Productivity, part 1: getting things done, using e-mail, scanners, reference managers, note-taking applications, and text expanders.

In an era of declining reimbursements and tightening of the job market, today's radiologists are forced to "make do with less." With the rollout of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly called "Obamacare," radiologists will be expected not only to interpret studies but to also take on many additional roles, adding a new layer of complexity to already demanding daily duties. These changes make it more important than ever to develop a personal workflow management system incorporating some of the most potent productivity tools. In this article, the authors discuss current productivity techniques and related software with the most potential to help radiologists keep up with the ever increasing demands on their time at the work place and help us lead more balanced lives.

Productivity, part 2: cloud storage, remote meeting tools, screencasting, speech recognition software, password managers, and online data backup.

It is an opportune time for radiologists to focus on personal productivity. The ever increasing reliance on computers and the Internet has significantly changed the way we work. Myriad software applications are available to help us improve our personal efficiency. In this article, the authors discuss some tools that help improve collaboration and personal productivity, maximize e-learning, and protect valuable digital data.

Radiology education 2.0--on the cusp of change: part 1. Tablet computers, online curriculums, remote meeting tools and audience response systems.

We are in the midst of an evolving educational revolution. Use of digital devices such as smart phones and tablet computers is rapidly increasing among radiologists who now regularly use them for medical, technical, and administrative tasks. These electronic tools provide a wide array of new tools to the radiologists allowing for faster, more simplified, and widespread distribution of educational material. The utility, future potential, and limitations of some these powerful tools are discussed in this article.

Radiology education 2.0--on the cusp of change: part 2. eBooks; file sharing and synchronization tools; websites/teaching files; reference management tools and note taking applications.

Increasing use of smartphones and handheld computers is accompanied by a rapid growth in the other related industries. Electronic books have revolutionized the centuries-old conventional books and magazines markets and have simplified publishing by reducing the cost and processing time required to create and distribute any given book. We are now able to read, review, store, and share various types of documents via several electronic tools, many of which are available free of charge. Additionally, this electronic revolution has resulted in an explosion of readily available Internet-based educational resources for the residents and has paved the path for educators to reach out to a larger and more diverse student population.

The utility of the "bull's-eye" artifact on breast elasticity imaging in reducing breast lesion biopsy rate.

PURPOSE: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the accuracy of the "bull's-eye" artifact of elasticity imaging (EI) in determining the benignity of cystic breast lesions and to determine the utility of such artifact in reducing the biopsy rate of the benign lesions. METHODS: This study was performed under local institutional review board supervision and was in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. A retrospective review of 383 breast lesions from 309 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic breast ultrasonography with EI (Siemens Antares or Siemens S2000; Siemens Healthcare, Mountain View, Calif) was conducted. The B-mode characteristics of those lesions determined whether biopsy was conducted. Pathological reports of the biopsied lesions were reviewed. Lesions demonstrating the bull's-eye artifact on EI were determined. The accuracy of the artifact in determining the benignity of cystic breast lesions was determined. RESULTS: Of the 383 lesions, 243 lesions were recommended for biopsy based on the B-mode characteristics (biopsy rate, 63.4%). Of those 243 lesions, 62 lesions demonstrated the bull's-eye artifact on EI, and all were confirmed benign cysts on pathological reports. Of the 181 lesions without the artifact, 116 were benign noncystic lesions, and 65 were malignant noncystic lesions. Hence, within the biopsied lesions, the bull's-eye artifact had perfect sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value in determining pathologically proven benign cysts. If the artifact can be used as a criterion to exclude lesions from biopsy, then the biopsy rate will be 181 (47.3%) of 383, significantly lower than the 63.4% biopsy rate without using this criteria (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The bull's-eye artifact seen on EI on Siemens ultrasonography equipment is a promising tool in the evaluation and characterization of benign breast cysts and has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of unnecessary breast biopsy.

Transformation frequency of a mariner-based transposon in Rickettsia rickettsii.

Transformation frequencies of a mariner-based transposon system in Rickettsia rickettsii were determined using a plaque assay system for enumeration and isolation of mutants. Sequence analysis of insertion sites in both R. rickettsii and R. prowazekii indicated that insertions were random. Transposon mutagenesis provides a useful tool for rickettsial research.

Effects of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol on immune parameters in the lizard Sceloporus occidentalis.

We examined the effect of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol on immunity of the Western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis. Injection of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol resulted in dose-dependent suppression of peripheral blood leukocyte levels as determined by cell counts, whereas total spleen cell levels were decreased only at higher doses of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol. In contrast, spleen cell proliferation was enhanced by 17alpha-ethinylestradiol as measured by reduction of MTT to formazan following a two-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. Antibody responses were unaffected. Effects on peripheral blood leukocyte levels and spleen cell proliferation similar to those observed in response to injection of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol were observed following injection of a single dose of hydrocortisone. However, injection of lizards with 17alpha-ethinylestradiol did not result in a significant increase in serum cortisol. Results of this study suggest that exposure of Western fence lizards to 17alpha-ethinylestradiol leads to decreased numbers of circulating leukocytes and total spleen cell numbers and the enhancement of spleen cell proliferation in a two-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. These effects probably involve mechanisms other than or in addition to the induction of cortisol release.