Deep learning-based reconstruction can improve canine thoracolumbar magnetic resonance image quality and reduce slice thickness.

In veterinary practice, thin-sliced thoracolumbar MRI is useful in detecting small lesions, especially in small-breed dogs. However, it is challenging due to the partial volume averaging effect and increase in scan time. Currently, deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR), a part of artificial intelligence, has been applied in diagnostic imaging. We hypothesized that the diagnostic performance of thin-slice thoracolumbar MRI with DLR would be superior to conventional MRI. This prospective, method comparison study aimed to determine the adequate slice thickness of a deep learning model for thin-slice thoracolumbar MRI. Sagittal and transverse T2-weighted MRI at the thoracolumbar region were performed on 12 clinically healthy beagle dogs; the images obtained were categorized into five groups according to slice thickness: conventional thickness of 3 mm (3 CON) and thicknesses of 3, 2, 1.5, and 1 mm with DLR (3 DLR, 2 DLR, 1.5 DLR, and 1 DLR, respectively). Quantitative analysis was performed using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio. Qualitative analysis involved the evaluation of perceived SNR, structural visibility, and overall image quality using a four-point scale. Moreover, nerve root visibility was evaluated using transverse images. Quantitative and qualitative values were compared among the five groups. Compared with the 3 CON group, the 3 DLR, 2 DLR, and 1.5 DLR groups exhibited significantly higher quantitative and qualitative values. Nerve root visibility was significantly higher in 2 DLR, 1.5 DLR, and 1 DLR images than in 3 DLR and 3 CON images. Compared with conventional MRI, DLR reduced the slice thickness by up to one-half and improved image quality in this sample of clinically healthy beagles.

Structural Relationships between Counselors' Sense of Calling, Meaning of Work, Living a Calling, and Psychological Burnout.

This study examined the influence of counselors' sense of calling on psychological burnout, mediated by meaning of work and living a calling, based on the work as a calling theory (WCT) and preceding studies. Furthermore, the sequential mediating effects of meaning of work and living a calling were investigated. Data were collected from 420 Korean counselors working in counseling centers located nationwide and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that a sense of calling negatively impacted psychological burnout. Second, the sense of calling did not affect psychological burnout through the mediation of meaning of work. Third, the sense of calling negatively impacted psychological burnout through the mediation of living a calling. Fourth, the sense of calling negatively affected psychological burnout through the sequential mediation of meaning of work and living a calling. Based on this study's findings, implications can be provided to enhance counselors' professional calling and reduce psychological burnout, thereby aiding them in resolving their psychological issues during counseling practice and providing higher-quality psychological services to clients. Suggestions for improvements and future research are also discussed.

Self-Leadership and Innovative Behavior: Mediation of Informal Learning and Moderation of Social Capital.

As the business environment is rapidly changing, interest in the innovation of organizational members is accelerating. Therefore, this study investigated how individual-level resources, particularly self-leadership, affect workers' innovative behavior. Many studies have emphasized that employee initiative can lead to job performance at the individual level and organizational performance improvement. Self-leadership is a spontaneous and an active behavior, or mindset, defined as the ability to lead an individual in challenging situations characterized by learned behaviors that can be augmented by training. It is of interest to many researchers and practitioners. Further, we tested the mediation of informal learning, another individual-level resource, in this relationship and the moderation of social capital, a social resource, in the mediation. We analyzed the responses of 551 employees of South Korean companies using Model 6 and 14 of PROCESS Macro. The results revealed that self-leadership positively influenced workers' innovative behavior, and informal learning mediated this relationship. We also confirmed that social capital strengthened the positive mediating effect of informal learning. This study empirically verifies the role of self-leadership, informal learning, and social capital as the determinants of innovative behavior and expands the discussion on leadership by highlighting the significance of self-leadership as opposed to traditional leadership approaches.