Investigating Maturity State and Internal Properties of Fruits Using Non-destructive Techniques-a Review

The evaluation of internal condition of the fruit via destructive techniques mostly damaged the internal and external fruit structure. However, there are several non-destructive techniques available could be applied in the agricultural industry, specifically for observing internal fruit conditions. Different kinds of internal conditions of fruits are evaluated in terms of their quality and ripeness levels. These non-destructive techniques include fruit evaluation via ultrasonic measurement techniques, light spectroscopy, imaging via Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-Ray, computer vision, electric nose and also vibration. The capabilities and the effectiveness of these techniques towards fruit monitoring are thoroughly discussed. Besides, the drawback of these non-destructive technique has been analysed

Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) of blunt abdominal trauma: incidental findings related to the genitourinary tract

Background: MSCT is currently the imaging modality of choice in the assessment of hemodynamically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Widespread use of this modality can reveal incidental findings that vary in their importance, from trivial lesions to findings that may alter the management of these trauma patients. Objective: To determine the frequency of incidental findings related to the genitourinary tract at MSCT of blunt abdominal trauma and the effect of these findings on subsequent patient’s management. Material and Methods: MSCT examinations of blunt abdominal trauma in 151 consecutive patients within two years (2008-2009) were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data and incidental findings related to the genitourinary tract were recorded. The subsequent management of these findings was reviewed from patient’s case note. Results: Twenty one (13.9%) patients had incidental findings related to the genitourinary tract in 151 cases reviewed. Majority of them (n=18) do not require surgical intervention. However, in 3 of these 21 patients, surgical intervention was needed. Conclusion: Incidental findings related to the genitourinary tract in MSCT of blunt abdominal trauma were common. However, those requiring a surgical intervention are rare

MSCT of huge abdominopelvic masses in female: a pictorial illustration

Introduction: The differential diagnoses for huge abdominopelvic masses in female are extensive. Many of these masses arise from the reproductive organs such as uterus, cervix and ovaries. Majority represents the commonly encountered entities such as uterine fibroid, dermoid tumour, ovarian cyst and ovarian cancer. However, some of the masses may arise from other organs such as the gastrointestinal system, urinary system, adjacent soft tissue, retroperitoneum or from metastasis. With large mass, it is a challenge for radiologists to determine the site of origin and to differentiate between these tumours. Case series We retrospectively reviewed MSCT performed for huge abdominopelvic masses. The CT findings were correlated with intra-operative findings and final HPE report. This pictorial illustration emphasize on differential diagnosis of huge abdominopelvic masses. Conclusion Familiarity with clinico-pathologic and imaging features is important and helpful for correct image interpretation of common and uncommon abdominopelvic masses

Patterns of teacher trainee grammar talk in second language classrooms

Literature in Language Teacher Education (LTE) has highlighted that teaching of grammar should be included as a foundational framework for all language teaching. This indicates that teacher trainees need to be trained with a firm foundation for grammar teaching in language classrooms. Thus, an investigation on how teacher trainees taught grammar and the pattern of their grammar instruction can provide insights to teacher trainees and teacher educators on grammar teaching methodology practised in language classrooms. By understanding how teacher trainees present grammar in their classrooms and what patterns emerged from their grammar instruction can lead to ongoing process of searching for better grammar teaching in language classrooms. This article shares the findings on an investigation conducted on how and what was practised by teacher trainees in their grammar instruction. Two prevalent patterns were discovered. Transmission technique which is teacher fronted and interaction technique which is teacher-student-teacher fronted were commonly practised by the trainees. However, the teacher-fronted technique dominates the interaction technique. This signals that teacher educators need to promote more interactive techniques in the LTE programme so that trainees are trained to teach grammar by utilising more interactive techniques such as questioning (to use more convergent and divergent questions instead of literal questions) and giving corrective feedback (to elicit and recast instead of repeating) which promote two-way grammar teaching

Computed tomography (CT) in blunt liver injury: a pictorial essay

Computed tomography (CT) is widely used in assessing clinically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma. In these patients, liver is one of the commonest organs being injured and CT can accurately identify and assess the extent of the injury. The CT features of blunt liver trauma include laceration, subcapsular or parenchymal haematomas, active haemorrhage and vascular injuries. Widespread use of CT has notably influenced the management of blunt liver injury from routine surgical to nonsurgical management. We present pictorial illustrations of various liver injuries depicted on CT in patients with blunt trauma

Miracle of imaging: the truth is out there!

Introduction In medical practice, we encounter many diseases, which can manifest in different ways. Most of the time, careful history taking and meticulous clinical examination can easily direct the clinician towards an accurate diagnosis. While with others, they may need further supporting evidence either from laboratory investigations or imaging. Likewise, the radiologists face daily challenges of analyzing and interpreting high volume of images in a timely manner. Appropriate diagnosis or differential diagnosis can be derived from cases with good clinical correlation. However, it can be misleading for the radiologists when interpreting images in cases where the history or clinical presentation is unclear although meticulous image assessment for high quality diagnostic and patient care are indeed paramount. Case series We retrospectively reviewed cases where discrepancies existed between the indications for the imaging with findings detected during these investigations. The subsequent management or outcome of the patients is briefly described. Conclusion Thorough history and good clinical assessment can guide radiologists in the analysis and interpretation of the radiological images in most patients. Our illustration of cases will be a good reminder for radiologists to always be meticulous when interpreting images to minimize errors or missed abnormalities as misleading history or clinical presentation is bound to happen

CT imaging of blunt splenic injury: a pictorial essay

Nonsurgical management has become the standard care for hemodynamically stable patients with splenic injury from blunt abdominal trauma. To attempt nonsurgical management, it is important to identify and characterize not only the splenic injury but also the concurrent injury to solid viscera, bowel and mesentry, or retroperitoneum that may require surgery. The ability of multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) to obtain high resolution images has made MDCT the primary imaging modality for the evaluation of these patients. The CT features of splenic injury include lacerations, subcapsular or parenchymal hematomas, active hemorrhage and vascular injuries. A variety of CT grading systems have been proposed to grade splenic injury following trauma. Radiologists should be familiar with the splenic injury grading system to facilitate communication with the managing surgical team and for research purposes. In Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), Kuantan, Pahang, from January 2008 to December 2009 there were 42 cases of splenic injuries out of 154 cases of blunt abdominal trauma, which underwent CT assessment. We reviewed all 42 cases of splenic injury and illustrated the spectrum of CT findings based on American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification

Accidental and non-accidental head injury in children. Is there a difference in Tomography (CT) presentation?

Introduction: Differentiation between accidental and non-accidental head injury particularly with intracranial haemorrhages in children is a common medical & legal dilemma. Previous studies & research based on surgical, radiological & autopsy data suggest that different types of brain injuries tend to occur with accidental versus non-accidental trauma. Published data showed that CT brain findings of subdural bleed are more frequently encountered with nonaccidental causes of head injury. Objective: To see if there is any significant difference in the types of intracranial hemorrhages seen on computed tomography (CT) brain between accidental and nonaccidental head injury in children admitted to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), Kuantan, Pahang. Methodology: All CT brain of children (newborn to 18 yrs of age)admitted to HTAA from September 2009 until September 2010 which demonstrated intracranial bleed,traced from the CT scan registration book and from the PACS/RIS systems (Picture Archiving and Communication System / Radiology Information System)were included in this study. Patient’s clinical notes were traced from HTAA’s Record Office. The causes of non-accidental and accidental head injury were determined. All the CT images were interpreted independently by 2 radiologists who were blinded to the indication of the CT examination. Statistical analysis were done using SPSS version 12. Conclusion: Although limited by a small number of patients with non-accidental injury, our data showed that CT brain findings of subdural haemorrhage has a statistically significant association with non-accidental injury. This is similar with other published data in the literature