bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A TWO-DIMENSIONAL MODELLING FOR HUMAN HIP STRESS ANALYSIS
Authors: WANG XISHI , WANG TIANYING , JIANG FUCHUAN , DUAN YIXIANG
Published: December 2008

This paper, based on the elasticity theory, a two dimensional modelling for the hip stress analysis in the sagittal plane is presented. Though the stress, in the normal human hip, is distributed over the entire crossection of the femur head, the main activities of the human being are limited in the sagittal plane. Moreover, a 2-D modelling for the stress analysis is much simpler and easier than 3-D one; especially it can be combined with the clinical standard anterior posterior rentgenographs. These predicate that it is useful and necessary to develop a 2-D modelling for the hip stress analysis. The validation of current modelling is verified by examining an example. In other words, the present modelling can be readily applied in clinical practice to estimate the peak stress in the most frequent body positions of everyday activities.
DEVELOPMENT OF FIBER OPTICS SPECTROSCOPIC TOOTH COLORIMETER USING WHITE LED
Authors: YU SHENG-HONG , CHEN CHENG-HAU , CHIANG HUIHUA KENNY
Published: December 2008

Tooth colorimeter provides the determination of patient's tooth shade, and assists dentists, technicians and patients in satisfying the clinical needs for dental medicine. The traditional visual matching approaches of tooth shade tabs had some limitations that are based on subjective color perception and could be easily affected by environmental factors. In this research, we have developed a fiber optics spectroscopic tooth colorimeter with white LED, instead of the tungsten lamp to improve the size and heat problems. We have also developed a Whiteness-Yellowness index to simplify the tooth color information and have achieved an objectively and quantitatively tooth color representation.
SPICE MODEL FOR COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN OF BIOPOTENTIAL AMPLIFIER
Authors: LIU YUN-LI , LIN DONG-LONG , LIN YUE-DER
Published: December 2008

There are many different kinds of biopotential signal. These signals are tiny in amplitude and the measurement is easily corrupted by external interference. For these reasons, the design of high-quality biopotential amplifier is usually an empirical task. To make the design of biopotential amplifier more efficient, this study proposes a simulation model for bioelectric signal measurement such that the design task can be achieved thoroughly by powerful computer-aided design (CAD) tool. The proposed model has two distinct features, one is the simulated biopotential signal is used for the genesis of biosignal, and the other one is the skin-electrode impedance is replaced by its corresponding equivalent circuit, which is a complex RC network. To verify the feasibility of the proposed model, an ECG amplifier is designed in Spice-related CAD tool and is implemented for ECG recording. From the results, the amplifier characteristics agree well between the simulated and the implemented circuit. Besides, the effect due to the commonly encountered power-line interference during biopotential measurement can be reasonably evaluated in the proposed model.
THE EFFECT OF KNEE POSTURES AND CUSHIONS IN THE LOAD TRANSMISSION OF IMPACT LOADING - AN IN VITRO BIOMECHANICAL PORCINE MODEL
Authors: WANG JAW-LIN , LEE YEN-LIN
Published: December 2008

Degenerative osteoarthritis is the consequence of impact force applied to articular cartilage that results in surface fissuring. Soft cushions and flexed posture are two important factors to reduce the impact force; however, no quantitative information of how soft should the cushion be to prevent the injury and the mechanism of force attenuation of knee joint at neutral and flexed posture was not well documented yet. The objective of current study is hence to find the quantitative shock attenuation of knee joint using different stiffness of cushions when the knee is at neutral posture and flexed posture. A “drop-tower type” impact apparatus was used for testing. Nineteen fresh porcine knee joints were divided into two posture groups, i.e. neutral and flexed posture. All specimens were tested using stiff, medium, and soft cushions. The axial reaction force, anteroposterior shear force, and flexion bending moment were recorded for analysis. We found the flexed posture decreased the axial reaction force and anterior shear force but increased the flexion bending moment. The effect of stiffness of cushions on the mechanical response of knee joint during impact loading was significant for neutral posture but not for flexed posture.
A FULLY THREE-DIMENSIONAL BAYESIAN IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FOR SMALL ANIMAL PINHOLE SPECT
Authors: HUANG P. C. , HSU C. H. , LIU C. S. , LIU R. S.
Published: December 2008

This paper presents a fully 3D Bayesian image reconstruction and its localization properties of a pinhole SPECT for small animal imaging. Due to the unique geometric characteristics, pinhole SPECT for small animals can use existing clinical equipment to produce high resolution image results. However, low sensitivity is the major disadvantage of pinhole SPECT and leads to instability of iterative image reconstruction based on popular maximum likelihood expectation and maximization (MLEM). In this work, we describe a fully 3D system model of a pinhole SPECT combined with an image model based on medium root prior (MRP). Under the paradigm of Bayesian statistics, a modified EM algorithm with one-step late (OSL) is applied to reconstruct 3D SPECT images through maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation. The experimental results of phantom studies indicate that the proposed 3D Bayesian image reconstruction can produce better edgepreserving image results and effectively suppress noises.
CONSTRUCT TEACHING MATERIALS FROM HL7/CDA ELECTRONIC PATIENT RECORDS ACCORDING TO SCORM STANDARD FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION
Authors: LIN YAW-JEN , WANG JAMES , SHU NICK , CHANG FOK-CHING
Published: December 2008

The rise of Web technology leads to the convenience of global information exchanges. Furthermore, E-Learning takes full advantage of cross area characteristic of the web, enabling online learning, at any time, at any place. Thus, SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) was result of such a trend. This study is based on CDA example teaching materials provided by international, HL7 organization, attempting to combine with SCORM standard, constructing a teaching material, which can be provided to hospital doctors, interns, or students while learning HL7/CDA. The teaching materials are based on SCORM standard. Besides in class use, the teaching materials can be shared and used on any SCORM-comptliant LMS (Learning Management Server) platform. In addition, the user can edit data of selected cases from HIS (Hospital Information System) directly on the teaching materials web pages, exporting into HL7/CDA compliant clinical documents, saving extra programming time to achieve inter-hospitals information sharing.
THE EFFECT OF COLD ISOSTATIC PRESSING ON THE SINTERABILITY OF SYNTHESIZED HA
Authors: RAMESH S. , CHRISTOPHER P. , TAN C. Y. , TENG W. D.
Published: December 2008

The effect of cold isostatic pressing (CIP) on the sinterability of a laboratory synthesized hydroxyapatite (HA) powder was investigated. The starting powder was initially uniaxially diepressed at about 6 kN force to form disk and rectangular green compacts. Two batches of green samples were prepared, i.e. one batch was in the as-compacted state (Un-CIP) and another batch samples was subjected to cold isostatic press at 200 MPa (CIP). The latter samples exhibited alinear shrinkage of ∼16% prior to sintering. All the samples were sintered in air at temperatures ranging from 700°C to 1400°C. The densification behaviour of HA was evaluated in terms of linear shrinkage, phase stability, bulk density, Vickers hardness and Young's modulus. The results revealed that green samples subjected to cold isostatic pressing exhibited better sinterability and possessed excellent mechanical properties. This effect is more pronounced particularly for the low temperature sintering regime i.e. < 1100°C.
USING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTANCE AS THE EVALUATION PARAMETER OF PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH LOW BACK PAIN TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE LIKE TENS
Authors: WENG CHING-SUNG , TSAI YU-SHOW , YANG CHE-YEN
Published: December 2008

This study was to objectively evaluate the treatment effect of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (AL-TENS) on patients with low back pain. Fifty patients suffering from low back pain for at least three months were involved in the study from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The subjects were treated with TENS (100 Hz) on acupuncture points (BL23 and BL25). Two electrodes were placed on two right acupoints and two electrodes on the left. Pulse duration of electrical stimulation was fixed at 0.1 ms. The intensity of stimulation was adjusted at a tolerable level for each subject. Patients were treated for twenty minutes per visit, three times a week for two weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to rank the degree of pain before and two weeks after the treatment. A device, the design of which is based on the Ryodoraku theorem, was used to measure the electrical conductance of 12 meridians and 2 acupoints (BL23 and BL25) on both sides of the subjects. The effect of age difference on the pain score was also evaluated with the electrical conductance. The correlation between the VAS and the electrical conductance in the patients before and after treatment of AL-TENS was determined by linear regression analysis. The results showed that: (1) after the AL-TENS treatment in this study, the electrical conductances of either meridians or acupuncture points increased with the decrease of VAS of the patients; (2) the correlation was higher in the acupoints than that in the meridians; (3) the correlation was higher in the younger group than that in the older group; (4) the effect of AL-TENS on the change of VAS is more related to the change of electrical conductances of acupoints than that of meridians. These findings suggest that electrical conductance of meridian or acupoint can be used to evaluate the degree of pain more objectively, especially in the younger patients.
THE FORCE ATTENUATION EFFECT OF FOAM MATTRESS IN SIMULATED SIDEWAYS FALL OF HIP ON LEVEL SURFACE
Authors: LAM SHUI-LING , YIP KIN-MAN , WANG JAW-LIN , CHANG CHIA-CHUN , SUN JUI-SHENG , HOU SHENG-MOU
Published: December 2008

While there have been studies on the impact attenuation of different floor coverings, the effectiveness of using foam mattress as protective floor covering against geriatric hip fracture is still unknown. The objective of current study is to compare the force attenuation of foam mattress with that of teak wooden block when subjected to an impact force that the human hipbone would experience in accidental fall. A porcine hip fall simulator which consisted of a 12-kg impactor and a surrogate pelvis made by 8 month old porcine hipbone and with effective stiffness of 75 kN/m was set up to simulate sideways fall of human hip. The porcine hip fall simulator was allowed to drop freely on the surrogate pelvis from a height starting from 10 cm to a final height of 50 cm. The results showed the use of one piece and two pieces of foam mattress provided significant force reduction ranging from 21% to 37% and from 38% to 61% respectively when compared to wooden impact, and the optimal force reduction occurred when impact energy approached 18 to 24 joules. We found the foam mattress worked best only in those falls where the impact load was of relatively low energy. Relevance: Prevention of geriatric hip fracture is one of the major health issues in the foreseeable future. This study highlight the fact that the use of a protective floor covering may reduce the impact force on the hip in accidental fall and could be a relatively economical and practical way to reduce the risk of geriatric hip fracture.
APPLICATION OF ACTOR-CRITIC REINFORCEMENT LEARNING METHOD FOR CONROL OF A SAGITTAL ARM DURING OSCILLATORY MOVEMENT
Authors: GOLKHOU VAHID , LUCAS CARO , PARNIANPOUR MOHAMAD
Published: December 2008

Numerous disciplines are engaged in studies involving motor control. In this study, we have used a single link system with a pair of muscles that are excited with alpha and gamma signals to achieve an oscillatory movement with variable amplitude and frequency.

The system is highly nonlinear in all its physical and physiological attributes. The major physiological characteristics of this system are simultaneous activation of a pair of nonlinear muscle-like-actuators for control purposes, existence of nonlinear spindle-like sensors and Golgi tendon organ-like sensor, actions of gravity and external loading. Transmission delays are included in the afferent and efferent neural paths to account for a more accurate representation of the reflex loops. The profile of excitation is difficult to predict a priori, hence we have used a reinforcement learning approach to track a desired trajectory.

This paper proposes a reinforcement learning method with an Actor-Critic architecture instead of middle and low level of central nervous system (CNS). The Actor in this structure is a two layer feedforward neural network and the Critic is a model of the cerebellum. The Critic is trained by State-Action-Reward-State-Action (SARSA) method. The Critic will train the Actor by supervisory learning based on previous experiences. The system is implemented on a PC using Matlab® and Simulink® Software. To enhance the computational performance a number of C codes were also written.

The effectiveness and the biological plausibility of the present model are demonstrated by several simulations.

The system showed excellent tracking capability and after 280 epochs the RMS error for position and velocity profiles were 0.02, 0.04 radian and radian/sec, respectively.
EFFECTS OF WEAK EXTERNAL MECHANICAL FORCE STIMULATION ON THE HEART RATE VARIABILITY OF RATS
Authors: HSIU HSIN , CHAO PIN-TSUN , HSU TSE-LIN , HSU WEI-CHEN , WANG WEI-KUNG
Published: December 2008

Motivation: The heartbeat is driven by electric signals generated inside the heart, the cardiac conducting system plays an important role. Although there are pharmacological and electrical methods working on this conducting system, effect of mechanical stimulation has rarely been discussed. Methods: We used waterbed (size 60×40×10 cm) as a media to study the heart rate variability (HRV) affected by beating the bed with weak mechanical force with 0.5-mm-Hg amplitude. The waterbed is specially designed to raise the transmission efficiency for sound wave. Results: Among 7 studies on 5 rats, there were almost no changes in diastolic pressure, systolic pressure and heart rate, but average of CV (coefficient of variance) of 15-minute heart rate sequences increased from the control value 0.0098±0.0023 (mean±SD) to 0.0119±0.0032 (mean±SD) during the stimulation and decreased to 0.0078±0.0020 (mean±SD) in 15 minutes after the stimulation [p values (paired t-test, both compared with the control) < 0.006 and < 0.0007 respectively]. Discussion: Here we show that such a weak mechanical stimulation was sufficient to affect the circulatory system. Since the effect is not directly acting on the conducting system, this small power may influence the arterial system through resonance mechanism.
NUMERICAL STUDY FOR FLOW IN PHOENIX LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE AT PEAK SYSTOLE
Authors: HSU CHEUNG-HWA
Published: December 2008

The Phoenix left ventricular assist device is driven by pneumatic pump outside a human body to provide air flow in-and-out of a pneumatic diaphragm inside the blood chamber. The inflation and deflation of the diaphragm drives the blood flows. At peak systole, blood flows into aorta with a maximum flow rate both from natural ventricle and artificial ventricle. To assess the critical condition, blood flow pattern of the device at peak systole is studied. We apply the finite volume method with ϰ – ε turbulent model to simulate the steady flow at peak systole. Results provide a comprehension of fluid dynamic effect not only the region inside the ventricle but also that in the vicinity of the inflow channel and outflow valves of flow field. The numerical results show that maximum velocities were smaller within the ventricular chamber with bi-leaflet outflow valve than with tilting disk outflow valve. Analysis of the numerical solutions suggests that geometry similar to the bi-leaflet outflow valve results in a better flow dynamics within the ventricle chamber compared to a tilting disk valve.
TWO LOW-COST HUMAN COMPUTER INTERFACES FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES
Authors: SU MU-CHUN , LEE YANG-HAN , WU CHENG-HUI , SU SHI-YONG , ZHAO YU-XIANG
Published: December 2008

The object of this paper is to present a set of techniques integrated into two low-cost human computer interfaces. Although the interfaces have many potential applications, one main application is to help the disabled persons to attain or regain some degree of independent communications and control. The first interface is a voice-controlled mouse and the second one is an accelerometer-based mouse.
DEVELOPMENT OF A GENETIC ALGORITHM BASED BIOMECHANICAL SIMULATION OF SAGITTAL LIFTING TASKS
Authors: GÜNDOĞDU ÖMER , ANDERSON KURT S. , PARNIANPOUR MOHAMAD
Published: December 2008

Fibrin sealant and platelet gels are human blood-derived, biodegradable, non toxic, surgical products obtained by mixing a fibrinogen concentrate or a platelet rich plasma with thrombin, respectively. Fibrin sealant is now a well known surgical tool increasingly used to stop or control bleeding, or to provide air and fluid tightness in many surgical situations. Platelet gels are newly developed preparations that are of specific interest because they contain numerous physiological growth factors and cytikines that are released upon the activation of blood platelets by thrombin. These growth factors, including PDGF, TGF- β1, BMP, and VEGF have been shown to stimulate cell growth and differentiation with special clinical benefits for soft and bony tissue healing and regeneration. Platelet gels allow surgeons to manipulate the cellular environment of surgical sites and to guide tissue regeneration. A specific interest of such products is observed for the induction of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. Advances in the preparation, clinical use, and safety of these two important classes of blood-derived biomaterials are reviewed.
APPLICATION OF AN ADAPTIVE-NETWORK-BASED FUZZY INFERENCE SYSTEM FOR THE OPTIMAL DESIGN OF A CHINESE BRAILLE DISPLAY
Authors: YEH FUNG-HUEI , TSAY HUOY-SHYI , LIANG SHIH-HAO
Published: December 2008

This paper develops a forward-inverse prediction technique of an adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to optimize the design of a relay-actuated Chinese Braille display (CBD) and to reduce the operation temperature. The key element in CBD, electromagnetic actuator assembled by relay, level, and plastic pin, must operate in lower temperature in order to have enough functional force exerted by relay to lift up Braille dots (pin-heads). However, electromagnetic actuators are often destroyed by thermal damage and the thrust force sensed from Braille dots is gradually reduced by the raising of operation temperature. Two design parameters that have the major influence on the thrust force and maximum operation temperature, including supply voltage and coil resistance of relay, were first analyzed by the thermal and electromagnetic numerical forward models to establish the basic databases for ANFIS. Using these databases, the optimal design of CBD can be forward-inversely predicted by ANFIS. As a verification of this forward-inverse mode, the forward predicted maximum operation temperature and the design thrust force inversely predicting the optimal supply voltage by ANFIS were compared with experimental data. The comparison indicates that the maximum operation temperature and the thrust force of both natural and force convection models achieved satisfactory accuracy. When two bell-shape membership functions were adopted, the best accuracy of the forward predicted maximum temperature of ANFIS reached is as high as 99.71% for natural convection model, and the best accuracy of the design thrust force for the inversely predicted supply voltage of ANFIS reached is also as high as 95.50% for force convection model. This investigation proves that the forward-inverse prediction mode developed for ANFIS with thermal and electromagnetic analyses can supply a useful soft computing technique for the optimal design of CBD.
CARTILAGE TISSUE ENGINEERING
Authors: CHANG CHIH-HUNG , LIN FENG-HUEI , KUO TZONG-FU , LIU HWA-CHANG
Published: December 2008

Tissue engineering is a new approach for articular cartilage repair. The aim of the present article was to review the current status of cartilage tissue engineering researches. The scaffold materials used for cartilage tissue engineering, the in vitro, in vivo studies and the clinical trials were all reviewed. Our researches about in vitro cartilage tissue engineering with new type bioactive scaffold and preliminary animal studies results will also be described. The scaffold was tricopolymer made from gelatin, hyaluronan and chondroitin. Chondrocytes seeded in tricopolymer showed in vitro engineered cartilage formation. The engineered cartilage constructs were implanted into knee joints of miniature pigs for animal study.
EVALUATING THE UNCERTAINTY OF MEASUREMENT ON BLOOD'S GLUCOSE LEVEL
Authors: HUANG HUNG-CHUN , CHIEN CHIA-HUNG , WANG CHENG-YI , CHONG FOK-CHING
Published: December 2008

Judging from the continuous increase in population suffering from chronic illnesses in the past 30 years in Taiwan, we can predict that the number of diabetes victims will reach 1.5 million in 15 years. This increase is global. According to an estimate provided by WTO, one out of two diabetes sufferers is not identified as the illness victim. An estimate of 100 million people in the world are diabetes patients. Although there is currently no way to completely cure diabetes, this disease can be controlled, monitored, and improved through education, research and development of new medication and techniques. However, the quality control of glucose monitoring has posed a stubborn problem to all fields related to the medical realm in Taiwan. By contrast, there is already a well-developed management system of blood glucose measurement in the West. All the standard-setting organizations, such as NCCLS and ISO, have published relevant Standard Operation Procedure (SOP). In Taiwan, we haven't had any similar certification mechanism. It is urgent for Taiwan to establish such standards specifically for the yellow race. Now, CNLA has introduced ISO 17025 in clinical test. Although it offers a general guideline, it doesn't specify detailed operation steps. As a result, it cannot offer an accurate result in blood glucose measurement. This paper is focused on ways to evaluate the uncertainty of measurement on blood glucose level based on the standard environment lab for medical device testing in the biomedical engineering department of National Taiwan University Hospital, so as to establish a function of uncertainty of measurement on blood glucose level and make it a stepping stone for certification of the measurement.
MINIATURE ULTRA-LOW-POWER BIOPOTENTIAL AMPLIFIER FOR POTABLE APPLICATIONS
Authors: CHIEN CHIA-NAN , JAW FU-SHAN
Published: December 2008

A high input impedance, high common mode rejection ratio, fixed gain (×100) amplifier is proposed for recording biopotential signals. This miniature amplifier affords the feature of power saving. It can continuously function for as long as 3 months with a small battery (3.3 V, 2.2 g). A practical application of this amplifier for ECG recording has shown that it has great potential for recording other biomedical signals. Hence, this amplifier can be used as a building block at the front end of most biomedical systems. Detailed design considerations and circuit implementation of this amplifier are described to facilitate its acceptance as a common module for this purpose.
EXTRACTION OF CORONARY ARTERIAL TREE USING CINE X-RAY ANGIOGRAMS
Authors: LIN CHIH-YANG , CHING YU-TAI
Published: December 2008

An efficient and robust method for identification of coronary arteries and evaluation of the severity of the stenosis on the routine X-ray angiograms is proposed. It is a challenging process to accurately identify coronary artery due to poor signal-to-noise ratio, vessel overlap, and superimposition with various anatomical structures such as ribs, spine, or heart chambers. The proposed method consists of two major stages: (a) signal-based image segmentation and (b) vessel feature extraction. The 3D Fourier and 3D Wavelet transforms are first employed to reduce the background and noisy structures in the images. Afterwards, a set of matched filters was applied to enhance the coronary arteries in the images. At the end, clustering analysis, histogram technique, and size filtering were utilized to obtain a binary image that consists of the final segmented coronary arterial tree. To extract vessel features in terms of vessel centerline and diameter, a gradient vector-flow based snake algorithm is applied to determine the medial axis of a vessel followed by the calculations of vessel boundaries and width associated with the detected medial axis.
DESIGN AND CLINIC MONITORING OF A NEWLY DEVELOPED NON-ATTACHED INFANT APNEA MONITOR
Authors: HSU CHEUNG-HWA , CHOW JULIE CHI
Published: December 2008

Tragically more babies fall victim to sudden infant death syndrome than the combined numbers of respiratory ailment, heart disease and cancer deaths. The cases take place for those babies who were under one year of age and especially often for those babies who were in the age around two to four month old. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of sudden infant death syndrome is still not known. Shockingly, it can even happen to apparently healthy babies left alone for just a little while. The conventional infant apnea monitor adopts disposable electrodes as sensors for apnea detection and thus inducing the problems of skin irritated or other hazards. To tackle these shortcomings, we develop a non-attached type apnea monitor. The device monitors the temperature of the breathing airflow by means of thermo sensors. These airflow frequencies linking with respiratory rates are indicated on the monitor. There is absolutely no contact with the babies' skin, avoiding the possibilities of any skin irritations. The system detects temperature changes induced by breathing and analyzes the breathing frequency changes displayed with both LED array and computer monitor. The data are collected and analyzed simultaneously by a personal computer, which can link to the central nursery room. The device provides a convenient way for pediatricians or nurses to detect abnormal respiratory frequency in real time so they can handle any emergency and gives the necessary treatment immediately. Ten clinic cases have been analyzed and presented. Function validation of the device, on the other hand, is performed as well.
FUNCTIONAL LINK NETWORK WITH GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR EVOKED POTENTIALS
Authors: LIN BOR-SHYH , LIN BOR-SHING , CHIEN JEN-CHIEN , CHONG FOK-CHING
Published: December 2008

In this study, a functional link network with genetic algorithm is employed for extracting evoked potentials. Evoked potentials are time-varying signals typically buried in relatively large noises of electroencephalogram. Recently, to extract evoked potentials more effectively from noises, adaptive filtering techniques are widely employed for evoked potentials. In general, least-mean-square algorithm is used to adapt filter weights. However, it is well-known that the selection of step-sizes is a trade-off on the convergence rate and steady state performance. In practice, an inappropriate step-size always causes deficiency. Therefore, the proposed method employs genetic algorithm to improve this issue. Genetic algorithm is basically a kind of evolutionary strategies. The step-size candidates are regularly generated and evaluated, and the fittest candidate is selected for subsequent adaptation. Results show that the proposed method is insensitive to the selection of step sizes and reference inputs. It is applicable for extracting EP in different noise levels.
REGISTRATION OF CT IMAGE AND FACIAL SURFACE DATA USING ADAPTIVE GENETIC ALGORITHM
Authors: HUANG CHUNG-HSIEN , LEE JIANN-DER , HUANG JAU-HUA
Published: December 2008

In this paper, we propose a novel registration method based on Adaptive Genetic Algorithm (adaptive-GA) to accomplish the registration task of computer tomography (CT) and its corresponding facial surface data. First, chain code method is utilized to represent the facial curve such that facial surface data obtained by a face scanner is efficiently reduced. Next, based on the concept of the genetic algorithm in continuous space (GACS), we improve its evolutional mechanisms of chromosomes' crossover and mutation to speed up the convergent process of general GA. From the experimental results, it is proved that the proposed registration method can be used for non-fiducials stereotactic brain surgeries and help surgeons to diagnose and treat brain disease correctly and conveniently.
DESIGN A HIERARCHICAL SYSTEM FOR MONITORING MOBILITY CHANGES OF THE ELDERLY USING INTELLIGENT ANALYSIS
Authors: SHIEH JIANN-SHING , CHANG YAO-SHENG , CHUANG CHEN-TSE , WANG XIANG
Published: December 2008

The application of microchip technology and an intelligent analysis algorithm to design a hierarchical system for monitoring mobility changes of the elderly at house is proposed in this paper. There are four levels which are environment, measurement & sensing, signal processing, and intelligent analyses to build for interpreting the mobility index of daily life according to three different sensors, such as infrared (IR) sensors for detecting human movement, mechanical switch sensors for identifying opening and closing of doors of the bookcases, and current sensors for detecting use of computer and lights. Hence, a smart box has been designed as a passive monitoring system (i.e., non-consciousness for human) where data is gathered from a number of physically distributed sensor points within the house, linked using the mains wiring as the communications medium, and then automatically transmitted over the modem system via internet to a monitoring and supervisory centre. The preliminary study has been tested successfully in volunteer's research room during six weeks in comparison with the questionnaire results. Hence, it can be seen as a demonstration of feasibility of the applicability of microchip technology and an intelligent analysis algorithm for monitoring mobility changes of the elderly at home. But, it still needs a longer series of real testing at home, perhaps to refine the rule-base, and certainly to see how widely they are applicable.
ELECTROOSMOTIC MIXING INDUCED BY NON-UNIFORM ZETA POTENTIAL AND APPLICATION FOR DNA MICROARRAY IN MICROFLUIDIC CHANNEL
Authors: WEI CHENG-WEY , YOUNG TAI-HORNG , CHENG JI-YEN
Published: December 2008

In this study, we describe a modification of the conventional microarray format. 20-mer oligonucleotide probes and singly labeled 20-mer targets, representative of the T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia 1 (TAL1) gene, has been used to elucidate the performance of this hybridization approach. DNA microarray is integrated with microfluidic channel on a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to generate non-uniform zeta potential inside the channel. A microtrench is designed and fabricated on a PMMA chip using a widely available CO2 laser scriber The electroosmotic mixing effect induced by the non-uniform zeta potential is utilized to enhance the DNA-DNA hybridization. The flow field in microfluidic channel is measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV). The enhanced signal to noise (S/B) ratio and reduced hybridization time is observed when the electroosmotic mixing is applied in the DNA-DNA hybridization.
DEVELOPMENT OF A NON-CONTINUOUS MICRO-FLOW OPTO-WETTING DROPLET MANIPULATION TECHNOLOGY
Authors: LEE MING-YIH , LIN HUNG-CHIA , CHIANG HUNG-WEI , LEE WEI-XUN , HUANG XIAN-DONG
Published: December 2008

The aim of this study is to develop a non-continuous droplet manipulation technology in contrast to conventional continuous flow micro-fluidic systems. The droplets were manipulated based on the proposed opto-wetting effect. In addition, an experimental ultraviolet (UV) light actuated droplet manipulation system was developed for verifying the opto-wetting droplet manipulation. The proposed opto-wetting effect was achieved by utilizing ultraviolet to activate oxidation-reduction mechanism of nano-TiO2 photo catalyst coated base material. The water-affinity of the base material will changed due to the decreased free-energy of the material surface. Therefore, the contact angle between the liquid droplet and base material will also be changed which facilitates droplet manipulability. The main components of the proposed ultraviolet (UV) light actuated droplet manipulation system include ultraviolet masking device, moving platform and main frame structure. System software and user interface were designed by using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 toolkit. Upon completion of the proposed system, experiments were carried out to verify system functionalities. Follow by the controlled variable optimization using Taguchi method and liquid droplet manipulation experiments. The experiment results indicate that by exposure to 6.8mW UV light, the surface tension and hydrophilic property of nano-TiO2 (anatase type, 3.5% concentration, PH 1.5, and with average particle size of 69 nm) coated base material will changed. The change of surface tension and hydrophilic property were critical for droplet manipulation. The moving speed of the liquid droplet was measured as 3.33mm/sec. The results suggest that the opto-wetting system may be effective to overcome the shortcoming of traditional opto-electrowetting technique. The proposed opto-wetting droplet manipulation system could potentially applied for manipulating biomedical or pathological test specimens in the future.
A DISTORTION CORRECTION METHOD FOR ENDOSCOPE IMAGES BASED ON CALIBRATION PATTERNS AND A SIMPLE MATHEMATIC MODEL FOR OPTICAL LENS
Authors: HSU CHIEH-HAO , MIAOU SHAOU-GANG , CHANG FENG-LING
Published: December 2008

In the past 30 years, the progress in optical engineering, computer science and electronic techniques have made the endoscopy an invaluable tool in both internal clinics and surgical operation. As its applications increase exponentially, it has even become a specialized division in the clinical medicine. In order to obtain a larger field of view inside a small and narrow gastrointestinal tract, an endoscope is usually equipped with a wide-angle lens (Fish eye lens). Thus, an acquired image is often with certain degree of shape distortion. The distortion gets even more serious as the objects extend outward from the center of the lens in radial. This paper discusses the effect of such distortion and the correction of the effect. By using a calibration pattern, the nonlinear distortion is corrected with a simple mathematic model for the endoscope image. Once the endoscopic lens is calibrated, the same mathematic model can be utilized repeatedly for the images captured by that endoscope.

After capturing the calibration pattern using an endoscopic instrument, digital image processing techniques are applied to extract the calibration pattern from the distorted image. We propose a second order mathematic model and consider the parameters of optical lens. The coordinates of each dot in the calibration pattern are the input to the mathematic model for the correction of endoscope images. The experimental results show that the correction method is effective. For example, by comparing to the original calibration pattern image, the average errors in area calculation are 76.46% and 4.68% for the distorted and the corrected images, respectively.
TRADE-OFF DESIGN OF TOTAL HIP PROSTHESIS
Authors: HSU CHEUNG-HWA
Published: December 2008

Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgery for diseased hip joint in recent years. Although the operation receives good success, failure factors of the total hip prosthesis, however, include infection, dislocation, stem fracture and loosening. Concentrating on Sigma Medical Supplies Corporation total hip prosthesis, we use ANSYS finite element method software to establish an analysis model and simulate stress distribution of the stem and the cement. Design parameters of the stem are improved in order to make the stress a minimum and prolong the life of use. With the analysis results, we note that the geometry of contracting stem end is apt to make stress value rise. On the contrary, the extreme stress value can reduce around 73.4% when stem end diameter expands 15%.
A COMPARISON OF SIMILARITY MEASURES FOR CLUSTERING OF QRS COMPLEXES
Authors: CHANG KUANG-CHIUNG , WEN CHENG , YEH MING-FENG , LEE REN-GUEY
Published: December 2008

Similarity or distance measures play important role in the performance of algorithms for ECG clustering problems. This paper compares four similarity measures such as the city block (L1-norm), Euclidean (L2-norm), normalized correlation coefficient, and simplified grey relational grade for clustering of QRS complexes. Performances of the measures include classification accuracy, threshold value selection, noise robustness, execution time, and the capability of automated selection of templates. The clustering algorithm used is the so-called two-step unsupervised method. The best out of the 10 independent runs of the clustering algorithm with randomly selected initial template beat for each run is used to compare the performances of each similarity measure. To investigate the capability of automated selection of templates for ECG classification algorithms, we use the cluster centers generated by the clustering algorithm with various measures as templates. Four sets of templates are obtained, each set for a measure. And the four sets of templates are used in the k-nearest neighbor classification method to evaluate the performance of the templates. Tested with MIT/BIH arrhythmia data, we observe that the simplified grey relational grade outperforms the other measures in classification accuracy, threshold value selection, noise robustness, and the capability of automated selection of templates.
THE PEAK STRESS, WEIGH BEARED AREA AND STRESS DISTRIBUTIONS AT HUMAN HIP JOINT
Authors: WANG XISHI , JIANG FUCHUAN , MA JIAN , HOU XINPING
Published: December 2008

The peak stress, the weight beared area and the stress distributions of the articular contact at the human hip joint are the most important factors, which determine the location of the degenerative foci that later result in degenerative damage and in the development of osteoarthritis. In this paper, firstly a generalization analytical modelling for evaluating the peak stress, the weight beared area and the stress distributions of the articular contact at the human hip joint is developed; secondly, as an example, the numerical results for evaluating the peak stress, the weight beared area and the stress distributions of the articular contact at the human hip joint are presented. The results show that the numerical values from the present modelling are good agreement with the literatures.
THE EFFECT OF SERUM CONCENTRATION ON THE SPHEROID FORMING ACTIVITY AND CELL GROWTH OF HUMAN MELANOCYTES ON CHITOSAN SURFACE
Authors: LIN SUNG-JAN , HSIAO WEN-CHU , HSU CHIH-JUNG , CHEN JAU-SHIUH , JEE SHIOU-HWA , TSAI TSEN-FANG , YU HSIN-SU , YOUNG TAI-HORNG
Published: December 2008

We have developed a chitosan-based melanocyte patch to improve the drawbacks encountered in autologous melanocyte transplantation for vitiligo treatment by use of melanocyte suspension. Melanocytes spontaneously grow into three dimensional spheroids on chitosan-coated surface and melanocyte spheroids show a better survival in growth factor and serum-deprived condition. Hence, preculturing melanocytes into spheroids on chitosan surface can provide melanocytes a survival advantage in stringent conditions. Up to date, the mechanism of the melanocyte spheroid formation is not clear. It has been shown that certain factors in serum are crucial for multicellular spheroid formation in cancer cell lines. In this work, we investigate the effect of serum concentration on the melanocyte spheroid formation. The trend for melanocyte spheroid formation is gradually decreased when serum concentration is serially increased from 0% to 20%. Our result shows that melanocyte spheroid formation is not inhibited in the absence of serum and serum deprivation accelerates melanocyte spheroid formation. However, melanocyte growth is greatly reduced when serum is completely removed. Our results suggest that melanocyte spheroid formation on chitosan is not dependent on serum factors. However, the presence of serum contributes to the cell growth on chitosan-coated surface. This result is important in the future development of serum free culture system for spheroidal melanocyte patch.
KINEMATIC WRIST AND THUMB POSTURE ANALYSIS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN DURING THE MANIPULATION OF THE MOUSE
Authors: WU WEN-LAN , CHANG JYH-JONG , WU JIA-HROUNG , GUO LAN-YUEN , LIN HWAI-TING
Published: December 2008

The wrist and thumb postures adopted during the use of three different types of computer mouse (mini mouse; standard mouse; MouseMan) to perform eight standardized tasks were evaluated. Thirty elementary students between seven to twelve years of age were studied using a magnetic tracking system. The peak value and angular range of motion of the wrist and thumb extension/flexion and radial/ulnar deviation were measured during performing 8 standard tasks. There were statistically significant larger values in the standard mice with regard to extreme wrist extension. Angular range of wrist extension observed for the standard mice were also much higher than the mini mouse and MouseMan. There were statistically significant larger values in the MouseMan with regard to extreme wrist ulnar deviation, and an average decrease in extreme thumb flexion and angular range of thumb flexion. The results from the questionnaire showed that most elementary students preferred to use the standard mouse (40%) next was the MouseMan (37%); and the last the mini mouse (23%). The recommendation of mouse types based on the hand length for elementary students was not statistically significant in our study.
ENCAPSULATION AND GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE DIFFERENT CELLS IN ALGINATE GEL BEADS CONTAINING RECONSTITUTED COLLAGEN FIBERS
Authors: TSAI SHIAO-WEN , HSU FU-YIN , WANG YNG JIIN
Published: December 2008

Alginate gel beads containing reconstituted collagen fibers were fabricated and used to culture three different cells - GH3 pituitary tumor cells, L929 fibroblasts and rat calvaria osteoblasts. These cells when entrapped within the collagen-containing alginate behaved differently from those grown in the alginate matrix. Of the three cells tested, the existence of collagen fibers is most beneficial for the viability and proliferation of GH3 cells which can grow either as suspended or attached to the matrix. For the case of osteoblasts derived from the primary culture of rat calvaria, most of the cells entrapped in alginate lost their viability after seeding. The collagen fibers in the alginate gel beads nevertheless decelerated the apotosis process. Furthermore, the entrapped osteoblasts were capable of migrating out of the collagen-containing alginate matrix when the alginate gel beads were in contact with the culture dish. The mineralization of matrix, a key phenotypic expression of osteoblatic cells, was shown by von-Kosa staining on the culturing dish after 14 days cultivation of the cells which crawled out of the gel beads. The collagen-containing alginate beads appear to be more versatile than the conventional alginate gel beads for biomedical applications.
THE DEPENDENCE BETWEEN ULTRASONIC EXPOSURE TIME AND BIOLOGICAL REACTIONS IN THE PARAMECIUM
Authors: YANG SHIUH-KUANG , HUANG YI-CHENG , ZHAN YI-HAO
Published: December 2008

The effects of ultrasonic irradiation at different frequencies, i.e. 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 5 MHz, on the activation of the single cell creature biological reaction have been investigated. The ability shown by ultrasound in promoting and/or accelerating many reactions has been shown to be a useful field. The resonance frequency of Paramecium by using the ultrasound irradiation is an important parameter in this study. All other parameters being keep constant, it has been ascertained that an appropriate frequency value of ultrasound can be selected, capable of driving a biological reaction to its suitable yield. The oscillation of the cells in response to the ultrasound radiation is simulated using Rayleigh-Plesset's bubble activation theory. The resonance frequency of the unicellular creature is then calculated. In our experiment, the resonance (0.5 and 1 MHz) and non-resonance (0.25 and 5 MHz) frequencies were employed.

The resonance frequency of the Paramecium vacuole is among 0.5013 ∼ 1.2703 MHz. When the 0.5 and 1 MHz frequencies of ultrasound was irradiated in the samples, the relative growth rate was about 30% higher than that of unexposed sample. It is obviously that the inhibition or enhancement growth conditions did not appear during irradiation the non-resonance frequency ultrasound. In addition, experimental evidence suggests that the sustaining growth effect can be expected, when the irradiation time is divided into parts.
A VERSATILE LABVIEW-BASED TOOLBOX DESIGN AND MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE FOR THE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEM
Authors: CHIOU YING-HAN , CHEN SHIH-CHING , LUH JER-JUNN , HANDA YASUNOBU , LAI JIN-SHIN , KUO TE-SON
Published: December 2008

This article introduces the modification of a self-developed prototype electrical stimulator. In addition, we describe our new design of a versatile and user-friendly toolbox based on the LabVIEW environment that will enable clinical users and physicians to easily go on to further applications and research. The prototype electrical stimulator is based on the digital signal processor, and the drive stage of the previous model has also been improved by using a modified constant-current circuit. Moreover, we use LabVIEW to implement the man-machine interface and to develop a user-friendly toolbox. This system is versatile and feasible from the viewpoint of the hardware and software designs. With the virtual instrument in the toolbox, the man-machine interface is easy for users to implement and helpful in their further research. Furthermore, this toolbox includes many units and parameters, such as waveform types, currents, stimulation time, and others. The system can be considered a versatile and full-featured stimulator for various applications, with its high flexibility in stimulation patterns and multi-channel designs. The proposed system can produce suitable electrical stimulation by tuning the parameters in the interface. The procedure described above can also be implemented in man-machine interfaces for different research purposes.