Quality Evaluation Research Articles

Groundwater health risk assessment and its temporal and spatial evolution based on trapezoidal fuzzy number-Monte Carlo stochastic simulation: A case study in western Jilin province

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Four-step-Method (FSM) is a straightforward and extensively utilized tool for evaluating regional health risks, However, the complex and heterogeneous groundwater environment system causes great uncertainty in the assessment process. Triangular stochastic simulation (TSS) possesses certain advantages in solving uncertainty problems, but its inadequacy with discrete data reveals limitations in this aspect. To solve the above problems, this study proposes to construct trapezoidal fuzzy number-Monte Carlo stochastic simulation (TFN-MCSS) to compensate for the shortcomings of the first two methods. This method adopted trapezoidal fuzzy number (TFN) analysis to comprehensively consider the characteristics of a large dispersion of water quality monitoring data and the uncertainty of the human health risk assessment (HHRA) process. Concurrently, to overcome the subjectivity and uncertainty of artificially determining the interval of TFN in traditional methods, the slope was used to select the most probable interval value (TMPIV) of TFN combined with the α-truncated set technique (α-TST) and MCSS. Based on these, a TFN-MCSS was constructed and applied to groundwater HHRA in western Jilin Province. First, the groundwater chemical characteristic determination and water quality evaluation in western Jilin were performed to identify the main pollution indicators, and the health risk effects of pollutants in groundwater of different aquifers at different time periods on adults and children were evaluated using the TFN-MCSS. The uncertainty and sensitivity were analyzed, and the primary risk control indicators were identified and compared to FSM and TSS. The results reveal that TFN-MCSS was more sensitive to data and could reduce the uncertainty of assessment process. It indicated that over a 10-year period, the health risks associated with unconfined groundwater (UW) and confined water (CW) decreased by greater than 52 %. However, the highest total non-carcinogenic risk index (THI) was 1.3-fold higher than the safety threshold, and this posed a health risk.

Automatic quality assessment of knee radiographs using knowledge graphs and convolutional neural networks.

X-ray radiography is a widely used imaging technique worldwide, and its image quality directly affects diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, X-ray image quality control (QC) is essential. However, subjectively assessing image quality is inefficient and inconsistent, especially when large amounts of image data are being evaluated. Thus, subjective assessment cannot meet current QC needs. To meet current QC needs and improve the efficiency of image quality assessment, a complete set of quality assessment criteria must be established and implemented using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Therefore, we proposed a multi-criteria AI system for automatically assessing the image quality of knee radiographs. A knee radiograph QC knowledge graph containing 16 "acquisition technique" labels representing 16 image quality defects and five "clarity" labels representing five grades of clarity were developed. Ten radiographic technologists conducted three rounds of QC based on this graph. The single-person QC results were denoted as QC1 and QC2, and the multi-person QC results were denoted as QC3. Each technologist labeled each image only once. The ResNet model structure was then used to simultaneously perform classification (detection of image quality defects) and regression (output of a clarity score) tasks to construct an image QC system. The QC3 results, comprising 4324 anteroposterior and lateral knee radiographs, were used for model training (70% of the images), validation (10%), and testing (20%). The 865 test set data were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the AI model, and an AI QC result, QC4, was automatically generated by the model after training. Finally, using a double-blind method, the senior QC expert reviewed the final QC results of the test set with reference to the results QC3 and QC4 and used them as a reference standard to evaluate the performance of the model. The precision and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to evaluate the quality of all the labels in relation to the reference standard. For the 16 "acquisition technique" features, QC4 exhibited the highest weighted average precision (98.42%±0.81%), followed by QC3 (91.39%±1.35%), QC2 (87.84%±1.68%), and QC1 (87.35%±1.71%). For the image clarity features, the MAEs between QC1, QC2, QC3, and QC4 and the reference standard were 0.508±0.021, 0.475±0.019, 0.237±0.016, and 0.303±0.018, respectively. The experimental results show that our automated quality assessment system performed well in classifying the acquisition technique used for knee radiographs. The image clarity quality evaluation accuracy of the model must be further improved but is generally close to that of radiographic technologists. Intelligent QC methods using knowledge graphs and convolutional neural networks have the potential for clinical applications.

Statistical analysis of water quality change by total maximum daily load policy stage

This study aimed to derive major pollutants for standard watersheds with relatively high pollution levels and identify their trends. Hence, the water quality index (WQI) and multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyze the water quality evaluation of standard watershed during the total maximum daily load (TMDL) policy period implemented since 2004. The WQI was calculated for 41 standard watersheds, divided into 14 main streams and 27 tributaries. Consequently, in the main stream, WQI decreased as it moved downstream after the MS5 site. In the tributary, WQI values were found to be low at TS11, TS15, TS16, and TS17 sites. However, the Mann–Kendall test results indicated that the overall WQI value was increasing, suggesting that the water quality of the study basin was improving as the TMDL policy phase progressed. Principal component analysis of the group with relatively low WQI among the standard watersheds revealed that water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, and electrical conductivity were the main variables in the main stream cluster. In the tributary stream cluster, total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, total nitrogen, and electrical conductivity showed high loading values. This study proposed a series of methods to provide the basic data required for watershed management through detailed water quality assessment methods, statistical techniques for deriving major pollutants, and trend analysis of water quality evaluation.

Association between UCP2 gene 3’UTR I/D and A55V polymorphisms and neural tube defects susceptibility: systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis

AimOur study aimed to assess the association between UCP2 gene 3’ untranslated region insertion/deletion (3’UTR I/D) and A55V (alanine/valine) polymorphisms and neural tube defects (NTDs) susceptibility.Materials and methodsAccording to pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the article search was conducted to search articles published before October 2023. Two authors independently screened the included articles and extracted their basic characteristics. After quality evaluation, the meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were conducted using RevMan 5.4, Stata/MP 17, and TSA 0.9.5.10 Beta. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on country and case group composition. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using a one-by-one exclusion method. Begg’s and Egger’s tests were used to evaluate publication bias.ResultsA total of seven articles were included. Overall meta-analysis revealed significant heterogeneity among the included studies for 3’UTR I/D polymorphism of the UCP2 gene. Significant statistical data indicated that those with the DD genotype and D allele had higher chances of NTD compared to those with the II genotype and the I allele, respectively. The combined result of II vs. ID was not statistically significant. A55V variation showed no statistical significance in the risk of NTD, despite the absence of significant heterogeneity across the included studies. Most of the heterogeneity was resolved after subgrouping, and a higher risk of the ID genotype was found than the II genotype for Chinese people. Genotyping NTD patients or their mothers was not a factor affecting the heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis suggested that positive findings supported our results.ConclusionThe UCP2 gene 3’UTR I/D polymorphism increased the likelihood of developing NTDs in the Chinese population, with the D allele being the risk factor, which contributed to the understanding of the genetic basis of NTDs. TSA indicated that more high-quality original studies were needed in the future for further validation.

Prediction of Chinese suitable habitats of Panax notoginseng under climate change based on MaxEnt and chemometric methods

Notoginseng saponin R1; ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd; the sum of the five saponins; and underground-part fresh weight (UPFW) of single plants were used as quality evaluation indices for Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen (P. notoginseng). Comprehensive evaluation of P. notoginseng samples from 30 production areas was performed using that MaxEnt model. Spatial pattern changes in suitable P. notoginseng habitats were predicted for current and future periods (2050s, 2070s, and 2090s) using SSP126 and SSP585 models. The results revealed that temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation were important environmental variables. Suitable habitats were located mainly in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces. The distribution core of P. notoginseng is predicted to shift southeast in the future. The saponin content decreased from the southeast to the northwest of Yunnan Province, which was contrary to the UPFW trend. This study provides the necessary information for the protection and sustainable utilization of P. notoginseng resources, and a theoretical reference for its application in the quality evaluation of Chinese medicinal products.

Psychopathological and Organic Features of Atypical Anorexia Nervosa in Developmental Age: A Systematic Review

Purpose: This study aimed to comprehensively report the epidemiological and clinical features of atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) in children and adolescents. Methods: In May 2024, a systematic review was performed using Medline, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and relevant websites. Following PRISMA guidelines, 234 articles were screened for studies on DSM-5-defined AAN. A standardized checklist—the JBI critical appraisal tool—was adopted in assessing methodology, and 13 retained studies passed the screening and critical appraisal process for the final review. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was utilized to assess the risk of bias in cohort and case–control studies, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of methodological quality. Results: AAN prevalence in young age groups is 2.8%, with a cumulative 2.8% incidence over 8 years. Incidence is 366 per 100,000 person-years, and the average episode duration is 11.6 months, with a 71% remission rate. Diagnostic persistence for AAN is less stable than other restrictive feeding and eating disorders (FEDs). AAN individuals exhibit higher EDE-Q scores, more severe distress, and distinct BMI differences compared to those with anorexia nervosa and controls. The diagnostic transition from the DSM-IV to the DSM-5 shows that AAN patients are predominantly female, slightly older, and with higher weight. Conclusions: This study yields concrete insights into the features of AAN in the developmental age, highlighting demographic variations, clinical presentations, and treatment outcomes. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by AAN individuals is vital for tailoring effective interventions and improving overall care within the FED spectrum.

Accuracy and hydrographic realism of an under-forest DEM derived from airborne P-band radar interferometry over a wide area in the Brazilian amazon

ABSTRACT P-band radar interferometry is a promising tool for digital terrain modelling in forested areas such as the Amazon due to the ability of P-band to penetrate densely forested areas. The quality of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) is a primary requirement for many geoscience applications because DTM accuracy is an essential variable for characterizing landform shapes. This article presents a multicriteria evaluation of the overall quality of a digital terrain model produced using P-band SAR interferometric processing. The evaluation considers behaviours related to elevation and slope and analyses the impact of landscape properties such as slope and aspect. The multicriteria accuracy of the study showed promising results about the realism of landforms, according to applied geomorphological criteria, and also in the visual comparison between the produced DTM and the reference. The study provided an estimate of the accuracy of P-band radar DTM in terms of elevation with a standard deviation of 2.36 m and in terms of slope with a mean error of approximately −4°, a standard deviation of 4.74°, and a RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) slope error of 6.14°, using a reference DTM derived from an airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey. The spatial behaviour of these errors and their sensitivity to slope and aspect were analysed. The investigation of hydrographic inconsistencies in the DTM was conducted based on various criteria, including identifying depressions along watercourses and adhering to Horton’s law. Finally, the effects of the acquisition, processing, and resampling processes are revealed through indicators such as the rose histogram. This multicriteria study demonstrates the suitability of airborne P-band radar interferometry for digital elevation modelling in tropical rainforest environments.

Phytochemical characterization and quality evaluation of stirred goat milk yoghurt with added fruit and vegetable puree during storage

PurposeGoat milk yoghurt differs from cow milk yoghurt in that it has a different casein composition and content, which presents several technical challenges, including consistency with an appropriate flavor.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the antioxidant potential and phytochemical profiling of the fruits (pineapple and papaya) and vegetable (carrot) extracts was evaluated and the effect of their purees on the quality and stability of stirred goat milk yoghurt (GMY) were investigated. The qualities of stirred GMY with carrot (CrY), pineapple (PaY) and papaya (PpY) purees were assessed against the product without puree (CY).FindingsThe carrot puree had the highest moisture, ash contents and pH value. The carrot extract had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, while the pineapple extract had the highest total phenolic value (1.59 µg GAE/g) and flavonoids content (0.203 µg CE/g). The scanning of all the puree extracts in GC-MS indicated that 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was a major component. The phytochemical quantification of the extracts through multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) against 16 compounds showed the presence of sinapic acid, cinnamic acid, pthalic acid, ferulic acid, 4-OH-benzoic acid, 3-OH-benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and vanillic acid in different quantities. The addition of purees and storage period had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the moisture, pH, titratable acidity, syneresis, viscosity, color values and sensory properties of the products. In all the samples after 15 days of storage, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus counts remained above the recommended level of 106CFU/g. Stirred GMY sample produced with pineapple puree showed a higher syneresis and viscosity, but the CrY sample demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. The developed formulations remained stable with minimum changes in quality and sensory attribute during refrigerated storage for 10 days.Originality/valueThis study suggests that addition of fruit and vegetable improve the viscosity and sensory perception of the product with minimal use of synthetic flavor and preservatives.

Quality Evaluation of Ginger-Spiced Hibiscus Sabdariffa Drink Sweetened with Dates and Sucrose

Sweetening of Hibiscus sabdariffa drink (zobo) with sucrose is a major drawback on its health benefits. This research assessed the quality of ginger-spiced Hibiscus sabdariffa “zobo” drink sweetened with dates and sugar. Four samples of zobo drink were produced and the drink samples were assessed for physico-chemical properties, nutrient composition, antioxidant properties and sensory qualities. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 at P<0.05 and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The pH was between 2.88 and 2.96 while obrix was 3-14.5 and titratable acidity was 0.78 - 0.83. The ranges for the nutrient composition are; moisture content (82.41% - 90.46 %), ash content (0.13%-0.68%), crude fiber (0.00% - 0.02%), fat content (0.18% - 0.92%), protein content (0.45%-2.41%), carbohydrate content (8.77% - 13.65%). Results for the antioxidant properties ranges; total flavonoid content (19.12 – 32.30 mg/ml), phenolic content (38.34 to 45.53 mg/ml), diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (60.90-65.12 %), ferric reducing antioxidant power (40.04 – 50.50 mg GAE/ml) and total reducing power (0.63 – 0.93 µg/ml). The sensory results showed that the samples were all acceptable in terms of colour, aroma and overall acceptability. However, there was preference for sample with 5 % dates and 5 % sucrose. Addition of dates to zobo is beneficial in terms of crude fibre, vitamin C, antioxidant activities and sensory qualities.

Exploring the relationship between epicardial fat and coronary plaque burden and characteristics: insights from cardiac ct imaging.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may enhance the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the relationship between EAT density (a maker of local inflammation) and coronary plaque characteristics in stable CAD patients. This study included 123 individuals who underwent coronary artery calcium scan and coronary CT angiography to evaluate CAD. Plaque characteristics were analyzed by semi-automated software (QAngio, Leiden, Netherlands). Non-contrast CT scans were used to measure EAT density (HU) and volume (cc) (Philips, Cleveland, OH). Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the association of EAT density and volume with different plaque types. The mean (SD) age was 59.4±10.1 years, 53% were male, the mean (SD) EAT density was -77.2±4.6 HU and the volume was 118.5±41.2 cc. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, EAT density was associated with fibrous fatty (FF) plaque (p<0.03). A 1 unit increase in HU was associated with a 7% higher FF plaque, and lower EAT density is independently associated to FF plaque. The association between EAT density and fibrous (p=0.08), and total noncalcified (p=0.09) plaque trended toward but did not reach significance. There was no association between EAT volume and any plaque type. These results suggest that inflammatory EAT may promote coronary atherosclerosis. Therefore, non-contrast cardiac CT evaluation of EAT quality can help better assess cardiovascular risk.

Utilization of "Intersection" Methodology for Optimization with Many Objectives in Designed Experiments of Material Processing

Material processing involves many factors, and evaluation of final quality of a product also relates to many indexes from different respects. Thus the optimization of qualities and processing of a product is an optimization problem with many objectives (MOO) inevitably. Although there are some approaches proposed to deal with optimization problem with many objectives in nowadays, the inherent shortcomings in these approaches make them puzzled, which include their missing standpoint and use of additive algorithm containing subjective factors. Currently, an "intersection" methodology for optimization with many objectives is proposed by initiating a novel idea of favorable probability to depict the favorite degree of an alternative in optimal option impersonally, which aims to characterize the concurrent optimization of many objectives in a system in spirits of probability theory and set theory. In this article, some regulations are put forward for performing optimal option of material processing parameters in designed experiments of response surface methodology, orthogonal experiment design and uniform experiment design by means of the total / global favorable probability. In the treatment, the total / global favorable probability of an alternative is the decisive indicator in the optimal option uniquely, which transfers the optimization problem with many objectives into a mono-objective one. The result indicates that the novel approach can be employed to deal with the optimal problem of designed experiments for material processing rationally.

Evaluation of Water Quality Through Water Quality Index at Sorbhog Beel, a Critical Ecotone Along Indo-Bhutan Boundary

Evaluation of Water Quality Through Water Quality Index at Sorbhog Beel, a Critical Ecotone Along Indo-Bhutan Boundary

TEMPy: a toolkit for the modeling of weighted tissue equivalent material in diagnostic imaging.

Accurate simulation of human tissues is imperative for advancements in diagnostic imaging, particularly in the fields of dosimetry and image quality evaluation. Developing Tissue Equivalent Materials (TEMs) with radiological characteristics akin to those of human tissues is essential for ensuring the reliability and relevance of imaging studies. This study presents the development of a mathematical model and a new toolkit (TEMPy) for obtaining the best composition of materials that mimic the radiological characteristics of human tissues. The model and the toolkit are described, along with an example showcasing its application to obtain desired TEMs.&#xD;Approach: The methodology consisted of fitting volume fractions of the components of TEM in order to determine its linear attenuation coefficient as close as possible to the linear attenuation coefficient of the reference material. The fitting procedure adopted a modified Least Square Method including a weight function. This function reflects the contribution of the X-ray spectra in the suitable energy range of interest. TEMPy can also be used to estimate the effective atomic number and electron density of the resulting TEM.&#xD;Main results: TEMPy was used to obtain the chemical composition of materials equivalent to water and soft tissue, in the energy range used in X-ray imaging (10 - 150 keV) and for breast tissue using the energy range (5 - 40 keV). The maximum relative difference between the linear attenuation coefficients of the developed and reference materials was ±5% in the considered energy ranges. &#xD;Significance: TEMPy facilitates the formulation of tissue equivalent materials with radiological properties closely mimicking those of real tissues, aiding in the preparation of physical anthropomorphic or geometric phantoms for various applications. The toolkit is freely available to interested readers.&#xD.

The Evaluation of Interface Quality in HfO2 Films Probed by Time-Dependent Second-Harmonic Generation

Time-dependent second-harmonic generation (TD-SHG) is an emerging sensitive and fast method to qualitatively evaluate the interface quality of the oxide/Si heterostructures, which is closely related to the interfacial electric field. Here, the TD-SHG is used to explore the interface quality of atomic layer deposited HfO2 films on Si substrates. The critical SHG parameters, such as the initial SHG signal and characteristic time constant, are compared with the fixed charge density (Qox) and the interface state density (Dit) extracted from the conventional electrical characterization method. It reveals that the initial SHG signal linearly decreases with the increase in Qox, while Dit is linearly correlated to the characteristic time constant. It verifies that the TD-SHG is a sensitive and fast method, as well as simple and noncontact, for evaluating the interface quality of oxide/Si heterostructures, which may facilitate the in-line semiconductor test.

Evaluation of Prenatal Comfort, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Pregnant Women with Cholestasis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is the most prevalent liver disease that women typically experience during pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate prenatal comfort, sleep, and quality of life in pregnant women with cholestasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was implemented between November 2022 and June 2023 at Mardin Training and Research Hospital with 150 pregnant women who received a diagnosis of pregnancy-induced intrahepatic cholestasis and agreed to participate. The following tools were utilized to collect data: A personal information form exploring socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics of participants, the Prenatal Comfort Scale (PCS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: The mean age of participants was 27.79 ± 6.33 years. The mean PCS and PSQI scores were 61.20 ± 5.84 and 9.52 ± 3.02, respectively. The mean scores of “physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health” sub-dimensions in WHOQOL-BREF were 10.63 ± 2.18, 10.48 ± 2.10, 11.31 ± 3.28, and 11.27 ± 2.10, respectively. A significant difference was found for PSQI regarding hospitalization status and change in sleep quality variables (p = 0.025 and p = 0.035, respectively). Conclusions: Cholestasis of pregnancy creates problems such as pruritus, body image changes, hospitalization, and poor sleep quality in women. This study showed that pregnant women with cholestasis had low levels of sleep quality and quality of life, implying that cholestasis affects their sleep quality, prenatal comfort levels, and quality of life in general. In addition, it is seen that women with this problem do not want to fall pregnant again.

Motion Artifact Detection for T1-Weighted Brain MR Images Using Convolutional Neural Networks.

Quality assessment (QA) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) encompasses several factors such as noise, contrast, homogeneity, and imaging artifacts. Quality evaluation is often not standardized and relies on the expertise, and vigilance of the personnel, posing limitations especially with large datasets. Machine learning based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is a promising approach to address these challenges by performing automated inspection of MR images. In this study, a CNN for the detection of random head motion artifacts (RHM) in T1-weighted MRI as one aspect of image quality is proposed. A two-step approach aimed to first identify images exhibiting pronounced motion artifacts, and second to evaluate the feasibility of a more detailed three-class classification. The utilized dataset consisted of 420 T1-weighted whole-brain image volumes with isotropic resolution. Human experts assigned each volume to one of three classes of artifact prominence. Results demonstrate an accuracy of 95% for the identification of images with pronounced artifact load. The addition of an intermediate class retained an accuracy of 76%. The findings highlight the potential of CNN-based approaches to increase the efficiency of post-hoc QAs in large datasets by flagging images with potentially relevant artifact loads for closer inspection.

Combined traditional Chinese medicine therapy for the treatment of infertility with polycystic ovary syndrome: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility has attracted great attention from researchers due to its high incidence. Numerous studies have shown that Chinese medicine is effective in treating this disease, but there is a wide variety of Chinese medicine therapies available, and there is a lack of comparative evaluation of the efficacy of various Chinese medicine combination therapies in the clinic, which requires further in-depth exploration. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS using network meta-analysis (NMA). In PubMed, web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, China Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) databases, searchs were conducted for information about the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of combined TCM therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS. Quality evaluation was performed using the Cochrane 5.3 risk of bias assessment tool, and NMA using Stata 16.0. This study comprised 28 RCTs using 8 combined TCM therapies in total. The results of the NMA showed that moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, electroacupuncture + herbal, and acupoint application + herbal improved the clinical pregnancy rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Additionally, ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal, acupuncture and moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal improved the ovulation rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the clinical pregnancy rate. Fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, and ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the ovulation rate. The combined TCM therapy demonstrated better efficacy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS compared to acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy. However, the optimal treatment therapy varied depending on the outcome indicators. Further large sample, high-quality, and standardized RCTs are needed to verify these findings.

Empowering Hearing-Impaired Learners for Digital Citizenship: A Thai MOOC-Based Design Thinking Approach

In today's technology-driven world, digital citizenship is vital in fostering responsible technology use and essential skills for learning, problem-solving, and community participation. However, a significant focus emerges within digital citizenship—empowering individuals with disabilities. This research addresses this crucial area by spearheading the creation of a specialized Thai Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) meticulously designed for hearing-impaired learners. The core objective is to equip these individuals with indispensable digital citizenship skills for seamless integration and active engagement in digital environments. The study progresses through three key phases. Phase 1 involves crafting the MOOC course to meet the needs of hearing-impaired individuals. Phase 2 develops a course on the Thai MOOC platform, using the MOOC-based Design Thinking Model and universal design learning principles. Phase 3 assesses 20 hearing-impaired learners in the "Utilizing Online Media as Digital Citizenship Course." The research reveals two significant outcomes, highlighting the course's impact. First, an evaluation of digital media quality and learning activities was conducted by five experts with 15 to 30 years of experience in the field, the result was an impressive performance rating of 4.56 on a 5-point Likert scale, indicating the course's high suitability for hearing-impaired learners. Such findings validate the precise alignment of the course with its intended objectives. Second, the outcomes of learning achievement tests on the Thai MOOC platform involving 20 high school hearing-impaired learners revealed that 15 learners scored above 70 (passing), representing 75%. The average post-test score was higher than the pre-test, with an average score of 72.05 points. These results demonstrate the course's effectiveness in improving learning outcomes and meeting predetermined criteria, while also indicating that adopting the MOOC-based Design Thinking model has led to the creation of high-quality media that delivers tangible results for hearing-impaired individuals. This research contributes to the eLearning field by addressing the specific needs of hearing-impaired individuals in digital citizenship education through tailored online learning courses designed to bridge existing gaps.

The Application of Microsampling Disks in Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy for Peptide and Nucleic Acid Drugs.

In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the development of medium-sized drugs based on peptides or nucleic acids owing to their potential therapeutic benefits. As some of these medium-sized drugs exert their therapeutic effects by adopting specific secondary structures, evaluating their conformational states is crucial to ensure the efficacy, quality, and safety of the drug products. It is important to assess the structural integrity of biomolecular therapeutics to guarantee their intended pharmacological activity and maintain the required standards for drug development and manufacturing. One widely utilized technique for quality evaluation is secondary structural analysis using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Given the higher production and quality control costs associated with medium-sized drugs compared with small-molecule drugs, developing analytical techniques that enable CD analysis with reduced sample volumes is highly desirable. Herein, we focused on a microsampling disk-type cell as a potential solution for reducing the required sample volume. We investigated whether CD spectral analysis using a microsampling disk could provide equivalent spectra compared with the standard cell (sample volume: approx. 300 µL). Our findings demonstrated that the microsampling disk (sample volume: 2-10 µL) could be successfully applied to CD spectral analysis of peptide and nucleic acid drugs, paving the way for more efficient and cost-effective quality evaluation processes.

Evaluation of functional status and quality of life of patients in the 1st and 6th months post-COVID in the light of radiological influence.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the functional status and quality of life parameters of patients in the 1st and 6th months post-COVID and to determine contributing factors. The effects of COVID-19 can continue in the post-COVID period. The mostcommon post-COVID symptoms are weakness, fatigue, nonproductive cough and exertionaldyspnea. The radiological findings of the patients at diagnosis, post-COVID 1st and 6th months; functional status and quality of life parameters at the 1st and 6th months of the post-COVID period were compared, and the factors affecting them were evaluated. The relationship between radiological involvement, quality of life and functional status parameters was investigated. Six months after the COVID infection, inpatient's resting oxygen saturation and effort capacity were comparable, even though they were significantly lower in the first month post-COVID. There was acorrelation between functional and quality of life measures at 1 and 6 months after COVID-19 infection. In all patients, asignificant improvement was found in the functional status and quality of life scales at 6 months after post-COVID infection compared to the 1st month. Even though radiological findings of both groups improved within the first month after COVID-19 infection, there remained adifference between them that disappeared after six months. It was found that in the post-COVID period, the severity of the disease had anegative effect on functional measurements and quality of life; however, regardless of the severity of the disease, after six months improvements in radiological findings, effort capacity, and quality of life measures were noted (Tab. 2, Fig. 5, Ref. 20). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: post-COVID, quality of life, functional measurements, chest x-ray.