Yes / This comprehensive review paper examines bone fracture detection techniques based on time-domain low-frequency and microwave radiofrequency (RF). Early and accurate diagnosis of bone fractures remains critical in healthcare, as it can significantly improve patient outcomes. This review focuses on the potential of low-frequency and microwave RF methods, particularly their combination and application of time-domain analysis for enhanced fracture detection. We begin by providing an overview of the fundamental concepts of RF techniques and then by examining biological tissues' dielectric properties. We then compare the advantages and limitations of various bone fracture detection techniques, such as low-frequency RF methods, microwave RF methods, ultrasonography, X-ray, and CT scans. The discussion then shifts to hybrid approaches that combine low-frequency and microwave techniques, emphasising the advantages of such combinations in fracture detection. Machine learning techniques, their applications in bone fracture detection, and the role of time-domain analysis in hybrid approaches are also investigated. Finally, we examine the accuracy and reliability of simulated models for bone fracture detection. We discuss recent advancements and future directions, such as novel sensor technologies, improved signal processing techniques, integration with medical imaging modalities, and personalised fracture detection approaches. This review aims to comprehensively understand the landscape and future potential of time-domain analysis in low-frequency and microwave RF techniques for bone fracture detection. / EU Horizon Europe H2020-MSCA-RISE-2022-2027 (ID: 101086492) and H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019-2024 (ID 872878), Marie Skłodowska-Curie, Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE), and the financial support from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under grant EP/ X039366/1.

The strength and affluence of an association is related to the size of its membership and its share of those eligible for membership. Associations, therefore, have an incentive not only to recruit new members, but also retain those who already belong. However, less is known about the exogenous economic factors that influence an individual's membership decision. Using time-series data from 1977 to 1992 and linear regression techniques, this thesis identifies and measures the economic factors important to the physician membership percentage of the American College of Radiology. The results of this thesis will provide the leadership of the American College of Radiology useful insight into the impact certain variables have on the membership. / Master of Arts

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Health Sciences in Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2017. / Background The current scope of practice for diagnostic radiographers, does not allow them to administer intravenous contrast media (IVCM) since there are no formal training guidelines accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) (Koch 2014: 26). In selected countries abroad, radiographers are allowed to administer IVCM and have thus received the necessary and accredited training to do so. In view of this, the South African radiographer’s scope of practice is not on par with the selected countries. The radiologists in South Africa (SA) who are currently responsible for the administration of IVCM have issued a position statement which supports, in principle, the idea of radiographers administering IVCM should they receive the necessary and appropriate training to do so (RSSA 2011: 1-2). The aim of this research study was, therefore, to investigate the radiologists’ perspectives regarding the theoretical knowledge, clinical competencies and medico legal responsibilities required by radiographers in order to effectively administer IVCM. This research study provides input for the development of national training guidelines for radiographers to administer IVCM. Research Methodology A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted by targeting qualified radiologists residing and practicing within the province of KwaZulu Natal (KZN). Ethical approval was obtained from the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Institutional Research and Ethics Committee (IREC). All the participants were contacted in their personal capacity. The research tool was an online survey administered through SurveyMonkey which included questions and statements relating to the administration of IVCM and was structured so as to meet the study objectives. The research tool was evaluated and amended by an expert focus group to ensure reliability and validity. Confidentiality was maintained and all the data obtained during this research study was password protected. Results and discussion Fifty-nine radiologists (60.8 percent) participated in this study. Twelve respondents, however, were excluded due to incomplete surveys. The final response rate, therefore, was 48.5 percent (n=47) of which 72.3 percent of the respondents were from the private sector. Results illustrated the radiologists’ agreement regarding the theoretical, clinical/practical and medico legal training components for inclusion in the further training of radiographers to administer IVCM. Most respondents supported the inclusion of three assessments: theoretical (87.2 percent), clinical (93.6 percent) and a record of clinical competencies (95.7 percent). The assessments were considered equally important in terms of percentage weighting. The overall results compared favorably to the current international trends and practice standards of radiographers administering IVCM. Conclusion and Recommendations The study, in providing key data for the development of training guidelines for radiographers to administer IVCM, has demonstrated the importance of higher education (HE) and training in addressing transformation in health services with particular reference to professional scopes of practice. Furthermore, it reinforces the need for local research that will inform HE and training and hence a scope of practice that meets local needs. It was recommended that future studies should include those HE institutions offering training in Radiography as well as their stakeholders for the design and transformation of a national curriculum for radiographers to administer IVCM. / M

Η παρούσα εργασία βασίστηκε πάνω στο λογισμικό προσομοίωσης BreastSimulator που αναπτύχθηκε στην μονάδα Βιοϊατρικής Τεχνολογίας του εργαστηρίου Ιατρικής Φυσικής στο Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών. Το συγκεκριμένο πρόγραμμα προσομοίωσης αναφέρεται πρώτη φορά το 2002 και από τότε συνεχώς γίνονται προσπάθειες βελτίωσής του ως προς την ρεαλιστικότητα των μαστογραφικών εικόνων που αυτό παράγει. Η τελευταία έκδοση του εισάγει μια καινοτομία ως προς την παραγωγή του μαστογραφικού υποστρώματος με έναν νέο αλγόριθμο ο οποίος στην συγκεκριμένη εργασία συγκρίνεται και αξιολογείται από γιατρούς ακτινολόγους ως περισσότερο ρεαλιστικός σε σχέση με τον προηγούμενο. Η καινοτομία που εισάγει ο νέος αλγόριθμος σε σχέση με έναν προγενέστερο του εργαστηρίου μας οποία αφορά στο μαστογραφικό υπόστρωμα, το οποίο αποτελεί το σύνολο του λιπώδους, ινώδους και συνδετικού ιστού οι οποίοι δεν είναι σαφώς μοντελοποιημένοι όπως τα υπόλοιπα ανατομικά στοιχεία. Στον νέο αλγόριθμο το μαστογραφικό υπόστρωμα μοντελοποιείται εξαρχής ως τρισδιάστατο, στοιχείο ιδιαίτερα σημαντικό για την βελτίωση του αποτελέσματος προσομοίωσης μαστογραφικής εικόνας που πλέον είναι πολύ περισσότερο ρεαλιστική. Ο στόχος της εργασίας αυτής ήταν η παραγωγή ψηφιακών, «εικονικών» μοντέλων μαστού με τη χρήση του BreastSimulator με ρεαλιστικό αποτέλεσμα. Μετά την διαδικασία παραγωγής των μοντέλων μαστού, έγινε προσομοίωση της μαστογραφικής λήψης αυτών και είχε ως αποτέλεσμα την παραγωγή μαστογραφικών εικόνων χωρίς συμπίεση του μαστού. Με τον βελτιωμένο αλγόριθμο προσομοίωσης παρήχθησαν μοντέλα μαστού διαφόρων μεγεθών και πυκνοτήτων. Οι παράμετροι των πιο ρεαλιστικών μοντέλων συγκεντρώθηκαν σε μια βάση δεδομένων στην οποία μπορούν να ανατρέξουν μελλοντικοί χρήστες του λογισμικού για πειραματικές μελέτες. Τα αποτελέσματα της σύγκρισης δείχνουν ότι οι εικόνες που παρήχθησαν με τον νέο αλγόριθμο προσομοίωσης του μαστογραφικού υποστρώματος υπερέχουν σαφώς του προγενέστερου ως προς τη ρεαλιστικότητα. Οι εικόνες από τον νέο αλγόριθμο αξιολογήθηκαν συνολικά κατά μέσο όρο σε ποσοστό περίπου 80% ως ρεαλιστικές και πολύ ρεαλιστικές, ενώ σε ποσοστό 20% αξιολογήθηκαν ως μη ρεαλιστικές. Οι εικόνες του προηγούμενου αλγορίθμου αξιολογήθηκαν αντίστοιχα με ποσοστό 10% ως ρεαλιστικές και πολύ ρεαλιστικές και 90% ως μη ρεαλιστικές. Ακόμα αναλύεται το μοντέλο προσομοίωσης, η διαδικασία παραγωγής της βάσης δεδομένων, η διαδικασία αξιολόγησης από ομάδα γιατρών, ενώ αναφέρεται η σημασία της μαστογραφίας σαν κορυφαία προληπτική εξέταση για την έγκαιρη διάγνωση του καρκίνου του μαστού και η σημασία της προσομοίωσης αυτής της εξέτασης. / The current master thesis was based on the software simulation named BreastSimulator which was developed in the unit of Biomedical engineering of the Medical Physics laboratory at the University of Patras. This particular simulation program refers for the first time in 2002. Since then, there have been continuous improvements of the program in order to produce realistic mammographic images. The key improvement of the last edition of BreastSimulator is the development of a new algorithm for 3D background texture creation which was evaluated by radiologists as more realistic than the previous one. The innovation introduced by the new algorithm compared to a previous one of our laboratory is about the modeling of the mammographic background, which simulates the presence of adipose, fibrous and connective tissues as well as other non-glandular tissue types that are not explicitly modeled. The optimized methodology is an evolution of a previously presented 3D non compressed breast modeling method which now produces more realistic mammographic images. The objective of this work was the production of digital, ' virtual ' breast models using BreastSimulator with realistic outcome. After having modeled the breast phantoms, a simulation of irradiation was done and as a result of this process we produced mammographic images. Using the improved algorithm simulation we produced breast models of various size and composition. The optimum parameters of the most realistic models were collected in a database in which future users can refer for experimental studies. Comparing the images produced by the new algorithm to the images from the previous one shows that the new algorithm for mammographic texture is superior compared to the old approach in terms of similarity with real mammograms. The images from the new algorithm were evaluated from the experienced radiologists approximately 80% as a realistic and very realistic and 20% as unrealistic, while the images of the previous one were evaluated 10% as a realistic and very realistic and 90% as unrealistic. Additionally, there are some details about the breast model simulation, the process of creating the database and the evaluation process by a group of 5 doctors. The importance of mammography as the leading preventive examination for early detection of breast cancer is highlighted as well as the significance of the simulation of this medical imaging examination.

Submitted in compliance with the requirement for Degree of Doctor of Technology: Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / The shortage of radiologists in Zambia has persistently made the provision of equitable access to optimum radiological services unattainable in the current radiological service delivery system, while equity in distribution of cost-effective and quality healthcare service as closer to the community as possible is at the core of Zambia’s vision in the National Health Strategic Plan. This vision is maintained in Zambia’s Sixth National Development Plan, for the period 2011 to 2015. The number of radiologists as low as three radiologists, for a population of thirteen million people, makes the possibility of ever providing optimum radiological services equitably accessible to the community unattainable, without launching and upholding a precise remedial intervention. The purpose of the study was to develop a framework for sustainable radiographic human capital developmental guidelines embracing advanced radiographic practice and optimum radiological services, with special focus on hospitals without radiologists. The objectives were to: a) analyse the existing radiographic services and/or practices in rural Zambian hospitals without radiologists; b) examine the views of radiographers, physicians, and patients in hospitals without radiologists, regarding adequacy of radiological service delivery; (c) determine desirable competencies for frontline radiographers in comprehensive radiological service delivery, as well as the benefits of such competencies to the community and the health service facilities; d) analyse the healthcare managements’ expectations regarding frontline radiographers’ capabilities in rendering comprehensive radiological services in healthcare settings without the radiologists, e) formulate, implement, and evaluate a training programme for radiographers for comprehensive radiological services; with specific references to client (physician and patient) satisfaction and radiographic competencies; and (f) develop a framework for human capital development for frontline radiographers in providing comprehensive radiological services. The Accenture Human Capital Development Framework (AHCDF) was employed as the theoretical framework to link all key aspects of the inquiry (Thomas, Cheese and Benton, 2003). An Action Research design was used involving multidisciplinary participation, including patients, in the five cyclical phases of the Action Research design; diagnosing, planning, acting, evaluating, and specifying learning. The route of knowledge generation and application was guided by retroductive or abductive cyclical logical process. The interviews, document analysis, and questionnaires were applied to obtain data, whereas a designed training programme for frontline radiographers was piloted and evaluated within this study. The study’s data management and analysis were largely by qualitative methods, though quantitative aspects involving percentages as in descriptive statistics were also involved where appropriate. The discussion, integrates the research findings under appropriate themes of the theoretical framework. An investment perspective in AHCDF is linked to ways of investing in radiographers’ education and training towards extended roles is discussed. The radiographers’ extended roles are seen as a catalyst to desirable radiological technology, radiological service designs, and corresponding radiological service outcome. The benefit of this proposed investment is seen as promoting equitable access to radiological services, with averted or reduced costs ascribed to referrals of patients among hospitals. Consequently, incomes of households and healthcare institutions would be preserved for poverty reduction by reduced referral-related costs. The researcher-devised frontline radiographic human capital developmental (FRHCD) conceptual framework is developed and a way forward recommended. / African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship International Development Research Center (IDRC) Ford Foundation

No description available.

Type 1 diabetes affects a person’s life on many levels in terms of quality of life, health, and socioeconomic costs both for the patients but also their families. As of now there is no therapy that targets the underlying mechanism of the disease. Intralymphatic administration of Diamyd® is being evaluated in a phase IIb clinical trial, DIAGNODE-2. The aim was to examine if the intralymphatic administration is feasible for both patients and medical professionals, and to identify any aspects of the procedure that can be improved. This feasibility study is based on interviews and answers received from questionnaires. The medical professionals that were selected were radiologists and study nurses that are involved in the DIAGNODE-2 trial. The radiologists were the prime focus and were thus interviewed through face-to-face/skype or phone and answered a questionnaire. Study nurses, having more contact with the patient, answered a survey in order to gain additional insights into the patient perspective.   The results show that the radiologists has a positive view towards the administration procedure, which was described as easy and safe. According to the study nurses the patients accept the procedure and they agreed that the patients understand the injection procedure once they received the information. In terms of the emotional state of the patients they were a bit nervous, but they became calmer after receiving the first injection. Based on the above-mentioned findings the intralymphatic injection procedure is described as feasible and has the potential to become a part of the standard clinical routine.