bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alumina
Authors: Standard Owen C. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Alumina (
α
‐Al
2
O
3
) is a ceramic oxide material that has been used as a biomedical implant material since the early 1970s in both high‐density, high‐purity polycrystalline and single crystal forms. The composition and microstructure of alumina are strongly dependent on the manufacturing processes used to make components and can profoundly influence the performance of the material in service. The purification and refinement of alumina powder and conventional ceramic fabrication routes used to manufacture alumina components are examined. The role of chemical composition and microstructure on the strength, fracture behavior, fatigue, and wear behavior of high‐density, high‐purity polycrystalline alumina are examined with specific reference to the use of this material in load‐bearing tribological applications in biomedical engineering. Regulatory requirements governing the use of alumina as an implant material, in particular the need for the ceramic to be fully dense and to have small grain size in order for it to be used reliably in total hip prostheses, are explained by consideration of the underlying materials science as well as the clinical demands in service. The biocompatibility of alumina, the use of osseous tissue ingrowth to stabilize prostheses in the skeletal system, and the application of polycrystalline alumina and sapphire in dental applications are also examined.
Bayesian Analysis
Authors: Williams Andy P. , Abbas Ali E. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractQuantifying uncertainty has been a prime interest for centuries, essentially as far back as games of chance. Probability theory rose to prominence in the seventeenth century with the works of Blaise Pascal and others, addressing specifically the odds associated with a roll of a die. One question that grew out of such concerns was the following: Given the number of times an event has happened and failed, determine the chance that the probability of it happening in a single trial lies between two named probabilities.The answer to that particular question was proposed in the eighteenth century by the Reverend Thomas Bayes, and the approach has taken his name in honor of the discovery. In general, Bayesian analysis refers to the process of assessing the current state of knowledge, gathering new data, and updating the analysis to incorporate both the prior (called so because it is prior to collecting anything other than the background information) assessment and the new data. The process has a wide range of applications including scientific inquiry, clinical testing, public policy, and developing new e‐mail spam filters. This article presents the fundamental concepts of Bayesian analysis and presents several applications for its use.
Bioacoustic Signals
Authors: Hadjileontiadis Leontios J. , Rekanos Ioannis T. , Panas Stavros M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBiological sounds, such as lung sounds, heart sounds, bowel sounds, and joint sounds, emitted from the human body during its functioning provide an easy and noninvasive way of indicating existing pathology. By applying advanced signal processing techniques to the so‐called bioacoustic signals (BAS), useful information of high diagnostic value can be revealed. The purpose of this review is an in depth exploration of the properties of BAS, starting from their categorization, their characteristics and relation to human pathologies, and moving on to the recording standards that should be followed for their accurate acquisition, and focusing on the most current BAS analysis techniques. The latter refer to important signal processing issues, such as de‐noising, detection, modeling, feature extraction, and classification, involving a variety of methodologies, such as spectral analysis, wavelet transform, higher‐order statistics/spectrum, lower‐order statistics, fractal dimension, higher‐order crossings, reduced interference time‐frequency distributions. As a result, the way important problems in BAS analysis are approached with modern mathematical techniques is presented. Some descriptive examples along with an updated bibliography are provided to the reader as a means for thorough exploitation of BAS, because they cover advanced applications in the field. Consequently, the current pathways and trends in BAS analysis are introduced, giving rise to their objective evaluation and interpretation. However, they reveal the call for a common interest in interdisciplinary undertakings, both by biomedical engineers and by clinicians. Although it is unknown when traditional clinicians accept alternative approaches in everyday clinical practice, the results shown here are the outcome of joined efforts and scientific resources from both engineers and clinical medical doctors, paving the way for an accelerated transition from a traditional to a more enhanced analysis and appreciation of BAS.
Bioelectricity and Biomagnetism
Authors: Ueno Shoogo , Sekino Masaki , Ogiue-Ikeda Mari 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis article reviews recent advances in biomagnetics and bioimaging techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). TMS is a method to stimulate neurons by eddy currents induced by a strong electric current, which is applied to a coil over the head. TMS is used for noninvasive mapping of the brain function, and has therapeutic effects on neurological and psychological diseases. EEG and EMG are techniques to record electric potentials at electrodes attached to the surface of the head and body, respectively. MEG is a method for measuring magnetic fields as weak as 5 fT by superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) arrayed on the scalp. MRI is a method to obtain spatial distribution of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals using gradient magnetic fields and Fourier transform. This article also reviews application of magnetic fields for cancer therapy and tissue engineering, and magnetoreception in animals.
Biomedical Sensors
Authors: Yeow John T.W. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis chapter is intended to be a brief yet broad introduction to biomedical sensors and their underlying sensing mechanisms. The topics covered in this chapter include the classification of sensors, their sensing principles and modalities, and future trends in biomedical sensing devices. Sensors that use electrical transducing effects, such as thermoresistive, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, photovoltaic, electromagnetic, and electrostatic, will not be discussed in detail. It is discussed in the chapter entitled “Biomedical Transducer.” The objective of this chapter is to equip the readers with a general knowledge of biomedical sensors.
Biometrics
Authors: Ma Ting , Zhang Yan , Zhang Yuang-Ting 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBiometrics deals with the automatic recognition of individuals based on statistical analysis of physiological and/or behavioral characteristics. Any human physiological or behavioral characteristic that is unique, universal, stable, and collectable could be used as a biometric characteristic.In the modern automated world, access to a reliable authentication system becomes increasingly essential. However, traditional authentication methods based on the user's exclusive knowledge, such as password, personal identification number (PIN), or something belonging to one, such as a cardkey, smart card, or token [like identity cards (ID)], can hardly meet the requirements of the reliability of an authentication system because passwords or PIN may be forgotten and ID cards can be lost, forged, or misplaced. Compared with traditional methods, biometrics can provide enhanced security and convenience. As biometric recognition systems are increasingly deployed for many security applications, biometrics and its applications have attracted considerable interests. Recently, biometrics has emerged as one of the most reliable technologies for future human identification and verification.
Bio‐Optics: Optical Measurement of Pulse Wave Transit Time
Authors: Meigas Kalju , Lass Jaanus , Kattai Rain 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The arterial blood pressure has long been known as one of the most important medical factors reflecting the state of the cardiovascular system. A useful and convenient parameter for continuous monitoring of blood pressure is pulse wave velocity or pulse wave transit time (PWTT) between different regions of human body. It is suggested that, although it may be difficult to estimate systolic blood pressure from PWTT with acceptable accuracy, possibilities still remain to use changes of pulse arrival time as an indicator of changes in systolic blood pressure. During the exercise, arterial blood pressure increases, which is mainly achieved by increasing the contractility of the heart and vasculature resistance. Both of these values result in the increase of pressure wave speed in the vascular system, which means that the time delay between the start of electromechanical contraction and PWTT to any particular point in the body decreases. In our previous studies, we have shown that it is possible to calculate the mean arterial pressure from pulse wave transit time.
Extracorporeal Electrodes
Authors: Pullan Andrew J. , Nielsen Poul M.F. , Budgett David M. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Extracorporeal electrodes are, by definition, electrodes that are situated outside the body. In this article, we address the range and type of electrodes used in extracorporeal applications. The fact that these electrodes are remote from the biological electrical source whose activity is being measured means such electrodes face unique challenges. We discuss these challenges and, with this as our background, describe the types and properties of the different surface electrodes in use today.
Bone Resorption
Authors: Haynes David R. , Findlay David M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBone is continually being removed and replaced throughout life by the actions of osteoblasts (bone forming cells) and osteoclasts (bone resorbing cells). Bone loss in disease can be caused by either excessive bone resorption or decreased bone formation, or both. Recently, significant advances have been made in our understanding of the factors that regulate the formation and activation of the cell type in bone responsible for bone resorption, the osteoclast. Bone loss pathologies can be broadly divided into two types: systemic diseases, such as osteoporosis, in which bone is lost throughout the skeleton, and conditions characterized by more focal bone loss, such as the joint erosions in rheumatoid arthritis, tumor‐induced osteolysis, periodontal bone loss, and bone loss around orthopedic prostheses. Although the same molecules appear to be involved in bone resorption in health and disease, they appear to be expressed by different cell types, depending on the particular pathology concerned. This review of bone resorption discusses the current understanding of osteoclast formation and activity and the factors that are responsible for bone loss in various pathologies, with particular emphasis on bone loss in inflammatory conditions.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Authors: Jordan Peter , Christini David 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe term cardiac arrhythmia refers to any disturbance or perturbation to the normal electrical activation sequence of the heart. In this article, the basic electrophysiological mechanisms underlying tachyarrhythmias (abnormally fast heart rhythms) are discussed, and a number of commonly occurring tachyarrhythmias are reviwed. The main therapeutic modalities used to treat tachyarrhythmias are also summarized.
Cardiac Imaging
Authors: Santos Andres , Ledesma-Carbayo Maria J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe aim of cardiac imaging is to contribute to the diagnosis of cardiac and vascular diseases by detecting early signs of abnormal activity, and to contribute to therapy follow‐up. Cardiac imaging attempts to detect global or local abnormalities in morphology, function, perfusion, and metabolism of the heart and vessels, including the evaluation of myocardial viability and artery plaques.The main imaging modalities are presented here. X‐ray angiography is useful for assessing heart and vessel anatomy, although it is an invasive modality requiring catheterization. Echocardiography is a widespread, cheap, and non‐invasive modality that can analyze cardiac anatomy, tissue and blood motion, and perfusion. Traditionally, nuclear imaging with thallium or technetium has been used to detect myocardial perfusion defects. Recently, molecular imaging, using positron emission tomography, has been proposed to identify molecular processes like angiogenesis or apoptosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is attracting increasing interest as it can now produce high‐quality images with good spatial resolution. Apart from evaluating anatomy, it also allows assessment of tissue and blood motion, perfusion, and myocardial viability. Finally, ultrafast computed tomography may also produce high‐resolution images of the heart and great vessels, showing and characterizing their function and assessing plaques in coronary arteries.As will be seen, currently available imaging modalities are complementary, showing different characteristics of cardiovascular structures and helping to achieve an accurate and early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.
Careers
Authors: Demir Semahat S. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractAccording to the National Science Board, the most recent occupational projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predict that the employment in science and engineering occupations will increase about three times faster than the overall growth rate for all occupations.The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupation Outlook Handbook 2004–2005 presents that, by 2012, the future job growth will be in (1) health care and social assistance (increase by 32.4%) and (2) biomedical, biotechnology, and bioengineering (increase by 21–35%). Thus, promising career and job opportunities exist for biomedical engineers.
Articular Cartilage
Authors: Herzog Walter 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Articular cartilage is a thin (about 1–6 mm in human joints) layer of fibrous connective tissue covering the articular surfaces of bones in synovial joints. It consists of cells (2–15% in terms of volumetric fraction) and an intercellular matrix (85–98%) with a 65–80% water content. Articular cartilage is a viscoelastic material and in conjuction with synovial (joint) fluid, allows for virtually frictionless movement (coefficients of friction from 0.002–0.05) of the joint surfaces. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that is associated with a degradation and loss of articular cartilage from the joint surfaces and a concomitant increase in joint friction causing pain and disability, particularly in the elderly population. The primary functions of articular cartilage include force transmission across joints, distribution of articular forces so as to minimize stress concentrations, and provision of a smooth surface for relative gliding of joint surfaces. In most people, articular cartilage fulfills its functional role for decades, although the incidence of osteoarthritis in North America is about 50% among people of age 60 and greater.
Cellular Engineering
Authors: Zheng Ming Hao 
Published: April 2006

AbstractCellular engineering, principally the control and regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and function, is vital to the success of cell‐based therapeutic applications and technologies. Despite significant advances in cell and tissue engineering, current approaches to the engineering of cell‐surface interactions and extracellular matrix design fall short of mimicking the complexity of those relationships in the physiological microenvironment. When considering the bioengineering of complex systems, such as tissue or organs, we must reduce the complexity of the system while remaining in control of cell behavior and function. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the cellular bioprocesses and assembly, and how factors or stimuli affect them, will significantly aid future biomedical engineering research. Optimizing the combinations of cells, matrices, and locally and systemically active stimuli is a complex process characterized by an inter‐reliant set of variables with a potentially infinite scope of combinations.
Cellular and Molecular Imaging
Authors: Landini Luigi , Santarelli Maria Filomena , Positano Vincenzo 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis chapter surveys some of the electromagnetic and echographic imaging techniques and applications of interest for biology and medicine. First, some fundamental parameters for cellular imaging are introduced as contrast mechanisms, resolution, and penetration depth. Second, the targeting strategies that are now emerging in molecular imaging using modern imaging scanners are reviewed. The last contribution deals with some basic image processing operations such as cells segmentation and counting and integration strategies used in low‐ and high‐resolution imaging techniques.
Clinical Decision Support Systems
Authors: Fotiadis Dimitris , Goletsis Yorgos , Likas Aristidis , Papadopoulos Athanassios 
Published: April 2006

AbstractClinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are entities that intend to support clinical personnel in medical decision‐making tasks. In more technical terms, CDSSs are active knowledge systems that use two or more items of patient data to generate case‐specific advice. CDSSs first appeared in the late 1950s but have experienced significant growth over the last three decades providing advice in the clinical decision‐making process. Specific fields of decision support offered by CDSSs include diagnosis, therapy planning, alerting and informing, and information retrieval. CDSSs interact with patient records and measurement devices for data acquisition and knowledge bases for retrieval of knowledge related to the specific case. Combining the data from the above sources, intelligent methods are applied for clinical inference. Rule‐based, probabilistic, and machine learning techniques are employed to provide reliable results to support medical decisions. Recent and forthcoming advances in information technologies are expected to foster CDSSs applied in clinical practice.
Deformable Objects, Interactive Simulation of
Authors: Moustakas Konstantinos , Daras Petros , Tzovaras Dimitrios , Strintzis Michael G. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractDeformable objects have been extensively used in recent years for simulating the response of various organs of the human body in various stimuli. In addition, applications like virtual surgery and tissue engineering, have emerged, offering to the user, which is usually a student of medicine, a nonhazardous means of training. Simulation based on deformable objects provides the necessary accuracy and realism in this kind of applications, because they model very accurately most human organs. However, the accurate simulation of deformable models at interactive rates is far from being easy, because it involves computationally intensive procedures like the resolution of large systems of equations and the handling of collisions and application specific issues like cutting and suturing. This article presents, after a concise introduction, a comparative study on the fundamental technologies and algorithms used in deformable object modeling and simulation. Finally, it demonstrates indicatively a number of applications so as to illustrate the feasibility and applicability of the simulations.
Defibrillation
Authors: de Jongh Curry Amy , Malkin Robert A. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
One leading cause of death in the United States is sudden cardiac death, often called cardiac arrest or a massive heart attack. Death results when the normally carefully choreographed electrical impulses of the heart become uncoordinated, a condition called ventricular fibrillation. Reversion of fibrillation to any other, more organized, electrical pattern is called defibrillation. Although electrical defibrillation is now widely practiced, the mechanism by which a strong electrical shock can stop fibrillation is still not understood. Defibrillation may fail because it does not extinguish fibrillation or because it creates a new fibrillation. It is not even clear how an electrical stimulus can affect tissue several centimeters away. Another mystery is why there is such a strong dependence on the temporal pattern, or waveform, of energy delivery for defibrillation. For example, it is more effective to withhold some available energy from certain defibrillators. The most recent data on these unknown aspects of defibrillation are discussed.
Dentin
Authors: Spencer Paulette , Wang Yong , Katz J. Lawrence 
Published: April 2006

AbstractDentin is the hydrated composite structure that constitutes the body of each tooth, providing both a protective covering for the pulp and serving as a support for the overlying enamel. Enamel, with its exceptionally high mineral content, is a very brittle tissue. Without the support of the more resilient dentin structure, enamel is so brittle that it would fracture when exposed to the forces of mastication. Dentin supports as well as compensates for the brittle nature of the enamel.In contrast to enamel, dentin is a vital tissue containing the cell processes of odontoblasts and neurons. As the odontoblasts can be stimulated to deposit more dentin, this tissue is capable of limited repair. The structure‐property relationships of dentin vary with location, physiological, aging, and disease processes. This chapter will review the composition, structure, and properties of the various types of dentin and their effect on current restorative dentistry procedures.
Diabetes Care, Biomedical and Information Technologies for
Authors: Gómez Enrique J. , Elena Hernando M. , Del Pozo Francisco 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBiomedical engineering research has brought many improvements to diabetes care and management. This article introduces the application of biomedical and information technologies to several aspects of diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of diabetes. A comprehensive view of technologies is presented that covers biomedical sensors for blood glucose monitoring, instrumentation for self‐monitoring data collection and continuous insulin delivery, information technologies for a patient's monitoring data analysis and visualization, intelligent decision support techniques, and telemedicine systems. Future trends for noninvasive continuous blood glucose monitoring and closed‐loop control systems are also presented to face the challenge to improve the quality of diabetes care and the quality of life of diabetic people.
Distributed Processing
Authors: Miled Zina Ben , Bisen Anand Singh , Li Nianhua , Bukhres Omran 
Published: April 2006

AbstractParallel processing describes a computing environment where multiple processors cooperate to solve a given computational problem. It falls under the more general area of high‐performance computing that focuses on accelerating the execution time of applications by using a wide range of hardware and software techniques. Several scientific research areas have used parallel processing to address the computational requirements of data and compute‐intensive applications.Distributed memory architectures and shared memory architectures are the two main parallel hardware architectures. Distributed computing is often used to refer to the implementation of applications on distributed memory architectures. In the biomedical research field, it is the most widely used form of parallel processing. This article starts by a review of the architectural features of distributed and shared memory multiprocessor systems. The use of these architectures to empower sequence alignment algorithms, phylogenetic trees construction, and protein folding simulations is then discussed. Both general strategies as well as specific case examples of parallel applications in the biomedical research field are presented.