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Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). MRI-derived radiomics may support the diagnosis of csPCa. Purpose: To investigate whether adding radiomics from biparametric MRI to predictive models based on clinical and MRI parameters improves the prediction of csPCa in a multisite-multivendor setting. Material and Methods: Clinical information (PSA, PSA density, prostate volume, and age), MRI reviews (PI-RADS 2.1), and radiomics (histogram and texture features) were retrieved from prospectively included patients examined at different radiology departments and with different MRI systems, followed by MRI-ultrasound fusion guided biopsies of lesions PI-RADS 3–5. Predictive logistic regression models of csPCa (Gleason score ≥7) for the peripheral (PZ) and transition zone (TZ), including clinical data and PI-RADS only, and combined with radiomics, were built and compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: In total, 456 lesions in 350 patients were analyzed. In PZ and TZ, PI-RADS 4-5 and PSA density, and age in PZ, were independent predictors of csPCa in models without radiomics. In models including radiomics, PI-RADS 4-5, PSA density, age, and ADC energy were independent predictors in PZ, and PI-RADS 5, PSA density and ADC mean in TZ. Comparison of areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for the models without radiomics (PZ: AUC = 0.82, TZ: AUC = 0.80) versus with radiomics (PZ: AUC = 0.82, TZ: AUC = 0.82) showed no significant differences (PZ: P = 0.366; TZ: P = 0.171). Conclusion: PSA density and PI-RADS are potent predictors of csPCa. Radiomics do not add significant information to our multisite-multivendor dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IFMIF-DONES, or the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility-DEMO Oriented Neutron Source, is a facility for investigations into foreseen fusion power plant materials using the relevant neutron irradiation of 14 MeV. This special n-irradiation is generated by the interaction of deuteron beams with liquid lithium. A critical issue during the operation of IFMIF-DONES is the enrichment of dissolved impurities in the Li-melt loops. The danger occurs as a result of hydrogen-induced corrosivity and embrittlement of the loop components, as well as the security hazards associated with the radioactive tritium. Hence, the application of liquid lithium in IFMIFDONES requires a suitable impurity control system for reliable and low-level maintenance under the operating conditions of DONES. Regarding those requirements, an electrochemical sensor for hydrogen monitoring was developed in the frame of an international EUROFusion--WPENS task, to determine H-concentrations via the electro-motive force (EMF) of Li-melts and a suitable onlinemonitoring system. Long-term tests demonstrated that the sensor fulfills the requirements of chemical andmechanical stability and functionality under the harsh Li environment under the planned DONES conditions. Obtained results and operational experiences will be discussed in regard to application windows, reproducibility and calibration needs. Additionally, recommendations will be outlined for upgraded systems and future qualification needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Iterative reconstruction (IR) is a recent reconstruction algorithm for computed tomography (CT) that can be used instead of the standard algorithm, filtered back projection (FBP), to reduce radiation dose and/or improve image quality. Purpose To evaluate and compare the image quality of low-dose CT of the lumbar spine reconstructed with IR to conventional FBP, without further reduction of radiation dose. Material and Methods Low-dose CT on 55 patients was performed on a Siemens scanner using 120 kV tube voltage, 30 reference mAs, and automatic dose modulation. From raw CT data, lumbar spine CT images were reconstructed with a medium filter (B41f) using FBP and four levels of IR (levels 2-5). Five reviewers scored all images on seven image quality criteria according to the European guidelines on quality criteria for CT, using a five-grade scale. A side-by-side comparison was also performed. Results There was significant improvement in image quality for IR (levels 2-4) compared to FBP. According to visual grading regression, odds ratios of all criteria with 95% confidence intervals for IR2, IR3, IR4, and IR5 were: 1.59 (1.39-1.83), 1.74 (1.51-1.99), 1.68 (1.46-1.93), and 1.08 (0.94-1.23), respectively. In the side-by-side comparison of all reconstructions, images with IR (levels 2-4) received the highest scores. The mean overall CTDIvol was 1.70 mGy (SD 0.46; range, 1.01-3.83 mGy). Image noise decreased in a linear fashion with increased strength of IR. Conclusion Iterative reconstruction at levels 2, 3, and 4 improves image quality of low-dose CT of the lumbar spine compared to FPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Volar locking plate fixation is the most common method of operative fixation of distal radius fractures (DRFs). For more complex cases, combined plating is an option for stabilizing intra-articular fragments. The prevalence of posttraumatic arthritis (PA) after an intra-articular DRF, and its relation to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence of PA and its correlation to clinical outcome measures. Methods: We evaluated 97 consecutive patients with intra-articular DRF, operated with combined plating, 7 years postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of radiographic PA. Secondary outcome measures included visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, hand grip strength, wrist range of motion (ROM), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score. Radiographic examination was performed between 1 and 7 years postoperatively. Results: The prevalence of PA was 29% at the 7-year follow-up. No correlation was found between PA and ROM, hand grip strength, PRWE, QuickDASH, VAS pain scores, or radiographic reduction. Median wrist ROM and grip strength were significantly inferior compared with the uninjured side. Hardware removal was performed in 51.5% of cases. There were 2 cases of tendon ruptures. Conclusions: Combined plating can yield a good clinical outcome 7 years postoperatively and a low prevalence of PA. The presence of PA did not correlate to clinical outcome measures or to the accuracy of anatomical reduction 1 year postoperatively. The frequency of tendon ruptures was acceptable, but the high frequency of hardware removal is a concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate metal artefact reduction (MAR) techniques from four CT vendors in hip prosthesis imaging. Methods: Bilateral hip prosthesis phantom images, obtained by using MAR algorithms for single-energy CT data or dual-energy CT (DECT) data and by monoenergetic reconstructions of DECT data, were visually graded by five radiologists using 10 image quality criteria. Comparisons between the MAR images and a reference image were performed for each scanner separately. Ordinal probit regression analysis was used. Results: The MAR algorithms in general improved the image quality based on the majority of the criteria (up to between 8/10 and 10/10) with a statistical improvement in overall image quality (p < 0.001). However, degradation of image quality, such as new artefacts, was seen in some cases. A few monoenergetic reconstruction series improved the image quality (p < 0.004) for one of the DECT scanners, but it was only improved for some of the criteria (up to 5/10). Monoenergetic reconstructions resulted in worse image quality for the majority of the criteria (up to 7/10) for the other DECT scanner. Conclusion: The MAR algorithms improved the image quality of the hip prosthesis CT images. However, since additional artefacts and degradation of image quality were seen in some cases, all algorithms should be carefully evaluated for every clinical situation. Monoenergetic reconstructions were in general concluded to be insufficient for reducing metal artefacts. Advances in knowledge: Qualitative evaluation of the usefulness of several MAR techniques from different vendors in CT imaging of hip prosthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lumbar spine radiography is often performed instead of CT for radiation dose concerns.Purpose: To compare image quality and diagnostic information from low dose lumbar spine CT at an effective dose of about 1 mSv with lumbar spine radiography.Material and Methods: Fifty-one patients were examined by both methods. Five reviewers scored all examinations on eight image quality criteria using a five-graded scale and also assessed three common pathologic changes.Results: Low dose CT scored better than radiography on the following: sharp reproduction of disc profile and vertebral end-plates (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.5), intervertebral foramina and pedicles (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 3.1-5.9), intervertebral joints (OR, 139; 95% CI, 59-326), spinous and transverse processes (OR, 7.0; 95% CI, 4.3-11.2), sacro-iliac joints (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 3.2-5.7), reproduction of the adjacent soft tissues (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.1-4.0), and absence of any obscuring superimposed gastrointestinal gas and contents (OR, 188; 95% CI, 66-539). Radiography scored better on sharp reproduction of cortical and trabecular bone (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2-0.4). The reviewers visualized disk degeneration, spondylosis/diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and intervertebral joint osteoarthritis more clearly and were more certain with low dose CT. Mean time to review low dose CT was 204 s (95% CI, 194-214 s.), radiography 152 s (95% CI, 146-158 s.). The effective dose for low dose CT was 1.0-1.1 mSv, for radiography 0.7 mSv.Conclusion: Low dose lumbar spine CT at about 1 mSv has superior image quality to lumbar spine radiography with more anatomical and diagnostic information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-activation-ferritic–martensitic (RAFM) steels are candidates for structural materials in different blanket designs foreseen for DEMO and partly for TBM's tested in ITER. In all designs the liquid breeder Pb–15.7Li is in direct contact with the structural material, and thus two major topics – corrosion and T-permeation – influence the reliable, safe and economical application of such combination of breeder and structural material. As bare RAFM steels exhibit high corrosion rates of up to 400 μm/h in flowing Pb–15.7Li, Al-based coatings made by different coating processes were developed during the last 15 years and showed promising results in protecting RAFM steels from corrosion and T-permeation reduction. Especially barriers made by HDA, and electroplating (ECA, ECX), proved their ability to protect Eurofer against corrosion in flowing Pb–15.7Li. However, available T-permeation data for coated RAFM steels are rare and partly ambiguous for these coatings. This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art of aluminum-based barrier development and points out gaps and needs in future scale characterization and T-permeation barrier development. Additionally, necessary qualification steps on the path toward a reliable fabrication route are presented that is required to produce aluminum-based corrosion and T-permeation barriers on RAFM steels for blanket applications in future fusion reactors like DEMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced activation ferritic-martensitic steels (RAFM), e.g. Eurofer 97, are envisaged in future fusion technology as structural material, which will be in direct contact with a flowing liquid lead–lithium melt serving as breeder material. Aluminum-based barrier layers had proven their ability to protect the structural material from corrosion attack in flowing Pb–15.7Li and to reduce tritium permeation into the coolant. Coming from scales produced by hot dipping aluminization (HDA), the development of processes based on electrochemical methods to produce defined aluminum-based scales on RAFM steels gained attention in research during the last years. Two different electrochemical processes are proposed: The first one, referred to as ECA process, is based on the electrodeposition of aluminum from volatile, metal-organic electrolytes. The other process called ECX is based on ionic liquids. All three processes exhibit specific characteristics, for example in the field of processability, control of coating thicknesses (low activation criteria) and heat treatment behavior. The aim of this article is to compare these different coating processes critically, whereby the focus is on the comparison of ECA and ECX processes. New results for ECX-process will be presented and occurring development needs for the future will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Active interlayers of Ni and Pd were electroplated on W to assist joining. [•] Demonstrator types of W-steel and W–W joints were successfully fabricated. [•] Diffusion processes increase operation temperature above brazing temperature. [•] Ni electro-plating is less sensitive to variation of deposition parameters than Pd. [•] Shear tests showed values in resistance comparable to those of commercial fillers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Highlights: [•] Electrochemical Al deposition is industrially relevant for barrier formation. [•] Al coatings have to be converted into protective layers by heat treatments. [•] Morphology of Al coatings made by ECX process depends on deposition parameters. [•] Heat treatment behavior depends on the morphology of the coating produced by ECX. [•] ECX is proven to produce layer sequences on Eurofer similar to HDA and ECA process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]