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This study was to evaluate dose reduction and resulting image quality of a new synthetic thyroid shield based on silicon rubber (SR)-lead (Pb) composites and compare to tungsten paper (WP) and a Radibabarrier thyroid shields in CT examination of the neck. The synthetic SR-Pb thyroid shield had a Pb percentage from 0 to 5 wt% and a thickness of 0.6 cm. Scanning on the neck of an anthropomorphic phantom was performed with and without the SR-Pb, WP, and Radibarrier thyroid shields. The thyroid shields were placed directly on the neck surface. The thyroid dose was measured using radiophoto-luminescence (RPL) detectors. Image quality was characterized by consistency of the Hounsfield unit (HU) on the areas of anterior, posterior and lateral of the neck phantom. Detailed evaluation of the image quality was employed by image subtraction. It was found that the thyroid dose at the surface decreased with an increase of Pb percentage in the SR-Pb shield. The thyroid dose reduction was 34% for a Pb percentage of 5 wt%. The reduction of the dose using WP and Radibarrier were 36% and 67%, respectively. The dose reduction when using the WP and Radibarrier was higher than when using the SR-Pb 5 wt% thyroid shield. However the existence of artifact in the WP and the Radibarrier reduced the image quality, indicated by a significant change of HU, i.e. the increases of HU in the posterior area were 77% for the WP and 553% for the Radibarrier. The SR-Pb shield produced only a very small artifact, resulting in an increase of HU in the posterior area of only 9%. The SR-Pb shield is suitable in the daily clinical setting for thyroid dose reduction in CT examinations while maintaining image quality.

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Abstract:A computer assisted learning approach was developed to enhance course material for students to learn about computer components, through the use of multimedia courseware. Recent advances in software authoring packages have made the production of CD-ROMs an efficient and effective educational strategy. Problem statement: This study reports on the development an evaluation of this courseware related to the learning basic computer system components through the use of courseware (iC-COM). The purpose of the study was to evaluate a courseware for learning basic computer system components. The basic components of iC-COM included an interface, graphics, sound effects, narration and video. Approach: The iC-COM was developed based on the ADDIE instructional system design model. The research instrument was the courseware evaluation in the form of questionnaire that consisted of various attributes included content, interactivity, navigation and screen design which distributed to 50 computer system and support programme students of Kolej Komuniti Jasin. Results: Based on the results, it was shown that the analysis results of each questionnaire item mean ranged from 3.5 to 3.8. Conclusion/Recommendations: For future enhancement, it is recommended that iC-COM will be integrated into web-based platform so it can be accessed easily anywhere.

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