Subjective Categorization Research Articles

A global end-member approach to derive <i>a</i><sub>CDOM</sub>(440) from near-surface optical measurements

Abstract. This study establishes an optical inversion scheme for deriving the absorption coefficient of colored (or chromophoric, depending on the literature) dissolved organic material (CDOM) at the 440 nm wavelength, which can be applied to global water masses with near-equal efficacy. The approach uses a ratio of diffuse attenuation coefficient spectral end-members, i.e., a short- and long-wavelength pair. The global perspective is established by sampling “extremely” clear water plus a generalized extent in turbidity and optical properties that each span 3 decades of dynamic range. A unique data set was collected in oceanic, coastal, and inland waters (as shallow as 0.6 m) from the North Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, Hawaii, Japan, Puerto Rico, and the western coast of the United States. The data were partitioned using subjective categorizations to define a validation quality subset of conservative water masses (i.e., the inflow and outflow of properties constrain the range in the gradient of a constituent) plus 15 subcategories of more complex water masses that were not necessarily evolving conservatively. The dependence on optical complexity was confirmed with an objective methodology based on a cluster analysis technique. The latter defined five distinct classes with validation quality data present in all classes, but which also decreased in percent composition as a function of increasing class number and optical complexity. Four algorithms based on different validation quality end-members were validated with accuracies of 1.2 %–6.2 %, wherein pairs with the largest spectral span were most accurate. Although algorithm accuracy decreased with the inclusion of more subcategories containing nonconservative water masses, changes to the algorithm fit were small when a preponderance of subcategories were included. The high accuracy for all end-member algorithms was the result of data acquisition and data processing improvements, e.g., increased vertical sampling resolution to less than 1 mm (with pressure transducer precision of 0.03–0.08 mm) and a boundary constraint to mitigate wave-focusing effects, respectively. An independent evaluation with a historical database confirmed the consistency of the algorithmic approach and its application to quality assurance, e.g., to flag data outside expected ranges, identify suspect spectra, and objectively determine the in-water extrapolation interval by converging agreement for all applicable end-member algorithms. The legacy data exhibit degraded performance (as 44 % uncertainty) due to a lack of high-quality near-surface observations, especially for clear waters wherein wave-focusing effects are problematic. The novel optical approach allows the in situ estimation of an in-water constituent in keeping with the accuracy obtained in the laboratory.

Comparing Shape Categorization to Circularity Measurement in the Evaluation of Median Nerve Compression Using Sonography.

This study aimed to develop a subjective categorization of nerve shape and to examine the relationship of shape categorizations to measurement of nerve circularity. Wrists were evaluated with sonography in healthy participants. Images of the median nerve were obtained in the transverse plane at the level of pisiform with the fingers resting, gripping, and pinching. Nerves were categorized as ovoid, angular, or irregular, and the cross-sectional area and perimeter were measured to calculate nerve circularity. Across 167 participants, the median nerve shifted from being primarily ovoid at rest to angular shaped when the fingers were in a full fist or pinching. Approximately three-quarters of subjects exhibited a shape change during dynamic movement. Irregular nerves had the lowest circularity values; however, the majority of nerves had similar circularity measures despite having different shapes. Subjective categorization of shape has the potential to be a valid technique for evaluation of the median nerve using sonography, and this evaluation may provide additional information regarding nerve compression that is not fully captured by a circularity measure. Further investigation is needed to determine how these two techniques may be best used individually or together to advance clinical diagnosis, prevention, and rehabilitative interventions.

Effect of contemporary retraction agents and cleaning with hydrogen peroxide on the polymerization of elastomeric impression materials.

The aim of the study is to investigate the polymerization inhibition of elastomeric impression materials vinylpoly siloxane (VPS) and polyether (PE) when used in combination with retraction materials with and without subsequent cleaning with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Methods: Seven stainless steel specimens were fabricated. Four hundred and twenty impressions were made with three different elastomeric materials (140 each) as follows: group 1: VPS-Panasil; group 2: VPS-Express; group 3: PE-Monophase. Each material group was further subdivided into seven subgroups, based on use of no retraction material (control), three different retraction materials [Retraction capsule (RC3M), Dryz, Expasyl], and two cleaning techniques (water and H2O2). All subgroups included 20 impressions, which were made by a single operator using an automix gun. Evaluations were made using a visual scale by three calibrated examiners blindly and independently. Subjective categorization of the impressions were made as inhibited and uninhibited. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Inhibited impressions were lower than uninhibited impressions among VPS materials (Panasil and Express); Panasil and Express showed comparable (p > 0.05) impression retardation. PE showed significantly higher inhibition compared to VPS materials (p < 0.05). Expasyl showed significantly higher polymerization inhibition than other retraction materials (p < 0.05). The use of H2O2 for cleaning showed significant reduction in polymerization inhibition than cleaning with water for Expasyl (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Overall contemporary retraction materials showed low potential for polymerization inhibition of elastomeric impression materials. Expasyl should be cleaned with H2O2 prior to impression making. However, Dryz and RC3M can show accurate impressions with water cleaning alone.

Socially Optimal Mistakes? Debiasing COVID-19 Mortality Risk Perceptions and Prosocial Behavior

The perception of risk affects how people behave during crises. We conduct a series of experiments to explore how people form COVID-19 mortality risk beliefs and the implications for prosocial behavior. We first document that people overestimate their own risk and that of young people, while underestimating the risk old people face. We show that the availability heuristic contributes to these biased beliefs. Using information about the actual risk to debias people's own risk perception does not affect donations to the Centers for Disease Control but does decrease the amount of time invested in learning how to protect older people. This constitutes a debiasing social dilemma. Additionally providing information on the risk for the elderly, however, counteracts these negative effects. Importantly, debiasing seems to operate through the subjective categorization of and emotional response to new information.

Bireyleşimin Önselliği

It has been thought that statements in ordinary language or in philosophicalscientific language capture reality from different sides. But this process, which is typically considered to be a mere linguistic process, can cause us to think (incorrectly) that we make subjective categorizations. In this paper we assert that understanding which is considered to be incorrect must be cancelled and that the individuated objects cannot be individuated only becouse of our naming of them. Individuation of objects is an independent state of affairs. So it must be accepted that the particular, individual entities have their individual characteristics independently and also a different ontological theory based on that understanding must be satisfied.

Categorization of business subjects: modern approaches and trends in the world and in Ukraine

The study focuses on the relevance of categorization in the management of the quality of service of hotel enterprises. The main approaches to categorization of hotel business actors in the world and in Ukraine have been analyzed, attention has been paid to the need to define key concepts in the management of the quality of the placement service, the issues of standards and the current categorization process in Ukraine, the direction of their solution has been substantiated. The spatial organization of categorized hotel enterprises in Ukraine was analyzed, and the dependence of the share with the rating and structure of the star categories on the tourist attractiveness of the regions was determined. The international and Ukrainian hotel corporations, whose enterprises are all categorized in a high segment, have a significant influence on the categorization. Among the main issues of categorization in Ukraine are as follows: obsolete, not appropriate current requirements regarding the quality of the service of regulations, complicated procedure of categorization, absence of a legal mechanism of influence on hotel enterprises, which publicly declare a certain category without passing the categorization process, unequal regulatory requirements for the passage of categorization the subjects of the hotel business of different legal form, capacity, historical status of the building, not formed in the majority of investors, top management, hotel business, professional consciousness that needs to be taken globally. Key words: hotel business subjects, categorization, certification, classification, standards, quality of service, categorization systems, normative-legal support.

Comparative analysis of biochemical parameters and gene expressions of novel markers in type II Diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Early detection of the disease and treatment of this chronic complication which would reduce the medical and economic burden. Early detection of kidney injury by evaluating gene expressions of Il-6, Il-10, LDLr, and CD36 in T2DM with pre-ESRD microalbuminuria minimizes the risk of DN. Methods: Present research work conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai. This study includes 241 subjects (118 male, 123 women, and age ranges 30-70 years) were included after screening for T2DM by measurement of blood glucose in fasting, post-prandial, glycosylated haemoglobin. Microalbumin in urine and e-GFR is measured to eliminate patients of ESRD. Subjects were recruited after written consent and enrolled as per inclusion/exclusion criteria. Categorization of subjects in three study groups; group I (30-45 years), group II (46-70 years) were done on the basis of T2DM duration 3-6 years, glycosylated haemoglobin level (HbA1c) ≥ 7.0% with fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dl) and microalbuminuria (30-300 mg/dl) in study group, equal numbers of healthy volunteers enrolled in control group. Blood samples were processed for other renal parameters and RT-PCR to check expressions of novel genes Results: In study groups all renal, lipids parameters are within normal range except albumin/creatinine ratio (p &lt;0.012), e-GFR (p &lt;0.00) and cholesterol (p &lt;.00). Descriptive analysis showed high significance (p &lt;.00) of delta CT gene expressions, parameters in pre-ESRD microalbuminuria subjects. Conclusion: Screening biochemical renal parameters are not enough to prevent DN even in microalbuminuria. Early detection of gene expressions of novel biomarkers predicts risk of kidney injury. Early intervention may prevent morbidity and mortality of kidney due to diabetic nephropathy.

Imaging the pituitary in psychopathologies: a review of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging studies.

The pituitary gland (PG) is a key component of the essential endocrine systems in humans and animals, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal, and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axes. Structural changes in the PG are observed in a number of psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric disorders are typically characterized by subtle, time-dependent anatomical changes in the brain, and their study necessitates highly powered, longitudinal investigations. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technology that is ideally suited to detect changes in anatomical structures over time. In this paper, we will review the main findings on pituitary function and structure in the context of healthy development and of psychiatric disorders, with particular emphasis on MRI studies. The latter have not always succeeded in providing a clear theoretical framework of mental disorders, which may be explained by low resolution and differences in preprocessing methods, imprecise segmentation rules that do not account for the anatomical and functional specificity of the anterior and posterior lobes of the PG, and inadequate categorization of clinical subjects. We review those limitations and propose solutions for future research.

RESEARCH TRENDS IN JAPANESE ON CHINESE AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT (FOCUSING ON PERIOD AFTER RURAL REFORM IN 1978)

The purpose of this research is to examine the characteristics of the Japanese research trend on Chinese family farm management published after the Chinese rural reform in 1978.The whole 152 articles were collected under the keyword of Chinese Agriculture Management through CiNii that is the most reliable academic information database in Japan. Based on article productivity the study extracted the four stage of research development: incubating stage, growing stage, peak stage, and stabilizing mature stage. Research subject categorization unveiled two general research frameworks: macro approach framework and micro approach framework. In the macro framework, farm management is structurally grasped under the relationship with external or environmental conditions surrounding farm management entities. In the micro framework farm management is grasped within internal structural relationship of family based on inputs (land and labor) and output (income). For solving the weakness of Chinese family farm holding a small land, the study extracted two strategic frameworks of integration in farm management: agricultural industrialization and farm cooperative movement. The former is a vertical integration and the latter is a horizontal integration of farm management. Those integrations of farm management require not only macro and micro level research but also mezzo(middle) approach which focuses on the relationships between community or village and farm family. Especially this mezzo approach is important to understand the reality of farm management under the on-going situation in which many farm families depend on both agriculture and non-agriculture jobs. The fact that the dates for publications in China are limited at the macro-level of nation, province and city has created the research tendency towards bipolar differentiation in macro and micro level research. Thus mezzo-level research on towns and villages has become more important.

Carbohydrate-Rich Diet Is Associated with Increased Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Disease in Non-Diabetic Subjects.

Despite the potential relationship with metabolic derangements, the association between dietary carbohydrate intake and renal function remains unknown. The present study investigated the impact of dietary carbohydrate intake on the development of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a large-scale prospective cohort with normal renal function. A total of 6746 and 1058 subjects without and with diabetes mellitus (DM) were analyzed, respectively. Carbohydrate intake was assessed by a 24-h dietary recall food frequency questionnaire. The primary endpoint was CKD development, defined as a composite of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and the development of proteinuria. CKD newly developed in 20.1% and 36.0% of subjects during median follow-ups of 140 and 119 months in the non-DM and DM subjects, respectively. Categorization of non-DM subjects into dietary carbohydrate density quartiles revealed a significantly higher risk of CKD development in the third and fourth quartiles than in the first quartile (P = 0.037 for first vs. third; P = 0.001 for first vs. fourth). A significant risk elevation was also found with increased carbohydrate density when carbohydrate density was treated as a continuous variable (P = 0.008). However, there was no significant difference in the incident CKD risk among those with DM according to dietary carbohydrate density quartiles. Carbohydrate-rich diets may increase the risk of CKD development in non-DM subjects.

Joint analysis of fasting and postprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in Venezuelan women

AimsPlasma glucose and insulin concentrations in fasting and postprandial reflect the metabolism of glucose by the human body and are useful in the diagnosis of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and insulin resistance. In this work, these concentrations are jointly analyzed in Venezuelan women and 28 classes that better specify each metabolic condition are generated. Materials and methodsEach class comprises a combination of fasting and postprandial ranges of glucose and insulin concentrations defined in the literature as normal, impaired and diabetic. A hypothesis test was used to find statistically significant differences between the classes, and confidence intervals for age and glucose and insulin concentrations were defined for each class. Results and conclusionThe process of deterioration of glucose metabolism advances with the age of the subject, more than half of the prediabetics have impaired glucose levels in fasting but normal in postprandial and normal insulin levels in fasting and postprandial, and one third of diabetics have diabetic glucose levels in fasting and postprandial and normal insulin levels in fasting and postprandial. This categorization of subjects would allow the application of a more specific treatment and the possibility of predicting the progress of the metabolic disorder.

Middle-aged Drivers’ subjective categorization for combined alignments on mountainous freeways and their speed choices

Road geometric design is a fundamental factor that impacts driving speed. Previous research generally paid attentions to the influences of specific road characteristics (e.g. curvature) on driving behaviors. Limited studies have focused on how drivers identify different alignments and how they further take the varying speed choices. This study aims at filling the gap by investigating the subjective categorization of road alignments based on middle-aged driver groups. A total of sixteen participants with ages ranging from 23 to 40 years were recruited. Participants were first asked to undertake naturalistic driving tests on a four-lane divided mountainous freeway while photos of the road and the driving speed were collected. Participants were then asked to subjectively sort the photos of the road into piles, within each pile we considered their driving behaviors would be similar. Finally, questionnaire survey was conducted in terms of comfort, safety, speed choice and sight distance. The picture grouping revealed three distinct and non-overlapping subjective categories of road alignment. And driver’s ratings about comfort and safety were significantly different between these categories. The category with the largest sight distance and highest speed choice turned out to have the lowest rating in comfort and safety (note that the rating scales for comfort and safety had reversed polarity such that low numbers indicated high comfort and high safety). Statistical evidences indicated that the drivers have developed underlying mental schema about road alignment. Therefore, their speed choices on combined alignment were further investigated. The difference between actual driving speed and driver’s expected speed showed close relation to the ratings and significant difference between two of the categories. Road with large absolute value in speed difference informed inconsistency between geometric design and driver’s expectation from the aspects of drivers’ perception and expectation of the road. The findings provided insight into how middle-aged driver views and categorizes road alignment. And it was found that the drivers relied on visual characteristics of the alignment to distinguish the categories instead of separate horizontal and vertical geometric parameters. It was implied that more considerations should be taken into driver’s perception of road during alignment design to improve road safety.

Abstract P5-01-01: The effectiveness of breast ultrasonography in cancer screening: A comparison with mammography

Abstract Purpose Mammography(MMG) is a measure of screening that is proven to be effective in lowering death rate in breast cancer validated by randomized control trials. Recently, the number of incidence of breast cancer in Korean women is showing ascending tendency, and also as compared to those in North American and European countries, prevalence age tends to be lower. Since they tend to have much dense breast, MMG alone can hardly be considered as a sufficient measure of breast cancer screening. The purpose of the study is to study the effectiveness of breast ultrasonography(US) in breast cancer screening in Korean women by investigating the ratio of patients who are diagnosed as malignant in breast US over those who are diagnosed as negative or benign(category 1 and 2) and dense breast(category 0) in MMG. Materials and Methods We conducted the retrograde study over 2776 female subjects who had undergone screening MMG in single center in South Korea during the period between Jan, 1st 2010 to Dec, 31st 2016. Female patients are categorized according to BI-RAD category. 164 of subjects were previously undergone a breast cancer surgery, which made them eliminated from the list, and 2612 subjects are finally selected. Results Some more 33 subjects are excluded from the list and rest 2579 subject had undergone breast US. Among these, 1133 subjects (43.9%, 1133/2579) correspond to dense breast of BI-RADS category 0, while 303 of them are suspected of category 4 or more. The subjects corresponding to category 1 to 3 are 663, 251 and 229 respectively. 307 of 1133 subjects in category 0 are confirmed as having suspicious lesion based on findings of breast US. Among them, 66 subjects are identified as malignant based on biopsy, which accounts for 5.8% (66/1133). 104 subjects in category 1, are confirmed to have lesions based on findings of breast US, where 25 alone were identified as malignant (3.8%, 25/663). Likewise, 10 (4.0%, 10/251) in category 2 and 13 (5.7%, 13/229) in category 3 are identified. Subject categorization by BI-RAD systemCategory 0dense breast983 dense breast with calcification94 dense breast with probable mass28 others28 total113343.9%Category 1 66325.7%Category 2 2519.7%Category 3 2298.9%Category 4 or more 30311.7%total 2579100.0% Malignancy ratio of each category after biopsy totalsuspicious lesion on breast USbiopsy benignmalignantmalignancy ratioCategory 01133307241665.8% (66/1133)Category 1663104792525 3.8% (25/663)Category 22514131104.0% (10/251)Category 32297259135.7% (13/229) Conclusion It appears that 43.9% of total 2579 subjects undergone MMG and breast US are confirmed as dense breast in category 0 and 5.8% of them are diagnosed as breast cancer according to breast US and biopsy. Likewise, for those who are considered as either category 1 or 2, which is negative or benign lesion category, 3.8% are diagnosed as breast cancer. As it is appeared in this study, cancer detection can be more effective in parallel measure of MMG and breast US rather than MMG alone, especially for breast cancer screening of Korean female subjects. Citation Format: Jeong S, Kim Y, Kim K. The effectiveness of breast ultrasonography in cancer screening: A comparison with mammography [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-01-01.

The association between self-reported depressive symptoms and the use of social networking sites (SNS): A meta-analysis

The use of social networking sites (SNSs) has become a widespread part of modern-day life. A recent proliferation of research regarding SNS use pertains to its association with self-reported depressive symptoms. The current meta-analysis evaluates this literature by assessing the relationship between SNS use and self-reported depressive symptoms. Based on 55 independent samples (N = 80, 533), an effect size of r = .165 was obtained, indicating a small, positive, significant association between self-reported symptoms of depression and SNS use. Furthermore, the type of SNS use was identified to be a significant moderator of this relationship. Limitations of this meta-analysis include the use of mainly cross-sectional studies – limiting the potential for causal claims –, as well as the subjective categorization of certain moderator subgroups. The results of this review highlight the need for advancing various streams of future research; particularly, in determining the direction of the causal relationship between these two constructs, as well as better-defined and theory-grounded definitions of the different types of SNS use.

Variability of Breast Density Classification Between US and UK Radiologists

PurposeTo assess whether subjective breast density categorization remains the most useful way to categorize mammographic breast density and whether variations exist across geographic regions with differing national legislation. MethodsBreast radiologists from two countries (UK, USA) were voluntarily recruited to review sets of anonymized mammographic images (n = 180) and additional repeated images (n = 70), totaling 250 images, to subjectively rate breast density according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data system (BI-RADS) categorization. Images were reviewed using standardized viewing conditions and Ziltron software. Inter-rater reliability was analyzed using the Kappa test. ResultsThe US radiologists (n = 25) judged fewer images as being “mostly fatty” than UK radiologists (n = 24), leading a greater number of images classified in the higher BI-RADS categories, particularly in BI-RADS 3. Overall agreement for all data sets was k = 0.654 indicating substantial agreement between the two cohorts. When the data were split into BI-RADS categories, the level of agreement varied from fair to substantial. ConclusionVariations in how radiologists from the USA and UK classify breast density was established, especially when the data were divided into breast density categories. This variation supports the need for a reliable breast density assessment method to enhance the individualized supplemental screening pathways for dense breasts. The use of two-scale categorization method demonstrated improved agreement. Advances in knowledgeLarger sample of radiologists from different breast density jurisdictions confirms international subjective variability in density categorization and improved agreement with the two-scale (low, high) categorization. With this variability, a standardized and automated breast density assessment shows to be timely.

Humanitarismo y control migratorio en Argentina: refugio, tratamiento médico y migración laboral

Fil: Clavijo Padilla, Janneth Karime. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentina

Certified Child Life Specialists Lessen Emotional Distress of Children Undergoing Laceration Repair in the Emergency Department.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of certified child life specialists (CCLSs) on the emotional responses of children undergoing laceration repair in the emergency department (ED). Patients 4 to 12 years of age who required laceration repair by suturing were prospectively enrolled at an urban tertiary pediatric ED. Certified child life specialists are not available at all times in our institution, allowing for a priori categorization of subjects into 2 comparison groups, those with and those without CCLS involvement. Subjects requiring anxiolysis, pharmacologic sedation, narcotics, or physical restraint were excluded. The Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale, a previously validated Likert-like tool, was used to quantify the patients' distress, with a higher score reflecting a more emotional child. Just before placement of the first suture, subjects were scored by trained independent observers. Baseline data included age, sex, race, type of local anesthetic, length and location of laceration, and analgesics administered. The primary endpoint of emotional score was compared with a 2-tailed Mann-Whitney U test, with a P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Two hundred one patients constituted the final study cohort, with 103 (51%) having CCLS involvement. Study groups did not differ in regards to any baseline demographic or clinical characteristics. The median emotional score for patients with child life services was 7 (interquartile range, 6-9) versus 9 (interquartile range, 7.5-12) for those without (P < 0.0005). Certified child life specialist involvement is associated with less emotional distress for children undergoing laceration repair in the ED.

Characterizing Zebra Chip Symptom Severity and Identifying Spectral Signatures Associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’-Infected Potato Tubers

Zebra chip (ZC) disease has been a threat to the US potato industry for nearly two decades. ZC is associated with the bacteria ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso), which is transmitted by the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae). ZC reduces yield and quality, due to discoloration of the tuber tissue. Symptom severity is affected by the time of infection and early-season infections express relatively higher degrees of ZC. Although tubers infected late in the growing season, i.e. within 2 weeks of harvest, express minimal to no symptoms, they may proceed to express ZC symptoms following storage. Currently, visualization of ZC symptoms in tubers is used by processors to estimate the percentage of ZC-affected tubers in truckloads of potatoes. This approach, however, is time consuming and relies on evaluations of a small sample size. Thus, it is likely to fail in detecting the asymptomatic late infections. Using several potato genotypes infected at different times during the growing season, this study was set to determine if visible and near infrared spectrometry, and infrared thermal imaging, can be used to distinguish ZC-affected tubers, and to predict the severity of ZC symptoms. The subjective symptom score categorization, commonly used in ZC studies, corresponded with the percentage of the symptomatic area in the tubers sliced at the solon attachment end. The percentage of symptomatic area was also correlated with Lso titer. Reflectance effectively distinguished infected and uninfected tubers with high accuracy; the combined wavelengths 468, 582, 680 and 720-nm were the most effective in predicting symptom severity. Near infrared (NIR) and infrared (IR) thermal imaging failed to distinguish tubers based on Lso infection status after storage. The quantitative measure of ZC severity, and the effectiveness of some visual wavelengths in detecting ZC may help to facilitate selection assays for ZC resistance. While in our study infrared imaging did not appear to be effective in distinguishing Lso- affected tubers after storage, additional studies with field harvested tubers are still needed to evaluate the effectiveness of VIS, NIR and IR spectrometry in screening for ZC.

Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of skeletal scintigraphy for the causes of front foot pain determined by magnetic resonance imaging.

There is good correlation between increased radiopharmaceutical uptake anywhere in the feet of sports or leisure horses and the presence of foot pain. However, low sensitivity of scintigraphy for identifying lesions contributing to foot pain as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported. The aim of this retrospective, cross-sectional, analytical study was to assess the accuracy of scintigraphy for identifying the cause(s) of foot pain, using MRI as the reference standard. Sports and leisure horses that underwent both skeletal scintigraphy and MRI of the front feet between March 2008 and December 2014 and for which a definitive diagnosis of the cause(s) of front foot pain was reached were included (121 feet of 70 horses). Imaging studies were evaluated retrospectively, blindly. Agreements between scintigraphic localization of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake and subjective categorization of lesions with MRI diagnosis were assessed using Kappa statistics (κ). Measures of diagnostic accuracy were calculated. Sensitivity of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake varied among regions (31.8-76.2%) but specificity was at least high for all (84.6-100%). Agreements between both scintigraphy measures and MRI diagnosis were substantial for the distal phalanx (palmar processes and body) (κ=0.77 and κ=0.74, respectively), and ungular cartilages and chondral ligaments (κ=0.62, for both). When all regions were combined, agreements of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (κ=0.49) and relevance categorization (κ=0.45) with MRI diagnosis were moderate. In conclusion, skeletal scintigraphy does not meet the minimum reliability level for a diagnostic test, but is reliable for identification of osseous trauma to the distal phalanx and ungular cartilages.

The cascade from local to global dust storms on Mars: Temporal and spatial thresholds on thermal and dynamical feedback

We use the MarsWRF general circulation model to examine the temporal and spatial response of the atmosphere to idealized local and regional dust storm radiative heating. The ability of storms to modify the atmosphere away from the location of dust heating is a likely prerequisite for dynamical feedbacks that aid the growth of storms beyond the local scale, while the ability of storms to modify the atmosphere after the cessation of dust radiative heating is potentially important in preconditioning the atmosphere prior to large scale storms. Experiments were conducted over a range of static, prescribed storm sizes, durations, optical depth strengths, locations, and vertical extents of dust heating. Our results show that for typical sizes (order 105 km2) and durations (1–10 sols) of local dust storms, modification of the atmosphere is less than the typical variability of the unperturbed (storm-free) state. Even if imposed on regional storm length scales (order 106 km2), a 1-sol duration storm similarly does not significantly modify the background atmosphere. Only when imposed for 10 sols does a regional dust storm create a significant impact on the background atmosphere, allowing for the possibility of self-induced dynamical storm growth. These results suggest a prototype for how the subjective observational categorization of storms may be related to objective dynamical growth feedbacks that only become available to storms after they achieve a threshold size and duration, or if they grow into an atmosphere preconditioned by a prior large and sustained storm.