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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Angina on the Palm: randomized controlled pilot trial of Palm PDA software for referrals for cardiac testing.

OBJECTIVE: Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are popular with physicians: in 2003, 33% of Canadian doctors reported using them in their practices. We do not know, however, whether using a PDA changes the behaviour of practising physicians. We studied the effectiveness of a PDA software application to help family physicians diagnose angina among patients with chest pain. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled pilot trial using a cluster design. SETTING: Primary care practices in the Toronto area. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen family physicians belonging to the North Toronto Primary Care Research Network (Nortren) or recruited from a local hospital. INTERVENTIONS: We randomized physicians to receive a Palm PDA (which included the angina diagnosis software) or to continue conventional care. Physicians prospectively recorded the process of care for patients aged 30 to 75 presenting with suspected angina, over 7 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Did the process of care for patients with suspected angina improve when their physicians had PDAs and software? The primary outcomes we looked at were frequency of cardiac stress test orders for suspected angina, and the appropriateness of referral for cardiac stress testing at presentation and for nuclear cardiology testing after cardiac stress testing. Secondary outcome was referrals to cardiologists. RESULTS: The software led to more overall use of cardiac stress testing (81% vs 50%). The absolute increase was 31% (P = .007, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8% to 58%). There was a trend toward more appropriate use of stress testing (48.6% with the PDA vs 28.6% control), an increase of 20% (P = .284, 95% CI -11.54% to 51.4%). There was also a trend toward more appropriate use of nuclear cardiology following cardiac stress testing (63.0% vs 45.5%), an absolute increase of 17.5% (P =.400, 95% CI -13.9% to 48.9%). Referrals to cardiologists did not increase (38.2% with the PDA vs 40.9%, P =.869). CONCLUSION: A PDA-based software application can lead to improved care for patients with suspected angina seen in family practices; this finding requires confirmation in a larger study.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Stereotactic aspiration using coordinate software for hypertensive intracerebral hematomas].

Stereotactic aspiration for intracerebral hematoma has become widely used due to improvements in computed tomography (CT). CT-guided stereotactic aspiration for hypertensive intracranial hematomas was performed in 46 cases. Stereotactic aspiration with coordinate software was carried out among 16 cases. We compared the clinical results of conventional stereotactic aspiration with results of the new method using coordinate software. Using coordinate software, we can examine the route for the target point, as well as the target point of the hematoma before surgery. Therefore we can avoid obstacles such as ventricles and internal capsules. Further, we can aspirate hematoma by using only this one procedure. Mean hematoma aspiration percentage has risen from 44.9 to 87.2% by using coordinate software. Rate of drainage tube insertion after operation has decreased from 90 to 50%. The period of placement of the drainage tube and the frequency of infection due to the drainage tube has become lower, too. Therefore we can say that the outcome of treatment of hypertensive intracranial hematomas is improved by using coordinate software.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

PubMed1990

Computerizing medical records: software criteria for systems to document patient encounters.

It is difficult to design and build computer systems to document medical care, especially if the entries are to be made by health care professionals. Not all software approaches are equally well suited to the task. Twenty-one specific software characteristics were identified that promote efficient development and support clinical needs. Using a software tool that satisfied these characteristics, we developed a computerized medical chart system that physicians can use to write notes and document patient encounters. The success of this system was due to a good fit between the basic capabilities of the software approach and the requirements of the project. These criteria can serve as the starting point for evaluating or developing other software applications that depend on physician input of clinical information.

Documentation↗

PubMed1989

Legal issues associated with pharmacokinetic software.

Legal issues associated with the use of pharmacokinetic computer software are discussed. One issue involves the physician's reliance on the pharmacist, as a drug therapy expert, to provide consultation on drug dosages. Another issue is the problem of liability associated with the software and how this relates to the physician, the pharmacist, and those who designed, manufactured, and sold the software. The legal concept of negligence as it relates to medical computer software is discussed. Although the programmer and the manufacturer are responsible for verifying that the program does what it purports to do, the user must exercise due care in identifying any program limitations that might influence the accuracy of a consultation. Clinical perspective, effective validation techniques, and critical selection will help to ensure that pharmacokinetic computer software is developed, purchased, and used safely and effectively.

Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted↗

PubMed1988

Software selection: can a demonstration computer package help?

Using a demonstration package (demo) is one method of reviewing software which a foodservice manager is considering for purchase. There are a large number of software programs available, and the number is always increasing. Once the foodservice manager has established the criteria for selecting software, the programs which appear to meet those criteria must be evaluated. This article discusses the use of a demo as part of the evaluation process. A demo is a promotional tool used by vendors to demonstrate their software. Part or all of the program, with limitations on the amount of data that may be entered into the software, is normally provided. Advantages and disadvantages of demos are discussed, and the authors' experience using a demo is reported. A program demonstration checklist is provided. The advantages and disadvantages of reviewing the entire program and observing a vendor's demonstration are also discussed.

Food Services↗

PubMed1995

[The SINTESI Project: software in cardiovascular prevention].

Coronary heart disease is the most important cause of mortality in adults. New approaches may reduce the cardiovascular risk in population. "SINTESI" is an original data base designed in collaboration with the Italian Group for the Study of Metabolism Disease and Atherosclerosis to improve the evaluation of the major risk factors in the population and to create a data bank for medical research. It runs in Windows. The software includes the following electronics archives: Demographics; History; Follow-up; ECG; Laboratory; Doppler-echocardiography; Stress test-ECT; Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring; Holter-ECG; Nuclear imaging; Vascular echo-Doppler; Hemodynamics; Radiology. We named the most important file "Main Working Area" (MWA). This displays all the most important information on the clinical status of the patients and represents the "console" for using the software. In fact, in MWA "buttons" are displayed to enter all the electronic archives. The software displays graphics and the flow-chart of clinical history. We implemented "routines" for automatic evaluation of several variables. We also simplify the statistical use of the data implementing functions for "query" that permit the management of data bank. The use of this software may facilitate the correct evaluation and stratification of the cardiovascular risk. In conclusion, "Progetto SINTESI" is an easy, synthetic organization of patient's clinical data and a complete data bank. It is our opinion that the use of this software may promote a standard way of collecting a large number of data to improve the stratification of cardiovascular risk.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The questions of organization and software in the "Environment-health of the Ukrainian Population" monitoring.

The dependence of health provision on environmental quality is evident. The scientists of Ukraine have accumulated material regarding the population health level; state control of atmospheric air and the water basin was carried out for many years. However the dependence of health provision on the environment was revealed only in some quantity of ecological-population investigations; the results were not very self-evident. All these reasons stipulated the necessity of organized state control and analysis of information systems on environmental and population health functioning, on a single methodological, technical, and program scheme. From an economical point of view, this system presupposes three levels of information processing: 1) city and countryside, 2) region, and 3) the state as a whole. It is advisable, on each level, to input the information of different periodicity receivings (frequently on the low levels and rarely on the upper ones, but the unification structure of assumed data, its primary statistical processing and using software). Taking into account existing but now insufficient professional level of the system users on low level, the program product must provide the information qualitative processing and receiving of result analyze by the user at the minimum of intellectual expenditures. ThatUs why the software must have a very easy interface, defense from mistakes at the input of inadequate information, dialogical stepped style of communication, developed help system, prompts, commentarie , references. The results must be presented not only in the forms of mathematical tables and numerical meanings, but in the form of graphs and diagrams in two- and three- dimensional realization; the disposal of the results on press must be facilitated. The software must provide the data input with a simple but developed request system, various mathematical processing, forming of resulting report forms in standard form. As a result of logic, mathematical and graphical analysis computer must answer the following questions which are of interest to direct system users as well as to administration responsible for sanitation and optimization of the environment and population health protection, that is: what is the structure of the environment in the analyzed region, what factors have the larger expressiveness; what is the structure of population health (structure of disease incidence) of different age groups; what environmental factors and health indices are important for the further investigations; does the correlation exist between the environmental factors, do they form the clusters; does the correlation exist between the population health indices; what is their comparative informativeness; are there appropriateness in the expressiveness of separate environmental factors and health indices in dynamics; what is the dependence of health indices from the environmental factors at their separate and complex effect; what is the part of contribution of all analyzing factors in a whole to the population health change; what is the contribution of each of this factor; what is the prognosis of the environmental changes on each factor and level of health on each indices; what are the critical factor levels, that are the levels at which the non degradation (subthreshold) of health is guaranteed and at which this health degradation reliably takes place (threshold). Software satisfying all these demands and carrying out all functions mentioned above has been worked out with our participation and has been approved in different regions of Ukraine. We are planning the utilization of this software as the main one in organizing in Ukraine of medico-ecological monitoring system.

Environmental Monitoring↗

PubMed2005

Software for automated application of a reference-based method for a posteriori determination of the effective radiographic imaging geometry.

OBJECTIVES: Presentation and validation of software developed for automated and accurate application of a reference-based algorithm (reference sphere method: RSM) inferring the effective imaging geometry from quantitative radiographic image analysis. METHODS: The software uses modern pattern recognition and computer vision algorithms adapted for the particular application of automated detection of the reference sphere shadows (ellipses) with subpixel accuracy. It applies the RSM algorithm to the shadows detected, thereby providing three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates of the spheres. If the three sphere centres do not lie on one line, they uniquely determine the imaging geometry. Accuracy of the computed coordinates is investigated in a set of 28 charge-coupled device (CCD)-based radiographs of two human mandible segments produced on an optical bench. Each specimen contained three reference spheres (two different radii r1=1.5 mm, r2=2.5 mm). True sphere coordinates were assessed with a manually operated calliper. Software accuracy was investigated for a weighted and unweighted algebraic ellipse-fitting algorithm. RESULTS: The critical depth- (z-) coordinates revealed mean absolute errors ranging between 1.1+/-0.7 mm (unweighted version; r=2.5 mm) and 1.4+/-1.4 mm (weighted version, r=2.5 mm), corresponding to mean relative errors between 5% and 6%. Outliers resulted from complete circular dense structure superimposition and one obviously deformed reference sphere. CONCLUSIONS: The software provides information fundamentally important for the image formation and geometric image registration, which is a crucial step for three-dimensional reconstruction from > or =2 two-dimensional views.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2000

MuStaR and other software for locus-specific mutation databases.

As the human genome sequencing project nears completion, there has been a vast increase in the rate at which disease and nondisease associated variant sequences are being sought and detected. This has heightened the need for software with which to accumulate allelic variant (mutation) data, and with which to make the data accessible to the scientific community. Many ad hoc solutions have been developed by those interested in specific genes and diseases, and the creation of central databases which hold data for all genes has provided an alternative repository for some of the locus data. Despite this, few specialised software tools exist for researchers to create their own locus-specific allelic variant databases. This article describes methods available to potential curators, including software systems developed with the sole purpose of generating locus-specific mutation databases. In particular, the authors' own software, MuStaRtrade mark, is described. MuStaRtrade mark allows curators to maintain a database on a laptop computer if desired, while being able to export the data to an automatically generated Website which will run on any cgi compliant Web server. Searching the database and the submission of new mutations are made possible through fill-in Web forms. A number of other software tools which may be of use to curators are also described.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed2004

Component-based integration of chemistry and optimization software.

Typical scientific software designs make rigid assumptions regarding programming language and data structures, frustrating software interoperability and scientific collaboration. Component-based software engineering is an emerging approach to managing the increasing complexity of scientific software. Component technology facilitates code interoperability and reuse. Through the adoption of methodology and tools developed by the Common Component Architecture Forum, we have developed a component architecture for molecular structure optimization. Using the NWChem and Massively Parallel Quantum Chemistry packages, we have produced chemistry components that provide capacity for energy and energy derivative evaluation. We have constructed geometry optimization applications by integrating the Toolkit for Advanced Optimization, Portable Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation, and Global Arrays packages, which provide optimization and linear algebra capabilities. We present a brief overview of the component development process and a description of abstract interfaces for chemical optimizations. The components conforming to these abstract interfaces allow the construction of applications using different chemistry and mathematics packages interchangeably. Initial numerical results for the component software demonstrate good performance, and highlight potential research enabled by this platform.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of a semiautomatic software tool for left ventricular function analysis with 16-slice computed tomography.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate a semiautomatic analysis tool for assessing global left ventricular myocardial function with multislice computed tomography (MSCT). We examined 33 patients with MSCT using 16x0.5 mm detector collimation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 1.5-T scanner. MSCT data were analyzed using semiautomatic volumetric analysis software (ANET, CSCF-001A, Toshiba). This software tool automatically creates endo- and epicardial contours that can be manually corrected on all short-axis slices at all reconstructed time points within the cardiac cycle, based on a contour-detection and density-threshold algorithm. All global left ventricular function parameters assessed with the semiautomatic MSCT software were highly correlated with the results of MRI. Bland-Altman analysis showed minor systematic overestimation of end-diastolic (10.7 ml) and end-systolic volumes (5.6 ml) and underestimation of ejection fraction (2.1%) with MSCT as compared with MRI. The post-processing time was moderately but significantly longer with the MSCT software (15.9+/-2.8 min) than necessary for MRI (14.0+/-2.5 min, P<0.01), mainly as a result of the longer time required for uploading of the MSCT datasets, which were on average 54 times larger (1.3 GByte). In conclusion, it appears feasible to accurately assess global left ventricular function with MSCT in a reasonable post-processing time using a semiautomatic software tool.

Contrast Media↗

PubMed2006

CT angiography of peripheral arterial bypass grafts: Accuracy and time-effectiveness of quantitative image analysis with an automated software tool.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Qualitative analysis of computed tomography (CT) angiography data often is limited by intra- and interobserver variability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time-effectiveness and accuracy of a quantitative CT angiography data analysis using automated software in comparison with qualitative axial and coronal CT image reading in patients with peripheral bypass grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with 33 saphenous bypass grafts underwent 4-channel (n = 21) and 16-channel (n = 7) CT angiography. Two readers evaluated in consensus the CT data qualitatively on axial and coronal reconstructions and with the software regarding the presence of graft stenoses, aneurysmal changes, and arteriovenous fistulas. The time for data analysis was taken and the accuracy was compared with the results from digital subtraction angiography (DSA). RESULTS: No significant difference was present between data analysis time using axial and coronal CT images (4.9 +/- 1.5 minutes) and when using the software tool (5.5 +/- 1.4 minutes). Good (kappa = 0.652) to excellent (kappa = 1.000) intermodality agreement was present between qualitative and quantitative CT analysis regarding graft-related abnormalities. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing stenoses, aneurysms, and fistula did not differ significantly (P > .025) between qualitative CT image reading and the automated software tool. CONCLUSIONS: CT angiography analysis of peripheral bypass grafts using an automated software tool is similar regarding time-effectiveness and accuracy when compared with qualitative CT data analysis on axial and coronal images. It may assist in determining the significance of an abnormality and can yield objective morphometric data of vessel calibers.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2002

Comparison of four artificial neural network software programs used to predict the in vitro dissolution of controlled-release tablets.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate four commercially available artificial neural network (ANN) software programs: NeuroShell2 v3.0, BrainMaker v3.7, CAD/Chem v5.0, and NeuralWorks Professional II/Plus for prediction of in vitro dissolution-time profiles of controlled-release tablets containing a model sympathomimetic drug. Seven independent formulation variables and three other tablet variables (moisture content of granules, granule particle size, and tablet hardness), for 22 tablet formulations, were used as the ANN model input. In vitro dissolution time-profiles at 10 different sampling times were used as the output. The models' optimum architectures were determined for each ANN software by varying the number of hidden layers and number of nodes in hidden layer(s). The ANN developed from the four software programs were validated by predicting the in vitro dissolution time-profiles of each of the 19 formulations, which were excluded from the training process. Although the same data set was used, the optimum ANN architectures generated from the four software programs were different. Using the four optimum ANN models, the plots of predicted vs. observed percentage of drug dissolved gave slopes ranging from 0.95 to 1.01 and r2 values ranging from 0.95 to 0.99 for all 190 dissolution data points for the 19 training formulations. The difference factors (f1) and similarity factors (f2) between the ANN predicted and the observed in vitro dissolution profiles were also used to compare the predictions for the four software programs. It was concluded that the four programs provided reasonable predictions of in vitro dissolution profiles for the data set employed in this study, with NeuralShell2 showing the best overall prediction.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

PubMed1986

Evaluating foodservice software: a suggested approach.

In an era of cost containment, the computer has become a viable management tool. Its use in health care has demonstrated accelerated growth in recent years, and a literature review supports an increased trend in this direction. Foodservice, which is a major cost center, is no exception to this predicted trend. Because software has proliferated, foodservice managers and dietitians are experiencing growing concern about how to evaluate the numerous software packages from which to choose. A suggested approach to evaluating software is offered to dietitians and managers alike to lessen the confusion in software selection and to improve the system satisfaction level post-purchase. Steps of the software evaluatory approach include: delineation of goals, assessment of needs, assignment of value weight factors, development of a vendor checklist, survey of vendors by means of the vendor checklist and elimination of inappropriate systems, thorough development of the request for proposal (RFP) for submission to the selected vendors, an analysis of the returned RFPs in terms of system features and cost factors, and selection of the system(s) for implementation.

Computers↗

PubMed2002

Quantitative comparison and evaluation of two commercially available, two-dimensional electrophoresis image analysis software packages, Z3 and Melanie.

While a variety of software packages are available for analyzing two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gel images, no comparisons between these packages have been published, making it difficult for end users to determine which package would best meet their needs. The goal here was to develop a set of tests to quantitatively evaluate and then compare two software packages, Melanie 3.0 and Z3, in three of the fundamental steps involved in 2-DE image analysis: (i) spot detection, (ii) gel matching, and (iii) spot quantitation. To test spot detection capability, automatically detected protein spots were compared to manually counted, "real" protein spots. Spot matching efficiency was determined by comparing distorted (both geometrically and nongeometrically) gel images with undistorted original images, and quantitation tests were performed on artificial gels with spots of varying Gaussian volumes. In spot detection tests, Z3 performed better than Melanie 3.0 and required minimal user intervention to detect approximately 89% of the actual protein spots and relatively few extraneous spots. Results from gel matching tests depended on the type of image distortion used. For geometric distortions, Z3 performed better than Melanie 3.0, matching 99% of the spots, even for extreme distortions. For nongeometrical distortions, both Z3 and Melanie 3.0 required user intervention and performed comparably, matching 95% of the spots. In spot quantitation tests, both Z3 and Melanie 3.0 predicted spot volumes relatively well for spot ratios less than 1:6. For higher ratios, Melanie 3.0 did much better. In summary, results suggest Z3 requires less user intervention than Melanie 3.0, thus simplifying differential comparison of 2-DE gel images. Melanie 3.0, however, offers many more optional tools for image editing, spot detection, data reporting and statistical analysis than Z3. All image files used for these tests and updated information on the software are available on the internet (http://www.umbc.edu/proteome), allowing similar testing of other 2-DE image analysis software packages.

Electronic Data Processing↗

PubMed2006

Evaluation of carotid artery wall volume measurement using novel semiautomated analysis software.

PURPOSE: To evaluate semiautomated analysis software for measuring the total carotid arterial wall volume (TWV) as a measure of atheroma burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semiautomated-software and manual analyses of TWV measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) were compared in two phantom models, 10 subjects with no known carotid artery disease, and eight subjects with known carotid disease. The subjects were scanned twice for reproducibility. RESULTS: In subjects with no known carotid disease, semiautomated analysis of 98% of slices showed an improved interstudy coefficient of variation (COV) compared to manual analysis of 50% of slices (4.0% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.02). The proportion of matched cross-sectional slices usable for TWV measurement was superior (99% vs. 49%, P = 0.005) and the median analysis time was shorter (31 minutes vs. 90 minutes, P < 0.001) using the semiautomated software. In subjects with known carotid disease, semiautomated (99% of slices) and manual (56% of slices) analyses had comparable interstudy COVs (4.1% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.01). However, the proportion of matched cross-sectional slices usable for TWV measurement was greater using semiautomated contouring (96% vs. 56%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Carotid CMR measurement of TWV using novel semiautomated analysis software shows good reproducibility, enables greater coverage of arterial vessel wall length, and is considerably faster compared to manual contouring.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Portable image-manipulation software: what is the extra development cost?

A hospital-wide picture archiving and communication system (PACS) project is currently under development at the University Hospital of Geneva. The visualization and manipulation of images provided by different imaging modalities constitutes one of the most challenging component of a PACS. It was necessary to provide this visualization software on a number of types of workstations because of the varying requirements imposed by the range of clinical uses it must serve. The user interface must be the same, independent of the underlying workstation. In addition to a standard set of image-manipulation and processing tools, there is a need for more specific clinical tools that can be easily adapted to specific medical requirements. To achieve this goal, it was elected to develop a modular and portable software called OSIRIS. This software is available on two different operating systems (the UNIX standard X-11/OSF-Motif based workstations and the Macintosh family) and can be easily ported to other systems. The extra effort required to design such software in a modular and portable way was worthwhile because it resulted in a platform that can be easily expanded and adapted to a variety of specific clinical applications. Its portability allows users to benefit from the rapidly evolving workstation technology and to adapt the performance to suit their needs.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

PubMed2001

Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.

The Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice, intended as a standard for teaching and practicing software engineering, documents the ethical and professional obligations of software engineers. The code should instruct practitioners about the standards society expects them to meet, about what their peers strive for, and about what to expect of one another. In addition, the code should also inform the public about the responsibilities that are important to the profession. Adopted in 2000 by the IEEE Computer Society and the ACM--two leading international computing societies--the code of ethics is intended as a guide for members of the evolving software engineering profession. The code was developed by a multinational task force with additional input from other professionals from industry, government posts, military installations, and educational professions.

Ethics, Professional↗