A predictive algorithm using clinical and laboratory parameters may assist in ruling out and in diagnosing MDS

We present a noninvasive Web-based app to help exclude or diagnose myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a bone marrow (BM) disorder with cytopenias and leukemic risk, diagnosed by BM examination. A sample of 502 MDS patients from the European MDS (EUMDS) registry (n \gt; 2600) was combined with 502 controls (all BM proven). Gradient-boosted models (GBMs) were used to predict/exclude MDS using demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were used to evaluate the models, and performance was validated using 100 times fivefold cross-validation. Model stability was assessed by repeating its fit using different randomly chosen groups of 502 EUMDS cases. AUC was 0.96 (95\ 0.95-0.97). MDS is predicted/excluded accurately in 86\range, 0-1) of less than 0.68 (GBM \lt; 0.68) resulted in a negative predictive value of 0.94, that is, MDS was excluded. GBM ≥ 0.82 provided a positive predictive value of 0.88, that is, MDS. The diagnosis of the remaining patients (0.68 ≤ GBM \lt; 0.82) is indeterminate. The discriminating variables: age, sex, hemoglobin, white blood cells, platelets, mean corpuscular volume, neutrophils, monocytes, glucose, and creatinine. A Web-based app was developed; physicians could use it to exclude or predict MDS noninvasively in most patients without a BM examination. Future work will add peripheral blood cytogenetics/genetics, EUMDS-based prospective validation, and prognostication

The concept of measurement of calorific value of gaseous fuels

The issue of measuring and determining the calorific value of fuels is related to thermodynamic analysis of the effects of the combustion process aimed at determining the amount of heat transferred to the environment. Currently, there are several methods for determining the calorific value of fuels and their methodology is related to the type of fuel being analyzed. These methods are quite complicated and require the use of specialized measuring equipment. The energy demand of modern civilization along with the need to protect the natural environment prompts the search for new ways to generate energy directed at sources other than conventional fossil fuels. Technologies related to the use of biogas, synthesis gas obtained in biomass or waste gasification processes are being introduced. The use of these fuels in industrial processes of generating heat and electricity requires caloric stability of the fuel. The caloric stability of the fuel is necessary to ensure the stability of thermal energy conversion processes that translate directly into the set values of generated electricity using electric machines. One way to assess the energy quality of a fuel is to measure its calorific value. There are several methods for determining the calorific value of a fuel, but they all require special measurement conditions. The article presents the author’s concept of a calorimeter dedicated to the analysis of the calorific value of gaseous fuels

Modeling of pollutant emissions from the turbine engine of the main propulsion of a vessel in operating conditions

The intensification of environmental protection measures is being implemented in all economic and industrial activities. The goal of reducing harmful emissions from various types of combustion engines used in different applications is being pursued dynamically. The introduced changes concern the values of harmful emission limits and the methods of measuring or assessing their emissions. There are solutions for propulsion systems, such as turbine engines used on ships, where there is a need for constant monitoring of operational and environmental parameters during the operation of the vessels. Continuous measurement of harmful emission values contained in exhaust gases during the operation of these systems allows for an assessment of their impact on the environment. However, due to the costs of measuring equipment and limitations associated with its use, alternative methods are being sought to evaluate pollution emissions resulting from the operation of turbine engines. One possibility is to assess the emission characteristics of the propulsion system in emission tests under conditions of its actual operation. Based on this, by introducing basic mathematical tools, it is possible to determine the values of emissions of individual pollutants during the propulsion system operation in actual conditions. These actions are presented in this paper

Determinants of low health-related quality of life in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: EUMDS registry study

: Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) frequently experience a significant symptom burden, which reduces health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed at identifying determinants of low HRQoL in patients recently diagnosed with MDS for guiding early intervention strategies. We evaluated longitudinal data in 2205 patients with MDS during their first year after diagnosis. Median values of EQ-5D 3-Level (EQ-5D-3L) index (0.78) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (0.70) were used as thresholds for low HRQoL. In addition, the five dimensions of EQ-5D-3L were analyzed for impairments (any level versus "no problem" category). After multiple imputation of missing values, we used generalized estimating equations (GEE) to estimate odds ratios (OR) for univariable determinant screening (p75: 1.84, 1.39-2.45), female sex (1.70, 1.43-2.03), high serum ferritin level (>=1000 vs. =30 vs. 23-29.9 kg/m²: 1.26, 1.02-1.57). Sex, KPS, comorbidity burden, hemoglobin count, and transfusion burden were determinants for all EQ-5D dimensions. Low HRQoL is determined by multiple factors, which should be considered in the management and shared decision making of patients with MDS