Full Manual Research Articles

Comparative analysis of late gadolinium enhancement assessment techniques for monitoring fibrotic changes in myocarditis follow-up

ObjectivesTo compare the repeatability and interrelation of various late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) assessment techniques for monitoring fibrotic changes in myocarditis follow-up.Materials and methodsLGE extent change between baseline and 3-month cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was compared in patients with acute myocarditis using the full width at half maximum (FWHM), gray-scale thresholds at 5 and 6 standard deviations (SD5 and SD6), visual assessment with threshold (VAT) and full manual (FM) techniques. In addition, visual presence score (VPS), visual transmurality score (VTS), and a simplified visual change score (VCS) were assessed. Intraclass-correlation (ICC) was used to evaluate repeatability, and methods were compared using Spearman’s correlation.ResultsForty-seven patients (38 male, median age: 27 [IQR: 21; 38] years) were included. LGE extent change differed among quantitative techniques (p < 0.01), with variability in the proportion of patients showing LGE change during follow-up (FWHM: 62%, SD5: 74%, SD6: 66%, VAT: 43%, FM: 60%, VPS: 53%, VTS: 77%, VCS: 89%). Repeatability was highest with FWHM (ICC: 0.97) and lowest with SD5 (ICC: 0.89). Semiquantitative scoring had slightly lower values (VPS ICC: 0.81; VTS ICC: 0.71). VCS repeatability was excellent (ICC: 0.93). VPS and VTS correlated with quantitative techniques, while VCS was positively associated with VPS, VTS, VAT, and FM, but not with FWHM, SD5, and SD6.ConclusionFWHM offers the least observer-dependent LGE follow-up after myocarditis. VPS, VTS, and VCS are practical alternatives, showing reliable correlations with quantitative methods. Classification of patients exhibiting either stable or changing LGE relies on the assessment technique.Clinical relevance statementThis study shows that LGE monitoring in myocarditis is technique-dependent; the FWHM method yields the most consistent fibrotic tracking results, with scoring-based techniques as reliable alternatives.Key PointsRecognition of fibrotic changes during myocarditis follow-up is significantly influenced by the choice of the quantification technique employed.The FWHM technique ensures highly repeatable tracking of myocarditis-related LGE changes.Segment-based visual scoring and the simplified visual change score offer practical, reproducible alternatives in resource-limited settings.

Risk-based performance assessment from fully manual to human-robot teaming in pressurized tank inspection operations

The use of robotics in the process industry has shown a stable, increasing trend, according to survey reports, reducing the exposure of operators to critical operations, mainly during maintenance. Moving from full manual (FM) to human-robot teaming (HRT) operations is expected to reduce the risks for operators and increase operational efficiency. The methods used to assess system performances require an adaptation. Traditional risk assessment techniques are no longer adapted to analyze the new way of working; the previous methods proposed for HRT systems have been criticized for their fragmentation, complexity, and lack of validation.This study proposed an integrated framework, including the qualitative and quantitative stages, to investigate the risk-based system performance and compare the full manual and human-robot teaming scenarios in pressurized tank inspection operations. The outputs demonstrated that the integrated framework worked for FM and HRT system performance assessment, considering multiple element types and their interdependencies, generating knowledge that can be exploited to reduce the system's risk and choose among different operational alternatives.

Performance of alternative manual and automated deep learning segmentation techniques for the prediction of benign and malignant lung nodules.

We aim to evaluate the performance of radiomic biopsy (RB), best-fit bounding box (BB), and a deep-learning-based segmentation method called no-new-U-Net (nnU-Net), compared to the standard full manual (FM) segmentation method for predicting benign and malignant lung nodules using a computed tomography (CT) radiomic machine learning model. A total of 188 CT scans of lung nodules from 2 institutions were used for our study. One radiologist identified and delineated all 188 lung nodules, whereas a second radiologist segmented a subset () of these nodules. Both radiologists employed FM and RB segmentation methods. BB segmentations were generated computationally from the FM segmentations. The nnU-Net, a deep-learning-based segmentation method, performed automatic nodule detection and segmentation. The time radiologists took to perform segmentations was recorded. Radiomic features were extracted from each segmentation method, and models to predict benign and malignant lung nodules were developed. The Kruskal-Wallis and DeLong tests were used to compare segmentation times and areas under the curve (AUC), respectively. For the delineation of the FM, RB, and BB segmentations, the two radiologists required a median time (IQR) of 113 (54 to 251.5), 21 (9.25 to 38), and 16 (12 to 64.25) s, respectively (). In dataset 1, the mean AUC (95% CI) of the FM, RB, BB, and nnU-Net model were 0.964 (0.96 to 0.968), 0.985 (0.983 to 0.987), 0.961 (0.956 to 0.965), and 0.878 (0.869 to 0.888). In dataset 2, the mean AUC (95% CI) of the FM, RB, BB, and nnU-Net model were 0.717 (0.705 to 0.729), 0.919 (0.913 to 0.924), 0.699 (0.687 to 0.711), and 0.644 (0.632 to 0.657). Radiomic biopsy-based models outperformed FM and BB models in prediction of benign and malignant lung nodules in two independent datasets while deep-learning segmentation-based models performed similarly to FM and BB. RB could be a more efficient segmentation method, but further validation is needed.

Tailoring the Unified Protocol for Adolescents for a Stepped-Care Approach: Case Exemplars.

Emotional disorders, including anxiety, depressive, and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders are prevalent and impairing for youth. Dissemination efforts have been implemented to address these disorders in youth, but these are limited by cost and barriers to accessing mental health services. Stepped care is a method of treatment delivery meant to be cost-effective and less time intensive than administering a full treatment manual. Much, if not all of the research, assessing the efficacy of stepped care delivery has utilized disorder-specific treatment manuals. However, transdiagnostic stepped care approaches may prove more efficacious given that youth commonly present to treatment with more than one disorder and that such problems are not always comprehensively assessed at intake. This manuscript provides details regarding the implementation of a transdiagnostic stepped-care delivery (UPA-SC) using three case examples. Youth evidenced significant improvement in anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Future work to investigate the efficacy of UPA-SC in a larger, more heterogeneous sample of youth may be warranted.

Histomorphometry in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: Experimental Comparison of Different Axon Counting Methods

PURPOSE: Histomorphometry is a common tool to quantitatively evaluate outcomes of peripheral nerve regeneration by measuring axonal parameters such as count, diameter, and myelination. Manual measurement across the entire nerve cross-section is the most accurate technique of histomorphometric analysis but is extremely labor intensive. Thus, most researchers have opted for analysis of just a sample of the cross-section. Currently, automated sampled analysis is the most common method. However, no study has been performed to compare the accuracy of these techniques, making it difficult to compare results across the literature. METHODS: Rat sciatic nerves were transected and repaired with a 20 mm nerve isograft. A total of 34 sections were stained with toluidine blue and digitized: 24 from native nerve distal to the graft, 5 from nerve proximal to the graft, and 5 from the graft itself. Three blinded researchers manually counted total myelinated fibers in each full cross-section. Total myelinated fiber counts were also extrapolated from sampled fields representing 20% of the cross-sectional area. Sampled counts were performed both manually and automatically with the software ImageJ (National Institutes of Health). Myelinated fiber diameter (FD), axon diameter (AD), and myelin sheath thickness (MTh) were measured manually in the full cross-sections and the sampled fields. Repeated measures MANOVA, Spearman’s correlation, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed. RESULTS: Results are expressed in mean ± standard deviation. Full manual axon count was 12,504 ± 4,195 overall and 13,506 ± 4,217 distally. Sampled axon counts were significantly higher than full manual, especially distally (sampled manual: 15,316 ± 4,613, P < 0.001; sampled automated: 16,297 ± 7,733, P = 0.037). All three methods showed strong, significant correlation with each other, especially for distal sections (full manual and sampled manual: rs = 0.912, P < 0.001; full manual and sampled automated: rs = 0.599, P = 0.002; sampled manual and sampled automated: rs = 0.708, P < 0.001). Overall full manual fiber diameter, axon diameter, and myelin sheath thickness were 5.42 ± 1.18 µm, 3.61 ± 0.78 µm, and 0.93 ± 0.28 µm, respectively. They did not differ from sampled measurements (P = 0.144, P = 0.059, and P = 0.817, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Manual count of sampled nerve sections produces highly correlated, reliable results when using standardized and systematic sampling methods. Automated data should be regarded with more caution as correlation was not as high. However, the significant correlation indicates it is an acceptable technique if manual sampled analysis is not possible. Although the methods explored in this study correlated highly with one another, the accuracy of both sampled techniques differed significantly from full manual analysis. Therefore, comparison of numerical results between papers reporting these parameters (ie, for a metanalysis) may not be possible. Researchers must be cognizant of the wide variety of techniques reported in the literature and exercise caution when comparing data between studies.

Zotero - A Manual for Electronic Legal Referencing

This manual explains how to operate Zotero. The manual has been updated to reflect changes to the style in May 2013. Zotero is a free, open-source referencing tool that operates by "enter once, use many." It captures references by one-click acquisition from databases of legal materials that cooperate with it. Users enter other references manually, with similar effort to typing a footnote. Zotero’s chief strength is multi-style flexibility. Authors build libraries of references that are pasted into scholarly work with one click; authors can choose between legal referencing styles, with Zotero automatically formatting references according to the chosen style. Ability to format seamlessly across a potentially unlimited number of styles distinguishes Zotero from competing referencing tools. Zotero afficionados regularly add more styles. The present manual is thought to be the only full manual for non-technical users of Zotero. It employs the New Zealand referencing style for examples, but its principles are the same for all styles.

A 4G-Connected Micro-Rover With Infinite Range

The development of micro-rover technology could enable multiple applications. However, the range of control so far has been limited to the radio system used. If cellular (4G/5G) connectivity could be used, its control range would be practically infinite. This work describes the design of such a system. The micro-rover is controlled by an onboard GPS linked STM32 32-bit ARM-based microcontroller, which communicates with an onboard Linux computer. The control is over a 4G/LTE network, which can provide full manual (throttle and steering) or full autonomous (GPS waypoint controlled) navigation. A live HD video stream is used for driver awareness and navigation. With this approach, in this work, we demonstrate a 4G-connected micro-rover with semi-autonomous driving capability and a prototype command and control architecture with encryption that can punch through firewalls at the driver and rover end. At 0.3 m in length and 900-g weight, this is the smallest 4G-connected autonomous micro-rover ever demonstrated. Because of the 4G connectivity, its control range is practically infinite.

Efficient determination of axon number in the optic nerve: A stereological approach

Quantifying the number of axons in the optic nerve is of interest in many research questions. Here, we show that a stereological method allows simple, efficient, precise and unbiased determination of the total axon number in the murine optic nerve. Axons in semi-thin optic nerve cross sections from untreated eyes (n = 21) and eyes subjected to retinal damage by intravitreous NMDA injections (n = 32) or PBS controls (n = 5) were manually identified, counted and digitally labeled by hand. A stereological procedure was empirically tested with systematic combinations of different sampling methods (simple random sampling without replacement, systematic uniform random sampling, stratified random sampling) and sampling parameters. Extensive numerical Monte Carlo experiments were performed to evaluate their large-sample properties. Our results demonstrate reliable determination of total axon number and superior performance compared to other methods at a small fraction of the time required for a full manual count. We specify suitable sampling parameters for the adoption of an efficient stereological sampling scheme, give empirical estimates of the additionally introduced sampling variance to facilitate experimental planning, and offer AxonCounter, an easy-to-use plugin implementing these stereological methods for the multi-platform image processing application NIH ImageJ.

JETSCAPE v1.0 Quickstart Guide

The JETSCAPE collaboration announced the first public release of its framework and Monte Carlo event generator at this conference, providing a unified interface and a comprehensive suite of model implementations for all stages of ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. This release focuses on validation of the framework and the pp reference. A full manual is under development. In the mean-time, these proceedings will provide a guide for installation and simulation runs in lieu of the more traditional summary of the presentation.

Deep Learning in Image Cytometry: A Review.

Artificial intelligence, deep convolutional neural networks, and deep learning are all niche terms that are increasingly appearing in scientific presentations as well as in the general media. In this review, we focus on deep learning and how it is applied to microscopy image data of cells and tissue samples. Starting with an analogy to neuroscience, we aim to give the reader an overview of the key concepts of neural networks, and an understanding of how deep learning differs from more classical approaches for extracting information from image data. We aim to increase the understanding of these methods, while highlighting considerations regarding input data requirements, computational resources, challenges, and limitations. We do not provide a full manual for applying these methods to your own data, but rather review previously published articles on deep learning in image cytometry, and guide the readers toward further reading on specific networks and methods, including new methods not yet applied to cytometry data. © 2018 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Increasing behavior incompatible with catatonia in a young adolescent girl with autism spectrum disorder

Catatonia is a syndrome of motor disturbances and is characterized as a cluster of abnormalities in speech, movement and overall behavior. A common treatment of catatonic symptoms is lorazepam and/or electroconvulsive therapy. Only three papers were found that reportedly used behavioral interventions. Nevertheless, treatment procedures were often partially described, and outcomes were often based on clinician impressions, as opposed to objective measures. The following is an experimental analysis of the effects of a prompt-fading behavioral treatment package on the daily living skills of an adolescent girl with autism spectrum disorder and catatonia. Data were collected on the completion of four activities: blow drying hair; using a hair barrette; vacuuming a rug; and using a paper shredder. Initially, following the verbal direction to engage in the target activity, the instructor provided full manual guidance to assist the participant to complete each component response in the task analysis. Over time, manual prompts were faded. A functional relation between prompt fading and the percentage of independent responses completed across four activities was demonstrated in this paper. As manual prompts were systematically faded, independent responding emerged. Future researchers will want to investigate the effectiveness of prompt fading across different educational settings and across different individuals with similar profiles or with more or less severe symptoms of catatonia.

Clients' Retrospective Accounts of Corrective Experiences in Psychotherapy: An International, Multisite Collaboration.

This article introduces a series of 4 original research reports that used varied qualitative methods for understanding an internationally diverse sample of clients' own accounts of corrective experiences (CEs), as they looked back on their completed psychotherapy. The basis for all studies, which were conducted across 4 different countries, was the Patients' Perceptions of Corrective Experiences in Individual Therapy (PPCEIT) semistructured interview protocol (Constantino, Angus, Friedlander, Messer, & Moertl, 2011). The PPCEIT interview assesses clients' retrospective accounts of aspects of self, other, and/or relationships that may have been corrected, and what they perceived as corrective experiences that facilitated such transformations. It also asks for specific, detailed examples of these accounts and experiences. Across all studies, the PPCEIT interview generated rich clinical material and resulting empirically generated themes that may inform clinical practice. After briefly defining the CE construct and highlighting a lack of research on clients' own accounts of such experiences, we describe the development of the PPCEIT interview (and provide the full interview manual and question protocol as appendices). We then summarize the foci of the culturally diverse reports in this series.

Is the whole less than the sum of its parts? Full versus individually adapted metacognitive self-help for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized controlled trial

Self-help resources are frequently sought out by individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); however their efficacy has rarely been evaluated in randomized controlled trials, despite frequently bold claims for their efficacy. In the present study, we examined if a metacognitive self-help manual called myMCT (for “my Metacognitive Training”), which encompasses exercises from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and its "third wave", is superior to a wait-list control group in reducing OCD symptoms. Further, we examined whether an individually adapted version of the manual suited to personal problems would yield larger effects than the full manual. MethodsA total of 89 individuals with OCD symptoms participated in the online study. Participants were randomly assigned to three conditions; patients either received the full myMCT manual (sent via email attachment), an individually adapted myMCT version, or were allocated to a wait-list control group. Before randomization (pre-assessment) and six weeks later (post-assessment), individuals were asked to fill out several questionnaires tapping obsessive-compulsive and depressive symptoms. ResultsIndividuals in the two myMCT conditions improved significantly more on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised total scores than the wait-list control group (between-group comparison), with a medium to large effect size. Subsidiary analyses showed that improvements were particularly pronounced for obsessions, while effects on compulsions were mainly small and insignificant. Contrary to our expectation, the adapted version did not lead to better outcomes than the full version. DiscussionThe present study supports the feasibility of a bibliotherapeutic metacognitive approach for the treatment of obsessive thoughts. While results confirm prior reports that metacognitive training is effective in OCD, results are limited by a rather high non-completion rate. Further studies should investigate the long-term effectiveness of the approach and its utility in the framework of guided self-help or face-to-face treatment.

Semi-automated counting method of axons in transmission electron microscopic images.

To evaluate the accuracy of a new semi-automated method for counting axons in transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images. Optic nerve cross sections were obtained from both eyes of Sprague Dawley rats after unilateral induction of chronic ocular hypertension. TEM images (3000× magnification) of cross sections were evaluated by both semi-automated and manual counting methods. The semi-automated counting method was performed using ImageJ software after simple image optimization, and the resulting estimate of axon damage was compared with semiquantitative damage grading scale from light microscopic (LM) images. Axon counts obtained from the semi-automated method were strongly correlated with those obtained from the manual counting method (Pearson's correlation coefficient r=0.996, P<0.001) and from the full manual count from LM images (Spearman's ρ=0.973, P<0.001). The semi-automated method measured axonal damage with an error of 0.94±3.16% (mean±standard deviation), with worse axonal damage associated with greater error. Interobserver and intra-observer variability in axons counts were low (Spearman's ρ=0.999, P<0.005). The results of the semi-automated counting method were highly correlated with semiquantitative damage grading scale (Spearman's ρ=0.965, P<0.001). Results of our semi-automated method for counting axons in TEM images were strongly correlated with those of conventional counting methods and showed excellent reproducibility.

Clinical Application of the DSM-5 in Private Counseling Practice

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; APA, 2013) continues its 60-year legacy as a standard reference for clinical practice in the mental health field. Six mental health disorders are reviewed with a focus on changes between the DSM-IV-TR and the DSM-5 that represent the new landscape for each of these disorders, respectively. Following the summary of changes, a clinical scenario is presented so that counselors can capture the vision of using the DSM-5 in their counseling practice. Clinical formulation (sample diagnosis) using the DSM-5 is also presented for each disorder classification.Keywords: DSM-5, DSM-IV-TR, private practice, clinical formulation, mental disordersThe fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; APA, 2013) continues its 60-year legacy as a standard reference for clinical practice in the mental health field. This practical, functional and flexible guide is intended for use by trained counselors in a wide diversity of contexts and facilitates a common language to communicate the necessary characteristics of mental disorders present in their clients (APA, 2013). As counselors use the DSM-5, they will notice an expanded discussion of developmental and life span considerations, cultural issues, gender differences, integration of scientific findings from the latest research in genetics and neuroimaging, and enhanced use of course, descriptive and severity specifiers for diagnostic precision (APA, 2013). They will also notice a dimensional approach to diagnosis, consolidation and restructuring of most mental disorders; a new definition of a mental disorder; and emerging assessments and monitoring tools so as to promote enhanced clinical case formulation.The intent of this article is to assist all counseling specialists by presenting six clinical scenarios from the author's counseling practice. The article begins by summarizing the clinical utility of the DSM-5 and provides recommendations for counselors on how to sequence their study of the new manual. Discussed next are use of the new emerging assessment measures, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, sleep-wake disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and comorbid conditions such as excoriation (skinpicking) disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder-with a focus on prominent changes between the DSMIV-TR and the DSM-5. Clinical formulation and its associated rationale using the DSM-5 are presented for each disorder classification.Counselors are encouraged to read the full manual and to especially read the Preface; Section I (i.e., Introduction, Use of the Manual, and Cautionary Statement for Forensic Use of DSM-5); Section III: Emerging Measures and Models (i.e., Assessment Measures); and Appendix (i.e., Highlights of Changes From DSM-IV to DSM-5) before they attempt applied clinical use of the manual. To appreciate the rationale for the DSM5 5 counselors are encouraged to read the DSM-IV-TR discussion on limitations to the categorical approach (APA, 2000, pp. xxxi-xxxii) and on the nonaxial format (p. 37). This sequencing of study will help counselors use the manual as intended and avoid diagnostic errors, as well as maintain cultural sensitivity and avoid historical and social prejudices in the diagnosis of pathology (ACA, 2014).Cross-Cutting Symptom Measures and Disorder-Specific Severity MeasuresClinicians are to administer emerging assessment measures at the initial interview and to monitor treatment progress, thus serving to promote the use of initial symptomatic status and reported outcome information (APA, 2013). The DSM-5 cross-cutting symptom measures support comprehensive assessment by drawing attention to clinical symptoms that manifest across diagnoses. Cross-cutting symptom measures have two levels. Level 1 measures offer a brief screening of 13 domains for adults (i.e., depression, anger, mania, anxiety, somatic symptoms, suicidal ideation, psychosis, sleep problems, memory, repetitive thoughts and behaviors, dissociation, personality functioning, and substance use) and 12 domains for children and adolescents (i. …

Management Challenges for Point-of-Care Coordinators in Delivering Training and Competency Programs

The roles and responsibilities of point-of-care (POC) coordinators are numerous and ever expanding. The ordering and dispatch of reagents and consumables, confirming lot numbers and expiry dates, managing stock wastage, maintenance of quality testing result sheets, management and provision of feedback on quality testing data, verification of patient results, managing device errors, device maintenance and repair, and managing compliance and regulatory issues (to mention just a few tasks) place substantial demands on the POC coordinator’s time. With the support of industry, the ability to automate many of these manually intensive tasks should be a goal to which all managers of POC networks strive. In practice, the nature and extent of the challenges faced by POC coordinators often depend on the clinical, cultural, and geographic setting in which the POC testing network operates. The 2 largest POC testing models that our unit coordinates are the QAAMS (Quality Assurance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medical Services) Program and the Northern Territory POC Testing Program. The QAAMS Program is a national POC testing model for diabetes management operating in more than 160 indigenous medical services across mainly rural and remote Australia. 1Y3 The Northern Territory Program provides POC testing for acute and chronic diseases in 41 remote indigenous health centers in the territory. 4 Because of the extreme geographic isolation of many of these health services and given that the POC device operators who conduct patient testing in these programs may be one of several different health professional groups, the POC coordinators and supporting scientific staff responsible for these programs face unique challenges with the management of operator training and competency assessment in particular. This aspect of delivering these models therefore forms the basis of this editorial. Organization of POC training sessions for health professional staff from remote communities can be very difficult. Because of the competing time demands on staff in remote health services, not all staff are able to attend on-site training sessions delivered by the POC coordinator; conversely, the cost of flying remote staff to a central location (capital city) for training is prohibitive, and health center managers are reluctant to allow staff the additional time away from the service. Staff turnover rates in remote health centers are also high, 5 and it is often difficult to maintain continuity of patient and quality POC testing during periods when services are understaffed or when there are no trained operators available at remote services. Hard copies of manual training resources such as primary training manuals and posters summarizing quick guides on how to perform patient and quality testing are often misplaced when staff turn over, leaving the next POC operator without key reference material. The ability of the POC coordinator to deliver immediate on-site training sessions when new staff replacements arrive is compromised by the demands of distance and time. For this reason, training for our large networks has evolved in recent years to include a range of flexible automated and electronic options, which aim to simplify the manual workload and the travel and time demands on the POC coordinator and provide a more sustainable means for the delivery of training. In the QAAMS Program, Web-streamed videos of training are now available through a password-protected ‘‘Participant Only’’ section of the Web site. These videos systematically take the participant through the principles and practice of POC testing for this program and can be viewed at any time that is convenient for the trainee device operator. The full training manual, poster sets, training EDITORIAL

Florida 4-H Treasurer's Manual and Record Book

Revised! 4HGCR02, a 36-page full color manual by Joy Jordan, is 4-H club material that will help guide the newly elected treasurer (age 8 and up) in his or her duties and responsibilities. This record book will be the official financial record of a 4-H club. Published by the UF 4-H Youth Development Program, December 2009. 4HGCR02/4H012: Florida 4-H Treasurer's Manual and Record Book (ufl.edu)

Election Audits Using a Trinomial Bound

In November 2008, we audited contests in Santa Cruz and Marin counties, California. The audits were risk-limiting: they had a prespecified minimum chance of requiring a full hand count if the outcomes were wrong. We developed a new technique for these audits, the trinomial bound. Batches of ballots are selected for audit using probabilities proportional to the amount of error each batch can conceal. Votes in the sample batches are counted by hand. Totals for each batch are compared to the semiofficial results. The ldquotaintrdquo in each sample batch is computed by dividing the largest relative overstatement of any margin by the largest possible relative overstatement of any margin. The observed taints are binned into three groups: less than or equal to zero, between zero and a threshold d , and larger than d . The number of batches in the three bins have a joint trinomial distribution. An upper confidence bound for the overstatement of the margin in the election as a whole is constructed by inverting tests for trinomial category probabilities and projecting the resulting set. If that confidence bound is sufficiently small, the hypothesis that the outcome is wrong is rejected, and the audit stops. If not, there is a full hand count. We conducted the audits with a risk limit of 25%, ensuring at least a 75% chance of a full manual count if the outcomes were wrong. The trinomial confidence bound confirmed the results without a full count, even though the Santa Cruz audit found some errors. The trinomial bound gave better results than the Stringer bound, which is commonly used to analyze financial audit samples drawn with probability proportional to error bounds.

The 7-Steps of the Data Analysis

It may seem to be difficult to analyze the Suzaku data, but the data structure and the tools are rather simple. We have constructed the way to process Suzaku FITS data and ftools for over ten years. We have prepared three kinds of manuals to analyze the data; Seven step manual of the XIS and the HXD for beginners, first step manual to walk through the analyses, and the ABC guide as a full manual. In the actual analyses, we have to be careful about events in operation and the limitations in the calibration of instruments. In this paper, the data structure, tools, and manuals with activities of help desks, current status of processing are summarized.

Swarm PS: Rapid, semi-automated single particle selection software

Single particle analysis (SPA) coupled with high-resolution electron cryo-microscopy is emerging as a powerful technique for the structure determination of membrane protein complexes and soluble macromolecular assemblies. Current estimates suggest that ∼10 4–10 5 particle projections are required to attain a 3 Å resolution 3D reconstruction (symmetry dependent). Selecting this number of molecular projections differing in size, shape and symmetry is a rate-limiting step for the automation of 3D image reconstruction. Here, we present Swarm PS, a feature rich GUI based software package to manage large scale, semi-automated particle picking projects. The software provides cross-correlation and edge-detection algorithms. Algorithm-specific parameters are transparently and automatically determined through user interaction with the image, rather than by trial and error. Other features include multiple image handling (∼10 2), local and global particle selection options, interactive image freezing, automatic particle centering, and full manual override to correct false positives and negatives. Swarm PS is user friendly, flexible, extensible, fast, and capable of exporting boxed out projection images, or particle coordinates, compatible with downstream image processing suites.