Design and Development of a Battery State of Health Estimation Model for Efficient Battery Monitoring Systems.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that can continuously supply power for a certain period when a power outage occurs. UPS devices are used by national institutions, hospitals, and servers, and are located in numerous public places that require continuous power. However, maintaining such devices in good condition requires periodic maintenance at specific time points. Efficient monitoring can currently be achieved using a battery management system (BMS). However, most BMSs are administrator-centered. If the administrator is not careful, it becomes difficult to accurately grasp the data trend of each battery cell, which in turn can lead to a leakage or heat explosion of the cell. In this study, a deep-learning-based intelligent model that can predict battery life, known as the state of health (SoH), is investigated for the efficient operation of a BMS applied to a lithium-based UPS device.

Complaints addressed by regulatory authorities in drug advertising targeted at consumers: Cases across three, different countries.

BACKGROUND: Misleading advertisements can affect behavior of both consumers and prescribers and may lead to inappropriate use of medications. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the complaints upheld by regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia regarding pharmaceutical advertising directed at consumers. METHODS: Complaints addressed between January 2014 and June 2017 were retrieved from the websites of regulatory authorities. Complaints addressed by self-regulatory bodies were not included due to the poor availability of data. RESULTS: Sixty complaints, 374 complaints, and 223 complaints from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, respectively, were analyzed. In the United Kingdom, the most frequent type of violation was advertising of prescription drugs (70.5%); most of these violations involved botulinum toxin. In Canada, advertising on online media was more likely to be associated with prescription drugs than that on traditional media (P < 0.001). In Australia, advertising of prescription drugs accounted for less than 10% of complaints, but all were associated with online media. CONCLUSIONS: In countries where direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs is prohibited, regulatory authorities may need to devise further strategies to safeguard the public as this is an unresolved issue and is predicted to become more problematic with the increased use of online media.

Estimation of the effective dose of dental cone-beam computed tomography using personal computer-based Monte Carlo software.

PURPOSE: To calculate the effective doses of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) using personal computer-based Monte Carlo (PCXMC) software (Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland) and to compare the calculated effective doses with those measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and an anthropomorphic phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Alphard VEGA CBCT scanner (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Kyoto, Japan) with multiple fields of view (FOVs) was used for this study. The effective doses of the scout and main projections of CBCT using 1 large and 2 medium FOVs with a height >10 cm were calculated using PCXMC and PCXMCRotation software and then were compared with the doses obtained using TLD-100 LiF and an anthropomorphic adult human male phantom. Furthermore, it was described how to determine the reference points on the Y- and Z-axes in PCXMC, the important dose-determining factors in this software. RESULTS: The effective doses at CBCT for 1 large (20.0 cm×17.9 cm) and 2 medium FOVs (15.4 cm×15.4 cm and 10.2 cm×10.2 cm) calculated by the PCXMC software were 181, 300, and 158 µSv, respectively. These values were comparable (16%-18% smaller) to those obtained through TLD measurements in each mode. CONCLUSION: The use of PCXMC software could be an alternative to the TLD measurement method for effective dose estimation in CBCT with large and medium FOVs.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Structural MRI in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer Disease: Automated Volumetric Assessment Versus Visual Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacies of an automated volumetric assessment tool and visual assessment in the evaluation of medial temporal lobar atrophy in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease (AD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 30 patients with mild-to-moderate AD and 25 age-matched healthy control subjects undergoing MRI with a 3D fast spoiled gradient recalled-echo sequence at 3 T. The images were processed with fully automated volumetric analysis software. To assess medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy, two MTL indexes, which took into account the volumes of the hippocampus and the inferior lateral ventricle, were calculated with the automated volumetric assessment software. In addition, two neuroradiologists assessed MTL atrophy visually using the Scheltens scale. ROC curve analysis was used to compare the diagnostic performances of the two methods. The weighted kappa statistic was used to assess the intrarater and interrater reliability of visual inspection. RESULTS: The automated volumetric assessment tool had moderate sensitivity (63.3%) and high specificity (100%) in differentiating patients with mild-to-moderate AD from control subjects. Visual inspection showed sensitivity of 63.3% and specificity of 92.0%. The diagnostic performance was not significantly different between the two methods (p = 0.536-0.906). Intraobserver reliability for visual inspection was 0.858 and 0.902 for the two reviewers, and interobserver reliability was 0.692-0.780. CONCLUSION: Both the automated volumetric assessment tool and visual inspection can be used to evaluate MTL atrophy and differentiate patients with AD from healthy individuals with good diagnostic accuracy. Thus, the automated tool can be a useful and efficient adjunct in clinical practice for evaluating MTL atrophy in the diagnosis of AD.

THE VALUE OF GROSS VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF SPECIMEN ADEQUACY FOR LIQUID-BASED CYTOLOGY DURING ULTRASOUND-GUIDED, FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION OF THYROID NODULES.

OBJECTIVE: Major problems of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules arise due to nondiagnostic results caused by inadequately obtained FNA specimens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of visual assessment of liquid-based cytology specimens during FNA of thyroid nodules for predicting sampling adequacy. METHODS: For 3 months, visual assessment of FNA specimens was used for 534 consecutive nodules in 534 patients. The FNA specimens were visually graded immediately following aspiration for each nodule, and the visual grades were classified into 2 categories: inadequate (<6 cell groups) and adequate (>6 cell groups). The cytology results were classified as diagnostic or nondiagnostic based on the Bethesda system. We compared the ultrasound features and FNA characteristics between the diagnostic and nondiagnostic results. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors independently predictive of nondiagnostic results. We also evaluated the interobserver agreement regarding the visual assessment. RESULTS: Visual assessment was feasible in all patients, and the nondiagnostic rate was 11.6% (62 of 534). Nondiagnostic results were more frequent in the inadequate visual assessment group (38.1%) than in the adequate visual assessment group (10.5%) (P = .001). Independent predictive factors for nondiagnostic results were inadequate visual assessment (odds ratio, 5.18), >50% vascularity (odds ratio, 3.98), and macrocalcification (odds ratio, 3.60). Interobserver agreement for the prediction of visual assessment was good (κ value, 0.767; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Immediate visual assessment of a specimen during FNA of a thyroid nodule is a feasible method for predicting sampling adequacy.

Assessment of bifid and trifid mandibular canals using cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of bifid and trifid mandibular canals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, and to measure their length, diameter, and angle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 500 patients, involving 755 hemi-mandibles, were used for this study. The presence and type of bifid mandibular canal was evaluated according to a modified classification of Naitoh et al. Prevalence rates were determined according to age group, gender, and type. Further, their diameter, length, and angles were measured using PACSPLUS Viewer and ImageJ 1.46r. Statistical analysis with chi-squared and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests was performed. RESULTS: Bifid and trifid mandibular canals were found in 22.6% of the 500 patients and 16.2% of the 755 sides. There was no significant difference between genders and among age groups. The retromolar canal type accounted for 71.3% of the identified canals; the dental canal type, 18.8%; the forward canal type, 4.1%; and the trifid canal type, 5.8%. Interestingly, seven cases of the trifid canal type, which has been rarely reported, were observed. The mean diameter of the bifid and trifid mandibular canals was 2.2 mm and that of the main mandibular canal was 4.3 mm. Their mean length was 16.9 mm; the mean superior angle was 149.2°, and the mean inferior angle was 37.7°. CONCLUSION: Bifid and trifid mandibular canals in the Korean population were observed at a relatively high rate through a CBCT evaluation, and the most common type was the retromolar canal. CBCT is suggested for a detailed evaluation of bifid and trifid mandibular canals before mandibular surgery.

Iterative reconstruction algorithms of computed tomography for the assessment of small pancreatic lesions: phantom study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose reduction of iterative reconstruction (IR) used for computed tomographic (CT) scanning of small pancreatic lesions. METHODS: An anthropomorphic pancreas phantom with 16 small lesions was scanned using 4 kinds of CT scanners with different tube current-time products (75-250 mAs). The CT images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and the relevant IR of each vendor (GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare, Toshiba Medical Systems). The image qualities, dose reduction rate (in percent), and figure of merit (FOM) were evaluated in comparison with the reference images (250 mAs, FBP). RESULTS: Image noise was markedly improved with the IR; therefore, a 36 to 60% dose reduction was possible. As a result, the final CT dose index volume can be diminished to 7.05 to 11.40 mGy with the IR algorithms. The IR demonstrated 1.52 to 7.84 times higher FOM than that of FBP. Particularly, an advanced fully IR showed outstanding results of FOM (6.06-7.84 times). CONCLUSIONS: Because IR can reduce image noise while maintaining image quality for the delineation of small pancreatic lesions, it can be used for pancreatic imaging with substantial radiation dose reduction.

Toxicological impact assessment of heavy metal contamination on macrobenthic communities in southern coastal sediments of Korea.

In the heavily industrialized Masan Bay of southern coast, Korea, the potential harmful effects of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn, and Hg) were evaluated in terms of the pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk assessment index (ERI) methods, and the results obtained were considered alongside the health of the macrobenthic fauna communities. The results revealed that the bay sediments, especially in the inner bay and the outfall area of a sewage treatment plant, are exposed to moderate to serious levels of metal pollution. Hg and Cd contributed the most to the potential toxicity response indices in sediments recently deposited in the bay. The potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the bay was highlighted by the use of the benthic biological pollution index (BPI), suggesting that the ERI is a useful toxicity response index, which can quantify the overall ecological risk level to a target environment.

The relationship between radiological features and clinical manifestation and dental expenses of keratocystic odontogenic tumor.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify correlations between keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) data from CT sections, and data on the KCOT clinical manifestation and resulting dental expenses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following local Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, a seven-years of retrospective study was performed regarding patients with KCOTs treated at the Seoul National University Dental Hospital. A total of 180 KCOT were included in this study. The following information was collected: age, gender, location and size of the lesion, radiological features, surgical treatment provided and dental expenses. RESULTS: There was no significant association between the size of the KCOT and age, gender, and presenting preoperative symptoms. In both jaws, it was unusual to find KCOTs under 10 mm. The correlation between the number of teeth removed and the size of the KCOT in the tooth bearing area was statistically significant in the mandible, whereas in the maxilla, no significant relationship was found. Dental expenses compared with the size of the KCOT were found to be significant in both jaws. CONCLUSION: The size of KCOT was associated with a significant increase in dental expenses for both jaws and the number of teeth removed from the mandible. These findings emphasize the importance of routine examinations and early detection of lesions, which in turn helps preserving anatomical structures and reducing dental expenses.

Diagnostic performance of combined noninvasive anatomic and functional assessment with dual-source CT and adenosine-induced stress dual-energy CT for detection of significant coronary stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to prospectively evaluate the incremental diagnostic value of combined dual-source coronary CT angiography (CTA) and CT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for the detection of significant coronary stenoses. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with known coronary artery disease detected by dual-source coronary CTA were investigated by adenosine-induced stress dual-source CTA and conventional coronary angiography. Analysis was performed in three steps: classification of coronary stenosis severity using dual-source coronary CTA, identification of myocardial perfusion defects using rest and stress CT MPI, and reclassification of coronary stenosis severity according to combined dual-source coronary CTA and CT MPI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of dual-source coronary CTA before and after CT MPI were calculated on a per-vessel basis compared with conventional coronary angiography as the standard of reference. RESULTS: Dual-source coronary CTA revealed 87 significantly stenotic vessels in 45 patients. Conventional coronary angiography revealed significant stenoses in 73 vessels in 42 patients. CT MPI showed myocardial perfusion defects in 81 vessel territories in 43 patients. After the CT MPI analysis, dual-source coronary CTA identified significant stenoses in 77 coronary vessels in 42 patients. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the dual-source coronary CTA on a per-vessel basis before CT MPI were 91.8%, 67.7%, 73.6%, and 87.5%, respectively, and after CT MPI were 93.2%, 85.5%, 88.3%, and 91.4%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased significantly from 0.798 to 0.893 (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Combined dual-source coronary CTA and CT MPI provides incremental diagnostic value compared with dual-source coronary CTA alone for the detection of significant coronary stenoses.

Assessment of panoramic radiography as a national oral examination tool: review of the literature.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the possibility of panoramic radiography as a national oral examination tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This report was carried out by review of the literatures. RESULTS: Panoramic radiography has sufficient diagnostic accuracy in dental caries, periodontal diseases, and other lesions. Also, the effective dose of panoramic radiography is lower than traditional full-mouth periapical radiography. CONCLUSION: Panoramic radiography will improve the efficacy of dental examination in national oral examination. However, more studies are required to evaluate the benefit, financial cost, and operation time and also to make selection criteria and quality management program.