207 research outputs found
Use of 3D Laser Scanner for Rock Fractures Mapping
In the process of investigation, design and upgrading of rock slopes, the orientation and
spacing of the structural discontinuities or joints in the rock mass are thoroughly mapped in
the field so that any unstable blocks can be identified and stabilization measures designed.
The orientation of the structural discontinuities is traditionally measured manually using
geological compass placed directly at the exposed surfaces. Scaffolding is usually erected so
that the geologist can physically access the exposed rock surface. A large number of
measurements are usually required in order to obtain a statistical mean of the fracture
orientation. With the ongoing advances of digital technology, 3D laser scanning technique
can be used to replace direct physical access and large number of manual measurements can
be completely eliminated. A prototype system is described in this paper that combines the
non-contact measurement technologies of photogrammetric imaging and 3D laser scanning to
create dimensionally accurate and pictorially correct 3 dimensional models and orthoimages
of a rock fractures. By taking photographs from at least two different locations, lines of sight
are mathematically intersected to produce the 3D coordinates of the key reference points in a
rock face. Automatic 3D laser scanning unit is then used to produce the 3D coordinates of the
entire rock surface. By overlapping the images rectified from photogrammetry technique with
the coordinates from 3D laser scanning in an Autodesk 3D Studio Max environment, the
coordinates of any objects in the photographs can be selected and their orientation such as dip
angle and dip direction calculated automatically. A case study is presented to compare the
orientations of fracture planes measured using geological compass and the orientations from
the prototype system developed.published_or_final_versio
AI-enabled value co-creation in B2B relationships: an exploratory study of the payments industry in Asia
In the rapidly changing landscape of the payments industry, there is a significant focus on AI in generating co-created value in partnership and collaboration with B2B customers and partners. The increasing demand for improved interoperability, operational efficiency, and enhanced customer experiences in the digital payments domain highlights the significant role of AI in enabling value creation. This research aims to investigate the potential of AI in driving value creation and the important considerations that leaders and managers must address to successfully integrate AI in the payments sector. As the dynamics of B2B interactions undergo a paradigm shift, recent literature underscores the significance of co-created value in augmenting overall experiences, emphasising the need for "structural fit" in these collaborative exchanges.
In the midst of continuous advancement of AI, participants in the payment industry are progressively acknowledging the importance of cooperative partnerships to exploit the potential of AI across multiple operational domains. And thus, collaboration among payment players and their partners has become imperative to navigate the swiftly evolving landscape. As this transformative development gains recognition, these industry participants are actively reshaping their operational frameworks, with a renewed focus on Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols and the incorporation of AI across diverse functional domains. These would include areas such as client servicing, customer marketing, operational enhancements, compliance procedures, fraud and risk management, and various facets of payment processing, reflecting a concerted effort to align with the evolving technological landscape.
This research thus, would uncover the current state of industry adoption, and the value and benefits of AI integration, in addition to, uncovering commonalities or differences in AI adoption strategies across organisations, considering various influential factors such as organisational size, resource allocation, skill proficiency, and cultural aspects for the payments industry. This would give rise to further exploration of AI's integration and interoperability within the B2B value co-creation spectrum. Through a systematic approach for conducting the research, the possible outcomes of the analysis and coding process could present a picture unique for B2B participants in the payments industry. Notably, aggregated dimensions, that warrant careful consideration in the seamless integration of AI-enabled value co-creation within the B2B sphere of the payments industry. By embracing the considerations and strategies outlined, organisational leaders can proactively position their entities for success in the ever-evolving payments landscape, fostering innovation, operational efficiency, and elevated customer experiences. And theoretical, this research contributes to an enriched understanding of the essential requisites for fostering seamless interactions and collaborations, while the managerial insights offer a holistic understanding of the broader implications of AI integration within the payments industry
Oesophageal cancer located above the tracheal bifurcation is an independent poor prognostic factor. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation improves survival
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Etiology and Pathogenesis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is complex disease composed of different histological grades and types. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the development of different phenotypes remain largely unknown. Epidemiological studies identified multiple exogenous and endogenous risk factors for ovarian cancer development. Among them, an inflammatory stromal microenvironment seems to play a critical role in the initiation of the disease. The interaction between such a microenvironment, genetic polymorphisms, and different epithelial components such as endosalpingiosis, endometriosis, and ovarian inclusion cyst in the ovarian cortex may induce different genetic changes identified in the epithelial component of different histological types of ovarian tumors. Genetic studies on different histological grades and types provide insight into the pathogenetic pathways for the development of different disease phenotypes. However, the link between all these genetic changes and the etiological factors remains to be established
The predictive value of G8 and the Cancer and aging research group chemotherapy toxicity tool in treatment-related toxicity in older Chinese patients with cancer
Introduction: Older patients experience a higher risk of treatment-related toxicity (TRT). The G8 screening tool was developed to separate cancer older patients fit to receive standard treatment from those who are frail and experiencing functional decline due to reduced organ function and multiple comorbidities. The Cancer and Aging Research Group chemotherapy toxicity tool (CARG-tt) questionnaire was developed to predict chemotherapy toxicity in geriatric patients. This prospective observational study evaluated the performance of G8 and CARG-tt in predicting severe TRT in older Chinese cancer patients. Methods: Chinese patients aged ≥65 with a diagnosis of solid malignancy and scheduled to receive anti-cancer treatment (chemotherapy or targeted therapy) were enrolled from March 2016 to July 2017 at the Department of Clinical Oncology at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. All patients completed the G8 and CARG-tt screening and pre-treatment assessments before starting treatment. Patients were monitored for any severe TRT, which was defined by grades 3–5 using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03, treatment discontinuation, or unexpected hospitalization from starting to 30 days after treatment. Results: A total of 259 patients (male: 154, 59.5%; median age: 73.4, age range: 65–93) were enrolled in the study. Two hundred and ten (81.1%) patients received chemotherapy while the rest (n = 49, 18.9%) received targeted therapy. Overall, 146 patients (56.8%) experienced severe TRT. The mean G8 score was 12.4 (SD: 2.8). The G8 score had a significant association with unexpected admission (cutoff: 14, 41.3% vs. 26.5%, p = 0.03) but not significant in other types of TRTs. The mean CARG-tt score was 7.67 (SD: 3.7); it was not associated with severe TRTs. Conclusions: The G8 and CARG-tt demonstrated a weak prediction of severe TRT in older Chinese cancer patients. Future studies need to develop predictive tools for TRT in patients receiving novel antineoplastic therapies, with a focus on subgroup analysis for different populations
Saliva Viral Load Better Correlates with Clinical and Immunological Profiles in Children with Coronavirus Disease 2019
BACKGROUND: Pediatric COVID-19 studies exploring the relationships between NPS and saliva viral loads, clinical and immunological profiles are lacking. METHODS: Demographics, immunological profiles, nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), and saliva samples collected on admission, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were assessed in children below 18 years with COVID-19. FINDINGS: 91 patients were included between March and August 2020. NPS and saliva viral loads were correlated (r=0.315, p=0.01). Symptomatic patients had significantly higher NPS and saliva viral loads than asymptomatic patients. Serial NPS and saliva viral load measurements showed that the log10 NPS (r=-0.532, p<0.001) and saliva (r=-0.417, p<0.001) viral loads for all patients were inversely correlated with the days from symptom onset with statistical significance. Patients with cough, sputum, and headache had significantly higher saliva, but not NPS, viral loads. Higher saliva, but not NPS, viral loads were associated with total lymphopenia, CD3 and CD4 lymphopenia (all p<0.05), and were inversely correlated with total lymphocyte (r=-0.43), CD3 (r=-0.55), CD4 (r=-0.60), CD8 (r=-0.41), B (r=-0.482), and NK (r=-0.416) lymphocyte counts (all p<0.05). Interpretation: Saliva viral loads on admission in children correlated better with clinical and immunological profiles than NPS
The 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccination is not useful in BMT patients at risk of pneumococcal bacteremic sepsis
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Prognostication of serial post-intensity-modulated radiation therapy undetectable plasma EBV DNA for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
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Medium-term Outcomes of Myocarditis and Pericarditis following BNT162b2 Vaccination among Adolescents in Hong Kong
In this study, we examined the clinical and electrophysiological outcomes of adolescents in Hong Kong who developed myocarditis or pericarditis following BNT162b2 vaccination for COVID-19, and followed-up for 60 to 180 days after their initial diagnosis. Clinical assessments included electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram at the initial admission and follow-up were compared. Treadmill testing was also performed in some cases. Between 14 June 2021 and 16 February 2022, 53 subjects were approached to participate in this follow-up study, of which 28 patients were followed up for >60 days with a median follow-up period of 100 days (range, 61-178 days) and were included in this study. On admission, 23 patients had ECG abnormalities but no high-grade atrioventricular block. Six patients had echocardiogram abnormalities, including reduced contractility, small rim pericardial effusions, and hyperechoic ventricular walls. All patients achieved complete recovery on follow-up. After discharge, 10 patients (35.7%) reported symptoms, including occasional chest pain, shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, and recurrent vasovagal near-syncope. At follow-up, assessments, including ECGs, were almost all normal. Among the three patients with possible ECG abnormalities, all their echocardiograms or treadmill testings were normal. Sixteen patients (57.1%) underwent treadmill testing at a median of 117 days post-admission, which were also normal. However, at follow-up, there was a significant mean bodyweight increase of 1.81kg (95%CI 0.47-3.1 kg, p=0.01), possibly due to exercise restriction. In conclusion, most adolescents experiencing myocarditis and pericarditis following BNT162b2 vaccination achieved complete recovery. Some patients developed non-specific persistent symptoms, and bodyweight changes shall be monitored
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