Can different Catphan phantoms be used in a multi-centre audit of radiotherapy CT image quality?

PURPOSE: To determine the variation between Catphan image quality CT phantoms, specifically for use in a future multi-centre image quality audit. METHOD: 14 Catphan phantoms (models 503, 504 and 604) were scanned on a Canon Aquilion Prime CT scanner using a single scan protocol. Measurements were made of noise in the uniformity section, visibility of low contrast targets and contrast, x-ray attenuation and CT number for 5 materials in the sensitometry section. Scans were also acquired using one phantom and varying reconstruction field of view, image slice thickness, effective tube-current-time product and iterative reconstruction settings to determine how the degree of inter-phantom variability compared with the magnitude of changes from scan parameter alteration. RESULTS: Across all phantoms the mean CT value in the uniformity section was 7.0 (SD 0.9) range: 4.9-8.1 HU. For the different materials the CT numbers were air: -1004 ± 5, Polymethylpentene: -190 ± 2, Polystyrene: -42 ± 2, Delrin: 321 ± 5 and Teflon: 898 ± 8 HU. Consistency of low contrast targets through visual scoring was good. Measured contrast was lower (p < 0.001) with more variability for 504 versus 604 models. All phantoms produced identical tube current settings with x-ray tube current modulation, indicating no x-ray attenuation differences. The degree of change in image quality metrics between phantoms was small compared with results when scan parameters were varied. CONCLUSION: Catphan phantoms model 604 showed minimal differences and will be used for multi-centre inter-comparison work, with the consistency between phantoms appropriate for measuring possible variations in image quality

An examination of motivational, goal achievement, and sport commitment differences in youth team and individual tennis populations

In recent years there has been a steady increase in the number of children playing team sports. Young people are also engaging in individual sports such as tennis, gymnastics, golf, and running. Therefore, research has been conducted on many aspects of motivation in individual sports. However, I sought to ask what happens when an individual sport is formatted into a team sport activity? Take tennis for example, which is inherently an individual sport. Many juniors have now started playing team tennis. Considerable research has been conducted on tennis players in relation to their motivation and goal achievement orientations (Balaguer, Duda, &amp; Crespo, 1999; Crespo &amp; Reid, 2007; Fry &amp; Newton, 1993; Harwood &amp; Swain, 1998; Hatzigeorgiadis &amp; Biddle, 1999; Newton &amp; Duda, 1993). However, little research has been conducted on motivation in team tennis. Additionally, sport commitment within tennis has also been analyzed, through use of the Sport Commitment Model (Casper &amp; Andrew, 2008; Zahariadis, Tsorbatzoudis, &amp; Alexandris, 2006). The purpose of this research was to ascertain in which type of competitive environment, team tennis or individual tennis, players display high or low task and ego orientations and perceived climate orientations. Additionally, differences in sport commitment among players between the different competitive contexts were examined. Junior tennis players in the Central North Carolina Region were surveyed relative to their goal achievement orientation, perceived motivational climate, and sport commitment, for their participation in team tennis and individual tennis. A total of seven measures were administered as there were two sets of the TEOSQ, two sets of PMCSQ-2, two sets of the SCM, and one demographic questionnaire. Explicit instructions were visible at the top of each survey and the participants were instructed to recall how they felt in recent team or individual tennis matches. With this data set, two-way Mixed Analyses of Variance (ANOVA) and regression analyses were performed. There were statistically significant findings for the effect of setting on ego orientation, perceived ego climate, sport commitment, and match importance. Additionally, there were statistically significant results for a gender effect for perceived ego climate, perceived task climate, and sport commitment. Further, regression analyses revealed the perceived task climate to be most predictive of sport commitment in both team and individual tennis

Mood and symptoms of expectant fathers during the course of pregnancy

This study was designed to examine the general emotional state of expectant fathers and symptom manifestation of expectant fathers during the course of pregnancy. The specific purposes of the study were: First, to explore the general emotional state of expectant fathers during pregnancy by studying changes in the levels of anxiety, depression, and hostility as pregnancy progressed; second, to explore the occurrence of symptoms in expectant fathers during early, middle, and late pregnancy; and third, to determine which expectant fathers are most likely to experience symptoms and increased levels of anxiety, depression, and hostility during pregnancy by using assumptions underlying crisis theory to guide the investigation. Ninety-one expectant fathers from the Greensboro, North Carolina, area comprised the sample. The sample included black and white men of working-class and middle-class backgrounds. Experienced fathers and men expecting their first child were selected for participation in the study. After an initial personal contact, each subject was mailed a questionnare in early, middle, and late pregnancy

Seven stories

This thesis consists of seven stories, the titles of which are: "Mr. Rudishill," "Streetcars," "The Garden," "Summertime," "0, Roger," "A Month of Sundays," and "House of Gifts." The themes of these stories deal in some way with the problem of the individual's shaping his own reality; almost all of them are about love and its bearing on the nature of reality. Most of the characters are at least half mad, the purpose of the eccentricities being to better isolate and delineate certain problems. In all ordinary situations there seems to be eccentricity; in all ordinary eccentricity and in madness there seems to be a kind of frenetic sanity, which, because it clarifies in an odd way, is almost peaceful and reassuring to the observer, even if what it clarifies is sad

An Analysis of Students' Perceptions of Electronic Note Taking

In order to examine students’ perceptions of electronic note taking devices, we administered a survey to the students of a medium-sized public university, focusing on laptops, tablets, and phones, and their usage as note taking devices. This paper analyzes the results of that survey and their implications for the adaptation of electronic interfaces into classroom note taking routines. We examined the survey with four specific research questions in mind: how students have adopted electronic interfaces into their note taking habits, whether students utilize symbols and diagrams in their notes and how, what environmental factors affect students’ use of electronic interfaces, and how students feel about electronic note taking in general.The results of this study show that students are currently wary of adapting electronic interfaces into their note taking habits, likely because of the change in note taking styles that may be required to use electronic interfaces effectively. The results also show that laptops are currently the most widely used of the electronic interfaces. In fact, laptops were the highest-rated electronic device in every category except when recipients were asked about the availability of desk space. However, it seems that the biggest obstacle for the adoption of electronic interfaces may be their potential for distracting students in the classroom

Exercise and heart rate recovery

Purpose: This study examines whether heart rate recovery (HRR) improves as a result of exercise training during cardiac rehabilitation (CR).Methods: A retrospective study was performed that included 100 patients who completed phase II CR and had entry and exit exercise stress tests. HRR was compared for the sample. Improvements in HRR were compared between gender and age groups. Correlation between age and HRR was performed. Results: The total sample improved HRR (P = .020). There was no significant difference in the improvement of HRR based on gender, indicating males and females improve at similar rates (P = .833). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the improvement of HRR based on age, indicating older subjects improve similarly to younger subjects (P = .700). There was no relationship between age and HRR; therefore, as age increases there is no decrease in HRR.Conclusion: HRR improves in patients who complete CR

Nurses’ knowledge of heart failure self-management

Heart failure (HF) is increasing in prevalence. Patient education is essential and is included in both ambulatory and hospital performance measures used to ensure quality care. Nurses are often the primary providers of education to patients with HF. This study assessed nurses’ knowledge of basic principles of HF self-management. The study surveyed 49 nurses who regularly provided care to patients with HF at a hospital in the southeastern United States. A 20-item, true/false survey was administered to participants. Mean HF self-management knowledge score was 15.97 (79.85% correct). Consistent with previous studies, nurses scored lowest on knowledge related to transient dizziness (16.3% answered correctly), daily weight monitoring (36.2% answered correctly), and asymptomatic hypotension (58.3% answered correctly). Findings confirm previous work suggesting that nurses may not be adequately prepared to educate patients with HF about self-management

Open and storage space preference of forty homemakers living in ranch type houses of approximately 1400 square feet in the Piedmont area of North Carolina

After living in a house, a family often finds that some spaces for living and for storage are inadequate while other spaces could be reduced. The purpose of this study was to determine how homemakers would reapportion the amount of living space and storage space provided for the different rooms in the house in which they live. House plans chosen for study ranged from 1,293.84 to 1,571.14 square feet. Excluding the space for walls, the floor space ranged from 1,118.57 to 1,322.82 square feet. Each plan had ten different rooms or areas

Cardiovascular issues in older adults

Patients who are 65 years and older make up nearly half of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and approximately 60% of the ICU hospital days in the United States.1 Cardiovascular (CV) conditions are commonly the first or second diagnosis on admission to the ICU. Furthermore, even if an elderly patient is not admitted for a CV condition, the physiologic stress of any acute illness challenges the heart, often producing structural or functional compromise. For example, acute ischemia or dysrhythmias may be the primary condition or a consequence of an initial physiologic insult

Symmetry and retrospect: a stylistic and analytical review of Three Works for Solo Piano by Einojuhani Rautavaara

Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928 – 2016) is one of Finland’s most well-known composers. He is widely respected for his compositions in the genres of opera, symphony, and vocal works, yet he has a significant body of work for solo piano that goes mostly unrecognized. Among Rautavaara’s work is a set of three pieces composed late in his life that appeared nearly twenty-five years after his last prior composition for solo piano. Narcissus, Passionale, and Fuoco reveal a composer that developed a very personal and highly referential sense of musical style and sound conception. Furthermore, these works reflect the many influences and stylistic models that Rautavaara experienced over his lifetime. The analytical discussion of these three compositions will illustrate the specific elements that Rautavaara incorporated into his late compositions and the various sources of inspiration that he assimilated over the years of his career. Study of these works will demonstrate a composer who is able to integrate a truly eclectic set of techniques into one distinctive voice. Rautavaara’s stylistic approaches to composition throughout his career are mirrored in these final pieces, which act as a microcosm of his development as a composer