Specific Quality Research Articles

Development of a 3D printed phantom for commissioning and quality assurance of multiple brain targets stereotactic radiosurgery

Single plan techniques for multiple brain targets (MBT) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are now routine. Patient specific quality assurance (QA) for MBT poses challenges due to the limited capabilities of existing QA tools which necessitates several plan redeliveries. This study sought to develop an SRS QA phantom that enables flexible MBT patient specific QA in a single delivery, along with complex SRS commissioning. PLA marble and PLA StoneFil materials were selected based on the literature and previous research conducted in our department. The HU numbers were investigated to determine the appropriate percentage infill for skull and soft-tissue equivalence. A Prusa MK3S printer in conjunction with the above-mentioned filaments were used to print the SRS QA phantom. Quality control (QC) was performed on the printed skull, film inserts and plugs for point dose measurements. EBT3 film and point dose measurements were performed using a CC04 ionisation chamber. QC demonstrated that the SRS QA phantom transverse, coronal and sagittal film planes were orthogonal within 0.5°. HU numbers for the skull, film inserts and plugs were 858 ± 20 and 35 ± 12 respectively. Point and EBT3 film dose measurements were within 2.5% and 3%/2 mm 95% gamma pass rate, respectively except one Gross Tumour Volume (GTV) that had a slightly lower gamma pass rate. Dose distributions to five GTVs were measured with EBT3 film in a single plan delivery on CyberKnife. In conclusion, an SRS QA phantom was designed, and 3D printed and its use for performing complex MBT patient specific QA in a single delivery was demonstrated.

Comparable analysis of six immunoassays for carcinoembryonic antigen detection

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the current status of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection. We evaluated the correlation, consistency, and comparability of CEA results among six automated immunoassays, and combined with the results of CEA trueness verification of the Beijing Center for Clinical Laboratories (BCCL) for further analysis. MethodsAbbott Architect i2000, Beckman DxI800, Roche Cobas E601, Diasorin Liaison XL, Maccura IS1200, and Autolumo A2000 were used to detect 40 individual serum CEA samples. Taking the optimal analytical quality specifications calculated from data on biological variation as the evaluation criterion. Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analysis were performed between each assay and all-assays median values to evaluate the correlation and relative difference. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used for consistency analysis. Additionally, the trueness verification program used samples at three concentration levels to assess the bias, coefficient of variation (CV), and total error (TE) between the average measured values and the target value. ResultsThe Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) was ≥0.996 and the CCC ranged between 0.9448 and 0.9990 for each assay vs. all-assays median. Considering the all-assays median value of each sample as a reference, there were proportional and systematic differences according to the Passing-bablok regression analysis. The relative difference of the four assays (Abbott Architect i2000, Autolumo A2000, Diasorin Liaison XL, and Maccura IS1200) met the optimal analytical quality specifications. On the other hand, Beckman DxI800 (13.2 %) and Roche Cobas E601 (−9.0 %) were only able to fulfill the desirable analytical quality specifications. The average pass rates for bias, CV, and TE of the trueness verification program were 80 %, 98 %, and 96 %, respectively. ConclusionsThe six automated immunoassays vs. all-assays median have a good correlation in CEA detection. However, there is a lack of comparability of CEA results. Further improvements are needed in harmonization among CEA detections.

Hakikat Manusia ( Perspektif Filsafat Pendidikan Islam)

This article aims to describe human nature from the perspective of Islamic educational philosophy in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of human nature. The main sources for this type of qualitative research, called library research, are books, journals and other scientific articles. The collected data was analyzed using content analysis to make it easier for the author to filter the main ideas from various existing sources and narrate them as the focus of the research. The results of this article's research: (1) The terms used to refer to humans in the Koran include al-Insan (refers to humans who have special qualities and potential), al-Basyar (refers to humans as living creatures), and al-Insan (calls humans who have privileges and humans who have potential), al-Basyar (calls humans as living creatures). -Nas (calls humans as social creatures): (2) Characters have different views but are essentially the same regarding the nature of humans, namely humans are creations whose potential is different from other creations of God: (3) Humans are called ahsan al-taqwin , which places humans in a strategic position as servants of Allah and Caliph of Allah. Therefore, humans should try to discover their true nature to realize how great a gift God has given in the form of potential so that humans can optimally carry out their functions in worship and serve Allah SWT. 
 

Correlation Between Acute Phase Delta NIHSS and Quality of Life Score in Post Thrombotic Infarct Stroke Patient in Dr. Moewardi General Hospital via Tele-Stroke Specific Quality of Life-12 Questionnaire (SSQOL-12)

Correlation Between Acute Phase Delta NIHSS and Quality of Life Score in Post Thrombotic Infarct Stroke Patient in Dr. Moewardi General Hospital via Tele-Stroke Specific Quality of Life-12 Questionnaire (SSQOL-12)

Evaluation of a novel patient-specific quality assurance phantom for robotic single-isocentre, multiple-target stereotactic radiosurgery, and stereotactic radiotherapy.

To evaluate patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA) of 3 targets in a single delivery using a novel film-based phantom. The phantom was designed to rotate freely as a sphere and could measure 3 targets with film in a single delivery. After identifying the coordinates of 3 targets in the skull, the rotation angles about the equator and meridian were computed for optimal phantom setup, ensuring the film plane intersected the 3 targets. The plans were delivered on the CyberKnife system using fiducial tracking. The irradiated films were scanned and processed. All films were analysed using 3 gamma criteria. Fifteen CyberKnife test plans with 3 different modalities were delivered on the phantom. Both automatic and marker-based registration methods were applied when registering the irradiated film and dose plane. Gamma analysis was performed using a 3%/1 mm, 2%/1 mm, and 1%/1 mm criteria with a 10% threshold. For the automatic registration method, the passing rates were 98.2% ± 1.9%, 94.2% ± 3.7%, and 80.9% ± 6.3%, respectively. For the marker-based registration approach, the passing rates were 96.4% ± 2.7%, 91.7% ± 4.3%, and 78.4% ± 6.2%, respectively. A novel spherical phantom was evaluated for the CyberKnife system and achieved acceptable PSQA passing rates using TG218 recommendations. The phantom can measure true-composite dose and offers high-resolution results for PSQA, making it a valuable device for robotic radiosurgery. This is the first study on PSQA of 3 targets concurrently on the CyberKnife system.

Stereotactic radiosurgery in India: A nationwide survey of technology and quality assurance practices.

India is rapidly adopting advanced treatments like Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS). However, there is a paucity of data on SRS practice. The aim of study is to assess the current status of technology and practices of machine quality assurance (QA) and patient specific quality assurance for SRS in India. A survey questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and sent to chief/senior medical physicists across 220 radiotherapy centers in India on July 15, 2022. It contained questions on infrastructure availability, treatment planning, and QA. SRS was found to be extensively used for the treatment of brain metastases (99.3%), followed by meningioma (50.3%), acoustic neuroma (45.5%), and pituitary tumours (33.1%). The most commonly used photon energy and treatment technique were 6MV FFF and VMAT, respectively. A prescription isodose line ranging from 70% to 100% was selected by linac users. Most linac institutes verify pretreatment doses. There was a lack of uniformity in the analysis metrics such as Low Dose Threshold, Dose Difference, and Distance to Agreement. A survey revealed that the variety of SRS QA programs being followed at Indian radiotherapy centers. This is the first study to report the physics practice of SRS in India. The survey shows a need to carry out a postal dose audit for small static photon fields in India.

Ecological momentary assessment of pelvic pain and urinary urgency variability in urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome and their association with illness impact and quality of life: Findings from the multidisciplinary approach to the study of chronic pelvic pain symptom patterns study.

This study tested the hypothesis that ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of pelvic pain (PP) and urinary urgency (UU) would reveal unique Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS) phenotypes that would be associated with disease specific quality of life (QOL) and illness impact metrics (IIM). A previously validated smart phone app (M-app) was provided to willing Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) participants. M-app notifications were sent 4-times daily for 14 days inquiring about PP and UU severity. A clustering algorithm that accounted for variance placed participants into PP and UU variability? clusters. Associations between clusters and QOL and IIM were then determined. A total of 204 participants enrolled in the M-app study (64% female). M-app compliance was high (median 63% of surveys). Cluster analysis revealed k = 3 (high, low, none) PP clusters and k = 2 (high, low) UU clusters. When adjusting for baseline pain severity, high PP variability, but not UU variability, was strongly associated with QOL and IIM; specifically worse mood, worse sleep and higher anxiety. UU and PP clusters were associated with each other (p < 0.0001), but a large percentage (33%) of patients with high PP variability had low UU variability. PP variability is an independent predictor of worse QOL and more severe IIM in UCPPS participants after controlling for baseline pain severity and UU. These findings suggest alternative pain indices, such as pain variability and unpredictability, may be useful adjuncts to traditional measures of worst and average pain when assessing UCPPS treatment responses.

Some Power Quality Issues in Hospital Facilities

The present approach focuses on some specific power supply and power quality issues in hospital environment. This environment is always a special one and changes dramatically one day after another, due to the last decade boom of biomedical engineering. The authors’ opinion is that in medical facilities, one should go beyond the standard EN 50160, on voltage characteristics of electricity supplied by public electricity networks, taking also into account the standard EN 60601 on general requirements for safety on medical electrical equipment and the related standards on electromagnetic compatibility. Otherwise, a power quality analysis should result in the unpleasant situation in which products designed and placed on the market according to all relevant legal and product standard requirements, may become unsafe or even be damaged due to a supply voltage consistent only with the standard EN 50160. The paper depicts a relevant case study analyzed in the intensive care department of the Emergency County Hospital from Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Comprehensive characterisation of the IBA myQA SRS for SRS and SBRT patient specific quality assurance.

The myQA SRS (IBA) is a new to market 2D complementary metal oxide semiconductor detector array with an active area 140 × 120mm2 and 0.4mm resolution, making it a potential real-time dosimetry alternative to radiochromic film for stereotactic plan verification. Characterisation of the device was completed to assess performance. The dosimetric properties of the device were assessed for 6FF and 6FFF beams from a Varian TrueBeam STx with high definition multileaf collimator. Clinical suitability of the device for Patient Specific Quality Assurance was verified using ten SRS/SBRT plans, compared against other detectors, as well as multi leaf collimator (MLC) tests including picket fence and chair. Gamma analysis was performed using myQA software with criteria of 4%/1mm. The device demonstrated compliance with recommended specifications for basic tests. After the required warm-up period, the maximum deviation in detector signal from initial readings was 0.2%. Short-term and long-term reproducibility was 0.1% (6FF) and 1.0% (6FFF), respectively. Dose linearity was within 0.3% (6FF) and 0.7% (6FFF) and dose-rate dependence within 1.7% (6FF) and 2.9% (6FFF) and were verified with a Farmer type ionization chamber (PTW 30013). Angular dependence was quantified for coplanar and non-coplanar situations. Output factors and beam profiles measured on the device showed agreement within 1% of baseline RAZOR diode (IBA) and CC04 ionisation chamber (IBA) measurements for field sizes 1 × 1 to 10 × 10cm2. The minimum gamma (4%/1mm) pass rates for MLC-pattern tests were 96.5% and 98.1% for the myQA SRS and film, respectively. The average gamma (4%/1mm) pass rates for SBRT and SRS plans were 98.8% and 99.8% respectively. This work represents one of the first studies performed on the commissioning and performance characterisation of this novel device, demonstrating its accuracy and reliability, making it highly useful as a film alternative in stereotactic treatment plan verification.

Тechnologies of use of physical training means of freestyle wrestlers in adolescent age

This article examines issues aimed at the development of free wrestling and the specifics of development at the teenage age. Which mainly depends on one of the most important biological factors - puberty, which begins at the age of 12-13 years. The process of puberty is accompanied by significant changes in the activity of all physiological systems, primarily the central nervous system. The initiator of puberty is the hypothalamus, which forms a single hypothalamic-pituitary system with the pituitary gland. They are not only the most important structure of the regular system of the brain, which is responsible for higher nervous and mental processes occurring in the human body, but are also the center of neuroendocrine regulation of physiological systems that ensure homeostasis. A sharp increase in the activity of the hypothalamus at the initial stage of puberty causes drastic changes in the functioning of all body systems.&#x0D; Physical education and sports training are specialized forms of managing the development of a person's physical, mental abilities and properties through the development of the culture of motor activity. The content, formulated goals, tasks, tools, methods and pedagogical technologies used in the educational and training process should be selected in accordance with the age and level of training of athletes.&#x0D; Special physical training is aimed at creating a special foundation, which will be necessary for effective performance of large training volumes invested in the development of special movement qualities required in a specific sport.&#x0D; Today, high sports results largely depend on the level of physical fitness of those who practice, and the main role in this process is given to timely specialization in one or another area of movements.

Empowering urban climate resilience and adaptation: Crowdsourcing weather citizen stations-enhanced temperature prediction

The growing impact of climate change, including extreme weather events, represents a significant challenge for humanity. With most of the world's population living in urban areas, the urban heat island effect and anthropogenic heat contribute to elevated city temperatures. This increase in urban warming threatens human health and demands a deeper understanding of thermal distribution in urban environments. Collecting accessible and widespread temperature data in urban areas is essential to address this challenge. This study aims to develop a methodology for anticipating temperature distribution in urban environments, leveraging Citizen Weather Stations (CWS) as valuable crowdsourcing data sources. The ultimate goal is to create a predictive model that estimates urban temperatures based on government meteorological station forecasts, improving urban planning, regulating temperature-based routes, preventing health issues in vulnerable populations, and enhancing urban livability. The methodology is divided into three fundamental stages: data acquisition through CWS with citizen collaboration, the development and evaluation of optimal forecast models based on government weather stations (SWS) data, and its exploitation in terms of utility and applicability. This methodology encompasses data collection and filtering to ensure its usefulness and implement reliable models. The resulting tool facilitates informed decision-making and precise seasonal event planning in urban environments, effectively addressing the challenges of climate extrapolation and contributing to more effective adaptation and mitigation strategies in climate change and heatwaves. The results obtained probe the feasibility of using CWS to predict temperatures in urban environments, which has been demonstrated accurately. This is a significant achievement, as CWS has proven to be a reliable source of climate data for this context. Also, the filtering process described and applied to the case study has proven effective, discarding approximately 34.87 % of the data. This is achieved by detecting and eliminating anomalies, considering station availability, and adhering to specific quality criteria. Finally, the developed prediction model has demonstrated its ability to optimally estimate urban temperatures, utilizing climate prediction data provided by government weather stations (SWS). The model performance indicators support this claim. For the linear regression model, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 2.177 and an R-squared (R2) of 0.960 are obtained, while for the neural network, an MSE of 1.284 and an R2 of 0.976 are achieved.

Validity of the modified Rankin Scale in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a randomized study

PurposeThe modified Rankin Scale (mRS), a clinician-reported outcome measure of global disability, has never been validated in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The aims of this study are to assess: (1) convergent validity of the mRS; (2) responsiveness of the mRS; and (3) the distribution of mRS scores across patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).MethodsThis is a prospective randomized multicenter study. The mRS was scored by a physician for all patients, and subsequently by structured interview for half of the patients and by self-assessment for the other half. All patients completed EuroQoL 5D-5L, RAND-36, Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale (SS-QoL) and Global Perceived Effect (GPE) questionnaires. Convergent validity and responsiveness were assessed by testing hypotheses.ResultsIn total, 149 patients with aSAH were included for analysis. The correlation of the mRS with EQ-5D-5L was r = − 0.546, while with RAND-36 physical and mental component scores the correlation was r = − 0.439and r = − 0.574 respectively, and with SS-QoL it was r = − 0.671. Three out of four hypotheses for convergent validity were met. The mRS assessed through structured interviews was more highly correlated with the mental component score than with the physical component score of RAND-36. Improvement in terms of GPE was indicated by 83% of patients; the mean change score of these patients on the mRS was − 0.08 (SD 0.915). None of the hypotheses for responsiveness were met.ConclusionThe results show that the mRS generally correlates with other instruments, as expected, but it lacks responsiveness. A structured interview of the mRS is best for detecting disabling neuropsychological complaints.RegistrationURL: https://trialsearch.who.int; Unique identifier: NL7859, Date of first administration: 08-07-2019

Diagnostic intervention improved health-related quality of life among teenagers with food allergy.

The aim was to examine if a diagnostic intervention set up to assess current food allergy to cow's milk, hen's egg, fish, or wheat among teenagers had an impact on generic and disease specific health-related quality of life (HRQL). The study compared HRQL scoring before and two years after the intervention, and in relation to age matched controls without reported food allergy. The study was performed within the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden (OLIN) studies where a cohort study on asthma and allergic diseases among 8-year-old schoolchildren was initiated in 2006. At age 12 years, the 125/2612 (5%) children who reported allergy to cow's milk, hen's egg, fish, or wheat were invited to a diagnostic intervention including clinical examination, blood tests and evaluation by a pediatric allergist. Of 94 participants, 79 completed generic and disease specific HRQL questionnaires. Additionally, a random sample of 200 (62% of invited) children without food allergy from the OLIN cohort answered the generic HRQL questionnaire. The respondents of the HRQL questionnaires were re-examined two years later and 57 teenagers with and 154 without reported allergy participated. There were no significant differences in generic HRQL scores between teenagers with and without reported food allergy at study entry, or after the intervention. Among those with reported food allergy, we found a significant improvement in disease specific HRQL after the intervention (mean values: 3.41 vs 2.80, p<0.001). Teenagers with only food allergy had better disease specific HRQL compared to those with one, two or three concomitant allergic diseases, both before and after the intervention. Children with only food allergy significantly improved their HRQL after the intervention, 1.84 vs. 2.87 (p<0.001) but this association was not seen in children with one other allergic disorder (3.16 vs. 3.65, p = 0.121) or those with two or more allergic disorders (3.72 vs. 3.90, p = 0.148). The diagnostic intervention showed a long-term improvement of disease specific HRQL but not generic HRQL.

A multi-study analysis enables identification of potential microbial features associated with skin aging signs.

Introduction: During adulthood, the skin microbiota can be relatively stable if environmental conditions are also stable, yet physiological changes of the skin with age may affect the skin microbiome and its function. The microbiome is an important factor to consider in aging since it constitutes most of the genes that are expressed on the human body. However, severity of specific aging signs (one of the parameters used to measure "apparent" age) and skin surface quality (e.g., texture, hydration, pH, sebum, etc.) may not be indicative of chronological age. For example, older individuals can have young looking skin (young apparent age) and young individuals can be of older apparent age. Methods: Here we aim to identify microbial taxa of interest associated to skin quality/aging signs using a multi-study analysis of 13 microbiome datasets consisting of 16S rRNA amplicon sequence data and paired skin clinical data from the face. Results: We show that there is a negative relationship between microbiome diversity and transepidermal water loss, and a positive association between microbiome diversity and age. Aligned with a tight link between age and wrinkles, we report a global positive association between microbiome diversity and Crow's feet wrinkles, but with this relationship varying significantly by sub-study. Finally, we identify taxa potentially associated with wrinkles, TEWL and corneometer measures. Discussion: These findings represent a key step towards understanding the implication of the skin microbiota in skin aging signs.

Treatment in Certified Breast Cancer Centers Improves Chances of Survival of Patients with Breast Cancer: Evidence Based on Health Care Data from the WiZen Study.

Certified breast cancer centers offer specific quality standards in terms of their structure, diagnostic and treatment approaches with regards to breast surgery, drug-based cancer therapy, radiotherapy, and psychosocial support. Such centers aim to improve treatment outcomes of breast cancer patients. The question investigated here was whether patients with primary breast cancer have a longer overall survival if they are treated in a certified breast cancer center compared to treatment outside these centers. We used patient-specific data (demographics, diagnoses, treatments) obtained from data held by mandatory health insurance companies ( gesetzliche Krankenversicherung , GKV) and clinical cancer registries (KKR) for the period 2009-2017 as well as hospital characteristics recorded in standardized quality reports. Using multivariable Cox regression analysis, we investigated differences in survival between patients treated in hospitals certified as breast cancers centers by the German Cancer Society (DKG) and patients treated in hospitals which had not been certified by the DKG. The sample population consisted of 143720 (GKV data) and 59780 (KKR data) patients with breast cancer, who were treated in 1010 hospitals across Germany (280 DKG-certified, 730 not DKG-certified). 63.5% (GKV data) and 66.7% (KKR data) of patients, respectively, were treated in DKG-certified breast cancer centers. Cox regression analysis for overall survival which included patient and hospital characteristics found a significantly lower mortality risk for patients treated in DKG-certified breast cancer centers (GKV data: HR=0.77, 95% CI=0.74-0.81; KKR data: HR=0.88, 95% CI=0.85-0.92). This result remained stable even after several sensitivity analyses including stratified estimates for subgroups of patients and hospitals. The effect was even more pronounced for recurrence-free survival (KKR data: HR=0.78, 95%CI=0.74-0.82). Patients who are treated by an interdisciplinary team in a DKG-certified breast cancer had clear and statistically significantly better survival rates. Certification is therefore an effective means of improving the quality of care, and more patients should be treated in certified breast cancer centers.

Analisis Peran Petani Kopi Sukamakmur Dalam Mewujudkan Kontinuitas Pasokan Kopi Yang Berkualitas Untuk Home Coffee Roastery Bogor

Indonesia has many rich natural resources, especially plantations and agriculture. This country has great potential and is considered the second largest producer in the world after Brazil. In addition, coffee agrotourism and coffee plantations promote sustainable aspects of tourism. Farmers are the main actors who play a role in increasing crop productivity. With demand for coffee increasing every year, how do farmers maintain continuity of coffee supply? This then became the basis for the birth of research entitled "Analysis of the Role of Sukamakmur Coffee Farmers in Realizing Continuous Supply of Quality Coffee for Home Coffee Roastery Bogor". The aim of this research is to analyze the role of farmers in realizing sustainable coffee production. This research brings qualitative closer. The data collection method was carried out by interviewing informants with direct field observation and documentation. The results of this research are seen from the aspect of farmers from the general community group in Sirnajaya Village, Sukamakmur Regency, who succeeded in producing quality coffee beans to supply at Home Coffee Roastery Bogor, by paying attention to the post-harvest process, special training for farmers, and prioritizing specific quality and quantity. Keywords : Coffee farmer, Productivity, Coffee Industry.

Digital patient twins for personalized therapeutics and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Digital twins are virtual models of physical artefacts that may or may not be synchronously connected, and that can be used to simulate their behavior. They are widely used in several domains such as manufacturing and automotive to enable achieving specific quality goals. In the health domain, so-called digital patient twins have been understood as virtual models of patients generated from population data and/or patient data, including, for example, real-time feedback from wearables. Along with the growing impact of data science technologies like artificial intelligence, novel health data ecosystems centered around digital patient twins could be developed. This paves the way for improved health monitoring and facilitation of personalized therapeutics based on management, analysis, and interpretation of medical data via digital patient twins. The utility and feasibility of digital patient twins in routine medical processes are still limited, despite practical endeavors to create digital twins of physiological functions, single organs, or holistic models. Moreover, reliable simulations for the prediction of individual drug responses are still missing. However, these simulations would be one important milestone for truly personalized therapeutics. Another prerequisite for this would be individualized pharmaceutical manufacturing with subsequent obstacles, such as low automation, scalability, and therefore high costs. Additionally, regulatory challenges must be met thus calling for more digitalization in this area. Therefore, this narrative mini-review provides a discussion on the potentials and limitations of digital patient twins, focusing on their potential bridging function for personalized therapeutics and an individualized pharmaceutical manufacturing while also looking at the regulatory impacts.

Disruptions, technologically convergent factors and creative activities: defining and delineating musical stuff

ABSTRACT Ubiquitous music (ubimus) frameworks imply a flexible approach to the design, implementation and deployment of networked resources, featuring characteristics that challenge current conceptual groundings of music-making. As a potentially unifying place-holder for post-2020 musical practices enabled by ubiquitous technologies, musical stuff presents specific potentialities and caveats. We discuss the requirements for ubimus technological designs and analyze the possibilities and problems of adopting ‘stuff’ as a theoretical construct for ubimus endeavours. Several case scenarios tied to specific qualities are described, addressing aspects such as volatility, antirivalry, semantic strategies and fluidity, targeting the deterritorialization of resources and the application of aesthetic pliability. We highlight the challenges presented by the disruptive tendencies of fast or socially brittle technological change, with particular attention to the monetization of network assets. Stuff is proposed as nonrival, genre-neutral and pliable material for the development of a community-oriented musical internet.

Detecting Respiratory Viruses Using a Portable NIR Spectrometer-A Preliminary Exploration with a Data Driven Approach.

Respiratory viruses' detection is vitally important in coping with pandemics such as COVID-19. Conventional methods typically require laboratory-based, high-cost equipment. An emerging alternative method is Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, especially a portable one of the type that has the benefits of low cost, portability, rapidity, ease of use, and mass deployability in both clinical and field settings. One obstacle to its effective application lies in its common limitations, which include relatively low specificity and general quality. Characteristically, the spectra curves show an interweaving feature for the virus-present and virus-absent samples. This then provokes the idea of using machine learning methods to overcome the difficulty. While a subsequent obstacle coincides with the fact that a direct deployment of the machine learning approaches leads to inadequate accuracy of the modelling results. This paper presents a data-driven study on the detection of two common respiratory viruses, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the Sendai virus (SEV), using a portable NIR spectrometer supported by a machine learning solution enhanced by an algorithm of variable selection via the Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) scores and its Quantile value, along with variable truncation processing, to overcome the obstacles to a certain extent. We conducted extensive experiments with the aid of the specifically developed algorithm of variable selection, using a total of four datasets, achieving classification accuracy of: (1) 0.88, 0.94, and 0.93 for RSV, SEV, and RSV + SEV, respectively, averaged over multiple runs, for the neural network modelling of taking in turn 3 sessions of data for training and the remaining one session of an 'unknown' dataset for testing. (2) the average accuracy of 0.94 (RSV), 0.97 (SEV), and 0.97 (RSV + SEV) for model validation and 0.90 (RSV), 0.93 (SEV), and 0.91 (RSV + SEV) for model testing, using two of the datasets for model training, one for model validation and the other for model testing. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using portable NIR spectroscopy coupled with machine learning to detect respiratory viruses with good accuracy, and the approach could be a viable solution for population screening.

Benchmarking the United States bison meat industry: stakeholder perceptions, production parameters, and live animal factors affecting meat quality.

The objectives of this study were 1) to understand stakeholder perceptions regarding the bison industry, 2) to benchmark live animal characteristics and production parameters of the bison industry, and 3) to identify live animal factors related to animal welfare and their effect on specific quality characteristics of bison meat. A survey was conducted both online and in-person at the National Bison Association Winter Conference (2022). Descriptive statistics were performed on a total of 110 surveys. Most stakeholders (94%, n = 104) agreed that the industry should continue to grow, and the majority (99%, 108) agreed that animal welfare impacts meat quality. Facility design (80%, n = 88), animal handling (78%, 86), employee training (56%, 62), and transportation duration (56%, 62) were selected as the factors that affect animal welfare. More than half of the stakeholders selected flavor (67%, n = 74) as the most important quality attribute of bison meat. For the in-plant antemortem and postmortem parameters data was collected from three plants in the United States over the course of a year. A total of 2,284 bison (bulls: n = 1,101; cows: n = 199; heifers: n = 984) were included in the study. Antemortem measurements such as distance traveled, vocalization, prod use, mobility, and head bumps were measured, followed by postmortem measurements that included bruise score, live weight, dressing percentage, ribeye area, and instrumental color. Approximately 97% of bison (n = 2,213) had at least one bruise. The average distance traveled from producer to slaughter plant was (mean ± SD; 823 ± 583 km) and the average dressing percentage was (mean ± SD; 60.5 ± 3.3%). Average (mean ± SD) fat thickness and ribeye area were 1.4 ± 1.1cm and 62.6 ± 9.8cm2, respectively. Approximately 30% (n = 676) of the bison in this study head bumped between 1 and 5 times in the restraining chute or the single-file gate before being stunned. Linear regression indicated that differences in lean a* were associated with plant, number of head bumps in the chute, ribeye area, fat thickness, live weight, and sex class (P < 0.05). Logistic regression indicated that season, sex class, live weight, plant, and season were associated with differences (P < 0.05) in bruising. These results can be used as a baseline for current production parameters and serve as the foundation for future research to monitor improvement.