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This research study explored the perspectives of 20 educational technologists from four Saudi Arabian universities regarding the integration of AI-powered technology, particularly ChatGPT, into online higher education. The study used a qualitative research method that relied on the principles of theoretical sampling to select participants and conducted in-depth interviews to collect their insights. The approach taken for data analysis was thematic analysis, which uncovered a rich range of insights on both the challenges and opportunities associated with students’ use of AI-integrated technology in the context of online higher education. Ten significant challenges emerged that shed light on the complexities and intricacies of integrating AI-powered technology into educational environments. These challenges included issues related to technological infrastructure, pedagogical adaptation, and the need for comprehensive training programs to empower both teachers and learners. Additionally, eight threats were examined that highlighted concerns about data security, privacy, and potential risks associated with AI technology in educational institutions. This study not only provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of AI-integrated technology in Saudi Arabian higher education, but also provided valuable insights for education stakeholders, technologists, and policy makers. It underscored the necessity of proactive measures to mitigate challenges and threats while harnessing the opportunities presented by AI technology to enhance the quality and effectiveness of online higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order for scientists and technologists to describe many of their objects, they must observe at a scale that exceeds typical human experience. Atoms and ecologies, microbes and galaxies all exist at scales that require retroactively reconstructing a picture (whether rendered visually, through an alternative visualization, or simply pieced together as a description) of what human perceptual apparatus usually does not observe. Scale is also central to the production of artwork that uses changes in scale to help us examine the world differently, disorient our normalized ways of experiencing, and direct us to new objects and new relations. This article examines these problems of scale as they are shared between art and science, analyzing contemporary artists whose works highlight core aspects of scale. In examining these artworks together, we demonstrate that scale presents one way of clarifying when and how science runs us into basic questions at the core of many artistic practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Polysomnographic recordings are essential for diagnosing many sleep disorders, yet their detailed analysis presents considerable challenges. With the rise of machine learning methodologies, researchers have created various algorithms to automatically score and extract clinically relevant features from polysomnography, but less research has been devoted to how exactly the algorithms should be incorporated into the workflow of sleep technologists. This paper presents a sophisticated data collection platform developed under the Sleep Revolution project, to harness polysomnographic data from multiple European centers. Methods: A tripartite platform is presented: a user-friendly web platform for uploading three-night polysomnographic recordings, a dedicated splitter that segments these into individual one-night recordings, and an advanced processor that enhances the one-night polysomnography with contemporary automatic scoring algorithms. The platform is evaluated using real-life data and human scorers, whereby scoring time, accuracy, and trust are quantified. Additionally, the scorers were interviewed about their trust in the platform, along with the impact of its integration into their workflow. Results: We found that incorporating AI into the workflow of sleep technologists both decreased the time to score by up to 65 min and increased the agreement between technologists by as much as 0.17 κ. Discussion: We conclude that while the inclusion of AI into the workflow of sleep technologists can have a positive impact in terms of speed and agreement, there is a need for trust in the algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) switches have emerged as pivotal components in the realm of miniature electronic devices, promising unprecedented advancements in size, power consumption, and versatility. This literature review paper meticulously examines the key issues and challenges encountered in the development and application of MEMS switches. The comprehensive survey encompasses critical aspects such as material selection, fabrication intricacies, performance metrics including switching time and reliability, and the impact of these switches on diverse technological domains. The review critically analyzes the influence of design parameters, actuation mechanisms, and material properties on the performance of MEMS switches. Additionally, it explores recent advancements, breakthroughs, and innovative solutions proposed by researchers to address these challenges. The synthesis of the existing literature not only elucidates the current state of MEMS switch technology but also paves the way for future research avenues. The findings presented herein serve as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and technologists engaged in advancing MEMS switch technology, offering insights into the current landscape and guiding future endeavors in this rapidly evolving field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CT protocol management is an arduous task that requires expertise from a variety of radiology professionals, including technologists, radiologists, radiology IT professionals, and medical physicists. Each CT vendor has unique, proprietary protocol file structures, some of which may vary by scanner model, making it difficult to develop a universal framework for distilling technical parameters to a human‐readable file format. An ideal solution for CT protocol management is to minimize the work required for parameter extraction by introducing a data format into the workflow that is universal to all CT scanners. In this paper, we report a framework for CT protocol management that converts raw protocol files to an intermediary format before outputting them in a human‐readable format for a variety of practical clinical applications, including routine protocol review, protocol version tracking, and cross‐protocol comparisons. The framework was developed in Python 3. Technical parameters of interest were determined via collaborative effort between medical physicists and lead technologists. Protocol files were extracted and analyzed from a variety of scanners across our hospital‐wide CT fleet, including various systems from Siemens and GE. Protocols were subcategorized based on relevant technical parameters into regular, dual‐energy, and cardiac CT protocols. Backend code for technical parameter extraction from raw protocol files to a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format was performed on a per‐system basis. Conversion from JSON to a readable output format (MS Excel) was performed identically for all scanners using the universal framework developed and presented in this work. Example results for Siemens and GE scanners are shown, including side‐by‐side comparisons for protocols with similar clinical indications. In conclusion, our CT protocol management framework may be deployed on any CT system to improve clinical efficiency in protocol review and upkeep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technologies have fundamentally transformed the systems that govern modern life, from criminal justice to health care, housing, and beyond. Algorithmic advancements promise greater efficiency and purported objectivity, but they risk perpetuating dangerous biases. In response, the field of public interest technology has emerged to offer an interdisciplinary, human-centered, and equity-focused approach to technological innovation. This essay argues for the widespread adoption of public interest technology principles, including thinking critically about how and when technological solutions are deployed, adopting rigorous training to educate technologists on ethical and social context, and prioritizing the knowledge and experiences of communities facing the disproportionate harms or uneven benefits of technology. Tools being designed and deployed today will shape our collective future, and collaboration between philanthropy, government, storytellers, activists, and private-sector technologists is essential in ensuring that these new systems are as just as they are innovative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terminology plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of a field. In this editorial, we focus on the widely used terms "wet end" and "wet end chemistry" within the realm of papermaking. By delving into historical records, our aim is to provide a deeper understanding and a clearer perspective on these terms. It is worth noting that exploring terminology can enhance comprehension and foster a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "Sharp Injuries and Splash Exposure for Scrub IR Technologists¿A Potpourri of Safety Issues," discusses the unique risks faced by personnel working in interventional radiology (IR) procedures. These risks include sharp injuries and splash exposures, which can lead to bloodborne infections and chemical injuries. The article emphasizes the importance of implementing safety measures, such as adhering to biosafety protocols, practicing safe sharps handling, and using personal protective gear. It also highlights the need for ongoing education and training to reduce the occurrence of such incidents. The authors of the article are Khadijah Annab, Azzam Khankan, Majed Abdulhaq, and Abdulkader Kenawi. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "X-Ray Contrast Media in Interventional Radiology for Scrub Technologists," discusses the use of contrast media (CM) in interventional radiology (IR) procedures. The article highlights the importance of understanding the differences between CM used in diagnostic studies and those used in IR procedures, such as intraarterial administration and mixing with drugs and embolic agents. The article also mentions the various types of CM used in IR, including iodine-based, gadolinium-based, and carbon dioxide-based CM, as well as Lipiodol. The choice of CM depends on factors such as the patient's clinical status, the technical nature of the procedure, and the desired image quality. The article emphasizes the need for scrub technologists to have a thorough understanding of IR procedures and CM characteristics in order to safely handle and administer CM. [Extracted from the article]

Especially in the context of AI, I noticed that our customers were increasingly interested in ethics and asking how to do ethics. It includes care ethics and feminist ethics. B James Euchner [JE] b : You have written a book about ethics for technology practitioners. Teasers Virtue ethics asks whether a technology enables a user to be a good person, to become the best version of themselves. [Extracted from the article]

Background: As digital learning becomes more prevalent and important in health professions education, learning technologists play increasingly central roles in designing and delivering learning materials. However, little is understood about the process by which learning technologists have integrated into the existing teaching and learning ecosystem, and it seems that they remain marginal and undervalued. Our aim in this paper was therefore to examine the process of interprofessional co-development of course materials as experienced by educators and learning technologists. Methods: Our approach was qualitative, using individual semi-structured interviews (conducted between July 2021 to May 2022) to explore the working relationship between faculty and learning technologists. Transcripts were analysed abductively. Results: We found that the attitudes of both faculty and learning technologists towards collaborating to drive digital adoption in health professions education fell into two main themes: "embrace" and "replace" – and "conflict", which we present as a third theme. Our results revealed that faculty did not take an active and agentic role in developing their digital practices in respect of education delivery. Learning technologists positioned themselves as a resource to support faculty's knowledge and skill gap in digital competence. There was an obvious power differential between the two groups: learning technologists lacked agency and seemed in the position of servants to faculty masters. This created barriers to effective collaboration. Conclusions: By examining the process of co-development of course materials by faculty and learning technologists, we open up a space to examine the social, relational and organisational complexities associated with interprofessional collaboration in digital health professions education. Our study also has important implications for guiding educational policy to better position learning technologists to effectively collaborate with faculty and realise the potential of digital health professions education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of tumor follow-up according to RECIST 1.1 has become essential in clinical practice given its role in therapeutic decision making. At the same time, radiologists are facing an increase in activity while facing a shortage. Radiographic technologists could contribute to the follow-up of these measures, but no studies have evaluated their ability to perform them. Ninety breast cancer patients were performed three CT follow-ups between September 2017 and August 2021. 270 follow-up treatment CT scans were analyzed including 445 target lesions. The rate of agreement of classifications RECIST 1.1 between five technologists and radiologists yielded moderate (k value between 0.47 and 0.52) and substantial (k value = 0.62 and k = 0.67) agreement values. 112 CT were classified as progressive disease (PD) by the radiologists, and 414 new lesions were identified. The analysis showed a percentage of strict agreement of progressive disease classification between reader-technologists and radiologists ranging from substantial to almost perfect agreement (range 73–97%). Analysis of intra-observer agreement was strong at almost perfect (k > 0.78) for 3 technologists. These results are encouraging regarding the ability of selected technologists to perform measurements according to RECIST 1.1 criteria by CT scan with good identification of disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the concerns about radiation dose associated with medical imaging, radiation dose monitoring systems (RDMSs) are now utilized by many radiology providers to collect, process, analyze, and manage radiation dose-related information. Currently, most commercially available RDMSs focus only on radiation dose information and do not track any metrics related to image quality. However, to enable comprehensive patient-based imaging optimization, it is equally important to monitor image quality as well. This article describes how RDMS design can be extended beyond radiation dose to simultaneously monitor image quality. A newly designed interface was evaluated by different groups of radiology professionals (radiologists, technologists, and physicists) on a Likert scale. The results show that the new design is effective in assessing both image quality and safety in clinical practices, with an overall average score of 7.8 out of 10.0 and scores ranging from 5.5 to 10.0. Radiologists rated the interface highest at 8.4 out of 10.0, followed by technologists at 7.6 out of 10.0, and medical physicists at 7.5 out of 10.0. This work demonstrates how the assessment of the radiation dose can be performed in conjunction with the image quality using customizable user interfaces based on the clinical needs associated with different radiology professions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Expected rise in the demand for healthcare and a dropping supply of healthcare professionals, has generated an increased interest in the most effective deployment of healthcare professionals. Consequently, task shifting has become a common strategy to redistribute tasks between established professional groups, however, little is known about the effects of shifting tasks to emerging professional groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate a legal amendment to facilitate task shifting to an emerging profession in Dutch healthcare: Clinical Technologists (CTs). CTs were introduced and provided an Extended Scope of Practice (ESP) to perform nine 'reserved procedures' independently. Methods: A concurrent multi-phase mixed methods study was used to evaluate whether a legal amendment to facilitate task shifting to CTs was effective and efficient. Results: The results show that CTs use their ESP frequently to perform five categories of reserved procedures independently and suggest that the ESP increased the efficiency of care delivery for those procedures. Additionally, the findings highlight that task shifting was influenced by the setting in which CTs worked, time allotted to patient-contact as well as external factors (e.g., financing). Conclusions: This study provides tentative lessons for policymakers on how task shifting to emerging professional groups can be improved. Providing a legal amendment to facilitate task shifting to CTs seems to be effective and efficient. However, it also poses multiple challenges. While established professional groups can face similar challenges, it is likely that these are exacerbated for emerging professional groups, particularly when shifting tasks occurs horizontally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scope of practice of the medical radiation practitioner demands knowledge and understanding of the indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, proper use, drug interactions and adverse reactions of a variety of medications. The risk of patient deterioration or acute emergent event, particularly following contrast administration, makes the command of crash cart medications particularly important. This article explores the pharmacological principles of medications most likely to be required in a medical emergency in the medical radiation department and in particular by the computed tomography (CT) technologist. The article also outlines early warning signs to assist in identifying the emergent or deteriorating patient. The learning outlined is designed to equip medical radiation practitioners with the capacity to identify and respond to a medical emergency typical of the medical radiation department, and to respond to that situation with the appropriate use of emergency medications where appropriate. The ability of medical radiation practitioners to recognise and respond to (including the use of medicines) the deteriorating patient or circumstances of a medically urgent nature are key capabilities required to meet minimum standards for Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia registration and National Safety and Quality Health Service standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are prone to occupational hazards, which may have a significant impact on their health and safety. Inadequate worker training, a lack of appropriate protection measures, and a high workload could worsen the situation, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality among exposed workers. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and safety practices on occupational hazards among operating room (OR) staff of Mardan Medical Complex. Methodology: From April to September 2021, 109 OR staff participated in this cross-sectional study including the surgeons, the anesthetists, the technologists and the OR nurses. Data regarding the level of knowledge and safety practices among OR staff were recorded on a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed on SPSS version 19 and presented in the form of tables and graphs. Chi-square test was used to find an association between categorical variables and P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Among all participants, 95% of surgeons were aware of the work-related hazards and their types, followed by OR nurses, technologists, and the anesthetists. The majority of OR personnel with less experience were least aware of the occupational hazards. The association with the participants job experience, degree of knowledge, and the safety practices was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The knowledge of the surgeons regarding occupational hazards and the safety practices was the highest, followed by the anesthetists, technicians/technologists, and the OR nurses in that order. Measures are required to promote safety practices and reinforcement of strategies aimed to minimize exposure to hazards. Routine training of staff on safety practices need to be initiated and made mandatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this preliminary study was to measure the systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) and heart rate (HR) of radiological technologists by WD, and evaluate variation among individuals by worktime, day of the week, job, and workplace. Measurements were obtained using a wristwatch-type WD with optical measurement technology that can measure SBP and DBP every 10 minutes and HR every 30 minutes. SBP, DBP, and HR data obtained at baseline and during work time were combined with the hours of work, day of the week, job, and workplace recorded by the participants in 8 consecutive weeks. We calculated the mean, the ratio to baseline and coefficient of variation [CV(%)] for SBP, DBP, and HR. SBP, DBP, and HR values were significantly higher during work hours than at baseline (p<0.03). The ratio to baseline values ranged from 1.02 to 1.26 for SBP and from 1.07 to 1.30 for DBP. The ratio to baseline for SBP and DBP showed CV(%) of approximately 10% according to the day of the week and over the study period. For HR, ratio to baseline ranged from 0.95 to 1.29. The ratio of mean BP to baseline was >1.2 at the time of starting work, middle and after lunch, and at 14:00. The ratio to baseline of SBP were 1.2 or more for irradiation, equipment accuracy control, registration of patient data, dose verification and conference time, and were also working in CT examination room, treatment planning room, linac room, and the office. CV(%) of BP and HR were generally stable for all workplaces. WD measurements of SBP, DBP, and HR were higher during working hours than at baseline and varied by the individuals, work time, job, and workplace. This method may enable evaluation of unconscious workload in individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical technologists are considered a neglected group when it comes to academic interventions. We developed and implemented an educational intervention and assessment for the technologists based on an online questionnaire as a pre-test consisting of questions related to knowledge (n = 5), attitude (n=3), and practices (n=4) of daily internal quality control (QC) monitoring via Google Docs survey tool. This study served multiple purposes. It allowed keeping the technologists engaged during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic while also improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices about the internal quality control using Bio-Rad Unity Real Time (URT) QC software. Subjects were graded based on the scores they received out of 100 (0-60 = poor; 61-79 = good; 80-100 = excellent). Training materials, i.e., a set of 5 videos every week via e-mail, were circulated. A voice-over PowerPoint presentation was also shared for easy comprehension. This activity was repeated after one month. A post-test was administered to assess the improvement. The study results show significant improvement in the technologists' performance after the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Taiwan, there is no independent licensing system for dental radiation technologists. A licensed medical radiation technologist who engages in dental radiology is the so-called dental radiation technologist. This study explored mainly the profile of dental radiation technologists in Taiwan. This study used the methods of documentary analysis, dental radiation manpower survey, and the secondary data analysis to find the profile of dental radiation technologists in Taiwan. There were currently 59 dental radiology departments and 101 dental radiation technologists (29 males and 72 females) in 57 hospitals and their branches. Of the 101 dental radiation technologists, 56 worked in the medical centers, 28 in the regional hospitals, and 17 in the district hospitals. More than half of the dental radiation technologists were concentrated in the medical centers (55.45%, 56/101) or the northern region of Taiwan (57.43%, 58/101), especially in the northern medical centers (30.69%, 31/101). In Taiwan, the manpower of dental radiation technologists is insufficient, and dental radiation technologists usually work in the dental departments of the hospitals. A large number of clinic dentists lack dental radiation technologists to assist in dental radiology works and the clinic dentists have to perform the dental radiology works by themselves. Therefore, a dental radiology education system should be established to design innovative dental radiology courses for radiological technology students. This in turn can provide a new practice direction for medical radiation technologists and expand their potential participation in the field of dental radiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionVentilation/Perfusion (V/Q) PET/CT is an emerging imaging modality for regional lung function evaluation. The same carrier molecules as conventional V/Q scintigraphy are used but they are radiolabelled with gallium-68 (68Ga) instead of technetium-99m (99mTc). A recurrent concern regarding V/Q PET imaging is the radiation dose to the healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total effective dose and the finger dose received by the technologist when performing a V/Q PET procedure, and to compare them with the radiations doses received with conventional V/Q scintigraphy, FDG PET and Ga DOTATOC PET procedures.Materials and methodsThe whole body dose measurement was performed 10 times for each of the evaluated procedures using an electronic personal dosimeter (ED). For V/Q PET and V/Q scintigraphy procedures, ventilation and perfusion stages were separately evaluated. Internal exposure was measured for ventilation procedures. Finger dose measurements were performed 5 times for each of the PET procedures using Thermoluminescence (TL) pellets.ResultsThe technologist effective dose when performing a V/Q PET procedure was 2.83 ± 0.67 μSv, as compared with 1.16 ± 0.34 μSv for conventional V/Q scintigraphy, 2.13 ± 0.77 μSv for [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC, and 2.86 ± 1.79 μSv for FDG PET procedures, respectively. The finger dose for the V/Q PET procedure was similar to the dose for a [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC scan (0.35 mSv and 0.32 mSv, respectively).ConclusionThe technologist total effective dose for a V/Q PET procedure is ~2.4 higher than the dose for a conventional V/Q scintigraphy, but in the same range than the radiation exposure when performing common PET procedures, both in terms of total effective dose or finger dose. These results should be reassuring for the healthcare workers performing a V/Q PET procedure.

Hernán Thomas--a well-known figure in Science and Technology Studies (STS) in Latin America--talks about his academic career and some of the questions that drive his research. In this interview, he narrates his encounter with STS--which was marked by the aspiration to create a space of reflection and intervention around technology an incipient field in Latin American academia. When asked "How can we forge paths to development using technologies for social inclusion in Latin America?", Thomas adopts a broad perspective. He relates the persistence of a hegemonic thought that reproduces the models of dependency, with their manifestation in scientific production evaluation focused on publication in international journals. This contributes to build a scientific field in line with central countries' research agendas, while constructing sociotechnical systems that detach technologists from local problems. In the face of this diagnosis, Thomas holds that theory is necessary, but insufficient. Plans and strategies should be designed to integrate production and artifacts with their technoeconomic macrostructures. Forging a path of inclusive technologic development requires a counter-hegemonic vision that would enable more egalitarian and free futures for the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are no published data on the effect of patient and technologist gender and ethnicity attributes on off-centering in CT. Therefore, we assessed the impact of patient and technologist variations on off-centering patients undergoing body CT. With institutional review board approval, our retrospective study included 1000 consecutive adult patients (age ranged 22–96 years; 756 males: 244 females) who underwent chest or abdomen CT examinations. We recorded patient (age, gender, nationality, body weight, height,), technologist gender, and scan-related (scanner vendor, body region imaged, scan length, CT dose index volume, dose length product) information. Lateral and anteroposterior (AP) diameters were recorded to calculate effective diameter and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE). Off-centering represented the distance between the anterior-posterior centers of the scan field of view and the patient at the level of carina (for chest CT) and iliac crest (for abdomen CT). About 76% of the patients (760/1000) were off-centered with greater off-centering for chest (22 mm) than for abdomen (15 mm). Although ethnicity or patient gender was not a significant determinant of off-centering, technologist-patient gender mismatch was associated with a significantly greater frequency of off-centering (p<0.001). Off-centering below the gantry isocenter was twice as common as off-centering above the gantry isocenter (p<0.001). The latter occurred more frequently in larger patients and was associated with higher radiation doses than those centered below the isocenter (p<0.001). Technologists' years of experience and patient factors profoundly affect the presence and extent of off-centering for both chest and abdomen CTs. Larger patients are more often off-centered than smaller patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scoring sleep stages from biological signals is an essential but labor-intensive inspection for sleep diagnosis. The existing automated scoring methods have achieved high accuracy but are not widely applied in clinical practice. In our understanding, the existing methods have failed to establish the trust of sleep experts (e.g., physicians and clinical technologists) due to a lack of ability to explain the evidences/clues for scoring. In this study, we developed a deep-learning-based scoring model with a reasoning mechanism called class activation mapping (CAM) to solve this problem. This mechanism explicitly shows which portions of the signals support our model's sleep stage decision, and we verified that these portions overlap with the "characteristic waves," which are evidences/clues used in the manual scoring process. In exchange for the acquisition of explainability, employing CAM makes it difficult to follow some scoring rules. Although we concerned the negative effect of CAM on the scoring accuracy, we have found that the impact is limited. The evaluation experiment shows that the proposed model achieved a scoring accuracy of 86.9 % . It is superior to those of some existing methods and the inter-rater reliability among the sleep experts. These results suggest that Sleep-CAM achieved both explainability and required scoring accuracy for practical usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the Principle of Radiation Protection for workers, radiation shielding is a way to reduce radiation exposure. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of shielding device in reducing effective doses experienced by radiological technologists working in a PET/CT examination room by measuring the equivalent dose with and without shielding device in phantoms using 18F 518 MBq at the National Cyclotron and PET Centre, Chulabhorn Hospital, Thailand. The phantoms were placed at the radiological technologists' working position and nanoDot™ OSL dosimeters were attached at eyes, thyroid, and chest positions for 30 minutes. The experimental results showed that the effective dose measured with and without the radiation shields were 0.249 ± 0.030 mSv and 0.250 ± 0.020 mSv, respectively. Furthermore, data analysis revealed no statistically significant difference (p >0.05) between the two conditions. Hence, it was concluded that the use of radiation shields could not reduce the effective dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

decision-making is essential for SENA Human Talent Management technologists since they oversee selecting the personnel in the companies and monitoring the work of the employees. However, the practices carried out by the apprentices showed that they were not objective when making decisions. Although there are certain theoretical foundations and institutional guidelines that help guide the process, students do not use them for that purpose. Their decisions are motivated by personal, unethical interests, in which emotions and ambivalence prevail. In this research, a didactic intervention based on argumentation was proposed as a tool to improve decision-making. The selected methodology was research action, focused on the discussion of problematic situations that arise in the world of work. The results showed that argumentation affects semi-structured decision-making, since it leads students to have clear, reasoned, and reasonable criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's views and disliking for the colour green as a colour-obsessed technologist. He mentions that the actual colours of the LED lights that are generally considered "green" lighting are not always the colour green. He finds himself obsessed with blue colour and mentions that blue pigment was not often found in paintings before the 18th century because the pigment called "ultramarine" was hard to get and very expensive.

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been traditionally regarded as a safe imaging modality due to the absence of ionising radiation. However, MRI is a source of potential hazards with a variety of risks including, but not limited to, those associated with the various electromagnetic fields used for imaging. All MRI technologists (radiographers) require sound knowledge of the physical principles of the MRI scanner and must understand the associated safety risks and how to avoid adverse events from occurring. MRI technologists now assume more responsibility in clinical decision‐making, and their knowledge base has consequently had to expand significantly. In addition, rapid advancements in MRI technology and other correlated areas such as medical implant technology, and the associated increase in MRI safety issues, place increasing demands on the MRI technologist to constantly keep abreast of current and future developments. This article reviews current and emerging MRI safety issues relevant to the three MRI electromagnetic fields and highlights the key information that all MRI technologists should be fully cognisant of to ensure competent and safe practice within the MRI environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid accelerating threats to species and ecosystems, technology advancements to monitor, protect, and conserve biodiversity have taken on increased importance. While most innovations stem from adaptation of off-the-shelf devices, these tools can fail to meet the specialized needs of conservation and research or lack the support to scale beyond a single site. Despite calls from the conservation community for its importance, a shift to bottom-up innovation driven by conservation professionals remains limited. We surveyed practitioners, academic researchers, and technologists to understand the factors contributing to or inhibiting engagement in the collaborative process of technology development and adoption for field use and identify emerging technology needs. High cost was the main barrier to technology use across occupations, while development of new technologies faced barriers of cost and partner communication. Automated processing of data streams was the largest emerging need, and respondents focused mainly on applications for individual-level monitoring and automated image processing. Cross-discipline collaborations and expanded funding networks that encourage cyclical development and continued technical support are needed to address current limitations and meet the growing need for conservation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological quality of pine seeds is characterized by laboratory and field germination. The present paper is intended for technologists of seed plants and specialists of forest nurseries. It offers a solution to improve the seeding characteristics of small seeds by their pre-sowing preparation. The success of reforestation activities directly depends on the quality of the seeds. The influence of seed sorting by seed size and seed coat colour has been theoretically substantiated and repeatedly tested in practice. However, the response of seeds in germination can vary depending on the year and place of seed collection. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seeds were germinated under controlled conditions. Seedlings were obtained from seeds pre-sorted by seed coat colour into white, brown, and black groups, and further divided by size. The results of sorting by the colour of seed coat indicate a different effect of this pre-sowing treatment on the sowing qualities of seeds. Brown seed coat colour showed the highest percentage degree in the seedlots of all provenances. The seeds from the southern provenance with the brown seed coat colour shown the maximum germination. That said, the study raises new questions, indicating more comprehensive research in the future. Does the pattern of germination parameter distribution remain constant for seeds of other harvest years but of the same provenance? Does the variability of the germination factor the result of internal factors of the container location in the greenhouse? Is the genetic diversity of seedlings disturbed by sorting by size?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Radiation protection for pediatric patients is the main concern in pediatric computed tomography (CT) due to their sensitive organs, such as the brain and the thyroid glands. Accordingly, an optimization of pediatric CT practices is vital to minimize the radiation dose for this population. Aim: To assess the pediatric CT practices of radiologists and technologists in a CT unit. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 26 hospitals, located in various regions in Saudi Arabia. A total of 200 hard copies of the questionnaire were distributed manually and were collected for analysis. In total, 117 completed surveys were gathered from technologies, while 49 were gathered from radiologists. Results: In the case of infants with hydrocephalus, 65% of the radiologists ordered an ultrasound (US), 24% ordered a head CT scan, and 10% ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and general X-ray for diagnosis. For pediatric patients complaining of persistent headache, 59% and 27% of the radiologists recommended CT and MRI, respectively, for diagnosis. Conclusion: Most of the radiologists utilize CT head scan to diagnose persistent headache (by 59%) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) malfunction (by 41%) in pediatric patients compared with the other modalities. The use of CT can increase the risk of later malignancy among pediatric patients due to radiation exposure. Alternative imaging modalities such as US and MRI (non-ionized radiation) should be considered to reduce the ionizing radiation hazards and optimize the current practices of radiologists. Most of the technologists follow radiation protection protocols in this study as 63% of the technologists used lead apron for pediatric patient's protection. Radiation awareness training for the technologists could improve the knowledge about the benefits of using lead apron and reduce the radiation risks in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the ongoing structure of radiation oncology in Japan in terms of equipment, personnel, patient load and geographic distribution to identify and overcome any existing limitations. From May 2016 to August 2018, the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology conducted a questionnaire based on the Japanese national structure survey of radiation oncology in 2015. Data were analyzed based on the institutional stratification by the annual number of new patients treated with radiotherapy per institution. The estimated annual numbers of new and total (new plus repeat) patients treated with radiation were 225 000 and 271 000, respectively. Additionally, the estimated cancer incidence was 891 445 cases with approximately 25.2% of all newly diagnosed patients being treated with radiation. The types and numbers of treatment devices actually used included linear accelerator (linac; n  = 936), Gamma Knife (n  = 43), 60Co remote afterloading system (RALS; n  = 21), and 192Ir RALS (n  = 129). The linac system used dual-energy functions in 754 units, 3D conformal radiotherapy functions in 867, and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) functions in 628. There were 899 Japan Radiological Society/Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology-certified radiation oncologists (RO), 1213.9 full-time equivalent (FTE) ROs, 2394.2 FTE radiotherapy technologists (RTT), 295.7 FTE medical physicists, 210.2 FTE radiotherapy quality managers, and 906.1 FTE nurses. The frequency of IMRT use significantly increased during this time. In conclusion, the Japanese structure of radiation oncology has clearly improved in terms of equipment and utility although there was a shortage of personnel in 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is located in the field of theories of education and its relationship with the training of technologists. Thus, it comes against the growing offer of this special type of higher education aimed at the formation of qualified labor demanded by the labor market. It aims to analyze the training of technologists from the theoretical framework of the dualistic school presented by Dermeval Saviani. With a qualitative approach to research, based on bibliographic review, the following writings take Saviani's work "School and Democracy (1999)" and other texts that problematize educational dualism as a guide. We conclude that the labor market constitutes the space where the dualistic school theory materializes through educational processes, from basic to higher education, which aim at the formation of the specialized workforce and seduced by the neoliberal ideological discourse of guaranteeing access to jobs and social ascension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a personal account of evolution of knowledge about the etio-pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of over three decades as a student and later a professional neurosurgeon. This reflects an historical perspective on the subject not withstanding the tremendous advances that have taken place in the field. It is regrettable that a successful management of hydrocephalus leave aside its cure, still eludes us. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I investigate how auditors integrate information technology (IT) specialist input into internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) issue classifications. Given the ill-structured nature of evaluating ICFR issues and the impact of these issues on audit quality, combining knowledge from different perspectives is likely beneficial. Drawing on social identity theory, I predict and find that a weaker one-team identity between auditors and IT specialists yields benefits. Auditors with a weaker versus stronger team identity place more weight on IT specialist input for IT-related issues and differentially weight higher and lower quality input for non-IT issues. I also find that more severe ICFR issues drive the predicted results. My study provides insight into how team identity influences auditor integration of input from specialists. The implications of my study are of interest to researchers, regulators, and practitioners, especially as recent firm initiatives encourage a one-team view for auditors and IT specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to prospectively investigate, in a large and heterogeneous population, the electroencephalogram (EEG)-reading performances of EEG technologists. A total of 8 EEG technologists and 5 certified neurophysiologists independently analyzed 20-min EEG recordings. Interrater agreement (IRA) for predefined EEG pattern identification between EEG technologists and neurophysiologits was assessed using percentage of agreement (PA) and Gwet-AC1. Among 1528 EEG recordings, the PA [95% confidence interval] and interrater agreement (IRA, AC1) values were as follows: status epilepticus (SE) and seizures, 97% [96–98%], AC1 kappa = 0.97; interictal epileptiform discharges, 78% [76–80%], AC1 = 0.63; and conclusion dichotomized as "normal" versus "pathological", 83.6% [82–86%], AC1 = 0.71. EEG technologists identified SE and seizures with 99% [98–99%] negative predictive value, whereas the positive predictive values (PPVs) were 48% [34–62%] and 35% [20–53%], respectively. The PPV for normal EEGs was 72% [68–76%]. SE and seizure detection were impaired in poorly cooperating patients (SE and seizures; p < 0.001), intubated and older patients (SE; p < 0.001), and confirmed epilepsy patients (seizures; p = 0.004). EEG technologists identified ictal features with few false negatives but high false positives, and identified normal EEGs with good PPV. The absence of ictal features reported by EEG technologists can be reassuring; however, EEG traces should be reviewed by neurophysiologists before taking action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses need for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and Space Force (USSF) to revive the readiness to embrace disruptive new technologies and reinvent themselves. Topics discussed include need to accelerate acquisition processes and bring more commercial technologies into the acquisition pipeline; recommendations for reinvigorating institutional service cultures; and adoption of digital microelectronics, software, and robotics in air, space, and cyber systems.

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Objective: Vascular ultrasound (VUS) is a first‐line test for giant cell arteritis (GCA) in Europe but has been of limited use in the United States. We report clinical experience with a multidisciplinary model of VUS for the evaluation of GCA at a large US medical center. Methods: Patients who underwent VUS for evaluation of GCA between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. Trained vascular technologists followed a standardized protocol to visualize bilateral temporal, carotid, subclavian, and axillary arteries. Vascular medicine physicians interpreted VUS as no arteritis, hyperechoic wall thickening, or acute arteritis. Characteristics of patients with versus without acute arteritis (no arteritis or hyperechoic wall thickening) were compared. Among patients with suspected new‐onset GCA, the treating physician's pretest and posttest suspicion for GCA were compared. Results: Of 530 patients, 10.6% had prior‐onset GCA, 31.7% had polymyalgia rheumatica, and 57.6% were taking glucocorticoids. Most patients had no arteritis on VUS (84.3%); 10.6% had acute arteritis, and 5.1% had hyperechoic wall thickening. Typical GCA symptoms, such as jaw claudication and scalp tenderness, were significantly more frequent in patients with acute arteritis. For all 42 patients with suspected new‐onset GCA and acute arteritis, posttest suspicion was unchanged or increased. Of 415 patients with suspected new‐onset GCA and VUS without acute arteritis, suspicion decreased (76.4%) or was unchanged (20.2%). Conclusion: We describe a multidisciplinary model for incorporating VUS into GCA care. When pretest suspicion was low and VUS did not reveal acute arteritis, posttest suspicion typically decreased, whereas when pretest suspicion was high and VUS revealed acute arteritis, posttest suspicion was reinforced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When actors deem technological change undesirable, they may act symbolically by pretending to comply while avoiding real change. In our study of the introduction of an algorithmic technology in a sales organization, we found that such symbolic conformity led unintendedly to the full implementation of the suggested technological change. To explain this surprising outcome, we advance a regime-of-knowing lens that helps to analyze deep challenges happening under the surface during the process of technology introduction. A regime of knowing guides what is worth knowing, what actions matter to acquire this knowledge, and who has the authority to make decisions around those issues. We found that both the technologists who introduced the algorithmic technology, and the incumbent workers whose work was affected by the change, used symbolic actions to either defend the established regime of knowing or to advocate a radical change. Although the incumbent workers enacted symbolic conformity by pretending to comply with suggested changes, the technologists performed symbolic advocacy by presenting a positive side of the technological change. Ironically, because the symbolic conformity enabled and was reinforced by symbolic advocacy, reinforcing cycles of symbolic actions yielded a radical change in the sales' regime of knowing: from one focused on a deep understanding of customers via personal contact and strong relationships, to one based on model predictions from the processing of large datasets. We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings for the introduction of technology at work and for knowing in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Additional Educational Content that reinforces topics in the logistics area with the support of TIC's is gaining more and more strength due to the need and tendency of young people to consume digital content. However, the mere fact of having textbooks and electronic documents are not enough to completely reinforce the way in which we receive and/or teach classes today. Therefore, through the implementation of multimedia content that is read, synthesized, updated and transformed in a didactic way, it can be achieved that students find greater emotional and motivational links to achieve the correct understanding and execution of their work in the technologist in logistics management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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