Rapid high performance liquid chromatography method development with high prediction accuracy, using 5cm long narrow bore columns packed with sub-2microm particles and Design Space computer modeling.

PubMed

Fekete, Szabolcs; Fekete, Jeno; Molnár, Imre; Ganzler, Katalin

2009-11-06

Many different strategies of reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method development are used today. This paper describes a strategy for the systematic development of ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatographic (UHPLC or UPLC) methods using 5cmx2.1mm columns packed with sub-2microm particles and computer simulation (DryLab((R)) package). Data for the accuracy of computer modeling in the Design Space under ultrahigh-pressure conditions are reported. An acceptable accuracy for these predictions of the computer models is presented. This work illustrates a method development strategy, focusing on time reduction up to a factor 3-5, compared to the conventional HPLC method development and exhibits parts of the Design Space elaboration as requested by the FDA and ICH Q8R1. Furthermore this paper demonstrates the accuracy of retention time prediction at elevated pressure (enhanced flow-rate) and shows that the computer-assisted simulation can be applied with sufficient precision for UHPLC applications (p>400bar). Examples of fast and effective method development in pharmaceutical analysis, both for gradient and isocratic separations are presented.

Current state of computer navigation and robotics in unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

PubMed

van der List, Jelle P; Chawla, Harshvardhan; Joskowicz, Leo; Pearle, Andrew D

2016-11-01

Recently, there is a growing interest in surgical variables that are intraoperatively controlled by orthopaedic surgeons, including lower leg alignment, component positioning and soft tissues balancing. Since more tight control over these factors is associated with improved outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), several computer navigation and robotic-assisted systems have been developed. Although mechanical axis accuracy and component positioning have been shown to improve with computer navigation, no superiority in functional outcomes has yet been shown. This could be explained by the fact that many differences exist between the number and type of surgical variables these systems control. Most systems control lower leg alignment and component positioning, while some in addition control soft tissue balancing. Finally, robotic-assisted systems have the additional advantage of improving surgical precision. A systematic search in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library resulted in 40 comparative studies and three registries on computer navigation reporting outcomes of 474,197 patients, and 21 basic science and clinical studies on robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty. Twenty-eight of these comparative computer navigation studies reported Knee Society Total scores in 3504 patients. Stratifying by type of surgical variables, no significant differences were noted in outcomes between surgery with computer-navigated TKA controlling for alignment and component positioning versus conventional TKA (p = 0.63). However, significantly better outcomes were noted following computer-navigated TKA that also controlled for soft tissue balancing versus conventional TKA (mean difference 4.84, 95 % Confidence Interval 1.61, 8.07, p = 0.003). A literature review of robotic systems showed that these systems can, similarly to computer navigation, reliably improve lower leg alignment, component positioning and soft tissues balancing. Furthermore, two studies comparing robotic-assisted with computer-navigated surgery reported superiority of robotic-assisted surgery in controlling these factors. Manually controlling all these surgical variables can be difficult for the orthopaedic surgeon. Findings in this study suggest that computer navigation or robotic assistance may help managing these multiple variables and could improve outcomes. Future studies assessing the role of soft tissue balancing in knee arthroplasty and long-term follow-up studies assessing the role of computer-navigated and robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty are needed.

Computer-Based Career Interventions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mau, Wei-Cheng

The possible utilities and limitations of computer-assisted career guidance systems (CACG) have been widely discussed although the effectiveness of CACG has not been systematically considered. This paper investigates the effectiveness of a theory-based CACG program, integrating Sequential Elimination and Expected Utility strategies. Three types of…

Computer-assisted enzyme immunoassays and simplified immunofluorescence assays: applications for the diagnostic laboratory and the veterinarian's office.

PubMed

Jacobson, R H; Downing, D R; Lynch, T J

1982-11-15

A computer-assisted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system, based on kinetics of the reaction between substrate and enzyme molecules, was developed for testing large numbers of sera in laboratory applications. Systematic and random errors associated with conventional ELISA technique were identified leading to results formulated on a statistically validated, objective, and standardized basis. In a parallel development, an inexpensive system for field and veterinary office applications contained many of the qualities of the computer-assisted ELISA. This system uses a fluorogenic indicator (rather than the enzyme-substrate interaction) in a rapid test (15 to 20 minutes' duration) which promises broad application in serodiagnosis.

Help Options in CALL: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cardenas-Claros, Monica S.; Gruba, Paul A.

2009-01-01

This paper is a systematic review of research investigating help options in the different language skills in computer-assisted language learning (CALL). In this review, emerging themes along with is-sues affecting help option research are identified and discussed. We argue that help options in CALL are application resources that do not only seem…

Computer-Assisted versus Oral-and-Written History Taking for the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease: a Systematic Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Pappas, Yannis; Všetečková, Jitka; Poduval, Shoba; Tseng, Pei Ching; Car, Josip

CVD is an important global healthcare issue; it is the leading cause of global mortality, with an increasing incidence identified in both developed and developing countries. It is also an extremely costly disease for healthcare systems unless managed effectively. In this review we aimed to: - Assess the effect of computer-assisted versus oral-and-written history taking on the quality of collected information for the prevention and management of CVD. - Assess the effect of computer-assisted versus oral-and-written history taking on the prevention and management of CVD. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials that included participants of 16 years or older at the beginning of the study, who were at risk of CVD (prevention) or were either previously diagnosed with CVD (management). We searched all major databases. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Two studies met the inclusion criteria. One comparing the two methods of history-taking for the prevention of cardiovascular disease n = 75. The study shows that generally the patients in the experimental group underwent more laboratory procedures, had more biomarker readings recorded and/or were given (or had reviewed), more dietary changes than the control group. The other study compares the two methods of history-taking for the management of cardiovascular disease (n = 479). The study showed that the computerized decision aid appears to increase the proportion of patients who responded to invitations to discuss CVD prevention with their doctor. The Computer- Assisted History Taking Systems (CAHTS) increased the proportion of patients who discussed CHD risk reduction with their doctor from 24% to 40% and increased the proportion who had a specific plan to reduce their risk from 24% to 37%. With only one study meeting the inclusion criteria, for prevention of CVD and one study for management of CVD we did not gather sufficient evidence to address all of the objectives of the review. We were unable to report on most of the secondary patient outcomes in our protocol. We tentatively conclude that CAHTS can provide individually-tailored information about CVD prevention. However, further primary studies are needed to confirm these findings. We cannot draw any conclusions in relation to any other clinical outcomes at this stage. There is a need to develop an evidence base to support the effective development and use of CAHTS in this area of practice. In the absence of evidence on effectiveness, the implementation of computer-assisted history taking may only rely on the clinicians' tacit knowledge, published monographs and viewpoint articles.

ICCE/ICCAI 2000 Full & Short Papers (Educational Agent).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

2000

This document contains the full text of the following papers on educational agent from ICCE/ICCAI 2000 (International Conference on Computers in Education/International Conference on Computer-Assisted Instruction): (1) "An Agent-Based Intelligent Tutoring System" (C.M. Bruff and M.A. Williams); (2) "Design of Systematic Concept…

Computers, Invention, and the Power to Change Student Writing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strickland, James

A study examined the quantity and quality of ideas produced in freshman composition students' writing to determine whether computer assisted instruction (CAI) stimulates invention as well as or better than current invention instruction in traditional classrooms. Two CAI programs were used: QUEST, the systematic program that examines an item/event…

A systematic literature review of the use and effectiveness of the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment for research and rehabilitation as it relates to the wounded warrior.

PubMed

Collins, John-David; Markham, Amanda; Service, Kathrine; Reini, Seth; Wolf, Erik; Sessoms, Pinata

2015-01-01

Several U.S. military treatment and research facilities employ a Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) [Motek Medical BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands] for research and rehabilitation of complex injuries exhibited by Wounded Warriors. There has been little scientific evidence of the effectiveness of this type of system for rehabilitation. A systematic review of the literature was completed to determine what type of work has been performed on the CAREN and report findings of clinical significance. Specific terms were searched on electronic databases to include journal articles, abstracts, and peer-reviewed conference proceedings related to the CAREN. Twenty-six publications were elicited that met our criteria. These were divided by their primary focus: rehabilitation, clinical research, and technical reports. Results from published articles have determined that the system is a capable tool for both assessment and rehabilitation, but little has currently been published, particularly on patient populations. More research needs to be performed to evaluate its effectiveness as a rehabilitation tool compared to other rehabilitation methods. It is expected that a system, such as the CAREN, will challenge patients multifactorially (e.g. physically and cognitively) and provide biofeedback while decreasing rehabilitation time and increasing effectiveness of treatment.

Systematic assignment of thermodynamic constraints in metabolic network models

PubMed Central

Kümmel, Anne; Panke, Sven; Heinemann, Matthias

2006-01-01

Background The availability of genome sequences for many organisms enabled the reconstruction of several genome-scale metabolic network models. Currently, significant efforts are put into the automated reconstruction of such models. For this, several computational tools have been developed that particularly assist in identifying and compiling the organism-specific lists of metabolic reactions. In contrast, the last step of the model reconstruction process, which is the definition of the thermodynamic constraints in terms of reaction directionalities, still needs to be done manually. No computational method exists that allows for an automated and systematic assignment of reaction directions in genome-scale models. Results We present an algorithm that – based on thermodynamics, network topology and heuristic rules – automatically assigns reaction directions in metabolic models such that the reaction network is thermodynamically feasible with respect to the production of energy equivalents. It first exploits all available experimentally derived Gibbs energies of formation to identify irreversible reactions. As these thermodynamic data are not available for all metabolites, in a next step, further reaction directions are assigned on the basis of network topology considerations and thermodynamics-based heuristic rules. Briefly, the algorithm identifies reaction subsets from the metabolic network that are able to convert low-energy co-substrates into their high-energy counterparts and thus net produce energy. Our algorithm aims at disabling such thermodynamically infeasible cyclic operation of reaction subnetworks by assigning reaction directions based on a set of thermodynamics-derived heuristic rules. We demonstrate our algorithm on a genome-scale metabolic model of E. coli. The introduced systematic direction assignment yielded 130 irreversible reactions (out of 920 total reactions), which corresponds to about 70% of all irreversible reactions that are required to disable thermodynamically infeasible energy production. Conclusion Although not being fully comprehensive, our algorithm for systematic reaction direction assignment could define a significant number of irreversible reactions automatically with low computational effort. We envision that the presented algorithm is a valuable part of a computational framework that assists the automated reconstruction of genome-scale metabolic models. PMID:17123434

Methodological approaches of health technology assessment.

PubMed

Goodman, C S; Ahn, R

1999-12-01

In this era of evolving health care systems throughout the world, technology remains the substance of health care. Medical informatics comprises a growing contribution to the technologies used in the delivery and management of health care. Diverse, evolving technologies include artificial neural networks, computer-assisted surgery, computer-based patient records, hospital information systems, and more. Decision-makers increasingly demand well-founded information to determine whether or how to develop these technologies, allow them on the market, acquire them, use them, pay for their use, and more. The development and wider use of health technology assessment (HTA) reflects this demand. While HTA offers systematic, well-founded approaches for determining the value of medical informatics technologies, HTA must continue to adapt and refine its methods in response to these evolving technologies. This paper provides a basic overview of HTA principles and methods.

Minimally invasive and computer-navigated total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative and systematic review of the literature

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Both minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and computer-assisted surgery (CAS) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) have gained popularity in recent years. We conducted a qualitative and systematic review to assess the effectiveness of MIS, CAS and computer-assisted MIS for THA. Methods An extensive computerised literature search of PubMed, Medline, Embase and OVIDSP was conducted. Both randomised clinical trials and controlled clinical trials on the effectiveness of MIS, CAS and computer-assisted MIS for THA were included. Methodological quality was independently assessed by two reviewers. Effect estimates were calculated and a best-evidence synthesis was performed. Results Four high-quality and 14 medium-quality studies with MIS THA as study contrast, and three high-quality and four medium-quality studies with CAS THA as study contrast were included. No studies with computer-assisted MIS for THA as study contrast were identified. Strong evidence was found for a decrease in operative time and intraoperative blood loss for MIS THA, with no difference in complication rates and risk for acetabular outliers. Strong evidence exists that there is no difference in physical functioning, measured either by questionnaires or by gait analysis. Moderate evidence was found for a shorter length of hospital stay after MIS THA. Conflicting evidence was found for a positive effect of MIS THA on pain in the early postoperative period, but that effect diminished after three months postoperatively. Strong evidence was found for an increase in operative time for CAS THA, and limited evidence was found for a decrease in intraoperative blood loss. Furthermore, strong evidence was found for no difference in complication rates, as well as for a significantly lower risk for acetabular outliers. Conclusions The results indicate that MIS THA is a safe surgical procedure, without increases in operative time, blood loss, operative complication rates and component malposition rates. However, the beneficial effect of MIS THA on functional recovery has to be proven. The results also indicate that CAS THA, though resulting in an increase in operative time, may have a positive effect on operative blood loss and operative complication rates. More importantly, the use of CAS results in better positioning of acetabular component of the prosthesis. PMID:20470443

Systematic Review of Studies Promoting the Use of Assistive Technology Devices by Young Children with Disabilities. Practical Evaluation Reports, Volume 5, Number 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dunst, Carl J.; Trivette, Carol M.; Hamby, Deborah W.; Simkus, Andrew

2013-01-01

Findings from a meta-analysis of studies investigating the use of five different assistive technology devices (switch interfaces, powered mobility, computers, augmentative communication, weighted/pressure vests) with young children with disabilities are reported. One hundred and nine studies including 1,342 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers were…

Procedure for the systematic orientation of digitised cranial models. Design and validation.

PubMed

Bailo, M; Baena, S; Marín, J J; Arredondo, J M; Auría, J M; Sánchez, B; Tardío, E; Falcón, L

2015-12-01

Comparison of bony pieces requires that they are oriented systematically to ensure that homologous regions are compared. Few orientation methods are highly accurate; this is particularly true for methods applied to three-dimensional models obtained by surface scanning, a technique whose special features make it a powerful tool in forensic contexts. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a systematic, assisted orientation method for aligning three-dimensional cranial models relative to the Frankfurt Plane, which would be produce accurate orientations independent of operator and anthropological expertise. The study sample comprised four crania of known age and sex. All the crania were scanned and reconstructed using an Eva Artec™ portable 3D surface scanner and subsequently, the position of certain characteristic landmarks were determined by three different operators using the Rhinoceros 3D surface modelling software. Intra-observer analysis showed a tendency for orientation to be more accurate when using the assisted method than when using conventional manual orientation. Inter-observer analysis showed that experienced evaluators achieve results at least as accurate if not more accurate using the assisted method than those obtained using manual orientation; while inexperienced evaluators achieved more accurate orientation using the assisted method. The method tested is a an innovative system capable of providing very precise, systematic and automatised spatial orientations of virtual cranial models relative to standardised anatomical planes independent of the operator and operator experience. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of computer-assisted therapeutic practice for children with handwriting deficit: a comparison with the effect of the traditional sensorimotor approach.

PubMed

Chang, Shao-Hsia; Yu, Nan-Ying

2014-07-01

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of computer-assisted practice with the sensorimotor approach on the remediation of handwriting problems in children with dysgraphia. In a randomized controlled trial, experiments were conducted to verify the intervention effect. Forty two children with handwriting deficit were assigned to computer-assisted instruction, sensorimotor training, or a control group. Handwriting performance was measured using the elementary reading/writing test and computerized handwriting evaluation before and after 6 weeks of intervention. Repeated-measures ANOVA of changed scores were conducted to show whether statistically significant differences across the three groups were present. Significant differences in the elementary reading/writing test were found among the three groups. The computer group showed more significant improvements than the other two groups did. In the kinematic and kinetic analyses, the computer group showed promising results in the remediation of handwriting speed and fluency. This study provided clinical evidence for applying a computer-assisted handwriting program for children with dysgraphia. Clinicians and school teachers are provided with a systematic intervention for the improvement of handwriting difficulties. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Effect of Computer Assisted and Computer Based Teaching Methods on Computer Course Success and Computer Using Attitudes of Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tosun, Nilgün; Suçsuz, Nursen; Yigit, Birol

2006-01-01

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of the computer-assisted and computer-based instructional methods on students achievement at computer classes and on their attitudes towards using computers. The study, which was completed in 6 weeks, were carried out with 94 sophomores studying in formal education program of Primary…

A systematic and efficient method to compute multi-loop master integrals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiao; Ma, Yan-Qing; Wang, Chen-Yu

2018-04-01

We propose a novel method to compute multi-loop master integrals by constructing and numerically solving a system of ordinary differential equations, with almost trivial boundary conditions. Thus it can be systematically applied to problems with arbitrary kinematic configurations. Numerical tests show that our method can not only achieve results with high precision, but also be much faster than the only existing systematic method sector decomposition. As a by product, we find a new strategy to compute scalar one-loop integrals without reducing them to master integrals.

Computer & manual accident typing for bicyclist accidents : administrator's guide

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1983-01-01

This guide provides guidelines and procedures for classifying and analyzing bicyclist-motor vehicle accidents. The approach described herein is part of a systematic effort by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to assist states...

Student perceptions and learning outcomes of computer-assisted versus traditional instruction in physiology.

PubMed

Richardson, D

1997-12-01

This study compared student perceptions and learning outcomes of computer-assisted instruction against those of traditional didactic lectures. Components of Quantitative Circulatory Physiology (Biological Simulators) and Mechanical Properties of Active Muscle (Trinity Software) were used to teach regulation of tissue blood flow and muscle mechanics, respectively, in the course Medical Physiology. These topics were each taught, in part, by 1) standard didactic lectures, 2) computer-assisted lectures, and 3) computer laboratory assignment. Subjective evaluation was derived from a questionnaire assessing student opinions of the effectiveness of each method. Objective evaluation consisted of comparing scores on examination questions generated from each method. On a 1-10 scale, effectiveness ratings were higher (P < 0.0001) for the didactic lectures (7.7) compared with either computer-assisted lecture (3.8) or computer laboratory (4.2) methods. A follow-up discussion with representatives from the class indicated that students did not perceive computer instruction as being time effective. However, examination scores from computer laboratory questions (94.3%) were significantly higher compared with ones from either computer-assisted (89.9%; P < 0.025) or didactic (86.6%; P < 0.001) lectures. Thus computer laboratory instruction enhanced learning outcomes in medical physiology despite student perceptions to the contrary.

Artificial intelligence techniques used in respiratory sound analysis--a systematic review.

PubMed

Palaniappan, Rajkumar; Sundaraj, Kenneth; Sundaraj, Sebastian

2014-02-01

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently been established as an alternative method to many conventional methods. The implementation of AI techniques for respiratory sound analysis can assist medical professionals in the diagnosis of lung pathologies. This article highlights the importance of AI techniques in the implementation of computer-based respiratory sound analysis. Articles on computer-based respiratory sound analysis using AI techniques were identified by searches conducted on various electronic resources, such as the IEEE, Springer, Elsevier, PubMed, and ACM digital library databases. Brief descriptions of the types of respiratory sounds and their respective characteristics are provided. We then analyzed each of the previous studies to determine the specific respiratory sounds/pathology analyzed, the number of subjects, the signal processing method used, the AI techniques used, and the performance of the AI technique used in the analysis of respiratory sounds. A detailed description of each of these studies is provided. In conclusion, this article provides recommendations for further advancements in respiratory sound analysis.

Delivering Continuing Education to the Pharmacist: Correspondence Course versus Computer-Assisted Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knoll, K. Richard; And Others

1988-01-01

A study of the effectiveness of two teaching methods, correspondence study and computer-assisted instruction, for professional continuing education in pharmacokinetics found that both were effective methods. (AUTHOR/MSE)

Regulatory RNA design through evolutionary computation and strand displacement.

PubMed

Rostain, William; Landrain, Thomas E; Rodrigo, Guillermo; Jaramillo, Alfonso

2015-01-01

The discovery and study of a vast number of regulatory RNAs in all kingdoms of life over the past decades has allowed the design of new synthetic RNAs that can regulate gene expression in vivo. Riboregulators, in particular, have been used to activate or repress gene expression. However, to accelerate and scale up the design process, synthetic biologists require computer-assisted design tools, without which riboregulator engineering will remain a case-by-case design process requiring expert attention. Recently, the design of RNA circuits by evolutionary computation and adapting strand displacement techniques from nanotechnology has proven to be suited to the automated generation of DNA sequences implementing regulatory RNA systems in bacteria. Herein, we present our method to carry out such evolutionary design and how to use it to create various types of riboregulators, allowing the systematic de novo design of genetic control systems in synthetic biology.

Computer-Assisted College Administration. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Punga, V.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Connecticut offered a part-time training program "Computer-Assisted-College-Administration" during the academic year 1969-70. Participants were trained in the utilization of computer-assisted methods in dealing with the common tasks of college administration, the problems of college development and…

Brain-controlled body movement assistance devices and methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leuthardt, Eric C.; Love, Lonnie J.; Coker, Rob

Methods, devices, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for brain-controlled body movement assistance devices. In one aspect, a device includes a brain-controlled body movement assistance device with a brain-computer interface (BCI) component adapted to be mounted to a user, a body movement assistance component operably connected to the BCI component and adapted to be worn by the user, and a feedback mechanism provided in connection with at least one of the BCI component and the body movement assistance component, the feedback mechanism being configured to output information relating to a usage session of themore » brain-controlled body movement assistance device.« less

Application of Computer-Assisted Learning Methods in the Teaching of Chemical Spectroscopy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ayscough, P. B.; And Others

1979-01-01

Discusses the application of computer-assisted learning methods to the interpretation of infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectra; and outlines extensions into the area of integrated spectroscopy. (Author/CMV)

77 FR 30540 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Cognitive Testing of Instrumentation and Materials for the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-23

... methods of administration (e.g., computer assisted personal interviews [CAPI], audio computer assisted self-interviews [ACASI], web-based interviews). Cognitive testing of these materials and methods will...

Systematic Analysis of the Decision Rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine

PubMed Central

Bin-Rong, Ma; Xi-Yuan, Jiang; Su-Ming, Liso; Huai-ning, Zhu; Xiu-ru, Lin

1981-01-01

Chinese traditional medicine has evolved over many centuries, and has accumulated a body of observed relationships between symptoms, signs and prognoses, and the efficacy of alternative treatments and prescriptions. With the assistance of a computer-based clinical data base for recording the diagnostic and therapeutic practice of skilled practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine, a systematic program is being conducted to identify and define the clinical decision-making rules that underlie current practice.

Emergent Literacy Development and Computer Assisted Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trotti, Judy; Hendricks, Randy; Bledsoe, Christie

2017-01-01

In this mixed-methods study, researchers examined the literacy development of prekindergarten students (N = 162) randomly placed in one of two treatment groups with each receiving 15 minutes of computer-assisted literacy instruction for four months. Literacy development of a control group of children not receiving computer-assisted instruction was…

A comparative study between xerographic, computer-assisted overlay generation and animated-superimposition methods in bite mark analyses.

PubMed

Tai, Meng Wei; Chong, Zhen Feng; Asif, Muhammad Khan; Rahmat, Rabiah A; Nambiar, Phrabhakaran

2016-09-01

This study was to compare the suitability and precision of xerographic and computer-assisted methods for bite mark investigations. Eleven subjects were asked to bite on their forearm and the bite marks were photographically recorded. Alginate impressions of the subjects' dentition were taken and their casts were made using dental stone. The overlays generated by xerographic method were obtained by photocopying the subjects' casts and the incisal edge outlines were then transferred on a transparent sheet. The bite mark images were imported into Adobe Photoshop® software and printed to life-size. The bite mark analyses using xerographically generated overlays were done by comparing an overlay to the corresponding printed bite mark images manually. In computer-assisted method, the subjects' casts were scanned into Adobe Photoshop®. The bite mark analyses using computer-assisted overlay generation were done by matching an overlay and the corresponding bite mark images digitally using Adobe Photoshop®. Another comparison method was superimposing the cast images with corresponding bite mark images employing the Adobe Photoshop® CS6 and GIF-Animator©. A score with a range of 0-3 was given during analysis to each precision-determining criterion and the score was increased with better matching. The Kruskal Wallis H test showed significant difference between the three sets of data (H=18.761, p<0.05). In conclusion, bite mark analysis using the computer-assisted animated-superimposition method was the most accurate, followed by the computer-assisted overlay generation and lastly the xerographic method. The superior precision contributed by digital method is discernible despite the human skin being a poor recording medium of bite marks. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Effects of Technology-Assisted Instruction to Improve Phonological-Awareness Skills in Children with Reading Difficulties: A Systematic Review. EBP Briefs. Volume 8, Issue 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Sue Ann S.; Sancibrian, Sherry; Ahlfinger, Nicole

2013-01-01

Clinical Question: For preschool and school-age children with or at risk for reading difficulties, does technology-assisted instruction lead to better phonological-awareness (PA) skills than instruction without technology? Method: Systematic Review Sources: ERIC, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and ASHA journal search Search Terms: phonological awareness,…

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Computer-Assisted Reading Intervention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Messer, David; Nash, Gilly

2018-01-01

Background: A cost-effective method to address reading delays is to use computer-assisted learning, but these techniques are not always effective. Methods: We evaluated a commercially available computer system that uses visual mnemonics, in a randomised controlled trial with 78 English-speaking children (mean age 7 years) who their schools…

Evidence of Effectiveness of Health Care Professionals Using Handheld Computers: A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Handheld computers and mobile devices provide instant access to vast amounts and types of useful information for health care professionals. Their reduced size and increased processing speed has led to rapid adoption in health care. Thus, it is important to identify whether handheld computers are actually effective in clinical practice. Objective A scoping review of systematic reviews was designed to provide a quick overview of the documented evidence of effectiveness for health care professionals using handheld computers in their clinical work. Methods A detailed search, sensitive for systematic reviews was applied for Cochrane, Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Global Health, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. All outcomes that demonstrated effectiveness in clinical practice were included. Classroom learning and patient use of handheld computers were excluded. Quality was assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool. A previously published conceptual framework was used as the basis for dual data extraction. Reported outcomes were summarized according to the primary function of the handheld computer. Results Five systematic reviews met the inclusion and quality criteria. Together, they reviewed 138 unique primary studies. Most reviewed descriptive intervention studies, where physicians, pharmacists, or medical students used personal digital assistants. Effectiveness was demonstrated across four distinct functions of handheld computers: patient documentation, patient care, information seeking, and professional work patterns. Within each of these functions, a range of positive outcomes were reported using both objective and self-report measures. The use of handheld computers improved patient documentation through more complete recording, fewer documentation errors, and increased efficiency. Handheld computers provided easy access to clinical decision support systems and patient management systems, which improved decision making for patient care. Handheld computers saved time and gave earlier access to new information. There were also reports that handheld computers enhanced work patterns and efficiency. Conclusions This scoping review summarizes the secondary evidence for effectiveness of handheld computers and mhealth. It provides a snapshot of effective use by health care professionals across four key functions. We identified evidence to suggest that handheld computers provide easy and timely access to information and enable accurate and complete documentation. Further, they can give health care professionals instant access to evidence-based decision support and patient management systems to improve clinical decision making. Finally, there is evidence that handheld computers allow health professionals to be more efficient in their work practices. It is anticipated that this evidence will guide clinicians and managers in implementing handheld computers in clinical practice and in designing future research. PMID:24165786

One small step for manuals: Computer-assisted training in twelve-step facilitation.

PubMed

Sholomskas, Diane E; Carroll, Kathleen M

2006-11-01

The burgeoning number of empirically validated therapies has not been met with systematic evaluation of practical, inexpensive means of teaching large numbers of clinicians to use these treatments effectively. An interactive, computer-assisted training program that sought to impart skills associated with the Project MATCH (Matching Alcoholism Treatments to Client Heterogeneity) Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) manual was developed to address this need. Twenty-five community-based substance use-treatment clinicians were randomized to one of two training conditions: (1) access to the computer- assisted training program plus the TSF manual or (2) access to the manual only. The primary outcome measure was change from preto posttraining in the clinicians' ability to demonstrate key TSF skills. The data suggested that the clinicians' ability to implement TSF, as assessed by independent ratings of adherence and skill for the key TSF interventions, was significantly higher after training for those who had access to the computerized training condition than those who were assigned to the manual-only condition. Those assigned to the computer-assisted training condition also demonstrated greater gains in a knowledge test assessing familiarity with concepts presented in the TSF manual. Computer-based training may be a feasible and effective means of training larger numbers of clinicians in empirically supported, manual-guided therapies.

Tutorial Computer-Assisted Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heift, Trude; Schulze, Mathias

2015-01-01

"Sometimes maligned for its allegedly behaviorist connotations but critical for success in many fields from music to sport to mathematics and language learning, 'practice' is undergoing something of a revival in the applied linguistics literature" (Long & Richards 2007, p. xi). This research timeline provides a systematic overview of…

Development and Deployment of the Computer Assisted Neighborhood Visual Assessment System (CANVAS) to Measure Health-Related Neighborhood Conditions

PubMed Central

Bader, Michael D. M.; Mooney, Stephen J.; Lee, Yeon Jin; Sheehan, Daniel; Neckerman, Kathryn M.; Rundle, Andrew G.; Teitler, Julien O.

2014-01-01

Public health research has shown that neighborhood conditions are associated with health behaviors and outcomes. Systematic neighborhood audits have helped researchers measure neighborhood conditions that they deem theoretically relevant but not available in existing administrative data. Systematic audits, however, are expensive to conduct and rarely comparable across geographic regions. We describe the development of an online application, the Computer Assisted Neighborhood Visual Assessment System (CANVAS), that uses Google Street View to conduct virtual audits of neighborhood environments. We use this system to assess the inter-rater reliability of 187 items related to walkability and physical disorder on a national sample of 150 street segments in the United States. We find that many items are reliably measured across auditors using CANVAS and that agreement between auditors appears to be uncorrelated with neighborhood demographic characteristics. Based on our results we conclude that Google Street View and CANVAS offer opportunities to develop greater comparability across neighborhood audit studies. PMID:25545769

Methods for Instructional Diagnosis with Limited Available Resources.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillmore, Gerald M.; Clark, D. Joseph

College teaching should be approached with the same careful delineation of problems and systematic attempts to find solutions which characterize research. Specific methods for the diagnosis of instructional problems include audio-video taping, use of teaching assistants, colleague assistance, classroom tests, student projects in and out of class,…

Creating a Minnesota Statewide SNAP-Ed Program Evaluation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gold, Abby; Barno, Trina Adler; Sherman, Shelley; Lovett, Kathleen; Hurtado, G. Ali

2013-01-01

Systematic evaluation is an essential tool for understanding program effectiveness. This article describes the pilot test of a statewide evaluation tool for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed). A computer algorithm helped Community Nutrition Educators (CNEs) build surveys specific to their varied educational settings…

The Effect of Computer-Assisted Teaching on Remedying Misconceptions: The Case of the Subject "Probability"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gurbuz, Ramazan; Birgin, Osman

2012-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of computer-assisted teaching (CAT) on remedying misconceptions students often have regarding some probability concepts in mathematics. Toward this aim, computer-assisted teaching materials were developed and used in the process of teaching. Within the true-experimental research method, a pre- and…

STIC: Photonic Quantum Computation through Cavity Assisted Interaction

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-28

PRA ; available as quant-ph/06060791. Report for the grant “Photonic Quantum Computation through Cavity Assisted Interaction” from DTO Luming Duan...cavity •B. Wang, L.-M. Duan, PRA 72 (in press, 2005) Single-photon source Photonic Quantum Computation through Cavity-Assisted Interaction H. Jeff Kimble...interaction [Duan, Wang, Kimble, PRA 05] • “Investigate more efficient methods for combating noise in photonic quantum computation ” • Partial progress

Establishing Computer-Assisted Instruction to Teach Academics to Students with Autism as an Evidence-Based Practice.

PubMed

Root, Jenny R; Stevenson, Bradley S; Davis, Luann Ley; Geddes-Hall, Jennifer; Test, David W

2017-02-01

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is growing in popularity and has demonstrated positive effects for students with disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this review, criteria for group experimental and single case studies were used to determine quality (Horner et al., Exceptional Children 71:165-179, 2005; Gersten et al., Exceptional Children 71:149-164, 2005; National Technical Assistance Center on Transition Center 2015). Included studies of high and adequate quality were further analyzed in terms of content, context, and specific instructional practices. Based on the NTACT criteria, this systematic review has established CAI as an evidence-based practice for teaching academics to students with ASD with support from 10 single-case and two group design studies of high or adequate quality. Suggestions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.

Do We Need to Understand the Technology to Get to the Science? A Systematic Review of the Concept of Computer Literacy in Preventive Health Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dominick, Gregory M.; Friedman, Daniela B.; Hoffman-Goetz, Laurie

2009-01-01

Objective: To systematically review definitions and descriptions of computer literacy as related to preventive health education programs. Method: A systematic review of the concept of computer literacy as related to preventive health education was conducted. Empirical studies published between 1994 and 2007 on prevention education programs with a…

Climate Change Discourse in Mass Media: Application of Computer-Assisted Content Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirilenko, Andrei P.; Stepchenkova, Svetlana O.

2012-01-01

Content analysis of mass media publications has become a major scientific method used to analyze public discourse on climate change. We propose a computer-assisted content analysis method to extract prevalent themes and analyze discourse changes over an extended period in an objective and quantifiable manner. The method includes the following: (1)…

CAMERRA: An analysis tool for the computation of conformational dynamics by evaluating residue-residue associations.

PubMed

Johnson, Quentin R; Lindsay, Richard J; Shen, Tongye

2018-02-21

A computational method which extracts the dominant motions from an ensemble of biomolecular conformations via a correlation analysis of residue-residue contacts is presented. The algorithm first renders the structural information into contact matrices, then constructs the collective modes based on the correlated dynamics of a selected set of dynamic contacts. Associated programs can bridge the results for further visualization using graphics software. The aim of this method is to provide an analysis of conformations of biopolymers from the contact viewpoint. It may assist a systematical uncovering of conformational switching mechanisms existing in proteins and biopolymer systems in general by statistical analysis of simulation snapshots. In contrast to conventional correlation analyses of Cartesian coordinates (such as distance covariance analysis and Cartesian principal component analysis), this program also provides an alternative way to locate essential collective motions in general. Herein, we detail the algorithm in a stepwise manner and comment on the importance of the method as applied to decoding allosteric mechanisms. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Audio computer-assisted self interview compared to traditional interview in an HIV-related behavioral survey in Vietnam.

PubMed

Le, Linh Cu; Vu, Lan T H

2012-10-01

Globally, population surveys on HIV/AIDS and other sensitive topics have been using audio computer-assisted self interview for many years. This interview technique, however, is still new to Vietnam and little is known about its application and impact in general population surveys. One plausible hypothesis is that residents of Vietnam interviewed using this technique may provide a higher response rate and be more willing to reveal their true behaviors than if interviewed with traditional methods. This study aims to compare audio computer-assisted self interview with traditional face-to-face personal interview and self-administered interview with regard to rates of refusal and affirmative responses to questions on sensitive topics related to HIV/AIDS. In June 2010, a randomized study was conducted in three cities (Ha Noi, Da Nan and Can Tho), using a sample of 4049 residents aged 15 to 49 years. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of three interviewing methods: audio computer-assisted self interview, personal face-to-face interview, and self-administered paper interview. Instead of providing answers directly to interviewer questions as with traditional methods, audio computer-assisted self-interview respondents read the questions displayed on a laptop screen, while listening to the questions through audio headphones, then entered responses using a laptop keyboard. A MySQL database was used for data management and SPSS statistical package version 18 used for data analysis with bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Rates of high risk behaviors and mean values of continuous variables were compared for the three data collection methods. Audio computer-assisted self interview showed advantages over comparison techniques, achieving lower refusal rates and reporting higher prevalence of some sensitive and risk behaviors (perhaps indication of more truthful answers). Premarital sex was reported by 20.4% in the audio computer-assisted self-interview survey group, versus 11.4% in the face-to-face group and 11.1% in the self-administered paper questionnaire group. The pattern was consistent for both male and female respondents and in both urban and rural settings. Men in the audio computer-assisted self-interview group also reported higher levels of high-risk sexual behavior--such as sex with sex workers and a higher average number of sexual partners--than did women in the same group. Importantly, item refusal rates on sensitive topics tended to be lower with audio computer-assisted self interview than with the other two methods. Combined with existing data from other countries and previous studies in Vietnam, these findings suggest that researchers should consider using audio computer-assisted self interview for future studies of sensitive and stigmatized topics, especially for men.

A Method for Selection of Appropriate Assistive Technology for Computer Access

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jenko, Mojca

2010-01-01

Assistive technologies (ATs) for computer access enable people with disabilities to be included in the information society. Current methods for assessment and selection of the most appropriate AT for each individual are nonstandardized, lengthy, subjective, and require substantial clinical experience of a multidisciplinary team. This manuscript…

Computational and mathematical methods in brain atlasing.

PubMed

Nowinski, Wieslaw L

2017-12-01

Brain atlases have a wide range of use from education to research to clinical applications. Mathematical methods as well as computational methods and tools play a major role in the process of brain atlas building and developing atlas-based applications. Computational methods and tools cover three areas: dedicated editors for brain model creation, brain navigators supporting multiple platforms, and atlas-assisted specific applications. Mathematical methods in atlas building and developing atlas-aided applications deal with problems in image segmentation, geometric body modelling, physical modelling, atlas-to-scan registration, visualisation, interaction and virtual reality. Here I overview computational and mathematical methods in atlas building and developing atlas-assisted applications, and share my contribution to and experience in this field.

How to Improve the Validity of Sexual Behaviour Reporting: Systematic Review of Questionnaire Delivery Modes in Developing Countries

PubMed Central

Langhaug, Lisa F.; Sherr, Lorraine; Cowan, Frances M

2012-01-01

Summary Objectives To systematically review comparative research from developing countries on the effects of questionnaire delivery mode. Methods We searched Medline, EMbase and PsychINFO and ISSTDR conference proceedings. Randomized-controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies were included if they compared two or more questionnaire delivery modes, were conducted in a developing country, reported on sexual behaviours, and occurred after 1980. Results 28 articles reporting on 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity of reported trial outcomes between studies made it inappropriate to combine trial outcomes. 18 studies compared audio computer-assisted survey instruments (ACASI) or its derivatives (PDA or CAPI) against another self-administered questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, or random response technique. Despite wide variation in geography and populations sampled, there was strong evidence that computer-assisted interviews lowered item-response rates and raised rates of reporting sensitive behaviours. ACASI also improved data entry quality. A wide range of sexual behaviours were reported including vaginal, oral, anal and/or forced sex, age of sexual debut, condom use at first and/or last sex. Validation of self-reports using biomarkers was rare. Conclusions These data reaffirm that questionnaire delivery modes do affect self-reported sexual ehaviours and that use of ACASI can significantly reduce reporting bias. Its acceptability and feasibility in developing country settings should encourage researchers to consider its use when conduct ing sexual health research. Triangulation of self-reported data using biomarkers is recommended. Standardising sexual behaviour measures would allow for meta-analysis. PMID:20409291

[APPLICATION OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED TECHNOLOGY IN ANALYSIS OF REVISION REASON OF UNICOMPARTMENTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY].

PubMed

Jia, Di; Li, Yanlin; Wang, Guoliang; Gao, Huanyu; Yu, Yang

2016-01-01

To conclude the revision reason of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) using computer-assisted technology so as to provide reference for reducing the revision incidence and improving the level of surgical technique and rehabilitation. The relevant literature on analyzing revision reason of UKA using computer-assisted technology in recent years was extensively reviewed. The revision reasons by computer-assisted technology are fracture of the medial tibial plateau, progressive osteoarthritis of reserved compartment, dislocation of mobile bearing, prosthesis loosening, polyethylene wear, and unexplained persistent pain. Computer-assisted technology can be used to analyze the revision reason of UKA and guide the best operating method and rehabilitation scheme by simulating the operative process and knee joint activities.

Design of Intelligent Robot as A Tool for Teaching Media Based on Computer Interactive Learning and Computer Assisted Learning to Improve the Skill of University Student

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuhrie, M. S.; Basuki, I.; Asto B, I. G. P.; Anifah, L.

2018-01-01

The focus of the research is the teaching module which incorporates manufacturing, planning mechanical designing, controlling system through microprocessor technology and maneuverability of the robot. Computer interactive and computer-assisted learning is strategies that emphasize the use of computers and learning aids (computer assisted learning) in teaching and learning activity. This research applied the 4-D model research and development. The model is suggested by Thiagarajan, et.al (1974). 4-D Model consists of four stages: Define Stage, Design Stage, Develop Stage, and Disseminate Stage. This research was conducted by applying the research design development with an objective to produce a tool of learning in the form of intelligent robot modules and kit based on Computer Interactive Learning and Computer Assisted Learning. From the data of the Indonesia Robot Contest during the period of 2009-2015, it can be seen that the modules that have been developed confirm the fourth stage of the research methods of development; disseminate method. The modules which have been developed for students guide students to produce Intelligent Robot Tool for Teaching Based on Computer Interactive Learning and Computer Assisted Learning. Results of students’ responses also showed a positive feedback to relate to the module of robotics and computer-based interactive learning.

Development of a theory-guided pan-European computer-assisted safer sex intervention.

PubMed

Nöstlinger, Christiana; Borms, Ruth; Dec-Pietrowska, Joanna; Dias, Sonia; Rojas, Daniela; Platteau, Tom; Vanden Berghe, Wim; Kok, Gerjo

2016-12-01

HIV is a growing public health problem in Europe, with men-having-sex-with-men and migrants from endemic regions as the most affected key populations. More evidence on effective behavioral interventions to reduce sexual risk is needed. This article describes the systematic development of a theory-guided computer-assisted safer sex intervention, aiming at supporting people living with HIV in sexual risk reduction. We applied the Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol to develop this counseling intervention in the framework of a European multicenter study. We conducted a needs assessment guided by the information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills model, formulated change objectives and selected theory-based methods and practical strategies, i.e. interactive computer-assisted modules as supporting tools for provider-delivered counseling. Theoretical foundations were the IMB skills model, social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model, complemented by dual process models of affective decision making to account for the specifics of sexual behavior. The counseling approach for delivering three individual sessions was tailored to participants' needs and contexts, adopting elements of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy. We implemented and evaluated the intervention using a randomized controlled trial combined with a process evaluation. IM provided a useful framework for developing a coherent intervention for heterogeneous target groups, which was feasible and effective across the culturally diverse settings. This article responds to the need for transparent descriptions of the development and content of evidence-based behavior change interventions as potential pillars of effective combination prevention strategies. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Comparison of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) versus traditional textbook methods for training in abdominal examination (Japanese experience).

PubMed

Qayumi, A K; Kurihara, Y; Imai, M; Pachev, G; Seo, H; Hoshino, Y; Cheifetz, R; Matsuura, K; Momoi, M; Saleem, M; Lara-Guerra, H; Miki, Y; Kariya, Y

2004-10-01

This study aimed to compare the effects of computer-assisted, text-based and computer-and-text learning conditions on the performances of 3 groups of medical students in the pre-clinical years of their programme, taking into account their academic achievement to date. A fourth group of students served as a control (no-study) group. Participants were recruited from the pre-clinical years of the training programmes in 2 medical schools in Japan, Jichi Medical School near Tokyo and Kochi Medical School near Osaka. Participants were randomly assigned to 4 learning conditions and tested before and after the study on their knowledge of and skill in performing an abdominal examination, in a multiple-choice test and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), respectively. Information about performance in the programme was collected from school records and students were classified as average, good or excellent. Student and faculty evaluations of their experience in the study were explored by means of a short evaluation survey. Compared to the control group, all 3 study groups exhibited significant gains in performance on knowledge and performance measures. For the knowledge measure, the gains of the computer-assisted and computer-assisted plus text-based learning groups were significantly greater than the gains of the text-based learning group. The performances of the 3 groups did not differ on the OSCE measure. Analyses of gains by performance level revealed that high achieving students' learning was independent of study method. Lower achieving students performed better after using computer-based learning methods. The results suggest that computer-assisted learning methods will be of greater help to students who do not find the traditional methods effective. Explorations of the factors behind this are a matter for future research.

Computer assisted holographic moire contouring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sciammarella, Cesar A.

2000-01-01

Theoretical analyses and experimental results on holographic moire contouring on diffusely reflecting objects are presented. The sensitivity and limitations of the method are discussed. Particular emphasis is put on computer-assisted data retrieval, processing, and recording.

The Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Instruction to Teach Physical Examination to Students and Trainees in the Health Sciences Professions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Tomesko, Jennifer; Touger-Decker, Riva; Dreker, Margaret; Zelig, Rena; Parrott, James Scott

2017-01-01

To explore knowledge and skill acquisition outcomes related to learning physical examination (PE) through computer-assisted instruction (CAI) compared with a face-to-face (F2F) approach. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis published between January 2001 and December 2016 was conducted. Databases searched included Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, ERIC, Ebsco, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies were synthesized by study design, intervention, and outcomes. Statistical analyses included DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. In total, 7 studies were included in the review, and 5 in the meta-analysis. There were no statistically significant differences for knowledge (mean difference [MD] = 5.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.05 to 12.84) or skill acquisition (MD = 0.35, 95% CI: -5.30 to 6.01). The evidence does not suggest a strong consistent preference for either CAI or F2F instruction to teach students/trainees PE. Further research is needed to identify conditions which examine knowledge and skill acquisition outcomes that favor one mode of instruction over the other.

The Effectiveness of Computer-Aid, Self-Instructional Programs in Dental Education: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosenberg, Harold; Grad, Helen A.; Matear, David W.

2003-01-01

Performed a systematic review of the published literature comparing computer-aided learning (CAL) with other teaching methods in dental education. Concluded that CAL is as effective as other methods of teaching and can be used as an adjunct to traditional education or as a means of self-instruction. (EV)

Robotic surgery for rectal cancer: A systematic review of current practice

PubMed Central

Mak, Tony Wing Chung; Lee, Janet Fung Yee; Futaba, Kaori; Hon, Sophie Sok Fei; Ngo, Dennis Kwok Yu; Ng, Simon Siu Man

2014-01-01

AIM: To give a comprehensive review of current literature on robotic rectal cancer surgery. METHODS: A systematic review of current literature via PubMed and Embase search engines was performed to identify relevant articles from january 2007 to november 2013. The keywords used were: “robotic surgery”, “surgical robotics”, “laparoscopic computer-assisted surgery”, “colectomy” and “rectal resection”. RESULTS: After the initial screen of 380 articles, 20 papers were selected for review. A total of 1062 patients (male 64.0%) with a mean age of 61.1 years and body mass index of 24.9 kg/m2 were included in the review. Out of 1062 robotic-assisted operations, 831 (78.2%) anterior and low anterior resections, 132 (12.4%) intersphincteric resection with coloanal anastomosis, 98 (9.3%) abdominoperineal resections and 1 (0.1%) Hartmann’s operation were included in the review. Robotic rectal surgery was associated with longer operative time but with comparable oncological results and anastomotic leak rate when compared with laparoscopic rectal surgery. CONCLUSION: Robotic colorectal surgery has continued to evolve to its current state with promising results; feasible surgical option with low conversion rate and comparable short-term oncological results. The challenges faced with robotic surgery are for more high quality studies to justify its cost. PMID:24936229

Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Interactive Multimedia Computer-based Patient Education Program in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jenny, Ng Yuen Yee; Fai, Tam Sing

2001-01-01

A study compared 48 cardiac patients who used an interactive multimedia computer-assisted patient education program and 48 taught by tutorial. The computer-assisted instructional method resulted in significantly better knowledge about exercise and self-management of chronic diseases. (Contains 29 references.) (JOW)

Students' Attitudes towards Control Methods in Computer-Assisted Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hintze, Hanne; And Others

1988-01-01

Describes study designed to investigate dental students' attitudes toward computer-assisted teaching as applied in programs for oral radiology in Denmark. Programs using personal computers and slide projectors with varying degrees of learner and teacher control are described, and differences in attitudes between male and female students are…

Situation Model for Situation-Aware Assistance of Dementia Patients in Outdoor Mobility

PubMed Central

Yordanova, Kristina; Koldrack, Philipp; Heine, Christina; Henkel, Ron; Martin, Mike; Teipel, Stefan; Kirste, Thomas

2017-01-01

Background: Dementia impairs spatial orientation and route planning, thus often affecting the patient’s ability to move outdoors and maintain social activities. Situation-aware deliberative assistive technology devices (ATD) can substitute impaired cognitive function in order to maintain one’s level of social activity. To build such a system, one needs domain knowledge about the patient’s situation and needs. We call this collection of knowledge situation model. Objective: To construct a situation model for the outdoor mobility of people with dementia (PwD). The model serves two purposes: 1) as a knowledge base from which to build an ATD describing the mobility of PwD; and 2) as a codebook for the annotation of the recorded behavior. Methods: We perform systematic knowledge elicitation to obtain the relevant knowledge. The OBO Edit tool is used for implementing and validating the situation model. The model is evaluated by using it as a codebook for annotating the behavior of PwD during a mobility study and interrater agreement is computed. In addition, clinical experts perform manual evaluation and curation of the model. Results: The situation model consists of 101 concepts with 11 relation types between them. The results from the annotation showed substantial overlapping between two annotators (Cohen’s kappa of 0.61). Conclusion: The situation model is a first attempt to systematically collect and organize information related to the outdoor mobility of PwD for the purposes of situation-aware assistance. The model is the base for building an ATD able to provide situation-aware assistance and to potentially improve the quality of life of PwD. PMID:29060937

Usability of an Adaptive Computer Assistant that Improves Self-care and Health Literacy of Older Adults

PubMed Central

Blanson Henkemans, O. A.; Rogers, W. A.; Fisk, A. D.; Neerincx, M. A.; Lindenberg, J.; van der Mast, C. A. P. G.

2014-01-01

Summary Objectives We developed an adaptive computer assistant for the supervision of diabetics’ self-care, to support limiting illness and need for acute treatment, and improve health literacy. This assistant monitors self-care activities logged in the patient’s electronic diary. Accordingly, it provides context-aware feedback. The objective was to evaluate whether older adults in general can make use of the computer assistant and to compare an adaptive computer assistant with a fixed one, concerning its usability and contribution to health literacy. Methods We conducted a laboratory experiment in the Georgia Tech Aware Home wherein 28 older adults participated in a usability evaluation of the computer assistant, while engaged in scenarios reflecting normal and health-critical situations. We evaluated the assistant on effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction, and educational value. Finally, we studied the moderating effects of the subjects’ personal characteristics. Results Logging self-care tasks and receiving feedback from the computer assistant enhanced the subjects’ knowledge of diabetes. The adaptive assistant was more effective in dealing with normal and health-critical situations, and, generally, it led to more time efficiency. Subjects’ personal characteristics had substantial effects on the effectiveness and efficiency of the two computer assistants. Conclusions Older adults were able to use the adaptive computer assistant. In addition, it had a positive effect on the development of health literacy. The assistant has the potential to support older diabetics’ self care while maintaining quality of life. PMID:18213433

Variability in Reading Ability Gains as a Function of Computer-Assisted Instruction Method of Presentation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Erin Phinney; Perry, Justin; Shamir, Haya

2010-01-01

This study examines the effects on early reading skills of three different methods of presenting material with computer-assisted instruction (CAI): (1) learner-controlled picture menu, which allows the student to choose activities, (2) linear sequencer, which progresses the students through lessons at a pre-specified pace, and (3) mastery-based…

Development of an assisting detection system for early infarct diagnosis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sim, K. S.; Nia, M. E.; Ee, C. S.

2015-04-24

In this paper, a detection assisting system for early infarct detection is developed. This new developed method is used to assist the medical practitioners to diagnose infarct from computed tomography images of brain. Using this assisting system, the infarct could be diagnosed at earlier stages. The non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) brain images are the data set used for this system. Detection module extracts the pixel data from NCCT brain images, and produces the colourized version of images. The proposed method showed great potential in detecting infarct, and helps medical practitioners to make earlier and better diagnoses.

Computer-assisted technologies used in oral rehabilitation and the clinical documentation of alleged advantages - a systematic review.

PubMed

Jokstad, A

2017-04-01

The objective of this systematic review is to identify current computer-assisted technologies used for managing patients with a need to re-establish craniofacial appearance, subjective discomfort and stomatognathic function, and the extent of their clinical documentation. Electronic search strategies were used for locating clinical studies in MEDLINE through PubMed and in the Cochrane library, and in the grey literature through searches on Google Scholar. The searches for commercial digital products for use in oral rehabilitation resulted in identifying 225 products per November 2016, used for patient diagnostics, communication and therapy purposes, and for other computer-assisted applications in context with oral rehabilitation. About one-third of these products were described in about 350 papers reporting from clinical human studies. The great majority of digital products for use in oral rehabilitation has no clinical documentation at all, while the products from a distinct minority of manufacturers have frequently appeared in more or less scientific reports. Moore's law apply also to digital dentistry, which predicts that the capacity of microprocessors will continue to become faster and with lower cost per performance unit, and innovative software programs will harness these improvements in performance. The net effect is the noticeable short product life cycle of digital products developed for use in oral rehabilitation and often lack of supportive clinical documentation. Nonetheless, clinicians must request clinically meaningful information about new digital products to assess net benefits for the patients or the dental professionals and not accept only technological verbiage as a basis for product purchases. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Effects of Captions in Teenagers' Multimedia L2 Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lwo, Laurence; Lin, Michelle Chia-Tzu

2012-01-01

This study aims to explore the impact of different captions on second language (L2) learning in a computer-assisted multimedia context. A quasi-experimental design was adopted, and a total of thirty-two eighth graders selected from a junior high school joined the study. They were systematically assigned into four groups based on their proficiency…

A Computer-Assisted Instruction in Teaching Abstract Statistics to Public Affairs Undergraduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ozturk, Ali Osman

2012-01-01

This article attempts to demonstrate the applicability of a computer-assisted instruction supported with simulated data in teaching abstract statistical concepts to political science and public affairs students in an introductory research methods course. The software is called the Elaboration Model Computer Exercise (EMCE) in that it takes a great…

Computer-Assisted Traffic Engineering Using Assignment, Optimal Signal Setting, and Modal Split

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1978-05-01

Methods of traffic assignment, traffic signal setting, and modal split analysis are combined in a set of computer-assisted traffic engineering programs. The system optimization and user optimization traffic assignments are described. Travel time func...

[Interactive computer-assisted learning program for diagnosis and therapy of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis].

PubMed

Stehle, A; Gross, M

1998-12-01

With the increasing capacity of personal computers more and more multimedia training programs are becoming available which make use of these possibilities. Computer-based presentation is usually interesting because it is visually attractive. However, the extent to which computer-based training programs correspond to international standards of quality of software ergonomics has never been the subject of systematic research. Another question is how much these programs motivate learning and what increase in knowledge can be achieved by using them. Using a multimedia interactive training program developed in our facility, 100 medical students were asked to evaluate the program after they had been using it for about one hour. In a questionnaire they first rated suitability for the task, self-descriptiveness, controllability, conformity with user expectation, error tolerance, suitability for individualization, and suitability for learning on a bipolar scale from "---" to "+3" (in numbers 1, worst result, to 7, best result). The median values achieved were rated between 6.0 and 6.2--software ergonomic criteria of the program ranged from good to very good. The second part was a subjective evaluation of the program's ability to deliver "medical knowledge which is relevant for the exam" (median = 6.0), "knowledge about systematic procedure in medicine" (median = 5.5), "knowledge about sensible use of diagnostic methods" (median = 6.0), "knowledge about clinical methods", and "experience with selective learning" (median = 6.0). This part was also rated good to very good. The third part of the questionnaire involved a pretest-posttest comparison. Two groups of students were asked how much benefit they had achieved by using the program. It was shown that the students were able to answer the exam questions significantly better than the control questions after they had used the program. This study confirms that the interactive computer-based training program is very well suited for providing knowledge in on appealing manner in an instructional setting.

Ubiquitous and ambient-assisted living eHealth platforms for Down's syndrome and palliative care in the Republic of Panama: A systematic review.

PubMed

Saldaña Barrios, Juan Jose; Mendoza, Luis; Pitti, Edgardo; Vargas, Miguel

2016-10-21

In this work, the authors present two eHealth platforms that are examples of how health systems are migrating from client-server architecture to the web-based and ubiquitous paradigm. These two platforms were modeled, designed, developed and implemented with positive results. First, using ambient-assisted living and ubiquitous computing, the authors enhance how palliative care is being provided to the elderly patients and patients with terminal illness, making the work of doctors, nurses and other health actors easier. Second, applying machine learning methods and a data-centered, ubiquitous, patient's results' repository, the authors intent to improve the Down's syndrome risk estimation process with more accurate predictions based on local woman patients' parameters. These two eHealth platforms can improve the quality of life, not only physically but also psychologically, of the patients and their families in the country of Panama. © The Author(s) 2016.

Northwest Montana/North Idaho transmission corridor study: a computer-assisted corridor location and impact evaluation assessment

Treesearch

Timothy J. Murray; Daniel J. Bisenius; Jay G. Marcotte

1979-01-01

A computer-assisted method was used to locate and evaluate approximately 1,200 miles of alternative corridors within an 8,000 square mile study region. The method involved in-depth impact analyses for nine major location criteria or determinant models. Regional "experts" from the Rocky Mountain area participated with BPA in developing model structure....

A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of the Computer Assisted Method and the Interactionist Approach to Teaching Geometry Shapes to Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zaranis, Nicholas; Synodi, Evanthia

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of computer assisted teaching of geometry shapes and an interactionist approach to teaching geometry in kindergarten versus other more traditional teaching methods. Our research compares the improvement of the children's geometrical competence using two teaching approaches. The…

Computer-Assisted Performance Evaluation for Navy Anti-Air Warfare Training: Concepts, Methods, and Constraints.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chesler, David J.

An improved general methodological approach for the development of computer-assisted evaluation of trainee performance in the computer-based simulation environment is formulated in this report. The report focuses on the Tactical Advanced Combat Direction and Electronic Warfare system (TACDEW) at the Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center at San…

Interactive Computer Lessons for Introductory Economics: Guided Inquiry-From Supply and Demand to Women in the Economy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, John; Weil, Gordon

1986-01-01

The interactive feature of computers is used to incorporate a guided inquiry method of learning introductory economics, extending the Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) method beyond drills. (Author/JDH)

Use of microcomputers for self-assessment and continuing education in anaesthesia.

PubMed Central

Schmulian, C; Kenny, G N; Campbell, D

1982-01-01

The suitability of computer-assisted self-assessment was evaluated as a means of quality assurance in anaesthesia. Altogether 202 anaesthetists participated in four trials of the method. Analyses of their performance in a self-assessment programme dealing with obstetric anaesthesia showed significant differences in the levels of knowledge of anaesthetists practising for different numbers of years. The acceptability of computer-assisted self-assessment ranged from 91% to 100% for the four trials. Similar programs have been shown to be of value in medical education and thus computer-assisted self-assessment appears to fulfil simultaneously the functions of self-assessment and continuing education. The criteria for a method of quality assurance are met. PMID:6800476

Health literacy screening instruments for eHealth applications: a systematic review.

PubMed

Collins, Sarah A; Currie, Leanne M; Bakken, Suzanne; Vawdrey, David K; Stone, Patricia W

2012-06-01

To systematically review current health literacy (HL) instruments for use in consumer-facing and mobile health information technology screening and evaluation tools. The databases, PubMed, OVID, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Science Citation Index, were searched for health literacy assessment instruments using the terms "health", "literacy", "computer-based," and "psychometrics". All instruments identified by this method were critically appraised according to their reported psychometric properties and clinical feasibility. Eleven different health literacy instruments were found. Screening questions, such as asking a patient about his/her need for assistance in navigating health information, were evaluated in seven different studies and are promising for use as a valid, reliable, and feasible computer-based approach to identify patients that struggle with low health literacy. However, there was a lack of consistency in the types of screening questions proposed. There is also a lack of information regarding the psychometric properties of computer-based health literacy instruments. Only English language health literacy assessment instruments were reviewed and analyzed. Current health literacy screening tools demonstrate varying benefits depending on the context of their use. In many cases, it seems that a single screening question may be a reliable, valid, and feasible means for establishing health literacy. A combination of screening questions that assess health literacy and technological literacy may enable tailoring eHealth applications to user needs. Further research should determine the best screening question(s) and the best synthesis of various instruments' content and methodologies for computer-based health literacy screening and assessment. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Health Literacy Screening Instruments for eHealth Applications: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Collins, Sarah A.; Currie, Leanne M.; Bakken, Suzanne; Vawdrey, David K.; Stone, Patricia W.

2012-01-01

Objective To systematically review current health literacy (HL) instruments for use in consumer-facing and mobile health information technology screening and evaluation tools. Design The databases, PubMed, OVID, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Science Citation Index, were searched for health literacy assessment instruments using the terms “health”, “literacy”, “computer-based,” and “psychometrics”. All instruments identified by this method were critically appraised according to their reported psychometric properties and clinical feasibility. Results Eleven different health literacy instruments were found. Screening questions, such as asking a patient about his/her need for assistance in navigating health information, were evaluated in 7 different studies and are promising for use as a valid, reliable, and feasible computer-based approach to identify patients that struggle with low health literacy. However, there was a lack of consistency in the types of screening questions proposed. There is also a lack of information regarding the psychometric properties of computer-based health literacy instruments. Limitations Only English language health literacy assessment instruments were reviewed and analyzed. Conclusions Current health literacy screening tools demonstrate varying benefits depending on the context of their use. In many cases, it seems that a single screening question may be a reliable, valid, and feasible means for establishing health literacy. A combination of screening questions that assess health literacy and technological literacy may enable tailoring eHealth applications to user needs. Further research should determine the best screening question(s) and the best synthesis of various instruments’ content and methodologies for computer-based health literacy screening and assessment. PMID:22521719

The Effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction Based on Top-Level Structure Method in English Reading and Writing Abilities of Thai EFL Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jinajai, Nattapong; Rattanavich, Saowalak

2015-01-01

This research aims to study the development of ninth grade students' reading and writing abilities and interests in learning English taught through computer-assisted instruction (CAI) based on the top-level structure (TLS) method. An experimental group time series design was used, and the data was analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance…

Cingi Steps for preoperative computer-assisted image editing before reduction rhinoplasty.

PubMed

Cingi, Can Cemal; Cingi, Cemal; Bayar Muluk, Nuray

2014-04-01

The aim of this work is to provide a stepwise systematic guide for a preoperative photo-editing procedure for rhinoplasty cases involving the cooperation of a graphic artist and a surgeon. One hundred female subjects who planned to undergo a reduction rhinoplasty operation were included in this study. The Cingi Steps for Preoperative Computer Imaging (CS-PCI) program, a stepwise systematic guide for image editing using Adobe PhotoShop's "liquify" effect, was applied to the rhinoplasty candidates. The stages of CS-PCI are as follows: (1) lowering the hump; (2) shortening the nose; (3) adjusting the tip projection, (4) perfecting the nasal dorsum, (5) creating a supratip break, and (6) exaggerating the tip projection and/or dorsal slope. Performing the Cingi Steps allows the patient to see what will happen during the operation and observe the final appearance of his or her nose. After the application of described steps, 71 patients (71%) accepted step 4, and 21 (21%) of them accepted step 5. Only 10 patients (10%) wanted to make additional changes to their operation plans. The main benefits of using this method is that it decreases the time needed by the surgeon to perform a graphic analysis, and it reduces the time required for the patient to reach a decision about the procedure. It is an easy and reliable method that will provide improved physician-patient communication, increased patient confidence, and enhanced surgical planning while limiting the time needed for planning. © 2014 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Individual muscle control using an exoskeleton robot for muscle function testing.

PubMed

Ueda, Jun; Ming, Ding; Krishnamoorthy, Vijaya; Shinohara, Minoru; Ogasawara, Tsukasa

2010-08-01

Healthy individuals modulate muscle activation patterns according to their intended movement and external environment. Persons with neurological disorders (e.g., stroke and spinal cord injury), however, have problems in movement control due primarily to their inability to modulate their muscle activation pattern in an appropriate manner. A functionality test at the level of individual muscles that investigates the activity of a muscle of interest on various motor tasks may enable muscle-level force grading. To date there is no extant work that focuses on the application of exoskeleton robots to induce specific muscle activation in a systematic manner. This paper proposes a new method, named "individual muscle-force control" using a wearable robot (an exoskeleton robot, or a power-assisting device) to obtain a wider variety of muscle activity data than standard motor tasks, e.g., pushing a handle by hand. A computational algorithm systematically computes control commands to a wearable robot so that a desired muscle activation pattern for target muscle forces is induced. It also computes an adequate amount and direction of a force that a subject needs to exert against a handle by his/her hand. This individual muscle control method enables users (e.g., therapists) to efficiently conduct neuromuscular function tests on target muscles by arbitrarily inducing muscle activation patterns. This paper presents a basic concept, mathematical formulation, and solution of the individual muscle-force control and its implementation to a muscle control system with an exoskeleton-type robot for upper extremity. Simulation and experimental results in healthy individuals justify the use of an exoskeleton robot for future muscle function testing in terms of the variety of muscle activity data.

Intelligent process mapping through systematic improvement of heuristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ieumwananonthachai, Arthur; Aizawa, Akiko N.; Schwartz, Steven R.; Wah, Benjamin W.; Yan, Jerry C.

1992-01-01

The present system for automatic learning/evaluation of novel heuristic methods applicable to the mapping of communication-process sets on a computer network has its basis in the testing of a population of competing heuristic methods within a fixed time-constraint. The TEACHER 4.1 prototype learning system implemented or learning new postgame analysis heuristic methods iteratively generates and refines the mappings of a set of communicating processes on a computer network. A systematic exploration of the space of possible heuristic methods is shown to promise significant improvement.

Comparison of static and dynamic computer-assisted guidance methods in implantology.

PubMed

Mischkowski, R A; Zinser, M J; Neugebauer, J; Kübler, A C; Zöller, J E

2006-01-01

The planning of dental implant position and its transfer to the operation site can be considered as one of the most important factors for the long-term success of implant-supported prosthetic and epithetic restorations. This study compares computer-assisted fabricated surgical templates as the static method with intro-operative image guided navigation as the dynamic method for transfer of three-dimensional pre-operative planning. For the static method, the systems Med3D, coDiagnostix/ gonyX, and SimPlant were used. For the dynamic method, the systems RoboDent und VectorVision2 were applied. A total of 746 implants were inserted between August 1999 and December 2005 in 206 patients. The static approach was used most frequently, accounting for 611 fixtures in 168 patients. The failure ratios within the first 6 months were 1.31% in the statically controlled insertion group compared to 2.96% in the dynamically controlled insertion group. Complications related to an incorrect position of the implants have not been observed so far in either group. All computer-assisted methods included in this study were successfully applied in a clinical setting after a certain start-up period. The indications for application of computer-assisted methods in implantology are currently given in difficult anatomical situations. Due to uncomplicated handling and low resource demands, the static template technique can be recommended as the method of choice for the majority of all cases falling into this category.

Medical image computing for computer-supported diagnostics and therapy. Advances and perspectives.

PubMed

Handels, H; Ehrhardt, J

2009-01-01

Medical image computing has become one of the most challenging fields in medical informatics. In image-based diagnostics of the future software assistance will become more and more important, and image analysis systems integrating advanced image computing methods are needed to extract quantitative image parameters to characterize the state and changes of image structures of interest (e.g. tumors, organs, vessels, bones etc.) in a reproducible and objective way. Furthermore, in the field of software-assisted and navigated surgery medical image computing methods play a key role and have opened up new perspectives for patient treatment. However, further developments are needed to increase the grade of automation, accuracy, reproducibility and robustness. Moreover, the systems developed have to be integrated into the clinical workflow. For the development of advanced image computing systems methods of different scientific fields have to be adapted and used in combination. The principal methodologies in medical image computing are the following: image segmentation, image registration, image analysis for quantification and computer assisted image interpretation, modeling and simulation as well as visualization and virtual reality. Especially, model-based image computing techniques open up new perspectives for prediction of organ changes and risk analysis of patients and will gain importance in diagnostic and therapy of the future. From a methodical point of view the authors identify the following future trends and perspectives in medical image computing: development of optimized application-specific systems and integration into the clinical workflow, enhanced computational models for image analysis and virtual reality training systems, integration of different image computing methods, further integration of multimodal image data and biosignals and advanced methods for 4D medical image computing. The development of image analysis systems for diagnostic support or operation planning is a complex interdisciplinary process. Image computing methods enable new insights into the patient's image data and have the future potential to improve medical diagnostics and patient treatment.

E-pharmacovigilance: development and implementation of a computable knowledge base to identify adverse drug reactions.

PubMed

Neubert, Antje; Dormann, Harald; Prokosch, Hans-Ulrich; Bürkle, Thomas; Rascher, Wolfgang; Sojer, Reinhold; Brune, Kay; Criegee-Rieck, Manfred

2013-09-01

Computer-assisted signal generation is an important issue for the prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, due to poor standardization of patients' medical data and a lack of computable medical drug knowledge the specificity of computerized decision support systems for early ADR detection is too low and thus those systems are not yet implemented in daily clinical practice. We report on a method to formalize knowledge about ADRs based on the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPCs) and linking them with structured patient data to generate safety signals automatically and with high sensitivity and specificity. A computable ADR knowledge base (ADR-KB) that inherently contains standardized concepts for ADRs (WHO-ART), drugs (ATC) and laboratory test results (LOINC) was built. The system was evaluated in study populations of paediatric and internal medicine inpatients. A total of 262 different ADR concepts related to laboratory findings were linked to 212 LOINC terms. The ADR knowledge base was retrospectively applied to a study population of 970 admissions (474 internal and 496 paediatric patients), who underwent intensive ADR surveillance. The specificity increased from 7% without ADR-KB up to 73% in internal patients and from 19.6% up to 91% in paediatric inpatients, respectively. This study shows that contextual linkage of patients' medication data with laboratory test results is a useful and reasonable instrument for computer-assisted ADR detection and a valuable step towards a systematic drug safety process. The system enables automated detection of ADRs during clinical practice with a quality close to intensive chart review. © 2013 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2013 The British Pharmacological Society.

Measuring coherence of computer-assisted likelihood ratio methods.

PubMed

Haraksim, Rudolf; Ramos, Daniel; Meuwly, Didier; Berger, Charles E H

2015-04-01

Measuring the performance of forensic evaluation methods that compute likelihood ratios (LRs) is relevant for both the development and the validation of such methods. A framework of performance characteristics categorized as primary and secondary is introduced in this study to help achieve such development and validation. Ground-truth labelled fingerprint data is used to assess the performance of an example likelihood ratio method in terms of those performance characteristics. Discrimination, calibration, and especially the coherence of this LR method are assessed as a function of the quantity and quality of the trace fingerprint specimen. Assessment of the coherence revealed a weakness of the comparison algorithm in the computer-assisted likelihood ratio method used. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A randomized, controlled trial of interactive, multimedia software for patient colonoscopy education.

PubMed

Shaw, M J; Beebe, T J; Tomshine, P A; Adlis, S A; Cass, O W

2001-02-01

The purpose of our study was to assess the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in patients having colonoscopies. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial in large, multispecialty clinic. Eighty-six patients were referred for colonoscopies. The interventions were standard education versus standard education plus CAI, and the outcome measures were anxiety, comprehension, and satisfaction. Computer-assisted instruction had no effect on patients' anxiety. The group receiving CAI demonstrated better overall comprehension (p < 0.001). However, Comprehension of certain aspects of serious complications and appropriate postsedation behavior were unaffected by educational method. Patients in the CAI group were more likely to indicate satisfaction with the amount of information provided when compared with the standard education counterparts (p = 0.001). Overall satisfaction was unaffected by educational method. Computer-assisted instruction for colonoscopy provided better comprehension and greater satisfaction with the adequacy of education than standard education. Computer-assisted instruction helps physicians meet their educational responsibilities with no decrement to the interpersonal aspects of the patient-physician relationship.

Manual vs. computer-assisted sperm analysis: can CASA replace manual assessment of human semen in clinical practice?

PubMed

Talarczyk-Desole, Joanna; Berger, Anna; Taszarek-Hauke, Grażyna; Hauke, Jan; Pawelczyk, Leszek; Jedrzejczak, Piotr

2017-01-01

The aim of the study was to check the quality of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system in comparison to the reference manual method as well as standardization of the computer-assisted semen assessment. The study was conducted between January and June 2015 at the Andrology Laboratory of the Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland. The study group consisted of 230 men who gave sperm samples for the first time in our center as part of an infertility investigation. The samples underwent manual and computer-assisted assessment of concentration, motility and morphology. A total of 184 samples were examined twice: manually, according to the 2010 WHO recommendations, and with CASA, using the program set-tings provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, 46 samples underwent two manual analyses and two computer-assisted analyses. The p-value of p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were found between all of the investigated sperm parameters, except for non-progressive motility, measured with CASA and manually. In the group of patients where all analyses with each method were performed twice on the same sample we found no significant differences between both assessments of the same probe, neither in the samples analyzed manually nor with CASA, although standard deviation was higher in the CASA group. Our results suggest that computer-assisted sperm analysis requires further improvement for a wider application in clinical practice.

Systematising the Field of Mobile Assisted Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Viberg, Olga; Grönlund, Åke

2013-01-01

This study provides a systematic review of mobile assisted language (MALL) research within the specific area of second language acquisition (SLA) during the period of 2005-2012 in terms of research approaches, theories and methods, technology, and the linguistic knowledge and skills' results. The findings show a shift from the prevailing SMS-based…

Development of a microprocessing-assisted cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment method for human umbilical vein endothelial cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terazono, Hideyuki; Kim, Hyonchol; Nomura, Fumimasa; Yasuda, Kenji

2016-06-01

We developed a microprocessing-assisted technique to select single-strand DNA aptamers that bind to unknown targets on the cell surface by modifying the conventional systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX). Our technique involves 1) the specific selection of target-cell-surface-bound aptamers without leakage of intracellular components by trypsinization and 2) cloning of aptamers by microprocessing-assisted picking of single cells using magnetic beads. After cell-SELEX, the enriched aptamers were conjugated with magnetic beads. The aptamer-magnetic beads conjugates attached to target cells were collected individually by microassisted procedures using microneedles under a microscope. After that, the sequences of the collected magnetic-bead-bound aptamers were identified. As a result, a specific aptamer for the surface of target cells, e.g., human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), was chosen and its specificity was examined using other cell types, e.g., HeLa cells. The results indicate that this microprocessing-assisted cell-SELEX method for identifying aptamers is applicable in biological research and clinical diagnostics.

A Different Approach to Have Science and Technology Student-Teachers Gain Varied Methods in Laboratory Applications: A Sample of Computer Assisted POE Application

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saka, Arzu

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study is to develop a new approach and assess the application for the science and technology student-teachers to gain varied laboratory methods in science and technology teaching. It is also aimed to describe the computer-assisted POE application in the subject of "Photosynthesis-Light" developed in the context of…

Cost-Benefit Analysis for ECIA Chapter 1 and State DPPF Programs Comparing Groups Receiving Regular Program Instruction and Groups Receiving Computer Assisted Instruction/Computer Management System (CAI/CMS). 1986-87.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chamberlain, Ed

A cost benefit study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a computer assisted instruction/computer management system (CAI/CMS) as an alternative to conventional methods of teaching reading within Chapter 1 and DPPF funded programs of the Columbus (Ohio) Public Schools. The Chapter 1 funded Compensatory Language Experiences and Reading…

Use of handheld computers in clinical practice: a systematic review

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Many healthcare professionals use smartphones and tablets to inform patient care. Contemporary research suggests that handheld computers may support aspects of clinical diagnosis and management. This systematic review was designed to synthesise high quality evidence to answer the question; Does healthcare professionals’ use of handheld computers improve their access to information and support clinical decision making at the point of care? Methods A detailed search was conducted using Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Science and Social Science Citation Indices since 2001. Interventions promoting healthcare professionals seeking information or making clinical decisions using handheld computers were included. Classroom learning and the use of laptop computers were excluded. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and extracted data. High levels of data heterogeneity negated statistical synthesis. Instead, evidence for effectiveness was summarised narratively, according to each study’s aim for assessing the impact of handheld computer use. Results We included seven randomised trials investigating medical or nursing staffs’ use of Personal Digital Assistants. Effectiveness was demonstrated across three distinct functions that emerged from the data: accessing information for clinical knowledge, adherence to guidelines and diagnostic decision making. When healthcare professionals used handheld computers to access clinical information, their knowledge improved significantly more than peers who used paper resources. When clinical guideline recommendations were presented on handheld computers, clinicians made significantly safer prescribing decisions and adhered more closely to recommendations than peers using paper resources. Finally, healthcare professionals made significantly more appropriate diagnostic decisions using clinical decision making tools on handheld computers compared to colleagues who did not have access to these tools. For these clinical decisions, the numbers need to test/screen were all less than 11. Conclusion Healthcare professionals’ use of handheld computers may improve their information seeking, adherence to guidelines and clinical decision making. Handheld computers can provide real time access to and analysis of clinical information. The integration of clinical decision support systems within handheld computers offers clinicians the highest level of synthesised evidence at the point of care. Future research is needed to replicate these early results and to identify beneficial clinical outcomes. PMID:24998515

Computer-Assisted Dieting: Effects of a Randomized Nutrition Intervention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schroder, Kerstin E. E.

2011-01-01

Objectives: To compare the effects of a computer-assisted dieting intervention (CAD) with and without self-management training on dieting among 55 overweight and obese adults. Methods: Random assignment to a single-session nutrition intervention (CAD-only) or a combined CAD plus self-management group intervention (CADG). Dependent variables were…

Educational Research and Theory Perspectives on Intelligent Computer-Assisted Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tennyson, Robert D.; Christensen, Dean L.

This paper defines the next generation of intelligent computer-assisted instructional systems (ICAI) by depicting the elaborations and extensions offered by educational research and theory perspectives to enhance the ICAI environment. The first section describes conventional ICAI systems, which use expert systems methods and have three modules: a…

Time and Learning Efficiency in Internet-Based Learning: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cook, David A.; Levinson, Anthony J.; Garside, Sarah

2010-01-01

Authors have claimed that Internet-based instruction promotes greater learning efficiency than non-computer methods. Objectives Determine, through a systematic synthesis of evidence in health professions education, how Internet-based instruction compares with non-computer instruction in time spent learning, and what features of Internet-based…

Systematic generation of multibody equations of motion suitable for recursive and parallel manipulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nikravesh, Parviz E.; Gim, Gwanghum; Arabyan, Ara; Rein, Udo

1989-01-01

The formulation of a method known as the joint coordinate method for automatic generation of the equations of motion for multibody systems is summarized. For systems containing open or closed kinematic loops, the equations of motion can be reduced systematically to a minimum number of second order differential equations. The application of recursive and nonrecursive algorithms to this formulation, computational considerations and the feasibility of implementing this formulation on multiprocessor computers are discussed.

The Effect of the Computer Assisted Teaching and 7e Model of the Constructivist Learning Methods on the Achievements and Attitudes of High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gönen, Selahattin; Kocakaya, Serhat; Inan, Cemil

2006-01-01

This study provides a comparative effect study of the Computer Assisted Teaching and the 7E model of the Constructivist Learning methods on attitudes and achievements of the students in physics classes. The experiments have been carried out in a private high school in Diyarbakir/Turkey on groups of first year students whose pre-test scores of…

[Computer diagnosis of traumatic impact by hepatic lesion].

PubMed

Kimbar, V I; Sevankeev, V V

2007-01-01

A method of computer-assisted diagnosis of traumatic affection by liver damage (HEPAR-test program) is described. The program is based on calculated diagnostic coefficients using Bayes' probability method with Wald's recognition procedure.

Initial Experiences with Machine-Assisted Reconsiderative Test Scoring: A New Method for Partial Credit and Multiple Correct Responses.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Paul S.

Initial experiences with computer-assisted reconsiderative scoring are described. Reconsiderative scoring occurs when student responses are received and reviewed by the teacher before points for correctness are assigned. Manually scored completion-style questions are reconsiderative. A new method of machine assistance produces an item analysis on…

Evidence of effectiveness of health care professionals using handheld computers: a scoping review of systematic reviews.

PubMed

Mickan, Sharon; Tilson, Julie K; Atherton, Helen; Roberts, Nia Wyn; Heneghan, Carl

2013-10-28

Handheld computers and mobile devices provide instant access to vast amounts and types of useful information for health care professionals. Their reduced size and increased processing speed has led to rapid adoption in health care. Thus, it is important to identify whether handheld computers are actually effective in clinical practice. A scoping review of systematic reviews was designed to provide a quick overview of the documented evidence of effectiveness for health care professionals using handheld computers in their clinical work. A detailed search, sensitive for systematic reviews was applied for Cochrane, Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Global Health, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. All outcomes that demonstrated effectiveness in clinical practice were included. Classroom learning and patient use of handheld computers were excluded. Quality was assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool. A previously published conceptual framework was used as the basis for dual data extraction. Reported outcomes were summarized according to the primary function of the handheld computer. Five systematic reviews met the inclusion and quality criteria. Together, they reviewed 138 unique primary studies. Most reviewed descriptive intervention studies, where physicians, pharmacists, or medical students used personal digital assistants. Effectiveness was demonstrated across four distinct functions of handheld computers: patient documentation, patient care, information seeking, and professional work patterns. Within each of these functions, a range of positive outcomes were reported using both objective and self-report measures. The use of handheld computers improved patient documentation through more complete recording, fewer documentation errors, and increased efficiency. Handheld computers provided easy access to clinical decision support systems and patient management systems, which improved decision making for patient care. Handheld computers saved time and gave earlier access to new information. There were also reports that handheld computers enhanced work patterns and efficiency. This scoping review summarizes the secondary evidence for effectiveness of handheld computers and mhealth. It provides a snapshot of effective use by health care professionals across four key functions. We identified evidence to suggest that handheld computers provide easy and timely access to information and enable accurate and complete documentation. Further, they can give health care professionals instant access to evidence-based decision support and patient management systems to improve clinical decision making. Finally, there is evidence that handheld computers allow health professionals to be more efficient in their work practices. It is anticipated that this evidence will guide clinicians and managers in implementing handheld computers in clinical practice and in designing future research.

The Role of Physician Assistants in Rural Health Care: A Systematic Review of the Literature

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henry, Lisa R.; Hooker, Roderick S.; Yates, Kathryn L.

2011-01-01

Purpose: A literature review was performed to assess the role of physician assistants (PAs) in rural health care. Four categories were examined: scope of practice, physician perceptions, community perceptions, and retention/recruitment. Methods: A search of the literature from 1974 to 2008 was undertaken by probing the electronic bibliographic…

Intelligent Assistive Technology for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Ienca, Marcello; Fabrice, Jotterand; Elger, Bernice; Caon, Maurizio; Pappagallo, Alessandro Scoccia; Kressig, Reto W; Wangmo, Tenzin

2017-01-01

Intelligent assistive technologies (IATs) have the potential of offering innovative solutions to mitigate the global burden of dementia and provide new tools for dementia care. While technological opportunities multiply rapidly, clinical applications are rare as the technological potential of IATs remains inadequately translated into dementia care. In this article, the authors present the results of a systematic review and the resulting comprehensive technology index of IATs with application in dementia care. Computer science, engineering, and medical databases were extensively searched and the retrieved items were systematically reviewed. For each IAT, the authors examined their technological type, application, target population, model of development, and evidence of clinical validation. The findings reveal that the IAT spectrum is expanding rapidly in volume and variety over time, and encompasses intelligent systems supporting various assistive tasks and clinical uses. At the same time, the results confirm the persistence of structural limitations to successful adoption including partial lack of clinical validation and insufficient focus on patients' needs. This index is designed to orient clinicians and relevant stakeholders involved in the implementation and management of dementia care across the current capabilities, applications, and limitations of IATs and to facilitate the translation of medical engineering research into clinical practice. In addition, a discussion of the major methodological challenges and policy implications for the successful and ethically responsible implementation of IAT into dementia care is provided.

AutoTag and AutoSnap: Standardized, semi-automatic capture of regions of interest from whole slide images

PubMed Central

Marien, Koen M.; Andries, Luc; De Schepper, Stefanie; Kockx, Mark M.; De Meyer, Guido R.Y.

2015-01-01

Tumor angiogenesis is measured by counting microvessels in tissue sections at high power magnification as a potential prognostic or predictive biomarker. Until now, regions of interest1 (ROIs) were selected by manual operations within a tumor by using a systematic uniform random sampling2 (SURS) approach. Although SURS is the most reliable sampling method, it implies a high workload. However, SURS can be semi-automated and in this way contribute to the development of a validated quantification method for microvessel counting in the clinical setting. Here, we report a method to use semi-automated SURS for microvessel counting: • Whole slide imaging with Pannoramic SCAN (3DHISTECH) • Computer-assisted sampling in Pannoramic Viewer (3DHISTECH) extended by two self-written AutoHotkey applications (AutoTag and AutoSnap) • The use of digital grids in Photoshop® and Bridge® (Adobe Systems) This rapid procedure allows traceability essential for high throughput protein analysis of immunohistochemically stained tissue. PMID:26150998

A Comparison of Computer-Assisted Instruction and Tutorials in Hematology and Oncology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garrett, T. J.; And Others

1987-01-01

A study comparing the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and small group instruction found no significant difference in medical student achievement in oncology but higher achievement through small-group instruction in hematology. Students did not view CAI as more effective, but saw it as a supplement to traditional methods. (MSE)

A PERT/CPM of the Computer Assisted Completion of The Ministry September Report. Research Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feeney, J. D.

Using two statistical analysis techniques (the Program Evaluation and Review Technique and the Critical Path Method), this study analyzed procedures for compiling the required yearly report of the Metropolitan Separate School Board (Catholic) of Toronto, Canada. The computer-assisted analysis organized the process of completing the report more…

Computer-Assisted, Programmed Text, and Lecture Modes of Instruction in Three Medical Training Courses: Comparative Evaluation. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deignan, Gerard M.; And Others

This report contains a comparative analysis of the differential effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI), programmed instructional text (PIT), and lecture methods of instruction in three medical courses--Medical Laboratory, Radiology, and Dental. The summative evaluation includes (1) multiple regression analyses conducted to predict…

A Text-Computer Assisted Instruction Program as a Viable Alternative for Continuing Education in Laboratory Medicine.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bruce, A. Wayne

1986-01-01

Describes reasons for developing combined text and computer assisted instruction (CAI) teaching programs for delivery of continuing education to laboratory professionals, and mechanisms used for developing a CAI program on method evaluation in the clinical laboratory. Results of an evaluation of the software's cost effectiveness and instructional…

Computer Assisted Mathematics Prescription Learning Pull-out Program in an Elementary School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swarm, Christine C.

Summaries of recent research have found computer-assisted instruction to be a highly motivating method of instruction that fosters independent study and provides for the immediate feedback necessary for the encouragement of individualized learning. A nonexperimental study was conducted with fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students (n=88) in a…

Evaluation of Imagine Learning English, a Computer-Assisted Instruction of Language and Literacy for Kindergarten Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Longberg, Pauline Oliphant

2012-01-01

As computer assisted instruction (CAI) becomes increasingly sophisticated, its appeal as a viable method of literacy intervention with young children continues despite limited evidence of effectiveness. The present study sought to assess the impact of one such CAI program, "Imagine Learning English" (ILE), on both the receptive…

A Computer Assisted Language Analysis System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rush, J. E.; And Others

A description is presented of a computer-assisted language analysis system (CALAS) which can serve as a method for isolating and displaying language utterances found in conversation. The purpose of CALAS is stated as being to deal with the question of whether it is possible to detect, isolate, and display information indicative of what is…

Microcomputer Based Computer-Assisted Learning System: CASTLE.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garraway, R. W. T.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which a sophisticated computer assisted instruction (CAI) system could be implemented on the type of microcomputer system currently found in the schools. A method was devised for comparing CAI languages and was used to rank five common CAI languages. The highest ranked language, NATAL,…

Self-learning computers for surgical planning and prediction of postoperative alignment.

PubMed

Lafage, Renaud; Pesenti, Sébastien; Lafage, Virginie; Schwab, Frank J

2018-02-01

In past decades, the role of sagittal alignment has been widely demonstrated in the setting of spinal conditions. As several parameters can be affected, identifying the driver of the deformity is the cornerstone of a successful treatment approach. Despite the importance of restoring sagittal alignment for optimizing outcome, this task remains challenging. Self-learning computers and optimized algorithms are of great interest in spine surgery as in that they facilitate better planning and prediction of postoperative alignment. Nowadays, computer-assisted tools are part of surgeons' daily practice; however, the use of such tools remains to be time-consuming. NARRATIVE REVIEW AND RESULTS: Computer-assisted methods for the prediction of postoperative alignment consist of a three step analysis: identification of anatomical landmark, definition of alignment objectives, and simulation of surgery. Recently, complex rules for the prediction of alignment have been proposed. Even though this kind of work leads to more personalized objectives, the number of parameters involved renders it difficult for clinical use, stressing the importance of developing computer-assisted tools. The evolution of our current technology, including machine learning and other types of advanced algorithms, will provide powerful tools that could be useful in improving surgical outcomes and alignment prediction. These tools can combine different types of advanced technologies, such as image recognition and shape modeling, and using this technique, computer-assisted methods are able to predict spinal shape. The development of powerful computer-assisted methods involves the integration of several sources of information such as radiographic parameters (X-rays, MRI, CT scan, etc.), demographic information, and unusual non-osseous parameters (muscle quality, proprioception, gait analysis data). In using a larger set of data, these methods will aim to mimic what is actually done by spine surgeons, leading to real tailor-made solutions. Integrating newer technology can change the current way of planning/simulating surgery. The use of powerful computer-assisted tools that are able to integrate several parameters and learn from experience can change the traditional way of selecting treatment pathways and counseling patients. However, there is still much work to be done to reach a desired level as noted in other orthopedic fields, such as hip surgery. Many of these tools already exist in non-medical fields and their adaptation to spine surgery is of considerable interest.

A Methodological Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials of Computer-Assisted Therapies for Psychiatric Disorders: Toward Improved Standards for an Emerging Field

PubMed Central

Kiluk, Brian D.; Sugarman, Dawn E.; Nich, Charla; Gibbons, Carly J.; Martino, Steve; Rounsaville, Bruce J.; Carroll, Kathleen M.

2013-01-01

Objective Computer-assisted therapies offer a novel, cost-effective strategy for providing evidence-based therapies to a broad range of individuals with psychiatric disorders. However, the extent to which the growing body of randomized trials evaluating computer-assisted therapies meets current standards of methodological rigor for evidence-based interventions is not clear. Method A methodological analysis of randomized clinical trials of computer-assisted therapies for adult psychiatric disorders, published between January 1990 and January 2010, was conducted. Seventy-five studies that examined computer-assisted therapies for a range of axis I disorders were evaluated using a 14-item methodological quality index. Results Results indicated marked heterogeneity in study quality. No study met all 14 basic quality standards, and three met 13 criteria. Consistent weaknesses were noted in evaluation of treatment exposure and adherence, rates of follow-up assessment, and conformity to intention-to-treat principles. Studies utilizing weaker comparison conditions (e.g., wait-list controls) had poorer methodological quality scores and were more likely to report effects favoring the computer-assisted condition. Conclusions While several well-conducted studies have indicated promising results for computer-assisted therapies, this emerging field has not yet achieved a level of methodological quality equivalent to those required for other evidence-based behavioral therapies or pharmacotherapies. Adoption of more consistent standards for methodological quality in this field, with greater attention to potential adverse events, is needed before computer-assisted therapies are widely disseminated or marketed as evidence based. PMID:21536689

[Clinical and radiographic outcomes of navigation-assisted versus conventional total knee arthroplasty].

PubMed

Li, Xiaohui; Yu, Jianhua; Gong, Yuekun; Ren, Kaijing; Liu, Jun

2015-04-21

To assess the early postoperative clinical and radiographic outcomes after navigation-assisted or standard instrumentation total knee arthroplasty (TKA). From August 2007 to May 2008, 60 KSS-A type patients underwent 67 primary TKA operations by the same surgical team. Twenty-two operations were performed with the Image-free navigation system with an average age of 64.5 years while the remaining 45 underwent conventional manual procedures with an average age of 66 years. Their preoperative demographic and functional data had no statistical differences (P>0.05). The operative duration, blood loss volume and hospitalization days were compared for two groups. And radiographic data included coronal femoral component angle, coronal tibial component angle, sagittal femoral component angle, sagittal tibial component angle and coronal tibiofemoral angle after one month. And functional assessment scores were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Operative duration was significantly longer for computer navigation (P<0.05). The average blood loss volume was 555.26 ml in computer navigation group and 647.56 ml in conventional manual method group (P<0.05). And hospitalization stay was shorter in computer navigation group than that in conventional method group (7.74 vs 8.68 days) (P=0.04). The alignment deviation was better in computer-assisted group than that in conventional manual method group (P<0.05). The percentage of patients with a coronal tibiofemoral angle within ±3 of ideal value was 95.45% for computer-assisted mini-invasive TKA group and 80% for conventional TKA group (P=0.003). The Knee Society Clinical Rating Score was higher in computer-assisted group than that in conventional manual method group at 1 and 3 montha post-operation. However, no statistical inter-group difference existed at 6 months post-operation. Navigation allows a surgeon to precisely implant the components for TKA. And it offers faster functional recovery and shorter hospitalization stay. At 6 months post-operation, there is no statistical inter-group difference in KSS scores.

Efficient Vocational Skills Training for People with Cognitive Disabilities: An Exploratory Study Comparing Computer-Assisted Instruction to One-on-One Tutoring.

PubMed

Larson, James R; Juszczak, Andrew; Engel, Kathryn

2016-03-01

This study compared the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction to that of one-on-one tutoring for teaching people with mild and moderate cognitive disabilities when both training methods are designed to take account of the specific mental deficits most commonly found in cognitive disability populations. Fifteen participants (age 22-71) received either computer-assisted instruction or one-on-one tutoring in three content domains that were of functional and daily relevance to them: behavioural limits, rights and responsibilities (two modules) and alphabetical sorting. Learning was assessed by means of a series of pretests and four learning cycle post-tests. Both instructional conditions maintained time-on-task and teaching material equivalence, and both incorporated a set of best-practices and empirically supported teaching techniques designed to address attentional deficits, stimulus processing inefficiencies and cognitive load limitations. Strong evidence of learning was found in both instructional method conditions. Moreover, in all content domains the two methods yielded approximately equivalent rates of learning and learning attainment. These findings offer tentative evidence that a repetitive, computer-assisted training program can produce learning outcomes in people with mild and moderate cognitive disabilities that are comparable to those achieved by high-quality one-on-one tutoring. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Grading through the Use of Computer-Assisted Grading Rubrics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anglin, Linda; Anglin, Kenneth; Schumann, Paul L.; Kaliski, John A.

2008-01-01

This study tests the use of computer-assisted grading rubrics compared to other grading methods with respect to the efficiency and effectiveness of different grading processes for subjective assignments. The test was performed on a large Introduction to Business course. The students in this course were randomly assigned to four treatment groups…

A Cross-Cultural Study on the Attitudes of English Language Students towards Computer-Assisted Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tafazoli, Dara; Gómez Parra, Mª Elena; Huertas Abril, Cristina A.

2018-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the attitude of Iranian and non-Iranian English language students' attitudes towards Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Furthermore, the relations of gender, education level, and age to their attitude are investigated. A convergent mixed methods design was used for analyzing both quantitative and…

Effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction on Performance of Senior High School Biology Students in Ghana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owusu, K. A.; Monney, K. A.; Appiah, J. Y.; Wilmot, E. M.

2010-01-01

This study investigated the comparative efficiency of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and conventional teaching method in biology on senior high school students. A science class was selected in each of two randomly selected schools. The pretest-posttest non equivalent quasi experimental design was used. The students in the experimental group…

Critical Thinking Outcomes of Computer-Assisted Instruction versus Written Nursing Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saucier, Bonnie L.; Stevens, Kathleen R.; Williams, Gail B.

2000-01-01

Nursing students (n=43) who used clinical case studies via computer-assisted instruction (CAI) were compared with 37 who used the written nursing process (WNP). California Critical Thinking Skills Test results did not show significant increases in critical thinking. The WNP method was more time consuming; the CAI group was more satisfied. Use of…

Learning Auditory Discrimination with Computer-Assisted Instruction: A Comparison of Two Different Performance Objectives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steinhaus, Kurt A.

A 12-week study of two groups of 14 college freshmen music majors was conducted to determine which group demonstrated greater achievement in learning auditory discrimination using computer-assisted instruction (CAI). The method employed was a pre-/post-test experimental design using subjects randomly assigned to a control group or an experimental…

Development and Initial Psychometric Properties of the Computer Assisted Maltreatment Inventory (CAMI): A Comprehensive Self-Report Measure of Child Maltreatment History

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DiLillo, David; Hayes-Skelton, Sarah A.; Fortier, Michelle A.; Perry, Andrea R.; Evans, Sarah E.; Messman Moore, Terri L.; Walsh, Kate; Nash, Cindy; Fauchier, Angele

2010-01-01

Objectives: The present study reports on the development and initial psychometric properties of the Computer Assisted Maltreatment Inventory (CAMI), a web-based self-report measure of child maltreatment history, including sexual and physical abuse, exposure to interparental violence, psychological abuse, and neglect. Methods: The CAMI was…

Computer-Assisted Analysis of Spontaneous Speech: Quantification of Basic Parameters in Aphasic and Unimpaired Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hussmann, Katja; Grande, Marion; Meffert, Elisabeth; Christoph, Swetlana; Piefke, Martina; Willmes, Klaus; Huber, Walter

2012-01-01

Although generally accepted as an important part of aphasia assessment, detailed analysis of spontaneous speech is rarely carried out in clinical practice mostly due to time limitations. The Aachener Sprachanalyse (ASPA; Aachen Speech Analysis) is a computer-assisted method for the quantitative analysis of German spontaneous speech that allows for…

The Impact of Computer Assisted Instruction As It Relates to Learning Disabled Adults in California Community Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brower, Mary Jo

A study was conducted to determine the advantages and disadvantages of using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) with learning disabled (LD) adults attending California community colleges. A questionnaire survey of the directors of the LD programs solicited information on the availability of CAI for LD adults, methods of course advertisement,…

A new system of computer-assisted navigation leading to reduction in operating time in uncemented total hip replacement in a matched population.

PubMed

Chaudhry, Fouad A; Ismail, Sanaa Z; Davis, Edward T

2018-05-01

Computer-assisted navigation techniques are used to optimise component placement and alignment in total hip replacement. It has developed in the last 10 years but despite its advantages only 0.3% of all total hip replacements in England and Wales are done using computer navigation. One of the reasons for this is that computer-assisted technology increases operative time. A new method of pelvic registration has been developed without the need to register the anterior pelvic plane (BrainLab hip 6.0) which has shown to improve the accuracy of THR. The purpose of this study was to find out if the new method reduces the operating time. This was a retrospective analysis of comparing operating time in computer navigated primary uncemented total hip replacement using two methods of registration. Group 1 included 128 cases that were performed using BrainLab versions 2.1-5.1. This version relied on the acquisition of the anterior pelvic plane for registration. Group 2 included 128 cases that were performed using the newest navigation software, BrainLab hip 6.0 (registration possible with the patient in the lateral decubitus position). The operating time was 65.79 (40-98) minutes using the old method of registration and was 50.87 (33-74) minutes using the new method of registration. This difference was statistically significant. The body mass index (BMI) was comparable in both groups. The study supports the use of new method of registration in improving the operating time in computer navigated primary uncemented total hip replacements.

A computer-assisted motivational social network intervention to reduce alcohol, drug and HIV risk behaviors among Housing First residents.

PubMed

Kennedy, David P; Hunter, Sarah B; Chan Osilla, Karen; Maksabedian, Ervant; Golinelli, Daniela; Tucker, Joan S

2016-03-15

Individuals transitioning from homelessness to housing face challenges to reducing alcohol, drug and HIV risk behaviors. To aid in this transition, this study developed and will test a computer-assisted intervention that delivers personalized social network feedback by an intervention facilitator trained in motivational interviewing (MI). The intervention goal is to enhance motivation to reduce high risk alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and reduce HIV risk behaviors. In this Stage 1b pilot trial, 60 individuals that are transitioning from homelessness to housing will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. The intervention condition consists of four biweekly social network sessions conducted using MI. AOD use and HIV risk behaviors will be monitored prior to and immediately following the intervention and compared to control participants' behaviors to explore whether the intervention was associated with any systematic changes in AOD use or HIV risk behaviors. Social network health interventions are an innovative approach for reducing future AOD use and HIV risk problems, but little is known about their feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy. The current study develops and pilot-tests a computer-assisted intervention that incorporates social network visualizations and MI techniques to reduce high risk AOD use and HIV behaviors among the formerly homeless. CLINICALTRIALS. NCT02140359.

Teaching musculoskeletal clinical skills to medical trainees and physicians: a Best Evidence in Medical Education systematic review of strategies and their effectiveness: BEME Guide No. 18.

PubMed

O'Dunn-Orto, Alexandra; Hartling, Lisa; Campbell, Sandra; Oswald, Anna E

2012-01-01

Musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints make up 12-20% of primary health visits and are a source of significant expenditures and morbidity. Despite this, MSK examination is an area of weakness among practising physicians. Several studies have highlighted the need for increased MSK physical exam teaching. However, increased teaching time alone does not guarantee improvement in these skills. Thus, we aimed to identify interventions that are effective in promoting transfer of MSK clinical skills. The review protocol was approved by the Best Evidence in Medical Education (BEME) organization. A comprehensive search was conducted and systematic review methods were applied. Data were not pooled statistically due to heterogeneity. About 5089 titles were screened; 24 studies were included. Eighteen of 24 studies focused on undergraduate medical education. Five of nine studies favoured patient educator. Five of six studies favoured interactive small groups, two of four studies favoured computer-assisted learning, and two of two studies favoured peer learning. Individual studies demonstrated effectiveness of reminder sheets and Gait Arms Legs Spine teaching, respectively. This study supports the use of different instructional methods that engage learners and provide meaningful learning contexts. The majority of the studies support patient educators and interactive small group teaching.

Increasingly automated procedure acquisition in dynamic systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mathe, Nathalie; Kedar, Smadar

1992-01-01

Procedures are widely used by operators for controlling complex dynamic systems. Currently, most development of such procedures is done manually, consuming a large amount of paper, time, and manpower in the process. While automated knowledge acquisition is an active field of research, not much attention has been paid to the problem of computer-assisted acquisition and refinement of complex procedures for dynamic systems. The Procedure Acquisition for Reactive Control Assistant (PARC), which is designed to assist users in more systematically and automatically encoding and refining complex procedures. PARC is able to elicit knowledge interactively from the user during operation of the dynamic system. We categorize procedure refinement into two stages: diagnosis - diagnose the failure and choose a repair - and repair - plan and perform the repair. The basic approach taken in PARC is to assist the user in all steps of this process by providing increased levels of assistance with layered tools. We illustrate the operation of PARC in refining procedures for the control of a robot arm.

Computer-assisted Behavioral Therapy and Contingency Management for Cannabis Use Disorder

PubMed Central

Budney, Alan J.; Stanger, Catherine; Tilford, J. Mick; Scherer, Emily; Brown, Pamela C.; Li, Zhongze; Li, Zhigang; Walker, Denise

2015-01-01

Computer-assisted behavioral treatments hold promise for enhancing access to and reducing costs of treatments for substance use disorders. This study assessed the efficacy of a computer-assisted version of an efficacious, multicomponent treatment for cannabis use disorders (CUD), i.e., motivational enhancement therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and abstinence-based contingency-management (MET/CBT/CM). An initial cost comparison was also performed. Seventy-five adult participants, 59% African Americans, seeking treatment for CUD received either, MET only (BRIEF), therapist-delivered MET/CBT/CM (THERAPIST), or computer-delivered MET/CBT/CM (COMPUTER). During treatment, the THERAPIST and COMPUTER conditions engendered longer durations of continuous cannabis abstinence than BRIEF (p < .05), but did not differ from each other. Abstinence rates and reduction in days of use over time were maintained in COMPUTER at least as well as in THERAPIST. COMPUTER averaged approximately $130 (p < .05) less per case than THERAPIST in therapist costs, which offset most of the costs of CM. Results add to promising findings that illustrate potential for computer-assisted delivery methods to enhance access to evidence-based care, reduce costs, and possibly improve outcomes. The observed maintenance effects and the cost findings require replication in larger clinical trials. PMID:25938629

Do Clouds Compute? A Framework for Estimating the Value of Cloud Computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klems, Markus; Nimis, Jens; Tai, Stefan

On-demand provisioning of scalable and reliable compute services, along with a cost model that charges consumers based on actual service usage, has been an objective in distributed computing research and industry for a while. Cloud Computing promises to deliver on this objective: consumers are able to rent infrastructure in the Cloud as needed, deploy applications and store data, and access them via Web protocols on a pay-per-use basis. The acceptance of Cloud Computing, however, depends on the ability for Cloud Computing providers and consumers to implement a model for business value co-creation. Therefore, a systematic approach to measure costs and benefits of Cloud Computing is needed. In this paper, we discuss the need for valuation of Cloud Computing, identify key components, and structure these components in a framework. The framework assists decision makers in estimating Cloud Computing costs and to compare these costs to conventional IT solutions. We demonstrate by means of representative use cases how our framework can be applied to real world scenarios.

Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software.

PubMed

Cope, Diane G

2014-05-01

Advances in technology have provided new approaches for data collection methods and analysis for researchers. Data collection is no longer limited to paper-and-pencil format, and numerous methods are now available through Internet and electronic resources. With these techniques, researchers are not burdened with entering data manually and data analysis is facilitated by software programs. Quantitative research is supported by the use of computer software and provides ease in the management of large data sets and rapid analysis of numeric statistical methods. New technologies are emerging to support qualitative research with the availability of computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS).CAQDAS will be presented with a discussion of advantages, limitations, controversial issues, and recommendations for this type of software use.

Robot-assisted pancreatic surgery: a systematic review of the literature

PubMed Central

Strijker, Marin; van Santvoort, Hjalmar C; Besselink, Marc G; van Hillegersberg, Richard; Borel Rinkes, Inne HM; Vriens, Menno R; Molenaar, I Quintus

2013-01-01

Background To potentially improve outcomes in pancreatic resection, robot-assisted pancreatic surgery has been introduced. This technique has possible advantages over laparoscopic surgery, such as its affordance of three-dimensional vision and increased freedom of movement of instruments. A systematic review was performed to assess the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted pancreatic surgery. Methods The literature published up to 30 September 2011 was systematically reviewed, with no restrictions on publication date. Studies reporting on over five patients were included. Animal studies, studies not reporting morbidity and mortality, review articles and conference abstracts were excluded. Data were extracted and weighted means were calculated. Results A total of 499 studies were screened, after which eight cohort studies reporting on a total of 251 patients undergoing robot-assisted pancreatic surgery were retained for analysis. Weighted mean operation time was 404 ± 102 min (510 ± 107 min for pancreatoduodenectomy only). The rate of conversion was 11.0% (16.4% for pancreatoduodenectomy only). Overall morbidity was 30.7% (n = 77), most frequently involving pancreatic fistulae (n = 46). Mortality was 1.6%. Negative surgical margins were obtained in 92.9% of patients. The rate of spleen preservation in distal pancreatectomy was 87.1%. Conclusions Robot-assisted pancreatic surgery seems to be safe and feasible in selected patients and, in left-sided resections, may increase the rate of spleen preservation. Randomized studies should compare the respective outcomes of robot-assisted, laparoscopic and open pancreatic surgery. PMID:23216773

Medical education as a science: the quality of evidence for computer-assisted instruction.

PubMed

Letterie, Gerard S

2003-03-01

A marked increase in the number of computer programs for computer-assisted instruction in the medical sciences has occurred over the past 10 years. The quality of both the programs and the literature that describe these programs has varied considerably. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the published literature that described computer-assisted instruction in medical education and to assess the quality of evidence for its implementation, with particular emphasis on obstetrics and gynecology. Reports published between 1988 and 2000 on computer-assisted instruction in medical education were identified through a search of MEDLINE and Educational Resource Identification Center and a review of the bibliographies of the articles that were identified. Studies were selected if they included a description of computer-assisted instruction in medical education, regardless of the type of computer program. Data were extracted with a content analysis of 210 reports. The reports were categorized according to study design (comparative, prospective, descriptive, review, or editorial), type of computer-assisted instruction, medical specialty, and measures of effectiveness. Computer-assisted instruction programs included online technologies, CD-ROMs, video laser disks, multimedia work stations, virtual reality, and simulation testing. Studies were identified in all medical specialties, with a preponderance in internal medicine, general surgery, radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and pathology. Ninety-six percent of the articles described a favorable impact of computer-assisted instruction in medical education, regardless of the quality of the evidence. Of the 210 reports that were identified, 60% were noncomparative, descriptive reports of new techniques in computer-assisted instruction, and 15% and 14% were reviews and editorials, respectively, of existing technology. Eleven percent of studies were comparative and included some form of assessment of the effectiveness of the computer program. These assessments included pre- and posttesting and questionnaires to score program quality, perceptions of the medical students and/or residents regarding the program, and impact on learning. In one half of these comparative studies, computer-assisted instruction was compared with traditional modes of teaching, such as text and lectures. Six studies compared performance before and after the computer-assisted instruction. Improvements were shown in 5 of the studies. In the remainder of the studies, computer-assisted instruction appeared to result in similar test performance. Despite study design or outcome, most articles described enthusiastic endorsement of the programs by the participants, including medical students, residents, and practicing physicians. Only 1 study included cost analysis. Thirteen of the articles were in obstetrics and gynecology. Computer-assisted instruction has assumed to have an increasing role in medical education. In spite of enthusiastic endorsement and continued improvements in software, few studies of good design clearly demonstrate improvement in medical education over traditional modalities. There are no comparative studies in obstetrics and gynecology that demonstrate a clear-cut advantage. Future studies of computer-assisted instruction that include comparisons and cost assessments to gauge their effectiveness over traditional methods may better define their precise role.

Computer Assisted Navigation in Knee Arthroplasty

PubMed Central

Bae, Dae Kyung

2011-01-01

Computer assisted surgery (CAS) was used to improve the positioning of implants during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Most studies have reported that computer assisted navigation reduced the outliers of alignment and component malpositioning. However, additional sophisticated studies are necessary to determine if the improvement of alignment will improve long-term clinical results and increase the survival rate of the implant. Knowledge of CAS-TKA technology and understanding the advantages and limitations of navigation are crucial to the successful application of the CAS technique in TKA. In this article, we review the components of navigation, classification of the system, surgical method, potential error, clinical results, advantages, and disadvantages. PMID:22162787

Implementation of Audio Computer-Assisted Interviewing Software in HIV/AIDS Research

PubMed Central

Pluhar, Erika; Yeager, Katherine A.; Corkran, Carol; McCarty, Frances; Holstad, Marcia McDonnell; Denzmore-Nwagbara, Pamela; Fielder, Bridget; DiIorio, Colleen

2007-01-01

Computer assisted interviewing (CAI) has begun to play a more prominent role in HIV/AIDS prevention research. Despite the increased popularity of CAI, particularly audio computer assisted self-interviewing (ACASI), some research teams are still reluctant to implement ACASI technology due to lack of familiarity with the practical issues related to using these software packages. The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of one particular ACASI software package, the Questionnaire Development System™ (QDS™), in several nursing and HIV/AIDS prevention research settings. We present acceptability and satisfaction data from two large-scale public health studies in which we have used QDS with diverse populations. We also address issues related to developing and programming a questionnaire, discuss practical strategies related to planning for and implementing ACASI in the field, including selecting equipment, training staff, and collecting and transferring data, and summarize advantages and disadvantages of computer assisted research methods. PMID:17662924

Political leaders and the media. Can we measure political leadership images in newspapers using computer-assisted content analysis?

PubMed

Aaldering, Loes; Vliegenthart, Rens

Despite the large amount of research into both media coverage of politics as well as political leadership, surprisingly little research has been devoted to the ways political leaders are discussed in the media. This paper studies whether computer-aided content analysis can be applied in examining political leadership images in Dutch newspaper articles. It, firstly, provides a conceptualization of political leader character traits that integrates different perspectives in the literature. Moreover, this paper measures twelve political leadership images in media coverage, based on a large-scale computer-assisted content analysis of Dutch media coverage (including almost 150.000 newspaper articles), and systematically tests the quality of the employed measurement instrument by assessing the relationship between the images, the variance in the measurement, the over-time development of images for two party leaders and by comparing the computer results with manual coding. We conclude that the computerized content analysis provides a valid measurement for the leadership images in Dutch newspapers. Moreover, we find that the dimensions political craftsmanship, vigorousness, integrity, communicative performances and consistency are regularly applied in discussing party leaders, but that portrayal of party leaders in terms of responsiveness is almost completely absent in Dutch newspapers.

Mobile augmented reality for computer-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

PubMed

Müller, Michael; Rassweiler, Marie-Claire; Klein, Jan; Seitel, Alexander; Gondan, Matthias; Baumhauer, Matthias; Teber, Dogu; Rassweiler, Jens J; Meinzer, Hans-Peter; Maier-Hein, Lena

2013-07-01

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) plays an integral role in treatment of renal stones. Creating percutaneous renal access is the most important and challenging step in the procedure. To facilitate this step, we evaluated our novel mobile augmented reality (AR) system for its feasibility of use for PCNL. A tablet computer, such as an iPad[Formula: see text], is positioned above the patient with its camera pointing toward the field of intervention. The images of the tablet camera are registered with the CT image by means of fiducial markers. Structures of interest can be superimposed semi-transparently on the video images. We present a systematic evaluation by means of a phantom study. An urological trainee and two experts conducted 53 punctures on kidney phantoms. The trainee performed best with the proposed AR system in terms of puncturing time (mean: 99 s), whereas the experts performed best with fluoroscopy (mean: 59 s). iPad assistance lowered radiation exposure by a factor of 3 for the inexperienced physician and by a factor of 1.8 for the experts in comparison with fluoroscopy usage. We achieve a mean visualization accuracy of 2.5 mm. The proposed tablet computer-based AR system has proven helpful in assisting percutaneous interventions such as PCNL and shows benefits compared to other state-of-the-art assistance systems. A drawback of the system in its current state is the lack of depth information. Despite that, the simple integration into the clinical workflow highlights the potential impact of this approach to such interventions.

Advanced Computing for Science.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hut, Piet; Sussman, Gerald Jay

1987-01-01

Discusses some of the contributions that high-speed computing is making to the study of science. Emphasizes the use of computers in exploring complicated systems without the simplification required in traditional methods of observation and experimentation. Provides examples of computer assisted investigations in astronomy and physics. (TW)

The Effects of Computer Assisted Instruction Materials on Approximate Number Skills of Students with Dyscalculia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mutlu, Yilmaz; Akgün, Levent

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of computer assisted instruction materials on approximate number skills of students with mathematics learning difficulties. The study was carried out with pretest-posttest quasi experimental method with a single subject. The participants of the study consist of a girl and two boys who attend 3rd…

Extending the Use of Spanish Computer-Assisted Anomia Rehabilitation Program (CARP-2) in People with Aphasia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adrian, Jose A.; Gonzalez, Mercedes; Buiza, Juan J.; Sage, Karen

2011-01-01

Purpose: To extend the use of the Spanish Computer-assisted Anomia Rehabilitation Program (CARP-2) for anomia from a single case to a group of 15 people with aphasia. To evaluate whether the treatment is active (Phase 1) for this group (Robey & Schultz, 1998), providing potential explanations as to why. Methods: Fifteen participants with chronic…

Computer-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Child Anxiety: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khanna, Muniya S.; Kendall, Philip C.

2010-01-01

Objective: This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of Camp Cope-A-Lot (CCAL), a computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety in youth. Method: Children (49; 33 males) ages 7-13 (M = 10.1 [plus or minus] 1.6; 83.7% Caucasian, 14.2% African American, 2% Hispanic) with a principal anxiety disorder were…

Implementation of a computer-assisted monitoring system for the detection of adverse drug reactions in gastroenterology.

PubMed

Dormann, H; Criegee-Rieck, M; Neubert, A; Egger, T; Levy, M; Hahn, E G; Brune, K

2004-02-01

To investigate the effectiveness of a computer monitoring system that detects adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by laboratory signals in gastroenterology. A prospective, 6-month, pharmaco-epidemiological survey was carried out on a gastroenterological ward at the University Hospital Erlangen-Nuremberg. Two methods were used to identify ADRs. (i) All charts were reviewed daily by physicians and clinical pharmacists. (ii) A computer monitoring system generated a daily list of automatic laboratory signals and alerts of ADRs, including patient data and dates of events. One hundred and nine ADRs were detected in 474 admissions (377 patients). The computer monitoring system generated 4454 automatic laboratory signals from 39 819 laboratory parameters tested, and issued 2328 alerts, 914 (39%) of which were associated with ADRs; 574 (25%) were associated with ADR-positive admissions. Of all the alerts generated, signals of hepatotoxicity (1255), followed by coagulation disorders (407) and haematological toxicity (207), were prevalent. Correspondingly, the prevailing ADRs were concerned with the metabolic and hepato-gastrointestinal system (61). The sensitivity was 91%: 69 of 76 ADR-positive patients were indicated by an alert. The specificity of alerts was increased from 23% to 76% after implementation of an automatic laboratory signal trend monitoring algorithm. This study shows that a computer monitoring system is a useful tool for the systematic and automated detection of ADRs in gastroenterological patients.

Design component method for sensitivity analysis of built-up structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Kyung K.; Seong, Hwai G.

1986-01-01

A 'design component method' that provides a unified and systematic organization of design sensitivity analysis for built-up structures is developed and implemented. Both conventional design variables, such as thickness and cross-sectional area, and shape design variables of components of built-up structures are considered. It is shown that design of components of built-up structures can be characterized and system design sensitivity expressions obtained by simply adding contributions from each component. The method leads to a systematic organization of computations for design sensitivity analysis that is similar to the way in which computations are organized within a finite element code.

Computer-assisted concept mapping: Visual aids for knowledge construction

PubMed Central

Mammen, Jennifer R.

2016-01-01

Background Concept mapping is a visual representation of ideas that facilitates critical thinking and is applicable to many areas of nursing education. Computer-Assisted Concept Maps are more flexible and less constrained than traditional paper methods, allowing for analysis and synthesis of complex topics and larger amounts of data. Ability to iteratively revise and collaboratively create computerized maps can contribute to enhanced interpersonal learning. However, there is limited awareness of free software that can support these types of applications. Discussion This educational brief examines affordances and limitations of Computer-Assisted Concept Maps and reviews free software for development of complex, collaborative malleable maps. Free software such as VUE, Xmind, MindMaple, and others can substantially contribute to utility of concept-mapping for nursing education. Conclusions Computerized concept-mapping is an important tool for nursing and is likely to hold greater benefit for students and faculty than traditional pen and paper methods alone. PMID:27351610

The effectiveness of M-health technologies for improving health and health services: a systematic review protocol

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background The application of mobile computing and communication technology is rapidly expanding in the fields of health care and public health. This systematic review will summarise the evidence for the effectiveness of mobile technology interventions for improving health and health service outcomes (M-health) around the world. Findings To be included in the review interventions must aim to improve or promote health or health service use and quality, employing any mobile computing and communication technology. This includes: (1) interventions designed to improve diagnosis, investigation, treatment, monitoring and management of disease; (2) interventions to deliver treatment or disease management programmes to patients, health promotion interventions, and interventions designed to improve treatment compliance; and (3) interventions to improve health care processes e.g. appointment attendance, result notification, vaccination reminders. A comprehensive, electronic search strategy will be used to identify controlled studies, published since 1990, and indexed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Global Health, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, or the UK NHS Health Technology Assessment database. The search strategy will include terms (and synonyms) for the following mobile electronic devices (MEDs) and a range of compatible media: mobile phone; personal digital assistant (PDA); handheld computer (e.g. tablet PC); PDA phone (e.g. BlackBerry, Palm Pilot); Smartphone; enterprise digital assistant; portable media player (i.e. MP3 or MP4 player); handheld video game console. No terms for health or health service outcomes will be included, to ensure that all applications of mobile technology in public health and health services are identified. Bibliographies of primary studies and review articles meeting the inclusion criteria will be searched manually to identify further eligible studies. Data on objective and self-reported outcomes and study quality will be independently extracted by two review authors. Where there are sufficient numbers of similar interventions, we will calculate and report pooled risk ratios or standardised mean differences using meta-analysis. Discussion This systematic review will provide recommendations on the use of mobile computing and communication technology in health care and public health and will guide future work on intervention development and primary research in this field. PMID:20925916

The effectiveness of M-health technologies for improving health and health services: a systematic review protocol.

PubMed

Free, Caroline; Phillips, Gemma; Felix, Lambert; Galli, Leandro; Patel, Vikram; Edwards, Philip

2010-10-06

The application of mobile computing and communication technology is rapidly expanding in the fields of health care and public health. This systematic review will summarise the evidence for the effectiveness of mobile technology interventions for improving health and health service outcomes (M-health) around the world. To be included in the review interventions must aim to improve or promote health or health service use and quality, employing any mobile computing and communication technology. This includes: (1) interventions designed to improve diagnosis, investigation, treatment, monitoring and management of disease; (2) interventions to deliver treatment or disease management programmes to patients, health promotion interventions, and interventions designed to improve treatment compliance; and (3) interventions to improve health care processes e.g. appointment attendance, result notification, vaccination reminders.A comprehensive, electronic search strategy will be used to identify controlled studies, published since 1990, and indexed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Global Health, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, or the UK NHS Health Technology Assessment database. The search strategy will include terms (and synonyms) for the following mobile electronic devices (MEDs) and a range of compatible media: mobile phone; personal digital assistant (PDA); handheld computer (e.g. tablet PC); PDA phone (e.g. BlackBerry, Palm Pilot); Smartphone; enterprise digital assistant; portable media player (i.e. MP3 or MP4 player); handheld video game console. No terms for health or health service outcomes will be included, to ensure that all applications of mobile technology in public health and health services are identified. Bibliographies of primary studies and review articles meeting the inclusion criteria will be searched manually to identify further eligible studies. Data on objective and self-reported outcomes and study quality will be independently extracted by two review authors. Where there are sufficient numbers of similar interventions, we will calculate and report pooled risk ratios or standardised mean differences using meta-analysis. This systematic review will provide recommendations on the use of mobile computing and communication technology in health care and public health and will guide future work on intervention development and primary research in this field.

Impact of Overt and Subclinical Hypothyroidism on Exercise Tolerance: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lankhaar, Jeannette A. C.; de Vries, Wouter R.; Jansen, Jaap A. C. G.; Zelissen, Pierre M. J.; Backx, Frank J. G.

2014-01-01

Purpose: This systematic review describes the state of the art of the impact of hypothyroidism on exercise tolerance and physical performance capacity in untreated and treated patients with hypothyroidism. Method: A systematic computer-aided search was conducted using biomedical databases. Relevant studies in English, German, and Dutch, published…

Computer-assisted assessment of ultrasound real-time elastography: initial experience in 145 breast lesions.

PubMed

Zhang, Xue; Xiao, Yang; Zeng, Jie; Qiu, Weibao; Qian, Ming; Wang, Congzhi; Zheng, Rongqin; Zheng, Hairong

2014-01-01

To develop and evaluate a computer-assisted method of quantifying five-point elasticity scoring system based on ultrasound real-time elastography (RTE), for classifying benign and malignant breast lesions, with pathologic results as the reference standard. Conventional ultrasonography (US) and RTE images of 145 breast lesions (67 malignant, 78 benign) were performed in this study. Each lesion was automatically contoured on the B-mode image by the level set method and mapped on the RTE image. The relative elasticity value of each pixel was reconstructed and classified into hard or soft by the fuzzy c-means clustering method. According to the hardness degree inside lesion and its surrounding tissue, the elasticity score of the RTE image was computed in an automatic way. Visual assessments of the radiologists were used for comparing the diagnostic performance. Histopathologic examination was used as the reference standard. The Student's t test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed for statistical analysis. Considering score 4 or higher as test positive for malignancy, the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 93.8% (136/145), 92.5% (62/67), 94.9% (74/78), 93.9% (62/66), and 93.7% (74/79) for the computer-assisted scheme, and 89.7% (130/145), 85.1% (57/67), 93.6% (73/78), 92.0% (57/62), and 88.0% (73/83) for manual assessment. Area under ROC curve (Az value) for the proposed method was higher than the Az value for visual assessment (0.96 vs. 0.93). Computer-assisted quantification of classical five-point scoring system can significantly eliminate the interobserver variability and thereby improve the diagnostic confidence of classifying the breast lesions to avoid unnecessary biopsy. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Accuracy of pedicle screw placement based on preoperative computed tomography versus intraoperative data set acquisition for spinal navigation system.

PubMed

Liu, Hao; Chen, Weikai; Liu, Tao; Meng, Bin; Yang, Huilin

2017-01-01

To investigate the accuracy of pedicle screw placement based on preoperative computed tomography in comparison with intraoperative data set acquisition for spinal navigation system. The PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, and Web of Science were systematically searched for the literature published up to September 2015. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using the Review Manager 5.3. The dichotomous data for the pedicle violation rate was summarized using relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with the fixed-effects model. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. For this meta-analysis, seven studies used a total of 579 patients and 2981 screws. The results revealed that the accuracy of intraoperative data set acquisition method is significantly higher than preoperative one using 2 mm grading criteria (RR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.04, I 2 = 0%, p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference between two kinds of methods at the 0 mm grading criteria (RR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.88, 1.46, I 2 = 17%, p = 0.34). Using the 2-mm grading criteria, there was a higher accuracy of pedicle screw insertion in O-arm-assisted navigation than CT-based navigation method (RR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.64, I 2 = 0%, p = 0.03). The accuracy between CT-based navigation and two-dimensional-based navigation showed no significant difference (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.35-3.03, I 2 = 0%, p = 0.97). The intraoperative data set acquisition method may decrease the incidence of perforated screws over 2 mm but not increase the number of screws fully contained within the pedicle compared to preoperative CT-based navigation system. A significantly higher accuracy of intraoperative (O-arm) than preoperative CT-based navigation was revealed using 2 mm grading criteria.

Effects of acupuncture and computer-assisted cognitive training for post-stroke attention deficits: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Huang, Jia; McCaskey, Michael A; Yang, Shanli; Ye, Haicheng; Tao, Jing; Jiang, Cai; Schuster-Amft, Corina; Balzer, Christian; Ettlin, Thierry; Schupp, Wilfried; Kulke, Hartwig; Chen, Lidian

2015-12-02

A majority of stroke survivors present with cognitive impairments. Attention disturbance, which leads to impaired concentration and overall reduced cognitive functions, is strongly associated with stroke. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture with Baihui (GV20) and Shenting (GV24) as well as computer-assisted cognitive training in stroke and post-stroke cognitive impairment have both been demonstrated in previous studies. To date, no systematic comparison of these exists and the potential beneficial effects of a combined application are yet to be examined. The main objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of computer-assisted cognitive training compared to acupuncture on the outcomes of attention assessments. The second objective is to test the effects of a combined cognitive intervention that incorporates computer-assisted cognitive training and acupuncture (ACoTrain). An international multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled pilot trial will be conducted. In a 1:1:1 ratio, 60 inpatients with post-stroke cognitive dysfunction will be randomly allocated into either the acupuncture group, the computer-assisted cognitive training group, or the ACoTrain group in addition to their individual rehabilitation programme. The intervention period of this pilot trial will last 4 weeks (30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, Monday to Friday). The primary outcome is the test battery for attentional performance. The secondary outcomes include the Trail Making Test, Test des Deux Barrages, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, and Modified Barthel Index for assessment of daily life competence, and the EuroQol Questionnaire for health-related quality of life. This trial mainly focuses on evaluating the effects of computer-assisted cognitive training compared to acupuncture on the outcomes of attention assessments. The results of this pilot trial are expected to provide new insights on how Eastern and Western medicine can complement one another and improve the treatment of cognitive impairments in early stroke rehabilitation. Including patients with different cultural backgrounds allows a more generalisable interpretation of the results but also poses risks of performance bias. Using standardised and well-described assessments, validated for each region, is pivotal to allow pooling of the data. Clinical Trails.gov ID: NCT02324959 (8 December 2014).

Comparison of software packages for detecting differential expression in RNA-seq studies

PubMed Central

Seyednasrollah, Fatemeh; Laiho, Asta

2015-01-01

RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has rapidly become a popular tool to characterize transcriptomes. A fundamental research problem in many RNA-seq studies is the identification of reliable molecular markers that show differential expression between distinct sample groups. Together with the growing popularity of RNA-seq, a number of data analysis methods and pipelines have already been developed for this task. Currently, however, there is no clear consensus about the best practices yet, which makes the choice of an appropriate method a daunting task especially for a basic user without a strong statistical or computational background. To assist the choice, we perform here a systematic comparison of eight widely used software packages and pipelines for detecting differential expression between sample groups in a practical research setting and provide general guidelines for choosing a robust pipeline. In general, our results demonstrate how the data analysis tool utilized can markedly affect the outcome of the data analysis, highlighting the importance of this choice. PMID:24300110

Comparison of software packages for detecting differential expression in RNA-seq studies.

PubMed

Seyednasrollah, Fatemeh; Laiho, Asta; Elo, Laura L

2015-01-01

RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has rapidly become a popular tool to characterize transcriptomes. A fundamental research problem in many RNA-seq studies is the identification of reliable molecular markers that show differential expression between distinct sample groups. Together with the growing popularity of RNA-seq, a number of data analysis methods and pipelines have already been developed for this task. Currently, however, there is no clear consensus about the best practices yet, which makes the choice of an appropriate method a daunting task especially for a basic user without a strong statistical or computational background. To assist the choice, we perform here a systematic comparison of eight widely used software packages and pipelines for detecting differential expression between sample groups in a practical research setting and provide general guidelines for choosing a robust pipeline. In general, our results demonstrate how the data analysis tool utilized can markedly affect the outcome of the data analysis, highlighting the importance of this choice. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press.

A Comparison of Computer-Assisted Instruction and the Traditional Method of Teaching Basic Statistics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ragasa, Carmelita Y.

2008-01-01

The objective of the study is to determine if there is a significant difference in the effects of the treatment and control groups on achievement as well as on attitude as measured by the posttest. A class of 38 sophomore college students in the basic statistics taught with the use of computer-assisted instruction and another class of 15 students…

A Computer-Assisted Instructional Software Program in Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills for Medication Administration for Beginning Baccalaureate Nursing Students at San Jose State University.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wahl, Sharon C.

Nursing educators and administrators are concerned about medication errors made by students which jeopardize patient safety. The inability to conceptualize and calculate medication dosages, often related to math anxiety, is implicated in such errors. A computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program is seen as a viable method of allowing students to…

Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Intervention Delivered by Educators for Children with Speech Sound Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLeod, Sharynne; Baker, Elise; McCormack, Jane; Wren, Yvonne; Roulstone, Sue; Crowe, Kathryn; Masso, Sarah; White, Paul; Howland, Charlotte

2017-01-01

Purpose: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of computer-assisted input-based intervention for children with speech sound disorders (SSD). Method: The Sound Start Study was a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Seventy-nine early childhood centers were invited to participate, 45 were recruited, and 1,205 parents and educators of 4- and…

Computer-assisted versus oral-and-written family history taking for identifying people with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Pappas, Yannis; Wei, Igor; Car, Josip; Majeed, Azeem; Sheikh, Aziz

2011-12-07

Diabetes is a chronic illness characterised by insulin resistance or deficiency, resulting in elevated glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Because diabetes tends to run in families, the collection of data is an important tool for identifying people with elevated risk of type2 diabetes. Traditionally, oral-and-written data collection methods are employed but computer-assisted history taking systems (CAHTS) are increasingly used. Although CAHTS were first described in the 1960s, there remains uncertainty about the impact of these methods on family history taking, clinical care and patient outcomes such as health-related quality of life.  To assess the effectiveness of computer-assisted versus oral-and-written family history taking for identifying people with elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. We searched The Cochrane Library (issue 6, 2011), MEDLINE (January 1985 to June 2011), EMBASE (January 1980 to June 2011) and CINAHL (January 1981 to June 2011). Reference lists of obtained articles were also pursued further and no limits were imposed on languages and publication status. Randomised controlled trials of computer-assisted versus oral-and-written history taking in adult participants (16 years and older). Two authors independently scanned the title and abstract of retrieved articles. Potentially relevant articles were investigated as full text. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were abstracted for relevant population and intervention characteristics with any disagreements resolved by discussion, or by a third party. Risk of bias was similarly assessed independently. We found no controlled trials on computer-assisted versus oral-and-written family history taking for identifying people with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is a need to develop an evidence base to support the effective development and use of computer-assisted history taking systems in this area of practice. In the absence of evidence on effectiveness, the implementation of computer-assisted family history taking for identifying people with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes may only rely on the clinicians' tacit knowledge, published monographs and viewpoint articles.

COMPUTER-ASSISTED HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD DEVELOPMENT WITH APPLICATIONS TO THE ISOLATION AND ANALYSIS OF PHYTOPLANKTON PIGMENTS. (R826944)

EPA Science Inventory

We used chromatography modeling software to assist in HPLC method development, with the goal
of enhancing separations through the exclusive use of gradient time and column temperature. We
surveyed nine stationary phases for their utility in pigment purification and natur...

[A computer tomography assisted method for the automatic detection of region of interest in dynamic kidney images].

PubMed

Jing, Xueping; Zheng, Xiujuan; Song, Shaoli; Liu, Kai

2017-12-01

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which can be estimated by Gates method with dynamic kidney single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, is a key indicator of renal function. In this paper, an automatic computer tomography (CT)-assisted detection method of kidney region of interest (ROI) is proposed to achieve the objective and accurate GFR calculation. In this method, the CT coronal projection image and the enhanced SPECT synthetic image are firstly generated and registered together. Then, the kidney ROIs are delineated using a modified level set algorithm. Meanwhile, the background ROIs are also obtained based on the kidney ROIs. Finally, the value of GFR is calculated via Gates method. Comparing with the clinical data, the GFR values estimated by the proposed method were consistent with the clinical reports. This automatic method can improve the accuracy and stability of kidney ROI detection for GFR calculation, especially when the kidney function has been severely damaged.

[Analysis of the implementation of Nursing Assistance Systematization in a rehabilitation unit].

PubMed

Neves, Rinaldo de Souza; Shimizu, Helena Eri

2010-01-01

This study seeks to analyze the execution of the Infirmary Attendance Systematization Nursing stages through an exploratory, qualitative and retrospective approach. The retrospective analysis took place using 25 medic reports containing 25 historical reports, 12 diagnosis reports, 100 prescriptions and 100 nursing evolution reports. The results demonstrated the many difficulties the nurses faced to make Nursing Assistance Systematization operational. Although all Nursing Assistance Systematization stages were accomplished - historical, diagnosis, prescription, evolution and nursing - it was verified a larger frequency in filling prescription and historical related forms and a lesser one related with evolution and diagnosis related forms. In short, Nursing Assistance Systematization procedures still are fragmentized, showing the need to reorganize this attendance methodology attendance, and, above all, to invest in continuous nursing training to improve the customer care services quality.

Mastering Cognitive Development Theory in Computer Science Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gluga, Richard; Kay, Judy; Lister, Raymond; Kleitman, Simon; Kleitman, Sabina

2013-01-01

To design an effective computer science curriculum, educators require a systematic method of classifying the difficulty level of learning activities and assessment tasks. This is important for curriculum design and implementation and for communication between educators. Different educators must be able to use the method consistently, so that…

Measurement properties of existing clinical assessment methods evaluating scapular positioning and function. A systematic review.

PubMed

Larsen, Camilla Marie; Juul-Kristensen, Birgit; Lund, Hans; Søgaard, Karen

2014-10-01

The aims were to compile a schematic overview of clinical scapular assessment methods and critically appraise the methodological quality of the involved studies. A systematic, computer-assisted literature search using Medline, CINAHL, SportDiscus and EMBASE was performed from inception to October 2013. Reference lists in articles were also screened for publications. From 50 articles, 54 method names were identified and categorized into three groups: (1) Static positioning assessment (n = 19); (2) Semi-dynamic (n = 13); and (3) Dynamic functional assessment (n = 22). Fifteen studies were excluded for evaluation due to no/few clinimetric results, leaving 35 studies for evaluation. Graded according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN checklist), the methodological quality in the reliability and validity domains was "fair" (57%) to "poor" (43%), with only one study rated as "good". The reliability domain was most often investigated. Few of the assessment methods in the included studies that had "fair" or "good" measurement property ratings demonstrated acceptable results for both reliability and validity. We found a substantially larger number of clinical scapular assessment methods than previously reported. Using the COSMIN checklist the methodological quality of the included measurement properties in the reliability and validity domains were in general "fair" to "poor". None were examined for all three domains: (1) reliability; (2) validity; and (3) responsiveness. Observational evaluation systems and assessment of scapular upward rotation seem suitably evidence-based for clinical use. Future studies should test and improve the clinimetric properties, and especially diagnostic accuracy and responsiveness, to increase utility for clinical practice.

Comparing errors in ED computer-assisted vs conventional pediatric drug dosing and administration.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Loren; Kanemori, Joan

2010-06-01

Compared to fixed-dose single-vial drug administration in adults, pediatric drug dosing and administration requires a series of calculations, all of which are potentially error prone. The purpose of this study is to compare error rates and task completion times for common pediatric medication scenarios using computer program assistance vs conventional methods. Two versions of a 4-part paper-based test were developed. Each part consisted of a set of medication administration and/or dosing tasks. Emergency department and pediatric intensive care unit nurse volunteers completed these tasks using both methods (sequence assigned to start with a conventional or a computer-assisted approach). Completion times, errors, and the reason for the error were recorded. Thirty-eight nurses completed the study. Summing the completion of all 4 parts, the mean conventional total time was 1243 seconds vs the mean computer program total time of 879 seconds (P < .001). The conventional manual method had a mean of 1.8 errors vs the computer program with a mean of 0.7 errors (P < .001). Of the 97 total errors, 36 were due to misreading the drug concentration on the label, 34 were due to calculation errors, and 8 were due to misplaced decimals. Of the 36 label interpretation errors, 18 (50%) occurred with digoxin or insulin. Computerized assistance reduced errors and the time required for drug administration calculations. A pattern of errors emerged, noting that reading/interpreting certain drug labels were more error prone. Optimizing the layout of drug labels could reduce the error rate for error-prone labels. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The current status and future prospects of computer-assisted hip surgery.

PubMed

Inaba, Yutaka; Kobayashi, Naomi; Ike, Hiroyuki; Kubota, So; Saito, Tomoyuki

2016-03-01

The advances in computer assistance technology have allowed detailed three-dimensional preoperative planning and simulation of preoperative plans. The use of a navigation system as an intraoperative assistance tool allows more accurate execution of the preoperative plan, compared to manual operation without assistance of the navigation system. In total hip arthroplasty using CT-based navigation, three-dimensional preoperative planning with computer software allows the surgeon to determine the optimal angle of implant placement at which implant impingement is unlikely to occur in the range of hip joint motion necessary for daily activities of living, and to determine the amount of three-dimensional correction for leg length and offset. With the use of computer navigation for intraoperative assistance, the preoperative plan can be precisely executed. In hip osteotomy using CT-based navigation, the navigation allows three-dimensional preoperative planning, intraoperative confirmation of osteotomy sites, safe performance of osteotomy even under poor visual conditions, and a reduction in exposure doses from intraoperative fluoroscopy. Positions of the tips of chisels can be displayed on the computer monitor during surgery in real time, and staff other than the operator can also be aware of the progress of surgery. Thus, computer navigation also has an educational value. On the other hand, its limitations include the need for placement of trackers, increased radiation exposure from preoperative CT scans, and prolonged operative time. Moreover, because the position of a bone fragment cannot be traced after osteotomy, methods to find its precise position after its movement need to be developed. Despite the need to develop methods for the postoperative evaluation of accuracy for osteotomy, further application and development of these systems are expected in the future. Copyright © 2016 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fit of screw-retained fixed implant frameworks fabricated by different methods: a systematic review.

PubMed

Abduo, Jaafar; Lyons, Karl; Bennani, Vincent; Waddell, Neil; Swain, Michael

2011-01-01

The aim of this study was to review the published literature investigating the accuracy of fit of fixed implant frameworks fabricated using different materials and methods. A comprehensive electronic search was performed through PubMed (MEDLINE) using Boolean operators to combine key words. The search was limited to articles written in English and published through May 2010. In addition, a manual search through articles and reference lists retrieved from the electronic search and peer-reviewed journals was also conducted. A total of 248 articles were retrieved, and 26 met the specified inclusion criteria for the review. The selected articles assessed the fit of fixed implant frameworks fabricated by different techniques. The investigated fabrication approaches were one-piece casting, sectioning and reconnection, spark erosion with an electric discharge machine, computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and framework bonding to prefabricated abutment cylinders. Cast noble metal frameworks have a predictable fit, and additional fit refinement treatment is not indicated in well-controlled conditions. Base metal castings do not provide a satisfactory level of fit unless additional refinement treatment is performed, such as sectioning and laser welding or spark erosion. Spark erosion, framework bonding to prefabricated abutment cylinders, and CAD/CAM have the potential to provide implant frameworks with an excellent fit; CAD/CAM is the most consistent and least technique-sensitive of these methods.

Relationship between coracoacromial arch and rotator cuff analysed by a computer-assisted method.

PubMed

Casino, Daniela; Bruni, Danilo; Zaffagnini, Stefano; Martelli, Sandra; Visani, Andrea; Alvarez, Pau Golanò; Marcacci, Maurilio

2008-06-01

In this paper we describe and assess the feasibility of a computer-assisted method which could be useful to investigate the mechanism of subacromial impingment of the shoulder. The relationship between the infraspinatus and supraspinatus and the coracoacromial (CA) arch during passive elevation and abduction are described. The methodology is based on the use of a tracker for recording surfaces and passive movements and data elaboration using dedicated software. In four cadavers, we observed that the minimal distances between the rotator cuff insertions and CA arch were realized at 45 degrees abduction between the acromion and infraspinatus, at 50-90 degrees elevation between the acromion and supraspinatus and also at 45-70 degrees abduction between the CA ligament and supraspinatus. This study showed that the proposed method is able to provide repeatable kinematic data (ICC > or = 0.90), numerical anatomical data comparable with the literature and, moreover, individual measurements on the shoulder joint. This preliminary results support the extension of the methodology to an in vivo protocol to be used during computer-assisted arthroscopic surgery. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Computerized Dental Injection Fear Treatment

PubMed Central

Heaton, L.J.; Leroux, B.G.; Ruff, P.A.; Coldwell, S.E.

2013-01-01

One in four adults reports a clinically significant fear of dental injections, leading many to avoid dental care. While systematic desensitization is the most common therapeutic method for treating specific phobias such as fear of dental injections, lack of access to trained therapists, as well as dentists’ lack of training and time in providing such a therapy, means that most fearful individuals are not able to receive the therapy needed to be able to receive necessary dental treatment. Computer Assisted Relaxation Learning (CARL) is a self-paced computerized treatment based on systematic desensitization for dental injection fear. This multicenter, block-randomized, dentist-blind, parallel-group study conducted in 8 sites in the United States compared CARL with an informational pamphlet in reducing fear of dental injections. Participants completing CARL reported significantly greater reduction in self-reported general and injection-specific dental anxiety measures compared with control individuals (p < .001). Twice as many CARL participants (35.3%) as controls (17.6%) opted to receive a dental injection after the intervention, although this was not statistically significant. CARL, therefore, led to significant changes in self-reported fear in study participants, but no significant differences in the proportion of participants having a dental injection (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00609648). PMID:23690352

Implementation of audio computer-assisted interviewing software in HIV/AIDS research.

PubMed

Pluhar, Erika; McDonnell Holstad, Marcia; Yeager, Katherine A; Denzmore-Nwagbara, Pamela; Corkran, Carol; Fielder, Bridget; McCarty, Frances; Diiorio, Colleen

2007-01-01

Computer-assisted interviewing (CAI) has begun to play a more prominent role in HIV/AIDS prevention research. Despite the increased popularity of CAI, particularly audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI), some research teams are still reluctant to implement ACASI technology because of lack of familiarity with the practical issues related to using these software packages. The purpose of this report is to describe the implementation of one particular ACASI software package, the Questionnaire Development System (QDS; Nova Research Company, Bethesda, MD), in several nursing and HIV/AIDS prevention research settings. The authors present acceptability and satisfaction data from two large-scale public health studies in which they have used QDS with diverse populations. They also address issues related to developing and programming a questionnaire; discuss practical strategies related to planning for and implementing ACASI in the field, including selecting equipment, training staff, and collecting and transferring data; and summarize advantages and disadvantages of computer-assisted research methods.

A Craniomaxillofacial Surgical Assistance Workstation for Enhanced Single-Stage Reconstruction Using Patient-Specific Implants.

PubMed

Murphy, Ryan J; Liacouras, Peter C; Grant, Gerald T; Wolfe, Kevin C; Armand, Mehran; Gordon, Chad R

2016-11-01

Craniomaxillofacial reconstruction with patient-specific, customized craniofacial implants (CCIs) is ideal for skeletal defects involving areas of aesthetic concern-the non-weight-bearing facial skeleton, temporal skull, and/or frontal-forehead region. Results to date are superior to a variety of "off-the-shelf" materials, but require a protocol computed tomography scan and preexisting defect for computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing of the CCI. The authors developed a craniomaxillofacial surgical assistance workstation to address these challenges and intraoperatively guide CCI modification for an unknown defect size/shape. First, the surgeon designed an oversized CCI based on his/her surgical plan. Intraoperatively, the surgeon resected the bone and digitized the resection using a navigation pointer. Next, a projector displayed the limits of the craniofacial bone defect onto the prefabricated, oversized CCI for the size modification process; the surgeon followed the projected trace to modify the implant. A cadaveric study compared the standard technique (n = 1) to the experimental technique (n = 5) using surgical time and implant fit. The technology reduced the time and effort needed to resize the oversized CCI by an order of magnitude as compared with the standard manual resizing process. Implant fit was consistently better for the computer-assisted case compared with the control by at least 30%, requiring only 5.17 minutes in the computer-assisted cases compared with 35 minutes for the control. This approach demonstrated improvement in surgical time and accuracy of CCI-based craniomaxillofacial reconstruction compared with previously reported methods. The craniomaxillofacial surgical assistance workstation will provide craniofacial surgeons a computer-assisted technology for effective and efficient single-stage reconstruction when exact craniofacial bone defect sizes are unknown.

Augmentative Communication with Computer Assist.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kinzer, Gay

To provide a communication method for children who are non-verbal due to hearing impairments, brain damage, or malformed oral structures, sign language and language boards have been utilized. However, these methods have limitations, and alternate means of communication have been explored. An Apple 2E computer with an echo speech synthesizer was…

Systematic Development of Hard Real-Time Software: A Comparative Study of Three Methods

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-04-01

AD-A252 784 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Monterey, California JUL 141992 SYSTEMATIC DEVELOPMENT OF HARD REAL-TIME SOFTWARE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THREE... School Monterey, California 93943 92-18424 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Monterey, California REAR ADMIRAL R. W. WEST, JR. HARRISON SHULL Superintendent...Provost This report was prepared for and funded by the Naval Postgraduate School . This report was prepared by: / YUH-JENG LEE Assistant Professor of

Proof of concept of a simple computer-assisted technique for correcting bone deformities.

PubMed

Ma, Burton; Simpson, Amber L; Ellis, Randy E

2007-01-01

We propose a computer-assisted technique for correcting bone deformities using the Ilizarov method. Our technique is an improvement over prior art in that it does not require a tracking system, navigation hardware and software, or intraoperative registration. Instead, we rely on a postoperative CT scan to obtain all of the information necessary to plan the correction and compute a correction schedule for the patient. Our laboratory experiments using plastic phantoms produced deformity corrections accurate to within 3.0 degrees of rotation and 1 mm of lengthening.

Computer-assisted history-taking systems (CAHTS) in health care: benefits, risks and potential for further development.

PubMed

Pappas, Yannis; Anandan, Chantelle; Liu, Joseph; Car, Josip; Sheikh, Aziz; Majeed, Azeem

2011-01-01

A computer-assisted history-taking system (CAHTS) is a tool that aids clinicians in gathering data from patients to inform a diagnosis or treatment plan. Despite the many possible applications and even though CAHTS have been available for nearly three decades, these remain underused in routine clinical practice. Through an interpretative review of the literature, we provide an overview of the field of CAHTS, which also offers an understanding of the impact of these systems on policy, practice and research. We conducted a search and critique of the literature on CAHTS. Using a comprehensive set of terms, we searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, The Cochrane Methodology Register, Health Technology Assessment Database and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database over a ten-year period (January 1997 to May 2007) to identify systematic reviews, technical reports and health technology assessments, and randomised controlled trials. The systematic review of the literature suggests that CAHTS can save professionals' time, improve delivery of care to those with special needs and also facilitate the collection of information, especially potentially sensitive information (e.g. sexual history, alcohol consumption). The use of CAHTS also has disadvantages that impede the process of history taking and may pose risks to patients. CAHTS are inherently limited when detecting non-verbal communication, may pose irrelevant questions and frustrate the users with technical problems. Our review suggests that barriers such as a preference for pen-and-paper methods and concerns about data loss and security still exist and affect the adoption of CAHTS. In terms of policy and practice, CAHTS make input of data from disparate sites possible, which facilitates work from disparate sites and the collection of data for nationwide screening programmes such as the vascular risk assessment programme for people aged 40-74, now starting in England. Our review shows that for CAHTS to be adopted in mainstream health care, important changes should take place in how we conceive, plan and conduct primary and secondary research on the topic so that we provide the framework for a comprehensive evaluation that will lead to an evidence base to inform policy and practice.

Using computer assisted learning for clinical skills education in nursing: integrative review.

PubMed

Bloomfield, Jacqueline G; While, Alison E; Roberts, Julia D

2008-08-01

This paper is a report of an integrative review of research investigating computer assisted learning for clinical skills education in nursing, the ways in which it has been studied and the general findings. Clinical skills are an essential aspect of nursing practice and there is international debate about the most effective ways in which these can be taught. Computer assisted learning has been used as an alternative to conventional teaching methods, and robust research to evaluate its effectiveness is essential. The CINAHL, Medline, BNI, PsycInfo and ERIC electronic databases were searched for the period 1997-2006 for research-based papers published in English. Electronic citation tracking and hand searching of reference lists and relevant journals was also undertaken. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. An integrative review was conducted and each paper was explored in relation to: design, aims, sample, outcome measures and findings. Many of the study samples were small and there were weaknesses in designs. There is limited empirical evidence addressing the use of computer assisted learning for clinical skills education in nursing. Computer assisted learning has been used to teach a limited range of clinical skills in a variety of settings. The paucity of evaluative studies indicates the need for more rigorous research to investigate the effect of computer assisted learning for this purpose. Areas that need to be addressed in future studies include: sample size, range of skills, longitudinal follow-up and control of confounding variables.

AHRQ series on complex intervention systematic reviews-paper 7: PRISMA-CI elaboration and explanation.

PubMed

Guise, Jeanne-Marie; Butler, Mary; Chang, Christine; Viswanathan, Meera; Pigott, Terri; Tugwell, Peter

2017-10-01

Complex interventions are widely used in health care, public health, education, criminology, social work, business, and welfare. They have increasingly become the subject of systematic reviews and are challenging to effectively report. The Complex Interventions Methods Workgroup developed an extension to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Complex Interventions (PRISMA-CI). Following the EQUATOR Network guidance for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extensions, this Explanation and Elaboration (EE) document accompanies the PRISMA-CI checklist to promote consistency in reporting of systematic reviews of complex interventions. The EE document explains the meaning and rationale for each unique PRISMA-CI checklist item and provides examples to assist systematic review authors in operationalizing PRISMA-CI guidance. The Complex Interventions Workgroup developed PRISMA-CI as an important start toward increased consistency in reporting of systematic reviews of complex interventions. Because the field is rapidly expanding, the Complex Interventions Methods Workgroup plans to re-evaluate periodically for the need to add increasing specificity and examples as the field matures. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in office work: a case study.

PubMed

Lima, Tânia M; Coelho, Denis A

2011-01-01

Twelve recently built office work stations, where jobs imply continued use of information and communication technologies, were analyzed for ergonomic risk factors. Based on a literature review of ergonomic recommendations for computer and general office work, a checklist was devised for assistance in identifying inadequate ergonomic situations, a process that was informed by pain complaints information. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) was selected to estimate the risk of MSDs, considering the criteria of applicability and appropriateness to the case studied. This method was applied by an occupational health and safety technician to the most critical job observed in the workplace. Criticality was estimated through observations aided by the systematic use of a checklist tailored to the specific office scenario. Recommendations for change were provided for implementation in all workplaces in the office, in order to improve work conditions, and guide the setup of a MSD prevention training program.

Using computer-assisted learning to engage diverse learning styles in understanding business management principles.

PubMed

Frost, Mary E; Derby, Dustin C; Haan, Andrea G

2013-01-01

Objective : Changes in small business and insurance present challenges for newly graduated chiropractors. Technology that reaches identified, diverse learning styles may assist the chiropractic student in business classes to meet course outcomes better. Thus, the purpose of our study is to determine if the use of technology-based instructional aids enhance students' mastery of course learning outcomes. Methods : Using convenience sampling, 86 students completed a survey assessing course learning outcomes, learning style, and the helpfulness of lecture and computer-assisted learning related to content mastery. Quantitative analyses occurred. Results : Although respondents reported not finding the computer-assisted learning as helpful as the lecture, significant relationships were found between pre- and post-assisted learning measures of the learning outcomes 1 and 2 for the visual and kinesthetic groups. Surprisingly, however, all learning style groups exhibited significant pre- and post-assisted learning appraisal relationships with learning outcomes 3 and 4. Conclusion : While evidence exists within the current study of a relationship between students' learning of the course content corollary to the use of technologic instructional aids, the exact nature of the relationship remains unclear.

Using computer-assisted learning to engage diverse learning styles in understanding business management principles.

PubMed

Frost, Mary E; Derby, Dustin C; Haan, Andrea G

2013-06-27

Objective : Changes in small business and insurance present challenges for newly graduated chiropractors. Technology that reaches identified, diverse learning styles may assist the chiropractic student in business classes to meet course outcomes better. Thus, the purpose of our study is to determine if the use of technology-based instructional aids enhance students' mastery of course learning outcomes. Methods : Using convenience sampling, 86 students completed a survey assessing course learning outcomes, learning style, and the helpfulness of lecture and computer-assisted learning related to content mastery. Quantitative analyses occurred. Results : Although respondents reported not finding the computer-assisted learning as helpful as the lecture, significant relationships were found between pre- and post-assisted learning measures of the learning outcomes 1 and 2 for the visual and kinesthetic groups. Surprisingly, however, all learning style groups exhibited significant pre- and post-assisted learning appraisal relationships with learning outcomes 3 and 4. Conclusion : While evidence exists within the current study of a relationship between students' learning of the course content corollary to the use of technologic instructional aids, the exact nature of the relationship remains unclear.

Computer-Based Education for Patients with Hypertension: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saksena, Anuraag

2010-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the benefits of using computer-based interventions to provide patient education to individuals with hypertension. Methods: MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, ERIC, EMBASE, and PsychINFO were searched from 1995 to April 2009 using keywords related to "computers," "hypertension," "education," and "clinical trial." Additional…

Computer-Assisted Concept Mapping: Visual Aids for Knowledge Construction.

PubMed

Mammen, Jennifer R

2016-07-01

Concept mapping is a visual representation of ideas that facilitates critical thinking and is applicable to many areas of nursing education. Computer-assisted concept maps are more flexible and less constrained than traditional paper methods, allowing for analysis and synthesis of complex topics and larger amounts of data. Ability to iteratively revise and collaboratively create computerized maps can contribute to enhanced interpersonal learning. However, there is limited awareness of free software that can support these types of applications. This educational brief examines affordances and limitations of computer-assisted concept maps and reviews free software for development of complex, collaborative malleable maps. Free software, such as VUE, XMind, MindMaple, and others, can substantially contribute to the utility of concept mapping for nursing education. Computerized concept-mapping is an important tool for nursing and is likely to hold greater benefit for students and faculty than traditional pen-and-paper methods alone. [J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(7):403-406.]. Copyright 2016, SLACK Incorporated.

A Cross-Cultural Study of the Effect of a Graph-Oriented Computer-Assisted Project-Based Learning Environment on Middle School Students' Science Knowledge and Argumentation Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, P.-S.; Van Dyke, M.; Chen, Y.; Smith, T. J.

2016-01-01

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore how seventh graders in a suburban school in the United States and sixth graders in an urban school in Taiwan developed argumentation skills and science knowledge in a project-based learning environment that incorporated a graph-oriented, computer-assisted application (GOCAA). A total of 42…

Automatic construction of subject-specific human airway geometry including trifurcations based on a CT-segmented airway skeleton and surface

PubMed Central

Miyawaki, Shinjiro; Tawhai, Merryn H.; Hoffman, Eric A.; Wenzel, Sally E.; Lin, Ching-Long

2016-01-01

We propose a method to construct three-dimensional airway geometric models based on airway skeletons, or centerlines (CLs). Given a CT-segmented airway skeleton and surface, the proposed CL-based method automatically constructs subject-specific models that contain anatomical information regarding branches, include bifurcations and trifurcations, and extend from the trachea to terminal bronchioles. The resulting model can be anatomically realistic with the assistance of an image-based surface; alternatively a model with an idealized skeleton and/or branch diameters is also possible. This method systematically identifies and classifies trifurcations to successfully construct the models, which also provides the number and type of trifurcations for the analysis of the airways from an anatomical point of view. We applied this method to 16 normal and 16 severe asthmatic subjects using their computed tomography images. The average distance between the surface of the model and the image-based surface was 11% of the average voxel size of the image. The four most frequent locations of trifurcations were the left upper division bronchus, left lower lobar bronchus, right upper lobar bronchus, and right intermediate bronchus. The proposed method automatically constructed accurate subject-specific three-dimensional airway geometric models that contain anatomical information regarding branches using airway skeleton, diameters, and image-based surface geometry. The proposed method can construct (i) geometry automatically for population-based studies, (ii) trifurcations to retain the original airway topology, (iii) geometry that can be used for automatic generation of computational fluid dynamics meshes, and (iv) geometry based only on a skeleton and diameters for idealized branches. PMID:27704229

Application of computer assisted moire to the study of a crack tip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sciammarella, C. A.; Albertazzi, A., Jr.; Mourikes, J.

The basic principles of computer assisted moire are discussed. The influence of the image sensor and its finite dimensions on the sampling theorem requirements is discussed. Criteria for the selection of grating pitch on the basis of the spatial bandwidth of the pattern to be observed and the requirements arising from sensitivity considerations are given. The method is used to analyze the strain field in the neighborhood of the crack tip of a standard ASTM compact tension specimen. From the displacements the strains are computed, and from the strains the stresses are obtained using the generalized Ramberg-Osgood stress strain relationship. The stresses are used to compute the values for the J-integral in several circuits surrounding the crack. Good agreement is obtained between the values of the stress intensity factors obtained by different methods. The plastic region surrounding the crack does not show a HRR field and thus the usual rationale to justify the J-integral methods must be re-evaluated.

Accuracy of computer-guided surgery for dental implant placement in fully edentulous patients: A systematic review

PubMed Central

Marlière, Daniel Amaral Alves; Demétrio, Maurício Silva; Picinini, Leonardo Santos; De Oliveira, Rodrigo Guerra; Chaves Netto, Henrique Duque De Miranda

2018-01-01

Assess clinical studies regarding accuracy between virtual planning of computer-guided surgery and actual outcomes of dental implant placements in total edentulous alveolar ridges. A PubMed search was performed to identify only clinical studies published between 2011 and 2016, searching the following combinations of keywords: “Accuracy AND Computer-Assisted Surgery AND Dental Implants.” Study designs were identified using the terms: Case Reports, Clinical study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analysis, humans. Level of agreement between the authors in the study selection process was substantial (k = 0.767), and the study eligibility was considered excellent (k = 0.863). Seven articles were included in this review. They describe the use of bone and muco-supported guides, demonstrating angular deviations cervically and apically ranging from (minimum and maximum means), respectively, 1.85–8.4 (°), 0.17–2.17 (mm), and 0.77–2.86 (mm). Angular deviations obtained most inaccuracy in maxila. For cervical and apical deviations, accuracy was preponderantly lower in maxilla. Despite the similar deviations measurement approaches described, clinical relevance of this study may be useful to warn the surgeon that safety margins in clinical situations. PMID:29657542

A Systematic Literature Mapping of Risk Analysis of Big Data in Cloud Computing Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bee Yusof Ali, Hazirah; Marziana Abdullah, Lili; Kartiwi, Mira; Nordin, Azlin; Salleh, Norsaremah; Sham Awang Abu Bakar, Normi

2018-05-01

This paper investigates previous literature that focusses on the three elements: risk assessment, big data and cloud. We use a systematic literature mapping method to search for journals and proceedings. The systematic literature mapping process is utilized to get a properly screened and focused literature. With the help of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the search of literature is further narrowed. Classification helps us in grouping the literature into categories. At the end of the mapping, gaps can be seen. The gap is where our focus should be in analysing risk of big data in cloud computing environment. Thus, a framework of how to assess the risk of security, privacy and trust associated with big data and cloud computing environment is highly needed.

A Computer Simulation for Teaching Diagnosis of Secondary Ignition Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diedrick, Walter; Thomas, Rex

1977-01-01

Presents the methodology and findings of an experimental project to determine the viability of computer assisted as opposed to more traditional methods of instruction for teaching one phase of automotive troubleshooting. (Editor)

Artificial Intelligence Methods: Challenge in Computer Based Polymer Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rusu, Teodora; Pinteala, Mariana; Cartwright, Hugh

2009-08-01

This paper deals with the use of Artificial Intelligence Methods (AI) in the design of new molecules possessing desired physical, chemical and biological properties. This is an important and difficult problem in the chemical, material and pharmaceutical industries. Traditional methods involve a laborious and expensive trial-and-error procedure, but computer-assisted approaches offer many advantages in the automation of molecular design.

[Systematization of nursing assistance to patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure].

PubMed

Mascarenhas, Nildo Batista; Pereira, Álvaro; da Silva, Rudval Souza; da Silva, Mary Gomes

2011-01-01

This is a clinical case study developed during the practical activities of the discipline Surgical Clinical Nursing I, of course of Graduation in Nursing of a public university of Bahia State, that aimed to report the application of the Systematization of Nursing Assistance in the assistance to a client whit Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Renal Insufficiency. With the development of the study, especially after the positive improvement of the client, face to assistance planned and implemented and considering the reflections that emerged, it was possible to evidence the need for interface between Systematization of Nursing Assistance, the nursing staff and client in the care process, at the excellence and uniqueness of nursing care.

Left ventricular assist device malfunction: a systematic approach to diagnosis.

PubMed

Horton, Steven C; Khodaverdian, Reza; Powers, Amanda; Revenaugh, James; Renlund, Dale G; Moore, Stephanie A; Rasmusson, Brad; Nelson, Karl E; Long, James W

2004-05-05

A protocol was designed to diagnose the common malfunctions of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Mechanical circulatory support, primarily with an LVAD, is increasingly used for treatment of advanced heart failure (HF). Left ventricular assist device dysfunction is a recognized complication; but heretofore, a systematic method to accurately diagnose LVAD dysfunction has not been thoroughly described. We developed a catheter-based protocol designed to characterize a normally functioning LVAD and diagnose multiple types of dysfunction. A total of 15 studies of 10 patients supported with an LVAD were reviewed. All patients had been evaluated due to concerns regarding LVAD dysfunction. Of 15 examinations performed, 11 documented severe LVAD inflow valve regurgitation. One of these cases proved to have coexistent severe mitral valve regurgitation. One case was diagnosed with distortion of the LVAD outflow graft. One case of suspected embolization from the pumping chamber excluded the outflow graft as the source of emboli. One study had aortic insufficiency. As LVAD use for treatment of end-stage HF becomes widespread and durations of support are extended, dysfunction will be increasingly prevalent. This catheter-based protocol provided a practical method to diagnose multiple causes of LVAD dysfunction.

Robot-assisted surgery in gynecological oncology: current status and controversies on patient benefits, cost and surgeon conditions - a systematic review.

PubMed

Kristensen, Steffen E; Mosgaard, Berit J; Rosendahl, Mikkel; Dalsgaard, Tórur; Bjørn, Signe F; Frøding, Ligita P; Kehlet, Henrik; Høgdall, Claus K; Lajer, Henrik

2017-03-01

Robot-assisted surgery has become more widespread in gynecological oncology. The purpose of this systematic review is to present current knowledge on robot-assisted surgery, and to clarify and discuss controversies that have arisen alongside the development and deployment. A database search in PubMed and EMBASE was performed up until 4 March 2016. The search strategy was developed in collaboration with an information specialist, and by application of the PRISMA guidelines. Human participants and English language were the only restrictive filters applied. Selection was performed by screening of titles and abstracts, and by full text scrutiny. From 2001 to 2016, a total of 76 references were included. Robot-assisted surgery in gynecological oncology has increased, and current knowledge supports that the oncological safety is similar, compared with previous surgical methods. Controversies arise because current knowledge does not clearly document the benefit of robot-assisted surgery, on perioperative outcome compared with the increased costs of the acquisition and application. The rapid development in robot-assisted surgery calls for long-term detailed prospective cohorts or randomized controlled trials. The costs associated with acquisition, application, and maintenance have an unfavorable impact on cost-benefit evaluations, especially when compared with laparoscopy. Future developments in robot-assisted surgery will hopefully lead to competition in the market, which will decrease costs. © 2016 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

On-Site to On-Line: Barriers to the Use of Computers for Continuing Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mamary, Edward M.; Charles, Patricia

2000-01-01

A survey of 1,120 physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants identified their top preferences for continuing education delivery methods: in-person conferences, print-based self-study, and CD-ROM. Least favored were interactive audioconferences. Although most had computer access, traditional methods were more frequently used; lack of…

Training Feedback Handbook. Research Product 83-7.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burnside, Billy L.; And Others

This handbook is designed to assist training developers and evaluators in structuring their collection of feedback data. Addressed first are various methods for collecting feedback data, including informal feedback, existing unit performance records, questionnaires, structured interviews, systematic observation, and testing. The next chapter, a…

Autism and Equine-Assisted Interventions: A Systematic Mapping Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDaniel Peters, B. Caitlin; Wood, Wendy

2017-01-01

This systematic mapping review mapped current knowledge of equine-assisted interventions for people with autism to help guide future practice and research. Thirty-three studies including children and adolescents with autism, 3 of which confirmed diagnoses, were reviewed. Five types of equine-assisted activities were identified across 25 studies,…

Arthroscopy-Assisted Surgery for Acute Ankle Fractures: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Chen, Xing-Zuo; Chen, Ying; Liu, Cheng-Gang; Yang, Huan; Xu, Xiao-Dong; Lin, Peng

2015-11-01

To summarize the clinical findings of adult patients undergoing arthroscopy-assisted open reduction-internal fixation for acute ankle fractures. A systematic electronic search of the PubMed databases was performed for all published literature on December 8, 2014. All English-language clinical studies on acute ankle fractures treated with arthroscopy-assisted open reduction-internal fixation were eligible for inclusion. Basic information related to the surgical procedure was collected. The search criteria initially identified 187 articles, and 10 studies were included in this systematic review. There were 2 prospective, randomized studies; 2 prognostic studies; and 6 case-series studies. There were a total of 861 patients included in this systematic review. Danis-Weber type B fractures (335 of 483 patients) and supination-external rotation fractures (187 of 366 patients) were the most common types of all the ankle fractures. Concomitant injuries were common: 63.3% of patients had chondral lesions, 60.9% had deltoid ligament injuries, and 77.9% had tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries. Lavage and debridement of the ankle joint were performed by almost all the surgeons. Chondral lesions were treated with shaving, excision, or microfracture. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society hindfoot score was 91.7. Only mild complications were reported. Acute ankle fractures are commonly concomitant with multiple soft-tissue injuries in which arthroscopy may serve as a method for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Level IV, systematic review of Level I, II, III, and IV studies. Copyright © 2015 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Eyetracking Methodology in SCMC: A Tool for Empowering Learning and Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stickler, Ursula; Shi, Lijing

2017-01-01

Computer-assisted language learning, or CALL, is an interdisciplinary area of research, positioned between science and social science, computing and education, linguistics and applied linguistics. This paper argues that by appropriating methods originating in some areas of CALL-related research, for example human-computer interaction (HCI) or…

Traditional Engineering Graphics versus Computer-Aided Drafting: A View from Academe.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foster, Robert J.

1987-01-01

Argues for a legitimate role of manually expressed engineering graphics within engineering education as a needed support for computer-assisted drafting work. Discusses what and how students should learn as well as trends in engineering graphics education. Compares and contrasts manual and computer drafting methods. (CW)

Local systematic differences in 2MASS positions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bustos Fierro, I. H.; Calderón, J. H.

2018-01-01

We have found that positions in the 2MASS All-sky Catalog of Point Sources show local systematic differences with characteristic length-scales of ˜ 5 to ˜ 8 arcminutes when compared with several catalogs. We have observed that when 2MASS positions are used in the computation of proper motions, the mentioned systematic differences cause systematic errors in the resulting proper motions. We have developed a method to locally rectify 2MASS with respect to UCAC4 in order to diminish the systematic differences between these catalogs. The rectified 2MASS catalog with the proposed method can be regarded as an extension of UCAC4 for astrometry with accuracy ˜ 90 mas in its positions, with negligible systematic errors. Also we show that the use of these rectified positions removes the observed systematic pattern in proper motions derived from original 2MASS positions.

[Systematization of nursing assistance in critical care unit].

PubMed

Truppel, Thiago Christel; Meier, Marineli Joaquim; Calixto, Riciana do Carmo; Peruzzo, Simone Aparecida; Crozeta, Karla

2009-01-01

This is a methodological research, which aimed at organizing the systematization of nursing assistance in a critical care unit. The following steps were carried out: description of the nursing practice; transcription of nursing diagnoses; elaboration of a protocol for nursing diagnosis based in International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP); determination of nursing prescriptions and the elaboration of guidelines for care and procedures. The nursing practice and care complexity in ICU were characterized. Thus, systematization of nursing assistance is understood as a valuable tool for nursing practice.

Presentation of Repeated Phrases in a Computer-Assisted Abstracting Tool Kit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Craven, Timothy C.

2001-01-01

Discusses automatic indexing methods and describes the development of a prototype computerized abstractor's assistant. Highlights include the text network management system, TEXNET; phrase selection that follows indexing; phrase display, including Boolean capabilities; results of preliminary testing; and availability of TEXNET software. (LRW)

45 CFR 1614.3 - Range of activities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... legal research systems or other resources. (c) The specific methods to be undertaken by a recipient to... bono basis through the provision of community legal education, training, technical assistance, research..., computer-assisted legal research systems or other resources; and (2) Support provided by the recipient in...

Tactics for mechanized reasoning: a commentary on Milner (1984) ‘The use of machines to assist in rigorous proof’

PubMed Central

Gordon, M. J. C.

2015-01-01

Robin Milner's paper, ‘The use of machines to assist in rigorous proof’, introduces methods for automating mathematical reasoning that are a milestone in the development of computer-assisted theorem proving. His ideas, particularly his theory of tactics, revolutionized the architecture of proof assistants. His methodology for automating rigorous proof soundly, particularly his theory of type polymorphism in programing, led to major contributions to the theory and design of programing languages. His citation for the 1991 ACM A.M. Turing award, the most prestigious award in computer science, credits him with, among other achievements, ‘probably the first theoretically based yet practical tool for machine assisted proof construction’. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. PMID:25750147

Why do we want the right to die? A systematic review of the international literature on the views of patients, carers and the public on assisted dying.

PubMed

Hendry, Maggie; Pasterfield, Diana; Lewis, Ruth; Carter, Ben; Hodgson, Daniel; Wilkinson, Clare

2013-01-01

Assisted dying is legal in four European countries and three American states. Elsewhere, particularly in more affluent or mainly Protestant countries, it remains controversial. Dominant headlines feature professional (medical, legal, religious) arguments versus celebrity campaigners; ordinary people are less clearly represented. To synthesise the international evidence of people's views and attitudes towards assisted dying in order to inform current debate about this controversial issue. Systematic review and mixed method synthesis of qualitative and survey data. Eleven electronic databases from inception to October 2011; bibliographies of included studies. Two reviewers independently screened papers and appraised quality. Qualitative results were extracted verbatim; survey results were summarised in a table. Qualitative data were synthesised using framework methods and survey results integrated where they supported, contrasted or added to the themes identified. Sixteen qualitative studies and 94 surveys were included; many participants considered the immediate relevance of assisted dying for them. Themes related to poor quality of life, a good quality of death, potential abuse of assisted dying and the importance of individual stance. People valued autonomy in death as much as in life. Attitudes were diverse, complex and related to definitions of unbearable suffering including physical, psycho-social and existential factors and were consistent regardless of social, economic, legal and health-care contexts. Our review sheds light on ordinary people's perspectives about assisted dying, when they are ill or disabled. Unbearable suffering is a key construct, and common factors are revealed that lead people to ask for help to die. The consistency of international views indicates a mandate for legislative and medical systems worldwide to listen and understand this.

Effective teaching strategies and methods of delivery for patient education: a systematic review and practice guideline recommendations.

PubMed

Friedman, Audrey Jusko; Cosby, Roxanne; Boyko, Susan; Hatton-Bauer, Jane; Turnbull, Gale

2011-03-01

The objective of this study was to determine effective teaching strategies and methods of delivery for patient education (PE). A systematic review was conducted and reviews with or without meta-analyses, which examined teaching strategies and methods of delivery for PE, were included. Teaching strategies identified are traditional lectures, discussions, simulated games, computer technology, written material, audiovisual sources, verbal recall, demonstration, and role playing. Methods of delivery focused on how to deliver the teaching strategies. Teaching strategies that increased knowledge, decreased anxiety, and increased satisfaction included computer technology, audio and videotapes, written materials, and demonstrations. Various teaching strategies used in combination were similarly successful. Moreover, structured-, culturally appropriate- and patient-specific teachings were found to be better than ad hoc teaching or generalized teaching. Findings provide guidance for establishing provincial standards for the delivery of PE. Recommendations concerning the efficacy of the teaching strategies and delivery methods are provided.

Measurement of blood flow from an assist ventricle by computation of pneumatic driving parameters.

PubMed

Qian, K X

1992-03-01

The measurement of blood flow from an assist ventricle is important but sometimes difficult in artificial heart experiments. Along with the development of a pneumatic cylinder-piston driver coupled with a ventricular assist device, a simplified method for measuring pump flow was established. From driving parameters such as the piston (or cylinder) displacement and air pressure, the pump flow could be calculated by the use of the equation of state for an ideal gas. The results of this method are broadly in agreement with electromagnetic and Doppler measurements.

Personal digital assistant applications for the healthcare provider.

PubMed

Keplar, Kristine E; Urbanski, Christopher J

2003-02-01

To review some common medical applications available for personal digital assistants (PDAs), with brief discussion of the different PDA operating systems and memory requirements. Key search terms included handheld, PDA, personal digital assistants, and medical applications. The literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1999-August 2002). Other information was obtained through secondary sources such as Web sites describing common PDAs. Medical applications available on PDAs are numerous and include general drug references, specialized drug references (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiology, infectious disease), diagnostic guides, medical calculators, herbal medication references, nursing references, toxicology references, and patient tracking databases. Costs and memory requirements for these programs can vary; consequently, the healthcare provider must limit the medication applications that are placed on the handheld computer. This article attempts to systematically describe the common medical applications available for the handheld computer along with cost, memory and download requirements, and Web site information. This review found many excellent PDA drug information applications offering many features which will aid the healthcare provider. Very likely, after using these PDA applications, the healthcare provider will find them indispensable, as their multifunctional capabilities can save time, improve accuracy, and allow for general business procedures as well as being a quick reference tool. To avoid the benefits of this technology might be a step backward.

Functionalized anatomical models for EM-neuron Interaction modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neufeld, Esra; Cassará, Antonino Mario; Montanaro, Hazael; Kuster, Niels; Kainz, Wolfgang

2016-06-01

The understanding of interactions between electromagnetic (EM) fields and nerves are crucial in contexts ranging from therapeutic neurostimulation to low frequency EM exposure safety. To properly consider the impact of in vivo induced field inhomogeneity on non-linear neuronal dynamics, coupled EM-neuronal dynamics modeling is required. For that purpose, novel functionalized computable human phantoms have been developed. Their implementation and the systematic verification of the integrated anisotropic quasi-static EM solver and neuronal dynamics modeling functionality, based on the method of manufactured solutions and numerical reference data, is described. Electric and magnetic stimulation of the ulnar and sciatic nerve were modeled to help understanding a range of controversial issues related to the magnitude and optimal determination of strength-duration (SD) time constants. The results indicate the importance of considering the stimulation-specific inhomogeneous field distributions (especially at tissue interfaces), realistic models of non-linear neuronal dynamics, very short pulses, and suitable SD extrapolation models. These results and the functionalized computable phantom will influence and support the development of safe and effective neuroprosthetic devices and novel electroceuticals. Furthermore they will assist the evaluation of existing low frequency exposure standards for the entire population under all exposure conditions.

Using MEDLINE Elemental Similarity to Assist in the Article Screening Process for Systematic Reviews.

PubMed

Ji, Xiaonan; Yen, Po-Yin

2015-08-31

Systematic reviews and their implementation in practice provide high quality evidence for clinical practice but are both time and labor intensive due to the large number of articles. Automatic text classification has proven to be instrumental in identifying relevant articles for systematic reviews. Existing approaches use machine learning model training to generate classification algorithms for the article screening process but have limitations. We applied a network approach to assist in the article screening process for systematic reviews using predetermined article relationships (similarity). The article similarity metric is calculated using the MEDLINE elements title (TI), abstract (AB), medical subject heading (MH), author (AU), and publication type (PT). We used an article network to illustrate the concept of article relationships. Using the concept, each article can be modeled as a node in the network and the relationship between 2 articles is modeled as an edge connecting them. The purpose of our study was to use the article relationship to facilitate an interactive article recommendation process. We used 15 completed systematic reviews produced by the Drug Effectiveness Review Project and demonstrated the use of article networks to assist article recommendation. We evaluated the predictive performance of MEDLINE elements and compared our approach with existing machine learning model training approaches. The performance was measured by work saved over sampling at 95% recall (WSS95) and the F-measure (F1). We also used repeated analysis over variance and Hommel's multiple comparison adjustment to demonstrate statistical evidence. We found that although there is no significant difference across elements (except AU), TI and AB have better predictive capability in general. Collaborative elements bring performance improvement in both F1 and WSS95. With our approach, a simple combination of TI+AB+PT could achieve a WSS95 performance of 37%, which is competitive to traditional machine learning model training approaches (23%-41% WSS95). We demonstrated a new approach to assist in labor intensive systematic reviews. Predictive ability of different elements (both single and composited) was explored. Without using model training approaches, we established a generalizable method that can achieve a competitive performance.

Ocular Signs Related to Overweight and Arterial Hypertension in Children: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Schuh, Daniela S.; Piccoli, Ângela B.; Paiani, Raquel L.; Maciel, Cristiane R; Pellanda, Lucia C; Vilela, Manuel AP

2017-01-01

Background: The ocular effects of obesity and hypertension need to be established and can be used as prognostic markers. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of ophthalmological alterations in children and adolescents who are overweight and/or have SAH. Methods: The database for this study included all observational studies (CS, cohort, case-control and “baseline” description of randomized clinical trials) with children and/or adolescents who were overweight, obese or had SAH and that measured ophthalmological alterations. Results: Comparative studies with healthy children demonstrated positive association between body adiposity with retinal venular dilation, and SAH with retinal arteriolar narrowing. Different retinal fundus cameras and computer-assisted programs to evaluate the retinal vessels, variations in the methods of analysis, adjustments, populations, were the main arguments against formal meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was too high (I2 >90%, in fixed or randomized effects), and the lack of linearity, normal distribution and homoscedasticity did not recommend meta-regression. Conclusion: Obesity and SAH show associations with ophthalmological alterations, especially with retinal vessel diameter. Lack of standardization does not allow a quantitative evaluation. PMID:29081867

Discovery and optimization of p38 inhibitors via computer-assisted drug design.

PubMed

Goldberg, Daniel R; Hao, Ming-Hong; Qian, Kevin C; Swinamer, Alan D; Gao, Donghong A; Xiong, Zhaoming; Sarko, Chris; Berry, Angela; Lord, John; Magolda, Ronald L; Fadra, Tazmeen; Kroe, Rachel R; Kukulka, Alison; Madwed, Jeffrey B; Martin, Leslie; Pargellis, Christopher; Skow, Donna; Song, Jinhua J; Tan, Zhulin; Torcellini, Carol A; Zimmitti, Clare S; Yee, Nathan K; Moss, Neil

2007-08-23

Integration of computational methods, X-ray crystallography, and structure-activity relationships will be disclosed, which lead to a new class of p38 inhibitors that bind to p38 MAP kinase in a Phe out conformation.

A new decision sciences for complex systems.

PubMed

Lempert, Robert J

2002-05-14

Models of complex systems can capture much useful information but can be difficult to apply to real-world decision-making because the type of information they contain is often inconsistent with that required for traditional decision analysis. New approaches, which use inductive reasoning over large ensembles of computational experiments, now make possible systematic comparison of alternative policy options using models of complex systems. This article describes Computer-Assisted Reasoning, an approach to decision-making under conditions of deep uncertainty that is ideally suited to applying complex systems to policy analysis. The article demonstrates the approach on the policy problem of global climate change, with a particular focus on the role of technology policies in a robust, adaptive strategy for greenhouse gas abatement.

A pilot study of a computer-assisted cell-phone interview (CACI) methodology to survey respondents in households without telephones about alcohol use.

PubMed

Wilkins, Chris; Casswell, Sally; Barnes, Helen Moewaka; Pledger, Megan

2003-06-01

An intrinsic drawback with the use of a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey methodology is that people who live in households without a connected landline telephone are excluded from the survey sample. This paper presents a pilot of the feasibility of a computer-assisted cell-phone interview (CACI) methodology designed to survey people living in households without a telephone about alcohol use and be compatible with a larger telephone based alcohol sample. The CACI method was found to be an efficient and cost competitive method to reach non-telephone households. Telephone ownership was found to make a difference to the typical occasion amount of alcohol consumed, with respondents from households without telephones drinking significantly more than those with telephones even when consumption levels were controlled for socio-economic status. Although high levels of telephone ownership in the general population mean these differences may not have any impact on population alcohol measures they may be important in sub-populations where telephone ownership is lower.

A geometricla error in some Computer Programs based on the Aki-Christofferson-Husebye (ACH) Method of Teleseismic Tomography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Julian, B.R.; Evans, J.R.; Pritchard, M.J.; Foulger, G.R.

2000-01-01

Some computer programs based on the Aki-Christofferson-Husebye (ACH) method of teleseismic tomography contain an error caused by identifying local grid directions with azimuths on the spherical Earth. This error, which is most severe in high latitudes, introduces systematic errors into computed ray paths and distorts inferred Earth models. It is best dealt with by explicity correcting for the difference between true and grid directions. Methods for computing these directions are presented in this article and are likely to be useful in many other kinds of regional geophysical studies that use Cartesian coordinates and flat-earth approximations.

A Pilot Study of a Picture- and Audio-Assisted Self-Interviewing Method (PIASI) for the Study of Sensitive Questions on HIV in the Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aarnio, Pauliina; Kulmala, Teija

2016-01-01

Self-interview methods such as audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) are used to improve the accuracy of interview data on sensitive topics in large trials. Small field studies on sensitive topics would benefit from methodological alternatives. In a study on male involvement in antenatal HIV testing in a largely illiterate population…

Orbital and maxillofacial computer aided surgery: patient-specific finite element models to predict surgical outcomes.

PubMed

Luboz, Vincent; Chabanas, Matthieu; Swider, Pascal; Payan, Yohan

2005-08-01

This paper addresses an important issue raised for the clinical relevance of Computer-Assisted Surgical applications, namely the methodology used to automatically build patient-specific finite element (FE) models of anatomical structures. From this perspective, a method is proposed, based on a technique called the mesh-matching method, followed by a process that corrects mesh irregularities. The mesh-matching algorithm generates patient-specific volume meshes from an existing generic model. The mesh regularization process is based on the Jacobian matrix transform related to the FE reference element and the current element. This method for generating patient-specific FE models is first applied to computer-assisted maxillofacial surgery, and more precisely, to the FE elastic modelling of patient facial soft tissues. For each patient, the planned bone osteotomies (mandible, maxilla, chin) are used as boundary conditions to deform the FE face model, in order to predict the aesthetic outcome of the surgery. Seven FE patient-specific models were successfully generated by our method. For one patient, the prediction of the FE model is qualitatively compared with the patient's post-operative appearance, measured from a computer tomography scan. Then, our methodology is applied to computer-assisted orbital surgery. It is, therefore, evaluated for the generation of 11 patient-specific FE poroelastic models of the orbital soft tissues. These models are used to predict the consequences of the surgical decompression of the orbit. More precisely, an average law is extrapolated from the simulations carried out for each patient model. This law links the size of the osteotomy (i.e. the surgical gesture) and the backward displacement of the eyeball (the consequence of the surgical gesture).

Personal diabetes management system based on ubiquitous computing technology.

PubMed

Park, Kyung-Soon; Kim, Nam-Jin; Hong, Joo-Hyun; Park, Mi-Sook; Cha, Eun-Jung; Lee, Tae-Soo

2006-01-01

Assisting diabetes patients to self manage blood glucose test and insulin injection is of great importance for their healthcare. This study presented a PDA based system to manage the personal glucose level data interfaced with a small glucometer through a serial port. The data stored in the PDA can be transmitted by cradle or wireless communication to the remote web-server, where further medical analysis and service is provided. This system enables more efficient and systematic management of diabetes patients through self management and remote medical practice.

The importance of transmission electron microscopy analysis of spermatozoa: Diagnostic applications and basic research.

PubMed

Moretti, Elena; Sutera, Gaetano; Collodel, Giulia

2016-06-01

This review is aimed at discussing the role of ultrastructural studies on human spermatozoa and evaluating transmission electron microscopy as a diagnostic tool that can complete andrology protocols. It is clear that morphological sperm defects may explain decreased fertilizing potential and acquire particular value in the field of male infertility. Electron microscopy is the best method to identify systematic or monomorphic and non-systematic or polymorphic sperm defects. The systematic defects are characterized by a particular anomaly that affects the vast majority of spermatozoa in a semen sample, whereas a heterogeneous combination of head and tail defects found in variable percentages are typically non-systematic or polymorphic sperm defects. A correct diagnosis of these specific sperm alterations is important for choosing the male infertility's therapy and for deciding to turn to assisted reproduction techniques. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) also represents a valuable method to explore the in vitro effects of different compounds (for example drugs with potential spermicidal activity) on the morphology of human spermatozoa. Finally, TEM used in combination with immunohistochemical techniques, integrates structural and functional aspects that provide a wide horizon in the understanding of sperm physiology and pathology. transmission electron microscopy: TEM; World Health Organization: WHO; light microscopy: LM; motile sperm organelle morphology examination: MSOME; intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection: IMSI; intracytoplasmic sperm injection: ICSI; dysplasia of fibrous sheath: DFS; primary ciliary dyskinesia: PCD; outer dense fibers: ODF; assisted reproduction technologies: ART; scanning electron microscopy: SEM; polyvinylpirrolidone: PVP; tert-butylhydroperoxide: TBHP.

AlaScan: A Graphical User Interface for Alanine Scanning Free-Energy Calculations.

PubMed

Ramadoss, Vijayaraj; Dehez, François; Chipot, Christophe

2016-06-27

Computation of the free-energy changes that underlie molecular recognition and association has gained significant importance due to its considerable potential in drug discovery. The massive increase of computational power in recent years substantiates the application of more accurate theoretical methods for the calculation of binding free energies. The impact of such advances is the application of parent approaches, like computational alanine scanning, to investigate in silico the effect of amino-acid replacement in protein-ligand and protein-protein complexes, or probe the thermostability of individual proteins. Because human effort represents a significant cost that precludes the routine use of this form of free-energy calculations, minimizing manual intervention constitutes a stringent prerequisite for any such systematic computation. With this objective in mind, we propose a new plug-in, referred to as AlaScan, developed within the popular visualization program VMD to automate the major steps in alanine-scanning calculations, employing free-energy perturbation as implemented in the widely used molecular dynamics code NAMD. The AlaScan plug-in can be utilized upstream, to prepare input files for selected alanine mutations. It can also be utilized downstream to perform the analysis of different alanine-scanning calculations and to report the free-energy estimates in a user-friendly graphical user interface, allowing favorable mutations to be identified at a glance. The plug-in also assists the end-user in assessing the reliability of the calculation through rapid visual inspection.

OPTHYLIC: An Optimised Tool for Hybrid Limits Computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Busato, Emmanuel; Calvet, David; Theveneaux-Pelzer, Timothée

2018-05-01

A software tool, computing observed and expected upper limits on Poissonian process rates using a hybrid frequentist-Bayesian CLs method, is presented. This tool can be used for simple counting experiments where only signal, background and observed yields are provided or for multi-bin experiments where binned distributions of discriminating variables are provided. It allows the combination of several channels and takes into account statistical and systematic uncertainties, as well as correlations of systematic uncertainties between channels. It has been validated against other software tools and analytical calculations, for several realistic cases.

A meta-analysis of aneurysm formation in laser assisted vascular anastomosis (LAVA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chen; Peng, Fei; Xu, Dahai; Cheng, Qinghua

2009-08-01

Laser assisted vascular anastomosis (LAVA) is looked as a particularly promising non-suture method in future. However, aneurysm formation is one of the main reasons delay the clinical application of LAVA. Some scientists investigated the incidence of aneurysms in animal model. To systematically analyze the literature on reported incidence of aneurysm formation in LAVA therapy, we performed a meta-analysis comparing LAVA with conventional suture anastomosis (CSA) in animal model. Data were systematically retrieved and selected from PUBMED. In total, 23 studies were retrieved. 18 studies were excluded, and 5 studies involving 647 animals were included. Analysis suggested no statistically significant difference between LAVA and CSA (OR 1.24, 95%CI 0.66-2.32, P=0.51). Result of meta analysis shows that the technology of LAVA is very close to clinical application.

Machine learning applications in genetics and genomics.

PubMed

Libbrecht, Maxwell W; Noble, William Stafford

2015-06-01

The field of machine learning, which aims to develop computer algorithms that improve with experience, holds promise to enable computers to assist humans in the analysis of large, complex data sets. Here, we provide an overview of machine learning applications for the analysis of genome sequencing data sets, including the annotation of sequence elements and epigenetic, proteomic or metabolomic data. We present considerations and recurrent challenges in the application of supervised, semi-supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods, as well as of generative and discriminative modelling approaches. We provide general guidelines to assist in the selection of these machine learning methods and their practical application for the analysis of genetic and genomic data sets.

Modeling Structure-Function Relationships in Synthetic DNA Sequences using Attribute Grammars

PubMed Central

Cai, Yizhi; Lux, Matthew W.; Adam, Laura; Peccoud, Jean

2009-01-01

Recognizing that certain biological functions can be associated with specific DNA sequences has led various fields of biology to adopt the notion of the genetic part. This concept provides a finer level of granularity than the traditional notion of the gene. However, a method of formally relating how a set of parts relates to a function has not yet emerged. Synthetic biology both demands such a formalism and provides an ideal setting for testing hypotheses about relationships between DNA sequences and phenotypes beyond the gene-centric methods used in genetics. Attribute grammars are used in computer science to translate the text of a program source code into the computational operations it represents. By associating attributes with parts, modifying the value of these attributes using rules that describe the structure of DNA sequences, and using a multi-pass compilation process, it is possible to translate DNA sequences into molecular interaction network models. These capabilities are illustrated by simple example grammars expressing how gene expression rates are dependent upon single or multiple parts. The translation process is validated by systematically generating, translating, and simulating the phenotype of all the sequences in the design space generated by a small library of genetic parts. Attribute grammars represent a flexible framework connecting parts with models of biological function. They will be instrumental for building mathematical models of libraries of genetic constructs synthesized to characterize the function of genetic parts. This formalism is also expected to provide a solid foundation for the development of computer assisted design applications for synthetic biology. PMID:19816554

Accuracy and Landmark Error Calculation Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography–Generated Cephalograms

PubMed Central

Grauer, Dan; Cevidanes, Lucia S. H.; Styner, Martin A.; Heulfe, Inam; Harmon, Eric T.; Zhu, Hongtu; Proffit, William R.

2010-01-01

Objective To evaluate systematic differences in landmark position between cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)–generated cephalograms and conventional digital cephalograms and to estimate how much variability should be taken into account when both modalities are used within the same longitudinal study. Materials and Methods Landmarks on homologous cone-beam computed tomographic–generated cephalograms and conventional digital cephalograms of 46 patients were digitized, registered, and compared via the Hotelling T2 test. Results There were no systematic differences between modalities in the position of most landmarks. Three landmarks showed statistically significant differences but did not reach clinical significance. A method for error calculation while combining both modalities in the same individual is presented. Conclusion In a longitudinal follow-up for assessment of treatment outcomes and growth of one individual, the error due to the combination of the two modalities might be larger than previously estimated. PMID:19905853

Development and Application of Computational/In Vitro Toxicological Methods for Chemical Hazard Risk Reduction of New Materials for Advanced Weapon Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frazier, John M.; Mattie, D. R.; Hussain, Saber; Pachter, Ruth; Boatz, Jerry; Hawkins, T. W.

2000-01-01

The development of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) is essential for reducing the chemical hazards of new weapon systems. The current collaboration between HEST (toxicology research and testing), MLPJ (computational chemistry) and PRS (computational chemistry, new propellant synthesis) is focusing R&D efforts on basic research goals that will rapidly transition to useful products for propellant development. Computational methods are being investigated that will assist in forecasting cellular toxicological end-points. Models developed from these chemical structure-toxicity relationships are useful for the prediction of the toxicological endpoints of new related compounds. Research is focusing on the evaluation tools to be used for the discovery of such relationships and the development of models of the mechanisms of action. Combinations of computational chemistry techniques, in vitro toxicity methods, and statistical correlations, will be employed to develop and explore potential predictive relationships; results for series of molecular systems that demonstrate the viability of this approach are reported. A number of hydrazine salts have been synthesized for evaluation. Computational chemistry methods are being used to elucidate the mechanism of action of these salts. Toxicity endpoints such as viability (LDH) and changes in enzyme activity (glutahoione peroxidase and catalase) are being experimentally measured as indicators of cellular damage. Extrapolation from computational/in vitro studies to human toxicity, is the ultimate goal. The product of this program will be a predictive tool to assist in the development of new, less toxic propellants.

An Adaptive Dynamic Pointing Assistance Program to Help People with Multiple Disabilities Improve Their Computer Pointing Efficiency with Hand Swing through a Standard Mouse

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Ching-Hsiang; Shih, Ching-Tien; Wu, Hsiao-Ling

2010-01-01

The latest research adopted software technology to redesign the mouse driver, and turned a mouse into a useful pointing assistive device for people with multiple disabilities who cannot easily or possibly use a standard mouse, to improve their pointing performance through a new operation method, Extended Dynamic Pointing Assistive Program (EDPAP),…

The Use of a PDP-11/20 Computer in a Non-Calculus General Physics Course.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yu, David U. L.

Computer-assisted instruction supplements traditional methods in a non-calculus physics course offered at Seattle Pacific College. Thirty-five science majors enrolled in the first quarter and 32 continued in the second term. The hardware for the course consists of a PDP-11/20 computer and eight teletype terminals; additional peripheral equipment…

Effectiveness of robot-assisted therapy on ankle rehabilitation – a systematic review

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of studies that investigated the effectiveness of robot-assisted therapy on ankle motor and function recovery from musculoskeletal or neurologic ankle injuries. Methods Thirteen electronic databases of articles published from January, 1980 to June, 2012 were searched using keywords ‘ankle*’, ‘robot*’, ‘rehabilitat*’ or ‘treat*’ and a free search in Google Scholar based on effects of ankle rehabilitation robots was also conducted. References listed in relevant publications were further screened. Eventually, twenty-nine articles were selected for review and they focused on effects of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation. Results Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria and a total of 164 patients and 24 healthy subjects participated in these trials. Ankle performance and gait function were the main outcome measures used to assess the therapeutic effects of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation. The protocols and therapy treatments were varied, which made comparison among different studies difficult or impossible. Few comparative trials were conducted among different devices or control strategies. Moreover, the majority of study designs met levels of evidence that were no higher than American Academy for Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) level IV. Only one study used a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) approach with the evidence level being II. Conclusion All the selected studies showed improvements in terms of ankle performance or gait function after a period of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation training. The most effective robot-assisted intervention cannot be determined due to the lack of universal evaluation criteria for various devices and control strategies. Future research into the effects of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation should be carried out based on universal evaluation criteria, which could determine the most effective method of intervention. It is also essential to conduct trials to analyse the differences among different devices or control strategies. PMID:23517734

Modeling and Simulation of High Dimensional Stochastic Multiscale PDE Systems at the Exascale

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kevrekidis, Ioannis

2017-03-22

The thrust of the proposal was to exploit modern data-mining tools in a way that will create a systematic, computer-assisted approach to the representation of random media -- and also to the representation of the solutions of an array of important physicochemical processes that take place in/on such media. A parsimonious representation/parametrization of the random media links directly (via uncertainty quantification tools) to good sampling of the distribution of random media realizations. It also links directly to modern multiscale computational algorithms (like the equation-free approach that has been developed in our group) and plays a crucial role in accelerating themore » scientific computation of solutions of nonlinear PDE models (deterministic or stochastic) in such media – both solutions in particular realizations of the random media, and estimation of the statistics of the solutions over multiple realizations (e.g. expectations).« less

Computer-assisted intraosseous anaesthesia for molar and incisor hypomineralisation teeth. A preliminary study.

PubMed

Cabasse, C; Marie-Cousin, A; Huet, A; Sixou, J L

2015-03-01

Anesthetizing MIH (Molar and Incisor Hypomineralisation) teeth is one of the major challenges in paediatric dentistry. Computer-assisted IO injection (CAIO) of 4% articaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine (Alphacaine, Septodont) has been shown to be an efficient way to anesthetize teeth in children. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of this method with MIH teeth. This preliminary study was performed using the Quick Sleeper system (Dental Hi Tec, Cholet, France) that allows computer-controlled rotation of the needle to penetrate the bone and computer-controlled injection of the anaesthetic solution. Patients (39) of the department of Paediatric Dentistry were included allowing 46 sessions (including 32 mandibular first permanent molars) to be assessed. CAIO showed efficacy in 93.5% (43/46) of cases. Failures (3) were due to impossibility to reach the spongy bone (1) and to achieve anaesthesia (2). This prospective study confirms that CAIO anaesthesia is a promising method to anesthetize teeth with MIH that could therefore be routinely used by trained practitioners.

Recent advances in computational methodology for simulation of mechanical circulatory assist devices

PubMed Central

Marsden, Alison L.; Bazilevs, Yuri; Long, Christopher C.; Behr, Marek

2014-01-01

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) provide mechanical circulatory support to offload the work of one or both ventricles during heart failure. They are used in the clinical setting as destination therapy, as bridge to transplant, or more recently as bridge to recovery to allow for myocardial remodeling. Recent developments in computational simulation allow for detailed assessment of VAD hemodynamics for device design and optimization for both children and adults. Here, we provide a focused review of the recent literature on finite element methods and optimization for VAD simulations. As VAD designs typically fall into two categories, pulsatile and continuous flow devices, we separately address computational challenges of both types of designs, and the interaction with the circulatory system with three representative case studies. In particular, we focus on recent advancements in finite element methodology that has increased the fidelity of VAD simulations. We outline key challenges, which extend to the incorporation of biological response such as thrombosis and hemolysis, as well as shape optimization methods and challenges in computational methodology. PMID:24449607

Identification of high versus lower risk clinical subgroups in a group of adult patients with supratentorial anaplastic astrocytomas.

PubMed

Decaestecker, C; Salmon, I; Camby, I; Dewitte, O; Pasteels, J L; Brotchi, J; Van Ham, P; Kiss, R

1995-05-01

The present work investigates whether computer-assisted techniques can contribute any significant information to the characterization of astrocytic tumor aggressiveness. Two complementary computer-assisted methods were used. The first method made use of the digital image analysis of Feulgen-stained nuclei, making it possible to compute 15 morphonuclear and 8 nuclear DNA content-related (ploidy level) parameters. The second method enabled the most discriminatory parameters to be determined. This second method is the Decision Tree technique, which forms part of the Supervised Learning Algorithms. These two techniques were applied to a series of 250 supratentorial astrocytic tumors of the adult. This series included 39 low-grade (astrocytomas, AST) and 211 high-grade (47 anaplastic astrocytomas, ANA, and 164 glioblastomas, GBM) astrocytic tumors. The results show that some AST, ANA and GBM did not fit within simple logical rules. These "complex" cases were labeled NC-AST, NC-ANA and NC-GBM because they were "non-classical" (NC) with respect to their cytological features. An analysis of survival data revealed that the patients with NC-GBM had the same survival period as patients with GBM. In sharp contrast, patients with ANA survived significantly longer than patients with NC-ANA. In fact, the patients with ANA had the same survival period as patients who died from AST, while the patients with NC-ANA had a survival period similar to those with GBM. All these data show that the computer-assisted techniques used in this study can actually provide the pathologist with significant information on the characterization of astrocytic tumor aggressiveness.

Reliability of lower limb alignment measures using an established landmark-based method with a customized computer software program

PubMed Central

Sled, Elizabeth A.; Sheehy, Lisa M.; Felson, David T.; Costigan, Patrick A.; Lam, Miu; Cooke, T. Derek V.

2010-01-01

The objective of the study was to evaluate the reliability of frontal plane lower limb alignment measures using a landmark-based method by (1) comparing inter- and intra-reader reliability between measurements of alignment obtained manually with those using a computer program, and (2) determining inter- and intra-reader reliability of computer-assisted alignment measures from full-limb radiographs. An established method for measuring alignment was used, involving selection of 10 femoral and tibial bone landmarks. 1) To compare manual and computer methods, we used digital images and matching paper copies of five alignment patterns simulating healthy and malaligned limbs drawn using AutoCAD. Seven readers were trained in each system. Paper copies were measured manually and repeat measurements were performed daily for 3 days, followed by a similar routine with the digital images using the computer. 2) To examine the reliability of computer-assisted measures from full-limb radiographs, 100 images (200 limbs) were selected as a random sample from 1,500 full-limb digital radiographs which were part of the Multicenter Osteoarthritis (MOST) Study. Three trained readers used the software program to measure alignment twice from the batch of 100 images, with two or more weeks between batch handling. Manual and computer measures of alignment showed excellent agreement (intraclass correlations [ICCs] 0.977 – 0.999 for computer analysis; 0.820 – 0.995 for manual measures). The computer program applied to full-limb radiographs produced alignment measurements with high inter- and intra-reader reliability (ICCs 0.839 – 0.998). In conclusion, alignment measures using a bone landmark-based approach and a computer program were highly reliable between multiple readers. PMID:19882339

ICCE/ICCAI 2000 Full & Short Papers (Computer-Assisted Language Learning).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

2000

This document contains the following full and short papers on computer-assisted language learning (CALL) from ICCE/ICCAI 2000 (International Conference on Computers in Education/International Conference on Computer-Assisted Instruction): (1) "A Computer-Assisted English Abstract Words Learning Environment on the Web" (Wenli Tsou and…

Photolithography diagnostic expert systems: a systematic approach to problem solving in a wafer fabrication facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weatherwax Scott, Caroline; Tsareff, Christopher R.

1990-06-01

One of the main goals of process engineering in the semiconductor industry is to improve wafer fabrication productivity and throughput. Engineers must work continuously toward this goal in addition to performing sustaining and development tasks. To accomplish these objectives, managers must make efficient use of engineering resources. One of the tools being used to improve efficiency is the diagnostic expert system. Expert systems are knowledge based computer programs designed to lead the user through the analysis and solution of a problem. Several photolithography diagnostic expert systems have been implemented at the Hughes Technology Center to provide a systematic approach to process problem solving. This systematic approach was achieved by documenting cause and effect analyses for a wide variety of processing problems. This knowledge was organized in the form of IF-THEN rules, a common structure for knowledge representation in expert system technology. These rules form the knowledge base of the expert system which is stored in the computer. The systems also include the problem solving methodology used by the expert when addressing a problem in his area of expertise. Operators now use the expert systems to solve many process problems without engineering assistance. The systems also facilitate the collection of appropriate data to assist engineering in solving unanticipated problems. Currently, several expert systems have been implemented to cover all aspects of the photolithography process. The systems, which have been in use for over a year, include wafer surface preparation (HMDS), photoresist coat and softbake, align and expose on a wafer stepper, and develop inspection. These systems are part of a plan to implement an expert system diagnostic environment throughout the wafer fabrication facility. In this paper, the systems' construction is described, including knowledge acquisition, rule construction, knowledge refinement, testing, and evaluation. The roles played by the process engineering expert and the knowledge engineer are discussed. The features of the systems are shown, particularly the interactive quality of the consultations and the ease of system use.

Human-robot cooperative movement training: Learning a novel sensory motor transformation during walking with robotic assistance-as-needed

PubMed Central

Emken, Jeremy L; Benitez, Raul; Reinkensmeyer, David J

2007-01-01

Background A prevailing paradigm of physical rehabilitation following neurologic injury is to "assist-as-needed" in completing desired movements. Several research groups are attempting to automate this principle with robotic movement training devices and patient cooperative algorithms that encourage voluntary participation. These attempts are currently not based on computational models of motor learning. Methods Here we assume that motor recovery from a neurologic injury can be modelled as a process of learning a novel sensory motor transformation, which allows us to study a simplified experimental protocol amenable to mathematical description. Specifically, we use a robotic force field paradigm to impose a virtual impairment on the left leg of unimpaired subjects walking on a treadmill. We then derive an "assist-as-needed" robotic training algorithm to help subjects overcome the virtual impairment and walk normally. The problem is posed as an optimization of performance error and robotic assistance. The optimal robotic movement trainer becomes an error-based controller with a forgetting factor that bounds kinematic errors while systematically reducing its assistance when those errors are small. As humans have a natural range of movement variability, we introduce an error weighting function that causes the robotic trainer to disregard this variability. Results We experimentally validated the controller with ten unimpaired subjects by demonstrating how it helped the subjects learn the novel sensory motor transformation necessary to counteract the virtual impairment, while also preventing them from experiencing large kinematic errors. The addition of the error weighting function allowed the robot assistance to fade to zero even though the subjects' movements were variable. We also show that in order to assist-as-needed, the robot must relax its assistance at a rate faster than that of the learning human. Conclusion The assist-as-needed algorithm proposed here can limit error during the learning of a dynamic motor task. The algorithm encourages learning by decreasing its assistance as a function of the ongoing progression of movement error. This type of algorithm is well suited for helping people learn dynamic tasks for which large kinematic errors are dangerous or discouraging, and thus may prove useful for robot-assisted movement training of walking or reaching following neurologic injury. PMID:17391527

Survey data collection using Audio Computer Assisted Self-Interview.

PubMed

Jones, Rachel

2003-04-01

The Audio Computer Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) is a computer application that allows a research participant to hear survey interview items over a computer headset and read the corresponding items on a computer monitor. The ACASI automates progression from one item to the next, skipping irrelevant items. The research participant responds by pressing a number keypad, sending the data directly into a database. The ACASI was used to enhance participants' sense of privacy. A convenience sample of 257 young urban women, ages 18 to 29 years, were interviewed in neighborhood settings concerning human immune deficiency virus (HIV) sexual risk behaviors. Notebook computers were used to facilitate mobility. The overwhelming majority rated their experience with ACASI as easy to use. This article will focus on the use of ACASI in HIV behavioral research, its benefits, and approaches to resolve some identified problems with this method of data collection.

Mastery Learning through Individualized Instruction: A Reinforcement Strategy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sagy, John; Ravi, R.; Ananthasayanam, R.

2009-01-01

The present study attempts to gauge the effect of individualized instructional methods as a reinforcement strategy for mastery learning. Among various individualized instructional methods, the study focuses on PIM (Programmed Instructional Method) and CAIM (Computer Assisted Instruction Method). Mastery learning is a process where students achieve…

Computer-assisted innovations in craniofacial surgery.

PubMed

Rudman, Kelli; Hoekzema, Craig; Rhee, John

2011-08-01

Reconstructive surgery for complex craniofacial defects challenges even the most experienced surgeons. Preoperative reconstructive planning requires consideration of both functional and aesthetic properties of the mandible, orbit, and midface. Technological innovations allow for computer-assisted preoperative planning, computer-aided manufacturing of patient-specific implants (PSIs), and computer-assisted intraoperative navigation. Although many case reports discuss computer-assisted preoperative planning and creation of custom implants, a general overview of computer-assisted innovations is not readily available. This article reviews innovations in computer-assisted reconstructive surgery including anatomic considerations when using PSIs, technologies available for preoperative planning, work flow and process of obtaining a PSI, and implant materials available for PSIs. A case example follows illustrating the use of this technology in the reconstruction of an orbital-frontal-temporal defect with a PSI. Computer-assisted reconstruction of complex craniofacial defects provides the reconstructive surgeon with innovative options for challenging reconstructive cases. As technology advances, applications of computer-assisted reconstruction will continue to expand. © Thieme Medical Publishers.

High Tech/High Touch: A Synergy Applicable to Career Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pyle, K. Richard

1985-01-01

A method for using group counseling to enhance the learning and personal satisfaction of computer-assisted career guidance is discussed. The author states that this combination of the human and the technological element appears to have real power in assisting individuals to increase significantly their career maturity in a relatively short period…

A WebGIS-Based Teaching Assistant System for Geography Field Practice (TASGFP)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Jiechen; Ni, Haochen; Rui, Yikang; Cui, Can; Cheng, Liang

2016-01-01

Field practice is an important part of training geography research talents. However, traditional teaching methods may not adequately manage, share and implement instruction resources and thus may limit the instructor's ability to conduct field instruction. A possible answer is found in the rapid development of computer-assisted instruction (CAI),…

Insights on Supporting Learning during Computing Science and Engineering Students' Transition to University: A Design-Oriented, Mixed Methods Exploration of Instructor and Student Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guloy, Sheryl; Salimi, Farimah; Cukierman, Diana; McGee Thompson, Donna

2017-01-01

Using a design-based orientation, this mixed-method study explored ways to support computing science and engineering students whose study strategies may be inadequate to meet coursework expectations. Learning support workshops, paired with university courses, have been found to assist students as they transition to university learning, thereby…

The effect of computer-assisted learning versus conventional teaching methods on the acquisition and retention of handwashing theory and skills in pre-qualification nursing students: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Bloomfield, Jacqueline; Roberts, Julia; While, Alison

2010-03-01

High quality health care demands a nursing workforce with sound clinical skills. However, the clinical competency of newly qualified nurses continues to stimulate debate about the adequacy of current methods of clinical skills education and emphasises the need for innovative teaching strategies. Despite the increasing use of e-learning within nurse education, evidence to support its use for clinical skills teaching is limited and inconclusive. This study tested whether nursing students could learn and retain the theory and skill of handwashing more effectively when taught using computer-assisted learning compared with conventional face-to-face methods. The study employed a two group randomised controlled design. The intervention group used an interactive, multimedia, self-directed computer-assisted learning module. The control group was taught by an experienced lecturer in a clinical skills room. Data were collected over a 5-month period between October 2004 and February 2005. Knowledge was tested at four time points and handwashing skills were assessed twice. Two-hundred and forty-two first year nursing students of mixed gender; age; educational background and first language studying at one British university were recruited to the study. Participant attrition increased during the study. Knowledge scores increased significantly from baseline in both groups and no significant differences were detected between the scores of the two groups. Skill performance scores were similar in both groups at the 2-week follow-up with significant differences emerging at the 8-week follow-up in favour of the intervention group, however, this finding must be interpreted with caution in light of sample size and attrition rates. The computer-assisted learning module was an effective strategy for teaching both the theory and practice of handwashing to nursing students and in this study was found to be at least as effective as conventional face-to-face teaching methods. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On the Effectiveness of Supplemental Instruction: A Systematic Review of Supplemental Instruction and Peer-Assisted Study Sessions Literature between 2001 and 2010

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dawson, Phillip; van der Meer, Jacques; Skalicky, Jane; Cowley, Kym

2014-01-01

Supplemental instruction (SI)--variously known as peer-assisted learning, peer-assisted study sessions, and other names--is a type of academic support intervention popular in higher education. In SI sessions, a senior student facilitates peer learning between undergraduates studying a high-risk course. This article presents a systematic review of…

L-O-S-T: Logging Optimization Selection Technique

Treesearch

Jerry L. Koger; Dennis B. Webster

1984-01-01

L-O-S-T is a FORTRAN computer program developed to systematically quantify, analyze, and improve user selected harvesting methods. Harvesting times and costs are computed for road construction, landing construction, system move between landings, skidding, and trucking. A linear programming formulation utilizing the relationships among marginal analysis, isoquants, and...

Chemotaxis of Amoeba proteus in the developing pH gradient within a pocket-like chamber studied with the computer assisted method.

PubMed

Korohoda, W; Golda, J; Sroka, J; Wojnarowicz, A; Jochym, P; Madeja, Z

1997-01-01

A new "U" shaped, pocket-like chamber was used to observe the chemotactic responses of individual cells. This method permits monitoring of both the development of the concentration gradient of a tested substance and cell locomotion. We investigated the chemotactic responses of Amoeba proteus and observed that the amoebae moved in positively and negatively developing [H+] gradients towards the solution of lower pH in a pH range 5.75-7.75. The chemotactic response of amoebae to [H+] gradients required the presence of extracellular calcium ions. It was blocked and random locomotion was restored by the replacement of calcium with magnesium in the cell medium. Time-lapse video recording and data processing were accomplished with computer-assisted methods. This made it possible to compare selected methods of data presentation and analysis for cells locomoting in isotropic and anisotropic conditions. The cell trajectories were determined and displayed in circular diagrams, lengths of cell tracks and final cell displacements were estimated and a few parameters characterizing cell locomotion were computed.

Physics and engineering aspects of cell and tissue imaging systems: microscopic devices and computer assisted diagnosis.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaodong; Ren, Liqiang; Zheng, Bin; Liu, Hong

2013-01-01

The conventional optical microscopes have been used widely in scientific research and in clinical practice. The modern digital microscopic devices combine the power of optical imaging and computerized analysis, archiving and communication techniques. It has a great potential in pathological examinations for improving the efficiency and accuracy of clinical diagnosis. This chapter reviews the basic optical principles of conventional microscopes, fluorescence microscopes and electron microscopes. The recent developments and future clinical applications of advanced digital microscopic imaging methods and computer assisted diagnosis schemes are also discussed.

A computer-assisted study of pulse dynamics in anisotropic media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishnan, J.; Engelborghs, K.; Bär, M.; Lust, K.; Roose, D.; Kevrekidis, I. G.

2001-06-01

This study focuses on the computer-assisted stability analysis of travelling pulse-like structures in spatially periodic heterogeneous reaction-diffusion media. The physical motivation comes from pulse propagation in thin annular domains on a diffusionally anisotropic catalytic surface. The study was performed by computing the travelling pulse-like structures as limit cycles of the spatially discretized PDE, which in turn is performed in two ways: a Newton method based on a pseudospectral discretization of the PDE, and a Newton-Picard method based on a finite difference discretization. Details about the spectra of these modulated pulse-like structures are discussed, including how they may be compared with the spectra of pulses in homogeneous media. The effects of anisotropy on the dynamics of pulses and pulse pairs are studied. Beyond shifting the location of bifurcations present in homogeneous media, anisotropy can also introduce certain new instabilities.

Computer-Aided Evaluation of Blood Vessel Geometry From Acoustic Images.

PubMed

Lindström, Stefan B; Uhlin, Fredrik; Bjarnegård, Niclas; Gylling, Micael; Nilsson, Kamilla; Svensson, Christina; Yngman-Uhlin, Pia; Länne, Toste

2018-04-01

A method for computer-aided assessment of blood vessel geometries based on shape-fitting algorithms from metric vision was evaluated. Acoustic images of cross sections of the radial artery and cephalic vein were acquired, and medical practitioners used a computer application to measure the wall thickness and nominal diameter of these blood vessels with a caliper method and the shape-fitting method. The methods performed equally well for wall thickness measurements. The shape-fitting method was preferable for measuring the diameter, since it reduced systematic errors by up to 63% in the case of the cephalic vein because of its eccentricity. © 2017 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Role of post-mapping computed tomography in virtual-assisted lung mapping.

PubMed

Sato, Masaaki; Nagayama, Kazuhiro; Kuwano, Hideki; Nitadori, Jun-Ichi; Anraku, Masaki; Nakajima, Jun

2017-02-01

Background Virtual-assisted lung mapping is a novel bronchoscopic preoperative lung marking technique in which virtual bronchoscopy is used to predict the locations of multiple dye markings. Post-mapping computed tomography is performed to confirm the locations of the actual markings. This study aimed to examine the accuracy of marking locations predicted by virtual bronchoscopy and elucidate the role of post-mapping computed tomography. Methods Automated and manual virtual bronchoscopy was used to predict marking locations. After bronchoscopic dye marking under local anesthesia, computed tomography was performed to confirm the actual marking locations before surgery. Discrepancies between marking locations predicted by the different methods and the actual markings were examined on computed tomography images. Forty-three markings in 11 patients were analyzed. Results The average difference between the predicted and actual marking locations was 30 mm. There was no significant difference between the latest version of the automated virtual bronchoscopy system (30.7 ± 17.2 mm) and manual virtual bronchoscopy (29.8 ± 19.1 mm). The difference was significantly greater in the upper vs. lower lobes (37.1 ± 20.1 vs. 23.0 ± 6.8 mm, for automated virtual bronchoscopy; p < 0.01). Despite this discrepancy, all targeted lesions were successfully resected using 3-dimensional image guidance based on post-mapping computed tomography reflecting the actual marking locations. Conclusions Markings predicted by virtual bronchoscopy were dislocated from the actual markings by an average of 3 cm. However, surgery was accurately performed using post-mapping computed tomography guidance, demonstrating the indispensable role of post-mapping computed tomography in virtual-assisted lung mapping.

Animal-Assisted Interventions in the Classroom-A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Brelsford, Victoria L; Meints, Kerstin; Gee, Nancy R; Pfeffer, Karen

2017-06-22

The inclusion of animals in educational practice is becoming increasingly popular, but it is unclear how solid the evidence for this type of intervention is. The aim of this systematic review is to scrutinise the empirical research literature relating to animal-assisted interventions conducted in educational settings. The review included 25 papers; 21 from peer-reviewed journals and 4 obtained using grey literature databases. Most studies reported significant benefits of animal-assisted interventions in the school setting. Despite this, studies vary greatly in methods and design, in intervention types, measures, and sample sizes, and in the length of time exposed to an animal. Furthermore, a worrying lack of reference to risk assessment and animal welfare must be highlighted. Taken together, the results of this review show promising findings and emerging evidence suggestive of potential benefits related to animals in school settings. The review also indicates the need for a larger and more robust evidence base driven by thorough and strict protocols. The review further emphasises the need for safeguarding for all involved-welfare and safety are paramount.

Implementing Computer Technology in the Rehabilitation Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCollum, Paul S., Ed.; Chan, Fong, Ed.

1985-01-01

This special issue contains seven articles, addressing rehabilitation in the information age, computer-assisted rehabilitation services, computer technology in rehabilitation counseling, computer-assisted career exploration and vocational decision making, computer-assisted assessment, computer enhanced employment opportunities for persons with…

Computer-Assisted Organizing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brunner, David James

2009-01-01

Organizing refers to methods of distributing physical and symbolic tasks among multiple agents in order to achieve goals. My dissertation investigates the dynamics of organizing in hybrid information processing systems that incorporate both humans and computers. To explain the behavior of these hybrid systems, I develop and partially test a theory…

An Evaluation of Computer-Aided Instruction in an Introductory Biostatistics Course.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forsythe, Alan B.; Freed, James R.

1979-01-01

Evaluates the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction for teaching biostatistics to first year students at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Results do not demonstrate the superiority of CAI but do suggest that CAI compares favorably to conventional lecture and programed instruction methods. (RAO)

A Comparison of Four Simulation and Instructional Methods for Endodontic Review.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sandoval, Victor A.; And Others

1987-01-01

The effects of four different endodontic self-instructional review formats (slide-tape, latent-image simulation, computer text simulation, and computer-assisted video interactive simulation) on senior clinical endodontic performance are compared. Student evaluations, as well as comparative developmental expenditures, are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Sentence Building with a Macintosh Microcomputer.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bennett, Ruth

A study using microcomputers for instruction in sentence-building skills with two groups of American Indians in bilingual education programs found computer-assisted instruction to be effective in developing differential skills in the different age groups. The method used small group activity at the computer, emphasizing the cooperative learning…

Promoting Technology-Assisted Active Learning in Computer Science Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gao, Jinzhu; Hargis, Jace

2010-01-01

This paper describes specific active learning strategies for teaching computer science, integrating both instructional technologies and non-technology-based strategies shown to be effective in the literature. The theoretical learning components addressed include an intentional method to help students build metacognitive abilities, as well as…

The Assistant for Specifying the Quality Software (ASQS) Operational Concept Document. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

Assistant in which the manager supplies system-specific characteristics and needs and the Assistant fills in the software quality concepts and methods. The...member(s) of the Computer Resources Working Group (CRWG) to aid in performing a software quality engineering study. Figure 3.4-1 outlines the...need to recovery from faults more likely than need _o provide alternative functions or interfaces), and more on Autcncmy - 27 - that Modularity

Validation of an Improved Computer-Assisted Technique for Mining Free-Text Electronic Medical Records

PubMed Central

Marshall, John F; Parkin, Tim

2017-01-01

Background The use of electronic medical records (EMRs) offers opportunity for clinical epidemiological research. With large EMR databases, automated analysis processes are necessary but require thorough validation before they can be routinely used. Objective The aim of this study was to validate a computer-assisted technique using commercially available content analysis software (SimStat-WordStat v.6 (SS/WS), Provalis Research) for mining free-text EMRs. Methods The dataset used for the validation process included life-long EMRs from 335 patients (17,563 rows of data), selected at random from a larger dataset (141,543 patients, ~2.6 million rows of data) and obtained from 10 equine veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. The ability of the computer-assisted technique to detect rows of data (cases) of colic, renal failure, right dorsal colitis, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use in the population was compared with manual classification. The first step of the computer-assisted analysis process was the definition of inclusion dictionaries to identify cases, including terms identifying a condition of interest. Words in inclusion dictionaries were selected from the list of all words in the dataset obtained in SS/WS. The second step consisted of defining an exclusion dictionary, including combinations of words to remove cases erroneously classified by the inclusion dictionary alone. The third step was the definition of a reinclusion dictionary to reinclude cases that had been erroneously classified by the exclusion dictionary. Finally, cases obtained by the exclusion dictionary were removed from cases obtained by the inclusion dictionary, and cases from the reinclusion dictionary were subsequently reincluded using Rv3.0.2 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). Manual analysis was performed as a separate process by a single experienced clinician reading through the dataset once and classifying each row of data based on the interpretation of the free-text notes. Validation was performed by comparison of the computer-assisted method with manual analysis, which was used as the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive values (NPVs), positive predictive values (PPVs), and F values of the computer-assisted process were calculated by comparing them with the manual classification. Results Lowest sensitivity, specificity, PPVs, NPVs, and F values were 99.82% (1128/1130), 99.88% (16410/16429), 94.6% (223/239), 100.00% (16410/16412), and 99.0% (100×2×0.983×0.998/[0.983+0.998]), respectively. The computer-assisted process required few seconds to run, although an estimated 30 h were required for dictionary creation. Manual classification required approximately 80 man-hours. Conclusions The critical step in this work is the creation of accurate and inclusive dictionaries to ensure that no potential cases are missed. It is significantly easier to remove false positive terms from a SS/WS selected subset of a large database than search that original database for potential false negatives. The benefits of using this method are proportional to the size of the dataset to be analyzed. PMID:28663163

Defect engineering of UiO-66 for CO2 and H2O uptake - a combined experimental and simulation study.

PubMed

Liang, Weibin; Coghlan, Campbell J; Ragon, Florence; Rubio-Martinez, Marta; D'Alessandro, Deanna M; Babarao, Ravichandar

2016-03-21

Defect concentrations and their compensating groups have been systematically tuned within UiO-66 frameworks by using modified microwave-assisted solvothermal methods. Both of these factors have a pronounced effect on CO2 and H2O adsorption at low and high pressure.

Combining on-chip synthesis of a focused combinatorial library with computational target prediction reveals imidazopyridine GPCR ligands.

PubMed

Reutlinger, Michael; Rodrigues, Tiago; Schneider, Petra; Schneider, Gisbert

2014-01-07

Using the example of the Ugi three-component reaction we report a fast and efficient microfluidic-assisted entry into the imidazopyridine scaffold, where building block prioritization was coupled to a new computational method for predicting ligand-target associations. We identified an innovative GPCR-modulating combinatorial chemotype featuring ligand-efficient adenosine A1/2B and adrenergic α1A/B receptor antagonists. Our results suggest the tight integration of microfluidics-assisted synthesis with computer-based target prediction as a viable approach to rapidly generate bioactivity-focused combinatorial compound libraries with high success rates. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Existence and instability of steady states for a triangular cross-diffusion system: A computer-assisted proof

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breden, Maxime; Castelli, Roberto

2018-05-01

In this paper, we present and apply a computer-assisted method to study steady states of a triangular cross-diffusion system. Our approach consist in an a posteriori validation procedure, that is based on using a fixed point argument around a numerically computed solution, in the spirit of the Newton-Kantorovich theorem. It allows to prove the existence of various non homogeneous steady states for different parameter values. In some situations, we obtain as many as 13 coexisting steady states. We also apply the a posteriori validation procedure to study the linear stability of the obtained steady states, proving that many of them are in fact unstable.

Multi-criteria decision making development of ion chromatographic method for determination of inorganic anions in oilfield waters based on artificial neural networks retention model.

PubMed

Stefanović, Stefica Cerjan; Bolanča, Tomislav; Luša, Melita; Ukić, Sime; Rogošić, Marko

2012-02-24

This paper describes the development of ad hoc methodology for determination of inorganic anions in oilfield water, since their composition often significantly differs from the average (concentration of components and/or matrix). Therefore, fast and reliable method development has to be performed in order to ensure the monitoring of desired properties under new conditions. The method development was based on computer assisted multi-criteria decision making strategy. The used criteria were: maximal value of objective functions used, maximal robustness of the separation method, minimal analysis time, and maximal retention distance between two nearest components. Artificial neural networks were used for modeling of anion retention. The reliability of developed method was extensively tested by the validation of performance characteristics. Based on validation results, the developed method shows satisfactory performance characteristics, proving the successful application of computer assisted methodology in the described case study. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Density Functional Calculations for Prediction of 57Fe Mössbauer Isomer Shifts and Quadrupole Splittings in β-Diketiminate Complexes

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The relative ease of Mössbauer spectroscopy and of density functional theory (DFT) calculations encourages the use of Mössbauer parameters as a validation method for calculations, and the use of calculations as a double check on crystallographic structures. A number of studies have proposed correlations between the computationally determined electron density at the iron nucleus and the observed isomer shift, but deviations from these correlations in low-valent iron β-diketiminate complexes encouraged us to determine a new correlation for these compounds. The use of B3LYP/def2-TZVP in the ORCA platform provides an excellent balance of accuracy and speed. We provide here not only this new correlation and a clear guide to its use but also a systematic analysis of the limitations of this approach. We also highlight the impact of crystallographic inaccuracies, DFT model truncation, and spin states, with intent to assist experimentalists to use Mössbauer spectroscopy and calculations together. PMID:28691111

Systematic exploration of unsupervised methods for mapping behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Todd, Jeremy G.; Kain, Jamey S.; de Bivort, Benjamin L.

2017-02-01

To fully understand the mechanisms giving rise to behavior, we need to be able to precisely measure it. When coupled with large behavioral data sets, unsupervised clustering methods offer the potential of unbiased mapping of behavioral spaces. However, unsupervised techniques to map behavioral spaces are in their infancy, and there have been few systematic considerations of all the methodological options. We compared the performance of seven distinct mapping methods in clustering a wavelet-transformed data set consisting of the x- and y-positions of the six legs of individual flies. Legs were automatically tracked by small pieces of fluorescent dye, while the fly was tethered and walking on an air-suspended ball. We find that there is considerable variation in the performance of these mapping methods, and that better performance is attained when clustering is done in higher dimensional spaces (which are otherwise less preferable because they are hard to visualize). High dimensionality means that some algorithms, including the non-parametric watershed cluster assignment algorithm, cannot be used. We developed an alternative watershed algorithm which can be used in high-dimensional spaces when a probability density estimate can be computed directly. With these tools in hand, we examined the behavioral space of fly leg postural dynamics and locomotion. We find a striking division of behavior into modes involving the fore legs and modes involving the hind legs, with few direct transitions between them. By computing behavioral clusters using the data from all flies simultaneously, we show that this division appears to be common to all flies. We also identify individual-to-individual differences in behavior and behavioral transitions. Lastly, we suggest a computational pipeline that can achieve satisfactory levels of performance without the taxing computational demands of a systematic combinatorial approach.

77 FR 39498 - Guidances for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff: Computer-Assisted Detection...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-03

...] Guidances for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff: Computer-Assisted Detection Devices Applied... Clinical Performance Assessment: Considerations for Computer-Assisted Detection Devices Applied to... guidance, entitled ``Computer-Assisted Detection Devices Applied to Radiology Images and Radiology Device...

Computerized Bone Age Estimation Using Deep Learning Based Program: Evaluation of the Accuracy and Efficiency.

PubMed

Kim, Jeong Rye; Shim, Woo Hyun; Yoon, Hee Mang; Hong, Sang Hyup; Lee, Jin Seong; Cho, Young Ah; Kim, Sangki

2017-12-01

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of a new automatic software system for bone age assessment and to validate its feasibility in clinical practice. A Greulich-Pyle method-based deep-learning technique was used to develop the automatic software system for bone age determination. Using this software, bone age was estimated from left-hand radiographs of 200 patients (3-17 years old) using first-rank bone age (software only), computer-assisted bone age (two radiologists with software assistance), and Greulich-Pyle atlas-assisted bone age (two radiologists with Greulich-Pyle atlas assistance only). The reference bone age was determined by the consensus of two experienced radiologists. First-rank bone ages determined by the automatic software system showed a 69.5% concordance rate and significant correlations with the reference bone age (r = 0.992; p < 0.001). Concordance rates increased with the use of the automatic software system for both reviewer 1 (63.0% for Greulich-Pyle atlas-assisted bone age vs 72.5% for computer-assisted bone age) and reviewer 2 (49.5% for Greulich-Pyle atlas-assisted bone age vs 57.5% for computer-assisted bone age). Reading times were reduced by 18.0% and 40.0% for reviewers 1 and 2, respectively. Automatic software system showed reliably accurate bone age estimations and appeared to enhance efficiency by reducing reading times without compromising the diagnostic accuracy.

Using Computer-Assisted Argumentation Mapping to develop effective argumentation skills in high school advanced placement physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heglund, Brian

Educators recognize the importance of reasoning ability for development of critical thinking skills, conceptual change, metacognition, and participation in 21st century society. There is a recognized need for students to improve their skills of argumentation, however, argumentation is not explicitly taught outside logic and philosophy---subjects that are not part of the K-12 curriculum. One potential way of supporting the development of argumentation skills in the K-12 context is through incorporating Computer-Assisted Argument Mapping to evaluate arguments. This quasi-experimental study tested the effects of such argument mapping software and was informed by the following two research questions: 1. To what extent does the collaborative use of Computer-Assisted Argumentation Mapping to evaluate competing theories influence the critical thinking skill of argument evaluation, metacognitive awareness, and conceptual knowledge acquisition in high school Advanced Placement physics, compared to the more traditional method of text tables that does not employ Computer-Assisted Argumentation Mapping? 2. What are the student perceptions of the pros and cons of argument evaluation in the high school Advanced Placement physics environment? This study examined changes in critical thinking skills, including argumentation evaluation skills, as well as metacognitive awareness and conceptual knowledge, in two groups: a treatment group using Computer-Assisted Argumentation Mapping to evaluate physics arguments, and a comparison group using text tables to evaluate physics arguments. Quantitative and qualitative methods for collecting and analyzing data were used to answer the research questions. Quantitative data indicated no significant difference between the experimental groups, and qualitative data suggested students perceived pros and cons of argument evaluation in the high school Advanced Placement physics environment, such as self-reported sense of improvement in argument evaluation and low perceived value of the learning task, respectively. The discussion presents implications for practice and research, such as introducing motivation scaffolds to support appreciation of task value, and addressing major differences between the design of this study and similar published studies, respectively. This work provides contributions in that it tested the effect of Computer-Assisted Argumentation Mapping on the critical thinking skills of twelfth-grade students within the context of evaluating physics arguments, a previously unexplored age group and domain.

A study on the value of computer-assisted assessment for SPECT/CT-scans in sentinel lymph node diagnostics of penile cancer as well as clinical reliability and morbidity of this procedure.

PubMed

Lützen, Ulf; Naumann, Carsten Maik; Marx, Marlies; Zhao, Yi; Jüptner, Michael; Baumann, René; Papp, László; Zsótér, Norbert; Aksenov, Alexey; Jünemann, Klaus-Peter; Zuhayra, Maaz

2016-09-07

Because of the increasing importance of computer-assisted post processing of image data in modern medical diagnostic we studied the value of an algorithm for assessment of single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT)-data, which has been used for the first time for lymph node staging in penile cancer with non-palpable inguinal lymph nodes. In the guidelines of the relevant international expert societies, sentinel lymph node-biopsy (SLNB) is recommended as a diagnostic method of choice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of the afore-mentioned algorithm and in the clinical context the reliability and the associated morbidity of this procedure. Between 2008 and 2015, 25 patients with invasive penile cancer and inconspicuous inguinal lymph node status underwent SLNB after application of the radiotracer Tc-99m labelled nanocolloid. We recorded in a prospective approach the reliability and the complication rate of the procedure. In addition, we evaluated the results of an algorithm for SPECT/CT-data assessment of these patients. SLNB was carried out in 44 groins of 25 patients. In three patients, inguinal lymph node metastases were detected via SLNB. In one patient, bilateral lymph node recurrence of the groins occurred after negative SLNB. There was a false-negative rate of 4 % in relation to the number of patients (1/25), resp. 4.5 % in relation to the number of groins (2/44). Morbidity was 4 % in relation to the number of patients (1/25), resp. 2.3 % in relation to the number of groins (1/44). The results of computer-assisted assessment of SPECT/CT data for sentinel lymph node (SLN)-diagnostics demonstrated high sensitivity of 88.8 % and specificity of 86.7 %. SLNB is a very reliable method, associated with low morbidity. Computer-assisted assessment of SPECT/CT data of the SLN-diagnostics shows high sensitivity and specificity. While it cannot replace the assessment by medical experts, it can still provide substantial supplement and assistance.

An introduction and overview of machine learning in neurosurgical care.

PubMed

Senders, Joeky T; Zaki, Mark M; Karhade, Aditya V; Chang, Bliss; Gormley, William B; Broekman, Marike L; Smith, Timothy R; Arnaout, Omar

2018-01-01

Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn from large complex datasets without being explicitly programmed. Although ML is already widely manifest in our daily lives in various forms, the considerable potential of ML has yet to find its way into mainstream medical research and day-to-day clinical care. The complex diagnostic and therapeutic modalities used in neurosurgery provide a vast amount of data that is ideally suited for ML models. This systematic review explores ML's potential to assist and improve neurosurgical care. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed and Embase databases to identify all potentially relevant studies up to January 1, 2017. All studies were included that evaluated ML models assisting neurosurgical treatment. Of the 6,402 citations identified, 221 studies were selected after subsequent title/abstract and full-text screening. In these studies, ML was used to assist surgical treatment of patients with epilepsy, brain tumors, spinal lesions, neurovascular pathology, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and hydrocephalus. Across multiple paradigms, ML was found to be a valuable tool for presurgical planning, intraoperative guidance, neurophysiological monitoring, and neurosurgical outcome prediction. ML has started to find applications aimed at improving neurosurgical care by increasing the efficiency and precision of perioperative decision-making. A thorough validation of specific ML models is essential before implementation in clinical neurosurgical care. To bridge the gap between research and clinical care, practical and ethical issues should be considered parallel to the development of these techniques.

Computer-Assisted Drug Formulation Design: Novel Approach in Drug Delivery.

PubMed

Metwally, Abdelkader A; Hathout, Rania M

2015-08-03

We hypothesize that, by using several chemo/bio informatics tools and statistical computational methods, we can study and then predict the behavior of several drugs in model nanoparticulate lipid and polymeric systems. Accordingly, two different matrices comprising tripalmitin, a core component of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), and PLGA were first modeled using molecular dynamics simulation, and then the interaction of drugs with these systems was studied by means of computing the free energy of binding using the molecular docking technique. These binding energies were hence correlated with the loadings of these drugs in the nanoparticles obtained experimentally from the available literature. The obtained relations were verified experimentally in our laboratory using curcumin as a model drug. Artificial neural networks were then used to establish the effect of the drugs' molecular descriptors on the binding energies and hence on the drug loading. The results showed that the used soft computing methods can provide an accurate method for in silico prediction of drug loading in tripalmitin-based and PLGA nanoparticulate systems. These results have the prospective of being applied to other nano drug-carrier systems, and this integrated statistical and chemo/bio informatics approach offers a new toolbox to the formulation science by proposing what we present as computer-assisted drug formulation design (CADFD).

The Project Method as Practice of Study Activation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fazlyeva, Zulfiya Kh.; Sheinina, Dina P.; Deputatova, Natalia A.

2016-01-01

Relevance of the problem stated in the article is determined by new teaching approach uniting the traditional teaching experience with that of the modern information technologies, all being merged into a new course of the computer lingua-didactics (the international term of which is "Computer Assisted Language Learning" (CALL) or…

The Impact of Microcomputers on Composition Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hocking, Joan

To determine whether computer assisted instruction was just a fad or a viable alternative to traditional methods for teaching English composition, a microcomputer was used in a traditional college freshman English course. The class was divided into small groups: some went to the computer lab, while others worked in the classroom. Interactive…

76 FR 5833 - Amended Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-02

..., INSTAMATION, INC., DYNAMIC METHODS, COLLEGIATE, CORNELIUS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, CIBER, UC4 AND ENVISIONS... the supply of computer systems design and support services for colleges and universities. New... subject firm and the supply of computer systems design and support services for the subject firm. The...

TEACHING ENGINEERING DESIGN, A STUDY OF JOBSHOP.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ENTWISLE, DORIS R.; HUGGINS, W.H.

THE USE OF A COMPUTER PROGRAM BY ENGINEERING STUDENTS TO SIMULATE A JOB SHOP THAT MANUFACTURES ELECTRONIC DEVICES HAS INDICATED THAT SIMULATION METHODS OFFER REALISTIC ASSISTANCE IN TEACHING. EACH STUDENT IN THE STUDY SUBMITTED SPECIFICATIONS FOR A CIRCUIT DESIGN AND, FROM THE COMPUTER, RECEIVED PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS OF THE CIRCUIT WHICH…

Exercise Prescribing: Computer Application in Older Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kressig, Reto W.; Echt, Katharina V.

2002-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if older adults are capable and willing to interact with a computerized exercise promotion interface and to determine to what extent they accept computer-generated exercise recommendations. Design and Methods: Time and requests for assistance were recorded while 34 college-educated volunteers,…

Testing the effectiveness of problem-based learning with learning-disabled students in biology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerrera, Claudia Patrizia

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) with learning-disabled (LD) students. Twenty-four students (12 dyads) classified as LD and attending a school for the learning-disabled participated in the study. Students engaged in either a computer-based environment involving BioWorld, a hospital simulation designed to teach biology students problem-solving skills, or a paper-and-pencil version based on the computer program. A hybrid model of learning was adopted whereby students were provided with direct instruction on the digestive system prior to participating in a problem-solving activity. Students worked in dyads and solved three problems involving the digestive system in either a computerized or a paper-and-pencil condition. The experimenter acted as a coach to assist students throughout the problem-solving process. A follow-up study was conducted, one month later, to measure the long-term learning gains. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze three types of data: process data, outcome data, and follow-up data. Results from the process data showed that all students engaged in effective collaboration and became more systematic in their problem solving over time. Findings from the outcome and follow-up data showed that students in both treatment conditions, made both learning and motivational gains and that these benefits were still evident one month later. Overall, results demonstrated that the computer facilitated students' problem solving and scientific reasoning skills. Some differences were noted in students' collaboration and the amount of assistance required from the coach in both conditions. Thus, PBL is an effective learning approach with LD students in science, regardless of the type of learning environment. These results have implications for teaching science to LD students, as well as for future designs of educational software for this population.

Teaching Prevention in Pediatrics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheng, Tina L.; Greenberg, Larrie; Loeser, Helen; Keller, David

2000-01-01

Reviews methods of teaching preventive medicine in pediatrics and highlights innovative programs. Methods of teaching prevention in pediatrics include patient interactions, self-directed learning, case-based learning, small-group learning, standardized patients, computer-assisted instruction, the Internet, student-centered learning, and lectures.…

Assessing medical residents' usage and perceived needs for personal digital assistants.

PubMed

Barrett, James R; Strayer, Scott M; Schubart, Jane R

2004-02-01

Health care professionals need information delivery tools for accessing information at the point of patient care. Personal digital assistants (PDAs), or hand-held devices demonstrate great promise as point of care information devices. An earlier study [The Constellation Project: experience and evaluation of personal digital assistants in the clinical environment, in: Proceedings of the 19th Annual Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care, 1995, 678] on the use of PDAs at the point of care found that hardware constraints, such as memory capability limited their usefulness, however, they were used frequently for accessing medical references and drug information [The Constellation Project: experience and evaluation of personal digital assistants in the clinical environment, in: Proceedings of the 19th Annual Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care, 1995, 678]. Since this study was completed in 1995, hand-held computer technology has advanced rapidly, and between 26 and 50% of physicians currently use PDAs [Physician's use of hand-helds increases from 15% in 1999 to 26% in 2001: Harris interactive poll results, Harris Poll. 8-24-2002 (electronic citation); ACP-ASIM survey finds nearly half of U.S. members use hand-held computers: ACP-ASIM press release, American College of Physicians, 9-3-2002 (electronic citation)]. This use appears higher among residents, with one recent study finding that over two-thirds of family practice residencies use hand-held computers in their training programs [J. Am. Med. Inform. Assoc. 9 (1) (2002) 80]. In this study, we systematically evaluate PDA usage by residents in our institution using quantitative and qualitative methods. Our evaluation included a brief on-line survey of 88 residents in seven residency programs including primary care and specialty practices. The surveys were completed between 26 October 2001 and 30 April 2002. Follow-up interviews with 15 of the surveyed residents were then conducted between 24 April 2002 and 13 May 2002. The original contributions of this study are the evaluation of residents in primary and specialty programs and evaluation of both medical application software and the conventional personal organizational software (such as calendars and to-do lists). This evaluation was also conducted using significantly advanced hardware and software compared with previous studies [The Constellation Project: experience and evaluation of personal digital assistants in the clinical environment, in: Proceedings of the 19th Annual Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care, 1995, 678]. Results of our survey and follow-up interviews of residents showed most residents use PDAs daily, regardless of practice or whether their program encourages PDAs. Uses include commercial medical references and personal organization software, such as calendars and address books. Concerns and drawbacks mentioned by these residents included physical size of the PDA and the potential for catastrophic data loss. Another issue raised by our results suggests that security and Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance need to be addressed, in part by resident education about securing patient data on PDAs. Overall, PDAs may become even more widely used if two issues can be addressed: (a) providing secure clinical data for the current patients of a given resident, and (b) allaying concerns of catastrophic data loss from their PDAs (e.g. by educating residents about procedures to recover information from PDA backup files).

Assistive Technology as an artificial intelligence opportunity: Case study of letter-based, head movement driven communication.

PubMed

Miksztai-Réthey, Brigitta; Faragó, Kinga Bettina

2015-01-01

We studied an artificial intelligent assisted interaction between a computer and a human with severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI). In order to speed up AAC, we extended a former study of typing performance optimization using a framework that included head movement controlled assistive technology and an onscreen writing device. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analysed with mathematical methods, manual interpretation and semi-supervised machine video annotation. As the result of our research, in contrast to the former experiment's conclusions, we found that our participant had at least two different typing strategies. To maximize his communication efficiency, a more complex assistive tool is suggested, which takes the different methods into consideration.

Computer-Assisted Exposure Treatment for Flight Phobia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tortella-Feliu, Miguel; Bornas, Xavier; Llabres, Jordi

2008-01-01

This review introduces the state of the art in computer-assisted treatment for behavioural disorders. The core of the paper is devoted to describe one of these interventions providing computer-assisted exposure for flight phobia treatment, the Computer-Assisted Fear of Flying Treatment (CAFFT). The rationale, contents and structure of the CAFFT…

Methods for Prediction of High-Speed Reacting Flows in Aerospace Propulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drummond, J. Philip

2014-01-01

Research to develop high-speed airbreathing aerospace propulsion systems was underway in the late 1950s. A major part of the effort involved the supersonic combustion ramjet, or scramjet, engine. Work had also begun to develop computational techniques for solving the equations governing the flow through a scramjet engine. However, scramjet technology and the computational methods to assist in its evolution would remain apart for another decade. The principal barrier was that the computational methods needed for engine evolution lacked the computer technology required for solving the discrete equations resulting from the numerical methods. Even today, computer resources remain a major pacing item in overcoming this barrier. Significant advances have been made over the past 35 years, however, in modeling the supersonic chemically reacting flow in a scramjet combustor. To see how scramjet development and the required computational tools finally merged, we briefly trace the evolution of the technology in both areas.

Computed intraoperative navigation guidance--a preliminary report on a new technique.

PubMed

Enislidis, G; Wagner, A; Ploder, O; Ewers, R

1997-08-01

To assess the value of a computer-assisted three-dimensional guidance system (Virtual Patient System) in maxillofacial operations. Laboratory and open clinical study. Teaching Hospital, Austria. 6 patients undergoing various procedures including removal of foreign body (n=3) and biopsy, maxillary advancement, and insertion of implants (n=1 each). Storage of computed tomographic (CT) pictures on an optical disc, and imposition of intraoperative video images on to these. The resulting display is shown to the surgeon on a micromonitor in his head-up display for guidance during the operations. To improve orientation during complex or minimally invasive maxillofacial procedures and to make such operations easier and less traumatic. Successful transferral of computed navigation technology into an operation room environment and positive evaluation of the method by the surgeons involved. Computer-assisted three-dimensional guidance systems have the potential for making complex or minimally invasive procedures easier to do, thereby reducing postoperative morbidity.

The Application of Web-based Computer-assisted Instruction Courseware within Health Assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiuyan, Guo

Health assessment is a clinical nursing course and places emphasis on clinical skills. The application of computer-assisted instruction in the field of nursing teaching solved the problems in the traditional lecture class. This article stated teaching experience of web-based computer-assisted instruction, based upon a two-year study of computer-assisted instruction courseware use within the course health assessment. The computer-assisted instruction courseware could develop teaching structure, simulate clinical situations, create teaching situations and facilitate students study.

Short arc orbit determination and imminent impactors in the Gaia era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spoto, F.; Del Vigna, A.; Milani, A.; Tommei, G.; Tanga, P.; Mignard, F.; Carry, B.; Thuillot, W.; David, P.

2018-06-01

Short-arc orbit determination is crucial when an asteroid is first discovered. In these cases usually the observations are so few that the differential correction procedure may not converge. We developed an initial orbit computation method, based on systematic ranging, which is an orbit determination technique that systematically explores a raster in the topocentric range and range-rate space region inside the admissible region. We obtained a fully rigorous computation of the probability for the asteroid that could impact the Earth within a few days from the discovery without any a priori assumption. We tested our method on the two past impactors, 2008 TC3 and 2014 AA, on some very well known cases, and on two particular objects observed by the European Space Agency Gaia mission.

Systematic toxicological analysis: computer-assisted identification of poisons in biological materials.

PubMed

Stimpfl, Th; Demuth, W; Varmuza, K; Vycudilik, W

2003-06-05

A new software was developed to improve the chances for identification of a "general unknown" in complex biological materials. To achieve this goal, the total ion current chromatogram was simplified by filtering the acquired mass spectra via an automated subtraction procedure, which removed mass spectra originating from the sample matrix, as well as interfering substances from the extraction procedure. It could be shown that this tool emphasizes mass spectra of exceptional compounds, and therefore provides the forensic toxicologist with further evidence-even in cases where mass spectral data of the unknown compound are not available in "standard" spectral libraries.

Middle Ear Mechanics of Cartilage Tympanoplasty Evaluated by Laser Holography and Vibrometry

PubMed Central

Aarnisalo, Antti A.; Cheng, Jeffrey T.; Ravicz, Michael E.; Hulli, Nesim; Harrington, Ellery J.; Hernandez-Montes, Maria S.; Furlong, Cosme; Merchant, Saumil N.; Rosowski, John J.

2010-01-01

Goals To assess the effects of thickness and position of cartilage used to reconstruct the tympanic membrane (TM) using a novel technique, time-averaged laser holography. Background Cartilage is commonly used in TM reconstruction to prevent formation of retraction pockets. The thickness, position, and shape of the cartilage graft may adversely affect TM motion and hearing. We sought to systematically investigate these parameters in an experimental setting. Methods Computer-assisted optoelectronic laser holography was used in 4 human cadaveric temporal bones to study sound-induced TM motion for 500 Hz to 8 kHz. Stapes velocity was measured with a laser Doppler vibrometer. Baseline (control) measurements were made with the TM intact. Measurements were repeated after a 0.5- or 1.0-mm-thick oval piece of conchal cartilage was placed on the medial TM surface in the posterior-superior quadrant. The cartilage was rotated so that it was either in contact with the bony tympanic rim and manubrium or not. Results At frequencies less than 4 kHz, the cartilage graft had only minor effects on the overall TM fringe patterns. The different conditions had no effects on stapes velocity. Greater than 4 kHz, TM motion was reduced over the grafted TM, both with 0.5- and 1.0-mm-thick grafts. No significant differences in stapes velocity were seen with the 2 different thicknesses of cartilage compared with control. Conclusion Computer-assisted optoelectronic laser holography is a promising technique to investigate middle ear mechanics after tympanoplasty. Such positioning may prevent postoperative TM retraction. These findings and conclusions apply to cartilage placed in the posterior-superior TM quadrant. PMID:19779389

Learning Experiences in Medical Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leggat, Peter A.

2000-01-01

Discusses the learning experience from both traditional and computer-assisted instructional methods. Describes the environments in which these methods are effective. Focuses on learning experiences in medical education and describes educational strategies, particularly the 'SPICES' model. Discusses the importance of mentoring in the psychosocial…

A language comparison for scientific computing on MIMD architectures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Mark T.; Patrick, Merrell L.; Voigt, Robert G.

1989-01-01

Choleski's method for solving banded symmetric, positive definite systems is implemented on a multiprocessor computer using three FORTRAN based parallel programming languages, the Force, PISCES and Concurrent FORTRAN. The capabilities of the language for expressing parallelism and their user friendliness are discussed, including readability of the code, debugging assistance offered, and expressiveness of the languages. The performance of the different implementations is compared. It is argued that PISCES, using the Force for medium-grained parallelism, is the appropriate choice for programming Choleski's method on the multiprocessor computer, Flex/32.

Numerical computation of orbits and rigorous verification of existence of snapback repellers.

PubMed

Peng, Chen-Chang

2007-03-01

In this paper we show how analysis from numerical computation of orbits can be applied to prove the existence of snapback repellers in discrete dynamical systems. That is, we present a computer-assisted method to prove the existence of a snapback repeller of a specific map. The existence of a snapback repeller of a dynamical system implies that it has chaotic behavior [F. R. Marotto, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 63, 199 (1978)]. The method is applied to the logistic map and the discrete predator-prey system.

Design Principles for Computer-Assisted Instruction in Histology Education: An Exploratory Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deniz, Hasan; Cakir, Hasan

2006-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development process and the key components of a computer-assisted histology material. Computer-assisted histology material is designed to supplement traditional histology education in a large Midwestern university. Usability information of the computer-assisted instruction (CAI) material was obtained…

45 CFR 233.35 - Computing the assistance payment under retrospective budgeting after the initial one or two...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Computing the assistance payment under... FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS § 233.35 Computing the assistance payment under retrospective budgeting after... shall be computed retrospectively, i.e., shall be based on income and other relevant circumstances in...

Feasibility of Incorporating Alternative Teaching Methods into Clinical Clerkships.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berman, Judith; And Others

1990-01-01

A study investigated the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction, interactive video, and videotapes as alternative methods of instruction in clinical clerkship modules on diabetes and hypertension. The 17 participants were more interested in balancing time between patient contact and alternative teaching methods and had better knowledge,…

Testing Different Model Building Procedures Using Multiple Regression.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thayer, Jerome D.

The stepwise regression method of selecting predictors for computer assisted multiple regression analysis was compared with forward, backward, and best subsets regression, using 16 data sets. The results indicated the stepwise method was preferred because of its practical nature, when the models chosen by different selection methods were similar…

Machine learning techniques for breast cancer computer aided diagnosis using different image modalities: A systematic review.

PubMed

Yassin, Nisreen I R; Omran, Shaimaa; El Houby, Enas M F; Allam, Hemat

2018-03-01

The high incidence of breast cancer in women has increased significantly in the recent years. Physician experience of diagnosing and detecting breast cancer can be assisted by using some computerized features extraction and classification algorithms. This paper presents the conduction and results of a systematic review (SR) that aims to investigate the state of the art regarding the computer aided diagnosis/detection (CAD) systems for breast cancer. The SR was conducted using a comprehensive selection of scientific databases as reference sources, allowing access to diverse publications in the field. The scientific databases used are Springer Link (SL), Science Direct (SD), IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and PubMed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined and applied to each retrieved work to select those of interest. From 320 studies retrieved, 154 studies were included. However, the scope of this research is limited to scientific and academic works and excludes commercial interests. This survey provides a general analysis of the current status of CAD systems according to the used image modalities and the machine learning based classifiers. Potential research studies have been discussed to create a more objective and efficient CAD systems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ICCE/ICCAI 2000 Full & Short Papers (Evaluation of Learning and Systems).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

2000

This document contains the full and short papers on evaluation of learning and systems from ICCE/ICCAI 2000 (International Conference on Computers in Education/International Conference on Computer-Assisted Instruction) covering the following topics: a new method for efficient study of Kanji using mnemonics and software; a study on the relation…

Integrating a Music Curriculum into an External Degree Program Using Computer Assisted Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brinkley, Robert C.

This paper outlines the method and theoretical basis for establishing and implementing an independent study music curriculum. The curriculum combines practical and theoretical paradigms and leads to an external degree. The computer, in direct interaction with the student, is the primary instructional tool, and the teacher is involved in indirect…

How In-Service Teachers Develop Electronic Lessons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zsoldos-Marchis, Iuliana

2014-01-01

Computer assisted teaching (CAL) is considered to be a modern teaching method, but it is not widely used by teachers because lack of technology and adequate educational softwares in schools; or lack of teachers' knowledge on methodology and computer use. In order to select the most efficient educational software for their class, teachers should…

ELISA test for anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies detection evaluated by a computer screen photo-assisted technique.

PubMed

Filippini, D; Tejle, K; Lundström, I

2005-08-15

The computer screen photo-assisted technique (CSPT), a method for substance classification based on spectral fingerprinting, which involves just a computer screen and a web camera as measuring platform is used here for the evaluation of a prospective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA-ELISA) test, typically used for diagnosing patients suffering from chronic inflammatory disorders in the skin, joints, blood vessels and other tissues is comparatively tested with a standard microplate reader and CSPT, yielding equivalent results at a fraction of the instrumental costs. The CSPT approach is discussed as a distributed measuring platform allowing decentralized measurements in routine applications, whereas keeping centralized information management due to its natural network embedded operation.

Toward a systematic exploration of nano-bio interactions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bai, Xue; Liu, Fang; Liu, Yin

Many studies of nanomaterials make non-systematic alterations of nanoparticle physicochemical properties. Given the immense size of the property space for nanomaterials, such approaches are not very useful in elucidating fundamental relationships between inherent physicochemical properties of these materials and their interactions with, and effects on, biological systems. Data driven artificial intelligence methods such as machine learning algorithms have proven highly effective in generating models with good predictivity and some degree of interpretability. They can provide a viable method of reducing or eliminating animal testing. However, careful experimental design with the modelling of the results in mind is a proven andmore » efficient way of exploring large materials spaces. This approach, coupled with high speed automated experimental synthesis and characterization technologies now appearing, is the fastest route to developing models that regulatory bodies may find useful. We advocate greatly increased focus on systematic modification of physicochemical properties of nanoparticles combined with comprehensive biological evaluation and computational analysis. This is essential to obtain better mechanistic understanding of nano-bio interactions, and to derive quantitatively predictive and robust models for the properties of nanomaterials that have useful domains of applicability. - Highlights: • Nanomaterials studies make non-systematic alterations to nanoparticle properties. • Vast nanomaterials property spaces require systematic studies of nano-bio interactions. • Experimental design and modelling are efficient ways of exploring materials spaces. • We advocate systematic modification and computational analysis to probe nano-bio interactions.« less

Computer-Assisted Learning Applications in Health Educational Informatics: A Review.

PubMed

Shaikh, Faiq; Inayat, Faisal; Awan, Omer; Santos, Marlise D; Choudhry, Adnan M; Waheed, Abdul; Kajal, Dilkash; Tuli, Sagun

2017-08-10

Computer-assisted learning (CAL) as a health informatics application is a useful tool for medical students in the era of expansive knowledge bases and the increasing need for and the consumption of automated and interactive systems. As the scope and breadth of medical knowledge expand, the need for additional learning outside of lecture hours is becoming increasingly important. CAL can be an impactful adjunct to conventional methods that currently exist in the halls of learning. There is an increasing body of literature that suggests that CAL should be a commonplace and the recommended method of learning for medical students. Factors such as technical issues that hinder the performance of CAL are also evaluated. We conclude by encouraging the use of CAL by medical students as a highly beneficial method of learning that complements and enhances lectures and provides intuitive, interactive modulation of a self-paced curriculum based on the individual's academic abilities.

Is Internet search better than structured instruction for web-based health education?

PubMed

Finkelstein, Joseph; Bedra, McKenzie

2013-01-01

Internet provides access to vast amounts of comprehensive information regarding any health-related subject. Patients increasingly use this information for health education using a search engine to identify education materials. An alternative approach of health education via Internet is based on utilizing a verified web site which provides structured interactive education guided by adult learning theories. Comparison of these two approaches in older patients was not performed systematically. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a web-based computer-assisted education (CO-ED) system versus searching the Internet for learning about hypertension. Sixty hypertensive older adults (age 45+) were randomized into control or intervention groups. The control patients spent 30 to 40 minutes searching the Internet using a search engine for information about hypertension. The intervention patients spent 30 to 40 minutes using the CO-ED system, which provided computer-assisted instruction about major hypertension topics. Analysis of pre- and post- knowledge scores indicated a significant improvement among CO-ED users (14.6%) as opposed to Internet users (2%). Additionally, patients using the CO-ED program rated their learning experience more positively than those using the Internet.

ChlamyCyc: an integrative systems biology database and web-portal for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

PubMed

May, Patrick; Christian, Jan-Ole; Kempa, Stefan; Walther, Dirk

2009-05-04

The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is an important eukaryotic model organism for the study of photosynthesis and plant growth. In the era of modern high-throughput technologies there is an imperative need to integrate large-scale data sets from high-throughput experimental techniques using computational methods and database resources to provide comprehensive information about the molecular and cellular organization of a single organism. In the framework of the German Systems Biology initiative GoFORSYS, a pathway database and web-portal for Chlamydomonas (ChlamyCyc) was established, which currently features about 250 metabolic pathways with associated genes, enzymes, and compound information. ChlamyCyc was assembled using an integrative approach combining the recently published genome sequence, bioinformatics methods, and experimental data from metabolomics and proteomics experiments. We analyzed and integrated a combination of primary and secondary database resources, such as existing genome annotations from JGI, EST collections, orthology information, and MapMan classification. ChlamyCyc provides a curated and integrated systems biology repository that will enable and assist in systematic studies of fundamental cellular processes in Chlamydomonas. The ChlamyCyc database and web-portal is freely available under http://chlamycyc.mpimp-golm.mpg.de.

Brief Report: Methods for Collecting Sexual Behaviour Information from South African Adolescents--A Comparison of Paper versus Personal Digital Assistant Questionnaires

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jaspan, Heather B.; Flisher, Alan J.; Myer, Landon; Mathews, Catherine; Seebregts, Chris; Berwick, Jessica R.; Wood, Robin; Bekker, Linda-Gail

2007-01-01

Reporting bias in adolescent behavioural research may be overcome with the use of personal digital assistants (PDA) or other computer based technologies. However, there is little insight into the use of these tools among adolescents in low resource settings. We compared self-administered paper questionnaires with PDA questionnaires to collect…

Utilising three-dimensional printing techniques when providing unique assistive devices: A case report.

PubMed

Day, Sarah Jane; Riley, Shaun Patrick

2018-02-01

The evolution of three-dimensional printing into prosthetics has opened conversations about the availability and cost of prostheses. This report will discuss how a prosthetic team incorporated additive manufacture techniques into the treatment of a patient with a partial hand amputation to create and test a unique assistive device which he could use to hold his French horn. Case description and methods: Using a process of shape capture, photogrammetry, computer-aided design and finite element analysis, a suitable assistive device was designed and tested. The design was fabricated using three-dimensional printing. Patient satisfaction was measured using a Pugh's Matrix™, and a cost comparison was made between the process used and traditional manufacturing. Findings and outcomes: Patient satisfaction was high. The three-dimensional printed devices were 56% cheaper to fabricate than a similar laminated device. Computer-aided design and three-dimensional printing proved to be an effective method for designing, testing and fabricating a unique assistive device. Clinical relevance CAD and 3D printing techniques can enable devices to be designed, tested and fabricated cheaper than when using traditional techniques. This may lead to improvements in quality and accessibility.

The economics of health information technology in medication management: a systematic review of economic evaluations

PubMed Central

Tarride, Jean-Eric; Goeree, Ron; Lokker, Cynthia; McKibbon, K Ann

2011-01-01

Objective To conduct a systematic review and synthesis of the evidence surrounding the cost-effectiveness of health information technology (HIT) in the medication process. Materials and methods Peer-reviewed electronic databases and gray literature were searched to identify studies on HIT used to assist in the medication management process. Articles including an economic component were reviewed for further screening. For this review, full cost-effectiveness analyses, cost-utility analyses and cost-benefit analyses, as well as cost analyses, were eligible for inclusion and synthesis. Results The 31 studies included were heterogeneous with respect to the HIT evaluated, setting, and economic methods used. Thus the data could not be synthesized, and a narrative review was conducted. Most studies evaluated computer decision support systems in hospital settings in the USA, and only five of the studied performed full economic evaluations. Discussion Most studies merely provided cost data; however, useful economic data involves far more input. A full economic evaluation includes a full enumeration of the costs, synthesized with the outcomes of the intervention. Conclusion The quality of the economic literature in this area is poor. A few studies found that HIT may offer cost advantages despite their increased acquisition costs. However, given the uncertainty that surrounds the costs and outcomes data, and limited study designs, it is difficult to reach any definitive conclusion as to whether the additional costs and benefits represent value for money. Sophisticated concurrent prospective economic evaluations need to be conducted to address whether HIT interventions in the medication management process are cost-effective. PMID:21984590

Remote Adaptive Motor Resistance Training Exercise Apparatus and Method of Use Thereof

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reich, Alton (Inventor); Shaw, James (Inventor)

2017-01-01

The invention comprises a method and/or an apparatus using a computer configured exercise system equipped with an electric motor to provide physical resistance to user motion in conjunction with means for sharing exercise system related data and/or user performance data with a secondary user, such as a medical professional, a physical therapist, a trainer, a computer generated competitor, and/or a human competitor. For example, the exercise system is used with a remote trainer to enhance exercise performance, with a remote medical professional for rehabilitation, and/or with a competitor in a competition, such as in a power/weightlifting competition or in a video game. The exercise system is optionally configured with an intelligent software assistant and knowledge navigator functioning as a personal assistant application.

Computer-Assisted Diagnosis of the Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome: A Review

PubMed Central

Alvarez-Estevez, Diego; Moret-Bonillo, Vicente

2015-01-01

Automatic diagnosis of the Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (SAHS) has become an important area of research due to the growing interest in the field of sleep medicine and the costs associated with its manual diagnosis. The increment and heterogeneity of the different techniques, however, make it somewhat difficult to adequately follow the recent developments. A literature review within the area of computer-assisted diagnosis of SAHS has been performed comprising the last 15 years of research in the field. Screening approaches, methods for the detection and classification of respiratory events, comprehensive diagnostic systems, and an outline of current commercial approaches are reviewed. An overview of the different methods is presented together with validation analysis and critical discussion of the current state of the art. PMID:26266052

Assessing the activity of sarcoidosis: quantitative /sup 67/Ga-citrate imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fajman, W.A.; Greenwald, L.V.; Staton, G.

1984-04-01

Three different methods of quantitating /sup 67/Ga-citrate lung images - a visual index, a computer-assisted index, and the total-lung-to-background ratio - were compared in 71 studies of patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. Fifty consecutive cases were analyzed independently by two different observers using all three methods. In these studies, each index was correlated with the cell differential in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The total-lung-to-background ratio proved to be the simplest to perform; correlated best with the original visual index and the percentage of lymphocytes obtained in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Sensitivity for detecting active disease was 84% compared with 64% and 58%more » for the visual and computer-assisted indices, respectively, with no sacrifice in specificity.« less

Remote Adaptive Motor Resistance Training Exercise Apparatus and Method of Use Thereof

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaw, James (Inventor); Reich, Alton (Inventor)

2016-01-01

The invention comprises a method and/or an apparatus using a computer configured exercise system equipped with an electric motor to provide physical resistance to user motion in conjunction with means for sharing exercise system related data and/or user performance data with a secondary user, such as a medical professional, a physical therapist, a trainer, a computer generated competitor, and/or a human competitor. For example, the exercise system is used with a remote trainer to enhance exercise performance, with a remote medical professional for rehabilitation, and/or with a competitor in a competition, such as in a power/weightlifting competition or in a video game. The exercise system is optionally configured with an intelligent software assistant and knowledge navigator functioning as a personal assistant application.

Effectiveness of robot-assisted therapy on ankle rehabilitation--a systematic review.

PubMed

Zhang, Mingming; Davies, T Claire; Xie, Shane

2013-03-21

The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of studies that investigated the effectiveness of robot-assisted therapy on ankle motor and function recovery from musculoskeletal or neurologic ankle injuries. Thirteen electronic databases of articles published from January, 1980 to June, 2012 were searched using keywords 'ankle*', 'robot*', 'rehabilitat*' or 'treat*' and a free search in Google Scholar based on effects of ankle rehabilitation robots was also conducted. References listed in relevant publications were further screened. Eventually, twenty-nine articles were selected for review and they focused on effects of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria and a total of 164 patients and 24 healthy subjects participated in these trials. Ankle performance and gait function were the main outcome measures used to assess the therapeutic effects of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation. The protocols and therapy treatments were varied, which made comparison among different studies difficult or impossible. Few comparative trials were conducted among different devices or control strategies. Moreover, the majority of study designs met levels of evidence that were no higher than American Academy for Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) level IV. Only one study used a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) approach with the evidence level being II. All the selected studies showed improvements in terms of ankle performance or gait function after a period of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation training. The most effective robot-assisted intervention cannot be determined due to the lack of universal evaluation criteria for various devices and control strategies. Future research into the effects of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation should be carried out based on universal evaluation criteria, which could determine the most effective method of intervention. It is also essential to conduct trials to analyse the differences among different devices or control strategies.

Computer work and musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity: A systematic review

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background This review examines the evidence for an association between computer work and neck and upper extremity disorders (except carpal tunnel syndrome). Methods A systematic critical review of studies of computer work and musculoskeletal disorders verified by a physical examination was performed. Results A total of 22 studies (26 articles) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results show limited evidence for a causal relationship between computer work per se, computer mouse and keyboard time related to a diagnosis of wrist tendonitis, and for an association between computer mouse time and forearm disorders. Limited evidence was also found for a causal relationship between computer work per se and computer mouse time related to tension neck syndrome, but the evidence for keyboard time was insufficient. Insufficient evidence was found for an association between other musculoskeletal diagnoses of the neck and upper extremities, including shoulder tendonitis and epicondylitis, and any aspect of computer work. Conclusions There is limited epidemiological evidence for an association between aspects of computer work and some of the clinical diagnoses studied. None of the evidence was considered as moderate or strong and there is a need for more and better documentation. PMID:20429925

Integrating language models into classifiers for BCI communication: a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Speier, W.; Arnold, C.; Pouratian, N.

2016-06-01

Objective. The present review systematically examines the integration of language models to improve classifier performance in brain-computer interface (BCI) communication systems. Approach. The domain of natural language has been studied extensively in linguistics and has been used in the natural language processing field in applications including information extraction, machine translation, and speech recognition. While these methods have been used for years in traditional augmentative and assistive communication devices, information about the output domain has largely been ignored in BCI communication systems. Over the last few years, BCI communication systems have started to leverage this information through the inclusion of language models. Main results. Although this movement began only recently, studies have already shown the potential of language integration in BCI communication and it has become a growing field in BCI research. BCI communication systems using language models in their classifiers have progressed down several parallel paths, including: word completion; signal classification; integration of process models; dynamic stopping; unsupervised learning; error correction; and evaluation. Significance. Each of these methods have shown significant progress, but have largely been addressed separately. Combining these methods could use the full potential of language model, yielding further performance improvements. This integration should be a priority as the field works to create a BCI system that meets the needs of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis population.

Integrating language models into classifiers for BCI communication: a review.

PubMed

Speier, W; Arnold, C; Pouratian, N

2016-06-01

The present review systematically examines the integration of language models to improve classifier performance in brain-computer interface (BCI) communication systems. The domain of natural language has been studied extensively in linguistics and has been used in the natural language processing field in applications including information extraction, machine translation, and speech recognition. While these methods have been used for years in traditional augmentative and assistive communication devices, information about the output domain has largely been ignored in BCI communication systems. Over the last few years, BCI communication systems have started to leverage this information through the inclusion of language models. Although this movement began only recently, studies have already shown the potential of language integration in BCI communication and it has become a growing field in BCI research. BCI communication systems using language models in their classifiers have progressed down several parallel paths, including: word completion; signal classification; integration of process models; dynamic stopping; unsupervised learning; error correction; and evaluation. Each of these methods have shown significant progress, but have largely been addressed separately. Combining these methods could use the full potential of language model, yielding further performance improvements. This integration should be a priority as the field works to create a BCI system that meets the needs of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis population.

Using the Computer in Special Vocational Programs. Inservice Activities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lane, Kenneth; Ward, Raymond

This inservice manual is intended to assist vocational education teachers in using the techniques of computer-assisted instruction in special vocational education programs. Addressed in the individual units are the following topics: the basic principles of computer-assisted instruction (TRS-80 computers and typing on a computer keyboard); money…

Promoting Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation among Chemistry Students Using Computer-Assisted Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gambari, Isiaka A.; Gbodi, Bimpe E.; Olakanmi, Eyitao U.; Abalaka, Eneojo N.

2016-01-01

The role of computer-assisted instruction in promoting intrinsic and extrinsic motivation among Nigerian secondary school chemistry students was investigated in this study. The study employed two modes of computer-assisted instruction (computer simulation instruction and computer tutorial instructional packages) and two levels of gender (male and…

Capabilities and Advantages of Cloud Computing in the Implementation of Electronic Health Record

PubMed Central

Ahmadi, Maryam; Aslani, Nasim

2018-01-01

Background: With regard to the high cost of the Electronic Health Record (EHR), in recent years the use of new technologies, in particular cloud computing, has increased. The purpose of this study was to review systematically the studies conducted in the field of cloud computing. Methods: The present study was a systematic review conducted in 2017. Search was performed in the Scopus, Web of Sciences, IEEE, Pub Med and Google Scholar databases by combination keywords. From the 431 article that selected at the first, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 articles were selected for surveyed. Data gathering was done by a self-made check list and was analyzed by content analysis method. Results: The finding of this study showed that cloud computing is a very widespread technology. It includes domains such as cost, security and privacy, scalability, mutual performance and interoperability, implementation platform and independence of Cloud Computing, ability to search and exploration, reducing errors and improving the quality, structure, flexibility and sharing ability. It will be effective for electronic health record. Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, higher capabilities of cloud computing are useful in implementing EHR in a variety of contexts. It also provides wide opportunities for managers, analysts and providers of health information systems. Considering the advantages and domains of cloud computing in the establishment of HER, it is recommended to use this technology. PMID:29719309

A systematic investigation of computation models for predicting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs).

PubMed

Kuang, Qifan; Wang, MinQi; Li, Rong; Dong, YongCheng; Li, Yizhou; Li, Menglong

2014-01-01

Early and accurate identification of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is critically important for drug development and clinical safety. Computer-aided prediction of ADRs has attracted increasing attention in recent years, and many computational models have been proposed. However, because of the lack of systematic analysis and comparison of the different computational models, there remain limitations in designing more effective algorithms and selecting more useful features. There is therefore an urgent need to review and analyze previous computation models to obtain general conclusions that can provide useful guidance to construct more effective computational models to predict ADRs. In the current study, the main work is to compare and analyze the performance of existing computational methods to predict ADRs, by implementing and evaluating additional algorithms that have been earlier used for predicting drug targets. Our results indicated that topological and intrinsic features were complementary to an extent and the Jaccard coefficient had an important and general effect on the prediction of drug-ADR associations. By comparing the structure of each algorithm, final formulas of these algorithms were all converted to linear model in form, based on this finding we propose a new algorithm called the general weighted profile method and it yielded the best overall performance among the algorithms investigated in this paper. Several meaningful conclusions and useful findings regarding the prediction of ADRs are provided for selecting optimal features and algorithms.

Allied health assistants and what they do: A systematic review of the literature

PubMed Central

Lizarondo, Lucylynn; Kumar, Saravana; Hyde, Lisa; Skidmore, Dawn

2010-01-01

Objective: Allied health assistants (AHAs) are an emerging group in allied health practice with the potential to improve quality of care and safety of patients. This systematic review summarizes the evidence regarding the roles and responsibilities of AHAs and describes the benefits and barriers to utilizing AHAs in current health care settings. Methods: A systematic process of literature searching was undertaken. A search strategy which included a range of electronic databases was searched using key terms. Studies which examined the roles and responsibilities of AHAs (across all allied health disciplines) were included in the review. Only publications written in the English language were considered, with no restriction on publication date. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility of the articles. Data extraction was performed by the same reviewers. A narrative summary of findings was presented. Results: Of the initial 415 papers, 10 studies were included in the review. The majority of papers reported roles performed by general health care assistants or rehabilitation assistants who work in multiple settings or are not specifically affiliated to a health discipline. All current AHAs duties have elements of direct patient care and indirect support via clerical and administrative or housekeeping tasks. Benefits from the introduction of the AHA role in health care include improved clinical outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, higher-level services, and more “free” time for allied health professionals to concentrate on patients with complex needs. Barriers to the use of AHAs are related to blurred role boundaries, which raises issues associated with professional status and security. Conclusions: There is consensus in the literature that AHAs make a valuable contribution to allied health care. Whilst there are clear advantages associated with the use of AHAs to support allied health service delivery, ongoing barriers to their effective use persist. PMID:21197363

Secure Multiparty Quantum Computation for Summation and Multiplication.

PubMed

Shi, Run-hua; Mu, Yi; Zhong, Hong; Cui, Jie; Zhang, Shun

2016-01-21

As a fundamental primitive, Secure Multiparty Summation and Multiplication can be used to build complex secure protocols for other multiparty computations, specially, numerical computations. However, there is still lack of systematical and efficient quantum methods to compute Secure Multiparty Summation and Multiplication. In this paper, we present a novel and efficient quantum approach to securely compute the summation and multiplication of multiparty private inputs, respectively. Compared to classical solutions, our proposed approach can ensure the unconditional security and the perfect privacy protection based on the physical principle of quantum mechanics.

Secure Multiparty Quantum Computation for Summation and Multiplication

PubMed Central

Shi, Run-hua; Mu, Yi; Zhong, Hong; Cui, Jie; Zhang, Shun

2016-01-01

As a fundamental primitive, Secure Multiparty Summation and Multiplication can be used to build complex secure protocols for other multiparty computations, specially, numerical computations. However, there is still lack of systematical and efficient quantum methods to compute Secure Multiparty Summation and Multiplication. In this paper, we present a novel and efficient quantum approach to securely compute the summation and multiplication of multiparty private inputs, respectively. Compared to classical solutions, our proposed approach can ensure the unconditional security and the perfect privacy protection based on the physical principle of quantum mechanics. PMID:26792197

Multiscale solvers and systematic upscaling in computational physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, A.

2005-07-01

Multiscale algorithms can overcome the scale-born bottlenecks that plague most computations in physics. These algorithms employ separate processing at each scale of the physical space, combined with interscale iterative interactions, in ways which use finer scales very sparingly. Having been developed first and well known as multigrid solvers for partial differential equations, highly efficient multiscale techniques have more recently been developed for many other types of computational tasks, including: inverse PDE problems; highly indefinite (e.g., standing wave) equations; Dirac equations in disordered gauge fields; fast computation and updating of large determinants (as needed in QCD); fast integral transforms; integral equations; astrophysics; molecular dynamics of macromolecules and fluids; many-atom electronic structures; global and discrete-state optimization; practical graph problems; image segmentation and recognition; tomography (medical imaging); fast Monte-Carlo sampling in statistical physics; and general, systematic methods of upscaling (accurate numerical derivation of large-scale equations from microscopic laws).

Animal-Assisted Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Haire, Marguerite E.

2013-01-01

The inclusion of animals in therapeutic activities, known as animal-assisted intervention (AAI), has been suggested as a treatment practice for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This paper presents a systematic review of the empirical research on AAI for ASD. Fourteen studies published in peer-reviewed journals qualified for inclusion. The…

Geostatistical applications in environmental remediation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stewart, R.N.; Purucker, S.T.; Lyon, B.F.

1995-02-01

Geostatistical analysis refers to a collection of statistical methods for addressing data that vary in space. By incorporating spatial information into the analysis, geostatistics has advantages over traditional statistical analysis for problems with a spatial context. Geostatistics has a history of success in earth science applications, and its popularity is increasing in other areas, including environmental remediation. Due to recent advances in computer technology, geostatistical algorithms can be executed at a speed comparable to many standard statistical software packages. When used responsibly, geostatistics is a systematic and defensible tool can be used in various decision frameworks, such as the Datamore » Quality Objectives (DQO) process. At every point in the site, geostatistics can estimate both the concentration level and the probability or risk of exceeding a given value. Using these probability maps can assist in identifying clean-up zones. Given any decision threshold and an acceptable level of risk, the probability maps identify those areas that are estimated to be above or below the acceptable risk. Those areas that are above the threshold are of the most concern with regard to remediation. In addition to estimating clean-up zones, geostatistics can assist in designing cost-effective secondary sampling schemes. Those areas of the probability map with high levels of estimated uncertainty are areas where more secondary sampling should occur. In addition, geostatistics has the ability to incorporate soft data directly into the analysis. These data include historical records, a highly correlated secondary contaminant, or expert judgment. The role of geostatistics in environmental remediation is a tool that in conjunction with other methods can provide a common forum for building consensus.« less

Scientific Assistant Virtual Laboratory (SAVL)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alaghband, Gita; Fardi, Hamid; Gnabasik, David

2007-03-01

The Scientific Assistant Virtual Laboratory (SAVL) is a scientific discovery environment, an interactive simulated virtual laboratory, for learning physics and mathematics. The purpose of this computer-assisted intervention is to improve middle and high school student interest, insight and scores in physics and mathematics. SAVL develops scientific and mathematical imagination in a visual, symbolic, and experimental simulation environment. It directly addresses the issues of scientific and technological competency by providing critical thinking training through integrated modules. This on-going research provides a virtual laboratory environment in which the student directs the building of the experiment rather than observing a packaged simulation. SAVL: * Engages the persistent interest of young minds in physics and math by visually linking simulation objects and events with mathematical relations. * Teaches integrated concepts by the hands-on exploration and focused visualization of classic physics experiments within software. * Systematically and uniformly assesses and scores students by their ability to answer their own questions within the context of a Master Question Network. We will demonstrate how the Master Question Network uses polymorphic interfaces and C# lambda expressions to manage simulation objects.

The ensemble switch method for computing interfacial tensions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schmitz, Fabian; Virnau, Peter

2015-04-14

We present a systematic thermodynamic integration approach to compute interfacial tensions for solid-liquid interfaces, which is based on the ensemble switch method. Applying Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling techniques, we obtain results for hard spheres, which are in agreement with previous computations. The case of solid-liquid interfaces in a variant of the effective Asakura-Oosawa model and of liquid-vapor interfaces in the Lennard-Jones model are discussed as well. We demonstrate that a thorough finite-size analysis of the simulation data is required to obtain precise results for the interfacial tension.

Usability of a Low-Cost Head Tracking Computer Access Method following Stroke.

PubMed

Mah, Jasmine; Jutai, Jeffrey W; Finestone, Hillel; Mckee, Hilary; Carter, Melanie

2015-01-01

Assistive technology devices for computer access can facilitate social reintegration and promote independence for people who have had a stroke. This work describes the exploration of the usefulness and acceptability of a new computer access device called the Nouse™ (Nose-as-mouse). The device uses standard webcam and video recognition algorithms to map the movement of the user's nose to a computer cursor, thereby allowing hands-free computer operation. Ten participants receiving in- or outpatient stroke rehabilitation completed a series of standardized and everyday computer tasks using the Nouse™ and then completed a device usability questionnaire. Task completion rates were high (90%) for computer activities only in the absence of time constraints. Most of the participants were satisfied with ease of use (70%) and liked using the Nouse™ (60%), indicating they could resume most of their usual computer activities apart from word-processing using the device. The findings suggest that hands-free computer access devices like the Nouse™ may be an option for people who experience upper motor impairment caused by stroke and are highly motivated to resume personal computing. More research is necessary to further evaluate the effectiveness of this technology, especially in relation to other computer access assistive technology devices.

Techni-kits and Techni-kit Building Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Callender, E. D.; Hartsough, C.; Morris, R. V.; Yamamoto, Y.

1985-01-01

Techni-kits consists of theories, methods, standards and computer based tools that assist in design of information-intensive systems. Techni-kit "building system" is techni-kit that builds techni-kits.

A computational study of the discretization error in the solution of the Spencer-Lewis equation by doubling applied to the upwind finite-difference approximation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nelson, P.; Seth, D.L.; Ray, A.K.

A detailed and systematic study of the nature of the discretization error associated with the upwind finite-difference method is presented. A basic model problem has been identified and based upon the results for this problem, a basic hypothesis regarding the accuracy of the computational solution of the Spencer-Lewis equation is formulated. The basic hypothesis is then tested under various systematic single complexifications of the basic model problem. The results of these tests provide the framework of the refined hypothesis presented in the concluding comments. 27 refs., 3 figs., 14 tabs.

Computer-assisted versus conventional free fibula flap technique for craniofacial reconstruction: an outcomes comparison.

PubMed

Seruya, Mitchel; Fisher, Mark; Rodriguez, Eduardo D

2013-11-01

There has been rising interest in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing for preoperative planning and execution of osseous free flap reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between computer-assisted and conventional fibula free flap techniques for craniofacial reconstruction. A two-center, retrospective review was carried out on patients who underwent fibula free flap surgery for craniofacial reconstruction from 2003 to 2012. Patients were categorized by the type of reconstructive technique: conventional (between 2003 and 2009) or computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (from 2010 to 2012). Demographics, surgical factors, and perioperative and long-term outcomes were compared. A total of 68 patients underwent microsurgical craniofacial reconstruction: 58 conventional and 10 computer-aided design and manufacturing fibula free flaps. By demographics, patients undergoing the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing method were significantly older and had a higher rate of radiotherapy exposure compared with conventional patients. Intraoperatively, the median number of osteotomies was significantly higher (2.0 versus 1.0, p=0.002) and the median ischemia time was significantly shorter (120 minutes versus 170 minutes, p=0.004) for the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technique compared with conventional techniques; operative times were shorter for patients undergoing the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technique, although this did not reach statistical significance. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were equivalent for the two groups, notably, hospital length of stay, recipient-site infection, partial and total flap loss, and rate of soft-tissue and bony tissue revisions. Microsurgical craniofacial reconstruction using a computer-assisted fibula flap technique yielded significantly shorter ischemia times amidst a higher number of osteotomies compared with conventional techniques. Therapeutic, III.

Technical Note: Introduction of variance component analysis to setup error analysis in radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matsuo, Yukinori, E-mail: ymatsuo@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.

Purpose: The purpose of this technical note is to introduce variance component analysis to the estimation of systematic and random components in setup error of radiotherapy. Methods: Balanced data according to the one-factor random effect model were assumed. Results: Analysis-of-variance (ANOVA)-based computation was applied to estimate the values and their confidence intervals (CIs) for systematic and random errors and the population mean of setup errors. The conventional method overestimates systematic error, especially in hypofractionated settings. The CI for systematic error becomes much wider than that for random error. The ANOVA-based estimation can be extended to a multifactor model considering multiplemore » causes of setup errors (e.g., interpatient, interfraction, and intrafraction). Conclusions: Variance component analysis may lead to novel applications to setup error analysis in radiotherapy.« less

Efficacy and External Validity of Electronic and Mobile Phone-Based Interventions Promoting Vegetable Intake in Young Adults: A Systematic Review Protocol.

PubMed

Nour, Monica Marina; Chen, Juliana; Allman-Farinelli, Margaret

2015-07-28

Despite social marketing campaigns and behavior change interventions, young adults remain among the lowest consumers of vegetables. The digital era offers potential new avenues for both social marketing and individually tailored programs, through texting, web, and mobile applications. The effectiveness and generalizability of such programs have not been well documented. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and external validity of social marketing, electronic, and mobile phone-based (mHealth) interventions aimed at increasing vegetable intake in young adults. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol will be used to conduct this systematic review. The search strategy will be executed across eleven electronic databases using combinations of the following search terms: "online intervention", "computer-assisted therapy", "internet", "website", "cell phones", "cyber", "telemedicine", "email", "social marketing", "social media", "mass media", "young adult", and "fruit and vegetables". The reference lists of included studies will also be searched for additional citations. Titles and abstracts will be screened against inclusion criteria and full texts of potentially eligible papers will be assessed by two independent reviewers. Data from eligible papers will be extracted. Quality and risk of bias will be assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies and The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias assessment tool respectively. The external validity of the studies will be determined based on components such as reach, adoption, and representativeness of participants; intervention implementation and adaption; and program maintenance and institutionalization. Results will be reported quantitatively and qualitatively. Our research is in progress. A draft of the systematic review is currently being produced for publication by the end of 2015. The review findings will assist the design and implementation of future eHealth and mHealth programs aimed at improving vegetable consumption in young adults. PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: CRD42015017763; http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42015017763#.VVKtqfmqqko (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6YU2UYrTn).

Designing and Creating Computer-Assisted Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McMeen, George R.

Designed to encourage the use of a defined methodology and careful planning in creating computer-assisted instructional programs, this paper describes the instructional design process, compares computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and programmed instruction (PI), and discusses pragmatic concerns in computer programming. Topics addressed include:…

Farmers' Preferences for Methods of Receiving Information on New or Innovative Farming Practices.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riesenberg, Lou E.; Gor, Christopher Obel

1989-01-01

Survey of 386 Idaho farmers (response rate 58 percent) identified preferred methods of receiving information on new or innovative farming practices. Analysis revealed preference for interpersonal methods (demonstrations, tours, and field trips) over mass media such as computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and home study, although younger farmers,…

Qualitative fusion technique based on information poor system and its application to factor analysis for vibration of rolling bearings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Xintao; Wang, Zhongyu

2008-10-01

For some methods of stability analysis of a system using statistics, it is difficult to resolve the problems of unknown probability distribution and small sample. Therefore, a novel method is proposed in this paper to resolve these problems. This method is independent of probability distribution, and is useful for small sample systems. After rearrangement of the original data series, the order difference and two polynomial membership functions are introduced to estimate the true value, the lower bound and the supper bound of the system using fuzzy-set theory. Then empirical distribution function is investigated to ensure confidence level above 95%, and the degree of similarity is presented to evaluate stability of the system. Cases of computer simulation investigate stable systems with various probability distribution, unstable systems with linear systematic errors and periodic systematic errors and some mixed systems. The method of analysis for systematic stability is approved.

Use of handheld computers in clinical practice: a systematic review.

PubMed

Mickan, Sharon; Atherton, Helen; Roberts, Nia Wyn; Heneghan, Carl; Tilson, Julie K

2014-07-06

Many healthcare professionals use smartphones and tablets to inform patient care. Contemporary research suggests that handheld computers may support aspects of clinical diagnosis and management. This systematic review was designed to synthesise high quality evidence to answer the question; Does healthcare professionals' use of handheld computers improve their access to information and support clinical decision making at the point of care? A detailed search was conducted using Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Science and Social Science Citation Indices since 2001. Interventions promoting healthcare professionals seeking information or making clinical decisions using handheld computers were included. Classroom learning and the use of laptop computers were excluded. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and extracted data. High levels of data heterogeneity negated statistical synthesis. Instead, evidence for effectiveness was summarised narratively, according to each study's aim for assessing the impact of handheld computer use. We included seven randomised trials investigating medical or nursing staffs' use of Personal Digital Assistants. Effectiveness was demonstrated across three distinct functions that emerged from the data: accessing information for clinical knowledge, adherence to guidelines and diagnostic decision making. When healthcare professionals used handheld computers to access clinical information, their knowledge improved significantly more than peers who used paper resources. When clinical guideline recommendations were presented on handheld computers, clinicians made significantly safer prescribing decisions and adhered more closely to recommendations than peers using paper resources. Finally, healthcare professionals made significantly more appropriate diagnostic decisions using clinical decision making tools on handheld computers compared to colleagues who did not have access to these tools. For these clinical decisions, the numbers need to test/screen were all less than 11. Healthcare professionals' use of handheld computers may improve their information seeking, adherence to guidelines and clinical decision making. Handheld computers can provide real time access to and analysis of clinical information. The integration of clinical decision support systems within handheld computers offers clinicians the highest level of synthesised evidence at the point of care. Future research is needed to replicate these early results and to identify beneficial clinical outcomes.

Short assessment of the Big Five: robust across survey methods except telephone interviewing.

PubMed

Lang, Frieder R; John, Dennis; Lüdtke, Oliver; Schupp, Jürgen; Wagner, Gert G

2011-06-01

We examined measurement invariance and age-related robustness of a short 15-item Big Five Inventory (BFI-S) of personality dimensions, which is well suited for applications in large-scale multidisciplinary surveys. The BFI-S was assessed in three different interviewing conditions: computer-assisted or paper-assisted face-to-face interviewing, computer-assisted telephone interviewing, and a self-administered questionnaire. Randomized probability samples from a large-scale German panel survey and a related probability telephone study were used in order to test method effects on self-report measures of personality characteristics across early, middle, and late adulthood. Exploratory structural equation modeling was used in order to test for measurement invariance of the five-factor model of personality trait domains across different assessment methods. For the short inventory, findings suggest strong robustness of self-report measures of personality dimensions among young and middle-aged adults. In old age, telephone interviewing was associated with greater distortions in reliable personality assessment. It is concluded that the greater mental workload of telephone interviewing limits the reliability of self-report personality assessment. Face-to-face surveys and self-administrated questionnaire completion are clearly better suited than phone surveys when personality traits in age-heterogeneous samples are assessed.

Computer assisted optical biopsy for colorectal polyps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarro-Avila, Fernando J.; Saint-Hill-Febles, Yadira; Renner, Janis; Klare, Peter; von Delius, Stefan; Navab, Nassir; Mateus, Diana

2017-03-01

We propose a method for computer-assisted optical biopsy for colorectal polyps, with the final goal of assisting the medical expert during the colonoscopy. In particular, we target the problem of automatic classification of polyp images in two classes: adenomatous vs non-adenoma. Our approach is based on recent advancements in convolutional neural networks (CNN) for image representation. In the paper, we describe and compare four different methodologies to address the binary classification task: a baseline with classical features and a Random Forest classifier, two methods based on features obtained from a pre-trained network, and finally, the end-to-end training of a CNN. With the pre-trained network, we show the feasibility of transferring a feature extraction mechanism trained on millions of natural images, to the task of classifying adenomatous polyps. We then demonstrate further performance improvements when training the CNN for our specific classification task. In our study, 776 polyp images were acquired and histologically analyzed after polyp resection. We report a performance increase of the CNN-based approaches with respect to both, the conventional engineered features and to a state-of-the-art method based on videos and 3D shape features.

A kriging metamodel-assisted robust optimization method based on a reverse model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Hui; Zhou, Qi; Liu, Congwei; Zhou, Taotao

2018-02-01

The goal of robust optimization methods is to obtain a solution that is both optimum and relatively insensitive to uncertainty factors. Most existing robust optimization approaches use outer-inner nested optimization structures where a large amount of computational effort is required because the robustness of each candidate solution delivered from the outer level should be evaluated in the inner level. In this article, a kriging metamodel-assisted robust optimization method based on a reverse model (K-RMRO) is first proposed, in which the nested optimization structure is reduced into a single-loop optimization structure to ease the computational burden. Ignoring the interpolation uncertainties from kriging, K-RMRO may yield non-robust optima. Hence, an improved kriging-assisted robust optimization method based on a reverse model (IK-RMRO) is presented to take the interpolation uncertainty of kriging metamodel into consideration. In IK-RMRO, an objective switching criterion is introduced to determine whether the inner level robust optimization or the kriging metamodel replacement should be used to evaluate the robustness of design alternatives. The proposed criterion is developed according to whether or not the robust status of the individual can be changed because of the interpolation uncertainties from the kriging metamodel. Numerical and engineering cases are used to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of the proposed approach.

Image-based computer-assisted diagnosis system for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohigashi, Satoru; Nakamae, Koji; Fujioka, Hiromu

2005-04-01

We develop the image based computer assisted diagnosis system for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) that consists of the balance control system simulator, the 3D eye movement simulator, and the extraction method of nystagmus response directly from an eye movement image sequence. In the system, the causes and conditions of BPPV are estimated by searching the database for record matching with the nystagmus response for the observed eye image sequence of the patient with BPPV. The database includes the nystagmus responses for simulated eye movement sequences. The eye movement velocity is obtained by using the balance control system simulator that allows us to simulate BPPV under various conditions such as canalithiasis, cupulolithiasis, number of otoconia, otoconium size, and so on. Then the eye movement image sequence is displayed on the CRT by the 3D eye movement simulator. The nystagmus responses are extracted from the image sequence by the proposed method and are stored in the database. In order to enhance the diagnosis accuracy, the nystagmus response for a newly simulated sequence is matched with that for the observed sequence. From the matched simulation conditions, the causes and conditions of BPPV are estimated. We apply our image based computer assisted diagnosis system to two real eye movement image sequences for patients with BPPV to show its validity.

Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrington, Michael

1996-01-01

Introduces the field of intelligent computer assisted language learning (ICALL) and relates them to current practice in computer assisted language learning (CALL) and second language learning. Points out that ICALL applies expertise from artificial intelligence and the computer and cognitive sciences to the development of language learning…

The Use of Virtual Reality Computer Simulation in Learning Port-A Cath Injection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsai, Sing-Ling; Chai, Sin-Kuo; Hsieh, Li-Feng; Lin, Shirling; Taur, Fang-Meei; Sung, Wen-Hsu; Doong, Ji-Liang

2008-01-01

Cost-benefit management trends in Taiwan healthcare settings have led nurses to perform more invasive skills, such as Port-A cath administration of medications. Accordingly, nurses must be well-prepared prior to teaching by the mentor and supervision method. The purpose of the current study was to develop a computer-assisted protocol using virtual…

Course Modularization Applied: The Interface System and Its Implications For Sequence Control and Data Analysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schneider, E. W.

The Interface System is a comprehensive method for developing and managing computer-assisted instructional courses or computer-managed instructional courses composed of sets of instructional modules. Each module is defined by one or more behavioral objectives and by a list of prerequisite modules that must be completed successfully before the…

The Effect of Computer-Assisted Cooperative Learning Methods and Group Size on the EFL Learners' Achievement in Communication Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

AbuSeileek, Ali Farhan

2012-01-01

This study explored the effect of cooperative learning small group size and two different instructional modes (positive interdependence vs. individual accountability) on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) undergraduate learners' communication skills (speaking and writing) achievement in computer-based environments. The study also examined the…

Low Proficiency Learners in Synchronous Computer-Assisted and Face-to-Face Interactions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tam, Shu Sim; Kan, Ngat Har; Ng, Lee Luan

2010-01-01

This experimental study offers empirical evidence of the effect of the computer-mediated environment on the linguistic output of low proficiency learners. The subjects were 32 female undergraduates with high and low proficiency in ESL. A within-subject repeated measures concurrent nested QUAN-qual (Creswell, 2003) mixed methods approach was used.…

Exploring the experience of clients with tetraplegia utilizing assistive technology for computer access.

PubMed

Folan, Alyce; Barclay, Linda; Cooper, Cathy; Robinson, Merren

2015-01-01

Assistive technology for computer access can be used to facilitate people with a spinal cord injury to utilize mainstream computer applications, thereby enabling participation in a variety of meaningful occupations. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the experiences of clients with tetraplegia trialing assistive technologies for computer access during different stages in a public rehabilitation service. In order to explore the experiences of clients with tetraplegia trialing assistive technologies for computer use, qualitative methodology was selected. Data were collected from seven participants using semi-structured interviews, which were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed thematically. Three main themes were identified. These were: getting back into life, assisting in adjusting to injury and learning new skills. The findings from this study demonstrated that people with tetraplegia can be assisted to return to previous life roles or engage in new roles, through developing skills in the use of assistive technology for computer access. Being able to use computers for meaningful activities contributed to the participants gaining an enhanced sense of self-efficacy, and thereby quality of life. Implications for Rehabilitation Findings from this pilot study indicate that people with tetraplegia can be assisted to return to previous life roles, and develop new roles that have meaning to them through the use of assistive technologies for computer use. Being able to use the internet to socialize, and complete daily tasks, contributed to the participants gaining a sense of control over their lives. Early introduction to assistive technology is important to ensure sufficient time for newly injured people to feel comfortable enough with the assistive technology to use the computers productively by the time of discharge. Further research into this important and expanding area is indicated.

Mid-term survival analysis of closed wedge high tibial osteotomy: A comparative study of computer-assisted and conventional techniques.

PubMed

Bae, Dae Kyung; Song, Sang Jun; Kim, Kang Il; Hur, Dong; Jeong, Ho Yeon

2016-03-01

The purpose of the present study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results and survival rates between computer-assisted and conventional closing wedge high tibial osteotomies (HTOs). Data from a consecutive cohort comprised of 75 computer-assisted HTOs and 75 conventional HTOs were retrospectively reviewed. The Knee Society knee and function scores, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and femorotibial angle (FTA) were compared between the two groups. Survival rates were also compared with procedure failure. The knee and function scores at one year postoperatively were slightly better in the computer-assisted group than those in conventional group (90.1 vs. 86.1) (82.0 vs. 76.0). The HSS scores at one year postoperatively were slightly better for the computer-assisted HTOs than those of conventional HTOs (89.5 vs. 81.8). The inlier of the postoperative FTA was wider in the computer-assisted group than that in the conventional HTO group (88.0% vs. 58.7%), and mean postoperative FTA was greater in the computer-assisted group that in the conventional HTO group (valgus 9.0° vs. valgus 7.6°, p<0.001). The five- and 10-year survival rates were 97.1% and 89.6%, respectively. No difference was detected in nine-year survival rates (p=0.369) between the two groups, although the clinical and radiographic results were better in the computer-assisted group that those in the conventional HTO group. Mid-term survival rates did not differ between computer-assisted and conventional HTOs. A comparative analysis of longer-term survival rate is required to demonstrate the long-term benefit of computer-assisted HTO. III. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Testing For EM Upsets In Aircraft Control Computers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belcastro, Celeste M.

1994-01-01

Effects of transient electrical signals evaluated in laboratory tests. Method of evaluating nominally fault-tolerant, aircraft-type digital-computer-based control system devised. Provides for evaluation of susceptibility of system to upset and evaluation of integrity of control when system subjected to transient electrical signals like those induced by electromagnetic (EM) source, in this case lightning. Beyond aerospace applications, fault-tolerant control systems becoming more wide-spread in industry; such as in automobiles. Method supports practical, systematic tests for evaluation of designs of fault-tolerant control systems.

Animal-Assisted Therapies for Youth with or at Risk for Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoagwood, Kimberly Eaton; Acri, Mary; Morrissey, Meghan; Peth-Pierce, Robin

2017-01-01

To systematically review experimental evidence regarding animal-assisted therapies (AAT) for children or adolescents with or at risk for mental health conditions, we reviewed all experimental AAT studies published between 2000-2015, and compared studies by animal type, intervention, and outcomes. Studies were included if used therapeutically for…

Computer-assisted versus oral-and-written dietary history taking for diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Wei, Igor; Pappas, Yannis; Car, Josip; Sheikh, Aziz; Majeed, Azeem

2011-12-07

Diabetes is a chronic illness characterised by insulin resistance or deficiency, resulting in elevated glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Diet and adherence to dietary advice is associated with lower HbA1c levels and control of disease. Dietary history may be an effective clinical tool for diabetes management and has traditionally been taken by oral-and-written methods, although it can also be collected using computer-assisted history taking systems (CAHTS). Although CAHTS were first described in the 1960s, there remains uncertainty about the impact of these methods on dietary history collection, clinical care and patient outcomes such as quality of life.  To assess the effects of computer-assisted versus oral-and-written dietary history taking on patient outcomes for diabetes mellitus. We searched The Cochrane Library (issue 6, 2011), MEDLINE (January 1985 to June 2011), EMBASE (January 1980 to June 2011) and CINAHL (January 1981 to June 2011). Reference lists of obtained articles were also pursued further and no limits were imposed on languages and publication status. Randomised controlled trials of computer-assisted versus oral-and-written history taking in patients with diabetes mellitus. Two authors independently scanned the title and abstract of retrieved articles. Potentially relevant articles were investigated as full text. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were abstracted for relevant population and intervention characteristics with any disagreements resolved by discussion, or by a third party. Risk of bias was similarly assessed independently. Of the 2991 studies retrieved, only one study with 38 study participants compared the two methods of history taking over a total of eight weeks. The authors found that as patients became increasingly familiar with using CAHTS, the correlation between patients' food records and computer assessments improved. Reported fat intake decreased in the control group and increased when queried by the computer. The effect of the intervention on the management of diabetes mellitus and blood glucose levels was not reported. Risk of bias was considered moderate for this study. Based on one small study judged to be of moderate risk of bias, we tentatively conclude that CAHTS may be well received by study participants and potentially offer time saving in practice. However, more robust studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these. We cannot draw on any conclusions in relation to any other clinical outcomes at this stage.

Generational Learning Style Preferences Based on Computer-Based Healthcare Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knight, Michaelle H.

2016-01-01

Purpose. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to determine the degree of perceived differences for auditory, visual and kinesthetic learning styles of Traditionalist, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennial generational healthcare workers participating in technology-assisted healthcare training. Methodology. This mixed-method research…

Computer programs to assist in high resolution thermal denaturation and circular dichroism studies on nucleic acids

PubMed Central

Goodman, Thomas C.; Hardies, Stephen C.; Cortez, Carlos; Hillen, Wolfgang

1981-01-01

Computer programs are described that direct the collection, processing, and graphical display of numerical data obtained from high resolution thermal denaturation (1-3) and circular dichroism (4) studies. Besides these specific applications, the programs may also be useful, either directly or as programming models, in other types of spectrophotometric studies employing computers, programming languages, or instruments similar to those described here (see Materials and Methods). PMID:7335498

Vacuum-assisted drainage in cardiopulmonary bypass: advantages and disadvantages.

PubMed

Carvalho Filho, Elio Barreto de; Marson, Fernando Augusto de Lima; Costa, Loredana Nilkenes Gomes da; Antunes, Nilson

2014-01-01

Systematic review of vacuum assisted drainage in cardiopulmonary bypass, demonstrating its advantages and disadvantages, by case reports and evidence about its effects on microcirculation. We conducted a systematic search on the period 1997-2012, in the databases PubMed, Medline, Lilacs and SciELO. Of the 70 selected articles, 26 were included in the review. Although the vacuum assisted drainage has significant potential for complications and requires appropriate technology and professionalism, prevailed in literature reviewed the concept that vacuum assisted drainage contributed in reducing the rate of transfusions, hemodilutions, better operative field, no significant increase in hemolysis, reduced complications surgical, use of lower prime and of smaller diameter cannulas.

Autism and Equine-Assisted Interventions: A Systematic Mapping Review.

PubMed

McDaniel Peters, B Caitlin; Wood, Wendy

2017-10-01

This systematic mapping review mapped current knowledge of equine-assisted interventions for people with autism to help guide future practice and research. Thirty-three studies including children and adolescents with autism, 3 of which confirmed diagnoses, were reviewed. Five types of equine-assisted activities were identified across 25 studies, with reported improvements in behavior, social interaction, and communication. Four types of equine-assisted therapies were identified across 8 studies, with reported improvements in motor control and self-care. Different approaches to therapeutic riding and hippotherapy, the most studied interventions, were evident. While this literature reflected early scientific development, it offered broad proof of concept that equine-assisted interventions can benefit children and adolescents with autism. Promising outcomes support continued investigation focused on standardization, appropriateness, and efficacy.

Tissue classification for laparoscopic image understanding based on multispectral texture analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yan; Wirkert, Sebastian J.; Iszatt, Justin; Kenngott, Hannes; Wagner, Martin; Mayer, Benjamin; Stock, Christian; Clancy, Neil T.; Elson, Daniel S.; Maier-Hein, Lena

2016-03-01

Intra-operative tissue classification is one of the prerequisites for providing context-aware visualization in computer-assisted minimally invasive surgeries. As many anatomical structures are difficult to differentiate in conventional RGB medical images, we propose a classification method based on multispectral image patches. In a comprehensive ex vivo study we show (1) that multispectral imaging data is superior to RGB data for organ tissue classification when used in conjunction with widely applied feature descriptors and (2) that combining the tissue texture with the reflectance spectrum improves the classification performance. Multispectral tissue analysis could thus evolve as a key enabling technique in computer-assisted laparoscopy.

Computer-assisted virtual autopsy using surgical navigation techniques.

PubMed

Ebert, Lars Christian; Ruder, Thomas D; Martinez, Rosa Maria; Flach, Patricia M; Schweitzer, Wolf; Thali, Michael J; Ampanozi, Garyfalia

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE; Virtual autopsy methods, such as postmortem CT and MRI, are increasingly being used in forensic medicine. Forensic investigators with little to no training in diagnostic radiology and medical laypeople such as state's attorneys often find it difficult to understand the anatomic orientation of axial postmortem CT images. We present a computer-assisted system that permits postmortem CT datasets to be quickly and intuitively resliced in real time at the body to narrow the gap between radiologic imaging and autopsy. Our system is a potentially valuable tool for planning autopsies, showing findings to medical laypeople, and teaching CT anatomy, thus further closing the gap between radiology and forensic pathology.

Quantifying Digital Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis: Reliability of Computer-Assisted Planimetry in Measuring Lesion Size.

PubMed

Simpson, V; Hughes, M; Wilkinson, J; Herrick, A L; Dinsdale, G

2018-03-01

Digital ulcers are a major problem in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), causing severe pain and impairment of hand function. In addition, digital ulcers heal slowly and sometimes become infected, which can lead to gangrene and necessitate amputation if appropriate intervention is not taken. A reliable, objective method for assessing digital ulcer healing or progression is needed in both the clinical and research arenas. This study was undertaken to compare 2 computer-assisted planimetry methods of measurement of digital ulcer area on photographs (ellipse and freehand regions of interest [ROIs]), and to assess the reliability of photographic calibration and the 2 methods of area measurement. Photographs were taken of 107 digital ulcers in 36 patients with SSc spectrum disease. Three raters assessed the photographs. Custom software allowed raters to calibrate photograph dimensions and draw ellipse or freehand ROIs. The shapes and dimensions of the ROIs were saved for further analysis. Calibration (by a single rater performing 5 repeats per image) produced an intraclass correlation coefficient (intrarater reliability) of 0.99. The mean ± SD areas of digital ulcers assessed using ellipse and freehand ROIs were 18.7 ± 20.2 mm 2 and 17.6 ± 19.3 mm 2 , respectively. Intrarater and interrater reliability of the ellipse ROI were 0.97 and 0.77, respectively. For the freehand ROI, the intrarater and interrater reliability were 0.98 and 0.76, respectively. Our findings indicate that computer-assisted planimetry methods applied to SSc-related digital ulcers can be extremely reliable. Further work is needed to move toward applying these methods as outcome measures for clinical trials and in clinical settings. © 2017, American College of Rheumatology.

Computer Assisted Learning in Numeracy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hollin, Freda

Computer-assisted learning in numeracy for adults is far less developed than computer-assisted learning in literacy. Although a great many software programs exist, few are suitable for adults and many offer only drill and practice exercises instead of teaching genuine computer skills. One approach instructors can take is to have their students use…

A New Approach for Obtaining Cosmological Constraints from Type Ia Supernovae using Approximate Bayesian Computation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jennings, Elise; Wolf, Rachel; Sako, Masao

2016-11-09

Cosmological parameter estimation techniques that robustly account for systematic measurement uncertainties will be crucial for the next generation of cosmological surveys. We present a new analysis method, superABC, for obtaining cosmological constraints from Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) light curves using Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) without any likelihood assumptions. The ABC method works by using a forward model simulation of the data where systematic uncertainties can be simulated and marginalized over. A key feature of the method presented here is the use of two distinct metrics, the `Tripp' and `Light Curve' metrics, which allow us to compare the simulated data to the observed data set. The Tripp metric takes as input the parameters of models fit to each light curve with the SALT-II method, whereas the Light Curve metric uses the measured fluxes directly without model fitting. We apply the superABC sampler to a simulated data set ofmore » $$\\sim$$1000 SNe corresponding to the first season of the Dark Energy Survey Supernova Program. Varying $$\\Omega_m, w_0, \\alpha$$ and $$\\beta$$ and a magnitude offset parameter, with no systematics we obtain $$\\Delta(w_0) = w_0^{\\rm true} - w_0^{\\rm best \\, fit} = -0.036\\pm0.109$$ (a $$\\sim11$$% 1$$\\sigma$$ uncertainty) using the Tripp metric and $$\\Delta(w_0) = -0.055\\pm0.068$$ (a $$\\sim7$$% 1$$\\sigma$$ uncertainty) using the Light Curve metric. Including 1% calibration uncertainties in four passbands, adding 4 more parameters, we obtain $$\\Delta(w_0) = -0.062\\pm0.132$$ (a $$\\sim14$$% 1$$\\sigma$$ uncertainty) using the Tripp metric. Overall we find a $17$% increase in the uncertainty on $$w_0$$ with systematics compared to without. We contrast this with a MCMC approach where systematic effects are approximately included. We find that the MCMC method slightly underestimates the impact of calibration uncertainties for this simulated data set.« less

The impact of digital imaging in the field of cytopathology.

PubMed

Pantanowitz, Liron; Hornish, Maryanne; Goulart, Robert A

2009-03-06

With the introduction of digital imaging, pathology is undergoing a digital transformation. In the field of cytology, digital images are being used for telecytology, automated screening of Pap test slides, training and education (e.g. online digital atlases), and proficiency testing. To date, there has been no systematic review on the impact of digital imaging on the practice of cytopathology. This article critically addresses the emerging role of computer-assisted screening and the application of digital imaging to the field of cytology, including telecytology, virtual microscopy, and the impact of online cytology resources. The role of novel diagnostic techniques like image cytometry is also reviewed.

45 CFR 233.34 - Computing the assistance payment in the initial one or two months (AFDC).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Computing the assistance payment in the initial... § 233.34 Computing the assistance payment in the initial one or two months (AFDC). A State shall compute...) If the initial month is computed prospectively as in paragraph (a) of this section, the second month...

Eye Tracking and Head Movement Detection: A State-of-Art Survey

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Eye-gaze detection and tracking have been an active research field in the past years as it adds convenience to a variety of applications. It is considered a significant untraditional method of human computer interaction. Head movement detection has also received researchers' attention and interest as it has been found to be a simple and effective interaction method. Both technologies are considered the easiest alternative interface methods. They serve a wide range of severely disabled people who are left with minimal motor abilities. For both eye tracking and head movement detection, several different approaches have been proposed and used to implement different algorithms for these technologies. Despite the amount of research done on both technologies, researchers are still trying to find robust methods to use effectively in various applications. This paper presents a state-of-art survey for eye tracking and head movement detection methods proposed in the literature. Examples of different fields of applications for both technologies, such as human-computer interaction, driving assistance systems, and assistive technologies are also investigated. PMID:27170851

A finite element method to compute three-dimensional equilibrium configurations of fluid membranes: Optimal parameterization, variational formulation and applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rangarajan, Ramsharan; Gao, Huajian

2015-09-01

We introduce a finite element method to compute equilibrium configurations of fluid membranes, identified as stationary points of a curvature-dependent bending energy functional under certain geometric constraints. The reparameterization symmetries in the problem pose a challenge in designing parametric finite element methods, and existing methods commonly resort to Lagrange multipliers or penalty parameters. In contrast, we exploit these symmetries by representing solution surfaces as normal offsets of given reference surfaces and entirely bypass the need for artificial constraints. We then resort to a Galerkin finite element method to compute discrete C1 approximations of the normal offset coordinate. The variational framework presented is suitable for computing deformations of three-dimensional membranes subject to a broad range of external interactions. We provide a systematic algorithm for computing large deformations, wherein solutions at subsequent load steps are identified as perturbations of previously computed ones. We discuss the numerical implementation of the method in detail and demonstrate its optimal convergence properties using examples. We discuss applications of the method to studying adhesive interactions of fluid membranes with rigid substrates and to investigate the influence of membrane tension in tether formation.

Wetland mapping from digitized aerial photography. [Sheboygen Marsh, Sheboygen County, Wisconsin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scarpace, F. L.; Quirk, B. K.; Kiefer, R. W.; Wynn, S. L.

1981-01-01

Computer assisted interpretation of small scale aerial imagery was found to be a cost effective and accurate method of mapping complex vegetation patterns if high resolution information is desired. This type of technique is suited for problems such as monitoring changes in species composition due to environmental factors and is a feasible method of monitoring and mapping large areas of wetlands. The technique has the added advantage of being in a computer compatible form which can be transformed into any georeference system of interest.

A Comparison of Traditional Worksheet and Linear Programming Methods for Teaching Manure Application Planning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schmitt, M. A.; And Others

1994-01-01

Compares traditional manure application planning techniques calculated to meet agronomic nutrient needs on a field-by-field basis with plans developed using computer-assisted linear programming optimization methods. Linear programming provided the most economical and environmentally sound manure application strategy. (Contains 15 references.) (MDH)

Conceptual Understanding of Definite Integral with Geogebra

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tatar, Enver; Zengin, Yilmaz

2016-01-01

This study aimed to determine the effect of a computer-assisted instruction method using GeoGebra on achievement of prospective secondary mathematics teachers in the definite integral topic and to determine their opinions about this method. The study group consisted of 35 prospective secondary mathematics teachers studying in the mathematics…

Systematizing the Delivery of Local Employment and Training Services. The Job Center Technical Assistance Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wisconsin State Dept. of Industry, Labor and Human Relations, Madison.

This technical assistance guide was developed to consolidate a statewide understanding of the effort to systematize the delivery of employment and training programs through the local formation of job centers in Wisconsin, and to provide a compilation, drawn from 20 local models, that explains how the programs are delivered. The guide is organized…

The Ins and Outs of DNA Fingerprinting the Infectious Fungi

PubMed Central

Soll, David R.

2000-01-01

DNA fingerprinting methods have evolved as major tools in fungal epidemiology. However, no single method has emerged as the method of choice, and some methods perform better than others at different levels of resolution. In this review, requirements for an effective DNA fingerprinting method are proposed and procedures are described for testing the efficacy of a method. In light of the proposed requirements, the most common methods now being used to DNA fingerprint the infectious fungi are described and assessed. These methods include restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP), RFLP with hybridization probes, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and other PCR-based methods, electrophoretic karyotyping, and sequencing-based methods. Procedures for computing similarity coefficients, generating phylogenetic trees, and testing the stability of clusters are then described. To facilitate the analysis of DNA fingerprinting data, computer-assisted methods are described. Finally, the problems inherent in the collection of test and control isolates are considered, and DNA fingerprinting studies of strain maintenance during persistent or recurrent infections, microevolution in infecting strains, and the origin of nosocomial infections are assessed in light of the preceding discussion of the ins and outs of DNA fingerprinting. The intent of this review is to generate an awareness of the need to verify the efficacy of each DNA fingerprinting method for the level of genetic relatedness necessary to answer the epidemiological question posed, to use quantitative methods to analyze DNA fingerprint data, to use computer-assisted DNA fingerprint analysis systems to analyze data, and to file data in a form that can be used in the future for retrospective and comparative studies. PMID:10756003

Seeing the forests and the trees—innovative approaches to exploring heterogeneity in systematic reviews of complex interventions to enhance health system decision-making: a protocol

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background To improve quality of care and patient outcomes, health system decision-makers need to identify and implement effective interventions. An increasing number of systematic reviews document the effects of quality improvement programs to assist decision-makers in developing new initiatives. However, limitations in the reporting of primary studies and current meta-analysis methods (including approaches for exploring heterogeneity) reduce the utility of existing syntheses for health system decision-makers. This study will explore the role of innovative meta-analysis approaches and the added value of enriched and updated data for increasing the utility of systematic reviews of complex interventions. Methods/Design We will use the dataset from our recent systematic review of 142 randomized trials of diabetes quality improvement programs to evaluate novel approaches for exploring heterogeneity. These will include exploratory methods, such as multivariate meta-regression analyses and all-subsets combinatorial meta-analysis. We will then update our systematic review to include new trials and enrich the dataset by surveying authors of all included trials. In doing so, we will explore the impact of variables not, reported in previous publications, such as details of study context, on the effectiveness of the intervention. We will use innovative analytical methods on the enriched and updated dataset to identify key success factors in the implementation of quality improvement interventions for diabetes. Decision-makers will be involved throughout to help identify and prioritize variables to be explored and to aid in the interpretation and dissemination of results. Discussion This study will inform future systematic reviews of complex interventions and describe the value of enriching and updating data for exploring heterogeneity in meta-analysis. It will also result in an updated comprehensive systematic review of diabetes quality improvement interventions that will be useful to health system decision-makers in developing interventions to improve outcomes for people with diabetes. Systematic review registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42013005165 PMID:25115289

Validation of an Improved Computer-Assisted Technique for Mining Free-Text Electronic Medical Records.

PubMed

Duz, Marco; Marshall, John F; Parkin, Tim

2017-06-29

The use of electronic medical records (EMRs) offers opportunity for clinical epidemiological research. With large EMR databases, automated analysis processes are necessary but require thorough validation before they can be routinely used. The aim of this study was to validate a computer-assisted technique using commercially available content analysis software (SimStat-WordStat v.6 (SS/WS), Provalis Research) for mining free-text EMRs. The dataset used for the validation process included life-long EMRs from 335 patients (17,563 rows of data), selected at random from a larger dataset (141,543 patients, ~2.6 million rows of data) and obtained from 10 equine veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. The ability of the computer-assisted technique to detect rows of data (cases) of colic, renal failure, right dorsal colitis, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use in the population was compared with manual classification. The first step of the computer-assisted analysis process was the definition of inclusion dictionaries to identify cases, including terms identifying a condition of interest. Words in inclusion dictionaries were selected from the list of all words in the dataset obtained in SS/WS. The second step consisted of defining an exclusion dictionary, including combinations of words to remove cases erroneously classified by the inclusion dictionary alone. The third step was the definition of a reinclusion dictionary to reinclude cases that had been erroneously classified by the exclusion dictionary. Finally, cases obtained by the exclusion dictionary were removed from cases obtained by the inclusion dictionary, and cases from the reinclusion dictionary were subsequently reincluded using Rv3.0.2 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). Manual analysis was performed as a separate process by a single experienced clinician reading through the dataset once and classifying each row of data based on the interpretation of the free-text notes. Validation was performed by comparison of the computer-assisted method with manual analysis, which was used as the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive values (NPVs), positive predictive values (PPVs), and F values of the computer-assisted process were calculated by comparing them with the manual classification. Lowest sensitivity, specificity, PPVs, NPVs, and F values were 99.82% (1128/1130), 99.88% (16410/16429), 94.6% (223/239), 100.00% (16410/16412), and 99.0% (100×2×0.983×0.998/[0.983+0.998]), respectively. The computer-assisted process required few seconds to run, although an estimated 30 h were required for dictionary creation. Manual classification required approximately 80 man-hours. The critical step in this work is the creation of accurate and inclusive dictionaries to ensure that no potential cases are missed. It is significantly easier to remove false positive terms from a SS/WS selected subset of a large database than search that original database for potential false negatives. The benefits of using this method are proportional to the size of the dataset to be analyzed. ©Marco Duz, John F Marshall, Tim Parkin. Originally published in JMIR Medical Informatics (http://medinform.jmir.org), 29.06.2017.

Imageless navigation system does not improve component rotational alignment in total knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Cheng, Tao; Zhang, Guoyou; Zhang, Xianlong

2011-12-01

The aim of computer-assisted surgery is to improve accuracy and limit the range of surgical variability. However, a worldwide debate exists regarding the importance and usefulness of computer-assisted navigation for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The main purpose of this study is to summarize and compare the radiographic outcomes of TKA performed using imageless computer-assisted navigation compared with conventional techniques. An electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases was made, in addition to manual search of major orthopedic journals. A meta-analysis of 29 quasi-randomized/randomized controlled trials (quasi-RCTs/RCTs) and 11 prospective comparative studies was conducted through a random effects model. Additional a priori sources of clinical heterogeneity were evaluated by subgroup analysis with regard to radiographic methods. When the outlier cut-off value of lower limb axis was defined as ±2° or ±3° from the neutral, the postoperative full-length radiographs demonstrated that the risk ratio was 0.54 or 0.39, respectively, which were in favor of the navigated group. When the cut-off value used for the alignment in the coronal and sagittal plane was 2° or 3°, imageless navigation significantly reduced the outlier rate of the femoral and tibial components compared with the conventional group. Notably, computed tomography scans demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the outliers in the rotational alignment of the femoral and tibial components; however, there was strong statistical heterogeneity. Our results indicated that imageless computer-assisted navigation systems improve lower limb axis and component orientation in the coronal and sagittal planes, but not the rotational alignment in TKA. Further multiple-center clinical trials with long-term follow-up are needed to determine differences in the clinical and functional outcomes of knee arthroplasties performed using computer-assisted techniques. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Object-oriented design and implementation of CFDLab: a computer-assisted learning tool for fluid dynamics using dual reciprocity boundary element methodology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedrich, J.

1999-08-01

As lecturers, our main concern and goal is to develop more attractive and efficient ways of communicating up-to-date scientific knowledge to our students and facilitate an in-depth understanding of physical phenomena. Computer-based instruction is very promising to help both teachers and learners in their difficult task, which involves complex cognitive psychological processes. This complexity is reflected in high demands on the design and implementation methods used to create computer-assisted learning (CAL) programs. Due to their concepts, flexibility, maintainability and extended library resources, object-oriented modeling techniques are very suitable to produce this type of pedagogical tool. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) enjoys not only a growing importance in today's research, but is also very powerful for teaching and learning fluid dynamics. For this purpose, an educational PC program for university level called 'CFDLab 1.1' for Windows™ was developed with an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) for multitasking and point-and-click operations. It uses the dual reciprocity boundary element method as a versatile numerical scheme, allowing to handle a variety of relevant governing equations in two dimensions on personal computers due to its simple pre- and postprocessing including 2D Laplace, Poisson, diffusion, transient convection-diffusion.

The impact of self-interviews on response patterns for sensitive topics: a randomized trial of electronic delivery methods for a sexual behaviour questionnaire in rural South Africa.

PubMed

Harling, Guy; Gumede, Dumile; Mutevedzi, Tinofa; McGrath, Nuala; Seeley, Janet; Pillay, Deenan; Bärnighausen, Till W; Herbst, Abraham J

2017-08-17

Self-interviews, where the respondent rather than the interviewer enters answers to questions, have been proposed as a way to reduce social desirability bias associated with interviewer-led interviews. Computer-assisted self-interviews (CASI) are commonly proposed since the computer programme can guide respondents; however they require both language and computer literacy. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of using electronic methods to administer quantitative sexual behaviour questionnaires in the Somkhele demographic surveillance area (DSA) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We conducted a four-arm randomized trial of paper-and-pen-interview, computer-assisted personal-interview (CAPI), CASI and audio-CASI with an age-sex-urbanicity stratified sample of 504 adults resident in the DSA in 2015. We compared respondents' answers to their responses to the same questions in previous surveillance rounds. We also conducted 48 cognitive interviews, dual-coding responses using the Framework approach. Three hundred forty (67%) individuals were interviewed and covariates and participation rates were balanced across arms. CASI and audio-CASI were significantly slower than interviewer-led interviews. Item non-response rates were higher in self-interview arms. In single-paper meta-analysis, self-interviewed individuals reported more socially undesirable sexual behaviours. Cognitive interviews found high acceptance of both self-interviews and the use of electronic methods, with some concerns that self-interview methods required more participant effort and literacy. Electronic data collection methods, including self-interview methods, proved feasible and acceptable for completing quantitative sexual behaviour questionnaires in a poor, rural South African setting. However, each method had both benefits and costs, and the choice of method should be based on context-specific criteria.

25 CFR 20.313 - How will the Bureau compute financial assistance payments?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 25 Indians 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false How will the Bureau compute financial assistance payments? 20.313 Section 20.313 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES... will the Bureau compute financial assistance payments? (a) The social services worker will compute...

Surface Modeling, Solid Modeling and Finite Element Modeling. Analysis Capabilities of Computer-Assisted Design and Manufacturing Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nee, John G.; Kare, Audhut P.

1987-01-01

Explores several concepts in computer assisted design/computer assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Defines, evaluates, reviews and compares advanced computer-aided geometric modeling and analysis techniques. Presents the results of a survey to establish the capabilities of minicomputer based-systems with the CAD/CAM packages evaluated. (CW)

Computer Assisted Language Learning. Routledge Studies in Computer Assisted Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pennington, Martha

2011-01-01

Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is an approach to language teaching and learning in which computer technology is used as an aid to the presentation, reinforcement and assessment of material to be learned, usually including a substantial interactive element. This books provides an up-to date and comprehensive overview of…

A Systematic Investigation of Computation Models for Predicting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs)

PubMed Central

Kuang, Qifan; Wang, MinQi; Li, Rong; Dong, YongCheng; Li, Yizhou; Li, Menglong

2014-01-01

Background Early and accurate identification of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is critically important for drug development and clinical safety. Computer-aided prediction of ADRs has attracted increasing attention in recent years, and many computational models have been proposed. However, because of the lack of systematic analysis and comparison of the different computational models, there remain limitations in designing more effective algorithms and selecting more useful features. There is therefore an urgent need to review and analyze previous computation models to obtain general conclusions that can provide useful guidance to construct more effective computational models to predict ADRs. Principal Findings In the current study, the main work is to compare and analyze the performance of existing computational methods to predict ADRs, by implementing and evaluating additional algorithms that have been earlier used for predicting drug targets. Our results indicated that topological and intrinsic features were complementary to an extent and the Jaccard coefficient had an important and general effect on the prediction of drug-ADR associations. By comparing the structure of each algorithm, final formulas of these algorithms were all converted to linear model in form, based on this finding we propose a new algorithm called the general weighted profile method and it yielded the best overall performance among the algorithms investigated in this paper. Conclusion Several meaningful conclusions and useful findings regarding the prediction of ADRs are provided for selecting optimal features and algorithms. PMID:25180585

Correction of energy-dependent systematic errors in dual-energy X-ray CT using a basis material coefficients transformation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goh, K. L.; Liew, S. C.; Hasegawa, B. H.

1997-12-01

Computer simulation results from our previous studies showed that energy dependent systematic errors exist in the values of attenuation coefficient synthesized using the basis material decomposition technique with acrylic and aluminum as the basis materials, especially when a high atomic number element (e.g., iodine from radiographic contrast media) was present in the body. The errors were reduced when a basis set was chosen from materials mimicking those found in the phantom. In the present study, we employed a basis material coefficients transformation method to correct for the energy-dependent systematic errors. In this method, the basis material coefficients were first reconstructed using the conventional basis materials (acrylic and aluminum) as the calibration basis set. The coefficients were then numerically transformed to those for a more desirable set materials. The transformation was done at the energies of the low and high energy windows of the X-ray spectrum. With this correction method using acrylic and an iodine-water mixture as our desired basis set, computer simulation results showed that accuracy of better than 2% could be achieved even when iodine was present in the body at a concentration as high as 10% by mass. Simulation work had also been carried out on a more inhomogeneous 2D thorax phantom of the 3D MCAT phantom. The results of the accuracy of quantitation were presented here.

A Comparison of Success and Failure Rates between Computer-Assisted and Traditional College Algebra Sections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herron, Sherry; Gandy, Rex; Ye, Ningjun; Syed, Nasser

2012-01-01

A unique aspect of the implementation of a computer algebra system (CAS) at a comprehensive university in the U.S. allowed us to compare the student success and failure rates to the traditional method of teaching college algebra. Due to space limitations, the university offered sections of both CAS and traditional simultaneously and, upon…

Applied Linguistics Project: Student-Led Computer Assisted Research in High School EAL/EAP

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bohát, Róbert; Rödlingová, Beata; Horáková, Nina

2015-01-01

The Applied Linguistics Project (ALP) started at the International School of Prague (ISP) in 2013. Every year, Grade 9 English as an Additional Language (EAL) students identify an area of learning in need of improvement and design a research method followed by data collection and analysis using basic computer software tools or online corpora.…

A Comparative Analysis of Computer-Assisted Instruction and Traditional Lecture Instruction for Administration and Management Topics in Physical Therapy Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hyland, Matthew R.; Pinto-Zipp, Genevieve; Olson, Valerie; Lichtman, Steven W.

2010-01-01

Technological advancements and competition in student recruitment have challenged educational institutions to expand upon traditional teaching methods in order to attract, engage and retain students. One strategy to meet this shift from educator-directed teaching to student-centered learning is greater computer utilization as an integral aspect of…

Using the Computer to Teach Methods and Interpretative Skills in the Humanities: Implementing a Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Bruce William

The results of implementing computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in two religion courses and a logic course at California State College, Bakersfield, are examined along with student responses. The main purpose of the CAI project was to teach interpretive skills. The most positive results came in the logic course. The programs in the New Testament…

Computer methods in designing tourist equipment for people with disabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuzda, Jolanta GraŻyna; Borkowski, Piotr; Popławska, Justyna; Latosiewicz, Robert; Moska, Eleonora

2017-11-01

Modern technologies enable disabled people to enjoy physical activity every day. Many new structures are matched individually and created for people who fancy active tourism, giving them wider opportunities for active pastime. The process of creating this type of devices in every stage, from initial design through assessment to validation, is assisted by various types of computer support software.

Evaluating the Informative Quality of Documents in SGML Format from Judgements by Means of Fuzzy Linguistic Techniques Based on Computing with Words.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herrera-Viedma, Enrique; Peis, Eduardo

2003-01-01

Presents a fuzzy evaluation method of SGML documents based on computing with words. Topics include filtering the amount of information available on the Web to assist users in their search processes; document type definitions; linguistic modeling; user-system interaction; and use with XML and other markup languages. (Author/LRW)

A Computer Assisted Method to Track Listening Strategies in Second Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roussel, Stephanie

2011-01-01

Many studies about listening strategies are based on what learners report while listening to an oral message in the second language (Vandergrift, 2003; Graham, 2006). By recording a video of the computer screen while L2 learners (L1 French) were listening to an MP3-track in German, this study uses a novel approach and recent developments in…

High-kVp Assisted Metal Artifact Reduction for X-ray Computed Tomography

PubMed Central

Xi, Yan; Jin, Yannan; De Man, Bruno; Wang, Ge

2016-01-01

In X-ray computed tomography (CT), the presence of metallic parts in patients causes serious artifacts and degrades image quality. Many algorithms were published for metal artifact reduction (MAR) over the past decades with various degrees of success but without a perfect solution. Some MAR algorithms are based on the assumption that metal artifacts are due only to strong beam hardening and may fail in the case of serious photon starvation. Iterative methods handle photon starvation by discarding or underweighting corrupted data, but the results are not always stable and they come with high computational cost. In this paper, we propose a high-kVp-assisted CT scan mode combining a standard CT scan with a few projection views at a high-kVp value to obtain critical projection information near the metal parts. This method only requires minor hardware modifications on a modern CT scanner. Two MAR algorithms are proposed: dual-energy normalized MAR (DNMAR) and high-energy embedded MAR (HEMAR), aiming at situations without and with photon starvation respectively. Simulation results obtained with the CT simulator CatSim demonstrate that the proposed DNMAR and HEMAR methods can eliminate metal artifacts effectively. PMID:27891293

Comparative analysis of ventricular assist devices (POLVAD and POLVAD_EXT) based on multiscale FEM model.

PubMed

Milenin, Andrzej; Kopernik, Magdalena

2011-01-01

The prosthesis - pulsatory ventricular assist device (VAD) - is made of polyurethane (PU) and biocompatible TiN deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. The paper discusses the numerical modelling and computer-aided design of such an artificial organ. Two types of VADs: POLVAD and POLVAD_EXT are investigated. The main tasks and assumptions of the computer program developed are presented. The multiscale model of VAD based on finite element method (FEM) is introduced and the analysis of the stress-strain state in macroscale for the blood chamber in both versions of VAD is shown, as well as the verification of the results calculated by applying ABAQUS, a commercial FEM code. The FEM code developed is based on a new approach to the simulation of multilayer materials obtained by using PLD method. The model in microscale includes two components, i.e., model of initial stresses (residual stress) caused by the deposition process and simulation of active loadings observed in the blood chamber of POLVAD and POLVAD_EXT. The computed distributions of stresses and strains in macro- and microscales are helpful in defining precisely the regions of blood chamber, which can be defined as the failure-source areas.

An Instructor's Diagnostic Aid for Feedback in Training.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andrews, Dee H.; Uliano, Kevin C.

1988-01-01

Instructor's Diagnostic Aid for Feedback in Training (IDAFT) is a computer-assisted method based on error analysis, domains of learning, and events of instruction. Its use with Navy team instructors is currently being explored. (JOW)

Using an Instructional LAN to Teach a Statistics Course.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnes, J. Wesley; And Others

1988-01-01

Discusses a computer assisted learning system for engineering statistics based on personalized system of instruction methods. Describes the system's network, development, course structure, programing, and security. Lists the benefits of the system. (MVL)

A systematic way for the cost reduction of density fitting methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kállay, Mihály, E-mail: kallay@mail.bme.hu

2014-12-28

We present a simple approach for the reduction of the size of auxiliary basis sets used in methods exploiting the density fitting (resolution of identity) approximation for electron repulsion integrals. Starting out of the singular value decomposition of three-center two-electron integrals, new auxiliary functions are constructed as linear combinations of the original fitting functions. The new functions, which we term natural auxiliary functions (NAFs), are analogous to the natural orbitals widely used for the cost reduction of correlation methods. The use of the NAF basis enables the systematic truncation of the fitting basis, and thereby potentially the reduction of themore » computational expenses of the methods, though the scaling with the system size is not altered. The performance of the new approach has been tested for several quantum chemical methods. It is demonstrated that the most pronounced gain in computational efficiency can be expected for iterative models which scale quadratically with the size of the fitting basis set, such as the direct random phase approximation. The approach also has the promise of accelerating local correlation methods, for which the processing of three-center Coulomb integrals is a bottleneck.« less

Use of Recommended Search Strategies in Systematic Reviews and the Impact of Librarian Involvement: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Recent Authors

PubMed Central

Koffel, Jonathan B.

2015-01-01

Background Previous research looking at published systematic reviews has shown that their search strategies are often suboptimal and that librarian involvement, though recommended, is low. Confidence in the results, however, is limited due to poor reporting of search strategies the published articles. Objectives To more accurately measure the use of recommended search methods in systematic reviews, the levels of librarian involvement, and whether librarian involvement predicts the use of recommended methods. Methods A survey was sent to all authors of English-language systematic reviews indexed in the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) from January 2012 through January 2014. The survey asked about their use of search methods recommended by the Institute of Medicine, Cochrane Collaboration, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and if and how a librarian was involved in the systematic review. Rates of use of recommended methods and librarian involvement were summarized. The impact of librarian involvement on use of recommended methods was examined using a multivariate logistic regression. Results 1560 authors completed the survey. Use of recommended search methods ranged widely from 98% for use of keywords to 9% for registration in PROSPERO and were generally higher than in previous studies. 51% of studies involved a librarian, but only 64% acknowledge their assistance. Librarian involvement was significantly associated with the use of 65% of recommended search methods after controlling for other potential predictors. Odds ratios ranged from 1.36 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.75) for including multiple languages to 3.07 (95% CI 2.06 to 4.58) for using controlled vocabulary. Conclusions Use of recommended search strategies is higher than previously reported, but many methods are still under-utilized. Librarian involvement predicts the use of most methods, but their involvement is under-reported within the published article. PMID:25938454

Transforming information for computer-aided instruction: using a Socratic Dialogue method to teach gross anatomy.

PubMed

Constantinou, P; Daane, S; Dev, P

1994-01-01

Traditional teaching of anatomy can be a difficult process of rote memorization. Computers allow information presentation to be much more dynamic, and interactive; the same information can be presented in multiple organizations. Using this idea, we have implemented a new pedagogy for computer-assisted instruction in The Anatomy Lesson, an interactive digital teacher which uses a "Socratic Dialogue" metaphor, as well as a textbook-like approach, to facilitate conceptual learning in anatomy.

Assistance at mealtimes in hospital settings and rehabilitation units for older adults from the perspective of patients, families and healthcare professionals: a mixed methods systematic review protocol.

PubMed

Edwards, Deborah; Carrier, Judith; Hopkinson, Jane

2015-11-01

The review question is: assistance at mealtimes for older adults in hospital settings and rehabilitation units: what goes on, what works and what do patients, families and healthcare professionals think about it?The specific objectives are:This mixed methods review seeks to develop an aggregated synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data on assistance at mealtimes for older adults in hospital settings and rehabilitation units in order to derive conclusions and recommendations useful for clinical practice and policy decision making. Worldwide, it is estimated that between 20% and 50% of all adult patients admitted to hospital wards are malnourished. Reported prevalence occurs, depending on the specific patient group of interest, type of healthcare setting, disease state and criteria used to assess malnutrition. For older adults in hospital (over 65 years) the prevalence of malnutrition has been reported as being as high as 60% and can continue to deteriorate during the hospital stay. This is an area of concern as it is associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased morbidity (pressure ulcers, infections and falls) and mortality, especially for those with chronic conditions.Malnutrition in adults in developed countries is frequently associated with disease and may occur because of reduced dietary intake, malabsorption, increased nutrient losses or altered metabolic demands, with reduced dietary intake being considered the single most important aetiological factor. For the hospitalized older adult patient with pre-existing malnutrition, further nutritional problems are often encountered due to a reduced dietary intake. Poor food intake for older patients in hospital may be due to the effects of acute illness, poor appetite, nausea or vomiting, "nil by mouth" orders, medication side effects, catering limitations, swallowing and/or oral problems, difficulty with vision and opening containers, the placement of food out of the patients' reach, limited access to snacks, and cultural or religious food preferences.In the UK, national reports have shown some older patients with good appetites were not receiving sufficient nourishment because of inadequate feeding assistance. An initial search of literature has found that this problem has also been identified in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and the USA.A variety of initiatives have been developed to try to ensure that patients receive mealtime assistance if required, and include, for example:Mealtime assistance has the potential to enhance nutritional intake, clinical outcomes, and patient experience. Four reviews and one scoping review have previously been conducted in this area. All of the reviews included adult patients over 18 years of age. The focus of the systematic review by Green et al. was volunteers providing feeding assistance in any institutional setting; it included a narrative analysis of 10 empirical studies from a limited number of database searches. Weekes et al. conducted a structured literature review focusing on improving nutritional care for patients in any healthcare setting, with specific emphasis on feeding assistance and the dining environment. The review was limited to quantitative study designs (randomized controlled trials, controlled trials and observational studies and audits). A systematic review by Wade et al. investigated nutritional models of care (feeding assistance, protected mealtimes, red tray initiative and communal dining) for hospitalized and rehabilitation inpatients. This review focused on data from trials only and only three databases were searched. A Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) systematic review has also been published on the topic of mealtime assistance. A comprehensive search strategy was outlined and the review included six randomized controlled trials and quasi experimental designs covering a range of outcomes, but was limited to inpatients in acute care hospitals. The scoping review by Cheung et al. included intervention studies published from 2001 to 2012 from across three databases. The focus was on the evidence for dietary, food service and mealtime interventions in the acute care setting.In this proposed mixed methods review, the quantitative component will seek to incorporate a wider range of study designs, including but not limited to, cohort studies (with control), case-controlled studies, descriptive and case series designs. A qualitative component will also be incorporated to help understand why initiatives do or do not work. Combining both quantitative and qualitative studies in the same review will make this the first mixed methods systematic review which considers assistance at mealtimes for older adults over 65 years of age in both hospital settings and rehabilitation units. For the purposes of this review mealtime assistance is defined as receiving help from another person to eat or complete the eating process when a meal or snack is served. This may include, for example, making sure that suitable cutlery is available; taking lids off food products; cutting food into smaller pieces; providing verbal encouragement; or physically feeding a patient by transferring food from the plate to the person's mouth, either at the bedside or in a separate dining room.The review will seek to investigate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of initiatives for improving assistance at mealtimes for older adults in hospital settings and rehabilitation units, and will ask these questions: what goes on, what works and what do patients, families and healthcare professionals think about it?

Transverse Expansion and Stability after Segmental Le Fort I Osteotomy versus Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion: a Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Blæhr, Tue Lindberg

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objectives The objective of the present systematic review was to test the hypothesis of no difference in transverse skeletal and dental arch expansion and relapse after segmental Le Fort I osteotomy versus surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion. Material and Methods A MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane library search in combination with a hand-search of relevant journals was conducted by including human studies published in English from January 1, 2000 to June 1, 2016. Results The search provided 130 titles and four studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All the included studies were characterized by high risk of bias and meta-analysis was not possible due to considerable variation. Both treatment modalities significantly increase the transverse maxillary skeletal and dental arch width. The transverse dental arch expansion and relapse seems to be substantial higher with tooth-borne surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion compared to segmental Le Fort I osteotomy. The ratio of dental to skeletal relapse was significantly higher in the posterior maxilla with tooth-borne surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion. Moreover, a parallel opening without segment tilting was observed after segmental Le Fort I osteotomy. Conclusions Maxillary transverse deficiency in adults can be treated successfully with both treatment modalities, although surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion seems more effective when large transverse maxillary skeletal and dental arch expansion is required. However, considering the methodological limitations of the included studies, long-term randomized studies assessing transverse skeletal and dental expansion and relapse with the two treatment modalities are needed before definite conclusions can be provided. PMID:28154745

Annual Research Review: Resilience and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents Living in Areas of Armed Conflict--A Systematic Review of Findings in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tol, Wietse A.; Song, Suzan; Jordans, Mark J. D.

2013-01-01

Background: Researchers focused on mental health of conflict-affected children are increasingly interested in the concept of resilience. Knowledge on resilience may assist in developing interventions aimed at improving positive outcomes or reducing negative outcomes, termed promotive or protective interventions. Methods: We performed a systematic…

Superpersistent Currents in Dirac Fermion Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-06

development of quantum mechanics,, but also to quantum information processing and computing . Exploiting various physical systems to realize two-level...Here, using the QSD method, we calculated the dynamical trajectories of the system in the quantum regime. Our computations extending to the long time...currents in 2D Dirac material systems and pertinent phenomena in the emerging field of relativistic quantum nonlinear dynamics and chaos. Systematic

Vacuum-assisted drainage in cardiopulmonary bypass: advantages and disadvantages

PubMed Central

de Carvalho Filho, Élio Barreto; Marson, Fernando Augusto de Lima; da Costa, Loredana Nilkenes Gomes; Antunes, Nilson

2014-01-01

Systematic review of vacuum assisted drainage in cardiopulmonary bypass, demonstrating its advantages and disadvantages, by case reports and evidence about its effects on microcirculation. We conducted a systematic search on the period 1997-2012, in the databases PubMed, Medline, Lilacs and SciELO. Of the 70 selected articles, 26 were included in the review. Although the vacuum assisted drainage has significant potential for complications and requires appropriate technology and professionalism, prevailed in literature reviewed the concept that vacuum assisted drainage contributed in reducing the rate of transfusions, hemodilutions, better operative field, no significant increase in hemolysis, reduced complications surgical, use of lower prime and of smaller diameter cannulas. PMID:25140478

Development of a computer-assisted forensic radiographic identification method using the lateral cervical and lumbar spine.

PubMed

Derrick, Sharon M; Raxter, Michelle H; Hipp, John A; Goel, Priya; Chan, Elaine F; Love, Jennifer C; Wiersema, Jason M; Akella, N Shastry

2015-01-01

Medical examiners and coroners (ME/C) in the United States hold statutory responsibility to identify deceased individuals who fall under their jurisdiction. The computer-assisted decedent identification (CADI) project was designed to modify software used in diagnosis and treatment of spinal injuries into a mathematically validated tool for ME/C identification of fleshed decedents. CADI software analyzes the shapes of targeted vertebral bodies imaged in an array of standard radiographs and quantifies the likelihood that any two of the radiographs contain matching vertebral bodies. Six validation tests measured the repeatability, reliability, and sensitivity of the method, and the effects of age, sex, and number of radiographs in array composition. CADI returned a 92-100% success rate in identifying the true matching pair of vertebrae within arrays of five to 30 radiographs. Further development of CADI is expected to produce a novel identification method for use in ME/C offices that is reliable, timely, and cost-effective. © 2014 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

On the integral use of foundational concepts in verifying validity during skull-photo superimposition.

PubMed

Jayaprakash, Paul T

2017-09-01

Often cited reliability test on video superimposition method integrated scaling face-images in relation to skull-images, tragus-auditory meatus relationship in addition to exocanthion-Whitnall's tubercle relationship when orientating the skull-image and wipe mode imaging in addition to mix mode imaging when obtaining skull-face image overlay and evaluating the goodness of match. However, a report that found higher false positive matches in computer assisted superimposition method transited from the above foundational concepts and relied on images of unspecified sizes that are lesser than 'life-size', frontal plane landmarks in the skull- and face- images alone for orientating the skull-image and mix images alone for evaluating the goodness of match. Recently, arguing the use of 'life-size' images as 'archaic', the authors who tested the reliability in the computer assisted superimposition method have denied any method transition. This article describes that the use of images of unspecified sizes at lesser than 'life-size' eliminates the only possibility to quantify parameters during superimposition which alone enables dynamic skull orientation when overlaying a skull-image with a face-image in an anatomically acceptable orientation. The dynamic skull orientation process mandatorily requires aligning the tragus in the 2D face-image with the auditory meatus in the 3D skull-image for anatomically orientating the skull-image in relation to the posture in the face-image, a step not mentioned by the authors describing the computer assisted superimposition method. Furthermore, mere reliance on mix type images during image overlay eliminates the possibility to assess the relationship between the leading edges of the skull- and face-image outlines as also specific area match among the corresponding craniofacial organs during superimposition. Indicating the possibility of increased false positive matches as a consequence of the above method transitions, the need for testing the reliability in the superimposition method adopting concepts that are considered safe is stressed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviews to Face-to-Face Interviews of Sexual Behavior Among Perinatally HIV-Exposed Youth

PubMed Central

Marhefka, Stephanie L.; Santamaria, E. Karina; Leu, Cheng-Shiun; Brackis-Cott, Elizabeth; Mellins, Claude Ann

2013-01-01

Computer-assisted interview methods are increasingly popular in the assessment of sensitive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse and sexual behaviors). It has been suggested that the effect of social desirability is diminished when answering via computer, as compared to an interviewer-administered face-to-face (FTF) interview, although studies exploring this hypothesis among adolescents are rare and yield inconsistent findings. This study compared two interview modes among a sample of urban, ethnic-minority, perinatally HIV-exposed U.S. youth (baseline = 148 HIV+, 126 HIV−, ages 9–16 years; follow-up = 120 HIV+, 110 HIV−, ages 10–19 years). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a sexual behavior interview via either Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) or FTF interview. The prevalence of several sexual behaviors and participants’ reactions to the interviews were compared. Although higher rates of sexual behaviors were typically reported in the ACASI condition, the differences rarely reached statistical significance, even when limited to demographic subgroups—except for gender. Boys were significantly more likely to report several sexual behaviors in the ACASI condition compared to FTF, whereas among girls no significant differences were found between the two conditions. ACASI-assigned youth rated the interview process as easier and more enjoyable than did FTF-assigned youth, and this was fairly consistent across subgroup analyses as well. We conclude that these more positive reactions to the ACASI interview give that methodology a slight advantage, and boys may disclose more sexual behavior when using computer-assisted interviews. PMID:21604065

A comparison of audio computer-assisted self-interviews to face-to-face interviews of sexual behavior among perinatally HIV-exposed youth.

PubMed

Dolezal, Curtis; Marhefka, Stephanie L; Santamaria, E Karina; Leu, Cheng-Shiun; Brackis-Cott, Elizabeth; Mellins, Claude Ann

2012-04-01

Computer-assisted interview methods are increasingly popular in the assessment of sensitive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse and sexual behaviors). It has been suggested that the effect of social desirability is diminished when answering via computer, as compared to an interviewer-administered face-to-face (FTF) interview, although studies exploring this hypothesis among adolescents are rare and yield inconsistent findings. This study compared two interview modes among a sample of urban, ethnic-minority, perinatally HIV-exposed U.S. youth (baseline = 148 HIV+, 126 HIV-, ages 9-16 years; follow-up = 120 HIV+, 110 HIV-, ages 10-19 years). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a sexual behavior interview via either Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) or FTF interview. The prevalence of several sexual behaviors and participants' reactions to the interviews were compared. Although higher rates of sexual behaviors were typically reported in the ACASI condition, the differences rarely reached statistical significance, even when limited to demographic subgroups--except for gender. Boys were significantly more likely to report several sexual behaviors in the ACASI condition compared to FTF, whereas among girls no significant differences were found between the two conditions. ACASI-assigned youth rated the interview process as easier and more enjoyable than did FTF-assigned youth, and this was fairly consistent across subgroup analyses as well. We conclude that these more positive reactions to the ACASI interview give that methodology a slight advantage, and boys may disclose more sexual behavior when using computer-assisted interviews.

Comparison of two methods to determine fan performance curves using computational fluid dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onma, Patinya; Chantrasmi, Tonkid

2018-01-01

This work investigates a systematic numerical approach that employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to obtain performance curves of a backward-curved centrifugal fan. Generating the performance curves requires a number of three-dimensional simulations with varying system loads at a fixed rotational speed. Two methods were used and their results compared to experimental data. The first method incrementally changes the mass flow late through the inlet boundary condition while the second method utilizes a series of meshes representing the physical damper blade at various angles. The generated performance curves from both methods are compared with an experiment setup in accordance with the AMCA fan performance testing standard.

The Evolution of Instructional Design Principles for Intelligent Computer-Assisted Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dede, Christopher; Swigger, Kathleen

1988-01-01

Discusses and compares the design and development of computer assisted instruction (CAI) and intelligent computer assisted instruction (ICAI). Topics discussed include instructional systems design (ISD), artificial intelligence, authoring languages, intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), qualitative models, and emerging issues in instructional…

The quality of systematic reviews about interventions for refractive error can be improved: a review of systematic reviews.

PubMed

Mayo-Wilson, Evan; Ng, Sueko Matsumura; Chuck, Roy S; Li, Tianjing

2017-09-05

Systematic reviews should inform American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Preferred Practice Pattern® (PPP) guidelines. The quality of systematic reviews related to the forthcoming Preferred Practice Pattern® guideline (PPP) Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery is unknown. We sought to identify reliable systematic reviews to assist the AAO Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery PPP. Systematic reviews were eligible if they evaluated the effectiveness or safety of interventions included in the 2012 PPP Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery. To identify potentially eligible systematic reviews, we searched the Cochrane Eyes and Vision United States Satellite database of systematic reviews. Two authors identified eligible reviews and abstracted information about the characteristics and quality of the reviews independently using the Systematic Review Data Repository. We classified systematic reviews as "reliable" when they (1) defined criteria for the selection of studies, (2) conducted comprehensive literature searches for eligible studies, (3) assessed the methodological quality (risk of bias) of the included studies, (4) used appropriate methods for meta-analyses (which we assessed only when meta-analyses were reported), (5) presented conclusions that were supported by the evidence provided in the review. We identified 124 systematic reviews related to refractive error; 39 met our eligibility criteria, of which we classified 11 to be reliable. Systematic reviews classified as unreliable did not define the criteria for selecting studies (5; 13%), did not assess methodological rigor (10; 26%), did not conduct comprehensive searches (17; 44%), or used inappropriate quantitative methods (3; 8%). The 11 reliable reviews were published between 2002 and 2016. They included 0 to 23 studies (median = 9) and analyzed 0 to 4696 participants (median = 666). Seven reliable reviews (64%) assessed surgical interventions. Most systematic reviews of interventions for refractive error are low methodological quality. Following widely accepted guidance, such as Cochrane or Institute of Medicine standards for conducting systematic reviews, would contribute to improved patient care and inform future research.

Use of recommended search strategies in systematic reviews and the impact of librarian involvement: a cross-sectional survey of recent authors.

PubMed

Koffel, Jonathan B

2015-01-01

Previous research looking at published systematic reviews has shown that their search strategies are often suboptimal and that librarian involvement, though recommended, is low. Confidence in the results, however, is limited due to poor reporting of search strategies the published articles. To more accurately measure the use of recommended search methods in systematic reviews, the levels of librarian involvement, and whether librarian involvement predicts the use of recommended methods. A survey was sent to all authors of English-language systematic reviews indexed in the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) from January 2012 through January 2014. The survey asked about their use of search methods recommended by the Institute of Medicine, Cochrane Collaboration, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and if and how a librarian was involved in the systematic review. Rates of use of recommended methods and librarian involvement were summarized. The impact of librarian involvement on use of recommended methods was examined using a multivariate logistic regression. 1560 authors completed the survey. Use of recommended search methods ranged widely from 98% for use of keywords to 9% for registration in PROSPERO and were generally higher than in previous studies. 51% of studies involved a librarian, but only 64% acknowledge their assistance. Librarian involvement was significantly associated with the use of 65% of recommended search methods after controlling for other potential predictors. Odds ratios ranged from 1.36 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.75) for including multiple languages to 3.07 (95% CI 2.06 to 4.58) for using controlled vocabulary. Use of recommended search strategies is higher than previously reported, but many methods are still under-utilized. Librarian involvement predicts the use of most methods, but their involvement is under-reported within the published article.

Orbital Reconstruction: Patient-Specific Orbital Floor Reconstruction Using a Mirroring Technique and a Customized Titanium Mesh.

PubMed

Tarsitano, Achille; Badiali, Giovanni; Pizzigallo, Angelo; Marchetti, Claudio

2016-10-01

Enophthalmos is a severe complication of primary reconstruction of orbital floor fractures. The goal of secondary reconstruction procedures is to restore symmetrical globe positions to recover function and aesthetics. The authors propose a new method of orbital floor reconstruction using a mirroring technique and a customized titanium mesh, printed using a direct metal laser-sintering method. This reconstructive protocol involves 4 steps: mirroring of the healthy orbit at the affected site, virtual design of a patient-specific orbital floor mesh, CAM procedures for direct laser-sintering of the customized titanium mesh, and surgical insertion of the device. Using a computed tomography data set, the normal, uninjured side of the craniofacial skeleton was reflected onto the contralateral injured side, and a reconstructive orbital floor mesh was designed virtually on the mirrored orbital bone surface. The solid-to-layer files of the mesh were then manufactured using direct metal laser sintering, which resolves the shaping and bending biases inherent in the indirect method. An intraoperative navigation system ensured accuracy of the entire procedure. Clinical outcomes were assessed using 3dMD photogrammetry and computed tomography data in 7 treated patients. The technique described here appears to be a viable method to correct complex orbital floor defects needing delayed reconstruction. This study represents the first step in the development of a wider experimental protocol for orbital floor reconstruction using computer-assisted design-computer-assisted manufacturing technology.

Medical students as peer tutors: a systematic review

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background While Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) has long occurred informally in medical education, in the past ten years, there has been increasing international interest in formally organised PAL, with many benefits for both the students and institutions. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to establish why and how PAL has been implemented, focussing on the recruitment and training process for peer tutors, the benefits for peer tutors, and the competency of peer tutors. Method A literature search was conducted in three electronic databases. Selection of titles and abstracts were made based on pre-determined eligibility criteria. We utilized the ‘AMEE Peer assisted learning: a planning and implementation framework: AMEE Guide no. 30’ to assist us in establishing the review aims in a systematic review of the literature between 2002 and 2012. Six key questions were developed and used in our analysis of particular aspects of PAL programs within medical degree programs. Results We found nineteen articles that satisfied our inclusion criteria. The PAL activities fell into three broad categories of teacher training, peer teaching and peer assessment. Variability was found in the reporting of tutor recruitment and training processes, tutor outcomes, and tutor competencies. Conclusion Results from this review suggest that there are many perceived learning benefits for student tutors. However, there were mixed results regarding the accuracy of peer assessment and feedback, and no substantial evidence to conclude that participation as a peer tutor improves one’s own examination performance. Further research into PAL in medicine is required if we are to better understand the relative impact and benefits for student tutors. PMID:24912500

Patient flow within UK emergency departments: a systematic review of the use of computer simulation modelling methods

PubMed Central

Mohiuddin, Syed; Busby, John; Savović, Jelena; Richards, Alison; Northstone, Kate; Hollingworth, William; Donovan, Jenny L; Vasilakis, Christos

2017-01-01

Objectives Overcrowding in the emergency department (ED) is common in the UK as in other countries worldwide. Computer simulation is one approach used for understanding the causes of ED overcrowding and assessing the likely impact of changes to the delivery of emergency care. However, little is known about the usefulness of computer simulation for analysis of ED patient flow. We undertook a systematic review to investigate the different computer simulation methods and their contribution for analysis of patient flow within EDs in the UK. Methods We searched eight bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, WEB OF SCIENCE, CINAHL, INSPEC, MATHSCINET and ACM DIGITAL LIBRARY) from date of inception until 31 March 2016. Studies were included if they used a computer simulation method to capture patient progression within the ED of an established UK National Health Service hospital. Studies were summarised in terms of simulation method, key assumptions, input and output data, conclusions drawn and implementation of results. Results Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 19 used discrete event simulation and 2 used system dynamics models. The purpose of many of these studies (n=16; 76%) centred on service redesign. Seven studies (33%) provided no details about the ED being investigated. Most studies (n=18; 86%) used specific hospital models of ED patient flow. Overall, the reporting of underlying modelling assumptions was poor. Nineteen studies (90%) considered patient waiting or throughput times as the key outcome measure. Twelve studies (57%) reported some involvement of stakeholders in the simulation study. However, only three studies (14%) reported on the implementation of changes supported by the simulation. Conclusions We found that computer simulation can provide a means to pretest changes to ED care delivery before implementation in a safe and efficient manner. However, the evidence base is small and poorly developed. There are some methodological, data, stakeholder, implementation and reporting issues, which must be addressed by future studies. PMID:28487459

Quantitative Assessment of In-solution Digestion Efficiency Identifies Optimal Protocols for Unbiased Protein Analysis*

PubMed Central

León, Ileana R.; Schwämmle, Veit; Jensen, Ole N.; Sprenger, Richard R.

2013-01-01

The majority of mass spectrometry-based protein quantification studies uses peptide-centric analytical methods and thus strongly relies on efficient and unbiased protein digestion protocols for sample preparation. We present a novel objective approach to assess protein digestion efficiency using a combination of qualitative and quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem MS methods and statistical data analysis. In contrast to previous studies we employed both standard qualitative as well as data-independent quantitative workflows to systematically assess trypsin digestion efficiency and bias using mitochondrial protein fractions. We evaluated nine trypsin-based digestion protocols, based on standard in-solution or on spin filter-aided digestion, including new optimized protocols. We investigated various reagents for protein solubilization and denaturation (dodecyl sulfate, deoxycholate, urea), several trypsin digestion conditions (buffer, RapiGest, deoxycholate, urea), and two methods for removal of detergents before analysis of peptides (acid precipitation or phase separation with ethyl acetate). Our data-independent quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem MS workflow quantified over 3700 distinct peptides with 96% completeness between all protocols and replicates, with an average 40% protein sequence coverage and an average of 11 peptides identified per protein. Systematic quantitative and statistical analysis of physicochemical parameters demonstrated that deoxycholate-assisted in-solution digestion combined with phase transfer allows for efficient, unbiased generation and recovery of peptides from all protein classes, including membrane proteins. This deoxycholate-assisted protocol was also optimal for spin filter-aided digestions as compared with existing methods. PMID:23792921

Computer-assisted navigation in orthopedic surgery.

PubMed

Mavrogenis, Andreas F; Savvidou, Olga D; Mimidis, George; Papanastasiou, John; Koulalis, Dimitrios; Demertzis, Nikolaos; Papagelopoulos, Panayiotis J

2013-08-01

Computer-assisted navigation has a role in some orthopedic procedures. It allows the surgeons to obtain real-time feedback and offers the potential to decrease intra-operative errors and optimize the surgical result. Computer-assisted navigation systems can be active or passive. Active navigation systems can either perform surgical tasks or prohibit the surgeon from moving past a predefined zone. Passive navigation systems provide intraoperative information, which is displayed on a monitor, but the surgeon is free to make any decisions he or she deems necessary. This article reviews the available types of computer-assisted navigation, summarizes the clinical applications and reviews the results of related series using navigation, and informs surgeons of the disadvantages and pitfalls of computer-assisted navigation in orthopedic surgery. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.

Development of an algorithm to provide awareness in choosing study designs for inclusion in systematic reviews of healthcare interventions: a method study

PubMed Central

Peinemann, Frank; Kleijnen, Jos

2015-01-01

Objectives To develop an algorithm that aims to provide guidance and awareness for choosing multiple study designs in systematic reviews of healthcare interventions. Design Method study: (1) To summarise the literature base on the topic. (2) To apply the integration of various study types in systematic reviews. (3) To devise decision points and outline a pragmatic decision tree. (4) To check the plausibility of the algorithm by backtracking its pathways in four systematic reviews. Results (1) The results of our systematic review of the published literature have already been published. (2) We recaptured the experience from our four previously conducted systematic reviews that required the integration of various study types. (3) We chose length of follow-up (long, short), frequency of events (rare, frequent) and types of outcome as decision points (death, disease, discomfort, disability, dissatisfaction) and aligned the study design labels according to the Cochrane Handbook. We also considered practical or ethical concerns, and the problem of unavailable high-quality evidence. While applying the algorithm, disease-specific circumstances and aims of interventions should be considered. (4) We confirmed the plausibility of the pathways of the algorithm. Conclusions We propose that the algorithm can assist to bring seminal features of a systematic review with multiple study designs to the attention of anyone who is planning to conduct a systematic review. It aims to increase awareness and we think that it may reduce the time burden on review authors and may contribute to the production of a higher quality review. PMID:26289450

Physical-geometric optics method for large size faceted particles.

PubMed

Sun, Bingqiang; Yang, Ping; Kattawar, George W; Zhang, Xiaodong

2017-10-02

A new physical-geometric optics method is developed to compute the single-scattering properties of faceted particles. It incorporates a general absorption vector to accurately account for inhomogeneous wave effects, and subsequently yields the relevant analytical formulas effective and computationally efficient for absorptive scattering particles. A bundle of rays incident on a certain facet can be traced as a single beam. For a beam incident on multiple facets, a systematic beam-splitting technique based on computer graphics is used to split the original beam into several sub-beams so that each sub-beam is incident only on an individual facet. The new beam-splitting technique significantly reduces the computational burden. The present physical-geometric optics method can be generalized to arbitrary faceted particles with either convex or concave shapes and with a homogeneous or an inhomogeneous (e.g., a particle with a core) composition. The single-scattering properties of irregular convex homogeneous and inhomogeneous hexahedra are simulated and compared to their counterparts from two other methods including a numerically rigorous method.

Segmentation-assisted detection of dirt impairments in archived film sequences.

PubMed

Ren, Jinchang; Vlachos, Theodore

2007-04-01

In this correspondence, a novel segmentation-assisted method for film-dirt detection is proposed. We exploit the fact that film dirt manifests in the spatial domain as a cluster of connected pixels whose intensity differs substantially from that of its neighborhood, and we employ a segmentation-based approach to identify this type of structure. A key feature of our approach is the computation of a measure of confidence attached to detected dirt regions, which can be utilized for performance fine tuning. Another important feature of our algorithm is the avoidance of the computational complexity associated with motion estimation. Our experimental framework benefits from the availability of manually derived as well as objective ground-truth data obtained using infrared scanning. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method compares favorably with standard spatial, temporal, and multistage median-filtering approaches and provides efficient and robust detection for a wide variety of test materials.

Application of computer-assisted molecular modeling for immunoassay of low molecular weight food contaminants: A review.

PubMed

Xu, Zhen-Lin; Shen, Yu-Dong; Beier, Ross C; Yang, Jin-Yi; Lei, Hong-Tao; Wang, Hong; Sun, Yuan-Ming

2009-08-11

Immunoassay for low molecular weight food contaminants, such as pesticides, veterinary drugs, and mycotoxins is now a well-established technique which meets the demand for a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective analytical method. However, due to limited understanding of the molecular structure of antibody binding sites and antigenic epitopes, as well as the intermolecular binding forces that come into play, the traditional 'trial and error' method used to develop antibodies still remains the method of choice. Therefore, development of enhanced immunochemical techniques for specific- and generic-assays, requires new approaches for antibody design that will improve affinity and specificity of the antibody in a more rapid and economic manner. Computer-assisted molecular modeling (CAMM) has been demonstrated to be a useful tool to help the immunochemist develop immunoassays. CAMM methods can be used to help direct improvements to important antibody features, and can provide insights into the effects of molecular structure on biological activity that are difficult or impossible to obtain in any other way. In this review, we briefly summarize applications of CAMM in immunoassay development, including assisting in hapten design, explaining cross-reactivity, modeling antibody-antigen interactions, and providing insights into the effects of the mouse body temperature on the three-dimensional conformation of a hapten during antibody production. The fundamentals and theory, programs and software, limitations, and prospects of CAMM in immunoassay development were also discussed.

Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery: Current State and Future Perspective

PubMed Central

Zheng, Guoyan; Nolte, Lutz P.

2015-01-01

Introduced about two decades ago, computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) has emerged as a new and independent area, due to the importance of treatment of musculoskeletal diseases in orthopedics and traumatology, increasing availability of different imaging modalities, and advances in analytics and navigation tools. The aim of this paper is to present the basic elements of CAOS devices and to review state-of-the-art examples of different imaging modalities used to create the virtual representations, of different position tracking devices for navigation systems, of different surgical robots, of different methods for registration and referencing, and of CAOS modules that have been realized for different surgical procedures. Future perspectives will also be outlined. PMID:26779486

Rigorous Numerics for ill-posed PDEs: Periodic Orbits in the Boussinesq Equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castelli, Roberto; Gameiro, Marcio; Lessard, Jean-Philippe

2018-04-01

In this paper, we develop computer-assisted techniques for the analysis of periodic orbits of ill-posed partial differential equations. As a case study, our proposed method is applied to the Boussinesq equation, which has been investigated extensively because of its role in the theory of shallow water waves. The idea is to use the symmetry of the solutions and a Newton-Kantorovich type argument (the radii polynomial approach) to obtain rigorous proofs of existence of the periodic orbits in a weighted ℓ1 Banach space of space-time Fourier coefficients with exponential decay. We present several computer-assisted proofs of the existence of periodic orbits at different parameter values.

Automatic tracking of red blood cells in micro channels using OpenCV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodrigues, Vânia; Rodrigues, Pedro J.; Pereira, Ana I.; Lima, Rui

2013-10-01

The present study aims to developan automatic method able to track red blood cells (RBCs) trajectories flowing through a microchannel using the Open Source Computer Vision (OpenCV). The developed method is based on optical flux calculation assisted by the maximization of the template-matching product. The experimental results show a good functional performance of this method.

Sessions with Associated Abstracts by Day: Teaching Materials and Methods.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Physiologist, 1984

1984-01-01

Presented are abstracts of five papers on teaching materials/methods presented at the 35th annual meeting of the American Physiological Society. Topic areas include expert system used as a teacher/consultant in hemostasis problems, computer assisted testing, and excitation/conduction properties of membranes as illustrated by the compound action…

System for assisted mobility using eye movements based on electrooculography.

PubMed

Barea, Rafael; Boquete, Luciano; Mazo, Manuel; López, Elena

2002-12-01

This paper describes an eye-control method based on electrooculography (EOG) to develop a system for assisted mobility. One of its most important features is its modularity, making it adaptable to the particular needs of each user according to the type and degree of handicap involved. An eye model based on electroculographic signal is proposed and its validity is studied. Several human-machine interfaces (HMI) based on EOG are commented, focusing our study on guiding and controlling a wheelchair for disabled people, where the control is actually effected by eye movements within the socket. Different techniques and guidance strategies are then shown with comments on the advantages and disadvantages of each one. The system consists of a standard electric wheelchair with an on-board computer, sensors and a graphic user interface run by the computer. On the other hand, this eye-control method can be applied to handle graphical interfaces, where the eye is used as a mouse computer. Results obtained show that this control technique could be useful in multiple applications, such as mobility and communication aid for handicapped persons.

Building blocks for automated elucidation of metabolites: machine learning methods for NMR prediction.

PubMed

Kuhn, Stefan; Egert, Björn; Neumann, Steffen; Steinbeck, Christoph

2008-09-25

Current efforts in Metabolomics, such as the Human Metabolome Project, collect structures of biological metabolites as well as data for their characterisation, such as spectra for identification of substances and measurements of their concentration. Still, only a fraction of existing metabolites and their spectral fingerprints are known. Computer-Assisted Structure Elucidation (CASE) of biological metabolites will be an important tool to leverage this lack of knowledge. Indispensable for CASE are modules to predict spectra for hypothetical structures. This paper evaluates different statistical and machine learning methods to perform predictions of proton NMR spectra based on data from our open database NMRShiftDB. A mean absolute error of 0.18 ppm was achieved for the prediction of proton NMR shifts ranging from 0 to 11 ppm. Random forest, J48 decision tree and support vector machines achieved similar overall errors. HOSE codes being a notably simple method achieved a comparatively good result of 0.17 ppm mean absolute error. NMR prediction methods applied in the course of this work delivered precise predictions which can serve as a building block for Computer-Assisted Structure Elucidation for biological metabolites.

Diagnosis: Reasoning from first principles and experiential knowledge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Linda J. F.; Lawler, Dennis G.

1987-01-01

Completeness, efficiency and autonomy are requirements for suture diagnostic reasoning systems. Methods for automating diagnostic reasoning systems include diagnosis from first principles (i.e., reasoning from a thorough description of structure and behavior) and diagnosis from experiential knowledge (i.e., reasoning from a set of examples obtained from experts). However, implementation of either as a single reasoning method fails to meet these requirements. The approach of combining reasoning from first principles and reasoning from experiential knowledge does address the requirements discussed above and can possibly ease some of the difficulties associated with knowledge acquisition by allowing developers to systematically enumerate a portion of the knowledge necessary to build the diagnosis program. The ability to enumerate knowledge systematically facilitates defining the program's scope, completeness, and competence and assists in bounding, controlling, and guiding the knowledge acquisition process.

Sparse maps—A systematic infrastructure for reduced-scaling electronic structure methods. I. An efficient and simple linear scaling local MP2 method that uses an intermediate basis of pair natural orbitals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pinski, Peter; Riplinger, Christoph; Neese, Frank, E-mail: evaleev@vt.edu, E-mail: frank.neese@cec.mpg.de

2015-07-21

In this work, a systematic infrastructure is described that formalizes concepts implicit in previous work and greatly simplifies computer implementation of reduced-scaling electronic structure methods. The key concept is sparse representation of tensors using chains of sparse maps between two index sets. Sparse map representation can be viewed as a generalization of compressed sparse row, a common representation of a sparse matrix, to tensor data. By combining few elementary operations on sparse maps (inversion, chaining, intersection, etc.), complex algorithms can be developed, illustrated here by a linear-scaling transformation of three-center Coulomb integrals based on our compact code library that implementsmore » sparse maps and operations on them. The sparsity of the three-center integrals arises from spatial locality of the basis functions and domain density fitting approximation. A novel feature of our approach is the use of differential overlap integrals computed in linear-scaling fashion for screening products of basis functions. Finally, a robust linear scaling domain based local pair natural orbital second-order Möller-Plesset (DLPNO-MP2) method is described based on the sparse map infrastructure that only depends on a minimal number of cutoff parameters that can be systematically tightened to approach 100% of the canonical MP2 correlation energy. With default truncation thresholds, DLPNO-MP2 recovers more than 99.9% of the canonical resolution of the identity MP2 (RI-MP2) energy while still showing a very early crossover with respect to the computational effort. Based on extensive benchmark calculations, relative energies are reproduced with an error of typically <0.2 kcal/mol. The efficiency of the local MP2 (LMP2) method can be drastically improved by carrying out the LMP2 iterations in a basis of pair natural orbitals. While the present work focuses on local electron correlation, it is of much broader applicability to computation with sparse tensors in quantum chemistry and beyond.« less

Sparse maps—A systematic infrastructure for reduced-scaling electronic structure methods. I. An efficient and simple linear scaling local MP2 method that uses an intermediate basis of pair natural orbitals.

PubMed

Pinski, Peter; Riplinger, Christoph; Valeev, Edward F; Neese, Frank

2015-07-21

In this work, a systematic infrastructure is described that formalizes concepts implicit in previous work and greatly simplifies computer implementation of reduced-scaling electronic structure methods. The key concept is sparse representation of tensors using chains of sparse maps between two index sets. Sparse map representation can be viewed as a generalization of compressed sparse row, a common representation of a sparse matrix, to tensor data. By combining few elementary operations on sparse maps (inversion, chaining, intersection, etc.), complex algorithms can be developed, illustrated here by a linear-scaling transformation of three-center Coulomb integrals based on our compact code library that implements sparse maps and operations on them. The sparsity of the three-center integrals arises from spatial locality of the basis functions and domain density fitting approximation. A novel feature of our approach is the use of differential overlap integrals computed in linear-scaling fashion for screening products of basis functions. Finally, a robust linear scaling domain based local pair natural orbital second-order Möller-Plesset (DLPNO-MP2) method is described based on the sparse map infrastructure that only depends on a minimal number of cutoff parameters that can be systematically tightened to approach 100% of the canonical MP2 correlation energy. With default truncation thresholds, DLPNO-MP2 recovers more than 99.9% of the canonical resolution of the identity MP2 (RI-MP2) energy while still showing a very early crossover with respect to the computational effort. Based on extensive benchmark calculations, relative energies are reproduced with an error of typically <0.2 kcal/mol. The efficiency of the local MP2 (LMP2) method can be drastically improved by carrying out the LMP2 iterations in a basis of pair natural orbitals. While the present work focuses on local electron correlation, it is of much broader applicability to computation with sparse tensors in quantum chemistry and beyond.

A Fast Approach to Automatic Detection of Brain Lesions

PubMed Central

Koley, Subhranil; Chakraborty, Chandan; Mainero, Caterina; Fischl, Bruce; Aganj, Iman

2017-01-01

Template matching is a popular approach to computer-aided detection of brain lesions from magnetic resonance (MR) images. The outcomes are often sufficient for localizing lesions and assisting clinicians in diagnosis. However, processing large MR volumes with three-dimensional (3D) templates is demanding in terms of computational resources, hence the importance of the reduction of computational complexity of template matching, particularly in situations in which time is crucial (e.g. emergent stroke). In view of this, we make use of 3D Gaussian templates with varying radii and propose a new method to compute the normalized cross-correlation coefficient as a similarity metric between the MR volume and the template to detect brain lesions. Contrary to the conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT) based approach, whose runtime grows as O(N logN) with the number of voxels, the proposed method computes the cross-correlation in O(N). We show through our experiments that the proposed method outperforms the FFT approach in terms of computational time, and retains comparable accuracy. PMID:29082383

Deploying Crowd-Sourced Formal Verification Systems in a DoD Network

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 1 I. INTRODUCTION A. INTRODUCTION In 2014 cyber attacks on critical infrastructure are expected to increase...CSFV systems on the Internet‒‒possibly using cloud infrastructure (Dean, 2013). By using Amazon Compute Cloud (EC2) systems, DARPA will use ordinary...through standard access methods. Those clients could be mobile phones, laptops, netbooks, tablet computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) (Smoot

Computer-generated formulas for three-center nuclear-attraction integrals (electrostatic potential) for Slater-type orbitals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, H. W.

1984-01-01

The computer-assisted C-matrix, Loewdin-alpha-function, single-center expansion method in spherical harmonics has been applied to the three-center nuclear-attraction integral (potential due to the product of separated Slater-type orbitals). Exact formulas are produced for 13 terms of an infinite series that permits evaluation to ten decimal digits of an example using 1s orbitals.

Transforming information for computer-aided instruction: using a Socratic Dialogue method to teach gross anatomy.

PubMed Central

Constantinou, P.; Daane, S.; Dev, P.

1994-01-01

Traditional teaching of anatomy can be a difficult process of rote memorization. Computers allow information presentation to be much more dynamic, and interactive; the same information can be presented in multiple organizations. Using this idea, we have implemented a new pedagogy for computer-assisted instruction in The Anatomy Lesson, an interactive digital teacher which uses a "Socratic Dialogue" metaphor, as well as a textbook-like approach, to facilitate conceptual learning in anatomy. Images Figure 1 PMID:7949881

A set of devices for Mechanics Laboratory assisted by a Computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rusu, Alexandru; Pirtac, Constantin

2015-12-01

The booklet give a description of a set of devices designed for unified work out of a number of Laboratory works in Mechanics for students at Technical Universities. It consists of a clock, adjusted to a computer, which allows to compute times with an error not greater than 0.0001 s. It allows also to make the calculations of the physical quantities measured in the experience and present the compilation of the final report. The least square method is used throughout the workshop.

Patient benefit of dog-assisted interventions in health care: a systematic review.

PubMed

Lundqvist, Martina; Carlsson, Per; Sjödahl, Rune; Theodorsson, Elvar; Levin, Lars-Åke

2017-07-10

Dogs are the most common companion animal, and therefore not surprisingly a popular choice for animal-assisted interventions. Dog-assisted interventions are increasingly used in healthcare. The aim of the review was to conduct a systematic literature review of quantitative studies on dog-assisted interventions in healthcare, with the intention of assessing the effects and cost-effectiveness of the interventions for different categories of patients. A systematic review of the scientific literature reporting results of studies in healthcare, nursing home or home care settings, was conducted. The inclusion criteria applied for this review were: quantitative studies, inclusion of at least 20 study subjects, existence of a control and performed in healthcare settings including nursing homes and home care. The electronic databases PubMed, AMED, CINAHL and Scopus were searched from their inception date through January 2017, for published articles from peer-reviewed journals with full text in English. Eighteen studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and were judged to be of at least moderate quality, were included in the analysis. Three of them showed no effect. Fifteen showed at least one significant positive effect but in most studied outcome measures there was no significant treatment effect. Dog-assisted therapy had the greatest potential in treatment of psychiatric disorders among both young and adult patients. Dog-assisted activities had some positive effects on health, wellbeing, depression and quality of life for patients with severe cognitive disorders. Dog-assisted support had positive effects on stress and mood. The overall assessment of the included studies indicates minor to moderate effects of dog-assisted therapy in psychiatric conditions, as well as for dog-assisted activities in cognitive disorders and for dog-assisted support in different types of medical interventions. However, the majority of studied outcome measures showed no significant effect.

Factors determining outcome of corrective osteotomy for malunited paediatric forearm fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Roth, K. C.; Walenkamp, M. M. J.; van Geenen, R. C. I.; Reijman, M.; Verhaar, J. A. N.; Colaris, J. W.

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of a superior functional outcome after corrective osteotomy for paediatric malunited radius and both-bone forearm fractures. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data, searching databases up to 1 October 2016. Our primary outcome was the gain in pronosupination seen after corrective osteotomy. Individual participant data of 11 cohort studies were included, concerning 71 participants with a median age of 11 years at trauma. Corrective osteotomy was performed after a median of 12 months after trauma, leading to a mean gain of 77° in pronosupination after a median follow-up of 29 months. Analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis revealed that predictors of superior functional outcome after corrective osteotomy are: an interval between trauma and corrective osteotomy of less than 1 year, an angular deformity of greater than 20° and the use of three-dimensional computer-assisted techniques. Level of evidence: II PMID:28891765

Enhanced cephalomedullary nail lag screw placement and intraoperative tip-apex distance measurement with a novel computer assisted surgery system.

PubMed

Kuhl, Mitchell; Beimel, Claudia

2016-10-01

The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of a novel computer assisted surgery system to guide ideal placement of a lag screw during cephalomedullary nailing and then accurately measure the tip-apex distance (TAD) measurement intraoperatively. Retrospective case review. Level II trauma hospital. The initial 98 consecutive clinical cases treated with a cephalomedullary nail in conjunction with a novel computer assisted surgery system were retrospectively reviewed. A novel computer assisted surgery system was utilized to enhance lag screw placement during cephalomedullary nailing procedures. The computer assisted surgery system calculates the TAD intraoperatively after final lag screw placement. The ideal TAD was considered to be within a range of 5mm-20mm. The ability of the computer assisted surgery system (CASS) to assist in placement of a lag screw within the ideal TAD was evaluated. Intraoperative TAD measurements provided by the computer assisted surgery system were then compared to standard postoperative TAD measurements on PACS (picture archiving and communication system) images to determine whether these measurements are equivalent. 79 cases (80.6%) were available with complete information for a retrospective review. All cases had CASS TAD and PACS TAD measurements >5mm and<20mm. In addition, no significant difference could be detected between the intraoperative CASS TAD and the postoperative PACS TAD (p=0.374, Wilcoxon Test; p=0.174, paired T-Test). A cut-out rate of 0% was observed in all patients who were treated with CASS in this case series (95% CI: 0 - 3.01%). The novel computer assisted surgery system tested here is an effective and reliable adjunct that can be utilized for optimal lag screw placement in cephalomedullary nailing procedures. The computer assisted surgery system provides an accurate intraoperative TAD measurement that is equivalent to the standard postoperative measurement utilizing PACS images. Therapeutic Level IV. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack in cloud- assisted wireless body area networks: a systematic literature review.

PubMed

Latif, Rabia; Abbas, Haider; Assar, Saïd

2014-11-01

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) have emerged as a promising technology that has shown enormous potential in improving the quality of healthcare, and has thus found a broad range of medical applications from ubiquitous health monitoring to emergency medical response systems. The huge amount of highly sensitive data collected and generated by WBAN nodes requires an ascendable and secure storage and processing infrastructure. Given the limited resources of WBAN nodes for storage and processing, the integration of WBANs and cloud computing may provide a powerful solution. However, despite the benefits of cloud-assisted WBAN, several security issues and challenges remain. Among these, data availability is the most nagging security issue. The most serious threat to data availability is a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack that directly affects the all-time availability of a patient's data. The existing solutions for standalone WBANs and sensor networks are not applicable in the cloud. The purpose of this review paper is to identify the most threatening types of DDoS attacks affecting the availability of a cloud-assisted WBAN and review the state-of-the-art detection mechanisms for the identified DDoS attacks.

The economics of health information technology in medication management: a systematic review of economic evaluations.

PubMed

O'Reilly, Daria; Tarride, Jean-Eric; Goeree, Ron; Lokker, Cynthia; McKibbon, K Ann

2012-01-01

To conduct a systematic review and synthesis of the evidence surrounding the cost-effectiveness of health information technology (HIT) in the medication process. Peer-reviewed electronic databases and gray literature were searched to identify studies on HIT used to assist in the medication management process. Articles including an economic component were reviewed for further screening. For this review, full cost-effectiveness analyses, cost-utility analyses and cost-benefit analyses, as well as cost analyses, were eligible for inclusion and synthesis. The 31 studies included were heterogeneous with respect to the HIT evaluated, setting, and economic methods used. Thus the data could not be synthesized, and a narrative review was conducted. Most studies evaluated computer decision support systems in hospital settings in the USA, and only five of the studied performed full economic evaluations. Most studies merely provided cost data; however, useful economic data involves far more input. A full economic evaluation includes a full enumeration of the costs, synthesized with the outcomes of the intervention. The quality of the economic literature in this area is poor. A few studies found that HIT may offer cost advantages despite their increased acquisition costs. However, given the uncertainty that surrounds the costs and outcomes data, and limited study designs, it is difficult to reach any definitive conclusion as to whether the additional costs and benefits represent value for money. Sophisticated concurrent prospective economic evaluations need to be conducted to address whether HIT interventions in the medication management process are cost-effective.

The BioC-BioGRID corpus: full text articles annotated for curation of protein–protein and genetic interactions

PubMed Central

Kim, Sun; Chatr-aryamontri, Andrew; Chang, Christie S.; Oughtred, Rose; Rust, Jennifer; Wilbur, W. John; Comeau, Donald C.; Dolinski, Kara; Tyers, Mike

2017-01-01

A great deal of information on the molecular genetics and biochemistry of model organisms has been reported in the scientific literature. However, this data is typically described in free text form and is not readily amenable to computational analyses. To this end, the BioGRID database systematically curates the biomedical literature for genetic and protein interaction data. This data is provided in a standardized computationally tractable format and includes structured annotation of experimental evidence. BioGRID curation necessarily involves substantial human effort by expert curators who must read each publication to extract the relevant information. Computational text-mining methods offer the potential to augment and accelerate manual curation. To facilitate the development of practical text-mining strategies, a new challenge was organized in BioCreative V for the BioC task, the collaborative Biocurator Assistant Task. This was a non-competitive, cooperative task in which the participants worked together to build BioC-compatible modules into an integrated pipeline to assist BioGRID curators. As an integral part of this task, a test collection of full text articles was developed that contained both biological entity annotations (gene/protein and organism/species) and molecular interaction annotations (protein–protein and genetic interactions (PPIs and GIs)). This collection, which we call the BioC-BioGRID corpus, was annotated by four BioGRID curators over three rounds of annotation and contains 120 full text articles curated in a dataset representing two major model organisms, namely budding yeast and human. The BioC-BioGRID corpus contains annotations for 6409 mentions of genes and their Entrez Gene IDs, 186 mentions of organism names and their NCBI Taxonomy IDs, 1867 mentions of PPIs and 701 annotations of PPI experimental evidence statements, 856 mentions of GIs and 399 annotations of GI evidence statements. The purpose, characteristics and possible future uses of the BioC-BioGRID corpus are detailed in this report. Database URL: http://bioc.sourceforge.net/BioC-BioGRID.html PMID:28077563

Assessing the complexity of interventions within systematic reviews: development, content and use of a new tool (iCAT_SR).

PubMed

Lewin, Simon; Hendry, Maggie; Chandler, Jackie; Oxman, Andrew D; Michie, Susan; Shepperd, Sasha; Reeves, Barnaby C; Tugwell, Peter; Hannes, Karin; Rehfuess, Eva A; Welch, Vivien; Mckenzie, Joanne E; Burford, Belinda; Petkovic, Jennifer; Anderson, Laurie M; Harris, Janet; Noyes, Jane

2017-04-26

Health interventions fall along a spectrum from simple to more complex. There is wide interest in methods for reviewing 'complex interventions', but few transparent approaches for assessing intervention complexity in systematic reviews. Such assessments may assist review authors in, for example, systematically describing interventions and developing logic models. This paper describes the development and application of the intervention Complexity Assessment Tool for Systematic Reviews (iCAT_SR), a new tool to assess and categorise levels of intervention complexity in systematic reviews. We developed the iCAT_SR by adapting and extending an existing complexity assessment tool for randomized trials. We undertook this adaptation using a consensus approach in which possible complexity dimensions were circulated for feedback to a panel of methodologists with expertise in complex interventions and systematic reviews. Based on these inputs, we developed a draft version of the tool. We then invited a second round of feedback from the panel and a wider group of systematic reviewers. This informed further refinement of the tool. The tool comprises ten dimensions: (1) the number of active components in the intervention; (2) the number of behaviours of recipients to which the intervention is directed; (3) the range and number of organizational levels targeted by the intervention; (4) the degree of tailoring intended or flexibility permitted across sites or individuals in applying or implementing the intervention; (5) the level of skill required by those delivering the intervention; (6) the level of skill required by those receiving the intervention; (7) the degree of interaction between intervention components; (8) the degree to which the effects of the intervention are context dependent; (9) the degree to which the effects of the interventions are changed by recipient or provider factors; (10) and the nature of the causal pathway between intervention and outcome. Dimensions 1-6 are considered 'core' dimensions. Dimensions 7-10 are optional and may not be useful for all interventions. The iCAT_SR tool facilitates more in-depth, systematic assessment of the complexity of interventions in systematic reviews and can assist in undertaking reviews and interpreting review findings. Further testing of the tool is now needed.

The ACI-REF Program: Empowering Prospective Computational Researchers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cuma, M.; Cardoen, W.; Collier, G.; Freeman, R. M., Jr.; Kitzmiller, A.; Michael, L.; Nomura, K. I.; Orendt, A.; Tanner, L.

2014-12-01

The ACI-REF program, Advanced Cyberinfrastructure - Research and Education Facilitation, represents a consortium of academic institutions seeking to further advance the capabilities of their respective campus research communities through an extension of the personal connections and educational activities that underlie the unique and often specialized cyberinfrastructure at each institution. This consortium currently includes Clemson University, Harvard University, University of Hawai'i, University of Southern California, University of Utah, and University of Wisconsin. Working together in a coordinated effort, the consortium is dedicated to the adoption of models and strategies which leverage the expertise and experience of its members with a goal of maximizing the impact of each institution's investment in research computing. The ACI-REFs (facilitators) are tasked with making connections and building bridges between the local campus researchers and the many different providers of campus, commercial, and national computing resources. Through these bridges, ACI-REFs assist researchers from all disciplines in understanding their computing and data needs and in mapping these needs to existing capabilities or providing assistance with development of these capabilities. From the Earth sciences perspective, we will give examples of how this assistance improved methods and workflows in geophysics, geography and atmospheric sciences. We anticipate that this effort will expand the number of researchers who become self-sufficient users of advanced computing resources, allowing them to focus on making research discoveries in a more timely and efficient manner.

Storyboarding: A Method for Bootstrapping the Design of Computer-Based Educational Tasks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Ian

2008-01-01

There has been a recent call for the use of more systematic thought experiments when investigating learning. This paper presents a storyboarding method for capturing and sharing initial ideas and their evolution in the design of a mathematics learning task. The storyboards produced can be considered as "virtual data" created by thought experiments…

Systematic Convergence in Applying Variational Method to Double-Well Potential

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mei, Wai-Ning

2016-01-01

In this work, we demonstrate the application of the variational method by computing the ground- and first-excited state energies of a double-well potential. We start with the proper choice of the trial wave functions using optimized parameters, and notice that accurate expectation values in excellent agreement with the numerical results can be…

Routine history as compared to audio computer-assisted self-interview for prenatal care history taking.

PubMed

Mears, Molly; Coonrod, Dean V; Bay, R Curtis; Mills, Terry E; Watkins, Michelle C

2005-09-01

To compare endorsement rates obtained with audio computer-assisted self-interview versus routine prenatal history. A crosssectional study compared items captured with the routine history to those captured with a computer interview (computer screen displaying and computer audio reading questions, with responses entered by touch screen). The subjects were women (n=174) presenting to a public hospital clinic for prenatal care. The prevalence of positive responses using the computer interview was significantly greater (p < 0.01) than with the routine history for induced abortion (16.8% versus 4.0%), lifetime smoking (12.8% versus 5.2%), intimate partner violence (10.0% versus 2.4%), ectopic pregnancy (5.2% versus 1.1%) and family history of mental retardation (6.7% versus 0.6%). Significant differences were not found for history of spontaneous abortion, hypertension, epilepsy, thyroid disease, smoking during pregnancy, gynecologic surgery, abnormal Pap test, neural tube defect or cystic fibrosis family history. However, in all cases, prevalence was equal or greater with the computer interview. Women were more likely to report sensitive and high-risk behavior, such as smoking history, intimate partner violence and elective abortion, with the computer interview. The computer interview displayed equal or increased patient reporting of positive responses and may therefore be an accurate method of obtaining an initial history.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Exoskeletons as Assistive and Rehabilitation Devices in the Treatment of Neurologic Gait Disorders in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Fisahn, Christian; Aach, Mirko; Jansen, Oliver; Moisi, Marc; Mayadev, Angeli; Pagarigan, Krystle T.; Dettori, Joseph R.; Schildhauer, Thomas A.

2016-01-01

Study Design Systematic review. Clinical Questions (1) When used as an assistive device, do wearable exoskeletons improve lower extremity function or gait compared with knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) in patients with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury? (2) When used as a rehabilitation device, do wearable exoskeletons improve lower extremity function or gait compared with other rehabilitation strategies in patients with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury? (3) When used as an assistive or rehabilitation device, are wearable exoskeletons safe compared with KAFO for assistance or other rehabilitation strategies for rehabilitation in patients with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury? Methods PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases and reference lists of key articles were searched from database inception to May 2, 2016, to identify studies evaluating the effectiveness of wearable exoskeletons used as assistive or rehabilitative devices in patients with incomplete or complete spinal cord injury. Results No comparison studies were found evaluating exoskeletons as an assistive device. Nine comparison studies (11 publications) evaluated the use of exoskeletons as a rehabilitative device. The 10-meter walk test velocity and Spinal Cord Independence Measure scores showed no difference in change from baseline among patients undergoing exoskeleton training compared with various comparator therapies. The remaining primary outcome measures of 6-minute walk test distance and Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury I and II and Functional Independence Measure–Locomotor scores showed mixed results, with some studies indicating no difference in change from baseline between exoskeleton training and comparator therapies, some indicating benefit of exoskeleton over comparator therapies, and some indicating benefit of comparator therapies over exoskeleton. Conclusion There is no data to compare locomotion assistance with exoskeleton versus conventional KAFOs. There is no consistent benefit from rehabilitation using an exoskeleton versus a variety of conventional methods in patients with chronic spinal cord injury. Trials comparing later-generation exoskeletons are needed. PMID:27853668

Focus on Clinical Research: Cognitive Rehabilitation of Severely Closed-Head-Injured Patients Using Computer-Assisted and Noncomputerized Treatment Techniques.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Batchelor, J.; And Others

1988-01-01

The study compared computer assisted cognitive retraining of 47 patients with severe closed head injury with comparable noncomputerized treatment techniques. Results on neuropsychological tests did not support the increased effectiveness of the computer assisted cognitive therapy. (DB)

Middle School Teachers' Perceptions of Computer-Assisted Reading Intervention Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bippert, Kelli; Harmon, Janis

2017-01-01

Middle schools often turn to computer-assisted reading intervention programs to improve student reading. The questions guiding this study are (a) in what ways are computer-assisted reading intervention programs utilized, and (b) what are teachers' perceptions about these intervention programs? Nineteen secondary reading teachers were interviewed…

Computers in the Gym: Friends and Assistants.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hurwitz, Dick

Designed to assist physical education teachers realize the benefits of microcomputer usage, this paper presents the case study of a hypothetical middle school teacher who utilizes Apple computers for record-keeping, planning, teaching, and coaching. The case study shows how the computers save time, assist in individualizing instruction, help…

Computer-assisted instruction in curricula of physical therapist assistants.

PubMed

Thompson, E C

1987-08-01

This article compares the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) with written, programmed instruction between two groups of physical therapist assistant students. No significant difference in the amount of material learned or retained after completion of testing using either CAI or a written, programmed text was found in this group of 16 subjects. Learning style or attitude about computers did not correlate strongly with performance after the CAI. Findings suggest that more research is needed to support decisions related to fiscal allotments for computer use in college curricula.

Computer Assisted Thermography And Its Application In Ovulation Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, K. H.; Shah, A. V.

1984-08-01

Hardware and software of a computer-assisted image analyzing system used for infrared images in medical applications are discussed. The application of computer-assisted thermography (CAT) as a complementary diagnostic tool in centralized diagnostic management is proposed. The authors adopted 'Computer Assisted Thermography' to study physiological changes in the breasts related to the hormones characterizing the menstrual cycle of a woman. Based on clinical experi-ments followed by thermal image analysis, they suggest that 'differential skin temperature (DST)1 be measured to detect the fertility interval in the menstrual cycle of a woman.

Computer-assisted spinal osteotomy: a technical note and report of four cases.

PubMed

Fujibayashi, Shunsuke; Neo, Masashi; Takemoto, Mitsuru; Ota, Masato; Nakayama, Tomitaka; Toguchida, Junya; Nakamura, Takashi

2010-08-15

A report of 4 cases of spinal osteotomy performed under the guidance of a computer-assisted navigation system and a technical note about the use of the navigation system for spinal osteotomy. To document the surgical technique and usefulness of computer-assisted surgery for spinal osteotomy. A computer-assisted navigation system provides accurate 3-dimensional (3D) real-time surgical information during the operation. Although there are many reports on the accuracy and usefulness of a navigation system for pedicle screw placement, there are few reports on the application for spinal osteotomy. We report on 4 complex cases including 3 solitary malignant spinal tumors and 1 spinal kyphotic deformity of ankylosing spondylitis, which were treated surgically using a computer-assisted spinal osteotomy. The surgical technique and postoperative clinical and radiologic results are presented. 3D spinal osteotomy under the guidance of a computer-assisted navigation system was performed successfully in 4 patients. All malignant tumors were resected en bloc, and the spinal deformity was corrected precisely according to the preoperative plan. Pathologic analysis confirmed the en bloc resection without tumor exposure in the 3 patients with a spinal tumor. The use of a computer-assisted navigation system will help ensure the safety and efficacy of a complex 3D spinal osteotomy.

Flux control coefficients determined by inhibitor titration: the design and analysis of experiments to minimize errors.

PubMed Central

Small, J R

1993-01-01

This paper is a study into the effects of experimental error on the estimated values of flux control coefficients obtained using specific inhibitors. Two possible techniques for analysing the experimental data are compared: a simple extrapolation method (the so-called graph method) and a non-linear function fitting method. For these techniques, the sources of systematic errors are identified and the effects of systematic and random errors are quantified, using both statistical analysis and numerical computation. It is shown that the graph method is very sensitive to random errors and, under all conditions studied, that the fitting method, even under conditions where the assumptions underlying the fitted function do not hold, outperformed the graph method. Possible ways of designing experiments to minimize the effects of experimental errors are analysed and discussed. PMID:8257434

Communication: Calculation of interatomic forces and optimization of molecular geometry with auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Motta, Mario; Zhang, Shiwei

2018-05-01

We propose an algorithm for accurate, systematic, and scalable computation of interatomic forces within the auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo (AFQMC) method. The algorithm relies on the Hellmann-Feynman theorem and incorporates Pulay corrections in the presence of atomic orbital basis sets. We benchmark the method for small molecules by comparing the computed forces with the derivatives of the AFQMC potential energy surface and by direct comparison with other quantum chemistry methods. We then perform geometry optimizations using the steepest descent algorithm in larger molecules. With realistic basis sets, we obtain equilibrium geometries in agreement, within statistical error bars, with experimental values. The increase in computational cost for computing forces in this approach is only a small prefactor over that of calculating the total energy. This paves the way for a general and efficient approach for geometry optimization and molecular dynamics within AFQMC.

Developing Learning Objectives for a Model Course to Prepare Adults for the Assessment of Prior, Non-Sponsored Learning by Portfolio Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stevens, Mary A.

A study was conducted in order to develop a systematic method for the evaluation of students' prior, non-sponsored learning for the award of college credit at Blackhawk College (Illinois). It was determined that a course designed to prepare the student for assessment of prior learning was the best way for the institution to provide assistance to…

Computational methods in drug discovery

PubMed Central

Leelananda, Sumudu P

2016-01-01

The process for drug discovery and development is challenging, time consuming and expensive. Computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) tools can act as a virtual shortcut, assisting in the expedition of this long process and potentially reducing the cost of research and development. Today CADD has become an effective and indispensable tool in therapeutic development. The human genome project has made available a substantial amount of sequence data that can be used in various drug discovery projects. Additionally, increasing knowledge of biological structures, as well as increasing computer power have made it possible to use computational methods effectively in various phases of the drug discovery and development pipeline. The importance of in silico tools is greater than ever before and has advanced pharmaceutical research. Here we present an overview of computational methods used in different facets of drug discovery and highlight some of the recent successes. In this review, both structure-based and ligand-based drug discovery methods are discussed. Advances in virtual high-throughput screening, protein structure prediction methods, protein–ligand docking, pharmacophore modeling and QSAR techniques are reviewed. PMID:28144341

Computational methods in drug discovery.

PubMed

Leelananda, Sumudu P; Lindert, Steffen

2016-01-01

The process for drug discovery and development is challenging, time consuming and expensive. Computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) tools can act as a virtual shortcut, assisting in the expedition of this long process and potentially reducing the cost of research and development. Today CADD has become an effective and indispensable tool in therapeutic development. The human genome project has made available a substantial amount of sequence data that can be used in various drug discovery projects. Additionally, increasing knowledge of biological structures, as well as increasing computer power have made it possible to use computational methods effectively in various phases of the drug discovery and development pipeline. The importance of in silico tools is greater than ever before and has advanced pharmaceutical research. Here we present an overview of computational methods used in different facets of drug discovery and highlight some of the recent successes. In this review, both structure-based and ligand-based drug discovery methods are discussed. Advances in virtual high-throughput screening, protein structure prediction methods, protein-ligand docking, pharmacophore modeling and QSAR techniques are reviewed.

Computer-assisted abdominal surgery: new technologies.

PubMed

Kenngott, H G; Wagner, M; Nickel, F; Wekerle, A L; Preukschas, A; Apitz, M; Schulte, T; Rempel, R; Mietkowski, P; Wagner, F; Termer, A; Müller-Stich, Beat P

2015-04-01

Computer-assisted surgery is a wide field of technologies with the potential to enable the surgeon to improve efficiency and efficacy of diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management. This review provides an overview of the most important new technologies and their applications. A MEDLINE database search was performed revealing a total of 1702 references. All references were considered for information on six main topics, namely image guidance and navigation, robot-assisted surgery, human-machine interface, surgical processes and clinical pathways, computer-assisted surgical training, and clinical decision support. Further references were obtained through cross-referencing the bibliography cited in each work. Based on their respective field of expertise, the authors chose 64 publications relevant for the purpose of this review. Computer-assisted systems are increasingly used not only in experimental studies but also in clinical studies. Although computer-assisted abdominal surgery is still in its infancy, the number of studies is constantly increasing, and clinical studies start showing the benefits of computers used not only as tools of documentation and accounting but also for directly assisting surgeons during diagnosis and treatment of patients. Further developments in the field of clinical decision support even have the potential of causing a paradigm shift in how patients are diagnosed and treated.

CAA: Computer Assisted Athletics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, John H.

Computers have been used in a variety of applications for athletics since the late 1950's. These have ranged from computer-controlled electric scoreboards to computer-designed pole vaulting poles. Described in this paper are a computer-based athletic injury reporting system and a computer-assisted football scouting system. The injury reporting…

Computer-assisted virtual technology in intracapsular condylar fracture with two resorbable long-screws.

PubMed

Wang, W H; Deng, J Y; Zhu, J; Li, M; Xia, B; Xu, B

2013-03-01

Our aim was to fix intracapsular condylar fractures (ICF) with two resorbable long screws using preoperative computer-assisted virtual technology. From February 2008 to July 2011, 19 patients with ICF were treated with two resorbable long screws. Preoperatively we took panoramic radiographs and spiral computed tomography (CT). Depending on their digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) data, the dislocated condylar segments were restored using the SimPlant Pro™ software, version 11.04. The mean (SD) widths of the condylar head and neck from lateral to medial were 19.01 (1.28)mm and 13.84 (1.13)mm, respectively. In all patients, the mandibles and the ICF seen intraoperatively corresponded with the preoperative three-dimensional and virtual reposition. All patients were followed up for 6-46 months (mean 21). Occlusion and mouth opening had been restored completely in all but one patient, and absolute anatomical reduction was also achieved in most cases. Computer-assisted virtual technology plays an important part in the diagnosis of ICF, as well as in its preoperative design. Fixation with only two resorbable long screws is an effective and reliable method for fixing ICF. Copyright © 2012 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Computer-Assisted Diabetes Risk Assessment and Education (CADRAE) for Medically Vulnerable Populations in the Middle East: a Novel and Practical Method for Prevention

PubMed Central

Rowther, Armaan A.; Dykzeul, Brad; Billimek, John; Abuhassan, Deyana; Anderson, Craig; Lotfipour, Shahram

2016-01-01

The prevalence of diabetes in the Middle East is increasing rapidly due to urbanization, reduced levels of physical activity, and a nutritional transition toward increased consumption of fats and refined carbohydrates. Preventive strategies are of paramount importance to stemming the tide. Portable touch-screen computer technology may hold an answer for alleviating the burdens of cost, time, and training that limit the implementation of diabetes risk screening and intervention, especially among refugees and other vulnerable populations. The Computer-Assisted Diabetes Risk Assessment and Education (CADRAE) Arabic-language intervention program is proposed as a model method for practicing proactive type 2 diabetes prevention in resource-limited settings of the Middle East that combines the efficiency of risk-score screening methods, the advantages of portable computer interface, and the spirit of brief motivational interviewing. This paper aims to describe the theory and novel design of CADRAE—introduced at the Noor Al Hussein Foundation's Institute of Family Health in January 2014—as well as discuss opportunities and challenges for its implementation and evaluation in primary or emergency care settings. Features of CADRAE are elucidated in detail, including development, translation, conceptual framework, theoretical basis, method of risk assessment, brief intervention style, definition of outcomes, requirements for implementation, and potential means of evaluation and quality improvement. CADRAE offers the first example of portable computer technology integrating diabetes risk screening with behavior change counseling tailored for an Arabic-speaking population of mostly refugees and could offer a valuable model for researchers and policy makers of the Middle East as well as other resource-limited settings. PMID:26835181

Mobile Phone Surveys for Collecting Population-Level Estimates in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Literature Review

PubMed Central

Pereira, Amanda; Farrenkopf, Brooke A; Labrique, Alain B; Pariyo, George W; Hyder, Adnan A

2017-01-01

Background National and subnational level surveys are important for monitoring disease burden, prioritizing resource allocation, and evaluating public health policies. As mobile phone access and ownership become more common globally, mobile phone surveys (MPSs) offer an opportunity to supplement traditional public health household surveys. Objective The objective of this study was to systematically review the current landscape of MPSs to collect population-level estimates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods Primary and gray literature from 7 online databases were systematically searched for studies that deployed MPSs to collect population-level estimates. Titles and abstracts were screened on primary inclusion and exclusion criteria by two research assistants. Articles that met primary screening requirements were read in full and screened for secondary eligibility criteria. Articles included in review were grouped into the following three categories by their survey modality: (1) interactive voice response (IVR), (2) short message service (SMS), and (3) human operator or computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI). Data were abstracted by two research assistants. The conduct and reporting of the review conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results A total of 6625 articles were identified through the literature review. Overall, 11 articles were identified that contained 19 MPS (CATI, IVR, or SMS) surveys to collect population-level estimates across a range of topics. MPSs were used in Latin America (n=8), the Middle East (n=1), South Asia (n=2), and sub-Saharan Africa (n=8). Nine articles presented results for 10 CATI surveys (10/19, 53%). Two articles discussed the findings of 6 IVR surveys (6/19, 32%). Three SMS surveys were identified from 2 articles (3/19, 16%). Approximately 63% (12/19) of MPS were delivered to mobile phone numbers collected from previously administered household surveys. The majority of MPS (11/19, 58%) were panel surveys where a cohort of participants, who often were provided a mobile phone upon a face-to-face enrollment, were surveyed multiple times. Conclusions Very few reports of population-level MPS were identified. Of the MPS that were identified, the majority of surveys were conducted using CATI. Due to the limited number of identified IVR and SMS surveys, the relative advantages and disadvantages among the three survey modalities cannot be adequately assessed. The majority of MPS were sent to mobile phone numbers that were collected from a previously administered household survey. There is limited evidence on whether a random digit dialing (RDD) approach or a simple random sample of mobile network provided list of numbers can produce a population representative survey. PMID:28476725

Multiple main-belt asteroid mission options for a Mariner Mark II spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sauer, Carl G., Jr.; Yen, Chen-Wan L.

This paper presents the trajectory options available for a MMII spacecraft mission to asteroids and introduces systematic methods of uncovering attractive mission opportunities. The analysis presented considers multiple synchronous gravity assists of Mars and introduces a terminal resonant or phasing orbit; a concept useful for both increasing the number of asteroid rendezvous targets attainable during a launch opportunity, and also in increasing the number of potential asteroid flybys. Systematic examinations of the requirements for superior asteroidal alignments are made and a comprehensive set of asteroid rendezvous opportunities for the 1998 to 2010 period are presented. Examples of candidate missions involving one or more rendezvous and several flybys are also presented.

Multiple main-belt asteroid mission options for a Mariner Mark II spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sauer, Carl G., Jr.; Yen, Chen-Wan L.

1990-01-01

This paper presents the trajectory options available for a MMII spacecraft mission to asteroids and introduces systematic methods of uncovering attractive mission opportunities. The analysis presented considers multiple synchronous gravity assists of Mars and introduces a terminal resonant or phasing orbit; a concept useful for both increasing the number of asteroid rendezvous targets attainable during a launch opportunity, and also in increasing the number of potential asteroid flybys. Systematic examinations of the requirements for superior asteroidal alignments are made and a comprehensive set of asteroid rendezvous opportunities for the 1998 to 2010 period are presented. Examples of candidate missions involving one or more rendezvous and several flybys are also presented.

Early assessment of the likely cost-effectiveness of a new technology: A Markov model with probabilistic sensitivity analysis of computer-assisted total knee replacement.

PubMed

Dong, Hengjin; Buxton, Martin

2006-01-01

The objective of this study is to apply a Markov model to compare cost-effectiveness of total knee replacement (TKR) using computer-assisted surgery (CAS) with that of TKR using a conventional manual method in the absence of formal clinical trial evidence. A structured search was carried out to identify evidence relating to the clinical outcome, cost, and effectiveness of TKR. Nine Markov states were identified based on the progress of the disease after TKR. Effectiveness was expressed by quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The simulation was carried out initially for 120 cycles of a month each, starting with 1,000 TKRs. A discount rate of 3.5 percent was used for both cost and effectiveness in the incremental cost-effectiveness analysis. Then, a probabilistic sensitivity analysis was carried out using a Monte Carlo approach with 10,000 iterations. Computer-assisted TKR was a long-term cost-effective technology, but the QALYs gained were small. After the first 2 years, the incremental cost per QALY of computer-assisted TKR was dominant because of cheaper and more QALYs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was sensitive to the "effect of CAS," to the CAS extra cost, and to the utility of the state "Normal health after primary TKR," but it was not sensitive to utilities of other Markov states. Both probabilistic and deterministic analyses produced similar cumulative serious or minor complication rates and complex or simple revision rates. They also produced similar ICERs. Compared with conventional TKR, computer-assisted TKR is a cost-saving technology in the long-term and may offer small additional QALYs. The "effect of CAS" is to reduce revision rates and complications through more accurate and precise alignment, and although the conclusions from the model, even when allowing for a full probabilistic analysis of uncertainty, are clear, the "effect of CAS" on the rate of revisions awaits long-term clinical evidence.

Accelerating global optimization of aerodynamic shapes using a new surrogate-assisted parallel genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebrahimi, Mehdi; Jahangirian, Alireza

2017-12-01

An efficient strategy is presented for global shape optimization of wing sections with a parallel genetic algorithm. Several computational techniques are applied to increase the convergence rate and the efficiency of the method. A variable fidelity computational evaluation method is applied in which the expensive Navier-Stokes flow solver is complemented by an inexpensive multi-layer perceptron neural network for the objective function evaluations. A population dispersion method that consists of two phases, of exploration and refinement, is developed to improve the convergence rate and the robustness of the genetic algorithm. Owing to the nature of the optimization problem, a parallel framework based on the master/slave approach is used. The outcomes indicate that the method is able to find the global optimum with significantly lower computational time in comparison to the conventional genetic algorithm.

Computers--Teaching, Technology, and Applications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cocco, Anthony M.; And Others

1995-01-01

Includes "Managing Personality Types in the Computer Classroom" (Cocco); "External I/O Input/Output with a PC" (Fryda); "The Future of CAD/CAM Computer-Assisted Design/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing Software" (Fulton); and "Teaching Quality Assurance--A Laboratory Approach" (Wojslaw). (SK)

Ontology-based prediction of surgical events in laparoscopic surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katić, Darko; Wekerle, Anna-Laura; Gärtner, Fabian; Kenngott, Hannes; Müller-Stich, Beat Peter; Dillmann, Rüdiger; Speidel, Stefanie

2013-03-01

Context-aware technologies have great potential to help surgeons during laparoscopic interventions. Their underlying idea is to create systems which can adapt their assistance functions automatically to the situation in the OR, thus relieving surgeons from the burden of managing computer assisted surgery devices manually. To this purpose, a certain kind of understanding of the current situation in the OR is essential. Beyond that, anticipatory knowledge of incoming events is beneficial, e.g. for early warnings of imminent risk situations. To achieve the goal of predicting surgical events based on previously observed ones, we developed a language to describe surgeries and surgical events using Description Logics and integrated it with methods from computational linguistics. Using n-Grams to compute probabilities of followup events, we are able to make sensible predictions of upcoming events in real-time. The system was evaluated on professionally recorded and labeled surgeries and showed an average prediction rate of 80%.

Effect of Web Assisted Education Supported by Six Thinking Hats on Students' Academic Achievement in Science and Technology Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ercan, Orhan; Bilen, Kadir

2014-01-01

Advances in computer technologies and adoption of related methods and techniques in education have developed parallel to each other. This study focuses on the need to utilize more than one teaching method and technique in education rather than focusing on a single teaching method. By using the pre-test post-test and control group semi-experimental…

Action Research of Computer-Assisted-Remediation of Basic Research Concepts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Packard, Abbot L.; And Others

This study investigated the possibility of creating a computer-assisted remediation program to assist students having difficulties in basic college research and statistics courses. A team approach involving instructors and students drove the research into and creation of the computer program. The effect of student use was reviewed by looking at…

Public Computer Assisted Learning Facilities for Children with Visual Impairment: Universal Design for Inclusive Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siu, Kin Wai Michael; Lam, Mei Seung

2012-01-01

Although computer assisted learning (CAL) is becoming increasingly popular, people with visual impairment face greater difficulty in accessing computer-assisted learning facilities. This is primarily because most of the current CAL facilities are not visually impaired friendly. People with visual impairment also do not normally have access to…

Intelligent Computer-Assisted Instruction: A Review and Assessment of ICAI Research and Its Potential for Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dede, Christopher J.; And Others

The first of five sections in this report places intelligent computer-assisted instruction (ICAI) in its historical context through discussions of traditional computer-assisted instruction (CAI) linear and branching programs; TICCIT and PLATO IV, two CAI demonstration projects funded by the National Science Foundation; generative programs, the…

The Effects of Computer-Assisted Feedback Strategies in Technology Education: A Comparison of Learning Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adams, Ruifang Hope; Strickland, Jane

2012-01-01

This study investigated the effects of computer-assisted feedback strategies that have been utilized by university students in a technology education curriculum. Specifically, the study examined the effectiveness of the computer-assisted feedback strategy "Knowledge of Response feedback" (KOR), and the "Knowledge of Correct Responses feedback"…

Training Early Childhood Educators: Computer Assisted Instruction Courses in Diagnostic Teaching. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park. Computer-Assisted Instruction Lab.

The Computer Assisted Remedial Education (CARE) project developed two computer-assisted instructional (CAI) courses. The objective was to train educational personnel to use diagnostic teaching in working with preschool and primary grade children who exhibit learning problems. Emphasis was placed upon the use of new technology in providing…

Personalized Computer-Assisted Mathematics Problem-Solving Program and Its Impact on Taiwanese Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Chiu-Jung; Liu, Pei-Lin

2007-01-01

This study evaluated the effects of a personalized computer-assisted mathematics problem-solving program on the performance and attitude of Taiwanese fourth grade students. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the personalized computer-assisted program improved student performance and attitude over the nonpersonalized program.…

The Efficacy of the Internet-Based Blackboard Platform in Developmental Writing Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shudooh, Yusuf M.

2016-01-01

The application of computer-assisted platforms in writing classes is a relatively new paradigm in education. The adoption of computers-assisted writing classes is gaining ground in many western and non western universities. Numerous issues can be addressed when conducting computer-assisted classes (CAC). However, a few studies conducted to assess…

Computer-Assisted Assessment in Higher Education. Staff and Educational Development Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Sally, Ed.; Race, Phil, Ed.; Bull, Joanna, Ed.

This book profiles how computer-assisted assessment can help both staff and students by drawing on the experience and expertise of practitioners, in the United Kingdom and internationally, who are already using computer-assisted assessment. The publication is organized into three main sections--"Pragmatics and Practicalities of CAA,""Using CAA for…

Computer-Assisted Diagnostic Decision Support: History, Challenges, and Possible Paths Forward

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Randolph A.

2009-01-01

This paper presents a brief history of computer-assisted diagnosis, including challenges and future directions. Some ideas presented in this article on computer-assisted diagnostic decision support systems (CDDSS) derive from prior work by the author and his colleagues (see list in Acknowledgments) on the INTERNIST-1 and QMR projects. References…

Geoid undulation computations at laser tracking stations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Despotakis, Vasilios K.

1987-01-01

Geoid undulation computations were performed at 29 laser stations distributed around the world using a combination of terrestrial gravity data within a cap of radius 2 deg and a potential coefficient set up to 180 deg. The traditional methods of Stokes' and Meissl's modification together with the Molodenskii method and the modified Sjoberg method were applied. Performing numerical tests based on global error assumptions regarding the terrestrial data and the geopotential set it was concluded that the modified Sjoberg method is the most accurate and promising technique for geoid undulation computations. The numerical computations for the geoid undulations using all the four methods resulted in agreement with the ellipsoidal minus orthometric value of the undulations on the order of 60 cm or better for most of the laser stations in the eastern United States, Australia, Japan, Bermuda, and Europe. A systematic discrepancy of about 2 meters for most of the western United States stations was detected and verified by using two relatively independent data sets. For oceanic laser stations in the western Atlantic and Pacific oceans that have no terrestrial data available, the adjusted GEOS-3 and SEASAT altimeter data were used for the computation of the geoid undulation in a collocation method.

Outcomes of Orbital Floor Reconstruction After Extensive Maxillectomy Using the Computer-Assisted Fabricated Individual Titanium Mesh Technique.

PubMed

Zhang, Wen-Bo; Mao, Chi; Liu, Xiao-Jing; Guo, Chuan-Bin; Yu, Guang-Yan; Peng, Xin

2015-10-01

Orbital floor defects after extensive maxillectomy can cause severe esthetic and functional deformities. Orbital floor reconstruction using the computer-assisted fabricated individual titanium mesh technique is a promising method. This study evaluated the application and clinical outcomes of this technique. This retrospective study included 10 patients with orbital floor defects after maxillectomy performed from 2012 through 2014. A 3-dimensional individual stereo model based on mirror images of the unaffected orbit was obtained to fabricate an anatomically adapted titanium mesh using computer-assisted design and manufacturing. The titanium mesh was inserted into the defect using computer navigation. The postoperative globe projection and orbital volume were measured and the incidence of postoperative complications was evaluated. The average postoperative globe projection was 15.91 ± 1.80 mm on the affected side and 16.24 ± 2.24 mm on the unaffected side (P = .505), and the average postoperative orbital volume was 26.01 ± 1.28 and 25.57 ± 1.89 mL, respectively (P = .312). The mean mesh depth was 25.11 ± 2.13 mm. The mean follow-up period was 23.4 ± 7.7 months (12 to 34 months). Of the 10 patients, 9 did not develop diplopia or a decrease in visual acuity and ocular motility. Titanium mesh exposure was not observed in any patient. All patients were satisfied with their postoperative facial symmetry. Orbital floor reconstruction after extensive maxillectomy with an individual titanium mesh fabricated using computer-assisted techniques can preserve globe projection and orbital volume, resulting in successful clinical outcomes. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A two-phase method for timber supply analysis

Treesearch

Stephen Smith

1978-01-01

There is an increasing need to clarify the long-term wood supply implications of current harvesting rates. To assess the wood supply and to set timber production objectives, different linear programming techniques are applied to the short and long term. The transportation method is applied to the short term and the B. C. Forest Service computer-assisted resource...

A Stimulating Approach To Teaching, Learning and Assessing Finite Element Methods: A Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karadelis, J. N.

1998-01-01

Examines the benefits of introducing finite element methods into the curriculum of undergraduate courses. Analyzes the structure of the computer-assisted-design module and the extent to which it fulfills its main objectives. Discusses the efficiency of modern teaching and learning techniques used to develop skills for solving engineering problems;…

Ray Modeling Methods for Range Dependent Ocean Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

the eikonal equation, gives rise to equations for ray paths which are perpendicular to the wave fronts. Equation II.4, the transport equation, leads... databases for use by MEDUSA. The author has assisted in the installation of MEDUSA at computer facilities which possess databases containing archives of...sound velocity profiles, bathymetry, and bottom loss data. At each computer site, programs convert the archival data retrieved by the database system

Field Science Ethnography: Methods For Systematic Observation on an Expedition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clancey, William J.; Clancy, Daniel (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The Haughton-Mars expedition is a multidisciplinary project, exploring an impact crater in an extreme environment to determine how people might live and work on Mars. The expedition seeks to understand and field test Mars facilities, crew roles, operations, and computer tools. I combine an ethnographic approach to establish a baseline understanding of how scientists prefer to live and work when relatively unemcumbered, with a participatory design approach of experimenting with procedures and tools in the context of use. This paper focuses on field methods for systematically recording and analyzing the expedition's activities. Systematic photography and time-lapse video are combined with concept mapping to organize and present information. This hybrid approach is generally applicable to the study of modern field expeditions having a dozen or more multidisciplinary participants, spread over a large terrain during multiple field seasons.

Electronic Learning in Yugoslavia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barker, Philip G.

1990-01-01

Describes a course taught at the University of Zagreb (Yugoslavia) on electronic learning methods based upon computer-assisted learning techniques. The course content is outlined, including lectures, workshops, videotapes, demonstration software, and courseware authoring; a multimedia teaching laboratory is described; and an evaluation of course…

Evolution-Based Methods for Selecting Point Data for Object Localization: Applications to Computer-Assisted Surgery.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-11-01

being evaluated in cadaver trials. Shumeet Baluja was supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellowship and a Graduate Student...partially supported by a National Science Foundation National Challenge grant (award IRI-9422734).

Why Information Technologies Fail.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gayeski, Diane M.

1989-01-01

Discusses successes and failures in the field of instructional technology and suggests methods to design more appropriate systems that would present fewer barriers to adoption. Topics discussed include educational television; videotext; video technology; audiovisual aids; teleconferencing; computer assisted instruction; interactive video; CD-ROM;…

Evaluation of data requirements for computerized constructability analysis of pavement rehabilitation projects.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-08-01

This research aimed to evaluate the data requirements for computer assisted construction planning : and staging methods that can be implemented in pavement rehabilitation projects in the state of : Georgia. Results showed that two main issues for the...

Electronic collection system for spacelab mission timeline requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindberg, James P.; Piner, John R.; Huang, Allen K. H.

1995-01-01

This paper describes the Functional Objective Requirements Collection System (FORCS) software tool that has been developed for use by Principal Investigators (PI's) and Payload Element Developers (PED's) on their own personal computers to develop on-orbit timelining requirements for their payloads. The FORCS tool can be used either in a totally stand-alone mode, storing the information in a local file on the user's personal computer hard disk or in a remote mode where the user's computer is linked to a host computer containing the integrated database of the timeline requirements for all of the payloads on a mission. There are a number of features incorporated in the FORCS software to assist the user. The user may move freely back and forth between the various forms for inputting the data. Several methods are used to input the information, depending on the type of the information. These methods range from filling in text boxes, using check boxes and radio buttons, to inputting information into a spreadsheet format. There are automated features provided to assist in developing the proper format for the data, ranging from limit checking on some of the parameters to automatic conversion of different formats of time data inputs to the one standard format used for the timeline scheduling software.

Effects of competitive computer-assisted learning versus conventional teaching methods on the acquisition and retention of knowledge in medical surgical nursing students.

PubMed

Fernández Alemán, José Luis; Carrillo de Gea, Juan Manuel; Rodríguez Mondéjar, Juan José

2011-11-01

This paper presents a novel approach of computer-assisted learning for nursing education in university undergraduate courses. The most innovative aspect of the proposal is the design of nursing assignments as on-line competitions. The effects of competitive e-learning versus conventional teaching methods on the acquisition and retention of knowledge were compared in a course on medical-surgical nursing. A total of 116 students of mixed gender, age, computer experience and educational background in a second-year course on medical-surgical nursing participated in the study. Data were collected from nursing students at four time points. The on-line activities were carried out using a web-based automatic evaluation system. The study revealed that the competitive e-learning method produced significant cognitive gains for the experimental group students in the immediate follow-up test. Nevertheless, both teaching methods resulted in similar knowledge retention in the 10-week follow-up test. Significant benefits were found following our approach. The work of the students could be evaluated along the course, the workload of instructors was reduced and students received immediate feedback by the on-line judge, which promoted both independent learning and reflective thinking. The approach is applicable to any other nursing educational institution. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluating Imaging and Computer-aided Detection and Diagnosis Devices at the FDA

PubMed Central

Gallas, Brandon D.; Chan, Heang-Ping; D’Orsi, Carl J.; Dodd, Lori E.; Giger, Maryellen L.; Gur, David; Krupinski, Elizabeth A.; Metz, Charles E.; Myers, Kyle J.; Obuchowski, Nancy A.; Sahiner, Berkman; Toledano, Alicia Y.; Zuley, Margarita L.

2017-01-01

This report summarizes the Joint FDA-MIPS Workshop on Methods for the Evaluation of Imaging and Computer-Assist Devices. The purpose of the workshop was to gather information on the current state of the science and facilitate consensus development on statistical methods and study designs for the evaluation of imaging devices to support US Food and Drug Administration submissions. Additionally, participants expected to identify gaps in knowledge and unmet needs that should be addressed in future research. This summary is intended to document the topics that were discussed at the meeting and disseminate the lessons that have been learned through past studies of imaging and computer-aided detection and diagnosis device performance. PMID:22306064

Performance-based robotic assistance during rhythmic arm exercises.

PubMed

Leconte, Patricia; Ronsse, Renaud

2016-09-13

Rhythmic and discrete upper-limb movements are two fundamental motor primitives controlled by different neural pathways, at least partially. After stroke, both primitives can be impaired. Both conventional and robot-assisted therapies mainly train discrete functional movements like reaching and grasping. However, if the movements form two distinct neural and functional primitives, both should be trained to recover the complete motor repertoire. Recent studies show that rhythmic movements tend to be less impaired than discrete ones, so combining both movement types in therapy could support the execution of movements with a higher degree of impairment by movements that are performed more stably. A new performance-based assistance method was developed to train rhythmic movements with a rehabilitation robot. The algorithm uses the assist-as-needed paradigm by independently assessing and assisting movement features of smoothness, velocity, and amplitude. The method relies on different building blocks: (i) an adaptive oscillator captures the main movement harmonic in state variables, (ii) custom metrics measure the movement performance regarding the three features, and (iii) adaptive forces assist the patient. The patient is encouraged to improve performance regarding these three features with assistance forces computed in parallel to each other. The method was tested with simulated jerky signals and a pilot experiment with two stroke patients, who were instructed to make circular movements with an end-effector robot with assistance during half of the trials. Simulation data reveal sensitivity of the metrics for assessing the features while limiting interference between them. The assistance's effectiveness with stroke patients is established since it (i) adapts to the patient's real-time performance, (ii) improves patient motor performance, and (iii) does not lead the patient to slack. The smoothness assistance was by far the most used by both patients, while it provided no active mechanical work to the patient on average. Our performance-based assistance method for training rhythmic movements is a viable candidate to complement robot-assisted upper-limb therapies for training a larger motor repertoire.

Computer Applications in the Design Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winchip, Susan

Computer Assisted Design (CAD) and Computer Assisted Manufacturing (CAM) are emerging technologies now being used in home economics and interior design applications. A microcomputer in a computer network system is capable of executing computer graphic functions such as three-dimensional modeling, as well as utilizing office automation packages to…