1,720,995 research outputs found

    The intra-articular synovial folds of the lateral atlanto-axial joints : an anatomic and magnetic resonance imaging study

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    This thesis reports on methods developed to identify and quantify the normal morphology ofthe intra-articular synovial folds ofthe lateral atlanto-axial joints to aid in the identification and quantification of injury to these structures in patients. A system ofnaming and classifying the synovial folds was developed to remove the ambiguity surrounding the various terminologies applied to these structUres. A comprehensive .' critical review of the literature revealed that the potential role ofthe synovial folds in the generation ofneck pain and disability is poorly understood, primarily because ofthe limited techniques available to identify the synovial folds and to quantify their diinensions. New anatomical methods to quantify objectively the morphology ofthe synovial folds in vitro were developed. The precision and accuracy ofthese methods· . were established through a series of validation experiments and a robust statistical analysis ofthe results. To address the current difficulty in visualising and quantifying the synovial folds in vivo new methods of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were developed and validated for precision and accuracy through statistically viable experiments. This is the first study10 develop an MR imaging protocol that enables the synovial folds of the lateral atlanto-axialjoints to be visualised in vivo. The statistical approaches commonly used in similar research for the determination ofmeasurement precision were critically reviewed and their strengths and limitations discussed. Using these newly developed anatomical and imaging methods, the normal morphology ofthe synovial folds of the lateral atlanto-axialjoints was determined and the results are presented. Future developments and applications of this work, including applications to investigations of pain and disability affecting the cervical spine, are discussed.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

    Interactive radiological anatomy eLearning solution for first year medical students: development, integration and impact on learning

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    A technology enhanced learning and teaching (TELT) solution, radiological anatomy (RA) eLearning, composed of a range of identification‐based and guided learning activities related to normal and pathological X‐ray images, was devised for the Year 1 nervous and locomotor course at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton. Its effectiveness was evaluated using a questionnaire, pre‐ and post‐tests, focus groups, summative assessment, and tracking data. Since introduced in 2009, a total of 781 students have used RA eLearning, and among them 167 Year 1 students in 2011, of whom 116 participated in the evaluation study. Students enjoyed learning (77%) with RA eLearning, found it was easy to use (81%) and actively engaged them in their learning (75%), all of which were associated to the usability, learning design of the TELT solution and its integration in the curriculum; 80% of students reported RA eLearning helped their revision of anatomy and 69% stated that it facilitated their application of anatomy in a clinical context, both of which were associated with the benefits offered by the learning and activities design. At the end of course summative assessment, student knowledge of RA eLearning relevant topics (mean 80%; SD ±16) was significantly better as compared to topics not relevant to RA eLearning (mean 63%; SD ±15) (mean difference 18%; 95% CI 15% to 20%; P < 0.001). A well designed and integrated TELT solution can be an efficient method for facilitating the application, integration, and contextualization of anatomy and radiology to create a blended learning environment. Anat Sci Educ 7: 350–360. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists

    A novel cadaveric study of the morphometry of the serratus anterior muscle: one part, two parts, three parts, four?

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    The serratus anterior is portrayed as a homogeneous muscle in textbooks and during functional activities and rehabilitation exercises. It is unclear whether the serratus anterior is composed of subdivisions with distinctive morphology and functions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the serratus anterior could be subdivided into different structural parts on the basis of its segmental architectural parameters. Eight formalin-embalmed serratus anterior muscles were dissected and the attachments of each fascicle documented. Orientation and size of each fascicle were measured and the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) calculated. Three subdivisions of the serratus anterior were identified. A new finding was the discovery of two distinctive fascicles attached to the superior and inferior aspects of rib 2. The rib 2 inferior fascicle had the largest PCSA (mean 1.6 cm2) and attached, with the rib 3 fascicle, along the medial border of the scapula to form the middle division. The rib 2 superior and rib 1 fascicles attached to the superior angle of the scapula (upper division). Fascicles from ribs 4–8/9 attached to the inferior angle of the scapula (lower division). Mean fascicle angle relative to a vertical midline reference and PCSA for each division were 29° and 1.3 cm2 (upper), 90° and 2.2 cm2 (middle) and 59° and 3.0 cm2 (lower). This novel study demonstrated the presence of morphologically distinct serratus anterior subdivisions. The results of this study will inform the development of optimal techniques for the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of this architecturally complex muscle in shoulder and neck pain

    Virtual patients: year 1

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    At the University of Southampton Medical School virtual patients are the key to delivering its patient centred curriculum. In year 1, the aim of the virtual patients is to present a realistic clinical scenario from which students can experience a patient journey and the clinical processes involved. The virtual patients consist of interactive linear animated clinical scenarios with interactive tasks and embedded guided learning materials. They are designed to guide year 1 students through each clinical process whilst helping them apply and integrate their knowledge of the basic sciences in a clinical context

    Synovial folds of the lateral atlantoaxial joints:in vivo quantitative assessment using magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers

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    Study design: analysis of magnetic resonance (MR) images of healthy volunteers.Objective: to develop and validate an imaging protocol and measurement technique to describe the morphology and quantify the dimensions of the synovial folds of the lateral atlantoaxial joints in vivo.Summary of background date: the synovial folds of the lateral atlantoaxial joints are considered to be a potential source of neck pain and headache, especially following whiplash injury. Until recently, it has not been possible to image the synovial folds in vivo and consequently their normal morphology is not fully understood.Methods: MR images of the cervical spine of 17 volunteers (4 male and 13 female) were acquired using a 1.5-tesla scanner. The morphology of the synovial folds at the lateral atlantoaxial joints was described and their presence determined. The volume and cross-sectional area of the ventral and dorsal synovial folds of the right and left lateral atlantoaxial joints were measured and compared. The relationship between the dimensions of the synovial folds and subject age was examined. Twenty synovial folds were measured twice by one observer and once by a second observer for the determination of measurement reliability.Results: there was a significant difference in volume (chi [3] = 17.54, P = 0.000) and cross-sectional area (chi [3] = 18.95, P = 0.000) between the ventral and dorsal synovial folds of the left and right lateral atlantoaxial joints. There was no correlation between synovial fold dimensions and age. The reliability of the measurements ranged from intraclass correlation coefficient 0.95 to 0.99 (intraobserver reliability) and intraclass correlation coefficients 0.75 to 0.82 (interobserver reliability).Conclusion: MR imaging was successfully implemented as a noninvasive method for visualizing the synovial folds of the lateral atlantoaxial joints and quantifying their dimensions in healthy volunteers. The results of this study provide a basis for future studies investigating synovial fold pathology in patients with neck pain and headache

    The influence of age, anthropometrics and range of motion on the morphometry of the synovial folds of the lateral atlanto-axial joints: a pilot study

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    The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of age, anthropometrics and cervical range of motion upon synovial fold volume. Ten healthy female subjects aged 20-40 years were included in the study. Age, height, body mass, dimensions of the head and neck and cervical range of motion of each subject were measured. Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the cervical spine were acquired; the volume of the ventral and dorsal synovial folds of the right and the left lateral atlanto-axial joints was measured using seed growing and thresholding methods. Using Spearman's correlation coefficient, it was determined that there was no correlation between synovial fold volume and age. Synovial fold volume was positively correlated with subject height and neck length but negatively correlated with body mass, body mass index and the circumference of the head and neck. The relationship between synovial fold volume and range of cervical motion varied with the plane of movement. The ability to image the synovial folds of the lateral atlanto-axial joints using MR imaging to determine their normal morphology provides the basis for investigating synovial fold pathology in patients with neck pain and headache

    Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis

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    The present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed

    Variations on the Author

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    “Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship

    Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis

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    We provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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