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Invisible orthodontic treatment is an effective form of malocclusion treatment favored in recent years. The magnitude of its orthodontic force has a crucial impact on the outcome of the treatment and has gained a high level of clinical interest. However, there are very few explorations of in vivo measurements of orthodontic force, and existing studies are limited to a large number of couplings, which are inconvenient for clinical use. In this work, we developed a wireless flexible measurement system that allows quantitative measurement of the orthodontic force of an invisible aligner on a dental model. The system is wireless, tiny, flexible, fast responding, and has a range suitable for the range of orthodontic forces. We show the difference in the orthodontic force applied to different tooth positions and the difference in the orthodontic force applied to different positions of the same tooth. In addition, the system can evaluate the mechanical differences between aligners of different brands and materials as well as the deviation of fabrication results. This system provides a test tool and evaluation method for future real-time assessment of clinical orthodontic forces.

The author discusses the growth of bibliometric and scientometric studies in various fields of knowledge. The patterns of its development are similar to the flow of bibliographies that at one time led to the emergence of the bibliography of bibliographies. It is noted that similar features allow us to speak about the emergence of the bibliometrics of bibliometrics as a new area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mid‐infrared laser absorption tomography technique was developed to quantify the nonuniform thermochemical structures of flames stabilized on a natural gas‐fired cooker. Multispectral absorption spectroscopy coupled with Tikhonov‐regularized three‐point Abel inversion was used to resolve the spatially resolved temperature and species concentration. A tunable interband cascade laser (ICL) near 4.2 μm was used to access multiple CO2 absorption lines in the fundamental vibration band. Multiline Voigt fitting strategy was used to improve the fitting of the overlap absorption features. Comprehensive measurements at a different height above the cooker were performed and assembled to display the contour of temperature and CO2 concentrations, resolving the nonuniform thermochemical structure of the high‐temperature combustion field. The measurement uncertainty analysis for temperature and CO2 concentration was also discussed. The current technique is demonstrated to be capable of quantitatively distinguishing flame conditions under different fuel supply modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an essential part of urban public space, the basic framework of urban pattern, and the human landscape of the city and street space is of great significance to urban development. From the perspective of urban living safety, the demand for urban space for health has been considered in depth again. Therefore, with emerging new issues in the post-urbanization period such as the development of public health and slow traffic transportation, street space becomes disordered, and the health of street space has drawn great attention. This paper takes the old urban area of Daoli District of Harbin City as an example. The degree of spatial disorder of different streets in the old urban area of Daoli District of Harbin City is derived by using the off-site built environment audit method and mean square weight analysis and other technical methods with multi-source data such as Baidu map API. In this paper, the spatial health measurement of streets with different properties of land usage in the old urban area of Daoli District of Harbin City is classified, and the classification strategies are proposed based on the calculation results. Based on the theory of spatial disorder, a large-scale measurement of street space health provides insights and references for practical urban management in the future. In terms of theoretical research, this paper attempts to fill the gap in urban geospatial disorder research in China.

To compile intra-operative techniques, established imaging parameters, available equipment and software, and clinical applications of intraoperative ultrasound imaging (IOUSI) for spinal cord injury (SCI) and myelopathy. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles. The articles were reviewed and selected by 2 independent researchers. After article selection, data were extracted and summarized into research domains. PRISMA systematic review process was followed. Of the 2477 articles screened, 16 articles met the inclusion criteria. In patients with SCI and myelopathy, common quantitative measurements obtained using IOUSI were noted: 1) ultrasound elastography, 2) midsagittal anteroposterior diameter, 3) transverse, 4) transverse diameter, 5) maximum spinal cord compression, and 6) compression ratioTo ensure adequate decompression and to look for residual compression, the lateral and the craniocaudal margins of the laminectomy site were inspected in both axial and sagittal planes. In instances where quantitative assessment was not possible, cord decompression and degree of residual compression were gauged by inspecting the interface between the ventral border of the spinal cord and any potentially compressive elements, and by searching for symmetric and rhythmic cerebrospinal fluid pulsations. Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasoundand molecular imaging are additional advances in objective assessments for SCI and myelopathy. This review outlines the potential of IOUSI in patients presenting with SCI and myelopathy. Moreover, by identifying potential for inter-operator variability in certain subjective measurements, we illustrate the need for further research to quantify and standardize those assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provincial economic development in the VUCA era (V: volatility; U: uncertainty; C: complexity; A: ambiguity) is facing great challenges. Comprehensively measuring the provincial ecological niche and giving enhancement strategies are significant for the implementation of the Yellow River Strategy. By constructing the S–R–F (Status–Relationship–Function) provincial ecological niche measurement framework using the SEM model (the structural equation modeling), this paper calculated the provincial ecological niche of the Yellow River Basin from 2005 to 2019 using an ecological niche width model, an ecological niche overlap model and an ecological niche suitability model and gave improvement strategies through spatial positioning. Results: (1) The ecological niche breadth in the Yellow River Basin is uneven, showing a spatial pattern of "low in the upper reaches, high in the lower reaches". The ecological niche overlap changes from synchronous competition to hierarchical differentiation. The ecological niche suitability shows a transformation of "overall homogeneity but local variation". (2) Qinghai and Gansu belong to subspace I of ecological niches; the strategies of ecological niche specialization, potential ecological niche and ecological niche synergy are appropriate. Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Ningxia belong to subspace III; the strategies of ecological niche specialization, ecological niche separation, potential ecological niche and ecological niche synergy are suitable. Shandong belongs to subspace VI; the strategies of ecological niche generalization and ecological niche synergy are fitting. Henan, Sichuan and Shaanxi belong to subspace VIII; it is advisable to choose ecological niche generalization, ecological niche separation and ecological niche synergy strategies. The possible marginal contributions of this paper are: (1) applying the idea of fitting optimization to guide the construction of a provincial ecological status indicator system, applying the validation analysis in the SEM model to test the suitability and validity of a provincial ecological status indicator system and improving the scientificity and objectivity of the indicator system construction. (2) Correlating the measurement model with the connotation (state–relationship–function) of the provincial ecological niche, the perspective of ecological niche research and improving the theoretical support for the construction of a multidimensional measurement model. (3) Spatial positioning of provincial ecological niches to improve the relevance and effectiveness of strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An advanced, automated solution for detecting and accurately measuring CBD stones. • Efficiently identifies CBD structures in ERCP images, ensures transparency. • Automating analysis, reducing workloads, and providing precise measurements can enhance efficiency and accuracy, potentially improving patient outcomes. The prevalence of common bile duct (CBD) stones presents a widespread and intricate clinical challenge that necessitates precise measurements for effective clinical management. In response, we developed a practical deep learning system designed to precisely measure key structures within endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) images in CBD patients. This system excels in detecting key structures in CBD patients and provides comprehensive information about the quantity, size, location, and dimensions of the common bile duct. While the size, location, and dimensions of the CBD are derived from the scaling ratio of the estimated duodenoscope diameter, the quantity of stones is determined independently of this conversion between pixels and millimeters. A rigorous evaluation of the system's performance was conducted utilizing diverse metrics such as the Dice coefficient, accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve, and a comprehensive confusion matrix. A dataset of 418 images from 403 patients was divided into three sets: 314 images (75%) from 299 patients (74%) for training, 52 images (12.5%) from 52 patients (13%) for validation, and 52 images (12.5%) from 52 patients (13%) for testing. The proposed system demonstrated remarkable results in key structure detection and measurement, with Dice coefficients and overall AUROCs of 95.6% and 95.0% for the duodenoscope, 94.6% and 94.0% for the bile duct, and 94.1% and 92.0% for stone identification, respectively. The system's timely, precise measurements of CBD structures can significantly enhance clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and streamline diagnostic and management processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to characterize the sheep population phenotypically in three zones in northeastern Algeria: Aures, Hodna and Ziban. A total of 160 female animals of 2 to 4 years of age were subject to 4 quantitative linear body measurements (body length BL, withers height WH, tail length TL and wool weight WW) and 9 qualitative physical traits (head length HL, ear orientation EO, horn presence H, neck length NL, wool extent WE, tail texture TT, eyes shape ES, head color HC and wool color WC). The results indicate that the sheep population in these areas belonged to the Ouled Djellel sheep breed with some abnormal phenotypes, which refers to uncontrolled crossbreeding. Body measurements show moderate variation coefficient values, with the highest value reported for WW (7.37%). However, despite the weak correlations found in this study, clear ones were revealed between WH and TL (0.30) and BL and WW (0.26). The Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering analysis sub-divided the sheep population into three classes, in which an overlap, according to body measurements, was remarked between Hodna and Ziban and between Aures and Ziban but not between Aures and Hodna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical Palpebral Fissure length and Eyebrow-Orbital length should increase, whereas Orbital-Upper Eyelid length should decrease if the soft tissue between the eyebrow and supraorbital region has been lifted upwards after rejuvenation procedures (Figures 3,4). C.-C.C. supervised the study design and revised the manuscript for critical revision. The size of the palpebral fissure can be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the superior and inferior borders of palpebral fissure when the eyes are at rest (Vertical Palpebral Fissure length). [Extracted from the article]

The study encompassed quantitative traits of the Shaka cattle reared in Shaka zone, Anderacha and Masha weredas of south western, Ethiopia. The study covered quantitative parameters which were taken from 240 cows and 120 bulls from randomly slected120 households. The means for the quantitative traits were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range test, the values were considered significant at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01. The results of morphometrical measurements of bulls reared at Masha wereda had wider (P < 0.05) values for their pelvic width and the Chest Depth for the bulls aged ≥7 years was higher (P < 0.01). While the canon bone circumference was also wider when compared to the bulls reared at Anderacha wereda. Contrary the bulls aged ≤5 years and reared at Anderacha wereda had higher (P < 0.05) for Body Weight, Height at Withers and Chest Depth. Morphometrical measurement for cows ≤5 year age group and reared at Masha wereda have longer (P < 0.05) Neck Length and for cows ≥7 years have wider (P < 0.05) Hock Bone Circumference and Pelvic Width. Contrary the cows aged ≤5 years raised at Anderacha wereda has wider (P < 0.05) for Cannon Bone Circumference, and (P < 0.01) for Chest Girth, higher Body Weight, Rump Length, Ear Length, Neck Circumference and Chest Depth. Among the cows aged ≥7 years have longer (P < 0.01) face length and deeper (P < 0.05) Chest. There is a significant difference in the length index (LI2) and body ratio (BR) (P < 0.05) throughout the research locations, with Anderacha wereda having the higher result, and Masha wereda having the higher depth index (DI) and transverse pelvic index (TPI) (P < 0.05).The results of body indices of both sex indicate that, the cattle is suited for grazing in the forest areas and are of dual type.

Purpose: To analyze the quantitative parameters acquired by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with autoimmune posterior uveitis.Methods: OCTA images of 65 eyes affected with uveitis and 65 normal control (NC) eyes were obtained. The central macular thickness (CMT), retinal thicknesses, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, foveal density 300 μm (FD300), and vascular density (VD) were compared among acute uveitic eyes, chronic uveitic eyes, and NC eyes. VDs were evaluated in the choriocapillaris, outer retina, optic disk, whole and parafovea superficial capillary plexus (SCP), and whole and parafovea deep capillary plexus (DCP). Correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between LogMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and quantitative parameters from OCTA.Results: Compared with NC eyes, the CMT and retinal thicknesses were increased significantly in eyes with uveitis (p < 0.05, respectively). No significant difference was observed in the FAZ area. FD300, VDs in the optic disk, SCP, and DCP both in whole image and parafovea, choriocapillaris were significantly decreased in uveitis eyes (p < 0.05, respectively) compared with NC eyes, only the acute group had decreased VD of the outer retina and choriocapillaris compared with the NC group (p < 0.05). Moreover, quantitative parameters of OCTA showed a significant correlation with LogMAR BCVA in the patients with uveitis. Whole VD DCP was the best predictive factor for BCVA in the patients with uveitis.Conclusion: Quantitative measurement by OCTA is a promising strategy for objective assessment of autoimmune posterior uveitis.

A new automated algorithm for accurate and reliable decision-making in the discrimination of normal and cancerous colon mucosa is proposed. Quantitative texture features such as entropy, angular second moment, contrast, inverse angular moment, correlation, homogeneity, were extracted from the co-occurrence matrix whilst other features are based on morphology such as Euler number, convex area, nuclear contour index, elongation, shape factor (BE) and fractal dimension. 46 samples from different patients consisting of 22 normal microscopic specimens and 24 adenocarcinoma images (512×512×3) were analyzed. Extracted features from both dimensions were able to identify abnormalities (P < 0.0001) between colon tissue types. A parametric approach using a linear discrimination method was implemented for the classification stage. Combining texture and morphological features shows that a ratio of 98.3 % and 97.7 % is obtained for the sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Only one case from each class was wrongly misclassified. The proposed algorithm achieves a very significant result with an overall accuracy of 98 % for the identification of colon microscopic images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a high-resolution ultrasound technique, which allows noninvasive, in vivo imaging of the ocular anterior segment structures. Purpose: This video gives a description of the identification of the iridocorneal angle structures in the cross-sectional view in a radial scan through a typical ciliary process and a guide toward measuring the angle parameters. Synopsis: UBM provides two-dimensional, grayscale images of the iridocorneal angle. The real-time image is displayed on a video monitor and can be recorded for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The angle parameters can be measured by in-built calipers in the machine software and manipulated by the examiner. Highlights: This video demonstrates UBM caliper positions as displayed on the monitor and marked by the examiner for the measurement of various anterior segment parameters of the eye. Video link: https://youtu.be/WTXMupYoyww.

Practice changing standardization of lower extremity lymphedema quantitative measurements with integrated patient reported outcomes will likely refine and redefine the optimal risk-reduction strategies to diminish the devastating limb-related dysfunction and morbidity associated with treatment of gynecologic cancers. The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Prevention brought together a diverse group of cancer treatment, therapy and patient reported outcomes experts to discuss the current state-of-the-science in lymphedema evaluation with the potential goal of incorporating new strategies for optimal evaluation of lymphedema in future developing gynecologic clinical trials. • NCI assembled cancer experts to discuss the current state-of-the-science of lymphedema evaluation in gynecologic cancers. • Standardization of lymphedema measurements and patient reported outcomes may redefine optimal treatment strategies. • The goal of the meeting was optimal evaluation of lymphedema in future developing multisite gynecologic clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phase retrieval technique based on a transport of intensity equation (TIE) is one of the defocus series reconstruction techniques in microscopy. Since it does not require any dedicated devices like a biprism, and only three defocus images are enough to retrieve phase information, it has been applied to observe magnetic fields, magnetic domains, electrostatic potentials and strains. It is also used to improve image resolution by correcting spherical aberration. This technique is simple and easy to use, but some artifacts often appear in the retrieved phase map. One should pay careful attention to the experimental conditions and the algorithms and boundary conditions used to solve the TIE. This paper reviews the principle of the TIE method, the algorithms used to solve it and application results in materials science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Proprioceptive function can be affected after neurological injuries such as stroke. Severe and persistent proprioceptive impairments may be associated with a poor functional recovery after stroke. To better understand their role in the recovery process, and to improve diagnostics, prognostics, and the design of therapeutic interventions, it is essential to quantify proprioceptive deficits accurately and sensitively. However, current clinical assessments lack sensitivity due to ordinal scales and suffer from poor reliability and ceiling effects. Robotic technology offers new possibilities to address some of these limitations. Nevertheless, it is important to investigate the psychometric and clinimetric properties of technology-assisted assessments. Methods We present an automated robot-assisted assessment of proprioception at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint, and evaluate its reliability, validity, and clinical feasibility in a study with 23 participants with stroke and an age-matched group of 29 neurologically intact controls. The assessment uses a two-alternative forced choice paradigm and an adaptive sampling procedure to identify objectively the difference threshold of angular joint position. Results Results revealed a good reliability (ICC(2,1) = 0.73) for assessing proprioception of the impaired hand of participants with stroke. Assessments showed similar task execution characteristics (e.g., number of trials and duration per trial) between participants with stroke and controls and a short administration time of approximately 12 min. A difference in proprioceptive function could be found between participants with a right hemisphere stroke and control subjects (p

Herein, we present a new test, dubbed AntiBioVol, to be used for the quantitative evaluation of antibiofilm activity of volatile compounds in vitro. AntiBioVol is performed in two 24-well plates using a basic microbiological laboratory equipment. To demonstrate AntiBioVol usability, we have scrutinized the activity of volatilized eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme essential oils, and ethanol (used for method suitability testing) against biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. We have also compared AntiBioVol with the standard disc volatilization method, placing a special stress on evaluating the impact of various technical parameters on the outcomes of the latter method. The obtained results indicate that AntiBioVol allows analyzing the antibiofilm activity of volatile compounds in a high number of repeats and provides semi-quantitative or quantitative results of high repeatability. In comparison to disc volatilization, AntiBioVol is a more space- and cost-effective method that allows analyzing various types of microbial aggregates. Moreover, we have indicated that the possible reasons for the discrepancies in the results obtained by means of the standard disc volatilization method may be related to various parameters of the testing dishes used (height, volume, diameter) and to various volumes of the agar medium applied. In turn, the application of a 24-well plate and a strictly defined AntiBioVol protocol provide a higher control of experimental conditions. Therefore, the application of AntiBioVol may enable an optimization of and introduction of volatile compounds to the fight against infective biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of standardized tools and objective measurements is essential to test the effectiveness of new drugs or rehabilitative protocols. Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) patients with severe disease are often unable to perform the quantitative measurement tests currently used.Aim: The purpose of our study was to develop an easy-to-use application, for touchscreen devices, able to quantify the degree of upper limb movement impairment in patients with severe Friedreich's ataxia. The APP, which we named "Twelve-Red-Squares App-Coo-Test" (12-RSACT), assesses the upper limb ataxia by measuring the test execution time.Methods: All patients were clinically evaluated using the Composite Cerebellar Functional Severity (CCFS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). We recruited 92 healthy subjects and 36 FRDA patients with a SARA mean value of 28.8.1 ± 8.2. All participants in our study underwent upper limb movement assessment using the new 12-RSACT, the Click Test, and a well-established system, i.e., the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT).Results: We observed a strong linear correlation between the measurements obtained with the 12-RSACT and those obtained with 9HPT, Click Test, CCFS, and SARA. The 12-RSACT was characterized by excellent internal consistency and intra-rater and test-retest reliability. The minimal detectable change (MDC%) was excellent too. Additionally, the 12-RSACT turned out to be faster and easier to perform compared with the 9HPT.Conclusion: The 12-RSACT is an inexpensive test and is easy to use, which can be administered quickly. Therefore, 12-RSACT is a promising tool to assess the upper limb ataxia in FRDA patients and even those with severe diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebellar ataxia is characterized by difficulty in the planning of movement and lack of anticipatory postural adjustments, which can result in deficits of balance. Being able to have quantitative measurements in clinical practice, to detect any improvements on balance resulting from new rehabilitation treatments or experimental drugs is very important. Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop an application (APP) able to assess static and dynamic balance in patients with cerebellar ataxias (CA). The APP that works by a wearable device (smartphone) placed at the breastbone level and immobilized by an elastic band, measures the body sway by means of a triaxial accelerometer. Methods: We investigated 40 CA patients and 80 healthy subjects. All patients were clinically evaluated using the "Berg Balance Scale" (BBS) and the "Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia" (SARA). Balance impairment was quantitatively assessed using a validated static balance evaluating systems, i.e., Techno-body Pro-Kin footboard. All participants underwent static and dynamic balance assessments using the new APP. Results: We observed a strong correlation between the APP measurements and the score obtained with the BBS, SARA, and Pro-Kin footboard. The intra-rater reliability and the test–retest reliability of the APP measurements, estimated by intraclass correlation coefficient, were excellent. The standard error of measurement and the minimal detectable change were small. No learning effect was observed. Conclusions: We can state that the APP is an easy, reliable, and valid evaluating system to quantify the trunk sway in a static position and during the gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To investigate the key odor-active compounds in children’s soy sauce (CSS), volatile components were extracted by means of solvent extraction coupled with solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SE-SAFE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Using gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we identified a total of 55 odor-active compounds in six CSSs by comparing the odor characteristics, MS data, and retention indices with those of authentic compounds. Applying aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), we measured flavor dilution (FD) factors in SE-SAFE isolates, ranging from 1 to 4096, and in SPME isolates, ranging from 1 to 800. Twenty-eight odorants with higher FD factors and GC-MS responses were quantitated using the internal standard curve method. According to their quantitated results and thresholds in water, their odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated. On the basis of the OAV results, 27 odorants with OAVs ≥ 1 were determined as key odorants in six CSSs. These had previously been reported as key odorants in general soy sauce (GSS), so it was concluded that the key odorants in CSS are the same as those in GSS.

Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of instruments measuring Nursing‐sensitive Outcomes in acute care hospitals. Introduction: Nursing‐sensitive outcomes have been shown to play an active role in the quality of care and cost‐effectiveness of health systems. Tools for assessing nursing‐sensitive outcomes are necessary to evaluate the nurses' contributions to the health of patients. Methods: Psychometric systematic review. The SCOPUS, PubMed, CINAHL, PsychoINFO, EMBASE, Science Direct and Web of Science databases were used. Searches were performed between March and May 2018. A search with screened titles and abstracts, assessment of methodological quality using the COSMIN checklist and risk of bias assessment using QUADAS‐2 were carried out. Results: Twenty‐nine studies validated 26 different instruments. The methodological quality, measured with the COSMIN checklist, showed that the studies which assessed fewer psychometric properties had poorer quality. The majority of studies had high quality, and optimally assessed the risk of bias evaluated with QUADAS‐2. Discussion: Concerning the focus of the scales, some of them focused on the patients while others focused on the nursing staff. The scales found assessed aspects such as nursing‐care quality, complexity and personalization. Conclusion: The majority of studies had a high methodological strength and a thorough validation process. The Nurse Caring Behaviours Scale, the MISSCARE Survey, the Patient Advocacy Engagement Scale and the INICIARE scale were the tools which best combined structure, methodological quality and risk of bias. Implications for nursing and health policy: The instruments with the best psychometric properties should be implemented in acute care settings to improve the quality of care, assess the effectiveness of nursing interventions, reduce health expenditure and reduce the occurrence of adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we present a new test, dubbed AntiBioVol, to be used for the quantitative evaluation of antibiofilm activity of volatile compounds in vitro. AntiBioVol is performed in two 24-well plates using a basic microbiological laboratory equipment. To demonstrate AntiBioVol usability, we have scrutinized the activity of volatilized eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme essential oils, and ethanol (used for method suitability testing) against biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. We have also compared AntiBioVol with the standard disc volatilization method, placing a special stress on evaluating the impact of various technical parameters on the outcomes of the latter method. The obtained results indicate that AntiBioVol allows analyzing the antibiofilm activity of volatile compounds in a high number of repeats and provides semi-quantitative or quantitative results of high repeatability. In comparison to disc volatilization, AntiBioVol is a more space- and cost-effective method that allows analyzing various types of microbial aggregates. Moreover, we have indicated that the possible reasons for the discrepancies in the results obtained by means of the standard disc volatilization method may be related to various parameters of the testing dishes used (height, volume, diameter) and to various volumes of the agar medium applied. In turn, the application of a 24-well plate and a strictly defined AntiBioVol protocol provide a higher control of experimental conditions. Therefore, the application of AntiBioVol may enable an optimization of and introduction of volatile compounds to the fight against infective biofilms.

The effects of flurprimidol, paclobutrazol, and ethephon treatment as soil drench on plant height and quantitative and other properties of native narcissus (Narcissus tazetta L.) plants grown in pots were investigated. When the plants were 7-10 cm tall, flurprimidol and paclobutrazol at 0, 1, and 2 mg/pot and ethephon at 0, 37.5, and 75 mg/pot were applied as soil drenches. The effects of plant growth retardant treatments on plant height, leaf length, time of flowering, number of flowers, and flower life were determined. In addition, quantitative measurements (leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf weight ratio, and stem weight ratio) were analyzed in native narcissus. When narcissus grown in pots in the greenhouse reached the sale stage, the plants were taken to the laboratory at 20 °C to evaluate the postproduction life and quality of pot plants. Flurprimidol, paclobutrazol, and ethephon shortened plant height. The shortest plant height was obtained from 2 mg/pot paclobutrazol; plant height was 5.42 cm, 65% shorter than the untreated controls. Chemical applications also shortened leaf length. The shortest leaf length (13.25 cm) was obtained from the 2 mg/pot paclobutrazol treatment. The chemical treatment decreased the leaf area ratio and specific leaf area, but increased the leaf thickness and leaf weight ratio compared to the control plants. The effects of treatments on plant height continued in laboratory (home-office) conditions after production. The shortest plant height (9.5 cm) was obtained from the 2 mg/pot paclobutrazol treatment, whereas the height of untreated control plants was 24.25 cm during the postproduction life of pot plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stomata (singular, "stoma") are tiny pores through which plants breathe. Stomata are found on the upper and lower sides of leaves, on flower petals, on stems, and on roots. Scientists survey plant surfaces to determine the density and size of stomata and relate these findings to properties of the environment, such as temperature and the amounts of sunlight, humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide in the air when a leaf is formed. Stomata of various plants are suitable subjects for classroom laboratory activities since they may be examined by light microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of quantitative measurements with visual grading regression (VGR) and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis in computed tomography (CT) images reconstructed with iterative reconstruction.Materials and Methods: CT scans on a liver phantom were performed on CT scanners from GE, Philips, and Toshiba at three dose levels. Images were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and hybrid iterative techniques (ASiR, iDose, and AIDR 3D of different strengths). Images were visually assessed by five readers using a four- and five-grade ordinal scale for liver low contrast lesions and for 10 image quality criteria. The results were analyzed with ROC and VGR. Standard deviation, signal-to-noise ratios, and contrast-to-noise ratios were measured in the images.Results: All data were compared to FBP. The results of the quantitative measurements were improved for all algorithms. ROC analysis showed improved lesion detection with ASiR and AIDR and decreased lesion detection with iDose. VGR found improved noise properties for all algorithms, increased sharpness with iDose and AIDR, and decreased artifacts from the spine with AIDR, whereas iDose increased the artifacts from the spine. The contrast in the spine decreased with ASiR and iDose.Conclusions: Improved quantitative measurements in images reconstructed with iterative reconstruction compared to FBP are not equivalent to improved diagnostic image accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is difficult to differentiate between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in clinics; therefore, for diagnostic purposes, imaging-based measurements could be beneficial to differentiate between the two diseases. Objectives: We aim to analyze quantitative measurements of the lung and bronchial parameters that are provided by low-dose computed tomography (CT) to differentiate COPD and asthma from an imaging perspective. Materials and Methods: 69 COPD patients, 52 asthma patients, and 20 healthy subjects were recruited to participate in CT imaging and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Comparative analysis was performed to identify differences between COPD and asthma in CT measurements. PFT measurements enabled validation of the differentiation between COPD and asthma patients. Results: There were significant differences among the COPD, asthma, and healthy control groups. The differences were more significant among the following: inspiratory emphysema index (EI)-950 (%), expiratory lung volume, expiratory mean lung density (MLD), and expiratory EI-950 (%) and EI-850 (%). The COPD group had a significantly higher EI-950 (%) than the asthma group (p = 0.008). There were significant differences among the three groups in lumen area (LA), wall area (WA), total area, and Pi10WA. The asthma group had significantly higher WA%/WV% than both the COPD (p = 0.002) and the control group (p = 0.012). There was high sensitivity in EI-950 (%), EI-850 (%) and expiratory MLD in the parenchyma and high sensitivity in LA and Pi10WA in small airways in the differential diagnosis of COPD and asthma. Conclusion: To aid the diagnosis, CT can provide quantitative measurements to differentiate between COPD and asthma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a high-resolution ultrasound technique, which allows noninvasive, in vivo imaging of the ocular anterior segment structures. Purpose: This video gives a description of the identification of the iridocorneal angle structures in the cross-sectional view in a radial scan through a typical ciliary process and a guide toward measuring the angle parameters. Synopsis: UBM provides two-dimensional, grayscale images of the iridocorneal angle. The real-time image is displayed on a video monitor and can be recorded for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The angle parameters can be measured by in-built calipers in the machine software and manipulated by the examiner. Highlights: This video demonstrates UBM caliper positions as displayed on the monitor and marked by the examiner for the measurement of various anterior segment parameters of the eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In all animals, collective cell movement is an essential process in many events, including wound healing and embryonic development. However, our understanding of what characterizes the emergence of multicellular collective behavior is still far from complete. In this article we showed the fundamental cellular processes that drive collective cell movement by means of integrated approaches, including precise quantification measurements and mathematical modeling of measured data. First, we observed the dependence of the collective behaviors of cultured human skin cells on Ca2+ concentrations. When the culturing area confined by a PDMS sheet was suddenly expanded by removing the sheet, the group of cells moved to the expanded area with higher collectivity at higher Ca2+ concentrations. Next, we quantitatively measured cellular responses to the Ca2+ treatments, such as cell growth, cell division, and the strength of intercellular adhesion. Using a femtosecond-laser-based assay, an original method for estimating intercellular adhesion, we found that the strength of intercellular adhesion has an approximately 13-fold range in our treatments. Incorporating the quantitative data into a mathematical model, we then confirmed that the model well reproduced the multicellular behaviors we observed, demonstrating that the strength of intercellular adhesion sufficiently determines the generation of collective cell movement. Finally, we performed extensive numerical experiments, and the results suggested that the emergence of collective cell movement is derived by an optimal balance between the strength of intercellular adhesion and the intensity of cell migration.

Methanol is considered to be one of promising alternative fuels. For direct-injection (DI) methanol-gasoline fueled engines, the injection of fuels into the cylinder and the subsequent evaporation and mixing processes are of great significance. So far, quantitative measurements of fuel concentrations of both liquid and vapor phases in the evaporating spray of multi-component fuels are still difficult. In this study, a novel approach based on the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is developed to quantitatively measure the fuel concentrations and evaporation ratio in DI methanol-gasoline blend sprays in a constant volume vessel. Three atomic lines of H656, N746 and O777 are employed to quantify the concentrations of methanol and n-hexane. The calibrations between two peak intensity ratios and corresponding atom number ratios are established for four kinds of blend fuels (M0, M15, M50, M100). The results show a good consistency of calibration curves for different fuels, suggesting that LIBS is independent of molecular species and capable of measurements of multi-component fuels. For the measurements of evaporation ratio, the LIBS and high-speed droplet microphotography were simultaneously conducted in the droplet flow environment to determine the intensity of C2 band and liquid fuel concentration, respectively. The high fuel-specific correlations are confirmed. The estimated measurement uncertainties of total fuel concentration are <6%, and the measurement uncertainties of evaporation ratio are reduced with the increase of the radial distance. Finally, the component concentration and evaporation ratio in sprays of methanol-n-hexane are quantitatively measured, and then the evaporation processes as well as mixing characteristics of different blend sprays are compared and analyzed. The results are valuable for building the relevant numerical models and developing the combustion systems of engines fueled with methanol-gasoline blend fuels. [Display omitted] • A new method based on LIBS is proposed to measure fuel component concentrations. • The uncertainties of total fuel concentration are estimated to be within 6%. • Calibrations between liquid concentrations and C2/base are highly fuel-specific. • Blending fractions in both M15 and M50 sprays show a non-uniformed distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the development of the striagraph, various attempts have been made to enhance forensic investigation through the use of measuring and imaging equipment. This study describes the development of a prototype system employing an easy-to-use software interface designed to provide forensic examiners with the ability to measure topography of a toolmarked surface and then conduct various comparisons using a statistical algorithm. Acquisition of the data is carried out using a portable 3D optical profilometer, and comparison of the resulting data files is made using software named ' MANTIS' (Mark and Tool Inspection Suite). The system has been tested on laboratory-produced markings that include fully striated marks (e.g., screwdriver markings), quasistriated markings produced by shear-cut pliers, impression marks left by chisels, rifling marks on bullets, and cut marks produced by knives. Using the system, an examiner has the potential to (i) visually compare two toolmarked surfaces in a manner similar to a comparison microscope and (ii) use the quantitative information embedded within the acquired data to obtain an objective statistical comparison of the data files. This study shows that, based on the results from laboratory samples, the system has great potential for aiding examiners in conducting comparisons of toolmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It can be expected that many elderly people have impaired opening capacity of food packaging bearing in mind the changes in functionality and physical strength that occur during ageing. This study determined the relation of the quantitative force required to open selected food packaging systems with findings derived from qualitative focus group studies to retrieve comprehensive information on the specific needs of seniors. The focus group studies revealed that the assessment of the ease of opening is very subjective and can vary from objective measurements. The quantitative measurement of the force required to open the 'easy to open' thermoformed tray resulted in considerably higher peel initiation forces of 22.50 ± 1.62 N compared to the standard tray (12.80 ± 1.93 N). However, the packaging type was still felt to be easier to open because of the enlarged tab and peeling corner, which was said to be easy to grip. Conversely, the stand-up pouches with twist-off caps could only be opened with difficulty because of the small caps and the difficulty in breaking seals, despite the substantially lower opening forces of 0.46 ± 0.06 Nm compared with the other torque closures. The evaluation of a package was found to be only partly dependent on the required opening force but strongly influenced by various design factors and consumer's expectations as well as experiences. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate determination of elements in various kinds of samples is essential for many areas, including environmental science, medicine, as well as industry. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a powerful tool enabling multi-elemental analysis of numerous matrices with high sensitivity and good precision. Various calibration approaches can be used to perform accurate quantitative measurements by ICP-MS. They include the use of pure standards, matrix-matched standards, or relevant certified reference materials, assuring traceability of the reported results. This review critically evaluates the advantages and limitations of different calibration approaches, which are used in quantitative analyses by ICP-MS. Examples of such analyses are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measuring nursing care quality is essential for nursing practice. However, because of its complexity, such a quality is difficult to define and measure appropriately and a review of available instruments to measure this is important. Aim: This systematic review reports on contemporary quantitative instruments for evaluating nursing care quality and suggests some directions for further study. Method: A comprehensive search was conducted in 2015 to review five databases CINAHL, HINARI, ScienceDirect, Google and PubMed, and 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. The search covered the earliest literature found up until November 2015. Result: We found that instruments could be categorized from three different measuring perspectives (1) nurses, (2) patients and (3) both nurses and patients. Limitation: First, only English language literature was sought and only five databases were reviewed. Second, the instruments reviewed are of varying dimensions. Finally, some authors did not provide the psychometric properties of the instruments studied. Conclusion: Many reviews published in peer ‐ reviewed journals have serious methodological flaws that focus on different perspectives in relation to instruments to measure nursing care quality. As the result of this systematic review instruments are focused on different perspectives of nursing care quality for nurse managers. In addition, the findings of this systematic review enhance better understanding of the perspectives in regard to both nurses and patients in the health ‐ care facilities. Implications for nursing and health policy: The results of this systematic review contribute to the ability of nurse managers to improve and consider the measurement of nursing care quality in clinical practice. The first suggests the need to understand the different perceptions of both nurses and patients' instruments regarding NCQ. Also, a health ‐ care quality ‐ related policy should also be formulated to reduce adverse events. The recording system policy must be designed appropriately in order to monitor patient outcomes every year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative assessments of position sense are essential for the investigation of proprioception, as well as for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning for patients with somatosensory deficits. Despite the development and use of various paradigms and robotic tools, their clinimetric properties are often poorly evaluated and reported. A proper evaluation of the latter is essential to compare results between different studies and to identify the influence of possible confounds on outcome measures. The aim of the present study was to perform a comprehensive evaluation of a rapid robotic assessment of wrist proprioception using a passive gauge position matching task. Thirty-two healthy subjects undertook six test-retests of proprioception of the right wrist on two different days. The constant error (CE) was 0.87?, the absolute error (AE) was 5.87°, the variable error (VE) was 4.59° and the total variability (E) was 6.83° in average for the angles presented in the range from 10° to 30°. The intraclass correlation analysis provided an excellent reliability for CE (0.75), good reliability for AE (0.68) and E (0.68), and fair reliability for VE (0.54). Tripling the assessment length had negligible effects on the reliabilities. Additional analysis revealed significant trends of larger overestimation (constant errors), as well as larger absolute and variable errors with increased flexion angles. No proprioceptive learning occurred, despite increased familiarity with the task, which was reflected in significantly decreased assessment duration by 30%. In conclusion, the proposed automated assessment can provide sensitive and reliable information on proprioceptive function of the wrist with an administration time of around 2.5 min, demonstrating the potential for its application in research or clinical settings. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of reporting the complete set of errors (CE, AE, VE, and E) in a matching experiment for the identification of trends and subsequent interpretation of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a localised displacement of disc material, which may initiate changes in the disc and adjacent structures such as the nerve root and the spinal canal. Knowledge about how morphological changes in the disc relate to changes in other spinal structures might give the clinician a better understanding of the natural history and consequences of lumbar disc herniations. However, few longitudinal studies have investigated this process using reliable measures from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objectives of this study were to examine changes in and associations between the size of lumbar disc herniations, dural sac area and disc height over an eight-year period using MRI at three time-points.Methods: Individuals from a population-based cohort, the 'Backs on Funen Cohort', had MRIs taken at age 41 years and again at 45 and 49 years. Only disc levels with MRI-confirmed disc herniations at 41 or 45 years were included. Cross-sectional areas (mm(2)) of the LDH, dural sac and disc height were calculated from measurements performed on sagittal T2-weighted images using a previously validated method. Changes over time for the three MRI findings were defined as "unchanged", "increased ", "decreased", or "fluctuating". Only changes beyond 95% limits of agreement of the same measurements were regarded as valid. Associations between the three types of measures were examined cross-sectionally and longitudinally.Results: One hundred and forty disc levels, from 106 people (48 women and 58 men), were included. Over eight years, 65% of the herniations remained unchanged, 17.5% decreased, 12.5% increased, and 5% had a fluctuating pattern. Increased herniation size was associated with decreased dural sac area (β-0.25[-0.52;0.01]) and increased disc height (β 0.35[0.14;0.56]). Moreover, larger herniation size predicted a statistically significant reduction in both dural sac area (β-0.35[-0.58;-0.13]) and disc height (β-0.50[-0.81;-0.20]).Conclusions: On average, most LDHs do not change over a four- to eight-year period. However, larger herniation size predicts a reduction in both dural sac area and disc height. Further research should be done to determine the correlations between the progression of LDH and resolution of patient symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantitative analysis of molecule interactions in bioimaging is key for understanding the molecular orchestration of cellular processes and is generally achieved through the study of the spatial colocalization between the different populations of molecules. Colocalization methods are traditionally divided into pixel-based methods that measure global correlation coefficients from the overlap between pixel intensities in different color channels, and object-based methods that first segment molecule spots and then analyze their spatial distributions with second-order statistics. Here, we present a review of such colocalization methods and give a quantitative comparison of their relative merits in different types of biological applications and contexts. We show on synthetic and biological images that object-based methods are more robust statistically than pixel-based methods, and allow moreover to quantify accurately the number of colocalized molecules. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]