Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 W33 / Master of Science

Digital radiographic images are created by a variety of diagnostic imaging modalities. A multi-modality workstation, known as the Arizona Viewing Console (AVC), was designed and built by the University of Arizona Radiology Department to support research in radiographic image processing and image display. Two specially designed VMEbus components, the base image memory and the video display memory, were integrated into the AVC and are the subject of this thesis. The base image memory is a multi-ported, 8 megabyte memory array based on random access memory used for raw image storage. It supports a 10 megapixel per second image processor and can interface to a 320 megabit per second network. The video display memory utilizes video memories and is capable of displaying two independent high resolution images, each 1024 pixels by 1536 lines, on separate video monitors. In part, these two memory designs have allowed the AVC to excel as a radiographic image workstation.

Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007

This thesis examines the way in which purpose and identity are realised in the written case reports of radiography students in comparison with those of professional writers. Students entering a new discourse community have to take on a new social identity and this identity is expressed by means of familiarity with the appropriate discourse conventions, including genre as the most overt expression of rhetorical purpose. Also important are the pragmatic choices used by writers to guide readers’ understanding of text and to construct interaction between them, i.e. metadiscourse, which here provides an additional and complementary way of viewing purpose and identity. The study aims, at a more theoretical level, to make a contribution to writing research by integrating genre analysis and metadiscourse analysis within a single framework to provide new insight into the resources available to writers to construe identity in text. At a descriptive level, it provides analyses of a hitherto neglected genre of medical writing. Because the study compares the writing of novices and professionals, the description of this genre makes findings available for pedagogical application. Radiographers and radiologists work as members of the same professional teams and both publish case reports, often in the same journals. Data for the study is provided by two corpora of reports, one produced by radiography students and the other published in national journals by professionals. The genre analysis establishes the move structure of the radiological case study for both corpora and a cross-corpus analysis of metadiscourse demonstrates how identity is realised in the text as the moves unfold. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches are adopted with regard to the data. The student reports appear to be examples of a sub-genre of case reports with the move structure and metadiscoursal strategies differing in several significant ways, reflecting the different purposes and identities of the writers. Student writers are found not to be concerned with the more persuasive rhetorical functions of the genre and tend to align themselves with the viewpoint of the patient rather than the medical profession, drawing on school essay discourse and making use of metadiscoursal strategies associated with textbooks. / Linguistics / D.Litt. et Phil. (Linguistics)

Bakgrund: Forskning visar att barn är känsligare för joniserande strålning än vuxna. Röntgenundersökningar får inte utföras i onödan och nyttan med undersökningen skall överstiga dess risker. Det är viktigt att optimera röntgenundersökningar och så långt som möjligt minimera stråldoser utan att påverka det diagnostiska resultatet, då forskning visar att även låga stråldoser kan ge upphov till DNA-skador och i förlängningen orsaka cancer. Syfte: Att beskriva metoder som optimerar röntgenundersökningar och minskar stråldosen till barn vid konventionell röntgen. Metod: Litteraturstudie vars resultat är baserat på 14 vetenskapliga artiklar funna i databaserna PubMed och CINAHL samt via manuell sökning. Resultat: Det fanns ett flertal metoder och tillvägagångssätt som optimerar röntgenundersökningar och minskar stråldosen till barn vid konventionell röntgen. Metoderna berörde åtgärder i undersökningsrummet, parametrar, filtrering och ny teknik. Konklusion: Röntgensjuksköterskor med kunskap om optimering har goda möjligheter att sänka stråldoser till barn vid konventionell röntgen. / Background: Research shows that children are more sensitive to ionizing radiation than adults. X-ray imaging may not be performed unnecessarily and its necessity must exceed the risks. It is important to optimize the imaging and as far as possible minimize the radiation dose without affecting the diagnostic performance negatively. Research shows that even low doses of radiation can cause DNA damage and ultimately induce cancer. Objective: The aim of this paper was to describe methods that optimize the x-ray examination and reduce radiation doses to children in conventional radiography. Method: A literature study whose results are based on 14 scientific articles found in the databases PubMed and CINAHL and manual searches. Results: There were several methods that optimize the x-ray examination and reduce the radiation doses to children in conventional radiography. These methods concern approaches in the examination room, parameters, filtering and new technology. Conclusion: Radiographers’ with knowledge of optimization have good opportunities to lower radiation doses in x-ray examinations of children in conventional radiography.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master's Degree in Technology: Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / ABSTRACT Escalating current healthcare needs coupled with the dire shortage of radiologists created a climate in countries abroad to extend the role of the radiographer (Williams 2006). The South African radiography profession demonstrates similar if not worse challenges within the radiology services (Gqweta 2012). The human resource needs in the healthcare sector creates a gap in the provision of radiology services (Brandt et al 2007). Often under these circumstances radiographers are asked by emergency department's personnel to comment on radiographic appearances (Hardy and Snaith 2007). Radiographers do provide opinions in order to facilitate patient management (Gqweta 2012). Since the chest x-ray is the most commonly performed x-ray examination in x-ray departments (Manning, Leach and Bunting, 2000), it is assumed that most requests for an opinion may be directed for the clarification of this x-ray examination. Therefore radiographers need to have an in-depth understanding of the knowledge and skills related to the identification of patterns on chest images. The aim of the study was to establish and describe the current chest image interpretation skills, knowledge and perceptions of diagnostic radiographers in eThekwini Health District of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with regard to image interpretation. METHOD: A quantitative study using a descriptive design with a qualitative aspect using an interpretive design was employed. A simple random sample of hospitals within the eThekwini health district that have x-ray departments was drawn. All diagnostic radiographers that met the inclusion criteria from within these hospitals were invited to partake in the study and all were registered with the Health Profession Council of South Africa (HPCSA). A questionnaire was utilised to collect data on the perceptions and knowledge of diagnostic radiographers on radiographic appearances. A reporting template was provided for the respondents to report on ten (10) chest images and to standardise responses . Accuracy , specificity and sensitivity measurements were utilised to determine the image interpretation knowledge and skills of radiographers without formal training on image interpretation. The SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 21 was utilised for the raw data capture and analysis. RESULTS Forty two (42) radiographers participated in the study. Almost half (46%) of the respondents were chief radiographers and twenty four point four percent (24.4%) of the respondents were senior radiographers . X-ray department managers and community service radiographers each had twelve (12%) percent representation. The majority of the respondents frequently performed chest x-rays. Furthermore they regularly observe Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) abnormal patterns more than those of pneumonia and lung cancer on chest radiographs. The respondents indicated that there is a need for them to extend their roles to include image interpretation. This will ensure that radiographers are responsive to current health care needs perpetuated by the absence of radiologists and the ever rapidly increasing population. The majority of the respondents were able to identify abnormal appearances on the radiographs (high sensitivity). However there was a proportional decrease on the identification and recognition of the normal appearances (specificity). There was no respondent that obtained a mark of eighty (80%) on the image interpretation knowledge assessment section. CONCLUSION Radiographers are able to identify abnormal patterns on chest images. However they are unable to adequately exclude an abnormality (low specificity). Furthermore they lack the ability to adequately describe abnormal radiographic/radio logical appearances. The image interpretation knowledge base of radiographers is limited and specific. Therefore there is a need for an intensive education and training for prospective reporting radiographers.

No description available.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Aim: To determine the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of the radiographic assessment of the cervical lordosis of asymptomatic adult males. Participants: Eighty lateral plain film radiographs of the cervical spine of asymptomatic males aged 18-45 years (taken in a previous study) were utilised for this study. However, due to the obstruction of the C7 vertebral body by the trapezius muscle, the examiners were unable to assess the CL on all 80 plain film radiographs. Three examiners took part in the study viz. Examiner One who was a qualified chiropractor with three years of clinical experience, Examiner Two who was a qualified chiropractor with six years of clinical experience and Examiner Three who was a chiropractic master’s student. Methodology: The initial set of assessments of the CL using the C1-C7 and C2-C7 modified Cobb methods was completed by Examiner One and captured on an Excel spread sheet for Round One. The procedure was then repeated for Examiners Two and Three. The process was repeated for the second set of assessments (Round Two). Each examiner was given a maximum of two weeks to complete their assessments for each round. The data was statistically analysed using SPSS 22.0 and Stata 13. Descriptive data was presented in tables as mean and standard deviation at a 95% confidence interval while intra- and inter-examiner reliability was determined using the Kappa coefficient. Results: The mean (± SD) CL values obtained by each examiner using the C1-C7 modified Cobb method for Round One was: Examiner One: 45.6˚ (± 10.4˚) (n = 70), Examiner Two: 44.0˚ (± 11.0˚) (n = 75) and Examiner Three: 43.8˚ (± 12.0˚) (n = 72). The mean (± SD) CL values obtained by each examiner using the C1-C7 modified Cobb method for Round Two was: Examiner One: 46.7˚ (± 10.7˚) (n = 72), Examiner Two: 43.3˚ (± 11.1˚) (n = 74) and Examiner Three: 43.8˚ (± 11.5˚) (n = 72). The mean (± SD) CL values obtained by each examiner using the C2-C7 modified Cobb method for Round One was: Examiner One: 15.9˚ (± 9.2˚) (n = 72), Examiner Two: 22.6˚ (± 9.7˚) (n = 75) and Examiner Three: 17.2˚ (± 9.7˚) (n = 72). The mean (± SD) CL values obtained by each examiner using the C2-C7 modified Cobb method for Round Two was: Examiner One: 16.3˚ (± 9.4˚) (n = 72), Examiner Two: 20.5˚ (± 9.0˚) (n = 74) and Examiner Three: 16.9˚ (± 9.2˚) (n = 72). The intra-examiner reliability obtained by each examiner using the C1-C7 modified Cobb method for Round One and Round Two was: Examiner One: K = 0.16, Examiner Two: K = 0.11 and Examiner Three: K = 0.16. The intra-examiner reliability obtained by each examiner using the C2-C7 modified Cobb method for Round One and Round Two was: Examiner One: K = 0.21, Examiner Two: K = 0.04, Examiner Three: K = 0.22. The inter-examiner reliability obtained by each examiner using the C1-C7 modified Cobb method for Round One and Round Two respectively was: Examiner One vs Examiner Two: K = 0.03; K = 0.09, Examiner One vs Examiner Three: K = 0.19; K = 0.15, Examiner Two vs Examiner Three: K = 0.03; K = 0.08. The inter-examiner reliability obtained by each examiner using the C2-C7 modified Cobb method for Round One and Round Two respectively was: Examiner One vs Examiner Two: K = 0.00; K = 0.01, Examiner One vs Examiner Three: K = 0.19; K = 0.11, Examiner Two vs Examiner Three: K = 0.02; K = 0.05. There was a significant difference in the intra-examiner findings for both the modified Cobb methods (p < 0.05). Using the C1-C7 modified Cobb method, there was a significant difference in the inter-examiner reliability findings between all three examiners for both rounds (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the inter-examiner findings of the CL using the C2-C7 modified method between Examiner One versus Examiner Two for Round One (p = 0.33) and Round Two (p = 0.23) but there was a significant difference in the findings between Examiner One versus Examiner Three (p < 0.05) and between Examiner Two versus Examiner Three (p < 0.05) for Round Two only. Conclusion: The results of this study are in agreement with those of a previous study which reported that the C1-C7 modified Cobb method over-valued the magnitude of the curve while the C2-C7 modified Cobb method under-valued the curve. A significant difference in the intra-examiner findings suggests that recall bias did not significantly affect the assessments while inter-examiner findings suggest that experience and skill of the examiners as well as assessments that require drawing of lines and measuring of angles might lead to differences in the results obtained. Further studies which would utilise a large number of digitised radiographic images from both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals are required to confirm the findings of this study. / M

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Health Sciences in Radiography, Department of Radiography, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa. 2016. / Introduction The staffing crisis in the healthcare profession is an issue of global concern and South Africa is amongst the countries affected. Radiography is one of the professions in allied healthcare, that is affected. The statistics from the Department of Health (DoH) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), as at August 2013, indicate a marked decrease in the number of radiographers between 2008 and 2012. Private practice statistics were unavailable as these are confidential. Purpose of the study This study aimed to investigate the factors impacting on the retention of radiographers in KZN, in order to obtain information that may assist the DoH to improve their retention policies. The objectives of the study were to investigate: the reasons why KZN radiographers resign from their places of employment; the reasons why KZN radiographers choose to remain in their place of employment; and the factors that impact on job satisfaction. It was also the intention of this study to identify possible input that may contribute to the retention of KZN radiographers. Methodology This research was conducted in 11 districts of KZN, South Africa. Radiographers in all categories of radiography who had worked in KZN and then left the profession, those who had emigrated, as well as those who were working in KZN were targeted in an attempt to obtain a wide range of data related to the objectives. A quantitative, descriptive survey, using a cross-sectional design, was used. A stratified non-random sampling method was used to select the public and private hospitals from which data was collected. The target sample size was estimated at 300 radiographers from all four categories in both public and private hospitals, however the researcher obtained only 191 participants. The population size of KZN radiographers was 859; a sample size of 266 was required at the 95% confidence level. However, with the high attrition rate, the sample of 191 was more than adequate for the available number of respondents and was considered to be statistically acceptable by the statistician. The response rate was 191, of which 20 responses were received from the 29 emigrants contacted, and 16 responses from the 19 participants who had left the profession. Three questionnaires were used to target the three categories of the respondents. Results of the study The results of this research indicate that radiographers emigrated within ten years of graduating, which is a highly productive age. The workload was the main cause of resignation for four (66,7 percent) emigrants as well as five (31,3 percent) radiographers who had left the profession. Private hospitals were reported as having lower workloads, better facilities and greater financial rewards than public hospitals. Increased remuneration influenced the migration of radiographers from public to private practices. It was also noted that six (37,5 percent) participants reported the crime rate as being one of the three main factors contributing to emigration, while two (12,5 percent) highlighted poor financial reward in KZN. The third main factor was stated to be better prospects for professional advancement abroad. A lack of professional recognition and progression in radiography in KZN was identified by two (12,5 percent) participants as factors that impacted on job satisfaction. Conclusion and Recommendation This research study is of significance to the DoH and Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) as the results may be used to assist them in improving the level of retention of radiographers in KZN. The creation of opportunities for professional development, advancement and diversification of the scope of practice for radiographers, as well as role extension and expansion, were factors identified as being important in the retention of radiographers. The working conditions were found to be generally unsatisfactory and needing improvement. It is suggested that retention could be improved through the development of strategies such as introduction of flexible schedules, creation of opportunities for further training and education. It is further suggested that a similar type of study be conducted in other provinces so as to compare the retention challenges facing other provinces in South Africa and thereby gain a national overview. / M

Familial Amyloidosis with Polyneuropathy was first recognized in Portugal and reported by Andrade in 1952. The disease is rare, but clustering of the patients has been reported from Portugal, Japan and northern Sweden. The gastrointestinal involvement in the Swedish form of the disease was studied in this investigation. In a study of 52 patients on their first admission 47 displayed gastrointestinal symptoms in the form of severely altered bowel habits (intractable diarrhea and/or constipation). Steatorrhea was found in 30 out of 52 patients (58%) and an impaired d-xylose absorption in 26 out of 50 patients (52%). The steatorrhea was correlated to the degree of peripheral polyneuropathy as expressed by EMG-score. No relation could be established between steatorrhea or impaired d-xylose absorption with oral lactose and glucose tolerance tests indicating an intact entero- cyte function. A follow-up study comprising 21 patients demonstrated that all patients ultimately developed gastrointestinal symptoms and that the prevalence of diarrhea became higher with the duration of the disease. In this study steatorrhea became more frequent and was significantly related to the duration. Bile acid breath test, fecal fat determination and d-xylose tests were performed on 13 patients. Six patients with results indicating an increased bile acid deconjugation in the small bowel were treated with antibiotics for one week, after which the results had returned to normal in all. Four out of five patients with impaired d-xylose absorption before treatment also returned to normal after antibiotics. Three patients with diarrhea 3-7 times daily were considerably relieved after treatment both concerning general well-being and bowel movements. The results give strong evidence that bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine is important in causing gastrointestinal dysfunction in this disease. A histopathological study of the small intestinal mucosa on 27 patients showed that 84 percent were amyloid positive. The degree of amyloid infiltration did not correlate to the symptomatic state, steatorrhea or impaired d-xylose absorption. The surface ultrastructure was normal in all of 21 investigated cases. Radiographical and endoscopi cal studies were performed on 43 patients altogether. Evidence of gastric stasis was found in 7 out of 37 patients investigated by means of gastric x-ray and in 7 out of 28 patients at gastroscopy. No characteristic radiological appearance of the disease could be shown in the small intestine, the colon or the gall bladder. Nine patients who were operated on with the construction of an enterostomy were reported. The diversion of the fecal stream when the patients had diarrhea and were incontinent meant a considerable relief. / <p>S. 1-46: sammanfattning, s. 47-128: 6 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu