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PubMed1996

Computer-assisted systems for forensic pathology and forensic toxicology.

A computer software, RättsBASE (RB), was developed for all forensic pathology units in Sweden and introduced in 1992. Simultaneously, a corresponding software, ToxBASE (TB), was developed for the Department of Forensic Toxicology, where all forensic toxicology in Sweden is managed. Both of the databases were created using dBASE IV, and the programming was carried out according to specifications from the staff at the forensic toxicology and forensic pathology units. since the development or RB and TB was coordinated, the systems can run together smoothly. The purpose of both systems was to automate the offices and to enable compilation of detailed statistics. Installation of Novell Netware and ISDN-connections (Integrated Service Digital Network) has enabled rapid communication between the units and easy compilation of nationwide statistics of forensic pathology and forensic toxicology. the systems offer a wide spectrum of reports and include a simple module for evaluation of the importance of the forensic efforts for th whole death investigation. The configuration of the softwares has also enabled processing of a large amount of related toxicological and autopsy data that in turn has yielded a base for compilation of toxicology interpretation lists. This article includes a summary of the features of the software and a discussion of its benefits and limitations.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2005

Physical and computational scaling issues in lattice Boltzmann simulations of binary fluid mixtures.

We describe some scaling issues that arise when using lattice Boltzmann (LB) methods to simulate binary fluid mixtures--both in the presence and absence of colloidal particles. Two types of scaling problem arise: physical and computational. Physical scaling concerns how to relate simulation parameters to those of the real world. To do this effectively requires careful physics, because (in common with other methods) LB cannot fully resolve the hierarchy of length, energy and time-scales that arise in typical flows of complex fluids. Care is needed in deciding what physics to resolve and what to leave unresolved, particularly when colloidal particles are present in one or both of two fluid phases. This influences steering of simulation parameters such as fluid viscosity and interfacial tension. When the physics is anisotropic (for example, in systems under shear) careful adaptation of the geometry of the simulation box may be needed; an example of this, relating to our study of the effect of colloidal particles on the Rayleigh-Plateau instability of a fluid cylinder, is described. The second and closely related set of scaling issues are computational in nature: how do you scale-up simulations to very large lattice sizes? The problem is acute for systems undergoing shear flow. Here one requires a set of blockwise co-moving frames to the fluid, each connected to the next by a Lees-Edwards like boundary condition. These matching planes lead to small numerical errors whose cumulative effects can become severe; strategies for minimizing such effects are discussed.

Complex Mixtures↗
PubMed2002

Politics, the media and science in HIV/AIDS: the peril of pseudoscience.

The microchip, the computer and the DNA revolution have brought the questions of ethics, counselling and equitable research to the fore. The new world order is a world of: equity; human rights; human dignity; the alleviation of poverty; closing the gap between the "haves and have nots". The social and economic impact and implications of these have opened a new dialogue between the professions and the laypersons in order to address matters of rights, ethics and power relationships in health research that is unprecedented in history. The yearning need for science to be understood by the public; the need for scientists to communicate better; the need for the public to make choices about what science has to offer in their daily life; the need for the public to participate and shape the scientific process; the need for science to integrate the wealth of information that is already existent has never been greater than today. Perhaps no examples illustrate these challenges better than the revolution in biology (the Human Genome Project and embryo stem cell research/therapy) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS epidemic that is sweeping sub-Saharan Africa (1). The way we teach, learn and practice science will no longer be the same. It will no longer be business as usual. It is unfortunately also within this context that pseudoscience is likely flourish (2).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Benefits of parenteral deferoxamine for acute iron poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: To review the benefits of deferoxamine for the treatment of iron poisoning. METHODS: Both the basic science and clinical literature on deferoxamine were reviewed by comprehensive computer literature search. This was supplemented by references identified from bibliographies of pertinent articles and books. RESULTS: The basic science literature supports deferoxamine as an attractive antidote for iron poisoning. There were no dose response studies in the human or animal literature. There were no randomized controlled trials or case controlled studies of patients with toxicity (serum iron concentration > 500 micrograms/dL). All data were descriptive and anecdotal. Therefore fundamental parameters such as indications for administration, dose, route and duration of therapy are unclear and efficacy is unproven. CONCLUSION: Deferoxamine is attractive for the treatment of iron poisoning despite the lack of knowledge for its optimal use and remains the drug of choice for the treatment of significant iron poisoning.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2007

The role of computed tomography in terminal ballistic analysis.

Terminal ballistics concerns the science of projectile behaviour within a target and includes wound ballistics that considers what happens when a projectile strikes a living being. A number of soft tissue ballistic simulants have been used to assess the damage to tissue caused by projectiles. Standard assessment of these materials, such as ballistic soap or ordnance gelatine, requires the block to be opened or that a mould to be made to visualize the wound track. This is time consuming and may affect the accuracy of the findings especially if the block dries and alters shape during the process. Therefore, accurate numerical analysis of the permanent or temporary cavity is limited. Computed tomography (CT) potentially offers a quicker non-invasive analysis tool for this task. Four commercially purchased ballistic glycerine soap blocks were used. Each had a single firearm discharged into it from a distance of approximately 15 cm using both gunshot and shotgun projectiles. After discharge, each block was imaged by a modern 16 slice multi-detector CT scanner and analysed using 3-D reconstruction software. Using the anterior-posterior and lateral scout views and the multi-plane reconstructed images, it was possible to visualize the temporary cavity, as well as the fragmentation and dispersal pattern of the projectiles, the distance travelled and angle of dispersal within the block of each projectile or fragment. A virtual cast of the temporary cavity can be also be made. Multi-detector CT with 3-D analysis software is shown to create a reliable permanent record of the projectile path allowing rapid analysis of different firearms and projectiles.

Forensic Ballistics↗
PubMed1981

Science, philosophy, and society: some recent books.

The essay discusses a number of issues developed in several recent books on philosophical and ethical problems in the natural sciences, both pure (especially biology) and applied (especially medicine). The scaffolding of the discussion can be outlined as follows: Science is most coherently portrayed as a set of activities through which societies deal with a distinctive, but continually evolving set of interwoven practical, empirical, and conceptual problems. Consequently, approaches which attempt to delineate universal features of "scientific methods" or to depict the sciences as providing an approximation to an "objective" view of reality are much less enlightening than are analyses rooted directly in concrete scientific history and in the actual interplay of science with other social configurations. However, scientists are granted some meaningful autonomy in exercising their "curiosity" and there is a real sense in which scientific ideas and activities do possess momentum of their own. In other words, as is also true for other spheres, such as the arts, it is important not to fall into mechanical viewpoints which treat the movement of science as simply a derivative of forces generated elsewhere.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed1995

Automated smear counting and data processing using a notebook computer in a biomedical research facility.

An automated smear counting and data processing system for a life science laboratory was developed to facilitate routine surveys and eliminate human errors by using a notebook computer. This system was composed of a personal computer, a liquid scintillation counter and a well-type NaI(Tl) scintillation counter. The radioactivity of smear samples was automatically measured by these counters. The personal computer received raw signals from the counters through an interface of RS-232C. The software for the computer evaluated the surface density of each radioisotope and printed out that value along with other items as a report. The software was programmed in Pascal language. This system was successfully applied to routine surveys for contamination in our facility.

Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An informatics approach to complex research problems. Dynamic process modeling.

In the nursing literature, the term computer simulation refers exclusively to an educational tool that requires the user to respond to simulated events and to engage in the decision-making process. However, computer simulations are frequently constructed to model dynamic systems (systems that change with time) and to randomly simulate real life events in an effort to study complex problems. In this context, computer simulation is a research methodology and is used in a wide variety of disciplines including the behavioral sciences and business management. Nurses will inevitably encounter research studies where computer simulation has been employed. It is also very likely that this methodology will be used as a nursing research tool in the near future. This article introduces and describes the use of computers to model dynamic systems, the theory that supports simulation modeling as a research methodology, and the issues of model validation. Included are examples of four different research problems from diverse fields of study where computer simulation has been applied.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1999

Design of appointment systems for preanesthesia evaluation clinics to minimize patient waiting times: a review of computer simulation and patient survey studies.

Anesthesiologists can use the science of clinic scheduling to design appointment systems for preanesthesia evaluation clinics. The principal reasons reported for inappropriately [or arguably unethically] long patient waiting times are provider tardiness, lack of patient punctuality, patient no-shows, and improperly designed appointment systems. However, the fundamental reason why anesthesia clinics have such long patient waiting times is because of their relatively long mean (and consequently standard deviation) of consultation times. If commonly applied valuations of provider idle time to patient waiting time are used in anesthesia clinics, appointment intervals will be sufficiently brief that the mean patient waiting time will be at least the mean consultation time or half an hour. Patients will be dissatisfied with this level of service. Therefore, efforts to decrease the mean patient waiting time in anesthesia clinics should focus foremost on minimizing the mean consultation time and its variability, which can most likely be achieved by assuring that providers have rapid access to relevant clinical information, including external medical records, surgical dictations, etc. Anesthesiologists managing anesthesia clinics may find it valuable to apply other interventions to decrease patient waiting times. Scheduling of preanesthesia evaluation and surgical clinics should be coordinated to assure patient punctuality. Providers should be on time for the start of their sessions. If an add-on patient cannot be seen during a scheduled clinic session, because all appointment times have been assigned to other patients, the add-on patient should be seen by a different provider or at the end of the regularly scheduled clinic session. Mean consultation times should be measured accurately for each provider. Substantial provider idle time should be expected. Appropriate values for breaks, appointment intervals, and percentage no-shows should be determined by computer simulation, using parameters appropriate for each provider and anesthesia clinic. Finally, traditional efforts at making waiting for a consultation tolerable should be made.

Anesthesia Department, Hospital↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of interactive technology in the classroom.

This article discusses the benefits that clinical laboratory science students and instructors experienced through the use of and integration of computer technology, microscopes, and digitizing cameras. Patient specimens were obtained from the participating clinical affiliates, slides stained or wet mounts prepared, images viewed under the microscope, digitized, and after labeling, stored into an appropriate folder. The individual folders were labeled as Hematology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or Urinalysis. Students, after obtaining the necessary specimens and pertinent data, created case study presentations for class discussions. After two semesters of utilizing videomicroscopy/computer technology in the classroom, students and instructors realized the potential associated with the technology, namely, the vast increase in the amount of organized visual and scientific information accessible and the availability of collaborative and interactive learning to complement individualized instruction. The instructors, on the other hand, were able to provide a wider variety of visual information on individual bases. In conclusion, the appropriate use of technology can enhance students' learning and participation. Increased student involvement through the use of videomicroscopy and computer technology heightened their sense of pride and ownership in providing suitable information in case study presentations. Also, visualization provides students and educators with alternative methods of teaching/learning and increased retention of information.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗