Qualitative methods

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the impact of super-resolution deep learning reconstruction (SR-DLR) on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) image quality and blooming artifacts from coronary artery stents in comparison to conventional methods, including hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) and deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR). METHODS: A retrospective analysis included sixty-six CCTA patients from July to November 2022. Major coronary arteries were evaluated for image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)...

BACKGROUND: The identification of the geographical origin of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is of particular importance because the quality and market value of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua from different production areas are highly variable due to differences in the growing environment and climatic conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study utilized near-infrared spectra (NIR) of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (n = 400) to develop qualitative models for effective differentiation of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua from various regions...

From the integrative perspectives of the health belief model and social influence theories, the study sought to identify factors social and health marketers should focus on to elicit voluntary change in behavior toward the performance of COVID-19 infection prevention behaviors such as frequent handwashing with soap, social distancing, and avoidance of handshaking using mixed method approach. The quantitative data from 605 respondents through structured questionnaires were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The qualitative data through five focus group discussions were also analyzed using thematic analysis...

INTRODUCTION: Forensic mental health services balance recovery-focussed therapy with risk management, which may limit opportunities for participation in meaningful occupation. Previous research describes forensic patients in secure settings participating mainly in passive leisure and sleep. This study aimed to use quantitative and qualitative evidence to investigate how patients in the sub-acute and rehabilitation units of an Australian forensic hospital perceive and use their time and to discuss how the findings compare with the previous study within the organisation, published in 2004...

AIM: To evaluate registered nurses' perceptions of whether the mandated use of the early warning system vital signs tool impacts the development of nurses' higher-order thinking skills. DESIGN: A concurrent mixed methods study design. METHOD: Using an online survey, registered nurses' perceptions were elucidated on whether early warning system algorithmic tools affected the development of their higher-order thinking. Likert-type matrix questions with additional qualitative fields were used to obtain information on nurse's perceptions of the tool's usefulness, clinical confidence in using the tool, compliance with escalation protocols, work environment and perceived compliance barriers...

Moiré patterns caused by aliasing between the camera's sensor and the monitor can severely degrade image quality. Image demoiréing is a multi-task image restoration method that includes texture and color restoration. This paper proposes a new multibranch wavelet-based image demoiréing network (MBWDN) for moiré pattern removal. Moiré images are separated into sub-band images using wavelet decomposition, and demoiréing can be achieved using the different learning strategies of two networks: moiré removal network (MRN) and detail-enhanced moiré removal network (DMRN)...

In the modern technological era of sophisticated applications and high-quality communications, a platform of clever strategy and quickly updated systems is needed. It should be capable of withstanding the fastest emerging problems like signal attenuation and hostile actions intended to harm the whole network. The main contributions of this work are the production of an OFDM system (with low cost) that can sustain high-speed communications and be easily adjusted with new integrated code while exhibiting the feasibility of implementing a transmitter-receiver system in the same DSP and demonstrating the holistic approach with the qualitative integration of such an architecture in a warfare scenario...

Existing retinex-based low-light image enhancement strategies focus heavily on crafting complex networks for Retinex decomposition but often result in imprecise estimations. To overcome the limitations of previous methods, we introduce a straightforward yet effective strategy for Retinex decomposition, dividing images into colormaps and graymaps as new estimations for reflectance and illumination maps. The enhancement of these maps is separately conducted using a diffusion model for improved restoration. Furthermore, we address the dual challenge of perturbation removal and brightness adjustment in illumination maps by incorporating brightness guidance...

Transformer-based models have gained popularity in the field of natural language processing (NLP) and are extensively utilized in computer vision tasks and multi-modal models such as GPT4. This paper presents a novel method to enhance the explainability of transformer-based image classification models. Our method aims to improve trust in classification results and empower users to gain a deeper understanding of the model for downstream tasks by providing visualizations of class-specific maps. We introduce two modules: the "Relationship Weighted Out" and the "Cut" modules...

Background: This investigation is both a study of potential non-invasive diagnostic approaches for the bladder cancer biomarker UBC® Rapid test and a study including novel comparative methods for bioassay evaluation and comparison that uses bladder cancer as a useful example. The objective of the paper is not to investigate specific data. It is used only for demonstration, partially to compare ROC methodologies and also to show how both sensitivity/specificity and predictive values can be used in clinical diagnostics and decision making...

BACKGROUND: The polymerase chain reaction of upper respiratory tract swab samples was established as the gold standard procedure for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID pandemic. However, saliva collection has attracted attention as an alternative diagnostic collection method. The goal of this study was to compare the use of saliva and nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Ninety-nine paired samples were evaluated for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by saliva and swab for a qualitative diagnosis and quantitative comparison of viral particles...

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a disabling condition that has recently shown an increase in prevalence, becoming an essential public health problem. This study is a qualitative review summarizing the most frequent risk factors associated with PPD, evaluating molecular aspects of PPD and current approaches to detect and prevent PPD. The most prevalent risk factors were detected in the areas of economic and social factors, obstetrical history, lifestyle, and history of mental illness. Research on the genetic basis for PPD has taken place in recent years to identify the genes responsible for establishing targeted therapeutic methods and understanding its pathogenesis...

The winemaking process generates an annual global production of about 10 million tons of waste consisting of stalks, skin, and seeds. The possible reutilization of wine pomace is strictly linked to its chemical composition. In this preliminary study, three different Sardinian white grapes (Malvasia, Vermentino and Nasco) grown in the same area were evaluated through a whole wine production chain. To reduce environmental impact, all the grapes were treated following the integrated production practice (IPP) strategies...

Recently, benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers utilizing permanent magnets have emerged as versatile tools with applications across various fields, including food and pharmaceuticals. Their efficacy is further enhanced when coupled with chemometric methods. This study presents an innovative approach to leveraging a compact benchtop NMR spectrometer coupled with chemometrics for screening honey-based food supplements adulterated with active pharmaceutical ingredients. Initially, fifty samples seized by French customs were analyzed using a 60 MHz benchtop spectrometer...

Aligned with the EU Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (EU SDG2030), extensive research is dedicated to enhancing the sustainable use of biomass waste for the extraction of pharmaceutical and nutritional compounds, such as (poly-)phenolic compounds (PC). This study proposes an innovative one-step hydrothermal extraction (HTE) at a high temperature (120 °C), utilizing environmentally friendly acidic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) to replace conventional harmful pre-treatment chemicals and organic solvents...

Visual field (VF) testing dates back to fifth century B.C. It plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of retinal and neurological diseases. This review summarizes each of the different VF tests and perimetric methods, including the advantages and disadvantages and adherence to the desired standard diagnostic criteria. The review targets beginners and eye care professionals and includes history and evolution, qualitative and quantitative tests, and subjective and objective perimetric methods...

During the transition from liquid to solid, the thermal conductivity coefficient λ of concrete decreases. Although λ of hardened concrete is well investigated, there is limited research on the transition from liquid to solid and how it depends on hydration. Currently, only simplified qualitative approaches exist for the liquid state and the transient process. An experimental method is not available. For this purpose, a test rig is designed to experimentally capture the evolution of λ for fine-grain concretes during transition...

BACKGROUND: Chemometrics is a discipline that allows the spectral resolution of drugs in a pharmaceutical formulation along with degradation product and it is as an alternative to chromatographic methods. OBJECTIVE: Sumatriptan (SUM) is co-formulated with naproxen (NAP) and used in acute migraine attacks. SUM which has physiological importance has not been subjected to any stability-indicating chemometric approaches yet so there is a need for accurate and safe method for the assay of the cited drug in their preparation...

BACKGROUND: The quality of communication in oncology significantly impacts patients' health outcomes, as poor communication increases the risk of unnecessary treatment, inadequate pain relief, higher anxiety levels, and acute hospitalizations. Additionally, ineffective communication skills training (CST) is associated with stress, low job satisfaction, and burnout among doctors working in oncology. While acknowledging the importance of effective communication, the specific features of successful CST remain uncertain...

BACKGROUND: Mastitis is a common reason new mothers visit their general practitioner (GP). In Australia, the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic provides practical advice to GPs managing a range of infections, including mastitis. It is not known if Australian GPs prescribe antibiotics and order investigations as recommended for the management of mastitis. METHODS: A convergent mixed methods design integrated quantitative analysis of a general practice dataset with analysis of interviews with GPs...