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Selected AbstractsNeurofuzzy Modeling of Context,Contingent Proximity RelationsGEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 2 2007Xiaobai Yao The notion of proximity is one of the foundational elements in humans' understanding and reasoning of the geographical environments. The perception and cognition of distances plays a significant role in many daily human activities. Yet, few studies have thus far provided context,contingent translation mechanisms between linguistic proximity descriptors (e.g., "near,""far") and metric distance measures. One problem with previous fuzzy logic proximity modeling studies is that they presume the form of the fuzzy membership functions of proximity relations. Another problem is that previous studies have fundamental weaknesses in considering context factors in proximity models. We argue that statistical approaches are ill suited to proximity modeling because of the inherently fuzzy nature of the relations between linguistic and metric distance measures. In this study, we propose a neurofuzzy system approach to solve this problem. The approach allows for the dynamic construction of context,contingent proximity models based on sample data. An empirical case study with human subject survey data is carried out to test the validity of the approach and to compare it with the previous statistical approach. Interpretation and prediction accuracy of the empirical study are discussed. [source] Reaching the covert, fragile side of patients: The case of narcissistic personality disorderJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Giuseppe Nicolň A multifaceted self allows selection of those sides that are most suited to a situation and an interpersonal context, thus improving adaptation. Patients suffering from personality disorders display a limited range of self-aspects, and their relationships are stereotyped and maladaptive. Another problem is that some of these sides scarcely reach consciousness and usually remain in the background. In the case of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) the self-part that is fragile is unlikely to reach consciousness, so that people suffering from this disorder are impervious and detached. We present a case of a psychotherapist working with a woman suffering from NPD by facilitating the emergence of the fragile part of her self, hidden by angry and scornful characters. We demonstrate, moreover, how reaching such a self-part is associated with an improvement in the patient's interpersonal relationships outside the consulting room. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 63: 141,152, 2007. [source] Laser-capture microdissection: Applications in routine molecular dermatopathologyJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2004Amir S. Yazdi Applications for PCR-based diagnostics are particularly helpful for the determination of clonality in cutaneous lymphocytic infiltrates and for detection of infectious agents, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Borrelia burgdorferi, Mycobacteria, Leishmania, and Treponema pallidum. As biopsies are always composed of different cells, the cells of interest are often only a minor population. As a consequence, their specific DNA is diluted by the majority of contaminating cells. Another problem is the time- and labor-intensive DNA extraction, because usually only formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue is available, which makes molecular diagnostics a time and labor consuming, and consequently a cost-intensive procedure. To overcome these shortcomings and to eventually shorten the time to generate a result, we introduce a laser-capture microdissection (LCM)-based method for the detection of infectious agents and clonality. Only the cells of interest for the particular indication are microdissected (e.g. epidermal cells for HSV and VZV and lymphocytes for clonality analysis) and subjected to PCR amplification. Due to an accelerated DNA-extraction procedure which generates DNA in 5 h (compared to 3,4 days using conventional DNA extraction), we are able to generate a result within one working day. [source] IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF TURKISH ALMOND PASTEJOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 4 2008ESRA CAPANOGLU ABSTRACT Almond paste is an economically valuable product produced from almonds, sugar and a small amount of water. Oxidative rancidity and oil separation are the major problems that are encountered in the paste products affecting the shelf life. Another problem appears to be drying on the surface of the product resulting in poor consumer acceptability. In this study, the formulation of product was altered by adding a commercial stabilizer, antioxidant mixture and maltose syrup to prevent undesirable quality changes during storage at 4C and 30C. Peroxide value, free fatty acid and Rancimat analysis showed that the addition of antioxidant mixture prevented oxidation effectively and improved sensory scores significantly (P , 0.05). Although stabilizer addition had a detrimental effect on the textural properties, samples that have maltose had high sensory scores. The results showed that incorporation of maltose syrup and antioxidant may improve the texture and shelf life of almond paste. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The available literature on almond paste is mainly focused on the microbiological quality of the product and the prevention of spoilage reactions by modifying packaging materials. However, there is no report on the optimization of the composition to extend the shelf life of almond paste. Turkish almond paste, a healthy and expensive dessert, is a specialty product that is manufactured by using traditional grinding equipment. However, the limited shelf life of this product decreases its export potential resulting in economical losses. Therefore, improved shelf life and quality of the product is of importance from the economical point of view. In our study, we aimed to improve the quality and shelf life of Turkish almond paste by modifying its formulation in order to minimize the undesirable changes that occur during storage. [source] Electron gyration modified in the magnetic field tilted to the symmetry species of a crystalline metalPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 8 2006S. Olszewski Abstract When a crystal electron is gyrating in the magnetic field being normal to the crystallographic plane, the calculation of the gyration frequency represents a relatively easy task. The paper approaches a more complicated problem of the gyration frequency in the case when the magnetic field is tilted to the crystallographic axes. The tightly-bound s-electrons in crystal lattices of cubic symmetry are considered as examples. Another problem concerns a metal plate for which the changes of the electron gyration frequency are examined as a function of the inclination angle of the magnetic field with respect to the planar boundaries of that plate. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] A review of forecast error covariance statistics in atmospheric variational data assimilation.THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 637 2008I: Characteristics, measurements of forecast error covariances Abstract This article reviews the characteristics of forecast error statistics in meteorological data assimilation from the substantial literature on this subject. It is shown how forecast error statistics appear in the data assimilation problem through the background error covariance matrix, B. The mathematical and physical properties of the covariances are surveyed in relation to a number of leading systems that are in use for operational weather forecasting. Different studies emphasize different aspects of B, and the known ways that B can impact the assimilation are brought together. Treating B practically in data assimilation is problematic. One such problem is in the numerical measurement of B, and five calibration methods are reviewed, including analysis of innovations, analysis of forecast differences and ensemble methods. Another problem is the prohibitive size of B. This needs special treatment in data assimilation, and is covered in a companion article (Part II). Examples are drawn from the literature that show the univariate and multivariate structure of the B -matrix, in terms of variances and correlations, which are interpreted in terms of the properties of the atmosphere. The need for an accurate quantification of forecast error statistics is emphasized. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Regression-based Multivariate Linkage Analysis with an Application to Blood Pressure and Body Mass IndexANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS, Issue 1 2007T. Wang Summary Multivariate linkage analysis has been suggested for the analysis of correlated traits, such as blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI), because it may offer greater power and provide clearer results than univariate analyses. Currently, the most commonly used multivariate linkage methods are extensions of the univariate variance component model. One concern about those methods is their inherent sensitivity to the assumption of multivariate normality which cannot be easily guaranteed in practice. Another problem possibly related to all multivariate linkage analysis methods is the difficulty in interpreting nominal p-values, because the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic has not been well characterized. Here we propose a regression-based multivariate linkage method in which a robust score statistic is used to detect linkage. The p-value of the statistic is evaluated by a simple and rapid simulation procedure. Theoretically, this method can be used for any number and type of traits and for general pedigree data. We apply this approach to a genome linkage analysis of blood pressure and body mass index data from the Beaver Dam Eye Study. [source] PAIRED PREFERENCE TESTS: "50:50" AND "ALTERNATING" NO PREFERENCESJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 6 2008HAYDE ALFARO-RODRÍGUEZ ABSTRACT Because the concept of "No Preference" is ambiguous, two types of "No Preference" are defined: a "50:50" No Preference, defined operationally as consumers presented with both products having a 50% chance of choosing either, and an "Alternating" No Preference, where the probability is not 50%. The consumer would be more likely to choose one of the products. However, later, he or she might choose the other product. To investigate this, paired preference tests were performed with and without the "No Preference" option for various products. No discernible trend was noted for consumers who had chosen the "No Preference" option and distributed their votes among the preference options. These consumers and those who changed their preferences were classified according to the "50:50" No Preference and "Alternating" No Preference dichotomy accordingly. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Besides the tendency of consumers to report false preferences, paired preference tests have another problem: the concept of "No Preference" is ambiguous. It could mean that consumers liked both products equally and so would always have a 50% chance of choosing either. It could also mean that the probability is not 50% on any one occasion but varies so that one product is chosen on one occasion and the other product on another occasion. To avoid confusing the consumer so as to obtain more valid data, it is important to specify these two meanings of "No Preference." This study is a first step in that direction and should help consumers understand better the instructions for preference tests. [source] Assessment of functional vision and its rehabilitationACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010August Colenbrander Abstract. This article, based on a report prepared for the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR), explores the assessment of various aspects of visual functioning as needed to document the outcomes of vision rehabilitation. Documenting patient abilities and functional vision (how the person functions) is distinct from the measurement of visual functions (how the eye functions) and also from the assessment of quality of life. All three areas are important, but their assessment should not be mixed. Observation of task performance offers the most objective measure of functional vision, but it is time-consuming and not feasible for many tasks. Where possible, timing and error rates provide an easy score. Patient response questionnaires provide an alternative. They may save time and can cover a wider area, but the responses are subjective and proper scoring presents problems. Simple Likert scoring still predominates but Rasch analysis, needed to provide better result scales, is gaining ground. Selection of questions is another problem. If the range of difficulties does not match the range of patient abilities, and if the difficulties are not distributed evenly, the results are not optimal. This may be an argument to use different outcome questions for different conditions. Generic questionnaires are appropriate for the assessment of generic quality of life, but not for specific rehabilitation outcomes. Different questionnaires are also needed for screening, intake and outcomes. Intake questions must be relevant to actual needs to allow prioritization of rehabilitation goals; the activity inventory presents a prototype. Outcome questions should be targeted at predefined rehabilitation goals. The Appendix cites some promising examples. The Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT) is an example of a properly designed randomized control study, and has demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of vision rehabilitation. It is hoped that further similar studies will follow. [source] | |||||||||||||