Data in Medicine: Collection, Processing and Presentation

1 Observation: how, what and why.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Problems in the observer.- 1.2.1 Linear thinking.- 1.2.2 Homogenization.- 1.2.3 Perspective.- 1.2.4 Circularity.- 1.3 Problems in the observed.- 1.3.1 Interfaces.- 1.3.2 Image intensification.- 1.4 Significance.- 2 Physical concepts.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.1.1 General.- 2.1.2 Circulatory aspects.- 2.1.3 Acoustical aspects.- 2.2 Mechanical-electrical analogues.- 2.3 Hemodynamics.- 2.3.1 A simplified model of blood pressure ("Windkessel" model).- 2.3.2 The pulse wave.- 2.4 Pressure recording with catheters.- 2.5 Cardio-acoustics.- 2.5.1 General.- 2.5.2 Transducers on the chest wall.- 2.5.3 The mechanical impedance of the chest wall.- 2.5.4 Mechanical impedances of phonocardiographic microphones.- 3 The electronic approach to measurements.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Digital circuits.- 3.3 Analogue circuits.- 4 Radioactivity.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 An overview of the physics of radioactive emissions.- 4.2.1 Atomic structure.- 4.2.2 Modes of decay.- 4.2.3 Stabilization after radioactive decay.- 4.2.4 Activity and half-life.- 4.3 Radiation detection system.- 4.3.1 Gamma detectors.- 4.3.2 Beta detectors.- 4.3.3 Signal processing.- 4.3.4 Processed gamma spectra.- 4.3.5 Processed beta spectra.- 4.4 Tracer sample counting.- 4.4.1 Gamma counting with a single tracer.- 4.4.2 Gamma counting with multiple tracers.- 4.4.3 Beta counting with a single tracer.- 4.4.4 Beta counting with multiple tracers.- 4.4.5 Decay corrections.- 4.4.6 Relative doses with reference to the experiment design.- 4.5 Applications.- 4.5.1 Applications of tracer dilution techniques to the measurement of volume and flows.- 4.5.2 Applications of tracer exchange techniques to the estimation of transmembrane fluxes.- 4.5.3 Neutron activation analysis.- 5 Image formation.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Image formation on the ray theory.- 5.2.1 Light gathering power of a lens.- 5.2.2 Depth of focus and depth of field.- 5.3 Optical resolution.- 5.4 Aberrations of spherical lenses and mirrors.- 5.4.1 Spherical aberration.- 5.4.2 Astigmatism.- 5.4.3 Coma.- 5.4.4 Curvature of field.- 5.4.5 Distortion.- 5.4.6 Chromatic aberration.- 5.4.7 Correction of aberrations.- 5.5 Resolution of lenses: the modulation transfer function.- 5.6 Choosing lenses.- 6 Photographic and television recording of images.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Detectability of an optical signal.- 6.3 The photographic process.- 6.3.1 Some fundamental concepts.- 6.3.2 Structure of photographic films.- 6.3.3 Properties of photographic emulsions.- 6.3.4 Resolution.- 6.3.5 Some comments on the use of photographic systems.- 6.4 Electronic aids to image sensing and recording.- 6.4.1 Some fundamental concepts.- 6.4.2 Image intensifiers.- 6.4.3 Television.- 6.5 Color recording.- 7 Storage systems.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Graphic recorders.- 7.2.1 Recorder mechanism.- 7.2.2 Recording format.- 7.2.3 Writing principles.- 7.2.4 General properties.- 7.3 Storage from the oscilloscope screen.- 7.4 The magnetic tape recorder.- 7.4.1 Introduction.- 7.4.2 Head properties.- 7.4.3 Tape characteristics.- 7.4.4 Direct recording.- 7.4.5 Frequency modulation.- 7.4.6 Pulse-code modulation.- 7.4.7 Recording codes.- 7.4.8 Tape transport mechanism.- 7.4.9 Time base error, flutter, and noise.- 7.4.10 Cassette recorders.- 7.4.11 Digital recorders.- 7.5 Transient recorders.- 7.6 Card and tape punchers.- 7.7 Digital memories.- 7.8 Videotape recording.- 8 Automation.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Analysis of automation of measurements in clinical medicine.- 8.2.1 Introduction.- 8.2.2 The data acquisition phase.- 8.2.3 The data processing phase.- 8.2.4 The interpretive phase.- 8.2.5 The decision phase.- 8.2.6 The action phase.- 8.3 Application of automation to measurements in clinical medicine.- 8.3.1 Introduction.- 8.3.2 Reasons for automating a particular task.- 8.3.3 Automating the acquisition/processing phase.- 8.3.4 Detection strategies.- 8.4 Automation and the computer.- 8.4.1 Introduction.- 8.4.2 If it's so complicated let's put it all in a computer and let it sort it out.- 8.4.3 How do we "put it in the computer"?.- 8.4.4 Programming.- 8.5 Automation and the microprocessor.- 8.5.1 Introduction.- 8.5.2 Tentative conclusions.- 8.6 Pocket calculators and computers as tools in the diagnosis.- 8.6.1 Introduction.- 8.6.2 Off-line processing and interpretation.- 8.7 Automating the decision/action phase.- 8.8 A last remark.- 9 Signal processing.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.1.1 Definition of a signal.- 9.1.2 Purpose of analysis.- 9.2 Special techniques.- 9.2.1 Sampling.- 9.2.2 Digitizing.- 9.2.3 Discrete Fourier transform.- 9.2.4 Least-squares approach.- 9.3 Stochastic signals.- 9.3.1 Description in terms of statistical parameters.- 9.3.2 Autocorrelation function.- 9.3.3 Spectral density.- 9.3.4 Description in terms of an ARMA process.- 9.4 Deterministic signals.- 9.4.1 Model known (as function, as differential equation).- 9.4.2 Parameter estimation.- 9.4.3 Model unknown.- 9.5 Manipulation.- 9.5.1 Data reduction.- 9.5.2 Filtering.- 9.5.3 Differentiation.- 9.5.4 Integration.- 9.5.5 Interpolation.- 10 Statistical aspects.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 The scope of applied statistics.- 10.2.1 Introduction.- 10.2.2 Description of results.- 10.2.3 Tests of significance.- 10.2.4 Populations and samples.- 10.2.5 Measurements and attributes.- 10.2.6 Non-parametric methods.- 10.3 Some experimental designs and statistical applications.- 10.3.1 Paired data.- 10.3.2 Non-paired data.- 10.3.3 Analysis of variance, single classification.- 10.3.4 Multiple classification.- 10.3.5 Multivariate samples.- 10.3.6 Correlation.- 10.3.7 Regression.- 10.3.8 Covariance.- 10.3.9 Multiple linear regression.- 11 Presentation of information for printed publications, slides and posters.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Investigating legibility.- 11.2.1 The reading process.- 11.2.2 Methods of research.- 11.3 Books, journals and reports.- 11.3.1 Introduction.- 11.3.2 Type forms.- 11.3.3 Typography and layout for text.- 11.3.4 Tables.- 11.3.5 Graphs, charts and diagrams.- 11.3.6 Indexes.- 11.3.7 Bibliographies.- 11.3.8 Page layout.- 11.3.9 Paper and ink.- 11.4 Slides.- 11.4.1 Introduction.- 11.4.2 Information content.- 11.4.3 Sources of material.- 11.4.4 Size of originals.- 11.4.5 Character size.- 11.4.6 Lettering.- 11.4.7 Layout of text.- 11.4.8 Tables, graphs and diagrams.- 11.4.9 Contrast.- 11.4.10 The use of color.- 11.4.11 Projection of slides.- 11.4.12 Overhead projection.- 11.5 Posters.- 11.5.1 Introduction.- 11.5.2 Content.- 11.5.3 Size.- 11.5.4 Character size.- 11.5.5 Character style.- 11.5.6 Layout for text.- 11.5.7 Tables, graphs and diagrams.- 11.5.8 Poster layout.- 11.5.9 Artwork for posters.- Index of subjects.