Repeatability: some aspects concerning the evaluation of the measurement uncertainty

Various publications stress the importance of the repeatability (i.e. precision) of the calculation of the measurement of uncertainty. We reveal by detailing an example from production control in the pharmaceutical industry that the effect of other influence quantities should not be neglected, because their magnitude is even larger than the contribution of repeatability. We review the role of repeatability within the calculation of measurement uncertainty for several common validation and day-to-day measurement scenarios. They show that measurement models need to consider the measurement sequences of the various scenarios. Otherwise the size and effect of the repeatability might be overestimated. At the end Monte Carlo simulations were used to investigate the determination of the repeatability under certain restrictions. The simulation uncovered a significant bias toward the common formula for calculating the standard deviation when it is based on a duplicated measurement of a sampl

Showcases of Revolutionary Transformation:: Exhibitions in the Early Meiji Period

Auf den – gemeinhin als Meiji ishin bezeichneten – politischen Umbruch vom Frühjahr 1868 folgte ein Jahrzehnt revolutionären Wandels, der die japanische Gesellschaft von Grund auf umgestaltete. Ohne die Berücksichtigung kultureller Praktiken jedoch lassen sich die Stoßrichtung und Tragweite dieser „Meiji-Revolution“ nicht erfassen. Der Beitrag untersucht daher den Wandel anhand des Mediums öffentlicher Ausstellungen. Die Institution der Ausstellung offenbarte die revolutionären Ansprüche und Praktiken der neuen Eliten sowie die Reaktionen der Bevölkerung auf diese Ansprüche und Praktiken mit besonderer Deutlichkeit, denn es gab während der Meiji-Zeit keine andere Veranstaltungsform, die so viele Menschen an einem einzigen Ort hätte zusammenbringen können. Es wird gezeigt, dass Ausstellungen weniger Abbilder als vielmehr Träger des Wandels waren: Mit ihnen und durch sie ließen sich politische Ambitionen artikulieren, welche die im Entstehen begriffene Nation repräsentierten, Ordnungen des Wissens verhandelten und neuartige Konsumkulturen erprobten. Ihre Durchführung ließ dabei stets unterschiedliche, ja, entgegengesetzte Tendenzen hervortreten: Kontinuitäten und Brüche, wobei, längerfristig betrachtet, letztere dominierten

Epigenetics review and synthesis: autism spectrum disorder, postpartum depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder

The current review explores epigenetics-the way in which the environment influences genetic expression-to examine the crucial role the environment plays in mediating genetic effects on behavior. Specifically, this paper examines epigenetics with respect to three different mental health issues: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), postpartum depression (PPD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Much research in these areas has shown that domestic environmental influences impact the onset of these disorders. The purpose of this review is to show how genetics and the environment interact to alter genetic expression and ultimately, behavior. By doing so, this review justifies the need to study epigenetics and proposes ideas for future areas of research within the field. By understanding how the environment and genetics interact, clinicians can develop appropriate clinical interventions to aid those with ASD, PPD, and PTSD.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?

BRAFV600E Mutation and p27kip1 Expression in Papillary Carcinomas of the Thyroid ≤1 cm and Their Paired Lymph Node Metastases

Abstract BACKGROUND. BRAFV600E mutation and p27kip1 expression have been introduced as novel indicators that may predict prognosis in different tumors, as well as in papillary thyroid carcinomas. METHODS. Tissue samples from 214 consecutive patients who underwent total or near-total thyroidectomy with histological diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) ≤1 cm were analyzed for BRAFV600E mutation by a real-time, allele-specific amplification and for p27kip1 expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS. The BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 88 of the tumors examined, with significant differences between groups with and without lymph node (LN) metastases; the mean age of patients with BRAF V600E mutation was significantly higher than that of patients without mutations. A significant association was found between low p27Kip1 protein expression and multifocality, bilaterality, and extrathyroidal extension, in addition to LN metastasis. In 42 cases with LN metastases, 23 harbored the BRAFV600E mutation in the metastatic tumor and presented a wider diameter of the largest metastatic area, a higher number of involved LNs, and a higher percentage of metastatic lesions with extracapsular extension of LN (ECE-LN). A significantly lower mean value of p27Kip1 was observed in LNs harboring the BRAFV600E mutation and in ECE-LN; an inverse correlation was found between p27Kip1 and the number of metastatic LNs, as well as the diameter of the largest metastatic area in LN. CONCLUSIONS. The authors' data suggested that BRAFV600E mutation and p27Kip1 down-regulation in cancer cells of PTC <1 cm may be factors that facilitate tumor-cell growth and progression once these are seeded in the LNs. © 2007 American Cancer Society

Metastatic Hürthle cell carcinoma presenting with low free thyroxine, severe hypercalcemia and spurious growth hormone production

Objective: Hürthle cell tumors constitute about 5% of thyroid neoplasms. They have malignant potential, behaving very aggressively compared to other differentiated thyroid cancers. The objective of this case report is to describe a case of a Hürthle cell carcinoma with a single large metastasis in the liver presenting almost 17 years after hemithyroidectomy. We highlight the difficulties in making a histologic diagnosis and the unpredictable nature of this cancer. Methods: The patient history and biochemistry were detailed. Thyroid function tests analyzed on multiple platforms (single-photon emission computed tomography, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging, technetium-99m bone scan, and radioactive iodine) were used to aid biochemical and radiologic diagnosis. Results: The patient's thyroid function test showed persistently low free thyroxine concentrations with normal thyroid stimulating hormone and free triiodothyronine, suggesting rapid deiodination in the context of a large liver lesion. Radiologic and morphologic appearances of the liver lesion led to an initial misdiagnosis of primary hepato-cellular carcinoma, revised to metastatic Hürthle cell carcinoma after positive immunochemistry. Nonparathyroid hormone-related intractable hypercalcemia of malignancy with an unusual pattern of elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and raised fibroblast growth factor 23 concentrations culminated in his demise. Conclusions: In Hürthle cell carcinomas treated with partial thyroidectomy, subsequent abnormal thyroid functions tests may herald a more sinister underlying diagnosis. The management of Hürthle cell carcinoma relies heavily on the initial histology results. Histologic diagnosis should be sought earlier in abnormal and suspicious distant masses. Malignant hypercalcemia poses a great challenge in delayed presentations and can prove resistant to conventional treatments

A comparative-historical study of the Manenguba languages (Bantu A.15, Mbo cluster) of Cameroon.

The Manenguba languages are a group of closely related Bantu languages spoken on the north-western edge of the Bantu area. The main goals of this study are to reconstruct Proto-Manenguba (PM) from which the present day languages have developed and to examine how they are related to each other. In chapter two, the correspondences for consonants, vowels and tones are established and oroto-phonemes proposed. In chapter three, the sound changes that have apparently taken place between PM and the different languages are presented and discussed. Several diagrams are included to highlight the kinds of splits and mergers that have occurred. Chapter four is devoted to a comparison and partial reconstruction of the morphology of the noun class and concord system. In chapter five, PM roots are compared with Proto-Bantu (PB) reconstructions in order to examine the sound correspondences between the two proto-languages. Special attention is given to the apparent double reflexes of voiceless PB stops in North West Bantu languages which have recently been attributed to a former lenis/non-lenis distinction. Apparent non-procductive morphophonemic alternations In one of the languages (Akoose) are brought to light involving reflexes of the above stops, although we are not able to provide a satisfactory answer as to their origin. Chapter six is concerned with the classification of the Manenguba languages. Previous classifications and some recent lexicostatistical classifications are surveyed. We then present and discuss our own lexicostatistical sub-grouping of the Manenguba languages plus their relationship to some adjacent languages. This classification is then related to the previous classifications and to shared sound and morphological changes established in chapters three and four. The data on which the main part of this study is based is appended comprising some 700 comparative word lists from fourteen languages/dialects. Also included where possible are PB and proposed PM reconstructions of the lexical items