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Biomedical subjects

K Boston

Publications and source records attributed to K Boston.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A conceptual model for describing decision-making situations in integrated natural resource planning and modeling projects.

A conceptual model is developed herein for the purpose of stimulating discussions within groups planning and carrying out integrated natural resource projects. We first describe four basic components of integrated planning and modeling efforts: people, databases, technology, and organizational commitment. Second, we provide one view of the relationship between the size of the project's decision-making body and the timing of decisions during a project's life cycle. Finally, these two discussions are combined into a conceptual model describing the dynamic nature of decision-making within integrated projects. The abstractions and generalizations described here are not unique to private industry or governmental organizations and should provide the basis for a discussion of decision-making issues among interdisciplinary professionals embarking on large-scale or complex modeling efforts.

Computing Methodologies↗
PubMed2000

Relation between tissue structure and imposed electrical current flow in cervical neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: When an electrical potential is applied to human tissue, the pattern of the resulting current flow is determined by the shapes, arrangements, and internal structure of the tissue cells. By measurement of the electrical current patterns over a range of frequencies, and use of an inverse modelling procedure, electrical variables describing the tissue structure can be calculated. We used this method to develop a screening technique for the detection of cervical precancers. METHODS: We used a pencil probe (diameter 5 mm) to measure electrical impedance spectra from eight points on the cervix in 124 women with abnormal cervical smears. Variables that should be sensitive to the expected tissue changes were calculated. These were compared with the colposcopic results. FINDINGS: The measured electrical impedance changes were those predicted on the basis of the expected tissue structures. Measurements made on normal squamous tissues were well separated from those made on precancerous tissues. We constructed receiver-operating-characteristic curves, comparing measurements made on normal tissue and that showing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3; the area under the curve was 0.951. These groups of women could be separated with a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.92. INTERPRETATION: Characteristics of the electrical impedance spectra of tissues can be explained by changes in cell arrangements (layering) and in the size of the nuclei. This relation opens the way to deriving tissue structure from electrical impedance spectral measurements. We show that this approach can be used to give good separation of normal and precancerous cervical tissues.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1990

The Pain Cognitions Questionnaire.

This paper reports the development of the Pain Cognitions Questionnaire. This was administered to 90 mixed chronic pain patients and an exploratory factor analysis revealed two negative and two positive factors. Significant associations were observed between scores on the negative factors and measures of pain severity and mood. No clear relationship emerged, however, for positive cognitions and pain or mood variables. The implications of these findings for the assessment and treatment of chronic pain are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗