bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multisensor System and Artificial Intelligence in Housing for the Elderly
Authors: Chan Marie  , Bocquet Hélène  , Campo Eric  , Val Thierry  , Estève Daniel  , Pous Jacques
Published: February 2025

To improve the safety of a growing proportion of elderly and disabled people in the developed countries, a multisensor system based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Advanced Telecommunications (AT) and Information Technology (IT) has been devised and fabricated. Thus, the habits and behaviours of these populations will be recorded without disturbing their daily activities. AI will diagnose any abnormal behaviour or change and the system will warn the professionals. Gerontology issues are presented together with the multisensor system, the AI-based learning and diagnosis methodology and the main functionalities.
Interface Assessment: Elderly Users of an Interactive Television System
Authors: Carmichael Alex R.
Published: February 2025

Assessment of an interactive television service has highlighted potentially major barriers regarding the ease and desirability of access by elderly users. The kinds of service available through such technology vary widely as do the interaction operations required to achieve the goal of each service. For many interfaces, in particular those in the workplace, some element of explicit training or extended practice may be necessary and appropriate to achieve proficient use. However, in order to attract paying customers to television based interactive services, the expectation should be of a rapid and fairly effortless route to proficiency. Evidence is presented which indicates no positive effects of previous experience with a combined set of interactive services and it is argued that this is mainly due to a lack of explicit information and to inconsistencies (mainly between service providers) in the operation rules (both, explicit and implicit) provided.
Legal issues and rules: confidentiality and security
Authors: Herbst M.
Published: February 2025

International and national laws as well have to be respected when processing high sensitive personal and medical data. When dealing with these different juridical instruments some key points like legitimacy of cards, consent of patients and responsibilities of the parties involved can be found everywhere in all of the documents. These general principles are summarised in this article to realise confidentiality and security of health cards.
The introduction of an electronically readable social identity card for all Belgians
Authors: Robben F.
Published: February 2025

From July 1, 1998 onwards, each Belgian citizen will have, besides his/her usual identity card, an electronically readable social identity card. This social identity card, called SIS card, takes the form of a protected memory chip card. On 7 February 1997, a royal decree having force of law was published in the Belgian Official Journal. It lays down rules for the introduction of the SIS card. This article examines the motives underlying that initiative, goes into the concept of the SIS card and gives an overview of its legal framework.
Patients assess the Patient's Card Results of the Survey among Patients Groups concerning the Pilot Project Patient’s Card Koblenz/Neuwied
Authors: Stark C.  , Möhring M.  , Herrmann G.  , Schmiede R.
Published: February 2025

Since Summer 1995, a pilot project on patient's card is running in Neuwied/Germany (Pilot Project Patient's Card Koblenz/Neuwied). From February till March 1997 we carried out a telephone survey among local patients groups in Koblenz and Neuwied. The main aim of the survey was to find out, what do the patients groups know regarding the patient's card in general and regarding the local pilot project - and what is their attitude towards it. The results of our survey should be of interest for the introduction of patient-related card systems, because serious deficits in the information policy of the project initiators became evident.
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTEGRATING VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS WITH HAPTIC DISPLAYS
Authors: Stredney Don  , Wiet Gregory J.  , Yagel Roni  , Sessanna Dennis  , Kurzion Yair  , Fontana Mark  , Shareef Naeem  , Levin Mike  , Martin Kenneth  , Okamura Allison
Published: February 2025

As further advances in visual display technologies and force feedback devices are integrated in virtual systems, questions remain: What level of reality does the system provide to the user? Is the environment convincing enough to engage the user and to maximize transfer? Are the visual and haptic displays fully integrated to provide seamless operation in the simulated environment? Does the system provide not only the ability to navigate through a simulated environment, but also realistic interaction with instrumentation and structures? We report on our advances in developing a virtual simulation system for training in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Specifically, we will present work on subject trials exploring the realism provided by integrated visual and haptic displays, and compare and contrast surface vs. volume representation for presenting realistic models of the anatomy for surgical interaction.
The Virtual Temporal Bone
Authors: Mason Theodore P.  , Applebaum Edward L.  , Rasmussen Mary  , Millman Alan  , Evenhouse Ray  , Panko Walter
Published: February 2025

The human temporal bone is a 3-dimensionally complex portion of the skull that contains delicate and vital anatomic structures imbedded within dense bone. Current teaching tools have proven to be only marginally adequate for the needs of the aspiring otologic surgeon in learning this anatomy. A variety of image processing and reconstruction techniques were used to reconstruct an anatomically accurate 3-dimensional model of the human temporal bone from serial histologic sections. Using CAVE™ technology, the model can be manipulated in a stereoscopic virtual environment so that it can be studied from any viewpoint, greatly simplifying the task of learning this anatomy. Applications in surgical planning and Internet based teaching are discussed.
Validation of the Madigan ESS Simulator
Authors: Weghorst Suzanne  , Airola Christopher  , Oppenheimer Peter  , Edmond Charles V.  , Heskamp David  , Miller Jeffrey
Published: February 2025

The Madigan Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) Simulator, developed by a multi-institution team led by Lockheed Martin, includes force-feedback instrument and virtual endoscope interaction with three-dimensional paranasal anatomy models derived from the Visible Human dataset, supplemented by a variety of graphical and auditory instructional aids embedded in the model. Our formal evaluation of Version 1.2 of the system focused on its validity as an ESS simulator. Run-time and survey data were collected for three groups of subjects on a common protocol progressing through the three basic ESS subtasks: naN igation, injection, and dissection. Non- MD subjects performed the tasks on a simplified abstract virtual model with instructional aids (hoops for the navigation path, injection targets, dissection spheres, auditory feedback about task completion, and simulated patient heart rhythm). Non-ENT MDs progressed from this “novice” model to a simulated anterior ethmoidectomy on an “intermediate” model with the aids embedded in the reconstructed and segmented paranasal anatomy. Otolaryngologists ranging from second-year ENT residents through senior staff progressed through both the abstract and intermediate models, and then performed the simulated surgical procedure on an “advanced” model, consisting of the anatomy with no instructional aids. The procedural validity of the simulator is supported by a strong correlation between performance on the simulator and degree of prior ESS experience, by convergent correlation among independent measures of subject task performance, and by subjective evaluations by experienced ESS surgeons.
Decision Support for Health Professionals
Authors: Hasman A.  , Smeets R.P.A.M.  , Dupuits F.M.H.M.
Published: February 2025

In this contribution two decision support tools are discussed. One is used for reducing the number of inadequately requested tests by GPs and the other to support neurologists in prescribing medications for epilepsy patients. The experiences with both programs will be discussed.
Education of Health Professionals
Authors: Hasman A.
Published: February 2025

In this contribution the problem-based educational system is explained. As an example the system, current in the Faculty of Medicine, is discussed. The appreciation of students of the system is very high, as is apparent from investigations performed by two independent organizations.
Medical Informatics Education: Basic Assumption for Successful Implementation of Information Technology in the Health Care Sector
Authors: Zv´rov´ Jana
Published: February 2025

In the paper we mention the trends in medical informatics education and we present the development of medical informatics education in the Czech Republic. The actual situation at Czech faculties giving pregraduate courses covering medical informatics topics is described. The enhanced development of medical informatics education via European cooperation is shown. Finally, new approaches to medical informatics education using Internet and special educational software are mentioned.
The Visible Human Project™: A Resource for Anatomical Visualization
Authors: Ackerman Michael J.
Published: February 2025

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has long been a world leader in the archiving and distribution of the print-based images of biology and medicine. NLM has also been a pioneer in the use of computer systems to encode and distribute textual knowledge of the life sciences. NLM's Long Range Planning effort of 1985-86 foresaw a coming era where NLM's Bibliographic and factual database services would be complemented by libraries of digital images, distributed over high speed computer networks and by high capacity physical media. The NLM Planning Panel on Electronic Imaging recommended that NLM should undertake the building a digital image library consisting of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images, and cryosection images of a representative, carefully selected and prepared male and female cadaver -- the “Visible Human ProjectJ.” The male and female Visible Human data sets are now being made available through a license agreement with the NLM. The data sets are supporting a wide range of educational, diagnostic, treatment planning, and commercial uses. The value of this international resource in the public domain increases through its application. Its utility will continue to grow as related databases are attached to it, and as more attributes are given to its image elements.
Image Analysis and Pattern Recognition for Computer Supported Skin Tumor Diagnosis
Authors: Handels Heinz  , Roß Thomas  , Kreusch  , Wolff Helmut H.  , Pöppl Siegfried J.
Published: February 2025

A new approach to computer supported recognition of melanoma and naevocytic naevi based on high resolution skin surface profiles is presented. Profiles are generated by sampling an area of 4 × 4 mm2at a resolution of 125 sample points per mm with a laser profilometer at a vertical resolution of 0.1 μm. With image analysis algorithms Haralick's texture parameters, Fourier features and features based on fractal analysis are extracted. Genetic algorithms are employed successfully to select goodfeature subsets for the following classification process. As quality measure for feature subsets, the error rate of the nearest neighbor classifier estimated with the leaving-one-out method is used Classification is performed with feed forward back-propagation network and the nearest neighbor classifier. Classification performance of the neural classifier is optimized using different topologies, learning parameters and pruning algorithms. The best neural classifier achieved an error rate of 4.5% and was found after network pruning. The best result with an error rate of 2.3% was obtained with the nearest neighbor classifier.
An Architecture for Implementing Customizable Medical Image Processing Systems
Authors: Demiris Athanasios M.  , Cardenas S. Carlos E.  , Makabe Manuela H.  , Meinzer Hans-Peter
Published: February 2025

Monolithic image processing systems containing a superset of imaging algorithms are difficult to use and require specialized knowledge of image processing. Thus they increase the workload of medical personnel instead of making the work situation easier. Customizable medical image processing systems on the other hand may be easily adapted to address various problems in the medical image processing domain integrating only the necessary subset of image processing functionality presented in an intuitive way.
Three Computational Systems for Disclosing Medical Data in the Year 1999
Authors: Sweeney Latanya
Published: February 2025

Today most organizations release and receive medical data with all explicit identifiers, such as name, address, and phone number, removed in the incorrect belief that patient confidentiality is maintained because the resulting data look anonymous. We examine three computer programs that do maintain patient confidentiality when disclosing electronic medical records: the Scrub System which locates personally-identifying information in letters between doctors and notes written by clinicians; the Datafly System which generalizes data within the record based on a profile of the recipient at the time of access; and, the μ-Argus System which is becoming a European standard for disclosing public use data. The techniques presented in these systems help protect confidentiality in the face of a changing globally-networked society with immediate access to volumes of personal data.
Health Informatics in Canada: A Vision for the Next Millennium
Authors: Alvarez Richard C.  , Zelmer Jennifer
Published: February 2025

Around the world, informatics has been cited as a key enabler of health sector reform. Recent reform programs in Canada, reflecting this global consensus, have emphasized the importance of quality information and information technology in achieving their goals. This paper describes the current status of health informatics in Canada and provides a vision for the evolution of Canada's health information infrastructure.
A Model for Enhancing Worldwide Personal Health and Wellness
Authors: Marine Stephen  , Guard Roger  , Morris Theodore  , Haag Doris  , Kaya Birsen  , Riep Josette  , Schick Leslie  , Tsipis Gaylene  , Shoemaker Steve
Published: February 2025

Individuals must increasingly take control of managing their own health affairs. This requires access to quality information that is not easily obtained from traditional social institutions. NetWellness is an electronic consumer health information service that provides a model for reaching the goal of enhancing personal health and quality of life.[1] We present a vision of consumer health information delivery in the 21st century, and a model for reaching that vision. Our experience to date, progressing through a five- phase model, is aimed at providing the best health information possible to the widest population possible.
The Software Challenge for the Next Decade: the Global Objects Scenario
Authors: Leão Beatriz deF.  , Madril Pablo J.  , Lopes Paulo R.  , Sigulem Daniel  , Moura Lincoln
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses the advantages of developing software as pattern-based components. The design and implementation of a pattern-based suite of software components specially constructed for the electronic patient record is presented. The methodology and the lessons learned in the development of these components are discussed. Finally, some comments about the globalization and the need for more integration among component developers in a worldwide basis is discussed.
Design and Application of a Terminology Management System
Authors: Carlsson Mats  , Karlsson Daniel  , Åhlfeldt Hans  , Wigertz Ove
Published: February 2025

A Swedish data model for handling terminology, Spriterm, is presented in this paper. A prototype terminology management system, using the Spriterm data model in also described. This prototype is implemented is Microsoft ACCESS. Furthermore, two other applications using this prototype as a base are introduced. One World Wide Web based application, and a data dictionary.
Development of a Medical Record and Radiographic Image Transmission System Using a High-Speed Communication Network
Authors: Kim N.H.  , Yoo S.K.  , Kim K.M.  , Kang Y.T.  , Bae S.H.  , Kim S.R.
Published: February 2025

A medical record and radiographic image transmission system has been developed using a high-speed communication network. The databases are designed to store and transmit the data acquired from the scanner. To maximally utilize the communication bandwidth, the medical records and radiographic images are compressed using the G3 facsimile and JPEG coding standard method, respectively. TCP/IP, OOP and Windowsbased system software enable a modular design, future expandability, open system inter connectivity, and diverse image manipulation functions.
Simulation of the initial concentration-time course after intravenous application of the drug
Authors: Schröder Thomas  , Rösler Uwe  , Leiner Florian  , Frerichs Inez  , Hahn Gönter  , Hellige Gerhard
Published: February 2025

In this paper we present a widely applicable computational method for the description of the initial concentration-time-course after intravenous injection of a substance. The intravascular concentration-time course, r, is described as r = c0+ g * r, where the asterisk denotes the convolution operation, c0is the concentration-time course during the first passage of the substance and g is the transportfunction of the body. If the body transport function is known, then the concentration-time course of a substance can be predicted. The site of interest can be chosen arbitrarily, i. e. the concentration-time course in the arterial circulation supplying any organ can be described. This might be of special interest for the optimal design of intravenous injections of contrast media, where initial concentrations at the region of interest determine the success of the diagnostic procedure.
Medical Internet Exchange Project in JAPAN
Authors: Mizushima Hiroshi  , Uchiyama Eiko  , Akiyama Masanori  , Yamamoto Ryuichi  , Tatsumi Hiroyuki
Published: February 2025

The Internet has been widely used by medical institutes and hospitals around the world, however; its use for telemedicine is still low. The main reason for this is the availability of bandwidth and poor security through the net. Meanwhile, we have established and have been operating ‘Cancer Information Network' among 11 Cancer Centers in Japan, mainly for Multipoint TV Conference using HDTV image. There are also similar projects among 9 cardiovascular centers in Japan. By March, all 240 national hospitals will have been connected by an IP network using an ATM backbone. The above network projects are operated independently, and have an ‘Intranet’ characteristic within them. There are also many hospitals and clinics connected to the Internet by commercial internet providers.
Semantic Modeling of a Traditional Classification: Results and Implications
Authors: Petersson Håkan  , Nilsson Gunnar  , Åhlfeldt Hans  , Malmberg Britt-Gerd  , Wigertz Ove
Published: February 2025

A primary health care version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), together with a three-dimensional model for classification of diseases according to location, origin, and type has been semantically represented. The resulting computer-based version is made available via the World Wide Web.
Medical Diagnostic System Using Fuzzy Coloured Petri Nets under Uncertainty
Authors: Ouchi Yuji
Published: February 2025

We propose a medical diagnostic system using Fuzzy Coloured Petri Nets (FCPN) in this paper. For complex real-world knowledge Fuzzy Petri Net (FPN) models have been proposed to perform fuzzy reasoning automatically. However, in the Petri Net we have to represent all kinds of processes by separate subnets even though the process has the same behavior of other one. Real-world knowledge often contains many parts which are similar, but not identical. This means that the total PTN becomes very large. The kind of problems may be annoying for a small system, and it may be catastrophic for the description of large-scale system.
Educational Benefits and Cost Savings from an Interactive Multimedia “Best Practice”
Authors: Levy David H.  , Miller Barry J.  , Wagoner David
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND: Developing and deploying “clinical practice guidelines” and “best practices” is a major strategic goal of our organization. We developed and evaluated a novel way of educating our colleagues on the office management of shoulder pain, using an interactive multimedia computer program to allow rapid access to user-selected audiovisual educational materials through a simple point and click interface. METHODS: Pre- and post-testing of30 practicing primary care providers was conducted to assess ability to evaluate and manage patients who present with shoulder pain, and a post-use survey was administered to assess clinician acceptance and confidence, ability to use as a just-in-time tool, and changes in utilization of medical resources. RESULTS: Pre- and post-testing demonstrated that clinicians used this tool to improve their scores in a wide variety of clinical areas including history, physical examination, diagnosis, and management of conditions causing painful shoulder above their scores using textbooks and other traditional educational materials alone. The post-use survey showed outstanding acceptance by clinicians and their reported increased confidence as well as the potential for their increased abilities to translate into significant cost savings through more focused use of radiographic studies, orthopedic consultations, and physical therapy treatments. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that “The Multimedia Reference for Office Management ofShoulder Pain” is an effective and valuable learning resource for practicing clinicians, and demonstrates the potential to use an interactive multimedia tool to augment clinical skills and promote cost effective management of patients with this common clinical problem.
The Survey on the Completeness of the Medical Records as the Basis for Producing Valuable Health Information
Authors: Kang Sunny  , Kim Kwang-Ae
Published: February 2025

The core of the health information system in the hospitals lies in the medical records, which contain all the data concerning diseases and practices. Then questions arise whether the medical records contain all the data needed in the reliable, complete and timely manners while meeting standards for confidentiality. In this study, we reviewed medical records of 11 general tertiary care hospitals in Seoul, Korea, according to the criteria we made based on the JCAHO's hospital accreditation manual. The focus of review was whether the medical records contain the valuable information fully and in timely manners. But the result was no better than our expectations. More caution should be given for the EPR software engineers to catch up all the information needed from the medical records. We also examine the cause of variation among hospitals and want to give basic information concerning the medical records for implementing the standardized EPR and suggest the method for keeping complete health information
BASIC ISSUES IN THE USE OF VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH APPLICATIONS
Authors: Rizzo Albert A.  , Wiederhold Mark  , Buckwalter J. Galen
Published: February 2025

In order for Virtual Environments (VE) to be efficiently developed in the areas of clinical psychology and neuropsychology, a number of basic theoretical and pragmatic issues need to be considered. The current status of VE’s in these fields, while provocative, is limited by the small number of controlled studies that have been reported which apply this technology to clinical populations. This is to be expected considering it's relatively recent development, expense, and the lack of familiarity with the technology by mainstream researchers in these fields. In spite of this, some work has emerged which can begin to provide a basic foundation of knowledge which could be usefiil for guiding future research efforts. Although much of the work does not involve the use of fully immersive head mounted displays (HMD's), studies reporting PC-based flatscreen approaches are providing valuable information on issues necessary for the reasonable and measured development of VE/mental health applications. In light of this, the following review will focus on basic issues that we see as important for the development of both HMD and non-HMD VE applications for clinical psychology, neuropsychological assessment, and cognitive rehabilitation. These basic issues are discussed in terms of decision-making for choosing to develop and apply a VE for a mental health application. The chapter covers the issues involved with choosing a VE approach over already existing methods, deciding on the “fit” between a VE approach and the clinical population, level of presence, navigation factors, side effects, generalization, and general methodological and data analysis concerns.
VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS IN BRAIN DAMAGE REHABILITATION: A RATIONALE FROM BASIC NEUROSCIENCE
Authors: Rose F. D.  , Attree E. A.  , Brooks B. M.  , Johnson D. A.
Published: February 2025

The potential of virtual environments in assessment and training of cognitive function is a more than adequate reason for their application to neurorehabilitation. However, there is a more fundamental justification, and one which is firmly rooted in the neuroscience literature. Over the last half Century there has been a wealth of published evidence that enriching the environments of laboratory rats stimulates neuroplastic change in the cerebral cortex, enhances learning and problem solving in normal rats and reduces cognitive impairment in brain damaged rats. Central to all three effects of enrichment are the increased levels of interaction with the physical environment engendered by enrichment. Placing humans who have damaged brains in virtual environments is one way of enhancing their levels of environmental interaction which, because of cognitive impairments and sensory and motor disabilities, is otherwise difficult to achieve. In this chapter we explore the potential of virtual environments as enriched environments within the rehabilitation regime. The underlying assumption, that interaction with a virtual environment is functionally equivalent to interaction with a real environment, is examined. Three lines of relevant evidence are reviewed, neuroimaging studies and psychophysiological studies of people in virtual environments and studies of transfer of training from virtual to real tasks. An agenda for future research in this area is proposed.
VIRTUAL REALITY AND IMAGINATIVE TECHNIQUES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Authors: Vincelli Francesco  , Molinari Enrico
Published: February 2025

The great potential offered by Virtual Reality (VR) derives prevalently from the central role, in psychotherapy, occupied by the imagination and by memory. These two elements, which are fundamental in the life of every one of us, present absolute and relative limits to individual potential. Thanks to virtual experiences, it is possible to transcend these limits. The re-created world may at times be more vivid and real than the one that most subjects are able to describe through their own imagination and through their own memory. This chapter focuses on imaginative techniques to find new ways of applications in therapy. In particular the chapter analyses in which way VR can be used to improve the efficacy of current techniques. VR produces a change with respect to the traditional relationship between client and therapist. The new configuration of this relationship is based on the awareness of being more skilled in the difficult operations of recovery of past experiences, through the memory, and of foreseeing of future experiences, through the imagination. At the same time, the subject undergoing treatment perceives the advantage of being able to re-create and use a real experiential world within the walls of the clinical office of his own therapist.
Transversal Approach of the Biomechanics of Scoliosis and its Management with Cotrel-Dubousset Instrumentation
Authors: Lecire C.  , Skalli W.  , Leborgne P.  , Dubousset J.  , Zeller R.  , Lavaste F.
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to present a transversal approach for the analysis and evaluation of the scoliosis management. This approach combines for the same patient various complementary protocols, before, during and after treatment in order to characterize the geometry of the spine as well as the global posture and motion of the trunk, to assess vertebral motion during surgery, to construct and try to validate a finite element simulation of the surgical correction of this patient, and to evaluate with time the effects of this surgery. To date, 7 patients were considered. Examples of significant results are presented for one of them.
‘Stress-Modulated Growth’ and the Progression of Scoliosis
Authors: Stokes Ian A.F.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a mathematical simulation of the experimental work by Mente et al. [1], who reported that vertebrae in a rat tail with an imposed 30° Cobb curve, axially loaded widi 60% bodyweight, developed an average wedge angle after 6 weeks of 13.5° ± 6.1°. In this paper, the forces on these vertebral physes are analyzed in terms of die stress distribution across the physes, and using published data for rat tail vertebrae growth sensitivity to stress [2], the rate of vertebral wedging during growth was estimated. It was found that mechanical modulation of growth (the ‘Hueter-Volkmann Law’) could quantitatively explain the progression of the vertebral wedge deformity in the experimental tail model.
The Role of the Exteroceptive System in the Aetiopathogenesis of Structural Scoliosis An Investigation on Blind Children
Authors: Lupparelli S.  , Merolli A.  , Tamburrelli F.  , Marrocco R.  , Aulisa L.
Published: February 2025

A group of 46 blind children (7 with acquired and 39 with congenital amaurosis) were clinically and roentgenographically screened for axial deviations of the spine to investigate the relationship between blindness and spinal configuration. Multiple, short, structural curves seemingly developing in a cephalad caudad direction were found in 21 out of the 39 congenitally blind children. The presence of these characteristic curves in congenitally blind children may be interpreted as the result of structural changes produced by an abnormal posture maintained throughout growth. The relationship between an abnormal postural control system and the onset of structural curves is suggestive as far as the role that subclinical changes may play in the development of idiopathic scoliosis is concerned. Although our study suggests that dysfunction of the posture mechanism may bring about structural curvatures, the observed curve pattern does differ from that of idiopathic scoliosis.
Creation and Correction of Vertebral Wedge Deformity by Mechanical Modulation of Growth
Authors: Mente Peter L.  , Aronsson David D.  , Stokes Ian A.F.  , Iatridis James C.
Published: February 2025

The objectives of this study were to test the hypotheses that a vertebral wedge deformity created by asymmetrical loading will correct after reversal of the load asymmetry and that vertebral growth will return to normal following load removal. An external fixator was applied to the tails of two groups of 12 rats each. The fixator applied an axial compression of 60% body weight together with an imposed angulation of 30° and thus asymmetrically loaded the intervening vertebra and discs. After an initial asymmetric loading for four weeks the loading was reversed for four weeks in group I animals and removed in group II animals. Vertebral wedging was measured using radiographs and fluorochrome labeling. This study showed Uiat a wedge deformity can be corrected by reversing the load used to create it and that vertebral growth rates will return to normal after removal of the external loads, demonstrating that growdi is not permanenUy affected by applied loading.
Developmental Stability: its Significance for Scoliosis
Authors: Dangerfield P H  , Jansa K  , Scutt D  , Manning J T  , Dorgan J C
Published: February 2025

Developmental homeostasis is the tendency of the internal environment of an organism to be maintained at a constant by means of self-regulating biological processes through growth systems. Developmental stability is the production of a phenotype through predetermined adaptations to a given environment and genetic pattern. Deviation from this normal stability can be expressed through the development of asymmetries. Asymmetry itself is a well-known physical feature of scoliosis, expressed as the linear asymmetry of the spinal curvature found in the vertebral column, and the directional asymmetry (DA) of the limbs. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a deviation from bilateral symmetry in normally bilaterally symmetrical morphological traits, which are normally distributed in a population and in which signed differences between the right, and left sides have a mean value of zero. An important feature of FA is that it can be viewed as both an expression of the developmental stability of that individual in a given genetic or environmental situation as well as a measure of its phenotype, where there is a marked deviation from normal developmental traits. The present study has examined the developmental stability of 39 female adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. 23 traits were measured; true FA was identified in 12 bilateral traits. While these findings are preliminary and require further work on different populations, they indicate that a major phenodeviant in the form of idiopathic scoliosis is associated with a general development instability, a Finding that has important aetiological consequences for scoliosis.
Evaluation of a New Real-Time Ultrasound Method for Measuring Segmental Rotation of Vertebrae and Ribs in Scoliosis
Authors: Kirby A S  , Burwell R G  , Cole A A  , Pratt R K  , Webb J K  , Moulton A
Published: February 2025

Supported by AO/ASIF Research Commission Project 96-W21.
Planes of Maximum Deformity in the Scoliotic Spine
Authors: Aubin C.-É.  , Lobeau D.  , Labelle H.  , Maquinghen-Godillon A.P.  , Le Blanc R.  , Dansereau J.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a comparison of 4 different methods used to describe the “plane of maximum deformity” of scoliotic spines. It was conducted on 31 scoliotic subjects with a right thoracic curve. Most techniques are reproducible and are little influenced by reconstruction errors. The measurement of the plane of maximum deformity gives quite different orientations and there is not a “best technique”, even if most of them are correlated. The spinal curves presented different shape patterns, which may explain the discrepancy in the results between the methods. We recommend using the segment between the end vertebrae to calculate the plane of maximum deformity, and being careful when comparing published results using these techniques because they are not equivalent, even if correlated.
Involvement of Autoregulatory-Like Responses in the Short-Term Variability of Arterial Pressure
Authors: Julien Claude  , Létienne Robert  , Barrés Christian
Published: February 2025

To examine whether spontaneous autoregulatory responses of the arterial vasculature can contribute to the short-term variability of arterial pressure (AP), rats were chronically instrumented for the simultaneous measurement in the conscious State of AP and of either cardiac output, mesenteric or hindquarters blood flow. Acute pharmacological removal of neurohumoral influences induced a marked increase in AP variability when the AP level was maintained with a continuous noradrenaline infusion. AP lability was especially due to the spontaneous occurrence of large depressor episodes that were accompanied by systemic and regional vasodilations. Both time- and frequency-domain analyses revealed that changes in vascular conductances lagged by ∼1 s behind AP changes, thus demonstrating the autoregulatory-like nature of these hemodynamic fluctuations. In intact animals, changes in vascular conductances were not delayed relative to AP changes, except in the mesenteric circulation, where autoregulatory-like fluctuations prevailed up to 0.1 Hz. In this circulation, most of the spontaneous variability of vascular conductance appeared as an oscillation centered at 0.1-0.15 Hz, irrespective of neurohumoral influences. We conclude that after neurohumoral blockade, autoregulatory-like responses become a major source of AP variability. Due to their unexpectedly short latency, these responses operate up to 0.15-0.2 Hz. The reflex control of AP normally overrides autoregulation, except in the mesenteric circulation.
Universal Interfacing System for Interactive Technologies in Telemedicine, Disabilities, Rehabilitation, and Education
Authors: Lipson Edward  , Warner David  , Chang Yuh-Jye
Published: February 2025

A modular hardware and software system for human-computer interaction is described that allows for flexible, affordable interfacing of people, computers, and instruments. The approach is illustrated with an application in the disabilities area. Other application areas are outlined
Anatomical and Physiological Models for Surgical Simulation
Authors: Avis N.J.  , Briggs N.M.  , Kleinermann F.  , Hose D.R.  , Brown B.H.  , Edwards M.H.
Published: February 2025

A considerable amount of effort has been aimed towards developing real-time deformable objects for surgical simulation, but very little work has been aimed towards including physiology within the soft tissue models. A simulator that links the structural and functional aspects of the human body would allow the user to develop a better understanding of the intrinsic link between anatomy and physiology.
The Correction of MR Images Distortion with Phantom Studies
Authors: Woo J.H.  , Kim Y.S.  , Kim Sun I.
Published: February 2025

In the field of Image Guided surgery, Geometrical accuracy of images acquired from CT and MR is an essential prerequisite for good registration process. In this paper, we present the experiment with MR phantom . We visualize the distortion of MR images in 3-D shape and modify it by surface fitting algorithm using the control Point.
Assessing the Impact of Telemedicine on Health Care Management
Authors: Kretschmer Rainer  , Nerlich Michael
Published: February 2025

Telemedicine is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic developing fields of IT-technologies in health care. From research and development to routine clinical use of telemedicine applications, decision-makers demand information on the impact that widespread use will have on structures and processes in health care.
3.3 Specialised Information Systems: Diabetes Care
Authors: Sönksen Peter  , Carson Ewart
Published: February 2025

This chapter describes some of the ways in which IT can be applied to the clinical management of diabetes, considering both clinical information management and decision support. At a methodological level issues addressed range from requirements analysis and specification to evaluation. From a clinical perspective the benefits that can arise and the challenges still to be faced are discussed. It is clear from practice that the dominant feature determining success is ‘clinical usefulness’ combined with ‘safety’ - the methods of evaluating clinical systems are in their infancy and need further development. Creating clinically useful and effective systems is more difficult than is commonly anticipated. The poor level of investment in this area is reflected in the relatively poor penetration of IT into clinical practice.
4.1 Health Care Systems
Authors: Diomidus Marianna
Published: February 2025

It should not be surprising that these is a multiplicity of health care systems around the world given the historical development of health services in different countries. In this chapter there will be described only a few of these and at least the most representative; means those of the United States of America, Russian and Sweden, and finally the Hellenic health care system.
An Architecture for Bridging between Research and Practical Use in Health Informatics
Authors: Andersen Stig Kjær  , Bernstein Knut  , Vingtoft Søren
Published: February 2025

Health informatics is a true interdisciplinary research discipline combining computer engineering, health science and fields dealing with organisation and communication issues. Much of the research published within the area has a common goal: to develop optimal information systems for better access to relevant data, information, and knowledge in the health care sector. As a respond to existing discontinuity between research and practical use, we present an architecture for an interdisciplinary virtual organisation promoting synergy across health informatics environments including research, industry, clinical, and educational settings. A set of key lessons learned from a practical implementation of the architecture are reported
Teleradiology as a seed of the Regional Health Care Intranet in a rural region in Spain
Authors: de Castro Juan Pablo  , Hornero Roberto  , Alonso Alonso  , Medina Begoña  , Mompó Rafael  , Abril Evaristo  , López Miguel
Published: February 2025

Castilla y León is a rural region with a very sparse population of about 2,560,000 habitants. Special health care challenges appear due to this region's very aged population and large dimensions. A theoretical model of services of Telemedicine is proposed and an experimental teleradiology trial is carried out between a rural Health Care Centre and its Reference Hospital to make easier the planning of future projects. The total number of studies was increased due to availability of specialised support and higher skills of physicians, but the percentage of studies consulted to specialists diminished. Continuing education through physicians communication was hightly improved.
Third Generation Electronic Pharmacy Communications
Authors: Demkjær Karin  , Johansen lb  , Bernstein Knut
Published: February 2025

The number of electronic prescriptions in Denmark is increasing and almost 600,000 electronic prescriptions are now sent every month. There is therefore a strong interest in directly reusing the data entered in the medical practitioner systems in the pharmacy systems. It has therefore been decided to introduce a shared data foundation in all medical practitioner and pharmacy systems in Denmark in conjunction with the introduction of the new MEDPRE electronic prescription standard. Parallel to the standardisation work, concrete guidelines have been prepared for the individual EDP (Electronic Data Processing) systems to ensure rapid, problem-free prescription communication. The aim in the longer term is for 95% of all EDIFACT prescriptions to reach the receiving pharmacy no more than 20 minutes after being sent from a medical practice.
CISMeF: Cataloque and Index of French speaking health resources
Authors: Darmoni SJ.  , Leroy JP.  , Baudic F.  , Douyère M.  , Piot J.  , Thirion B.
Published: February 2025

In 1999, the Internet has become a major source of health information. The objective of CISMeF is to catalogue and index the main French-speaking sites and documents concerning health. Currently, the number of resources already totalled over 6,100 with a mean of 75 new sites each week. CISMeF contains a thematic index, including medical specialities and an alphabetic index. CISMeF uses two standard tools for organising information: the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) thesaurus from the Medline bibliographic database (National Library of Medicine) and the Dublin Core metadata format. A brief description of the site is systematically added. CISMeF respects the Net Scoring, criteria to assess the quality of health information on the Internet. The CISMeF project fulfils a valuable tool for the French-speaking health community: 2,500 machines visit the Web site each working day.
Evaluation of medical knowledge using electronic textbooks and ExaMe program on Internet
Authors: Zvárova Jana  , Zvára Jr. Karel  , Hanzĺček Petr  , Neustadt Jan  , Rošický Pavel  , Buriánek Karel  , Augustinová Růžena  , Prox Jakub
Published: February 2025

In the paper we describe the function of the ExaMe program that serves for evaluation of students’ knowledge using Internet. Evaluation is based on the knowledge base of a given course. Two types of evaluation tests are described. The fixed test is appropriate for examination of students by the teacher in computer classroom connected to Internet. By this test the evaluation is done in the limited time period and all students are tested with the same evaluation test. The automatic test is appropriate for self-evaluation and self-study by students on remote places. The student can ask the ExaMe program for the test of different difficulty levels and state the number of questions required. Finally the first experience with the ExaMe program in practice is given. The application of the ExaMe program is shown in connection with IT EDUCTRA electronic products and electronic textbook on biomedical statistics.
A JAVA Implementation of a Medical Knowledge Base for Decision Support
Authors: Ambrosiadou Vivian  , Goulis Dimitris  , Shankararaman Venky  , Shamtani George
Published: February 2025

Distributed decision support is a challenging issue requiring the implementation of advanced computer science techniques together with tools of development which offer ease of communication and efficiency of searching and control performance. This paper presents a JAVA implementation of a knowledge base model called ARISTOTELES which may be used in order to support the development of the medical knowledge base by clinicians in diverse specialised areas of interest. The advantages that are evident by the application of such a cognitive model are ease of knowledge acquisition, modular construction of the knowledge base and greater acceptance from clinicians.
MOBISIM - Package for Simulation in Molecular Biology
Authors: Mihalas George I  , Macovievici Gratian  , Simon Zeno  , Mihalas Georgeta  , Balea Gabriel  , Lungeanu Diana
Published: February 2025

A computer program for simulation of protein synthesis regulatory processes is described. A short theoretical background reveals the requirements of a simulation program. Our program, MOBISIM, offers several facilities and a user-friendly interface for molecular biologists. An example illustrates the graphical representation both as time evolution of the system or as phase diagram.
The influence of class discretization to attribute hierarchy of decision trees
Authors: Babič Špela Hleb  , Kokol Peter  , Zorman Milan  , Podgorelec Vili
Published: February 2025

Decision support systems that help physicians are becoming very important part of medical decision making. They are based on different models and the best of them are providing an explanation together with an accurate, reliable and quick response. One of the most viable among decision-making models is the concept of decision trees, already successfully used for many medical decision making purposes.
Take Care: Guidelines for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Hedin Kristina  , Babic Ankica  , Frydén Aril
Published: February 2025

Alcohol consumption has significant impact on the condition of the liver, by itself, and even more in conjunction with other liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis C. Drinking habits might be delicate issues to address and could harm otherwise satisfying communication. Therefore, we intended to outline guidelines for advising hepatitis C patients concerning alcohol consumption.