Objective： To evaluate the consistency of patterns and pattern identification（PI）, and the improvement in the diagnosis of blood stasis after the standard operating procedures（SOPs） were enhanced by using a diagn...Objective： To evaluate the consistency of patterns and pattern identification（PI）, and the improvement in the diagnosis of blood stasis after the standard operating procedures（SOPs） were enhanced by using a diagnostic flowchart. Methods： A total of 358 subjects who were admitted by the Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine between June 2013 and December 2014 were included in the study. Each patient was independently diagnosed by two experts from the same department. In 2014, the SOPs included the use of a diagnostic flowchart for each indicator. Inter-observer consistency was assessed by simple percent agreement and by the kappa and AC1 statistics. Results： The improvements in inter-observer agreement for the indicators（for al patients） and PI were greater in 2014 than in 2013. In 2013, the j-value measure of agreement between the two experts ranged from ＂poor＂（κ=–0.051） to ＂good＂（κ=0.968）. The AC1 measure of agreement between the experts was generally high for the indicators and ranged from –0.010 to 0.978. In most cases, agreement was considerably lower when it was assessed by the j-values compared with the AC1 values. In 2014, the j-value measure of agreement on the indicators（for the subjects） general y ranged from poor to good, with the values ranging from –0.007 to 0.994. Moreover, the AC1 measure of agreement between the experts was general y high for al of the indicators and ranged from ＂moderate＂（AC1=0.408） to ＂excel ent＂（AC1=0.996）. Conclusions： In four examinations, there was moderate agreement between the clinicians on the PI indicators of blood stasis. To improve clinician consistency（e.g., in the diagnostic criteria used）, it is necessary to analyse the reasons for inconsistency and to improve clinician training.（Trial registration No. KCT0000916）展开更多
This study examines the reliability and validity of AI-generated scoring for continuation writing tasks.By comparing GPT-4 with eight experienced human raters across 21 student responses,it evaluates AI’s consistency...This study examines the reliability and validity of AI-generated scoring for continuation writing tasks.By comparing GPT-4 with eight experienced human raters across 21 student responses,it evaluates AI’s consistency,severity,and alignment with human scoring criteria.Results show that AI exhibits high self-consistency and adapts effectively to different scoring roles(e.g.,teacher vs.highstakes rater).However,AI scores were more lenient than human raters and demonstrated divergent evaluation focuses—prioritizing narrative coherence and emotional depth,while teachers emphasized linguistic accuracy and richness of detail.The findings suggest AI’s potential as a supplementary assessment tool,offering rapid,holistic feedback,but highlight the need for further calibration to align with educational standards.Implications include exploring hybrid evaluation models that leverage the strengths of both AI and human raters to achieve more equitable,efficient,and pedagogically meaningful writing assessments.展开更多
A stochastic predator-prey system with Markov switching is explored.We have developed a new chasing technique to efficiently solve the Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov and backward Kolmogorov equations.Dynamic balance and rel...A stochastic predator-prey system with Markov switching is explored.We have developed a new chasing technique to efficiently solve the Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov and backward Kolmogorov equations.Dynamic balance and reliability of the switching system are evaluated via stationary probability density function and first-passage failure theory,taking into account factors such as switching frequencies,noise intensities,and initial conditions.Results reveal that Markov switching leads to stochastic P-bifurcation,enhancing dynamic balance and reducing white-noise-induced oscillations.But frequent switching can heighten initial value dependence,harming reliability.Further,the influence of the subsystem on the switching system is not proportional to its action probabilities.Monte Carlo simulations validate the findings,offering an in-depth exploration of these dynamics.展开更多
In this work,we demonstrated the InSnO(ITO)TFTs passivated with SiO_(2)via the PECVD process compatible with large-area production for the first time.The passivated ITO TFTs with various channel thicknesses(t_(ch)=4,5...In this work,we demonstrated the InSnO(ITO)TFTs passivated with SiO_(2)via the PECVD process compatible with large-area production for the first time.The passivated ITO TFTs with various channel thicknesses(t_(ch)=4,5,6 nm)exhibit excellent electrical performance and superior uniformity.The reliability properties of ITO TFTs were evaluated in detail under positive bias stress(PBS)conditions before and after passivation.Compared to the devices without passivation,the passivated devices have only 50%threshold voltage degradation(ΔV_(th))and 50%newly generated traps due to excellent isolation of the ambient atmosphere.The negligible performance degradation of ITO TFTs with passivation during negative bias stress(NBS)and negative bias temperature stress(NBTS)verifies the outstanding immunity to the water vapor of the SiO_(2)passivation layer.Overall,the ITO TFT with the t_(ch)of 6 nm and with SiO_(2)passivation exhibits the best performance in terms of electrical properties,uniformity,and reliability,which is promising in large-area production.展开更多
This paper investigates the reliability of internal marine combustion engines using an integrated approach that combines Fault Tree Analysis(FTA)and Bayesian Networks(BN).FTA provides a structured,top-down method for ...This paper investigates the reliability of internal marine combustion engines using an integrated approach that combines Fault Tree Analysis(FTA)and Bayesian Networks(BN).FTA provides a structured,top-down method for identifying critical failure modes and their root causes,while BN introduces flexibility in probabilistic reasoning,enabling dynamic updates based on new evidence.This dual methodology overcomes the limitations of static FTA models,offering a comprehensive framework for system reliability analysis.Critical failures,including External Leakage(ELU),Failure to Start(FTS),and Overheating(OHE),were identified as key risks.By incorporating redundancy into high-risk components such as pumps and batteries,the likelihood of these failures was significantly reduced.For instance,redundant pumps reduced the probability of ELU by 31.88%,while additional batteries decreased the occurrence of FTS by 36.45%.The results underscore the practical benefits of combining FTA and BN for enhancing system reliability,particularly in maritime applications where operational safety and efficiency are critical.This research provides valuable insights for maintenance planning and highlights the importance of redundancy in critical systems,especially as the industry transitions toward more autonomous vessels.展开更多
To study the durability of concrete in harsh environments in Northwest China,concrete was prepared with various durability-improving materials such as concrete anti-erosion inhibitor(SBT-TIA),acrylate polymer(AP),supe...To study the durability of concrete in harsh environments in Northwest China,concrete was prepared with various durability-improving materials such as concrete anti-erosion inhibitor(SBT-TIA),acrylate polymer(AP),super absorbent resin(SAP).The erosion mode and internal deterioration mechanism under salt freeze-thaw cycle and dry-wet cycle were explored.The results show that the addition of enhancing materials can effectively improve the resistance of concrete to salt freezing and sulfate erosion:the relevant indexes of concrete added with X-AP and T-AP are improved after salt freeze-thaw cycles;concrete added with SBTTIA shows optimal sulfate corrosion resistance;and concrete added with AP displays the best resistance to salt freezing.Microanalysis shows that the increase in the number of cycles decreases the generation of internal hydration products and defects in concrete mixed with enhancing materials and improves the related indexes.Based on the Wiener model analysis,the reliability of concrete with different lithologies and enhancing materials is improved,which may provide a reference for the application of manufactured sand concrete and enhancing materials in Northwest China,especially for the study of the improvement effects and mechanism of enhancing materials on the performance of concrete.展开更多
The automatic loading systems of artillery are critical for the accurate,efficient,and reliable delivery of pro-jectiles and propellants into the gun chamber.In modern artillery,the ammunition conveyor serves as the e...The automatic loading systems of artillery are critical for the accurate,efficient,and reliable delivery of pro-jectiles and propellants into the gun chamber.In modern artillery,the ammunition conveyor serves as the end effector of the automatic loading system,and its motion state significantly impacts the accuracy of projectiles.Therefore,it is of immense importance to precisely and effectively evaluate the reliability of the motion accuracy of the ammunition conveyor.This paper aims to propose a practical and efficient analysis method for evaluating the reliability of the motion accuracy of the ammunition conveyor.The proposed approach involves the use of a deep learning network to approximate the physical model and the extremum method to obtain a single cycle sequence decoupling strategy for solving the time-varying reliability issue of complex systems.Employing this strategy,the time-varying reliability of the ammunition conveyor is transformed into a static reliability problem.The proposed method includes the use of a deep feedforward neural network,second-order saddle point ap-proximation(SPA)method,extremum method,and efficient global optimization(EGO)technology.The results reveal that the reliability of the motion accuracy of the ammunition conveyor is 93.42%,with the maximum failure probability occurring at 0.21 s.These results serve as an important reference for the structural optimi-zation design of the ammunition conveyor based on reliability and the maintenance of the operational process.展开更多
Reservoir-induced landslides in China's Three Gorges Reservoir area are prone to tensile cracks due to the influenceof their own weight and fluctuationsin water levels.The presence of cracks indicates that the ten...Reservoir-induced landslides in China's Three Gorges Reservoir area are prone to tensile cracks due to the influenceof their own weight and fluctuationsin water levels.The presence of cracks indicates that the tensile stress in the area has exceeded the tensile strength of the soil,leading to local instability.To explore the impact of tensile failure behavior on the stability and failure modes of reservoir landslides,the Huangtupo Riverside Slump#1 is taken as a case study.By considering local tensile failure,potential tensile cracks are incorporated into the analysis via the limit equilibrium method and reliability theory.The reliability of landslides under different tensile failure scenarios is quantified.Strain-softening characteristics of the soil are combined to further analyze the failure transmission path of the landslide.Finally,these potential failure modes were validated through physical model tests.The results show that cracks developing at rear positions reduce the stability of the slope and increase the probability of instability.During the destruction process,retrogressive failures with multiple sliding surfaces are likely to occur.However,tensile failure at the forefront reduces the likelihood of an individual slide mass descending.Progressive failure results in both regular and skip transmission patterns.Additionally,cracks and water level changes can also lead to shifts in the positions of the most dangerous blocks.Therefore,in practical landslide analysis and prevention,it is necessary to consider local tensile damage and identify potential tensile crack locations in advance to optimize prevention measures and accurately evaluate landslide risk.展开更多
In reliability analyses,the absence of a priori information on the most probable point of failure(MPP)may result in overlooking critical points,thereby leading to biased assessment outcomes.Moreover,second-order relia...In reliability analyses,the absence of a priori information on the most probable point of failure(MPP)may result in overlooking critical points,thereby leading to biased assessment outcomes.Moreover,second-order reliability methods exhibit limited accuracy in highly nonlinear scenarios.To overcome these challenges,a novel reliability analysis strategy based on a multimodal differential evolution algorithm and a hypersphere integration method is proposed.Initially,the penalty function method is employed to reformulate the MPP search problem as a conditionally constrained optimization task.Subsequently,a differential evolution algorithm incorporating a population delineation strategy is utilized to identify all MPPs.Finally,a paraboloid equation is constructed based on the curvature of the limit-state function at the MPPs,and the failure probability of the structure is calculated by using the hypersphere integration method.The localization effectiveness of the MPPs is compared through multiple numerical cases and two engineering examples,with accuracy comparisons of failure probabilities against the first-order reliability method(FORM)and the secondorder reliability method(SORM).The results indicate that the method effectively identifies existing MPPs and achieves higher solution precision.展开更多
The performance degradation of micro light-emitting diodes(micro-LEDs)is closely associated with the deterioration of sidewall passivation layers under prolonged electrical bias.We investigate reliability improvements...The performance degradation of micro light-emitting diodes(micro-LEDs)is closely associated with the deterioration of sidewall passivation layers under prolonged electrical bias.We investigate reliability improvements in 20μm×20μm InGaN/GaN blue micro-LEDs by suppressing the formation of an unstable interfacial layer during sidewall passivation.SiO_(2)is deposited on the etched mesa sidewalls using either Sputtering or plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PECVD).Comparative analysis reveals that PECVD-passivated devices experience more severe performance degradation,primarily due to the increased leakage current.After 100 h of accelerated aging,external quantum efficiency decreases by 44%in PECVD-passivated samples,whereas Sputter-passivated devices exhibit only an11%reduction.This discrepancy is attributed to the formation of a thicker and chemically unstable gallium oxynitride(Ga-O_(X)-N_(1-X))interfacial layer at the SiO_(2)∕GaN-based interface,which facilitates the generation of sidewall defects.Suppressing the formation of this interlayer enhances the crystallinity and structural stability of the passivation layer,thereby mitigating the activation of point defects.Notably,Sputter deposition is more effective in minimizing the formation of Ga-O-N interlayer.These findings emphasize the critical role of achieving low-defect-density sidewall passivation to improve the reliability of micro-LEDs for next-generation high-resolution display applications.展开更多
It is well recognized that Structural Health Monitoring(SHM)reliability evaluation is a key aspect that needs to be urgently addressed to promote the wide application of SHM methods.However,the existing studies typica...It is well recognized that Structural Health Monitoring(SHM)reliability evaluation is a key aspect that needs to be urgently addressed to promote the wide application of SHM methods.However,the existing studies typically transfer the Non-Destructive Testing/Evaluation(NDT/E)reliability metrics to SHM without a systematic analysis of where these metrics originated.Seldom attentions are paid to the evaluation conditions which are very important to apply these metrics.Aimed at this issue,a new condition control-based Dual-Reliability Evaluation(Dual-RE)method for SHM is proposed.This new method is proposed based on a systematic analysis of the whole framework of reliability evaluation from instrument to NDT,and emphasis is paid to the evaluation condition control.Based on these analyses,considering the special online application scenario of SHM,the proposed Dual-RE method contains two key components:Integrated Sensor-based SHM-RE(IS-SHM-RE)and Critical Service Condition-based SHM-RE(CSC-SHM-RE).ISSHM-RE evaluates the reliability of integrated SHM sensor and system themselves under approximate repeatability conditions,while CSC-SHM-RE assesses SHM reliability under the dominant uncertainties during service,namely intermediate conditions.To demonstrate the Dual-RE,crack monitoring by using the Guided Wave-based-SHM(GW-SHM)on aircraft lug structures is taken as a case study.Both the crack detection and sizing performance are evaluated from accuracy and uncertainty.展开更多
Reliability-based design optimization （RBDO） is intrinsically a double-loop procedure since it involves an overall optimization and an iterative reliability assessment at each search point. Due to the double-loop pr...Reliability-based design optimization （RBDO） is intrinsically a double-loop procedure since it involves an overall optimization and an iterative reliability assessment at each search point. Due to the double-loop procedure, the computational expense of RBDO is normally very high. Current RBDO research focuses on problems with explicitly expressed performance functions and readily available gradients. This paper addresses a more challenging type of RBDO problem in which the performance functions are computation intensive. These computation intensive functions are often considered as a ＂black-box＂ and their gradients are not available or not reliable. On the basis of the reliable design space （RDS） concept proposed earlier by the authors, this paper proposes a Reliable Space Pursuing （RSP） approach, in which RDS is first identified and then gradually refined while optimization is performed. It fundamentally avoids the nested optimization and probabilistic assessment loop. Three well known RBDO problems from the literature are used for testing and demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed RSP method.展开更多
Purpose: To assess the inter-observer agreement in reading adults chest radiographs (CXR) and determine the effectiveness of observers in radiographic diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a tuberculosis endemi...Purpose: To assess the inter-observer agreement in reading adults chest radiographs (CXR) and determine the effectiveness of observers in radiographic diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a tuberculosis endemic area. Methods: A quasi-observational study was conducted in the Pneumology Department of Yaounde Jamot Hospital (Cameroon) from January to March 2014. This included six observers (two chest physicians, two radiologists, two end-training residents in medical imaging) and 47 frontal CXRs (4 of diffuse interstitial lung disease, 6 normal, 7 of lung cancers, 7 of bacterial pneumonia, 23 of PTB). The sample size was calculated on the basis of an expected 0.47 Kappa with a spread of 0.13 (α = 5%, CI = 95%) for six observers and five diagnostic items. The analysis of concordance was focused on the detection of nodules, cavitary lesions, pleural effusion, adenomegaly and diagnosis of PTB and lung cancer. These intervals of kappa coefficient were considered: discordance (0.81). Results: The average score for the detection of caverns was the highest (58.3%) followed by that of the correct diagnosis of tuberculosis (49.3%). Pneumologists had the highest proportions of correct diagnosis of tuberculosis (69.6% and 73.9%) and better inter-observer agreement (k = 0.71) for PTB diagnosis. Observers were more in agreement for the detection of nodules (0.32 - 0.74), adenomegalies (0.43 - 0.69), and for the diagnosis of cancer (0.22 - 1) than for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (0.19 - 0.71). Disagreements were more frequent for the detection of pleural effusions (-0.08 - 0.73). Conclusion: The inter-observer agreement varies with the type of lesions and diagnosis. Pneumologists were most effective for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Observers were more in agreement for the detection of nodules and the diagnosis of cancer than for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.展开更多
AIM: To assess the inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for lacrimal scintigraphy(LS) reports with and without considering the irrigation test results.METHODS: A prospective...AIM: To assess the inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for lacrimal scintigraphy(LS) reports with and without considering the irrigation test results.METHODS: A prospective, observational, cross sectional study. Two masked clinicians(lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist) independently reported 100 LS images(50 patients of >6 years of age with unilateral anophthalmic socket) in a university hospital. The lacrimal surgeon performed a diagnostic irrigation test and repeated the report of the same LS images 2 y after the first report(intra-observer agreement). A weighted Kappa analysis was performed to determine inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for the type(normal, partial and complete obstruction) and location(presac, preduct, and intraduct) of the obstruction. Subgroup analysis was also performed with consideration of irrigation test results. RESULTS: A significantly moderate agreement was found between lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist for both the type(Kappa=0.55) and location(Kappa=0.48) of obstruction. Agreement values were higher for the type(Kappa=0.61 vs 0.41) and location(Kappa=0.56 vs 0.31) of obstruction in cases with normal than abnormal irrigation test. Strong and significant intraobserver(lacrimal surgeon) repeatability was found for both the type(Kappa=0.66) and location(Kappa=0.69) of obstruction. LS showed no to slight reliability based on irrigation test.CONCLUSION: A moderate agreement is found between lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist regarding the interpretation of LS suggesting the importance ofconsensus groups among nuclear medicine specialists and lacrimal surgeons to create a common language for interpretation of LS. Intra-observer repeatability is strong for the lacrimal surgeon.展开更多
Objective To assess inter-observer variations of pulmonary nodule marking in routine clinical chest digital radiograph (DR) softcopy reading by using a lung nodule computer toolkit.Methods A total of 601 chest posteri...Objective To assess inter-observer variations of pulmonary nodule marking in routine clinical chest digital radiograph (DR) softcopy reading by using a lung nodule computer toolkit.Methods A total of 601 chest posterior-anterior DR images were randomly selected from routine outpatient screening in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Two chest radiologists with experience more than ten years were first asked to read the images and mark all suspicious nodules independently by using computer toolkit IQQA-Chest, and to indicate the likelihood for each nodule detected. They were also asked to draw the boundary of the identified nodule manually on an enlarged region of interest, which was instantly analyzed by IQQA-Chest. Two sets of diagnostic reports, including the marked nodules, likelihood, manually drawn boundaries, quantitative measurements, and radiologists’ names, were automatically generated and stored by the computer system. One week later, the two radiologists read the same images together by using the same computer toolkit without referring to their previous reading results. Marking procedure was the same except that consensus was reached for each suspicious region. Statistical analysis tools provided in the IQQA-Chest were used to compare all the three sets of reading results.Results In the independent readings, Reader 1 detected 409 nodules with a mean diameter of 12.4 mm in 241 patients, and Reader 2 detected 401 nodules with a mean diameter of 12.6 mm in 253 patients. In the consensus reading, a total of 352 nodules with a mean diameter of 12.4 mm were detected in 220 patients. Totally, 42.3% of Reader 1’s and 45.1% of Reader 2’s marks were confirmed by the consensus reading. About 40% of each reader’s marks agreed with the other. There were only 130 (14.4%) out of the total 904 unique nodules were confirmed by both readers and the consensus reading. Moreover, 5.6% (51/904) of the marked regions were rated identical likelihood in all three readings. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between Readers 1 and 2, and between consensus and Reader 2 in determining the likelihood of the marks (P<0.01), but not between consensus and Reader 1. No significant difference in terms of size was observed in nodule segmentation between either two of the three readings. Conclusion Large variations in nodule marking and nodule-likelihood determination but not in nodule size were observed between experts as well as between single-person reading and consensus reading.展开更多
Introduction: To investigate the inter-observer and inter-modality variabilities of two imaging guided equipments—cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and ultrasound (US) in kidney stereotactic body radiotherapy. Met...Introduction: To investigate the inter-observer and inter-modality variabilities of two imaging guided equipments—cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and ultrasound (US) in kidney stereotactic body radiotherapy. Methods: A renal metastasis case implanted with three gold anchor fiducial markers was firstly scanned by US to acquire a 3-dimension US image and followed by 4-dimension CBCT in every fraction. Seven observers retrospectively registered the pre-treatment images with the corresponding reference images based on the gold markers. Registration uncertainty of the observers between two imaging modalities was evaluated. Results: The uncertainties over whole treatment course in CBCT were 0.88 mm, 1.94 mm and 0.86 mm in lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions respectively;while 0.8 mm, 0.97 mm and 1.36 mm were found in US. Conclusion: The greatest uncertainty was found in longitudinal direction in CBCT due to the fact that the respiration motion is the most rigorous in cranial-caudal direction. In US, since the probe was hold almost in upright position, the strong echo in vertical direction was attributed to the greatest uncertainty for such direction.展开更多
<strong>Purpose:</strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Radiotherapy is a widely accepted standard of care for early-sta...<strong>Purpose:</strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Radiotherapy is a widely accepted standard of care for early-stage prostate cancer, and it is believed that the plan quality and treatment outcome are associated with contour accuracy of both the target and organs-at-risk (OAR). The purposes of this study are to 1) assess geometric and dosimetric uncertainties due to inter-observer contour variabilities and 2) evaluate the effectiveness of geometric indicators to predict target dosimetry in prostate radiotherapy. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Twenty prostate patients were selected for this retrospective study. Five experienced clinicians created unique structure sets containing prostate, seminal vesicles, bladder, and rectum for each patient. A fully automated script and knowledge-based planning routine were utilized to create standardized and unbiased plans that could be used to evaluate changes in isodose distributions due to inter-observer variability in structure segmentation. Plans were created on a “gold-standard” structure set, as well as on each of the user-defined structure sets. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Inter-observer variability of contours during structure segmentation was very low for clearly defined organs such as the bladder but increased for organs without well-defined borders (prostate, seminal vesicles, and rectum). For plans generated with the user-defined structure sets, strong/moderate correlations were observed between the geometric indicators for target structure agreement and target coverage for both low-risk and intermediate-risk patient groups, while OAR indicators showed no correlation to final dosimetry. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusions:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Target delineation is crucial in order to maintain adequate dosimetric coverage regardless of the associated inter-observer uncertainties in OAR contours that had a limited impact upon final dosimetry.</span></span>展开更多
Aims & Objectives: Aim of the study was to evaluate inter-observer variability in interpretation of Gallium-68 labeled Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen sub-type 11 (68Ga-PSMA-11) Positron Emission Tomography-Com...Aims & Objectives: Aim of the study was to evaluate inter-observer variability in interpretation of Gallium-68 labeled Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen sub-type 11 (68Ga-PSMA-11) Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography PET_CT scan according to Prostate Cancer Molecular Imaging Standardized Evaluation (PROMISE) criteria. Method and Materials: Forty-four consecutive patients of prostate cancer were prospectively studied between the duration of January 2021 to June 2021 at Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL), Lahore. All PET-CT scans were assessed by a researcher and 3 nuclear physicians and divided into two groups, interpreted in two phases. In the first phase, each group independently evaluated the scans while in the second phase, a consensus meeting was held and all the cases with discordance were discussed. Cohen’s Kappa test was used to measure interobserver variability with the cut-off of K’s alpha Results: The study showed 41 out of 44 scans with positive PSMA findings while 03 scans were negative for any PSMA avid disease. In the first phase of image analysis, the level of agreement was slight in T stage (Kappa = 0.068, p = 0.65), moderate in the miN stage (Kappa = 0.46, p = 0.02) and substantial in miM stage (Kappa = 0.77, p ≤ 0.001) was seen. For PSMA score, overall agreement was substantial agreement (Kappa = 0.64, p Conclusion: Remarkable inter-observer agreement was seen in PROMISE criteria.展开更多
Purpose–This paper focuses on studying the reliability allocation for the railway system,aiming to improve the overall reliability of the railway system and ensure safety operation.Design/methodology/approach–In vie...Purpose–This paper focuses on studying the reliability allocation for the railway system,aiming to improve the overall reliability of the railway system and ensure safety operation.Design/methodology/approach–In view of the complex structure of the railway system,involving many subsystems,this paper analyzes the close dynamic coupling effect between railway subsystems.Based on this,taking the railway system failure as the top event,a fault tree is constructed in this paper.Then,a reliability allocation method based on the fault tree is employed to allocate the reliability index.Finally,a numerical experiment is implemented to show the performance of the reliability allocation method.Findings–The results showed that each subsystem needs to improve its reliability to meet the specified railway system reliability requirements,and the traction power supply system is the most important subsystem,which is the most efficient in improving the reliability of the railway system.Originality/value–For the first time,starting from a holistic perspective of the system,reliability allocation is carried out based on the importance of each railway subsystem.展开更多
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs)are pivotal for deep-sea exploration and resource exploitation,yet their reliability in extreme underwater environments remains a critical barrier to widespread deployment.Through s...Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs)are pivotal for deep-sea exploration and resource exploitation,yet their reliability in extreme underwater environments remains a critical barrier to widespread deployment.Through systematic analysis of 150 peer-reviewed studies employing mixed-methods research,this review yields three principal advancements to the reliability analysis of AUVs.First,based on the hierarchical functional division of AUVs into six subsystems(propulsion system,navigation system,communication system,power system,environmental detection system,and emergency system),this study systematically identifies the primary failure modes and potential failure causes of each subsystem,providing theoretical support for fault diagnosis and reliability optimization.Subsequently,a comprehensive review of AUV reliability analysis methods is conducted from three perspectives:analytical methods,simulated methods,and surrogate model methods.The applicability and limitations of each method are critically analyzed to offer insights into their suitability for engineering applications.Finally,the study highlights key challenges and research hotpots in AUV reliability analysis,including reliability analysis under limited data,AI-driven reliability analysis,and human reliability analysis.Furthermore,the potential of multi-sensor data fusion,edge computing,and advanced materials in enhancing AUV environmental adaptability and reliability is explored.展开更多
基金Supported by the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine,Republic of Korea(No.K15111)
文摘Objective： To evaluate the consistency of patterns and pattern identification（PI）, and the improvement in the diagnosis of blood stasis after the standard operating procedures（SOPs） were enhanced by using a diagnostic flowchart. Methods： A total of 358 subjects who were admitted by the Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine between June 2013 and December 2014 were included in the study. Each patient was independently diagnosed by two experts from the same department. In 2014, the SOPs included the use of a diagnostic flowchart for each indicator. Inter-observer consistency was assessed by simple percent agreement and by the kappa and AC1 statistics. Results： The improvements in inter-observer agreement for the indicators（for al patients） and PI were greater in 2014 than in 2013. In 2013, the j-value measure of agreement between the two experts ranged from ＂poor＂（κ=–0.051） to ＂good＂（κ=0.968）. The AC1 measure of agreement between the experts was generally high for the indicators and ranged from –0.010 to 0.978. In most cases, agreement was considerably lower when it was assessed by the j-values compared with the AC1 values. In 2014, the j-value measure of agreement on the indicators（for the subjects） general y ranged from poor to good, with the values ranging from –0.007 to 0.994. Moreover, the AC1 measure of agreement between the experts was general y high for al of the indicators and ranged from ＂moderate＂（AC1=0.408） to ＂excel ent＂（AC1=0.996）. Conclusions： In four examinations, there was moderate agreement between the clinicians on the PI indicators of blood stasis. To improve clinician consistency（e.g., in the diagnostic criteria used）, it is necessary to analyse the reasons for inconsistency and to improve clinician training.（Trial registration No. KCT0000916）
文摘This study examines the reliability and validity of AI-generated scoring for continuation writing tasks.By comparing GPT-4 with eight experienced human raters across 21 student responses,it evaluates AI’s consistency,severity,and alignment with human scoring criteria.Results show that AI exhibits high self-consistency and adapts effectively to different scoring roles(e.g.,teacher vs.highstakes rater).However,AI scores were more lenient than human raters and demonstrated divergent evaluation focuses—prioritizing narrative coherence and emotional depth,while teachers emphasized linguistic accuracy and richness of detail.The findings suggest AI’s potential as a supplementary assessment tool,offering rapid,holistic feedback,but highlight the need for further calibration to align with educational standards.Implications include exploring hybrid evaluation models that leverage the strengths of both AI and human raters to achieve more equitable,efficient,and pedagogically meaningful writing assessments.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.12472033)。
文摘A stochastic predator-prey system with Markov switching is explored.We have developed a new chasing technique to efficiently solve the Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov and backward Kolmogorov equations.Dynamic balance and reliability of the switching system are evaluated via stationary probability density function and first-passage failure theory,taking into account factors such as switching frequencies,noise intensities,and initial conditions.Results reveal that Markov switching leads to stochastic P-bifurcation,enhancing dynamic balance and reducing white-noise-induced oscillations.But frequent switching can heighten initial value dependence,harming reliability.Further,the influence of the subsystem on the switching system is not proportional to its action probabilities.Monte Carlo simulations validate the findings,offering an in-depth exploration of these dynamics.
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62404110,62274033)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20221453)+1 种基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesNatural Science Research Start-up Foundation of Recruiting Talents of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications(NY223159)。
文摘In this work,we demonstrated the InSnO(ITO)TFTs passivated with SiO_(2)via the PECVD process compatible with large-area production for the first time.The passivated ITO TFTs with various channel thicknesses(t_(ch)=4,5,6 nm)exhibit excellent electrical performance and superior uniformity.The reliability properties of ITO TFTs were evaluated in detail under positive bias stress(PBS)conditions before and after passivation.Compared to the devices without passivation,the passivated devices have only 50%threshold voltage degradation(ΔV_(th))and 50%newly generated traps due to excellent isolation of the ambient atmosphere.The negligible performance degradation of ITO TFTs with passivation during negative bias stress(NBS)and negative bias temperature stress(NBTS)verifies the outstanding immunity to the water vapor of the SiO_(2)passivation layer.Overall,the ITO TFT with the t_(ch)of 6 nm and with SiO_(2)passivation exhibits the best performance in terms of electrical properties,uniformity,and reliability,which is promising in large-area production.
基金supported by Istanbul Technical University(Project No.45698)supported through the“Young Researchers’Career Development Project-training of doctoral students”of the Croatian Science Foundation.
文摘This paper investigates the reliability of internal marine combustion engines using an integrated approach that combines Fault Tree Analysis(FTA)and Bayesian Networks(BN).FTA provides a structured,top-down method for identifying critical failure modes and their root causes,while BN introduces flexibility in probabilistic reasoning,enabling dynamic updates based on new evidence.This dual methodology overcomes the limitations of static FTA models,offering a comprehensive framework for system reliability analysis.Critical failures,including External Leakage(ELU),Failure to Start(FTS),and Overheating(OHE),were identified as key risks.By incorporating redundancy into high-risk components such as pumps and batteries,the likelihood of these failures was significantly reduced.For instance,redundant pumps reduced the probability of ELU by 31.88%,while additional batteries decreased the occurrence of FTS by 36.45%.The results underscore the practical benefits of combining FTA and BN for enhancing system reliability,particularly in maritime applications where operational safety and efficiency are critical.This research provides valuable insights for maintenance planning and highlights the importance of redundancy in critical systems,especially as the industry transitions toward more autonomous vessels.
基金Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52178216)the Research on the Durability and Application of High-performance Concrete for Highway Engineering in the Cold and Arid Salt Areas of Northwest China(No.2022-24)the Construction Project of the Scientific Research Platform of Provincial Enterprises Supported by the Capital Operating Budget of Gansu Province(No.2023GZ018)。
文摘To study the durability of concrete in harsh environments in Northwest China,concrete was prepared with various durability-improving materials such as concrete anti-erosion inhibitor(SBT-TIA),acrylate polymer(AP),super absorbent resin(SAP).The erosion mode and internal deterioration mechanism under salt freeze-thaw cycle and dry-wet cycle were explored.The results show that the addition of enhancing materials can effectively improve the resistance of concrete to salt freezing and sulfate erosion:the relevant indexes of concrete added with X-AP and T-AP are improved after salt freeze-thaw cycles;concrete added with SBTTIA shows optimal sulfate corrosion resistance;and concrete added with AP displays the best resistance to salt freezing.Microanalysis shows that the increase in the number of cycles decreases the generation of internal hydration products and defects in concrete mixed with enhancing materials and improves the related indexes.Based on the Wiener model analysis,the reliability of concrete with different lithologies and enhancing materials is improved,which may provide a reference for the application of manufactured sand concrete and enhancing materials in Northwest China,especially for the study of the improvement effects and mechanism of enhancing materials on the performance of concrete.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U2141246)Key Laboratory of Artillery Launch and Control Technology of China(Grant No.2021-001)Basic Research of State Administration of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense of China(Grant No.JXJL202208A001).
文摘The automatic loading systems of artillery are critical for the accurate,efficient,and reliable delivery of pro-jectiles and propellants into the gun chamber.In modern artillery,the ammunition conveyor serves as the end effector of the automatic loading system,and its motion state significantly impacts the accuracy of projectiles.Therefore,it is of immense importance to precisely and effectively evaluate the reliability of the motion accuracy of the ammunition conveyor.This paper aims to propose a practical and efficient analysis method for evaluating the reliability of the motion accuracy of the ammunition conveyor.The proposed approach involves the use of a deep learning network to approximate the physical model and the extremum method to obtain a single cycle sequence decoupling strategy for solving the time-varying reliability issue of complex systems.Employing this strategy,the time-varying reliability of the ammunition conveyor is transformed into a static reliability problem.The proposed method includes the use of a deep feedforward neural network,second-order saddle point ap-proximation(SPA)method,extremum method,and efficient global optimization(EGO)technology.The results reveal that the reliability of the motion accuracy of the ammunition conveyor is 93.42%,with the maximum failure probability occurring at 0.21 s.These results serve as an important reference for the structural optimi-zation design of the ammunition conveyor based on reliability and the maintenance of the operational process.
基金supported by the Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42090055)the National Key ScientificInstruments and Equipment Development Projects of China(Grant No.41827808)the National Nature Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42207216).
文摘Reservoir-induced landslides in China's Three Gorges Reservoir area are prone to tensile cracks due to the influenceof their own weight and fluctuationsin water levels.The presence of cracks indicates that the tensile stress in the area has exceeded the tensile strength of the soil,leading to local instability.To explore the impact of tensile failure behavior on the stability and failure modes of reservoir landslides,the Huangtupo Riverside Slump#1 is taken as a case study.By considering local tensile failure,potential tensile cracks are incorporated into the analysis via the limit equilibrium method and reliability theory.The reliability of landslides under different tensile failure scenarios is quantified.Strain-softening characteristics of the soil are combined to further analyze the failure transmission path of the landslide.Finally,these potential failure modes were validated through physical model tests.The results show that cracks developing at rear positions reduce the stability of the slope and increase the probability of instability.During the destruction process,retrogressive failures with multiple sliding surfaces are likely to occur.However,tensile failure at the forefront reduces the likelihood of an individual slide mass descending.Progressive failure results in both regular and skip transmission patterns.Additionally,cracks and water level changes can also lead to shifts in the positions of the most dangerous blocks.Therefore,in practical landslide analysis and prevention,it is necessary to consider local tensile damage and identify potential tensile crack locations in advance to optimize prevention measures and accurately evaluate landslide risk.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52375236)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(No.23D110316)。
文摘In reliability analyses,the absence of a priori information on the most probable point of failure(MPP)may result in overlooking critical points,thereby leading to biased assessment outcomes.Moreover,second-order reliability methods exhibit limited accuracy in highly nonlinear scenarios.To overcome these challenges,a novel reliability analysis strategy based on a multimodal differential evolution algorithm and a hypersphere integration method is proposed.Initially,the penalty function method is employed to reformulate the MPP search problem as a conditionally constrained optimization task.Subsequently,a differential evolution algorithm incorporating a population delineation strategy is utilized to identify all MPPs.Finally,a paraboloid equation is constructed based on the curvature of the limit-state function at the MPPs,and the failure probability of the structure is calculated by using the hypersphere integration method.The localization effectiveness of the MPPs is compared through multiple numerical cases and two engineering examples,with accuracy comparisons of failure probabilities against the first-order reliability method(FORM)and the secondorder reliability method(SORM).The results indicate that the method effectively identifies existing MPPs and achieves higher solution precision.
基金supported by the Samsung Research Funding&Incubation Center of Samsung Electronics under Project No.SRFC-MA2402-05supported by the KENTECH Center for Shared Research Facilities。
文摘The performance degradation of micro light-emitting diodes(micro-LEDs)is closely associated with the deterioration of sidewall passivation layers under prolonged electrical bias.We investigate reliability improvements in 20μm×20μm InGaN/GaN blue micro-LEDs by suppressing the formation of an unstable interfacial layer during sidewall passivation.SiO_(2)is deposited on the etched mesa sidewalls using either Sputtering or plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PECVD).Comparative analysis reveals that PECVD-passivated devices experience more severe performance degradation,primarily due to the increased leakage current.After 100 h of accelerated aging,external quantum efficiency decreases by 44%in PECVD-passivated samples,whereas Sputter-passivated devices exhibit only an11%reduction.This discrepancy is attributed to the formation of a thicker and chemically unstable gallium oxynitride(Ga-O_(X)-N_(1-X))interfacial layer at the SiO_(2)∕GaN-based interface,which facilitates the generation of sidewall defects.Suppressing the formation of this interlayer enhances the crystallinity and structural stability of the passivation layer,thereby mitigating the activation of point defects.Notably,Sputter deposition is more effective in minimizing the formation of Ga-O-N interlayer.These findings emphasize the critical role of achieving low-defect-density sidewall passivation to improve the reliability of micro-LEDs for next-generation high-resolution display applications.
基金the support from National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52275153)the Frontier Technologies R&D Program of Jiangsu,China(No.BF2024068)+1 种基金The Fund of Prospective Layout of Scientific Research for Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics,ChinaResearch Fund of State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures(Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics),China(Nos.MCAS-I-0425K01,MCAS-I-0423G01)。
文摘It is well recognized that Structural Health Monitoring(SHM)reliability evaluation is a key aspect that needs to be urgently addressed to promote the wide application of SHM methods.However,the existing studies typically transfer the Non-Destructive Testing/Evaluation(NDT/E)reliability metrics to SHM without a systematic analysis of where these metrics originated.Seldom attentions are paid to the evaluation conditions which are very important to apply these metrics.Aimed at this issue,a new condition control-based Dual-Reliability Evaluation(Dual-RE)method for SHM is proposed.This new method is proposed based on a systematic analysis of the whole framework of reliability evaluation from instrument to NDT,and emphasis is paid to the evaluation condition control.Based on these analyses,considering the special online application scenario of SHM,the proposed Dual-RE method contains two key components:Integrated Sensor-based SHM-RE(IS-SHM-RE)and Critical Service Condition-based SHM-RE(CSC-SHM-RE).ISSHM-RE evaluates the reliability of integrated SHM sensor and system themselves under approximate repeatability conditions,while CSC-SHM-RE assesses SHM reliability under the dominant uncertainties during service,namely intermediate conditions.To demonstrate the Dual-RE,crack monitoring by using the Guided Wave-based-SHM(GW-SHM)on aircraft lug structures is taken as a case study.Both the crack detection and sizing performance are evaluated from accuracy and uncertainty.
基金supported by Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada
文摘Reliability-based design optimization （RBDO） is intrinsically a double-loop procedure since it involves an overall optimization and an iterative reliability assessment at each search point. Due to the double-loop procedure, the computational expense of RBDO is normally very high. Current RBDO research focuses on problems with explicitly expressed performance functions and readily available gradients. This paper addresses a more challenging type of RBDO problem in which the performance functions are computation intensive. These computation intensive functions are often considered as a ＂black-box＂ and their gradients are not available or not reliable. On the basis of the reliable design space （RDS） concept proposed earlier by the authors, this paper proposes a Reliable Space Pursuing （RSP） approach, in which RDS is first identified and then gradually refined while optimization is performed. It fundamentally avoids the nested optimization and probabilistic assessment loop. Three well known RBDO problems from the literature are used for testing and demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed RSP method.
文摘Purpose: To assess the inter-observer agreement in reading adults chest radiographs (CXR) and determine the effectiveness of observers in radiographic diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a tuberculosis endemic area. Methods: A quasi-observational study was conducted in the Pneumology Department of Yaounde Jamot Hospital (Cameroon) from January to March 2014. This included six observers (two chest physicians, two radiologists, two end-training residents in medical imaging) and 47 frontal CXRs (4 of diffuse interstitial lung disease, 6 normal, 7 of lung cancers, 7 of bacterial pneumonia, 23 of PTB). The sample size was calculated on the basis of an expected 0.47 Kappa with a spread of 0.13 (α = 5%, CI = 95%) for six observers and five diagnostic items. The analysis of concordance was focused on the detection of nodules, cavitary lesions, pleural effusion, adenomegaly and diagnosis of PTB and lung cancer. These intervals of kappa coefficient were considered: discordance (0.81). Results: The average score for the detection of caverns was the highest (58.3%) followed by that of the correct diagnosis of tuberculosis (49.3%). Pneumologists had the highest proportions of correct diagnosis of tuberculosis (69.6% and 73.9%) and better inter-observer agreement (k = 0.71) for PTB diagnosis. Observers were more in agreement for the detection of nodules (0.32 - 0.74), adenomegalies (0.43 - 0.69), and for the diagnosis of cancer (0.22 - 1) than for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (0.19 - 0.71). Disagreements were more frequent for the detection of pleural effusions (-0.08 - 0.73). Conclusion: The inter-observer agreement varies with the type of lesions and diagnosis. Pneumologists were most effective for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Observers were more in agreement for the detection of nodules and the diagnosis of cancer than for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.
文摘AIM: To assess the inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for lacrimal scintigraphy(LS) reports with and without considering the irrigation test results.METHODS: A prospective, observational, cross sectional study. Two masked clinicians(lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist) independently reported 100 LS images(50 patients of >6 years of age with unilateral anophthalmic socket) in a university hospital. The lacrimal surgeon performed a diagnostic irrigation test and repeated the report of the same LS images 2 y after the first report(intra-observer agreement). A weighted Kappa analysis was performed to determine inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for the type(normal, partial and complete obstruction) and location(presac, preduct, and intraduct) of the obstruction. Subgroup analysis was also performed with consideration of irrigation test results. RESULTS: A significantly moderate agreement was found between lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist for both the type(Kappa=0.55) and location(Kappa=0.48) of obstruction. Agreement values were higher for the type(Kappa=0.61 vs 0.41) and location(Kappa=0.56 vs 0.31) of obstruction in cases with normal than abnormal irrigation test. Strong and significant intraobserver(lacrimal surgeon) repeatability was found for both the type(Kappa=0.66) and location(Kappa=0.69) of obstruction. LS showed no to slight reliability based on irrigation test.CONCLUSION: A moderate agreement is found between lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist regarding the interpretation of LS suggesting the importance ofconsensus groups among nuclear medicine specialists and lacrimal surgeons to create a common language for interpretation of LS. Intra-observer repeatability is strong for the lacrimal surgeon.
文摘Objective To assess inter-observer variations of pulmonary nodule marking in routine clinical chest digital radiograph (DR) softcopy reading by using a lung nodule computer toolkit.Methods A total of 601 chest posterior-anterior DR images were randomly selected from routine outpatient screening in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Two chest radiologists with experience more than ten years were first asked to read the images and mark all suspicious nodules independently by using computer toolkit IQQA-Chest, and to indicate the likelihood for each nodule detected. They were also asked to draw the boundary of the identified nodule manually on an enlarged region of interest, which was instantly analyzed by IQQA-Chest. Two sets of diagnostic reports, including the marked nodules, likelihood, manually drawn boundaries, quantitative measurements, and radiologists’ names, were automatically generated and stored by the computer system. One week later, the two radiologists read the same images together by using the same computer toolkit without referring to their previous reading results. Marking procedure was the same except that consensus was reached for each suspicious region. Statistical analysis tools provided in the IQQA-Chest were used to compare all the three sets of reading results.Results In the independent readings, Reader 1 detected 409 nodules with a mean diameter of 12.4 mm in 241 patients, and Reader 2 detected 401 nodules with a mean diameter of 12.6 mm in 253 patients. In the consensus reading, a total of 352 nodules with a mean diameter of 12.4 mm were detected in 220 patients. Totally, 42.3% of Reader 1’s and 45.1% of Reader 2’s marks were confirmed by the consensus reading. About 40% of each reader’s marks agreed with the other. There were only 130 (14.4%) out of the total 904 unique nodules were confirmed by both readers and the consensus reading. Moreover, 5.6% (51/904) of the marked regions were rated identical likelihood in all three readings. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between Readers 1 and 2, and between consensus and Reader 2 in determining the likelihood of the marks (P<0.01), but not between consensus and Reader 1. No significant difference in terms of size was observed in nodule segmentation between either two of the three readings. Conclusion Large variations in nodule marking and nodule-likelihood determination but not in nodule size were observed between experts as well as between single-person reading and consensus reading.
文摘Introduction: To investigate the inter-observer and inter-modality variabilities of two imaging guided equipments—cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and ultrasound (US) in kidney stereotactic body radiotherapy. Methods: A renal metastasis case implanted with three gold anchor fiducial markers was firstly scanned by US to acquire a 3-dimension US image and followed by 4-dimension CBCT in every fraction. Seven observers retrospectively registered the pre-treatment images with the corresponding reference images based on the gold markers. Registration uncertainty of the observers between two imaging modalities was evaluated. Results: The uncertainties over whole treatment course in CBCT were 0.88 mm, 1.94 mm and 0.86 mm in lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions respectively;while 0.8 mm, 0.97 mm and 1.36 mm were found in US. Conclusion: The greatest uncertainty was found in longitudinal direction in CBCT due to the fact that the respiration motion is the most rigorous in cranial-caudal direction. In US, since the probe was hold almost in upright position, the strong echo in vertical direction was attributed to the greatest uncertainty for such direction.
文摘<strong>Purpose:</strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Radiotherapy is a widely accepted standard of care for early-stage prostate cancer, and it is believed that the plan quality and treatment outcome are associated with contour accuracy of both the target and organs-at-risk (OAR). The purposes of this study are to 1) assess geometric and dosimetric uncertainties due to inter-observer contour variabilities and 2) evaluate the effectiveness of geometric indicators to predict target dosimetry in prostate radiotherapy. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Twenty prostate patients were selected for this retrospective study. Five experienced clinicians created unique structure sets containing prostate, seminal vesicles, bladder, and rectum for each patient. A fully automated script and knowledge-based planning routine were utilized to create standardized and unbiased plans that could be used to evaluate changes in isodose distributions due to inter-observer variability in structure segmentation. Plans were created on a “gold-standard” structure set, as well as on each of the user-defined structure sets. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Inter-observer variability of contours during structure segmentation was very low for clearly defined organs such as the bladder but increased for organs without well-defined borders (prostate, seminal vesicles, and rectum). For plans generated with the user-defined structure sets, strong/moderate correlations were observed between the geometric indicators for target structure agreement and target coverage for both low-risk and intermediate-risk patient groups, while OAR indicators showed no correlation to final dosimetry. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusions:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Target delineation is crucial in order to maintain adequate dosimetric coverage regardless of the associated inter-observer uncertainties in OAR contours that had a limited impact upon final dosimetry.</span></span>
文摘Aims & Objectives: Aim of the study was to evaluate inter-observer variability in interpretation of Gallium-68 labeled Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen sub-type 11 (68Ga-PSMA-11) Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography PET_CT scan according to Prostate Cancer Molecular Imaging Standardized Evaluation (PROMISE) criteria. Method and Materials: Forty-four consecutive patients of prostate cancer were prospectively studied between the duration of January 2021 to June 2021 at Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL), Lahore. All PET-CT scans were assessed by a researcher and 3 nuclear physicians and divided into two groups, interpreted in two phases. In the first phase, each group independently evaluated the scans while in the second phase, a consensus meeting was held and all the cases with discordance were discussed. Cohen’s Kappa test was used to measure interobserver variability with the cut-off of K’s alpha Results: The study showed 41 out of 44 scans with positive PSMA findings while 03 scans were negative for any PSMA avid disease. In the first phase of image analysis, the level of agreement was slight in T stage (Kappa = 0.068, p = 0.65), moderate in the miN stage (Kappa = 0.46, p = 0.02) and substantial in miM stage (Kappa = 0.77, p ≤ 0.001) was seen. For PSMA score, overall agreement was substantial agreement (Kappa = 0.64, p Conclusion: Remarkable inter-observer agreement was seen in PROMISE criteria.
基金supported by the Research Project of China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited under Grant 2023YJ252.
文摘Purpose–This paper focuses on studying the reliability allocation for the railway system,aiming to improve the overall reliability of the railway system and ensure safety operation.Design/methodology/approach–In view of the complex structure of the railway system,involving many subsystems,this paper analyzes the close dynamic coupling effect between railway subsystems.Based on this,taking the railway system failure as the top event,a fault tree is constructed in this paper.Then,a reliability allocation method based on the fault tree is employed to allocate the reliability index.Finally,a numerical experiment is implemented to show the performance of the reliability allocation method.Findings–The results showed that each subsystem needs to improve its reliability to meet the specified railway system reliability requirements,and the traction power supply system is the most important subsystem,which is the most efficient in improving the reliability of the railway system.Originality/value–For the first time,starting from a holistic perspective of the system,reliability allocation is carried out based on the importance of each railway subsystem.
基金The National Key R&D Program Projects(Grant No.2022YFC2803601)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(Grant No.ZR2021YQ29)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province(Grant No.YQ2024E036)the Taishan Scholars Project(Grant No.tsqn202312317).
文摘Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs)are pivotal for deep-sea exploration and resource exploitation,yet their reliability in extreme underwater environments remains a critical barrier to widespread deployment.Through systematic analysis of 150 peer-reviewed studies employing mixed-methods research,this review yields three principal advancements to the reliability analysis of AUVs.First,based on the hierarchical functional division of AUVs into six subsystems(propulsion system,navigation system,communication system,power system,environmental detection system,and emergency system),this study systematically identifies the primary failure modes and potential failure causes of each subsystem,providing theoretical support for fault diagnosis and reliability optimization.Subsequently,a comprehensive review of AUV reliability analysis methods is conducted from three perspectives:analytical methods,simulated methods,and surrogate model methods.The applicability and limitations of each method are critically analyzed to offer insights into their suitability for engineering applications.Finally,the study highlights key challenges and research hotpots in AUV reliability analysis,including reliability analysis under limited data,AI-driven reliability analysis,and human reliability analysis.Furthermore,the potential of multi-sensor data fusion,edge computing,and advanced materials in enhancing AUV environmental adaptability and reliability is explored.
