Early detection of thyroid nodules can greatly contribute to the prediction of cancer burdening and the steering of personalized management. We propose a novel multimodal MRI-based computer-aided ...diagnosis (CAD) system that differentiates malignant from benign thyroid nodules. The proposed CAD is based on a novel convolutional neural network (CNN)-based texture learning architecture. The main contribution of our system is three-fold. Firstly, our system is the first of its kind to combine T2-weighted MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps using a CNN to model thyroid cancer. Secondly, it learns independent texture features for each input, giving it more advanced capabilities to simultaneously extract complex texture patterns from both modalities. Finally, the proposed system uses multiple channels for each input to combine multiple scans collected into the deep learning process using different values of the configurable diffusion gradient coefficient. Accordingly, the proposed system would enable the learning of more advanced radiomics with an additional advantage of visualizing the texture patterns after learning. We evaluated the proposed system using data collected from a cohort of 49 patients with pathologically proven thyroid nodules. The accuracy of the proposed system has also been compared against recent CNN models as well as multiple machine learning (ML) frameworks that use hand-crafted features. Our system achieved the highest performance among all compared methods with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.87, specificity of 0.97, and sensitivity of 0.69. The results suggest that texture features extracted using deep learning can contribute to the protocols of cancer diagnosis and treatment and can lead to the advancement of precision medicine.
Background
Reactive decision-making during athletic movement has been demonstrated to evoke unfavorable biomechanics associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. However, the current ...evidence is based on assessments of healthy individuals. We aimed to investigate unplanned jump landing kinetics and knee kinematics in ACL-reconstructed (ACLR) and non-injured athletes.
Methods
A total of 30 male professional soccer players (n = 15 ACLR after return to play, n = 15 matched controls) performed six drop landings onto a force plate. As a neurocognitive challenge requiring decision-making, a diode flashing in randomly selected colors indicated the requested landing location. Knee joint kinematics (flexion, valgus and tibial rotation angles) assessed with a 10-camera motion capture system, vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), time to stabilization (TTS) and length of the center of pressure (COP) trace (all analyzed from force plate data) were calculated. Cognitive function was assessed using the CNS Vital Signs battery.
Results
The ACLR group produced lower knee flexion angles than the control group (median interquartile range 50.00° 6.60 vs. 55.20° 4.45,
p
= .02). In addition, path length of the center of pressure (379 mm 56.20 vs. 344 mm 37.00,
p
= .04) and ground reaction force (3.21 N/kg 0.66 vs. 2.87 N/kg 0.48,
p
= .01) were higher for the ACLR group. No differences were found for knee valgus (
p
= .96), tibial rotation (
p
= .83) and TTS (
p
= .82). ACLR participants scored lower for reaction time (
p
= .02) and processing speed (
p
= .01). Unfavorable knee biomechanics were more often related to cognitive function in the ACLR group than in the control group (
p
< .05).
Conclusions
Impaired reactive decision-making during athletic movement may contribute to the high re-injury risk in individuals with ACLR. Prospective studies confirming potential cause-effect relationships are warranted.
Highlights
ACL-reconstructed (ACLR) athletes display impaired biomechanics in reactive drop landings.
Decreased landing safety is linked to deficits in cognitive function.
The development of specific training measures may help to reduce injury risk.
Many modern cultural object collections suffer from the problem of being obtained in unethical and illegal circumstances. Additionally, information about collections, including their status, object ...descriptions, and other data need up-to-date information presented to users. We propose a novel blockchain tool called Salsal that enables the vetting of objects, individually or as part of more extensive collections, to meet required ethical and legal guidelines while informing users about relevant information regarding collections. Blockchain provides a better and more rapid way for users to know about collections using a decentralized and immutable ledger technology. Blockchain can be used to incentivize or even pressure collections to vet their objects for ethical and legal guidelines that can benefit the public who use object collections. The prototype software we have made is presented and compared to other blockchains, with code and demonstration provided. We present how our blockchain can enable benefit, providing a useful vetting process for cultural objects, and allowing a user community to contribute to collections in a transparent and secure manner.
Introduction: Scapular orientation and movements can affect the function of the shoulder. Changes in scapular alignment or movement in shoulder regions have the potential to alter the kinetic chain ...of the body. Therefore, this study aimed at comparing scapular stabilization and conscious control training on postural variables, pain, and selected muscle strength in patients with scapular dyskinesia. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 44 female subjects who suffered from scapula dyskinesia (inferior angle and medial border prominent pattern). The mean age, height, and weight of the subjects were 26±1.94, 165.7±4.12 cm, and 55.1±3.31 kg, respectively. The participants were selected purposefully and randomly assigned into stabilization (n=15), conscious control training (n=15) and control groups (n=14). A handheld dynamometer, visual analogue scale, a goniometer, and a ruler were utilized in order to determine the isometric strength of selected scapular muscles, the amount of pain, the amount of forward head angle, and the length of pectoralis minor index, respectively. The experimental groups were subjected to scapular stabilization and conscious control training three days weekly for six weeks. Findings: The results showed that the amount of forward head inclination (P1=0.02, P2=0.03) and pain (P1=0.03, P2=0.04) decreased significantly in experimental groups. In addition, the strength of serratus anterior muscles (P1=0.05) and supraspinatus (P1=0.04) increased significantly in conscious control training group. There was also an increase in the strength of lower trapezius (P1=0.00, P2=0.01) and flexibility of pectoralis minor muscle in both groups (P1=0.00, P2=0.00) as well as middle trapezius in stabilization group (P2=0.05). However, there was no increase in the strength of serratus anterior muscles (P2=0.08), and supraspinatus (P2=0.07) in stabilization group, middle trapezius in conscious control group (P1=0.12), and infraspinatus in both groups (P1=0.14, P2=0.93). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the two experimental groups regarding the variables under study. The results of the study showed that six weeks of interventions may result in the reduction of pain, improvement of selected scapular muscle strength and postural variables. It can be said that the stabilization and conscious control trainings improve the direction and movement of the scapula in people with scapular dyskinesia. Discussion & Conclusions: According to the results, the effect of exercise therapy is confirmed as a safe technique for the improvement of postural disabilities. Therefore, it is suggested that stabilization and conscious control trainings be used with other general shoulder exercise protocols.
Introduction: Scapular orientation and movements can affect the function of the shoulder. Changes in scapular alignment or movement in shoulder regions have the potential to alter the kinetic chain ...of the body. Therefore, this study aimed at comparing scapular stabilization and conscious control training on postural variables, pain, and selected muscle strength in patients with scapular dyskinesia. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 44 female subjects who suffered from scapula dyskinesia (inferior angle and medial border prominent pattern). The mean age, height, and weight of the subjects were 26±1.94, 165.7±4.12 cm, and 55.1±3.31 kg, respectively. The participants were selected purposefully and randomly assigned into stabilization (n=15), conscious control training (n=15) and control groups (n=14). A handheld dynamometer, visual analogue scale, a goniometer, and a ruler were utilized in order to determine the isometric strength of selected scapular muscles, the amount of pain, the amount of forward head angle, and the length of pectoralis minor index, respectively. The experimental groups were subjected to scapular stabilization and conscious control training three days weekly for six weeks. Findings: The results showed that the amount of forward head inclination (P1=0.02, P2=0.03) and pain (P1=0.03, P2=0.04) decreased significantly in experimental groups. In addition, the strength of serratus anterior muscles (P1=0.05) and supraspinatus (P1=0.04) increased significantly in conscious control training group. There was also an increase in the strength of lower trapezius (P1=0.00, P2=0.01) and flexibility of pectoralis minor muscle in both groups (P1=0.00, P2=0.00) as well as middle trapezius in stabilization group (P2=0.05). However, there was no increase in the strength of serratus anterior muscles (P2=0.08), and supraspinatus (P2=0.07) in stabilization group, middle trapezius in conscious control group (P1=0.12), and infraspinatus in both groups (P1=0.14, P2=0.93). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the two experimental groups regarding the variables under study. The results of the study showed that six weeks of interventions may result in the reduction of pain, improvement of selected scapular muscle strength and postural variables. It can be said that the stabilization and conscious control trainings improve the direction and movement of the scapula in people with scapular dyskinesia. Discussion & Conclusions: According to the results, the effect of exercise therapy is confirmed as a safe technique for the improvement of postural disabilities. Therefore, it is suggested that stabilization and conscious control trainings be used with other general shoulder exercise protocols.
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