Software Evaluation Research Articles

CoFFEE: a codec-based forensic feature extraction and evaluation software for H.264 videos

The forensic analysis of digital videos is becoming increasingly relevant to deal with forensic cases, propaganda, and fake news. The research community has developed numerous forensic tools to address various challenges, such as integrity verification, manipulation detection, and source characterization. Each tool exploits characteristic traces to reconstruct the video life-cycle. Among these traces, a significant source of information is provided by the specific way in which the video has been encoded. While several tools are available to analyze codec-related information for images, a similar approach has been overlooked for videos, since video codecs are extremely complex and involve the analysis of a huge amount of data. In this paper, we present a new tool designed for extracting and parsing a plethora of video compression information from H.264 encoded files, including macroblocks structure, prediction residuals, and motion vectors. We demonstrate how the extracted features can be effectively exploited to address various forensic tasks, such as social network identification, source characterization, and double compression detection. We provide a detailed description of the developed software, which is released free of charge to enable its use by the research community to create new tools for forensic analysis of video files.

A-033 Comparison of the Roche hCG STAT and hCG+β Assays

Abstract Background Roche Diagnostics offers hCG STAT and Elecsys hCG+β for the quantitative determination of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in serum. While hCG STAT detects intact hCG after a 9-minute incubation, hCG +β; detects intact hCG, nicked hCG forms, the β-core fragment and the free β-subunit after 18 minutes. The manufacturer reported a strong correlation (R = 0.999) between the two assays using 81 samples with hCG concentrations ranging from 6 - 7675 mIU/mL. However, hCG concentrations during early pregnancy are low. This study aims to determine the correlation between the two assays with samples of < 50 mIU/mL hCG concentration. Additionally, we aim to determine the qualitative concordance between the two assays assuming the upper 95% confidence limit reported by the manufacturer as the positive cutoff value. Methods We compared hCG results from a cohort of remnant serum samples (N = 65; hCG 2 - 49 mIU/mL) previously analyzed using the Elecsys hCG + β assay on Roche cobas e 801 analyzers against the Elecsys HCG STAT assay on the cobas e 601 analyzers. A quantitative method comparison was also performed on a subset (N =33) of samples with hCG < 5 mIU/mL. Regression analysis was conducted using EP Evaluator software (version 12). A qualitative concordance between the two assays was performed assuming the upper 95% confidence limit in healthy, non-pregnant premenopausal women as the positive cutoff value (5.3 mIU/mL and 4.9 mIU/mL for the hCG+β and hCG STAT assay, respectively). Results Quantitative comparison using a wider range revealed an R value of 0.968, however, at hCG < 5mIU/ml concentration, the R value was 0.755. Qualitative comparison using each assay’s cutoff value identified seven discrepancies. Three samples that would be classified as positive with the hCG+β assay would be considered negative with hCG STAT assay, and four samples that would be considered negative with the hCG+β assay would be classified as positive with the hCG STAT assay. When a 4.9 mIU/mL cutoff value is used for both assays, eight samples that would be positive with the hCG+β assay would be considered negative with the hCG STAT assay, and one sample goes the other way. Conversely, if 5.3 mIU/mL is used as a cutoff value for both assays, three samples that would be classified as positive with the hCG+β assay would be considered negative with the hCG STAT assay, and one sample tested the other way. Conclusions The correlation between the two assays is strongest when comparison is made using a wide range of hCG values, consistent with the manufacturer's claims. However, the correlation weakens when comparing samples with low hCG values. Qualitative comparison of the assays using their respective cutoff values resulted in 89.2% overall agreement, 84.6% when a lower cutoff value of 4.9mIU/ml is used and 93.8% overall agreement when 5.3mIU/ml cutoff value used. We concluded that while the assays are comparable, minor differences were observed at low hCG values. Further study using a larger sample size and clinical correlation is needed to reinforce the conclusions.

A-318 Validation of umbilical cord blood as an alternate sample type for quantitative in vitro detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in neonates

Abstract Background Detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency provides important information for neonatal clinical management. G6PD newborn screening is recommended using umbilical cord blood specimens in vulnerable patient populations.1 Also, cord blood is used by many clinicians instead of peripheral blood for neonatal screening of G6PD.2 Use of cord blood is a modification to the FDA-approved Pointe Scientific G6PD kinetic-340 nm assay. The aim of this study was to validate cord blood as an alternate specimen type for the Pointe Scientific G6PD assay. Methods Hemoglobin (Hgb) results are from Sysmex XN 9100™ analyzers that use SLS methodology with photometric detection. G6PD results are from Roche cobas® c502 analyzers with Pointe Scientific kinetic method and spectrophotometric detection of activity, expressed as U/g Hgb. Neonatal blood specimens were obtained as paired samples from heel sticks and umbilical cord collected in EDTA lavender top tubes. Accuracy acceptance criteria was defined as Deming regression slope between 0.90 and 1.10, r-value of >0.90 and bias ±15% and mixing study recovery of ±10%. Precision (intra-assay and inter-assay), reportable range and linearity, carryover, and stability were established using cord blood samples or control materials sourced from Thermo Fisher Scientific or Sysmex. Reference intervals3, analytical sensitivity, specificity, and clinical validity were transferred to cord blood due to comparability with whole blood FDA-approved method. EP Evaluator software by Data Innovations® was used for calculations. Results Direct comparison of G6PD results (U/g Hgb) from 125 paired samples yielded a 0.9025 correlation coefficient, 1.024 Deming slope, and -0.25% bias. Mixing and recovery of admixed samples gave % recoveries of 102, 103, 101, 102, 100, and 100 for G6PD (U/g Hgb), and 102, 102, 101, 104, 99, and 105 for Hgb (g/dL). Intra-assay precision results were 2.4, 0.6, 0.8, 0.5, 0.4 % CV for G6PD and Hgb, respectively. Inter-assay precision results were 3.1, 3.3, 0.7, 0.7, 0.5 % CV for G6PD and Hgb, respectively. Reportable range and linearity evaluation resulted in a maximum deviation from target recovery of 4%, and a slope of 0.979 for a range of 50 - 2740 U/L, and reportable range for Hgb was confirmed as 0.1 - 26.0 g/dL using controls (1% maximum deviation and 0.991 slope). Carryover was -5.8 (mean concentration) for G6PD and 0% for Hgb after testing 21 replicates of pooled high and low samples in a defined order. Testing 3 samples in 3 replicates at each defined time interval defined stability as 1 week refrigerated or 72 hours room temperature for G6PD, and 3 days refrigerated or 1 day room temperature for Hgb. Conclusions Regression statistics and mixing-recovery studies demonstrated accuracy for detecting G6PD (U/g Hgb) and Hgb (g/dL) from EDTA cord blood. Additional performance characteristics were transferrable for this specimen type from the FDA-approved method for whole blood. Umbilical cord blood is an acceptable alternate specimen type for quantitative detection of G6PD (U/g Hgb) using Pointe Scientific with Sysmex XN-9100™ and Roche cobas® c502 instrumentation.

Efficient degradation of norfloxacin by synergistic activation of PMS with a three-dimensional electrocatalytic system based on Cu-MOF

In this work, Cu-based metal-organic framework material (Cu-MOF) was combined with an electric field to construct a three-dimensional electrocatalytic synergistic activation of peroxymonosulfate sulfate (PMS) system (3D/Cu-MOF/EC/PMS) for the degradation of norfloxacin (NOR). The results show that the synergistic degradation efficiency of the Cu-MOF material with the electric field is enhanced by nearly 64 % relative to the degradation efficiency of the two alone. The quenching experimental and EPR characterization indicates that ROS plays an important role in the degradation process, with O2– playing a dominant role. Finally, the degradation pathway of NOR was explored by DFT study and LC-MS tests, and the toxicity evaluation software (TEST) and CCK-8 cytotoxicity experimental studies demonstrated that the sewage after the degradation of NOR by this system would have little or no effect on human liver cells (L02). This study not only shows that the 3D/Cu-MOF/EC/PMS system can treat the water containing higher concentrations of NOR into a state that is not harmful to the human body but also provides a new idea for the improvement of catalysts that do not have obvious catalytic degradation effects.

Visual analysis of research hotspots and trends in traditional Chinese medicine for depression in the 21st century: a bibliometric study based on Citespace and VOSviewer

Background and ObjectivesDepression long been a key concern for scholars worldwide; however, the field of depression has not received sufficient attention in traditional Chinese medicine. It was not until the 21st century that research into depression gradually entered a period of rapid development, with an increasing number of academic studies published in major journals. However, one limitation of this field is that no scholars have yet summarised the development process and key research issues. Therefore, the present study aimed to summarise the research trends and progress in this field, providing relevant information and presenting potential future research directions for subsequent researchers. MethodsLiterature in this field was searched from 1 January 2000 to 20 April 2024 in the Web of Science Core Collection database, to analyse the current status of the literature and publication trends. Bibliographic information, including study authors, organisations, keywords, countries, references, citations, and co-citations, was extracted using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software for quantitative analysis, visual mapping, and scientific evaluation. ResultsA total of 921 papers were included, with a significant increase in the number of publications from 2017 to 2021, and a stable number of more than 140 publications between 2022 and 2023, with publications in these two years accounting for 31.38% of the total. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology had the highest number of publications (97) and citations (2067), as well as the highest number of co-citations (1369). China (847 publications, 13256 citations), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (90 publications, 1232 citations), and Qin Xuemei (30 publications, 759 citations) were the most prolific and influential countries, organisations, and authors in the field, respectively. Keyword clustering co-occurrence analysis revealed nine different clusters with good homogeneity. The top three clusters were randomised controlled trials, traditional Chinese medicine, and hippocampal neurogenesis. In the timeline analysis of keywords, from 2000 to 2010, keywords in this field were concentrated on hippocampal neurology and forced swimming test as clustering axes of Traditional Chinese Medicine. From 2010 to 2020, the research hotspots focused on randomised controlled trials and hippocampal neurogenesis. After 2020, keywords became more focused on network pharmacology. In addition, the occurrence time of explosive keywords were distributed before 2010 and after 2020. Before 2010, these keywords included the forced swimming test, Tail Suspension Test, Chronic Cold Stress, Neural Regeneration, and Banxia Houpu Decoction. Conversely, network Pparmacology and Molecular Docking arose as key buzzwords starting in 2020. ConclusionsThis study comprehensively analysed and summarised the research hotspots and trends in this field of research in the 21st century from a bibliometric perspective, further generating a series of visual graphs to help researchers understand the current research status, potential collaborators, collaborating institutions, and potential future research hotspots in this field.

An automatic workflow for the quantitative evaluation of bit wear based on computer vision

As global oil exploration ventures into deeper and more complex territories, drilling bit wear and damage have emerged as significant constraints on drilling efficiency and safety. Despite the publication of official bit wear evaluation standards by the International Association of Drill Contractors (IADC), the current lack of quantitative and scientific evaluation techniques means that bit wear assessments rely heavily on engineers' experience. Consequently, forming a standardized database of drilling bit information to underpin the mechanisms of bit wear and facilitate optimal design remains challenging. Therefore, an efficient and quantitative evaluation of bit wear is crucial for optimizing bit performance and improving penetration efficiency.This paper introduces an automatic standard workflow for the quantitative evaluation of bit wear and the design of a comprehensive bit information database. Initially, a method for acquiring images of worn bits at the drilling site was developed. Subsequently, the wear classification and grading models based on computer vision were established to determine bit status. The wear classification model focuses on the positioning and classification of bit cutters, while the wear grading model quantifies the extent of bit wear. After that, the automatic evaluation method of the bit wear is realized. Additionally, bit wear evaluation software was designed, integrating all necessary functions to assess bit wear in accordance with IADC standards. Finally, a drilling bit database was created by integrating bit wear data, logging data, mud-logging data, and basic drilling bit data.This workflow represents a novel approach to collecting and analyzing drilling bit information at drilling sites. It holds potential to facilitate the creation of a large-scale information database for the entire lifecycle of drilling bits, marking the inception of intelligent analysis, design, and manufacture of drilling bits, thereby enhancing performance in challenging drilling conditions.

Modeling Multiple Radius Valley Emergence Mechanisms with Multitransiting Systems

Close-in planets smaller than Neptune form two distinct populations composed of rocky super-Earths and sub-Neptunes that may host primordial H/He envelopes. The origin of the radius valley separating these two planet populations remains an open question and has been posited to emerge either directly from the planet formation process or via subsequent atmospheric escape. Multitransiting systems that span the radius valley are known to be useful diagnostics of XUV-driven mass loss. Here, we extend this framework to test XUV-driven photoevaporation, core-powered mass loss, and an accretion-limited primordial radius valley model. Focusing on multitransiting systems allows us to eliminate unobservable quantities that are shared within individual systems such as stellar XUV luminosity histories and the properties of the protoplanetary disk. We test each proposed radius valley emergence mechanism on all 221 known multitransiting systems and calculate the minimum masses of the systems’ enveloped planets to be consistent with the models. We compare our model predictions to 75 systems with measured masses and find that the majority of systems can be explained by any of the three proposed mechanisms. We also examine model consistency as a function of stellar mass and stellar metallicity but find no significant trends. More multitransiting systems with mass characterizations are required before multitransiting systems can serve as a viable diagnostic of radius valley emergence models. Our software for the model evaluations presented herein is available on GitHub and may be applied to future multitransiting system discoveries.

BiOBr/FeMoO4 composite achieves oxygen vacancy concentration adjustment to promote persulfate activation degradation of organic pollutants in saline water

The investigation about the mechanism of crystal plane regulation on the generation of oxygen vacancies remains a challenge. In this paper, BiOBr/FeMoO4 composites were synthesized by precise control of crystal plane growth, and it exhibited the enhanced concentration of oxygen vacancies due to lower formation energy of oxygen vacancies. The composite performs higher photo-Fenton-like ability for degrading oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC). Structural analyses and theoretical calculations reveal that crystal plane regulation induces significant changes in oxygen vacancy concentration. The BiOBr/FeMoO4/peroxydisulphate (PDS) /light system, which dominated by the non-radical pathway, degraded 96.8 % ± 1.0 % of OTC within 30 min. The activation mechanism of the system and the degradation pathway of OTC were elucidated. The intermediates in the degradation process of OTC were evaluated using liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS), toxicity evaluation software tool (T.E.S.T) and soybean germination experiments. This work offers novel insights into the pivotal role of crystal plane directional regulation in the quantitative generation of oxygen vacancies.

Tracking Varroa Parasitism Using Handheld Infrared Cameras: Is Eusocial Fever the Key?

The Varroa destructor is the most significant bee parasite and the greatest threat to bee health all around the world. Due to its hidden lifestyle, detection within the brood cell is only possible through invasive techniques. Enhancing detection methods is essential for advancing research on population dynamics, spread, selection efforts, and control methodologies against the mite. In our study, we employed infrared imaging to measure the thermal differences in parasite and intact Apis mellifera worker broods. Experiments were conducted over two years at the MATE Kaposvár Campus in Hungary involving five beehives in 2022 and five beehives in 2023. A FLIR E5-XT WIFI handheld infrared camera was used to create a heat map of capped brood frames. Our results indicate that the resolution of these cameras is sufficient to provide detailed IR images of a bee colony, making them suitable to detect temperature differences in intact and Varroa parasitized capped brood cells. Mite parasitism causes a time-dependent and sustained temperature increase in developing bee pupae, observable regardless of mite number. Our work demonstrates two different heating patterns: hotspot heating and heating cells that are responsible for the elevated temperature of the Varroa-infested cells as a social fever response by the worker bees. Based on our results, future research combined with AI-based image evaluation software could offer beekeepers and researchers practical and valuable tools for high-throughput, non-invasive Varroa detection in the field.

Designing Test Software for Pre-Learning Evaluation to Optimize the Differentiated Learning

Designing Test Software for Pre-Learning Evaluation to Optimize the Differentiated Learning

Synergistic combination of Mn/Fe bimetal-doped carbon nitride and peroxymonosulfate for efficient photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics

The widespread of antibiotics has resulted in potential threats to the aquatic environment and human health. The visible light-assisted peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation method is considered to be an effective way to remove antibiotics in wastewater. In this study, Mn/Fe bimetal doped graphitic carbon nitride (MnFe-CN-x) was first synthesized for PMS activation under visible light towards tetracycline (TC) removal. The optimized MnFe-CN-50 possessed the excellent photocatalytic activity, PMS activation performance and photo-Fenton-like synergistic effect. In the photo-Fenton-like system, TC (20 mg L−1) was degraded by 99 % in 50 min and the kinetic constant was 0.074 min−1. The high dispersion of Mn and Fe in carbon nitride inhibited the recombination of charge carriers in MnFe-CN-x, increased its photocurrent density and charge mobility, effectively optimized the electronic structure, and promoted the generation of 1O2. Based on the analytical results of predictive toxicity evaluation software (TEST), it was confirmed that MnFe-CN-x could effectively reduce the environmental risks associated with antibiotic contamination. This study provided new insights into synthesizing bimetal-doped graphitic carbon nitride and the use of synergistic effects of photocatalysis and PMS activation to remove organic pollutants from wastewater.

Timed second language writing performance: effects of perceived teacher vs perceived automated feedback

Automated writing evaluation (AWE) software has received much attention by researchers and practitioners as it has the potential of reducing the time necessary for providing second language (L2) students with written corrective feedback on their writing. While more practitioners are taking advantage of AWE affordances, research has indicated students engaged in untimed writing may still possess reservations about its usefulness as a feedback provider compared to that of L2 writing teachers. As trust affects student writer behavior, it is important to understand how the potential relationship between trust and writing outcomes are related to the source of writing feedback. This is especially important in contexts in which high stakes timed writing is the most frequent type of writing that L2 writers find themselves engaging in. Using a quasi-experimental design, we addressed these issues by examining the effects that perceived feedback source had on two groups of high-intermediate second language writers (n = 61 perceived teacher feedback group; n = 60 perceived AWE feedback group) enrolled in academic reading and writing courses in Northern Taiwan. Both groups received the same type of instruction and feedback for 18 weeks with the only caveat of perceiving the feedback source as coming from only the teacher or the AWE software. Results showed that the perceived AWE feedback group significantly outperformed the perceived teacher feedback group in their L2 writing by the end of the course. In addition, the perceived AWE feedback group put more trust in feedback on grammar rules and lexical choices than the perceived teacher feedback group. This indicates that high-intermediate L2 writers may trust AWE software more for specific types of feedback, such as those related to grammar and vocabulary. These and other results suggest decisions on providing AWE or teacher feedback should be made based on error type.

Application of the blastomere count variations "skip value" in the embryo AI assessment

Objective: To explore the correlation between blastomere count variations "skip value" which extracted from by time-lapse technology (TLT) combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and morphological features of in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo, and to test its feasibility in clinical applications. Methods: This study was a diagnostic experiment (AI reassessment of embryo transferred patients), a total of 6 545 embryos from 1 226 patients who underwent IVF at the Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from December 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, of which 2 869 embryos were attempted to cultured to blastocyst stage by TLT. The embryo dynamic map (EDM) was drawn by Embryo Viewer, a TLT recording software, based on embryo developmental kinetics. The self-developed AI embryo evaluation software identified and recorded the number of cleavages in real time during embryonic development, and compared with the EDM, the correlation between the skip value formed by the change of cleavage sphere counts and the outcomes of the embryos was analyzed. The correlation among skip value, morphological score of embryo, implantation rate and live birth rate were performed by Spearman and step-up logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was selected for reporting there relationship of skip value and morphology. Finally, predicting power of skip value for implantation and live birth rate were performed by ROC analysis. Results: The total skip values extracted from the blastomere count of embryos (72 hours post-fertilization) were negatively correlated with abnormal cleavage, blastocyst formation rate, day 3 (D3)-cell score, uneven size and fragmentation (the β values were -0.268, -0.116, -0.213, -0.159 and -0.222, respectively; all P<0.001); positively correlated with D3-cell number (β=0.034; P<0.001); negatively correlated with blastocyst formation rate and implantation rate (OR=0.97, 95%CI: 0.93-0.99, P=0.034; OR=0.96, 95%CI: 0.93-0.98, P=0.044). The power of predicting implantation were similar between the order selection of skip values and traditional morphology criteria [area under curve (AUC): 0.679 vs 0.620]. Live birth rate were negatively correlated with female age (OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.88-0.93; P<0.001), D3 general score (OR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.59-0.99; P=0.045) and order selection of skip values (OR=0.98, 95%CI: 0.96-0.99; P=0.038), while positively correlated with retrieved oocyte number and endometrial thickness in embryo transferred (OR=1.08, 95%CI:1.05-1.11, P<0.001; OR=1.09, 95%CI:1.06-0.12, P<0.001, respectively) from multivariate regression analysis, and the power of predicting live birth was 0.666 for AUC. Conclusions: The skip value and its order form is a systematic quantification of embryo development, correlated with embryo developmental quality and clinical outcome. It could be an addition parameter for embryo culture and selection.

Algorithm for the functioning of the analysis and evaluation software package security of software of automated systems internal affairs bodies

Algorithm for the functioning of the analysis and evaluation software package security of software of automated systems internal affairs bodies

Optimizing lean and rich Vapor compression with solar Assistance for post-combustion carbon capture in natural gas-fired power plant

The integration of post-combustion capture (PCC) CO2 technologies with power plants and high-emission industrial processes has become imperative for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating environmental impacts. This study focuses on addressing the significant energy consumption associated with PCC and explores the potential of using solar thermal energy to optimize configurations, thereby enhancing sustainability and reducing dependency on conventional power sources. Simulate various configurations under steady-state conditions using Aspen HYSYS V11 and Aspen Economic Evaluation software. The results indicate a substantial reduction in energy consumption to 2.1 GJ/ton CO2 after the initial optimization steps. The key innovations involve the integration of Lean Vapor Compression (LVC), Solvent Split Flow (SSF), Rich Solvent Recycle (RSR), and Rich Vapor Compression (RVC). Further optimization was conducted by integrating a reboiler with parabolic trough collectors (PTC), to reduce energy penalties. The LVC + RVC + RSR + SSF + PTC configuration results reveal a notable improvement in exergoeconomic factors, ranging from 3.13% to 7.8%, highlighting the economic feasibility of the optimized configurations. Simultaneously, the energy penalty decreased by 11.1%, signifying enhanced sustainability in the proposed PCC system. This study contributes to the gap in research by demonstrating the efficacy of solar thermal energy in optimizing PCC configurations, providing a pathway towards more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for carbon capture in high-emission industrial sectors. The findings offer insights for researchers, engineers, and policymakers aiming to address the pressing issue of carbon emissions from industrial processes.

P-215 Prospective validation of the EMBRYOAID software for AI-based evaluation of embryos on the 5th day after fertilization during the in vitro procedure - multi-centre study

Abstract Study question Is AI-based evaluation of embryos as effective in achieving pregnancy as the standard assessment performed by an experienced embryologist? Summary answer AI-based assessment of blastocysts may result in comparable pregnancy rates as the standard assessment performed by an experienced embryologist. What is known already Standard clinical practice in the IVF procedure includes morphological assessment of blastocysts based on visual evaluation following Gardner scale. However, this subjective grading process is susceptible to variability dependent on the professionals’ experience and knowledge, leading to potential inconsistencies in selecting embryos for transfer. Recently, there has been a suggestion that artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms could enhance the predictability of treatment outcomes and many AI-based software applications have been introduced to the procedure in many IVF centers. Nevertheless, there are very few prospective evaluations of the real-life implementation of the novel technologies. Study design, size, duration It is an ongoing, randomized, prospective, multicenter, international study performed in four investigation centers since November 2023. The duration of the study is scheduled for one year. Participants/materials, setting, methods The first stage of the evaluation comprises a randomized selection of a patient meeting the inclusion criteria to one of the groups: test or control group. The next step includes a selection of the embryo for implantation. For the control group, the experienced embryologist performs the standard selection of embryos as per normal clinical practice following the Gardner scale. For the study group, the embryologist selects the embryo for transfer indicated by the EMBRYOAID application. Main results and the role of chance Currently, there have been 149 patients recruited in the study and 160 cycles with 638 embryos have been entered in the EMBRYOAID software for AI-based evaluation. Test group of 80 patients comprises 87 cycles with 346 embryos. Preliminary results of the prospective study conducted in real-life settings show encouraging outcomes in relation to the idea that AI-supported embryo evaluation may be as effective in regards to obtaining pregnancy as a standard clinical assessment performed by experienced professionals. Nevertheless, the sample size is not yet sufficient to achieve statistical significance. Therefore, further data gathering will be conducted and the study hypothesis will be furthermore examined. Limitations, reasons for caution The sample size is still insufficient to reach statistical significance and the study shows the preliminary results which will be further verified on a larger patient group. Wider implications of the findings Results of a prospective, randomized trial conducted in several international clinics may enhance the trend to introduce more objective, bias-free AI-based tools into the embryology labs. Trial registration number EMBRYO National Center for Research and Development nr POIR.01.01.01-00-1631/20-00; ERC Consolidator Grant TUgbOAT no 772346

QuPath for automated analysis of digital images of oral epithelial dysplasia

Abstract Objectives: Grading of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) has been plagued with intra-observer and inter-observer variations. To overcome this subjectivity, a more objective digital image analysis is obligatory using computer-aided software. The use of open-source software like QuPath, which is a new bio-image evaluation software program, may fulfil this growing need in virtual pathology. This study used the QuPath software for automatic analysis of morphometric parameters in hematoxylin and eosin (H and E)-stained digital images of oral epithelial dysplasia. Methodology: 150 H and E digital images of varying grades of OED captured under 40x magnification were processed using QuPath software for automatic analysis of cellular and nuclear parameters. Results: The parameters that showed statistical significance included nuclear hematoxylin OD, nuclear eosin OD, cellular hematoxylin OD, cellular eosin OD, cytoplasm hematoxylin OD, and cytoplasmic eosin OD (P &lt; 0.05), while none of the other parameters showed statistically significant differences. A prediction accuracy of 76%, 74%, and 70% for mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia was obtained, respectively. Conclusion: The quantitative results outlined in this paper are encouraging to indicate that the use of this technique may improve the diagnostic reliability of OED. Morphometric analysis of OED using Qupath software can be fast and reproducible and can be quantitated automatically.

Biomonitoring of urban industrial pollution using total reflection X‐ray fluorescence

AbstractEnvironmental pollution as a result of industrial activity is widespread in many urban areas including Chicago. In an effort to evaluate the heavy metal fraction originating from industrial activities, plant samples of Daucus Carota or wild carrot were collected at or adjacent to six sites located in two of Chicago's designated industrial corridors. Plants, especially herbaceous species, have been deemed suitable as environmental pollution monitors as they are able to provide information about the heavy metal fraction accessible to biota. The leaves of Daucus Carota were acid digested and analyzed with total reflection X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry TXRF. The results showed elevated heavy metal mass fractions for at least one collection site which is close to an operational railyard. Other studies investigating heavy metals in proximity to railroad operations found elevated mass fractions for several elements, but specifically manganese as well. This suggests that abrasion from shunting and breaking releases certain pollutants into the local environment. The data were compared with studies executed in Rome, Italy, and Pakistan, which used Daucus Carota to evaluate heavy metal pollution. It was found that the heavy metal mass fractions obtained for Chicago were higher for some elements indicating an increased pollutant burden for these elements. The same samples were also analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry GFAAS for the elements copper and lead and the data compared. Those two elements were chosen as they were present at each location and GFAAS has proven to be highly sensitive for them. It was found that the two methods provided comparable results for copper, whereas for lead, TXRF overestimated the mass fractions most likely due to limitations of the spectra evaluation software. The analysis of a certified reference material ‘BCR 679 white cabbage’ showed that most data obtained by TXRF were in good agreement with the certified values, with the exception of lead, which was not certified. However, since GFAAS has high sensitivity toward lead and is considered reference method for that element by regulatory agencies, a comparison between GFAAS and TXRF data for lead in the same sample can serve as good indicator for TXRF performance.

Impact of implant positions in total knee arthroplasty on the postoperative knee kinematics of tibial rotation

IntroductionIn total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the implant positions and knee kinematics, as well as the manifestation of medial pivot motion, play pivotal roles in determining postoperative clinical outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the correlation between knee kinematics, which was measured during TKA and implant positions derived using computed tomography (CT) examination after TKA. MethodsThis study comprised 64 patients (76 knees) who underwent primary TKA between 2015 and 2022. A navigation system was used in TKA procedures, and intraoperative knee kinematics were automatically calculated with it. Utilizing three-dimensional evaluation software, positioning of implants was quantified with CT images taken pre- and post-operatively. Multiple regression analyses were employed to explore the impact of femoral component position (FP) and tibial component position (TP) on knee kinematics, focusing on the extent of tibial rotational motion (TRM) during passive knee motion. ResultsFP affected TRM between knee extension and 90° flexion (p = 0.003, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.315–1.384) and between knee extension and full flexion (p = 0.0002, 95 % CI: 0.654–1.844) after TKA. FP in internal rotation positively affected internal TRM after TKA. TP was not associated with TRM. ConclusionsFindings of the current study suggest that FP in internal rotation positively impacts knee kinematics after TKA.

TSAT: Efficient evaluation software for NGS data of phage/mirror-image phage display selections

Phage display and mirror-image phage display are commonly used techniques for the identification of binders that are specific to predefined targets. Recent studies demonstrated the effectiveness of next-generation sequencing (NGS) by increasing the amount of information extracted from selections. This allows for a better analysis and increases the possibility to select effective binders. A potential downside to NGS analysis of phage display selections is the increased workload that is needed to analyze the obtained information. Here, we report on the development of TSAT (target-specific analysis tool), software for user-friendly and efficient analysis of peptide sequence data from NGS of phage display selections.