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At least 937 records · Page 52Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Medical image quality as a socio-technical phenomenon.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to interpret image quality in laparoscopic surgery not only as a technical parameter but also as the result of the situation of use. METHODS: Observational studies of laparoscopy in use, semi-structured and informal interviews with laparoscopists. RESULTS: When medical images are digitized to exploit novel technical possibilities, image quality becomes a paramount issue. Image quality is often discussed exclusively in technical terms, but the socio-technical study of image quality in surgical telemedicine presented in this paper showed that it is definitely more than a purely technical parameter. CONCLUSIONS: While the resulting quality of the image was significantly shaped by the persons involved, the concept of "quality" itself was also relative and changing with the situation of use. A given technology does not determine image quality. Rather than focusing only on the technical quality, the attention of designers and decision makers should also be directed to the socio-technical network surrounding the image and its use.

Diagnostic Imaging↗
PubMed2001

The construction of a public key infrastructure for healthcare information networks in Japan.

The digital signature is a key technology in the forthcoming Internet society for electronic healthcare as well as for electronic commerce. Efficient exchanges of authorized information with a digital signature in healthcare information networks require a construction of a public key infrastructure (PKI). In order to introduce a PKI to healthcare information networks in Japan, we proposed a development of a user authentication system based on a PKI for user management, user authentication and privilege management of healthcare information systems. In this paper, we describe the design of the user authentication system and its implementation. The user authentication system provides a certification authority service and a privilege management service while it is comprised of a user authentication client and user authentication serves. It is designed on a basis of an X.509 PKI and is implemented with using OpenSSL and OpenLDAP. It was incorporated into the financial information management system for the national university hospitals and has been successfully working for about one year. The hospitals plan to use it as a user authentication method for their whole healthcare information systems. One implementation of the system is free to the national university hospitals with permission of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Another implementation is open to the other healthcare institutes by support of the Medical Information System Development Center (MEDIS-DC). We are moving forward to a nation-wide construction of a PKI for healthcare information networks based on it.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2002

Classification scheme for the design of serine protease targeted compound libraries.

The development of a scoring scheme for the classification of molecules into serine protease (SP) actives and inactives is described. The method employed a set of pre-selected descriptors for encoding the molecular structures, and a trained neural network for classifying the molecules. The molecular requirements were profiled and validated by using available databases of SP- and non-SP-active agents [1,439 diverse SP-active molecules, and 5,131 diverse non-SP-active molecules from the Ensemble Database (Prous Science, 2002)] and Sensitivity Analysis. The method enables an efficient qualification or disqualification of a molecule as a potential serine protease ligand. It represents a useful tool for constraining the size of virtual libraries that will help accelerate the development of new serine protease active drugs.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2004

IT services in a completely digitized radiological department: value and benefit of an in-house departmental IT group.

To analyze the benefit of a departmental IT group in comparison to support by hospital IT groups or system manufacturers in a completely digitized radiological department. The departmental IT group comprises a fulltime IT specialist, two student assistants and four clinical employees participating 1 day/week. For 18 months IT problems were quantified and specified according to urgency, responsibility and affected system by use of an intranet-based reporting system. For each IT service provider the performance and duration of problem solution was evaluated. In 18 months 3,234 IT problems emerged. 88.7% were solved by the departmental IT group. In 474 cases (14.7%) a solution within 2 h was required. The departmental IT group solved 35.8% within 30 min, system manufacturers needed 18 h 38 min in mean. The departmental IT group solved 90.2% of the problems within a time limit. System manufacturers met the limit in 60.1% with a mean duration of 7 days 21 h. In 6.7% of the cases, support by system manufacturers was indispensable. A considerable proportion of IT problems in completely digitized radiological departments can be solved by a departmental IT group, providing a fast and cost-efficient first-level IT support with effective prevention of major breaks in the workflow. In a small number of cases support by system manufacturers remains necessary.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1992

Enzymes as molecular automata: a reflection on some numerical and philosophical aspects of the hypothesis.

Enzymes, by means of their properties of specific recognition and allosteric modulation, are able to integrate many separate processes into systemic units with coherent functions; in a sense, they have to be considered as the true organizers of the cytoplasmic processes. In this respect, the present article describes a simple model, based on binary variables and automata theory, which simulates the basic regulatory performance of the modulated enzyme. The model admits a variety of modifications and improvements; it also suggests some original lines of thought on which to reflect about the organization and collective phenomena of the networks of enzymes. In discussing the connection of this 'molecular automata' hypothesis with other areas of present-day theoretical biology, a fertile panorama of initiatives appear. A special partnership between Information Science (computation) and Biology is developing.

Cell Compartmentation↗
PubMed2002

Promoting and evaluating competence in on-line dietetics education.

Professional organizations, such as the American Dietetic Association are challenged to assure competency of their practitioners. Competency includes higher-level skills such as critical-thinking, cooperative work, effective communication, and use of lifelong learning resources. Information literacy via computer technology is a key component of competency, which needs to be included in dietetic education and training. This dietetic internship examined use of online technology to develop competency using the key-feature exam. Seventy-five dietetic interns from three different programs were divided into those with (n = 44) and without (n = 31) online instruction, to which pre- and post- test key feature exams were administered. Those with online instruction had greater improvement (P < 0.05) on key-feature exams in nutrition support and pediatric nutrition. Competency is complex and difficult to assess, thus tools to better assess the comprehensive scope of practitioner competency are needed. The key-feature exam may be a tool to assess and verify practitioner competency in dietetics professionals.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Fast Second Order Learning Algorithm for Feedforward Multilayer Neural Networks and its Applications.

The paper presents the efficient training program of multilayer feedforward neural networks. It is based on the best second order optimization algorithms including variable metric and conjugate gradient as well as application of directional minimization in each step. Its efficiency is proved on the standard tests, including parity, dichotomy, logistic and two-spiral problems. The application of the algorithm to the solution of higher dimensionality problems like deconvolution, separation of sources and identification of nonlinear dynamic plant are also given and discussed. It is shown that the appropriately trained neural network can be used for the nonconventional solution of these standard signal processing tasks with satisfactory accuracy. The results of numerical experiments are included and discussed in the paper. Copyright 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Invariance and universality in social agent-based simulations.

Agent-based simulation models have a promising future in the social sciences, from political science to anthropology, economics, and sociology. To realize their full scientific potential, however, these models must address a set of key problems, such as the number of interacting agents and their geometry, network topology, time calibration, phenomenological calibration, structural stability, power laws, and other substantive and methodological issues. This paper discusses and highlights these problems and outlines some solutions.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

45th annual meeting of the Italian Cancer Society. Bergamo, 9-12 November 2003.

The 45th Annual Meeting of the Italian Cancer Society (SIC), held at the Centro Congressi Giovanni XXIII in Bergamo, Italy on 9-12 November, 2003, attracted almost 400 participants. The Scientific Committee chaired by R Giavazzi (Mario Negri Institute, Bergamo) and the board of the Italian Cancer Society produced a packed and varied program. Plenary sessions with keynote speakers (24 lectures) were combined with oral proffered papers (20 selected presentations), providing a platform from laboratory science to clinical interventions. Two hundred and sixty-one abstracts were submitted to the conference and presented in poster and poster discussion sessions, providing a stimulating ground for discussion and a network of interactive collaboration among young investigators. The venue of Bergamo offered exceptional hospitality with social events in the beautiful old town and at the Modern Art Museum. We hope that the following report gives an idea of the event and will encourage the reader to attend the 46th meeting of the SIC, 24-26 October, 2004 in Pisa.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed1996

Food safety: a global perspective.

The health of the population of the U.S. is affected by many factors, not the least of which is its food supply. A major source of high quality animal protein comes from poultry, eggs, and meat. The major effect of personal habits and the environment, diet, tobacco, alcohol, are considered, along with the microbiological effect on foodborne illness and health. The inspection system for meat and poultry is reviewed, in light of the publication of significant revisions being instituted at this time. The role of research, regulatory reform, and political science is considered as supportive of food service and consumer education. Education of food service workers, institutional employees, and consumers is a responsibility that the land grant universities should take very seriously. Networking with associations like the National Restaurant Association and its regional affiliates will be invaluable in improving the health of the people of the U.S.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

ICT in health care: sociotechnical approaches.

The importance of the social sciences for medical informatics is increasingly recognized. As ICT requires inter-action with people and thereby inevitably affects them, understanding ICT requires a focus on the interrelation between technology and its social environment. Sociotechnical approaches increase our understanding of how ICT applications are developed, introduced and become a part of social practices. Socio-technical approaches share several starting points: 1) they see health care work as a social, 'real life' phenomenon, which may seem 'messy' at first, but which is guided by a practical rationality that can only be overlooked at a high price (i.e. failed systems). 2) They see technological innovation as a social process, in which organizations are deeply affected. 3) Through in-depth, formative evaluation, they can help improve system design and implementation.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2026

The role of pathology laboratories in integrating genetic testing into Australian primary care: an implementation science perspective.

As genomic testing moves into mainstream healthcare, non-genetic healthcare professionals, including general practitioners (GPs), play a critical role as gatekeepers to genetic services. Laboratories are essential in supporting this transition by providing not only high-quality genetic tests but also point-of-care tools, educational materials and clinical guidance to support their use. This study aimed to explore how these tools and supports are conceptualized, developed, implemented and evaluated and how laboratories integrate them into their relationships with GPs, an essential process for paving the way toward better use of genomics in primary care. A qualitative study design was employed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with representatives from genetic laboratories across Australia. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided deductive content analysis of data. Findings spanned the four CFIR domains (Intervention Characteristics, Outer Setting, Inner Setting and Implementation Process) across 34 constructs. Participants reported that laboratories viewed point-of-care tools and resources as essential responses to persistent genomic knowledge gaps among GPs. Development of evidence-based, practice-driven and adaptable resources was supported and rewarded within laboratory organisations. A strong culture of clinical responsibility and implementation readiness, combined with robust networks and communications, enabled timely support for GPs. Gaps identified included lack of implementation planning, misalignments between laboratory-developed resources and GPs' real-world needs and inadequate mechanisms for obtaining GPs' feedback, which made evaluation problematic. By applying an implementation science framework, these findings provide insights for future efforts to build and sustain the provision of point-of-care tools and support, ultimately improving the integration of genomics in primary care.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Progress in forensic anthropology: the 20th century.

Anthropological contribution to forensic sciences has been multifaceted and the progress has been remarkable in the last quarter of this century. The field has brought together scientists from all around the world. The purpose of this paper is to present a special issue on forensic anthropological research. Some of the papers cover age estimation from the ankle and knee epiphyses (India), basioccipital synchondrosis (also India), sternal end rib metamorphosis in Turks, and histomorphometry of the Japanese. Sex determination from the South African cranium and Mongoloid humerus are the subject of two papers. Factors of individualization include a comparison of photographic images using neural network, bone trabecular radiography, determination of handedness from the humerus, time since death using 210Po to 210Pb ratio, and changes in the mineral content of bone after burial. From the papers in this special issue it can be concluded that there will be integration of many areas of forensic sciences to deal with anthropological issues in the 21st century. Estimation of time since death will be based on new and more precise techniques. Further research is needed to develop population specific osteological standards for populations of Africa, central and southeast Asia and Pacific region. In addition, there will be an increased interest in the study of living people.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Who benefits from community-based participatory research? A case study of the Positive Youth Project.

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has evolved as a popular new paradigm in health research. This shift is exciting, yet there is still much to discover about how various stakeholders are affected. This article uses a critical social science perspective to explore who benefits from these changes through an analysis of a CBPR case study (The Positive Youth Project). Two major categories of beneficiaries emerged: the research itself and the partner-stakeholders. The benefits, however, were not gained without substantial human resource investment, nor were they necessarily equitably spread. Participation costs included heavy demands of time, an added burden of work, frustration with the process, missing other opportunities, risking loss of anonymity, and loss of control. Care needs to be taken to ensure that concrete benefits accrue for all project partners and costs are minimized. Another way of framing benefits is to look at the community capacities built to address future health and social issues.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Social structure, household strategies, and the cumulative causation of migration.

This review culls disparate elements from the theoretical and research literature on human migration to argue for the construction of a theory of migration that simultaneously incorporates multiple levels of analysis within a longitudinal perspective. A detailed review of interconnections among individual behavior, household strategies, community structures, and national political economies indicates that inter-level and inter-temporal dependencies are inherent to the migration process and give it a strong internal momentum. The dynamic interplay between network growth and individual migration labor, migration remittances, and local income distributions all create powerful feedback mechanisms that lead to the cumulative causation of migration. These mechanisms are reinforced and shaped by macrolevel relationships within the larger political economy.

Behavior↗
PubMed2006

The supramolecular chemistry of organic-inorganic hybrid materials.

The combination of nanomaterials as solid supports and supramolecular concepts has led to the development of hybrid materials with improved functionalities. These "hetero-supramolecular" ideas provide a means of bridging the gap between molecular chemistry, materials sciences, and nanotechnology. In recent years, relevant examples have been reported on functional aspects, such as enhanced recognition and sensing by using molecules on preorganized surfaces, the reversible building of nanometer-sized networks and 3D architectures, as well as biomimetic and gated chemistry in hybrid nanomaterials for the development of advanced functional protocols in three-dimensional frameworks. This approach allows the fine-tuning of the properties of nanomaterials and offers new perspectives for the application of supramolecular concepts.

Journal Article↗