RT Method Research Articles

Taguchi's RT method with sparse principal component analysis

Taguchi's RT method with sparse principal component analysis

Prediction of Rainfall Trends using Mahalanobis-Taguchi System

Full comprehension of precipitation patterns is crucially needed, especially in Pekan, a district in Pahang, Malaysia. The area is renowned for its elevated levels of precipitation, making it imperative to precisely categorize and enhance the analysis of rainfall patterns to facilitate effective resource allocation, agricultural productivity, and catastrophe readiness. The variability of rainfall patterns is contingent upon geographical location, necessitating the collection of a comprehensive data set that includes several characteristics that influence precipitation to make reliable predictions. Data were collected from the Vantage Pro2 weather station, which is located on the UMP Pekan campus. This study used the RT method to classify rainfall and T-Method 1 to determine the degree of contribution of each parameter. Significant parameters were validated using a data set from the same type of weather station but in a different district. The results showed that the Mahalanobis-Taguchi Bee Algorithm (MTBA) is more effective than the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System (MTS) in finding the significant parameters, but the parameters were a subset of MTS Teshima. Finally, the validation with T mean-based error (Tmbe) using Mean Absolute Error (MAE) revealed a pattern of errors to provide insight to find the significant parameters of MTS.

Methadone Flexi Dispensing (MFlex) Intelligence System utilizing the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System

Methadone Flexi Dispensing (MFlex) Intelligence System utilizing the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System

Application of Mahalanobis-Taguchi system in Rainfall Distribution

The rainfall time series is often nonlinear and multi-time scale because of hydrology, meteorological, and human activity. Weather stations gather information on a diverse set of parameters on order to monitor and analyses patterns of rainfall. Nevertheless, not all parameters are created equal in terms of its significance or effectiveness in carrying out classification and optimization actions. The objective is to classify rainfall occurrences by the RT method and optimize the parameter selection process by the T method using Mahalanobis-Taguchi system (MTS). The data was collected using Vantage Pro2 weather station at UMPSA Gambang campus and it consists of 16 various parameters. As a results, RT method can classify the data samples in terms of MD for the months of June, October and December by utilizing the, while simultaneously the number of parameters is reduced to only those that substantially contribute to the classification. This brings the total number of parameters decrease from 16 to 8 when compared to the T method. So, this research methods offer a simplified and effective way for analyzing rainfall patterns and optimizing the data gathering processes at weather stations.

Conditional Risk and Predictive Factors Associated with Late Toxicity for Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with External Beam Radiotherapy Alone on Randomized Trial RTOG 0126

Patients with localized prostate cancer (PCA) treated with RT alone have excellent outcomes, making quality of life and minimization of toxicities of great concern. The risk of developing toxicity may evolve with time from treatment which is of interest to patients seen in follow up. The primary objective of this study is to determine the conditional risk of grade 2+ GI or GU toxicity for patients treated with RT. A secondary objective is to determine risk factors associated with the development of late toxicities. We performed a post-hoc analysis of RTOG 0126, which enrolled patients with intermediate risk PCa who were randomized to receive standard dose RT of 70.2 Gy in 39 fractions vs dose escalated dose RT (DE-RT) of 79.2 Gy in 44 fractions. Cumulative incidence was used to calculate risk of grade 2+ GU and grade 2+ GI toxicity at initial time points, as well as for patients who survived 2 years and 5 years without respective grade 2+ toxicity. Risk factors of age, race, urinary incontinence, baseline urinary frequency, acute GU toxicity, treatment arm, RT method (3DCRT vs IMRT), and OAR contouring protocol violation were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling for late GU toxicity. Risk factors of age, race, RT method, acute GI toxicity, DE-RT, RT method, and OAR contouring protocol violation were analyzed for late GI toxicity. One thousand four hundred ninety-nine patients with a median follow up of 8.4 years (range 0.02-13 years) were included for analysis. The conditional cumulative 5-year risk of late grade 2+ GI toxicity at enrollment, 2-, and 5-years of grade 2+GI toxicity free survivorship was 14.7%, 6.2%, and 1.8% respectively. The cumulative 5-year risk of late grade 2+ GU toxicity at enrollment, 2-, and 5-years of late grade 2+ GU toxicity free survivorship was 7.9%, 4.7%, and 2.7% respectively. Initially DE-RT (HR 1.401, 95% CI 1.099-1.787; p = 0.0066), acute GI toxicity (HR 1.962, 95% CI 1.271-2.616; P<0.0001), and black race (HR 0.630, 95% CI 0.4-0.993; p<0.0463) were predictive of late GI toxicity. After two years of 2+ GI toxicity free survivorship, only acute GI toxicity (HR 2.015, 95% CI 1.238-3.279, p<0.0048) remained predictive of late GI toxicity on MVA. DE-RT (HR 1.616, 95% CI 1.187-2.2, p<0.0023), IMRT (HR 0.559, 95% CI 0.389-0.804, p = 0.0017), and urinary frequency at baseline (HR 1.377, 95% CI 1-1.895 p<0.0498) were predictive of late GU toxicity at enrollment. This data suggests that as patients proceed further from completion of EBRT, the conditional risk of late toxicity decreases. The majority of grade 2+ GI and GU toxicities occur in the first two years of treatment and patients who have not had a grade 2+ GU or GI toxicity within the first five years are likely to remain toxicity free. Factors such as presence of baseline urinary dysfunction, presence of acute toxicities, DE-RT, and radiation modality predict for late toxicity. These findings are of relevance for clinicians and patients in the post treatment setting.

Using cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) tools to understand reflecting teams as a process for professional learning

AimsTo explore the views and experiences of educational psychologists (EPs) using Reflecting Teams (RT; see Andersen, 1987) via an online virtual platform, as a new approach to practice within one local authority (LA) educational psychology service (EPS).MethodsThis exploratory research was based on a case study design (Yin, 2018) and, using Engeström’s (1999, 2015) cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) as an analytical tool, sought to capture and explore how members of one LA EPS as a unique social context, used RT in practice via an online meeting platform, over the course of one academic school session. Nine members of the EPS responded to open-ended questions on an online survey after one month of using the RT method. Six EPS members responded to the same survey after ten-months implementation of the RT method. Data were interpreted through thematic analysis (Braun &amp; Clarke, 2006, 2019, 2020) and CHAT, to explore participants’ views and experiences of their RT activity.FindingsCHAT analysis identified seven contradictions in relation to EPs’ perceptions of their Reflecting Teams activity: ‘learning vs. implementing’ (object of activity), ‘stakeholder-oriented vs. practitioner-oriented’ (outcome), ‘protected time’ vs. ‘not enough time’ (rules), ‘equitable participation’ (roles), ‘safety vs. vulnerability’ (roles), ‘actual community vs. ideal community’ (community), and ‘online platforms vs. in-person meetings (tools)’. EPs reported that Reflecting Teams provided: support with complex problems and challenges in EP casework and practice; peer-support from colleagues; and enhanced staff wellbeing. Time, training, resources, distribution of roles and the importance of ensuring a sense of safety, were highlighted as factors that mediated EPs’ experience of the Reflecting Teams method.LimitationsFindings reflect the experiences of a small sample of participants from an EPS in one local context.ConclusionsThe study represents a unique example of the use of Andersen’s (1987) Reflecting Teams method, as an approach to systemic practice and family therapy, applied within the context of EP practice. CHAT provided a valuable framework which offered an insightful and nuanced interpretation of participants’ perceptions and reflections of their engagement in RT as a novel process for professional learning in one LA EPS.

Comparison between relative and absolute quantitative real-time PCR applied to single-cell analyses: Transcriptional levels in a key neuron for long-term memory in the pond snail.

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is a powerful method for measuring nucleic acid levels and quantifying mRNA levels, even in single cells. In the present study, we compared the results of single-cell qPCR obtained by different quantification methods (relative and absolute) and different reverse transcription methods. In the experiments, we focused on the cerebral giant cell (CGC), a key neuron required for the acquisition of conditioned taste aversion in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis, and examined changes in the mRNA levels of 3 memory-related genes, cAMP-response element binding proteins (LymCREB1 and LymCREB2) and CREB-binding protein (LymCBP), during memory formation. The results obtained by relative quantification showed similar patterns for the 3 genes. For absolute quantification, reverse transcription was performed using 2 different methods: a mixture of oligo d(T) primers and random primers (RT method 1); and gene-specific primers (RT method 2). These methods yielded different results and did not show consistent changes related to conditioning. The mRNA levels in the samples prepared by RT method 2 were up to 3.3 times higher than those in samples prepared by RT method 1. These results suggest that for qPCR of single neurons, the efficacy and validity do not differ between relative and absolute quantification methods, but the reverse transcription step critically influences the results of mRNA quantification.

Using Response Times to Enhance the Reliability of Political Knowledge Items: An Application to the 2015 Swiss Post-Election Survey

In this article, I consider the problem of in political knowledge tests. This problem has been made more pressing by the transition of many surveys to online interviewing, opening up the possibility of looking up the correct answers on the internet. Several methods have been proposed to deal with cheating ex-ante, including self-reports of cheating, control for internet browsing, or time limits. Against this background, “response times” (RTs, i.e., the time taken by respondents to answer a survey question) suggest themselves as a post-hoc, unobtrusive means of detecting cheating. In this paper, I propose a procedure for measuring individual-specific and item-specific RTs, which are then used to identify unusually long but correct answers to knowledge questions as potential cases of cheating. I apply this procedure to the post-electoral survey for the 2015 Swiss national elections. My analysis suggests that extremely slow responses to two out of four questions are definitely suspicious. Accordingly, I propose a method for “correcting” individual knowledge scores and examine its convergent and predictive validity. Based on the finding that a simple revised scale of political knowledge has greater validity than the original additive scale, I conclude that the problem of cheating can be alleviated by using the RT method, which is again summarized in the conclusion to ensure its applicability in empirical research.

Simple test method for determination of contribution level of crosslink density by crystalline structure of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) compound

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) has crystalline structures of ethylene sequences and the crystalline regions influence on measurement of crosslink density by swelling method. A simple test method for determination of contribution level of crosslink density by crystalline structure of EVA was developed by employing swelling step at high temperature. Besides normal swelling method at room temperature (D_RT), two novel swelling systems were employed; one is containing high temperature swelling step after drying the free organic ingredients-extracted sample (D_HT) and the other is containing high temperature swelling step without the drying step (ND_HT) in order to dissolve the crystalline regions. Crosslink densities of cured EVA samples measured by the D_RT method were much higher than those by the D_HT and ND_HT ones. The ND_HT method was found to be more efficient for dissolution of the crystalline regions than the D_HT one. Contribution level of the crosslink density by the crystalline structure was obtained by difference in the crosslink densities measured by the D_RT and ND_HT methods, and it was found that the contribution level was about 90%. Influence of co-crosslinker (triallyl isocyanurate, TAC) on the contribution level was also examined.

Shedding light: The importance of reverse transcription efficiency standards in data interpretation

The RNA-to-cDNA conversion step in transcriptomics experiments is widely recognised as inefficient and variable, casting doubt on the ability to do quantitative transcriptomics analyses. Multiple studies have focused on ways to optimise this process, resulting in contradictory recommendations. Here we explore the problem of reverse transcription efficiency using digital PCR and the RT method’s impact on subsequent data analysis. Using synthetic RNA standards, an example experiment is presented, outlining a method to (1) determine relevant efficiency and variability values and then to (2) incorporate this information into downstream analyses as a way to improve the accuracy of quantitative transcriptomics experiments.

Potential formula of an m\u2009\xd7\u2009n globe network and its application

Searching for the explicit solutions of the potential function in an arbitrary resistor network is important but difficult in physics. We investigate the problem of potential formula in an arbitrary m × n globe network of resistors, which has not been resolved before (the previous study only calculated the resistance). In this paper, an exact potential formula of an arbitrary m × n globe network is discovered by means of the Recursion-Transform method with current parameters (RT-I). The key process of RT method is to set up matrix equation and to transform two-dimensional matrix equation into one-dimensional matrix equation. In order to facilitate practical application, we deduced a series of interesting results of potential by means of the general formula, and the effective resistance between two nodes in the m × n globe network is derived naturally by making use of potential formula.

Two-step variable screening method for the Mahalanobis-Taguchi method with small training data

This paper proposes a method that applies the Mahalanobis-Taguchi (MT) method in situations where the number of variables exceeds the number of training samples. In the proposed method, the diagnostic effectiveness of the variables is first evaluated using signal-to-noise (SN) ratio, and the MT method is then applied using only those variables with high diagnostic effectiveness. Accordingly, the variables are selected via a two-step process: (1) variables are selected before creating the unit space and (2) conventional variable selection is carried out using the MT method. The results of experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed method using four different datasets from the UCI Machine Learning Repository indicate that its diagnostic performance is superior to that of the RT method.

Quantification of distinct let-7 microRNA family members by a modified stem-loop RT-qPCR.

Lethal-7 (let-7) microRNA (miRNA) serves a pivotal role in a number of physiological processes and is associated with the occurrence and development of multiple disorders such as cancer. The present study aimed to use a newly developed stem-loop strategy for reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to distinguish let-7 miRNA family members that differ by as little as a single nucleotide. For the miRNAs comprising 16 identical nucleotides at the 5′-end, different stem-loop RT primers were designed and used in RT-qPCR to assess the expression profiles of a panel of let-7 family member miRNAs in human glioblastoma U87 cells. Amplification efficiency was evaluated through correlation analysis between total RNA input and the quantification threshold values. Melting curve profiles were measured to estimate the amplification specificity of the improved stem-loop RT-qPCR compared with those of the poly(A)-tailing method. In addition, the discrimination ability of the modified stem-loop method was examined. Compared with poly(A) tailing, the modified stem-loop RT method was able to specifically reverse transcribe the diverse let-7 miRNA family members followed by accurate quantification, with a theoretical amplification efficiency of ~100%. This modified stem-loop method was able to distinguish miRNAs with a single base difference. This innovative method may be used in the clinical detection of let-7 expression levels in a variety of tumour samples, and may provide valuable data for disease diagnosis and prognostic evaluation. In addition, this method may offer a new avenue for developing particular stem-loop approaches in measuring other miRNAs with little discrepancy.

外科メス操作量計測デバイスによる練習回数に応じた操作特徴のRT法による解析

外科メス操作量計測デバイスによる練習回数に応じた操作特徴のRT法による解析

Parallelized TSM-RT Method for the Fast RCS Prediction of the 3-D Large-Scale Sea Surface by CUDA

In this paper, a parallelized two-scale model-ray tracing (TSM-RT) method is developed for the fast radar cross-section prediction of the 3-D large-scale sea surface by the compute unified device architecture (CUDA). The TSM-RT method is an accelerated RT method, where the sea surface is constructed into a great deal of large triangles, which consist of many small triangles; this is called the two-scale model. For the TSM-RT method, the large triangles are utilized to determine the asymptotical ray paths, while the small triangles are utilized to calculate the scattered far fields. In addition, the CUDA of NVIDIA takes advantage of the graphics processing units (GPUs) for parallel computing, and greatly improves the speed of computation. The scattering field of each ray in the TSM-RT method is calculated independently. Therefore, a parallelization concept, which is based on the CUDA technology, is presented to improve the computational efficiency. The asynchronous transfer and shared memory are used to further improve the speedup factors. Our method is validated by comparing the numerical results with those obtained using a CPU. At the same time, significant speedup factors are achieved compared with the CPU-based TSM-RT.

A feedback constraint optimization method for intensity-modulated radiation therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is able to achieve good target conformance with a limited dose to organs at risk (OARs); however, IMRT increases the irradiation volume and monitor units (MUs) required. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of an IMRT plan with fewer segments and MUs, while maintaining quality in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In the present study, two types of IMRT plan were therefore compared: The direct machine parameter optimization (DMPO)-RT method and the feedback constraint DMPO-RT (fc_DMPO-RT) method, which utilizes compensative feedback constraint in DMPO-RT and maintains optimization. Plans for 23 patients were developed with identical dose prescriptions. Each plan involved synchronous delivery to various targets, with identical OAR constraints, by means of 7 coplanar fields. The average dose, maximum dose, dose-volume histograms of targets and the OAR, MUs of the plan, the number of segments, delivery time and accuracy were subsequently compared. The fc_DMPO-RT exhibited superior dose distribution in terms of the average, maximum and minimum doses to the gross tumor volume compared with that of DMPO-RT (t=62.7, 20.5 and 22.0, respectively; P<0.05). The fc_DMPO-RT also resulted in a smaller maximum dose to the spinal cord (t=7.3; P<0.05), as well as fewer MUs, fewer segments and decreased treatment times than that of the DMPO-RT (t=6.2, 393.4 and 244.3, respectively; P<0.05). The fc_DMPO-RT maintained plan quality with fewer segments and MUs, and the treatment time was significantly reduced, thereby resulting in reduced radiation leakage and an enhanced curative effect. Therefore, introducing feedback constraint into DMPO may result in improved IMRT planning. In nasopharyngeal carcinoma specifically, feedback constraint resulted in the improved protection of OARs in proximity of targets (such as the brainstem and parotid) due to sharp dose distribution and reduced MUs.

1P1-D06 双方向力覚計測型外科メス用ハプティックレコーダによるナイフ形状別の切離手技のRT法を用いた分析

With the objective of developing a system for surgical scalpel cutting skill training, an experiment system, Bidirectional Force Measurement Haptic Recorder was built. Experiment was conducted with the purpose of quantifying the skill difference between the repetitions of trials and shapes of the blade. RT method was applied to evaluate the force and torque sensor data between the conditions. Results showed that difference can be noticeable at the beginning and the end of the round edge knife and throughout the sharp point knife. Certain interval period were found to have clear difference that may be used as discriminant feature for determining the skill. However, the pilot test was conducted on limited material and subject, and therefore, further tests are required to confirm the discussion on multiple condition and evaluated with skilled surgeons performance data.

A qRT-PCR Method for Determining the Biodistribution Profile of a miR-34a Mimic.

MRX34 has recently entered the clinic as the first therapeutic product based on a microRNA (miRNA) mimic. In order to measure drug concentrations in vivo, a quantitation method is needed that exhibits high precision, accuracy, and robustness. While most clinical applications for oligonucleotide therapeutics involve methods based on hybridization assays and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a less well-described approach. Here, we present an RT, qPCR, and analysis method to determine the tissue biodistribution of endogenous as well as a therapeutic, exogenous miRNA mimic therapeutic. Assay performance is demonstrated on multiple tissues from nonhuman primates dosed with MRX34.

Effect of different irrigation and tillage methods on yield and resource use efficiency of boro rice (Oryza sativa)

An experiment was carried out in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) farm during 2010-11 to evaluate yield and resource use efficiency of transplanted boro rice under two tillage and three irrigation methods. Two tillage methods viz., conventional tillage with puddle transplanted rice and reduced tillage unpuddled transplanted rice and three irrigation methods viz., sprinkler irrigation, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and flood irrigation were used as treatment variables. Grain yield was 7.62% higher in sprinkler and 4.72% higher in AWD irrigation method over flood irrigation method. Irrespective of tillage methods, reduced tillage method holds 4.62% higher yield production over conventional tillage method. Water use efficiency was found highest in sprinkler irrigation method (0.83 kg/m3) and in reduced tillage method (0.773 kg/m3). Labour required for land preparation was 15 md/ha in reduced tillage, whereas it was 38 md/ha in conventional tillage method. Seedling uprooting and transplanting required higher labour in reduced tillage method over conventional tillage. Fuel consumptions (49.78 l/ha) and electricity (3475.11 Kwhr/ha) was also less in reduced tillage method. Reduced tillage had less land preparation and fuel cost over conventional tillage method. But seedling uprooting and transplanting cost was higher in reduced tillage. Irrigation and total cost of production was 7753 Tk./ha and 69972 Tk./ha in Sprinkler × RT method. Benefit cost ratio was also higher in sprinkler irrigation (1.81) and reduced tillage method (1.82). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i1.20165 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(1): 151-163, March 2014

Comparison between radiotracer and surface profile methods for the determination of dentifrice abrasivity

This study compared the traditional radiotracer method (Rt) for determination of dentifrice abrasivity to the recently introduced surface profile (Sp) method (ISO 11609). Specimens from human root dentin were prepared for each method and randomly assigned to 8 dentifrice/abrasive groups (n=8), of wide abrasivity range. Aqueous dentifrice slurries or abrasive suspensions were used to brush specimens in a toothbrushing machine. Two independent studies (Rt, Sp) were carried out. For Rt, the specimen preparation, study design, analysis and calculation of the dentifrice abrasive level (RDA) followed the ISO 11609/Annex-A guidelines. Similarly for Sp, the ISO 11609/Annex-B recommendations were followed, except by the number of brushing strokes, which was pre-determined to be 2000 strokes. RDA data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). The correlation between methods was also investigated. Overall, higher variation and RDA values were observed for Sp compared to Rt. While good correlation was found between methods (R2=0.841), group ranking was dissimilar and better statistical differentiation among groups was observed in Rt. The Rt method showed to be a more standardized and robust method compared to Sp for the determination of RDA values of dentifrices/abrasives. Sp needs further development before being considered as an equivalent method to Rt.