bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-Cost, Take-Home, Beating Heart Simulator for Health-Care Education
Authors: Berg Devin R.  , Carlson Andrew  , Durfee William K.  , Sweet Robert M.  , Reihsen Troy
Published: February 2025

Intended for medical students studying the evaluation and diagnosis of heart arrhythmias, the beating heart arrhythmia simulator combines visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli to enhance the student's retention of the subtle differences between various conditions of the heart necessary for diagnosis. Unlike existing heart arrhythmia simulators, our simulator is low cost and easily deployable in the classroom setting. A design consisting of solenoid actuators, a silicon heart model, and a graphical user interface has been developed and prototyped. Future design development and conceptual validation is necessary prior to deployment.
Laser Surgery Simulation Platform: Toward Full-Procedure Training and Rehearsal for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Therapy
Authors: Shen Yunhe  , Konchada Vamsi  , Zhang Nan  , Jain Saurabh  , Zhou Xiangmin  , Burke Daniel  , Wong Carson  , Carson Culley  , Roehrborn Claus  , Sweet Robert
Published: February 2025

Recently, photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) has been a popular alternative to the standard electrocautery – transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Here we introduce a new training system for practicing the laser therapy by using a virtual reality (VR) simulator. To interactively and realistically simulate PVP on a virtual organ with an order of a quarter million elements, a few novel and practical solutions have been applied to handle the challenges in modeling tissue ablation, contact/collision and deformation; endoscopic instruments tracking, haptic rendering and a web/database curriculum management module are integrated into the system. Over 40 urologists and surgical experts have been invited nationally and participated in the system verification.
Segmentation of 3D Vasculatures for Interventional Radiology Simulation
Authors: Song Yi  , Luboz Vincent  , Din Nizar  , King Daniel  , Gould Derek  , Bello Fernando  , Bulpitt Andy
Published: February 2025

Training in interventional radiology is slowly shifting towards simulation which allows the repetition of many interventions without putting the patient at risk. Accurate segmentation of anatomical structures is a prerequisite of realistic surgical simulation. Therefore, our aim is to develop a generic approach to provide fast and precise segmentation of various virtual anatomies covering a wide range of pathology, directly from patient CT/MRA images. This paper presents a segmentation framework including two segmentation methods: region model based level set segmentation and hierarchical segmentation. We compare them to an open source application ITK-SNAP which provides similar approaches. The subjective human influence such as inconsistent inter-observer errors and aliasing artifacts etc. are analysed. The proposed segmentation techniques have been successfully applied to create a database of various anatomies with different pathologies, which is used in computer-based simulation for interventional radiology training.
Mobile Three Dimensional Gaze Tracking
Authors: Stoll Josef  , Kohlbecher Stefan  , Marx Svenja  , Schneider Erich  , Einhäuser Wolfgang
Published: February 2025

Mobile eyetracking is a recent method enabling research on attention during real-life behavior. With the EyeSeeCam, we have recently presented a mobile eye-tracking device, whose camera-motion device (gazecam) records movies orientated in user's direction of gaze. Here we show that the EyeSeeCam can extract a reliable vergence signal, to measure the fixation distance. We extend the system to determine not only the direction of gaze for short distances more precisely, but also the fixation point in 3 dimensions (3D). Such information is vital, if gaze-tracking shall be combined with tasks requiring 3D information in the peri-personal space, such as grasping. Hence our method substantially extends the application range for mobile gaze-tracking devices and makes a decisive step towards their routine application in standardized clinical settings.
Quantizing the Void: Extending Web3D for Space-Filling Haptic Meshes
Authors: Ullrich Sebastian  , Kuhlen Torsten  , Polys Nicholas F.  , Evestedt Daniel  , Aratow Michael  , John Nigel W.
Published: February 2025

In this paper we summarize the progress of the Web3D scene graph model, and associated standards, specifically Extensible 3D (X3D) in the domain of medical simulation. Historically, the Web3D nodesets have focused on the representation and rendering of point, line or surface geometry. More recently, significant progress in X3D Volume rendering has been made available through the co-operative DICOM work item, n-Dimensional Presentation States. However, here we outline the need for a standard for simulation meshes and review several related approaches. As a result, we propose preliminary requirements for a simulation mesh standard and provide several use case scenarios of how Web3D and haptic technologies can aid the fulfillment of these requirements. We conclude with an X3D proposal to describe simulation meshes for soft (deformable) bodies.
Enabling Surgeons to Create Simulation-Based Teaching Modules
Authors: Yeo Young In  , Dindar Saleh  , Sarosi George  , Peters Jörg
Published: February 2025

To broaden the use of simulation for teaching, in particular of new procedures and of low-volume procedures, we propose an environment and workflow that allows surgeon-educators create teaching modules. Our challenge is to make the simulation tools accessible, modifiable and sharable by users with moderate computer and VR experience. Our contribution is a workflow that promotes consistency between instructional material and measured criteria and makes the authoring process efficient, both for the surgeon, and for computer scientists supporting the simulation environment.
Sleep Dysfunctions Influence Decision Making in Undemented Parkinson's Disease Patients: A Study in a Virtual Supermarket
Authors: Albani Giovanni  , Raspelli Simona  , Carelli Laura  , Priano Lorenzo  , Pignatti Riccardo  , Morganti Francesca  , Gaggioli Andrea  , Weiss Patrice L.  , Kizony Rachel  , Katz Noomi  , Mauro Alessandro  , Riva Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

In the early-middle stages of Parkinson's disease (PD), polysomnographic studies show early alterations of the structure of the sleep, which may explain frequent symptoms reported by patients, such as daytime drowsiness, loss of attention and concentration, feeling of tiredness. The aim of this study was to verify if there is a correlation between the sleep dysfunction and decision making ability. We used a Virtual Reality version of the Multiple Errand Test (VMET), developed using the NeuroVR free software (http://www.neurovr2.org), to evaluate decision-making ability in 12 PD not-demented patients and 14 controls. Five of our not-demented 12 PD patients showed abnormalities in the polysomnographic recordings associated to significant differences in the VMET performance.
Field Use of the STORZ C-MAC
Authors: Boedeker Ben H.  , Bernhagen Mary A  , Miller David J.  , Miljkovic Nikola  , Kuper Gail M.  , Murray W. Bosseau
Published: February 2025

Previous studies have shown that the videolaryngoscope is an excellent intubation training tool as it allows the student and trainer to share the same anatomical view of the airway. Use of this training tool is limited; however, as many times intubation training must take place outside the hospital environment (as in the training of military health care providers). In this environment, the device can prove to be large and cumbersome. This study examined the use of the Storz CMACTM, a compact video laryngoscope system, for intubation training in a simulated field hospital setting with the Nebraska National Air Guard. The study showed that the C-MACTMwas well-received by the trainees and would be useful in a deployment or hospital setting.
Use of Ontologies for Monitoring Electronic Health Records for Compliance with Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: White Pam  , Roudsari Abdul
Published: February 2025

Ontologies can assist with translating information from an electronic health record to a clinical practice guideline and reformatting it into a compliance report. A 2009 literature search reviews publications on the use of ontologies to support automated reporting of compliance with clinical practice guidelines via electronic health records. Research stage, data-pulling capabilities, ontologies used, and issues raised are some of the comparative data pulled from 13 articles from the literature review results. Suggestions for further research are given.
The Action Case Method in Health Informatics Research
Authors: Househ Mowafa
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces the action case as a research method that can be used in health informatics research. In general, this method has been used in information systems research but has been ignored within the field of health informatics. This paper defines the action case and provides suggestions for its use in the various stages of a research project.
Usability of Electronic Nursing Record Systems: Definition and Results from an Evaluation Study in Finland
Authors: Viitanen Johanna  , Kuusisto Anne  , Nykänen Pirkko
Published: February 2025

Information technologies (IT) are widely used in healthcare, however, little is known about the usability of nursing information systems. This article reports an evaluation study that aimed at researching the usability of four electronic nursing record (ENR) systems and thereby providing guidelines for further IT development. For the purposes of the study the concept of usability was defined to cover the following aspects: nurse-computer interaction in working context, information exchange, and collaboration between healthcare professionals. The study utilized two usability research methods, contextual inquiry and expert review, and was conducted with 18 nurses in Finland. Study results showed that the ENR systems share several usability problems in common, most of them relating to the efficiency of use, intuitiveness, and poor fit for multi-professional needs. Nurses had mainly negative experiences on documenting practices with ENRs: documentation requires a lot of resources, patient information is hard to find, and procedures do not meet the contextual needs. These findings suggest usability problems having significant effects on nurses' documentation practices and nursing work.
Clinical Informatics in Undergraduate Teaching of Health Informatics
Authors: Pantazi Stefan V.  , Pantazi Felicia  , Daly Karen
Published: February 2025

We are reporting on a recent experience with Health Informatics (HI) teaching at undergraduate degree level to an audience of HI and Pharmacy students. The important insight is that effective teaching of clinical informatics must involve highly interactive, applied components in addition to the traditional theoretical material. This is in agreement with general literature underlining the importance of simulations and role playing in teaching and is well supported by our student evaluation results. However, the viability and sustainability of such approaches to teaching hinges on significant course preparation efforts. These efforts consist of time-consuming investigations of informatics technologies, applications and systems followed by the implementation of workable solutions to a wide range of technical problems. In effect, this approach to course development is an involved process that relies on a special form of applied research whose technical complexity could explain the dearth of published reports on similar approaches in HI education. Despite its difficulties, we argue that this approach can be used to set a baseline for clinical informatics training at undergraduate level and that its implications for HI education in Canada are of importance.
What are the Barriers to Conducting International Research Using Routinely Collected Primary Care Data?
Authors: de Lusignan Simon  , Pearce Christopher  , Shaw Nicola T.  , Liaw Siaw-Teng  , Michalakidis Georgios  , Vicente Marília T.  , Bainbridge Michael  , International (IMIA) and European (EFMI) Medical Informatics
Published: February 2025

Background: Primary care is computerized with routine data recorded at the point or care. Secondary use of these data includes: genetic study, epidemiology and clinical trials. However, there are relatively few international studies. Objective: To identify the concepts that might predict readiness to collaborate in international research using routinely collected primary care data Method: Literature review and data gathering exercise, from international Primary Care Informatics working group workshops, and email modified Delphi exercise. Results: To establish whether primary care data are fit for use in a collaborative study information is needed at the micro-, meso-, and macro-level. At the micro- or data level we need to use documented standards for interoperability, computerized records, to facilitate linkage of data. At the meso-level we need to understand the nature of the electronic patient record (EPR) and specific study requirements. At the macro-level: health system, social and cultural context constrain what data are available. The framework defines the information needed at the point of expression of interest, and joining a study. The initial assessment of readiness should be by self-assessment followed by an in depth appraisal more immediately prior to the start of the study. Finally, a sensitivity analysis should be conducted to test the robustness of the data model. Conclusions: The literature focuses on technical issues: interoperability, EPR and modeling; the workshops on socio-cultural and organizational. This framework will form the basis for developing a survey instrument of the initial assessment of readiness for collaboration in international research.
A Preliminary Study on Network Traffic Estimation in Using EPR with Thin-Client Computing over Wide Area Network
Authors: Teramoto Kei  , Kuwata Shigeki  , Mochida Masaki  , Kondoh Hiroshi
Published: February 2025

With the remarkable advantages of thin-client computing (TCC) on security enhancement and cost reduction, the TCC architecture seemed appropriate for EPR utilization in cross-border e-health systems. The advantage in less consumed network bandwidth, however, still remains quantitatively unidentified at present. This study aimed to estimate the network traffic required in using EPR on WAN environments through the comparison of TCC and server-client (SC) models The results indicated that one of representative TCC applications required much less network bandwidth than the conventional SC model. Further studies will be focused on the verification of the adopted scenarios and a combination of applications that would affect the estimation of the network bandwidth.
Analysis of the Medication-use Process in North American Hospital Systems: Underlining Key Points for Adoption to Improve Patient Safety in French Hospitals
Authors: Brouard Agnes  , Fagon Jean Yves  , Daniels Charles E.
Published: February 2025

This project was designed to underline any actions relative to medication error prevention and patient safety improvement setting up in North American hospitals which could be implemented in French Parisian hospitals. A literature research and analysis of medication-use process in the North American hospitals and a validation survey of hospital pharmacist managers in the San Diego area was performed to assess main points of hospital medication-use process. Literature analysis, survey analysis of respondents highlighted main differences between the two countries at three levels: nationwide, hospital level and pharmaceutical service level. According to this, proposal development to optimize medication-use process in the French system includes the following topics: implementation of an expanded use of information technology and robotics; increase pharmaceutical human resources allowing expansion of clinical pharmacy activities; focus on high-risk medications and high-risk patient populations; develop a collective sense of responsibility for medication error prevention in hospital settings, involving medical, pharmaceutical and administrative teams. Along with a strong emphasis that should be put on the identified topics to improve the quality and safety of hospital care in France, consideration of patient safety as a priority at a nationwide level needs to be reinforced.
Three Different Cases of Exploiting Decision Support Services for Adverse Drug Event Prevention
Authors: Bernonille Stéphanie  , Nies Julie  , Pedersen Henrik Gliese  , Guillot Bertrand  , Maazi Mostafa  , Berg Anna-Lis  , Sarfati Jean-Charles  , Koutkias Vassilis
Published: February 2025

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs) are implemented in clinical settings in order to improve patient outcomes and/or clinical practices. However, they are still not widely accepted by healthcare professionals due to over-alerting. The aim of the “Patient Safety through Intelligent Procedures in medication” (PSIP) project is to develop and demonstrate innovative tools so as to generate and provide relevant knowledge to healthcare professionals and patients for Adverse Drug Event (ADE) prevention by means of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). PSIP employs a Knowledge Base (KB) as the core of its CDSS. This KB encapsulates signals capable of automatically detecting potential ADEs and contextualizing the CDSS output to the patient and healthcare professionals. To exploit the KB, a Global Knowledge Platform (GKP) has been created comprising of a KB system, a Connectivity Platform and appropriate user interface modules. The GKP has been tested to demonstrate integration of the KB in different work situations and it has been deployed in three different medical applications. The first is a Web application; the second involves a commercial French EHR (Electronic Health Record) and the third is a Danish CPOE (Computerised Physician Order Entry) system. This paper presents recent progress as regards the exploitation of the PSIP KB and the results obtained in the three different medical applications.
Coordinating multi-agent systems using social laws
Authors: Ågotnes Thomas
Published: February 2025

Coordination is a central problem in multi-agent systems. Social laws (or normative systems) have emerged as a natural and powerful paradigm for coordinating multi-agent systems. The social laws paradigm exposes the whole spectrum between fully centralised and fully decentralised coordination mechanisms. A social law is, intuitively, a constraint on the behaviour of agents, which ensures that their individual behaviours are compatible. Typically, a social law is imposed off-line, minimising the chances of on-line conflict or the need to negotiate. The tutorial gives an overview of the state-of-the-art in research on the use of social laws for coordination. It discusses questions such as: how can a social law that ensures some particular global behaviour be automatically constructed? If two social laws achieve the same objective, which one should we use? How can we construct a social law that works even if some agents do not comply? Which agents are most important for a social law to achieve its objective? It turns out that to answer questions like these, we can apply a range of tools available from the interdisciplinary tool chest of multi-agent systems. The tutorial also gives instruction in research practices and methodology in multi-agent systems: what are key research questions of interest, and what are some of the most important methods employed in this interdisciplinary field? To answer the latter question, the tutorial exemplifies of how, e.g., formal logic, game theory, voting theory and complexity theory, can be used, and in particular how these frameworks can be combined.
Modeling Repeats in DNA Using Probabilistic Extended Regular Expressions
Authors: Have Christian Theil  , Christiansen Henning
Published: February 2025

Regular expressions is a familiar and widely used formalism which is integrated in many modern programming languages. Contemporary versions of regular expressions are typically extended variants whose expressive power goes beyond regular languages. Extended regular expressions are inherently non-deterministic and require procedural control such as backtracking. We propose a probabilistic version of extended regular expressions, where the affinity for strings and matches can be learned from examples. The procedural control semantics are replaced by a probabilistic semantics, where the possible matches are ranked by their probability and the most probable match is the one returned. In the present paper, we show how probabilistic extended regular expressions can be used to model repeats in DNA. To deal with cases where the expressive power of probabilistic extended regular expressions is insufficient, we extend the syntax to integrate external functions, which may be deterministic or probabilistic.
Genetic Code and Verbal Language: Syntactic and Semantic Analogies
Authors: Bel-Enguix Gemma  , Jiménez-López M. Dolores
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is analyzing the similarities between the genetic code and verbal language. First, some syntactical analogies between both “systems of communication” are exposed. Secondly, we discuss the possibility of finding similar semantic phenomena in both systems. Moreover, we provide an overview of several theories appeared in the last years that make a remarkable contribution to the topic, with some new data and suggestions to establish a fruitful linguistic parallelism. Finally, some conclusions and discussion are presented.
Virtual Reality and Exercise: Behavioral and Psychological Effects of Visual Feedback
Authors: Mestre Daniel R.  , Ewald Marine  , Maiano Christophe
Published: February 2025

We herein report an experimental study examining the potential positive effects of Virtual Reality (VR) feedback during an indoor bicycling exercise. Using a regular bike coupled to a VR system, we compared conditions of no VR feedback, VR feedback and VR feedback with the presence of a virtual coach, acting as a pacer. In VR feedback conditions, we observed a decreased level of perceived exertion and an increased level of enjoyment of physical activity, when compared to a regular exercise situation (no VR feedback). We also observed a shift in the subjects' attentional focus, from association (in the absence of VR feedback) to dissociation (in VR feedback conditions). Moreover, the presence of a virtual coach in the VR environment triggered a systematic regulation of the (virtual) displacement speed, whose relationship with perceived enjoyment and exertion require further work.
Towards a Web 2.0 Based Software for the Design and the Facilitation of Cognitive Stimulation Workshops
Authors: Klinger Evelyne  , Martinet Elise  , Perret David
Published: February 2025

Cognitive stimulation workshops (CSW) are recommended for elderly people with a decline in cognitive functions, for example, mild cognitive impairment. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has the potential to enrich and facilitate preparation, facilitation and assessment of CSW interventions. We present the first steps of our co-design approach towards a Web 2.0 based software, called STIMULEE, for the design and the facilitation of CSW. Its achievement will provide novel therapeutic practices to our clinical partners.
Accuracy of a Brain Computer Interface (P300 Spelling Device) used by People with Motor Impairments
Authors: Krausz Gunther  , Ortner Rupert  , Opisso Eloy
Published: February 2025

A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) provides a completely new output pathway and so, an additional possible way a person can express himself if he/she suffers from disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), brainstem stroke, brain or spinal cord injury, or other diseases which impair the function of the common output pathways which are responsible for the control of muscles or impair the muscles. Although most BCIs are thought to help people with disabilities, they are mainly tested on healthy, young subjects who may achieve better results than people with impairments. In this study we compare measurements, performed on 10 physically disabled people, to the results of a previous study, taken using 100 healthy participants. We prove that, under certain constraints, most patients are able to control a P300-based spelling device with almost the same accuracy as the healthy ones. Tuning parameters are discussed, as well as criteria for people who are not able to use this device.
Validation of a Neuro Virtual Reality-based Version of the Multiple Errands Test for the Assessment of Executive Functions
Authors: Raspelli Simona  , Pallavicini Federica  , Carelli Laura  , Morganti Francesca  , Poletti Barbara  , Corra Barbara  , Silani Vincenzo  , Riva Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this study was to establish ecological validity and initial construct validity of the Virtual Reality (VR) version of the Multiple Errands Test (MET) (Shallice & Burgess, 1991; Fortin et al., 2003) based on the NeuroVR software as an assessment tool for executive functions. In particular, the MET is an assessment of executive functions in daily life, which consists of tasks that abide by certain rules and is performed in a shopping mall-like setting where items need to be bought and information needs to be obtained. The study population included three groups: post-stroke participants (n = 5), healthy, young participants (n = 5), and healthy, older participants (n = 5). Specific objectives were (1) to examine the relationships between the performance of three groups of participants in the Virtual Multiple Errands Test (VMET) and at the traditional neuropsychological tests employed to assess executive functions and (2) to compare the performance of post-stroke participants to those of healthy, young controls and older controls in the VMET and at the traditional neuropsychological tests employed to assess executive functions.
The Use of Micropiles as Settlement Reducing Elements
Authors: Chang H.N.  , Vorster T.E.B.
Published: February 2025

The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link (GRRL) is one of ten Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) projects implemented by the Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works (Gautrans) to stimulate economic growth, development and employment opportunities in the Gauteng Province. As part of this development initiative, Viaduct 5c (a 3.2 km long viaduct) crosses highly variable and sinkhole prone dolomitic ground conditions in Centurion, Pretoria. The original design for piers 39 and 40 of Viaduct 5c consisted of four large diameter (1.2m) bored piles designed to be end-bearing onto the dolomite bedrock. Due to severe difficulties encountered with the installation of large diameter end-bearing piles and the highly variable rock head and ground conditions encountered, an alternative founding solution at piers 39 and 40 was proposed. The alternative solution consisted of a grid of small diameter piles (micropiles) installed as soil reinforcement elements overlain by a compacted soil mattress. As bearing capacity failure of the footing is unlikely, settlement or differential settlement of the footing was the main concern. Due to the complex and variable nature of dolomitic profiles in general, settlement of the foundation was estimated using a 3D finite element model. The analysis indicated that the micropile/soil mattress system was effective in reducing the settlement of the foundation to an acceptable value. This paper presents the design methodology and analysis that was carried out for the two Piers.
Internally Instrumented Soil Nail Pull Out Tests
Authors: Breyl Jacobus  , Wardle Gavin
Published: February 2025

In order to evaluate the ultimate bond stress used in modelling soil nail behaviour for lateral support, soil nail pull out tests are conducted on the site. In the analysis of the test results it is assumed that the free length given to the test nail is completely free and that the load distribution along the grout body is uniform at failure. Three instrumented soil nail pull out tests were conducted to evaluate the validity of these assumptions. The current in-house practice for obtaining a free length proved to be effective. More testing is required to evaluate the typical load distribution at failure. Suggested next steps for further research in this regards are given.
Ontology-Strength Industry Standards: The Case of the Clinical Trial Domain
Authors: Grenon Pierre  , Wimalaratne Sarala  , de Bono Bernard
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the context, sketches the methodological approach, and main aspects of the ontologising of the CDISC terminology standard in support of ontology-based annotations and metadata management of clinical trial resources (especially data and records). Such aim is a long term endeavour which involves stages of refinement and also validation. The main purpose of this paper is to put in place the methodological basis for the work of ontological engineering needed. The most challenging task is to carry out the ontologisation of terms in the CDISC terminology. The approach adopted consists in reusing, whenever possible, reference ontologies found in the biomedical domain to support the logical definitions of terminological elements.
Interactive Visualisation with User Perspective for Biological Data Analysis
Authors: Nguyen Quang Vinh  , Simoff Simeon  , Catchpoole Daniel
Published: February 2025

With an astonishing amount of genomic data generated for processing in medical field, it is essential to provide an effective methodology for understanding, reasoning and supporting decision making of large information spaces. This paper presents an interactive interface that provides a mechanism to analyse large scale biological and clinical data. This aims to provide a much greater flexibility and control for the domain experts to interactively customise the visualisation according to their preferences.
Machine Intelligence for Health Information: Capturing Concepts and Trends in Social Media via Query Expansion
Authors: Su Xing Yu  , Suominen Hanna  , Hanlen Leif
Published: February 2025

Introduction. We aim to improve retrieval of health information from Twitter.
Landslide affected with an open pit excavation in flysch deposit
Authors: Arbanas Ž.  , Dugonjić S.  , Vivoda M.  , Jagodnik V.
Published: February 2025

During the excavation of pit of Nautical High School Sport Hall in the City of Bakar, Croatia, a landslide is occurred on the slope upper of the executed excavation in autumn 1999. Through the landslide movement, the great part of landslide body was sliding in the pit and consequently the construction works were stopped. The landslide body are formed in the clayey slope deposits formed through the weathering of the flysch rocky mass. The slip surface was developed at the contact of the cover and the bedrock i.e. layers of clayey residual soils and siltstone in the bedrock. A high level of underground water and unfavorable hydrogeological properties in the slope also affected on the sliding occur. Complex geotechnical investigation works were carried out for the purpose of drafting a landslide remediation project. Based on the results of investigation works, a landslide remediation project and the new cut construction design were made. The basic reinforced wall structure was replaced by an anchored boring pile-wall structure. The landslide remediation was based on observational methods. The paper describes the remedial works and the behavior of the landslide based on the measuring results obtained during the performance of works in phases. Results obtained from observations of geotechnical structures indicate on the behavior of geotechnical structures and allows for potential corrections. This is especially useful in complex geological conditions where site investigation works are not enough to determine the condition of all site features.
Experience of tunnel collectors monitoring at engineering development of underground face of megapolis
Authors: Perminov N.A.  , Lombas S.V.  , Perminov A.N.
Published: February 2025

The article presents the experience of monitoring and taking protective actions aimed to ensure safety of the 1.5 – 4.5m diam. tunnel collectors at the depth of 7-70m, located in the zone affected by geotechnical influence of the underground and high-rise construction. Described is the philosophy of building the space-time structure of the geomonitoring. A comparative analysis of calculated-experimental data and the results of the many-year monitoring aimed to ensure safety of the underground wastewater collection and treatment facilities in St. Petersburg is given.
Geotechnical properties of the Chalk in east London and the Thames Gateway
Authors: Menkiti C.O.  , Merritt A.S.  , Choy C.K.  , Mortimore R.N.  , Black M.
Published: February 2025

Tunnelling and underground construction projects in east London and the Thames Gateway area are frequently constructed in Chalk. The engineering geology of Chalk in this area has been updated by Mortimore et al. (2011). This is a companion paper that presents data on engineering properties of the Chalk from recent high quality ground investigations and construction experience of large scale infrastructure projects. The compiled data provides insight into the relationship between engineering geology and engineering properties of the various Chalk substrata in the London area. Some implications for parameter selection and some comments on engineering performance are presented.
Aspects on the laboratory frost heave testing procedure
Authors: Saarelainen S.  , Gustavsson H.  , Ono T.
Published: February 2025

In this paper, some general features of freezing behaviour of frost susceptible soils are presented and discussed to improve the compatibility between field and laboratory characteristics. As an engineering approach, a theory for establishing frost-heave parameters is a modified segregation potential theory. The model of frost heaving at a site, back-calculation of frost heave coefficient, as well as estimation of the parameter from the results of frost heave testing in the laboratory is discussed.
Electronic Symptom Reporting by Patients: a Literature Review
Authors: Johansen Monika A.  , Henriksen Eva  , Berntsen Gro  , Horsch Alexander
Published: February 2025

A literature review has been conducted to gain an overview of which technologies and patient groups have previously been employed in scientific studies with regard to patients reporting symptoms electronically. This paper presents preliminary results from the review, based on the abstracts from relevant publications. The Medline database search identified 974 publications. Of these, 235 (24%) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The number of studies has increased heavily over the past two decades. A lot of the studies are small with regard to sample size, but we see that the number of studies increase over time. Cancer and lung diseases are the largest diagnosis groups. Cancer symptom reporting seems to take place inside the healthcare institutions, while lung disease and musculoskeletal disease reporting mainly take place at home via Internet.
Improvement of Inter-Services Communication through a CDSS Dedicated to Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy
Authors: Nies Julie  , Georg Gersende  , Faraggi Marc  , Colombet Isabelle  , Durieux Pierre
Published: February 2025

This study addresses the question of communication between medical wards and the nuclear medicine department for the realization of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. It analyses the effects of a reminder for completing the content of an order form. It shows that the CDSS impacted ordering practices. It could be seen as a system enabling to structure the information and improve the quality of orders.
Towards an Interoperable Information Infrastructure Providing Decision Support for Genomic Medicine
Authors: Samwald Matthias  , Stenzhorn Holger  , Dumontier Michel  , Marshall M. Scott  , Luciano Joanne  , Adlassnig Klaus-Peter
Published: February 2025

Genetic dispositions play a major role in individual disease risk and treatment response. Genomic medicine, in which medical decisions are refined by genetic information of particular patients, is becoming increasingly important. Here we describe our work and future visions around the creation of a distributed infrastructure for pharmacogenetic data and medical decision support, based on industry standards such as the Web Ontology Language (OWL) and the Arden Syntax.
Identifying Patients for Clinical Trials Using Fuzzy Ternary Logic Expressions on HL7 Messages
Authors: Majeed Raphael W.  , Röhrig Rainer
Published: February 2025

Identifying eligible patients is one of the most critical parts of any clinical trial. The process of recruiting patients for the third phase of any clinical trial is usually done manually, informing relevant physicians or putting notes on bulletin boards. While most necessary information is already available in electronic hospital information systems, required data still has to be looked up individually. Most university hospitals make use of a dedicated communication server to distribute information from independent information systems, e.g. laboratory information systems, electronic health records, surgery planning systems. Thus, a theoretical model is developed to formally describe inclusion and exclusion criteria for each clinical trial using a fuzzy ternary logic expression. These expressions will then be used to process HL7 messages from a communication server in order to identify eligible patients.
Online CME Usage Patterns
Authors: Mazzoleni M.Cristina  , Rognoni Carla  , Finozzi Enrico  , Giorgi Ines  , Pagani Marco  , Imbriani Marcello
Published: February 2025

The paper reports the findings of the analysis of a sample of 829 online Continuous Medical Education (CME) enrolments aimed at inspecting users' preferences and behaviours. The contents of the analyzed course are provided as online SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) resources together with the corresponding Pdf downloadable versions allowing different usage patterns (online only, Pdf only, online AND Pdf, mixed online OR Pdf). The results point out that there is not a specific preference for one of the four patterns and that most of the users access both navigable modules and Pdf documents. Demographic characteristics and initial knowledge level do not influence the choice of a specific usage pattern that probably depends on internal or context factors. From the point of view of knowledge acquisition, the four patterns are equivalent. As regards users' behaviour, the analysis has pointed out two issues: 1) the attitude to conclude the course in a short time and to reach good test scores, but not the excellence; 2) learning activity tracing data were not available for all the enrolments. Cues for discussion are proposed.
Three Key Concerns for a Successful EPR Deployment and Usage
Authors: Janols Rebecka  , Gôrranson Bengt  , Sandblad Bengt
Published: February 2025

The health care environment is unique because of the large and complex organisation with a traditional hierarchic structure that is governed by laws and regulations. This paper examines how a large Swedish health care organisation work with usability issues regarding Electronic Patient Record (EPR) deployment and usage. EPR systems have great impact on work environment and clinical work routines will not be performed in the same way as before. This paper analyse how the EPR management and core business understand their EPR responsibilities and work with usability aspects at different levels in the organisations. The paper reveals that there is a conflict about responsibility between EPR management and core business management. The reasons for the confusion are contradictive understanding of what an EPR system is, an IT system or a tool for the core business to perform better health care work. This leads to that care staff's experience regarding the EPR system's usability, is not being listened to within the organisation. Three key concerns for a successful EPR deployment and usage are identified and further analysed; education, evaluation and support & improvement ideas.
Towards Smart Environments Using Smart Objects
Authors: Sedlmayr Martin  , Prokosch Hans-Ulrich  , Münch Ulli
Published: February 2025

Barcodes, RFID, WLAN, Bluetooth and many more technologies are used in hospitals. They are the technological bases for different applications such as patient monitoring, asset management and facility management. However, most of these applications exist side by side with hardly any integration and even interoperability is not guaranteed. Introducing the concept of smart objects inspired by the Internet of Things can improve the situation by separating the capabilities and functions of an object from the implementing technology such as RFID or WLAN. By aligning technological and business developments smart objects have the power to transform a hospital from an agglomeration of technologies into a smart environment.
Assessing the Role of a Site Visit in Adopting Activity Driven Methods
Authors: Luukkonen Irmeli  , Saranto Kaija  , Korpela Mikko
Published: February 2025

Healthcare activities rely heavily on socio-technical information systems. Such systems should be developed according to a socio-technical approach. The Activity Driven (AD) approach has been developed to contribute to the early phases of information system development in healthcare. Multi-professional and multi-disciplinary education in teams has been used to introduce the approach to prospective analysts, including “lay” healthcare professionals. ‘Almost real life cases’ have been emphasized as promoters of learning. This paper reports on a study on site visits as a crucial element for adopting socio-technical methods of analysis in healthcare. The paper presents feedback collected from an intensive course on health information systems development held in Mozambique. The results indicate the high importance of site visits - not only as a starting point of system analysis but also as a crucial promoter to learning socio-technical methods. Based on the results, needs for improvements are identified to the usability of AD tools and to the practical arrangements of site visits.
Assessing Biocomputational Modelling in Transforming Clinical Guidelines for Osteoporosis Management
Authors: Thiel Rainer  , Viceconti Marco  , Stroetmann Karl
Published: February 2025

Biocomputational modelling as developed by the European Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) Initiative is the area of ICT most likely to revolutionise in the longer term the practice of medicine. Using the example of osteoporosis management, a socio-economic assessment framework is presented that captures how the transformation of clinical guidelines through VPH models can be evaluated. Applied to the Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human Project, a consequent benefit-cost analysis delivers promising results, both methodologically and substantially.
Medical Knowledge Evolution Query Constraining Aspects
Authors: Eklund Ann-Marie
Published: February 2025

In this paper we present a first analysis towards better understanding of the query constraining aspects of knowledge, as expressed in the most used public medical bibliographic database MEDLINE. Our results indicate, possibly not surprising, that new terms occur, but also that traditional terms are replaced by more specific ones or even go out of use as they become common knowledge. Hence, as knowledge evolve over time, search methods may benefit from becoming more sensitive to knowledge expression, to enable finding new, as well as older, relevant database contents.
Checking Coding Completeness by Mining Discharge Summaries
Authors: Schulz Stefan  , Seddig Thorsten  , Hanser Susanne  , Zaiß Albrecht  , Daumke Philipp
Published: February 2025

Incomplete coding is a known problem in hospital information systems. In order to detect non-coded secondary diseases we developed a text classification system which scans discharge summaries for drug names. Using a drug knowledge base in which drug names are linked to sets of ICD-10 codes, the system selects those documents in which a drug name occurs that is not justified by any ICD-10 code within the corresponding record in the patient database. Treatment episodes with missing codes for diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, and asthma/COPD were subject to investigation in a large German university hospital. The precision of the method was 79%, 14%, and 45% respectively, roughly estimated recall values amounted to 43%, 70%, and 36%. Based on these data we predict roughly 716 non-coded diabetes cases, 13 non-coded Parkinson cases, and 420 non-coded asthma/COPD cases among 34,865 treatment episodes.
Watermarking – a new way to bring evidence in case of telemedicine litigation
Authors: Coatrieux Gouenou  , Quantin Catherine  , Allaert François-André  , Auverlot Bertrand  , Roux Christian
Published: February 2025

: When dealing with medical data sharing, in particular within telemedicine applications, there is a need to ensure information security. Being able to verify that the information belongs to the right patient and is from the right source or that it has been rerouted or modified is a major concern. Watermarking, which is the embedding of security elements, such as a digital signature, within a document, can help to ensure that a digital document is reliable. However, at the same time, questions arise about the validity of watermarking-based proof. In this paper, beyond the technical aspects, we discuss the legal acceptability of watermarking in the context of telemedicine applications.
The Epidemiologic Surveillance of Dengue-Fever in French Guiana: When Achievements Trigger Higher Goals
Authors: Flamand Claude  , Quenel Philippe  , Ardillon Vanessa  , Carvalho Luisiane  , Bringay Sandra  , Teisseire Maguelonne
Published: February 2025

The epidemiology of dengue fever in French Guiana is marked by a combination of permanent transmission of the virus in the whole country and the occurrence of regular epidemics. Since 2006, a multi data source surveillance system was implemented to monitor dengue fever patterns, to improve early detection of outbreaks and to allow a better provision of information to health authorities, in order to guide and evaluate prevention activities and control measures. This report illustrates the validity and the performances of the system. We describe the experience gained by such a surveillance system and outline remaining challenges. Future works will consist in the use of other data sources such as environmental factors in order to improve knowledge on virus transmission mechanisms and determine how to use them for outbreaks prediction.
Relevance and Usability of a Computerized Patient Simulator for Continuous Medical Education of Isolated Care Professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Bediang Georges  , Bagayoko Cheick Oumar  , Raetzo Marc-André  , Geissbuhler Antoine
Published: February 2025

Objective: to explore the relevance and usability of using a computerized patient simulator as a tool for continuous medical education and decision support for health professionals in district hospitals in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: based on the diagnosis pathway and decision analysis in uncertainty context, interactive clinical vignettes are developed using VIPS, a computerized patient simulator, taking into account clinical problem situations whose relevance was identified. Vignettes were adapted to take into account local epidemiology, availability of diagnostic and therapeutic resources, and local socio-cultural constraints. The evaluation on VIPS software was made by care professionals and students. Results: a computerized patient simulator can be used to provide initial and continuing medical education in Sub-Saharan Africa. But many challenges exist. Conclusion: further research is needed to measure potential improvements in knowledge, skills, decision-making abilities as well as patient outcome.