Types Of Methods Research Articles

Effect of potassium salt type on physicochemical properties of carrageenan films and rehydrated hydrogels

This study focused on the effect of potassium salt type on the physicochemical properties of carrageenan (Car) films and rehydrated hydrogels, with the aim of developing a new method for the preparation of Car hydrogels. The addition of potassium salt decreased the tensile strength (TS) of Car films, especially those containing KI. After rehydration, the weight and thickness change ratios of the Car films decreased with salt addition, and the sequence was as follows: K2CO3 < KH2PO4 < CH3COOK < KCl < K2SO4 < KSCN < KI < C6H5K3O7. The effect of potassium salt type on the TS and thermal transition temperature of rehydrated hydrogels was opposite that on weight and thickness change ratios. The hydrogels with K2CO3, KH2PO4, CH3COOK, KCl, and K2SO4 exhibited lower transverse relaxation time (T2) and smaller pore size compared with the other hydrogels. On the other hand, the effect of potassium salt type on hydrogels prepared using Car films soaked in potassium salt solution (S-Car) was similar to that observed on hydrogels prepared using Car films with potassium salt soaked in ultrapure water (U-Car). Compared with U-Car hydrogels, the S-Car hydrogels had higher TS and thermal transition temperature and lower elongation at break, T2, pore size, and hydrogen bond intensity. In conclusion, the potassium salt type and soaking method can be used to regulate the properties of Car hydrogels and provide a theoretical basis for the design of Car hydrogels.

Deciphering the kidney hemodynamic effects of SGLT2 inhibition: translating insights from rats to humans in type 2 diabetes

The attenuation of glomerular hyperfiltration is posited to be a principal mechanism underlying the kidney protective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in diabetic kidney disease. Notably, the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on kidney hemodynamic function has been posited to vary between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The study by Wada etal. documents that in an animal model of type 2 diabetes, SGLT2 inhibitors mitigate glomerular hyperfiltration predominantly through afferent arteriolar constriction, a process mediated by the adenosine/A1 receptor pathway. This observation is consistent with mechanisms identified in type 1 diabetes, arguing for similar methods in type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Investigate the Effect of Curing Methods for Different Types of Binder Concrete

Abstract Various curing techniques are typically used to achieve the required concrete strengths. The laboratory results of this study investigate the effects of curing techniques (namely water, air-dry, burlap, membrane, and chemical spray) on compressive strength (Fcu) and indirect tensile strength (Ft) using 200 specimens. To determine the optimum method for concrete curing, two different cement contents were used (350 kg/m3 450 kg/m3) with and without chemical admixture (superplasticizer, SP). Compressive and indirect tensile strengths were determined for the four different concrete mixes. Based on the experimental results, adding superplasticizer and increasing the cement content improved the mechanical properties of the concrete mix, as indicated by both compressive and tensile strength. Additionally, it was found that the longer the curing period of the concrete, the higher the Fcu. Furthermore, adding 1% SP has a more significant impact on Fcu than adding 100 kg of cement.

Performance of supported Co3O4 catalysts in the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide: Effect of support type and synthesis method

This study investigated the performance of supported Co3O4 catalysts during the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO-PrOx) in a H2-rich environment, focusing on the effects of different catalyst synthesis methods, namely, wetness impregnation (WI) and solution combustion synthesis (SCS), and different support materials, namely, Al2O3 and SiC. During CO-PrOx, the SiC-supported Co3O4 catalysts attained higher CO2 yields when compared with the Al2O3-supported Co3O4 catalysts possibly because of the existence of weaker interactions between Co3O4 and SiC. Moreover, the catalysts prepared via SCS achieved higher CO2 yields than the catalysts prepared via WI likely due to the presence of smaller and well-dispersed Co3O4 particles in the SCS-prepared catalysts. Significantly high amounts of unwanted CH4 were produced over the SiC-supported catalysts between 225 and 250 °C. The high CO methanation activity was also attributed to the weaker Co3O4-SiC interactions, which enabled the easier reduction of Co3O4 to methanation active metallic Co.

Short-term and long-term results of odontoid screw fixation in patients with Type II and rostral Type III dens fractures

ObjectivesTo evaluate both the short-term and long-term outcomes of odontoid screw fixation (OSF), identifying potential risk factors for implant-related complications in patients with odontoid fractures. MethodsThis is a retrospective observational cohort study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) Type II fractures and rostral Type III fractures, according to the Anderson and D’Alonzo classification; 2) patients older than 15 years. Exclusion criteria were: 1) other Type III injuries; 2) osteoporosis confirmed by densitometry or a CT bone density score below 100 Hounsfield units; 3) odontoid fractures related to tumors or aneurysmal bone cysts. ResultsIn total, 56 patients were considered for the analysis of short-term results, and 26 patients were evaluated for long-term outcomes. No significant differences were observed in the preoperative imaging data and intraoperative features of OSF between patients with Type II and rostral Type III fractures. The mean operative duration was 63.9 ± 20.9 min, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 22.1 ± 22.9 ml.Screw cut-out was identified in four patients with rostral Type III fractures (p = 0.04). The rate of screw cut-out was found to correlate with the degree of dens fragment displacement. The bone fusion rate was 95.7%. CT scans identified stable pseudarthrosis in two cases. We observed C2–C3 ankylosis in all cases following partial disc resection. One third of patients with screws placed through the anterior lip of C2 showed no C2–C3 ankylosis. A strong trend towards lateral joint ankylosis formation in patients with a median lateral mass dislocation of 11.9 mm was observed. Most SF-36 scores either matched or exceeded the corresponding normal median values in the published reference database. ConclusionsOSF is a reliable treatment method of Type II and rostral Type III odontoid fractures with fragment displacement of 4 mm or less. The minimally invasive OSF through the anterior-inferior lip of C2, using monocortical screw placement and cannulated instruments, without rigid intraoperative head immobilization, is sufficient to achieve favorable clinical and fusion results. This technique reduces the risk of ankylosis in the C2–C3 segment. OSF restore the quality of life for patients with odontoid fractures to levels comparable to those of the general population norm.

DACTYLOGRAPHY: The Scientific Study of Fingerprint

Fingerprint analysis has become important because of its reliability and scientific explanation in the courts. Fingerprint has three principles classification, uniqueness and identification. Now there are digital biometric scanner has the ability to access by fingerprint within a minute. This Automated Fingerprint Identification System has made easier to accessible. But the reliability would be little less than other ways to identify fingerprints. Because due to the malfunction of the scanner database can be manipulated or hacked by anyone to access the security. There are various types of fingerprints which needed to know for analyzing it. These types are 1. Patent Fingerprint(visible) 2. Latent Fingerprint(invisible) 3. Plastic/3d; to developing fingerprints there are different methods for different types of fingerprint. Fingerprint experts tend to develop fingerprint in crime scene for solving the crime. Whereas fingerprint become most important physical evidence in matter of solving crime. For developing to analyzing fingerprint expertise would be necessary for establishment. But there are various challenges for forensic experts which are distort prints, smudge prints, contaminated crime scene, database error, partial prints, etc. for the recording of the fingerprint on the wall also be challenging for experts which only can be recorded by photography. Henry classification system would be time consuming to evaluate the recorded fingerprints. Then there is chemical method to develop fingerprint due to the secretion of sweat, oil and other body fluids which make an invisible print. The outermost skin layers have various pores through where body fluid tend to secrets which is responsible for making fingerprints. To make it visible various chemical need to apply so that the secreted body fluid will react with chemical and its visibility will appear. There are some pattern types which tend to administer the individuality such as Arch, Loop and Whorl. Every pattern in itself is unique which can’t be match with any other person. Another way is ridge characteristics which is also valuable way to identify fingerprint. Because of its unique characteristics which tend to differ for every person and not only one characteristics but also 14 ridge characteristics are possible to identify through fingerprint. Porescopy and Edgescopy these are other ways to identify fingerprints but it is not practicable in India right now. There are basic two ways to develop latent fingerprints powder method and chemical methods. Through powder method, various powder and brushes will be need to develop fingerprints but it need to be know the surface where fingerprints are found. In chemical method there would be various chemical compound which needed to apply for the development of the latent fingerprints

Outdoor Learning Methods on the Ability to Write Free Poetry in Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Malay-Indonesian Study Program Students South Korea

This study aims to determine the effect of using outdoor learning methods on the ability to write free poetry in Audio Visual A1 and A2 classes of Malay-Indonesian. The method used is an experimental method of the Quasi Experimental type using two classes, namely the experimental class of 37 students which given treatment in the form of outdoor learning methods and a control class of 35 students which was not given treatment as a comparison class. The data collection technique used a poetry writing essay test and a questionnaire to find out students' responses to the outdoor learning method. Based on the results of hypothesis testing data analysis using the t test at a significant level of 0.05, a T count of 2.592 and a T table of 1.997 are obtained. Because T count is greater than T table, namely 2.592 &gt; 1.997. It can be concluded that accept H1, reject H0, thus it can be said that there is an influence on the use of outdoor learning methods. Based on the results of hypothesis testing data analysis using the t test at a significant level of 0.05, a T count of 2.592 and a T table of 1.997 are obtained. Because T count is greater than T table, namely 2.592 &gt; 1.997. It can be concluded that accept H1, reject H0, thus it can be said that there is an influence on the use of outdoor learning methods.the ability to write free poetry for students of the Malay-Indonesian study program Hankuk University of Foreign Studies South Korea.

LAPAROSCOPIC TECHNIQUE FOR MEASURING THE ESOPHAGEAL HIATUS AREA

Introduction. The measurement of the esophageal hiatus (EH) area is critical for the choice of the method of hernioplasty for EH hernias. Aim. The objective of this study was to develop a laparoscopic method and tools for measuring the EH area and to compare it with existing methods in type III paraesophageal hernias (PEH). Materials and methods. Laparoscopic hernioplasty was performed on 63 patients with type III PEH – 41.3% males and 58.7% females, with an average age of 53.8±10.8 years, at the surgical clinic of the Bogomolets National Medical University. Irreducible PEH was present in 54 (85.7%) patients, partially reducible in 9 (14.3%). Cardia-fundal PEH was found in 42 (66.7%) patients, subtotal in 20 (31.7%), and total in 1 (0.6%) patient. The average volume of the hernial sac, according to multispiral computed tomography (MSCT), was 235±130.7 cm³ (ranging from 90 cm³ to 863 cm³). In all patients, the EH area was measured using the developed laparoscopic method (DLM) and tools; the Granderath method; the rhomboid area determination method (RAD); and MSCT. The authors evaluated the differences in the mean value and mean percentage difference (MPD) of EH area measurements between the mentioned methods. Results. The esophageal hiatus area measured using the DLM was statistically smaller than that measured by MSCT: 9.66±0.22 cm² versus 13.01±3.04 cm², respectively, and larger than the measurements from the Granderath method and the RAD: 8.16±1.71 cm² and 8.72±1.67 cm², respectively. The MPD between the MSCT data and the Granderath and RAD methods were 40.1±7.5% and 68.8±9.6%, respectively; between MSCT and DLM, it was 28.8±7.4%. The percentage difference in the esophageal hiatus area between the MSCT data and DLM, MSCT and Granderath, and MSCT and RAD showed a significantly positive correlation with the volume of the hernial sac, respectively r=0.687, r=0.601, and r=0.579. This indicates that with an increase in the volume of the hernial sac, the esophageal hiatus area calculated by MSCT increases compared to the intraoperative methods, likely due to the influence of the hernial contents on the area of the hernial orifice. Conclusions. The proposed laparoscopic method for measuring the area of the EH involves the use of a developed device that facilitates the removal of hernial contents from the hernial orifice, placing a ruler in their plane as a reference, transmitting the image to a computer, and calculating the area taking into account the individual shape characteristics. This method provides more accurate data compared to other intraoperative techniques and MSCT. Using the proposed laparoscopic technique for measuring the EH area will allow for a more thorough assessment of the indications for different hernioplasty options, considering the area of the hernial defect.

Cooperative Learning Type of Student Team Achievement Division on Learning Outcomes Writing Explanation Texts of Hufs Korea Students

This research aims to determine the effect of using student team achievement division type cooperative learning on the ability to write explanatory texts in Intermediate class students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea. The method used is a Quasi Experimental type experimental method using two classes, namely the experimental class which is given treatment in the form of a cooperative learning method of the student team achievement division type and the control class which is not given treatment as a comparison class. The data collection technique uses essay writing tests and questionnaires to determine student responses to the student team achievement division type cooperative method. To analyze the data using the t test with a significance level of 0.05. The research population was all Intermediate class students, totaling 60 students. After being given cooperative method treatment, student team achievement division type, students' ability to write explanatory text increased. It can be concluded that accepting H1 rejects H0, thus it can be said that there is an influence of the use of cooperative learning methods of the student team achievement division type on the ability to write explanatory texts in the intermediate department class of Malay-Indonesia Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Korea.

Fluorimetric Tool to Discriminate Glomerular and Tubular Injuries In Vivo.

The etiology and pathological complexity of acute kidney injury (AKI) pose great challenges for early diagnosis, typing, and personalized treatment. It is an important reason for poor prognosis and high mortality of AKI. In order to provide a relatively noninvasive diagnostic and typing method for AKI, we proposed the pathological changes of albumin permeability after glomerular injury and reabsorption efficiency after tubular injury as potential entry points. Thus, a renal tubule labeling fluorescent dye which features albumin concentration-related fluorescence intensity was used to fit these pathological changes. Utilizing this fluorescence assay, we realized urinary tract obstruction imaging as early as 12 h after morbidity. For glomerular and tubular injury discrimination, compared to a healthy control, membranous nephropathy as a representative glomerular injury resulted in enhanced fluorescence intensity of the kidney due to increased albumin penetration, while renal tubular injury caused insufficient dye reabsorption to exhibit weakened fluorescence intensity. The significant differences demonstrated the feasibility of this approach for fluorescence imaging-based AKI typing in vivo.

Multispecies Cocirculation of Adenoviruses Identified by Next-Generation Sequencing During an Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreak in Coastal Kenya in 2023.

Although 7 human adenovirus (HAdV) species are known to exist, only F (types 40 and 41) and G are identified as diarrheal disease agents. The role of other HAdV species in diarrheal disease remains unclear, and data on their prevalence are limited. We describe HAdV species and types in hospitalized children with diarrhea in coastal Kenya. Three hundred twenty-nine stool samples collected between June 2022 and August 2023 from children aged <13 years were screened for HAdV using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Positive HAdV cases were genotyped by adenovirus primers from the RespiCoV panel by amplification, next-generation sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Sixty-five samples (20%) tested HadV positive, of which 5 HAdV species were identified. Other than HAdV F, other species included A, B, C, and D; these were detected as either mono-detections or coinfections. Six HAdV F identified by NGS had been missed by our qPCR typing method. This appeared to be as a result of a 133-nucleotide deletion in the long fiber protein, which abrogated a primer and probe binding site. Based on grading of diarrheal disease severity using VESIKARI scores, 93% of the HAdV cases presented with severe disease. One child with an HAdV F infection died. Our study shows the enormous diversity and clinical characteristics of HAdV species in children with diarrhea in coastal Kenya. These data offer an opportunity to improve current diagnostic assays and increase knowledge of HAdV in Africa for control of outbreaks in the future.

Enhancing Polylactic Acid Properties with Graphene Nanoplatelets and Carbon Black Nanoparticles: A Study of the Electrical and Mechanical Characterization of 3D-Printed and Injection-Molded Samples.

This study investigates the enhancement of polylactic acid (PLA) properties through the incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and carbon black (CB) for applications in 3D printing and injection molding. The research reveals that GNPs and CB improve the electrical conductivity of PLA, although conductivity remains within the insulating range, even with up to 10% wt of nanoadditives. Mechanical characterization shows that nanoparticle addition decreases tensile strength due to stress concentration effects, while dispersants like polyethylene glycol enhance ductility and flexibility. This study compares the properties of materials processed by injection molding and 3D printing, noting that injection molding yields isotropic properties, resulting in better mechanical properties. Thermal analysis indicates that GNPs and CB influence the crystallization behavior of PLA with small changes in the melting behavior. Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) results show how the glass transition temperature and crystallization behavior fluctuate. Overall, the incorporation of nanoadditives into PLA holds potential for enhanced performance in specific applications, though achieving optimal conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal properties requires careful optimization of nanoparticle type, concentration, and dispersion methods.

Sparse Bayesian learning using TMB (Template Model Builder)

Sparse Bayesian Learning, and more specifically the Relevance Vector Machine (RVM), can be used in supervised learning for both classification and regression problems. Such methods are particularly useful when applied to big data in order to find a sparse (in weight space) representation of the model. This paper demonstrates that the Template Model Builder (TMB) is an accurate and flexible computational framework for implementation of sparse Bayesian learning methods.The user of TMB is only required to specify the joint likelihood of the weights and the data, while the Laplace approximation of the marginal likelihood is automatically evaluated to numerical precision. This approximation is in turn used to estimate hyperparameters by maximum marginal likelihood. In order to reduce the computational cost of the Laplace approximation we introduce the notion of an “active set” of weights, and we devise an algorithm for dynamically updating this set until convergence, similar to what is done in other RVM type methods. We implement two different methods using TMB; the RVM and the Probabilistic Feature Selection and Classification Vector Machine method, where the latter also performs feature selection. Experiments based on benchmark data show that our TMB implementation performs comparable to that of the original implementation, but at a lower implementation cost. TMB can also calculate model and prediction uncertainty, by including estimation uncertainty from both latent variables and the hyperparameters. In conclusion, we find that TMB is a flexible tool that facilitates implementation and prototyping of sparse Bayesian methods.

Hybrid Hu-Storey type methods for large-scale nonlinear monotone systems and signal recovery

We propose two hybrid methods for solving large-scale monotone systems, which are based on derivative-free conjugate gradient approach and hyperplane projection technique. The conjugate gradient approach is efficient for large-scale systems due to low memory, while projection strategy is suitable for monotone equations because it enables simply globalization. The derivative-free function-value-based line search is combined with Hu-Storey type search directions and projection procedure, in order to construct globally convergent methods. Furthermore, the proposed methods are applied into solving a number of large-scale monotone nonlinear systems and reconstruction of sparse signals. Numerical experiments indicate the robustness of the proposed methods.

Establishment of ELISA method for canine adenovirus type 1.

Canine adenovirus (CAdV) had a high prevalence in fox populations and induced fox encephalitis. No ELISA kits specifically for CAdV-1 antigen had been commercialized for foxes in China. It is crucial to develop a rapid and accurate ELISA method for detecting of CAdV-1. The monoclonal antibodies (mAbs, IgG1A) and HRP-labeled polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) were used to establish the ELISA method in this experiment. The results showed that the optimal concentration and coating time for the mAbs (IgG1A) were 2.15 μg/mL and overnight at 4°C, respectively. The dilution ratio of the HRP-labeled pAbs was 1:2000. Five percent skimmed milk was selected as the blocking agent. The optimal incubation times for blocking, CAdV-1, and HRP-labeled pAbs were all 1 h. The cut-off value for negative rectal swab was determined to be 0.366 ± 0.032. The maximum dilution ratio was 100 TCID50/mL. The ELISA method was positive to CAdV-1, and that was negative to CAdV-2, Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Canine Distempervirus (CDV). The ELISA method showed good repeatability, sensitivity, and specificity. Compared with RT-PCR, the sensitivity, specificity, and coincidence rates of the ELISA method were 93.75, 90.9, and 92.86%, respectively. These results indicate that the established ELISA method can be used for the large-scale screening and epidemiology surveillance of CAdV-1 in foxes.

Topology optimization with a finite strain nonlocal damage model using the continuous adjoint method

This study presents a unified formulation of topology optimization with a finite strain nonlocal damage model using the continuous adjoint method. For the primal problem to describe the material response including deterioration, we consider the standard Neo–Hookean constitutive model and incorporate crack phase-field theory for brittle fracture within the finite strain framework. For the optimization problem, the objective function is set to accommodate multiple objectives by weighting each sub-function, and the continuous adjoint method is employed to derive the sensitivity. Thus, both the governing equations for primal and adjoint problems are written as strong forms and hold at any moment and at any location in the continuum body or on its boundary. Accordingly, the proposed formulation is independent of the requirements from numerical implementation, such as element type or discretization method. In addition, the reaction–diffusion equation is used to update the design variable in an optimizing process, by which the continuous distribution of the design variable, as well as material properties, are realized. After the basic performance of the proposed formulation is demonstrated with a simple numerical setup, two-material (matrix and inclusion materials) and single-material (material and null) topology optimizations are presented, and discussions are made.

Recent research progress of MOFs-based heterostructures for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

The growing serious energy crisis and environmental pollution expedite the development of green hydrogen energy. Photocatalytic water splitting technology, converting solar energy into chemical energy directly, provides a clean and economical way for hydrogen evolution. For the past few years, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) semiconductor materials have become a research hotspot in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) due to their multiple advantages, including adjustable structure, high porosity, large specific surface area, abundant active sites, and so forth. Besides this, the construction of heterogeneous structures based on MOFs materials can further improve PHE performance through the effective internal electric field directional transfer of photogenerated electrons and the superior utilization rate of sunlight in comparison to the single MOFs photocatalyst. Herein, in this minireview, we summed up the varieties of synthesis methods of diverse types of MOFs heterojunction complex materials, discussed the H2 evolution efficiency based on this heterostructure photocatalyst in detail, and lastly proposed the advantages, limitations, and outlook of MOFs composites in the PHE field. We sincerely hope this review can provide a reference for future research based on MOFs materials for alleviating the current energy crisis.

Study on automatic and rapid diagnosis of distal radius fracture by X-ray

This article aims to combine deep learning with image analysis technology and propose an effective classification method for distal radius fracture types. Firstly, an extended U-Net three-layer cascaded segmentation network was used to accurately segment the most important joint surface and non joint surface areas for identifying fractures. Then, the images of the joint surface area and non joint surface area separately were classified and trained to distinguish fractures. Finally, based on the classification results of the two images, the normal or ABC fracture classification results could be comprehensively determined. The accuracy rates of normal, A-type, B-type, and C-type fracture on the test set were 0.99, 0.92, 0.91, and 0.82, respectively. For orthopedic medical experts, the average recognition accuracy rates were 0.98, 0.90, 0.87, and 0.81, respectively. The proposed automatic recognition method is generally better than experts, and can be used for preliminary auxiliary diagnosis of distal radius fractures in scenarios without expert participation.

Comparative analysis of internal fixation modalities for PER type IV ankle fractures: a finite element study

BackgroundThere are many options for the surgical treatment of pronation external rotation (PER) type IV ankle fractures, including the use of fibular plates and screws, the aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical stability and safety of different internal fixation methods for PER type IV ankle fractures via finite element analysis.MethodsA three-dimensional finite element model of the ankle joint and the whole foot of a healthy 26-years-old adult male was established and validated based on computed tomography images of his lower limb, and a computer-aided design was used to produce a PER type IV ankle fracture and plate and screw model. Four different internal fixation modes were simulated, including a (all ankle fixation—utilizing a fibular plate and screws for comprehensive stabilization of the ankle), b (inferior tibiofibular joint fixation + all ankle fixation), c (inferior tibiofibular joint fixation + unfixed anterior ankle), and d (inferior tibiofibular joint fixation + unfixed anterior and posterior ankles). The results of the four different fixation methods were compared via finite element analysis, and the von Mises stresses. The displacements of the four different fixation methods were analyzed as the output indices.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the results of using fibular plates and screws and the displacement of fracture breaks among the four internal fixation modalities. The von Mises stress in the tibiotalar joint, median ankle, posterior ankle, and anterior ankle was minimized in the working condition of d, d, b, and d respectively. The von Mises stress in the fibular plate and screws was minimized in the working condition of a. The von Mises stress in the distal fibula was minimized in the working condition of a. However, the stress was mainly concentrated at the attachment point of the inferior tibiofibular anterior ligament, and in the working condition with inferior tibiofibular joint fixation, the stress was significantly concentrated in the inferior tibiofibular joint screw in all the fibular plates and screws.ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of using finite element analysis to compare the biomechanical stability and safety of four configurations of fibular plates and screws for treating PER type IV ankle fractures. All four modalities provided comparable biomechanical stability and safety, showing no significant differences. However, the current limitations of the finite element analysis methodology preclude specific clinical inferences. Further refinement of the methodology in future studies is necessary to enable reliable clinical applications.

Forensic discrimination of fiber microspectrophotometry data by resampling and repeating two-sample hypothesis testing

Textile fibers are important forensic trace evidence in criminal investigations. Colored textile fibers are often analyzed using non-destructive microspectrophotometry. However, when the spectra of questioned and known samples are very similar, it is difficult to compare the spectra visually. Chemometric methods, such as principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering, have been applied to microspectrophotometry data. In this study, we used two-sample hypothesis testing as a chemometric approach for discrimination of fiber samples without reducing or eliminating the dimensionality of the data. Cotton fibers dyed with vat dyes were analyzed by microspectrophotometry. We examined suitable data types and statistical methods for test fiber samples by resampling and repeating hypothesis testing. A combination of spectral data type and statistical method was identified that provided a good balance of type I (false exclusion) and type II (false inclusion) error rates in two-sample hypothesis testing of the fibers.The main advantage of our chemometric approach is that an appropriate method for samples can be selected by using the type I and II error rates. Furthermore, our method can use all the measured data for the calculation without reducing or eliminating the dimensionality of the data, so it is not necessary to reduce variables or smooth the spectrum. This statistical method also requires no training set. Therefore, two-sample hypothesis testing could be applied to fibers of different types, colors, or materials from those used in this study. Resampling and repeating two-sample hypothesis testing technique is promising as a new chemometric approach for comparing microspectrophotometry spectra.