bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of KNAVE-II: a Tool for Intelligent Query and Exploration of Patient Data
Authors: Martins Susana B  , Shahar Yuval  , Galperin Maya  , Kaizer Herbert  , Goren-Bar Dina  , McNaughton Deborah  , Basso Lawrence V  , Goldstein Mary K
Published: February 2025

We present the results of a preliminary evaluation of KNAVE-II, a distributed knowledge-based computational framework for visualization, interpretation, and exploration of time-oriented clinical data and of multiple levels of concepts derived from the data. KNAVE-II uses a distributed temporal-mediation architecture to access at runtime a domain-specific knowledge base (KB) that contains properties of the clinical data and a knowledge-based temporal-abstraction problem-solving method to compute on the fly interpretations of these data. The purpose of the evaluation was to compare efficiency and user satisfaction when answering clinical queries of variable complexity about clinical time-oriented data using KNAVE-II, versus using an electronic spreadsheet (ESS) or Paper. Subjects answered high complexity queries significantly faster using KNAVE-II than Paper or ESS. User satisfaction with KNAVE-II was significantly superior compared with satisfaction using Paper or ESS based on a standard usability scale. Users also explicitly ranked KNAVE -II as superior to Paper and ESS.
Decision Support for Patient Care: Implementing Cybernetics
Authors: Ozbolt Judy  , özdas Asli  , Waitman Lemuel R.  , Smith Janis B.  , Brennan Grace V.  , Miller Randolph A.
Published: February 2025

The application of principles and methods of cybernetics permits clinicians and managers to use feedback about care effectiveness and resource expenditure to improve quality and to control costs. Keys to the process are the specification of therapeutic goals and the creation of an organizational culture that supports the use of feedback to improve care. Daily feedback on the achievement of each patient's therapeutic goals provides tactical decision support, enabling clinicians to adjust care as needed. Monthly or quarterly feedback on aggregated goal achievement for all patients on a clinical pathway provides strategic decision support, enabling clinicians and managers to ident problems with supposed “best practices” and to test hypotheses about solutions. Work is underway at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to implement feedback loops in care and management processes and to evaluate the effects.
Synchronized Time-Motion Study in the Emergency Department Using a Handheld Computer Application
Authors: Asaro Phillip V.
Published: February 2025

Emergency departments present a challenging environment for workflow evaluation and measurement of the effect of information system interventions. This paper describes a time-motion data collection tool built as a handheld computer application. The tool allows mobility of the observer and the intuitive interface supports rapid selection of tasks and frequent changes in tasks. It also allows documentation of overlapping tasks, a common occurrence in the emergency department. Synchronized data collection across the different providers of care in the emergency department is demonstrated, resulting in a data set from which task/event sequences can be built, documenting the ED care of individual patients. This technique should provide a very useful tool in measuring the effect of process changes in this difficult-to-assess environment, particularly changes in the information system.
Using Computational Modeling to Improve Patient Care Unit Safety and Quality Outcomes
Authors: Effken Judith A.  , Brewer Barbara B.  , Patil Anita  , Lamb Gerri S.  , Verran Joyce A.  , Carle Kathleen
Published: February 2025

As part of ongoing research to investigate the impact of patient characteristics, organization characteristics and patient unit characteristics on safety and quality outcomes, we are using a computational modeling program, OrgAhead, to model patient care units' achievement of patient safety (medication errors and falls) and quality outcomes. We tuned OrgAhead using data we collected from 16 units in 5 hospitals. Subsequent validation studies demonstrated acceptable levels of correspondence between actual and virtual patient units. In this paper, we report on our initial efforts to use OrgAhead to develop testable hypotheses about the kinds of innovations that nurse managers might realistically implement on their patient care units to improve quality and safety outcomes. Our focus is on unit-level innovations that are likely to be easier for managers to implement. For all but the highest performing unit (for which we encountered a ceiling effect), we were able to generate practical strategies that improved performance of the virtual units by 6-8 percentage points. Nurse Managers have responded enthusiastically to the additional decision support for quality improvement.
Models and Inference Methods for Clinical Systems: A Principled Approach
Authors: Rector Alan L  , Rogers Jeremy  , Taweel Adel
Published: February 2025

Previous papers have argued for the existence of three different models in many clinical information systems — for the medical record, for inference in guidelines, and for concepts and reusable facts. This paper presents a principled approach to deciding which information belongs in each model based on the nature of the queries or inference to be performed: necessary or contingent, open or closed world, algorithmic vs heuristic. It then discusses an important class of systems – “ontologically indexed knowledge bases” – and issues of metadata within this framework
Virtual Interactive Practicer$^{\trade}$: a strategy to enhance Learning and Competence in health care students
Authors: Gobbi Mary  , Monger Eloise  , Watkinson Graham  , Spencer Anne  , Weaver Mike  , Lathlean Judith  , Bryant Stephanie
Published: February 2025

This paper reports the processes and initial outcomes of a pilot study which investigated a week long ‘virtual’ children’s ward experience for nursing students. Providing sufficient and meaningful experiences which enable students to quickly and effectively achieve competence in diverse areas of practice is often frustrated by the realities of available clinical experiences. Our response to this challenge was to more fully exploit and evaluate technologies which can be used to provide these learning experiences. Students experienced ‘realtime’ scenario based work involving 81M-MAN; interactive information technology scenarios, critical incidents, master classes, video conferencing, and observational skill development exercises. Evaluation methodologies included observation of student performance, competence self rating scales; analysis of videotaped performance episodes and other data generated through the learning activities and lived experience accounts of participants. Initial findings indicate (1) statistically significant improvements in student competence measured through self reports; and (2) evidence of improvement gleaned from observed accounts, video analysis and qualitative evaluative comments. The final outcomes, including work with a control group, will be available for Conference.
CAMPUS – A Flexible, Interactive System for Web-Based, Problem-Based Learning in Health Care
Authors: Ruderich Franz  , Bauch Mathias  , Haag Martin  , Heid Jörn  , Leven Franz Josef  , Singer Reiner  , Geiss Heinrich Konrad  , Jünger Jana  , Tönshofr Burkhard
Published: February 2025

Care for patients is the best way to learn medicine and medical methods and skills. But the availability of real patients for learners is limited. Often the appropriate patient is missed or he can not be demonstrated to all students because of practical or ethical problems. A possible solution is the presentation of a clinical problem by a virtual patient using a simulative computer program. But such an approach means often a lot of work for the author of the case. We developed a flexible and realistic system, CAMPUS (www.medicase.de), which supports the case authors with appropriate vocabularies and a comfortable authoring tool. There are different kinds of case presentations to the users in accordance to the level of professionalism of the user and the scenario the program is used in. An evaluation within an internship has shown, that such programs are judged as useful by medical students. But further studies are necessary to examine if the program will be used for the self-study and to develop further kinds of using scenarios within problem-based curricula.
Communication and Information Needs and Barriers: An International Collaboration Model
Authors: LaCoursiere Sheryl  , Sarkar Manish
Published: February 2025

This future vision paper describes the emerging issue of multicultural medical informatics teams. In an increasingly networked healthcare environment, the rise of global teams has come to the forefront, calling for an increased understanding of various cultural norms. Team members may reside in other countries and be known to others only virtually. Concomitantly, the team dynamics of physically present members may be impacted by international factors such as culture of origin.
A Problem-based e-Learning Prototype System for Clinical Medical Education
Authors: Shyu Fong-Ming  , Liang Ya-Fen  , Agnes Hsu Wei-Ting  , Luh Jer-Junn  , Chen Heng-Shuen
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this system is to establish virtual medical school (VMS) as the platform of e-Iearning center, which integrates collaborative and self-directed learning environment by virtual group, classroom and library, and automatically converts valuable clinical case from Hospital Information System (HIS) database into virtual patient by online authoring tools for problembased e-leaming. In this system, the VMS provides a problembased e-Iearning environment, and utilizes HIS to capture and store valuable clinical cases. All medical students and residents now have the opportunity to learn from these typical cases on line. The VMS at National Taiwan University has the potential to develop into a national medical education networkfor the mediation and provision of comprehensive medical resources. The system will use the international standardSCORM 1.2to develop teaching material and assist with the HL7 v2.4, CDA vl.O standards to connect Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems in the hospital. It can provide resources sharing among medical centers by using high transportation ability of Grid Computing integrated with the broadband video platform, Access Grid, and personal multiple point videoconference platform, Multi-video, to popularize the application of e-Iearning in clinical medical education.
A tale of two hospitals: a sociotechnical appraisal of the introduction of computerized physician order entry in two Dutch hospitals
Authors: Aarts Jos  , Berg Marc
Published: February 2025

We compared the implementation of computerizedphysician order entry (CPOE) in two Dutch hospitals, one being an academic medical center and the other a large regional non-academic hospital. Both implemented the TDS7000 system that was running on the same computer, located in the computing department of the academic medical center. The outcomes of the implementation were different. The introduction of CPOE in the university medical centerfailed, while it was a success in the non-academic hospital. An appraisal of the different outcomes is possible when we consider the implementation of information as a thorough social process in which the technical and the social are closely interrelated. Our findings suggest that organizational change associated with CPOE implementation should not focus on individual physician behavior but on medical work as a collaborative professional effort.
A Resource Management Tool for Real-Time Multimodal Surgical Simulation
Authors: Halic Tansel  , Sankaranarayanan Ganesh  , De Suvranu
Published: February 2025

The development of a multimodal surgical simulation is a very complex and challenging task. A typical surgical simulation involves several components such as physics engine, visual engine, haptic rendering etc. Since different modalities and user interactions introduce real-time constraints, the software framework has to optimize both the hardware and software resources to achieve high performance. In this work, we introduce a resource management tool that was built into our Software Framework for Multimodal Interactive Simulations (SoFMIS™) [1] to adaptively manage computational resources at run-time for varying loads. We present several benchmark test results to validate and demonstrate the capabilities of the resource management tool. Our results show that our framework successfully utilized the hardware resources and improved the performance of the overall simulation under varying computational load.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Airflow inside Lungs Using Heterogenous Anisotropic Lung Tissue Elastic Properties
Authors: Ilegbusi Olusegun  , Li Ziang  , Min Yugang  , Meeks Sanford  , Kupelian Patrick  , Santhanam Anand P.
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to model the airflow inside lungs during breathing and its fluid-structure interaction with the lung tissues and the lung tumor using subject-specific elastic properties. The fluid-structure interaction technique simultaneously simulates flow within the airway and anisotropic deformation of the lung lobes. The three-dimensional (3D) lung geometry is reconstructed from the end-expiration 3D CT scan datasets of humans with lung cancer. The lung is modeled as a poro-elastic medium with anisotropic elastic property (non-linear Young's modulus) obtained from inverse lung elastography of 4D CT scans for the same patients. The predicted results include the 3D anisotropic lung deformation along with the airflow pattern inside the lungs. The effect is also presented of anisotropic elasticity on both the spatio-temporal volumetric lung displacement and the regional lung hysteresis.
Developing Effective Serious Games: The Effect of Background Sound on Visual Fidelity Perception with Varying Texture Resolution
Authors: Rojas David  , Kapralos Bill  , Cristancho Sayra  , Collins Karen  , Hogue Andrew  , Conati Cristina  , Dubrowski Adam
Published: February 2025

Despite the benefits associated with virtual learning environments and serious games, there are open, fundamental issues regarding simulation fidelity and multi-modal cue interaction and their effect on immersion, transfer of knowledge, and retention. Here we describe the results of a study that examined the effect of ambient (background) sound on the perception of visual fidelity (defined with respect to texture resolution). Results suggest that the perception of visual fidelity is dependent on ambient sound and more specifically, white noise can have detrimental effects on our perception of high quality visuals. The results of this study will guide future studies that will ultimately aid in developing an understanding of the role that fidelity, and multi-modal interactions play with respect to knowledge transfer and retention for users of virtual simulations and serious games.
Using Anthropomorphic Avatars Resembling Sedentary Older Individuals as Models to Enhance Self-Efficacy and Adherence to Physical Activity: Psychophysiological Correlates
Authors: Ruiz Jorge G.  , Andrade Allen D.  , Anam Ramankumar  , Aguiar Rudxandra  , Sun Huaping  , Roos Bernard A.
Published: February 2025

The prevalence of obesity and associated health complications are currently at unprecedented levels. Physical activity in this population can improve patient outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) self-modeling may improve self-efficacy and adherence to physical activity. We conducted a comparative study of 30 participants randomized to 3 versions of a 3D avatar-based VR intervention about exercise: virtual representation of the self exercising condition; virtual representation of other person exercising and control condition. Participants in the virtual representation of the self group significantly increased their levels of physical activity. The improvement in physical activity for participants in the visual representation of other person exercising was marginal. The improvement for the control group was not significant. However, the effect sizes for comparing the pre and post intervention physical activity levels were quite large for all three groups. We did not find any group difference in the improvements of physical activity levels and self-efficacy among sedentary, overweight or obese individuals.
The Benefits of Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Training on Simulated Arthroscopy Performance
Authors: Safir Oleg  , Dubrowski Adam  , Williams Camille  , Hui Yvonne  , Backstein David  , Carnahan Heather
Published: February 2025

Current theories of skill learning suggest that novices learn optimally in a simplified environment. This information can be incorporated in simulator designs. Our purpose was to assess whether basic visuospatial training is beneficial for performance on an arthroscopy model. One group of trainees practiced three visuomotor tasks while the other group was not given this opportunity. Both groups then performed three different surgical tasks on a simulated arthroscopy model. Practice with the visuomotor tasks enhanced performance on two of the tasks on the arthroscopy model. The basic navigational skills learned through practice transferred to the performance of arthroscopic surgery tasks and these skills should be included in the design of a comprehensive arthroscopy simulator.
An Aneurysm Clipping Training Module for the Neurosurgical Training Simulator NeuroSim
Authors: Beier Florian  , Sismanidis Evangelos  , Stadie Axel  , Schmieder Kirsten  , Männer Reinhard
Published: February 2025

Having introduced NeuroSim, the prototype of a neurosurgical training simulator at MMVR18, we present our first medical training module. NeuroSim is based on virtual reality and uses real-time algorithms for simulating tissue. It provides a native interface by using a real surgical microscope and original instruments. Having implemented some abstract tasks to train basic skills like hand-eye coordination or the handling of the microscope last year, we now present a medical module where an aneurysm has to be clipped. NeuroSim has been developed in cooperation with the neurosurgical clinic of the University of Heidelberg and VRmagic GmbH in Mannheim.
Clinical Examination Simulation: Getting to Real
Authors: Salud Lawrence H.  , Ononye Chiagozie I.  , Kwan Calvin  , Salud Jonathan C.  , Pugh Carla M.
Published: February 2025

Verschuren and Hartog's six-stage methodology for design-oriented research is a process that is ideally suited to the development of artifacts that meet a desired outcome. We discuss the methodology and its relevance to simulation development for establishing a wide variety of realistic clinical breast examination models that can be used for assessment.
Virtual Trainer for Intra-Detrusor Injection of Botulinum Toxin to Treat Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Shen Yunhe  , Vasandani Pankaj  , Iyer Jayesh  , Gunasekaran Arjune  , Zhang Yingchun  , Burke Daniel  , Dykstra Dennis  , Sweet Robert
Published: February 2025

Here we introduce a new virtual reality (VR) based simulation system for training the urological procedure of intra-detrusor botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections into the bladder. 6 cases with different bladder anatomy and 3 subtasks are included in the curriculum; this design is guided by several expert urologists according to clinical needs and experience. These virtual bladder models can be deformed by a cystoscope model or penetrated by a needle model. Data of location and dose per injection are collected during the training. After compared among various options, magnetic motion-tracking devices are chosen and integrated onto replicas of cystoscopic instruments as the VR interface for the specific operation. A web/database based learning management platform (LMP) is developed for online data access and validation studies of the training system.
Distributed Adaptive Simulation Through Standards-Based Integration of Simulators and Adaptive Learning Systems
Authors: Bergeron Bryan  , Cline Andrew  , Shipley Jaime
Published: February 2025

We have developed a distributed, standards-based architecture that enables simulation and simulator designers to leverage adaptive learning systems. Our approach, which incorporates an electronic competency record, open source LMS, and open source microcontroller hardware, is a low-cost, pragmatic option to integrating simulators with traditional courseware.
3DUI Assisted Lower and Upper Member Therapy
Authors: Uribe-Quevedo Alvaro  , Perez-Gutierrez Byron
Published: February 2025

3DUIs are becoming very popular among researchers, developers and users as they allow more immersive and interactive experiences by taking advantage of the human dexterity. The features offered by these interfaces outside the gaming environment, have allowed the development of applications in the medical area by enhancing the user experience and aiding the therapy process in controlled and monitored environments. Using mainstream videogame 3DUIs based on inertial and image sensors available in the market, this work presents the development of a virtual environment and its navigation through lower member captured gestures for assisting motion during therapy.
Evaluation of Neuroanatomical Training Using a 3D Visual Reality Model
Authors: Brewer Danielle N.  , Wilson Timothy D.  , Eagleson Roy  , de Ribaupierre Sandrine
Published: February 2025

As one of the more difficult components of any curricula, neuroanatomy poses many challenges to students – not only because of the numerous discrete structures, but also due to the complicated spatial relations between them, which must be learned. Traditional anatomical education uses 2D images with a focus on dissection. This approach tends to underestimate the cognitive leaps required between textbook, lecture, and dissection cases. With reduced anatomical teaching time available, and varying student spatial abilities, new techniques are needed for training. The goal of this study is to assess the improvement of trainee understanding of 3D brain anatomy, orientation, visualization, and navigation through the use of digital training regimes in comparison with current methods. Two subsets of health science and medical students were tested individually after being given a group lecture and either a pre- or post-dissection digital lab. Results suggest that exposure to a 3D digital lab may improve knowledge acquisition and understanding by the students, particularly for first time learners.
Pathogenesis of early leukemia and lymphoma
Authors: Zhao X. Frank  , Reitz Marvin  , Chen Qing Ching  , Stass Sanford
Published: February 2025

In the past several decades, great progress has been made in our understanding of normal hematopoiesis and its malignant transformation. This article provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of pathogenesis of leukemia and lymphoma, with an emphasis on early molecular events. Current concepts of normal hematopoiesis and its key regulatory processes are summarized. Various environmental and infectious factors that play a causative role in hematopoietic malignancies are described. In particular, several causative viruses, i.e. HTLV1, HHV8 and EBV, are discussed in depth. Numerous genetic abnormalities have been identified in leukemia and lymphoma, including chromosomal translocations, gene deletions, amplifications, and point mutations. Synopses are included for the most frequently encountered aberrations, and their relation to normal and malignant hematopoiesis, disease classification and prognosis. Major molecular mechanisms and signal transduction pathways involved in the leukemogenesis are depicted; these include blockage of differentiation, self-sustainable proliferation, abnormal cell cycle progression and impaired apoptosis. Also included are the recently discovered microRNAs, and their potential role in the pathogenesis of leukemia and lymphoma. Future directions in leukemia and lymphoma research are presented, including several modern molecular technologies and their importance in developing new biomarkers for early detection of leukemia and lymphoma.
Micrometastasis: Detection methods and clinical importance
Authors: Balic Marija  , Williams Anthony  , Dandachi Nadia  , Cote Richard J.
Published: February 2025

Metastatic disease is the most important determinant in the clinical management of patients with cancer. Disseminated tumor cells are regarded as a surrogate for early metastatic spread of disease. These cells can be detected in bone marrow aspirates, lymph nodes and peripheral blood, where we refer to them as circulating tumor cells. Detection of disseminated tumor cells represents a great technical challenge, and many different technologies have been developed to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of the testing for these rare events. Different characteristics of tumor cells have been used to establish enrichment methods, including the differential expression of tumor-specific markers on the surface of the cells, the size-based selection of the cells, and other physical properties. Despite technical obstacles, the detection of circulating tumor cells in particular have emerged in recent years as a biomarker with outstanding predictive and prognostic capacity in a number of malignancies including breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancer. In this text, we provide a comprehensive review of different approaches for enrichment of disseminated and circulating tumor cells and elucidate additional molecular methods for their detection. Further, the clinical significance of disseminated tumor cells detected in various compartments is discussed. Based on recent findings on the biology and heterogeneity of tumor cells, along with development of robust enrichment techniques, we believe that future research will focus less on pure detection but more importantly on detailed molecular characterization of these rare events with the potential impact on design of novel therapeutics.
Biomarkers and the genetics of early neoplastic lesions
Authors: Srivastava Sudhir  , Grizzle William E.
Published: February 2025

It has become increasingly evident that the study of DNA is inadequate to explain many, if not most, aspects of the development and progression of neoplastic lesions from pre-invasive lesions to metastasis. Thus, the term “genetic” can no longer refer to just the study of the genome. Much of the action in genetic research now shifts to the methods by which the pre-mRNA from one gene is processed to yield multiple different proteins, different quantities of the same protein as well as other forms of regulating RNA. Thus, the age of post-transcriptional processing and epigenetic control of the transfer of information from the genome has arrived. The mechanisms of post-transcriptional processing and epigenetic control that must be characterized in greater detail including alternate splicing, regulation of mRNA degradation, RNA regulatory factors including those factors which extensively edit mRNAs, control of translation, and control of protein stability and degradation. This chapter reviews many of the processes that control information from the genome to proteins and how these factors lead from less than 40,000 genes to more than an order of magnitude increase more proteins which actually control the phenotypes of cells – normal or neoplastic. It is usually the products of genes (e.g., mRNA, microRNA and proteins) that are the molecular markers that will control translational research and ultimately, individualized (personal) medical approaches to disease. This chapter emphasizes how the process of neoplasia “hijacks” the normal processes of cellular operations, especially those processes that are important in the normal development of the organisms – including proliferation, cellular death, angiogenesis, cellular mobility and invasion, and immunoregulation to ensure neoplastic development, survival and progression. This chapter reviews the wide range of processes controlling the information that flows from the genome to proteins and emphasizes how molecular steps in pure processes can be used as biomarkers to study prevention, treatment and/or management of diseases.
Price Stabilization for Staple Foods: Costs and Benefits, Implications for Modeling, and Using Trade Policy as a Safety Net
Authors: Dawe David
Published: February 2025

This paper deals with the precise policy issue raised by the increased volatility in grain prices. While price stabilization implies different sorts of costs, it brings benefits to several social groups, as well as to society in general. The case of rice in Asia is used as an illustration of such benefits. Assessing the benefits should not rely too heavily on Armington elasticity considerations, as the latter appear as highly policy-dependent in a number of cases. On another hand, trade policy seems more effective as regards food security than price stabilization considered as a safety net for the poor, contrary to prevailing opinion. The paper argues that trade restrictions may be welfare improving under some circumstances and that it makes more sense for the world market to act as a shock absorber than for domestic consumers and producers to be the shock absorbers, at least in the poorest countries. Instead of discretionary government interventions, tariffs could be rule-based, though this would call for changes in WTO's agreement. The private sector could consequently act in favor of food price stabilization, long term contracts being then used as complements to actions resulting in price stabilization.
Can Social Web Help o Detect Influenza Related Illnesses in Turkey?
Authors: Bilge Ugur  , Bozkurt Selen  , Yolcular Basak Oguz  , Ozel Deniz
Published: February 2025

In this study, a content analysis of Twitter is carried out to determine the frequency of tweets mentioning influenza like illnesses (swine flu, cold etc.) and results have been compared with news articles, Google search trends and national health statistics in Turkey. Between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2010, over 4,165 influenza-related Turkish posts on Twitter and 10,000 news articles in three leading Turkish newspaper websites containing influenza related keywords have been analyzed. No strong correlation has been found between influenza related online data and the real world records. Although there is no significant relationship, this study shows that there is a huge amount of data can be harvested from the social web applications such as Twitter.
EFMI Initiatives for Inter-Regional Cooperation: the TrEHRT Project
Authors: Mihalas George  , Detmer Don  , Li Yu Chuan Jack  , Haux Reinhold  , Blobel Bernd
Published: February 2025

The paper refers to EFMI's initiatives to develop an international cooperation with different regional groups of IMIA. More details are presented about the successful project “TrEHRT - Traveler's Electronic Health Record Template”. Its potential applicability, compact structure and functional simplicity turned this product into a template capable to become an international standard, using mobile phones.
Web-based Interactive Visualization in a Grid-enabled Neuroimaging Application Using HTML5
Authors: Siewert René  , Specovius Svenja  , Wu Jie  , Krefting Dagmar
Published: February 2025

Interactive visualization and correction of intermediate results are required in many medical image analysis pipelines. To allow certain interaction in the remote execution of compute- and data-intensive applications, new features of HTML5 are used. They allow for transparent integration of user interaction into Grid- or Cloud-enabled scientific workflows. Both 2D and 3D visualization and data manipulation can be performed through a scientific gateway without the need to install specific software or web browser plugins. The possibilities of web-based visualization are presented along the FreeSurfer-pipeline, a popular compute- and data-intensive software tool for quantitative neuroimaging.
iBRAIN2: Automated analysis and data handling for RNAi screens
Authors: Rouilly Vincent  , Pujadas Eva  , Hullár Béla  , Balázs Csaba  , Kunszt Peter  , Podvinec Michael
Published: February 2025

We report on the implementation of a software suite dedicated to the management and analysis of large scale RNAi High Content Screening (HCS). We describe the requirements identified amongst our different users, the supported data flow, and the implemented software. Our system is already supporting productively three different laboratories operating in distinct IT infrastructures. The system was already used to analyze hundreds of RNAi HCS plates.
Numerical Simulation of Façade / Window Glazing Fracture under Impact Loading
Authors: Müller de Vries Christoph
Published: February 2025

The sensitivity to fracture is a well-known characteristic of glass. This paper therefore deals with the fracture of a laminated safety glass panel made of single-pane safety glass during a dynamic impact event. Potential scenarios were examined by experimental and numerical studies. For this purpose, different glass panel geometries were subjected to a pendulum impact test using the test setup commonly employed for fall-through-proof glazing (50 kg twin-tyre impactor) in Germany. Depending on the glass panel size and support system, the actual impact event is completed in less than 30 ms. However, the dynamic response of the glazing can continue and fracture occur at a later stage.
Surface Cracked Layer and Damage Resistance of Glass under Contact Loading
Authors: Rodichev Yurii  , Yevplov Yurii  , Soroka Helen  , Veer Frederic
Published: February 2025

Strength and durability of glass structures depend directly on the state of the cracked surface layer and the degree of surface damage [1, 2]. Lack of control of surface micro-cracks and damage during the production of float glass and processing of glass element as well as under operation conditions leads to significant uncertainty in the estimates of the carrying capacity of glass structures [3]. A technical approach based on precision control of critical surface micro-cracks and damages was developed to guarantee a minimum level of strength of carrying glass structures such as beams and plates under bending and tension. The results of an experimental study of damage resistance of glass under contact loading were studied by looking at the effects on the surface cracked layer. The glass surface was damaged by a hard-alloy cutting roller using different cutting force. The dependence of bending strength values and depth of critical surface micro-cracks on the conditions of contact loading was found. Conditions of glass damage resistance changing due to the changes in the surface cracked layer were defined. The possibility of damage resistance and load bearing capacity of glass constructions increasing as a result of protective coatings was investigated.
Load-Bearing Behaviour of Non-monolithic Glass Laminate Beams for Wide Spans
Authors: Trösch Erich  , Wälchli Ernst  , Baumgärtner Thomas
Published: February 2025

In modern architecture, glass is increasingly being used as a structural material. For example, glass fins, roof beams, facade supports and even entire glass bridges are being made from laminated safety glass. In the past, however, this was much restricted by the achievable dimensions. Glas Trösch took up the challenge, presenting for the first time a 21 meter long laminated glass beam at the glastec 2010 in Düsseldorf. (Image 1) This world-first met with considerable interest from architects and builders. That prompted the company to conduct a scientific investigation on the load-bearing behaviour of large beams of this type.
Project for the Eiffel Tower: Constructive Geometry
Authors: Leduc Nicolas  , Raynaud Jacques  , Baldassini Niccolo
Published: February 2025

The three pavilion facades for the renovation of the Eiffel Tower's first floor constitute a new challenge in the field of transparent skins with free forms: this smooth double curved surface adapts to the high-performance thermal constraints of a of a unique public interior space. In avoiding the standard facetted solution, the developed project retains the full integrity of the initial Architectural proposal while guaranteeing economic feasibility. Thanks to the optimization of a parametric model, the variable double-curved surface of the transparent skin can be approximated from a quadrangular cylindrical panel surface. This process implies zero torsion at structural nodes and permits the fabrication of structural elements from developable curved sheets by welding thus enabling a standard compact detail.
Austrian R&D Strategy and Initiatives for the Aeronautics Sector
Authors: Ossberger Elisabeth
Published: February 2025

“TAKE-OFF”, the RTD-programme for Aeronautics, which was launched in 2002, got adapted to the articulated goals: target groups and instruments were enlarged and the market segments were implemented in the content of the calls. SMEs got strong support and international networking got more emphasis by the programme owners. Actual emphasis is put on networking activities within the market segments and on the international level; within “AirTN”, Austria launched a trans-national call together with Germany, and thus three important projects have been funded. Austrian companies as well as universities participate as partners in FP7, Clean Sky and SESAR. This paper gives an overview of these activities on a national level.
Tackling the Environmental Challenges to Aeronautics
Authors: Dautriat Eric
Published: February 2025

The environmental challenge has become over the last ten years more and more the main driver for future technologies and future aircraft architectures. The paper deals with the following topics: from local to global – anticipating the oil peak, another political and societal challenge – ACARE and environment – Clean Sky, a game-changing Public-Private Partnership – the numerous technical areas speeded up by the environmental challenge – Primes, Tiers One, Research Organisations, Universities, SMEs, are the Clean Sky Partners – the full set of demonstrators involving Clean sky Members and many Partners – Clean Sky will deliver main demonstrators from 2014 – the variety of means – Game-changing concepts will tackle further environmental challenges.
Morphing High Lift Structures: Smart Leading Edge Device and Smart Single Slotted Flap
Authors: Monner Hans Peter  , Riemenschneider Johannes
Published: February 2025

With 13 partners from 8 countries the EU project SADE (Smart High Lift Devices for Next Generation Wings) aims at making a major step forward in the development and evaluation of the potential of morphing airframe technologies. The project contributes to the research work called for to achieve the reduction of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions through new, intelligent, low-weight structures. Research into ‘smart’ structures and morphing airframes will open up new horizons in lightweight aircraft design.
The effect of leg length discrepancy on pelvis and spine kinematics during gait
Authors: Needham R.  , Chockalingam N.  , Dunning D.  , Healy A.  , Ahmed E.B.  , Ward A.
Published: February 2025

There are assumptions that leg length discrepancy (LLD) may cause low back pain by creating pelvis obliquity and lumbar scoliosis. Although individuals with LLD develop compensatory movements in the lower limbs and pelvis during walking, few investigations have attempted to identify kinematic variables of the upper body. This study aims to gain an understanding of how simulated LLD influences three-dimensional motion of the pelvis and spine. Seven male participants were required to walk barefoot at a preferred speed. Three LLD conditions (1, 2, and 3cm) were simulated using modified pieces of high density EVA attached to the right foot. An optoelectronic motion analysis system was used to record kinematic data of the pelvis and spine (lumbar, lower and upper thoracic segments) for each condition. Differences in range of motion and patterns of movement for the pelvis and lumbar spine were minimal between barefoot and LLD conditions. These observations could be attributed to various kinematic compensatory strategies within the lower limbs which require further in-depth investigation.
Validation of a multi-segment spinal model for kinematic analysis and a comparison of different data processing techniques
Authors: Needham R.  , Chockalingam N.  , Naemi R.  , Shannon T.  , Healy A.
Published: February 2025

Optoelectronic motion capture technology is a useful tool in the quantitative dynamic assessment of the spine. In a clinical setting this may help gain a further understanding of underlining musculoskeletal pathology. It is therefore important that accurate measurements are made to allow data to be comparable across various investigations. This report outlines a new multi-segment spinal model and its validation. A mechanical model consisting of an upper thoracic (UT), lower thoracic and lumbar segment was developed allowing for range of motion assessment. An electrogoniometer and torsiometer were attached to the model to provide a control measurement. The UT segment was chosen for analysis and static trials were collected at angles ranging from 2–45°. Kinematic data was captured using an optoelectronic motion capture system. Software computed angles corresponded well with the control measure. While highlighting the differences in the estimation of angles between software platforms, this study emphasizes the need for the clear description and understanding of the kinematic model used.
Analysis of the Anterior Trunk Symmetry Index (ATSI). Preliminary report
Authors: Stolinski Lukasz  , Kotwicki Tomasz  , Czaprowski Dariusz  , Chowanska Joanna  , Suzuki Nobumasa
Published: February 2025

Spine deformations and faulty posture may be evaluated by assessing trunk surface deformation. POTSI index (Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index) was introduced in 2003 to assess asymmetry of the trunk seen from the back. However, deformations may also affect the anterior surface of the trunk and this can be noticed more easily by the patient owing to the visual accessibility of the anterior surface. This study a new parameter called ATSI (Anterior Trunk Symmetry Index) in order to assess the anterior trunk deformation. study was conducted on fifty primary school children, boys and girls aged 6-7 years. One photograph of each child in a spontaneous standing position was taken with a digital camera. The photographs were analysed to obtain a quantitative assessment of the new parameter, ATSI, by means of computer software developed in collaboration with an IT specialist. The intra-observer error found in the analysis was 1.23. The interobserver error was 3.08. The average ATSI value for 50 children was 25.3 ± 10.6. The threshold value norm defined as mean+2SD was 46.5.
Assessment of trunk asymmetry in transversal plane by geometric outline of trunk deformation (GOTD)
Authors: Kowalski I.M  , Giżewski T.  , Zaborowska–Sapeta K.  , Protasiewicz–Fałdowska H.  , Siwik P.
Published: February 2025

Due to its variety and changeability in time, trunk asymmetry is a symptom of body silhouette distortions, which is difficult to assess objectively. The parametric method involving a geometric outline of trunk deformation (GOTD) has been developed in order to provide a tool for an objective measurement comparable to further examinations. Despite the technology rapid development it still seems reasonable to use simple diagnostic methods available in all conditions, hence the authors' interest in the simplified topographic method employing the body contour tracer. For the diagnosis purpose it is particularly important to assess the parametric asymmetry of the body contour. Such result allows to determine objectively the degree of deformation and standards for the investigatory classification. The obtained coefficients and facilitate the description of deformation in a manner independent of trunk size, and therefore factors such as age and sex do not affect the measurement, which is an important advantage of this method. The body contour tracer is a simple and relatively inexpensive device. Its use does not require training or experience. Examination is noninvasive and harmless to the organism. Collected database provides clear material in the form of digital images, its processing and results, useful for simple comparative analysis. Due to the phase of the investigation, the discussion on the correlation, conclusions about deflection and norms standardization were omitted.
Investigation of a Low Cost Method to Quantify Cosmetic Defect
Authors: Shannon Thomas  , Chockalingam Nachiappan
Published: February 2025

For many patients, the motivation in seeking treatment is the improvement of their appearance rather than to correct an underlying skeletal deformity, so cosmetic concerns and the psychosocial impacts of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are important factors in the clinical decision-making process. In the current environment of evidence based medicine there is a growing need to quantify back surface shape and general body asymmetry with the objective of producing an agreed scoring to be used in developing treatment plans and assessing outcomes but to date many clinics continue to rely on qualitative or expensive methods to describe cosmetic deformity. In November 2010, Microsoft® Corporation launched the low cost Kinect™camera with 18 million units sold (as at January 2012) throughout the world. The device incorporates proprietary light coding technology that reconstructs the three dimensional location of an estimated 50,000 projected points illuminating objects within its field of view in approximately 1/30thof a second. The aim of the research was to investigate the capabilities of a low cost, reliable and inherently safe apparatus based on Kinect depth sensing and video technology to simultaneously acquire back surface shape and the locations of bony landmarks with the goal of providing data to describe cosmetic defect. Work has been completed using both the apparatus and a commercially available optical motion capture system (Vicon Motion Systems, Oxford, U.K.) to acquire data from a test object representing an unaffected human torso. Results were obtained to compare tri-dimensional bony landmark reconstruction accuracy and combined with analyses of point cloud data to describe back shape. Early indications are that the proposed apparatus has potential to be a clinically useful tool.
The Use of Exer-learning Games for Rehabilitation in Spa Clinics at Home
Authors: Lucht Martina  , Krausser Kati  , Joerg Daniel  , Schwandt Tobias
Published: February 2025

This paper examines benefits of the exer-learning concept HOPSCOTCH for rehabilitation in spa clinics and at home. It describes a specific application to motivate obese patients in spa clinics for exercise. Furthermore results of an empirical study are reported where HOPSCOTCH was implemented in two spa clinics for a period of four weeks. The results of the study have shown that the concept is very convincing, but mainly depends on the content of the application; however the idea of HOPSCOTCH appeared to have a high potential to be used as a therapeutic agent in terms of motivation for exercise.