Operationalizing anthropological theory: four techniques to simplify networks of co-occurring ethnographic codes

The use of data and algorithms in the social sciences allows for exciting progress, but also poses epistemological challenges. Operations that appear innocent and purely technical may profoundly influence final results. Researchers working with data can make their process less arbitrary and more accountable by making theoretically grounded methodological choices. We apply this approach to the problem of simplifying networks representing ethnographic corpora, in the interest of visual interpretation. Network nodes represent ethnographic codes, and their edges the co-occurrence of codes in a corpus. We introduce and discuss four techniques to simplify such networks and facilitate visual analysis. We show how the mathematical characteristics of each one are aligned with an identifiable approach in sociology or anthropology: structuralism and post-structuralism; identifying the central concepts in a discourse; and discovering hegemonic and counter-hegemonic clusters of meaning. We then provide an example of how the four techniques complement each other in ethnographic analysis.

Short ultrasonic waves in cancellous bone

A new cellular model of the propagation of short ultrasonic waves in cancellous bone is introduced. The theoretical results derived from the proposed model have been compared with the well known macrocontinual Biot's theory. Independently, the experimental results obtained by the pulse transmission method for cancellous bovine bone and a model material have been reported. The data from time and frequency domain are analyzed and discussed in light of the two-phase description developed under long and short wave assumption.

Multiphase nature and structure of biomaterials studied by ultrasounds

The paper discusses the applicability of a two-phase model of saturated porous materials for a description of the results of broadband ultrasonic studies of wave parameters in bovine trabecular bone. The analysis is focused on the role of the internal structure of the materials in the propagation of dilatational waves within the frequency range with a significant attenuation of wave energy due to absorption and scattering. The applicability of ultrasonic studies for the determination of characteristic macro- and micro-structural parameters of biomaterials using a model-based approach is considered.

The growth factor from plerocercoids of Spirometra mansonoides is both a growth hormone agonist and a cysteine proteinase

Plerocercoids of the tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides produce a substance that stimulates growth of experimental hosts. We report purification of plerocercoid growth factor (PGF) to homogeneity by a process involving isolation and solubilization of plerocercoid membranes, isoelectric point selection by chromatofocusing chromatography or preparative isoelectric focusing, and anion-exchange chromatography. A radioreceptor assay (RRA) for human growth hormone (hGH) was used to detect PGF and purity of the 27.5-kDa protein was judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Proteolytic activity was detected in the 27.5-kDa protein by gelatin substrate PAGE. Characterization of PGF as a neutral cysteine proteinase was based on substrate and inhibitor specificities and dependence on pH and thiol-containing reagents. The association of hGH agonist and proteinase activities was shown by comparing RRA and hydrolytic activities in the presence and absence of the cysteine proteinase inhibitor E-64.

A comparison between alternative and trade name glucose test strips

OBJECTIVE

To determine the reliability of seven different alternative glucose test strips manufactured for use with three different glucose meters.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Venous blood samples were obtained from volunteers to test trade name glucose test strips on the manufacturers' glucose meters (One Touch II, Glucometer II, and Glucometer III), and the remainder of each sample was used for laboratory determination of blood glucose levels. In addition to the trade name test strips, Quick Check and First Choice test strips were tested on all meters, and Biotel test strips were also tested on the Glucometer III.

RESULTS

In linear regression analysis, the R2 ranged from 0.84 to 0.97 for the test strips compared with plasma glucose values. The test strips with the highest accuracy and precision at all ranges of blood glucose levels were the One Touch II and Glucometer III trade name strips and the Quick Check and First Choice alternative strips for the One Touch II glucose meter and the First Choice alternative strip for the Glucometer II. Subgroup analysis based on ranges of blood glucose values, however, revealed that the alternative strips were not as accurate as the trade name test strips, with the exception of the First Choice alternative test strip for the Glucometer II. All of the trade name test strips were more precise than the alternative test strips designed for the individual meters.

CONCLUSIONS

Alternative glucose test strips can be used to predict the actual laboratory blood glucose values but are generally not as accurate or precise as the trade name test strips.

Leukotactic dystunction in sarcoidosis

The leukotactic function of patients with sarcoidosis was studied. A defect was found in 19 of the 20 patients tested and was due to moderately elevated serum levels of the chemotactic factor inactivator. The chemotactic factor inactivator levels were not as high as those previously reported in patients with Hodgkin's disease or cirrhosis of the liver. The effect of the inactivator was irreversible and was directed toward all three of the chemotactic factors tested. The physicochemical characteristics of chemotactic factor inactivator in serum from sarcoid patients resembled in most respects the features of chemotactic factor inactivator in normal serum. As expected, the generation of chemotactic activity in some sarcoid serums by zymosan was impaired. The results of this study may relate to some of the reported defects in expression of immunity in sarcoid patients.