Quantitative Assessment Research Articles

Dual-Energy CT as a Well-Established CT Modality to Reduce Contrast Media Amount: A Systematic Review from the Computed Tomography Subspecialty Section of the Italian Society of Radiology

Background: Our study aims to provide an overview of existing evidence regarding the image quality of dual-energy CT (DECT) employing reduced contrast media (CM) volumes, in comparison to single-energy CT (SECT) with standard CM loads. The advantages, indications, and possible applications of DECT were investigated from the perspective of providing better patient care, minimizing CM volume and managing CM shortage. Methods: In this systematic review (PRISMA methodology), PubMed and WOS were searched from January 2010 to January 2023 by two independent reviewers. The scan and CM characteristics, radiation dose, and results of quantitative (contrast to noise ratio, CNR, and signal to noise ratio, SNR) and qualitative assessment of image quality were collected. Sixty non-duplicated records eligible for full-text screening were examined. Results: Finally, 22 articles (1818 patients) were included. The average CM reduction with DECT ranged between 43.4 ± 11%. Despite the wide variability in CT scan protocols, no differences were found in radiation doses between DECT and SECT. Conclusions: DECT scanners allow the employment of lower CM volumes with equal or better image quality evaluated by quantitative and qualitative analyses and similar dose radiation compared to SECT. Using image reconstructions at low monochromatic energy levels, DECT increases iodine conspicuity and attenuation contributing to CM containment measures.

Ecological Suitability Evaluation of City Construction Based on Landscape Ecological Analysis

Ecological suitability evaluation is a critical component of regional sustainable development and construction, serving as a foundation for optimizing spatial patterns of regional growth. This is particularly pertinent in karst mountainous regions characterized by limited land resources and heightened ecosystem vulnerability, where a quantitative assessment of ecological suitability for land development is both crucial and urgent. Based on the fundamental principles of structural and functional dynamics in landscape ecology, this study focuses on Gui’an New Area, a designated urban development zone situated in the karst landscape of Guizhou Province. An index system was established encompassing three dimensions: ecological elements, ecological significance, and ecological resilience, utilizing the integrated ecological resistance (IER) model to evaluate the suitability of regional development and construction. The results reveal that the eastern region exhibits higher suitability compared to the central and western regions, with the northwest region demonstrating the lowest suitability overall. Relatively speaking, the evaluation of geological environment suitability and the comprehensive ecological constraints associated with development and construction indicates that the areas currently planned and ongoing reflect flat terrain and low ecological risk. Furthermore, within the scope of ecosystem dynamic adaptation, developmental activities in these regions exert minimal impact on the natural ecosystem, thereby demonstrating a high suitability for development and construction. In terms of future key development zones, areas with gentle slopes ranging from 8 to 15 degrees are recommended, aligning with the actual requirements for cultivated land protection. The total area designated as prohibited development zones constitutes the smallest proportion, representing only 9.45%, which is significantly lower than that of priority development zones (38.75%) and moderate development zones (22.45%). From the perspective of landscape ecology, this paper provides a comprehensive investigation into the ecological suitability evaluation system for development and construction in the karst regions of Southwest China, offering valuable insights for assessing ecological suitability in similar areas.

Establishing a physiologically based pharmacokinetic framework for aldehyde oxidase and dual aldehyde oxidase-CYP substrates.

Aldehyde oxidase (AO) contributes to the clearance of many approved and investigational small molecule drugs, which are often dual substrates of AO and drug-metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450s (CYPs). As such, the lack of established framework for quantitative translation of the clinical pharmacologic correlates of AO-mediated clearance represents an unmet need. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling in the development of AO and dual AO-CYP substrates. PBPK models were developed for capmatinib, idelalisib, lenvatinib, zaleplon, ziprasidone, and zoniporide, incorporating invitro functional data from human liver subcellular fractions and human hepatocytes. Prediction of metabolic elimination with/without the additional empirical scaling factors (ESFs) was assessed. Clinical pharmacokinetics, human mass balance, and drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies with CYP3A4 modulators, where available, were used to refine/verify the models. Due to the lack of clinically significant AO-DDIs with known AO inhibitors, the fraction metabolized by AO (fmAO) was verified indirectly. Clearance predictions were improved by using ESFs (GMFE ≤1.4-fold versus up to fivefold with physiologically-based scaling only). Observed fmi from mass balance studies were crucial for model verification/refinement, as illustrated by capmatinib, where the fmAO (40%) was otherwise underpredicted up to fourfold. Subsequently, independent DDI studies with ketoconazole, itraconazole, rifampicin, and carbamazepine verified the fmCYP3A4, with predicted ratios of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUCR) within 1.5-fold of the observations. In conclusion, this study provides a novel PBPK-based framework for predicting AO-mediated pharmacokinetics and quantitative assessment of clinical DDI risks for dual AO-CYP substrates within a totality-of-evidence approach.

Impact of mountain-wave-induced temperature fluctuations on the occurrence of polar stratospheric ice clouds: a statistical analysis based on MIPAS observations and ERA5 data

Abstract. Temperature fluctuations induced by mountain waves can play a crucial role in the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). In particular, the cold phase of the waves can lower local temperatures sufficiently to trigger PSC formation, even when large-scale background temperatures are too high. To provide new quantitative constraints on the relevance of this effect, this study analyzes a decade (2002–2012) of ice PSC detections obtained from Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) measurements and ERA5 data in the polar winter lower stratosphere. In the MIPAS observations, we find that approximately 52 % of the Arctic ice PSCs and 26 % of the Antarctic ice PSCs are detected at temperatures above the local Tice. Ice PSCs above Tice are concentrated around mountainous regions and their downwind directions. A backward-trajectory analysis is performed to investigate the temperature history of each ice PSC observation. The cumulative fraction of ice PSCs above Tice increases as the trajectory gets closer to the observation point. The most significant change in the fraction of ice PSCs above Tice occurs within the 6 h preceding the observations. At the observation point, the mean fractions of ice PSCs above Tice, taking into account temperature fluctuations along the backward trajectory, are 33 % in the Arctic and 9 % in the Antarctic. The results provide a quantitative assessment of the occurrence of ice PSCs above Tice in connection with orographic waves. Additionally, the observational statistics presented can be utilized for comparison with chemistry climate simulations.

A systematic review and quality assessment of estimated daily intake of microplastics through food.

Plastic waste enters the oceans and soil and is consumed by organisms and humans. Some of the ingested microplastics may remain in the human body and cause toxicity. We conducted a systematic review to estimate the extent to which humans are exposed to microplastics through consumption and performed a quality assessment of research results. We searched for studies published up to December 2023 and included studies that reported on the characteristics and estimated intake of microplastics. The quality assessment tool reported in previous studies was used for food and drinking water studies. We included 76 studies in the analysis, and the types of foods were classified into seven categories: seafood, drinking water, table salt, fruits and vegetables, beverages, condiments, and meat. Theestimated daily intake of microplastics via food was 0.0002-1,531,524 MP/day, with the highest value in bottled water. The quality of food and drinking water studies was evaluated using a quantitative tool to assess reliability. The quality of food studies was 11.50 out of 20 points and the quality of drinking water studies was 11.16 out of 19 points. These results indicate that the closer the score is to the maximum, the more reliable the research findings. The quantitative assessment can be used as an indicator for evaluating the risks of microplastics and can help reduce biases that may occur during the research process. This study confirmed microplastics in foods and human exposure to up to one million microplastics daily. Our study emphasizes the potential for microplastic exposure through food intake and subsequent accumulation in the human body; therefore, efforts are needed to reduce exposure to microplastics in daily life.

Quantitative ultrasound assessment of fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff muscles using backscatter coefficient

BackgroundTo prospectively evaluate ultrasound backscatter coefficients (BSCs) of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and compare with Goutallier classification on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsFifty-six participants had shoulder MRI exams and ultrasound exams of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. Goutallier MRI grades were determined and BSCs were measured. Group means were compared and the strength of relationships between the measures were determined. Using binarized Goutallier groups (0–2 versus 3–4), areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) were calculated. The nearest integer cutoff value was determined using Youden’s index.ResultsBSC values were significantly different among most Goutallier grades for the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles (both p < 0.001). Strong correlations were found between the BSC values and Goutallier grades for the supraspinatus (τb = 0.72, p < 0.001) and infraspinatus (τb = 0.79, p < 0.001) muscles. BSC showed excellent performance for classification of the binarized groups (0–2 versus 3–4) for both supraspinatus (AUROC = 0.98, p < 0.0001) and infraspinatus (AUROC = 0.98, p < 0.0001) muscles. Using a cutoff BSC value of −17 dB, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for severe fatty infiltration were 87.0%, 90.0%, and 87.5% for the supraspinatus muscle, and 93.6%, 87.5%, and 92.7% for the infraspinatus muscle.ConclusionBSC can be applied to the rotator cuff muscles for assessment of fatty infiltration. For both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, BSC values significantly increased with higher Goutallier grades and showed strong performance in distinguishing low versus high Goutallier grades.Relevance statementFatty infiltration of the rotator cuff muscles can be quantified using BSC values, which are higher with increasing Goutallier grades.Key PointsUltrasound BSC measurements are reliable for the quantification of muscle fatty infiltration.BCS values increased with higher Goutallier MRI grades.BCS values demonstrated high performance for distinguishing muscle fatty infiltration groups.Graphical

Comparison of aerodynamics of vertical-axis wind turbine with single and combine Darrieus and Savonius rotors

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) with Darrieus and Savonius rotors were studied based on the developed specialized package of computational aerodynamics. The flow structure around the Savonius and Darrieus rotors was numerically reconstructed, considering the mutual influence. From this reconstruction, the main stages of the vortex structure formation during the flow of the turbulent wind around the rotors were identified. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of the influence of the Savonius rotor on the total aerodynamic and energy characteristics of a VAWT were carried out. It is shown that the main contribution to the torque of the VAWT is due to the Darrieus rotor, mainly in the windward section of the trajectory. The Savonius rotor accounts for only a few percent of the total torque produced by the installation. The interaction of the Darrieus rotor blades with macrovortices from the Savonius rotor in the leeward part of the trajectory leads to a sharp drop in the torque coefficient. In the absence of a Savonius rotor, the vortices separated from supported tower are much smaller both in size and intensity. Therefore, their interaction with the blades of the Darrieus rotor does not lead to a significant change in the aerodynamic characteristics. A power characteristics comparison of two VAWTs showed that the torque coefficient is higher for wind turbines with only single Darrieus rotor. The developed approaches and techniques make it possible to reproduce real aerodynamic processes of flow most reliably around bodies of arbitrary shape and calculate their aerodynamic characteristics.

Vaccine Hesitancy and COVID-19 Risk Behaviors Associated with Social Media Use in Japan

ABSTRACT We examined the associations between the use of different types of media and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, as well as risk behaviors of COVID-19 infection, in Japan in late 2021. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted using rapid online surveys of residents in Iwate Prefecture from February 5 to 7, 2021, and from October 1 to 3, 2021. Each individual’s risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection was calculated using a quantitative assessment tool (the microCOVID). Intention to get vaccinated for COVID-19 was assessed by self-report. Usage of five types of media for obtaining COVID-related information was assessed: (1) newspapers, (2) television or radio, (3) internet or news apps, (4) social network services (SNS) (excluding LINE, a popular messaging app), and (5) other. Reliance on SNS did not show significant associations with either intention to get vaccinated or engaging in risky behavior for acquiring COVID-19. Although users of the internet or news apps were marginally significantly less likely to engage in high-risk behavior, significant associations between vaccine hesitancy and the usage of the internet or news apps were found in the middle age and elderly groups (OR [95% confidence interval (CI)] in middle age: 1.55 [1.07–2.23]; in elderly; 9.24 [3.28–26.02]). The differential associations between different types of media use and COVID-19 prevention behaviors may assist in preparing for future pandemic outbreaks. One implication for public health risk communication is audience segmentation, such as emphasizing vaccine safety and effectiveness for older audiences.

Spectrometric method for simultaneous quantification of nadifloxacin and salicylic acid in a novel topical dosage form

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin disorder that affects many individuals. In the search for effective acne therapy, researchers have found that a combination of Nadifloxacin and Salicylic Acid may produce a synergistic effect. To further investigate this, a study was conducted to devise a spectrophotometric method for simultaneously measuring the concentrations of Nadifloxacin and Salicylic Acid in a novel topical formulation. Simultaneous Estimation Method was employed using methanol as the solvent. Nadifloxacin exhibited an absorbance maximum of 291 nm, while Salicylic Acid showed an absorbance maximum of 297 nm in methanol. Linearity experiments were conducted to determine the concentration ranges for both drugs, which were found to be 2–12 ppm for Nadifloxacin and 5–30 ppm for Salicylic Acid. The recovery results of Nadifloxacin ranged from 82 % to 95 %, while those of Salicylic Acid ranged from 97 % to 110 %. These results indicate the accuracy and reliability of the method. This method was further validated in accordance with the guidelines provided by the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) of Technical Requirements for Human Use. The proposed method has demonstrated its applicability for the simultaneous and quantitative assessment of Nadifloxacin and Salicylic Acid in various dosage forms. This development is significant as it provides a reliable and efficient means of measuring the concentrations of these two drugs in acne therapy formulations.

The pivotal role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in enhancing plant biomass and nutrient availability under drought stress conditions: A global meta-analysis

Drought is a serious threat to crop productivity and global food security. About 40 % of the worldwide land is considered arid dryland soil because of a lack of rainfall, high solar radiation, and temperature fluctuations. Though rhizobacteria, particularly mycorrhizal fungi (MF), assist plants in coping with drought stress, an intensive quantitative assessment of their effects on plant growth and nutrient availability is still limited. We systematically carried out a global meta-analysis using 122 peer-reviewed publications comprising 3534 observations to investigate the effects of MF on plant biomass (PB) and nutrient availability (nitrogen: N and phosphorus: P) under drought-stress conditions. The results show that the MF inoculation significantly increased mycorrhizal colonization (MC), N and P uptakes, and plant biomass (PB) at a C:N ratio > 15 by 2171.44 %, 23.74 %, 135.61 %, and 220.91 %, respectively. The MF species Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Glomus significantly influenced the MC, N, and PB concentrations by 2541.68 %, 40.35 %, and 110.85 %, respectively. Moreover, the concentrations of MC, N, and PB were considerably affected by the soil texture categories, with the maximum levels of 4940.04 %, 127.05 %, and 84.04 % found in sandy, clay, and clay loam soils, respectively. In addition, soil pH, crop types, soil textural class, and MF species were identified as vital pedologic factors affecting plant growth and nutrient availability during fungal inoculation. Overall, this meta-analysis addresses gaps in understanding the effects of MF inoculation on plant development and nutrient availability under drought stress.

Interobserver Reproducibility of Ultrasound Attenuation Imaging Technology in Liver Fat Quantification.

This study aims to investigate the interobserver variability in the quantitative assessment of liver fat content using ultrasound attenuation imaging technology (USAT). This prospective, single-center study included 96 adult patients who were either diagnosed with or suspected of having metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Independent observers, blinded to each other's assessments, evaluated hepatic steatosis visually and through USAT measurements. Separate measurements were taken at five intercostal and subcostal sites, and the median values of these measurements were recorded. The correlation between USAT measurements and visual steatosis grades was examined using Spearman's correlation test. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis were used to evaluate the interobserver variability of USAT measurements. Interobserver agreement for USAT measurements was excellent for the intercostal examination and good for the subcostal examination (p < 0.001). Body mass index did not significantly affect the level of interobserver agreement. Interobserver variability in Bland-Altman plots of USAT measurements was within the 95% limits of agreement. USAT measurements correlated very strongly with the visual degree of hepatic steatosis, both intercostal and subcostal (p < 0.001). USAT measurements were also significantly different between different visual degrees of hepatic steatosis (p < 0.001). In the assessment of hepatic steatosis, USAT measurements obtained from the intercostal space showed excellent agreement in terms of interobserver reproducibility.

The maximum magnitude of natural and induced earthquakes

A key element in the assessment of seismic hazard is estimation of the maximum possible earthquake magnitude, Mmax. A great deal of effort has been invested in developing approaches to estimate Mmax for natural (tectonic) earthquakes, especially in regions of relatively low seismicity where it is difficult to associate observed seismicity with known geological faults. In probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, there has been a tendency to assign a narrow range of large values to Mmax. This results in the impression that hazard results are insensitive to this parameter, which is not the case when the Mmax distribution captures the full range of possible values. For induced seismicity, Mmax estimates can have far-reaching implications both in terms of quantitative assessments of the resulting seismic hazard and risk, and in terms of the public and regulatory perception of this risk. Estimates of Mmax for induced seismicity need to distinguish between driven earthquakes, for which magnitudes are largely controlled by operational parameters, and triggered tectonic earthquakes, together with estimates of the likelihood of such triggering. Distributions of triggered Mmax may be limited to smaller magnitudes than distributions for natural seismicity due to the shallow depth of most injection/extraction wells. For the management of induced seismic risk, the expected largest event magnitude (which may be influenced by a Traffic Light Scheme in operation) may be more relevant than any physical upper bound truncating the recurrence relationship.

Quantitative assessment of PM2.5-related human health impacts at the provincial level in China and analysis of its heterogeneity affected by economic structural transformation

Rapid economic development has led to massive fossil energy consumption and emissions of air pollutants such as PM2.5, which have severely impacted human health and the environment. By uncovering the primary regions and pivotal sectors of PM2.5-related human health impacts (PM2.5-HHI) and evaluating the influence of economic structural factors on them, we can facilitate a more targeted strategy for managing PM2.5 pollution sources. This study employs a structural decomposition analysis method based on input–output analysis to evaluate the impact of China’s provincial economic structural transformation and changes in final demand on PM2.5-HHI in the years 2012, 2015, and 2017. Results indicated that PM2.5-HHI is primarily concentrated in economically developed provinces (e.g., Shandong and Guangdong), which is compared to Shanghai, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Hebei experienced negative growth in PM2.5-HHI during 2007–2017. The production-based PM2.5-HHI is primarily driven by energy-intensive sectors such as the production and distribution of electric power and heat power. By contrast, the building sector is key to driving consumption-based PM2.5-HHI. An increasing number of regions are reducing PM2.5-HHI by implementing production structure changes. Moreover, the driving effect of production structure changes on PM2.5-HHI growth is strengthening in Beijing and Tianjin. Changes in the final demand structure mainly led to the growth of PM2.5-HHI in areas with higher economic development levels, such as Beijing and Shandong, but this driving effect is weakening. The final demand–driven PM2.5-HHI shows an evolutionary trend of an increasing share driven by fixed capital formation and exports and a decreasing share driven by household consumption. Changes in emission intensity play a key role in decreasing PM2.5-HHI in each region. Alternatively, changes in the structure of emission sources have a relatively minor impact on PM2.5-HHI. To mitigate PM2.5-HHI, regional economic and resource endowment advantages should be used to promote regional coordinated development and strengthen green production-process innovation in energy-intensive industries. Meanwhcile, it is necessary to optimize urban construction planning and improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

Comprehensive quantitative magnetic resonance imaging assessment of skeletal muscle pathophysiology in golden retriever muscular dystrophy: Insights from multicomponent water T2 and extracellular volume fraction.

Quantitative MRI and MRS have become important tools for the assessment and management of patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Despite significant progress, there is a need for new objective measures with improved specificity to the underlying pathophysiological alteration. This would enhance our ability to characterize disease evolution and improve therapeutic development. In this study, qMRI methods that are commonly used in clinical studies involving NMDs, like water T2 (T2H2O) and T1 and fat-fraction (FF) mapping, were employed to evaluate disease activity and progression in the skeletal muscle of golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs. Additionally, extracellular volume (ECV) fraction and single-voxel bicomponent water T2 relaxometry were included as potential markers of specific histopathological changes within the tissue. Apart from FF, which was not significantly different between GRMD and control dogs and showed no trend with age, T2H2O, T1, ECV, and the relative fraction of the long-T2 component, A2, were significantly elevated in GRMD dogs across all age ranges. Moreover, longitudinal assessment starting at 2months of age revealed significant decreases in T2H2O, T1, ECV, A2, and the T2 of the shorter-T2 component, T21, in both control and GRMD dogs during their first year of life. Notably, insights from ECV and bicomponent water T2 indicate that (I) the elevated T2H2O and T1 values observed in dystrophic muscle are primarily driven by an expansion of the extracellular space, likely driven by the edematous component of inflammatory responses to tissue injury and (II) the significant decrease of T2H2O and T1 with age in control and GRMD dogs reflects primarily the progressive increase in fiber diameter and protein content during tissue development. Our study underscores the potential of multicomponent water T2 relaxometry and ECV to provide valuable insights into muscle pathology in NMDs.

Assessing the Environmental Impact of Demountable Space-Dividing Walls: A Scenario Analysis Approach in a Semi-Detached Case Study Dwelling

The transition towards sustainable construction is crucial, and demountable building elements are frequently advocated for achieving this goal. While these elements offer relocatability during refurbishments, their adoption may increase initial environmental impact due to higher material use and steel connections. To address this, a quantitative assessment of demountable building elements in refurbishment scenarios at the building level is needed, filling a gap in the existing literature. This study bridges the gap by comparing the total environmental impact of demountable and traditional space-dividing walls in refurbishment scenarios for a semi-detached dwelling. Using a life cycle assessment, seven space-dividing wall types, including metal studs, wood structures, and masonry walls, are evaluated under four refurbishment scenarios spanning a 60-year building lifespan. The results reveal that traditional metal stud walls have a lower environmental impact in scenarios with limited refurbishments. In contrast, demountable walls become more environmentally beneficial only when refurbishing at least 60% of the wall area with three or more refurbishments. This conclusion was further validated through sensitivity analysis on the refurbishment rate, refurbished area, and impact assessment method. In this study, the assumed environmental benefits of demountable walls are challenged, providing a robust evaluation in a specific building typology and offering insights for policymakers and industry professionals on the environmental implications of incorporating demountable building elements.

Quantitative assessment of congestion diffusion and cascading effect under rainfall-flood disasters: A case study of Nanjing, China

Urban road networks are frequently disrupted by flooding rainfall-flood disasters, which can cause severe traffic disruptions and leading to traffic congestion due to cascading effect. This paper investigates the reliability issues under rainfall-flood conditions. A coupled model, integrating a rainfall-flood model with an improved cascading failure model, is proposed to assess how rainfall intensities and flooding will influence traffic congestion and bring network instability. Utilizing an improved Nonlinear Load-Capacity model, we quantify the impact of congestion and analyze cascading processes under various rainfall-flood conditions. The case study in Nanjing, China reveal that, when congestion causes network pressure to exceed the traffic percolation threshold, traffic congestion diffusion becomes more pronounced, putting excessive strain on other passable roads. Network cascading failures due to traffic congestion diffusion can lead to excessive focus on the remaining passable roads, resulting in a sharp increase in the average importance. The significance of this work lies in its provision of an effective method for predicting potential network disruptions and cascading failures in advance, thereby enhancing post-disaster road operations.

Bag of Feature-Based Ensemble Subspace KNN Classifier in Muscle Ultrasound Diagnosis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Muscle ultrasound quantification is a valuable complementary diagnostic tool for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), enhancing physicians’ diagnostic capabilities. Quantitative assessment is generally regarded as more reliable and sensitive than visual evaluation, which often necessitates specialized expertise. This work develops a computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) system based on muscle ultrasound that integrates the bag of features (BOF) and an ensemble subspace k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm for DPN detection. The BOF creates a histogram of visual word occurrences to represent the muscle ultrasound images and trains an ensemble classifier through cross-validation, determining optimal parameters to improve classification accuracy for the ensemble diagnosis system. The dataset includes ultrasound images of six muscles from 53 subjects, consisting of 27 control and 26 patient cases. An empirical analysis was conducted for each binary classifier based on muscle type to select the best vocabulary tree properties or K values for BOF. The result indicates that ensemble subspace KNN classification, based on the bag of features, achieved an accuracy of 97.23%. CAD systems can effectively diagnose muscle pathology, thereby addressing limitations and identifying issues in individuals with diabetes. This research underscores muscle ultrasound as a promising diagnostic tool to aid physicians in making accurate diagnoses, streamlining workflow, and uncovering muscle-related complications in DPN patients.

Geological and geochemical aspects of modeling of hydrocarbon systems

Forecasting the phase-genetic types of hydrocarbons is the most important stage in modelling geological hydrocarbon systems. This is because accurate qualitative and quantitative assessment of potential reserves is necessary for making informed investment decisions in exploration activities. Improving the precision of qualitative and quantitative oil and gas forecast can help reduce geological risks in asset development and increase investment efficiency. Therefore, technologies that allow modelling of hydrocarbon systems are becoming ever more important. This study aims to explore the key geological and geochemical aspects of hydrocarbon system modelling. Hydrocarbon systems refer to interconnected elements and geological processes influencing hydrocarbon formation in sedimentary basins. The study emphasizes that the "oil window" concept, or the theory of hydrocarbon formation phases, provides the theoretical basis for hydrocarbon systems. This concept consistently encompasses the entire history of sedimentary basin development, the evolution of thermal and thermobaric regimes in sedimentary deposits, the transformation of organic matter, hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation, and preservation processes. Using the results of modelling of hydrocarbon systems to evaluate geological risks and the economic impact of exploration activities can be a powerful instrument for companies that make investment decisions in geological exploration.

Systematic Review of Quantitative Risk Quantification Methods in Construction Accidents

Construction accidents pose significant risks to workers and the public, affecting industry productivity and reputation. While several reviews have discussed risk assessment methods, recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and real-time decision support systems have created a need for an updated synthesis of the quantitative methodologies applied in construction safety. This study systematically reviews the literature from the past decade, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A thorough search identified studies utilizing statistical analysis, mathematical modeling, simulation, and artificial intelligence (AI). These methods were categorized and analyzed based on their effectiveness and limitations. Statistical approaches, such as correlation analysis, examined relationships between variables, while mathematical models, like factor analysis, quantified risk factors. Simulation methods, such as Monte Carlo simulations, explored risk dynamics and AI techniques, including machine learning, enhanced predictive modeling, and decision making in construction safety. This review highlighted the strengths of handling large datasets and improving accuracy, but also noted challenges like data quality and methodological limitations. Future research directions are suggested to address these gaps. This study contributes to construction safety management by offering an overview of best practices and opportunities for advancing quantitative risk assessment methodologies.

Novel bioassays based on 3D-printed device for sensing of hypoxia and p53 pathway in 3D cell models.

Cell-based assays are widely exploited for drug screening and biosensing, providing useful information about bioactivity of target analytes and complex biological samples. It is well recognized that 3D cell models are required to achieve highly valuable information, also from the perspective of replacing animal models. However, bioassays relying on 3D cell models are generally highly demanding in terms of facilities, equipment, and skilled personnel requirements. To reduce cost, increase sustainability, and provide a flexible 3D cell-based platform for bioassays, we here report a novel approach based on a 3D-printed microtissue device. To assess the suitability of this strategy for reporter gene technology, we selected to monitor two molecular pathways which were of interest in several applications, hypoxia signaling and the p53 pathway. The investigation of such pathways is highly relevant in fields spanning from drug screening to bioactivity monitoring for industrial by-product valorization. Microtissues of human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and human embryonic kidney (Hek293T) cell lines were obtained with a low-cost and sustainable chip platform and bioassays were developed to monitor the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. HepG2 and Hek293T 3D cell models were genetically engineered to express the Luc2P from Photinus pyralis firefly either under the regulation of p53 or HIF response elements. The bioassays allowed quantitative assessment of hypoxia and tumoral activity with 1,10-phenanthroline for HIF and with doxorubicin for p53 pathway activation, respectively, showing good potential for applications of this sustainable and low-cost 3D-printed microfluidic platform for bioactivity analyses, drug screening, and precision medicine.