A systematic approach towards the objective evaluation of low-contrast performance in MDCT: Combination of a full-reference image fidelity metric and a software phantom

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of an objective approach for the evaluation of low-contrast detectability in multidetector computed-tomography (MDCT) by combining a virtual phantom containing simulated lesions with an image quality metric.

Materials and methods

A low-contrast phantom containing hypodense spheric lesions (−20 HU) was scanned on a 64-slice MDCT scanner at 4 different dose levels (25, 50, 100, 200 mAs). In addition, virtual round hypodense low-contrast lesions (20 HU object contrast) based on real CT data were inserted into the lesion-free section of the datasets. The sliding-thin-slab algorithm was applied to the image data with an increasing slice-thickness from 1 to 15 slices. For each dataset containing simulated lesions a lesion-free counterpart was reconstructed and post-processed in the same manner. The low-contrast performance of all datasets containing virtual lesions was determined using a full-reference image quality metric (modified multiscale structural similarity index, MS-SSIM*). The results were validated against a reader-study of the real lesions.

Results

For all dose levels and lesion sizes there was no statistically significant difference between the low-contrast performance as determined by the image quality metric when compared to the reader study (p < 0.05). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.72, 0.82, 0.90 and 0.84 for lesion diameters of 4 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm, respectively. The use of the sliding-thin-slab algorithm improves lesion detectability by a factor ranging from 1.15 to 2.69 when compared with the original axial slice (0.625 mm).

Conclusion

The combination of a virtual phantom and a full-reference image quality metric enables a systematic, automated and objective evaluation of low-contrast detectability in MDCT datasets and correlates well with the judgment of human readers.     

大学生QQ依赖问卷的初步编制

目的 编制适合测查大学生QQ依赖程度的测评工具,为研究大学生网络人际交往提供科学依据.方法 结合文献回顾、半结构式访谈、专家咨询等方法编制问卷,对厦门地区某所综合性高校的700名大学生进行问卷调查,检验问卷的信、效度.结果 问卷由情感依赖、回应期盼、脱离现实人际、联络代替、过度使用5个因子构成,共计29个项目.问卷总体及各因子的重测信度在0.574 ～0.882之间,内部一致性系数在0.715 ～0.934之间.验证性因素分析结果显示,问卷的RMSEA小于0.08,CFI,RFE,IFI,NFI,NNFI都在0.78以上.结论 大学生QQ依赖问卷具有较高的信、效度,可作为普通综合性院校测查大学生QQ依赖程度的测评工具.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a novel nanoemulsion mucosal adjuvant W805EC combined with approved seasonal influenza antigens

Background

Improving the systemic and mucosal immune response following intranasal vaccination could enhance disease protection against respiratory pathogens. We assessed the safety and immunogenicity of a novel nanoemulsion mucosal adjuvant W₈₀5EC combined with approved seasonal influenza antigens.

Methods

This was a first-in-human Phase I study in 199 healthy adult volunteers randomized to receive a single intranasal administration of 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% W₈₀5EC, combined with 4 or 10 μg strain-specific Fluzone^® HA, compared with intranasal PBS, intranasal Fluzone^®, or 15 ug strain-specific intramuscular Fluzone^®. Safety was evaluated by physical examination, laboratory parameters, symptom diaries, and adverse event reports. Serum HAI titers and nasal wash IgA were assessed at baseline as well as 28 and 60 days after vaccination.

Results

W₈₀5EC adjuvant combined with seasonal influenza antigens was well tolerated without safety concerns or significant adverse events. The highest dose of 20% W₈₀5EC combined with 10 μg strain-specific HA elicited clinically meaningful systemic immunity based on increases in serum HAI GMT and ≥70% seroprotection for all 3 influenza strains, as well as a rise in antigen-specific IgA in nasal wash specimens.

Conclusions

W₈₀5EC adjuvant was safe and well tolerated in healthy adult volunteers and elicited both systemic and mucosal immunity following a single intranasal vaccination.     

心脏起搏器参数的计算机辅助测量方法及其实现

报告一种计算机辅助的起搏器参数自动测试系统,它可全自动地测试以下起搏器参数:脉冲幅度;脉冲宽度频率(基本起搏频率、磁频率、干扰转换频率、干扰起搏频率);灵敏度;逸搏间期;反拗期及芯片电流消耗等。系统根据国际标准组织1989年颁布的埋藏式心脏起搏器标准(ISO5841—1)和我国于1990年制订的埋藏式按需型心脏起搏器国家标准(GB,报批稿)进行检测,精心设计的硬件及软件系统使检测完全自动化,而且操作方便。文章同时给出了起搏器参数测量结果。     

Recent trends in practice patterns and impact of corticosteroid use on pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae-related respiratory infections

Background

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major pathogen causing community-acquired pneumonia/bronchitis in children, and macrolide-resistant strains are increasing in East Asian countries. Recent practice patterns, especially for antibiotic selection, and benefits of corticosteroid treatment in pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections remain unclear.

软件开发在中医药信息化平台构建中的策略

如何提高中医药信息传播效率是目前中医药现代化亟待解决的问题,而基于计算机技术的中医药信息化平台是解决这一问题的实现载体。软件作为计算机硬件的共同体,是信息化平台构建成功与否的关键。文章简要分析了我国中医药信息平台的发展现状,指出合理有效的软件开发是当前信息化平台的关键。并针对软件开发的整个过程,提出了相关优化策略,以期为中医药信息化平台走向资源共享、国际化提供相关参考。     

军队医院人力资源管理信息系统的开发与运用

目的利用IT技术设计一套适用于军队医院人力资源管理的信息系统,实现信息技术与管理技术的有效结合,进一步促进军队医院人力资源管理流程化、规范化。方法分析军队医院人事管理现状,以军队下发的各单机版软件为参考,以“军字1号”医院信息系统数据为基础,开发一套网络版软件系统,用集中的数据库将所有与人力资源相关的数据统一管理起来。结果该系统功能覆盖了人力资源计划、招聘选才、人员信息、薪酬待遇、绩效考核、考勤休假、培训进修及离职、退休等人力资源管理的全过程,并与多个系统建立接口,实现信息互通,资源共享。结论该系统功能全面,有效实现了人力资源信息化管理,灵活的接口改变了各单机版软件产生的“信息孤岛”现象,公开透明的信息查询充分调动了人员的积极性,强有力的报表分析为人事部门决策提供了更加科学、准确的依据。     

Capsule-odometer: A concept to improve accurate lesion localisation

In order to improve lesion localisation in small-bowel capsule endoscopy,a modified capsule design has been proposed incorporating localisation and-in theorystabilization capabilities.The proposed design consists of a capsule fitted with protruding wheels attached to a spring-mechanism.This would act as a miniature odometer,leading to more accurate lesion localization information in relation to the onset of the investigation(spring expansion e.g.,pyloric opening).Furthermore,this capsule could allow stabilization of the recorded video as any erratic,non-forward movement through the gut is minimised.Three-dimensional(3-D)printing technology was used to build a capsule prototype.Thereafter,miniature wheels were also 3-D printed and mounted on a spring which was attached to conventional capsule endoscopes for the purpose of this proof-of-concept experiment.In vitro and ex vivo experiments with porcine small-bowel are presented herein.Further experiments have been scheduled.     

软件企业职工心理卫生状况调查

目的　了解软件企业 (以下简称“软企”)职工心理健康水平。　方法　采用症状自评量表 (SCL- 90 ,不含“精神病因子”)、简易应对方式问卷 (CPS) ,对软企职工进行调查。　结果　 1有 8%的软企职工存在不同程度的心理健康问题 ,其中较为常见的心理症状为强迫、人际关系敏感、偏执、敌对与焦虑等 ;强迫、偏执两因子均分显著高于全国常模 (P<0 .0 1) ;人际关系敏感、焦虑两因子均分低于全国常模 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;其余各因子均分与全国常模无显著性差异。2正、负性应对方式均显著高于常模 (P<0 .0 1) ;有心理症状者较无心理症状者采用正性应对方式少 (P<0 .0 5 )。　结论　软企职工的心理健康问题不容忽视     

多层螺旋CT齿科软件对埋伏牙的应用价值

目的:探讨多层螺旋CT齿科扫描软件对埋伏牙的临床应用及诊断价值。方法:对18例正畸患者行多层螺旋CT容积扫描,采用特殊的齿科扫描软件Dentascan对图像进行后处理。结果:Dentascan软件能清楚地重建出牙及牙槽骨的矢状面和冠状曲面图像,共显示18例24颗埋伏牙,清晰地显示其异常结构及与牙列的关系。结论:多层螺旋CT扫描+齿科Den-tascan软件后重建技术在埋伏牙的诊断中具有较高的应用价值,结合轴位图像能为临床医师提供全方位的影像信息,有助于治疗方案的优选。