Quality Items Research Articles

Finding the Wise and the Wisdom in a Crowd: Estimating Underlying Qualities of Reviewers and Items

Abstract Consumers, businesses and organisations rely on others’ ratings of items when making choices. However, individual reviewers vary in their accuracy and some are biased—either systematically over- or under-rating items relative to others’ tastes, or even deliberately distorting a rating. We describe how to process ratings by a group of reviewers over a set of items and evaluate the individual reviewers’ accuracies and biases, in a way that yields unbiased and consistent estimates of the items’ true qualities. We provide Monte Carlo simulations that showcase the added value of our technique even with small data sets, and we show that this improvement increases as the number of items increases. Revisiting the famous 1976 wine tasting that compared Californian and Bordeaux wines, accounting for the substantial variation in reviewers’ biases and accuracies results in a ranking that differs from the original average rating. We also illustrate the power of this methodology with an application to more than 45,000 ratings of ‘en primeur’ Bordeaux fine wines by expert critics. Those data show that our estimated wine qualities significantly predict prices when controlling for prominent experts’ ratings and numerous fixed effects. We also find that the elasticity of a wine price in an expert’s ratings increases with that expert’s accuracy.

Quality of multiple choice question items: item analysis

Background: There are different types of exam formats for educational assessment. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are frequently utilized assessment tools in health education. Considering the reliability and validity in developing MCQ items is vital. Educators often face the difficulty of developing credible distractors in MCQ items. Poorly constructed MCQ items make an exam easier or too difficult to be answered correctly by students as intended learning objectives. Checking the quality of MCQ items is overlooked and too little is known about it. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the quality of MCQ items using the item response theory model. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among MCQ items of public health courses administered to 2nd year nursing students at Injibara university. A total of 50 MCQ items and 200 alternatives were evaluated for statistical item analysis. The quality of MCQ items was assessed by difficulty index (DIF), discrimination index (DI), and distractor efficiency (DE) using students’ exam responses. Microsoft excel sheet and SPSS version 26 were used for data management and analysis. Results: Post-exam item analysis showed that 11 (22%) and 22 (44%) MCQs had too difficult and poor ranges for difficulty and discriminating powers respectively. The overall DE was 71.3%. About forty (20%) distractors were non-functional. Only 8 (16%) MCQs fulfilled the recommended criteria for all-DIF, DI, and DE parameters. Conclusions: The desirable criteria for quality parameters of MCQ items were satisfied only in a few items. The result implies the need for quality improvement. Continuous trainings are required to improve the instructors’ skills to construct quality educational assessment tools.

A two-phase production inventory model for imperfect quality items with multivariate demand, upstream and downstream credit period offers under a carbon tax, and green subsidy

Generating customer-friendly products is a big task nowadays. Green products are famous all over the world now. In quite few manufacturing processes, carbon emissions become an unavoidable fact. To reduce emissions, the government enacted enormous rules and regulations. This developed model consists of a supply chain with two phase production containing defective products and rework through the same manufacturing system, where the product deterioration is considered after production and rework (i.e. where the deterioration starts when the product is out for sale), as three cases: (1) no deterioration, (2) instantaneous deterioration and (3) non-instantaneous deterioration. Demand function is selling price, green product price, advertisement and credit period dependent for first two cases and for case 3, the market scale of the demand is exponentially increasing considering uncertainty. Supplier offers a full credit period offer to the retailer and the retailer gives a partial credit period offer to his customer. Various methods are implemented to reduce carbon emissions during various production processes, and we have implemented preservation technology to reduce emissions even with a carbon tax policy involved. With government subsidies, the greenness of the product is considered to make it more environmental friendly. Numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are carried out to verify the results of the developed model.

Investigating the capability of ChatGPT for generating multiple-choice reading comprehension items

The development of multiple-choice reading comprehension items based on specific reading subskills is crucial in teaching, learning, and testing reading. But it remains a challenging task because this process is time-consuming and costly. This study aims to investigate the capability of ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) for generating multiple-choice reading comprehension items. Psychometric models and human review were adopted to evaluate the item quality based on the benchmark of human-authored items. The results showed that ChatGPT-authored multiple-choice items were acceptable and comparable to human-authored items in terms of psychometric properties, and human review by questionnaire, expert judgment, and interview found that ChatGPT had the potential capability to serve as a test developer and assistant for teaching and learning reading. However, some shortcomings and potential pitfalls were also identified and room for improvement was discussed when ChatGPT is applied to generate items for educational purposes.

A Study on Customer Satisfaction with Asian Paints

This consideration explores client fulfillment inside the setting of Asian Paints, an unmistakable player in the paint industry. The inquiry centers on understanding the components impacting client fulfillment, investigating the client criticism components utilized by Asian Paints, and assessing the adequacy of their client benefit activities. the inquiry assembles experiences from a different test of Asian Paints clients. The discoveries uncover key determinants of client fulfillment, counting item quality, color extension, estimating, and client benefit responsiveness. Also, the consider analyzes the effect of computerized stages and online intelligence on client involvement. By examining client input channels such as studies, social media, and client benefit intuition, the investigation sheds light on ranges of quality and openings for change. Besides, the consideration examines the suggestions of client fulfillment on brand devotion and generally trade victory for Asian Paints. Proposals are given for improving client fulfillment levels, emphasizing the significance of proactive engagement, personalized communication, and nonstop change in benefit conveyance. Besides, the consideration sheds light on the significance of post-purchase back and engagement in cultivating long-term connections with clients. Asian Paints' comprehensive after-sales benefit, guarantee approaches and client input components play a pivotal part in tending to grievances, settling issues instantly, and building belief and devotion among clients. This can provide some important factors that can contribute to customer satisfaction in the paint industry, this particular focus is on Asian paints. considering customer concerns, growing and strengthening its leadership position, driving business growth, and maintaining its reputation

INFLUENCE OF PRODUCT QUALITY, PRODUCT INNOVATION, AND SALES PROMOTION ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AT LAANCBAKE MSMEs IN BANDAR LAMPUNG

The reason of this consider is to find out and look at how client joy at Laaancbake MSMEs in Bandar Lampung is affected by item quality, item development, and deals advancement. The statistic beneath consider in this investigate is shoppers of Laancbake MSMEs; in this way, the test measure, as evaluated by the Lemshow strategy, demonstrated that 100 respondents were required for the consider. Different direct investigation, the coefficient of assurance test, and the t test are among the quantitative methods utilized in this consider. The comes about appear that (1) Laaancbake MSMEs in Bandar Lampung’s customer satisfaction is positively and significantly impacted by product quality (2) Laaancbake MSMEs in Bandar Lampung’s customer satisfaction is positively and significantly impacted by product innovation. (3) Laaancbake MSMEs in Bandar Lampung’s customer satisfaction is positively and significantly impacted by sales promotion. (4) Laaancbake MSMEs in Bandar Lampung’s customer satisfaction is together significantly impacted by product quality, product innovation, and sales promotion.

Micro-Integration: A Process for Integrating Multiple Discipline-Specific Learning Objectives for Enhanced Co-Teaching of Medical Education Sessions

Introduction: Integrating subject matter in organ-systems-based courses is now the norm in medical education. This is valuable at the course level and organ-system level. However, at the session level, many basic scientists have observed essential content from their disciplines being discarded when solo-taught by faculty from other disciplines. This has had the effect of content experts re-siloing their content in sessions that were intended to cover integrative content. Such siloing forces students to integrate the separated components themselves. Even when designated for co-teaching, many sessions created by only one faculty member effectively sideline the other instructors attending the sessions. Hypothesis: A deliberative process for improving the incorporation of discipline-based learning objectives and content into the material for multidisciplinary co-taught sessions improves both co-teaching opportunities and student learning. Methodology: The authors offer the term “micro-integration” as a deliberative, 4-step process for converting an individually created session into an effective multidisciplinary session. (1) Once a session on a topic is identified for co-teaching as part of a larger curricular plan, a session lead is identified. This person often teaches most of the session’s content. (2) In creating a multidisciplinary, integrated session, topics from other disciplines (in both basic and clinical sciences) that complement or complete the integration are identified. Each content expert creates learning objectives that correspond best to their discipline. (3) Each expert creates discipline-specific content that covers their individual learning objectives for that session. (4) The group collaboratively creates the final product. As an example, in one first-semester session on “Action Potentials and the Neuromuscular Junction,” most of the material—learning objectives and the content of the session—was prepared by a physiologist. Two learning objectives on the microbiology of botulism and tetanus were also incorporated. Finally, another learning objective and related content on the clinical presentation of these two disorders was included. Together, these highlighted the importance and relevance of physiology, microbiology, and clinical medicine on the same topic, presenting medical students with an integrated, clinically relevant understanding of action potentials and synaptic transmission. Data and summary of results: At a medical school that has an integrated pre-clinical curriculum, micro-integration was the norm for many sessions. Reaction from students to these micro-integrated sessions has been generally positive. Faculty also reported feeling empowered by micro-integration. An unexpected but welcome result of this process involved item writing. Because each content expert was aware of specific knowledge each of their peers were contributing, they were better able to write integrated formative and summative examination items that prioritized their learning objectives while also tying into others’ learning objectives. These learning objectives and related examination items were tracked all the way up to the course level to match content taught with overall learning objectives for each organ system. In general, micro-integration was used in three types of sessions: (1) Basic scientists from different disciplines (e.g., anatomy and physiology) coordinating their learning objectives and content across a common topic; (2) Basic science sessions incorporating clinical relevance to the original material (e.g., biochemistry and clinical medicine); and (3) Clinical sessions incorporating basic science material (e.g., clinical medicine and pharmacology). Conclusion: Micro-integration is a new, deliberate approach to creating contextualized, just-in-time educational materials at the session level that may improve the content and quality of co-teaching to undergraduate medical students. This process of session-specific curriculum development could be helpful, both for overcoming faculty resistance to integration of their learning objectives and content in undergraduate medical education, and for improving the quality of examination items. None. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

LLM-Generated Multiple Choice Practice Quizzes for Pre-Clinical Medical Students; Use and Validity

Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are frequently used in medical education, and practice questions are commonly requested by students. Automated generation of MCQs in board-exam format would potentially save significant time for faculty and generate a wider set of practice materials. The goals of this study were to explore the feasibility of using ChatGPT by OpenAI to generate USMLE/COMLEX style practice quiz items as study aids, and to analyze how and to what extent medical students would voluntarily use these quiz items to prepare for exams. Researchers gave second year medical students studying renal physiology access to a set of practice quizzes with chatGPT generated questions. The number and timing of click throughs to the quizzes, number of question attempts, and scores of completed quizzes were anonymously recorded by custom quiz software. Practice questions were accessed 15,245 times by a class of 399 students. The majority of quiz click throughs occurred in the time immediately preceding exams. To analyze the quality of exam items, they were evaluated by independent experts for quality and adherence to USMLE/COMLEX guidelines. These results demonstrate the feasibility of LLM-generated practice questions in medical education when supervised by a human faculty. Supported By a Grant from the New York Institute of Technology Emerging Technology Group. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Impact of Food Packaging Materials on the Shelf-Life and Quality of Packaged Food Products

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of food packaging materials on the shelf-life and quality of packaged food products. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to food packaging materials on the shelf-life and quality of packaged food products. Preliminary empirical review revealed that the choice of packaging material significantly influenced the preservation and quality of food items. Various studies demonstrated that different materials, such as plastics, biodegradable polymers, and paper-based materials, offered distinct advantages depending on the specific food product. While plastics provided excellent barrier properties, concerns over environmental sustainability led to increasing interest in alternative materials. The study emphasized the importance of balancing functional requirements with environmental considerations and highlighted the need for ongoing research and innovation in developing sustainable packaging solutions. Overall, the findings underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the safety, freshness, and sustainability of packaged food products. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Diffusion theory, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Conservation of Resources theory may be used to anchor future studies on food packaging materials on the shelf-life and quality of packaged food products. The study provided several recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy in the field of food packaging. It recommended further exploration into theoretical frameworks surrounding consumer behavior and perception, as well as the adoption of a holistic approach to packaging design and optimization. Additionally, the study advocated for the development of evidence-based guidelines and regulations, implementation of supply chain traceability initiatives, and labeling regulations to enhance consumer trust and encourage the use of sustainable packaging materials. These recommendations aimed to foster innovation, transparency, and accountability throughout the food packaging value chain to ensure the safety, quality, and sustainability of packaged food products.

High-quality fruit and vegetable characterized by cardiometabolic biomarkers and its relation to major chronic disease risk: results from 3 prospective United States cohort studies

BackgroundThe current guidelines recommend a specified total serving of fruits and vegetables (FV). However, how differences in their nutritional quality of specific FV influence overall health remains unclear. ObjectivesTo identify high-quality FV using 14 cardiometabolic biomarkers, and assess their consumption, alongside overall FV intake, with chronic disease risk. MethodsWe used data from 3 prospective cohorts, Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), and NHSII. Diet was assessed at baseline and updated every 4 y. Biomarker analysis was conducted on 41,714 participants using generalized linear models. Metabolic quality was ascertained by each FV’s association with biomarkers. Major chronic disease risk analysis involved 207,241 participants followed for 32 y with Cox proportional hazards models. We also analyzed atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as secondary outcomes. ResultsOf 52 FV items, 19 were identified as high-metabolic quality (top 5: apples/pears, iceberg/head lettuce, raw spinach, alfalfa sprouts, and eggplant/summer squash). In disease risk analysis, 60,712 major chronic disease events were recorded. A higher proportion of high-metabolic quality FV intake was associated with lower chronic disease risk across total FV quantity levels. In each quantity level stratum (quartiles Q1–Q4), comparing the highest to the lowest quality proportion quartiles, the hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) were 0.85 (0.81–0.90), 0.86 (0.82–0.90), 0.84 (0.80–0.89), and 0.89 (0.84–0.94), all P-trend < 0.001. Patterns were similar for ASCVD, T2D, and COPD but less consistent for cancer. High total FV intake, if consisting mostly of neutral or low-metabolic quality items, was not associated with lower chronic disease risk. For diabetes specifically, these were associated with significantly higher risk [quantity-Q3, HR: 1.13 (1.05, 1.22); quantity-Q4, HR: 1.17 (1.07, 1.28)]. ConclusionsOur findings indicate the importance of considering both quality and quantity of FV for health, and support dietary guidelines to emphasize high-metabolic quality FV consumption alongside overall intake.

Exploring bioactive compounds and antioxidant potentials in cake, biscuits, and papad innovations with wheatgrass powder (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheatgrass has been attracting a lot of attention recently because of its potent nutritional profile and health benefits. This study's objective was to estimate the amount of phenolic and antioxidant activity in baked items prepared with wheatgrass. To prepare cakes and biscuits, wheatgrass powder (WGP) was substituted for wheat flour at 0, 5, 7, and 9 %. For papad, green gram flour was replaced by added WGP at 0, 3, 6, and 9 %. Total phenol, DPPH activity, and β-carotene levels were significantly greater in Cake C3 (9 %). Again, compared to other samples, papad P3 (9 %) had higher levels of flavonoids. The nutritional qualities of baked items were impacted by all levels of wheat flour substitution with wheatgrass powder; however, a 3–6 % substitution level is advised to improve the sensory qualities of these products. The papad and biscuits were microbiologically safe to store for up to 30 days and 60 days, respectively, due to their low microbial load. But after just six days of preparation, the cake was ruined. However, Wheatgrass can be used in baked products, pasta, and snacks, as well as juices and smoothies, to boost their nutritious content. Wheatgrass extracts can also be utilized as a natural food flavoring or coloring, giving it a distinctive green color.

Factors Affecting the Supplier's Quality of the Perishables Supply Chain; Special Reference to the Hotel Industry in Sri Lanka

Food is the main factor that anyone who measures the quality on a hotel or a restaurant. If there is good quality food, consumer will never forget to revisit that restaurant. If they are unable to maintain the food quality of perishables there can be many issues for hoteliers that directly affect the business. In this context, suppliers' quality, of the perishables supply chain plays vital role in the hospitality industry as it engages with many aspects, procurement, packing, transportation. storage, temperature, and maintenance. However, these challenges affect the final quality of perishable food items therefore, identifying these factors is crucial for hoteliers to develop strategies to mitigate them. Therefore, the current study investigates the most critical factors that affect the supplier quality of the perishables supply chain and finds the impact of variables on the quality of the perishable supply chain in the hospitality industry, in Sri Lanka. In this study, an online questionnaire was distributed among the people who work in the procurement section and the hotel chefs in the 3-star to 5-star hotels, in Negombo and Colombo. The convenience sampling method was used with 384 respondents, but the survey was concluded with 200 responses because of these data collected from managerial and executive level employees from selected areas in Gampaha district. The reports of the statistical outputs of the SPSS analysis, including reliability analysis, demographic factor analysis, cross-tabulation analysis, descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, are included in the study. However, the outcome shows high internal consistency in the reliability test, positive ratings for temperature, storage method, packaging method, lead time, and transport method and there was a significant positive correlation between these variables and the quality of the perishable supply chain showing the positive impact. Further research suggests examining the impact of each perishable factor in depth by exploring the relationship between quality and food wastage.

Impact of Learning on Ordering Policy for Deteriorating Imperfect Quality Items with Promotion Dependent Demand, Partial Trade-Credit and Shortages

Objective: The objective of the developed inventory model is to find the optimal solution for the retailer, while performing inspection for the defectives, and also to offer partial credit periods, where shortages are allowed. Methods: To derive the required solution which benefits the retailer, the partial derivatives method for the decision variables where used and to solve the complicated differential equations the necessary and sufficient conditions has been derived and the theorem and its proofs are given. Findings: In this research findings, the optimal credit period policy and promotional effort dependent demand pattern that offers more profit to the retailer, provided with inspection policy for finding defective items in the lot. Shortages are allowed and completely backordered. Numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are performed to verify the reliability of the developed model. Novelty: This study presents a new model wherein the retailer offers credit period and with shortages that will apt the real life situation as the model developed here is for deteriorating items, which is inevitable to maintain the perfect system. Keywords: Multi­Echelon Inventory Model, Sustainability, Shortages, Credit Period Offers, Learning In Inspection

Artificial intelligence and medical education: application in classroom instruction and student assessment using a pharmacology & therapeutics case study

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) tools are designed to create or generate content from their trained parameters using an online conversational interface. AI has opened new avenues in redefining the role boundaries of teachers and learners and has the potential to impact the teaching-learning process.MethodsIn this descriptive proof-of- concept cross-sectional study we have explored the application of three generative AI tools on drug treatment of hypertension theme to generate: (1) specific learning outcomes (SLOs); (2) test items (MCQs- A type and case cluster; SAQs; OSPE); (3) test standard-setting parameters for medical students.ResultsAnalysis of AI-generated output showed profound homology but divergence in quality and responsiveness to refining search queries. The SLOs identified key domains of antihypertensive pharmacology and therapeutics relevant to stages of the medical program, stated with appropriate action verbs as per Bloom’s taxonomy. Test items often had clinical vignettes aligned with the key domain stated in search queries. Some test items related to A-type MCQs had construction defects, multiple correct answers, and dubious appropriateness to the learner’s stage. ChatGPT generated explanations for test items, this enhancing usefulness to support self-study by learners. Integrated case-cluster items had focused clinical case description vignettes, integration across disciplines, and targeted higher levels of competencies. The response of AI tools on standard-setting varied. Individual questions for each SAQ clinical scenario were mostly open-ended. The AI-generated OSPE test items were appropriate for the learner’s stage and identified relevant pharmacotherapeutic issues. The model answers supplied for both SAQs and OSPEs can aid course instructors in planning classroom lessons, identifying suitable instructional methods, establishing rubrics for grading, and for learners as a study guide. Key lessons learnt for improving AI-generated test item quality are outlined.ConclusionsAI tools are useful adjuncts to plan instructional methods, identify themes for test blueprinting, generate test items, and guide test standard-setting appropriate to learners’ stage in the medical program. However, experts need to review the content validity of AI-generated output. We expect AIs to influence the medical education landscape to empower learners, and to align competencies with curriculum implementation. AI literacy is an essential competency for health professionals.

Family Members' Feedback on the "Quality of Death" of Adult Patients Who Died in Intensive Care Units and the Factors Affecting the Death Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Intensive care units (ICUs) are designed for critically ill patients who often experience high mortality rates owing to the severity of their conditions. Although the primary goal is patient recovery, it is crucial to understand the quality of death in the ICU setting. Nevertheless, there is a notable lack of systematic reviews on measured death quality and its associated factors. This study aims to conduct a quantitative synthesis of evidence regarding the quality of death in the ICU and offers a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing this quality, including its relationship with the post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F). A thorough search without any language restrictions across MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi databases identified relevant studies published until September 2023. We aggregated the results regarding the quality of death care for patients who died in the ICU across each measurement tool and calculated the point estimates and 95% confidence intervals.The quantitative synthesis encompassed 19 studies, wherein the Quality of Dying and Death-single item (QODD-1) was reported in 13 instances (Point estimate: 7.0, 95% CI: 6.93-7.06). Patient demographic data, including age and gender, as well as the presence or absence of invasive procedures, such as life support devices and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, along with the management of pain and physical symptoms, were found to be associated with a high quality of death. Only one study reported an association between quality of death and PICS-F scores; however, no significant association was identified. The QODD-1 scale emerged as a frequently referenced and valuable metric for evaluating the quality of death in the ICU, and factors associated with the quality of ICU death were identified. However, research gaps persist, particularly regarding the variations in the quality of ICU deaths based on cultural backgrounds and healthcare systems. This review contributes to a better understanding of the quality of death in the ICU and emphasises the need for comprehensive research in this critical healthcare domain.

Using Regularized Methods to Validate Q-Matrix in Cognitive Diagnostic Assessment

One of the central components of cognitive diagnostic assessment is the Q-matrix, which is an essential loading indicator matrix and is typically constructed by subject matter experts. Nonetheless, to a large extent, the construction of Q-matrix remains a subjective process and might lead to misspecifications. Many researchers have recognized the importance of estimating or validating the Q-matrix, but most of them focus on the conditions of relatively large sample sizes. This article aims to explore Q-matrix validation possibilities under small sample conditions and uses regularized methods to validate the Q-matrix based on the compensatory reparametrized unified model and generalized deterministic inputs, noisy “and” gate models. Simulation studies were conducted to evaluate the viability of the modified least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) and modified smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) methods, comparing them with existing methods. Results show that the modified Lasso and the modified SCAD methods outperform the stepwise, Hull, and MLR-B methods in general, especially under the conditions of small sample sizes. While good recovery in all small sample size conditions is not guaranteed, the modified methods demonstrate advantages across various item quality conditions. Also, a real data set is analyzed to illustrate the application of the modified methods.

Role of restorative natural environments in predicting hikers’ pro-environmental behavior in a nature trail context

ABSTRACT Given environmental contribution of individuals’ behavioral change, this study explored how hikers’ pro-environmental behavior can be facilitated. The theoretical model incorporated the restorative quality of natural trails as an external environment, hikers’ place affect and their pro-environmental behavior. This study used a mixed research approach to test this model, which involved developing measurement items for the restorative quality of nature trails and analyzing survey data from 361 hikers. The analysis showed that the restorative quality of natural trails induced place affect, which increased place-specific pro-environmental behavior. Mediating effect of place affect and moderating function of daily environmental practices were identified.

조영증강 복부 CT 검사에서 조영제 사용량 감소에 관한 연구

In our hospital, we implement a reduction in contrast media dose (calculated as body weight × 1.2 mL) for clinical examinations conducted with dual-source dual-energy CT during contrast-enhanced abdominal CT examinations. Therefore, by applying the CE-Boost technique, the degree of contrast enhancement of blood vessels and tissues was compared with standard contrast media dose (body weight × 1.6 mL) in 120 kV single-source computed tomography images. In contrast-enhanced abdominal CT using the standard contrast media dose, the CE-Boost technique was applied to investigate the feasibility of reducing the contrast media dose. From January 2023, a retrospective study was conducted on 62 subjects. The study included an experimental group (A) that received a reduced contrast media dose, an experimental group + CE-Boost (B), and a control group (C) that received the standard contrast media dose. For quantitative evaluation, in the image where the Main Portal Vein (MPV) is the widest, CT number (HU), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR) were calculated. Qualitative evaluation was independently assessed by five experienced radiotechnologists, who evaluated 10 samples as the assessment items for contrast enhancement and overall image quality. In the HU values, the (B) group with CE-Boost technique showed the highest value (P &lt; .05), while the (A)-(C) group without CE-Boost technique showed no statistically significant difference. In the SNR, the group (B) that received the CE-Boost technique exhibited the highest value,(P&lt;.05) but there was no significant difference compared to the group (C) that did not receive the CE-Boost technique in the evaluation of liver parenchyma.(P&gt;.05) In CNR, the (B) group utilizing the CE-Boost technique showed the highest value (P&lt;.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between (B) and (C). In the qualitative evaluation, the group (B) to which CE-Boost was applied was rated the highest in two evaluation items. If an AI-based CE-Boost technique is used for contrast-enhanced abdominal CT, it is believed that safe medical services can be provided to patients by implementing a 25% reduction in the standard contrast media dose while still maintaining image quality, even in a single-source 120kV CT.

Green Probabilistic Inventory Model with Shortage Backordering, Carbon Emission Cost, and Imperfect Quality Items: A Newton-Raphson Method Approach Using Python

Green Probabilistic Inventory Model with Shortage Backordering, Carbon Emission Cost, and Imperfect Quality Items: A Newton-Raphson Method Approach Using Python

Green Probabilistic Inventory Model with Shortage Backordering, Carbon Emission Cost, and Imperfect Quality Items: A Newton-Raphson Method Approach Using Python

In this paper, a green inventory model has been developed to explain the relationship between a single manufacturer and many retailers in a multiplayer supply chain system. It is assumed that there exist some imperfect items in a quantity lot. In green inventory, one of the important issues is carbon emission with its cost to inventory management. Some troubles in the transportation process yield imperfect quality items. This trouble is the potential to increase the amount of carbon emission and some imperfect quality items. It also affects the cost of the inventory. Therefore, these two aspects will be analyzed under the shortage backorder policy. Due to the complexity of the model, the classical optimization methods cannot be used to determine the optimum values exactly. Therefore, formulation optimization is predominantly conducted using a numerical approach for finding partial derivatives and Newton-Raphson's method for finding the optimal solution. These methods are assisted by the Python programming language, operated within the Google Colab environment and Spyder (Python 3.8) using Anaconda environment.