Expertise development in volumetric image interpretation of radiology residents: what do longitudinal scroll data reveal?

The current study used theories on expertise development (the holistic model of image perception and the information reduction hypothesis) as a starting point to identify and explore potentially relevant process measures to monitor and evaluate expertise development in radiology residency training. It is the first to examine expertise development in volumetric image interpretation (i.e., CT scans) within radiology residents using scroll data collected longitudinally over five years of residency training. Consistent with the holistic model of image perception, the percentage of time spent on full runs, i.e. scrolling through more than 50% of the CT-scan slices (global search), decreased within residents over residency training years. Furthermore, the percentage of time spent on question-relevant areas in the CT scans increased within residents over residency training years, consistent with the information reduction hypothesis. Second, we examined if scroll patterns can predict diagnostic accuracy. The percentage of time spent on full runs and the percentage of time spent on question-relevant areas did not predict diagnostic accuracy. Thus, although scroll patterns over training years are consistent with visual expertise theories, they could not be used as predictors of diagnostic accuracy in the current study. Therefore, the relation between scroll patterns and performance needs to be further examined, before process measures can be used to monitor and evaluate expertise development in radiology residency training.

Glossiness-aware Image Coding in JPEG Framework

In images, the representation of glossiness, translucency, and roughness of material objects (Shitsukan) is essential for realistic image reproduction. To date, image coding has been developed considering various indices of the quality of the encoded image, for example, the peak signal-to-noise ratio. Consequently, image coding methods that preserve subjective impressions of qualities such as Shitsukan have not been studied. In this study, the authors focus on the property of glossiness and propose a method of glossiness-aware image coding. Their purpose is to develop an encoding algorithm that produces images that can be decoded by standard JPEG decoders, which are commonly used worldwide. The proposed method consists of three procedures: block classification, glossiness enhancement, and non-glossiness information reduction. In block classification, the types of glossiness in a target image are classified using block units. In glossiness enhancement, the glossiness in each type of block is emphasized to reduce the amount of degradation of glossiness during JPEG encoding. The third procedure, non-glossiness information reduction, further compresses the information while maintaining the glossiness by reducing the information in each block that does not represent the glossiness in the image. To test the effectiveness of the proposed method, the authors conducted a subjective evaluation experiment using paired comparison of images coded by the proposed method and JPEG images with the same data size. The glossiness was found to be better preserved in images coded by the proposed method than in the JPEG images.

Synthetic Business Microdata

Enhancing microdata access is one of the strategic priorities for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in its transformation program. However, balancing the trade-off between enhancing data access and protecting confidentiality is a delicate act. The ABS could use synthetic data to make its business microdata more accessible for researchers to inform decision making while maintaining confidentiality. This study explores the synthetic data approach for the release and analysis of business data. Australian businesses in some industries are characterised by oligopoly or duopoly. This means the existing microdata protection techniques such as information reduction or perturbation may not be as effective as for household microdata. The research focuses on addressing the following questions: Can a synthetic data approach enhance microdata access for the longitudinal business data? What is the utility and protection trade-off using the synthetic data approach? The study compares confidentialised input and output approaches for protecting confidentiality and analysing Australian microdata from business survey or administrative data sources.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Reporting Quality in Nigeria: An Assessment of Selected Quoted Firms

This study investigates the effect of IFRS adoption on reporting quality in Nigeria. Secondary data were sourced from financial reports of a sample of 79 quoted Nigerian firms, with the help of Nimegen Centre for Economics (NiCE) qualitative reporting index for reporting quality. The study covered a period of 10 years, i.e. 2007 to 2011 as SAS regime and 2012 to 2016 IFRS regime. ANOVA test and descriptive analysis, were utilised for the analysis. The study concludes that, IFRS adoption has made significant positive difference in the extent of reporting quality. It is recommended that Nigerian firms should adopt appropriate measures to improve the level of relevance, comparability and verifiability of their financial reports through provision of more forward looking information, reduction in the use of technical jargons and appointment of more reputable audit firms.

Mathematical chromatography deciphers the molecular fingerprints of dissolved organic matter

Mathematical chromatography offers information reduction and feature extraction in complex liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry datasets.

Methodological analysis for environmental performance in sanitation structures in order to mitigate the effects of emerging pollutants, PPCPS

Introduction According to the typology of the product labels or in the Environmental Product Declarations (DAP), the standard EN15804 indicates three typologies that are a function of the stages covered in the study Objectiveto make a methodological contribution in relation to environmental performance in the construction of combined sewerage networks Materials and methodsis based on a search and obtain information on research conducted on the basis of the ACV in the construction of sewerage networks Results research provides the necessary information reduction of environmental impacts in the construction of networks of sewerage, being innovative environmental guide based on technical and bibliographic experiences. DiscussionThe type of sewer used depends on the characteristics of size, topography, economic conditions of the project ConclusionsIt is feasible to point out that there is no specific procedure