bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accessing Knowledge from the Bedside
Authors: Archibald Douglas , MacDonald Colla J. , Hogue Rebecca , Mercer Jay
Published: September 2012

Tablet computers are very powerful devices that have numerous potential uses in the medical field. Already, the development community has created a wide range of applications that can be used for everything from the most basic level of medical undergraduate education to specialist care delivery. The challenge with tablet computers as a new technology is to find where they fit most effectively into healthcare. In this chapter, the authors focus on how tablets might find a role in the area of care delivery in the educational setting. Included is a discussion on the tablet computer’s place on the eLearning / mLearning spectrum, an annotated list of recommended medical applications, a description of challenges and issues when deploying the tablet computers to clinical settings, and finally a proposed pilot study that will explore the effectiveness of using a tablet computer in a clinical teaching setting. The content of this chapter can be applied to many workplace and learning settings that may find tablet computers beneficial such as businesses that require mobile communications, K-12 schools, and higher learning institutions.
High-End Storage
Authors: Schwerdtfeger Isabel
Published: September 2012

This chapter discusses the challenges high-end storage solutions will have with future demands. Due to heavy end-user demands for real-time processing of data access, this need must be addressed by high-end storage solutions. But what type of high-end storage solutions address this need and are suitable to ensure high performance write and retrieval of data in real-time from high- end storage infrastructures, including read and write access from digital archives? For this reason, this chapter reviews a few disk and tape solutions as well as combined disk- and tape storage solutions. The review on the different storage solutions does not focus on compliance of data storage management, but on available commercial high-end systems, addressing scalability and performance requirements both for online storage and archives. High level requirements aid in identifying high-end storage system features and support Extreme Scale infrastructures for the amount of data that high-end storage systems will need to manage in future.
Encapsulation of Complex HPC Services
Authors: Kipp Alexander , Schneider Ralf , Schubert Lutz
Published: September 2012

Developing and providing complex IT services typically enforces the cooperation of several experts from different domains. Beside the domain specific knowledge of every involved expert this typically enforces a profound knowledge of the underlying IT service infrastructures. In this chapter, the authors show how a complex (HPC) IT service product can be provided in an easy-to-use fashion via a service virtualisation infrastructure by referring to a complex medical simulation use case. In particular, they highlight how such a complex IT service can be integrated in a holistic virtual organisation environment and show how different experts from different domains can concentrate on their specific domain whilst being enabled to take advantage of the services provided by other experts / domains in a SOA like fashion.
Architecture for Integration and Migration of Information Systems by Using SOA Services across Heterogeneous System Boundaries
Authors: Frank Lars , Pedersen Rasmus Ulslev
Published: September 2012

The objective of this chapter is to describe how it is possible to integrate and/or migrate information system where local heterogeneous databases are involved. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems are very complex standardized information systems, and they are often vital for the companies that use them. Therefore, the authors use integration and migration of ERP systems as an example. Normally, ERP systems are migrated/converted overnight as it normally is not possible to integrate different ERP modules from different ERP suppliers. This is very risky as many types of industries cannot function without a running ERP system. The main focus of this chapter is to illustrate how it is possible to migrate/convert an ERP system module by module and thus minimizing the risk of staying without a functioning ERP system. In central databases, the consistency of data is normally implemented by using the ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability) properties of a DBMS (Data Base Management System). This is not possible if heterogeneous databases are involved and the availability of data also has to be optimized. Therefore, in this chapter, the authors use so called relaxed ACID properties across different database systems or ERP modules. The objective of designing relaxed ACID properties across different database systems is that the users can trust the data they use even if the involved database temporarily are inconsistent.
Multiagent Based Product Data Communication System for Computer Supported Collaborative Design
Authors: Ane Bernadetta Kwintiana , Roller Dieter , Abraham Ajith
Published: September 2012

Today, designers and engineers on collaborative design environments often work in parallel and independently using different tools distributed at separate locations. Due to unique characteristic of engineering design, interaction during product development is difficult to maintain. As the information and communication technologies advance, computer supported collaborative design (CSCD) becomes more promising. Nevertheless, a potential problem remains between the product design and manufacturing, which primarily lies on the geometric shape of products that exists inherent in mass-customization. Meanwhile, each CAD/CAM technology has its own authoring tools, which govern the use of independent language and format for expressing various features and geometry. This condition creates incompatibility and has significant impact to the product costs. This chapter is to address the incompatibility problem by introducing the architecture of a multiagent-based product data communication system. The developed system is adaptive and has a capability for autonomous tracking of design changes. The tracking model is able to support forward and backward tracking of constraint violation during the collaborative design transactions.
Development, Integration, and Deployment of Mobile Information Services in Healthcare
Authors: Mirkovic Jelena , Bryhni Haakon
Published: September 2012

The use of mobile and wireless technologies has great potential to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery. The main goal of this chapter is to describe the current state of the art in the research field of development and integration of mobile services in the healthcare sector by addressing the two main challenges: usability and security. The authors investigate the main requirements and approaches for developing highly usable, user-friendly, and well-accepted mobile healthcare services. In addition, they identify various ways of addressing security and privacy issues in mobile healthcare services and discuss the advantages and shortcomings of each approach. Finally, the chapter presents the CONNECT (Care Online: Novel Networks to Enhance Communication and Treatment) project and describes how security and usability issues can be addressed during the development of mobile access to a multi-modal Internet-based patient support system.
Micro Information Systems
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus Ulslev , Pedersen Mogens Kühn
Published: September 2012

We are increasingly surrounded by and using small systems, which are equipped with sensors. Mobile phones, temperature sensors, GPS tracking, emerging nano/micro-size sensors, and similar technologies are used by individuals, groups, and organizations. There are valuable applications for industries such as medical and manufacturing. These new sensor applications have implications for information systems (IS) and, the authors visualize this new class of information systems as fractals growing from an established class of systems; namely that of information systems (IS). The identified applications and implications are used as an empirical basis for creating a model for these small new information systems. Such sensor systems are called embedded systems in the technical sciences, and the authors want to couple it with general IS. They call the merger of these two important research areas (IS and embedded systems) for micro information systems (micro-IS). It is intended as a new research field within IS research. An initial framework model is established, which seeks to capture both the possibilities and constraints of this new paradigm, while looking simultaneously at the fundamental IS and ICT aspects. The chapter demonstrates the proposed micro-IS framework with a working (open source) application of open demand response systems that address the engineering aspects of this work.
Mobile Communication in Hospitals
Authors: Solvoll Terje
Published: September 2012

The work setting in hospitals is communication intensive and can lead to significant difficulties related to interruptions from co-workers. Physicians often need information fast, and any delay between the decision made and the action taken could cause medical errors. One suggested solution for this problem is to implement wireless phone systems. However, psychological theory and empirical evidence, both suggest that wireless phones have the potential of creating additional problems related to interruptions, compared to traditional paging systems. The fact that hospital workers prefer interruptive communication methods before non-interruptive methods, amplifies the risk of overloading people when phones are widely deployed. This challenge causes some hospital staff to resist the diffusion of wireless phones, and a key is how to handle the balance between increased availability, and increased interruptions. In this chapter, the authors present solutions based on context aware communication systems, aiming to reduce interruptions.
High-Performance Modelling in Geodynamics
Authors: Noack Lena , Tosi Nicola
Published: September 2012

Modelling of geodynamic processes like mantle or core convection has strongly improved over the last two decades thanks to the steady development of numerical codes that tend to incorporate a more and more realistic physics. High-performance parallel computations allow the simulation of complex problems, such as the self-consistent generation of tectonic plates or the formation of planetary magnetic fields. However, the need to perform broad explorations of the parameter space and the large computational demands imposed by the non-linear, multi-scale nature of convection, requires several simplifications, in the domain geometry as well as in the physical complexity of the problem. In this chapter, the authors give an overview of the state-of-the-art convection simulations in planetary mantles, the different models and geometries used, and various methods to simplify the computations.
Space-Time Analytics for Spatial Dynamics
Authors: Yuan May , Bothwell James
Published: September 2012

The so-called Big Data Challenge poses not only issues with massive volumes of data, but issues with the continuing data streams from multiple sources that monitor environmental processes or record social activities. Many statistics tools and data mining methods have been developed to reveal embedded patterns in large data sets. While patterns are critical to data analysis, deep insights will remain buried unless we develop means to associate spatiotemporal patterns to the dynamics of spatial processes that essentially drive the formation of patterns in the data. This chapter reviews the literature with the conceptual foundation for space-time analytics dealing with spatial processes, discusses the types of dynamics that have and have not been addressed in the literature, and identifies needs for new thinking that can systematically advance space-time analytics to reveal dynamics of spatial processes. The discussion is facilitated by an example to highlight potential means of space-time analytics in response to the Big Data Challenge. The example shows the development of new space-time concepts and tools to analyze data from two common General Circulation Models for climate change predictions. Common approaches compare temperature changes at locations from the NCAR CCSM3 and from the CNRM CM3 or animate time series of temperature layers to visualize the climate prediction. Instead, new space-time analytics methods are shown here the ability to decipher the differences in spatial dynamics of the predicted temperature change in the model outputs and apply the concepts of change and movement to reveal warming, cooling, convergence, and divergence in temperature change across the globe.
An Ontology-Based Approach to Support Information Discovery in Spatial Data Infrastructures
Authors: Gomes de Andrade Fabio , Baptista Cláudio De Souza
Published: September 2012

Currently, spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) are becoming the solution adopted by many organizations to facilitate discovery, access and integration of geographic information produced and provided by different agencies. However, the catalog services currently offered by these infrastructures provide keyword-based queries only. This may result on low recall and precision. Furthermore, these catalogs retrieve information based on the metadata records that describe either a service or a dataset. This feature brings limitations to more specific information discovery, such as those based on feature types and instances. This chapter proposes a solution that aims to overcome these limitations by using multiple ontologies to enhance the description of the information offered by SDIs. The proposed ontologies describe the semantics of several features of a service, enabling information discovery at level of services, feature types, and geographic data.
Integration of a Visualization Solution with a 3-D Simulation Model for Tissue Growth
Authors: Ben Youssef Belgacem
Published: September 2012

Visualizing time-varying phenomena is paramount to ensure correct interpretation and analysis, provoke insights, and communicate those insights to others. In particular, visualization allows us the freedom to explore the spatial and temporal domains of such phenomena. The task of visualizing tissue growth is challenging due to the amount of data that needs to be visualized and the large simulation parameter space. Further, many problems and their solution strategies tend to be extremely heterogeneous: in their models, codes, and applications. Such solutions must be designed to manage this heterogeneity in an integrated way, so that the user is presented with a predictable and consistent computing environment. In this book chapter, the author presents an application of visualization to a three-dimensional simulation model for tissue growth. The chapter reports on the different components of the model where cellular automata is used to model populations of cells that execute persistent random walks on the computational grid, collide, and proliferate until they reach confluence. It discusses the main issues regarding the parallelization of the model and its implementation on a parallel machine. The author then elaborates on the integration of visualization with the said simulation model. This includes presenting the system architecture of the developed visualization solution and the employed rendering techniques. Finally, the chapter demonstrates some of the preliminary performance results and discusses the encountered challenges in this undertaking.
Information System Prosumption Development and Application in e-Learning
Authors: Pankowska Malgorzata
Published: September 2012

In order to reduce risks and increase the speed of new information technology (IT) product or service development as well as to satisfy customers’ demand, end users’ involvement has become one of the most important issues. The chapter aims at the presentation of the user role in information system development and the activities of prosumers in e-learning. The first part of the chapter covers literature review referring to studies on end users’ involvement in the information system (IS) development process. In the second part of the chapter the opportunities of prosumption development on the Internet are discussed. Particularly, the author focuses on e-learning purposes development and IT-supported communication among e-learners. The third part of the chapter covers a proposal of the architecture model as well as a discussion on methods of information system design for the prosumption development.
The Impact of Social Media in Web-Based Information Management and Digital Media
Authors: Steinberg Monika
Published: September 2012

The availability of Social Media has changed the way we handle requested resources in interactive media contexts and how we operate with each other on the Web. New challenges in the area of information management, Digital Media processing, and knowledge engineering have arisen such as, how to query or effectively embed Social Media into information and knowledge management concerns effectively. In addition, interactivity and the focus on interaction between users and resources in Social Media contexts create new ways of enriching and annotating content collectively following the wisdom of crowds and helpful intelligent automatic analysis. In this chapter the impact of Social Media concepts and distributed resources in web-based information management, knowledge engineering, and Digital Media applications is introduced. The relation between traditional web application design, distributed resource utilization, changes, and challenges in current interactive Digital Media systems will be regarded.
Description of and Applications for a Motion Analysis Method for Upper Limbs
Authors: Nishiguchi Hiromi
Published: September 2012

In daily life, we often perform activities with the upper limbs. Various motions of the upper limbs are required when performing activities of daily living (ADL), such as eating, dressing, grooming, or operating a home appliance. When problems first occur with human upper limb motions, a detailed analysis should be performed to determine where the difficulty with motion exists and to identify conditions under which we can perform these activities more easily and efficiently. Next, adjustments should be made to the activity or to the interface design of appliances to reduce the difficulty posed by the problematic motion. In this chapter, the methods of motion analysis for human upper limbs are explained and the effective method of utilization is shown. A case study is also provided to demonstrate the analysis of the pointer operation for cerebral palsy patients using a laptop PC which operates by a graphical user interface operating system (GUI OS) to provide a barrier-free approach. Additionally, an applied case study of the motion analysis methods for human upper limbs is shown, and the countermeasure to develop an effective pointer operation for cerebral palsy patients is discussed.
An EMG Control System for an Ultrasonic Motor Using a PSoC Microcomputer
Authors: Yano Yorihiko
Published: September 2012

The author investigated the possibility of developing a myoelectric elbow prosthesis powered by an ultrasonic motor. Ultrasonic motors have some features that make them uniquely suited to powering prosthetics: they deliver high torque under low-speed operation, they are compact in size and they produce no electromagnetic noise. Typically, the threshold-level of an EMG (electromyogram) is adopted as the method for myoelectrically controlling prostheses using a microcomputer. However, this method is not suitable for every prosthesis. Here, the author proposes an EMG control system for a myoelectric elbow prosthesis that uses a PSoC microcomputer combined with an accelerometer to create an ultrasonic motor. The chapter shows that the EMG control system developed by the author effectively controlled the ultrasonic motor.
A New, Non-Invasive in vivo Optical Blood Glucose Measurement Technique Using Near-Infrared Radiation (“Pulse Glucometry”) and a Proposal for “Pulse Hemo-Photometry” Blood Constituent Measurements
Authors: Ogawa Mitsuhiro , Yamakoshi Takehiro , Matsumura Kenta , Motoi Kosuke , Yamakoshi Ken-Ichi
Published: September 2012

A recently proposed optical method for a non-invasive in vivo blood glucose level (BGL) measurement named “pulse glucometry” is introduced. This method is based on near-infrared living body spectroscopy to accurately obtain blood information. The remarkable feature of the method is the measurement of both the total transmitted radiation spectra in wavelength ? (I?) and the cardiac-related pulsatile component (?I?). When ?I? is superimposed on I?, the differential optical density (?OD?), which includes only arterial blood information, is obtained, thus avoiding interference from living tissues other than arterial blood. Another feature is the ability to measure the differential optical density (?OD?) in multiple wavelengths to avoid interference from blood constituents other than the target blood chemical (glucose). To support this methodology, a very fast near-infrared spectroscopic system was developed to obtain a photoplethysmographic cardiac signal with a resolution of 8 nm over a wavelength range of 900 to 1700 nm at a 100 Hz sampling frequency. An example of an in vivo BGL measurement is shown and indicates good prediction capabilities. This method can be expanded to the measurement of other blood constituents.
Biomedical Application of Multimodal Ultrasound Microscope
Authors: Saijo Yoshifumi
Published: September 2012

High frequency ultrasound imaging has evolved from the classical acoustic microscope to the multimodal ultrasound microscope, which is available for quantitative C-mode, surface acoustic impedance mode, and three-dimensional (3D)-mode imaging. This evolution has realized both quantitative parametric imaging and easier observation. Quantitative C-mode represents two-dimensional sound speed distribution and is realized by frequency-domain analysis of a single pulse by a high-speed digitizer. Because the square of sound speed is proportional to tissue elasticity, sound speed imaging provides biomechanical information about the tissue. Surface acoustic impedance mode has been used to image fresh brain tissue. High-frequency 3D-mode imaging has been used to visualize the 3D structure of dermis sebaceous glands.
Human-Friendly Mechatronics Systems with Functional Fluids and Elastomers
Authors: Kikuchi Takehito
Published: September 2012

Safety for humans is one of the most important issues for systems in which humans and machines coexist. Man has developed human-friendly devices using functional materials (electrorheological fluids (ERF), magnetorheological fluids (MRF), and magnetic-field sensitive elastomers (MSE)) and applied them to several types of robots and mechatronics devices for health care, life support, and the evaluation of human functioning. In this chapter, projects related to human-machine coexistent systems and functional materials are presented and classified according to their applications.
Neurosurgical Operations Using Navigation Microscope Integration System
Authors: Tamiya Takashi , Kawanishi Masahiko , Miyake Keisuke , Kawai Nobuyuki , Guo Shuxiang
Published: September 2012

The use of intraoperative navigation systems in neurosurgery has increased rapidly. The Neuronavigation Microscope Integration (NMI) system consists of a microscope (Zeiss, Germany) combined with the StealthStation (Medotronic, U.S.A.) including light emitting diodes, a dynamic reference frame with light emitting diodes, an optical digitizer with camera array and a computer workstation. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of the NMI system for neurosurgical operations. Between April 2003 and March 2011, the authors used the NMI system in 367 patients undergoing neurosurgical operations at Kagawa University Hospital. Because the navigational informations could be superimposed onto the microscope view, accurate locations of tumor and normal anatomical structures could be obtained before skin incision. During the operations, the surgeons did not need to turn away from the surgical field or to use a bulky pointer. Catheter applications along the tumor borderline guided by the NMI system could be useful for glioma surgery. Deep seated lesions including intraventricular or intra-axial tumors could be removed through accurate and minimal corticotomy. For transsphenoidal surgery, pituitary tumors could be safely removed without X-ray imaging. For the skull base surgery, the navigational information was not affected by the brain shift during the operations. The registration assessment deviations were within 2 mm and the real anatomical deviations were within 3 mm. The authors’ findings suggest that the NMI system can provide valuable and reliable intraoperative navigational informations during neurosurgical operations.
Wearable Power Assist Robot Driven with Pneumatic Rubber Artificial Muscles
Authors: Noritsugu Toshiro
Published: September 2012

A wearable power assist robot to enhance muscular power using actuators is sought after for welfare applications, et cetera. Pneumatic rubber artificial muscles are seen as some of the more useful wearable actuators because of their inherent light weight and softness. In this chapter, the author first outlines the current state of the research and development of this kind of robot before introducing some pneumatic rubber artificial muscles developed in the author’s laboratory. The chapter then moves on to explain about the wearable power assist devices driven with these artificial muscles; both the exoskeleton type and the non-exoskeleton are wearable power assist devices. These power assist wear could be considered ideal as a wearable and comfortable power assist device.
Bone-Conducted Ultrasonic Perception
Authors: Nakagawa Seiji
Published: September 2012

Although the mechanisms involved remain unclear, several studies have reported that bone-conducted ultrasounds (BCUs) can be perceived even by those with profound sensorineural deafness, who typically hardly sense sounds even with conventional hearing aids. Interestingly, these patients appear to perceive BCUs as well as subjects with normal hearing. The perception of BCUs by the profoundly deaf has been objectively proven using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Furthermore, the author has identified both the psychological characteristics and the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the perception of BCUs using psychophysical, electrophysiological, and physical approaches. In addition, the author has developed a BCU hearing aid (BCUHA) for the profoundly deaf. Remarkable results have already been achieved with this device, which enabled 42% of the profoundly deaf subjects in the trial to perceive some sort of sound and 17% of them to recognize simple words. These results suggest the feasibility of this device, but additional development and improvements are needed.
Small Medical Robot
Authors: Nokata Makoto
Published: September 2012

This chapter describes the development of a small medical robot that remains in the abdominal cavity to monitor sites of medical interest and discusses robot travel operations and specifications. A long, narrow piece of ferromagnetic material was placed inside the robot, and an external magnetic field was used to set the robot in motion. The author developed a prototype robot and conducted experiments in order to verify the proposed concept and the principle of steering the robot. In vivo experiments in rabbits demonstrated that solenoids produce sufficient magnetic force to enable the robot to travel through the abdominal cavity, verifying the motion principles. The experiments also confirmed the appropriate shape of the robot, and friction between the robot and the organs and abdominal wall was measured. A modified prototype of the robot was then used to conduct clinical experiments in the rabbit model; a surgeon operated the XYZ axis stages in order to adjust the position of the subject for the experiment and moved the robot to the liver. Robot travel from the insertion point to the liver was verified on X-rays. The long distance was possible due to the improved shape and the use of accurate magnetic field imaging.
A Neuromorphic Robot Vision System to Predict the Response of Visual Neurons
Authors: Shimonomura Kazuhiro
Published: September 2012

The author of this chapter describes a binocular robotic vision system that was designed to emulate the neural images of cortical cells under vergence eye movements. The robotic vision system is constructed by employing a combinational strategy of neuromorphic engineering and conventional digital technology. The system consists of two silicon retinas and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The silicon retinas carry out Laplacian-Gaussian-like spatial filtering, mimicking the response properties of the vertebrate retina. The outputs of the silicon retina chips on the left and right cameras are transmitted to the FPGA. The FPGA receives the outputs from the two simple cell chips and calculates the responses of complex cells based on the disparity energy model. This system provides complex cell outputs tuned to five different disparities in real-time. The vergence control signal is obtained by pooling these multiple complex cell responses. The system is useful for predicting the neural images of the complex cells and for evaluating the functional roles of cortical cells in real situations.
Recent Progress in Mechanically Biocompatible Titanium-Based Materials
Authors: Nakai Masaaki , Niinomi Mitsuo
Published: September 2012

Mechanical and biological biocompatibility is important consideration for materials that are used as metallic implants. During the past two decades, many ß-type titanium alloys composed of non-toxic and hypoallergenic elements with low Young’s moduli have been developed worldwide. Recently, the development of new titanium-based materials to improve the mechanical and biological biocompatibility of metallic implants has progressed under advanced concepts. This chapter focuses on the improvement of mechanical biocompatibility, and recent research topics on such material developments are reviewed.
Calcium Phosphate Coating on Titanium by RF Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Narushima Takayuki , Ueda Kyosuke
Published: September 2012

In this chapter, the authors discuss the fabrication and properties of calcium phosphate coatings on titanium (Ti) by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. First, they address the necessity of surface modification of metallic biomaterials and the effectiveness of calcium phosphate coating. Next, they briefly review the processes used in the application of calcium phosphate coatings and present the effect of sputtering parameters on the phase and deposition rates of these coatings. Finally, the chapter discusses the performance of amorphous and crystalline (oxyapatite) calcium phosphate coatings on Ti based on in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
Nursing in Integrative Medicine and Nurses’ Engagement in Caring-Healing
Authors: Inomata Chiyoko , Nitta Shin’ichi
Published: September 2012

In 2008, the authors’ team started an ongoing project to administer music therapy sessions for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Studies were made conducted from the “caring” perspective to evaluate the effects of music therapy on the mental health of the patients (Inomata, 2008a, Inomata 2008b) and on the role of nurses in integrative medicine (Inomata, 2008c). On the basis of the findings from these studies, music therapy programs were designed and conducted to meet the different needs of various neurodegenerative diseases. This project was the first ever reported music therapy initiative undertaken as a multi-disciplinary collaborative work and in partnership with a patients’ group (Saji, 2010). The findings from four years of running the project are summarized as follows: (1) Music therapy helped maintain/improve the QOL(Quality of Life) level of neurodegenerative disease patients, which would otherwise deteriorate with the progress of symptoms; (2) There was an improvement in the patients’ psychological and spiritual health as exemplified by the expansion of consciousness and rebuilding of relationships; (3) The project increased the feeling of partnership among the multi-disciplinary team members; (4) Care providers shared values such as self-belief and respect for both the self and others; (5) Caring for patients’ emotional side by being compassionate and staying with them and/or listening to them resulted in a stronger care provider-patient bond; (6) Nurses were engaged in the building a healing environment as “healers,” and the patients found more hope in everyday life.
A Human-Like Cognitive Computer Based on a Psychologically Inspired VLSI Brain Model
Authors: Shibata Tadashi
Published: September 2012

Despite the enormous computational power of current digital computers, they are still inferior to humans in many respects, such as in seeing events happening in front, perceiving and recognizing them by intuition and association, and making a decision to take an immediate action. Furthermore, it appears very unlikely that computers will become as intelligent as humans in these aspects by just advancing the current computer technologies in any traditional way. Something radically new must be introduced to the architecture and algorithms in computers. In this chapter, the author presents an approach for building a human-brain-like computing system based on the computing principles that can be learned from biology and psychology. The author is exploring a new paradigm in the hardware computing scheme adaptive to human-like intelligent information processing based on the state-of-the-art very large scale integration (VLSI) technology. To this end, the author developed a series of VLSI chips that are each dedicated to mimicking specific processes of the brain using digital, analog, and/or mixed-signal circuit technologies. Specific applications of this system for the perception of still and moving images are presented as illustrative examples.
Computational Study of the Hemodynamics of Cerebral Aneurysm Initiation
Authors: Shimogonya Yuji , Ishikawa Takuji , Yamaguchi Takami , Kumamaru Hiroshige , Itoh Kazuhiro
Published: September 2012

This chapter aims to present the authors’ recent findings from studies on the computational biomechanics of blood flow in human arteries and its application to the hemodynamics of cerebral aneurysm initiation. They first briefly outline the techniques of computational fluid dynamics used in blood flow simulations of anatomically realistic artery models reconstructed from medical images acquired with CT or MRI. Then, the time course of the blood flow velocity field in the medical image-based model of a human internal carotid artery (ICA) is shown as a result of a pulsatile blood flow simulation with CFD techniques. Finally, the chapter presents an overview of the concept of a novel hemodynamic indicator for cerebral aneurysm initiation, the gradient oscillatory number (GON). The distribution of the GON for the medical image-based ICA model is also demonstrated.
Automated Analysis of Nursery School Observations
Authors: Kato Jien
Published: September 2012

This chapter introduces an ongoing project with the goal of measuring and analyzing children’s behavior automatically. Some key technologies, including methodologies for acquiring data, tracking a target across different cameras over time, identifying individuals, activity recognition, interaction analysis, and behavior summarization for a target child are presented. Some encouraging results from a real system developed in a nursery school environment are also described. As these technologies enable the content-based retrieval, comparison, and summarization of large-scale observational data, they are applicable to various purposes, such as healthcare, diagnosis, and the assessment of children’s development.
Sleep Monitoring System Equipped with a Flexible Non-Contact ECG, Respiration, and Body Motion Sensor
Authors: Makikawa Masaaki , Okada Shima , Fujiwara Yoshihisa , Esaki Masayasu
Published: September 2012

This study focuses on non-contact ECG measurement technology and introduces a sleep monitoring system equipped with non-contact electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes and a respiration/motion sensor. The non-contact ECG measurement can be attained using capacitively-coupled electrode technology. The ECG of a subject with nightwear, such as pajamas, can be measured using this technique because it measures the ECG through a capacitor formed between the electrode and the ECG signal source. Using this sleep monitoring system, various sleep conditions of the elderly can be monitored, and abnormalities can be identified, such as abnormal heart rate and sleep behavior, including ambulation and sleep apnea, without disrupting their sleep. In many industrialized countries, including Japan, society is rapidly aging, and there is increasing demand for a system that can monitor the sleep of the elderly in nursing homes and care facilities and those living alone at home and thus increase their quality of life. By connecting this system with the hospital information systems or electronic medical record system, medical support and care planning will be more efficient.
Fusion Physiological Sensing System for Healthcare
Authors: Motoi Kosuke , Ogawa Mitsuhiro , Yamakoshi Takehiro , Yamakoshi Ken-Ichi
Published: September 2012

In the super-aging society, daily healthcare monitoring has become increasingly emphasized as a possible approach for the early diagnosis and timely treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. A wide variety of information transfers and platforms have been developed for daily healthcare monitoring. Using these techniques, the commercially available devices for home healthcare are also networked. However, techniques for obtaining physiological information are unfocused, and in such a case, even useful data cannot be obtained even if the network system is applied. Given these considerations, the authors have investigated a new network system combined with new bioinstrumentation techniques, i.e., the fusion physiological sensing system and its applicability for the daily healthcare monitoring. In particular, as contributions towards the development of healthcare technology, two promising monitoring techniques, ambulatory and non-conscious physiological monitoring, have been developed. These methods can contribute to the fields of the personal healthcare, medical care, and rehabilitation through their fusion with information and communications technology. The utility of these systems are reported according to the results of practical use, in addition to the outline of the sensing techniques in this chapter.
Molecular Network Analysis of Target RNAs and Interacting Proteins of TDP-43, a Causative Gene for the Neurodegenerative Diseases ALS/FTLD
Authors: Satoh Jun-Ichi
Published: September 2012

TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) is an evolutionarily conserved nuclear protein that regulates gene expression by forming a multimolecular complex with a wide variety of target RNAs and interacting proteins. Abnormally phosphorylated, ubiquitinated, and aggregated TDP-43 proteins constitute a principal component of neuronal and glial cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions in the brains of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), establishing a novel clinical entity designated TDP-43 proteinopathy. Although increasing evidence suggests that the neurodegenerative process underlying ALS and FTLD is attributable to a toxic gain of function or a loss of cellular function of TDP-43, the precise molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Recent advances in systems biology enable us to characterize the global molecular network extracted from large-scale data of the genome, transcriptome, and proteome with the pathway analysis tools of bioinformatics endowed with a comprehensive knowledge base. The present study was conducted to characterize the comprehensive molecular network of TDP-43 target RNAs and interacting proteins, recently identified by deep sequencing with next-generation sequencers and mass spectrometric analysis. The results propose the systems biological view that TDP-43 serves as a molecular coordinator of the RNA-dependent regulation of gene transcription and translation pivotal for performing diverse neuronal functions and that the disruption of TDP-43-mediated molecular coordination induces neurodegeneration in ALS and FTLD.
Quantitative Modeling of Neuronal Polarization
Authors: Sakumura Yuichi , Inagaki Naoyuki
Published: September 2012

Biological phenomena are systematically controlled by various components. In addition to biological molecules, physical components such as length and force must play an important role, especially in the cellular morphogenesis. Although a quantitative mathematical model is useful for understanding the underlying mechanism of biological phenomena, a model including the physical components is likely to become too complex to be designed mathematically. In the authors’ previous work, they proposed a quantitative mathematical model of neuronal polarization that is described by several simple equations and can reproduce a number of experimental observations. Based on that work, this chapter explains how the authors obtained a simple quantitative model from the complex processes of neuronal polarization.
A Simple Web-Based Image Database System for Facilitating Medical Care in Dermatological Clinics
Authors: Toda Takeshi , Chen PaoMin , Ozaki Shinya , Fujita Kazunobu , Ideguchi Naoko
Published: September 2012

In Japan, electronic health record systems are gradually becoming popular at large hospitals, but are not yet frequently implemented in clinics. This is due to both prohibitive costs and a lack of interest in checking electronic health records on the part of patients. Doctors also may be opposed to showing patients their health records, as it then may require a doctor to let patients observe images to check for improvement of symptoms at follow-up. In this study, the authors developed a database system of dermatological images accessible to both doctors and patients. In this system, doctors can photograph affected skin areas and tag the images with keywords, such as patient ID or name, disease or diagnosis, symptoms, affected bodily regions, and free wards. The images and keyword tags are transmitted to a database housed on an Internet server. The authors implemented this system on a smartphone for quick and easy access during medical examination and on a tablet terminal for patients to use while waiting in the clinic. Using the tablet terminal, a doctor and patient may check for improvement of symptoms together.
Ecological Momentary Assessment Using a Mobile Phone
Authors: Hareva David Habsara , Okada Hiroki , Oka Hisao
Published: September 2012

The mobile phone has become a popular tool for providing information and capturing responses from different groups of people because of its technological features and portability. EMA (Ecological Momentary Assessment) is commonly used by health researchers to contemporaneously capture information regarding human experience. The authors proposed the use of a mobile EMA system as a supportive intervention to collect real-time patient data and to give back real-time advice. In this study, a mobile EMA system has been utilized by patients with a variety of conditions, including mood disorders, behavior disorders, and physical disorders. The real-time data collection included one or more pieces of information at each moment to improve understanding the causal mechanisms of disease. The effectiveness of real-time advice has been examined by comparing a mobile EMA system with and without this function. Patient compliance was high on average, at approximately 89%, and was higher, at approximately 93%, when advice was given. In several cases, the supportive intervention was shown to help patients improve their health conditions. However, the results were dependent on the patients’ motivation, environment, and relationship with their doctor. The EMA data regarding advice given showed that symptoms tended to improve in most cases.
The Emerging Field of Technoself Studies (TSS)
Authors: Luppicini Rocci
Published: September 2012

Human identity and the meaning attached to being human have been shaped throughout human history by the entrenchment of new technologies and the cultivation of new human-technological relationships in life and society. This is particularly salient within contemporary society where the rise of digital culture and human enhancement technologies allow for human-technological relationships that directly challenge traditional conceptions of human nature and what it means to be human. New digital technologies and human enhancement technologies offer unique opportunities to improve the human condition by augmenting human abilities and practices in life and society. In response, a growing body of scholarly work focusing on the changing nature of human-technological relationships has nurtured in the emerging field of Technoself Studies (TSS). The purpose of this chapter is to trace the recent emergence of this new interdisciplinary field of research by exploring its conceptual development, important issues, and key areas of current technoself scholarship. The first part of this chapter provides a rationale, introduces key concepts, and presents a skeletal overview of key developments underlying Technoself Studies. The second part identifies key areas and issues in technoself research.
The Ontology of the Subject in Digitalization
Authors: Fors Anna Croon
Published: September 2012

This chapter is about the ontology of subjects in digitalization. Questions of ontology emerge as a response to contemporary concerns about the ways digitalization is transforming our lives. In this chapter the author’s suggestion is that any understanding of digitalization and its relationship to identity and/or subjectivity need to be considered within a more general horizon of ontology such as for instance suggested by post-representational views on the relationship between identity, self and technology (Badio 2006, Barad 2003; 2007; 2010, Heidegger 1977, Hekman 2010, Pickering 1995; 2011). The chapter highlights three broad principal responses characterizing contemporary entanglements of the self and digitalization contemporary life (Technoselves) – Disclosure, Performativity, and the Real. These three responses are each exploratory illustrated as well as theoretical bracketed by among others Heidegger’s thinking on technology (Heidegger 1977). The chapter tentatively concludes that contemporary digitalization brings the subject back to fundamental ways of existence—that of being-in-the-world (Heidegger, 1996/1927: 49–58). As such, the author contends that any considerations regarding the ontology of the subject in the digital age need to take serious non-modern stances on existence in the search for new imaginaries of the world and the subject’s becoming.
The Mediation of Identity
Authors: Marmura Stephen
Published: September 2012

Human identity, whether individual or collective, has always been conditioned by the mode(s) of communication dominant within any given society. Even in ancient times, the character of civilizations was closely linked to their affinity with particular media. However, self-identity remained largely coextensive with social interaction at the community level, and the oral transmission of knowledge. Throughout the modern period, social identity became increasingly abstracted from its original foundations in localized community and direct experience. The corresponding developments in media technologies have arguably empowered the individual subject, allowing for greater self-expression and social/political engagement. However, these technologies also enable new forms of social control. Digital media now facilitate the construction of identity outside the awareness of individuals. A present challenge is to clarify how identity, subjectivity, and agency are to be meaningfully conceived in the wake of these developments.