Rank Test Research Articles

Evaluating Students' Performance in Consonant Phoneme Identification within Word Structures

The prime objectives of this article are to evaluate the bachelor level first year major English students’ performance in consonant sound identification within word structures, and examine the effectiveness of an intuitive-imitative approach in teaching consonant phonemes of the spellings. To attain these objectives, the researchers employed the one-group pretest posttest research design in which 200 phoneme recognition test items as data collection tools regarding the consonant sounds of English were administered to 30 students at Makawanpur Multiple Campus, Hetauda, Nepal in 2023 before and after teaching them the sounds through the intuitive-imitative approach for 30 teaching periods. Population being low, this study involved the census for collecting data. After observing their performance in consonant phoneme identification, it was found that their performance was bad at identifying the phonemes of the spelling's “g” in “Genre”, “c” in “Cello”, “th” in “Thailand”, etc. Their performance was not so good at identifying the phonemes of the spellings “j” in “Join”, “y” in “Yak”, etc. Their performance was satisfactory in identifying the phonemes of the spelling's “g” in “Gene”, “g” in “Gem”, “n” in “Donkey”, etc. Similarly, they were good at identifying the phonemes of spelling “p” in “Punch”, “b” in “Boat’, “k’ in “Book”, etc. A related samples Wilcoxon signed rank test value (p  .05) implies that there was a significant difference in the median scores of the posttest scores and the pretest scores of the students. It suggests that the intuitive-imitative approach was an effective method of teaching sounds. This article is significant in a phonological process and pronunciation, resulting in phonemic awareness.

Short-term effectiveness of dry needling on pain and ankle range of motion in athletes with medial tibial stress syndrome- a randomized control trial

ABSTRACT Introduction Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is also called soleus syndrome because the resultant periostitis is localized to the medial insertion of the soleus muscle. This study explores the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) targeting soleus myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in managing MTSS. Aim To assess the impact of DN on pain reduction and ankle range of motion (ROM) improvement in athletes with MTSS. Study Design This randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 50 university-level athletes. (DN group = 25; control group = 25) Method Outcome variables, pain, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM were measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and universal goniometer, respectively. The trial used statistical analyses like Wilcoxon rank test for within-group comparisons and Mann-Whitney U test for between-group comparisons. The trial was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India; CTRI/2023/10/058837. Result There were 24 Females (Age = 21.4 ± 2.06) & 26 Males (Age = 20.5 ± 2.35). DN significantly reduced pain in the intervention group from NPRS 7 ± 1.30 to 2 ± 0.87 (p < 0.001), but in the control group, the pain increased from NPRS 7 ± 0.99 to 7 ± 1.05 (p = 0.009). There was no improvement in ankle ROM. Conclusion DN effectively alleviated MTSS-associated pain in the short-term but was not effective in improving ankle ROM.

Objective evaluation, using computed tomography, of round window access for cochlear implantation.

The aim of this study was to determine optimal radiological parameters for assessment of the round window approach in cochlear implantation surgery. Patients undergoing cochlear implantation at the Department of Otolaryngology in Szczecin, between 2015 and 2022 inclusive, were eligible for the study. Radiological assessments were performed according to eight parameters (seven proposed in the literature) and visibility clinical assessments were made intra-operatively on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 - not visible, 5 - fully visible). Visibility assessments of the round window niche (RWN) and round window membrane (RWM) allowed the difference (RWN minus RWM) to be used as a clinical assessment of the size of the overhang over the round window. Computed tomography images of 57 ears from 52 patients were analyzed in terms of round window access. The study group included 26 females and 26 males, ranging in age from 1 year to 80 years, with a median age of 41 years. In clinical assessment, round window visibility was rated as 5, after removal of the bone overhang, in 69% of patients. Cochlear access through the round window was achieved in 39 (68%) cases, extended access through the round window in 13 (23%) cases and cochleostomy was performed in 5 (9%) cases. Statistically significant ordinal correlations with round-window access were found using one parameter from the literature (Chen_Angle) and from our proposal (RWM_prediction). From parameters describing the bone overhang of the round window, positive correlations (using Kendall rank tests) were found using parameters from the literature (Sarafraz_OH and Mehanna_OH). Radiological measurements describing access to the round window which determine the angle based on the anatomy of the posterior wall of the auditory canal and the position of the facial nerve were found to be of the highest value. In the future, the use of algorithms for computed tomography evaluation and robot-assisted surgery will require parameters for assessing round window access, for surgery planning and choice of electrode. The parameters proposed by various authors are summarized, allowing researchers to assess their usefulness in further clinical practice.

Surgically targeted radiation therapy versus stereotactic radiation therapy: A dosimetric comparison for brain metastasis resection cavities

BackgroundSurgically targeted radiation therapy (STaRT) with Cesium-131 seeds embedded in a collagen tile is a promising treatment for recurrent brain metastasis. In this study, the biological effective doses (BED) for normal and target tissues from STaRT plans were compared with those of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) modalities. MethodsNine patients (n=9) with 12 resection cavities (RCs) who underwent STaRT (cumulative physical dose of 60 Gy to a depth of 5 mm from the RC edge) were replanned with CyberKnife® (CK), Gamma Knife® (GK), and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) using an SRT approach (30 Gy in 5 fractions). Statistical significance comparing D95% and D90% in BED10Gy (BED10Gy95% and BED10Gy90%) and to RC + 0 to + 5 mm expansion margins, and parameters associated with radiation necrosis risk (V83Gy, V103Gy, V123Gy and V243Gy) to the normal brain were evaluated by a Wilcoxon-signed rank test. ResultsFor RC+0 mm, median BED10Gy90% for STaRT (90.1 Gy10, range: 64.1-140.9 Gy10) was significantly higher than CK (74.3 Gy10, range:59.3-80.4 Gy10, p=0.04), GK (69.4 Gy10, range: 59.8-77.1 Gy10, p=0.005), and IMPT (49.3 Gy10, range: 49.0-49.7 Gy10, p=0.003), respectively. However, for the RC+5 mm, the median BED10Gy90% for STaRT (34.1 Gy10, range: 22.2-59.7 Gy10) was significantly lower than CK (44.3 Gy10, range: 37.8-52.4 Gy10), and IMPT (46.6 Gy10, range: 45.1-48.5 Gy10), respectively but not significantly different from GK (34.1 Gy10, range: 22.8-47.0 Gy10). The median V243Gy was significantly higher in CK (11.7 cc, range: 4.7-20.1 cc), GK(6.2 cc, range: 2.3-11.9 cc) and IMPT (19.9 cc, range: 11.1-36.6 cc) compared to STaRT (1.1 cc, range: 0.0-7.8 cc) (p<0.01). ConclusionThis comparative analysis suggests the STaRT approach may treat recurrent brain tumors effectively via delivery of higher radiation doses with equivalent or greater BED up to at least 3 mm from the RC edge as compared to EBRT approaches.

Inequalities for women diagnosed with distal arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysms: results from the Effective Treatments for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (ETTAA) cohort study.

Women with thoracic aortic aneurysms within the arch or descending thoracic aorta have poorer survival than men. Sex differences in relative thoracic aortic aneurysm size may account for some of the discrepancy. The aim of this study was to explore whether basing clinical management on aneurysm size index (maximum aneurysm diameter/body surface area) rather than aneurysm size can restore equality of survival by sex. The Effective Treatments for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (ETTAA; ISRCTN04044627) study was a prospective, observational cohort study. Adults referred to National Health Service hospitals in England with new/existing arch or descending thoracic aorta aneurysms greater than or equal to 4 cm in diameter were followed from March 2014 to March 2022. Baseline characteristics and survival to intervention and overall were compared for men and women. Survival models were used to assess the association between all-cause survival and sex, with and without adjustment for aneurysm diameter or aneurysm size index. A total of 886 thoracic aortic aneurysm patients were recruited: 321 (36.2%) women and 565 (63.8%) men. The mean(s.d.) aneurysm diameter was the same for women and men (5.7(1.1) versus 5.7(1.2) cm respectively; P = 0.751), but the mean(s.d.) aneurysm size index was greater for women than for men (3.32(0.80) versus 2.83(0.63) respectively; P < 0.001). Women had significantly worse survival without intervention: 110 (34.3%) women and 135 (23.9%) men (log rank test, P < 0.001). All-cause mortality remained greater for women after adjustment for diameter (HR 1.65 (95% c.i. 1.35 to 2.02); P < 0.001), but was attenuated after adjustment for aneurysm size index (HR 1.11 (95% c.i. 0.89 to 1.38); P = 0.359). Similar results were found for all follow-up, with or without intervention, and findings were consistent for descending thoracic aorta aneurysms alone. Guidelines for referral to specialist services should consider including aneurysm size index rather than diameter to reduce inequity due to patient sex.

Clinical Performance Comparison of a Long Versus a Short Axial Field-of-View PET/CT Using EARL-Compliant Reconstructions.

To ensure comparable PET/CT image quality between or within centres, clinical inter-system performance comparisons following European Association of Nuclear Medicine Research Ltd. (EARL) guidelines is required. In this work the performance of the long axial field-of-view Biograph Vision Quadra is compared to its predecessor, the short axial field-of-view Biograph Vision. To this aim, patients with suspected tumour lesions received a single weight-based (3MBq/kg) 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose injection and underwent routine clinical ( 15min) scans on the Vision and 3-min scans on the Quadra in listmode in balanced order. Image quality (IQ), image noise (IN), and tumour demarcation (TD) were assessed visually by four nuclear medicine physicians using a 5-point Likert scale and semiquantitative analysis was performed using standardised uptake values (SUVs). Inter-reader agreement was tested using Wilcoxon's signed rank test and the SUVs were statistically compared using a paired t-test. Twenty patients (meanage, 60years ± 8.8[standard deviation], 16 male) were enrolled. Inter-reader agreement ranged from good to very good for IQ and IN (0.62 ≤ W ≤ 0.81), and fair for TD (0.29 ≤ W ≤ 0.39). Furthermore, a significant difference was found for TD (p = 0.015) between the systems, showing improved TD for the Quadra. This study demonstrates that the Quadra can be used in routine clinical practice with multiple PET/CT systems or in multicentre studies. This system provides comparable diagnostic image quality and semiquantitative accuracy, improved TD, and has the advantage of shorter scan durations.

Technical note: MR image-based synthesis CT for CyberKnife robotic stereotactic radiosurgery.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether deep learning-based sCT images enable accurate dose calculation in CK robotic stereotactic radiosurgery. A U-net convolutional neural network was trained using 2446 MR-CT pairs and used it to translate 551 MR images to sCT images for testing. The sCT of CK patient was encapsulated into a quality assurance (QA) validation phantom for dose verification. The CT value difference between CT and sCT was evaluated using mean absolute error (MAE) and the statistical significance of dose differences between CT and sCT was tested using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. For all CK patients, the MAE value of the whole brain region did not exceed 25HU. The percentage dose difference between CT and sCT was less than ±0.4% on GTV (D2(Gy), -0.29%, D95(Gy), -0.09%), PTV (D2(Gy), -0.25%, D95(Gy), -0.10%), and brainstem (max dose(Gy), 0.31%). The percentage dose difference between CT and sCT for most regions of interest (ROIs) was no more than ±0.04%. This study extended MR-based sCT prediction to CK robotic stereotactic radiosurgery, expanding the application scenarios of MR-only radiation therapy. The results demonstrated the remarkable accuracy of dose calculation on sCT for patients treated with CK robotic stereotactic radiosurgery.

Pengaruh Pemberian Promosi Kesehatan melalui Media Leaflet terhadap Pengetahuan Siswa/I tentang Pencegah Pencegahan TB Paru di SDN Sungai Lulut 8 Banjarmasin

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis germ, which mostly attacks the lungs. The problem of controlling pulmonary tuberculosis has been implemented in many countries since 1995, but it remains a health problem in the community that causes high mortality among infants, children, adolescents, and seniors. One of the government programs in controlling pulmonary tuberculosis is the Joint Movement against tuberculosis in education units, the targets in the program are students, teachers, and education personnel from kindergarten to senior high school by providing health promotion. Data collection conducted by researchers found a health center with the highest incidence of pulmonary TB in children in Banjarmasin city, there is one elementary school closest to the health center. This study aims to provide health promotion through leaflet media on students' knowledge about the prevention of pulmonary tuberculosis at SDN Sungai Lulut 8 Banjarmasin. This study used quantitative research Pre-experimental method with a one group pretest-posttest approach. The population in this study were 199 people. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling with a sample size of 67 students. This research instrument uses a questionnaire. The statistical test used is the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The results show that there is a difference between before and after giving promotion.

Ga68-PSMA PET for lymph node staging in intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer patients undergoing robotic assisted radical prostatectomy.

In intermediate/high risk prostate cancer, preoperative staging exams are mandatory. The aim of these imaging studies is to evaluate eventual lymph nodes involvement and/or metastatic spread of the tumor. Nevertheless, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone scan modalities have controversial sensitivity. Introduction of PET-PSMA and its use also as preoperative exam, seems to improve diagnostic accuracy due to favorable negative predictive value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PET-PSMA as a preoperative staging exam and its accuracy in predicting lymph nodes involvement in intermediate/high risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients. A retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with intermediate/high risk PCa between 2018 and 2022 has been performed. All patients underwent preoperative 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT prior to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) + extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). The cohort was categorized into two groups: pathologically negative lymph nodes (pN0) vs. positive nodes (pN1). A descriptive and comparative analysis was conducted. Correlation analysis between continuous variables was performed using the Spearman's Rank Test. Using lymph nodes histopathological results as reference standard, the diagnostic performance of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT was calculated. Overall, 50 patients were included. The mean age was 63.3 years with a median prostatic specific antigen (PSA) of 7.7 ng/dL. Forty-four percent of the patients exhibited an International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) score of 4 or higher, and 28% had a pT3 stage. Overall, 43 (86%) patients submitted to ePLND did not present lymph node metastases (pN0), while 8 (14%) patients were pN1. PET-PSMA showed low sensitivity in detecting lymph node metastases (25%) while a high specificity in excluding lymph-node disease (88.1%) has been observed. Finally, we noted a significant positive correlation between the total SUV<inf>max</inf> of the prostate and the initial total PSA (r=0.38; P=0.019), as well as the percentage of tumor involvement (r=0.383; P=0.022). Evidence on the role of PET-PSMA in the primary staging of PCa is steadily building up. A positive correlation between SUV and prostate involvement indicates that PET-PSMA could reflect, with a good approximation, the pathological features of the prostate. However, the low sensitivity depicted remains the main limitation. Future prospective studies are needed to determine the impact on patient outcome.

Effect of Infra Low Frequency (ILF) neurofeedback training on EEG in children with autism spectrum disorders.

To investigate whether Infra-low frequency Neurofeedback (ILF-NFB) training can improve brain electrical activity in children with autism spectrum disorders ASD. This single arm pre and post intervention study was carried out at IBMS (Institute of Basic Medical Sciences), Khyber Medical University, Peshawar and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad from January 2021 to December 2022. A purposive sampling technique was used. Thirty-five ASD children (male=24; female=11; 7-17 years) were provided with 30 sessions of infra low frequency (ILF) neurofeedback training for 15-20 minutes, during 10 weeks. Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scoring was done and electroencephalogram (EEG) activity was compared before and after ILF-NF training sessions. Around 62.9% participants had mild-moderate autism and 37.1% had severe autism. Wilcoxon Signed rank test revealed a significant decline in delta (Pre-test=47.31±19.22, Post-test=22.07±6.83; p=<0.001), theta (Pre-test=24.75±16.62, Post-test=12.37±3.59; p=<0.001) and alpha (Pre-test=12.01±9.81, Post-test=4.03±1.61; p=< 0.001) waves. Mann Whitney U test exhibited no significant gender differences in EEG pattern before and after neurofeedback except in theta waves (p=0.03) before the intervention. Decline in delta, theta, beta and alpha waves propose that ILF-NF training can be effective in improving the EEG activity. ILF-NFB can be perceived as a valuable non-invasive, non-pharmacological intervention for improving EEG pattern via reintegration of brain activity resulting in increased the attention and focus, enhanced mental stability and cognitive engagement.

Relationship Between Level of Maternal Knowledge about Nutrition of Pregnant Women with the Incidence of Stunting in Children Under Five

ABSTRACT Stunting can be caused by several factors, including poor nutritional intake during pregnancy in toddlers. Some of them are readiness to become mothers where this is motivated by a very high rate of early marriage. Unpreparedness in facing motherhood can affect perceptions in parenting. This study aims to determine the relationship between the level of maternal knowledge about nutrition of pregnant women with the incidence of stunting in children under five in Sisir Village, Batu City with a cross-sectional analytical descriptive design involving 56 respondents consisting of maternal respondents and toddlers aged 1-5 years with purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected with maternal knowledge level questionnaires during pregnancy and z score graphs. Results: Data analysis using Spearman Rank test with α = 0.05. The results showed that the significance value (sig) or p value was 0.009. Because the value of sig (0.009) &gt; (0.05) with a correlation value of 0.347, the results of the data obtained from respondents mean h0 rejected h1 accepted. There is a relationship between the level of knowledge of parents and the incidence of stunting in toddlers. The results of the study concluded that there is a significant relationship between the level of knowledge of parents and the incidence of stunting in toddlers. Discussion: In Batu city comb sub-district. It is hoped that mothers can try to find knowledge and information related to nutrition and other factors that can cause stunting, and mothers can start paying attention to nutrition during pregnancy for preventive measures against the impact of stunting on the development of the next child at birth. Keywords: Maternal Knowledge, Gestation Period, Incidence Of Stunting

The Effect of Pilates Exercise on Low Back Pain in Pregnant Women in the Second and Third Trimesters at Edelweiss Day Spa

Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of Pilates Exercise on Low Back Pain in pregnant women in the second and third trimesters. Method: Type of quantitative research with a pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest design. The purposive sampling technique obtained a total sample of 32 respondents from pregnant women in the second and third trimesters. Results: After doing Pilates exercise, there were 27 respondents with mild pain (84.4%) and 5 respondents in the no pain category (15.6%). The results of the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test show a p-value of 0.000, so p&lt;0.05 so that Ha is accepted, which means there is an effect of Pilates exercise on the Low Back Pain of pregnant women in the second and third trimesters at Edelweiss Day Spa Klaten. Conclusion: There is an effect of Pilates exercise on the low back pain of pregnant women in the second and third trimesters at Edelweiss Day Spa Klaten

Pengaruh Kombinasi Aromaterapi Lemon dan Air Jahe pada Emesis Gravidarum

Emesis gravidarum is common problem experienced by 50-90% of pregnant women, and 2% of these cases into hyperemesis gravidarum. One of the safe solutions to nausea and vomiting of pregnant women with non-pharmacological therapy of lemon aromatherapy and ginger drink. This study aims to test the effectiveness of a combination of lemon aromatherapy and ginger drink to reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. This research method used quasy experiment, pre-post test control group design. Population was pregnant women at TPMB in Songgon District who experienced nausea and vomiting. This study used consecutive sampling inclusion criteria, 20 people for the treatment group and 20 people in the control group. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test. Before the intervention, the frequency of nausea and vomiting in the study subjects was high. However, after treatment, there was decrease in the frequency of nausea and vomiting. The results of data analysis show a value of P = 0.000, which states that P &lt; 0.05, meaning that there is an effect of giving a combination of lemon aromatherapy and ginger drink on reducing emesis gravidarum in TPMB in the Songgon Banyuwangi sub-district area in 2021. Health workers can use non-pharmacological alternative therapy in the form of combination of lemon aromatherapy and ginger drink as a step to reduce and overcome symptoms of nausea and vomiting. In addition, there is an opportunity to conduct research as one of the safe solutions to overcome nausea and vomiting of pregnant women with other complementary therapies.

Clinical outcomes with utilization of high-potency topical steroids in patients with lichen sclerosus-associated vulvar cancer

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of high-potency topical steroid use on risk of recurrence of lichen sclerosus-associated vulvar cancer. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study evaluating patients with lichen sclerosus (LS)- associated vulvar squamous cell cancer (VSCC). Demographic and clinical outcome data were compared between two comparison groups: patients who received steroids, mainly clobetasol, and patients who did not receive steroids following treatment of LS-related vulvar cancer. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test or chi-square test. Continuous variables were compared using a two-sided student's t-test. Time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival plot and compared using Mantel-Cox log rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression models were conducted to generate hazard ratios for both TTR and OS. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsA total of 49 patients were included, with 36 patients receiving steroid treatment and 13 patients in the expectant management group. The median age of diagnosis was 68. The average BMI was 31.7 +/− 7.0. The median length of follow up was 41 months. The majority of patients were diagnosed with stage I VSCC. There was no difference in demographics or oncologic management of vulvar cancer between the two cohorts. Overall recurrence was decreased among patients who received steroid treatment when compared to patients who did not, 12 patients (33.3%) versus 9 patients (69.2%) respectively (p = 0.048). ConclusionsHigh-potency topical steroid use following treatment of lichen sclerosus-associated vulvar squamous cell carcinoma is associated with decreased risk of recurrence and prolonged median time to recurrence.

Causal inference analysis of the radiologic progression in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

There is limited evidence regarding the causal inference of emphysema and functional small airway disease in the subsequent progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients consisting of two independent cohorts diagnosed with COPD and underwent two serial chest CT scans were included. Total percent emphysema (PRMEmph) and fSAD (PRMfSAD) was quantified via PRM. To investigate the progression of emphysema, we divided COPD patients with PRMEmph < 10% into low and high PRMfSADgroup, matched with similar baseline characteristics, and conducted nonparametric hypothesis tests based on randomization inference using Wilcoxon signed rank test and Huber’s M statistics. In patients with baseline PRMEmph < 10%, there were 26 and 16 patients in the low PRMfSA group and 52 and 64 patients in the high PRMfSA in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. In the both low and high PRMfSAD groups, there were 0.11 and 1.43 percentage point increases (Huber’s M statistic p = 0.016) and 0.58 and 2.09 percentage point increases (p = 0.038) in the proportion of emphysema in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. On the contrary, among patients with baseline PRMfSAD < 20%, there was no significant differences in the interval changes of PRMfSAD between the low and high PRMEmph groups in both cohorts. In COPD patients with low emphysema, group with baseline high PRMfSAD showed greater change of PRMEmph than those with low PRMfSAD in both the derivation and validation cohorts. Imaging-based longitudinal quantitative analysis may provide important evidence that small airway disease precedes emphysema in CT-based early COPD patients.

Population diversity control based differential evolution algorithm using fuzzy system for noisy multi-objective optimization problems

The objective measurements of the real-world optimization problems are mostly subject to noise which occurs due to several reasons like human measurement or environmental factors. The performance of the optimization algorithm gets affected if the effect of noise is higher than the negligible limit. The previous noise handling optimization algorithms use a large population size or multiple sampling at same region which increases the total count of function evaluations, and few methods work for a particular problem type. To address the above challenges, a Differential Evolution based Noise handling Optimization algorithm (NDE) to solve and optimize noisy bi-objective optimization problems is proposed. NDE is a Differential Evolution (DE) based optimization algorithm where the strategies for trial vector generation and the control parameters of DE algorithm are self-adapted using fuzzy inference system to improve the population diversity along the evolution process. In NDE, explicit averaging based method for denoising is used when the noise level is higher than negligible limit. Extending noise handling method enhances the performance of the optimization algorithm in solving real world optimization problems. To improve the convergence characteristics of the proposed algorithm, a restricted local search procedure is proposed. The performance of NDE algorithm is experimented using DTLZ and WFG problems, which are benchmark bi-objective optimization problems. The obtained results are compared with other SOTA algorithm using modified Inverted Generational Distance and Hypervolume performance metrics, from which it is confirmed that the proposed NDE algorithm is better in solving noisy bi-objective problems when compared to the other methods. To further strengthen the claim, statistical tests are conducted using the Wilcoxon and Friedman rank tests, and the proposed NDE algorithm shows significance over the other algorithms rejecting the null hypothesis.

Comparison of chairside rectangular chain retainers and multi-stranded conventional retainers: a randomized controlled trial.

While retention appliances are widely used in orthodontics, there is still no evidence-based consensus regarding the optimal type of appliance or time of retention. To compare chairside rectangular chain retainers, which can be placed in one sitting, with conventional multi-stranded bonded retainers regarding their levels of stability, biological side effects, complications, and patient experiences. A single-centre, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. In total, 48 patients were included in this single-centre, randomized controlled trial conducted in Varberg, Region Halland, Sweden. The patients were randomized to two groups: the chairside rectangular chain retainer group, using the Ortho FlexTech retainer (OFT); and the conventional retainer group, using the 0.0195 Penta One multi-stranded spiral wire (PeO). The primary outcome was Little´s irregularity index (LII) evaluated at debond (T0) and at 3 months (T3) and 12 months (T12). The secondary outcomes were inter-canine distance (ICD), plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI), bleeding on probing (BoP), and caries, evaluated at T0, T3, and T12, as well as patients' perceptions, evaluated at T3 and T12, and technical complications that were registered throughout the study period. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables for inter-group comparisons, and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used for intra-group comparisons. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding LII, biological side effects, technical complications, or patients' experiences. However, there was a small but statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the maintenance of the ICD. Within the OFT group, there was a significant increase in CI, and within the PeO group, there was a significant increase in BoP. In terms of clinical relevance, the chairside rectangular chain retainer and the conventional multi-stranded spiral wire provide similar outcomes with respect to the stability of alignment, biological side-effects, technical complications, and patients' experiences short-term. VGFOUreg-929962. Keywords: Orthodontic retainers; fixed retainers; retention; stability.

Post sterilization of intraoral scan body and the effect it has on the axes and distances between three adjacent implants: in-vitro study

BackgroundThe purpose of this pilot in-vitro study was to assess the effect of sterilization on the intra-implant axis, inter-implant axis, intra-implant distance and inter-implant distance of three implants in a straight line by using laboratory scanner (LBS) versus intra-oral scanner (IOS) with intra-oral scan bodies (ISB). Methods: A printed 3D model with three internal hex analogs in the positions 15#,16#,17# was used. Zirkonzhan (ZZ) intra-oral scan body (ISB), two-piece titanium was used. The ZZ ISBs were scanned by 7 Series dental wings (LBS) and 30 times by Primescan (IOS) pre sterilization and 30 times post sterilization. For each scan (pre and post) stereolithography (STL) file was created and a comparison between all the scans pre sterilization and post sterilization were superimposed on the laboratory scan by using a 3D analyzing software. A Kolmogorov-Smirnov test performed followed by Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests. (p < 0.05) Results: Post sterilization of the ZZ ISB, the mean errors were significantly increased for the inter-implant distances (p < 0.0005), intra-implant distances 1,2,3 (p < 0.0005), intra-implant axis 1,3 (p < 0.0005) and inter-implant axes 13,23 (p < 0.05). In contrast, the mean errors for intra-implant axis 2 (p < 0.0005) and inter-implant axis 12 (p < 0.0005) were significantly reduced. Conclusions: ZZ ISB showed changes in all four parameters after sterilization. The middle ISB had the largest changes in mean error regarding all four parameters. Sterilization process may affect the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the ZZ ISB after three cycles. There is a lack in the literature in this field and there is a need for further studies to explore the effect of sterilization (multiple cycles) on different ISBs and for creating an approved guidelines regarding the amount of sterilization for each ISB in the industry.

Efektivitas Layanan Konseling Kelompok dalam Mengurangi Kecanduan Game Online pada Siswa

The experience of playing online games can make players feel happy and can eventually lead to addiction or dependence. Online game addiction can have an unfavorable impact on several aspects of student life. The purpose of this study is to see the effectiveness of the implementation of group counseling services in reducing online game addiction. This study used a quantitative approach using experimental methods. The research design used is pre-experiment, using a one group pretest and posttest design. The population in this study were phase F students at SMA Negeri 1 Lubuk Basung, the sampling technique used purposive sampling technique, then based on the appropriate criteria, 12 students were obtained who experienced online game addiction. The technique used to collect data is by distributing online game addiction scales, then the results are analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test formula. The results showed that the implementation of group counseling services was effective in reducing online game addiction in students at SMA Negeri 1 Lubuk Basung. In particular, the use of group counseling services can significantly reduce online game addiction.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TIME ECHO VARIATIONS IN THE METABOLITE VALUES MR BRAIN SPECTROSCOPY

Background: MR spectroscopy is an additional sequence to evaluate lesion characteristics in the brain. Time Echo (TE) is crucial for analyzing MR spectroscopy metabolite. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the best TE variations during MR spectroscopy examinations in brain lesions. Method: This research is an experimental quantitative study. Researchers used five samples focusing on the results of head multi-voxel spectroscopy charts with clinical lesions or masses that had been taken twice using TE 35 and TE 144. At each TE in each sample, three voxel areas were measured, namely normal, perilesional, and lesion. Each spectroscopy data result is processed individually through READY View software, automatically producing a spectroscopy graph pattern. The required data in this study is the value of each head spectroscopy metabolism: N-Acetyl Aspartate (NAA), Choline (Cho), Creatine (Cr), Myo-Inositol (MI), Lipids Lactate (LL). All statistical tests used the SPSS v.26 application. Result: Based on Paired T test results, NAA, Cho, Cr, and MI metabolites have p-values that account for 0.779 &gt; 0.05; 0.179 &gt; 0.05; 0.581 &gt; 0.05; and 0.057 &gt; 0.05. Based on the Wilcoxon Sign Rank test, the LL metabolite showed a p-value of 0.460 &gt; 0.05. Conclusion: There is no significant difference between TE 35 ms and TE 144 ms during MR spectroscopy examinations.