bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case study of reinforced pavement above trench under urban traffic load
Authors: Kazemian Sina  , Maassoumeh Barghchi  , Prasad Arun  , Huat Bujang Kim  , Ghiasi Vahed
Published: February 2025

Every year, trenches are being excavated through an existing pavement in Iran for installing urban waste water pipelines. The pavements constructed over these trenches undergo large permanent settlement as many times these trenches are not filled back properly. To reduce the settlements, geogrids have been used at the top of the base course. This case study presents the observed settlements of unreinforced and geogrid reinforced pavement, under urban traffic load, monitored over a period of twelve months. It was observed that the geogrids were highly effective in reducing the settlements in the pavement. The results obtained also show that the geogrids improve the stiffness and strength of the pavement and control the rut formation.
Evaluation of soil compaction using small strain shear wave velocity
Authors: Narsilio G.A.  , Cho G.C.
Published: February 2025

Soil compaction is one of the most frequent and important activities in infrastructure construction, a multi-billion dollars industry. Huge amounts of testing and time are devoted to soil compaction quality control in any engineering project of significant size. In this article, we aim to show the potential of using small-strain shear wave velocity, Vs, as an indicator of soil compaction. A compilation of experimental data found in the literature suggests such correlation. Direct knowledge of the shear wave velocity allows a more fundamental interpretation of the deformation characteristics of geomaterials through soil shear modulus. This may set the bases for the development of new in-situ compaction estimation technologies that could have a very significant impact on industry and the practice of civil engineering today.
Effect of void formation on strength of cemented sand
Authors: Park Sung-Sik  , Kim Young-Su
Published: February 2025

Gas hydrate dissociation can generate large amounts of gas and water in gas hydrate bearing sediments, which may eventually escape from a soil skeleton and form local voids within the sediments. Such void formation may impact the strength of gas-hydrate-bearing submarine slope. In this study, the effect of local void formation arising from gas hydrate dissociation, loss of fine particles or dissolution of vanishing materials is examined in terms of unconfined compressive strength. Glass bead, cement and water are mixed and compacted into a cylindrical specimen with five equal layers to simulate base soil structure. Empty capsules for medicine are used and embedded into the middle of five equal layers to mimic relatively large voids which are disconnected and permanent. The number and direction of capsules in each layer varies. A series of unconfined compression tests was performed on capsule-embedded cemented glass beads. Unconfined compressive strength of cemented glass beads with capsules decreased up to 35% of one without capsule due to increasing void formation, which depends on the amount and direction of embedded capsules. The results of this study can be used to predict the strength reduction of soils due to locally disconnected large voids.
Yielding and critical state behaviour of a lime stabilized compacted alluvial soil
Authors: Capotosto A.  , Russo G.
Published: February 2025

Lime stabilization is a widely adopted technique to improve the mechanical properties of unsuitable materials for their structural use in earthworks. The effects induced by lime addition on the physical and mechanical properties of soils have been deeply investigated, and at present the technical knowledge on the engineering properties of lime stabilized soils is comprehensively reported by several technical guidelines (e.g. SETRA, 2000). Nevertheless, the effects of lime addition on mechanical behaviour are generally investigated by means of conventional tests (e.g. unconfined compression tests, CBR), with slight relation to the real work conditions (e.g. stress paths, unsaturated state) of the stabilized soils. In the paper some results of triaxial tests performed on unsaturated samples of a lime stabilized compacted alluvial silt are reported. By comparison with results on not treated samples, an evaluation on yielding and critical state behaviour of the stabilized soil as a function of the treatment parameters (initial water content, curing time) has been developed.
Thermal Conductivity in Granular Mixtures: Experimental and Numerical Studies
Authors: Evans T. Matthew  , Lee JungHwoon  , Yun Tae Sup  , Valdes Julio R.
Published: February 2025

The current work documents the use of physical experiments and the discrete element method (DEM) in conjunction with a thermal conductance network model to assess the role of mixture fraction and imposed K0stress on the thermal response of synthetic granular mixtures made of particles with contrasting thermal conduction and stiffness. The particles are numerically assembled within a 3D model space, mechanically equilibrated, and subjected to boundary stresses. Spatial evolution of temperature gradients within the numerical specimens and gross thermal conductivity of the assembly are studied as a function of boundary stress, mixing ratio, and particle properties. Results confirm heat transfer via contacts shared by high-conductivity grains. Thus, an effective thermal conductivity percolation threshold can be identified based on the content of high-conductivity grains.
Performance of two constitutive models for fissures in clay
Authors: Laver R.G.  , Soga K.
Published: February 2025

Laboratory tests on London Clay (Hight et al., 2007) have highlighted two key observations: softening on fissures in triaxial extension tests, and softer torsional shear behaviour in the hollow cylinder apparatus (HCA). Existing constitutive models have been unable to replicate these observations in a way which reflects fissure softening in London Clay. This paper presents two constitutive models which incorporate fissure softening. Softening occurred only on sub-horizontal and sub-vertical fissure planes, and initiated if the friction angle on one of these planes exceeded a critical value. One model reduced stiffness components isotropically, whilst the other softened only shear stiffness along the fissure plane. Both models were evaluated by simulating laboratory tests. The model softening on the fissure plane failed to simulate softening in extension, and generated unrealistic stress paths in the HCA. This suggested that the mechanism of fissure softening is more complex than a simple slip plane. However, the model which softened isotropically replicated both observations successfully, demonstrating its potential to improve the simulation of London Clay behaviour in large-scale numerical analyses.
Programming in pictures: a way toward reliable software
Authors: Watanobe Yutaka  , Yoshioka Rentaro  , Mirenkov Nikolay
Published: February 2025

Programming in pictures is an approach where pictures and moving pictures are used as an algorithmic alphabet to represent algorithms. Super-characters of this alphabet are used to represent algorithmic steps (called Algorithmic CyberFrames) which are assembled into special series to represent algorithmic features. A number of the series is assembled into an Algorithmic CyberFilm. The filmification of methods has been applied to a large variety of algorithms to test expressive features of the pictures for representing computation. In addition, cognitive aspects of programming in pictures and embedded clarity annotations supporting the approach and visual inspections by other people have also been analyzed. In this paper we focus on features of the algorithmic picture language and the filmification modeling environment which can be used for automatic and/or interactive checking of application model correctness. An overview of different sources of information about the same features of the application model is considered and concrete examples of automatic checking are provided.
Conversational Virtual Agent Application for Private Communication
Authors: Minamikawa Atsunori  , Yokoyama Hiroyuki  , Fujita Hamido  , Kurematsu Masaki  , Hakura Jun
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we propose a conversational virtual agent application in mobile phone which covers the lack of interactivity of unidirectional private communication. In this application the agent automatically recognize user situation, such as location, locomotion and interruptability using sensors installed in mobile phone. The agent also behaves as if the target person which user wants to contact with behaves based on the Egogram estimation from weblog of this target user. In preliminary experiments, the estimation methods using in this application achieve sufficient accuracy for our purpose at this stage.
MURIM: Multi-Dimensional Reconstruction and Imaging in Medicine
Authors: Smith J.  , Ayache N.  , Beltrame F.  , Berrut C.  , Chiaramella Y.  , Cinquin P.  , Dario P.  , Finlay P.  , Giorgi C.  , Kriete A.  , Monga O.  , Mortola G.P.  , Reinecke E.  , Rienhoff O.  , Sassoli M.  , Schwarzmann P.
Published: February 2025

This project was a preliminary step in the creation of a general framework for Computer-Assisted Medical Intervention in health care. As actors to predefined tasks intelligent medical robots are used for intervention performing. First the attention is focused to the application of intervention planning and performing in neurosurgery as a testbed. To accomplish these tasks a fully integrated Medical Intervention Planning and Performing (MIPP) environment, consisting of a workstation-based decision support system linked to an intelligent robot control unit and the medical robot, is considered. As such, health care surgery could be provided with a workstation based platform for: 1. knowledge-based multi-media database management, 2. multi-dimensional image data processing, modelling, visualisation, analysis and interpretation for decision strategies, and 3. computer assisted medical simulation for intervention planning and performing. Special attention will be paid to standardization and safety aspects of hardware and software components of the MIPP environment as well as to the accuracy and quality of the complex, 3D-reconstructed, geometric models of the biomedical object.
QAMS: Quality Assurance of Medical Software
Authors: Cosgriff P.S.  , Vauramo E.  , Pretschner P.  , Britton K.E.
Published: February 2025

The main reasons for the general poor quality of medical software are lack of detailed specification by the user and inadequate software quality assurance (SQA) procedures employed by most developers. We have addressed these issues by (a) developing a set of basic user requirements for computer systems used in various branches of clinical physiology, aimed at improving the design aspects of medical software; (b) developing a general methodology for good manufacturing practice (GMP) in medical informatics, aimed at improving the production aspects; and (c) compiling a library of clinically validated reference data files, aimed at improving the field testing/validation aspect of nuclear medicine SQA specifically. Project deliverables deemed suitable for consideration as European standards were processed through CEN and EWOS.
SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF SPONTANEOUS BLOOD PRESSURE VARIATIONS IN SYMPATHECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: Daffonchio Anna  , Franzelli Cristina  , Parati Gianfranco  , Ferrari Alberto U.  , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

Sympathetic activation is known to promote wide blood pressure variations but the relationship between sympathetic influences and blood pressure variability under spontaneous behavioral conditions is less clear. To address this point we studied in conscious unrestrained rats the effects of chemical sympathectomy on the spontaneous variability of systolic blood pressure. Both overall blood pressure variability and its spectral components were examined in sympathectomized as well as in intact control rats. The spectral profiles were extracted by the FFT tecnique and the powers were computed in the high (HF, 3.0-0.8 Hz), mid (MF, 0.6-0.1 Hz) and low (LF, 0.1-0.025 Hz) frequency band.
CONTROLLING THE MAGNITUDE OF HIP FLEXION USING THE FLEXION WITHDRAWAL RESPONSE
Authors: Granat MH  , Heller BW  , Rudel D  , Andrews BJ
Published: February 2025

Background
Multi Media and Broadband Communication Services: A new paradigm for Medical Imaging
Authors: Mattheus Rudy
Published: February 2025

This paper is attempting given a summery of the major building blocks and driving forces in the developments of medical informatics and medical imaging in special. The role of multi-media and broadband communication will be described. The paper should give an indication where the author sees medical imaging in the world of informatics, focusing from R&D to product developments, with emphases on standards and prototyping. The author will also define the molecule and atoms of medical informatics and medical imaging. The architecture of the CEN TC 251/4 draft standard will be described in relation to the general objectives of CEN TC 251.
QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS
Authors: Dequeker Jan
Published: February 2025

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in the Western world. It is defined as an age-related bone loss resulting in increased susceptibility to bone fracture. Because prevention and therapy are now possible, detection of patients at risk is essential.
PET INVESTIGATION OF CELLULAR REGENERATION AND DEGENERATION
Authors: Comar Dominique
Published: February 2025

During the three and a half year covering the period 1989-1992, thanks to the support given by COMAC/BME/EEC for a Concerted Action on Positron Emission Tomography new developments in this field and in interlaboratory collaboration were made possible. Up to nearly 30 PET Centres participated in the programme which was both methodological and clinical. The main results were the following : In Instrumentation and radiochemistry intercomparison of technics, standardizations and protocols led to general agreements allowing comparable results to be obtained. This is particularly important since in the future various centres will work with common clinical protocols. The modelling approach has led also to interesting results in comparing the various methods of measuring cerebral and myocardial blood flow and in studying the effect of tissue heterogeneity on the accuracy of biological parameters estimation.
REPLACEMENT OF BODY PARTS AND FUNCTIONS BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH —HAEMOCOMPATIBILITY—
Authors: Lemm W.
Published: February 2025

The Concerted Action EUROBIOMAT -Haemocompatibility- provided research laboratories either from industry or university, authorities for certification and control, and organisations for standardisation with a large collection of detailed descriptions of test methods covering all aspects of haemocompatibility of biomaterials (Book of Standards). A Network of European Test Centres has been established in order to evaluate the limitations of individual test procedures and to qualify and certify biocompatible materials and surfaces. Six different Reference Materials (tubes and sheets), all of them already in clinical use, were purchased and distributed to the collaborating centres in order to achieve a large series of material data obtained from identical surfaces. New and better haemocompatible biomaterial surfaces have been developed as well as disposable PVC-tubes with alternative plasticisers with an essentially decreased migration rate and lower toxicity.
Fast Icon and Character Recognition for Universal Access to WIMP Interfaces for the Blind and Partially Sighted
Authors: Harness S  , Pugh K  , Sherkat N  , Whitrow R
Published: February 2025

As the usage of WIMP interfaces increases, the accessibility of software to the blind and partially sighted diminishes. Research and development is underway (TIDE project VISA*) to provide universal access to these interfaces. Systems are monitored in real-time and icon and character recognition interpret the output into suitable audio or braille form. This paper describes Fast Optical Icon and Character Recognition. The fundamental requirements are analyzed. The way in which environmental and contextual information such as layout and “surrounding history” can be used to achieve the required accuracy and speed of recognition is reported.
In What Ways Can the Psychology of Perception Contribute to the Development of Rehabilitation Technology?
Authors: Jansson Gunnar
Published: February 2025

Even if rehabilitation technology is mainly a technical enterprise, the usefulness of an aid is highly depending on its adaptation to the characteristics of the human users, not the least their sensory equipment. The psychology of perception may contribute to increasing this adaptation in three ways: by providing stored knowledge, by producing new knowledge, and by suggesting methods for evaluation. It is argued that stored and new knowledge may be especially useful early in a project by saving time and effort in finding the most promising options, while the evaluation methodology can contribute at a later stage. At short sight, economic constraints and time limits are the most severe obstacles for a full utilisation of the knowledge of perception; at long sight, it may be wise to invest in acquiring this knowledge.
Restoration of Gait in Paraplegics by Functional Electrical Stimulation and Orthoses (Hybrid Systems)
Authors: Veltink Peter H.  , Koopman Bart F.J.M.  , Hermens Hermie J.  , Franken Henry M.  , Baardman Gert  , Cloostermans Jacques Th.M.M.  , van Alsté Jan A.  , Zilvold Gerrit  , Grootenboer Henk J.  , Boom Herman B.K.
Published: February 2025

Gait restoration in paraplegics by means of electrical stimulation of paralysed muscles (FES) in combination with orthoses (hybrid systems) is being investigated at the Centre for Rehabilitation Technology (University of Twente and the Roessingh Rehabilitation Centre). The research is well embedded in concerted European efforts in this field. Research activities include electrical stimulation of paralysed muscles, orthosis design, automatic control systems, gait analysis, biomechanical modelling, and clinical application.
Mobile Communications and Environment Control for Wheelchair Users
Authors: Redmond Barry  , Allen Robert  , Bullock Richard
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the results of the MECCS project run under the pilot phase of the TIDE programme. The objective of the project was to produce a prototype of a home control and communications system for wheelchair users. The paper gives brief descriptions of the system designed by the project, the problems encountered, and the conclusions reached.
A framework for computer assisted medical decision making
Authors: Petkoff B.
Published: February 2025

The promise of computers in medicine, including their role in decision support, can only be fulfilled if the overall effectiveness of the system is not constrained by a lack of coordination between the members of a group all sharing the same goal, namely patient care. Cooperative medical decision making involves a continuous process, assessing the validity of data, information and knowledge acquired and inferred by the colleagues, that is, a shared knowledge space must be transparent. The ACCORD methodology provides an interpretation framework for the mapping of domain facts - constituting the world model of the expert - onto conceptual models, which can be expressed in formal representations. The Maccord framework allows a stepwise and inarbitrary reconstruction of the problem solving competence of medical experts as a prerequisite for an appropriate architecture of both medical knowledge bases and the “reasoning device”.
C A R E: A Knowledge-Based System for Assisting the Physician in Patient Management
Authors: Molino G.  , Nicolosi E.  , Molino F.
Published: February 2025

This paper describes CARE, a knowledge-based system prototype for assisting in real-time the medical doctor in the patient management process. CARE (Clinical Advice and Record Entry) is a computer program aimed at providing methodological feed-back and advice at each step of patient management, and making available a recording approach focussed not only on data but also on clinical problems and medical decisions. The actual utility of CARE is threefold: first, used on-line as a decision aid it may improve physician performance in the real clinical context; second, it can be used as an educational tool to train students in clinical methodology; and third, on the base of its recording facilities it can provide well assessed objective decision-mapping databases which might be very useful in evaluating the performance of individual users and in collecting statistical informations about doctor's behaviour.
Generic GP-guidelines and reasoning
Authors: Beckers W.P.A.  , de Vries Robbé P.F.  , Zanstra P.E.  , Zwaard A.M.
Published: February 2025

In The Netherlands guidelines for General Practitioners (GPs) have been developed to meet the needs of quality assurance and expertise improvement. The development of the decision support program RAP to promote dissemination and implementation of these guidelines in general practice was facilitated by the uniform concept behind these guidelines. Definition of different reasoning methods using that uniform concept was simplified and the reasoning methods became highly transparent for system developers and -users.
Knowledge Representation and Modelling in HYBRIKON
Authors: Brendel Oliver  , Widdig Rolf  , Piron Frank  , von Keyserlingk Diedrich Graf
Published: February 2025

HYBRIKON is projected as a knowledge based system for Neuroscience with clinical relevance. In this paper we describe a three level knowledge acquisition method for heterogeneous neuroanatomical knowledge. The acquisition method integrates logical representation and ER-Models. We apply our techniques to the representation of important parts of the brain topography. As first results we present a logical theory for the brain topography and an ER-Model for neuroanatomical facts. In a parallel task a formal approach to literature knowledge is given. Finally we discuss the problem of different nomenclatures and show how to cope with it.
Case Based Reasoning in Clinical Evaluation
Authors: Goos Klaus  , Schewe Stefan
Published: February 2025

Most case based classification systems take little advantage of expert knowledge. They use as input for problem solving only a very large set of cases. We show a case based approach where expert knowledge can be incorporated into the similarity measure. We describe a successful application of this approach to clinical rheumatology and report on its evaluation.
Demonstrating refraction and low vision optics using the overhead projector
Authors: Johnston MAppSc Alan W
Published: February 2025

The overhead projector can be used as a simple optical system to simulate the optics of the human eye. The illuminated platform can be considered the far point plane of the eye, and the screen (its optical conjugate), the retina. The space between the screen and the optical components represents the vitreous and in this space the focal line images of simple myopic astigmatism can be imaged. The projector enables the procedures of subjective refraction such as fan and block and cross cylinder methods to be demonstrated. Using a stand magnifier, the vergenee properties of low vision aids can be shown together with the effects of changes in eye-to-lens distance on magnification and field of view. The projector is used to demonstrate nystagmus and regional changes in retinal sensitivity. Other functions such as retinoscopy and duochrome techniques can also be demonstrated.
Artificial Corneas for the Third World? The Best Efforts for the Worst Case:
Authors: van ANDEL Pek  , WORST Jan  , SINGH Indu R.
Published: February 2025

There is definitively a scope for keratoprosthetics, also in India, and we are still improving with our champagne cork keratoprostheses. The problem with patients implanted with a keratoprosthesis is that, in Amritsar at least, they do not turn up for follow up if they are feeling comfortable with their vision. Since most of these have not come back, it shows the success of the procedure. We have many dozens of patients with a good vision 2 years after the implantation. One young patient has 6/12 vision 8 years after surgery. In our view, the pessimism in textbooks and articles about the functional results of keratoprostheses until now cannot be extrapolated to sclerally fixated champagne cork keratoprostheses: if there is no chance of keratoplasty being performed in the foreseeable future due to the nonavailability of donor-eyes, it is quite reasonable and humanitarian to implant a keratoprosthesis in bilateral cornea-blind patients in the eye with little or no chance of getting treated by keratoplasty.
Lighting and quality of life
Authors: SORENSEN Stefan  , BRUNNSTROM Gunilla
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the relationship between lighting and quality of life among older people.
LIMITS AND MECHANISMS OF VISION
Authors: van de Grind W.A.
Published: February 2025

A fair number of physical and biological limits of human vision will be reviewed and related to recent insights in the mechanisms of visual behaviour and perception.
Revalidation of Homonymous Hemianopic Patients
Authors: NEETENS Adolphe
Published: February 2025

After an agnostic “grace” period of denial (or hemineglect) the patient with occipital homonymous hemianopia (HH) unassociated with other neuro-signs, will be conscious about the defect. Reading rehabilitation may shift the text in the not hemianopic field and optical devices to this purpose have been developed. The application of prisms (25D, mounted base-out) is usefull for orientation but not for walking. As after six months no afferent improvement may be expected and if cognitive functions are satisfactory, most important is to strengthen patient’s attention for the blind hemifield, improving the ability to guide large even overshoot saccades towards the blind field. Saccadic three-step- training may cause an increase of more than 20° of visual angle. Visual hemineglect and frequent headmovements have a deleterious effect on training progress.
GROWN UP AND VISUALLY HANDICAPPED
Authors: Bergsten Brucefors Agneta
Published: February 2025

Twenty visually handicapped women and men, who were defined as well rehabilitated, were interviewed about their lives. They described their impairment, their work, their families and their social lives. They also talked about their childhood and their time at school. They compared their own lives with other blind people and with people who are not blind. They show many signs of adjustment but in very different ways one not necesserily better than the other. Out of necessity every one choose their certain way of adjusting and coping.
The ICIDH as a basis for a uniform language in rehabilitation
Authors: VAN RAVENSBERG Dorine  , HALBERTSMA Hanneke  , HEERKENS Yvonne  , BRANDSMA Wim
Published: February 2025

The rehabilitation of visually impaired people requires a multidisciplinary approach by, amongst others, physicists, opticians, neuropsychologists, ophthalmologists, (developmental) psychologists, pediatricians and orthoptists. A uniform language that is understood and used by all of the disciplines participating in the rehabilitation process is essential for the quality of care. The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) can serve as a basis for the description of a subject’s health status on three levels: the levels of impairments (e.g. defects in anatomical structures, vision, oculomotor functions, visual perception), disabilities (e.g. disturbances in communicating, moving, personal hygiene, domestic activities, work and recreational activities) and handicaps (social disadvantages). In this presentation, the importance of the use and further development of the ICIDH is emphasized, and some examples of its application are given.
Industrial Perspectives for Research and Development in Knowledge Processing and Decision Support
Authors: Wendler Thomas
Published: February 2025

In this paper perspectives are described for the possible future use of knowledge processing and decision support technologies in the area of image related diagnosis and therapy. Starting from a general perspective of technical developments and changes in this field during the next ten years, options are presented and discussed how diagnostic and therapeutic procedures may be supported using knowledge-based techniques. Some research and development activities are proposed which appear relevant from the industrial point of view. The need for application driven projects under industrial leadership is emphasized.
Using Videotex in Public Health in Belgium
Authors: Capet F.  , Snacken R.  , Stroobant A.
Published: February 2025

In public health, access to information is more and more felt to be an urgent need. In this matter Videotex has shown to be a good working tool, though its utilisation in Belgium is not widespread yet.
Case-Based Telematic Systems towards Equity in Health Care
Authors: Roger France Francis
Published: February 2025

The theme of this International Symposium, co-sponsored by EFMI (the European Federation for Medical Informatics) and WHO-Eur (the European Office of the World Health Organisation) is made of four components: (1) an ethical principle: equity in health care, that aims to social justice; (2) measurements of equity that should be case-based/population related; (3) communication of this information at a wide scale, using telematics, e.g. integrated computer systems at distance; (4) actions to improve health care and equity in its delivery by using resource management tools and developing quality of care.
Correction of the Spinal Kyphotic Deformity Using Cotrel-Dubousset Instrumentation
Authors: PARISINI P.  , CERVELLATI S.  , GREGGI T.  , MARTINI A.  , GASBARRINI A.  , BRIZIO L.  , FABBRI F.
Published: February 2025

Study design:To investigate the efficacy of Cotrel-Dubousset Instrumentation to correct and stabilize the kyphotic deformity of the spine. Summary and Background Data: Disadvantages of Harrington instrumentation on kyphosis treatment include the inability to balance sagital curves, the difficulty in controlling associated scoliosis, frequent implant failures and the need of prolonged postoperative immobilization. Cotrel-Dubousset Instrumentation has been proved to be a powerful implant to correct kyphotic deformity, because it provides a rigid fixation with a minimal neural canal intrusion and the rods are easily contured to the spine. Methods: Thirty-two patients with kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis, who underwent the correction using C.D.I. from 1990 to 1993, were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 21.2 months. The curves averaged 74.56 degrees preoperatively. In 17 cases only a posterior approach was done, 15 cases were treated by two stages. The first stage was an anterior release and graft; two weeks later the second stage was posterior correction and fusion. In 5 cases the posterior and the anterior approaches were done in only one stage. Results:The average correction was 43% with stabilization of the deformity. One patient aged 23 died on the 21st postoperative day due to respiratory complications, one patient complained a paraparesis partially improved. In 3 cases there was the implant failure with a significant loss of correction. All 3 patients underwent reoperation . Conclusion: Cotrel-Dubousset Instrumentation has been proved to be a powerful implant to correct kyphotic deformity. However, the surgery by C.D.I. is exacting as well as time-consuming and the concomitant blood loss and morbidity can be high.
Automated 360° Degree Profilometry of Human Trunk for Spinal Deformity Analysis
Authors: GOMES A.S.  , SERRA L.A.  , LAGE A.S.  , GOMES A.
Published: February 2025

A novel approach to complete 360° measurement and reconstruction of human trunk is presented. The method is fully automated and based on the principle of phase measuring profilometry with a projected grating. The complete 3-D shape of the trunk is built up by obtaining successive sectional profiles of the trunk as it is rotated through 360°. The system consists on a slide projector, a turntable, a CCD camera and a microcomputer with a frame grabber and is presently in use at the Hospital Geral de Santo Antonio, for spinal deformity analysis.
Accurate and Fast Non-Contact 3-D Acquisition of the Whole Trunk
Authors: SCIANDRA J.  , DE MAUROY J. C.  , ROLET G.  , KOHLER R.  , CREACH J. P.
Published: February 2025

A 3-D acquisition device, dedicated to external measurement of a whole human trunk for an application of modelisation before its use in a CAD process, has been specifically developed. This device offers a non-contact, fast and accurate method to give the user reliable data for modelling and reconstruction of anatomical surfaces ; it would represent at the end, after several clinical tests, a fundamental step for the following processings, allowing analysis and evaluation of the scoliotic treatment taking into consideration morphological and clinical internal and external parameters. Several ways of digitisation of human bodies are offered today ; a few of them are accurate enough in one angle of view (for example on the back) but most of these are affected by the difficulty to deal with the time of acquisition for a 360 degrees digitisation. In this last case the relative movement of the patient during the measurement (that could last several seconds) causes errors which spoil the quality and the reliability of further modelling. The paper describes a device able to take the whole trunk of a patient in less than 2 seconds with a standard deviation of 1 mm in safe and comfortable conditions for the patient. Detailed results are displayed.
Computerised Guidelines In Primary Health Care: Reflections And Implications
Authors: Purves Ian
Published: February 2025

This chapter introduces the role of clinical guidelines in improving the quality of care in Primary Health Care. It goes on to describe the literature with respect to the development, dissemination and implementation of clinical guidelines while attempting to highlight factors liable to impede their use. It concludes with a discussion of the role of informatics in ensuring the difficulties described are avoided.
An ATM-Based Local Communication System for Telesurgery
Authors: Holler Elmar  , Neck Torsten
Published: February 2025

The MONSUN (Manipulator Control System Utilizing Network Technology) concept allows to control telemanipulators via Local Area Networks (LAN). This concept has been implemented and successfully tested for industrial and medical applications and is currently used at KfK as a basis for the ARTEMIS project (Advanced Robotics and TElemanipulation System for MIS), a telepresence system for minimal invasive surgery being under development. The shortcomings of the LAN-based version of MONSUN — 10 Mbit/s Ethernet is currently being used — are due to the fact that the LAN can be used to close the control loop, but transmission of video and audio signals has to rely on additional transmission media. ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) based high speed communication systems promise an “all-in-one” solution, at least for in-house applications. The system concept of an ATM-based local communication system for telesurgery is presented and the resulting performance characteristics are discussed.
Immersive Virtual Reality To Assist Retraining of Acquired Cognitive Deficits
Authors: Pugnetti Luigi  , Mendozzi Laura  , Motta Achille  , Cattaneo Annamaria  , Barbieri Elena  , Brancotti Aaron  , Cazzullo Carlo L.
Published: February 2025

It is proposed that affordable immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology has the potential of improving current procedures for the clinical evaluation and retraining of acquired cognitive impairments of the adult through the simulation of quasi-real 3D interactive situations. To pursue this goal, we have promoted the ARCANA project, a nationally-founded collaborative initiative aimed at the development of IVR systems dedicated to research and clinical applications in the field of cognitive science. The hardware, the virtual environment and the cognitive demands of the ARCANA systems have been designed to meet the requirements for utilisation with impaired patients. In addition, the virtual environments are parameterized, and hence easily configured by the therapists. Cognitive performance can be analyzed in terms of both competence and processing aspects. The systems store behavioural data in many formats and enable the monitoring of biomedical data from the behaving subjects.
Rapid Contractile Upregulation Rematches Stroke Work to Increased Afterload Independent of Ventricular Geometry, Afterload-Related Coronary Perfusion Pressure Fluctuations and Baseline Contractile State
Authors: Feneley Michael  , Karunanithi Mohanraj  , Michniewicz Jerzy  , Young Jason  , Kalnins Wally
Published: February 2025

The relationship between stroke work and end-diastolic volume, the preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) relationship, of the normal left ventricle (LV) is insensitive to increased afterload in the intact circulation, while the endsystolic pressure-volume (ESPV) relationship shifts leftward/upward. In three separate experiments in the intact canine circulation after autonomic blockade, it was demonstrated that (i) the responses of the LV PRSW and ESPV relationships to increased afterload noted above are also exhibited by the right ventricle (RV), despite its very different geometry and the fact that coronary perfusion pressure increases with increased LV but not RV afterload: in both ventricles, stroke work fell immediately below the control PRSW relationship with a sudden increment in afterload, but then increased rapidly, so that stroke work was rematched to enddiastolic volume within 10 seconds; (ii) the PRSW and ESPV relationship responses to increased LV afterload were not altered when the normal, concomitant increase in coronary perfusion pressure was prevented; and (iii) no relationship was demonstrated between the responses of the PRSW and ESPV relationships to increased LV afterload and the baseline contractile state when the latter was varied by sequential intravenous administration of incremental doses of propranolol, calcium, dobutamine and verapamil. These findings indicate rapid contractile upregulation with increased afterload to rematch stroke work to end-diastolic volume, independent of specific ventricular geometry, afterload-related coronary perfusion pressure fluctuations and moderate changes in baseline contractile state
Intramyocardial Hydraulic Regulation of Cardiac Mechanics and Energetics
Authors: Kresh J. Yasha  , Izrailtyan Igor  , Brockman Stanley K.
Published: February 2025

The diverse anatomical constituents of the normal working heart cannot be considered as isolated; they are coupled and interact on a hierarchical level to create an effective, integrated and precisely regulated organ system. An expended paradigm is proposed for unifying the intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of cardiac function. The experimental protocol was designed to determine the intramural hydraulic effects of coronary venous system modulation on cardiac mechanics and energetics. Specifically, the role of intramural fluid compartments in regulating left ventricular function was studied by examining the effects of coronary venous pressure modulation on the passive and active muscle properties of the left ventricle in isolated rabbit hearts. Conditions that affect transcapillary dynamics modify, in part, the functional and structural organization of the ventricle. These changes are uncoupled from the “classic” volume preload conditions. If the functional structure is organized such that a dual “loading” environment exists comprising an internal and external pre- and afterload, demonstrating the dependence of left-ventricular performance on coronary venous pressure regulation, will contribute significant new information toward characterization of multi (auto)regulatory cardiac mechanisms.
EUROMEDIES: EUROpean MEdical Device Information Exchange System
Authors: Pallikarakis Nicolas
Published: February 2025

The exchange of regulatory information between parties involved in the implementation and application of Medical Devices (MD) directives will become of prominent importance in the near future. In consequence, various actions have been initiated, by which concerned parties consider the possibilities of setting - up databases and communication networks, as means of support for the application of the directives in this sector. Being on a transitional period for the implementation of the MD directive, the E.C. has a unique opportunity to stimulate coordination of these initiatives and promote standardization in the area through broad consensus. The main objective of the EUROMEDIES Concerted Action is to investigate the requirements for a centralized or distributed database, containing relevant regulatory data and incident reports, pertaining to the medical devices, as well as the telematics means for the exchange of this information between member states and the Commission. This action is expected to facilitate a common European approach by means of converging national activities, thus avoiding duplication of efforts and incompatibility of results.
Recommendations of the German Association for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology for Education and Training in Medical Informatics
Authors: HAUX R.  , DUDECK J.  , GAUS W.  , LEVEN F.J.  , KUNATH H.  , MICHAELIS J.  , PRETSCHNER D.P.  , SONNTAG H.-G.  , THURMAYER R.  , WOLTERS E.
Published: February 2025

In the fields of health care and medicine there is an immense demand for a systematic application of methods of information processing and for the use of computers. Obviously, to that end well-trained scientists and qualified personnel must be available. With the present recommendations on education and training in medical informatics the German Association for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS) proposes structure and contents of medical informatics curricula and courses. The recommendations describe a 2-dimensional educational framework with different edu-cational levels in one dimension and various types of educational needs and orientation in the other one. The recommendations comprise at the university level education as well specialized curricula covering the total spectrum of medical informatics as well as informatics curricula with medical informatics as integrated applied subject or subsidiary subject, respectively. Besides these informatics-oriented approaches medical-oriented programs of education in medical informatics are recommended, e.g. post-graduate education in medical informatics for physicians based on foundations in medical informatics as part of their initial training in medicine. At the level of polytechnical schools curricula of medical documentation and infonnatics and at the level of professional schools training in medical documentation are recommended. The report is a translation of its German original. Although considered by the GMDS as recommendations for the Federal Republic of Germany, the text may also contribute to the development of an international, especially European framework of training in medical informatics.
Use of the Guidelines for European Curricula
Authors: ALBERT A.  , HASMAN A.
Published: February 2025

Guidelines for European Curricula in Health Informatics have been suggested by the EU-EDUCTRA Concerted Action. This chapter briefly outlines the way the guidelines should be used. A distinction is made between education and training purposes. The level of the courses and the healthcare professional target groups involved are also discussed.
A Course in Informatics for Nursing and Healthcare Administration
Authors: TALLBERG M.
Published: February 2025

A course running since 1989 in Finland introduces medical informatics to nurses and healthcare administrators. The objectives and content are briefly outlined.
The Link between Health Care Expenses Containment and Card Systems in France
Authors: Brocas A.-M.
Published: February 2025

France has based its health care expenses containment on the maîtrise médicalisée des dépenses de santé (medical containment of health care expenses). For that purpose, an electronic data interchange system, based on the use of smart cards, will play an important part. Through SESAM-Vitale, France experiments the diffusion of patient and health professional cards and the use of electronic messages between professionals and the social security organisms.
A Hybrid Smart Card Model in Health Care
Authors: Zoreda J.L.  , de Pereda J.  , Redondo A.  , Umpierre M.
Published: February 2025

A utilization model for a hybrid technology card as a health-care card is proposed. A hybrid technology card is understood as a card made up of both chip technology (smart-card) and optical technology (optical card). The use of both technologies takes advantage of the security and privacy of the data through the smart card and the storage capacity of the optical card. The functioning of the system is based principally on using the chip technology processor, on the one hand, to carry out the storage of those data that are not going to be permanent (and therefore can be easily modified) or on the other hand are indispensable in case of need (emergencies, home consultations, etc.) and can be read away from health-care centres or in situations where the availability of a read/write unit has to be possible in the most manageable and portable form (ambulances, etc.). The intelligent part of the card will be principally responsible for the access to the data stored inside. For this reason the cards chip’s protocols are established, as are the authentifications between terminal and cards, and between the cards themselves as well as the use of different access conditions. It is, at the same time, responsible for being the active element in the process of encoding and decoding the data stored in the optical band. The optical technology is used principally as a support for the patient’s relevant clinical data both horizontally (chronologically) and vertically. The capacity of the optical band permits the opening of vertical clinic histories together with complementary test results such as images, X-rays, clinical analysis, etc. The stored data in the optical band is codified so as not to be read by unauthorised reading units. For the functioning of the optical band the use of the hybrid read/write unit which can carry out access to both the chip in the card as well as the optical band is necessary. This is to carry out the process of encoding and decoding as well as the control of the access codes to the stored data. The model generates new specifications both regarding the read/write unit for the hybrid technology and for the card itself.
Application of Optical Memory Card for the Management of Maternity Care
Authors: Hara K.
Published: February 2025

The Japanese government introduced a booklet, so called “mother and child’s health passport” in the past 50 years. This system may be a first in the world and now regarded as one of the most important contributing factors to the lowest perinatal mortality rate (5.0/1000, 1994) in the world. Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (JAOG) is now planning to introduce a optical memory card as “mother card” to realize a common use system for perinatal managemnet in all Japan.
Working Group: Multifunktionale Karten - Terminals (MKTs) für das Gesundheitswesen
Authors: Struif B.M.
Published: February 2025

Die Funktionalität der ersten Generation der in der BRD eingeführten Kartenterminals für das Gesundheitswesen wurde auf die Kommunikation mit der Versichertenkarte beschränkt. Mittlerweile ist der Bedarf für eine zweite Generation von Kartenterminals entstanden, die offen ist für alle Anwendungen des Gesundheitswesens und in der Lage ist, neben intelligenten Speicherchipkarten auch Prozessor-Chipkarten zu unterstützen. Die Spezifikation dieser neuen Terminal-Generation mit der Bezeichnung MKT (= Multifunktionale Karten-Terminals) liegt nun vor.