Qualitative Assessment Research Articles

Basti as Ardha Chikitsa in the management of Vata-Pitta Samsrushta Grudrasi - A Case Report of Lumbar Spondylosis

Lumbar Spondylosis is the commonly observed chronic degenerative disorder especially in the geriatric age group. This signifies that disorder is majorly due to Dhatu Kshaya (~depletion of body building and sustaining factors). In the present case report of Lumbar Spondylosis, was diagnosed as Vata Pitta Samsrushta Grudrasi (~sciatica formed by Vata and Pitta Dosha in their equal dominance) with the application of Trividha Bodhya Samgraha (~cause, situation and nature of disease). A 53 year housewife hailing from rural sector of Jangala Desha (dry area) reported with severe burning sensation in right foot, low backache, referred pain in right calf associated with numbness. Vata and Pitta were elicited as Sthanika (~functional unit of its own place) and Agantu Dosha (~functional unit entered from other part) respectively through Samsarga Dosha Laxana. Yapana Basti (~Enema Therapy) schedule was designed to pacify Pakvashayagata Vata-Pitta (~Vata and Pitta situated in lower gut). Qualitative assessment done before and after treatment revealed successful outcomes where score reduced from 12 to 2 indicating improved quality of life. Basti acts as Ardha Chikitsa (~half treatment) when proper Yukti (planning) is applied in designing protocol, selecting appropriate formulations by incorporating multiple Chikitsa Siddhanta (~treatment principle) such as Sthanivat Chikitsa.

A Design and Safety Analysis of the “Electricity-Hydrogen-Ammonia” Energy Storage System: A Case Study of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant

With the development of modernization, traditional fossil energy reserves are decreasing, and the power industry, as one of the main energy consumption forces, has begun to pay attention to increasing the proportion of clean energy generation. With the deepening of electrification, the peak-valley difference of residential electricity consumption increases, but photovoltaic and wind power generation have fluctuations and are manifested as reverse peak regulation. Thermal power plants as the main force of peak regulation gradually reduce the market share, making nuclear power plants bear the heavy responsibility of participating in peak regulation. The traditional method of adjusting operating power by inserting and removing control rods has great safety risks and wastes resources. Therefore, this paper proposes a new energy storage system that can keep the nuclear power plant running at full power and produce hydrogen to synthesize ammonia from excess power. A comprehensive evaluation model of energy storage based on z-score data standardization and objective parameter assignment AHP (analytic hierarchy process) analysis method was established to evaluate energy storage systems according to a multi-index system. With an AP1000 daily load tracking curve as the input model, the simulation model built by Aspen Plus V14 was used to calculate the operating conditions of the system. In order to provide a construction basis for practical engineering use, Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province is taken as an example. The system layout scheme is proposed according to the local environmental conditions. The accident tree analysis method is combined with ALOHA 5.4.1.2 (Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres) hazardous chemical analysis software and MARPLOT 5.1.1 geographic information technology. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of risk factors and the consequences of leakage, fire, and explosion accidents caused by hydrogen and ammonia storage processes is carried out to provide guidance for accident prevention and emergency rescue. The design of an “Electric-Hydrogen-Ammonia” energy storage system proposed in this paper provides a new idea for zero-carbon energy storage for the peak shaving of nuclear power plants and has a certain role in promoting the development of clean energy.

Synthesis and Binding Properties of High-Affinity Histidine-Bearing Polymers for Wood Lignin.

The pursuit of molecules capable of binding to wood lignin is pivotal for advancing lignin degradation technology, particularly when combined with lignin degradation catalysts. In this study, synthetic polymers bearing histidine moieties, demonstrating remarkable affinity for wood lignin are reported. These polymers, featuring varying degrees of histidine substitution in the form of histidine methyl esters, are synthesized through controlled radical polymerization of an activated ester-bearing monomer, employing a fluorescein-labeled chain transfer agent and subsequent postpolymerization amidation with histidine methyl ester. The binding properties of these histidine-bearing polymers with milled wood lignin under aqueous conditions are investigated. Qualitative assessment of lignin-binding capabilities involve spectroscopic analysis of changes in absorbance of visible light and fluorescence intensity. Furthermore, quantitative evaluation is conducted through surface plasmon resonance measurements to determine the binding parameters of the polymers with wood lignin. Notably, polymers with higher histidine substitution exhibit enhanced binding affinity compared to those with lower histidine substitution levels.

Generation of preoperative anaesthetic plans by ChatGPT-4.0: a mixed-method study.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled development of natural language algorithms capable of generating coherent texts. We evaluated the quality, validity, and safety of this generative AI in preoperative anaesthetic planning. In this exploratory, single-centre, convergent mixed-method study, 10 clinical vignettes were randomly selected, and ChatGPT (OpenAI, 4.0) was prompted to create anaesthetic plans, including cardiopulmonary risk assessment, intraoperative anaesthesia technique, and postoperative management. A quantitative assessment compared these plans with those made by eight senior anaesthesia consultants. A qualitative assessment was performed by an adjudication committee through focus group discussion and thematic analysis. Agreement on cardiopulmonary risk assessment was calculated using weighted Kappa, with descriptive data representation for other outcomes. ChatGPT anaesthetic plans showed variable agreement with consultants' plans. ChatGPT, the survey panel, and adjudication committee frequently disagreed on cardiopulmonary risk estimation. The ChatGPT answers were repetitive and lacked variety, evidenced by the strong preference for general anaesthesia and absence of locoregional techniques. It also showed inconsistent choices regarding airway management, postoperative analgesia, and medication use. While some differences were not deemed clinically significant, subpar postoperative pain management advice and failure to recommend tracheal intubation for patients at high risk for pulmonary aspiration were considered inappropriate recommendations. Preoperative anaesthetic plans generated by ChatGPT did not consistently meet minimum clinical standards and were unlikely the result of clinical reasoning. Therefore, ChatGPT is currently not recommended for preoperative planning. Future large language models trained on anaesthesia-specific datasets might improve performance but should undergo vigorous evaluation before use in clinical practice.

Evaluating the chain of uncertainties in the 3D geological modelling workflow

Geological models are used for a range of applications relevant for engineering geology and the demands for reliable geological models with realistic uncertainty assessments are therefore increasing. The geological modelling workflow is divided into multiple steps, each associated with uncertainties. Often however, many of these sources of uncertainty are overlooked, which risks underestimating the uncertainties of the final model. The main reason is that most of the steps in the geological modelling workflow are subjective to some degree. Thus, the possible sources of uncertainty in geological modelling are theoretically infinite, and without a trustworthy conceptual model to outline the expected geological structures and lithologies, the uncertainty assessment of the resulting model will likewise be unreliable. In this paper, we describe the chain of uncertainties in the geological modelling workflow and showcase some of the most important sources of uncertainties through practical modelling examples from two different model areas. The paper also presents and discuss a method to conduct qualitative uncertainty assessment, which is conducted by the modeler and based on expert evaluation and prioritization of the different sources of uncertainty. The practical use of the uncertainty assessment method is exemplified in the last two examples, representing a local-scale and a large-scale model, respectively. All four examples are from Danish geological models that have been constructed as interpretation-based layer-models. However, the considerations regarding the uncertainties in the chain of the geological modelling workflow are useful regardless of the modelling method.

UHPLC-MS/MS analysis of the influence of paclobutrazol application on Ophiopogon japonicus

The pharmacological effects of Ophiopogon japonicus are influenced by its active substances like saponins and flavonoids, which are crucial for assessing its quality. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of 20 saponins and flavonoids in O. japonicus. The average recovery of these compounds ranged from 70% to 130%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) between 0.11% and 16.46%. Planting O. japonicus in Santai County (Sichuan, China) and investigated the impact of 0.6, 1.3, 2.8, 5.6, and 11.3g/L concentrations of paclobutrazol on both root yield and the levels of saponins and flavonoids in O. japonicus. Lower paclobutrazol concentrations (1.3g/L) led to increased levels of saponins and flavonoids in O. japonicus such as ophiopogonin D′, ruscogenin and ophiopogonanone F, with paclobutrazol residues measuring 77.17μg/kg DW. This preliminary insight into the influence of paclobutrazol and production of saponin flavonoids in O. japonicus bears significance for its larger industrial production.

Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis and Assessments of Analgesic and Antidiarrheal Activity of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Cheilanthes tenuifolia: In Vivo Study.

Cheilanthes tenuifolia (Burm.f.), commonly known as the Sword Fern or Narrow-leaved Cloak Fern, is a little evergreen fern that belongs to the Pteridaceae family and is abundant in various bioactive compounds exerting promising medicinal properties. The current study is designed to evaluate in vivo analgesic and antidiarrheal activity of the methanol leaf extract of C. tenuifolia (MCT). For this purpose, Swiss albino mice were used to investigate the analgesic and antidiarrheal properties using acetic acid-induced writhing and castor oil-induced diarrhea methods, respectively. The mice were administered orally with different doses of MCT (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg). The vehicle performed as a negative control (NC), while diclofenac sodium (DCN) (25 mg/kg), loperamide (LOP) (3 mg/kg), bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) (10 mg/kg), and nifedipine (NDP) (2.5 mg/kg) were supplied as positive controls (PC) (p.o.). In both models, combination treatment of MCT (higher dose) and PC was also administered to different groups of animals for assessing potential antagonistic or synergistic activity. Findings of the in vivo study demonstrated that MCT dose-dependently significantly (p < 0.05) exhibited analgesic and antidiarrheal properties by reduction in the number of writhing and reductions in the total fecal output in contrast to the NC group. Moreover, in combination treatment, MCT significantly (p < 0.05) synergized the activity of PC in both models, exerting potential analgesic and antidiarrheal activity. In conclusion, MCT has analgesic and antidiarrheal activity; it might be beneficial for the management of pain and diarrhea.

Conceptualization and standardization of a non-invasive closed head injury model using directed shockwave to mice

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with closed head injury (CHI) being one of the most common forms of TBI. Preclinical modeling of TBI is challenging due to confounding factors like craniectomy and poorly controlled injury severity. This study proposes a non-invasive CHI model using directed shockwaves. The mice heads were exposed to the shockwave and accommodated together following the implantation of RFID tags for automated neurocognitive assessment. Following a 13-day paradigm, mice underwent a digital gait analysis and subsequent classical behavioral test paradigms for affective, cognitive, and locomotor functions. Qualitative and quantitative histopathological assessment was carried out for shockwave pulses-dependent changes in terms of lesion volume, neuronal death, dendritic complexity, and spine density. Studies showed shockwave pulses-dependent differences in survivability, righting reflex, neural damage, and death. Shockwave-exposed mice showed significantly impaired learning and cognitive flexibility. Interestingly, exposed mice showed locomotor hyperactivity and risk-taking behavior (lack of anxiety) along with depression-like phenotypes. Our result suggests that the shockwave-based CHI models result in the clinically relevant phenotype and are precisely controlled for reproducibility.

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of apple quality using bulk optical properties in combination with machine learning and chemometrics techniques

This study aimed to understand the quantitative relationship between the bulk optical properties (BOP), soluble solids content (SSC), and fruit firmness (FF) of apples, along with the qualitative discrimination of apple cultivar and shelf-life. The absorption coefficient (μa) and reduced scattering coefficient (μs′) of 200 apples from four cultivars during 36-days shelf-life were determined using the single integrating sphere technique in 500-1000 nm. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) and random forest (RF) algorithms were used to establish quantitative prediction models for SSC and FF based on the BOP of apples. The results indicated that the PLSR models based on μɑ and μs′ were optimal for quantitative prediction of SSC (R2p=0.749, RMSEP=0.507) and FF (R2p=0.745, RMSEP=0.571), respectively. RF and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used to establish qualitative models for discriminating apple cultivar and shelf-life, demonstrating that the RF model based on μɑ and μɑ+ μs′ had the highest accuracy for the determination of apple cultivar and shelf-life, respectively, with the prediction set reaching 93.2 % and 85.7 %. Overall, RF was better than LDA for qualitative discrimination; however, it was less effective than PLSR for quantitative modeling.

Evaluating the Impact of Adjunctive Partial Cryoablation on Dual Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy Response in a Murine Model.

Purpose To evaluate the impact of adjunctive partial cryoablation on checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) immunotherapy response. Materials and Methods One hundred fifty-six mice (equal number of male and female animals) with dual-implanted tumor models were treated with dual CPI or a vehicle and randomized to treatment of a single tumor with partial cryoablation. Tumors were followed for 60 days following cryoablation for response assessment. In additional groups, the tumor microenvironment was characterized via flow cytometry, cytokine analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Statistical comparison was made between the different treatment groups regarding T-cell infiltration and activation characteristics within the noncryoablated tumor and cytokine levels within the partially ablated tumor. Additionally, qualitative assessment of T-cell activation within the cryoablated and noncryoablated tumors at immunofluorescence was carried out. Results At 60 days following treatment, CPI and adjunctive cryoablation-treated MC-38 mice had a significantly increased survival rate (79%) compared with mice treated with CPI alone (61%; P < .001). CT-26 mice also had an increased survival rate (57% vs 35%, respectively; P = .04). Following cryoablation, increases in inflammatory cytokines and chemokines within the treated tumors were observed. Flow cytometry of noncryoablated tumor showed increased CD8 T-cell activation. Immunofluorescence and histologic evaluation following cryoablation further demonstrated a robust CD8 T-cell and myeloid infiltrate. Conclusion Adjunctive cryoablation significantly increased the response to dual CPI in multiple cancer models at both partially ablated and distant (nonablated) tumor sites. Immune analysis suggests cryoablation promotes a vigorous immune response within the partially cryoablated tumor that increases activation of the adaptive immune system within distant tumor sites. Keywords: Cancer, Cryoablation, Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy, Tumor Response Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2024.

Assessing Experiential Learning Program Design and Delivery Using Institutional Mission and Professional Standards

BackgroundHigh-impact practices (HIPs), such as mentored research, Capstone projects, study abroad, and field experiences, have been shown to improve college student engagement through experience-based learning. Research indicates that these practices can have high impact when they are intentionally designed and delivered to align with institutional mission and professional standards. The administrative structure of a HIP initiative may not consider how to assess program effectiveness. Few close examples exist in the literature to guide program staff to understand whether the HIPs supported by their programs are being designed and delivered for high impact. Our study details the efforts of one unit at a large private university to evaluate the implementation of an experiential learning initiative intended to support faculty to design and deliver high-impact practices to students. PurposeThis qualitative case study responds to the call for assessment to ensure that HIPs qualify as high impact. It illustrates a standards-based approach to evaluating a program of co-curricular, experientially based high-impact practices by determining how educational design and delivery aligns with the institution’s mission and professional standards for best practice. Methodology/approachTo qualitatively evaluate how well our HIP program aligned with institutional mission and HIP standards, we collected narrative data drawn from six faculty projects, faculty interviews, and reflections from 70 participating students. We used the institutional mission and established HIP professional standards as confirmatory themes to code the narrative and observe levels of coverage. Administrative directives were mapped against the confirmatory themes to identify areas of high and low emphasis and emergent themes that fell outside specific mission and standards language were considered for meaning. Findings/conclusionsOur qualitative assessment of a HIP program revealed program strengths and areas in need of improvement. By evaluating the concentration of institutional mission and professional standard themes across the project narratives and within the way the program was structured and administered, we found strong alignment existed in the areas of intellectual growth and interaction with faculty and peers. When we found that other mission themes and standards were present at lower levels, we mapped the administrative directives to the themes and discovered that the high concentration themes occurred more frequently in the directives. This insight led us to observe that addressing all mission and professional standard themes more clearly in the design phase could serve to align administrative directives more closely. In addition to the presence of confirmative themes across the data, we found emergent themes that had meaning to study participants but fell outside of the mission and industry standards. The evaluative process taught us important lessons around how administration-to-faculty program directives can impact the design and delivery of pedagogical practice. RecommendationsEducational leaders should consistently use institutional mission and professional standard language in directives to faculty and staff; training faculty in designing HIPs to meet professional standards can benefit underserved students; and recognizing meaningful themes that emerge through program evaluation can illuminate important unanticipated outcomes.

The barriers and facilitators family caregivers experience when participating in resource-limited hospital care: a qualitative systematic review

BackgroundIn many resource-limited settings, understaffed hospitals rely on patients’ families to provide care during admission. These care tasks are often performed informally, untrained and unsupported. The WHO has called for...

Qualitative Assessment of a Decision Tool for Stage I Lung Cancer Treatment

Qualitative Assessment of a Decision Tool for Stage I Lung Cancer Treatment

Global tsunami modelling on a spherical multiple-cell grid

A model of shallow water equations (SWEs) on a spherical multiple-cell (SMC) grid of 4-level (2.5-5-10-20 km) spatial resolutions is used to simulate tsunami propagation on global ocean surfaces. The unstructured SMC grid retains rectangular cells of the longitude-latitude grid so that efficient finite-difference schemes could be used. It also supports multi-resolutions like mesh refinement to resolve small islands and coastline details while keeping models compact enough to fit into available computers. Two earthquake-induced tsunami cases are simulated and compared with available observations. Results indicate that the modelled tsunami arrival times agree well with observations while tsunami wave heights are underestimated, particularly the observed runups on remote coastal lands. Possible reasons for this underestimation include the smoothing scheme used to suppress numerical oscillations and the missing of initial kinetic energy input from the earthquakes. Another reason is the limitation of the SWEs to describe coastal bores and breaking waves in coastal waters. A possible tsunami scenario induced by a landslide in the Canary Islands is also simulated to assess its potential impact on Atlantic coastal regions. Model results indicate that this kind of tsunami may cause severe damage to local areas but its effects on far fields, like the UK and American coastal regions are small. As the initial landslide disturbance is overly simplified, this study does not give a true representation of a real landslide tsunami but rather a qualitative assessment of its impact on the Atlantic Ocean. More realistic initial condition and improved model representation of coastal processes are needed for further studies of this possible landslide hazard.

China's Investment in Bangladesh: Backdrop of Debt Trap Diplomacy

This research investigates the implications of Chinese investment in Bangladesh, particularly in the context of concerns surrounding debt trap diplomacy. As China extends its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Bangladesh has emerged as a significant recipient of Chinese loans and investments, encompassing infrastructure projects such as ports, power plants, and highways. While these investments are poised to bolster Bangladesh's economic development, they also raise concerns about the potential for unsustainable debt levels and the erosion of sovereignty. This study delves into the economic, political, and social ramifications of Chinese investments in Bangladesh. Through a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis of debt sustainability indicators and qualitative assessments from stakeholder interviews, the research examines whether Chinese funding is leading to a debt trap scenario. Preliminary findings suggest that while Chinese investments have accelerated infrastructure development, they have also increased Bangladesh's debt burden and dependency on China. Furthermore, the strategic placement of investments suggests potential geopolitical motivations behind Chinese funding. This research aims to contribute to the broader discourse on the impact of Chinese foreign direct investment in developing countries, offering policy recommendations for Bangladesh to navigate the complexities of foreign financing without compromising its economic sovereignty. The study underscores the necessity for rigorous debt management and transparent investment policies to mitigate the risks associated with large-scale foreign loans.

Development of a methodology for assessing the efficiency of an agribusiness enterprise in using digital technologies

The object of the study is the activity of an agribusiness enterprise in using digital technologies. The problem of the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of using digital technologies by an agribusiness enterprise is solved. The following results were obtained: – the author's methodology for assessing the effectiveness using of digital technologies by an enterprise of AIC based on expert evaluation and a system of indicators was developed. The assessment results are interpreted in accordance with the matrix of intersection of the digitalization index and the effect of digital technologies from Outsider (0–0.25; &lt;1) to Leader (0.95–1; ≥1); – the obtained concordance coefficient (76 %, χ2=41.9) indicates high consistency of the expert group, consistency and qualitative assessment in the process of testing the methodology; – testing of the proposed methodology in Atameken-Agro JSC was successful and showed the validity and convenience of this methodology. The agro-enterprise became the leader in 2023 with the indicators of digitalization level – 0.83 and the effect of using digital technologies – 12.5. The above results are explained by assuming the possibility of using the expert judgment method to evaluate the efficiency of using digital technologies by an enterprise and applying a decision matrix based on two indices. A particular feature of the results obtained is the development of a methodology for assessing the level of digitalization in three main areas and its application in combination with the assessment of the economic effect of digital technologies. The proposed methodology can be used not only by enterprises wishing to evaluate the effectiveness of digital technologies but also by stakeholders.

A Case Study on the Risk Assessment for O&amp;M of a 1 MW Tidal Current Energy Converter

Tidal power is a technology that generates electricity by utilizing tidal current energy, and in recent years, with the advancement of technology, it has reached the stage of real sea performance test. However, in the case of Korea, there is a lack of construction experience and equipment, and work in fast flows such as the Uldolmok region involves various risk factors. In order to establish measures to reduce these risk factors, Korea’s Occupational Safety and Health Act recommends performing a risk assessment to identify and manage risk factors that may occur during work in advance. Risk assessment is a process aimed at identifying and evaluating potential risk factors that may arise during work, with the goal of minimizing losses caused by accidents. Therefore, in this study, a risk assessment was conducted to identify risk factors that may occur during offshore O&amp;M work of the 1 MW tidal current energy converter and to ensure the safety of workers and the environment. A total of 60 risk factors were identified, including marine and weather conditions, equipment and personnel, and work environments, and a qualitative risk assessment was conducted three times based on the judgment of several field experts.

Quantitative and Qualitative Experimental Assessment of Water Vapor Condensation in Atmospheric Air Transonic Flows in Convergent–Divergent Nozzles

Atmospheric air, being also a moist gas, is present as a working medium in various areas of technology, including the areas of airframe aerodynamics and turbomachinery. Issues related to the condensation of water vapor contained in atmospheric air have been intensively studied analytically, experimentally and numerically since the 1950s. An effort is made in this paper to present new, unique and complementary results of the experimental testing of moist air expansion in the de Laval nozzle. The results of the measurements, apart from the static pressure distribution on the nozzle wall and the images obtained using the Schlieren technique, additionally contain information regarding the quantity and quality of the condensate formed due to spontaneous condensation at the transition from the subsonic to the supersonic flow in the nozzle. The liquid phase was identified using the light extinction method (LEM). The experiments were performed for three geometries of convergent–divergent nozzles with different expansion rates of 3000, 2500 and 2000 s−1. It is shown that as the expansion rate increases, the phenomenon of water vapor spontaneous condensation appears closer to the critical cross-section of the nozzle. A study was performed of the impact of the air relative humidity and pollution on the process of condensation of the water vapor contained in the air. As indicated by the results, both these parameters have a significant effect on the flow field and the pressure distribution in the nozzle. The results of the experimental analyses show that in the case of the atmospheric air flow, in addition to the pressure, temperature and velocity, other parameters must also be taken into account as boundary parameters for possible numerical analyses. Omitting information about the air humidity and pollution can lead to incorrect results in numerical simulations of transonic flows of atmospheric air. The presented results of the measurements of the moist air transonic flow field are original and fill the research gap in the field of experimental studies on the phenomenon of water vapor spontaneous condensation.

Machine Learning Assessment of Background Parenchymal Enhancement in Breast Cancer and Clinical Applications: A Literature Review.

Background Parenchymal Enhancement (BPE) on breast MRI holds promise as an imaging biomarker for breast cancer risk and prognosis. The ability to identify those at greatest risk can inform clinical decisions, promoting early diagnosis and potentially guiding strategies for prevention such as risk-reduction interventions with the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors. Currently, the standard method of assessing BPE is based on the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS), which involves a radiologist's qualitative categorization of BPE as minimal, mild, moderate, or marked on contrast-enhanced MRI. This approach can be subjective and prone to inter/intra-observer variability, and compromises accuracy and reproducibility. In addition, this approach limits qualitative assessment to 4 categories. More recently developed methods using machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI) techniques have the potential to quantify BPE more accurately and objectively. This paper will review the current machine learning/AI methods to determine BPE, and the clinical applications of BPE as an imaging biomarker for breast cancer risk prediction and prognosis.

Assessment of cervical spine CT by an image quality audit using qualitative and quantitative methods.

To study the feasibility and assess the correlation of qualitative and quantitative methods for an image quality (IQ) audit of a Cervical spine CT. Five radiologists retrospectively performed a blinded visual grading analysis (VGA) on 20 studies (10 from Protocol 1 and 10 from Protocol 2), using the RANZCR CT IQ Self-Audit worksheet. A Visual Grading Analysis Score (VGAS) and Area under the curve using Visual Grading Characteristics (AUCVGC) were the figures of merit. Quantitative metrics for noise and contrast were correlated to the qualitative assessment. No statistically significant difference was observed in the IQ, VGASProtocol1 = 0.65, 95% CI [0.54, 0.75] and VGASProtocol 2 = 0.73, 95% CI [0.67, 0.79] and AUCVGC = 0.548, 95% CI [0.40, 0.69]. Protocol 2 indicated a statistically significant average dose reduction of 35% in CTDIvol (P = 0.020) and a higher noise; however, the difference was statistically insignificant. There was a moderate correlation between the manual noise measurements in soft tissue and air (P = 0.035) and a strong correlation between the manual and automated noise measurements (P < 0.001). The contrast resolution-based quantitative parameter, EdgeGradientSoft, correlated to the qualitative scores (P = 0.031). Validated VGA tools can be used for IQ audits; however, tailoring the image criteria and rating scale to the clinical practice is suggested. The use of contrast-based IQ metrics showed encouraging results, and further larger-scale studies are needed to explore their potential use in quality management.