Computed tomography-based radiomics analysis to predict lymphovascular invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective The present study explored the value of preoperative CT radiomics in predicting lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods A retrospective analysis of 294 pathologically confirmed ESCC patients undergoing surgical resection and their preoperative chest-enhanced CT arterial images were used to delineate the target area of the lesion. All patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort at a ratio of 7:3. Radiomics features were extracted from single-slice, three-slice, and full-volume regions of interest (ROIs). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression method was applied to select valuable radiomics features. Radiomics models were constructed using logistic regression method and were validated using leave group out cross-validation (LGOCV) method. The performance of the three models was evaluated using the receiver characteristic curve (ROC) and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results A total of 1218 radiomics features were separately extracted from single-slice ROIs, three-slice ROIs, and full-volume ROIs, and 16, 13 and 18 features, respectively, were retained after optimization and screening to construct a radiomics prediction model. The results showed that the AUC of the full-volume model was higher than that of the single-slice and three-slice models. According to LGOCV, the full-volume model showed the highest mean AUC for the training cohort and the validation cohort. Conclusion The full-volume radiomics model has the best predictive performance and thus can be used as an auxiliary method for clinical treatment decision making. Advances in knowledge: LVI is considered to be an important initial step for tumor dissemination. CT radiomics features correlate with LVI in ESCC and can be used as potential biomarkers for predicting LVI in ESCC.

Computer simulation of block polymerization of 1,6-Hexanediol Diacrylate

In this paper, a computer model of the block three-dimensional free-radical polymerization of 1,6-Hexanediol Diacrylate (HDDA) is proposed. The model of the reaction system is based on an ideal mixing reactor. The reaction process is modeled by the Monte Carlo method. Accounting for the diffusion inhibition of the reaction is described using the free volume model. An adequate description of the experimental data of the calculated conversion rate curve is obtained. The nature of the change in the rate constant of the growth reaction with increasing conversion is shown.

Reduced finite-volume model for the fast numerical calculation of the fluid flow in the melt pool in laser beam welding

In this paper we propose a reduced two-dimensional finite-volume model for the fast calculation of the melt flow. This model was used to determine the influence of the welding speed, viscosity in the melt and vapour flow inside of the keyhole on the fluid flow field, the temperature distribution, and the resulting weld-pool geometry for laser beam welding of aluminium. The reduced computational time resulting from this approach allows the fast qualitative investigation of different aspects of the melt flow over a wide range of parameters. It was found that the effect of viscosity within the melt is more pronounced for lower welding speeds whereas the effect of friction at the keyhole walls is more pronounced for higher welding speeds. The weld-pool geometry mainly depends on the welding speed.

FORM FACTORS AND VOLUME MODELS FOR ESTIMATING TREE BOLE VOLUME OF MAHOGANY AT COMMUNITY FORESTS IN CENTRAL JAVA

Form factors and volume models are often be used in the estimation of tree volumes. However, a few studies have developed and evaluated the accuracy of form factors and volume models for estimating tree volumes of community forests. This study aimed to formulate form factors and volume models and assess their prediction accuracy for estimating tree bole volumes of mahogany at community forests in Central Java. This study used 120 sample trees with diameters of 6–38 cm to formulate artificial and absolute form factors and to develop tree bole volume models. These form factors coupled with bole height and total height were used in simple volume equations. Regression analyses were used to develop volume models using the diameter and total height as predictors. The simple volume equations and volume models' prediction accuracy was evaluated using a cross-validation dataset and independent dataset (30 sample trees). The artificial form factor (0.68 ± 0.11) of mahogany, which was higher than the absolute form factor (0.46 ± 0.09), provided accurate estimates of tree bole volumes when it was used with the bole height instead of the total height. The volume model that uses diameter and total height produced the most accurate estimates, while the volume model that uses diameter alone provided the most practical yet reliable tool for estimating tree bole volumes of mahogany. The results of this study are useful for improving community forest management.