Loss Measurements Research Articles

Comparative analysis of chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) diagnosis in rat kidneys using an artificial intelligence deep learning model.

With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), technologies based on machines and deep learning are being used in many academic fields. In toxicopathology, research is actively underway to analyze whole slide image (WSI)-level images using AI deep-learning models. However, few studies have been conducted on models for diagnosing complex lesions comprising multiple lesions. Therefore, this study used deep learning segmentation models (YOLOv8, Mask R-CNN, and SOLOv2) to identify three representative lesions (tubular basophilia with atrophy, mononuclear cell infiltration, and hyaline casts) of chronic progressive nephropathy of the kidney, a complex lesion observed in a non-clinical test using rats and selected an initial model appropriate for diagnosing complex lesions by analyzing the characteristics of each algorithm. Approximately 2000 images containing three lesions were extracted using 33 WSI of rat kidneys with chronic progressive nephropathy. Among them, 1701 images were divided into first and second rounds of learning. The loss and mAP50 values were measured twice to confirm the performances of the three algorithms. Loss measurements were stopped at an appropriate epoch to prevent overfitting, and the loss value decreased in the second round based on the data learned in the first round. After measuring the accuracy twice, detection using Mask R-CNN showed the highest mAP50 in all lesions among the three models and was considered sufficient as an initial model for diagnosing complex lesions. By contrast, the YOLOv8 and SOLOv2 models showed low accuracy for all three lesions and had difficulty with segmentation tasks. Therefore, this paper proposes a Mask R-CNN as the initial model for segmenting complex lesions. Precise diagnosis is possible if the model can be trained by increasing the input data, thereby providing greater accuracy in diagnosing pathological images.

Corrosion of Carbon Steel in a Tropical Marine Environment Enhanced by H2S from Sargassum Seaweed Decomposition

This article aims to investigate the atmospheric corrosion of carbon steel in a marine environment abundant in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) resulting from the decomposition of Sargassum seaweed. To accomplish this, four sites with varying degrees of impact were chosen along the coast of Martinique. The corrosion rates of steel were evaluated through mass loss measurements. After one year of exposure, the corrosion rates were notably high, particularly in atmospheres rich in Cl− ions and H2S, ranging from 107 µm to 983 µm. Complementing these findings, surface and product morphologies were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These analyses revealed a significant degradation of the corrosion surface in the most affected atmospheres compared to those unaffected by Sargassum seaweed strandings. Lepidocrocite (γFeOOH) was identified as the predominant product regardless of the exposure atmosphere. However, goethite (αFeOOH) was found to be present in atmospheres most impacted by H2S.

Corrosion Inhibition Performance of Whey Protein-Derived Inhibitors for Low Carbon and Dead Mild Steels in1M Hydrochloric Acid

This research investigates the corrosion inhibition capabilities of BCAA-derived inhibitors for low-carbon steels and dead mild carbon steels with distinct carbon contents when exposed to a 1M HCL solution. The effectiveness of the inhibitors was evaluated by measurements of weight loss and polarization. The study revealed that at a concentration of 10 grams, the weighing method showed that the BCAA inhibitor showed protection effectiveness (87 percent) at 313 K for low carbon steel and (89 percent) effectiveness at 303 K for dead carbon steel. Using a concentration of 15 g, the polarization method showed inhibitory activity of (96 percent) at 313 K for low-carbon steel and (96 percent) at 303 K for dead light carbon steel. These results indicate that the inhibition efficiency is affected by the carbon content. Samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscope analysis before and after adding the inhibitor. When examined using FTIR spectroscopy, BCAA showed significant efficiency as a corrosion inhibitor for steel alloys immersed in acidic conditions.

Temperature Dependence of the Mechanical Dissipation of Gallium Bonds for Use in Gravitational Wave Detectors.

The mirror suspensions in gravitational wave detectors demand low mechanical loss jointing to ensure good enough detector performance and to enable the detection of gravitational waves. Hydroxide catalysis bonds have been used in the fused silica suspensions of the GEO600, Advanced LIGO, and Advanced Virgo detectors. Future detectors may use cryogenic cooling of the mirror suspensions and this leads to a potential change of mirror material and suspension design. Other bonding techniques that could replace or be used alongside hydroxide catalysis bonding are of interest. A design that incorporates repair scenarios is highly desirable. Indeed, the mirror suspensions in KAGRA, which is made from sapphire and operated at cryogenic temperatures, have used a combination of hydroxide catalysis bonding and gallium bonding. This Letter presents the first measurements of the mechanical loss of a gallium bond measured between 10K and 295K. It is shown that the loss, which decreases with temperature down to the level of (1.8±0.3)×10^{-4} at 10K, is comparable to that of a hydroxide catalysis bond.

Automated Measurement System of High Accuracy for Shunt Reactors

System for automated transformer tests (ATT) enables different measurements on power transformers, from simple to the most complex, with a high degree of automation. ATT system is now expanded with modules for measurements on shunt reactors. The measurements related to shunt reactors that are covered with the system are: measurement of losses, impedance measurement, linearity test, zero impedance measurement, winding resistance measurement, temperature rise test and measurement of mutual reactance. Besides the measurement, ATT enables data analysis and report generation, all in accordance with [1,2]. Measurement of shunt reactor losses with satisfactory accuracy is a big challenge due to power factors of the reactors as low as 0,001. A system for loss measurements with high accuracy, consisting of measuring bridge, current comparator and standard capacitor is integrated into ATT. In the paper, a comparison in terms of loss measurement accuracy on shunt reactor is given for two measurement systems – a newly integrated system for shunt reactors and standard system used for transformer measurements.

The role of hidden hearing loss in tinnitus: Insights from early markers of peripheral hearing damage

Since the presence of tinnitus is not always associated with audiometric hearing loss, it has been hypothesized that hidden hearing loss may act as a potential trigger for increased central gain along the neural pathway leading to tinnitus perception. In recent years, the study of hidden hearing loss has improved with the discovery of cochlear synaptopathy and several objective diagnostic markers. This study investigated three potential markers of peripheral hidden hearing loss in subjects with tinnitus: extended high-frequency audiometric thresholds, the auditory brainstem response, and the envelope following response. In addition, speech intelligibility was measured as a functional outcome measurement of hidden hearing loss. To account for age-related hidden hearing loss, participants were grouped according to age, presence of tinnitus, and audiometric thresholds. Group comparisons were conducted to differentiate between age- and tinnitus-related effects of hidden hearing loss. All three markers revealed age-related differences, whereas no differences were observed between the tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups. However, the older tinnitus group showed improved performance on low-pass filtered speech in noise tests compared to the older non-tinnitus group. These low-pass speech in noise scores were significantly correlated with tinnitus distress, as indicated using questionnaires, and could be related to the presence of hyperacusis. Based on our observations, cochlear synaptopathy does not appear to be the underlying cause of tinnitus. The improvement in low-pass speech-in-noise could be explained by enhanced temporal fine structure encoding or hyperacusis. Therefore, we recommend that future tinnitus research takes into account age-related factors, explores low-frequency encoding, and thoroughly assesses hyperacusis.

Structure, magnetic properties and hyperthermia of Fe3-xCoxO4 nanoparticles obtained by wet high-energy ball milling

In this work, the methods of X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), magnetic properties measurements and specific loss measurements (hyperthermia) were used for the investigation of the structure and properties of Fe3-xCoxO4 nanoparticles. The Fe3-xCoxO4 nanoparticles were synthesized by using high-energy ball milling of Fe and Co mixed with water and surfactant additives. Co substitution increased the coercivity of the samples and changed the kinetics of oxidation process. The presence of cobalt ferrite was verified by MS. TEM images of synthesized samples demonstrated 5–50 nm particle size. Specific loss related heating effect depended mostly on the ratio between the samples coercivity and the amplitude of the high-frequency field. Specific loss power (SLP) and intrinsic loss power (ILP) values reached 164 W/g and 1.57 nH·m2/kg, respectively.

Treatment of uterine fibroid symptoms with relugolix combination therapy

Uterine fibroids are a common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding and pain. Treatment with the combination of relugolix (an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormonereceptor antagonist), estradiol, and norethindrone acetate, administered once daily, may have efficacy in women with uterine fibroids and heavy bleeding while avoiding hypoestrogenic effects. Methods. We conducted two replicate international, double-blind, 24-week, phase 3 trials involving women with fibroid-associated heavy menstrual bleeding. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive once-daily placebo, relugolix combination therapy (40 mg of relugolix, 1 mg of estradiol, and 0.5 mg of norethindrone acetate), or delayed relugolix combination therapy (40 mg of relugolix monotherapy, followed by relugolix combination therapy, each for 12 weeks). The primary efficacy end point in each trial was the percentage of participants with a response (volume of menstrual blood loss <80 ml and a ≥50% reduction in volume from baseline) in the relugolix combination therapy group, as compared with the placebo group. Key secondary end points were amenorrhea, volume of menstrual blood loss, distress from bleeding and pelvic discomfort, anemia, pain, fibroid volume, and uterine volume. Safety and bone mineral density were assessed.Result. A total of 388 women in trial L1 and 382 in trial L2 underwent randomization. A total of 73% of the participants in the relugolix combination therapy group in trial L1 and 71% of those in trial L2 had a response (primary end point), as compared with 19% and 15%, respectively, of those in the placebo groups (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Both relugolix combination therapy groups had significant improvements, as compared with the placebo groups, in six of seven key secondary end points, including measures of menstrual blood loss (including amenorrhea), pain, distress from bleeding and pelvic discomfort, anemia, and uterine volume, but not fibroid volume. The incidence of adverse events was similar with relugolix combination therapy and placebo. Bone mineral density was similar with relugolix combination therapy and placebo but decreased with relugolix monotherapy.Conclusions. Once-daily relugolix combination therapy resulted in a significant reduction in menstrual bleeding, as compared with placebo, and preserved bone mineral density in women with uterine fibroids.

준강간에서 피해자가 음주 후 수면 중 심신상실 또는 항거불능의 탐색

This study explores the criteria for determining whether a victim of a sexual crime was in a state of mental loss or unable to resist due to intoxication and sleep at the time of the alleged rape by the defendant. To this end, this paper reviewed literature and court cases regarding Quasi-Rape. Academically, blackout and passing out are significantly mentioned in relation to alcohol consumption, whereas in court cases, the focus is often on whether the victim's mental state during sleep after drinking, which is not unconsciousness but a weakened or incomplete state of consciousness, constitutes an inability to resist. However, recent Supreme Court rulings highlight that in cases where time has passed and the victim later claims to have been in a state of inability to resist, the judge must make a highly logical judgment based on a comprehensive review of various evidences, including not only the victim's statement but also the defendant's. In conclusion, first, there exists a factual difference in perspective on attempted rape cases depending on the judge's gender, and even though the judge's decision is logical, it can still be subjective, indicating a need for the development of objective measures for mental loss or inability to resist. Second, it is appropriate for the prosecution or court to request expert analysis of statements, considering both the victim's and the defendant's statements. Third, more specific legal standards are needed for the ‘significantly difficult situation’ in the case of inability to resist. Fourth, since most attempted rape cases involve the victim alleging rape and the defendant alleging consensual sex, it appears necessary to typify the patterns of rape and consensual sex from a gender-equality perspective and provide judges with additional criteria for judgment.

Evaluation of the Potential of Daucus crinitus Extracts and Their Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles in Inhibiting the Corrosion of Carbon Steel

This study explores Daucus crinitus extracts (DCE) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) synthesized using the extracts as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel (CS) in HCl medium. The synthesized ZnO-NPs were characterized via UV-vis spectroscopy, exhibiting a peak at approximately 375 nm. The study employed weight loss (WL) and electrochemical measurements, alongside spectrophotometric evaluation of corrosion products. Surface morphology was assessed via scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Thermodynamic analysis revealed the physical adsorption of DCE on CS according to the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Potentiodynamic polarization (PP) measurements indicated DCE as a mixed-type corrosion inhibitor. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) exhibited increased charge transfer resistance and reduced double-layer capacitance with inhibitory addition. The most effective inhibition was observed with butanol extract (BE) and improved more with its corresponding nanoparticles (BENPs), exhibiting inhibitory efficiencies of 80.20% and 91.20%, respectively, at 298 K with a concentration of 800 ppm. The evaluation of corrosion products using colorimetry revealed that the concentration of polyphenols decreased after the inhibitory process. Furthermore, the intensity of ferrous ions (Fe2+) decreased as the inhibitory concentration increased. In addition, SEM-EDS analysis confirmed the presence of ZnO-NPs, which enhanced the surface morphology and established a protective layer formed by the adsorbed inhibitors. The SEM-EDS analysis confirmed the presence of ZnO-NPs, the enhancement of surface morphology, and the establishment of a protective layer formed by the adsorbed inhibitors.

Imidazoline As a Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor for Mitigation of Top- and Bottom-of-the-Line CO2 Corrosion in Carbon Steel Pipelines.

A fatty acid imidazoline-based inhibitor was synthesized via a facile solvent-free synthesis method between tall oil fatty acid (TOFA) and diethylenetriamine (DETA) under atmospheric conditions with a short reaction time. The as-synthesized imidazoline (S-Imd) acted as an effective inhibitor for reducing or preventing corrosion of carbon steel pipelines at both bottom of the line (BOL) and top of the line (TOL) positions under simulated conditions of a gas pipeline in a CO2-saturated environment. The inhibition efficacy was examined by both weight loss and electrochemical measurements, such as the electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and linear polarization resistance (LPR). The results revealed that the S-Imd, 2-(8-heptadecenyl)-2-imidazoline-1-ethanamin, at 300 ppm exhibited a superior inhibition efficiency of up to 91.6 and 89.9% for BOL and TOL corrosion tests, respectively. The surface morphology of the carbon steel test specimens was also examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and contact angle analysis. It was found that the as-synthesized S-Imd acted as a mixed-type inhibitor that exhibited a decreased surface roughness and oxide layer on carbon steel surfaces. However, the water contact angle was found to increase, implying enhanced hydrophobicity of the surface. Adsorption of the imidazoline molecules on carbon steel surfaces followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The present work provides very promising results in the synthesis and utilization of the studied imidazoline as a volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI), especially for carbon steel pipelines in petroleum industries.

Operando carbon corrosion measurements in fuel cells using boron-doped carbon supports

Carbonaceous materials are the most common catalyst supports in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFCs), yet their corrosion is one of the limiting factors in achieving high durability. Herein, we doped carbon supports with boron (B) to increase the corrosion-resistance of the support. Two types of B-doped carbons were synthesized and studied as platinum support materials. They varied in their morphologies, surface areas, and the types of boron species. The durability of Pt/B-doped carbon catalysts was investigated using the US-DOE catalysts’ supports accelerated stress test (AST) and a mass-spectrometer connected to the fuel cell effluent stream to quantify the mass of corroded carbon support in operando. The addition of boron to the carbon increased the stability of Pt catalysts in long-term usage of PEMFC. After 4000 AST cycles, more than 50 % of initial current density was preserved for the boron-containing systems, while less than 30 % of it remained with Vulcan carbon (Pt/V). Also, the Pt/B-doped carbon samples demonstrated better electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) stability when compared to Pt/V. Carbon loss measurements showed that B-doped carbons have higher resistance to electrochemical corrosion than unmodified carbon. Specifically, the substitutional boron-doped carbon demonstrated an extremely high stability and low corrosion rate.

Exploring Ginkgo biloba extract's green corrosion inhibition effects on Q235 steel in H2SO4 environments

The corrosion inhibition properties of Ginkgo biloba extract on Q235 steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution were comprehensively investigated using weight loss measurements, electrochemical techniques, surface characterization, and quantum chemical calculations. The results demonstrate that Ginkgo biloba extract acts as an effective green corrosion inhibitor, with inhibition efficiencies reaching up to 96.54% at a concentration of 0.7 g/L. The inhibition efficiency increased with increasing extract concentration and temperature. FTIR and LC/MS analyses revealed that the extract contains various phytochemical constituents, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and other polyphenolic compounds, which contribute to its corrosion inhibition properties. The adsorption of the extract compounds on the steel surface followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, with a negative value of the standard free energy of adsorption, indicating a spontaneous and stable adsorption process involving both physisorption and chemisorption. SEM and XPS analyses confirmed the formation of a protective film by the adsorbed extract compounds, which acts as a barrier, preventing the direct contact between the aggressive solution and the steel substrate. The film also alters the wettability of the metal surface, making it more hydrophobic and further enhancing the corrosion inhibition efficiency. Quantum chemical calculations showed that flavonoids, particularly quercetin, contribute significantly to the corrosion inhibition performance due to their high reactivity, strong dipole moment, and stable adsorption on the Fe(110) surface. These findings provide valuable insights into the development of sustainable and eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors for the protection of metal structures in acidic environments.

Modeling of Acoustic Coupling of Ultrasonic Probes for High-Speed Rail Track Inspection

The paper presents the modeling of transmission of the ultrasonic plane wave through an uniform liquid layer. The considered sources of the ultrasonic wave were normal (straight) beam longitudinal wave probes and angle beam sheer waves probes commonly used in non-destructive testing. Coupling losses (CL) introduced by the presence of the coupling layer are discussed and determined applying the numerical procedure. The modeling applies to both monochromatic waves and short ultrasonic pulses with a specified frequency bandwidth. Model implementation and validation was performed using a specialized software. The predictions of the model were confirmed by coupling losses measurements for a normal beam longitudinal wave probe with a delay line made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The developed model can be useful in designing ultrasonic probes for high-speed rail track inspections, especially for establishing the optimal thickness of the water coupling layer and estimation of coupling losses, due to inevitable changes of the water gap during mobile rail inspection.

Enhanced corrosion protection of copper alloy in 2.0 M HNO3 solution using expired solo sept, slim-lax and well derm drugs

Three expired drugs, Solo Sept (SS), Slim-lax (SL), and Well Derm (WD), have been tested as corrosion inhibitors for corrosion of copper alloy (C10100) in 2.0 M HNO3 solution. Three experimental methods such as weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were applied in this study. These expired drugs function as effective inhibitors, according to the experimental findings. The efficacy of inhibition rises with increasing drug concentration and falls as temperature rises. From PDP, the examined drugs that worked as mixed-type inhibitors. EIS measurements showed a remarkable increase in the charge transfer resistance and decreases in the capacity of the double layer of the corroding copper in 2.0 M HNO3 solution with increasing drug concentration. The inhibition power of these drugs was interpreted in term of its adsorption on the C10100 surface according to Langmuir isotherm. The inverse effect of temperature on drug efficiency as well as the small negative values of ∆G°ads (-20.84, -20.52 and -20.51 kJ/mol) for SS, SL and WD respectively, supports the physical adsorption of drugs on the C10100 surface. All results showed consistency with IE order (SS > SL > WD). The adsorption thermodynamic functions were estimated. The corrosion inhibition performance of SS was confirmed through SEM (scanning electron microscope) and FTIR.

P.132 Blood loss quantification and management strategies in cranial neurosurgery: a systematic review

Background: Blood loss quantification and management are important facets of cranial surgery, having been linked with adverse outcomes if management is inadequate. While many studies report estimated blood loss (EBL) as an outcome measure, inconsistencies exist in EBL quantification and management strategies Methods: A systematic review of cranial surgery literature on blood loss measurement and management was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines utilizing a novel software platform, Nested Knowledge Results: Initial search yielded 1029 non-duplicated. 107 full-text studies were included. 70% of studies were retrospective. Most common treatment conditions were 41% craniosynostosis (44/107) and 36% tumor (39/107). Most common EBL measurement methods were comparison of pre-operative and post-operative hemoglobin/hematocrit in 46.7% (50/107), anesthesia record in 26.2% (28/107), and surgeon estimation in 9.3% (10/107). 53.3% of studies did not specify a quantification methodology. Blood loss management strategies also varied, with transfusion being the most common method in 64.5% (69/107) of studies Conclusions: EBL quantification and blood loss management remain important clinical and research metrics. Despite this, significant heterogeneity exists in blood loss quantification and management strategies, with most studies providing no data on EBL quantification. Standardization of EBL quantification/reporting should be undertaken to improve comparability and consistency across studies.

Global losses due to dairy cattle diseases: A comorbidity-adjusted economic analysis

An economic simulation was carried out over 183 milk-producing countries to estimate the global economic impacts of 12 dairy cattle diseases and health conditions: mastitis (subclinical and clinical), lameness, paratuberculosis (Johne's disease), displaced abomasum, dystocia, metritis, milk fever, ovarian cysts, retained placenta, and ketosis (subclinical and clinical). Estimates of disease impacts on milk yield, fertility, and culling were collected from the literature, standardized, meta-analyzed using a variety of methods ranging from simple averaging to random-effects models, and adjusted for comorbidities to prevent overestimation. These comorbidity-adjusted disease impacts were then combined with a set of country-level estimates for lactational incidence or prevalence or both, herd characteristics, and price estimates within a series of Monte Carlo simulations that estimated and valued the economic losses due to these diseases. It was estimated that total annual global losses are US$65 billion (B). Subclinical ketosis, clinical mastitis, and subclinical mastitis were the costliest diseases modeled, resulting in mean annual global losses of approximately US$18B, US$13B, and US$9B, respectively. Estimated global annual losses due to clinical ketosis, displaced abomasum, dystocia, lameness, metritis, milk fever, ovarian cysts, paratuberculosis, and retained placenta were estimated to be US$0.2B, US$0.6B, US$0.6B, US$6B, US$5B, US$0.6B, US$4B, US$4B, and US$3B, respectively. Without adjustment for comorbidities, when statistical associations between diseases were disregarded, mean aggregate global losses would have been overestimated by 45%. Although annual losses were greatest in India (US$12B), the United States (US$8B), and China (US$5B), depending on the measure of losses used (losses as a percentage of gross domestic product, losses per capita, losses as a percentage of gross milk revenue), the relative economic burden of these dairy cattle diseases across countries varied markedly.

Enhancing voxel-based dosimetry accuracy with an unsupervised deep learning approach for hybrid medical image registration.

Deformable registration is required to generate a time-integrated activity (TIA) map which is essential for voxel-based dosimetry. The conventional iterative registration algorithm using anatomical images (e.g., computed tomography (CT)) could result in registration errors in functional images (e.g., single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET)). Various deep learning-based registration tools have been proposed, but studies specifically focused on the registration of serial hybrid images were not found. In this study, we introduce CoRX-NET, a novel unsupervised deep learning network designed for deformable registration of hybrid medical images. The CoRX-NET structure is based on the Swin-transformer (ST), allowing for the representation of complex spatial connections in images. Its self-attention mechanism aids in the effective exchange and integration of information across diverse image regions. To augment the amalgamation of SPECT and CT features, cross-stitch layers have been integrated into the network. Two different 177 Lu DOTATATE SPECT/CT datasets were acquired at different medical centers. 22 sets from Seoul National University and 14 sets from Sunway Medical Centre are used for training/internal validation and external validation respectively. The CoRX-NET architecture builds upon the ST, enabling the modeling of intricate spatial relationships within images. To further enhance the fusion of SPECT and CT features, cross-stitch layers have been incorporated within the network. The network takes a pair of SPECT/CT images (e.g., fixed and moving images) and generates a deformed SPECT/CT image. The performance of the network was compared with Elastix and TransMorph using L1 loss and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of CT, SSIM of normalized SPECT, and local normalized cross correlation (LNCC) of SPECT as metrics. The voxel-wise root mean square errors (RMSE) of TIA were compared among the different methods. The ablation study revealed that cross-stitch layers improved SPECT/CT registration performance. The cross-stitch layers notably enhance SSIM (internal validation: 0.9614vs. 0.9653, external validation: 0.9159vs. 0.9189) and LNCC of normalized SPECT images (internal validation: 0.7512vs. 0.7670, external validation: 0.8027vs. 0.8027). CoRX-NET with the cross-stitch layer achieved superior performance metrics compared to Elastix and TransMorph, except for CT SSIM in the external dataset. When qualitatively analyzed for both internal and external validation cases, CoRX-NET consistently demonstrated superior SPECT registration results. In addition, CoRX-NET accomplished SPECT/CT image registration in less than 6s, whereas Elastix required approximately 50s using the same PC's CPU. When employing CoRX-NET, it was observed that the voxel-wise RMSE values for TIA were approximately 27% lower for the kidney and 33% lower for the tumor, compared to when Elastix was used. This study represents a major advancement in achieving precise SPECT/CT registration using an unsupervised deep learning network. It outperforms conventional methods like Elastix and TransMorph, reducing uncertainties in TIA maps for more accurate dose assessments.

Determining meaningful thresholds for evaluating treatment efficacy in patients with alopecia areata

AbstractBackgroundThe Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) is a clinician‐reported outcome measure of scalp hair loss in alopecia areata (AA).ObjectivesTo characterise the magnitudes of change in SALT scores corresponding to meaningful treatment benefits from the patient's perspective.MethodsAnchor‐based methods for the estimation of meaningful within‐patient change thresholds were applied to pooled data from a randomised, double‐blind trial of ritlecitinib. Anchors included a patient‐reported measure of change in AA severity, the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI‐C) and three items comprising the Patient Satisfaction with Hair Growth (P‐Sat) questionnaire. After reviewing Pearson correlations between change‐from‐baseline SALT scores and each anchor to confirm adequate association, potential thresholds were computed as mean change‐from‐baseline SALT scores among patients who reported moderate improvement on the PGI‐C and/or moderate satisfaction on each of three P‐Sat items at week 24.ResultsSix hundred and fifty participants (86% adults, 14% adolescents) had mean (standard deviation) SALT scores of 90.6 (14.3) at baseline, suggesting a sample with primarily severe AA. Correlations between SALT change‐from‐baseline scores and the patient‐reported items supported their use as anchors. Estimates based on patients reporting moderate improvement in AA (n = 102) on the PGI‐C and those reporting moderate satisfaction on the P‐Sat item related to the amount of hair growth at week 24 (n = 122) were −42.2 (26.1) and −43.1 (26.8), respectively. Supportive estimates based on the remaining P‐Sat items were similar in magnitude.ConclusionsAmong patients with severe AA, SALT change‐from‐baseline scores of 42 or 43 represent meaningful improvements. While the achievement of low SALT scores of ≤10–≤20 have been used to characterise efficacy in clinical trials, the amount of change required to meet this endpoint far exceeds the estimates in this study. The treatment goals of individual patients must be considered when evaluating benefit in both clinical trials and clinical practice.

Regime‐dependent commodity price dynamics: A predictive analysis

AbstractWe develop an econometric modelling framework to forecast commodity prices taking into account potentially different dynamics and linkages existing at different states of the world and using different performance measures to validate the predictions. We assess the extent to which the quality of the forecasts can be improved by entertaining different regime‐dependent threshold models considering different threshold variables. We evaluate prediction quality using both loss minimization and profit maximization measures based on directional accuracy, directional value, the ability to predict turning points, and the returns implied by a simple trading strategy. Our analysis provides overwhelming evidence that allowing for regime‐dependent dynamics leads to improvements in predictive ability for the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index, as well as for its five sub‐indices (energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture, and livestock). Our results suggest the existence of a trade‐off between predictive ability based on loss and profit measures, which implies that the particular aim of the prediction exercise carried out plays a very important role in terms of defining which set of models is the best to use.