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At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Feasibility and reliability of on-line automated microemboli detection after carotid endarterectomy. A transcranial Doppler study.

OBJECTIVES: recently, a new algorithm for transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound detection of microembolic signals (MES) was developed. In the present study, we investigated its on-line performance in TCD monitoring after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and assessed off-line its accuracy in detecting MES. MATERIALS AND METHODS: first, the feasibility of MES detection in TCD monitoring after CEA in a routine clinical setting was evaluated in 50 patients. Second, to test the reliability of the software a 2-h digital audio study tape was made and analysed by the algorithm and five human experts. The "gold standard" was defined as the agreement between human experts: a MES was considered to be present if at least three human observers agreed. RESULTS: TCD monitoring for emboli detection after CEA was well tolerated by the patients and could be performed reliably. In the study tape, the human gold standard detected 107 MES, with 93 MES having an intensity of > or =7 dB. The software detected 81 and 77 MES, respectively. Using the 7 dB intensity threshold, the software had no false positives and 16 false negatives. The kappa value between the human gold standard and the software was 0.91, the proportion of specific agreement was 0.83. CONCLUSIONS: the tested algorithm provides a reliable method for automated on-line microemboli detection after CEA. This makes monitoring of the effectiveness of antiplatelet agents in the prevention of stroke after CEA more practicable.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2000

Infection control training: evaluation of a computer-assisted learning package.

An evaluation of the training module of an interactive infection control computer-assisted learning (CAL) software program was carried out with ward-based nurses, third-year medical students and infection control personnel. All nursing staff, 87% of the medical students and all infection control staff found the programme easy and enjoyable to use. The module was accessed 3101 times on the hospital network in 18 months with usage settling to between 100-150 times per month. There was a higher level of use by night-duty and weekend staff. Medical students gained as much infection control knowledge from using the CAL package (increase in correct responses from 63.5% to 83.4%;P<0.0001) as they did from a formal lecture (increase in correct responses from 62.1% to 79.5%;P<0.0001). We conclude the training module which is accessible on the hospital wards and across the academic network, is a convenient and effective way for staff and students to gain a basic understanding in evidence-based infection control practices, at locations and times suitable for them.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

A computer-based method for calculation of orbital floor fractures from coronal computed tomography scans.

PURPOSE: A computer program recently developed for the calculation of the orbital floor and fracture areas from coronal computed tomography (CT) scans was used in a study to evaluate the accuracy and ability of this new method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The size of orbital floors and fabricated fractures in 14 dried, anatomic specimens were measured in coronal CT scans by 3 independent observers. Based on this data set, the orbital floor and fracture regions were calculated with the newly developed computer program. These calculated regions were then compared with a direct measurement of the specimens that had been obtained by digital photography. The accuracy of the computer-based calculations was assessed using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The size of the orbital floor (mean +/- SD) was found to be 5.21 +/- 0.39 cm(2) by direct measurement of the specimens and 5.30 +/- 0.52 cm(2) by calculation with the computer program. The region of the fracture (mean +/- SD) was 1.05 +/- 0.64 cm(2) by direct measurement and 1.01 +/- 0.62 cm(2) by computer calculation. The between-method mean difference (direct measurement minus computer based calculation) was -0.09 cm(2) (or 1.7% of mean orbital floor region) for orbital floor region and 0.04 cm(2) (or 3.8% of mean fracture region) for fracture region. CONCLUSIONS: This accurate and time-saving method is practicable for determining the size and location of orbital floor fractures. This calculation program can be advantageously applied in the clinical management of blowout fractures of the orbit.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Error function attack of chaos synchronization based encryption schemes.

Different chaos synchronization based encryption schemes are reviewed and compared from the practical point of view. As an efficient cryptanalysis tool for chaos encryption, a proposal based on the error function attack is presented systematically and used to evaluate system security. We define a quantitative measure (quality factor) of the effective applicability of a chaos encryption scheme, which takes into account the security, the encryption speed, and the robustness against channel noise. A comparison is made of several encryption schemes and it is found that a scheme based on one-way coupled chaotic map lattices performs outstandingly well, as judged from quality factor.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

Quantitative analysis of apical root resorption by means of digital subtraction radiography.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the diagnostic and quantifying ability of digital subtraction images for simulated apical root resorption, as well as to compare the diagnostic accuracy of conventional intraoral radiographs with digital subtraction images for this condition. STUDY DESIGN: Digital and intraoral radiographs of 10 sound maxillary central incisors and those with simulated apical root resorption were taken with varying horizontal and vertical angulations of the x-ray beam. Paired t tests were used to compare the lengths of the sound teeth on the images with their actual lengths, and the estimated amount of simulated apical root resorption was compared with the actual amount of tooth loss by means of Emago software. The diagnostic accuracy for detecting lesions was also evaluated on conventional intraoral radiographs and digital subtraction images through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the actual lengths and those measured on the reconstructed images of the sound teeth. The calculated amounts of apical root resorption showed no statistically significant differences in comparison with the actual amounts (P >.05). The diagnostic accuracy of the conventional intraoral radiographs in detecting the lesions was low (ROC area = 0.6446). CONCLUSION: A quantitative analysis of small amounts of apical root resorption can be performed by means of digital subtraction radiography.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

The year 2000 problem: hiccough or approaching Armageddon.

The complexity of information technology systems has increased to approximate that of biological organisms, with a similar unpredictability of behaviour. With several million lines of code, a modern computer operating system, still can only be compared in complexity to a bacterial genome. However, just as unpredictable mutations continuously arise in the 3000 million haploid base pairs of human code and cause much misery and disease, undiscovered errors lie buried in the accumulated machine code which make up our world. As in human genetics, the difficulty is often distinguishing the harmless polymorphisms from the dangerous or lethal mutations. Similarly there is uncertainty about the impact of errors in data-handling code, which make up the "Year 2000 Problem". Over the remaining months it is vital that critical systems are checked for year 2000 compliance so as to avoid potentially serious disruption.

Chronology as Topic↗
PubMed2003

Students' responses to the introduction of a digital laboratory guide in medical neuroscience.

This study investigated student acceptance of a digital laboratory guide in a medical neuroscience course. The guide was created in Macromedia Authorware 5.2 by transforming a text-based lab manual into a comprehensive multimedia program. Student attitudinal survey data indicated that the guide was used primarily as a study tool at home. Some 53% of students (primarily males) used the guide for independent study exclusively, while the remainder used it for both independent and group study; 87% of the class used the guide as a routine study tool rather than as a final review for examinations. Most students perceived that the guide increased their study efficiency and lab performance while decreasing their out-of-class study time in the lab. Female students were significantly more enthusiastic about the guide's impact on their study efficiency, lab performance and laboratory study time. Gender differences in student satisfaction with and use of instructional multimedia are discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

An associative model of rat serial pattern learning in three-element sequences.

Hypotheses ranging from subsymbolic to symbolic have been proposed to account for rat sequential behaviour, and in the subsymbolic domain alone there are multiple proposed subsymbolic processes or factors thought to affect serial behaviour. A behavioural study and computer simulations were conducted to evaluate these hypotheses, and a new computational associative model based on pairwise associations and generalization was evaluated. Seven 3-element sequences were selected for study that systematically (1) varied sequence discriminability, (2) varied reward magnitude, and (3) manipulated the order of food quantities. Neither element discriminability nor response enhancement subsymbolic processes in isolation were able to account for the behavioural data; however, simulations from the computational model known as the sequential pairwise associative memory (SPAM) model with a log-linear mapping of stimulus dimension items to food quantities correlated well with the behavioural data. SPAM accounts for differential element anticipation in different sequences by appealing to pairwise association of sequence events and generalization between cues as the principal factors mediating pattern tracking in three-element sequences.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Talk your way round--a speech interface to a virtual museum.

PURPOSE: To explore the development of a speech interface to a virtual world and to consider its relevance for disabled users. METHOD: The system was developed using mainly software that is available at minimal cost. How well the system functioned was assessed by measuring the number of times a group of users with a range of voices had to repeat commands in order for them to be successfully recognized. During an initial session, these users were asked to use the system with no instruction to see how easy this was. RESULTS: Most of the spoken commands had to be repeated less than twice on average for successful recognition. For a set of 'teleportation' commands this figure was higher (2.4), but it was clear why this was so and could easily be rectified. The system was easy to use without instruction. Comments on the system were generally positive. CONCLUSIONS: While the system has some limitations, a virtual world with a reasonably reliable speech interface has been developed almost entirely from software which is available at minimal cost. Improvements and further testing are considered. Such a system would clearly improve access to virtual reality (VR) technologies for those without the skills or physical ability to use a standard keyboard and mouse. It is an example of both assistive technology (AT) and universal design.

Computer Graphics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Visualization tools for blind people using multiple modalities.

PURPOSE: There are many problems when blind people need to access visualizations such as graphs and tables. Current speech or raised-paper technology does not provide a good solution. Our approach is to use non-speech sounds and haptics to allow a richer and more flexible form of access to graphs and tables. METHOD: Two experiments are reported that test out designs for both sound and haptic graph solutions. In the audio case a standard speech interface is compared to one with non-speech sounds added. The haptic experiment compares two different graph designs to see which was the most effective. RESULTS: Our results for the sound graphs showed a significant decrease in subjective workload, reduced time taken to complete tasks and reduced errors as compared to a standard speech interface. For the haptic graphs reductions in workload and some of the problems that can occur when using such graphs are shown. CONCLUSIONS: Using non-speech sound and haptics can significantly improve interaction with visualizations such as graphs. This multimodal approach makes the most of the senses our users have to provide access to information in more flexible ways.

Blindness↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Design guidelines for interactive multimedia learning environments to promote social inclusion.

PURPOSE: There is a continuing need for guidelines to aid in the design of Interactive Multimedia Learning Environments (IMLE) to promote effective learning. The project introduced in this paper looks at an important subset of this problem, the design of interactive learning environments to promote social inclusion. METHOD: A consortium of six partners contributed toward defining learning material to develop a range of work based skills, including horticulture, IT and catering. These were then developed into IMLE prototypes. Formative evaluation of these prototypes then revealed a range of usability problems, which were grouped into generic types and frequency of occurrence. RESULTS: The most important and frequently occurring problems were used to distil a set of design guidelines for the development of effective IMLE. The results from this usability content analysis were also used to refine the initial prototypes to improve their usability and effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines, termed the Greenhat Design Guidelines, can be adopted for use by all multimedia developers aiming to promote the social inclusion of vulnerable or socially disadvantaged groups of people. The refined IMLE can be accessed via the Greenhat Server to improve the employment-related skills of socially excluded people.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A review of US EPA and FDA requirements for electronic records, electronic signatures, and electronic submissions.

Both the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued regulatory documents that address the issues and requirements concerning electronic reporting to the Agencies. EPA has published two comprehensive and useful electronic data interchange (EDI) guidelines: 1) the EPA Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Implementation Guideline, Draft of September 23, 1994 and October 18, 1994 that is available at the following EPA web site address: www.epa.gov/oppeedi1/guidelines/general.pdf and 2) the Interim Final Notice, Filing of Electronic Reports via Electronic Data Interchange, September 4, 1996, Federal Register Notice [FRL-5601-4, Volume 61, Number 172, page 46684], also available at: www.epa.gov/oppeedi1/edipoli.htm. The FDA has published a guidance document titled, "Guidance for Industry, Computerized Systems Used in Clinical Trials, April 1999" that is available at FDA's web site: www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/bimo/ffinalcct.++ +htm. FDA's guidance document addresses a number of issues for electronic records that are applicable to all areas of GLP compliance. Another FDA document presently under development is titled, "Electronic Standards for the Transmission of Regulatory Information (ESTRI) Gateway." The ESTRI document defines strategic plans for electronic submissions to FDA. FDA has published a guidance document in this area titled, "Guidance for Industry: Providing Regulatory Submissions in Electronic Format--General Considerations, January 1999." This guidance document is available at: www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/index.htm. FDA has also published an important final rule applicable to all electronic records and signatures that is part of the U.S. Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 11, titled, "FDA's Final Rule, Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures, effective August 20, 1997." This FDA ruling is discussed below and is available at: www.fda.gov/cder/esig/index.htm.

Authorship↗
PubMedDate not supplied

How good are my data?: Information quality assessment methodology.

Quality assurance techniques used in software development and hardware maintenance/reliability help ensure that data in a computerized information management system are maintained well. However, information workers may not know the quality of data resident in their information systems. Knowledge of the quality of information and data in an enterprise provides managers with important facts for managing and improving the processes that impact information quality. This paper presents quality assessment methodology to assist information workers in planning and implementing an effective assessment of their information data and quality. The areas covered include: identifying appropriate information quality indicators; developing assessment procedures; conducting information quality assessments; reporting information assessment results; tracking improvements in information quality.

Computers↗
PubMed2004

Searching for an enhanced predictive tool for mutagenicity.

The Multiple Computer Automated Structure Evaluation (MCASE) program was used to evaluate the mutagenic potential of organic compounds. The experimental Ames test mutagenic activities for 2513 chemicals were collected from various literature sources. All chemicals have experimental results in one or more Salmonella tester strains. A general mutagenicity data set and fifteen individual Salmonella test strain data sets were compiled. Analysis of the learning sets by the MCASE program resulted in the derivation of good correlations between chemical structure and mutagenic activity. Significant improvement was obtained as more data was added to the learning databases when compared with the results of our previous reports. Several biophores were identified as being responsible for the mutagenic activity of the majority of active chemicals in each individual mutagenicity module. It was shown that the multiple-database mutagenicity model showed a clear advantage over normally used single-database models. The expertise produced by this analysis can be used to predict the mutagenic potential of new compounds.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed2002

Development of an assessment tool to measure the influence of clinical software on the delivery of high quality consultations. A study comparing two computerized medical record systems in a nurse run heart clinic in a general practice setting.

A rating scale was developed to assess the contribution made by computer software towards the delivery of a quality consultation, with the purpose of informing the development of the next generation of systems. Two software programmes were compared, using this scale to test their ability to enable or inhibit the delivery of an ideal consultation with a patient with heart disease. The context was a general practice based, nurse run clinic for the secondary prevention of heart disease. One of the programmes was customized for this purpose; the other was a standard general practice programme. Consultations were video-recorded, and then assessed by an expert panel using the new assessment tool. Both software programmes were oriented towards the implementation of the evidence, rather than facilitating patient-centred practice. The rating scale showed, not surprisingly, significantly greater support from the customized software in the consultation in five out of eight areas. However, the scale's reliability measured by Cronbach's Alpha, was sub-optimal. With further refinement, this rating scale may become a useful tool that will inform software developers of the effectiveness of their programmes in the consultation, and suggest where they need development.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improved quality data systems through the use of standard electronic data deliverables (EDDs) and environmental data assessment software.

One of the challenges facing professionals in the environmental arena today is the collection and assessment of large amounts of environmental analytical data. The assessment of the quality of that data is essential as multi-million dollar decisions for environmental site cleanups and/or long term monitoring efforts are made based on the analytical results. Also critical to environmental programs is the sharing and access of data across multiple data users. The ability to share data allows for better use of the limited resources available to clean up and monitor contaminated environmental sites. Standardization of electronic deliverables allows for collection of data from multiple data collectors into a single database for use by numerous data users and stakeholders on a project. This paper discusses the benefits of using a standard EDD deliverable format and use of environmental data assessment software tools to do project planning and data assessment throughout the duration of the environmental project.

Database Management Systems↗