bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The WHO-ITU National eHealth Strategy Toolkit as an Effective Approach to National Strategy Development and Implementation
Authors: Hamilton Clayton
Published: February 2025

With few exceptions, national eHealth strategies are the pivotal tools upon which the launch or refocusing of national eHealth programmes is hinged. The process of their development obviates cross-sector ministerial commitment led by the Ministry of Health. Yet countries often grapple with the task of strategy development and best efforts frequently fail to address strategic components of eHealth key to ensure successful implementation and stakeholder engagement. This can result in strategies that are narrowly focused, with an overemphasis placed on achieving technical outcomes. Without a clear link to a broader vision of health system development and a firm commitment from partners, the ability of a strategy to shape development of a national eHealth framework will be undermined and crucial momentum for implementation will be lost. WHO and ITU have sought to address this issue through the development of the National eHealth Strategy Toolkit that provides a basis for the components and processes to be considered in a strategy development or refocusing exercise. We look at this toolkit and highlight those areas which the countries should consider in formulating their national eHealth strategy.
Physician Satisfaction with Electronic Medical Record in a Huge Hospital (China)
Authors: Jia-lin Liu  , Siru Liu  , Fei Lei
Published: February 2025

Electronic medical record (EMR) is widely used in Chinese hospitals. Yet little is known about the physician satisfaction with EMR in Chinese hospitals. The purpose of this paper is to develop an instrument to measure physician satisfaction with EMR and to survey physician satisfaction with EMR in the biggest hospital in China. We developed a questionnaire and did a cross-sectional survey on 100 physicians from July 2010 to November 2010 in the huge hospital in China. A total of 92 completed questionnaires were returned. Our results revealed that although the overall physician satisfaction with EMR was relatively high (70.7%), certain aspects of the service showed some degree of dissatisfaction (function, efficiency, quality).
Personal Healthcare System Using Cloud Computing
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroshi  , Mayuzumi Yuuki  , Kodama Naoki  , Sato Keiichi
Published: February 2025

A personal healthcare system used with cloud computing has been developed. It enables a daily time-series of personal health and lifestyle data to be stored in the cloud through mobile devices. The cloud automatically extracts personally useful information, such as rules and patterns concerning lifestyle and health conditions embedded in the personal big data, by using a data mining technology. The system provides three editions (Diet, Lite, and Pro) corresponding to users' needs.
Proposal of the Patient Location Tracking and Query (PLQ) of IHE Integration Profile for the Better Patient Tracking
Authors: Ando Yutaka  , Mukai Masami  , Otake Yuichiro  , Suzuki Makoto  , Seki Masayoshi  , Oka Masatoshi  , Kota Torikai  , Abe Satoshi
Published: February 2025

The Patient Location Tracking Query (PLQ) is the IHE integration profile in order to find the location of patient only in a hospital, not for cross-referencing between multiple hospitals. In Japan, it is common for elderly patients to consult multiple departments in one hospital visit. To find the location of patients quickly is very important for productivity and use of resources in a hospital. We analyzed the workflow of patients and defined three actors and two transactions for PLQ integration profile. In order to collect the location of patients, multiple systems must provide the location into central management system. We proposed PLQ for the better patient care in hospitals. We believe that by using this PLQ profile hospital staffs are able to utilize the resource more efficiently.
Verification System for Postoperative Autologous Blood Retransfusion
Authors: Yoshikawa Takeki  , Kimura Eizen  , Kobayashi Shinji  , Ishihara Ken
Published: February 2025

Medical staff members should match blood products with patients using a barcode authentication system for blood transfusion to prevent medical accidents. However, our hospital only verifies the blood products of the Japanese Red Cross Society and the preserved autologous blood, not the autologous blood salvaged during the operation or from the oxygenator. In this study, we developed the barcode medication administration system and mobile device for verification. This system will prevent blood transfusion errors in the ward setting.
Mapping the Translation Challenge
Authors: Dowie Jack
Published: February 2025

A map of the world of judgement and decision making seeks to locate those problems of translation that reside in the treatment of values and preferences and address the use of widely varying modes of cognition.
How to Co-Develop Services, Work, and Information Systems in Healthcare: The Daisy Approach
Authors: Korpela Mikko  , Ikävalko Pauliina  , Luukkonen Irmeli  , Martikainen Susanna  , Palmén Marilla  , Tiihonen Tuija  , Toivanen Marika  , Vainikainen Vilma
Published: February 2025

Information systems in healthcare need to be designed and developed in a collaborative way. However, existing collaborative methodologies for the parallel development of healthcare work and information systems are vague and fragmented. Furthermore, they neither address people-centred healthcare nor limited-resource contexts. In this paper we introduce an emerging holistic approach, based on a unifying theoretical basis, for co-developing the services, work and information systems in healthcare. The approach intends to (a) be collaborative in nature; (b) address the domains of both healthcare professionals and ordinary people / communities; (c) span the main analysis and design tasks of socio-technical information systems development from needs assessment through requirements setting to functional-architectural solutions; (d) be contextually sensitive; and (e) be practicable in “real life” beyond research settings.
Clinical simulation as a boundary object in design of health IT-systems
Authors: Rasmussen Stine Loft  , Jensen Sanne  , Lyng Karen Marie
Published: February 2025

Healthcare organizations are very complex, holding numerous stakeholders with various approaches and goals towards the design of health IT-systems. Some of these differences may be approached by applying the concept of boundary objects in a participatory IT-design process. Traditionally clinical simulation provides the opportunity to evaluate the design and the usage of clinical IT-systems without endangering the patients and interrupting clinical work. In this paper we present how clinical simulation additionally holds the potential to function as a boundary object in the design process. The case points out that clinical simulation provides an opportunity for discussions and mutual learning among the various stakeholders involved in design of standardized electronic clinical documentation templates. The paper presents and discusses the use of clinical simulation in the translation, transfer and transformation of knowledge between various stakeholders in a large healthcare organization.
Contextualisation of Clinical Information from Fragmented Health Records
Authors: Galster Gert
Published: February 2025

Traditionally health records have a source-oriented structure, as opposed to a clinically logical structure. The aim of the current study is to record and depict the clinically logical information structure built by doctors as part of their contextualisation of clinical information, to compare this structure to that of a given health record, and to assess whether a structural difference may have negative consequences. Eight doctors in a medical department were observed during contextualisation of clinical information. The method of observation included simultaneous interviews and with the technique used it was possible to depict the clinically logical information structure and compare it to the structure of the health record. The doctors' information structure was found to differ widely from the structure of the health record, causing split-attention and stress. It is concluded that the present health record is suboptimal. Further research in information support based on clinically logical structure is recommended.
Privacy Value Network Analysis
Authors: Joinson Adam  , Houghton David
Published: February 2025

In this chapter we present a new method for visualising the use of personal information by stakeholders, and the transfer of value between those same groups based on the provision of tangible and intangible goods. Value network analysis combines elements of social network analysis with value chains and social capital in order to identify where value is generated in a network of stakeholders. The privacy value network (PVN) approach develops this methodology to identify the ways in which the value of personal information is realised across a network of stakeholders. Privacy Value Networks also introduce the notion of information costs within the model – and tracking personal information across a network allows for the identification of both exogenous and endogenous costs. At present, the PVN approach is primarily an analytic and visualisation tool, but in the future it should be possible to quantify value and costs across the network, and to calculate the degree of value/cost balance (and imbalance).
A Simulation-Based Approach to Decision Support for Lean Practitioners
Authors: Mohamad Effendi Bin  , Ito Teruaki  , Yuniawan Dani
Published: February 2025

In today's global competition, having a lean production system is a must for companies to remain competitive. By identifying and eliminating waste throughout a product's entire value stream by means of a set of LM tools, companies are able to produce and assemble any product range in any order or quantity. In order to do these, personnel needs to have the expertise in deciding which LM tool to implement at the right time and on the right place. However, this expertise is not always available. Therefore, this paper proposes a simulation-based decision support (SDS) tool to assist the decision making in LM tool implementation. The SDS tool provides five functions through an interactive use of process simulation. The functions are layout, zoom-in/zoom-out, task status, Key Performance Indicators (KPI) status and R.A.G. (Red, Amber and Green) status (quantifying waste). These functions are incorporated into a process model of coolant hose manufacturing (CHM) factory which was developed in this study. Layout function provides a bird's eye view of the whole process model and shows how the manufacturing process runs with the flow of materials and products. Zoom-in/zoom-out function provides a detail view of manufacturing processes of the factory. For KPI and RAG status functions, examples of LM tool implementations are used to show how different parameters affect the outcome of manufacturing process. Bar charts of KPIs are also available during simulation. Feasibility study showed how SDS tool enhance the visual perception and analysis capabilities of lean practitioners through availability of specific functions in the simulation model. Hence, decisions in LM implementation could be made correctly and with increased confidence by lean practitioners.
An Electricity Market Trade System for Next Generation Power Grid
Authors: Shibano Kyohei  , Tanaka Kenji  , Abe Rikiya
Published: February 2025

In recent years, power sources in electric power system have been diversified for various reasons such as electricity liberalization, greenhouse gas reduction, and so on. Adapting to these various energy sources, electric power system needs more flexible electricity trade system between those resources. That is why there comes a new trend that every power demand becomes to identify and select its power sources. This report proposes an electricity trading system with “Digital Grid”, in which individuals can trade the identified electricity, time by time and source by source. Individual participants can trade electricity on the computer based market. The executed transaction of the electricity will be delivered physically and automatically via Digital Grid Routers though existing transmission and distribution lines. In the proposed market, participants can trade smaller electricity, where it was not suitable in conventional wholesale electricity markets. Additionally, it is considered suitable that they trade electricity via battery storage, especially for renewable energy, because it is difficult to predict its power output in future. Furthermore, buyers can buy specific electricity, satisfying their needs. It leads to activation of renewable energy and distributed energy of smaller size participating in electricity market. As a result, a new type of “Electricity Market Trade System” is proposed in this study with simulation result that identified electricity is traded accurately.
Understanding the Customer Involvement in Radical Innovation
Authors: Chang Danni  , Chen Chun-Hsien
Published: February 2025

This study aims to identify the factors fostering radical innovations during new product development (NPD), and investigate into the importance of customer involvements. Based on an analysis of a large number of relevant research, the hypothesis is established: H1, The customer is not the most or the only significant factor affecting radical innovation performances in NPD. To test H1, an interactive multiple regression model is adopted to detect the impacts of innovation-related factors. Through calculation and comparison, the results showed the radical innovations are more sensitive to professional consulting institutions such as ‘consultants, commercial lab or private R&D institutions’ rather than ‘customers, clients or end users’. Based on the analysis, conclusions are drawn that firms should properly distribute research focus on all important aspects, and carefully control the customer involvements so as to achieve the best benefits.
Semi-Supervised Learning with Partial Domain Models
Authors: Armengol Eva
Published: February 2025

Self-Training methods are a family of methods that uses some supervised method (commonly an inductive learning method) to assign class labels to unlabeled examples. The resulting inductive model is useful to predict the classification of unseen new domain objects. In this paper we propose to use a lazy learning method called LID, capable of producing descriptions similar to the ones from inductive learning methods. In the experiments we prove that this partial domain is very useful to predict the classification of unseen objects.
Hierarchical Inference Applied to Cyc
Authors: Garcia-Gasulla Dario  , Cortés Ulises
Published: February 2025

Hierarchical graphs are a frequent solution for capturing symbolic data due the importance of hierarchies for defining knowledge. In these graphs, relations among elements may contain large portions of the element's semantics. However, knowledge discovery based on analyzing the patterns of hierarchical relations is rarely used. We outline four inference based algorithms exploiting semantic properties of hierarchically represented knowledge for producing new links, and test one of them on a generalization of Cyc's KB. Finally, we argue why such algorithms can be useful for unsupervised learning and supervised analysis of a KB.
A Semantic Similarity Measure for Objects Described with Multi-Valued Categorical Attributes
Authors: Moreno Antonio  , Valls Aida  , Mata Ferran  , Martínez Sergio  , Marín Lucas  , Vicient Carlos
Published: February 2025

The comparison of objects from a semantic perspective is a key point to improve the performance of current data mining tools and knowledge-based systems. Several semantic similarity measures defined in the field of Computational Linguistics are now employed in knowledge-based processes. Those measures are able to compare pairs of terms by leveraging the knowledge of an external source, like an ontology or a corpus. However, in some cases, the objects to be compared are not associated to a single term but they are described with a list of terms. In this paperThis paper has been selected by the CCIA'2013 scientific committee for an extended version in a special issue on AICommunications journal.
Forward-Chaining Planning with a Flexible Least-Commitment Strategy
Authors: Sapena Oscar  , Onaindía Eva  , Torreño Alejandro
Published: February 2025

In this paper we present FLAP, a forward-chaining planner which works with partial-order plans. Unlike similar planners like OPTIC, FLAP follows the least-commitment principle of the traditional partial-order planning algorithm without establishing additional ordering constraints among actions during the search. This leads to the generation of more general plans, with more flexible executions, that can be easily adapted to temporal planning or multi-agent planning. Despite the overhead caused by working with partial-order plans, experimental results show that FLAP outperforms OPTIC in many domains.
Performing Decision-Theoretic Inference in Bayesian Network Ensemble Models
Authors: Ashcroft Michael
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this paper is to present a simple extension to an existing inference algorithm on influence diagrams (i.e. decision theoretic extensions to Bayesian networks) that permits these algorithms to be applied to ensemble models. The extension, though simple, is important because of the power and robustness that such ensemble models provide [1]. This paper is intended principally as a ‘recipe’ that can be used even by those unfamiliar with the algorithms extended. Accordingly, I present the algorithms that the original contribution builds upon in full, though references are given to less concise renditions. Those familiar with these algorithms are invited to skip the elucidation. The consequence is a useful paper with more background and less original input than usual.
Trap escape for local search by backtracking and conflict reverse
Authors: Duong Huu-Phuoc  , Duong Thach-Thao  , Pham Duc Nghia  , Sattar Abdul  , Duong Anh Duc
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an efficient trap escape strategy in stochastic local search for Satisfiability. The proposed method aims to enhance local search by providing an alternative local minima escaping strategy. Our variable selection scheme provides a novel local minima escaping mechanism to explore new solution areas. Conflict variables are hypothesized as variables recently selected near local minima. Hence, a list of backtracked conflict variables is retrieved from local minima. The new strategy selects variables in the backtracked variable list based on the clause-weight scoring function and stagnation weights and variable weights as tiebreak criteria. This method is an alternative to the conventional method of selecting variables in a randomized unsatisfied clause. The proposed tiebreak method favors high stagnation weights and low variable weights during trap escape phases. The new strategies are examined on verification benchmark and SAT Competition 2011 and 2012 application and crafted instances. Our experiments show that proposed strategy has comparable performance with state-of-the-art local search solvers for SAT.
Creating Context Networks in Dutch Legislation
Authors: Winkels Radboud  , Boer Alexander  , Plantevin Ivan
Published: February 2025

This paper describes ongoing research on automatically determining relevant context to display to a user of a legislative portal given the article they are retrieving, purely based on ‘objective’ criteria inferred from the network of sources of law. A first prototype is presented and a formative evaluation of it by legal expert users. Results are promising, but there is room for improvement.
IS-A Diversified
Authors: Fischer Nilsson Jørgen
Published: February 2025

We reconsider the nature and formal properties of the class inclusion relation, IS-A, from the point of view of information modeling and engineering of formal ontologies. In particular we review approaches to the elusive notion of intensionality. We then conduct an analysis adopting a metalogic setup where classes and properties are reified. This approach affords choices along the extensionality/intensionality spectrum. Our analysis concludes that the distinction between epistemic modes for distinguishing definitions, norms, hypotheses, and observational evidence is more important the extensionality/intensionality dichotomy in ontological engineering.
Knowledge Modeling of Agile Software Processes
Authors: Košinár Michal  , Štrba Radoslav  , Černohorský Jindřich
Published: February 2025

Requirements on software products are becoming more and more complicated and software systems of today are characterized by increasing complexity and size. Therefore, software systems can no longer be developed feasibly without the processes supported by appropriate methods. We propose a method for configuration and modification of software processes in companies based on gathered knowledge and our approach allows to support and optimize the processes with formal methods of modeling.
A Visual System for Compositional Relational Programming
Authors: Paçacı Görkem  , Hamfelt Andreas
Published: February 2025

Combilog is a compositional relational programming language that allows writing relational logic programs by functionally composing relational predicates. Higraphs, a diagram formalism is consulted to simplify some of the textual complexity of compositional relational programming to achieve a visual system that can represent these declarative meta-programs, with the final intention to design an intuitive and visually assisted complete development practice. As a proof of concept, an implementation of a two-way parser/visualizer is presented.
Conceptual Modelling of Collaboration for Information Systems
Authors: Thalheim Bernhard  , Jaakkola Hannu  , Nakanishi Takafumi  , Sasaki Shiori  , Schewe Klaus-Dieter
Published: February 2025

Specification of collaboration has neglected over a long period although collaboration is one of main conceptions in computer science and computer engineering. We distinguish between collaborations among systems and socio-technical collaboration. Database research has succeeded in developing approaches for collaboration among database systems that incorporate conceptual specification and allow to reason on systems at a far higher abstraction level. Conceptual modelling of socio-technical collaborating systems is however an open research issue. With the advent of web information systems systems became naturally socio-technical and collaborating. Therefore, we need a techniques for conceptual description of collaboration. Collaboration modelling may be based on models for communication, models for coordination, and models for cooperation. In socio-technical systems users work within their local environment and collaborate within the global world. Therefore, users inject their culture and their specific behaviour into collaboration. Users use information, communication, cooperation and coordination services. These services must be highly flexible and adaptable to the needs of users, to the circumstances and contexts of these users, and to the technical infrastructures used.
Patient-Specific Pipeline to Create Virtual Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Scenarios
Authors: Armstrong Ryan  , Eagleson Roy  , De Ribaupierre Sandrine
Published: February 2025

Graphically realistic, haptics-enabled, virtual reality surgical simulations are becoming increasingly popular training tools for neurosurgical procedures and surgical skills. Compared with traditional training models, virtual simulations are safe, versatile, consistent, and are relatively cost effective. Most simulations are deficient, however, in representing the diverse anatomical variations that occur clinically. In this work, we describe the design and implementation of a pipeline to create patient-specific surgical scenarios for simulator-based training of the endoscopic third ventriculostomy: the procedure of choice for treating obstructive hydrocephalus.
Design and Development of a Laparoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement Simulator
Authors: Hawkinson Ellen K.  , Davis Lauren M.  , Barsness Katherine A.
Published: February 2025

Laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement is a common surgical procedure performed in infants. There are currently no commercially available simulation tools for pediatric surgeons to use for surgical training and practice purposes. We have created a low cost and reusable laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement model for use in pediatric surgical education.
Virtual Humans for Inter-Ethnic Variability Training in Sedation and Analgesia
Authors: Jendrusch Jason  , Lampotang Samsun  , Lizdas David  , Gravenstein Nikolaus  , Ham Dwayne  , Lok Benjamin  , Quarles John
Published: February 2025

The objective of this research is to enable realistic Virtual Humans (VH) that support inter-ethnic variability training. Inter-ethnic variability refers to differences in response to medical treatment, such as drug administration, due to ethnicity (e.g., Caucasian, African American, or South Asian). Most current approaches to VHs do not model these differences. Our approach consists of driving VH responses based on a real time pharmacodynamic / pharmacokinetic propofol model that includes inter-ethnic variability. Results of a user study with 22 medical students suggest that utilizing VHs for inter-ethnic variability training is feasible and can increase awareness of inter-ethnic variability.
Evaluation of Haptic Teaching Approaches for Laparoscopic Surgery Training
Authors: Kato Toma  , Tagawa Kazuyoshi  , Marutani Takafumi  , Tanaka Hiromi  , Komori Masaru  , Kurumi Yoshimasa  , Morikawa Shigehiro
Published: February 2025

Laparoscopic surgery, one type of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a very important surgery technique which requires advanced surgical technique. At present, expert one-on-one teaching mainly supports the training of these advanced surgical techniques. However, time constraints prevent experts spending the amount of time desired for this training. Therefore, we aim to support training using a VR-based laparoscopic surgery simulator equipped with a guidance force display. This increases the amount of training a trainee can avail of while at the same time allow the expert and the trainee to increase the quality of the limited one-to-one time together. The first step of our research is to investigate approaches that displays the guidance force to teach experts hand movements. In this study, we used two guidance force-display approaches: Instrument-guiding approach and Hand-guiding approach. Through evaluative experiments, we found that the Hand-guiding approach is more suitable for skill transfer than the Instrument-guiding approach in particular tasks. The results are described below.
Validity of a Newly Developed Tri-axial Sensor for Clinical Breast Examination Skills Assessment
Authors: Kwan Calvin  , Salud Lawrence  , Cohen Elaine  , Pugh Carla
Published: February 2025

The clinical breast examination is a critical exam for early detection of breast cancer. Assessment methods are needed to determine competency and skill mastery for experts and novices. The 3D sensor was developed to capture hand shear and normal forces conducted during an exam. Trials were conducted to record exploratory maneuvers used during the exam. The sensor system was found to be a reliable method for capturing exploratory maneuvers.
Multimodality Approach to Classifying Hand Utilization for the Clinical Breast Examination
Authors: Laufer Shlomi  , Cohen Elaine R.  , Maag Anne-Lise D.  , Kwan Calvin  , Vanveen Barry  , Pugh Carla M.
Published: February 2025

The clinical breast examination (CBE) is performed to detect breast pathology. However, little is known regarding clinical technique and how it relates to diagnostic accuracy. We sought to quantify breast examination search patterns and hand utilization with a new data collection and analysis system. Participants performed the CBE while the sensor mapping and video camera system collected performance data. From this data, algorithms were developed that measured the number of hands used during the exam and active examination time. This system is a feasible and reliable method to collect new information on CBE techniques.
Particle Based Simulation of the Aortic Valve by Considering Heart's Pulsation
Authors: Mukai Nobuhiko  , Abe Yusuke  , Chang Youngha  , Niki Kiyomi  , Takanashi Shuichiro
Published: February 2025

We have performed a dynamic simulation of the aortic valve by considering heart's pulsation. In the simulation, there are two different types of materials: elastic body for the aortic wall and the aortic valve, and fluid for blood. In order to calculate the collision detection between two different types of materials, we have used a particle method. In addition, the pressure difference between the left ventricle and the aorta causes the blood flow in the inside of the aorta. Then, the pressure change is given as the parameter of the simulation by referring to the typical pattern of the heart's pulsation. Finally, we have succeeded in performing the simulation on opening and closing of the aortic valve, and have also visualized the pressure in the inside of the aorta and the stress distribution on the aortic valve.
Complete Real-Time Liver Model Including Glisson's Capsule, Vascularization and Parenchyma
Authors: Peterlík Igor  , Golembiovský Tomáš  , Duriez Christian  , Cotin Stéphane
Published: February 2025

Accurate biomechanical modeling of liver is of paramount interest in pre-operative planning or computer-aided per-operative guidance. Since the liver is an organ composed of three different components (parenchyma, vascularization and Glisson's capsule), an efficient and realistic simulation of its behaviour is a challenging task.
Haptic Device in Endoscopy
Authors: Sadovnichy Victor  , Gabidullina Rozaliya  , Sokolov Mikhail  , Galatenko Vladimir  , Budanov Vladimir  , Nakashidze Eldar
Published: February 2025

Access to organs and tissues is limited during endoscopy. Information about mechanical properties of tissues received during an operation is a key factor for deciding the scale of surgery and further treatment strategy. A new device developed at Lomonosov Moscow State University determines the visco-elastic properties of tissues and presents them in a digital form as a visual image and a tactile sense for the surgeon. This data lets users define pathological change of tissues and if necessary change treatment policy.
The Medical Simulation Markup Language – Simplifying the Biomechanical Modeling Workflow
Authors: Suwelack Stefan  , Stoll Markus  , Schalck Sebastian  , Schoch Nicolai  , Dillmann Rüdiger  , Bendl Rolf  , Heuveline Vincent  , Speidel Stefanie
Published: February 2025

Modeling and simulation of the human body by means of continuum mechanics has become an important tool in diagnostics, computer-assisted interventions and training. This modeling approach seeks to construct patient-specific biomechanical models from tomographic data. Usually many different tools such as segmentation and meshing algorithms are involved in this workflow. In this paper we present a generalized and flexible description for biomechanical models. The unique feature of the new modeling language is that it not only describes the final biomechanical simulation, but also the workflow how the biomechanical model is constructed from tomographic data. In this way, the MSML can act as a middleware between all tools used in the modeling pipeline. The MSML thus greatly facilitates the prototyping of medical simulation workflows for clinical and research purposes. In this paper, we not only detail the XML-based modeling scheme, but also present a concrete implementation. Different examples highlight the flexibility, robustness and ease-of-use of the approach.
Sensing and Visualization Tools for Objective Assessment and Debriefing of High-Risk Neonatal Resuscitation Training Scenarios
Authors: Syed Shujath Ali  , Nukala Swathi  , Marcano Juan Lopez  , Bedwell Wendy L.  , Haubner Laura  , Raij Andrew
Published: February 2025

We present TeamVis, a set of tools for sensing and visualization of objective team performance in a simulated medical scenario. TeamVis helps teams, instructors, and researchers in observation, analysis, and evaluation of team behavior. The current system supports analysis of team movements and verbal communication. The system has potential to provide deeper insight into team performance, enabling design of more effective simulation training scenarios. Furthermore, the observed metrics can aid trainee debriefings by providing another mechanism for learning through self-reflection.
Navigated Simulator for Spinal Needle Interventions
Authors: Chen Elvis C.S.  , Ameri Golafsoun  , Li Hao  , Sondekoppam Rakesh V.  , Ganapathy Sugantha  , Peters Terry M.
Published: February 2025

We present a navigated simulator for ultrasound-guided spine needle interventions, comprising of an ultrasound scanner, tracking system, surgical instruments, tissue-mimicking spine phantom, and augmented virtuality navigation platform. The ultrasound transducer, spine needle, and spine phantom are magnetically tracked and spatially calibrated, allowing the navigation software to render the surgical scene with streaming ultrasound video in 3D. The spine phantom provides sonoanatomically correct images, with realistic tactile sensation from needle advancement through tissues layers. The combination of a physical phantom and navigation software provides a realistic, inexpensive, and interactive environment for teaching and learning, the latter also having potential as an interventional tool for real-time ultrasound-guided spine needle insertion.
Data and Knowledge in Medical Distributed Applications
Authors: Serban Alexandru  , Crişan-Vida Mihaela  , Stoicu-Tivadar Lăcrămioara
Published: February 2025

Building a clinical decision support system (CDSS) capable to collect process and diagnose data from the patients automatically, based on information, symptoms and investigations is one of the current challenges for researchers and medical science. The purpose of the current study is to design a cloud-based CDSS to improve patient safety, quality of care and organizational efficiency. It presents the design of a cloud-based application system using a medical based approach, which covers different diseases to diagnosis, differentiated on most important pathologies. Using online questionnaires, traditional and new data will be collected from patients. After data input, the application will formulate a presumptive diagnosis and will direct patients to the correspondent department. A questionnaire will dynamically ask questions about the interface, and functionality improvements. Based on the answers, the functionality of the system and the user interface will be improved considering the real needs expressed by the end-users. The cloud-based CDSS, as a useful tool for patients, physicians and healthcare providers involves the computer support in the diagnosis of different pathologies and an accurate automatic differential diagnostic system.
Improving Hospital Decision Making with Interpretable Associations over DataCubes
Authors: Molina Carlos  , Prados-Suarez Belén  , Prados de Reyes Miguel  , Peña Yañez Carmen
Published: February 2025

In this paper we propose a new Classification based on Association Rules (CAR) algorithm that improves the interpretability of the results, works over real data from the electronic health records (EHRs), and allows the study of the patient as a whole. It enables tasks such as the discovery of relationships between diseases, or offering several alternative and reasoned diagnoses for the cases of patients with several diseases that analysed separately could lead to mistaken diagnosis. We aim to achieve several goals: to discover hidden relationships; to improve the interpretability and reduce the complexity of the result; to obtain more reliable diagnosis (getting alternative reasoned diagnoses and higher robustness to noisy rules), and to improve the quality of the classifier avoiding the usual over-fitting problem. To this purpose, we define and exploit hierarchies defined over datacubes dimensions, and change the way the association rules are obtained, and their evaluation at the classification process. To prove the utility of our proposal we have used it in an example of cancer discrimination.
Personal Health Systems Research – Charting the European Landscape
Authors: Schreier Günter  , Amanatidou Effie  , Heller-Schuh Barbara  , Giesecke Susanne  , Miles Ian  , Pompo-Juarez Laura  , Saritas Özcan  , Schartinger Doris
Published: February 2025

Personal Health Systems (PHS) open new ways of providing continuous, quality controlled and personalized health services to empowered individuals and require the emergence of novel cross-disciplinary innovation partnerships. We analyzed the European PHS research and innovation landscape with the ultimate goal of a better understanding of mismatches between the potential of, and need for, PHS. The results of network analysis indicate a dynamic but fragmented PHS innovation landscape in Europe. In addition to excellent technological solutions, PHS implementation also needs a multi-stakeholder process of service system innovation to reach ambitious aims in the future.
Towards Automated Biomedical Ontology Harmonization
Authors: Uribe Gustavo A.  , Lopez Diego M.  , Blobel Bernd
Published: February 2025

The use of biomedical ontologies is increasing, especially in the context of health systems interoperability. Ontologies are key pieces to understand the semantics of information exchanged. However, given the diversity of biomedical ontologies, it is essential to develop tools that support harmonization processes amongst them. Several algorithms and tools are proposed by computer scientist for partially supporting ontology harmonization. However, these tools face several problems, especially in the biomedical domain where ontologies are large and complex. In the harmonization process, matching is a basic task. This paper explains the different ontology harmonization processes, analyzes existing matching tools, and proposes a prototype of an ontology harmonization service. The results demonstrate that there are many open issues in the field of biomedical ontology harmonization, such as: overcoming structural discrepancies between ontologies; the lack of semantic algorithms to automate the process; the low matching efficiency of existing algorithms; and the use of domain and top level ontologies in the matching process.
Augmented Reality Cube Game for Cognitive Training: An Interaction Study
Authors: Boletsis Costas  , Mccallum Simon
Published: February 2025

There is the potential that cognitive activity may delay cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment. Games provide both cognitive challenge and motivation for repeated use, a prerequisite for long lasting effect. Recent advances in technology introduce several new interaction methods, potentially leading to more efficient, personalized cognitive gaming experiences. In this paper, we present an Augmented Reality (AR) cognitive training game, utilizing cubes as input tools, and we test the cube interaction with a pilot study. The results of the study revealed the marker occlusion problem, and that novice AR users can adjust to the developed AR environment after a small number of sessions.
Patient Identity Management for Secondary Use of Biomedical Research Data in a Distributed Computing Environment
Authors: Nitzlnader Michael  , Schreier Günter
Published: February 2025

Dealing with data from different source domains is of increasing importance in today's large scale biomedical research endeavours. Within the European Network for Cancer research in Children and Adolescents (ENCCA) a solution to share such data for secondary use will be established. In this paper the solution arising from the aims of the ENCCA project and regulatory requirements concerning data protection and privacy is presented. Since the details of secondary biomedical dataset utilisation are often not known in advance, data protection regulations are met with an identity management concept that facilitates context-specific pseudonymisation and a way of data aggregation using a hidden reference table later on. Phonetic hashing is proposed to prevent duplicated patient registration and re-identification of patients is possible via a trusted third party only. Finally, the solution architecture allows for implementation in a distributed computing environment, including cloud-based elements.
Generation of ELGA-Compatible Radiology Reports from the Vienna Hospital Association's EHR System
Authors: Haider Jasmin  , Hölzl Konrad  , Toth Herlinde  , Duftschmid Georg
Published: February 2025

In the course of setting up the upcoming Austrian national shared EHR system ELGA, adaptors will have to be implemented for the local EHR systems of all participating healthcare providers. These adaptors must be able to transform EHR data from the internal format of the particular local EHR system to the specified format of the ELGA document types and vice versa. In the course of an ongoing diploma thesis we are currently developing a transformation application that shall allow the generation of ELGA-compatible radiology reports from the local EHR system of the Vienna Hospital Association. Up to now a first prototype has been developed that was tested with six radiology reports. It generates technically valid ELGA radiology reports apart from two errors yielded by the ELGA online validator that rather seem to be bugs of the validator. A medical validation of the reports remains to be done.
A Group Memory-Based Framework for Enterprise Decision Support
Authors: Adla Abdelkader  , Frendi Mohammed  , Benmessaoud Noureddine
Published: February 2025

The realities of the past that are embedded in the repository and shared by later groups constitute the collective memory. This paper outlines the specification of a collective decision-making system that utilizes the work of prior groups stored in the collective memory. We describe an approach that uses group memory based reasoning. In an effort to enhance utility, our group memory system is tested in a bank loan analysis domain, a semi-structured decision-making environment involving multiple attributes. The main goals are to reduce the time required to come to a decision, particularly, in a critical situation, to compensate for lack of experience of young bank consultant, and to distribute available experience to different sites.
Decision Support with Big Data: A Case Study in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Phillips-Wren Gloria  , Hoskisson Angela
Published: February 2025

The term ‘big data’ is used to describe data that are beyond the capabilities of an organization to store, analyze and use for accurate and timely decision making. They have alternately been described in terms of characteristics of volume, velocity, variety, veracity. We propose another characteristic of volatility for big data that should be considered in their use for decision making. We utilize a case study approach with a mid-sized company in the hospitality industry to elucidate challenges that an organization faces in developing a big data strategy and highlight research needed in this domain. Challenges identified were technical (inconsistent and unstandardized data, implementation and use of new analytics platforms, obtaining a global view of data, visualization of data, integrating mobile data), organizational (finding people with the right skills, users' desire for customization), and strategic management (finding return on investment in big data, alignment of business and analytics strategies, leadership of analytics initiatives and thought). Decision questions to be addressed in using big data for a marketing decision are illustrated. We demonstrate the use of the decision framework and illustrate challenges identified in the case study with sentiment analysis of Twitter data.
Supporting Medical Decision Making through the Analysis of Clinical Discussions
Authors: Al Qassas Malik  , Fogli Daniela  , Giacomin Massimiliano  , Guida Giovanni
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a new approach to support medical decision making based on the analysis of multidisciplinary clinical discussions, which are becoming routine in hospitals and other health structures. In a medical discussion, participants make important pieces of knowledge explicit, by presenting different opinions, providing evidences that support hypotheses, and possibly arguing about clinical guidelines. However, this knowledge is often lost after the meeting is closed, since only the final decisions are written in patient records. Therefore, a computer-based system is proposed to help physicians manage clinical discussions, analyze them by means of argumentation-based techniques, and arrive, in the long run, at a synthesis of new knowledge fragments useful for future decisions. A preliminary experimentation of the system is presented in the domain of cognitive degeneration diseases.
A DSS to improve inspection procedures in organic certification. Evidence from an Italian case study
Authors: Gambelli Danilo  , Solfanelli Francesco  , Zanoli Raffaele
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to provide a DSS to improve the effectiveness of the inspection procedures in organic certification. The analysis is based on data from the archives of the largest Italian organic control body. Bayesian Networks are used to develop a DSS combining available data and expert information, with the aim to support inspectors in the design of inspection schemes that could lead to a high likelihood of non-compliance detection. Results show that there is scope to increase the effectiveness of inspections, and in particular by organizing the sampling at key times during the year.
Supporting Business Decision-making: One Professional at a Time
Authors: Bednar Peter  , Welch Christine  , Imrie Peter
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses the potential for personalized, user-owned decision-support systems. It can be readily seen that there are benefits from analysis of ‘Big Data’ that could not be attained through more traditional means, e.g. insurance and credit card fraud can be detected more readily when it is possible to analyze integrated data across multiple servers owned and controlled by separate organizations. However, high-level data analysis, though useful, cannot be trusted to provide all the answers to organizational ‘questions’. Individuals need to be able to inform themselves in complex decision situations and for this purpose there can be no substitute for ‘little data’ from wherever this is to be drawn. We explore a potential type of support that could overcome the barriers to professional creativity arising through lack of trust in decision-support systems owned and controlled from senior management. The Virtual Personal Assistant described uses natural language processing to interact with a professional user in the context of messy, situated problems, and in private. It has capability to learn from user-interactions and therefore to co-evolve contextually. A ‘little data’ system such as this can therefore help to improve relevance of user understandings in a relatively risk free environment.
Reshaping Strategic Management Accounting Systems
Authors: Inghirami Iacopo Ennio
Published: February 2025

Two technologies are currently reshaping Accounting Information Systems: In-Memory Technology and Mobile Technology. It is not only a matter of generic increase of performances, as it usually occurs in the IT field, but a dramatic improvement that is affecting hardware and software architecture and even the organization of the actual systems. We are facing a new generation of BI tools that will greatly improve the capabilities of Strategic Management Accounting systems. In fact, the improved tools available will finally deliver capabilities that enable end users to directly support their decision, as long-promised.