Index Values Research Articles

Validation on selected breast cancer drugs of physicochemical features by using machine learning models

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among females today. The elbow approach determines the ideal number of clusters after determining that the Dataset is highly cluster able with the Hopkins statistic. Three distinct groups with distinct differences were produced using the dataset's proposed expectation maximization fuzzy k-means clustering algorithm (PEMFKM). Different fuzzy clustering techniques, such as fuzzy k-means (FKM), fuzzy k-means with entropy (FKM.ENT), fuzzy k-means with entropy and noise (FKM.ENT.NOISE), Gustafson and Kessel - like fuzzy k-means (FKM.GK), Gustafson and Kessel - like fuzzy k-means with entropy regularization (FKM.GK.ENT), Gustafson and Kessel - like fuzzy kmeans with entropy regularization and noise (FKM.GK.ENT.NOISE), and PEMFKM, are evaluated. The partition coefficient (PC), partition entropy (PE), and Modified partition coefficient index (MPC) index values are better for FKM.GK than the suggested PEMFKM method. When compared to the FKM.GK method, the index values for the proposed PEMFKM algorithm have superior results for the parameters Silhouette (SIL), Xie and Beni index (XB), and fuzzy silhouette index (SIL.F). The results shows that the PEMFKM algorithm will provide better clusters and that the drugs in a given cluster may be combined for use in combination therapy for breast cancer treatment.

Enhancement the linear/nonlinear optical and magnetic properties of ZnCo2O4 nanostructures through Ni/Fe dual doping

Nano Zn0.9Ni0.1Co2-xFexO4 samples were prepared using the hydrothermal procedure in order to enhance the functional characteristics of ZnCo2O4 sample. The structural and microstructural parameters of the prepared samples were determined through Rietveld and FTIR analyses. The morphologies and compositions of the samples were examined by SEM and EDS techniques. Upon Ni2+ doping, the bandgap energy of nano ZnCo2O4 decreased from 2.22 eV to 3.61 eV–2.18 eV and 3.51 eV. Doping with Fe caused a slight decrease in bandgap energy for x = 0.05, then an increase for a higher content of Fe. Several empirical equations were used to determine the refractive index from the corresponding obtained optical energy gap values. As the Fe content rose to 5 %, the value of refractive index and nonlinear optical parameters increased; thereafter, it declined with additional Fe doping. The photoluminescence technique was used to analyze defects and processes of charge carrier recombination in the samples. ZnCo2O4 sample exhibits paramagnetic performance. With the addition of Ni to ZnCo2O4, the magnetic characteristics of the sample became superparamagnetic. Samples doped with Ni and various quantities of Fe exhibit a weak ferromagnetic behavior. The effect of doping on the magnetic transition, coercivity, saturation magnetization and remanent magnetization was explored.

Constraints on the reheating phase after Higgs inflation in the hybrid metric-Palatini approach

In this paper, we study the post-inflationary era called reheating stage. For this purpose, we consider a model in which the inflaton is non-minimally coupled to the curvature within the hybrid metric-Palatini approach. Furthermore, to investigate the consistency of our results with the observational data, we relate reheating parameters to those of inflation model. By taking into consideration the Higgs potential V(ϕ)=λ/4ϕ4; we derive the necessary quantities needed to obtain the reheating duration and the reheating temperature. Moreover, we plot reheating e-folds and temperature as a function of the spectral index, respectively. We consider three cases depending on the coupling constant ξ. In addition, we use some specific values of the effective equation of state ω, which is presumed to remain relatively constant within the range of −13≤ω<13. We find that for ξ=10−4.1 our results are in agreement with the recent Planck data as the reheating instant is corresponding to the central value of the spectral index and to a maximum temperature required by the scale of baryogenesis models.

Insights into the antibacterial effectiveness of linalool against Shigella flexneri on pork surface: Changes in bacterial growth and pork quality

Shigella flexneri has the ability to contaminate pork and cause foodborne diseases. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of linalool (a natural preservative) against S. flexneri and explore its potential application in contaminated pork. The results showed that linalool was capable of damaging the cell membrane and binding to the DNA of S. flexneri, and inhibiting biofilm formation and disrupting mature biofilms. The antibacterial effectiveness of linalool on the surface of pork was further demonstrated by analyzing the physicochemical properties of the pork (i.e., weight loss rate, pH value, color index, and TVB-N value) and its protein profiles. Linalool did not completely kill S. flexneri in pork at minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) concentration and its antibacterial effect of linalool was stronger during the initial stage of storage. During storage, linalool influenced the abundance of specific proteins in the pork, particularly those involved in pathways related to fat metabolism. These findings offer novel insights into the antibacterial efficacy of linalool and its underlying mechanism in pork.

The validity and reliability of professional learning community instruments in small schools peninsular Malaysia

A professional learning community (PLC) instrument was developed to determine the level of PLC practice in small schools in Peninsular Malaysia. This study was conducted in Perak and Negeri Sembilan to determine the instrument's reliability and validity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and item reliability analysis were used to determine the questionnaire’s reliability and validity. Next, the average congruence percentage (ACP) is used to determine the reliability test between expert assessors. Experts approved the validity and reliability of the instrument before the EFA test was conducted. All five constructs have high-reliability index values between 0.86–0.95. Next, the EFA analysis shows five dimensions in the PLC instrument with factor loadings ranging from 0.61–0.84. The findings also show that the variance explained in the data is 68.99% with an Eigenvalue greater than 1. This result indicates that all items are received with high approval. In addition, a very high-reliability coefficient value, α=0.96. The results prove that this PLC instrument has high validity and reliability and can measure the level of PLC implementation practices in small schools in Peninsular Malaysia.

Characteristics of healthcare personnel with SARS-CoV-2 infection: 10 emerging infections program sites in the United States, April 2020-December 2021.

Understanding characteristics of healthcare personnel (HCP) with SARS-CoV-2 infection supports the development and prioritization of interventions to protect this important workforce. We report detailed characteristics of HCP who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from April 20, 2020 through December 31, 2021. CDC collaborated with Emerging Infections Program sites in 10 states to interview HCP with SARS-CoV-2 infection (case-HCP) about their demographics, underlying medical conditions, healthcare roles, exposures, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and COVID-19 vaccination status. We grouped case-HCP by healthcare role. To describe residential social vulnerability, we merged geocoded HCP residential addresses with CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) values at the census tract level. We defined highest and lowest SVI quartiles as high and low social vulnerability, respectively. Our analysis included 7,531 case-HCP. Most case-HCP with roles as certified nursing assistant (CNA) (444, 61.3%), medical assistant (252, 65.3%), or home healthcare worker (HHW) (225, 59.5%) reported their race and ethnicity as either non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic. More than one third of HHWs (166, 45.2%), CNAs (283, 41.7%), and medical assistants (138, 37.9%) reported a residential address in the high social vulnerability category. The proportion of case-HCP who reported using recommended PPE at all times when caring for patients with COVID-19 was lowest among HHWs compared with other roles. To mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in healthcare settings, infection prevention, and control interventions should be specific to HCP roles and educational backgrounds. Additional interventions are needed to address high social vulnerability among HHWs, CNAs, and medical assistants.

High green index electromagnetic interference shields with semiconducting Bi2S3 fillers in a PEDOT:PSS matrix.

Conventional metallic electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields, as well as the emerging 2D material-based shields, meet the shielding effectiveness (SE) needs of most applications. However, their shielding performance is dominated by the reflection of incoming radiation due to their high electrical conductivity, which leads to secondary pollution. This problem is getting exacerbated with the proliferation of electronics and communication networks in modern society. Thus, EMI shields that function dominantly by the absorption of incoming radiation are highly desirable. Such shields would be characterized by a green index, which is the ratio of absorbance over reflectance, close to or greater than one. For nonmagnetic materials, the best way to reduce the undesirable large impedance mismatch is to reduce the effective permittivity of the shield material. Here, we present a new EMI shield with a semiconductor Bi2S3 filler in a conducting PEDOT:PSS polymer matrix, instead of the conventional conductive fillers, to reduce the effective permittivity and demonstrate that even a light loading of only 10% Bi2S3 provides high SE of over 40 dB with a green index value of 0.75. Increasing the filler content to 15 wt% increases the green index close to unity while dropping the SE to 30 dB. The shielding mechanism is explained through electromagnetic parameter measurements and supplemented by density functional theory calculations. This work lays the foundation for the advancement of lightweight and ultrathin green EMI shields with minimum secondary pollution.

Adolescents with prior patellar dislocation report affected quality of life and function, as measured using the Banff Patella Instability Instrument, Kujala and EQ-5D-5L index scores.

We aimed to establish patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) reference data for a cohort of patients with prior patellar dislocation without previous knee surgery. All inhabitants of the Faroe Islands aged 15-19 years were sent an online survey via secure email to establish a national cohort. They were asked to answer questions regarding demographics, whether they had prior patellar dislocation and to complete the PROMs: the Banff Patella Instability Instrument (BPII), Kujala, Marx activity and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. Participants who had undergone knee surgery were excluded. Participants who had prior patellar dislocation underwent radiographic examinations to diagnose trochlear dysplasia. The study included three cohorts: the general population, prior patellar dislocation and prior patellar dislocation and trochlear dysplasia cohorts. Of the 3749 individuals contacted, 1119 completed the survey and responded to at least one PROM. Of these, 102 reported a history of patellar dislocation and 57 of them had trochlear dysplasia. All PROMs, except the Marx score, reflected a worse quality of life and function after patellar dislocation than in the general population cohort; this was most pronounced in the BPII. The percentage of people experiencing problems in EQ-5D-5L dimensions was higher in the patellar dislocation and trochlear dysplasia cohorts than in the general population cohort in all EQ-5D-5L domains, except anxiety/depression. Adolescents who had patellar dislocation reported reduced quality of life and function according to the BPII, Kujala and EQ-5D-5L index values, as well as all EQ-5D-5L domains, except for anxiety/depression. However, their activity levels remained high. Level III.

INDICATORS OF CENTRAL HEMODYNAMICS IN ACQUIRED MYOPIA

Introduction. The presented study focuses on investigating the impact of acquired myopia on human central hemodynamics. Myopia, or nearsightedness, ranks as one of the most common ophthalmological disorders globally and in Ukraine, manifesting either congenitally or acquired over a lifetime. Ophthalmology specialists note a rapid increase in myopia cases across all age groups, with its prevalence posing a significant threat to vision and overall health. Viewing myopia as an adaptive response to a substantial visual strain one can presume that this adaptation might not be localized but generalized. The objective of the study is to examine the characteristics of central hemodynamics in individuals with acquired myopia. Materials and methods. The research was conducted on volunteers, 81 individuals aged 18 – 35, who were divided into a control group of 40 persons and a study group of 41 individuals diagnosed as having myopia. The diagnosis was established by specialists in Dnipro. The study was carried out at the General Practice Family Medicine Clinic No. 7 in Dnipro during 2022-2023. Central hemodynamic status was characterized by the following indicators: heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, systolic blood volume, and minute blood volume. The Kerdo’s vegetative index was also calculated. Results. The study revealed that acquired myopia was accompanied by an increase in the absolute values of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and minute blood volume compared to the control group of volunteers. It is noteworthy that the systolic blood volume in the context of acquired myopia was lower than in the control group. The Kerdo’s index was higher in the group with acquired myopia compared to the control group. The obtained results indicate a certain dependency between central hemodynamics indicators, the Kerdo’s index value, and acquired myopia, which is an adaptive reaction of the visual system to significant loads in the modern information-cybernetic society. Changes in central hemodynamics indicators in individuals with myopia may reflect certain adaptive reactions of the cardiovascular system to this eye refraction disorder.

Forage yield, competition, and economic indices of oat and common vetch intercrops in a semi-arid region

Intercropping of annual favorable legumes with grains to produce forage is utilized extensively worldwide to improve resource use efficiency. To identify the best intercropping system for a semi-arid region of China, intercrops of oat (Avena sativa L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) at five planting proportions and oat and common vetch monocrops were produced over the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons in Xifeng, northwest China. Several indices were used to evaluate yields, competitive interrelationships between the two crops, and economic returns. The oat mono-crop had the highest dry matter yield (6.51 t ha−1), while the oat–common vetch intercrop, with an 80: 20 planting ratio, produced the highest crude protein production (696 kg ha−1). The land equivalent ratio (1.167), relative crowding coefficient (2.445), and actual yield loss (0.750) were more favorable for the oat–common vetch intercrop at a seeding ratio of 20: 80. The oat–common vetch intercrop at a seeding ratio of 20: 80 showed the highest values for monetary advantage index (35.51). Overall, the autumn-sown 20: 80 oat–common vetch intercrop was more productive from resource utilization and economic perspectives.

Physiological and hygienic assessment of a multilayer set of personal protective equipment against low temperatures made using membrane materials

Introduction. Advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) against low temperatures is a high–tech product created using the latest achievements of science, design designs, ergonomic, aesthetic solutions that determine its thermal protection properties. The use of membrane materials in PPE from low temperatures allows them to combine low weight and high thermal protection properties, low air permeability and sufficient vapor permeability necessary to ensure heat and moisture exchange between humans and the environment. The study aims to determine the thermal protection properties of various sets of multilayer workwear and indicators of heat and moisture exchange of volunteers when modeling professional activity at low air temperature. Materials and methods. The authors have conducted a study in a microclimatic chamber with the participation of six practically healthy male volunteers. The researchers have determined the thermal protection properties of multilayer workwear of various configurations in accordance with GOST R 12.4.185-99 and MUK 4.3.1894-04. As test samples, they have used pipes of three different configurations to protect against low temperatures, wind, water, general industrial pollution and mechanical influences, as well as short-term exposure to open fire. The assessment of heat and moisture exchange indicators of various PPE configurations was carried out by specialists when modeling work activities with measurements of the relative humidity level in the layers of the kits and the level of accumulated moisture in each element of the PPE. Results. The authors have determined the values of thermal insulation of the studied materials and the scope of their application. To assess heat and moisture exchange, two samples of PPE were selected, made using membrane and cotton fabrics with similar thermal insulation values. The analysis of the results of studies of moisture exchange indicators showed a slightly lower efficiency of moisture evaporation of the control sample. The indicator of the relative humidity of the air under the shelter space and between the layers of the package of materials and clothing has shown its informative significance for assessing the effectiveness of moisture transfer from the surface of the human body to the environment. Conclusion. The results of a physiological and hygienic assessment of a set of multilayer clothing made of membrane materials have shown that various combinations of its constituent elements make it possible to create kits that provide adequate protection for an employee in a wide range of air temperatures and wind speeds. The use of membrane materials in combination with structural elements (ventilation openings) provides a more efficient transfer of moisture from the skin surface to the external environment, as evidenced by the values of the relative humidity index of the air under the clothing space and between the layers of clothing. Ethics. The study was approved by the local Ethical committee of the Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health (Minutes of the meeting No. 6 dated 07/20/12)

Natural Radionuclides Concentrations and Associated Radiation Hazard of Some Building Rocks Used in Taiz City, Yemen

Building materials comprise a diverse range of natural rocks that contain varying mineral components including radionuclides. Gamma spectrometry-based high-purity Germanium detectors were utilized to measure the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides: Radium-226 (226Ra), Thorium-232 (232Th), and Potassium-40 (40K) in various building rock samples found within and surrounding Taiz city. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K vary from 27.79 ± 0.77 to 234.49 ± 3.13 Bq.kg-1, 25.82 ± 0.40 to 415.31 ± 2.47 Bq.kg-1, and 457.91±2.61 to 1139.56 ± 5.43 Bq.kg-1 with overall average value of 71.55 Bq.kg-1, 93.87 Bq.kg-1, 966.88 Bq.kg-1 respectively, these values were higher than the permissible thresholds. Furthermore, several radiation hazard indices were estimated including the radium equivalent (Raeq), the external hazard index (Hex), the internal hazard index (Hin), the gamma level index (Iɤ), the dose rate(Dɤ), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE). The findings illustrated that Basalt rocks have the minimum values of radiation hazard indices while the Himatite rocks have the maximum values of radiation hazard. The average values of radiation risks for most of building rocks fall below the recommended limits for safety. Based on the Radiation hazard indices of building rock samples, it can be concluded that with the exception of hematite rocks, all the examined rocks are considered safe for use in construction materials and pose non-significant radiation risks. The awareness about natural radioactivity levels of building rocks is critical for planning and performing strategies in radiation safety of buildings.

A novel flame retardant epoxy thermoset based on renewable honokiol and furfuryl alcohol

In this study, honokiol epoxy resin was directly functionalized by bio-based material honokiol, which was combined with furfuryl alcohol-derived flame retardant by Diels-Alder reaction to prepare bio-based epoxy cross-linking system. After curing with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane, HE1/FP0.5/DDM (121.37 °C) offered higher glass transition temperature than EP/DDM (91.75 °C). Meanwhile, the HE1/FP0.5/DDM exhibited excellent thermal stability and flame retardancy compared to EP/DDM. The char residue of HE1/FP0.5/DDM was obviously increased from 12.8% (EP/DDM) to 35.6% at 700 °C. Notably, the HE1/FP0.5/DDM achieved a limiting oxygen index value of 37.4% and UL-94 V-0 rating. Cone calorimeter demonstrated that the peak heat release rate, total heat release and fire growth rate of HE1/FP0.5/DDM were 400.29 kW/m2, 33.45 MJ/m2 and 4.40 kW/m2·s, reduced by 57.47%, 63.39% and 41.1% compared with EP/DDM, respectively. The satisfactory flame retardancy and smoke suppression were attributed to the flame-retardant function of FP in the condensed and gas phases. Thus, this work not only provided a simple but also eco-friendly approach to achieve flame retardant thermosets from honokiol to replace bisphenol A epoxy.

An integrated group decision-making method under q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic context with partial weight information.

Considering the advantages of q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic set (q-RFLS), which includes both linguistic and numeric data to describe evaluations, this article aims to design a new decision-making methodology by integrating Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) and qualitative flexible (QUALIFLEX) methods based on the revised aggregation operators to solve multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM). To accomplish this, we first revise the extant operational laws of q-RFLSs to make up for their shortcomings. Based on novel operational laws, we develop q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic (q-RFL) weighted averaging and geometric operators and provide the corresponding results. Next, we develop a maximization deviation model to determine the criterion weights in the decision-making procedure, which accounts for partial weight unknown information. Then, the VIKOR and QUALIFLEX methodologies are combined, which can assess the concordance index of each ranking combination using group utility and individual maximum regret value of alternative and acquire the ranking result based on each permutation's general concordance index values. Consequently, a case study is conducted to select the best bike-sharing recycling supplier utilizing the suggested VIKOR-QUALIFLEX MCGDM method, demonstrating the method's applicability and availability. Finally, through sensitivity and comparative analysis, the validity and superiority of the proposed method are demonstrated.

Study of Predictive Value of Middle Ear Risk Index on Hearing Improvement in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

Introduction: Middle ear risk index is one of the most reliable measuring tools to predict and evaluate the results of tympanoplasty. This study was done to analyse the predictive value of revised middle ear risk index on hearing improvement in patients undergoing surgery for chronic otitis media and to correlate the association between each index factor with hearing results. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was done over 2 years in a tertiary care Army Hospital with 88 patients in the age group of 10-65 years. Preoperative hearing thresholds and air-bone gaps were recorded. Patients were assigned to mild, moderate and severe groups with risk index scores. Hearing thresholds were assessed at 3 and 6 months following surgery for chronic otitis media. Data was statistically analysed. Results: 92.04% and 77.27% showed hearing improvements, 4.54% and 1.13% had deterioration and 3.40% and 21.59% had no change when compared to preoperative results in AC and BC thresholds respectively. 57.95% had post-operative closure of air bone gap of ≤ 12. Compared to cases with AB gap closure ≤ 12, those with AB gap closure &gt; 12 showed statistically significant gain in BC by 0.2dB. Each unit increase in risk index score was associated with statistically significant increase of 0.64 dB in BC. Out of the seven individual factors, only perforation and previous surgery showed statistical significance in terms of hearing improvement. Conclusion: Middle ear risk index is not a good predictor of hearing improvement in ear surgery. Individually, risk index or air bone gap are not strong predictors but jointly, they show strong association with hearing improvement both in terms of AC and BC. Keywords: Middle ear risk index; Air conduction; Bone conduction; Air-bone gap; Hearing improvement.

A novel method for the evaluation of right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism: Myocardial work indices.

The presence of right ventricular dysfunction indicates a higher risk status in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). The RV strain evaluated by speckle-tracking echocardiography seems to be more reliable method in the evaluation of RV dysfunction as compared to standard echocardiographic measures. In this study, we aimed to determine the value of myocardial-work indices in evaluating serial changes of RV function in acute PE. Our study comprised 83 consecutive acute PE patients who admitted to our tertiary cardiovascular hospital. Echocardiography was performed within the first 24-hours of hospitalization, and RV and LV myocardial-work parameters were obtained along with standard echocardiographic parameters. The change in the RV/LVr detected on tomography was selected as the primary outcome measure, and its' predictors were analyzed with classical linear regression and a generalized additive model (GAM). Among the LV-RV strain and myocardial work parameters, the RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) has borderline statistical significance in predicting the RV/LVr change whereas the RV global work efficiency (RV-GWE) strongly predicted RV/LVr change (p: 0.049 and <0.001, respectively). In this study, classical linear regression and GAM analyses showed that RV-GWE seems to offer a better prediction of RV/LVr change in patients with acute PE.

Functionalized boron nitride nanosheets and their polypropylene nanocomposites: influence on thermal, mechanical, rheological and wear behaviour

ABSTRACT The few-layer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheets with hydroxyl (−OH) functional group at edges are synthesized using heat treatment of micron size hBN powder followed by sonication. These nanosheets are modified with a silane coupling agent, 3-Aminopropyl,triethoxysilane (APTES). The synthesized hBN nanosheets are mixed with the PP matrix using twin-screw extrusion followed by injection moulding. In case of APTES-modified hBN nanosheets incorporation in the PP matrix with PP-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) shows the formation of an imide bond between the MA functional group of PP-g-MA and the amine group of APTES modified hBN nanosheets revealing compatibilization. The flow behaviour index values are lower for hBN nanosheets filled PP nanocomposites showing the improved processability from Rheological characterization. The few-layered – OH and APTES modified hBN nanosheet incorporation in the PP matrix improves the tensile and thermal properties. The incorporation of APTES modified hBN nanosheet in the PP matrix shows an increase in tensile modulus (18.1%) and tensile strength (8.1%) respectively. Wear studies show the incorporation of – OH and APTES modified hBN nanosheets in the PP matrix decreases the coefficient of friction and wear rate significantly. The wear rate at 4 min of wear testing for modified hBN nanosheet in the PP nanocomposites is ~ 96% less in comparison with neat PP. The wear mechanism is established from wear measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of worn-out wear surfaces of PP nanocomposites.

Otolith Shape Indices of Japanese Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus japonicus, Bloch 1791) from the Makassar Strait, Indonesia

Japanese threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicus) is a demersal fish that plays a very important role in maintaining ecosystem stability related to webs and food chains. This fish often becomes prey for predatory fish. In efforts to reveal the relationship between predators and prey in food webs and food chains, there is still limited information due to the difficulty of identifying digested food. In connection with this, this study aims to identify the morphology shape index value otolith of Japanese threadfin bream. Sampling was carried out at the Labuang Maros Fish Landing Site with 150 samples and morphometric data were collected from 150 pairs of otoliths in April and May 2023. The calculation of the shape index uses six descriptors, which include form factor (FF), roundness (RO), circularity or compactness (C), rectangularity (Rt), ellipticity (E), and aspect ratio (AR). The results showed that there was no significant difference in the otolith morphometry of the right and left otoliths (P&gt;0.05). Based on the shape index value obtained, it explains that the morphometric shape of the otolith of Japanese threadfin bream tends to be oval, elongated, and has an irregular surface.

Local scour downstream of type-A trapezoidal stepped piano key weir in sand and gravel sediments

ABSTRACT This study examines the scouring effect downstream of a type-A trapezoidal stepped Piano key weir using experimental methods. The experiments were performed on weirs, both with and without steps at the outlet keys, while considering various discharge rates, tailwater depths, and bed material sizes. The study scrutinized three unique weir configurations, each with different dimensions and step counts at the outlet keys: the first, second, and third weirs had 5, 10, and 15 steps respectively. The findings indicate that the maximum scour depths in the Piano key weirs with 5, 10, and 15 steps were, on average, 17.5%, 31%, and 19% less than those in the non-stepped weir. It was also noted that an increase in discharge and a decrease in tailwater depth and bed material size led to an increase in the maximum scour depth. Moreover, an increase in the number of steps and a decrease in the size of the bed materials resulted in a reduction in sediment ridge height. The analysis suggests that the average scour index values in the 10-stepped weir were about 21% lower compared to the non-stepped weir. These insights contribute to the design and optimization of hydraulic structures to effectively mitigate scouring effects.

Dual FDG/PSMA PET imaging to predict lesion-based progression of mCRPC during PSMA-RLT

Candidates for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) frequently have “mismatch” lesions with pronounced 18-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) but attenuated PSMA ligand uptake on positron emission tomography (PET). However, no quantitative criteria yet exist to identify mismatch lesions and predict their response to RLT. To define such criteria, we retrospectively analyzed 267 randomly-selected glucometabolic mCRPC metastases from 22 patients. On baseline PET, we determined [18F]FDG and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and calculated the [18F]FDG SUVmax/[68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUVmax quotient (FPQ). From follow-up [18F]FDG PET after two lutetium-177-PSMA-617 RLT cycles, we evaluated the treatment response and categorized the lesions into three subgroups (partial remission, stable disease, progression) based on change in [18F]FDG SUVmax. Lastly, we compared the baseline PET variables in progressing versus non-progressing lesions. Variables differing significantly, and a score incorporating them, were assessed via receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, regarding ability to predict lesional progression, with area under the curve (AUC) as metric. Cut-offs with optimal sensitivity and specificity were determined using the maximum value of Youden's index. Fifty-one of 267 lesions (19.1%) progressed, 102/267 (38.2%) manifested stable disease, and 114/267 (42.7%) partially responded after two RLT cycles. At baseline, median [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUVmax was significantly lower (p < 0.001), median FPQ significantly higher (p < 0.001), and median [18F]FDG SUVmax similar in progressing versus non-progressing lesions. [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUVmax and FPQ showed predictive power regarding progression (AUCs: 0.89, 0.90). An introduced clinical score combining both further improved predictive performance (AUC: 0.94). Optimal cut-offs to foretell progression were: [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUVmax < 11.09 (88.2% sensitivity, 81.9% specificity), FPQ ≥ 0.92 (90.2% sensitivity, 78.7% specificity), clinical score ≥ 6/9 points (88.2% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity). At baseline, a low [68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUVmax and a high FPQ predict early lesional progression under RLT; [18F]FDG SUVmax does not. A score combining [68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUVmax and FPQ predicts early lesional progression even more effectively and might therefore be useful to quantitatively identify mismatch lesions.