Performance of a deep-learning algorithm for referable thoracic abnormalities on chest radiographs: A multicenter study of a health screening cohort

Purpose This study evaluated the performance of a commercially available deep-learning algorithm (DLA) (Insight CXR, Lunit, Seoul, South Korea) for referable thoracic abnormalities on chest X-ray (CXR) using a consecutively collected multicenter health screening cohort. Methods and materials A consecutive health screening cohort of participants who underwent both CXR and chest computed tomography (CT) within 1 month was retrospectively collected from three institutions’ health care clinics (n = 5,887). Referable thoracic abnormalities were defined as any radiologic findings requiring further diagnostic evaluation or management, including DLA-target lesions of nodule/mass, consolidation, or pneumothorax. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of the DLA for referable thoracic abnormalities using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity using ground truth based on chest CT (CT-GT). In addition, for CT-GT-positive cases, three independent radiologist readings were performed on CXR and clear visible (when more than two radiologists called) and visible (at least one radiologist called) abnormalities were defined as CXR-GTs (clear visible CXR-GT and visible CXR-GT, respectively) to evaluate the performance of the DLA. Results Among 5,887 subjects (4,329 males; mean age 54±11 years), referable thoracic abnormalities were found in 618 (10.5%) based on CT-GT. DLA-target lesions were observed in 223 (4.0%), nodule/mass in 202 (3.4%), consolidation in 31 (0.5%), pneumothorax in one 1 (<0.1%), and DLA-non-target lesions in 409 (6.9%). For referable thoracic abnormalities based on CT-GT, the DLA showed an AUC of 0.771 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.751–0.791), a sensitivity of 69.6%, and a specificity of 74.0%. Based on CXR-GT, the prevalence of referable thoracic abnormalities decreased, with visible and clear visible abnormalities found in 405 (6.9%) and 227 (3.9%) cases, respectively. The performance of the DLA increased significantly when using CXR-GTs, with an AUC of 0.839 (95% CI, 0.829–0.848), a sensitivity of 82.7%, and s specificity of 73.2% based on visible CXR-GT and an AUC of 0.872 (95% CI, 0.863–0.880, P <0.001 for the AUC comparison of GT-CT vs. clear visible CXR-GT), a sensitivity of 83.3%, and a specificity of 78.8% based on clear visible CXR-GT. Conclusion The DLA provided fair-to-good stand-alone performance for the detection of referable thoracic abnormalities in a multicenter consecutive health screening cohort. The DLA showed varied performance according to the different methods of ground truth.

TREE SPECIES DIVERSITY AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF HOLM OAK STANDS IN CHETTABA FOREST (ALGERIA)

The forest of Chettaba is for ecotourism. Managed by the Forest Conservation of Constantine, this site is formed of several forestry species (hardwood and softwood) spread over an area of 3010 ha. The objective of this study is to estimate the viability of this site through the permanent monitoring of the current state of the forest including biodiversity and pressures. The collection of data related to it had recourse to a forest inventory and an inventory of pressures. The condition was assessed by analyzing these components. The various analyses conducted during this study revealed that the forest is subject to biotic and abiotic pressures and average viability. This is induced by a fairly good stand quality (PHF= 333), medium stability (S= 44.45), low mortality (MR = 4.16%) and good future potential (high regeneration rate (RR =231.25%). Grazing, fire and illegal logging are the most important pressures. Despite these pressures, the forest is classified as a viable ecosystem. However, these potentials are insufficient: it is necessary to reduce the pressures and reforest the degraded plots for better conservation of the ecosystem. To this end, the present study suggests management primarily through silvicultural interventions that promote the regeneration of the various species and to include a permanent ecological monitoring system.

Automated Method for Delineating Harvested Stands Based on Harvester Location Data

The data produced by cut-to-length harvesters provide new large-scale data source for event-based update of national forest stand inventory by Finnish Forest Centre. This study aimed to automate geoprocessing, which generates delineations of operated areas from harvester location data. Automated algorithms were developed and tested with a dataset of 455 harvested objects, recorded during harvestings. In automated stand delineation, the location points are clustered, the stand points are identified and external strip roads are separated. Then, stand polygons are produced. To validate the results, automatic delineations were compared to 57 observed delineations from field measurements and aerial images. A detailed comparison method was developed to study the correspondence. Stand polygonization parameter was adjusted and areal correspondence with 1% error on average was obtained for stands over 0.75 ha. Good stand shape agreement was observed. Overall, the automated method worked well, and the operative stand delineations were found suitable for updating the forest inventory data. To modify the operative stands towards forest inventory stands, a balancing algorithm is introduced to create a solid, unique stand boundary between overlapping stands. This algorithm is beneficial for upkeep of stand networks. In addition, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) accuracy of the harvesters was examined and estimated numerically.

Agronomic Performance of Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. Clone IRCA 331 Grown in Southwestern Côte d'Ivoire

In order to test the agronomic performance of the newly developed clones, a Large-Scale Clone Trial (LSCT) comprising Hevea brasiliensis clones GT 1, IRCA 202, IRCA 331, IRCA 707, PB 280 and PB 310 was established in southwestern Côte d'Ivoire. They were planted in completely randomized blocks with six clone treatments and four replications of 112 trees per clone. The measured parameters included isodiametric growth of the trunk, rubber yield, trees stand, latex physiological parameters and sensitivity to tapping panel dryness (TPD). Collected data was analyzed using Statistica 7.0 statistical software. After ten years of downward tapping and four years of upward tapping, clone IRCA 331 showed significantly higher rubber productivity than all other clones. Its productivity gain, relative to the reference control GT 1, was 63% in downward tapping and 80% in upward tapping. Despite its high level of productivity, the annual rate of isodiametric growth of clone IRCA 331 tree trunks (2.56 cm/year) remained statistically equivalent to that of clone GT 1 (2.62 cm/year) at latex harvesting stage. In addition, the physiological profile of clone IRCA 331 was good and similar to that of the control. Clones IRCA 331, GT1 and PB 280 got the lowest sensitivity to TPD. However, only clones GT1 and IRCA 331 maintained a good stand of tappable trees throughout the experimental period. This experiment highlighted the agronomic performance of the clone IRCA331 and allowed to put it in class 1. Clone IRCA 331 can therefore be used as a clone of first choice to improve national productivity.

Chapter 4: Seed Quality and Seeding Technology

Quality seed is defined as varietally pure with a high germination percentage, free from disease and disease organisms, with a proper moisture content and weight. Quality seed insures good germination, rapid emergence, and vigorous growth. These aspects translate to a good stand (whether greenhouse or field). Poor quality seed results in "skips," excessive thinning, or yield reductions due to overcrowding, all of which diminish profitability. This document is HS713, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 1995. Revised November 2006. HS713/CV103: Seed Quality and Seeding Technology (ufl.edu)

On-farm seed priming interventions in agronomic crops

<p>Priming techniques are gaining importance in agriculture with the increase in environmental stresses. Resource-poor farmers are in urgent need of such techniques as they are simple, economical, and value-added intervention associated with low-risk bearing factors. Seed enhancement methods are key to improve seed performance and achieve a good stand establishment. Worldwide beneficial effects of priming are recorded. But these technologies have still not reached most farmers. This review highlights the importance of on-farm priming strategies in modern crop production system to yield better productivity and obtain higher economic returns. Stimulation of the pre-germination metabolic changes by priming is necessary to overcome the environmental challenges that a plant can encounter. Thus, the study also focuses on mechanisms associated with priming-induced stress tolerance of crops. Various safe practical methods of seed priming can be easily adopted by the farming community to alleviate the levels of different stresses which can hamper productivity. Simultaneously they can produce good quality seeds and use them further for the next crop cycle cutting the costs of seed purchase.</p>

Priming treatments for improvement of germination and emergence of cotton seeds at low temperature

Early sowing in cotton is important for obtaining a high and qualiy yield. Since cotton prefers high temperatures to have a good stand establisment, this work is important to determine better performing genotypes or to promote germination and emergence at low temperatures (<20°C). This research aimed to increase seed germination rate and seed vigour under cold stress conditions. Two cotton genotypes belonging toG. hirsutumL. species (Aydin-110 and Paymaster-2379) were primed with PEG-6000 (200, 300, 400 g/L), KNO3(2, 3, 4%), KH2PO4(0.3, 0.4, 0.5 M), NaCl (2, 3, 4%) or Mannitol (2, 4, 6%) to determine the best priming medium and its best amount. After priming, seeds were germinated in germination cabin at cold (18°C) and warm (30°C) temperatures and some characteristics (germination rates, radicle length, hypocotyl length and seedling length) were analyzed. Priming with KNO3(4% or 2%) was found to result in the highest germination rates in both cotton genotypes. The seeds of the genotypes were also primed with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) (1, 10, 25 mg/L), gibberellic acid (GA3) (100, 250, 500 μM), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) (1, 3, 5 μM), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (1, 10, 100 μM) or kinetin (1, 5, 10 mg/L) added to KNO3(4%) medium to choose the most effective plant growth regulator (PGR) application and its dose. PGRs were observed to have reverse effects on germination rate. Finally, emergence test was conducted with KNO3(4%) and KNO3(2%) using metabolic chill test, and some traits (radicle length, radicle weight, hypocotyl length, hypocotyl weight, seedling length, seedling fresh weight and seedling dry weight) were examined. Our results suggested that priming with KNO3(2%) might be an effecient way to have vigourous cotton plants under the cold stress.

Travel Behaviour of Online Shoppers in Sweden

Online shopping opportunities are transforming travel behaviour for shopping and could potentially reduce the overall travel demand. Despite numerous studies on online shopping, only a few have taken an approach that includes trips for all travel purposes. Based on a web–survey, this paper provides results on travel behaviour for physical shopping for frequent, regular, and infrequent online shoppers in Sweden. The results indicate that frequent online shoppers make as many car trips (for both shopping and other errands) as others. Also, frequent online shoppers in total make as many trips to a physical store as infrequent online shoppers – although by more sustainable modes of transport – and that the time saved from online shopping is spent on both additional shopping trips and trips for other errands. The conclusion is that online shopping might facilitate changing travel behaviour but does not in itself represent a good stand–alone measure for reducing vehicle mileage.

Type III longitudinal deficiency of the tibia and outcome of reconstructive surgery in a female patient

Type III longitudinal deficiency of tibia according to Kalamchi and Dawe denotes the presence of distal hypoplasia of the tibia with diastasis. We report a case of type III longitudinal deficiency of the tibia in a female patient who later underwent reconstructive surgery. The first reconstruction of the leg was done when child turned 4 months of age. Surgical procedures included foot reconstruction and ankle stabilization with twice lengthening by the Ilizarov method (14 cm in total). During the follow-up, both the tibia and fibula of the affected leg showed the same lengthening and regression due to preserved distal growth zone cartilage. After surgical correction, the acetabulum was satisfactorily configured with an acetabular angle of 23 degrees. Explanation for surgical success was that osteotomy and distraction were done in the proximal part of the crural region where the growth potential was better. The tibia remained lean and hypoplastic while the fibula was incrassated. The function in the area of the knee joint was preserved, while the distal part of the leg served as good stand on. When the child was 18 years old, on check-up, the acetabular angle was 23 degrees while the Wiberg angle was 24 degrees.

Organic Vegetable Yield and Economics Show Promise in a Mississippi Trial

Yield, input, and economic data from research plots in central Mississippi are being used to test the economic potential of organic vegetable crop production. A six-part, multi-year rotation, including winter and summer cover crops, has been set up to generate yield, cost, and economic return data from vegetables produced in Mississippi using methods allowed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture National Organic Standards and accepted by local growers employing pesticide-free and other similar management methods. Data being collected include labor and input costs, yields, and market prices for harvested crops. Marketable produce is being sold through a grower-retailer at a farmer's market. During 2004, the first full year of the rotation, 10 vegetable species were included in the plots. Pest pressure has generally been minimal. With one exception [one of two potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars failed to produce a good stand], all crops planted have produced fair to excellent yields. Crops generating high retail prices in this study include potatoes, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), and leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa). In the future, the yield and price data being generated will be combined with new and existing cost data to create enterprise and production budgets for use by perspective and existing organic vegetable growers.