A machine learning-based approach for predicting renal function recovery in general ward patients with acute kidney injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant challenge in healthcare. While there are considerable researches dedicated to AKI patients, a crucial factor in their renal function recovery, is often overlooked. Thus, our study aims to address this issue through the development of a machine learning model to predict restoration of kidney function in patients with AKI.

Effects of the Electrical Properties of SnO and C60 on the Carrier Transport Characteristics of p-i-n-Structured Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cells.

Recently, metal halide perovskite-based top cells have shown significant potential for use in inexpensive and high-performance tandem solar cells. In state-of-the-art p-i-n perovskite/Si tandem devices, atomic-layer-deposited SnO has been widely used as a buffer layer in the top cells because it enables conformal, pinhole-free, and highly transparent buffer layer formation. In this work, the effects of various electrical properties of SnO and C60 layers on the carrier transport characteristics and the performance of the final devices were investigated using a numerical simulation method, which was established based on real experimental data to increase the validity of the model.

Optical Characterization and Prediction with Neural Network Modeling of Various Stoichiometries of Perovskite Materials Using a Hyperregression Method.

Quaternary perovskite solar cells are being extensively studied, with the goal of increasing solar cell efficiency and securing stability by changing the ratios of methylammonium, formamidinium, I, and Br. However, when the stoichiometric ratio is changed, the photoelectric properties reflect those of different materials, making it difficult to study the physical properties of the quaternary perovskite. In this study, the optical properties of perovskite materials with various stoichiometric ratios were measured using ellipsometry, and the results were analyzed using an optical simulation model.

Two-stage binary classifier for neuromuscular disorders using surface electromyography feature extraction and selection.

If surface electromyography (sEMG) can be used to determine neuromuscular disorders, it can diagnose conditions more easily than needle electromyography. In this study, sEMG during maximum voluntary isometric contraction and repetitive exercise was measured, and normal, myopathy, and neuropathy were classified with high accuracy using these signals. First, a two-stage binary classifier model was constructed to classify the patient group and the normal group and categorize the cases assigned to the patient group into myopathy and neuropathy groups.

Limitations of dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate deposition in dense liquid tophi and calcified tophi.

Objective: Dual-energy CT (DECT) detection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in patients with established gout. However, limitations have been reported with early disease and with low urate burden. We aimed to study the performance of DECT in the detection and quantification of MSU deposition in solid and liquid tophi.

Evaluation for Parkinsonian Bradykinesia by deep learning modeling of kinematic parameters.

A wearable sensor system is available for monitoring of bradykinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), however, it remains unclear whether kinematic parameters would reflect clinical severity of PD, or would help clinical diagnosis of physicians. The present study investigated whether the classification model using kinematic parameters from the wearable sensor may show accordance with clinical rating and diagnosis in PD patients. Using the Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) sensor, we measured the movement of finger tapping (FT), hand movements (HM), and rapid alternating movements (RA) in 25 PD patients and 21 healthy controls.

Microwave-assisted ultrafast in-situ growth of N-doped carbon quantum dots on multiwalled carbon nanotubes as an efficient electrocatalyst for photovoltaics.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are at the forefront of metal-free electrocatalysts, however, the performance is still limited due to lack of functionality and dispersion. Coupling of MWCNTs with nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) can impart the required active sites and dispersion. For the purpose, NCQDs are generally attached to MWCNTs by multistep processing, such as NCQDs synthesis, followed by their complex purification, surface activation, and crosslinking with MWCNT.

Solution-Processed ZnCdS Buffer Layers for Vapor Transport-Deposited SnS Thin-Film Solar Cells: Achieving High Open-Circuit Voltage.

As an alternative buffer material to CdS, ZnCdS buffer layers for vapor transport-deposited SnS thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) were fabricated using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. Varying the Zn-to-Cd ratio resulted in a series of ZnCdS thin films with controllable band gaps in the range of 2.40-3.

Na-Mediated Stoichiometry Control of FeS Thin Films: Suppression of Nanoscale S-Deficiency and Improvement of Photoresponse.

Control of the constituent phase and stoichiometry of iron pyrite (FeS) is a prerequisite for high-performance photovoltaic devices based on this material. If the pyrite contains sulfur-deficiency-related secondary phases which have a metallic character and a high possibility of coexistence in pyrite films, then significant carrier recombination is expected. In this work, the beneficial role of Na in suppressing the formation of nanoscale or amorphous sulfur-deficient secondary phases is reported with experimental evidence, leading to a higher phase purity for solution-processed pyrite films.

Virtual evaluation of selected cervical lymph nodes with three-dimensional ultrasound in thyroid cancer patients after thyroidectomy.

Background: We evaluated the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound of cervical lymph nodes (LN), when two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound evaluation is not sufficient to clearly evaluate lymph node characteristics, in thyroid cancer patients being followed after thyroidectomy.

Methods: Two readers retrospectively analyzed 2D and 3D images of 147 LNs; LNs were categorized as normal, reactive, suspicious, or indeterminate, and confidence level was rated. Results were compared to cytological/clinical data.

Performance and Uniformity Improvement in Ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se Solar Cells with a WO Nanointerlayer at the Absorber/Transparent Back-Contact Interface.

Thinning CIGSe absorber layer to less than 500 nm is desirable for reducing the cost per unit watt of photovoltaic-generated electricity, and also, the semitransparent solar cell based on such a thin absorber can be used in bifacial and superstrate configurations if the back electrode is transparent. In this study, a WO layer is inserted between Cu(In,Ga)Se (CIGSe) absorber and tin-doped indium oxide back-contact to enhance the hole collection at the back electrode. A WO interlayer with a thickness of 6 nm is found to be optimum because it causes a ∼38% relative increase in the fill factor of a ∼450 nm thick CIGSe-based device compared to the reference device without a WO interlayer.

Validity and Reliability of the Newly Developed Surface Electromyography Device for Measuring Muscle Activity during Voluntary Isometric Contraction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the validity and reliability of the newly developed surface electromyography (sEMG) device (PSL-EMG-Tr1) compared with a conventional sEMG device (BTS-FREEEMG1000).

Methods: In total, 20 healthy participants (10 males, age 30.3 ± 2.

Highly Monodispersed PbS Quantum Dots for Outstanding Cascaded-Junction Solar Cells.

High-performance cascaded-junction quantum dot solar cells (CJQDSCs) are fabricated from as-prepared highly monodispersed lead sulfide QDs. The cells have a high power conversion of 9.05% and a short-circuit current density of 32.

JOURNAL CLUB: Value of Quantitative FDG PET/CT Volumetric Biomarkers in Recurrent Colorectal Cancer Patient Survival.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of quantitative PET parameters in the overall survival of patients with recurrent colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 105 patients with a biopsy-proven recurrence of colorectal cancer who underwent PET/CT were included in the study. A gradient segmentation method was used to calculate maximum and peak standardized uptake values (SUVmax, SUVpeak), total lesion glycolysis (TLGtotal), and metabolic tumor volume (MTVtotal).

Carbon-Impurity Affected Depth Elemental Distribution in Solution-Processed Inorganic Thin Films for Solar Cell Application.

A common feature of the inorganic thin films including Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 fabricated by nonvacuum solution-based approaches is the doubled-layered structure, with a top dense inorganic film and a bottom carbon-containing residual layer. Although the latter has been considered to be the main efficiency limiting factor, (as a source of high series resistance), the exact influence of this layer is still not clear, and contradictory views are present. In this study, using a CISe as a model system, we report experimental evidence indicating that the carbon residual layer itself is electrically benign to the device performance.

Intratherapy or Posttherapy FDG PET or FDG PET/CT for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prognostic Studies.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of intra-therapy or posttherapy FDG PET or FDG PET/CT with regard to overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Materials And Methods: A systematic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed. Studies in which PET/CT was performed during or after completion of primary therapy and for which survival outcomes were reported were included.

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Solar Water Splitting Using a Platinum-Decorated CIGS/CdS/ZnO Photocathode.

A Cu(InGa)Se2 film was modified with CdS/ZnO for application to solar water splitting. Platinum was electrodeposited on the ZnO layer as a hydrogen evolution catalyst. The effects of the electroplating time and acidity level of the electrolyte on the photocurrent density were studied.

Carbon monoxide poisoning-induced cardiomyopathy from charcoal at a barbecue restaurant: a case report.

Objective: Acute carbon monoxide poisoning has important clinical value because it can cause severe adverse cardiovascular effects and sudden death. Acute carbon monoxide poisoning due to charcoal is well reported worldwide, and increased use of charcoal in the restaurant industry raises concern for an increase in occupational health problems. We present a case of carbon monoxide poisoning induced cardiomyopathy in a 47-year-old restaurant worker.

¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and Colorectal Cancer: Value of Fourth and Subsequent Posttherapy Follow-up Scans for Patient Management.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the added value of a fourth and subsequent follow-up PET/CT scans to clinical assessment and impact on patient management in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved, retrospective study. Eight hundred twenty-two patients with biopsy-proven colorectal cancer, who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT, were identified from 2000 to 2012.

Comparison of image quality of shoulder CT arthrography conducted using 120 kVp and 140 kVp protocols.

Objective: To compare the image quality of shoulder CT arthrography performed using 120 kVp and 140 kVp protocols.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-four CT examinations were prospectively included. CT scans were performed on each patient at 120 kVp and 140 kVp; other scanning parameters were kept constant.

Carbon- and oxygen-free Cu(InGa)(SSe)₂ solar cell with a 4.63% conversion efficiency by electrostatic spray deposition.

We have demonstrated the first example of carbon- and oxygen-free Cu(In,Ga)(SSe)2 (CIGSSe) absorber layers prepared by electrospraying a CuInGa (CIG) precursor followed by annealing, sulfurization, and selenization at elevated temperature. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed that the amorphous as-deposited (CIG) precursor film was converted into polycrystalline CIGSSe with a flat-grained morphology after post-treatment. The optimal post-treatment temperature was 300 °C for annealing and 500 °C for both sulfurization and selenization, with a ramp rate of 5 °C/min.

Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction and Veo: assessment of image quality and diagnostic performance in CT colonography at various radiation doses.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) colonography (CTC) reconstructed with different levels of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR, GE Healthcare) and Veo (model-based iterative reconstruction, GE Healthcare) at various tube currents in detection of polyps in porcine colon phantoms.

Methods: Five porcine colon phantoms with 46 simulated polyps were scanned at different radiation doses (10, 30, and 50 mA s) and were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP), ASiR (20%, 40%, and 60%) and Veo. Eleven data sets for each phantom (10-mA s FBP, 10-mA s 20% ASiR, 10-mA s 40% ASiR, 10-mA s 60% ASiR, 10-mA s Veo, 30-mA s FBP, 30-mA s 20% ASiR, 30-mA s 40% ASiR, 30-mA s 60% ASiR, 30-mA s Veo, and 50-mA s FBP) yielded a total of 55 data sets.

Spinal cord glioblastoma induced by radiation therapy of nasopharyngeal rhabdomyosarcoma with MRI findings: case report.

Radiation-induced spinal cord gliomas are extremely rare. Since the first case was reported in 1980, only six additional cases have been reported.; The radiation-induced gliomas were related to the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, thyroid cancer, and medullomyoblastoma, and to multiple chest fluoroscopic examinations in pulmonary tuberculosis patient.

Histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient map of standard and high B-value diffusion MR imaging in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a correlation study with histological grade.

Rationale And Objectives: A histologic grade in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is clinically important because of its association with prognosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of histographic analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps on the basis of the entire tumor volume in differentiating histologic grades in HNSCC at standard (b = 1000 s/mm(2)) and high (b = 2000 s/mm(2)) b values.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-four patients with HNSCC, including well-differentiated (WD; n = 35), moderately differentiated (MD; n = 13) and poorly differentiated (PD; n = 6) carcinomas, were retrospectively evaluated.