Objective: Standardizing image acquisition protocols and image quality across cameras is an important need in imaging, in particular in multi-center clinical trials and the use of image analysis and machine learning algorithms. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) reconstruction parameters on the quantitative image quality of cardiac perfusion SPECT images in different typical SPECT cameras and therefore assess the need to change the parameter values across cameras. Methods: The analysis was carried out by comparing the defect contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) at 12 OSEM subset-iteration combinations. Eight frames were reconstructed using the SIMIND Monte Carlo Simulation package. An activity of 370 MBq (10mCi) and projection acquisition interval of 20 seconds per projection were used. Attenuation (AC) and scatter corrections (SC) were performed in this study for all images. Results: The 16-2 subset-iteration combination yielded the highest CNR and defect contrast values for both cameras. The difference between CNR values for two cameras was found to be close to 5%. Conclusions: Monte Carlo simulations can be useful to investigate how quantitative image quality behaves with respect to reconstruction parameters and correction algorithms in a controlled environment. In this study, the use of different camera brands did not seem to significantly affect the lesion detectability. Further simulations with more extended range of parameters and camera brands may be conducted in the future to quantify further the variability between different brands of cameras.

The present research focuses on researching the impact of the diverse communication media that facilitate or develop Student Motivation and Engagement in the educational systems of the states in the Gulf, especially Oman. The main goal of this work is to determine which type of method is most effective in encouraging students in view of cultural and technological factors present in the region. Comparisons using hypothesis testing and structural models which provided higher T value for Technology-Based Communication Methods (TBCM) and Human Face-to-Face Communication Methods (HFtFCM). Next, the research hypothesis H2 that TBCM has a direct positive relationship with SMaE was supported by the following regression coefficients: β = 0.177, t = 4.493; p = 0.000. On the other hand, there was no effect of HFtFCM on SMaE as indicated by a regression coefficient of 0.056 (p < 0.124) for this hypothesis and therefore, this hypothesis was rejected. The analysis using the mediator of Student Perception of Communication Effectiveness (SPoCE) only partly mediates TBCM and SMaE (β = 0.047, t = 3.737, p = 0.000). However, SPoCE was found not to moderate the relationship between HFtFCM and SMaE (β = −0.01, t = 1.125, p = 0.005). The present study underlines the efficiency of TBCM in the area of student engagement, while face-to-face conversation does not play significant part in this process. The obtain results conclude that, the traditional and technological evolution in the Gulf region supports the adoption of TBCM in educational systems. Such approaches support with the technological learning and likings of students, offering greater flexibility and engagement. Educational systems must highlight TBCM to better meet the growing needs of their student, while identifying that face-to-face remains important, though secondary, in energetic motivation.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in Colombia. Magnetic resonance imaging is the ideal modality for the evaluation of colorectal cancer, since it allows staging by determining invasion beyond the muscularis propria, extension towards adjacent organs, identification of patients who are candidates for chemotherapy or pre-surgical radiotherapy and planning of the surgical procedure. The key point is based on the differentiation between T2 and T3 stages through the use of sequences with high-resolution T2 information. In addition to this, it allows the assessment of the size and morphology of the lymph nodes, and considerably increases the specificity for the detection of lymph node involvement. MRI is a technique with high specificity and high reproducibility.

This research was conducted with the aim of developing indexes for diagnosis of balanced personnel levels in Korean Public Offices through Analytic Hierachy Process (AHP). The research found that 62.3% of ‘structural improvement’ and 37.7% of ‘inclusive organizational culture’ were weighted in large classification items. In the middle classification items, it was found weights of 27.5% for ‘gender equality’, 23.5% for ‘disabled’, 16.2% for ‘science and engineering’, 17.7% for ‘regional talent’, and 15.2% for ‘social integrated type’. In the small classification items, 9.4% of ‘employment rate of social integrated talent’, 5.3% of ‘the percentage of grade 7 and 9 selection of regional talent’ and 5% of ‘the percentage of women at the head of a department level’ were shown as important evaluation indicators. In addition, the ‘inclusive organizational culture’ was derived by allocating weights of 9.45% each for four areas: fairness, disclosure, cooperation and support. As above, this research constructs items of the balanced personnel index through prior research and designs detailed indexes. However, it is meaningful that surveys and others have confirmed the usefulness of the balanced personnel index, which will contribute to the achievement of balanced personnel objectives in public offices.

Access to clean water and improved sanitation are basic elements of any meaningful discourse in rural development. They are critical challenges for achieving sustainable development over the next decade. This paper seeks to examine the strategies for improving access to clean water and sanitation in Nigerian rural communities. Hypothetically, the paper states that there is no significant relationship between access to clean water and sanitation and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 in Nigeria. The paper leverages Resilience Theory. The survey research design was adopted, and primary data was obtained from a sample size of 250 respondents, proportionally drawn from the 10 wards in Obanliku local government area of Cross River State. The chi-square statistical technique was to test the hypothesis. The result shows that the calculated value of Chi-square (X²) is 24.4. Since the P-value of 21.03 is less than the level of significance (0.05), the null hypothesis was rejected and the alternate accepted. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between access to clean water and sanitation and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 in Cross River State, Nigeria. it recommends the need for more commitment on the part of government and international donor agencies in expanding access to clean water and improved sanitation in Nigeria.

Proper understanding of LULC changes is considered an indispensable element for modeling. It is also central for planning and management activities as well as understanding the earth as a system. This study examined LULC changes in the region of the proposed Pwalugu hydropower project using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques. Data from the United States Geological Survey's Landsat satellite, specifically the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), the Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM), and the Operational Land Imager (OLI), were used. The Landsat 5 thematic mapper (TM) sensor data was processed for the year 1990; the Landsat 7 SLC data was processed for the year 2000; and the 2020 data was collected from Operation Land Image (OLI). Landsat images were extracted based on the years 1990, 2000, and 2020, which were used to develop three land cover maps. The region of the proposed Pwalugu hydropower project was divided into the following five primary LULC classes: settlements and barren lands; croplands; water bodies; grassland; and other areas. Within the three periods (1990–2000, 2000–2020, and 1990–2020), grassland has increased from 9%, 20%, and 40%, respectively. On the other hand, the change in the remaining four (4) classes varied. The findings suggest that population growth, changes in climate, and deforestation during this thirty-year period have been responsible for the variations in the LULC classes. The variations in the LULC changes could have a significant influence on the hydrological processes in the form of evapotranspiration, interception, and infiltration. This study will therefore assist in establishing patterns and will enable Ghana's resource managers to forecast realistic change scenarios that would be helpful for the management of the proposed Pwalugu hydropower project.