bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decidability of model checking multi-agent systems against a class of EHS specifications
Authors: Lomuscio Alessio R.  , Michaliszyn Jakub
Published: February 2025

We define and illustrate the expressiveness of thefragment of the Epistemic Halpern–Shoham Logic as a specification language for multi-agent systems. We consider the model checking problem for systems against specifications given in the logic. We show its decidability by means of a novel technique that may be reused in other contexts for showing decidability of other logics based on intervals.
Effective and Robust Natural Language Understanding for Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Bastianelli Emanuele  , Castellucci Giuseppe  , Croce Danilo  , Basili Roberto  , Nardi Daniele
Published: February 2025

Robots are slowly becoming part of everyday life, as they are being marketed for commercial applications (viz. telepresence, cleaning or entertainment). Thus, the ability to interact with non-expert users is becoming a key requirement. Even if user utterances can be efficiently recognized and transcribed by Automatic Speech Recognition systems, several issues arise in translating them into suitable robotic actions. In this paper, we will discuss both approaches providing two existing Natural Language Understanding workflows for Human Robot Interaction. First, we discuss a grammar based approach: it is based on grammars thus recognizing a restricted set of commands. Then, a data driven approach, based on a free-from speech recognizer and a statistical semantic parser, is discussed. The main advantages of both approaches are discussed, also from an engineering perspective, i.e. considering the effort of realizing HRI systems, as well as their reusability and robustness. An empirical evaluation of the proposed approaches is carried out on several datasets, in order to understand performances and identify possible improvements towards the design of NLP components in HRI.
CV-width: A New Complexity Parameter for CNFs
Authors: Oztok Umut  , Darwiche Adnan
Published: February 2025

We present new complexity results on the compilation of CNFs into DNNFs and OBDDs. In particular, we introduce a new notion of width, called CV-width, which is specific to CNFs and that dominates the treewidth of the CNF incidence graph. We then show that CNFs can be compiled into structured DNNFs in time and space that are exponential only in CV-width. Not only does CV-width dominate the incidence graph treewidth, but the former width can be bounded when the latter is unbounded. We also introduce a restricted version of CV-width, called linear CV-width, and show that it dominates both pathwidth and cutwidth, which have been used to bound the complexity of OBDDs. We show that CNFs can be compiled into OBDDs in time and space that are exponential only in linear CV-width. We also show that linear CV-width can be bounded when pathwidth and cutwidth are unbounded. The new notion of width significantly improves existing upper bounds on both structured DNNFs and OBDDs, and is motived by a new decomposition technique that combines variable splitting with clause splitting.
Multi-objective learning of hybrid classifiers
Authors: Piltaver Rok  , Luštrek Mitja  , Zupančič Jernej  , Džeroski Sašo  , Gams Matjaž
Published: February 2025

We propose a multi-objective machine learning approach guaranteed to find the Pareto optimal set of hybrid classification models consisting of comprehensible and incomprehensible submodels. The algorithm run-times are below 1 s for typical applications despite the exponential worst-case time complexity. The user chooses the model with the best comprehensibility-accuracy trade-off from the Pareto front which enables a well informed decision or repeats finding new Pareto fronts with modified seeds. For a classification trees as the comprehensible seed, the hybrids include single black-box model, invoked in hybrid leaves. The comprehensibility of such hybrid classifiers is measured with the proportion of examples classified by the regular leaves. We propose one simple and one computationally efficient algorithm for finding the Pareto optimal hybrid trees, starting from an initial classification tree and a black-box classifier. We evaluate the proposed algorithms empirically, comparing them to the baseline solution set, showing that they often provide valuable improvements. Furthermore, we show that the efficient algorithm outperforms the NSGA-II algorithm in terms of quality of the result set and efficiency (for this optimisation problem). Finally we show that the algorithm returns hybrid classifiers that reflect the expert's knowledge on activity recognition problem well.
Novel architecture of a digital neuron for FFNN employing special multiplication
Authors: Záluský Roman  , Ďuračková Daniela  , Stopjaková Viera  , Nagy Lukáš  , Sedlák Vladimír
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the design of a new architecture of digital neurons for use in the feed-forward neural networks (FFNN) and their subsequent implementation on a chip. The proposed neuron uses a special type of multiplication realized by AND gate. Comparison of usual ways of implementing digital feed-forward neural networks using fixed/floating point numbers to the novel architecture using the special multiplication was performed. Consequently, the investigated FFNN architectures were implemented into FPGA and ASIC, where the chip area was the main concern. Chip area and other features of both the new neural network architecture and standard NN architectures we compared and evaluated.
Mining Balanced Sequential Patterns in RTS Games
Authors: Bosc Guillaume  , Kaytoue Mehdi  , Raïssi Chedy  , Boulicaut Jean-François  , Tan Philip
Published: February 2025

The video game industry has grown enormously over the last twenty years, bringing new challenges to the artificial intelligence and data analysis communities. We tackle here the problem of automatic discovery of strategies in real-time strategy games through pattern mining. Such patterns are the basic units for many tasks such as automated agent design, but also to build tools for the professionally played video games in the electronic sports scene. Our formalization relies on a sequential pattern mining approach and a novel measure, the balance measure, telling how a strategy is likely to win. We experiment our methodology on a real-time strategy game that is professionally played in the electronic sport community.
Nursing Oncology Hospital Information System and Nursing Care
Authors: Provatari Eleni  , Karampelas Vasilios  , Diomidous Marianna  , Mantas John
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this study is register the opinion of nurses on the compatibility of the Nursing Information System with the provision of nursing care, and the ease of learning of the subsystem. This paper is an empirical study that was conducted using a questionnaire in Cancer and Oncology Hospital “Agios Savvas”. Specifically, 121 nurses (108 women and 13 men) of all education levels participated in the survey. According to user responses, 86% agreed partially that the subsystem was easy to learn, and 40.5 % of this 86% believe that the clinical subsystem adequately supports nursing care, mainly engaged in designing the necessary processes, and followed by reducing errors. In conclusion, we can consider that the use of information systems in nursing is important for improving clinical practice and quality of patient care.
Is Precision Medicine different from Personalised Medicine? A Biomedical informatics perspective
Authors: Lopez-Campos Guillermo H.  , Lopez-Alonso Victoria  , Martin-Sanchez Fernando
Published: February 2025

There is an open controversy in the use of the terms personalised and precision medicine and what they refer to in different contexts. In the present work we have considered the data types managed by each of them rather than their application and we have been able to identify commonalities but also differences in the types of data addressed in both approaches that would ultimately lead to include, from a data perspective, personalised medicine within the broader precision medicine term.
The Use of Health Information Technology in Saudi Primary Healthcare Centers
Authors: Almaiman Ahmad  , Bahkali Salwa  , Alfrih Suha  , Househ Mowafa  , El Metwally Ashraf
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this exploratory study is to provide an overview of health information technologies (HITs) used in primary healthcare centers (PHCC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data collection methods included key stakeholder interviews and an academic search using a variety of keyword terms. Evidence shows that the use of health information technologies in Saudi PHCCs is growing although is still in its early stages. Despite the numerous steps undertaken in upgrading and operating the Kingdom electronic health information system (EHIS) as a consequence of the national strategic roadmap of alignment with the electronic health (e-Health) Strategic objectives, yet there is still a mounting need to address realistic approaches in implementing e-health services in Saudi PHCCs. Particularly, tackling barriers that hinder the use of EHIS in PHCCs.
User friendly IT Services for Monitoring and Prevention during Pregnancy
Authors: Crişan-Vida Mihaela  , Şerban Alexandru  , Ghihor-Izdrăilă Ioana  , Mirea Adrian  , Stoicu-Tivadar Lacramioara
Published: February 2025

A healthy lifestyle for a mother and monitoring both mother and fetus activities are crucial factors for a normal pregnancy without hazardous conditions. This paper proposes a cloud computing solution and a mobile application which collect data from the sensors to be used in Obstetrics-Gynecology Department. This application monitors the dietary plan of the pregnant and gives her the possibility to socialize and share pregnancy experience with the rest of women from the social network from the hospital. The physicians can access the information's of the patient in real time and they can alert mothers in some situations. Using this cloud computing device, the health condition of the pregnant women may be improved.
Aligning Public Health and Health Informatics Research Strengths with National Level Research Priorities in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Househ Mowafa  , Alshammri Riyad  , Jradi Huda  , Da'ar Omar B.  , Saddik Basema  , Alamry Ahmed
Published: February 2025

The objective of this paper is to explore the process of aligning the College of Public Health and Health Informatics research strengths at KSAU-HS with Saudi National Science Technology and Innovation Plan (NSTIP). Nineteen participants responded to a survey and reported on their research strengths, research goals, and research barriers. All 19 participants had academic faculty appointments at the assistant professor level. Five of the 19 participants, also had administrative level positions. A thematic content analysis was performed on the data. The comments were grouped into themes in a manner that reflected the objective of the exercise. Results show that although there are a variety of research strengths within the college, funding, staffing, bureaucracy, data access, and linkages with other healthcare organizations were barriers hindering research progress. This process has led the college to focus on two NSTIP-KACST national priority areas of 1) Information technology; and 2) Medical and Health related research. Future research will assess the outcome of the plan on the research agenda of the college.
Development of computational information technology for monitoring NCD risks in the Russian population: preliminary results
Authors: Chernykh Svetlana P.  , Rudnev Sergey G.  , Nikolaev Dmitriy V.  , Starunova Olga A.
Published: February 2025

Here, we report first results on the development of computational health information technology for monitoring chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risks in Russia based on data of the large-scale ongoing population survey in Health Centers (HCs). The technology involve algorithms for automated raw data process and generation of joint database, tools for data standardization and visualization, the assessment of risks, and other components. The data on physical status of Russians, including height, weight, and BMI are provided and compared with Belgian (1835), Swiss (2002), and US (1988–1994) reference datasets. The age-standardized prevalence of obesity in 5–85 years-old Russians according to the conventional WHO criteria was found to be high (18.9% in males and 26.7% in females) and varied significantly across federal subjects of Russia thus suggesting an importance of the Russian NCDs risks monitoring system for planning and evaluation of the effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic measures.
The State Public Health Informatics in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bahkali Salwa  , Almaiman Ahmad  , Almadani Wedad  , Househ Mowafa  , El Metwally Ashraf
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this exploratory study is to provide an overview on the state of Public health informatics (PHI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study defines PHI and discusses the current status and future challenges which face the Saudi health system. Data collection methods included interviews with public health and PHI experts, and database search, using relevant keyword terms in PubMed. Results of this research show that public health information systems (PHIS) are not well-developed to deliver efficient health care in Saudi Arabia. There are several challenges that need to be addressed with the implementation of PHIS such as the need for readiness assessment, resistant to change, integration of systems, and confidentiality and privacy of health information. Future challenges include profiling users, developing a national PHIS and monitoring the impact of PHIS on healthcare outcomes need to be addressed.
Health Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Older People who are Members of Open Care Centers for the Elderly
Authors: Ponirou Paraskevi  , Diomidous Marianna  , Kalokairinou Athena  , Mantas John  , Tsimahidou Chariklia  , Tzavara Chara
Published: February 2025

The consequences of demographic ageing, demographic and social-economic changes, changes in the structure of family, in the shrinkage of Welfare state, influenced the lifestyle of the older people and their social relations. The institution of Open Care Centers for the Elderly (KAPI) was created in the context of these conditions. This cross-sectional study examined the lifestyle of the older people who are member of KAPI and their association with all HRQoL dimensions. The results of this research showed that the main reason for the participants to become members of the KAPI was entertainment and/or companionship (98.4%). Additionally subjects who suffered from a chronic disease had significantly lower scores on all HRQoL dimensions, while participants who were members in the activity groups of KAPI had significantly higher scores. The elderly within the KAPI have many opportunities to meet with other persons of their age, and develop various activities and interests.
HRV Analysis to Identify Stages of Home-based Telerehabilitation Exercise
Authors: Jeong In cheol  , Finkelstein Joseph
Published: February 2025

Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) has been widely used to investigate activity of autonomous nervous system. Previous studies demonstrated potential of analysis of short-term sequences of heart rate data in a time domain for continuous monitoring of levels of physiological stress however the value of HRV parameters in frequency domain for monitoring cycling exercise has not been established. The goal of this study was to assess whether HRV parameters in frequency domain differ depending on a stage of cycling exercise. We compared major HRV parameters in high, low and very low frequency ranges during rest, height of exercise, and recovery during cycling exercise. Our results indicated responsiveness of frequency-domain indices to different phases of cycling exercise program and their potential in monitoring autonomic balance and stress levels as a part of a tailored home-based telerehabilitation program.
Semantic Interoperability in Healthcare
Authors: Arvanitis Theodoros N.
Published: February 2025

The improved understanding of the whole healthcare and wellbeing pathway for individuals depends on the power of healthcare information, being made readily available and easily interpretable by both humans and machines. In the centre of this challenge lies the concept of interoperability, as a way to provide fundamental linkage, integration and meaningful use of healthcare data between systems, organisations and users. In particular, semantic interoperability can offer a way of enriching healthcare data with context and meaning, in order to achieve enhanced understanding and better evidence-based interpretation of disease and wellbeing for an individual, within the context of healthcare provision and clinical research. In this keynote paper, the concept of semantic interoperability, for healthcare data linkage and exchange, is critically discussed. An emphasis is given on the importance of clinical terminologies and associated services, as means for adding meaning to routinely collected clinical data.
Web-based Health Educational Program in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bahkali Salwa  , Almaiman Ahmad  , Alsaleh Mahassen  , Elmetwally Ashraf  , Househ Mowafa
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this exploratory study is to provide an overview of a web-based health educational site created by the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Sources of data included two interviews with Saudi IT personnel, three health educators, and two medical consultants working at KFSH&RC. The interviews ranged between 45 minutes and 120 minutes. The KFSH&RC website was also searched for the type of health information content posted. Results show that the KFSH&RC web-based health educational site provides health information through a medical encyclopedia, a social networking platform, health educational links, and targeted health information for children, which includes tools such as games and coloring books. Further research is needed on the effectiveness of the KFSH&RC web-based health education site in terms of improving knowledge and changing behavior of Saudi patients. The study recommends that targeted web-based health education strategies should be developed to reach large rural populations which have inadequate computer skills and limited access to the internet.
From Computer-interpretable Guidelines to Computer-interpretable Quality Indicators: A Case for an Ontology
Authors: White Pam  , Roudsari Abdul
Published: February 2025

In the United Kingdom's National Health Service, quality indicators are generally measured electronically by using queries and data extraction, resulting in overlap and duplication of query components. Electronic measurement of health care quality indicators could be improved through an ontology intended to reduce duplication of effort during healthcare quality monitoring. While much research has been published on ontologies for computer-interpretable guidelines, quality indicators have lagged behind. We aimed to determine progress on the use of ontologies to facilitate computer-interpretable healthcare quality indicators. We assessed potential for improvements to computer-interpretable healthcare quality indicators in England. We concluded that an ontology for a large, diverse set of healthcare quality indicators could benefit the NHS and reduce workload, with potential lessons for other countries.
Positive Technology for Healthy Living and Active Ageing
Authors: Riva Giuseppe  , Gaggioli Andrea  , Villani Daniela  , Cipresso Pietro  , Repetto Claudia  , Serino Silvia  , Triberti Stefano  , Brivio Eleonora  , Galimberti Carlo  , Graffigna Guendalina
Published: February 2025

Information and communication technologies are widely and rapidly spreading in people's daily lives. But what is the possible role of the mass proliferation of digital devices in supporting healthy living and active ageing? Are they useful in fostering personal growth and individual integration of the elderly, by promoting satisfaction, opportunities for action, and self-expression? Rather, do they enhance automation, impose constraints on personal initiative, and result in compulsive consumption of information? In this chapter, we suggest that possible answers to these questions will be offered by the “Positive Technology” approach, i.e., the scientific and applied approach to using technology so that it improves the quality of our personal experiences through its structuring, augmentation, and/or replacement. First, we suggest that it is possible to use technology to manipulate the quality of experience with the goal of increasing wellness and generating strengths and resilience in individuals, organizations, and society. Then, we classify positive technologies according to their effects on these three features of personal experience – Hedonic: technologies used to induce positive and pleasant experiences; Eudaimonic: technologies used to support individuals in reaching engaging and self-actualizing experiences; Social/Interpersonal: technologies used to support and improve the connectedness between individuals, groups, and organizations. Finally, we discuss the possible role of positive technologies for healthy living and active ageing by presenting different practical applications of this approach.
Shared responsibility for electronic records: Governance in perinatal data entry
Authors: Craswell Alison  , Moxham Lorna  , Broadbent Marc
Published: February 2025

This paper presents research undertaken as part of a larger research project to examine the factors that influence midwives when entering perinatal data. A grounded theory methodology was used to undertake qualitative interviews with 15 participants from 12 different hospitals across Queensland, Australia using three different systems for perinatal data collection. The findings surrounding accountability are presented revealing that a shift in governance relating to responsibility and accountability is not occurring in midwifery units across Queensland. Without assignation of responsibility for entries and accountability for mistakes or omissions, perinatal data records can be left incomplete or inaccurate. Increasing use of electronic health records and creation of digital hospitals indicates these issues are highly relevant in planning for these services.
Mid-term NEAT review: Analysing the improvements in hospital ED performance
Authors: Khanna Sankalp  , Boyle Justin  , Good Norm  , Lind James
Published: February 2025

Introduced with a promise to reduce overcrowding in the Emergency Department (ED) and the associated morbidity and mortality linked to bed access difficulties, the National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) is now over halfway through transitionary arrangements towards a target of 90% of patients that visit a hospital ED being admitted or discharged within 4 hours. Facilitation and reward funding has ensured hospitals around the country are remodelling workflows to ensure compliance. Recent reports however show that the majority of hospitals are still far from being able to meet this target. We investigate the NEAT journey of 30 Queensland hospitals over the past two years and compare this performance to a previous study that investigated the 4 hour ED discharge performance of these hospitals at various times of day and under varying occupancy conditions. Our findings reveal that, while most hospitals have made significant improvements to their 4 hour discharge performance in 2013, the underlying flow patterns and periods of poor NEAT compliance remain largely unchanged. The work identifies areas for targeted improvement to inform system redesign and workflow planning.
“I can do it”: Does confidence and perceived ability in learning new ICT skills predict pre-service health professionals' attitude towards engaging in e-healthcare?
Authors: Lam Mary K.  , Nguyen Melanie  , Lowe Robyn  , Nagarajan Srivalli V.  , Lincoln Michelle
Published: February 2025

Background: There are many factors affecting health professionals' willingness to engage in e-health. One of these factors is whether health professionals perceive themselves to be able to learn new skills, and have the confidence in mastering these new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills. Objective: This study examined how health students' confidence and perceived ability for learning new ICT skills affect their attitude towards engaging in e-health. Methods: A survey was conducted to explore students' attitude towards using e-health and their perceived self-efficacy and confidence to learn new ICT skills. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between confidence and self-efficacy, and attitude towards engaging in e-health controlling for participants' age, gender, and prior IT learning experience. Results: The three scales measuring attitude, confidence and self-efficacy showed good internal consistency with respective Cronbach's Alpha scores of 0.835, 0.761 and 0.762. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant relationship between confidence, self-efficacy and prior IT learning experiences with attitude towards e-health after adjusting for the effect of each other (F3,350=17.20,p<0.001). Conclusion: Self-efficacy and confidence in learning new ICT skills together with previous ICT training either at or outside their university studies are significant factors associated with students' attitude towards using e-health. Enhancing students' level of self-efficacy in learning new ICT skills may be the key to the success of implementation of e-health initiatives.
Interpreting international governance standards for health IT use within general medical practice
Authors: Mahncke Rachel J.  , Williams Patricia A.H.
Published: February 2025

General practices in Australia recognise the importance of comprehensive protective security measures. Some elements of information security governance are incorporated into recommended standards, however the governance component of information security is still insufficiently addressed in practice. The International Organistion for Standardisation (ISO) released a new global standard in May 2013 entitled, ISO/IEC 27014:2013 Information technology – Security techniques – Governance of information security. This standard, applicable to organisations of all sizes, offers a framework against which to assess and implement the governance components of information security. The standard demonstrates the relationship between governance and the management of information security, provides strategic principles and processes, and forms the basis for establishing a positive information security culture. An analysis interpretation of this standard for use in Australian general practice was performed. This work is unique as such interpretation for the Australian healthcare environment has not been undertaken before. It demonstrates an application of the standard at a strategic level to inform existing development of an information security governance framework.
Implementing reusable software components for SNOMED CT diagram and expression concept representations
Authors: Bánfai Balázs  , Porció Roland  , Kovács Tibor
Published: February 2025

SNOMED CT is a vital component in the future of semantic interoperability in healthcare as it provides the meaning to EHRs via its semantically rich, controlled terminology. Communicating the concepts of this terminology to both humans and machines is crucial therefore formal guidelines for diagram and expression representations have been developed by the curators of SNOMED CT. This paper presents a novel, model-based approach to implementing these guidelines that allows simultaneous editing of a concept via both diagram and expression editors. The implemented extensible software component can be embedded both both desktop and web applications.
Preservation of Information in Terminology Transcoding
Authors: Griffon Nicolas  , Merabti Tayeb  , Cormont Sylvie  , Tariel-Laurent Sophie  , Massari Philippe  , Lepage Eric  , Chniti Amina  , Daniel Christel  , Darmoni Stéfan J.
Published: February 2025

Linking interface terminologies (IT) to reference terminologies (RT) in flow of terminologies may allow health information system to be both usable and interoperable. Two French university hospitals worked independently on such a flow from the prescription of lab-test to the display of the corresponding results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transmission of information in these two hospitals communication. An expert, supported by natural language processing tool, created the gold standard link between the 2 prescription ITs i.e. the terms that share the same meaning. A semantic pathway was defined to allow the mapping of one prescription IT to the other, through LOINC® and SNOMED®, the RT chosen by each hospital, respectively. The capacity of the semantic pathway to identify the correct links was computed. The expert found 218 links between the 2 prescription ITs (containing 580 and 374 terms that are linked to RT). The semantic pathway correctly identifies 96 of these links (44.0% [37.4–50.6]). The recall was not as good as expected, even though the semantic pathway was created in order to maximize it. Using different RT in different hospitals is not an efficient solution. The use of LOINC® seems to be preferable as a RT for prescription.
General vs Health Specialized Search Engine: a Blind Comparative Evaluation of Top Search Results
Authors: Pletneva Natalia  , Ruiz de Castaneda Rafael  , Baroz Frederic  , Boyer Celia
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the results of a blind comparison of top ten search results retrieved by Google.ch (French) and Khresmoi for everyone, a health specialized search engine. Participants – students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva had to complete three tasks and select their preferred results. The majority of the participants have largely preferred Google results while Khresmoi results showed potential to compete in specific topics. The coverage of the results seems to be one of the reasons. The second being that participants do not know how to select quality and transparent health web pages. More awareness, tools and education about the matter is required for the students of Medicine to be able to efficiently distinguish trustworthy online health information.
Shared Decision Making: Using Theories and Technology to Engage the Patient in Their Health Journey
Authors: Russell Amina  , Abidi Samina Raza  , Abidi Syed Sibte Raza
Published: February 2025

Shared decision making is considered the cornerstone of patient-centred care but transpires in only 10% of face-to-face consultative encounters. Technology interventions have rampantly sought to fill the shared decision making gap but fall short in patient engagement. Recent studies indicate that combining multiple approaches could lead to greater commitment towards achieving positive health outcomes. Consequently, this study combines and embeds the I-Change behavioural theory with choice architecture within a technology-based aid to facilitate shared health decision making for hypertension reduction. An ontology knowledge model combining the behavioural and choice methods forms the core framework that will inform the technical solution. The model is both scalable and patient-centric. A pilot study will trial the solution, solicit feedback and propose refinements for future clinical use.
Learning from an Ambient Assisted Living Lab: the case of the Intelligent Bed
Authors: Bygholm Ann  , Kanstrup Anne Marie
Published: February 2025

This paper presents methodological lessons learned from an Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) lab exploring the use of intelligent beds in a nursing home. The living lab study was conducted over a period of three month. 20 intelligent beds were installed. Data was collected via self-registration, diaries, observations, interviews and workshops with residents, nurses, nursing assistants, management, building officers, and purchasers from the Municipality. The paper presents an analysis within the overall themes of technology, use, and care, which is discussed by use of the SWOT framework presenting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified in the living lab of the intelligent bed. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for mature technology, long-term studies, clarification of role and tasks of different stakeholders, and attention on methods used for living lab evaluations.
Telehealth for “the Digital Illiterate” – Elderly Heart Failure Patients Experiences
Authors: Lind Leili  , Karlsson Daniel
Published: February 2025

Telehealth solutions should be available also for elderly patients with no interest in using, or capacity to use, computers and smartphones. Fourteen elderly, severely ill heart failure patients in home care participated in a telehealth study and used digital pens for daily reporting of their health state—a technology never used before by this patient group. After the study seven patients and two spouses were interviewed face-to-face. A qualitative content analysis of the interview material was performed. The informants had no experience of computers or the Internet and no interest in learning. Still, patients found the digital pen and the health diary form easy to use, thus effortlessly adopting to changes in care provision. They experienced an improved contact with the caregivers and had a sense of increased security despite a multimorbid state. Our study shows that, given that technologies are tailored to specific patient groups, even “the digital illiterate” may use the Internet.
A Mobile Logbook to Diagnose Masked Hypertension: a Pilot Application
Authors: Eccher Claudio  , Botteri Maria  , Ortolani Daniele  , Forti Stefano  , Piras Enrico Maria
Published: February 2025

In the last years, there has been a growing interest in health mobile applications. Great benefits could be gained by seemingly “simple” solutions if these were designed to build a bridge between doctors and patients. In this paper, we describe a mobile health solution for patients allowing them to measure and record accurately their blood pressure at home, helping doctors to diagnose hypertension. An accurate measurement of the blood pressure, in fact, is a prerequisite for appropriate management of hypertension, a condition causing many serious diseases. The peculiarity of the hypertension kit is that the system requires interaction between the patients and their general practitioner. Finally, we present a pilot study carried out to evaluate the acceptability of the technologies, the compliance of patient to the self-monitoring procedure and the perceived benefits and disadvantages of both doctor and patients in using this kit.
ImmunoDB: a web based tool to analyze preclinical data
Authors: Lavieri Rosa  , Filaci Gilberto  , Fenoglio Daniela  , Giacomini Mauro
Published: February 2025

Often researchers find it difficult to interpret and correlate the results obtained from several experiments thus the development of a system that would allow storage, display and data analysis would be very useful. A web based interface is presented that allows people from a laboratory to submit the collected data and to compare results within different experiments. The interface was designed to be user-friendly and to be a basis of a flexible tool for performing analysis in an intuitive manner.
Policy-Driven Management of Personal Health Information for Enhancing Interoperability
Authors: Blobel Bernd  , Ruotsalainen Pekka  , González Carolina  , López Diego
Published: February 2025

Based on a system-theoretical approach, aspects of real world systems have been introduced. In this context, the relations between a system's architecture, i.e. its components, their functions and relations, formally represented by domain-specific ontologies considering all domains relevant in the system's use case on the one hand and the system's behaviour ruled by the applied policies on the other hand have been described. A refinement of policies ruling a clinical setting has been exemplified. It could be shown that ubiquitous health systems must be designed and managed following a thoroughly systems-oriented, architecture-centric, ontology-based and policy-driven approach. The feasibility of the approach has been practically demonstrated.
A Hybrid Particle Swarm and Neural Network Approach for Detection of Prostate Cancer from Benign Hyperplasia of Prostate
Authors: Sadoughi Farhnaz  , Ghaderzadeh Mustafa
Published: February 2025

In present paper, we propose a Hybrid classifier based particle swarm optimization (PSO) and Neural Network method for supporting the diagnosis of prostate cancer. algorithm combining particle swarm optimization algorithm with back propagation neural network (BPNN) algorithm, also referred to as BPNN–PSO algorithm, is proposed to train the feed forward neural network (FNN). The results show that the proposed BP based PSO algorithm can achieve very high diagnosis accuracy (98%) and it proving its usefulness in support of clinical decision process of prostate cancer.
A Usability Study of a Mobile Monitoring System for Congestive Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Svagård I.  , Austad H.O.  , Seeberg T.  , Vedum J.  , Liverud A.  , Mathiesen B.M.  , Keller B.  , Bendixen O.C.  , Osborne P.  , Strisland F.
Published: February 2025

Sensor-based monitoring of congestive heart-failure (CHF) patients living at home can improve quality of care, detect exacerbations of disease at an earlier stage and motivate the patient for better self care. This paper reports on a usability study of the ESUMS system that provides continuous measurements of heart rate, activity, upper body posture and skin temperature via a sensor belt and a smartphone as patient terminal. Five CHF patients were included in the trial, all recently discharged from hospital. The nurses experienced continuous heart rate, activity and posture monitoring as useful and objective tools that helped them in their daily assessment of patient health. They also saw the system as an important educational tool to help patients gain insight into their own condition. Three patients liked that they could have a view of their own physiological and activity data, however the smartphones used in the study turned out to be too complicated for the patients to operate. A smartphone is built to be a multi-purpose device, and this may (conceptually and practically) be incompatible with the patients' demands for ease of use.
Analysis of Social Networks among Physicians Employed at a Medical School
Authors: Yuce Yilmaz Kemal  , Zayim Nese  , Oguz Basak  , Bozkurt Selen  , Isleyen Filiz  , Gulkesen K. Hakan
Published: February 2025

Social network analysis is a well-known method for discovering the social complexities of relationships. In this paper, we present the results of its application in a healthcare environment, i.e. a state university hospital. The sociometric method was adopted to collect social network data. The analysis was performed using Pajek. The medical practice/academic and technological networks among physicians of a state university hospital were explored. Monomorphic and polymorphic opinion leaders (OLs) within the networks were identified using the in-degree measure. Cohesiveness were investigated based on network density and average degree. In addition, it was checked if the mentor system may present impact on the formation of social networks among physicians.
Improving EHR Semantic Interoperability: Future Vision and Challenges
Authors: Martínez-Costa Catalina  , Kalra Dipak  , Schulz Stefan
Published: February 2025

We propose a semantic-driven architecture to improve EHR semantic interoperability. This architecture is constituted by five layers: structured heterogeneous data (i), as found in (un-)standardised clinical information models, which are consumed by a semantic mapping layer (ii), which links the data items to clinical ontologies via user-friendly content patterns. A semantic mediator (iii) then translates these content patterns into ontology-based annotations, which populate a virtual homogeneous data store (iv), which serves the application layer (v).
Screening Radiation Exposure for Quality Assurance
Authors: Bastião Silva Luís A.  , Ribeiro Luís S.  , Santos Milton  , Costa Carlos  , Oliveira José Luís
Published: February 2025

Quality assurance for planned radiation exposure situations (e.g. Digital Radiography, Computed Tomography or Radio Fluoroscopic studies) requires the application of examination-specific scans protocols. These are tailored to patient age or size, body region and clinical indication for ensuring that the dose applied to each patient is as low as reasonably achievable for the clinical purpose of the image acquisition (ALARA principle). The European legal framework – 2013/59/EURATOM – points that health authorities will be more pervasive on inspecting the dosimetry applied to patients. This paper discusses these legal alterations and presents an interoperable distributed system for dose monitoring, which is compliant with legal procedures and the IHE Radiation Exposure Monitoring profile (REM). The system combines the most representative stakeholders affected and directly interested in the patient radiological protection: patients, radiologists, practitioners, health authorities, and ethics committee. The system is capable of gathering, in real-time, dose information applied to the patient and storing it in a regional or national wide dose registry. The paper addresses which information should such systems hold and which should be accessed, from each stakeholder perspective. Furthermore, the system may detect irregular dose patterns, which could indicate dose abuses, and signal those findings to the appropriate stakeholders.
Contrastive conversational analysis of language production by Alzheimer's and control people
Authors: Boyé Maïté  , Grabar Natalia  , Thi Tran Mai
Published: February 2025

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by memory disorders, although it affects also other cognitive functions (executive functions, attention, gnosia, praxia and language) and the communication ability. Our objective is to study verbal communication of people affected by the Alzheimer's disease at early to moderate stages. One particularity of our approach is that we are working in ecological conversational situations: people are interviewed by persons they know and in non-artificial environment. We propose a contrastive study of verbal productions of five people affected by the Alzheimer's disease and of five control people, both over 80 years old. To obtain quantitative and qualitative results, the oral corpora are transcribed and processed with the NLP methods and tools, and manually. Our results indicate that the Alzheimer's patients present lexical and semantic deficit and that their conversation is reduced comparing to the control people.
Methods uncovering usability issues in medication-related alerting functions: results from a systematic review
Authors: Marcilly Romaric  , Vasseur Francis  , Ammenwerth Elske  , Beuscart-Zephir Marie-Catherine
Published: February 2025

This paper aims at listing the methods used to evaluate the usability of medication-related alerting functions and at knowing what type of usability issues those methods allow to detect. A sub-analysis of data from this systematic review has been performed. Methods applied in the included papers were collected. Then, included papers were sorted in four types of evaluation: “expert evaluation”, “user- testing/simulation”, “on site observation” and “impact studies”. The types of usability issues (usability flaws, usage problems and negative outcomes) uncovered by those evaluations were analyzed. Results show that a large set of methods are used. The largest proportion of papers uses “on site observation” evaluation. This is the only evaluation type for which every kind of usability flaws, usage problems and outcomes are detected. It is somehow surprising that, in a usability systematic review, most of the papers included use a method that is not often presented as a usability method. Results are discussed about the opportunity to provide usability information collected after the implementation of the technology during their design process, i.e. before their implementation.
Observations and Lessons Learnt from Non Health Professionals Evaluating a Health Search Engine
Authors: Pletneva Natalia  , Uresova Zdenka  , Altman Jean-Jacques  , Postel Vinay Nicolas  , Degoulet Patrice  , Hajic Jan  , Boyer Celia
Published: February 2025

This article presents the results of one of the stages of the user-centered evaluation conducted in a framework of the EU project Khresmoi. In a controlled environment, users were asked to perform health-related tasks using a search engine specifically developed for trustworthy online health information. Twenty seven participants from largely the Czech Republic and France took part in the evaluation. All reported overall a positive experience, while some features caused some criticism. Learning points are summed up regarding running such types of evaluations with the general public and specifically with patients.
Interactive Characterization of A Code Pattern
Authors: Nakayama Ken  , Sakai Eko  , Kobayakawa Michihiro
Published: February 2025

There are semantic chunks and relations (code patterns) of various granularities in source code. Since a code pattern is closely tied to a unit of understanding by a programmer, searching specific code pattern through unfamiliar source code would help understanding the code. Conventional string search tools, however, are not suitable for this purpose because, for instance, they do not assume the syntax of a programming language.
Rice-Planted Area Extraction by RADARSAT Data by Competitive Neural Networks
Authors: Omatu Sigeru  , Yano Mitsuaki
Published: February 2025

The classification technique using the neural networks has been recently developed. We apply a competitive neural network of Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) to classify remote sensing data including microwave and optical sensors for estimation of a rice field. The method has capability of a nonlinear discrimination function which is determined by learning. The satellite data were observed before and after planting rice in 1999. Three RADARSAT and one SPOT/HRV data are used in Higashi-Hiroshima City, Japan. RADARSAT image has only one band data, which is difficult to extract a rice field. However, SAR back-scattering intensity in a rice field decreases from April to May and increases from May to June. Thus, three RADARSAT images from April to June are used for this study. The LVQ classification was applied to RADARSAT and SPOT data in order to evaluate rice field estimation. The results show that the true production rate of rice field estimation for RADASAT data by using LVQ was approximately 60% compared with SPOT data. It is shown that the present method is much better compared with SAR image classification by the maximum likelihood (MLH) method.
From Computer Science to Software Engineering – A Programming-level Perspective
Authors: Bailes Paul  , Brough Leighton  , Kemp Colin
Published: February 2025

An important step from computer science to a true discipline of software engineering is to impose discipline upon the behavior of practitioners. At the programming level, this is manifested by the constraint to use catamorphisms as the basic pattern of recursion/iteration. Catamorphisms exist for all regular recursive types and discipline (and simplify programming) to the selection of recursion pattern parameters. Reasoning about programs (for verification, transformation and optimization purposes) is similarly simplified. Catamorphisms are just one of a range of programming patterns explained by and understood in terms of mathematical category theory. The proposition that category theory provides the theory of programming (design as well as coding) is reinforced by the ability of modern programming languages to represent categorical abstractions in source code.