Advancing Spine Fracture Detection: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Practice.

Vertebral fractures are prevalent skeletal injuries commonly associated with osteoporosis, trauma, and degenerative diseases. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications such as chronic pain and progressive spinal deformities. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in medical imaging to support automatic detection and classification of vertebral fractures.

Feasibility study for real-time thin-film solar cell-based personnel radiation dosimeter during fluoroscopic surgical procedure.

Background: C-arm fluoroscopy is a widely used imaging technique in surgical procedures, but it exposes medical personnel to ionizing radiation, increasing the need for effective radiation monitoring. Conventional dosimeters used for measuring radiation exposure have limitations, such as being difficult to integrate into real-time monitoring systems. Therefore, developing a compact, cost-effective, and efficient real-time personnel dosimeter is critical to enhance radiation safety.

Pedicle Enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI As A Risk Factor for Progressive Collapse in Acute Osteoporotic Compression Fractures.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To verify the association between pedicle enhancement (PE) on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and progressive collapse, and analyze the correlation between the degree of PE and progressive collapse.

Summary Of Background Data: Osteoporotic compression fracture (OCF) is generally considered a stable fracture, with most patients achieving successful recovery through conservative treatment such as bracing and physical therapy.

Correlation Between Calcification of Facet Joint Capsule and Dynamic Instability in Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.

Background: To evaluate the association between facet joint capsule calcification (FCC) on computed tomography and dynamic instability on weight-bearing flexion-extension lateral X-ray in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4-5.

Methods: Clinical and radiologic data from 388 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis who underwent lumbar magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and dynamic X-ray within a 1-month interval from January 2012 to December 2021 were reviewed in this study. Radiologic factors associated with dynamic instability were evaluated: FCC, facet degeneration grade, facet joint fluid, facet tropism, disc degeneration grade, traction spur, and vacuum phenomenon.

Determination of beam quality correction factors for alanine dosimetry in clinical proton beams.

Introduction: With the advent of FLASH radiotherapy, alanine dosimetry has gained attention as a promising dosimeter owing to its dose-rate independence. However, before utilized in radiotherapy, procedures for determining the absorbed dose to water using alanine under clinical proton beams must be established. This study sought to develop a formula for alanine dosimetry by deriving beam quality correction factors and validating them through Monte Carlo simulations and experimental measurements.

Feasibility study for the development of multilayered solar cells for proton linear energy transfer depth profile measurement.

Background: Previous study proposed a method to measure linear energy transfer (LET) at specific points using the quenching magnitude of thin film solar cells. This study was conducted to propose a more advanced method for measuring the LET distribution.

Purpose: This study focuses on evaluating the feasibility of estimating the proton LET distribution in proton therapy.

Study of a plastic scintillating plate-based quality assurance system for pencil beam scanning proton beams.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a plastic scintillating plate-based beam monitoring system to perform quality assurance (QA) measurements in pencil beam scanning proton beam.

Methods: Single spots and scanned fields were measured with the high-resolution dosimetry system, consisting of a plastic scintillation plate coupled to a camera in a dark box at the isocenter. The measurements were taken at 110-190 MeV beam energies with 30° gantry angle intervals at each energy.

Multifunctional Siloxene-Decorated Laser-Inscribed Graphene Patch for Sweat Ion Analysis and Electrocardiogram Monitoring.

Potentiometric detection in complex biological fluids enables continuous electrolyte monitoring for personal healthcare; however, the commercialization of ion-selective electrode-based devices has been limited by the rapid loss of potential stability caused by electrode surface inactivation and biofouling. Here, we describe a simple multifunctional hybrid patch incorporating an Au nanoparticle/siloxene-based solid contact (SC) supported by a substrate made of laser-inscribed graphene on poly(dimethylsiloxane) for the noninvasive detection of sweat Na and K. These SC nanocomposites prevent the formation of a water layer during ion-to-electron transfer, preserving 3 and 5 μV/h potential drift for the Na and K ion-selective electrodes, respectively, after 13 h of exposure.

Feature Importance Analysis of a Deep Learning Model for Predicting Late Bladder Toxicity Occurrence in Uterine Cervical Cancer Patients.

(1) In this study, we developed a deep learning (DL) model that can be used to predict late bladder toxicity. (2) We collected data obtained from 281 uterine cervical cancer patients who underwent definitive radiation therapy. The DL model was trained using 16 features, including patient, tumor, treatment, and dose parameters, and its performance was compared with that of a multivariable logistic regression model using the following metrics: accuracy, prediction, recall, F1-score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

Stretchable and All-Directional Strain-Insensitive Electronic Glove for Robotic Skins and Human-Machine Interfacing.

Electronic gloves (e-gloves), with their multifunctional sensing capability, hold a promising application in robotic skin and human-machine interfaces, endowing robots with a human sense of touch. Despite the progress in developing e-gloves by exploiting flexible or stretchable sensors, existing models have inherent rigidity in their sensing area, limiting their stretchability and sensing performance. Herein, we present an all-directional strain-insensitive stretchable e-glove that successfully extends sensing functionality such as pressure, temperature, humidity, and ECG with minimal crosstalk.

Dissipation of Four Typical Insecticides on Strawberries and Effects of Different Household Washing Methods.

The dissipation patterns of chlorfenapyr, cyenopyrafen, indoxacarb, and spirotetramat on strawberries and the effects of different household washing methods were investigated. A risk assessment was also conducted by monitoring the insecticide residues detected. The concentrations ranged from 0.

Highly Sensitive and Reliable Piezoresistive Strain Sensor Based on Cobalt Nanoporous Carbon-Incorporated Laser-Induced Graphene for Smart Healthcare Wearables.

The development of highly sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective strain sensors is a big challenge for wearable smart electronics and healthcare applications, such as soft robotics, point-of-care systems, and electronic skins. In this study, we newly fabricated a highly sensitive and reliable piezoresistive strain sensor based on polyhedral cobalt nanoporous carbon (Co-NPC)-incorporated laser-induced graphene (LIG) for wearable smart healthcare applications. The synergistic integration of Co-NPC and LIG enables the performance improvement of the strain sensor by providing an additional conductive pathway and robust mechanical properties with a high surface area of Co-NPC nanoparticles.

Interobserver Variability Prediction of Primary Gross Tumor in a Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

This research addresses the problem of interobserver variability (IOV), in which different oncologists manually delineate varying primary gross tumor volume (pGTV) contours, adding risk to targeted radiation treatments. Thus, a method of IOV reduction is urgently needed. Hypothesizing that the radiation oncologist’s IOV may shrink with the aid of IOV maps, we propose IOV prediction network (IOV-Net), a deep-learning model that uses the fuzzy membership function to produce high-quality maps based on computed tomography (CT) images.

Accuracy of Seismic Response Evaluation of Two-Dimensional Analysis Model with Rigid Joints for RC Frame Buildings.

Three- or two-dimensional (2D) numerical models are used for the evaluation of the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. This study examines a 2D numerical model for a specimen used in a full-scale four-story RC shaking-table test and evaluates the accuracy of the seismic response of the 2D numerical model, which is composed of a square fiber section model for the columns, a T-shape fiber section model for the beam and slab, and a rigid joint model for the beam-column joint. A parametric analysis of the effective slab width is performed to analyze its effects on the modal shape and natural period.

Determination of the proton LET using thin film solar cells coated with scintillating powder.

Purpose: The amount of luminescent light detected in a scintillator is reduced with increased proton linear energy transfer (LET) despite receiving the same proton dose, through a phenomenon called quenching. This study evaluated the ability of a solar cell coated with scintillating powder (SC-SP) to measure therapeutic proton LET by measuring the quenching effect of the scintillating powder using a solar cell while simultaneously measuring the dose of the proton beam.

Methods: SC-SP was composed of a flexible thin film solar cell and scintillating powder.

Development of a real-time in vivo dosimetry tool for electron beam therapy using a flexible thin film solar cell coated with scintillator powder.

Purpose: A real-time solar cell based in vivo dosimetry system (SC-IVD) was developed using a flexible thin film solar cell and scintillating powder. The present study evaluated the clinical feasibility of the SC-IVD in electron beam therapy.

Methods: A thin film solar cell was coated with 100 mg of scintillating powder using an optical adhesive to enhance the sensitivity of the SC-IVD.

Development of a dosimetry system for therapeutic X-rays using a flexible amorphous silicon thin-film solar cell with a scintillator screen.

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics and applications of a dosimetry system composed of a flexible amorphous silicon thin-film solar cell and scintillator screen (STFSC-SS) for therapeutic X-rays.

Methods: The real-time dosimetry system was composed of a flexible a-Si thin-film solar cell (0.2-mm thick), a scintillator screen to increase its efficiency, and an electrometer to measure the generated charge.

Beam Angle Optimization for Double-Scattering Proton Delivery Technique Using an Eclipse Application Programming Interface and Convolutional Neural Network.

To automatically identify optimal beam angles for proton therapy configured with the double-scattering delivery technique, a beam angle optimization method based on a convolutional neural network (BAODS-Net) is proposed. Fifty liver plans were used for training in BAODS-Net. To generate a sequence of input data, 25 rays on the eye view of the beam were determined per angle.

Bioconcentration and Metabolism of the New Herbicide Methiozolin in Ricefish ().

Methiozolin is a novel herbicide used to control annual bluegrass. It has low vapor pressure and high hydrophobicity, which could result in persistence in water and bioaccumulation. We measured the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of methiozolin in ricefish ().

Development of clinical application program for radiotherapy induced cancer risk calculation using Monte Carlo engine in volumetric-modulated arc therapy.

Background: The purpose of this study is to develop a clinical application program that automatically calculates the effect for secondary cancer risk (SCR) of individual patient. The program was designed based on accurate dose calculations using patient computed tomography (CT) data and Monte Carlo engine. Automated patient-specific evaluation program was configured to calculate SCR.

Clinical application of a gantry-attachable plastic scintillating plate dosimetry system in pencil beam scanning proton therapy beam monitoring.

Purpose: The entrance beam fluence of therapeutic proton scanning beams can be monitored using a gantry-attachable plastic scintillating plate (GAPSP). This study evaluated the clinical application of the GAPSP using a method that measures intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) beams for patient treatment.

Methods: IMPT beams for the treatment of nine patients, at sites that included the spine, head and neck, pelvis, and lung, were measured using the GAPSP, composed of an EJ-212 plastic scintillator and a CMOS camera.

The Association between Excessive Internet Gaming Behavior and Immersive Tendency, Mediated by Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, in Korean Male University Students.

Objective: Problematic online gaming (POG) and problematic Internet use (PIU) have become a serious public mental health problem, with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) included in "Conditions for further study" section of DSM-5. Although higher immersive tendency is observed in people affected by POG, little is known about the simultaneous effect of immersive tendency and its highly comorbid mental disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to assess the relationship between immersive tendency, ADHD, and IGD.

Feasibility study of a plastic scintillating plate-based treatment beam fluence monitoring system for use in pencil beam scanning proton therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe a plastic scintillating plate-based gantry-attachable dosimetry system for pencil beam scanning proton therapy to monitor entrance proton beam fluence, and to evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of this system and its feasibility for clinical use.

Methods: The dosimetry system, consisting of a plastic scintillating plate and a CMOS camera, was attached to a dedicated scanning nozzle and scintillation during proton beam irradiation was recorded. Dose distribution was calculated from the accumulated recorded frames.

Feasibility of a GATE Monte Carlo platform in a clinical pretreatment QA system for VMAT treatment plans using TrueBeam with an HD120 multileaf collimator.

Purpose: To evaluate the quality of patient-specific complicated treatment plans, including commercialized treatment planning systems (TPS) and commissioned beam data, we developed a process of quality assurance (QA) using a Monte Carlo (MC) platform. Specifically, we constructed an interface system that automatically converts treatment plan and dose matrix data in digital imaging and communications in medicine to an MC dose-calculation engine. The clinical feasibility of the system was evaluated.