, Dennis C; Weisman, Steven J; Wu, Christopher; Carr, Daniel B; Dworkin, Robert H; Terman, Gregory

2017-05-01

With the increasing societal awareness of the prevalence and impact of acute pain, there is a need to develop an acute pain classification system that both reflects contemporary mechanistic insights and helps guide future research and treatment. Existing classifications of acute pain conditions are limiting, with a predominant focus on the sensory experience (eg, pain intensity) and pharmacologic consumption. Consequently, there is a need to more broadly characterize and classify the multidimensional experience of acute pain. Consensus report following expert panel involving the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION), American Pain Society (APS), and American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM). As a complement to a taxonomy recently developed for chronic pain, the ACTTION public-private partnership with the US Food and Drug Administration, the APS, and the AAPM convened a consensus meeting of experts to develop an acute pain taxonomy using prevailing evidence. Key issues pertaining to the distinct nature of acute pain are presented followed by the agreed-upon taxonomy. The ACTTION-APS-AAPM Acute Pain Taxonomy will include the following dimensions: 1) core criteria, 2) common features, 3) modulating factors, 4) impact/functional consequences, and 5) putative pathophysiologic pain mechanisms. Future efforts will consist of working groups utilizing this taxonomy to develop diagnostic criteria for a comprehensive set of acute pain conditions. The ACTTION-APS-AAPM Acute Pain Taxonomy (AAAPT) is a multidimensional acute pain classification system designed to classify acute pain along the following dimensions: 1) core criteria, 2) common features, 3) modulating factors, 4) impact/functional consequences, and 5) putative pathophysiologic pain mechanisms. Significant numbers of patients still suffer from significant acute pain, despite the advent of modern multimodal analgesic strategies. Mismanaged acute pain has a broad societal impact as significant numbers of patients may progress to suffer from chronic pain. An acute pain taxonomy provides a much-needed standardization of clinical diagnostic criteria, which benefits clinical care, research, education, and public policy. For the purposes of the present taxonomy, acute pain is considered to last up to seven days, with prolongation to 30 days being common. The current understanding of acute pain mechanisms poorly differentiates between acute and chronic pain and is often insufficient to distinguish among many types of acute pain conditions. Given the usefulness of the AAPT multidimensional framework, the AAAPT undertook a similar approach to organizing various acute pain conditions. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Atmosphere of Uranus as Imaged with Keck Adaptive Optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammel, H. B.; de Pater, I.; Gibbard, S. G.; Lockwood, G. W.; Rages, K.

2004-12-01

Adaptive optics imaging of Uranus was obtained with NIRC2 on the Keck II 10-meter telescope in October 2003 and July 2004 through J, H, and K' filters. Dozens of discrete features were detected in the atmosphere of Uranus. We report the first measurements of winds northward of +43 deg, the first direct measurement of equatorial winds, and the highest wind velocity seen yet on Uranus. At northern mid-latitudes, the winds may have accelerated when compared to earlier HST and Keck observations; southern wind speeds have not changed since Voyager measurements in 1986. The equator of Uranus exhibits a subtle wave structure, with diffuse patches roughly every 30 degs in longitude. There is no sign of a northern "polar collar" as is seen in the south, but a number of discrete features seen at the "expected" latitudes may signal its early stages of development. The largest cloud features on Uranus show complex structure extending over tens of degrees. On 4 July 2004, we detected a southern hemispheric cloud feature on Uranus at K', the first detection of a southern feature at or longward of 2 microns. H images showed an extended structure whose condensed core was co-located with the K'-bright feature. The core exhibited marked brightness variation, fading within just a few days. The initial brightness at K' indicates that the core's scattering particles reached altitudes above the 1-bar level, with the extended H feature residing below 1.1 bars. The core's rapid disappearance at K' indicates dynamical processes in the local vertical aerosol structure. HBH acknowledges support from NASA grants NAG5-11961 and NAG5-10451. IdP acknowledges support from NSF and the Technology Center for Adaptive Optics, managed by UCSC under cooperative agreement No. AST-9876783. SGG's work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. DoE National Nuclear Security Administration by the UC, LLNL under contract No. W-7405-Eng-48.

Laboratory Spectroscopy of Astrophysically-Relevant Materials: Developing Dust as a Diagnostic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rinehart, Stephen A.

2010-01-01

Over forty years ago, observations in the new field of infrared astronomy showed a broad spectral feature at 10 microns; the feature was quickly associated with the presence of silicate-rich dust. Since that time, improvements in infrared astronomy have led to the discovery of a plethora of additional spectral features attributable to dust. By combining these observations with spectroscopic data acquired in the laboratory, astronomers have a diagnostic tool that can be used to explore underlying astronomical phenomena. As the laboratory data improves, so does our ability to interpret the astronomical observations. Here, we discuss some recent progress in laboratory spectroscopy and attempt to identify future research directions.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of MDM2 and CDK4 expression using total RNA from core-needle biopsies is useful for diagnosing adipocytic tumors

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Diagnosing adipocytic tumors can be challenging because it is often difficult to morphologically distinguish between benign, intermediate and malignant adipocytic tumors, and other sarcomas that are histologically similar. Recently, a number of tumor-specific chromosome translocations and associated fusion genes have been identified in adipocytic tumors and atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas (ALT/WDL), which have a supernumerary ring and/or giant chromosome marker with amplified sequences of the MDM2 and CDK4 genes. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could be used to amplify MDM2 and CDK4 from total RNA samples obtained from core-needle biopsy sections for the diagnosis of ALT/WDL. Methods A series of lipoma (n = 124) and ALT/WDL (n = 44) cases were analyzed for cytogenetic analysis and lipoma fusion genes, as well as for MDM2 and CDK4 expression by real-time PCR. Moreover, the expression of MDM2 and CDK4 in whole tissue sections was compared with that in core-needle biopsy sections of the same tumor in order to determine whether real-time PCR could be used to distinguish ALT/WDL from lipoma at the preoperative stage. Results In whole tissue sections, the medians for MDM2 and CDK4 expression in ALT/WDL were higher than those in the lipomas (P < 0.05). Moreover, karyotype subdivisions with rings and/or giant chromosomes had higher MDM2 and CDK4 expression levels compared to karyotypes with 12q13-15 rearrangements, other abnormal karyotypes, and normal karyotypes (P < 0.05). On the other hand, MDM2 and CDK4 expression levels in core-needle biopsy sections were similar to those in whole-tissue sections (MDM2: P = 0.6, CDK4: P = 0.8, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Conclusion Quantitative real-time PCR of total RNA can be used to evaluate the MDM2 and CDK4 expression levels in core-needle biopsies and may be useful for distinguishing ALT/WDL from adipocytic tumors. Thus, total RNA from core-needle biopsy sections may have potential as a routine diagnostic tool for other tumors where gene overexpression is a feature of the tumor. PMID:24965044

A synthetic diagnostic for beam emission spectroscopy in the helically symmetric experiment stellarator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dobbins, T. J., E-mail: tdobbins@wisc.edu; Kumar, S. T. A.; Anderson, D. T.

The Helically Symmetric Experiment (HSX) has a number of active spectroscopy diagnostics. Due to the relatively large beam width compared to the plasma minor radius, it is difficult to achieve good spatial resolution at the core of the HSX plasma. This is due to the fact that the optical sightline cuts through many flux surfaces with varying field vectors within the beam. In order to compare the experimental results with theoretical models it is important to accurately model the beam width effects. A synthetic diagnostic has been developed for this purpose. This synthetic diagnostic calculates the effect of spot sizemore » and beam width on the measurements of quantities of interest, including radial electric field, flow velocity, and Stark polarization.« less

A synthetic diagnostic for beam emission spectroscopy in the helically symmetric experiment stellarator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dobbins, T. J.; Kumar, S. T. A.; Anderson, D. T.

The Helically Symmetric Experiment (HSX) has a number of active spectroscopy diagnostics. Due to the relatively large beam width compared to the plasma minor radius, it is difficult to achieve good spatial resolution at the core of the HSX plasma. This is due to the fact that the optical sightline cuts through many flux surfaces with varying field vectors within the beam. It is important to accurately model the beam width effects in order to compare the experimental results with theoretical models. We've developed a synthetic diagnostic for this purpose. This synthetic diagnostic calculates the effect of spot size andmore » beam width on the measurements of quantities of interest, including radial electric field, flow velocity, and Stark polarization.« less

A synthetic diagnostic for beam emission spectroscopy in the helically symmetric experiment stellarator

DOE PAGES

Dobbins, T. J.; Kumar, S. T. A.; Anderson, D. T.

2016-08-03

The Helically Symmetric Experiment (HSX) has a number of active spectroscopy diagnostics. Due to the relatively large beam width compared to the plasma minor radius, it is difficult to achieve good spatial resolution at the core of the HSX plasma. This is due to the fact that the optical sightline cuts through many flux surfaces with varying field vectors within the beam. It is important to accurately model the beam width effects in order to compare the experimental results with theoretical models. We've developed a synthetic diagnostic for this purpose. This synthetic diagnostic calculates the effect of spot size andmore » beam width on the measurements of quantities of interest, including radial electric field, flow velocity, and Stark polarization.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thanos, Loukas; Galani, Panagiota, E-mail: paga@hol.gr; Mylona, Sophia

The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) relative to fine needle aspiration (FNA) in patients with pneumonia and pneumonia mimics. In this prospective study we present our experience with 48 thoracic FNAs and CNBs carried out on 48 patients with pneumonia and pneumonia mimics. Samples were obtained from all patients using both CNB (with an automated 18-G core biopsy needle and a gun) and FNA (with a 22-G needle). A specific diagnosis was made in 10/48 cases (20.83%) by FNA and in 42/48 (87.5%) by CNB. The main complications encounteredmore » were pneumothorax (n = 4) and hemoptysis (n = 2), yielding a total complication rate of 12.5%. We concluded that CNB using an automated biopsy gun results in a higher diagnostic accuracy for pneumonia and pneumonia mimic biopsies than FNA. Complications should be considered and proper patient observation should follow the procedure.« less

Core schemas and suicidality in a chronically traumatized population.

PubMed

Dutra, Lissa; Callahan, Kelley; Forman, Evan; Mendelsohn, Michaela; Herman, Judith

2008-01-01

The Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) has been demonstrated to tap into core beliefs, or maladaptive schemas, of clinical populations. This study used the YSQ to investigate maladaptive schemas of 137 chronically traumatized patients seeking outpatient psychiatric treatment and to assess whether specific schemas might be associated with suicide risk in this population. Participants completed a modified version of the YSQ-S (short form), post-traumatic diagnostic scale, dissociative experiences scale and self-harm and risk behaviors questionnaire-revised at treatment intake. Significant correlations were found between most YSQ scales and the post-traumatic diagnostic scale, and between all YSQ scales and the dissociative experiences scale. Suicide risk variables were most highly correlated with the social isolation/alienation, defectiveness/shame and failure YSQ scales, suggesting that these schemas may mark individuals at particularly high risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. These results offer important implications for the assessment and treatment of high-risk traumatized patients.

Evaluation of Tropical Transport in a Global Chemistry and Transport Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Douglass, Anne R.; DaSilva, A. M.; Lin, S.-J.; Pawson, S.; Rood, R. B.; Bhartia, P. K. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Observations of constituents from satellite, aircraft and sondes can be utilized to develop diagnostics of various aspects of tropical transport. These include tropical mid-latitude isolation, the seasonal transport from the upper tropical troposphere to the mid-latitude lowermost stratosphere, the seasonal cycle of the tropical total ozone and its variability. These diagnostics will be applied to constituent fields from an off-line chemistry and transport model (CTM) driven by winds from two sources. These are the Finite Volume Community Climate Model (FV-CCM), a general circulation model that uses the NCAR CCM physics and the Lin and Rood dynamical core, and an assimilation system developed by the Data Assimilation Office at the Goddard Space Flight Center that uses the FV-CCM at its core. Signatures of the quasi-biennial oscillation present in the observations will be emphasized to understand differences between the two model transports and the transport inferred from the observations.

Performance Calculations for the ITER Core Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer (CIXS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, K. W.; Delgado-Aparicio, L.; Pablant, N.; Johnson, D.; Feder, R.; Klabacha, J.; Stratton, B.; Bitter, M.; Beiersdorfer, P.; Barnsley, R.; Bertschinger, G.; O'Mullane, M.; Lee, S. G.

2013-10-01

The US is providing a 1D imaging x-ray crystal spectrometer system as a primary diagnostic for measuring profiles of ion temperature (Ti) and toroidal flow velocity (v) in the ITER plasma core (r/a = 0-0.85). The diagnostic must provide high spectral resolution (E/ ΔE > 5,000), spatial resolution of 10 cm, and time resolution of 10-100 ms, and must operate and survive in an environment having high neutron and gamma-ray fluxes. This work presents spectral simulations and tomographic inversions for obtaining local Ti and v, comparisons of the expected count rate profiles to the requirements, the degradation of performance due to the nuclear radiation background, and measurements of the rejection of nuclear background by detector pulse-height discrimination. This work was performed under the auspices of the DOE by PPPL under contract DE-AC02-09CH11466 and by LLNL under contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

[Epidemiology of Minamata Disease--Focus on the Clinical Features Related to the 1977 Diagnostic Criteria].

PubMed

Futatsuka, Makoto

2015-01-01

Large-scale food poisoning caused by methylmercury was identified in Minamata, Japan, in the 1950s (Minamata Disease). Although the diagnostic criteria for the disease was controversial and difficult during that time, we, the Kumamoto University Study Group, carried out a large-scale study to assess the clinical features in 1972-1973. The author tried to reassess the results of that study to appraise the diagnostic criteria established in 1977 on the basis of those results. A substantial number of residents in the exposed area exhibited neurologic signs, especially paresthesia of only the extremities, namely, the male residents of Minamata City showed a positive predictive value of 0.73 and a negative predictive value of 0.23. The relative risks of paresthesia only were 2.6 (2.0-3.3) and 1.2 (0.9-1.5), in Minamata and Goshonoura related to Ariake (control), respectively. At least until 1977, the diagnostic criteria remained valid, although it was inadequate. Nevertheless, presently, a follow-up study of the certified patients may lead to the development of efficient new diagnostic criteria.

Distinct phenotype clusters in childhood inflammatory brain diseases: implications for diagnostic evaluation.

PubMed

Cellucci, Tania; Tyrrell, Pascal N; Twilt, Marinka; Sheikh, Shehla; Benseler, Susanne M

2014-03-01

To identify distinct clusters of children with inflammatory brain diseases based on clinical, laboratory, and imaging features at presentation, to assess which features contribute strongly to the development of clusters, and to compare additional features between the identified clusters. A single-center cohort study was performed with children who had been diagnosed as having an inflammatory brain disease between June 1, 1989 and December 31, 2010. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, neuroimaging, and histologic data at diagnosis were collected. K-means cluster analysis was performed to identify clusters of patients based on their presenting features. Associations between the clusters and patient variables, such as diagnoses, were determined. A total of 147 children (50% female; median age 8.8 years) were identified: 105 with primary central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, 11 with secondary CNS vasculitis, 8 with neuronal antibody syndromes, 6 with postinfectious syndromes, and 17 with other inflammatory brain diseases. Three distinct clusters were identified. Paresis and speech deficits were the most common presenting features in cluster 1. Children in cluster 2 were likely to present with behavior changes, cognitive dysfunction, and seizures, while those in cluster 3 experienced ataxia, vision abnormalities, and seizures. Lesions seen on T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences of magnetic resonance imaging were common in all clusters, but unilateral ischemic lesions were more prominent in cluster 1. The clusters were associated with specific diagnoses and diagnostic test results. Children with inflammatory brain diseases presented with distinct phenotypical patterns that are associated with specific diagnoses. This information may inform the development of a diagnostic classification of childhood inflammatory brain diseases and suggest that specific pathways of diagnostic evaluation are warranted. Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Rheumatology.

Diagnostic Features of Emotional Expressions Are Processed Preferentially

PubMed Central

Scheller, Elisa; Büchel, Christian; Gamer, Matthias

2012-01-01

Diagnostic features of emotional expressions are differentially distributed across the face. The current study examined whether these diagnostic features are preferentially attended to even when they are irrelevant for the task at hand or when faces appear at different locations in the visual field. To this aim, fearful, happy and neutral faces were presented to healthy individuals in two experiments while measuring eye movements. In Experiment 1, participants had to accomplish an emotion classification, a gender discrimination or a passive viewing task. To differentiate fast, potentially reflexive, eye movements from a more elaborate scanning of faces, stimuli were either presented for 150 or 2000 ms. In Experiment 2, similar faces were presented at different spatial positions to rule out the possibility that eye movements only reflect a general bias for certain visual field locations. In both experiments, participants fixated the eye region much longer than any other region in the face. Furthermore, the eye region was attended to more pronouncedly when fearful or neutral faces were shown whereas more attention was directed toward the mouth of happy facial expressions. Since these results were similar across the other experimental manipulations, they indicate that diagnostic features of emotional expressions are preferentially processed irrespective of task demands and spatial locations. Saliency analyses revealed that a computational model of bottom-up visual attention could not explain these results. Furthermore, as these gaze preferences were evident very early after stimulus onset and occurred even when saccades did not allow for extracting further information from these stimuli, they may reflect a preattentive mechanism that automatically detects relevant facial features in the visual field and facilitates the orientation of attention towards them. This mechanism might crucially depend on amygdala functioning and it is potentially impaired in a number of clinical conditions such as autism or social anxiety disorders. PMID:22848607

Diagnostic features of emotional expressions are processed preferentially.

PubMed

Scheller, Elisa; Büchel, Christian; Gamer, Matthias

2012-01-01

Diagnostic features of emotional expressions are differentially distributed across the face. The current study examined whether these diagnostic features are preferentially attended to even when they are irrelevant for the task at hand or when faces appear at different locations in the visual field. To this aim, fearful, happy and neutral faces were presented to healthy individuals in two experiments while measuring eye movements. In Experiment 1, participants had to accomplish an emotion classification, a gender discrimination or a passive viewing task. To differentiate fast, potentially reflexive, eye movements from a more elaborate scanning of faces, stimuli were either presented for 150 or 2000 ms. In Experiment 2, similar faces were presented at different spatial positions to rule out the possibility that eye movements only reflect a general bias for certain visual field locations. In both experiments, participants fixated the eye region much longer than any other region in the face. Furthermore, the eye region was attended to more pronouncedly when fearful or neutral faces were shown whereas more attention was directed toward the mouth of happy facial expressions. Since these results were similar across the other experimental manipulations, they indicate that diagnostic features of emotional expressions are preferentially processed irrespective of task demands and spatial locations. Saliency analyses revealed that a computational model of bottom-up visual attention could not explain these results. Furthermore, as these gaze preferences were evident very early after stimulus onset and occurred even when saccades did not allow for extracting further information from these stimuli, they may reflect a preattentive mechanism that automatically detects relevant facial features in the visual field and facilitates the orientation of attention towards them. This mechanism might crucially depend on amygdala functioning and it is potentially impaired in a number of clinical conditions such as autism or social anxiety disorders.

Spent Fuel Test-Climax: core logging for site investigation and instrumentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wilder, D.G.; Yow, J.L. Jr.; Thorpe, R.K.

1982-05-28

As an integral part of the Spent Fuel Test-Climax 5150 ft (1570 m) of granite core was obtained. This core was diamond drilled in various sizes, mainly 38-mm and 76-mm diameters. The core was teken with single tube core barrels and was unoriented. Techniques used to drill and log this core are discussed, as well as techniques to orient the core. Of the 5150 ft (1570 m) of core more than 3645 ft (1111 m) was retained and logged in some detail. As a result of the core logging, geologic discontinuities were identified, joint frequency and spacing characterized. Discontinuities identifiedmore » included several joint sets, shear zones and faults. Correlations based on coring along were generally found to be impossible, even for the more prominent features. The only feature properly correlated from the exploratory drilling was the fault system at the end of the facility, but it was not identified from the exploratory core as a fault. Identification of discontinuities was later helped by underground mapping that identified several different joint sets with different characteristics. It was found that joint frequency varied from 0.3 to 1.1 joint per foot of core for open fractures and from 0.3 to 3.3/ft for closed or healed fractures. Histograms of fracture spacing indicate that there is likely a random distribution of spacing superimposed upon uniformly spaced fractures. It was found that a low angle joint set had a persistent mean orientation. These joints were healed and had pervasive wall rock alteration which made identification of joints in this set possible. The recognition of a joint set with known attitude allowed orientation of much of the core. This orientation technique was found to be effective. 10 references, 25 figures, 4 tables.« less

Laser Safety: A Laser Alignment Practical Training Course

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woods, Michael; Edstrom, Steve; /SLAC

2011-01-26

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has developed a Laser Alignment Practical Training Course as one of its core laser safety classes. The course is taught to small groups of up to three students and takes 1-3 hours to complete. This practical course is not a substitute for site-specific On-the-Job Training; it does, however, provide a good introduction in core laser safety practices that can be broadly applied. Alignment and diagnostic tasks are performed with low power lasers. Students learn safe alignment and diagnostic techniques and how to avoid common mistakes that might lead to an accident. The class is taught bymore » laser supervisors, enabling them to assess the skill level of new laser personnel and determine the subsequent level of supervision needed. The course has six alignment tasks. For each task, discussion points are given for the instructor to review with the students. The optics setup includes different wavelength lasers, a beam expander, mirrors, irises, a periscope, a beam-splitting polarizer and a diffraction grating. Diagnostic tools include viewing cards, an IR viewer and a ccd camera. Laser eyewear is available to block some laser wavelengths in the setup.« less

Is the emotion recognition deficit associated with frontotemporal dementia caused by selective inattention to diagnostic facial features?

PubMed

Oliver, Lindsay D; Virani, Karim; Finger, Elizabeth C; Mitchell, Derek G V

2014-07-01

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severely impaired social and emotional behaviour, including emotion recognition deficits. Though fear recognition impairments seen in particular neurological and developmental disorders can be ameliorated by reallocating attention to critical facial features, the possibility that similar benefits can be conferred to patients with FTD has yet to be explored. In the current study, we examined the impact of presenting distinct regions of the face (whole face, eyes-only, and eyes-removed) on the ability to recognize expressions of anger, fear, disgust, and happiness in 24 patients with FTD and 24 healthy controls. A recognition deficit was demonstrated across emotions by patients with FTD relative to controls. Crucially, removal of diagnostic facial features resulted in an appropriate decline in performance for both groups; furthermore, patients with FTD demonstrated a lack of disproportionate improvement in emotion recognition accuracy as a result of isolating critical facial features relative to controls. Thus, unlike some neurological and developmental disorders featuring amygdala dysfunction, the emotion recognition deficit observed in FTD is not likely driven by selective inattention to critical facial features. Patients with FTD also mislabelled negative facial expressions as happy more often than controls, providing further evidence for abnormalities in the representation of positive affect in FTD. This work suggests that the emotional expression recognition deficit associated with FTD is unlikely to be rectified by adjusting selective attention to diagnostic features, as has proven useful in other select disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In-situ composite formation of damage tolerant coatings utilizing laser

DOEpatents

Blue, Craig A [Knoxville, TN; Wong, Frank [Livermore, CA; Aprigliano, Louis F [Berlin, MD; Engleman, Peter G [Knoxville, TN; Peter, William H [Knoxville, TN; Rozgonyi, Tibor G [Golden, CO; Ozdemir, Levent [Golden, CO

2011-05-10

A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

In-situ composite formation of damage tolerant coatings utilizing laser

DOEpatents

Blue, Craig A; Wong, Frank; Aprigliano, Louis F; Engleman, Peter G; Rozgonyi, Tibor G; Ozdemir, Levent

2014-03-18

A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

In-situ composite formation of damage tolerant coatings utilizing laser

DOEpatents

Blue, Craig A.; Wong, Frank; Aprigliano, Louis F.; Engleman, Peter G.; Peter, William H.; Rozgonyi, Tibor G.; Ozdemir, Levent

2016-05-24

A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

Modelling of magnetostriction of transformer magnetic core for vibration analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marks, Janis; Vitolina, Sandra

2017-12-01

Magnetostriction is a phenomenon occurring in transformer core in normal operation mode. Yet in time, it can cause the delamination of magnetic core resulting in higher level of vibrations that are measured on the surface of transformer tank during diagnostic tests. The aim of this paper is to create a model for evaluating elastic deformations in magnetic core that can be used for power transformers with intensive vibrations in order to eliminate magnetostriction as a their cause. Description of the developed model in Matlab and COMSOL software is provided including restrictions concerning geometry and properties of materials, and the results of performed research on magnetic core anisotropy are provided. As a case study modelling of magnetostriction for 5-legged 200 MVA power transformer with the rated voltage of 13.8/137kV is conducted, based on which comparative analysis of vibration levels and elastic deformations is performed.

F Ring Bright Core Clumps

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-07-20

Bright clumps of ring material and a fan-like structure appear near the core of Saturn tenuous F ring in this mosaic of images from NASA Cassini spacecraft. Such features suggest the existence of additional objects in the F ring.

An HR-MAS MR Metabolomics Study on Breast Tissues Obtained with Core Needle Biopsy

PubMed Central

Cho, Nariya; Chang, Jung Min; Koo, Hye Ryoung; Yi, Ann; Kim, Hyeonjin; Park, Sunghyouk; Moon, Woo Kyung

2011-01-01

Background Much research has been devoted to the development of new breast cancer diagnostic measures, including those involving high-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic techniques. Previous HR-MAS MR results have been obtained from post-surgery samples, which limits their direct clinical applicability. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, we performed HR-MAS MR spectroscopic studies on 31 breast tissue samples (13 cancer and 18 non-cancer) obtained by percutaneous core needle biopsy. We showed that cancer and non-cancer samples can be discriminated very well with Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structure-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) multivariate model on the MR spectra. A subsequent blind test showed 69% sensitivity and 94% specificity in the prediction of the cancer status. A spectral analysis showed that in cancer cells, taurine- and choline-containing compounds are elevated. Our approach, additionally, could predict the progesterone receptor statuses of the cancer patients. Conclusions/Significance HR-MAS MR metabolomics on intact breast tissues obtained by core needle biopsy may have a potential to be used as a complement to the current diagnostic and prognostic measures for breast cancers. PMID:22028780

The sonographic features of malignant mediastinal lymph nodes and a proposal for an algorithmic approach for sampling during endobronchial ultrasound.

PubMed

Alici, Ibrahim Onur; Yılmaz Demirci, Nilgün; Yılmaz, Aydın; Karakaya, Jale; Özaydın, Esra

2016-09-01

There are several papers on the sonographic features of mediastinal lymph nodes affected by several diseases, but none gives the importance and clinical utility of the features. In order to find out which lymph node should be sampled in a particular nodal station during endobronchial ultrasound, we investigated the diagnostic performances of certain sonographic features and proposed an algorithmic approach. We retrospectively analyzed 1051 lymph nodes and randomly assigned them into a preliminary experimental and a secondary study group. The diagnostic performances of the sonographic features (gray scale, echogeneity, shape, size, margin, presence of necrosis, presence of calcification and absence of central hilar structure) were calculated, and an algorithm for lymph node sampling was obtained with decision tree analysis in the experimental group. Later, a modified algorithm was applied to the patients in the study group to give the accuracy. The demographic characteristics of the patients were not statistically significant between the primary and the secondary groups. All of the features were discriminative between malignant and benign diseases. The modified algorithm sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy for detecting metastatic lymph nodes were 100%, 51.2%, 50.6%, 100% and 67.5%, respectively. In this retrospective analysis, the standardized sonographic classification system and the proposed algorithm performed well in choosing the node that should be sampled in a particular station during endobronchial ultrasound. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparison of diagnostic classification systems for delirium with new research criteria that incorporate the three core domains.

PubMed

Trzepacz, Paula T; Meagher, David J; Franco, José G

2016-05-01

Diagnostic classification systems do not incorporate phenomenological research findings about the three core symptom domains of delirium (Attentional/Cognitive, Circadian, Higher Level Thinking). We evaluated classification performances of novel Trzepacz, Meagher, and Franco research diagnostic criteria (TMF) that incorporate those domains and ICD-10, DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5. Primary data analysis of 641 patients with mixed neuropsychiatric profiles. Delirium (n=429) and nondelirium (n=212) reference standard groups were identified using cluster analysis of symptoms assessed using the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), and likelihood ratios (LR+, LR-) are reported. TMF criteria had high sensitivity and specificity (87.4% and 89.2%), more balanced than DSM-III-R (100% and 31.6%), DSM-IV (97.7% and 74.1%), DSM-5 (97.7% and 72.6%), and ICD-10 (66.2% and 100%). PPV of DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5 were <90.0%, while PPV for ICD-10 and TMF were >90%. ICD-10 had the lowest NPV (59.4%). TMF had the highest LR+ (8.06) and DSM-III-R the lowest LR- (0.0). Overall, values for DSM-IV and DSM-5 were similar, whereas for ICD-10 and DSM-III-R were inverse of each other. In the pre-existing cognitive impairment/dementia subsample (n=128), TMF retained its highest LR+ though specificity (58.3%) became less well balanced with sensitivity (87.9%), which still exceeded that of DSM. TMF research diagnostic criteria performed well, with more balanced sensitivity and specificity and the highest likelihood ratio for delirium identification. Reflecting the three core domains of delirium, TMF criteria may have advantages in biological research where delineation of this syndrome is important. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Diagnostic accuracy of semi-automatic quantitative metrics as an alternative to expert reading of CT myocardial perfusion in the CORE320 study.

PubMed

Ostovaneh, Mohammad R; Vavere, Andrea L; Mehra, Vishal C; Kofoed, Klaus F; Matheson, Matthew B; Arbab-Zadeh, Armin; Fujisawa, Yasuko; Schuijf, Joanne D; Rochitte, Carlos E; Scholte, Arthur J; Kitagawa, Kakuya; Dewey, Marc; Cox, Christopher; DiCarli, Marcelo F; George, Richard T; Lima, Joao A C

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of semi-automatic quantitative metrics compared to expert reading for interpretation of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging. The CORE320 multicenter diagnostic accuracy clinical study enrolled patients between 45 and 85 years of age who were clinically referred for invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Computed tomography angiography (CTA), CTP, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and ICA images were interpreted manually in blinded core laboratories by two experienced readers. Additionally, eight quantitative CTP metrics as continuous values were computed semi-automatically from myocardial and blood attenuation and were combined using logistic regression to derive a final quantitative CTP metric score. For the reference standard, hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as a quantitative ICA stenosis of 50% or greater and a corresponding perfusion defect by SPECT. Diagnostic accuracy was determined by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Of the total 377 included patients, 66% were male, median age was 62 (IQR: 56, 68) years, and 27% had prior myocardial infarction. In patient based analysis, the AUC (95% CI) for combined CTA-CTP expert reading and combined CTA-CTP semi-automatic quantitative metrics was 0.87(0.84-0.91) and 0.86 (0.83-0.9), respectively. In vessel based analyses the AUC's were 0.85 (0.82-0.88) and 0.84 (0.81-0.87), respectively. No significant difference in AUC was found between combined CTA-CTP expert reading and CTA-CTP semi-automatic quantitative metrics in patient based or vessel based analyses(p > 0.05 for all). Combined CTA-CTP semi-automatic quantitative metrics is as accurate as CTA-CTP expert reading to detect hemodynamically significant CAD. Copyright © 2018 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High concordance of parent and teacher attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ratings in medicated and unmedicated children with autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Pearson, Deborah A; Aman, Michael G; Arnold, L Eugene; Lane, David M; Loveland, Katherine A; Santos, Cynthia W; Casat, Charles D; Mansour, Rosleen; Jerger, Susan W; Ezzell, Sarah; Factor, Perry; Vanwoerden, Salome; Ye, Enstin; Narain, Punya; Cleveland, Lynne A

2012-08-01

Parent and teacher ratings of core attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, as well as behavioral and emotional problems commonly comorbid with ADHD, were compared in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Participants were 86 children (66 boys; mean: age=9.3 years, intelligence quotient [IQ]=84) who met American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV) criteria for an ASD on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Parent and teacher behavioral ratings were compared on the Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scales (CPRS-R; CTRS-R). The degree to which age, ASD subtype, severity of autistic symptomatology, and medication status mediated this relationship was also examined. Significant positive correlations between parent and teacher ratings suggest that a child's core ADHD symptoms-as well as closely related externalizing symptoms-are perceived similarly by parents and teachers. With the exception of oppositional behavior, there was no significant effect of age, gender, ASD subtype, or autism severity on the relationship between parent and teacher ratings. In general, parents rated children as having more severe symptomatology than did teachers. Patterns of parent and teacher ratings were highly correlated, both for children who were receiving medication, and for children who were not. Parents and teachers perceived core symptoms of ADHD and closely-related externalizing problems in a similar manner, but there is less agreement on ratings of internalizing problems (e.g., anxiety). The clinical implication of these findings is that both parents and teachers provide important behavioral information about children with ASD. However, when a clinician is unable to access teacher ratings (e.g., during school vacations), parent ratings can provide a reasonable estimate of the child's functioning in these domains in school. As such, parent ratings can be reliably used to make initial diagnostic and treatment decisions (e.g., medication treatment) regarding ADHD symptoms in children with ASDs.

Toward a Best-Practice Protocol for Assessment of Sensory Features in ASD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schaaf, Roseann C.; Lane, Alison E.

2015-01-01

Sensory difficulties are a commonly occurring feature of autism spectrum disorders and are now included as one manifestation of the "restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities" diagnostic criteria of the DSM5 necessitating guidelines for comprehensive assessment of these features. To facilitate the development…

BASIC BIOCHEMICAL AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF NONINVASIVE TESTS HELIC.

PubMed

Dmitrienko, M A; Dmitrienko, V S; Kornienko, E A; Parolova, N I; Colomina, E O; Aronov, E B

Biochemical process that lay in the core of non-invasive detection of Helico ho cter pylod with the help of HELIC Ammonia breath test, manufactured by AMA Co Ltd., St.Petersburg, is shown. Patents from various countries, describing ammonia as H.pyiori diagnostic marker, are reviewed. Approaches for evaluation of efficacy of the test-system are analyzed, validation and verification data is provided. High diagnostic characteristics are confirmed by the results of comparative studies on patients of different age groups, reaching 97% sensitivity and 96% specificity.

The power of simplification: Operator interface with the AP1000{sup R} during design-basis and beyond design-basis events

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, M. G.; Mouser, M. R.; Simon, J. B.

2012-07-01

The AP1000{sup R} plant is an 1100-MWe pressurized water reactor with passive safety features and extensive plant simplifications that enhance construction, operation, maintenance, safety and cost. The passive safety features are designed to function without safety-grade support systems such as component cooling water, service water, compressed air or HVAC. The AP1000 passive safety features achieve and maintain safe shutdown in case of a design-basis accident for 72 hours without need for operator action, meeting the expectations provided in the European Utility Requirements and the Utility Requirement Document for passive plants. Limited operator actions may be required to maintain safe conditionsmore » in the spent fuel pool (SFP) via passive means. This safety approach therefore minimizes the reliance on operator action for accident mitigation, and this paper examines the operator interaction with the Human-System Interface (HSI) as the severity of an accident increases from an anticipated transient to a design basis accident and finally, to a beyond-design-basis event. The AP1000 Control Room design provides an extremely effective environment for addressing the first 72 hours of design-basis events and transients, providing ease of information dissemination and minimal reliance upon operator actions. Symptom-based procedures including Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs), Abnormal Operating Procedures (AOPs) and Alarm Response Procedures (ARPs) are used to mitigate design basis transients and accidents. Use of the Computerized Procedure System (CPS) aids the operators during mitigation of the event. The CPS provides cues and direction to the operators as the event progresses. If the event becomes progressively worse or lasts longer than 72 hours, and depending upon the nature of failures that may have occurred, minimal operator actions may be required outside of the control room in areas that have been designed to be accessible using components that have been designed to be reliable in these conditions. The primary goal of any such actions is to maintain or refill the passive inventory available to cool the core, containment and spent fuel pool in the safety-related and seismically qualified Passive Containment Cooling Water Storage Tank (PCCWST). The seismically-qualified, ground-mounted Passive Containment Cooling Ancillary Water Storage Tank (PCCAWST) is also available for this function as appropriate. The primary effect of these actions would be to increase the coping time for the AP1000 during design basis events, as well as events such as those described above, from 72 hours without operator intervention to 7 days with minimal operator actions. These Operator actions necessary to protect the health and safety of the public are addressed in the Post-72 Hour procedures, as well as some EOPs, AOPs, ARPs and the Severe Accident Management Guidelines (SAMGs). Should the event continue to become more severe and plant conditions degrade further with indications of inadequate core cooling, the SAMGs provide guidance for strategies to address these hypothetical severe accident conditions. The AP1000 SAMG diagnoses and actions are prioritized to first utilize the AP1000 features that are expected to retain a damaged core inside the reactor vessel. Only one strategy is undertaken at any time. This strategy will be followed and its effectiveness evaluated before other strategies are undertaken. This is a key feature of both the symptom-oriented AP1000 EOPs and the AP1000 SAMGs which maximizes the probability of retaining a damaged core inside the reactor vessel and containment while minimizing the chances for confusion and human errors during implementation. The AP1000 SAMGs are simple and straight-forward and have been developed with considerable input from human factors and plant operations experts. Most importantly, and different from severe accident management strategies for other plants, the AP1000 SAMGs do not require diagnosis of the location of the core (i.e., whether reactor vessel failure has occurred). This is a fundamental consequence of the AP1000 In-Vessel Retention approach, which allows severe accident management to be based on fundamental principles (e.g. provide coolant as close as possible to the core) that do not change during a specific event. This eliminates the need for one of the more difficult diagnostic requirements, since reactor vessel failure does not directly relate to any measurable plant parameter, and differs from other designs in that an engineered failure of the pressure vessel' (e.g. core catcher) is never required. (authors)« less

Lead users’ ideas on core features to support physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a first step in the development of an internet service using participatory design

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Despite the growing evidence of the benefits of physical activity (PA) in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the majority is not physically active enough. An innovative strategy is to engage lead users in the development of PA interventions provided over the internet. The aim was to explore lead users’ ideas and prioritization of core features in a future internet service targeting adoption and maintenance of healthy PA in people with RA. Methods Six focus group interviews were performed with a purposively selected sample of 26 individuals with RA. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis and quantification of participants’ prioritization of most important content. Results Six categories were identified as core features for a future internet service: up-to-date and evidence-based information and instructions, self-regulation tools, social interaction, personalized set-up, attractive design and content, and access to the internet service. The categories represented four themes, or core aspects, important to consider in the design of the future service: (1) content, (2) customized options, (3) user interface and (4) access and implementation. Conclusions This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study involving people with RA in the development of an internet service to support the adoption and maintenance of PA. Participants helped identifying core features and aspects important to consider and further explore during the next phase of development. We hypothesize that involvement of lead users will make transfer from theory to service more adequate and user-friendly and therefore will be an effective mean to facilitate PA behavior change. PMID:24655757

Is self disturbance the core of borderline personality disorder? An outcome study of borderline personality factors.

PubMed

Meares, Russell; Gerull, Friederike; Stevenson, Janine; Korner, Anthony

2011-03-01

To determine which constellation of clinical features constitutes the core of borderline personality disorder (BPD). The criterion of endurance was used to identify the constellation of features which are most basic, or core, in borderline personality disorder. Two sets of constellations of DSM-III features were tested, each consisting of three groupings. The first set of constellations was constructed according to Clarkin's factor analysis; the second was theoretically derived. Broadly speaking, the three groupings concerned 'self', 'emotional regulation', and 'impulse'. Changes of these constellations were charted over one year in a comparison of the effect of treatment by the Conversational Model (n = 29) with treatment as usual (n = 31). In addition, measures of typical depression (Zung) were scored before and after the treatment period. The changes in the constellations were considered in relation to authoritative opinion. The changes in the two sets of constellations were similar. In the treatment as usual (TAU) group, 'self' endured unchanged, while 'emotional regulation' and 'impulse' improved. In the Conversational Model cohort, 'self' improved, 'emotional regulation' improved more greatly than the TAU group, while 'impulse' improved but not more than the treatment as usual group. Depression scores were not particularly associated with any grouping. A group of features including self/identity disturbance, emptiness and fear of abandonment may be at the core of BPD. Correlations between the three groupings and Zung scores favoured the view that the core affect is not typical depression. Rather, the central state may be 'painful incoherence'. It is suggested that the findings have implications for the refinement and elaboration of treatment methods in borderline personality disorder.

Diagnostic power of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for targeted detection of breast lesions with microcalcifications

PubMed Central

Soares, Jaqueline S.; Barman, Ishan; Dingari, Narahara Chari; Volynskaya, Zoya; Liu, Wendy; Klein, Nina; Plecha, Donna; Dasari, Ramachandra R.; Fitzmaurice, Maryann

2013-01-01

Microcalcifications geographically target the location of abnormalities within the breast and are of critical importance in breast cancer diagnosis. However, despite stereotactic guidance, core needle biopsy fails to retrieve microcalcifications in up to 15% of patients. Here, we introduce an approach based on diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for detection of microcalcifications that focuses on variations in optical absorption stemming from the calcified clusters and the associated cross-linking molecules. In this study, diffuse reflectance spectra are acquired ex vivo from 203 sites in fresh biopsy tissue cores from 23 patients undergoing stereotactic breast needle biopsies. By correlating the spectra with the corresponding radiographic and histologic assessment, we have developed a support vector machine-derived decision algorithm, which shows high diagnostic power (positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 97% and 88%, respectively) for diagnosis of lesions with microcalcifications. We further show that these results are robust and not due to any spurious correlations. We attribute our findings to the presence of proteins (such as elastin), and desmosine and isodesmosine cross-linkers in the microcalcifications. It is important to note that the performance of the diffuse reflectance decision algorithm is comparable to one derived from the corresponding Raman spectra, and the considerably higher intensity of the reflectance signal enables the detection of the targeted lesions in a fraction of the spectral acquisition time. Our findings create a unique landscape for spectroscopic validation of breast core needle biopsy for detection of microcalcifications that can substantially improve the likelihood of an adequate, diagnostic biopsy in the first attempt. PMID:23267090

Prediction, Diagnosis, and Casual Thinking in Forecasting.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-03

diagnostic process. However, a significant feature of causal/diagnostic thinking is the remarkable speed and fluency which people seem to have for generating...The cement of the universe: A study of causation. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Meehl, Paul E., (1954), Clinical versus statistical prediction: A

Search asymmetry: a diagnostic for preattentive processing of separable features.

PubMed

Treisman, A; Souther, J

1985-09-01

The search rate for a target among distractors may vary dramatically depending on which stimulus plays the role of target and which that of distractors. For example, the time required to find a circle distinguished by an intersecting line is independent of the number of regular circles in the display, whereas the time to find a regular circle among circles with lines increases linearly with the number of distractors. The pattern of performance suggests parallel processing when the target has a unique distinguishing feature and serial self-terminating search when the target is distinguished only by the absence of a feature that is present in all the distractors. The results are consistent with feature-integration theory (Treisman & Gelade, 1980), which predicts that a single feature should be detected by the mere presence of activity in the relevant feature map, whereas tasks that require subjects to locate multiple instances of a feature demand focused attention. Search asymmetries may therefore offer a new diagnostic to identify the primitive features of early vision. Several candidate features are examined in this article: Colors, line ends or terminators, and closure (in the sense of a partly or wholly enclosed area) appear to be functional features; connectedness, intactness (absence of an intersecting line), and acute angles do not.

The effect of length, duration, and intensity of psychological therapy on CORE global distress scores.

PubMed

Evans, Lauren Jayne; Beck, Alison; Burdett, Mark

2017-09-01

This study explores whether improvements, as measured by the CORE-OM/10, as a result of psychological therapy were related to length of treatment in weeks, number of treatment sessions, or treatment intensity, as well as any effect of diagnostic group. Pre- and post-therapy CORE-OM/10 scores were extracted from the clinical records of all secondary care adult psychological therapy team patients who undertook psychological therapy between 2010 and 2013 in one mental health trust. Of the 4,877 patients identified, 925 had complete records. Length of therapy was divided by the number of sessions to create 'treatment intensity' (sessions per week). Nonparametric analyses were used, initial score was controlled for, and diagnostic group was explored. No relationship was found between change in score and the number of sessions, therapy length, or treatment intensity; however, change in score was positively correlated with first-session score. Patients with higher initial scores had longer therapies; however, treatment intensity was similar for patients with lower pre-therapy distress. There were differences in treatment length (weeks) between diagnostic groups. Demographic differences were found between patients with and without complete records, prompting caution in terms of generalizability. These findings are consistent with the responsive regulation model (Barkham et al., 1996) which proposes that patients vary in their response to treatment, resulting in no associations between session numbers or treatment intensity and therapeutic gain with aggregated scores. Patients with higher CORE scores at the outset of psychological therapy had longer not more intensive therapy. There was variation in treatment intensity between diagnostic clusters. Number of sessions, length of therapy (in weeks), and treatment intensity (the number of sessions per week between the first and last therapy sessions) were not related to therapeutic gains. These results fit with a responsive regulation model of therapy duration, suggesting an individualized approach to therapy cessation as opposed to therapy session limits as the number of sessions a patient experienced was not generally associated with outcome. We found that clients with a diagnosis of a behavioural syndrome (F50-59) had less 'intensive' therapy; they experienced the same number of sessions over a longer time frame. Despite this, there were no associations between diagnosis category and change in score. © 2017 The British Psychological Society.

Language Assessment With Children Who Speak Nonmainstream Dialects: Examining the Effects of Scoring Modifications in Norm-Referenced Assessment.

PubMed

Hendricks, Alison Eisel; Adlof, Suzanne M

2017-07-26

We compared outcomes from 2 measures of language ability in children who displayed a range of dialect variation: 1 using features that do not contrast between mainstream American English (MAE) and nonmainstream dialects (NMAE), and 1 using contrastive features. We investigated how modified scoring procedures affected the diagnostic accuracy of the measure with contrastive features. Second-grade students (N = 299; 167 White, 106 African American, 26 other) completed measures of language variation and ability (the Diagnostic Evaluation of Language Variation-Screening Test and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Fourth Edition [CELF-4]). The CELF-4 was scored with and without the recommended scoring modifications for children who spoke African American English. Partial correlations controlling for socioeconomic status revealed small to moderate correlations between measures of language ability and the use of NMAE features. Modified scoring yielded higher scores for children who spoke African American English and a reduced association between the use of NMAE features and CELF-4 scores. Modified scoring also affected the diagnostic accuracy of the CELF-4, resulting in a lower positive likelihood ratio and a higher negative likelihood ratio. The decision to apply scoring modifications affects both the false positive and false negative rates. Implications for language assessment for children who speak NMAE dialects are discussed, including the need for further investigation.

Simultaneous-Fault Diagnosis of Gearboxes Using Probabilistic Committee Machine

PubMed Central

Zhong, Jian-Hua; Wong, Pak Kin; Yang, Zhi-Xin

2016-01-01

This study combines signal de-noising, feature extraction, two pairwise-coupled relevance vector machines (PCRVMs) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) for parameter optimization to form an intelligent diagnostic framework for gearbox fault detection. Firstly, the noises of sensor signals are de-noised by using the wavelet threshold method to lower the noise level. Then, the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) and energy pattern calculation are applied to extract the fault features from de-noised signals. After that, an eleven-dimension vector, which consists of the energies of nine intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), maximum value of HHT marginal spectrum and its corresponding frequency component, is obtained to represent the features of each gearbox fault. The two PCRVMs serve as two different fault detection committee members, and they are trained by using vibration and sound signals, respectively. The individual diagnostic result from each committee member is then combined by applying a new probabilistic ensemble method, which can improve the overall diagnostic accuracy and increase the number of detectable faults as compared to individual classifiers acting alone. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is experimentally verified by using test cases. The experimental results show the proposed framework is superior to existing single classifiers in terms of diagnostic accuracies for both single- and simultaneous-faults in the gearbox. PMID:26848665

Orientations for the successful categorization of facial expressions and their link with facial features.

PubMed

Duncan, Justin; Gosselin, Frédéric; Cobarro, Charlène; Dugas, Gabrielle; Blais, Caroline; Fiset, Daniel

2017-12-01

Horizontal information was recently suggested to be crucial for face identification. In the present paper, we expand on this finding and investigate the role of orientations for all the basic facial expressions and neutrality. To this end, we developed orientation bubbles to quantify utilization of the orientation spectrum by the visual system in a facial expression categorization task. We first validated the procedure in Experiment 1 with a simple plaid-detection task. In Experiment 2, we used orientation bubbles to reveal the diagnostic-i.e., task relevant-orientations for the basic facial expressions and neutrality. Overall, we found that horizontal information was highly diagnostic for expressions-surprise excepted. We also found that utilization of horizontal information strongly predicted performance level in this task. Despite the recent surge of research on horizontals, the link with local features remains unexplored. We were thus also interested in investigating this link. In Experiment 3, location bubbles were used to reveal the diagnostic features for the basic facial expressions. Crucially, Experiments 2 and 3 were run in parallel on the same participants, in an interleaved fashion. This way, we were able to correlate individual orientation and local diagnostic profiles. Our results indicate that individual differences in horizontal tuning are best predicted by utilization of the eyes.

Diagnostic Analyzer for Gearboxes (DAG): User's Guide. Version 3.1 for Microsoft Windows 3.1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jammu, Vinay B.; Kourosh, Danai

1997-01-01

This documentation describes the Diagnostic Analyzer for Gearboxes (DAG) software for performing fault diagnosis of gearboxes. First, the user would construct a graphical representation of the gearbox using the gear, bearing, shaft, and sensor tools contained in the DAG software. Next, a set of vibration features obtained by processing the vibration signals recorded from the gearbox using a signal analyzer is required. Given this information, the DAG software uses an unsupervised neural network referred to as the Fault Detection Network (FDN) to identify the occurrence of faults, and a pattern classifier called Single Category-Based Classifier (SCBC) for abnormality scaling of individual vibration features. The abnormality-scaled vibration features are then used as inputs to a Structure-Based Connectionist Network (SBCN) for identifying faults in gearbox subsystems and components. The weights of the SBCN represent its diagnostic knowledge and are derived from the structure of the gearbox graphically presented in DAG. The outputs of SBCN are fault possibility values between 0 and 1 for individual subsystems and components in the gearbox with a 1 representing a definite fault and a 0 representing normality. This manual describes the steps involved in creating the diagnostic gearbox model, along with the options and analysis tools of the DAG software.

Simultaneous-Fault Diagnosis of Gearboxes Using Probabilistic Committee Machine.

PubMed

Zhong, Jian-Hua; Wong, Pak Kin; Yang, Zhi-Xin

2016-02-02

This study combines signal de-noising, feature extraction, two pairwise-coupled relevance vector machines (PCRVMs) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) for parameter optimization to form an intelligent diagnostic framework for gearbox fault detection. Firstly, the noises of sensor signals are de-noised by using the wavelet threshold method to lower the noise level. Then, the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) and energy pattern calculation are applied to extract the fault features from de-noised signals. After that, an eleven-dimension vector, which consists of the energies of nine intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), maximum value of HHT marginal spectrum and its corresponding frequency component, is obtained to represent the features of each gearbox fault. The two PCRVMs serve as two different fault detection committee members, and they are trained by using vibration and sound signals, respectively. The individual diagnostic result from each committee member is then combined by applying a new probabilistic ensemble method, which can improve the overall diagnostic accuracy and increase the number of detectable faults as compared to individual classifiers acting alone. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is experimentally verified by using test cases. The experimental results show the proposed framework is superior to existing single classifiers in terms of diagnostic accuracies for both single- and simultaneous-faults in the gearbox.

Chordoma of the Head and Neck: A Review.

PubMed

Wasserman, Jason K; Gravel, Denis; Purgina, Bibianna

2018-06-01

Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumor that can arise anywhere along the central neural axis and many involve head and neck sites, most commonly the skull base. The relative rarity of these tumors, combined with the complex anatomy of the head and neck, pose diagnostic challenges to pathologists. This article describes the pertinent clinical, pathologic, and molecular features of chordomas and describes how these features can be used to aid in formulating a differential diagnosis. Emphasis is placed on key diagnostic pitfalls and the importance of incorporating immunohistochemical information into the diagnosis.

Automatic recognition of conceptualization zones in scientific articles and two life science applications.

PubMed

Liakata, Maria; Saha, Shyamasree; Dobnik, Simon; Batchelor, Colin; Rebholz-Schuhmann, Dietrich

2012-04-01

Scholarly biomedical publications report on the findings of a research investigation. Scientists use a well-established discourse structure to relate their work to the state of the art, express their own motivation and hypotheses and report on their methods, results and conclusions. In previous work, we have proposed ways to explicitly annotate the structure of scientific investigations in scholarly publications. Here we present the means to facilitate automatic access to the scientific discourse of articles by automating the recognition of 11 categories at the sentence level, which we call Core Scientific Concepts (CoreSCs). These include: Hypothesis, Motivation, Goal, Object, Background, Method, Experiment, Model, Observation, Result and Conclusion. CoreSCs provide the structure and context to all statements and relations within an article and their automatic recognition can greatly facilitate biomedical information extraction by characterizing the different types of facts, hypotheses and evidence available in a scientific publication. We have trained and compared machine learning classifiers (support vector machines and conditional random fields) on a corpus of 265 full articles in biochemistry and chemistry to automatically recognize CoreSCs. We have evaluated our automatic classifications against a manually annotated gold standard, and have achieved promising accuracies with 'Experiment', 'Background' and 'Model' being the categories with the highest F1-scores (76%, 62% and 53%, respectively). We have analysed the task of CoreSC annotation both from a sentence classification as well as sequence labelling perspective and we present a detailed feature evaluation. The most discriminative features are local sentence features such as unigrams, bigrams and grammatical dependencies while features encoding the document structure, such as section headings, also play an important role for some of the categories. We discuss the usefulness of automatically generated CoreSCs in two biomedical applications as well as work in progress. A web-based tool for the automatic annotation of articles with CoreSCs and corresponding documentation is available online at http://www.sapientaproject.com/software http://www.sapientaproject.com also contains detailed information pertaining to CoreSC annotation and links to annotation guidelines as well as a corpus of manually annotated articles, which served as our training data. liakata@ebi.ac.uk Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Application of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised--Italian version--in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Fulceri, Francesca; Narzisi, Antonio; Apicella, Fabio; Balboni, Giulia; Baldini, Sara; Brocchini, Jenny; Domenici, Ilaria; Cerullo, Sonia; Igliozzi, Roberta; Cosenza, Angela; Tancredi, Raffaella; Muratori, Filippo; Calderoni, Sara

2016-01-01

Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities (RRB) are mandatory features for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders-fifth edition (DSM-5). Despite the strong diagnostic role of RRB, their expressiveness and their relationship with other clinical/demographic features in ASD is not fully elucidated. The Italian version of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) was applied to a relatively large sample of preschool-aged children with ASD who underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment. The relationship between RRB and sex, age, non-verbal IQ, autism severity, as well as the diagnostic accuracy of the RBS-R were explored. Stereotyped and Ritualistic/Sameness behaviors were the most common RRB in preschoolers with ASD, without widespread differences between males and females. No significant correlations between RRB and chronological age, or non-verbal IQ were detected. The expressiveness of ritualistic/sameness behaviors positively correlated with autism severity, assessed through the Calibrated Severity Score (CSS) derived from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed high diagnostic accuracy using the Global Rating Score, which represents the judgment of the parents of as the RRB affect the child's life. However, while the Global Rating Score performed well, the remaining subscales did not. This investigation extends the limited research on early pattern and associated features of RRB in young children with ASD. The use of the RBS-R may increase the knowledge of the RRB complexity and variability and in turn improve the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the autistic spectrum. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Computer-aided US diagnosis of breast lesions by using cell-based contour grouping.

PubMed

Cheng, Jie-Zhi; Chou, Yi-Hong; Huang, Chiun-Sheng; Chang, Yeun-Chung; Tiu, Chui-Mei; Chen, Kuei-Wu; Chen, Chung-Ming

2010-06-01

To develop a computer-aided diagnostic algorithm with automatic boundary delineation for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions at ultrasonography (US) and investigate the effect of boundary quality on the performance of a computer-aided diagnostic algorithm. This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective study with waiver of informed consent. A cell-based contour grouping (CBCG) segmentation algorithm was used to delineate the lesion boundaries automatically. Seven morphologic features were extracted. The classifier was a logistic regression function. Five hundred twenty breast US scans were obtained from 520 subjects (age range, 15-89 years), including 275 benign (mean size, 15 mm; range, 5-35 mm) and 245 malignant (mean size, 18 mm; range, 8-29 mm) lesions. The newly developed computer-aided diagnostic algorithm was evaluated on the basis of boundary quality and differentiation performance. The segmentation algorithms and features in two conventional computer-aided diagnostic algorithms were used for comparative study. The CBCG-generated boundaries were shown to be comparable with the manually delineated boundaries. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and differentiation accuracy were 0.968 +/- 0.010 and 93.1% +/- 0.7, respectively, for all 520 breast lesions. At the 5% significance level, the newly developed algorithm was shown to be superior to the use of the boundaries and features of the two conventional computer-aided diagnostic algorithms in terms of AUC (0.974 +/- 0.007 versus 0.890 +/- 0.008 and 0.788 +/- 0.024, respectively). The newly developed computer-aided diagnostic algorithm that used a CBCG segmentation method to measure boundaries achieved a high differentiation performance. Copyright RSNA, 2010

Multi-Quadrant Biopsy Technique Improves Diagnostic Ability in Large Heterogeneous Renal Masses.

PubMed

Abel, E Jason; Heckman, Jennifer E; Hinshaw, Louis; Best, Sara; Lubner, Meghan; Jarrard, David F; Downs, Tracy M; Nakada, Stephen Y; Lee, Fred T; Huang, Wei; Ziemlewicz, Timothy

2015-10-01

Percutaneous biopsy obtained from a single location is prone to sampling error in large heterogeneous renal masses, leading to nondiagnostic results or failure to detect poor prognostic features. We evaluated the accuracy of percutaneous biopsy for large renal masses using a modified multi-quadrant technique vs a standard biopsy technique. Clinical and pathological data for all patients with cT2 or greater renal masses who underwent percutaneous biopsy from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed. The multi-quadrant technique was defined as multiple core biopsies from at least 4 separate solid enhancing areas in the tumor. The incidence of nondiagnostic findings, sarcomatoid features and procedural complications was recorded, and concordance between biopsy specimens and nephrectomy pathology was compared. A total of 122 biopsies were performed for 117 tumors in 116 patients (46 using the standard biopsy technique and 76 using the multi-quadrant technique). Median tumor size was 10 cm (IQR 8-12). Biopsy was nondiagnostic in 5 of 46 (10.9%) standard and 0 of 76 (0%) multi-quadrant biopsies (p=0.007). Renal cell carcinoma was identified in 96 of 115 (82.0%) tumors and nonrenal cell carcinoma tumors were identified in 21 (18.0%). One complication occurred using the standard biopsy technique and no complications were reported using the multi-quadrant technique. Sarcomatoid features were present in 23 of 96 (23.9%) large renal cell carcinomas studied. Sensitivity for identifying sarcomatoid features was higher using the multi-quadrant technique compared to the standard biopsy technique at 13 of 15 (86.7%) vs 2 of 8 (25.0%) (p=0.0062). The multi-quadrant percutaneous biopsy technique increases the ability to identify aggressive pathological features in large renal tumors and decreases nondiagnostic biopsy rates. Copyright © 2015 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Metabolism of gonadotropins: comparisons of the primary structures of the human pituitary and urinary LH beta cores and the chimpanzee CG beta core demonstrate universality of core production.

PubMed

Birken, S; Gawinowicz, M A; Maydelman, Y; Milgrom, Y

2001-10-01

The gonadotropins are a family of closely related heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones homologous in structure to disulfide-knot growth factors. Metabolic proteolytic processing in vivo of this disulfide cross-linked region results in urinary excretion of a residual highly stable core structure. The primary structure of the pituitary form of the hLH beta core was reported earlier, but it has proved difficult to isolate the urinary core, although antibodies to the pituitary core demonstrated its presence. By conventional and immunoaffinity methods, the urinary core has been isolated and its structure determined by both chemical and mass spectrometric methods. The urinary hLH beta core is the same as the pituitary-extracted hLH beta core, beta 6-40 disulfide bridged to beta 55-93, except that the pituitary core is more heterogeneous containing also beta 49-93. These findings imply a dual origin of urinary cores, both directly from a secreting tissue and by kidney processing of circulating hormone. We also found that pregnant chimpanzees excrete a CG beta core with a primary structure identical to that of the human CG beta core of pregnancy. In conclusion, gonadotropin core generation and urinary excretion of nearly identical gonadotropin metabolites is common among primates. Although possible biological functions of these core fragments remain unproven, they have diagnostic utility because of their stability and abundance.

Stress-driven buckling patterns in spheroidal core/shell structures.

PubMed

Yin, Jie; Cao, Zexian; Li, Chaorong; Sheinman, Izhak; Chen, Xi

2008-12-09

Many natural fruits and vegetables adopt an approximately spheroidal shape and are characterized by their distinct undulating topologies. We demonstrate that various global pattern features can be reproduced by anisotropic stress-driven buckles on spheroidal core/shell systems, which implies that the relevant mechanical forces might provide a template underpinning the topological conformation in some fruits and plants. Three dimensionless parameters, the ratio of effective size/thickness, the ratio of equatorial/polar radii, and the ratio of core/shell moduli, primarily govern the initiation and formation of the patterns. A distinct morphological feature occurs only when these parameters fall within certain ranges: In a prolate spheroid, reticular buckles take over longitudinal ridged patterns when one or more parameters become large. Our results demonstrate that some universal features of fruit/vegetable patterns (e.g., those observed in Korean melons, silk gourds, ribbed pumpkins, striped cavern tomatoes, and cantaloupes, etc.) may be related to the spontaneous buckling from mechanical perspectives, although the more complex biological or biochemical processes are involved at deep levels.

Use of soft x-ray diagnostic on the COMPASS tokamak for investigations of sawteeth crash neighborhood and of plasma position using fast inversion methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Imrisek, M.; Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University in Prague, Prague; Weinzettl, V.

2014-11-15

The soft x-ray diagnostic is suitable for monitoring plasma activity in the tokamak core, e.g., sawtooth instability. Moreover, spatially resolved measurements can provide information about plasma position and shape, which can supplement magnetic measurements. In this contribution, fast algorithms with the potential for a real-time use are tested on the data from the COMPASS tokamak. In addition, the soft x-ray data are compared with data from other diagnostics in order to discuss possible connection between sawtooth instability on one side and the transition to higher confinement mode, edge localized modes and productions of runaway electrons on the other side.

OPTICAL COLORS OF INTRACLUSTER LIGHT IN THE VIRGO CLUSTER CORE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rudick, Craig S.; Mihos, J. Christopher; Harding, Paul

2010-09-01

We continue our deep optical imaging survey of the Virgo cluster using the CWRU Burrell Schmidt telescope by presenting B-band surface photometry of the core of the Virgo cluster in order to study the cluster's intracluster light (ICL). We find ICL features down to {mu}{sub B} {approx}29 mag arcsec{sup -2}, confirming the results of Mihos et al., who saw a vast web of low surface brightness streams, arcs, plumes, and diffuse light in the Virgo cluster core using V-band imaging. By combining these two data sets, we are able to measure the optical colors of many of the cluster's lowmore » surface brightness features. While much of our imaging area is contaminated by galactic cirrus, the cluster core near the cD galaxy, M87, is unobscured. We trace the color profile of M87 out to over 2000'', and find a blueing trend with radius, continuing out to the largest radii. Moreover, we have measured the colors of several ICL features which extend beyond M87's outermost reaches and find that they have similar colors to the M87's halo itself, B - V {approx}0.8. The common colors of these features suggest that the extended outer envelopes of cD galaxies, such as M87, may be formed from similar streams, created by tidal interactions within the cluster, that have since dissolved into a smooth background in the cluster potential.« less

Narcolepsy in children: a diagnostic and management approach.

PubMed

Babiker, Mohamed O E; Prasad, Manish

2015-06-01

To provide a diagnostic and management approach for narcolepsy in children. Narcolepsy is a chronic disabling disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnogogic and/or hypnopompic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. All four features are present in only half of the cases. Excessive daytime sleepiness is the essential feature of narcolepsy at any age and is usually the first symptom to manifest. A combination of excessive daytime sleepiness and definite cataplexy is considered pathognomonic of narcolepsy syndrome. New treatment options have become available over the past few years. Early diagnosis and management can significantly improve the quality of life of patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy. This review summarizes the pathophysiology, clinical features, and management options for children with narcolepsy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Artificial neural networks in mammography interpretation and diagnostic decision making.

PubMed

Ayer, Turgay; Chen, Qiushi; Burnside, Elizabeth S

2013-01-01

Screening mammography is the most effective means for early detection of breast cancer. Although general rules for discriminating malignant and benign lesions exist, radiologists are unable to perfectly detect and classify all lesions as malignant and benign, for many reasons which include, but are not limited to, overlap of features that distinguish malignancy, difficulty in estimating disease risk, and variability in recommended management. When predictive variables are numerous and interact, ad hoc decision making strategies based on experience and memory may lead to systematic errors and variability in practice. The integration of computer models to help radiologists increase the accuracy of mammography examinations in diagnostic decision making has gained increasing attention in the last two decades. In this study, we provide an overview of one of the most commonly used models, artificial neural networks (ANNs), in mammography interpretation and diagnostic decision making and discuss important features in mammography interpretation. We conclude by discussing several common limitations of existing research on ANN-based detection and diagnostic models and provide possible future research directions.

How do gut feelings feature in tutorial dialogues on diagnostic reasoning in GP traineeship?

PubMed

Stolper, C F; Van de Wiel, M W J; Hendriks, R H M; Van Royen, P; Van Bokhoven, M A; Van der Weijden, T; Dinant, G J

2015-05-01

Diagnostic reasoning is considered to be based on the interaction between analytical and non-analytical cognitive processes. Gut feelings, a specific form of non-analytical reasoning, play a substantial role in diagnostic reasoning by general practitioners (GPs) and may activate analytical reasoning. In GP traineeships in the Netherlands, trainees mostly see patients alone but regularly consult with their supervisors to discuss patients and problems, receive feedback, and improve their competencies. In the present study, we examined the discussions of supervisors and their trainees about diagnostic reasoning in these so-called tutorial dialogues and how gut feelings feature in these discussions. 17 tutorial dialogues focussing on diagnostic reasoning were video-recorded and transcribed and the protocols were analysed using a detailed bottom-up and iterative content analysis and coding procedure. The dialogues were segmented into quotes. Each quote received a content code and a participant code. The number of words per code was used as a unit of analysis to quantitatively compare the contributions to the dialogues made by supervisors and trainees, and the attention given to different topics. The dialogues were usually analytical reflections on a trainee's diagnostic reasoning. A hypothetico-deductive strategy was often used, by listing differential diagnoses and discussing what information guided the reasoning process and might confirm or exclude provisional hypotheses. Gut feelings were discussed in seven dialogues. They were used as a tool in diagnostic reasoning, inducing analytical reflection, sometimes on the entire diagnostic reasoning process. The emphasis in these tutorial dialogues was on analytical components of diagnostic reasoning. Discussing gut feelings in tutorial dialogues seems to be a good educational method to familiarize trainees with non-analytical reasoning. Supervisors need specialised knowledge about these aspects of diagnostic reasoning and how to deal with them in medical education.

[Clinical features of a Chinese pedigree with Waardenburg syndrome type 2].

PubMed

Yang, Shu-zhi; Yuan, Hui-jun; Bai, Lin-na; Cao, Ju-yang; Xu, Ye; Shen, Wei-dong; Ji, Fei; Yang, Wei-yan

2005-10-12

To investigate detailed clinical features of a Chinese pedigree with Waardenburg syndrome type 2. Members of this pedigree were interviewed to identify personal or family medical histories of hearing loss, the use of aminoglycosides, and other clinical abnormalities by filling questionnaire. The audiological and other clinical evaluations of the proband and other members of this family were conducted, including pure-tone audiometry, immittance and auditory brain-stem response and ophthalmological, dermatologic, hair, temporal bone CT examinations. This family is categorized as Waardenburg syndrome type 2 according to its clinical features. It's an autosomal dominant disorder with incomplete penetrance. The clinical features varied greatly among family members and characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, heterochromia irides, freckle on the face and premature gray hair. Hearing loss can be unilateral or bilateral, congenital or late onset in this family. This Chinese family has some unique clinical features comparing with the international diagnostic criteria for Waardenburg syndrome. This study may provide some evidences to amend the diagnostic criteria for Waardenburg syndrome in Chinese population.

Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma: a review of the diagnostic imaging features of four jaw cases.

PubMed

Chan, K C; Pharoah, M; Lee, L; Weinreb, I; Perez-Ordonez, B

2013-01-01

The purpose of this case series is to present the common features of intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma (IMC) of the jaws in plain film and CT imaging. Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists reviewed and characterized the common features of four biopsy-proven cases of IMC in the jaws in plain film and CT imaging obtained from the files of the Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. The common features are a well-defined sclerotic periphery, the presence of internal amorphous sclerotic bone and numerous small loculations, lack of septae bordering many of the loculations, and expansion and perforation of the outer cortical plate with extension into surrounding soft tissue. Other characteristics include tooth displacement and root resorption. The four cases of IMC reviewed have common imaging characteristics. All cases share some diagnostic imaging features with other multilocular-appearing entities of the jaws. However, the presence of amorphous sclerotic bone and malignant characteristics can be useful in the differential diagnosis.

Broad fibrovascular cores may not be an exclusively benign feature in papillary lesions of the breast: a cautionary note.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Rin; Tanaka, Maki; Tse, Gary M; Yamaguchi, Miki; Terasaki, Hiroshi; Nomura, Yoriko; Takenaka, Miki; Naito, Yoshiki; Akiba, Jun; Yano, Hirohisa

2014-03-01

A prominent fibrovascular stromal core is one of the widely accepted histological features of breast papillomas, but some papillary carcinomas also show such broad fibrovascular cores, leading to confusion in diagnosis, particularly in needle biopsy specimens. We investigated the histological characteristics of papillary lesions, focusing on broad fibrovascular cores and their relationship with the architectural patterns. Among 185 cases of needle biopsies of papillomas and papillary carcinomas, the number of cases with broad fibrovascular cores in each group was compared. The broad fibrovascular core density in the subsequently resected specimens was evaluated and compared between papillary predominant pattern (papillary structures >80% of tumours) and mixed pattern (papillary, solid, cribriform and others) within the lesions. Significantly more papillary carcinomas than papillomas and B3 atypical papillary lesions had broad fibrovascular cores (p=0.0091 and p=0.0164, respectively). The papillary predominant pattern was more prominent in carcinomas than in papillomas in the needle biopsies (p=0.048) and showed the same tendency in the resections (p=0.058). The broad fibrovascular core density was significantly lower in the 18 papillomas than in the 37 papillary carcinomas (p=0.0079) and was not significantly different between the papillary predominant and mixed patterns in carcinomas and papillomas. Broad fibrovascular cores in mammary papillary lesions are not specific for papillomas, as they are also present focally in papillary carcinomas. As the frequency of papillary carcinoma with broad fibrovascular cores is relatively high, caution in diagnosis has to be exercised, especially in needle biopsy specimens.

[Diagnostics and surgical treatment of lung cancer in conditions of special thoracal department for patients with purulent lung diseases].

PubMed

Deĭnega, I V; Egorov, V I; Ionov, P M; Akopov, A L

2014-01-01

The authors investigated features of diagnostics and surgical treatment of lung cancer which was complicated by purulent destructive process. The possibilities of radical operative intervention were considered after preliminary adequate treatment of purulent complications in 226 patients. It was noted, that the diagnostic thoracotomy should be used in doubtful cases in order to estimate the resectability of lung cancer.

Aptahistochemistry in diagnostic pathology: technical scrutiny and feasibility.

PubMed

Bukari, Bakhtiar A; Citartan, Marimuthu; Ch'ng, Ewe Seng; Bilibana, Mawethu P; Rozhdestvensky, Timofey; Tang, Thean-Hock

2017-05-01

Antibodies have been the workhorse for diagnostic immunohistochemistry to specifically interrogate the expression of certain protein to aid in histopathological diagnosis. This review introduces another dimension of histochemistry that employs aptamers as the core tool, the so-called aptahistochemistry. Aptamers are an emerging class of molecular recognition elements that could recapitulate the roles of antibodies. The many advantageous properties of aptamers suited for this diagnostic platform are scrutinized. An in-depth discussion on the technical aspects of aptahistochemistry is provided with close step-by-step comparison to the more familiarized immunohistochemical procedures, namely functionalization of the aptamer as a probe, antigen retrieval, optimization with emphasis on incubation parameters and visualization methods. This review offers rationales to overcome the anticipated challenges in transition from immunohistochemistry to aptahistochemistry, which is deemed feasible for an average diagnostic pathology laboratory.

The Effects of Q-Matrix Design on Classification Accuracy in the Log-Linear Cognitive Diagnosis Model.

PubMed

Madison, Matthew J; Bradshaw, Laine P

2015-06-01

Diagnostic classification models are psychometric models that aim to classify examinees according to their mastery or non-mastery of specified latent characteristics. These models are well-suited for providing diagnostic feedback on educational assessments because of their practical efficiency and increased reliability when compared with other multidimensional measurement models. A priori specifications of which latent characteristics or attributes are measured by each item are a core element of the diagnostic assessment design. This item-attribute alignment, expressed in a Q-matrix, precedes and supports any inference resulting from the application of the diagnostic classification model. This study investigates the effects of Q-matrix design on classification accuracy for the log-linear cognitive diagnosis model. Results indicate that classification accuracy, reliability, and convergence rates improve when the Q-matrix contains isolated information from each measured attribute.

Dementia in the Oldest Old

PubMed Central

Bullain, Szófia S.; Corrada, María M.

2013-01-01

Purpose of Review: This article discusses some of the unique features of dementia in the oldest old, including some of the most common diagnostic challenges, and potential strategies to overcome them. Recent Findings: Advances include new insight into the role of common risk factors and the effects of multiple underlying neuropathologic features for dementia in the oldest old. In addition, this article contains the latest age-specific normative data for commonly used neuropsychological tests for the oldest old. Summary: The oldest old—people aged 90 years and older—are the fastest-growing segment of society and have the highest rates of dementia in the population. The risk factors, diagnostic challenges, and underlying neuropathologic features of dementia are strikingly different in the 90-years-and-older population compared to younger elderly. Special consideration of these unique features of dementia is necessary when evaluating oldest-old subjects with cognitive impairment. PMID:23558489

Comparison of Core-Needle Biopsy and Fine-Needle Aspiration for Evaluating Thyroid Incidentalomas Detected by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: A Propensity Score Analysis.

PubMed

Suh, Chong Hyun; Choi, Young Jun; Lee, Jong Jin; Shim, Woo Hyun; Baek, Jung Hwan; Chung, Han Cheol; Shong, Young Kee; Song, Dong Eun; Sung, Tae Yon; Lee, Jeong Hyun

2017-10-01

This study used a propensity score analysis to assess the roles of core-needle biopsy (CNB) and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in the evaluation of thyroid incidentalomas detected on 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT). The study population was obtained from a historical cohort who underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT between October 2008 and September 2015. Patients were included who underwent ultrasound-guided CNB or FNA for incidental focal uptake of 18 F-FDG in the thyroid gland on PET/CT. The primary study outcomes included the inconclusive result rates in the CNB and FNA groups. The secondary outcome measures included the non-diagnostic result rate and the diagnostic performance for neoplasms. Multivariate analysis, propensity score matching, and inverse probability weighting were conducted. A total of 1360 nodules from 1338 patients were included in this study: 859 nodules from 850 patients underwent FNA, and 501 nodules from 488 patients underwent CNB. Compared to FNA, CNB demonstrated a significantly lower inconclusive result rate in the pooled cohort (23.8% vs. 35.4%; p < 0.001), propensity score-matched cohorts (22.9% vs. 36.6%; p < 0.001), and with inverse probability weighting (22.4% vs. 35.2%; p < 0.001). Non-diagnostic result rates were also significantly lower in CNB than in FNA. The diagnostic performance of the two groups in the pooled and matched cohorts was similar, with no significant differences found. The significantly lower inconclusive result rates in CNB than in FNA were consistent within the propensity score-matched cohorts. Therefore, CNB appears to be a promising diagnostic tool for patients with thyroid incidentalomas detected on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

Application of Ultrasound-Guided Core Biopsy to Minimal-Invasively Diagnose Supraclavicular Fossa Tumors and Minimize the Requirement of Invasive Diagnostic Surgery

PubMed Central

Chen, Chun-Nan; Lin, Che-Yi; Chi, Fan-Hsiang; Chou, Chen-Han; Hsu, Ya-Ching; Kuo, Yen-Lin; Lin, Chih-Feng; Chen, Tseng-Cheng; Wang, Cheng-Ping; Lou, Pei-Jen; Ko, Jenq-Yuh; Hsiao, Tzu-Yu; Yang, Tsung-Lin

2016-01-01

Abstract Tumors of the supraclavicular fossa (SC) is clinically challenging because of anatomical complexity and tumor pathological diversity. Because of varied diseases entities and treatment choices of SC tumors, making the accurate decision among numerous differential diagnoses is imperative. Sampling by open biopsy (OB) remains the standard procedure for pathological confirmation. However, complicated anatomical structures of SC always render surgical intervention difficult to perform. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy (USCB) is a minimally invasive and office-based procedure for tissue sampling widely applied in many diseases of head and neck. This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and utility of using USCB as the sampling method of SC tumors. From 2009 to 2014, consecutive patients who presented clinical symptoms and signs of supraclavicular tumors and were scheduled to receive sampling procedures for diagnostic confirmation were recruited. The patients received USCB or OB respectively in the initial tissue sampling. The accurate diagnostic rate based on pathological results was 90.2% for USCB, and 93.6% for OB. No significant difference was noted between USCB and OB groups in terms of diagnostic accuracy and the percentage of inadequate specimens. All cases in the USCB group had the sampling procedure completed within 10 minutes, but not in the OB group. No scars larger than 1 cm were found in USCB. Only patients in the OB groups had the need to receive general anesthesia and hospitalization and had scars postoperatively. Accordingly, USCB can serve as the first-line sampling tool for SC tumors with high diagnostic accuracy, minimal invasiveness, and low medical cost. PMID:26825877

The factor structure and clinical utility of formal thought disorder in first episode psychosis.

PubMed

Roche, Eric; Lyne, John Paul; O'Donoghue, Brian; Segurado, Ricardo; Kinsella, Anthony; Hannigan, Ailish; Kelly, Brendan D; Malone, Kevin; Clarke, Mary

2015-10-01

Formal thought disorder (FTD) is a core feature of psychosis, however there are gaps in our knowledge about its prevalence and factor structure. We had two aims: first, to establish the factor structure of FTD; second, to explore the clinical utility of dimensions of FTD in order to further the understanding of its nosology. A cross-validation study was undertaken to establish the factor structure of FTD in first episode psychosis (FEP). The relative utility of FTD categories vs. dimensions across diagnostic categories was investigated. The prevalence of clinically significant FTD in this FEP sample was 21%, although 41% showed evidence of disorganised speech, 20% displayed verbosity and 24% displayed impoverished speech. A 3-factor model was identified as the best fit for FTD, with disorganisation, poverty and verbosity dimensions (GFI=0.99, RMR=0.07). These dimensions of FTD accurately distinguished affective from non-affective diagnostic categories. A categorical approach to FTD assessment was useful in identifying markers of clinical acuteness, as identified by short duration of untreated psychosis (OR=2.94, P<0.01) and inpatient treatment status (OR=3.98, P<0.01). FTD is moderately prevalent and multi-dimensional in FEP. Employing both a dimensional and categorical assessment of FTD gives valuable clinical information, however there may be a need to revise our conceptualisation of the nosology of FTD. The prognostic value of FTD, as well as its neural basis, requires elucidation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transjugular liver biopsy with use of the shark jaw needle: diagnostic yield, complications, and cost-effectiveness.

PubMed

Psooy, B J; Clark, T W; Beecroft, J R; Malatjalian, D

2001-01-01

Obtaining transjugular liver biopsy specimens with use of single-use needle systems is expensive, whereas biopsy specimens obtained with use of reusable needle systems are frequently associated with inadequate core specimens. The authors report their experience with the reusable Cook Shark Jaw biopsy needle, including diagnostic yield, complications, and cost-effectiveness. A retrospective audit was performed of a cohort of 134 patients who underwent 136 transjugular liver biopsies with use of a reusable 16-gauge Shark Jaw needle during a 30-month period. Specimen adequacy and complication rates were assessed and direct costs of expendable components calculated. Cost-effectiveness was expressed as cost-per-successful biopsy. Biopsies were technically successful in 126 of 136 (93%) patients, with diagnostic histologic core specimens obtained in 124 of 126 (98%) patients, for an overall success rate of 91%. Complications included capsular penetration in six (4.4%) patients, cardiac arrhythmia in two (1.5%) patients, and puncture site hematoma or bleeding in 10 (7.4%) patients. Three tract embolizations were performed for capsular penetration. No instances of subcapsular hematoma, hemoperitoneum, or sepsis occurred, and no deaths were attributed to the procedure. The cost of expendable components totaled $103 per biopsy, corresponding to a cost-effectiveness of $113/successful biopsy. Transjugular liver biopsy specimens obtained with use of the Shark Jaw needle have a diagnostic yield comparable to those obtained with use of single-use biopsy systems, at a substantially lower cost with no increase in serious complications.

Innovative diagnostics for ITER physics addressed in JET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murari, A.; Edlington, T.; Alfier, A.; Alonso, A.; Andrew, Y.; Arnoux, G.; Beurskens, M.; Coad, P.; Crombe, C.; Gauthier, E.; Giroud, C.; Hidalgo, C.; Hong, S.; Kempenaars, M.; Kiptily, V.; Loarer, T.; Meigs, A.; Pasqualotto, R.; Tala, T.; Contributors, JET-EFDA

2008-12-01

In recent years, JET diagnostic capability has been significantly improved to widen the range of physical phenomena that can be studied and thus contribute to the understanding of some ITER relevant issues. The most significant results reported in this paper refer to the plasma wall interactions, the interplay between core and edge physics and fast particles. A synergy between new infrared cameras, visible cameras and spectroscopy diagnostics has allowed investigating a series of new aspects of the plasma wall interactions. The power loads on the plasma facing components of JET main chambers have been assessed at steady state and during transient events like ELMs and disruptions. Evidence of filaments in the edge region of the plasma has been collected with a new fast visible camera and high resolution Thomson scattering. The physics of detached plasmas and some new aspects of dust formation have also been devoted particular attention. The influence of the edge plasma on the core has been investigated with upgraded active spectroscopy, providing new information on momentum transport and the effects of impurity injection on ELMs and ITBs and their interdependence. Given the fact that JET is the only machine with a plasma volume big enough to confine the alphas, a coherent programme of diagnostic developments for the energetic particles has been undertaken. With upgraded γ-ray spectroscopy and a new scintillator probe, it is now possible to study both the redistribution and the losses of the fast particles in various plasma conditions.

An Overview of Reactor Concepts, a Survey of Reactor Designs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-01

may be very different. HTGRs may use highly enriched uranium, thereby yielding better fuel economy and a reduc- tion of the actual core size for a...specific power level. The HTGR core may have fuel and control rods placed in graphite arrays similar to PWR core con- figuration, or they may have fuel ...rods are pulled out. A Peach Bottom core design is another HTGR design. This design is featured by the fuel pin’s ability to purge itself of fission

Infective endocarditis in drug addicts: role of HIV infection and the diagnostic accuracy of Duke criteria.

PubMed

Cecchi, Enrico; Imazio, Massimo; Tidu, Massimo; Forno, Davide; De Rosa, Francesco Giuseppe; Dal Conte, Ivano; Preziosi, Costantina; Lipani, Filippo; Trinchero, Rita

2007-03-01

Intravenous drug users (IVDUs) are at increased risk of infective endocarditis. Moreover, HIV infection is common in IVDUs, with a reported prevalence of 40-90%. The clinical features of IVDUs with infective endocarditis and HIV infection may be peculiar. Few data have been reported on the diagnostic accuracy of Duke criteria in IVDUs with or without HIV infection, and a comparison of these two populations is lacking. The present study aimed to compare prospectively the clinical features of patients with infective endocarditis with or without HIV infection and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Duke criteria in these patients. The study population consisted of 201 consecutive adult IVDUs with a suspected infective endocarditis (102 patients with HIV infection and 99 patients without HIV infection). Infective endocarditis was the final diagnosis in 40 of 102 patients (38.2%) with HIV infection and in 55 of 99 HIV-negative patients (55.6%). Despite similar baseline features, longer vegetations were recorded in infective endocarditis without HIV infection (23.7 +/- 7.1 mm versus 13.6 +/- 6.8 mm; P = 0.001). Patients with infective endocarditis and HIV infection had a higher total mortality at 2 months (respectively 12.5% versus 1.8%; P = 0.09); almost all the deaths were recorded in patients with AIDS or a CD4 cell count below 200 per microl, and no deaths were recorded in patients with HIV infection and a CD4 cell count > 500 per microl. Despite no identical clinical features, Duke criteria had a similar sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy in IVDUs with and without HIV infection.

The Interrelations of Features of Questions, Mark Schemes and Examinee Responses and Their Impact upon Marker Agreement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Black, Beth; Suto, Irenka; Bramley, Tom

2011-01-01

In this paper we develop an evidence-based framework for considering many of the factors affecting marker agreement in GCSEs and A levels. A logical analysis of the demands of the marking task suggests a core grouping comprising: (i) question features; (ii) mark scheme features; and (iii) examinee response features. The framework synthesises…

Consumable core for manufacture of composite articles and related method

DOEpatents

Taxacher, Glenn Curtis; de Diego, Peter; Gray, Paul Edward; Monaghan, Philip Harold

2017-09-05

Systems, methods and devices adapted to ease manufacture of composite articles (e.g., ceramic composite articles), particularly composite articles which include a hollow feature are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a consumable core formed to be disposed within an inner portion of a composite precursor, the consumable core adapted to convert into an infiltrant during a manufacturing process and infiltrate the composite precursor.

Real-Time 3D Fluoroscopy-Guided Large Core Needle Biopsy of Renal Masses: A Critical Early Evaluation According to the IDEAL Recommendations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kroeze, Stephanie G. C.; Huisman, Merel; Verkooijen, Helena M.

2012-06-15

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT is a promising new technique for image-guided biopsy of solid tumors. We evaluated the technical feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, and complications of this technique for guidance of large-core needle biopsy in patients with suspicious renal masses. Methods: Thirteen patients with 13 suspicious renal masses underwent large-core needle biopsy under 3D real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT guidance. Imaging acquisition and subsequent 3D reconstruction was done by a mobile flat-panel detector (FD) C-arm system to plan the needle path. Large-core needle biopsies were taken by the interventional radiologist. Technical success, accuracy, and safety were evaluatedmore » according to the Innovation, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term study (IDEAL) recommendations. Results: Median tumor size was 2.6 (range, 1.0-14.0) cm. In ten (77%) patients, the histological diagnosis corresponded to the imaging findings: five were malignancies, five benign lesions. Technical feasibility was 77% (10/13); in three patients biopsy results were inconclusive. The lesion size of these three patients was <2.5 cm. One patient developed a minor complication. Median follow-up was 16.0 (range, 6.4-19.8) months. Conclusions: 3D real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT-guided biopsy of renal masses is feasible and safe. However, these first results suggest that diagnostic accuracy may be limited in patients with renal masses <2.5 cm.« less

The ritual abuse of children: clinical features and diagnostic reasoning.

PubMed

Nurcombe, B; Unützer, J

1991-03-01

A case of alleged ritual sexual abuse is presented. Clinical recognition and diagnostic reasoning are discussed. After a brief account of modern satanism, it is concluded that, although the evidence for the occurrence of ritual abuse is sketchy, a high index of suspicion is appropriate.

Hybrid Optical-Ultrasonic Technique for Biomedical Diagnostics

PubMed Central

Marcu, L.; Sun, Y.; Stephens, D.; Park, J.; Farwell, D. G.; Shung, K. K.

2010-01-01

We report the development of a diagnostic system combining time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and ultrasound backscatter microscopy and its application in diagnosis of tumors and atherosclerotic disease. This system allows for concurrent evaluation of distinct compositional, functional, and micro-anatomical features of normal and diseased tissues. PMID:21918737

Networking in autism: leveraging genetic, biomarker and model system findings in the search for new treatments.

PubMed

Veenstra-VanderWeele, Jeremy; Blakely, Randy D

2012-01-01

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 1% of children. ASD is defined by core symptoms in two domains: negative symptoms of impairment in social and communication function, and positive symptoms of restricted and repetitive behaviors. Available treatments are inadequate for treating both core symptoms and associated conditions. Twin studies indicate that ASD susceptibility has a large heritable component. Genetic studies have identified promising leads, with converging insights emerging from single-gene disorders that bear ASD features, with particular interest in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-linked synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Mouse models of these disorders are revealing not only opportunities to model behavioral perturbations across species, but also evidence of postnatal rescue of brain and behavioral phenotypes. An intense search for ASD biomarkers has consistently pointed to elevated platelet serotonin (5-HT) levels and a surge in brain growth in the first 2 years of life. Following a review of the diversity of ASD phenotypes and its genetic origins and biomarkers, we discuss opportunities for translation of these findings into novel ASD treatments, focusing on mTor- and 5-HT-signaling pathways, and their possible intersection. Paralleling the progress made in understanding the root causes of rare genetic syndromes that affect cognitive development, we anticipate progress in models systems using bona fide ASD-associated molecular changes that have the potential to accelerate the development of ASD diagnostics and therapeutics.

Networking in Autism: Leveraging Genetic, Biomarker and Model System Findings in the Search for New Treatments

PubMed Central

Veenstra-VanderWeele, Jeremy; Blakely, Randy D

2012-01-01

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 1% of children. ASD is defined by core symptoms in two domains: negative symptoms of impairment in social and communication function, and positive symptoms of restricted and repetitive behaviors. Available treatments are inadequate for treating both core symptoms and associated conditions. Twin studies indicate that ASD susceptibility has a large heritable component. Genetic studies have identified promising leads, with converging insights emerging from single-gene disorders that bear ASD features, with particular interest in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-linked synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Mouse models of these disorders are revealing not only opportunities to model behavioral perturbations across species, but also evidence of postnatal rescue of brain and behavioral phenotypes. An intense search for ASD biomarkers has consistently pointed to elevated platelet serotonin (5-HT) levels and a surge in brain growth in the first 2 years of life. Following a review of the diversity of ASD phenotypes and its genetic origins and biomarkers, we discuss opportunities for translation of these findings into novel ASD treatments, focusing on mTor- and 5-HT-signaling pathways, and their possible intersection. Paralleling the progress made in understanding the root causes of rare genetic syndromes that affect cognitive development, we anticipate progress in models systems using bona fide ASD-associated molecular changes that have the potential to accelerate the development of ASD diagnostics and therapeutics. PMID:21937981

Systematic features of axisymmetric neutrino-driven core-collapse supernova models in multiple progenitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Ko; Takiwaki, Tomoya; Kuroda, Takami; Kotake, Kei

2015-12-01

We present an overview of two-dimensional (2D) core-collapse supernova simulations employing a neutrino transport scheme by the isotropic diffusion source approximation. We study 101 solar-metallicity, 247 ultra metal-poor, and 30 zero-metal progenitors covering zero-age main sequence mass from 10.8 M⊙ to 75.0 M⊙. Using the 378 progenitors in total, we systematically investigate how the differences in the structures of these multiple progenitors impact the hydrodynamics evolution. By following a long-term evolution over 1.0 s after bounce, most of the computed models exhibit neutrino-driven revival of the stalled bounce shock at ˜200-800 ms postbounce, leading to the possibility of explosion. Pushing the boundaries of expectations in previous one-dimensional studies, our results confirm that the compactness parameter ξ that characterizes the structure of the progenitors is also a key in 2D to diagnosing the properties of neutrino-driven explosions. Models with high ξ undergo high ram pressure from the accreting matter onto the stalled shock, which affects the subsequent evolution of the shock expansion and the mass of the protoneutron star under the influence of neutrino-driven convection and the standing accretion-shock instability. We show that the accretion luminosity becomes higher for models with high ξ, which makes the growth rate of the diagnostic explosion energy higher and the synthesized nickel mass bigger. We find that these explosion characteristics tend to show a monotonic increase as a function of the compactness parameter ξ.

Is HCV core antigen a reliable marker of viral load? An evaluation of HCV core antigen automated immunoassay

PubMed Central

Hadziyannis, Emilia; Minopetrou, Martha; Georgiou, Anastasia; Spanou, Fotini; Koskinas, John

2013-01-01

Background Hepatitis C viral (HCV) load detection and quantification is routinely accomplished by HCV RNA measurement, an expensive but essential test, both for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). HCV core antigen (Ag) testing has been suggested as an attractive alternative to molecular diagnostics. The aim of the study was to evaluate an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) for HCV core Ag measurement in comparison to quantitative HCV RNA determination. Methods HCV Ag was measured in 105 anti-HCV positive patients, from which 89 were HCV RNA positive with CHC and 16 HCV RNA negative after spontaneous HCV clearance. Viral load was quantified with branched DNA (bDNA, Versant, Siemens). Sera were stored at -70°C and then tested with the Architect HCV Ag test (Abbott Laboratories), a two-step CLIA assay, with high throughput and minimal handling of the specimens. Statistical analysis was performed on logarithmically transformed values. Results HCV-Ag was detectable and quantifiable in 83/89 and in grey zone in 4/89 HCV RNA positive sera. HCV-Ag was undetectable in all 16 HCV RNA negative samples. The sample with the lowest viral load that tested positive for HCV-Ag contained 1200 IU/mL HCV RNA. There was a positive correlation between HCV RNA and HCV-Ag (r=0.89). The HCV RNA/ HCV Ag ratio varied from 1.5 to 3.25. Conclusion The HCV core Ag is an easy test with comparable sensitivity (>90%) and satisfactory correlation with the HCV RNA bDNA assay. Its role in diagnostics and other clinical applications has to be determined based on cost effectiveness. PMID:24714621

Characterizing the Weeks Island Salt Dome drilling of and seismic measurements from boreholes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sattler, A.R.; Harding, R.S.; Jacobson, R.D.

1996-10-01

A sinkhole 36 ft across, 30 ft deep was first observed in the alluvium over the Weeks Island Salt Dome (salt mine converted for oil storage by US Strategic Petroleum Reserve) May 1992. Four vertical, two slanted boreholes were drilled for diagnostics. Crosswell seismic data were generated; the velocity images suggest that the sinkhole collapse is complicated, not a simple vertical structure. The coring operation was moderately difficult; limited core was obtained through the alluvium, and the quality of the salt core from the first two vertical wells was poor. Core quality improved with better bit selection, mud, and drillingmore » method. The drilling fluid program provided fairly stable holes allowing open hole logs to be run. All holes were cemented successfully (although it took 3 attempts in one case).« less

Investigation and Manipulation of the Local Microenvironment of Spherical Nucleic Acid Nanoconjugates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briley, William Edward

For the past several decades, tremendous efforts have been made by many to battle cancer,one of the leading causes of death in the United States and around the world. Unfortunately, the diagnosis and treatment of many genetically-based disorders such as cancer remains very difficult to this day. This is due to the fact that current technologies are unable to adequately differentiate between healthy and diseased cells. In many cases, state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutics for genetic disorders rely on targeting downstream effects that may be related to, or influenced by aberrations in gene expression, rather than targeting the up- or down-regulated transcripts themselves. This type of targeting can lead to significant off-target effects, which can translate to false positives for diagnostics, and systemic toxicity for therapeutics. This thesis discusses a nanoparticle-based conjugate which aims to increase the specificity of diagnostics, therapeutics, and biological research platforms by targeting RNA transcripts directly. This nanoconjugate, known as the spherical nucleic acid (SNA) is capable of entering live cells with negligible cytotoxicity and immunogenicity, and binding onto targeted RNA transcripts. Chapter one details the properties and synthesis of the SNA, and discusses how the cell entry/transcript binding capabilities of the SNA can be translated into therapeutic and diagnostic platforms. Chapter two then moves into the therapeutic applications of the SNA, discussing a novel platform known as the Sticky-flare, which is capable of detecting and fluorescently labeling target transcripts for real time analysis. Chapter three then investigates the function of the SNA in a therapeutic application. Specifically, the route that topically applied SNAs take to penetrate through skin is elucidated, and is contextualized by comparing the penetration of SNAs with equivalent linear DNA sequences. Linear nucleic acids are typically not capable of effecting gene regulation via topical application in the way that SNAs have been shown to, and the reasons for this are identified and examined. Finally, chapter five investigates whether super-porous materials such as metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are applicable as SNA cores, specifically I analyze if SNAs with a MOF core maintain the ability to enter cells in a way similar to gold core SNAs. It further investigates the complications of analyzing SNAs with high sedimentation rates (S) in cell culture, and the development of a novel method with which to analyze high-S nanoparticle structures. The conclusion of the thesis then mentions future applications of diagnostic and therapeutic SNAs, and how such nanostructures may play a role in molecular biology, as well as cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Exploiting the functional and taxonomic structure of genomic data by probabilistic topic modeling.

PubMed

Chen, Xin; Hu, Xiaohua; Lim, Tze Y; Shen, Xiajiong; Park, E K; Rosen, Gail L

2012-01-01

In this paper, we present a method that enable both homology-based approach and composition-based approach to further study the functional core (i.e., microbial core and gene core, correspondingly). In the proposed method, the identification of major functionality groups is achieved by generative topic modeling, which is able to extract useful information from unlabeled data. We first show that generative topic model can be used to model the taxon abundance information obtained by homology-based approach and study the microbial core. The model considers each sample as a “document,” which has a mixture of functional groups, while each functional group (also known as a “latent topic”) is a weight mixture of species. Therefore, estimating the generative topic model for taxon abundance data will uncover the distribution over latent functions (latent topic) in each sample. Second, we show that, generative topic model can also be used to study the genome-level composition of “N-mer” features (DNA subreads obtained by composition-based approaches). The model consider each genome as a mixture of latten genetic patterns (latent topics), while each functional pattern is a weighted mixture of the “N-mer” features, thus the existence of core genomes can be indicated by a set of common N-mer features. After studying the mutual information between latent topics and gene regions, we provide an explanation of the functional roles of uncovered latten genetic patterns. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed method.

A decision tree algorithm for investigation of model biases related to dynamical cores and physical parameterizations: CESM/CAM EVALUATION BY DECISION TREES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Soner Yorgun, M.; Rood, Richard B.

An object-based evaluation method using a pattern recognition algorithm (i.e., classification trees) is applied to the simulated orographic precipitation for idealized experimental setups using the National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) with the finite volume (FV) and the Eulerian spectral transform dynamical cores with varying resolutions. Daily simulations were analyzed and three different types of precipitation features were identified by the classification tree algorithm. The statistical characteristics of these features (i.e., maximum value, mean value, and variance) were calculated to quantify the difference between the dynamical cores and changing resolutions. Even with the simple and smoothmore » topography in the idealized setups, complexity in the precipitation fields simulated by the models develops quickly. The classification tree algorithm using objective thresholding successfully detected different types of precipitation features even as the complexity of the precipitation field increased. The results show that the complexity and the bias introduced in small-scale phenomena due to the spectral transform method of CAM Eulerian spectral dynamical core is prominent, and is an important reason for its dissimilarity from the FV dynamical core. The resolvable scales, both in horizontal and vertical dimensions, have significant effect on the simulation of precipitation. The results of this study also suggest that an efficient and informative study about the biases produced by GCMs should involve daily (or even hourly) output (rather than monthly mean) analysis over local scales.« less

A decision tree algorithm for investigation of model biases related to dynamical cores and physical parameterizations: CESM/CAM EVALUATION BY DECISION TREES

DOE PAGES

Soner Yorgun, M.; Rood, Richard B.

2016-11-11

An object-based evaluation method using a pattern recognition algorithm (i.e., classification trees) is applied to the simulated orographic precipitation for idealized experimental setups using the National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) with the finite volume (FV) and the Eulerian spectral transform dynamical cores with varying resolutions. Daily simulations were analyzed and three different types of precipitation features were identified by the classification tree algorithm. The statistical characteristics of these features (i.e., maximum value, mean value, and variance) were calculated to quantify the difference between the dynamical cores and changing resolutions. Even with the simple and smoothmore » topography in the idealized setups, complexity in the precipitation fields simulated by the models develops quickly. The classification tree algorithm using objective thresholding successfully detected different types of precipitation features even as the complexity of the precipitation field increased. The results show that the complexity and the bias introduced in small-scale phenomena due to the spectral transform method of CAM Eulerian spectral dynamical core is prominent, and is an important reason for its dissimilarity from the FV dynamical core. The resolvable scales, both in horizontal and vertical dimensions, have significant effect on the simulation of precipitation. The results of this study also suggest that an efficient and informative study about the biases produced by GCMs should involve daily (or even hourly) output (rather than monthly mean) analysis over local scales.« less

Phenomenology of Schizophrenia and the Representativeness of Modern Diagnostic Criteria.

PubMed

Kendler, Kenneth S

2016-10-01

This article aims to determine the degree to which modern operationalized diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia reflect the main clinical features of the disorder as described historically by diagnostic experts. Amazon.com, the National Library of Medicine, and Forgottenbooks.com were searched for articles written or translated into English from 1900 to 1960. Clinical descriptions of schizophrenia or dementia praecox appearing in 16 textbooks or review articles published between 1899 and 1956 were reviewed and compared with the criteria for schizophrenia from 6 modern US operationalized diagnostic systems. Twenty prominent symptoms and signs were reported by 5 or more authors. A strong association was seen between the frequency with which the symptoms/signs were reported and the likelihood of their presence in modern diagnostic systems. Of these 20 symptoms/signs, 3 (thought disorder, delusions, and hallucinations) were included in all diagnostic systems and were among the 4 most frequently reported. Three symptoms/signs were added then kept in subsequent criteria: emotional blunting, changes in volition, and changes in social life. Three symptoms/signs were added but then dropped: bizarre delusions, passivity symptoms, and mood incongruity. Eleven symptoms/signs were never included in any diagnostic system. Compared with historical authors, modern criteria favored symptoms over signs. Odd movements and postures, noted by 16 of 18 historical authors, were absent from all modern criteria. DSM-5 criteria contain 6 of the 20 historically noted symptoms/signs. Although modern operationalized criteria for schizophrenia reflect symptoms and signs commonly reported by historical experts, many clinical features emphasized by these experts are absent from modern criteria. This is not necessarily problematic as diagnostic criteria are meant to index rather than thoroughly describe syndromes. However, the lack of correspondence in schizophrenia between historically important symptoms/signs and current diagnostic systems highlights the limitations of clinical evaluations and research studies that restrict the diagnostic assessments to current diagnostic criteria. We should not confuse our DSM diagnostic criteria with the disorders that they were designed to index.

Prostatic adenocarcinoma with glomeruloid features.

PubMed

Pacelli, A; Lopez-Beltran, A; Egan, A J; Bostwick, D G

1998-05-01

A wide variety of architectural patterns of adenocarcinoma may be seen in the prostate. We have recently encountered a hitherto-undescribed pattern of growth characterized by intraluminal ball-like clusters of cancer cells reminiscent of renal glomeruli, which we refer to as prostatic adenocarcinoma with glomeruloid features. To define the architectural features, frequency, and distribution of prostatic adenocarcinoma with glomeruloid features, we reviewed 202 totally embedded radical prostatectomy specimens obtained between October 1992 and April 1994 from the files of the Mayo Clinic. This series was supplemented by 100 consecutive needle biopsies with prostatic cancer from January to February 1996. Prostatic adenocarcinoma with glomeruloid features was characterized by round to oval epithelial tufts growing within malignant acini, often supported by a fibrovascular core. The epithelial cells were sometimes arranged in semicircular concentric rows separated by clefted spaces. In the radical prostatectomy specimens, nine cases (4.5%) had glomeruloid features. The glomeruloid pattern constituted 5% to 20% of each cancer (mean, 8.33%) and was usually located at the apex or in the peripheral zone of the prostate. Seven cases were associated with a high Gleason score (7 or 8), one with a score of 6, and one with a score of 5. All cases were associated with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and extensive perineural invasion. Pathological stages included T2c (three cases), T3b (four cases), and T3c (two cases); one of the T3b cases had lymph node metastases (N1). Three (3%) of 100 consecutive routine needle biopsy specimens with cancer showed glomeruloid features, and this pattern constituted 5% to 10% of each cancer (mean, 6.7%). The Gleason score was 6 for two cases and 8 for one case. Two cases were associated with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and one case had perineural invasion. Glomeruloid features were not observed in any benign or premalignant lesions, including hyperplasia and intraepithelial neoplasia. Glomeruloid structures in the prostate represent an uncommon but distinctive pattern of growth that is specific for malignancy. Glomeruloid features may be a useful diagnostic clue for malignancy, particularly in some challenging needle biopsy specimens. This pattern of growth is usually seen in high-grade adenocarcinoma, often with extraprostatic extension. Further investigations are required to determine its independent predictive value and correlation with stage and Gleason score.

The role of histopathology in establishing the diagnosis of tuberculous pericardial effusions in the presence of HIV.

PubMed

Reuter, H; Burgess, L J; Schneider, J; Van Vuuren, W; Doubell, A F

2006-02-01

To establish the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the histopathological features of patients presenting with tuberculous pericarditis. A prospective study was carried out at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, South Africa; 36 patients with large pericardial effusions had open pericardial biopsies under general anaesthesia and were included in the study. Patients underwent pericardiocentesis, followed by daily intermittent catheter drainage; a comprehensive diagnostic work-up (including histopathology of the pericardial tissue) was also performed. Histological tuberculous pericarditis was diagnosed according to predetermined criteria. Tuberculous pericarditis was identified in 25 patients, five of whom were HIV+. The presence of granulomatous inflammation (with or without necrosis) and/or Ziehl-Neelsen positivity yielded the best test results (sensitivity 64%, specificity 100% and diagnostic efficiency 75%). Co-infection with HIV impacts on the histopathological features of pericardial tuberculosis and leads to a decrease in the sensitivity of the test. In areas which have a high prevalence of tuberculosis, the combination of a sensitive test such as adenosine deaminase, chest X-ray and clinical features has a higher diagnostic efficiency than pericardial biopsy in diagnosing tuberculous pericarditis.

Going beyond a First Reader: A Machine Learning Methodology for Optimizing Cost and Performance in Breast Ultrasound Diagnosis.

PubMed

Venkatesh, Santosh S; Levenback, Benjamin J; Sultan, Laith R; Bouzghar, Ghizlane; Sehgal, Chandra M

2015-12-01

The goal of this study was to devise a machine learning methodology as a viable low-cost alternative to a second reader to help augment physicians' interpretations of breast ultrasound images in differentiating benign and malignant masses. Two independent feature sets consisting of visual features based on a radiologist's interpretation of images and computer-extracted features when used as first and second readers and combined by adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) and a pruning classifier resulted in a very high level of diagnostic performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.98) at a cost of pruning a fraction (20%) of the cases for further evaluation by independent methods. AdaBoost also improved the diagnostic performance of the individual human observers and increased the agreement between their analyses. Pairing AdaBoost with selective pruning is a principled methodology for achieving high diagnostic performance without the added cost of an additional reader for differentiating solid breast masses by ultrasound. Copyright © 2015 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Confocal microscopy patterns in nonmelanoma skin cancer and clinical applications.

PubMed

González, S; Sánchez, V; González-Rodríguez, A; Parrado, C; Ullrich, M

2014-06-01

Reflectance confocal microscopy is currently the most promising noninvasive diagnostic tool for studying cutaneous structures between the stratum corneum and the superficial reticular dermis. This tool gives real-time images parallel to the skin surface; the microscopic resolution is similar to that of conventional histology. Numerous studies have identified the main confocal features of various inflammatory skin diseases and tumors, demonstrating the good correlation of these features with certain dermatoscopic patterns and histologic findings. Confocal patterns and diagnostic algorithms have been shown to have high sensitivity and specificity in melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Possible present and future applications of this noninvasive technology are wide ranging and reach beyond its use in noninvasive diagnosis. This tool can also be used, for example, to evaluate dynamic skin processes that occur after UV exposure or to assess tumor response to noninvasive treatments such as photodynamic therapy. We explain the characteristic confocal features found in the main nonmelanoma skin tumors and discuss possible applications for this novel diagnostic technique in routine dermatology practice. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España, S.L. and AEDV. All rights reserved.

A Framework for Final Drive Simultaneous Failure Diagnosis Based on Fuzzy Entropy and Sparse Bayesian Extreme Learning Machine

PubMed Central

Ye, Qing; Pan, Hao; Liu, Changhua

2015-01-01

This research proposes a novel framework of final drive simultaneous failure diagnosis containing feature extraction, training paired diagnostic models, generating decision threshold, and recognizing simultaneous failure modes. In feature extraction module, adopt wavelet package transform and fuzzy entropy to reduce noise interference and extract representative features of failure mode. Use single failure sample to construct probability classifiers based on paired sparse Bayesian extreme learning machine which is trained only by single failure modes and have high generalization and sparsity of sparse Bayesian learning approach. To generate optimal decision threshold which can convert probability output obtained from classifiers into final simultaneous failure modes, this research proposes using samples containing both single and simultaneous failure modes and Grid search method which is superior to traditional techniques in global optimization. Compared with other frequently used diagnostic approaches based on support vector machine and probability neural networks, experiment results based on F 1-measure value verify that the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of the proposed framework which are crucial for simultaneous failure diagnosis are superior to the existing approach. PMID:25722717

Diagnostic imaging features of normal anal sacs in dogs and cats.

PubMed

Jung, Yechan; Jeong, Eunseok; Park, Sangjun; Jeong, Jimo; Choi, Ul Soo; Kim, Min-Su; Kim, Namsoo; Lee, Kichang

2016-09-30

This study was conducted to provide normal reference features for canine and feline anal sacs using ultrasound, low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiograph contrast as diagnostic imaging tools. A total of ten clinically normal beagle dogs and eight clinically normally cats were included. General radiography with contrast, ultrasonography and low-field MRI scans were performed. The visualization of anal sacs, which are located at distinct sites in dogs and cats, is possible with a contrast study on radiography. Most surfaces of the anal sacs tissue, occasionally appearing as a hyperechoic thin line, were surrounded by the hypoechoic external sphincter muscle on ultrasonography. The normal anal sac contents of dogs and cats had variable echogenicity. Signals of anal sac contents on low-field MRI varied in cats and dogs, and contrast medium using T1-weighted images enhanced the anal sac walls more obviously than that on ultrasonography. In conclusion, this study provides the normal features of anal sacs from dogs and cats on diagnostic imaging. Further studies including anal sac evaluation are expected to investigate disease conditions.

Diagnostic imaging features of normal anal sacs in dogs and cats

PubMed Central

Jung, Yechan; Jeong, Eunseok; Park, Sangjun; Jeong, Jimo; Choi, Ul Soo; Kim, Min-Su; Kim, Namsoo

2016-01-01

This study was conducted to provide normal reference features for canine and feline anal sacs using ultrasound, low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiograph contrast as diagnostic imaging tools. A total of ten clinically normal beagle dogs and eight clinically normally cats were included. General radiography with contrast, ultrasonography and low-field MRI scans were performed. The visualization of anal sacs, which are located at distinct sites in dogs and cats, is possible with a contrast study on radiography. Most surfaces of the anal sacs tissue, occasionally appearing as a hyperechoic thin line, were surrounded by the hypoechoic external sphincter muscle on ultrasonography. The normal anal sac contents of dogs and cats had variable echogenicity. Signals of anal sac contents on low-field MRI varied in cats and dogs, and contrast medium using T1-weighted images enhanced the anal sac walls more obviously than that on ultrasonography. In conclusion, this study provides the normal features of anal sacs from dogs and cats on diagnostic imaging. Further studies including anal sac evaluation are expected to investigate disease conditions. PMID:26645338

Clinicopathological correlations in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.

PubMed

Perry, David C; Brown, Jesse A; Possin, Katherine L; Datta, Samir; Trujillo, Andrew; Radke, Anneliese; Karydas, Anna; Kornak, John; Sias, Ana C; Rabinovici, Gil D; Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa; Boxer, Adam L; De May, Mary; Rankin, Katherine P; Sturm, Virginia E; Lee, Suzee E; Matthews, Brandy R; Kao, Aimee W; Vossel, Keith A; Tartaglia, Maria Carmela; Miller, Zachary A; Seo, Sang Won; Sidhu, Manu; Gaus, Stephanie E; Nana, Alissa L; Vargas, Jose Norberto S; Hwang, Ji-Hye L; Ossenkoppele, Rik; Brown, Alainna B; Huang, Eric J; Coppola, Giovanni; Rosen, Howard J; Geschwind, Daniel; Trojanowski, John Q; Grinberg, Lea T; Kramer, Joel H; Miller, Bruce L; Seeley, William W

2017-12-01

Accurately predicting the underlying neuropathological diagnosis in patients with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) poses a daunting challenge for clinicians but will be critical for the success of disease-modifying therapies. We sought to improve pathological prediction by exploring clinicopathological correlations in a large bvFTD cohort. Among 438 patients in whom bvFTD was either the top or an alternative possible clinical diagnosis, 117 had available autopsy data, including 98 with a primary pathological diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), 15 with Alzheimer's disease, and four with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who lacked neurodegenerative disease-related pathology outside of the motor system. Patients with FTLD were distributed between FTLD-tau (34 patients: 10 corticobasal degeneration, nine progressive supranuclear palsy, eight Pick's disease, three frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism associated with chromosome 17, three unclassifiable tauopathy, and one argyrophilic grain disease); FTLD-TDP (55 patients: nine type A including one with motor neuron disease, 27 type B including 21 with motor neuron disease, eight type C with right temporal lobe presentations, and 11 unclassifiable including eight with motor neuron disease), FTLD-FUS (eight patients), and one patient with FTLD-ubiquitin proteasome system positive inclusions (FTLD-UPS) that stained negatively for tau, TDP-43, and FUS. Alzheimer's disease was uncommon (6%) among patients whose only top diagnosis during follow-up was bvFTD. Seventy-nine per cent of FTLD-tau, 86% of FTLD-TDP, and 88% of FTLD-FUS met at least 'possible' bvFTD diagnostic criteria at first presentation. The frequency of the six core bvFTD diagnostic features was similar in FTLD-tau and FTLD-TDP, suggesting that these features alone cannot be used to separate patients by major molecular class. Voxel-based morphometry revealed that nearly all pathological subgroups and even individual patients share atrophy in anterior cingulate, frontoinsula, striatum, and amygdala, indicating that degeneration of these regions is intimately linked to the behavioural syndrome produced by these diverse aetiologies. In addition to these unifying features, symptom profiles also differed among pathological subtypes, suggesting distinct anatomical vulnerabilities and informing a clinician's prediction of pathological diagnosis. Data-driven classification into one of the 10 most common pathological diagnoses was most accurate (up to 60.2%) when using a combination of known predictive factors (genetic mutations, motor features, or striking atrophy patterns) and the results of a discriminant function analysis that incorporated clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological data. © The Author (2017). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Becoming a teacher of clinical reasoning.

PubMed

Trowbridge, Robert L; Olson, Andrew P J

2018-03-28

Diagnostic reasoning is one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of clinical practice. As a result, facility in teaching diagnostic reasoning is a core necessity for all medical educators. Clinician educators' limited understanding of the diagnostic process and how expertise is developed may result in lost opportunities in nurturing the diagnostic abilities of themselves and their learners. In this perspective, the authors describe their journeys as clinician educators searching for a coherent means of teaching diagnostic reasoning. They discuss the initial appeal and immediate applicability of dual process theory and cognitive biases to their own clinical experiences and those of their trainees, followed by the eventual and somewhat belated recognition of the importance of context specificity. They conclude that there are no quick fixes in guiding learners to expertise of diagnostic reasoning, but rather the development of these abilities is best viewed as a long, somewhat frustrating, but always interesting journey. The role of the teacher of clinical reasoning is to guide the learners on this journey, recognizing true mastery may not be attained, but should remain a goal for teacher and learner alike.

Management and treatment of mucosal melanoma of the genital tract.

PubMed

Vaccari, Sabina; Barisani, Alessia; Dika, Emi; Fanti, Pier A; DE Iaco, Pierandrea; Gurioli, Carlotta; Tosti, Giulio

2017-06-01

The melanoma of the genital mucosa is a rare melanocytic neoplasm that affects both sexes. The diagnosis is often delayed; videodermatoscopy may represent a useful diagnostic tool. The treatment is complex and multidisciplinary. We report the main diagnostic features and therapeutic approaches for mucosal melanoma of the genital tract.

Comparison of EUS-guided tissue acquisition using two different 19-gauge core biopsy needles: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, and blinded study

PubMed Central

DeWitt, John; Cho, Chang-Min; Lin, Jingmei; Al-Haddad, Mohammad; Canto, Marcia Irene; Salamone, Ashley; Hruban, Ralph H.; Messallam, Ahmed A.; Khashab, Mouen A.

2015-01-01

Background and study aims: The optimal core biopsy needle for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is unknown. The principle aim of this study is to compare outcomes of EUS-fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) with a new 19-gauge EUS histology needle (ProCore, Cook Medical Inc., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States) to a conventional 19-gauge Tru-Cut biopsy (EUS-TCB) needle (19G, Quick-Core, Cook Medical Inc.). Patients and methods: Patients referred for EUS who require possible histologic biopsy were prospectively randomized to EUS-FNB or EUS-TCB. With the initial needle, ≤ 3 biopsies were obtained until either technical failure or an adequate core was obtained. Patients with suspected inadequate biopsies were crossed over to the other needle and similarly ≤ 3 passes were obtained until adequate cores or technical failure occurred. Technical success, diagnostic histology, accuracy and complication rates were evaluated. Results: Eighty-five patients (mean 58 years; 43 male) were randomized to FNB (n = 44) and TCB (n = 41) with seven patients excluded. Procedure indication, biopsy site, mass size, number of passes, puncture site, overall technical success and adverse events were similar between the two groups. FNB specimens had a higher prevalence of diagnostic histology (85 % vs. 57 %; P = 0.006), accuracy (88 % vs. 62 %; P = 0.02), mean total length (19.4 vs. 4.3 mm; P = 0.001), mean complete portal triads from liver biopsies (10.4 vs. 1.3; P = 0.0004) and required fewer crossover biopsies compared to those of TCB (2 % vs. 65 %; P = 0.0001). Overall technical success and complication rates were comparable. Conclusion: EUS-FNB using a 19-gauge FNB needle is superior to 19-gauge EUS-TCB needle. PMID:26528504

Acoustic assessment of sound scattering zooplankton in warm- and cold-core eddies in the Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmerman, Robert Allen

Zooplankton and micronekton which cause a density discontinuity with the surrounding seawater reflect acoustic energy. This acoustic backscatter intensity (ABI) was measured using a vessel mounted 153 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler. The ABI was used to describe vertical migration and distribution of sound scatterers in several mesoscale hydrographic features commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico: cold-core rings (CCRs), warm-core Loop Current eddies (LCEs) and the Loop Current (LC). The present paradigm contends that cold- core (cyclonic) features are mesoscale areas of enhanced production due to an influx of new nitrogen to surface waters as a result of divergent flow. The null hypothesis which was tested in this study was that the acoustic signatures of these features were not significantly different from one another. Clear diel differences in all of the features and a robust, positive correlation between ABI and plankton and micronekton wet displacement volume collected in MOCNESS tows in the upper 100 m of the water column were observed. During the day, ABI in CCRs was significantly greater than in LCEs and in the LC with regards to the upper 200 m. However, ABI in the LCEs and LC were not significantly different from each other. During the night, the ABI in the upper 50 m of the CCRs was significantly greater than that in the LCEs and the LC. However, there were no differences between features when ABI at night was summed for the entire upper 200 m, due to substantial vertical migrations of organisms into the upper 200 m of the water column at night. Two LCEs were revisited at an age of 8-9 months after their initial acoustic transects. The null hypothesis that there would be no significant difference in integrated ABI when the LCEs were resampled was rejected: both LCEs showed a reduction in integrated ABI over the upper 200 m. Further investigations into the faunal changes of these features are warranted, but the ADCP should continue to be a useful tool in the examination of the distribution of sound scatterers in mesoscale features in the Gulf of Mexico.

Flux harmonics in large SFR cores in relation with core characteristics such as power peaks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rimpault, G.; Buiron, L.; Fontaine, B.

2013-07-01

Designing future Sodium Fast Reactors (SFR) requires enhancing their operational performance and reducing the probability to go into core disruption. As a consequence of these constraints, these novel reactors exhibit rather unusual features compared to past designs. The cores are much larger with rather flat shape. The consequences of that shape on the core characteristics deserve to be studied. The approach taken in this paper is to calculate the eigenvalue associated to the first harmonic and its associated flux. It is demonstrated that these values are linked to some core features, in particular, those sensitive to spatial effects such asmore » power peaks induced by the movement of control rods. The uncertainty associated to these characteristics is being tentatively studied and guidelines for further studied are being identified. In the development strategy of these new SFR designs, a first demonstration plant of limited installed power (around 1500 MWth) will have to be built first. Identifying the possibility of going later to higher power plants (around 3600 MWth) without facing new challenges is an important criterion for designing such a plant. That strategy is being studied, in this paper, focusing on some rather frequent initiator such as the inadvertent control rod withdrawal for different core sizes with the help of the perturbation theory and the flux harmonics. (authors)« less

The design and performance of IceCube DeepCore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbasi, R.; Abdou, Y.; Abu-Zayyad, T.; Ackermann, M.; Adams, J.; Aguilar, J. A.; Ahlers, M.; Allen, M. M.; Altmann, D.; Andeen, K.; Auffenberg, J.; Bai, X.; Baker, M.; Barwick, S. W.; Bay, R.; Bazo Alba, J. L.; Beattie, K.; Beatty, J. J.; Bechet, S.; Becker, J. K.; Becker, K.-H.; Benabderrahmane, M. L.; BenZvi, S.; Berdermann, J.; Berghaus, P.; Berley, D.; Bernardini, E.; Bertrand, D.; Besson, D. Z.; Bindig, D.; Bissok, M.; Blaufuss, E.; Blumenthal, J.; Boersma, D. J.; Bohm, C.; Bose, D.; Böser, S.; Botner, O.; Brown, A. M.; Buitink, S.; Caballero-Mora, K. S.; Carson, M.; Chirkin, D.; Christy, B.; Clevermann, F.; Cohen, S.; Colnard, C.; Cowen, D. F.; Cruz Silva, A. H.; D'Agostino, M. V.; Danninger, M.; Daughhetee, J.; Davis, J. C.; De Clercq, C.; Degner, T.; Demirörs, L.; Descamps, F.; Desiati, P.; de Vries-Uiterweerd, G.; DeYoung, T.; Díaz-Vélez, J. C.; Dierckxsens, M.; Dreyer, J.; Dumm, J. P.; Dunkman, M.; Eisch, J.; Ellsworth, R. W.; Engdegård, O.; Euler, S.; Evenson, P. A.; Fadiran, O.; Fazely, A. R.; Fedynitch, A.; Feintzeig, J.; Feusels, T.; Filimonov, K.; Finley, C.; Fischer-Wasels, T.; Fox, B. D.; Franckowiak, A.; Franke, R.; Gaisser, T. K.; Gallagher, J.; Gerhardt, L.; Gladstone, L.; Glüsenkamp, T.; Goldschmidt, A.; Goodman, J. A.; Góra, D.; Grant, D.; Griesel, T.; Groß, A.; Grullon, S.; Gurtner, M.; Ha, C.; Haj Ismail, A.; Hallgren, A.; Halzen, F.; Han, K.; Hanson, K.; Heinen, D.; Helbing, K.; Hellauer, R.; Hickford, S.; Hill, G. C.; Hoffman, K. D.; Hoffmann, B.; Homeier, A.; Hoshina, K.; Huelsnitz, W.; Hülß, J.-P.; Hulth, P. O.; Hultqvist, K.; Hussain, S.; Ishihara, A.; Jacobi, E.; Jacobsen, J.; Japaridze, G. S.; Johansson, H.; Kampert, K.-H.; Kappes, A.; Karg, T.; Karle, A.; Kenny, P.; Kiryluk, J.; Kislat, F.; Klein, S. R.; Köhne, J.-H.; Kohnen, G.; Kolanoski, H.; Köpke, L.; Koskinen, D. J.; Kowalski, M.; Kowarik, T.; Krasberg, M.; Kroll, G.; Kurahashi, N.; Kuwabara, T.; Labare, M.; Laihem, K.; Landsman, H.; Larson, M. J.; Lauer, R.; Lünemann, J.; Madsen, J.; Marotta, A.; Maruyama, R.; Mase, K.; Matis, H. S.; Meagher, K.; Merck, M.; Mészáros, P.; Meures, T.; Miarecki, S.; Middell, E.; Milke, N.; Miller, J.; Montaruli, T.; Morse, R.; Movit, S. M.; Nahnhauer, R.; Nam, J. W.; Naumann, U.; Nygren, D. R.; Odrowski, S.; Olivas, A.; Olivo, M.; O'Murchadha, A.; Panknin, S.; Paul, L.; Pérez de los Heros, C.; Petrovic, J.; Piegsa, A.; Pieloth, D.; Porrata, R.; Posselt, J.; Price, P. B.; Przybylski, G. T.; Rawlins, K.; Redl, P.; Resconi, E.; Rhode, W.; Ribordy, M.; Richman, M.; Rodrigues, J. P.; Rothmaier, F.; Rott, C.; Ruhe, T.; Rutledge, D.; Ruzybayev, B.; Ryckbosch, D.; Sander, H.-G.; Santander, M.; Sarkar, S.; Schatto, K.; Schmidt, T.; Schönwald, A.; Schukraft, A.; Schultes, A.; Schulz, O.; Schunck, M.; Seckel, D.; Semburg, B.; Seo, S. H.; Sestayo, Y.; Seunarine, S.; Silvestri, A.; Spiczak, G. M.; Spiering, C.; Stamatikos, M.; Stanev, T.; Stezelberger, T.; Stokstad, R. G.; Stößl, A.; Strahler, E. A.; Ström, R.; Stüer, M.; Sullivan, G. W.; Swillens, Q.; Taavola, H.; Taboada, I.; Tamburro, A.; Tepe, A.; Ter-Antonyan, S.; Tilav, S.; Toale, P. A.; Toscano, S.; Tosi, D.; van Eijndhoven, N.; Vandenbroucke, J.; Van Overloop, A.; van Santen, J.; Vehring, M.; Voge, M.; Walck, C.; Waldenmaier, T.; Wallraff, M.; Walter, M.; Weaver, Ch.; Wendt, C.; Westerhoff, S.; Whitehorn, N.; Wiebe, K.; Wiebusch, C. H.; Williams, D. R.; Wischnewski, R.; Wissing, H.; Wolf, M.; Wood, T. R.; Woschnagg, K.; Xu, C.; Xu, D. L.; Xu, X. W.; Yanez, J. P.; Yodh, G.; Yoshida, S.; Zarzhitsky, P.; Zoll, M.

2012-05-01

The IceCube neutrino observatory in operation at the South Pole, Antarctica, comprises three distinct components: a large buried array for ultrahigh energy neutrino detection, a surface air shower array, and a new buried component called DeepCore. DeepCore was designed to lower the IceCube neutrino energy threshold by over an order of magnitude, to energies as low as about 10 GeV. DeepCore is situated primarily 2100 m below the surface of the icecap at the South Pole, at the bottom center of the existing IceCube array, and began taking physics data in May 2010. Its location takes advantage of the exceptionally clear ice at those depths and allows it to use the surrounding IceCube detector as a highly efficient active veto against the principal background of downward-going muons produced in cosmic-ray air showers. DeepCore has a module density roughly five times higher than that of the standard IceCube array, and uses photomultiplier tubes with a new photocathode featuring a quantum efficiency about 35% higher than standard IceCube PMTs. Taken together, these features of DeepCore will increase IceCube's sensitivity to neutrinos from WIMP dark matter annihilations, atmospheric neutrino oscillations, galactic supernova neutrinos, and point sources of neutrinos in the northern and southern skies. In this paper we describe the design and initial performance of DeepCore.

The Design and Performance of IceCube DeepCore

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stamatikos, M.

2012-01-01

The IceCube neutrino observatory in operation at the South Pole, Antarctica, comprises three distinct components: a large buried array for ultrahigh energy neutrino detection, a surface air shower array, and a new buried component called DeepCore. DeepCore was designed to lower the IceCube neutrino energy threshold by over an order of magnitude, to energies as low as about 10 GeV. DeepCore is situated primarily 2100 m below the surface of the icecap at the South Pole, at the bottom center of the existing IceCube array, and began taking pbysics data in May 2010. Its location takes advantage of the exceptionally clear ice at those depths and allows it to use the surrounding IceCube detector as a highly efficient active veto against the principal background of downward-going muons produced in cosmic-ray air showers. DeepCore has a module density roughly five times higher than that of the standard IceCube array, and uses photomultiplier tubes with a new photocathode featuring a quantum efficiency about 35% higher than standard IceCube PMTs. Taken together, these features of DeepCore will increase IceCube's sensitivity to neutrinos from WIMP dark matter annihilations, atmospheric neutrino oscillations, galactic supernova neutrinos, and point sources of neutrinos in the northern and southern skies. In this paper we describe the design and initial performance of DeepCore.

Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus Production by Aptamers against the Core Protein

PubMed Central

Shi, Shali; Yu, Xiaoyan; Gao, Yimin; Xue, Binbin; Wu, Xinjiao; Wang, Xiaohong; Yang, Darong

2014-01-01

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is essential for virus assembly. HCV core protein was expressed and purified. Aptamers against core protein were raised through the selective evolution of ligands by the exponential enrichment approach. Detection of HCV infection by core aptamers and the antiviral activities of aptamers were characterized. The mechanism of their anti-HCV activity was determined. The data showed that selected aptamers against core specifically recognize the recombinant core protein but also can detect serum samples from hepatitis C patients. Aptamers have no effect on HCV RNA replication in the infectious cell culture system. However, the aptamers inhibit the production of infectious virus particles. Beta interferon (IFN-β) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are not induced in virally infected hepatocytes by aptamers. Domains I and II of core protein are involved in the inhibition of infectious virus production by the aptamers. V31A within core is the major resistance mutation identified. Further study shows that the aptamers disrupt the localization of core with lipid droplets and NS5A and perturb the association of core protein with viral RNA. The data suggest that aptamers against HCV core protein inhibit infectious virus production by disrupting the localization of core with lipid droplets and NS5A and preventing the association of core protein with viral RNA. The aptamers for core protein may be used to understand the mechanisms of virus assembly. Core-specific aptamers may hold promise for development as early diagnostic reagents and potential therapeutic agents for chronic hepatitis C. PMID:24307579

3D Chirp Sonar Images on Fluid Migration Pathways and Their Implications on Seafloor Stability East of the Fangliao Submarine Canyon Offshore SW Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Y. W.; Liu, C. S.; Su, C. C.; Hsu, H. H.; Chen, Y. H.

2015-12-01

This study utilizes both chirp sonar images and coring results to investigate the unstable seafloor strata east of the Fangliao Submarine Canyon offshore southwestern Taiwan. We have constructed 3D chirp sonar images from a densely surveyed block to trace the attitude of an acoustic transparent layer and features caused by fluid activities. Based on the distribution of this transparent layer and fluid-related features, we suggest that this transparent layer forms a pathway for fluid migration which induces fluid-related characters such as acoustic blanking and fluid chimneys in the 3D chirp sonar images. Cored seafloor samples are used in this study to investigate the sediment compositions. The 210Pb activity profiles of the cores show oscillating and unsteady values at about 20~25 cm from core top. The bulk densities of the core samples in the same section (about 20~25 cm from core top) give values lower than those at deeper parts of the cores. These results indicate that the water content is much higher in the shallow sediments than in the deeper strata. From core sample analyses, we deduce that the local sediments are disturbed by liquefaction. From the analyses of 3D chirp sonar images and core data, we suggest that the seafloor east of the Fangliao Submarine Canyon is in an unstable condition, if disturbed by earthquakes, submarine landslides and gravity flows could be easily triggered and cause some geohazards, like breaking submarine cables during the 2006 Pingtung earthquake event.

Diagnostic analysis of liver B ultrasonic texture features based on LM neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Qingyun; Hua, Hu; Liu, Menglin; Jiang, Xiuying

2017-03-01

In this study, B ultrasound images of 124 benign and malignant patients were randomly selected as the study objects. The B ultrasound images of the liver were treated by enhanced de-noising. By constructing the gray level co-occurrence matrix which reflects the information of each angle, Principal Component Analysis of 22 texture features were extracted and combined with LM neural network for diagnosis and classification. Experimental results show that this method is a rapid and effective diagnostic method for liver imaging, which provides a quantitative basis for clinical diagnosis of liver diseases.

Diagnostic Approach to Pediatric Spine Disorders.

PubMed

Rossi, Andrea; Martinetti, Carola; Morana, Giovanni; Severino, Mariasavina; Tortora, Domenico

2016-08-01

Understanding the developmental features of the pediatric spine and spinal cord, including embryologic steps and subsequent growth of the osteocartilaginous spine and contents is necessary for interpretation of the pathologic events that may affect the pediatric spine. MR imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients suspected of harboring spinal abnormalities, whereas computed tomography and ultrasonography play a more limited, complementary role. This article discusses the embryologic and developmental anatomy features of the spine and spinal cord, together with some technical points and pitfalls, and the most common indications for pediatric spinal MR imaging. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Unsupervised Fault Diagnosis of a Gear Transmission Chain Using a Deep Belief Network

PubMed Central

He, Jun; Yang, Shixi; Gan, Chunbiao

2017-01-01

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, which can effectively analyze massive amounts of fault data and automatically provide accurate diagnosis results, have been widely applied to fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. Conventional AI methods are applied using features selected by a human operator, which are manually extracted based on diagnostic techniques and field expertise. However, developing robust features for each diagnostic purpose is often labour-intensive and time-consuming, and the features extracted for one specific task may be unsuitable for others. In this paper, a novel AI method based on a deep belief network (DBN) is proposed for the unsupervised fault diagnosis of a gear transmission chain, and the genetic algorithm is used to optimize the structural parameters of the network. Compared to the conventional AI methods, the proposed method can adaptively exploit robust features related to the faults by unsupervised feature learning, thus requires less prior knowledge about signal processing techniques and diagnostic expertise. Besides, it is more powerful at modelling complex structured data. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using datasets from rolling bearings and gearbox. To show the superiority of the proposed method, its performance is compared with two well-known classifiers, i.e., back propagation neural network (BPNN) and support vector machine (SVM). The fault classification accuracies are 99.26% for rolling bearings and 100% for gearbox when using the proposed method, which are much higher than that of the other two methods. PMID:28677638

Unsupervised Fault Diagnosis of a Gear Transmission Chain Using a Deep Belief Network.

PubMed

He, Jun; Yang, Shixi; Gan, Chunbiao

2017-07-04

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, which can effectively analyze massive amounts of fault data and automatically provide accurate diagnosis results, have been widely applied to fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. Conventional AI methods are applied using features selected by a human operator, which are manually extracted based on diagnostic techniques and field expertise. However, developing robust features for each diagnostic purpose is often labour-intensive and time-consuming, and the features extracted for one specific task may be unsuitable for others. In this paper, a novel AI method based on a deep belief network (DBN) is proposed for the unsupervised fault diagnosis of a gear transmission chain, and the genetic algorithm is used to optimize the structural parameters of the network. Compared to the conventional AI methods, the proposed method can adaptively exploit robust features related to the faults by unsupervised feature learning, thus requires less prior knowledge about signal processing techniques and diagnostic expertise. Besides, it is more powerful at modelling complex structured data. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using datasets from rolling bearings and gearbox. To show the superiority of the proposed method, its performance is compared with two well-known classifiers, i.e., back propagation neural network (BPNN) and support vector machine (SVM). The fault classification accuracies are 99.26% for rolling bearings and 100% for gearbox when using the proposed method, which are much higher than that of the other two methods.

The Value of Physical Examination: A New Conceptual Framework.

PubMed

Zaman, Junaid; Verghese, Abraham; Elder, Andrew

2016-12-01

The physical examination defines medical practice, yet its role is being questioned increasingly, with statistical comparisons of diagnostic accuracy often the sole metric used against newer technologies. We set out to highlight seven ways in which the physical examination has value beyond diagnostic accuracy to reaffirm its place in the core skills of a physician and guide future research, teaching, and curriculum design. We show that this more comprehensive approach to the physical examination of its "utility" beyond that of reaching a diagnosis can be beneficial to both doctor and patient.

TH-E-201-01: Diagnostic Radiology Residents Physics Curriculum and Updates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sensakovic, W.

The ABR Core Examination stresses integrating physics into real-world clinical practice and, accordingly, has shifted its focus from passive recall of facts to active application of physics principles. Physics education of radiology residents poses a challenge. The traditional method of didactic lectures alone is insufficient, yet it is difficult to incorporate physics teaching consistently into clinical rotations due to time constraints. Faced with this challenge, diagnostic medical physicists who teach radiology residents, have been thinking about how to adapt their teaching to the new paradigm, what to teach and meet expectation of the radiology resident and the radiology residency program.more » The proposed lecture attempts to discuss above questions. Newly developed diagnostic radiology residents physics curriculum by the AAPM Imaging Physics Curricula Subcommittee will be reviewed. Initial experience on hands-on physics teaching will be discussed. Radiology resident who will have taken the BAR Core Examination will share the expectation of physics teaching from a resident perspective. The lecture will help develop robust educational approaches to prepare radiology residents for safer and more effective lifelong practice. Learning Objectives: Learn updated physics requirements for radiology residents Pursue effective approaches to teach physics to radiology residents Learn expectation of physics teaching from resident perspective J. Zhang, This topic is partially supported by RSNA Education Scholar Grant.« less

DNA detection and single nucleotide mutation identification using SERS for molecular diagnostics and global health

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ngo, Hoan T.; Gandra, Naveen; Fales, Andrew M.; Taylor, Steve M.; Vo-Dinh, Tuan

2017-02-01

Nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics at the point-of-care (POC) and in resource-limited settings is still a challenge. We present a sensitive yet simple DNA detection method with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification capability. The detection scheme involves sandwich hybridization of magnetic beads conjugated with capture probes, target sequences, and ultrabright surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) nanorattles conjugated with reporter probes. Upon hybridization, the sandwich probes are concentrated at the detection focus controlled by a magnetic system for SERS measurements. The ultrabright SERS nanorattles, consisting of a core and a shell with resonance Raman reporters loaded in the gap space between the core and the shell, serve as SERS tags for ultrasensitive signal detection. Specific DNA sequences of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and dengue virus 1 (DENV1) were used as the model marker system. Detection limit of approximately 100 attomoles was achieved. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discrimination of wild type malaria DNA and mutant malaria DNA, which confers resistance to artemisinin drugs, was also demonstrated. The results demonstrate the molecular diagnostic potential of the nanorattle-based method to both detect and genotype infectious pathogens. The method's simplicity makes it a suitable candidate for molecular diagnosis at the POC and in resource-limited settings.

Establishing the situated features associated with perceived stress

PubMed Central

Lebois, Lauren A.M.; Hertzog, Christopher; Slavich, George M.; Barrett, Lisa Feldman; Barsalou, Lawrence W.

2016-01-01

We propose that the domain general process of categorization contributes to the perception of stress. When a situation contains features associated with stressful experiences, it is categorized as stressful. From the perspective of situated cognition, the features used to categorize experiences as stressful are the features typically true of stressful situations. To test this hypothesis, we asked participants to evaluate the perceived stress of 572 imagined situations, and to also evaluate each situation for how much it possessed 19 features potentially associated with stressful situations and their processing (e.g., self-threat, familiarity, visual imagery, outcome certainty). Following variable reduction through factor analysis, a core set of 8 features associated with stressful situations—expectation violation, self-threat, coping efficacy, bodily experience, arousal, negative valence, positive valence, and perseveration—all loaded on a single Core Stress Features factor. In a multilevel model, this factor and an Imagery factor explained 88% of the variance in judgments of perceived stress, with significant random effects reflecting differences in how individual participants categorized stress. These results support the hypothesis that people categorize situations as stressful to the extent that typical features of stressful situations are present. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to establish a comprehensive set of features that predicts perceived stress. PMID:27288834

Evaluating the networking characteristics of the Cray XC-40 Intel Knights Landing-based Cori supercomputer at NERSC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doerfler, Douglas; Austin, Brian; Cook, Brandon

There are many potential issues associated with deploying the Intel Xeon Phi™ (code named Knights Landing [KNL]) manycore processor in a large-scale supercomputer. One in particular is the ability to fully utilize the high-speed communications network, given that the serial performance of a Xeon Phi TM core is a fraction of a Xeon®core. In this paper, we take a look at the trade-offs associated with allocating enough cores to fully utilize the Aries high-speed network versus cores dedicated to computation, e.g., the trade-off between MPI and OpenMP. In addition, we evaluate new features of Cray MPI in support of KNL,more » such as internode optimizations. We also evaluate one-sided programming models such as Unified Parallel C. We quantify the impact of the above trade-offs and features using a suite of National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center applications.« less

ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL AND DERMOSCOPIC FEATURES FOR BASAL CELL CARCINOMA NEURAL NETWORK CLASSIFICATION

PubMed Central

Cheng, Beibei; Stanley, R. Joe; Stoecker, William V; Stricklin, Sherea M.; Hinton, Kristen A.; Nguyen, Thanh K.; Rader, Ryan K.; Rabinovitz, Harold S.; Oliviero, Margaret; Moss, Randy H.

2012-01-01

Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. In this research, we examine four different feature categories used for diagnostic decisions, including patient personal profile (patient age, gender, etc.), general exam (lesion size and location), common dermoscopic (blue-gray ovoids, leaf-structure dirt trails, etc.), and specific dermoscopic lesion (white/pink areas, semitranslucency, etc.). Specific dermoscopic features are more restricted versions of the common dermoscopic features. Methods Combinations of the four feature categories are analyzed over a data set of 700 lesions, with 350 BCCs and 350 benign lesions, for lesion discrimination using neural network-based techniques, including Evolving Artificial Neural Networks and Evolving Artificial Neural Network Ensembles. Results Experiment results based on ten-fold cross validation for training and testing the different neural network-based techniques yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve as high as 0.981 when all features were combined. The common dermoscopic lesion features generally yielded higher discrimination results than other individual feature categories. Conclusions Experimental results show that combining clinical and image information provides enhanced lesion discrimination capability over either information source separately. This research highlights the potential of data fusion as a model for the diagnostic process. PMID:22724561

Fan in the F Ring

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-07-20

This mosaic of images from NASA Cassini spacecraft depicts fan-like structures in Saturn tenuous F ring. Bright features are also visible near the core of the ring. Such features suggest the existence of additional objects in the F ring.

[Determination of somatotype of man in cranio-facial personality identification].

PubMed

2004-01-01

On the basis of their independent research and through the analysis of published data the authors suggested quantitative criteria for the diagnosis of a somatotype of man by the dimensional features of the face and skull. M. A. Negasheva method, based on the discriminative analysis of 7 measurement features, was used in the individual diagnosis of a somatotype by V. V. Bunaka scheme (somatotypes-pectoral, muscular, abdominal and indefinite). The authors suggest 2 diagnostic models based on the linear and discriminative analysis of 11 and 7 measurement features for the skull. The diagnostic accuracy in case of main male som-atotypes makes 87 and 64.4%, respectively, with the canonic correlations of 0.574 and 0.292. The designed methods can be used in forensic medicine for the cranio-facial and portrait expertise.

Providing information about diagnostic features at retrieval reduces false recognition.

PubMed

Lane, Sean M; Roussel, Cristine C; Starns, Jeffrey J; Villa, Diane; Alonzo, Jill D

2008-11-01

In the following study, participants encoded blocked DRM word lists and we varied whether they received information before test about the utility of mnemonic features that potentially discriminate between veridical and false memories. The results of three experiments revealed that this manipulation successfully reduced false recognition of critical theme words. We also found that this manipulation was effective for younger but not older adults. Furthermore, calling attention to the features in test instructions alone was sufficient for reducing false recognition and its effectiveness was not enhanced by also asking participants to rate their phenomenal experience. We argue that providing diagnostic information before test allows participants to establish more accurate expectations about the task and thus improves the efficacy of retrieval and monitoring processes that are subsequently engaged.

An open trial of individualized face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychological distress in parents of children after end of treatment for childhood cancer including a cognitive behavioral conceptualization

PubMed Central

Ghaderi, Ata; Ljungman, Gustaf; von Essen, Louise; Ljótsson, Brjánn

2018-01-01

Objective A subgroup of parents of children who have been treated for childhood cancer report high levels of psychological distress. To date there is no empirically supported psychological treatment targeting cancer-related psychological distress in this population. The aim of the current study was to test the feasibility and preliminarily evaluate the effect of individualized face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for parents of children after the end of treatment for childhood cancer. A secondary aim was to present a cognitive behavioral conceptualization of cancer-related distress for these parents. Methods An open trial was conducted where 15 parents of children who had completed successful treatment for cancer three months to five years earlier and who reported psychological distress related to a child’s previous cancer disease were provided CBT at a maximum of 15 sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up using self-reported psychological distress (including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety) and the diagnostic Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Feasibility outcomes relating to recruitment, data collection, and delivery of the treatment were also examined. Individual case formulations for each participant guided the intervention and these were aggregated and presented in a conceptualization detailing core symptoms and their suggested maintenance mechanisms. Results A total of 93% of the participants completed the treatment and all of them completed the follow-up assessment. From baseline to post-assessment, parents reported significant improvements in PTSS, depression, and anxiety with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 0.65–0.92). Results were maintained or improved at a three-month follow-up. At baseline, seven (47%) participants fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and four (29%) fulfilled the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, compared to none at a post-assessment and a follow-up assessment. The resulting cognitive behavioral conceptualization suggests traumatic stress and depression as the core features of distress, and avoidance and inactivity is suggested as the core maintenance mechanisms. Conclusion The treatment was feasible and acceptable to the participants. Significant improvements in distress were observed during the study. Overall, results suggest that the psychological treatment for parents of children after end of treatment for childhood cancer used in the current study is promising and should be tested and evaluated in future studies. PMID:29666751

Comparison of psychotic bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia: an international, multisite study.

PubMed

Tondo, L; Vázquez, G H; Baethge, C; Baronessa, C; Bolzani, L; Koukopoulos, A; Mazzarini, L; Murru, A; Pacchiarotti, I; Pinna, M; Salvatore, P; Sani, G; Selle, V; Spalletta, G; Girardi, P; Tohen, M; Vieta, E; Baldessarini, R J

2016-01-01

Nosological distinctions among schizoaffective disorder (SA), bipolar I disorder with psychotic features (BDp), and schizophrenia (SZ) remain unresolved. We compared 2269 subjects with psychotic features in DSM-IV-TR diagnoses (1435 BDp, 463 SZ, 371 SA) from 8 collaborating international sites, by 12 sociodemographic and clinical measures, all between diagnostic pairs. In bivariate comparisons, SA was consistently intermediate between BDp and SZ for 11/12 features (except onset stressors), and SZ vs. BDp differed in all 12 factors. SA differed from both BDp and SZ in 9/12 factors: SA and BDp were similar in education and suicidal ideation or acts; SA and SZ were similar in education, onset stressors, and substance abuse. Meta-analytic comparisons of diagnostic pairs for 10 categorical factors indicated similar differences of SA from both SZ and BDp. Multivariate modeling indicated significantly independent differences between BDp and SZ (8 factors), SA vs. SZ (5), and BDp vs. SA (3). Measurement variance was similar for all diagnoses. SA was consistently intermediate between BDp and SZ. The three diagnostic groups ranked: BDp > SA > SZ related to lesser morbidity or disability. The findings are not consistent with a dyadic Kraepelinian categorization, although the considerable overlap among the three DSM-IV diagnostic groups indicates uncertain boundaries if they represent distinct disorders. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Diagnostic Performance of Mammographic Texture Analysis in the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Breast Tumors.

PubMed

Li, Zhiming; Yu, Lan; Wang, Xin; Yu, Haiyang; Gao, Yuanxiang; Ren, Yande; Wang, Gang; Zhou, Xiaoming

2017-11-09

The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of mammographic texture analysis in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast tumors. Digital mammography images were obtained from the Picture Archiving and Communication System at our institute. Texture features of mammographic images were calculated. Mann-Whitney U test was used to identify differences between the benign and malignant group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance of texture features. Significant differences of texture features of histogram, gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and run length matrix (RLM) were found between the benign and malignant breast group (P < .05). The area under the ROC (AUROC) of histogram, GLCM, and RLM were 0.800, 0.787, and 0.761, with no differences between them (P > .05). The AUROCs of imaging-based diagnosis, texture analysis, and imaging-based diagnosis combined with texture analysis were 0.873, 0.863, and 0.961, respectively. When imaging-based diagnosis was combined with texture analysis, the AUROC was higher than that of imaging-based diagnosis or texture analysis (P < .05). Mammographic texture analysis is a reliable technique for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast tumors. Furthermore, the combination of imaging-based diagnosis and texture analysis can significantly improve diagnostic performance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Advanced Wireless Integrated Navy Network - AWINN

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-09-30

progress report No. 3 on AWINN hardware and software configurations of smart , wideband, multi-function antennas, secure configurable platform, close-in...results to the host PC via a UART soft core. The UART core used is a proprietary Xilinx core which incorporates features described in National...current software uses wheel odometry and visual landmarks to create a map and estimate position on an internal x, y grid . The wheel odometry provides a

An ancestral host defence peptide within human β-defensin 3 recapitulates the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the full-length molecule

PubMed Central

Nigro, Ersilia; Colavita, Irene; Sarnataro, Daniela; Scudiero, Olga; Zambrano, Gerardo; Granata, Vincenzo; Daniele, Aurora; Carotenuto, Alfonso; Galdiero, Stefania; Folliero, Veronica; Galdiero, Massimiliano; Urbanowicz, Richard A.; Ball, Jonathan K.; Salvatore, Francesco; Pessi, Antonello

2015-01-01

Host defence peptides (HDPs) are critical components of innate immunity. Despite their diversity, they share common features including a structural signature, designated “γ-core motif”. We reasoned that for each HDPs evolved from an ancestral γ-core, the latter should be the evolutionary starting point of the molecule, i.e. it should represent a structural scaffold for the modular construction of the full-length molecule, and possess biological properties. We explored the γ-core of human β-defensin 3 (HBD3) and found that it: (a) is the folding nucleus of HBD3; (b) folds rapidly and is stable in human serum; (c) displays antibacterial activity; (d) binds to CD98, which mediates HBD3 internalization in eukaryotic cells; (e) exerts antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus and herpes simplex virus; and (f) is not toxic to human cells. These results demonstrate that the γ-core within HBD3 is the ancestral core of the full-length molecule and is a viable HDP per se, since it is endowed with the most important biological features of HBD3. Notably, the small, stable scaffold of the HBD3 γ-core can be exploited to design disease-specific antimicrobial agents. PMID:26688341

Hybrid Core-Shell (HyCoS) Nanoparticles produced by Complex Coacervation for Multimodal Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vecchione, D.; Grimaldi, A. M.; Forte, E.; Bevilacqua, Paolo; Netti, P. A.; Torino, E.

2017-03-01

Multimodal imaging probes can provide diagnostic information combining different imaging modalities. Nanoparticles (NPs) can contain two or more imaging tracers that allow several diagnostic techniques to be used simultaneously. In this work, a complex coacervation process to produce core-shell completely biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles (HyCoS) for multimodal imaging applications is described. Innovations on the traditional coacervation process are found in the control of the reaction temperature, allowing a speeding up of the reaction itself, and the production of a double-crosslinked system to improve the stability of the nanostructures in the presence of a clinically relevant contrast agent for MRI (Gd-DTPA). Through the control of the crosslinking behavior, an increase up to 6 times of the relaxometric properties of the Gd-DTPA is achieved. Furthermore, HyCoS can be loaded with a high amount of dye such as ATTO 633 or conjugated with a model dye such as FITC for in vivo optical imaging. The results show stable core-shell polymeric nanoparticles that can be used both for MRI and for optical applications allowing detection free from harmful radiation. Additionally, preliminary results about the possibility to trigger the release of a drug through a pH effect are reported.

Helical core reconstruction of a DIII-D hybrid scenario tokamak discharge

DOE PAGES

Cianciosa, Mark; Wingen, Andreas; Hirshman, Steven P.; ...

2017-05-18

Our paper presents the first fully 3-dimensional (3D) equilibrium reconstruction of a helical core in a tokamak device. Using a new parallel implementation of the Variational Moments Equilibrium Code (PARVMEC) coupled to V3FIT, 3D reconstructions can be performed at resolutions necessary to produce helical states in nominally axisymmetric tokamak equilibria. In a flux pumping experiment performed on DIII-D, an external n=1 field was applied while a 3/2 neoclassical tearing mode was suppressed using ECCD. The externally applied field was rotated past a set of fixed diagnostics at a 20 Hz frequency. Furthermore, the modulation, were found to be strongest in the core SXR and MSE channels, indicates a localized rotating 3D structure locked in phase with the applied field. Signals from multiple time slices are converted to a virtual rotation of modeled diagnostics adding 3D signal information. In starting from an axisymmetric equilibrium reconstruction solution, the reconstructed broader current profile flattens the q-profile, resulting in an m=1, n=1 perturbation of the magnetic axis that ismore » $$\\sim 50\\times $$ larger than the applied n=1 deformation of the edge. Error propagation confirms that the displacement of the axis is much larger than the uncertainty in the axis position validating the helical equilibrium.« less

Helical core reconstruction of a DIII-D hybrid scenario tokamak discharge

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cianciosa, Mark; Wingen, Andreas; Hirshman, Steven P.

Our paper presents the first fully 3-dimensional (3D) equilibrium reconstruction of a helical core in a tokamak device. Using a new parallel implementation of the Variational Moments Equilibrium Code (PARVMEC) coupled to V3FIT, 3D reconstructions can be performed at resolutions necessary to produce helical states in nominally axisymmetric tokamak equilibria. In a flux pumping experiment performed on DIII-D, an external n=1 field was applied while a 3/2 neoclassical tearing mode was suppressed using ECCD. The externally applied field was rotated past a set of fixed diagnostics at a 20 Hz frequency. Furthermore, the modulation, were found to be strongest in the core SXR and MSE channels, indicates a localized rotating 3D structure locked in phase with the applied field. Signals from multiple time slices are converted to a virtual rotation of modeled diagnostics adding 3D signal information. In starting from an axisymmetric equilibrium reconstruction solution, the reconstructed broader current profile flattens the q-profile, resulting in an m=1, n=1 perturbation of the magnetic axis that ismore » $$\\sim 50\\times $$ larger than the applied n=1 deformation of the edge. Error propagation confirms that the displacement of the axis is much larger than the uncertainty in the axis position validating the helical equilibrium.« less

Characterization of a remotely intersected set of hydraulic fractures: Results of intersection well no. 1-B, GRI/DOE multi-site project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Branagan, P.T.; Peterson, R.E.; Warpinski, N.R.

A deviated observation or {open_quotes}intersection{close_quotes} well (IW 1-B) was drilled, cored, logged and tested through an area in a fluvial sandstone reservoir that had previously been hydraulically fractured. The point of intersection with the fractured interval was located 126 ft from the fracture well along one wing of the fracture(s) at a measured depth of 4,675 ft. Direct observations from core and borehole imagery logs in IW 1-B indicate that a total of 11 far-field vertical fractures were created. Clustered in a narrow 2.6-ft-wide interval, these 11 fractures are the direct result of 6 experimental fracture treatments executed in themore » distant frac well over a 4-month period. Diagnostic data acquired through IW I-B included direct core observations and measurements, borehole log imagery, gamma ray (GR) tracer identification, well-to-well pressure transient and fracture conductivity tests, and production logging surveys. The explicit intent in the emplacement of IW 1-B was to provide direct observations and information to characterize the hydraulic fracture(s) in support of a remote-sensing fracture diagnostic program that included microseismic monitoring and inclinometer measurements.« less

Wide-view charge exchange recombination spectroscopy diagnostic for Alcator C-Mod.

PubMed

Rowan, W L; Bespamyatnov, I O; Granetz, R S

2008-10-01

This diagnostic measures temperature, density, and rotation for the fully stripped boron ion between the pedestal top and the plasma core with resolution consistent with the profile gradients. The diagnostic neutral beam used for the measurements generates a 50 keV, 6 A hydrogen beam. The optical systems provide views in both poloidal and toroidal directions. The imaging spectrometer is optimized to simultaneously accept 45 views as input with minimum cross-talk. In situ calibration techniques are applied for spatial location, spectral intensity, and wavelength. In the analysis, measured spectra are fitted to a model constructed from a detailed description of the emission physics. Methods for removal of interfering spectra are included. Applications include impurity and thermal transport.

Developments of scintillator-based soft x-ray diagnostic in LHD with CsI:Tl and P47 scintillators.

PubMed

Bando, T; Ohdachi, S; Suzuki, Y

2016-11-01

Multi-channel soft x-ray (SX) diagnostic has been used in the large helical device (LHD) to research magnetohydrodynamic equilibria and activities. However, in the coming deuterium plasma experiments of LHD, it will be difficult to use semiconductor systems near LHD. Therefore, a new type of SX diagnostic, a scintillator-based type diagnostic, has been investigated in order to avoid damage from the radiation. A fiber optic plate coated by P47 scintillator will be used to detect SX emission. Scintillation light will be transferred by pure silica core optical fibers and detected by photomultiplier tubes. A vertically elongated section of LHD will be covered by a 13 ch. array. Effects from the Deuterium Deuterium neutrons can be negligible when the scintillator is covered by a Pb plate 4 cm in thickness to avoid gamma-rays.

Developments of scintillator-based soft x-ray diagnostic in LHD with CsI:Tl and P47 scintillators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bando, T., E-mail: bando.takahiro@nifs.ac.jp; Ohdachi, S.; Suzuki, Y.

2016-11-15

Multi-channel soft x-ray (SX) diagnostic has been used in the large helical device (LHD) to research magnetohydrodynamic equilibria and activities. However, in the coming deuterium plasma experiments of LHD, it will be difficult to use semiconductor systems near LHD. Therefore, a new type of SX diagnostic, a scintillator-based type diagnostic, has been investigated in order to avoid damage from the radiation. A fiber optic plate coated by P47 scintillator will be used to detect SX emission. Scintillation light will be transferred by pure silica core optical fibers and detected by photomultiplier tubes. A vertically elongated section of LHD will bemore » covered by a 13 ch. array. Effects from the Deuterium Deuterium neutrons can be negligible when the scintillator is covered by a Pb plate 4 cm in thickness to avoid gamma-rays.« less

The Evolution of TMD Diagnosis

PubMed Central

Ohrbach, R.; Dworkin, S.F.

2016-01-01

This review explores the principles and process associated with the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). TMD diagnosis has evolved substantially over the past 25 y. Previously, diagnosis focused solely on aberrations in oral structures, largely without empirical evidence. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) were developed on core principles of 1) a dual-axis system reflecting the biopsychosocial model, 2) a clear operationalization for reliability, and 3) the allowance of multiple diagnoses. These principles were retained in the subsequent validation research of the RDC/TMD, and the current diagnostic system—the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD)—has improved on those principles as well as on diagnostic validity and protocols for assessing the psychosocial domain. Further investigations into etiology and its potential contribution to taxonomy revision are described, particularly within the context of complex disease. The review concludes with an outline of major research areas already underway that will support future revisions of the DC/TMD. PMID:27313164

An integral condition for core-collapse supernova explosions

DOE PAGES

Murphy, Jeremiah W.; Dolence, Joshua C.

2017-01-10

Here, we derive an integral condition for core-collapse supernova (CCSN) explosions and use it to construct a new diagnostic of explodability. The fundamental challenge in CCSN theory is to explain how a stalled accretion shock revives to explode a star. In this manuscript, we assume that the shock revival is initiated by the delayed-neutrino mechanism and derive an integral condition for spherically symmetric shock expansion, v s > 0. One of the most useful one-dimensional explosion conditions is the neutrino luminosity and mass-accretion rate (more » $${L}_{\

The Role of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Core Muscle Injury/Athletic Pubalgia: Diagnosis and Management.

PubMed

Strosberg, David S; Ellis, Thomas J; Renton, David B

2016-01-01

Chronic groin pain in athletes represents a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in sports medicine. Two recognized causes of inguinal pain in the young adult athlete are core muscle injury/athletic pubalgia (CMI/AP) and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). CMI/AP and FAI were previously considered to be two distinct entities; however, recent studies have suggested both entities to frequently coincide in the athlete with groin pain. This article briefly discusses the role of FAI in CMI/AP and the diagnosis and management of this complex disease.

The Role of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Core Muscle Injury/Athletic Pubalgia: Diagnosis and Management

PubMed Central

Strosberg, David S.; Ellis, Thomas J.; Renton, David B.

2016-01-01

Chronic groin pain in athletes represents a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in sports medicine. Two recognized causes of inguinal pain in the young adult athlete are core muscle injury/athletic pubalgia (CMI/AP) and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). CMI/AP and FAI were previously considered to be two distinct entities; however, recent studies have suggested both entities to frequently coincide in the athlete with groin pain. This article briefly discusses the role of FAI in CMI/AP and the diagnosis and management of this complex disease. PMID:26904546

Successful Treatment of Early Talar Osteonecrosis by Core Decompression Combined with Intraosseous Stem Cell Injection: A Case Report.

PubMed

Nevalainen, Mika T; Repo, Jussi P; Pesola, Maija; Nyrhinen, Jukka P

2018-01-01

Osteonecrosis of the talus is a fairly rare condition. Many predisposing factors have been identified including previous trauma, use of corticosteroids, alcoholism, and smoking. As a gold standard, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic examination to detect osteonecrosis. While many treatment options for talar osteonecrosis exist, core decompression is suggested on young patients with good outcome results. More recently, intraosseous stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection has been added to the core decompression procedure. We report a successful treatment of early talar osteonecrosis ARCO I (Association Research Circulation Osseous) by core decompression combined with stem cell and PRP injection. On 3-month and 15-month follow-up, MRI showed complete resolution of the osteonecrotic changes together with clinical improvement. This modified technique is a viable treatment option for early talar osteonecrosis. Nevertheless, future prospects should include a study comparing this combined technique with plain core decompression.

Photoluminescence of double core/shell infrared (CdSeTe)/ZnS quantum dots conjugated to Pseudo rabies virus antibodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torchynska, T. V.; Casas Espinola, J. L.; Jaramillo Gómez, J. A.; Douda, J.; Gazarian, K.

2013-06-01

Double core CdSeTe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with emission at 800 nm (1.60 eV) have been studied by photoluminescence (PL) and Raman scattering methods in the non-conjugated state and after the conjugation to the Pseudo rabies virus (PRV) antibodies. The transformation of PL spectra, stimulated by the electric charge of antibodies, has been detected for the bioconjugated QDs. Raman scattering spectra are investigated with the aim to reveal the CdSeTe core compositions. The double core QD energy diagrams were designed that help to analyze the PL spectra and their transformation at the bioconjugation. It is revealed that the interface in double core QDs has the type II quantum well character that permits to explain the near IR optical transition (1.60 eV) in the double core QDs. It is shown that the essential transformation of PL spectra is useful for the study of QD bioconjugation with specific antibodies and can be a powerful technique in early medical diagnostics.

Patient registries: useful tools for clinical research in myasthenia gravis.

PubMed

Baggi, Fulvio; Mantegazza, Renato; Antozzi, Carlo; Sanders, Donald

2012-12-01

Clinical registries may facilitate research on myasthenia gravis (MG) in several ways: as a source of demographic, clinical, biological, and immunological data on large numbers of patients with this rare disease; as a source of referrals for clinical trials; and by allowing rapid identification of MG patients with specific features. Physician-derived registries have the added advantage of incorporating diagnostic and treatment data that may allow comparison of outcomes from different therapeutic approaches, which can be supplemented with patient self-reported data. We report the demographic analysis of MG patients in two large physician-derived registries, the Duke MG Patient Registry, at the Duke University Medical Center, and the INNCB MG Registry, at the Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, as a preliminary study to assess the consistency of the two data sets. These registries share a common structure, with an inner core of common data elements (CDE) that facilitate data analysis. The CDEs are concordant with the MG-specific CDEs developed under the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Common Data Elements Project. © 2012 New York Academy of Sciences.

Numerical Simulation of the Large-Scale North American Monsoon Water Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bosilovich, Michael G.; Sud, Yogesh C.; Schubert, Siegfried D.; Walker, Gregory K.

2002-01-01

A general circulation model (GCM) that includes water vapor tracer (WVT) diagnostics is used to delineate the dominant sources of water vapor for precipitation during the North American monsoon. A 15-year model simulation carried out with one-degree horizontal resolution and time varying sea surface temperature is able to produce reasonable large-scale features of the monsoon precipitation. Within the core of the Mexican monsoon, continental sources provide much of the water for precipitation. Away from the Mexican monsoon (eastern Mexico and Texas), continental sources generally decrease with monsoon onset. Tropical Atlantic Ocean sources of water gain influence in the southern Great Plains states where the total precipitation decreases during the monsoon onset. Pacific ocean sources do contribute to the monsoon, but tend to be weaker after onset. Evaluating the development of the monsoons, soil water and surface evaporation prior to monsoon onset do not correlate with the eventual monsoon intensity. However, the most intense monsoons do use more local sources of water than the least intense monsoons, but only after the onset. This suggests that precipitation recycling is an important factor in monsoon intensity.

Emotional dysregulation and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

PubMed Central

Stringaris, Argyris; Nigg, Joel; Leibenluft, Ellen

2014-01-01

It has long been recognized that many individuals with ADHD also have difficulties with emotion regulation but lack of consensus on how to conceptualize this clinically challenging domain renders a review timely. The authors examine the current literature using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Three key findings emerge. First, emotion dysregulation is prevalent in ADHD throughout the lifespan and is a major contributor to impairment. Second, emotion dysregulation in ADHD may arise from deficits in orienting towards, recognizing and/or allocating attention to emotional stimuli; these deficits that implicate dysfunction within a striato-amygdalo-medial prefrontal cortical network. Third, while current treatments for ADHD often also ameliorate emotion dysregulation, a focus on this combination of symptoms reframes clinical questions and could stimulate novel therapeutic approaches. Three models to explain the overlap between emotion dysregulation and ADHD are considered: emotion dysregulation and ADHD are correlated but distinct dimensions; emotion dysregulation is a core, diagnostic feature of ADHD; and the combination constitutes a nosological entity, distinct from both ADHD and emotion dysreguation alone. The differing predictions from each model can guide future research into this much-neglected population. PMID:24480998

Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders

PubMed Central

Allen, Andrea; King, Audrey; Hollander, Eric

2003-01-01

The obsessive-compulsive spectrum is an important concept referring to a number of disorders drawn from several diagnostic categories that share core obsessive-compulsive features. These disorders can be grouped by the focus of their symptoms: bodily preoccupation, impulse control, or neurological disorders. Although the disorders are clearly distinct from one another, they have intriguing similarities in phenomenology, etiology, pathophysiology, patient characteristics, and treatment response. In combination with the knowledge gained through many years of research on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the concept of a spectrum has generated much fruitful research on the spectrum disorders. It has become apparent that these disorders can also be viewed as being on a continuum of compulsivity to impulsivity, characterized by harm avoidance at the compulsive end and risk seeking at the impulsive end. The compulsive and impulsive disorders differ in systematic ways that are just beginning to be understood. Here, we review these concepts and several representative obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders including both compulsive and impulsive disorders, as well as the three different symptom clusters: OCD, body dysmorphic disorder, pathological gambling, sexual compulsivity, and autism spectrum disorders. PMID:22033547

The Missing Link between Juvenile Delinquency and Pediatric Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Attachment Theory Lens.

PubMed

Amatya, Pooja L; Barzman, Drew H

2012-01-01

The present paper reviews pediatric posttraumatic stress disorder, emphasizing the relational basis of the disorder and highlighting the missing link between juvenile delinquency and trauma. The first part of the paper defines trauma and the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, noting child-specific features. The second part reviews the literature emphasizing the relational and attachment relevant nature of trauma. The third part explores psychological mechanisms for how attachment relations could affect trauma responses. Attachment relations (1) shape core schemas of the world, others, and the self and (2) foster emotional engagement or disengagement, both of which have been associated with traumatic responses. The most empirically supported pediatric trauma treatment, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), acknowledges the attachment figure's influence and includes treating and training the parent and conjoint child-parent discussion. The next section reviews the noteworthy link between juvenile delinquency and trauma history. More awareness of trauma and PTSD in children and adolescents is recommended to effectively address juvenile delinquency. The review ends with a few helpful points for practicing pediatricians regarding childhood trauma.

Visualizing density perturbations in the capsule shell in NIF implosions near peak velocity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickworth, L. A.; Hammel, B. A.; Smalyuk, V. A.; Macphee, A.; Scott, H. A.; Robey, H. F.; Field, J.; Barrios, M.; Regan, S. P.

2016-10-01

Engineering features on the capsule (surface roughness, support structures, etc.) can introduce outer surface perturbations that are ultimately detrimental to the performance of the capsule. Recent experiments have assessed minimal support structures and alternate pulse shapes using a re-entrant cone and back lighter that is perturbing to the implosion below radii of 500 μ m. Emission from the hot core, after shock-stagnation and prior to peak velocity (PV), has been used as a self-backlighter, providing a means to sample one side of the capsule at smaller radii. Adding high-Z gas ( 1 % Ar) to the capsule fill in Symcaps (4He), has produced a continuum backlighter with significant increase in emission at hv 8 keV over nominal fills. High-resolution imaging diagnostics with photon energy selectivity form 2D images of the transmitted self-emission, above and below the K-edge of an internally doped Cu layer. We can infer from these images the growth at PV of outer surface perturbations. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-ABS-697620.

Installation of the Ignitor Machine at the Caorso Site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Migliori, S.; Pierattini, S.; Bombarda, F.; Faelli, G.; Zucchetti, M.; Coppi, B.

2008-11-01

The actual cost of building a new experiment can be considerably contained if infrastructures are already available on its envisioned site. The facilities of the Caorso site (near Piacenza, Italy) that, at present, houses a spent nuclear power station, have been analyzed in view of their utilization for the operation of the Ignitor machine. The main feature of the site is its robust connection to the electrical national power grid that can take the disturbance caused by Ignitor discharges with the highest magnetic fields and plasma currents, avoiding the need for rotating flywheels generators. Other assets include a vast building that can be modified to house the machine core and the associated diagnostic systems. A layout of the Ignitor plant, including the tritium laboratory and other service areas, the distribution of the components of the electrical power supply system and of the He gas cooling sytem are presented. Relevant safety issues have been analyzed, based on the in depth activation analysis of the machine components carried out by means of the FISPAC code. Waste management and environment impact issues, including risk to the population assessments, have also been addressed.

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine recommended sports ultrasound curriculum for sports medicine fellowships.

PubMed

Finnoff, Jonathan T; Berkoff, David; Brennan, Fred; DiFiori, John; Hall, Mederic M; Harmon, Kimberly; Lavallee, Mark; Martin, Sean; Smith, Jay; Stovak, Mark

2015-02-01

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) developed a musculoskeletal ultrasound curriculum for sports medicine fellowships in 2010. As the use of diagnostic and interventional ultrasound in sports medicine has evolved, it became clear that the curriculum needed to be updated. Furthermore, the name 'musculoskeletal ultrasound' was changed to 'sports ultrasound' (SPORTS US) to reflect the broad range of diagnostic and interventional applications of ultrasound in sports medicine. This document was created to outline the core competencies of SPORTS US and to provide sports medicine fellowship directors and others interested in SPORTS US education with a guide to create a SPORTS US curriculum. By completing this SPORTS US curriculum, sports medicine fellows and physicians can attain proficiency in the core competencies of SPORTS US required for the practice of sports medicine. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Analysis of time-resolved argon line spectra from OMEGA direct-drive implosions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Florido, R.; Nagayama, T.; Mancini, R. C.

2008-10-15

We discuss the observation and data analysis of argon K-shell line spectra from argon-doped deuterium-filled OMEGA direct-drive implosion cores based on data recorded with two streaked crystal spectrometers. The targets were 870 {mu}m in diameter, 27 {mu}m wall thickness plastic shells filled with 20 atm of deuterium gas, and a tracer amount of argon for diagnostic purposes. The argon K-shell line spectrum is primarily emitted at the collapse of the implosion and its analysis provides a spectroscopic diagnostic of the core implosion conditions. The observed spectra includes the He{alpha}, Ly{alpha}, He{beta}, He{gamma}, Ly{beta}, and Ly{gamma} line emissions and their associatedmore » He- and Li-like satellites thus covering a broad photon energy range from 3100 to 4200 eV with a spectral resolution power of approximately 500. The data analysis relies on detailed atomic and spectral models that take into account nonequilibrium collisional-radiative atomic kinetics, Stark-broadened line shapes, and radiation transport calculations.« less

Sampling and Analysis of Impact Crater Residues found on the Wide Field Planetary Camera-2 Radiator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kearsley, A. T.; Grime, G. W.; Colaux, J. L.; Jeynes, C.; Palitsin, V. V.; Webb, R. P.; Griffin, T. J.; Reed, B. B.; Anz-Meador, P. D.; Kou, J.-C.;

Sensitivity of revised diagnostic criteria for the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia

PubMed Central

Hodges, John R.; Knopman, David; Mendez, Mario F.; Kramer, Joel H.; Neuhaus, John; van Swieten, John C.; Seelaar, Harro; Dopper, Elise G. P.; Onyike, Chiadi U.; Hillis, Argye E.; Josephs, Keith A.; Boeve, Bradley F.; Kertesz, Andrew; Seeley, William W.; Rankin, Katherine P.; Johnson, Julene K.; Gorno-Tempini, Maria-Luisa; Rosen, Howard; Prioleau-Latham, Caroline E.; Lee, Albert; Kipps, Christopher M.; Lillo, Patricia; Piguet, Olivier; Rohrer, Jonathan D.; Rossor, Martin N.; Warren, Jason D.; Fox, Nick C.; Galasko, Douglas; Salmon, David P.; Black, Sandra E.; Mesulam, Marsel; Weintraub, Sandra; Dickerson, Brad C.; Diehl-Schmid, Janine; Pasquier, Florence; Deramecourt, Vincent; Lebert, Florence; Pijnenburg, Yolande; Chow, Tiffany W.; Manes, Facundo; Grafman, Jordan; Cappa, Stefano F.; Freedman, Morris; Grossman, Murray; Miller, Bruce L.

2011-01-01

Based on the recent literature and collective experience, an international consortium developed revised guidelines for the diagnosis of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia. The validation process retrospectively reviewed clinical records and compared the sensitivity of proposed and earlier criteria in a multi-site sample of patients with pathologically verified frontotemporal lobar degeneration. According to the revised criteria, ‘possible’ behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia requires three of six clinically discriminating features (disinhibition, apathy/inertia, loss of sympathy/empathy, perseverative/compulsive behaviours, hyperorality and dysexecutive neuropsychological profile). ‘Probable’ behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia adds functional disability and characteristic neuroimaging, while behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia ‘with definite frontotemporal lobar degeneration’ requires histopathological confirmation or a pathogenic mutation. Sixteen brain banks contributed cases meeting histopathological criteria for frontotemporal lobar degeneration and a clinical diagnosis of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies or vascular dementia at presentation. Cases with predominant primary progressive aphasia or extra-pyramidal syndromes were excluded. In these autopsy-confirmed cases, an experienced neurologist or psychiatrist ascertained clinical features necessary for making a diagnosis according to previous and proposed criteria at presentation. Of 137 cases where features were available for both proposed and previously established criteria, 118 (86%) met ‘possible’ criteria, and 104 (76%) met criteria for ‘probable’ behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia. In contrast, 72 cases (53%) met previously established criteria for the syndrome (P < 0.001 for comparison with ‘possible’ and ‘probable’ criteria). Patients who failed to meet revised criteria were significantly older and most had atypical presentations with marked memory impairment. In conclusion, the revised criteria for behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia improve diagnostic accuracy compared with previously established criteria in a sample with known frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Greater sensitivity of the proposed criteria may reflect the optimized diagnostic features, less restrictive exclusion features and a flexible structure that accommodates different initial clinical presentations. Future studies will be needed to establish the reliability and specificity of these revised diagnostic guidelines. PMID:21810890

Evaluation of the MoleMate training program for assessment of suspicious pigmented lesions in primary care.

PubMed

Wood, Annabel; Morris, Helen; Emery, Jon; Hall, Per N; Cotton, Symon; Prevost, A Toby; Walter, Fiona M

2008-01-01

Pigmented skin lesions or 'moles' are a common presenting problem in general practice consultations: while the majority are benign, a minority are malignant melanomas. The MoleMate system is a novel diagnostic tool which incorporates spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy) within a non-invasive scanning technique and utilises a diagnostic algorithm specifically developed for use in primary care. The MoleMate training program is a short, computer-based course developed to train primary care practitioners to operate the MoleMate diagnostic tool. This pre-trial study used mixed methods to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a computer-based training program CD-ROM, developed to teach primary care practitioners to identify the seven features of suspicious pigmented lesions (SPLs) seen with the MoleMate system. Twenty-five practitioners worked through the MoleMate training program: data on feature recognition and time taken to conduct the assessment of each lesion were collected. Acceptability of the training program and the MoleMate system in general was assessed by questionnaire. The MoleMate training program improved users' feature recognition by 10% (pre-test median 73.8%, p<0.001), and reduced the time taken to complete assessment of 30 SPLs (pre-test median 21 minutes 53 seconds, median improvement 3 minutes 17 seconds, p<0.001). All practitioners' feature recognition improved (21/21), with most also improving their time (18/21). Practitioners rated the training program as effective and easy to use. The MoleMate training program is a potentially effective and acceptable informatics tool to teach practitioners to recognise the features of SPLs identified by the MoleMate system. It will be used as part of the intervention in a randomised controlled trial to compare the diagnostic accuracy and appropriate referral rates of practitioners using the MoleMate system with best practice in primary care.

FORTRAN programs to process Magsat data for lithospheric, external field, and residual core components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alsdorf, Douglas E.; Vonfrese, Ralph R. B.

1994-01-01

The FORTRAN programs supplied in this document provide a complete processing package for statistically extracting residual core, external field and lithospheric components in Magsat observations. To process the individual passes: (1) orbits are separated into dawn and dusk local times and by altitude, (2) passes are selected based on the variance of the magnetic field observations after a least-squares fit of the core field is removed from each pass over the study area, and (3) spatially adjacent passes are processed with a Fourier correlation coefficient filter to separate coherent and non-coherent features between neighboring tracks. In the second state of map processing: (1) data from the passes are normalized to a common altitude and gridded into dawn and dusk maps with least squares collocation, (2) dawn and dusk maps are correlated with a Fourier correlation efficient filter to separate coherent and non-coherent features; the coherent features are averaged to produce a total field grid, (3) total field grids from all altitudes are continued to a common altitude, correlation filtered for coherent anomaly features, and subsequently averaged to produce the final total field grid for the study region, and (4) the total field map is differentially reduced to the pole.

Association between background parenchymal enhancement of breast MRI and BIRADS rating change in the subsequent screening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aghaei, Faranak; Mirniaharikandehei, Seyedehnafiseh; Hollingsworth, Alan B.; Stoug, Rebecca G.; Pearce, Melanie; Liu, Hong; Zheng, Bin

2018-03-01

Although breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used as a breast cancer screening modality for high-risk women, its cancer detection yield remains low (i.e., <= 3%). Thus, increasing breast MRI screening efficacy and cancer detection yield is an important clinical issue in breast cancer screening. In this study, we investigated association between the background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) of breast MRI and the change of diagnostic (BIRADS) status in the next subsequent breast MRI screening. A dataset with 65 breast MRI screening cases was retrospectively assembled. All cases were rated BIRADS-2 (benign findings). In the subsequent screening, 4 cases were malignant (BIRADS-6), 48 remained BIRADS-2 and 13 were downgraded to negative (BIRADS-1). A computer-aided detection scheme was applied to process images of the first set of breast MRI screening. Total of 33 features were computed including texture feature and global BPE features. Texture features were computed from either a gray-level co-occurrence matrix or a gray level run length matrix. Ten global BPE features were also initially computed from two breast regions and bilateral difference between the left and right breasts. Box-plot based analysis shows positive association between texture features and BIRADS rating levels in the second screening. Furthermore, a logistic regression model was built using optimal features selected by a CFS based feature selection method. Using a leave-one-case-out based cross-validation method, classification yielded an overall 75% accuracy in predicting the improvement (or downgrade) of diagnostic status (to BIRAD-1) in the subsequent breast MRI screening. This study demonstrated potential of developing a new quantitative imaging marker to predict diagnostic status change in the short-term, which may help eliminate a high fraction of unnecessary repeated breast MRI screenings and increase the cancer detection yield.

Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: AMH in combination with clinical symptoms.

PubMed

Sahmay, Sezai; Aydin, Yavuz; Oncul, Mahmut; Senturk, Levent M

2014-02-01

We assessed the utility of using anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and clinical features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM), oligo/amenorrhea (OA), and hyperandrogenism (HA) for diagnosing PCOS, and compared their diagnostic accuracy with those of classical diagnostic systems. A total of 606 females were admitted to a university hospital with menstrual irregularities or symptoms of hyperandrogenism were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Fasting blood samples were collected. Pelvic and/or abdominal ultrasonography and clinical examination were performed. Patients were evaluated for the presence of PCOS according to conventional diagnostic criteria. The diagnostic performance of using serum AMH levels alone and in various combinations with the clinical features of PCOM, OA, and HA were investigated. For the diagnosis of PCOS, the combination of OA and/or HA with AMH showed 83% sensitivity and 100% specificity according to the Rotterdam criteria; 83% sensitivity and 89% specificity according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria; and 82% sensitivity and 93.5% specificity according to the Androgen Excess Society (AES) criteria. The serum AMH level is a useful diagnostic marker for PCOS and is correlated with conventional diagnostic criteria. The combination of AMH level with OA and/or HA markedly increased the clinical scope for PCOS diagnosis and can be introduced as a possible objective criterion for the diagnosis of this disease.

Quasi solution of radiation transport equation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pogosbekyan, L.R.; Lysov, D.A.

There is uncertainty with experimental data as well as with input data of theoretical calculations. The neutron distribution from the variational principle, which takes into account both theoretical and experimental data, is obtained to increase the accuracy and speed of neutronic calculations. The neutron imbalance in mesh cells and the discrepancy between experimentally measured and calculated functional of the neutron distribution are simultaneously minimized. A fast-working and simple-programming iteration method is developed to minimize the objective functional. The method can be used in the core monitoring and control system for (a) power distribution calculations, (b) in- and ex-core detector calibration,more » (c) macro-cross sections or isotope distribution correction by experimental data, and (d) core and detector diagnostics.« less

Arthroscopic-assisted core decompression of the humeral head.

PubMed

Dines, Joshua S; Strauss, Eric J; Fealy, Stephen; Craig, Edward V

2007-01-01

Humeral head osteonecrosis is a progressive disease that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Core decompression is a viable treatment option for early-stage cases. Most surgeons perform core decompression by arthroscopically visualizing the necrotic area of bone and using a cannulated drill to take a core. Several attempts are frequently needed to reach the proper location. In the hip multiple passes are associated with complications. We describe the use of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial drill guide to precisely localize the area of necrotic bone. Diagnostic arthroscopy is performed to assess the areas of osteonecrosis. Core decompression is performed by use of an ACL tibial guide, brought in through the anterior or posterior portal to precisely localize the necrotic area in preparation for drilling. Under image intensification, Steinmann pins are advanced into the area of osteonecrosis. Once positioned, several 4-mm cores are made. We treated 3 patients with this technique, and all had immediate pain relief. The use of the ACL guide allows precise localization of the area of humeral head involvement and avoids multiple drillings into unaffected areas. Initial indications are that arthroscopic-assisted core decompression with an ACL guide is an effective alternative to previously used methods.

Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for Smartphone Addiction

PubMed Central

Lin, Yu-Hsuan; Chiang, Chih-Lin; Lin, Po-Hsien; Chang, Li-Ren; Ko, Chih-Hung; Lee, Yang-Han

2016-01-01

Background Global smartphone penetration has led to unprecedented addictive behaviors. The aims of this study are to develop diagnostic criteria of smartphone addiction and to examine the discriminative ability and the validity of the diagnostic criteria. Methods We developed twelve candidate criteria for characteristic symptoms of smartphone addiction and four criteria for functional impairment caused by excessive smartphone use. The participants consisted of 281 college students. Each participant was systematically assessed for smartphone-using behaviors by psychiatrist’s structured diagnostic interview. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of the candidate symptom criteria were analyzed with reference to the psychiatrists’ clinical global impression. The optimal model selection with its cutoff point of the diagnostic criteria differentiating the smartphone addicted subjects from non-addicted subjects was then determined by the best diagnostic accuracy. Results Six symptom criteria model with optimal cutoff point were determined based on the maximal diagnostic accuracy. The proposed smartphone addiction diagnostic criteria consisted of (1) six symptom criteria, (2) four functional impairment criteria and (3) exclusion criteria. Setting three symptom criteria as the cutoff point resulted in the highest diagnostic accuracy (84.3%), while the sensitivity and specificity were 79.4% and 87.5%, respectively. We suggested determining the functional impairment by two or more of the four domains considering the high accessibility and penetration of smartphone use. Conclusion The diagnostic criteria of smartphone addiction demonstrated the core symptoms “impaired control” paralleled with substance related and addictive disorders. The functional impairment involved multiple domains provide a strict standard for clinical assessment. PMID:27846211

Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for Smartphone Addiction.

PubMed

Lin, Yu-Hsuan; Chiang, Chih-Lin; Lin, Po-Hsien; Chang, Li-Ren; Ko, Chih-Hung; Lee, Yang-Han; Lin, Sheng-Hsuan

2016-01-01

Global smartphone penetration has led to unprecedented addictive behaviors. The aims of this study are to develop diagnostic criteria of smartphone addiction and to examine the discriminative ability and the validity of the diagnostic criteria. We developed twelve candidate criteria for characteristic symptoms of smartphone addiction and four criteria for functional impairment caused by excessive smartphone use. The participants consisted of 281 college students. Each participant was systematically assessed for smartphone-using behaviors by psychiatrist's structured diagnostic interview. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of the candidate symptom criteria were analyzed with reference to the psychiatrists' clinical global impression. The optimal model selection with its cutoff point of the diagnostic criteria differentiating the smartphone addicted subjects from non-addicted subjects was then determined by the best diagnostic accuracy. Six symptom criteria model with optimal cutoff point were determined based on the maximal diagnostic accuracy. The proposed smartphone addiction diagnostic criteria consisted of (1) six symptom criteria, (2) four functional impairment criteria and (3) exclusion criteria. Setting three symptom criteria as the cutoff point resulted in the highest diagnostic accuracy (84.3%), while the sensitivity and specificity were 79.4% and 87.5%, respectively. We suggested determining the functional impairment by two or more of the four domains considering the high accessibility and penetration of smartphone use. The diagnostic criteria of smartphone addiction demonstrated the core symptoms "impaired control" paralleled with substance related and addictive disorders. The functional impairment involved multiple domains provide a strict standard for clinical assessment.

Structure and Properties of fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-) (NTA(3-) = Trianion of Nitrilotriacetic Acid) and fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(L)](n-) Analogues Useful for Assessing the Excellent Renal Clearance of the fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-) Diagnostic Renal Agent.

PubMed

Klenc, Jeffrey; Lipowska, Malgorzata; Abhayawardhana, Pramuditha L; Taylor, Andrew T; Marzilli, Luigi G

2015-07-06

We previously identified two new agents based on the [(99m)Tc(V)O](3+) core with renal clearances in human volunteers 30% higher than that of the widely used clinical tracer (99m)Tc-MAG3 (MAG3(5-) = penta-anion of mercaptoacetyltriglycine). However, renal agents with even higher clearances are needed. More recently, we changed our focus from the [(99m)Tc(V)O](3+) core to the discovery of superior tracers based on the fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3](+) core. Compared to (99m)Tc-MAG3, fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-) (NTA(3-) = trianion of nitrilotriacetic acid) holds great promise by virtue of its efficient renal clearance via tubular secretion and the absence of hepatobiliary elimination, even in patients with severely reduced renal function. We report here NMR, molecular (X-ray) structure, and solution data on fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-) with a -CH2CO2(-) dangling monoanionic chain and on two fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(L)](-) analogues with either a -CH2CONH2 or a -CH2CH2OH dangling neutral chain. In these three fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(L)](n-) complexes, the fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(N(CH2CO2)2)](-) moiety is structurally similar and has similar electronic properties (as assessed by NMR data). In reported and ongoing studies, the two fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(L)](-) analogues with these neutral dangling chains were found to have pharmacokinetic properties very similar to those of fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(NTA)](2-). Therefore, we reach the unexpected conclusion that in fac-[(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(L)](n-) agents, renal clearance is affected much more than anticipated by features of the core plus the chelate rings (the [(99m)Tc(I)(CO)3(N(CH2CO2)2)](-) moiety) than by the presence of a negatively charged dangling carboxylate chain.

Teaching Cultural Competence to Psychiatry Residents: Seven Core Concepts and Their Implications for Therapeutic Technique.

PubMed

Pena, Jose M; Manguno-Mire, Gina; Kinzie, Erik; Johnson, Janet E

2016-04-01

The authors describe the Tulane Model for teaching cultural competence to psychiatry residents in order to outline an innovative approach to curricula development in academic psychiatry. The authors focus on the didactic experience that takes place during the first and second postgraduate years and present seven core concepts that should inform the emerging clinician's thinking in the formulation of every clinical case. The authors discuss the correspondence between each core concept and the Outline for Cultural Formulation, introduced in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV and updated in DSM-5. The authors illustrate how each of the core concepts is utilized as a guideline for teaching residents a process for eliciting culturally relevant information from their patients and their personal histories and how to apply that knowledge in the assessment and treatment of patients in clinical settings.

The capability of static and dynamic features to distinguish competent from genuinely expert practitioners in pediatric diagnosis.

PubMed

Loveday, Thomas; Wiggins, Mark W; Searle, Ben J; Festa, Marino; Schell, David

2013-02-01

The authors describe the development of a new, more objective method of distinguishing experienced competent nonexpert from expert practitioners within pediatric intensive care. Expert performance involves the acquisition and use of refined feature-event associations (cues) in the operational environment. Competent non-experts, although experienced, possess rudimentary cue associations in memory. Thus, they cannot respond as efficiently or as reliably as their expert counterparts, particularly when key diagnostic information is unavailable, such as that provided by dynamic cues. This study involved the application of four distinct tasks in which the use of relevant cues could be expected to increase both the accuracy and the efficiency of diagnostic performance. These tasks included both static and dynamic stimuli that were varied systematically. A total of 50 experienced pediatric intensive staff took part in the study. The sample clustered into two levels across the tasks: Participants who performed at a consistently high level throughout the four tasks were labeled experts, and participants who performed at a lower level throughout the tasks were labeled competent nonexperts. The groups differed in their responses to the diagnostic scenarios presented in two of the tasks and their ability to maintain performance in the absence of dynamic features. Experienced pediatricians can be decomposed into two groups on the basis of their capacity to acquire and use cues; these groups differ in their diagnostic accuracy and in their ability to maintain performance in the absence of dynamic features. The tasks may be used to identify practitioners who are failing to acquire expertise at a rate consistent with their experience, position, or training. This information may be used to guide targeted training efforts.

Development and modeling of multi-phase polymeric origami inspired architecture by using pre-molded geometrical features

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kshad, Mohamed Ali E.; Naguib, Hani E.

2017-02-01

Using Origami folded cores in sandwich structures for lightweight applications has attracted attention in different engineering applications, especially in the applications where the stiffness to weight ratio is a critical design parameter. Recently, common sandwich cores such as honey-comb and foamed cores have been replaced with origami core panels due to their way of force redistribution and energy absorption; these unique characteristics give origami cores high stiffness to weight ratio and high bending and twisting resistance. This paper presents the results of experimental investigations of the effect of base material on the mechanical properties and the impact resistance of Miura-Origami sandwich cores; then, the experimental results are compared with FEA simulation results. The materials used in the study for the origami cores were polymer blends composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). PLA/TPU blend compositions are (100/0, 80/20, 65/35, 50/50, 20/80, and 0/100) as a weight percentage. The geometrical parameters of the unit cell, base material thickness, and the panel thickness were considered to be constants in this study. The study shows the behavior of the origami cores under impact test and the energy absorbed by the origami folded cores. It was found that 20/80 PLA/TPU blend demonstrated the highest specific energy absorption efficiency both in quasi-static compression and impact tests. Fractured Origami structures were observed to fail at folded edges (creases lines), while the facets exhibit rigid body rotations. The FEM simulation showed a consistency in the impact behavior of the origami cores, and the directional deformational of origami core units which explain the ability of the structure to redistribute the applied force and absorb energy. In this work the origami folded core features were molded directly from the blended material.

Physical, Chemical, and Hydrologic Characteristics of Active Layer and Permafrost Soils of Arctic Polygonal Tundra, Barrow, Alaska, 2013-2016

DOE Data Explorer

Yuxin Wu; Craig Ulrich; Tim Kneafsey

2018-03-22

This dataset reports the results of physical, chemical, and hydrologic analyses of soil cores collected at the NGEE Arctic Intensive Sites 0 and 1 (Plots A, B, C, and D) during late winter seasons (April-May) from 2013 to 2016. Locations were selected across the polygonal ground to include low, flat, and high centered polygons (LCPs, FCPs and HCPs) and internal features (i.e. the trough, center, and rim). The data are depth-resolved and down to ~ 4m below ground surface for some cores. The specific depths for each core where samples were analyzed vary from core to core.

Eddy current probe and method for flaw detection in metals

DOEpatents

Watjen, J.P.

1987-06-23

A flaw detecting system is shown which includes a probe having a pair of ferrite cores with in-line gaps in close proximity to each other. An insulating, non-magnetic, non-conducting holder fills the gaps and supports the ferrite cores in a manner such that the cores form a generally V-shape. Each core is provided with an excitation winding and a detection winding. The excitation windings are connected in series or parallel with an rf port for connection thereof to a radio frequency source. The detection windings, which are differentially wound, are connected in series circuit to a detector port for connection to a voltage measuring instrument. The ferrite cores at the in-line gaps directly engage the metal surface of a test piece, and the probe is scanned along the test piece. In the presence of a flaw in the metal surface the detection winding voltages are unbalanced, and the unbalance is detected by the voltage measuring instrument. The insulating holder is provided with a profile which conforms to that of a prominent feature of the test piece to facilitate movement of the probe along the feature, typically an edge or a corner. 9 figs.