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At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Assessment of a microcomputer-based version of the Austin maze.

The Austin (or Milner) Maze consists of a 10 x 10 array of electrical contacts through which the subject must discover a hidden pathway by touching successive points in the matrix. Trials needed to reach 3 consecutive errorless performances, errors committed, and time taken to reach this criterion are commonly regarded as indicators of frontal lobe function. This study evaluated the equivalence of a computer-based version of this task. Thirty-two male computer science students completed both forms of the maze in counterbalanced order, separated by an interval of 4 weeks. In a 2-year follow-up, 25 remaining subjects completed the tasks in reverse order, again separated by a 4-week interval. Correlational data and analysis of variance supported the proposition that the computer-based version could act as a substitute for the more tediously administered traditional form. Although the sample characteristics may limit the generalizability of this conclusion, the application and development of the software by independent investigators may facilitate its clinical application and allow a more efficient resolution of relevant theoretical issues.

Adolescent↗

Virtual reality in Latin American clinical psychology and the VREPAR project. Virtual Reality Environments for Psycho-Neuro-physiological Assessment and Rehabilitation.

Starting with the excellent collective work done by the European Community (EC)-funded Virtual Reality Environments for Psycho-Neuro-physiological Assessment and Rehabilitation (VREPAR) projects, I try to indicate some possible pathways that would allow a better integration of this advanced technology into the reality of Latin American psychology. I myself use analyses that I did in my master's degree in the PUCSP-Catholic University in São Paulo, Brazil. I also include a brief description of the CD-ROM Clinical Psychology Uses of Virtual Reality (CPUVR) that accompanies my thesis. I point out the importance of collaboration between psychology and other disciplines, including computer science. I explain the method that I used to work with digital information, important for the formation of a critical mass of people thinking in Portuguese and Spanish to accelerate a technological jump.

Computers↗

An interactive computer graphics system for the design of molded and orthopedic shoe lasts.

The Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University, with support from the Department of Veterans Affairs and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center, has developed an interactive graphics program for the development of shoe lasts from digitized images of feet or digitized images of commercial shoe lasts. The program runs on a Sun 3/260 computer with a TAAC-1 graphics accelerator. The program contains operations for region addition and deletion, techniques for narrowing the ankle area, methods for toe extension, operations to allow for shoe inserts, etc. Once the operations by the user are complete, the program will resample the resulting last in a 512 x 512 array. The user is then allowed to select an error tolerance which will guide a data reduction program to represent the last as Coons patches. These patches are then transmitted to a milling machine which will cut the last.

Computer Graphics↗

Bioelectronic noses: a status report. Part II.

The present state of the art to record or to mimic electronically the human senses of olfaction and taste is characterized. In this part II, strategies are outlined to utilize chemical and biological structures with their different complexities which serve as sensor elements in (bio-) electronic noses. Finally a survey is given on the computer-science aspects of odor recognition based on these elements.

Animals↗

Computer programs as theories in biology.

Complex theories in biology may be developed, refined, and tested by the use of computer programmed simulations. The computer is recognized as a powerful tool for theory development; it is, in fact, the only means of thoroughly testing and examining a large and intricate theory. A program as a text is a statement of a theory and when run on the computer it is model of that theory. As the program's behavior is then the major argument for the credibility of a large and complex theory, the program itself is the only irrefutable statement of the theory. Bur programs written in the currently available programming languages tend to be incomprehensible. We argue that the program should be the definitive statement of the theory. In addition, the program plus a series of abstractions is a vehicle for effective communication of complex theories in biology. Several techniques of computer science are borrowed, for the purpose of developing a methodology for abstraction and a language for representing abstractions. The arguments are fully illustrated with a recently published biological theory.

Communication↗

The micro- or home computer as a teaching aid in postgraduate medical study.

The home computer 'magic' portrayed by the advertising media, supposed to bring computer science to the fingertips of every man, woman and child, is assessed by a practical medical lecturer. Reviewable data banks from which data can be retrieved almost instantaneously, the elimination of filing cabinets and stockpiles of notes, and the efficient storage of clinical patient data together with the relatively low cost and ease of operation make the computer one of the most exciting additions to modern teaching aids.

Computers↗

A "systematics" tool for medical terminologies.

Finding the hierarchical relations amongst multiple terms within medical terminologies that support multiple parents to a term is a common task, especially for trainees and knowledge engineers implementing or maintaining medical logic modules or guidelines. Examples of such terminologies include the UMLS and the Medical Entity Dictionary (MED). In addition, the task of identifying and discriminating amongst some common ancestors to a list of terms is a recurrent theme. This is also a common concern in the science of classification (systematics). Some nearest common ancestors have distinct valuable properties for classification and simplification of lists. Although there exist some visualized navigating and editing tools for the UMLS and the MED, they are browsers that show a large number of unrelated and irrelevant relationships to the task at hand. While algorithms have been well studied in computer science to solve such a problem over semantic networks and trees, to our knowledge, they have not been used with a visualization tool in biomedicine. We developed a visualized tool that graphically displays the hierarchical relations of multiple terms, and helps identifying the nearest common ancestors of these terms.

Classification↗

A database schema for public-domain medical software.

The quantity of public-domain medical software available is huge, and a classification schema may be therefore helpful. We developed a schema that includes identification data (name of the software, author, etc.), description (hardware and software requirements), classification (software category, application domain, etc.) and evaluation data (external quality and internal quality factors). The schema was tested on the public-domain software available at the SCAMC meetings (about 36 Mb). We also classified the software by employing students from a master course in computer science and medical informatics. We stored the high quantity of information collected in a database we developed using Paradox.

Databases, Factual↗

An agent-based approach for modeling molecular self-organization.

Agent-based modeling is a technique currently used to simulate complex systems in computer science and social science. Here, we propose its application to the problem of molecular self-assembly. A system is allowed to evolve from a separated to an aggregated state following a combination of stochastic, deterministic, and adaptive rules. We consider the problem of packing rigid shapes on a lattice to verify that this algorithm produces more nearly optimal aggregates with less computational effort than comparable Monte Carlo simulations.

Algorithms↗

A new MLC segmentation algorithm/software for step-and-shoot IMRT delivery.

We present a new MLC segmentation algorithm/software for step-and-shoot IMRT delivery. Our aim in this work is to shorten the treatment time by minimizing the number of segments. Our new segmentation algorithm, called SLS (an abbreviation for static leaf sequencing), is based on graph algorithmic techniques in computer science. It takes advantage of the geometry of intensity maps. In our SLS approach, intensity maps are viewed as three-dimensional (3-D) "mountains" made of unit-sized "cubes." Such a 3-D "mountain" is first partitioned into special-structured submountains using a new mixed partitioning scheme. Then the optimal leaf sequences for each submountain are computed by either a shortest-path algorithm or a maximum-flow algorithm based on graph models. The computations of SLS take only a few minutes. Our comparison studies of SLS with CORVUS (both the 4.0 and 5.0 versions) and with the Xia and Verhey segmentation methods on Elekta Linac systems showed substantial improvements. For instance, for a pancreatic case, SLS used only one-fifth of the number of segments required by CORVUS 4.0 to create the same intensity maps, and the SLS sequences took only 25 min to deliver on an Elekta SL 20 Linac system in contrast to the 72 min for the CORVUS 4.0 sequences (a three-fold improvement). To verify the accuracy of our new leaf sequences, we conducted film and ion-chamber measurements on phantom. The results showed that both the intensity distributions as well as dose distributions of the SLS delivery match well with those of CORVUS delivery. SLS can also be extended to other types of Linac systems.

Algorithms↗

An improved MLC segmentation algorithm and software for step-and-shoot IMRT delivery without tongue-and-groove error.

We present an improved multileaf collimator (MLC) segmentation algorithm, denoted by SLS(NOTG) (static leaf sequencing with no tongue-and-groove error), for step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivery. SLS(NOTG) is an improvement over the MLC segmentation algorithm called SLS that was developed by Luan et al. [Med. Phys. 31(4), 695-707 (2004)], which did not consider tongue-and-groove error corrections. The aims of SLS(NOTG) are (1) shortening the treatment times of IMRT plans by minimizing their numbers of segments and (2) minimizing the tongue-and-groove errors of the computed IMRT plans. The input to SLS(NOTG) is intensity maps (IMs) produced by current planning systems, and its output is (modified) optimized leaf sequences without tongue-and-groove error. Like the previous SLS algorithm [Luan et al., Med. Phys. 31(4), 695-707 (2004)], SLS(NOTG) is also based on graph algorithmic techniques in computer science. It models the MLC segmentation problem as a weighted minimum-cost path problem, where the weight of the path is the number of segments and the cost of the path is the amount of tongue-and-groove error. Our comparisons of SLS(NOTG) with CORVUS indicated that for the same intensity maps, the numbers of segments computed by SLS(NOTG) are up to 50% less than those by CORVUS 5.0 on the Elekta LINAC system. Our clinical verifications have shown that the dose distributions of the SLS(NOTG) plans do not have tongue-and-groove error and match those of the corresponding CORVUS plans, thus confirming the correctness of SLS(NOTG). Comparing with existing segmentation methods, SLS(NOTG) also has two additional advantages: (1) SLS(NOTG) can compute leaf sequences whose tongue-and-groove error is minimized subject to a constraint on the maximum allowed number of segments, which may be desirable in clinical situations where a treatment with the complete correction of tongue-and-groove error takes too much time, and (2) SLS(NOTG) can be used to minimize a more general type of error called the tongue-or-groove error.

Algorithms↗

The pathologist's workstation. Issues and an early prototype.

The role of a pathologist demands the efficient collection, processing and communication of information. Although computerization has been readily adopted in the laboratory to help with specimen processing, educational programs and technological tools for the pathologist's own information handling are at the inception stage. Many pathologists feel their role as a consultant would be enhanced by easy-to-use microcomputer information tools linked to their laboratory databases. This article provides an overview of emerging computer science trends and reviews areas in which a workstation is likely to be useful to the pathologist. A currently operational project embodying some of these concepts is described.

Clinical Laboratory Information Systems↗

Navigation and image-guided HBP surgery: a review and preview.

Image-guided surgery and navigation have resulted from convergent developments in radiology, teletransmission, and computer science. Patient selection and preoperative planning in hepatobiliary-pancreatic (HBP) surgery rely on preoperative imaging. The operative procedure is finally led by the fusion of additional information gained by the palpating hand and intraoperative ultrasound. Despite advances in reducing morbidity and mortality, decisions are often hardly quantifiable and are restricted to super-specialists in HBP surgery. New developments in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology have led to the possibility of the volumetric prediction of liver resections. These data can be shared via telemedicine and used for simulation and training. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions have led to a better topologic understanding of tumor-vascular tree relations in the individual patient. With the increasing use of ablative procedures and laparoscopy, intraoperative imaging and navigation will hold increasing significance for the HBP surgeon. Flat screen monitors adjacent to the surgical field present computer-generated 3D virtual liver resection proposals which can be transferred into the real liver. The main obstacles in HBP navigation are the flexibility and mobility of the target organ. Intrahepatic and surface markers seem to be mandatory for computer-navigated surgery. The first feasibility studies are promising.

Bile Ducts↗

Current trends in mapping human genes.

The human is estimated to have at least 50,000 expressed genes (gene loci). Some information is available concerning about 5000 of these gene loci and about 1900 have been mapped, i.e., assigned to specific chromosomes (and in most instances particular chromosome regions). Progress has been achieved by a combination of physical mapping (e.g., study of somatic cell hybrids and chromosomal in situ hybridization) and genetic mapping (e.g., genetic linkage studies). New methods for both physical and genetic mapping are expanding the armamentarium. The usefulness of the mapping information is already evident; the spin-off from the Human Genome Project (HGP) begins immediately. The complete nucleotide sequence is the ultimate map of the human genome. Sequencing, although already under way for limited segments of the genome, will await further progress in gene mapping, and in particular creation of contig maps for each chromosome. Meanwhile the technology of sequencing and sequence information handling will be developed. It is argued that the HGP is a new form of coordinated, interdisciplinary science; that its primary objective must be seen as the creation of a tool for biomedical research--a source book that will be the basis of study of variation and function for a long time; that the impact on scientist training will be salutary by relieving graduate students of useless drudgery and by training scientists competent in both molecular genetics and computational science; and that the funding of the HGP will have an insignificant negative effect on science funding generally, and indeed may have a beneficial effect through economy of scale and a focusing of attention on the excitement of biology and medical science.

Chromosome Mapping↗

DNA microarray gene expression analysis technology and its application to neurological disorders.

DNA microarray technology is currently an area of great interest. Also called "genechip" technology, it incorporates molecular genetics and computer science on a massive scale. This technology can rapidly provide a detailed view of the simultaneous expression of entire genomes and provide new insights into gene function, disease pathophysiology, disease classification, and drug development. In this review, the author discusses the basic theory behind genechip and the other biologic chip technologies, their limitations given the current state of biologic knowledge and computational abilities, and their potential applications to the understanding of neurologic disorders.

Animals↗

Periodontology's application of multimedia.

This article makes an approach about the use of multimedia resources applied in odontology computer science educational, especially in periodontia. It highlights the importance of the use of these resources, as well as the one that than there is of more recent in this area.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

An innovative approach to educating nurse informaticians.

The need for nurses with expertise in technology and information systems is expected to increase. This article describes a collaboration between a university's school of nursing and school of computer science and information to prepare nurses who wish to become nurse informaticians. The specifics of the master's-level Collaborative Nursing Informatics Program are discussed, classroom and clinical experiences are described, and evaluation processes are summarized.

Clinical Competence↗

Survey of clustering algorithms.

Data analysis plays an indispensable role for understanding various phenomena. Cluster analysis, primitive exploration with little or no prior knowledge, consists of research developed across a wide variety of communities. The diversity, on one hand, equips us with many tools. On the other hand, the profusion of options causes confusion. We survey clustering algorithms for data sets appearing in statistics, computer science, and machine learning, and illustrate their applications in some benchmark data sets, the traveling salesman problem, and bioinformatics, a new field attracting intensive efforts. Several tightly related topics, proximity measure, and cluster validation, are also discussed.

Algorithms↗