bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meshless Natural Neighbor Method based on implicit integration algorithm for elastoplastic analysis
Authors: Zhu Hehua  , Liu Wenjun  , Cai Yongchang  , Miao Yuanbin
Published: February 2025

In this paper, an implicit stress integration algorithm based on the closest point return projection algorithms is used in a meshless natural neighbor method (MNNM). In its application to the associated Mises plasticity model, the implicit formulations show remarkable accuracy and stability due to the fact that the consistent linearization is adopted in computing incremental elastoplastic equations. Finally, two numerical examples using the implicit integration in MNNM for two dimensional elastoplastic problems are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and advantages of this method.
Numerical Analysis of Ground Deformation during Horizontal Jet-Grouting
Authors: Wang Z.F.  , Shen S.L.  , Chen L.S.  , Yang J.F.
Published: February 2025

Ground movement is an important problem for the construction using Horizontal Twin-jet Grouting Method (HTGM), and it is affected by many factors. In this paper, Finite Element Method (FEM) is employed to analyze the ground movement during the construction, and two models are selected for analysis, in which one model is to analyze the condition for construction of one column, and the other model is to analyze the condition for construction of a few columns. In this analysis, jetting pressure, retrieving rate of the rod, and number of the columns are mainly considered. Based on the analysis, in order to alleviate the effect on surroundings, construction parameters such as jetting pressure and retrieving rate of the rod were suggested.
Qualitative Evidence Aggregation using Argumentation
Authors: Hunter Anthony  , Williams Matthew
Published: February 2025

Evidence-based decision making is becoming increasingly important in many diverse domains, including healthcare, environmental management, and government. This has raised the need for tools to aggregate evidence from multiple sources. For instance, in healthcare, much valuable evidence is in the form of the results from clinical trials that compare the relative merits of treatments. For this, in a previous paper [5], we have proposed a general language for encoding, capturing and synthesizing knowledge from clinical trials and a framework that allows the construction and evaluation of arguments from such knowledge. Now, in this paper, we consider a specific version of the general framework for aggregating qualitative information about trials, and undertake an evaluation of this qualitative framework by comparing the results we obtain with those that are published in the biomedical literature. Whilst the results from our qualitative system are inferior, we show that they do offer a quick and useful aggregation of the evidence, and furthermore, we suggest that it could be coupled with information extraction technology to provide a valuable automated solution.
Argument Theory Change Through Defeater Activation
Authors: Moguillansky Martín O.  , Rotstein Nicolás D.  , Falappa Marcelo A.  , García Alejandro J.  , Simari Guillermo R.
Published: February 2025

Argument Theory Change (ATC) applies classic belief change concepts to the area of argumentation. This intersection of fields takes advantage of the definition of a Dynamic Abstract Argumentation Framework, in which an argument is either active or inactive, and only in the former case it is taken into consideration in the reasoning process. ATC identifies how the framework has to be modified in order to achieve warrant for a certain argument. The present article copes with this matter by defining a revision operator based on activation of arguments, i.e., recognizing the knowledge that is missing.
Automatic Transformation from Formal Specifications to Functional Scenario Forms for Automatic Test Case Generation
Authors: Liu Shaoying  , Hayashi Toshinori  , Takahashi Kazuhiro  , Kimura Koichiro  , Nakayama Toshihiro  , Nakajima Shin
Published: February 2025

Functional scenario-based test case generation is an important technique for specification-based testing and it can be fully automated. The vital first step of achieving the automation is automatic transformation from a formal specification into an equivalent functional scenario form from which all functional scenarios are derived. In this paper, we first explain the concepts of the functional scenario form and the functional scenario in the context of a VDM operation specification, and then discuss the techniques for the transformation implemented in a software tool we have built. The techniques for discussion include (1) transformation from compound expressions into predicate expressions, (2) transformation from quantified expressions into non-quantified expressions, (3) replacing implications and equivalences in predicate expressions, (4) transformation from predicate expressions into functional scenario forms, and (5) the derivation of the testing condition from a functional scenario for test case generation. Based on these transformations, the tool can also automatically produce test cases to meet required conditions.
Embedded Clarity in Filmification of Methods
Authors: Watanobe Yutaka  , Yoshioka Rentaro  , Mirenkov Nikolay
Published: February 2025

A multilevel approach to realize a self-explanatory representation of symbols, variables, language constructs and software components is considered. Some aspects related to the implementation of the approach within the concept of Filmification of methods are provided. In particular, super-symbols and constructs of Language of Integrated view and Language of Algorithmic interFaces of a cyber-Film programming environment are analyzed and examples of embedded-clarity support are presented.
Impact Analysis using Class Interaction Prediction Approach
Authors: Kama Nazri  , French Tim  , Reynolds Mark
Published: February 2025

Impact analysis is an activity of assessing the effect of making a set of changes to a software system. Many approaches have been developed include performing impact analysis on a high level model that reflects to low level analysis using class interaction prediction. However, analysis from the model contains false results due to not all interactions between classes have impact to one another. In this paper we introduce a new impact analysis approach that is able to filter some false results using a set of impact prediction filters. The contributions of the paper are: (1) a new impact analysis approach; (2) a new set of impact prediction filters and; (3) evaluation results that show the new impact analysis approach improves the accuracy of the prediction results.
A Technology Platform to Enable the Building of Corporate Radar Applications that Mine the Web for Business Insight
Authors: Yeh Peter Z.  , Kass Alex
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we present a technology platform that can be customized to create a wide range of corporate radar applications that can turn the Web into a systematic source of business insight. This platform integrates a combination of established AI technologies – i.e. semantic models, natural language processing, and inference engines – in a novel way. We present two prototype corporate radars built using this platform: the Business Event Advisor, which detects threats and opportunities relevant to a decision maker's organization, and the Technology Investment Radar which assesses the maturity of technologies that impact a decision maker's business. The Technology Investment Radar has been piloted with business users, and we present encouraging initial results from this pilot.
Customer churn prediction – a case study in retail banking
Authors: Mutanen Teemu  , Nousiainen Sami  , Ahola Jussi
Published: February 2025

This work focuses on one of the central topics in customer relationship management (CRM): transfer of valuable customers to a competitor. Customer retention rate has a strong impact on customer lifetime value, and understanding the true value of a possible customer churn will help the company in its customer relationship management. Customer value analysis along with customer churn predictions will help marketing programs target more specific groups of customers. We predict customer churn with logistic regression techniques and analyze the churning and nonchurning customers by using data from a consumer retail banking company. The result of the case study show that using conventional statistical methods to identify possible churners can be successful.
Improving SMT for Baltic Languages with Factored Models
Authors: Skadiņš Raivis  , Goba Kārlis  , Šics Valters
Published: February 2025

This paper reports on implementation and evaluation of English-Latvian and Lithuanian-English statistical machine translation systems. It also gives brief introduction of project scope – Baltic languages, prior implementations of MT and evaluation of MT systems. In this paper we report on results of both automatic and human evaluation. Results of human evaluation show that factored SMT gives significant improvement of translation quality compared to baseline SMT.
The Database of Estonian Word Families: a Language Technology Resource
Authors: Viks Ülle  , Vare Silvi  , Sahkai Heete
Published: February 2025

The paper describes a polyfunctional database of Estonian word families which is based on extensive research and contains detailed word formation information about the Estonian vocabulary. It is an XML database integrated into a dictionary management system which offers various possibilities of structure based editing and searching, data reuse etc. The design of the database is based on the word families method, which consists in the organization of words on the basis of common stem morphemes and word formation relations. Until now, the word families method has been used in the compilation of word formation dictionaries. Using the method in the compilation of a database is a novel solution which considerably broadens the access to and the possible uses of word formation data. The database provides material for researchers in computational and general linguistics, language learners and teachers, and lexicographers. The data can also be used in several language technology applications like search engines, text-to- speech synthesis etc.The study was supported by the National Programme for Estonian Language Technology and by the project SF0050023s09 “Modeling intermodular phenomena in Estonian”.
Using Dependency Grammar Features in Whole Sentence Maximum Entropy Language Model for Speech Recognition
Authors: Ruokolainen Teemu  , Alumäe Tanel  , Dobrinkat Marcus
Published: February 2025

In automatic speech recognition, the standard choice for a language model is the well-known n-gram model. The n-grams are used to predict the probability of a word given its n-1 preceding words. However, the n-gram model is not able to explicitly learn grammatical relations of the sentence. In the present work, in order to augment the n-gram model with grammatical features, we apply the Whole Sentence Maximum Entropy framework. The grammatical features are head-modifier relations between pairs of words, together with the labels of the relationships, obtained with the dependency grammar. We evaluate the model in a large vocabulary speech recognition task with Wall Street Journal speech corpus. The results show a substantial improvement in both test set perplexity and word error rate.
Using Agents in Mental Health: A System to Support the Remote Treatment of Major Depression
Authors: Martínez-Miranda Juan  , Lluch-Ariet Magí
Published: February 2025

The use of software agents in mental health is a relatively few explored field, but that in the last years has attracted the interest of researchers due to recent studies that show the effectiveness of computarised psychological therapies. The treatment of Major Depression is one of the mental health treatments that needs the active participation, during all their phases, of the people affected by this illness. In this paper we propose the development of a novel computer-based system to support the treatment of major depression by the remote monitoring of patients and the promotion of healthy behaviours, through a Virtual Agent (VA), in response to monitored inputs. We describe the general ideas and the first steps done towards the development of the three main components in the system. We particularly emphasise the description of the Virtual Agent, which will act as the virtual peer of the patient supporting him/her with specific activities in the treatment that would contribute to an earlier return to normal health and social and economic activity.
Complex Event Processing for Public-Cycling Transport Supervision
Authors: Gay Pablo  , López Beatriz  , Pla Albert  , Meléndez Joaquim
Published: February 2025

Complex Event Processing (CEP) consists in processing events happening across all the layers of an organization, identifying significant ones or meaningful combinations of those events and launching managing rules as a reaction. In this work we propose to use Complex Event Processing (CEP) as a supervision method for bike hiring services. The idea is to use CEP as a monitoring strategy. The events are generated by the system when users pick up or leave bikes from /to the depots distributed across the city. CEP allows describing the behaviour of the overall cycling system as a set of events, complex events and rules. It can monitor users' behaviour and trigger alarms in order to apply the corresponding billing penalties. Our CEP prototype has been tested using data extracted from the Barcelona cycling (Bicing) system. The preliminary results show he benefits of using such technology for monitoring purposes in distributed environments as the public cycling transport.
An Improvement of Topological Mapping Using a Graph-Matching Based Method with Omnidirectional Images
Authors: Romero Anna  , Cazorla Miguel
Published: February 2025

Image feature extraction and matching is useful in many areas of robotics such as object and scene recognition, autonomous navigation, SLAM and so on. This paper describes an approach to the problem of matching features and its application to scene recognition and topological SLAM. For that purpose we propose prior image segmentation into regions in order to group the extracted features in a graph so that each graph defines a single region of the image. The matching process will take into account the features and the structure (graph) using the GTM algorithm. Then, using this method of comparing images, we propose an algorithm for constructing topological maps. During the experimentation phase we will test the robustness of the method and its ability to construct topological maps. We have also introduced a new hysteresis behaviour in order to solve some problems found in construction of the graph.
Neural Symbolic Decision Making: A Scalable and Realistic Foundation for Cognitive Architectures
Authors: Stewart Terrence C.  , Eliasmith Chris
Published: February 2025

We have developed a computational model using spiking neurons that provides the decision-making capabilities required for production system models of cognition. This model conforms to the anatomy and connectivity of the basal ganglia, and the neuron parameters are set based on known neurophysiology. Behavioral-level timing and neural-level spike predictions have been made, and are consistent with empirical results. Here we demonstrate how this system can be used to implement standard production system rules, including complex variable matching and other binding operations. This results in predictions about neural connectivity in the thalamus and cortex. We believe our model can be used as a part of any biologically inspired cognitive architecture, allowing researchers to connect low-level neural implementation details to high-level behavioral effects.
SCA-Net: A Sensation-Cognition-Action Network for Speech Processing
Authors: Brady Michael Connolly
Published: February 2025

Two related questions posed to biology-inspired cognitive robotics are: (1) what form might a motor plan take in the brain, and (2) how might such a plan be converted into coordinated motor behavior? One approach to modeling the motor plan is to assume a stream of discrete instructions. This conceptualization has been attractive in cognitive science because it allows theorists to discuss motor planning (and perception) in terms of notation systems. However, many brain and robotics researchers have come to view the idea of the discrete motor plan to be wanting. SCA-Net provides a concrete alternative based on established brain circuitry. The approach allows for the coding of perception and production representations in a way that is useful to notation-oriented cognitive architectures.
Modal Access Control Logic
Authors: Genovese Valerio  , Rispoli Daniele  , Gabbay Dov M.  , Van Der Torre Leendert
Published: February 2025

We present and study a Modal Access Control Logic (M-ACL) to specify and reason about access control policies. We identify canonical properties of well-known access control axioms. We provide a Hilbert-style proof-system and we prove soundness, completeness and decidability of the logic. We present a sound and complete embedding of Modal Access Control Logic into First-Order Logic. We show how to use SPASS theorem prover to reason about access control policies expressed as formulas of Modal Access Control Logic, and we compare our logic with existing ones.
Relaxing Regression for a Heuristic GOLOG
Authors: Blom Michelle L.  , Pearce Adrian R.
Published: February 2025

GOLOG is an agent programming language designed to represent complex actions and procedures in the situation calculus. In this paper we apply relaxation-based heuristics – often used in classical planning – to find (near) optimal executions of a GOLOG program. In doing so we present and utilise a theory of relaxed regression for the approximate interpretation of a GOLOG program. This relaxed interpreter is used to heuristically evaluate the available choices in the search for a program execution. We compare the performance of our heuristic interpreter (in terms of the quality of executions found) with a traditional depth-first search interpreter and one guided by a greedy heuristic without a look-ahead on three domains: spacecraft control, mine operations planning, and task scheduling.
Burdens and Standards of Proof for Inference to the Best Explanation
Authors: Bex Floris  , Walton Douglas
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we provide a formal logical account of the burden of proof and proof standards in legal reasoning. As opposed to the usual argument-based model we use a hybrid model for Inference to the Best Explanation, which uses stories or explanations as well as arguments. We use examples of real cases to show that our hybrid reasoning model allows for a natural modeling of burdens and standards of proof.
Generic Problem Solving Tasks and Agent Roles in Public Administration
Authors: Boer Alexander  , van Engers Tom
Published: February 2025

In public administration, attempts to specify a unified interpretation of law seem to end in a specification with little operational meaning at all. The same unit of discourse in the sources of law usually plays many different knowledge roles, and ends up with – sometimes subtly – different operational meanings in each.
Interoperability Services for Models and Ontologies
Authors: Ebert Jürgen  , Walter Tobias
Published: February 2025

Model-based approaches in the UML/MOF technological space and ontology-based approaches in the OWL technological space both support conceptual modeling using different kinds of representation and analysis technologies. Both spaces provide services for accessing and manipulating models and ontologies, respectively.
Value and Viability Considerations in Information Systems Development
Authors: Polis Einar
Published: February 2025

The question of value is being increasingly discussed in various disciplines in recent years. Value-Based Management and Value-Based Software Engineering (VBSE) have emerged as promising attempts for employing the value concept in generating information systems which satisfy the needs of all stakeholders. We analyzed several package software implementation projects for assessing applicability of value based approach and found that seldom sufficient value for stakeholders has been produced. VBSE might have helped to achieve better results, although the theory itself is not fully matured yet. We found that stressing the role of agency in value analysis by utilizing the life metaphor can significantly enhance the explanatory power of the theory. This facilitates understanding of many advanced qualities of systems and development of theoretical framework for transforming the enterprise together with its information system. Our analysis will be concluded with suggestions for conducting projects similar to those analyzed in this article
Visualization of Airport Procedures in Time Critical Decision Support Systems
Authors: Lapin Kristina  , Čyras Vytautas  , Savičienė Laura
Published: February 2025

This paper reports on the development of two alternative visualizations of airport requirements for approach and departure trajectories. The work is undertaken within the FP6 SKY-Scanner project that develops a new lidar (laser radar, LIght Detection And Ranging) equipment. Radar and lidar data fusion provides the SKY-Scanner system with exact aircraft position within the aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ). We propose a new surveillance paradigm which enables the controller to estimate visually a current situation without mental calculations of altitude and distance. Two alternative prototypes are based on innovative ideas proposed in aeronautics. A demonstration of alternative designs supports the discussion, invites users to compare solutions and thus provides developers with informative user feedback. The paper proposes visualizations based on 2D and 3D view integration and on pure 3D photorealistic view. The paper explores how innovative visualizations create new opportunities for controlling air traffic in the ATZ.
A Collaboration Model for Global Multicultural Software Development
Authors: Ylikotila Taavi  , Linna Petri
Published: February 2025

Software development projects seem to raise many challenges and issues. These issues are exacerbated when the projects are distributed globally and thus software development projects are multicultural. Globalization has increased the need to estimate the effectiveness and cost savings of every project. That is why many projects are outsourced or in other ways distributed to cheaper countries. The main problems of software development projects are related to knowledge sharing, communication, and cultural issues. This paper studies the challenges in global multicultural software development projects and the kinds of collaborative tools available for software development. This paper presents an examination of a collaboration model for global multicultural software development. The model is based on the authors' own work experience and literature research. We propose that this model could be used as a reference model when planning global software projects.
Template protection for security enhancement of a biometric face authentication system
Authors: Grassi Marco  , Faundez-Zanuy Marcos
Published: February 2025

As biometric techniques are being used in a growing number of applications, biometric template security is becoming of great concern in biometric systems. Unlike passwords and tokens, compromised biometric templates cannot be revoked and reissued. In this paper we propose a biometric authentication system based on face recognition using 2D Discrete Cosine Transform and neural networks. A discriminability criterion is used to select the DCT coefficients that make up the biometric template and a user dependent pseudo-random ordering of the DCT template coefficients is applied to provide template security. Experimental results show how the application of such techniques leads to both, enhanced recognition performance and system security, because user authentication process merges biometric recognition with the knowledge of a secret key.
Approximate Spreading Activation for Efficient Knowledge Retrieval from Large Datasets
Authors: Grinberg Maurice  , Haltakov Vladimir  , Stefanov Hristo
Published: February 2025

This paper describes a new approximate implementation of Spreading Activation (SA) for knowledge selection in very large datasets. SA is used to prime relevant knowledge domains and reduce considerably the graph queried and therefore the query time. The method is based on the representation of the dataset as a sparse matrix of integers and the application on the corresponding graph of fast path searching algorithm which counts the number of times a node is reached following independent paths. The algorithm is implemented and tested on a CUDA enabled GPU on a dataset containing about 100 million of nodes and 850 million of statements. The numerical evaluation indicates that the approximate SA mechanism proposed is quite promising for real time applications achieving the activation of about 64 million nodes and 374 million of statements in about 5.5 seconds.
Cell Illustrator 4.0: A Computational Platform for Systems Biology
Authors: Nagasaki Masao  , Saito Ayumu  , Jeong Euna  , Li Chen  , Kojima Kaname  , Ikeda Emi  , Miyano Satoru
Published: February 2025

Cell Illustrator is a software platform for Systems Biology that uses the concept of Petri net for modeling and simulating biopathways. It is intended for biological scientists working at bench. The latest version of Cell Illustrator 4.0 uses Java Web Start technology and is enhanced with new capabilities, including: automatic graph grid layout algorithms using ontology information; tools using Cell System Markup Language (CSML) 3.0 and Cell System Ontology 3.0; parameter search module; high-performance simulation module; CSML database management system; conversion from CSML model to programming languages (FORTRAN, C, C++, Java, Python and Perl); import from SBML, CellML, and BioPAX; and, export to SVG and HTML. Cell Illustrator employs an extension of hybrid Petri net in an object-oriented style so that biopathway models can include objects such as DNA sequence, molecular density, 3D localization information, transcription with frame-shift, translation with codon table, as well as biochemical reactions.
Realistic Visualization of Living Brain Tissue
Authors: ap Cenydd Llyr  , Walter Annette  , John Nigel W.  , Bloj Marina  , Phillips Nicholas
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an advanced method of visualizing the surface appearance of living brain tissue. We have been granted access to the operating theatre during neurosurgical procedures to obtain colour data via calibrated photography of exposed brain tissue. The specular reflectivity of the brain's surface is approximated by analyzing a gelatine layer applied to animal flesh. This provides data for a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) that is then used the rendering process. Rendering is achieved in realtime by utilizing the GPU, and includes support for ambient occlusion, advanced texturing, sub surface scattering and specularity. Our goal is to investigate whether realistic visualizations of living anatomy can be produced and so provide added value to anatomy education.
Modeling the Thermal Effect of the Bipolar Electrocautery for Neurosurgery Simulation
Authors: Delorme Sébastien  , Cabral Anne  , Ayres Fábio  , Jiang Di
Published: February 2025

Real-time surgical simulation requires computationally-fast models describing the interaction between surgical instrument and tissues. In this study, a model for predicting the temperature distribution in brain tissue when using a bipolar electrocautery is proposed and validated against experimental in vitro animal data. Joule heat generation and heat conduction in the tissue are considered. The agreement between simulated temperature distributions and experimental data could be improved by modeling the output power as a function of electrical resistance between the electrodes, and by considering the heat exchange with surrounding air and bipolar tips.
CliniSpace
Authors: Dev Parvati  , Heinrichs W. LeRoy  , Youngblood Patricia
Published: February 2025

Immersive online medical environments, with dynamic virtual patients, have been shown to be effective for scenario-based learning (1). However, ease of use and ease of access have been barriers to their use. We used feedback from prior evaluation of these projects to design and develop CliniSpace. To improve usability, we retained the richness of prior virtual environments but modified the user interface. To improve access, we used a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) approach to present a richly immersive 3D environment within a web browser.
A Design of Hardware Haptic Interface for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Simulation
Authors: Gu Yunjin  , Lee Doo Yong
Published: February 2025

Gastrointestinal endoscopy simulations have been developed to train endoscopic procedures which require hundreds of practices to be competent in the skills. Even though realistic haptic feedback is important to provide realistic sensation to the user, most of previous simulations including commercialized simulation have mainly focused on providing realistic visual feedback. In this paper, we propose a novel design of portable haptic interface, which provides 2DOF force feedback, for the gastrointestinal endoscopy simulation. The haptic interface consists of translational and rotational force feedback mechanism which are completely decoupled, and gripping mechanism for controlling connection between the endoscope and the force feedback mechanism.
iMedic: A Two-Handed Immersive Medical Environment for Distributed Interactive Consultation
Authors: Mlyniec Paul  , Jerald Jason  , Yoganandan Arun  , Seagull F. Jacob  , Toledo Fernando  , Schultheis Udo
Published: February 2025

We describe a two-handed immersive and distributed 3D medical system that enables intuitive interaction with multimedia objects and space. The system is applicable to a number of virtual reality and tele-consulting scenarios. Various features were implemented, including measurement tools, interactive segmentation, non-orthogonal planar views, and 3D markup. User studies demonstrated the system's effectiveness in fundamental 3D tasks, showing that iMedic's two-handed interface enables placement and construction of 3D objects 4.5–4.7 times as fast as a mouse interface and 1.3–1.7 times as fast as a one-handed wand interface. In addition, avatar-to-avatar collaboration (two iMedic users in a shared space—one subject and one mentor) was shown to be more effective than face-to-face collaboration (one iMedic user/subject and one live mentor) for three tasks.
The Tool Positioning Tutor: A Target-Pose Tracking and Display System for Learning Correct Placement of a Medical Device
Authors: Nelson Douglas A.  , Samosky Joseph T.
Published: February 2025

Safe and successful performance of medical procedures often requires the correct manual positioning of a tool. For example, during endotracheal intubation a laryngoscope is used to open a passage in the airway through which a breathing tube is inserted. During training it can be challenging for an experienced practitioner to effectively communicate to a novice the correct placement and orientation of a tool. We have implemented a real-time tracking and position display system to enhance learning correct laryngoscope placement. The system displays a 3D model of the laryngoscope. A clinical teacher can correctly position the laryngoscope to open the airway of a full-body simulator, then set this tool pose as the target position. The system displays to the learner the fixed, target pose and a real-time display of the current, “live” laryngoscope position. Positional error metrics are displayed as color-coded visual cues to guide the user toward successful targeting of the reference position. This technique provides quantitative assessment of the degree to which a learner has matched a specified “expert” position with a tool, and is potentially applicable to a wide variety of tools and procedures.
The Initiation of a Preoperative and Postoperative Telemedicine Urology Clinic
Authors: Park Eugene S.  , Boedeker Ben H.  , Hemstreet Jennifer L.  , Hemstreet George P.
Published: February 2025

This work describes the establishment of a Telemedicine Urology Clinic at the VA Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska to serve an underserved veteran population in rural Nebraska. Results from patient satisfaction surveys show that both the patient and the healthcare provider benefit from the telemedicine encounter for both the preoperative and the postoperative setting.
An Intelligent Virtual Human System for Providing Healthcare Information and Support
Authors: Rizzo Albert A.  , Lange Belinda  , Buckwalter John G.  , Forbell Eric  , Kim Julia  , Sagae Kenji  , Williams Josh  , Rothbaum Barbara O.  , Difede JoAnn  , Reger Greg  , Parsons Thomas  , Kenny Patrick
Published: February 2025

Over the last 15 years, a virtual revolution has taken place in the use of Virtual Reality simulation technology for clinical purposes. Shifts in the social and scientific landscape have now set the stage for the next major movement in Clinical Virtual Reality with the “birth” of intelligent virtual humans. Seminal research and development has appeared in the creation of highly interactive, artificially intelligent and natural language capable virtual human agents that can engage real human users in a credible fashion. No longer at the level of a prop to add context or minimal faux interaction in a virtual world, virtual humans can be designed to perceive and act in a 3D virtual world, engage in spoken dialogues with real users and can be capable of exhibiting human-like emotional reactions. This paper will present an overview of the SimCoach project that aims to develop virtual human support agents to serve as online guides for promoting access to psychological healthcare information and for assisting military personnel and family members in breaking down barriers to initiating care. The SimCoach experience is being designed to attract and engage military Service Members, Veterans and their significant others who might not otherwise seek help with a live healthcare provider. It is expected that this experience will motivate users to take the first step – to empower themselves to seek advice and information regarding their healthcare and general personal welfare and encourage them to take the next step towards seeking more formal resources if needed.
Real-Time “X-Ray Vision” for Healthcare Simulation: An Interactive Projective Overlay System to Enhance Intubation Training and Other Procedural Training
Authors: Samosky Joseph T.  , Baillargeon Emma  , Bregman Russell  , Brown Andrew  , Chaya Amy  , Enders Leah  , Nelson Douglas A.  , Robinson Evan  , Sukits Alison L.  , Weaver Robert A.
Published: February 2025

We have developed a prototype of a real-time, interactive projective overlay (IPO) system that creates augmented reality display of a medical procedure directly on the surface of a full-body mannequin human simulator. These images approximate the appearance of both anatomic structures and instrument activity occurring within the body. The key innovation of the current work is sensing the position and motion of an actual device (such as an endotracheal tube) inserted into the mannequin and using the sensed position to control projected video images portraying the internal appearance of the same devices and relevant anatomic structures. The images are projected in correct registration onto the surface of the simulated body. As an initial practical prototype to test this technique we have developed a system permitting real-time visualization of the intra-airway position of an endotracheal tube during simulated intubation training.
Collision and Containment Detection between Biomechanically Based Eye Muscle Volumes
Authors: Santana Sosa Graciela  , Kaltofen Thomas
Published: February 2025

Collision and containment detection between three-dimensional objects is a common requirement in simulation systems. However, few solutions exist when exclusively working with deformable bodies. In our ophthalmologic diagnostic software system, the extraocular eye muscles are represented by surface models, which have been reconstructed from magnetic resonance images. Those models are projected onto the muscle paths calculated by the system's biomechanical model. Due to this projection collisions occur. For their detection, three approaches have been implemented, which we present in this paper: one based on image-space techniques using OpenGL, one based on the Bullet physics library and one using an optimized space-array data structure together with software rendering. Finally, an outlook on a possible response to the detected collisions is given.
Visualization of 3D Volumetric Lung Dynamics for Real-Time External Beam Lung Radiotherapy
Authors: Santhanam Anand P.  , Neelakkantan Harini  , Min Yugang  , Papp Nicolene  , Bhargava Akash  , Erhart Kevin  , Long Xiang  , Mitchell Rebecca  , Divo Eduardo  , Kassab Alain  , Ilegbusi Olusegun  , Ruddy Bari H.  , Rolland Jannick P.  , Meeks Sanford L.  , Kupelian Patrick A.
Published: February 2025

This paper reports on the usage of physics-based 3D volumetric lung dynamic models for visualizing and monitoring the radiation dose deposited on the lung of a human subject during lung radiotherapy. The dynamic model of each subject is computed from a 4D Computed Tomography (4DCT) imaging acquired before the treatment. The 3D lung deformation and the radiation dose deposited are computed using Graphics Processing Units (GPU). Additionally, using the dynamic lung model, the airflow inside the lungs during the treatment is also investigated. Results show the radiation dose deposited on the lung tumor as well as the surrounding tissues, the combination of which is patient-specific and varies from one treatment fraction to another.
High-Field MRI-Compatible Needle Placement Robot for Prostate Interventions
Authors: Su Hao  , Camilo Alex  , Cole Gregory A.  , Hata Nobuhiko  , Tempany Clare M.  , Fischer Gregory S.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the design of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible needle placement system actuated by piezoelectric actuators for prostate brachytherapy and biopsy. An MRI-compatible modular 3 degree-of-freedom (DOF) needle driver module coupled with a 3-DOF x-y-z stage is proposed as a slave robot to precisely deliver radioactive brachytherapy seeds under interactive MRI guidance. The needle driver module provides for needle cannula rotation, needle insertion and cannula retraction to enable the brachytherapy procedure with the preloaded needles. The device mimics the manual physician gesture by two point grasping (hub and base) and provides direct force measurement of needle insertion force by fiber optic force sensors. The fabricated prototype is presented and an experiment with phantom trials in 3T MRI is analyzed to demonstrate the system compatibility.
Reality Graded Exposure Therapy with Physiological Monitoring for the Treatment of Combat Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wood Dennis Patrick  , Webb-Murphy Jennifer  , McLay Robert N.  , Wiederhold Brenda K.  , Spira James L.  , Johnston Scott  , Koffman Robert L.  , Wiederhold Mark D.  , Pyne Jeff
Published: February 2025

A high percentage of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) combat veterans have been diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during and following their respective combat tours. Virtual Reality (VR) treatment has been documented as an exceptional treatment for anxiety disorders and specifically for PTSD. An Office of Naval Research (ONR) funded pilot study, completed by the Virtual Reality Medical Center and Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), investigated the use of Virtual Reality Graded Exposure Therapy (VR-GET) study with participants who had been diagnosed with PTSD following their combat deployments. A significant reduction in PTSD symptoms severity was noted. Implications for treatment with VR-GET and future research areas of investigation, including the use of VR-GET with smart phones and the internet, are suggested.
Cognitive Analysis of a Medication Reconciliation Tool: Applying Laboratory and Naturalistic Approaches to System Evaluation
Authors: Kushniruk Andre W.  , Santos Susan L.  , Pourakis George  , Nebeker Jonathan R.  , Boockvar Kenneth S.
Published: February 2025

Adverse drug events can occur as a result of handoffs in patient care. To reduce the possibility of this occurring, the process of medication reconciliation (whereby the patient's medication history is compared to current and previous medications to ensure accuracy) is becoming recognized as becoming increasingly important. To address this, computerized medication reconciliation tools have been developed. This paper describes a combined approach to evaluating the impact of such a tool. The approach has included both an artificial laboratory-based evaluation component (involving observing subjects interacting with standardized patient cases), as well as a naturalistic condition (involving real patient cases). The results indicate that there are differences in the way that subjects interact with the medication reconciliation tool, with significant differences identified in the amount of time spent and accuracy of medication documentation between physician and pharmacist users.
The SignOut Discharge Summary System: Using Workflow Byproducts to Pre-Populate and Assemble Discharge Summaries
Authors: Kannry Joseph  , Bilumane Preetham  , Goldenberg Jill
Published: February 2025

At the time of hospital discharge, communication between inpatient and outpatient physicians is poor. Multiple studies demonstrate that discharge summaries, a means of improving information exchange between inpatient and outpatient providers, are frequently not available to the outpatient provider at the time of the post discharge visit. We have constructed a web-based solution for generating discharge summaries, SignOut Discharge Summary System (SDSS) which uses the workflow byproduct of SignOut data to pre-populate summaries, a post-discharge preparation module to ensure quality, a discharge edit module to designate accurate discharge summary assignment, and integration with HIM. SDSS had 1130 unique users in a recent period and captured signout information for 75% of hospitalized patients. The system has generated 78740 D/C summaries for 17 specialties since going live July 2005. Overall SDSS is responsible for 69% of all hospital discharge summaries and SDSS discharge summaries on average are available 1.91 days after discharge.
The Role of User-Centred Design Within Online Community Development
Authors: Roehrer Erin  , Cummings Elizabeth  , Ellis Leonie  , Turner Paul
Published: February 2025

Research has evidenced the benefits of using information and communications technology (ICT) in chronic disease management including improving information availability, communication methods and raising individual patient's self-awareness of their own conditions. Extending ICT use to support patients in the community through online services draws attention to the complex task of how to meaningfully acquire input from all potential users of such systems and to balance their competing interests. This paper explores these issues across system analysis, specification and design for a community based patient support system. The paper highlights user-centred design challenges in a situation where the patient-users were not able to be included during the planning stage and explores how this impacted on the subsequent development
Regional Medical Data Mining System
Authors: Robu Raul  , Stoicu-Tivadar Vasile
Published: February 2025

This paper suggests a solution to acquire medical data from hospitals located in a region (addressing especially the DKMT Euroregion), and then perform data mining. The medical data from the hospital databases are exported in XML format, according to HL7 CDA standard. Afterwards, they are automatically centralized on a server in a database using web services calls. The data will be analyzed with the data mining tool WEKA. Data of interest are converted into ARFF format and loaded into WEKA. The next stage consists in preprocessing and analyzing the data based on the algorithms provided by WEKA, having as a goal several relevant medical conclusions. WEKA application interface has been improved to facilitate the process of performing predictions.
Character Sets: an Invisible Pre-requisite towards Cross-Border Interoperability?
Authors: Oemig Frank  , Blobel Bernd
Published: February 2025

Working interoperability not only requires harmonized system's architectures, but also the same interpretation of technical specifications in order to guide the development process. This paper analyzes the role individual characters play as the bearer of data in general and information in specific. This aspect of interoperability is especially important in the context of cross-border communication and collaboration.
E-Health in Graduate and Postgraduate Medical Education: Illusions, Expectations and Reality
Authors: Bari Ferenc  , Forczek Erzsébet  , Hantos Zoltán
Published: February 2025

With the overall growth of informatics, the medical education system should also provide programs at both graduate and post-graduate levels. While there is a wide consensus as to the importance of this urgent need, several factors slow down the construction and operation of effective education programs in medical and nursing schools. The increasing need for better and more comprehensive training in informatics is strongly limited by several factors including undefined output skills, tight time frame etc. An efficient development of partnerships within the health care system assumes that all professionals involved must possess strong informatics and interpersonal knowledge, and skills reaching beyond their own individual fields. There is an emerging need to define the basic skills and knowledge for each level of the health care education. Trans-border cooperation offers a unique opportunity for the establishment of common criteria for basic skills and knowledge, via joint discussions, collaborative thinking and concerted action.