Us and Mri Neurography Assessment of Diagnostic Criteria in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Electrophysiological Tests as Gold Standard: A Prospective Study

BackgroundPeripheral neuropathy evaluation depends mainly on physical examination, patient history, electrophysiological studies, with evoked potential abnormalities. High-resolution US has the advantage of being fast, non-invasive modality with nerve dynamic assessment allowing examination of long part of nerve. MR imaging serve better in examination of deeper nerves with higher contrast resolution. It shows great benefit in patient with atypical presentation, Equivocal diagnosis and suspicious of secondary cause and post-surgical relapse.MethodsThis study was conducted prospectively on 32 patients, presented with carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed by electrophysiological tests. Superficial US of the wrist joint was done to all participants followed by MRI within 1 weeks of the US.We aimed to assess the measurements & criteria of both US & MRN in diagnosis of CTS, depending mainly on the three-measurement assessed by Buchberger et al., then to find the agreement between US & MR Neurography (MRN)ResultsUs proved to have higher rate of CTS prediction, the three main parameters CSA measurement, distal nerve flattening and flexor retinaculum bowing indices showed positive occurrence of 93.7%,59.4% &59.4% respectively. While we found that decreased nerve echotexture was positive in 90.6% of patients.Regarding MRI it showed less diagnostic ability when using CSA measurement as it was positive in 81.2% of patients, also distal tunnel nerve increased flattening and bowed flexor retinaculum positive results were slightly decreased to 56.2% for each. In contrast to high T2 signal of median nerve which was positive in 90.6% of patients.In agreement study, we found statically significant difference supporting US as the primary diagnostic modality of CTS depending mainly on the three measurement CSA, Flattening and bowing indices. Yet, for cases of secondary CTS and detection of underlying entrapping cause as well as innervated muscle early abnormality detection and better tissue characterization, MRI was better diagnostic modality with statistically significant difference. ConclusionsOur results proved that ultrasound examination can be used as first imaging modality after physician evaluation with comparable results to electrophysiological studies in evaluating CTS and try to find the cause. MRN examination came as second step in patients with suspected muscle denervation changes that could not be elicited by US or equivocal cases for detection of secondary cause in clinically suspected patient.

Research on Dynamic Assessment Method of Earthquake Scene Rescue Performance Based on AHP and Cloud Model

In view of the ambiguity and randomness of the assessment of earthquake scene rescue performance, this paper proposes an integrated assessment method considering quantitative and qualitative influencing factors from three levels: search, rescue and medical treatment. Firstly, this study constructs an assessment index system of rescue performance at the earthquake scene based on the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) guidelines set by International Search and Response. Secondly, the subjective weights and objective weights of each index were calculated using the hierarchical analysis process (AHP) and cloud model, respectively. The comprehensive weights were calculated using weighted analysis, and the performance assessment results were visually expressed by cloud model images. Finally, the study was applied to an earthquake rescue case with an initial assessment of 4.0065, and its performance was improved by 4.36% when the rescue process was optimized. The assessment results show that earthquake rescue performance can be estimated, and the rationality and effectiveness of the method was validated.

Assessment of the temporomandibular joint condition using two-dimensional ultrasound scanning and doppler ultrasonography methods in patients with chronic inflammatory periodontal diseases

Introduction. Currently, dentists are increasingly detecting changes in the temporomandibular joint in patients with chronic inflammatory periodontal disease.Aim of the study. To carry out a comprehensive dynamic assessment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condition and the registration of regional blood flow using two-dimensional ultrasound scanning to improve the efficiency of diagnostics of inflammatory periodontal diseases.Materials and methods. The study included 2 groups of patients: group 1 (control) consisted of 20 volunteers aged 20–25; Group 2 consisted of 52 people aged 25–45 years with moderate chronic periodontitis. For TMJ ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound, a portable ultrasound scanner LogicScan 128 with an HL-10 linear ultrasound transducer with an operating frequency of 5 to 12 MHz was used.Results and discussion. During ultrasound examination of the temporomandibular joint and measuring the size of the joint space in patients with moderate chronic periodontitis in a state of relative physiological rest, the following values were obtained: in the anterior region – 2.3 ± 0.5 mm; in the upper section – 1.6 ± 0.6 mm; in the posterior section – 1.8 ± 0.3 mm. We also measured the area of the temporomandibular joint disc in various positions. According to ultrasound data, an increase in the size of the joint space from 12.2 to 16.1% and an increase in the area of the articular disc by 17.1 to 36.7% were found in patients with chronic periodontitis. When assessing the trajectory of the articular track, motion delay and joint wedging are determined. In addition, in the color Doppler mapping (CDM) mode, the speed and index indicators of Doppler ultrasonography of the external carotid and temporal arteries were calculated.Conclusions. Modern diagnostic methods of ultrasound and Doppler mapping, assessing the hemodynamics and functional state of the TMJ, allow early diagnosis of changes in order to prevent the development of TMJ disorders in patients with chronic inflammatory periodontal diseases.

Computerized Dynamic Assessment as a Potential Inclusive Assessment Tool for Reading Comprehension

The dynamic assessment concept dates back to the sociocultural understating of Vygotsky. Dynamic assessment is a new perspective that combines instruction and assessment procedures while assessing students. In a more recent perspective, computerized dynamic assessment provides electronic mediations to the students when the wrong answer emerges. In this regard, C-DA offers an inclusive way of assessment. This study aims to investigate the effect of C-DA on the reading comprehension performances of the students. To achieve this goal, the C-DA application was implemented for 92 participants, and their performances were recorded. After the implementation, the actual, mediated, and learner potential scores of participants were calculated and then tabulated to the SPSS program. Wilcoxon signed-rank and descriptive analysis were used to analyze the results. The findings of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the actual and mediated scores of students.

Dynamic monitoring and evaluation of ecological restoration in mining area based on GNSS+RS technology

The continuous development of mineral resources is increasingly damaging the ecological environment, so it is of great significance to ecological restoration and dynamic monitoring of the mining area. In this paper, dynamic monitoring and evaluation method of ecological restoration in the mining area are proposed, which integrates GNSS + RS (Global Navigation Satellite System + Remote Sensing) technology. According to the Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) retrieved by GNSS and NDVI (Normalized Vegetation Index) can monitor the ecological environment and introduce machine learning to improve the accuracy of the model. The dynamic assessment of ecological restoration was carried out by using temperature, rainfall, NPP (Net Primary Productivity), NDVI and PWV. The results show that: (1) the modeling effect of machine learning is better than that of the least square regression. (2) The comprehensive ecological evaluation index proposed can better reflect the ecological situation of the mining area. Therefore, the environmental monitoring and assessment of mining area based on GNNS + RS technology proposed in this paper have important reference significance.

Toward precision oncology: SERS microfluidic systems for multiplex biomarker analysis in liquid biopsy

Liquid biopsy-based diagnosis in precision oncology exhibits significant advantages over the traditional tumour biopsies by offering dynamic assessment of tumour heterogeneity, minimally invasive procedures for frequent sampling, and cost-effective tests....

Assessment of the resource potential of agricultural organizations in the Kurgan region

The purpose of the research is to comprehensively assess the resource potential of agricultural organizations in the Kurgan region to form the trajectory of their development and determine the contribution to agricultural production in the region. Methods. The study was based on the use of statistical and econometric methods for collecting, processing, modeling data. It is based on the assessment of the use of the following functional components of the resource potential: land, material and technical, personnel, innovation and financial. At the same time, the dynamic assessment for each subspecies of the resource potential gives an idea of the trend in the volume and level of resource use, and the stochastic assessment – to identify the relationship between the indicators of resource investment and their return. Results. The presented assessment of the existing relationships between the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the resource potential and its subspecies indicate, on the one hand, an acute shortage of certain types of resources, and, on the other hand, an increasing intensity of their use without a proportional level of return. The study allows us to conclude that it is necessary to develop levers for managing the resource potential of agricultural organizations based on the symbiosis of the needs of agricultural producers and the territory in which they operate. Scientific novelty. The research methodology allows combining several methods of assessing (dynamic and stochastic) in achieving the final result, as well as assessing the elasticity between the general level of resource productivity of agricultural organizations and indicators of the efficiency of using the main types of resources. This approach makes it possible to form a sequence of actions to ensure an increase in the level of development and use of the resource potential of agricultural organizations.

The impacts of IPO financing and monetary policy on economic growth in Bangladesh: Evidence from a dynamic assessment

The impact of dividend policy on stock price volatility is one of the most researched topics of corporate finance. This study investigates the relationship between stock price volatility and dividend policy among Bangladeshi financial service industry companies. Two key variables - dividend yield and dividend payout have been taken as the independent variables after controlling for firm size, asset growth, earnings volatility, long-term debt, and earnings per share. The stock price volatility has been taken as the dependent variable. Panel regression analysis is employed to explore the relationship of dependent with independent variables. Results reveal a significant positive relationship between stock price volatility and dividend yield among companies considered in this study. This study will help regulators and investors understand how the stock price fluctuates in response to financial information such as dividend announcements

Cognition in Interaction: Challenges in Assessing Persons with Sensory and Multiple disabilities

This article reports a qualitative study of cognitive assessments of three teenagers with sensory and multiple disabilities, including moderate to profound developmental disability. The aim was to evaluate the possibilities for adapting standardized tests and the implementation of interactional partnership in assessment. Cognitive assessments were made with an individually-adapted psychological assessment tool, the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. The assessment situations were video-recorded and analyzed based on sociocultural theories of early interaction, dynamic assessment, and the bodily-tactile modality of cognition. The results showed that the requirements for assessment are complex and highly individualized, extending beyond universal guidelines on test adaptations. The assessments were built on developmental steps within the standardized test, but required a special emphasis on individuality and interaction. We conclude that the study provides novel insights into an under-researched area of cognitive assessment, confirming earlier findings that cognitive skills become observable in unique moments of intensive interaction. The assessor must follow the principles of dynamic assessment, applying competent partner strategies such as providing safety, supporting attention, activity, and alertness, and scaffolding the target skills in the zone of proximal development. Conducted thus, the cognitive assessment process can enable the assessor to recognize, support and authenticate the agency of persons with complex disabilities.

Dynamic Assessment of Learners of a Signed Language

In this chapter, the authors discuss the use of dynamic language assessment with signing deaf children. This is a fairly new area, and, in spite of the growing interest on behalf of researchers and practitioners, there is very limited research. Given the lack of available studies, the authors use anecdotal information that draws on observations made by two of the authors from their own work with signing deaf children, one in a hospital and the other in a school setting. Some of the questions that will guide the discussions are: What makes dynamic assessment useful for signing deaf children? And, how do we determine that dynamic assessment is appropriate for a particular child, and how do we evaluate whether it works? The authors finish with a look at possible future directions and present recommendations on how to make dynamic assessment (more) meaningful for use with signing deaf children.