Measure Of Thoroughness Research Articles

Data synthesis and adversarial networks: A review and meta-analysis in cancer imaging.

Despite technological and medical advances, the detection, interpretation, and treatment of cancer based on imaging data continue to pose significant challenges. These include inter-observer variability, class imbalance, dataset shifts, inter- and intra-tumour heterogeneity, malignancy determination, and treatment effect uncertainty. Given the recent advancements in image synthesis, Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), and adversarial training, we assess the potential of these technologies to address a number of key challenges of cancer imaging. We categorise these challenges into (a) data scarcity and imbalance, (b) data access and privacy, (c) data annotation and segmentation, (d) cancer detection and diagnosis, and (e) tumour profiling, treatment planning and monitoring. Based on our analysis of 164 publications that apply adversarial training techniques in the context of cancer imaging, we highlight multiple underexplored solutions with research potential. We further contribute the Synthesis Study Trustworthiness Test (SynTRUST), a meta-analysis framework for assessing the validation rigour of medical image synthesis studies. SynTRUST is based on 26 concrete measures of thoroughness, reproducibility, usefulness, scalability, and tenability. Based on SynTRUST, we analyse 16 of the most promising cancer imaging challenge solutions and observe a high validation rigour in general, but also several desirable improvements. With this work, we strive to bridge the gap between the needs of the clinical cancer imaging community and the current and prospective research on data synthesis and adversarial networks in the artificial intelligence community.

Quantitative measures of thoroughness of FBD simulations for PLC-based digital I&C system

Simulation is a widely used functional verification method for FBD programs of PLC-based digital I&C system in nuclear power plants. It is difficult, however, to estimate the thoroughness (i.e., effectiveness or quality) of a simulation in the absence of any clear measure for the estimation. This paper proposes two sets of structural coverage adequacy criteria for the FBD simulation, toggle coverage and modified condition/decision coverage, which can estimate the thoroughness of simulation scenarios for FBD programs, as recommended by international standards for functional safety. We developed two supporting tools to generate numerous simulation scenarios and to measure automatically the coverages of the scenarios. The results of our experiment on five FBD programs demonstrated that the measures and tools can help software engineers estimate the thoroughness and improve the simulation scenarios quantitatively.

Wandering-and wondering-about the pharmacological management of human infertility

Wandering-and wondering-about the pharmacological management of human infertility

Efficacy of Skin Self-Examination Practices for Early Melanoma Detection

Although skin self-examination (SSE) may increase rates of early melanoma detection, the efficacy of different SSE practices has not been thoroughly studied. We examined associations between SSE practices and tumor thickness in patients with recently diagnosed melanoma. 321 melanoma patients at three hospitals completed questionnaires on demographics and SSE practices. Patient-reported SSE was measured by routine examination of 13 specific body areas, frequency of mole examination, and use of a melanoma picture aid to assist with SSE. Histologic diagnoses and Breslow depth were confirmed by dermatopathologists. Regression analyses were used to calculate ratios of geometric mean tumor thickness and odds ratios for having thicker versus thinner tumors for different SSE behaviors. Rates of SSE varied considerably by SSE item. Patients routinely examining at least some of their skin had thinner melanomas [adjusted geometric mean tumor ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.50-0.94]. Frequency of mole examination did not predict tumor thickness. Using a melanoma picture as a SSE aid was strongly associated with reduced tumor thickness (adjusted ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.66-0.85 for ever versus never use). A composite measure of thoroughness of SSE was the best predictor of thickness (adjusted ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.75) for high versus low thoroughness. SSE was associated with decreased tumor thickness by most measures. However, the diverse rates of SSE practices and the distinct associations between these practices and melanoma thickness suggest a complexity in SSE that should be addressed in future studies. SSE should be evaluated by more than one measure.

Testing mindfulness with perceptual and cognitive factors: External vs. internal encoding, and the cognitive failures questionnaire

A new approach to testing mindfulness in relation to perceptual and cognitive factors is presented. In two studies a total of 142 participants were tested using a measure of mindfulness and a measure of thoroughness in perceptual processing (“external encoding”). Mindfulness was shown to be correlated with external encoding (study 1) and both mindfulness and external encoding predicted low “cognitive failures” (study 2). Results are discussed in terms of their implications for possible mechanisms responsible for the benefits of mindfulness in psychological well-being.