Standard Projection Research Articles

Establishment of a Standardized Supply System Based on the Usage of Medical Materials

Purpose: Supply and storage of medical materials are critical components of hospitals. A standardized supply system using time-series forecasting was implemented to provide wards with timely supplies based on actual needs. This approach helped reduce storage issues and minimized related nursing tasks.Methods: The project was conducted in two stages to address different supply cycles and the challenge of forecasting the quantity required for the ward’s needs. In the first stage, supply cycles were standardized to five times per week, and the location and size of the storage cabinets were standardized across all wards. In the second stage, ward storage cabinets were automatically replenished with new cabinets stocked with standardized items based on past usage.Results: The mean weekly transported supply quantity decreased from 6,278 to 5,481 (12.7%). The mean inventory across all wards reduced from 3,471 ± 1609 to 1,741 ± 354 (<i>p</i><.001), resulting in a 30% reduction in storage space. A retrospective analysis revealed minimal emergency requests (0.1% of total supply) despite not keeping any items in stock.Conclusion: We confirmed the timely supply of the quantity required for ward needs through a ward logistics standardization project. Storage-related issues and inventory management tasks are reduced by the daily exchange of supply or storage cabinets and the accurate estimation of future demand based on past usage.

Comparative Diagnostic Efficacy of Ultrasonography and Radiography for Gas Embolism in Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) Turtles.

Sea turtles face numerous threats, often stemming from human activities, resulting in high mortality rates. One of the primary risks they encounter is posed by fishing activities. In the South Adriatic Sea, the extensive trawling fleet often impacts sea turtles, and in recent years, a specific disorder, known as gas embolism (GE), and the associated disease known as decompression sickness (DCS), has emerged as a new threat. Our study aims to compare the statistical concordance and sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy between ultrasonography and radiography for evaluating GE in marine turtles. The study involved the analysis of 29 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) admitted to the Sea Turtle Clinic (STC) at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy, between December 2022 and March 2023. The sea turtles underwent X-ray evaluation using the three standard projections (dorso-ventral, latero-lateral, cranial-caudal), followed by ultrasound examination to visualize blood vessels through cervical, axillary, and inguinal ultrasound windows. Color Doppler ultrasonography was utilized to assess blood flow, gas localization, and quantity, but this technique proved to be less helpful in detecting GE. Our results confirm the statistically valid performance of ultrasonographic examinations, highlighting the significant role of combining ultrasonography and radiography to enhance sensitivity, especially in complex and challenging cases for identifying gas embolism (GE) in sea turtles.

Stages in the development of the architectural typology of panel residential buildings in Nizhny Novgorod

The historical stages of the development of housing panel construction in Nizhny Novgorod (from October 7, 1932 to October 22, 1990 – Gorky) are considered. The periods of the series are highlighted: from the 1950s to the mid-1960s; from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s; from the middle. 1970s to the late 1970s; from the 1980s to the 1990s; from the early 2000s to the mid-2020s.The application of standard projects of a series of residential buildings is analyzed, the transformation of their planning structure and appearance is revealed.The article considers such common series and their variations as 1-464 A, 1-464A-20 And, 1-464D, 1-464 H, 1-464 DM, E-600. Conclusions are drawn about changes in the planning structure: improvement of the dimensions of rooms, increase in the area of kitchens, introduction of separate bathrooms, change in the predominant number of rooms in the apartment, the appearance of a studio apartment.The tendency to increase the number of floors, the transformation of the silhouette, the use of decorative elements on the facade and the rejection of them, the strengthening of the role of glass and the color scheme of the facade is revealed.In the urban planning aspect, there has been a change in the main urban development unit from a microdistrict to a residential complex.The analysis noted both a decrease in the rate of construction of panel residential buildings at the end of the twentieth century, and the stimulation of further development of panel housing construction in Nizhny Novgorod at the beginning of the XXI century.

Assessment of Photon-Counting Computed Tomography for Quantitative Imaging in Radiation Therapy

PurposeTo test a first generation clinical PCCT scanner's capabilities to characterize materials in an anthropomorphic head phantom for radiation therapy purposes. Methods and materialsA CIRS 731-HN head-and-neck phantom (CIRS/SunNuclear, Norfolk, USA) was scanned on a NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting CT (PCCT) and a SOMATOM Definition AS+ with single-energy and dual-energy CT techniques (SECT and DECT, respectively), both scanners manufactured by Siemens (Siemens Healthineers, Forscheim, Germany). A method was developed to derive relative electron density (RED) and effective atomic number (EAN) from linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) of virtual mono-energetic images and applied for the PCCT and DECT data. For DECT, Siemens’ syngo.via ‘Rho/Z’-algorithm was also utilized. Proton stopping-power ratios (SPR) were calculated based on RED/EAN with the Bethe equation. For SECT, a stoichiometric calibration to SPR was used. Nine materials in the phantom were segmented, excluding border pixels. Distributions and root-mean-square deviations (RMSD) within the material regions were evaluated for LAC, RED/EAN and SPR, respectively. Two example ray-projections were also examined for LAC, SPR and water-equivalent thickness (WET), for illustrations of a more treatment-like scenario. ResultsThere was a tendency towards narrower distributions for PCCT compared to both DECT methods for the investigated quantities, observed across all materials for RED only. Likewise the scored RMSDs showed overall superiority for PCCT with a few exceptions: for water-like materials, EAN and SPR were comparable between the modalities; for titanium the RED and SPR estimates were inferior for PCCT. The PCCT data gave the smallest deviations from theoretic along the more complex example ray profile whereas the more standard projection showed similar results between the modalities. ConclusionsThis study shows promising results for tissue characterization in a human-like geometry for radiotherapy purposes using PCCT. The significance of improvements for clinical practice remains to be demonstrated.

Isolated regions of a link projection

A set of regions of a link projection is said to be isolated if any pair of regions in the set share no crossings. The isolate-region number of a link projection is the maximum value of the cardinality for isolated sets of regions of the link projection. In this paper, all the link projections of isolate-region number one are determined. Also, estimations for welded unknotting number and a combinatorial way to find the isolate-region number are discussed, and a formula of the generating function of isolated-region sets is given for the standard projections of [Formula: see text]-torus links.

Influence of Technical Reasons on Cost Overruns of Infrastructural Projects: A Sustainable Development Perspective

Cost overruns are a significant issue in infrastructure projects, adversely affecting not only economic performance but also sustainability goals by straining resources and extending project timelines. There is consensus among researchers about the persistence of cost overruns and the importance of accurate estimates. However, there are significant differences in the explanation of the reasons for the overruns. While we recognize the importance of understanding the reasons for cost overruns at all stages of project development, we have focused on the reasons for cost overruns after contract award due to the rarely available real and valid data collected at the source of the information. We analyze the deviations between actual and contracted costs, as well as the dependence of cost deviations of individual project types on the size of the contract. For example, the size of the tunnel significantly affects relative cost deviations, while for standard viaducts or road sections this effect is minimal. The results confirmed that cost overruns are less frequent in standard facilities than in those where the experience factor has little influence on the final cost estimate. For example, deviations in the average value of the contracted costs for highway sections range between −12.1% and 27.9% of the contracted value, and for standardized viaduct projects they range between −16.73% and 6.27% of the contracted value. The type of distribution function of deviations between actual and contractually agreed costs was investigated, and a predictive model for estimating future cost deviations of project programs was presented. The goal is to improve economic sustainability and the related optimization of resources in the development of infrastructure, which contributes to the broader agenda of sustainable development. The results encourage the adoption of improved project documentation and forecasting tools, which are essential for sustainable project management.

A Reflection on the Research Analysis and Insight into National Standards (RAINS) Project

A Reflection on the Research Analysis and Insight into National Standards (RAINS) Project

Study of neuromuscular activity in preparation for revision knee arthroplasty

The results of an electromyographic study of 13 patients, aged 50–87 years, with aseptic instability of the components of a knee joint endoprosthesis at the stage of preparation for revision arthroplasty, who were treated at the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Trauma tology and Orthopedics in the period from 2013 to 2020, were analyzed. To assess the orthopedic status, we used: clinical examination, radiography of the knee joint in 2 standard and axial projections, topogram and CT scan. lectrophysiological studies provide important information for elucidating the etiopathogenesis of knee joint endoprosthesis instability. One of the causes of instability may be an imbalance in the activity of the flexor and extensor muscles that develops during walking, subsequently leading to periprosthetic osteolysis, which occurs as a response to the formation of wear and tear products of the components of the endoprosthesis.

Analysis of Early Surgical Treatment of Incorrectly Consolidated Gunshot Fractures of the Scapula

Objective. The objective of our study was to analyze the structure of incorrectly consolidated gunshot fractures of the scapula and early outcomes of surgical treatment. Material and Methods. We analyzed 10 cases of incorrectly consolidated gunshot fractures of the scapula in Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen, received as a result of combat operations, and early outcomes of surgical treatment. The main indications for surgical treatment were as follows: severe impairment of function of the upper limb due to pain, fractures of the articular surface of the scapula with displacement of fragments over 2 mm, fractures of the acromion with displacement of more than 8 mm, and damages to muscles and skin. In addition to radiography in standard projections, preoperative examination included computed tomography (CT). Evaluation of functional outcomes was carried out within 1 to 4 months according to the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) scale. The average period of postoperative survey was 2.6 months. Results. Incorrect consolidation of fractures was caused by a long period of preoperative preparation and conservative treatment of wounds in patients due to openness and infection of bullet wounds in 2 patients and shrapnel wounds because of mortar, artillery, tank and rocket attacks in 8 patients. Staged treatment until wound healing was carried out in hospitals and military hospitals of Ukraine using VAC (Vacuum-Assisted Closure) devices. Four cases were right-sided and six were left-sided; 7 of 10 cases were intra-articular fractures with displacement of fragments of the articular surface by 2 mm or more. The average duration of injury at the time of surgery was 4.2 months (range from 2 to 8 months). In addition to eliminating displacements and deformities of incorrectly consolidated fractures and osteosynthesis of fragments, the treatment included replacing the soft tissue defect of the shoulder and shoulder girdle with a non-free thoracodorsal musculocutaneous flap on a neurovascular pedicle in 3 of 10 patients. Seven patients had an isolated wound to the scapula area. Three of 10 patients had a combined wound to the scapula with a defect of the humeral head, upper third of the humerus, and acromial end of the clavicle. These patients underwent implantation of an articulating spacer, restoration of the configuration of the proximal end of the humerus, and reconstruction of the rotator muscles to make possible the shoulder joint arthroplasty. The average value according to the results of a survey of patients on the OSS scale was 20.2 (±4.39) points before surgery and 34.1 (±7.56) points after surgery, which can be considered a good result according to the OSS scoring system. Conclusions. The analysis of the early outcomes showed that reconstructive treatment of gunshot old fractures of the scapula creates biomechanical prerequisites for restoring the function of the upper limb, reduces pain syndrome, and allows for active postoperative rehabilitation.

On Population and the International Order

AbstractThis essay expores demographic effects on the international order over the postwar decades and potentially through the next half‐century. Such effects derive from the relative sizes of populations and labor forces among states, contrasts in age distributions (resulting from the regionally staggered timing of fertility decline), and high levels of international migration, fueled by economic disparities and civil conflict. In coming decades, differential population growth and aging—in some states, entrenchment of population decline—will shift the global distribution of labor away from East Asia and Europe and toward South and West Asia and especially Africa. Short‐range migration may be pressed by environmental change; longer‐range migration toward rich countries, much of it illicit and already an intractable public policy issue in many of them, will face increased societal resistance and stronger efforts to police entry. The future international order will see a states system with the Global North further demographically marginalized; India as an emerging economic‐demographic superpower, joining a fast‐aging China and plausibly a less internationally engaged United States; and a demographically dominant Africa with as yet a wholly unclear place in the global political economy. Although not part of standard demographic projections, there are extreme global warming scenarios and other disaster eventualities that could be radically transformative of this order.

Enhanced diagnostic value of specific radiographic views versus standard ap and lateral projections in calcaneal fractures: A nine-month retrospective study at Mosul General Hospital

Enhanced diagnostic value of specific radiographic views versus standard ap and lateral projections in calcaneal fractures: A nine-month retrospective study at Mosul General Hospital

Vitamin D assay and supplementation: still debatable issues.

Over the last decades, in addition to the improvement of pathophysiological knowledge regarding the role and mechanisms of action of vitamin D, there hasbeen a progressive advancement in analytical technologies for its measurement, as well as in methodological standardization. A significant number of scientific works, meta-analyses, and guidelines have been published on the importance of vitamin D and the need for supplementation in deficient individuals. However, it appears necessary to clarify the fundamental elements related to the measurement of vitamin D (both at the strictly analytical and post-analytical levels) and the scientific evidence related to the efficacy/safety of supplementation. In particular, there isa need to discuss current recommended levels for deficiency, insufficiency and possible toxicity in the light of evidence from standardization projects. Additionally, given the important interrelations between vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), the analytical issues and clinical utility of these biomarkers will be discussed.

Deep learning-guided video compression for machine vision tasks

In the video compression industry, video compression tailored to machine vision tasks has recently emerged as a critical area of focus. Given the unique characteristics of machine vision, the current practice of directly employing conventional codecs reveals inefficiency, which requires compressing unnecessary regions. In this paper, we propose a framework that more aptly encodes video regions distinguished by machine vision to enhance coding efficiency. For that, the proposed framework consists of deep learning-based adaptive switch networks that guide the efficient coding tool for video encoding. Through the experiments, it is demonstrated that the proposed framework has superiority over the latest standardization project, video coding for machine benchmark, which achieves a Bjontegaard delta (BD)-rate gain of 5.91% on average and reaches up to a 19.51% BD-rate gain.

Standard radiographic images in cephalomedullary nailing fixation for intertrochanteric femoral fractures

To review and summarize the projections of radiographic images during cephalomedullary nailing fixation for intertrochanteric femoral fractures, and to propose a set of three projections as standard requirement in immediate postoperative fluoroscopy. Papers on intertrochanteric femoral fractures treated with cephalomedullary nailing fixation that published in a three-year period of 2021-2023 in four leading English orthopedic trauma journals were searched in PubMed. The presented radiographic pictures were identified and scrutinized as whether they were in standard anteroposterior and/or lateral projections of the implanted nails. The nonstandard presence percentage was calculated. Combined with clinical experience, the standard anteroposterior and lateral perspective images of femoral neck, the current situation of radiographic imaging in the operation of cephalomedullary nails, the literature analysis of nonstandard images, the impact of limb rotation on image interpretation, and the characteristics of anteromedial 30° oblique perspective were summarized and analyzed. The presence of nonstandard radiographic pictures is 32.1% in anteroposterior view and 69.2% in lateral view in leading orthopedic trauma journals. In cephalomedullary nailing fixation operation of intertrochanteric femoral fractures, it is reasonable to use the radiographic images of the implanted nails to represent the fractured head-neck, as the head-neck implant (lag screw or helical blade) is aimed to put into centrally in femoral head in lateral projection. Limb rotation or nonstandard projections produced distortion of images, which interfers the surgeons' judgement of fracture reduction quality and the measurement of implant position parameters in femoral head (such as neck-shaft angle and tip-apex distance), and finally lead to a meaningless comparison with the accurate normal value. The 30° anteromedial oblique view from the true lateral (set as 0°) is a tangential projection of the cortices at the anteromedial inferior corner, which gives a clear profile for the determination of cortical apposition status and mechanical support. It is essential to get firstly the true standard lateral fluoroscopy of the nail (shown as a line), then rotate the C-arm to 90° and 30° to get anteroposterior and anteromedial oblique views, and use these three immediate postoperative radiographies as the baseline for evaluation of operative quality and follow-up comparisons. As for real-time monitoring of surgical steps, intraoperative fluoroscopy follows the "Enough is Good" principle, but as for immediate postoperative data storage and basis for operative quality evaluation and baseline for follow-up comparison, it is recommended to obtain a set of three standard radiographic pictures in anteroposterior, true lateral, and 30° anteromedial oblique fluoroscopic projections.

Economics and logistics of the Mombasa – Nairobi railway project

The study is devoted to the economic evaluation of the Nairobi – Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway Project in Kenya. The cost-benefit analysis method was used to evaluate this project, the purpose of which is to find the net social benefit by subtracting all the project costs from the total social benefits. Among the various cost analysis methods, the corridor analysis method was used, as well as the empirical method, which included mathematical calculation, analysis and comparison of information from different modes of transport operating between the two cities of Nairobi and Mombasa, obtained from different secondary sources in order to obtain the social present value. There is a social benefit of $ 75 million and thus the project was worth the investment. The analysis of the Nairobi – Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway Project will help reduce the negative reaction that the Kenyan government has faced from local residents for its huge investment in this project, proving that the project is economically beneficial and will have a positive impact on the social welfare of the residents.

Impacts of Standard Gauge Railway Project on Tanzania Economy Amidst and After Completion

Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Tanzania flashed a lot of rumours and suggestions among citizens on opportunities and threats. This paper described the impacts of the SGR project on Tanzania economy during and after project completion. The target population of the study was all articles, and government reports related on SGR projects in Africa. The study was conducted systematically by reviewing articles and government reports on impacts of SGR on economy. The paper found that the SGR project has a lot of positive impacts including stimulation of Industrialization; efficient and fast movement of cargo; source of foreign currency; Development of rural area; business growth; Creating good relationship between neighbour countries; and employment opportunities. Also, the study found that negative impacts include Market disruption; Collapse of towns; and involuntary resettlement. The study concludes that the construction of standard gauge railway is of very importance for Tanzania economy. The study recommends the government start preparing competent staff that will operate and manage SGR. The lesson learned from the study is that there must be collaboration and coordination between the government and private sector at different levels of SGR for immediate and sustainable benefits.

Implicit calibration method for underwater stereo cameras.

Underwater stereo cameras can effectively capture intricate environments with restricted accessibility, offering an appealing solution for precise perception. Stereo imaging is however susceptible to distortions caused by the refraction of incoming rays. These distortions are nonlinear and challenge the standard single viewpoint projection assumption. In this paper, we propose a data-driven implicit calibration method for underwater stereo cameras. To address the imaging characteristics and aberration distributions across different coordinates of underwater stereo cameras, we have developed the corresponding coordinates regression network and fusion strategy, thereby converting the calibration process into network-based learning. Secondly, we designed an underwater self-luminous calibration target system and the underwater corner point extraction strategy for sample dataset acquisition. We evaluated the proposed method comprehensively in terms of measurement, camera posture estimation, and 3D reconstruction, and compared it with other explicit calibration methods. The experimental results show that the proposed implicit calibration method is superior to other explicit calibration. We demonstrate with real experiments that our method enables efficient camera calibration for underwater vision applications.

Copy Number Profiling Implicates Thin High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions as a True Precursor of Cervical Human Papillomavirus-Induced Squamous Cell Cancer

Full-thickness high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) are precursors of invasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The World Health Organization and Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology Standardization Project for human papilloma virus (HPV)–associated lesions divide full-thickness HSIL of the cervix into thin HSIL with thickness of 1 to 9 cell layers and the typical full-thickness HSIL of >10 cell layers. Although HPV oncogene transcripts and p16ink4a overexpression, as markers of transforming HPV infection, are detectable in thin HSIL, the biological significance of thin HSIL in cervical carcinogenesis remains poorly understood. To further characterize thin HSIL, we performed a comparative study of chromosomal copy number variations (CNV), an analysis of dysregulated genes present in the segments with CNV, and a generalized genetic complexity calculation for 31 thin HSIL, 31 thick HSIL, 24 microinvasive SCC (pT1a SCC), and 22 highly invasive SCC samples. Thin HSIL share various CNV and specific dysregulated gene pathways with thick HSIL and invasive SCC. Thin HSIL exhibited an average CNV of 11.6% compared with 14.1% for thick HSIL, 15.5% for pT1a SCC, and 26.6% for highly invasive SCC. The CNV included gains at 1q and 3q (40% and 43%, respectively), partial loss of 3p, and loss of chromosomes 11 (18%), 16 (50%), 20 (35%), and 22 (40%). Pathways affected solely in thin HSIL were those enhancing immune evasion and primarily involved the (interleukin) IL6, IL21, and IL23 genes. ILs are transiently upregulated in response to infection and play a crucial role in mounting antitumor T-cell activity. Deregulation reflects an attempt by the HPV to evade the initial immune response of the host. The primary pathways shared by thick HSIL and invasive SCC were interactions between lymphoid and nonlymphoid cells, NOTCH2 signaling, tight junction interactions (primarily of the claudin family), and FGR2 alternative splicing. Our results show that thin HSIL carry similar genetic changes as thick HSIL and SCC, indicating that thin HSIL are true precursor lesions that can progress to thick HSIL and SCC.

Enhancing the Security of Classical Communication with Post-Quantum Authenticated-Encryption Schemes for the Quantum Key Distribution

This research aims to establish a secure system for key exchange by using post-quantum cryptography (PQC) schemes in the classic channel of quantum key distribution (QKD). Modern cryptography faces significant threats from quantum computers, which can solve classical problems rapidly. PQC schemes address critical security challenges in QKD, particularly in authentication and encryption, to ensure the reliable communication across quantum and classical channels. The other objective of this study is to balance security and communication speed among various PQC algorithms in different security levels, specifically CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, and Falcon, which are finalists in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization project. The quantum channel of QKD is simulated with Qiskit, which is a comprehensive and well-supported tool in the field of quantum computing. By providing a detailed analysis of the performance of these three algorithms with Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA), the results will guide companies and organizations in selecting an optimal combination for their QKD systems to achieve a reliable balance between efficiency and security. Our findings demonstrate that the implemented PQC schemes effectively address security challenges posed by quantum computers, while keeping the the performance similar to RSA.

Pneumatization of the temporal bones and otitis media in ancient and modern Greenlanders

Otitis media occurs frequently among modern Greenlanders. However, knowledge of the epidemiology of this disease before the twentieth century is scanty. Information on diseases in the past may give us a better understanding of the health of historical populations. This study presents a new unbiased method for estimating the incidence of infectious middle ear disease (IMED) in childhood. The method is based on the relationship between IMED in childhood and morphological evidence present in the human temporal bones - i.e. small or asymmetrical pneumatized cell areas. In a standardized X-ray projection, we examined 434 pneumatized cell areas in temporal bones from 34 living adult modern Greenlanders, 56 historical adult Greenland Eskimo crania from the period after the European colonization of Greenland in 1721 AD, and 127 prehistoric adult Greenland Eskimo crania from the period before the colonization. The resulting X-rays of the crania were of high quality and the relationship between IMED in childhood and small or asymmetrical pneumatized cell areas was confirmed in the modern Greenlanders. On this basis a polychotomous logistic regression model was applied to the pneumatized cell areas of the three groups of material. The model allowed for the interdependence of the ears and specified probabilities of having IMED in the right ear, left ear, both ears or of being healthy in both ears. The frequency of IMED as indicated by the model was 8/34 (23 .5%) in modern Greenlanders, 10/56 (17.9%) in historical Eskimo crania and 6/127 (4.7%) in prehistoric Eskimo crania (p < 0.002). The mean area also differed significantly, as it was smallest in modern Greenlanders. The results thus indicated a change in the frequency of IMED and a decrease in area from historical to present-day Greenland in subjects who survived to adulthood. The change seemed closely related to the European colonization of Greenland. As IMED is closely related to upper respiratory tract infections and to poverty, the method seems well suited for evaluating general health in past societies.