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Cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) have been studied as a means of providing detailed diagnostic information about the skills that have been mastered, and the skills that have not, by examinees. Pri...

Across many industries, individuals are increasingly relying on customer ratings and reviews on social media. While customer reviews often provide detailed diagnostic information about experiences, customer ratings often reduce the experience down to a simple number. Moreover, there is evidence to support that customer rating inflation is occurring on social media sites over time, especially in the sharing economy, and especially with regard to travel and tourism experiences. This paper conceptualizes how customer experiences are reduced into customer reviews and further abridged into customer ratings in both the traditional and sharing economy contexts. We propose that customers observe how service providers present themselves as a professional (established chain hotel) or amateur (owner operated vacation rental apartment), and then form different service expectations and perceptions accordingly. We investigate 55,110 customer reviews and ratings of New York City’s accommodation providers and indeed find evidence of rating inflation over the eight years studied. QC 20200228

Recent developments in unmanned aerial system (UAS) require an urgent introduction to monitoring technologies of crop diagnostic information because of their advantage in manoeuvering tasks at a hi...

Cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) allow for the extraction of fine-grained, multidimensional diagnostic information from appropriately designed tests. In recent years, interest in such models has g...

Despite the great value of current exogenous contrast agents for providing main diagnostic information, they still have certain drawbacks such as short blood half life, nonspecific biodistribution, fast clearance, slight renal toxicity and poor contrast in fat patients. Nanoparticles (NPs) are used as novel contrast agents that represent a promising strategy for the non invasive diagnosis. As a platform, nanoparticulates are compatible for developing targeted contrast agents. Advances in nanotechnology will provide enhanced sensitivity and specificity for tumor imaging enabling earlier detection of metastases. This article focuses on fundamental issue such as biological interactions, clearance routes, coating of NPs and presents a wide discussion about most recent category of NPs that are used as contrast agents and thebenefits/concerns issues associated with their use in clinical procedures.

We investigate how the stereotype of the poor (vs. middle class) influences behavioral predictions. In Study 1, participants made predictions regarding another person’s economic behavior in scenarios pertaining to rate of time preferences (loss, gain of smaller and larger amount). We find that participants, across scenarios, expect individuals with low SES to show more short-sightedness—i.e., steeper temporal discounting. This pattern persisted until strong diagnostic information about previous economic behavior was provided. These results are novel but consistent with previous work on stereotype application. Study 2 probed stereotype accuracy. Participants with lower vs. higher SES reported how they would act in scenarios matching those of Study 1. We find that they respond very similarly, which is in contrast to the stereotype that poor people are more short-sighted and may possibly be taken to suggest that the association between low SES and short-sightedness is biased.

A primary purpose of diagnostic systems is to improve care, yet, little is known about how providers use it routine clinical care.We investigated specific DSM-IV personality disorders (PDs) diagnostic information therapists collected during intake visits and the association between a therapist PD diagnosis and clients' and therapists' reports of the quality of working alliance during the intake.A total of 122 intakes (n = 34, 27.9% were diagnosed with PD) in four community mental health clinics in Israel were audiotaped. Immediately following the intake, clients and therapists completed the working alliance inventory (WAI). Independent clinicians coded the intakes using an information checklist.Despite the relatively high prevalence of PD in regular psychiatric care, very limited PD diagnostic information was directly assessed during the intake. Therapists evaluated the quality of the working alliance when they saw a client they diagnosed with PD as significantly lower than the rating of a client without a PD, while the clients' ratings did not differ as a result of their diagnosis.Therapists do not collect sufficient explicit diagnostic information to base their PD diagnostic decisions. Yet, the presence of PD diagnosis affects their rapport with their clients as early as the intake.

There are a number of methods for analyzing songs that are created and used in music therapy, which vary according to investigators’ theoretical orientation and the intent of the inquiry. This article looks to understand the benefits and constraints of combining analytic approaches of song analysis with an experiential, arts-based investigation. The authors analyzed a series of songs created by a songwriter with a neurodisability, one author conducting a deductive analysis and the other engaging in experiential approaches from within an arts-based research (ABR) methodology. Results indicate that both analyses revealed similar information regarding the songwriter’s self-concept, attributes, and rehabilitative needs in the context of her recovery from a neurodisability. However, deductive analysis provided an objective perspective that attempted to generalize themes, which might be useful to inform diagnostic information involving self-concept after a neurodisability. Conversely, but complimentary,...

Identification of the epileptogenic zone is a critical determinant of seizure control outcomes following surgical resection in medically refractory seizures. There has been increasing recognition of the contributive value of Magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies in the diagnostic evaluation of epilepsy. Biomagnetic signals recorded by MEG studies in combination with source modeling techniques can yield diagnostic information regarding the underlying epileptogenic zone. MEG evaluation is particularly useful in evaluation of non lesional neocortical epilepsy. In these cases, MEG spike sources can guide presurgical and perioperative invasive monitoring. The incorporation of MEG-based diagnostic information into the surgical evaluation and management plan has consistently been shown to be associated with improved seizure control outcomes.

People use impressions of an evaluative target’s self-esteem to infer their possession of socially desirable traits. But will people still use this self-esteem proxy when trait-relevant diagnostic information is available? We test this possibility in two experiments: participants learn that a target person has low or high self-esteem, and then receive diagnostic information about the target’s academic success or failure and positive or negative affectivity (Study 1), or watch a video of the target’s extraverted or introverted behavior (Study 2). In both experiments, participants’ impressions of the target’s traits accurately tracked diagnostic information, but impressions also revealed an independent self-esteem proxy effect. Evidently, the self-esteem proxy is robust and influences person perception even in the presence of vivid individuating information.

Traditionally, teachers evaluate students’ abilities via their total test scores. Recently, cognitive diagnostic models (CDMs) have begun to provide information about the presence or absence of students’ skills or misconceptions. Nevertheless, CDMs are typically applied to tests with multiple-choice (MC) items, which provide less diagnostic information than constructed-response (CR) items. This paper introduces new CDMs for tests with both MC and CR items, and illustrates how to use them to analyse MC and CR data, and thus, identify students’ skills and misconceptions in a mathematics domain. Analyses of real data, the responses of 497 sixth-grade students randomly selected from four Taiwanese primary schools to eight direct proportion items, were conducted to demonstrate the application of the new models. The results show that the new models can better determine students’ skills and misconceptions, in that they have higher inter-rater agreement rates than traditional CDMs.

Objective: To describe the clinical features, ancillary diagnostic studies, and treatment outcomes in a cohort of pediatric patients with giant orbital hydrocystomas.Design: Retrospective case series.Participants: Pediatric patients with giant orbital hydrocystomas treated in the practice of one surgeon (PDL).Methods: A retrospective review of the clinical charts of pediatric patients with orbital hydrocystoma was performed and diagnostic information collected. Results were reviewed and compared with reported clinical data in the literature.Main Outcome Measures: Clinical presentation and histopathological findings of pediatric orbital hydrocystomas.Results: Three pediatric cases of giant orbital hydrocystoma were encountered, each with an unusual feature, including deep orbital location, occurrence following trauma, and eccrine pathology.Conclusion: Giant orbital hydrocystomas may present in the pediatric population. Ophthalmologists should be cognizant of this entity when evaluating a child with...

Imaging the intraocular tumor is multi-modal, multi-purposed, evolving and essential in the detection, diagnosis and surveillance of intraocular tumors. The most useful modalities for imaging intraocular tumors are drawing, photography, ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. A primary purpose of imaging the intraocular tumor is to document its precise appearance (and that of its secondary effects) at a point in time, thus permitting sequential images to accurately document change. However, an equally important reason for imaging is to gather diagnostic information that cannot be obtained from ophthalmic examination alone. The specific utility of each available imaging modality depends on the patient, tumor and ability of the clinician to interpret the data produced.

Early fault detection and isolation in industrial systems is vitally necessary to prevent any potential product damage. The paper proposes a new decentralized multi-unit fault isolation methodology in which all the known process faults with similar time signatures are grouped into appropriate categories. An innovative genetic algorithm-based method is introduced to explore for optimum plant zones in a large-scale plant wide search to appropriately configure each architectural unit, having less reliance on excess process variables with redundant and uncorrelated diagnostic information. The methodology employs a set of Bayes and radial basis function neural network classifiers to properly isolate the most usual known faults. A new idea based on transfer entropy algorithm has been integrated in the decentralized configuration to be triggered for isolation of novel faults which have been left unrecognized by the set of maintained classifiers. Experimental results clearly demonstrate that the proposed methods ...

Recent neuroscientific findings suggest that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-based brain–computer interfaces may be a viable strategy for detecting covert awareness in patients clinically diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. This research may open a promising new avenue for developing neuroimaging techniques that provide prognostic and diagnostic information that complements current behavioral tests for assessing disorders of consciousness, thereby increasing the effectiveness of diagnostic screening. These techniques may also permit patients who are behaviorally nonresponsive yet retain high levels of preserved cognition to meaningfully engage in clinical decision making. Before this application can occur, certain ethical issues associated with decision-making capacity must be addressed. Although it is not currently possible to assess decision-making capacity through neuroimaging methods, it may be in the future, provided that certain conceptual and empirical steps are taken to demonstrate that brain–computer interfaces satisfy requisite criteria of capacity assessment. In this article we lay out the conceptual foundations for a mechanistic explanation of capacity that would allow the necessary empirical steps for incorporating neuroimaging techniques into the standard capacity assessment battery utilized in clinical practice.

In the article, we report the autoptic, histological and radiographic phenotype of two fetuses (22 and 12 weeks) with Langer mesomelic dysplasia, a homozygous deletion of the 3' enhancer of the SHOX gene, and consanguineous parents affected by Léri-Weill dyschondrosteosis, performing a literature review of the primary forms of mesomelic dysplasia. A proper identification of the type of mesomelic dysplasia is important for genetic and reproductive counseling, estimation of child growth and prevention and/or treatment of complications. A competent pathologist could provide important diagnostic information, orienting or confirming the echographic or genetic suspect, sometimes suggesting diagnostic hypothesis concerning parental unidentified congenital syndromes.

Static magnetic fields (SMFs) and time-varying electromagnetic fields exposure is necessary to obtain the diagnostic information regarding the structure of patient's tissues, by the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. A diagnostic procedure may also include the administration of pharmaceuticals called contrast, which are to be applied to a patient during the examination. The nurses involved in administering contrast into a patient during the pause in examination are approaching permanently active magnets of MRI scanners and are exposed to SMF. There were performed measurements of spatial distribution of SMF in the vicinity of MRI magnets and parameters of personal exposure of nurses (i.e. individual exposimetric profiles of variability in time of SMF affecting the nurse who is performing tasks in the vicinity of magnet, characterized by statistical parameters of recorded magnetic flux density affecting the nurse). The SMF exposure in the vicinity of various MRI magnets depends on both magnetic flux density of the main field B 0 (applicable to a patient) and the construction of the scanner, but the most important factor determining the workers' exposure is the work practice. In the course of a patient's routine examination in scanners of B₀ = 1.5 T, the nurses are present over ∼0.4-2.9 min in SMF exceeding 0.03% of B₀ (i.e. 0.5 mT), but only sometimes they are present in SMF exceeding 5% of B 0 (i.e. 75 mT). When patients need more attention because of their health status/condition, the nurses' exposure may be significantly longer--it may even exceed 10 min and 30% of B 0 (i.e. 500 mT). We have found that the level of exposure of nurses to SMF may vary from5% of the main field (a median value: 0.5-1.5%; inter-quartile range: 0.04-8.8%; max value: 1.3-12% of B₀) when a patient is moved from the magnets bore before contrast administration, up to the main field level (B₀) when a patient stays in the magnets bore and nurse is crawling into the bore.

The current study evaluates associations between control processes and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during early childhood. Participants were 98 children between ages 3 and 6 and their primary caregivers. Diagnostic information on ODD and ADHD symptoms was available from parents and teachers/caregivers via standardized rating forms. Affective, effortful, and cognitive control processes were measured using parent and examiner ratings via standardized questionnaires, observational ratings, and child performance on laboratory tasks of cognitive control. Affective control, but not effortful control, was significantly associated with cognitive control. A latent factor of control was significantly associated with ADHD, but not ODD, symptoms.

In this study, we compared objective neuropsychological data using the Meyers Neuropsychological Battery (MNB; MeyersRohling, 2004 ) and self-report measures of emotional distress using the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R; Derogatis, 1994 ) with self-ratings of functional difficulties as measured by the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS; Prigatano, 1986 ). The results showed a high correlation between the PCRS and scales on the SCL-90-R (r = .65), whereas correlation with the overall test battery mean of the MNB was quite small (r = .18). Our results indicate that self-report of cognitive difficulties is more related to current emotional distress than to objective measures. Therefore, any diagnostic considerations that rely on self-report need to be tempered by considerations of current emotional status. This has implications for diagnoses such as posttraumatic stress disorder and other diagnoses that rely on self-report as a source of diagnostic information.

While models for conveying a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are beginning to emerge in the literature, relatively little is known about how a diagnosis is delivered and experienced by families. This study examined the experiences of parents receiving a diagnosis of ASD for their child. Based on a phenomenological approach, a purposive sample of 10 parents (8 mothers, 2 fathers) participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews aimed at understanding their diagnostic experience. Findings revealed a lengthy, complex, and discouraging assessment and diagnostic process that resulted in parents feeling confused, disempowered, and overwhelmed. Identified themes associated with diagnosis comprised: initial recognition that “something is different”; waiting, worry, and uncertainty; preference for diagnostic information in a hopeful tenor; feeling overwhelmed with information and emotion at diagnosis; processes of grief, relief, and making sense of ASD; and becoming an advocate, expert, and case ma...

Perinatal autopsy provides additional diagnostic information in a significant proportion of cases but parents and relatives frequently decline traditional postmortem (PM) examination, partly due to the unacceptability of the cosmetic effects of large incisions and concerns regarding organ retention. We present a novel minimally invasive autopsy method for fetal and neonatal PMexaminations, which includes PM magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of anatomy and endoscopic internal examination to allow direct organ visualization and targeted tissue biopsy.Descriptive retrospective feasibility report of the first 10 perinatal cases undergoing endoscopic minimally invasive autopsy.A minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) approach based on postmortem MRI (PM MRI) and endoscopic autopsy with tissue biopsy is feasible and effective with minimal cosmetic consequences compared to traditional PM examination. Endoscopic examination with tissue biopsy provided additional diagnostic information to PM MRI alone in the majority of cases.Endoscopic MIA is a feasible and potentially more acceptable approach to perinatal autopsy and provides an additional option for parents who do not agree to a traditional PM examination. This approach could result in increased utilization of investigations after death in this group of patients.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a pivotal role in both innate and adaptive immunity, and TLRs recognize invading pathogens through molecular pattern recognition, and ultimately lead to the activation of transcription factors and inflammatory responses. Myocardial infarction leads to changes in the remodeling of the left ventricle of the heart, and the degree and type of remodeling provides important diagnostic information for the therapeutic management of ischemic heart disease. Innate immune takes a most important role in myocardial infarction. There are some studies reporting that TLRs play an important role in the myocardial infarction. The literatures were searched extensively and this review was performed to review the role of TLRs in myocardial infarction.

The use of ultrastructural analysis in the diagnostic work-up of histologic specimens has been well studied but less is known about the utility of electron microscopy (EM) in cytopathology.149,006 non-gynecologic cytology cases at the Massachusetts General Hospital between the years 1993 and 2006 were searched to identify those in which material had been submitted for EM. Cytologic and EM diagnoses were correlated with available histologic diagnoses. The results were put into one of three categories: confirmatory, diagnostic, or insufficient material for diagnosis (IMFD).Material for EM was obtained from 178 cytology cases that included 131 fine-needle aspirates (FNA) and 47 exfoliative specimens. EM provided additional diagnostic information beyond that offered by cytologic examination alone in 32% of cases, and in 48% of cases EM confirmed the cytologic findings. Insufficient material and discrepant results were noted for EM evaluation in 19% of cases and in 1% cases respectively. EM was most useful when applied to FNAs for subclassifying tumors as epithelial or mesenchymal (45.6%), for the diagnosis of non-neoplastic processes (15.7%) such as alveolar proteinosis and amyloidosis, and for the identification of microorganisms (12.2%). In our study, although EM was infrequently applied to exfoliative specimens to distinguish mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma, it proved to be very useful in this setting.When adequate material is obtained, EM can contribute significantly to the evaluation of both FNA and exfoliative cytology cases, including the diagnosis and subclassification of epithelial and mesenchymal tumors, non-neoplastic processes, and the identification of microorganisms.

Since the role of service quality for organisational survival and success is of outmost importance, its measurement is still receiving increased attention. SERVQUAL and its alternative measures, namely, SERVPERF, weighted SERVQUAL, and weighted SERVPERF, are the most widespread in the service-quality literature. Yet, research has not concluded regarding the relative superiority of any of these measures. The present study compares all four alternatives within the auto-repair industry in Greece. Based on data from 1043 customers, overall results are in line with previous studies, confirming the multidimensionality of the service-quality construct and the five-factor SERVPERF pattern. In disagreement with previous studies, findings show that the importance-weighted SERVPERF scale provides the greatest diagnostic information. Furthermore, significant variation was found in the predictive validity of the measures.

This article summarizes the physics, technology and clinical application of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for assessment of the anterior segment in glaucoma. UBM systems use frequencies ranging from approximately 35 to 80 MHz, as compared with typical 10-MHz systems used for general-purpose ophthalmic imaging. OCT systems use low-coherence, near-infrared light to provide detailed images of anterior segment structures at resolutions exceeding that of UBM. Both technologies allow visualization of the iridocorneal angle and, thus, can contribute to the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. OCT systems are advantageous, being noncontact proceedures and providing finer resolution than UBM, but UBM systems are superior for the visualization of retroiridal structures, including the ciliary body, posterior chamber and zonules, which can provide crucial diagnostic information for the assessment of glaucoma.

Classroom teachers are in the front line of introducing students to formal learning, including assessments, which can be assumed to continue for students should they extend their schooling past the expected mandatory 12 years. The purpose of the present investigation was to survey secondary teachers’ beliefs of classroom and large‐scale tests for (a) providing information about students’ learning processes, (b) influencing meaningful student learning, and (c) eliciting learning or test‐taking strategies for successful test performance. Secondary teachers were surveyed because a majority of large‐scale tests are developed for secondary students (e.g., PISA, TIMSS). Results suggested that in comparison to large‐scale tests teachers believe classroom tests provide more information about student learning processes, are more likely to influence meaningful student learning, and are more likely to require learning over test‐taking strategies. The implications of these results for assessment literacy are explored.

Although reliability of subscale scores may be suspect, subscale scores are the most common type of diagnostic information included in student score reports. This research compared methods for augmenting the reliability of subscale scores for an 8th-grade mathematics assessment. Yen's Objective Performance Index, Wainer et al.'s augmented scores, and scores based on multidimensional item response theory (IRT) models were compared and found to improve the precision of the subscale scores. However, the augmented subscale scores were found to be more highly correlated and less variable than unaugmented scores. The meaningfulness of reporting such augmented scores as well as the implications for validity and test development are discussed.

Bioimpedance sensing is a noninvasive technique for measuring parameters related to tissue structure or physiological events. Generally, the impedance is sensed by injecting a high frequency low intensity current through a pair of electrodes placed across the selected region of the body and monitoring the voltage developed across the same or another pair of electrodes. The base value of the impedance and its variation can be used, with the help of an appropriate model, for obtaining diagnostic information. For testing and calibration of instruments developed for bioimpedance sensing, we have developed an impedance simulator by using a microcontroller and analog switches. It can be used for measuring sensitivity and frequency response for bioimpedance signals, and for studying the effect of various electrode configurations and common mode interference caused by bioelectric sources and external pickups. Indexing terms: Bioimpedance sensing, testing and calibration, impedance simulator.

The usefulness of electronic databases to medical profession is expanding rapidly. As the utilization of e-databases spread, accessible to more medical and biomedical resources is facilitated. Fifty medical laboratory scientists currently practising in the University Teaching Hospital were used as respondents. The aim of the study was to determine usability of e-resources, impact on the practice of their profession, areas of training needs for effective utilization. Questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. The study revealed that a good use was made of e-resources available, although some hindrances were highlighted. Early completion of computerization process of the library is highly essential, intensive campus awareness campaign of e-resources and soft loan for the staff to purchase personal computers are ways of encouraging staff to use—resources.

This paper concerns teacher learning. It describes the impact on teacher knowledge and reported practice of working with diagnostic assessment tools for writing. These tools were specifically designed with a dual purpose: to provide diagnostic information about students to guide teaching for enhanced learning outcomes and also to develop teacher understanding about features of, and developmental progressions in, writing. We describe the features of the tools which facilitate teacher learning. Then we present three small‐scale studies conducted during and after development of the tools to explore their impact. Discussion focuses on teachers' reports of their learning about writing and how working with the assessment tools impacted a range of teaching practices.

Summary The aim of the study was to assess the role of superficial stem wounds on trees as potential entry courts for wood decay fungi. Such wounds were investigated in 34 lime trees (Tilia cordata Mill, and T. platyphyllos Scop.) and in 32 horse chestnuts (A. x carnea Hayne and Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in the city of Freiburg i. Brsg., SW Germany, using a PICUS® stress-wave tomograph. Some of the wounds were also inspected with a Resistograph® 1410 micro-drill. The resulting diagnostic information was assessed in relation to attributes of the individual wounds and of the trees. The trees of both genera showed an incidence of colonisation of sapwood injuries by decay fungi that might have seemed surprisingly low in view of the generally large size of the wounds.

This study examined the degree to which a literature review of evidence-based services identified services appropriate for the actual problems of youth involved in intensive public mental health services. The diagnostic profiles and specific intervention targets reported by treatment providers were coded to determine whether a relevant empirically supported treatment was identified in the literature by the Hawaii Evidence-Based Services Committee for each problem. Of the 2,197 youth with diagnostic information available, 721 youth (33%) had a pure diagnosis for which an evidence-based service was identified in the literature, and 1,953 youth (89%) had a primary diagnosis with a relevant evidence-based service. Of the 1,220 youth with treatment target information, 1,094 (90%) had 1 or more problem areas targeted for intervention with an identified evidence-based service; thus, the vast majority of youth receiving intensive public mental services experienced a mental health difficulty for which an evidence-based service was identified through a review of the empirical literature. Nevertheless, many youth had additional problems for which evidence-based services have not yet been identified through research.

Since its introduction in the 1930s, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become recognized as a powerful in vivo diagnostic tool. The objective of this article is to discuss developments in quantitative MRI - and particularly texture analysis - that maximize diagnostic information, A fundamental part of the work involves careful study of the optimal MRI data collection strategies for texture analysis. This is critical, because different centers may vary their measuring sequences and acquisition protocols for clinical reasons, and may be reluctant to vary these for texture investigation. Different measuring techniques, such as spin echo, gradient echo, and echo planar, and different measuring parameters produce totally different patterns in texture. Careful investigation of the dependence of all these variables using texture phantoms (test objects) will help understand how MRI image texture is formed from tissue structures. Therefore, it is essential to design and test reliable and accurate test objects for a detailed assessment of texture analysis methods in MRI, The main feature of these test objects is their ability to simulate tissue-like textures with tissue-like MR relaxation properties. Long-term stability is also vital, as is uniformity of the overall texture. Another aspect is to examine the test objects under a whole range of MRI measuring sequences and imaging conditions using different scanners to determine their stability and utility.

Modern memory researchers rely heavily on the encoding-retrieval match, defined as the similarity between coded retrieval cues and previously encoded engrams, to explain variability in retention. The encoding-retrieval match is assumed to be causally and monotonically related to retention, although other factors (such as cue overload) presumably operate in some circumstances. I argue here that the link between the encoding-retrieval match and retention, although generally positive, is essentially correlational rather than causal--much like the link between deep/elaborative processing and retention. Empirically, increasing the functional match between a cue and a target trace can improve, have no effect, or even decrease retention performance depending on the circumstance. We cannot make unequivocal predictions about retention by appealing to the encoding-retrieval match; instead, we should be focusing our attention on the extent to which retrieval cues provide diagnostic information about target occurrence.

Advances in endoscopic surgical techniques owe much to advances in surgical devices and imaging modalities. This paper presents some of our company's research and development themes that reflect this reality. It deals with diagnostic imaging techniques designed to provide diagnostic information that cannot be obtained by direct vision. Our technology should allow the use of more rapid and less invasive endoscopic surgical techniques, through endoscopic evaluation of lymph-node metastases and the level of invasion of cancer on a serosal surface. The paper also describes the utilisation of ultrasound technology, which is a most promising energy-driven surgical advance. The use of ultrasound in trocars is discussed. This is expected to reduce costs and contribute to the protection of the environment, among other benefits. In addition, the paper also considers forceps with such a high degree-of-freedom that they allow suturing to be performed even by surgeons who have not received special training.

The long term objective of this research was the development of objective, digitally defined procedures for histopathologic assessment. The development of procedures based on digital knowledge had as its first aim the design of a machine vision system with image understanding capability (ie, capable of autonomous processing and analyses of histopathologic imagery). Next, histometric and karyometric diagnostic information extraction led to highly specific characterization of nuclei and lesions. Based on such detailed characterizations, we were able to derive progression curves for prostatic, colonic, breast epithelial, and esophageal lesions. The specific signatures of nuclei and lesions revealed s~tbstantial diversity among lesions of the same visual-diagnostic grade; profiles of deviation of nuclei from a normal standard were derived to provide a novel, additional level of diagnostically discriminating features. Knowledge guided machine vision opens the way to an extremely specific characterization of nuclei and lesions, which may allow better prediction of biological behavior and, thus, more accurate individual patient targeted prognosis. (The J Histoteclzizol 23: 183, 2000)

Fault diagnosis can be facilitated by using either quantitative or qualitative information of the system monitored. This paper presents a novel approach to integrate quantitative and qualitative information in fault-diagnosis, based on the use of neuro-fuzzy systems. In this approach the diagnostic signals (residuals) are generated and evaluated via a B-Spline functions network. The configuration adopted allows the designer to both extract and include symbolic knowledge from the trained network to provide reliable diagnostic information. The effectiveness of the proposed diagnosis strategy is illustrated through a simulation study of a nonlinear two-tank system.

Participants in 2 studies received information varying in diagnosticity about another person whom they were motivated to view positively or negatively. In Study 1, participants' chances of winning a prize depended on whether another player won or lost an 11-trial game. Although estimates of this player's chances of winning were identical prior to the game, participants who wanted him to win were more optimistic than those who wanted him to lose after he was said to have won the first trial. Predictions following later trials also showed evidence of motivation, but only when participants had not made pregame predictions. Ratings after individual trials were also sensitive to whether the yoked player won or lost. In Study 2, participants received information that did or did not relate to the probable performance of their partner, opponent, or a control target in an upcoming creativity game. After receiving the information, participants rated their opponent more negatively than they did the control target, r...

This study investigates the impact of multiple teaching quality factors on course satisfaction and instructor satisfaction as perceived by students. It applies established theory from customer satisfaction and educational psychology research to a sample of MBA and Undergraduate students from multiple sections of an introductory marketing course. In doing so, it demonstrates a method of obtaining diagnostic information to prioritize weaknesses and discover strengths of teaching performance that complements existing feedback processes. Substantive results indicate that learning was strongly related to course satisfaction and instructor enthusiasm was strongly related to instructor satisfaction. A discussion addresses how to use the r.esults while managerial implications summarize benefits and requirements to implement the method.

Discourse analysis was used to examine audio recordings of doctor-patient interviews in a clinic in Suzhou, China. A fundamental asymmetry was discovered in the ways doctors and patients carried out their conversations. Sequencing, topic development, and diagnostic information revealed this asymmetry. The asymmetry allowed doctors to control the interviews and kept patients more passive. But the doctors also employed mitigation strategies like phatic openings, small talk, and the negotiation of instructions as ways of lessening the relational impact of their dominance. Asymmetry may be acceptable in communication if it is mitigated appropriately.

Genetic screening and testing techniques provide a new and powerful diagnostic tool for the acquisition of predictive information. The potential value of such diagnostic techniques cannot be overstated. Genetic diagnostic tests pave the way for the development of gene therapy techniques which may provide remedies for diseases previously considered untreatable. There are clearly tremendous opportunities for improving the quality of life of those who suffer from genetic disorders as well as opportunities for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to swell their profits. A complex of pressures and tensions is currently developing around the use of genetic technology for therapeutic purposes in human beings. This article considers only one element of this complex and dynamic situation, that of the regulatory climate surrounding the use of genetic screening in Europe. If, as many pharmaceutical companies concede, the key to the development of successful gene therapy products is the freedom to use genotyping and genetic screening without significant legal restriction, then the regulatory climate has a crucial significance for the future of this technology. It emerges, however, that there are other interests at stake apart from just those of the patients and the pharmaceutical companies. Insurance companies and employers are also highly interested in the acquisition and use of genetic information. There are arguments both for and against permitting such entities to use or request genetic testing and screening which shall be traversed in the body of the article. However, the interest of insurance companies and employers in genetic information has stimulated a countercurrent of public pressure for restrictions on the use which can be made of genetic diagnostic information. In a number of countries this pressure has generated enough concern to stimulate legislatures to seek to enact laws which curtail the use and acquisition of genetic information. This pattern has clearly emerged in the United States of America [1] and there are strong indications that similar trends are developing in Europe. This article catalogues and critiques the laws and regulations which currently affect genetic screening and testing in Europe.

Magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) is a technique that permits accurate evaluation of the pancreatic duct without instrumentation, contrast material administration, or ionizing radiation. Because MRP is entirely noninvasive, MRP avoids complications associated with endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) such as pancreatitis and perforation. MRP allows for the noninvasive evaluation of patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis, variant anatomy of the pancreatic duct, pancreatic duct trauma, and pancreatic neoplasia. MRP yields diagnostic information in the setting of a failed or incomplete ERP. When MRP is performed in conjunction with conventional abdominal MR, the result is a comprehensive examination of the pancreatic duct as well as the pancreas and other solid organs of the abdomen.

Increasing public awareness, coupled with the wider availability of drug therapies for some dementing conditions, means that carers are often informed of the diagnosis of dementia. However it is unclear how much sufferers themselves are told about their diagnoses. There are a number of fears about the possibly harmful effects of giving sufferers this information, but these may be balanced by potential benefits. The aims of this study were to investigate how many sufferers of dementia were given diagnostic information, whether their age was a factor in whether they learned this information, who told them the diagnosis, and whether carers would wish to know themselves if they had dementia (and if this related to whether the sufferer learned their diagnosis). The study also aimed to elicit carers' reasons for giving or withholding diagnostic information. A self-report questionnaire was completed by 71 carers recruited through old age psychiatry services in East Anglia. Half of the sufferers had learned their...

Involvement of the upper cervical spine, with possible instability and dislocation of the atlanto-axial-cervico-occipital joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is routinely monitored with conventional radiographs. As disease progresses severe interpretation problems occur, especially when looking for cranial migration of the odontoid process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether three dimensional CT examination should be considered for such monitoring. After clinical and biochemical examination of 20 consecutive patients, diagnostic information about cranial migration of the odontoid process was obtained by conventional radiograms and by three dimensional CT examination. When using conventional radiographs the odontoid process and the its relation to the skull base could be outlined in 8 of the 20 patients. whereas all bony structures could be well demonstrated on the CT examination and the degree of cranial migration into the foramen magnum could be quantified. Three dimensional CT should be considered as a reliable examination for monitoring RA patients with involvement of the upper cervical spine and a possible cranial migration of the odontoid process.

An attempt has been made to establish whether near-infrared stool analysis is more suitable for quantifying malabsorption than the traditional stool fat analysis. A group of celiac disease (CD) patients was used as index population.Stool fat, nitrogen, and water were measured with near-infrared analysis of 1- and 3-day stool collections in 96 celiac disease patients on a free diet (in 39 also on gluten-free diet) and in 96 matched controls and 14 patients with latent CD.The fecal output of fat, nitrogen, and water was significantly increased in free-diet CD, whereas their percentage content was only slightly modified compared with controls. None of the variables under consideration differed significantly between the 24-h and 72-h stool specimens.Our data show that the high value of fecal fat, nitrogen, and water, in celiac disease, are mainly due to the fecal weight, whereas the percentage composition of stool does not offer additional diagnostic information. Furthermore, 3-day stool collection is not necessary to confirm or rule out malabsorption in most patients. Near infrared analysis of 24-h specimens is time- and cost-effective and may increase the use of stool analysis and be usefully employed to monitor the clinical follow-up of patients with chronic diarrhea.

This article presents an approach to differentiation of migrainous positional vertigo (MPV) from horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HC-BPPV). Such an approach is essential because of the difference in intervention between the two disorders in question. Results from evaluation of the case study presented here revealed a persistent ageotropic positional nystagmus consistent with MPV or a cupulolithiasis variant of HC-BPPV. The patient was treated with liberatory maneuvers to remove possible otoconial debris from the horizontal canal in an attempt, in turn, to provide further diagnostic information. There was no change in symptoms following treatment for HC-BPPV. This case was diagnosed subsequently as MPV, and the patient was referred for medical intervention. Treatment has been successful for 22 months. Incorporation of HC-BPPV treatment, therefore, may provide useful information in the differential diagnosis of MPV and the cupulolithiasis variant of HC-BPPV.

Profile analysis has been used by both researchers and psychologists to provide clinical and diagnostic information regarding unique patterns of learning strengths and weaknesses. Cluster analysis ...

Exit interviews and surveys (EIS) provide unique opportunities for organizations to collect diagnostic information. Although the EIS process may be open to unethical response distortion by exiting employees, there have been few scientific inquiries into the reasons for such distortion. The present study was an attempt to identify these reasons. The results indicate three factors that can motivate honest responding (positive equity, capricious reasons, and negative equity) and three factors that can prevent honest responding (negative consequences, personal and situational reasons, and objectivity).

The existing techniques for data compression can be divided into three main groups, namely direct, transformation and parameter extraction methods. The present paper deals with the direct data compression (DDC) methods as applied to ECG data. The performance has been evaluated on the basis of compression ratio, percent-root-mean-square difference and fidelity of the reconstructed signal. Further, in order to know the extent to which the diagnostic information is preserved during compression, peak and boundary measurements have been made both on the reconstructed and original ECG signal and compared. The objective of the present paper is to report the effect of sampling frequency on the aforementioned parameters as studied by the authors. The experimental results show that with the increase in sampling frequency the compression ratio increases and the percent-root-mean-square difference generally decreases. Further, the reconstructed signal is of higher quality having larger bandwidth and higher resolution...

CYFRA 21-1 has proved to be a useful marker for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the major form of lung cancer. Its most effective application is in monitoring. CYFRA 21-1 provides diagnostic information about the success of primary surgery, the response to chemotherapy and the detection of relapse. It is also an independent prognostic factor. The diagnostic potential may not be fully used because decision-making is currently based on group reference ranges. It seems useful to carry out systematic studies to investigate if the application can be improved and extended by using individual reference ranges for decision-making. In contrast to most of the other tumour markers the comparability of the commercial CYFRA 21-1- assays currently available on the market is good. The high degree of comparability should be maintained by international standardization. The analytical performance of the currently available commercial CYFRA 21-1 tests meets requirements derived from its current clinical applications. However, there are no data available about the analytical performance under field conditions. CYFRA 21-1, an established tumour marker for lung cancer, should be included in external quality assurance schemes.