scholarly journals Pre-registration UK diagnostic radiography student ability and confidence in interpretation of chest X-rays

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Paul Lockwood ◽  
Abbaas Khan
Keyword(s):  
Image Interpretation ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Online Study ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Degree Of Confidence ◽  
Surgical Emphysema ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Diagnostic Radiography ◽  
Individual Interpretation

Introduction Chest X-rays are the most frequently requested X-ray imaging in English hospitals. This study aimed to assess final year UK radiography student’s confidence and ability in image interpretation of chest X-rays. Methods Thirty-three diagnostic radiography students were invited to assess their confidence and ability in interpreting chest x-rays from a bank of n=10 cases using multiple choice answers. Data analysis included 2x2 contingency tables, Kappa for inter-rater reliability, a Likert scale of confidence for each case, and questions to assess individual interpretation skills and ways to increase the learning of the subject. Results Twenty-three students participated in the study. The pooled accuracy achieved was 61% (95% CI 38.4-77.7; k=0.22). The degree of confidence and ability varied depending upon the student and the conditions observed. High confidence was noted with COVID-19 (n=12/23; 52%), lung metastasis (n=14/23; 61%), and pneumothorax (n=13/23; 57%). Low confidence was noted with conditions of consolidation (n=8/23; 35%), haemothorax (n=8/23; 35%), and surgical emphysema (n=8/23; 35%). From the sample n=11 (48%), participants stated they felt they had the knowledge to interpret chest X-rays required for a newly qualified radiographer. Conclusion The results demonstrated final year radiography student’s confidence and ability in image interpretation of chest X-rays. Student feedback indicated a preference for learning support through university lectures, online study resources, and time spent with reporting radiographers on clinical practice to improve ability and confidence in interpreting chest X-rays.

scholarly journals Intelligent Interpretation of Veterinary Musculoskeletal X-rays Trained with Human Thoracic Limb X-rays

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijia Zhou ◽  
Euijoon Ahn ◽  
Michael Fulham ◽  
Jinman Kim
Keyword(s):  
Image Interpretation ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Weight Class ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Thoracic Limb ◽  
Pelvic Limb ◽  
Activation Mapping

Abstract Deep learning (DL) using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is being widely applied to assist in the interpretation of medical images in modern healthcare but there is a paucity of ‘artificial intelligence’ being currently applied to veterinary medicine. Most veterinary musculoskeletal (MSK) x-ray imaging is done in a community setting and there has not been the development of large image repositories that are available in human healthcare. Domestic animals – cats and dogs – however, have similar skeletal anatomies to humans. Hence, we hypothesized that annotated human MSK x-rays (Xs) could perhaps be used as a surrogate for the lack of adequate veterinary data to develop an automated system to help interpret veterinary MSK Xs. We refer to this as ‘intelligent interpretation of Veterinary Musculoskeletal Xs (iiVetMSK-Xs). Our iiVetMSK-Xs has an x-ray classifier built on EfficientNet and a lesion localizer built on gradient-weight class activation mapping (Grad-CAM). We used the human Musculoskeletal Radiograph (MURA) dataset (40,005 thoracic limb Xs) and a small veterinary x-ray dataset (500 thoracic and pelvic limb Xs from 141 cats and dogs) downloaded from online case repositories. Our results show that using the human thoracic limb Xs and the veterinary dataset to train a CNN improved diagnostic accuracy threefold. We suggest that our iiVetMSK-Xs is an important first step in developing automated image interpretation for veterinary imaging.

Defects of Platelet Function Recognized by X-Ray Imaging and Scanning Electron Microscopy

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 610-613
Author(s):  
M.G. Baldini ◽  
S. Morinaga ◽  
D. Minasian ◽  
R. Feder ◽  
D. Sayre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Imaging Technique ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Complex Phenomena ◽  
Scanning Electron

Contact X-ray imaging is presently developing as an important imaging technique in cell biology. Our recent studies on human platelets have demonstrated that the cytoskeleton of these cells contains photondense structures which can preferentially be imaged by soft X-ray imaging. Our present research has dealt with platelet activation, i.e., the complex phenomena which precede platelet appregation and are associated with profound changes in platelet cytoskeleton. Human platelets suspended in plasma were used. Whole cell mounts were fixed and dehydrated, then exposed to a stationary source of soft X-rays as previously described. Developed replicas and respective grids were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Discovering Architecture

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Walker
Keyword(s):  
Early Modern ◽  
Ancient World ◽  
Ancient Athens ◽  
Early Modern English ◽  
Degree Of Confidence ◽  
Architectural Principles ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Architectural Knowledge

This chapter deals with the genesis of architectural knowledge. In particular, it explores those rare moments when early modern English authors wrote about newly discovered examples of ancient architecture, the most important forms of architectural knowledge that existed. I will discuss three such accounts (all published in the Philosophical Transactions) of Roman York, Palmyra, and ancient Athens. These three texts share a preoccupation with truth and accuracy, as befitted the task of communicating highly sought-after architectural knowledge. They also demonstrate the degree of confidence of English writers in this period, not only in how they interpreted ancient architecture, but also in how they sought to criticize previous European authors on the subject. But most importantly, these texts reveal the extent of English intellectuals’ knowledge of the architectural principles of the ancient world and how that knowledge was in a state of flux.

An investigation into the extent of Lodox imaging usage in South Africa: Radiographer’s perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Muchui Thambura ◽  
Jeanette G.E du Plessis ◽  
Cheryl M E McCrindle ◽  
Tanita Cronje
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Imaging Protocol ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging

Abstract Introduction Anecdotal evidence suggests that medical professionals in trauma units are requesting additional regional images using conventional x-ray systems, even after trauma patients have undergone full-body Lodox scans. Patients are then exposed to additional radiation, additional waiting times and an increased medical bill. This study aimed at investigating the extent to which Lodox systems were used in trauma units (n=28) in South Africa. Method In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the researcher invited one radiographer from the 28 hospitals in South Africa that use Lodox systems. Radiographers who were most experienced in using the Lodox system completed an online questionnaire. Results Twenty (71.43% n=20) out of twenty-eight radiographers responded. Most hospitals (90%, n=18) were referring patients for additional conventional x-ray images. Radiographers indicated that conventional x-rays were requested for the chest (27.80%, 10/36), the abdomen (16.67%, 6/36), the spine (13.89%, 5/36) and the extremities and skull (19.44%, 7/36). Additionally, radiographers reported using Lodox to perform procedures and examinations usually performed on conventional x-ray systems when conventional x-ray systems were not operational. Conclusion Currently, it is not clear if the use of conventional x-ray imaging following Lodox is necessary, but the results suggest that the practice is commonplace, with healthcare workers in most hospitals (90%, n=18) requesting additional x-ray imaging. The researcher thus recommends that an imaging protocol for Lodox imaging systems should be developed to guide the referral of the patients for further imaging.

scholarly journals Truncated Inception Net: COVID-19 Outbreak Screening using Chest X-rays

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipayan Das ◽  
KC Santosh ◽  
Umapada Pal
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Imaging Systems ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Different Types

Abstract Since December 2019, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused world-wide turmoil in less than a couple of months, and the infection, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is spreading at an unprecedented rate. AI-driven tools are used to identify Coronavirus outbreaks as well as forecast their nature of spread, where imaging techniques are widely used, such as CT scans and chest X-rays (CXRs). In this paper, motivated by the fact that X-ray imaging systems are more prevalent and cheaper than CT scan systems, a deep learning-based Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, which we call Truncated Inception Net, is proposed to screen COVID-19 positive CXRs from other non-COVID and/or healthy cases. To validate our proposal, six different types of datasets were employed by taking the following CXRs: COVID-19 positive, Pneumonia positive, Tuberculosis positive, and healthy cases into account. The proposed model achieved an accuracy of 99.96% (AUC of 1.0) in classifying COVID- 19 positive cases from combined Pneumonia and healthy cases. Similarly, it achieved an accuracy of 99.92% (AUC of 0.99) in classifying COVID-19 positive cases from combined Pneumonia, Tuberculosis and healthy CXRs. To the best of our knowledge, as of now, the achieved results outperform the existing AI-driven tools for screening COVID-19 using CXRs.

scholarly journals Megavoltage X-Ray Imaging Based on Cerenkov Effect: A New Application of Optical Fibres to Radiation Therapy

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Teymurazyan ◽  
G. Pang
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fibres ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Modulation Transfer ◽  
Imaging Device ◽  
Active Matrix ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Detection Quantum Efficiency ◽  
Cerenkov Effect

A Monte Carlo simulation was used to study imaging and dosimetric characteristics of a novel design of megavoltage (MV) X-ray detectors for radiotherapy applications. The new design uses Cerenkov effect to convert X-ray energy absorbed in optical fibres into light for MV X-ray imaging. The proposed detector consists of a matrix of optical fibres aligned with the incident X rays and coupled to an active matrix flat-panel imager (AMFPI) for image readout. Properties, such as modulation transfer function, detection quantum efficiency (DQE), and energy response of the detector, were investigated. It has been shown that the proposed detector can have a zero-frequency DQE more than an order of magnitude higher than that of current electronic portal imaging device (EPID) systems and yet a spatial resolution comparable to that of video-based EPIDs. The proposed detector is also less sensitive to scattered X rays from patients than current EPIDs.

The learning environment in upper secondary school physical education: The student perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aron Gauti Laxdal
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Physical Education Teachers ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Upper Secondary School ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Individual

The overreaching aim of this thesis was to gain a better understanding of the students’ perceptions of the learning environment in upper secondary school physical education, with special focus on marginalized subgroups. More specifically, the intention was to explore whether students perceived their learning environment differently depending on their teachers’ gender, the learning support they received or the perceived competence they had. Despite the learning environment being a well-researched phenomenon in the more academic school subjects, there was a substantial knowledge gap concerning its influence in physical education. The individual works that form this ensemble aimed to occlude some of those gaps. In an effort to achieve the aforementioned aims, a new instrument measuring teacher learning support in the physical education context was also constructed and validated. The chosen methodology for the thesis was cross-sectional, comprising of a multicomponent self-report questionnaire. The data was analyzed using various analytical tools, including structural modeling analysis and MANCOVA between group comparisons. The participants were 1133 upper secondary school students (Mage = 17.2, SD = 0.86) from Norway (n = 554) and Iceland (n = 579), and 17 Norwegian PE teachers (11 males, 6 females). The sampling of participants was performed using a stratified procedure representing both urban, suburban and rural settlements. Multiple steps were taken to ensure adequate sample representability. The collective results of the individual papers indicate that the current organizational trends in PE are more in line with the needs of the highly competent students, and less so with the needs of the less competent students. This tendency intensifies the differences between these groups and may be one of the primary drivers behind the negative relationship between age and appreciation for the subject. Further, the students do not appear to be self- regulating their learning to the same extent as they are in other subjects, despite the teachers efforts to facilitate the behavior. The cause of this discrepancy likely being PE’s reputation as a recreational subject, underlined by the absence of homework and the playful nature of the lessons. Additionally, the role of the teacher’s gender in influencing the PE experience seems to be exaggerated. Gender matching and positive discrimination of female PE teachers are therefore unlikely to improve the learning environment of female students. The concluding recommendations are multitudinous and include suggestions to all the stakeholders of the subject. They include an appeal to the policymakers to rely more heavily on the body of research when implementing or adjusting policy, a plea to the teaching institutions educating the physical education teachers to emphasize formative teaching practices to a greater extent in their program, in order to promote learning behavior, and a call to the physical education teachers to address the various challenges related to the less interested and less competent students by reducing the benefits of sporting experience and ameliorating the current curriculum implementations by introducing more non-traditional sports and activities.

The Production of Learning Resources for the Study of Information Technology with Limited Project Management Capacity

2013 ◽  
pp. 32-56
Author(s):  
Jenny Lamont
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Programming Languages ◽  
South African ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Management Capacity ◽  
Management Experience ◽  
The Subject

Mindset Network is a non-profit organization that develops educational resources in several sectors, including the schooling sector. In 2011, Mindset Learn, the schooling division of Mindset Network, completed a project to plan, design, and produce learning resources for grade 12 Information Technology. The learning resources provided learning support to 5,000 students in the 425 South African schools that offer the subject. Numerous challenges presented themselves during the implementation of the project. Major project management challenges were insufficient project resources and inadequate project management experience. Several content-related challenges included: the need to include two programming languages simultaneously, the diversity of language and demographics in schools, and disparities in facilities and educator competencies. Despite the limitations experienced during the implementation of the project, Mindset Learn concluded and distributed an impressive set of learning resources to IT schools in South Africa. Several lessons for future projects are evident.

scholarly journals Optimization of the energy for Breast monochromatic absorption X-ray Computed Tomography

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasquale Delogu ◽  
Vittorio Di Trapani ◽  
Luca Brombal ◽  
Giovanni Mettivier ◽  
Angelo Taibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Fixed Dose ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Reconstruction Algorithms ◽  
Contrast Resolution ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
Dose Levels

Abstract The limits of mammography have led to an increasing interest on possible alternatives such as the breast Computed Tomography (bCT). The common goal of all X-ray imaging techniques is to achieve the optimal contrast resolution, measured through the Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR), while minimizing the radiological risks, quantified by the dose. Both dose and CNR depend on the energy and the intensity of the X-rays employed for the specific imaging technique. Some attempts to determine an optimal energy for bCT have suggested the range 22 keV–34 keV, some others instead suggested the range 50 keV–60 keV depending on the parameters considered in the study. Recent experimental works, based on the use of monochromatic radiation and breast specimens, show that energies around 32 keV give better image quality respect to setups based on higher energies. In this paper we report a systematic study aiming at defining the range of energies that maximizes the CNR at fixed dose in bCT. The study evaluates several compositions and diameters of the breast and includes various reconstruction algorithms as well as different dose levels. The results show that a good compromise between CNR and dose is obtained using energies around 28 keV.

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