287 research outputs found
Performance of AI Methods in Detecting Melanoma
This research has shown that features extracted from color skin tumor images by computer vision methods can be reliable discriminators of malignant tumors from benign ones. Reliability was demonstrated by the monotonically increasing success ratios with increasing training set size and by the small standard deviations from the mean success rates. An average success rate of 70 percent in diagnosing melanoma was attained for a training set size of 60 percent. The presence or absence of atypical moles in the training and test sets was shown to have a dramatic impact on the effectiveness of the generated classification rules. This was the case with both AIM and lst-Class, and indicates a high potential for success if a method can be found for discriminating between atypical moles and melanom
The Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III and the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-Short Form: a confirmatory factor analysis
Source at https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S133032 Background: The Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III (FPQ-III) is a widely used instrument to
assess the fear of pain (FOP) in clinical and nonclinical samples. The FPQ-III has 30 items and
is divided into three subscales: Severe Pain, Minor Pain and Medical Pain. Due to findings of
poor fit of the original three-factor FPQ-III model, the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-Short Form
(FPQ-SF) four-factor model has been suggested as an alternative. The FPQ-SF is a revised
version of the FPQ-III, reduced to 20 items and subdivided into four subscales: Severe Pain,
Minor Pain, Injection Pain and Dental Pain.
Aims and methods:
The purpose of the study was to investigate the model fit, reliability and
validity of the FPQ-III and the FPQ-SF in a Norwegian nonclinical sample, using confirmatory
factor analysis (CFA). The second aim was to explore the model fit of the two scales in male
and female subgroups separately, since previous studies have uncovered differences in how well
the questionnaires measure FOP across sex; thus, the questionnaires might not be sex neutral. It
has been argued that the FPQ-SF model is better because of the higher fit to the data across sex.
To explore model fit across sex within the questionnaires, the model fit, validity and reliability
were compared across sex using CFA.
Results:
The results revealed that both models’ original factor structures had poor fit. However,
the FPQ-SF had a better fit overall, compared to the FPQ-III. The model fit of the two models
differed across sex, with better fit for males on the FPQ-III and for females on the FPQ-SF.
Conclusion:
The FPQ-SF is a better questionnaire than the FPQ-III for measurement of FOP
in Norwegian samples and across sex subgroups. However, the FPQ-III is a better questionnaire
for males than for females, whereas the FPQ-SF is a better questionnaire for females than for
males. The findings are discussed and directions for future investigations outlined.<p
Perceptions and acceptability of piloted Taenia solium control and elimination interventions in two endemic communities in eastern Zambia
Infections with Taenia solium cause significant public health and economic losses worldwide. Despite effective control tools, long‐term sustained control/elimination of the parasite has not been demonstrated to date. Success of intervention programs is dependent on their acceptability to local communities. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and questionnaires (QS) were conducted in two study communities in eastern Zambia to assess local perceptions and acceptance of two piloted intervention strategies: one targeting pigs only (‘control’ study arm), and one integrated human‐ and pig‐based (‘elimination’) strategy. QS (n = 227) captured data regarding participation in project activities, knowledge and perceptions of T. solium and of the interventional drugs used in the study. FGDs (n = 18) discussed perceived advantages and disadvantages of the interventions and of the project's delivery and value. QS data revealed 67% of respondents participated in at least one educational activity, and 80% correctly identified at least one disease targeted by the education. All elimination study arm respondents (n = 113) had taken the human treatment, and 98% intended to do so next time. Most (70%) indicated willingness to pay for future treatments (median 0.20 USD per dose). Of pig‐owning respondents, 11/12 (92%) had allowed their pigs to be treated/vaccinated and all intended to do so again next time. Four pig owners indicated willingness to pay 0.10–0.50 USD per dose of treatment or vaccine. FGD feedback revealed positive perceptions of interventions; people reported improved health in themselves and their pigs, and fewer cysticerci in pork. Latrine use, hand washing, meat inspection and proper cooking of pork had reportedly increased since the program's inception. Preliminary assessment indicates that the piloted intervention methods are generally acceptable to the communities. The reported willingness of many respondents to pay for the medications would contribute to the feasibility of long‐term, government‐led T. solium intervention programs in future
Coherent Control of Stationary Light Pulses
We present a detailed analysis of the recently demonstrated technique to
generate quasi-stationary pulses of light [M. Bajcsy {\it et al.}, Nature
(London) \textbf{426}, 638 (2003)] based on electromagnetically induced
transparency. We show that the use of counter-propagating control fields to
retrieve a light pulse, previously stored in a collective atomic Raman
excitation, leads to quasi-stationary light field that undergoes a slow
diffusive spread. The underlying physics of this process is identified as pulse
matching of probe and control fields. We then show that spatially modulated
control-field amplitudes allow us to coherently manipulate and compress the
spatial shape of the stationary light pulse. These techniques can provide
valuable tools for quantum nonlinear optics and quantum information processing.Comment: 27 pages, 10 figure
Porosidad tardía en Dolomías Jurásicas (Montañas del Garraf, Cordillera Costera Catalana, NE España): Modelo de barrera de permeabilidad
La Formación Dolomías Superiores del Garraf (Salas et al., 1991) aflora en el sector Este de las Montañas del
Garraf. Está formada por dos unidades deposicionales separadas por una discontinuidad local. La unidad
inferior está constituida por dolesparitas masivas, de coloraciones oscuras y negras, olor fétido y con fantasmas
de ooides y moldes de componentes esqueléticos. La unidad superior está formada por dolmicritas y
dolmicroesparitas laminadas de coloraciones más claras grises.
Abundante porosidad vug (hasta 25 cm de diámetro) se observa en un nivel de 75 m de grosor. La porosidad
se concentra a lo largo de planos de fractura (y superficies de estratificación). Este nivel con máximo desarrollo
de porosidad se localiza en la unidad inferior, cerca de la superficie de discontinuidad local. Porosidad
intercristalina microcorrosiva también se ha observado alrededor de la macroporosidad vug y/o se las paredes
de fractura; esta microporosidad se halla distribuida irregularmente a lo largo de toda la secuencia dolomítica.
No existen evidencias de porosidad diagenética temprana generada durante la exposición subaérea relacionada
con la discontinuidad local que separa ambas unidades. Los vugs y fracturas están cementados por una
primera generación de cemento de dolomita en disposición rim y otros estadios multifásicos posteriores de
cemento de calcita.
En las dolomías jurásicas de las Montañas del Garraf, la formación de la porosidad vug se ha relacionado con
la ascensión de fluidos corrosivos a través de las fracturas que fueron selectivamente atrapados debajo de
barreras de permeabilidad. Estas barreras son la consecuencia de los cambios de la medida cristalina de las
diferentes unidades deposicionale
Secular changes in dementia risk indices among 70-year-olds: a comparison of two Finnish cohorts born 20 years apart
AimsTo compare dementia risk indices among two separate cohorts of 70-year-olds born 20 year apart.MethodsCommunity-dwelling 70-year-old Finns were examined with similar examinations in 1991 (n = 1032) and in 2011 (n = 960). Dementia risk was assessed with the CAIDE Dementia Risk Score (CAIDE) (n = 1516), the Brief Dementia Risk Index (BDRI) (n = 1598) and the Dementia Screening Indicator (DSI) (n = 1462).ResultsThe proportion of subjects with moderate or high risk for dementia was significantly higher in earlier than in later born cohort according to CAIDE (99% and 94%, respectively, p ConclusionsAccording to dementia risk indices, it seems that dementia risk has decreased among community-dwelling 70-year-old subjects during the last decades in Finland.</p
Contributions to the revision of the genus Entoloma (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) in Europe : six new species from subgenus Cyanula and typification of E. incarnatofuscescens
In anticipation of a phylogenetically revised monograph of Entoloma in Europe, six new species of subgenus Cyanula are described here. Entoloma cistocruentatum is associated with Cistus in Spain, E. dislocatum occurs in montane regions in Catalonia (Spain) and Tuscany (Italy), E. indikon is known from Denmark and three species are mainly distributed in the Nordic countries in Europe: E. calceus , E. perchalybeum and E. praecipuum. Entoloma incarnatofuscescens, from the /Rusticoides clade is neotypified. A fully amended description is given based on molecular evidence, which includes the recently described E. violaceoparkensis and E. klofacianum which became later synonyms.publishedVersio
Coherent pion production in neutrino nucleus collision in the 1 GeV region
We calculate cross sections for coherent pion production in nuclei induced by
neutrinos and antineutrinos of the electron and muon type. The analogies and
differences between this process and the related ones of coherent pion
production induced by photons, or the (p,n) and reactions are
discussed. The process is one of the several ones occurring for intermediate
energy neutrinos, to be considered when detecting atmospheric neutrinos. For
this purpose the results shown here can be easily extrapolated to other
energies and other nuclei.Comment: 13 pages, LaTex, 8 post-script figures available at
[email protected]
Delta excitation in K^+-nucleus collisions
We present calculations for \Delta excitation in the (K^+,K^+) reaction in
nuclei. The background from quasielastic K^+ scattering in the \Delta region is
also evaluated and shown to be quite small in some kinematical regions, so as
to allow for a clean identification of the \Delta excitation strength. Nuclear
effects tied to the \Delta renormalization in the nucleus are considered and
the reaction is shown to provide new elements to enrich our knowledge of the
\Delta properties in a nuclear medium.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, LaTe
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