Quality Assessment Research Articles

Patient-reported outcome measures for lupus nephritis: content validity of LupusQoL and FACIT-Fatigue

BackgroundLupus nephritis (LN), a severe organ manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) and Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL) have been validated to measure HRQoL in SLE, but not specifically in LN. Patient-reported symptoms of LN are not well-reported. We assessed the content validity and relevance of these measures in evaluating patients with LN and their LN-related experiences.MethodsThis qualitative, interview-based study enrolled patients with LN from three US sites from a larger, retrospective survey study. The interview comprised an open-ended concept elicitation part and a more structured cognitive part. Concept elicitation was used to identify relevant themes describing the patients’ experiences. Patients were asked to describe their LN-related symptoms, the severity and impact of those symptoms and their satisfaction with treatment. A cognitive interview approach evaluated the appropriate understanding of the items, instructions, and response options and asked patients about their understanding of the FACIT-Fatigue or LupusQoL measures, their relevance to the condition, and any aspects of confusion or need for better clarity of the questionnaires. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. The concept elicitation data were coded, while the cognitive interview data were tabulated to present the participants’ responses next to the interview questions to support the evaluation of their understanding of the questionnaire items.ResultsOverall, 10 patients participated in FACIT-Fatigue and another 10 in LupusQoL interviews; 18 patients were female, 10 were Black (self-reported) and 17 were receiving maintenance treatment for LN with stable disease activity. When patients recalled their symptoms, 670 expressions of varying symptoms were reported. All patients described pain, discomfort, and energy-related symptoms. Urinary frequency and non-joint swelling were most frequently attributed to LN rather than SLE. Patients felt the questions asked in the FACIT-Fatigue and LupusQoL surveys were relevant to their LN experience.ConclusionsThe symptoms reported by patients with LN were consistent with symptoms reported by the overall SLE population. However, patients indicated that some symptoms of LN were more profound than symptoms of SLE alone, affecting a broad range of areas of daily life activity and resulting in a higher burden on their HRQoL. FACIT-Fatigue and LupusQoL demonstrated content relevance as meaningful tools for patients with LN. However, further quantitative data collection is needed to ensure that these patient-reported outcome tools demonstrate good measurement properties in an LN population.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Hydrochemistry using Water Quality Index in District Mirpur Khas, Sindh, Pakistan

Groundwater is a major source of drinking water in the rural areas of Sindh province, including District Mirpur Khas of Pakistan. This study was undertaken to evaluate the suitability of groundwater in Mirpur Khas for drinking purposes. In October and November 2018, the groundwater samples were collected from 50 bore wells and analyzed 17 physico-chemical parameters. The pH ranged from 7.8 to 8.8, indicating the slightly alkaline nature of the water. The mean abundance of major cations is Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and for major anions, it is SO42– > Cl– > HCO3– > NO3– > F–. The hydrochemical facies of groundwater samples show that 29 have a mixed composition, Na+-K+-Cl– characterized by 17 and the remaining 4 fall into the Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3– category. The water quality index (WQI) was calculated based on WHO standards for drinking water using 16 physico-chemical parameters. The computed WQI values range from 20.4 to 503.1. Out of the 50 samples, 9 are classified as ‘excellent,’ 21 as ‘good,’ 13 as ‘poor,’ 4 as ‘very poor,’ and 3 as ‘unsuitable for drinking.’ The average WQI value is 118.7 for 50 samples, which falls under the ‘good’ category. Turbidity and EC exhibited the highest mean effective weight values, indicating their significant influence on the WQI values.

Groundwater Quality and Potential Health Risk Assessment for Potable Use

The Ramganga River basin, comprising three rivers, the Dhela, Dhandi, and Ramganga, plays a vital role in groundwater recharge, sustaining numerous industries, urban areas, and rural communities reliant on these rivers for daily activities. The study’s primary purpose was to analyze the groundwater quality in the context of potability, irrigation, and health risks to the local inhabitants of the Ramganga River basin. In 2021–2022, 52 samples (26 × 2) were collected from 13 locations in two different seasons, i.e., pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, and 20 physico-chemical and heavy metal and metalloids were analyzed using the standard protocols. The result shows that heavy metal and metalloids and metalloid concentrations of Zn (0.309–1.787 and 0.613–1.633); Fe (0.290–0.965 and 0.253–1.720), Cd (0.001–0.002 and 0.001–0.002); As (0.001–0.002 and 0.001–0.002), Cr (0.009–0.027 and 0.011–0.029), and Pb (−0.001–0.010 and 0.00–0.010) values in mg/L are present in both seasons. The groundwater quality index (GWQI), heavy metal pollution Index (HPI), and heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) were used to assess the water quality and metal pollution in the basin area. As per GWQI values, water quality lies from excellent water quality (41.639 and 43.091) to good water quality (56.326 and 53.902); as per HPI values, it shows good (29.51 and 30.03) to poor quality (60.26 and 59.75) and HEI values show the low-level contamination (1.03–2.57 and 1.13–3.37) of heavy metal and metalloids in both seasons. According to the potential health risk assessment, infants show low risk in pre-monsoon and low risk to medium post-monsoon, while children and adults show low risk to high risk in both seasons. From the health risk perspective, it shows that children and adults have more concerns about non-carcinogenic effects, so adequate remedial measures and treatment are required to avoid the groundwater quality of the Ramganga River basin.

Impact of Landfill Leachate on Groundwater Quality and Health Risk Assessment in Mohammedia Prefecture, Morocco

Several studies have been conducted to identify the potential impact of landfills on groundwater resources. This study evaluates the impact of landfills on groundwater resources in Mohammedia prefecture, Morocco. The groundwater was analysed from 2015 to 2022. The groundwater quality was evaluated based on electrical conductivity, pH, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, phosphate, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and total hydrocarbon, aluminium, iron, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron-nickel, zing, and mercury. The assessment was based on the water quality index, leachate pollution index, non-carcinogenic risk assessment, and carcinogenic risk assessment. A leachate pollution index <5 indicates that it poses a severe risk to groundwater resources. The non-carcinogenic risk HQ was determined to be <1, which infers no potential risk. The carcinogenic risk index value of 10-4 indicated that it is within the threshold of acceptable limit. The current study concludes that leachate from the analysed landfills does not infiltrate the groundwater resources of Mohammedia prefecture. However, the leachate pollution, even though it varies, is increasing over time. This is validated by the fact that the landfill is protected with a membrane covering the ground, which inhibits any possible infiltration of soil or water resources. Hence, this study calls for continuous monitoring of groundwater resources in the region. Future studies are required to investigate the groundwater in Mohammedia prefecture in terms of emerging pollutants to identify any potential risk.

The Association of a Vegan Diet during Pregnancy with Maternal and Child Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Background: With the increasing prevalence of pregnant women adhering to a vegan diet, gaining insight into their nutritional intake and its association with maternal and fetal outcomes is essential to providing recommendations and developing guidelines for general practice. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review of the available scientific literature in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane was conducted in January 2024. Results: The titles and abstracts of 2211 unique articles were screened. Only six studies were eligible for inclusion and assessed for methodological quality using the (National Institutes of Health Study Quality (NIHSQ) Assessment Tool. The intake of protein and various micronutrients was significantly lower among vegan pregnant women compared to omnivorous women. Vitamin B12 supplements seemed sufficient in optimizing maternal and umbilical cord vitamin B12 levels amongst vegan mothers. Further, women on a vegan diet less often showed excessive pregnancy weight gain. However, children from women on a vegan diet had a significantly lower birth weight than those from women on an omnivorous diet. Conclusion: So far, only a few studies, with a large diversity of (assessment of) outcomes and insufficient power, have been published on this topic, limiting our ability to make firm conclusions about the effects of a vegan diet during pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes.

Assessment of Quality of Sleep and Daytime Sleepiness in Medical Professionals and Students in a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Poor sleep quality is a global public health issue particularly more prevalent in medical professionals and students. Despite various health and occupational risks, research is still lacking regarding the quality of sleep and its irelated factors among medical professionals and students in our region. Therefore, our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of poor sleep quality in this population.Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among medical professionals and students of Devdaha Medical College from December 2023 to June 2024 after ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board. Data regarding sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness were collected using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PQSI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale with pre-made questionnaires in Google Forms.Results: Among 395 participants, 260 (65.83%) were in the age group 20-25 years and 200 (50.63%) were nursing students. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 146 (36.96%; 95% CI: 32.19%-42.93%) and the global mean score of PSQI was calculated to be 5.12. Out of the total participants, 255 (64.55%) had excessive daytime sleepiness, 84 (21.26%) participants had one or more sleep problems out of which, snoring was in 40 (10.12%) participants.Conclusions: About one-third of the study population poor sleep quality and day time sleepiness was reported in more than half of the respondents.

Water Quality Assessment and Genetic Insights into Cyanobacterial Toxin Presence in Gyeonggi Province Reservoirs

This study aimed to examine the water quality of and presence of genes linked to cyanobacterial toxins in 17 reservoirs in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The levels of TN, TP, and chlorophyll-a indicated nutrient conditions ranging from eutrophic to hypereutrophic, consistent with international standards. Most reservoirs were found to be vulnerable to algal blooms beyond the eutrophication stage. Chlorophyll-a correlated positively with TP and TOC but negatively with TN in most reservoirs. The mcyA gene for microcystin was detected in 14 reservoirs, with a 64.9% detection rate. The toxin was detected in 47.2% of these cases, with increased concentrations in summer. The dominant microcystin variants were MC-LR>MC-RR>MC-YR. The anaC gene for anatoxin-a was detected in 11 reservoirs at an 18.9% rate, with a toxin detection rate of 9.5%. The aoaB gene for cylindrospermopsin was detected in six reservoirs at a 12.6% rate, although the toxin itself was not detected. This study emphasizes the ongoing presence of cyanobacterial toxin genes and their toxins in Gyeonggi Province reservoirs. The potentially increasing adverse impact of these toxins, because of climate change, needs to be addressed via continuous monitoring and management.

Consumer Perception of Private Label Products in Hungary

Private labels have emerged as a significant force in the retail sector, particularly in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market. Their importance has grown as consumers increasingly prioritise value for money, often choosing these products over manufacturer-branded items. As a result, private labels have become a competitive tool for retailers, driving down costs and fostering customer loyalty through consistent quality at lower prices. This study investigates Hungarian consumers' perceptions of private label products, focusing on quality comparison between private labels and manufacturer brands. A comprehensive online survey was conducted between April and June 2024, with over 10,000 respondents providing insights into their shopping habits and quality assessments of private label products. The primary findings reveal that more than half of the respondents (52.3%) believe that the quality of private label products is comparable to that of manufacturer-branded products, while 14.7% even consider it superior. Interestingly, 33% of the respondents perceive private label products as inferior in quality, although the differences are often seen as slight. These perceptions are influenced by both objective and subjective factors, including brand loyalty, price, and packaging. Demographic analysis using Cramer's V coefficient indicates that factors such as age, gender, income, and education have minimal impact on these quality perceptions. However, slight variations were noted, with men more likely to view private label products as lower in quality compared to women. Additionally, those with higher education tend to rate the quality of private label products more favorably. The study also explores consumer behavior in hypothetical purchasing scenarios, finding that 85.9% of respondents would prefer a private label product if it were identical in content and produced by the same manufacturer as a more expensive branded option. This suggests a strong potential for growth in the private label sector, particularly if retailers continue to emphasize the quality and value of these products. In conclusion, the research highlights the growing trust in private-label products among Hungarian consumers, driven by the perception that these products offer comparable quality at lower prices. Retailers are advised to leverage this trust by expanding their private label offerings, particularly in categories where consumer preference is already strong, and by continuing to market these products effectively to different demographic groups.

Hybrid inspection of printed board defects

Objectives. A hybrid approach to the problem of searching and classifying defects in printed circuit boards (PCB) is proposed. Key factors and trends in the design and production of PCBs are considered. The relevance of the study is determined by the use of new materials and production technologies.Methods. A hybrid approach based on the algorithm of comparison with reference and the use of the YOLO family of neural network models for detecting objects is used to solve the problem.Results. Models were trained on public sets of PCB images with six classes of defects, and their accuracy was assessed using generally accepted metrics.Conclusion. Experiments have shown that the YOLOv8 neural network architecture has high accuracy of defect detection, low sensitivity to image quality, presence of text and graphic objects on the PCB, but the low quality of training datasets imposes restrictions on the use of only neural networks for defect detection. It is proposed to use a hybrid approach to improve the quality of defect inspection by applying different methods depending on the quality assessment of the analyzed images.

Dynamics of Physicochemical Parameters as Indicator of Water Quality: A Study of Ogun River, Nigeria

Environmental pollution is increasingly becoming a major global problem. Surface water pollution impacts human life and the ecosystem, emphasizing the need for water quality assessment and monitoring. In this study, water Samples were collected in Ogun River for two years (twice a year) and analyzed for the physicochemical parameters using standard methods. The results show that there was spatial and seasonal variation in the water quality of the river. The physical parameters Turbidity, EC, and TDS had significant positive correlations with each other but correlated negatively with DO and pH. A significant positive correlation also existed between pH and DO (0.918). Cluster analysis grouped the parameters into three clusters, while the PCA yielded 2-components, which explained 85.61 % of the total variance in the data set. Component 1 accounts for 69.26 % of the total variance and has strong positive loadings for Turbidity, EC, and TDS and strong negative loadings for pH and DO. Component 2 accounts for 16.35 % of the total variance, with strong positive loading for BOD. The results indicate that factors that increase the Turbidity, EC, and TDS levels will decrease the levels of pH and DO while exerting a less significant effect on BOD. This study provides valuable insight into the changes and interactions of parameters that affect the water quality, which is crucial for the sustainability and quality management of the water system.

Functional brain alterations in COVID-19 patients using resting-state fMRI: a systematic review.

This study systematically reviews the available evidence on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) related to neurological symptoms and cognitive declines in COVID-19 patients. We followed PRISMA guidelines and looked up the PubMed, and Scopus databases for articles search on COVID-19 patients with neurological impairments, and functional connectivity alteration using rs-fMRI technique. Articles published between January 1, 2020, and May 31, 2024, are included in this study. The Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Prospective and Cross-Sectional Studies from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) was used to assess the quality of papers. A total of 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. The result reveals that the most prevalent neurological impairment associated with COVID-19 was cognitive decline, encompassing issues in attention, memory, processing speed, executive functions, language, and visuospatial ability. The brain connectivity results reveal that two brain areas were functionally altered; the prefrontal cortex and parahippocampus. The functional connectivity mainly increased in the frontal, temporal, and anterior piriform cortex, and reduced in the cerebellum, superior orbitofrontal cortex, and middle temporal gyrus, which also correlated with cognitive decline. The findings of neurological symptoms indicate one study reported a Disorder of Consciousness (DoC), and four studies reported COVID-19 patients with olfactory dysfunction. The present study concludes that COVID-19 can alter brain functional connectivity and offers significant insight into how COVID-19 affects the neuronal foundation of cognitive decline and other neurological impairments.

Effects of reflexology on pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review

This systematic review was conducted to investigate the impact of reflexology on pain management in individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. A comprehensive search was executed on international electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Iranian electronic library including Iranmedex and Scientific Information Database, covering the earliest available data up to January 25, 2024. The search employed keywords derived from Medical Subject Headings such as "reflexology", "pain", and "rheumatoid arthritis". The quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) critical assessment checklist. A total of four studies, encompassing 206 participants, were included in the review. Notably, 70.97% of the enrolled patients were female, with 61.17% assigned to the intervention group. The mean age of participants was 50.06 (standard deviation [SD]=8.48) years. The average study duration and follow-up period were approximately 25 and 5 weeks, respectively, with an intervention duration averaging 40 minutes. In three studies interventions were effective in decreasing pain of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, in one study, the intervention was not effective in decreasing pain of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The findings indicated that health professionals, including nurses, can effectively employ reflexology as a means to alleviate pain in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Consequently, it is recommended that healthcare managers and policymakers create an enabling environment within hospitals, facilitating the integration of reflexology into patient care protocols. This strategic approach holds the potential for reducing the pain experienced by patients afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis.

Impacts of COVID-19 on mental health of students in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionCoronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has had different public health problems among students. During COVID-19 outbreak, students were distant from scholastic area and social collaboration and affected by different mental health problems. A comprehensive analysis on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of students in Ethiopia is limited. The aim of this study is to explore and summarize the impact of COVID-19 on students’ mental health in Ethiopia.Materials and methodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane Library, CrossRef, African Journals Online and Google scholar databases were searched from December 2019 to June 2022. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment of study were done by two authors independently. I² statistics was used to assess heterogeneity. A random effect model was used. Stata 16.0 was used for statistical analysis and graphics.ResultsEight studies were incorporated. From 7 studies report, the pooled prevalence of stress was 35% (95% CI 23–48%, I2 = 98.20%, Tau^2 = 0.03, p < 0.001). From 6 studies reported the pooled prevalence of the anxiety was 44% (95% CI 30%-57%, I2 = 97.90%, Tau^2 = 0.03, p < 0.001). From 5 studies reported the pooled prevalence of depression was 44% (95% CI 23%-65%, I2 = 99.10%, Tau^2 = 0.06, p < 0.001). Likewise, the factors of mental illness were summarized.ConclusionCOVID-19 significantly affects mental health of students in Ethiopia. Anxiety, stress and depression were the most reported mental health problems. Timely psychological counseling for students is important to decrease mental health problems during the pandemic situations.

Meta-Suite: An innovative app for interactive, accessible, and transparent meta-analysis using R-Shiny.

Introduction: Meta-analysis is a powerful model for combining findings from multiple studies on a topic. Due to the growing complexity and amount of data in the digital age, research requires user-friendly tools for complex data analysis. This IDEAL phase2a study introduces Meta-Suite, which aims to simplify statistical analysis for meta-analysis with R. Methods: Meta-Suite was developed with R and Shiny to provide an intuitive General User Interface (GUI) for meta-analyses. It combines various R programs, such as meta, metasens, and metafor, and provides tools for data visualization, risk of bias evaluation, and quality assessment of randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Results: Meta-Suite facilitates data input, analysis, and visualization simply, enabling users to focus on their academic writing and reducing statistical analysis load. The application allows for plot customization and provides quick feedback, which improves data understanding and decision-making. It can assist in conducting meta-analyses, creating plots, and downloading them using a user-friendly interface. Conclusion: Meta-Suite offers a simple and user-friendly interface for conducting meta-analyses, allowing novice to access complex statistical methods. Robost user validation tests are now required to test and improve its functionality.

Report of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service on Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Liquid Biopsy (2020–2023)

Report of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service on Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Liquid Biopsy (2020–2023)

The Role of Helmet Therapy in Craniosynostosis: A Systematic Review

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of helmet therapy (HT) as a treatment for craniosynostosis, with a focus on the outcomes of skull morphology, reoperation rate, complications of HT, and quality of life of patients who receive it. A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review utilized the PICO format: Does HT following strip craniectomy (SC) improve outcomes (outcome) compared to SC alone (comparison) in patients undergoing craniosynostosis correction (intervention)? Searches were performed from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2022, using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Ovid Medline databases. Study quality was evaluated using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) quality assessment scale. Fourteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Among these, 438 patients underwent SC-HT, while 104 patients underwent SC without HT. The preoperative cephalic indices for sagittal craniosynostosis in the HT and non-HT groups were 66.8 and 67.8, respectively, which improved postoperatively to 75 and 76.2, respectively. Limited long-term follow-up hindered a definitive assessment of reoperation rates. Complication rates related to HT were low at approximately 2.9%, primarily consisting of skin irritation. Parental satisfaction was high, correlating with a strong compliance rate. Existing literature does not demonstrate a clear superiority between SC with or without HT for treating nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis. Outcomes appear comparable, but evidence is constrained by the predominance of single-center retrospective studies with limited methodological rigor. There is a pressing need for international multicenter trials to furnish more robust and generalizable findings.

Disparate impact of risk assessment instruments: A systematic review.

One concern about the use of risk assessment instruments in legal decisions is the potential for disparate impact by race or ethnicity. This means that one racial or ethnic group will experience harsher legal outcomes than another because of higher or biased risk estimates. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to synthesize research examining the real-world impact of juvenile and adult risk instruments on racial/ethnic disparities in legal decision making. Given the nature of research synthesis, we did not test formal hypotheses. Our systematic literature search as of July 2023 identified 21 articles that investigated the disparate impact of 13 risk assessment instruments on various legal outcomes. Most of these instruments were actuarial pretrial screening instruments. Our narrative synthesis indicated that there is not strong evidence of risk instruments contributing to greater system disparity. Ten articles indicated that adopting risk instruments did not create (or exacerbate preexisting) disparities, and eight articles found that instrument use reduced disparities in legal decision making. Three articles reported evidence of disparate impact of risk instruments; only one of these studies received a strong study quality assessment score. We observed a scarcity of high-quality articles that employed what we deem to be the gold standard approach for examining the disparate impact of risk instruments (i.e., pretest-posttest design). The evidence signals that risk instruments can contribute to reductions in disparities across multiple stages of legal decision making. Yet study quality remains low, and most research has been conducted on decisions during the pretrial stage. More rigorous research on disparate impact across diverse legal decision points and approaches to risk assessment is needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Vertebral Bone Quality Score for Prediction of Cage Subsidence and Screw Loosening in Patients Undergoing Degenerative Lumbar Surgery: A Meta-analysis.

Poor bone quality is a risk factor for postoperative complications after degenerative lumbar fusion surgery. The magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score is a good tool for assessing bone quality, and this is the first meta-analysis performed to summarize the predictive value of the VBQ score for cage subsidence and screw loosening in patients undergoing degenerative lumbar surgery. Studies were comprehensively searched in electronic databases. The quality of the studies was assessed. The pooled sensitivity, specificity and summary receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated. Publication bias was assessed and meta-regression was conducted. We ultimately included 9 studies with a total of 1,404 patients with a mean age of 60.4 years and a percentage of females of 57.0%. According to the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2) tool to assess methodological quality, the quality of the included studies was relatively low and risks of bias might exist. Results showed that a high VBQ was significantly associated with cage subsidence and screw loosening, and risk factor analysis revealed that the merged odds ratio was 5.37 for cage subsidence and 3.87 for screw loosening. With a VBQ cutoff value of 3.34±0.45, the pooled sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of postoperative complications were 0.75 and 0.75, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.85). A high VBQ was associated with a high risk of cage subsidence and screw loosening in patients who underwent degenerative lumbar surgery. The VBQ score could be considered for identifying high-risk patients for further evaluation.

A NEW APPROACH TO THE ACCELERATED METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE ALKALI REACTIVITY OF DOMESTIC AGGREGATES

In Poland, the prevailing protocols for examining the alkali reactivity of aggregates are based on indirect methodologies such as petrographic appraisal, in addition to direct methodologies including the measurement of expansion in mortar and concrete specimens containing the aggregate under investigation. The available research methods exhibit certain deficiencies, which have been mitigated under the experimental conditions delineated in the novel accelerated approach for ascertaining the reactivity of aggregates, otherwise known as the MCPT – Miniature Concrete Prism Test. The methodology of MCPT has the potential to become an alternative for the existing procedures of quality assessment for both fine and coarse aggregates. This work presents the assessment results of the alkaline reactivity of indigenous fine quartz aggregate, examined in accordance with the protocols established by the Polish General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways along together the novel, expedited MCPT methodology.

Analysis of ERP Based Framework Expert Opinion in Early Software Defect Prediction

Abstract: The software industry necessitates early prediction of software defects for effective quality assessment and resource allocation. During the initial stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC), failure data is often unavailable. Consequently, the insights of domain experts can be crucial in estimating potential software defects during these early phases. This paper introduces a model designed to forecast software defects prior to the testing phase, emphasizing the structure of the software development process. The model is developed using metrics derived from early artifacts of the SDLC. The development and experimental aspects of the model are presented through the application of a Bayesian belief network (BBN). The qualitative aspects of software metrics, along with expert opinions, form the core of this methodology. To demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed approach, ten datasets from real software projects have been utilized. The analysis and validation of predicted software defects, based on varying levels of uncertainty from domain experts, are compared against actual defect occurrences.