Significant Discrepancies Research Articles

CLEAR guideline for radiomics: Early insights into current reporting practices endorsed by EuSoMII

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate current reporting practices in radiomics research, with a focus on CheckList for EvaluAtion of Radiomics research (CLEAR). MethodsWe conducted a citation search using Google Scholar to collect original research articles on radiomics citing the CLEAR guideline up to June 17, 2024. We examined the adoption of the guideline, adherence scores per publication, item-wise adherence rates, and self-reporting practices. An expert panel from the European Society of Medical Imaging Informatics Radiomics Auditing Group conducted a detailed item-by-item confirmation analysis of the self-reported CLEAR checklists. ResultsOut of 100 unique citations from 104 records, 48 original research papers on radiomics were included. The overall adoption rate in the literature was 2 %. Among the citing articles, 94 % (45/48) adopted CLEAR for reporting purposes, applying it to both hand-crafted radiomics (89 %) and deep learning (24 %). Self-reported checklists were included in 58 % (26/45) of these papers. Median study-wise adherence score for self-reported data was 91 % (interquartile range = 18 %). Mean confirmed adherence score was 66 % (standard deviation = 14 %). Difference between these scores was statistically significant, (mean = 21 %; standard deviation = 11 %), p < 0.001. Using an arbitrary 50 % adherence cut-off, the number of items with poor adherence increased from 3 to 15 after confirmation analysis, mostly comprised of open science-related items. In addition, several items were frequently misreported. ConclusionThis study revealed significant discrepancies between self-reported and confirmed adherence to the CLEAR guideline in radiomics research, indicating a need for improved reporting accuracy and verification practices.

Parental awareness on myopia prevention and control among 350 children

AIM: To understand the current situation of parental perspectives, knowledge, and practices concerning myopia prevention and control for both pre- and school-aged children. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey that involved children aged 0 to 15y and their parents. Participants were required to respond to an online questionnaire by scanning a quick response (QR) code. The questionnaire consisted of 25 tick-box questions and was open to response from December 22, 2022, to January 5, 2023. The dioptric traits of the children, the visual status and educational background of the parents, the parental perspectives towards myopia and its risks, and the parents' knowledge and practices related to myopia prevention and control were recorded and measured. The Chi-square test and binomial logistic regression were used for statistics. RESULTS: Totally 350 parents responded to the questionnaire. The prevalence and severity of myopia among the surveyed children exhibited a positive correlation with advancing age (P&amp;#x003C;0.001 and P=0.004, respectively). Nearly half of parents with myopic children considered myopia did not pose any health threat and could be effectively corrected (P&amp;#x003C;0.001). Parents who held master's or doctoral degree demonstrated a better understanding of children's vision standards for each age group (P=0.001), and 31.63% of them could undergo initial vision screening for their children during the age of 0 to 3y while parents with bachelor's degree (34.04%) and below (32.43%) mainly initiated the vision examination for their children at the age of 4 to 6y (P=0.05). Parents with master's or doctoral degree also exhibited more rational practices concerning outdoor time (P=0.048) and sleep time (P=0.044). No other significant discrepancy among the different educational groups in additional conceptions of myopia, such as hyperopia reserve, axis length, and corneal curvature alterations. Most parents preferred to employ conventional interventions, such as enhancing indoor lighting condition (80.00%) and ensuring appropriate reading posture and distance (71.71%). CONCLUSION: The current status of parental knowledge and practices about myopia prevention and control remains outdated and deficient. The administrative department should implement efficacious and adaptable measures to enhance parental awareness and foster their commitment towards myopia prevention and control.

Comprehensive characterization of invasive mammary carcinoma with lobular features: integrating morphology and E-cadherin immunohistochemistry patterns.

Breast cancer treatment prioritizes molecular subtypes over histologic types. However, considering the unique biological behavior of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), its diagnosis is crucial for patient management. Therefore, this study aimed to review breast cancer cases, focusing on the E-cadherin patterns and lobular morphology of cases misclassified in the original reports. A comprehensive review was conducted on 481 breast cancer biopsy cases diagnosed as invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (IBC-NST) or ILC with E-cadherin staining. These cases were categorized into six groups based on tumor morphology (ductal/lobular) and E-cadherin expression pattern (membranous/loss/aberrant): (1) ductal/membranous, (2) lobular/loss, (3) lobular/aberrant, (4) mixed, (5) ductal/loss or aberrant, and (6) lobular/membranous. In 211 cases (43.8%), an E-cadherin pattern indicating ILC (loss and aberrant) was observed alongside lobular morphology, representing 5.52% of all breast cancer biopsies during the relevant period. Moreover, 181 cases (37.6%) showed a membranous pattern with ductal morphology, 4 (0.8%) were mixed IBC-NST and ILC, and 85 (17.7%) exhibited discordance between morphology and E-cadherin expression. Notably, only 25.9% (15/58) of cases in group 3, characterized by aberrant E-cadherin patterns, were initially diagnosed as ILC, highlighting a significant diagnostic discrepancy. In group 6, where membranous E-cadherin pattern was present with lobular morphology, only 3.4% (2/58) were diagnosed as ILC in the original reports, indicating diagnostic challenges in morphology and immunohistochemistry discordance. Similarly, in group 5, which had ductal morphology with loss or aberrant E-cadherin expression, the initial diagnosis rate of IBC-NST was 33.3% (9/27), reflecting the complexities in interpreting discordant cases. In real-world practice, diagnosing ILC often heavily depends on E-cadherin results. This study emphasizes the need for diagnostic clarification in cases with discordance between morphology and E-cadherin patterns.

EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF TRANSCUTANEOUS VERSUS SERUM BILIRUBIN MEASUREMENTS IN MANAGING NEONATAL JAUNDICE IN PRETERM INFANTS

Objective: Managing neonatal jaundice effectively in preterm infants is crucial due to their increased vulnerability to bilirubin-induced neurological disorders. This study evaluates the efficacy of transcutaneous (TcB) versus serum bilirubin (TSB) measurements in this context. Methods: A total of 100 preterm neonates undergoing treatment for jaundice were assessed using both TcB and TSB measurements before, during, and after phototherapy. The study conducted paired t-tests and correlation analyses to evaluate the agreement between these two methods. Results: Before phototherapy, there was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.8319) between TcB and TSB, with a statistically significant mean difference (p = 0.0001). During phototherapy, TcB measurements were consistently lower than TSB, indicating significant discrepancies. The differences highlighted the influence of clinical interventions like phototherapy on the accuracy of TcB readings. Conclusion: The study validates transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB) as a non-invasive, effective alternative for jaundice monitoring in preterm infants. Despite some discrepancies with traditional serum bilirubin (TSB) measurements during phototherapy, the integration of TcB can decrease the reliance on invasive procedures. This research supports the potential of TcB to replace serum assessments, promoting a less stressful clinical experience for neonates while maintaining accuracy in therapeutic decisions. Future advancements are encouraged to enhance TcB measurement techniques to align more closely with serum bilirubin levels.

Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility

Purpose: Over the past 40–50 years, demographic shifts and the obesity epidemic have coincided with significant changes in lifestyle habits, including a rise in excessive alcohol consumption. This increase in alcohol intake is a major public health concern due to its far-reaching effects on human health, particularly on metabolic processes and male reproductive function. This narrative review focuses on the role of alcohol consumption in altering metabolism and impairing testicular function, emphasizing the potential damage associated with both acute and chronic alcohol intake. Conclusion: Chronic alcohol consumption has been shown to disrupt liver function, impair lipid metabolism, and dysregulate blood glucose levels, contributing to the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related systemic diseases. In terms of male reproductive health, alcohol can significantly affect testicular function by lowering testosterone levels, reducing sperm quality, and impairing overall fertility. The extent of these effects varies, depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of alcohol use, with chronic and abusive consumption posing greater risks. The complexity of alcohol’s impact is further compounded by individual variability and the interaction with other lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and physical activity. Despite growing concern, research on alcohol’s effects remains inconclusive, with significant discrepancies across studies regarding the definition and reporting of alcohol consumption. These inconsistencies highlight the need for more rigorous, methodologically sound research to better understand how alcohol consumption influences metabolic and reproductive health. Ultimately, a clearer understanding is essential for developing targeted public health interventions, particularly in light of rising alcohol use, demographic changes, and the ongoing obesity crisis.

Environmental study delays in Nepal: A comparison with India and Bangladesh and policy recommendations

This research examines the environmental approval process in Nepal and compares it with those in India and Bangladesh, focusing on the time taken to complete the assessment of environmental study reports. The study conducts three levels of analysis. First, the policy review outlines all relevant environmental policies and laws, highlighting key provisions related to approval timelines. While not every step of the environmental study process has a mandated time frame, the legal time limits for report forwarding and approval are explicitly defined. Second, statistical analysis reveals a significant discrepancy between the statutory and actual approval times. While the legal mandate is just 35 days for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), assessing a report actually takes 339 days on average. The trend line reveals that the average time taken is decreasing. However, it is still much higher than India’s average EIA approval time of 64 days. Third, through a comparative analysis of eighteen different components of the environmental assessment process, this paper identifies the possible factors contributing to the delays, such as ambiguous jurisdiction, lack of nodal agency, lack of integrated guidelines, high centralization, and no use of e-governance. This paper also compares the thresholds that trigger the environmental study across eight sectors for three countries and finds that Nepal’s thresholds are narrower than India’s and comparable to Bangladesh’s. Recommendations made include clarifying jurisdictional roles, developing integrated guidelines, establishing specialized nodal agencies, and implementing digital systems. Overall, this research attempts to address flaws in Nepal’s environmental assessment system, offering solutions for efficient environmental regulation and improving the business environment in Nepal.

Electrochemical nucleation and growth kinetics: insights from single particle scanning electrochemical cell microscopy studies.

The kinetics of particle nucleation and growth are critical to a wide variety of electrochemical systems. While studies carried out at the single particle level are promising for improving our understanding of nucleation and growth processes, conventional analytical frameworks commonly employed in bulk studies may not be appropriate for single particle experiments. Here, we present scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) studies of Ag nucleation and growth on carbon and indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. Statistical analyses of the data from these experiments reveal significant discrepancies with traditional, quasi-equilibrium kinetic models commonly employed in the analysis of particle nucleation in electrochemical systems. Time-dependent kinetic models are presented capable of appropriately analysing the data generated via SECCM to extract meaningful chemical quantities such as surface energies and kinetic rate constants. These results demonstrate a powerful new approach to the analysis of single particle nucleation and growth data which could be leveraged in differentiating behavior within spatially heterogeneous systems.

Reconstruction of 30 m Land Cover in the Qilian Mountains from 1980 to 1990 Based on Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Networks

Long time series of annual land cover with fine spatio-temporal resolutions play a crucial role in studying environmental climate change, biophysical modeling, carbon cycling models, and land management. Despite a strong consistency exhibited by several publicly available medium to fine resolution global land cover datasets, significant discrepancies exist at the regional scale; moreover, only every 5/10 year land cover were available. Consequently, high-quality annual land cover datasets before 2000 are unavailable in China. In this study, we proposed a deep learning-based method by integrating multiple remote sensing data from different platforms with historical high spatial resolution land cover datasets (CNLUCC) to derive the 30 m annual land cover maps from 1980 to 1990 for Qilian Mountain. First, the super-resolution generative adversarial network models for upscaling the 5.5 km AVHRR NDVI to 250 m were established by employing the AVHRR and MODIS NDVI data with the same year as input, and the early time series AVHRR NDVI data were subsequently upscaled to 250 m through the above models. Second, the breaks for the additive seasonal and trend (BFAST) change detection algorithm was applied to the upscaled time series NDVI data to detect the change time of different land cover types. Third, the CNLUCC data in 1980 and 1990 were updated to annual land cover datasets from 1980 to 1990 and the annual mapping results provided insights into the dynamic processes of urbanization, deforestation, water bodies, and farmland from 1980 to 1990. Finally, comprehensive analysis and validation were carried out for evaluation and an overall accuracy of 77.26% for the land cover product in 1986 was achieved.

Comprehensive evaluation of nine evapotranspiration products from remote sensing, gauge upscaling and land surface model over China.

Benefiting from the advancements in monitoring and measuring terrestrial evapotranspiration (ET), diverse ET products have been proliferated. This study evaluated nine ET products from three types, namely remote sensing-based retrievals (GLEAM, PML and PLSH), gauge-based upscaling (FCCRU, FCGSW and FCWFD) and land surface model-based reanalysis (ERA5-Land, GLDAS and MERRA) over China and its seven climate zones. Both spatial and temporal change trends in ET were investigated, and period feature were analyzed. Then, in-situ ET observations were used for validating the performances of ET products. The results demonstrate that all products show comparable performances in spatial distribution over China, but the mean ET values present evident discrepancies (433-563 mm/a). Among them, reanalysis ET products reproduce higher ET, but with less difference. In terms of climate sub-regions, the most significant discrepancies are located in QT. In addition, PLSH, MERRA and GLDAS present substantial increasing trends, while all three gauge-based upscaling ET products display decreasing trends. Regionally, all the ET products show positive trends in QT. Moreover, most of ET products present apparent periodic oscillation ranging from 2.0-5.5 year scales. At point scale, most ET products perform well at NMG and CBS sites (CC > 0.80, RMSE < 20 mm/month). However, general underestimations appear in northwestern China sites (HB and DX), and systematical overestimation exist in southern China sites (DHS and XSBN). By comparison, remote sensing-based ET products performs best, followed by gauge-based upscaling ET, comparatively, reanalysis-based ET products have poorest performances against in-situ ET observations. This study can provide valuable reference information for the selection of proper ET datasets for the hydrological simulation and analysis over China.

Development and Evaluation of Machine Learning Models for Air-to-Land Temperature Conversion Using the Newly Established Kunlun Mountain Gradient Observation System

Mountainous land types are characterized by a scarcity of observational data, particularly in remote areas such as the Kunlun Mountains, where conventional Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) typically do not record land surface temperature (LST) data. This study aims to develop and evaluate models for converting air temperature (TA) to LST using newly established meteorological station data from the Kunlun Mountain Gradient Observation System, thereby providing time-continuous LST data for AWSs. We constructed a conceptual model to explore the relationship between 1.5 m TA and LST and instantiated it using three machine learning algorithms: Support Vector Machine (SVR), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and CatBoost. The results demonstrated that the CatBoost algorithm outperformed the others under complex terrain and climatic conditions, achieving a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.997 and the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.627 °C, indicating superior robustness and accuracy. Consequently, CatBoost was selected as the optimal model. Additionally, this study analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of cloud cover in the Kunlun Mountain region using the MOD11A1 product and assessed the uncertainties introduced by the 8-day average compositing method of the MOD11A2 product. The results revealed significant discrepancies between the monthly average LST derived from polar-orbiting satellites and the hourly composite monthly LST measured on-site or under ideal cloud-free conditions. These differences were particularly pronounced in high-altitude regions (4000 m and above), with the greatest differences occurring in winter, reaching up to 10.2 °C. These findings emphasize the importance of hourly LST calculations based on AWSs for accurately assessing the spatiotemporal characteristics of LST in the Kunlun Mountains, thus providing more precise spatiotemporal support for remote sensing applications in high-altitude regions.

Performance of LDL-C only compared to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Score for screening of familial hypercholesterolaemia: the Austrian experience and literature review.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a severely underdiagnosed, inherited disease, causing dyslipidaemia and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In order to facilitate screening in a broad clinical spectrum, we aimed to analyse the current yield of routine genetic diagnostics for FH and to evaluate the performance of the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Score (DLCNS) compared to a single value, the off-treatment LDL-cholesterol exceeding 190 mg/dL. We investigated all patients that underwent molecular genotyping routinely performed for FH over a 4-year period in two Austrian specialist lipid clinics. Variants reported in FH-causing genes including LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP, and APOE were collected and classified. For clinical classification, the DLCNS was calculated retrospectively and compared to the original scores documented in patient charts. Additionally, a literature review on comparisons of DLCNS to LDL-C was performed. Of 469 patients tested, 21.3% had a disease-causing variant. A median of 3 out of 8 (excluding genotyping results and LDL-C) DLCNS criteria were unavailable. DLCNS was documented in 48% of cases, with significant discrepancies compared to retrospective scoring (P < 0.001). DLCNS did not outperform off-treatment LDL-C alone (Δ = 0.006; P = 0.660), analogously to several reports identified in the literature. A single cut-off of 190 mg/dL LDL-C compared to DLCNS ≥ 6 showed excellent sensitivity (84.9% vs. 53.8%) and acceptable specificity (39.0% vs. 84.1%). Missing criteria and severe discrepancies observed between retrospective and on-site scoring by treating physicians were highly prevalent, confirming limited utility of DLCNS in clinical routine and warranting a single off-treatment LDL-C cut-off of 190 mg/dL for enhanced index-case identification.

Review of the Seasonal Wastewater Challenges in Baltic Coastal Tourist Areas: Insights from the NURSECOAST-II Project

The NURSECOAST-II project addresses the challenge of managing wastewater in near-coastal tourist destinations around the Baltic Sea, particularly from small treatment plants (&lt;2000 PE) that experience fluctuating flows due to seasonal tourism. These fluctuations make it difficult to meet environmental standards, potentially harming both the environment and tourism. The project has created a GIS-based inventory of small wastewater treatment plants within 100 km of the coast. This inventory includes crucial operational data like flow rates, pollutant levels, and treatment technologies. Initial findings reveal significant discrepancies in data management, regulations, and treatment standards across the Baltic Sea region countries, as EU legislation does not uniformly cover plants under 2000 PE. Key findings highlight that small treatment plants are often undocumented, their environmental impact underestimated, and regulations vary widely. Small plants can significantly contribute to nutrient pollution, affecting the Baltic Sea, particularly in local areas. The data gathered will support local authorities in identifying gaps and improving management strategies. This study stresses the need for harmonized data collection and reporting methods across countries and suggests establishing a unified database accessible to both specialists and the public. The status of the collected data depending on the type of data and country was as follows: 38.11% from Denmark, 46.14% from Estonia, 26.36% from Finland, 15.56% from Germany, 23.47% from Latvia, 34.77% from Lithuania, 14.51% from Poland, and 45.40% from Sweden. Ultimately, this project aims to enhance wastewater management, protect the environment, and improve tourist satisfaction in coastal regions.

Abstract 4136398: Gender Disparities Absent in Citation Metrics and Online Attention Across Thoracic Surgery Publications

Introduction: A recent study by Women As One highlighted the prevalence of “MANuscripts” (publications authored solely by men) and their potential impact on equity in academic promotions within cardiology. The study revealed notable differences in citation rates and online attention between publications in cardiology journals led by male and female authors. To further explore these disparities, we examined publications in prominent thoracic surgery journals. Hypothesis: Thoracic surgery publications where women hold key authorship roles (primary and senior) receive lower citations and online attention compared to those with men as leading authors. Methods: We analyzed data from peer-reviewed publications in 2019 from two high-impact thoracic surgery journals: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Citation metrics and Altmetric Attention Scores (AAS) were sourced from Google Scholar paired with the Altmetric Google Chrome extension. Citation rates, AAS, and names of primary and senior authors were manually collected between September 22, 2023 and December 21, 2023. The genders of key authors were determined using Genderize, a gender-determination software, supplemented by manual searches for authors not detected by the software. A minimal number of publications were excluded if either their AAS or citation metrics were unavailable. Significant differences in the data were analyzed using one-sided Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results: Of the 1,482 authors included in the analysis, 18.4% were females in primary or senior roles. Our analysis found no significant differences in citation rates or AAS between male and female primary authors (p=0.09 and p=0.31, respectively), or between male and female senior authors (p=0.48 and p=0.38, respectively). Furthermore, after combining the data of male primary and senior authors and comparing it to the combined data of female primary and senior authors, no significant discrepancies were found for both citations (p=0.13) and AAS (p=0.28). Conclusion: Contrary to analyses of cardiology journals, our data from thoracic surgery articles does not indicate a gender disparity between male and female authors in terms of citations and online attention. While this does not definitively rule out the presence of inequity in thoracic surgery research, it suggests that male-authored manuscripts may not be a primary source of gender disparity in this field.

An Indicator Based on Spatial Coordinate Information for Assessing the Capability for Dynamic Machining Performance of Five-Axis Flank Milling

As a spatial coordinate sensor, the touch-trigger on-machine probe is a key equipment in manufacturing that ensures machining quality, and it has played an important role in five-axis flank milling. However, in flank milling, the utilization of the deviation as a conventional indicator for quality assessment of the machining performance is incomprehensive without considering the characteristics of the machining method. In this paper, the error mutual moment is introduced as an indicator to assess the capability for dynamic machining performance of the machine tool in flank milling based on the spatial coordinate information of the touch-trigger on-machine probe considering the characteristic of the error distribution of the flank milling. Experiments are carried out to validate the advantages of the error mutual moment to assess the capability for dynamic machining performance compared with the deviation. Results show that the error mutual moment shows more significant discrepancies than the deviation in assessing the capability for dynamic machining performance of flank milling. The error mutual moment has the potential to be applied as a quality assessment sensor.

Abstract 4118641: Trend, Survival, and Disparity Analysis of Heart Transplantation in a Single Large Transplant Center

Background: In the landscape of organ transplantation, heart transplantation stands as a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage heart failure. Comprehensive analyses of transplant programs are imperative to optimize outcomes and understand the complexities. Hypothesis: This study hypothesizes that an increasing trend of heart transplant service and short-term mechanical circulatory support (STMCS) is the bridge to transplant; the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) guideline positively impacts STMCS utilization. Even with the standard of care, there might be a disparity in receiving care in terms of gender and race. Goal/ Aims: By examining this center's collective experience, this research provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of heart transplantation, ultimately contributing to advancements in patient care and transplant policy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study includes heart transplant patients in a single large transplant center. For statistical analysis, Cox regression, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal Wallis, and Chi-Square test were used in IBM SPSS 25. Result: Trends: This retrospective study covering 2010 to 2022 comprehensively analyzed 1513 heart transplant patients. The cohort consisted of 1071 (70.78%) males and 442 (29.21%) females, 31.9% were bridged through STMCS. 76.7% of Caucasian and 16.1% were African American.The mean utilization of STMCS was 20.08% before the UNOS policy change, increasing to 53.81% after that (p &lt; 0.001). Disparity Analysis: There was a statistically significant difference in STMCS utilization between white and black patients (p= 0.008) but no difference in between obese and non-obese cohorts (P=0.362).Wait time was similar among the genders (p=0.161) and different races (p=0.302). Survival Analysis: There is a significant survival discrepancy between patients bridged through MCS and those without STMCS(p&lt; 0.001). However, yearly trend analysis showed an evolving survival trajectory favoring STMCS users. There are statistically significant survival differences among whites and blacks (P =0.008) but similar among the genders (p=0.589). Summary: The study reveals significant changes in the trend of transplants regarding STMCS utilization since the UNOS guideline. There are substantial differences in survival between STMCS vs. non-STMCS groups and among the races.There was a significant difference in STMCS utilization among the races.

CO₂ sequestration and soil improvement in enhanced rock weathering: A review from an experimental perspective

AbstractEnhanced rock weathering (ERW) is an emerging negative emission technology (NET) with significant potential for mitigating climate change and improving soil health through the accelerated chemical weathering of silicate minerals. This study adopts a critical research approach to review existing ERW experiments, focusing on the mechanisms of soil improvement and CO₂ sequestration, as well as the economic costs and environmental risks associated with its large‐scale implementation. The results demonstrate that while ERW effectively enhances soil pH and provides essential nutrients for crops, its CO₂ sequestration capacity is highly dependent on variables such as soil type, rock type, application rate, and particle size. Furthermore, the economic feasibility of ERW is challenged by high costs related to mining, grinding, and transportation, and environmental risks posed by the release of heavy metals like Ni and Cr during the weathering process. Notably, significant discrepancies exist between laboratory experiments and field applications, highlighting the need for extensive in‐situ monitoring and adjustment of ERW practices. This study underscores the importance of optimizing ERW strategies to maximize CO₂ sequestration while minimizing environmental impacts. Future research should focus on long‐term field experiments, understanding secondary mineral formation, and refining the application techniques to enhance the overall efficiency and sustainability of ERW. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Clinical Outcome and Quality of Life after Modular Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Comparison with Joint-Preserving Locking Plate Osteosynthesis in Aged Patients: A Retrospective Comparison Study.

Proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) show a high incidence in aged patients. While nondisplaced fractures achieve good results by conservative treatment, surgical procedures are discussed controversially. Next to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), the primary use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has become increasingly important. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical function, activities of daily living (ADL), as well as pain assessment in patients with PHFs, treated by ORIF or RSA. A retrospective comparison study was assessed. From November 2011 to March 2016, 34 patients (17 matched pairs) that had undergone either ORIF or RSA of the proximal humerus, were included in this study. Pain was measured by numeric rating scale (NRS). ADL were obtained by Katz-Index and SF-12. Moreover, shoulder function was assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS). The maximum range of motion (ROM) was also recorded. From November 2011 to March 2016, 34 patients (17 matched pairs) that had undergone either ORIF (Figure or RSA of the proximal humerus) were included in this study. For statistical analyses, Student's t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Chi-Quadrat test were used. Statistical significance was indicated with p < 0.05. Totally 34 patients with an average age of 76.6 years were included. Surgical treatment was performed on average 5.2 days after diagnosis, differing significantly between the two groups (RSA/ORIF: 6.9/3.5 days) The operation time of RSA (97 min) was significantly longer than for ORIF (78 min). Pain assessment, as well as the Katz-Index and the SF-12, showed no significant differences. Moreover, clinical shoulder function showed no significant discrepancies between the two surgical techniques. Aged patients with PHFs treated with RSA display similar results regarding clinical function, ADL as well as pain perception compared with ORIF. However, revision surgery rate was lower in patients who underwent RSA. Thus, the surgical treatment of PHFs by RSA represents an excellent alternative, especially with regard to an aging patient population.

Evaluating the performance and clinical decision-making impact of ChatGPT-4 in reproductive medicine.

ChatGPT, a sophisticated language model developed by OpenAI, has the potential to offer professional and patient-friendly support. We aimed to assess the accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT-4 in answering questions related to knowledge, management, and support within the field of reproductive medicine. ChatGPT-4 was used to respond to queries sourced from a domestic attending physician examination database, as well as to address both local and international treatment guidelines within the field of reproductive medicine. Each response generated by ChatGPT-4 was independently evaluated by a trio of experts specializing in reproductive medicine. The experts used four qualitative measures-relevance, accuracy, completeness, and understandability-to assess each response. We found that ChatGPT-4 demonstrated extensive knowledge in reproductive medicine, with median scores for relevance, accuracy, completeness, and comprehensibility of objective questions being 4, 3.5, 3, and 3, respectively. However, the composite accuracy rate for multiple-choice questions was 63.38%. Significant discrepancies were observed among the three experts' scores across all four measures. Expert 1 generally provided higher and more consistent scores, while Expert 3 awarded lower scores for accuracy. ChatGPT-4's responses to both domestic and international guidelines showed varying levels of understanding, with a lack of knowledge on regional guideline variations. However, it offered practical and multifaceted advice regarding next steps and adjusting to new guidelines. We analyzed the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT-4's responses on the management of reproductive medicine and relevant support. ChatGPT-4 might serve as a supplementary informational tool for patients and physicians to improve outcomes in the field of reproductive medicine.

Evaluating the effectiveness of AI-powered UrologiQ's in accurately measuring kidney stone volume in urolithiasis patients.

Kidney stones and urolithiasis are kidney diseases that have a significant impact on health and well-being, and their incidence is increasing annually owing to factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and geographical location. Accurate identification and volume measurement of kidney stones are critical for determining the appropriate surgical approach, as timely and precise treatment is essential to prevent complications and ensure successful outcomes. Larger stones often require more invasive procedures, and precise volume measurements are essential for effective surgical planning and patient outcomes. This study aimed to compare the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and measure kidney stone volume via CT-KUB images. CT KUB imaging data were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of AI in identifying the volume of kidney stones. The results were compared with measurements taken by radiologists. Compared with radiologists, the AI had greater accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in measuring kidney stone volume. The AI calculates the volume of kidney stones with an average difference of 80% compared with the volumes calculated by radiologists, highlighting a significant discrepancy that is critical for accurate surgical planning. The results suggest that artificial intelligence (AI) outperforms radiologists' manual calculations in measuring kidney stone volume. By integrating AI with kidney stone detection and treatment, there is potential for greater diagnostic precision and treatment effectiveness, which could ultimately improve patient outcomes.

High-impedance fault location method using guessed fault resistance

Electromagnetic time reversal fault location method requires the placement of observation points at a single location and is effective for searching fault location. Among the various existing metrics, the transfer function correlation metric emerged as the most robust. However, its application to high-impedance faults also presents challenges. This difficulty can be attributed to the unknown real fault resistance in the direct-time process, where the guessed fault resistance is typically set to 0 during the reversed-time process of the electromagnetic time reversal fault location method. Consequently, this practice yields comparable direct-time and reversed-time transfer functions for low-impedance faults. Conversely, high-impedance faults exhibit significant discrepancies between direct-time and reversed-time transfer functions, leading to errors in fault location. To overcome this challenge, this paper proposes a location method based on specific guessed fault resistance preset during the reversed-time process. First, the direct-time voltage and reversed-time current transfer functions under high-impedance faults were derived in the frequency domain. Subsequently, by comparing transfer function differences when fault resistances in the direct-time and reversed-time processes did not align, a principle for selecting the guessed fault resistance was established. Additionally, the similarity of the two transfer functions under specific guessed fault resistances was investigated. Furthermore, the symmetry of the fault current was leveraged to reflect the correlation between the two transfer functions, and the differential fault current symmetry coefficient metric was introduced. A fault location time-domain algorithm based on guessed fault resistance was proposed, and its effectiveness was demonstrated through both reduced-scale and simulation experiments. The results indicate that the proposed method is not only applicable to complex lines but also offers a straightforward calculation approach, facilitating fault location under high-impedance faults.