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Mathematical modelling allowed to use specially designed software package for calculation of the necessary number of variants of dimensions of denture carcass while planning the orthodontic treatment. This could be done for each patient individually, thus ensuring the correct choice of orthodontic technique to replace the end defects of the dentition.
BACKGROUND: Microarray is a high-throughput technology to study expression of thousands of genes in parallel. A critical aspect of microarray production is the design aimed at space optimization while maximizing the number of gene probes and their replicates to be spotted. RESULTS: We have developed a software called 'ArrayD' that offers various alternative design solutions for an array given a set of user requirements. The user feeds the following inputs: type of source plates to be used, number of gene probes to be printed, number of replicates and number of pins to be used for printing. The solutions are stored in a text file. The choice of a design solution to be used will be governed by the spotting chemistry to be used and the accuracy of the robot. CONCLUSIONS: ArrayD is a software for standard cartesian robots. The software aids users in preparing a judicious and elegant design. ArrayD is universally applicable and is available at http://www.igib.res.in/scientists/arrayd/arrayd.html.
The information management systems to support health programmes are inadequate. As computers become cheaper and more powerful, their application in the strengthening of the information infrastructure becomes more feasible. However, the high cost of specialized applications software limits their potential, especially in developing countries. A multi-centre systems analysis, (a descriptive study using a questionnaire), was made of District Health Sites in developing countries to analyse whether a common specialized application software design for implementation at a primary health care centre was feasible. Responses to the questionnaires by physicians at the primary health centres were compared between district health sites using contingency tables. Significant inter-site differences in social factors existed, respondents had no prior experience, but with near unanimity (98%) accepted the idea of computer assistance in their work. However, general reservations (31%) and fears (26%) about computer interference in the doctor-patient relationship were expressed. The human factor must be considered in interface design and training before implementation.
BACKGROUND: The Internet has been increasingly utilized in biomedical research. From online searching for literature to data sharing, the Internet has emerged as a primary means of research for many physicians and scientists. As a result, Web-based surveys have been employed as an alternative to traditional, paper-based surveys. We describe DADOS-Survey, an open-source Web-survey application developed at our institution that, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to be compliant with the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES). DADOS-Survey was designed with usability as a priority, allowing investigators to design and execute their own studies with minimal technical difficulties in doing so. RESULTS: To date, DADOS-Survey has been successfully implemented in five Institutional Review Board-approved studies conducted by various departments within our academic center. Each of these studies employed a Web-survey design as their primary methodology. Our initial experience indicates that DADOS-Survey has been used with relative ease by each of the investigators and survey recipients. This has been further demonstrated through formal and field usability testing, during which time suggestions for improvement were incorporated into the software design. CONCLUSION: DADOS-Survey has the potential to have an important role in the future direction of Web-survey administration in biomedical research. This CHERRIES-compliant application is tailored to the emerging requirements of quality data collection in medicine.
This article describes the use of computer-aided techniques to produce a wax pattern of a missing ear. A 3-dimensional (3-D) computer model of a conventional cast from a patient was obtained using an optical surface capture device (scanner). The 3-D computer model was inverted, using computer-aided design software. A physical thermoplastic (wax) pattern of the inverted 3-D cast was produced using a rapid prototyping (RP) machine.
Software designed for linen management is readily available to linen managers. Each has a variety of features and benefits. It is important that the linen manager discover a system that will return the type of information he or she is looking for and deliver it with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. Software systems can, indeed, prove beneficial to linen managers in bringing a new level of control to circulating linen at the hospital facility.
We tested a new computer program, LOKI, that implements a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique for segregation and linkage analysis. Our objective was to determine whether this software, designed for use with continuously distributed phenotypes, has any efficacy when applied to the discrete disease states of the simulated data from the Mordor data from GAW Problem 1. Although we were able to identify the genomic location for two of the three quantitative trait loci by repeated application of the software, the MCMC sampler experienced significant mixing problems indicating that the method, as currently formulated in LOKI, was not suitable for the discrete phenotypes in this data set.
Behavioral alterations can be measured as endpoints for sublethal toxicity, and serve as a tool for environmental risk assessment and analysis of toxicological impact. Numerous technical and biological factors have made sublethal effects on fish behavior difficult to quantify. In order to investigate stress- and contaminant-induced behavioral alterations, a video analysis system was designed by our laboratory. With this system up to 12 fish may be individually housed in 20 L exposure arenas and automatically videotaped at multiple and discrete intervals during an experimental period. Analog video data can then digitized, converted into x,y coordinates, and finally transformed into relevant behavioral endpoints using software designed for tracking fish movement combined with specific algorithms. These endpoints include velocity, total distance traveled, angular change, percent movement, space utilization, and fractal dimension (path complexity). Data from fish exposed to a reference toxicant, MS222, and simulation experiments, are presented to exemplify alterations in fish behavior associated with exposure, and accuracy and precision, respectively. The system provides flexibility to analyze any observed movement behavior, is remotely controlled, and can be transportable. These movement analyses can be used to identify characteristic behavioral responses to a variety of environmentally-relevant stressors, and assist in risk assessment and the development of more sensitive lowest observable effect level and no observable effect level for sentinel species.
Maintenance of medical equipment has been changing rapidly in the past few years. It is changing more rapidly in developed countries, but changes are also occurring in developing countries. Some of the changes may permit improved maintenance on the higher technology equipment in developing countries, since they do not require onsite expertise. Technology has had an increasing impact on the development of medical equipment with the increased use of microprocessors and computers. With miniaturization from space technology and electronic chip design, powerful microprocessors and computers have been built into medical equipment. The improvement in manufacturing technology has increased the quality of parts and therefore the medical equipment. This has resulted in increased mean time between failures and reduced maintenance needs. This has made equipment more reliable in remote areas and developing countries. The built-in computers and advances in software design have brought about self-diagnostics in medical equipment. The technicians now have a strong tool to be used in maintenance. One problem in this area is getting access to the self-diagnostics. Some manufacturers will not readily provide this access to the owner of the equipment. Advances in telecommunications in conjunction with self-diagnostics make available remote diagnosis and repair. Since components can no longer be repaired, a remote repair technician can instruct an operator or an on-site repairman on board replacement. In case of software problems, the remote repair technician may perform the repairs over the telephone. It is possible for the equipment to be monitored remotely by modern without interfering with the operation of the equipment. These changes in technology require the training of biomedical engineering technicians (BMETs) to change. They must have training in computers and telecommunications. Some of this training can be done with telecommunications and computers.
This paper presents a novel multiclient braille reading system developed around a single low cost personal computer. The system primarily addresses the needs of the Braille libraries, where different texts are needed to be read by different users simultaneously. Moreover, the system can simultaneously cater to different texts written in different languages. This feature makes it specially suitable for use by multilingual nationalities. The major advantage of this system is its low cost, compared to the other systems available and is specially attractive for the developing or underdeveloped countries. The paper describes the system, first from the user point of view and then presents the hardware and software design details. The system performance has been evaluated by the sightless users and has shown encouraging results.
A new generation of computer programs for dental patient management eliminates total dependence on the vendor for programming support. The software design enables information collected with the dental system to be transferred to popular off-the-shelf programs designed for business. A simplified example is used to illustrate the practitioners the advantages of this type of data structure management. Programs designed on this basis offer optimum performance and expandability for both present and future needs.
BACKGROUND: Properly designed software can be compensatory, and possibly remedial, for people with significant deficits from traumatic brain injury (TBI). OBJECTIVE: This article will provide a historical overview of the use of microcomputers in brain injury rehabilitation. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of compensatory assistive technology for overcoming cognitive impairments, with theoretical discussion of the design considerations for an effective cognitive orthotic. CONCLUSIONS: Discussion will focus on findings and observations made with a particular multifunction cognitive orthotic system to assist people with TBI in the performance of ecologically relevant activities. Additional observations will address the impact of the current US health care environment on technological innovation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the methods of establishing 3-dimensional skull model using electron beam CT (EBCT) data rapid prototyping technique, and to discuss its application in repairing cranio-maxillo-facial trauma. METHODS: The data were obtained by EBCT continuous volumetric scanning with 1.0 mm slice at thickness. The data were transferred to work-station for 3-dimensional surface reconstruction by computer-aided design software and the images were saved as STL file. The data can be used to control a laser rapid-prototyping device (AFS-320QZ) to construct geometric model. The material for the model construction is a kind of laser-sensitive resin power, which will become a mass when scanned by laser beam. The design and simulation of operation can be done on the model. The image data were transferred to the device slice by slice. Thus a geometric model is constructed according to the image data by repeating this process. Preoperative analysis, surgery simulation and implant of bone defect could be done on this computer-aided manufactured 3D model. One case of cranio-maxillo-facial bone defect resulting from trauma was reconstructed with this method. The EBCT scanning showed that the defect area was 4 cm x 6 cm. The nose was flat and deviated to left. RESULTS: The 3-dimensional skull was reconstructed with EBCT data and rapid prototyping technique. The model can display the structure of 3-dimensional anatomy and their relationship. The prefabricated implant by 3-dimensional model was well-matched with defect. The deformities of flat and deviated nose were corrected. The clinical result was satisfactory after a follow-up of 17 months. CONCLUSION: The 3-dimensional model of skull can replicate the prototype of disease and play an important role in the diagnosis and simulation of operation for repairing cranio-maxillo-facial trauma.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the information obtained from the Medline database using Internet commercial search engines with that obtained from a compact disc (Medline-CD). METHODS: An agreement study was carried out based on 101 clinical scenarios provided by specialists in internal medicine, pharmacy, gynaecology-obstetrics, surgery and paediatrics. 175 search strategies were employed using the connector AND plus text within quotation marks. The search was limited to 1991-1999. Internet search-engines were selected by common criteria. Identical search strategies were independently applied to and masked from Internet search engines, as well as the Medline-CD. RESULTS: 3,488 articles were obtained using 129 search strategies. Agreement with the Medline-CD was 54% for PubMed, 57% for Gateway, 54% for Medscape and 65% for BioMedNet. The highest agreement rate for a given speciality (paediatrics) was 78.1% for BioMedNet, having greater -/- than +/+ agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Even though free access to Medline has encouraged the boom and growth of evidence-based medicine, these results must be considered within the context of which search engine was selected for doing the searches. The Internet search engines studied showed a poor agreement with the Medline-CD, the rate of agreement differing according to speciality, thus significantly affecting searches and their reproducibility. Software designed for conducting Medline database searches, including the Medline-CD, must be standardised and validated.
An integrated system is described which we have found useful for efficiently collecting and analyzing both static and dynamic accommodation data using the Canon Autoref R-1 refractometer. The system consists of hardware modifications and software designed to both facilitate the measurement of accommodation and to process the resulting data. Several features of the Canon R-1, which may not be evident to some users, are also described. A program written in Microsoft C/C++ running under DOS, and designed for use on a PC, is available from the authors upon request.
The Guidelines International Network (G-1-N www.g-i-n.net) is a major new international initiative involving guideline-developing organisations from around the world. G-I-N seeks to improve the quality of health care by promoting systematic development of clinical practice guidelines and their application into practice. The Network now has over 45 international members, most of whom prepare evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, or actively promote the use of evidence in practice. One of the priorities of the organisation is to share evidence tables and adapt guidelines for local circumstances based on international evidence. In the longer term, guideline developers are planning to create 'living guidelines' that can be continuously updated and used by a number of different countries. A major consideration for guideline developers is how to communicate and work with information technology scientists to develop standards and protocols for the translation of these trans-national guidelines into electronic formats. To be effective, there must be formal internationally agreed standards that allow electronic guidelines to be shared and automatically updated. The Guidelines International Network will be taking a leading international role in working with designers and vendors of electronic decision support systems and tools to guarantee the integrity of guidelines when translated into electronic formats. This presentation by Catherine Marshall, Kitty Rosenbrand and Guenter Ollenschlaeger will: --explore current experiences from New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands --identify issues from the perspective of guideline developers --make recommendations for establishing opportunities for software designers, vendors and informatics experts to collaborate with guideline developers to ensure that up to date evidence can be easily implemented and shared throughout the world.
BACKGROUND: The administration of blood to the wrong patient remains the leading cause of acute hemolytic transfusion reactions and subsequent death. A process control system for blood administration was developed that verifies, at the bedside, the match between barcoded patient identification and blood unit identification. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The system is composed of 1) a portable bedside scanner that reads barcoded patient identification and blood unit identification, 2) a host computer system capable of accepting transfusion data from the bedside scanner, 3) printed documentation of the transfusion episode, and 4) audit trail monitoring of whether all steps in the automated patient and blood unit identification process have been performed. Software design, development, and validation protocols followed industry standards. RESULTS: A pilot study was performed over a 2-month period evaluating the blood administration process using the computerized bedside transfusion identification system prototype for transfusions in 39 oncology patients. CONCLUSION: This system controls the blood administration process and includes bedside verification of the match between patient identification and blood unit identification.
The Chromium-51 release assay is a widely used technique to assess the lysis of labeled target cells in vitro. We have developed a simple technique to analyze data from Chromium-51 release assays using the widely available LOTUS 1-2-3 spreadsheet software. This package calculates percentage specific cytotoxicity and lytic units by linear regression. It uses all data points to compute the linear regression and can determine if there is a statistically significant difference between two lysis curves. The system is simple to use and easily modified, since its implementation requires neither knowledge of computer programming nor custom designed software. This package can help save considerable time when analyzing data from Chromium-51 release assays.